For a long time, Abaddon was believed to be lifeless and cold, covered with rusty sands, and criss-crossed with strange "canals". There are many areas on the surface with active volcanos, bubbling hot springs, and vents that let noxious vapors seep into the atmosphere.

The truth is that Abaddon is indeed capable of sustaining life, though not as well as Sinai by any means. At least in one area of Abaddon, there are several scattered colonies of races that parallel many prominent on Sinai, living in artificial "Life Domes", and with a higher level of technology that allows them the use of machines that would not be considered possible -- or safe -- on Sinai. The canals do indeed hold water and vegetation, but also are infested by disease and hostile creatures (such as the "Rotbiter") that make them far too dangerous to utilize by most.

In recent history (during the first year of the reign of Tahir Archelaus the First), a (relatively) small chunk of the Himar region (including the city of Elamoore) was transplanted by some sort of Exile technology onto Abaddon, resulting in the fertile "Pit of Himar" that may some day be the site of the largest Life Dome of all. Already, the combined efforts of several tribes on Abaddon have resulted in the Pit of Himar being spanned by a massive framework, slowly being covered against the inhospitable elements, and fitted with environmental controls.

Abaddon is very rich in metals, and Abaddonian iron is a popular commodity on metal-scarce Sinai. Abaddonian metal that has recently been brought to Sinai is known to have magic-resistant properties, though it has been observed that this slowly degrades as the metal "acclimates" to Sinai. This phenomenon does not seem to apply to all metal brought in from other worlds, though it is still very common - It is well known that meteoric iron has certain anti-magic properties, after all.

Access to the world of Abaddon is provided by an ancient Sifran structure known as the Gateway Tower. The Gateway Tower on Abaddon is within the domain of the human-dominated Kampfzengruppe, allied with the Khattan Emirate for its control.

"Abaddon" is also the name of the God of War, Fire and Destruction in the Olympian mythos.

While Abu Dhabi has its share of slums and places badly in need of repair like most every other city, it sports some very impressive architecture and public gardens -- testaments to the wealth and feats of engineering of the city. It is a city of high-rising towers topped with minarets, and of bold colors found in stone mosaics. It is also well-fortified, to defend against occasional assaults by the bolder (or less intelligent) pirate raiders.

Its primary exports are exotic spices and fine silks. It is rumored that, somewhere underneath the city, there lies a large underground "garden" that matches or exceeds the splendor of the gardens to be found above. It is also rumored that some bands of pirates find harbor here, with surreptitious sanction by city leaders.

The capitol of Aelfhem is Winterhome, a settlement of modest size that lies in a valley beneath the Sacred Orchards, where groves of sugarfir trees are ritually tended by an order of Aelfin monks.

In addition to the Aelfin, there are also small settlements of Eeee (migrated from Ashdod long ago) to be found in the area, and in recent years there have been sightings of three-headed dragons - In fact, it's rumored that the monks of the Sacred Orchard have one serving as a guardian of their holy ground.

In legend, from times when Aelfhem was out of contact with the outside world, Aelfhem was held to be a place of magic, highly regarded for its craftsmanship of magical artifacts. However, if such was the case, it is an art that has been lost long ago, for Aelfin products - while reasonably sturdy and well-made - are fairly plain and modest, and certainly not possessed of any magical properties.

The whole island is considered quarantine under authority of both Rephidim and of Babel, and travellers give it a wide berth, especially since freak storms have a tendency to pop up in the area.

The Sanctuary of Amber is noteworthy for its central chamber, in which it is believed that certain well-tuned minds may, from time to time, receive visions of possible futures -- particularly disasters to be hopefully averted with the warning given.

On Ring Day, 6103 RTR, Shabar declared its independence from Rephidim, having formerly been a protectorate. Thus, the Sanctuary of Amber (also known as just "Amber") is recognized as the capitol of Shabar.

The Annis School for Respectable Ladies is the largest and best example of its kind, a fair sample of several schools of its kind to be found in the nation of Gallis (in the Nordika Region on Ai), located in the capitol city of Fauxpas.

The student body consists largely of "purebred" (Gallee) females who do not fit the profile for their breed. Usually this means that they conform poorly to the standards of their breeds — a doberman without a deep enough chest, a poodle whose muzzle is too wide or ears too short, and other such flaws suggesting an unfortunate roll on the genetic dice, not an actual mutt. Clear mutts (Gallah) are few but do occur, though even the ones with the most dubious claims to "pure breeding" usually claim it anyway.

Whether they are of dubious ancestry or just unlucky, none of the school's students are considered to have good marriage prospects. The institution therefore seeks to train them for "respectable" but unimportant careers as tutors, clerks, accountants, secretaries, and the like. It emphasizes values, discipline, manners, and study.

Since the advent of exploration of the worlds of the Primus System made possible by the Gateway Towers, Arcadia has been explored and found to be richly vegetated, and populated by a variant species of Hooka. Scouts report that most everything on Arcadia is "alive" ... Amorphous aquatic creatures have been mistaken for "living water", and tree-like beings have exhibited limited mobility and apparent intelligence.

A fortification has been set up by explorers, under the shared authority of the Kampfzengruppe and the Khattan Emirate, and there is also a Savanite settlement located close to the Gateway Tower.

Although there is a Gateway Tower that provides access to Ariel, it is still largely unexplored, and considered to be fairly inhospitable.

Ariel is also the name of a goddess of the Olympian Pantheon, appropriately associated with the spirit world. She is depicted as a young, pre-teen, white-furred Kattha with black hair. She is regarded as the "trickster goddess" of the Olympia mythos, though of a more benevolent nature than most. She is also cast in the role of Messenger of the Gods, and is often sought in the hopes of conveying messages to (or from) spirits in the afterlife.

