Thetlin
"Thetin" (θɛtlɪn), officially the "Commonwealth of Thetlin" is a sovereign nation on the western coast of Solum. Its borders extend from Solum's central mountain ranges to the Mourning Sea and is bound north to south by the Tarand River and the Wynwal Reaches.
Thetlin's terrain is chiefly hilly grasslands and light forestry, however it also possesses mountainous terrain in its upper elevations. Thetlin is formally a parliamentary democracy with its capital in "Windmere", the country's largest city and main cultural and commercial center; other major urban areas include Silverwatch, Ivyshade, and Honeyvale.
Inhabited since the before the Calamity, Thetlin was settled by Summum Settlers during the Lost Years, and gained its sovereignty long after the Sundering of Elyra. For most of its history Thetlin has acted as the breadbasket of Solum, interconnected only by relations between its many farming communities and forest villages. It's eventual unification under Windmere happened with little resistance, and the country has since quietly wielded it's enormous agricultural stick.
Geography
Landscape and Rivers
Most of Thetlin's civilization lays at the shores of its two enormous rivers - the Brickelwhyte and the Windmere. Once a colossal expanse of empty hills and trickling creeks Thetlin's landscape is now primarily a patchwork of farmland spread across its enormous countryside. Its higher elevations boast several important mines and lumber mills. The Hullbreak Isles are large rocky isles typically unsuitable for ships larger than small fishing vessels, the waters around known to be exceptionally perilous.
Climate
Receiving gentle winter rains and warm summers, Thetlin is by far considered the most hospitable place in all of Solum. Its northern reaches begin to become somewhat Hjalmoric though save for the Rangers of Kadencourt most opt to avoid anything north of Silverwatch past the month of September.
Nature and Wildlife
Thetlin posesses a large variety of critters; voles, badgers, stoats, and mice making up a sizable majority of its wild creatures. It's northern reaches once saw a sizable wolf population though the last two hundred years or so have seen populations dwindle to naught.The Thetlish Countryside
History
The origins of Thetlin and its governing system are both incredibly simple and almost frustratingly complex. Originally the breadbasket of the Elyran Empire, Thetlin unsurprisingly finds its roots in farming communities. With the Sundering of Elyra causing the vanishing of governing administration overnight, Solum found itself rife with political turmoil and chaos. In the East the eventual nations of Celenis, Copoa, Vedea, and Krell found themselves boiling in the roil of land-claim, godly righthood, and devastated supply routes. In the North the Brassic flag stretched south, forging Edos and tempering Hjalmor in the fires of war. But in the West, it is mirthfully said that most Thetlins weren’t fully aware of Elyra’s fall until the tax collectors started showing up in different colors. For a long while the expectation was for Hjalmor or The Brassics to come and conquer the myriad of farming communities to the South. Hjalmor’s attempts wound them trapped in a near-eternal war with the tribes of Tarandri, and Edos put a plug in any Brassic plans that could come to fruition.
Some four hundred years went by after the Sundering of Elyra before the creation of the “Thetlin Parliament” even became an idea. Interestingly still the idea of Thetlin sovereignty is a convergent evolution, appearing both at the mouth of the Windmere river and at the confluence of the Brickelwhyte and Goldencrest rivers at Silverwatch. Both groups developed a similar parliamentary system, each town electing five representatives (seven in Silverwatch’s system), who would periodically meet in their root city and create policy. The two would co-exist for some fifty years before conflicts with the Tarandri Steppe made trade with Hjalmor next to impossible for the Silverwatch Parliament. Originally beginning as a simple trade agreement between the two blossoming nations, ultimately the two groups would coalesce as a single government - their capital chosen by the drawing of straws. Windmere would become Thetlin’s capital city, the Silverwatch Parliament would be dissolved, and their cities would elect six members, and Windmere Parliament would increase their cities’ representatives by one.
