Katayanicum

To the most illustrious and invincible Highness, Prince Verethragnan, heir to the Throne of Unyielding Justice, I, Katayana of Amaranth, send greetings.

You have asked me, my Prince, of the beginnings of all things. To my shame this is not something I can truly answer. My only excuse, my Lord, is that the answer was lost some time before Your ancient line began. To prove that I, Your least of servants, is truthful in this claim permit me to digress for but a moment to speak on the name of our world.

This name is the greatest mystery in all the ancient study of language. Every culture we have met has named this world their language's cognate of the Amaranthine "Erthvi." From the farthest west there is "Eorthe" and from the farthest east "Urthe." The Imperial word "Eard" is used by more folk than any other at this time. For convenience, as was as Your request to further perfect your Imperial, I shall use that term instead of the purer, correct Amaranthine word.

History, as we shall discuss properly in future missives, is the recounting of events recorded in whatever language and medium is available to the culture. The first extant histories across all of Eard are ours. These stretch back to the Stochalian Empire to our west, the forebears of Your own lineage.

I must add, these histories show Your line is the greatest of all royal lines in Eard, and by extension the history of Your realm the most important in all the world. As all men know, and You above all of them save Your father the greatest of all men, our reckoning began at the Battle of Kings. The honor and glory displayed and earned on that field, as You know, led us in Amaranth to number all of our years from that date, our Pahale Se.

It is the case that Eard is used when referring to our world in those first texts, the earliest available to ones who bend their minds to study, such as Yourself.

Yet histories of the Empire of Sabinia stretch back to nearly as far. These histories tell of many different events of ancient peoples such as the Kveronian Empire and the Khaganate of Karelia, which our histories barely mention. Also, these histories suggest aspects relating to the Akkermenian Empire which ours do not.

Leaving aside such issues as the trustworthiness of lesser histories, I would be bereft in my duties if I didn't emphasize they are completely different than ours. Yet, even so, they used the word "Eard," and it is inconceivable that the same word could be used by both their histories and ours in each's earliests texts unless the word was in common usage prior to both. Even northern texts written upon birch bark, and all others in the farthest reaches of the world, agree upon the name Eard or its regional variant in their even lesser histories.

Therefore, we can only assume, as men seeking wisdom, that the name Eard predates the Stochalian Empire. This suggests it comes from the language of the Kveronians, the Karelians, or the Akkermenians. I shall leave the speculation that the word derives from the Kolossoi of legend to other scholars, who may be less rigorous in their studies than Yourself or Your humble servant.

Forgive me, Your Highness, for my tedious path to explain that which surely was obvious to You but for those lesser souls such as my own it is beneficial that we methodically proceed through the evidence.

Though I realize that I have but merely walked upon a trail that is brightly lit to Your mind, I hope that this exercise has not been without some worth to You. Perhaps, this methodical approach has highlighted something that You knew but had not previously considered in the limited time Your duties allow You to consider natural philosophy.

In such hopes, I remain Your dutiful servant, Katayana of Amaranth.

To the most illustrious and invincible Highness, Prince Verethragnan, heir to the Throne of Unyielding Justice, I, Katayana of Amaranth, send greetings.

In recent missives, You have asked me, my Prince, of the beginnings of all things. I digressed to speak of the word "Eard," so as to show there is much we do not know. I proposed that the word stretched back to times before the illustrious Stochalian Empire, whose scions birthed Your own lineage.

However, before we continue the paths of history, we must, though it is mere speculation and legend, delve into the Kolossoi. They are, as all men know, creatures of mythology, yet much like the word "Eard," they are spoken of in all cultures. Flights of fancy such creatures must be, yet of such things, I will endeavor to speak of.

Old Akkermenian, my prince, is the most ancient language scholars of such things have ever found. Some even suggest it goes back to the time of the Kolossoi, as does the script which that language is written. These scholars go so far as to suggest that language should be more properly known as "Kolossoian."

