Kingdom of Stormstone

The **Kingdom of Stormstone** is a Breton realm in north-eastern High Rock.

It is ruled by King Garlan II of the House of Folcarde.

## **Kings of Stormstone**

* Garlan I (438-520), reigned for 71 years between 449 and 520,
	+ *his son,* Gaston V (474-543), reigned for 23 years between 520 and 543,
		- *his grandson,* Gaston VI (519-567), reigned for 24 years between 543 and 567,
			* *his son,* Garlan II (548 - present), reigning for 15 years since 567.

## **Stormstone City**

Stormstone, capital of the kingdom and seat of the royal House of Folcarde, is perched upon the eastern headland of the Great Bay [?] - almost level with the city of Northpoint to the west.

The city has two distinct tiers. At sea level is Stormstone's port; a mooring for merchants, fishermen and the royal fleet. A haven for those toiling or trading on the tempestuous Northern Sea, the port is an important way-station between High Rock and Skyrim. Stormshore's shipyards are located in the lower city, where the king's ships are constructed and repaired. The port-town is also home to many of the city's poorer denizens - the labourers and mariners - who mostly dwell in sea-beaten hovels. The port is infamous for the stench of whale oil.

Far above the port, the upper tier of the city is built upon a cliff some 400 ft above sea level. From the port one may reach the city-proper via a steep road arising to the south-east, before turning north-west to the Toll Gate on Stormstone's south wall.

The city-proper is protected by thick, high walls which envelope the entire town - interrupted only by stout round towers. Aside from the Toll Gate, a large gatehouse is found at the south-east of the city, serving as the principal entrance to those travelling to Stormstone by land.

Unlike the dilapidated port below, the city-proper accommodates spacious and well-paved streets, upon which sturdy houses of timber and stone are built. Aside from the impoverished quarter found on the south-side of the town - which is identified by overcrowding, disrepair, unsanitary conditions and criminality - the city-proper is home to merchants and nobles, who mostly reside in the affluent northern quarter.

The eastern quarter - often called the Market Quarter - houses many shops and inns. A large outdoor market square hosts the traders peddling their wares brought up from the port, who offer goods from Hammerfell and Skyrim.

*Unfinished*

## **Government**

### **Feudalism**

Akin to the other realms of High Rock, Stormstone is defined by feudalism - where land and authority are one and the same.

At the pinnacle of government is the King of Stormstone, the liege lord of the kingdom, to whom all owe ultimate allegiance. The realm is divided into numerous fiefdoms - units of land ruled by nobles - which are granted by and held in the name of the king. Land, and its associated titles, can be obtained by grant or inheritance, but is either way retained in exchange for fealty and military service to one's liege. A disobedient vassal risks the forfeiture of their lands and titles for themselves and their families.

In Stormstone there are two echelons of fiefdom: earldoms and baronies. Earldoms are large estates of land, ruled by an earl. The earl possesses jurisdiction over his earldom, as its liege, generally enjoying freedom from royal interference. It is the charge of the earl to dispense the king's justice and laws in his lands. The earl may also call his vassals, tenants and subjects to arms as levies, for the purpose of enforcing the peace, defending the earldom and, when summoned, supporting the king in wartime. To bear the financial burden of governance, the earl receives the revenues from taxation, tolls and fines levied on his lands.

Baronies are significantly smaller units of land, generally denoting rule over a single castle, town or village. Barons are thus regarded as the kingdom's lower nobility, as many of them are little more than hereditary castellans. Whereas earls are necessarily tenants-in-chief to the king, barons can owe fealty to earls or the king directly. Both the king and the earls can grant baronies within their own lands (there have been historic attempts by the kings of Stormstone to grant baronies in the earldoms, but this has always been fiercely resisted by the higher nobility). The baronial rank is thus diverse, comprising of tenants-in-chief and sub-vassals.

### **City Government**

Governance of Stormstone City and the royal demesne is multi-faceted. Whilst the capital serves as the primary residence and seat of the House of Folcarde, the kings of Stormstone have never enjoyed outright control over the city's administration. The Council of Aldermen possesses far-reaching powers and prerogatives, and is effectively responsible for the city's civil government.

Each year on the first day of Sun's Dawn, thirty Aldermen are elected by the citizens of Stormstone (the franchise is determined by property qualifications, thereby restricting the electorate to the wealthy burghers). In turn, the Aldermen elect a Mayor from their own number to preside over the Council and lead the city government, for the term of one year. It is traditional that a Mayor shall not be elected for more than one term consecutively. There have, however, been notable exceptions to this custom: in the mid-fifth century of the Second Era, one mayor enjoyed eleven consecutive terms in office. The merchant guilds have, for time immemorial, monopolised the Council of Aldermen and, by extension, the city government.

