A Warrior's Knowledge

by Davis Ashura

  Fort and the Sword, the: All-male martial academy in Ashoka. Only open to Kummas. Established AF 121.

  Fragrance Wall: An area of manses and estates. It is the home to most Cherids.

  Garnet Bosde: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 1985 to Reoten and Preema Bosde. Completed five Trials before retiring at age thirty-four. One of Dar’El Shektan’s earliest supporters and a member of the House Council.

  Gelan Criatus: Caste Shiyen. Born AF 435 in Hammer. Widely considered the Nanna of modern medicine.

  Glory Stadium: Ashoka’s main stadium where the Tournament of Hume and other citywide events take place.

  Gren Vos: Caste Shiyen. Born AF 1975. She was a highly respected physician in her day, and is currently the longest serving Magistrate, having first been elected in AF 2021.

  Gris Holianth: Caste Shiyen. Born AF 2011. Owner of the Long Pull, a pub.

  Hal’El Wrestiva: Caste Kumma. House Wrestiva. Born AF 2000 as Halthin Bramer to Suge and Bryni Bramer of House Wrestiva. Completed eight Trials before retiring at age 36. Married to Kilwen nee Asthan in AF 2038 and widowed in AF 2049. Became the ruling ‘El of his House Wrestiva in 2046. Also is the SuDin of the Sil Lor Kum of Ashoka.

  High Army of Ashoka: Professional army of Ashoka made entirely of veterans of the Trials. Most of their ranks are filled out by Kummas, including the post of Liege-Marshall. Currently composed of two legions and a total of approximately 11,000 warriors.

  Hold Cavern: A quiet neighborhood of small homes and shops. It is home to many Rahails.

  Home Army: The Army of Stronghold.

  Home Senate: Highest governmental body in Stronghold with eleven members. There is one senator per Crofthold and the Governor-General.

  Senators:

  Nox Bitter: Represents Crofthold Babylin.

  Mix Ware: Represents Crofthold Primus.

  Brill River: Represents Crofthold Jonie. Oldest senator.

  Gourd Mille: Represents Crofthold Sharing.

  Thistle Rub: Represents Crofthold Lucent.

  Foil Leak: Represents Crofthold Ware.

  Shun Morn: Represents Crofthold Clannad.

  Drape Wilt: Represents Crofthold Cohesed.

  Frame Seek: Represents Crofthold Healed.

  Wheel Cole: Represents Crofthold Synthesis.

  Home Watch: Police force of Stronghold. The members are all veterans of the Home Army, with roughly five of them stationed in each of the ten Croftholds.

  House of Fire and Mirrors, the: All-male martial academy in Ashoka. Generally for Kummas but open to other Castes. Founded AF 216.

  Hume Telrest: Caste Kumma. Born AF 1702. He is universally regarded as the finest warrior in the history of Arisa, having completed twenty Trials. It is in his honor that the Tournament of Hume is held in every city throughout the world.

  Hungrove, the: A glaring of Shylows/Kesarin led by Aia’s nanna.

  Insufi blade: The sword given to a warrior during his upanayana ceremony.

  Ironwood: A fast growing tree known for its lightweight, hardy wood, which has properties similar to iron and is similarly fire resistant.

  Isle of the Crows: An island infamous for its black crows in Bar Try Bay. It is where the remains of traitors are left to rot. With the lack of a purifying pyre, such individuals are thought to lose Devesh’s grace, and are either punished within the unholy hells or shackled again to the wheel of life to be reborn in a position of impoverishment and suffering.

  Jared Randall: Caste Rahail. Born AF 2025. Completed three Trials. Caravan master of the caravan to Nestle. Suspected member of the Sil Lor Kum, although the proof is rather sparse.

  Jaresh Shektan: Caste Sentya. House Shektan. Born AF 2042 to Bresh and Shari Konias. His birth parents died in an apartment fire, and he was adopted by Darjuth (later to be Dar’El) and Satha Sulle. He is the only such individual ever adopted into a Kumma House who is himself not a Kumma.

  Jaciro Temult: Caste Shiyen. Born AF 2007. A disreputable Shiyen physician whose addiction to opium and alcohol resulted in the loss of his medical license. He is reputed to offer illicit medical services to those for whom discretion is of utmost importance.

  Jessira Viola Grey: OutCaste. Born AF 2042 to Sateesh and Crena Grey. Warrior of the Stronghold Home Army and a member of the Silversun scouts.

  Jivatma: Some believe this to be the body’s soul. It springs from a person’s Well like a waterfall and can be made richer and more vibrant through discipline and hard work.

  Jone Drent: Caste Duriah. Born AF 2005. He has the rare ability to both Cohese and DeCohese. He is the Duriah Magistrate.

