City-States of Tarrah (TARE-UH)
Overview
The City-States of Tarrah is the (semi-)united nation of individually-governed city states found in the heart of Lain-Lethor. Surrounding Viper's Bay, these states range wildly in climate, culture, and population, though all of them share a fiercely independent sense of identity. They are an integral piece of the Core Lands and, due to their varied nature, provide all manner of exported goods to the rest of the continent. Each state is its own densely-populated megacity, though a few are less urban and more a collection of small settlements. Permanent immigration to and from most of the States is rare, due to their microcosm cultures, but tourism is widespread in many of them, and the States closest to the other Core Lands (Fredensborg, Aziridine) are more integrated into the continent's way of life. Trade across Viper's Bay is important not only between the States, but also as the main means of transporting goods from Collome to Borea-Malun. As such, the trade tax across the Bay increased drastically with the rise of the Five-Point Authority.History
After the fall of the Dark and Light Courts, the Five-Point Authority deemed it too difficult to seize total control over the City-States, due to their independent nature. Instead, individual governors were allowed to stay in place, with only the addition of the artificial being, the ROOK, to oversee the country as a whole. Regardless, some of the states continually resist the ROOK's presence.States (list)
In order of greatest to least geographical area, the City-States include:I. FERSKIS
Governed by: The Green Monkey
Also known as the Fang of Viper’s Bay, Ferskis is a hub for naval power and trade. Pirates run rampant here, and due to its lawlessness and general remoteness from the likes of Twin Point and Fredensborg, Kintok refugees have greatly influenced the culture. As a show of solidarity, everyone here wears gloves. This is one of the city-states where the ROOK has the least influence (beaten only by Hairy Hill and Zeiram).
II. FREDENSBORG
Governed by: Lykke, son of Peder
Fredensborg is the city-state most heavily involved with the rest of the Core Lands, serving as a gateway to the rest of Tarrah. Its position between Borea-Malun, Perch, and Collomé make it a melting pot of cultures and trade. Fredensborg is also home to the largest train station in Lain-Lethor. Its largest exports are lumber and other wooden goods, with its furniture reaching worldwide levels of renown. Leather production is also high.
III. LOS TURAY
Governed by: Florian Plocke
Los Turay is a hot, coastal city firmly within the iron grip of Florian Plocke, who is firmly within the iron grip of his own ass. Los Turay is also the hub for hazard rock (or just hazard), the highly addictive magical drug found in most parts of Tarrah. Authoritative exploitation of most of the city’s population is rampant, so the regime is hostile to travelers and other non-locals who may upset this balance. Los Turay is also known for its extensive coastal markets, some highlights of which are fresh exotic fishes, ornate textiles, Turay daggers, and both local / imported Sreevaraham pottery.
IV. SREEVARAHAM
Governed by: Lakshmi Varaha
Sreevaraham is the first on this list representing the southern states, which are wildly different culturally from the northern states.1 Large, boglike planes bordering a jungle in the south make the climate humid and dingy, but many people have chosen to make this state home. Unlike the rest of Tarrah, Sreevaraham is not one large city; rather, it is characterized by clusters of small farming communities. The state has no major exports, though pottery made from Sreevaraham’s dark mud is highly valued, as are many of the medicinal and natural remedies from its flora. There are also many temples scattered throughout Sreevaraham, which is highly religious. Half of the Order of Varaha is hyper-focused on violence; half are hyper focused on peace. One can never tell which type of temple they’re approaching until the monks are provoked. Due to the lack of technology, the ROOK’s presence here is the most limited in the southern states.
V. AZIRIDINE
Governed by: Siegmund Gabriel
If Fredensborg is the gateway to Tarrah, Aziridine is the gateway to the southern states. A dense city dotted with lanterns, it is a place of extreme scientific advancement. The universities of Aziridine are unparalleled, and the Library of Aziridine is itself a wonder. Chemistry, medicine, and biological studies are among the most prominent. The presence of the ROOK here is strong, perhaps due to concern over the state outpacing the Eyeland in scientific achievement. Crime is relatively low here, and the infrastructure is some of the best in any of the states. The cost of living can be quite high, but possibly worth it for the state’s famous noodles, or a gondola ride in one of its lakes or the bay. As a quirk of its neighbor Bazhou using copious amounts of magic to run its tech, Aziridine’s dawn and dusk is greatly extended (lasting till 11AM-12PM and starting at 2-3 PM, respectively).
