Talanta
Introduction
Background: Nicknamed, "The City of Bells" the city of Talanta has been around since before anyone can remember. It is said to have been built where an ancient Icuni city had once been. Considering the Talanthan people's ties to the race it is entirely possible. However, no structures exist within the city to confirm that. The modern city is usually acknowledged to be about 750 years old. This is when the city started building its legendary wall. Talanta was officially recognized as the Provincial capital in 1518 C.E.
The city is one of the most prosperous in the realm thanks largely to its lumber and stone supplies and the highly skilled craftsman and artisans who work them. It is currently the most populous of the Northern Provinces and the 4th largest realm in the city in the realm. Population growth has lead to the city expanding outside its walls. Therefore, people often make reference to "inner" or "old" Talanta when talking about the city within the walls and "outer" or "new" Talanta when talking about the outlying area. References to Talanth are made for those areas not considered to be part of the city. The major businesses and markets are within the city walls.
Many lords and ladies have built fortified manors on their lands outside the city. It is accepted but generally thought to be in poor taste. The nobility traditionally lives in a specific sector of the town. People choosing to live outside are called, "Mud Lords". This social snub leads to an interesting result. The people who do leave are either too powerful or too oblivious to care what their peers think.
Social class plays a big role in Talanta. High society is expected to only talk to commoners when they are giving their servants orders. The two exceptions to this are public officials and Ethyl Circle. Public officials are expected to serve all classes and in the circle it is permissable for brief pleasantries to be exchanged. The easiest way to stand out as a foreigner in Talanta is to cross class lines. The nobility tolerates this but it is considered a faux pas that can get one ostracized from the community of wealth and priviledge if maintained. Several organizations in the city will not entertain people who are mud lords.
Geography Talanta
Location: Talanth, Along the Ashai River, North of Salin and south of Inang
Area: Total: Approximately 300 square miles
Inner city: Approximately 50 square miles
Coastline: 0 miles
Climate: Temperate (4 distinct seasons)
Terrain: Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Natural Hazards: Seasonal blizzards
People
Population: 275,000 est.
Population Growth Rate: 0.23% (pre-war estimate)
Sex Ratio: 1.03 male(s)/female
Life Expectancy: 49 years
Name Conventions: Talantian (city), Talanthan (province), Talanthi (culture)
Ethnic groups: Talanthi, Reiellian, Etthari, Astan
Languages: Talanthi, Saran, Reillian, Astan
Government
City Name:
Conventional long form: The City of Talanta
Conventional short form: Talanta
Administrative Divisions
6 districts (Labor district, Business district, Government district, Lords district, Manor district, Regional District)
Holidays: The city has no official holidays outside the ones of the crown. There are several festivals that occur during the year.
Executive Branch: Both the Provincial Governor and the City Mayor reside and work in Talanta. The governorship is appointed by the Sar. The mayor is elected by the cities nobility. District leaders are appointed by the mayor. The mayor has sole authority to make laws governing the city. The Governor cannot make laws for the city but can overturn laws made by the mayor.
Judicial Branch: Law is administered by the Guardians of the Shield in accordance with local, provincial and national statutes.
Flag Description: The flag of Talanta is the same as the fleg of Talanth except that the background of the flag is split by two colors diagonally. The upper right corner is gold and the lower left corner is white.
Economy
Talanta is a leading producer of wood and stone products. It also has a thriving silk industry. The Talanthi are known for their calligraphy, papermaking, painting, carving, and silk making. They are also known for their teas and herbal remedies. The large amount of natural resources and the skilled workforce make it an economic powerhouse and has earned it a reputation as an excellent investment site for businesses. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as the commodities market. The economy benefits from low inflation and a growing trade surplus.
Transportation
Talanta has several cobble stone roads anddirt roads networking the city. It also has a large host of shallow displacement boats capable of navigating the Aschai river both up and down stream. Most Talantians who can afford it prefer to travel on horseback. Horse riding is considered a very respectable skill in Talanta. Equestrian competitions are very common.
Military
Talanta is home to the northern campus of The Knights of the Banner. It is also home to the Lords of the Hawk and Tiger. Most organizations maintain a significant standing presence in the city. The population has basic soldiering skills and can be called upon in times of need.
