Heroes of the Fallen

by David J. West

  Hiram: A leading Judge and member of the Sanhedrin of Zarahemla, he is also the Head Gadianton Lord for his district. This means that he answers only to the Grand Master and his second. As of 321, Hiram is fifty years of age even so he is one of the more junior Judges having only in the last five years deciding to become a Judge. Using his Gadianton influence he soon received a position high in the city’s councils. His chief assistant is Daniel the son of another lately deceased Gadianton Lord. His name means ‘Noble’.

  Huzitl: A Lamanite captain, present at the battles of the Gate, the Crimson Dawn and the Stand at Gibea. His name is a shortened version of the war and fire god Huitzilopochtli.

  I.

  Interpreters: Any of a variety of seer stones. The most famous of which are the Urim and Thummim in the possession of Onandagus, the great crystal skull of Akish-Antum and the Serpents Eye owned by Apophis.

  Iron Rod, the: Not to be confused with the iron rod of both Lehi and Nephi’s dream. A tavern in Zarahemla in the riverfront quarter of town. Known for its lascivious dancers and strong drink it has long been a place of ill repute.

  Irreantum: The great sea over which the Nephites crossed to come to the Promised Land. It means the ‘Great Waters that exceed all’ from the Assyrian.

  Isabel, (virgins of): Prostitutes posing as priestesses of Isabel, patron goddess of a wicked people residing in the land of Tennen-Isis. The name means ‘My God is a Vow’.

  Ishmael 1: A Judge of Zarahemla and a Gadianton Lord. It was he that decided Ezra would be a part of internal readiness rather than assist in the actual invasion. His name means ‘God will Hear’.

  Ishmael 2: The forefather of all the people that call themselves Ishmaelites. He died before Lehi, Nephi, Laman etc came to the Promised Land.

  Ishmaelites: A people who claim descent from the sons of Ishmael that accompanied Lehi and his family. The daughters of Ishmael married the sons of Lehi and hence became the mothers of the Nephites, Lamanites, Lemuelites and Josephites. The Ishmaelites however are those that trace their line directly back to the sons of Ishmael who married three out of the four daughters of Lehi. Though they have almost always been close to the Lamanites they have had the pride to be a separate people. Early in the days soon after landing in the Promised Land they especially embraced the cultural ideals of Egypt to better distinguish themselves from the hated Nephites. Egyptian names are highly favored within their society though Hebrew and others are known to appear regularly enough. According to their oral traditions Nephi was the one who abandoned their father Ishmael in the wilderness to die and then ravage his daughters; there is no basis for this story, however. It was probably promulgated only in the last few decades by those who wished to find reasons to despise the Nephites further, the father of this story may have been Apep; who had his own ax to grind against Akish-Antum.

  Isaiah: A captain of the Nephite guardsmen in Zarahemla. He was invited to the meeting in Onandagus’s chambers but failed the test and did not go on the mission. His name means ‘Salvation of Jehovah’.

  J.

  Jacob: A friend of Amaron’s that was supposed to go with him on the recon mission but backed out at the last moment. Because of his departure they went to Manti to get Ezra’s cousin. His name means ‘Supplanted’.

  Jacobites: People of the brother of Nephi. Few call themselves Jacobites any longer and have absorbed the name of Nephite for themselves.

  Jacobgath: City of Gadiantons far to the west of most Nephite lands. Infamous for being a city that is only found if it wants to be found. It means ‘Jacobs Wine Vat’.

  Jaredite: The ancient people of the brothers Jared and Mahonri-Moriancumr. They occupied the Promised Land for centuries until destroying themselves utterly. Still they had quite an impact upon the Nephites for being a dead race, mostly because of one man, the last Jaredite, Coriantumr, he was the last Jaredite king. He found the Mulekites shortly after they landed and helped them to build their first few cities, showing them higher engineering and mathematics common to the Jaredites. A great number of Jaredite words and numbers were incorporated into the Mulekite vernacular including the names of beasts of the Promised Land and the unit and measures for money. By the time of Mormon, a vast number of Nephites began to think the notion of Jaredites legendary, and many believed they had never even existed; even though several people have the demonstrably large Jaredite blood flowing in their veins. Another indication is the appearance of extra digits, toes and fingers as well as extra rows of teeth. They are sometimes referred to as the Old Ones.

