In anticipation of the imminent release of The Wind from Faerie, I’d like to begin a multi-part series giving my readers a tour around the Halystrian Empire. In my book, Kellan travels through several of the provinces of the Empire and meets representatives from many of them. In this series, I’ll be revealing some information that isn’t in the books, so you won’t want to miss these posts.
We’ll begin our tour of the Empire in Tythia, where Kellan’s own journey begins. Tythia lies on the northern edge of the Empire, bordered by the depths of the Faywood and the Grass Sea. To the east, Tythia is met by Ephyria, and to the south by the province of Halystria. Though Tythia is only at the margin of the massive Faywood, the forest dominates much of its landscape. Tythia also bears the dubious honor of being the only province not contained within the River’s Cradle, a fertile zone existing between the Evidon and Illydia Rivers. Tythia lies on the “far bank” of the Evidon and the Illydia, rendering it outside of what was once considered the sole home of civilization. Despite this exclusion, Tythia has a bustling agrarian community that thrives on the banks of the Evidon which forms the province’s southern border. The Illydia River to the east hosts some farming, though its marshy confluence with the Tandurin (appropriately called Haldin’s Slog) makes the land less desirable than the banks of the Evidon.
Dalium serves as Tythia’s capital, and is where the governor and provincial magistrate keep residence. The provincial capital is a frequent stop for traders moving beyond the edge of the Empire and sees its fair share of foreign imports. The fortress of Arbantian in Tythia’s wild northwest corner is the most northerly outpost of the Halystrian Empire and its principal defense from Syrvatian raiders. Arbantian hosts the Ninth Telon and is the largest concentration of troops in Tythia outside of the garrison in Dalium. The Tythian governor is nominally in charge of both armies though Arbantain has long been relegated to a general.
The Faywood is the largest contiguous forest in Purovus. It begins in Tythia then stretches west to the Eyrie Mountains and north to the coast of the Crithed Sea. Some say that the Faywood was once a part of Costyriendar, before the Eyrie Mountains rose to part the forests. The Faywood is named thus by the Tythians because of its storied association with magical beings. Elves have been resident in the Faywood longer than humanity has been in the River’s Cradle, and their chance encounters with the mortals have always left an impression. Though the Halystrian Empire has been heavily inspired by the teachings of the Tegalocaen elves from beyond the Eyrie Mountains, the Cosilien elves who dwell within the shadowed forest have always been a mystery and sometimes an enemy. The most impactful and recent interaction between the Halystrian Empire and the elves was during the bloody end of the Expansion Wars, in which the Cosilien unexpectedly invaded from the Faywood. The entrance of the elves into the war brought about its swift end, and was nowhere as psychologically impactful as in Tythia.
The elves have long held a place in Tythian folklore, but their role in the Expansion Wars has seen them become dominant in the Tythian consciousness. The fay themselves are creatures which have been swept up in the elf mania. Originally conceived as forest spirits, the fay are now regarded as the spirits of departed elves. In the Tythian mind, the Faywood has always been a source of mystery and magic, but has also been at the heart of Tythian culture.
The favorite instrument of Tythia is the harp, which is both a reflection of the province’s ancient roots and the degree to which it has adopted the tendencies of the Cosilien. Though the forest prevents Tythia from becoming a major agricultural power, it is also a source of prosperity. Hunting is the favorite pastime of Tythian nobles and they fortunately possess the greatest hunting grounds in the Empire to sate their appetite. The high-born from other provinces flock to join their Tythian counterparts during the various hunting seasons, which grants the backward Tythian nobles power and prestige. Since hunting is such a cherished tradition and a source of political clout, hunting is closely regulated by the nobility. Despite the nobility’s hunting regulations on their own lands there are a large number of freemen in Tythia who are free to hunt in the wild lands of the northwest.
Tythia holds the honor of being one of the first provinces of the Empire settled by humans. Humanity originally migrated from Fyrvar in the distant northeast of Purovus, an area called the Frostlands by the Halystrians due to the harshness of its winters. Tythia was occupied by humans hundreds of years before Halystria extended its dominion over the other states of the River’s Cradle, and was first settled nearly a thousand years before the events of The Wind from Faerie.
Tythia trades in quality timber and a few goods imported from beyond the Empire, but is hardly more than self-sufficient. The province has a meager population dominated by the lower classes who require little of the fine goods produced in the wealthier provinces. Tythia is almost entirely self-sufficient, occupying an economic position that reflects its marginal position in the Empire. Though small and seemingly inconsequential, Tythia has played a large part in Imperial politics through the centuries due to its large garrison and capable people. The Tythians have long guarded the richer provinces from the barbaric men in the north and their service is never more appreciated than in times of crisis. Perhaps the greatest service that Tythia will serve is to serve as the birthplace of Kellan the Fey, who shake the foundations of the world.
The Sensiahd word of the week is “cos”, meaning “forest”. Example sentence: Nes swep tae eth cos. We sleep in the forest.