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Tehmérr stands as the jewel of the central Ororos coastline, a powerful independent city-state renowned throughout Ermis for its maritime prowess and vibrant trade networks. Built where the mighty Tehmér River meets the Vardoun Sea, the city has grown from a humble fishing settlement into a formidable naval power with substantial wealth and influence, though not rivaling the combined might of the Dyarchy’s twin cities.

With approximately 120,000 inhabitants, Tehmérr sprawls across several islands at the river delta and extends onto the surrounding mainland. The city is immediately recognizable by its distinctive terraced architecture, with buildings constructed in concentric rings that rise from the harbor toward the central Azure Citadel. This physical arrangement reflects the city’s rigid social stratification, with each level housing different social castes based primarily on their relationship to the sea.

Unlike the twin cities with their House-based power structures, Tehmérr’s society is organized around sacred lineages claiming descent from eight hero-ancestors who supposedly rose from the depths in ancient times to found the city. These bloodlines form the basis of a complex caste system that governs every aspect of life, from occupation to marriage to religious practice.

The city’s prosperity derives primarily from its dominant position in maritime trade between Ororos and Vardoun. Its shipyards produce excellent vessels, its markets overflow with goods from across all continents, and its navy patrols shipping lanes through the central Vardoun Sea, collecting substantial fees for this protection.

Entering the City¶

Visitors typically arrive in Tehmérr by sea, passing through the imposing Sea Gates—massive bronze-reinforced barriers that can close off the harbor during storms or attacks. Land travelers approach via the Merchant’s Road from the interior, crossing a series of checkpoints before reaching the Outer Harbor district.

All visitors must register with harbor officials, declaring their business and expected duration of stay. Those of noble birth or with official credentials may proceed directly to appropriate quarters, while commoners must secure a sponsor from among the city’s guilds or temples before being permitted beyond the harbor districts.

The imposing navy of Tehmérr is immediately visible upon approach, with dozens of warships patrolling the harbor and surrounding waters. The city’s famous lighthouse, the Tidekeeper’s Vigil, stands over 200 feet tall at the harbor entrance, its enchanted flame visible for miles even through dense fog.

A Short History of Tehmérr¶

According to local tradition, Tehmérr was founded when eight hero-ancestors—half-divine beings born of the sea—emerged from the depths to establish a settlement at the river mouth. Historical records suggest a more mundane origin, with fishing communities gradually coalescing around a natural harbor over fifteen centuries ago.

The city gained prominence during the early days of inter-continental trade, when its strategic position made it a natural stopping point for vessels traveling between Ororos and Vardoun. As commerce grew, so did the city’s influence, eventually leading to the establishment of the Sea Dominion—Tehmérr’s naval authority—approximately seven centuries ago.

Notable historical events include the Battle of Broken Waves (circa 240 KD), when Tehmérr’s navy defeated a rival fleet attempting to break its trade monopoly; the Great Purge of 301 KD, when High Pontiff Melekar II executed hundreds of officials for corruption; and the recent Victory of Red Sails (352 KD), when Admiral Xanthos crushed the pirate fleet of the notorious Red Hand.

While formally acknowledging the Dyarchy’s continental authority, Tehmérr has maintained effective independence through careful diplomacy, essential trade partnerships, and such naval strength as to make direct confrontation too costly. The recent alliance with Kavouri, their traditional maritime rival to the east, has created a powerful naval coalition that even the Dyarchy must treat with respect.

Districts of Tehmérr¶

The city is divided into concentric tiers, each housing different social castes and functions:

The Harbor Rings form the outermost district where foreign ships dock, traders gather, and warehouses store goods from across Ermis. This area houses the Landbound—those who never sail and are considered the lowest social stratum.

The Merchant Rings contain markets, counting houses, and guild headquarters. The Trade Caste resides here, managing commerce but strictly separated from higher castes.

The Artisan Rings house workshops, studios, and the homes of skilled craftspeople. The Craft Caste produces Tehmérr’s renowned goods, including its famous ships.

The Scholar Rings contain libraries, observatories, and schools. The Keeper Caste preserves knowledge and trains the city’s youth according to their predetermined stations.

The Sailor Rings house the elite Seafarer Caste—captains, navigators, and those who command vessels—in comfortable compounds with views of the harbor.

