Glossary

Aara (Ah-RAH): a long, thin-bladed weapon that can stretch anywhere from six to fifteen feet. Cultists of some sects subject themselves to these blades as a ritualistic punishment in hopes of experiencing a religious trance.

Abhay: a member of the Royal Guard.

Amadao (Ah-mah-DOW): a militant empire situated northwest of Jaira. Central Amadao has a hot, arid climate, bordered by a mix of coniferous forestland and grassy steppes to the southeast, and tall mountains to the north, with grassland that stretches for countless leagues further to the west. Outsiders are prohibited from entering the country, so little about its people are known. Amadao is also home to the Steel Legions, armies of metallic automaton soldiers that patrol the borders with Jaira and Soshima.

Amar (Ah-MAR): an assassin considered to be past his prime.

Anarkali (Ah-nar-KAH-lee): a style of Jairan dress consisting of either a sleeved or sleeveless dress, stretching down past the knees. Sometimes worn with trousers or a sari robe.

Anash (Ah-NASH): a jinn. Wiling servant of Pranay Marantha.

Anorhana (Ah-nor-HAH-nah): ritual suicide. Also called the Rite of Ascension. Performing anorhana is done by tossing oneself onto a funeral pyre and burning with the deceased’s corpse; it’s widely believed that performing the act ensures that one’s soul will be closely-bound to the deceased’s own in their next lifetimes. While the practice is frowned upon in modern times, it isn’t illegal.

Apjal (Ahp-JAHL): the spiritual realm of water. Apjal is a place of constant change and chaos, and its spirits value freedom above all other things.

Asakona Bhai (Ah-sah-KOH-nah Bye): a criminal gang in Bhai Mandwa.

Assassin: a trained killer. Traditionally, the title of “assassin” is only used for warriors who permit their bodies to be inhabited by demonic spirits, forming a symbiotic relationship that grants the human magical abilities, while also freeing the demon from imprisonment in the spirit world (see Kush).

Babu (Bah-BOO): a brown-scaled malabara snake. The familiar of Yash the witch.

Bada Katki: a criminal gang in Bhai Mandwa.

Bhai Mandwa (BYE Man-DWAH): capital city of the country of Jaira. Bhai Mandwa is separated into different sections or “districts,” seven in all. Depending on where a citizen is born and in what district, this largely affects his entire life including any available professions, who he can (or can’t) marry, and even the aspect of the god he worships.

Bhai Mandwa Caller, The: a newspaper in Bhai Mandwa.

Bhai Mandwa News, The: a newspaper in Bhai Mandwa. Has a reputation for sensationalism and yellow journalism.

Bichawa (Bih-CHAH-wah): a short, curved knife. Often used by assassins due to being able to secret it in upon their person or in their clothes.

Bin (BEEN): a red dot placed between the eyebrows. Worn by those who seek to be pious and spiritually wise.

Black Bay: a district of Bhai Mandwa. The Black Bay is where most of the criminals in the city tend to congregate, and it has a reputation of being unfriendly or even hostile towards outsiders. Many of the criminal gangs that operate in Bhai Mandwa call the Bay their home, and prefer to spend their ill-gotten gains on grand headquarters in a style similar to the tall towers and grand vistas of the city’s gentry (see Gilded Quarter). The Bay is also home to some of the most squalid conditions in the entire city, and no one has yet succeeded at clearing the gangs out.

Bochka (BOTCH-kah): a curved, domed roof with a sharp, uppermost point used in Jairan construction.

Bodhi (Boh-DEE): a large, wide-boughed tree that grows figs.

Bulbul (BOOL-bool): a red-feathered bird with long, curved tail feathers. Bulbuls are highly-prized for their singing voices.

Chakram (Chak-RAHM): a small, circular ringed weapon with a sharpened edge around its outer circumference. The interior ring is blunted, allowing a wielder to grip, spin and cast the weapons at their targets. Skilled users can hit a target from fifty to sixty paces (38-45 meters).

Chaia (CHYE-yah): the continental mass containing the country of Jaira and its surrounding neighboring nations.

Chanda (SHAN-dah): a childhood friend of Prem.

Chatoor Reds: a criminal gang in Bhai Mandwa.

Chod: Jairan pejorative, inferring sexual relations with animals.

Choli (Choh-LEE): a short-sleeved shirt or blouse.

