Tarhum Dur

## **Population and Demographics**

The Nation has a population of 4 million persons with the majority of the population being centered in the 4 cities and being mostly half orc, human, and halfling. There are also quite a lot of gnomes and maybe 20% of the people are various outer races.

## **History**

After The Dragon War and wars in Valeria several monks who had lived there for years sought a respite to the violence, as they were tired of war and simply wanted to teach their beliefs to those who wished to learn. They sought out a home where no one would bother them and this was the island of Tarhum Dur. These monks began to discuss the creation of a great city there to teach their beliefs and together they built Zarrel'Uro, which is the orcish word for Paradise as this is what they hoped to create. They founded The Perpetual River Monastery in which to teach their beliefs. The city and its temple we're completed in 200 pw. These monks worshiped the Vazerian gods and worked their beliefs into their teachings. However this peaceful teaching did not last long. The seven masters disagreed greatly on how to teach their students. Their methods of teaching and beliefs about the nature of Ki varied massively. These arguments lead to a break in their paradise as each master slowly left to establish their own school elsewhere on the island. First to leave was Iop Ku, a human who wished to teach the Way of Shadow. He went to the southwest and founded the city of illusion Nazi Ma and the Temple of Night. Next to leave was the half orc who had named the capitol Gulotir. He went further south and founded Kizherkhan and The House of the Brave where he taught the Way of the Kensi. Next to leave was Zefna the halfling who taught the Way of the Sun Soul. She founded Hamafita and the Dawn's Might Temple. Following the other three masters soon left. Sham Na, Master of the Way of the Four Elements founded the city of Al-Salimar and the Temple of the Avatar. Liu Eregi Master of the Way of the Long Death founded Masquerant and The Gate Sanctum. Finally Master Anadel a female aasimar founded Sariah and the Temple of Mercy where she taught the Way of Mercy. This left Davdak in Zarel'Uro to each the Way of the Open Hand at The Perpetual River Monastery. These temples remain at peace for years afterwards. As wealthy cities developed at the base of each monastery systems of government were created in each city to their preferences. 100 years after the founding of Zarrel'Uro The current master of the Way of the Open Hand Perser sent representatives to each of the temples to connect them as one nation. Each city sent a representative to the capitol, elected by the people, where they would meet and issue laws to protect the peace. This peace and way of learning has existed for 300 years now since its inception.

## **Government and Economy**

Each cities governs itself according to its own devices. The master of the monastery in each city holds tremendous influence but no political power. The citizens, all persons who have reached maturity, may vote on a single representative to send to the capital. These representatives vote on national laws. A new representative is chosen every decade. So each group of representatives is called the nation's **Deca**. Each city has a large amount of regional pride and the citizens have a large amount of fear of a national government that controls their city. For this reason any act of the Decade can be overturned for a particular city by a popular vote of the people living in the city. This lack of power in the capitol has turned its rulership into a mostly symbolic role. The **Durrians** however would band together in the event of an attack.

The economy is very agrarian. Most cities are very self sufficient and grow their own food and provide their own services.

## **Military**

They have needed to summon one and no plan is in place. Each city has a collection of guards who watch over the community.

## **Religion**

Vazerianism is the only religion practiced in Tarhum Dur, not because others are banned but because those who moved there usually wanted to be taught or respected the monks who lived there and they practiced Vazerianism.

## **Education**

Children are either educated at the monastery by the monks there are by their parents if they do not have the skills to be chosen as a monk. For those who are not monks or members of the monastery the level of education is very low.

## **Locations**

Capital: Zarrel'Uro

Cities: Hamafita; Kizherkhan; Al-Salimar

Major Towns: Nazi Ma; Masquerant; Sariah

Minor Locations: TBD

Major Landmarks: The Dur Mountians