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=Tat'sahr= | =Tat'sahr= | ||
The northernmost province on the Na'nam continent, the climate in the northern area near the pole is a bit cooler (roughly 40º) than the southernmost areas of the province near Xial. The terrain in central and southern Tat'sahr consists mostly of hills and mountains. What flat areas there are have been used for some of the hydroponic farming that supports the Vulcan population. Several large farms take advantage of the slightly cooler temperature and the relative tectonic stability. | The northernmost province on the Na'nam continent, the climate in the northern area near the pole is a bit cooler (roughly 40º) than the southernmost areas of the province near [[Vulcan (planet): The Provinces of Na'nam#Xial|Xial]]. The terrain in central and southern Tat'sahr consists mostly of hills and mountains. What flat areas there are have been used for some of the hydroponic farming that supports the Vulcan population. Several large farms take advantage of the slightly cooler temperature and the relative tectonic stability. | ||
While the region is stable now, it was not always so. During ancient times the mountains contained several active volcanoes, which made the area highly prized by the warlords of that era. Because most of the metal deposits in Vulcan are locked deep within its mantle, the warlords came to see active volcanoes as important sources of metals. Despite the dangers, warlords often built entire communities near active volcanoes to mine and smelt the various ores brought up in the lava. Since many of the warlords considered having metals as important as having water, control of active volcanoes became one of the many resources fought over during the Age of Antiquity. Today, most of these volcanoes are dormant. Only the volcanoes in a place called the Womb of Fire, in the southern part of Tat'sahr, are still active. Indeed, minerals are still mined from the lava that comes to the surface. | While the region is stable now, it was not always so. During ancient times the mountains contained several active volcanoes, which made the area highly prized by the warlords of that era. Because most of the metal deposits in Vulcan are locked deep within its mantle, the warlords came to see active volcanoes as important sources of metals. Despite the dangers, warlords often built entire communities near active volcanoes to mine and smelt the various ores brought up in the lava. Since many of the warlords considered having metals as important as having water, control of active volcanoes became one of the many resources fought over during the Age of Antiquity. Today, most of these volcanoes are dormant. Only the volcanoes in a place called the Womb of Fire, in the southern part of Tat'sahr, are still active. Indeed, minerals are still mined from the lava that comes to the surface. | ||
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==Places and People of Note in Tat'sahr== | ==Places and People of Note in Tat'sahr== | ||
===Fort Aba'kur=== | ===Fort Aba'kur=== | ||
Except for the oasis at [[ShirKahr]], no other area on the Na'nam continent has seen so much war. For over five thousand years before the Awakening, Aba'kur defended the entrance to a small valley named Nal'shin. This valley was cool enough that small amounts of food could be grown there. The valley was also located close to two active volcanoes. Being able to produce food, metals, and even a small amount of water made Nal'shin a prime target for the competing forces of that time. Throughout the Age of Antiquity many battles were fought by the warlords for control of Nal'shin. Academy archaeologists believe that many kinds of artifacts and information from different periods in pre-Awakening history may be found here. | Except for the oasis at [[ShirKahr]], no other area on the Na'nam continent has seen so much war. For over five thousand years before the [[ma:Time_of_Awakening|Awakening]], Aba'kur defended the entrance to a small valley named Nal'shin. This valley was cool enough that small amounts of food could be grown there. The valley was also located close to two active volcanoes. Being able to produce food, metals, and even a small amount of water made Nal'shin a prime target for the competing forces of that time. Throughout the Age of Antiquity many battles were fought by the warlords for control of Nal'shin. Academy archaeologists believe that many kinds of artifacts and information from different periods in pre-[[ma:Time_of_Awakening|Awakening]] history may be found here. | ||
===Kul'Cha'Vir=== | ===Kul'Cha'Vir=== | ||
