Thalachni

“You stand at the edge of the empire and the Emperor has demanded your blood in his honour! So come my men, let us send these Runaharr back to the wastes they crawled out of.”

- Thalachni Legionnaire before the battle of the Deadlands

On the shores of the Argai Sea rests Thalach, an empire that stretches across a swath of the shore with rich cities and is defended by a well-trained military. The Thalachni consider themselves some of the most hospitable people of all the lands, excelling in trade across many nations, making them shrewd and very wealthy merchants as well as accomplished sailors. The Thalachni take great care to entice craftsmen to their land for work, and it is not difficult, as craftsmen that do well in their field can make a name for themselves and become decently wealthy. Due to the many craftsmen, Thalachni cities are home to many architectural wonders; the Great Temple to Galei in Almos rises above the city in white marble, a beacon for the gods and travelers alike. Fine textiles can be found from all corners of the land, and in the markets, there are a variety of languages to be heard. Gladiatorial combat is considered a prized sport in Thalach, and gladiators can be considered something of a celebrity if they are notorious enough.

The current Emperor, Titus, heads a well-organized government, sitting at the head of a council that debates new laws and issues until an agreement is made that will benefit many. In the past, much corruption was rife within the government, but Titus has dedicated himself to rooting out such corruption, making him many allies but also many enemies. However, keeping the military functioning as well as the government has kept their borders mostly safe, with their legions keeping the Runaharr at bay to the south as well as other fell creatures that crawl from the Deadlands. Given the high amount of valuable trade items moving through Thalach, the military presence does well to keep the main roads safe from danger.

Appearance

The Thalachni are olive-skinned humans with dark hair. The women often wear elaborate hairstyles with ornaments, while the men tend to keep their hair tidy and short. Flowing robes of varying colours can be seen on civilians; coloured cloth is even worn by the poorest of citizens, though it is made from lesser types of cloth. However, given that the military is quite visible, it is not uncommon to see armoured soldiers with leaders wearing plumed helmets.

170-190cm in height.

Lifespan

Early 80s, depending on profession and wealth, it could be more or much less.

Religion & Beliefs

The Thalachni have a pantheon of gods, given their penchant for travel and trade. Gods from across the world have been adopted by the Thalachni, each having their own temple dedicated to them. However, the head of the pantheon is Galei, the Weaver of Fate. Galei is seen as the benevolent leader of their gods, and her temple is the greatest in the capital of Almos, the heart of Thalach. Each year, at the beginning of spring, a festival is celebrated in the name of the goddess. Food, wine, and entertainment are plentiful in this three-day celebration, drawing travellers from near and far to join the revelry.

Geography

Many towns and cities in Thalach are situated along the coast of the Argai Sea, as travel by ship can be the fastest method of travel. The coast is lined with rocky cliffs, punctuated by many fine beaches, and the towns and cities always sport a fine harbour for safe docking. It is a warm, somewhat dry land, though it can be cooler in the mountainous regions and forests.

Society

Social standing depends much on the wealth and influence of a person, families with long standing connections and wealth will find themselves amongst the higher circles, though it is possible for anyone to acquire status, or even lose it if they are fortunate (or unfortunate) enough. While a relaxed lot, the Thalachni people are law-abiding folk, and there is a sense of order amongst the people.

Architecture

While they pride themselves on their skills in many fields, it does not stop with their architecture. Cities are well-built marvels, adorned with temples carved from marble, statues, and parks. Stone is used heavily, and terracotta roof tiles adorn homes that often house inner courtyards, often featuring fountains and pools of water to help keep their homes cool.

Wealth & Trade

The Thalachni see no need to harm relations with their neighbours by starting wars, though they are always ready to defend themselves if need be. Their trade routes reach across the entirety of the known world, bringing all kinds of goods from faraway lands to turn a profit.

Slavery

Slaves have simple rights available to them and require that their basic needs be met. Seen as a sign of status in Thalach, only those with some amount of wealth can afford to both buy and maintain their slaves.

Other Notes/Trivia

Thalach and the Thalachni people are based loosely on the Ancient Greek people with some Ancient Roman touches. These inspirations are somewhat shared with the Ruku. This can be useful when finding a real-world equivalent for your character design, name, or construction inspiration. Aquilonian culture items are a good in-game asset to utilise!
Thalachni is a compound word created from Thalassa (The Greek word for Sea) and Arachne (The Greek Mythological figure that was turned into a spider). These are references to their coastal habitation and the head of their pantheon, Galei.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse