Talin Peoples

The ancient **Talin Peoples** were a diverse group of ancient tribes and communities that existed in the northeastern peninsula of Arḍer from around 7000 to 3000 years ago. These settlers were the ancestors of the modern Talin population we see today. They spoke either one or many varieties of Proto-Talin and were in frequent contact with the Qoe people to their south.

## History

### Origin & Migration

Around 5000 years ago, the Talin Peoples embarked on a migration from their ancestral homeland, the PAZ Urheimat on Zhiyon, to the place they inhabit today. These initial groups spoke a dialect of Proto-Arḍer-Zhiyonic, a language they shared with the ancient Mayhasinve from northern Zhiyon.

### Pre-Talin Cultures

Before any PAZ speakers arrived in the current Talin homeland, there existed an undetermined number of cultures, who spoke one or more Paleo-PAZ languages. These made up the majority of the population, and the migrators quickly intermingled and eventually assimilated into the already inhabiting peoples.

This led to a considerable amount of bilingualism in both the migrators' and the natives' languages, and eventually led to the creation of a mixed language.

These people lived a mixed lifestyle, with some being nomadic and others settling down in small villages. Fishing was also a big part of their culture.

### Early Settlements

The early Talin populations lived in small towns and villages, most of them surrounded by thick stone walls. Almost all were found along the coast or on river banks, due to their heavily seafaring nature.

The villages were disorganised, with streets not being widespread except for in the larger towns.

One notable characteristic of housing in Talin was its highly centralised organisation. A city was split up into several districts, each inhabited by a single family, or *clan*.

### City State Era

Around 2,500 years ago, the political landscape was shaped by numerous cities, each with its unique system of government. These small city-states employed diverse political systems, including monarchies, diarchies, oligarchies, limited and full democracies, as well as primitive worker cooperatives and nomadic warlord groups.

Fighting was extremely common, and many different subcultures emerged in different regions.

### The Black Flesh

*Main article: Black Flesh (Plague)*

The Black Flesh was a plague spread to the Talin through contact with the Taadži in Arapa. It greatly affected the urban populations and re-emerged in subsequent outbreaks throughout the centuries.

#### Repercussions

The plague disproportionately affected lower-class populations. Nevertheless, as a result of this, the surviving peasants gained a considerable amount of bargaining power. This forced many wealthy merchants to reluctantly concede numerous rights to their workers, fearing that they would be snatched away by other employers. This meant a progressive worker-oriented culture replaced the old mercantile aristocracy. Democratic forms of government also rose in popularity and the gap between the rich and poor narrowed considerably.

### The Confederation

In the aftermath of the cataclysmic Black Flesh plague and the waning influence of the ruling elite, a formidable confederation arose in the southern river valley. This confederation was ruled by a council, with members appointed by the eldest healthy woman of a family, called the *Mexi*.

### Great Corvid Famine

Around 2750 ATA, a mysterious new corvid species invaded the Talin homeland, causing turmoil in agriculture and devastating the Confederation's primary source of sustenance. It also worsened the already significant emigration from the Talin cities in the eastern river valleys and towards the mountains of the west. Furthermore, the repercussions of the Black Flesh two centuries ago resulted in the rise of a void of power created at the conclusion of the city-state epoch.

### Sea Peoples

At about the same time as the Corvid Famine, a disorganised group from the eastern ocean began arriving in the Talin homeland. Some were peaceful settlers, others were hostile warring tribes, who quickly overran the already weak states of the Talin realm. Although they were not many, these people arrived precisely when the Talin were struck by a devastating plague and a severe famine within the span of just two centuries.

Their influence was not insignificant, however; their customs, beliefs and culture became a large part of the foundation from which modern Talin culture emerged. Their languages also had a significant effect on Ancient Talin, especially in the eastern dialects, with not just loan words but also grammar being imported.

## Language

*Main Article: Proto-Talin Language*

The Proto-Talin language was a language descended from PAZ.

## Culture

### Religion

The Talin religion is based on the broader Arḍer-Zhiyonic culture, with elements of paleo-PAZ beliefs. The stars were believed to be ancestors, and whoever died became a light in the sky.