The Feuding Twainfolk of the Bryttanlai

[Lord of the Isle]

Here follows my personal head canon, I suppose, for what happened to the (luckiest) Bretonnians in the Mortal Realms. I don't (yet or at the moment I'd guess ever) actually intend to play AoS, just Soulbound, so I will probably use this background just for that. But if anyone else likes it I'd be delighted if they wanted to work anything up for the main game!

***

Not every man and woman succumbed to Chaos in the darkest of ages. Not every human ever accepted the inevitable sway of Nagash. And not every free inmost heart now bows to Sigmar or even his Pantheon.

In some of the most ancient and sophisticated dynasties of mankind’s warriors, nobles, courtiers and intriguers, and equally in the wildest stretches of contested territory across the Mortal Realms, a long past legend is fiercely remembered, carefully guarded, and bitterly disputed.

*** 

THE LEGEND

That legend tells of the ending of the World that Was; of a revelation concerning an eternal cycle; of an aelven goddess, known to her worshippers only as the Lady, of her chosen human champions, the Bryttanlai, and of the refuge against Chaos she wove for them in secret. The Lost Haven.

The goddess herself could not escape her world’s destruction, but her lover, a mortal aelf prince ascended to godhood, and their daughter led the beloved of the goddess to Haven. They discovered at once that this place was cruelly named.

Hardly had the warriors and damsels of the goddess begun to take in their new land’s freshness and beauty than it was assailed on all sides, by the daemons and servants of five Ruinous Powers who seemed to be drawn to it, far from being sealed outwith it.

Wildly outnumbered against impossible odds, but still warriors of strength, courage and power beyond peer, with two young deities to marshal them, the Havenknights of the Bryttanlai all chose to sacrifice their lives so that the damsels and children of their people might escape, guided by the Lady’s Daughter, through weird and watery pathways, into the eight Mortal Realms. The Aelven Godprince fell among the pick of his lover’s heroes. The Lady’s Daughter was lost to all sight, though her presence would, it would become clear, continue to influence and, as best it could, to shield her mother’s loyal devotees.

Yet, strange as it might seem, fully half of that first and last host of the Havenknights did not perish with the Godprince. They instead fought their way by feats of unimaginable boldness through the hordes of the unnatural foe, and left their swiftly ruined Haven to enter the Mortal Realms by their own path.

Here the story divides. To the folk that followed the Lady’s Daughter, these knights prevailed not by prowess alone, but by trickery and treason, whether unknowingly or otherwise. While Nurgle admired the knights’ fortitude and Khorne their valiance, Tzeentch saw a chance to use them to further manipulate and confuse mortals, Slaanesh sensed their potential for passion and decadence, while the Great Horned Rat simply wished to enjoy the spectacle and intrigue, whatever might betide. The Bryttanlai of the Daughter would, with regret, come to regard the surviving Havenknights, their own estranged menfolk, as hardly better than servants of Chaos themselves. 

The Havendamsels brought up their daughters to keep the faith pure, and their sons to defend it as well as they might. Their unswaying loyalty to the Daughter wins them uncanny but occasionally palpable support, in the form of the spirits of the knights that fell beside the Godprince, glimmering paladins who shimmer at once from sight after any victorious field. Their mortal guardians are lighter at arms, wild and unbiddable fighters, but never less firm in faith than the damsels they cherish and largely obey.

The escaped Havenknights, for their part, found themselves reunited with a residue of their lost kindred – not the Daughter’s Bryttanlai, but those unfortunates who had never been granted the passage to Haven. Each party had bitter grievances to exchange; the one had been left to the mercy of Chaos, the other, it seemed, tricked into a false refuge. The surviving Havenknights without exception decided to forsake the Lady and find another way to protect their people. Despite what some Bryttanlai of the Daughter whispered, these warriors were proud and vengeful enemies of Chaos who would never willingly serve it. Nor, later, did they look with true favour on the Usurper God, Sigmar, by turns a jealous master and a fickle friend.

