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"To
the Denayi went I, and they disgusted me. Aelon Daar I sought, but they
reviled me. Among the kings of Rel-nar did I dwell, and was frightened
thereby. Home I went, seeking the familiar, but in my increased wisdom, I
saw only the strange."
-- Jibbon nar Flark
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The ruling
Houses of the Soul Engines in the Known Worlds share a common heritage
developed from centuries (if not millennia) of coexistence, competition
and trade. What follows are descriptions of typical Engines and their
accompanying political structures, including terms in Ka�Tash, the
lingua franca of trade and of the nobility. Newly discovered and emerging
engines may vary enormously, not only in their structures and terminology,
but in their physical appearance as well.
At the heart of every Soul Engine lies at least one Pylon, the
repository of all the Engine�s souls. Pylons are usually large blocks of
stone or metal, which have been specially prepared to hold and concentrate
psychic energy. The size of the Pylon varies somewhat. A small Engine
might need only a menhir or a boulder to hold its thousand souls, while an
ancient and powerful engine would require several Pylons, each the size of
a castle. If an engine has multiple Pylons they need not be near each
other or even on the same world. Soul Bonding works regardless of
distance. Most Pylons are located in or near a structure of some sort,
typically a castle or fortress. Inaddition to protecting a Pylon from
attack, buildings also provide the necessary facilities to perform magic
that requires the presence of the Pylon, such as opening Gates or
performing the Soul Bonding ritual.
A Soul Engine�s ruling family is known as its House. (Or Houses if
there are more than one.) Non-lineal Orders sometimes control Soul Engines
instead of lineal Houses. Orders tend to become Houses in time. The most
important members of the House are obviously those living magicians
Soul-Bonded to the Engine (also known as its Circle.) Since the Circle
holds ultimate power over the Engine, it is usually the House� ruling
oligarchy as well, but not all members of the House are also Circle
members. Foremost among these are the Uukaptai, warriors whom the Circle
has infused with soul energy to enhance their physical abilities. Most
Houses have diplomatic ties to the Houses and Circles of other Engines,
and may intermarry with them.
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