Birgolon

The black star of Birgolon, the most often used symbol of the country.

**Birgolon** (Birgol: *Koulouarn*) occasionally called **Birgolonia**, and known as in most languages as **Brigolisi**, is a large historical and ethnic region in central Ivlon. Nearly the entire region of Birgolon is currently under the jurisdiction of the Birgol-Raivon Covenant, previously the Kingdom of Birgolon.

Most of Birgolon is characterized by large, sweeping valleys which exist between strains of the Lower Velosi Mountains. Towards the coast lies mainly plains, giving way to the Birgolonian coast - which generally takes the form of cliffs.

The economy of Birgolon is centered on its principal city of Alziron, formerly called the Port of Au-De-Jure, which (along with the surrounding area) home to nearly half of Birgolon's population. The main exports of Birgolon include things such as copper, tin, sugar, vegetables, wheat, timber, animal products (primarily cheese and hides), along with more specialized products such as medicine manufactured in the capital of Alziron.

Birgolon's known history began with the settlement of the Birgol tribe in the area in ancient times. Birgolon remained a generally primitive society until the founding of the colony of Sugdius by the Zedians in about 200 NSY. Despite this, Birgolon still held the reputation of being traditionally part of greater Ahremia, a reputation it was only able to truly break from until after the collapse of Exelon in the 1100s SY. In more recent times, Birgolon and the nation of Raivon have joined in a pact that has united them into one large, powerful nation.

## Etymology

Birgolon's native name is *Koulouarn*, yet most languages refer to it by a variation of the name *Virgolos* (Zedian) or *Birgolisi* (Ahremia). Both of these names come from the Zedian name for the original inhabitants of Birgolon, the Birgols.

## Geography

### Physical

Birgolon holds what some may call a favorable geography. The inland part of the country is dominated by the Lower Velosi Mountains which forms large valleys in which most of the towns lie. In the past, each of these many valleys were their own states. Although referred to as mountains, most lay low enough to the point where many do not even have snow along their ridges.

The lands of western Birgolon are populated with many large forests, which have formed a great part of the area's economy, religion, and cultural attitudes. The most common trees are either beech or a variety of conifer trees, the forests which they populate serving as the habitat for a vast array of native fauna.

Towards the coast the elevation begins to drop, giving way the coastal plains which end at the Sea of Gadfral. Much agriculture is done in these areas, particularly the areas known as the Mazril and Alziron Plains.

### Political

(covers modern day boundaries)

Birgolon's eastern border is primarily with Lohn, a border drawn up in the 1200s which remains to this day. This border has recently become more metaphorically faint as Lohn has gained the status of a vassal of the covenant. The southeastern border is shared with number of post-Katemian kingdoms, such as Myria. The northern border has historically been at the Klenax River, and if seeing Birgolon as an semi-independent entity, it technically still is. But as the the wars in Ahremia continue, the boundaries of the covenant, and thus Birgolon, remains constantly fluctuating. On the opposite side, the southern border with Cisalia remains uncontested.

The historically fractured state of Birgolon's internal regions has made organizing the many previously independent communes of Birgolon difficult. The internal divisions of Birgolon remain much more varied and unorganized than that in say, Ahremia. In more recent times, the term "vassal duchy" has come into use, based on the fact that many of the areas of Birgolon are still ruled by a duke, a duke that of course is still subject to the king.

The toponymy of Birgolon is complex, but can be basically understood by knowing the names of a few regions. The three main valleys/regions of western Birgolon are known as, north to south, Tecurea, Sesgir, and Ballene. The main coastal "plains" of the coast are the Mazril Plains, now home to the city of Sagda, and the Alziron Plain, home to the city of Alziron.

#### Alziron

Alziron is indisputably the most important and populated city in Birgolon. The city lies on a s-shaped island separated from the mainland by a 530-foot channel. Although initially the city laid solely on this isle, the city's boundaries have pushed further inland through the centuries. The city has experienced exponential growth in the past two centuries or so, turning a once minor port into a flourishing metropolis.

### Ethnogeography

The historically reclusive nature of the Birgol people has given rise to limited ethnic diversity within the country. A benefit of this is the preservation of centuries old traditions and cultures of the Birgol people - a quality that countries such as Ahremia and Buthenia lack.

It is thought that the Birgols alive today are direct descendants of the Birgols mentioned by the Zedians in the third century NSY. Very few major incursions into Birgolon by foreigners have ever occurred, except for the Ahremians on occasion. But the Ahremian people themselves being so ethnically fragmented, their past presence in the country has left little mark on the native Birgols.

## Government

The stability of Birgolon's government relies primarily on the friendly nature of most of Birgolon's neighbors, along with the generally amicable relationship the people have with their rulers. The kings of Birgolon in the past used the idea of a divine right to rule as justification for their rule, yet as the religious makeup of Birgolon began to fragment starting in the 1300s, religious institutions and the national government have begun to stray farther and farther away from each other.

Although one of the largest nations in Ivlon, Birgolon's government is not that different from those used in your average Ivlonian polity. Birgolon is ruled by a king, decided by hereditary right, or, although rarely, the discretion of the most powerful nobles. Similar to Ahremia's grand council, Birgolon holds a parliament which is made up of nobles selected by the king and his advisors. The parliament is split into two main councils, which go by their Bigol names.

The *Per Dreveri* is made up of about 40 officials, and is the more powerful and important of the two by far. This council is primarily concerned with making laws, and, using a more progressive mindset, representing the peoples of Birgolon. The Birgol name for the cheif representative of the *Pre Dreveri* is the *Manjelial*, which originally meant "Lord of the Scribes" - but of course this meaning is irrelevant. The second and smaller section of parliament is the *Per Ulimina*, which is made up of 10-25 officials, who serve as advisors and overseers of the king. This council's members are selected by the king as well, yet the qualifications of these officials vary far more.

