An Excerpt from Travels of the Desert Nest, Chapter 1: Introduction. This is the first book to depict the history and current significance of the ancient Desert Nest and its denizens, as described by one of Star Nest’s most eminent Caeologists, lobar Malinowski.
DESERT NEST HISTORY. The Desert Nest, having been separated from the Vislan continent for countless generations, has developed a unique society that cannot be fully understood through a Vislan lens, particularly in regards to the Four Great Nests of Visla.
The last known voyage from the Vislan mainland to the Desert Nest was led by Queen Solaria, who departed with her tribe of Caeli known as the Malla. The continent itself was subsequently named after this ancient group of caeli, a symbol of the significant mark this group left on the Desert Nest. The ancient civilization of the Desert Nest has all but vanished from the mainland, leaving no trace behind, while its descendants thrive within the Desert Nest.
The Desert Nest itself is as large as the Star Nest territory, based on a continent half the size of Visla, however with much lower population density. Most of the caeli that reside in the Desert Nest live within its canyon walls, protected from the harsh elements of the unending sands and vast oceans. The original design of the nest was spearheaded by Queen Solaria and the Malla, who held knowledge and technology that is now lost to the ages. Their capacity for engineering the landscape is still unparalleled, with the entire oasis on the south end of the nest a product of deep aqueducts and drainage systems that intersect across the entire continent, pulling rainwater directly to the farms.
On top of this, the artistry that was passed down from the Malla still remains with the citizens, where stoneware, pottery, weaving, and carvings are all done distinctively from the mainland of which we are accustomed.
DESERT NEST CULTURE. One of the notable differences between the Desert Nest and the mainland lies in their religious practices. In the Desert Nest, every street, nook, and crevice hosts a shrine, signifying the deeply ingrained nature of their cultural beliefs. These shrines come in various forms, ranging from large public shrines to personal ones found in people's homes. Rather than adhering to an organised religion, the Desert Nest follows a combination of ancestor worship, with past Queens enshrined as deities, and the worship of elemental gods and goddesses. Additionally, a god of the land holds prominence in their belief system, with floor shrines scattered throughout the land.
While there are monks and priestesses in the Desert Nest, their roles primarily revolve around serving as elders rather than strictly religious figures. Their wisdom and experience make them respected members of the community, resembling something akin to the elder rank found in other societies. It's worth noting that there is no specific primary point or organised structure for religious practices in the Desert Nest. Instead, worship is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of every caeli. Certain families may have their own specific beliefs and practices, but these differences do not lead to conflicts or wars. Despite their diverse beliefs, the people of the Desert Nest coexist harmoniously.
In terms of livelihood, religious worship is not a profession that provides monetary benefits. Monks and priestesses have other tasks and responsibilities within the community that sustain them financially. For example, a priestess serving as an elder for the queen may engage in administrative tasks and paperwork, while a monk from another family could be a fisherman or farmer. The Desert Nest's religious beliefs are not structured in a way that allows individuals to earn a living solely through their religious roles. Each individual in the community contributes in their own way, fulfilling various tasks to support themselves and their families.
Unlike organised religions where monetary distributions may occur, there is no such system in place within the Desert Nest. The queen does not provide stipends or financial support to priests based on their faith. The practice of faith is considered personal and sacred, and the queen maintains impartiality, refraining from favouring any specific faction or belief. Political involvement in religious matters would be highly detrimental to the queen's position.
Overall, the religious landscape of the Desert Nest is rich and diverse, with worship integrated into every aspect of life. It is a fundamental part of their culture, with different beliefs coexisting harmoniously, all driven by love and devotion rather than financial gain.
The last known voyage from the Vislan mainland to the Desert Nest was led by Queen Solaria, who departed with her tribe of Caeli known as the Malla. The continent itself was subsequently named after this ancient group of caeli, a symbol of the significant mark this group left on the Desert Nest. The ancient civilization of the Desert Nest has all but vanished from the mainland, leaving no trace behind, while its descendants thrive within the Desert Nest.