  Jared: Younger brother to Obadiah. He went with Amaron’s company of ten for their scouting mission. His name means ‘Descent’.

  Jazer Malekite: A Gadianton Grand Master that endowed Akish-Antum and controversially named him his successor causing a split within the Gadianton Order. His name meant ‘Helpful Warrior’.

  Jazer: Lamanite Gadianton one of Uzzsheol’s wolf pack. He stabbed Qof-Ayin but was in turn slain.

  Jeremiah: A Nephite of Zarahemla, a friend of Amaron that was asked to be a part of the reconnaissance mission, but he refused. His name means ‘Jehovah will Establish’.

  Jershon: A Nephite land given to the people of Ammon for a homeland. It lies to the far east of Zarahemla and Bountiful. Its name means ‘Refuge’.

  Jonas: A farmer who travels to Zarahemla to trade and sell. He helps Amaron and Ezra when Helam is slain. He later gives assistance to both Mormon the Elder and Younger when the boy has a broken leg. His name means ‘Dove’.

  Joram-Baal: Infant son of Anathoth and Ofra. Named for Anathoth’s father. His name means ‘High Lord’.

  Jordan: A small town between Zarahemla and Gideon. It was not on the main road but a few miles to the west. Ezra ben Shem was raised there as a boy before moving to Zarahemla. Jordan may have been one of the small towns the Lamanite invasion utterly destroyed on their gruesome march to Zarahemla. The name means ‘Descending’.

  Josephites: People descended from the brother of Nephi. They like the Jacobites are aligning themselves with the Nephites so much that there are few beyond their Elders who even call themselves by that name any longer.

  Joshua: A Judge in Zarahemla. Secretly a Gadianton. The name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’.

  Joshua, the land of: A Nephite territory that is the farthest possible west and southern land. It borders the Irreantum Sea.

  Judah: An active scout and guardsman of Zarahemla. He is close friends with Amaron and was among the first to agree to go with Amaron on the recon mission. His name means ‘Praised’.

  Judges: The larger force of Nephite law is carried down by the Judges. These men hear cases and decide upon judgments in all matters. Their rulings can only be superseded by the Chief Judge or by a majority vote of the Sanhedrin, but most of the Sanhedrin are Judges as well.

  Judgment Hall: A great hall surrounded by multiple court rooms on the west side and a Governor’s mansion on the east side. The complex is surrounded by a ten-foot wall with four gates centered on the cardinal directions, each of these is the beginning of a major Avenue of Zarahemla. There is also a Temple and a tower built so closely as to appear to be part of the same building it is however a separate structure.

  K.

  Kadar-Lahab: The black flame blade of Coriantumr. A great jagged edged sword made by Jaredite smiths. The blade was given to a variety of rulers as gifts until finally coming into the possession of Akish-Antum.

  Keturah: Nephite woman, part of Rezon’s caravan of merchants. Her name means ‘Perfumes’, since that is what she sold in the caravans it may have been a nickname rather than her given name.

  Kindred, the: Name Gadiantons refer to themselves as sometimes to be more of a family/fraternal order rather than the negative robber image. The oaths the Gadiantons take do name them to be Brothers of the Blade as well as Brothers to Pirates. Incidentally there is a sea faring branch of Gadianton pirates that have little if anything to do with the mainland variety, they probably even have their own
oaths and Grand Master.

  King men: Nephites, primarily of Zarahemla though there is always some to be found across the territories that despise the system of Judges and hope to install a king to rule them. Though this is often a reflection of the rich and those hungry for power and those who wish to be in high cabinet positions of such a king it is also a condition of some foolish misguided poor. These poor latch onto the ideals promoted by the King men in the vain hope that their lot in life will be improved, these are the folk that believe they can trade freedom for security. The Gadianton plan of invasion in the summer of 321, centered on the idea that enough people would welcome a king to protect them from the Lamanites, indeed large numbers of the population did just that never realizing how close they were to enslavement. To be one of the king men was by no means an indictment that someone was a Gadianton most were not, though those that led the king men undoubtedly were.

  Kish-Kumen: A Gadianton city in the far west reaches of Nephite territories. Its name means ‘City in the Bow’ as in a depression. It is in a deep winding canyon.