In Your wisdom, You perhaps have a better understanding of this than I. I can merely say research continues, despite few sources and poor understanding of those. What we do know is there are ruins that date from at least that time, ruins which again, like "Eard," are named the same in all lands. This name, nuraghe, is one that spreads fear to uneducated souls, yet it is the case we must ascribe to it the same provenance as that of our world's name. That is to say, it predates the Stochalian Empire and must therefore come from the Kveronians, the Karelians, or the Akkermians.

In defense of uneducated souls, it is the case that history bears down upon the nuraghe. Magic was obviously involved in the creation of many, and scholars over the millennia have spent countless hours studying such places. Yet even so, there remains much to be discovered.

It is believed these all date to the time of the Akkermenians, yet there is evidence some have remained in use by their successors. You have surely heard of nuraghe hidden beneath the great city of Markanda. Such is said of many cities across Eard, and it seems likely at least some of these rumors are true, though it is entirely possible they are often false.

Of course, some scholars with less studious rigor claim that these nuraghe date not to the Akkermenians, but to the Kolossoi. To this, they turn to language.

I fear I must be tedious once more, but such is the nature of linguistic studies.

In any case, we have found inscriptions of the Akkermenian scripts, both that of Old Akkermenian and that of Younger Akkermenian. Few are the extant inscriptions in Old Akkermenian, and no texts bearing that script or language. There is somewhat more in Younger Akkermenian, including some few texts.

These Younger Akkermenian examples, combined with what little we have of the older language, have permitted some scholars to derive a few terms here and there which they claim to be Old Akkermenian words. I have included a lexicon in this missive, and as you can see, this is little enough.

However, there are some scholars who claim that Old Akkermenian should be instead called "Kolossoian," for they believe it to be the language of the Kolossoi. I, and all worthy scholars, find such a claim ridiculous, for the Kolossoi are merely creatures of legend. Yet, honesty requires me to confirm their logic is sharp and their evidence compelling, should one accept that which is obviously untrue.

One point in their favor is that nearly all examples of Old Akkermenian we know of were discovered in nuraghe. If, as some claim, nuraghe were built by the Kolossoi, then the language there must be Kolossoian. To be fair, if one accepts that assumption, then the following is a plausible deduction.

Another point in their favor is that all manner of writing in this world derives from the script created by those who used Younger Akkermenian. This is beyond doubt, as we see the lineage even to barbaric places such as the runic letters formed by the Svellheimers.

Yet, that script is vastly different than that of Old Akkermenian. Many of the letters have been deduced, though such deduction remains problematic.

What is clear, however, is that this script bears no resemblance to the Younger Akkermenian script. This, too, is a point in the favor of such scholars, for there seems to be a striking difference between the Old Akkermenian culture and Younger, including vast linguistic differences such that it might be fair to say they're two distinct cultures.

Third, there is the circumstance of antiquity. By this I mean, like the words "Eard" and "nuraghe," the Kolossoi exist in all cultures across the world. In fact, the word "Kolossoi" has been found in Younger Akkermenian.

Nevertheless, we must return back to the truth that the Kolossoi are merely legends. The tales that have survived, as You know, are filled with mystery and wonder but not the details that a philosophical mind would require. We may enjoy them for their rough beauty and their soul of suffering and hope, but few indeed are the facts we may glean from them, other than of course, the authors, whoever they might have been, possessed fertile imaginations and a rough skill with prose.

Of the tales, themselves, I need hardly tell you they consistently describe the Kolossoi as tall and mighty creatures filled with a great store of magic, such that is beyond all possibility. Even the gods, who have been proven to exist beyond all doubt, display not the power reputed to the Kolossoi.

Sadly, this is all I may say on the Kolossoi. Forgive me my ignorance, but know, my prince, that I will not rest until I have learned all that I may on this and other diverse topics.

I remain Your dutiful servant, Katayana of Amaranth.

