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THE
TIQUAITAN
MEN |
Born from the ‘Union of the Tiqua’ between the Feudal Kingdoms of Tsu, Chima and Jirai instigated by the great Foreseer Anadalius, the often-esoteric Ancient Tiquaitan men intellectually dominated Nybelmar’s Western coast for centuries. Famed not only for their advanced medicine, music, poetry and philosophy, but also for their tyrannical monarchy and tragic downfall, this tribe was idolised by the neighbouring Tarshiinite men for generations, these silver-eyed enigmas influencing the birth of an equally great but wildly different civilisation, which grew to overthrow the Tiquaitan and monopolise the Western Bay of Nybelmar to this day.
Whilst established as
unusually atheistic in a region of Nybelmar
dominated by the parallel and conflicting faiths within it, the Tiquaitan were,
though not religious, awfully superstitious. Basing amazingly important
decisions on the obscure position of the stars
, you could be forgiven for interpreting the Tiquaitan as an
intellectually backward people. The Tiquaitan seemed to develop within
themselves a conflicting nature: They were deliberate and rational but obsessed
with luck and omens at the same times. This internal juxtaposition in what
it was to be Tiquaitan, however, served as no impediment to the growth of the
Tiquaitan kingdom which managed to conquer oceans, mountains and
almost even mortality itself.
Appearance. In comparison to their neighbours the
Tarshiinites and the Tsohamin (who bore some fundamental similarities), the
Ancient Tiquaitan offered a starkly contrasting visage. The greater intellectual
standing of the Tiquaitan was conveyed perfectly by the height, both men and
women standing impressively around the one ped and two fores mark, shoulders above
most of the Nybelmar
humans. Most
Tiquaitan, regardless of gender, also sported a relatively slender figure,
though not to the extent of the spindly "Vikh. With the considerably unusual dimensions of the Tiquaitan from the
outset, their odd appearance would seem to be set from the start, though this
was only the
beginning.
At the very least, the Tiquaitan could be described as odd. Even before the Union of the Tiqua was formed the Feudal States were characterised by their enchanting silvery blue locks, which archaic etiquette dictated they would never cut. Hair amongst the Tiquaitan had status equal to that of beards in dwarven culture. A child was to be at the peak of growth by which time their hair had been grown to their waist (though such an accomplishment was not paired with recognition as an adult for the long-haired adolescents) and even more important, a short-haired Tiquaitan was seen as beneath a degenerate - Tiquaitan duelling laws dictating that if an opponent severs your hair you have no legal right to retaliate. Due to a Tiquaitan’s social inability to keep one’s hair in a conventional manner, a variety of elaborate hairstyles emerged (particularly among women), with fashions changing as often as the tide. It was considered more acceptable for men to adopt a single braid that ran down their spine, though this stylistic choice was not suited to warfare. Though during the wars between themselves the Tiquaitan saw no impairment, their hair allowed the barbaric Tsohamin something to hold onto during combat. However, the styles of hair adopted by the fairer Tiquaitan sex were practically endless, with a whole manner of twists, braids, loops and curls- the more extravagant the better. In fact, most women opted to wear a ‘wire crown’ atop their head, which they could weave their hair around in a variety of patterns, defying the natural limits of their hair’s design. There was in fact only one hairstyle that was not imitated by anyone. Imitating the style that characterised the ‘Order of Foreseers’- a single bun on top of the head with two symmetrical strands of hair reaching down (forming what looked like a long moustache on the person’s forehead)- was punishable by death due to the importance of this social caste. They were after all, entrusted with predicting the future of Tiquaitan civilisation, acting as the all-powerful King’s fortune-telling advisors.
Perhaps even more mystical than the hair of the Tiquaitan was the rarer tendencies of the Tiquaitan eyes. Whilst deep browns and hazels were commonplace amongst this tribe, a dominating trait amongst those who possessed it appeared to be that of brilliant, silver eyes- commanding the bearer a suitably ethereal presence. After the ‘Rise of Chima’ (see History), the fact that Lord (or better known as King) Sarasalias was in possession of such eyes gave the silver coloration regal esteem. Up until the reign of Narsira the Green (the first King of the Tiquaitan to not have silver eyes) the trait was considered blindly synonymous with talent, virtue and worth.
