Illateu

[illateuworld]

Map roughly showing the territories inhabited by each of the 12 clans of Kel-Tar. Borders are not strict lines, but rather the main areas each settled in. Populations in any area may be mixed, especially so along borders. 

[illateuworld]

A basic height comparison between the people species of Illateu. Male height ranges are shown on the left, and Female ranges on the right (Kolbo have a third sex, shown between the two). These ranges ore the global height ranges, regional heights are typically much narrower.

[illateuworld]

Tila

   Plants in Illateu are near-universally equipped to produce tila, a liquid created inside plants which glows. Throughout the year, plants absorb light, required for life, and store some of it away as tila. When the dark season comes,  the planet’s ring casting a vast shadow across the planet, plants light up, giving light in the suns’ absence. while typically a yellow-gold, tila can be created in various colours depending on the plant species. This substance can be harvested and used as a light source in lanterns, among other uses. 

   Many animals in Illateu , especially in areas with a longer dark season, have developed bioluminescence in order to help camouflage in the glowing foliage. 

[illateuworld]

Gliss cuttings are generally kept in a shallow bowl, covered in a glass dome with food for the Gliss suspended in small bowls. This “food” may be any flammable material, and is commonly twigs, grass, flowers, or small scraps of cloth. If the gliss is kept in a wooden bowl, it is recommended that the bowl be filled with dirt and/or water, to prevent the gliss from burning the bowl. Gliss should not escape the container or die so long as it is properly fed. 

Gliss is commonly kept by scholars and magicians for a number of reasons. These include: 

1. as a magical reagent for spells. Gliss, like other bielemental materials, is a useful reagent for it’s high elemental content.

2. For enrichment. Many enjoy caring for something but have not the time, skills, or resources for a pet or plant. gliss is quite easy to keep and provides an interesting sight to the room.

3. A cheap and renewable light source. Especially in Basor, where cities are primarily underground, it is important to have sources of light. Gliss is oftentimes cheaper than the admittedly more popular nomstone and will continue to grow and create more light the longer it is cared for, which can be further distributed. Some cities which use Gliss for light have constructed glass tubes which run the length of hallways and rooms and efficiently funnel smoke back to the surface. 

[illateuworld]

Bi-Element Substances

When two elements combine and stabilize, they take new forms. These Bielement Substances are among the most prized materials in Illateu. 

Part 1 - Stone

stone growth - Mendstone/Resrem

A pinkish metal which, while workable when heated, will slowly return to its original form when cool. While this reparative property has led people to experiment with its use for armour, it is generally considered a terrible material for combat due to it being a very soft metal. Alloys have been experimented with for this purpose, though none have yet been created which are strong enough to justify its use. 

stone wind - Tirem

A pale, silvery metal which whistles when moved quickly. It will bend if worked too thin, but does not chip, and so is well liked for keeping a sharp edge. The thick-bladed Basore weapons are often made of Tirem, though it is poor for stealth weapons.

stone ice - Nevermelt

A pale, transparent blue crystal which is cold to the touch, with the cold increasing with the size of the piece. SImilar in properties to ice, though it never melts or warms.

stone water - Irem

Irem is an incredibly popular metal, unrivaled in its mirrored shine and durable strength. However, pure irem has one property which makes it both popular and unusable for many purposes. It’s melting temperature has not been found, but when touched by will-infused magic (that type done by people) it turns to liquid. This makes it easy to shape, and reshape, as many times as needed. Wealthy children often have toys made or irem, changing it to whatever strikes their fancy. 

stone light - Nimstone

A strange material with the structural properties of a metal but the translucent appearance of a gemstone. It glows from within with yellow light, and grows in small, crystalline clumps, like a shattered geode. It can be worked like metal and is often used for indoor lighting. It is a highly conductive material. 

stone fire - Ember

A black crystal, similar in sheen to obsidian, which emanates a faint and gentle warmth. When magic is poured into it, it can be used to light fires.

Stone shadow - Darkmetal/Felrem

Felrem is a brittle metal. While not used often on its own, felrem alloys tend to be incredibly strong, and are a popular choice for armor. Pure felrem is primarily used for ceremonial pieces, found appealing for its deep black colouration.

