Therai

Therai is a fictional region frequently depicted in high fantasy settings as a river valley kingdom located along the eastern foothills of the Aranai Range. The name Therai is said to derive from an ancient Therai language term meaning dawn, and the realm appears in various novels, role-playing games, and compendia as a cohesive but diverse polity.

Geography and climate

The heart of Therai lies in a fertile valley drained by the Therai River, with upland forests and terraced plains surrounding it. The climate is temperate to subtropical, featuring wet summers and cooler winters, with seasonal floods that influence agricultural planning. Key urban centers include the capitals Lirien and Keshar, as well as Nahu, a city known for its markets and workshops.

History

Early Therai political life centers on interconnected city-states that emerged in the late second millennium BCE. The Jade Crown is traditionally credited with unifying these polities in the early medieval period. Therai experienced a cultural golden age during the High Era (roughly the 9th to 12th centuries), followed by periods of reform, conflict, and renewal as neighboring realms and nomadic powers pressed against its borders.

Governance and society

Historically, Therai operated as a monarchy with a council of guilds guiding economic and technical affairs. In many contemporary depictions, it is shown as a constitutional monarchy with an elected legislature and a ceremonial monarch. The society is layered with urban guilds, agrarian villages, and hill communities, all contributing to a shared Therai identity expressed in language, law, and ritual.

Economy and culture

Therai’s economy emphasizes agriculture (rice and millet), river trade, forestry, and ironworking. Craft guilds influence standard of living and regional commerce, while literature, tapestry, and poetry play prominent roles in public life. Notable cultural sites include the Library of Leth and the Moon Gate, which figures prominently in Therai folklore and festivals.

Notable features

The Therai River, Moon Gate, Library of Leth, and the Crystal Mines of Nahu are frequently highlighted as emblematic landmarks within Therai’s fictional geography.