Indravari II

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of the verdant jungle world of Indravari II, Adeptus Astartes Homeworld of the Space Naga Chapter.

## Planet

### Class

Jungle World/
Adeptus Astartes Homeworld

### Military Forces

Space Naga
 114th Indravarian Sepoy

## Location

### System

Indravari System

**Indravari II** is a jungle world located on the trailward edge of the Eastern Fringe of the Ultima Segmentum in the Indravari System. This is the Adeptus Astartes Homeworld of the Space Naga Space Marine Chapter, a 23rd 'Sentinel' Founding Successor Chapter of the vaunted Ultramarines, created in order to fulfill the additional defence of the Eastern Fringe against the Forces of Chaos from the Warp anomaly known as the Maelstrom, the emergent Tau Empire, the tendrils of encroaching Hive Fleets and marauding Ork WAAAGH! fleets.

## Background

### Indravari System

The Indravari System is located inside the Herzavar Sector at the Ultima Segmentum. This system consists of three planets and a yellow star. Indravari I is an agri-world with a population of nearly 8 million people, where exotic spices that originated from Terra and other planets are cultivated within a massive world-wide plantation.

Indravari II is a verdant jungle world where lush tropical trees grow and exotic beasts roam the planet. This world possesses a population of nearly 16 million. The great waterfalls of Mahram and towering cliffs of Khatmand have become an attractive tourist sights for Imperial patricians, nobles and even planetary governments across Ultima Segmentum. Indravari II is also home to many cities and villages where the Space Naga recruit the best potential Aspirants. The citizens of the Indravari System, the Indravarians, have a high tolerance towards both abhumans and psykers which are mostly shunned amongst the common citizenry of the Imperium. Many psykers are well-trained in ashrams, guided by their gurus in practicing meditations and chanting mantras that glorify the *Maharajah* (the Emperor of Mankind) and the ancestral spirits of the Indravarians.

Tropical heat and lush verdant jungle also covers Indravari III with the exception of the additional existence of swamps, bogs, and reclusive feral tribes that always fight among each other. Indravari III's harsh environment and tribal wars make such a world an ideal recruiting ground for the Adeptus Astartes.

## Major Geographical Regions

* **Dandaka jungle** - This massive jungle cover nearly the entirety of the surface of Indravari II, beginning in the lands south of the Khatmand mountains. It is populated by barbaric tribesmen and is filled with abandoned cities, hermitages, and lost temples. In the northern area of Dandaka there once stood a mighty empire of Asura daemons whose land was destroyed by the hero-god *Rama* (Primarch Roboute Guilliman); the ruins of their capital are still found in the jungle, and still filled with both treasure and terror. The great temple of Kali-ma (Khorne), secret headquarters of that sect of assassins is found somewhere in the northern area of Dandaka as well.

* **Kamyaka jungle** - South of the Dandaka Jungle, along the Saraswati river, this forest is more isolated than Kamyaka, but otherwise similar. It is north of the desert of Thar. In the forest is found the Dwaita lake, a rich lake surrounded by flowers. The jungle features abundant animal and avian life, including large numbers of elephants, descendants of the mighty beasts imported from Old Earth when Indravari II was first settled. A relatively peaceful jungle, it is home to many groups of renunciates and Yogis, some hidden hermitages and temples. Within the jungle is found the Kamyaka lake, a particularly nice region abounding in deer and birds.

* **Saraswati river** - Marking the southern and eastern border of the Kuru Kingdoms, this river is surrounded by the Dandaka and Kamyaka jungles. The region to the south of the Saraswati river is the desert land of Thar.

* **Thar desert** - This region, south of the Saraswati river was once a rich land with an inland sea; but it was utterly devastated in a battle between the god-hero Rama and an Asura king (Daemon Prince), when the former defeated the latter with a devastating divine weapon, the *agniyastra* ('Fire Missile'). The water in the region was all evaporated, leaving only a salt lake at the northern edge of the desert. Even now, thousands of years later, life is only beginning to return to this place. Some barbaric human tribes live in the desert, managing a meager subsistence.

* **Ganga River** - The "Heart-River" of the central kingdoms, it is venerated by the inhabitants of its shores perhaps more than any other Holy river. "Holy Mother Ganga" is a goddess that is said to purify a person of all sins if they perform the correct rites of ritual bathing. It is the most important river several different Indravarian kingdoms.

* **Khatmand mountains** - These massive peaks mark the northern frontier of the lands of several different Indravarian kingdomes. There are several smaller rankges that form part of the Khatmand mountains, such as the mounds of Indra in the eastern end of the range, or the Kush mountains on the western edge. The Khatmand Mountains are filled with barbarian tribes of humans, and is said to possess caves leading to the underworld, and monsters that emerge from the same.

* **Mt. Kailash** - This forbidden and massive peak Mt. Kailash, the legendary 'Holy Mountain', is located in the range of mountains known as the Kailas ("white mountains"), home to the *Deva* (demi-gods) known as the Naga Avatara - the transhuman warriors of the Space Naga Chapter. Here, the Chapter built their Under-fortress *Argharaduta*, directly inside the mountain itself. This mountain and the area surrounding it is considered a land of magic, guarded by dark and foreboding spirits. The areas around Mahram are full of hostile tribes.

