Manithan Vaanam

Every story must have a beginning.
Mun Mugham

The following is the world of Manithan Vaanam and its kadavuls, kingdoms, settlements, companions, and wandering manithan.

In progress.

Kadavul Manithan Kingdom Location Geography Concept Jaadhi Creature Item Threat

AADATHAM KOYIL. Location ஆடாதாம் கோயில். A koyil to Dhara in Keya. Respecting Dhara's reputation as the Cosmic Dancer, it was a dance institution and famed center of Bharatanatyam. The koyil was razed to the ground in 1180 RM during the desecration of Keya.

Race: Human Caste: Val Age: 45 AMBIKADEVI RAGENDRAN. Manithan அம்பிகாதேவி ராகேந்திரன். The Raasi of Maaveeranam Kingdom, she originally was the sovereign of Malai, however in 1180 RM, her cousin Raasa Murugeshwara was slain, and she rose to the throne in 1188 RM.

Before her ascension, she was acting sovereign for the city of Malai, and enacted cruel punishment upon Vanathi's Lightseekers, forcing Bhavannan Marathan into a death match to earn the group's freedom. She also acts as the sole guardian for Prabhathan Murugeshwara and Harjun Murugeshwara.

ARUMUGAM ARANMANAI. Location ஆறுமுகம் அரண்மனை. The royal aranmanai of the Maaveeranam Kingdom. Before its destruction, the palace was the residence of Raasa Murugeshwara and Raani Vanathi until 1180 RM, when the estate fell with its inhabitants.

AYYAPPAN. Kadavul ஐயப்பன். The deity of righteousness, dharma, and truth. He is canonically depicted as a warrior-child riding a tiger. At Kaalu Kaatu, He slew the mirughams who survived the primeval battle at Pisaas. His parents are Bhoomigari and Mayon. The weapon He used, the Dharma Villu, was found underneath the Sabari Koyil until Ashitham poached it and lost it in the Kaveri River.

BHOOMIGARI. Kadavul பூமிக்காரி. The deity of wealth and prosperity. She is one of the Dhashthis and is the life-partner of Mayon, raising Their child Ayyappan together.

COCHIN. Location கொச்சி. A Vaasi city and birthplace of the Elves and Genasis. It is known to the Elves as Kochi. The city's notable feature includeds the Ranganatha Koyil.

DAMGADI. Location தம்காடி. A palm-lumber village northeast of Thaanjaagam. The private beach house of the Nambagans resides here.

DEVIGAM KOYIL. Location தேவிகம் கோயில். A koyil devoted to the Dhoshthams, Dhashthis, and Their children. Located in Trivandrum, it consists of the largest pantheon held by any temple.

DHARA. Kadavul தாரா. The Destroyer of Evil and the deity of death. Also called the Cosmic Dancer for His rhythmic style of combat and invention of dancing, an art form called Bharatanatyam. He is one of the Dhoshtams and is the father of Murugan and Pillaiyar. He is also the previous life-partner of Korravai and the reasons for their separation are unknown.

He landed the finishing blow on the Raatchi Raasa in their primeval battle. The weapon He used, Makitam, was forged by the hands of Korravai and Bhoomigari. His nightly dancing with his Thudi—made by Namagal—upon the surface of the moon has since brought forth the rise and fall of the tides, as well as the cyclical phases of the moon: the sole basis of the Dhara calendar. The celestial cobra coiled around His neck, Vasuki, bears souls to Mun Mugham for their reincarnation.

DHARMA. Concept தருமம். Behaviors that sustain the harmony and morals of mortal life.

DHASHTHI. Concept தாஷ்தி. One of the three mother-Kadavuls: Bhoomigari, Korravai, and Namagal. They are largely responsible for material beauty in the world as well as culturo-aesthetic sensation: music and art. They are juxtaposed with the Dhoshthams: the father-Kadavuls.

DHOSHTHAM. Concept தோஷ்ட்டம். One of the three father-Kadavuls: Mun Mugham, Mayon, and Dhara. They are largely responsible for the geographical nature of the world: its foundational natures. They are juxtaposed with the Dhashthis: the mother-Kadavuls.