While Ashdod is recognized as a nation by some, it has fallen into nearly ceaseless cycles of civil war and infighting between various city-states that comprise its primary population centers. Ashdod, with its mountains, forests and caves, has the highest concentration of the bat-like Eeee on Sinai, and is considered to be their "homeland".

Ashdod's traditional capitol is the grand city of Babel, though actual governing power has been wrested from it and gained back several times over. The ruler of Ashdod was long known as the Sabaoth, and was believed to be immortal and several thousand years old. The Sabaoth, however, proved to be not quite so immortal, and was succeeded by his son, Boghaz bar Sabaoth. The tradition of Babel being ruled by the Sabaoth has thus ended, and the ruler of Babel is now known either as the High Prince or High Princess.

While Ashdod is a monarchy, governance is far more complex, involving alliances with various warlords and merchants who lead countless factions. Even Babel itself is home to regular warfare to the point where it is simply accepted as the norm of life.

Babel was once home to one of the three primary Guild Halls of the Collegia Esoterica, but it was destroyed on New Year's Eve at the advent of the year 6100 RTR by a renegade Rephidimite captain who dropped a "Boomer" weapon on the city.

Saskanar and Zahirinee were once part of the Ashdod Territories, but have since seceded and are independent states.

The Kampfzengruppe/Emirate Alliance has established a base on Ashtoreth, at a place called Gateway Island. The planet is reported to be almost entirely covered with water, save for ice caps on the poles, and scattered islands. Storms frequently sweep the planet, sometimes causing Gateway Island to be completely covered in water. Out of necessity, the base on Gateway Island is underwater. Limited contact has been made with the "natives" -- a species of "mer-cats" with Khatta-like features, but lower bodies resembling the tails of dolphins or porpoises.

Ashtoreth has one moon. The native name for it is unpronuncable in Sinaian tongues, and roughly translates to "the moon".

The city is truly ancient, records indicating that it was founded millenia ago, and new buildings have been repeatedly built upon the ruins of others, to the point where the metropolis consists now of towering spires and ziggurats, interconnected by stone bridges and aqueducts to bear water from the mountain peaks.

The largest structure by far is the Great Tower, Babel, which is forever under construction. It is a measure of a ruler's power how much he can add to the tower's girth and height, and over time it has expanded outward to consume older portions of the city. Officially, no one actually lives in the Tower. It is a structure of religious (and political) significance, and a statement of the power and age of the Ashdodite civilization. Many of the battles fought in Babel are between warring construction crew factions, over matters of building and resources to be used. Babel is sometimes known as the "City of Strife", for "gang wars" are commonplace, especially in the shadowed and ruinous "Streets Below" in the forgotten lower levels that have been built upon with each succeeding generation.

For millenia, the ruler of Babel (and, by extension, the ruler of Ashdod, at least in title), was known as the Sabaoth, which means "Almighty". After the War of the Plaguebringers, in which Babel was soundly defeated during a raid on Rephidim, the Sabaoth's reign ended, and he was succeeded by the first High Prince of Babel, Boghaz bar Sabaoth.

One of the Seven Sisters, major goddesses of the Babelite pantheon.

Although the exact "birth order" of the Seven Sisters is in question, Barada is traditionally held to be the youngest of the seven, though this doesn't exempt her from her fair share of bloodshed and mayhem. She is the matron of spies and seers, but also of those keeping secrets ... so she's also seen as a matron of thieves, at times, and she's also been strongly associated with wealth. Supplication is made to Barada in hopes that she will reveal secrets ... or make sure that they are kept. Businessmen often seek her blessing on their businesses ... or protection from thieves. Barada is a bit of a mischief-maker, sometimes choosing to reveal an otherwise perfectly-kept secret, just for the sake of stirring things up. Thus, when there is an unexplained "leak" of information, it is common to blame Barada's trouble-making.

It is believed by many that the priestesses of Barada controlled a vast spy network that (for the most part) served the Sabaoth of Babel, mostly for the purpose of keeping tabs on the Houses of Babel and their activities.

Mount Barada is also a location outside Babel, where there is a shrine built to the goddess of the same name.

The rune representing Barada in Babelite script is also known as the "Golden Key".

The Bazaar is best known for its everchanging nature, as booths tend to get put up or torn down daily, and a significant portion of the shopkeepers are the erratic and highly motivated Kavi. However, there are also a few more permanent storefronts, set up in old ruined buildings, serving as both residences and businesses, since there are no zoning laws to speak of in this area.

The most noteworthy landmark of the Bazaar is the Clock Tower, visible from most any part of the area. The architecture of the Bazaar is greatly varied, a result of ages of being built and rebuilt, falling into ruin, then being modified to suit the needs of those who have reclaimed it in recent times for the purpose of making sales. There are buildings built upon buildings, and bridges that span streets and connect upper levels together, turning the Bazaar into a confusing maze in some quarters, best navigated by those with guides - or with wings.

Many of the storefronts tend to "ghettoize", as evidenced by "Little Babel" - a cluster of stores and booths catering to Eeee clientele, which tends to move about the Bazaar any given day.

Of little importance in the greater scheme of things, they are not widely known of outside of the Savan, merely another Forbidden Zone for airship captains to avoid. But to those who live near, the Beast Lands are a place viewed with fear and dread, said to be an accursed ground where not only technology but magic becomes dangerous to try to use. Furthermore, it is said that children born in the Beast Lands will be born with the minds of savage beasts, lacking even the refinement of many nonsapient predators.

Tales are told of cannibalistic, mindless savages that prey upon the unwary who wander too far into this vaguely defined zone ... and of cruel pirates who are bold enough to use this land to hide their base of operations.

Access has been made possible by the Gateway Tower, and scouts have reported that Behemoth is actually a gaseous giant surrounded by a sparse "cage" formed by a network of mind-bogglingly long tunnels fashioned of stone and Sifran crystal. The tunnels themselves somehow support an atmosphere and gravity comparable to that of the surface of Sinai. Levels of Quantum Uncertainty are such that neither magic nor sophisticated technology is known to work here.

