Taol-Kaer question

[herkles]

Hello,

I am working on my first game, set in Taol-Kaer as this is the kingdom that interests me the most. The various dukedoms make me think of A song of Ice and fire, which is another reason I like it. Though I do have some questions.

1.) Taol-Kaer is the kingdom most closely aligned with the Demothren, and since the war of the temple their is a focus on their traditonal way of life. I assume then that there would a push to have more people become demothrens? The books also state that they are outside of the feudal hierarchy, or at least are supposed to be; how would that work?

2.) What are some of the major plots/intrigue things in the kingdom? I know that the dukedoms of tuaille and Gorm do not like one another. Are their any other dukes/dukedom that have rivalries with others?

3.) the Hilderins. they are the royal guards for the kingdom of Taol-Kaer right?

Sincerely,

-herkles

[Clovis]

I am working on my first game, set in Taol-Kaer as this is the kingdom that interests me the most.

Well it's the largest kingdom, and probably the one with the most diverse population and influences, so it stands to reason!

The various dukedoms make me think of A song of Ice and fire, which is another reason I like it.

And yet, such similarities are purely coincidental, since Shadows of Esteren was designed at a time when the ASoIaF books had not become famous yet! Uncanny, isn't it?

1.) Taol-Kaer is the kingdom most closely aligned with the Demothren, and since the war of the temple their is a focus on their traditonal way of life. I assume then that there would a push to have more people become demothrens?

Actually, even though the Demorthèn feel pressure from conflicting ways of life (mainly the Temple's and the Magientists'), most of them still steadfastly stick to their traditions, according to which only a select few may become Demorthèn. Therefore, they stick to handing down their knowledge to only a few Ionnthén, instead of resorting to things like mass training.

The books also state that they are outside of the feudal hierarchy, or at least are supposed to be; how would that work?

The Demorthèn's status as spiritual guides is what sets them apart. Since they are interecessors between men and the spirits of nature, they have special rights and privileges. For example, they do not have to pay taxes, and the opinion of any full-fledged Demorthèn is almost guaranteed to be heeded. According to ancestral principles, they should only take care of spiritual business, but the reality of existence has led them to take care of more down-to-earth things in educational or political spheres (with for example the existence of a royal Demorthèn, namely Algwich Dert).
Does that help you get a better picture of the situation?

2.) What are some of the major plots/intrigue things in the kingdom? I know that the dukedoms of tuaille and Gorm do not like one another. Are their any other dukes/dukedom that have rivalries with others?

So far, there is no major canon regarding the political situation of Taol-Kaer. You are therefore free to create your own, or to draw inspiration from what various members of the forum have imagined.

There are a few tibdits of background lore here and there (e.g. Tuaille's inhabitants deep-seated grudge about Osta-Baille becoming the capital-city of Taol-Kaer), but nothing global.

3.) the Hilderins. they are the royal guards for the kingdom of Taol-Kaer right?

Basically, yes. Their primary purpose is to fight Feondas, but since they have been a royal order from the beginning, they also often act as royal emissaries or enforcers.

[herkles]

1.) Taol-Kaer is the kingdom most closely aligned with the Demothren, and since the war of the temple their is a focus on their traditonal way of life. I assume then that there would a push to have more people become demothrens?

Actually, even though the Demorthèn feel pressure from conflicting ways of life (mainly the Temple's and the Magientists'), most of them still steadfastly stick to their traditions, according to which only a select few may become Demorthèn. Therefore, they stick to handing down their knowledge to only a few Ionnthén, instead of resorting to things like mass training.

Ah I See, thanks

The books also state that they are outside of the feudal hierarchy, or at least are supposed to be; how would that work?

The Demorthèn's status as spiritual guides is what sets them apart. Since they are interecessors between men and the spirits of nature, they have special rights and privileges. For example, they do not have to pay taxes, and the opinion of any full-fledged Demorthèn is almost guaranteed to be heeded. According to ancestral principles, they should only take care of spiritual business, but the reality of existence has led them to take care of more down-to-earth things in educational or political spheres (with for example the existence of a royal Demorthèn, namely Algwich Dert).
Does that help you get a better picture of the situation?

