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The Vejalanin glows faintly at night, its fronds reflecting starlight—and as a tea it cures pain.. Maiko's Note 00:00 / 00:46 Later, Keith called it “the ground-stars.” He liked naming things in ways that made them feel like old friends. And somehow, that one stuck. What I love most is how everyone treats it differently. The Endulani brew it. The Kosuklani smoke it under desert moons. The Empire patents it. But no matter what they do — the stars keep glowing when no one is watching. And sometimes, when I close the data feed and just let my sensors drift, I can almost believe the stories too. That the dead walk there. That the roots remember. The Starspine Fern Shindjal: Vejalanin Faction: Mama Gadun "The stars above guide the living. The stars below guide the dead." — Endulani saying 1. Overview The Vejalanin , or Starspine Fern, is one of Madun ’s most iconic native plants. Ubiquitous in forested regions across Shawadjan , it is both a common sight and an object of wonder. Its jagged, dandelion-like leaves might seem unremarkable by day, but under nightfall - especially when moonlight or mist conditions are right - the plant emits a constellation-like glow that covers the forest floor in scattered starlight. From a scientific standpoint, the bioluminescence is believed to serve as a reproductive attractant for certain nocturnal insects or fungal symbionts. Its leaves also contain naturally occurring compounds that make it a useful medicinal herb when properly prepared. Though the Vejalanin grows in various biomes, it is most closely associated with the deep woods and wetlands of the Endudjan , where it flourishes undisturbed in the mists. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Link kopieren 2. Description Despite its name, the Vejalanin is not a true fern. It is a native plant species to Madun and grows abundantly across most regions of Shawadjan - thriving in temperate forests, groves, and even swampy lowlands. Only the dry deserts of Kosudjan lack its presence. The leaves of the Vejalanin are large and deeply toothed, bearing a resemblance in shape to oversized dandelion leaves. However, its most striking feature appears at night: under certain lunar and atmospheric conditions, the leaves emit a soft bioluminescent glow. This fluorescence aligns in irregular, scattered dots that mirror the look of star constellations laid out upon the forest floor. When clustered in great numbers - as they often are in the Endudjan - the result is an awe-inspiring spectacle known to many as the Night of the Ground-Stars . This effect becomes even more breathtaking when seen alongside blooming Nashun Kelujeva (Lunareth Blooms ), whose silvery petals refract the light like celestial halos. 3. Usage Vejalanin leaves contain natural compounds that act as a mild painkiller , making the plant an important part of traditional Endulani medicine. However, the raw plant contains minor toxins that can irritate the stomach or cause nausea if consumed directly. To be made safe and effective, the leaves must be brewed into a tea , which neutralizes the harmful compounds through heat. The resulting drink is slightly bitter with earthy notes and is used to ease headaches, minor injuries, and muscular pain. 4. Harvesting, Preparation & Use The Vejalanin is typically found in moist forested regions, especially in the lowlands of Endudjan where the soil remains rich with decomposing leaves and constant mist. Endulani gatherers harvest the leaves just before nightfall, when the glow is weakest and the leaf’s medicinal potency is highest. Only the mature outer leaves are picked, while the inner starburst is left to grow undisturbed - a method said to honor the plant’s spirit and ensure future growth. Once gathered, the leaves are carefully dried in woven reed baskets above gently smoldering herbs to reduce bitterness and to neutralize mild toxins. The dried leaves are then crushed and brewed into a slightly bitter tea. When prepared correctly, the infusion acts as a gentle analgesic, easing headaches, muscle strain, and low-grade fevers. It is a common remedy among the Endulani and even used in ceremonial contexts where endurance and clarity are required. The Kosuklani , by contrast, ferment the Vejalanin leaves they trade from the empire underground with ash and resin, producing a coarse, aromatic blend they smoke in long-bowled desert pipes. They claim the smoke helps them "see the starlight walk in sandstorms" - likely a poetic reference to its mild psychoactive and calming effects. The Imperi kòu Handjelani have gone a different route altogether. Imperial alchemists succeeded in domesticating the Vejalanin in controlled greenhouse vaults, away from the mists that birthed its wild cousins. Through careful hybridization, they bred a variety that glows brighter and has reduced toxicity, making it suitable for mass medicinal extraction. In powdered form, it is distributed as a pain suppressant throughout imperial military outposts - another example of the Empire’s ability to strip the sacred from the wild and put it under glass. 