Taran

The Free City of Taran

Rising from the scorched ruins of Lost Solis, Taran is a city built in reverence of knowledge—where the written word is law, memory is power, and truth is guarded more fiercely than gold.

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Overview

• Capital: Taran

• Government: Scholastic Concord

• Ruling Body: The Concord of Scrolls

• Primary Culture: Taranic (Scholarly Cosmopolitan)

• Religion: The Pantheon (Knowledge Aspects Emphasized)

• Allies: None (Officially Neutral)

• Rivals: None (Unofficially, all who seek to control it)

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Geography

The Free City of Taran lies deep within Lost Solis, constructed around a rare region spared the worst of the Cataclysm.

• Terrain: Stone plateaus, scorched plains, magically stabilized ground

• Climate: Hot, dry, unnaturally calm within city bounds

• Seas: None (landlocked)

• Borders:

  • Surrounded by Solisan wasteland

  • Trade routes guarded by mercenary escorts

Notable Landmarks

• The Library of Taran – the greatest repository of knowledge in the Land

• The Pillars of Record – monumental inscriptions listing major world events

• The Glass Courts – public forums for scholarly debate

• The Silent Vaults – restricted subterranean archives

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History

Taran predates the fall of The Solisan Empire and survived the Cataclysm through unknown means.

• Founded as a Solisan center of record-keeping and magical study

• Became a refuge for scholars after the Cataclysm

• Declared itself a Free City nearly 2,000 years ago

• Has endured every age through neutrality, utility, and fear

It is widely believed that destroying Taran would doom the world to ignorance—whether this is true or cultivated belief is unclear.

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Major Districts

• The Library of Taran – City and archive intertwined

• The Scriptorium – Living quarters of scholars and scribes

• The Forum of Echoes – Public debates and announcements

• The Outer Stacks – Inns, markets, and visitor districts

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Factions & Organizations

• The Concord of Scrolls – Elected scholar-governors

• The Keepers of Binding – Neutral guardians of the Library

• The Index Militant – Armed protectors sworn to non-alignment

• The Cartographers’ Circle – Mapmakers of unmatched skill

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Culture & Customs

Taranic culture treats knowledge as sacred and dangerous in equal measure.

• Values: Truth, preservation, restraint, curiosity

• Food: Simple grains, preserved fruits, spiced teas

• Social Structure:

  • Status determined by contribution to knowledge

  • Titles earned, never inherited

• Traditions:

  • Annual Reckoning of Errors (public corrections of records)

  • Book-binding ceremonies for major works

• Taboos:

  • Destruction of texts

  • Altering records without citation

  • Bringing armies into city limits

Magic is regulated, not forbidden.

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Notes for Players

Taran is neutral, watched, and respected.

Violence is rare—and swiftly ended.

Knowledge can be bought, traded, or earned.

Some books are sealed for a reason.