Baile
Location/Geography
Claim #26 on the map
Mountains and dry highlands in the east, rolling meadows in the north and west, great oak forests in the south and wet, rocky lowlands along the coast. Leaf trees are the norm, with pines growing exclusively in the north. The Bailish get apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries and other sweet fruits during the summer months. The climate is mild and wet, with a bit of snow during the winter months. Sheep, wolves, deer, elks, bears and other such animals are common. The Daoine harvest, dry and smoke a kind of mushroom called Gneas, which causes intoxication and hallucinations.
Capital – Rithebaile
Rithebaile is the ancient seat of kings, first founded by the legendary King Aonghus himself a thousand years ago. It is an enormous city, covering most of the island it rests on at the inland end of the river Nathair. Apart from the royal castle itself it sports a grand arena, several libraries, theatres, plazas, craft halls, trade houses and a university. Located in the outskirts of the city is also the Tur Draoi – the tower of Magi.
Other Major Settlements
- Loch Dubh is an old mining town named after the lake it sits by. Most of the trade going north and west goes through here. Swords made in Loch Dubh are famous throughout the land for their durability and lightness.
- Beal Abhann is one of Bailes oldest settlements, even older than Rithebaile. Its name, literally meaning “river mouth”, is quite fitting as the entire city stretches across the old river Nathair. A masterpiece of engineering, rumored to have been built by dwarves, stands in the center of the town: a folding bridge made from stone and iron, capable of letting large ships pass the city and sail upriver.
- Cathair is originally a fort on the northern border, which stood abandoned until roughly a hundred years ago when people suddenly started settling there. It is not recognized formally as a city due to the fact that it has no lord, but it is for some reason tolerated anyway. You won’t find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy anywhere in the land.
- Mun Geata, which translates into "West Gate" is just what it is named - the gate to the west. It is a town grown rich from tolls and tariffs on the trade going to and from the Aelorian Empire. The city is famous for the wealth of elven artifacts it sports, from architecture to trinkets.
- Compared to some of the other settlements in Baile, Cnoc Adhmad is quite the youngster. It was founded less than two hundred years ago but has grown exponentially in that time. Today it is the ocean gate to the south, and the city is famous for its wharves.
General Introduction
Baile is the very picture of a stable medieval monarchy. There is a great sense of national pride throughout the human populace, and people both high and low are pleased with their sovereign rulers. Apart from the nationalism, the Bailish are a modest lot. Luxury and excessive wealth is frowned upon, and citizens are encouraged to be content with what they have and take joy in the little things in life. They are also a religious lot, converging one day a week in the many godhouses of the land to worship a wide pantheon of angels. There is a small elvish minority living in Baile called the Daoine. They are not part of the human society, but are mostly tolerated by the people.
History
A thousand years ago the land known today as Baile was occupied by several smaller kingdoms rivalling for power. Humans were still relatively new to the region, having migrated there only three hundred years prior, and had not yet managed to unite. It was around that time when the man known as Aonghus was first mentioned. He was the first son to a queen in the north of the land and had not become anything special, had it not been for the interference of Draoi Sionnach, a wizard who became a mentor to the young man. It was Sionnach who first mentioned the principle of Ceart, Right, and Aonghus was brought up with its ideals. He didn't fully accept them, however, until much later. When his mother the queen died the crown passed to Aonghus, and he immediately set to work. During a period of twenty years the young king conquered every other kingdom in the land, and finally founded his capital of Rithebaile as a gesture or victory. In the autumn years of Aonghus' life when he had begun to fully understand and accept the ideals of Ceart he wrote the first Book of Law, a text that made all inhabitants of Baile, noble or not, subject to a governing code of conduct. The Book of Law is still used in Baile today, and although nothing in it has been changed a lot has been added.
The centuries following Aonghus' death have been filled with both war and strife as well as peace and prosperity. Baile has been in wars with other nations, has endured civil wars, has conquered or succumbed to rebellions and much, much more. Many trials and obstacles have been put before the Bailish, but they have ultimately conquered them all.
Government & Society
Government type: Feudal Monarchy
People in power
- Queen Cliodhna, first of her name, a fierce warrior-queen of only 25 years of age. She is a firm supporter of Cumhacht.
- Draoi Ceallach, first of the Magi and court wizard of Queen Cliodhna.
- Tiarna Faolan, lord of Cnoc Adhmad and the chief contender to the crown.
- Tiarna Emer, lady of Beal Abhann and cousin to the queen.
