Ta'Nalfein

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Ta'Nalfein is the home of the Nalfein Elves and one of the five remaining city-states of the Elven Empire. Situated upon the coast, Ta'Nalfein is one of the centers of shipping amongst the elves. In 5105, the luxury ship Wavedancer visited the city on its tour.

Ta'Nalfein

City Layout & City-State Information

Founded in the Second Age, the city of Ta'Nalfein is a terraced masterpiece on the southeastern coast of Elanith. While perhaps most well-known by some for infamous items -- poisons, assassinations, political intrigue, and the like -- the Nalfein are, of course, so much more, and this is reflected throughout the city-state and especially in the city itself.

Just down the coast lies the delta of the Tyrfael River (or Vyr'Tyrfael) and beyond that is the little-traveled area bordering Feywrot Mire. Given its propensity for flooding, intentions of building the Ebon Rose of the Empire here were immediately abandoned, and engineers and architects set about planning Ta'Nalfein's current location. The river itself is still important to trade, and there are docking systems and small villages supporting them dotted throughout, including the managing guild for interior dispersal of goods and services throughout the city-state utilizing the river system.

Passenger vessels and ships bearing goods bound for the city proper, however, use Nielira Harbor. With its ebony-planked piers and rose-filled arched lattices, the harbor is a breathtaking first glimpse into the city of Ta'Nalfein. Here, the sea shifts and sparkles from crystalline deep blues to transparent deep greens, colorful ocean life visible for dozens of feet beneath the surface in some locations. Its jewel-like hues stand in contrast to the alabaster beach that marks the first layer of Ta'Nalfein, and from there, all eyes are drawn inexorably upward, through terrace upon terrace worked into the seaside cliffs.

Nearest to the shore, the terraces are close together, with small buildings and minimal greenery, but as the hill rises, each terrace grows wider and more ornate. Greenery and gardens abound between the predominantly white buildings on each level, and hints of roads and depth to the terraces can be seen. At the top lies the Naefira Palace, its extravagant alabaster exterior sprawling in a display of powerful excess.

On either side of the harbor, as the mountains, cliffs, and shore twine sinuously along, buildings perch seemingly without connection to the main city along various folds and points, but given their lavish and sumptuous nature, appearances are deceiving. Hidden from ship-side view are the paths, roads, and arteries that lead to these offshoots, most cleverly concealed behind greenery that others built into the hills themselves. Still others feature ocean-only access via a well-positioned cave or grotto beneath the property. The coast of the city-state is riddled with cliffs and caves and buildings of this nature.

Each terrace comprises a section of the city, with wealth rising as the terraces do. Despite some measure of spaciousness, the city is still built within the terraces and folds of an oceanside mountain, and space is at a premium, causing most buildings to be close together, even amongst the elite. Markets and shopping districts group together on each level and gardens abound, often serving to separate private housing from commercial ventures. The gardens serve a secondary purpose as well -- an elegant setting for the numerous springs and wells that bring the city its water from the aquifers below.

While most terraces have a mixture of private homes and markets, the tenth terrace is the fashion district. Called the Taessaet district after the ancient fabric, also known as rosesilk, the terrace's entire focus is on the clothing and jewelry fashion industry. Some homes of craftspeople may be above their shops, but the terrace's purpose is to set the fashion for a continent.

The Senrataes: Beneath the City
Beneath the city of Ta'Nalfein, and indeed, beneath the mountains and cliffs twisting across most of the city-state's shores, lies another world: the Senrataes. Also known as the underground city, the Senrataes started purely as a burghal gnome city hidden beneath the Nalfein's. Indeed, the Gnomish term roughly translates to "stolen city." Over time, however, while the burghals keep a goodly part of it to themselves, they have opened up the upper layers to the Nalfein. It is here where burghal-elven commerce thrives and where several hidden paths and roads allow covert transport from one place to another.

The burghals residing in and near the city of Ta'Nalfein also have numerous areas in the points and folds of the hills where elves cannot build, and there are entire areas along the hills with hidden doors and windows looking out to the sea. Using smaller, more discreet caves along the coast, burghal gnomes so inclined can also run covert privateer activities.

Outside the Terraced City
The Nalfein city-state, while focused around the capital city of Ta'Nalfein, has a lush and varied interior with a variety of other cities, towns, and hamlets as well as numerous farming communities and country retreats.

During the hottest months of the summer, even the ocean breezes are not enough to cool the punishing sun upon the city's hills, and the close proximity of one's neighbors is never more apparent than during a heat wave. Those most fortunate then flee to the countryside for sojourns in more expansive estates. These summer homes typically rest on the banks of a river or lake, and here, the size of one's acreage and the expanse of one's gardens showcase wealth rather than how high one's terrace location is.

Society during these summer retreats focuses on late evening dinners and balls, often within the same social circles found in the city, but the distances alter it somewhat and those elite permanently housed outside of the city find it their time to shine as well. In the city they may be looked down upon as "country cousins," but in the country, they reign supreme. Entire hamlets and villages can be supported for a decade or two off of one particularly good summer season of elites competing for best dinners, masquerades, and social standing.

Other Locations in Ta'Nalfein

Atirarrend: Named after a Nalfein family infamous for fashion creations so titillating, they were banned from the fashion quarter, Atirarrend is a small community a short ride outside the city of Ta'Nalfein. While the Atirrars did found the community to carry on their couture of impropriety, the community now mostly specializes in perfumes.

Eil'naetrika: The Isle of the Broken Rose is located just off the coast, but out of sight of the city proper. It is here Ta'Nalfein houses its most important and dangerous prisoners.

The island itself is is really just a section of the coastal cliff broken away over time, with unclimbable sides and nowhere to dock. Indeed, even if there were a shore, docking would be nigh impossible, as the rough waters here create churning maelstroms and whirlpools in unexpected places, hiding the jagged, ship-breaking rocks lurking beneath the surface.