[illateuworld]

part 2- growth & wind

growth wind - Wind Moss

a light fluffy substance reminiscent of cottonwood fluff or clumps of shed fur. Most common on the Patukur Plateau, and other high, rocky places where wind wingles with resilient plant growth. This material is soft and light enough to float on the wind, even in large clumps (recorded up to ~35ft mats of floating moss), leading it to be called “false clouds” in many areas. 

growth ice - Ice Bud

This strange material is solid, and waxy to the touch. It forms in shapes that are most comparable to a minimal surface egg, though it is more often described by the Illatean people as a flower bud whose petals have been twisted by some supernatural force or another. 

growth water - Eternal Rain

Eternal water appears at first as an oncoming rainstorm. However, when the rain starts to fall it reveals its true nature rather than a single falling drop, a droplet of eternal rain will leave new drops behind itself as it falls, like a physical afterimage, until it hits the ground. These thin pillars of water continue to fall in the pattern of rain, forming more and more pillars, but never flowing from where they land. It can be difficult to navigate through such weather, though the effect rarely lasts more than a day. The rain will dissipate when the magic works itself out, though it can be captured before this and kept as a useful material component for spells. 

growth light  - Sap

Sap is among the most common bi-elemental substances in Illateu, created in many plants across the world. This substance, as opposed to common sap, has bioluminescent properties and a consistency of warm honey.

growth fire - Gliss

Gliss is considered a highly dangerous material when uncontained, though many mages will keep it in a controlled environment for use as a material in casting. Gliss appears as a normal flame at first, but rather than spreading out wherever it finds fuel, it remains in place, sending out long, thin “stems” of fire, which grow slowly out, seeking new sources of fuel to burn. These “stems have less heat than the body of the fire, but can still burn if held too long, and can be cut like a plant stem. If cut, the cut piece will remain and continue to grow (albeit more slowly than before) but the remaining bit of stem will retreat back into the base fire at the same rate that it grew out. 

growth shadow - Stola / stal’u 

Stolla grows deep in caves when growth energy ends up trapped without an outlet to act upon. It grows in pairs, appearing much like stalactites and stalagmites until they grow large enough to form pillars. If there is one Stola pillar, it is likely there are many more in the area. Stolla appears like crystal, though its surface ripples like water when touched. A liquid that retains a solid appearance.  It is said to collect the secrets of those who pass near it, giving visions of what it has learned to those that touch it.  

wind ice - Lightweb

Lightweb is a highly valued substance similar to spider silk which , while difficult to work with, can be made into the lightest, softest cloth known in Illateu. In it’s natural form, it looks like a large spider web, difficult to see in a shadow but highly reflective like silver in the light. it grows out of itself, attaching to plants and trees (or whatever is around). It forms quickly, and stops growing in just as short a time. 

wind water - Forever Gel

Forever gel is a jello-like substance which, if punctured, cut, or otherwise deformed, will completely ment into its original form. Small pieces which are taken off/out will be regrown, and the original piece which was removed will harden into a crumbling rock. If it is cut entirely through and the pieces removed from each other, they will retain their shape and will not regrow, but will mend back together if in proximity. If kept apart too long, a span of years rarely measured, both parts will harden and crumble. This substance is considered useless by many, though it can be used in spells. 

wind light - Nimsnow

Nimsnow falls as if snow, light and drifting, though the “flakes” are small balls of soft light. If nimsnow comes to a rest, usually by touching the ground, it will disappear. It can be touched and manipulated as a solid, though it has no texture and makes no sound under any conditions. Interacting with Nimsnow can have strange effects, including vivid dreams and temporary psychic abilities. Though these effects occur upon touching Nimsnow, it seems that seeing its light is also crucial to its power, as blind people do not experience any effects (though it is possible that it is intentional interaction with nimsnow that creates these effects and the blind, to whom nimsnow is undetectable, simply do not interact with it with any intent. 

wind fire - Wisp

Wisps are a cloud-like gas. They give off no light of their own, though they are highly reflective to light around them, commonly giving them a moon-like glow. They are blown about on the wind, but pass through solids entirely unaffected. 

wind shadow - Timeslow

Timeslow is treated much the way many view quicksand. Invisible, or nearly invisible, patches of timeslow gather in caves and forests. Entering these patches causes anyone within them to experience time much more slowly, moving and perceiving as if in slow motion. Luckily, Timeslow is also among the rarest bi-elemental substances, but it is considered wise to move in groups or with tracking animals capable of detecting it when travelling through the dark places of the world, just in case one becomes in need of assistance. Timeslow effects the movement of both creatures and objects, though if an object is partially outside the effect is can be pulled or pushed at normal speed.

