Read The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3) Online
Authors: R. Scott Bakker
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The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3) (94 page)
BOOK: The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3)
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Skalateas
(4069-4111)—A member of the Mysunsai School, murdered in the Ansercan countryside by the Scarlet Spires.
(4069-4111)—A member of the Mysunsai School, murdered in the Ansercan countryside by the Scarlet Spires.
Skauras ab Nalajan
(4052-4111)—The Sapatishah-Governor of Shigek and the first principal antagonist of the First Holy War, slain at Anwurat. A veteran of many wars, he was deeply respected by both his allies and his enemies. The Nansur called him Sutis Sutadra, the “Southern Jackal,” because of his Black Jackal standard.
(4052-4111)—The Sapatishah-Governor of Shigek and the first principal antagonist of the First Holy War, slain at Anwurat. A veteran of many wars, he was deeply respected by both his allies and his enemies. The Nansur called him Sutis Sutadra, the “Southern Jackal,” because of his Black Jackal standard.
Skavric
—The language group of the Scylvendi peoples.
—The language group of the Scylvendi peoples.
Skettic
—The language group of ancient pastoralists of the Far Istyuli Plains, a derivative of Nirsodic.
—The language group of ancient pastoralists of the Far Istyuli Plains, a derivative of Nirsodic.
Skilura II
(3619-68)—Also called “the Mad.” The most cruel of the Surmante Emperors of Nansur, whose deranged antics led to the Granary Revolts of 3668 and the accession of Surmante Xatantius I to the Mantle.
(3619-68)—Also called “the Mad.” The most cruel of the Surmante Emperors of Nansur, whose deranged antics led to the Granary Revolts of 3668 and the accession of Surmante Xatantius I to the Mantle.
Skiötha urs Hannut
(4038-79)—The father of Cnaiür urs Skiötha, and former Chieftain of the Utemot.
(4038-79)—The father of Cnaiür urs Skiötha, and former Chieftain of the Utemot.
Skogma
—An ancient Wracu thought destroyed during the Cûno-Inchoroi Wars.
—An ancient Wracu thought destroyed during the Cûno-Inchoroi Wars.
Skuthula the Black
—An ancient Wracu spawned during the Cûno-Inchoroi Wars, one of the few Dragons known to have survived the Apocalypse, though his present whereabouts are unknown.
—An ancient Wracu spawned during the Cûno-Inchoroi Wars, one of the few Dragons known to have survived the Apocalypse, though his present whereabouts are unknown.
Snakeheads
—An Inrithi epithet for the Cishaurim.
—An Inrithi epithet for the Cishaurim.
Sobel
—An abandoned province north of Atrithau.
—An abandoned province north of Atrithau.
Sodhoras, Nersei
(4072-4111)—A Conriyan Baron and cousin of Prince Nersei Proyas.
(4072-4111)—A Conriyan Baron and cousin of Prince Nersei Proyas.
Sogian Way
—A Nansur coastal road first constructed in the age of Kyraneas.
—A Nansur coastal road first constructed in the age of Kyraneas.
Solitary God
—“Allonara Yulah” (Kianni) The name used by Fanim to denote the transcendent singularity of their supreme deity. According to Fanim tradition, the God is not, as the Inrithi claim, immanent in existence, nor is He manifold in the way described by the Latter Prophet.
—“Allonara Yulah” (Kianni) The name used by Fanim to denote the transcendent singularity of their supreme deity. According to Fanim tradition, the God is not, as the Inrithi claim, immanent in existence, nor is He manifold in the way described by the Latter Prophet.
Sompas, Biaxi
(4068- )—The General of the Kidruhil following the death of General Numemarius in Nagogris. Sompas is the eldest son of Biaxi Coronsas, Patridomos of House Biaxi.
(4068- )—The General of the Kidruhil following the death of General Numemarius in Nagogris. Sompas is the eldest son of Biaxi Coronsas, Patridomos of House Biaxi.
Sorainas
(3808-95)—A celebrated Nansur scriptural commentator, and author of
The Book of Circles and Spirals
.
(3808-95)—A celebrated Nansur scriptural commentator, and author of
The Book of Circles and Spirals
.
sorcerer of rank
—Though practices differ extensively between Schools, generally the title given to a sorcerer who is qualified to teach sorcery to another.
—Though practices differ extensively between Schools, generally the title given to a sorcerer who is qualified to teach sorcery to another.
Sorcerers of the Sun
—A common epithet for the Imperial Saik. See
Saik
.