Access instead is from a suspension bridge from the garrison on the coast. Four guards are on duty at the bridge at all times - two at each end armed with axes to cut the bridge's ropes and send it plummeting into the rough seas below at even a whisper of danger or infiltration. The bridge itself is almost a thousand feet long and only two feet wide with thin, rope handrails.

Serving at Eil'naetrika is considered a rite of passage by the Nalfein military, and even the other Houses, especially Ta'Vaalor, request some of their soldiers serve a rotation for training purposes.

Kaenymn: A small dale nestled amidst the sextet of hills known as the Irikaen Hills.

Tae'glimaereil: Tae'glimaereil, often shortened to Glimaereil, is an island approximately an hour's sail from the city of Ta'Nalfein. It is close enough to the city-state claims that it, but far enough away that it operates mostly independently. Known as the Isle of the Glittering Black Rose, Tae'glimaereil is a hedonistically focused destination point. Few people live on the island itself, except those workers who support the island's primary industry -- wealthy Nalfein night life. Gambling establishments, restaurants, exotic baths, and more can be found on the isle. What one will not find, however, are mansions or elaborate inns. Visitors typically stay on their vessels or in the comfortable, but by no means fancy, inns; the purpose is short, expensive visits and a taste of the wild life.

While not tiny, the majority of the island is mountainous with rough, craggy shorelines and offshore rocks of ship-destroying jaggedness. Thus, everything has built up around the one large and open harbor, and most of the island is uninhabited. Exploration is dangerous and discouraged, as it is assumed pirates and others in less savory occupations find a means to use the other areas from time to time. One exception to this, however, is the climb to a marine lake nestled between the mountains. Small tours set forth each day, weather permitting, for the punishing hike and overnight stay; the reward for this expensive and dangerous expedition is a night swimming in a lake filled with jellyfish.

Lae'Taslen: A city sprawled about the Taslen Lakes. The lakes are also known as The Fanned Daggers of Taslen. Five, thin lakes radiate out from a central point, almost like the blades of a fan. Some claim that Taslen was the name of an assassin specializing in dagger-bladed fans, while others claim it was the name of a noble who left the city to found a university in a cooler clime. If the true origin of the name is known, those with the knowledge are not yet sharing.

Veilfira'evyn: Nestled in the Veilfira (or Rose-Spired) Hills, the garrison protects the Veilfira Caverns, an important mining operation for precious materials. The hills themselves are known for their rocky, rose-hued spires and are covered in meadows and groves of deciduous trees.

Architecture

Within the city itself, architecture is intricately focused on maximizing the appearance of space where little exists without sacrificing beauty and art. Most buildings use either stucco or limestone, creating a pleasing view of the city from a distance -- all sun-washed whites accented with terracotta and greenery against the foreground of the turquoise sea. Colorful painted tiles line streets and paths, and statues are tucked away in nooks and crannies everywhere.

Buildings aim for high ceilings and large balconies, with numerous windows to catch any hint of an ocean breeze. During the hottest parts of the day, windows close and thick curtains block out any heat-causing sunlight, and residents retreat to the cooler parts of their homes when possible. In the early mornings and late evenings, people gather on their balconies, often socializing with their neighbors.

Given this, having a well-decorated balcony is essential to many Nalfein, and, like their rooftop gardens, this ranges from the simple and elegant to the ridiculously extravagant. At a minimum, most balconies are decorated with wrought metal and painted tiles and bedecked with tiny, silk-strung will-o'-wisp baubles known as faerthiel or fey lanterns. These tiny, blown glass balls have been alchemically worked to be stronger than normal, and when the right type of gems are placed inside, the fey lanterns glow in the gem's color. At night from sea, the vision of the city lit up by faerthiel has been described as "a sandcastle awash with fireflies," a vision further enhanced by the luminous jellyfish inhabiting Nielira Harbor.

Rooftop gardens are especially popular in the city, ranging from the small and practical to the lavish and extravagant. Pergolas are always en vogue, sometimes as a small section of a rooftop garden, but in one section of the fashion terrace, numerous pergolas build a pathway between two competing guildhouses of high fashion. Students of each guild vie with one another for decorating the pergolas each year, the assignment being to showcase their fashion designs within the flora of the pergola. During the main competition, these fashion pergolas become a riot of silks, satins, and other fabrics betwixt and between flora carefully cultivated to resemble mannequins.

Tucked about the terraces are nooks with tiny pools lined with moss-covered stones. Water flows into the pool through the mouths of whimsical stone faces. Gnomish ingenuity utilizes the alignment of stones as the water hits them to create an aquatic musicality. Tiny nooks like this make enough noise, however pleasing to the ear, that clandestine meetings flourish and give these areas the nickname of "lovers' ponds."

While Ta'Illistim may have built a reputation on its libraries and stockpiling of lore, Ta'Nalfein too values knowledge. Small libraries, both public and private, can be found throughout the city, and it is a rumored that Lae'Taslen, a city sprawled about the Taslen Lakes, hosts the largest library on poisons and antidotes known to Elanith. Public libraries are generally built of a special green-veined, white marble with distinctive triangular columns flanking copper doors, and they often have underground vaults for restricted materials.

Outside the city, architecture is varied and heavily dependent on local resources, wealth, and availability of imported goods. For the elite escaping the confines of the city, bigger is almost always better. One will find an abundance of gardens, hedge mazes, and statuary on the grounds of mansions. Gone are the stucco and limestone. In the country, dark stone and marble are most common, followed by rich, dark red brick.