In the Olympian Pantheon, Behemoth is also the name of a god of earth, the mountains, of metal-working, and of strength, depicted as a huge and muscular Kattha.

Blakat is the name of one of the Seven Sisters of the mythos of Babel, known as the Goddess of Conflict, often as the Goddess of Murder, and sometimes invoked as a Goddess of War. She is a matron of mercenaries, and is also seen as a matron of bandits and brigands, for in legend she is depicted as frequently being envious of others' possessions and taking them by force.

Blakat is also regarded as the "Mad Goddess", and is strongly associated with insanity at times. At times, there have been attempts by outsiders to portray her favorably as a matron of soldiers, but this is contrary to the Babelite mythos, in that they see the universe as naturally chaotic and unfair, and thus their gods and goddesses are fundamentally flawed and are appeased more than truly worshipped.

Blakat is depicted as a wild-haired, wild-eyed, mad-looking female Eeee with a fierce countenance, in torn clothes and pieces of mismatched armor, often carrying a cruel-looking weapon of exotic shape. She is frequently (but not always) depicted as having red hair and/or red fur; she is said to bathe in the blood of her enemies.

Blakat is also the name of a mountain in the range of the "Seven Sisters" near Mount Dronnel, outside the city of Babel. It is home to a shrine devoted to her name, and it is said that every pebble on the mountain represents a drop of blood shed in her name.

Priestesses of Blakat are taught some martial skills, and many of them serve as mercenaries for those who make especially large "donations" to the sisterhood. Of the Yodhblakat (Daughters of Blakat), many are trained to become the Slakash - the Poison Women - warrior priestesses who are best known for their practice of working themselves into berserk frenzies when entering combat.

The rune that represents Blakat in Babelite script is also known as "The Dagger", though it's often given a more descriptive adjective, such as "The Bloody Dagger" or "The Crimson Dagger".

Locations of note within Bosch's borders would include the Crystal Tower, the Plains of Change (and Citadel of Change), the Cascades of Fire ... and a lone oasis of relative safety, the monastery known as the "Sanctuary of Gears" (or "Sanctuary of Order") located on its western end, connected by a mountain pass to Gallis.

2) The language of the nation of Chronotopia, a fairly "industrialized" land on the surface of Sinai, on the northern part of Ai, bordering Titania, the Vykarin Wastes and Sylvania. As for why the language of Chronotopia would be named after its greatest enemy, only the monk historians of the Celestial Order might know for sure, but legends hint at a time when Bosch was not quite the land of horrors that it is now.

Along the coastline, the land is very level and low, such that tides will flood many square kilometers during certain seasons. During this time, land-bound creatures will congregate in "islands" formed by debris caught about the bases of cageroot trees, and larger mounds of earth that remain more or less dry in the deluge (even though the water may only be a few inches deep in most of the areas affected).

On the western edge of Bromthen, where the capitol -- Bromthen City -- is located, Sea Serpent Nagas and amphibious Jingas can be found in abundance. The area is overseen by a governor, assisted by a small bureaucracy of officials. (Titles of various offices in Bromthen government can be misleading, often having no connection to what functions would be traditionally associated with such a title. Titles of offices tend to "mutate" over time.)

The sky island of Caroban moves erratically about the globe, making it difficult to find except for those with magical powers - or those who meet up with it at prescribed points, as Chaos Mages and Seers occasionally predict its movements and make this knowledge available for those who would visit to seek the College's services.

The island itself is devoted to the College, a significant portion taken up by classroom buildings, laboratories, offices and dormitories, though there are also some open grounds (primarily for practice), and a small area devoted to living quarters for the support staff. There are also guest rooms for visiting alumni who occasionally have business on Caroban, distributed amongst the grounds of the various Spheres.

Bosch is by no means a tourist location (except perhaps for the pilgrims to the Sanctuary of Order) but one of its sites more legendary to outsiders would be the Cascades of Fire, located near its border with Chronotopia, near the Living Gates. The Cascades look like numerous "waterfalls" of liquid fire, visible for a great distance across the blighted valleys of Bosch. It is believed that the touch of the Cascades can destroy even the most potent of magical devices, and hence some quests have been undertaken by Landsknechts or Knights Templar to have some evil artifact destroyed by dropping it into the Cascades. (Even if it weren't so, no one is likely to go fishing into the Cascades to retrieve it!)

Slavery is illegal in Chronotopia, and for a long time, Savanites were simply not permitted, as the leadership did not want to become a haven for runaway slaves and possibly spark conflict with the major powers of Sinai. However, with the recognition of Xenea, the collapse of the Nagai Empire, and the end of slavery in Rephidim, this policy has been rescinded.

Nagai and many other beings more often found in warmer climates are fairly rare in this area, given its northern location, but otherwise the nation has a fairly diverse mix of races - primarily human, Korv, Cervani, Rhian, and a strain of black Khatta.

Despite this, it has a tendency to display xenophobia and even a bit of fascism at times in its dealings with outsiders. While Chronotopia relies heavily on machinery and showcases myriads of great clock towers, it is no more advanced than steam power, and even that is highly unreliable due to quantum uncertainties on the surface of the planet. In recent years, though, significant advances have been made, especially with the advent of contact with civilizations on Abaddon and the greater availability of Abaddonian iron.

The language of Chronotopia is Bosch (oddly enough, the same name as Chronotopia's worst enemy, the Forbidden Zone to the south) although Rephidim Standard is in wide usage.

Eventually, the actual City of Hands was discovered by an expedition sponsored by the Rephidim Temple, but it was believed to be destroyed later. For a time, it served as a secret haven for escaped Savanite slaves, ruled over by a mutant leader alternately known as Third-Vision, Third-Eye, or Jezebel. Eventually, the City of Hands no longer maintained its secrecy, and openly proclaimed its existence as a place for free Savanites, but it was overrun in 6099 RTR by the forces of the Nagai Empire, and destroyed.

