Thalaria
Structure
Thalaria operates as a structured monarchy, led by the ruling High Queen or High King, who holds authority through a lineage believed to be blessed by the divine Twin Suns. The Royal Council assists in governance, consisting of noble families and advisors from across Thalaria.
Key roles within the council include:
High Monarch (High Queen/King): Holds ultimate authority, believed to be divinely chosen. Responsibilities include maintaining peace, upholding Thalaria’s traditions, and acting as the spiritual head of the Twin Suns’ worship.
Lord Chancellor: Chief advisor and overseer of court matters. Responsible for diplomacy, protocol, and matters of honour among the nobility.
Master of Commerce: Manages trade, finances, and relations with Thalaria’s merchant guilds. Oversees imports, exports, and taxation policies.
High Warden: Commands the Thalari military forces, responsible for defence, strategic fortifications, and border security. Works closely with local constabularies to maintain order.
Archmagus: Chief advisor on magical affairs, including the regulation of arcane practices and supervision of magical academies within Thalaria. Often a member of a noble house with strong magical ties.
Noble houses are integral to Thalaria’s governance, with each house assigned specific duties. Positions of power are limited to noble-born individuals, reinforcing Thalaria’s deeply ingrained social hierarchy.
Culture
The culture of Thalaria is marked by a reverence for tradition, strict social customs, and a profound respect for the divine.
Core cultural traits include:
Respect for Ancestry: Thalari people believe that their ancestors’ wisdom guides them, and they regularly hold ceremonies to honour their forebears. Ancestral shrines are common in noble households, and annual festivals celebrate the ancestral line.
Celestial Reverence: The Twin Suns, viewed as divine entities, play a central role in Thalari faith. The movements of the suns are thought to influence Thalaria’s fortunes, and celestial alignments often dictate auspicious dates for major events, such as marriages, treaties, and even seasonal markets.
Strict Hierarchical Customs: Thalari society values decorum, respect for authority, and adherence to social order. The monarchy and noble class uphold these customs rigorously, and individuals are expected to conduct themselves with honour and dignity.
Festivals and Ceremonies: The Thalari calendar is marked by seasonal festivals celebrating the harvest, the Twin Suns, and the spirits of the land. These gatherings foster a sense of unity and are often grand affairs involving feasts, music, and dance.
Thalaria is predominantly human, with mixed settlements largely found in urban areas. While all races live in Thalaria, each species tends to have its own pockets of community. Rural settlements are often species-specific, where residents of a single race maintain traditions suited to their unique cultures. Halflings, for instance, maintain small, close-knit, halfling-only settlements in rural regions, while others live in city neighbourhoods that have become hubs of halfling culture within Thalaria’s urban landscape.
Public Agenda
The kingdom’s public agenda revolves around maintaining stability, prosperity, and influence across Aglaria.
Key goals include:
Protecting Thalari Sovereignty: Thalaria seeks to maintain its independence, strengthening its defences and diplomatic ties to prevent external threats.
Promoting Knowledge and Tradition: Preservation of Thalari knowledge, both arcane and scholarly, is a priority. The Royal Council sponsors historical and magical studies to ensure that the wisdom of previous generations is not lost.
Strengthening Trade Relations: Thalaria holds valuable trade routes and resources, and the Master of Commerce works to expand these connections, fostering economic growth and alliances with neighbouring realms.
Upholding Honour and Loyalty: The Royal Council encourages Thalari citizens and nobility to uphold honourable conduct, seeking to prevent dissent or betrayal within the kingdom.
Assets
Thalaria possesses significant assets, both natural and artifice:
Natural Resources: Fertile farmlands yield abundant crops, which support both local needs and lucrative exports. Thalaria also has access to precious metals and minerals within its territories.
Fortified Cities and Castles: Strategically placed fortifications safeguard trade routes and provide refuge in times of conflict. The capital, Enthal, is a shining example of Thalari architecture and defence.
Military Strength: Thalaria maintains a disciplined standing army, including both trained knights and skilled archers. Noble houses contribute soldiers to the High Warden’s forces, ensuring a well-equipped defence.
Magical Artefacts: Thalaria’s history includes a collection of enchanted relics, many of which are safeguarded in the royal treasury. These items are thought to have been blessed by the Twin Suns and are used sparingly in times of need.
Educational Institutions: Magical academies and scholarly institutions receive patronage from the Royal Council, furthering Thalaria’s reputation as a centre of knowledge and arcane study.
History
The history of Thalaria is one of resilience, cultural depth, and the preservation of tradition.
Key historical milestones include:
Circa 2,100 CE: The Unification of Thalaria, led by High King Rhadwen I, who forged an alliance among noble families to establish the kingdom.
Circa 2,540 CE: Formalisation of the Royal Council, which established enduring roles for Thalaria’s noble houses in governance.
Circa 3,030 CE: The Great Celestial Event, an alignment of the Twin Suns believed to have ushered in an era of peace and reinforced Thalaria’s faith in their divine heritage.
Circa 3,700 CE: Thalaria’s expansion into trade, leading to alliances with the coastal Ithren. This period also saw the development of Thalaria’s fortified city network.
Circa 3,950 CE: Modernisation of military practices to counter rising external threats and secure Thalaria’s sovereignty.
“Honour Through Wisdom, Strength Through Unity”
~2,100 CE - N/A (Thalaria is an enduring kingdom)
Alternative Names
The Kingdom of Thalaria; The Court of the Twin Suns; The High Seat
Demonym
Thalari
Ruling Organization
Leader Title
Founders
Location
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Ethnicities
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