Barony of Bortlan
Bortlan is the smallest and poorest of all the Baronies in large part because it is mostly made up of forest, hills, mountains and scrub land with little farmland. Bortlan also bears the brunt of any external threats or invasions from the east as it is only direct passage between Fultar and the eastern steppe lands of the Guar and various humanoid armies. The people of Borlan are hardy, tough and ready to confront with violence the numerous dangers that they constantly face.
Culture
A large and distinct contributor to the wealth of the Barony and it's populace comes from Imperial military service. In fact the wealthiest group in Bortlan are by in large, form the warrior class. Some, forty years ago the Barony found it self grossly indebt to the Empire and was unable to pay its taxes or its other feudal obligations. Therefor through an imperial edict it was decreed that for every twenty five boys who came of age one must serve in the imperial military for no less than five years with all training provided to them by the Baron of Bortlan. This decree might have sparked uprising in many other baronies however Bortlan's economy and living standards were so depressed that it was viewed as nothing less than a boon for the young men. In fact many more than the minimum (chosen by lottery) signed up, creating a whole new class in the Barony and providing training for farm boys who would have never had it. Further, those who show natural intelligence and talent can receive a full scholarship to Artemisan and a commission for their five years of required service. In this way, the Bortlaner was made, these units made up of all Bortlan citizens (the Bortlaners or Borts) serve the empire mostly outside of its borders, they are known for there expert survival skills, bowmanship, scouting, and fierce war spirit. It is common for a whole unit, including the officer to all be of Bortlan heritage. This unique aspect of life in the Barony has created a class much like the Gurka worriers in Nepal, for a soldier will bring much of his wealth home and when he retires he can do so comfortably with the officers being quite well off. This revenue, has increased the living standard of many of the citizens living in the barony despite the fact that Bortlan, is thought of as the poor backwater of Fultar. Bortlan has produced a long tradition of strong cunning warriors; with some of the Empire’s greatest officers being produced there. It is a wild and untamed land full of both danger and magic. For the people of that land have an indomitable spirit that may even out live the mighty empire it self.
Assets
The Royal academy of the hunt Artemisan is the top military college for scouts, elite units, and officers specializing in forest and light cavalry warfare. It is also the training ground for many of the servants of royalty or freeman who aspire to mastership of Hawk, Hound, or Horse. The school is located in Evergreen the capital of Bortlan and besides supporting the local economy also adds greatly to the Barony through taxing every student who attends.
In addition to revenue from small scale creek gold panning, there are three large gold mines that produce a steady stream of wealth for the barony. However, these mines have all been in production for more than seventy years and starting in the year 890, production has slowed greatly.
Religion
The people of Bortlan are proud and extremely religious. Given its distance from the core areas of Fultonian civilization, Bortlan has been home to may religious heresies, including the Katheroi heresy. Recently, a crusade was completed, ridding the Barony of the Katheroi heretics and stamping out worship of Mithras.
Agriculture & Industry
The bulk of its revenues are generated from timber and fur. Three other strong contributors are the Royal academy of the hunt, three ancient gold mines, and large funds from its citizenry brought in from military service outside its borders.
The timber and fur products are grossly curtailed by populace views that the forest is sacred, ancient treaties with the elven population living in the forest, the long memory of wars with the Treants, and the difficulty in extraction of the materials (due to Bortlan’s hostile and deadly forest inhabitants).
The Barony of Bortlan is famous for exporting highly skilled and seasoned soldiers for the Imperial army, including special units of with distinct polearms, including green cloaked pikemen and purple surcoated halberd troops.
Type
Geopolitical, Barony
Government System
Monarchy, Constitutional
Power Structure
Feudal state
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
