Death
01-09-2006, 02:42 PM
"Iron Tusks and Gardener's Souls"
History
The Doloreaux made their home on the northern part of Calabria, moving quickly to claim the area between the Rother and Lyore rivers. Their arrival was not without violence --- the Doloreaux expansion was the first to buffet the Rinaldi, and later the Avoirdupois and Bisclavret. Young lords, eager to stake their claims to land, went to war whenever they thought they could win. After many victories and few losses, the Doloreaux have staked their claim . . . but they command no sea ports, and their farmland can only sustain their cirrent population.
Current Affairs
The Doloreaux are in a stalemate. Surrounded by rival houses, and with only enough farmland for subsistence, their holdings have no room to grow. Their leaders have chosen to expand their power through material wealth . . . which means dealing with the Guilds of Triskellian.
Friends and Foes
The Doloreaux have few friends. The Avoirdupois believe that all other noble houses should be evicted from Clalabria, and the Bisclavret have their eyes keen on expansion. The Chevernaise do not negotiate with anyone. The Rinaldi’s power has all but disappeared. A stoic lot, the Doloreaux house is resigned to campaign against everyone, biding their time. They are building their resources through the help of sympathetic Triskellians and minor houses. They hope to expand their land holdings and be strong enough to keep their new borders --- no easy feat, given the Bisclavret’s mercenaries and Avoirdupois’ great forces.
Geography
The Doloreaux lands are bounded by the southern foothills of the Rothos Mountains. Their western border with the Bisclavret is the edge of the Rother River and the southern portion past the eastern face of the Walls of Calabria. It then proceeds down the western side of northern road past the beginning of the Granvert and stopping at the Three Corner fort. Their eastern border is the length of the Lyore River and they are faced there by the Avoirdupois.
Landmarks
Bruges:
This largest of all the Doloreaux cities is the focus of their financial efforts to maintain their shaky hold on their kingdom. Its battlements are a blocky affair: its squat, square towers and walls are on a raised plateau, surrounded by a moat. Its back is to the mountain face and it faces toward the Lyore River. Some say there is a network of caverns behind the battlements, which is the Doloreaux’s real fortress.
The Walls of Calabria:
These massive cliffs tower over the adjoining rivers of the Rother and Lyore. Fully half a league high, they stand in testament to the might of the Granvert River, which roars toward Triskellian. Some speculate that these could not be the creation of the river alone.
Auriville:
A small town far up-river, closest to the Chevernaise pass, this hamlet would be considered pastoral and serene were it not for the fresh bulwarks and defenses built around it, as the other Noble Houses se it as a prime target for acquisition.
The Sacred Grove of Lutara:
Located somewhere in the Doloreaux foothills is reportedly a thick, uncut forest that the Doloreaux rangers do not permit anyone to enter. The local serfs have been known to refer to this area as the “Harvest Haunt” and they give it a wide berth. Since some Doloreaux are known to be ardent worshippers of an old faith, it is assumed that the Lutara Grove must be part of some religious mystery. Others whisper in hushed tones about more unsavory things.
Climate
Doloreaux lands are deep inland and bordered by mountains, their winters are milder than most, although there is a rainy season in the spring. Doloreaux live in a land whose temperature varies widely. When it is winter in Auriville it may be a balmy day in Bruges.
Flora and Fauna
The forests run toward the softer woods, good for building, but poor for ships or bows. Their farms tend to be terraced and grow mostly root crops. Some serfs attempt to raise drays on the scrub that grows in the hills, but they lack the skill and resources for proper destriers.
Economy
The Doloreaux have willingly adopted the denar as a unit of currency. The hills yield the iron, tin, and copper necessary to make cannons, which the gentry sell to buy the other goods they need. The hills are also a reasonable source of gems stones and precious metals. It is from their mountains that they extract and ship the finest ores and gems in all Calabria. Their skill in the mines is unequalled and is surpassed only by their skill in trade.