In recent years, there have been attempts by the people of the newly formed independent state of Xenea to restore the City of Hands, though not necessarily to inhabit it again. Replicas of some of the more noteworthy structures of the City of Hands can be found in the port city of Safar, in the theme park known as Safarland.

See also: Air, Sphere of; Earth, Sphere of; Fire, Sphere of; Water, Sphere of; Light, Sphere of; Shadow, Sphere of; Mind, Sphere of; Dream, Sphere of; Chaos, Sphere of; Life, Sphere of; Spirit, Sphere of; Illusion, Sphere of.

"Dagh" also figures into colorful phrases and exclamations such as "Dagh's dentures!" or names of forboding locations, or strange rock formations, such as "Dagh's Tower".

Somewhat controversially, Dagh is also recognized as the name of a recently discovered eleventh planet in the Primus System, associated with the Sphere of Illusion (Illusion, Sphere of). However, an explorer dubbed the planet "Quicksilver", and since this name is not considered a foul word in any known language or culture, it is often used as an alternate name for the world. Presently, little is known of this planet, save that it is accessible through the Gateway Tower and that it appears to be a reflective orb.

While Darkside is ostensibly under the authority of the Temple, in reality it is nearly autonomous. For a time, it was in effect ruled by a crime lord known as "Faraon the Friend" - a golden dragon that resided in the Jade Palace (also known as "Faraon's Dome"), in Underside - the flip side of Rephidim. However, a concerted military assault following the kidnapping of the Captain-Astromancer resulted in the destruction of Faraon's base of power, and forced his flight from Rephidim. Now, it seems that Darkside's crime organizations are crushed, divided into petty factions squabbling over territory, since Faraon had succeeded in crushing the other major power years before - the Assassins' Guild.

Officially, the Desolate Band was once part of the Nagai Empire, though it never had much physical presence at all there.

In addition to the harsh climate, the Desolate Band is also well known for the various types of non-sapient reptiles that roam this region, many reaching legendary sizes (and degrees of ferocity). Fortunately, they're also known for being incredibly stupid.

Innermost was the Marketplace, encircled by the wealthy quarter. That in turn was surrounded by the city walls, just outside of which could be found the middle-class ring. Around this was a canal which separated it from the "Squatter" ring and outlying farms.

Presently, Elamoore has been replaced by a large quantity of red rock, part of the Red Cliffs, and the Coldwater River has been diverted, flowing around the base of the plateau. The actual city of Elamoore was discovered to be displaced to the planet of Abaddon, where it remains in the center of the Pit of Himar. Back in Himar, a new settlement has sprung up, known as New Elamoore, though it is only a shadow of its predecessor, and is dominated by the Khattan Emirate.

It is notable for having a mostly flat surface, save for a large plateau-like mountain in the center with a bowl-shaped valley in its center, filled with various types of vegetation.

In recent years, the Order of the Bounded Star and Anchor - the Knight Templar order - has moved its base of operations to this sky island, in a schism with the hierarchy of the Rephidim Temple, from its former base of operations at Golgotha.

Fetiss Sky Island is generally attributed as being discovered by the controversial explorer, Bassai of Nijushiho Institute, which prompted him to be granted an even more controversial boon by the Nagai Emperor-Potentate. It has later been revealed that a confrontation occurred between a Knight Templar of the Magenta Lance, Thorn, and Bassai, as the Knight Templar had placed a flag claiming the island for the Rephidim Temple. While the Templar's back was turned, a Nagai doctor accompanying Bassai, by the name of Fetiss, attacked the Templar, biting her neck through a gap in her armor. In the end, both Lancer and Naga died, and Bassai covered up the incident, reporting that they had both been killed by Babelite forces, and having the island named after the deceased Fetiss.

On the ground, there isn't necessarily anything special at all ... except that the persons known as "Exiles", when they arrive on Sinai, show up somewhere within these Zones, by some mysterious means.

Forbidden Zones vary greatly in size, some of the more noteworthy (and especially large) ones including Shabar, Aeztepa, Bosch, the Forbidden Zone of Mount Dronnel, and Xenea Canyon (site of the City of Hands). Other Zones have been discovered, among other places, in the Vykarin Wastes, the Wandering Roams, the Himaat, Himar, and the Desolate Band.

Fortunatis is one of the worlds that has been visited through the Gateway Tower, and it is reported that its surface does indeed change regularly, and it is deemed so unstable that it has been declared quarantined by authority of the Rephidim Temple. (The Kampfzengruppe and the Khattan Emirate are more in a position to have authority over the Gateways, but it seems that they have agreed with the Temple's assessment on this matter, as no further expeditions have gone there, to anyone's knowledge.)

The planet is strongly associated with matters of luck and fate and is a factor in all sorts of popular attempts at telling portents of the future. Its "official" name changes regularly, as determined by the Sphere of Chaos (Chaos, Sphere of), to which it has special meaning. However, since the average citizen isn't able to or interested in keeping up with these seemingly random name changes, it is commonly known as "Fortunatis".

Fortunatis is also one of many names for the god of luck (good and ill) and wealth, in the Olympian Pantheon. Fortunatis is often depicted as a "trickster god", though in myth he seems to compete with Ariel for this role.

Gallis' culture is ostensibly a democracy, but, in practice, it is a sham of a republic, actually dominated by an elite aristocracy. Its populace is dominated by various "dog" races found in breeds that correspond to dog breeds found on our own Earth, continued by a very rigid legal structure that greatly regulates marriage. Those who are born outside of these strictures are seen as "mongrels" or "mutts" and make up the very lowest classes of the peasants, given very little concern -- or rights. Presently, the upper class is dominated by poodles and a small consortium of other breeds, as well as the peacock- like Kujaku who can be found in positions of authority here and there. (Gallis is very big on outward appearances, and Kujakus simply look wonderful by Gallisian standards.)

