World of Khaas Gazetteer

Saast - Saast is a large northern mountain country with little impact on the world or regional affairs due to its isolationistic policies. Saast’s history is uninspired and mainly unwritten, as they lack greatly in the scholarly arena. What little of their history is told is what is recorded in song, phrase or the boasts of the nobles. The origins of the country lay around the time of the Wars of Life, and they grew out of the shattered remnants of previous countries broken by the great war of the time.

Sabadarum - This female deity is the Goddess of the Dances of Life and Death. She is always depicted in motion, moving to some unheard rhythm or music; The followers of this substantially large faith are centered in the island chains and archipelagos of the southern hemisphere.

Salnyx Mountains - A medium to small mountain chain rising along the coast with a powerful hold on the Amazonian minds in the region due to the legends concerning the Hawkmen who flew from the peaks to give their patron queen weapons to defeat her enemies. Other legends also tell the peaks are forever banned to all who are not of the Salnyx (Hawkmen), and regale listeners with tales of horrible deaths inflicted on those who attempt it.

Salt Arm - This term started in Khurahaen specifically but used Arduin-wide these days. It describes any ship-going/dockside thug.

Sandara - An island nation squelched between the naval powers of Chorynth and the Aranzian princes.  Only recently discovering rich deposits of ore, Sandara is seeking to take advantage of the find and keep its sovereignty from the grasping economic and military hands of those seeking to conquer her.

Sapphire Sea - the waters south of Viruelandia from the Coast of Crimson Skulls. It touches on the Rainbow Sea in the west and the Aeolian Sea in the east; lies between the Aranzian and the Sarkoorian Isles.

Sarchimus - literally the Year of Initiation, the last year of the Cycle of Years calendar.  Certain symbols were utilized when this way of reckoning was proposed on that fateful day in Arduin when all the people and nations of Khaora sat at the table of peace and hammered out the words that would forever bind them all to a lasting peace.   Fifteen where chosen, and a sixteenth added to represent the dark times that come but (thankfully) once in a thousand years. Even then the guts of the calendar was old and stretched back farther in history than its proposal on the Fields of Pelanorè. Sarchimus is also a wizard of some repute whose name accompanies several powerful spells.

Saren - Saren, or the Sun God, is a plain and simple solar deity most popular on the fifth continent and in the nation of Arduin but found in lesser numbers worldwide. This religion is also famed for its unusually high number of Saints and Healers in the ranks of the priesthood.

Sarkesh, Sarkeshi Confederacy, or Sarkeshi Empire - defunct eastern Khoara empire that ruled an area relatively contiguous with present day Vorgundia, Valthar and the southern portion of Thrale.

Sarkoorian Isles - Another name for the country of Sandra

Sarmaht - Six days comprise a week, usually called a Sixday or Zedra.  The individual days of the Zedra are Mordag, Taenwal, Wurdigan, Veldoar, Sarmaht, and Qwain, in that order.

Scintillus - literally the Year of the Sword.  The eighth year in the Cycle of Years calendar.  Certain symbols were utilized when this way of reckoning was proposed on that fateful day in Arduin when all the people and nations of Khaora sat at the table of peace and hammered out the words that would forever bind them all to a lasting peace.   Fifteen where chosen, and a sixteenth added to represent the dark times that come but (thankfully) once in a thousand years. Even then the guts of the calendar was old and stretched back farther in history than its proposal on the Fields of Pelanorè.

Seagnzchaylien - A cursed place found in the Mist Kill Plains. It formed 113 years ago during a Black Equinox as a nexus storm raged across the land. When the storm ended, a strange land appeared, one filled with horrible creatures and fell beasts so foul that demons would weep at their evilness. It took three years and the blood of countless souls to contain it. Eighteen runic towers were made to surround and master it. The linchpin of the barrier is Fang Wall, a dark stone ridge with protruding stone and replicas of the 18 runic towers. Fang Wall is where all the ley lines flowing into the area where redirected to power the runic towers. Its also where the restless dead, slain by the fell beasts within, congregate and go forth in packs of restless soldiers to eternally hunt down anything that might get free.

Seajuin - A Saast township. Started as a crossing of trade routes sometime in the distant past and has continued as such since. Considered a fine place to live, too, as the perennial fog that blankets Saast is very light over Seajuin.

