In the Alaheron Planetary System there is a small world called Moccobatra. On the Bethan side of this world, surrounded by the twisted trees of Lacsar Forest and the Blue Mountains, exists a land of time-honored traditions occupied by the Harrowbethians and their gifted queen.
Moccobatra is considered a sanctuary of sorts where a diversity of people with distinctive cultures settled from all across the galaxy. Below, learn about some of the varying races to inhabit this small planet. Read about Moccobatra in the Harrowbethian Saga.
Ascultone and Naga
RACES LIVING ON MOCCOBATRA
HARROWBETHIANS
A people of the northern hemisphere of Moccobatra living south of the Icromians’ Blue Mountains. Their land is called Harrowbeth and is largely surrounded by the twisted trees of Lacsar Forest. Their society holds strong to tradition and propriety, keeping to aged customs. Social responsibilities are handed down within families. Children are paired and promised by parental pledge to marry when the girl in the relationship turns eighteen years of age. Promised couples wear matching pendants as they grow up to signify commitment to one another. Their families often interact to encourage a strong relationship. The land is governed by the Shen (king) and Sha (queen) of Harrowbeth as well as eight members inheriting positions on the Council of Harrowbethian Dignitaries.
A people of the northern hemisphere of Moccobatra living south of the Icromians’ Blue Mountains. Their land is called Harrowbeth and is largely surrounded by the twisted trees of Lacsar Forest. Their society holds strong to tradition and propriety, keeping to aged customs. Social responsibilities are handed down within families. Children are paired and promised by parental pledge to marry when the girl in the relationship turns eighteen years of age. Promised couples wear matching pendants as they grow up to signify commitment to one another. Their families often interact to encourage a strong relationship. The land is governed by the Shen (king) and Sha (queen) of Harrowbeth as well as eight members inheriting positions on the Council of Harrowbethian Dignitaries.
BOARATTAS
A race of nomads similar in appearance and customs to the Mishmorats but lacking cheetah-like spots. They generally camp in the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the continent shared by Harrowbeth. They have been known in the past to share temporary dwelling sites with the Mishmorats, although, the Boarattas are careful to keep intimate relations separate, concerned about offspring being born with identifying spots.
A race of nomads similar in appearance and customs to the Mishmorats but lacking cheetah-like spots. They generally camp in the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the continent shared by Harrowbeth. They have been known in the past to share temporary dwelling sites with the Mishmorats, although, the Boarattas are careful to keep intimate relations separate, concerned about offspring being born with identifying spots.
BRAETICS
Known for their expert haggling abilities, this society thrives on commercial trade. The people are of stockier build and tend to be cheerful, talkative, and gossipy. They live in warmer to mild climates in the northern hemisphere of Moccobatra next to Middle Mei Jamay. The land is divided into four commonwealths: Brentilies, Ardweeria, Triche, and Crestlovet.
Known for their expert haggling abilities, this society thrives on commercial trade. The people are of stockier build and tend to be cheerful, talkative, and gossipy. They live in warmer to mild climates in the northern hemisphere of Moccobatra next to Middle Mei Jamay. The land is divided into four commonwealths: Brentilies, Ardweeria, Triche, and Crestlovet.
DOROJ
A highly-sociable society thriving on novelties—new trends, new styles, new technologies. The people are talkative but easily distracted, often losing a train of thought and frequently shifting between activities. They live in the mild, northern continent of Moccobatra above the equator from Semmian lands.
A highly-sociable society thriving on novelties—new trends, new styles, new technologies. The people are talkative but easily distracted, often losing a train of thought and frequently shifting between activities. They live in the mild, northern continent of Moccobatra above the equator from Semmian lands.
GROTTS
Giants living north of the Blue Mountains of Icromeia. Their capital city, Addebiosa, is located further north of Gabert Forest. Their society revolves around the cultural arts; they are a friendly, courteous race. Once a year, during the fall season, they have a harvest parade in which the reigning Sha is traditionally invited to join.
Giants living north of the Blue Mountains of Icromeia. Their capital city, Addebiosa, is located further north of Gabert Forest. Their society revolves around the cultural arts; they are a friendly, courteous race. Once a year, during the fall season, they have a harvest parade in which the reigning Sha is traditionally invited to join.
HOJ Y`MAN
Identified by their blue skin; the hues range from periwinkle to indigo. They live in Middle Mei Jamay in the same hemisphere as Harrowbeth on the opposite side of Moccobatra. They are neighbors with the Doroj on one side and the Braetics on the other, sharing one continent. Frequently uttered slogan: Car’ un em doy’ Hoj y`man deria, or Faith in the Hoj y`man nation.
Identified by their blue skin; the hues range from periwinkle to indigo. They live in Middle Mei Jamay in the same hemisphere as Harrowbeth on the opposite side of Moccobatra. They are neighbors with the Doroj on one side and the Braetics on the other, sharing one continent. Frequently uttered slogan: Car’ un em doy’ Hoj y`man deria, or Faith in the Hoj y`man nation.
