Relouria

[Inkthorn 1433]

« Relouria »

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”

—  Aᴜɢᴜsᴛᴜs Fᴏᴜʀɴɪᴇʀ I, ᴄɪʀᴄᴀ 1473

 

 

Relouria, a land long dead, whose sons and daughters have been spread far and wide by fate’s cruel hand. Most have found their home in Oren, particularly concentrated in Savoy and the crownlands. The peoples of Relouria are known for their pragmatism, legalism, and particularly, their unique traditions and culture.

⁌ Guide ⁍

“O sons of Philip, beware the thief, bearing those sashes of jade and black, whom dare to disguise himself as a king among men; for he is not a king, but rather a demon.”

—  Cʜᴀʀʟᴇs Hᴀʟᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ Yᴏᴜɴɢᴇʀ, ᴄɪʀᴄᴀ 1427

« Pictured | A painting of the now lost Château de Vasile, circa 1100 by an unknown artist. »

 

 

Relourians are a culture of foreign origin, having assimilated into the Orenian empire a few centuries ago. They typically have blonde or black hair, green or blue eyes, and their fashion is generally somewhat more posh or gentrified than others, always chasing the latest court trends. They have a thick accent, and often use various Relourian words or phrases. A simple list is below. Often, these words are used interchangeably with common, sprinkled within normal sentences.

 

• MON AMI is MY FRIEND
• MERCI is THANK YOU
• C'EST LA VIE is SUCH IS THE WAY, ie the way of life
• BONJOUR is HELLO
• BONSOIR is GOOD EVENING
• AU REVOIR is GOODBYE
• YOU'RE WELCOME is DE RIEN
• VERY GOOD is TRES BIEN

 

Relourians typically work in military or domestic service, and are known for their diligence in such public bodies. Otherwise, they are skilled artisans; famed artists such as Maximilien Lafayette were borne of Relouria, and other artisans like architects, philosophers, sculptors etcetera as well. Besides that, Relourians are very in touch with their heritage, often maintaining close relationships with kinsmen and fellow countrymen.

⁌ Culture ⁍

“We shall defend our islands, whatever the cost may be: we shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landings; we shall fight in the fields and in the streets; we shall fight in the hills... we shall never surrender. ”

—  Cʜᴀʀʟᴇs Hᴀʟᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ Yᴏᴜɴɢᴇʀ, ᴄɪʀᴄᴀ 1427

« Pictured | A traditional Relourian vineyard, painted in the impressionist style by an unknown artist. »

 

 

Arts

Relouria had always been known as a center for the arts. Even during prehistory, when the druids and various chiefs ruled over the isles, great sculptures and mosaics littered the early cities of the Relourians. In the modern era, they are known particularly for their impressionist style of art. Impressionism seeks to capture the content of a painting with bold colors and sharp contrasts; typically an impressionist paints sweeping landscapes, revealing portraits, etcetera.

 

“Prince Charles the Younger” | Maximilien Lafayette

« Pictured | A somber rendition of Charles Halcourt the Younger, the last prince of Relouria, painted in the modern impressionist style by renowned Relourian artist Maximilien Lafayette. »

 

Relourians are also known for their music and poetry. It is, at times, both upbeat and melancholy; both optimistic and gruesome; and both joyful and poignant. Musicians of the Relourian variety tend to emphasize humanity in their works. The struggle of man against nature is often emphasized. This is somewhat symbolic, as Relourians once worshiped nature; it is both a straightforward concept - that is, man is in perpetual conquest against nature - but simultaneously, it is metaphorical of the past, pitting modern Relouria against the Relouria of yore.

 

“Au clair de la lune” | written by Sophia Caterina de Storen

 

Philosophy

Relouria is particularly for known for two dogmas: legalism and pragmatism. These two philosophical doctrines are summarized as follows.

 

Legalism | doctored by Frederick Adelheid de Vey

Veyian legalism emphasizes, above all, law and order with respect to established precedents and documents. The Veyian legalist believes that law should be well documented and publicly available for all to decipher, so that all may live a lawful live.

 

Legalism is in effect an argument in favor of jurisprudence. When a certain punishment is given, for example, that ought to set a precedent for future generations: in future situations wherein the same law is broken, the same punishment should be given. It is therefore the duty of leaders to document their decisions, and to study the legal annals ad infinitum during their tenure, in the opinion of the Veyian legalist.