Segotoi - Some say Segotoi was a god visiting from another world, weakened by the transition of fleeing from his own dying universe.   Others say he was but a powerful mage.

Serpihkar - literally the Year of the Serpent.  The seventh year in the Cycle of Years calendar.  Certain symbols were utilized when this way of reckoning was proposed on that fateful day in Arduin when all the people and nations of Khaora sat at the table of peace and hammered out the words that would forever bind them all to a lasting peace.   Fifteen where chosen, and a sixteenth added to represent the dark times that come but (thankfully) once in a thousand years. Even then the guts of the calendar was old and stretched back farther in history than its proposal on the Fields of Pelanorè.

Set - Set's religion is an ancient and powerful "behind the scenes" religion of worldwide scope, many followers, and much political clout. Originally Egyptian in genesis, but it has long since taken an altogether Khaasian slant, as the other gods of that pantheon have only minor following in Khaas. Worship of Set is outlawed in most nations and he is usually worshipped in secret or hidden enclaves. All races find a home with this god as long as they are desirous of world power and its uses (and abuses). Set seeks power and regards the world much like Shagrath: as a playground for his own ends. This god enjoys cruelty, anger, torture, and domination: pleasuring in the subjugation of the weak by the power and might of his followers. He respects order but is not beyond abandoning it to revel in glorious conquering. Perhaps Set’s most important opponent from the Egyptian pantheon in Khaas is Baast, the Cat Goddess.

Seven Sons of Segotoi - Some say Segotoi was a god visiting from another world, weakened by the transition of fleeing from his own dying universe. Others say he was only a powerful mage, filled with great power. Regardless, he married an Elf, a Dwarf, a Goblin, a woman of Arduin, an Amazon of the isles, a Hobbitt and an Orc in his time, bearing a child of each. His sons, for each were male, grew tall and powerful but no where as grim as he. After his death (or some say departure for another world), his sons shook the heart of Khaora with great deeds until they were torn limb from limb and devoured by nineteen demons in Khorsar.

Shadazzrha - One of the old gods.  Shadazzrha is the wife and co-ruler with Phaordion, and keeper of the life force of all, she is described as being 53 feet tall and wreathed in a golden radiance too bright for mortals to bear.  Her beauty and wisdom are her legendary attributes as is her fondness for and kindness towards all children. Lawful Good in the truest sense, she was said to be able to focus her radiant life force and cast it across the heavens in a bolt that nothing of evil may endure against.  Healers and some Druidical types still revere and pray to her, as she remains a mighty force for good.  She was also called the Golden Light.

Shadow Bough - Dark, off colored oak with a musty stench that seems to cover everything around it in a blanket. Its canopy is very dense and it grows only to medium height (approximately 10 to 18 feet). Still, many think it is larger due to the way its branches seem to spider over an area and kill off other trees.

Shadow Gate of Lost Shamballah - In 72 CY Skorpos, a group of intrepid adventurers trekked the hellish reaches of the Green Hell to rediscover the city of Lost Shamballah. In the quiet but dangerous byways of this place, those fearless few found the Ebon (Shadow) Gate of Shamballah. On the other side of this ornate night-hued arch was a world of perpetual darkness and shadow. This world is called "Ever Shadow" or the 'Shadow Lands" by those few adventurers who have ventured into this place and returned to tell tales of its darkened expanse.

Shagrath - The Red Moon Spyder, Father Many Legs, Lord of Spyders, Nite Legs—this god’s names are legion. He, along with Skirin and the Lady of the Silver Moon are the first, primeval deities of Khaas. Homed in the red moon of the skies, this god is supposed to have woven the very stuff of the world in existence. Shagrath is the epitome of evil and darkness whose touch and taint is felt in everything. The lord of spyders and all their kin, this god loves nothing more than to dabble and meddle in the affairs of all beings of sentience to corrupt and turn to evil all things bright and good. All types worship this god, including were-creatures and any of an unsavory disposition or manner. He is banned in many nations, but also equally powerful in others. Shagrath’s contention with the Lady of the Silver Moon is legendary and timeworn. They see each other as implacable enemies and their religions and priesthoods frequently clash.

