Konk-Kern (+)
Jutting out into the bay on a small penisula and surrounded by sturdy walls of stone, the small town of Konk-Kern has weathered storms, wars and pirates. A prominent fishing village, it pays little heed to the chaos roiling Breizh
Demographics
The town has a heavy mix of Southern Faith and Druids. The Southern Church claims the land as originating with saint Gwenole, an early leader in the faith, while the Druids hold up strong and ancient ties with the Winter Court. The majority of people subscribe in some manner to both belief systems.
Government
The Seneschal of Konk-Kerne is an appointed position, chosen from the minor nobility of the Viscounty of Kernev. The position is quite sought after as the fishing fleet the boulz glas (Blue Nets) is quite profitable and the town itself, with its thick walls, is quite, save for the occasional attack from pirates or the Marie-Morgane. A city council controls most of the daily life in the city. Taxes are collected by the Sensechal and presented to the Viscount.
Defences
Konk-Kern is protected by a wall enclosing the city, a small fortress on the tip of the penisula on which it is built. The town is serviced by a small garrison, made up mostly of younger men and women and those too old to go to sea with the Boulz Glas. The lord of Konk-Kerne holds a small castle about an hours ride from the city gates. The city is attached to the mainland via a fortified bridge.
Industry & Trade
The fishing fleet has made Konk-Kerne a wealthy small town, which processes its own fish, then ships them out by sea and air. An alliance with the Winter Court allows the fish to be preserved during this transport, in return for which a small tithe is paid to the Winter Queen. The exact details of this agreement are unknown outside of the city elders.
Infrastructure
The harbour is the most notable feature of the town, protected by a small spit of land opposite the walled city. The Boulz Glas make their port here and their ships can often be seen lying in harbor. A small drydrock is used for light repairs, although the ships themselves are built elsewhere.
Argoat
A small skyship tower is built into the Seneshal's castle and from where fish is shipped over the Brocelianade Ar Goat.
Assets
The Boulz Glas Fishing Fleet
Guilds and Factions
The Boulz Glas protects its monopoly of the fishing trade with an iron fist, enforcing complete control over the industry. Independent captains may enter and trade with the town, but only those in the guild may may Konk-Kern their home port, a valued safe harbour in the treacherous waters of the Gulf.
The Town Elders, often retired captains and owners of fishing boats, dominate the political life of the town, but generally political struggles within the council are of little outside impact to daily life.
The Seneschal of Konk-Kern is a largely ceremonial post, a glorified tax collector with a few knights to keep the peace and serve as the Viscounts emissary. The current lord is an older man, a former castellan of Brest.
History
Legend says that the settlement around Konk-Kern was first claimed by St. Gwenole, a grant from the mythical Gradlon, King of Ys. Gwenole is said to have built an abbey on the small bay to spread the Southern Faith. The abbey was later sacked by a Viking raid several hundred years ago and much of its stone reused in the construction of local buildings. A sizeable ruin still remains along the banks of the Moros river, which locals claims to be the remains of the Abbey.
Centuries after the legendary founding, a group of hardscrabble fishermen from what would Kingdom of Logres settled the natural harbor, a rare safe-haven to ply their trade along the dangerous southern Coast.
It was not long after that the fishermen of Konk-Kern became the target of hostile forces. Viking Raiders from Duchy of Normaundie and Fjallkonan frequently sacked the town as the Marie-Morgane raided the fishing fleet with a relentless determination, stealing the catch and dragging sailors overboard. Desperate, the local chieftain marched into the forest to plead the aid of the Sidhe Courts. Winter heard the pleas and struck a deal. All nets used by the fleet were to be made with blue ropes, in honor of the Winter Queen, and in return, she would grant them the protection of her court. To this day, the Boulz Glas steadfastly holds to the agreement, naming themselves after their distinctive blue nets and have been blessed with good fortune and safety.
Centuries passed and the town thrived, eventually falling under the authority of Duchy of Breizh when Kernev was absorbed into the union. The local Viscounts, eager to increase their own power in the Duchy with the fleet's income, fortified the town to protect from pirates.
The town, despite its fortune, is a strangely focused target of the Marie-Morgane, which attack any ship not using the blue nets of the Boulz Glas.
Geography
Built on the estuary of the Moros river and the Pleg-mor Gwaskogn, the port town extends out on a peninsula into the sheltered harbour. The Fouesnant forest lies to the immediate Northwest. Sandy beaches stretch out to the east and west of the town center. The area is hilly, but low and heavily forested.
Natural Resources
Ample fishing and shellfish harvesting.
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