Barony of the Pearls

The Barony of the Pearls is a small island holding within the County of Hope, Pearls, and Waves. Its influence extends from the Isle of Pearl to the surrounding, smaller islands. It sits in the March of Wraithelm's southernmost reaches and is noted for its tall Lighthouse.

The Barony was granted to Bishop Kessanella Prismspark, who was charged with overseeing the construction of the Abbey and surrounding Church Properties until such time as it was ready to be handed off to the Church. With the assent of the local Churches, the Barony of the Pearls was entrusted with local Church estates, forming the Vidamy of the Pearls.

With the passing of the Bishop in 637 KY, the Vidamy was granted to Perolyl Stillwaters, the new matron of House Prismspark.

## History

The first settlements upon the Isle of Pearl cropped up with the building of Grave's Guidance, a towering Lighthouse meant to protect ships and guide them around the rocky coast of the March. Being a rather rocky and forested isle, it has never grown much past what is required for the upkeep of its Lighthouse, few ships, and defensive fortifications.

Having once been troubled by fel taint spilling out from the swamps to the Northeast, the Isle has seen a slight resurgence in health since the building of a Gnomish dam across the waters.

The Barony of the Pearls had lain in the possession of House Graves for most of its existance. Established upon the Isle of Pearl and the surrounding smaller islands as a precursor to the building of 'The Abbey of Pearls,' with the land designated to pass into the keeping of the Church upon the completion of the Abbey or the death of its current holder.

### Settlements

The Barony boasts three chief settlements, the other isles being nearly uninhabited apart from one or two small families.

#### Wellport

The chief settlement of the barony located on the Isle of Pearl, Wellport serves as a small harbour and trading settlement. Built near the center of the island in a natural valley, Grave's Guidance can be seen towering in the distance to the south.

#### Greyrock

The second settlement of note upon the Isle is Greyrock, found on the Isle's craggy northern shores. It is home chiefly to fishermen and a few sailors who dare to call its dangerous waters home.

#### Lightwell

Established in 633 KY on one of the smaller, eastern isles. Lightwell is home to builders and labourers chiefly charged with the maintenance of the dam across the waters to the north.

## Culture

The folk of the Barony of Pearls are a hard lot, fishermen and common labourers for the most part. What little way in might House Graves has in terms of naval power is concentrated in the Barony, and many sailors call the Isles home.

### Religious Faiths

The Isles and their inhabitants are by and large followers of the Church of the Holy Light, though a small subsect claim other, more local beliefs.

### Customs & Traditions

* Each year a great feast is held at the base of Grave's Guidance, with dignitaries from neighbouring baronies invited to "negotiate" further protection of the surrounding waters. This negotiation is entirely a formality of custom.
* The secular Baron of the Pearls is often addressed as 'The Baroness Pearls.'

## Economy

The Barony of the Pearls has little in the way of productive economic output. Fishing, Shipping, and Harbour Rights tend to make up the majority of its small income.

## The Rights of Pearls

Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the Vidamy's first non-Graves holder, certain rights and obligations were arranged:

* So long as its keeper holds Ecclesiastical Office, they shall be granted additional liberties.
* So long as its keeper holds Ecclesiastical Office, profit from the Barony not earmarked towards construction, towards the Church, or towards the upkeep of the Barony's people will pass onto their suzerain in excess of normal taxable amounts.
* So long as its keeper holds Ecclesiastical Office, they shall be free to exercise those offices without interference from secular lords.
* So long as its keeper holds Ecclesiastical Office, their suzerain shall not be drawn into religious disputes originating from those Offices.
* So long as its keeper holds Ecclesiastical Office, they shall not be required to take up arms.

## Timeline

* ???-634 KY: The Barony of Pearls was held by the family of House Graves.
* 634 KY: The Barony of the Pearls was granted to Kessanella H.B. Prismspark.