Instead these survivors turned to the faint memory of their last mortal king in the World That Was – a loyal servant and sometime consort of the Lady, it was true, but surely also a righteous and fatherly ruler who would never have forgiven her trickery had he ever discovered it in life. They revered this king in the form of a great golden lion, armoured and winged, his breath steaming hot, rallying courage and nourishing skill at arms. How or when the Lion, called Ocelon by his votaries, achieved full godhood is unknown, but his power cannot be in doubt to those who challenge his sons. His believers have come to preach a provocative myth that as a mortal king he fell in battle partly through the Lady’s treachery, and then ascended in his splendid true godhead. Thus was born the second branch of the Twainfolk, the Bryttanlai of the Lion.

In each Mortal Realm the Bryttanlai can be found to a scholar who knows where to seek for them, though some are more conspicuous than others. Vaguely remembering their dukedoms of old, their people answer to Dukes now, one commanding a loose allegiance in every Realm; three have always belonged to the Daughter, three to the Lion, while two alternate. The differences between the cleft Twainfolk of the Bryttanlai have only grown deeper over successive Ages, though certain causes bind them still into reluctant union at need – vengeance upon Chaos, resistance to the Undead, and refusal ever to submit in deed as well as mere lip service to Sigmar. Their larger allegiance thus varies depending upon their Mortal Realm and Duchy, as will be detailed below.

*** 

Inspiration for Bryttanlai of the Daughter

 Celts of Gaul/France and Britain, including Gauls, Britons, Romano-British, Welsh, Bretons, Manx, Cornish, Gaels in Ireland and Scotland. Irish and Welsh pagans. Celtic Christians. Persecuted Catholics in Britain from 16^thcentury onwards. Cavaliers in the English civil war. The Macdonald Lords of the Isles. The Stuart dynasty. Jacobites.

Inspiration for Bryttanlai of the Lion

 The Jewish Maccabees. Franks of the early and high Middle Ages. Normans. Warriors in the golden age of the Islamic world. Christian heretics including: Manichaeans. Donatists. Arians. Paulicians. Cathars. Waldensians. The Hussites and Lollards. Byzantine Iconoclasts. Huguenots in France. King Gustav Adolphus of Sweden. Roundheads in the English Civil War. Freemasons.

Inspiration for both

 Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Malory, Edmund Spenser, TH White, CS Lewis.

*** 

Detail on the Bryttanlai Duchies of the Mortal Realms to follow!!

 

Edited July 27, 2020 by Lord of the Isle

[Lord of the Isle]

THE DUCHY OF LASYRON, scattered in secret throughout Azyr

(roughly analogous to the survivors of Couronne and L’Anguille)

 At Azyrheim and elsewhere more desperate survivors of the Bryttanlai who never saw Haven were clustered than in any other Realm, and though many soon served Sigmar gratefully and willingly, enough remembered their former pride to ensure that the Duchy of Lasyron has always belonged to the Lion. The people of the Daughter, however, have a presence here too, a conspiracy within a secret. 

The Bryttanlai of the Lion already perforce keep their faith very quiet indeed. Their battlefield skill has propelled most of them high into the ranks of the Azyrite nobility, and all of them pay lip-service to Sigmar. More than one ducal dynasty of Lasyron indeed has eventually accepted that service in full, forgetting its origins and duties, and accepting the honour and obligation of its slain relatives becoming Stormcast. Warriors of the Lion who shun such submission often seek fields of war far from Azyr, so that they can dedicate their souls to Ocelon upon death in battle and avoid the servitude of reforging. If they are chosen despite their efforts they often prove inexplicably hard for the Smiths to reshape.

Their kin of the Daughter persist in a less influential and onerous manner, often quietly allying themselves to the Aelves of Azyr and biding their time as hermits, fisherfolk, farmers, rangers, scouts and shepherds.