Imports, Exports, and Goods Production

Importation
Coastal trade is vital to the city-state, the Nalfeins often conducting business with a variety of Elanthians across the continent. Gnomes, giantkin, Kraet, Faendryl, and often erithians of Atan Irith help usher in imports of the highest quality lumber, goods, and materials that can be procured by air or by sea. The once neighboring isles of Ta'Ashrim allowed multiple vessels to conduct swift business between the two ports, but the destruction of the former left Ta'Nalfein to carry the weight of the southern trade for the city-states and their fallen kin. Nalfein success in this endeavor has set some tongues wagging that perhaps covert pilfering of Ashrim technology occurred and was not lost but rather transformed into Nalfein processes.

Gnome ingenuity has given rise to new and innovative methods of perishable goods storage, allowing the most fragile of produce to be shipped by airship or boat and into Nalfein hands. If there is a need in Ta'Nalfein, procurement is only inhibited by the amount one is willing to spend. Contraptions formed from thin sheets of rhimar and drakar ensure that shipments do not spoil despite the time of travel, as the logistics are ever shifting and weather unrelenting.

Similar to their cousins in Ta'Loenthra, the Guild of Jade is composed of retired artisans and leaders of craftsmanship who serve as port inspectors, ensuring that both imports and exports have met particular criteria and are graded and recorded in the ledgers, as the Nalfein are known for an aggressive stance on trade policies and such information is vital for future renegotiations.

Privateers comprise a number of vessels occupying the harbors, the designation only sanctioned by the Harbormaster and typically entailing a political process of interviews, arbitration, and references. Often, retired members of the navy find a second wind as privateers if they feel as though the sea calls them once again. Crew members upon these privateer-captained ships are trained to navigate their vessels across the breakwaters surrounding the various Nalfein harbors, using signal fans to identify the safest routes during the daylight hours and the guiding shine of the lighthouse in the evenings.

Oceanside Commerce
The plentiful bounty of the eastern seaboard and temperate location of the city-state has created a thriving seafood and shellfish trade that spans across Elanthia. Early mornings find the waters surrounding Ta'Nalfein scattered with fishing vessels, the fishermen gathering their catches to transport via airship across the coast while others prepare to sell their wares at the fresh fish markets lining the harbor.

Cliffside dining is a popular option for both citizens and visitors alike, as one can often watch their meal be caught in the nearby waters and transported by cart or chain-hung cage up to the restaurant for consumption. The availability of such fresh seafood allows Nalfein chefs to create delicacies from raw fish and shellfish, much to the delight of those who travel to spend the summer months along the Nalfein shores.

The sea gifts another unique Nalfein export in the form of salt. Artisans import various woods of mahogany, cherry, and oak, soaking the pieces in a brine of seawater for several weeks before drying them upon the nearby stones. Once dry, they are roasted alongside other dried aromatics, the ash then mixed with sea clay and formed into spheres. Fresh seawater is added to these vessels via a small, bored hole then boiled continuously day and evening until filtered into a solid sphere of purified salt. The result is a textured sphere of smoked salt called saevika, prized by chefs for the unique infusion of flavors, the sphere grated over dishes as a final accent for fine cuisine.

Farming
The temperate climes of Ta'Nalfein are also a boon for the fertile farmlands and vineyards extending past the city proper, the lack of harsh season transitions and varying elevations allow for a variety of herbs, flora, and produce to thrive from coast to cliffside. Extending beyond the coast is a fertile countryside, the soil continually nourished by the absence of heat waves, the cool breezes of the day, and the warmer temperatures of the evening hours.

The jade-leafed vineyards are renowned for their vintage ports and grenaches, but Ta'Nalfein vintners pride themselves in their extensive varietals alongside chardonnays, rieslings, and a unique champagne called anieamys (known as the rising wine, anieamys has a seemingly endless effervescence and a faintly floral nose). The barrels of wine are matured in cellars carved into the hillsides, the caves extending down into the earth, the ideal temperature and humidity perfected over centuries yet ever changing as new methods are introduced through gnomish means.

Bottles of wine are a customary gift throughout Nalfein culture, easily procured at both markets and vineyards, the varietals and vintages sold alongside wine vinegars and other spirits. Distilleries, both artisanal and traditional, hold equal merit in Nalfein society (whiskeys, bourbons, and scotches in particular), but wine holds an honored position amongst citizens and nobility alike.

Where there are mountains, there are certainly goats, and Ta'Nalfein is no exception. Indeed, it is home to the maedat, a robust goat that thrives in the coastal hills of the city-state, producing unique flavors of gouda, cheddar, and aged goat cheese, the softer and tangier notes combined with herbal pollens to complement and even heighten the accompanying meals and wines that are often served at selaret (a customary late afternoon rest period when the city is at its hottest, popular but not universal in adoption).

The environs outside of Ta'Nalfein allow fields of fresh herbs to thrive, the cultivated plants harvested at the height of their respective seasons, then sent to both local restaurants or exported by airship along the coast. A number of cultivators will dry bundles of young budding herbs on lattices of wood, the cool air scenting the area surrounding the farms before they are taken down and ground by hand, creating a unique herb pollen. Fennel, lavender, dill, and even rose pollens are utilized by cooks, the flavors subdued compared to their fully flourished counterparts, giving a dish or drink a distinct finishing note.

Floral shops offer a variety of decorative displays, the demand never-ending as almost every Nalfein household requires at least a bouquet of fresh flora, both as an aesthetic point and show of high breeding. The rooftop gardens of many Ta'Nalfein households are often tended by highly compensated Winedotter specialists, although gardening is considered a delightful pastime for those who pride themselves on their green thumb prowess.

Apothecaries & Medicinal Pursuits
Apothecaries are often found at every market and shopping district, offering a diverse selection of hand-made goods ranging from the aforementioned herb pollens, to bathing luxuries such as oils and soaps, pomanders, and perfumes: all inspected regularly for distribution across the city-states.

