The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3) (91 page)
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Authors: R. Scott Bakker
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BOOK: The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3)
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Hearken, for this the God has said,
“These False Men offend Me;
blot out all mark of their Passing.”
“These False Men offend Me;
blot out all mark of their Passing.”
But Cûnuroi civilization was ancient even before these words were carved into the Tusk. While the Halaroi, Men, wandered the world dressed in skins and wielding weapons of stone, the Cûnuroi had invented writing and mathematics, astrology and geometry, sorcery and philosophy. They dredged mountains hollow for the galleries of their High Mansions. They traded and warred with one another. They subdued all Eärwa, enslaving the Emwama, the soft-hearted Men who dwelt in Eärwa in those early days.
Their decline is the result of three different catastrophic events. The first, and most significant, was the so-called Womb-Plague. In the hope of achieving immortality, the Nonmen (specifically, the great Cu’jara Cinmoi) allowed the Inchoroi to live among them as their physicians. The Nonmen did in fact attain immortality, and the Inchoroi, claiming their work done, retired back to the Incû-Holoinas. The plague struck shortly after, almost killing males and uniformly killing all females. The Nonmen call this tragic event the Nasamorgas, the “Death of Birth.”
The following Cûno-Inchoroi Wars further sapped their strength, so that by the time the first Tribes of Men invaded, the Nonmen had not the numbers or, some say, the will to resist their advance. Within the course of a few generations they were nearly exterminated. Only the Mansions of Ishoriol and Cil-Aujas survived.
See
Cûno-Inchoroi Wars
.
Cûno-Inchoroi Wars
.
Nonmen Tutelage
—The great period of Norsirai-Cûnuroi trade, education, and strategic alliances, beginning in 555 and ending with the Expulsion in 825 (following the famed Rape of Omindalea).
—The great period of Norsirai-Cûnuroi trade, education, and strategic alliances, beginning in 555 and ending with the Expulsion in 825 (following the famed Rape of Omindalea).
Norsirai
—The typically blond-haired, blue-eyed, fair-skinned race predominantly concentrated along the northern fringe of the Three Seas, although they once ruled all the lands north to the Yimaleti Mountains. One of the Five Tribes of Men.
—The typically blond-haired, blue-eyed, fair-skinned race predominantly concentrated along the northern fringe of the Three Seas, although they once ruled all the lands north to the Yimaleti Mountains. One of the Five Tribes of Men.
noschi
—A Kûniüric term meaning “source of light,” but used in the sense of “genius” as well.
—A Kûniüric term meaning “source of light,” but used in the sense of “genius” as well.
Noshainrau the White
(
c.
1005-72)—The founding Grandmaster of the Sohonc and author of the
Interrogations,
the first elaboration of the Gnosis by Men.
(
c.
1005-72)—The founding Grandmaster of the Sohonc and author of the
Interrogations,
the first elaboration of the Gnosis by Men.
Nron
—A minor island nation of the Three Seas, nominally independent but in fact dominated by the School of Mandate in Atyersus.
—A minor island nation of the Three Seas, nominally independent but in fact dominated by the School of Mandate in Atyersus.
Nroni
—The language of Nron, a derivative of Sheyo-Kheremic.
—The language of Nron, a derivative of Sheyo-Kheremic.
Numaineiri
—A populous and fertile fiefdom of interior Ce Tydonn, located to the west of Meigeiri. Numaineiri warriors are known to paint their faces red whenever they believe themselves doomed in battle.
—A populous and fertile fiefdom of interior Ce Tydonn, located to the west of Meigeiri. Numaineiri warriors are known to paint their faces red whenever they believe themselves doomed in battle.
number-sticks
—A means of generating random numerical results for the purposes of gambling. The first references to number-sticks reach as far back as ancient Shigek. The most common variations consist of two sticks typically referred to as the Fat and the Skinny. A groove is carved all the way through the Fat so that the Skinny can drop up and down its interior length. The Skinny is then capped on either end to prevent it from falling out. Numerical values are marked along the length of the Fat, so that when the sticks are thrown, the Skinny can indicate a result.
—A means of generating random numerical results for the purposes of gambling. The first references to number-sticks reach as far back as ancient Shigek. The most common variations consist of two sticks typically referred to as the Fat and the Skinny. A groove is carved all the way through the Fat so that the Skinny can drop up and down its interior length. The Skinny is then capped on either end to prevent it from falling out. Numerical values are marked along the length of the Fat, so that when the sticks are thrown, the Skinny can indicate a result.
