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The Wind in the Willows; The Politics of Avalon
Topic Started: Apr 5 2010, 05:30 PM (41 Views)
The Storyteller
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[align=center]Politics[/align]

To speak of Avalon is to speak of her Queen, the two are synonymous. When Elaine took the Throne, an offer of Marriage came from Castille, but she declined. "I cannot marry Castille, " she said. "I am already married to Avalon."

Because of an agreement made 400 years ago, a Parliament of Lords 'assists' the Queen in matters of policy making. The Queen may make no new law without their consent, and they must gain her acquiescence if they wish to do the same. It is a tricky balance, but so far, Avalon's young Queen has proven quite skilled at making deals with Parliament.

Inismore is also a monarchy, but their King is very different. Hundreds of songs have chronicled the adventures and misadventures of "Mad Jack O'Bannon," the Inish king. O'Bannon is reputed to be over a thousand years old, and anyone who looks into his ancient eyes will not dispute the claim. A "mad King O'Bannon" has appeared numerous times in Inismore's history, always appearing exactly as he did before and always disappearing as he did before. But the O'Bannon always makes one promise before he leaves: "I'll be right back." Then he walks away with his traveling sack and his twenty-league striders strapped to his feet.

While the Highland Marches may be the least organized of the Avalon Kingdoms, no one can dispute its unity. The Highland Clans have elected one of their own ~James MacDuff~ to represent them as their High King. MacDuff claims he has become Elaine's court fool. James' support of the young Queen gave her the legitimacy she needed to hold the throne, and because of that confirmation, Avalon has given much back to the Marches.



While separated by seashores and prejudice, Avalon's people are much closer than they would like to admit. Their trapping are different, but the deep truths that run through Avalon blood cannot be denied.

Avalon's people are a hearty lot, made so by the rough life they have chosen. While her countryside is dotted with farms, her main occupation is fishing. SO many fishing villages populate her shores that it is no wonder that her people call the waters "Mother Ocean."

Water plays an important role in Avalon's culture and spirituality, a role that was subdued by the Vaticine Church for nearly five hundred years. Long before the coming of the Church, the Avalons' native faith taught a deep reverence for her waters. According to legend, the country's streams, swamps and rivers are all guarded by a figure known as the Lady of the Lake. It was taught that the Avalons and the Lady made a sacred vow long ago, a pact that was symbolized by a cup called the "Graal". The Graal represented this promise made by the Avalons to the Lady, and it was the duty of Avalon's true king to keep the water pure. A kind of spell fell over Avalon's shores. It was called "The Great Enchantment," and as long as the promise was maintained, Avalon would be a land of magic and wonder.

Unfortunately, (the folks say), that promise was broken and soon after Montaigne invaded and seized Avalon. When Elaine forth from the mists and claimed to be the descendant of the king who first held the Graal, bearing the Graal in hand as proof of her legitimacy, Avalon's Enchantment returned.

Elaine has done much to return Avalon to its previous glory. She reinstated the ancient order of knights that once protected the High King. As she sits in council, surrounded by her knights, she hears the pleas of the people and distributes justice. Because of the empty coffers left to her by her decadent Montaigne predecessors, she has had to rely on mercenary fleets and militias to protect her shores. But the privateers have proven a great asset, filling those empty coffers with Castillian and Montaigne riches.

Inismore and the Marches have fared equally well from their alliance with Avalon. Both have reclaimed their lands and no longer live in fear of occupation. However, there are nationalistic voices in both Kings' councils calling for independence, even if it means spilling blood.

MacDuff usually dismisses such cries, reminding them how easy it would be for Montaigne to return and crush them.

The O'Bannon just cuts off their heads or beats them until they apologize, depending on the weather.

However, rumours persist that the mad Inish King is preparing for some kind of rebellion against Elaine, while rumours of an entirely different sort rumble about MacDuff's relationship with the young and beautiful Queen.
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The Storyteller
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[align=center]Government[/align]

Avalon's government is a constitutional monarchy. It's had a Parliament for nearly six hundred years, but its power is still wrapped around the monarch's little finger. Elaine had a great deal of trouble gaining the confidence of the distinguished gentlemen, but in the end, her moderate stance on nearly every subject won her support from the silent majority, while the vocal minorities ended up shouting at each other.

Avalon is divided into seven regions: Balig, Breg, Camlann, Gaavane, Lothian, Reghed, and Percis.

Each of these regions was once a kingdom, but the unification of Avalon created a single High King, making all other kingdoms 'regions'. The Queen's region, Reghed, holds two of the most important cities in Avalon: Luthon and Caerleon.

Luthon was the capital of Avalon during the Montaigne rule, but Elaine has moved her capital to Caerleon in the South West, the traditional stronghold of Avalon nobility.

Current Relations with the Rest of Théah

Castille

"Thank Theus the heart of the Vaticine Church is at war with Montaigne, otherwise they would be seeking our heart on a silver platter We know they plot against us, but are unable to enact their machinations. Let them continue their plotting. The more they split their attentions, the less they focus on us."

Eisen

"The wasteland that was once the proud kingdom of Eisen has provided us with a militia to defend our borders. We agree with half their philosophies, but disagree with none of them. Someone must help them regain their power, but unfortunately, it cannot be us."

Montaigne

"For a period longer than we wish to discuss, the Montaignes ruled our land. Never again. We know them well, and their blood-magic tricks are of no use here any longer. But as long as they keep their attention turned south, we will maintain our cordial relationship with our flamboyant cousin."


The Pirate Nations

"The Brotherhood of the Coast is just an excuse for criminals to run rampant on our seas. The sooner they are captured and put down, the better."


Ussura

"Distant and silent, Ussura is a mystery to us. We have heard and seen little of them but understand there is deep magic in their blood, magic tied to their land. One of our explorers has told us that their magic is very much like Glamour, and the woman they worship has many characteristics similar to our Sidhe. Perhaps we are cousins after all!"


Vendel

"It is difficult to say anything of the land to the east, for a single mispronounced syllable will gain you a cold look at best. Calling them 'Vendel' will get you dropped in a frigid lake with a rock tied to your leg, while using the proper language will not earn you any points with the merchant guilds. A tricky situation, and we choose to stay on the far fringes of it to avoid any conflict."


Vodacce

"Treachery is the word of the day as far as the Vodacce are concerned. Speaking with any Vodacce prince is like walking through a display of glass vases, all filled to the brim, sitting on thin pillars with a floor covered with eggs. They have been trained since birth to pierce any veil, and they wait with their sorcerous eyes to see any secrets, no matter how cleverly hidden. They are talented villains, but villains all the same."
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