[illateuworld]

final part

ice water - Frostcoat

Frostcoat occurs within pools of water. It infests existing bodies of water, being visually indistinguishable from regular water. Once it touches a solid, however, it instantly solidifies into a layer of ice crystals, coating whatever entered the water. If removed, it will return to a liquid until in contact with another solid. 

ice light - Northern Stars

Northern stars are thin slivers of a crystalline substance. They glow in various colours, most commonly green though they have also been found in yellow, cyan, pink, and white. These crystals drop wherever the Aurora Borealis are seen, and the people of the north  will hurry to collect them after seeing such an event. These shards are magnetic, often used for compasses, and use of soul magic on them causes them to glow far more brightly. In their normal state they give off no heat nor cold, though they are highly flammable and, if ignited, burn intensely with large, super hot fire which burns in the same colour as the crystal glows, and cannot be put out until the crystal has all burned up. Northern stars are carefully used and stored by the Kindean people, though they are more prized as trade goods to more southern countries with little access to them. The Taranu people in particular prize these crystals to use in their funerary rights. 

ice fire - Fangwater

Fangwater is a thin, clear golden liquid which tends to gather in pools on the top of mountains. Touching this liquid causes an intense burning sensation, though whether it burns with cold or heat is disputed among those who have experienced the sensation. It seems to emanate heat or cold near it, varying between the two.  

ice shadow - Crystal Hive

Dark ice crystals which grow primarily (though not exclusively) deep underground or underwater. These structures retain cold easily, but can be melted as regular ice. Crystal hives form in large structures of ice containing many holes and tunnels through. If entered, it is easy to become lost in the structure, between the winding tunnels, reflective walls, and strange properties which render both internal and constructed directional tools ineffective. Compasses in particular will fail to find any magnetic pull within its walls. Many find it wise to melt these when they are found, though magicians prefer to study them and young tra enjoy trying to navigate them on dares or for fun, despite the warnings of their elders. 

water light - Slime

This gelatinous substance is sticky to the touch, and will cling to whatever touches it, though it will cling more strongly to some fibers, as though strengthened by static cling. It is easy to brush off, but easy to reattach itself as well, and is generally considered a nuisance by travelers who run across it. Additionally there are several creatures who find slime highly nutritious, and will seek it out to eat, making it all the more dangerous to keep around outside, as it’s pleasant, wafting aroma will attract creatures to invade campsites.

water fire - Allfire

Allfire is a light, orange liquid. Though its physical properties are those of a liquid, it burns and emits heat like fire. though only a very faint, soft heat usually, when flammable material is submerged in the liquid, it will burn as if in fire and the liquid will increase in heat accordingly.

water shadow - Lenet

A thick, cloudy, mucus-like liquid. While touching it can cause temporary forgetfulness, ingesting this substance induces both memory loss and vivid dreams. Lenet-induced memory loss is retrograde in nature, leaving several past memories completely inaccessible except in the realm of sleep.  

light fire - Quickfire

Quickfire can be a frightening substance, but not generally a dangerous one. It appears as normal fire, but spreads far more quickly, consuming any nearby flammable materials in its light. It is best not to get caught in this spread, if one can avoid it, as you will feel the burning as it covers you, and leaving it after you have caught alight will only spread it further. However, though you will feel as though you are burning, quickfire causes no actual damage, causing no real burns or ash. Quickfire usually fades after a few hours.

light shadow - Whispers

Whispers take the form of soft, velvety, flower-like cups which collect sound around them. When a whisper (or more often a cluster of whispers) forms, they will begin to collect sound from around them, forming an audio recording of sorts. The duration of such varies, but each cup will record a different sound. After they are done collecting, whispers will close for a period equal to their collection period before opening again. Once re-opened they will quietly play back what they heard, over and over in a loop. Whispers are very popular among musicians and magicians alike. 

fire shadow - Darkburn

Darkburn is the polar opposite of Quickfire. It spreads slowly, or not at all, and burns everything within itself to dust- even stone (though many bi-element substances will be left unaffected, including Nevermelt and Irem). However, its flame glows so dimly that it cannot be seen if any other light sources exist within its proximity. It is known only by the destruction it leaves. Darkburn can last weeks, or even months, but rarely spreads more than a couple of feet in any direction.

