Dawn of the Karabu Lore: The Children of the Light

The following text is taken from a "fact sheet" I made to assist me during the writing process of what would become my 2020 novel, Dawn of the Karabu. This first part is a summary of the culture, religion, social hierarchy and geography related to the faction known as The Children of the Light, of which the novel's main character is a part of.

Whether this is merely a reminder or your first time reading about the world of my novel, I hope you will find it interesting. 

I do, however, want to make it clear to anyone who has not yet read the book that this article is in no ways required to understand the world depicted in the novel. I took great care to reveal the lore piece by piece through the narrative in a natural manner, so please consider this as either reference material or as trivia.

NOTE: No story spoilers have been included in this first part. The text has also been partially altered and updated from the original to fix some minor incongruities between the final novel and the original document. Most of the reference photos originally used had to be removed for copyright reasons and have been replaced with stock images.

 

Before the Light, there was darkness ⁘ And the darkness is Karabu; the man-beast

- from the Book of Ascension, Chapter I, Verses 1-2.

THE TRANSCENDED as seen by the humans

The Transcended, now referred to as Legion, are the humans of the past who achieved perfection of both body and mind and evolved beyond the physical form into beings of pure thought and energy; Enlightened beings.

The first humans who transcended wished to share their achievement with the lower human forms and made a religion to aid them in achieving enlightenment. They created the cycle of rebirth and the caste system to encourage humans in their quest for perfection and transcendence. Those who work against it are punished by being reborn in lower forms, and those who achieved perfection are allowed to keep it in the next life.

A common symbol depicting the many helping hands of Legion.

Before the first transcended beings there was a war of conflicting ideals. Some humans perversely wanted to return to animal form and even uplifted the animals by giving them human qualities. This perversion of perfection angered the humans striving for perfection and war broke out. The war was eventually won as the transcended moved beyond physical form. Those who supported the Transcended were rewarded with karma and rebirth so that they could also one day achieve perfection. The enemy was punished by removing their ability to gain good karma, but nonetheless cursed with rebirth. They will forever be reborn as the animalistic abominations that they created.

Herein lies the Animal Clans’ contempt for humanity and their perfection.

Before the doctrine of Light, yet after the age of the Beast, there was the Talos ⁘ The Talos rejected the darkness, but the Light was yet out of reach: and they pondered on matters of transcendence for centuries ⁘ The age of Light began when the Talos, once many, became One: Legion ⁘ Light and Mind became One, formless and pure  

- from the Book of Ascension, Chapter II, Verses 1-2,4-5.

THE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT

A karma-based spirituality that teaches that your caste is determined by your accomplishments in your previous life.

The High-Caste is the reborn form of previous members of the Middle-Caste who strived for perfection and transcendence.  The beauty, strength and intellect gained through their hard work is rewarded as a permanent feature in the next life. Thus, they retain their achievements of perfection in birth, unless they commit sin or embrace non-perfection. Then they will be reborn in a lower caste.

The Middle-Caste consists of the neutral individuals who neither deserved reward nor punishment for their past deeds. Their past life was one of indifference towards perfection. Thus, one remains in the middle.

The Untouchables consists of those who have been punished for past evils and have therefore been given animalistic features and must work hard to redeem themselves. In their past lives they stood in the way of perfection or broke the holy laws. Their punishment is slavery and the shame of being cursed with animalistic aspects. By living up to their caste's responsibilities and hard work they will be reborn in the Middle-Caste after an honourable death.

A simple breakdown of the hierarchy of the Children of the Light.

Then Legion spoke unto man and said; grieve not, for Transcendence will be thy legacy, and our teaching ⁘ Thou shalt reject the darkness, and embrace the Light: that is perfection of thy mind and body ⁘ All that is dark shall remain dark, and all that is Light shall remain Light ⁘ Though the task be difficult, thou shalt be blessed by death temporary, and thou shalt live again until purity of body and mind is achieved ⁘ Then Legion went silent: And thusly the doctrine of Light was founded 

- from the Book of Ascension, Chapter III, Verses 2-5, 8.

THE HIGH-CASTE 

They are the most genetically perfect among the human castes. Possessing the highest achievable physical form, they are the highest of the earthbound states of being. In addition to extreme physical beauty, they are stronger and more intelligent than the other castes. Their aging process is considerably slowed down, and a youthful appearance is maintained until death. The average life expectancy for those in the High-Caste is about 200 years. Only the loss of hair colour (into silver grey) and some level of strength and vitality separate the old from adult. 

