Old Empire, Isle of Falls
Tahl was once the southernmost point of the Ildûni city-state. For centuries it served as a center for trade and a naval outpost for traffic moving between the south and north Mar Dèkali. Tahl is famous for the endless coastlines of sheer stone sea walls and the numerous beautiful waterfalls from that cascade from them. Closer inspection reveals thousands of small windows and portals that mark the locations of mined caves, complexes, and villages within the sea wall. Aside from these, the seawall is also interrupted by two massive stone dams that create lakes where rivers once carved through the island rock. There are rumors of additional means to access the island’s interior (i.e., through entrances hidden behind the waterfalls) but no such passages have been found.
Government
- Type – Dekàli Lordship
- Ruler – Lord Veryet Ossad the First of Tahl
- Capital – …
- Cities – Irálam (7,340)
- Calendar – Dekàli Reckoning (DR)
- Festivals – …
People
- Population – Ildûnyr, Tahlyr (650 DR) 22,410
- Races – Yrūn 95%, Gnor 2%, Ōéle 1%, other 2%
- Ethnicities –
- Languages – Ildûnic, Trade
- Religions – Drāūn
Trade
- Currency – Duán (0.075d), Auran (0.75d), Talan (180d), Nor Talan (540d), Nuran (5400d)
- Imports – Produce
- Exports – Ale, cheese
Since the fall of the Old Empire, the Isle of Tahl has been ruled by a hereditary Lordship, descending from a line of lords that ruled during the time of the Dekàlyr. Lord Veryet lives in one of three underground estates located about the island. He makes very few public appearances other than dealing with representatives of the Burning Hand Trading Guild and the Circle of Drūn Ilar. Each of the island magistrates report directly to Lord Veryet and keep him updated on the land’s affairs.
Regions, Geographic
Regions, Political
Cities, Towns, and Villages
- Town of Irálam
Landmarks
- Karn Dràgulpèlkaryr (Dam of the Dragul Heads). The Karn Dràgulpèlkaryr is one of the most impressive Dekàli engineering feats to have survived the fall of the Old Empire. Standing nearly 120 feet tall and half-a-mile wide, the stone structure creates a winding reservoir that extends well into the island’s interior. The stone dam is punctuated by a massive Dragul-head sculpture that incorporates three rolling floodgates located within the sculpture’s eyes and mouth. Each floodgate consists of a massive toothed portal that rolls on a track. These metal seals are moved by dozens of Yrūni workers manning chain pulleys within the dam itself. A village to either side of the dam provides the manpower to open and close the seals, one at a time. Karn Dràgulpèlkaryr was built by the Yrūn between 955-1061 HK, but designed by Dwürdèni engineers.
- Karn Ðà Dirælyr (Dam of the Three Towers). The second dam of Tahl is the Karn Ðà Dirælyr. While not as grand as the first (see above), the dam is significant as an example of Yrūn 12th century HK engineering. Unlike the elaborate rolling floodgates of the Karn Dràgulpèlkaryr, the Three Tower Dam is comprised of hundreds of smaller hatches arranged in five tiers. The dam is buttressed by three massive square towers that double as naval lookouts and garrisons. The Late Empire dam was completed in 1182 HK.