The Island of Montenoire

[Grandmaster]

Geography:



Located to the southwest of Demeria on the seas between Treniata and the Empire of Arton, the island of Montenoire is a sizable plot of land that is believed to have been formed after the volcano on the northern point of the island erupted. Unable to contain the pressure of the lava, the western and southern walls of the volcano exploded, spilling the fiery magma outwards and cooling rapidly as it met the seawater. Centuries later, it was discovered by an expedition led by the Remington family, once of Demeria, who settled on the now-verdant island and established a colony.

Though the volcano remains dormant, its peaks rise to the north, often dusted by snow. A generous valley spreads from that slumbering crater, its rich soil serving as the heart of the island’s agricultural aspect. The northern side of the island is largely craggy cliffs and rocky shoreline, eroded by time and sea, while the southern is a gentle flatland that leads into soft, black sanded beaches. The west is heavily forested, the soil is also somewhat rocky, and remains relatively untamed by the island’s small population, who prefers the gentler steppes of the east and the valley for their homes.

The steppes are thriving grasslands, where several families host the herds that foster trade goods and products that help support the population. The primary herd animal here is goat, but a fine flock of sheep bred from the hardy mountain sheep stock also occupy the land. They descend into the sea on moorlands, dotted with harbors to support a fishing trade.

To the south is flatlands where the majority of agriculture is conducted. Never a large population, there is plenty of farmland and winding rivers that stem as well from the heart of what is left from the volcano, now a mineral rich lake that feeds into a large river bisecting the island itself to create a viable delta while the west hosts shipbuilders and divers for more of the sea’s riches.

In terms of climate, the island is largely temperate; it is far enough south to enjoy all four seasons, but the winters are snowy and the summers tend to simmer long and linger, but heavy rains come with the start of spring and signal the onset of autumn.

[Grandmaster]

Culture:

Composed of diverse peoples, the culture is less a blending and more a cohesion of the varied peoples. The cities are very separate, each continuing the traditions and habits of their respective homelands, but in the ducal seat city, there is an understanding of tolerance and acceptance. The prevailing philosophy of Montenoire is 'live and let live.' Though some habits may raise brows, what is done in the communities is the business of those who reside within them.

In the west, the city is very feudal in nature, a small amount of nobles leading a larger population of labourers, artisans and merchants. They work hard, maintaining a strict order over the city and keeping largely to themselves. Of Sarkozsian descent, the people in the west are honest as the day is long, but they are fiercely proud of their strength, their family units and their community. Openly embracing the religion of Montenoire, no community is complete without a church, which often serves as the social heart of the village or city as well as the centre of faith.

To the east, they are more cosmopolitan being formerly of Arton, embracing a more pleasure-driven life thanks to the frequent visitors and flow of trade that occurs in their city. The most mixed of the population, they welcome any opportunity to celebrate with food, drink, song and carousing. The city is an entertainer's dream, with a tavern on most corners, street musicians, theatres and the like. There is no distinct cultural influence, though there are quadrants where the residents lean more heavily in a specific direction. It is not unusual to find several different holidays being celebrated across all the cultures on hand.

The South is primarily of Lintenese origin, a fiery-blooded people distrustful of strangers and deeply faithful. It is a region that rings with laughter and with shouts, where passion flows as readily as wine and only the strictly enforced laws keep blood in veins. Despite their tendencies towards quick, hot violence, the people of the South enjoy their celebrations of life - births, marriages, reaching the age of majority, a good harvest. Family is the heart of life to those in the South, and there is little they will not do to protect that heart.

In the North, life is calmer, given over to serene, sensible living due to their Treniatan roots. Excellent hunters and crafters, they are good, solid people who tend to the quieter and more private. Life is a matter to be taken seriously, and so are the flocks. They spread over the north and east, creating communities where the grazing remains good and they have trade routes to the cities. These people are subdued, respectful and stoic, not easily roused to anger, but they are formidable when they are riled. Hunting, sowing, harvesting and holidays are causes to gather and enjoy good company, good food and song; the people of the North are extremely musical. Their beauties are kept private, as are their celebrations, yet they welcome anyone who is willing to work alongside them.

The ducal seat is a thriving city under Remington influence, with a popular, large marketplace, a broad artisan district and the heart of the Island. The Church is based in the city, lending its influence to the highly social atmosphere to balance out hedonism with spiritual wisdom. In a city where wine flows as richly as water, prudence is not easily wielded, yet the priests strive diligently. Festivals are countered with religious or holy days, restoring a sense of sobriety enforced by the Duke; work comes first, then the people may enjoy themselves is the prevailing concept. Despite that, order is rigidly enforced and with it, law is the highest order. No one wishes the Duke's displeasure.

[Grandmaster]

Politics:

There are three words that best define the state of politics in Montenoire – balanced, reasonable and equitable. That does not mean that Montenoire does not possess a clear class system, but rather, there is far less strife and formality. As this is a duchy rather than a kingdom, more emphasis is placed on what a man (or woman) accomplishes rather than the fortune of their birth.

