Editing Breoa (section)

==== Clans of Breoa ====
Before [[Brekendahl]] came to power, Breoa was ruled over by warlords. Those warlords came from ancient families. The families that survive today are known as the Breoan Clans.

A Clan’s power fluctuates over the generations. Most clans hold some sort of authority in Breoa whether that be ruling a population center, managing a guild, or leading a raiding company. However, a Clan can lose their power through the normal political means (assassination, backstabbing, etc.). Sometimes if a Clan’s enemies wish it, they will wipe out a Clan and end a bloodline stretching back over seven-hundred years.

New Clans can also arise. This is a rare feat usually done through the acquisition of incredible wealth, unparalleled combat prowess, feats of heroism, or becoming favored by the Konunger. These Clans often start by managing a small village and growing their strength over successive generations. Infighting

Open conflict amongst the Clans is rare. With this being said, the Clans fight with each other constantly. Spies disrupt supply chains while soldiers clash in back allies. It is a never ending struggle for each Clan to maintain their political power and an even greater struggle to rise through the ranks.

The Konunger does not see this as a problem. It is widely known that Breoa is most stable when the Clans are at each other’s throats. This is because only through unity can the Clans exert control over the Konunger. Therefore, the leader of Breoa works diligently to in secret sow seeds of discord amongst the Clans. Shifting control over a village, increasing the yearly taxes, or even falsifying intelligence are all tools in the Konunger’s toolbelt. Those Knoungers who refuse to set the Clans against each other are usually ineffective or do not survive long.

The secret for Breoa’s success lies in the Mefni. This means they hold a considerable amount of political power. A Mefni is one of the few people who can defy the order of a Jarl without fear.

Although they are paid thousands of gold pieces a year, a Mefni rarely needs to spend them. Any merchant or tavern owner will often give the Mefni what they ask for without charge. A traveler wandering through Breoa should take note not to anger a Mefni. They hold more power over the land then one might expect.