Both tribes of the Bryttanlai are in danger on Azyr of being falsely suspected of venerating Chaos, their independent spirits suggesting Tzeentchian sympathies to ardent Witch Hunters, their affinity for high culture and discreet but powerful pride seeming to point to Slaanesh, their deep, secretive, superstitious conservatism seeming akin to Nurgle, and their aptitude and ferocity at arms to Khorne.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order for both Twainfolk

 

THE DUCHY OF CARQASHIEL, small contiguous territory in Aqshy

(roughly survivors of Carcassonne / Glanborielle)

 Aqshy is a realm both dry and warlike, and the few folk of the Daughter who made their way here had no other choice and soon wondered whether they would have done better to choose extinction. The warrior elite of the Lion, on the other hand, have thrived here under various names, self-reliant, proud and indomitable, whether slaves of Khorne, Lodges of Fyreslayers or the obedient of Sigmar hold sway around them. Khorne’s chosen soon regarded them with respect bordering upon relish; many Bryttanlai of the Lion fell in battle, but not one is recorded as having surrendered in spirit. The Fyreslayers beheld them with cold, uninterested objectivity as competent sometime allies with a tendency to pick quarrels over riches that reflected their own. 

It is the return of Sigmar that has caused the greatest threat, in truth, to the Bright Duchy, and many – even most – knights of Carqashiel now pose outwardly as Sigmarites to evade difficult questions. If they are forced to serve him in truth against their private interests, however, they are almost more likely to make common cause with Orruks.

The handful of Bryttanlai of the Daughter within Aqshy are, unusually within their creed, a mainly urban people, living quietly within those Cities of Sigmar with a strong aelven component, at most daring to make their living upon the seas in careful alliance with the Scourge Privateers. It is said that the only Bryttanlai of the Daughter who risk the wilds of Aqshy’s country are coastal village dwellers, who have evolved a curious, dependent, reverent relationship with the mysterious Idoneth Deepkin – whether as allies, vassals, or even worshippers, the deepest scholars debate.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order or occasionally Destruction for Bryttanlai of the Lion; Order for Bryttanlai of the Daughter

 

THE DUCHY OF TANCELRYN, scattered estates throughout Ghyran

(roughly survivors of Quenelles / Cuileux)

More Bryttanlai of the Daughter found their way to Ghyran than to any other Mortal Realm, for there they sensed a power strongly akin to the Lost Lady. Yet the Realm of Life proved not, perhaps, quite the refuge they imagined. Where the Bryttanlai of the Lion in Azyr and Aqshy are largely obliged to pay nominal tribute to Sigmar, the folk of the Daughter are still more closely bound to pay substantial respect to Alarielle. And while the Duchy has never yet slipped from the Daughter’s control, she is more ferociously opposed there than she could ever have expected by the Sons of the Lion.

The subject is one of great obscurity and scholars still disagree over whether, for instance, the Order of the Furrow is Bryttanlaic of the Daughter in its origin or perhaps, covertly, some part of its continuing structure. The Blighted Duchies are generally agreed to be a rare example of the Bryttanlai submitting to Chaos, but most believe their founding knights never made the passage to Haven or came under the influence of the future Bryttanlai of the Lion.

What is established is that many Bryttanlaic families of the Daughter, including, traditionally, the Dukes of Tancelryn, survived by pledging their allegiance to Alarielle while continuing to venerate the Daughter in private. They are however notably friendlier to Wanderers and other Aelfkind than to the resentful Sylvaneth.

The attitude of the folk of the Lion upon Ghyran is very different. Perhaps the proudest and most headstrong in independence of all the Bryttanlai, they maintain total insularity and open freedom by the simple and brutally effective method of a broad alliance with the anarchic forces of Destruction, thus avoiding submission of any kind whether to Alarielle, Sigmar, Nurgle or Tzeentch. Curiously the Lionfolk are also closer to the Sylvaneth than their kin of the Daughter, as they readily form pacts of convenience with the most wild, dangerous and untamed of the tree spirits. They tend to salvage, steal and refashion their weapons and armour from defeated Chaos knights rather than to antagonise the forests by forging it themselves.

