Taphran

Map of Taphran

## Common Knowledge

Taphran is a kingdom-state some distance north of Binturia. It is a land of forest and field, and its people are known for keeping a connection to nature in both lifestyle and in outlook. While Taphran is a fairly peaceful nation, it is not shy about defending its borders and way of life. Taphran culture centers around coexistence with the natural world and veneration of seven nature spirits. Since Taphran has done its best to keep in contact with other nations in the realm, many across the world have at least heard the name, though more specific details are better known by its neighbors, with whom Taphran shares some amount of history.

## Topography and Climate

Taphran’s terrain is evenly split between oak and pine forests outside of their three major cities, and flat plains in the southeast. The Regenlief forest sprawls over rolling hills and spills into the shaded valleys between, and the stretches of open meadow and pasture grace the Sagras Plains. Taphran is crossed by two main rivers, the Swiftwater in the east and the Aliquos River running through west central Taphran. The Aliquos River flows through Lake Naven and collects in Lake Bellacona near the capital city of Soven. While small ponds dot the landscape, the only other body of water of note is Lake Caervenn, the largest lake in Taphran, fed by a branch off of the Swiftwater River north of Eboncrag.

The climate is fairly temperate, if a little on the cooler side.

## Population

Taphran is made up mostly of humans, though it has a significant and robust population of dwarves, and half-elves are just as common due to their close proximity and alliance with the nearby Arlaven Glades.

## Exports and Trades

Taphrani craftspeople include skilled leatherworkers and carpenters, and Taphran also exports metalwork of respectable quality. Both hardwood and iron ore are plentiful and of good quality, and Taphrani fields and orchards are known for apples, corn, and potatoes. Taphran has a large population of farmers and crafters alike, while other common professions include hunting, trade, ranching, and scholarly pursuits.

## Government

Taphran is a monarchy, with the King and/or Queen holding highest authority, just above the Council of Governance. Noble bloodlines are highly regarded in Taphran, but outside of the line of sucession, families come in and out of high regard with relative ease. Nobles and commoners alike can and do end up appointed to the Council, and a well-liked commoner can quickly become more influential than a disgraced noble.

The royal line of Kaizoak is currently in power, led by King Elrik and Queen T’Sarra.

## Military

There are three military organizations of note that make up most of Taphran's military forces. The first and most directly military in nature is the Army of Taphran, made up of professional soldiers, militia, and in times of dire need, conscripted citizens. In peacetime, the Army defends the borders of the Kingdom, its capital city and larger towns, and its trade routes.

The Taphran Guardian Force, or as it is better and colloquially known, "The Guard," serves to protect and defend the people of Taphran from everyday occurrences, to enforce and uphold the laws of the land, and when necessary, to supplement the Army in defending the near reaches of the Kingdom. The Guard is the largest of the three military orders noted here.

Also of note is the Royal Guard, a relatively small but skilled group that is dedicated to defending the Royal Family, the Council, and the capital city. The Royal Guard changes shape and nature somewhat depending on the decisions of the ruling Monarch. For example, King Elrik Kaizoak emphasized skill, adaptability, and current-event knowledge among his Royal Guard, directing them to be aware of problems at all levels of the Kingdom, and ready to respond. He also created his own circle of most-trusted bodyguards and enforcers of his will, calling it the Wolfguard and appointing Lord Aureus Tasman as its head, thus allowing concerns from all corners of the kingdom to be known and dealt with sensibly.