[illateuworld]

Bi-Element Substances

When two elements combine and stabilize, they take new forms. These Bielement Substances are among the most prized materials in Illateu. 

Part 1 - Stone

stone growth - Mendstone/Resrem

A pinkish metal which, while workable when heated, will slowly return to its original form when cool. While this reparative property has led people to experiment with its use for armour, it is generally considered a terrible material for combat due to it being a very soft metal. Alloys have been experimented with for this purpose, though none have yet been created which are strong enough to justify its use. 

stone wind - Tirem

A pale, silvery metal which whistles when moved quickly. It will bend if worked too thin, but does not chip, and so is well liked for keeping a sharp edge. The thick-bladed Basore weapons are often made of Tirem, though it is poor for stealth weapons.

stone ice - Nevermelt

A pale, transparent blue crystal which is cold to the touch, with the cold increasing with the size of the piece. SImilar in properties to ice, though it never melts or warms.

stone water - Irem

Irem is an incredibly popular metal, unrivaled in its mirrored shine and durable strength. However, pure irem has one property which makes it both popular and unusable for many purposes. It’s melting temperature has not been found, but when touched by will-infused magic (that type done by people) it turns to liquid. This makes it easy to shape, and reshape, as many times as needed. Wealthy children often have toys made or irem, changing it to whatever strikes their fancy. 

stone light - Nimstone

A strange material with the structural properties of a metal but the translucent appearance of a gemstone. It glows from within with yellow light, and grows in small, crystalline clumps, like a shattered geode. It can be worked like metal and is often used for indoor lighting. It is a highly conductive material. 

stone fire - Ember

A black crystal, similar in sheen to obsidian, which emanates a faint and gentle warmth. When magic is poured into it, it can be used to light fires.

Stone shadow - Darkmetal/Felrem

Felrem is a brittle metal. While not used often on its own, felrem alloys tend to be incredibly strong, and are a popular choice for armor. Pure felrem is primarily used for ceremonial pieces, found appealing for its deep black colouration.

[illateuworld]

part 2- growth & wind

growth wind - Wind Moss

a light fluffy substance reminiscent of cottonwood fluff or clumps of shed fur. Most common on the Patukur Plateau, and other high, rocky places where wind wingles with resilient plant growth. This material is soft and light enough to float on the wind, even in large clumps (recorded up to ~35ft mats of floating moss), leading it to be called “false clouds” in many areas. 

growth ice - Ice Bud

This strange material is solid, and waxy to the touch. It forms in shapes that are most comparable to a minimal surface egg, though it is more often described by the Illatean people as a flower bud whose petals have been twisted by some supernatural force or another. 

growth water - Eternal Rain

Eternal water appears at first as an oncoming rainstorm. However, when the rain starts to fall it reveals its true nature rather than a single falling drop, a droplet of eternal rain will leave new drops behind itself as it falls, like a physical afterimage, until it hits the ground. These thin pillars of water continue to fall in the pattern of rain, forming more and more pillars, but never flowing from where they land. It can be difficult to navigate through such weather, though the effect rarely lasts more than a day. The rain will dissipate when the magic works itself out, though it can be captured before this and kept as a useful material component for spells. 

growth light  - Tila

Tila is among the most common bi-elemental substances in Illateu, created in many plants across the world. This substance has bioluminescent properties and a consistency of warm honey.

growth fire - Gliss

Gliss is considered a highly dangerous material when uncontained, though many mages will keep it in a controlled environment for use as a material in casting. Gliss appears as a normal flame at first, but rather than spreading out wherever it finds fuel, it remains in place, sending out long, thin “stems” of fire, which grow slowly out, seeking new sources of fuel to burn. These “stems have less heat than the body of the fire, but can still burn if held too long, and can be cut like a plant stem. If cut, the cut piece will remain and continue to grow (albeit more slowly than before) but the remaining bit of stem will retreat back into the base fire at the same rate that it grew out. 

growth shadow - Stola / stal’u 

Stolla grows deep in caves when growth energy ends up trapped without an outlet to act upon. It grows in pairs, appearing much like stalactites and stalagmites until they grow large enough to form pillars. If there is one Stola pillar, it is likely there are many more in the area. Stolla appears like crystal, though its surface ripples like water when touched. A liquid that retains a solid appearance.  It is said to collect the secrets of those who pass near it, giving visions of what it has learned to those that touch it.  

