THE KAL-A-NAR EMPIRE [RED] - Banner - Red Gauntleted Fist on
a Black Field

FACTS IN BRIEF - Human-dominated empire that controls the northern
and western portion of Shaintar.  Warrior society; Warlords rule
over all with a mighty and feared army.  Extensive slave trade. 
Diverse economy, heavy emphasis on mining and manufacture of
materials for war.  Main race (humans) characterized by enhanced
physiques, blond to red hair, and square-ish features.
     Role-playing Notes - This is the "Bad Guy Empire."  The Kal
are mean, war-like, and consider themsFae superior to everyone. 
Consider them a combination of the Klingons (in the "bad old
days"), Romulans, the Empire of Star Wars, and Nazis.

     1600 years ago, the barbaric Human tribes far to the north
began to coalesce into a single society. Ever-stronger warlords
gained control over more people and territory, subjugating the
weaker peoples in their regions and building larger and more
powerful armies. By enslaving the dwarvish populace of the Everwall
Mountains, they were able to obtain armor and forged weapons, thus
increasing their capabilities for war immensely.
     It took another 300 years for them to finally unite under one
banner, that of the Vos-Dair-Az (Grand War Marshall) Jolokas ki
Grilnas. His brilliance amongst his peers won him every major
battle he ever fought. He parlayed this brilliance into political
stratagems that ultimately created the Eleran m' Kal-a-nar, the
Kal-a-nar Empire, with himsFae as its Emperor. (Note: Kal-a-nar
means, literally, "The People of Glory.")
     After many years of warfare against all who would oppose them,
the Empire sprawls across vast distances. It dominates the northern
part of the main continent, and it spreads out along the western
side almost to the very southern end. Entire societies have been
engulfed within its control, most of which have been turned into
slave castes. Some of these people include the Youlin Aradi ("The
People of the Sun") of the Eternal Desert, the Everwall Dwarves,
and the Fae of the Forever Forest.
     The Empire remains very militaristic in its design. The
Tor-Eleran ("Army of the Empire") is the true power of the society,
and Warlords rule over all. There are nobles, but only those with
rank in the Army have any real standing. There is also a very
strong caste structure within the Empire's society , and it is
observed religiously. Women can achieve, but they must strive hard
to do so (and still have limits as to how high they can go). 
However, there are no restrictions to women serving in the
military. Non-humans, though, are (at best) slave labor.  

ZOVOS-DAIR-AZ (Supreme Warlord, Emperor)
     Currently Harkor ki Doman
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VOS-DAIR-AZ (Grand Warlords)
     There are three of these: Farak ki Doman (Harkor's brother),
commanding the West; Jolokas ki Harkor (Harkor's son, named after
the first Emperor), who commands the Heart (the north-central
region); and Unikon ki Yolot, who commands the East.  There was a
fourth, who commanded the South. Since the Tantor-voshnos ("The
Dread Betrayal"), when the Vas-Dair-Az m' Surnas (Grand Warlord of
the South) declared the Eternal Desert his own, there has never
been a replacement. It is said that the Emperor has declared the
title go to whomever brings him the head of Soman ki Akara, the
Ruler of the Eternal Desert.
     The Vos-Dair-Az are considered Az-ri (High Lords). They
command the vos-daizars, the over-armies of the Empire.
|
AZ-RI (High Lords)
     The highest caste of nobility. They rule over regions, though
if they are not themsFae Warlords, they are considered lesser
than the Warlord that serves that region by most.
|
DAIR-AZ (Warlords)
     These are the commanders of the daizars, the war clans of the
Empire. Many Dair-az serve also as Az-Fal, and are considered to be
of that caste of nobility.
|
AZ-FAL (Lords)
     The middle rank of nobility. Az-Fal rule over city-states, or
else they oversee regions of more rural areas.
|
DAIR-KAN (War Commanders)
     This is the rank of those who command kantors, the largest
unit within a daizar (essentially, a division). Dair-kan are
considered Az-Dren.
|
AZ-DREN (Demi-lords)
     This is the lowest rank of nobility in the Empire. At best,
they rule over towns. In most cases, however, they are in other
bureaucratic positions that are too important or of too much status
for non-nobility. Of course, there are many Az-dren that are either
in the military or otherwise little more than "window dressing" in
the Imperial Court.
     Az-dren is the highest caste a female may ever achieve.
|
DAIR-GOL (War Leaders)
     This is the next rank down. Dair-gol usually command yanar,
brigade-level units in the daizars.
|
DAIR-ENDAR (War Chieftan)
     The next lower rank, often found commanding ultors, the
battalion-level units of the daizar
|

