THE TURTLE CHILDREN
The descendants of the Golden Turtle. Known to the Court of Tu as the Riverfolk, or the river barbarians. Originally scattered into related albeit culturally distinct tribes, most of the tribes had in recent generations united into two primary kingdoms: Awat to the south, and Khonua to the north. The territories of Khonua have since been conquered by Awat.
1. Kingdom of Awat
Locations
Mount Ranglhia: sacred mountain at the boundary between Awat and the northern Court domains, in whose shadow lies the current capital of Awat
Grui River: a major river to the south of Ranglhia, running west to east into the sea
Slez Waters: a tributary of the Grui River running south from the Court domains
Tham: a fortified city built on the shores of the Grui, west of the Slez; lies on the border between Awat and the Kingdom of Krengsra
Mount Kuehgei: the original capital of Awat
Tat River: river north of Kuehgei; originally served as the unofficial border between Awat and Khonua
Gokho Lake: mystic lake of the turtle lords
Kasa: the former capital of Khonua built on the shores of Gokho Lake; served as a temporary capital of Awat before the move north to Ranglhia
The Great River: sacred river north of Kasa; its waters run south into Gokho Lake and east into the sea
Ghan Canal: connects the Grui River, the Great River, and Gokho Lake through a series of canals and artificial lakes
Woodcutter Mountain: site of one of the royal burial grounds located near Kuehgei
People
Khosian: king and High Speaker
Marnua: queen and Speaker-Consort
Sarabis: princess and sole daughter of Khosian and Marnua
Ashne: one of the Five Swordmaidens, the queen’s personal servants and guards
Zsaran: Ashne’s sworn sister and fellow Swordmaiden
Shranai: the eldest of the Swordmaidens, close in age to the queen herself; leg was crippled in an accident
Jenhra and Nalum: twins, originally refugees from Enh, a northern domain of the Court of Tu; the youngest of the Swordmaidens
Muntong: Earth Minister, a steady and reliable man; originally a political exile from the Kingdom of Krengsra
Aorang: Water Minister, a thin, passionate man whose wife was killed during the war against Khonua
Bahmre: former adviser of the king, current whereabouts unknown
Khobishne: chief and shaman of a fishing village along the river
Dantu: a village boy with unusual powers
Paramun: Dantu’s mother
Miscellaneous
Shenkes and Lhepkes: twin swords belonging to Ashne and Zsaran respectively
kammrae: golden deer with curved black horns and spotted flanks, prized as royal mounts
2. Kingdom of Khonua
Locations
Gokho Lake: see earlier
Kasa: see earlier
The Great River: see earlier
Ghan Canal: see earlier
People
Pashrai: the recently deceased king
Ghuproh: Pashrai’s long-deceased father, former king and notorious “Prince of Light”
Tungrui: Pashrai’s older brother, deceased
Tuanwat: an ambitious bandit chief
Inhai: Tuanwat’s ruthless younger sister
Rahm: Tuanwat’s right-hand man
Ruibhan: Tungrui’s young grandson, heir to the throne, recently assassinated
Matron: Prince Ruibhan’s loyal, elderly nurse
Gna Czesa: former adviser of both Ghuproh and Pashrai, deceased
Miscellaneous
Hazsam: prized sword and royal heirloom passed down through the ages, recently lost
Kanzsang and Maklhia: twin swords, current whereabouts unknown
YOU ARE READING
The Ghost Tiger's Lament
FantasyAs a child, Ashne swore two oaths. With her adopted sister Zsaran she made a pact: one would never die without the other. To their mistress, the queen, who plucked them both out of the inhospitable marshlands, she vowed eternal loyalty. When a tiger...