  Jubilee Hills: An expansive area of rolling hills. It is home to Kummas.

  Kart Grey: OutCaste. Born AF 2028 to Sateesh and Crena Grey. Brother to Jessira Grey and Cedar Grey. Cousin to Court Deep and Sign Deep.

  Keemo Chalwin: Caste Kumma. House Dravidia. Born AF 2041 to Loriad and Mishal Chalwin. He is twenty-one years old at the time of his first Trial.

  Kesarin, the: See Shylows.

  Kezin: See Slayer.

  Krain Linshok: Caste Kumma. House Flood. Born AF 2003 to Halsith and Jennis Linshok. He has completed five Trials. He is the Kumma Magistrate.

  Kuldige Prayvar: Caste Kumma. Born AF 1825. Originally of House Trektim, he went on to found House Shektan in AF 1872. He was thereafter known as Kul’El Shektan. He is also a self-confessed member of the Sil Lor Kum, ruling them for a time as the SuDin.

  Larina, the: The only school of singing in Ashoka. Open only to Murans.

  Laya Grey: OutCaste. Born 2038. Wife of Cedar Grey and vadina to Jessira and Kart Grey and Court and Sign Deep.

  Layfind Fish Market: A raucous area of stores and booths near Trell Rue.

  Li-Charn: SarpanKum of the Fan Lor Kum at the time of Hammer’s Fall.

  Li-Dirge: SarpanKum of the Fan Lor Kum during the destruction of the caravan to Nestle.

  Li-Reg: SarpanKi to Li-Dirge and his crèche brother.

  Lighted Candle, the: Sentya academy given over entirely to the study of finance and accounting.

  Lin’El Kumma: Caste Kumma. Born into House Therbal on AF 1980. Completed six Trials and retired at age 34. Elected as the Arbiter of the Chamber of Lords on AF 2051, and thereafter took the surname ‘Kumma’.

  Lure Grey: OutCaste. Born AF 2044 to Sateesh and Crena Grey. Warrior of the Stronghold Home Army and a member of the Silversun Scouts.

  MalDin: The Servants of the Voice. The leaders of the Sil Lor Kum. Along with the SuDin, the six MalDin comprise the Council of Rule.

  Mesa Reed: Caste Cherid. Born AF 2017. She is one of the wealthiest women in the city, having earned her money through a combination of inheritance from her deceased husband and her own investments. She is a MalDin of the Sil Lor Kum.

  Mira Terrell: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 2042 to Janos and Sophy Terrell. She has recently completed her yearlong internship with House Suzay.

  Moon Quarter: Area of wharves, docks, and factories. By law, all manufacturing or industry, which might result in malodorous pollution, must be placed in the Moon Quarter. As such, it is an undesirable residential area.

  Moke Urn: Caste Sentya. Born AF 2020. He was born in relative poverty and obscurity but is brilliant when it comes to finances. He was given an opportunity to demonstrate his skills as a member of the Sil Lor Kum of which he is now a MalDin.

  Mon Peace: OutCaste. Born AF 2000. Governor-General of Stronghold. In his second term.

  Nape Pile: OutCaste. Born AF 2014. Major West of the Home Army of Stronghold. Second highest officer of the Army and answerable only to the Colonel and Governor-General.

  Night of Sorrows: The night when Suwraith was born and killed nearly half of all people living at the time.

  Nine Hills of Ashoka:Mount Creolite

  Mount Walnut

  Mount Channel

  Mount Crone

  Mount Cyan

  Mount Bright

  Mount Auburn

  Mount Equine

  Mount St
yle

  Oasis: A powerful manifestation, supposedly of Jivatma, which appeared suddenly and unexpectedly around certain cities of the First World just prior to Suwraith’s arrival. Over the ensuing two millennia, they have proven nearly impervious to Suwraith’s power. Rahails maintain the Oasis of a city through their Talent of Sharing, but how they manage this is a mystery even to them.

  Peddamma: Aunt as father or mother’s older brother’s wife or father or mother’s older sister.

  Peddananna: Uncle as father or mother’s older brother or father or mother’s older sister’s husband.

  Plaza of the Martyr: The largest public plaza in Ashoka. Also known as the ‘Heart of Ashoka’. It is famous for the Union Fountain.

  Plaza of Toll and Toil: The large plaza into which the Magisterium opens. Historically, it was where the contracts of indentured servants were auctioned.

  Poque Belt: Caste Sentya. Born AF 2018. He founded a forensic accounting service. Rumor has it he was elected Magistrate for his Caste simply so he could no longer audit the work of other Sentyas.

