Chevellauni

The central ruling tribe are mainly a distributive force, collecting and allocating all the produce of the other tribes. However, they do specialise in what are regarded (in Chevel) as more elitist goods. These include finely woven fabrics, silks and satins, and high-quality clothing. Some of the raw materials are grown by other tribes, but most are home-grown or home-spun. Spices are also grown by the tribe, and bee-keeping is also unique to the Chevellauni. Hunting game is a favourite past-time of the king and his entourage, although not all of what is caught is reserved for the Royal table. Excesses are distributed to tribal leaders, usually in recognition of good productivity figures. Hunting game is also carried out by other tribes, but this can only be done if the participants have been granted a Royal Order to do so. Currently, each tribal leader is in possession of such an order, as well as a number of other leading members of each tribe, however these can be revoked should the need arise (e.g. as a result of any misdemeanours, tribal incursions, etc.). The only other produce of any note from the Chevellauni is peat, as there is a large peat bog situated within the tribal land.

The tribe itself is ruled by King Cassichevelus and his wife Queen Venusia, and they have two sons, Cymrus (17) and Syrilus (12), and a daughter, Imogenus (15). The Chevellauni are a conglomeration of descendants from all the other tribes on the island and as a result they have no real enemies amongst the other tribes, although some people may regard them as cast-outs, misfits, traitors, or unfairly favoured. Petty anger, hatred, or jealousy sometimes manifests itself in snide comments made in the market place or at fayres, but the Chevellauni are generally regarded as a peaceful, neutral tribe (the Switzerland of Chevel). Despite their neutrality, however, the king does maintain one of the largest armies on the island, although it is generally used as something of a peace-keeping force, protecting trading and ‘provisioning’, and stamping out minor skirmishes. There are two main Chevellauni ‘towns’ (more akin to large villages): Galatus is situated at the centre of the island and is home to the king and his family. It is also the place where the Inner Council convenes. Sarsus is the only Chevellauni port, situated on the west coast at the end of ‘Chevellauni Corridor’, which links the inner island to the sea.