Biskonti Leon - Viscounty of Léon
Structure
The Biskonti Leon is a feudal state, a nominal vessel of the Konts of Kernev and by extension, the Dugs of Letha. However, its geographic isolation, combined with a long history of a rebellious independent streak makes the reality far murkier. While still sworn to Kernev, Leon typically operates independently, and it is treated as being equal in standing to the Konts in most cases. Once appointed by Kernev, the position of Biskont is hereditary once more.
Other the major Sovereignties within Letha, Leon has the fewest vassals of its own. The Lordship of Aginense is the largest, while the Lordship of Chelgenn serves as the seat of the Biskont. The Northern coast is taken up by the semi-lawless region of Bro Bagan.
Culture
Architecture
Cuisine
Costume
-Leoned costume is known for its simplicity and straightforwardness, in contrast of the vibrant colours of its Southern neighbor. The traditonal colours for male costume is black, with a simple jacket and round brimmed hat.Headdresses
Elaborate lace coiffe headdresses are an important fixture of local costume, with different styles and patterns appearing in different towns and circumstances.Dances
Public Agenda
Isolated on the Northwestern tip of Letha, the Biskonit exerts its autonomy whenever possible, an independent streak even more pronounced than their neighbors of the Penn-ar-Bed. Autonomy is the primary motivator of the lords of Leon, especially against the machinations of Gallia. Leoned nobles largely support the Monforz claim in the civil war.
Within the Biskonti, the ruling House of Leon, an offshoot of House Roazhon, is often at odds with House Roc'han, who hold considerable power in the region, but no direct control of any sovereignty within it.
Assets
Leon stalwartly defends its Right of Wreck, as the salvage from the treacherous coastline is lucrative. A single rock off the Bro-Bagan nets the Biskonti an average 100,000 Sol annually. This has gained them a (somewhat deserved) reputation as wreckers, although in reality most income comes from opportunistic looting rather than intentional wrecking.
The Biskonti's most politically significant asset is the fortified harbor of Brest. A series of large hills isolate it from hand attacks, and only a narrow strait allows access into the sheltered roadstead. With the fortress, Leon is able to control the valuable waterway virtually uncontested, protecting its fleets and the port of Landern.
Despite the advantages of its maritime location, the Biskonti lacks the economic powerhouses of its neighbors and trails far below the wealth of the East. Its nobles are often in debt, creating a stereotype of the region as being home to "the pauper princes."
History
Early History and the Petty Kingdom of Leon
The region was used by Conan Meriadoc as a base of operations, setting up his capital at Kastell-Paol and enforcing his will along the roads and seaways of the Northern ar mor, while using the hazardous coast to protect against counterattacks. Prior to the foundation of the Kingdom of Great Kernev, the Plateau was sparsely populated, largely consisting of small communities of subsistence farmers and fishermen. This changed when Even Mwar, first king of Leon, was also the King of Lyonesse, a petty kingdom along the Southern Coast of Albia. Pressured by the Courts of Summer and Winter to the North, and coastal pirates, he made the choice to evacuate his people Southwards to the relative safety of Gadeon's courth in Dumnonia. Instead, the fleet was captured by slavers on the ar mor Breizh, and taken to a remote location along the Dumnonian coast. Even, not willing to see his people sold as chattel, led a rebellion, seizing a number of slave ships and fleeing Westward. The rest of the Slavers rallied and gave chase. When all hope seemed lost, the rocks split apart to give Even's fleet passage into a natural anchorage, sealing behind them. Saved by the "miracle" (later discovered to be a prototype seawall gate like those used in the construction of Ker-Ys to the South), the ships of Even's fleet sailed into Angel's Bay without concern of attack from the sea. These ships were converted into a shelter that would become the city of Tolente Despite their initial success, Even knew that they were not strong enough to remain on their own. Leon submitted themselves to Kernev, swearing allegiance to Ker-Ys. The city of Tolente was constructed on the Northern Coast, an impressive port with sturdy ramparts and, like much of Kernev, complex networks of dams and dikes to allow for great control over the harbor. Leon prospered under Ys, its territory stretching from Kermaria to the Kastellin Basin and the island of Eusa. Tolente grew into a magnificent port, even serving as the seat of both Leon and Dumnonia for a time. The town of Landern on the Rade de Brest was founded during this time.Leon's Decline