ICROMIANS
A tall, slender people living in a fortress city called Icromeia in the Blue Mountains of Moccobatra. They are born with translucent wings that buzz rapidly; they prefer flight to walking. The average Icromian considers himself superior to most other races on the planet. They are governed by a prime director and appointed congress.
A tall, slender people living in a fortress city called Icromeia in the Blue Mountains of Moccobatra. They are born with translucent wings that buzz rapidly; they prefer flight to walking. The average Icromian considers himself superior to most other races on the planet. They are governed by a prime director and appointed congress.
LLESSURS
A thin, delicate species living in homes carved from existing caves in the southern, mountainous continent below the Red Desert. They share the mountains with the Monturians, but live higher up than their dwarf neighbors. These fair-skinned people tend to keep to themselves; they are too elusive to detect when they wish to remain unseen. They tend to have pastel eye colors, usually violet or blue. Green is a rare pigment in their bloodline; yellow is even rarer. Owing to ancient folklore describing an influential queen possessing hypnotic golden eyes that brought good fortune to her people, those born with yellow eyes are automatically given royal status.
A thin, delicate species living in homes carved from existing caves in the southern, mountainous continent below the Red Desert. They share the mountains with the Monturians, but live higher up than their dwarf neighbors. These fair-skinned people tend to keep to themselves; they are too elusive to detect when they wish to remain unseen. They tend to have pastel eye colors, usually violet or blue. Green is a rare pigment in their bloodline; yellow is even rarer. Owing to ancient folklore describing an influential queen possessing hypnotic golden eyes that brought good fortune to her people, those born with yellow eyes are automatically given royal status.
MISHMORATS
A race of nomads with black hair, bronze skin, and cheetah-like spots running from head to foot with some bare zones, including the main facial area. They are of average height, muscled, and exceedingly strong for their build. They are described as an exotic race, especially the females who paint their eyes and lips strikingly. Eye color ranges from near black to brown to burgundy. Traveling camps generally keep to the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the continent shared by Harrowbeth. Their wandering, free-spirited culture as well as their looks closely resemble the Boarattas who only lack spots.
A race of nomads with black hair, bronze skin, and cheetah-like spots running from head to foot with some bare zones, including the main facial area. They are of average height, muscled, and exceedingly strong for their build. They are described as an exotic race, especially the females who paint their eyes and lips strikingly. Eye color ranges from near black to brown to burgundy. Traveling camps generally keep to the warmer climates of Moccobatra on the continent shared by Harrowbeth. Their wandering, free-spirited culture as well as their looks closely resemble the Boarattas who only lack spots.
MONTURIANS
Undersized and quick on their feet, this race is considered dwarfed in comparison to all other races inhabiting Moccobatra. They reside in the lower mountains and foot prairies south of the Red Desert, sharing the mountains with the Llessurs who live higher up in caves.
Undersized and quick on their feet, this race is considered dwarfed in comparison to all other races inhabiting Moccobatra. They reside in the lower mountains and foot prairies south of the Red Desert, sharing the mountains with the Llessurs who live higher up in caves.
NALNOMS
A smaller race of people living in the red desert areas of Moccobatra, at and below the equator. They have large, dark eyes and a yellowish skin tone. The average Nalnom is highly active, tending to be naturally adventurous and energetic.
A smaller race of people living in the red desert areas of Moccobatra, at and below the equator. They have large, dark eyes and a yellowish skin tone. The average Nalnom is highly active, tending to be naturally adventurous and energetic.
OOREENEE
Island dwelling people of Moccobatra, tanned and tall with slender limbs and a long, skinny tail used like an extra hand to wrap around and handle items. Most have dark hair with red highlights. Their eyes appear to glow red at dusk as if reflecting the sunset. The main diet of the Ooreenee is seafood and tree fruit like neenee (indigenous to the islands) and ongreas. They have arranged marriages called "coupling" similar to the Harrowbethian promise. Parents sign a covenant note which ties children together soon after birth. In Ooree one is said to be coupled to a future spouse until reaching the age of marriage.
SEMMIANS
A race of people with white skin and silver-white hair. They live near and below the equator in and around the Semmian Rainforest. The Vang Isles lie off their eastern coast, a tropic vacationing spot for many Moccobatrans and a substantial source of tourism income. The Semmians are a militaristic society—though this is more visibly reflected on the main continent than on the Vang Isles. They are governed by military leaders overseen by a solitary director. The average male serves ten years in the armed forces and has two or more wives.
