Tyrn

Other

Economy

Tyrn and the outlying villages are largely self-sustaining, importing mostly just rare luxury goods. Agriculture is the most significant occupation, with much of it being organized by the various Athear. The mountain slopes are covered in nut trees and fruit trees and olive groves.

Some mining happens in the surrounding mountains, but not on a large scale.

Tourism is also significant, with worshippers of Endrell coming from all across Merisyl to see one of their most significant religious locations.

History

Tyrn was originally settled as a small religious shrine to Endrell. A charismatic Elf by the name of Burian Tyrn’Aleia fell in love with the tranquility of the place, and attracted a small group of followers to found a Temple of the Hopeful Dawn with him. Over the course of his long life Burian attracted quite a following. Critics describe it as “cult-like”, and point out that the large number of single women in this follower base suggested Burian was abusing his divine authority to maximize worldly pleasure. The current leadership of the Athear does not dispute the facts but simply credits Burian for being devoted to Endrell’s tenets.

By the time Burian passed away at the ancient (even by Elven standards) age of 750 years old the small religious community had grown into a large town. With his death that town had to establish a new leadership organization, as Burian had served undisputed as the de-facto leader of the Shrine and the surrounding community. The Athear of Endrell used Burian’s reputation and devoted following to secure themselves a permanent leadership position. Unbeknownst to most, a brief and bloody power struggle occurred, with dozens killed. Further bloodshed was avoided by creating roles to share power. This appeased those with influence who sought to step into the void left and take power. Thus was formed the Tribunal. This new governing body held a festival to demonstrate their solidarity and distract this populace from the recent bloodshed, and at that festival officially gave the town the name “Tyrn” to honor Burian Tyrn’Aleia.

This festival became an annual celebration, and is currently known as the Festival of Unification and is held on the date of Burian’s death, Dartaki 12th.

Geography

Tyrn is built along the slopes of dormant volcanoes in the Charvaldae range. There is active volcanic activity not far to the south, though, where the massive fissure known as the Bleed lies. Lava slowly pours from the Bleed into the ocean, creating a sizable section of water off of the south coast of Verchix which is dangerously hot, and attractive to all sorts of unusual sea creatures seeking out either the heat or the minerals which enter the water here.

The many small streams and creeks from the frequent rainfall in the high mountains provide plenty of water for the city, but ultimately drain away underground through pyroducts, so the rivers in the area can disappear underground for sometimes miles at a time.

Regional Neighbors

There are a scattering of small towns and villages throughout the area, all significantly linked to Tyrn economically. The Charvaldae range is home to the Tsengrevix family of Red Dragons. The three brothers have informally established segments of the range under their influence with Tyrn at the center. Hyracliar is established to the north of Tyrn, Claxiviar is to the southeast and Myraniviar to the southwest. Those outlying territories are named after their protectors – Hyra, Claxi and Myrani. Each territory also has an elected humanoid mayor to help oversee the governance of those areas.

None of the three Tsengrevix brothers have attempted to extend their influence over Tyrn itself, both for fear of arousing their siblings’ ire and because the power the Athear of the city wields is significant.