  Korash: A bird faced god, revered by the Lamanites. His domain is the south. His name means ‘the Old God’.

  Kuhtuli: A Lamanite death god. Also spelled Ktulli or even Cthulhu when written in Tultec. His name means ‘the Dark Dreaming God’ in Reformed Egyptian.

  L.

  Laban: One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites. His name means ‘White or Full Moon’.

  Laban-Antum: Second Gadianton city owned by Akish-Antum. Much farther south than Ushmael, Laban-Antum has a port opening to the great eastern sea at the bottom of the Red Coast. It means “the Moons great Fortress’.

  Lachoneus: A Nephite of Mulekite heritage. His name is Greek for ‘Man from Laconia’ or Man from Sparta. He is the descendant of Spartan mercenaries who helped bring Mulek from Jerusalem to the Promised Land. Though born towards the end of the Golden Age of Nephite peace he had been trained by his father and grandfathers in the rough Spartan/Nephite methods of fighting and training. He in turn was the great teacher of hundred of Zarahemlan scouts who would become the guardsmen and soldiers during the First War. He was slain by Gadianton assassins who feared him teaching even more soldiers how to best combat them. He had once proclaimed Amaron son of Ammaron his greatest student. After his murder Amaron was named captain of the scouts in his place.

  Laman: The father of his people’s race, son of Lehi brother to Nephi and Lemuel. His hatred of his brother Nephi’s people caused that they should flee from him. In time he became a legendary figure for his descendants and was venerated as the great ancestor. He appeared in a drug induced vision to Prince Aaron and charged him destroying the Nephites. His name means ‘First of God’.

  Lamanihah: A Lamanite city that was captured by Qof-Ayin after it had been taken over by Madoni the usurper. One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites.

  Lamanites: The tribe of peoples descended from Laman, eldest of the sons of Lehi. They claim the right of kingship over all the peoples of the Promised Land; the Nephites fight them on this point while the other tribes ignore it. More numerous than either the Nephites or Ishmaelites the dusky skinned Lamanites are preparing for their time to rule and destroy their enemies. At this point in time they have a single king who rules the entire tribe, Xoltec of Mutula.

  Lamanite Twist: Nephite slang for someone doing something sneaky.

  Lamoni: A Lamanite city to the west of Mutula. A variation on Laman.

  Lehi: A Nephite scout that accompanied Amaron on his recon mission. Brother to Nephi. His name means ‘Jawbone’.

  Lehi, the city: One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites.

  Lehonti: A Nephite general of Zarahemla. A brash older man he cares not for anyone’s opinion but his own.

  Levi: A Gadianton Lord of Zarahemla. He was executed by Hiram for embezzling Gadianton funds from some of their collective establishments, specifically those that are illegal within Zarahemla, the brothels and lotus houses. His name means ‘Joined with the Lord’.

  Lemuel: One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites. His name means ‘Belonging to God’.

  Lemuelites: Tribe of people descended from Lemuel son of Lehi. They are the most barbaric of the tribes, they wander the plains and wilderness following the paths of beasts to sustain themselves. They are accepted as fierce fighters but generally are regarded as inferior by most other peoples; they do not care and have grown to be a strong warrior tribe. Divided into many subset tribes, they would be greatly feared if they could become united.

  Lib: A giant warrior of Tullan, he has the blood of the ancients in him in that he has six digits on his hands and feet. Greatly feared by all who have seen him fight, he is the right hand to Anathoth. His name means ‘Whiteness’.

  Libnah: A jackal headed werewolf like god of the Lamanites. He is the god of the west and the moon, his name means ‘the Lord of the white land’.

  Lilith: The name adopted by Zoreah when she is in Nephite lands. She is regarded as insane by most other Gadiantons but there is no denying her devious clever nature. She is Akish-Antum’s woman and through that wields much power and influence. Her home is in the city of Bountiful, but she undoubtedly resides with the Grand Master wherever he goes. She has been quite capable in performing her own missions and intrigues and has been known to be absolutely ruthless in all her endeavors. Her name is taken from the legendary first wife of Adam who would not submit to him.

  Limhi: A captain of the city of Desolation. He was the one that captured Qof-Ayin and brought him to the jail to be held with Abinadab. His name means ‘Belonging to the Clan’.

