Kingdom of Tallstag
Since the latter centuries of the First Age, the towns of northeastern Ayndrinor have existed on the edge of the Northern Forest. In the first century of the Second Age, after the intermarriage of the two towns' ruling families, the Kingdom of Tallstag was founded. The two towns have been united ever since and have spawned several other towns and outposts over the centuries. The first few centuries were a fight for survival, as the young nation had to constantly fight off dangerous beasts from the forest and raiding warbands from the western mountain regions. To address these threats, the queen at the time decided to construct a series of forts along the kingdom's borders, to help protect the people of the more populated areas.
These border forts proved to also be effective at repelling invasions, and they grew steadily over the centuries. The southeastern watchtower was destroyed by an aggressive army from the neighboring Dumein Dominion around 1400, while the main outpost at Camp Morrigan managed to stave off the attack. The borders were quiet and war was a distant thought for around 80 years, until the recent events of the Everyn War reached the northern kingdom and pitted a rich, robust Dominion army against the relatively poorly equipped but hearty Tallstaggers.
The capital of Tallstag, Forest-end, withstood sieges for almost two years before succumbing to overwhelming forces. The fall of Forest-end marked the end of the war, and the Peace of Everyn was signed in Everyn not long thereafter. Since the war, lingering tensions have simmered between the native Tallstaggers and the new authorities of the Federation. Resistance fighters still carry out guerilla war against the authorities, while the king tries - publicly at least - to foster peace under the new arrangement.
The kingdom was converted to a province, much like the other territories conquered in the War, and was allowed to maintain its internal power structures. The Dominion leaders hope this will help ease some of the tensions as opposed to forcing new structures and new leaders on the conquered people who already don't like them. Time will tell if this strategy assuages the tensions or if it will allow the king to quietly foment insurrection right under the noses of the Federation overseers.
Structure
The hereditary monarch sits on the throne in Forest-end and rules with almost entire authority. The monarch historically has not had the patience or attention to manage the individual towns and cities, so these are delegated to appointed nobles that are appointed somewhat democratically by the people of the respective settlements.
Demography and Population
The population of Tallstag is mostly human and halfling, though groups of settlers over the centuries have made the kingdom considerably more cosmopolitan. Most people live relatively simple lives and have lower incomes than people of many other areas. There is a communal ethos in Tallstag that compels people to help their neighbors and provide for the common good, which helps offset the lower incomes and simple lives. People are generally happier here than in many other settled parts of the world, despite the harsh climate and occasionally dangerous surroundings.
Foreign Relations
For most of its history, the Kingdom of Tallstag stayed independent and neutral, choosing to never get involved in the continent's wars except to defend their territory from invasion. When the Everyn War began, the kingdom saw itself immediately as one of the strongest threats to the expanding Dominion and set up a plan to withstand their sieges and attacks. This went well for two years, before the might of the amassed invaders eventually overran the capital city's defenses. In the time since the war, relations between Tallstag and their new overlords in the Everyn Federation have been fractious, to say the least. A small group of Tallstaggers continue to wage guerilla war on the Federation forces and even on their own government's people who they believe to be collaborators and traitors. During the war, Tallstag formed closer relations with its other regional partners than it had had in the past, though these are somewhat strained due purely to geographic distance.
The Hart of the North
Founding Date
67 2A
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Capital
Demonym
Tallstaggers
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Comments