What adventure is complete without maps? Growing up, I delighted in books that would have them included in their artwork, on the pastedown and flyleaf, or within the first few leaves. It speaks to me. I’m assured that this is a book for me. However, that doesn’t mean maps are for everyone who likes the science fiction or fantasy genres. Not everyone needs them or feels an affinity for maps. Still, I’m often compelled to include them in books, and if I don’t, you can bet that I used them to write the narrative. For instance, both OP-DEC and Blue Honor required maps to keep maneuvers accurate. Accuracy is exactly the point. Some readers are able to keep things straight in their heads while others aren’t all that concerned with these details.
In the Trailokya series, there are two maps that apply to the narrative. These maps lay out the basic area of each of those worlds:
They can also be accessed via the pages for each book here on the site: The Trailokya Trilogy, The Shadow Soul, and Burning Down. Click on the map to view a larger image on an attachment page.
The Map of Zion
In ancient folklore, waterways were interconnected to each other as well as mystical places. In the map, you can see the khajala, like a cloud ringing the Urva Sea. This khajala is a barrier that helps protect Zion from any infiltration via the Domdaniel in Jahannam. That helps explain why it’s not ringing all the water ways. If you look at the map of Jahannam, you’ll see that the Domdaniel (their version of a sea) is much smaller.
Zion is made of four continents: Elysion, Eden, Arcadia and Zion Provence. There are four major waterways: Pison, Tigris, Euphrates, and Gihon. There is no arctic radius in all of Zion, although some of the areas exist in snow either in perpetuity or seasonally. The orders of Fenrir and Odin are an example of seasonal winters. The climate throughout Zion is mostly idyllic, but most types are represented. The terrain varies equally as much, and it remains prominent despite the mass development in the north.
Mount Zion is located on a peak over the most northern point of Zion. It is from here that the Perptual Light reaches from the tip of the mountain out into space. Around the mountain is built the vast White City. Beyond the borders of the city is the province of Zion that is largely suburban. Arcadia, parted from the cardinal content by the Gihon River, contains the other three major rivers in Zion. Many of the orders spoken of in the trilogy exist in this area. The land is not as crowded as the far north. Next, one will see Eden. Much like it’s name implies, this area is rural, with farms and gardens and sparse but ample housing for those who wish to reside there. Lastly is the wild area of Elysion, which remains largely undeveloped. It is preferred by souls who like minimal augmentation on the natural world. Elysion caps the southern end of Zion.
The Urva is the only ocean in all of Zion. It is an enormous body of water that splits Eden and Elysion from the rest of Zion. This helps to keep those areas less developed than the north. Development below the depths of the ocean has taken place behind the borders of the khajala, which can be observed below the waves much the same as above. Crossing the khajala can be undertaken, but most souls will find themselves lost and turned around, away from the possible dangers beyond. Gates to the Domdaniel are located at the barrier, but are only operated by Watchers and those assigned to a mission that requires their use.
Map of Jahannam
Jahannam mirrors Zion to a great extent. Instead of having four continents and four major tributaries, along with one ocean, this world has only two continents which are marked by five tributaries and its ocean. The foremost city is located in the far south, wrapped in a deep winter like the poles of Earth. It’s northern point, however, is a temperate zone wrapped in an unabated fog. This world exists beneath the surface of an unbroken mantle of rock. Fissures have formed through the millennia, but only let in a minimum of light, of which the source is unknown but could be related to the Perpetual Light of Zion. These cracks are not big enough to pass through and cannot be widened. The stone ceiling is out of reach of the inhabitants, even in flying contraptions, due to a barrier like the khajala.
The main continent of Jahannam is broken into 8 principalities: Sheol, Erebus, Tophet, Gehenna, Acheron, Abaddon and Cocytus. The five rivers are: Cocytus (Cocytus), Phlegethon (Tophet, Gehenna, Erebus, and Sheol), Acheron (Acheron and Sheol), Lethe (Erebus and Sheol), and Styx (Abaddon, Erebus, and Sheol). These rivers, however, do not flow with water, though most resemble the liquid. Their substances are unknown and quite dangerous.
The climate of Jahannam, outside of Cocytus, is dessert. Nothing grows there, being it is dust and rock. The minimal light is enduring throughout the Jahannam year, and there is only one season. The terrain of Jahannam shifts from sands to rocky stretches. Gorges and canyons crack the surface. Some areas boast serrated and splintering mountains. Other places are caverns beneath the ground, complete with stalagmites and stalactites, as well as pillars.