Numemarius, Thallei
(4069-4111)—The Patridomos of House Thallei, and General of the Kidruhil until his death in Nagogris.
(4069-4111)—The Patridomos of House Thallei, and General of the Kidruhil until his death in Nagogris.
Nymbricani
—A tribe of Norsirai pastoralists who range southern Cepalor.
—A tribe of Norsirai pastoralists who range southern Cepalor.
Nyranisas Sea
—The easternmost of the Three Seas.
O—The easternmost of the Three Seas.
Oknai One-Eye
(4053-4110)—The inveterate chieftain of the Munuäti, a powerful federation of Scylvendi tribes.
(4053-4110)—The inveterate chieftain of the Munuäti, a powerful federation of Scylvendi tribes.
Okyati urs Okkiür
(4038-82)—The cousin of Cnaiür urs Skiötha, who first brought Anasûrimbor Moënghus as a captive to the Utemot camp in 4080.
(4038-82)—The cousin of Cnaiür urs Skiötha, who first brought Anasûrimbor Moënghus as a captive to the Utemot camp in 4080.
Old Ainoni
—The language of Ceneian Ainon, a derivative of Ham-Kheremic.
—The language of Ceneian Ainon, a derivative of Ham-Kheremic.
Old Father
—An epithet used by skin-spies to describe their Consult makers.
—An epithet used by skin-spies to describe their Consult makers.
Old Meöric
—The lost language of the early Meöri Empire, a derivative of Nirsodic.
—The lost language of the early Meöri Empire, a derivative of Nirsodic.
Old Name
—A term referring to the original members of the Consult.
—A term referring to the original members of the Consult.
Old Science
—See
Tekne
.
—See
Tekne
.
Old Scylvendi
—The language of ancient Scylvendi pastoralists, a derivative of Skaaric.
—The language of ancient Scylvendi pastoralists, a derivative of Skaaric.
Old Zeümi
—The language of Angka (ancient Zeüm), a derivative of Ankmuri.
—The language of Angka (ancient Zeüm), a derivative of Ankmuri.
Olekaros
(2881-2956)—A Ceneian slave-scholar of Cironji descent, famed for his
Avowals
.
(2881-2956)—A Ceneian slave-scholar of Cironji descent, famed for his
Avowals
.
omen-texts
—The traditional indexes, usually specific to each of the Cults, detailing the various omens and their meaning.
—The traditional indexes, usually specific to each of the Cults, detailing the various omens and their meaning.
Omiri urs Xunnurit
(4089-4111)—The lame daughter of Xunnurit and wife of Yursalka.
(4089-4111)—The lame daughter of Xunnurit and wife of Yursalka.
Oncis Sea
—The westernmost of the Three Seas.
—The westernmost of the Three Seas.
111 Aphorisms
—A minor work of Ekyannus VIII, consisting of 111 aphorisms that primarily deal with matters of faith and integrity.
—A minor work of Ekyannus VIII, consisting of 111 aphorisms that primarily deal with matters of faith and integrity.
“one lamb for ten bulls”
—A saying that refers to the relative difference in value between a witting and an unwitting sacrificial victim.
—A saying that refers to the relative difference in value between a witting and an unwitting sacrificial victim.
Onkis
—The Goddess of hope and aspiration. One of the so-called Compensatory Gods, who reward devotion in life with paradise in the afterlife, Onkis draws followers from all walks of life, though rarely in great numbers. She is only mentioned twice in the
Higarata,
and in the (likely apocryphal)
Parnishtas
she is portrayed as a prophetess, not of the future, but of the motivations of Men. The so-called “shakers” belong to an extreme branch of the Cult, where the devotees ritually strive to be “possessed” by the Goddess. Her symbol is the Copper Tree (which also happens to be the device of the legendary Nonman Mansion of Siol, though no link has been established).
—The Goddess of hope and aspiration. One of the so-called Compensatory Gods, who reward devotion in life with paradise in the afterlife, Onkis draws followers from all walks of life, though rarely in great numbers. She is only mentioned twice in the
Higarata,
and in the (likely apocryphal)
Parnishtas
she is portrayed as a prophetess, not of the future, but of the motivations of Men. The so-called “shakers” belong to an extreme branch of the Cult, where the devotees ritually strive to be “possessed” by the Goddess. Her symbol is the Copper Tree (which also happens to be the device of the legendary Nonman Mansion of Siol, though no link has been established).
“Only the Few can see the Few”
—The traditional expression used to refer to the unique ability of sorcerers to “see” both the practitioners and the products of sorcery.
