Telperion and Taramir - Homeland of the Taydarin Elves
(Background |
Geography | Weather |
Notable Personages |
Inhabitants |
Defenders of the Realm |
Notable Places |
Taydarin Lexicon)
-
Background:
Telperion, which roughly translates to "Beloved Home" from high
Elvish is the homeland of the sea-faring Taydarin (Sea/Grey) Elves.
Until recently, few of any race, even other elven races, have been
allowed onto the islands. In 2008 AG the clerics and monks of the
Berothian temple in Ard were graced with the presence of Lord Gildor
Damodred, chief librarian and historian to their majesties King
Dalyamar and Queen Sylvestria. Lord Gildor informed them that, "It
was their majesties wish to eliminate some of the fear and
misunderstanding of the 'Beloved Home' and its inhabitants. While at
the same time maintaining our desired privacy."
Authors Note: Much of Telperion is based off/influenced by the
EvermeetTM supplement for the Forgotten Realms Campaign
setting.
-
Geography:
Telperion and its smaller companion island, Taramir (translates
roughly to 'Mountainous Island' from high Elvish), lie approximately
500 miles west of the Seynorean city of Vhalzein. Telperion is a
heavily forested island, home to nearly every non-tropical species
of tree on Ghoraja Juun. From majestic oaks, to towering red woods,
to the extremely rare gildon, these great forests cover
approximately 75-80% of the island.
While numerous small glades and clearings abound throughout the
forests, there are but two larges areas mostly devoid of trees. One
of these clearings surrounds the city of Raedis, located on the
western shore of a deep bay. The other encompasses the Taydarin
capital city of Arvandor. In these clearings various herds of live
stock and horses are raised and farming is done.
There is a sizeable range of hills on the western side of Telperion,
what little actual mining the Taydarin elves do takes place in here.
On the eastern side of the island is the Bay if Fyngold, named for
the most famous of all Taydarin captains. The approaches and
entrance to this bay are guarded by a vast maze of coral reefs. On
the southernmost tip of the island is a vast marsh comprised of
floating islets, grottoes, etc. It is nearly as complex a maze as
that guarding the Bay of Fyngold. Located in the north central part
of the island is Lake Teleri (Beloved Water). The lake is crystal
clear and abundantly stocked with various fresh water fish, though
the Taydarins view it as a holy place and do not fish in it. A
large, peaceful river, for which the elves have no apparent name
for, flows south from Lake Teleri through the marsh and out into the
sea. A second river flows east of the hills and joins the first
river near the center of the island. A fortified tower occupies a
small island directly in the center of the convergence of the two
rivers.
Taramir is vastly different from its larger counterpart. The island
is almost completely covered with various ranges of hills and
mountains. it is a vast source of minerals and precious metals.
There are several small groves of trees scattered along the
northern, western, and southern coasts. There are several sea caves
hidden along the eastern shoreline, and the Taydarins fiercely guard
their locations. They use these caves to hide ships and for access
to various mines.
-
Weather: Despite what
many might think, the weather on Telperion and Taramir is not
eternally perfect. The islands fell the effects of all four seasons,
just to lesser extent. This is due to a combination of abnormally
warm currents that surround the islands, and the influence of
ancient Taydarin magic.
The temperature rarely rises above 80° in the
height of summer, and rarely drops below 35°
in winter. The average temperature on Telperion is roughly 65°,
with only a slight drop on Taramir except at extreme heights in the
mountains.
- Notable Personages: See
Personalities page
- Inhabitants: Though
Telperion is recognized as the homeland of the Taydarin elves, an
exact census on its inhabitants has never been done. It is estimated
that approximately 100-120,000 elves make their homes on
the two islands. See the Taydarin entry under "Races" for more
information.
- Other Elven Sub-races - There is a small enclave of Maydarin
elves living in Raedis and two small clans of Syndarin elves living
in the forests.
- Voadkyn (Wood Giants) - Several large families of Voadkyn make
their home on Telperion. Approximately 50-60 of these creatures
dwell in the vast forests. They can typically be found in the
company of the Syndarin elf clans. The Voadkyn have an agreement
with the elves to assist in the defense of the island in exchange
for small quantities of gems and magical items.
- Centaurs - Several tribes (herds) of these man-horse hybrids
patrol the forests of Telperion. They generally keep to themselves,
though they will at times join the elves in some of their
celebrations. They also have an agreement with the elves to help in
the defense of the island.
- Brownies, Faerie Dragons, Dryads, Leprechauns, Nymphs, Satyrs,
Sprites, Pixies, Nixies, etc. - Various amounts of these creatures
dwell across Telperion (and to a limited extent on Taramir). For the
most part they keep to themselves, though they will at times join
the elves in various celebrations. Some, especially the Faerie
Dragons and Leprechauns, love to play various tricks on the elves.
