The Elder Scrolls: Chronicles

BRETON

Bretons are the result of centuries of interbreeding between Nedes and Aldmer, making them a truly unique race on Nirn. Hailing from High Rock, they are as diverse as their province is divided. Likely due to their elven ancestry, Bretons have an easy time understanding and manipulating magicka, and because of their Nedic ancestry—the Druids of Galen—they also have an inherent grasp of how to manipulate the natural environment too. Druidic spellcraft does differ from the arcane.

Their mixed ancestry also has cultivated Breton importance on nobility, status, and lineage. Many Bretons would say knighthood is an extremely important part of being Breton, while others choose instead to focus on their Druidic or Direnni roots respectively.

The land they inhabit has a deep cultural history, yet stands firm in the grasp of the feudal system which has divided their society.

Breton names are primarily influenced by real world France, but it is not unheard of to have English or Celtic influences as well.

Primary Stats

+1 Willpower
+1 Personality
+1 Mysticism
+1 Initiative
+1 Magic Resistance
+1 Shock Damage

Subraces

Glenumbran

Your character is of the Glenumbran culture, from Daggerfall. They are known for their cunning in statecraft and politics, as well as druidic folk traditions.

+1 Speechcraft
-1 Initiative

Iliac

Your character is of the Iliac culture, from Wayrest. They are known for their chivalric traditions and love of jousting.

+1 Melee Accuracy
-1 Mysticism

Reachfolk

Your character is of the Reachfolk, cousins to the Bretons, considered savage and uncivilised by most of the other races.

+1 Endurance
-1 Personality

Generally considered to be human, Bretons are extremely average in terms of height, though men are—on average—generally taller than the women. Their facial features can show traces of their Meric ancestry; the angle of their eyes, and the height of their cheekbones typically marking a visual representation of their mixed lineage.Their hair colors can range from blonde to black and everywhere in between within the realm of natural human coloring. Eye colors can be anything within the realm of human norms as well. For the most part, they look far more human than they do elven.

Bretons are also slimmer than other races of men such as Nords and Redguards, though it is common that they have softer, more supple features as well. Despite the physical evidence of the elven ancestry having diminished over the centuries, some Bretons even boast slight points at the tips of their ears.

Despite being utilitarian, Breton fashion is very much fashion. Both men and women of all stations take care to look as good as they are able to. However, beyond that, clothing is very much a status symbol in the Breton culture. The lower classes dress in plain fabrics with simple designs meant to be both functional and attractive.

Women’s clothing typically consists of bodices and long skirts, and for the most part, is very modest. Women of noble status often dress in opulent fabrics and display their wealth in jewelry and accessories.

Breton armor is a mixture of practical and elegant, once more hinting at their Meric roots. Because knightly orders and the like are common practice in High Rock, it is not atypical for knights to parade around bedecked in the heraldry of their patron. However, despite this, Breton armor does vary beyond chain and plate. They also highly value the craft of leatherworking, and much of their armor (enchanted or otherwise) displays such pieces within its set.

Overall, Bretons take great care of their appearance, putting their hair and beards in elaborate styles, manicuring their nails, and applying a variety of perfumes and colognes to their bodies as well as homes. They also favor applying the musk of black bears behind their ears and wrists.

Culture

Breton culture, despite its seeming homogeneity, varies depending on each of High Rock's kingdoms due to the many subcultures of the regions. Classism, the divide between the poor peasantry to elite nobility, plays a great part in the majority of Breton society and politics regardless. Most of the common folk tirelessly pursue knightly ideals, such as performing good deeds or heroic quests, in the hope they will one day be granted the rank that bridges the two; a knighthood, the lowest rank of minor nobility. Knighthood is seen as pivotal to Breton identity, and the race shares other facets of culture such as bardic traditions, heroic legends, animal husbandry, and avid mercantilism typically propagated through Iliac Bay.

Arranged marriages are common amongst noble families. Sometimes they are allowed to have courtships before marriage though having a relationship with someone below your station, such as a manservant, is seen as forbidden. Love charms are popular amongst both Breton nobility and merchant lords.

Breton children are generally tested for magical aptitude at an early age, and magic is so common in High Rock, children are often said to practice their illusion spells on one another as parts of games.

