The Barony of Blackwater
Structure
Nominally a vassal of the Counts of Dreger and arguably their most powerful subjects, the Barons of Blackwater are the real power behind Landreger, situated between the prosperous bridge-cities of Montroulez and Lannuon. To ensure the region's loyalty to their sovereign, the Barons are frequently close relatives or trusted personal friends of the Count, an allegiance further secured by marriages and other pacts. The town of Montroulez, marking an important border crossing between Leon and Dreger, is largely independent, but Lannuon falls entirely within the power of the Blackwaters. These towns are heavily in the power of the merchant's guilds, while the outlying countryside is controlled by feudal fiefs or ecclesiastical claims of the Faith.
Public Agenda
The Barons of Blackwater are heavily tied to the fortunes of Landreger and the County itself, and the two Westernmost realms of Dreger march in unison on most issues. The current Baron is the cousin of Count Morgan of Dreger and his closest friend and military commander. Using the barony's sizeable fleet of ships and windships and the income generated by its large merchant towns, Blackwater provides the capital and manpower of the County's military. Their influence and wealth has put them in direct opposition with the Viscounty of Dinan in the East, their main political rivals within the county.
While the Baron and Count remain popular in the countryside, the bridge-cities favour mercantile interests over military ones, which sometimes puts the two groups at odds.
The nobility of Blackwater, seeing a way to oppose their longtime rivals in Dinan, have thrown their support behind the Monforz claim to the Ducal throne, in effect allying with the Sidhe, which has put them at odds with the Faith.
Assets
Blackwater's strategic position between the bridge-towns of Montroulez and Lannuon has provided it with significant benefits, a lucrative source of income as it collects tolls and taxes entering both thriving mercantile economic zones. Blackwater's numerous navigable rivers have allowed it to create infrastructure further from the coast, a network of flat-bottomed boats and canal paths allowing for easy access. The rivers also allow the construction and operation of numerous mills, ranging in production from textiles to grains.
This economic advantage and willingness to work alongside local Korrigan has allowed Blackwater to modernize its military, allowing it to field a large number of ships and windships. Several castles are found within the region, including the naval fortress Kastell-Taureau.
Demography and Population
Like most of Dreger, the gender ratio of Blackwater is heavily tilted female, with women making up almost 3 out of every 5 inhabitants. A significant amount of the population is Kontammet in some way, with the vast majority being Boermerzh, but with a large population of Milliget. The Korrigan Troupes are active participants in the regional economy, living openly in the cities and countrysides. Formorian clans are rare in Blackwater compared to other regions of Dreger, but small groups can be found in the South and along the Heather Coast.
The population of Blackwater is largely centered in the towns Montroulez and Lannuon, with several small hamlets spread along the rivers. The villages along the Heather Coast are located inland, a historical precaution against raids from the sea that could easily establish beachheads on the long, sandy beaches.
Territories
The Barony of Blackwater is framed by two rivers, the Queffleuth to the West and the Leger in the East, allowing the province control of the key crossings of both waterways. To the North, the Ar Mor Breizh stretches the length of the Baron's holdings along the low, sandy beaches of the Heather Coast, named for the yellow Gorse that grows along the shoreline as the headlands quickly rise in elevation. To the South, the foothills of the Meneziou Are begin to climb, forming the border with the County of Kernev.
The region is crisscrossed with several small rivers and large streams, the Queffleuth, the Dourdu, the Douron, the Hen, the Roscoat , the Kerdu and the Leger being the most significant. The Dourdu gives the barony its name, the water a dark black colour from sediments picked up along its journey down the Meneziou Aree, which empties into the sea at the Emrac'h Du, giving the brakish water an ominous black colour. Legend ties this unique colouring to Conomorr, the Mad Prince of Poher, however, the Kerdu river shares this trait, going further with black crystals of noteworthy lustre being found in caves along its banks. Removal of these crystals without Baronial approval is punished by death.
The coast and interior of the Barony is marked by heavy forests and open meadows of heather and gorse.
Points of Interest
A largely intact Imperial bathhouse in the village of Plestin is found a short distance from the beach and is a popular way-station for travelers. The sleepy seaside village of Lokireg housed a outpost for the Urzh Kroashent and a small harbour for the order's ships. While the chapel and outbuildings have been abandoned, the harbour still serves as docking for the Black Order. Karn Barnenez, a large tumulus located on a peninsula near Montroulez is a stronghold of the local sidhe population.Military
The Barons of Blackwater are among the most powerful in Dreger, making up the bulk of the County's fighting forces. They own several ships, anchored at Montroulez and 5 Skyships, each marked with black wood and black sails. These latter are found at the fortress of Kastell Tonkedeg across the river in Landreger, perched atop a high rock overlooking a large lake that serves as the berth for the Baron's Skyships.
The Baron and their Lords holds several castles in the region, such as Kastell Rosanbo and the baronial estate at Kervesec.
Religion
The influx of Faerie into the region has led to a significant resurgence of the Druidic population, with the cities of Montrouiez and Lannuon holding around 45% and 40% of the population respectively, a percentage that grows in the hilly regions to the South of the barony. The Faith maintains control, but local Church elders and the Inquisition of Albi are watching the region warily, fearing another Bro Bagan.
The village of Plestin features a sacred well of Ganymede, associated with St. Efflam, a hermit of the Faith who fled Lyonesse. The fountain has also been claimed by the local sidhe as sacred, leading to numerous confrontations between the Druids and the Faith.
Foreign Relations
Blackwater was strong historical ties with Landreger and High Leon, the latter both a trading partner and a bitter rival, depending on the time. The city of Montroulez switches between the two sovereigns on a 7 year cycle, with a representative being appointed by the Count of Dreger and the Viscount of Leon to lead the city. This transition is generally peaceful, but strife between the two regions can occasionally spark disagreements or even armed conflict. Blackwater's main rival within Dreger is the Eastern Viscounty of Dinan.
Agriculture & Industry
The numerous rivers of the Barony have made it a wet, fertile region for agriculture, specializing in flax and buckwheat, which is used by the water mills or the region to make canvas, linen and flour. Fishing is a large industry in the area as well.
Trade & Transport
Goods are processed in the river mills of Blackwater, then sold by the merchants of Montroulez and Lannion, shipped out of Dreger to destinations further afield. Ships are the primary method for transport at sea, and flat-bottom boats pulled by donkeys traverse the rivers.
6 Remusan roads converge at Montroulez, leading the Lannoun, Gwengamp, Ker-Ahes in Kernev, and Landivizio and Kastell-Paol in Leon. The final road is a small coastal road leading to the sea.
Type
Geopolitical, Barony
Capital
Alternative Names
Dourdu, Lower-Dreger
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Livre Tournais
Major Exports
Buckwheat Flour, Canvas, Sails, Linen
Legislative Body
Judicial Body
See Seigniorial Justice and Ecclesiastic Justice
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
Comments