Culture-wise, Gallis borrows heavily from what would on Earth be pre-Revolutionary France, with a bit of the pseudo-medieval and even the more recent thrown in. Art is highly valued there, and much wealth goes into museums and monuments. The most celebrated of Gallis' warriors are the Chevaliers (mounted warriors) and the Cuirassiers (armored foot warriors), notable for their extravagantly decorated armor and caparisoned drokar mounts -- and high-class notions of chivalry. (Unfortunately, this does not include respect toward the lower classes...)

While Rephidim Standard is in use in some areas, Gallisian is the language of choice here.

Little is known of what is inside the fortification, but it is said that the main chamber is dominated by a glowing pool of fire, and that the walls sport randomly placed stained glass windows bearing the crests of all of the Aspects ever created for the Order.

Now, Golgotha is still used as training grounds for use by the Order, but its base of operations has moved to the sky island of Fetiss, after a schism with the Rephidim Temple.

(alternate spelling: Gurphat - guhr-FAHT)

Gorphat is the Goddess of Affliction, and is displayed as a gaunt, thin woman, and is typically portrayed in myth as being very lazy and slothful - a trait often exploited by her sisters to their advantage. While her realm is primarily disease, she is also often associated with famine and pestilence as well.

Sacrifices are made to her in hopes of staving off disease, or in the hopes of bringing it to the households of enemies. Due to the habit of her priestesses of conducting Purges in the Undercity, she is also associated with the Sphere of Fire (Fire, Sphere of) in some myths.

Gorphat is also the name of a mountain outside of Babel, where a shrine to the goddess of the same name is located. Some of the priestesses practice magic of a sub-set of the Sphere of Life (Life, Sphere of), focusing on the aspect of Disease.

The rune that represents Gorphat in Babelite script is known as "The Wound", and it also frequently used as a symbol for Life Magic focusing on the aspect of Disease.

One noteworthy feature of the weather of the area is what has been called "Levitha's Shroud" -- a thick fog that rolls in to blanket the valley on a regular basis. The Pearl, also called "The Basin", is another mysterious feature of the area, populated by wildly mutated (and often overgrown) beasts.

The "capitol" of the Hekoye Nation is Ihtoli Maqahamok, a meeting place located up in the mountains, and not claimed by any one of the tribes.

The largest city of Himaat is Abu Dhabi, a port city located on the shore of the Sea of Himaat, and the capitol of the Khattan Emirate. Another settlement of note is the town of Gateway, built up around the Gateway Tower. Less visited is the near-legendary city of Noh, home to a large settlement of the reclusive and mutated Nohbakim, and the mysterious Earth Tower, also known as the Tower of Barabbas.

Himar is a largely forested and partially mountainous region located in the middle of the continent of Ai, north of Himaat and south of the nations of Nordika. Tizbar borders it on the east, while the Seaborne Reach is adjacent, to the west. To the northeast is the Sea of Ice, a large glacier, and smaller glaciers feed its rivers. (Himar represents extremes of climate, as it is possible to go from glacier to desert in a walking journey while going across it.)

The capitol of Himar is New Elamoore, a settlement located close to the Red Cliffs - a large red plateau formed of Abaddonian earth transplanted to Sinai when the "Boomer" was dropped by Babel on the city of Elamoore. Due to the devastation wrought by this ordeal, Himar has fallen under the influence of the Khattan Emirate, and is now part of the Emir's considerable empire.

Himar is frequently underneath or close to the path of the movements of the sky island of Rephidim, and therefore has frequent dealings with it. There is no particular "dominant species" in Himar, as a wide number of species can be found there, especially in the vicinity of Elamoore.

Most associated with Himar are Himarian Jupani (Jupani, Himarian), also known as "Feral Jupani". There are also some fauna associated with Himar, such as the gooshurm and the graker, but non-anthropomorphic "Terran" type animals are fairly common in the wilderness areas here.

In Olympian legend, Ikara was a female Solus or else a Kattha who had bargained with a mage to gain wings, who had become obsessed with the Sun God Primus, and failed to gain his notice - for he was a god, and she a mere mortal. She flew so high, chasing after the Sun God in his flaming sky-ship, that she drew too close and caught aflame, plummeting to the ground.

In later, more popular versions of the tale, the gods had mercy on Ikara and raised her from the ashes anew, and she now can be seen on occasion, chasing after the sun, observed as a phenomenon known in other cultures as a "sun dog". Thus, she is often associated with the imagery of rebirth and of the phoenix.

Also the name of a town in Olympia, where a shrine has been built to Ikara next to a small temple of Primus. There, Ikara is revered as a goddess, albiet not of the original pantheon.

Inala is the most popular of the Seven Sisters, and portrayed as the most beautiful of the group, and is generally regarded as being the oldest. She is a complete hedonist, and myths featuring her are the least suitable reading for impressionable minds. She is sometimes presented as a "Goddess of Love" for the benefit of outsiders, but such sugar-coating does little justice to how she is portrayed in myth. Quite often, it involves some mortal catching her attentions, and she "blesses" this mortal with all manner of gifts ... and then ends up destroying the mortal in the end. So many Babelites apparently still see this as a great way to go, and Inala is the one goddess of the Seven Sisters most truly worshipped rather than merely appeased.

Inala is also the name of a mountain just outside of Babel, and home to a "shrine" to the goddess of the same name -- in practice, a brothel where all manner of vices are performed, many of them quite unspeakable. The "Children of Inala" are priests and priestesses born and bred into the service of this goddess, and cannot leave the priesthood except by death. It is a whispered rumor that those who are born to the "Children" who are ugly or deformed in any way are offered up as sacrifices. Those who are not "perfect" but still "usable" are sold off to the various Houses as child servants.

