Tazlina

The home of the Icetalon clan of Kethendia, Tazlina lies deep within a cave system accessible by an opening high on the slopes of Icetalon Spire.

Government

Tazlina is governed by a monarch, given the title Tazlin upon ascension to the city's throne. The Tazlin has absolute power over the city but is checked by a council of five elders, each responsible for particular aspects of the city. Candidates are chosen by the citizens, but the final decision is made by the monarch. Laws can be written by the Tazlin or a council member, but must be approved by the others before being effected. The Tazlin lives within the castle at the center of Tazlina, holding an open court during the day where citizens are allowed to approach with problems or requests that the Tazlin may address. The position is hereditary, usually passed to the firstborn of the current Tazlin. However, the Tazlin may also name an heir at a later time which usually is another of the Tazlin's children. In cases where the Tazlin dies without any children or named heirs, the council examines the late monarch's lineage to determine the most closely related individual, often a sibling or cousin.

Layout

Tazlina lies on the shores of a great underground lake, which provides the city with fresh drinking water. A simple dock system allows clan members to use boats on the lake for fishing. From the docks, several roads lead to the mercantile district of the city, where craftsmen, foragers, and fishers sell their wares. Past the mercantile district lies the residential district, containing houses ranging from tiny huts to expansive mansions. Beyond these lie a few temples for the deities honored by various groups in the city. Thick walls behind these buildings separate the castle from the rest of the city, with a pair of large gates opening the Tazlina's main road. This main road winds its way through each district of the city before turning and leading away from the city and to the exit tunnel leading to the surface of the mountain.

Traditions

Aermov Harvest

Aermov, a type of strongly bioluminescent moss, grows abundantly deep within the caverns below Tazlina. The Icetalon clan has a special relationship with this moss, cultivating and helping it to thrive, while using it to light their streets, home, and lives. Each year during the last weeks of autumn, the city's foragers travel to designated moss-gathering spots to harvest the year's supply. Working carefully, the dragonborn scrape heaps of aermov off the walls, leaving enough to regrow and replenish the area cleared from growth. After all the aermov is collected, workers mist the bare walls and surrounding moss with a specially crafted mineral serum designed to optimize growth and increase the aermov's luminescence. When the gatherers return to Tazlina, they store the aermov in tanks filled with a mist of this mineral. When in use, the aermov is placed into glass globes, lanterns, and other clear containers filled with mineral serum, maximizing brightness until the glow fades completely. Aermov harvested and stored in such a way retains its glow for around two weeks before needing replacement.

Feast of Elena

Despite the Icetalon clan's complete removal from the outer world and thus day and seasonal cycles, the clan still celebrates celestial feast days. Once such feast day which holds particular importance for the Icetalon clan. Although many outsiders would think that the seasons have no effect on subterranean life, the lake which Tazlina sits beside fluctuates greatly with seasons. In summer, the water is warmer and has receded slightly from its spring heights, allowing for more life in the waters and better fishing for the residents. On the feast of Elena, the Icetalon clan honors the sun deity with a parade of light around the city. This is the only day in which light sources other than Aermov are used. Torches are believed to better resemble the light of the sun, so the streets are filled with the scent of smoke and burning oil. Chefs prepare an abundance of food with plenty of spices, mimicking their idea of the flavors of a bright summer's day. A feast is held at the end of the day in the banquet hall of the castle, and all are invited to partake in the celebration.

Notable Locations

Lake Tazlin

A vast subterranean lake at the shores of which the city is built, Lake Tazlin provides a livelihood for many a citizen of Tazlina. Many species of subterranean fish inhabit this lake, changing with the seasons. In the spring, the lake rises high enough to threaten floods on occasion as snowmelt from the mountain finds its way underground. The water is ice cold and drives many fish species into the depths which retain some of the warmth of previous seasons. In summer, the waters recede as the rains fade, warming to more suitable temperatures which tempt an abundance of life into fishing waters. The autumn storms raise the surface again, once more threatening floods but without the iciness from snowmelt. The lake is pleasantly cool and offers less diversity of life as rare species retreat once more to the depths. Winter brings the lake to its lowest level, exposing a long pebbly shoreline. This is the perfect level for the gathering of mollusks and crustaceans, but less ideal for fishing. Many species begin hibernation halfway through winter in preparation for the icy cold of spring.

Tazlina Castle

The home of Tazlina's monarchs, Tazlina Castle boasts a series of winding hallways, spacious rooms, and lush comfort. Its main entrance and hall are open to all citizens of the city. Beyond this, a full company of guards secures the castle and prevents intrusions upon the monarch and the council members. A council hall, the setting for any governmental meeting, is open by invitation only. On certain feast days, the castle guard also allows citizens to attend feasts held in designated banquet halls. Special guests of the monarch are given passes with restricted and supervised access to the rest of the castle. A single turret, stretching from the rear end of the castle, is always closed to outsiders, no matter their position. Walls surround the outside of the castle, topped with walkways and short towers for guards. Tazlina Castle is built in a square, with a large central garden that has been used in the past for many different purposes by former monarchs. Currently, it is a vast stone garden lit by decorative braziers full of aermov. Gravel beds dotted with large and small boulders are raked into intricate patterns.

Location under

Icetalon Spire