The Taydarins generally take these tricks with good humor, as long
as they don't get excessive.
- Treants (Ents) - Several treants and two of their more ancient
and powerful cousins dwell among the forests of Telperion. The elves
know of the tree shepherds, but rarely bother them except in the
most dire of circumstances. The treants and ents do not hesitate to
assist in the defense of the island.
- Unicorns and Pegasus - Both of the herds of these beautiful
creatures are ruled by a unique being, Kabayo, an ebony
Unicorn-Pegasus hybrid created by Elvaara. Both herds take an active
part in defending the island(s), acting as both aerial and regular
cavalry mounts for the elves.
- Dwarves - In approximately 2345 AG a small clan of Stone
Dwarves, Clan StormHammer, fleeing from an orc horde who had
overwhelmed their clanhold, found their way through the Realm Below
into the vast cavern complex beneath the mountains of Taramir. The
managed to collapse/block/barricade all of the entrances to the
Realm Below and save what remained of the clan. They had dwelled on
Taramir for several years before being discovered by a Taydarin
patrol destined for one of the giant eagle aeries.
- Defenders of the
Realm: Telperion and Taramir have a vast array of defenses
both magical and mundane. There are aerial, ground and naval forces
as well as other special guardians unique to the islands. The
Taydarins take the defense of theor homeland very seriously, and
will do whatever they deem necessary to keep it safe.
- Naval Forces - The Taydarin elves are the finest sailors in the
world, and the quality of their ships bears this out. One on one a
Taydarin Raptor class warship can easily defeat any other normal
warship afloat. The Taydarin nave is quite large, and ships
constantly patrol the waters around the islands as well as escorting
merchants across Ghoraja Juun.
In dire need merchant ships will be outfitted with weapons and join the
true warships in defense of the islands.
- "Raptor" Class - These are the largest of any
Taydarin vessels. Only seven of these huge ships exist. Raptors are
long (500') and broad (90-100'), armored ships, treated with a
special substance that helps the hull blend into its surroundings.
The sails are also specially crafted so that they shift colors to
match that of the current sky. The bowsprit of each ship is in the
shape of a great predator and give each ship its name (Common
language equivalents listed here: Osprey, Golden Eagle, Peregrine
Falcon, Wolverine, Sea Lion, White Wolf, and Griffon). They are
heavily armed, carrying a complement of 3-5 large, 4-6 medium, and
6-8 small deck weapons as well as a heavy ram. They may carry up to
500 marines. Raptors typically carry 2-3 specially designed scout
ships in custom designed cargo holds. They have the ability to move
without wind or oar power for limited periods of time. The process
behind this ability is one of the most closely guarded secrets of
the Taydarin military.
Typically 2 Raptors patrol the Bay of Fyngold at all times.
- "Corsair" Class - These are the workhorses of
the Taydarin navy. While no where near as large as the Raptor class
ships, the corsairs (150' length, 30-40' beam) are more than a match
for any but the largest ships of other nations. The sails on these
ships typically bear the the symbol(s) of whatever noble house
sponsored its commission. They often have bowsprits of elaborate
design. The Corsairs usually are armed with 3-5 large, 2 medium deck
weapons, a ram, and a complement of up to 50 marines.
- "Manta" Class - These are the smallest (90'
length x 25' beam) true warships of the Taydarin navy. They most
closely resemble Viking long ships. They are capable of great speeds
with either oars or sails. Like most items crafted by Taydarins
these ships have intricate bowsprits and are often covered with
various runes and glyphs. Manta class ships are typically armed with
a medium catapult and a single ballista. They may also carry a
complement of up to 20 marines.
- "Dolphin" Class - These are small, very fast
boats used for scouting and patrols in and around Telperion and
Taramir. Though capable of making extended sea journeys, they rarely
venture far from the coasts. Up to three specially designed Dolphin
class boats (often referred to as "Porpoises") can be carried aboard
the great Raptor class vessels to be used as scouts and emergency
life boats. These boats have reinforced hulls in order to survive
the often rough waters of the open sea and are often armed with 2
light ballistas.
- Taydarin Marines - Taydarin marines typically
wear chainmail (land-based) or leather (at sea) and are armed with
short sword, dagger, cudgel (belaying pin), and longbow.
- Taydarin 'Sea Dragon' (Elite) Marines - The
elite marines typically wear chainmail (land-based) or leather (at
sea) and are armed with long sword, dagger, spear, cudgel (belaying
pin), and long bow.
- Aerial Forces - These specialized troops, typically mounted on
either griffons, giant eagles or pegasi are key in the defense of
the Taydarin homeland. They give the Taydarins the ability harass,
attack or assault an enemy long before they ever reach the shores.
