Lordship of Kab Sizun
The Lordship of Kab-Sizun
Structure
Officially, the Stormlord of Kab-Sizun is a sworn vassal of the Kont of Kernev, equal with similarly ranked nobles across the County. The lands of the Stormlord are small, isolated, and wracked with a perpetual Wyldstorm, yet wield an outsized influence across the region. While nominally serving Kemper, the isolation of the storm and the unique industries of Stormbreak allow the Stormlords a great degree of autonomy.
The same circumstances that grant the Lords such autonomy also act as a help and a hindrance to local governance. With most of their lands wracked by a perpetual storm, the majority of the population resides within the Stormbreak Citadel. There are few landed nobles remaining, largely holdover honorary titles from the days of Ker-Ys, before the storm. Hereditary titles for the non-landed gentry are more common, but the real power resides in the scholars, guild leaders and captains of industry that oversee the protection and production of the Citadel's industry. Titles associated with positions within the Stormbreak Citadel, such as the Master of Waters, who oversees the complex drainage and water power systems, are highly sought after and wield the influence of a major lord in an equivalent sovereignty.
Outside the citadel, there is little overall control over the disparate settlements dotting the landscape, where local authority is absolute.
Culture
Kab-Sizun is consumed by the Tempest, which has become a foundational aspect of the region's culture. Any action could mean the difference between life and death in the dangerous location, leading to a heavy-handed system of top-down control and rigid procedures. Society is strictly regimented and compartmentalized, similar to a naval force.
In Kab-Sizun, it is customary to write a family name on the lintel of a home, while the names of children of that family are inscribed on the windows. A holdover from the days before the storm, this is continued into the present day.
Public Agenda
The Stormlords maintain power by controlling the crucial industries of Barrad-Faout, exerting influence beyond their walls with a virtual monopoly on Tanfoeltr, the liquid lightning used to power glow orbs and Rods of Taranis, storm-proofed navigation equipment and Ironglass.
For the most part, the policies of Kab-Sizun reflect the drive for continued profit and monopolization of these industries, which in turn are used to further the personal agendas of those running these industries.
History
The region was sparsely inhabited during the Imperial period, with only small evidence of roadways and small settlements found in the area until the reign of Gradlon Mwar, the King of Kernev and Ker-Ys. The point hosted a small castle of the royal family, with Princess Ahes Dahut frequently summering there. The region was thrown into chaos as the Wyldstorm that destroyed Ys-Beneath-the-Waves and Lyonesse returned Southwards, anchoring on the old castle, where it remains locked in place to this day. The settlements of the region were destroyed, the inhabitants driven out to safer lands.
During the reign of Konstanza de Leon, there was a renewed interest in the Wyldstorm and the exploitation of its unique properties. While the Tempestarii had been flying through the tempest for years, this marked the first permanent settlement in the region since the Fall of Ys, with a team of Gargoul, Kriores, Fomorii and Bediz establishing Stormbreak, building it up to its current form.
Demography and Population
In the midst of a perpetual Wyldstorm, the majority of the Bediz population of Kab-Sizun are Boermerzh to some degree, with a large population of Milliget.
Barrad-Faout is a gathering place for both Arkanists and Alchemists looking to channel the region's unique magikal properties, and the majority of the settlement is dedicated to the study and exploitation of the Wyldstorm. The nobility of Stormbreak are often drawn from this population, residing in the heights of the Iron keep at the center of the citadel, surrounded by lower gentry and guilds in the middle levels and around the edges of the city. The majority of the population is made up of scribes, assistants and servants catering to the studies and domestic life of these powerful individuals. A large population of civil servants maintains the spillways, canals and walls, in constant need of maintenance due to the ever-present storm. This last group is heavily dominated by Milliget, direct exposure to magic warping them as they work.
Of the Korrigan population, the largest numbers are made up of the Kriores and Gargoul, with all other races making up a tiny percentage of the remaining population. The Kriores are split roughly evenly between the Gargantuans of Ker-Malastred, who maintain the intricate spillways controlling the water pouring onto the city, and the Jetins of the Ar Mor Emrodez, whose golden ships ply the stormwaters. The Gargoul, loosely organized in a troupe, control the collection spires and many of the lightning forges.
