Turmish Turmish is a republic with the capital of Alaghôn , and is located in the north of the Vilhon Reach . The approximately 1 , 700 , 000 inhabitants are mainly humans , most of whom are Turami , but dwarves are common as well , along side minorities of halflings , elves , gnomes , half - elves and half - orcs . Turmish is known throughout the Sea of Fallen Stars as the " heartland of the Reach " due to its peaceful nature and concentration on commerce over warfare . Its capital , Alaghôn , serves as the most popular port - of - call along the southern fringes of the Inner Sea . Politics . Officially , Turmish is ruled by the Assembly of Stars , a group of freely elected men and women chosen from the everyday population of the region . Each serves a term of three years before another election brings a fresh group of Turmishans into political life . This keeps " professional politicians " to a bare minimum , since the decision to run for office is not a personal choice to make , but rather the decision of one ' s peers . ( That is not to say that the decision to elect someone to public office cannot be political . ) The job of an assemblyman is not easy . Long hours and extensive travel throughout the Reach is normal . By getting a successful merchant elected to the Assembly , a competitor vastly increases his chances to expand his own wealth . From the ranks of the Assembly , one member is elected to the position of Lord of Turmish . The lord ' s responsibilities include protecting the country from invasion , securing the waterways against piracy , and generally making sure that Turmish continues to thrive as a nation of merchants . Lord Herengar is currently the ruler of Turmish , a post he has held for more than nine years . Before his popular election , he controlled a large force of mercenaries that performed odd jobs around the region for the highest bidder . He is still the official leader of the Call of Arms company , but he has little to do with their activities any more . The individual cities of Turmish are free to govern themselves as they see fit so long as they pay their share of taxes to Alaghôn . They are also expected to follow the dictates of the Assembly , but for the most part they are given plenty of space . The Assembly concentrates on national interests and allows the cities to handle their own problems . Geography . Turmish is probably one of the most well - defended nations in the Reach , protected on all sides by some force of geography . Mountains surround it on every side but the seashore . Any advancing army would find it difficult to get itself into a good strategic position . Society . Since the Turmians are known for respecting their land , they often bury valuables , partly as gifts to Chauntea and partly as " seeds " to grow future wealth . It is frowned upon to be found digging in Turmish . The people of Turmish are tall , mahogany - skinned , and generally well - educated , especially in business and agriculture . Custom dictates that the male merchants of Turmish have square , neatly trimmed beards . This custom has given rise to the phrase " as square as a Turmishan ' s beard , " used to indicate a fair deal throughout the Reach . The Turmians usually wear chalk marks on their foreheads to announce their personal abilities . One indicates the wearer can read , two that the wearer can write , and three that the wearer can use magic . Because visitors often do not follow this custom , some inhabitants can assume that they are illiterate . It is quite common for one to be challenged on the street and asked to prove one ' s level of ability . If one cannot prove their ability to read , write or use magic , as indicated by the dots , the punishment may be death . The warriors and mercenaries of Turmish pride themselves on their intricately crafted armor . From the most prominent noble to the least known militiaman , fighters of Turmish keep their armor in exquisite condition and frequently adorn them with embellishments . Such embellishments are usually expensive additions , such as gold inlay or gems . To the people of Turmish , the armor is a status symbol . Valuing one ' s armor as much as one ' s beard is quite common . Customs . A visitor in Turmish is expected to have a grasp of local customs and traditions . This expectation is especially true for merchants and businessmen trying to ply their wares in the kingdom . It has been a long - standing custom for a visitor to another ' s home to bring an exotic dish to share . These dishes are called " greetings gifts " and are used to express gratitude for the host ' s hospitality . Greeting gifts can range anywhere from vintage Nimpeth wine to a skull full of snails ( called a skullcap treat in Turmish ) . Of course , the value of the gift should reflect the stature of the guest - peasants are hardly expected to bring expensive wine . Burying a sacrifice of one ' s gold and gems has also been a long - standing tradition in Turmish . By seeding the earth with your wealth , it is believed that your bounty will be returned to you " tenfold . " By and large , this tradition is a personal ritual , performed at a time that is important to the individual . It might be during a wedding anniversary , a birthday , the anniversary of an owner ' s first day of business , or even upon the birth of a loved one . Of course , this custom has led to some treasure - seeking by unscrupulous individuals . However , the act of digging up a gift to the earth is heavily frowned upon in Turmish to say the least . Officially it is a crime punishable by one or more years of hard labor . Unofficially , the act of digging up an offering is considered thievery , and many thieves have died at the hands of angry merchants . Regional superstition holds that a stolen treasure bodes ill fortune for the coming year . Most Turmishans set aside one day out of every nine to " chase the sun . " This day is reserved for pursuing personal interests such as learning the harp , practicing spells , spending time with the family , or other pursuits . When a Turmishan says he will get to something " on the ninth day , " it typically means " when he has time . " Guesthouses are the most popular of Turmish customs . These guesthouses are small cabins built alongside trails and roads to provide shelter for travelers . They are free for all to use . The only requirement of using the house is that you replenish what you use . Local militia patrols check on guesthouses regularly and use the cabins themselves when a sudden storm arises . Some guesthouses even have a roofed - over hay pen for stabling horses , but most are simply small structures capable of providing shelter for up to six travelers . Except for the ornamentation of the armor , most folk in Turmish care little for fashion . Clothes that may very well be the rave in Arrabar are just as likely to be laughed at in Alaghôn . Fashions are very slow to change in Turmish . Festivals . There are two major Turmishan festivals : the Feast of the Moon and the Reign of Misrule . During these times , businesses and most government offices close . All of Turmish celebrates . Feast of the Moon . During Highsummer , one night after Midsummer , the men and women of Turmish gather for a night of drinking , dancing , and debauched revelry . This is the Feast of the Moon , also known as the " Festival of Lovers . " While many who participate in the feast are married , this is the time of year that many choose to consummate new marriages . Needless to say , the week leading up to the Feast of the Moon is rife with marriages . Some even choose to marry on this night . Lovers are required to seek each other out in places that are strange to them . Agreeing on a specific meeting place , lovers take different routes to their rendezvous . Some of the more popular rendezvous spots are the Lake of Drifting Stars , Evenstar Vale , Starfall Stream Pool , and Bare Bones Hill . In the years since the Time of Troubles , militia patrols have had to be increased due to the prevalence of the cult of Malar , who hunts down lovers as the opportunities present themselves . Indeed , it is not uncommon for lovers to be carrying weapons for their own protection . Reign of Misrule . Ten days after Higharvestide , the Reign of Misrule begins . This festival allows Turmish natives to break the oaths of their guild or faith so long as they don ' t cause death or destruction . Non - natives of the Reach are never excused for their actions during the Reign . During the Reign of Misrule , it is not uncommon to see rude paladins involved in knock - down , drag - out barroom brawls , monks of various faiths talking and laughing freely with others ( breaking their vow of silence ) , and other shocking sights . The Reign of Misrule normally lasts only a day , but the memories it provides are everlasting . It is a crime in Turmish to discuss anyone ' s actions during the Reign , and the custom is so ingrown in the culture that even children understand the rules of the Reign of Misrule . History . Coastal areas of Turmish are subject to attacks from koalinth and ixitxachitl s . After the dissipation of The Great Rain , the Sea of Fallen Stars had risen to water levels not seen since before the Spellplague . Turmish ' s great cities were once again connected to the Inner Sea and its trading opportunities . This , along with a great agricultural boom aided by the Emerald Enclave , brought an upturn in the country ' s fortunes .