Talon's Port
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The Sovereign State of Talon's Port is a nation located in the jungles nearby the southern ocean. It is a densely populated port town that is typically characterized by the narrow dirt streets and tall brick buildings that have sprung up on the coastline. The city is a popular destination for merchants, and attempts to keep a neutral stance in politics whenever possible, worrying foremost for the safety and sovereignty of its' citizens.
Contents
History
The city of Talon's Port was founded in Year 0 of the Second Era by the survivors from Talon's Grotto in Arcas who had made their way to the new continent via the World Ship, captained by Ayred Avandi and under the rulership of Sovereign Gail Cordius. For months, the citizens of Talon's Port simply lived on the World Ship, still preparing the marshes and jungles to build a proper, stable city upon and the location hardly being suitable for an on-land camp.
After months of preparation, the building of Talon's Port finally commenced, the city being created from the abundant deposits of brick-making clay that rested in the nearby jungles. There was a small district of the city called Tai-Ping that was set aside for the rapidly increasing Li-Ren population. In Year 4 of the Second Era, the city was almost completely constructed, and citizens began moving ashore from the World Ship and into the newly built dwellings. Due to the difficulty of clearing out the marshland for proper construction, Talon's Port was forced to be an extremely compact city, it's narrow roads and tall buildings being as space-effective as they could be.
The orcs of Krugmar, under the rulership of Rex Zhot, noticed the rapidly growing settlement of Talon's Port so close by to them, and sent multiple forces to the city to demand a yearly tribute, which the council of Talon's Port decided to agree to in order to avoid any previous incidents with the orcs, such as a former attack where Sovereign Cordius' daughter was kidnapped by the raiders.
Within the first few years, the city experienced a rapid growth that was unheard of by the former Talon's Grotto residents, the city population almost quadrupling from the expected number, causing housing problems throughout the city that lasted for years to come, and as the city continued to grow, so did the demands with the orcs. In Year 9 of the Second Era, Rex Zhot traveled to the city to offer Talon's Port vassalization beneath them, to which Sovereign Cordius and his advisors denied to a surprisingly peaceful reaction.
Culture
Despite Talon's Port being a city that accepts all cultures, citizens from the main city of Talon's Port are typically known as The Cophinus Invarius-- The Children of the Typhoon. Talon's Port is known for their informal and sociable peoples, and festivities are looked forward to with excitement.
In the Tai-Ping district of Talon's Port, they have a very traditional Li-Ren culture built upon family and respect. Unlike the Elective Monarchy of Talon's Port, those in the Tai-Ping district are overseen by the Li family, who passes the title between generations.
Religion
Talon's Port is a religiously tolerant state, with worship of certain beliefs not being encouraged nor discouraged. Sovereigns and council members over the years have all followed vastly different religions to one another, and it has caused no conflict, decisions being made for the good of Talon's Port rather than the benefit of a single religion.
Politics
Talon's Port has a simplistic political system, with there being a Sovereign, six members of the Talon's Port Council, and a small handful of stewards who handle the politics within the city. The Sovereign and council are both elected officials. For more information, see Succession. All members of the council are heads of different ministries within the city that handle things such as foreign affairs, science, and legal matters.
The Sovereign and Talon's Port Council make up a group of seven who are responsible for making any choices regarding Talon's Port. They do not need to consult with others outside these seven about their decisions, though it is common for council members to ask opinions of stewards and citizens of the city.
Talon's Port does not enforce taxes, the government earning their minas through foreign trade and the selling of property within the city.
Current Ruling Council
- Sovereign, Gail Cordius
- Minister of Wealth, Vivian Maelstorm-O'Cathain
- Minister of Defense, James Avery
- Minister of Science, Dr. Sana Medii'la
- Minster of Internal Affairs, Anastasia Dokar
- Minister of Culture, Dr. Eletha Avery
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ren Tianrui
Military
Talon's Port is a peaceful state who does not get involved in outside affairs unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, it does not have a standing military, but rather an elective militia shared between Rosenyr and itself that is known as the Queen's Isle Militia, whom are trained in siege defense and close-quarters urban combat rather than in field formations.
Succession
Council
The Talon's Port Council is made up of citizens that were put forward and voted upon by other members of the council. There are no requirements to be elected to the Talon's Port Council besides being in good legal standing within the city and being recommended to the council by one of the other members. Members of the Talon's Port Council are not elected in terms, and serve until they die, step down, or are voted off the council by a majority vote by the other members. Once these three events occurs, council members put forward other citizens to take their place, and a new member is elected.
Sovereign
The Sovereign is not a hereditary position within Talon's Port. Much like other council members, the Sovereign serves until they die, step down, or are voted from the position by a majority of the council. If the Sovereign steps down as opposed to dying or being voted from the position, they are typically kept on the council unless they wish to step down away the government completely. If one of these three events were to occur, the council would vote amongst themselves and elect one of the remaining six council members as the new Sovereign.
Demographics
Talon's Port has always been a mixed race city. The population is evenly spread out between humans and elves, though it is not too uncommon to see orcs or halflings within the city either.
Geography
Arcas
Talon's Port is located in a tropical jungle environment on the southernmost tip of Arcas upon a large island known as the Queen's Isle. Natural spires of rock surround the city, and Talon's Port itself is built within a natural rock overhang, with the majority of housing being beneath the ledge, and the government center being above it. The city is typically warm and humid, and anyone working under the sun for too long would quickly be worn out. The ocean surrounds the city on three sides, thus making it a popular stop for traders who were forced to travel around the tip of the Queen's Isles.
Almaris