At the time of Thetlin’s becoming sovereign, Vedea’s resident High Archivist was quoted as saying, “Thetlins are an incomplex people who seemingly view political obstacles through the lens of a child, and damned them if it doesn’t seem to work better than anything we’ve got”. Thetlin’s borders would swell as more farming communities opted to join the Windmere Parliament over the years. Their borders reached their current state in 358 EC with the joining of Shipsgrave and the Hullbreak Isles, a somewhat puzzling move on the part of Shipsgrave, primarily a fishing city-state prior. Nonetheless, Thetlin’s political history is marked with a seemingly desperate attempt to avoid the limelight. Celenis having often been bullied by neighboring nations prior to the creation of the Great Stormseal a prime example, this front of neutrality has oft been viewed as a weakness. Thetlin’s neutrality, however, has historically been greeted with affirmation and agreement, even by The Brassic Isles. Scholars submit that this is likely due to the logistical nightmare that Thetlin presents as a nation, its breadbasket-nature and sheer size make it wholly worthy of conquest - but its archaic systems and enigmatic unification make its neutrality all the more tolerable than the alternative.
Governance
Governance in Thetlin is primarily considered something of a low-return and highly-niche hobby for the politically minded. While the Parliament of Windmere is certainly Thetlin's governing body, its influence primarily revolves around trade with other nations and the small amount of tax collection required to feed Thetlin's enormous population.
Law
Typically, a Thetlin town will have at least a single magistrate who is capable of exercising the laws of Thetlin. These laws are by and large considered rather basic by neighboring nations, and the refusal to bake nuance and complexity into the system has resulted in a nation of extremely variable enforcement depending on the presiding magistrate. At its core, Thetlin proposes restorative justice as a means for criminal response, magistrates usually acting as intermediaries for the two conflicting parties. More severe crimes in Thetlin are usually responded to by town guards, with the odd murder usually provoking more retributive responses from magistrates.
Military
Thetlin’s military is, more or less, a hodgepodge of militias, town guards and do-gooders that have periodically come together to fight off existential threats to Thetlin’s borders. In the past, Thetlin has required the organization of the Rangers of Kadencourt for more severe infractions on Thetlin sovereignty, but recent years have seen their need dwindle. These days it is typical to see Thetlin’s few courts staffed not by soldiers, but by adventure-seekers looking for work before vanishing off to Summum for more variable days.
Notable Treaties
Formally, Thetlin avoids entering into traditional agreements as best as they can - finding the outer world’s way of doing business to be needlessly complex. However, Thetlin was recently a signatory on the Brass Accords, hoping to prevent the eastern part of Solum from descending further into war, and potentially threatening its own quiet interests. Informally, it has a positive relationship with Elyra due to the Enclave of Gevion Bog assisting in the blights that have recently taken a large swathe of farmland.
Guilds and Organizations
The Minstrel College of Maplehold
When one seeks out the exotic arts they look for Copoan sails, when one searches for the most detailed of paintings and carvings they search for a Hjalmorian artisan, and when one searches for the perfection of sword and steel they seek out an Edosian crafter at Winter Bloom. But when one lays weary at the hearth, when song and story are all that can be craved on a long winter’s night, where else should one look but a Minstrel of Maplehold? Originally a bardic school for teaching music to be performed at ceremonious events, the Minstrel College of Maplehold has expanded greatly in its history to cover poets, actors, musicians, brewers and all sorts of hearthmakers alike. To be considered a Minstrel of Maplehold is a great honor indeed, in the modern age it has attracted a plethora of foreigners to its ivied halls. Recent years have seen the development of Maplehold Marks, a system of recognition by Maplehold for acknowledging the skill of restaurants, bars, taverns, acting troupes, musicians and all other hospitality. The Minstrel College of Maplehold uses a four mark system, though even receiving a single Maplehold Mark is considered an incredible signifier of skill.