Grand Alliance Allegiance: Order for Bryttanlai of the Daughter; Destruction for Bryttanlai of the Lion

 

THE DUCHY OF GILGASTIL, huge contiguous territory on Ghur

(roughly survivors of Bastonne and Artois)

The Bryttenlai of both Twainfolk have thriven in the Realm of Beasts as nowhere else. Here there is none of the undignified compromise, pretence and secrecy through which they must scrape in more civilised lands. Here the Daughter, rebuffed from Ghyran, has established her children’s chief seat of power in all the Mortal Realms, while the Knights of the Lion ride free and fierce, making war as they please upon Chaos, Death, Destruction, Sigmar’s lackeys and Stormcast, and their own kin.

The Duke of Gilgastil is unquestionably the mightiest and strangest warrior of all the Bryttenlai, whoever he may be; for each new Duke rapidly seems to lose their previous identity and become as the Duke in Ghur has ever been in time immemorial. The only one of the Glimmering Havenknights who does not fade from sight in time of peace, the Duke possesses each scion of a consistent and ancient line in turn, and charges forth to lead the folk of the Daughter clad in eerie, verdant armour.

This strange and mighty Duke is notable for his mercilessness against Chaos, Sigmar and the Undead, but also for his forebearance towards the Lionfolk, with whom he seems to have achieved a kind of understanding. In return, while the Bryttenlai of the Lion attack vassals of Gilgastil whenever it pleases them, they seldom any longer take the field against the Duke himself. Their own leader ranks as the most respected ruler among the Lionfolk across the Realms, though neither a Duke nor even a warrior, but instead a male sorcerer of awesome power.

The Duchy is also notable for the Sage Beasts, sentient animals of prey and field who offer the Bryttenlai of the Daughter their counsel, and the Gentle Gargants, vast mockeries of Bryttenlaic knights, whose elaborate chivalry and unpredictable cruelty makes them alternately fractious allies and deadly foes of the Bryttenlai of the Lion.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Destruction, occasionally Order for Bryttenlai of the Daughter

 

DUCHIES OF BRYSHAVON, twin domains within Hysh

(Roughly the survivors of Brionne and Parravon)

Whether the Duchies of Bryshavon are in fact twain or not is a vexing question even to their inhabitants. They possess indeed two Dukes, one for the folk of the Daughter and one for the folk of the Lion, but of these one holds primacy as Archduke in alternating generations; currently it is the Lion’s turn.

It is said that Teclis, who owed much to the Lost Lady of the Bryttanlai, himself encouraged this logical solution, the nearest this divided people has come to a workable reconciliation. The Duchy of the Daughter tends to be closer to the Teclian nations, that of the Lion to the Tyrionic, but armed conflict between them is rare and extremely frowned upon, and both of the Twainfolk stand as allies of the Lumineth, accordingly, at need. 

Here, more than anywhere, the Bryttenlai have been able to recreate their lost potential for poetry, chivalry, courtly love, gentle manners and skill over strength. They also breed superb horseflesh to excellent mutual benefit with the aelves.

Nonethless, they remain quite clearly two peoples, and their old feud is expressed and immortalised in tournaments, trade wars, duels, adulterous scandals, insulting songs and the like.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order

 

DUCHY OF LUGIREUX, many scattered territories in Ulgu

(Roughly survivors of Lyonesse and Gisoreux)

Some of the Bryttanlai of the Lion reached Ulgu, but very few possessed the instinct for intrigue that would allow them to survive there. Other than a handful of bitter all but lone warriors, the Bryttanlai of Ulgu invariably acknowledge the Daughter.

