Post by Lord Newbury on Dec 12, 2017 11:59:16 GMT
The Barony of Muz
Army (2-1) Navy (2+2) Logistics (0+3) Economy (3+2) Castle (1) Espionage (3) Loyalty (4-2)
The Free Cities of Luska
“Capitalist Tendencies”: +2 Economy, -2 Loyalty
“Natural Port”: +2 Navy, +1 Logistics
“Land-locked”: -1 Army
Found along the coastline of the Luskan State, the Barony of Muz is a small island trading station that has grown wealthy due to its optimal location at the northernmost point of not only the Luskan Bay, but also as a station on the way up to the Capitol itself. As such, this small trading island has grown over the years into a bustling commercial town, and is counted as a Trade Barony in its own right. The Island has recently fallen into the hands of the House of Carraigh, an expanding Dynasty in the Northern Kingdoms of Trevast.
History
Founded by the granting of letters patent to the warlike Barons of Muz is centuries past, the Barony was permitted to establish its own Free City by the Imperial House of Vyre during their time as reigning emperors of Trevast. Given its prime location, it was soon to become a hotspot for commerce in the region, and thanks to a series of astute Barons, the settlement continued to grow and grow - despite the adverse conditions of weather it often suffered. Soon after settling, the Honorable Company of Lancers was formed, bringing some of the Noble families and Knights closer to the Baron, and ensuring a solid core of armed men should problems arise.
Marines from the Ships of the Barony soon became a more prevalent force in the Barony, with the Navy growing and growing with each passing month. Sometime after the fall of the Valdez Emperors, it is recorded that a small force of marines took control of the docks in a dispute over work conditions, only to be met by a company of hunters from the township - who quickly laid them low from vantage points on the buildings around the docks. In thanks, the Baron appointed the Hunters the Company of Bowman and took them into his estate and allowed them to serve as his personal guard.
As time has gone by the town has continued to grow, and with the recent transition of the town into the control of the House of Carraigh there has been a significant boom in trade thanks to that houses ties with the wealthy Grand-Principality of Aquitaine in the lands of the Heptarchy down south. It is clear that the House of Carraigh see this Barony as a chance to increase their wealth and fame in a wider world - for their traditional homelands lie landlocked in the mountains south of Luska, and this has lead to the Baron (the brother of the Head of House Carraigh) pursuing a more open doors policy with the world
Muzstadt
The trading town itself, Muzstadt is a modest settlement made up of some fifty to seventy-thousand people, with a multi-cultural collection of Luskan Locals found mingling with overseas guests and merchants. In and of itself, the town is not all that extraordinary, with a population of reasonably well-off traders and nobility, mingling with poorer rural families in town for the annual harvest of to visit the markets. The town rests at the mouth of the islands main bay, thus allowing it to conduct trade with reasonable easy and is therefore split into a northern and southern part. Ringed by a stout wall, with towers and four large fortified gates, the town has a distinct difference between the North and South.
Many members of the Nobility reside north of the bay, as do the Government Buildings and the wealthier merchants. In the heart of the northern side resides the Main Square featuring the Town Hall - in which meets the Council of the Baron once a week and the Palace of the Baron himself. Despite overcrowding in the South, the North is also dotted with large palatial homes and Gardens, and features most of the City Watch and elements of the Standing Army. It is also assumed that several Free Companies set up their homes here, meaning security is tight.
South of the Bay, however, can be found the shacks and slums of many of the less-well-off members of the community, including the gaol of the settlement and the executioners square. It is often understood that one of the reasons for the divide in wealth is due to the harsh storms that lash the bay, often afflicting the South more than the North.
Many members of the Nobility reside north of the bay, as do the Government Buildings and the wealthier merchants. In the heart of the northern side resides the Main Square featuring the Town Hall - in which meets the Council of the Baron once a week and the Palace of the Baron himself. Despite overcrowding in the South, the North is also dotted with large palatial homes and Gardens, and features most of the City Watch and elements of the Standing Army. It is also assumed that several Free Companies set up their homes here, meaning security is tight.
South of the Bay, however, can be found the shacks and slums of many of the less-well-off members of the community, including the gaol of the settlement and the executioners square. It is often understood that one of the reasons for the divide in wealth is due to the harsh storms that lash the bay, often afflicting the South more than the North.