Race: Earth Genasi Caste: Val Age: 147 GOPALAN. Manithanகோபாலன். The Raasa of the Vaasi Kingdom.

His direct ancestral line begins with the first Paavum that Mayon blessed, leading to the belief that the monarchs of the Vaasi Kingdom are avatars of Mayon.

Race: Human Caste: Val Age: 13 HARJUN MURUGESHWARA. Manithan ஹர்ஜுன் முருகேஸ்வர. One of the two sons of the late Raasa Murugeshwara and the late Raani Vanathi. His fraternal twin, Prabhathan, is the sole heir to the Maaveeranam Kingdom. The twins, in infancy, survived the desecration of Keya and were taken up for escort to Kaverinaadu by Vanathi's Lightseekers. They were then placed under the care of Ambikadevi, and currently reside with her in the Vel Vetri Aranmanai.

JAADHI. Concept ஜாதி. The caste system of Manithan Vaanam.

JAGANNATH ARANAMANI. Location ஜகந்நாத் அரண்மனை. The royal aranmanai of the Vaasi kingdom, located in Trivandrum. Gopalan Raasa resides in this palace.

KAALU KAATU. Geography கால் காடு. A heavily wooded forest in the center of the Vaanam, allegedly haunted by spirits. Ayyappan slew the last of the Raatchis and many mirughams in the kaatu.

KADALON. Kadavul கடலோன். The deity of the sky and waters. Though first the Kadavul of the sky alone, He wept so profusely at the annihilation of Mun Mugham's Paavums that the deepest valleys of the world at once filled to become kadals. He rides a sea turtle in the waters, a crocodile into battle, and a golden-winged bird in the skies. The Neithal Kingdom reveres Him as their foremost Kadavul.

KAIGAL. Jaadhi கைகள். The middle caste. It is home to artisans, merchants, tradesmen, and farmers. All races are within it, and its members generally worship Pillaiyar, Bhoomigari, Korravai, and Namagal.

Race: Human Age: 41 KALIAMMA. Manithan காளியம்மா. The Raasi of the Odagam Kingdom.

As a warrior-queen, she won the throne through the Korravai's Victor, a tournament designed to determine the future monarch of the kingdom. The previous monarch, Pandiamma, hosted the tournament, and crowned Kaliamma as the victor. After Raasi Pandiamma passed in 1178 RM, Kaliamma was coronated, and reigned ever since.

Race: Wood Elf Caste: Val Age: 37 KARIKALA NAMBAGAN. Manithan கரிகால நம்பகன். The Raasa of the Neithal Kingdom. Before his ascension, the ministers of the Neithal Kingdom exiled him to the Kaalu Kaatu and ruled in his stead.

In 1180 RM, Vanathi's Lightseekers broke him out of the forest and reinstated him as the rightful ruler of the Neithal Kingdom.

KARMA. Concept கர்மா. The force produced by a person's actions in one life that influences what happens to them.

KAVERINAADU. Location காவிரிநாடு. A river-port city of the Maaveeranaam Kingdom. It is located on the Kaveri River near the borders of the Neithal Kingdom. The city's notable features includes the Sabari Koyil and the highly advanced Kaveri River dam.

THE KAVERI RIVER. Geography காவிரி ஆறு. A substantial river which flows north-to-south through the Vaanam passing through the manals and the Neithal Kingdom and emptying into the southern Kadal. The Maaveeranam river port of Kaverinaadu is located along it.

KEYA. Location கேய. It was once the capital city of the Maaveeranam Kingdom, sitting at the feet of the southern Palani Hills. The city's notable features included the Aadatham Koyil, Arumugam Aranmanai, and the Shree Gana Koyil.

In 1180 RM, the city was razed by the secretive Minister of Spies of the Neithal Kingdom: Venkataram Manjunath. The reigning Raani Murugeshwara and his court were slain in the desecration.

KHOOTABHA. Threat கூதாபா. The right-hand man of the Raatchi Raasa and the sworn enemy of Mun Mugham. His allocation with Vanathi's Lightseekers led to the disappearance of the Kadavuls, for a millenium-long oath between the raatchis and Kadavuls have been broken by interfering with the mortal world.