Shaldonness, Almari - the famed Elven General who held the east of Arduin during the Nexus Wars for 20 Years after Queen Tarathala took over as the Arduinian Monarch. He used superior tactics, his keen intellect and the newly released magik to stop all who would take Arduin.

Siermê - A village on the island of Glovendus in Manveinoe that is under the protection of Chuik Starshaker.

Silavira - southern Amazon nation of Khaora; Silavirans are well known for their belief in unity. A Silaviran always has her ‘sisters’ close by, they say, and it is not far from the truth.

Silvandian Sea - the waters around the Cirthian League on the east coast of Khaora.

Silver Boar Mountains - Mountains on the northern border of Viruelandia, often quarreled over with Hyrkhalla and Morvaen. They are named after the large, silver-coated razorback boars no longer existent in the mountains. There are also significant quarries for the production of stone for roadwork, decoration and sculpture.

Silver Lady - She is also known as the (The) White Lady, Lady Moon, Silver Savior, Lady of Light, and the Shepardess.  One of the antediluvian deities, she is an amalgam of earth goddesses with great boundless wisdom and affinity for life, growth and the cycle of living.  Just about the largest and most popular religion on the planet and headquartered out of Arduin.  It has an amazing amount of political and military clout and makes no bones about using it in the service of their deity.  The Silver Lady is the most popular of the primeval deities and the prototype for many aspects of her more "developed" ally gods.  She is thought as the true progenitor of life and known for her compassion, love and indomitable will that contests for every soul that has the least bit of good in it.  While a crosscut of the racial diversity of the world is devoted to this deity, her greatest adherents are Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbitts, Khai-Zirin and Amazons.  She is generally associated with "Law" and "Good" in great degrees and the rise, setting, and phases of the silver moon guide all sacrifices.

Silver Sea - large inland sea north of Tharkhala.

Silver Shang - Massive forest filled with silver and white trees considered one of the most beautiful of Khaora.

Silver Shield Mountains - The Silver Shield Mountains curl around Arduin’s southwest flank and protect her lower border.  These mountains are the lowest in altitude of Arduin’s bordering mountains, rising to a mere 12,500 ft. but are no less majestic because of it.

Singer in the Woods - Another name for the demigod Piadahr.

Sixday - Six days comprise a week, usually called a Sixday or Zedra.  The individual days of the Zedra are Mordag, Taenwal, Wurdigan, Veldoar, Sarmaht, and Qwain, in that order.  The folk of Khaas commonly work Mordag through Veldoar, and half a day on Sarmaht, taking the afternoon and all day Qwain off.  This varies regionally.

Skaeher - Barely acknowledged town in Viruelandia that sleepily sits in the shadow of the nearby mountains.  In the last five-cycle, the sedate atmosphere of the town has attracted a growing number of wizards, generals, and minor nobles, who are building small estates in the area.

Skiernadon's Horns - Skiernadon was a Khorsarian wizard who gave up his pursuit of arcane power to take up the trappings of sword and shield instead.  The crux of his change in pursuits is easily discerned in his battle with the creature called the Kraggermonu.  Haunting the slopes of the Thunder Mountains, this beast had claimed the lives of hundreds of people and beings, including four of Skiernadon’s ancestors.  Something of a personal and family bogeyman, Skiernadon sharpened his arcane skills in places such as the Skull Tower in Arduin and the Halls of the Ebony Horrors in Falohyr just in order to defeat it.  Sadly, he found in error its great resistance to his arcane power and nearly joined his ancestors after battling it.  Dragged back by his surviving companions (a mere three of fourteen survived), his will to fight was too strong to succumb to death and when the priestess of Silver Lady called him back to life and duty, he returned.  Shaken by the experience of death and the ferocity of the Kraggermonu, Skiernadon gave up his lifelong pursuit of magik and took up instead the art of blade and battle.  The fruits of his success are no more apparent than in his defeat of his nemesis.  Skiernadon ripped the horns of the beast from its head and had them crafted into blades, each carved with half the story of his life up to the point of his creation of the blades.  Imbued with the great potency of the beast, the horn blades were reputed of tremendous power, gifted with power to pierce the hardest metals and toughest magical wards.

