The Kingdom of Tarnossia
Tarnossia is one of the oldest and largest remaining kingdoms of High Elves in the Falwood, born out of a union of several major High Elven clans (or Tarnossë) that united sometime during the Age of Wonders. Centered about the city of Mevenua, Tarnossia currently claims territories in the north and west of the Falwood and has thus borne the brunt of the interaction between the Elven clans and civilizations of the Falwood with the humans and nomads of Vel Anir and the Aberresai Savannah. Despite the various wars between humans and the various elven societies and kingdoms of the Falwood that have destroyed large parts of Tarnossian society, for thousands of years the High Elves of Tarnossia have always managed to pick up the pieces and rebuild from the ashes. As a testament to their tenacity, the Council of Elders in the Falwood give the emissaries and Elders of Tarnossia who sit on the Council much weight in their counsel.
Cultural Overview
As one of the oldest elven kingdoms on the surface, comprised entirely of elves of the Falwood of both the High and Wood variety, the Kingdom of Tarnossia holds themselves to be the most civilized and by far the most enlightened elven society on Arethil save for the nobles and elves that claim heritage to Fal'Addas. The elves of Tarnossia are a study in contradictions. They have interacted with the humans and orcs of the north, and thus understand the value of making hasty decisions, but are also a study in patience and deliberation, and frankly, quite often inaction, which led to their utter defeat in the Second Elven war against Vel Anir. They value the contributions of the other races, but quite often will look down with some pity upon many of the other elven Clans in the Falwood for not "living up to their potential" as they see it.
The other elven clans of the Falwood know this, and do not necessarily appreciate the attitude, but they also recognize that as a major Elven power in the northern borders of the Falwood that abut many human civilizations beyond the forest, Tarnossia bears the brunt of human raids and encroachment against the ancestral elven homelands. Tarnossia has been at war many times in the past due to foreign aggression that demanded a military response, and the near-sacking of Fal'Addas after the complete decimation of the armies of Tarnossë Sharion and Ermaya were one of the lowest points in Tarnossian history, the loss of honour being something that the Kingdom has struggled to regain over the past thousand years or so.
Tarnossian society in general, however, is tenacious, peaceful, and upheld as the aesthetic equivalent to Fal'Addas. The beauty an elven designs of their settlements, villages, towns and cities are more obvious, if no less integrated with the natural world. Where Fal'Addas may have the homes built and carved literally into the trees, Tarnossian homes might be made of stone but designed to look like the trees that surround them. While the elves of Fal'Addas may wear clothes that blend into the forest with ease, the elves of Tarnossia will also often have their own beautiful designs that harmoniously complement the forest colours, but are distinct and recognizable from the natural world. Many other elven clans would criticize Tarnossia for not respecting the natural world enough, but Tarnossia simply builds alongside and in parallel to the natural world rather than building in it, a distinction that many conservative minds may not understand.
The other elven clans of the Falwood know this, and do not necessarily appreciate the attitude, but they also recognize that as a major Elven power in the northern borders of the Falwood that abut many human civilizations beyond the forest, Tarnossia bears the brunt of human raids and encroachment against the ancestral elven homelands. Tarnossia has been at war many times in the past due to foreign aggression that demanded a military response, and the near-sacking of Fal'Addas after the complete decimation of the armies of Tarnossë Sharion and Ermaya were one of the lowest points in Tarnossian history, the loss of honour being something that the Kingdom has struggled to regain over the past thousand years or so.
Tarnossian society in general, however, is tenacious, peaceful, and upheld as the aesthetic equivalent to Fal'Addas. The beauty an elven designs of their settlements, villages, towns and cities are more obvious, if no less integrated with the natural world. Where Fal'Addas may have the homes built and carved literally into the trees, Tarnossian homes might be made of stone but designed to look like the trees that surround them. While the elves of Fal'Addas may wear clothes that blend into the forest with ease, the elves of Tarnossia will also often have their own beautiful designs that harmoniously complement the forest colours, but are distinct and recognizable from the natural world. Many other elven clans would criticize Tarnossia for not respecting the natural world enough, but Tarnossia simply builds alongside and in parallel to the natural world rather than building in it, a distinction that many conservative minds may not understand.
Geographic Claims
List of Major Settlements:
- Mevenua, capitol of Tarnossia and the Seat of Tarnossë Thalien
- Zeraselda, the Seat of Tarnossë Roniel
- Ramenthali, the Seat of Tarnossë Teriel
- Lorinan, the Seat of Tarnossë Sharion
- Saldaera, the Seat of Tarnossë Pheriel
- Ilisad, the Seat of Tarnossë Ermaya
- Alirycas, the Seat of Tarnossë Aravell
Political Overview
With claims that all can trace their bloodlines to one of the original founders of Tarnossia, the seven High Clans (otherwise known as the Tarnossë) govern all aspects of their society from within the boundaries of Tarnossia and the settlements beyond. Comparable to the noble houses of humans, high elves most often than not swear loyalty to any of the seven Tarnossë and will seek their place in society by vowing themselves in some shape and form to these institutions whose presence in the Falwood stretch back to at least the Age of Expansion.
Each Tarnossë has a variable amount of influence over the Council of Mevenua, which is the governing body of Tarnossia, where they congregate to formulate decisions that directly impact the people of Tarnossia. The house that rules over them all is Tarnossë Thalien. A royal dynasty that begun with High Lord Calenor Thalien who led their founders from the bounds of Fal'Addas and founded Mevenua as their high seat, the Head of Tarnossë Thalien is regarded as an equal to an Elder of Fal'Addas at the very least in stature and political influence.
Smaller clans exist beneath the banner of each Tarnossë, but can only indirectly influence the politics of the Council, unless they manage to eventually become a high clan themselves. This is a very long, arduous process that has only been achieved to date three times, by the Tarnossë Roniel, Pheriel, and most recently, Aravell. A few other Tarnossë have fallen from their status as well, most often because their noble lineages have died off, and very rarely, due to disgrace and dishonour leading to the unanimous votes of the other Tarnossë on the Council of Mevenua stripping the Tarnossë of their position.
Note that not everyone that lives under the jurisdiction of each of the Tarnossë necessarily falls under their specialty: there are many smaller clans with unique elements along with shopkeepers, farmers, etc.
Each Tarnossë has a variable amount of influence over the Council of Mevenua, which is the governing body of Tarnossia, where they congregate to formulate decisions that directly impact the people of Tarnossia. The house that rules over them all is Tarnossë Thalien. A royal dynasty that begun with High Lord Calenor Thalien who led their founders from the bounds of Fal'Addas and founded Mevenua as their high seat, the Head of Tarnossë Thalien is regarded as an equal to an Elder of Fal'Addas at the very least in stature and political influence.
Smaller clans exist beneath the banner of each Tarnossë, but can only indirectly influence the politics of the Council, unless they manage to eventually become a high clan themselves. This is a very long, arduous process that has only been achieved to date three times, by the Tarnossë Roniel, Pheriel, and most recently, Aravell. A few other Tarnossë have fallen from their status as well, most often because their noble lineages have died off, and very rarely, due to disgrace and dishonour leading to the unanimous votes of the other Tarnossë on the Council of Mevenua stripping the Tarnossë of their position.
Note that not everyone that lives under the jurisdiction of each of the Tarnossë necessarily falls under their specialty: there are many smaller clans with unique elements along with shopkeepers, farmers, etc.