* **Sindhu river** - Along with the rivers that feed into it, this marks the northern/western border of the Kuru lands. It is a great and sacred mother river. Several different lands all border this river. Because of the various rivers that feed into the Sindhu river, the lands of Bahlika and Madra are known as the "Seven-River Kingdoms".

### Cultural Background

The world of Indravari II was settled during the Dark Age of Technology by people descended from the ancient nation-state of India, loctated in what was once South Asia. The habitable regions of Indravari II all share a relatively common culture, distinct from barbarian tribes (and possibly, from other far-off civilisations found on the other side of the various mountain ranges closest to them). These regions share a similar language, history, religion and traditions, though there are considerable variations in regions and even from one neighboring area to another.

The lands of the habitable regions of Indravari II consist mainly of fertile river valleys between major rivers of the region, with rich farmland. This area stretches north to the hill-lands that border the northern Himayant Mountains, and south to the dryer plains; the climate is temperate to subtropical in the area between the Himayant and Khatmand mountains, and subtropical to tropicl in the lands south of the Khatmand mountains bordering the massive Dandaka Jungle, with weather nearer the mountain ranges being generally colder and drier.

### Weather

There are three main seasons on Indravai II, each lasting about four months: The 'Dry Season', where there is very little rainfall and climate gets progressively hotter (weddings often take place at the start of the dry season); the 'Wet Season' (sometimes also called the monsoon season) where the temperature is extremely warm and humidity soars with near-daily rainfall, the rivers flood and crops are planted in the enriched soil; and the 'Cool Season', when rainfall begins to abate, temperatures drop, and the crops are harvested. Temperatures range from as low as 10°C in the coldest period of the 'Cool Season' to as high as 50°C in the hottest part of the 'Wet Season'.

The end of the Dry Season is celebrated with the festival of Gurus, when the people honor their spiritual teachers with celebrations and gifts. The end of the Wet Season is marked by Dipavali, the Festival of Light, where people light lamps and fires in the night, and exchange gifts and sweets, to honour the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi. The end of the 'Cool Season' is marked by Holi, the Festival of Colours; where people light bonfires and throw colored powders and perfumes at each other, and social norms are loosened; it is a festival in celebration of the Maharajah, marking the triumph of this deity against Asura daemons; and more generally a festival in honour of the transhuman Naga Avatara, the divine humans born once every age and selected by their divine kin to protect humanity.

## Space Nage Chapter Recruitment Process

The process of recruitment for the Space Naga is nearly the same as many other Chapters. Recruits are chosen from amongst the best warriors or from men with military talents, be they settlement militia, orphans, sons from low- to middle-class families, potential recruits from the local PDF regiments, sons from Indravarian Nobilities, street vermin, and even underground gangs. Among the most valued traits in a recruit are aggression, psychic potential infused, martial arts prowess, excellent marksmanship, a high sense of justice and a psychotic-level killer instinct.

The Aspirants will run into many tests and training with additional mastery of meditation and survivals. The final test for the Aspirants is to travel deep into the mines of Indravari III or II where they must gather a full sack of Katranite, a mineral that is highly-prized among the Space Naga as a raw material for forging their psychically-infused weapons which are capable of absorbing souls of the Immaterium. The mines are filled with deadly traps and infested with gargantuan man-eating bat-like creatures called the *Chamgadad*. If the Aspirant succeeds in one of these chosen tasks, then they will ascend to become a Scout Marine, and given the first of many Adeptus Astartes implants as a gift from their Chapter.

Should the Aspirants fail any part of this process they will continue to serve the Chapter as a Chapter Serf, and are treated most humanely and with the utmost respect by their transhuman masters.

## Indravarian Traditions

### Varna

The habitable regions of Indravari II are ruled by monarchies with considerable disparities in wealth and comfort of living among the different classes; in any city one can find extreme poverty and extreme opulence. These social structures are enforced by the concept of *Varna* (Caste), an extremely rigid social-class structure with
religious overtones. The people of Indravari II believe that a person's *Varna* is seen as a product of one's karma, or actions in a past life; thus it is extremely difficult (though not impossible) for a person to be elevated to a higher caste in their lifetime; it is also possible (but requires extreme violations of taboos) for a person to be demoted to a lower caste within their own lifetime; but the vast majority of humans on Indravri II are born into and die in the same caste.

The mixing of caste, or performing actions outside your caste, is severely frowned-upon in the best of cases and in some cases outright prohibited. Groups of different castes can generally work and travel together, or even engage in friendships (the exception being the Dalits, or untouchables), but each individual is expected to remain conscious of their caste and particular roles and duties therein. Romance between castes is generally forbidden. In theory, one can only marry within one's caste, and each caste has certain professions that are generally the only career options open to one of that caste.

