The Tairnadal are a culture of elves that inhabit the northern steppes of Aerenal.[1]
Society[]
There are three primary factions of the Tairnadal:[1][2][3][4]
- The Valaes Tairn, who have claimed Valenar on Khorvaire.[1]
- The Silaes Tairn, who remain in Aerenal and want to return to Xen'drik.[1]
- The Draleus Tairn, who clash with the dragons of Argonnessen.[1][5]
- Keith Baker's commentary.
Each adult member of the Tairnadal has been chosen by an ancestor spirit in a ceremony administered by the Keepers of the Past. Tairnadal society is split between the zaeltairn ("warrior souls") and the zaelantar ("peaceful souls"). The bulk of adult Tairnadal are members of the zaeltairn, serving as soldiers and officers. A much smaller portion of adults are members of the zaelantar, civilians who honorably support a fundamentally militaristic society. Children are also zaelantar.[6]
Zaelantar[]
Tairnadal childhood usually lasts at least six decades, and can last for over a century. Youths are led by an-shan, a rotating position of leadership for youth to learn valuable skills leading other youth. The an-shan look to the tar-shan for leadership and guidance. Tar-shan are adult elves who have been chosen by ancestor spirits dedicated to civic leadership.[6]
The rest of the zaelantar are adult elves who have been chosen by legendary crafters, teachers, and druids.[6]
Zaeltairn[]
The bulk of the Tairnadal are members of the zaeltairn, chosen by warrior spirits. The zaeltairn are organized by clans and further divided into bands. Each clan is led by a shan, while each band is led by a lu-shan. In emergencies, orders are absolute, but shans and lu-shans generally govern by seeking consensus. Clans form together into armies, which are led by a var-shan. An elf's patron ancestor determines how they will serve; only those elves who were chosen by the Tairnadal's legendary leaders are seen as fit to serve as a shan.[6]
Elves who grow too old or infirm to serve as warriors either retire to logistical positions within the zaeltairn or join the zaelantar as teachers or crafters.[6]
Religion[]
Most Tairnadal are followers of the Spirits of the Past. Even elves who follow a different faith will still honor their ancestors.[7]
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 218. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 174. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, Ari Marmell, & C.A. Suleiman (2006). Faiths of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-3934-6.
- ↑ Jesse Decker, Matthew Sernett, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, & Keith Baker (2005). Races of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. ?. ISBN 0-7869-3658-4.
- ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 19–20. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Keith Baker (2020-06-18). IFAQ: Who Leads The Tairnadal?. Archived from the original on 2022-05-29. Retrieved on 2022-09-29.
- ↑ David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.