—The traditional expression used to refer to the unique ability of sorcerers to “see” both the practitioners and the products of sorcery.
Onoyas II, Nersei
(3823-78)—The King of Conriya who first forged the alliance between the School of Mandate and House Nersei.
(3823-78)—The King of Conriya who first forged the alliance between the School of Mandate and House Nersei.
onta
—The name given by the Schools to the very fabric of what is.
—The name given by the Schools to the very fabric of what is.
On the Carnal
—The most famous of Opparitha’s exhortatory works, popular among lay readers though widely derided by Three Seas intellectuals.
—The most famous of Opparitha’s exhortatory works, popular among lay readers though widely derided by Three Seas intellectuals.
On the Folly of Men
—The magnum opus of the famed satirist Ontillas.
—The magnum opus of the famed satirist Ontillas.
On the Temples and Their Iniquities
—A quasi-heretical Sareot text.
—A quasi-heretical Sareot text.
Ontillas
(2875-2933)—The near antique Ceneian satirist most famous for his
On the Folly of Men
.
(2875-2933)—The near antique Ceneian satirist most famous for his
On the Folly of Men
.
Opparitha
(3211-99)—The near antique Cengemian moralist most famous for his
On the Carnal
.
(3211-99)—The near antique Cengemian moralist most famous for his
On the Carnal
.
Opsara
(4074- )—A Kianene slave who serves as the infant Moënghus’s wet nurse.
(4074- )—A Kianene slave who serves as the infant Moënghus’s wet nurse.
Ordeal, the
—Sometimes referred to as the Great Ordeal. The tragic holy war Anasûrimbor Celmomas called against Golgotterath in 2123. See
Apocalypse
.
—Sometimes referred to as the Great Ordeal. The tragic holy war Anasûrimbor Celmomas called against Golgotterath in 2123. See
Apocalypse
.
Orthodox
—The name taken by the Inrithi opponents of the Zaudunyani during the siege of Caraskand.
—The name taken by the Inrithi opponents of the Zaudunyani during the siege of Caraskand.
Osbeus
—A basalt quarry used in Near and Far Antiquity, located near the ruins of Mehtsonc.
—A basalt quarry used in Near and Far Antiquity, located near the ruins of Mehtsonc.
Osthwai Mountains
—A major mountain range located in central Eärwa.
—A major mountain range located in central Eärwa.
Oswenta
—The administrative and commercial capital of Galeoth, located on the north coast of Lake Huösi.
—The administrative and commercial capital of Galeoth, located on the north coast of Lake Huösi.
Other Voice
—The name given to the “voice” used to communicate in all Cants of Calling.
—The name given to the “voice” used to communicate in all Cants of Calling.
Othrain, Eorcu
(4060-4111)—The Tydonni Earl of Numaineiri, slain at Mengedda.
(4060-4111)—The Tydonni Earl of Numaineiri, slain at Mengedda.
Ottma, Cwithar
(4073- )—One of the Nascenti, formerly a Tydonni thane.
(4073- )—One of the Nascenti, formerly a Tydonni thane.
Outside
—That which lies beyond the World. Most commentators follow Ajencis’s so-called Dyadic Theory when characterizing the World and its relation to the Outside. In
Meta-Analytics,
Ajencis argues that it is the relation between subject and object, desire and reality, that underwrites the structure of existence. The World, he argues, is simply the point of maximal objectivity, the plane where the desires of individual souls are helpless before circumstance (because it is fixed by the desire of the God of Gods). The many regions of the Outside then represent diminishing levels of objectivity, where circumstances yield more and more to desire. This, he claims, is what defines the “spheres of dominance” of Gods and demons. As he writes, “the greater will commands.” The more powerful entities of the Outside dwell in “sub-realities” that conform to their desires. This is what makes piety and devotion so important: the more favour an individual can secure in the Outside (primarily through the worship of Gods and the honouring of ancestors), the greater the chance of finding bliss rather than torment in the afterlife.
—That which lies beyond the World. Most commentators follow Ajencis’s so-called Dyadic Theory when characterizing the World and its relation to the Outside. In
Meta-Analytics,
Ajencis argues that it is the relation between subject and object, desire and reality, that underwrites the structure of existence. The World, he argues, is simply the point of maximal objectivity, the plane where the desires of individual souls are helpless before circumstance (because it is fixed by the desire of the God of Gods). The many regions of the Outside then represent diminishing levels of objectivity, where circumstances yield more and more to desire. This, he claims, is what defines the “spheres of dominance” of Gods and demons. As he writes, “the greater will commands.” The more powerful entities of the Outside dwell in “sub-realities” that conform to their desires. This is what makes piety and devotion so important: the more favour an individual can secure in the Outside (primarily through the worship of Gods and the honouring of ancestors), the greater the chance of finding bliss rather than torment in the afterlife.
