The Campagnois

[amyselia 2962]

The People of the Ville de Campagnon

Adjective: Campagnois (m); Campagnoise (f)

 

 

Campagnois is a subculture of heartlanders, the hinterland sister of the luxuriant Auvergnat of the upper human aristocracy. The culture originates from the movement of the Auvergnat houses from the Kingdoms of Vandoria & Lotharingia to the modern Oren, carrying with them their respective servants and bannermen. The name is derived from the Ville de Campagnon, a project by the efforts of the Houses of Pruvia, Halcourt and de Rosius. 

The Campagnois are people of the natural earth that live for sentiments wrought from their connection to spirituality. In seeing nature with emotion, they have become highly superstitious, with various practices in their culture deriving from the mysticism of magical phenomena that they understand to be tied to nature rather than separate from it. Many Campagnois have never left the sanctity of their rural homes, leading to the development of bosomed communities, bearing frigidity for outside custom or intrusion. On the exterior, they may appear almost paganistic, but their religion is that of the canon.

 

Because of their roots in the natural, the Campagnois appreciate and are steered by raw human emotion. Their outlook on an ideal lifestyle is one in which no regrets are paid on one’s death. Duels, murders and turbulent displays are a casual occurence to them, and they are hardly a shy or docile people as a result. Foreigners looking in often feel overwhelmed by their practice of la bise, or their freedom in intimacy with strangers. This intimacy translates into their customs, events, government structures and more.

 

“Nous vivons libres, comme Dieu le veut”

We Live Free, as God Intended

 

In the ancient Godfreyan era of the Empire, various proto-Campagnois peoples inhabited the world. They went by various names: the Auvergnians, lead by the Valois; the Relourians, lead by the Halcourts; and many others vying for cultural hegemony. This was the first blossoming of the culture, the spring of the Campagnois at the dawn of time, which was centered across the world, but especially in the Kingdom of Salvus. 

 

 Ancient Campagnois influence, for example, was deeply ingrained in Old Savoy, under King Olivier of Reformed Oren. This was the nature of the proto-Campagnois. As each century of unstable feudalism continued, the diaspora spread to the far reaches of the world, keeping ancient traditions alive in the midst of ongoing strife. This was a dark age in the history of the Campagnois, since there was no unity -- yet another winter…

 

This dark age of our culture ended after the Horen Restoration. The Johannian era was a period during which the second age of the Campagnois began. A new Savoy was founded in the swamplands; Lorraine, with its bastion of Campagnois culture, Metz, flourished, later becoming Lotharingia; Old Artois thrived as an island fortress, the ancient home of the Halcourts secure once more. 

 

Campagnois leaders achieved great rank and renown. Generalissimo Augustus d’Amaury led the Imperial forces to victory in endless wars; Minister of the Interior Sylvester Halcourt oversaw the settlement and administration of those new lands many decades later, including Imperial dominion over all of elvenkind during the reign of John III; and overall, we thrived. Alas, the Courlandic host brought the Johannian empire to its heels. Johanessburg turned to nuclear dust as thanhium bombs destroyed the Empire -- and our culture ended another dark age. The diaspora settled in Curon, Renatus, Marna, and elsewhere, keeping our traditions alive. 

 

Later, during the reign of Aurelius I, the Campagnois experienced another winter -- another dark age. A notable center of our culture at the time, a light in the darkness that led us into another spring, was the Ville du Baltas, whose leaders, the House de la Baltas, revived the County of Auvergne. As time went on, the culture neared its death… With the House de la Baltas keeping our traditions and identity alive in this dark age, our culture lived on, making it to the next critical stage in our history!

 

It was not until the reign of Peter III that the Campagnois experienced another golden age. A number of major noble houses thrived: Provins, Halcourt, Montagne, Allard, and many others were ennobled in the Crownlands and in the Provinces during this period. They rose to great ranks, and their heroes are too numerous to name. This was one of the strongest points in the history of the Campagnois, and it is the period that directly predates our lives today. When we settled Providence many decades later, we inherited our good position and stable leadership from these forefathers. A thousand generations of Campagnois have secured our place as one of the staple peoples of the Empire, dedicated above all to service and excellence.

