Tirkagos

Summary

Tirkagos is a forested land in Northwest Laivra. It is a theocracy ruled by Firbolgs who serve Artemis, the Sylvan goddess of hunting. Firbolgs born across Vrashyn are relocated to Tirkagos at a young age to serve this sacred role, so the vast majority of Firbolgs in Vrashyn can be found there.

Adventuring

Foreign adventurers are uncommon in Tirkagos, which has laws against outsiders hunting or foraging within its forests. However, the Firbolgs are less protective of treasures in their territory provided they aren't owned by the temple, so treasure hunters are not unheard of. Tirkagos is overflowing with Rangers and Druids, but there are few arcane magic users from there.

Society

Though most of Tirkagos' residents are hunters in some capacity, few people hunt as their only profession. The Huntresses of Artemis are the highest in the social hierarchy and spend all of their time hunting and performing religious services. They are drawn from a wider upper class of Firbolgs, most of whom are the children of well-off families from Tarynus or elsewhere. Most of these Firbolgs are merchants or serve in the temple bureaucracy, and thus the government, in addition to hunting. Firbolgs from less affluent backgrounds can rise to the position of a teacher or skilled artisan, but most work as laborers or servants to temple staff. Only a couple hundred non-Firbolgs can be found within the territory. Most of these are Satyrs or Giantkin relatives of a Firbolg living in Tirkagos, as the laws of the land prevent most others from living in or hunting there. They serve various roles but are prevented from rising to any position where they command Firbolgs. Most Firbolgs brought to Tirkagos from the Satyr kingdoms continue to live there as adults, though some do

Politics

Tirkagos is ruled by the twenty Huntresses of Artemis, who communicate directly with the goddess for spiritual and political guidance. The women serving in this role change irregularly at Artemis' whim. Most upper-class Firbolgs serve for several non-consecutive terms over the course of their lives, with most of these appointments lasting less than a year. Each Huntress oversees a specific portion of Tirkagos, where they ensure the continued health of the hunt through spiritual and ordinary means. The huntresses appoint temple bureaucrats who manage other tasks. Starting in 3010 AK, many of these bureaucrats came from Tarynus, which technically ruled the territory during a period of Parthili aggression. When Tirkagos become independent in 3173 AK, this practice ended.

Economics

Though the Huntresses of Artemis and the temple's other priestesses are still forbidden from selling or sharing in their hunt, these rules have become less strictly enforced on the rest of Tirkagosi society over the three centuries of the territory's existence. Tirkagos exports timber and furs and imports food and goods they can't find locally. Its principal trading partner is Tanalki, though it trades with most other Satyr-dominated territories as well. Though mining is not a major facet of their economy, Tirkagos produces enough metals and gemstones to fulfill its own demand.

Religion

The public veneration of deities other than Artemis is forbidden in Tirkagos, including other Sylvan gods and goddesses. The only exception to this rule is that the Giantkin gods can be honored in a role subordinate to Artemis, though only outside the goddess' temples. Artemisia, the only urban center in the territory, is the largest temple to Artemis in Vrashyn and the center of Tirkagosi life.

History

In Vrashyn's past, Firbolgs were often cast out from the Satyr or Goliath societies into which they are born. In around 2500 AK, a group of these undesirables took up residence in northern Tanalki and southern Parthil where the mostly-Gnome population was more accepting of them. They adopted the worship of Artemis and reached out to other communities of Firbolg to join them. Their devotion to the goddess gradually changed their reputation among the Satyrs, whose kingdoms eventually agreed to help them relocate to what is now known as Tirkagos. From the year 2793 onward, all Firbolgs born in the Satyr kingdoms were required to be sent to Tirkagos to be raised. Between 3010 and 3173, Tirkagos was considered part of Tarynus.

Ancestries: Firbolg

Languages: Giant, Sylvan

Religions: Sylvan Gods

Government: Theocratic Oligarchy

Ruler: The Huntresses of Artemis

Capitol: Artemisia

Demonym: Tirkagosi

Allies: Tanalki, Tarynus

Enemies: Curambis