Viscounty of Aulnay
Structure
The Viscontes of Aulnay are sworn vassals of the Grand-Duc of Akitania, swearing fealty annually at the ducal court at Kastell-Fronsac. Historically, the Viscontes have also been nominal vassals of the Konts of Saintonge, but enjoy a largely autonomous relationship with their neighbors and close allies. The Viscounty, in turn, holds the allegiances of around a dozen minor barons, lords and knights managing small fiefs across the region.
In addition to Alderlight's civil order, the region boasts several autonomous ecclesiastic holdings in the forms of abbeys and monasteries scattered across the countryside. These self-sufficient reclusive orders typically are exempt from taxes or conscription, operating independently within the domain since the founding of the Viscounty.
Culture
Compared to some of its neighbors, the landlocked region is considered quiet and pastoral, lacking major industries, military facilities or population centers. However, its central geography and location along a prominent pilgrimage route makes it a surprisingly influential and cosmopolitan region, connecting major settlements such as Cents-Cloches, Port De La Lune, Egolsima, and Karregennig.
Aulnay prides itself on this pastoral calm, projecting a vision of agrarian simplicity and traditional values, while also taking full advantage of their benefits to also appear as affluent and influential as Akitania's wealthy and powerful provinces.
Public Agenda
Aulnay is closely tied, culturally, economically and politically, to its Southwestern neighbor, the County of Saintonge, with the same family typically ruling both provinces. The pair has numerous trade agreements, defense treaties and intermarriages, often appearing as a unified front at Kastell-Fronsac. Traditionally, Aulnay advocates for an internal focus, ignoring the complexities of larger international politics. It favours neither adventurous trade policies, nor aggressive military intervention.
History
Following The Tear, several communities in the fertile valleys of the Karente and the Boutonne Rivers joined together in a loose coalition of villages and hamlets. The strongest of these was Rocherou, founded by Mistwalker Liorada and her followers on the rocky promitory directly above the source of the Boutonne. Rocherou, protected by a stout palisade, served as a position of relative strength, growing to the largest settlement in the region. Eventually, the town became a stop along a prominent pilgrimage route running from Threetower and Cent-Clochers to Egolisma, where it joins with a larger route towards The Shatterlands and Lupino . The flat, easy path between major population centers made it a popular choice for overland travel, and it flourished into a robust trade route.
In 823 SI, seeking to capitalize on the flow of traffic and goods between their respective holdings, the Lords of Cents-Clocher and Saintonge arranged a marriage between their powerful families. A new sovereignty, the Viscounty of Aulnay, was established between them. A grand chateau-fort was built on the site of Rocherou.
As Cents-Clocher turned its attention towards Anjev, Aulnay came increasingly under the sway of Saintonge
Demography and Population
Population Makeup
The majority of the population is Bediz, with the Teuz being the largest of the Korrigan Tuath. The Kornikaned, almost exclusively belonging to the Troupe d'Argenson, exist in large numbers in the Sylve d'Argenson, living as outlaws, frequently raiding border villages. The town of Contre, hosting a sacred fountain, is the home to a large clutch of Margot. Small troupes of Boléguéans, Kriores and nomandic Poulpiquet can be found in the area, as can some Sidhe and Fomorians peoples, but rarely in statistically significant numbers.Religious Makeup
With strong historical ties to the Faithful stronghold of Cents-Cloche, Aulnay is dominated by the Southern Church, with the Followers of the Forest Gods making up a small but significant minority. Peasant belief and religious syncretism is quite common, especially in the regions once taken up by the old forest.Territories
Aulnay is a landlocked Sovereignty, located parallel to the Flower Coast in central Akitania. The vast majority of Aulnay is taken up by agricultural land, including Bocage, pasture and vineyards. The Boutonne River flows across the Northernwestern Border with the Viscounty of Aunis, with heavy forest on the right bank of the river. The soil here is chalky, part of the Aunis Massif, an elevated plateau between Western Aulnay and the Sea. The river flows into the Karenten River, which forms the border with the County of Saintonge, which borders Alderlight from the West to the Southwest. Like Aunis, the border region is heavily forested.
The remainder of the North is bordered by County of Poitou, marking the most settled area of Aulnay along the Pllgirm's Road. This area is covered in vineyards and agricultural lands, as well as numerous villages and hamlets. This continues traveling Southeast along the Border with the March of Lusignan, once the border between Akitania and an independent Poitou. To the Southeast, the County of Englosima continues the agricultural and populated axis of the region.
Hydrography
Aulnay's primary waterways are the Brédoire and the Boutonne. The former is a largely unnavigable stream that flows into the left bank of the latter2, which makes up the Northern border of the Viscounty. Dozens of small islands lie in the Boutonne as it passes through Aulnay's picturesque valley. The Boutonne itself flows into the Karente River, which flows to the Northwest, where it empties into the Pleg-mor Gwaskogn to the West.Military
Aulnay has a small, but well-trained and provisioned cadre of elite knights garrisoned at Kastell Chef-Boutonne. At present, this company, identified by their black and gold armor, is lead by the decorated, but recentlyu Sieur Michelle Chabichou.
Religion
Numerous abbeys and churches, gifted to the Church by the Comptes de Centes-Cloches, dot the region.
Agriculture & Industry
The Viscounty is primarily an agricultural center, specializing in the production of cereals and grapes, which are fermented into a potent eau-de-vie spirit. The Viscounts own a grand dovecote, housing over 2,000 pigeons.
The Brédoire and the Boutonne are both used for mill power to process cereals. The latter does serve as a artery of local trade and offers access to the sea, but most trade is carried out via overland routes. Both rivers are susceptible to regular drought, and a network of pools and canals have been dug to mitigate these issues.
Aulnay is well known for the manufacturing of agricultural ploughs.
Aulnay boasts several small limestone quarries, as well as oaken forests, but neither to the extent of allowing for large exports of these resources. Still, the region produces a self-sufficient amount of charcoal, timber and stone to sustain itself and trade locally.
Trade & Transport
Aulnay is a transport point for a variety of goods, primarily overland, but also via the Boutonne river, including cereals, cognac and wine, and timber. River trade is almost entirely carried out via riverboats known as Gabare, flat-bottomed boats with trapezoidal sails. While these larger stick to the wide, deep waters of the Karente, they are often seen on the Boutonne in lesser numbers.
Founding Date
823 SI
Alternative Names
Aulnay de Saintonge, Alderlight
Predecessor Organizations
Demonym
Aulnaysians
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Gazetteer
Currency
Aulnay uses the Livre Tournois in Chef-Boutonne, while robust barter economy exists in its agrarian communities.
Executive Body
The title of Viscontes of Aulnay are currently held by House Bois de Nord, a cadet branch of the powerful Akitanian Noble family, House Tonge. Viscont Mathieu Bois de Nord married the Fortunate Islander Dawn, to have one child and heir, Thierry (née Therese). While Matthieu travels to Outremer for Crusade, rule of the country falls to his Castellan and Brother, Lord Theodoric Tonge, until Thierry is coronated as Viscont.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Official Languages
Neighboring Nations
Related Species
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