Tielsland

Tielsland, also known as Tjelsland and colloquially as the Homeland, is a Dwaerkar freehold and Region of Borost.

Tielsland represents the primary successor state of the Chiefdom of the Dwaerkar, and is the most important seat of political power amongst the Dwaerkar freeholds.

Etymology
Tielsland translates to Homeland. In pre-standard Aalderdwaer, particularly in the South, it was known as Tjelsland, and alternative spellings as such remain in currency in portions of the Dwaerkar-controlled territories.

Pre-Dwaer
Although the Dwaerkar first landed near Terbrug, they built their first home in Tielsland, and more specifically Ouwestad.

Founding
The Dwaerkar Chiefdom began in earnest in +3, when Ouwe the Founder established Ouwestad.

Great War
Tielsland de facto spread across the entire Dwaerkar-controlled military territory during Ÿphergund's War.

Nonetheless, the untimely death of Molgart Ÿphergund, and thereby end of the contracts of vassalage of the Clans of many Dwaerkar generals towards Ouwestad, resulted in the fragmentation of the Chiefdom. Facing insurmountable odds, pitting his personal levies of 30,000 men against the combined force of his generals (some 300,000 troops), Wuldan Ythred folded, supporting the independence of the freeholds on the condition that they remained in the war against the dark elves.

Successor state
Following the wars, Tielsland has seen its population decline rapidly -- primarily the result of emigration, as Dwaerkar, especially poor and young Dwaerkar, migrate to the other freeholds in search of opportunity. Many of the soldiers who fought in the Great War, more than 12% of the Dwaerkar at the time, never returned home, taking their families to settle the conquered territories.

The Annexation of Terbrug in +532 almost doubled the territorial extension of the freehold. Nevertheless, this was an extremely controversial action that earned the apprehension of the other freeholds, resulting in the Pact of the Three, a defensive alliance meant to arrest Tielslander expansionism.

Geography
The Barends dominate the northern reaches of Tielsland. The tall, jagged mountain range shows clear features of glacial regression, with rounded valleys rising toward pyramidal horns. Such features explain the plentiful rivers flowing towards the Sea of Ouwe, which means the lowlands are the home to rich and fertile farmland.

The principal rivers of this freehold are Uylesst, as well as the Barendesst, the river that separates Tielsland from Helderen.

The temperature of this freehold is of a mountainous character in the high reaches of the Barends, with a more temperate one in the lowlands. There is plentiful rain all year round. The mountains are surrounded by thick pine forests, but the lowlands, although largely open, are home to a number of spruce, maple, and oak species.

Demographics
The population of Tielsland freehold is of primarily Dwaerkar extraction, conforming approximately 95.32% of the population.

In total, Tielsland is home to 3,271,382 Dwaerkar as per the last census. This figure is drastically smaller than the highest population figure of Tielsland, recorded in +420 at 4,482,294 Dwaerkar.

The Dwaerkar population of Tielsland has fallen drastically in the aftermath of Ÿphergund's War. This is a result of the enormous military casualties sustained in the conflict, as well as the mass emigration of younger and poorer Dwaerkar who have moved to other freeholds in search of opportunity.

The represent a significant minority, at an estimated 128,000 persons. Furthermore, some 10,000 inhabit the freehold, along with an estimated 3,000 Humans.

The of the freehold primarily work as ranch and farmhands in some of the agricultural estates of the Dwaerkar. They were invited to the freehold in order to work the land abandoned by many poorer Dwaerkar farmhands, who left for other freeholds in the aftermath of the Great War. Nevertheless, local laws prohibit the from inhabiting Ouwestad and Terbrug, as well as the other great cities of the freehold.

The of the freehold are primarily envoys and merchants of a diverse extraction -- only a few of them, most notably Tirsosi ambassadors and diplomats, were born in Tirsos.

Son of Ouwe
The Son (or Daughter) of Ouwe, occasionally known as the Son (or Daughter) of the Founder, is a title bestowed upon the ruler of Tielsland. The holder of this title is the ruler of Tielsland, and, by extension, the chief of Ouwestad.

Banking
Tielsland is not the home of any of the Dwaerkar's principal banks, but the influential Zeiden Bank operates an establishment in Ouwestad.

Commerce
Trade in Tielsland primarily pivots around the import of raw materials and the export of processed goods. As this trade is primarily brought about by the manufacturers, rather than trading companies or guilds, the merchants of Tielsland are poor and of little means compared to their peers in Helderen or Tederland.

Industry
Tielsland is a primarily industrial freehold, and its economy is driven by the manufacture of components, tools, and advanced materials. The arms industry, although smaller than the others, is also an integral member of the region's economy.

Churches
The Hall of Kel is the most sacred site of the Faith of Kel. It holds the Book of Kel, as well as the tomb and remains of the prophet Tzulft Kelson, the first servitor of Kel.

Libraries
The Grand Library of Ouwestad is the largest and most complete library of the continent, with hundreds of thousands of tomes and volumes. It operates many branches and institutions.

Transportation
Ouwestad, when the Dwaerkar railway was in its infancy, was the primary station in its network. However, the station of Neudenaald is now the most-transited station of the railways, due to its centric location.

The freehold has a large concentration of mooring masts for Airships, which allows air travel to be common in the land.