The ten Noble Estates are located in the Cirque of the Moon, the innermost ring of Celephaïs. Each of the nine Greek Muses have their own Hall (provided with stage or other facility appropriate to that Muse). The tenth is the Hall of Drax, which is an immense library. There is no resident staff, but […]
Dragolets are about the size of a falcon or a chihuahua, and when trained they sit on the handler’s forearm like falcons. They are covered with very small feathers, and have bat-like wings. They do not have visible ears, and the head resembles a caiman or similar reptile with long, thin jaw. In addition to […]
Coins of many varieties are in circulation throughout the Dreamlands, and while King Kuranes has been trying to establish a single, uniform currency, it is extremely difficult when new, unique coins can appear out of nowhere at any time. The rate of exchange for the three most common metals used in coinage, however, is known. […]
Guns and gunpowder both work in the Dreamlands. King Kuranes and a number of his closest circle, however, are well aware of the danger of firearms, and work to minimize their usage. In particular the King, through Mistress Mochizuki and the Kingfishers, has successfully carried out a program of sabotage and rumor that has convinced […]
There are countless trade routes crisscrossing the Dreamlands, but for a variety of reasons the major routes are by sea. They are anchored in four major trading ports: Dylath-Leen, Celephaïs, Pungar-Vees, and Rinar. Other key cities on trade routes include Shiroora Shan (controls the Night Ocean, and is the primary gateway between the central Dreamlands […]
The borderline between magic and medicine is quite unclear when both pharmaceuticals and spells can cure. Obviously, magic works in the Dreamlands, but given the fluid nature of reality in the Dreamlands it does not work the same way that it does in Wakeworld. Scholars define three types of magic, namely Magiae Naturalis, Magiae Nativus […]
I translated this story for Kaiki Volume 1: Tales of Old Edo, which was published by Kurodahan Press. The story was originally written in 1928, and since it’s now in the public domain, I have decided to release my own English translation to the public domain as well. The Face in the Hearth 竈の中の顔 (Kamado […]
Vampiric: Tales of Blood and Roses from Japan Japan has always had its own vampire tradition, and has eagerly naturalized Western vampires and vampire literature to produce exotic new hybrids and species of horror, of terror, and of sensual, exquisite beauty. Here are a few of their masterpieces. The Japanese word for vampire is kyūketsuki, […]
“I’m sorry and I fully realize that you have traveled for many weeks to reach Celephaïs, but the King is not receiving any visitors at this time.” Most people would have wilted under the furious visage of King Babacar of Thalarion, but Chamberlain Mikhail of Celephaïs remained unmoved. In fact, in addition to responding to […]