Tabras

National Overview

Feudal Nation founded in 118 YG.

Dominant Culture

Tabrani culture is the most common throughout the nation. At the periphery there are a few smaller enclaves of foreign cultural and ethnic groups, whom are considered Tabrani citizens by virtue of geography, but have not fully adopted the parent nation's culture.

Government

Head of State

Ig-Itoq

Ykel Vylan is the seventeenth monarch of Tabras. Tabras has had a single dynasty since its founding all hailing from house Vylan.

Capitol

Pianira

Tabras is ruled from the royal castle at Pianira. The largest city of Tabras, Pianira is also the holy seat of the Egor -Pontiff - for Church of Ryla.

Levels

National

Tabras is a monarchy, currently ruled by the Ig-Itoq - king. The nation is subdivided into regions under the direct rule of nobility of varying ranks, all subordinate and owing fealty and tribute to the Crown.

County

Large territories encompassing several shires. The Count or Countess is usually of royal birth, and hold considerable political sway.

Shire

A regional division of approximately 100 manors. The noble in charge of a shire acts as administer of the monarch's justice within their shire.

City

Tabras has only a few cities, which are held by important nobility, usually royal cousins. these nobles will appoint some administrative position to handly day to day affairs of the city, collect taxes on their behalf and other duties.

Town

Towns in Tabras are held by important nobles, who may leave the daily administration to a town master, or council. the lord or lady still has oversight, and may veto any edicts made by the town administrator on their behalf.

Fief

Individual landed knights will have holdings of several hundred acres, upon which one or more villages exist. The local manor lord or lady may pass sit in judgement and pass local ordinances in the territory they control, but are still beholden to the laws of the Royal decree, and answer to higher nobles in turn who administer larger domains.

Law Making

From the lowest level up to the national level, laws may be passed by whomever is the ruling noble, or royal, in charge of the local territory. such laws are a matter of edicts passed by those who rule. A singular codified document stating what is or isn't current law does not exist as such. However, any decrees would be recorded, and it is a matter or memory, or researching said records to determine what may or may not be legal.

Enforcement

Royal and local laws are enforced by the law makers themselves, or soldiers in their employ. Each level of government may have to answer to the next higher level if their laws or the enforcement of such are deemed to harsh, or lax.

Taxation

Each level of government collects taxes from the populace for public works, and income to the landholders themselves. A portion of such income is owed to the next higher level of the government in turn.

Public Works

Major public undertakings are usually accompanied by a specific taxes to support their construction and ongoing maintenance.

Roads

Roads in Tabras are maintained by local municipalities on an as needed basis for facilitating movement of trade goods between producers and markets. Taxes raised for repairs and maintenance may include tolls set at key river crossings, bridges or important crossroads.

Sanitation

Only the larger cities of Tabras have anything resembling a publicly maintained sewer system. Most human waste is collected for use by tanners and other trades.

Commerce

Agriculture

Crops

Tabrani farmers grow a decent variety of fruits, grains, and vegetables suited to the climate.

Fruit

Apples, plums, and cherries are grown in orchards or as singular trees in a peasant's house yard.

Nuts

A good selection of nut bearing trees and shrubs are common throughout Tabras. Some varieties are cultivated as a source for useful waxes and oils.

Grains

Daygrains are the most popular as they are tolerant of the drier interior climate of Tabras. Nearer the coast a mix of potgrains and mudgrains are grown.

Legumes

Beans, peas and other legumes, including tree beans, are common throughout Tabras.

Root Vegetables

Pot roots and aother root crops are common in Tabras where the local ground is less rocky, with sufficiently deep soil.

Leaf vegetables

Cabbages and other leaf vegetables are common in all parts of Tabras.

Squashes

Squashes are a common inclusion in any Tabrani garden.

Melons

A few varieties of melons thrive in Tabras, mostly in the river region.

