Breton
The Land of Fae and Waves
The peninsula of Brittany has more in common with the Island of Britain than with the continent.
British blood has forged Brittany, and Breton blood has been poured out to save Britain. Ships sail back and forth between Brittany and Britain carrying settlers, warriors, poets, holy men, and kings. The waters separating Brittany from Cornwall are less a sea than a road, and the stretch of land joining Brittany to Soissons (northern France) is more a chasm than a bridge.
The verdant land of Brittany is fertile and productive. The waters lapping its shores serve as a defense, as well as a source of food and a means of commerce. Bretons are blessed with rich harvests from both field and sea. A knight of Brittany must be accomplished on the field of battle, even when the field is a heaving ship’s deck. Unlike many of their Cymric counterparts in other lands, Bretons do not look on the sea with fear, but with a weather eye on opportunity.
While Cymri largely populate Brittany, Brittany’s culture is not merely a copy of Britain’s. Due to Brittany’s proximity to the former Roman Empire, more of the Cymri of Brittany follow the Roman Christian faith than their British counterparts. Brittany has managed to stir into the energetic Cymric culture a seasoning of Continental flair, giving polish to its Cymric rough edges. But for all the Bretons’ sophistication, they have kept the practicality and industriousness of their island counterparts.
A Breton knight is expected to manage his lands for his lord, play the harp in his lord’s hall, and fight at his lord’s command— all with equal skill and finesse. In fact, the finesse and beauty of some Bretons is the subject of whispers in other lands. Some claim that their long association with the sea has led to Breton dalliances with the Faerie folk rumored to live in the waves. Others say that whatever spirits dwell in the enchanted Brocéliande Forest have taken noble babes from their cradles and replaced them with Faerie changelings. Regardless, the blood of faeries is rumored to flow in the veins of many a Breton noble. For their part, Bretons rarely comment on such tongue- wagging and instead let their deeds on and off the battlefield speak for themselves
British blood has forged Brittany, and Breton blood has been poured out to save Britain. Ships sail back and forth between Brittany and Britain carrying settlers, warriors, poets, holy men, and kings. The waters separating Brittany from Cornwall are less a sea than a road, and the stretch of land joining Brittany to Soissons (northern France) is more a chasm than a bridge.
The verdant land of Brittany is fertile and productive. The waters lapping its shores serve as a defense, as well as a source of food and a means of commerce. Bretons are blessed with rich harvests from both field and sea. A knight of Brittany must be accomplished on the field of battle, even when the field is a heaving ship’s deck. Unlike many of their Cymric counterparts in other lands, Bretons do not look on the sea with fear, but with a weather eye on opportunity.
While Cymri largely populate Brittany, Brittany’s culture is not merely a copy of Britain’s. Due to Brittany’s proximity to the former Roman Empire, more of the Cymri of Brittany follow the Roman Christian faith than their British counterparts. Brittany has managed to stir into the energetic Cymric culture a seasoning of Continental flair, giving polish to its Cymric rough edges. But for all the Bretons’ sophistication, they have kept the practicality and industriousness of their island counterparts.
A Breton knight is expected to manage his lands for his lord, play the harp in his lord’s hall, and fight at his lord’s command— all with equal skill and finesse. In fact, the finesse and beauty of some Bretons is the subject of whispers in other lands. Some claim that their long association with the sea has led to Breton dalliances with the Faerie folk rumored to live in the waves. Others say that whatever spirits dwell in the enchanted Brocéliande Forest have taken noble babes from their cradles and replaced them with Faerie changelings. Regardless, the blood of faeries is rumored to flow in the veins of many a Breton noble. For their part, Bretons rarely comment on such tongue- wagging and instead let their deeds on and off the battlefield speak for themselves
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Ahès, Anna, Annick, Aouregan, Aourken, Argantlon, Argantlowen, Avenie, Azenor, Azilia, Brec’hed, Elen, Enora, Gladez, Gualadun, Guildeleuc, Gwencalon, Gwenn, Gwennolaik, Helori, Heodez, Jannet, Jezequel, Kanna, Katell, Klervi, Koulm, Kristen, Levenez, Madenn, Marc’harit, Marmohec, Melle, Morganez, Nedeleg, Nolwenn, Nonn, Norec, Oanez, Plézou, Rivanon, Roudu, Rozenn, Seva, Sterenn, Sulgwenn, Tiphaine, Tryphine, Wenlowin.
Female names are also formed by adding –a to male names.
Female names are also formed by adding –a to male names.
Masculine names
Adeon, Alan, Alain, Alar, Alured, Andrev, Arc’hantael, Armel, Arzel, Bernez, Bili, Blaez, Blegabred, Bleheri, Brevalaer, Briec, Brioc’h, Budik, Budoc, Canao, Clotwoion, Conan, Comorre, Courantgen, Deniel, Deroch, Derrien, Devi, Donan, Drogon, Edern, Eon, Erispoë, Ermor, Erwan, Ewel, Ewen, Gael, Girec, Govran, Guerec, Gradlon, Gralon, Goulwen, Gurheden, Guihomar, Gwencalon, Gwenvael, Gweltas, Harscouët, Helocar, Helori, Hervé, Hoël, Houardon, Iarnhitin, Iarnualt, Jakez, Jaoua, Jos, Judikaël, Junguené, Kado, Kadeg, Kaourintin, Karo, Kavan, Kétomeren, Korentin, Korneli, Loeiz, Maclou, Main, Malou, Marc’h, Marrec, Marzin, Mathuedoi, Mazhe, Melan, Meriadec, Meven, Mikael, Miliaw, Morvan, Nedeleg, Neven, Nikolaz, Nominoë, Padrig, Paol, Pasquetan, Per, Pol, Quiriac, Renan, Retwalatr, Riok, Rivalin, Riwal, Riwawd, Roald, Ronan, Roparz, Rualent, Salaün, Salocon, Salomon, Suhart, Tanet, Tanguy, Taran, Tenenan, Tigernomael, Treveur, Tudi, Turiau, Waroc’h, Wicohen, Wromonoc, Yann, Yvo
Family names
Made by forming a patronymics "mab" and "fer".
Major organizations
- Vannetais, the original colony of British, founded by the soldiers of Conan Meriadoc and weddings with Dumnonia, tying the two nations together.
- Domnonie, the Second Colony, founded by exiled Dumnonii
- Cornouailles, the colony of the Cornovii, founded by displaced nobles from Cornwall after the Dumnonii returned.
- Leon, founded by colonists from the nearby kingdom of Lyonesse, it is ruled by the King of Lyonesse.
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