Khatagin

The harsh Desert world of Khatagin, homeworld to the Disciples of Jaghatai. The inhabitants of Khatagin are a hardy bunch, living in blistering heat and with limited water. They are a nomadic people, traveling from waterhole to waterhole, while trying to stay ahead of the constant sandstorms that ravage the land.

## **Fauna**

**The Olgoi-Khorkhoi**

The creature known as Olgoi-Khorkhoi, locally referred to as the ”death worm”, roam the lands of Khatagin. It is an enormous burrowing worm that travels just beneath the surface. The Olgoi migrate once every year, the typically solitary creatures gather into groups, with more joining on the way to their destination. It is during such a migration that the Nerge is held.

**Sayat**

Birds of prey, similar to that of falcons of ancient terra. The people of Khatagin use the Sayat to hunt Chagnaal. These hunters are called The *Sayatshy.*

The use of the Sayat is carried over to the astartes of the Disciples as well. Not only are they used to scout ahead by the marines, the armor of the chapter is also based on the coloration of these birds.

**Jaliqai**

The Jaliqai are equine creatures that roam the deserts of Khatagin in large herds. The rear of its body is light brown with no patterning, whereas the front has light brown and white stripes, like the stripes of a zebra. This pattern of stripes varies between each individual.

It plays a large role in the daily lives of the Khataginians and the wealthiest tribes posess large herds. Not only is it used as mounts, but the mare's milk is used to make cheese and bevereges and some are slaughtered for meat.

**Ghoa Bird**

Known as the terror bird, it can reach up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) in height and is the most numerous carnivore on the planet. It causes great problems for the population as it frequently predates on the domesticated animals.

**Tsorgo Deer**

The Tsorgo deer is the main source of food for the people of Khatagin, it is the most numerous fauna on the planet and is hunted for it's meat and pelt. The *Sayatshy* use use their birds to find herds of the deer. Only reaching 90cm (2.9 ft) in height, it is a relatively small animal. Being a browser, it feeds on the leaves of bushes and plants.

**Chagnaal**

Large herbivorous mammals akin to the Woolly rhinoceros of ancient terra. It can reach at least 5 meters (16 ft) in body length with a mass of 4.5 tonnes.

**Galuu Hudzu**

A type of worm that live in large congregations resembling bushes. Half of the body of the worm is burrowed into the ground, with the other half sticking out. The head, which is white with an orange "lip", resembles barnacles or semi-open plant buds. It is a filter feeder, filtering out small particles in the air.

## **Flora**

**Hyadzaalan**

A giant tree that can reach up to 30 meters in height. Instead of having bark, the Hyadzaalan is protected by a series of diamond-shaped scales. The Hyadzaalan reproduce by creating spores. It grows structures that slightly resembles pinecones of ancient terra that attaches to the trunk of the tree. These cones open and disperse the spores.

**Govi Tsetseg**

Or as it is more commonly known, the desert rose. It is a plant with a bulky, cylindrical, white trunk and turqouise flowers.

**Dokuz Khatum**

"The walking cactus", is just that. This red plant has developed the ability to move around like an animal on 20 legs. It is covered in venomous thorns to disuade animals from eating it.

**khurub**

Khurub, or "octopus plant". The leaves of this plant can reach up to 4 meters (13 ft) in lenght. It resembles a dead octupus laying on the ground, hence the nickname. It's main source of nutrition is insects, which are captured in the big, red, flower situated in the center of the plant.

**Luu Ugsaa**

Also known as the "dragonblood tree", the Luu Ugsaa is a relatively small tree, reaching around 10 meters (33 ft). It's branches grow in an outward-forking pattern that gives them the look of a giant mushroom. Long, stiff leaves grow stand upright at the top of the branches of the tree. Its fruits are small fleshy berries, as they develop they turn from green to black. These are considered a delicacy by the Khataginians. However, the most interesting part of the tree is the dragonblood, a thick red sap, produced within the tree. This is commonly used in medicinal and shamanistic practices for it's healing properties.

## **Rituals**

**Sky Burial**

The tribespeople of Khatagin practice a type of funeral called Sky burial, which leaves the body of the deceased on a high unprotected place to be exposed to the elements and devoured by wildlife. The spirit of the deceased is aided in it's journey towards the heavens by placing the body at a higher elevation, while at the same time discarding the now empty vessel in as generous a way as possible. Weapons and personal possessions are placed together with the body, so that the deceased may carry them with them on their journey to the sky father.

This practice is carried over to the astartes of the Disciples of Jaghatai. Their fallen are brought back to Khatagin so that the practice of sky burial may be carried out. A scroll of the marines deeds are left next to the body, so that the sky father may know his accomplishments. The bambai and barsha of the marine are also left with the body so that he may continue fighting at the side of the sky father and his fallen brothers.

**Chuonnasuan**

The Chuonnasuan is the master shaman tasked with overseeing the rituals connnected to the Nerge. He lives alone atop the Khentii mountain, until it is time for him to carry out his duties. After the completion of the Nerge the Chuonnasuan takes part in ritual sacrifice, his duties in this world having been completed and a new Chuonnasuan is appointed to begin his life in solitute until the time of the next Nerge.