Tartts

The Tartts are a fictional coastal people commonly depicted in worldbuilding, tabletop role-playing games, and speculative fiction. They are described as descendants of maritime communities that settled along a chain of estuaries and sheltered bays, from which they trade with inland kingdoms and island fleets. The name Tartt is said to derive from an ancient term meaning shore or edge, though variants exist across different fictional dialects.

Society and culture: Tartt society is organized around kin-based districts and craft guilds. Village elders advise on legal and ceremonial matters, while guild masters oversee fishing, net weaving, pottery, and metalwork. Oral tradition is strong, with songs recounting sea voyages, storms, and ancestors. Cuisine centers on salted fish, shellfish, and simple grain dishes; meals emphasize hospitality.

Language: The fictional Tartt language features a system of consonant clusters and a melodic intonation, with dialects reflecting settlement along rivers and coastlines.

Economy and technology: An economy anchored in fishing and barter trade with caravan routes; Tartts developed watercraft suitable for shallow estuaries and for riverine navigation. Material culture includes wooden sails, woven baskets, and copper or bronze tools, depending on setting.

History and portrayal: In many stories, Tartts face pressures from neighboring polities, including land-based kingdoms and rival maritime fleets, leading to alliances, intermarriage, and cultural exchange.

Notable Tartts and in-world references are varied across works, reflecting the mutable nature of worldbuilding.