The rune that represents Inala in Babelite script is also known as "The Flower".

Jadai is dominated by and mostly populated by Kirigai. The capitol city of Jashin, located on the western side of the island, and thus closer to Nagai City, is also the location of the major port of the island.

It is home to a self-contained artificial environment, replete with gardens and waterfalls, and luminescent varieties of plant life. In the aftermath of Faraon's defeat in 6104 RTR, it is presently in the hands of the Rephidim Temple.

However, in the fallout of the Alliance Wars, the Khattan Emirate - which chose to remain neutral in the conflict - has grown in prosperity and influence, in large part due to its alliance with the Kampfzengruppe of Abaddon, and its control over Sinai's Gateway Tower in the Himaat Desert. With the displacement of Elamoore, the Emir wielded considerable political and economic influence in neighboring Himar, to the point that Himar has now been annexed. The small area of Tizhar is considered to be under the influence of the Emirate as well, and the mountainous country of Kilmanjar is under the Emir's sway as well.

The Khattan Emirate is dominated by the feline Khatta and Kattha races, though with a large presence of the Zerda people as well. Due to the alliance with the Kampfzengruppe of Abaddon, there are many humans that may be found in the domains of the Emirate now as well, and there is an especially diverse racial distribution in the annexed lands of Himar. While there are many Nohbakim nomads in the Himaat Desert, they are considered riff-raff, and not true and loyal subjects of the Emir. As various events have led to greater association between certain of the Nohbakim people and the outside world, however, this may be a changing factor.

With the collapse of the Nagai Empire, the Khattan Emirate has exerted considerable influence over this territory, freely moving in and out, and making use of its natural resources, though it has not been formally annexed as a territory. There are also settlements of Savanites here, though there are no definite "native races" or any political structure beyond village leadership.

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.

In the Olympian Pantheon, Logos is also the name of the God of Knowledge, also deemed a God of Wisdom, though there is some discrepancy in myths as to whether Logos or Primus would be the wisest of the gods. (In fact, there are a number of myths in which they engage in contests to determine which one is the wiser.)

Legendary underground kingdom of a bygone age, with borders supposedly matching that of present-day Kroz. Ruins can be found in the wilderness of Kroz, attributed to this ancient culture of a kingdom supposedly ruled by Skreeks. Some adventurers and treasure-hunters are drawn to Kroz in hopes of finding one of these entrances, and fighting off monsters and traps in order to retrieve ancient treasures, but the known entrances have pretty much been picked over by now.

In legend, Morpheus is also the name of the God of Dreams, without any specific form (though, due to the predominance of the Olympian mythos, traditionally portrayed as a grey-furred Kattha).

However, there has been a recent rebirth of interest in the long-forgotten God of Dreams, as several Dream Mages have claimed to have seen Morpheus during their rituals. This God of Dreams is described as appearing as a dark silhouette in the shape of a winged Khatta with large ears.

In recent years, the Gateway Tower provided access to the planet Morpheus. The Rephidim Temple began attempts to map the planet, but this was frustrated by its everchanging nature. Reports indicate that the planet has a breathable atmosphere despite having a low gravity that shouldn't be able to sustain it. Furthermore, it is covered in grey silt which drifts about in clouds, requiring some sort of air filter to be worn while on the planet. Strange structures of "molten crystal" and stone rise and fall on occasion, and sometimes defy gravity, while the air is filled with the quiet sounds of chiming melodies from time to time.

Further exploration has been frustrated by a large crystal growth that formed about the Gateway Tower on Morpheus, effectively trapping it, and preventing exit from the Crystal Chamber there.

1. The term for the collective people known as "the Nagai", reptiloids that resemble snakes, but have semi-humanoid upper torsos, with two arms. Sometimes, the term is abused to refer to other, non-snake-like reptiloids often associated with the Nagai.
2. Short for "Nagai Empire". Refers to the collection of territories with boundaries that equal that of the Savan Territories (with the exception that Fetiss Sky Island is considered part of the Nagai Empire, yet it is not part of the Savan).
3. Major territory of the Nagai Empire, located on the east coast of the Savan Territories.
4. Capitol city (more specifically known as Nagai City) of the Nagai Empire, located within the Nagai Territory, on the east side of the Savan Territories.

The main territories encompassed in this region would include:

Of these lands, the Vykarin Wastes form a border to the north, blending into the Wandering Roams to the north and east. Chronotopia's northern border touches that of the Vykarin Wastes, and it also has Titania bordering it on the east. (Titania also borders the Vykarin Wastes.) Bosch is to the south of Chronotopia and Titania, bordering both lands in places, being located in a range of mountains that runs through both countries.

Olympia would be a long-forgotten "backwater" surface country, except for two related factors. First of all, once upon a time, it was a very influential cultural center, to the point where, for a time, Olympian became a major trade language in the region, rivalling the use of Rephidim Standard. Parthos is held by some to be the "birthplace" of the "modern" understanding of how magic works. Second, Parthos is somewhat of a tourist attraction for the wealthy and well-travelled, since its scenic ruins harken back to a bygone era of glory and power.

Olympia is dominated by Katthas, though it also has a large number of Khattas as well. Olympian is the official native language, but Rephidim Standard is also in wide usage -- especially in the capitol city of Parthos.

The structure itself would resemble a great gear, if it could be viewed from above, and is a well-fortified place, built on consecrated grounds, and defended by a dedicated order of monks and mages. The Bronze Lance of the Knights Templar of the Order of the Bounded Star and Anchor is based here, led by the Champion of Order (also known as the Champion of Gears).

In very recent history, Paradys has been rediscovered, though it is still hard to reach, and it has been revealed that a Sphinx colony (half-Vartans who insist on calling themselves Vartans) has long been on there ... along with a colony of jaguar-morphs which, unfortunately, were almost entirely destroyed.