As perhaps the only tangible similarity between the Tiquaitan and the neighbouring Tsohamin and Tarshiinites, the elliptical eye ‘shape’ unique to the three tribes was perhaps more exaggerated in this tribe than the others. While more ‘conventional’ shapes were not unheard amongst the Tarshiinites for example, upon looking at the eyes of the more Santharian-looking Zhunites and the Tiquaitan, one could be forgiven for believing they belong to different races, let alone tribes.
Further adding to the
contrasting appearances of the Tiquaitan and their neighbours, this
now-but-extinct tribe was known for their unusually ashen complexion. Whereas
warm bronzes and sandy browns gave the Tsohamin and
Tarshiinites healthy and glowing expressions, the somewhat cold paleness of the
Tiquaitan skin, while not unhealthy, gave a rather uninviting impression. The
root of the Tiquaitan complexion is easy to explain. Since Tiquaitan society
interpreted their neighbours (somewhat arrogantly) as beneath them, they did as
much as possible to avoid looking anything like them. As such, most outdoor
meetings took place during the evening or night (in a similar way to the ancient
Aestera),
practically every window in the Tiquaitan cities was tinted and on particularly
sunny days, those daring to venture outside would always do so with an umbrella.
The implications of skin-tone did extend beyond the neighbours of the Tiquaitan,
those with paler skin commanding more respect.
Coat of Arms/Sign. Whilst the official seal designed by Anadalius
for the ‘Union of the Tiqua’ (or ‘Tiquaitan’) formed a triangle with the ‘Blade
of Chima’, ‘Flame of Jirai’ and ‘Cloud of Tsu’ at each point and the Tiqua bird
in the middle (a traditional symbol of peace) this was reduced to merely the
Tiqua bird after Sarasalias’ takeover. It seems ironic, though, that the man who
took so much Tiquaitan life with the Red
Sunset (see History) would
leave the ‘Symbol of Peace’ as his legacy on the Coat of
Arms.
Territory. Despite
its gradual yet constant expansion, the Tiquaitan kingdom was situated within
the northern section of what we now know as the Scepteres of Tarshiin- bordering
the forests of the Lillivear
refugees and the Kazai Morchin-i. Though under All-commander Alil there was
great expansion of the realm, the unsustainability of the realm's new growth
(and the armies that descended on the Tiquaitan as a result) makes it somewhat
irrelevant to try drawing up realistic Tiquaitan
borders.
People. The
pursuits of the Tiquaitan men, particularly in what is known as the ‘Millennium
of Prosperity’ by Tarshiinite historians, garnered them acclaim throughout
Western Nybelmar. Primarily, the longevity
of the Tiquaitan, as a result of their highly advanced medicine, almost
surpassed that of the Ancient Krean
. With
a precise cocktail of powders, tonics, gums and pastes, Tiquaitan doctors found
a whole manner of ways to prevent and cure sickness. It was the great physician
of Tsu, Hurialis who claimed millennia ago ‘there is no sickness which may
plague the towers of Tsu any longer. As we have managed to touch the heavens
with our observatories, we have brought ourselves far above the touch of disease
that waits anxiously beneath us’. Tiquaitan medicine is so powerful in fact,
that stolen formulae that made their way into the hands of the Tarshiinite
priesthood are said to be root of the universal cure for Black Throat Fever (a
disease causing the victim to produce a thick, black phlegm, eventually causing
death). It was the resolution of this lethal epidemic that allowed the
Priesthood to ascend to such an affluent position, so it is fair to say that
without this ancient medicine, the epic wars between the Tiquaitan and the
Tarshiinite/Tsohamin coalitions might never have occurred whatsoever. Regardless
of the historical importance however, the ability of the Tiquaitan to run from
death for the few more vital decades gave them a lot more time to perfect their
other pursuits. The remarkable lifespans of the Tiquaitan extended to an average
of around 130 for both men and women if they could afford constant medication,
giving them lifespans doubling that of the typical Tsohamin and
Tarshiinites.