The Ivyshade Coven
The sister-coven to Elyra’s Enclave of Gevion Bog, the Ivyshade Coven is a collection of woodsfolk, druids, and timber witches. Tasked with keeping the safety of the woods in defense of Thetlin’s remaining wilds, the Ivyshade Coven has remained a secretive part of Thetlin’s history. They have been known to work with the Enclave of Gevion Bog in times of blight, but have historically acted in the northern portions of Thetlin as opposed to the more blight-prone South. Members of the Ivyshade Coven are met with reverence by Thetlins, many considering it a sizable honor to invite a member to their hearth.
The Rangers of Kadencourt
While Thetlin boasts an exceptionally small navy, and a smaller army still, its borders with the Tarandri Steppe have required bolstering from time to time. The Rangers of Kadencourt have historically been overlanding experts, and have defended Thetlin’s border on the Tarand River numerous times. They are particularly known for their bowmen, a particular myth of their joining requirements being the ability to split a grain of wheat with an arrow from thirty paces. Recent years, and particularly the vassalization of Tarandri to Hjalmor has seen the Rangers numbers dwindle, many instead opting to venture to Summum where their abilities are more in demand.
People and Society
Where grasses grow and waters flow, a Thetlin can surely be found nearby. Thetlin society is the personification of “work to live, never live to work”, and the mythic nature of a Thetlin’s hearth assures its truth. Thetlin amenity is as legendary as Brassic ambition; to be invited into a Thetlin’s home is to guarantee blissful comfort, a full belly, and a newfound knowledge of a family’s entire genealogical history you never knew you needed. Certainly this isn’t to say that Thetlins aren’t hardworking, the opposite couldn’t be more true. Thetlin is home to Solum’s most verdant and lush countryside - where Elyra found brimstone and fury in the Sundering, Thetlin’s soils found a wash of nutrients that gave life to its hillsides. One could not stand atop one of Thetlin’s million hills and not see a farm being worked by the sweated-brow Thetlin. Nor should it be assumed that Thetlins are pushovers. Their northern border shared by Solum’s last remaining true wilderness, you will find a Thetlin more than capable of handling the River Wolves of the Brickelwhyte, or fending off the raiding centaur clans of the Tarandri Steppe.
What can be said of Thetlins is that wherever they step foot they can call home, but history would prefer that be in the twenty square-mile radius of where their story began. They are loving, warm, enigmatic, and wholly willing to give themselves to a cause they believe in. The world, it would seem, is a less chaotic place thanks to Thetlin’s general desire to step out of the way and let others get on with it.
Norms
The duality of Thetlin is thus: A Thetlin can rarely be found out of place, most die within 20 miles of where they are born and spend their life tilling the soils their ten-times great grandfather tilled. Yet when a Thetlin is out of place, when Destiny dares to mark the brow of a Thetlish babe, a dent in the universe appears. Despite the Thetlish love of a quiet life where the worst interruption is a crow during tea, the Thetlish have an enigmatic habit of producing some of the most influential folk heroes of all time. The Battle of Blencathyn, Garryx’s Last Stand, and The Re-Discovery of Summum. All of Solum’s most inexplicable, incredible moments of unbelievable chance and you wouldn't even have to strain your eyes to find a Thetlin grinning sheepishly nearby. Stranger still, that Thetlin will return home from their adventure, settle into a chair un-throned for fifty years, and resume their work as though the world had not been shaken by their footsteps.
Language
Thetlin language has lovingly been described as “like Common, with a mouth full of marbles”. Indeed, Thetlin is widely considered one of Solum’s easiest to learn languages, having not evolved too far from the proto-Summum language that makes up Common. The general assumption would see that Thetlin’s millenia of relaxation has eased the jaw and tongue into a more relaxed language. Poetry, however, makes up a core theme of Thetlin - and even an unlearned listener would likely be able to identify some form of meter in day-to-day conversation. This root in the poetic comes from Thetlin’s incredibly dense oral history, several verses of which most Thetlin’s know, though knowing the full epic is quite rare. The Unbound Scholars of Vedea began their original historical collection from Thetlin spoken-word, though as time progressed the scholar’s quickly became aware of the Thetlin habit of embellishment for narrative purposes and the process was wholly abandoned.
