Tamerlane
The Tamerlane duchy is a small duchy in southeastern Fresia. It contains a central town of the same name as well as smaller villages and homesteads.
Contents
Quick Facts
The Tamerlane motto is United by Courage, Fortified by Victory. In Dulisian (Fresian), it is Cesaret ile Birlesmis, Qelebe ile Istekham. The motto has been translated into Ubrekti and Gnomish.
The Tamerlane duchy is ruled by a Reis (Chief/Mayor) is advised by the Council of Elders. The Reis is a direct descendant of the supposed founder of the area, Tamerlane.
The official languages are Dulisian (a variant of Fresian), Ubrekti, and Gnomish. All Tamerlane children are instructed in all three languages.
The mascot animal is the timberwolf and the Tamerlane banner features a stylized wolf on a gray background, rumored to be created by Tamerlane's wife Edina. The official colors often change with every Reis.
Government & Culture
While the Tamerlane duchy has been historically patriarchal, the assumption of duties by Ariadne the Motherly in 772 lead her son, Teinrop the Invincible, to revise the Old Code and allow women to assume the role of Reis as long as they were directly within the Tamerlane heir line. This allowed Cannedy the Clearminded to assume the Reis in 824.
Old Code
The Old Code is the code of laws and traditions that were passed down verbally until Cantor the Worldly insisted on their translation and transcription around 500 FI. The Old Code was inscribed on metal tablets in Dulisian by a scribe Cantor had brought with him from northern Fresia. As only Cantor and the scribe could read the tablets, the Old Code continued to be passed down verbally by the elders. Cantor also formed the official Council of Elders, which was included as an addendum to the Old Code.
Dre the Solemn translated the Old Code from these tablets into Ubrekti in 1051.
The Old Code received major revisions in 772, and minor revisions in 1051. Only the current Reis is allowed to revise the Old Code and as of the 1051 revision, all future revisions also must be unanimously approved by the Council of Elders.
The main tenants of the Old Code are as follows:
- A Reis may only be of Tamerlane's blood as to keep the spirit of the duchy intact. The Reis heir shall be the firstborn son of the current Reis. If the Reis should pass before producing an heir, the Reis' next male kin shall take his place. (500 revision) If there is no male kin, the Council of Elders shall appoint an heir based on closest blood lineage of Tamerlane. If a Reis is at an age before the Age of Reckoning, the Reis' parents will assume all duties of the Reis until his Age of Reckoning. If the parents should pass, the Council of Elders will appoint an adviser or advisers. (772 Revision) The Reis heir shall be the firstborn child of the current Reis, be it male or female. If the Reis should be before the Age of Reckoning, the Council of Elders or parents of the Reis shall assume all duties of the Reis until the Age of Reckoning. Should the Reis pass before producing an heir, the Reis' closest relative shall take his or her place.
- The (Old) Code may only be changed by current Reis (1051 revision) and these changes must be approved unanimously by the Council of Elders before passing into The Code.
- The duchy shall be ruled by the Reis. (500 revision) The Reis shall have a group of trusted advisers known as the Council of Elders. This Council consists of any former living but retired Reis as well as citizens who have currently retired and who volunteer. Members of the Council are bound to serve and protect the Reis as well as uphold the culture, people, and traditions of the Tamerlane.
- Each member of the Tamerlane shall perform to the best of his (772 revision) or her (original) abilities in order to benefit the whole of the Tamerlane. (500 revision) Betrayal such as that observed by Francine the Traitor is punishable by immediate death once it has been accurately determined by the Reis and Council of Elders that betrayal has indeed occurred. A tribunal will be held for the accused with the Reis and Council coming to a final, unanimous opinion regarding the fate of the accused. This holds for any person, Tamerlane or not, accused of a wrongful deed.
