Tarna is the name of both the capital city and nation of the Liontaurs. It is located in East Fricana, and lies south of Mariana, Spielburg Valley, and southwest of Shapeir[1]. Egypt borders Tarna to the north. It is visited in Quest for Glory 3 and is a prominent site of cultural and commercial diffusion in Fricana. The Kingdom extends from the mountains to the north and west, to the cliffs of the world's end to the south, and the sands of the Azure Sea to the east.
History[]
Tarna was built by humans centuries ago on the banks of the Mto Kubwa river at the western edge of the great savanna. When the liontaurs moved into the region, most of the humans living in Tarna had been killed in wars. Liontaurs protected the humans and they lived together in peace.[2] The great city retains the basic architectural style of the ancient Egyptians (some of the descendents of the original builders still remain), and the city itself seems to be arranged as a series of step-pyramids, with most buildings integrated into the core infrastructure of the city. Tarna had a sister city somewhere on the far eastern end of the jungle, although it was eventually deserted. Some of the descendants of the original builders still remain in Tarna and the major languages spoken are Egyptian, Swahili and Common. Arabic is also common to the greater East Fricana region.
Society[]
Tarna has a very rigid social system, with the Liontaur filling the supreme ruling classes, nobility, and warrior castes. They live on the eastern end of the city, whilst humans and other beings are allocated the western side[3]. These two groups generally have very strained relations, with the Liontaur having far greater quality of life and opportunity than the humans, who are subject to absolute Liontaur rule and conduct.
The government of Tarna is headed by the King of Tarna, who is selected through a series of tests of skill, strength, and wit similar to Rites of Rulership. This monarch is not absolute, however, for he is also assisted and restrained by his Council of Judgement - consisting of six female Liontaur cabinet members. They oversee court trials in Tarna, and are also charged with declaring when the King of Tarna is no longer fit to hold his position.
Laws[]
Laws of Tarna
Tarna has four basic yet strict laws, which are posted in the Welcome Inn's bulletin board[4]:
- Thou shalt harm none.
- Thou shalt not use magic upon the streets of Tarna.
- Thou shalt not take that which is not thine.
- Thou shalt behave with honor.
The laws are very specific in their wording: As Kreesha Mar Asha's home is in the magical plane, it is not considered part of Tarna and therefore magic may be practiced there.[5][6]. Technically, it can also be practiced at the inn's guest room, but if done in sequence it lowers both Honor and Paladin Points despite not being "a street".
In Tarna, being considered "honorless" makes one an outcast whom other people must not interact with. When Harami is caught stealing, those with magic Abilities and Skills have the option of using spells against him. This would normally break the law (which literally forbids magic on streets), but since the target was promptly declared honorless, the law dictates no one was harmed.
Not all law violations declare one to be honorless. If the hero damages a basket of Samra bin Balah's fruit in order to stop Harami, he is simply ordered to repay the damages, which is done on Rakeesh's expense.
A hero with enough Stealth skill can directly break the law by stealing (without even needing to sneak) from a drummer. Amazingly, this costs neither Paladin nor Honor points and can even be rewarded with Puzzle Points (unless they were already given to giving the drummer change).
People and Places[]
Middle Plateau[]
There is the Welcome Inn (Restaurant) in central Tarna, the spectacle of the bazaar in western Tarna, the impressive Temple of Sekhmet located inside the highest tower of the city where humans are not allowed inside.
- Kreesha's House (Magic)
- Apothecary
- Mid-Level Bazaar
- Inn/Restaurant
Upper Plateau[]
- Council of Judgement
- King's Chamber
- Temple of Sekhmet
Lower Plateau[]
This is the place of Salim's Holistic Health and Happiness Eclectic Energy Emporium
- North End Bazaar
- Open Air Bazaar
- South End Bazaar
Behind the scenes[]
- Tarna seems to be a mix of Upper Egypt/Sudan Egyptian culture, with some of the southern cultures Uganda/Kenya cultures.
- There are at least a couple of real places named Tarna in Africa. Tarna, Guinea-Bissau, and Tarna, Maradi, Niger.
- Corey Cole has stated that "Tarna is the Gloriana analogue to Kenya in East Africa. The Simbani language is based on Swahili."
References[]
- ↑ Rakeesh (QFG2): "The kingdom of Tarna lies to the southwest many, many miles from here.", Uhura (QFG2): "My land and people are many months travel from here."
- ↑ Kreesha (QFG3): "It was the humans who first built this city many, many turns of the sun ago. When the Liontaurs moved here, most of the humans living in Tarna had been killed in wars. Liontaurs protected the humans, and we have been living together in peace ever since.", "Liontaurs are primarily the rulers and the warriors of Tarna. Most live on the west side of the city and have little to do with humans."
- ↑ Liontaur guard (QFG3): "Liontaurs live in the eastern sections of the city. The other beings stay to the western section".
- ↑ Hall of Judgment Guard (QFG3): "All who enter Tarna must learn the laws of the city. You may read of them in the inn below."
- ↑ Kreesha (QFG3): "My home is in the magic plane, and therefore exempt from this ruling."
- ↑ Kreesha (QFG3): "Magic is not permitted in the city of Tarna in order to protect those without it. I may work magic only inside this house."