Nalfein medicines and healing remedies line the displays of every shop, a rumor that their swift effectiveness counterbalances poisoncraft efficiently and with little aftereffect. An apothecary that carries sea urchin poison will most certainly offer an equally potent antidote, or so the story goes.

Varieties of coastal and countryside-grown teas are also available at the apothecary, each shop offering their unique blends both in-person and in conjunction with nearby cafes. Coffee beans are a vital import to the city-state, but the ground product itself transforms within Nalfein hands.

Vials of dye and pigments, used for both art and cosmetics, are often located within the shops and one can often watch an apothecary's apprentice prepare the vessels for sale. A familiar tale told by apothecaries involves an overly enthusiastic apprentice attempting to create a pomegranate-colored dye, but suddenly sneezing as the fine powder entered his nose, thus dyeing himself a particularly vivid red for several days.

Mining & Precious Materials
Further away from the coast are the Veilfira Caverns, the heavily protected and extensive caverns producing a myriad of colored jades, marbled malachite, and banded agates, the latter often traded with the erithi. Skilled artisans frequently craft their jewelry in forms that are inspired by the uncut jewels, woods, and metal simply an accoutrement to the gem itself. Nalfein jewelers are also renowned for their creation of the nythien, or "solitude ring", often worn by those who have lost a beloved companion or have dedicated their life to one of seclusion. The ornate construction of each piece varies by preference of its wearer, occasionally utilizing rare woods, metals, or jewels, although some prefer a bolder talon ring, its form a statement in and of itself.

Moving back towards the coast, papercraft has been a time-honored export of Ta'Nalfein, as stationers work alongside apothecaries in providing essential parchment for letter-writing, as well as scrolls for and ledgers for more mundane day-to-day tasks. The popularity of metallic inks, elaborate wax insignias, and scented papers has created an ever-changing inventory for papersmiths as they vie for both business and reputation. Sheafs of paper hand-crafted from rose petals (known as naevela) are a popular gift for many occasions, typically presented alongside a personalized nib purchased from a reputable metalsmith.

Ta'Nalfein's reputation for high fashion and cutting-edge couture can be traced to the Taessaet Terrace, the gaily decorated rows of shops renowned for their importation of rare raw goods and exports of bespoke products. The modistes and seamstresses of the Taessaet claim clientele spanning across the continent, their apprentices traveling worldwide as they provide avant-garde and timeless designs for all occasions. Rivalries have arisen between the fashion houses of Ta'Nalfein and their cousins in Ta'Loenthra over the reproduction of elesine, but the Nalfein lay claim to mastery over byssus and sea silk. The recent popularity of shot silks and nacre velvets has created a high demand for these multicolored fabrics, the local apothecaries working alongside to produce the most contrasting effects whilst preserving the integrity of the fabric.

From the bustling port fish markets, to the cliffside and countryside restaurants and cafes, Ta'Nalfein thrives through their imports and exports, the business bringing in a constant flow of goods to a city-state celebrated for its aesthetic beauty and high standards of living. A culture of excellence, the Ta'Nalfein live a life of simple indulgences, but through ingenuity and astute practices have attained the reputation of the cornerstone for trade within the Elven Nations.

Council of Guilds
The wide variety of production necessitated the establishment of the Council of Guilds, an elected committee that oversees and enforces the trade laws set by the Ta'Nalfein government. This includes handling disputes between guilds, performing compliance audits, collecting taxes and fees, and completing disciplinary action for violations. Though not directly responsible for any legislation, those that hold seats obtain access to the ears of high-ranking officials, and a persuasive councilor can easily swing laws in directions beneficial to their individual guild--and to the detriment of their rivals.

As there is only one seat on the committee available per trade up for election every twenty years, rival guilds run fierce campaigns. Any transgressions or unsavory history is likely to be drawn out during an election cycle, and in early years of the Council, it was not uncommon for a poorly chosen candidate to be utterly besmirched during a campaign. In the face of maintaining a guild's interests, unflattering information is sought out and swiftly but discreetly leaked. On occasion, particularly ruthless political rivalries have resulted in not only the loss of reputation, but of life. Over the years, guilds have learned to choose not only a shrewd and charming negotiator, but to ensure that any and all skeletons are buried deep in the closet.

Tourism

In addition to the robust trade, the tourism industry thrives in the winter months in Ta'Nalfein, when denizens of northern city-states flock to the warmer coast to escape the chill and snow. There is a lull in the fall and spring when temperatures even out across the Nations. As the summer heat drives the residents of the city to the lakes, it also draws in visitors who seek to bask in the sun on the alabaster beaches or attend boat races. Affluent tourists frequently rent homes at the lakes during these brutal temperatures, rather than stay in the more traditional locale of the Pascalia District.

To prevent the bustling tourism from disrupting the daily life of citizens, this tourist-oriented district was established on an islet just offshore from the city proper, connected to the coast by an expansive bridge. Though traversable by foot, horse-drawn carriages are the most common method of travel to the district, and a significant source of income. A wood plank promenade serves as an inner ring to the beach, lined by extravagantly appointed inns atop shopfronts and taverns. Affluent families rent private bungalows lifted on stilts over the sea, while less wealthy tourists stay in the central part of the island, sacrificing the spectacular ocean or city views for affordability.

Seaside flora and vibrant lanterns adorn the promenade, the northern semicircle offering a handful of gnomish-engineered telescopes, which provide a brief, up close view of the terraced city and cliffs for the cost of a mere silver coin. Buskers perform alongside aspiring artists selling seaside paintings and live portraits, and the occasional opportunistic pickpocket weaves through the crowds. Tourists take leisurely strolls as they peruse the various boutiques and trinket shops. Although Ta'Nalfein takes pride in crafting exceptional goods, it is not uncommon that the wares in the Pascalia District are subpar, archetypal Nalfein items sold at affordable prices (albeit significantly hiked in comparison to production cost) to entice tourists to carelessly purchase mementos in quantity.