The extension of their life warranted by the helping hands of the apothecaries gave dedication to the Tiquaitan. If they were able to stay here longer, they could be more precise and deliberate in their actions, they could invest their time into more long-term projects and ultimately develop themselves to a greater extent. The Tiquaitan had a long-standing love-affair with music and theatre, though not merely of its performance, but the subtleties of the artistic method. Whilst they would be captivated by the sound of the symphonies and the imagery of a poet, they would equally relish noticing a note in the tune that wasn’t there before or pride themselves on the fact that they could decipher an ambiguous metaphor in a poem they had just heard. The Tiquaitan love for ‘technical art’ can perhaps be seen at its peak with the ‘Silent Operas’- wherein complex stories were told with an even more complex code of body language, lighting and colour that even actors struggled to understand.
Despite offering the Tiquaitan the ability to hone their ‘crafts’ by extending their lives, the unusual longevity of the Tiquaitan caused them to develop a strong sense of honour- ‘A man who’s scorned and lives for a century more may as well be scorned a hundred times’. The number of social taboos and faux pas invented by the Tiquaitan is somewhat amazing, and though the repertoire grew and diminished throughout the years a few remained central to one’s social standing- primarily concerning matters of public perception, wealth and marital status (married women were barred for participating in a variety of activities- perhaps most notably constituting the jury for one of the Citizen’s Courts). The strong emphasis placed on social status by the Tiquaitan in some cases had horrible effects- causing so much distress that often many high-ranking Tiquaitan officials who were disgraced committed suicide. The problem itself was so pertinent that whilst potions to alleviate flues and fevers were simple tasks for Tiquaitan apothecaries, rewards totalling enough to rival the royal coffers were offered over the centuries to find a way to prevent stress. Many professionals simply advised that they take a break (often met by thunderous laughter and a second opinion who would charge more).
The Ancient Tiquaitan were also a notably inquisitive people. They are credited still today to being the most adventurous explorers of the Germon Doilth and the Western Seas, and though by no means as industrious as their Tarshiinite successors, the Tiquaitan penchant for conquest was a forever kindling flame within them. It would seem that once they had nurtured their own civilisation in the cradles of Tsu, Jirai and Chima they moved on to expand their domain southwards. The Tiquaitan silver mining operations in Germon Doilth were amongst the most successful expeditions of its kind in Nybelmar - though a variety of tragic accidents befell those who delved into the Doilth’s bowels, morbid stories told only by the relics they left behind as chilling reminders.
As was sadly the case
with a number of great civilisations, the arrogance and hubris brought by
comfort and success often leads to a bitter and unexpected downfall. Whilst the
culture of these men is still revered today, the people themselves were not
perceived in such a forgiving light. Many, though virtuous in many other ways,
lacked the virtue of humility. While you could argue that the Tiquaitan had no
reason to be humble since they accomplished so much, it was this intrinsic
arrogance that eventually allowed the monarchy to be overthrown and allowed to
republic to fall into
ruins.
Housing. Though
the main cities of Tsu, Jirai and the capital Chima had their own distinct
styles, architecturally older than the Tiquaitan itself, there were some notable
conventions in settlements built after the unification. First and foremost,
stained and tinted glass was a favourite, many Tiquaitan houses being built with
particularly high ceilings solely to incorporate equally tall windows. As well
as this, the Tiquaitan would have seemed to develop a strong liking for rigid
geometric design, as a smooth surface; round edge or curvature in a Tiquaitan
building in anywhere other than Tsu is practically unheard of. Houses, by Sarvonian
standards, were relatively luxurious. Composing of spacious
chambers (usually craft of stained wood, whilst stone was a more expensive
alternative) with fully functioning plumbing and sewage systems, the home of the
normal Tiquaitan was greatly reflective of the state’s general wealth, allowing
even the lowliest citizen to live in comfort. The most important part of a
house, socially, was the roof, which almost always had a deck for public social
functions (with adequate cover from the sunlight to prevent tanning of the skin-
see appearance).