 

To the Campagnois, forests represent mysticism, convergence with the spiritual and holy energy. Upon settling beside the forests of Dobrov, the culture of the Campagnois became exceedingly mystified as further magic phenomena remained unexplained. Magical occurrences become superstition, and a new understanding of the world was created as a result. Many rites of life are held within forests, where this fantastical energy resonates the most, but also where various beasts of legend are said to live in obscurity.

 

Le Prince de l'Hiver et la Fée du Givre

The Winter Prince and the Frost Fairy

 

Hawthorn flowers in particular hold immense cultural significance to the Campagnois and play a distinct role in many of their rites and traditions. These flowers, alternatively known as May-blossoms, grow on trees of sturdy woodland bark and are used in Campagnois culture to fend off evil spirits. Hawthorn trees are widely believed to be host to communities of fairies, which are the physical manifestation of the wandering spirits of Saints. These fairies serve as a reminder that the Saints live among us, and their presence is a great comfort to the Campagnois people. Hawthorn fairies are trusted as great judges of character.

 

[!] Attached is the chart of fairies. (WIP…)

 

Fairies are not the traditional winged pixies, but rather, gnome-like grandfatherly creatures of petite stature, with halos of gold and herbs floating around them. They are said to possess magical abilities according to their saintly patronages, and are said to be summoned with the use of hawthorn and prayer.

 

Nature & Subsistence

The Campagnois exist in communities tied to the serenity of nature, wishing to distance themselves from the hustle of the capital cities they’ve been tethered to for their entire history. They value the life and death of each animal with reverence, as they provide the Campagnois with the resources they need to survive. The Campagnois are thus often equestrians and falconers by hobby, adventurous and brave. By trade, they are farmers, fishermen, hunters, and nature artists, etc… They rarely yearn for pomp and luxury, as they are expected to be active in hunting and blood sports to balance the wellness of the soul.

 

A collection of gentlefolk at leisure beside the river Petra, 

with hawthorn flowers surrounding them.

 

Fidelity

The Campagnois are a community-based culture that thrives off of close-knit bonds and interactions. Every Campagnois knows the other, and everyone treats each other as family. Outsiders be damned. The number one rule is not to betray their traditions. They love their culture and heritage, and their bonded community tends to allow them to express their feelings quite openly without worrying about being judged, which tends to also make them brutally honest and rather trustworthy people - except to outsiders.

 

NOTE: The social hierarchy and gender roles of the Campagnois are derivative of the nouveau; all are tried and tested under god as equally capable of greatness.

 

Vanity & Passion

The Campagnois are driven by excellence, whether it be aesthetic excellence, skill, reputation, etc. However, this does not always translate directly into individual ambition, as the Campagnois’ first love is their community, and thus their zeal is for their culture and customs and not necessarily for personal achievement. They desire to be the best of all people and thus must outdeliver in this expectation. This means that when they commit to something, they behave as enthusiastic idealists with zeal that empowers them.

As a result, they are stalwart personalities, engaging with each other with unmatched sentiment and energy. 

 

Romanticism

The Campagnois are a people motivated in all things by passion. The unique hardships they have endured paired with the defiant triumphs they have achieved have both forged a culture characterized by intense romanticization of everyday moments in life. They are universally known for their dramatic declarations of love, public spectacles of hate, duels, weddings and more, all orchestrated to be boisterous and loud. Scandal is hardly hidden away, and is instead embraced and commanded punishment of in public shamings.

 

La Bise

La bise is a common greeting across the Campagnois. One places adjacent kisses over either of a person’s cheeks as a custom of introduction when entering any room. This is done as a way to break the ice, as well as to welcome closeness between people.

 

La chasse à la communion

La chasse (common: the hunt) is an introductory event used to welcome diplomats, foreigners and cultural assimilants to the Ville de Campagnon. It is planned months in advance of the person’s welcome, for a specific legendary hunt must be chosen from among the many beasts of the valleys and forests, and hunting grounds are thoroughly examined to ensure the safety of the chassiere (the name for the foreigner). When walking among the forests, the foreigner is introduced to campagnois superstition by the Hunt Master, who explicates the significance of the forest and the sanctity of the exchange of life with the beast to be caught.