- When a Tamerlane dies, he shall be given one of three burials: a martyr's burial, a traditional burial, or a traitor's burial. A Reis will receive a traditional burial unless the current Reis (500 revision) or Council of Elders (original) agrees to another type. A martyr's burial is reserved for exceptional Tamerlane citizens who sacrifice their lives willingly for the good of the duchy. In a martyr's burial, the deceased will be mourned for an entire week and the Reis will fast for 2 days. The funeral pyre shall be erected in the central town and will consist of the finest wood available. Each mourner shall sacrifice a personal item to the fires as a tribute to the martyr's sacrifice. The rest of the burial proceeds the same as the traditional burial. For a traditional burial, a funeral pyre is constructed the bonfire arena in the center of the village. The body is laid on the pyre and the mourners will pay their respects. When the moon is at the highest point, the pyre is lit and all mourners shall watch the body burn and the soul rise with the smoke. When there is naught but ash, the ashes will be buried in the fields so that it may enrich and bless the next harvest. A traitor's burial is not a burial at all. The traitor's body will be taken outside of the Tamerlane lands and dumped without ceremony, a feast for the carrion and scavengers.
- When a Tamerlane has witnessed the passing of no less than 60 changes of the sky (seasons), the Tamerlane has entered the Age of Reckoning. At this time, the Tamerlane may assume all benefits and duties of full adult citizenship, (1051 revision) rise from apprentice to master, (original) and choose to take a mate if it is desired. After the Age of Reckoning, a Reis may assume full control of the office.
- Even in battle, a Tamerlane is honorable. Children of the enemies are never killed but are integrated and adopted by Tamerlane families. Those who flee are not killed, but are left to fend for their own cowardice. Women with child are never killed but should they not be grateful for mercy will be bound and sold to the next passing trader. All others will receive the honor of a quick death.
Religion
Legends tell of Simien the Pure and his eventual predecessor, Birry the Prophet, who converted the remainder of adherents in the duchy from the Zupanist Alexandrianism (left over from its Ulan roots) to Alexandrian Orthodoxy.
Older stories tell of the bizarre shamanistic and pagan practices associated with the Demi-Pantheon. It is said the founding tribes had particular fondness for Reth but when a Gnomish priest of Snibrnuth entered the area, this deity was revered as well. When Alexandria ascended and the clerics of the Demi-Pantheon lost their powers, the founding tribes reverted back to largely shamanistic and agnostic practices. Little else is known save for these anecdotal stories.
There is a general ambivalence towards religion overall within the area, though Tamerlane residents generally say they believe in Alexandria and practice Alexandrian Orthodoxy.
Education
With the formation of the job system around 500 FI, the formal trade of teaching was established. With this came the Scholar Initiative whereby all Tamerlane children were required to attend daily lessons until the Age of Reckoning. Before completing their Age of Reckoning transition, all Tamerlane children were required to have a functional knowledge of Ubrekti, Gnomish, and Dulisian as well as being able to read and write Dulisian. Children who choose to go into trapping or trade relations are required to read, write, and speak all above languages fluently. By the time of Dre the Solemn, nearly all children regardless of trade were fluent in all three languages.
Ethnic Relations
- Gnomes: As it is rumored Tamerlane himself took a gnomish woman as one of his wives (though she did not produce an heir), the Tamerlane duchy has a strong, positive relationship with Gnomes.
- Elves: There is a story regarding the Tamerlane hunter who struck up a close friendship with an elf and this is the rumored source of the Bracers of Defense, however, there is little else other than that story to show any relationship whatsoever.
- Halflings: The Tamerlane have had little dealings with halflings except in regards to river trade. The exception to this was when Anderly the Wanderer returned with his halfling hoard. Since that disastrous situation, many Tamerlanes tend to think poorly of halflings in general and deal with them only when forced. The assassination of Cid and Ramia Stormblade by a halfling furthered this racial prejudice.
- Non-Fresian Humans: Due to the "melting pot" of humans within Tamerlane's borders, the Tamerlane people tend to take a fairly neutral opinion on all other humans.
- Ulan Barbarians: Given their location, Tamerlane is often at odds with Ulan barbarians. Also due to their location, barbarians in general are generally looked down upon despite the area's barbarian heritage.
History & Mythos
Much of the history and mythos of Tamerlane is told through stories. There is a rich verbal legacy of storytelling within the area. Few records have been kept save for lineage and a few legends transcripted for posterity.