A race of people with white skin and silver-white hair. They live near and below the equator in and around the Semmian Rainforest. The Vang Isles lie off their eastern coast, a tropic vacationing spot for many Moccobatrans and a substantial source of tourism income. The Semmians are a militaristic society—though this is more visibly reflected on the main continent than on the Vang Isles. They are governed by military leaders overseen by a solitary director. The average male serves ten years in the armed forces and has two or more wives.
WALCLES
A race living in the northern mountain area of the southernmost continent on Moccobatra. They have a brawny build, wide facial features, and are a hairy people; their women take pride in showing off extra-long braids. Walcles like to work the land and engage in games designed to test physical strength.
A race living in the northern mountain area of the southernmost continent on Moccobatra. They have a brawny build, wide facial features, and are a hairy people; their women take pride in showing off extra-long braids. Walcles like to work the land and engage in games designed to test physical strength.
YAREMITES
A light-skinned, freckled people living in the South Pole regions of Moccobatra. Their eye color is prominently sea green and turquoise. Hair color keeps to lighter shades of blonde. Crusty, multi-layered skin helps this race to withstand extremely cold temperatures. Yaremites live in cemented stone homes built high and enclosed like castle fortresses.
A light-skinned, freckled people living in the South Pole regions of Moccobatra. Their eye color is prominently sea green and turquoise. Hair color keeps to lighter shades of blonde. Crusty, multi-layered skin helps this race to withstand extremely cold temperatures. Yaremites live in cemented stone homes built high and enclosed like castle fortresses.
A SAMPLE OF PRODUCE GROWN ON MOCCOBATRA
pahna – A fruit grown on stunted pahna trees that starts out as a small, black ball. It turns dark purple as it swells until finally plumping up a reddish-lavender color. The flesh is firm and round, about the size of a child’s fist, and pleasantly scented at ripeness. The smell has been described as sugary lilac. The taste is sweet, comparable to a plum crossed with an Asian pear.
cajja – A round, shiny, scarlet fruit grown on black-speckled cajja trees. The inside is peachy in color and texture. The taste is very sweet with an intense fruity flavor like a peach-mango-tangerine concoction.
vioria – Tiny, round, red fruit that grows in bunches on red vines. The taste is exceptionally sweet—comparable to liquid caramel inside a thin bubble of edible skin. The Braetics are famous for their beautiful vioria vineyards; they juice the fruit to produce a number of mixed drinks.
miganmelon – A large purplish melon that grows in the milder climates of the Grott Nation, Middle Mei Jamay, and the northern Braetic commonwealths. The internal flesh is a mushy texture. The taste is sweet and hot, comparable to candied cinnamon.
neumberries – The thumb-sized burgundy berries grown on neum bushes. The taste is tart and sweet. They squish easily when picked and tend to dissolve in your mouth.
ongrea – A juicy, bottom-heavy fruit with tight, shiny, pale-orange skin. It grows on tall ongrea trees. They have large pits inside to eat around. The taste is comparable to a mango saturated with orange juice. It is a messy fruit to eat.
neenee – The neenee is a tiny, golden berry more oval than round. The sour fruit is bursting with juice; it grows on neenee bushes. They are most often mixed with sweeter fruits in salads and drinks.
gomeryberries – Dark, round berries grown on gomery bushes. Their taste is rich, sugary, and buttery. They have been compared to a mixture of butterscotch and figs.
gittahna – A round, yellow-pink fruit full of little, black seeds. The fruit is grown on skinny gitta trees. The taste is a very unusual twist of tang. It has been described as tasting like a lemon-soaked watermelon infused with peppermint—strangely sour and sweet and minty at the same time. When finished with the flesh of the gittahna fruit the seeds must be spit out or they will quickly turn bitter.
greep – A pumpkin-shaped autumn-colored fruit with rustic-red speckles that grows in the colder northern hemispheres of the Grott nation and in the Doroj and Hoj y’man foothills. The texture and taste of the melon is almost identical to cheesecake.
crebnuts – Tiny, round, nuts that grow like bulbs on the roots of schwen bushes. They are delicious roasted. Crebnuts smell like butter when hot and have a seasoned, buttery taste. Their soft texture is like that of an earthly chestnut. They grow abundantly in Gabert Forest inside the Grotten lands of the giants as well as in the north-eastern areas of Middle Mei Jamay.