Many enterprising elves take advantage of the height of the two tourist seasons to serve as guides, charging premium fees for their local expertise or to lead visitors on excursions and activities. This may include tours of the terraces and districts -- historical or commercial or dining -- or educational beachside tours of reefs or tide pools. Excursions include boat trips, beach trail rides, pearl diving, tavern crawls, cliff diving or climbing, and other such adventures. The most popular evening tour is a guided trip to one of the famous Ta'Nalfein night markets. For those that are traveling on a budget, days are spent lounging on the beach, visiting the markets and museums within the city, or renting a paddle boat in the bay.

The Nalfein tradition of arathsela, or Night of the Luminous Rose, signals the end of the summer and winter seasons, bolstering the last-minute income as tourists flood in to witness the celebration. A variety of activities culminate in the releasing of the lanterns. These elaborate lanterns, painted in vivid colors and representing diverse subjects, are purchased from the night markets, and lit at the setting of the sun, when they are released across the piers, ships, and paddle boats filling the bay. Many poets have written verbose words regarding the release of the lanterns, referring to them as trailing constellations and even fireflies illuminating the amethyst-orange colors of the sky.

The lanterns are crafted well in advance, some imported from Atan Irith. The artisans use vellum and flexible woods to allow the lanterns to float as the winds take them into the sky. The mashed resaeun pulp is typically mixed with a variety of ocean-thriving seeds, including lotus, waterlily, and kelp, as the lit lanterns eventually descend into the waters. The festival gets its name from the largest lantern, released at the culmination of the event. This lantern, crafted from naevela, has rose-cut patterning and is meant to represent the Nalfein people.

On the day following this festival, most of the district is closed up for the fall and spring, save for a smattering of businesses for any tourists looking for a bargain getaway. The majority of workers use this time to enjoy their own personal pursuits, living off the exceptionally abundant income earned during the peak. While the seasonal nature does come at the expense of many annual social engagements, those in the industry are afforded a great deal of freedom in the off-season.

Night Markets

The city transforms after sunset, the darkness cloaking the terraces chased away by scattered concentrations of luminous color. Following the light, as it were, will lead one to a brilliant night market lit by aragless-framed lanterns of jewel-toned flowers. The nightlife in Ta'Nalfein blossoms in the hot summers, as the days can be unbearable for socializing, and these markets serve as a primary locale. Aromas of fried oyster fritters and spiced goat skewers permeate the air, rising from the street food carts scattered along the street. Wine flows freely as sommeliers stand outside their shop, offering full flights. Occasionally pierced by laughter, music swells over the hum of conversation while dancers tell wordless stories to onlookers with the graceful and dramatic movements of their bodies. Beneath vibrant, multihued canopies, shoppers and sellers haggle over the fine wares displayed on stands and fabric-draped tables. In the shadows cast by the lanterns, quiet dealings are exchanged between blackened silhouettes.

While some of these markets have stationary locations, mostly attended by tourists and those of lower class, a portion of them roam the city, popping up on a new street whenever it opens. The whereabouts are shared only through the whispers of the wealthy. As great deal of status is associated with the presence at an undisclosed night market, being seen at one is as significantly impactful to one's reputation as any high society event. Never being seen at one can be equally detrimental. Amongst the elite, the night markets are frequently used for observation, gossip, and information gathering, more so than partaking in the food and commerce.

The most exclusive of night markets does not occur on the city streets, but rather beneath them, in the Senrataes. Accessible only by password and a gnomish escort through a hidden maze of ever-changing passageways, the Neremykt, or Shadowed Market caters to specific types of clients, its existence unknown or a mere rumor to the average Nalfein. It is here, in the subterranean stolen city, under the glow of violet-sparked lanterns, that deals are made or broken, debts are paid or accrued, and secrets are shared or overheard.

Though still illuminated, the underground night market is cast in cooler tones than its surface cousins, leaving ample darkness lingering on the fringes for discreet, whispered conversations. From the doorways of various taverns, curls of cigar smoke unfurl, dispersing into a vague haze made lucent by the lanterns scattered between food carts serving imported delicacies. Patrons fill compact gambling halls, some bearing faces inundated with signs of distress and intoxication. The shouts of joy or dismay echo in the enclosed space, masking the hushed exchanges happening at various vendors, where both licit and illicit goods are traded for silvers. Dancers lean toward the suggestive, slow and tantalizing, backed by the almost haunting melody of music that fills the market, coming not from minstrels and bards, but rather from the coastal breeze as it diverts through flues cut into the stone and passes through cleverly crafted entryways. Interspersed in the crowd, elves in featureless white masks wander like apparitions, obscuring their identities from prying eyes.

Diversions and Relaxation

As the sun disappears from the sky, cool breezes from the ocean caress the city of Ta'Nalfein, bringing it to life. After taking a selaret during the hottest parts of the day, the elves take to their balcony gardens and gather for the pinnacle of entertainment, the eluirien. As the elves move to their rooftop oasis in the pale glow of twilight, the sky slowly becomes filled with points of light, much like the starflies coming out on a warm summer's eve, as the faerthiel illuminate each terrace. Under the canopies of flowering pergolas, the lively essence of House Nalfein thrives. The variety of activities are as vast as the stars. Some families enjoy their evening meal, while romantic encounters thrive. The elite hold elaborate gatherings that last well into the morning hours. It is not uncommon to see ladies laughing over sessions with their Black Rose decks as a refreshing breath of ocean air flows over the buildings.

