While they normally travel just under the surface of the sand, they are also capable of leaping considerable distances and bouncing or even rolling along the dunes. They are playful creatures at times, apparently showing affection to each other by bounding into the air and crashing into each other, making a distinctive "koosh" sound when they do so. Otherwise, they are completely silent.

Largely, the Kooshkies are prey to various desert denizens, but teams of them may be captured and trained by Nohbakims to draw Kooshkie Sleds. At times, Kooshkie sleds can be seen trailing across the desert, drawn by unseen mounts, with a Nohbakim standing on the sled, cracking a whip in the air and yelling, "Hooska, Kooshkies! Hooska!" The word "Hooska" appears to have no other use in the language of the Nohbakim, and its meaning is not even known for sure by the Nohbakim (though they are never short on opinions).

Korvs are sapient avian creatures, most of them looking much like greatly oversized crows (about four feet tall at normal stance) with claw-like hands sprouting from their wings. (There are, however, variations, such as Korvs who more closely resemble Jays or other corvites.) They are very lightly structured, not particularly strong (or durable), capable of delicate manipulation either with their wing-claws or feet -- though the former are not of much use while in flight.

Korvs do not have their own "race language", adopting either the tongue of the country they live in, or else that of the Vartans, since "vartanspeak" has become a fair standard among the "beaked" races, being designed for such speech.

Korvs are found in various regions, but are most concentrated in the Nordikan countries of Chronotopia and Sylvania, having fair influence in the affairs of both nations. Korvs from each country, however, bear little racial loyalty, as most of the multi-special Nordikan nations gain their identity more on nationality than species.

A small but fierce carnivore found in the Savan, noted for its large and sensitive ears, long snout, faintly blue-tinged fur, and large claws. These creatures are often hunted for their pelts, but can be trained as pets and guardians.

They are not so powerful or resilient as Beasthounds or Groks, lacking thick hides or body armor. However, they are known to fight in a flurry of tooth and claw (mostly claw), sufficient to drive off most enemies twice their size. They're also more favored as pets since they're more easily house-trained than most combat beasts, and tend to be slightly more sociable.

Kroz is divided into eight Principalities, each ruled by a Prince. Although legend speaks of Kroz once being ruled by a King, there is presently no single ruler of Kroz -- It is, in essence, eight smaller fiefdoms united only by geographic location, common culture, and name. The name of each Principality can change with the surname of the current Prince ruling it. At present, these Principalities (and the names of the Princes ruling them) are: Diamante, Cobalt, Stiletto, Naochi, Darklight, Urban, Silverbirch and Dack.

The major races found in Kroz (Cervani, Skreek, Jupani, Skeek, Rath'ani, and Khatta/Kattha) tend to have a high incidence of genetic variance toward human-like characteristics in the form of human-like head hair, plantigrade leg stance, and a tendency toward a human range of height. There are also many Kavis to be found in Kroz, though they don't show any special genetic variation along these lines.

Legends tell of an ancient kingdom known as Moltpaa, which used to exist underground in an area with the same borders as present-day Kroz. There are many monsters said to inhabit these ruins, along with many traps ... and many treasures. Thus, Kroz is sometimes a magnet for adventure-seekers.

Those who study spirits, both inherent in the dead and manifested naturally in the form of elementals, are known as Ksh'atga. Ksh'atga fulfill several roles in Nagai society. They prepare deceased Nagai citizens for their trip down the Great Serpent's gullet, and also take part in more minor rituals for those given less status within the Empire, such as slaves, and Jingai. They investigate potentially suspicious deaths of citizens -- or others when their services are requested -- travelling to recover corpses if necessary, for the sake of Imperial beauracracy. They are called upon to deal with situations or difficulties of a paranormal nature, where their Spirit Magic training can be of use. And after the rituals and red tape are over with, they perform sanitation duties, disposing of empty husks in a tidy manner.

While they are reasonably well-respected for the services they provide, Ksh'atga are also somewhat suspiciously regarded, sometimes considered harbingers of ill omens by more superstitious Nagai, and particularly other races. (Chances are, Ksh'atga are creepy enough to bother even those who have no idea what the Ksh'atga are.)