 

Pragmatism | doctored by Jean Claude de Robineau

Robinean pragmatism believes that the singular most important thing is practicality. It is not the idea of something that matters; it is the wholesome effect, the practical application… The pragmatist believes wholeheartedly in embracing only what has and will happen. Rather than debate the morals of a leader, for example, pragmatists would discuss what that leader would do in truth. In summary, practicality is the goal of the pragmatist.

 

Jean Claude was also a notable legalist. He lived during the Atheran exodus, fleeing Relouria and settling in Savoy. A famous motto that emphasizes the Relourian-Savoyard exchange of culture was coined at this time by Jean Claude himself. “Drofhsa rof doolb!” Nobody really knows what it means, but it’s said to be in the ancient holy language of the druids, emphasizing the bond between Relouria and Savoy.

Religion

The people of Relouria are deeply canonist. Since the days of Philip Halcourt I, the prince often would heed the advice of the archbishop of Vasile. The schisms that have plagued Oren at times had gone largely unseen in Relouria; and after the fall of the principality, Relourian expatriots remained mostly the same. Perhaps due to their pragmatic nature, the idea of God has largely been viewed in a practical sense amongst Relourians, without much theological debate.

⁌ History ⁍

“There is no avoiding war; it can only be postponed to the advantage of others. Alas, had only our forefathers understood this fact...”

—  Sʏʟᴠᴇsᴛʀᴇ Hᴀʟᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ I ᴏғ Aʟᴅᴇʀsʙᴜʀɢ, ᴄɪʀᴄᴀ 1469

« Pictured | Around the 12th century, Charles Halcourt the Elder began to drastically reform Relouria, particularly by requiring nobles to spend time in court every year. This painting is of one of his typical days in court, hearing petitions from his subjects, with his ever growing entourage about him. »
 

The rise of Relourian society | circa 300 anno domini

Roughly some four hundred years before the foundation of Vasile by Philip Halcourt I is the first recorded Moot - ‘the Council of Avens’ - a meeting of the Druidic tribes close to the later lands of Avenese. It signified a change in Relourian society from smaller homesteads to organised pagan fiefdoms, presided over by a rough and largely powerless religious organisation.

 

It is generally suspected by contemporary historians that this also signified the first time that the major southern lords joined together into a loose group, a trait of theirs in future rebellions, mostly directed by the universal faith that bound them together.

 

Foundation of the capital | circa 753 anno domini
Philip Halcourt I, ironically fleeing the strife of his own home, founded a new city: Vasile. He quickly established dominion over the surrounding isle, settling his loyal knights and bannermen on the wilderness. Important Relourian baronies, counties, etcetera such as Avenese, Vey, and Pierrot were founded during this era, almost a millennia ago.

 

This is when Relourian culture came into its own. Art flourished under the patronage of the new Relourian aristocracy. Political theorists, painters, poets, and more practiced their crafts as clients of various high profile aristocrats. This era of Relourian history is generally regarded as its golden era. It is said that on his deathbed, Philip abandoned the pagan religion of ancient Relouria and embraced canonism. However many of the common folk, and the established nobles, clung to their past ways - encouraged by the druids of Avenese.

 

Sovereign of the isles | 976 anno domini
A document published in 976 described the full Relourian state. The Prince of Relouria was at its helm, with a rising aristocracy beneath him. The two counts of the realm, the comte de Avenese and the comte de Pierrot, became somewhat powerful, and most of the time joined the Prince in his court. By now, the status quo of Relouria was established.

 

« Pictured | The banner of House Halcourt, unchanged to this day. »

 

Around this time, the Prince began describing himself as ‘sovereign of the isles’. He therefore asserted his absolute power and rule over his newly established principality. The banner of Halcourt was also at this time created, and flown as a de facto national flag for the entire realm. The fleur de lis was a symbol of Relourian culture, as well as the Hanseti eagle, incorporated in an attempt to create an air of legitimacy abroad.

 

The rise of cadets, and centralization | circa 1100 anno domini
During the 12th century, number of cadet branches of House Halcourt emerged, and the tradition of agnatic cognatic elective inheritance was solidified. Most notable among them were Halcourt de Fournier and Halcourt de Pierrot, both of which would come to rule over the only 2 counties in Relouria.