HARROWBETHIAN LANGUAGE
(Known as Bethan Tongue)
ah (ah) – watchful or attentive or observant
ahmannay (ah’-mah-nay) – fast, prompt, or swift
ahmannei (ah’-mah-nee) – hustle or hurry
ahntaa (ahn’-tay) – assist or help
ahrai (ah-ray’) – care or watchful eye
ahtee (ah’-tee) – home
alai (ah-lay’) – peace, calm, or serenity
brahna (brah’-nah) – name
co (coh) – you or sometimes you’re
cohme (coh’-meh) – welcome
cu (cuh) – I, me or mine
cu ohtan (cuh oh-tahn’) – goodbye (a lazy parting)
Cu ohtan co da Ta ahrai. (cuh oh-tahn' coh dah tah' ah-ray) – I leave you in God’s care. (a formal goodbye or parting)
curo (cuh’-roh) – everyone, all, or everybody
da (dah) – under or inside or within
don (dohn) – for
ee (eee) – there
Harrowbeth – land of living origin
heiguay (hee’-gway) – a meeting or debriefing
iee (ih-ee’) – ready, set, or prepared
kahei (kah-h ee’) – now or presently
kahm (kahm) – captain, leader, or commander
keea (kee’-ah) – coming or advancing or pursuing
keeah (kee-ah’) – shortly or soon or momentarily
keeahma (kee-ah’-mah) – reporting or revealing
kii (kI) –not or nothing
krono (kroh’-noh) – continue or go on or keep going
lan (lahn) – door
lo (loh) – is, be, or are
loamma (loh-ah’-mah) – protect or stand guard
maht (maht) – no
me (meh) – safe
meeah (mee-ah') – watch or look after
moccobatra (mah-coh'-baht-rah) – everlasting
mrii (mrI) – yes
na (nah) – star
naash (naysh) – here or at this location
nahpai (nah'-pay) – open
nahrma (nahr’-mah) – are dismissed or have permission to go
nay (nay) – hurry up or go quickly
neerai (nee’-ray) – follow or track
neeraida (nee-ray’-dah) – following or right after
nii (nI) – one
nrahk (nrahk) – sit
ohtan (oh-tahn’) – leave or abandon
pahmm (pahm) – needed
pahrta (pahr’-tah) – them, they
pii (pI) – us, our
rahnta (rahn’-tah) – thanks or appreciation
rahntaco (rahn’-tah-coh) – thank you
rai (ray) – eye
rovaht (roh-vaht’) – freedom
ruha (ruh’-hah) – okay, alright, or understood
setta (seh’-tah) – private, as in a soldier
Sha (shah) – queen
shema (sheh’-mah) – forward
Shen (shehn) – king
shii (shI) – prepare or get ready
Ta (tah) – God
tanah (tah-nah') – ma’am
tanee (tah-nee’) – sir
tee (tee) – receive or accept
tee co (tee’ coh) – hello (a lazy greeting)
Cu tee co da cu ahrai. (cuh tee’ coh dah cuh ah-ray’) – I receive you in my care. (a formal hello or greeting)
una (uh’-nah) – a distress call, mayday, or alert
INTERPRETED BETHAN DIALOGUE
“Loamma lan naash.” – “Stand guard at the door here.”
“Co, loamma ee, meeah Sha Eena.” – “You, stand guard there and look after Queen Eena.”
“Marguay, ahntaa.” – “Marguay, assist.” or “Marguay, be of assistance.”
“Ruha, tanee.” – “Understood, sir.” or “Alright, sir.”
“Ruha, cu ahntaa.” – “Alright, I’ll assist.”
“Neerai cu. Iee?” – “Follow me. Ready?”
“Nahpai lan.” – “Open the door.”
“Curo, neerai cu.” – “Everyone, follow me.”
“Una! Una! Pahrta lo ahmannay keea pii naash.” – “Mayday! Mayday! They are fast advancing on our location.” or “Mayday! Mayday! They are quickly gaining on us.”
“Sha Eena lo kii me.” – “Queen Eena is not safe.”
“Krono shema. Nay!” – “Keep going. Go quickly!” or “Go on. Hurry!”
“Ahntah lo pahmm!” – “Help is needed!” or “Assistance is needed!”
“Ruha! Nay!” – “Understood! Hurry!”
“Cohme naash.” – “Welcome here.” or loosely “Welcome back.”
“Shii don heiguay keeah Neeraida.” – “Prepare for a meeting shortly following.” Or loosely “Prepare for a debriefing as soon as I’m done.”
“Co nahrma kahei.” – “You are dismissed now.”
“Mrii, tanee!” – “Yes, sir!”
“Cohme ahtee!” – “Welcome home!”
“Rahntaco.” – “Thank you.”
“Eena lo ahtee kahei.” – “Eena is home now.”
“Yaka, kahei nrahk!” – “Yaka, now sit!” or loosely “Yaka, sit down this instant!”
“Setta Nii keeahma.” – “Private One reporting.”
“Co cohme.” – “You are welcome.”
“Cu brahna lo Ian.” – “My name is Ian.”
“Cu tee co da cu ahrai.” – (A formal hello or greeting) “I receive you in my care.”
“Tee co.” – (A lazy greeting) “Hello.” or “I receive you.” or “I accept you.”
“Cu ohtan co da Ta ahrai.” – (A formal goodbye or parting) “I leave you in God’s care.”
“Cu ohtan.” – (A lazy parting) “Goodbye.” or “I’m leaving.”