Bretonnia
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| Bretonnia | |
|---|---|
| File:Brettoniaart.jpg For the Lady and the King… mostly the Lady |
|
| Founding | |
| Founded | circa 977 IC (Gilles le Breton unites the tribes) |
| Founder | Gilles le Breton |
| Current Leader | King Louen Leoncoeur |
| Geography | |
| Capital | Couronne |
| Major Cities | Couronne, Brionne, Quenelles, Bordeleaux, Lyonesse, Castle Bastonne |
| Regions | The fourteen dukedoms (Couronne, Lyonesse, Artois, Gisoreux, etc.) |
| Biology | |
| Lifespan | Peasants 35–45 years; Nobility 60–80 years (longer for Grail Knights) |
| Height | 165–195 cm (5′5″ – 6′5″) – knights are almost always the taller ones |
| Culture | |
| Language | Breton (nobles), mixed Breton/Reikspiel (peasants) |
| Religion | Worship of the Lady of the Lake |
| Government | |
| Government | Absolute feudal monarchy under the King and the Lady |
| Relations | |
| Allies | The Empire (grudging), Wood Elves (ancient pact), Tilea (trade) |
| Enemies | Greenskins, Beastmen, Skaven, Chaos, Norsca, Dark Elves |
Bretonnia is the great fairy-tale kingdom west of the Grey Mountains: castles on every hill, flower-strewn meadows, and knights in gleaming plate who swear to defend the innocent while questing for the Holy Grail. That’s the story they tell pilgrims and minstrels. The truth is a rigid feudal hell where nine-tenths of the population live in filth so their lords can wear silk and ride pureblood destriers. It’s Arthurian legend run through the Warhammer meat-grinder: beautiful, brutal, and soaked in hypocrisy.
Overview
If you want to play shining heroes who actually believe their own propaganda, downtrodden peasants who know better, or mysterious sorceresses keeping the whole rotten miracle afloat, Bretonnia is your playground.
Appearance
Tall, fair-skinned nobles in mirror-bright plate and flowing heraldry; short, sunburned peasants in rags that used to be clothes.
Culture & Society
- Regions: The fourteen dukedoms west of the Grey Mountains.
- Culture: Rigid feudalism dressed up as chivalry – honour for the high-born, obedience (or the stake) for everyone else.
- Names: Flowery French – Louen, Gilles, Repanse, Calard, Bohemond, Isabeau.
- Religion: The Lady of the Lake. The Fey Enchantress speaks for her and is never questioned.
Relations with Other Races
| Category | Faction | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| Humans | Empire | Friendly |
| Bretonnia | Friendly | |
| Kislev | Neutral | |
| Sartosa | Neutral | |
| Araby | Hostile | |
| Cathay | Neutral | |
| Norsca | Hostile | |
| Elves | Asur (High Elves) | Friendly |
| Asrai (Wood Elves) | Friendly | |
| Druchii (Dark Elves) | Hostile | |
| Dwarfs | Dwarfs | Friendly |
| Chaos Dwarfs | Hostile | |
| Greenskins | Orcs | Hostile |
| Goblins | Hostile | |
| Monstrous | Ogre | Neutral |
| Beastmen | Hostile | |
| Affliction | Chaos | Hostile |
| Vampire | Hostile |
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: Best heavy cavalry in the Old World, genuine divine protection for the worthy, unbreakable morale on the charge.
- Weaknesses: Arrogant nobility, no guns worth mentioning, peasants who bolt at the first dragon.
Playing a Bretonnian
You are either born to rule or born to serve. There is no middle path.
A knight lives for honour, the Lady, and smashing things with a lance. Speak in flowery oaths, sneer at “low-born” folk, and never retreat unless a Damsel says so. A peasant knows the kingdom is a beautiful lie held together by fear and magic – keep your head down, your taxes paid, and your bow ready when the lord calls the levy. A Damsel is the quiet terror behind the throne: serene, untouchable, and far more powerful than any duke.
Play the hypocrisy. A knight can genuinely believe he’s protecting the realm while riding over his own serfs to reach the enemy faster. A peasant might quietly cheer when Beastmen drag off the tax collector. Lean into the clash between shining ideals and grim reality.
Physical Appearance
Knights are bred for war: tall, broad-shouldered, long flowing hair, sculpted beards, armour that costs more than a village. Peasants are short, wiry, sunburned, missing teeth, backs bent from the plough. You can tell a Bretonnian’s station from fifty paces – and the Lady help you if you forget it.
Notable Ranks & Careers
Peasant Levy → Man-at-Arms → Knight Errant → Knight of the Realm → Questing Knight → Grail Knight (Or the extremely rare peasant who somehow gets knighted and makes the entire court deeply uncomfortable)