—A common epithet for the Imperial Saik. See
Saik
.
sorcery
—The practice of making the world conform to language, as opposed to philosophy, the practice of making language conform to the world. Despite the tremendous amount of apparently unresolvable controversy surrounding sorcery, there are several salient features that seem universal to its practice. First, practitioners must be able to apprehend the “onta,” which is to say, they must possess the innate ability to see, as Protathis puts it, “Creation
as created
.” Second, sorcery also seems to involve a universal commitment to what Gotagga calls “semantic hygiene.” Sorcery requires precise meanings. This is why incantations are always spoken in a non-native tongue: to prevent the semantic transformation of crucial terms due to the vagaries of daily usage. This also explains the extraordinary “double-think” structure of sorcery, the fact that all incantations require the sorcerer to say and think two separate things
simultaneously
. The spoken segment of an incantation (what is often called the “utteral string”) must have its meaning “fixed” or focused with a silent segment (what is often called the “inutteral string”) that is simultaneously thought. Apparently the thought incantation sharpens the meaning of the spoken incantation the way the words of one man may be used to clarify the words of another. (This gives rise to the famous “semantic regress problem”: how can the inutteral string, which admits different interpretations, serve to fix the proper interpretation of the utteral string?) Though there are as many metaphysical interpretations of this structure as there are sorcerous Schools, the result in each case is the same: the world, which is otherwise utterly indifferent to the words of Men,
listens,
and sorcerous transformations of reality result.
—The practice of making the world conform to language, as opposed to philosophy, the practice of making language conform to the world. Despite the tremendous amount of apparently unresolvable controversy surrounding sorcery, there are several salient features that seem universal to its practice. First, practitioners must be able to apprehend the “onta,” which is to say, they must possess the innate ability to see, as Protathis puts it, “Creation
as created
.” Second, sorcery also seems to involve a universal commitment to what Gotagga calls “semantic hygiene.” Sorcery requires precise meanings. This is why incantations are always spoken in a non-native tongue: to prevent the semantic transformation of crucial terms due to the vagaries of daily usage. This also explains the extraordinary “double-think” structure of sorcery, the fact that all incantations require the sorcerer to say and think two separate things
simultaneously
. The spoken segment of an incantation (what is often called the “utteral string”) must have its meaning “fixed” or focused with a silent segment (what is often called the “inutteral string”) that is simultaneously thought. Apparently the thought incantation sharpens the meaning of the spoken incantation the way the words of one man may be used to clarify the words of another. (This gives rise to the famous “semantic regress problem”: how can the inutteral string, which admits different interpretations, serve to fix the proper interpretation of the utteral string?) Though there are as many metaphysical interpretations of this structure as there are sorcerous Schools, the result in each case is the same: the world, which is otherwise utterly indifferent to the words of Men,
listens,
and sorcerous transformations of reality result.
Soroptic
—The lost language of ancient Shigek, a derivative of Kemkaric.
—The lost language of ancient Shigek, a derivative of Kemkaric.
Soter, Nurbanu
(4069- )—The Palatine of the Ainoni district of Kishyat.
(4069- )—The Palatine of the Ainoni district of Kishyat.
“[The] soul that encounters Him passes no further.”
—A line from
The Sagas
referring to the Battleplain and the belief that all those who perish there remain trapped.
—A line from
The Sagas
referring to the Battleplain and the belief that all those who perish there remain trapped.
Southern Columns
—Those divisions of the Imperial Nansur Army stationed on the Kianene frontier.
—Those divisions of the Imperial Nansur Army stationed on the Kianene frontier.
Southron Gates
—The series of passes through the Unaras Spur guarded by Asgilioch.
—The series of passes through the Unaras Spur guarded by Asgilioch.
Sranc
—The violent, inhuman creatures first created by the Inchoroi as instruments of war against the Nonmen. According to the
Isûphiryas,
the Sranc are one of the “Weapon Races” created by the Inchoroi to prosecute their war of extermination against the Nonmen and their Emwama slaves.
—The violent, inhuman creatures first created by the Inchoroi as instruments of war against the Nonmen. According to the
Isûphiryas,
the Sranc are one of the “Weapon Races” created by the Inchoroi to prosecute their war of extermination against the Nonmen and their Emwama slaves.
The motivations of the Sranc seem to be as base as imaginable, in that they seem to find sexual gratification in acts of violence. There are innumerable accounts of the indiscriminate rape of men, women, children, and even corpses. They seem to know nothing of mercy or honour, and though they do take prisoners, very few are known to have survived captivity, which is said to be savage beyond imagining.