Skirin - This primeval god is one of the antediluvian deities who supposedly brought forth the air and clouds (rain) with his breath. Legends say all living beings pay homage to Skirin with each breath they take. His aliases are the Night Lord, Great Night Hawk, Lord of the Night, and the Blue Moon. He is represented by the blue moon in the night sky, and said to physically dwell on this lunar body. His other form is a great hawk, whose wingspread is over 1000 feet wide! To this God, all things are of equal weight: light and dark, good and evil. He is the final arbitrator in the affairs between all things opposite. Prayers to this deity are quite personal and rarely require the mediation of a priest, making it popular with loners such as rangers, foresters, thieves, and hunters. He is also the patron lord of raptors and kindred feathered creatures. Followers of this faith are often arbitrators, diplomats and judges as well as tend toward the general good in alignment.

Skonchune’s Raiment - A glittering field of asteroids in Khaas' sky that can be seen with the naked eye at night from almost any part of the world.

Skord - There are 15 months, for a total of 450 days in the year, not including Tai Taowyn or End Year, which is a five-day period of "non-time" that takes care of the odd orbital period around the sun of 455 days. The months, in order, all called: Tor, Ator, Vaen, Torvaen, Kos, Torkos , Skord, Torskord, Zar, Torzar, Ghast, Torghast, Chund, Torchund and Khoros, or the End Year month.

Skorpos - literally the Year of the Scorpion, the 13th year of the Cycle of Years calendar.  Certain symbols were utilized when this way of reckoning was proposed on that fateful day in Arduin when all the people and nations of Khaora sat at the table of peace and hammered out the words that would forever bind them all to a lasting peace.   Fifteen where chosen, and a sixteenth added to represent the dark times that come but (thankfully) once in a thousand years. Even then the guts of the calendar was old and stretched back farther in history than its proposal on the Fields of Pelanorè.

Skohrzaki Domain - This is a Centaur nation in the desert with little interaction with other nations. An increase of trade with Cyndyra and a signing of a treaty between the tribes of the domain have seen an influx of Centaur entering the world.

Sküix River - River birthed high in the Silver Boar Mountains that flows south into Viruelandia.

Skull Tower - A dark place, well known in Arduin and traveled to by many adventurers.  Some say it was the first "dungeon" discovered long ago, and many have trodden the roads to its doors over the years, to test their skills or make a name in its bone ridden halls.

Sky Fire - a time in 355 BCY when a shower of meteors struck the entire region of the Rainbow isles, perforating the land and water with burning trails of fire.

Sky Mirror - the name given to the aerial nexus gate in the subterranean land beyond the Azure Elephant Portal. It is not recorded where this gate leads.

Sky Trees - these hardwood trees are massive in girth and size, towering an average of near 400 feet high and more than 35 feet in diameter. They are seen mostly in the Great Green Wall of Khaora, though travelers have reported seeing an occasional specimen elsewhere in the world.

Solaris - literally the Year of the Sun.  The tenth year in the Cycle of Years calendar.  Certain symbols were utilized when this way of reckoning was proposed on that fateful day in Arduin when all the people and nations of Khaora sat at the table of peace and hammered out the words that would forever bind them all to a lasting peace.   Fifteen where chosen, and a sixteenth added to represent the dark times that come but (thankfully) once in a thousand years. Even then the guts of the calendar was old and stretched back farther in history than its proposal on the Fields of Pelanorè.

Song of Epochs - This is the terrible and weighty paean sung by the Idia'Sheola on their world - a never ending song about their lengthy past and uncertain future. It must be song every turn of their planet or else the doom of forgetfulness and death falls upon them. See the Dances to the Concordance and the Twirling of the Spheres for additional information on this race as well.

Sorphalaz - Sorphalaz is an Amazon nation born in prophesy and fulfilled by a woman’s desire.

Sorrow Blade River - one of the two great rivers of Ithalos and given its name from one of the two legendary blades of the first monarch, Vilal Kynnyn.