It is unclear when the Council of Aldermen came into being, but its advocates frequently reiterate that its liberties are ancient and sacrosanct. The corporation certainly existed, and was well-established, during the time of Stormstone's elevation to a kingdom in 2E 19. The powers and liberties of the corporation, enshrined in a royal charter, are respected and upheld by the King of Stormstone in return for grants of money. Historically, this corporation tax has served as one of the kings' principal sources of income.

A recurring theme throughout the centuries has been the attempt (or perception thereof) of the kings of Stormstone to curtail the privileges of the aldermen, who retaliate by withholding revenue from the royal treasury. This situation escalates until a compromise is reached, following which a royal charter affirming the liberties of the burghers is issued, and the corporation tax is restored.

## **Justice**

Stormstone is governed by a common code of laws. Although prescribed and imposed by royal authority, these laws are grounded in ancient Bretonic customs, and are thus largely indistinguishable from those found throughout the rest of High Rock. Whilst the earls and barons of the kingdom exercise their cherished prerogatives and freedoms, they are nevertheless obliged the uphold the royal laws.

The nobility of Stormstone tend to personally dispense justice within their own estates, presiding over judicial courts and passing sentence. The administration of royal justice, however, has long been delegated to the Lord Justiciar of Stormstone.

Since the legal reforms of King Garlan I there are four royal judici.al courts:

* **Court of Lesser Offences:** This court is concerned with misdemeanours and petty disputes, such as theft, assault, vandalism and disorderly behaviour. It is, unsurprisingly, the busiest of the four courts. The Court of Lesser Offences does not impose capital punishment, but more commonly issues fines, short prison sentences, flogging and public humiliation.
* **Court of Greater Offences:** This court is concerned with serious crimes, including murder and treason. It is empowered to impose execution (namely beheading), mutilation and life imprisonment as punishments.
* **Court of Reprieve:** A court of appeal empowered to overturn sentences passed in the earldoms, whereby an appellant may dispute a legal proceeding and seek a retrial in the capital. This court is presided over by the Lord Justiciar himself. Intended to check the judicial abuses of the nobility, the practical constraints of travelling to the capital significantly hinders the utility of the Court of Reprieve.

*Unfinished*

## **Religion**

The Breton pantheon - a syncretism of human and merethic deities - is worshiped in Stormstone. No single god or goddess is exclusively revered, although Kynareth (often called Kyne, reflecting a Nordic influence) is by far the most popular. The kingdom is perennially beset by fierce storms and perilous seas, which are regarded as exhibitions of the Goddess of the Winds' fury. The desire to sate Her wroth, through worship and devotion, has elevated the cult of Kynareth to the forefront of Stormstone's religious life.

As elsewhere in High Rock and the wider world, the priesthood of Stormstone exists as a distinct and, generally, homogenous class. To enter the priesthood is to forfeit one's titles, lands and family. It is impossible to retract priestly vows following ordination. The clergy, however, enjoy numerous perquisites exemptions not afforded to the laity.

The Temple of Stormstone, found in the eastern quarter (called the Market Quarter) of the capital, is the focal point of the kingdom's faith. It is a pantheonic place of worship; offering shrines, blessings and other services relating to each of the Breton divines. Citified religion and the royal regime are closely entwined, particularly since 'the Heresy' of 2E 296. Indeed, religion is often treated in a similar manner to law and finance by the royal government. The chief priest of the Temple of Stormstone is the the Lord Bishop, appointed by the king as one of the Great Offices of the Realm.

The Lord Bishop's authority is limited beyond the capital and the royal demesne, although he is unrivalled in preeminence in all corners of the kingdom. Elsewhere, religious appointments are largely determined by the secular landholders. The head priests of rural temples are appointed by the local earl, or are elected by the the clerical community.

## **Heraldry**

### Lordships

Earldom of FellgateEarldom of GreengaleLordship - Grimrock.pngLordship of GrimrockEarldom of OakmontEarldom of RedhallEarldom of Spargrove
### Houses

House of BeuvronHouse of CombrayHouse of DuranHouse of HallencourtHouse Monet - 2.pngHouse of MonetHouse of Ricaud
### Personal Heraldry

Henri Beuvron, Earl of SpargroveRoger Combray, Earl of FellgateFlorent Duran, Earl of RedhallFrederic Hallencourt, Earl of Oakmont
## **Customs and Traditions**

* Sailors of Stormstone consider it unlucky to name a ship.