This small, secret monastery appears in old manuscripts as one devoted to training those Vulcans who had the psionic ability of pyrokenesis. From this comes its name, which translates from old Vulcan as "Brothers of Fire." Scientists are not quite sure what might be found here, but most likely expect lost knowledge or training techniques. Regardless, both the Academy and the Vulcan government will politely request to see anything brought back from any expedition to the area. They will also want to control any information that might be found, considering the past activities of organizations like the '''[[ma:Vulcan_Isolationist_Movement|VIM]]'''. | This small, secret monastery appears in old manuscripts as one devoted to training those Vulcans who had the psionic ability of pyrokenesis. From this comes its name, which translates from old Vulcan as "Brothers of Fire." Scientists are not quite sure what might be found here, but most likely expect lost knowledge or training techniques. Regardless, both the [[ShirKahr#Vulcan Science Academy|Academy]] and the Vulcan government will politely request to see anything brought back from any expedition to the area. They will also want to control any information that might be found, considering the past activities of organizations like the '''[[ma:Vulcan_Isolationist_Movement|VIM]]'''. | ||
===Shrine of S'vec=== | ===Shrine of S'vec=== | ||
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Lhai, who also did not believe in [[ma:Surak|Surak]] or his teachings, used the incident to discredit publicly both [[ma:Surak|Surak]] and his movement. Not wanting to lose the progress that had been made in Tat'sahr, S'vec went to the court of Lhai to talk peace. Instead, Lhai accused S'vec of spying for his enemies, and publicly executed him. S'vec's acolytes decided to follow him into the center of Lhai's domain to preach logic and peace or die. | Lhai, who also did not believe in [[ma:Surak|Surak]] or his teachings, used the incident to discredit publicly both [[ma:Surak|Surak]] and his movement. Not wanting to lose the progress that had been made in Tat'sahr, S'vec went to the court of Lhai to talk peace. Instead, Lhai accused S'vec of spying for his enemies, and publicly executed him. S'vec's acolytes decided to follow him into the center of Lhai's domain to preach logic and peace or die. | ||
According to tradition, the acolytes died but converted the sons of both Lhai and Xi'rev by their example. Before leaving, S'vec's followers | According to tradition, the acolytes died but converted the sons of both Lhai and Xi'rev by their example. Before leaving, S'vec's followers sealed up their former home and erected a shrine in S'vec's honor. Historians believe that the shrine was destroyed, but that the sealed commune might still be intact. If this is true, items from early in the Logical movement, possibly even including additional writings by [[ma:Surak|Surak]] himself, could be found there. | ||
===Ta'vistar=== | ===Ta'vistar=== | ||
This city is the cultural and economic center of the Tat'sahr province. While only about a quarter the size of [[ShirKahr]], it is a much older city. Located in the center of the Viltan flats, some of its original construction dates back tens of millennia before the Awakening. Currently the city, which has the province's only shuttle port, serves as Tat'sahr's main trading center and has 250,000 people living in and around its ancient walls. In different forms, Ta'vistar has existed for nearly 25,000 years. Different areas of the city include: | This city is the cultural and economic center of the Tat'sahr province. While only about a quarter the size of [[ShirKahr]], it is a much older city. Located in the center of the Viltan flats, some of its original construction dates back tens of millennia before the [[ma:Time_of_Awakening|Awakening]]. Currently the city, which has the province's only shuttle port, serves as Tat'sahr's main trading center and has 250,000 people living in and around its ancient walls. In different forms, Ta'vistar has existed for nearly 25,000 years. Different areas of the city include: | ||
====Academy Quarter==== | ====Academy Quarter==== | ||
This section of the city is being used by the [[ShirKahr#Vulcan Science Academy|Vulcan Science Academy]]. Originally the Academy wanted to use the area only to collect and study items found in various ruins. At first the old buildings were strengthened or rebuilt, but as the Academy's needs expanded, it constructed new buildings. Today the quarter is a mix of modern and ancient architecture; it is also the part of the city that has the most public parks and gardens. Currently this is the area of the city where individuals go to get permission to explore ruins or conduct research. This is also where the main link to the Vulcan Planetary Network and the city's medical facilities are located. | This section of the city is being used by the [[ShirKahr#Vulcan Science Academy|Vulcan Science Academy]]. Originally the [[ShirKahr#Vulcan Science Academy|Academy]] wanted to use the area only to collect and study items found in various ruins. At first the old buildings were strengthened or rebuilt, but as the [[ShirKahr#Vulcan Science Academy|Academy's]] needs expanded, it constructed new buildings. Today the quarter is a mix of modern and ancient architecture; it is also the part of the city that has the most public parks and gardens. Currently this is the area of the city where individuals go to get permission to explore ruins or conduct research. This is also where the main link to the Vulcan Planetary Network and the city's medical facilities are located. | ||
====Market Quarter==== | ====Market Quarter==== | ||