Grapes

Few grapes grow well in Tabras, although some vineyards can be found in coastal regions.

Herbs

Every garden has a selection of herbs grown for medicianl and culinary purposes. Large scale herb farming is not practical, or economically feasible.

Herds

Tabrani livestock is generally kept for meat, leather, milk, textile fibres, eggs and feathers.

Teica

The primary producers of wool fibres, teica can be found in every region of Tabras. meat and leather are secondary products.

Cebuc

Cebbuc are primarily raised in drier, scrub terrain, as such they common in Western Tabras. Cebbuc provide milk, meat, leather, and some wool fibres.

Rabbuc

Raised in large herds for milk, meat, and leather.

Rabbox

Every village is dependant on a rabbox for pulling heavy plows and wagons, as such they are found everywhere in Tabras.

Horses

Primarily raised for riding, horses are a common sight in more pastoral regions.

Fowl

A variety of geese, ducks and chickens can be found as free ranging flocks in rural villages.

Secondary Agricultural Resources

Flax

Flax is grown in suitable terrain for textile fibre.

Reeds

Paper Reed and Beak Reed are both commonly found in Tabras, and are cultivated for paper and cordage fibres respectively.

Wysps

Honey and wysp wax are produced by wysps kept by orcharders to help pollinate crops.

Hunting

Seasonal hunting of various animals provides a common supplement to the diet of many Tabrani folk. Wild populations of Cebuc, Rabbuc, and Teica are found in the wooded areas of the Nation, and some more exotic species are hunted on the Plains of Tekara, when their annual migratory patterns bring them within the borders of southern Tabras.

Fishing

Just about every river, lake or pond in Tabras has some variety of fish, crustacean, or shelfish which provide food for the local population. In coastal settlements a portion of the population will be fisherfolk who gather a bounty from the Torcastan Sea.

Gathering

Foraging for wild edibles is common in rural areas. A wide variety of berries, nuts, roots, herbs, and fungi are typical produce from such labours, following seasonal availability.

Industry

Resource Extraction

Forestry

Tabras has an active timber industry, providing materials for construction of ships, buildings, and common woodcrafts.

Hardwoods

Oak, Maple, and other hardwoods are typically sawn into lumber for various uses.

Softwoods

Primarily found in the foothills of the Darlom Mountains, spruce, and pine are used for lighter construction or firewood. Cedars found in the river region are used for a wide variety of products.

Mining

Tabras has a wealth of metals and other minerals, which are mined primarily from the foothills of the Darlom Mountains, but a few interior locations have deposits of useful resources.

Stone

Stone quarries are a regular site in Tabras, where limestone, sandstone, slate, and other durable building material are extracted. Tabras also has access to marble of good quality.

Clay

In parts of the river region useful clay deposits have been exploited for pottery and other uses.

Coal

Coal deposits are fairly common throughout central Tabras, and are mined to fuel forges, cookfires and heating of homes during winter months..

Metals

Iron, Tin, Lead, Copper, Gold and Silver have all been found in Tabras.

Gems

Tabras is one of only places where emeralds can be found. More common gemstones found in the foothills of the mountains.

Manufacturing

Goods in Tabras are generally produced to order, and no mass production occurs, although certain towns or villages are renowned for the quality and artistry of specific products.

Mills

Wind, water, and manual mills are used for the production of many resources used for final product creation. Sawmills for wood and stone, hammer mills for metalworking, and flour mills for grinding grain into flour are the most common applications of such devices.

Specialties

Basketry

The town of Qima-Qiry is renowned for the quality of its baskets, made from local grasses, rattan, and wicker.

Marble

The quarries at Taban-Oria produce some of the finest quality marble in the known world. The product is an expensive luxury export

Paper

Soem of the best paper available for trade comes from the paperhouses of Seyp-Qat and its nearby villages.