To the most illustrious and invincible Highness, Prince Verethragnan, heir to the Throne of Unyielding Justice, I, Katayana of Amaranth, send greetings.

You have asked me, my Prince, to describe the lands of Eard to you. There is little that I, who possesses the merest of intellects, can tell you, most illustrious one, but I shall provide all that I know in the hopes that it shall prove some benefit to your peoples, if not to yourself.

I shall begin by describing the realms of Eard as they stand at this time in the year 2833 after Pasale Se, or in 1184 Imperial Reckoning as they say in the west.

What more can I say of the glorious and illustrious realm of Amaranth than that is blessed with the wisdom and skill of its ruling lineage, of which you are its most recent scion. One must admit, though, that those whom the gods bless most, they grant the greatest challenges. In this, perhaps, Amaranth is less fortunate, as all know those who owe fealty and rent to you have oft proved unworthy. Alas that they have proven so fallible and fractious in this life. May the gods bless them with humility in their future lives.

As I wish to be thorough, my lord, I shall also touch upon those realms which are neighbors to Amaranth. That this is already known to you, is of course, obvious, but I would have none say I did not provide all I can to fulfill your wishes.

First, we must acknowledge those to the north of us in the land of Euskalerria. These are indeed a most unruly folk, given as you well know, to raising swords and spears against all. In this, I think we must allow for their strange insistence that orders of chivalry are preeminent. This would not be so strange, but their understanding of chivalry is limited, and what other folk would think to allow such orders so much power in relation to their king.

But, in many ways, they are not so strange as those who are to our northwest, the folk of Periaslavl. That mothers are worthy of respect is understandable, but to allow one to rule the largest realm of Eard is curious. At least, this folk has the wisdom to allow their Great Mothers to be sorcerers of some skill, as shown by their great lifespan. Still, it would be better if they understood their true relation to the royal lineage of Amaranth and would accede to our modest requests in a more timely fashion.

To the east and south are great waters. These, of course, have aided you and your line by allowing easy trade up and down the eastern coast. It is well, of course, that your predecessors assembled a mighty fleet, as the pirates who lurk in the Dagger Islands have ever proved troublesome. Another example of the gods providing commensurate challenges for your line.

To the southeast, one finds other challenges. These are rough lands that all rulers of Eard have found inconvenient to rule. The wisdom of your line understood this centuries ago and have long since ignored this land of swamps, jungles, and mountains where wild folk and wilder beasts reside.

As your line has ever understood the wealth and power bestowed upon a realm by trade, however, you have established through the mountains to the east strong, well-protected trade routes to the Empire of Makhaira and from that, lands to the west.

That empire is truly old, my lord, having grown out of the earlier Empire of Sabinia. If you will permit me to digress, my lord, I will speak of the older realm first and then the current empire.

The Empire of Sabinia grew along the southern coasts of the Middle Sea, but soon crossed to the mountains and forests on the north coast of that sea. In time, they stretched across what we now call the Kreisens, which I shall speak of anon, all the way up to their northern sea named the Sea of Woden.

However, empires not blessed with a royal line such as your own fade and such happened to Sabinia. In time, its emperors realized that area between the Middle Sea and the Gulf of Doris served their purposes better. When Basil II Makrembolites founded the city of Basilopolis, he changed that empire forever, leading to the modern Empire of Makhaira.

Basilopolis is a city of great size and wonders worthy of admiration. Not, of course, as worthy as many cities of your realm, especially our home of Devrapatnam, but still, one must allow for the touch of the gods to reach all men. Likewise, the Empire of Makhaira is a realm worthy of respect, especially since their gold and prosperous trade routes westward have at the same time enriched thy own coffers and those of thy folk.

To the far southwest, beneath the great deserts of the Qafric Wastes, lies the Kingdom of Matara. Those that live there have gained great renowned as warriors, but perhaps only because they are so far from Amaranth they have not had the doom of meeting our warriors in battle. That their sailors have much skill, we must agree, for they sail the southern seas to our lands, despite treacherous weather and the grim island of Beloye.

