KEMEN HOMEPAGE

ATLAS: Sabrynne

ATLAS MAP: Tyrolach

TYROLACH

Introduction & Geography

This former capital of the Allemanni Province of Humbaria is now the last bastion of the lost Allemanni culture. In this city-state, surrounded by desert and the Ji-Hassa, the old Kuist religion and the Ancient Allemanni tongue are still followed. The city sits behind stout walls at the southern tip of the Bay of Aumbar. The land along the shores of the bay lay under the city’s control, where the land is prosperous with milder weather than the interior desert regions. A few forest have been tended since the Empire and they lend the wood required of the great Tyrolachan shipyards. Away from the Bay of Aumbar the lands are controlled by the Ji-Hassa and Ji-Hassid.

The city of Tyrolach is divided into the Meaza or Old Town, which lies behind the First Wall, and the New Town. The Third Wall was built with the beginning of the Captaincy of the Havens, the second being raised for the stone. This wall forms a large circle about the city and is defended by a series of might guard towers and is connected to the Haven Wall which defends the harbor. The main streets of Tyrolach run like wheel spokes between a major gate and the First Wall. Beyond the gates the land is arid, with most food coming from the outer estates along the Aumbar coast.

The estates of the Captains of the Havens are Maros, Caldur, Ardumir, Pellardur, Isigir, and Eradas. These keeps have grown into small towns with much of the populace working as the land between them. Also in the middle of the Bay is the isle Tol Glingol, the also called the Ille Quaeterol, the Temple Isle. This is the greatest remaining Kuist Temple complex in the world.

General History

The city of Tyrolach sits near the original site of Humbarach one of the few southern provinces of the Dominion. After the realms fall the people scattered into the hot sands of Sabrynne. As the Allemanni Empire grew it expanded across the Dunrach Sea slowly assimilating the many of the city-states along the coast. The city of Tyrolanon was first built by the Allemmani on ruins of one of the citadels of Humbarach in the year 108 AA. Under Allemanni control the place prospered. It was the major outlet for trade from the interior and farther south. If it was rare it came through here.

After time, the Empire began to collapse as all do eventually. Invasions, political and economic strife, and a general decadence have all been blamed for the fall. In 600 the first of the Imperial Divisions took place along east and west, with Tyrolanon remaining under the western capita of Rel Alla. This lasted until the collapse of the Empire throughout Vestlon in 930 and the removal of the Imperial seat at Tyrolanon. The Southern Empire lasted only 15 years before it too fell to invaders, the Ji- Hassan.

The Period of the Captains followed. These were the houses of the great Allemanni Admirals who had fled during the dissolution earlier. The titles had long since become hereditary, creating a new ruling elite. Beginning in 946 AA and lasting into the present. There have been various changes among the ruling houses, with severe cases of one becoming a Tyrant for as much as 3 generations, and even a period of control under the Ji-Hassa leader Bejeck Bormor. The name evolved into the more Ji-Hassam sounding Tyrolach and the culture became more mixed. Still the ruling houses have tried to maintain their pure bloodlines as well as creating a series of checks that keep power spread out among the nobility.

Political Structure

As mentioned above the present political system as an oligarchy ruled by the Five Captains, leaders of the six strongest maritime families referred to as the CAPTAINS OF THE HAVENS. These nobles trace their lineage back to the Allemanni rulers eight centuries past. Each leads a fleet and is the direct liege lord of a sixth of the arable land along the bay. While they strive against one another, open conflict is avoided, the bloody wars of succession after the fall of the Allemanni Empire is still deeply felt among the houses. The Captains of the Havens are Adumir of Isigir, Eadur Black of Ardumir, Arkhad Pellardur, Mireadur of Caldur and Fasthold, Teldumeir Eradas of Flame, and Borothor Maros. While each possesses estates outside the city, they all have towers within Tyrolach that they rule from.

Each Captain has a Chief Captain that overseas the estates as well as the fleet. Trusted members of one’s own house or usually one of the lesser but still Allemanni noble families occupy this position.

Peoples and Cultures

Tyrolach preserves a very strict caste system, and within the city its lines are clearly defined. There are four major ethnic and caste groups in Tyrolach: the descendents of the Allemanni Admirals and their captains, the coastal people who lived here from before the Allemanni came, and the recent invaders from the south, the nomadic desert riders the Ji-Hassid and their more fanatical Ji-Hassa cousins who live along the coast of Sabrynne.

The descendants of the Allemanni rule this realm, most of the warriors and priest can trace their lineage back to the ancient empire. For this reason the language as changed little and the old Kuist religion is still practiced. A patriarchal society, the women still have control of their property and some have even risen to the Captaincy. While men fight the wars and manage the trade, women rule within the home and any small cottage industries they may have. Marriage among the other caste is not illegal but is very rare due to pride, the strongest trait among the Allemanni class. But this group is actually a minority within the city and the land.

The land about Tyrolach has been inhabited for ages, the earliest people called the people of the Black Ship (the Dominion’s Governor held the title Black Captain), were scattered after the Great War. Those in the area populated the city of Tyrolanon when it was first built. At the time Empire was open to all and many families rose in power. Only after the Admirals arrived from the greater Empire did this group become second-class citizens. For this reason there are often hard feelings between them and the other castes. This group produces the craftsmen, merchants and many of the seamen. While they are monogamous, the man rules the family and wife and children are his property. Families are very large, and the name and any inheritance go to the eldest male child. This group has embraced a variety of religious beliefs, from the ancient Kuist to the Caldensian as well as some smaller faiths.

As the Ji-Hassa spread throughout the lands, they were drawn to the wealth and wetter lands of Tyrolach. Traveling along the coast they have displaced many of the indigenous coastal people. While many of them live in the city, they follow their own ways and religion. The large fire-topped temple was built by Baleck when he ruled as Tyrant, and there have been riots recently regarding Adumir’s Red Tower and the burning brazier he has placed on top. The Ji-Hassa provide craftsmen and traders, their boats fill up much of the harbor. While mainly monogamous, some have several wives. The men rule and the women are very subservient.

The nomadic Ji-Hassid are the quietest group within the city. They come from the desert to trade and sell their sheep and horses. Respected for their fine horses, they are still considered ignorant and dirty. Large families and many wives are the norm, a sign of prosperity, plus somebody has to tend the large herds of horses, camels and sheep.

Other groups exist as outsiders within Tyrolach society. The Balagoth of Boggs are numerous in the city. They travel the desert braving Ji-Hassid bandits and the other dangers, bringing their unique skills and talents to trade. Some Dwarven adventurers are found, most from the realm of Dracostann. Add to this the very strange Pahna who seek work within the city as guards and mercenaries. These tall ebony figures go about their business in silence and with an air of danger always about them. While the least liked of all the people in the city, only fools would reveal this

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