Currency

Tabrani currency is somewhat unusual in its form, being non-circular. All Tabrani coins have a punched hole for stringing several coins together on a cash string. The denominations of Tabrani coins are: The triangular Porpoise (half-penny), the square Crown (one-penny), square Sovereign (two-pennies), and rectangular Throne (six-pennies). Foreign coins from Aralia, Iskander, Krolar and Kythus are known to be found in circulation, but are usually reserved for trade with merchants and travellers from those nations. Barter is an accepted method of trade almost anywhere, especially amongst the common folk.

Banks / Money Lenders

Banks exist in every Tabrani city, and moneylenders can be found throughout the nation in any settlement of town size or larger.

Role of Guilds

Given the proximity to Aralia, most guilds are found in Tabras, especially in the coastal region. The guilds hold monopolies over certain trades and goods, but they walk a narrow beam between the governing monarchy, the church and secular concerns. Some feel that the guilds might try to replace the monarchy for economic control of the nation, which is a concern of some merit given the occasional historic conflicts between the crown and various tradespeople.

Military

Conflicts

Past

The Flower Rebellion

349 - 349 YG : Flower Rebellion

The Flower Rebellion was a short lived uprising by a small number of Tabrani noblemen who wanted to divide Tabras into three smaller kingdoms. these traitors to the crown claimed the Ig-Itoq was insane and thus causing the nation to be seen as weak in foreign relations.

Ongoing

349 YG - : Tekaran Conflict

Tabras and Aralia have been at war for the majority of the last half century. The Plains of Tekara, seem to be the focus of this dispute. While neither side is willing to make a full effort to resolve the conflict, neither is willing to back down. The merchants of both nations accept this ongoing strife as a fact of life, and continue to do business with each other so long as there is still a profit in it. This fact alone suggests that the fighting is merely an excuse to keep both countries economies fluid and stable.

Religion

Dominant Religion

The majority of Tabras follows the Twinned Goddess religion. The Seat of the Rylan Pontiff being in the city of Pianira.

Minor Religions

Despite the efforts of Ison-Ilyo Vylan to eradicate minority religions from the nation, many still persist. These include tribal beliefs from settled nomadic peoples, and foreign religious beliefs of immigrants and travellers.

Integration with Civil

Tabras has a close connection between the church and state. Monarchs are coronated by the clergy to cement their connection to rightful rule in the eyes of The Goddess. Religious representation is included in all national celebrations and other important events. Noble houses will often have their second sons pursue a life in the church.

Education

Literacy

Languages

Tabrani, Tabral

Architecture

Materials

The materials used for constructing buildings vary, depending on availability, the wealth of the occupants, the purpose of the building, and intended permanency. Timber and stone are used primarily for foundations and frames. Ground floors are typically packed dirt, or flagstone, while upper stories have plank floors. Planks or daub and wattle is typical for upper story walls. Roofing materiel may be thatch, cedar shingles or slate tiles. In southern Tabras, where Malys ethnic populations exist, sod is sometimes used for walls and roofs.

Designs

Houses

The wealth and occupation of the persons dwelling within will influence the design of Tabrani homes. Typical peasant cottages will have a half-sunken basement for livestock with the treahni occupying the floor above.

Urban homes tend to be built upwards, often with a workshop, or store occupying the lower floor.

Workshops

Small shops will occupy the lower front portion of the owner's home. Larger shops with large workforces tend to be semi detached, or separate buildings. Some will include a dormitory for worker above the main shop floor.

Warehouses / Barns

Large timber framed structures with an open interior. Some have lofts for storage, accessible by ramp, ladder, or stairs. Upper doors opening to a block and tackle or lift are common on larger structures.

Fortifications

Typically built of local stone, or as wooden pallisades, town walls and other defensive forts usually have small watch towers and gatehouses. A perimeter walkway along key lengths of the walls, and some crenellations or hoardings may be present as required by the defending forces.

