Talam Galta (pronounced ta-LOM GALL-tah) is a nation that broke away from the infernal rule of Koritan in Y9956* and has since tried to chart its own way as a beacon of freedom. This endeavor has been stymied, however, by the large number of Asmodeans that still live within the nation and the ongoing revolutionary war that cooled but did not conclude.
Geography, flora, and fauna
Talam Galta is located on the north coast of the Phiora Sea, east of Koritan and Razivia. The region is mostly temperate forests, grasslands, and bogs, transitioning into boreal forests in the north closer to the Scrios Mountains. The coastline in Talam Galta is primarily comprised of rocky beaches.
Cold winters and relatively cool summers are common most years.
Three major rivers run through Talam Galta. In the west, River Archar serves as the current border with Koritan until it flows into the Bay of Dark Skies. After running through the center of the nation, River Timok reaches the bay as well. River Athea begins far away in the mountains of the Northern Wall before flowing into Lake Osam, and from there eventually reaching the Phiora.
History
Old Razgovir
Like Koritan, the lands that now comprise Talam Galta were for many centuries known as Razgovir. Razgoviri society was led by innumerable druids, who served as protectors, leaders, and guides to their communities and local areas, often consulting and working alongside local fey.
To the east of Talam Galta, a handful of communities were founded by settlers from Hellea in this period.
Viridian involvement
Despite Viridia's occupation of most of the rest of Razgovir, beginning in Y9356*, the legions of the Dominion largely remained to the west of Talam Galta. Certain ports, particularly Ogosta and Mitor, fell under imperial control for a time, but the legions remained too busy elsewhere to make significant pushes inland.
Conquest by Koritan
After Koritan rose in the west in Y9414*, it did not take the Asmodeans long to sweep east all the way to River Athea. The disunited towns of the region quickly came under infernal control. Discontent against Koritan remained high for centuries afterwards, and the infernal rulers were never quite able to exert as much control as they wished.
Revolution
The easternmost part of Koritan declared independence in Y9956*, calling themselves the Free People of Talam Galta. This region especially had long chafed under the infernal rule of the kingdom, and clerics of various faiths, particularly those of Milani, had carefully cultivated a network of rebellious individuals. Unwilling to accept the loss of its subjects, Koritan immediately went to war against the breakaway state. In a long and brutal campaign, the forces of the rebellion were slowly pushed back. The rebellion quickly lost control of the cities on River Yanten, and over the next six years was forced to withdraw all the way to the current borders at River Archar, fighting at great cost against the armies of Koritan. Since Y9962*, the conflict has cooled somewhat. Both sides maintain regular patrols along the Archar, and small skirmishes are commonplace. Most in Talam Galta believe Koritan is simply gathering its strength for one final push, and are waiting for their revolution to reach its conclusion one way or the other.
Demographics
Talam Galta has a primarily human population, joined by individuals of other ancestries as well. The region has had a large orcish population since before either Talam Galta or Koritan existed, and a great many orcs are now citizens of the nation.
The nation maintains a policy of allowing citizenship to those who request it, which has drawn in a small yet very diverse group of recent immigrants. Those from Koritan, however, are carefully interrogated and screened to ensure they do not intend to work against the revolution.
Culture
Religion
Talam Galta has been embroiled in religious upheaval since it declared its independence. Despite the popularity of the revolution, a significant proportion of the breakaway republic's citizens remain devotees of Asmodeus. These Asmodeans are primarily the former nobility of Talam Galta or other individuals who benefited from infernal rule. Deposed from their preeminent place in society, many remain highly discontent with the now chaotic state of Talam Galta.
Milani has a quite large following in Talam Galta. Most in the nation see the Milanite clergy as the primary instigators of the revolution, whether that has positive or negative connotations to them. The church of the Everbloom grew in secret under Koritanite rule, spreading the tenets of their goddess through secret meetings, religious services, and blessings. While most Milanites consider the revolution a resounding success, some view the current state of their society as still insufficiently free, pointing to the existence of the Asmodean ex-nobility. While the titles of the former nobility have been rendered meaningless, many Milanites consider their remaining fortunes and connections to continue to grant them too much influence in the nation.
The majority of Talamites, however, are not drawn closely to either of the above two religious factions. The majority of the nation's citizens are worshipers of Erastil, Abadar, Desna, Cayden Cailean, or the Green Faith. A great many people are glad to see the end of their rule by Koritan, but many tenets fervently espoused by the Milanites are looked at skeptically, especially among the followers of the lawful deities.