Churidarl (Choo-rih-DARL): snug or tight-fitting trousers.

Ciangu (SEE-ahn-goo): a small kingdom on a jungle archipelago east of Jaira. Ciangu is believed to control some of the richest sources of coal in the region, as well as having access to a relatively new export—petroleum.

Civet (Sih-VET): a small, wild cat that lives in the jungle.

Civil War: Jaira has suffered from two major civil wars during its history. Roughly 800 years before the reign of Oam Marantha, his ancestor Jayate Marantha ruled over the largest kingdom in the region. The vassal states to the northeast followed polytheistic religious practices, causing a schism with the duotheism of their southern neighbors. A general in the Raj’s northern arm named Soorashi Soshim became the figurehead and, later, the ruler of the new kingdom named Soshima. The second civil war was in the time of Rudra Marantha, grandfather of Oam. Rudra’s rule was a time of strife throughout the country. Separatists from the region of Soanjar in the northern part of the country assassinated Crown Prince Saschin during a visit to the city of Soanjara. The war spread across the entire country as dissenters claimed that Rudra’s rule was a threat to the nation’s survival. The conflict reached Bhai Mandra itself, and when the fighting was over, the ruling body eventually known as Parliament was founded and the monarchy was stripped of much of its ruling power.

Culotte (KOO-lot): a pair of shorts that stretch to mid-thigh.

Daayani: a magician who possesses the gift to call upon denizens of the spirit realm for aid or assistance.

Daily Gazette, The: a newspaper in Bhai Mandwa. Prides itself on its straight-laced, no-nonsense approach to reporting the news.

Dal Makhni (Dahl MAHK-nee): a thick, creamy soup made from soaked lentils, kidney beans, butter and cream. The stew must be cooked under very high pressure to get the proper consistency associated with the dish.

Dandpata (Dahnd-PAH-tah): a straight, dual-edged blade whose hilt is contained inside a metal cover meant to protect the wielder’s hand from injury.

Darbor Tower (Dar-BOHR): a center of magical learning and tutelage. Seated high upon Brahmin Mountain, the tower looks down upon three different kingdoms—Jaira, Amadao and Soshima.

Deepvali (DEEP-vah-lee): a type of lamp traditionally lit to mark the approach of a holiday.

Dhaar, Kurien (Darr, Kuhr-REE-en): a member of the royal guard, unofficial second-in-command and lover of Seneschal Preet Marantha.

Dhoti (DOH-tee): a long loincloth wrapped around the thighs and tucked in at the waist, resembling a baggy pair of short trousers.

Dilruba (Dil-ROO-bah): a stringed instrument traditionally played with a bow.

Dyaru (Dee-YAR-oo): an expensive vintage of Jairan red wine.

Elements: Jairan magic is based off the belief in five fundamental elements that affect all of humanity and reality, both in the mortal world and the spirit world as well. These elements are water (Apjal), earth (Uthav), fire (Tejah), and air (Vaynu). The fifth element is also sometimes known as Kasha, which is where the word Kushin was derived; this element represents the spirit or soul.

Familiar: a spirit-possessed animal that is bound to a magician. Familiars assist the witch/mantrik in spell casting, and may even possess a mental bond with their human partner—many magicians claim to know what their animal companion is thinking.

Fort Hill: a district in Bhai Mandwa. Fort Hill is home to the vast majority of the city’s residents and commoners. Although it borders the area where the city’s Untouchables inhabit, a large wall was constructed to separate the two districts.

Gaddi (GAH-dee): a breed of wild sheep highly coveted for their exceptionally-soft wool.

Garden of a Hundred Pools: a large garden inside the walls of the Ooncha Mahal, the Garden does in fact contain one hundred pools. One of these pools, filled with water from the Genja River, contained a river demon that possessed Prem Marantha.

Genja River (Gen-JAH): the holiest river in Jaira, which cuts straight through the city of Bhai Mandwa and, with its tributaries, through much of Jaira. The Genja serves as a bridge between the mortal world and the realm where demons, spirits and the souls of the departed reside.

Ghagra: a woman’s garment usually paired with choli, consisting of a combination of skirt and blouse.

Gilded Quarter: a district of Bhai Mandwa. Inhabitants are sometimes known as “gilders.” The Gilded District is the most expensive real estate in the entire city, and also home to both the royal palace (see Ooncha Mahal) and the Parliament building. Families with the means to often build up their estates in the form of tall towers that dominate the skyline.

