It is Nicodas, 15th of the Month of Life, in the year 96
His Royal Majesty, King Louis X
Kingdom of Gallia
Queen Aliénor
The Kingdom of Gallia is the Old World venerable giant on the continent of Atlan - So old it is, that it is often referred to as the Ancient Regime from both its people and outsiders. Gallia is one of the most culturally distinct Kingdoms of the Old World, with traditions going back centuries and its land being renowned for exquisite fertility.
The Kingdom also finds itself as the largest state in its surroundings, making it an envy of its more imperialist-inclined neighbours. Something which the nobility and the lower classes like to remind those who irritate them. The nobility itself does not shy from launching its expeditions without leave being granted by the King. Although these excursions tend to be small in scale and consequence, reigning in the nobility is a never-ending problem for the crown.
"Our right is Divine! We are the children of Corinna"
- Bishop Benard Aillet
Play As...
Gallia
General Characteristic
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Primary Race
Human
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Language
Common, Gallic
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Height
162cm - 195cm (5'3 - 6'4)
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Hair Colours
Browns, Brunettes, Gingers and Blondes
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Eye Colours
Hazels, Greens, Browns, some Blues
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Skin Tone
Gallia & Alamaine - Pale Accatain - Pale / Tanned
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Ethos
Gallia & Accatain - Bellicose Alamaine - Stoic
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Naming Convention
Renaissance French, Burgundian Franco-Germanic (Alamaine)
Kingdom of Gallia Rundown
Themes
French Empire, Colonial, Noble RP, Wealth, Religious, Fine Art, Long History, Continental Top-Dog, Colonial Underdog.​
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Aesthetics
Gallian - Francien, Norman, Wealth, Eccentric, Finery​
Accatain - Southern France, Knights, Chivalry
Alamaine - French and German Hybrid, Craftsmen, Humble
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Unique Aspects
Largest Old World Power, Cultural Superpower, Most self-assured faction
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General Attitudes Towards
Attitude Scale:
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Allied
Friendly
Cordial
Neutral
Unfavourable
Antagonistic
War
Dumanon:
Antagonistic
Great Houses:
Friendly
Custodes:
Neutral
Azuchi:
Neutral
Daurans:
Neutral
Asturias:
Allied
Komanali:
Unfavourable
Banen’Rhûn:
Neutral
Dynasty:
Neutral
Sasanshahr:
Unfavourable
Ancient Dwarves:
Neutral
Amu-Tep:
Cordial
Turak:
Neutral
Gallia and Aether Users:
The powers of the Aether are highly distrusted in Gallia and are commonly associated with the excessive whims of Dumanon. So strong is the animosity and suspicion of the Aether, that recently discovered users are generally in imminent danger of being killed by their fellow villagers, townsfolk or countrymen for their potential to harm and because of its association with the Imperial Island to the north.
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Those who manage to escape the wrath of the commoners do so by fleeing to Dumanon and joining their Imperial Ranks or seeking patronage from a willing Gallic noble - Preferably one who can afford to send them to the Palace of Knowledge - or seek a way to enter into the King's service. In the latter two circumstances, becoming a tool within the arsenal of the Gallic nobility to be used and discarded when proven too dangerous.
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Gallia and Demons:
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Gallia has had limited experience with Demons and those it had the misfortune of dealing with were often swiftly dispatched. Not by men of Gallia, alone. Rather mysterious foreigners who have come to the Kingdom's aid without request nor expectation of reward.
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Near all of Gallia have heard the stories of Demons, often spoken in children's stories and fables; legends of great destruction and mystery brought by malignant creatures of unimaginable hatred. - None know of the truth of Demons.
When Playing...
Gallia is a very self-assured Kingdom, its history is longer than any of its neighbours and its institutions have stood the test of time. Many do not believe that its current rivals are anything but a blip in their own history, a tidbit of knowledge for future generations to learn about.
This arrogance comes from the longevity of the Kingdom. It bleeds into how they act and react to the world around them. The Ancient Regime has no fear of being thrown into anarchy and does not need to prove itself like Asturias or Dumanon.