They also serve as a early warning system.
- Giant Eagle Riders - The smallest contingent of the
aerial wing of the Taydarin military, only the bravest, most
adventuresome (or perhaps crazy) sign on to be Sevanyr Ny'Fyr
(The Wind Riders). The bond between a giant eagle and its rider,
once formed, cannot be broken.
- Pegasi Cavalry - The Aerivan Tylanin (Winged
Defenders) are the largest group of aerial cavalry the Taydarins can
call upon. Rumored to be nearly 750 strong, the members of this
group are easily identifiable. In their gold-colored chainmail and
white tabards emblazoned with a pegasus in flight, the are an
impressive site. The members are fiercely proud, and carry an almost
arrogant air about them. This is merely a front used in public to
impress others.
- Griffon Riders - The Veris Ny'Rilhanyr (Blades of
the Sky) are the elite of the Taydarian aerial forces. Only the most
skilled riders can handle the powerful griffons. These griffons are
specially bred in aeries on Taramir without the natural affinity for
horse meat. Members of the Veris Ny'Rilhanyr are bonded to their
griffons shortly after its birth. Many of these riders have spent
time in service as a royal guard.
- Dragon Riders - One of the most closely guarded secrets is the
existence of the Llaseen Sevanyr (Wyrm Riders). There
are but five dragons and their riders remaining. They wait, passing
time in a magically induced sleep, in a vast set of caverns deep in
the hills of Telperion. The caverns are hidden and protected by
powerful magics. Only the King and Queen and a few of their closest
advisors know of them. These unique tandems of beast and rider are
the results of a pact forged long ago between the lost dragon gods
and Seldarine. The Llaseen Sevanyr are called upon in only the most
dire of circumstances, and have not seen duty since early in the
Gods Fall wars.
The riders wear specially crafted plate armor that resembles the
colored scales of their mount. There is a unique bond between the
dragons and their riders. The bond is so strong that one will
sacrifice their lives to save the other. If one of the pair should
perish, often the other will follow them into death a short time
later.
The remaining dragons are of the following 'species': Gold, Crystal,
Blue, Cloud, Copper
- Ground Forces - Though they maintain a relatively small standing
army, the Taydarins are well trained and well-equipped. A relatively
small number of soldiers are active year-round, the rest remain
on-call but will train 3-5 times/year for 3 week periods.
- Taydarian Warrior - Wears chainmail and is armed with
dagger, short bow and other weapons of choice.
- Taydarian 'Elite' - Wears chainmail and is armed with
long sword, dagger, long bow and other weapons of choice.
- Taydarian Archer - Wears chainmail and is armed with
long bow (specialized), short sword, dagger and other weapons of
choice.
- Taydarian Knight - Wears platemail or plate armor and
is armed with lance, long bow, dagger and other weapons of choice.
They are typically mounted on specially bred warhorses.
- Illesan Tylanin (Royal Guards) - Wears plate
mail and armed with halberd (specialized), short sword, dagger, long
bow.
- Unicorn Riders - The only all female unit among the
Taydarin military forces. The Unicorn Riders are among the most
respected of all Taydarin warriors. These women view themselves as
the queen's personal guard. A troop of them will escort the queen on
any excursion outside the palace walls. Each unicorn serves three
years and may then make the decision to remain with the unit or
return to the forests. Many of the riders have forged strong bonds
with their mounts.
- Taydarin Ranger - Wears elven chainmail or leather
armor and is armed with long bow, dagger and other weapons of
choice.
- Centaurs - The Cwelldarin (Horse people)
are the Taydarin's staunchest allies. These creatures generally act
as scouts, skirmishers and light cavalry.
- Pixies and Sprites - Used primarily as scouts and
spies, these tiny sylvan creatures will harass the enemy with hit
and run tactics.
- Treants/Ents - The Findela 'Lorin (Forest
Shepherds) are among the oldest and most powerful allies the
Taydarins have. Should Telperion come under attack these ancient
creatures would rouse themselves from their frequent slumber and
summon their non-sentient cousins to battle.
- Notable Places:
The islands of Telperion and Taramir are home to many unique and
interesting locations.
- Arvandor - The capital city of the Taydarin nation,
Arvandor is a city of beautiful crystal towers that seem to almost
have been grown from the earth rather than built. The city lies at
the center of one of the two large clearings on Telperion. The area
around the city is covered by beautifully kept farmland, and fenced
in grazing areas. Most of the major noble houses maintain homes in
the city, though many have villas located across the island.