wind ice - Lightweb

Lightweb is a highly valued substance similar to spider silk which , while difficult to work with, can be made into the lightest, softest cloth known in Illateu. In it’s natural form, it looks like a large spider web, difficult to see in a shadow but highly reflective like silver in the light. it grows out of itself, attaching to plants and trees (or whatever is around). It forms quickly, and stops growing in just as short a time. 

wind water - Forever Gel

Forever gel is a jello-like substance which, if punctured, cut, or otherwise deformed, will completely ment into its original form. Small pieces which are taken off/out will be regrown, and the original piece which was removed will harden into a crumbling rock. If it is cut entirely through and the pieces removed from each other, they will retain their shape and will not regrow, but will mend back together if in proximity. If kept apart too long, a span of years rarely measured, both parts will harden and crumble. This substance is considered useless by many, though it can be used in spells. 

wind light - Nimsnow

Nimsnow falls as if snow, light and drifting, though the “flakes” are small balls of soft light. If nimsnow comes to a rest, usually by touching the ground, it will disappear. It can be touched and manipulated as a solid, though it has no texture and makes no sound under any conditions. Interacting with Nimsnow can have strange effects, including vivid dreams and temporary psychic abilities. Though these effects occur upon touching Nimsnow, it seems that seeing its light is also crucial to its power, as blind people do not experience any effects (though it is possible that it is intentional interaction with nimsnow that creates these effects and the blind, to whom nimsnow is undetectable, simply do not interact with it with any intent. 

wind fire - Wisp

Wisps are a cloud-like gas. They give off no light of their own, though they are highly reflective to light around them, commonly giving them a moon-like glow. They are blown about on the wind, but pass through solids entirely unaffected. 

wind shadow - Timeslow

Timeslow is treated much the way many view quicksand. Invisible, or nearly invisible, patches of timeslow gather in caves and forests. Entering these patches causes anyone within them to experience time much more slowly, moving and perceiving as if in slow motion. Luckily, Timeslow is also among the rarest bi-elemental substances, but it is considered wise to move in groups or with tracking animals capable of detecting it when travelling through the dark places of the world, just in case one becomes in need of assistance. Timeslow effects the movement of both creatures and objects, though if an object is partially outside the effect is can be pulled or pushed at normal speed.

[illateuworld]

Bi-Element Substances

When two elements combine and stabilize, they take new forms. These Bielement Substances are among the most prized materials in Illateu. 

Part 1 - Stone

stone growth - Mendstone/Resrem

A pinkish metal which, while workable when heated, will slowly return to its original form when cool. While this reparative property has led people to experiment with its use for armour, it is generally considered a terrible material for combat due to it being a very soft metal. Alloys have been experimented with for this purpose, though none have yet been created which are strong enough to justify its use. 

stone wind - Tirem

A pale, silvery metal which whistles when moved quickly. It will bend if worked too thin, but does not chip, and so is well liked for keeping a sharp edge. The thick-bladed Basore weapons are often made of Tirem, though it is poor for stealth weapons.

stone ice - Nevermelt

A pale, transparent blue crystal which is cold to the touch, with the cold increasing with the size of the piece. SImilar in properties to ice, though it never melts or warms.

stone water - Irem

Irem is an incredibly popular metal, unrivaled in its mirrored shine and durable strength. However, pure irem has one property which makes it both popular and unusable for many purposes. It’s melting temperature has not been found, but when touched by will-infused magic (that type done by people) it turns to liquid. This makes it easy to shape, and reshape, as many times as needed. Wealthy children often have toys made or irem, changing it to whatever strikes their fancy. 

stone light - Nimstone

A strange material with the structural properties of a metal but the translucent appearance of a gemstone. It glows from within with yellow light, and grows in small, crystalline clumps, like a shattered geode. It can be worked like metal and is often used for indoor lighting. It is a highly conductive material. 

stone fire - Ember

A black crystal, similar in sheen to obsidian, which emanates a faint and gentle warmth. When magic is poured into it, it can be used to light fires.

Stone shadow - Darkmetal/Felrem

Felrem is a brittle metal. While not used often on its own, felrem alloys tend to be incredibly strong, and are a popular choice for armor. Pure felrem is primarily used for ceremonial pieces, found appealing for its deep black colouration.