The Gallic people express these sentiments best. Although they are aware of the challenges surrounding their Kingdom, they rarely find reason to fear them. Even their peasantry has an air of superiority compared to others from neighbouring Kingdoms. The refinement of the Gallic culture is second to none, their technological advancements and ‘the sense of place’ are some of the most important aspects of their deeper society. Will you develop the grandeur of Gallia, reconstruct its presence in the New World, or influence affairs through diplomacy and charm?
Accatain has many similarities to Gallic people, the same air of superiority is evident in the way they speak and act. There are few horsemen the world over as skilled as an Accatainian Knight, and there are few aspects of life in Accatain that do not escape the rigours of the Chivalric Code. Will you conduct yourself accordingly in the New World, or will you embrace Accatain's bellicose nature, and seek revenge on Dumanon?
Alamaine does not suffer from the same hubris as its more western cousins. Though their lot is more humble than wine, horsemanship and chivalry, the Alaman's remain proud of their practically, technology and trade. Set apart by emerging traditions of oligarchy and industry, the people of Alamaine have much to prove to the rest of the Kingdom. Will you seek to bring this practical outlook to Gallia's Elven allies? Or do you serve Gallia's interests, and seek to extract the secrets of the New World from the Great Houses?
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The Kingdom of Gallia is a member of The Union with the Kingdom of Asturias.
"He is no King, he is merely an engorged beast!"
- Grand Duke Gaston, creating the tradition of refusing to acknowledge Cendric's title
The History of Gallia
The true origin of Gallia is steeped in various myths and legends, of great warrior kings carving a legacy through great cunning and strength. Despite the various iterations of these stories, the uniting central figure falls on a woman, whom time remembers as Corinna made manifest, who blessed the Father of Gallia, Chieftain Gallus, with a beautiful baby boy who became the first King of Gallia.
Gallia has since then expanded and contracted over a dozen times. Either from battling with neighbouring growing too powerful, or from wars fought internally over the power of the monarch versus the power of the nobles. Each time, the power constantly shifts to favour one or the other, only to swing back in a never-ending motion that establishes some long-term balance within the Kingdom.
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Gallic nobility had meddled in the affairs of its neighbours, often leading expeditions and incursions without leave of the King. One of the greatest examples is Dumanon and its island for many decades before it united.
During which Gallic Monarch had a vested interest in curbing the excesses of the nobility and their expansion into a realm as big as Dumanon. The conflict between the nobles and the crown soured to such an extent, that the withholding of men and coins from the Kingdom became frequent. This eventually developed into a tradition of Noble autonomy that affected the Kingdom for centuries to come.
New Era, Year 86 - 94
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King Louis X had passed the Military Orders Law permitting him to establish professional fighting forces outside of his own House Guard and not under the control of the Nobility. Though, there was a requirement to draw its officers from the Nobility.
Three main Orders established themselves through the interim wars of the Gallic Kingdom against its neighbours, and it was not until the Duke of Aulerc provided the best possible reason for war to retake the lost lands currently held within the grip of Dumanon.
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Catching their rivals unawares, the Gallic army marched upon their old lands intending to remove the invaders who now sat in their castles. With blistering efficiency, King Louis X proved he had the required military acumen to gain admiration from his nobility.
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The peace signed with Dumanon was, however, bittersweet. Although Gallia regained all its lost continental land, it suffered a great defeat at sea and subsequently lost most of its colonial territories in the New World.
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Much of the nobility felt as though their revenge was not fully realised, that Dumanon had not been punished sufficiently enough. The King used this sentiment to plan a future invasion of Dumanon, but first required the fleet to wrestle control of the seas from their enemy.
New Era, Year 68 - 72
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The spite that nobles had for the crown became apparent when Dumanon invaded Gallia. What really should have been an easy war to win for the King, instead was a string of defeats and the loss of much of the western coast of Gallia from the two-year-long war.
The loss to Dumanon was used to show how frail the crown was, and how inept the current king was to rule. To seize control over Gallic land in a stinging insult and embarrassment to the people and the prestige of the Kingdom, they argued.
The loss in that war smeared the reputation of King Philip IV and in the following years led to the ascension of his nephew, King Louis X, when he abdicated. Louis was well regarded in Gallia as he fought in several battles against Dumanon and is famously credited with killing the Imperial Duke, William Salton, by running him down with a lance.