Tolente and Lyonesse were both destroyed during the Fall of Ys and Leon's power crumbled as it lost both its capital and its island holdings. Throughout the years, the region would become a vassal of Kernev, Dreger, and even the Southern Church, with brief periods of independence, never remaining in one state for long. It was stripped of its County status, with the sovereigns becoming Biskonts. Despite this humiliation, Leon again gained autonomy as is today considered one of the major divisions of the Duchy, The region, then sworn to the House of Kernev, was the scene of the violent conquest of Conomor the Cursed against Budig II, High King of the Bretoned. During the Poisoner's Game, the House of Roazhon married into the position of Biskont, establishing a dynasty that would last for several generations, eventually leading to their support of Cousin Konstanza I's in her war against Akitania.Demography and Population
Leon has one of the lowest populations of the major regions of Letha, lacking large cities and metropolitan areas. The majority of land is rural, with the population spread across small villages and hamlets. The region supports a Korrigan majority of Teuz, Poulpiquet and Kriores making up the largest of the Fae Tuath. Korrigan populations have an even higher percentage in the Bro Bagan and the foothills of the Meneziou Are.
Territories
Leon is found on the Northwestern tip of the Armorican Peninsula, on the massive Plateau de Leon. From West to East, its territory stretches from the island of Eusa and the rocky Beg Korzenn to the Bay of Montroulez.
Leon is surrounded on three sides by water. The South is taken up by the sheltered, massive natural harbor the Rade de Brest, sheltered by the Plateau de Leon to the North and the Crozon Peninsula to the South. Accessible by only a narrow channel, it is one of the most important waterways in Letha. To the West, the Ar Mor Bras opens to the wild sea, frothing waves and harsh, cutting winds crashing into the granite cliffs. The Four Channel, which separates the Beg Korzenn, Eusa and the Molene Archipelago, is the primary route between the Mor Bras and the Mor Breizh. Here, the land cuts Northeast, along a series of dramatic river deltas, called Les Abers. Past the ruins of Tolente, one enters the Bro Bagan, a wild coastline of low-lying wetlands and rocky shores, between the Wrac'h and the Fleche Rivers. The coastline continues at a gentle Northeastly climb, before dramatically turning Southwards at Enez-Vaz and Kastell-Paol, as the Horn River empties into Montroulez Bay.
The ar goat Leon sits high on the plateau, a largely flat expanse on top of high cliffs over the sea. Two rivers, the Montroulez and the Elorn, cut through the granite in deep river valleys, emptying into the Mor Breizh and the Rade de Brest respectively. The West and North of the interior is largely flat, defined by gentle hills and squares of Bocage, The Southwest of the Biskonti is marked by the moors and foothills of the Meneziou Are as the elecation rises.
Despite its Northern latitude, the region is renowned for its temperate climate, making it ideal for agriculture. It is widely regarded as an open and austere land with few trees to block the ocean winds racing across the plateau.
Military
Leon's military is largely drawn from peasant militias, with a heavy focus on the use of Foot-Soldiers. Mounted knights are considerably rarer in the region than elsewhere, but the access to fine horses and a history of equestrianism means that they are among the best riders on the continent. Living in the harsh conditions of the rocky coasts and windswept moors has created a force the excels at defensive deployment and survival skills, holding out against larger and better equipped enemies with surprising effectiveness.
In addition to its horses, Leon also maintains a small population of Wyverns for use as aerial cavalry. These are largely found in Brest and in castles throughout Southern Aginense.
Religion
Leon is a land of religious contrasts. In Chelgenn, the Southern Church has a strong political and cultural presence, while Aginense clings to the old ways in subtle traditions. The Bro Bagan, actively flaunts its connections to both Faerie and the The Druidic faith, maintaining the largest Druidic majority on the Peninsula. During Konstanza's War, the Order of Albi made frequent incursions on the region, prompting a unified pushback from the inhabitants of the Bro-Bagan that expelled the order from its borders.