Pilgrims' Road is a path that cuts through a mountain pass from Gallis to the Sanctuary of Order, just into the edge of the Forbidden Zone of Bosch.

This path is regularly patrolled by warrior-priests from a number of different sects who share a desire to combat the madness of Bosch -- While they can't drive back Bosch, they maintain a series of wards and shrines set along this road, which seem to be sufficient to hold at bay the bulk of the horrors of Bosch. However, safety cannot be guaranteed for travelers on this road, so the pilgrims who brave the horrors of Bosch to visit the Sanctuary of Order most often travel in large caravans.

Pilgrims are warned not to stray from the path, despite the trickery that Bosch may throw at them: temptations, terrors, or attempts to cause confusion. The only solace is that, for whatever reason, Bosch cannot replicate the image of the Sanctuary of Order, nor of the wards and shrines that can be found along the path. For some, it is not the stay at the Sanctuary which is the true objective of the pilgrimage ... but rather the passing of the trials presented by the journey itself.

The Red Cliffs form a high plateau that is nearly impossible to scale by most land-bound creatures without the assistance of airships. (Winged creatures, of course, have a distinct advantage.) Rumor has it that the top of the plateau is littered with huge chunks of ruined metal machinery, making this area a target of treasure-hunters from all over the globe. Rumor also has it that magic is suppressed or even nonexistent here, and that this may be a new Forbidden Zone.

Rephath is the Goddess of Vengeance, one of the Seven Sisters of Babelite mythology. It is also the name of a mountain in a range ringing the city of Babel, the mountain being dedicated to the goddess of the same name, and having a shrine on it with her priestesses.

Rephath is a matron of vigilantes, and myths involving her of course deal with matters of revenge, being routinely quite violent. At times, officials of Ashdod have attempted to portray Rephath in a more positive light as a matron of law enforcement officials, but this is only done by completely ignoring the particulars of established mythos.

Rephath is traditionally depicted as a grey female Eeee - idealized as with most Babelite goddesses - with hair bound back in a long braid, and dyed markings in her fur, including variations upon her personal rune. She is often shown holding a set of scales, typically tipped to one side, and she is also often depicted with a large, double-bladed axe.

The rune that represents Rephath in Babelite script is also known as "The Balance".

Rephidim is the most technologically advanced of any of the known Sinai cultures, largely due to the fact that magic is suppressed by approximately 75% (by most measures) here, and that technology is more reliable than down on the surface of the world.

While Rephidim is a bustling city, it is also home to well-entrenched corruption and crime. The seediest portion of the city is referred to as Darkside, and is almost a city unto itself.

At an altitude of 10,000 feet ASL, the air is thin and cold ... but due to a localized phenomenon, the atmosphere immediately around Rephidim is breathable and of a moderate temperature. In essence, the area around Rephidim is a permanent weather front, and its arrival as it meanders across Sinai is often heralded by storms on the surface.

Its heart consists of wide open plains, with a blighted streak across its middle known as the "Desolate Band", and is divided into numerous petty "kingdoms", but the whole of the area is largely dominated by the Nagai Empire, even if only by way of lip service. It is divided into several territories, including Kilmanjar, Xenea, Bromthen, Jadai and Nagai, and its major cities are Safar (in Xenea) and Nagai (in Nagai).

While the Safar is typically associated with wild, deadly beasts (and just as deadly plants) and hot temperatures, some of the regions (especially in Kilmanjar) as just as capable of being quite cold. In all, it's a varied region, not surprising, given its sheer size.

The largest settlements of note on the Seaborne Reach include the Akwani-kin Mangrove and Half Valley. It is also rumored that the kingdom of Stalwirland was once found in the mountainous regions. The largest river is the Levitha River, and on the west side of the Reach, at the mouth of this river, a crater island known as Levitha's Pearl is a major attraction for big game hunters from all over the globe.

1. Legend - In the Babelite/Ashdodite pantheon, the Seven Sisters are seven goddesses often featured in Babelite myths, frequently feuding with each other, or meddling in (and destroying) the lives of mortals. They include:
   Blakat - Goddess of Murder. Matron of Mercenaries.
   Inala - Goddess of Pleasure. The most popular of the goddesses in Babelite culture.
   Sunala - Goddess of Death. Matron of Assassins.
   Rephath - Goddess of Vengeance. Matron of Vigilantes.
   Gorphat - Goddess of Disease.
   Zakaro - Goddess of Sorcery. Matron of Mages.
   Barada - Goddess of Secrets. Matron of Spies.

2. Location - The "Seven Sisters" are also a range of mountains just outside of Babel, near Mount Dronnel. Each mountain is named after one of the Sisters, and has a shrine to that particular goddess, which is accessed by a winding path of broken red stone, flanked by fences on each side. Although Eeee are quite capable of flying, pilgrims are expected to walk the path up the mountain, for any other area not so designated is considered sacred. Exceptions are made for members of the priesthood and royalty, and military vessels are granted special sanction (with appropriate blessings) to be able to fly over the mountains if need be, in times of war.

Sheol is also the name of a lesser deity of the Olympian Pantheon, associated with death and ashes.

Among so many other odd features, Sinai is characterized by floating "sky island" structures, the largest of which is capable of sustaining Sinai's most powerful city, Rephidim. Magic is known and practiced on Sinai, and it is known that magical powers (and a phenomenon known as "quantum uncertainty) are stronger near the surface, but weaker up at the level of sky islands. They are sometimes even more powerful in certain regions, such as a Forbidden Zone. At the same time, where magic is more powerful, machinery -- especially more complex mechanisms -- tends to be less reliable.

A wide variety of creatures can be found on Sinai, including many sapient races so varied as to defy organized classification -- particularly due to the high incidence of mutation on the surface, and the occasional arrival of Exile races from other worlds.

Most of the surface is covered by oceans, but there are three major land mass groups: Ai, Ur and Lamu. The sky islands drift freely across the globe, following varying courses, most not bound to any particular continent or other geographical anchor.