  Lost Wolf Protocols: The program Akish-Antum uses to recruit more men and women to become Gadiantons. He prefers to find outcasts and the poor as well as those in doubt and bend them all to his will with acts of kindness or generosity. The system has worked incredibly well for him and he now has thousands under him directly bypassing the usual Gadianton down-lines and multi leveled ranks. This has instituted numerous Gadiantons with a direct loyalty to the Grand Master who are therefore used against other Gadianton Lords when necessary.

  M.

  Macumtec: A Lamanite acolyte priest of Baal who serves as Balam-Ek’s trusted assistant. His name is Lamanite is ‘Man of the North People’.

  Madoni: A Lamanite lord who tried to rebel against Xoltec and institute himself as king. His rebellion was put down and he fled to the city of Lamanihah. He became its Lord and went mad with power declaring himself a god. He then began a war with both Xoltec and Apophis of Tullan that lasted for two years. Ultimately, he was assaulted by a sizeable army of Xoltec’s led by a General Tzominihah. Madoni slew him and the army lost heart and was on the verge of retreating to Xoltec’s capital of Mutula but Qof-Ayin rallied the men and with his son Zelph they attacked the walled city of Lamanihah. While the bulk of their forces created a diversion near the front gates Zelph led a troop of men who climbed the rear ward walls of the palace. Once inside Zelph confronted Madoni and slew him in single combat. Called the Usurper. His name means ‘Man of Height’.

  Madmenah: A Lamanite Gadianton, one of Uzzsheol’s wolf pack. He was slain by Amaron and thrown in a gorge. His name means ‘Dunghill’ it may have been a joke.

  Mahmackrah: A lion headed god of the Lamanites. He is known as the God of the north. His name means ‘the Lion of Akr is great’.

  Manti: A Nephite city three days journey south west of Zarahemla. It is a large city and one of the most prominent in the entire realm. Its name is a shortened version of its founder’s name, a Greek named Mantinea. He was a mercenary who served Zedekiah’s court.

  Manti Hill: An infamous hill outside of Manti where Nehor was hung. Most people in Manti now avoid the hill believing it is haunted. Thick woods now cover the hill as it overlooks the city.

  Maowr-Cherev: The sword of Onandagus. The name means ‘Radiant Sword’. It was forged by Nephi and made to look almost exactly like the Sword of Laban, though with
out the gold hilt.

  Mastema: A Lamanite general that seeks the sacred plates so that he might destroy them. His name means ‘the Destroyer’ from the Egyptian.

  Master Mahan: Another title of the Gadianton Grand Master. Originally bourn by Cain, it was later bestowed upon Lamech.

  Mazeroth: A false prophet who baptizes people against their will. His name is translated as ‘Constellation’ but a truer form would be ‘Astrology’. He is an expert on the stars and is very well read, his words easily seduce many.

  Melek: A river that feeds the Sidon just below and is therefore a border for Zarahemla. The name means ‘King’.

  Menares: The chief high priest of Tullan. He performs the gory sacrifices dedicated to the bloodthirsty gods of the Ishmaelites. His disdain and threats to Anathoth are his undoing. His name is reformed Egyptian and means ‘Thy Days are Numbered’.

  Michael: A Judge of Zarahemla. A friend of Onandagus and therefore marked for death by the Gadiantons. His name means ‘Who is like unto God’.

  Middoni: One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites. Its name means ‘City of Conquest’.

  Midian: One of the seven great city states of the Lamanites. The name means ‘Strife’.

  Miriam: Wife of Onandagus. She is the mother of seven of his children, her eldest is Bethia. She is also a seer and prophetess. Her name means ‘Rebellion’.

  Moloch: The bull-headed god of the Phoenicians and other Semitic peoples. His worship has even spread to underground clusters of Nephites. If it is said that someone is ‘Moloched’ it is another word for being ritually slain or sacrificed. Moloch means ‘King’.

  Money: The Nephite system of money is based upon the Jaredite system that was taught to the Mulekites by Coriantumr and eventually adopted by the Nephites as they merged with the Mulekites. Previous to this the Nephites had used only a barter system within their own United Order but that broke down once they adopted the Jaredite money system which used units of seven and was similar to the Sumerian unit based off measuring grains for weight.