Lacan

Area

The kingdom of Lacan is a narrow country surrounded in the east by the Kingdom of Alevins  and to the north by the Kingdom of Fortrente .

The River Leaudine separates the two countries and more importantly, it also shares a long border (north to south) with the Kingdom of Rivage .

Lacan has always had a bad reputation among the many Kingdoms of Francalia.

Because of its lack of natural resources, it has built its fortune on raiding its neighbours.

Lacan's geography has helped the aristocracy or tribal lords of the country to develop complex guerilla warfare tactics which they have been putting to good use for centuries.

Because of its isolation, harsh reputation and difficult access, Lacan does not raid the valleys of the Alevins, the Lacan warriors' favourite targets are the affluent towns and cities of Rivage.

The pilfering and sacking have been going on for centuries.

The Rivage lords have tried many times to conquer and stop the Lacan's raids without any success yet.

However, with the growing influence of the Republique in the region, things might be changing soon.

The Rivage aristocratic and merchant classes have banded together to start secret negotiations with the Republique.

One of the main attractions for Lacan to becoming a Republican state would be the support of the formidable Republican army against the Lacan Raiders.

Habitat

- Marshy Moors and Plateau

The Lacans mainly live around the lakeshore if they can, but a sizeable proportion of the population still live in the hilly moors in the north and east of the country.

Homesteads are rented from the local lord and people eke out a living rearing sheep and spinning wool.

Most men and women are recruited into the lords' raiding parties.

The society is still tribal in nature and the clan is an important part of the Lacans' life and traditions.

Martial arts are important skills in Lacan, and great warriors (whatever their social class) are given great status among the clans.

Lately, some more forward-thinking lords have copied their neighbours in Fortrente and have started to distil their own Eaufeu. The peaty taste of the golden alcohol has become very much in demand throughout Francalia.

It has also enabled these lords to stop the highly dangerous pursuit of raiding the neighbours. This new occupation has received a mixed welcome in Lacan society. Opinions are divided: some think that this is a betrayal of the old ways. Others think that this is the future for a more stable Kingdom of Lacan.

- Swamps and Lakeshore

The Lacan lakeshore is where most of the Kingdom of Lacan's revenues are made. All the stolen goods and other products from the region is sold to the highest bidder in huge auction markets.

There are five main ports on the long Lacan lakeshore, each specialising in a different type of goods.

The market harbours of Lacan are well known for a great bargain (if you are not fussed about where the merchandise comes from).

Often Rivage merchants will recognise and find their own stolen goods for everyone to buy in the Lacan market stalls.

Lacan merchants are not always the most trustworthy, but sometimes the bargains are just too good to ignore.

Some Lacan merchants have grown very rich indeed and can yield a lot of influence within and outside their country.

Inbetween the ports, there lies long swamps which are very difficult to navigate. Travellers and caravans will keep to the well-signposted routes to travel between them, or more likely choose to sail from one port to another.

Type

Geopolitical, Kingdom