Encyclopedia of Science and History
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

QUARTZ is a hard, transparent mineral found with sand and rocks everywhere in the world. It is used in high-temperature scientific and magical research, but its crystalline structures lends itself to the staple of magical engineering, the spell detect magic.

QUATSALT, ARRIAN (9940-10010) was a Icelandic geologist who died during the gnomish seige of Parapanisades. He is most famous for his treatise of the progress of civilization, Too Few. In it he writes that "land is basis of all wealth," and describes civilization's problem thusly:

    Our civilization, the civilization of all races, is stunted for lack of room too grow. Wars are fought over, treaties are signed about, and all life's sustenance is grown on our land. For civilization to progress we need brilliant thinkers, men like O'Toole, Kridsada, Pattanadid, Russell, and others. The more populous we are the better are our chances for geniuses to be born. But are numbers are kept artificially low by the barrenness of our land and the toxicity of our water. We should forget our support of chronomancy, telemancy, and industrial technology and concentrate on reclaiming land to live on, to farm, and to comfort. Our technology advances slowly for lack of great minds; we must do everything we can to increase our population and increase the chances of the conception of geniuses.

QUAYLE (7540-7582) was a poet of the Orcish Empire. The only surviving work of his is a drama describing Brutin's execution after he slew a fellow nobleman of higher rank he suspected of having raped his sister:

    Oh, Brutin, if but you had understood
Revenge and honor as they truly are,
I grieve for friendship lost and love expired.
Cold!  All for passion's sake and blood's
Noblesse oblige.  Your blood did run in vain.

QUEEN'S ADMIRAL is the title awarded the to the highest ranking officer in the service of the Drow navy and its holder reports directly to the King or Queen. The position was held until 10044 by Admiral Pannaksemme until his suicide following the (Second) Battle of Kevo Bay. It can only be supposed that the title sank alongside the navy at that disastrous battle.

QUETICO (pop. 6,500) is a small island ten miles in diameter north of Gailinia. It is populated almost exclusively by sea elves. Quetico is almost entirely covered with hardwood forests which provide much of the island's income. Quetico sports one major city, Cartesia, and several smaller fishing villages.

QUORUM LAW, see RURAL III.