The Sword Nobility, and many of the upper class, saw Louis X as a warrior king and hailed his coronation as a positive change for the Kingdom.
New Ear, Year 73 - 85
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Although it seems obvious to gain success outside of the borders of Gallia, it would be best to work with the crown. Many put up a staunch resistance against any attempt to centralise authority to the King. They preferred to be their own judges of taxation and levies. - King Louis X struggled to pass reforms requiring greater military contributions to the crown from his nobility.
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Although these failed, he secured increased monetary contributions, and should they fall short, material goods. These material goods were then collected by the newly Chartered Trading Company, known as The Royal Associates of Gallia Company commonly known as The Associates Company or The Gallia Company.
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The Company, in time, rebuilt the King's coffers and greatly funded Gallic expansion, both domestic and colonial. - Rebuilding pride in the Kingdom.
New Era, Year 95
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Gallia’s stance towards colonial expansion has changed since Dumanon seized its colonies. Lacking the navy to challenge Dumanon properly, instead colonial expansion has been more careful and planned out. Taking the diplomatic approach far more than their colonial rivals have to allow continuous development of a rich network of trade that is not reliant on merchants of Asturias or Dumanon.
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The policy of integration and caution adopted by Gallia has seen it establish ties with the Elven cities feeding them methods of war from the Old World and aiding them in undermining the expansion of Asturias and Dumanon. Of the Old World powers, Gallia gained the most trust with its willingness to trade and aid the Great Houses, especially Kitzra.
"What is wine?"
- Kitzra Ambassador, upon being offered wine during negociations with Gallia
Gallia:
Civilization & Politics
Gallia did not rise to become the continental hegemon of the Old World through reliance on petty schemes and tricks but through strength and honesty. When, centuries ago, the people of Accatain and Allemaine found themselves conquered by their neighbours, they found their new rulers to govern fairly and with honour that their previous lords had not.
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This chivalry has become somewhat of a civilisational phenomenon, extending throughout much of Gallic life. It can be credited for the stability of Gallic society and its economic and technological might as though still a feudal kingdom, nobles who abuse their power or renege on deals are either heavily reprimanded or directly punished by the King.
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This, however, has served as a double-edged sword. Years of just rulership and commitment to pacts have prevented the centralisation of the Kingdom, and thus, compared to Asturias, the Nobility of Gallia is highly autonomous, with the King lacking direct access to the wealth and resources of his vassals.
It remains the case that the Kingdom of Gallia possesses on paper the largest army in Atlan, the continent it resides in. Potentially able to raise and equip an army of two hundred thousand men with a cadre of well-trained nobles to lead them. Unfortunately for Gallia, this remains only a potential. The Crown would be required to strengthen control over its own lands, or for its nobility to become united against a common enemy.
Dumanon presents itself as a great enablder to allow Gallia to realise its position as the world's greatest superpower.
Chivalry
As a custom, Gallic Chivalry is a complex and regionally diverse phenomenon. Its origins can be found in Accatainian poetry, which depicts a romanticised impression of Gallic knights from legend.
From this origin, the custom spread extensively across the Kingdom, representing the standard that knights and later gentlemen ought to be held to. With this spread, the codes and standards have become increasingly diluted and changed the further one travels from Accatain, with this dilution being pronounced most evidently in Alamaine.
Despite regional variations, Gallic Chivalry’s key tenant, present in all renditions, is the necessity of maintaining one’s honour through actions and adhering to pacts, deals and contracts. These aspects are perhaps so common because the Kingdom actively promotes them through printed pamphlets and books, widely dispersed amongst the merchant classes and the petty nobility of Gallia.
Another crucial aspect of Chivalry in Gallia is the institution of the King's ordained military orders, often stylised as Knightly Orders. Many minor orders exist and can be instituted through the Sovereign Council. But three stand above the rest, each risen by the King himself to address the need for a greater standing army loyal to the crown rather than the autonomous nobility.
These orders, however, have begun to change, most notably after the conflicts with Dumanon. Faced often with showers of Imperial arrows, and lightning conjured by their Lords, some knights have called into question the standard strategy of the heavily armed cavalry, most notably in controversial the Order of the Dragon.
