Thirēa

Thirēa is a large subcontinent located primarily within the Umbral Regions of the Refugium.

Geography
For purposes of clarity in this article, “south” is defined as “toward the sun.”

As evidenced by the term “subcontinent,” Thirēa is part of a larger landmass whose area presumably extends beyond the Far Regions. Cutting across this landmass is a large mountain range that gives way to plains just as it enters the Umbral Regions; it is in this area that several river systems begin.

The River Tēptilas is the westernmost significant river, and flows into the Eritōske Sea to the southwest. It has two major tributaries: one beginning up in the mountains of the north, and one beginning in the lowlands further south. The other major river system of the region is the River Thiras, which also flows into the Eritōske Sea. It is fed by three important tributaries: two of these start in the mountains, and the other flows from Lake Inkek southeast of them. Additionally, there exists a smaller river that winds between the Tēptilas and the Thiras before ending somewhere in the Thirēan plains, as well as a larger river that flows into the ocean east of Thirēa; both of these other rivers’ names are unknown.

Thirēa has been described to be occupied by the aptly-named Thirēan Empire, within which at least six cities exist: Atsvan, located near the point at which the tributaries of the River Tēptilas converge; Pelāhras, bordering the Eritōske Sea near the mouth of the Tēptilas; the former capital Ankotska, situated between the River Thiras and the smaller river mentioned before; the capital Nekāchta, thriving near the mouth of the Thiras; Ihmak, located further inland and southeast of Nekāchta; and Tsahme, bordering the Eritōske Sea southwest of Ihmak.

Thirēa is located north of Tsannur, and west of the Nhlogqwa Islands.

Climate
Owing to its situation in the Umbral Regions, Thirēa has a fairly mild climate, comparable to the temperate zones of Earth. Temperatures range from 15-20 degrees near the coasts to about five degrees near the border of the Far Regions.

Flora
Due to the Refugium’s lack of seasons, no deciduous plants exist. Thirēan forests are thus comprised of evergreens like palms, cycads, and mixed conifer species.

Fauna
Animal clades endemic to Thirēa include mustelids, titanotheres, and entelodonts. The region is additionally home to a variety of fauna originally native to Tsannur, such as creodonts, glyptodonts, and astrapotheres.

People
The dominant ethnic group of this region are the Thirēan peoples, who tend to be quite tall, and have dark hair, dark eyes, and beige to honey-colored skin.

History
Human settlement on Thirēa began as a series of independent city-states that later allied and unified into a single nation. The capital was originally Ankotska, the oldest and largest city-state, but later shifted to the thriving port city of Nekāchta when it gained enough social and military influence to rival it. Among the most significant events for the Thirēan Empire to be involved in is the centuries-long series of wars it had with the Empire of the Sun to the south. These wars encouraged many technological advancements.

Culture
Thirēan society can be divided into four major subgroups: thēmitam (commoners), mātranitam (governors), ankālin (kings), and the ankāliōri (high king). Each city state is ruled over by an ankāli, who wields a fair amount of local power, but still must serve the ankāliōri, who rules from the capital.

People of the Thirēan Empire believe it to be possible for one to earn their way into nobility through good deeds, and place a great deal of importance on innovation and progress. They’re willing to assimilate the knowledge and customs of other cultures, regardless of their differences.

Language
Thirēa is notable for it presumably being the region in which Proto-Thirēan was originally spoken. As is to be expected, the most commonly spoken languages in Thirēa are those of the True Thirēan branch, of which there are at least three in the modern era: Tsekān, Nekāchti, and Avkhe.

Additionally, the Ilothwii language, spoken on the nearby Nhlogqwa Islands, has historically experienced occasional effects from being in relatively close proximity to the Thirēan languages.