[illateuworld]

“I saw something moving in the distance today, the largest creature I’ve seen since coming here. They call them wandering hills, or the bird mothers. I have not got close enough to see them in any great detail, but they seem always surrounded by swarms of birds. One thing I can say is I think I understand a bit better why the Basore avoid living above ground.”

[illateuworld]

Okay so I never posted my bird-mother diagrams, because my computer crashed and deleted them while I was working and I’m too lazy to redo them, but to expand on this: 

The bird mother was my concept for a creature so massive it can’t waste energy searching for food. In it’s simplest explanation: a terrestrial filter feeder of sorts.

 Their huge gaping mouth creates a cavern where birds (amphere, really, but I still call them birds in my head) nest, high up and away from most predators. This makes it a highly advantageous nesting spot, especially in the plains, where amphere are typically disadvantaged as they struggle to take off from the ground. 

The bird-mother is omnivorous, and can digest just about anything, but mostly subsists on birds which fall further unto it than they should and the decaying matter of the bird’s food, nesting material, and droppings. 

uhh TL;DR I combined a whale and a pitcher plant and made this thing.

[illateuworld]

This water-summoning array will fill a container, usually a bowl or bucket, placed in the central placer of the array with pure, clean water. A remarkable feat, to my human eyes, but one the scholars of Basore don’t blink an eye at. 

Importantly, this array, like all arrays, uses ambient magic around it to perform its magic, and so this array works best in water-magic-rich environments. Using the array too often can deplete this elemental aspect in the surrounding environment, and so it is used sparingly, where river-water, or such natural sources, are not sufficient. There is a variant on this array which purifies existing water, separating it from all dirt, salt, and other contaminants. This variant seems more commonly used, though it is more complicated and expensive to set up.

~ C. A. Doran’s “A Collection of Spells”

[illateuworld]

This simple silencing array enables one to completely negate any sound within the circle. Rather than stopping anyone from hearing sounds, it seems that this array is stopping vibrations in the air. One cannot hear any noise when standing within the circle, and those outside it cannot hear anything originating from inside the circle’s boundary line. 

Despite everything I have experienced here, interacting with this circle may be one of the most jarring experiences I have encountered in Illateu, as one of the senses is rendered entirely ineffectual.

~ C. A. Doran’s “A Collection of Spells” 

[illateuworld]

Some  concept sketches for Kana clothing

[illateuworld]

Clothing in Aflakwym generally comes in three layers (this is a general overview, and does not account for style changes over time or in different regions). Clothing in this region is influenced by the mixing of people from various countries, most notably (but not exclusively) Basore farmers and Taranu refugees. 

Undergarments are simple, one- or two-piece garments similar to the Taranu clothing base-layer. On top of this is an underdress. This is usually long-sleeved, but short-sleeves can be worn, especially in more southern areas in the summer. The underdress is usually an undyed off-white, though it may be embroidered along the sleeves and neckline. Over the Underdress is the Overdress, or Apron. Whether this is a topless apron or a full second dress layer varies on region and wealth. The apron is typically intricately embroidered with designs. The fabric of the apron is often dyed, but not in any bright colours. The embroidery will be the main source of colour for the ensemble. 

In addition to the main outfit, many will wear cloaks (depending on the weather), head coverings, and various accessories. Fe’rfa near the coast especially have a tradition of extensive jewelry (preferring jewelry, shawls, and capes to more eastern styles of clothing, which do not fit their winged bodies), which others living near them have adopted. 

The lower image depicts a wealthy but conservatively styled Vi’rl’a, an Eastern Plains Kana with a warm shawl, and a Kolbo (disguised as a Vi’rl’a) in a summer dress, unbothered by the cold. 

[illateuworld]

1. Clothing in Armanzari tends to have intricate trims. Current styles involve woven patterns pieced together on either side of solid strips. 

2. Metal Chains and bands are the most common and popular ornamentation among the Armanzar people. The more delicate and fine, the expensive they are. Such chains are often hung about the horns, shoulders, and sewn on the hems of clothing (rings and necklaces are not unheard of, but primarily occur along the coast, where merchants travel and cultures mingle), and often have charms attached for decoration. Most charms are simple shapes, though noble houses will spout crests or patron animals. 

3. While belts are worn for practical reasons, only lower lasses use them to adjust ill-fitting clothing. Despite being generally light and loose, tailoring is hugely important to Armanzar fashion. The desirable clothing lays at an exact point on the body, and any deviation is seen as sloppy, or a sign of poverty. 

