Tal En'Estela

> ***Tal En'Estela: City of Hope.***
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Tal En'Estela is the largest city state in all of Naerume (Burnt Desert), and serves as its pseudo capitol.

Tal En'Estela is located in a Desert Oasis - inside a chasm. The only way in or out of this city is to brave the labyrinthine Nardakilya (knot canyons).

## **Inhabitants**

Tal En'Estela is primarily inhabited by the Gon'edhel (Rock Elves). Gon'edhel are especially hardy - they’re used to the hazardous desert environment, and adapted well to the heat and excessive physical labor. Their complexion is often darker to mitigate the heat, and their skin is thicker and tougher than you’d expect!

## **The Guilds**

Tal En'Estela is ruled by eight guilds, each serving an important role in the city.

1. Church of the Desert Patron - Aist-Erume'rauko
2. Church of the Sun God - Aist-Anar’aute
3. The Adventurers - Tel'Seikar
4. The Creators - Tel’Ontar
5. The Knowers - Tel’Sintar
6. The Protectors: Tel’Valar
7. The Traders - Tel’Mainkar
8. The Workers - Tel'Mootar

## **Culture**

Like all elves, individuals are not sexually differentiated during youth and can become capable of inseminating or gestating when they reach adulthood at 100 years of age. On their 100th birthday, they perform a ritual in which the gods determine if they will be Female or male.

### **Merchant City**

Tal En'Estela, City of Hope, is also often referred to as Merchant City, as it plays the vital role of trade hub for the Naerume (Burnt Desert).

Trade is vital to the life of the citizens of Tal En'Estela. It is the hub of all trade in all of Tel'Ustaerume (The Burnt Desert). The economy is booming, with the Gonedhel fervently crafting, buying, and selling. People of all races across Tel'Ustaerume find their way to Tal En'Estela eventually.

### **Tal En'Estela Calendar**

Tal En'Estela has adopted the standard Vagreon calendar that was developed in the southern city state of Tal Em'Tanlela. In the north, they count years starting from when Koddra was crowned. They refer to the year as X Vardakhilirna (Reign of Koddra), abbreviated to VEK. It is currently 1273 VEK.

#### **Meryalrim (Holidays)**

* Gon'ala (Annual Holiday)
* Anar'ala (Annual Holiday)
* Erume'ala (Annual Holiday)
* Ithil'ala (Annual Holiday)

* Runya'ala (Quadrennial Holiday)

#### **Sairosrim (Eras)**

* Age of Wandering - Born En'Kalava (BEK)
* After Gontura gave oasis - Gontura Ante Kektele (GAK)
* The Years before Koddra - Tel'Pá Afea Koddra (PAK)
* Reign of Koddra - Vardakhilirna En'Koddra (VEK)

## **History**

### **Founding of Tal En'Estela**

Lore says the Nomadic Su'edhel (Sand Elves) were visited by Erume'rauko (Desert Patron) when he was living with the Anna'hai (Elephant Folk). Seeing the Su'edhels' struggle to survice, he convinced Ek’aute (Life God) to help him bring life to the Naerume. Ek’aute sent down a meteor, that created a giant crater among the Nardakilya (Knotted Canyons). This chasm, named the Akhas En'Ek (Chasm of Life), penetrated an underground stream, creating a desert oasis that was well protected from the elements and hidden from enemies.

The Su'edhel, with Erume'rauko and his Anna'hais' help, navigated through the Nardakilya to the Akhas En'Ek

While some of the Su'edhel were happy to settle down, many preferred to continue their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Many of the Anna'hai and their elephant brethren wandered as well, also enjoying to wander.

The Gon'edhel that lived in homes carved into the walls of the Nardakilya also saw the vast potential that the Akhas En'Ek presented - they slowly migrated out of the Nardakilya and into Akhas En'Ek. These Gon'edhel and the remaining Su'edhel established Tal En'Estela. Over the years, the Gon'edhel held the majority within the population of Tal En'Estela, causing severe racism. The Su'edhel were seen as lesser beings, and primarily enslaved. The few Anna'hai in Tal En'Estela are seen as divine, as they bear a direct resemblance to their diety.

The Gon'edhel and Su'edhel, and their ancestors, who c live in al En'Estela abandoned their previous faiths (Aist-Gon’tura and Aist-Su’tura) in favor of their new religion; Aist-Erume'rauko. The worship of the Desert Patron.

Some say the nomadic elephants still act as the eyes and ears of Erume'rauko, who hasn't been seen in thousands of years. Some even will pray in the ears (or presence) of an Elephant, in hopes that the words will reach Erume'rauko.