Tarn

## Overview

Tarn is the largest of the three populated continents on Callax. As it contains roughly 68% of all the land on Callax, it's sometimes referred to as a "mega continent." Tarn is home to a diverse range of peoples and cultures. The continent is most well-known for being the birthplace of the Stratist faith, the most popular religion on Callax, which has been in place for over four thousand years.

Tarn once had many different tribes and belief systems, but the Great Stratist Conversion of the early A4000's saw the Stratum's widespread adoption across the continent and the die out of many "old" faiths and, to some extent, cultures. Anthropologists continue to debate the factors that led to this event. For context, the Callaxian Civil War began in A4550.

The largest city on Tarn is New Bray'ed, which is situated in the center of the continent near the shores of the mighty Argony Sea. New Bray'ed is considered the cultural and religious heart of Tarn, with the Calla Complex and Moonstone College located in the city.

Norvian, the native language of Norvia in west-central Tarn, is the lingua franca of Callax.

Although Tarn is home to a number of autonomous countries, they share a tradition of Stratism and are ruled by a de facto monarchy, with the honorary King or Queen of Tarn residing in the Calla Complex.

However, there are also those who criticize the Stratum as a tool of oppression used by the ruling class of Gahls to maintain their power and wealth. Poverty is a major issue for many Zeds on Tarn, who often struggle to make ends meet. In particular, the people on the continent of Kemper oppose the Stratum, which they legally abolished in their land over a hundred years ago. The Gahls in Tarn have a special disdain for Kemper for this reason.

Despite these issues, Tarn remains a thriving and diverse continent, with a rich history and many unique cultural experiences to offer visitors.

## New Bray'ed

New Bray'ed is an autonomous region that includes the city of New Bray'ed and the surrounding areas such as the Argony Flats and a small but vibrant forest to the west of the city. It is not technically its own country like the other countries but has its own rules centered on the Calla Monarchy. It is meant to be set apart. It houses the Calla Complex and the de facto Calla Monarchy which rules the city and also has strong influence over all of Tarn. The only official language of New Bray'ed is Norvian. It is the largest city on Callax, although the three cities that make up the Sentries have a slightly larger population when taken all together.

## The Argony Sea

As the largest inland fresh water sea on Callax, the Argony Sea is culturally, ecologically, and economically significant.

There are two large islands in the Argony Sea. The one closest to New Bray'ed—Hermit's Cottage—is a part of the autonomous New Bray'ed region. The other island—Makko—belongs to Parinar. Both islands have unique and storied histories.

## Countries in Tarn

Note: New Bray'ed is the capitol of Tarn and is an autonomous area not included in any countries. The other countries are:

### Norvia

Norvia is situated both north and west of the New Bray'ed region. Its landscape is a mix of fertile plains, rolling hills, and dense forests. Norvians have a long history of diplomacy and trade, and their culture reflects this with an emphasis on arts, education, and innovation. Norvia is bordered by Frostborne to the north and Qarnath to the south. One small stretch of land touches a shore of the Argony Sea. On the west side of the country, they have an extensive coast along Ocean North.

They speak Norvian, a language that has evolved with strong influences from Parinese and Varni due to trade and cultural exchanges. This fusion of languages has given Norvian a rich vocabulary and diverse grammar, making it an essential language for interregional communication.

Norvian is the lingua franca of Callax. It has more official words than any other language on Callax.

### Fetarui

Fetarui consists of the two large islands of Fet Major and Fet Minor off the southeastern tip of Tarn. It is not part of the mainland but has a rich cultural heritage that influences the rest of Tarn, partly through the Fet Festival.

The Fet inhabit the two large islands of Fet Major and Fet Minor at the southern tip of Tarn in Ocean South. They speak Fet, a language many Tarnians associate with fun and relaxation. Fet phrases, words, and restaurants are common in many parts of Tarn.

### Qarnath

Qarnath is a desert country located in the western part of Tarn, characterized by vast sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and scarce oases. The Qarnites have developed unique architectural styles and cultural practices to adapt to their arid environment. They share borders with Parinar to the north and the lush rainforest of Lanisca to the south. They also have a large swath of coastline along the Argony Sea, where many kilos of drugs are shipped annually, mostly to the country of Parinar. On the other side of the country, to the west, they have a coast along Ocean North.

Unfortunately, over the last eighty years or so, the criminal cartels in Qarnath have become more powerful, and the influence of the legitimate Qarnite government has waned. There are increased levels of violence, poverty, drug use, and drug production. The organized crime situation there is complex and some have claimed complicity on the part of the Qarnite, Norvian, and New Bray'ed governments.

In the grip of the formidable Manni Family, led by the ruthless Callaxian queenpin Vil'mi Manni, Qarnath has been thrust into the dark world of drug production and smuggling. While the Qarnites strive to hold onto their cultural identity amidst this turmoil, the perception of their homeland as a dangerous, lawless place serves as a convenient distraction for the troubled governments of Norvia and New Bray'ed.