Culture
Clothing
The Thetlish tend to favor natural dyes, earthen tones, and less metallic materials when fashioning clothes - wools, cotton, leather, and linens feature prominently. Greens, blues, browns, and ochres are common shades seen in much of common folk dress, and most “white” clothing tends towards a warmer, bone sore of hue. During social gatherings, Thetlish commonly break out clean and tidy garb of various sorts, with a trend towards vests and chained timepieces (if one can find a reasonable tinker). Knee high leather boots, with breeches and flared pantaloons regularly feature in Thetlish fashion.
Holidays
Hearthwarming
A Thetlin Hearthwarming celebration is a joyous occasion that marks the completion of a new Thetlish home and their settling into a new community. The event is characterized by feasting, singing, dancing, and storytelling. Delicious food, including traditional Thetlin dishes, is served in abundance and is a central part of the celebration. Friends, family, and neighbors gather to offer their well-wishes and gifts to the Thetlin family, and to share in the revelry. The celebration also features lively music and dancing, with Thetlins of all ages taking part in the festivities. Above all, the Thetlish hearthwarming celebration is a celebration of community, friendship, and the comfort and security of a warm and welcoming home.
Crossing the Threshold
The Thetlish intending to leave Thetlin are met with quizzical humor, most not fully comprehending the desire to leave Thetlin. Nonetheless, the Thetlish are not ones to avoid a party and grand celebrations take place. These celebrations typically involve the closest friends of the Thetlin offering to join them on their journey, or barring that gifting them a good luck charm for their safe travels. The holiday is about the journey of leaving one's comfort zone for the thrill of adventure, facing new challenges and obstacles, and discovering one's true strengths and passions. Through the ups and downs of the adventure, the individual realizes the true value of home and the importance of the people and things they left behind. Eventually, they return home, wiser and grateful, with a newfound appreciation for the familiar and a thirst for new adventures to come. The holiday celebrates the beauty of discovery and growth, both on the road and in one's own backyard.
Cuisine
The taste of Thetlish fare is a flavor like no other, for it is seasoned with love, comfort, and the essence of home. To partake in a Thetlin feast is to experience pure joy and bliss, satisfying not only the hunger of the belly but also the soul.
Folklore
Thetlin has a rich and diverse folklore, passed down from generation to generation. They have a strong oral tradition and are known for their love of storytelling and song. Many Thetlin customs are centered around the changing of the seasons and the cycles of nature. For example, they have springtime festivals to celebrate the arrival of new growth and the return of warmer weather. They also have harvest festivals in the fall to mark the end of the growing season and to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.
Thetlins also have a strong tradition of gift-giving, especially during special occasions such as birthdays and weddings. They have a keen appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, and often exchange handcrafted gifts such as pottery, jewelry, and clothing. Additionally they also have a strong cultural tradition of hospitality and are known for their warm and welcoming homes. They enjoy hosting visitors and are famous for their elaborate feasts and celebrations.
In addition to these customs, the Thetlish also have a rich folklore that includes tales of adventure, magic, and heroism. They are especially fond of songs and stories that celebrate the beauty of their land and the close-knit relationships they have with their families and communities. Overall, Thetlin folklore is a celebration of the simple pleasures of life, the beauty of nature, and the enduring power of community and friendship.
Nation Info
Official Name: The Thetlin CommonwealthCapital: Windmere
Population: ~2,350,000
Government: Parliamentary Democracy
Leader: Oliver Trethewey
Leader Title: Prime Minister
Demonym: Thetlan, Thetlish
Major Exports:
- Lumber
- Grain
- Produce
Military
- 15,000 Combatants
- Warships: 25 Privateers
Breed Distribution
Religion Distribution
- 80% - The Ember Light
- 10% - The Highlord
- 5% - The Sentinel
- 5% - Other
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
~ Dylan Thomas