The Desert Nest itself is as large as the Star Nest territory, based on a continent half the size of Visla, however with much lower population density. Most of the caeli that reside in the Desert Nest live within its canyon walls, protected from the harsh elements of the unending sands and vast oceans. The original design of the nest was spearheaded by Queen Solaria and the Malla, who held knowledge and technology that is now lost to the ages. Their capacity for engineering the landscape is still unparalleled, with the entire oasis on the south end of the nest a product of deep aqueducts and drainage systems that intersect across the entire continent, pulling rainwater directly to the farms.
On top of this, the artistry that was passed down from the Malla still remains with the citizens, where stoneware, pottery, weaving, and carvings are all done distinctively from the mainland of which we are accustomed.
DESERT NEST CULTURE. One of the notable differences between the Desert Nest and the mainland lies in their religious practices. In the Desert Nest, every street, nook, and crevice hosts a shrine, signifying the deeply ingrained nature of their cultural beliefs. These shrines come in various forms, ranging from large public shrines to personal ones found in people's homes. Rather than adhering to an organised religion, the Desert Nest follows a combination of ancestor worship, with past Queens enshrined as deities, and the worship of elemental gods and goddesses. Additionally, a god of the land holds prominence in their belief system, with floor shrines scattered throughout the land.
While there are monks and priestesses in the Desert Nest, their roles primarily revolve around serving as elders rather than strictly religious figures. Their wisdom and experience make them respected members of the community, resembling something akin to the elder rank found in other societies. It's worth noting that there is no specific primary point or organised structure for religious practices in the Desert Nest. Instead, worship is deeply ingrained in the daily lives of every caeli. Certain families may have their own specific beliefs and practices, but these differences do not lead to conflicts or wars. Despite their diverse beliefs, the people of the Desert Nest coexist harmoniously.
In terms of livelihood, religious worship is not a profession that provides monetary benefits. Monks and priestesses have other tasks and responsibilities within the community that sustain them financially. For example, a priestess serving as an elder for the queen may engage in administrative tasks and paperwork, while a monk from another family could be a fisherman or farmer. The Desert Nest's religious beliefs are not structured in a way that allows individuals to earn a living solely through their religious roles. Each individual in the community contributes in their own way, fulfilling various tasks to support themselves and their families.
Unlike organised religions where monetary distributions may occur, there is no such system in place within the Desert Nest. The queen does not provide stipends or financial support to priests based on their faith. The practice of faith is considered personal and sacred, and the queen maintains impartiality, refraining from favouring any specific faction or belief. Political involvement in religious matters would be highly detrimental to the queen's position.
Overall, the religious landscape of the Desert Nest is rich and diverse, with worship integrated into every aspect of life. It is a fundamental part of their culture, with different beliefs coexisting harmoniously, all driven by love and devotion rather than financial gain.
An Excerpt from Travels of the Desert Nest, Chapter 3: Ladies of High Degree. The first book to reveal the secret and sacred practices of the Desert Nest, Ladies of High Degree presents an extraordinary series of rites by which the young Desert lady begins the degrees of spiritual and cultural initiation, as described by one of Star Nest’s most eminent Caeologists, lobar Malinowski.
In the Desert tradition, Khumara are chosen young Queens or Princesses who are believed to manifest divine female energy of a Goddess. For instance, in the case of the current Queen Pithanayika Kaudara, she is the living embodiment of the Goddess K’amanah.
K’amanah is described as the deity of fertility, birth, children, wells, and fountains. Thus, the Khumara is considered a living goddess, reincarnated from a deity in the overall pantheon of the Desert nest. Some are fabled to have prophetic abilities related to her deity’s domain, for instance in her ability to bless couples, find wells, and safely hatch infants.
The role of Khumara starts at birth, from a selection of secretive rites and criteria of traits that determine whether the body contains a reincarnated soul, and which deity inhabits that body. Some of the rites may include giving the infant items of symbolic reverence to specific deities to observe their reaction, or selection of certain traits such as heterochromia which indicate the ability to “see” or the presence of a divine soul manifesting.