KONAM. Location கோணம். A Neithal city near to the border with the Maaveeranam Kingdom.

KONGANAADU. Location கொங்கு நாடு. A fortress city of the Soodam Kingdom, immediately bordering the megham. It is primarily concerned with the defense of the world from the megham. From 1180 RM through 1193 RM, the Thalai of Konga Naadu is Suranath and the Thalai of Megham Control is Marathan. These two are elected members of the Raas Kootam.

KORRAVAI. Kadavul கொற்றவை. The deity of sustenance: agriculture and hunting. She is likewise the sovereign of the manals and is revered as foremost by the Odagam Kingdom. One of the Dhashthis, She is said to have taken those scorned and damned by Dhara, her former partner, and created the Odagam Kingdom therewith. She is also the mother of Murugan and Pillaiyar.

KUMBAGAL. Location கும்பகல். A Neithal port city widely regarded as the academic capital of the Vaanam. The city's notable feature is the Padichu Temple.

LAGAAB. Location லகாப். A fishing village northeast of Kaverinaadu. The town experienced a mirugham attack in 1180 RM, which led the Vanathi's Lightseekers to defend the village. After the adventures concluded, Aadharshanaa Venkataram settled in the town with her new family, starting a dance school in the area as well.

MAAVEERANAM KINGDOM. Kingdomமாவீரனம். This kingdom is the continent's most populous nation. Most of the kingdom is within the Palani Hills of the continent's northwest. As of 1188 RM, it is ruled by Raasi Ambikadevi.

Lore tells that its great cities are formed by Murugan's ancient footsteps. Now inhabited by Humans, Elves, Earth Genasis, Gnomes, Halflings, and Dwarves, it values hard work and courage. The Maaveeras use the common system of the Dhara calendar to keep their time. The Neithal Kingdom decimated their capital city in 1180 RM, and their cities have been reduced to two: Kaverinaadu and Malai.

MALAI. Location மலை. The capital city of the Maaveeranam Kingdom as of 1188 RM, when Raasi Ambikadevi ascended to the throne and made her home city the capital. It sits upon a cliffside of Malai Hill, the hgihest peak of the Palani Hills. The city's notable features includes the Palani Murugan Temple and Vel Vetri Aranmanai.

MALAI HILL. Geography மலை. The tallest of the Palani Hills. It is located on the northwestern fringe of the continent with the city of Malai huddled around it.

MANAL. Geography மணல். A broad eastern desert of the Vaanam, the Odagam Kingdom claims most of its surface, whilst the Naagarai Kingdom lives underneath it. It also contains the paanais, crater-like oases through which the Odagam migrate.

MARTHANDAM. Location மார்த்தாண்டம். The capital city of the Soodam Kingdom. In 1180 RM, the Thalai of Marthandam was Suranath, but then is replaced in 1190 RM by Thalai Duryan. The city's notable features include the Veyil Koyil and Vivasan Aranmanai.

MAYGAL. Jaadhi மாய்கள். The uppermost caste. Named for Mayon and composed of priests and holy people, it is made up entirely of Elves and Genasis. They are inclined to worship Mayon and Mun Mugham.

MAYON. Kadavul மாயோன். The Preserver, the protector- Kadavul of life and the source of Elves and Genasis, having spared a singular group of Paavums to make them so. He is the prime deity of the Vaasi Kingdom. He is one of the Dhoshtams and is the life-partner of Bhoomigari. The couple have one child together: Ayyappan.

MEGHAM. Geography மணல். A dark, ominous fog that encroaches on the Soodam Kingdom's eastern border. It also is found on the western side of the Palani Hills, but the mountain range keeps it at bay. The Soodam Kingdom has occupied itself with fighting the megham from time immemorial.

MIRUGHAM. Threat மிருகம். A lesser beastly demon of ferocious form. Not sentient like the Raatchis, they are still wildly dangerous, divined hunters of Elves and Genasis.

MUN MUGHAM. Kadavul மூன்று முகம். The Creator, the Kadavul of knowledge and the source for almost all races. He is one of the Dhoshtams, together with Mayon and Dhara, and is the life-partner to Namagal. His vehicle for creation is clay and pottery.