Skilled minstrels wander the streets, drawn to the illuminated gardens in the hopes of being asked in for a more private performance or perhaps even an offer of patronage if the presentation is well received or exceptional. It is common for musicians and other entertainers to flock under the terraces of the affluent in the hopes of such an invitation. Many households are patrons to at least one musician, if not several, with a variety of music blending as it floats from room to room. While recognition of the wealthy is a strong ambition, artists roam all areas of the city, and even the less well-off will make sure to show appreciation as their means allow.

While the wandering minstrels make the night their home, the parks and gardens are occupied by larger instrumental groups. It is almost impossible to walk through the many verdant plazas without hearing the elegant strains of music filling the air. Wandering the many hedge mazes that are set up along the fringes of the terraced streets, many find enjoyment seeking the center by listening to the groups of string eanria performing there.

Days when the alabaster beaches call, many retreat to their warm sands and sea breezes for social events and sporting competitions. Cliff diving is a popular activity, especially with the youth. Climbing up to ledges high above the water, each shows off their form and skill diving into the ocean at the base of the rock face. Participants are usually trying to garner the attention of a love interest or trying to prove their superior skill. Either way, friendly competitions are always forming and small wagers on the outcome are frequent.

In recent years, pearl diving has become a favored leisure pastime as well as a show of skill and aquatic ability. Mollusks closest to the cliffs will produce black and dark purple hues while those found in deeper waters off the white sand beaches will reveal lighter shades from the shimmering rose to the rare golden pearl. While these jewels can be harvested through magical and mechanical means, it is considered an honor and more appropriate to be gifted with one achieved through natural skill, and even a tradition to present such a pearl as a token of affection.

While watching the more energetic dive, many elves choose to play various games, one prominent activity being, tilryse, which involves rolling a hard wooden ball called a liatel closest to a target on an allotted sand field. The person with their liatel nearest to the mark at the end of an agreed-upon number of rounds or time wins. There are many variations of this contest, some involving changing the target during the course of play, while others change the size of the target and/or the liatel mid-game. Another popular version uses a deck of cards to change the rules during the match, causing the participants to think fast and change strategy quickly.

Taking to the country during the hottest season, many travel to the lakes and enjoy the cool shade of the trees and the breeze that blows over the refreshing waters. While boating is a favored sport that many engage in, it is during this time that the elves hold the geallta. This large sailing competition attracts people from all over the lands. Small sailing ships called ilavera race up and down the lakes in a series of laps around obstacles. Winning is a prestigious affair, and the winner is awarded a golden ilavera trophy and a year's worth of bragging rights. Families take pride in displaying evidence of their achievement. In addition to the competitions, it is very common to see the lakes filled with these small ships during daily outings. In the evenings, the water is illuminated with those enjoying the crisp night air, the moonlight, and romantic liaisons.

Education

Formal education is provided by the city-state to all citizens until early adolescence, with a regimented curriculum focusing on writing and reading, mathematics, history, and basic sciences. Attendance at any age is not compulsory unless children that are educated at home or under tutelage are unable to exhibit specific skills at government-determined milestones. As such, illiteracy is exceedingly rare, with most cases occurring in remote agricultural villages, where checking for compliance is lax.

Post-childhood education is a costly endeavor, though the majority of Nalfein adolescents still attend, regardless of socioeconomic status. Guilds are responsible for the education and training for their members. While some artisanal and craftsman guilds keep this in house through apprenticeships, it is beneficial to the interests of many others to sponsor the tuition required for higher education.

Children in high society customarily are educated in their early years exclusively through private tutors before attending a finishing school in their adolescence. Many will then go on to a university or the naval academy, depending on the social and economic interests of their families.

Finishing School
Finishing schools are the place young Nalfein acquire proficiency in the arts of deception, manipulation, and social navigation. They are typically led by a coterie of experienced young adults called Adepts who have mastered the art of the game and who are invited to stay on for a few years to sharpen the skills of the next few classes. Being asked to become an Adept is considered an extremely high honor, and many go on to pursue successful careers in politics after leaving these positions, although the skills mastered here serve them well in many other fields.

The curriculum at the finishing school is rigorous. Topics of focus include reading of the subtlest cues of body language, rumor-crafting, advanced intricacies of fanspeak, and other arts of subterfuge and domestic affairs. The school is a pitiless environment, and students must be constantly on their guard, as any perceived weaknesses or vulnerabilities are often exploited as an object lesson to the other pupils.

There are whispers throughout the city that a particularly elite finishing school is a facade for the recruitment and training of Nalfein spies and assassins -- which school it is does not bear a mention, as those that dare spread such rumors seem to mysteriously disappear or meet their demise in unfortunate accidents.

Climate

Given its latitudinal location, coastal Ta'Nalfein experiences hot, dry summers and mild, somewhat wet winters. The ocean offsets the dryness somewhat, but high summer can be unbearable in close quarters like the city. Overall, however, the general area of Ta'Nalfein could be described as reasonably temperate.

The interior of the city-state boasts milder summers, especially near the larger rivers and lakes, but the winters can be chillier and wetter, with the rare chance of a light snowfall in extreme circumstances.

Flora & Fauna of Ta'Nalfein

Flora

Flora abounds in the city-state of Ta'Nalfein, even within the sun-drenched hills and cliffs of the city proper. Citrus trees, wisteria, broom, and jasmine are but a few representatives of the plant life found here. Fritillary (also known as snake's head fritillary or simply as frog-cup) grows in abundance, its checkered violet petals making it a popular addition to any garden.

In addition to flora found in similarly climated locales, Ta'Nalfein is home to several unique specimens.

Acistira: The acistira plant is an herb unique to Ta'Nalfein, but it can be cultivated and grown elsewhere under the right circumstances. Acistira has tiny flower spires, sturdy triangular stems, and numerous velvety leaves.