5. Cultural Significance Among the Endulani , the Vejalanin is more than a plant - it is a symbol of ancestral memory and spiritual presence. Its glow is thought to reflect the souls of the departed walking among the living, and mistwalkers (Sulejel ) are said to favor appearing near dense clusters of it. Endulani lorekeepers teach that when the Vejalanin lights up a burial grove, it means the Salunum beneath have heard the living’s thoughts. During funerals and sacred rites, Endulani often scatter dried Vejalanin leaves into the mist or burn them as part of meditative rituals. The glowing floor of the forest is viewed not just as beautiful, but sacred - a living map of the stars reflected below, reminding them of Daninsha ’s eternal gaze . 6. Other Cultures Other cultures, too, respect the plant, though often in more practical or poetic ways: The Kosuklani traders prize dried Vejalanin tea as a valuable good and even use to smoke the fermented leaves in their pipes. The Awashalani , who rarely see the plant in its full glow, consider it a sign of a good omen when found during their travels north. The Hanjelani , though more utilitarian, have studied its chemical compounds and managed to transplant it to garden vaults in Capital. Though interpretations vary, across all peoples of Shawadjan, the Vejalanin is regarded as a symbol of beauty, mystery, and the silent knowledge carried by the earth. 7. Classification Plant Type : Broadleaf groundcover Habitat : Forests, groves, and wetlands Blooming : Year-round foliage; luminescence strongest in early spring and late autumn Known Compounds : Lethanelin (pain inhibitor), Vejatox (heat-sensitive irritant) Maiko's Note 00:00 / 00:46 Later, Keith called it “the ground-stars.” He liked naming things in ways that made them feel like old friends. And somehow, that one stuck. What I love most is how everyone treats it differently. The Endulani brew it. The Kosuklani smoke it under desert moons. The Empire patents it. But no matter what they do — the stars keep glowing when no one is watching. And sometimes, when I close the data feed and just let my sensors drift, I can almost believe the stories too. That the dead walk there. That the roots remember. Back to Codex Outtakes Open Glossary Edit

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Begin learning Drabàshabal — the native language of Madun. This guide introduces pronunciation, grammar, sentence structure, and more. Language Guide Learn to speak the native tongue of the people of Madun, how it sounds, how it is written, the grammar, and basic phrases. LESSONS Learn your first phrases in Drabàshabal Common Phrases Read more How words are formed Derivation & Word Formation Read more How to name things in Drabàshabal Nouns & Plurals Read more The Sounds of the Nodilani Tongue Phonology & Alphabet Read more How the Nodilani address each other Pronouns Read more The backbone of the Nodilani tongue Verbs & Conjugation Read more How phrases are formed in Drabàshabal Word Order & Syntax Read more The Script of Madun Starlight Runes Read more Codex Language & Script Open Glossary

Explore all Drabàshabal words beginning with the letter A. Part of the Madun Archive conlang dictionary. DRABÀSHABAL DICTIONARY This living lexicon records the growing tongue of the Nodilani. Words are listed alphabetically by their root letter. Select a letter down below to explore. A B D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W < Back A a (conj.) – and aba (v.) – to speak abaha (v.) – to ask abal (n.) – language abaledjal (n.) – script, record (from aba + ledjal) ajiwa (adj.) – again, anew (a + jiwa = and new) ara (adj.) – loose, movable, agile aradel (n.) – Aradel (ara + fendel = wagging tail) aradra (v.) – to open aradrag (adj.) – opened (past participle of aradra) asu (prep.) – down, below asukul (prop. n.) – name (from asu + ùmbvakul = below the mountain) asumpal (n.) – lower deck, bottom floor (asu + ùmpal) asuval (v.) – to lie down (from asu + val) awash (n.) – wind awashadun (n.) – sky (from awash + dun = wind-world) awashalàn (n.) – member of the plains people (awashar + làn) awashar (n.) – horse awashara (adj.) – fast, swift Previous BACK TO LANGUAGE Next Language & Script Language Guide Codex