Classes

Though simple soldiering is reserved for the Untouchables, it is common for High-Caste individuals to become Knights and Pilots. There are many classes(/occupations) available for the Highest Caste, most of which are also available for the Middle-Caste:

Monks are the most revered and respected members of the caste. Only the genetically perfect are allowed to seek final transcendence.  

Priesthood is a very prestigious position in society. Unlike the Monkhood it is possible for Middle-Caste members to teach the gospel.

Knighthood is the most popular and prestigious position in society. Knights are commonly former athletes or pilots. Only a member of the royal family can grant the title of Knight, and it is not uncommon for Middle-Caste member to be awarded this title. The Knights serve under the King or Queen as the generals and military strategists of the royal army. They are easily identified by their polished steel-plate armour, commonly forged to accentuated the shape of their athletic bodies. The higher the rank, the more ornate and elaborate the designs will be. The image of the brave Knight in shining armour is one of the most enduring symbols of the Children of the Light.

Pilots consist of the best athletes and intellectuals of society. Like Knighthood it is not uncommon for Middle-Caste members to become pilots. As piloting requires intellect and skill, rather than brute strength, it is a revered skill to be able to pilot a fighter jet. It is worth noting is that piloting is a field overrepresented by women. Pilots are identified by their dark-blue coatee dress-uniforms when off-duty. Otherwise they are usually seen wearing somewhat bulky, but practical flight suits. Higher ranking officers, such as Captains, do not have to adhere to any dress code and are generally more elaborately dressed, often embellishing their fashionable outfits with their medals. Cadets refer to this as "Captain's privilege." Only the golden epaulettes that signify their rank are mandatory.

Athletes consist of the fittest members of both the High and Middle-Caste. Athletes are more or less celebrities in society, always competing to entertain the masses. The class exist as a testament to the virtue of the individual’s journey to perfection. It serves as both entertainment and as encouragement to the masses. Most athletes become Knights or pilots, many become actors. It is uncommon for someone to remain an Athlete more than a decade or so.

Magistrates are the head of the law in each respected region and is attainable by both High and Middle castes.

Archons are powerful nobles who operate as provincial governors. Although the position is achievable by both upper castes it is rare for a Middle-Caste member to reach such a status. The Archons rule their respective regions according to the law and answer only to the King, and the Grand Archon council in the Capital city.

Companions are men and women who act as hosts and whose skills include performing various arts such as classical music, dance, games, conversation, sex, and religious rituals for individuals of high standing. The qualifications for becoming Companions are very high, both in terms of education and physical attractiveness, and as a result Companions are nearly exclusively High-Caste.

Nearly every aspect of their society is a celebration of the human body and spirit.

You who are willing to die, I salute you ⁘ You who sacrifice thy body, I salute you ⁘ I who salute you, will be honored to be thy Mara; thy death and rebirth incarnate ⁘ I am honored to guide thy body on its journey to perfection through death temporary 

- selected excerpts from the lengthy Marana ritual, generally performed on the eve of battle (provided a Companion was available).

THE ROYAL FAMILY 

The current head of the Royal family is the King Regent Ozymandias II, the third ruler of the Nineteenth Dynasty (also know as the "Modern Era"), son of Menmaatre I, and grandson of Ozymandias I; also known as "The Pilot King" or "The Aviator."

His wife, the Queen Amarantham (“eternally beautiful”), comes from High-Caste Nobility. She is a veritable fashion icon and is considered to be the epitome of the “Modern Woman.” She is often used in propaganda as the symbol of High-Caste purity. When it became apparent that Amarantham (nicknamed “Amara”) was being courted by the Prince Regent Ozymandias, there came forth a lot of speculation regarding her distinct purple-coloured eyes. Some argued that such an unusual colour must be the result of a genetic mutation, ergo an imperfection, spurring much religious and scientific debate. While the Monks and Priests tirelessly argued over what she might have done in a previous life to deserve an imperfection despite her High-Caste, the scientists were scratching their heads over how such an abnormality could have occurred among the High-Caste to begin with. After much deliberation, it was eventually concluded that her purple eyes were in fact not a mutation, nor a karma punishment, but rather a rare and unique sign of beauty, which in fact only made her even more perfect than most people. Her fans even started to describe her eyes as “The Queen’s Blessing” implying that she’d been unusually perfect and pure in her past life. A popular rumour even suggested that she might actually be the reincarnation of the mythical Aglea; the First Queen. She is often referred to as Callisto; the “most beautiful.”