Sometimes, perforce, they do so under the name of Morathi. But mostly, where Malerion holds sway, the Daughter can be invoked with a surprising degree of openness. Some say this is a deliberate slight of the Shadow King against his mother; other scholars suggest or worry that Malerion intends for Ulgu in time to surpass Ghur as the chief stronghold of the Daughter’s Cult, so that he can claim its power, and its Glimmering Havenknights, for his own. The wisest authorities do not rule out either theory.

The Duke of Lugireux reigns at Malerion’s pleasure, and must prove himself over the bodies of many of his less skilful kinsmen. Suffice to say, these dukes’ reigns are seldom long and their dynasties never.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order (as long as Malerion is!)

 

DUCHY OF BORMONTANE, shifting but contiguous territory in Chamon

(Roughly survivors of Montfort and Bordeleaux)

 The Realm of Metal contains in effect the most powerful Duchy of the Lion, if one that lacks the prestige and honourable repute of Carqashiel or Bryshavon. The Lion Bryttanlai of Bormontane are most atypical, relishing commerce, innovation and technical excellence; they are natural partners and, as it were, pupils of the Kharadron.

However, the Bryttanlai of the Daughter are also able to provide a potent and everchanging opposition to their cousins in the most mutable of the Realms. Like their counterparts on Aqshy, they have proved to possess an affinity with the enigmatic Deepkin, but are far more equal allies to that strange and perilous folk. The Damsels of Bormontane possess some of the most dangerous and potent magic to be found in all their order, and the Lion Knights have learnt that any infringement upon their rights is unlikely to be profitable, or even feasible. 

Where in other Duchies the Daughter tends to be closer to loose alliance with Order, here the roles are very much reversed, with the folk of the Lion enjoying the soft fruits of urban civilisation while the Damsels and knights of the daughter would do anything, and ally with almost anyone, to protect their own.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order for Bryttenlai of the Lion; any but Chaos for Bryttenlai of the Daughter

 

DUCHY OF MALFLITRANCE, huge contiguous territory in Shyish

(Roughly survivors of Aquitaine and Mousillon)

The Duchy where the Bryttanlai of both Twainfolk dare to deny Nagash at his very threshold possesses the darkest and most unknowable history. Here the Bryttanlai are all but reunited by extreme and continual peril, but their marriage is an unhappy affair of cruel necessity. The peoples accept as joint Duke whoever proves best able to protect them.

Shyish is crucial to the devotional legends of both faiths. The Daughter’s Bryttanlai believe it is from here that the Glimmering Havenknights sally to contest the ruins of Haven with Chaos still, and to protect their descendants of the true faith throughout the mortal realms. Those of the Lion claim King Ocelon himself was condemned to Shyish through the Lady’s machinations, before bursting forth again to lead his knights in battle. Here come the souls of all the Bryttenlaic dead of either side, those not enslaved by Sigmar or Nagash, together once again after their long and quarrelsome wanderings.

Desperation makes these Bryttanlai pragmatic and cunning. They hint at allegiance to Sigmar when necessary, and flatter the ambitions of any Soulblight who displays a hint of potential independence from Nagash. Discreet communications are maintained with Neferata – whom envoys of Malflitrance unhesitatingly honour as the original Lady when it suits them – the ever malcontent Mannfred, the Blood Knights and the Flesh Eater Courts, all of whom are said to be bound to the Bryttanlai by complex histories of ancient, at least potential, fellowship. Malflitrance will, however, never directly serve either Nagash or Sigmar, as opposed to allying with either against Chaos.

The Duchy is currently ruled by the sole Bryttanlaic Duchess, the most powerful Damsel in the Mortal Realms, a certain Margause. Certain rumours call her either an aelf of the Darkling Covens or a Soulblight in secret. It is far from evident that such stories displease the Duchess. It is said that her great source of magical potency is the relic from the World that Was, the Black Graal.

Grand Alliance allegiance: Order or Death