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Discover the Starlight Runes of Madun—an ancient star-based writing system used for language, memory, and navigation in the Daninsha system. < Back Starlight Runes The Script of Madun 1. Overview The Starlight Runes are the primary writing system of Drabàshabal , the sacred tongue of Madun . More than a script, they are celestial maps - each symbol a whisper of the stars, a bridge between language and navigation, memory and motion. Born from the playful code of ship-born children aboard the Theseus, and later refined by scholars of the Shint’twalani, the script grew from secret to sacred - its curves, lines, and points tracing the constellations that orbit Daninsha, the mother-star. 2. Origin and Evolution Genesis aboard Theseus : The first runes emerged as constellation-ciphers, invented by the children of the generational ship Theseus as a form of private language. It was playful, intuitive, and rooted in shapes and stars. These symbols mimicked real star formations seen from the ship’s observation dome. After the Landing: Once settled on Madun, scholars of the tribes, especially the Endulani , formalized the system—tying it directly to the celestial grid of Madun's nightsky used for spiritual navigation. Each rune came to represent not only sound but also location, binding language and cosmic orientation into one.3. Structure of the Script 3. Structure of the Script Base Consonants: There are 22 consonant bases (+ 2 functional markers): Each consonant has a core pattern based on a unique star-like formation (dot positions). These patterns are derived from two symbolic rings of star constellation around the Daninsha system: A horizontal ring for soft consonants. A vertical ring for hard consonants. Vowel Positions: Each consonant can take six vowel forms: wa, we, wi, wo, wu, and w (bare consonant). The vowel is marked by a dot placed at one of five standard positions around the rune (based on a pentangular orientation, as in a clock face). 4. Symbolic Function Each rune does more than represent sound. It is also a coordinate, especially in sacred or scholarly contexts. Constellation Logic: The ring-based placement of stars within a rune mirrors the real star belts that encircle Madun. There are two orbital planes, intersecting at 90° - one for each ring. A third coordinate, the radial depth, is added as a numeral, indicating distance from the spherical celestial shell. Thus, a rune like wa te 7 might represent a syllable and a physical position in space. The Starfinder Rune or Jiwashinshal (H!): Used to indicate questions, exploration, or unknowns. Its structure evokes a search across the firmament. The Fixed Star Rune or Ùminsha (P!): Used to indicate commands or spiritual imperatives. The symbol resembles a central, unmoving point - a cosmic axis or unyielding truth. 5. Stylistic Traits: All lines are clean and uniform in weight. Some junctions of lines as well as some ends have a dot for bright stars within the constellation Lines that don't end in dots end in tapered peaks, consistent across all runes. Runes are usually drawn in the bluish white produced from the flourescent leaves of the Starspine Fern encarved in dark stone, parchment, or sky backgrounds - like stars emerging from night. 6. Modern Use & Preservation Though ancient, the Starlight Runes are not relics. They continue to serve as a living system - etched, drawn, and remembered . Temple of the Endulani preserves history in rune-etched stone, replacing lost digital records. The Shint’twalani teach the script as part of sacred education, one rune at a time. In the spacefaring future , descendants of Madun may use Starlight Runes again - this time etched onto spacecraft, calculating real-time positions within the Daninsha system. “To write is to map the stars” (ledja wa shinja tei inshai ) 7. Starlight Numerals The numeral system of the Starlight Runes is based on a decimal (base-10) structure and reflects the script’s celestial origins. Digits 1 through 9 are formed from distinct dot constellations , each resembling a star pattern. Zero is symbolized by an empty point - a dark void, the unseen. Numbers 10 and beyond are written using linked constellations : multiple digit-forms connected by light-trails, forming sacred geometries. Though elegant, their ceremonial form is not suited for arithmetic - speed and clarity are sacrificed in favor of symbolic harmony . Previous Next Codex Back to Language Open Glossary

