The Crown of Silence
Tarsendral
The Crowned Quiet
The Whispered Land
Tarsendral is a land of poised stillness. Its cities are quiet and symmetrical, built from pale stone and silverwood, often surrounded by reflective pools and open courtyards. The architecture avoids sharp edges, favoring rounded forms and echo-resistant designs. The air is cool and dry, with mist clinging to the lowlands and a faint static presence that makes the hairs on your arms stand up. Even the birds here sing in whispers, and the wind never howls—it sighs.
Tarsendral values control, discretion, and clarity of thought. Public life is polite and restrained. Children are taught to manage their emotions early, and silence is considered a social grace. The nation’s history of psychic incidents has shaped its people into masters of boundary-keeping. Though they do not ban magic, Tarsendral’s laws demand strict registration and monitoring of all psionic or mind-influencing abilities. Citizens are taught to speak plainly, avoid metaphor in formal settings, and always ask before touching.
There is a reverence for possibility—for the idea that unseen forces shape fate. Scholars, prophets, and oracles are respected, so long as they operate within the strict bounds of civil law.
Tarsendral is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, supported by a court of high ministers chosen through a rigorous testing process focused on logic, empathy, and memory recall. The monarch is addressed as The Still Voice and is rarely seen in public. Though noble houses exist, they serve primarily in administrative or advisory roles.
Power flows downward in a tightly woven web, with local governors maintaining peace through psychological training and nonviolent enforcement. Emotional outbursts in public are frowned upon, and chronic offenders may be quietly relocated for “rebalancing.” Citizens who display signs of psychic ability are taken in for "evaluation"—a practice widely accepted by the public, though outsiders view it with unease.
Tarsendral’s fear of uncontrolled minds has led to accusations of authoritarianism.
Public trust in the monarchy is strong, but some whisper that not all who disappear return.
The nation walks a fine line between safety and stagnation, with younger generations showing quiet signs of unrest.
Tarsendral’s official sport is Stratagem, a school-based team game blending bluffing, hidden roles, and territory control. Children compete for national prestige in an arena of mental discipline and social reading. Success in Stratagem can earn one a place in elite academic institutions or even government mentorship.
Tarsendral is deliberate and cautious in all diplomatic affairs. It prizes stability and long-term planning, rarely acting without exhaustive analysis.
Tolerated:
Drenvalis – Their obsession with structural balance is respected, though their energetic culture is seen as chaotic. The two nations maintain mutual respect with quiet distrust.
Orvith – Its lawful surveillance-heavy culture aligns with Tarsendral’s values, though its arcane reliance is seen as dangerously overextended.
Allied or Friendly:
None officially – Tarsendral does not extend alliances lightly and prefers to be courted rather than reach out.
Some unofficial cooperation may exist with academic institutions across borders.
At Odds With:
Kaelvira – Tarsendral considers Kaelvira’s raw emotionalism and magical recklessness abhorrent. Diplomatic channels are strained at best.
Vaurholm – The very existence of this anarchic region is seen as a psychic hazard. Tarsendral officially prohibits all travel to and from the region.
Drakhalm (The Pirates) – Viewed as unpredictable and untrustworthy. While minor port interactions occur, they are heavily monitored.