Living in the western desert, the Qarnites speak Varni, just like Varnarans, however over the last two and a half centuries it has developed into its own dialect. The language has evolved distinct phonetic features and a rich vocabulary related to desert life. Varni also has an extensive use of metaphor and poetic expressions, inspired by the harsh yet beautiful desert landscapes.

Qarnath used to be part of Varqarn, before a civil war separated them ~250 years ago, in A4311. They are on good terms now and share much of their cultural heritage. Their countries are separated by the southern tip of the Argony Sea.

### Parinar

Parinar is a coastal country along the shores of the Argony Sea in the north. They also have coasts touching both sides of Ocean North. Its geography is characterized by long stretches of coastline, with numerous natural harbors and bustling port cities. The Parinans have a rich maritime history and have established themselves as prominent traders and seafarers. They share borders with Frostborne to the north, Norvia to the southwest, and Varnara to the south.

Many Parinans inhabit the cities along the shores of the Argony Sea in the north and east. Their language, Parinese, has developed unique maritime vocabulary and expressions. With their history of trade and interaction with other coastal communities, the Parinans' language has borrowed words from different languages, particularly from neighboring Frostborne and Norvian languages.

### Frostborne

Frostborne is located in the northernmost region of Tarn, with a predominantly cold and snowy climate. It is characterized by vast tundras, coniferous forests, and icy peaks. The Frostborne people have adapted to the harsh climate and have developed a strong culture centered around survival, resilience, and community. Frostborne shares borders with Parinar to the south. A very large fresh water lake in the south is called Torrel Lake.

The Frostborne inhabit the colder, snowier regions of Tarn in the north. Frostborne is also the name of their language. 80% of their population resides within 40 kilometers of their southern border.

### Varnara

Varnara is a small eastern desert country, with the southern tip of the Argony Sea separating it from the western country of Qarnath. Its geography features vast sand plains and rocky landscapes, with a few fertile river valleys. The Varnians have historically been trading partners with the Qarnites and the Parinans. Varnara shares borders with Parinar to the north and Lanisca to the south.

They speak their own dialect of Varni.

Varana used to be part of Varqarn, before a civil war separated them ~250 years ago, in A4311. They are on good terms now and share much of their cultural heritage.

### Lanisca

Lanisca is the southernmost country on the Tarn mainland, boasting a lush rainforest, a major mountain range, and coasts on both sides (the Ocean South to the west and the Kemper Sea to the east). Its tropical climate supports a rich biodiversity, and the people of Lanisca have developed a deep connection with nature. Lanisca shares borders with Qarnath to the northwest and Varnara to the northeast, while Fetarui lies just off their southwestern coast. Most of the people native to this country have dark brown skin, a reflection of their proximity to the equator and the high UV levels.

The language once broadly spoken in the south of Tarn, Laniscan, is influenced by the diverse geography of Lanisca. This language possesses a rich vocabulary related to the natural environment, encompassing specific terms for the unique flora and fauna found in the rainforest and mountains. The Laniscan people also maintain a strong oral tradition, with songs and stories passed down through generations that reflect their deep connection to the land and its history. Due to Lanisca's location, the Laniscan language has also been influenced by neighboring languages, particularly Varni and Fet, through trade and cultural exchanges.

However, over the last four hundred years, Laniscan Gahls have shown increasing interest in assimilating Norvian/Bray'edan culture, as a means of flattering and winning over the leadership there. Norvian has increasingly been spoken and taught in schools across all social classes, as Gahls have pushed for its widespread use. Consequently, recent generations have witnessed, for the first time, native-born Lansicans who don't speak their "own" language at all. Furthermore, there has been less emphasis on fostering connections with the Laniscan landscape and plant and animal life, as this doesn't align with the "Norvian" approach to the natural world. Traditional Laniscan designs and attire are seen less frequently, relegated mostly to special events such as weddings or holidays, rather than being a part of daily life.

Against this backdrop of cultural identity loss, a proto-revolution has been brewing among Lansicans who are angry about the cultural erosion and are desperate to preserve their heritage, their connection to the land, their aesthetics, and their language. A pivotal component of this cultural awakening has been the punk music scene, which has grown more popular and political over the last two decades. New Laniscan Punk incorporates a distorted version of a traditional Laniscan instrument—the dijji—and the songs often feature the Laniscan language prominently, although sections or even entire songs in Norvian are still common. Some punk musicians have learned Laniscan specifically for this purpose. Some songs are about the natural world and are highly poetic in nature. Some recount ancient Lansican stories. While others focus on political injustices. The movement is not always starkly anti-Stratum as individual feelings on that matter vary greatly. Also, it's not just music, but visual art, poetry, essay-writing, and other forms of expression that are put to use by this movement. A shocking facet of this movement is the involvement of many young Gahls, much to the chagrin of their elders. Repercussions against this movement have been swift and severe, leading to incarcerations and the confiscation of lands and funds, but to date, no rebellious Gahls have lost their lives.