Despite having such expansive rooms, the sleeping habits of the Tiquaitan were awfully claustrophobic. Inside each wall of the ‘bedrooms’ lied a small section of wood that slotted inconspicuously. Upon removing it, a small padded interior was found that was usually just the right size for the person inside, tailored like a coffin. The dimensions of the space were not far off from the constructs corpses were buried in, leading to actual coffins being referred to as ‘the last bed’. Visiting ambassadors to Tiquaitan settlements who had no previous experience of such sleeping arrangements often slept on couches or other soft furnishings, and with due reason, since there was only enough space for the nose to scratch the ‘ceiling’ (causing a lot of discomfort to the more broad-snouted individual).
Whilst many foreigners look into these sleeping arrangements with the question 'how do they....show affection?', the answer explains itself if you continue the tour of the house. Generally situated on the home's top floor is a room where children are forbidden to enter (understandably). Usually with a plain glass ceiling so that you can look at the stars (and to prevent people entering during the day) the room itself functions as what is known as the 'Hallumarasensua' or 'Chamber of Love' and varies extensively in design depending on who owns the house and their personal tastes.
As opposed to one central
light source (such as a fire
for example) Tiquaitan houses had various
small pockets in the walls to place candles in. Rather than conventional
designs, Tiquaitan incorporated the usage of ‘Slowflash’ (a metal found in the
Germon Doilth burning with the white glow of Torch-ore, though at a slower pace)
in the wick’s construction. This created an almost constant impression of
daylight throughout the house, which was useful when you consider that most
daylight was ‘blocked out’ by the tinted
windows.
Clothing.
Tiquaitan clothing, as is the case in most cultures, varied between men and
women. Both genders though favoured certain materials. Men usually sported
relatively loose fitting silk tunics, which were long-sleeved or short-sleeved
depending on the weather. Whilst this was the norm, other options generally
consisted of the ‘Jirai wrap’ (a long piece of fabric which was wrapped around
the torso and biceps like an elegant bandage) or fur coats, usually always dyed
white to avoid any
resemblance to the Tsohamin, known for their similar practices. Whatever the
design though, all men’s garments by law had to accommodate a ‘V’ neck cut to
display the individuals upper chest, since all convicted fugitives were branded
in this area. The lower body was usually covered by two extremes- loose flowing
silk leggings (to match the tunic) for more domestic activities or tight fitting
(and rather constrictive) nedim leggings- durable garments made from strongly
woven fibres- for outdoor activities such as hunting trips. Men were expected to
wear wooden sandals outside, though it was considered horribly rude to enter any
building without first removing them. The colour spectrum was not awfully
broad for men - usually dictated as whites, greys, blues
and metallic
hues.
Women, alternatively, had somewhat elaborate fashions. Whilst it was practically required that a woman adopted both a corset and gloves many chose to ‘play’ with the format. Tiquaitan dresses were famed for being grossly dysfunctional- composed of a whole manner of frills, straps and translucent materials (generally modified by their husbands if they were married). It seems that as time passed, Tiquaitan women wore less and less. Illustrations show women in the Kingdom of Tsu covered completely, even sporting a mask, making her wrists the only part of visible skin. Later portraits show women, who by ancient standards, could have been considered to be posing naked. It also seemed that as the women began to wear less and less, the size and number of umbrellas carried by the women seems to have increased in suit. Whilst the only colour that deterred Tiquaitan women was brown, colour co-ordination was at the root of all outfits, women spending ridiculous amounts on eye shadow or nail polish that would match their dress perfectly.
Women also had a
particular liking for jewellery. Whilst silver was the most common kind, chains
and rings of gold were favoured. At the peak of the scale in expressing one’s
wealth, however, were Luminite metals, famed for their iridescent, colourful
glows. Even though many spoke of the metals having detrimental effects on the
skin, even causing severe sickness, this was a price the aesthetically obsessed
were willing to
pay.
