The Gnome Thagian Empire
Culture
Little is known about ancient Thagian culture and society beyond what can be inferred from foreign accounts and archaeological findings. In it's prime, it is said that Thagians were known for bustling ports and close-knit fishing communities. The burrowed homes and neighborhoods were described as "buzzing with the hum of life". These Gnomes took delight in life, with a particular affinity for trade, seafaring, and exploration.
Historical accounts have been found to be equal parts renown and infamy in regards to Thagian wealth and mercantile skills. This garnered respect and admiration as well as derision. Primiary documents from Halfling High Noggs claimed that it was the Thagian's love of trade and money led to its downfall, while some Nessian scholars regularly described Thagians as perfidious, greedy, and treacherous.
While a simplistic stereotype, on the surface Gnomes of Thagian heritage appear to have a rich material culture. Scholars claim that the city of Thage's rich countryside supported all the "individual lifestyle needs" of its people. Foreign visitors, including otherwise hostile figures from the High Noggs and Undersun, consistently described the Thagian countryside as prosperous and verdant, with much of the land "beautified for their enjoyment". Gnome historian Dodorios Culu offers a glimpse into Thagian lifestyle in his description of agricultural land near the city of Thage circa 2490:
South and away from the sea, the Thage split their land into market gardens as well as orchards with a large diversity of fruits. Every part was irrigated by channels of water. Burrows, hovels, and warrens could been seen everywhere, many lavishly built with outer walls covered with stucco. Part of the land was planted with vines, olives and other productive trees. Beyond these, cattle and sheep were pastured on the plains, and there were meadows for mules to graze.
In their prime, the Thagians became as distinguished for their agricultural expertise as for their maritime commerce. They appeared to have placed considerable social and cultural value on farming, gardening, and livestock. Surviving fragments of texts concern the planting and management of olive trees (e.g., grafting), fruit trees (pomegranate, almond, fig, date palm), viniculture, bees, cattle, sheep, poultry, and the art of wine-making (namely a type of sherry). Following the war and the loss of Tiq, the Thagians embraced agriculture to restore the economy and cover the war expenses. The damage, however, was done ultimately set tehstage for the fall of Thag to the Nessian Empire.
Presently, the majority of remaining Thagian Gnomes have integrated with Nessian socitey. Some have moved to other Nessian cities or further abroad, but most remain in Thage.
Public Agenda
The Thagians were initially on course to be one of the most versatile civilizations, and could have been undoubtedly one of the best at seafaring. Historically, their people lived on the coast, giving them a great advantage in producing resources from the sea. They prioritized the dream of connecting their cities by sea rather than land, but managed to domesticate Forest Elephants. This made them one of the only civilizations able to cross mountains in the early ancient era.
After facing defeat from neighboring nations, the leaders of the Thagians decided to embrace the Nessian invitation for Gnome unification. This was met with resistance from some Thagians, especially those who had fought for their own independence. Over the next few decades this vocal outcry would eventually quiet down. There are still a large number of Gnomes who live in Thag that have Thagian heritage, and much of the architecture of the city reflects this. In the furthest reaches of the city, there are some rumblings and rumors that the true heir to the Thagian throne yet lives.
History
Ancient Era
1310 - Founded the Capital city of Thage
1360 - Founded the city of Tiq
2360 - The Halfing High Nogg Empire and the Tiefling Undersun Empire declare war
Classical Era
2400 - Entered the Classical Era
2720 - The city of Tiq is occupied by the Undersun and subsequently razed
2760 - Capital city of Thage is blockaded and attacked by the combined forces of High Nogg, Undersun, and now the Gnome Nessia Empire
2800 - Capital city of Thage is on the verge of defeat
2840 - Capital city of Thage is captured by the Nessia; Representatives of the remaining Thagian Gnomes make peace with Nessia and agree to unification. Some groups of Thagian Gnomes publicly and vocally resist for a few decades but dissent is quelled; The city of Thage operates as puppet city under Nessia rule
Disbandment
Demography and Population
Military
Army
As a mainly commercial empire with a relatively small native population, Thage generally did not maintain a large, permanent, standing army. However, Thage regularly utilized its military to advance its commercial and strategic interests. According to historical texts, Thage relied heavily, though not exclusively, on foreign mercenaries, especially in overseas warfare. Current historians regard this as an oversimplification, as many foreign troops were actually auxiliaries from allied or client states, provided through formal agreements, tributary obligations, or military pacts. The Thagians maintained close relations, sometimes through political marriages, with the rulers of various tribes and kingdoms. These leaders would in turn provide their respective contingent of forces, sometimes even leading them in Thagian campaigns. In any event, Thage leveraged its vast wealth and hegemony to help fill the ranks of its military. Contrary to popular belief, Thage did utilize citizen soldiers. Moreover, like their contemporaries, the Thagians respected "military valor", with historical documents reporting the practice of citizens wearing armbands to signify their combat experience. Records from observers also described the "Sacred Band of Thage", a term for professional citizen soldiers. However, after this force was destroyed, foreign mercenaries and auxiliaries formed a more significant part of the army. This indicates that the Thagians had a capacity to adapt their military as circumstances required; when larger or more specialized forces were needed, they would employ mercenaries or auxiliaries accordingly. Thagian citizens would be enlisted in large numbers only by necessity. The core of the Thagian army was always from its own territory. These troops were supported by mercenaries from different ethnic groups