The Azure Citadel at the city center contains the Temple of Eight Depths and administrative buildings. The Tide Priests and Sea Lords—drawn exclusively from specific bloodlines within the Great Lineages—reside here and oversee both religious and civic matters.

City Government¶

Tehmérr operates under a theocratic oligarchy, with the High Pontiff serving as nominal monarch. The current High Pontiff, Nerenthus III, belongs to the Marazin Lineage and governs through the Council of Tides—representatives from each of the eight Great Lineages who hold specific portfolios:

• The Admiral (military affairs)
• The Harbormaster (commerce and trade)
• The Justiciar (law and punishment)
• The Architect (infrastructure and construction)
• The Chronicler (records and history)
• The Ritualist (religious observances)
• The Diplomat (foreign relations)
• The Treasurer (taxation and finance)

Each councilor manages a bureaucracy staffed by members of appropriate castes. This system has remained remarkably stable despite occasional power struggles, largely due to the shared interest in maintaining Tehmérr’s prosperity and independence.

The recent victory over the Red Hand pirates has strengthened Admiral Xanthos Merevar’s position within the Council, creating tension with High Pontiff Nerenthus III, who fears the admiral’s growing popularity. Meanwhile, rumors persist that Treasurer Lydian Korvas is secretly controlled by foreign interests, possibly connected to Kavouri merchants.

Surviving in the City¶

Visitors must navigate Tehmérr’s complex social stratification carefully. Each caste has distinct clothing, speech patterns, and permitted behaviors. Crossing these boundaries without permission can result in punishment ranging from fines to imprisonment or expulsion.

Foreigners are generally confined to the Harbor and Merchant Rings unless specifically invited to higher tiers. The exception is visiting ship captains and sailors, who are accorded respect proportional to their vessel and role, in keeping with Tehmérr’s reverence for those showing respect and mastery of the sea.

The city’s laws are numerous and strictly enforced by the Tidekeepers—a police force answering to the Justiciar. Particularly important are regulations concerning proper deference to higher castes, religious observances, and commercial activities.

Magic and psionic use is permitted but regulated, with practitioners required to register with the Temple and submit to occasional inspection. Unauthorized use of powers in public spaces is prohibited, especially anything that might affect shipping or commerce.

Notable Features¶

Sites include the Tidekeeper’s Vigil (the enormous lighthouse guarding the harbor), the Shipwright’s Guildhall (where Tehmérr’s famous vessels are designed), the Grand Bazaar (spanning several islands in the Merchant Rings), the Temple of Eight Depths (dedicated to the hero-ancestors), and the Azure Citadel (seat of government and religious authority).

Holidays & Festivals¶

Major celebrations include the Tide’s Turn Festival during the spring equinox, when elaborate boat processions fill the harbor; the Founders’ Day ceremonies commemorating the eight hero-ancestors, held on the summer solstice; the Victory Regatta marking the defeat of the Red Hand pirates; and the solemn Depths Remembrance honoring those lost at sea.

Each Great Lineage also maintains its own ceremonies and observances, typically closed to outsiders. These range from lavish feasts to austere rituals, depending on the lineage’s traditional association with specific aspects of the hero-ancestors’ legacy.

Commerce¶

Tehmérr’s economy revolves around maritime trade and shipbuilding. The city serves as the primary exchange point for goods traveling between Ororos and Vardoun, particularly between Eryth and Kavouri. Its markets offer exotic items from across Ermis, including Sil artifacts, Haem technologies, and rare resources from the Fǣr Wildes.

The shipyards of Tehmérr produce vessels renowned for their speed and seaworthiness, commanding premium prices throughout Ermis. Artisans create distinctive goods marked by nautical motifs and sophisticated craftsmanship, particularly in glasswork, metalsmithing, and textiles.

Banking houses offer secure transfers between major cities, charging substantial fees for their services but guaranteeing delivery even through dangerous waters. The city mints its own currency—the Thalari—accepted throughout maritime trade routes.

Religion¶

Tehmérr’s religious life centers on the worship of the Eight Depths—deities associated with different aspects of the sea and the hero-ancestors who supposedly carried their essence. These practices blend with traditional Eranism, with priests claiming that the Eight Depths represent manifestations of Er’s divine nature specifically relevant to maritime peoples.

The Temple of Eight Depths dominates the city center, its eight spires representing each deity/ancestor pair. Religious observances include daily tidal prayers, offerings cast into the sea, and elaborate ceremonies marking lunar cycles and seasonal changes.