The Nobility
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Broadly speaking, the Gallic nobility can be broken down into two distinct groups. The Sword Nobility, those whose ancestry can be traced back to the dawn of the Kingdom and Nobles of the Robe. Those who have been anointed nobility by Kings after the establishment of the Kingdom.
The Sword Nobility have the greatest privilege in Gallia and the most autonomy. Their requirements to maintain their status were to provide the crown with troops in times of war and to ensure a strong core of noble fighters. - Many of them do not pay taxes to the crown, and most will resist attempts by the King to impose any without negotiation.
The Nobles of the Robe vary greatly in their privileges, some follow similar lines as the Sword Nobles in being prioritised for their soldiers while others have a higher tax burden instead. The noble contracts between the crown and specific Duchies and Counties are too varied based on historical needs and negotiations for changes.
Noble Titles
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Grand Duke / Duchess
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All of the Sword Nobility hold the title of Grand Duke, and their domains form the core of Gallia’s homeland. Unlike similar counterparts in Asturias or Dumanon, the Gallic Grand Duke as a title in itself is regarded with far greater prestige and wealth associated with it. One could mistake the presence of a Grand Duke for the presence of the King in many circumstances.
Duke / Duchess
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Bestowed by the King upon those deemed worthy and with sufficient land, the title is technically supposed to hold the same weight and authority as a Grand Duke. In practice, Grand Dukes view themselves as above. This is not to say Dukes are of no importance, many hold great wealth and important lands.
Count / Countess
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Counts are only found in service to Grand Dukes. They are nobles who have been granted title to rule in the stead of the Grand Duke while they are away. Typically, because their home is far from the land they rule.
Viscount / Viscountess
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The Viscount as a title was created by the early Kings of Gallia to appoint nobles to land without ceding control of it to a Grand Duke, and without elevating their importance high enough to seem to challenge the Grand Duchies. Viscounts therefore can either serve the crown directly or rule in place of Dukes in a similar manner as Counts. - Viscounts are often entrusted with many duties by the Crown and act as important ambassadors or envoys of the King.
Baron / Baroness
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Barons are found in service of Counts and Viscounts and of the crown directly. The title of Baron is given to those who are Lords of castles and are responsible for the defence of the surrounding lands.
Lord / Lady
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A lord or lady was an individual of noble birth, who owned some land without the responsibilities associated with any higher titles. Their land was often composed of farming estates or collections of villages and their surroundings.
Chevalier
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A title given to those of noble families, who occupy the same position in the Kingdom's hierarchy as Knights. However, they are generally favoured due to having noble birth.
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Knight
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A title was given to those commoners who earned the recognition of their Lords or to unlanded nobles following a military career at present.
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Esquire
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A title given to those who are making their first steps on the path to becoming knights, or becoming a Chevalier.
The Royal Associates of Gallia
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Created by King Louis X after gaining monetary and material concessions from the nobility, The Royal Associates is a rich trading company that handles the King's trading affairs. Initially, it was set up to sell off the material taxes given to the crown, but since then its role has grown as the New World has come into its importance.
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The company is managed by a Councilor sitting on the Sovereign Council. It is responsible for trade with Gallic colonies in Awenasa and The Great Houses of the Elves, specifically Kitzra.
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The Royal Associates Company maintains a cold war-like stance with its Dumanon counterpart.
Sovereign Council
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The Sovereign Council is an ancient institution of the Gallic Kingdom. Traditionally, it is made up of influential members of the nobility who then advise and maintain the realm on behalf of the King. - Though since losing to Dumanon it has instead been filled with those with stronger loyalty to the King and by the meritous.
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The Council oversees the three main military orders, along with the various minor groups.
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The Council also imposed a ban on importing wool, cloth or any item relating to textiles from Dumanon - Hoping to cripple the Imperial's lucrative trade.
Palace of Knowledge
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Perhaps one of the wonders of the world, the Grand Palace and the estate tied to it is home to some of the best scholars and philosophers of Gallia. It is a centuries-old initiative that began as a project to consolidate the future nobility into a similar way of thinking only to backfire greatly and become not only a ground for learning, but to develop rivalries and to test the mettle of future nobility.