They reproduce rapidly. Though no outward physical differences are readily visible, female Sranc seem to have roles identical to those of male Sranc. Apparently, a great number of Sranc in various stages of pregnancy were observed in battle over the course of the Apocalypse. Though generally inferior to Men in individual combat, they are ideal logistically, as they are able to live for sustained periods on little more than grubs and insects. Survivors recount tales of vast tracts of ground overturned and rooted by passing Sranc hordes. Under the command of the No-God they are utterly fearless, and seem to strike with unerring control and coordination.
Typically, Sranc stand no higher than the average caste-menial’s shoulder. Their skin is devoid of pigment, and despite the refined—to the point of repulsiveness—beauty of their faces, their physiognomy is bestial (though hairless), with pinched shoulders and deep, almond-shaped breasts. They are exceedingly fast across both open and broken terrain, and their sheer viciousness is said to compensate for their slight stature.
Mandate scholars are prone to make dire warnings about the present numbers of Sranc in Eärwa. Apparently the ancient Norsirai had reduced the Sranc, pressing them to the margins of Eärwa, and the No-God was still able to summon hosts that reportedly blackened the horizon. Now Sranc dominate half the continent.
Sranc Pits
—The famed gladiatorial arena of Carythusal, where human slaves are typically pitted against Sranc.
—The famed gladiatorial arena of Carythusal, where human slaves are typically pitted against Sranc.
Stajanas II
(2338-95)—The famed “Philosopher-Emperor” of Cenei, whose
Ruminations
has remained an important work in the Three Seas literary canon.
(2338-95)—The famed “Philosopher-Emperor” of Cenei, whose
Ruminations
has remained an important work in the Three Seas literary canon.
Stalker, the
—A common epithet for Husyelt.
—A common epithet for Husyelt.
Steppe, the
—See
Jiünati Steppe
.
—See
Jiünati Steppe
.
Subis
—A once-fortified oasis in Khemema, frequented by caravans passing between Shigek and Eumarna.
—A once-fortified oasis in Khemema, frequented by caravans passing between Shigek and Eumarna.
Sudica
—A province of the Nansur Empire, largely depopulated by 4111 but among the wealthiest districts of the Kyranae Plain during the ages of Kyraneas and the Ceneian Empire.
—A province of the Nansur Empire, largely depopulated by 4111 but among the wealthiest districts of the Kyranae Plain during the ages of Kyraneas and the Ceneian Empire.
“suffer not a whore to live ...”
—The passage from Canticles 19:9,
The Chronicle of the Tusk,
condemning prostitution.
—The passage from Canticles 19:9,
The Chronicle of the Tusk,
condemning prostitution.
summoning horns
—The great horns of bronze used to signal the “prayer watches” to the Inrithi faithful.
—The great horns of bronze used to signal the “prayer watches” to the Inrithi faithful.
Sumna
—The site of the Tusk and the holiest city of Inrithism, located in Nansur.
—The site of the Tusk and the holiest city of Inrithism, located in Nansur.
Surmante, House
—A former Nansur House of the Congregate, and the Empire’s ruling dynasty from 3619 to 3941.
—A former Nansur House of the Congregate, and the Empire’s ruling dynasty from 3619 to 3941.
Surmantic Gates
—The great northern gate of Carythusal, whose construction was financed in 3639 by Surmante Xatantius I to commemorate the ill-fated Treaty of Kutapileth, a short-lived military pact between Nansur and High Ainon.
—The great northern gate of Carythusal, whose construction was financed in 3639 by Surmante Xatantius I to commemorate the ill-fated Treaty of Kutapileth, a short-lived military pact between Nansur and High Ainon.
Sursa River
—The river system that once formed the crucial frontier between Agongorea and Aörsi before the Apocalypse.
—The river system that once formed the crucial frontier between Agongorea and Aörsi before the Apocalypse.
Suskara
—A vast region of broken plains and highlands between Atrithau and the Jiünati Steppe, inhabited by numerous tribes of Sranc, some of which are tributary to the so-called Sranc King of Urskugog.
—A vast region of broken plains and highlands between Atrithau and the Jiünati Steppe, inhabited by numerous tribes of Sranc, some of which are tributary to the so-called Sranc King of Urskugog.
suthenti
—The menial castes. See
castes
.
—The menial castes. See
castes
.
Sutis Sutadra
—See
Skauras ab Nalajan
.
—See
Skauras ab Nalajan
.
Swa River
—The river that forms the northern frontier of Ce Tydonn.
—The river that forms the northern frontier of Ce Tydonn.
Swarjuka
(4061- )—The Sapatishah-Governor of Jurisada.
(4061- )—The Sapatishah-Governor of Jurisada.
swazond
—The ceremonial scars used by Scylvendi warriors to denote foes slain in battle, believed by some to be markers of stolen strength.
—The ceremonial scars used by Scylvendi warriors to denote foes slain in battle, believed by some to be markers of stolen strength.