Customs
Most Doloreaux maintain a belief in the Old Faith, despite the efforts of Penitent missionaries. The deities worshipped vary from place to place, but the worship of Lutara invariably enjoys popularity above others. Their festivals and rites are renowned for their opulence. Conservative by nature, most Doloreaux look upon the prudish customs of S’allumer with disdain, and upon the secular modernism of wizardry and technology with distaste. Most folk continue to use the old Doloreaux calandar.
Law
The Doloreaux law is simple and tends to conform closely to that in Triskellian. This is fairly new and as a result has been an increase in overall trade. This combined with their acceptance of the denar as their primary currency has made the Doloreaux a mercantile power.
Religion
Although recently they have "Seen the light" of S'allumer, many whisper that the Doloreaux still maintain belief in the secretive “Old Faith,” often called “Lutarism” because of their goddess Lutara “the Lady.” Their religion is dominated by a sacred order of High Mystes, whose membership is exclusively female. The Hierarchs of Lutara command supernatural mysteries beyond the understanding of scholarly wizards, and they do not share their secrets with unbelievers or outsiders.
Armed Forces
Despite an aggressive campagn to motdenize to gunpowder, most of the Doloreaux levy and cavalry are still equipped with spears, swords, and shields. Fortunately, with their highly-defensible position, the Doloreaux do not need to modernize too quickly. They have been biding their time and building their assets.
Language
Increased commerce with Triskellian has encouraged the Doloreaux folk to learn Calabrese. The Doloreaux family dialect is still practiced, but only among the gentry.
Names
Men’s given names include Burcet, Gauthier, Kalman, Mercer, and Tybault. Women’s names include Calendre, Eglantine, Liana, Patrice, and Vivienne. Doloreaux surnames are more likely to be taken from the place they hail from (such as des Feurebouche, des Vosges, des Lyore, or des Mortemere), or from the month of their birth (such as d’Aubepine, de Chene, de Houx, de Vigne, or de Roseau) than their family name, unless they are of noble blood --- then such surnames include Bien-etre, Cattermaux, and DeLume.
History
The Doloreaux made their home on the northern part of Calabria, moving quickly to claim the area between the Rother and Lyore rivers. Their arrival was not without violence --- the Doloreaux expansion was the first to buffet the Rinaldi, and later the Avoirdupois and Bisclavret. Young lords, eager to stake their claims to land, went to war whenever they thought they could win. After many victories and few losses, the Doloreaux have staked their claim . . . but they command no sea ports, and their farmland can only sustain their cirrent population.
Current Affairs
The Doloreaux are in a stalemate. Surrounded by rival houses, and with only enough farmland for subsistence, their holdings have no room to grow. Their leaders have chosen to expand their power through material wealth . . . which means dealing with the Guilds of Triskellian.
Friends and Foes
The Doloreaux have few friends. The Avoirdupois believe that all other noble houses should be evicted from Clalabria, and the Bisclavret have their eyes keen on expansion. The Chevernaise do not negotiate with anyone. The Rinaldi’s power has all but disappeared. A stoic lot, the Doloreaux house is resigned to campaign against everyone, biding their time. They are building their resources through the help of sympathetic Triskellians and minor houses. They hope to expand their land holdings and be strong enough to keep their new borders --- no easy feat, given the Bisclavret’s mercenaries and Avoirdupois’ great forces.
Geography
The Doloreaux lands are bounded by the southern foothills of the Rothos Mountains. Their western border with the Bisclavret is the edge of the Rother River and the southern portion past the eastern face of the Walls of Calabria. It then proceeds down the western side of northern road past the beginning of the Granvert and stopping at the Three Corner fort. Their eastern border is the length of the Lyore River and they are faced there by the Avoirdupois.
Landmarks
Bruges:
This largest of all the Doloreaux cities is the focus of their financial efforts to maintain their shaky hold on their kingdom. Its battlements are a blocky affair: its squat, square towers and walls are on a raised plateau, surrounded by a moat. Its back is to the mountain face and it faces toward the Lyore River. Some say there is a network of caverns behind the battlements, which is the Doloreaux’s real fortress.