This massive school is funded by the nobles who send their children there to learn, have teachers drawn from the best of Gallic society and nobility, and is paid for in one of the only taxes the crown was permitted to raise. - The institution is praised for the robust knowledge it teaches to its students to prepare them to lead and manage their estates.
The most controversial wing of the Palace is dedicated to the tutelage of aetheric-attuned individuals. Despite attempts by the crown to monopolise their use for the sake of the monarchy, most of these individuals owe loyalty to the noble from whose land they hail.
"Remarkable."
- King Louis X, commenting on the appearance of an Elven Dignitary
Gallia:
Faith
Compared to its two closest neighbours, Asturias and Dumanon, Gallia is far more devout in the religious traditions and beliefs of the Divine Gods. - They have a long-held belief that their kingdom was born through the auspicious favour of the Divine Queen Corinna.
Gallia has followed these Courtly Gods since before the rise of the Kingdom and suffers no movement to change that status quo. Alternatively, opinions on change are frowned upon, and attempts to convert anyone from the faith are punishable depending on the severity of the attempt.
It has also become a point of disgust, mainly pointed towards Dumanon, that they have rejected the gods out of arrogance of their own self-importance. The sheer audacity of such a state of affairs makes the most zealous of nobles clamour for a reignition of war against Dumanon to punish them severely for their folly.
Likewise with Asturias, the Cult of The Bull is being monitored by a few nobles, but with their attention facing Dumanon, many do not yet care enough to interfere. - However, the bordering nobles do, and they see Asturias as a more immediate threat than Dumanon.
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Their zealotry is suspended for their political intentions in the New World. The Elves hold a different cast of gods to heart, and despite what irritation some have about it they understand the value of the Great Houses as friends rather than enemies. However, those who are less inclined towards the Divine Court even dabble with the powerful Twenty-One and One.
"We're surrounded by the hounds who care more for power."
- Queen Aliénor
Gallia:
Norms & Culture
The Heartlands
Gallia has the grandeur that far outstrips its neighbouring Kingdoms, it possesses the finest food, music, art and fashion one could fathom. A noble's court is often more a showcase of culture than it would be a collection of advisors and able individuals maintaining a domain.
The Kingdom is perhaps held back by the Nobility who hire various scientists and engineers to solve problems on their lands, and then either keep the solution to themselves or sell it at great profit to other nobles seeking it. This has made the Kingdom quite advanced, but at the same time protective of those advancements to the detriment of the Kingdom as a whole - In some instances, the King has decreed these innovations be shared when deemed too important.
People of Gallia
The Gallic people are a proud group, theirs is the Kingdom that has stood for thousands of years and theirs is the culture that has stood the test of time. There's is the model Kingdom all try to emulate.
In the Gallic Heartlands, poaching and banditry are rare. Through Gallian’s understanding of Chivalry, most people can confide their problems or requests with their lords without fear of extortion or mockery. As such, the Gallia has become the centre of arts, music, culture, and most importantly, wine.
All these elements are heavily ingrained in the culture, and the best of them are those that truly capture the ‘sense of place’ where they are from in Gallia. The most notable example of the 'sense of place' in action is through the prestigious vineyards that produce the finest grapes.
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Whilst certain that their culture is superior to all others, Gallia is also quite open to new cultures and ideas, apart from those that emerge across the channel upon the Imperial Isle of Dumanon. Of all the peoples of the Kingdom, Gallians are by far the most diplomatic, with some being drawn to the New World to assist or learn from their new allies in the Great Houses.
Marshal Raymon Gide
Order of Corinna
Order of Corinna​
Lacking borders to guard or bandits to hunt, the Order of Corrina has been moulded to whatever the Kingdom requires it to be. It is most commonly composed of swordsmen and men-at-arms, with their most capable either composing or training the King’s household guard.
The Order of Corrina has also, rather obviously, a connection to the divine court, primarily Corrina, and charity is often expected of its members. An interesting and noteworthy development within the Order of Corrina is the increasing frequency in which the King has tasked groups of Knights to cross the passage in order to teach, train and educate the Great Houses of Awenasa the Gallic ways of war. Sometimes, their students are receptive to their teachings, whilst at other times they are dismissed as upstart foreigners. ​
People of Accatain
The people of Accatain are credited for their horsemanship and for being on the frontline in the wars against Dumanon, particularly in the region of Aulerc. As such, the people and nobility of Accatain are more belligerent than their peers and as such are the most common of the Gallic peoples to be found in Gallia’s armies.