The Domdaniel is the only ocean in all of Jahannam. It is a highly saline body of water. One would not want to enter the water for a few reasons. It’s polluted by the rotting souls that have been imprisoned in its depths. Those souls behave like ravenous fish, feeding on unfortunates that may fall in. Near the mouth of the Lethe is a massive statue that faces South. It is rumored that a seraphim kept watch in the statue, like a tower, over Jahannam, on behalf of Zion. The inhabitants of the land were dangerous enemies and had lost the war they started with Zion eons ago. In those days, the statue wept tears in honor of the souls that these agitators had brought harm to. The depths of the Domdaniel were substantially lower as well. Since, the sea has risen and the flow of tears has become a waterfall. The entrance of the tower is lost far below the waves. Contact with the watcher in the statue was lost many centuries ago, and it is unknown if he still keeps watch, or has been reduced to nothing because of the things that reside below the water and feed on atman. Rescues were given up when the parties continued to disappear.
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One of the most recognizable figures in the trilogy is General Mikhael. The series is founded on various attributes from the diverse mythologies found around the world. In this case, Mikhael is from the Judeo-Christian-Islamic books of faith. In those texts, he is translated into English as Michael the Archangel. In the series, he regains his Hebrew name and discards the infantilizing makeover done by medieval Christians.
When Captain Maiel escapes to Samsara to avoid her council, Mikhael shows great attentiveness to her plight. The impression that he grieves displays a sentimental disposition, quite fatherly. Every soldier is of value to him, as more than military power and numbers. Mikhael is a family oriented engel (male duta). He see’s his legion as a vast family.
Mikhael swept past him, blustering. He bent to one knee before the High Council and crossed his arm over his chest, fist on his left shoulder—a gesture of respect among the legion guards. The supreme alders were unmoved by his arrival. If Mikhael met with such a reception, then hope was foolish.
Alexandrael is a svargduta alder and the mother of Captain Maiel. More commonly known as Alex, this wise erela (female duta) has been around since before the Conflict of Hosts. The war is something that she remembers well, even after all these years. Her long memory is one of her greatest attributes and what makes her so qualified for service as an alder.
Alex’s appearance suggests that she is approaching yet another rising. Her long hair is silver and her eyes have gone a deep ebony, as she begins to resemble the principality she will become. Gragrafel is not a young principality either. More than likely, by the time that Alex matures, he will have risen again. Their story is not unique in Zion. Many ketu are put on indefinite holds while the partners rise, catching up and loosing touch at intervals. However, they always come back together at some point. The phenomena is adamant.
The alder position is also political in nature. Much of their work results in needed legislation and writing of rules due to the unique experiences of their charges. Some view them as dark figures, somewhat in opposition to souls or the rising of any beings, as they seem to hold the keys to one’s dharma. Things are much less sinister than this, but the shadow of the Conflict has stained the alder house, and they do control an atman’s choices to an extent as advisers and caretakers. Alders are often asked to take a hard line with some of their charges to better insure their success. They are also required to report burning down when they have identified it, which can lead to outcasting the individual, or locking them down. This is for the safety of other atman connected to the individual as well as Zion in general. This power over other atman can make them appear authoritarian.
Every so many months affords me an extra opportunity to explore a different aspect of The Trailokya Trilogy that I am not covering in my regular series of articles on Fridays. For instance, the first episode of 
If Adonai is not God, what is he? Adonai, as I said above, is what is called a jñanasattva. The 
The king makes an appearance relatively early in the series. Readers are immediately aware that he is not bound by the same limitations as those around him. His appearance is heavily influenced by Dominic’s beliefs. This means that he is aware of the human’s thoughts and impressions, but also the fear and what might provide some ease. All beings are atman, even Adonai, but his crystal is the most advanced in all of the realms outside of Nirvana. Where duta or souls must be intimately involved with another atman, or have experienced an event directly, the jñanasattva requires only proximity to access the memory and knowledge of another atman. This does not mean that Adonai can possess another atman, but is likely able to easily sway their minds. Jñanasattva are quick minded, able to analyze and coordinate a response to data in seconds. Jñanasattva are likely ranked like duta. It is not believed that Adonai is the lowest rank of his kind, but he is not the highest, by his own admission, and necessity to report back to Nirvana.
event would indefinitely prolong that growth, and additionally lower the resonance of Nirvana in the process. This concept is resented by many souls, who believe the king should intervene to help them avoid negative consequences, or tragic events. It’s puerile and apathetic reaction directly tied to the resonance level of soul atman.