Diet. Whilst the diet of the Tiquaitan expanded to include that
of other cultures during the peak of their exotic expeditions, the Tiquaitan
were strongly rooted in the coast and were lovers of seafood, some sort of fish
being present at almost every meal. As their domain expanded into more agrarian
climes their liking for game meat (particularly birds) became apparent, making
hunting a very profitable business, since many Tiquaitan were without the
necessary skill. Most Tiquaitan also grew herbs and salad vegetables on their
balconies, a tradition that probably started as a satire of Tiquaitan
apothecaries. Regardless of what actually laid on the table, the methods of
cooking and eating were perhaps the most peculiar.
Tiquaitan chefs never cooked meats as you might expect. In fact, meats generally were cooked very quickly so that the outside would become crispy but still leaving the inside as relatively raw. In perhaps an even more unusual fashion, fish was never cooked at all- merely sliced into relatively thin pieces and served with a whole manner of sauces. As a result, the Tarshiinites, whose food played a major part in their diplomacy, always displeased Tiquaitan visitors (drawing complaints of it being ‘overcooked’).
As opposed to the
conventional knives and forks you might see elsewhere, the Tiquaitan themselves
only used one metal ‘skew’ to eat since all food was sliced before it was
brought to the table. This peculiar practice was expanded upon by the
Tarshiinites, creating what most neighbouring nations call ‘Tar-tongs’ (actually
meaning ‘Pure-tongs’). These constructs grew to be hugely popular, allowing food
to be sliced and conveyed to mouth in an easy and elegant way. Due to their
sharp tips and responsive design, based around a strip of metal folded upon
itself to create a narrow arch-like shape, food can be sliced if neccesary and
then be grasped with ease and precision.
Weapons. Whilst
the events of the Red Sunset
crushed any thoughts of resisting the King, the Tiquaitan remained relatively
pacifistic towards other nations as well until the involvement of the tyrannical
mage Alil. The Tiquaitan seem in fact so unprepared for any sort of conflict
that they are only known to have ever used one weapon- The Tiqua Sabre, a weapon
with a slightly curved hilt as long a man’s forearm and a blade curved to same
extent (in the opposite direction) of equal length. Whilst original used as
duelling weapons (in pairs) the blades were the only weapons that Tiquaitan
soldiers were equipped with during the Tiquaitan Republican Wars. As was the
case with all things Tiquaitan, the sabre itself was meant to be an elegant and
artistic craft, meaning that those trained to use it ‘properly’ made easy
targets for the hordes of the Tsohamin. Though cruder wooden crafts (spears, sling-shots
etc.) were used in the early conflicts
(such as the Sarut wars), these were quickly replaced to improve congruence with
the Tiquaitan emphasis on everything's intrinsic
elegance.
Occupations. Easily the most popularised occupation within
the Tiquaitan kingdom was that of the medical apothecary. Due to the dedication
of the medicinal geniuses of Tsu, Jirai and Chima, medicine was greatly advanced
even before the Union of the Tiqua. Though the formulae were archaic and often
hard to understand, if they were followed effectively the results defied belief.
Whilst also being able to heal, cure and prevent already known ailments, the
Ancient Tiquaitan apothecaries also managed to identify (or some may say
‘invent’) a variety of sicknesses that were otherwise unknown - such as
Arufritas, a common ailment amongst the elderly characterised by brittle bones
and tight, relatively stationary joints. The job of an apothecary was not an
easy one. Whilst many thought that it merely consisted of mixing herbs and
powers in a small cauldron (which to some extent it did), the hardest part of
any apothecary’s occupation was acquiring the often-obscure ingredients for
their concoctions. Most of the herbs required grew in the Fragrant Hills, the
territory of the Tsohamin. A strong relationship was forged between the two, the
Tsohamin foragers offering the necessary herbs and the Tiquaitan offering metals
that the Tsohamin could work into tools and weapons, ironically, to one day
declare war on
them.