Landmarks
The City Wall
The wall around the city is a tribute to the hard work and determination of Talantians. It stands 30 feet high and circles 25 miles around the inner city. The rim of the wall is capped in bricks of amber. This causes an orange glow to be cast across the city near dawn and dusk. The adornment was a gift to the city from the Lords of the Tiger. The wall itself is exactingly put together. Each stone was carved to precision. The result is a seamless, gapless surface. Several Talanthan artists have been commissioned to paint murals on inside sections of the wall. There are hundreds of intricately detailed pieces of art along the wall. One of the best known is a piece done by Uruti Lemil in 1750 C.E. Where her piece is the wall looks bare most of the time but when the amber glow from the wall comes across the city and strikes it the section lights up in a brilliant golden color that depicts an epic battle. Tourists have been known to buy chunks of amber so they could see the art at other times of day. Most natives find it amusing to see these people walking back and forth with a stone over their heads trying to see the bottom three feet of the picture.
The Bell Towers
There are seven bell towers within the city.
The Architects' Bell: This bell is located in the government district of the city. It was the first bell tower constructed in the city. It is the lowest tower, the bell itself reaching only 23 feet above the ground. A wooden building houses the tower while the tower itself is made of gray stone. Several metallic bands wrap around the tower to reinforce it. The form a herring bone pattern on the sides. This bell is considered a historic site. The bell itself is never rung and can only be heard in high winds. It is called the architects' bell because it was built in honor of the people who designed the layout of the modern city.
The Sar's Bell: The Sar's Belltower is located on the campus of the Banner Knights and reaches 50 feet into the sky. It has eight sides, representing each one of the banner colors and the Sar himself. The tower is made of red-orange brick. The bell rings at the beginning and the end of the Banner Knight's day. (About 0500 to 1800) The bell has very little resonance and a moderate pitch.
The Sun Bells: The bell tower for the Sun Bells is built into the city wall. It matches the style and height of the wall. The tower actually hosts three bell that are rung together. This results in a full rich sound. The bell is manned by three guards who monitor the horizon for sun rise. The moment the sun is visible they ring the bells.
The Icuni Bell: In the Manor District is a museum dedicated to Icuni Relics. The centerpiece of the collection is a bell believed to come from the ancient Icunis. The tower itself is made of white stone. The bottom ten feet has pillars from Icuni ruins surrounding it. The stairwell is outside the tower and winds up 40 feet to the bell. The bell itself is truly unique. It is a bright white metallic color much like palladium or white gold. On top of the core bell are two layers. The first is just a shell slightly larger than the bell. It has holes in it like a colander. The next layer is a sheel of the firsts and has large vertical slats in it. The bell is only struck on special occassions. When it is struck it gives a perfect single note that slowly fades over the course of a minute. The note is an A and is much higher than the sound one would expect to come out of it.
The Common Bells: These bells are located in a tower in the middle of the city. The tower itself is constructed from a variety of river stones. This bell is available for use by the general public for rallying people to important events. There is a guard posted at the tower to prevent people from using it falsely.
The Bells of the Shield: These two bells clash with each other to provide a very distinct disharmonious sound. They are in a wooden tower atop the third floor of the Guardian Headquarters. The bells are struck to let people know curfew is approaching. When they sound the first time (approximately 2330) it signifies one hour until curfew and everyone should head home. When they ring the second time the main gate closes and Shield members will stop anyone they find on the streets.
The Clock Bells: These bells reside in the government district at a tower near the mayor's office. They ring at the top of every hour a number of times equal to the hour. This goes on during the normal working hours of government officials (0900 to 1600).
The Banner Campus: The Knights of the Banner have a campus at the edge of the Manor District. It is several buildings that house all of their functions. Younger knights have barracks on the campus while higher knights prefer to live in manor homes in the city.
The Rampart Arena: The rampart arena is a multi-tiered, earthen circle in outer Talanta. It is home to most of the large events that go on in the city.
The Icuni Museum: The Icuni Museum is in the Manor District and houses several artifacts from the ancient world. It boasts the largest collection of Icuni relics in one place. Mistics often travel here for inspiration on their path.
The Hawk and Tiger Houses. Both organizations maintain facilities on the edge of the outer city.
More to be posted soon....