Muzhold
Found further inland, the Muzhold is the fortified seat of the Baron, itself hailing from a time before the City of Muzstadt was ever constructed (with some of the more elitist rural Noble Houses arguing it was built in 'Better Days'). For many in the Settlement, Muzhold is seen as a symbol of the Barons strength and authority, and by others as an all-pervasive symbol of his oppression and cruelty. Serving as the command centre for the Standing Army of the Barony, it is a rundown castle, in need of repairs - something of a drain on the local Barons Coffers, but a needed one none-the-less.
Whilst it is surrounded on all sides by a deep wall, and dotted with towers, it is the classical design of the interior mansion that makes it stand out. More of a Palace than a Place of War and Fortification, the inner part of the Castle is the home of the Baron, and those who he has attending. Stables lie on the lower level of the Manor, from which the Baron may strike out to the local town - more commonly in a great coach than on horseback himself.
Economy
As would be expected, much of the economy is built on the back of trade and commerce - with Baronial Tax coming from numerous sources. The people of the Barony are divided greatly in wealth, with the holders of licences to trade, and the members of guilds and the nobility being in the wealthy few. Great Markets serve as one of the prime methods of tax raising, in which all market traders are required to pay the Baron for the use of his land to trade. Docking fees are also paid on all ships coming and going into the port, whilst fees for the use of licences stevedores also are sent to the Baron.
Gate Tolls, Guild Fees and Tariffs on Luxury Goods and Boterim Products are a final method in which the Baron gathers income. The Trade of Furs, Alchohol, Fish and Salted Meats is regulated to avoid price crashing, with a Tariff levied on the items themselves. The Baron also provides a 'Seal of Approval' for high standard goods at a price.
Thanks to the location of the town, trade on the water is vital - with whaling being one of the main professions undertaken by the members of the townships water traders. Broadly Speaking the Main Exports of the town are - Whaling Products, Fur, Ships, Iron, Cloth.
Gate Tolls, Guild Fees and Tariffs on Luxury Goods and Boterim Products are a final method in which the Baron gathers income. The Trade of Furs, Alchohol, Fish and Salted Meats is regulated to avoid price crashing, with a Tariff levied on the items themselves. The Baron also provides a 'Seal of Approval' for high standard goods at a price.
Thanks to the location of the town, trade on the water is vital - with whaling being one of the main professions undertaken by the members of the townships water traders. Broadly Speaking the Main Exports of the town are - Whaling Products, Fur, Ships, Iron, Cloth.
Military
The Military of the Barony is modest for its needs, focused more on a small standing force to protect the Baron and other Key Areas & People, whilst the rest of the army is drawn from the general population. It is the Navy upon which the Barony depends, with the entire Navy dedicated to the policing of the bay, and the protection of trade in the area. Light Ships are manned by teams of marines and make use of bows to chase down potential enemies in the area, whilst Heavy Ships are more focused on the protection of the Bay and Town. In most cases, both ships can operate with wind or oar and are supported by some small Coastal Forts around the land, which lay down more concrete amounts of firepower from siege weapons.
At present, the Barony can call upon four heavy ships and sixteen light ships commanded by a collection of lesser nobles at the direction of the Baron. These ships are staffed by a collection of Marines who tend to be drawn from the South of the Town, with the Officer Class drawn from the North, through the purchase of ranks.
Supporting them come to the Army which can stand at a total strength of 5,000.00 men. However, this is deemed an expensive and foolish way of doing things, and as such there number three full-time professional units in the army. The Honorable Company of Lancers reside at the core of this group, adorned normally in plate and furs, armed with swords and spears - they are drawn entirely from the ranks of the nobility and number are 200 men in total. In times of war, these men serve as a handy pool of officers. When not at war they serve as a mounted escort for the Baron. The Company of Bowmen come in next, drawn from the ranks of the Merchant Class - they number at 500 men in total and equip themselves with tabards and cloaks, longbows and daggers. Once again, they are a guard unit for the Baron.
Finally, the City Wardens serve as the overall guard for the City - mostly focused on the Gates and Government Houses, with some small patrols breaking into the City itself. They number at 500 men and are outfitted with chain mail and half-plate, swords and spears. In times of war, it is the City Wardens who are entrusted to arm and equip the locals - most of whom - 3,800.00 of which - go with spears, knives or bows, and simply hide on the walls until ordered otherwise. There is an effort currently to see the normal people of the City better trained, and to that end, each block of the city must train on the Sabbath with the weapons they have been alotted. This means that, in a war, the men of the City would form groups of 19 strong, with either pike or bow, and be assigned an officer from the Wardens of Gentlemen of Lance.