The Tide Priests maintain exclusive control over religious practices, claiming unique bloodlines that allow them to commune with the Eight Depths. This spiritual authority reinforces their political power, as important decisions require divine consultation conducted solely through their mediation.

Major Factions and Notable People¶

The Ruling Elite¶

• High Pontiff Nerenthus III: Leader of the Tide Priests and nominal ruler of Tehmérr, a calculating man in his sixties who maintains power through religious authority and strategic alliances among the Great Lineages.

• Admiral Xanthos Merevar: Commander of Tehmérr’s navy and hero of the Victory of Red Sails, whose popularity with both the military and common citizens has created tension with the High Pontiff.

• Treasurer Lydian Korvas: Controller of Tehmérr’s vast wealth, secretly influenced by foreign interests connected to Kavouri merchant houses, gradually shifting economic policies to favor certain trading partners.

• Justiciar Ilyra Naxos: Head of the city’s legal system and commander of the Tidekeepers, known for her strict interpretation of traditional laws and unwavering commitment to maintaining social boundaries.

Commercial Powers¶

• Guildmaster Barien Vostrum: Leader of the Shipwright’s Guild, whose expertise makes him influential beyond his official caste ranking. His designs have revolutionized naval warfare and trade shipping.

• Syndic Maelora Thorne: Representative of the foreign merchants’ collective, primarily advocating for Kavouri interests and strengthening the alliance between the two maritime powers.

• Harbormaster Kallas Durantis: Overseer of all shipping and trade, whose corruption has allowed contraband to flow through certain channels while maintaining a façade of strict regulation.

Religious and Cultural Figures¶

• High Ritualist Seriphon: Senior priest responsible for major ceremonies, whose conservative interpretation of religious texts reinforces traditional stratification.

• Chronicler Thalia Memnon: Keeper of Tehmérr’s historical records and supervisor of education, subtly working to moderate some of the strictest caste divisions while maintaining the appearance of orthodoxy.

• Master Artificer Daedin Korros: Creator of Tehmérr’s famous lighthouse mechanisms and other maritime technologies, belonging to the Craft Caste but granted unusual access to higher tiers due to his irreplaceable skills.

Current Tensions and Opportunities¶

Tehmérr currently faces several significant challenges and developments:

• The disputed ownership of newly discovered mineral deposits along the northern coastline has created tension with neighboring settlements, particularly a mining colony established by House Orosen.

• Admiral Xanthos Merevar’s rising influence following his victory over the Red Hand pirates has exacerbated rivalries among the Great Lineages, with some supporting his ascension to greater power while others plot to diminish his standing.

• The recently formalized alliance with Kavouri has strengthened with new trade agreements, transforming these traditional rivals into a formidable maritime coalition. However, some suspect these arrangements disproportionately benefit certain lineages at the expense of others.

• Corruption among market officials has reached unprecedented levels, prompting the recent execution of several mid-level bureaucrats while leaving their superiors suspiciously untouched.

• Reports of unusual sea creatures and strange phenomena in deeper waters have disturbed fishing operations, with some religious authorities interpreting these as omens requiring propitiation through renewed dedication to traditional observances.

Physical Characteristics and Culture¶

Tehmérrans are physically distinctive among Ermis populations, typically standing taller and more powerfully built than their continental neighbors. Their skin tones range from deep brown to nearly black, with fine red hair and dark eyes being common features. Some Tehmérrans are born with six fingers on each hand, considered a blessed mark associated with the hero-ancestors. At the other extreme are the many sailors with one or another missing limbs – they wear the scars of their time at sea proudly.

Elaborate tattoos mark both caste and lineage affiliations, with specific patterns reserved for particular social positions. These markings are applied during coming-of-age ceremonies and expanded throughout life to indicate accomplishments and status changes.

Society revolves around rigid caste divisions, with the fundamental distinction being between those who sail the seas (valued) and those who remain landbound (subordinate). Even among sailors, strict hierarchies exist based on vessel type, role, and lineage. Intermarriage between castes is forbidden, and even casual interaction is carefully regulated (both formally and informally).

Despite—or perhaps because of—these rigid divisions, Tehmérr maintains remarkable stability and has weathered numerous challenges throughout its long history. The shared pride in the city’s maritime dominance and the prosperity it brings to all castes (albeit unequally) creates a strong communal identity that transcends internal divisions when facing external threats.