Greys, The: an unofficial district of Bhai Mandwa. The Greys is home to the city’s caste of untouchables (see Vasi). It is a low-lying area across the Genja River from much of the city, and is walled off from other districts situated on the same side of the river.

Gomati (GOH-mah-tee): the true name of the assassin Amar, Gomati is possessed by a spirit of earth named Panka. He is also canny enough to have survived to old age, uncommon for someone in his line of work.

Herjee: a member of the Royal Guard.

Hertham Tigers: a criminal gang in Bhai Mandwa.

Hogenkal (Hoh-GEN-kal): a former gang operating out of Bhai Mandwa. Informally known as “The Company,” the Hogenkal fought in a long gang war against the Idrayani gang that lasted almost a decade, one they eventually lost and forced them to disband after most of their numbers were slain. The Hogenkal made use of young orphans or street urchins in many of their operations.

Hogenkal, Nivas (Hoh-GEN-kal, NEE-vahs): the last leader of the Hogenkal gang. A portly man who enjoyed his ill-gotten gains more than most.

Hookah (HOO-kah): a device meant for smoking dried or flavored tobacco. The smoke from burning tobacco leaves is inhaled into a device which cools the smoke and is drawn through a long pipe to the smoker’s mouth. It’s said that using a hookah leads to a more enjoyable experience.

Idrayani (Ih-DRAH-yah-nee): a criminal gang operating out of Bhai Mandwa. Fought in a major gang war against the Hogenkal over ten years.

Imarti: a dessert made from saffron, sugar, and flour, fried in ghee butter. Popular with children.

Industrial District: a district in Bhai Mandwa. Situated south of the Gilded Quarter, Industrial is filled with large warehouses and storehouses, as well as a number of newspaper publishers and factories.

Iwata, Satish (Ih-WAH-tah, Sah-TEESH): a native of the country of Keizuki, Satish is the original inventor of the first steam-powered engine, which he called his “glorious atmospheric steam engine.”

Jaira: a constitutional monarchy. The country is controlled by a ruling Parliament created and regularly changed through bidecadal elections. The monarchy has very little legal jurisdiction after a civil war of a century ago.

Jairan Express, The: a newspaper in Bhai Mandwa. A national publication, covering news throughout the entire country, not just in the capital.

Jairan Times, The: a newspaper in Bhai Mandwa. Another national news publication, while also covering news outside of Jaira.

Jamba (JAHM-bah): a tall-growing weed found on the edge of rivers and streams.

Jinn: a spirit bound to a physical item or location. Jinns are usually benevolent or kind towards humans, especially when compared to other spirits. Their magic is not limited to a number of wishes, although jinns often use this trick to free themselves of human control afterwards.

Jujubei (JOO-joo-bay): a small, round red fruit that is dangerous to eat, due to the fact that the poisonous pit leeches into the meat of the fruit.

Kali Shodh (KAH-lee SHOD): the Jairan holiday that marks the end of one year and the beginning of the next. The lighting of lamps is a traditional practice, as is bathing in the Genja river to wash off the sins of the previous year.

Kanni (Kah-NEE): a breed of hound with short ears, svelte, short-furred bodies and long, pointed noses.

Kasha (KAH-shah): see Kush.

Keizuki (KYE-zoo-key): an island nation east of the mainland. Keizuki is the birthplace of Satish Iwata, inventor of steam technology.

Khar’s Gate: a district of Bhai Mandwa. Khar’s Gate is on the far side of the Genja River from the Gilded Quarter and, with its neighboring district Fort Hill, is home to the vast majority of the capital citizens. Khar’s Gate is home to the district’s namesake, an immense stone gate called Kharlumbgar’s Gate, named after a general who was returning to conquer the city and overthrow the Raj. It’s believed that he was assassinated in the shadow of the great gate, which was later named after him.

Konya Bay (KOHN-yah): a saltwater bay at the southern end of Bhai Mandwa, marking the end of the Genja River before being released to the ocean beyond.

Kush (KOOSH): the spirit world. Inhabitants of Kush are known as kushin (koo-SHEEN). Represented by a seven-pointed star called the Mark of Kush, a representation of the five elements, the mortal world, and the world of spirits. The world of Kush overlaps the mortal world in many places, and in some locations the barrier is so thin that mortals, ghosts and spirits can cross over between worlds.

