"The island in the horizon looks harsh in its drabness, and the rocky shores and few trees don't help with the impression. The banners on the palace towers sway lazily in the wind, and it's impossible to tell what imagery they have.
"As Verity approaches the docks, they see numerous ships, many big enough to carry troops across the sea, some local merchant ships, as well as many skiffs. Seabirds scream above the town, and many shouts can be heard on the shores as orders fly from mouth to ears. On the road following the shore people slow down and wave to the new ship happily, and a small group of children rush for the docks as if they had for long been waiting for visitors."
• Merchant ship Verity arrives to Talenai
Talenai is the smallest of all governed areas, and the responsibility is fully on one noble family. This role was given to Count Inipita
Tulemia, who rose to his station simply due to his good relationship with the current king. Originally, Inipita was a merchant - or, if one is to believe the rumours, a pirate or a smuggler - and was able to produce rare goods for the king.
The ground is mostly barren and primarily inhabited by its natives, who live nomadic life. The Guard Dog is highly important to them; it was a large, black rock that overlooked the sea to the North, and was also known as the
Houndrock.
The seas and smaller islands of Talenai are home to numerous pirates as they have a deal with the Count: as long as they do not bother his jurisdiction, and as long as they cannot be linked to him, they are allowed to live on his lands. The pirates often claim to sail on a merchant ship, and they bring considerable amounts of food and creature comforts on the islands, which in turn has lead to many being content there, rarely leaving for the main continent.
Count's Palace
The palace built on the island has only one floor above ground, and the architecture is similar to what's seen in Emizaad except for the grey stone that it's been made of. Despite the relatively open plan and large windows that let in light, the castle stays warm and protected from winds thanks to Countess Hethia's magics, which form an invisible wall around the palace.
