The Brigantines

The Brigantines are an ethnic and religious group located in the North Western mountains of Letos

Pre-History

The Brigantines are descended from an ancient group of semi-nomadic sheepherders who inhabited the northern mountains of Letos. Brigantia, a local goddess of the mountains came to the Brigantines and showed them how to survive. The Brigantines thus founded themselves as a new tribe taking on the name of their patron goddess and formed a pact with her. This pact referred to as the Watcher's pact. It is the rules by which the Brigantines live. In exchange for following this pact, Brigantia offers her protection to the Brigantines and their mountains.

As the Letosians began to establish hegemony over the region, the Brigantines and Letosians came into contact. The relationship was peaceful and some Letosians intermixed into the Brigantine stock. Additionally several Brigantines migrated into Letos. The Brigantines became culturally inspired by the Letosians and gradually they formed a more organised structure . The first elder council of the Brigantines was assembled in the place that is currently known as Mount Brigantia (selected and named as such as this is supposedly the site of the signing of the Watcher's pact and the place which Brigantia told the elder council to settle on). Upon this site it was decided the capital of the Brigantines would be established (although prior settlement had existed it consisted mainly of temporary structures and was never inhabited permenantly). Brigantia is said to have told the elder council to settle on Mount Brigantia by sheparding the flocks of all Brigantines to all sites.

Present Day

The construction of Mount Brigantia is underway. The elder council is also attempting to write down and store the oral traditions of the Brigantines.

The Watcher's Pact

From the mountains I come and you I will save. My dominion stretches through the peaks, valleys and crevasses of these great monuments of nature. I am the watcher of the mountains, I am the mother who welcomes you home, I am the shepherd of all creatures, I am Brigantia.

In me is your protector, guide and teacher. Onto you, I can bestow my gifts. Take me and my word into your hearts and souls. Follow my word and there will be no hunger or thirst, in good health you shall all live. I beseech you all to sign my pact.

1. Do not consume the flesh of a sheep, if a sheep dies give the body to me by burying them on the land on which they have grazed.
2. Welcome those stranded on the hillside into your home, offer them food and shelter.
3. Pass down your and mine learnings to those who come after, never try to conceal knowledge.
4. When each of your first lamb of spring comes, offer it to me and I shall ensure the spring will lead to a bountiful summer which at the end shall result in great harvests.
5. Never impede the migration of another shepard and their flock

Take up this pact with me by declaring ‘Through my mouth, mind and heart I declare my allegiance to the great watcher. May she watch over me, protect me and deliver me to prosperity. I shall devote myself to Brigantia. She will be my shepherd and I will be a member of her flock’

This speech was handed down by oral tradition and was given by Brigantia to the ancestors of the Brigantines upon their accession into the mountains from the plains. Traditionally a Brigantine child will take the oath as soon as they can speak. This text was put into written form by the first elder council.