THE MIDDLE-CASTE

The Middle-Caste consists of ordinary humans without any form of genetic improvements. They are practically identical to the humans of the pre-enlightenment past, possessing average lifespans, physical strength, intellect, and beauty.

Individual improvement is key to the Middle-Caste as the strongest, prettiest, and smartest individuals get rewarded with distinctions in society. Those who live up to the perfection of the High-Caste has their caste restrictions removed and can even become Knights and Priests. Although the Middle-Caste acknowledges their imperfections, they revel in the opportunity to improve and transcend. Middle-Caste individuals must be accepted by the High-Caste in order to enter their settlements/cities and live with them.

The Middle-Caste lives in towns and small villages. They enjoy a much more simple and natural lifestyle than those living in the cities. The elevated members however tend to live in the capital city, unless they return to rule as local Governors, Magistrates or Priests.

High-Caste members have unlimited access to Middle-Caste settlements and must be treated with reverence. Unlike the Untouchables, the elderly do not have to hide from the High-Caste but must treat them with the utmost respect.

Their past life was one of indifference towards perfection ⁘ Thus one remains in the middle 

- excerpt regarding the Middle-Caste from the Helios Praxis.

THE UNTOUCHABLES

“The Untouchables” are the lowest of the human castes. They are the descendants of the humans who, in the ancient past, altered themselves with long forgotten dark arts to have the abilities of certain animals. A side effect of these abilities is a degree of animalistic appearance and behaviour. Being the furthest away from achieving physical perfection they are stigmatised in human society and perceived as a lower form of humans. In fact, they are barely considered human at all.

In their past lives they stood in the way of perfection or broke the holy laws ⁘ Their punishment is to labour all their days and to live with the shame of their grotesque forms ⁘ By fulfilling their caste responsibilities they will be reborn in the Middle after an honourable death 

- excerpt regarding the Untouchables from the Helios Praxis.

Classes

The caste is divided into two groups; Warriors and Labourers.

The Warrior Class is always required to always wear their armour while on duty to spare their superiors of their animalistic appearance. Their animalistic features depend on their role in the military.

The Foot soldiers have the higher muscle density, agility & aggressiveness from chimpanzees. They possess mammalian Endotherma as well as the 340-degree eyesight of goats. They are hairy to the point of having fur and their eyes are noticeably goat like.

The Berserkers have the higher muscle density of gorillas and the extreme aggression of baboons and boars. They too are extremely hairy. Many of them are known to grow tusks.

The Sharpshooters have the heightened eyesight of eagles and the night-vision of owls. They possess large birdlike eyes.

The Assassins have the sonar abilities of bats, night-vision from felines, Poikilotherma from snakes and the camouflage of octopi. They have noticeably feline eyes and grey skin.

It is considered shameful for an Untouchable to be seen without helm or face covering, especially by a member of the High-Caste.

The Untouchables are sometimes given the derogatory nickname “Karabu”, a reference to a heathen mythological character of the past that embodied both human and animal features. Many people, especially those that are particularly religious, believe the Untouchables to be a curse upon humanity for their impure past.

Among the animal clans however, the Untouchables are referred to as “Lumasi” (“Apsasû” in the case of the females) their own reference to ancient gods that combined human and animal features. To the Animal Clans the Untouchables are seen as respectable beings.

TECHNOLOGY

The beginning of the Nineteenth Dynasty marked more than just a change of royal family, but proved to be the beginning of the Children of the Light's industrial age. As a society focus on perfecting the body and soul, as well as being deeply traditionalist and cautious off anything that might resemble the technological monstrosities created during the fabled Age of the Talos, innovation has generally been slow. This all changed after the coronation of King Ozymandias I, the so-called "Pilot King," who uncharacteristic of his forebears, had a strong passion for technology, particularly aviation. A bit of a rogue in his days he sought inspiration from the birds, an idea which initially drew criticism for glorifying the features of a lesser being; a beast of the wild, with many sceptics arguing that the new regent was flirting with the evils of the mythic Karabu King during the pre-enlightenment age who consorted with the Animal Clans. But Ozymandias rejected such claims, being more interested in the mechanics and physics of bird wings, arguing that such a boon must be replicated by humanity in order to truly claim to be the superior being. 

The King eventually succeeded in creating the first aeroplane, an innovation which was quickly adapted by the military for use against the Animal Clans, giving them, for the first time in centuries, the upper hand in the war. 

Following this invention Helios and the regions around it quickly entered the early stages of an industrial revolution which quickly produced everything from advanced firearms—a huge improvement to the crude flint-locks used previously—to the first automobiles. Soon followed other inventions such as radio and photography, both of which were quickly embraced by the relatively new Ministry of Propaganda (an off-shot of the much older Inquisitorius) which had mostly kept a watch over the printing press for the past few centuries. 

