Kalderesh

“Astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Kalderesh is a nation of breath-taking natural beauty with an incredible heritage and an excitingly dangerous past that quickly becomes addictive.”

Sensory overload — Unforgettable experiences are everywhere in Kalderesh. There’s the sublime: gazing over a surreal landscape of a million blue flags whispering centuries-old prayers to The Seven. The ridiculous: walking through a city where the streets are paved in diamond and gold. The inspirational: exploring the world’s oldest library of poetry and meditative literature. The exhilarating: searching for the singular Flower of Qidra in trollock-infested mountains. And the contemplative: following the sacred path to Bilberry Grove deep within Duskwood.

A culinary tour-de-force — Kalderani food is a symphony of flavour. Prepare yourself for a concerto of tastes, with subtle undertones of spices unique to the kingdom, combined with top notes of savoury, sweet and that special something that only flourishes in Kalderesh. Kalderani cooking is a fascinating draw for travellers: the many cooking schools of chef Maximer Shipman are testament to this. Hints of Malanthean flavours influence the soups, Nubian spices spark up the main dishes, and exciting traces of the cuisine of Gallentea can be identified in the best desserts. These are just a taste of the novel combinations that makes Kalderesh the epicurean epicentre of Tem.

Thrills and chills — There’s something in Kalderesh for the adventurous thrill-seeker as well as for the laid-back relaxer looking forward to another lazy sundowner cocktail. Some activities require just a little physical effort, like taking a mule ride across the Pai Wetlands accompanied by entertaining guides and accommodating retainers. Others require a bit more sweat: scaling the Barobur Peak, hiking across the Endless Mountains, or racing with the Centaurs of Hemden Forest. And when you’re done with all that adrenalizing, there’s plenty of “me time” to relish. The beautiful city of Pai has the most outstanding spas, swolene treatment centres, and pampering massage salons anywhere on Tem.

Overview

1. Maps
2. Top Destinations

Need to Know

1. Kalderani Symbolism
2. Currency
3. Weather
4. Calendar
5. How Much Do Things Cost?
6. Getting Around
7. Where To Find Out Things
8. Where To Stay
9. Entertainment
10. Language
11. Etiquette

The Natural Landscape

1. The Heavens Above
2. Geolocation of Kalderesh
3. The Natural World

The Built Landscape

The natural landscape has been transformed primarily by deforestation, to make way for vast tracts of land for light agriculture and herding.

The well-established Royal Road has also noticeably altered the natural vista in certain places, such as where it cuts through a forest, or winds up and down hilly terrain.

Large flying creatures, such as griffons, aren’t indigenous to Kalderesh but they are now not unusual sights in the skies above.

In isolated pockes, stone quarries have changed the surface appearance of nature, cutting into a mountainside or levelling hilly slopes. Underground, several extensive mines exist, extracting coal, precious stones, precious metals, and other mineral wealth.

Within the patchwork of planted fields are settlements of various sizes. The vast majority are small villages, but several sprawling urban centres, often located on the coast or along river courses, drastically change the skyline.

1. Architecture
2. Construction Techniques
3. Religious Structures
4. Settlements in Kalderesh
5. Settlement Layout

History

1. The Story of Humans
2. Timelines

Life on Tem

1. A Diversity of Species
2. Schild
3. Galub
4. Nar
5. Nis

Theology

1. Who Are The Gods?
2. The Gods and the Sky Above
3. Libri Septorum
4. Religion and Worship
5. Oohmians
6. Saar
7. Razimites
8. Aranites
9. Qidranians
10. Aadites
11. Salee
12. Places of Worship
13. Church History
14. Ancient Religious Texts

Magic

1. Wielders of Magic
2. Spells and Spell Books

The Faithful

1. Power of the Divine

Politics and Governance

1. The Monarchy
2. Seats of Power
3. Orders of Precedence

Subsistence

1. The Economics of Survival

Culture and Society

1. The Kalderani Way
2. A Day In The Life
3. A Year On The Farm
4. Guilds
5. Knowledge and Education
6. The Military

Metaphysics

1. Existence and Origins

Gazetteer of Kalderesh

1. (see opposite page)

Appendices

Appendix 1. Detailed timeline of the Kalders

Appendix 2. Palaeomacrometer logbooks

Appendix 3. Mythology of the Janee

Appendix 4. Divine properties of gems & precious stones

Appendix 5. Arcane properties of gems & precious stones

Appendix 6. Herbs and herbology