Difference between revisions of "Byrne/Reflection"

Revision as of 19:55, 6 June 2019

The County of Cedar Vale had not been paying their dues following the Silence. Lord Gailin Stonewood was sent off to investigate the cause with a platoon of Stonewoods troops. Once there he discovered they had been killed by a local Abandoned coalition. This upset him immensely and he went into battle with those Crownland Shavs coming out victorious in the end. Given his bravery and finding the truth, Gailin claimed the county back in the name of Stonewood and under the Vassalage of Bisland. Upon his return from his ‘aggressive negotiations’ and reclaiming of the County; Marquis Malesh named him Count Gailin Fireviper of Cedar Vale - Fireviper being a name originating with a local viper known for an excruciating venomous bite. This forked the main Stonewood line to replace the nobility of Cedar Vale that was lost. Years later Count Gailin married Lady Mikani Redreef on his deathbed. While they were in contract negotiations before his fatal injuries, Mikani was already poised to take her position as Countess of Cedar Vale. To allow for mourning; Marquis Malesh Stonewood delayed his proclamation of Mikani’s elevation to Countess. During that time Mikani researched the old family that was housed at the old Cinder Estate. The name Byrne was uncovered. Unable to feel like the true Countess of Fireviper without Gailin - Mikani took the name of Byrne in memory of the House that was there before.

Vassalage

House Byrne is a vassal to House Stonewood, which in turn is vassal to House Bisland, which in turn is a vassal to House Grayson. There are some Baronies below them.

Cultural Notes

The lands of House Byrne tend to favor utilitarian yet elegant clothing of Grayson fashion. In the past Fireviper colors of orange, red and black were favored. With the change to Countess Mikani Byrne - more romantic colors of purples, greens and pinks are making a resurgence as well as the house colors of black and crimson. Due to the cooler weather, furs and sturdy boots seem to always be in fashion, for men and women.

Celebrations

In the Spring the solstice is celebrated with a festival that is meant to encourage growth and prosperity for the coming year and to bring together young people for the purpose of first meetings and possible coupling.

Midsummer is marked with a festival at the mid-season that invites traders and craftsmen from neighboring lands; an encouragement to trade and for local crafters to sell their wares from the materials brought out of the mountains. It is also during this time the Baron and Baroness observe the new turnout for volunteers who wish to join the soldiery. Contests of skill are also held at this time of year with sponsored prizes going any victors.

Fall - Day of Oaths, Limerance

The Winter season sees one local gathering; which is to celebrate the closing of the year and the harvesting seasons. It is during this time that the local stocks of meads and ales crafted for the year, that have not sold, are used to fuel the libations of celebration. In short...it is an end of the year celebration for the purposes to eat, drink, and be merry.

The County Seat

The county seat has been at Cedar Vale for generations. Following the destruction of the old town there at the hands of Abandoned invaders, the area is fondly called and known as The Cinter. Though Byrne (Fireviper before) rebuilt on that land the name persists.

Military Doctrine

Byrne relies on speed and tactics. Like Stonewood, their 'parent' house, they typically train in light armor and have expert longbowmen. For close combat they favor the swift-short sword. Though with the incoming of Countess Mikani Byrne, there is a push to learn Bantos Rods, Short Batons and Daggers.

In training they are taught how to exploit the weakness of a flank or to use their speed to back up their allies who may need support through out the battlefield. With the mountainous terrain hard on horses - there is a small light calvery and the infantry units are known for their stamina.

Climate and Geography

Cedar Vale is a great distance from open seat - positioned on the mountain between Pridehall and Stonehearth. At the bottom of the mountain is Crown Fork River.

It is the wettest and coldest part of the Stonewood Vassalages. Temperatures range from (on average) 4 °F to 82 °F, and precipitation ranging from 1550 mm to 2500 mm per year.

Heavy snows blanket the mountain in winter with heavy rains in the spring and summer. Heated water carried through copper pipes warms the main holding throughout the winter.

The geothermic activity draws tourists especially during the autumn and winter, though many a wedded couple celebrate their union in the rural county so that they may not be distracted from the work of producing heirs.

Notable Wildlife

Cinder Cat

The Cinder Cate, formerly the Vale Mountain Cat, is a medium sized wild cat that is able to be domesticated. It has a very distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. Cinder Cats are from the cedar forests around The Cinder. Before The Cinder was burned they were called the Vale Mountain Cat.

• Length: 36 in to 55 in (Adult, nose to tail)
• Height: 24 in to 33 in (Adult, at shoulder)
• Mass: male, 45 - 66 lbs, female, 40 - 61 lbs
• Other Names: Vale Mountain Cat
• Origin: Mountainous Area around Cedar Vale

Appearance

Behavior and Diet

Fireviper

Industry and Economy

• Major Exports: Minerals, Sulfur, and Obsidian
• Minor Exports: Berries, Sap, Syrup, Wool and Fireviper Venom
• Major Imports: Grain

Since Cedar Vale doesn't have water access - majority of their goods are shipped out of Stonehearth.

Tied to Stonehearth's economic system. Taxes and tariffs are agreeable even with the extra transportation costs. Although there seems to be regulations and laws in place, there are explicit loopholes that only Stonewood and its closest allies are aware of that allow them to sidestep some of the heftier sums for exportation. If one were to review the financial legislature, it would be a complex bundle of terms that would require none other than a lawyer from Stonewood to disseminate and translate. One thing is for certain, the commerce is booming and the legalese involved only draws in more capable clientele whom enforce the economic stability of the region.

Adding Family

There are no siblings of Countess Mikani Byrne. Noble house members have come from Redreef and Stonewood, creating a diverse mix of genetic variations.

Genetics

• Bisland/Stonewood Mix or Redreef
• Eyes: Blue to Dark Brown with Hazel Favored
• Skin: Mixed, Pale to Mocha
• Hair: Dirty Blond to Dark Browns/Blacks