Keeps

Most Tabrani keeps are built using local stone, and formed by three or four rectangular buildings connected to form a square courtyard, either directly, or by short walls running between them. These buildings will have reinforced outer walls, with defensible turrets at the corners.

Palaces / Castles

The design and architecture of castles are unique to each structure, although typically they are built from stone with nested walls, and a larger fortified keep. Such grand structures are usually built over a long span of years in several stages.

There are six castles in Tabras:

• Pianira Onocir / Pianira Castle - The royal palace at Pianira is the seat of the Ig-Itoq. This castle has three parts: The outer wall which encompasses a significant portion of the city proper, a middle wall which contains key structures important to the governance of the city and nation, and a keep with a perimeter defenses forming the home of the royal family themselves.
• Watol Onocir / River Castle - The castle at Seyp-Qat.
• kafo-Livi Onocir / Red Island Castle - The holy seat at Lisan-Penar occupies an island on Lake. This small castle contains the most important religious structures for the church of Ryla.
• Lisan Onocir / Lisan Castle - The secular government has a castle at Lisan-Penar which occupies a high bluff overlooking the city.
• Kileq Onocir / West Castle - The castle at Mali-Synar includes the city's perimeter wall as the outermost defenses.
• Olani Liaq / Olani Keep - While still called a keep, the defensive structures of Olani form a proper castle, which contains the entire town.

Temples / Churchs

Churches in Tabras vary from small timber and stone chapels in rural villages, to larger open spaced buildings with high vaulted ceilings and large floors for congregations. The style and amount of decorations will reflect the relative wealth and age of the parish associated with a church. Most chapels or churches will have a few chambers attached to serve as living space for the parish priest and a few acolytes

Timekeeping

Calendar

Tabras uses the Saynoh Calendar and counts years in the Year of the Goddess reckoning.

Timeline

Founding

Feudal nation founded in 118 YG.

Dynastic Timelines

Tabras has been ruled by a single dynastic line since its founding. A set of great tapestries depicting the events of each ruling Tabrani monarch's reign hangs in the Hall of Crowns at the royal palace.

Agab-Abya Vylan (118 - 134 YG)

Tiso-Lai Vylan (134 - 173 YG)

Kifo Vylan (173 - 184 YG)

Tiow Vylan (184 - 209 YG)

Poar-Qir Vylan (209 - 234 YG)

Jonel Vylan (234 - 247 YG)

Ibi-Igow Vylan (247 - 275 YG)

Jalen Vylan (275 - 292 YG)

Efoasa Vylan (292 - 319 YG)

Ison-Ilyo Vylan (319 - 319 YG)

Rake-Og Vylan (320 - 342 YG)

Vaal-Ara Vylan (342 - 344 YG)

Resip Vylan (344 - 376 YG)

Edigagi Vylan (376 - 382 YG)

Nat-Nebe Vylan (382 - 394 YG)

Sixin Vylan (394 - 397 YG)

Ykel Vylan (397 YG - )

Key Events

281 YG - The Glass Tax is established by Jalen Vylan

319 YG - Assassination of the 10th monarch, Ison-Ilyo Vylan.

349 YG - The Flower Rebellion thwarted by Resip Vylan.

389 YG - The Docker's Strike occurs in response to edict by Nat-Nebe Vylan.

Geography

Landmarks

Natural

East Pass - A pass through the Darlom Mountains, linking Tabras with Kythus to the west.

Green Lake - A freshwater lake with a sandy bottom, named for the green tint to the sand which gives the water a greenish cast.

Nina-Waa - A Basalt ridge running east-west through central Tabras.

Population Centres

The Largest settlements of Tabras ranked by population:

Pianira - pop. 45,000

Seyp-Qat - pop. 27,000

Lisan-Penar - pop. 13,500

Mali-Synar - pop. 6,750

Olani - pop. 3,400

Fafa-Hie - pop. 1,600

Taban-Oria - pop. 1,250

See Also

Plains of Tekara