Introduction
Background: Nicknamed, "The City of Bells" the city of Talanta has been around since before anyone can remember. It is said to have been built where an ancient Icuni city had once been. Considering the Talanthan people's ties to the race it is entirely possible. However, no structures exist within the city to confirm that. The modern city is usually acknowledged to be about 750 years old. This is when the city started building its legendary wall. Talanta was officially recognized as the Provincial capital in 1518 C.E.
The city is one of the most prosperous in the realm thanks largely to its lumber and stone supplies and the highly skilled craftsman and artisans who work them. It is currently the most populous of the Northern Provinces and the 4th largest realm in the city in the realm. Population growth has lead to the city expanding outside its walls. Therefore, people often make reference to "inner" or "old" Talanta when talking about the city within the walls and "outer" or "new" Talanta when talking about the outlying area. References to Talanth are made for those areas not considered to be part of the city. The major businesses and markets are within the city walls.
Many lords and ladies have built fortified manors on their lands outside the city. It is accepted but generally thought to be in poor taste. The nobility traditionally lives in a specific sector of the town. People choosing to live outside are called, "Mud Lords". This social snub leads to an interesting result. The people who do leave are either too powerful or too oblivious to care what their peers think.
Social class plays a big role in Talanta. High society is expected to only talk to commoners when they are giving their servants orders. The two exceptions to this are public officials and Ethyl Circle. Public officials are expected to serve all classes and in the circle it is permissable for brief pleasantries to be exchanged. The easiest way to stand out as a foreigner in Talanta is to cross class lines. The nobility tolerates this but it is considered a faux pas that can get one ostracized from the community of wealth and priviledge if maintained. Several organizations in the city will not entertain people who are mud lords.
Geography Talanta
Location: Talanth, Along the Ashai River, North of Salin and south of Inang
Area: Total: Approximately 300 square miles
Inner city: Approximately 50 square miles
Coastline: 0 miles
Climate: Temperate (4 distinct seasons)
Terrain: Mostly plains with some hills and low mountains
Natural Hazards: Seasonal blizzards
People
Population: 275,000 est.
Population Growth Rate: 0.23% (pre-war estimate)
Sex Ratio: 1.03 male(s)/female
Life Expectancy: 49 years
Name Conventions: Talantian (city), Talanthan (province), Talanthi (culture)
Ethnic groups: Talanthi, Reiellian, Etthari, Astan
Languages: Talanthi, Saran, Reillian, Astan
Government
City Name:
Conventional long form: The City of Talanta
Conventional short form: Talanta
Administrative Divisions
6 districts (Labor district, Business district, Government district, Lords district, Manor district, Regional District)
Holidays: The city has no official holidays outside the ones of the crown. There are several festivals that occur during the year.
Executive Branch: Both the Provincial Governor and the City Mayor reside and work in Talanta. The governorship is appointed by the Sar. The mayor is elected by the cities nobility. District leaders are appointed by the mayor. The mayor has sole authority to make laws governing the city. The Governor cannot make laws for the city but can overturn laws made by the mayor.
Judicial Branch: Law is administered by the Guardians of the Shield in accordance with local, provincial and national statutes.
Flag Description: The flag of Talanta is the same as the fleg of Talanth except that the background of the flag is split by two colors diagonally. The upper right corner is gold and the lower left corner is white.
Economy
Talanta is a leading producer of wood and stone products. It also has a thriving silk industry. The Talanthi are known for their calligraphy, papermaking, painting, carving, and silk making. They are also known for their teas and herbal remedies. The large amount of natural resources and the skilled workforce make it an economic powerhouse and has earned it a reputation as an excellent investment site for businesses. Tourism is a growing sector, although not proportionately as important as the commodities market. The economy benefits from low inflation and a growing trade surplus.
Transportation
Talanta has several cobble stone roads anddirt roads networking the city. It also has a large host of shallow displacement boats capable of navigating the Aschai river both up and down stream. Most Talantians who can afford it prefer to travel on horseback. Horse riding is considered a very respectable skill in Talanta. Equestrian competitions are very common.
Military
Talanta is home to the northern campus of The Knights of the Banner. It is also home to the Lords of the Hawk and Tiger. Most organizations maintain a significant standing presence in the city. The population has basic soldiering skills and can be called upon in times of need.
