“No trip too far, no fee too large.”

“If you have the gold, we know the way.”

Slogans attributed to the Navigators

Although - as has been mentioned before - the world of Kulthea is a place fragmented by forces both natural and supernatural, there are a few groups and individuals of such sweeping influence that their name is known across the hemisphere and perhaps beyond. A few selections from this elite group are included here - along with some organizations and groups of particular significance.

NAVIGATORS

Second in fame only to the Loremasters, the Navigators are a planet-wide coalition of several guilds, an alliance which has virtually monopolized a unique transportation service. They provide swift, relatively safe transport to anyone who has the money to afford their prices. The main resource they provide is the ability to guide people through the Essænce flows and barriers. At least one of these groups is composed entirely of Elves, though many have mortal memberships.

Obviously, Navigators are masters of the Essænce, for not only can they guide ships and caravans along the safest route, they are able to Teleport groups or even ships and large animals across vast distances by using nearby Essænce Flows. However, direct Jumps, especially long ones or those involving large numbers of people, are tricky and correspondingly (more) prohibitively expensive. Conventional transportation such as riding animals or sea vessels are almost never supplied by the Guild, and in fact such for the Navigator must frequently be provided by the client. The Navigator, however, will advise the ignorant client on what mode of transport is most appropriate.

All Navigators utilize some sort of device (usually referred to as a Compass) in their trade, though its nature and appearance varies tremendously from Guild to Guild. One group uses a diskshaped object resembling a large and ornate magnetic compass, worn about the neck on a chain. Another’s members manipulate an intricate device with many small tubes and slides which looks like a very sophisticated sextant. Yet another Guild uses a bracelet of silvery metal fitted with a single semi-spherical gem.

It seems as though the Navigators take great pains to maintain the already pervasive mystique about their powers, perhaps to defend their monopoly, perhaps for the more altruistic purpose of holding a certain balance in the world. They do make clear some of the tenets of their Alliance Code however, one of which is that they will not transport what they consider military personnel or items, either for the purpose of attack, espionage or sabotage, and they maintain the right to refuse any assignment they consider to be such.Navigators are businessmen above all things, and they are notoriously unsympathetic to people with no money in tight situations. In the event that a vessel or caravan accompanied by a Navigator is attacked by raiders or bandits, the Navigator will not fight unless he or she is personally in threatened. That instance rarely arrises, partly because of the famous vengeance inflicted upon those who attack Navigators, and partly the fact that Navigators wield very real power over Essænce. It is said that none is less than a superb fighter should he opt to draw steel.

There have been a few incidents in the past in which some power-hungry lord has attempted to coerce a Navigator - or, worse yet - kill one and use his Compass. The ultimate failure of such attempts is quite well-known; retaliation was swift and sure. One king who had a Navigator killed vanished soon after (along with the entire royal treasury) and was never heard from again.

CONTACTING A NAVIGATOR

There is one common way to contact a Navigator, should one have the cash and the inclination to travel. Black stone obelisks, one foot square and usually twenty feet tall, are scattered across the lands of the world. They are unmarked, shiny black, and virtually indestructible. Simply place a hand on one and say, in just about any language, something to the effect of “I require a Navigator” and one will magically appear within minutes. He or she will then discuss terms and payments (almost inflexibly cash up front).

NAVIGATOR GUILDS

The Guilds have divided the world into districts, each Guild having a defined jurisdiction. The actual boundaries have yet to be understood by outsiders, partly because they seem to differ depending on the time of year and time of day. A single Navigator is always the guide for an entire assignment, however. A couple of the larger and more common guilds are listed here.

Guides of Vurn-kye

One of the more ostentatious (not to mention stuffy and condescending) Guilds, their Navigators use a Compass which resembles a golden sextant with tiny jewelled fittings. Navigators in this Guild wear a tunic and pants of black cloth trimmed with gold thread and gold fastenings, black leather boots and, unless the weather is very hot, black leather gloves. Their symbol, an abstracted sextant-compass, is embroidered in silver and gold thread and many tiny gems on the left breast.

The “Navigators”

Possibly the largest Guild, this group is composed entirely of Elves who seem perpetually in a daze, though they are no less competent than their peers. Simply referred to as the Navigators (rather presumptuous), it has been hypothesized that they are also the first Guild as such to have formed. Members wear neutral grey clothing, the only decoration being their Guild insignia emblazoned on the left breast. Their compass takes the form of a rigid two inch wide silver band, apparently permanently affxed about their left wrist. Set on the band is a semi-spherical clear crystal which continuously glows different colors. Whether the colors mean anything is a mystery to outsiders, since the Navigator rarely pays any attention to the item at all, instead staring off into the distance.

CHANGRAMAI

Established around S.E.I. 2500 by (reputedly) the Loari master of unarmed combat, Loremaster Tanris Dekdarion, the schoolin is named for the ancient changrama technique of mind/ body fusion. It is more a school and training center than a true monastery. In fact, while many adherents follow a devotion to the Lord Cay of Orhan, no organized religion is practiced in the walls of the Changramai compound. Despite the fact the Changramai are centered in northern Emer they have been seen over a much greater area.All are welcome to enroll in the Changramai school, though very few are granted entry. Those older than young adolescence are also unlikely to be accepted because of the complications of beginning training later in life. Rigorous testing is required to be granted entry; only one in perhaps 100 who seek admission are accepted.

All Changramai are given a small red triangular tattoo on the back of the left hand. From a distance the tattoo looks solid, but upon close inspection it is actually a very intricate pattern. Optionally, the monk may also have a second tattoo, a tiny red triangle (pointing down) under the left eye. This makes it clear to everyone that the wearer is a Changramai.

CHANGRAMAI BODYGUARDS

A monk may be hired through one of the offices located in most of the larger cities in Emer or Jaiman. Rates vary tremendously depending on the person or item to be protected, where (or if) they are travelling, etc. The minimum is 2 Monks for day/night protection at 10 gp/day and up. Monks hired as bodyguards never wear rank or veil insignia as they would reveal to possible opponents the monk’s area and level of expertise.

INDIVIDUALS OF NOTE

There are individuals who are so well known in either history or present time that they are worth mentioning.

ANDRAAX

Andraax’s involvement in the Shadow World has been such that his inclusion here is imperative. In addition to being one of the original Loremasters, he supposedly established the Nomikos Library in Jaiman, and many other centers of learning. Andraax was one of the founders of the Loremasters and as such is obviously an immortal but vanished or was killed during the Wars of Dominion. Old physical descriptions claim that his eyes are of violet color and round-pupiled, and his shimmering sable hair has a streak of silver-grey at the left temple.