Kingdom of Talir

Name: The Theocratic Talirean Oligarchy, commonly called the Kingdom of Talir

Ruler: High Priest Elect Stafon Strathurst, commonly called "King"

Government: An ecclesiocracy -- rule by a powerful minority of religious leaders.

Population:

Description: As one of "Old South" realms of Westrun, Talir is a not a monarchy, though it is styled that way for the benefit of the Eight Kingdoms Pact. Instead, Balduren has a Supreme Holy Council of Oligarchs made of prefects emeritus who were orginally ordained by the Patriarch in Peakshadow and served the church. These prefects are largely divested of their prefectures and are in a form of retirement from their ecclesial duties. Despite having few formal ties to the church, they rule according to their own interpretation of the Canons and what they determine is the best application of the divine law. They elect, as titular king, one of their number to serve as the High Priest Elect, who is styled "king" for the benefit of the other kingdoms.

The government of Talir predates the ascendancy of the church. The Supreme Holy Council's unique style of governance owes much to their pagan past. It issues Edicts on all manner things from permissable manner of dress, to levels of taxation, to the treaties that bind it to other nations. These Edicts represent supreme judicial, legislative and executive authority. The Olilgarchs do so in the name of God through his servant the Patriarch in Peakshadow. Despite this deference of authority, the Patriarch enjoys no political sway over Talir. The prefects emeritus consider themselves bound to him and his hierarchy only in matters of faith and conscience, and will often clash with, and loudly criticise, even denounce, his decisions in matters of state. Despite its autonomy from the Church, Talir is popularly sneered at outside of its borders as a puppet state of the Patriarch.

That said, citizenship in the kingdom is reserved to those who are faithful members of the Church. While others may reside there, they are taxed more heavily, do not enjoy the same protections of law, and may not hold property in their own name. Sometimes unjustly considered backwards and primitive among the residents of the other kingdoms, Talir is home to a pious strain of Westruners for whom religion and devotion have day to day consequences.

In terms of goods and trade, Talir is widely known for its vast orchards of citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons. It is also highly regarded for its production of sugar cane and molasses and a sweet syrupy common wine known approprirately as sugarwine, which is often added to other wines and rarely enjoyed straight except by the lower classes of Talir itself. In addition, Talir boasts many shrimp and crayfish fisheries along its shores.