 

Rite of Maturity - The Seasonal Prince(ss)

The Seasonal Rite  (La Maturation Printanière/Estivale/d'Automne/Hivernale) is celebrated as a rite of maturity lavished upon all Campagnois youths. It involves a series of successive tasks over the course of a year that then culminate into ‘La Couronne’, the fête in which these challenges are weighted by the presence of the seasonal fairy for success and zeal. The fairy chooses the most ardent and spirited practitioner of the rite and what it stands for, and names them the Seasonal Prince(ss) and places the seasonal wreath upon their head. The tasks are chosen by the eldest of all living Campagnois, and are bestowed upon the children without bias or blunder.

 

For the Printanière, the Spring Fairy appears - the spirit of St. Noah, the saint of spring.

For the Estivale, the Summer Fairy appears - the spirit of St. Richard, the saint of deserts.

For d’Automne, the Fall Fairy appears - the spirit of St. Malcolm, the saint of storms.

For the Hivernale, the Frost Fairy appears - the spirit of St. Joren, the saint of Winter. 

 

Rite of Baptism - The Children’s Foal

Children are gifted foals at age five, the same day of their baptism, so they can learn to ride them proficiently from a young age. Children are mounted unto their foal and baptised beside it, symbolic of their binding to the creature under GOD’s light. Typically, this horse is white, as white horses have a superstition of good luck and god’s blessings tied to them. These foals are trained to be experts at maneuvering different terrains, helping the Campagnois accomplish a plethora of quotidian activities.

 

Rite of Courtship - Valerian & Hawthorn

Or otherwise: Valériane et Aubépine

Valerian is an important flower associated with love and courtship. It is the flower of a budding romance. As per tradition, the Campagnois typically engage their children in betrothals, but for those instances during which betrothal does not occur before marriage age, courtship is a specific set of steps.

 

The process of courtship as followed by the Campagnois is initiated by the young man, who collects Valerian flowers into a wicker basket from the hills of Campagnon and douses them into Pruvian Port wine. The wine bottle and flower bouquet is then gifted to the mother of the lady on whom he has his eyes. This must be done within a few hours of the flowers’ collection, as the wine will wilt the flowers much quicker than nature’s will. If the flowers are fine and without a hint of disruption, the mother of the lady will allow her daughter to see him, but if not, she may let the wine fall over the man as if he were the wilted valerian himself.

 

Upon acceptance of the courtship, a first meeting with the family must take place. The mother will crush the wilted flowers into a powder, sprinkling it over her cheeks and shoulders. Throughout the course of the meeting, if the powdered valerian begins to exude a pungent odor, hawthorn flowers will be brought into the room to contrast it, with the idea being that hawthorn fairies will wipe away the powder so her beauty will match the young man’s love. If the odor does not die down, the fairies deemed his love insufficient, and the meeting will end with rejection.

 

A bride escaping from her wedding. Mariée en fuite.

 

Rite of Marriage

Weddings are traditionally held within forests or other natural environments, with the reception often being a freshly mangled animal for feasting. The bride’s dress- in opposition to many other cultures -is colorful and less extravagant, and her hair is let loose, showing her as she was upon her birth day. Weddings are often also held to celebrate multiple couples at the same time rather than a singular, especially among families of similar ages.

The entrance of the bride is an extravagant visual; she rides in upon a white horse or her preferred steed wielding a wooden chalice. Her father or father-figure lowers her to the ground and places Valerian powder within the chalice. She holds it as she is escorted down the pews by her father’s hand to be delivered before her betrothed and the priest undergoing the ceremony. The wedding is then held as usual of canonist customs, up until the point of exit, when the bride spills the powder in front of the couple for them to step onto before beginning their walk towards their reception.

 

Rite of Death- The Beautiful Exit

The beautiful exit (Le beausorti) is the process that surrounds the death of a person of Campagnois culture. This tradition is supposed to be a time of remembering the deceased. Although friends and members of the family are not asked to be joyous about a death, they are meant to look upon the positive aspects and the accomplishments of one’s life. 

