About Telleh and its people
Telleh was founded by the powerful Ancient Midmirrà as a stronghold for her forces, back a few odd thousand years ago. Over time it expanded and took over other towns and villages. Still, there are remains that trace back to those times, not in the least the palace.
At the same time, she took people from different cultures for her political purposes and it was so that Telleh started out as a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. Over the years, it simply kept the way it was, with more and more added over time, until Telleh numbered over a few hundred different self-described cultures.
Most people moving to Telleh do it from business and education purposes. As Telleh is the main capital of Kinorah (though not of Upper Fedatti, that honour is to Oberhuyn), its population ranges from politicians and businessmen in the highest echelons to archivists, teachers, artisans and dockworkers. Between Telleh and other major cities there has always been a rivalry. First through wars, as Telleh was home to the High Kings who had always sending troops to exercise their power, and later through more friendly rivalry.
In ancient legends, it is said that Telleh in fact houses on top of a dragon and that the ancient catacomb of the town represent its internal organs. Other stories around Telleh are more personal and tell of people from strange descents, conspiracies around the High Kings and that the ghost of the last president of the First Republic can occasionally be seen in the Telleh underground metro system.
Tellites are believers of these stories and one of the main characteristics of Tellites is that they are a superstitious people. Tell them a story and they will take it for granted. Not so much because they are gullible, but more because they don't want to risk not believing it.
The city has a rich history of heroes and villains, of acts of heroism and heinousness. And those stories live with the natives and are enforced through different media. To tell about all the myths and legends of Telleh is almost unworkable, and anyone who has tried to collect them, has gone mad eventually (whether due to the workload or the sheer amount of madness ingrained into the stories has yet to be decided). But every Tellite knows about the birth of the city, of the founder Midmirrà and all cultures have their own story about how they had come to Telleh. Then there are stories native to Telleh itself, the stories that forge a connection between all cultures despite their differences. They speak of heroes like Razar Harhaid, King of the Uthrovwick who was the only one in history who had conquered Telleh and dethroned the vile High Queen Magna Dim Haypras. They speak of the Days of Wonders, of the Dock Strike of 17.08, of the benevolent Answar Gaelsriban who used his fortune to bring education to the people and of the wicked and twisted Nibraskerdim and their equally wicked servants the Zanaferyt.
If there is one leading theme within the stories of the Tellites is that these mostly describe heroes from all walks of life who help the common person and combat injustice and villains who abuse their powers and don't take their responsibility. To the point that many of those studying Telleh's city culture, see that the people find unity in their sense of helplessness in the face of the Authority. That they understand the necessity to keep peace and friendliness with one another, because they are the only ones who can protect them should the Authority rain down upon them. And natives have always made sure that all cultures have at least contributed one hero to the city's pantheon. This method of maintaining unity between the people does have its downsides and it has made it difficult for designated villains such as descendants from villains and smaller groups like the Zanaferyt to be accepted within the Telleh city culture until recent developments gave them their own heroes.
The inhabitants of Telleh have always seen the High Kings with mixed feelings. On one hand the people of Telleh are proud. Proud to have been of such importance to the world for so long. On the other hand, knowing that most people only know Telleh as the homes of those who have brought so much violence and misery is sometimes difficult for the Tellites to comprehend. The natives are never seen for who they are, but for what their leaders have done.