In practice, caste is determined by birth. However, the spiritual basis of caste is "aptitude, conduct, and nature". This means that someone who commits acts in following with a caste different from that of their birth might eventually ascend or descend in official circles and/or the public eye into that different caste. Note, however, that outright misrepresentation or fraudulent behavior of falsely claiming to belong to another (usually higher) caste is a punishable crime.

#### *Brahmin* & *Kshatriya*

The *Brahmin* caste is of the priests and philosophers of Indravari II. They can also be rulers. The Brahim are the first in distinction of the five varnas. Not all forms of Holymen need to be Brahmins, but temple priests must be Brahmin. Not all Brahmin, however, are temple priests by profession; and usually in fact only those families in the lower end of influence in this caste are temple priests. Brahmins vary wildly in range of wealth and influence; some Brahmins are extremely poor, while others are very powerful and wealthy.

The *Kshatriya* Caste is the caste of warriors and rulers, second in distinction of the five varna. They are soldiers, great fighters, and kings. They are second in hierarchy after the Brahmins. The rulers of most kingdoms are of the Kshatriya or Brahmin caste, and rule in concord with the priesthood, which are all by obligation members of the Brahmin caste. The *Raja* (King) and royal family have absolute authority but are bound by tradition, religious dictates, and ancient laws (particularly the ancient legal code, the Laws of Naga Kanya). Smaller kingdoms are governed directly by the monarch with the help of a public bureaucracy; larger kingdoms will often be divided into regions governed by regional administrators (*Rajpals*). Very large kingdoms or empires will sometimes consist of several vassal states which have their own kings or princes.

It is not uncommon for the sons of Kshatriya, if they get involved in commerce or working the land and neglect the duties of a warrior, to be demoted to the Vaishya caste. Likewise, Kings and other officials can ascend brave heroes to the Kshatriya caste if they have proven themselves to have a true "warrior nature", although this happens only rarely. Kshatriya youths must undergo rites of passage and initiation, becoming "sanctified warriors". Those who have undergone these rites receive a (purely ceremonial) staff made of banyan wood, a symbol of their status.

#### *Vaishya* & *Shudra*

The *Vaishya* are third in distinction of the five varna, comprising mainly the merchants, agriculturalists, landlords or trade professionals. Originally, this cast was primarily made up of people performed the traditional roles in agriculture and cattle-rearing, but over time they came to be landowners, traders and money-lenders. Therefore, it is their responsibility to provide sustenance for those of higher class, since they are of lower class. The Vaishya caste is numerically the largest caste, represents the majority of the population of Indravari II. They range in level of profession and influuence from impoverished small-plot farmers to merchants with wealth beyond those of kings. They are shopkeepers and artisans; they are the vast majority of the city-dwelling population, and the educated professionals. They are the lowest caste that is permitted to study the sacred texts and that undergo initiations at the temples. The Vaishyas, along with members of the Brahmin and Khatriya varnas, claim *dvija* status ('twice born', a second or spiritual birth) after sacrament of initiation.

*Shudra* are fourth in distinction of the five varnas of the Indravarian caste system and social order. This is the caste that slaves, serfs, and servants belong to. However, they are not untouchables like the Dalits. They are considered a respected caste, and possess their own mythology (and even some of the teachings of the Maharajahinical texts) suggests that they are actually to be treated in very special ways. The word Shudra literally means "in suffering", and the spiritual understanding of this is that one who is born in the Shudra caste is atoning for misdeeds in a past life. That said, in practice the Shudras are not any more pure or innocent than anyone else, and some can end up involved in the schemes of their employers, rulers, or masters. Likewise, in practice the other castes tend to abuse the Shudras, either through over-work or mistreatments of other kinds. Sudras can theoretically ascend to other castes, and some (particularly those who are soldiers) might find themselves able to be adopted into a Kshatriya family. It is even possible some could be recognized as saints and ascend to the Brahmin caste. However, since Sudras are not permitted to participate in the Brahmin’s rites or even read or hear the recitation of the Holy books, this is quite difficult. It is easier for them to go downward socially, and become untouchables, if they and themselves forced to engage in Dalit activities.

#### *Dalit*

The *Dalit* or "Untouchable"; they perform tasks that are taboo to the religious teachings of Indravari II. Generally, they live in the outskirts of town (usually on the western side of any settlement) or barring that in special parts of the settlement separated from the rest of the inhabitants, and are not permitted to use the same facilities as any of the other castes. Dalits are forbidden from studying or hearing the sacred texts, and they must avoid that even their shadow should touch anyone of a different caste. If someone of any other caste touches or is touched by a Dalit, they must undergo a cleansing ceremony. It is not impossible for a Dalit to ascend in caste, but it is very difficult. It is also possible for someone who has committed a horrific religious atrocity (i.e. the killing of a Holy person) to be punished by being demoted to the Dalit caste.

#### Pariahs

The caste system is the social structuring of the culture of Indravari II, dividing all men along social lines. Within the culture there are five castes. Outside it, those who are barbarians or foreigners are casteless or "pariahs", until they are adopted into a caste (either by the declaration of a king or Holy person, or by adoption into a clan). Pariahs are treated in much the same way as Dalits (untouchables), but can more easily be integrated into any of the existing castes.