(servant’s clothing has different, but just as precisely judged, dress standards. 

4. The dress back is often reinforced due to the fact that bags, rather than having straps, are clipped on to rings along the sides of the dress. Such reinforcement prevents ripping from heavy loads. 

    Because physical strength is a prized trait to the Armanzar, even the highest ranking members of society carry their own gear and supplies. However, because bags further forward on the body are easier to reach, warriors and working class individuals will tend to store supplies further forward for convenience, whereas those with servants will place gear further back, carrying it but not needing to retrieve it themselves. 

[illateuworld]

[illateuworld]

1. Clothing in Armanzari tends to have intricate trims. Current styles involve woven patterns pieced together on either side of solid strips. 

2. Metal Chains and bands are the most common and popular ornamentation among the Armanzar people. The more delicate and fine, the expensive they are. Such chains are often hung about the horns, shoulders, and sewn on the hems of clothing (rings and necklaces are not unheard of, but primarily occur along the coast, where merchants travel and cultures mingle), and often have charms attached for decoration. Most charms are simple shapes, though noble houses will spout crests or patron animals. 

3. While belts are worn for practical reasons, only lower lasses use them to adjust ill-fitting clothing. Despite being generally light and loose, tailoring is hugely important to Armanzar fashion. The desirable clothing lays at an exact point on the body, and any deviation is seen as sloppy, or a sign of poverty. 

(servant’s clothing has different, but just as precisely judged, dress standards. 

4. The dress back is often reinforced due to the fact that bags, rather than having straps, are clipped on to rings along the sides of the dress. Such reinforcement prevents ripping from heavy loads. 

    Because physical strength is a prized trait to the Armanzar, even the highest ranking members of society carry their own gear and supplies. However, because bags further forward on the body are easier to reach, warriors and working class individuals will tend to store supplies further forward for convenience, whereas those with servants will place gear further back, carrying it but not needing to retrieve it themselves. 

[illateuworld]

“I saw something moving in the distance today, the largest creature I’ve seen since coming here. They call them wandering hills, or the bird mothers. I have not got close enough to see them in any great detail, but they seem always surrounded by swarms of birds. One thing I can say is I think I understand a bit better why the Basore avoid living above ground.”

[illateuworld]

Nakiwowo pantheon - descriptions to be added

[illateuworld]

From Doran’s “The Creation of All Things”

The Creation

In the beginning there was a vast and empty darkness. Then, in a sudden and brilliant display, there was light. A single mass of light and warmth, floating alone in the empty sea of darkness. Out of this light came consciousnesses. First was born Rhiyiwo the Yellow, the infinitely knowledgeable leader of all the gods. Rhiyiwo  was soon followed by the Orange god, Konu, and the Green god, Goreha. Goreha is god of definite knowledge, learning, and reasoning. He is the father of society and technological advancements. Konu is the god of emotional knowledge, and of the relationships between people. She is a protector of families, new parents, and keeper of memories. 

After the birth of the three knowledge gods, there was a great space of time wherein nothing changed. The three lived in the Great Light, sheltered from the darkness outside. In this space of time, the three occupied themselves will discussion, and spoke about many topics, eventually coming to understand the truth of all things which existed in the universe. 

When out of the light came a fourth consciousness, the three greeted him, excited to share all that they knew. However, the fourth was not interested in discussing with the three. He was impatient and full of energy. Instead, this being left the light to explore the darkness, and in his explorations he created Illateu, the world we inhabit. This is Dama, the Red god, creator of all material nature. Wherever his light touched darkness, life sprung up. At first it was incidental to his traveling, however he soon began to experiment, crafting light into fires that could be placed inside his living creations, and so created the many animals which inhabit our world. 

While Dama was off on his explorations, the light had produced the last of the Upper Pantheon, a pair of consciousnesses referred to most often as the Twins. These twins were the blue and purple gods, Shuma and Diwu. These two, like Dama, had little interest in the gathered knowledge of the elder gods, but did not share Dama’s exuberance either.  They were of a more reserved demeanor. However, like Dama they took interest in crafting new things out of light. Where Dama created creature after creature, moving wherever his fancy took him, the Twins took great care in crafting a single creation, a substance they referred to as “Soulfire”. It was cooler than regular fire, albeit still warm, and burned for far longer on far less material. When their creation was complete, the Twins showed it excitedly to Rhiyiwo, who took great interest in the creation and asked to study it. 

