The Doom of Kings: Legacy of Dhakaan - Book 1

by Don Bassingthwaite

  lhesh: Goblin for “high warlord.” In time of the Dhakaani Empire, a lhesh was a general given command of the empire’s armies for a set period of time. In modern times, Haruuc has adopted the term as the title of the ruler of Darguun.

  lhesh shaarat: A class of goblin weaponry so finely-forged that they are recognized as suitable only for the greatest warriors. “Lhesh shaarat” means “warlord’s sword,” and the act of drawing one is a claim to power.

  lhevk-rhu: “Skilled warlord,” the third highest formal rank in Darguun’s army. A lhevk-rhu is outranked only by a lhevket (“elder warlord”) or the lhesh.

  Library of Korranberg, the: The greatest repository of knowledge in Khorvaire and a central institution of life in Zilargo—some historians maintain that Zilargo’s unique form of government and internal security were modelled on the organization of the Library.

  Maabet!: An extremely ancient Goblin curse word still in use today. There is no known translation.

  magebred: Any animal magically bred for enhanced characteristics (greater speed and endurance, for example), usually by House Vadalis.

  Makka: Chief of a Marguul tribe living in the southern Seawall Mountains.

  Marguul: The bugbear tribes that dwell in the highlands of the Seawall Mountains in the west of Darguun. Paying only lip service at best to Haruuc’s authority, they live in independent, often hostile tribes.

  Marrow: A worg from a pack allied with the taarka’khesh, but assisting Chetiin. Worgs resemble wolves the size of ponies, but are far more intelligent. They speak their own language and can understand others.

  Matschuc Zaal: Once known as Veldarren, the largest of the mobile fortresses built by Breland during the Last War, it is now part of Darguun’s defenses after being disabled at the choke point of Marguul Pass during the battle of the same name in 970 YK. Matshuc Zaal means “stolen fortress.”

  mazo: Goblin affirmative, stronger than “yes” and used specifically when discussing plans or acknowledging orders.

  Mournland, the: A common name for the wasteland that was once Cyre, devastated by the unnatural disaster known as the Mourning. The borders of the Mournland are marked by dense banks of gray mist behind which lurk dangerous monsters and phenomena. The Mournland forms more than half of Darguun’s eastern border.

  Munta the Gray: The aged hobgoblin warlord of the powerful Gantii Vus clan. One of Haruuc’s strongest allies.

  muut: The goblin concept of ordinary honor or duty, something is gained by doing one’s job properly. Compare with atcha.

  noon: A starchy grain, most often pressed into compact balls, that is a staple of the traditional goblin diet and that still forms an important part of goblin cuisine.

  Paatcha!: An offer of honor through admiration, spoken as a compliment or delivered as an imperative to troops. Literally “to offer honor.”

  Paluur Draal: Once a city of the Dhakaani Empire, Paluur Draal now lies in ruins that have been inhabited by many races over the centuries. It is located in the southern Seawall Mountains in territory claimed by Zilargo.

  Raat shan gath’kal dor: “The story stops but never ends.” The traditional closing of hobgoblin legends.

  Raat shi anaa: “The story continues.” The traditional opening to hobgoblin legends.

  Razu: An old hobgobin woman, Haruuc’s mistress of rituals in Khaar Mbar’ost.

  Rhukaan Draal: The capital city of Darguun (literally “Crown city”), founded by Lhesh Haruuc on the site of a former Cyran frontier town to serve as a neutral territory where all Ghaal’dar clans would be equal. Over the course of thirty years, it has grown into a rough and sprawling city with a population of approximately 80,000.

  Rhukaan Taash: “Razor Crown,” the largest and most powerful clan of the Ghaal’dar. Warriors of Rhukaan Taash receive a series of ritual scars across their brow as a sign of adulthood. In addition to being lhesh of Darguun, Haruuc is the warlord of Rhukaan Taash.

  Riis: a dynasty of the late Dhakaani Empire.

  roo: Goblin for “friendly stranger,” someone unknown to the speaker but not an obvious enemy (pl. rooz).

  saa: A casual Goblin greeting. A more formal greeting is saa’atcha, roughly equivalent to “It is an honor to meet you.”

  Seawall Mountains: Mountains forming the western and northwestern borders of Darguun, a natural barrier between Darguun and Breland.

  Sentinel Tower: The primary stronghold of House Deneith, a massive keep in the city of Karrlakton. Sentinel Tower has existed for millenia, growing over the centuries. Its inner areas are ancient and access is restricted to the most senior members of the House.

  shaarat’khesh: The Silent Blades. See: Silent Clans, the.

  shaat’aar: A small sweet bun filled with honey cream. A common Goblin sweet.

  shava: One of the most honored goblin traditions, shava is best translated as “sword brother,” someone a warrior trusts with his life. The relationship between shava is exceptionally strong and carries with it significant responsibilities and expectations. Most goblin warriors never even consider taking a shava.

  Shii marhu polto huuntad ka ruuska atchot: A goblin expression. “Even an emperor must think twice when looking a tiger in the eye.”