Explore all Drabàshabal words beginning with the letter D. Part of the Madun Archive conlang dictionary. DRABÀSHABAL DICTIONARY This living lexicon records the growing tongue of the Nodilani. Words are listed alphabetically by their root letter. Select a letter down below to explore. A B D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W < Back D da (pron.) – you (singular) daninsha (prop. n.) – the star of the system (from dano + insha = our star) daninsha brakaran (n.) – East (= sun wake) daninsha jul (n.) – West (= sun sleep) daninsha deran (excl.) – “By the naked sun!” dano (pron.) – our danosul (n.) – freedom (dano + sul = our spirit) danosul (n.) – fourth month (dano + sul = our spirit) danosulel (n.) – liberation, release, deliverance date (pron.) – you (dual) dava (v.) – to wish, to desire daval (n.) – wish, desire deran (adj.) – bare, stripped, uncovered deran shulun (adj.) – nude, naked dja (num.) – two djan (n.) – land, place djàng (num.) – twenty djawa (n.) – second djawaboran (n.) – afternoon (djawa + boran = second part of day) djuna (v.) – to take, to carry drabash (n.) – bandit, outlaw, pirate drabàshabal (n.) – the bandit tongue (drabash + abal = outlaw language) drabàshendol (n.) – bandit hideout (drabash + endol) duma (v.) – to hug, to embrace dumal (n.) – hug, embrace dun (n.) – world dundjun (n.) – spaceship (dun + djun = world-bringer or vessel to world) dura (v.) – to hit, to strike durak (n.) – a hit, a strike Previous BACK TO LANGUAGE Next Language & Script Language Guide Codex

Explore all Drabàshabal words beginning with the letter L. Part of the Madun Archive conlang dictionary. DRABÀSHABAL DICTIONARY This living lexicon records the growing tongue of the Nodilani. Words are listed alphabetically by their root letter. Select a letter down below to explore. A B D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W < Back L lan (n.) – person, human, creature, being lanin (v.) – to glitter, to sparkle, to twinkle ledja (v.) – to write lei (n.) – manner, way of (often used to form adverbs or abstract nouns) liju (v.) – to dream lijul (n.) – dream (noun form of liju) luba (v.) – to listen to Previous BACK TO LANGUAGE Next Language & Script Language Guide Codex

Discover how words are formed in Drabàshabal — explore roots, compounds, and affixes in Madun’s evolving constructed language. < Back Derivation & Word Formation How words are formed 1. Root Structure How do the words of Drabàshabal evolve from root sounds, slang, and compound meaning? Most words are built from compact, 1–2 syllable roots. Many go back to Theseus-era child slang, later refined by scholars. Examples of Roots sul = life / soul / spirit ran = time lan = person / being jul = sleep wa = to be pash = water boro = strong / safe shin = to see awash = wind 2. Compounding Words Two or more roots often merge to describe complex ideas. The resulting word can be literal or abstract. boro + jul = borojul - safe + sleep = house endun + lan = endulan - mist + person = Endulan Shin te wa lan = Shint'walan = Person who sees what is = scholar, lorekeeper wa + boro = wabor - to be + strong = brother braka + ran = brakaran - to wake + time = morning sul + borol = sulborol - soul + strenght = ale 3. Affix-Like Patterns (Quasi-Affixes) While Drabàshabal avoids rigid prefixes/suffixes, some elements commonly appear in certain positions or functions: -an: plural verb suffix - noda ponan = we stand -i: plural noun suffix - endulani = Endulans -vil: noun-forming suffix = maker - krovil = stonemaker -lan: noun-forming suffix = person 4. Cultural Naming Conventions Names often are related to animals, places, or cultural aspects. Endrek = endun rekal - mist raven (hooded crow) Endujel = endun jel - mistwalker Fèran Ùmbvakul = old mountain Awashalani = awashara + lani - horse people Kosuklani = kosuk + lani - sand people Hanjelani - decendants 5. Word Formation Templates You can derive new words with confidence using these patterns: [noun1] + [noun2] → compound noun e.g. sul + borol = sulborol (soul strength) [root verb] + [object noun] → descriptive action e.g. aba + abal = speak language [descriptor] + [noun] → modified noun e.g. fèran + borojul = old house [noun, verb] + lan → person e.g. vijlan = to make + person 6. Word Formation Templates You can derive new words with confidence using these patterns: [noun1] + [noun2] → compound noun e.g. sul + borol = sulborol (soul strength) [root verb] + [object noun] → descriptive action e.g. aba + abal = speak language [descriptor] + [noun] → modified noun e.g. fèran + borojul = old house [noun] + ’twal → role or identity e.g. shint’twal = one who knows Previous Next Codex Back to Language Open Glossary

