The icon that says "Taldan" - the craft that just rings "Taldan true-and-true" - the jewel that others try to improve but simply miscut a flaw into the true Taldanness of it - that iconic Taldan quality must be true nobility.
When our smiths burned low, our gems were cracked and flawed, and our hearths had a dearth of silver and gold, it was Taldan armies led by the Empire's nobles who conquered and ordered lands until trade could be re-structured and gems and wealth could flow again. The Taldan armies, led by noble leaders following noble ideals, wrought a civilization of stability, trade, wealth, exchange, and order, all enmeshed in a fine, elegant chain of Taldan noble connections. The people of the Inner Sea were freed from civil war, starvation, and fear of invasion because of the blessings of the Taldan imperial order.
My kin remembers, and we Dwarves who benefited are here to continue to serve, support and expand the Empire's noble missions. However, there are others who have been touched by Taldan nobility and warped it beyond recognition when crassly trying to smith it into a tool of their own personal gain.
Undoubtedly some Andoran leaders leaned many noble lessons from the example of Taldor, but in reality most seem to pervert noble ideals in such a way as to prevent order, leadership, and proper assignment of craftsmen and tradesmen to get something done, rebelling at any natural, strong leadership and direction.
The pretenders of Cheliax have taken other noble facets, using their "noble" ideals to enslave others and enrich themselves solely, not to build a prosperous society for all where the nobles prestige guides and protects the flourishing work of their underlings. Many Chelaxians would rather torment, take, and steal their way, a decidedly ignoble focus.
Taldan's unique contribution to the Inner Sea is it's true nobility - proud, strong, able to assert its will, rescue and protect its people, and receive the support, blessings, and goods in return. Where others have tried to adopt this, the usurpers have perverted it so very greatly. Ihe home of true imperial nobility lies in Taldor, even if Taldan nobles sometimes have their own minor distractions away from the true prize. But, after all, what is nobility if you don't make more of them, and treat yourself as well as you deserve? That, too, is iconically Taldan.
The nobility of the Empire and their noble pursuits - that is what I see as the most precious gem of Taldor. In this I stand by my beard and my hammer, a true Hammer of TORAG.