### Clans

Within each caste there are several families or Clans. The clan is an incredibly important element of the social structure; one's Clan typically determines the family profession, and acts as a support network for its members throughout a kingdom and even in foreign kingdoms where the clan is also found. In a city, the local Clan elder or elders will have a large clan house where family business is managed and where traveling members of a clan can +nd accommodations and assistance. Thus an individual can travel from one land to another and can (indeed, by social custom ought to) present himself to the local clan heads or elders, and be likely to receive hospitality and aid.

Clans also act as enforcers of proper social rules; the clan elders are in charge of determining important choices for their members, such as approving marriage agreements, regulating internal disputes or arguments with other clans, making certain that its members maintain good relations with the law and fealty to the King, and that social taboos are not violated. They have such social power that a clan can even sell one of its members into slavery for non-payment of debts.

Being expelled from one's clan is an extremely serious problem for any Indravarian, as that person no longer has a vital support network in which to operate in society. Sometimes, a clan may also choose to adopt someone, by marriage or declaration, into the family.

 Kshatriya
SOLAR DYNASTY FAMILIES: Badgujar, Gurjar, Jhala (warriors, musicians), Kachwaha (warriors, monster-slayers), Lohana (warriors, merchants), Minhas (horsemen, charioteers), Pundir, Raju (rulers), Ror (warriors, governors, judges), Sengar (warriors), Sisodya (archers).
 Vaishya
 Sudra
 Dalit

## Life on Indravari II

A typical human of Indravari II will, before, during and after birth, go through a number of religious ceremonies meant to help insure an auspicious birth and life for them; with babies of higher caste having a greater quantity of more complex ceremonies. A child is typically not given a name until 10 days after their birth, possibly due to the high level of infant mortality. The child, whether a boy or girl, will typically spend the first years of their life under the care of either their mother or grandmother (or another close female relative if both mother and grandmother are unavailable).

From the age of 7, a boy child will begin their education; typically, they are handed over as students or apprentices to a teacher (often of the same clan) that will begin to instruct them in their future trade, whichever that may be. Thus Kshatriya boys might begin to study warfare or government, Brahmin boys might begin to serve in a temple, study philosophy, etc., Vaishya boys will learn business or a craft, and Sudras or Dalits the menial labor they will be likely to perform the rest of their lives. Rarely, some child that shows a precocious level of wisdom or has certain supernatural events take place around them may be given over to the care of a Siddhi or Yogi guru. Most girls will begin to learn their trade as well, which for higher-caste girls usually consists of the skills of housekeeping and preparation for marriage and motherhood, while lower-caste girls may be required to learn menial
labor as well. There are special coming-of-age ceremonies that take place around the age when a child is given over to their apprenticeship, and others at the time of puberty, and still more when a student's apprenticeship is complete and they reach full adulthood.

A Indravarian human boy's period of education will vary depending on caste; with lower-caste humans usually beginning full work earlier, while higher castes require more time to finish their studies. Lower-caste humans will usually have completed their education sometime between the ages of 16 and 20, while Kshatriya or Brahmins (as well as most Siddhis or Yogis) will continue to study until the ages of (21 to 25). Most girls will be married in their early teens; though some are betrothed even earlier than that; it is quite rare for a girl to remain unmarried beyond the ages of 16 to 18.

Men will typically marry for the first time sometime after the age of 25; and it is common in most Indravarian Kingdoms for men to be able to have multiple wives and concubines, though in point of fact the majority of men can only afford to have one wife. In some of the Bahlika Kingdoms it is also possible for women to have multiple husbands. The production of children is considered absolutely essential in a Indravarian marriage, both for the maintaining of the family lineage but in many cases to ensure the care of elderly parents later in life, and it is common for families to attempt to have as many children as they possibly can, to make up for high infanty mortality rates. It is of particular importance in Indravarian lands that families produce a male heir.

Indravarian humans are considered "elders" from about the age of 50 onwards, and it is not uncommon that this decade of life marks a retirement from public life and affairs, sometimes gradually handing over the family's business and affairs to the eldest son of the family. The elderly are generally venerated in the Indravarian culture, and it is considered a cultural and even legal requirement to honor and care for them. It is an old tradition that is still practiced (though no longer universally) that a man who reaches the age of 75) should renounce all worldly affairs, in preparation for the end of his life, and retire to a forest hermitage to become a Yogi.

### Gender Roles

Women are strictly relegated to very rigid social roles. However, there are biological males who take on the role of a "third gender", the *kliba* gender, who from a relatively early age did not fall into the standard expectations of men in the culture, and instead are raised (and follow the standards of dress and behavior) as women. There is also a similar role for women who take on the roles of men; and there is at least one Indravarian legend that ivolves the daughter of a king being raised as a boy and becoming a formidable warrior. The *kliba* gender are, in many cases, an accepted part of Indravarian societyy. In addition to being dancers and concubines, it would not be uncommon for Kliba to become *Siddhi* as the "third gender" were often considered graced with magic power.