Though Anadalius was popularised as the first of the Tiquaitan poets, all three Feudal Cities had long standing poetic traditions. Though subject matter was not as broad in poetry as it was in philosophy (generally describing natural environments or extreme emotions), poetry remained a central art of the Tiquaitan people. Poetic expression perhaps characterised the esteem in which the Tsohamin held the Tiquaitan. Yes, they may have been pretty to look at, many felt the Tiquaitan were an impractical and often whimsical group of people. The great emphasis they laid on art also furthered the Tsohamin’s distaste for Tiquaitan culture - the Tsohamin priding themselves on their pragmatism. The Tiquaitan, however, lived by the mantra ‘the elegance of the method defies the importance of the product’.
With the exception of the Kingdom of Jirai’s Akalara (‘God of the Sun’), the worship of which was abandoned centuries before the union, the Tiquaitan never followed any organised religion. Though the historical and social roots of their systematic atheism were important to context of what it was to be Tiquaitan, this fundamental absence of ‘conventional faith’ opened up a realm left relatively undisturbed beforehand- philosophy. Due to their lack of religious constraints, the Tiquaitan had no pre-set ‘root of thought’ like other tribes, and as such their minds were free to ponder ‘why?’. Whilst there are considered to be four classical greats of Tiquaitan philosophy, as discussed in Monk Sasarta’s essay on the topic (Aroonate Masmalama, Susashale Esiliate, Raretogaya Wahricora and Korania Neemabil), philosophy itself was so broad in the kingdom that practically no matter - political, social or moral - was left untouched. To some extent, a widely followed philosopher had a similar status to that of a divine prophet in other societies - after all; his or her wisdom was the highest with no divine superior.
Even though it was probably the most exclusive profession in the entire Kingdom, the Order of the Foreseers were a group of people with amazing renown, inside Tiquaitan society and out. In a similar manner to the philosophers, with the absence of religion the Foreseers constituted the closest things the Tiquaitan had to ‘priests’. Foreseers themselves believed in what was called ‘Natural Congruence’, that we could plot our future’s course by identifying a variety of important signals in our environment. They were known primarily for their reading of the stars (their observatory towers dominating the skyline of Tsu), and ‘Tiletelling’, a practice involving rolling a huge number of illustrated tiles and interpreting the results. The Order of Foreseers acted as the greatest advisors to the royal family, until of course they began to foretell the tragic downfall of Tiquaitan, prophesying an end to a seemingly perfect kingdom.
Though only an integral
part of Tiquaitan society for only a fraction of its rich history, the
augmenting magi of the Tiquaitan were pivotal in directing the kingdom to its
eventual downfall. The magic itself, springing
from seven explorers who returned home after decades gone missing (supposedly
under the tutelage of the Pyrunai brothers - acknowledged as the fathers of Marmarran Blood Magic
), enabled what
was known as ‘The Alilian Septet’ to seize control of the entire state and
establish a new republic, equipped with legions of soldiers beyond the capacity
expected of
men.
Government. When Anadalius founded the Union of the Tiqua
the model for the government was simple. To compromise power between the Feudal
lords of Tsu, Jirai and Chima, rather than declare one as the overall leader of
the other two, an alternating power system was put in. All the resources of the
three states were combine into one nation (‘Tiquaitan’) and every three years
power would change hands to the next feudal dynasty- each one having absolute
power of the three states (with their borders- geographically and socially-
still strongly defined). After the second three-year term however, Chima
came into power. Whilst Chiman Lord Sarasalias always said ‘I will never allow
myself to be criticised by Anadalius, I will do his will’ his intentions were
always masked. Tragically, soon after Sarasalias assumed the title of Jartan
(ruler of Tiquaitan) Anadalius died of old age. True to his word, one day after
Anadalius’ funeral (when Anadalius could no longer criticise) Sarasalias led the
armies of Tsu, Jirai and Chima into Tsu and Jirai - leading to the three week
massacre known as the ‘Red
Sunset’.
After this shocking event and the declaration of Sarasalias as king of the new Tiquaitan Kingdom, no one ever openly opposed the Royal family again. Though the purpose of the King as absolute ruler was obvious in the early years, as the kings grew arrogant, selfish and ignorant, Tiquaitan society met a standstill. Though the reign of Narsira the Green and the subsequent kings during the ‘Millennium of Prosperity’ warranted centuries of progress, the arrogant slump of the kings quickly resumed, becoming little more than nuisance to his advisors.
