Barony of Alissenon

"We aren't proud, but we are religious. And let's face it, without us, Arkland simply doesn't eat."

## Alissenon

Alissenon is a large swath of land to in the north-west of the Bay of Kings. It is famous for its low, rolling hills which stretch as far as the eye can see. Its temperate climate, adequate rain fall, and rich soil cause Alissenon to be the bread basket of Arkland. Other than its capital city, Bettencourt, Alissenon does not boast many large towns. Instead, it is dotted every few miles by a farming village, often catering to the farmers who are wide spread and far flung across the landscape. Alissenon is a very peaceful place where one can walk for days through serene, grassy fields and crop rows without running into a single person. Although deeply rural, the citizens of Alissenon are all brought together by a powerful dedication to the Priests of Light.

## Baron of Alissenon

The Baron of Alissenon comes from the noble family who currently holds the Rite of Law. The physical representation of this Rite is an ornate, silver mace. The family that holds the mace nominates the baron. The Rite of Law does not change hands often in Alissenon, often going many generations at a time with the same family. However, it can switch hands should a family be deemed no longer deserving of the Rite or another family being deemed more deserving. Such determination is usually made during the great meeting of the noble families which takes place every other year in Alissenon. The nobility travel to Bettencourt with little pomp to meet and discuss the current future of Alissenon. The lands of most nobility in the barony are quite large as there are only a handful of noble families that control it. Therefore, such a journey is long and arduous.

Of late, the most common reason for the Rite of Law to come into question has been over religious matters. The nobility of Alissenon have followed suit with their commoners and become deeply devout to the Priests of Light. As such, many of the nobility actually employ Priests of Light and bring them to the meeting whereupon it may be brought into question if the current ruling family has been following the faith closely enough to warrant maintaining the Rite of Law. Of course, over the past hundred years, questioning one's faith in the Priesthood is tantamount to questioning one's honor. Proving yourself to be the most devout in the room, however, is possible if you have enough Priests on your side.

## Priesthood and the Commoners

As a rural community, the commoners of Alissenon are also deeply religious. They follow the teachings of the Priesthood and do indeed believe that the world is being consumed by the forces of the Trickster and needs to be cleansed for the Mother. As the dogma of the Priesthood places great value in the hard work ethic of the commoner, this rings very true in the ears of the hardest working farmers in all of Arkland. Religious persecution has also become common place in Alissenon. Those families who are not religious have long since been driven out, typically to the farm lands of neighboring Chavriselle. Being apart of the Priests of Light and following their faith is a requirement for one who lives in Alissenon, safely.

## Bread Basket of Arkland

Alissenon produces more food than any other Barony in Arkland. Being located between Chavriselle and King's Crossing, it has been easy for the farmers of Alissenon to get their products to market and onto ships. For hundreds of years, the grain of Alissenon have quite literally powered the majority of people in Arkland. The farming history and rural culture of Alissenon runs deep, and although they claim no pride due to their devout beliefs, they are also certainly not ashamed of their rural upbringings.

## Borders the Stars of Ixohtl

The borders of Alissenon in the north-west run against the communal borders of the Stars of Ixohtl. Should hostilities between Arkland and the Stars ever again arise, it is clear that Alissenon will be the point of any action. With such forgiving terrain and being of great strategic value to Arkland, it is clear that Alissenon would be a target.

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--Neil (talk) 22:24, 15 October 2016 (AST)