### Marriage & Children

Marriage is a very important social function in Indravari II. Men of a certain age (older than 25) are expected to be married, unless they have taken a vow of chastity (which is required of Yogis, and is also practiced by a minority of Siddhis and Priests, and occasionally a Virakshatriya or some other class may take this vow known as the "terrible vow"). Girls are expected to be married out of their household anytime between the ages of 12-16; a girl who is unmarried at a later age is highly unusual, and it is not unheard of for marriage agreements to be made earlier, although in all cases it is expected that consummation of a marriage must not occur until a girl is capable of having children.

By law, there are several ways a marriage can occur: In the first place, it can be that a woman is freely given by her family to a prospective husband; this is considered the most proper form of marriage and is what is typically done as an act of uniting families. In this case, there is no dowry given, but a great wedding feast must be arranged, usually lasting between 3-18 days, which will typically involve a cost roughly equivalent to the groom's annual income. In cases where the groom cannot afford this, it is not uncommon for friends and family to help, and if one is in good standing with one's clan (and the clan chiefs approve of the union) part or all of the expenses of the feast.

Secondly, a bride can be bought, a prospective husband paying a price to a girl's father for her hand in marriage. This occurs very rarely outside of the western lands; in the other Indravarian Kingdoms it is not well looked-upon either for a man to sell his daughter or for a prospective husband to purchase a wife; nevertheless it does sometimes occur in cases where the bride is either extremely beautiful or extremely important, or where the bride's family would otherwise not approve of the union. Among the lower castes, this price is typically one bull and one cow; but for higher castes the price can be far greater (in the case of royal weddings, it can sometimes be entire cities). In this case, the wedding feast must also be paid for, as above.

In the third place, a wedding can be a "Gandharva wedding"; a case where husband and bride elope, the bride voluntarily seeing her father's household out of love. By law and tradition, the wedding is valid (and no other man would be likely to be interested in a woman who has eloped and potentially been "spoiled" in her chastity at the hands of a man who seduced her); and any feast in this case is optional. This marriage runs the danger of causing a permanent conflict with the bride's clan and possibly the groom's as well if neither approved of said union. The married couple may +nd themselves without important social support. Additionally, a lawsuit may be brought against the groom to oblige him to pay a fine.

Finally, a man may forcibly kidnap a bride, whether she wishes it or not; by breaking into her family's household and stealing her away with him; if he agrees with her for more than a night, by law and tradition they must be owed. This is called a "Rakshasa wedding", and is seen as a deplorable act. Any man who does this will lose Holy status. He will also certainly gain the enmity of the bride's clan, who may seek to kill him, and may lose the support of his own clan as well depending upon the circumstances. There is of course some slim possibility that paying a bride-price may lead to an understanding with the bride's family, but this is far more difficult than if the bride herself was a willing participant in her elopement.

Any time a person who is married (or has concubines) attempts to have children, there is a great chance that mortality could occur. This is a common occurrence on Indravari II due to the hostile environment and conditions that are prevalent on this jungle planet. As a result, there are several contributing factors to the high infant mortality rate on Indravari II including ill-defined conditions, unintentional injuries: nutritional deficiencies, malaria, congenital anomalies, and fever of unknown origin. These are the other important causes of death appearing in the same order. Perinatal conditions cover specific risks for the new born and constitute a higher proportion of male deaths, majority of which are in the first week of life. Congenital anomalies, unintentional injuries (mostly falls) and symptoms signs and ill defined conditions also cause higher proportion of deaths among the males than females.

During many pregnancies there is an equal chance of the child being a boy or a girl. However, due the prevalent factors that exist on Indravari II, 1 in 6 pregnancies often end in miscarriage or stillbirth, while 1 in 10 end with the death of the mother. Children have a 1 in 6 chance of dying each year in the first two years of life, and afterward have a 1 in 6 chance of dying sometime in the next ten years after that.

### Inheritance

Inheritance in most of the Indravarian kingdoms involve all the father's possessions going to the eldest son. The exception to this is the lands in the west, where inheritance is matrilineal, and a man's inheritance passes to his eldest maternal nephew. The eldest son is nonetheless bound by tradition to support his mother and any other ives of his father (if they are still alive; occasionally, particularly loving and grief-stricken wives may immolate themselves at their dead husband's cremation, in a ritual called *Sati*), as well as all his siblings; whom he must see get good placements and opportunities if they are boys, and are well-placed in marriage if they are girls.

If the heir to a family is a minor, his property and household is put under the stewardship of the King (usually through the king's chosen administrators) until he comes of age. Likewise, households where there are no surviving
male heirs, or widows without male children, are all administered by the King who is duty-bound to protect these innocents. Finally, any household where the owner of properties has gone missing must likewise fall under the administration of the king, who will care for the property for three years; if the rightful owner is not found within three years, the property becomes the King's and is forfeit. If the rightful owner is found, the king has a right to retain one-sixth of the value of the properties being cared for as a special tax.

