Breland
Structure
The King, currently Boranel Ir'Wynarn, retains a sizeable portion of the power of absolute monarchy, however the Parliament of Breland has final say over the levying of taxes and placing of laws.
History
Breland, one of the original Five Nations founded by the human settlers of Khorvaire, mixes a proud agricultural tradition with a more urban and industrial outlook, especially in its massive cities. As with the other Five Nations, Breland's borders have fluctuated over time. It was named for King Galifar I's daughter, Brey, in the year 32 YK.
During the reign of Galifar's last king, Wroann ir'Wyrnarn governed the nation. King Jarot's youngest daughter, Wroann was the exact opposite of her twin brother, Wrogar of Aundair. She was thin and agile, serious, and a lover of the finer things in life. She also cherished freedom above all things, and promised to make Breland a place where people would be judged by word and deed instead of social class.
When Jarot died, Wroann broke with her twin regarding the line of succession. Instead of supporting Mishann of Cyre's claim to the throne, Wroann gathered her vassals and declared her own intention to rule the kingdom. Ironically, the freedom-loving nation of Breland was one of the key instigators of the Last War, for her leader wanted to spread her ideas of liberty and increased democracy to all by force and sword.
Prior to the Last War, the nation of Breland covered all the land it holds today, as well as what is now Zilargo, Droaam, and the Shadow Marches. Currently, the kingdom consists of the land between the Graywall Mountains and the Howling Peaks, reaching as far north as the Blackcaps and Lake Galifar, and as far south as the southern coast of the continent.
Demography and Population
Total Population -- 3,700,000
--Major Cities--
Sharn – 211,850 Metropolis,
Wroat – 80,870 Metropolis,
Starilaskur – Metropolis,
Xandrar – 7,019 Small City.
--Major Towns--
Ardev – 1600,
Argonth – 1600,
Black Pit – Village <500,
Cragwar – 3,600,
First Tower - Thorp,
Galethspyre – 3,900 Large Town,
Hatheril - Hamlet,
Mistmarsh - 240,
Moonwatch – Small Town,
New Cyre – Large Town,
Ringbriar - Thorp,
Shavalant - 820,
Vathirond – 3,100,
Woodhelm - Village.
Religion
Breland's citizens mainly belong to the Church of the Silver Flame or the Sovereign Host, though as a whole the nation isn't strongly religious — the Brelish have more faith in themselves and their king than in gods who never walk the land. Nevertheless, Sharn's eclectic cosmopolitanism extends to faiths as well; in the great metropolis can be found representatives and followers of almost every religion and faith. Some devotees simply pass through on their way to some other part of the continent. Others remain (although a lot of them still plan to leave when the opportunity presents itself) in the City of Towers and try to provide spiritual sustenance to the masses that flow through the city.
A few of the more violent and dangerous cults have forged hiding places within the nation. A Blood of Vol temple has been established, quietly and in secret, somewhere deep within the towers of Sharn. A number of separate groups devoted to the Dragon Below have long held positions of power and influence within the nation, thought they rarely reveal their true nature or intentions.
Foreign Relations
The Daughters of Sora Kell have been very busy trying to gain allies and new sources of revenue. They have made contact with most of western Khorvaire, most particularly Aundair, Breland and Zilargo. Because of this, many minotaur bodyguards and ogre laborers can be found in various Brelish and Zil towns. Thrane refuses to deal with Droaam laborers and mercenaries, and most adherents of the Silver Flame are deeply disturbed by these recent developments.
The Sisters petitioned, unsuccessfully, to be part of the Thronehold Accord, and thus their nation remains unrecognized.
Agriculture & Industry
Breland's agricultural output ranks it among the top crop-producing nations. It doesn't export many of its crops, however; much of what it grows goes to feed its growing population. The northern half of the country consists of rich farmland, while the southern climate is perfect for cultivating a diverse selection of tropical crops.
The rest of Khorvaire knows Breland for its manufactured goods and heavy industry. The smelters and forges of Sharn, for example, produce relatively inexpensive weapons and armor. While these aren't as well made and ornate as those turned out by the Mror Holds or Karrnath, they work just fine and cost significantly less. Sharn also turns ore and other raw materials into processed goods; House Cannith and the shipwrights of Zilargo purchase much of Sharn's output for use in the construction of ships and vehicles. Other industrial centers can be found in Wroat, Galethspyre, and and Starilaskur.
All of the dragonmarked houses maintain emporiums and outposts throughout Breland, and all of them have extensive operations in Sharn, the City of Towers. House Medani, House Phiarlan, and one branch of House Cannith all maintain headquarters in Breland; House Vadalis has an important enclave here as well.
Education
Breland maintains a large number of schools of higher learning, most well known of which is Morgrave University.
We gain what we give
Founding Date
32 YK
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Capital
Demonym
Brelish
Leader
Head of State
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
--Gold Standard--
The crown is made from copper and traditionally depicts the crown of Galifar on one face. The crown is the lowest denomination of coin minted under the rule of Galifar. Ten crowns are worth one sovereign.
The sovereign is made from silver and bears the face of a living or recent ruler. An unskilled laborer can expect to earn a sovereign for a day’s work. Ten sovereigns are worth one golden galifar.
The galifar is made from gold. It bears the image of Galifar I, the founder of the old kingdom. Ten golden galifars are worth one platinum dragon.
The dragon is minted from platinum and bears the image of one of the dragons of legend. With a value of one hundred sovereigns, these coins are used only by the wealthiest citizens of Khorvaire, and the average peasant may never see such a coin.
Legislative Body
While Boranel is the head of state, the Brelish Parliament handles much of the day to day legislation. The Nobles Chamber is made of 27 land-holding families, while the Commons chamber consists of officials elected in two-year cycles. The Ir'Clarn family is the most influential out of the 27 making up the Nobles Chamber.
Breland's parliament consists of both elected legislators and hereditary noble legislators. The citizens elect legislators every two years. These elected lawmakers, selected by popular vote (one from each town or village, two from each city, and three each from the metropolises of Wroat and Sharn), are sent to the capital to participate on all parliamentary proceedings. The noble legislators gain their seats in the parliament based on the status of their families; each noble family holds one seat in the parliament. Each year, the recognized head of the family appoints a family member to parliamentary duty. In many cases, the yearly appointment is symbolic, and each family has one representative who serve year in and year out. Twenty-seven noble families serve the crown of Breland.
The Brelish parliament usually works in concert with the crown, but the two branches of authority have disagreed and even clashed on occasion. One noble in particular, Lord Ruken ir'Clarn, doesn't want to see the monarchy continue after Boranel's death. He and a few trusted conspirators seek to remove the crown's authority with the passing of Boranel, thereby giving all ruling power to the parliament. The parliament, in turn, would elect a prime minister to preside over the council and the nation. Ruken envisions himself initially filling that role.
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Notable Members
Comments