  Rector Bryce: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 2029 to Garnet and Maris Bryce. His parents divorced when he was twelve. Completed four Trials before retiring at age thirty-two. Member of Ashokan Guard as a lieutenant of the Fifth Platoon, Third Company, Second Brigade, Third Legion, and also a lieutenant in the City Watch.

  Ronin: A Kumma warrior expelled from his House. Other than being found Unworthy or given the Slash of Iniquity, nothing is more shameful.

  Rose and the Thorn, the: One of the schools of song in Ashoka. Open only to Sentyas.

  Rukh Shektan: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 2041 to Dar’El and Satha Shektan. He is twenty-one years old at the time of his first Trial. He is the first Virgin to win the Tournament of Hume.

  Sarath, the: Rahail academy in Ashoka. Students are instructed in both the maintenance of the Oasis and also trained as warriors.

  Sateesh Grey: OutCaste. Born 2008. Married to Crena Grey and nanna to Kart, Cedar, Jessira, and Lure. Adopted Court and Sign Deep.

  Satha Shektan: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 2019 to Mira and Rukh Aybar of House Shektan. Married Darjuth Sulle (later to be Dar’El) in AF 2039. She is as responsible for House Shektan’s rise in wealth and prestige as her husband. She is admired and loathed in equal measure by the other ruling ‘Els.

  School of Water, the: All-female Kumma academy in Ashoka. Established AF 153.

  Semaphore Walk: Ashoka’s theater district.

  Shield, the: Rahail academy in Ashoka. Focus is on the training of those sufficiently gifted to maintain the Oasis.

  Shir’Fen, the: Rahail military academy in Ashoka. Rigorous admission standards and instructors are a mix of Kummas and Rahails.

  Shoke: A wooden blade used in training and tournaments. It is blunted and possesses properties that allow it to produce as true a representation as possible of the damage inflicted by an edged weapon without actually causing permanent injury or death.

  Shylows: The great cats of the Hunters Flats. They grow to be over seven feet in height and twenty-five feet from nose-to-tail. They are feared for their great speed, power, and ability to see through Blends. The cats are extremely territorial and hunt in glarings, packs of forty-to-fifty. They name themselves the Kesarins.

  Sil Lor Kum: The Hidden Hand of Justice. They are the Human agents of Suwraith and are universally hated and despised. Many consider their existence to be a myth, although inexplicable setbacks are often attributed to the Sil Lor Kum.

  Sign Deep: OutCaste. Born 2042. Sister to Court Deep and cousin to Kart, Cedar, Jessira Grey.

  Slash of Iniquity: A judgment by the Kumma Chamber of Lords in which an individual is found to be deviant and traitorous. Such an individual is either executed with his remains left on the Isle of the Crows or in some instances, merely banished forthwith.

  Slayer, the: Leader of a glaring of Shylows. Also known as the Kezin.

  Society of Rajan: Legendary society originally founded by Raja, a Cherid, in Hammer who discovered The Book of First Movement. The Society has come to believe that The Book is the key to defeating Suwraith. Though the Society has failed in its mission of learning the secrets they claim is in The Book, nevertheless, they have spread to all the other cities of Arisa, where their influence and reputation is outsized to their actual numbers. The Society in each city is comprised of twenty-one active members: three from each Caste with an Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master. Since the Society members are chosen after they have proven their worth as influential and moral members of their Castes, they are generally in their thirties before they are first brought into the Society as Apprentices. Some Rajans do resign or retire, but this is rare, and such individuals are no longer allowed to vote on Society business.

  Current members:

  Caste Kumma:

  Master: Silma Thoran

  Journeyman: Dar’El Shektan

  Apprentice: Bravun Silan

  Caste Sentya:

  Master: Thrivel Nonel

  Journeyman: Shitha Krane

  Apprentice: Chima Plast

  Caste Duriah:

  Master: Jaka Moth

  Journeyman: Anian Elim

  Apprentice: Bove Moth

  Caste Rahail:

  Master: Grain Jola

  Journeyman: Lesur Mint

  Apprentice: Olin Treave

  Caste Shiyen:

  Master: Gren Vos

  Journeyman: Rassin Chin

  Apprentice: Nisin Mercus

  Caste Muran:

  Master: Ular Sathin

  Journeyman: Walid Greenvole

  Apprentice: Alms Soildrew

  Caste Cherid:

  Master: Sim Chilmore

  Journeyman: Diffel Karekin

  Apprentice: Minet Jorian

  Sophy Terrell: Caste Kumma. House Shektan. Born AF 2014 to Kolt and Versana Drathe of House Primase. Married Odonis Terrell of House Shektan in AF 2035. Member of the House Council.

  Sorrows of Hume, the: Aphorisms attributed to Hume Telrest.