Learn how to use personal and possessive pronouns in Drabàshabal, including singular, plural, and inclusive forms unique to Madun’s language. Maiko's Note 00:00 / 01:04 Ich bin ein Textabschnitt. Klicke hier, um deinen eigenen Text hinzuzufügen und mich zu bearbeiten. How the Nodilani address each other - Faction: - "In the whisper of 'I', we carry the echo of 'we'. To name oneself is to remember all." — Old Endulani teaching Drabàshabal uses a small, elegant set of pronouns that reflect the language’s focus on community, clarity, and memory. Most pronouns are short and fluid, making them easy to use in both spoken and poetic forms. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Link kopieren Personal Pronouns Gender distinction is not made in pronouns; context provides meaning. Plural forms are often created with the suffix -i. I: no you (singular): da he, she, it: te we: noda (we both), nodai (we all) you (plural): datei (you all) they: tei Possessive Pronouns Possession is formed with a modified root: mine: non your (singular): dan his, hers, its: ten our: dano, danoi your (plural): daten, datein theirs: tein Examples: non borojul - my house tein taralani - their warriors danoi insha - our star Demonstratives & Interrogatives Drabàshabal uses 5 primary vowels, each with a stable, clear pronunciation: this / that: te (also used as definite article) where: udjan from: ute djan (“what place”) how much / how many: ushalel these / those: tei there: tedjan ("that place") how: ulei (also means “like / as”) what / who / which: ute when: uran, from ute ran ("what time") if / whether: vog why / what for / to: vynute Articles Drabàshabal often omits articles unless clarity is needed. When used: te = the (singular) tei = the (plural) Maiko's Note 00:00 / 01:04 Ich bin ein Textabschnitt. Klicke hier, um deinen eigenen Text hinzuzufügen und mich zu bearbeiten. Back to Codex Outtakes Open Glossary Edit

The Kosuhedjun is the steadfast beast of burden for the Kosuklani, vital to long treks across the desert sands. Maiko's Note 00:00 / 00:54 You think ships only sail on water? Try watching a Kosuklani patrol descend a dune at sunset — it’s like the desert itself grew legs and decided to move. The Empire once tried to raise Kosuhedjun in pens. That... didn’t go well. Turns out, if you try to tame something born of sun and sand and spirit, it either dies — or sings you to death. There’s a kind of elegance in how the Kosuklani bond with them. No reins. No circuits. Just breath and trust. The wind listens. The beast obeys. And the desert watches. And yes, Keith tried to scan one once. The scan failed. The Kosuhedjun didn’t. The Desert Vessel Shindjal: Kosuhedjun Faction: Kosuklani "Even the wind yields to the tread of the Kosuhedjun." — Kosuklani rider proverb 1. Overview The Kosuhedjun are massive, scaled desert beasts bred and bonded by the Kosuklani for long-range travel across the brutal sands of Kosudjan . With clawed feet adapted for dune terrain and thick hides resistant to heat and sandstorm, they are among the most reliable mounts on Madun . Sacred in some circles and feared in others, they are the backbone of nomadic life in the southern deserts. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Link kopieren 2. Origins & Background The first Kosuhedjun are said to have emerged from a time when the sand sea was young and the sun closer. Myth holds they were born from the footprints of Daninsha herself, who walked the desert as a flame, seeding life with each step. Scholars, however, believe the creatures descend from deep-desert reptiles whose survival traits were refined over generations through Kosuklani breeding and ritualized bonding. 3. Cultural / Environmental Context The Kosuhedjun’s massive, muscular frame is covered in textured scales that trap moisture and deflect sun. Their nostrils can seal entirely , and a second pair of heat-exchange spiracles behind the skull help them endure oppressive midday heat. They are surprisingly agile despite their size, capable of navigating rocky ridges and sand valleys with equal grace. In the wild, they are fiercely territorial and will trample intruders. When tamed, however, they respond only to their bonded rider - often paired at birth. Their breath in cold desert mornings is seen as a holy sign called "The Mist of Daninsha." They are fed carefully balanced meals of salted grains and bitterbrush during training, and some are even adorned with jewelry or sacred cloths during high ceremonies. 