Society
The degree to which Talamites wish to change their society varies greatly. While the most zealous of the Milanites wish for a society where people are equal in opportunity and status, not all take this stance. Many Talamites are simply happy to be free of Koritan but do not wish for further upheaval.
In their new revolutionary society, the old Asmodean nobility have had their titles rendered officially meaningless. Many fled west into Koritan during the initial phase of the war, and quite a few of those that remain have found their wealth extra-judicially removed from their possession.
The presence of the Infernal Interrogators, feared inquisitors of Koritan, are a constant concern in Talamite society. Though less common now than in the early days of the revolution, individuals believed to be collaborators have sometimes been chased out of town, imprisoned, or worse on suspicion of working alongside the Interrogators. Many churches and some houses of government keep anti-magic fields cast on the premises, in order to thwart the imps the Interrogators are known to use as spires.
A traditional burial practice of the region involves preserving the bodies of the deceased by placing them in one of Talam Galta's many bogs. At this point this practice is mostly limited to rural communities in the north after Koritan attempted to stamp it out during its rule.
Languages
Most Talamites speak Razgovir, Common, or both. Racial languages, especially Orcish, are also frequently used. Of the foreign regional languages, Thadrian is widely used to facilitate trade with Viridia to the south, and Hellean is sometimes spoken when interacting with the inhabitants of the independent city-states to the east.
Art
Statues of various revolutionary figures have been erected throughout Talam Galta, mostly sponsored by the Milanite church. These are especially common in Redgarden, seen by many as the birthplace of the revolution.
Magic
Divine and primal casters are the most common types of magical practitioners in Talam Galta. Razgoviri druidic traditions continue in the nation, though not to the same degree as in Izgrev.
Occupations
Food and cuisine
Talamite cuisine is similar to that of Koritan. Farms in Talam Galta grow a number of crops, with wheat as the staple grain. Generally, the types of crops grown are those best suited to colder climates or shorter growing seasons. Vegetables like cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, and others are common, as are fruits like apples, pears, and grapes. Sheep and cattle are the most common livestock. Wine is the most popular drink of choice in Talam Galta, included in everyday meals. Lokum is a popular sweet in the region, usually flavored with fruit or rosewater.
Architecture and urbanization
The architecture of Talam Galta is split between the traditional Razgoviri half-timbered styles and the ornate and decorative styles of infernal Koritan. Like in Koritan, most buildings in rural or poorer communities use traditional designs, while the Koritanite style was reserved for the wealthy and powerful. Many cities use a mix of the two designs, though many especially ostentatious buildings were destroyed or defaced in the revolution. Almost universally, gargoyles or similar ornamentation have been torn away, as Koritanite inquisitors were known to use them to spy on passerby.
The manors of some of the former nobility have been expropriated and turned into Milanite temples or housing for the poor.
Travel
Most roads between communities in Talam Galta are poorly maintained and frequently rather dangerous. Dangerous creatures and opportunists preying on unwary travelers are rather common.
Fashion
While some within the ranks of the former nobility continue to wear clothing of Koritanite styles, the highly distinctive and recognizable Koratinte designs have caused most have abandoned their former fashion choices in order to be somewhat less conspicuous. Traditional laborers' garb is widely worn in Talam Galta, both as everyday clothing and as a deliberate fashion choice amongst public figures, meant to signify an allegiance to the people.
Government
The government of Talam Galta is a hastily organized system, designed to bring some sense of stability in the immediate aftermath of the revolution. Together, representatives from various factions drafted the details of a parliamentary system, similar to that of Tirione. Somewhat uniquely, various churches are allowed to send voting members to the parliament as well. Representatives of the churches of Milani, Asmodeus, Erastil, Desna, Abadar, and Cayden Cailean are the only ones who regularly do so, though other churches attend less commonly.
Since the establishment of the People's Parliament in Y9965*, the system has held up relatively well. The one hundred members of the People's Parliament are elected to five year terms, with the leading coalition running the government until the next election. Coalitions appoint a leader from amongst their number, referred to as the Free Speaker, to direct their agendas.
The current Free Speaker is Tanek Macer, a half-orc from Kartala, heading a coalition of representatives who mostly eschew religious affiliation. Many ardent Midianites in Talam Galta strongly disagree with the current government, believing it to be too lenient to the remaining Asmodean ex-nobility.
Economy
Talam Galta's economy is primarily centered around raw resources, especially lumber, and agriculture. Before the nation separated from the infernal kingdom, the region of Talam Galta was one of the less developed parts of Koritan. Through cottage industry the nation produces most of what it requires, but it remains focused on goods for domestic use.