  Silent Clans, the: Although technically numbered among the Dhakaani clans, the two Silent Clans stand apart. They are formed entirely of goblins and are renowned for their stealth: the taarkakhesh (“silent wolves”) are scouts, while the shaarat’khesh (“silent blades”) are spies and assassins. By ancient tradition, the Silent Clans do not take sides in any conflict, instead acting as mercenaries of complete impartiality and reliability.

  Six Kings, the: An allusion to the six hobgoblin warlords brought together by Jhazaal Dhakaan approximately 17,000 years before the present to found the Empire of Dhakaan.

  Sovereign Host, the: A religion found across much of Khorvaire and actively promoted in Darguun by Haruuc as a civilizing influence. The Lords of the Host are Arawai (god of agriculture), Aureon (god of law and knowledge), Balinor (god of beasts and the hunt), Boldrei (god of community and hearth), Dol Arrah (god of honor and sacrifice), Dol Dorn (god of strength at arms), Kol Korran (god of trade and wealth), Olladra (god of good fortune), and Onatar (god of artifice and the forge).

  ta muut: The most basic way of saying “thank you” in Goblin, ta muut literally means “you have honor” or more accurately “you do your duty.” Spoken as acknowledgement of a deed performed correctly, it carries no connotation of debt on the part of the speaker. For comparison, see Ya panozhii kita atcha.

  taarka’khesh: The Silent Wolves. See: Silent Clans, the.

  taat: Goblin term for someone of significantly lesser status than the speaker. Derogatory and insulting.

  Tariic: A hobgoblin warrior of the Rhukaan Taash clan and nephew of Haruuc. Conceived on the day that Rhukaan Draal was founded, he has a more worldly approach to culture, politics, and economy than more conservative Darguuls.

  Taruuzh: A legendary Dhakaani daashor, creator of the original binding stones, the grieving trees, and the sword Wrath. His stronghold, Taruuzh Kraat, was located where Tzaryan Keep now stands in Droaam.

  Thrane: One of the original Five Nations of Galifar. Thrane is a conservative theocracy dominated by the Church of the Silver Flame.

  Thuun: A hobgoblin warrior in the service of Haruuc, assigned first to accompany Tariic’s mission to Karrlakton, then to guard Vounn and Ashi in Rhukaan Draal.

  To hold a sword by the blade: A goblin expression for being in a risky situation.

  Toh!: A Goblin warning cry (“Beware!”).

  Torlaac Conquest, the: The pacification, many generations before the start of the Last War, of the area around the Torlaac River and into the Torlaac Moor by Deneith troops on behalf of Cyre, culimi-nating in the Battle of Starkhan.

  Torlaac River: A powerful river of southern Darguun. South of the river, the land rises to become the desolate and dangerous Torlaac Moor.

  Treaty of Thronehold: Signed in
996 YK, the Treaty of Thronehold marked the end of the Last War. Among its many articles, it formally recognized a number of new nations (including Darguun, Zilargo, and Valenar) and bound all signing nations in a pact of peace.

  Valenar: The lands claimed by the Valenar elves as their rightful territory by virtue of ancient ties to the land dating back to conflicts with the Empire of Dhakaan. Recognized as an independent nation by the Treaty of Thronehold.

  Vanii: A hobgoblin warrior of the Ja’aram clan and the last of Haruuc’s three shava. He wields twin axes in battle.

  Wrath: Properly known by its Goblin name, Aram, Wrath is the legendary Sword of Heroes. Forged from byeshk by the legendary Dhakaani dashoor Taruuzh during the Daelkyr War, it was wielded by the hobgoblin heroes of the line of Kuun before being lost in the slaying of the daelkyr lord of Jhegesh Dol. Legend says that Wrath will not bear the touch of a coward. Recently, Wrath was recovered from the ghostly fortress of Jhegesh Dol by Geth, who now carries the blade.

  Ya panozhii kita atcha: The most formal form of thanks in Goblin. Translated, it means “I owe a debt to your honor.” It shows a deep indebtedness on the part of the speaker and is never used casually. Compare with ta muut.

  Zilargo: The homeland of the gnomes, Zilargo has long pursued a diplomatic policy of neutrality and conciliation. Recognized as an independent nation by the Treaty of Thronehold.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Don Bassingthwaite is the author of numerous fantasy and dark fantasy novels. His most recent books are Mistress of the Night (with Dave Gross) and the books of the Dragon Below trilogy that introduced Geth, Ashi, and Ekhaas: The Binding Stone, The Grieving Tree, and The Killing Song.

  Don lives in Toronto, surrounded by gadgets, spice jars, and too many books. You can find him online at www.dbassingthwaite.com.

  The Legacy of Dhakaan Book 1

  THE DOOM OF KINGS

  ©2008 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

  All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

  Published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc. EBERRON, WIZARDS OF THE COAST, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., in the U.S.A. and other countries.

  Map by Rob Lazzaretti

  eISBN: 978-0-7869-5648-7

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