The imperial heartland of the Tarkhon Empire, controlling both shores of the Needle—the strait's narrowest point and the key to everything.
Position and Borders
Nektuna occupies the central position in Tarkhon's territory:
- North: Vogenfeld (tributary region)
- South: The strait itself, with Astrelle (vassal) on the opposite shore
- West: Pyris Island (controlled territory)
- East: Enymu (agricultural tributary) and the Stone Forest
The Needle—where Tarkhetan faces Torsnerhun fortress across the narrowest water—is the geographic heart of Tarkhon's power.
Terrain and Climate
Warm Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The land rises from the harbor in a series of hills, each topped with fortifications or noble estates. Olive groves and vineyards cover the slopes outside the city walls.
The coastline alternates between rocky cliffs and protected harbors. Tarkhetan occupies the best natural harbor on the strait, which is why it became the capital.
Tarkhetan
The capital of the Tarkhon Empire, built on hills overlooking the Needle. From the palace walls, you can see clear across to Torsnerhun fortress on the Astrelle shore.
The city is divided into districts by elevation and wealth:
The Old City — The highest hills. Noble estates, the royal palace, the great cathedral where the Evertorch burns. Wealth, power, and ancient blood.
The Middle City — Lower slopes. Merchant houses, guild halls, the homes of successful craftsmen. Where business happens and fortunes are made.
The Waterfront — Along the harbor. Warehouses, shipyards, tenements, taverns, brothels. Craven make up the majority. The smell of fish, tar, and humanity.
The Undercity — Tunnels, cellars, forgotten passages beneath the streets. Smugglers, thieves, and things that don't like sunlight.
The Evertorch Cathedral
The great cathedral at Tarkhetan's heart, where the Evertorch has burned without interruption for six centuries. The flame is the empire's holiest symbol—rulers are crowned in its light, the most binding oaths are sworn before it.
The Neferati founders brought sacred fire north from Yaif and kindled it here when they established Tarkhetan. It has never moved. The cathedral was built around it, growing grander over centuries as the empire grew wealthy.
The cathedral is also a center of fire magic. Ritual work occurs here, sustained by both the Evertorch's power and the fire leyline running beneath the Old City.
What the human clergy don't like to discuss: the Evertorch is a Neferati creation, lit by Neferati hands, sustained by Neferati traditions. It burns with fire from Yaif. The Kingdoms of Fire haven't forgotten.
The Fire Leyline
A leyline of fire runs beneath Tarkhetan, concentrated under the Old City. Children born here sometimes manifest fire attunement—and those who do are claimed by the Firemage Corps.
The Corps' Citadel of Flames sits on the leyline's strongest point, training mages who can burn ships from the city walls.
The Harbor
Tarkhetan's harbor is the busiest port in the region. Ships from across Alaria arrive and depart at all hours, their cargoes taxed, inspected, and sent onward.
The harbor is protected by both geography (natural breakwaters, defensible approaches) and magic (firemages on the walls can burn any hostile fleet). This combination makes Tarkhetan's harbor essentially unassailable by naval attack.
Relationships
With Astrelle: Vassal state across the Needle. Astrelle hosts Torsnerhun fortress, making it strategically vital. The current Duchess Ysmera is also the queen's aunt—family ties complicate the overlord-vassal relationship.
With Enymu: Loyal tributary to the east. Provides food, conscripts, and access to the Stone Forest border. The honorable kings of Enymu have never given Nektuna trouble.
With Kerwin: Distant and nominal. King Ulyas pays tribute but effectively governs himself. He was ancient when Tarkhon was founded—and he remembers things the current dynasty would prefer stayed forgotten.
With the Kingdoms of Fire: Complex. They're nominally tributary but act as a bloc. They remember founding the empire the humans now rule. The relationship is stable but fragile.