It does, thanks Though what makes them not part of the feudal hirarachy but the Temple's clergy is part of it; when it seems that they have a similar role to play.

2.) What are some of the major plots/intrigue things in the kingdom? I know that the dukedoms of tuaille and Gorm do not like one another. Are their any other dukes/dukedom that have rivalries with others?

So far, there is no major canon regarding the political situation of Taol-Kaer. You are therefore free to create your own, or to draw inspiration from what various members of the forum have imagined.

There are a few tibdits of background lore here and there (e.g. Tuaille's inhabitants deep-seated grudge about Osta-Baille becoming the capital-city of Taol-Kaer), but nothing global.

alright good to know.

3.) the Hilderins. they are the royal guards for the kingdom of Taol-Kaer right?

Basically, yes. Their primary purpose is to fight Feondas, but since they have been a royal order from the beginning, they also often act as royal emissaries or enforcers.

alrighty thanks

oh another question as well.

How are the Osag clans regarded by the kingdom in general? Also how do the Osag Clans view the kingdom of Taol-Kaer?

thanks for the quick answers.

[Clovis]

It does, thanks Though what makes them not part of the feudal hirarachy but the Temple's clergy is part of it; when it seems that they have a similar role to play.

Well the very foundation of both cults differ vastly: the Demorthèn concern themselves with paying proper respect to the spirits of nature, and even though their role has somewhat evolved (becoming not only spiritual guides, but also wise men and even scholars), they are still not officially part of the ruling class. On the contrary, the Temple is the official religion in Gwidre, and the Hierophant holds considerable authority; their power is spiritual, but also very much temporal.

How are the Osag clans regarded by the kingdom in general? Also how do the Osag Clans view the kingdom of Taol-Kaer?

It is in good part left to your interpretation as the Game Leader, but canon-wise, the Osag are stalwart traditionalists, the majority of whom certainly feel that the kingdom is going astray, being corrupted by foreign influences and not following the traditions as closely as before. However, more progressive Osag, particularly young ones, may feel that their way of life is a thing of the past and that they should move forward.

Conversely, among non-Osag Talkérides, some of them might respect how dedicated and faithful they are, while some others might regard them as anachronistic barbarians rejecting progress and showing latent hostility toward the rightful authority of Taol-Kaer.

[Deorman]

Well I can only speak for myself and my interpretation.

For your N°1 I assume the distinction between our world's feudal hierarchy would come from towns and villages independences, it is said numerous time that because of feondas villages tend to be isolated from one another. They have to stand on their own, so they have their own warriors, rules, the justice is done by the village's concil : nobility doesn't meedle in this matters as much as in our world there is also numerous village of clanic traditions (mostly osag) that is hardly bend to royal or noble's authority.
Ruling nobles do exist and chivalry, knighthood are also part of traditions but their authority don't extend as much as it did in our world.

2) About the dukedoms I think they all have their share of plots and intrigue. But each of them has it's specificities that are inspiring.

-Land of Dèas seems to be the wildest and is the closest to the tradition, it's inhabited mostly by Osags so it's perfet for any related traditional scenario, there must be clans rivalry resolve in ancient traditionnals ways, lacks of royal authority but even so I don't see Osag ploting a lot against the king (so long he doesn't meddle to much in their rules) even rebellious some clans must acknowledge their ancestors were beaten in the past and knelled before Taol'kaer's king and that must be part of their tradition.

-Dukedom of Salann Tir on the difference while mostly inhabited by Osags as well is appointed a Governor, the royal authority as more grasp here so it make a perfect set if you want to play exchanges or conflict between hard traditionalists Osags and other Tri-kazelian and royal authority.

-Dukedom of Tulg seems a mixologie of everything in esteren, old magientist ruins attracting envy, a border with gwidre so some exchange with unicists, the royal authority defended by the queen's sister : no wonder this dukedom is reputed to its plots and treasons.

-Dukedom of Tuaille is almost hostile to the Royal authority and is in a swamp inhabited by dangerous feondas so this realm is proper to axe scenario about rebellion or survival.