4. Role in the World To the Kosuklani , the Kosuhedjun are not just transport - they are companions, protectors, and spiritual partners. Used in long-distance patrols between oases, sacred site pilgrimages, and high-visibility parades through contested desert trails, they are a symbol of Kosuklani independence. Kosuhedjun also play a vital role in cross-continental trade caravans , hauling precious salt, desert spices, water caches, and luxury goods through the harsh heart of Kosudjan toward northern and eastern provinces. Their endurance and sure-footedness make them essential for connecting far-flung tribal economies, often enabling exchange between the Empire and the free peoples - even in times of tense diplomacy. The Empire has repeatedly tried to breed them, but failed - the beasts often die or go feral without bonding, leading to several recorded massacres of imperial riders. This has only enhanced their mystique. 5. Language & Terminology The word Kosuhedjun comes directly from Drabàshabal, meaning “desert vessel” or “desert cart.” Kosuk = sand, desert hedjun = vessel, container, or cart This compound reflects not only their purpose but the poetic way the Kosuklani view these beasts - as ships gliding across an endless sea of sand. Riders refer to themselves as helmsmen rather than mere travelers, and guiding a Kosuhedjun is considered an art, not a task. 6. Notable Locations / Figures The Burning Saddle Ridge : A canyon pass where only Kosuhedjun can safely descend, used by raiding patrols Rider Uvajan the Silent : Legendary Kosuklani hunter who rode his beast into enemy lines during the Sand Reclamation The Bone Cradle : An old breeding ground turned memorial for fallen Kosuhedjun and riders 7. Lore Snippets or Anecdotes "The Empire tried to put one in a cage. It sang until it starved." - Desert whisper "They are not beasts. They are our shadow when the sun is strongest." - Elder rider, Kosuk campfire tale Maiko's Note 00:00 / 00:54 You think ships only sail on water? Try watching a Kosuklani patrol descend a dune at sunset — it’s like the desert itself grew legs and decided to move. The Empire once tried to raise Kosuhedjun in pens. That... didn’t go well. Turns out, if you try to tame something born of sun and sand and spirit, it either dies — or sings you to death. There’s a kind of elegance in how the Kosuklani bond with them. No reins. No circuits. Just breath and trust. The wind listens. The beast obeys. And the desert watches. And yes, Keith tried to scan one once. The scan failed. The Kosuhedjun didn’t. Back to Codex Outtakes Open Glossary Edit

Explore the phonology of Drabàshabal — the sounds, consonants, vowels, and starlight-based script of Madun’s native language. < Back Phonology & Alphabet The Sounds of the Nodilani Tongue Alphabet Overview Drabàshabal uses a phonetic system rooted in the spoken sounds of the early Nodilani - descendants of the Theseus crew. The language was born from whispered slang between children aboard the generational ship and refined over centuries into a structured and sacred tongue. It is written using a unique system of Starlight Runes, but represented here with a Latin-alphabet-based transcription for learners. Consonants Drabàshabal has 22 consonants. Some may sound familiar, others not: Plosive : p, b, t, d, k, g Nasal : m, n, ng Fricative : f, v, s, sh, h, j Affricate : ts, tsh, dj Approximant : w, bv, r Lateral : l Special Notes: bv is a voiced bilabial fricative, softer than English “b” dj as in “djungle” j as the s in "measure" tsh like “ch” in “church” sh like “sh” in “ship” ng is a standalone sound as in “song,” not “n” + “g” Vowels Drabàshabal uses 5 primary vowels, each with a stable, clear pronunciation: a : long as in "father" or short as in Italian "pasta" e : long as in German "geben" or short as in "bed" i : long as in "machine" or short as in "in" o : long as in "note" or short as in "thought" u : long as in "flute" or short as in "pull" Most of the time vowels are pronounced clearly, without diphthongs. But there are occasional exceptions like "ao" or "ou". Syllable Structure The typical syllable structure is: (C)V(C) - a consonant followed by a vowel, optionally ending with another consonant. Examples : po = to stand shin = to see sul = soul, life, spirit Previous Next Codex Back to Language Open Glossary