KUSHIN (KOO-sheen): creatures of Kush, both spirits and demons. Ghosts, as spirits of the departed, are not considered to be kushin. Spirits are immaterial creatures that may or may not be malevolent. Demons, by comparison, are usually evil.

Kuthri (Kooth-REE): Old Jairan word for “bitch.”

Ladu (Lah-DOO): a dessert made of flour, sugar and ghee butter. Often includes nuts. Considered a delicacy.

Mael (MAY-ehl): one of two deities worshipped by a majority of Jaira’s citizens. Mael is a deity dedicated to creation and birth, but also represents stagnation and torpor.

Malabara (Mah-lah-BAH-rah): a brown-scaled snake that lives in the western regions of Jaira.

Mantrik (Man-TRICK): a magician whose power works through the recitation of chants and magic spells.

Marantha, Asha (Mah-RAN-thah, AH-shah): wife of Oam, mother of Pranay, Preet, Prem and Priya. Former Rani of Jaira. Committed ritual suicide after the death of her husband (see Anorhana).

Marantha, Jayate (Mah-RAN-thah, Jye-YAH-tay): ancestor of Oam. Raj during the First Jairan Civil War.

Marantha, Oam (Mah-RAN-thah, OH-ahm): husband of Asha, father of Pranay, Preet, Prem and Priya. Former Raj of Jaira.

Marantha, Pranay (Mah-RAN-thah, Pra-NAY): first daughter of Oam and Asha. Pranay was a studious child and showed an affinity for magic at an early age. After learning everything her royal tutors could teach her, Pranay enrolled at the famous Darbor Tower, a center of magical tutelage. In a decision she later regretted, Pranay announced an intent to abdicate in order to focus on her studies; this decision led to a schism between Pranay and her father that lasted for years. She studied under the Darbor masters until the deaths of her parents, returning home to Bhai Mandwa in order to support her sister’s claim to the throne. She is now her sister’s Court Mantrik, or personal mage.

Marantha, Preet (Mah-RAN-thah, PREETE): second daughter of Oam and Asha. Preet far preferred studying battle tactics and martial prowess over the minutiae of politics and court intrigue. Once her older sister announced her intent to abdicate, Preet announced her intention to do the same. After Prem’s disappearance, Preet decided to remain at the palace and join the Royal Guard, whose job is protecting the royal family. Upon Priya’s ascension to the throne, Preet became the Seneschal (leader) of the Guard. Preet is a prolific smoker.

Marantha, Prem (Mah-RAN-thah, PREHM): third daughter of Oam and Asha. Prem was trained as a dancer and acrobat from a young age. Prem was nine years old when she was possessed by a river demon (see Vati) and spent the next ten years living on the streets of the capital, working primarily as a hired killer under the demon’s control. She only recently returned to the palace.

Marantha, Priya (Mah-RAN-thah, PREE-yah): fourth and youngest daughter of Oam and Asha. Priya decided to swim in a forbidden pool in her father’s palace as a child, not knowing that it contained a malevolent river demon. Priya was saved by the quick thinking of her sister Prem, but Prem was possessed by the demon instead and disappeared. Priya felt responsible for Prem’s disappearance and carried the guilt of it for years. After the death of her father and ritual suicide of her mother, Priya has ascended to the throne.

Marantha, Rhitanshu (Mah-RAN-thah, Rih-TAN-shoo): father to Oam, grandfather to Pranay, Preet, Prem and Priya.

Marantha, Rudra (Mah-RAN-thah, ROO-drah): grandfather to Oam. The ruling Rani during the conflict that came to be known as the Second Jairan Civil War.

Mari (Mah-REE): Jairan word for princess.

Mekala Sador (Meh-KAH-lah Sah-DOOR): a two-piece sari, consisting of a long skirt and a sash, usually worn over the shoulder.

Momo (MOH-moh): a steamed dumpling stuffed with meat and/or vegetables.

Morda (MOR-dah): one of two deities worshipped by a majority of Jaira’s citizens. Morda is a deity of destruction and death, but also of rebirth and new beginnings.

Mridangam (Mah-RID-an-gam): a stringed instrument, part of Jairan culture and popular music. Some mridangams can stand as tall as a full-grown man.