 

First the funeral procession begins at the church where a priest blesses the deceased within a wooden coffin.  The casket is without extravagance, as the deceased will not be buried within it.. This is where members of the procession are openly allowed to share their grievances and place flowers into the open casket.

 

After the funeral services, a procession follows. The closest friends and family members of the deceased carry the casket, open, towards the forest. Casket carriers are asked to wear white with wilted wreaths upon their head to represent the exchange of life with nature.

 

The Campagnois believe that a natural burial brings one’s soul closer to the fairies. Thus, the casket will be taken to the forest in a parade’s procession, where a grave has already been dug. La Goutte or “The Drop” is when the casket is opened and the deceased are dropped within the grave beside the many flowers within.

 

Carnaval Mystique, the revel of the dark.

 

Holiday - The Preussens Calendar

The Preussens Calendar is an aged collection of holidays and events scripted in the late 16th century by Princess Anna Sophia of Pruvia regarding the celebrations of imperial customs and traditions. It is one of the most well-kept traditions of the ancient Auvergnat, passed down as a guide for celebration and exultation.With the exception of St. Godwin’s Harvest- turned into ‘Carnaval Mystique’ by superstition -and Krugsmas- turned into ‘Tuvmas’ by Empress Anne -the holidays are held without much distinction from their original practice.

 

[!] Attached is the calendar itself.

 

Holiday - Carnaval Mystique

Carnaval Mystique is the festival of the dark, held as a parade of costumes, the mystic arts of fortune telling, herbalism and more. Typically, it is held during the saints’ autumn seasons, but can also happen with variety during the other months. For the duration of the Carnaval, masks are worn made of leather, furs and leaves to hide the face, shielding the canonist from the dark forces that would invade their thoughts during parties such as those that revel in the night time.

 

More to be added…

 

Hawthorn Flowers

The Hawthorn tree’s delicate, pale flowers hold immense cultural importance to the Campagnois people. They view these blooms as the home to fairies (the spirits of fallen Saints) who guide their people. It is also believed that the Hawthorn fairies serve as stalwart protectors of any realm they inhabit, and, as such, many of the Campagnois aristocracy plant one or several Hawthorn trees on their estates. 

 

Pruvian Port

Pruvian port is a fine cherry wine had with just about every meal. Campagnois children begin drinking this nectar at the young age of twelve, which is revered as a vital step in a child’s maturation. To douse something in wine is to purify it and ingratiate it into Campagnois culture, which has become a practice ingrained in various rites of life and customs. Precious gifts, including necklaces, gowns, and even decorative items such as flowers, are doused in Pruvian Port before being presented to their recipient.

 

Birds of Prey

Birds of prey, and flighted birds in general, are looked to by the Campagnois as heralds of liberty. A bird of prey- hawks, eagles, falcons etc -spotted grounded is a sign of good luck towards the spotter, for they have been blessed with the essence of freedom. Keeping a bird in a cage is seen as a grave injustice, and often, falconers will instead domesticate birds of prey into free movement within their home or nature enclosures.

 

 

Figure - Timeo de la Baltas

Timeo de la Baltas is revered as one of the most- if not the most -famous bard to have ever existed. As an artist, he was said to be the embodiment of liberation and dramatism, with his ventures in life including a marriage to a much older illation matron with a plethora of children, as well as public performances of plays and opera to rival the voices of saints. Culturally, he was Auvergnat, leading him to receive the title of ‘Count of Auvergne’ in the 18th century. The Campagnois idolize Timeo’s introduction of Auvergnat culture’s wonders to the other cultures of Man, and frequently cite him as inspiration in works of art, however they clutch onto him as being a figure of their culture rather than belonging to the rest of the world.

In the Campagnois, he is known by his Auvergnat name: Timot. He is called ‘Timot l'éternel’ (Timot the Everlasting).

 

Towns and Residencies

Campagnois settlements are markedly provincial, with residencies being relatively small so as to invoke a feeling of homeliness, as family units are expected to be extremely tight knit. A defining characteristic of the Campagnois architectural style is the hipped roof, which features gentle slopes on all sides of the roof. Nothing in the Campagnois style is particularly lavish; the Campagnois town highlights a creamy, rustic color pallet.

