County of Foix (V)

The Southern County of Foix and the Viscounty of Bearn is a small, but powerful vassal of the County of Tolosa and the Kingdom of Gallia, acquiring some autonomy from the former following the Inquisition of Albi.

Structure

A semi-autonomous County within the powerful, but decimated Duchy of Tolosa, having gained some independence from its weakened sovereign following the Albigensian Crusade, Foix and its vassals operate in typical feudal fashion with its mountainous territory.

Public Agenda

Having publicly refused to recognize the Sovereignty of the King of Gallia, Foix was besieged personally by King Phillipe I, destroyed and virtually deserted. It was hit especially hard by the Inquisition of Albi and never fully recovered, remaining on of the least populous regions in the entire Gallian sphere on influence.

Assets

The castle-town of Foix is a small, but growing center for skyships, a popular stop between Navarre, Tolosa and points north. This has given some speculation to the quiet County may see its fortunes reverse.

Demography and Population

Foix is one of the least populated regions in the area, a mountainous carpet of isolated hilltowns and riverside settlements. The castle-town of Foix is the only population center of note. The gender ratio of the region leans slightly towards female and Beormerzh, a direct result of the heavy Faerie influence in Tolosa.

Territories

Located in a mountainous region of rocky hills at the confluence of the Ariege and Arget rivers, as well as a third "phantom river" in Faerie, appearing in regions of Bleed.

Religion

The brutal Albigensian inquisition still a relatively recent memory, the Southern Church holds absolute sway over the region, having effectively eliminated followers of other faiths. Some towns in the hills, especially in areas of Bleed, maintain these religious practices in secret.

Foreign Relations

Despite the small size of their holdings, the Counts of Foix are well situated to become a powerful political force. Straddling the border between Gallia and the Kingdom of Navarre, it controls a large amount of trade and diplomacy between the two regions, while also maintaining contact with Tolosa, the Duchy of Aquitainia and the Duchy of Gascony, and through those, the Kingdom of Logres. However, since its defeat by Gallia, it has yet to acheive political stability that would allow it to seize this opportunity effectively, beyond minor taxes collected on caravans that pass the castle-town proper.

Agriculture & Industry

Foix is famous for a local type of liver-sausage.

Trade & Transport

Foix's location as a nexus of trade between three major parties has made it a valuable, if untapped, resource and its mountainous territory, difficult to reach by road or river, is well-situated for skyship travel.

Faith is a Mountain

Type

Geopolitical, County / March

Demonym

Fuxed

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Power Structure

Feudal state

Economic System

Traditional

Currency

Foix has adopted the Livre Tournais as its official currency, but largely relies on coins minted in Navarre or Tolosa.