Murder-wire: a trap in the form of long, metal wire used in a small space. Difficult to see, running into the murder-wire can cause injury or even death.

Musti-yuddha (MOO-stee yood-HAH): a style of unarmed combat. Combatants wear no protection and use both punches and kicks to dispatch their opponents.

Nagina (Nah-GEE-nah): a breed of Jairan snake which prefers wet, low-lying areas.

Namak (Nah-MAHK): a ritualistic greeting, traditionally offered between strangers meeting for the first time.

Nakushi (Nah-KOO-shee): an Old Jairan word meaning “useless” or “unwanted.” Sometimes used as a name for unwanted children.

Narsi: a member of the Royal Guard.

Neru, Mariander (Neh-ROO, Mare-EE-an-der): a deputy superintendent of the Parliamentary Police.

Noble Dragon: the emblem of the Parliamentary Police.

Oma: a traditional, affectionate term for a grandmother.

Ooncha Mahal (OON-chah Mah-HAL): translated as “The Highest Palace.” The residence of the royal family.

Padma (Pad-MAH): an Old Jairan word meaning “old maid” or “nagger.”

Panka (PAYN-kah): an earth demon.

Parashu (PAH-rah-shoo): an axe with a single, crescent-shaped edge. Often used by executioners.

Parliament: the ruling government of Jaira. Parliament was founded after the cessation of Jaira’s last civil war. Parliament is comprised of two parts: the People’s Council, whose members are elected by popular vote, and the Council of States, whose members represent the different regions within Jaira. Parliament is controlled by a Prime Minister, who is elected by members of the ruling party.

Parliament House: the physical building where Parliament meets, as well as a place to host visiting dignitaries or the ceremonial ruler of Jaira.

Parliamentary Police: colloquially known as “bluebottles,” “bluebacks” or “bluecoats.” The Parliamentary Police answers to Parliament and the Prime Minister. They also serve as a police force and guard for the capital of Bhai Mandwa. Their motto is “Truth Alone.”

Poka (POH-kah): a breed of harsh, stinging fly attracted to rubbish piles and the smell of blood.

Prime Minister: the elected leader of Parliament. The current Prime Minister is Kunaia Rao.

Pyatthat (Pee-YAH-thaht): a multi-tiered roof with a tall, tipped point traditionally used in Jairan construction.

Rabri (Rah-BREE): a sweet pudding made of milk, sugar, and almonds. Oftentimes mixed with another dessert called ladu.

Rachsei (Rahsh-SAY): a water dragon, serpentine in appearance, with short limbs and long, leonine crests. Rachsei are known to grow hundreds of feet long, but are very solitary in nature and rarely seen by humans.

Raj (RAZH): Jairan word for king.

Rakshasi (RAHK-shah-zee): a man-eating, lion-faced demon.

Rani (RAH-nee): Jairan word for queen.

Rao, Kunaia (ROU, Koo-NAI-yah): the current Prime Minister—and, thus, effectively the leader—of the country of Jaira. Kunaia was once rumored to be the lover of Oam Marantha until Oam married Asha Ghoshal, daughter of a Jairan politician.

Rikki (Rick-EE): a mongoose. The animal familiar of Meriander Neru.

Royal Guard: also known as the Palace Guard. The collective group of soldiers who protect both the royal palace and royal family. After the second Jairan civil war when Parliament came to power, the Guard was stripped of a number of rights and responsibilities, including detaining and questioning (or torturing) of prisoners.

Sachin (Sah-SHEEN): an Old Jairan word meaning “purity.” During her time as a child assassin, Prem Marantha earned a reputation for standing out from her peers so much that it was rumored she was highborn or the lost child of a nobleman, and became known as “the Pureblood Killer.” See Marantha, Prem.

Sanjaya: a member of the Royal Guard.

Sari (Sah-REE): a traditional Jairan robe or shawl, often worn over a dress or other garment.

Sheesham: a breed of tree prized for its dark-colored wood.

Sitar (SEE-tar): a long-necked instrument that can use anywhere between five to twenty strings.

Soanjara (So-AHN-jahr-ah): a former state of Jaira, now controlled by the rival kingdom of Soshima. Its capital of Soanjar was the site of events that led to the second Jairan Civil War and ultimately the current state of Jairan politics today, including the founding of Parliament and the weakening of the Royal family’s power and influence.