The son of Ozymandias I, Menmaatre I, did not share his father's passion for technology, but was wise enough to never actively discourage innovation, a tradition maintained by his son, the current ruler; Ozymandias II. In the centuries since his grandfather, aviation has blossomed into a bona fide armada which stands in stark contrast to the still traditionalist army of Grunt Soldiers and Knights who still operate much according to tradition, often charging into battle on horseback armed with a sword and a pistol.  

Despite the still primitive technology of the Animal Clans, they quickly devised clever anti-air measures that continues to make aviation nearly as dangerous as being a ground trooper.

GEOGRAPHY 

The Seven Regions

The land of the Children of the Light is divided into seven regions.

Helios is the smallest but most important region, known for housing the capital city of Heliopolis. The land surrounding the great marble city is primarily made out of plains, they it borders on the shrublands near the borders to the Animal Regions. Helios enjoys a humid subtropical climate. The people that reside here are referred to as the Helosians and are primarily High-Caste.

Hyksos borders with Helios to the north. The land here is lush and tropical, with the southern regions consisting of the same plains that stretch down to Helios. The culture here is very much an extension of Helios and is a popular place for the ruling elite to establish their villas away from the capital city. The people that reside here are referred to as the Hyksonians and are primarily High-Caste. The capital city of Hyksos is called Avaris.

Byblos (meaning "Well of the Gods") borders with Helios to the west and is the region that borders with the strip of desert that separates the Children of the Light from the Animal Clans. The environment here is mostly shrublands, arid plains, mountains and some grasslands near the Helosian border. The people that live here are called Byblosians and has at all times a roughly 70/30% divide between High and Middle-Caste. The majority of the military, not counting the cadets of the capital city, are located somewhere in Byblos, either residing in one of the border cities or stationed in one of the many permanent military forts. The capital city is the ancient walled settlement of Tanagra.

Argolis is another fairly small region which borders with Byblos to the north-west, Helios to the north, and Edonis to the south. The climate is mild, bordering on temperate and the land consists mostly of grasslands. Like the region of Edonis a large percentage of the region is farmland, however, it's most famous export is technology. Due its close locations to the military settlements in Byblos, while also having land more suited for agriculture, which also makes it self-sustainable, it has become the centre of most weapons manufacture and military research. Much of this research is highly classified, making many of the settlements insular communities consisting of researchers and their families sworn to secrecy. It is as such one of the least recreationally visited regions, with the exception of the Outlaying Regions. The farmlands here also cater to the settlements of Byblos and to a lesser degree, Helios. The people here are referred to as Argosians and are primarily High-Caste. The capital city is called Argo.

Harari is one of the largest regions and lies to the north-east of Helios, almost as far away from the capital to the east as the Outlaying Regions are to the south, making it one of the more distinct regions. The population here is primarily dark skinned rather than the bronze hues of the Helosians and Hyksonians or the pale skin of the people of the southern regions. The climate is similar to the northern parts of Hyksos, being primarily tropical. The people here are referred to as Hararians and are primarily Middle-Caste. The capital city of Harari is called Harar.

Edonis is located south of Argolis and borders with the Outlaying Regions in the south. The climate is temperate and the land mostly consists of grasslands and forests, making it the most agricultural of the seven regions. It has the largest percentage of farmland and is the source of most imported produce. The people here are referred to as Edonisians and are primarily Middle-Caste.

The Outlaying Regions, officially named Memnon, is the oldest of the seven regions, and is known for its many ruins dating back to the pre-enlightenment age, during which it was named Achoris. It was once under the rule of the infamous Karabu King, the last king of the blasphemous union between man and beast before Aglea the blessed became the first queen of the first dynasty and founded her new kingdom in Helios. The most famous ruins are the Two Colossi and the ruins of Abydos (former capital of the Karabu King). The climate is fairly temperate, with cold winters and mild summers. The landscape is mostly mountainous and has limited vegetation (though the norther parts bordering with Edonis is mostly grasslands and forests), resulting in scattered settlements with makes this the poorest and least technologically advanced of the seven regions. It is the only region which borders the great ocean to the south-west. The largest city, which is generally treated as the capital, is called Luxor. The name means "fortified camp" suggesting it was once a military outpost. The people that lives here are almost exclusively Middle-Caste and there is only a tiny population of Untouchables, who mostly acts as private servants to the few magistrates and archons who reside here. 