Landmarks
The City Wall
The wall around the city is a tribute to the hard work and determination of Talantians. It stands 30 feet high and circles 25 miles around the inner city. The rim of the wall is capped in bricks of amber. This causes an orange glow to be cast across the city near dawn and dusk. The adornment was a gift to the city from the Lords of the Tiger. The wall itself is exactingly put together. Each stone was carved to precision. The result is a seamless, gapless surface. Several Talanthan artists have been commissioned to paint murals on inside sections of the wall. There are hundreds of intricately detailed pieces of art along the wall. One of the best known is a piece done by Uruti Lemil in 1750 C.E. Where her piece is the wall looks bare most of the time but when the amber glow from the wall comes across the city and strikes it the section lights up in a brilliant golden color that depicts an epic battle. Tourists have been known to buy chunks of amber so they could see the art at other times of day. Most natives find it amusing to see these people walking back and forth with a stone over their heads trying to see the bottom three feet of the picture.
The Bell Towers
There are seven bell towers within the city.
The Architects' Bell: This bell is located in the government district of the city. It was the first bell tower constructed in the city. It is the lowest tower, the bell itself reaching only 23 feet above the ground. A wooden building houses the tower while the tower itself is made of gray stone. Several metallic bands wrap around the tower to reinforce it. The form a herring bone pattern on the sides. This bell is considered a historic site. The bell itself is never rung and can only be heard in high winds. It is called the architects' bell because it was built in honor of the people who designed the layout of the modern city.
The Sar's Bell: The Sar's Belltower is located on the campus of the Banner Knights and reaches 50 feet into the sky. It has eight sides, representing each one of the banner colors and the Sar himself. The tower is made of red-orange brick. The bell rings at the beginning and the end of the Banner Knight's day. (About 0500 to 1800) The bell has very little resonance and a moderate pitch.
The Sun Bells: The bell tower for the Sun Bells is built into the city wall. It matches the style and height of the wall. The tower actually hosts three bell that are rung together. This results in a full rich sound. The bell is manned by three guards who monitor the horizon for sun rise. The moment the sun is visible they ring the bells.
The Icuni Bell: In the Manor District is a museum dedicated to Icuni Relics. The centerpiece of the collection is a bell believed to come from the ancient Icunis. The tower itself is made of white stone. The bottom ten feet has pillars from Icuni ruins surrounding it. The stairwell is outside the tower and winds up 40 feet to the bell. The bell itself is truly unique. It is a bright white metallic color much like palladium or white gold. On top of the core bell are two layers. The first is just a shell slightly larger than the bell. It has holes in it like a colander. The next layer is a sheel of the firsts and has large vertical slats in it. The bell is only struck on special occassions. When it is struck it gives a perfect single note that slowly fades over the course of a minute. The note is an A and is much higher than the sound one would expect to come out of it.
The Common Bells: These bells are located in a tower in the middle of the city. The tower itself is constructed from a variety of river stones. This bell is available for use by the general public for rallying people to important events. There is a guard posted at the tower to prevent people from using it falsely.
The Bells of the Shield: These two bells clash with each other to provide a very distinct disharmonious sound. They are in a wooden tower atop the third floor of the Guardian Headquarters. The bells are struck to let people know curfew is approaching. When they sound the first time (approximately 2330) it signifies one hour until curfew and everyone should head home. When they ring the second time the main gate closes and Shield members will stop anyone they find on the streets.
The Clock Bells: These bells reside in the government district at a tower near the mayor's office. They ring at the top of every hour a number of times equal to the hour. This goes on during the normal working hours of government officials (0900 to 1600).
The Banner Campus: The Knights of the Banner have a campus at the edge of the Manor District. It is several buildings that house all of their functions. Younger knights have barracks on the campus while higher knights prefer to live in manor homes in the city.
The Rampart Arena: The rampart arena is a multi-tiered, earthen circle in outer Talanta. It is home to most of the large events that go on in the city.
The Icuni Museum: The Icuni Museum is in the Manor District and houses several artifacts from the ancient world. It boasts the largest collection of Icuni relics in one place. Mistics often travel here for inspiration on their path.
The Hawk and Tiger Houses. Both organizations maintain facilities on the edge of the outer city.
More to be posted soon....