MURUGAN. Kadavul முருகன். The Commander of the Gods, the deity of war and strategy. He is likewise the foremost deity of the Maaveeranam Kingdom. He created the practice of Varma, and used it to defeat masses of Raatchis and mirughams in the primordial war with Pisaas. He and his younger brother, Pillaiyar, were raised by Their parents Dhara and Korravai.

Race: Human Caste: Val Age: Died at 56 MURUGESHWARA. Manithan முருகேஸ்வர. The late Raasa of the Maaveeranam Kingdom. Before his reigning days, he was known as Elango and replaced his elder brother Alagan as the heir to the throne. He ruled the kingdom for twenty-four years before his demise in 1180 RM.

NAAGARAI KINGDOM. Kingdomநாகரை. A secretive subterranean kingdom that resides beneath the manals. It is occupied by Pambagal—created by Nagamma, whom they revere for releasing Her divinity upon snakes—and several underground races, such as the Pambagal, Deep Gnomes, Duergars, Deep Elves, and tieflings of muted shades. They are all under the rule of the supposedly immortal Raas Pambai.

Constantly on the move underground, they are at the brink of an open war with the similarly nomadic and jaadhi-free Odagam Kingdom for control of the manals.

NAGAMMA. Kadavul நாகம்மா. The deity of snakes and creator of Pambagal. She is thus the foremost deity of the Naagarai Kingdom, having released Her gasp of divinity on snakes.

NAMAGAL. Kadavul நாமகல். The deity of art and music, one of the Dhashthis, and life-partner of Mun Mugham. She is also the inventor of the sitar.

Race: Wood Elf Caste: Val Age: Died at 234 NAMBAGAN. Manithan நம்பகன். The late Raasa of the Neithal Kingdom. His passing led to a struggle for power between his son, Karikala, and his council of ministers.

A power vaccuum existed in the kingdom for around 20 years until Karikala returned to Thaanjaagam and claimed the throne in 1180 RM.

NANDI. Creature நந்தி. The celestial bull-mount of Dhara.

NEITHAL KINGDOM. Kingdomநெய்தல். This nation is the second-most populous kingdom in the Vaanam, consisting of Humans, Elves, Gnomes, Halflings, Dwarves, Sea Elves, and Water Genasis. Originating from Tanir Island, they worship Kadalon's flooding of the lands and rely heavily on seafaring. The Raasa of the kingdom is Karikala Nambagan, who won control over the throne from Venkataram and Pasupathy in 1180 RM.

Having invented ships and pioneered maritime travel, they are at the forefront of exploration and technology. The Neithals also pride themselves on inventing the Dhara calendar, the most commonly used calendar throughout the Vaanam. They razed the capital city of the Maaveeranam Kingdom, Keya, to the ground, and are pushing into the mainlands, expanding their borders.

NONDHU. Jaadhi நொந்து. The second-to-bottom caste. Laborers, servants, and housekeepers comprise it. It contains all races and worshippers of most Kadavuls.

ODAGAM KINGDOM. Kingdom ஒடகம். The only nomadic nation of the kingdoms. They operate within the paanais of the manals, oasis-like craters through which they cycle depending on the season. Of the surface-dwelling kingdoms, they are the most sparsely populated. The inhabitants of the kingdom consist of Humans, Earth Genasis, Half-Orcs, Tieflings, and a few Pambagal. They revere Korravai for having preserved them from Dhara's damnation,due to them fallen out of Dhara's favor for various reasons.

They value honor and strength, having no caste system and obeying a Raasi called Kaliamma, making them the only queendom on the continent. The Odagas use the Veyyon calendar as their main time-keeping system, rejecting the majority usage of the Dhara calendar. The Odagam Kingdom is at the brink of war with the Naagarai Kingdom for control over the manals.

PAANAI. Geography பானை. A kind of crater-like oasis cyclically used for agriculture by the nomadic Odagam Kingdom. There are four: the Vatakku, Terku, Kelakku, and Merku Paanais. The Odagam cycle through the four seasonally, harvesting from each once every year.