### Laws & Punishment

The kingdoms of Indravari II generally make use of a fairly uniform set of laws, the Laws of Naga Kanya. There are variations from kingdom to kingdom based on tradition, and lands ruled by unscrupulous monarchs will tend to abuse or ignore the rule of law. Anyone accused of a crime will be brought either directly before the king, or in front of a court consisting of four judges, who will all be of the Brahmin caste (one of whom is the senior judge that actually rules on guilt or innocence, the other three serving to advise him). In all cases of law, the words of higher-caste witnesses are considered to be more trustworthy than those of the lower caste, men more trustworthy than women or children; and the word of witnesses who are known to be senile, very ill, or of Unholy alignment are usually not admissible in court.

A Yogi or any other renunciate cannot be obliged to testify in court as a witness. Anyone convicted of giving false witness before the court is given a fine of 1,000 rupya, though the fine may be reduced to 250 rupya if it is shown that this false testimony was given due to either coercion or some kind of Holy intentions. Additionally, the King
may choose to flog and/or banish anyone who gives false testimony from his kingdom (Brahmins may be banished, but not flogged). But as with all court cases, influence, circumstance, opinion, and what happens in the proceedings
always influence the outcome.

#### Suits & Punishments

The following are guidelines for typical suits that can be brought before the court, and typical punishments:

1. **Abandonment**: Anyone who abandons (does not support) their elderly mother or father, or their wife, or their children, (unless these have been expelled from their clan for egregious acts) shall be fined 600 rupya.
2. **Accepting Bribes**: Any public official convicted of accepting bribes will be fined 100 times the value of the bribe, and will lose his public office.
3. **Acting Outside of Cast**: If proven, a Brahmin or Kshatriya is punished by being reduced to Vaishya or Sudra caste. A Vaishya or Sudra who impersonates someone of higher caste shall be put to death.
4. **Adultery**: A man who commits adultery with another man's wife will be castrated and banished. If the woman was of the Brahmin caste and the man was not, he shall be put to death. In a case where adultery cannot be absolutely proven but it is proven that a man was inappropriately alone with another man’s wife, or has sent her gifts, or touched her in public, he shall be fined 250 rupya. None of these fines apply if the woman in question is known to be of loose morals or a prostitute. Anyone who commits adultery with another man's slave shall be forced to pay a fine equal to the value of the slave; if he is inappropriately alone with the slave, or sends her gifts, or touches her in public, he shall be fined 1 rupya. If the adulteress is of the royal family, she will be put to death by being devoured by hungry dogs; and her lover will be burned alive.
5. **Assault**: Anyone of lower caste who assaults a Kshatriya or Brahmin with his hands or a club shall have his hands cut off. Anyone of any caste who assaults another with a weapon that draws blood or breaks bones shall be fined 100 rupya, or if the assault is judged to be egregious shall be banished. Note that one's own wives, children, younger brothers, slaves, and students may be legally beaten without constituting assault, unless they are beaten on the face or genitals.
6. **Defamation**: Whoever defames the reputation of a Brahmin shall pay a fine of 25 rupya if he is a Brahmin, 100 rupya if he is a Kshatriya, 200 if he is a Vaishya; and if he is of lower caste he shall be flogged. Whoever defames the character of a Kshatriya shall pay a fine of 50 rupya if he is a Brahmin, 25 rupya if he is a Kshatriya or Vaishya, or 12 rupya if he is of lower caste. A Sudra or Dalit who is convicted of "gross defamation" against anyone of higher caste shall have his tongue cut out. Anyone regardless of caste who defames his own mother, wife, brother, child or teacher shall be fined 100 rupya.
7. **Destruction of Property**: Anyone who destroys another person's property, intentionally or unintentionally, must pay back the value of the property, and in egregious cases may be charged an additional fine up to the value of the property.
8. **Failure to Fulfill a Contract**: Anyone who sells a good or promises a service in exchange for money and then fails to provide the adequate good or service is fined the original value and an extra amount equal to the original value of the payment. A Priest who fails to perform his priestly duties is fined 100 rupya.
9. **Failure to Provide Hospitality to a Brahmin**: Anyone who turns away a Brahmin in the night must pay a fine of 1 rupya.
10. **Impugning the Honour of a Damsel**: Anyone falsely claiming that a maiden is not a virgin will, on failure to provide adequate proof of his claim, be fined 100 rupya.
11. **Marriage Laws**: Anyone arranging a marriage who fails to disclose that the potential bride is not a virgin is fined 100 rupya.
12. **Murder**: A Vaishya, Kshatriya or Brahmin who kills someone to defend a Priest or a woman, or anyone who kills in proven self-defense, will receive no punishment. In other cases, one convicted of murder is sentenced to death. As common sense dictates, this law does not apply in the cases of killing in war, the fighting of duels in the Kalari arena, or the slaying of monsters or barbarians.
13. **Non-Payment of Debts**: Confiscation of all properties of the debtor to the amount required to pay the debt; if the debt cannot be paid even by con+scation, the debtor may be sentenced to indentured servitude or slavery. In cases where the conditions of the debt are under dispute, the issue may be settled by a duel in the Kalari arena.
14. **Prostitution**: A man who forces a maiden into prostitution will be tried as if for rape. A woman who forces a maiden into prostitution will be fined 200 rupya, given 10 lashes, have her head shaved, and be paraded through the town on a donkey.
15. **Rape**: Anyone of the Brahmin or Kshatriya caste who commits rape against an unwilling woman shall have two fingers cut off and must pay a fee of 600 rupya (1,000 rupya if she was of the Brahmin caste). If the rapist is a Sudra or a Dalit he shall either be castrated or sentenced to death. If the rapist is a Vaishya he shall have all his property forfeit and will be sentenced to one year's imprisonment. Anyone who commits rape against a member of the royal family shall be put to death by fire (unless he is of the Brahmin caste, in which case he shall have his head shaved and be exiled). In the case where someone copulates with a willing unmarried woman not of his caste he must pay a fee of 200 rupya (if she is of the same caste it is resolved by marriage). Anyone accused of a repeat offense must suffer double the previous punishment.
16. **Tax Evasion & Smuggling**: Anyone who attempts to sell merchandise in the kingdom without paying the proper tax or who attempts to bring into the kingdom any merchandise the king has forbidden will be sentenced with confiscation of all their properties. Anyone who falsifies information to pay less than the full amount of tax must pay eight times the amount of the difference.
17. **Theft**: In the case of theft under 50 rupya in value, the Thief must pay a fine of ten times the value of what he stole, or be flogged. Theft over 50 rupya in value is sentenced by having the hands cut off. He who steals from Brahmins in any amount shall additionally have his feet cut off. He who steals any amount from helpless women, or from the royal family, is sentenced to death. Any Vaishya, Kshatriya or Brahmin who steals food because of hunger will not be punished, if it is proved they had no food of their own available.

