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Turmish

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Turmish was a republic with the capital of Alaghôn, and was located in the north of the Vilhon Reach. It was a densely populated nation, with bustling cities that were home to many mercenary companies and mercantile organizations that traded across all of Faerûn. As the saying from Starmantle goes: "The hordes of Turmish are as numerous as the waves upon the Inner Sea".[4]

Government[]

During the late 14th century the republic of Turmish was governed by the Assembly of Stars, who in turn would appoint a Lord of Turmish. As of the Year of the Tankard, 1370 DR, the position was filled by Lord Herengar.[5]

Culture[]

Since the Turmians are known for respecting their land, they often buried valuables, partly as gifts to Chauntea and partly as "seeds" to grow future wealth. It was frowned upon to be found digging in Turmish.[6]

Since the founding of the Academia Vilhonus in the Year of the Late Sun, 300 DR, the Turmishans usually wore chalk marks on their foreheads to announce their personal abilities and level of education. One indicated that the wearer could read, two that the wearer could write, and three that the wearer could use magic. Because visitors often did not follow this custom, some inhabitants assumed that they were illiterate. It was quite common for one to be challenged on the street and asked to prove one's level of ability. If one couldn't prove their ability to read, write or use magic, as indicated by the dots, the punishment might be death.[6][5]

Religion[]

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Festivals[]

Feast of the Moon
Also known as the festival of lovers, this joyous celebration was celebrated throughout all of the Reach during Highsummer.[7][8]
Reign of Misrule
Beginning on Marpenoth 10, a tenday after Highharvestide, the citizens of Turmish would break their religious and mercantile vows by yelling and fighting with one another in the streets, so long as they didn't kill anyone or cause serious harm or destruction. Non-natives were prohibited from joining in these revelries.[8]

History[]

Origins[]

The Turami people migrated to the region from their native lands around the Alamber Sea when they were displaced by the Mulan after the fall of Imaskar in −2488 DR. After finding these sheltered fertile lands, they settled down.[citation needed]

The coast of what became Turmish was once home to the nation of Scarbala, a country of fisherfolk and pirates. When Scarbala tried to expand inland and was met with raids from angry satyrs, concurrent attacks from vengeful victims of their piracy and several years of harsh winters destroyed the nation. The coast was also subject to attacks from koalinth and ixitxachitls.[9]

Alaghôn and the Formation of Turmish[]

In Year of Patriots, −37 DR, the port city of Alaghôn was founded on top of the ruins of a dwarven mining settlement, and soon became a major trading hub of the Sea of Fallen Stars.[10] In the Year of Thirteen Prides Lost, 132 DR, a mercenary leader named Dempster Turmish declared himself mayor of the city. This precipitated a brief civil war that Dempster's mercenaries swiftly won for him. Dempster expanded the lands that he controlled, conquering all of the towns and villages that surrounded his city for thirteen years. By 145 DR, Turmish had taken control of the lands up to the lowlands of Hlondeth and set their eyes upon the city-state.[11]

Assaults on Hlondeth[]

Dempster died in his sleep in 150 DR and his wife Florentine took over from him. Florentine was far more interested in mercantile ventures than continued expansion, ordering a halt to the wars of conquest. Florentine was assassinated after only four years in power, leading to a leadership contest that lasted 116 years.[12]

An attempt from Chondath to conquer Turmish united the country behind Alesam Mischwin in the Year of the Unheeded Warning, 270 DR. This war, known as the Stalemate,[4] ended in one but the stability caused by a leader finally being chosen remained. Chondath would try to take Turmish on two further occasions over the next few decades, failing both times. House Illistine proposed a mock war every Shieldmeet between Turmish and Chondath, the winner of which would gain a reward of slaves, resources and trading privileges, while ensuring that the two nations would remain at peace.[citation needed]

Disasters and Druids[]

