by A. J. Smith
From ‘The Chronicles of the Seas’, vol. IV,
by Father Wessel Ice Fang, lore-master of Kalall’s Deep
THE DARK YOUNG
And it shall be as a priest when awake and it shall be as an altar when torpid, and it shall consume and terrify, and it shall follow none save its father, the Black God of the Forest with a Thousand Young. The priest and the altar. The priest and the altar.
From ‘Ar Kral Desh Jek’
(author unknown)
THE DOKKALFAR
The forest-dwellers of the lands of men are many things. To the Ro, arrogant in their superiority, they are risen men – painted as undead monsters and hunted by crusaders of the Black church. To the Ranen, fascinated by youthful tales of monsters, they are otherworldly and terrifying, a remnant of the Giant age. To the Karesians, proud and inflexible, they are an enemy to be vanquished – warriors with stealth and blade.
But to the Kirin, to those of us who live alongside them, they are beautiful and ancient, deserving of respect and loyalty.
The song of the Dokkalfar travels a great distance in the wild forests of Oslan and more than one Kirin youth has spent hours sitting against a tree merely listening to the mournful songs of their neighbours.
They were here before us and will remain long after we have destroyed ourselves.
From ‘Sights and Sounds of Oslan’
by Vham Dusani, Kirin schola
THE GREAT RACE OF ANCIENT JEKKA
To the east, beyond the plains of Leith, is the ruined land. Men have come to call it the Wastes of Jekka or the Cannibal Lands, for those tribes that dwell there are fond of human flesh.
However, those of us who study such things have discovered disturbing knowledge that paints these beings as more than simple beasts.
In the chronicles of Deep Time – in whatever form they yet exist – this cleric has discovered several references to the Great Race, references that do not speak of cannibalism but of chaos and empires to rival man, built on the bones of vanquished enemies and maintained through sacrifice and bizarre sexual rituals. They were proud, arrogant and utterly amoral, believing completely in their most immediate whims and nothing more.
Whatever the Great Race of Jekka might once have been, they are now a shadow and a myth, bearing no resemblance to the fanged hunters infrequently encountered by man.
From ‘A Treatise on the Unknown’ by Yacob
of Leith, Blue cleric of the One God
THE JEKKAN SERVITORS
The war did not last long. The Great Race of Jekka had no desire for the forests. At length we fought them back to their mountains and threw down their altars.
But their pets had to be defeated. As the masters fled, their servitors covered their retreat. They were terrible, amorphous things of no fixed form, shaping their flesh as their masters ordered.
Fire did not burn them, arrows did not pierce them, blades did not cut them. Only the touch of cold caused them to flee. The mightiest Tyr wielded swords of deep ice and the wisest Vithar conjured snow and freezing winds.
The servitors were defeated, though it cost many lives. In the long ages that followed, whispers remained of the terrifying beasts, that they skulked in Jekkan ruins or guarded long-forgotten lore, but they were never again seen by Dokkalfar.
From ‘The Edda’ Author Unknown but Attributed to the
Sky Riders of the Drow Deeps
VOLK WAR HOUNDS
In ages past, the Volk of the northern ice were bound in an eternal war with their cousins, the Dvergar. They came from the dark lands, scratching like insects across the snow. Generations, beyond the understanding of men, were consumed with bitter conflict until the Dvergar gained the ascendancy.
In their darkest moment, the Volk priests screamed to the sky, asking Rowanoco for aid, and the ice giant sent the white pack.
Great hounds from Sovon-Kor gained intelligence and allowed the Volk to saddle them. They felt no fear and valued loyalty above all. They plunged into battle as a wave of death, annihilating any Dvergar that stood before them.
The white pack bred until there were thousands of war hounds, each one bound to a Volk master from birth to death. But as their masters died, the ageless hounds went forth into the world to do the work of Rowanoco.
From ‘The Ninth Book of Higher Xar’
by Orrin Scarlet Beard of Van Clos
CHARACTER LISTING
The People of Ro
The house of Canarn – descended from Lord Bullvy of Canarn
Hector of Canarn – duke of Ro Canarn – deceased
Bromvy (Brom) Black Guard of Canarn – traitor lord of Canarn, soldier of the Long War, son of Duke Hector
Bronwyn of Canarn – the Lady of Canarn, twin sister to Bromvy and daughter of Duke Hector
Haake of Canarn – Duke Hector’s household guard
Auker of Canarn – city guardsman
Hawkin of the Grass Sea – city guardsman
The house of Tiris – descended from High King Dashell Tiris
Bartholomew Tiris – the king’s father – deceased
Sebastian Tiris – scion of the house of Tiris and king of Tor Funweir
Lady Alexandra – wife of King Sebastian
Christophe Tiris – son to King Sebastian, prince of Tor Funweir – deceased
Archibald Tiris – regent of Ro Tiris, cousin to King Sebastian
Clement of Chase – watch sergeant of Ro Tiris
Lux – watch sergeant of Ro Tiris
Elyot of the Tor – watchman of Ro Tiris
Robin of Tiris – watchman of Ro Tiris
The house of Haran – descended from High King Dashell Tiris
