Table of Contents
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Life in Tuarvael
The Free Marches
Like the Dunsain Kingdoms to the east, Tuarvael was too powerful by the time of Viran Uth-Rallis' war of reunification to be returned to the fold as a part of Ralstaa. Instead the three full provinces that fell on their knee before the King of Tuarvael entered into a treaty with Ralstaa - part of that land and yet not. The Ral would always stand together in the eyes of outsiders, but the High King could not count Tuarvael amongst his subjects, could not summon them like servants, and most certainly would see neither coin nor goods nor soldiers from their lands. And they certainly would not offer their heirs as mere hostages! As with the rest of the west, Tuarvael seemed a part of Ralstaa to outsiders, but refused to bend to its rule. Even today this has earned Tuarvael the moniker 'The Free Marches'.
Social Etiquette and Customs
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Arts and Entertainment
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Diet and Eating Customs
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Fashion and Dress
The Tuars are known for long, elaborately embroidered vests falling nearly to the knee amongst the commoners, and for beautifully tailored chokha amongst the nobility.
Religion and Philosophy
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Transportation and Communication
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Common Pass Times
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Political
Political System
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Legal System and Enforcement
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Military
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Technology
Architecture
Tuarvae architecture resembles that of the Lleweith most closely, consisting mainly of multi-storey stone buildings with square façades concealing pointed rooves. Cut stone or sometimes brick are the most common building materials, as befits the Ralstaan talent with stone, with shuttered mullioned windows and decorative sills and lintels wrought in cement moulds, or sometimes chiselled from stone. Capitals generally have very simple decorations, usually floral or heraldic, but frequently with figures on wealthier buildings, and even columns adding an ostentacious air to important structures. Spires and minarets are not unknown, but less popular, and the timber extensions common to the north are mostly outlawed in Tuarvae cities, giving them a much cleaner look. Latticed glass windows are more common here, as the Tuarvae take great pride in their glazing and other glass crafts, and such things are far more affordable here. However the most characteristic deviation is the tendency to whitewash buildings top to bottom.
Even the cruder single-level, two-room stone structures of the countryside have thatched rooves and whitewashed stone outer walls, and even some of these will feature one or two small glazed windows. These generally have two or three rooms, bisected by a central wall and hearth. Homes normally also feature a low-roofed wooden lean-to by a rear door acting as a pantry and cold store. The larger front room is where meals are cooked and eaten, and where livestock are brought indoors in the colder months (and straw and dried herbs scattered on the floor to accommodate them), or to avoid predators. The rear room is a communal sleeping area, usually with enough shallow cots with straw mattresses to accommodate the family and a few guest, and often insulated with tapestries and crude rugs.
Major Industry
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Medicine
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Economy
Trade
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Major Export and Import
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Money
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The Knives of Rallah, High Kingdom of Ralstaa | ||||
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The Shaeish Kingdoms | Caldare, Donnaigh, Rhuovaith, Kileirey, Balleymoore, Cannavin, Wynd, Breconn, Coulbaigh | |||
The Lleweith Kingdoms | Avalaigh, Haeliard, Lammornia, Branddale, Talladale, Bradenthyr, Tohl | |||
The Starwood | Cwmbran, Kentallen Wood, Uerenuell | |||
Tuarvael | Castrette, Serlot, Friesse | |||
The Dunsain Kingdoms | Byrnham, Blackstone, Craigbyrn, Duncarrick, Strath Gorge, Garynshae, The Clanlands, Aulorn's Gate | |||
Director's Miscellany | Amenities, Culture, Gear & Prices, Professions, Random Encounters, Small Settlement Generator, Supporting Cast Generator |