Kujaku do not have a language of their own, using the language of whatever country they are found in, though many also pick up the tongue of the Vartans, since it is especially geared toward use by the "beaked" races. Kujaku are not especially strong or dextrous, but many of them are found to have strong scholarly and financial aptitudes, meaning that they are often found in the upper classes of whatever country they are found in.

(Not common information)

Kuroko are, according to the legends passed down amongst mages of the Sphere of Spirit, ghost-like beings with semi-substantial forms, capable of affecting and being affected by physical matter to some degree. They are often associated with the undead, but not believed to be truly spirits of the dead themselves. In fact, certain powerful Necromancers are purported to be able to create these quasi-intelligent entities to do their bidding, provided they can maintain control over them. These monsters are also known as the "puppeteers".

A thin black husk surrounds a kyootcumber while growing, consisting of leaves with tiny tufted pollinators at the end. Kyootcumber plants produce about 3-4 kyootcumbers apiece, off of a short vine.

When cut open and peeled, kyootcumbers have two edible parts: the soft 'flesh' and the seeds. The flesh is yellow-green, has a okra-like taste, and is used in salads, sauces, and soups.

A typical kyootcumber has about 20 soft seeds inside. These ground up to make an extremely spicy powder, often used for flavoring a salsa made from kyootcumber flesh. A salsa made from one entire kyootcumber, flesh and seeds, is at the fiery limit of edibility.

The kyootcumber is one of the hardiest vegetables on Sinai, growing regardless of the soil type, anywhere with a good amount of moisture. Sky islands often have large amounts of them growing on the underside, due to the weather systems that travel with them.

Physically they stand between four and five feet (in biped form) and might be mistaken for a Heyoke at first glance. They are digitigrade and their biped form still looks greatly 'animal like'. Unlike the Heyoke they have very short fur and a thin whiplike tail. They are often called 'stripe dogs' or 'tiger dogs' because one of their most distinguishing features are the stripes crisscrossing their rumps. Their fur color ranges from very light brown to yellowish cream while their stripes are hazel brown to black.

Lacinus are rarely seen outside of Lamu, but there have been enough wandering types noticed here and there to make seeing one a novelty, but not a great shock.

Traditionally, each Lance is made up of members who are all of the same species (or else at least somewhat similar species), with the idea that they will be able to work better together, and quite often of the same species as their Champion. They are typically identified by a single color assigned to the Lance, identified by what color cloak they wear.

Some examples of active Lances would include the Bronze Lance, the Magenta Lance, the Black Lance, the Diamond Lance, the Crimson Lance and the Cobalt Lance.

The Bronze Lance, consisting of Rath'anis, is led by the Champion of Gears (also known as the Champion of Order), and is special in that its members are chosen in part by the Technopriesthood. They are based in the Sanctuary of Order, on the edge of Bosch.

The Magenta Lance, an all-female group consisting of a mix of Khattas and Katthas, is led by the Champion of Roses, based in Rephidim. It has been controversial from the start, being one of the newest Lances, recruited from Temple Scout graduates, and more recently marred by numerous failures.

The Black Lance, consisting of "City" Jupanis, is led by the Champion of Ashes, and is also based in Rephidim, though their Sanctuary at Golgotha appears to be abandoned and ruinous.

The Diamond Lance, consisting of Vartans, is led by the Champion of Diamonds (unofficially called by some the "Champion of Shinies"), and is based in Rephidim.

The Crimson Lance, comprised of "City" Jupanis, is led by the Champion of Flames, and is another Rephidim-based Lance, though often sent on missions to the surface.

The Cobalt Lance, comprised entirely of Titanians, is another relatively newly-created Lance, led by the Champion of Sound, and is noteworthy in that all of its members are musicians, their instruments doubling as weapons.

Members of a Lance are typically referred to as "Lancers". They are also sometimes called "Templars", though this term can be confused with the more generic reference to anyone serving Rephidim Temple.