Located along the far northeastern coast of Amduray, Tark'Nek is a strong-willed nation with a stronger set of laws and beliefs governing it. Ruled by the Patriarch, the highest ranking priest in the country, as well as the other high priests (who are seperated into branches of the branches of law, treasurey, military, the inquisitor, and the chancellor), the country is heavily influenced by religion. Every village in Tark'Nek has at least one temple, and there is never such a thing as a small shrine in the holy country.
Tark'Nek has had many issues with integration of the Vargauches. Patriach Wividum, ruling during the years LS 3825-3838, nutured a strong anti-Vargauch sentiment within the country, going so far as to create a group of soldiers to hunt them called the Knights of Retribution. This proved to be his downfall when the paladin in charge of the Knights went missing, and Wividum was caught attempting to use Necromancy to bolster the forces of the Knights. Before he could be confronted, he went missing, and is now presumed dead. Patriach Hoff immediately took over and made an attempt to reach out to the Vargauches, and has so far been successful in helping them integrate.
Tark'Nek has an overzealous attitude when it comes to it's neighboring countries. With such a harsh difference in viewpoints with Lovoth, Tark'Nek and Lovoth have become enemies. Tark'Nek is always quick to send troops out at any sign of Lovothian attack, although it rarely happens. Tark'Nek is on good trading relations with Claisant, but often critisizes the more mercantile country of not helping the fight against Lovoth. Tark'Nek has several times attempted to tame the Vast Land, sending missionaries and groups to attempt to convert and assimilated the less civilized plains tribes. Although immigration has increased, the tribes have largely refused any eastern aid, seeing it as an attempt to take over their identity and land.
Most of the population of Tark'Nek belongs to the military, men and women alike. The military is composed of several branches; the milita, your adverage day-to-day man who is only called when there is a serious war; the army, the primary fighting force of Tark'Nek; the justicators, the elite law enforcement sometimes called in to do long-scale tracking; and the paladins, who are holy warrior priests and some of Tark'Nek's strongest fighters.
Tark is Tark'Nek's capitol and was formed around of the base of a giant mountain that has two of its sides touching the coast. The tallest mountain in the world, the giant spire of Tark reaches up toward the heavens, and has never been fully scaled. This only adds to the mysterious, holy air about it. The city beneath the great mountain is one of the largest in the world, well known for it's amazing architecture. The grand temple is a giant structure carved right into the mountain side. Inside the temple all major decisions for the country take place, in the very walls the country's leaders live and work. Using the blessed river that flows from the mountain, Tark has a large and complex aqueduct system that supplies clean, running water to the homes of all who live there. In addition, Tark has a rudementary sewer system built undergrounded. The temple, acqueducts, and sewers attract many apprentice architechtes to Tark, and it shows it the design of the buildings - especially the newest - in the city. A countless number of styles can be found in each city block, showing just how diverse Tark'Nek is.
Patriach Galeron Hoff is one of the most unique Patriachs in Tark'Nek's history. Only 58 years old, he's the youngest to ever serve as Patriach, and was the youngest to ever serve as High Priest when he was elected to the role at 23, after the previous High Priest Chancelor was assassinated. Hoff never wanted the role of High Priest, but felt he had an obligation to do so. During the years of Wividum's rule, Hoff's honest, charisma, and charm helped prevent all-out war with Claisant. When Wividum dissappeared, Hoff seemed a natural choice - he had distanced himself from the corrupt Patriach, and was generally well-liked. Despite being the highest ranked religious figure in his country, Hoff is not as pious as his peers. He never had much skill for magic, and largely believes in letting others choose how they wish to act, so long as noone is hurt.
High Priest General Adarion Plaise is the head of Tark'Nek's military. Plaise has supreme power of all matters of war, and is able to call the milita into standing at any time. Plaise is known to be hot-tempered and violent, and the fact that his now-missing son was the leader of the Knights of Retribution certainly hasn't improved his image. While he helped formed the Knights, Plaise was not caught in any of the ensuing scandal, and so remains at his top post.
High Priest Treasurer Alanian Liranialis the third full-elf to ever serve as a high priest in the Tark'Nek government. Liranial was appointed to his position by Wividum, although was also clueless as to the Patriach's corruption. Liranial has tried his hardest to take a "neutral" role in politics, which many call spineless. Refusing to take sides, Liranial often has everyone against him.
span class="bold">High Priestess Grand Justice Captain Keriann Shulderk is the oldest of all the high priests, past her four-hundreth year of life. Having been serving before the last three Patriachs were even born, she is often referred to due to her experience. Her position sets her in charge of the many laws in Tark'Nek, although she very rarely restrictrs herself to doing just that. Her meddling in other affairs and sense of justice and mercy brought her at odds with Wividum, and she was crucial in his downfall. Close friends with Hoff, Shulderk often helps guide his actions in more military matters, bypassing Plaise.
High Priestess Inquisitor Arundel Aberdil has taken great steps to obscure herself from the public eye, and few of the citizens know how old she is, or what she looks like. The elf is not of a noble family, and seemed to have 'come out of nowhere' when she was deamed the new Inquisitor at the same time as Hoff became Chancelor. Because of the fact that she is in charge of military intellegence, some people say she used to serve as a spy, while other rumors tie her in with the shadows in Claisant - any rumors, or rather, any information about her at all is unconfirmed.
The Holy Templars of Tark'Nek, or Paladins as they are more commonly called, are one of the strongest groups in the Tark'Nek military. While not many are able to join it's ranks due to the high requirements, there are always many who are up for the challenge. The Holy Templars are a group of warrior priests who do a variety of jobs that require a small, skilled group - diplomacy, scouting, commanding troops, missionary trips, and exploration parties are all common jobs that the Holy Templars participate in. Held to a high standard, the Paladins are at once looked up to and down upon due to the feeling of strength and superiority they foster amoung themselves.
The Justicators are one of the most feared groups of the Tark'Nek army. An even smaller group than the Holy Templars, few know the exact numbers of this band - and none are allowed to tell. The Justicators specialize in what are essentially assassination missions - tracking down fugitives and enemies of the country, and either capturing or killing them. Unlike the Paladins, one simply cannot ask to be a Justicator, and recruits are instead chosen by the leadership.
Servants of Vascan is the primary mage guild in Tark'Nek, and the only one that receives fudning by the government. The guild's primary headquarters is in Tark, although there are many smaller locations spread throughout Tark'Nek. The guild sponsors a number of activities, including research and exploration. The guild is constantly producing magical items for the church, and also plays a large part in city defense.
Ahtava is a former leader of the Servants of Vascan. Ahtava was given control of the guild by the church when he was only 20, after becoming a Hue Mage. Currently in his early 60s, he appears much older due to his stark white hair and frail build. Ahtava eventually retired from his position as head as the Servants of Vascan, and while he never publically stated his reasons for doing so, it's commonly accepted that they were due to differences with Wividum. Ahtava claims to have absorbed four dead dragons total (none of which he killed himself).