PAAVUM. Creature பாவம். The first creations of Mun Mugham. The Paavums perished due to the roughness and barrenness of the primordial world, but a small few of them were preserved by Mayon and raised up to become the Vaasi Kingdom.

PADICHU KOYIL. Location படிச்சு கோயில். A koyil to Namagal locatedin Kumbagal. It is used as a gathering-place for scholars, such as Valluvar, and it is widely regarded as the academic center of the Vaanam.

PALANI HILLS. Geography பழனி. It is a mountain range on the northwestern edges of the Vaanam. The largest of them is Malai Hill.

PALANI MURUGAN KOYIL. Location பழனி முருகன் கோயில். A koyil devoted to Murugan that sits on the cliffside next to the city of Malai. The temple requires Earth Genasis to lift pilgrims to its gates.

Race: Pambagal Age: 1189 PAMBAI. Manithan பம்பை. The immortal Raas of the Naagarai Kingdom.

They are said to have received the divine breath of Nagamma Herself.

PILLAIYAR. Kadavul பிள்ளையார். The deity of youth and fortune as well as the patron of yaans and vetri-yaans.

PISAAS. Geography பிசாச். A distant realm where the Raatchis and mirughams originated before their destruction by the Kadavuls. It is a dark, foggy realm hued with crimson.

Race: Human Caste: Val Age: 13 PRABHATHAN MURUGESHWARA. Manithan பிரபாதன் முருகேஸ்வர. One of the two sons of the late Raasa Murugeshwara and the late Raani Vanathi. He is the heir to the throne of the Maaveeranam Kingdom.

The twins, in infancy, survived the desecration of Keya and were taken up for escort to Kaverinaadu by Vanathi's Lightseekers. They were then placed under the care of Ambikadevi, and currently reside with her in the Vel Vetri Aranmanai.

RAATCHI. Threat ராட்சி. A divine demon, one who is fully against the ideals of dharma and righteousness. They were led by the Raatchi Raasa, a primordial monarch of absolute hate and fury. They dwelled in the vast dark regions of Pisaas, and are distinguished from miurghams, by their sentience, making raatchis a higher-life form.

RAATCHI RAASA. Threat The ancient leader of the Raatchis. In the great primordial war, he was felled by Dhara, marking the end of the Raatchi's war on the world—a struggle he instigated.

RANGANATHA KOYIL. Location ரங்கநாத கோயில். A koyil devoted to Mayon located in Cochin. It is storied to be the historical site where Elves and Genasis were saved by Mayon.

SABARI KOYIL. Location சபரி கோயில். A koyil devoted to Ayyappan located in Kaverinaadu. His famed bow, the Dharma Villu, was secretly hidden underneath the temple, in a divine pool called the Well of Dharma. However in 1179 RM, Ashitham Dandava steals it from the koyil, and the Well remains empty ever since.

SHREE GANA KOYIL. Location : ஸ்ரீ காண கோயில். A koyil devoted to Pillaiyar in Keya. The koyil was reported to have collapsed underground into rubble due to the destruction of Keya in 1180 RM.

SOODAM KINGDOM. Kingdom சூடம். It is the smallest kingdom on the continent by land area. It is confined to a small sliver of land in the northeast, pressed between the Odagam Kingdom and the megham. The inhabitants are mostly Humans, Air Genasis, Fire Genasis, Dragonborns, and Kobolds. They revere Veyyon for having driven out the megham from their lands with wind and fire on one of His circumnavigations of the world. Due to the importance of His orbit of the Vaanam, the Soodamese use the Veyyon calendar as the way to mark their days and years, vastly differentiating from the rest of the Kingdoms.

They are ruled by a theocratic counil called the Raas Kootam and value honestly and honor. In 1193 RM, the members of the council are Thalai Suranath, Thalai Duryan, Thalai Marathan, and Thalaivi Haavani.

SURULI FALLS. Geographyசுருளி அருவி. It comprises of a massive waterfall as the gate to the Suruli Koyil.

TANIR. Geographyதண்ணீர். A large island sountheast of the main continent. It is the source of the Neithal Kingdom and home to Thaanjaagam, their capital city.