## Social Hierarchy and Culture

Taphran culture places great emphasis on honoring ancestry and bloodline, but also on recognizing that greatness can come from lowly roots. The heroes of Taphran's near and distant past alike come from both noble and common backgrounds, and while a system of nobility exists, it remains relatively fluid in comparison to some more rigid caste systems. The Taphrani people tend to also hold great respect for nature and the symbiosis of civilization and the natural world, and this shows in much of Taphran's aesthetic taste, as its architecture and crafts often include plant and animal motifs. Taphran venerates the Seven Spirits; four Primal Spirits corresponding to the four elements, and three Celestial Spirits representing both spiritual power and the sun, moon, and stars respectively. All seven, at one time or another, came to people of Taphran during some of the most difficult, yet pivotal times in its history. The Celestial Spirits include Ran'Tao the Lion of the Sun, Randel'nar the Wolf of the Moon, and Rik'Athir the Doe Deer of the Stars. The Primal Spirits were not named during their earliest history, but most Taphrani people equate them with some of the elemental deities of the Wood Elves, and name them identically as: Dinalon of Wind, Neriss of Fire, Drumani of Earth, and Garshel of Water.

While multiple races exist in Taphran, there is little in the way of inter-racial discrimination or conflict, as elves, half-elves, dwarves, and the majority humans tend to coexist well. Under the current rule, this is further solidified by the Queen herself being not only a wood elf, but being natively from the neighboring land of Arlaven before officially immigrating to Taphran.

### Celebrations and Holidays

Taphran, like many nations, holds some of its most significant celebrations upon the Solstices and the Equinoxes, namely the summer Zenith Festival, the autumnal Harvest Festival, the winter Candleday, and the Rebirth Celebration upon the Spring Equinox. In late summer, the founding of the Kingdom of Taphran as it currently exists is celebrated, venerating the old tales of the Primal Four Heroes and Celestial Three Heroes, leaders from centuries past. Late autumn holds the Spiritsday observance, a minor, relatively solemn holiday honoring all of the Seven Spirits. The Spirits have specific observances at other times of the year as well, with the Four Primal Spirits being venerated along with their season (Water in Winter, Air in Spring, Fire in Summer, and Earth in Autumn) and the Celestial Spirits being celebrated at important times corresponding to the movements of the heavens. (The Sun Lion a month after the Summer Solstice, the Moon Wolf upon the first full moon of the year, and the Star Doe in mid-autumn when its main constellation is at its peak viewing time.)

## Cities, Towns, and Villages

### Soven: The Capital City

Soven is the largest city in Taphran and its capital. It sits southwest of the center of Taphran, on the western side of the mouth of the Aliquos River where it meets Lake Bellacona. It holds the government of Taphran, as well as its largest market.

### Naven: The Bastion of the Northwest

Naven lies in the northwest part of Taphran, in one of its highest-elevation locations. It is built around a castle that serves little practical purpose in these days, as its closest neighbors are on good terms with Taphran.

### Parthia: Valley of Knowledge

The city of Parthia is smaller than Soven and Naven, and sits in the east of Taphran. It is the central location for scholars and mages of Taphran to gather, exchange information, and debate.

### Eboncrag: Town of Industry

Eboncrag is a small but busy town in the southeast, nestled among rocky foothills. It is the source of most of Taphran's mining and metalwork.

### Silvercrest: The Welcoming Winds

Silvercrest is a small town on a hill in southwest Taphran. Compared to the other settlements listed, it is fairly unremarkable, other than its position along one of the major trade roads leading out of Taphran. It is otherwise fairly representative of many of the small villages that dot the landscape between the cities; quiet, idyllic, and friendly.

### Watchtower Outpost

An outpost overlooking the Segras Plains.

## Alliances

Taphran is currently closely allied with the Arlaven Glades, an alliance solidified by the marriage of Prince Elrik Kaizoak and the Apprentice Healer of the Lathidan Tribe of Arlaven, T'Sarra Kaizoak (née Avenrhad). It is on good and friendly terms as well with nearby Marujai, Faidor, and Daugon, though the old history of rivalry with Daugon often shows itself in more-or-less friendly competition when it comes. This closeness manifests in a pact of self-defense and self-interest, known as the Taphran Confederacy (though Arlaven Glades is not a member).

