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