SADAR-NOM ("Celebrated Name," a High non-lord)
     Sadar-nom is the highest caste attainable by anyone not of
noble blood. Celebrated heroes, great artisans, or very successful
merchants are often elevated to this caste. The Emperor must
approve any such appointment.
|
DAIR-KRON (War Captain)
     The rank of those found in command of company-level units.
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ANDAK-GOL (Battle Leader)
     The lowest officer rank in the daizars (the equivalent of a
lieutenant). The units they normally command are called mantas.
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VOS-FANAR (High Merchants/Bureaucrats)
     These are the truly successful merchants that have attained
great wealth. Usually, this caste is only attained through
inheritance and blood, though it is possible to be awarded this
caste. This caste also represents the highest non-noble
functionaries of the government.
|
VOS-INIKAR (High Artisans/Craftsmen)
     Only the greatest and most successful of their craft attain
this caste, although the caste is hereditary. Only certain crafts
are considered worthy of the caste, such as weaponsmiths, armorers,
builders, and the like.
|
MAS-GOL (Squad Leader)
     These are the "sergeants" of the daizars. They lead units
called mas.
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DREN-FANAR (Low Merchants/Bureaucrats)
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DREN-INIKAR (Low Artisans/Craftsmen)
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ANDAK-TOR (Soldier, "Battle Sword")
     These are the rank-and-file troops of the daizars.
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THOMARIN (Farming Landowner)
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DREMARIN (Retainer/Servant/Worker)
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VOS-ULIN (High Slave)
     Gladiators, noble servants, and those that work within
upper-level positions with some responsibility are of this caste.
Vos-ulin are treated relatively well and are valued by their
owners.
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DREN-ULIN (Low Slave)

Kalinesh terms: A brief glossary of Kalinesh words-
agkar - death
andak - battle, skirmish
Az - Lord, Noble
Azkal - The Nobility, those of noble blood
cro - pit, hole
dair - War, Conflict
Dair-Az - Warlord
daizar - War Clan, Army
dremarin - servant, retainer, worker, laborer
dren - low, beneath
Eleran - the Empire
endar - chieftan, ruler
esnor - east
fal - moderate, mediocre, acceptable
fanar - merchant, shopkeeper
gol - leader
inikar - artisan, craftsman, performer
junin - mage, spellcaster, strange magical being
junos - magic
kal - people
Kal - The People (the descendants of those who started the Empire)
kan - commander, general
kes - Daughter of
ki - Son of
kom - heart, center
kron - captain
m' - of the (short for mir-ki)
mas - squad
maris - serve
mastak - truth, fact
mir-ki - of the, belonging to
nar - Glory, Renown
nok - no
nomas - name
nuras - north
og - Eye
ri - high, elevated
sadais - honor
sadar - honored, celebrated, favored
su - yes
surnas - south
tantok - Dread, Evil, Horrible
Tantor-voshnos - The Dread Betrayal
thomal - farming, agriculture
thomarin - farmer, field-owner
tor - sword, blade (colloquially, "honored servant/soldier)
ulin - slave
ulin-tor - gladiator, slave-fighter
vos - great, grand, honored
Vos-Dair-Az - Grand Warlord
voshnos - Betrayal, Dishonor
wesnor - west
zonias - frontier, outland
zovos - above all, greatest
Zovos-Dair-Az - Supreme Warlord, Emperor

Other Items of Note:

The Andak-cros - The gladiatorial arenas (literally,
"Battle-Pits"), where gladiator slaves are pitted against each
other in bloody contests. Prisoners and criminals are likewise
thrown into the pits. As of late, various mages and necromancers
have started sending creatures of unknown origin into the pits as
well, much to the delight of the nobility and horror of the slaves.

Az-agkar - The Death Lords, a guild of necromancers that advise the
Emperor and serve his (as well as their own) interests. Their
elevated status is the cause of much consternation within the
nobility of the Empire, and they are much of the reason that Soman
ki Akara led the revolt of the Eternal Desert daizars.

Az-junin - The Mage Lords, the rival guild to that of the Death
Lords. The mages of the Az-junin are known for their ruthless
fascination with all things magical and their demon-worship.

Tor-Sadais - The Sword of Honor, the elite daizar that serves the
Emperor directly.

Tor-Mastak - The Sword of Truth, possibly the most reviled unit in
the entire Empire. They are the secret police and security units of
the daizars. They operate with complete impunity and can
investigate anyone save the Emperor himsFae. They may even target
the Emperor if all existing Vos-Dair-Az agree to it. They are
renowned for their cruelty, ruthlessness, and efficiency. They have
a close relationship with the Az-agkar and Az-junin. The Tor-Mastak
is also charged with finding and retrieving (or killing) all
escaped slaves.

Tantor-voshnos - The event known as the Great Betrayal began in
3009, when the Vos-Dair-Az m' Surnas, Soman ki Akara, declared that
the Empire had fallen to ruin and dishonor and that the war clans
under his command would secede from the Kal. This has sparked a
civil war of immense proportions within the Empire. It is not
helped by the fact that there are quiet grumblings within the Azkal
(noble blood) that there is reason to accept some of what Soman
claims. What makes it worse for the Empire is that Soman is
considering releasing all of his ulin, elevating them all to
Dremarin caste. This would bring nearly all of the Youlin Aradi
(the original dwellers of the desert) to his banner