The Tempestarii, having flown their Windships through the storm for centuries, have a semi-permanent population in the city, which has strong ties with Magonia, on which it relies for the much of its produce and imported goods.
The Marie-Morgane maintain a presence in the city through the Merrow, as the storm makes it easy to hide their true natures, such as their watery footprints. They have a permanent base in the lower-wards of the city.
Fomorians, willing to do enforcement work for the Iron Nobles, make up a large portion of the city garrison, but some have entered civilian life as well working in the Lightning Forges, the machinery of the Lower Wards, or making the dangerous storm passage along the sea.
Territories
The headland of Kab Sizun is found on the Southwestern tip of the Kernev Plateau extending Westward into the Mor Bras, between Douarnenez Bay to the North and Gwaien Bay to the South. It's only terrestrial border is shared with the Barony of Penn-Sardin, which demarcates its line at an almost impenetrable wall of dark grey Feth Fiada that marks the stormwall.
Barrad-Faout sits between the jagged rocks of the Pointe du Raz and Pointe du Van, over a small bay overlooking a channel called the Bae an Anaon (Bay of the Dead), taking its name from the frequent corpses of the drowned that wash up on its shores. Even among the already dangerous coastline, this stretch is particularly deader. The Phantom island of Sena sits across this bay to the West.
Very little grows on the peninsula, the hedges of the Armorican Peninsula replaced by grey stone walls ravaged by the storm. What few towns are found in the Lordship are small and humble, built from granite against the rains and winds. This area, outside of the city, is typically referred to as the Stormfield. Few attempts are made to map the region, as settlements can be destroyed suddenly.
Military
The Fomorii make up the majority of the military, with Bediz, Kriores and even Tempestarii filling out the ranks. Many are employed by the guilds in private mercenary forces, but a general garrison exists. The nature of the city makes it difficult to patrol, and most focus is on internal threats, using the storm as a natural defense. Bandits and pirates often target the city. Feral Gargoul, as well as Stone Harpies prowl the storm-tossed ramparts, while Finfolk and Sluagh stalk the oft-flooded lowest areas of the citadel.
Foreign Relations
While officially a vassal of Kernev and Letha, the region largely operates as fully independent entity, its direct power and ambition confined within the stormwall, but their influence extending far beyond.
The Lordship has notable relations with its landbound neighbor, the Barony of Penn-Sardin, which provides the only overland route to the citadel. Penn-Sardin is its primary overland trading partner, bringing in much needed supplies and produce.
The Tempestarii city of Magonia holds a similar position, the Windships of the Floating city taking up the bulk of imports and exports through the tempest.
Agriculture & Industry
Very little agriculture takes place in the region, although there is a small and lucrative trade in sardines, which are canned in the city. The majority of food is brought in overland from Penn-Sardin or via Windship from Magonia.
The Lightning Forges provide the majority of the income for the region, with their creations being sent out via windship all over the Western Realms. While no windships are made in the city itself, its nobility and guilds are patrons of the practice, funding other shipyards and providing important equipment to their operation.
Trade & Transport
The region, situated on the peninsula, is a major stopover for Windship trade between Magonia and Port De La Lune, as well as a "Port of Last Resort" for ships on the storm-tossed Mor Bras. Fomorians and Jetins are the most common to brave this dangerous passage.
Mythology & Lore
It is said that a pack of Ki Du has taken over an old facility at Cléden, near Barrad-Faout.
The Stormlords
Type
Geopolitical, Lordship
Capital
Predecessor Organization
Demonym
Capistes
Government System
Magocracy
Power Structure
Semi-autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
The Lordship of Kab Sizun has adopted the Livre Tournois, but accepts other currencies, such as those of the Golden Sea, in payment for its services.
In the lower classes, a barter economy is in full swing, to assist in their survival in the harsh lower and outer levels of the storm-tossed citadel. This trade-driven economy is even more prevalent in the hard-scrabble settlements out on the storm-plain.
Major Exports
Tanfoeltr
Ironglass
Rods of Taranis and pot-du-Ferre
Navigation Equiptment
Sardines
Major Imports
Produce, Ores, raw materials
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments