Barony of Debordoux

*"Hardy men and women, not much interested in politics or the Light. Trusthworthy, honest, and built for long trips on the seas. The families left behind while the sailors are gone are welcoming, and I never wanted for anything during my time in Debordoux."* - Lord Bryon de Bois

## Debordoux

Debordoux is known as the main shipping and sea-access port for the Kingdom of Arkland. The coastline is dotted with sprawling ports and berths that the Merchant Navy of Arkland has built and maintained. As experts in all things shipping, more ship captains and seafolk come from Debordoux than any other barony. Thus, the most powerful families in the barony are those with the greatest fleet. On land, the lords and ladies of Debordoux maintain modest holdings, low squat buildings with heavy shutters to protect from any nor'eastern squalls that frequent the barony during the fall and winter.

The common folk of Debordoux, assuming they aren't at sea, tend to their small crops and keep to themselves. The northeastern tip of the kingdom is a harsh one, and the people have learned over time to grow what they can, when they can, and return to the hearth before night brings chilling sea winds.

With exception is the Festival of Lights, held at the height of summer, when the night skies are clear and the yearly meteor showers occur. Celebrated as a sign of their ancestors passing over the land, the people will congregate in the great port cities, enjoying fine fruits and wines brought in from around the Kingdom and across Indagar by the sea merchants.

## The Baron of Debordoux

The Baron of Debordoux is simply the Lord or Lady with the largest Navy. Naval might is paramount among the families of Debordoux, and great respect is given to he or she who commands the greatest fleet. As storms and accidents can scuttle ships, just as contracts can leave other vessels to rot at anchor, the title of Baron may change hands each year once the books are recorded. The position gives the bearer a seat at the King's council, however the views of all the high families is often kept in mind, as what is best for the people at sea is always top of mind.

## The High Families

Unlike the highly political structure and struggles of the other Baronies, the high families of Debordoux are most interested in stability and longevity. Power is measured by the counts of ships, and they have amassed their navies through reliability and skill, looking to avoid infighting between the lords and ladies. The high families are well respected by the common people, filling their crews with young men and women looking to see the world. And on return, those seafolk often bring with them some small riches as well as grand stories.

The High Families also provide the majority of the supplies for each Festival of Lights, competing with each other to put on the grandest show. Some have been known to bring people from far across the sea to the faire, including exotic acrobatic acts and strange hairy beasts to be shown off.

## The Light and Debordoux

Since Arkland's founding, the people of Debordoux have always been unconcerned with the politics and follies of the nobility in Arkland. In the same way, religion never found a foothold in the great ports either. The people of Debordoux have always been known as honest, forthcoming, and kind people, and didn't think a new desire for purity in the eyes of the stars would change their lives for good or bad.

In recent years, as the influence of the Light has grown, the Festival of Lights has seem some small religious activity. Many of the common people distrust this new activity, but a few lords and ladies have begun to openly wear religious symbols or carry Priests aboard their vessels.

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--Neil (talk) 22:40, 15 October 2016 (AST)