Simein the Pure
During a bloody war with a barbarian tribe, Frent sent his infant son off to his wife's hometown in northern Fresia where he lived until his early teenage years. He received training as a cleric in the Alexandrian church. When word was sent and Frent's wife returned with Simein, Simein was immediately married off to the daughter of a mercenary who had taken control of the rival tribe during the war. Simein was not pleased with this union as the daughter, Francine, was ugly both inside and outside. Despite this, Simein fulfilled his duties as both a husband and later as Reis when his father retired. Francine had been carrying on an affair with her half-brother, Arthur, and when Simein's sister Meinte caught them, Francine slew her in the center of the town of Tamerlane just as Meinte began to speak. Francine counted on Simein's loyalty to prevent retribution, but Simein flew into a rage, denounced Francine as a heretic, and beheaded her then and there. Arthur emerged semi-clothed from the forest and Simein beheaded him as well. Francine and Arthur's bodies were tossed into the forest while Meinte received a martyr's burial.
Simein went on a pilgrimage to purify his conscience. He returned to the church where he had originally began his training as a cleric. His mentor, the aged priest, bestowed upon him the title of paladin and honored him for his diligent work in the true way of Alexandria, especially in the diligent conversion of the citizens of Tamerlane. Also while in town, he met up with his childhood friend Lahze Hatter and took her as his bride. He returned to the duchy a new man and lead it into a time of renewed prosperity.
Of his two heirs, Kent died after contracting an illness and passed the the title of Reis to his younger brother, Birry. Incidentally, Birry was also the only one whose paternity could be proven as Francine was bedridden and thus stuck in the town throughout his conception and pregnancy, while Kent looked little like Simein and thus some secretly doubted his paternity.
Anderly the Wanderer
Anderly the Wanderer had a fetish for morbidly obese halfling women. When he was 16, he left the village with his sister Ramia to seek his a bride. Ramia ended up marrying the head of the Arabelle town guard, Cid Stormblade, and the two adventured together. Anderly stayed in Arabelle and blew his father's money on drugs and alcohol. When his father summoned him back, the scout returned with news that Anderly had left town with a group of traveling halflings. Anderly returned to the village a few years later with his "wives"- 6 morbidly obese halfling women. Citizens throughout the duchy were shocked and outraged. In addition, most did not believe Anderly's "pups" (as his children were snidely called) were fit to carry on the royal line. Birry the Tenacious fell gravely ill and, as he was unable to contact his daughter quickly, was forced to hand the duchy over to Anderly. Birry died soon afterwards, joining his wife who had passed a few years previously. Anderly nearly drove the duchy into complete ruin as he, his lovers, and his hoard of children consumed resources with reckless abandon.
When Ramia returned with her husband and son to visit, she was mortified. With her husband's help, they removed Anderly from power and exiled his clan from the duchy. Ramia did not want to assume the role of the Reis but their son, Tomas, was the next legitimate heir after Ramia. As Tomas was still a child, Cid and Ramia served as his advisers and assisted the remaining Council of Elders in restoring Tamerlane. Well-trained and courageous like his parents, Tomas took control as Reis after his Age of Reckoning celebration. His parents remained in the town of Tamerlane and served as his trusted advisers and on the Council of Elders until their deaths.
Tomas married the daughter of a fur trader and thus established the booming fur trade that continues to support Tamerlane.
The Stormblades
Cid Stormblade was born in the summer of 838 in Arabelle to the son of the town clerk named Fren Stormblade and a talented calligrapher, Stevia Stormblade (nee Souce). He was the middle child of a family of three boys. His older brother Jakob joined the town guard as soon as he was able while his younger brother Drew opened his own restaurant. While the boys were growing up, they heard numerous tales of their ancestors who served proudly in the town guard. Fren had a weak heart and thus was never able to join but hoped one of his sons would and was overjoyed when Jakob did. Cid, however, opted for a different path entirely. He loved nature and would often roam about it. While Jakob took up the sword, Cid found himself better suited to archery. He also enjoyed calligraphy and his mother taught him the craft. While both of his brothers jumped into their desired professions, Cid found himself at a loss.
Cid's confusion did not last long. Jakob sustained fatal injuries after falling off a horse while learning how to ride. As Cid was teaching him, he felt responsible for his brother's death- a guilt he would carry with him for the rest of his life. On his deathbed, Jakob begged Cid to stand-in for him on the town guard while he recovered. Cid did so and felt obligated to continue to serve after Jakob's death. Cid poured himself into his job and soon rose amongst the ranks. He served as the captain of the Arabelle town guard from 864 FI until Harvest of 872 when he resigned his post.