Similar to hyssop in appearance, it is important to not confuse the two plants. Acistira's miniscule, incarnadine florets are poisonous when ingested. Fortunately, if raw, this is a mild, discomforting sort of poison and easily counteracted. When dried, it is much more deadly. The plant itself provides its own antidote -- the stem. Raw, it would take ages to eat enough to counterbalance a full dose of dried acistira, but distilled into a tincture, acistira stem extract is more than effective.

The stem and leaves are quite tasty, with a peppery, licorice-like flavor. Dried acistira makes an excellent spice, especially when paired with saevika, and raw leaves and stems are excellent in salads.

An unusual trend amongst some of the bored upper reaches of Nalfein society includes acistira-themed dinner parties. Being invited for "an Acistira" involves subjecting oneself voluntarily to poisoning. A master chef prepares a meal that includes acistira flowers, as the flavor is said to be incredibly pleasing on the palate. A salad of acistira stems and leaves is included, and the goal is to enjoy the flowers in a variety of dishes (from raw to fried to baked, etc.), while eating enough of the stem-based antidote to keep from feeling the effects.

One is considered the "loser" of the dinner party if they must partake of the tinctured antidote. Dying is deeply frowned upon and considered quite gauche.

Aelerine: A type of columbine, aelerine is endemic to the upper reaches of the mountainous Tae'glimaereil. Fortunately, despite its small habitat amongst the alder scrub lining small brooks on the island's mountains, aelerine has been successfully cultivated on mainland Ta'Nalfein. Its tiny, off-white blooms are coveted for their lightly floral and grass-like scent, and the delicate leaves, with their spiky, bitter flavor, make an excellent addition to a salad, especially when paired with goat's cheese.

Irikaen: Also known as the nightbell, irikaen shrubs grow en masse along a series of high hills deep within the city-state. They blossom at night, and only every decade (give or take a few years). One can go to bed to spring-green hills and awaken to a blanket of lavender-blue that persists for the next fortnight.

Wild nightbells are a pale lavender-blue, bell-shaped, and grow in fragrant clusters upon the sage green bushes. Hothouse nightbells, cultivated to ensure a frequent supply of the coveted blooms, are tinier and are either a bright blue or a dark violet.

Venturing out to the Irikaen Hills to watch the blossoming is an affair booked out decades in advance, as the wealthy reserve the best rooms at inns in anticipated blossoming years. The last blossoming year was in 5112.

Nalfein ivy: Nalfein ivy, also known as "heartleaf," is not actually ivy but rather a type of creeping fig with ivory-edged, heart-shaped green leaves. Its sturdy and aesthetically pleasing vines are frequently found climbing the buildings and walls of the city.

Resaeun: Resaeun is a pine tree mostly known for its role in the making of a Nalfein specialty -- resaetsina (more commonly shortened to retsina). Pine resin from the resaeun is gathered in special amphorae and blended with a white wine aged in resaeun barrels. The end result is a dry, resiny wine that's popularity has lasted for centuries both within Ta'Nalfein and without.

Roses: It is unclear whether House Nalfein draws its name from the naefira (Elven for rose) or, as many Nalfein claim, vice versa, but that roses are intimately associated with the elven house is undisputed. Nalfein botanists are renowned across Elanthia for their work with all roses, and thousands of years ago they created a special cultivar known as taerethil that has since become the House's famed black rose.

With jagged, green-black thorns and matching leaves, taerethil bushes can grow into fairly sturdy, small trees or be coaxed into thickly vining offshoots. Taerethil comes in all shades and colors, but its specialty is in the tinted ebon hues. These dark blooms appear black at first glance but then hints of another color appear, such as crimson, deep purple, dark blue, etc. Beyond coloring, what sets taerethil apart from other roses is the density of its petals and the patterns they form. Each petal presses against another tightly, and there are dozens more petals in each taerethil blossom than other roses. While the traditional rose blossom appearance is faintly there in outline, inner labyrinthine patterns catch the eye first.

It is said that there is a hidden code to the floral patterns of taerethil, at least amongst the families who cultivate the blooms, but no one will speak to it with any certainty. What is known is that tiny messages can be tucked deep within the dense petals, and if one is careful not to bruise the petals, it provides an effective means of covert communication.

Forest Gnome Hybridized Roses'
Forest gnomes located deep within the interior of Ta'Nalfein have developed an entire specialty in breeding roses in a variety of unusual color combinations. They often trade with the burghal gnomes who then sell to the Nalfein, as these particular botanists prefer to keep to themselves. However, they will trade directly with some trusted Nalfein.

Some of these popular hybrid roses include: the ebon-tinged yellow tea rose, the frilled paisley rose (a frilled rose with paisley-like patterns in contrasting colors), and the gold-veined crimson cabbage rose.

Rose Wines
Known also as naetsina, Nalfein vintners have long been experimenting with a variety of rose-based wines. These wines are built on a white wine base from a grape varietal with little independent flavor. From there, crushed rose petals and extracts are infused into the alcohol, and its final color depends on these additions. Varieties and experiments abound, and some vintages of naetsina are better than others.

The best vintages have a lushly floral nose, are light on the palate, and finish sweetly.

Taessaet (Rosesilk)
Rosesilk, or taessaet, was an ancient silk made from fibers from the taerethil bushes and silk from spiders found only on these bushes. The material is deceptively delicate in appearance, but its individual threads resist breakage and fraying. Clothing made from taessaet was light and airy, while remaining stunningly elegant -- perfect for hot summer evenings and formal dress occasions. Cobwebbed rosesilk trended at one point, and extant drawings and reports of these fashions are the envy of aspiring designers everywhere. This style involved cobweb-lacelike patterning, with the garment concealing exactly what was necessary for propriety and nothing else. Layering of the cobwebbed rosesilk provided depths and shadowing, increasing the wearer's allure.

