Thalassa

Structure

Thalassa is ruled by the High Priests of Archios. There are 11 High Priests, each corresponding to one of the Thalassan city-states. The Holy Army, Artisans’ Consortium, Wizards’ Guild, and other factions are all beholden to the High Priests. Thalassan organizations tend to operate by consensus, however the dogma of the church pervades every decision.

Public Agenda

Until recently, Thalassa’s main goal was to spread the monotheistic worship of Archios to all other elves. Now in the face of the ever-expanding Empire, Thalassa merely aims to survive. To this end, it is attempting to end nearly five millennia of conflict with its neighbors, establishing trade agreements and negotiating mutual aid.

History

Thalassa has existed in its current form for about 5,000 years. This is around the time that Archios Monotheism took hold over the Elves of Thalassa and their government. Power quickly concentrated in the religious leadership until it became the whole of the state.
Because of Archios’ hate for necromancy, practices looked on with indifference or even enthusiasm by most elves, Thalassa has basically been in a constant state of war with the other elves for the duration of its existence. The Bol’Tein’s twisting tunnels, Xethess’ Thick jungles, and Fennein’s powerful magic and cunning tactics have kept the Thalassans at Bay. These wars have not done much to reduce Thalassa's numbers because the bulk of Thalassan armies are made up
The secession of Kalliathissa was a huge blow to the country and their banning of organized religion considered an intolerable blasphemy. As a result, Kolthis was a target of many Thalassan campaigns as well.
Thalassa had relations with the North, going through various phases of war and peace, however the Elves of Thalassa were never really concerned with the Northerners’ salvation and so never fought aggressively, usually opting to secure the northern border against Human settlement. The Elves did frequently trade with the North, especially during its golden age, although during that time relations were hampered by its close association with Kolthis.
Thalassa notably had some devastating wars with the Dwarves as well. About 1,000 years ago, Dwarves attempting to move North were attacked by the Elves resulting in the brutal Seventh Crusade, where mountains were stripped bare and valleys salted so as to be forever hostile to settlement. The end result was the literal collapse of some of the earliest powerful Mountainhomes as the Elves leveled mountains on top of their foes or Dwarves caved in their own cities to prevent Elves from discovering the secrets they were caching away.
For more information about the major wars fought by Thalassa against the rest of the world, see this timeline of The Thalassan Crusades.
Thalassa’s focus on its Elven neighbors has changed recently as Verdon expanded and began opening up front after front against each Elven country. The Empire’s recent victories in Xethess have only made the Thalassans more concerned, although the victories of their neighbor Kolthis have heartened them and warmed them to the possibility of softening their evangelical stance and putting aside thousands of years of conflict.

Demography and Population

75% High Elf 24% Wood Elf 1% Dark Elf
Like Fennein, Thalassa is very xenophobic and only allows Elves to live within its borders. Like Xethess, Thalassa has a minority of Dark Elves, usually ones who were either swayed by propaganda or fled an impending murder. This minority is much smaller, though, because the alien values of the Thalassian religion are not very attractive to the Dark Elves.

Territories

Thalassa stretches from just below the northern tundra all the way down to the edge of the Green Horn, with the Backbone mountains at its western border with Kolthis and the Empire, the Wastes on the southwestern border with the Mountainhomes, and the Great Marshes at its border with Bol’Tein and what was once Western Xethess

Military

The Holy Army is led by Paladins and Clerics and is approximately 20,000 strong. It is mainly infantry supplemented by cavalry that rides Gryphons, Unicorns, and other Divine creatures. Thalassan Cavalry is known to be particularly devastating and the prodigious healing and Mithril armor available to their infantry makes them incredibly tough to kill.
The bulk of the Thalassan army consists of summoned creatures and constructs. This is how they have been able to sustain war for so long. The Thalassans have no problem sending outsiders to their death for their cause, because they believe Archios has given them dominion over all the planes and realms of the universe. Their Automatons are usually metal golems of shiny gold tinted steel and can run on incredibly efficient spells with low amounts of magicite and months between a recharge. They also use other types of golem, though, except of course Flesh golems.

Technological Level

Like all the other Elven nations, Thalassa is extremely advanced and does posess magical WMDs which it has used liberally, with the most extensive uses in the Seventh crusade against the Dwarves.

Foreign Relations

Thalassa has finally taken steps towards relations with Kolthis, the remnant of Xethess, and Fennein. The latter has not borne much fruit but the other two are no longer overtly hostile and co-operation has even begun with Kolthis despite their nearly diametrically opposes philosophies.

Trade & Transport

Thalassa trades with Kolthis and the Xethess Remnant. The trade with Xethess is more akin to aid, though, as Xethess no longer has much of an industrialist economic base.

Archios Illuminates All

Founding Date

~ 5,000 YA

Type

Geopolitical, Theocracy

Demonym

Thalassan, Thalassian

Government System

Theocracy

Power Structure

Unitary state

Economic System

Command/Planned economy

Currency

Arcs: Coins minted from the unique white gold found only in Thalassa.

Major Exports

Magical items, Blessed items, Seafood (to Kolthis), White Gold

Major Imports

Magical items, mundane metals.

Legislative Body

Priesthood

Judicial Body

Priesthood

Official Languages

• Elven Common

Neighboring Nations

• Kolthis
• The Empire of Verdon
• The Mountainhomes

Related Ethnicities

• High Elf