This is where most of the city's merchants can be found, as the main shuttle port is located here, and merchants were allowed to set up shop around the port. Unlike pther parts of Ta'vistar, the market quarter has been completely redesigned with new construction. The port is quite busy, as most of the minerals and food produced in the province pass through it. Most of the manufactured and consumer goods that the province imports come through here as well. The port does not handle warp-capable ships, but it can unload up to ten large cargo or passenger shuttles at one time. Individuals interested in equipment or supplies can find most things here, but hte selection is smaller than in [[ShirKahr]]. | This is where most of the city's merchants can be found, as the main shuttle port is located here, and merchants were allowed to set up shop around the port. Unlike pther parts of Ta'vistar, the market quarter has been completely redesigned with new construction. The port is quite busy, as most of the minerals and food produced in the province pass through it. Most of the manufactured and consumer goods that the province imports come through here as well. The port does not handle warp-capable ships, but it can unload up to ten large cargo or passenger shuttles at one time. Individuals interested in equipment or supplies can find most things here, but hte selection is smaller than in [[ShirKahr]]. | ||
====Old Quarter==== | ====Old Quarter==== | ||
Lodging and entertainment establishments are spread through this area. This is the oldest part of the city, and some of its construction goes several meters underground. The streets are very narrow, so one can only get around the area on foot. Currently there are no major hotels in the quarter, but there are several quality inns that cater to both marchants and visiting professors. There are also several good restaurants, which serve only Vulcan food, to the occasional discomfiture of the rare offworld archaeologist. | Lodging and entertainment establishments are spread through this area. This is the oldest part of the city, and some of its construction goes several meters underground. The streets are very narrow, so one can only get around the area on foot. Currently there are no major hotels in the quarter, but there are several quality inns that cater to both marchants and visiting professors. There are also several good restaurants, which serve only Vulcan food, to the occasional discomfiture of the rare offworld archaeologist. | ||
===Cheleb-khor=== | ===Cheleb-khor=== | ||
On the southern most edge of Tat'sahr, bordering on the province of Shi'al, is the harsh area of desert known as Cheleb-khor. Named for ''Ket-cheleb'', the Vulcan god of anger, the region consists of several hundred kilometers of some of the harshest desert on Vulcan. While there is nothing of note about the region itself, except that it can be quite dangerous for unwary travelers, it is the place in which Vulcan children have traditionally tested their adulthood. | On the southern most edge of Tat'sahr, bordering on the province of [[Vulcan (planet): The Provinces of Na'nam#Shi'al|Shi'al]], is the harsh area of desert known as Cheleb-khor. Named for ''Ket-cheleb'', the Vulcan god of anger, the region consists of several hundred kilometers of some of the harshest desert on Vulcan. While there is nothing of note about the region itself, except that it can be quite dangerous for unwary travelers, it is the place in which Vulcan children have traditionally tested their adulthood. | ||
The ritual is known as ''[[ma:Kahs-wan|kahs-wan]]'', and it requires young Vulcans to cross the section of the Cheleb-khor commonly known as [[ma:Vulcan%27s_Forge|Vulcan's Forge]]. The journey takes about ten days (from east to west), during which each child being tested can neither help nor even talk to any other child he sees. Those who pass the test are acknowledged as adults by their families in a ceremony that takes place at the family's sacred ground or at a major temple such as Mount Seleya. | The ritual is known as ''[[ma:Kahs-wan|kahs-wan]]'', and it requires young Vulcans to cross the section of the Cheleb-khor commonly known as [[ma:Vulcan%27s_Forge|Vulcan's Forge]]. The journey takes about ten days (from east to west), during which each child being tested can neither help nor even talk to any other child he sees. Those who pass the test are acknowledged as adults by their families in a ceremony that takes place at the family's sacred ground or at a major temple such as [[Vulcan (planet): The Provinces of Na'nam#Mount Seleya|Mount Seleya]]. | ||
''[[ma:Kahs-wan|Kahs-wan]]'' is a very old tradition, now observed only in | ''[[ma:Kahs-wan|Kahs-wan]]'' is a very old tradition, now observed only in the oldest and most traditionally conservative families. Vulcan's Cheleb-khor is not the only place on the planet for ''[[ma:Kahs-wan|kahs-wan]]'', of course, any more than Las Vegas and Paris are the only places on Earth for honeymooners. However, the tradition is strongest here, and a number of ''[[ma:Kahs-wan|kahs-wan]]'' hostels along the borders of the Cheleb-khor maintain facilities for young people from all over Vulcan. | ||
=Xial= | =Xial= |
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