Accatain is also famous for the institution of chivalry and knightly orders, who were in the past charged with the protection of regions bordering Dumanon and Asturias. Subsequently, the region boasts some of the best-armoured horsemen in the world, rumoured to be one of the few formations capable of breaking Tolosan lines and countering Dumanon’s longbowmen.
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Internally, the Nobility of Accatain repeatedly challenged the nobles of the heartlands and the Sword Nobility in their passivity against Sassanshahr and Dumanon. Of all the people of Gallia, Accatain is the most revanchist, and many travel to the New World to aid the House Elves in order to sate their desire for action.
Marshal Vincent Milhaud
Order of The Blazing Sun
Order of The Blazing Sun​
The largest and by far the most successful of all Gallia’s Knightly Orders, the Blazing Suns hail from Accitain and saw extensive action as the Vanguard of the Kingdom’s forces in its war for Aulerc.
The Order of The Blazing Sun is famed, primarily, for its mounted Knights, which have consistently formed the core of Gallia’s cavalry for over two centuries.
They pride themselves as one of the few groups of warriors able to best Dumanon’s lords in an open field, though with appalling casualties. Once tasked with guarding the Gallic border with Dumanon in Aulerc, the Order’s importance and status have begun to wane, though they have quite a high pedestal to fall from.
People of Alamaine
Alamaine resides in the easternmost region of Gallia and is the least pompous of the collection of people within. Known as being the gateway into Gallia for land trade from the rest of the continent, the Alamaine region has rich deposits of iron and coal which encouraged market towns to flourish.
Prior to their incorporation into Gallia, either by conquest or willing submission, the region was divided by various noble lords, petty counts and dukes. The region contrasts with Accatian and Gallia proper in that it possesses an empowered middle class, with its greatest city, Allarmont, being ruled by an oligarchy of merchant nobles rather than by a duke or count.
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Alamaine has become increasingly important in recent decades with the invention of the Printing Press originating from within its borders and the more efficient methods used by the guilds to produce firearms more rapidly than their counterparts elsewhere. - The focus on artisans and innovation of Alamaine have made it an industrial centre of the Kingdom.
Though deeply loyal to the King, nobles and officials from Alamaine have repeatedly challenged the traditional sword nobility’s orthodoxy in both military and cultural affairs, emphasising the usage of modern weapons over knights, and material wealth and skill over prestige and custom.
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Gallia’s interactions with the Great Houses have generated great interest in Alamaine, as the arrival of new materials such as Mythril and Runic ore has piqued the fancy of many smiths and inventors, leading some to cross the Passage to learn from the Elves, though they often withhold their own technological innovations.
Marshal Basilia Azéma
Order of The Dragon
Order of The Dragon​
One of the youngest of Gallia’s Knightly Orders, the Order of the Dragon takes its name from the similarity of the mythical beast to its Knight’s weapon of choice, the firearm.
Fielding lightly armoured musketeers, the Order of the Dragon protects the wooded borders of Alamaine, where thick plate armour and horses might suffer ambushes by bandits and smugglers. As such, most Knights look down their noses at the members of the Order of the Dragon, considering them only vaguely chivalric.
The disdain for the Order likely is due to consistent recruitment from both the common and merchant classes and further jealousy of the effectiveness of the Order's own musketeers against their foes. With or without their comrade's love, however, the King has taken a fancy to the Order, and many of their expensive weapons are purchased with royal gold.
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Led by Marshal Basilia Azéma, the daughter of an Asturian noble forced to flee his home by Cultists of the Bull. She made an effort to ingratiate herself with the Gallic crown, going as far as 'proving her right' which later saw her fight against Dumanon in the Aulerc War. - She was heavily injured during the war, fighting against a Dumanon Lord, she was later saved by Marshal Raymon Gide.
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She now harbours a distinct hatred for Dumanon and a severe dislike of the Cult of the Bull. But her loyalty to the King is unwavering.