Soul Moon Mountains - tall mountains in Khorsar

Southern Ocean - The Southern Ocean holds two distinctions: the water it covers is the second of two circumpolar oceans (the first the Northern Seas) and it is the largest of all oceans in Khaas.  Its expanse covers all the water south of the Khaora, Archaela, and Laenkrwat and the waters around the Southern Polar Cap.  Sea temperatures vary greatly but are always achingly cold near the polar cap.  Cyclonic storms travel eastward around the polar cap and are intense because of temperature contrasts.  The Southern Ocean has some of the strongest average winds on Khaas.  The Southern Ocean is deep, over 15,000 feet on average, with only few areas of shallow water.  There are hundreds of trenches, ridges in its waters, including the famous Sword of Flame line of submarine volcanoes.  It also has hundreds of weird, rogue, or just powerful currents.

Southern Polar Cap - The seventh continent of the world and is perhaps the highest, coldest, and driest place on Khaas.  Few creatures can survive the degree of constant chill, or the dry gusts of air moving off the continental interior.  Cyclonic pressure storms, frequent blizzards and harsh terrain are a few of the common terrors to these regions.

Spiga - Pony to schoolbus sized spiders with eight legs, shiny metallic silver, gold or blue chitin covered bodies with 13 ruby red eyes that glow. They have some form of molecular coating on their chitin that keeps all webs, ropes, and other such bindings from holding on them: they slip right off. These spiders are devout followers of the evil god Shagrath and hate all soft-skins (pretty much everything else).

Spiggenkoer - largest mountain hold of the blue gnomes of Zagrana.

Split Oak - This hardwood tree is a favored wood among builders and weapon makers. Its natural tendency to split evenly and neatly as it grows makes it something very useful for building purposes. The oak is very dense and its own weight provides the impetus to split, which it usually does along lines it internally builds of its own accord. This tree is very common to the center and southern regions of Khaora and sporadically across the other continents as well.

Split Tree Oaths - the famous words of the Amazon Queens, gathered together at Split Tree Strand to swear the oaths that would bind them into one people though of different nations. Later known as "The Compact", these words and the small succeeding additions to them would bind the nations in war, peace, and commerce.

Split Tree Strand - small copse of trees in Silavira where the famous Split Tree Oaths were uttered. In previous times it was also a place of peace between the Amazon Queens where they would meet, trade, and hold great religious ceremonies.

Spring Equinox - This is an old festival observed everywhere, and celebrated on the 13th day of Torvaen. While a religious druidical holiday, it has definite pre-druidical roots and even the Elves have a version of this celebration. It is sometimes called the Rise of the Green Man, and ritual planting of fields and forests is done during the day and ‘Old Man Winter’ (a straw effigy) is burned at noon. Nobody works this day and there are feasts and quite a bit of drinking and general carousing. At midnight, the lunar triangle is once again plainly visible but not for long as it breaks up to signal the end of this festival.

Spyxynthiat - Horrible Dragon Wurm that inhabits the Tuchukk Lands. Its fangs are said to have slain more than 1,000 heroes and would-be fools seeking to take its heart.

Ssass-Khaa - the ancient name of Khaas, as uttered in Eldaren, long passed from the annals of the races now inhabiting the world. Few know of this title to the world and fewer yet use it.

Star Core - an ages-dead volcano said to house more than 20 nexus, portals ringing the world of Khaas to areas beyond, such as the Balewyrd Pith and the Gibbon Miasma.

Star Dragon(s) - The cult is derived from the very real Star Dragon Beings who visit Khaas from time to time. Not a large or widespread cult, the religion is mainly found in the country of Arduin. This cult has a special relationship with most Dragon kind and is frequently seen in their company.

Star Fang Mountain - one of the largest mountains in the world, known as Akon'tongpa in dwarven. Said to be the heart and soul of the Dwarven Kingdom of Rhingalore.

Star Helm River - Relatively obscure river known or regarded by few who live even in Saast.

Star Tongue - A legendary harp made from the pearly bones of saints, strung with the hair of angels, and adorned with the stars from the heavens.  Its power in the hands of the Elven Hero Kahar Kainlahain slew the demigod Lobos in the mythic Heaven Siege among many other things.