The Walls of Calabria:
These massive cliffs tower over the adjoining rivers of the Rother and Lyore. Fully half a league high, they stand in testament to the might of the Granvert River, which roars toward Triskellian. Some speculate that these could not be the creation of the river alone.
Auriville:
A small town far up-river, closest to the Chevernaise pass, this hamlet would be considered pastoral and serene were it not for the fresh bulwarks and defenses built around it, as the other Noble Houses se it as a prime target for acquisition.
The Sacred Grove of Lutara:
Located somewhere in the Doloreaux foothills is reportedly a thick, uncut forest that the Doloreaux rangers do not permit anyone to enter. The local serfs have been known to refer to this area as the “Harvest Haunt” and they give it a wide berth. Since some Doloreaux are known to be ardent worshippers of an old faith, it is assumed that the Lutara Grove must be part of some religious mystery. Others whisper in hushed tones about more unsavory things.
Climate
Doloreaux lands are deep inland and bordered by mountains, their winters are milder than most, although there is a rainy season in the spring. Doloreaux live in a land whose temperature varies widely. When it is winter in Auriville it may be a balmy day in Bruges.
Flora and Fauna
The forests run toward the softer woods, good for building, but poor for ships or bows. Their farms tend to be terraced and grow mostly root crops. Some serfs attempt to raise drays on the scrub that grows in the hills, but they lack the skill and resources for proper destriers.
Economy
The Doloreaux have willingly adopted the denar as a unit of currency. The hills yield the iron, tin, and copper necessary to make cannons, which the gentry sell to buy the other goods they need. The hills are also a reasonable source of gems stones and precious metals. It is from their mountains that they extract and ship the finest ores and gems in all Calabria. Their skill in the mines is unequalled and is surpassed only by their skill in trade.
Customs
Most Doloreaux maintain a belief in the Old Faith, despite the efforts of Penitent missionaries. The deities worshipped vary from place to place, but the worship of Lutara invariably enjoys popularity above others. Their festivals and rites are renowned for their opulence. Conservative by nature, most Doloreaux look upon the prudish customs of S’allumer with disdain, and upon the secular modernism of wizardry and technology with distaste. Most folk continue to use the old Doloreaux calandar.
Law
The Doloreaux law is simple and tends to conform closely to that in Triskellian. This is fairly new and as a result has been an increase in overall trade. This combined with their acceptance of the denar as their primary currency has made the Doloreaux a mercantile power.
Religion
Although recently they have "Seen the light" of S'allumer, many whisper that the Doloreaux still maintain belief in the secretive “Old Faith,” often called “Lutarism” because of their goddess Lutara “the Lady.” Their religion is dominated by a sacred order of High Mystes, whose membership is exclusively female. The Hierarchs of Lutara command supernatural mysteries beyond the understanding of scholarly wizards, and they do not share their secrets with unbelievers or outsiders.
Armed Forces
Despite an aggressive campagn to motdenize to gunpowder, most of the Doloreaux levy and cavalry are still equipped with spears, swords, and shields. Fortunately, with their highly-defensible position, the Doloreaux do not need to modernize too quickly. They have been biding their time and building their assets.
Language
Increased commerce with Triskellian has encouraged the Doloreaux folk to learn Calabrese. The Doloreaux family dialect is still practiced, but only among the gentry.
Names
Men’s given names include Burcet, Gauthier, Kalman, Mercer, and Tybault. Women’s names include Calendre, Eglantine, Liana, Patrice, and Vivienne. Doloreaux surnames are more likely to be taken from the place they hail from (such as des Feurebouche, des Vosges, des Lyore, or des Mortemere), or from the month of their birth (such as d’Aubepine, de Chene, de Houx, de Vigne, or de Roseau) than their family name, unless they are of noble blood --- then such surnames include Bien-etre, Cattermaux, and DeLume.