In the Year of the Dancing Piper, 352 DR, a fire in Alaghôn crippled Turmish's navy and destroyed its food stores, causing a rise in piracy and widespread famine. Turmish's noble houses, rather than working to help solve the issue, bickered with each other over who was liable for the damage. It therefore took over a decade of reconstruction to repair the damage.[4] The Year of the Thoughtful Man, 374 DR saw the establishment of the House of Silvanus on the Isle of Ilighôn where powerful druids kept close watch on the ships travelling off the coast of Turmish.[13]

Over a century of small incursions from orc and goblin tribes culminated in the War of 512 when the Candlekairn clan destroyed three Turmishan cities and carried off all of their accumulated wealth. When Mount Andrus erupted five years later, all hope of recovering that wealth was lost.[4][14]

In the Year of the Unmasked Traitor, 522 DR, druids from Gulthmere Forest and elves from Xorhun appealed to Arton Githsberry, the then ruler of Turmish, to stop logging in the forest in order to let the trees grow back. Arton appeased them with a show of consideration, but had no intention to stop collecting timber.[14] The druids continued to pressure Turmish, becoming quite the thorn in Turmish's side by the Year of the Dead, 552 DR.[4]

Magocracy and Merchants[]

In the Year of the Druid's Wrath, 717 DR, the rulers of Turmish, a conclave of wizards calling themselves the Windlass, decided that they had enough of the druids in the region and launched an attack[4] on both Cedarsproke and Ilighôn. Both attacks were halted before they could do any damage by the magic of the druids and their giant allies. The Windlass were executed, replaced by Alaghôn's merchant families. The druids of Ilighôn, now a formal organization known as the Emerald Enclave, had established themselves a force to be reckoned with.[15]

The Year of the Spouting Fish, 922 DR saw the merchant families of Turmish lose their temporal power to a dynasty of warlords, the first of whom established Turmish a powerful military nation. Their martial strength saw them through the 1018 DR Rage of Dragons quite safely, but the ever-increasing population was feeling the pressure of running out of space so, in the Year of the Toppled Tree, 1220 DR, the warlord Sjorn Sendreth initiated a war against Ironfang Deep. It was a protracted war that diminished Turmish's wealth to an unexpected level. Sendreth sent people out to bring back treasure which could fund the war effort - a tactic that worked spectacularly - Turmish was wealthy once more.[5]

Wyrm and the Stars[]

Unfortunately, one such group of treasure hunters was tracked back home by the ancient blue dragon Anaglathos in the Year of the Yellow Rose, 1242 DR, who slew Sendreth and claimed Turmish for himself, killing or charming any who opposed him. The next five years were known as the Time of the Wyrm in Turmishan histories.[5]

Anaglathos's rule was brought to an end by a paladin by the name of Corwin Freas, who led the rebellion against Anaglathos and personally slew the dragon. He was then acclaimed Turmish's king by a grateful populace. However, after a reign of only one year, Lord Freas dissolved his own monarchy and established the Assembly of Stars to rule Turmish instead.[5]

14th & 15th Centuries[]

With a few small exceptions, such as the Plague of Dragons in the Year of the Wandering Wyrm, 1317 DR for example, Turmish had grown into become a democratic nation that was peaceful, safe and content, if occasionally a little overcrowded.[5]

The Spellplague changed Turmish's fortunes for the worse, as the Sea of Fallen Stars drained away, leaving Alaghôn's port miles from the new shoreline. Turmishans became xenophobic as bandit raids from Erlkazar terrorized them and they were cut off from their neighbors. Nonthal took over as Turmish's most prosperous city as Alaghôn became increasingly dilapidated, while Sapra became the nation's only port. In the Year of Thundering Hosts, 1423 DR, the city of Gildenglade was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Kolimnis.[citation needed]

After the dissipation of The Great Rain, the Sea of Fallen Stars had risen to water levels not seen since before the Spellplague. Turmish's great cities were once again connected to the Inner Sea and its trading opportunities. This, along with a great agricultural boom aided by the Emerald Enclave, brought an upturn in the country's fortunes.[16]

Notable Locations[]

File:P103-Turmish-Brian Blume.png

Map of Turmish circa 1360 DR.