 

These families became distinct legally and otherwise from the main Halcourt branch, which was known as Halcourt de Vasile. Their patriarchs were influential at court and held much sway with the Prince. They also were often appointed to positions of power. By now, the Relourian bureaucracy was growing, and it was a multifaceted beast, with numerous tiers and long titles.

 

Around this time, a certain Halcourt Prince worked to centralize the country. He did so largely by slowly removing powers from the nobility and clergy while simultaneously convincing them it was good for them. His most famous reform was to require that nobles spend one half of the year at his court; therefore, nobles would have to purchase lodgings in his city, they would have to eat there, etcetera, thereby bringing money into his coffers and out of the provinces, as well as curbing noble power by keeping them away from their holdings.

 

It was under this Prince, Charles Halcourt the Elder, that the idea of Relourian court life emerged. Noble gentlemen would court debutantes; court intrigue became common, and political warfare often ensued; and altogether, the Prince became a sort of social paragon. All hoped to garner his favor and to be the life of the court.

 

Interestingly, this lead to what later historians dub the Vasilean renaissance. The people of Vasile became increasingly more wealthy: the peasant class was slowly replaced by a growing bourgeoisie; people moved away from farming, smithing, etcetera into luxury industries such as art or trade… Overall, the capital became very much the center of the principality, as power and wealth were literally drained from the rest of the principality.

 

The Avenese Rebellion | circa 1100 anno domini
A certain Louis, count of Avenese, rose his banner in rebellion against the crown. He declared himself king of Relouria, a title none had ever borne; the Halcourts in Vasile had only ever dubbed themselves Princes of Relouria. They had seen the might of far off empires and kingdoms, and yet understood their independence - they were neither kings nor dukes, neither counts nor emperors… they were Princes.

 

But as said, Louis de Avenese rebelled and claimed the title king of Relouria. In doing so he killed a number of his opponents, particularly a certain Philip Halcourt de Fournier, the knight of Storen. His son, Bastien Fournier, quickly rallied his levy, and gathered his allies. He soon marched alone to the sea, and readied a small fleet.

 

Bastien sailed to Avenese, and surprised the rebel host. He stormed the city, and sacked the entirety of it. But Louis de Avenese was not there; he had been making way to kill the Prince... And so the rebel king turned about, headed to his now ruined home. In time he made it, but the levy of Bastien was prepared. They garrisoned the walls that once protected Louis, and then sallied out to destroy him on the field of battle.

 

Word soon reached the Prince of the young Bastien’s achievements, and his savior of the realm. He therefore named him count of Avenese and Storen, and therefore arose House Fournier. Once merely a knightly cadet branch of Halcourt, they now controlled nearly a third of the Relourian realm, and would surely hold much power in the years to come…

 

 

The Imperial Era | 1209 anno domini  - 1319 anno domini

This era of Relourian history, generally supposed to have begun with the election of the Prince Frederick Halcourt to the throne in 1209 is generally considered to be the apex of Relourian power - the principality’s influence stretching over an enormous section of the nearby archipelago. It was a feared maritime power, naval force, and the period was only ended by the rash actions of one Louis Fournier.

 

The period began with Frederick’s highly expansionist policies, building on the work done by his vassals in wealthy colonies such as Foix and Echay, and his incredible focus on shipbuilding. The island gained an enormously powerful navy and under him subjugated some ‘thirty-eight unknowns; thirteen knowns; three score princes; eight kings; half-a-dozen governors, and the fools of Ancille.’

 

Following his death, a large faction of courtiers, generally seen as war hawks, ensured the succession of a poorly known and relatively young prince, prince Philip IV, whom they manipulated to continue the policies that had so benefited their coffers. His reign, and that of his successor Frederick II, were characterised by the same policies as their famed predecessor and it was during this time that the people of Relouria came into contact with many of the foreign people that they would later encounter upon their exodus.

 

This period of Relourian history is most notable for the long stretch free from any civil insurrection in the south of the country, up until 1287. A series of poor investments by Louis Fournier, comte de Avenese, had left him forced to raise severe taxes upon many burghers whom in turn destabilised the succession by lobbying for a candidate well known to be sympathetic to paganism.

 

 

The Principality Falls | 1436 anno domini
War followed after a brief relapse. This time, however, it was for an entirely different reason. The then Prince, Charles Halcourt the Younger, sought to finally put an end to the heathens of Avenese. Those druids followed the timeless, ancient pagan faith of Relouria, long abandoned by the ruling class in favor of canonism. And so he issued an ultimatum: convert or be put to the sword… This would not bode well with the people of Avenese.