Chivalry, high romance, and similar virtues are deeply embedded in Breton culture. They are found of jousts, festivals and courtly pageants. Quests of Errantry to prove one's worth as a rite of passage are common among men and women alike.

Cultural Equivalence & Influences

While Medieval French in naming conventions and appearance, their mainstream culture more resembles 13th-14th century Anglo-French England, while the subcultures carry Welsh/Brythonic influences. Inspiration is also drawn from Warhammer's depiction of Bretonnia, and romantic period Arthurian legend.

After the Interregnum, High Rock was divided between several kingdoms, or city-states, each with their own subculture and politics. This division ultimately was the reason Tiber Septim managed to subdue High Rock so easily during the Tiber War.

For the most part, Bretons were accepting of Imperial rule—due largely to the fact that many of the Emperors in the Third Era being Breton or having spent significant amounts of time in High Rock—with their only primary complaint being that the Empire didn’t do enough during conflicts to protect High Rock.

Roughly 100 years ago, in 3E 121, a civil war broke out across the Empire. The War of the Red Diamond began with a bang, hitting both Iliac Bay and Morrowind as Queen Potema of Solitude attempted to sow further discord against the Empress, Kintyra II. During this war, Empress Kintyra answered a request for aid from Glenpoint in High Rock, and upon her arrival, was captured and then later executed. The Bretons in Glenpoint at the time were so upset to learn of the Empress’s death, they hunted down the Duke of Glenpoint and dealt with his betrayal. That day has become a sort of holiday called Broken Diamonds where the locals in Glenpoint gather outside an old Imperial castle and offer prayers for the Septim family’s benevolence before singing a song called Sepharve—sang in Old Bretic, its meaning is gradually fading from knowledge, but each generation is taught it nonetheless.

Nearly forty years ago, the Nightmare Host―an undead horde led by a lich said to be in service to the Camoran Usurper―took control of Dwynnen, a barony of High Rock. They were defeated by Othrok in the Battle of Wightmoor, who would come to be the next baron of Dwynnen.

Fourteen years after, in the Battle of Firewaves in 3E 267, the combined forces of the Breton city-states of Dwynnen, Kambria, Phrygias, and Ykalon defeated the Camoran Usurper.

Glenumbra: The westernmost region of the peninsula, containing the two major cities of Daggerfall and Camlorn. Mostly green hills, forests and swamps with a few mountains in the middle. This region is known for its great wines and deep in the forests the druidic communities called the Wyrd´s can be found.

Stormhaven: The central region of the peninsula, situated around the mighty Bjoulsae River. It is the center of Breton influence and hosts the greatest of its cities, Wayrest. In Stormhaven there is a rich bounty of crops and wildlife, providing an easy life for those in the region.

Rivenspire: The northern part of the peninsula and a rather gloomy place. Where the southlands are rich and fertile, Rivenspire is dry badlands, moors, mountains and generally unpleasant features. The two great cities of Shornhelm and Northpoint are situated here. The people native to this region are generally heartier than most other Bretons.

Bangkorai: The easternmost part of the province contains the great city of Evermore. This region is the shield of the Bretons, historically having faced the most conflict. It is forested highlands centered around Halcyon Lake.

Systres Archipelago: A collection of isles deep in the Abecean Sea, midway between High Rock and Alinor. These islands historically have been settled by druidic tribes and were later on claimed and settled by Breton nobility. The islands are known for their eclectic mix of wyrd influences and somewhat detached nobility, yet their mines and location make them vital for commerce. It also serves as a prison colony.

Balfiera/Betony /Wrothgar: Technically part of High Rock yet controlled by other races.

Sometime during the tenure of the First Empire, most Bretons shifted away from the elven pantheons to worship the Eight Divines. However, some people still worship older and more traditional deities, such as...

Sheor: Also known as the “Bad Man” is said to be the source of all strife. More like than not, Sheor is a demonized version of Aldmeri Lorkhan.

Phynaster:The hero-god of the Aldmeri pantheon, said to have taught the Altmer to prolong their lives simply by taking shorter strides.

Magnus: The god of magic, and one of the Original Spirits, said to have been the architect of Mundus.

Y’ffre: A holdover from High Rock’s Nedic roots, Y’ffre is the most important god in the Bosmeri pantheon and is the God of Song and Forest.