However, much later on in Tiquaitan history, the arrival of the vastly powerful Alilian Septet however brought about the first coup in the Kingdom’s history (excluding the Red Sunset, which technically happened before). After the King, in his supreme conceit, refused to acknowledge the capacity of the augment magi the septet was angered, and with the help of General Damasari, marched upon the Emerald Palace - forming the new Tiquaitan Republic. After assuming power the following decades under the Septet’s rule were the most fruitful that anyone could remember.
All was not well, though.
The Septet began to argue amongst themselves fiercely, beginning to get as
little done as the kings that had preceded them. As a solution Garalaria, the
second strongest in the septet only to Alil, suggested they form one
consciousness. Surely if they were one mind they could get much more done? Using
their recently discovered magic
they managed to fuse their minds into one, but
once again, this presented them with further problems. The telepathy established
between the men began allowed them to hear the thoughts of each other, and the
thoughts of seven men in one man’s head was enough to drive anyone insane.
Within three weeks of the magical ‘mind-bridging’ three of the septet
(Garalaria, Murala and Estello) had committed suicide, driven insane by the
chattering of thoughts. The remaining four quickly noticed their own
strength had been increased, leading them to assume that the power of the dead
three had been distributed amongst the survivors. Alil, now driven insane and
power-hungry, kills his three other colleagues, inheriting the power of six
master magi. The tyrannical actions of Alil after this point led to the wars
between the Tsohamin and Tarshiinite coalitions, bringing the eventual downfall
of the Tiquaitan and any government it supported.
Production/Trade. The Tiquaitan were never a particularly
commercial people, especially with the presence of the master-traders the Faen
nearby. Whilst their trade in tinted glass was mildly successful with the
Tarshiinites, it seemed to be the case that the Tarshiinites were only willing
to trade in order to please their Tiquaitan idols and eventually had too much
glass they had no need for. Though it was fully monopolised after their
extinction, the rivers of Kimka (and the gold that flows through them) were
first invested in by the Tiquaitan, who at the time were the biggest supplier of
gold around the western part of Nybelmar. Once they began bulk sales with the
Faen however, the huge network the citizens of the Municipen managed to
establish in their stead replaced their independent
trading.
Other than those two
primary products, the mining operations they orchestrated in the Doilth allowed
considerable amounts of silver and Luminite metals to be garnered, though never
to the volumes of gold exported. Additionally, laws instated by King Sarasalias
made trading of medicine (be it finished products, recipes and formulae or
ingredients) forbidden from sale to other nations, though such wares brought
into the kingdom were smiled
upon.
Natural Resources. Whilst
the shores of the Tiquaitan Cities were rich in fish, sea salt, fine sand and
idyllic landscapes, the Tiquaitan did not appear to show much interest in the
treasures that laid close to home. The brilliant white
-barked yews that
littered the coasts in patches of forest were favoured in construction, the
deposits of the treacherous Germon Doilth were surprisingly easy to mine and
cornucopia of fauna and flora found in the fragrant hills served a whole manner
of different purposes for the inventive Tiquaitan- food, medicine and even
substances ingested for recreational
purposes.
Holidays,
Festivals and Observances. Without Gods to
praise the observances were sparse, but not non-existent:
Red
Memorial
On the last sunset of every
year citizens of the Tiquaitan would stand in the sunlight for two straight
hours (see Appearance to see the importance of this) holding red handkerchiefs and saluting
the sun. This event was intended to show
respect for those who died in the Red
Sunset massacres- but
was eventually outlawed in 3999 b.S. because it was thought to shown the royal
ancestors in a bad
light.
Morning of
Greenbirth
The birthday of Narsira
the Green
remained a national holiday to honour the importance of this specific
King, Narsira being the one who instigated the Millennium of Prosperity amongst
the Tiquaitan people. At sunrise it was traditional to visit the monarch’s grave
or congregate at his statue to sing the national anthem ‘Tiqua of Purity’ that
he wrote and composed
himself.
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