The Faith has little direct power here, with only one major monastery complex in Aginense. However, the Bishop of Kastell-Paol wields considerable social and political influence that more than makes up for a lack of temporal authority in Leoned affairs.
Foreign Relations
Leon has a long and proud tradition of positioning itself as the civic rivals of its neighbors in Dreger and Kernev.
The has long been a rivalry between the Leon and its neighbors, Kernev and Dreger. Its population has long considered itself more hardworking and conservative than their neighbors, with the exception of the fae influenced communities of the Bro Bagan.
Leon has few relations with the Ducal Cities in Upper Letha, considering them almost foreign states.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture of the ar goat
Despite its Northern latitude, Leon possesses a temperate climate and favourable terrain allows for robust agricultural production. The North of Chelgenn from the Keremma Dunes to Montroulez Bay is known as the Golden Belt, producing large, high quality harvests of artichokes, onions, cauliflower and tomatoes. Cattle husbandry, a right reserved for the nobility, also flourishes in Leon. The moorland in the southern ar goat, and the flat plateaus of the West, are idea for the husbandry of the finest horses West of the Liger River. Leoned horses are prized throughout Kornôgel, a staple of any stable of merit on the continent.Fishing and Aquaculture
The coastal regions of Leon support a thriving fishing and aquacultural industry, specializing in the harvesting of shellfish, especially lobster, and oysters, which are raised in the river abers across the region. The Elorn river, flowing into the Rade de Brest, is a notable salmon run. The sandy soil of the interior is supplemented by exceptional fertilizer, the result of a local industry of seaweed harvesting. Processed seaweed fertilizer is shipped throughout Letha, Akitania and La Manche.Other Industries
Quarrying and ore mining are also common in the region, typically carried out by Kriores and Fomorians. This is done in open pit granite quarries or along the coastal rivers that cross the region, such as the Aber Ildut, near Lokournan, large sources of tin for the region.Trade & Transport
Leon maintains a small, but flourishing sea trade of fish, vegetables and textiles out of Brest, Montroulez and Kastell-Paol. Recently, Windships have begun to see more frequent use crossing the mountains.
Infrastructure
Leon has a reputation for its rough, undeveloped nature. Many of the old Imperial roads crossing the mountains and following the coast are crumbling and neglected, swarming with bandits and Faerie raiders, but remain the only overland route.
Type
Geopolitical, Viscounty
Capital
Predecessor Organizations
Demonym
Leoned
Ruling Organization
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Gazetteer
Cities
Currency
Like most of Letha, Leon has adopted the Livre Tournois as its currency, although its adoption trailed several decades beyond its Eastern counterparts. As a result, Leon does not mint its own coins, but instead relies on those of neighbors Dreger and Kernev in equal measure. In the Bro-Bagan, the barter economy is still heavily in use and widely favoured over the new coinage.
Major Exports
Legislative Body
Officially, Leon is subject to both the Dug's laws and those of Kernev, but for the most part, the lords of Leon go about their business as they see fit with little outside influence. They fully participate in, and generally follow the guidance of, the Estates of Letha. But far from the noble manors and formal charters of Roazhon, little attention is paid to them on a daily basis, as is clear from the passionate adherence to maintaining the jus Naufragii even as it gains equally strong opposition from the mercantile Ducal Counties and the Southern Church.
Judicial Body
The Biskonts have reclaimed the adminstration of High Justice and the Right of the Sword, both historically denied them by Kemper. Middle and Low Justice are dispensed, at the pleasure of the Biskonts, by a network of lesser lords, city councils and magistrates. The Southern Church holds an ecclesiastic court in Kastell-Paol, overseeing the entirety of Leon and parts of Kernev.
Executive Body
Executive power falls to the Biskonts and the nobility of Leon. The Biskonts, synonymous with the Lords of Chelgenn, oversee that region and direct their most powerful vassal, the Lords of Aginense to do the same in their holdings. These two noble families exert greater control over their territory than many high nobles, with only petty lords and knights beneath them in rank.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Related Myths
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