Thielon

Thielon, often titled the Last City of the Old Khaganate, is an ancient city founded over 2000 years ago during the reign of the Old Khaganate in the Age of Restoration. It is located in the southeast of the Vurolingian Empire and is the Hochburg of the Imperial Duchy of Thilesia. In the New Age, Thielon is the hearth of Thilesian culture and of the Orcish ancestry outside of the Laghan Fields of the south.

Geographic Location
Thielon is located on the Varenfair Coast, over 700 miles south of Illartein.

The city's climate is pretty much picturesque. Warm southerly winds combined with the warm waters of the Western Varenfair Coast make for a mediteranean climate of tempered waters and calm breezes, sandy beaches and beautiful aquatic and land life. The city is known for its awe inspiring summer storms, which can be quite turbulent but mostly occur off-shore and away from the city.

Despite this, Thielon and Thilesia is less arable than further inland and by the time of the New Age imports large amounts of food from the city of Cinen. It is a great producer of grapes and olives however.

The Piteck River enters the Varenfair Gulf at Thielon and the city is thus able to toll trade between imperial cities such as Cinen & Leisenberge and the outside world.

Government
Thielon is formally governed by the head of the Tauring dynasty, who serves as the Duke-Elector/Electress of the city. This is Donna Tauring in 621 N.A. In reality, the Tauring dynasty requires support from the Four Khans to ensure the productivity and loyalty of the city.

Duke-Electress
Following the city's entry into the Empire in 292 N.A., Emperor Marcus 'the Wise' created the Imperial Duchy of Thilesia and the title of Duke-Elector of Thielon. He granted both of these titles to the Tauring dynasty, a powerful Vurolingian noble family descendant from Taurade, grandfather of Emperor Nibelung 'the Bear'.

The Duke-Elector governs from Castle Summerwind on the Island of Kateer, neutral ground that lies outside the domains of the Four Khans. The Castle was built atop the ruins of an ancient coastal fort that once guarded the river passage of Piteck, even before the foundation of Thielon itself. According to legend, the founders of Thielon stood a top the conquered fortress and saw the incredible natural beauty of the site, and thus decided to settle here.

The Four Khans
There are Four Khans that de-facto wield at least as much power as the Tauring dynasty in the city.


 * Ausilio Da'Kraadak of the Khe'tan
 * Fulgenzio Gotogiello of the Kor'kron
 * Porzia Calderaro of the Mor'shan
 * Semplicio Baragash of the Ta'Zil

City Wards
Thielon is split into four districts, called Cantons by Thilesian tradition.

Khe'tan Canton
The Khe'tan Canton is located south of the Piteck River and is the most isolationist. Foreigners require a special permit to enter, but even then it is very dangerous. In the Khe'tan Canton, anyone can challenge anyone to a duel and declining such is a punishable offense. It is thus that most foreigners are not permitted in the Canton, but do not even wish to enter in the first place.

Despite this, the Khe'tan Clan are known to be excellent duellists, sellswords and even poets. Amongst the four clans this one is most openly proud of their Khaganian heritage, which is shown in their tapestries and preference for the old Laghan language rather than the Thilesian tongue that is a mixture of orcish and Lorondian elements.

Kor'kron Canton
The Kor'kron Canton is well known for it's straight streets, evenly spaced trees and perfectly placed doors and windows. Everything here is designed to appear pleasing and perfectly aligned.

The Kor'kron Clan are famed for being amongst the best architects of the known world, but are also artisans of other professions such as sculpting and masonry.

Mor'shan Canton
The Mor'shan Canton is filled with art of every kind, a place where everything has a second meaning and was made to look appealing and creative.

The Mor'shan are painters, singers and artists of all sorts. They pride themselves in the art that decorates the city, the many sculptures, fountains and theaters.

Ta'zil Canton
The Ta'zil Canton is located outside the boundaries of the city walls and on the coast. Amongst the cantons of the city, it is the least carefully designed and is more like most other cities where the streets will curve and the houses not each cautiously selected to be placed.

The Ta'zil are merchants, smugglers and even outright criminals, though they would never admit to this of course.