 

A minor cadet branch of Halcourt, known simply as de Alsace, lead by its champion - a certain self-styled Prince Felix - rallied support throughout the realm against Charles. However, their rebellion was somewhat secretive: ‘Prince Felix’ gained notoriety of a sort, an almost envious infamy from the lower and higher classes alike. His platform was to ‘restore the rights of nobility and clergy alike’ and he sought to do so by fire and sword. Ironically, he appeared to support the heathen druids.

 

« Pictured | A poster printed by the infamous rebel leader Prince Felix, mocking the ruling monarch prince Charles the Younger. Various pieces of propaganda such as this circulated throughout the principality by both sides, ranging from blatant ad hominem attacks like this to genuine grievances.  »

 

In time, real battles began. Various armed militias and levies, loyal to Felix or Charles, would skirmish here and there. Cities loyal to one or the other would be razed. All in all, bloodshed and warfare raked the land. Years passed with no clear victor. Relouria experienced a quick plunge into chaos.

 

On one fateful night, as anticipation filled the air all throughout the realm like clouds fill the sky, a great flood came about. It brought a reckoning which none would ever have foreseen. The people of Relouria fled on any ship they could, or in a ramshackle manner built rafts… Most died. Most found their end at the bottom of the sea.

 

Prince Charles was away commanding the army in their hunt for the rebel Prince Felix. His children - Sylvestre I, Cecil I, and Eliza - were in the capital, and hastily boarded the small ships that composed the Relourian navy. Courtiers, artisans, and peasants alike crowded in, smuggling gold, food, and all that they could.

 

They fled, onto the sea. For months they sailed, until they made contact with a foreign fleet. It was the people of Anthos, a nearby continent, whom were also in flight of this great flood. And so they joined them as they fled through a great portal into Athera.

 

Savoyard Alliance | 1436 anno domini
Upon arriving in Athera, the people of Relouria, lead by Sylvestre and Cecil Halcourt, met with the leaders of the duchy of Savoy. An impromptu oath was sworn, and Halcourt would in their time of need serve the sons of Ashford. Soon, the duke of Savoie, Olivier de Savoie, became the king of Oren itself...

 

Thus did Sylvestre I became seneschal of Savoie and, in Olivier’s absence as he managed the realm, he put his life into Aldersburg - the Savoyard capital. Meanwhile, Cecil formed the Petrus Watch, guarding the Orenian capital. This was the Orenian hayday of Relouria, and besides the Halcourt’s success, many other Relourians found a home in Savoy, or the crownlands.

 

In the modern era, Relourians live on across Oren. From the Halcourts, still loyally in servitude to the emperor within the ranks of the Orenian military and public service, such as ser Sylvestre II and Morgan, or the Fournier, landed barons of the crownlands, there are enumerable Relourians throughout the upper and lower echelons of Orenian society.

 

 

Also, credit to my boy @Stigwig. for helping lots with this, and to @Deminisher for the Halcourt banner.

Anyone's free to play a Relourian! Want some help making an accurate character? Ask Gus or myself!

[HedgeHug 2049]

Spoiler

Brits, where's the brits, time to go to war again. 

 

 

 

[ski_king3 0]

Marius scratches his head, wondering why Auvergnian culture and language were being treated with a different name. He shrugs, going about his business once more after some idle contemplation.

[6xdestroyer 1610]

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

@Birdnerdy

 

 

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Joséphine de Beauharnais, Empress of The French, wonders why her husband's coronation painting was illegally used!

((Jk, I love this...and Sylvestre. We need more vineyards in Axios!!))

[OzYmandi 647]

A red Orc blankly stares at the note, sliding his axe out and cutting it in half "ZKAH'N PINKEHZ BLAH'ING ZTUHPID ZTUFF!!!"

[Rammer 388]

"Is zhis not known as Auvergnian now?" Augustus inquires, tilting his head as he reads over the document.

[The Great Mongol Khan 1110]

"Teal and yellow, thats a funktastic combination Sylvestre" says Luminous

[Saarty1 119]

Touché.

[Destroyer_Bravo 1054]

((we already have frenchies))

[Elad™ 560]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.