Cities[]

  • Alaghôn: The ancient port city channeled nearly all the trade that Turmish had with the rest of Faerûn for centuries,[17] before the waters of the Inner Sea receded.[citation needed]
  • Gildenglade: Before it was destroyed,[citation needed] Turmish's second-largest city was a haven for non-human populations, home to many of the dwarves, half-elves and elves of the nation.[17]
  • Ravilar's Cloak: A wild and rowdy mining town nestled in the foothills of the Orsraun Mountains.[18][19]
  • Centaur Bridge
  • Nonthal
  • Jathrin's Jump
  • Xorhun: This community of elves and gnomes hearkened back to the communities of the ancient elven civilization.[18]

Ruins[]

  • Ironcloak
  • Morningstar Hollows: A former farming village that had since been flooded into a bog and inhabited by lizardfolk.[6]

Geography[]

  • Aphrunn Mountains
  • Mountains of the Alaoreum
  • Orsraun Mountains
  • The Orbrekh: A branch of the Orsrauns that was home to a family of giants, who protected the surrounding area.[6]

Appendix[]

Further Reading[]

  • Ed Greenwood (June 1994). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Mysterious Turmish”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #96 (TSR, Inc.), p. 5–6.
  • Ed Greenwood (August 1994). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: More Hidden Powers of Turmish”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #98 (TSR, Inc.), p. 23–25.
  • Ed Greenwood (November 1994). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Turmish Customers and Festivals”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #101 (TSR, Inc.), p. 22–23.
  • Ed Greenwood (January 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: A Treasure Tour of Turmish”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #103 (TSR, Inc.), p. 23–25.
  • Ed Greenwood (February 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Country Treasures”. In Dave Gross ed. Polyhedron #104 (TSR, Inc.), p. 7–8.
  • Ed Greenwood (March 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: More Fabled Treasures of the Land of Turmish”. In Dave Gross ed. Polyhedron #105 (TSR, Inc.), p. 7–9.
  • Ed Greenwood (April 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Endless Treasures in Turmish”. In Dave Gross ed. Polyhedron #106 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6–8.
  • Ed Greenwood (June 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: The End of the Road in Turmish”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #108 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6–8.
  • Robert Wiese (2003-04-02). The Portal Through Time (Part 1). Perilous Gateways. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2007-02-15.

References[]

  1. ↑ Ed Greenwood (May 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Well-Hidden Treasures”. In Dave Gross and Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #107 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6–8.
  2. ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
  3. ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Rand Sharpsword (2002-05-08). More of the Vilhon Reach. Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-08-16. Retrieved on 2012-03-10.
  7. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 34. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  9. ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
  10. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  11. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 5. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  12. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  13. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  15. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  16. ↑ Kim Mohan ed. (2015). Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 13. ISBN 978-0786965809.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 15. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 16. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  19. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Dungeon Master's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
The Vilhon Reach
Turmish

Alaghôn • Aphrunn Mountains • Centaur Bridge • Daroush • Gildenglade • Ironcloak • Jathrin's Jump • Lilit Pass • Morningstar Hollows • Mountains of the Alaoreum • Nonthal • The Orbrekh • Orsraun Mountains • Ravilar's Cloak • Xorhun
Chondath
Arrabar • The Chondalwood • Hlath • Iljak • Samra • Shamph
Sespech
Elbulder • Fort Arran • Golden Plains • Mimph • Naga Plains • The Nagaflow • Nagawater • Ormpetarr • Serpents' Holding
The Shining Plains
Assam • Cedarsproke • Deepwing Mountains • Gulthmere Forest • Lheshayl • Ormath • Rushing Hills • Urml • Wetwoods
Free cities

Cloven Mountains • The Deepwash • Elupar • Hlondeth • Lachom • Nimpeth • Nun • The Nunwood • Reth • Surkh • The Winterwood
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