>I am GMing a Mongoose RQ campaign set in the Middle Sea Empire. I
>would like to have my players travel to Teshnos (I understand it is
>part of the Middle Sea Empire), but information is very scarce.
Since you probably have Glorantha: the Second Age, I assume you are looking for more detail beyond that. What follows is in my opinion.
TESHNOS In the Dawn Age, Teshnos was a vibrant land and the cultural equal of Kralorela. There were some epic battles between the two with both sides claiming they won them all. Now Teshnos is a land of dreams with Jungled cities like Chichen Itza or Angkor Wat.
Teshnos's current lethargy stems from Errinoru. While the God Learners were still exploring the Oceans, the Elf Admiral set sail on a bold voyage into the unknown. He landed at what is now the Fethlon Jungle and made a treaty with the Vessel of Light. But the tree which they grew did not grow right in the Genertelan soil with the result that half of Teshnos was swamped with dense jungle and the other half sapped of all its vigor. So pronounced was this lethargy that when the God Learners finally explored the land thoroughly a scant generation later, they found a dreaming land which they conquered with ease.
Given Teshnos's prostate state, it's also a land of intruige. The Kralorelans are seeking to replace the rule of the God Learners with that of ShangHsa. The Old Mandarins of the New Kingdom of Wisdom are also active seeking to create a new front to divert ShangHsa from a planned conquest of Bliss in Ignorance. Agents from the EWF (from Pent), the Eastern Seas Empire and the Elf Empire of Errinoru are also active.
The worst threat of all is from Than Ulbar, a giant skull in the Wastes. They seek the Black Light of Atyar, the flame that results from the destruction of knowledge to resurrect their ancient chaos god from his sandy grave.
A side note in the relationship between the Teshnans and the Elves. Wherever he went, Errinoru planted special trees to protect his camp which the Teshnans originally tried to disrupt by throwing magical red balls (representing the planet Tolat) at them. The Elves defended the trees with special club-bearers. After the treaty was concluded, these initial attacks were formalized into meeting rituals and adapted by the God Learners into a game.
MELIB Melib has always been different. It is where the Blue People originally landed and it is the place where their influence is strongest. Throughout much of history, their descendents (who consider themselves Blue but are indistinguishable from other Teshnans) ravaged the coasts and shores of Glorantha for loot and slaves, making Melib into one of the richest places on earth. However the last remants were destroyed in battle in Slontos* and the God Learners have obtained the Sword of Dengbalu that gave them sovereignty over the Isle.
Melib is also noteworthy for the Ashurtans, a minority of Angelic Demons that derive pleasure in pain and all that. They are willing assistants of the God Learners although one might suspect something suspicious in their earnestness.
TROWJANG Trowjang is the Isle of Amazons, which is ruled by red-skinned demigods. I think the rulers are the bygone kings of the Blue People sent down to rule the paradisal isle as a reward for their devotion to Tolat.
--Peter Metcalfe
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