Other sky islands of note would include: Paradys, Tarsus and Fetiss.

Although the sky islands tend to hover around 10,000 feet ASL, they sport localized phenomena that cancel out, to some degree, the very low air pressure that would be associated with such altitude. For this reason, the differences in air pressure often result in small atmospheric variances, such as clouds of mist which accompany the sky islands.

There is much disagreement about what governs the movement of the sky islands. For all intents and purposes, it appears that they are random. However, the Captain-Astromancer has long been held to be able to predict the course of Rephidim's movements, and there have been whispers among some circles of some sort of connection between the movements of the sky islands and that of celestial bodies.

Minor kingdom on the surface, once ruled by the line of Xante, south of the Nordika region, possibly near Half Valley on the Seaborne Reach. It fell into in-fighting a few generations ago, and even in its height had limited contact with the outside. It was reported to have limited use of technology or magic, and had no clearly dominant species in its population.

According to legend, this was the site of the conflict between King Xante and Lord Calderas, in which the Compass Rose was rumored to have been called in to deal with a confrontation over the minor fiefdom of Gessershire -- and in which the Compass Rose also purportedly met its doom. Given the legends that have sprung up around the Compass Rose over the years, there are some who hold that the land of Stalwirland is fictitious.

Some of the fiefdoms believed to make up Stalwirland included Gessershire, Xanashire (site of the king's estate, Falcon's Watch), and Tectishire.

Sunala is the Goddess of Death, and a matron of assassins. She is believed to devour the souls of her prey, giving them utter annihilation rather than the afterlife. Nonetheless, sometimes condemned criminals or wounded soldiers will pray to her, begging her for a quick death, seeking annihilation rather than the horrible, slow deaths they expect to face.

Despite her role, Sunala is depicted as a beautiful woman (by Babelite standards), with beauty rivaling that of her older sister, Inala.

In Babelite myth, Sunala is the only goddess of the seven that is spared from ever being subjected to getting killed off at the hands of the others. It is suspected that if someone were to introduce a story that did portray Sunala as dying, he or she would receive a personal visit from some priestesses of Sunala intent on purging this "heresy".

Sunala is also the name of a mountain located outside Babel, which houses a shrine to the goddess of the same name. It is not much of a secret that the priestesses of Sunala are often hired to perform ritualistic assassinations, though their services generally do not take them outside of Babel itself, and they never act against the ruling house of Babel (i.e., the Sabaoth, the High Prince, the High Princess, or whomever might hold the throne).

The rune that represents Sunala in Babelite script is also known as "The Corpse".

As might be discerned from its name, Sylvania is full of forests, the bulk of its land still being untamed wilderness, though cultivated areas are dominated by farmlands. While most modern structures in Sylvania are wooden, it is known for its ancient castles, most of which are nothing but crumbling ruins today. Some decades ago, Sylvania was wracked by several disasters -- plaque, widespread fires, war and famine -- which decimated its population and crippled its ruling structures.

Sylvania shares Chronotopia's knack for having particularly foul weather, with sunny days being the exception. Its scattered populace is dominated by Rhians, Korvs and a subrace of the Eeee. Scavengers and raiders occasionally present a problem to Gallis and Chronotopia, and its government seems to have very little ability to control its own people, so it is not on good terms with any of its neighbors.

"Titanians" are dominated by a wolf-like race (known as "Titanians", even if not all Titanians are lupines), plantigrade, typically very large and exceptionally resilient, with large "manes" and "fetlocks" on their forearms and legs. Titanians have no native tongue, per se, other than a badly mangled version of Rephidim Standard, but they do have "Hammersong", a violent form of Morse Code, so to speak. While Titanians are typically seen as barbaric and stupid, they are actually mechanically talented in some areas, constructing giant machines ... which are never given a way to shut off, since they usually do so themselves (violently).

Titania is typically cold, with large patches of mostly barren (and crater-marked) land, marked by large networks of underground caverns.

There are, of course, persistent rumors of treasures to be found in these depths, but also of monsters and other dangers as well.

Most of Underside is barren rock and crystal structures, but there are also large patches of kyootcumber vines and other vegetation clinging tenaciously to the stalactite-like structures.

Small fiefdom located on the Seaborne Reach, in a mountainous region, isolated from the surrounding areas. Its capitol is Falcon's Watch, a ruined castle with a small village at its base.

Within a winding canyon on the Xenean River, the ancient City of Hands can be found, new home to the largest concentration of free Savanites to be found on Sinai. It was thought that the city was destroyed, but recent proclamations from the City have suggested otherwise. Since Xenea is under the jurisdiction of the Nagai Empire, this is a very controversial arrangement at best.

The only outpost of civilization to be found in Xenea (other than the City of Hands) is Safar, which lies along the Xenean River (the largest in the region). Safar, until recently, was the center of trade of Savanite slaves. Now, its primary focus is on tourism, and catering to rich nobles who come out to hunt the wild animals of the jungle. Still, this is not enough to sustain Safar's economy, and it is in considerable decline.

Zakaro is portrayed as a great mage amongst the Seven Sisters, even though they all exhibit miraculous powers as would be befitting to deities. She is associated with ancient, lost rituals ... but she is also seen as meddling in the spell-casting of mortals, causing spells to go awry when mortals displease her. As such, she may be reverred by Babelite mages, but offerings to her are more for the sake of appeasement and turning away her wrath than for seeking of any boons from her.

Zakaro is also the name of a mountain outside of Babel, which holds a shrine deciated to the goddess of the same name. Many of the priestesses of Zakaro are mages, focusing on the Sphere of Chaos. For the most part, the priestesses of Zakaro do not have approval from the College Esoterica, but they have traditionally been protected by Babelite law for their roles as priestesses.

The rune that represents Zakaro in Babelite script is also known as "The Magic Circle".