VI. BAZHOU
Governed by: Min Hei, Lady of Lost Ways
If Aziridine is a dense city, Bazhou is many dense cities stacked on top of one another. The highest buildings in all of Lain-Lethor can be found here. The spells required to run much of the technology in the city result in a perpetual starless night, but the artificial lights more than make up for this. Again, if Aziridine is focused on biological and chemical sciences, Bazhou is focused on the science of applied magicks. The new containment tubes for magical and alchemical energy make the impossible possible - lifts that rise in the air, glowing lights, even functioning false limbs. The people of Bazhou have the ROOK’s presence to thank for this, as the technology is based on it. Theories state that the ROOK has extensive presence here due to its integration with the tech, but ROOK consoles are vandalized and not well-respected here. The cover of perpetual night makes crime easy, and most Bazhou residents dislike the supervision of the ROOK.
VII. ISAH
Governed by: Viktor Cossack
The most arid of any of the city-states, Isah is an expanse of cracked earth and sandy dunes. The famed Ziggurats of Isah dot the landscape, with the largest in the center of the city. Many kings and other great monarchs are buried here, as the heat and dryness is good for preservation. The main city of Isah is centered around the largest of these, the Tomb of the Son of the Feathered Serpent. It was long believed that the Tomb of the Son had been looted to its fullest extent, but in the last eighty years or so, rumors have circulated that it has one last treasure left to give. Many have tried… none have exited the Tomb.
VIII. WINDHAM-4
Governed by: The Duke of Stars
This is the fourth time the city of Windham has been rebuilt. Windham(-1, -2, and -3) was the springboard for the resistance against the Five-Point Authority, and military might crushed them more strongly each time. As a result, the city is a battered shell of its former self, strongly controlled by the ROOK. There is speculation that the resistance still thrives in back alleys and the secret rooms of taverns. Before its destruction, Windham had a unique brand of architecture, with outdoor terraces and stairs towering into the sky. Now, these are in dangerous fragments that shouldn’t be climbed. Spices from the states’ trees were once popular exports. Uncle Friendly’s and Helga’s stores sell exotic food and drink, made with the magical spices.
IX. MONS ARICA
Governed by: Hesperia and Martinique Planum
Mons Arica doesn't want trouble. The centaur sisters who rule this state receive refugees from all corners - Ferskis to the east, Los Turay to the west, and Fallot in Borea-Malun to the north. Mons Arica is a quiet, quaint community and holds everything someone weary may need. Though it holds no great wealth or political power, this doesn’t mean it isn’t an oasis of peace compared to the rest of Tarrah. It explicitly supports the Five Point Authority, though historically it remained neutral until threatened. Parchment goods from the tall Arica trees that grow in the north, as well as ink, feathers, and paints made from its beaches’ seashells, are popular exports. It’s a bit of a bubble, because social convention dictates no violence, no dissent, and no great deviation from societal norms. Oddly, this state is named after a mountain, but it’s completely flat.
X. HAIRY HILL
Governed by: Princess Alberta the Small
Hairy Hill is just that: one large hill. If Borea-Malun’s borders allowed, it would be considered the highest peak in the Hills of Sonder (still not very high, but very large). It is covered in long, billowing grass and interrupted by skylights, which give a glimpse into the underground city. The grass has strange properties and screams if cut. At the top of the Hill is a small tower in which the Governor lives and defends her state. Hill-crafted ranged weapons are second-to-none, though somewhat difficult to use mechanically. Trebuchets, catapults, and compound bows are among the Hillites favorite weapons. Despite its proximity to Fredensborg and Borea-Malun, the Hill is distinctly against the Five-Point Authority. It is the only state with no ROOK presence. It must be crossed to reach any of the other northern states.
XI. ZEIRAM
Governed by: Medeltida Ballader
The smallest city-state is not a city at all. Merely a blank expanse of boggy plains connecting Bazhou to Sreevaraham, travelers do not stop on their way through Zeiram. No one knows - or is willing to say - why it hasn’t been annexed by either of its neighbors or dissolved by the Five Point Authority. One theory is that Zeiram is an ancient graveyard, filled before any of the other nations were even named. This is mainly because of the strange, blocky monoliths dotting the landscape every few miles. But surely, superstition alone isn’t enough to keep out the Lord of Gray - right?
| NAME | The City-States of Tarrah |
| RULER | Individually governed |
| The ROOK | |
| CAPITOL | N/A |
| POPULATION | 750,000 (approx.) |
| ALLEGIANCE | The Five Point Authority |
| Independent |
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