A Khumara’s life is one that is full of rules and rituals, as the entire nest holds them to a high standard of conduct and purpose. Although Khumara are praised and worshipped they must also study language, philosophy, spiritual and political history, and perform ritual, blessing, and mediation tasks that form as part of the work of a Khumara.
Khumara such as Pithanayika remain in this role of spiritual leadership until the day that they first lay an egg, which is the day that the deity leaves their body. The lady of high degree is then able to use her birth name and live amongst the nest citizens as one of their own. Although she no longer holds a title, ladies who were once Khumara are held in high esteem and usually attain other titles after their resignation that command respect.
K’amanah is described as the deity of fertility, birth, children, wells, and fountains. Thus, the Khumara is considered a living goddess, reincarnated from a deity in the overall pantheon of the Desert nest. Some are fabled to have prophetic abilities related to her deity’s domain, for instance in her ability to bless couples, find wells, and safely hatch infants.
The role of Khumara starts at birth, from a selection of secretive rites and criteria of traits that determine whether the body contains a reincarnated soul, and which deity inhabits that body. Some of the rites may include giving the infant items of symbolic reverence to specific deities to observe their reaction, or selection of certain traits such as heterochromia which indicate the ability to “see” or the presence of a divine soul manifesting.
A Khumara’s life is one that is full of rules and rituals, as the entire nest holds them to a high standard of conduct and purpose. Although Khumara are praised and worshipped they must also study language, philosophy, spiritual and political history, and perform ritual, blessing, and mediation tasks that form as part of the work of a Khumara.
Khumara such as Pithanayika remain in this role of spiritual leadership until the day that they first lay an egg, which is the day that the deity leaves their body. The lady of high degree is then able to use her birth name and live amongst the nest citizens as one of their own. Although she no longer holds a title, ladies who were once Khumara are held in high esteem and usually attain other titles after their resignation that command respect.
Journal extract from Lahrian Foss, expeditions to the Queen’s Maw:
Common name: Bahaynt
Scientific name: Cetyunus Baleax
The bahaynt is a secretive species that exhibits both territorial behaviour and long-distance migration. Although they are found in all of Dravisdor’s major oceans, little is known about their behaviour or biology. We do know that they create unique vocalisations that can be heard over long distances which are used to communicate. They are an inextricable part of the Desert nest culture and society, which involves a deep relationship with the migration and rearing of these creatures, returning once every 6 years to reproduce in Firan cove. The Desert nest describes the migration as an endless dance, an eternal procession of spirits across Dravisdor. Importantly, the Desert nest uses their intimate bond with Bahaynt to navigate the waters of the Queen’s Maw safely, which leaves intruders to fend alone against larger predators of the depths. In terms of physical characteristics, Bahaynt are sleek and elegant with long pectoral fins. Their colours range from light silver to a darker charcoal hue, with individuals showing distinctive patterns across the torso and fins. They can grow up to 5 Caeli long and weigh more than 4 cartfuls of ore.
Common name: Bahaynt
Scientific name: Cetyunus Baleax
The bahaynt is a secretive species that exhibits both territorial behaviour and long-distance migration. Although they are found in all of Dravisdor’s major oceans, little is known about their behaviour or biology. We do know that they create unique vocalisations that can be heard over long distances which are used to communicate. They are an inextricable part of the Desert nest culture and society, which involves a deep relationship with the migration and rearing of these creatures, returning once every 6 years to reproduce in Firan cove. The Desert nest describes the migration as an endless dance, an eternal procession of spirits across Dravisdor. Importantly, the Desert nest uses their intimate bond with Bahaynt to navigate the waters of the Queen’s Maw safely, which leaves intruders to fend alone against larger predators of the depths. In terms of physical characteristics, Bahaynt are sleek and elegant with long pectoral fins. Their colours range from light silver to a darker charcoal hue, with individuals showing distinctive patterns across the torso and fins. They can grow up to 5 Caeli long and weigh more than 4 cartfuls of ore.