The Capital of Heliopolis

The most important members of the High-Caste live in the capital city of Heliopolis (meaning “City of the Sun”). It is located not far from the desert borders and lies east of the majority to the Middle-Caste settlements.

The capital of Heliopolis is a marvellous marble city. The splendour and white marble stand as a testament to the glory and purity of those who have achieved physical perfection. The city exists as a celebration of this accomplishment. No member of the transgenic caste can enter the city unless they’ve performed a cleansing ritual and wear full body suits at all times. Even Middle-Caste individuals that have not been granted permanent citizenship must partake in a minor washing ritual before entering the gates. The city’s most important function is as the location of the Royal House and for housing all the major political centres representing all the human castes.

The city is often referred to as the "Great Marble City," in reference to its white pinnacles which can be seen coruscating in the light of the sun from many miles away.

Tanagra & The Border Cities

A minority of High-Caste members consisting mostly of Knights and Pilots, as well as their families, live alongside Middle-Caste citizens, also mostly Knights and Pilots, in the border cities near the military forts that guard the edge of the desert strip that serves as a neutral zone between the land of the Children of the Light and the Animal Clans. These moderately large population centres are all located within exactly 20km from a fort.

These cities are infamous for their large populations of Untouchables who serve as both grunt soldiers and labourers. Every border city has their own unique “grunt quarters” which, rather than being separated from the main settlement, surrounds the High/Middle-Caste quarters to serve as protection in case of an attack. In such a situation the grunt soldiers will protect the outer walls, while the High and Middle-Caste Knights will hold the centre. Although no Apes have gotten near a border city in centuries, it has in the past proved an effective method to limited High and Middle-Caste casualties.

The oldest, largest, and most famous of these border cities is called Tanagra. Built during the first dynasty it is the template from which the other border cities were based. The nearest military fort, which relies on Tanagra for supplies and reinforcements, is called Fort Hadrian. 

The Desert Strip, The Shield Wall & The Forbidden Lands

This thin strip of desert, roughly 40km across, pours out from a gap in the great Eukyklos mountain range, colloquially referred to as the Shield Wall, that protects the lands of the Children of the Light, as well as the lands of the Animal Clans, from the toxic desert of the Forbidden Lands that was once the domain of the Talos in the pre-enlightenment age. Little is known of the toxic desert other than what is told in myth and legend. All that is truly known is that it is a barren land in which the very air itself is so poisonous that no living thing can survive there. As for legend, it is said that giants roam the desert; automaton left behind by the Talos. They exist now for a single purpose; to pull apart and moulder the materials of the once great cities of the forgotten age so that no token of their dark crafts can corrupt the Children of the Light.

From a gap in the Shield Wall, said to have been blasted by the mythic weapons of the ancient Talos, the sand has poured out over the centuries, creating a 'strip' of arid desert that reaches all the way to the sea. Unlike the toxic desert it can be crossed, though like any desert, it is barren and inhospitable. It has effectively served as a border between the Children of the Light and the Animal Clans for several thousand years, though at times in the past land has been occupied on either side. 

Each side of the desert is guarded by strategically placed military forts and look-out posts. 

Much blood has been absorbed into the sands of the Desert Strip which have served as battleground for untold millennia. 

 

Cliff Town

The easternmost of the villages in the Outlaying Regions, "Cliff Town" rests about 2km from the edge of the cliffs alongside the coast. About 50km north of the village lays the eastern mountain range connecting to the desert neutral zone.

Although the Apes haven’t attacked by seaway in several centuries the Town and its smaller outlying villages still man and maintain the old Cliffside cannons. Although the population is fairly small it could hold back a large-scale attack for weeks due to the dangerous reeves and the hard to climb cliffs. Even so, any large-scale navy would be spotted by the northern mountain villages along the coast well in advance. Cliff Town also has a decently large airstrip and enough fighter jets to do massive damage to an attacking fleet.

The beach at the bottom of the eponymous cliffs are lined with ancient statues depicting monstrous chimeras. They have stood for so long that most have worn down beyond recognition, appearing almost as natural rock formations. 

The cold, misty mountains of the Outlaying Regions stand in harsh contrast to the warm and sunny flatlands generally associated with the Children of the Light.

And it is here the story of the Dawn of the Karabu begins, with a young Middle-Caste pilot on the day of her ascension; the day of her acceptance into the military academy in Heliopolis. 

However long the night, the dawn will break. 

- from the Helios Praxis.

CONTINUED IN PART TWO: THE ANIMAL CLANS.