Cid met Ramia Tamerlane in spring of 872. The slightly exotic looking and strikingly beautiful Ramia had accompanied her younger brother Anderly in order for him to find a bride. They rented a room at an inn when they arrived and it was that evening that Anderly had experienced profound drunkenness for the first time. When Ramia tried to lead her brother upstairs to prevent him from embarrassing himself (and her), Anderly struck her hard across the face. The other patrons were shocked and their attempts to restrain him from hitting her again started a brawl. The town guard was called and Cid responded. He arrested Anderly and restored order, only to find himself facing a furious Ramia.
Ramia demanded her brother be released, indignant and outraged by the implication that she would need to be saved after the hit from Anderly. Cid was immediately smitten with her as she was the first woman he had been attracted to since his youth. He listened to Ramia's explanation that they were heirs to the Tamerlane duchy and continued to engage Ramia in conversation. The next morning Anderly was released. While his sister slept, Anderly took the entirety of their money and left Ramia to fend for herself. Ramia woke when the chambermaid came to clean the room and was horrified to learn that Anderly had abandoned her, penniless, without even a roof over her head.
Cid stopped by the inn to check on Ramia and Anderly to find a crestfallen Ramia searching half-heartedly for her missing brother. Cid offered to mobilize the town guard but Ramia would have none of it- she didn't want to waste anyone's time or energy on her reckless brother. Cid offered Ramia a room at his house and was surprised when she agreed to the arrangement. Ramia offered to keep the place clean in exchange for room and board, but discovered that Cid kept doing things to keep her from having to do anything. The two fell in love and by the end of the summer, they were wed by Cid's father. The happy couple returned to the Tamerlane for the "official" ceremony, celebrations, and blessing of Ramia's family.
During their honeymoon, they began a series of adventures that tested their skills, strength, and wits. They traveled across the region and returned to Arabelle when Ramia was pregnant. Their son, Tomas, was born in Heavenfall 879 FI. As the seasons changed to spring, they planned to visit Tamerlane with their new baby.
When Cid and Ramia arrived in Tamerlane, they were horrified: Anderly and his massive clan had nearly ruined the village. They lived in excess and squalor, and brought disease as well. Ramia discovered her beloved father had died soon after Anderly took power and Anderly had never bothered to send word to her. The Council of Elders were nearly wiped out by disease but it didn't seem to matter as Anderly refused to listen to them anyway.
The Stormblades removed Anderly from power though Ramia once again refused to be the Reis of the duchy. As firstborn, it had been offered to her after her Age of Reckoning. Ramia lacked the desire for she loved to have the freedom to travel if she wished. Instead she recommended that her son be made the Reis and she, along with Cid and the Council, would take care of his affairs until he was able to take the position himself.
Cid and Ramia lived a happy life and died together when they were murdered in their sleep by an assassin. Tomas had suspected that the assassin was hired by his exiled uncle in revenge.
Reis Lineage
The Reis are supposedly direct descendants of Tamerlane, the founder of the duchy. It is said that the Tamerlane line has yet to fail to produce an heir. As the duchy is traditionally patriarchal, the line passes from father to child (traditionally son) or nearest relative. For "legal" purposes, the last name of the family is the same as the duchy, Tamerlane, but the family prefers to go by first name only with titles serving to denote a special honor. The Reis is always given a title which denotes a key element of his/her prowess or some other notable trait.
The Legendary Lineage of the Tamerlane Reis
Tamerlane the Eternal
Condor the Astitute
Donovon the Crafter
Clayben the Rampaging
Fanlay the Noble
Baryum the Revered
Sargem the Acclaimed
Fanlay the Lesser
Cantor the Worldly
Frent the Bashful
Simein the Pure
Kent the Gullible
Birry the Prophet
Kowe the Incomprehensible
Ariadne the Motherly
Teinrop the Invincible
Cannedy the Clearminded
Birry the Tenacious
Anderly the Wanderer
Tomas Stormblade the Redeemer
Einar the Defender
Conall the Brave
Cid-Kendrew the Victorious
Dre the Solemn
Connal the Completing