## Religious Practices

For the typical citizen of the Indravarian lands, religious practice consists of daily prayers and going to the temple to worship in front of the idols of the gods, giving offerings to the temple Priests to perform rituals of worship in their name. Certain Yogis and renunciates engage in practices of poverty, chastity and self-denial either for personal illumination or to express devotion to the gods. Religious festivals are common events, with several
occurring in the course of the year, dedicated to different gods; during these festivals much of the regular activity of a city or village will come to a halt as people gather to sing devotions, attend the temple, participate in religious parades and hold great feasts.

Marriage is an important religious ceremony, with weddings typically lasting anywhere between three to ten days; during which time huge crowds of guests are fed and entertained by dancers; the total cost of a wedding is often equal to or greater than the annual income of the individual getting married.

There are numerous ceremonies that are rites of passage for children of different ages, which mark their spiritual development; these vary somewhat based on the caste of the child.

Funerary rites are extremely important ceremonies as well; in most kingdoms on Indravari II, the dead are cremated in funeral grounds known as the Burning Ghats; it is considered important that the correct funerary rites are performed in order that the spirit of the deceased should not return as a ghost or one of the living dead, and may instead have the best possibility of reincarnating in an auspicious form (as a human into a good family, or as a Deva).

## Indravarian Lexicon

The parlance of the Indravarian people carries more specialised words than can be hoped to be presented here. What follows, then are a few of the more universal terms used by the Wazarians and the Astartes of the Space Naga Space Marine Chapter. In all but the most isolated domain, one Indravarian speaking to another (provided they know the local language) is unlikely to be misunderstood if they use one of these commonly understood terms:

* ***Akshauhini*** - An Indravarian term that means a large unit of troops; a term utilised by the Space Naga when referring to a Chapter-size formation.
* ***Artha*** - One of the four aims of human life in Indravarian philosphy; means material prosperity, income security, means of life.
* ***Asurya*** - An Indravarian term that refers to demi-gods. Often it is used when referring to 'daemons' - also known as *Danavas*. This term is interchangeable with *Rakshasas*.
* ***Baba*** - (Pronounced bah-bah) An Indrvarian term for 'Father'; a term of endearment when referring to one's father.
* ***Bhaang*** - An Indravarian vintage liquor.
* ***Brahmin*** - The first of five distinct castes (*Varna*) utilised in Indravarian society, made up of priests and philosophers.
* ***Chakravarti*** - An Indravarian belief that refers to a prophecied ideal universal ruler especially in the sense of an imperial ruler of the entire galaxy. The people of Indravari II came to believe this to be none other than the *Maharaja* (God-Emperor).
* ***Chela*** - An Indravarian term that means "disciple". Similar to a student, except that it implies more loyalty and closeness to the teacher and teachings. On Indravari II, the bond between a chela and guru is considered sacred. The Space Naga utilise this term when referring to their Chapter's Neophytes.
* ***Dalit*** - The fifth of five distinct social castes (*Varna*) in Indravarian socitey, *Dalit* means "untouchable" and refers to those dregs of society who perform tasks that are taboo to the religious teachings of Indravari II. *Dalits* are not permitted to use the same facilities as any of the other castes. Dalits are forbidden from studying or hearing the sacred texts, and they must avoid that even their shadow should touch anyone of a different caste. If someone of any other caste touches or is touched by a Dalit, they must undergo a cleansing ceremony.
* ***Dharma*** - One of the four aims of human life in Indravarian philosphy; means virtuous, proper and moral life. Dharma signifies behaviours that are considered to be in accord with *Ṛta*, the order that makes life and universe possible, and includes duties, rights, laws, conduct, virtues and "right way of living".
* ***Guru*** - An Indravarian term that means "teacher, guide, expert or master" of certain knowledge of field. It also means "dispeller of darkness"
* ***Ishpaat*** - An Indravarian term when referring to 'steel'.
* ***Kama*** - One of the four aims of human life in Indravarian philosphy; means pleasure, sensuality, emotional fulfillment. This concept more broadly refers to any desire, wish, passion, longing, pleasure of the senses, desire for, longing to and after, the aesthetic enjoyment of life, affection, or love, enjoyment of love is particularly with or without enjoyment of sexual, sensual and erotic desire, and may be without sexual connotations.
* ***Kameena*** - An Indravarian term that means "deceitful".
* ***Kevala Jnana*** - An Indravarian term that means omniscience and is roughly translated as "complete understanding" or "supreme wisdom". Kevala jnana is believed to be an intrinsic quality of all souls.
* ***Kyshatriya*** - The second of five distinct castes (*Varna*) utilised in Indravarian society,*Kshatriya* are warriors and rulers.
* ***Loka*** - An Indravarian term when referring to the concept of a plane or realm of existence. Commonly used by the Space Naga when referring to the Immaterium.
* ***Maa*** - An Indravarian term that means 'Momma'.
* ***Maharajah*** - An Indravarian term that means "supreme ruler"; a term when referring to the God-Emperor.
* ***Mahavinaash*** - The Indravarian prophecied time that means the "end of days".
* ***Moksha*** - An Indravarian term that means 'spiritual liberation'; it refers to freedom from *saṃsāra*, the cycle of death and rebirth.
* ***Nagaraja*** - An Indravarian term for "King of the Nāga", and one of the primal beings of creation. The Space Naga use this term when referring to their Chapter Master.
* ***Pariah*** - Pariahs are barbarians or foreigners (especially off-worlders) that are casteless, until they are adopted by a caste. They are treated in much the same way as *Dalits*.
* ***Puruṣārtha*** - This is an Indravarian concept that literally means an "object of human pursuit". It is a key concept in Indravarian religion, and refers to the four proper goals or aims of a human life. The four *puruṣārthas* are *Dharma*, *Artha*, *Kama* and *Moksha*.
* ***Pradhaan-Ji*** - An Indravarian term for 'chieftain'. Sometimes utilised by the Space Naga when referring to someone in command.
* ***Pranaam Matashree*** - Common Indravarian greeting that means 'Respectful greetings, mother.'
* ***Pranaam Pitashree*** - Common Indravarian greeting that means 'Respectful greetings, father.' A term of endearment utilised by the Space Naga when referring to an elder.
* ***Rakshasas*** - Common Indravarian term that means "man-eaters"; common term when referring to Daemons of Chaos.
* ***Roti*** - A local Indravarian bread.
* ***Ṛta*** - An Indravarian concept tht means "order, rule; truth", it is the principle of natural order which regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within it.
* ***Sati*** - A historical Indravarian practice found chiefly among Indravarians in the northern regions, in which a widow sacrifices herself by sitting atop her deceased husband's funeral pyre.
* ***Shudra*** - The fourth of five distinct castes (*Varna*) utilised in Indravarian society, *Shudra* are slaves, serfs and servants that belong to the higher castes. However, they are not untouchables like the Dalits. They are considered a respected caste, and possess their own mythology.
* ***Sura*** - Another form of Indravarian liquor.
* ***Vaidya*** - An Indravarian term for a physician. Utilised interchangeable by the Space Naga when referring to their Chapter's Apothecaries.
* ***Vaishya*** - The third of five distinct castes (*Varna*) utilised in Indravarian society, *Vaishya* comprise merchants, agriculturalists, landowners and trade professionals.
* ***Varna*** - An Indravarian practice that denotes an extremely rigid social-class structures enforced through a strict caste system. The people of Indravari II believe that a person's Varna is seen as a product of one's karma, or actions in a past life; thus it is extremely difficult (though not impossible) for a person to be elevated to a higher caste in their lifetime. There are five castes in Indravarian society; *Brahmin* (priests and philosophers), *Kshatriya* (warriors and rulers), *Vaishya* (merchants, agriculturalists, landlords or trade professionals), *Shudra* (slaves, serfs and servants), and *Dalit* ("untouchable", those that perform task that are too taboo).
* ***Vayu Yaans*** - An Indravarian term when referring to aerial crft.
* ***Veergati*** - An Indravarian term that means meeting death after a brave, valiant and gallant fight. Fighting for a brave and noble cause and dying as a result; martyrdom.
* ***Vimana*** - Mythological flying palaces or chariots described in ancient Indravarian texts. A term commonly utilised by the Space Naga when referring to starfaring vessels.
* ***Yantra*** - An Indravarian term that means "machine or contraption".
* ***Yojan*** - A *yojan* is a measure of distance used by the Indravarians. A yojan is about 12–15 km (2.3 miles).