and geographic locations across the region, who fought in their own national units. The Thagians also fielded slingers, soldiers armed with straps of cloth used to toss small stones at high speeds. The uniquely diverse makeup of Thage's army was noteworthy. Documents characterized the army as a "hotch-potch of the riff-raff of all nationalities". He also observed that the Thagians never forced any uniformity upon their disparate forces, which nonetheless had such a high degree of unity that they "never quarreled amongst themselves nor mutinied", even during difficult circumstances. Officers at all levels maintained some degree of unity and coordination among these otherwise disparate forces. They also dealt with the challenge of ensuring military commands were properly communicated and translated to their respective foreign troops. Thage used the diversity of its forces to its own advantage, capitalizing on the particular strengths or capabilities of each nationality. Moreover, these units would typically be deployed to nonnative lands, which ensured they had no affinity for their opponents and could surprise them with unfamiliar tactics. Thage is perhaps best remembered for its use of the elephant, which was specially trained for warfare and, among other uses, was commonly utilized for frontal assaults or as anti-cavalry protection. An army could field up to several hundred of these animals, but on most reported occasions fewer than a hundred were deployed. The riders of these elephants were armed with a spike and hammer to kill the elephants, in case they charged toward their own army. During the sixth century BC, Thagian generals became a distinct political office. Unlike in other ancient societies, Thage maintained a separation of military and political power, with generals either appointed by the administration or elected by citizens. Generals did not serve fixed terms but were usually selected based on the length or scale of a war. Initially, the generalship was apparently occupied by two separate but equal offices, such as an army commander and an admiral; by the mid third century, military campaigns were usually carried out by a supreme commander and a deputy.Navy
Thage's navy usually operated in support of its land campaigns, which remained key to its expansion and defense. The Thagians maintained the ancient reputation as skilled mariners, navigators, and shipbuilders. Ancient text describe that the Thagians were "more exercised in maritime affairs than any other people". Its navy was one of the largest and most powerful in the region, using serial production to maintain high numbers at moderate cost. The sailors and marines of the Thagian navy were predominantly recruited from the native citizenry, unlike the multiethnic allied and mercenary troops of the Thagian army. The navy offered a stable profession and financial security for its sailors, which helped contribute to the city's political stability, since the unemployed, debt-ridden poor in other cities were frequently inclined to support revolutionary leaders in the hope of improving their own lot. The reputation of Thagian sailors implies that the training of oarsmen and coxswains occurred in peacetime, giving the navy a cutting edge. In addition to its military functions, the Thagian navy was key to the empire's commercial dominance, helping secure trade routes, protect harbors, and even enforce trade monopolies against competitors. Thagian fleets also served an exploratory function, most likely for the purpose of finding new trade routes or markets. In addition to the use of serial production, Thage developed complex infrastructure to support and maintain its sizable fleet. Historical texts describe the city as "surrounded by harbors", while other accounts describe a large and sophisticated harbor called the “Thonoco”. Based on similar structures used for centuries across the land, the Thonoco was a key factor in Thagian naval supremacy. However, its prevalence throughout the empire is unknown. According to both ancient descriptions and contemporary archaeological findings, the Thonoco was divided into a rectangular merchant harbor followed by an inner protected harbor reserved for military vessels. The inner harbor was circular and surrounded by an outer ring of structures partitioned into docking bays, along with an island structure at its center that also housed naval ships. Each individual docking bay featured a raised slipway, allowing ships to be dry-docked for maintenance and repair. Above the raised docking bays was a second level consisting of warehouses where oars and rigging were kept along with supplies such as wood and canvas. The island structure had a raised "cabin" where the admiral in command could observe the whole harbor along with the surrounding sea. Altogether the inner docking complex could house up to 220 ships. The entire harbor was protected by an outer wall, while the main entrance could be closed off with iron chains.The One Hundred and Four
Thage was unique in antiquity for separating political and military offices, and for having the former exercise control over the latter. In addition to being appointed or elected by the state, generals were subject to reviews of their performance. The government was infamous for its severe attitude towards defeated commanders; in some instances, the penalty for failure was execution. Some texts suggest that generals were probably judged by the supreme council and/or sufetes, until a special tribunal was created specifically for this function: what has been referred to as the One Hundred and Four. Described as being established during the republican reforms, this body was responsible for scrutinizing and punishing generals following every military campaign. Its harshness was such that some contemporary scholars describe it as the "nemesis of generals". Although the One Hundred and Four was intended to ensure that military leaders better served the interests of Thage, its severe approach may also have led to generals being overly cautious for fear of reprisal. However, despite its notorious reputation, punishments are rarely recorded. This has led some historians to speculate that the tribunal's decisions may have been influenced by familial or factional politics, given that many high-ranking military officers or their relatives and allies held political office.Agriculture & Industry
Cleverness, inquisitiveness, and shelter from the coming storm
1310 - 2840
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