 

 

Castles / Palaces

Continuing in the theme of provincial architecture, Campagnois palaces and manors generally shy away from pomp and overt displays of wealth. Despite being modest in design, these complexes tend to be imposing and intimidating rather than awestriking. Family and common areas are abundant within the homes of Campagnois aristocracy, as the familial bond is a core tenet of the culture. Furthermore, elements of nature are often spread throughout palaces and castles. These may include hunting trophies, plants, or general natural coloring.

 

Landmark Structures

Most landmark structures within a Campagnois settlement will feature vibrant colors to set a stark contrast between the rest of the town with its neutral-toned pallets. Important structures also feature more angular, sharp facades to draw the eye toward them. The most prominent of these landmarks include government buildings, places of worship, as well as religious shrines.

 

There are various staples that define the fashions of the community. The designs worn by the Campagnois are normally highly structured at the bodice, yet adorned with floral designs and natural notes that soften the harshness of the torso’s wear. Furs and greenery are often employed as accessories to accentuate the shape of an ensemble.

 

Women’s Fashion

Women often sport structured bodices with flowy skirts underneath, the female’s fashion being heavily influenced by the nature in and around their settlement. Skirts are typically not wide, and take on the freedom of movement employed in a maxi-skirt. This is for the purpose of fast-paced action such as running and labor. Dress is also highly conservative within Campagnois culture, and women will often don veils over their flowing hair. They also exhibit bright colors adorned with various floral patterns and other intricate designs. 

 

Men’s Fashion

Similar to the fashions of their female counterparts, the Campagnois men boast structured bodices with colors and patterns influenced heavily by the nature around them. Bottoms range from breeches to tight-fitted hose of various patterns, and they will often pair either with tunics at knee-length or lower.

 

 

---

 

This post will be updated as the culture is developed in-character, as this is definitely a WIP with a lot of roleplay to be done to cement practices into being.

So many thanks to @Lyonharted, @Tiresiam, @VeganWalmart, @ncarr, @clonky, and @sunflowerist for writing!

 

[Proddy 2415]

An unborn Pruvia chews upon a baguette.

[veganwalmart 1059]

A certain flaxen-haired Campagnois grinned, for the golden age of her people had arrived!

[milkyi 1985]

The Baroness d'Artois begins to formulate blueprints with the Countess Pruvia for the town of Campagnon. 

[Rattussmackus 597]

I am looking 👀

[Franczhiz 4437]

Philip Hughes de Rosius commented from far away while he lived in a cave. "Based."

[clonky 1976]

"AH! I LOVE BEING A CAMPAGNOIS. Finally we see some rich culture.." The Countess Provins noted with a BEAMING SMILE!

[Narthok 10416]

Spoiler

(( with full respect please have an actual francophone read some of this stuff

 

[Phoebe202 1057]

“What marvelous news!” Elara Sylvie de Rosius  exclaimed. “I should try and help, non?”

[kipps 726]

21 minutes ago, amyselia said:

Devenir grand. - Become great.

 

Leopold, who is an Auvergnois enthousiast and amateur linguist himself, chokes in his Benedictine at the sight of such!

 

Spoiler

https://francais.lingolia.com/en/grammar/verbs/imperatif

 

2 minutes ago, Narthok said:

  Reveal hidden contents

(( with full respect please have an actual francophone read some of this stuff

 

 

Spoiler

Me and vous-savez qui are...

 

[Marquesa_ 298]

On 1/16/2022 at 3:08 PM, amyselia said:

A new Savoy was founded in the swamplands; Lorraine, with its bastion of Campagnois culture, Metz, flourished, later becoming Lotharingia;

“My family and I were Auvergnian. I have never heard of this ‘Campagnois’ culture, have any of you?” voiced the deceased Eleanor of Lotharingia toward her two sisters and mother. In reply to the inquiry, all of the d’Amaury women shook their heads.

 

“Truth be told, it sounds like the name of some cheap wine. How dreadful.” let out Claude of Lotharingia. Shortly after, the gaggle of monarchical consorts began to laugh incessantly.