- Tiarna Aodh, lord of Loch Dubh and a general of great renown.
- Tiarna Saibhir, lady of Mun Geata and rumored to be the wealthiest woman in the land.
Culture
The Bailish are a people obsessed with tales and legends. Every household worth its name has an ancestor or two known for a heroic deed or other accomplishment that the descendants keep track of no matter how long ago the ancestor lived. A skilled bard will never have to pay for his/her drink, food or lodging when visiting villages and towns. Because of this the Bailish are also keen on prophecy, the most famous one being the return of the once and future king, Aonghus.
In terms of philosophy and the general way of life, the Bailish are divided. There is a conflict of thought among the leaders of the land based around the principles of Cumhacht and Ceart, or Might versus Right. Those supporting the principle of Cumhacht believe that might, or strength, gives you the right to rule those that are weak. To them, force is justice in itself. On the other hand, those in support of Ceart believe that force, or violence, is only justified when used in self-defense. To them, the right thing to do is to avoid violence whenever possible and seek a path preferable to all parties involved.
Most people in Baile are simple, however, and are as such uninterested in the principles of power. Getting through the day and enjoying life for what it is takes precedence.
The Bailish are a religious and superstitious lot. They worship a pantheon of angels, who are depicted as winged humans. These angels are believed to have superhuman powers and sometimes visit the mundane world to answer prayers or perform miracles. Great victories in battles are always attributed to a particular angel or other.
The Daoine, elves native to the lands of Baile, live secluded from the humans and have a completely different culture. They are highly territorial, aggressive almost, and will only rarely interact with other peoples. They live in the forests of Baile and are largely left alone despite the demand for lumber. Not much is known about their religious beliefs other than that they seem to worship the stars.
Crimes
Murder, theft, assault, rape, destruction of property… all of the usual crimes of violence are punishable by fines, jail or, sometimes, death. Lying is also seen as a crime in Baile, but only if you are stupid enough to be exposed. Getting away with a clever ruse is even seen as admirable.
Foreign Relations
Baile is very much a neutral player in the game of world politics. The only time in history that the Bailish have faced an outside threat on the scale of war was a long time ago, during the formation of the Golden Horde. The north of the realm suffered immensely at the hands of the ferocious Uruk, but eventually prevailed in driving them back. Since then, Baile has neither had cause to attack or defend against foreign powers, save for minor disputes and skirmishes around the border.
The nations that Baile have significant contact with today is partly the Aelorian Empire, from which it is said that the Bailish learned sword- and longbowmaking; partly the Golden Horde, which supplies the country with resources and income from trade along the Golden Road; and Thangoradrim, who some scholars believe are the sister people of the Bailish and supplies the nation with the invaluable Valdium ore, which the swordsmiths in Loch Dubh use to make swords for the foremost of the realms knights.
Name - Daoine (elves)
Appearance - Mostly human, but smaller and lighter. They have pointed ears and cat-like pupils.
Natural abilities - Sharp senses. The Daoine senses of hearing and smell is comparable to that of dogs or wolves. They can also see perfectly in the dark thanks to their eyes, which can register heat down to a tenth of a degree.
Lifespan - 300 years
Homeland – Baile (but they exist in forests around most of the western continent)
Appearance - Mostly human, but smaller and lighter. They have pointed ears and cat-like pupils.
Natural abilities - Sharp senses. The Daoine senses of hearing and smell is comparable to that of dogs or wolves. They can also see perfectly in the dark thanks to their eyes, which can register heat down to a tenth of a degree.
Lifespan - 300 years
Homeland – Baile (but they exist in forests around most of the western continent)
Economy & Industry
Baile is an industrious nation. The east mines for ores and metals, producing iron tools and weapons. In the lowlands farmers grow wheat, baking bread and brewing ales. The people of the south chop trees for lumber, producing ships of great quality. The highlanders herd sheep and cows, producing wool and dairy products, and all along the coast fish is being pulled from the sea. It is a stable country, not really rich but definitely not poor. Most people have proper housing and food on the table every day, but luxury is rare even among the nobles.
Military Overview
Baile has no real standing army. In times of war the lords and ladies of the land are charged with drafting recruits for the defense of the nation, but most of these soldiers receive no training in peacetime. One exception is the many orders of errant knights employed by the nobles of Baile. They serve as peacekeepers is peacetime and elite warriors in war. The errant knights are experts at martial arts and are a fearsome force to meet on the battlefield. Another exception is the world-famous Bailish longbow archers, used as the general defensive force of the keeps and castles of the realm.