One group in particular, calling themselves the Lansican Liberation Front, is highly active in the underground scene and is seen by Lansican, Norvian, and Bray'edan leadership as a dangerous and highly-volatile cell. To show their involvement or solidarity with this group, punk musicians (among others) will wear a white bandana around their necks draped over their chests. The bandanas have a red stripe across them, reminiscent of the old Lansican flag before the adoption of the new flag in A4503. The Lasses—an all-female New Lansican Punk group—have been deeply involved with the LLF and the larger New Lansican Punk movement since the A4529 debut of their first album, "Brilliant Brains in a Pan." The iconic cover of that album is a white backdrop with red brains splattered in a vertical line across the center, again invoking the old Lansican flag.

It's important to note that despite the claims made by Norvian and Bray'edan leadership to the contrary, the New Lansican Punk scene has worked hard to quell any sense of Lansican superiority in their movement. Spokespeople and others have sought to make it very clear that this movement is about retaining a cultural identity and keeping it alive and thriving, not that native-born Lansicans are inherently superior or deserve to rule over any group of people. In fact, a key tenant of their beliefs involves helping others retain their own cultures and being able to freely express themselves without fear of repercussions from Gahl leadership.

## Tarnish History

* Pre-A0 - Tarn was home to a multitude of different tribes and belief systems, creating a diverse and complex social landscape across the continent.
* A0 - The Expounding, a mythological event, was believed to have occurred just past the salt flats west of the Argony Sea. According to The Angelic Verses, angels visited the inhabitants of Tarn during the Expounding, affirming the Stratum system and setting in motion the Stratist faith.
* A54 - The first settlements in New Bray'ed began to appear, gradually growing into a thriving city by A1877.
* A1800's - The Reverence Cascade occurred, a series of natural disasters leading to a non-Stratist spiritual revival in Lanisca.
* A1877 - Ruler Bi'pi Calla declared it sinful that New Bray'ed had been built over the area where angels were said to have arrived during the Expounding. Large portions of the city, including Gahl, Lax, and Zed districts, were demolished and transformed into Angel's Landing, a beautiful park.
* A2200-A2300 - A little ice age led to the Frostborne Migration, a gradual movement of Frostborne people from the far north of Tarn to their current locations closer to the border with Parinar.
* A3101 - Tarnish settlers arrived on the shores of Rayz, leading to conflict with the native Sunrunners and eventually the colonization of Rayz.
* A3450's - The Battle of Three Wits took place, a strategic engagement involving deception, espionage, and diplomacy between Parinar, Frostborne, and Norvia.
* A3832 - Pil Calla's rule began. He was blamed for a pronounced decline in political stability. He was considered cruel and foolish. He died under suspicious circumstances.
* A3859 - Pil's daughter, Pi'la, began her reign. She was credited with centralizing power around the Stratum to a greater degree than had been known before and returning stability to the New Bray'ed area.
* A3900 - Fret Calla, leader of the Calla family, opened Angel's Landing park to all classes, emphasizing that the angels' message was meant for everyone.
* A4000's - The Great Stratist Conversion saw the widespread adoption of the Stratist religion by various remaining tribes across Tarn. This was a key event in Tarnish history. Its causes are still hotly debated among anthropologists. Although many cultural vestiges remain in the various countries of Tarn, this event or series of events slowly brought about the eventual end of non-Stratist religions on Tarn.
* A4003 - Melgo Calla had somewhat more progressive views on the Stratum. He instituted a new holiday called Gahlam, in which Gahls opened their doors and their wallets to Laxes and Zeds and celebrated the Stratum with them.
* A4311 - The Varqarn Civil War broke out between western and eastern regions of Varqarn, resulting in the creation of Qarnath and Varnara.
* (Kemper) A4320's - The Kemper Revolution saw an uprising on the continent of Kemper, leading to the abolition of the Stratum system and the establishment of a more egalitarian society.
* A4380's - The Great Hackball Scandal took place, a controversy involving match-fixing and corruption in hackball in Tarn, leading to reforms in the sport's governance.
* A4470's - The Manni family began, slowly at first, to take control of organized crime in Qarnath in a resolute, methodical way, turning it into the world's largest producer of illicit drugs and disrupting the culturally rich society there into a hub of drug production and smuggling. The drugs produced there make there way to many parts of the world, but most notably they are smuggled to their wealthy northern neighbors Norvia and New Bray'ed.
* A4485-A4492 - The War of the Twins was instigated by a fascist wing of the government in Parinar led by twin brothers, committing numerous atrocities targeting Zeds.
* A4516 - The Rayz Engagements began, a series of military conflicts and skirmishes between Tarn and Rayz, instigated by Tarn in response to Rayz's lenient enforcing of Stratist law.
* A4525 - The Oasis Accords brought peace agreements between Tarn and Rayz resolving lingering tensions from the Rayz Engagements.
* A4529 - The album "Brilliant Brains in a Pan" by the Lasses was released. This is seen as the first New Lansican Punk album and heralded in the New Lansican Punk movement. It quickly became a classic in the scene and an archetype for the genre.
* A4548 - A representative from the Mission arrived in New Bray'ed, expressing the Mission's desire to assimilate Callax. At first this was met with excitement, but it soon devolved into civil tensions with different factions opposing or supporting the Mission. Soon after, the Union of Planets got involved.
* A4550 - The Callaxian Civil War began.