Of Beloye I can say little except that our scholars have confirmed the wild rumors of its denizens have some validity. It is a land of monsters and monstrous folk. That is all which I know, and I crave your forgiveness for my lack.

I have, oh lord, promised to speak of the Kreisens. To the credit of the Empire of Sabinia, during its time the Kreisens were fruitful and peaceful, but now it has, sad to say, fallen into madness. When I speak of the Kreisens, know, my lord, that I am simply applying the name to the people of that land, for there is no king to bring some measure of happiness to that place. If only they had anyone with a tithe of the skill and wisdom of thy line, perhaps they would be more than a collection of squabbling lords constantly raiding their neighbors.

To the far north, even above that Sea of Woden I mentioned before, is the land of Svellheim. These are fell warriors and raiders, so the tales tell, and it is true that their sailors have also wended their way around the whole of Eard even unto our shores, much like those of Matara. They sail in fast ships, which suits their inconstant whims, and while we have traded well with this folk, we have also needed to remind them that raiding of our shores requires a toll few are willing to pay.

Northwest of the Kreisens is a realm known currently as the Eleven Kingdoms. I say, currently, as this land has often warred amongst itself, and at one time there were almost twenty small kingdoms. It is the way of things, as you well know, for smaller realms to become a part of larger realms and, if you will permit me the digression, I believe that you and your heirs will call it by some number less than eleven in times to come.

Finally, the last realm of Eard that I must speak of is that of the Western Isles. In many ways, this archipelago is much like our Areyat Islands, but it is the case that their rulers are much stronger than those pirates of the Areyats. Also, I must say that while their gods are less than ours, we must acknowledge they have some power, as shown by their gifts to this folk in the arts of sail and sea. I take no pleasure in admitting that their ships are the pinnacle of maritime arts, but I am consoled by the fact that clearly their gods have decided this folk needed such assistance as could be provided.

The lands of Eard are blessed also with many libraries and monasteries to gods of all types. They greatest of these orders is the Ordo Chronicorum Curiae, more commonly known throughout the lands as the Chroniclers. This order, which doth lie in all realms, are almost as learned as the members of your line, and as such far more knowledgeable as one such as myself. They have strange oaths, oaths they claim were created for them by Fate, and they are well known for following them to the letter.

Lastly, I must add that our scholars, philosophers, and mathematicians have proven, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that our world is an orb. Why the gods have created such, only they can know. However, we can infer that if one were to sail westward from the Western Isles, one would eventually arrive at the Areyat Islands. Even the mariners of those isles, though blessed by the gods themselves in their ships and skills, have not attempted such a thing for all know the distance is too great. Whether there are lands elsewhere in the world or it is but a nearly endless ocean, only the gods know.

These, then, is the land of Eard. None match the realm of Amaranth, of course, but a wise ruler, as you well know, must understand the worth that all peoples have, even if they should be less than thy own.

I thank thee, oh lord, for thy grace and patience in reading these words. I am limited, of course, by being the merest of thy subjects, though I am honored by thy courtesy and generosity.

In the hopes, my lord, that these words have proven of some little benefit to thee, I remain your dutiful servant, Katayana of Amaranth.

To the most illustrious and invincible Highness, Prince Verethragnan, heir to the Throne of Unyielding Justice, I, Katayana of Amaranth, send greetings.

You have asked me, my Prince, to describe for the benefit of your followers the Magic in Eard that exist in Eard. Though I am unworthy of this task, I will attempt to comply with all the meager skill and knowledge at my disposal. I can only hope that You, in Your generosity, will forgive my missteps.

I hope that this will clarify for those who follow You some of the most basic aspects of magic. In Your generosity, You have allowed me to put these words to parchment, though I know them to be unworthy of Your vision. Words cannot truly describe the glory of Your benevolence in allowing me to pass my meager understanding forward.

With great thanks, I remain Your dutiful servant, Katayana of Amaranth.