This silk was popular in the centuries following the successful creation of the taerethil rose, but it fell out of style eventually, being replaced by byssus and sea silk. The process of making the silk was lost to time, but recent years saw a resurgence in searching the many libraries and guilds of Ta'Nalfein until finally, a prominent Nalfein designer discovered what is believed to be the process in his family's archives. The designer and a small group of trusted specialists are working on recreating this legendary material.

Rosegrass: A type of seagrass, rosegrass is a pink-tinged dark green and has tiny, bright nodules resembling roses. Growing in abundance around Glimaereil, its unusual coloration and rose-like buds make it a coveted weaving material, In addition, drying it or turning it into extracts and oils elicit a lovely scent -- like lemon verbena touched with an ocean breeze and tinged with roses.

Twisted-fan: The twisted-fans are ornate seagrasses found along coastal lines of Ta'Nalfein. With twisted blades that fan out in elaborate patterns, these seagrasses come in a variety of green shades, from pale yellow-greens to the darkest green-blacks. Their thick and lush depths are the favored homes of an unusual and tiny, bioluminescent jacinthe seahorse known as the Nalfein seapony.

Fauna

Jellyfish of Ta'Nalfein: Also known as nielathys, or "ocean's heart," numerous colorful and unique jellies and their ilk can be found in Ta'Nalfein waters.

Nielira: Known as "the Rose's Heart," these tiny jellies are found in the deeper waters surrounding the city's harbor and lend the harbor its name. These bioluminescent rose pink jellyfish have blue-green tentacles and are roughly the size of a standard silver coin. It is said the sting of a nielira pricks like a rose's thorn -- a momentary trifle initially. After a few minutes, however, the pain increases, and the victim succumbs to a severe lassitude. While not in and of itself deadly (the pain ceases and the lassitude recedes eventually), if the victim is unable to reach the shore in time, drowning is almost inevitable.

Athystrel: A type of nettle jelly, athystrel can be found in the deeper waters mostly, but some do stray in and near Nielira Bay, which is quite fortunate. These luminous golden jellyfish have an unusual sting in that it reduces the effects of a nielira's poison. A lone swimmer stung by a nielira is advised to either quickly get ashore or find a clump of athystrel and hope for the best. Unfortunately, this is a painful solution, as the sting of athystrels burns for hours, sometimes days, afterwards.

Tilaok's Dance: Found in the midst of the mountains of Tae'glimaereil lies an unusual geological phenomenon known as a marine lake, and it is here that one may find the elunath'syt, colloquially called Tilaok's Dance or simply elunath. The elunath is a luminous, transparent vermilion jellyfish with sparkling golden tentacles and can be up to eighteen inches in size. Given that they have no stinging ability, nighttime swimming with the elunath is a coveted pasttime among those who can weather the difficult terrain to access the lake (and afford the adventure).

Maedat: Found in the coastal hills of Ta'Nalfein, maedats are a type of goat popular with the elves as they produce a unique-tasting milk. Maedat cheeses, especially a maedat gouda, feature prominently in several dishes. Left to their own devices, maedats fight amongst themselves. Males and females alike sport a pair of hard, gently spiraled horns, and headbutting one another until the loser wanders away in a daze is a common pastime. Some smaller villages pass the time betting on favorites.

Domesticated maedats grow a thicker coat than their wild cousins, and they are frequently (and humanely) shorn for the production of maedatha -- the Nalfein term for the soft wool.

Nalfein seapony: Tinier than most seahorses, the Nalfein seapony is a vivid, bioluminescent orange and can be found hiding amongst various seagrasses, but they are especially fond of the twisted-fans. While seaponies have little flavor themselves, twisted-fans have a lovely, ocean-fresh, herbaceous taste and harvesting the seagrass frequently sacrifices them in droves. Since they are aesthetically pleasing and add a bit of crunch, Nalfein typically include them in their sea-salads.

Nautilus: Nautilus mollusks found in Nalfein waters possess shells of an unusual shade of pale rose with darker rose markings, making them highly coveted for an ornate drinking vessel known as the "nautilus cup" or naureil. While naureil have fall out of fashion in Ta'Nalfein, there is still a healthy export market for them, and Loenthran artisans often pair with Nalfein or Winedotter exporters to secure the market on the shells to meet the need.

The meat of the nautilus is edible but tough, making it ideally suited for seafood-based chowders. However, there is a bit of a risk, as the creature's liver houses a powerful toxin. One must trust the chef truly understands the mollusk's anatomy and removed the offending organ prior to inclusion in a dish.

Tassaet spiders: Tassaet spiders are a purplish-black species roughly the size of a silver coin. Silk-spinners, the spiders thrive only on taerethil bushes and spin a sturdy silk once used in the ancient making of taessaet. Once thought extinct, tassaet spiders were recently found to be thriving in the Naefira Palace's gardens and have since been carefully protected and bred.

OOC Notes & Credits

• Many thanks to the players and GMS who provided numerous ideas over the years for Ta'Nalfein (and all things elven)
• Created in 2023 by:
  • GM Casil (Council of Guilds, Tourism, Night Markets, Education)
  • GM Elysani (Farm and Goods Production, Project Lead)
  • GM Tivvy (Finishing Schools)
  • GM Valyrka (Diversions and Relaxation)
  • GM Xynwen (City Layout, Architecture, Climate, Flora & Fauna, (a lot of) the new words, final polishing/review for consistency)
• Notes on availability of materials:
  • Overall, most the items mentioned are open use at the discretion of the GM
  • Acistira: Stems and leaves are open use, but flowers must be poisonous which may limit availability
  • Irikaen: Hothouse nightbells/irikaen are open use (bright blue or dark violet only). Other irikaen require alter fodder
  • Maedatha: Open use, no fodder required
  • Taessaet or rosesilk: Unavailable currently. It will require alter fodder.