Fiction:Cosmos of Nahiarus/Taelen

"Taelen. Its cities are dark, its people are dour of nature - it harbours an ancient air that no other nation captures. When you walk through the roads of Taelen, gaze over its mountains and landscapes - you realise that the gods look down on these lands as intently as they did in the days of the Natelevarians."

- Unknown

The Magesterial Council of Taelen is a large cryptocratic nation seated on the eastern shores of Natelar. Taelen is largely the heritage of the ancient Natelevarian Empire and is home to some of Nahiarus' oldest continually inhabited cities. It is regarded as the cultural centre of Natelar to many eastern cultures, and is one of Nahiarus' hubs of education and the arts. Taelen is one of the few nations that remain in Telamon that are ruled by a dominant elven culture.

History
One way or another, the geographic region of Taelen has been inhabited for over ten millennia. Mythological origins suggest that the region was settled by an elvish culture led by the legendary king Tael, who was the progenitor to the Natelevari Elf race. The first major cities of modern-day Taelen were built along the Crescent Sea approximately 9,900 years ago, one of which is Feirridro, Taelen's current capital.

Modern Taelen formed from the dissolution of the Natelevarian Empire in 1148 BC (2,120 years before the present day), following a schismatic civil war that was fuelled by necromanctic cults, which was the centre of the Cataclysm of Nahiarus. The war resulted in the dissolution of territories by racial centres, and thus the Natelevarian Empire was dissolved into what is now Taelen, Dalmira, Thalgrazbar and Mazmalah. Whereas the other territories of modern Natelar have had an unstable history since, Taelen has been somewhat orderly since the end of the civil war.

Geography
Taelen is an expansive territory; its borders span over six thousand miles (9,650 km) from north to south, much of which is situated in the colder climate of Nahiarus. Taelen is primarily arctic in climate, and only its northernmost extremes are tundras and ice caps. As a result, Taelen never experiences a truly warm summer, and much of its seasonal change is caught between autumn and winter. Taelen's season extremes that its winters often plunge below -50°C (-58°F), which has greatly influenced Taelen's architecture to insulate heat. Taelen's northern position means that it seas little to no sunlight in the winter season.

Taelen's three inland seas, the Twin Horn Seas and the Crescent Sea are home to unique aquatic life, many of which are under protection by Taelen's government. Though Taelen has no significant mountain range within its borders, Taelen is characterised by steep plateaus and hills that are covered by dense boreal forests.

Government
Taelen's government is the enigmatic Magisterial Council, a number of individuals secretly elected to office and have no public presence despite upholding Taelen's laws. The Magisterial Council is a shadowy entity to many, which has earned the fear of nations across the world despite Taelen's safety and political stability. The members of the council are unknown, even when they have left their post.

Culture
Taeleni culture is insular, and foreigners speak of the Taeleni elves as serious people with a dour temperament. Taeleni culture is not impenetrable however, as there are cultural markers of human and dwarven influence that remain in Taelen to the present day. Though insular, Taeleni culture places strong emphasis on education. Feirridro is home to the largest magisterial college on the continent of Natelar and prizes itself on its immense volume of knowledge.

Taelen's pursuit of knowledge has collectively secularised the nation over the past two millennia. The Taeleni pantheon and Dalmiric pantheon are the two prevailing religious cults within Taelen. Despite what may be considered an isolated country, Taelen is racially diverse with a considerable populace of Dalmiric men and Thalgrazbaric dwarves considering themselves citizens of Taelen.

Relations
Taelen's diplomatic prowess outside of the Natelari continent is somewhat flawed; to the Aurelian continent, Taelen is a nation of many mysteries and fears. However, Taelen is perhaps the most affluent nation on the Natelari continent, and has strong cultural and diplomatic ties with its neighbouring countries.


 * Positive relations
 * Dalmira - Taelen and Dalmira retain strong diplomatic ties, mostly due to their shared culture.
 * Thalgrazbar - Thalgrazbar and Taelen also share deep historical ties, and tend to have stronger trading ties than with Dalmira.
 * Mazmalah - Though officially positive relations, the beastfolk of Mazmalah are not too trusting of the Taeleni people at a social level.


 * Neutral relations
 * Kaardan - Taelen and Kaardan maintain cordial relations, although the mutually quiet nature of both nations mean there is little negotiation between the two.
 * Oraya - Oraya's cryptic nature means that they and Taelen have never formally communicated with one another, although there has been no violent skirmishes between the two.