Arvandor is laid out in a five-pointed star pattern, with the royal
palace located precisely in the center of the city. It is surrounded
by various governmental offices and temples to various deities. The
city is surrounded by 30' walls of gleaming white marble. Immense
glassteel gates are set into cunningly designed gate houses at each
'point' of the star. Beautiful parks and gardens occupy a sizeable
ring within the city walls. There are also smaller parks and gardens
amidst the temples and other larger buildings.
- Raedis - This city lies on a peninsula jutting out from
the western shore of the Bay of Fyngold, and is the one place on
Telperion where outsiders are welcomed. Like Arvandor, Raedis is
also surrounded by vast farmlands and pastures. The tree line begins
approximately 25-30 miles from the city walls. On approach to the
city, two buildings immediately catch one's eye. The temple of
Elvaara, whose golden spire gleams in the sun, and the Fortress
Eroth, which rests on a promontory overlooking the entire bay.
Raedis is home to all embassies of other nations and only here may
they meet with various governmental officials.
Raedis is the headquarters of the Taydarin military. On the southern
shore of the peninsula is a vast shipyard and docks, shared by both
the navy and the various merchant families. Large storehouses and
other commerce-related structures are nearby. The innermost areas of
the city are dominated by houses and villas of the various merchants
as well as administrative buildings for the military.
- Shienar (The Blue Tower) - This tower rests on a small
island at the junction of the two main rivers on Telperion. It is
built from a blue-veined marble (from which it gets its name). The
tower is 50' high and 40' in diameter, the top is crenellated and
sports 3 heavy ballista's mounted on swivel bases which give them a
120° firing arc. A garrison of 50 elite
Taydarin soldiers occupy the tower at all times. These troops are
rotated every four weeks. The island itself is barren except for the
tower and a small retractable pier.
- Field of the Fallen - Deep within
the northern forests of, somewhere east of Lake Teleri, lies a large
glade. In the center of the glade surrounded by a circle of standing
stones lies a shrine to all those who have fallen in the defense of
Telperion. The glade is closely guarded by a tribe of centaurs and a
troop of Taydarin rangers.
The shrine is actually the stump of a fallen gildon tree. The stump
has been covered in various runes, glyphs, and symbols. In the light
of a full moon the spirits of those who have fallen sometimes return
to the field to visit those who still dwell in the Beloved Home.
- Druid Grove - Along the northern
shore of Lake Teleri, just inside the tree line, lies the sacred
grove of Taydarin druids. While primarily devoted to Elvaara,
Huurdaan and Khurne are also worshipped here. Shrines to the lost
deities of the Seldarine are also maintained in hopes that they may
one day return to Ghoraja Juun.
The outskirts of the grove are a ring of magical oak trees whose
various limbs and branches entwine to keep those unwanted from
entering. Within the ring is a sparkling fountain which empties into
a small pool. The water within the pool is the equivalent of
Sweetwater, and highly prized. A towering (300') golden maple grows
in the center of the ring. At its base lies a simple hut, seemingly
grown directly from the trunk, the home of High Druid of Telperion.
There are always at least 2-3 druids tending the grove, as well as
various animals that the druids have befriended. Another of the
primary guardians of the grove is a great silver-coated dire wolf.
- HammerHold - Somewhere amidst the
mountains of Taramir lies the hidden and heavily guarded entrance to
the home of Clan StormHammer. The resources beneath the island are
vast and the dwarves have barely made a scratch in them. The
Taydarins maintain several griffon and giant eagle aeries in various
locations on the surface.
- Taydarin Language
Lexicon - Below is a limited list of Taydarin (High Elven) words
and there common tongue equivalents.
| High Elven |
Common |
High Elven |
Common |
High Elven |
Common |
| tel |
beloved |
syn |
wood(s) / tree(s) |
nar |
tower |
| perion |
home |
drialys |
crown |
quessil |
enchantment / magic |
| tara |
island |
veris |
blade |
zar |
mage(s) / wizard(s) |
| mir |
mountain(ous) |
ny' |
of the / the |
fyr |
wind |
| eri |
water / aquatic |
lera |
company |
sevanyr |
rider(s) |
| darin |
people |
rilyth |
heart |
aerivan |
winged |
| tay |
sea |
lorin |
forest |
tylanin |
defender(s) / guard(s) |
| may |
high |
veantyr |
hawk |
rilhanyr |
sky |
| nay |
not / non |
caris |
talon / claw |
llaseen |
wyrm(s) / dragon(s) |
| illesan |
royal |
cwell |
horse |
findela |
shepherd |
| sytheran |
fiend(s) / demon(s) |
yuloth |
bane / scourge |
|
|
(Background |
Geography | Weather |
Notable Personages |
Inhabitants |
Defenders of the Realm |
Notable Places |
Taydarin Lexicon)
|