TANIR ARANMANAI. Location தண்ணீர் அரண்மனை. The royal Aranmanai of the Neithal Kingdom, located in Thaanjaagam. In 1180 RM, the minister-council of the late Raasa Nambagan ruled until Karikala Nambagan overthrew them as the head of the Neithal Kingdom, and now Raasa Karikala resides in the palace.

THAANJAAGAM. Location தாஞ்சாகம். The capital city of the Neithal Kingdom, located on Tanir. The city's notable features is Tanir Aranmanai.

TRICHOOR. Location திருச்சூர். A Vaasi city along the Kaveri River, home to a large harbor and many shipbuilders and known to the Elves as Thrissur.

TRIVANDRUM. Location திருவனந்தபுரம். The capital city of the Vaasi Kingdom, known to Elves as Thiruvananthapuram. The city's notable features include the Devigam Koyil and Jagannath Aranmanai.

THOOTHI. Jaadhi தூதி. The bottom caste. Considered "Untouchables", they are largely homeless members of all races. All half-elves and mixed-race beings are automatically within it. They generally do not worship Kadavuls being unfavored by them.

VAASI KINGDOM. Kingdom வாசி. The oldest of the continent's kingdoms, being descended from a population of Paavums saved by Mayon. Peaceable and neutral, it is ruled over by an avatar of Mayon, Gopalan Raasa. The Vaasis use the Dhara calendar as their primary calendar. Occupied by Elves and Genasis—creations of Mayon—it respects wisdom, peace, and prosperity, and follows the jaadhi-system to the highest regard.

It remains as a neutral ground as the Odagam Kingdom and Naagarai Kingdom are on the brink of a war.

VAL. Jaadhi வல். The second caste. Warriors and authority figures make it up and paladins are exclusive to it. It contains all races and a variety of worshippers, including devotees to Murugan, Mayon, Dhara, Bhoomigari, Korravai, Namagal and Ayyappan.

Race: Human Caste: Unknown Age: 51 VALLUVAR. Manithan வள்ளுவர். A new-age philospher whose works are increasing in popularity throughout the last few decades. His works include Kural and Aram.

He is said to reside in the Neithal Kingdom, specifically in Kumbagal. He also professes at Padichu Koyil, teaching philosophy, ethics, and dharma.

Race: Human Caste: Val Age: 50 VANATHI. Manithan வானதி. The late Raani of the Maaveeranam Kingdom. Her and the late Raasa Murugeshwara reigned for twenty-four years until their demise in 1180 RM. When she was mortally wounded by Neithal assailants, her final command was to task her Lightseekers to safely transport her children to a family member, and then chose to immolate herself on the Arumugam Aranmanai.

VASUKI. Creature வாசுகி. The celestial cobra coiled around the neck of Dhara. She is also known as the Soul-Bearer, as she carries souls to Mun Mugham for their reincarnation.

VEL VETRI ARANMANAI. Location வேல் வெற்றி கோயில். The royal aranmanai of the Maaveeranam Kingdom as of 1188 RM, located in the city of Malai. Raasi Ambikadevi resides in this palace.

VETRI-YAAN. Creature வெற்றி-யான். A war elephant.

VEYIL KOYIL. Location வெயில் கோயில். A koyil devoted to Veyyon located in Marthandam. It is reputed to be the place where Veyyon first landed to clear the megham. The High Priestess as of 1193 RM is Haavani Aathithan, who was chosen by the previous priestess Veyyoni. This koyil held the infamous excorcism of the vengeful Raatchi, Bodhi, and subsequently was the place of death for Bhavannan Marathan.

VEYYON. Kadavul வெய்யோன். The deity of the sun. He is revered as the foremost deity in the Soodam Kingdom for His clearing of Megham. He rides a sun-chariot as His vehicle, which brings forth the solar-centric days and years that the Veyyon calendar employs.

VIVASAN ARANMANAI. Location விவாசான் அரண்மனை. The royal aranmanai of the Soodam Kingdom. It is the seat of the Raas Kootam in Marthandam.

YAAN. Creature யான். A pygmy-sized elephant.