- Dukedom of Dulàn on the contrary is a firm protector of royal authority and seems to be ruled by nobility it seems to me you could axe scenario about knighood or peasants's revolts in this realm.

- Dukedom of Gorm has a daring Duke that I find very interesting, despite its corruption I personnaly see gorm as a window to the world. Because Blonag dare do traffic and deal other Duke wouldn't lower themselves to Gorm may important merchandise his dukedom before they reach the rest of the Realm.

-Dukedom of Seol is going through society transformation, the establishment of a ruling bourgeoisie, merchant have a great influence. It is also a small duchy perpetually threaten by Gorm and must play well to hinder any occasion for Gorm to take over it.

-Dukedom of Kel Loar has an interesting Duke who seems to be a competent dipplomate, the duchy is infested with feondas and has a dangerous part of mor forsair, but also privileged ties with magientists who help it's reconstruction and Reizh as a border realm.

[herkles]

new Question: is there any syncrentisim that goes on between the Temple and the Dremothren traditons?

[Clovis]

Due to the very strong tensions from the War of the Temple, and the many irreconcilable concepts (e.g. your soul becoming part of the world (Demorthèn), as opposed to it going to heaven or Limbo (Temple)), you'd be hard-pressed to find any sort of syncretism between the two beliefs. Anyone trying to do so would certainly be considered an immature daydreamer at best, and a traitor at worst.

Still, should a Player want to play such a Character, no reason not to let them do so... as long as they are fully aware of the implications.

[Iris]

you'd be hard-pressed to find any sort of syncretism between the two beliefs

Well... syncretism in Taol-Kaer is quite rare (few vectors, a defensive attitude versus magience and Temple)... But in Gwidre it may be more common, especially in the rural regions...

Main idea with syncretism is to choose the dominant concept, and to add some other...

Example :

Dominant Demorthèn + minor Temple : "there is a cold spirit that is quite strange... "

Dominant Temple + minor Demorthèn : "The Unique reigns, but there are a lot of minor elemental spirits that influence our lives, we can pray both, Unique or Spirits, to find solutions to our problems".

[herkles]

Some more questions, though more of general questions then related to Taol-kaer itself.

1.) Is the practice of Fosterage common in Tri-kazel, perhaps among nobles?
2.) How can I portray the Tarish without making them seem like gypsies?
3.) Can Feonda or other monsters interact with humanity in a more subtle manner? ie could they take on human forms as a way of luring people to their doom and so on?

thanks

-herkles

[Pierstoval]

Some more questions, though more of general questions then related to Taol-kaer itself.

1.) Is the practice of Fosterage common in Tri-kazel, perhaps among nobles?

This is quite a tough question, and sorry for that, but I do not have the answer Maybe the nobles, maybe common people, in fact there is no rule for this : noble parents will send their children for the best education possible, but the poor would send their children to help them raise in the social ladder, it can be both in this case, but I do not know what's about this in Tri-Kazel..

2.) How can I portray the Tarish without making them seem like gypsies?

Maybe look at some east-european cultures ? Slavic peoples ? You know, in France, many "travellers people" (as opposed to "sedentary people") come from eastern countries (Bulgaria, Romania..), and as considered as "gypsies" by non-understanding people around here...

3.) Can Feonda or other monsters interact with humanity in a more subtle manner? ie could they take on human forms as a way of luring people to their doom and so on?

In fact, you can consider Feondas as any form of living or non-living object which acts for Humanity's apocalyptic doom (what an epic phrase ). Ok, it's quite extrapolated, but anything which seems non-natural (either mineral, vegetal or living) and whose behavior seems to work to harm, hurt or destroy human can be considered as a Feond.
Conclusion for this is simple then : if you find a strange plant trying to eat your legs (Cf : Loch Varn scenario ), consider it as a Feond. If you find a psychic man who does not stop to roar, groam, grunt and grumble, and whose eyes are backfliped, who is seriously injured and still running at you, you may consider it as a Feond too !

In fact, the deep nature of the Feondas is still unknown, and it's explained in "Book 1 - Universe" that Feondas can look like anything, and even take the form of Human to trick you (and probably kill you).