Marriage, Social Status & Sexuality
As required by the Godly Court, marriage is only legal between a man and a woman. Among the laymen and the peasantry, sexual relations between same-sex are often frowned upon but not widely condemned as it is regarded mostly as a youthful fling, a phase or otherwise innocent exploration before marriage. This consideration does not fully extend to the Nobility, as it primarily concerns who in the relationship is perceived to be in charge. So long as the noble is the one who seems to be in control of the relationship, scandal is abated.
Though what would not be a scandal to nobles nor the lower classes sharing each other's wives and husbands; so long as they are married, have consent by their spouse, and have had children, there is no concern to be drawn from it.
Gallic society does not permit women to lead armies or fight in wars. Nor does it allow women to take centre stage or lead men at any level. The reasons listed for this are numerous, but the commonly given excuse is that it is inappropriate for a maiden to be left to fend off beasts.
This however can be challenged, although rare, a woman has the 'right to prove' that she can handle leading men. Though, as soon as she proves this right she is no longer treated to the privileges and protections afforded to women by society. Instead, she would be legally treated as a man with all the unfortunate consequences that come with it.
"It wouldn't cause too much of a scandal to bed that Elf would it?"
- Viscount Jacques, asking his knight-retainer for his opinion
Gallia:
Reputation & Interactions
The reputation of Galliaacross the world encompasses a few elements. Wine, love, chivalry, poets and art. But perhaps more importantly, grandeur. It's never enough to just be seen, but to be looked upon in awe.
The Kingdom of Gallia is respected, as one would respect an ancient and dangerous animal, by most of its neighbours. And there is plenty of reason to treat Gallia cordially, lest reason is given for them to pursue the war to ‘correct’ whatever state of affairs needs correcting.
Gallia's willingness to act as a continental authority is born from its ancient role of maintaining the balance of power. Its ability to uphold this responsibility changes with every generation as does the desire to fulfil it. Oftentimes where the Kingdom desires not to do it, powerful dukes of Gallia will seek to do it themselves.
With Humans
The Kingdom of Gallia is the envy of many human Kingdoms. Large in size, and in wealth, it often likes to throw its weight around both literally and in its display of grandeur.
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The Kingdom is active in meddling in the affairs of its neighbours, but not always at the behest of the King. Gallic interference often creates a situation where it is feared because of what it can do, and the threat of invasion behind the hidden motives of the nobility or crown. But also a great deal of resentment and hostility towards the Kingdom because of it.
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Asturias and Dumanon both have a great many reasons to be concerned about Gallia, and its possible expansions. Although, Asturias has secured an alliance with Gallia to the great worry of Dumanon and Sasanshahr.
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Gallia enjoys mostly neutral or cordial relations with the Azuchi, The Dynasty and the Daurans.
With Banen’Rhûn
The Banen’Rhûn have heard of Gallia, of its weakness and how it lost its colonies to Dumanon. The Banen’Rhûn nevertheless believe Gallia to be weak.
With Amura
The first humans the Amura met were from the Kingdom of Gallia. Initially fearful of Asturias discovering them, the Amura eventually came to trust Gallia slightly more than other humans and especially more than Asturias.
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The Amura and Gallia have an ongoing trade relationship that is kept mostly secret from the Elves.
With Elves
Losing a large swathe of its territory to Dumanon forced Gallia to take a different approach to its colonial expansion and development. Instead of conquering, it instead chose to cooperate.
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This cooperation has ingratiated Gallia with the Elves by providing them with more modern military tactics and strategy, technology and most importantly trade relations. - Some of these relations have gone further than just trade.
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The Komenali however are still distant, Gallia and the relationship between the two is strained due to Gallic preference for ties with Elves.
With Dwarves
The stance of the Dwarves regarding Gallia is rather simple. They have no strong opinion one way or the other.
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Gallia was forced into its more diplomatic approach before truly engaging with the Dwarves, so each enjoyed trade relations so far. - Officially, Gallia does not have any contact with the Custodes. Nor have they hired these mercenaries to fight against its colonial rivals in the past. So they would say.
With Turak
Interaction between the two peoples are rare, and general opinions on either side of the aisle are scarce.
Author: Hokan
Contributions by: Afric
Page Created by: Hokan