Taphran is under a treaty of alliance and mutual aid with the minotaurs of Kuragma as well. Taphran has been known to keep an eye on Binturia as well, though largely from a distance since involving oneself too closely with such a volatile land would be the height of foolishness.

Taphran is not a member of the United Orelisian Council.

## Enemy Countries

Taphran typically has disputed borders with the Arlaven Glades, but today they are largely peaceful.

Taphran has a history of trouble with the Aetorg, and are currently under a wary, distrustful peace with them and with the nation of K'Vesten. The Aetorg were a driving force of conquest during a major part of Taphran's history, and the K'Vesten had allied with the Aetorg at the time. Taphran also opposes K'Vesten due to ideological differences.

Taphran is on poor terms with the Butterfly-Folk, due to political disagreements; despite this, Taphran is respectful of other Beast-Folk.

## Historical Timeline

* 4,212 B.B. - 3,548 B.B. - Old Binturian counter-invasion throws Malovazen into crisis, various factions break away from the main national government, especially along religious lines. In response, Malovazen king outlaws all god worship, seizes church/temple land, and has military comb through nation and destroy any religious icons they can find
	+ Celestial Spirit worship nearly wiped out, worshipped in secret by small groups for thousands of years
* 286 A.B. - Internal pressures cause the total collapse of Malovazen, rough approximations of ancient clan boundaries form, with a few exceptions
	+ The family of one Pravartak Taphran forms their own territory in the harsher northlands
		- Off-and-on tensions with Arlaven Glades Wood Elves
* 2,069 A.B. - 2,082 A.B. - K’Vesten tries to use military force to regain its lost territory in Faidor and Daugon lands, all former Malovazen nations form a temporary alliance to beat the K’Vesten back into its own borders
	+ Taphran territory organizes itself into a formal nation state with a monarch from the Taphran lineage
* 2,082 A.B. - Malovazen formally dissolved, nationstates Argider, Cotidia, Daugon, Faidor, Taphran formally recognized by K’Vesten
* C. 9,700 A.B. - Worship of Celestial Spirits rediscovered
* 9,763 A.B. - 9,810 A.B. - Daugon-Taphran War
	+ Longtime ally Daugon attacks Taphran without cause
	+ 9,780 A.B. - Taphrani Elemental Spirits select four heroes among the Taphrani, and the powerful magic they wield turns the tide of the war in Taphran’s favor
	+ 9,810 A.B. - Taphran troops march into Daugon
		- Officials responsible for Taphran invasion are found, arrested, turned over to the Taphrani armies along with the then-king, and executed
* 9,814 A.B. - 9,920 A.B. - Taphran-Aetorg War
	+ Taphrani Terrestrial Heroes die in battle
	+ Three heroes chosen by the Taphrani Celestial Spirits spearhead resistance into Aetorg Lands, ultimately winning the war
		- Destroy “Shard of Reflection”, artifact that bound dark powers to Aetorg leadership
* 9,920 - 10,009 A.B. - K’Vesten Magister War
	+ Taphran deems K’Vesten the culprit behind both Daugon and Aetorg wars, Seth Kaizoak leads charge against them joined by Aetorg, Daugon, and Faidor armies
	+ Magisters turn over the five traitors responsible for the wars, Kaizoak army executes them
	+ Taphrani Spirits lighten the darkness of K’Vesten, but only slightly
* 10,012 A.B. - 10,014 A.B. - Sentarel Coup
* 10,015 A.B. - Planar War
* 10,016 A.B. - Fel Invasion
* 10,019 A.B. - Deathless Days
	+ Taphran Confederacy nearly marches on K’Vesten, Aetorg Lands, Talios
	+ Taphran chooses not to join the United Orelisian Council (U.O.C.), and its Confederacy allies follow suit

## Founding and History

Centuries ago, Taphran was a young vassal nation under the thumb of Daugon, engaged in a war to maintain its sovereignty. During this conflict, as the stories go, three young officers of the Taphran Army were visited in visions by the Spirits of Earth, Fire, and Water. In the name of these Spirits, and wielding the Spirits' blessings in the form of powerful elemental magics, the Three Heroes of Taphran helped to turn the tide and secure Taphran as a nation of its own. During the formative years of the nation, the Spirit of Wind joined them as well, and guided the Three towards a smooth and effective change in the land.