  Spidergrass: A type of plant that grows best in temperate climates. It is used in the fashioning of items once made with metal. Duriah smiths claim it has tensile properties identical to the finest steel.

  Stone Cavern: A neighborhood of craft shops and manufacturing. It is where most Duriahs live.

  Stronghold: City of OutCastes founded in AF 1753 but the fifty-five survivors of Hammer’s Fall. The city is hidden in the Privation Mountains, deep within Mount Fort.

  Stronghold Government: The city is divided into ten Croftholds. Each Crofthold has its own Home Council. Within each Crofthold, the Home Councils have wide discretion in governance. The Home Senate is responsible for citywide issues, such as management of the Croft and defense.

  Additionally, each Council chooses a Senator to represent their interests in the Home Senate. There are ten Senators.

  The Governor-General is the highest elected official, and he elected every five years in a citywide election.

  Stryd Bosna: Caste Kumma. House Andthra. Born AF 2032 to Darjuth and Selese Bosna. Completed four Trials. He is the Captain of the caravan to Nestle.

  SuDin: The Voice who Commands. The leader of the Sil Lor Kum.

  Suge Wrestiva: Caste Kumma. House Wrestiva. Born AF 2040 to Hal’El and Kilwen Wrestiva. He has yet to be chosen for his first Trial. He remains a Virgin at the age of twenty-two. It is somewhat scandalous.

  Sunpalm Orchard: A wealthy, quiet neighborhood of stately townhomes and small craft shops. It is home to many Shiyens.

  Suwraith: A murderous being of wind and storm who suddenly exploded into existence two thousand years ago. Her only desire seems to be the extinction of Humanity. Her origin is a mystery, although the Baels claim that She was the Daughter of the First Mother and First Father, murdering them on the Night of Sorrows. The Fan Lor Kum name Her Mother Lienna. Humanity also names her the Bringer of Sorrows or the Queen of Madness.

  Talents: Sk
ills possessed by individuals of various Castes, each one unique to a Caste.

  Tanner’s School of Animal Husbandry: Shiyen school of veterinary medicine.

  Trial: The holy duty in which warriors leave the safety of an Oasis and enter the Wildness in order to defend a caravan, even if it costs them their lives.

  Trell Rue: A fashionable neighborhood of artisan shops and restaurants.

  Triumph Court: Plaza surrounding the Glory Stadium.

  Ular Sathin: Caste Muran. Clan Balm. Born AF 1989. Completed two Trials before retiring at age twenty-eight. He was a well-to-do farmer before selling his property to other members of his Clan. He is a MalDin of the Sil Lor Kum.

  Unworthy: A designation by which a Kumma is felt to be a coward and/or morally compromised. Such an individual is banished from the city.

  Upanayana ceremony: Ceremony that consecrates a boy to his duties as a man. It involves two days and two nights of fasting and praying in solitude and silence. In the case of Kummas and other warriors, it is followed by the granting of the Insufi blade at dawn.

  Vadina: Sister-in-law (brother’s wife or husband’s sister). In contrast to maradalu, which is sister-in-law as a wife’s sister.

  Varesea Apter: Caste Rahail. Born AF 2019. Married to Slathtril Apter. She is a member of the Sil Lor Kum.

  Verchow College of Medicine: One of the two Shiyen medical colleges in Ashoka.

  Well: The place within an individual wherein Jivatma resides. Some believe the Well is simply another word for consciousness, and from consciousness, Jivatma springs forth.

  Wildness, the: The vast area beyond the borders of the cities and their Oases.

  Word and the Deed, the: Author unknown. It is a sacred text written prior to the fall of the First World. Over time, it has supplanted The Book of All Souls as the main source of religious scripture within the world.

  Yuthero Gaste: Caste Shiyen. Born AF 2025. He is one of the youngest professors of Surgery at Alminius School of Medicine. He is also a MalDin of the Sil Lor Kum.

  About the author

  Davis Ashura is a legend … in his own mind. He resides in North Carolina, sharing a house with his wonderful wife who somehow overlooked Davis’ eccentricities and married him anyway. As proper recompense for her sacrifice, Davis then unwittingly turned his wonderful wife into a nerd-girl. To her sad and utter humiliation, she knows exactly what is meant by ‘Kronos’. Living with them are their two rambunctious boys, both of whom have at various times helped turn Davis’ once lustrous, raven-black hair prematurely white (it sure sounds prettier than the dirty gray it actually is). And of course, there are the obligatory strange, strays cats (all authors have cats — it’s required by the union). They are fluffy and black with terribly bad breath. When not working — nay laboring — in the creation of works of fiction so grand that hardly anyone has read a single word of them, Davis practices medicine, but only when the insurance companies tell him he can.