Soshima (So-SHEE-mah): a country to the northeast of Jaira. Once a part of the greater Jairan Empire, Soshima split away from Jaira during the country’s first civil war approximately 800 years ago.

Talwar (Tahl-WAHR): an edged weapon in the shape of a thin-bladed, curved saber. The talwar is considered by many to be the epitome of Jairan weaponry.

Tavla (TAHV-lah): a pair of drums which a person plays while seated. The drums are usually played by hand.

Tegh: a curved saber with a wide blade.

Tejah (Tay-SHAH): the spiritual realm of fire. It is a place of destruction and consummation. Its spirits strive for control and a need to feed their constant hunger.

Temple of the Red Eye: a cult of Morda worshippers. Red-Eye Mordites focus on the darker aspects of Morda’s influence including avarice, pain, death and suffering. Their temples also serve as bases of operation for a number of less-than-legal operations, including the hiring and payment of assassins.

Thagati (Thah-GAH-tee): a now-defunct order of assassins that reported only to the Raj. The Thagati were outlawed after the country’s second civil war; all known members were executed on order of the new Parliament, while the remaining Thagati fled, often into exile.

Tikkal: a mark intended to ward off demons and evil spirits. The mark is applied to the forehead, made either of mud or grey ash.

Toombi (TOOM-bee): a single-stringed instrument native to the Soanjara region of northeastern Jaira.

Typha (TIE-phah): a reed that grows in abundance on the banks of the Genja.

Udara (OO-dah-rah): a Mordite priest serving in the Temple of the Red Eye.

Uthav (OO-thah-vee): the spiritual realm of earth. Uthav is a place of constancy and calm. Its spirits value strength and control.

Uthen (OO-then): a snowbound island country to the northeast of Jaira, beyond Soshima. Uthen is a heavily-forested country inhabited by trappers and fur traders, populated by secretive noble clans fighting a never-ending blood feud and farmers scratching out enough food to survive out of the half-frozen earth. Uthen is happy to trade with all comers but prefers to stay politically neutral and largely rebuffs attempts at deeper alliances from its neighboring nations.

Vasi (Vah-SEE): an Old Jairan word meaning “unclean” or “untouchable.” The vasi are the only class of people in Jairan society that are still discriminated against—they are prohibited from voting or holding elected office, and cannot marry other citizens outside their social class. Many of the vasi live on the outskirts of the city and are not permitted to travel in other parts of Bhai Mandwa.

Vati (Vah-TEE): an ancient river demon, Vati is a creature of a bygone age. It’s unknown when or how he was imprisoned inside a pond within the royal palace (see Garden of a Hundred Pools), but knowledge of his existence was lost long before Prem Marantha entered the pool to save her sister Priya. He then possessed the girl and they disappeared. Vati communicates with Prem through her dreams.

Vaynu (VAY-noo): the spiritual realm of air. It is a place of ethereal mist and nothingness. Spirits of this world seek change and adaptation.

Vina: a member of the Royal Guard.

Waterback: a neighborhood of Bhai Mandwa, part of the Industrial District, which sits between the Genja River and the Gilded Quarter.

West End: a district in Bhai Mandwa. Inhabitants are known as “west enders.” The West End is a posh neighborhood of the capital that borders the Gilded Quarter and used to be considered part of the Quarter, but those who live in the West End aren’t quite as wealthy or opulent as their Gilded neighbors.

Yaksha (YAHK-shah): a spirit that takes on the shape of small, dancing lights. Yaksha usually fly in packs and often develop a symbiotic relationship with larger, more threatening spirits or demons, entrancing an unfortunate soul before the larger demon can devour it, leaving the yaksha with the leftovers.

Yash: a daayani witch living in the Black Bay. A childhood friend (and possibly more) to Prem Marantha.

Yukishi (Yoo-KEE-shee): a female demon who seduces men in their bed. It’s believed that a yukishi feeds on men’s fluids both during and after coitus.

Zaghnal (ZAHG-nal): an amalgamation of axe and battle-hammer, a zaghnal features a long handle requiring two-handed use. Its head has a large, flat surface for striking or breaking objects, while the other side has a long, curved blade like a scythe. It is a favorite weapon of Kurien Dhaar.

Zail: a member of the Royal Guard.