Now, while the Twins were creating Soulfire, Dama had hit a snag in his latest creature. It was a strange, bipedal creature (some say it was modeled after the gods themselves, though others dispute the gods having a physical form at all. Chagota seems to prefer the latter telling of the tale, though I have heard him discuss the matter at length with colleagues. There are certainly artistic depictions of the gods looking much like the people of Tara, though those like Chagota claim this is symbolic, rather than literal). The problem was that, while he had created the bodies of the creature, the fire he used to animate his creatures would not take. It burned too quickly through them, leaving them burnt husks in mere moments. And so, in his frustration, he took his problem to the Arbiter, Rhiyiwo. Seeing the problem, Rhiyiwo also saw a solution. They took the Soulfire they had been given by the Twins, and used it to light Dama’s creature. 

It worked, and the people lived long lives. Filled with the gods’ capacity for knowledge, they created tools and civilizations and shared amongst each other. 

However, the twins were not pleased. They had allowed Rhiyiwo to study their fire, not to use it. They felt their creation had been stolen from them, and so in their anger they separated from the other gods, creating their own home to live away from the rest. The Twins are considered arbiters of death and fate, and are called upon for their gift of prophecy

The God’s Reflection

Of the Lower Pantheon of gods, two stemmed from Dama. The way that some stories talk about them, I would hypothesize that these two used to be aspects of Dama which later separated into their own deities over time, though admittedly I have not been here long enough, nor have I studied the topic in-depth enough, to make that claim with certainty. 

The Brown god, Kutadu, is a god of agriculture. While Dama created plants and people, she is the combination of the two; people’s control of nature. When Dama left his creatures to their own devices, it was Kutadu who began to teach them, and show them how to harness the other organisms that lived alongside them. She is seen as a protective force, though one that prepares, not one that fights. She is Dama’s shadow, that which stays over the land as he walks away. 

If Kutadu is Dama’s shadow, then Tsidashi is his reflection, similar but distorted. This connection is not my own conjecture either. Unlike Kutadu, Tsidashi has a story of his own creation. In this tale, Dama falls asleep by a lake (or sometimes the ocean, I do not think the exact body of water is important), but is woken by a voice trying to get his attention. He sees no one in the vicinity until he looks down and sees his reflection in the water, faded and distorted in the light. It waved and asked his help. Dama pulled his reflection out of the water, creating Tsidashi, the Pink god. 

Unlike the other gods, Tsidashi is portrayed as a child. He is the god of youth and springtime and, much in the way Dama created the material world, Tsidashi is credited with either creating magic or teaching mortals how to use it. 

Love

While Konu has domain over relationships, these are primarily familial and friendly. Even rivalries and enemies are hers, to a lesser extent. However, passionate love, the sort of romantic or sexual relationships, are under the domain of Kiyumi, the teal god (or the cyan or turquoise god. English does not have a good exact equivalent for this part of the spectrum). 

Kiyumi is seen as deriving from Shuma in some way or another. Sometimes he comes only from Shuma, other times out of the love of Shuma and a mortal. The way Chagota tells it, Kiyumi was born from the love of Shuma and Goreha, a temporary but intense affair. This version seems popular in the area, but I have heard too many other versions in my travels to call it the ‘true’ version

The Storm God

The final god left to be mentioned is Worodu, the Grey god. Unlike the others, I have never heard an origin story for Worodu. She seems to have come later than the Upper pantheon, but also has always been. She is a god of storms. More generally she is the god of the sky, but storms seem to be more accurate, as she is described as the cause of rough waters and dark clouds. Earlier depictions I have found show her always backed by clouds, though this seems to have morphed into wings at some point (sometimes in addition to her arms, but also replacing one set of arms as often, if not more commonly. In many ways she is described in similar ways to Diwu, being fickle and unforgiving, unmoved at any time by mortal affairs. However, this is the extent of the connection.

Worodu also seems to be considered the god of Injury, though it is not one of her listed domains. Yes because her storms cause injury, but more often in the sense that she is the patron of those with physical disabilities. Most boats that I have seen have at least one crewmate who is mute, deaf, or missing a limb (especially common in the position of lookout), and I have heard claims that ships who employ those favoured by Worodu are more likely to return to port safely. Which isn’t to say they are employed out of pity or fear by any stretch, as each is shown, in my estimation, to be highly respected by the other sailors. 

[illateuworld]