Hot Spot: The Terran Province of Talithian

(The Freedom Province)

The area of space, now known as the Talithan Province, has had a long history of outspoken liberties and freedoms held sacred by its native populace. These proud democratic traditions date back to the time of the Terran Alliance and the Exodus. Many of this region’s original settlers were extremely critical of their government and its oppressive colonial policies. However, theirs was a “loyal opposition” that stressed reform rather than rebellion. As a result they steadfastly refused to aid the Expansionists during the Outer Reaches Rebellion but were equally dissatisfied at the Liberals “solution” to the problem. As Terra severed ties from all worlds further than a single jump away, including these young Talithan colonies, they were forced to fend for themselves. The locals dealt with independence as best they could and managed to start a healthy commercial industry that survives till this day. In 2316 the Treaty of Terra, between McKenna’s new Hegemony and the Free Worlds League, helped bring these worlds willingly back into the Terran sphere of control. Peacefully electing to rejoin Terra after years of difficult struggle proved extremely beneficial for this territory. For the next four hundred and fifty years this area prospered as part of the Hegemony and then the Star League. The Amaris Coup bought all this affluence to a screeching halt and for the first time in centuries threatened its very survival. The Talithan people did the only thing they knew how during these dark times. They fought the Usurper’s tyranny with every mean possible but in the process suffered a great deal. Their valiant struggle, which never ceased during the occupation, inspired many to throw off the yoke of Amaris in spite of their hardships. Eventually with the help of the SLDF they successfully won back their freedom. The Province, however, still shows the scars of it’s denizens stiff resistance to Stefan Amaris during his now infamous Coup. Many who remain in this devastated war zone speak proudly of what once was and their determination to rise again from the ashes.

Despite our best efforts several challenges stand in the way of Talitha’s revival including its ravaged infrastructure. Of course increased tensions throughout the Inner Sphere haven’t aided in the recovery of what once was a commercial powerhouse. This Province’s vast market places now stand virtually abandoned due to the huge fall off in foreign trade. Most notably absent from Talithan bazaars are Free Worlds League merchants who prior to the Coup made up a majority of these foreign trade delegations. With relations between Terra and Atreus growing worse by the day it is highly doubtful that this situation will change for the better any time soon. Even more worrisome is the fact that the bulk of the Province’s surviving industry is located near the Free Worlds League border. In the event of war with Marik these important facilities would likely be targeted first ensuring their “loss” to an already badly battered region. Never blessed with material abundance to begin with, further industrial reconstruction might be rendered pointless. Another consequence of Terra’s looming conflict with the Free Worlds League is a general decline in scientific investment. This staple of Talitha’s economy has been relocated to the New Republic’s interior to safeguard Terra’s slim technological edge. One area of significant growth seen in the Talithan Province has been the booming agricultural sector. Efforts to feed the liberated denizens of the Terran nation during the Hegemony Campaign have really seemed to take root here as farm output continues to increase annually.

The people of Talitha recognize and respect as a whole their Regent’s conservative stance on many policies despite being the most liberal Terran Province. While some may disagree with Amanda Cameron’s decisions their adoration of her has not diminished in the least. Many Talithans laud her pivotal role in creating a new interstellar republic rather than simply establishing another typical Inner Sphere Great House styled government. For the Talithans, direct participation in the government is the proper role for every citizen. Of course there is no shortage of public opinion when it comes to the impending war with the Free Worlds League. While everyone would like a return to normalcy along the Republic-League border, most realize that this is impossible. The rejection of the Centuran Accords by Captain-General Kenyon Marik doomed all hope of a peaceful solution to the crisis. The recent defection of the prominent Hughes family to Irian has only seemed to sharpen ill-will between the two nations now girding for the outbreak of hostilities. However, the Talithans do not hate the Free Worlds League in spite of everything that has happened in recent years. Their feelings are quite the opposite in fact. They view the League as the finest Inner Sphere nation because of its commonly held democratic traditions. What they do despise is the House Marik, who has consistently worked to destroy these traditions in order to gain power.

The Talithan Province is closely related to the Terran Province of the New Republic thanks to its similar cultural make up. The original colonist hailed from Western societies, mainly European countries, almost exclusively. The Spanish, the French, and the Dutch were just some of the many Western European ethnic groups that settled this region of space. A large minority also came from the Americas firmly establishing a Western tradition that exists here today. The only exception is a small body of Chinese society that continues to thrive near the Nanking Province. Besides English, which is the universal Talithan language, Spanish and French are also widely spoken. Small pockets in this Province still retain their Dutch and Chinese fluency as well. The societal influence of the nearby Free Worlds League has strangely enough been limited due to its own diversity. This makes Talitha very different from other Terran border provinces which usually display some cultural seepage from their Inner Sphere neighbors. This is deceiving however as the Free Worlds League does seem to share its economic and political views with Talitha. Religiously speaking, two faiths hold immense sway within this Province. Christianity is the predominant religion of Talitha, with Catholics holding a clear majority. A host of Protestant faiths together with a small group of Orthodox Christians compose the rest of the Church in the religion. Judaism is the other major religion of Talitha. While the Jews are a small minority within this Province they are the largest community outside of Terra within the New Republic. Rounding out the Talitha’s faiths is a very tiny sect of Buddhists near Nanking.