## Culture

### Social Structure

The traditional unit within Birgol society is the family. This generally includes children, parents, and grandparents. Long ago, the entire family would've lived in a yurt together. In more modern times, families more loosely stay bound to their home village.

As with most Ivlonian societies, the lowest and largest caste within society are the peasants. These people generally engage in laborious agricultural work. In the countryside, a peasant is generally bound to a single plot of land known as a *manor* or sometimes a *fief.* The owner of the land, or the *lord* provides either money or goods - the amount of which established by a contract known as a *Amplitaj* - in exchange for the peasant's work on the land. A peasant family will commonly work and live on the same fief for their entire lifetime, sometimes passing their *amplitaj* on to the next generation.

In some regions, particularly northeast Birgolon, peasants can own their own land. Granted, these plots of land are significantly smaller than the average fief. Peasants owning their own land will usually supplement the labor by employing their whole family to work their land. Sometimes these small estates will be bought up by nobles, reverting the peasants into the more traditional work system.

This social system, which is so widely used in the countryside, differs greatly from that used within urban communities. In these areas, most peasants and nobles alike are independent and work as a artisan or skilled worker. Professions here would include, but are not limited to, (city) guard, blacksmith, innkeep, bookkeeper, carpenter, tailor, rat-catcher, and cobbler. These more skilled peasants usually learn their skills from an *apprenticeship* done in their adolescent years.

### Food

The most common crops grown in Birgolon are wheat, potatoes, sugar, fruits, vegetables, and barley. Dairy is also commonly produced. Thus, most dishes in Birgolon include either wheat or potatoes as a base.

Generally two meals are eaten a day in Birgolon. One is eaten after wakening, the other eaten after the work day is finished. Morning meals typically include a bread roll or porridge, along with pickled vegetables, and fruits. Evening meals are more varied. They could include bread with or without spread, steamed or baked potatoes, fruits, stew, and meats.

One of the most well known Birgolon dishes is wheat bread served with a spread. This spread could either be jam, a type of vegetable puree called *dvusi* or honey. Commonly wealthy nobles in the cities of Birgolon will have two breakfasts, the first of which solely being bread and spread. Some other notable dishes are *btavaki*, a thick stew made over the course of a day ussually which could have meats, potatoes, carrots, peas, olives, mushrooms, or noodles in it. There is also *povo*, a potato and cheese casserole dish commonly eaten in the highlands.

### Clothing

The average Birgol man living on a farm or in a village will ussually wear a linen tunic and tight-fitting pants secured by a leather belt. During the workday, it is also common for both men and women to don a coif or other type of hat. Leather shoes are typically worn, and in the past these would have had upturned toes. One may also see the occasional kilt worn by Birgols, recalling back to a time in which a kilt was the more common garment.

Peasant women ussually wear a dress-length tunic also secured by a leather belt. It is common for women to wear a thin undershirt below. Sometimes, a lace-up bodice is also worn depending on the type of work the woman engages in. Both men and women commonly wear thick cloaks during the winter.

In the cities, particularly among the wealthy class, the common clothes are often altered or supplemented depending on what is popular. Presently, Birgol women often wear shorter skirts as to expose the underskirt, the hems of both commonly adorned with either a design or jewels. The bodice is even more common among wealthy women, and it is not uncommon for it to be laced tight enough to lay nearly flat across the bosom. Other such accessories, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras are commonly worn.

Wealthy men will ussually wear a garment called a *doublet* over their tunic, and wear more tight-fitting, "fancier" pants. In the wealthy classes, the old practice of wearing shoes with upturned toes is still done. Many of the ephemeral fashion trends among the wealthy originate from cities such as Nazka, Euritas, Tuskamon, and Igansinc.

## Economy

Birgolon's economy is primarily based off of internal trade relations, rather than international trade. Although the cities of Birgolon are home to many artisan communities, the bulk of the economy is built off of the natural resources produced within Birgolon.

These natural resources include metals such as copper and tin, along with stone mined from quarries mostly located within the Ballene Valley. Another important sector of the economy is agriculture and animal products. Wheat, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, wool, and hide are commonly traded within Birgolon. Crops such as rice and peppers are imported generally.

Although natural goods are the backbone of the Birgol economy, some specialized goods and services are exported/offered within the more cosmopolitan areas, most notably Alziron. Medicine and carpentry are the most prized crafts within Alziron. Within the past few decades, the quality of Birgol medicine and alchemy has become internationally renowned, causing many rulers to employ Birgol doctors within their courts.

## Language

The Birgol language is generally considered part of the greater Ahremian language family, yet is the most unique of the language family. The language is spoken near exclusively in Birgolon, with the largest external communities of Birgol-speakers residing in Cisalia. The language follows a grammar nearly identical to Ahremian - yet retains a unique sound. Some of the most common phrases are listed below, along with their Ahremian counterparts, to demonstrate the relationship.

Dzreb - Greetings

Machpa - Farewell

Dju e mas? - How are you? (formal)

Vas - Thank you

Michovek? - How are you? (informal)

Eya - Yes

Voca(s) - No

Dasi - Greetings

Miné - Bye (informal)

Hie amas? - How are you? (formal)

-'a - Thank you

Hyama? - How are you? (informal)

Eya - Yes

Pocas - No

## National Symbols

The only true symbol of Birgolon is that of the black star of Birgolon, a black 4-pointed star featured in nearly every piece of heraldry made by the royal family of Birgolon since the 1100s. The star is also used to represent Birgolon and the flag of the Birgol-Raivon Covenant, although it is made yellow instead of black.