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| The Highland Marches; The Gloomy Isle | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 7 2010, 06:28 AM (18 Views) | |
| The Storyteller | Apr 7 2010, 06:28 AM Post #1 |
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[align=center]....the past clings like sand to wet feet, and is carried about as a burden. The many ghosts are always a part of them, inescapable...[/align] The seemingly insignificant Highland Marches have played a pivotal role on the world stage for centuries. While neither politically powerful or overly rich in resources, their allegiance to Queen Elaine and potential to disrupt her rule make them key players in Avalon's bid to become a great power. Because of that, Avalon's enemies have turned to them when seeking a weak link in the United Kingdoms. The Highlanders~ led by their king, James II ~ have their own ideas, however, and have turned their status into a potent political weapon. The Land The Highland Marches are a wet, foggy land, dominated by rocky hills and constant rain. Travel in the Highlands is difficult at best. The rural roads are poorly maintained, and bandits and wild animals are fairly common. Most travelers prefer to travel overland by horseback, while the nobility will make use of their carriages and other wheeled vehicles. There are few major rivers in the Highland Marches, so boat travel is limited to fishermen and others who make their living by the waterways. The Border Marches are the forests and valleys closest to Avalon, whilst the Great Glen refers to the northern portion of the country. The weather in the Highlands is far from pleasant. Rain and fog dominate the country for most of the year, with snow covering the land for most of the winter months. There are a few extremes, however, and the Marches are rarely troubled by severe frosts or heatwaves. As in Avalon, the Highland weather is stolid, gloomy and pretty much the same month in and month out. Politics Historically, the Highland political scene has been dominated by the Clans, who jockeyed for position and dominance even after the coming of the Montaignes. That is gradually changing as the country weds itself to Avalon, and Clan loyalties give their way over to broader political parties. The Highland Parliament consists of all the heads of the major Clans, who inherit their seats. Political boundaries are drawn by ancient rivalries, as the old school of bloodletting takes new shape in arguments and policy debates. They are overseen by the High King, the direct descendant of Robert I, who oversees all Parliamentary meetings and acts as an executor of their edicts. He serves as the shaper of national policy, and often controls Parliament's agenda. As leader of the nation, the High King can technically act without Parliament's approval, but to do so he risks open censure and the inability to enforce his decrees. An unspoken agreement exists between king and Parliament whereby he respects their final decisions and in return receives their approval on issues he puts forth. As with most Théan nations, this balance shifts as both sides gain and lose strength. Currently, the parliament is divided between the Unifists, who support the triple crown of Queen Elaine, and the Separatists, who want a fully independent nation. The Unifists have a substantial majority, but the Separatists are slowly gaining ground and may prove dangerous in the near future. The powerful and charismatic James MacDuff, an ardent Unifist, has kept them in check since becoming High King. James believes that the Highlands can attain great strength ~while still keeping their autonomy~ under the flag of the United Kingdoms. Independence would leave them weak and bereft of the protection of Avalon's Sea Dogs, opening the door for an invasion from Montaigne or Castille. He is loath to throw his country's new-found freedom away for the sake of some nebulous concept of independence. Towns and Villages Kirkwall Kirkwall is one of the oldest standing fortifications in the Marches. Built when the Vestenmannavnjar invaded many centuries ago, it has withstood siege after siege from both Highlanders and the foreign raiders. Now it serves as the keep of the High King and the Marches' official embassy. The MacDuff's court can be found here and the Clans meet within his grand hall once a month. During that week, the population of Kirkwall triples, and a huge fair springs up around her walls. Connickmoor The home of the MacBride Clan, Connickmoor is the home of the Marches' Separatist Movement. MacBride dreams of an independent nation have been stymied by the unyielding support for the Elaine/MacDuff alliance. So far, MacDuff's political maneuverings have brought fortune to the Marches, but MacBride is patient. Relations with Other Nations Much like Inismore, the rest of Théah considers the Highland Marches to be nothing more than an appendix of Elaine's country. However, the Highlanders have maintained diplomatic connections with both the Vendel and the Vestenmannavnjar, connections that allow wealth and prosperity to trickle into the Highland borders from time to time. |
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7:20 PM Jul 11