Thelarike

Thelarike Kingdom
from 500s CE – to 1500s
Flag
The Thelarike Kingdom at its greatest extent
Status	Kingdom
Common languages	Old Buran
Government	Monarchy
Legislature	Forsamling
Historical era	Post-Classical Era
Today part of	Deltannia Havebergen Tal Shiar Vetok Volsci

The Thelarike Kingdom was an ancient kingdom located in the geographical Buranian region of northern Europa on Eurth.

Etymology

The name “Thelarike” comes from Thelar + rik (suffix: “king”, “ruler”). It is related to the Buran tribe of Thelar. This tribe inhabited the northwest corner of Burania, including the Parnu peninsula. Out of this region formed the kingdom of Thelarike (“realm of Thelar”).

Geography

Thelarania (“tribe of Thelar”) is a large region located in the northern part of the Europan continent, comprising the peninsula of Deltannia and the surrounding islands and coastlines. It has a varied topography, with mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and coastlines. The climate is temperate, with cold winters and mild summers.

To the south lies Thelasur (Thelar + Sur+Syr, “south”), comprising the present-day Tal Shiar. It is a relatively flat and fertile region, with rolling hills, agricultural fields, and pasturelands. It is known for its mild weather and abundant natural resources, including timber, minerals, and agricultural products.

Thelamark is a border region between Thelarania and the Volsci states. The name comes from Þelamörk or Þilamörk. The first element; Þilir was the name of the inhabitants, and is assumed to be connected with Þelli (pine). The last element mörk means forest or march. It is a rugged and forested area, with mountains, valleys, and streams. The people are known for their skills in forestry, hunting, and other outdoor activities. They have a strong sense of independence and self-reliance, and have often resisted outside influences and control.

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  There are hundreds of lakes in Thelarike.

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  Rock island in a lake.

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  The brown bear is the largest carnivore.

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  Breeding-plumaged adult herring gull in Thelasur.

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  Northern lights are common in winter time.

History

The kingdom of Thelarike shared a common history with many of its northern Buran neighbours. Not much is known about the area. Part of Buranian clan-lands. Only mentioned in Aroman writings as a source of resources.

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  Gold funeral mask from tumulus near $city, second half of the 5th century BC.

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  (Village.)

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  Narwhal throne of the Fisher Kings of Thelarike, with Aroman details.

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  Olrik Naddoddson and his men follow the San. Early wurld maps display south at the top.

• 500s BCE: Thelarike is inhabited by various Buranian clans, who engage in hunting, fishing, and farming. They also trade with the Aroman Empire, exchanging resources such as furs, timber, and minerals for luxury goods.
• 447-449 CE: The two brothers Hengist and Horsa, two leaders of the Buran people, land in Tal Shiar and expand the kingdom there.
• 500s CE: Thelarike (“realm of Thelar”) became a kingdom, ruled by a line of Fisher Kings, who derive their power and prestige from their control of the sea and its resources. The Fisher Kings were said to dwell in a magnificent palace that drifted ceaselessly along their kingdom's shores. Renowned for their wisdom and kindness, they were said to be blessed by the gods themselves. Kings, lords, and wise men alike sought guidance from these enigmatic rulers, making their way to the floating city whenever a crucial decision needed to be made. They are likely descended from the earlier Buranian rulers and adopt some Aroman customs and practices.
• 516-516: Hrólfr Kraki, a semi-legendary figure, becomes king of Thelarike. He is known for his wisdom, bravery, and generosity, and is celebrated in folktales and sagas.
• 630-669: The Tagmatine Empire, a powerful state in the Occident, undertook a campaign of conquest in Thelarike. They defeat the Fisher Kings and annex the six islands at the edge of their realm, bringing them under Tagmatine rule. The Tagmatines also introduced new religions, languages, and ways of life to the conquered territories.
• 700s: Many Thelar and other Buran peoples began to engage in whaling in the Storm Sea and Adlantic Ocean. They used simple boats and harpoons to hunt whales and other marine animals. Whalers established temporary shelters on some Adlantic islands to process and store their catches.
• 887: Olrik Naddoddson was banished from the kingdom “because of some killings”. He and his family members led a group Buranian exploration on a voyage into the Adlantic Ocean, seeking new lands and opportunities. They discovered and settled on various islands and coastlines, establishing colonies and trading posts.
• 900s: Other Thelar and Buran explorers sailed out into the west, following the route of Olrik and other pioneers. They encountered various peoples and cultures, and established diplomatic and commercial ties with them.
• 1000s: The whalers build permanent stations on East-Argis. These stations served as bases for hunting, processing, and storing whales, as well as for providing supplies and support for the whalers.
• 1100s: Exploration along the East-Argic coastline continues, with more explorers mapping and charting the region. They also established relations with the indigenous peoples of the area, trading goods and sharing knowledge and technologies.
• 1200s: Traders and explorers journeyed to the East-Argic coast, bringing back gold, ivory, and spices. They also established trade routes with the East-Argic peoples, exchanging goods and ideas. The Fisher Kings and their nobles were constantly at odds over territory, wealth, and power, forming alliances and hiring mercenary armies to protect their interests. The economy grew more diverse and complex, with the expansion of trade, manufacturing, and urbanization. Major ports such as Hrolfsdal, Gudmar, and Tjaldar became centres of commerce and culture.
• 1300s: Thelarike faced threats from its neighbours and rivals, including the Tagmatium Empire, the Volsci states, and pirate clans of the Storm Sea. The Fisher Kings and their allies established defensive alliances and launched campaigns to repel these invaders. The Thelarikean navy grew more powerful and sophisticated, constructing larger, more heavily armed ships to patrol the Storm Sea and Adlantic Ocean, protect trade routes, and engage in naval warfare. Society became more stratified, with the rise of a wealthy merchant class and the growth of towns and cities. There were also increasing social tensions and conflicts as different groups vied for influence and resources.
• 1400s: Thelarike experienced a cultural revival and innovation, with the flourishing of literature, art, music, and science. Thelarikean scholars and artists drew inspiration from classical Aroman, Tagmatium, and Volsci traditions, as well as the cultures of the East-Argic peoples and other foreign lands. The Fisher Kings adopted more centralized and bureaucratic forms of governance, creating standing armies, bureaucracies, and legal systems. They also imposed their authority on their subjects, using force and persuasion to maintain order and stability. The economy underwent further adjustments, with the development of new technologies and the growth of overseas trade. Merchants and entrepreneurs established trading posts in various parts of the world.
• 1500s: The last heathen peoples Thelarike were converted to the Enlightened Aroman Church, a monotheistic religion that originated in the Occident. However, the eastern part of Thelarike remained under the influence of the Volsci, dominated by a rival religion that emphasized ancestor worship and nature deities.

See also

• Timeline of major events on Eurth
• Burania