The nobility of Montefiore is known to work alongside those whom they lead, deeming it important to lead by example. Each of the four towns has a council who reports to the overseeing noble, and an appointed representative who resides near the main estate of the ducal family to relay concerns, issues and ideas as well as settle any conflicts between the cities, which are kept purposely separate. The formal meetings of the Duke with the representatives occurs seasonally, but random meetings can and do occur when the Duke or his representative travel to the cities.

With four distinctive cultures on the island, conflicts are settled in formal manners to keep bloodshed to a minimum and feuds prevented; however, duels have been known to occur as have skirmishes. Discussion and formal letters are the preferred method of conflict resolution; anyone caught promoting or engaging in unsanctioned violence is swiftly brought to ducal justice.

The duke does maintain a small court at which he receives foreign delegations, formal complaints and conflicts, and dispenses decrees as well as jurisprudence. It is not a select court; anyone may enter who has a petition for the Duke with the confidence of being heard.

Because of the need for balance, the Duke retains the right to remove the overseeing noble on each city if that noble fails in their duty to keep the peace, maintain order and encourage industry. Not everyone is born to rule, as the first Remington to settle on the island can attest… so there is balance in checking the noble and in the possible opportunity for one of the peasantry or the gentry to rise higher.

[Grandmaster]

Military:

The world is fortunate that Montenoire is not a particularly large country in both geography and population. As the island is a blend of the major countries of the region, it is no surprise that the military forces of the island follow the same vein. Steel from Linten, horses from Sarkozsy, siege weapons from Treniata, combat tactics from Arton and ingenuity from Demeria all combine to form a potent combination. While the various towns of the island may occasionally have disputes, any threat to the entire island is met with a well-organized response.

The Marshal of Montenoire is in charge of all military actions and training on the island. While Montenoire cannot maintain a standing army, Treniatan practicality has imbedded itself in the mindset of the people. The peasants regularly train throughout the year to maintain readiness. The peasants are also well equipped with steel swords, axes, maces and crossbows in addition to basic steel armor. Though Montenoire has never been invaded, there is no harm in being prepared. The Duke certainly recognizes that the island can be a ripe target.

As previously stated, the island has no standing army but it does possess the Elite Guard. The Elite Guard consists of men and women selected by its commander for the defense of the castle and the capital city. Small detachments are sent to the island’s towns to maintain order, each sect being headed by a knight sired by the Duke himself. The Elite Guard, though no larger than a total of 200 persons, is highly trained to deal with a multitude of situations.

The most consistent problem the island’s inhabitants face are pirates and raiders. As such, both Demerian and Lintenese shipbuilding skills have merged together to form a small, but impressively skilled navy. The ships of Montenoire are swift and maneuverable, frequently giving them an edge over their adversaries. Furthermore, since Montenoire depends on ships for travel and fishing, it is no surprising that there exists a thriving shipbuilding industry. Ruling over the matters of the sea is the island’s Admiral who shares equal standing with the Marshal.

[Grandmaster]

Religion:

A deeply religious location, the Island follows a variation of Demeria's Triad in pyramid form. God, The Prophet and The Messenger are the three accepted forms, though there is also ancestor veneration (the equivalent of saints). The prevailing tenets of the faith are charity, humility and obedience, where confession of sin is encouraged and penance is done to purge the soul of sin. Forgiveness and absolution are granted by the clergy, who perform all necessary consecrations from birth to death.

The sigil of the Church is a t-shaped cross around which a white and red cloth is draped - white to indicate purity, red to indicate forgiveness - and to wear this sigil is a sign of blessing. It is also considered a ward against the sins of temptation, deceit and violence. Priests wear robes of dark grey with coloured stoles to indicate time of year or specific rituals. They lead prayers twice a day, though encourage those whose employment prevents their attending to pray privately.

Despite the seeming sternness, the Church embraces life in all its beauties. Festivals and celebrations are often sponsored by the Church to mark holidays and holy days on the calendar, and the priests and holy laypeople spend much of their time in tending to the infirm, the orphaned and the misfortunate, encouraging similar acts from the people. God, they say, is generous and loving, and expects His followers to be the same.

[Caligusto]

Geneology:

• Cameron Remington – Audra Levin
  
  • Arthur Remington – Amina Servilius
    
    • Charlotte Remington
      
    • Kathryn Remington
      
    • Nicholas Remington
      
    • Matthew Remington
      
    • Christopher Remington
    
    
  • Thomas Remington – Portia de la Vega
    
    • Anthony Remington
      
    • Amelia Remington
      
    • Michael Remington
      
    • Stephen Remington
    
    
  • Patrick Remington – Marta Schultheiss
    
    • Camille Remington
      
    • Joshua Remington
      
    • Elizabeth Remington
      
    • Ethan Remington