Years later, three others, notably a Taphran Guard named Seth, a younger guard named Kristof, and a blacksmith's son named Matthias were similarly visited by the three Celestial Spirits, with Matthias channeling the Lion of the Sun, Seth chosen by the Wolf of the Moon, and Kristof blessed by the Deer of the Stars. The new trio was guided into investigating a series of incidents in the south, incidents linked to powers of dark magic. The mages, as they discovered, were gathering forces, weapons, and magical might in preparation for a decisive strike against Taphran. The new Three, in response to attacks on the southern towns, gathered supporters from among the populace and from the army to defend the towns and strike back against the as-yet-shrouded threat.

It was discovered that the mages were wielding powerful, forbidden magic from the heart of the Aetorg Lands. Matthias, Kristof, and Seth fought their way to the stronghold of the dark mages, and in a difficult battle, they slew the conspirators and destroyed the Shard of Reflection, the dark-tainted artifact that the mages held. The three returned home as heroes, and the respect that they had earned through both their deeds and their status as Chosen of the Celestial Spirits gained them great renown.

There were many subsequent years of peace and prosperity, during which time Taphran formed alliances with Daugon and Marujai. The Faidor remained independent, but non-hostile. As had been the case for many years, the humans bore only a wary, but peaceful neutrality with the elven villages of Arlaven.

Ten years ago, Taphran underwent a coup, as a particular arrangement among two high noble families fell through. This was the final insult that one of the clans were willing to accept, and they subtly assassinated many of the royal family and heirs outside their own family. It was cunningly blamed on a recently-departed delegation from Daugon, whose negotiations had gone badly anyway.

In the years after the coup, Taphran's new leaders grew in power, and relations among the Confederacy became strained. The usurpers seized a small settlement across Lake Caervynn with a conscripted army, and placed taxes upon the Temples of the Spirits. The Spirits themselves at this time, despite interacting from time to time with priests and layfolk alike, became nearly silent, with the exception of Randelnar the Moon Wolf Spirit, of whom there had been no evidence at all since the coup.

In the early winter three years after the coup, a rebellion began to quietly form in Taphran, using the name of a young nobleman as a rallying cry. That nobleman had escaped the coup, and now retained a greater right to the throne than the usurper Henry Sentarel, and thus he became a symbol of resistance for the unhappy and traditional folk of Taphran. Just over two years later, the plans of the rebellion were put into action. They rose up, supported by the forces of the Arlaven Wood-Elves, the Butterfly-Folk Court of the Valley, the Dwarves (likely from Duryem), and an elite band of mercenaries. Together, the forces of the Resistance swept their way across field and forest to the Royal Palace, where the usurper King Henry Sentarel was defeated and imprisoned. The throne was returned to the royal with the coronation of King Balan Kaizoak, and a tentative alliance was forged among the nations that had assisted in restoring the kingdom. Taphran also mediated relations with other nearby nations, including the former enemies, K'vesten and the Aetorg.

In the years afterward, King Balan passed away peacefully, and the throne was taken by his successor, Prince Elrik Kaizoak, and his wife T'Sarra, formerly of the Lathidan Tribe of the Arlaven Glades. King Elrik and Queen T'Sarra continued the benevolent reign of King Balan and maintained the alliances they had formed, and while not every day of the current reign has been without conflict, Taphran stands strong and largely at peace.

## Further Information

* Aetorg Lands
* Arlaven Glades
* Butterfly-Folk
* Daugon
* Deathless Days
* Faidor
* Fel Invasion
* Malovazen
* Marujai
* Kuragma
* K’Vesten
* Northern Spirits
* Planar War