Steps of Vrititz - These mountains start inland on the North Polar Cap and descend southward into the Ice Mist Sea. As mentioned in the text, they are named after a past hero who clamored over them on his mythic trek to slay the Greater Demon Oggirdon. Several myths exist about them. One speaks of the footsteps of Vrititz and how they still are the only boots to ever mar the snow and ice of those terrible icy fangs. Another is about the five graves and cenotaphs Vrititz left for friends fallen to support his quest. They say the keening about these places is the mourning angry cries his soul mates feel for Vrititz’s failure to succeed in his world spanning quest. In a more mundane theme, the mountains break the waterline from the North Polar Cap until close to the northern coast of Khaora. Few have looked over even one of them, much less set foot on them. The treacherous currents of the sea and the northern ice keep all but the truly brave or foolhardy from even trying. One parting note, however. The semi-famous sky sailor Quartzo supposedly crash landed on one of these peaks, leaving behind his ship (The Wanton Wing), his life, and a bevy of rare metals! (Reputedly his manifest listed a sixteenth ton of 99.997% pure Aurebony (ingots), a half-ton of red gold (ingots), and a slab of Kyocco larger than an Arduin carriage! This doesn’t even count the ingots of the finest steel out of Kindokono!)

Stone of Ntheisborie - an odd crystal originally found in the deep tunnels of the Crystal Caverns, carried away by Ntheisborie after a sortie into the unlit depths of that place in the Mickleback Mountains. Ntheisborie found with experimentation that severing small slices off the larger crystal (his original piece was roughly hexagonal in shape and over 4 ft long/wide) and channeling arcane power through it caused an interesting effect. Regardless of where the holder of the crystal shard was the combination of magic and crystal would form a short lived nexus that would bridge the distance between the shard an the original stone. More than 300 shards were eventually taken off the motherstone as the main crystal was come to be named.

Sulubalu Hell Froth - This is an area of the Southern Ocean that is perpetually sheeted in a thick coat of frothy foam, whipped and chopped by fierce winds and broken only by the randomly spouting explosions from the waters below.

Summer Solstice - The beginning of the Summer Solstice is often called the High Sun or Sun’s Face. This festival starts on the 15th of Torskord and runs for three days. The holiday is of very strong religious importance for many faiths. There are many ways to celebrate but the most favored is a three-day fast wherein water is drunk from dawn to dusk and only wine or other non-food liquids after dark. Every fifth Summer Solstice is the dread Red Solstice, and is marked by a total failure of the three Khaasian moons to be visible for the whole three days!  The Summer Solstice is also known as the "Spring Death" and is the early / first harvest festival in a few places in the world.

Sun Down Mountain - Sundown Mountain sits just outside of the Sun Moon Wood and is particularly beautiful in the descending beams of light shed by Syraath, and the ambient displays lights the mountain like a diadem of glory nightly in Arduin.

Sun Fire Mountains - long chain of mountains on the south side of the Anvil of the Sun.

Sun Moon Gulf - a reference to the combined Gulf of the Sun and Gulf of the Moon, which lie on each side of the island that holds the nations of Malvia, Viridia, Khorst and others.

Sun Moon Wood - A small forest, eight miles long by five miles wide, with ash, oak and cedar trees as the primary wood here, though there are representations of the rest here and there. The brush and vegetation grows thick in places but breaks into many glens and open swards. These glens and swards usually hold mounds, cairns, and low, stonewall crumbling with age. Many religions have founded sites in the wood and over time used it as a place of worship and interment. When the sun sets at dusk, its last dying rays catch the tall peak of Sundown Mountain and scatter beams of light like divine fingers in the trees. The most spectacular is the dispersion of moonbeams cast by the moons as they rise and touch the opposite peak of Moonrise Mountain. It is always magnificent and almost frightening at times to view the creeping tendrils of moonlight as it plays over the wood. Most of the religions and cults of past ages built low-lying mounds or cairns to venerate the dead or worship the sun and the moon.

Swlive - a somewhat annoying assassin wasp that feeds primarily on Zaau. Not typically aggressive to anything larger than a good sized rat, they can and will swarm and attack large creatures if they present an immediate danger, threaten their food source (Zaau) or if they smell smoke (fire is considered an immediate danger). Usually met in groups of 12 to swarms of 1000 or more.

Sword of Flame - Famous line of submarine volcanoes in the Southern Ocean.  The throes of their war with the waters are quite spectacular and deadly.

Szgorke - Zirhaine for "pig dancer", a rather humorous, tongue in cheek reference to tax collectors