Swazond Standard
—The name given to Cnaiür’s banner at the Battle of Anwurat.
—The name given to Cnaiür’s banner at the Battle of Anwurat.
Sweki River
—“The Sacred” (Kianni) The so-called “miracle river,” revered as holy by the Kianene, who claim that its waters arise from nothing by the will of the Solitary God. Before the first Jihads, Nansur cartographers made several attempts to locate its headwaters in the Great Salt, none of them successful.
—“The Sacred” (Kianni) The so-called “miracle river,” revered as holy by the Kianene, who claim that its waters arise from nothing by the will of the Solitary God. Before the first Jihads, Nansur cartographers made several attempts to locate its headwaters in the Great Salt, none of them successful.
Synthese
—Artifacts of the Inchoroi Tekne, thought to be living “shells” specifically designed to house the souls of senior Consult figures.
—Artifacts of the Inchoroi Tekne, thought to be living “shells” specifically designed to house the souls of senior Consult figures.
syurtpiütha
—A Scylvendi euphemism for life, meaning “the smoke-that-moves.”
T—A Scylvendi euphemism for life, meaning “the smoke-that-moves.”
talent
—The base monetary unit of the Nansur Empire.
—The base monetary unit of the Nansur Empire.
Tamiznai
—A fortified oasis two days south of the River Sempis, frequented by caravans.
—A fortified oasis two days south of the River Sempis, frequented by caravans.
Tears of God
—See
Chorae
.
—See
Chorae
.
Tekne
—Also known as the Old Science. The non-sorcerous craft of the Inchoroi, used to mould abominations out of living flesh. According to various Nonman sources, the Tekne proceeds on the presumption that everything in nature, including life, is fundamentally mechanical. Despite the absurdity of this claim, few dispute the efficacy of the Tekne, as the Inchoroi and the Consult after them have time and again demonstrated the ability to “manufacture flesh.” Mandate scholars claim that the fundamental principles of the Tekne have been long lost, and that the Consult can only proceed in a trial-and-error fashion, on the basis of an incomplete understanding, and using ancient and ill-understood instruments. This ignorance, they claim, is all that preserves the world from the No-God’s return.
—Also known as the Old Science. The non-sorcerous craft of the Inchoroi, used to mould abominations out of living flesh. According to various Nonman sources, the Tekne proceeds on the presumption that everything in nature, including life, is fundamentally mechanical. Despite the absurdity of this claim, few dispute the efficacy of the Tekne, as the Inchoroi and the Consult after them have time and again demonstrated the ability to “manufacture flesh.” Mandate scholars claim that the fundamental principles of the Tekne have been long lost, and that the Consult can only proceed in a trial-and-error fashion, on the basis of an incomplete understanding, and using ancient and ill-understood instruments. This ignorance, they claim, is all that preserves the world from the No-God’s return.
Tempiras the King
—A work widely thought the greatest of Hamishaza’s satiric tragedies.
—A work widely thought the greatest of Hamishaza’s satiric tragedies.
Temple of Exorietta
—A notorious temple in Carythusal.
—A notorious temple in Carythusal.
Temple Prayer
—Also referred to as the High Temple Prayer. The prayer, beginning “Sweet God of Gods” and attributed to Inri Sejenus in
The Tractate,
that has become the standard among the Inrithi.
—Also referred to as the High Temple Prayer. The prayer, beginning “Sweet God of Gods” and attributed to Inri Sejenus in
The Tractate,
that has become the standard among the Inrithi.
Tendant’heras
—An extensive fortress located on Nilnamesh’s frontier with Girgash and Kianene.
—An extensive fortress located on Nilnamesh’s frontier with Girgash and Kianene.
Tertae Plains
—The heavily cultivated alluvial plain bordering northeast Caraskand.
—The heavily cultivated alluvial plain bordering northeast Caraskand.
tesperari
—A Nansur term for naval captains who retire to command merchant ships.
—A Nansur term for naval captains who retire to command merchant ships.
Thampis, Kemetti
(4076- )—A Conriyan Baron from the Anpleian frontier.
(4076- )—A Conriyan Baron from the Anpleian frontier.
Tharschilka, Heänar
(4068-4110)—The Galeoth Earl of Nergaöta, and one of the three leaders of the Vulgar Holy War.
(4068-4110)—The Galeoth Earl of Nergaöta, and one of the three leaders of the Vulgar Holy War.
Therishut, Gishtari
(4067-4111)—A Conriyan Baron from the Ainoni frontier, murdered by persons unknown.
(4067-4111)—A Conriyan Baron from the Ainoni frontier, murdered by persons unknown.
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