Over-Standard
—The sacred military standard of the Nansur Exalt-General, decorated with the disc-shaped breastplate of Kuxophus II, the last of the ancient Kyranean High Kings. Imperial Columnaries often refer to it as “the Concubine.”
P—The sacred military standard of the Nansur Exalt-General, decorated with the disc-shaped breastplate of Kuxophus II, the last of the ancient Kyranean High Kings. Imperial Columnaries often refer to it as “the Concubine.”
Paäta
(4062-4111) A body-slave belonging to Krijates Xinemus, slain in Khemema.
(4062-4111) A body-slave belonging to Krijates Xinemus, slain in Khemema.
Padirajah
—The traditional title of the ruler of Kian.
—The traditional title of the ruler of Kian.
Palpothis
—One of the famed Ziggurats of Shigek, named after Palpothis III (622-78), the Old Dynasty God-King who raised her.
—One of the famed Ziggurats of Shigek, named after Palpothis III (622-78), the Old Dynasty God-King who raised her.
Panteruth urs Mutkius
(4075-4111)—A Scylvendi of the Munuäti tribe.
(4075-4111)—A Scylvendi of the Munuäti tribe.
Parrhae Plains
—A region of fertile tablelands located in northwestern Galeoth.
—A region of fertile tablelands located in northwestern Galeoth.
Pasna
—A town on the River Phayus, known for the quality of its olive oil.
—A town on the River Phayus, known for the quality of its olive oil.
pembeditari
—A common pejorative used for camp prostitutes, meaning “scratchers.”
—A common pejorative used for camp prostitutes, meaning “scratchers.”
pemembis
—A wild bush prized for its fragrant blue blooms.
—A wild bush prized for its fragrant blue blooms.
peneditari
—A common name given to camp prostitutes, meaning “long-walkers.”
—A common name given to camp prostitutes, meaning “long-walkers.”
perrapta
—A traditional Conriyan liquor, often used to inaugurate meals.
—A traditional Conriyan liquor, often used to inaugurate meals.
Persommas, Hagum
(4078- )—One of the Nascenti, formerly a Nansur blacksmith.
(4078- )—One of the Nascenti, formerly a Nansur blacksmith.
Pharixas
—A disputed island stronghold in the Meneanor Sea.
—A disputed island stronghold in the Meneanor Sea.
Phayus River
—The primary river system of the Kyranae Plains, draining the south central Hethanta Mountains and emptying into the Meneanor Sea.
—The primary river system of the Kyranae Plains, draining the south central Hethanta Mountains and emptying into the Meneanor Sea.
Pherokar I
(3666-3821)—One of Kian’s earliest and fiercest Padirajahs.
(3666-3821)—One of Kian’s earliest and fiercest Padirajahs.
pick
—A derogatory term often used by Norsirai when referring to Ketyai. The word comes from the Tydonni
pikka,
or “slave,” but has come to have broader, racial connotations.
—A derogatory term often used by Norsirai when referring to Ketyai. The word comes from the Tydonni
pikka,
or “slave,” but has come to have broader, racial connotations.
Pilaskanda
(4060- )—The King of Girgash and a tributary ally of the Kianene Padirajah.
(4060- )—The King of Girgash and a tributary ally of the Kianene Padirajah.
Pirasha
—An old Sumni whore befriended by Esmenet.
—An old Sumni whore befriended by Esmenet.
Pisathulas
—The personal eunuch attendant of Ikurei Istriya.
—The personal eunuch attendant of Ikurei Istriya.
Plaideöl
—A fiefdom of Ce Tydonn, one of the “Deep Marches” above the eastern headwaters of the River Swa. Plaideölmen are famed for their ferocity in battle, and are easily distinguished by their great beards, which they never trim.
—A fiefdom of Ce Tydonn, one of the “Deep Marches” above the eastern headwaters of the River Swa. Plaideölmen are famed for their ferocity in battle, and are easily distinguished by their great beards, which they never trim.
Pon Way
—An old Ceneian road that runs northwest from Momemn parallel to the River Phayus and serves as one of the Nansurium’s primary commercial arteries.
—An old Ceneian road that runs northwest from Momemn parallel to the River Phayus and serves as one of the Nansurium’s primary commercial arteries.
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