Alexander Tiris, also known as the ‘Red Prince’ – disgraced son of the house of Tiris, brother to the king, duke and general of Haran
Gwendolyn of Hunter’s Cross – the Lady of Haran, wife of Alexander Tiris
Ashwyn of Haran – a sergeant of the ducal army, the Hawks
Symon of Triste – a sergeant of the Hawks
Brennan of the Walls – a captain of the Hawks
Lennifer of Triste – serving girl to Gwendolyn of Haran
Clerics of the One God
Mobius of the Falls of Arnon – cardinal of the Purple
Brother Rashbone of Chase – Purple cleric, adjutant to Cardinal Mobius
Severen of Voy – cardinal of the Purple
Brother Jakan of Tiris – Purple cleric of the sword, protector to King Sebastian Tiris
Brother Cleon Montague – Purple cleric, bodyguard to King Sebastian Tiris
Brother Torian of Arnon – Purple cleric of the quest – deceased
Animustus of Voy – Gold cleric
Brother Cerro of Darkwald – cardinal of the Brown
Brother Lanry of Canarn – Brown cleric, former confessor to Duke Hector
Brother Daganay of Haran – Blue cleric, priest to the Hawk army
Artus of Triste – novice of the blue, pupil to Daganay of Haran
Brother Elihas of Du Ban – Black cleric, working with the Seven Sisters
Brother Utha the Ghost – former Black cleric and last old-blood of the Shadow Giants
Brother Roderick of the Falls of Arnon – Black cleric
Brother Hobson of Voy – White cleric
Knights of the One God
Malaki Frith – knight general of the Red
Tristram of Hunter’s Cross – knight commander of the Red
Markos of Rayne – commander of the White Knights of the Dawn
Mortimer Rillion – knight commander of the Red – deceased
Wesson of Haran – knight marshal of Cozz – deceased
Bracha – old knight sergeant of the Red
Callis – sergeant of the Red
Ohms of the Bridge – knight sergeant of the Red
Dolf Halan – knight captain of the Red, adjutant to Malaki Frith
Taufel of Arnon – knight captain of the Red, adjutant to Knight Commander Tristram
Fallon of Leith, the ‘Grey Knight’ – former knight captain of the Red, exemplar of the One God
William of Verellian – former knight captain of the Red
Theron of Haran – former knight lieutenant of the Red and adjutant to Knight Captain Fallon
Rashabald of Haran – executioner and knight of the Red – deceased
Nobles
Vladimir Corkoson, the ‘Lord of Mud’ – lord of the Darkwald and commander of the Darkwald yeomanry
Dimitri Savostin – major of the Darkwald yeomanry
Hallam Pevain – mercenary knight in the employ of the Seven Sisters
Kale Glenwood (formerly Glen Ward) – forger of minor nobility, companion to Rham Jas Rami
Leon Great Claw – a knight, first master to Randall of Darkwald – deceased
Lyam of Weir – duke of Ro Weir
Yacob Black Guard – disgraced lord of Ro Weir, an assassin
Common folk
Randall of Darkwald – squire to, in succession: Sir Leon Great Claw: Brother Torian of Arnon: Brother Utha the Ghost
Broot of Weir – a mercenary under Hallam Pevain
Castus of Weir – bound man and gaoler – deceased
Parag of Weir – a mercenary under Hallam Pevain
Lorkesh – guardsman
Lyssa – child in the Brown chapel
Rodgar – child in the Brown chapel
Fulton of Canarn – tavern keeper
Mirabel of Arnon – brothel owner in Ro Arnon
Mott – a bandit
Tobin of Cozz – blacksmith and fixer
The People of Rowanoco
The Ranen of Fjorlan
The high lords of Fjorlan have, since the first, sought to keep their names alive through their children. Those of minor houses are afforded no such honour and many deliberately strike their father’s name due to dishonourable actions.
The house of Teardrop – named for Alguin Teardrop, the first high thain of Fjorlan.
Ragnar Teardrop Larsson – father to Magnus Forkbeard Ragnarsson and Algenon Teardrop Ragnarsson – deceased
Algenon Teardrop Ragnarsson – high thain of Ranen, elder brother to Magnus Forkbeard Ragnarsson – deceased
Magnus Forkbeard Ragnarsson – younger brother to Algenon Teardrop Ragnarsson, priest of the Order of the Hammer, friend to Lord Bromvy – deceased
Alahan Teardrop Algesson –heir to the hall of Fredericksand and son to Algenon Teardrop Ragnarsson
Ingrid Teardrop Algedottir – daughter to Algenon Teardrop Ragnarsson
Oleff Hard Head – chain-master of Fredericksand, survivor of the Dragon Fleet
Wulfrick the Enraged – axe-master of Fredericksand, survivor of the Dragon Fleet
Thorfin Axe Hailer – lore-master of Fredericksand
Samson the Liar – old-blood of the Ice Giants
The house of Summer Wolf – an ancient and respected house, named for Kalall Summer Wolf
Aleph Summer Wolf Kallsson – thain of Tiergarten – deceased
Halla Summer Wolf Alephsdottir –axe-maiden, survivor of the Dragon Fleet, daughter to Aleph Summer Wolf
Tricken Ice Fang – chain-master of Tiergarten
Earem Spider Killer – axe-master of Tiergarten
Borrin Iron Beard – axe-master of Tiergarten – deceased
Rhuna Grim – cloud-mistress of Tiergarten
Father Brindon Crowe – priest of the Order of the Hammer
Heinrich Blood – novice of the Order of the Hammer
The house of Hammerfall – home of the cloud-men and the Wolf Wood
Grammah Black Eyes – new thain of Hammerfall
Rexel Falling Cloud – axe-master, survivor of the dragon fleet
Moniac Dawn Cloud – axe-master and cloud-man of the Wolf Wood
Anya Coldbane (Lullaby) – wise woman of Rowanocoa
The berserkers of Varorg
Rorg the Defiler – berserker chieftain
Timon the Butcher – berserker of Varorg
Unrahgahr – a troll allied with the Varorg
The house of Ursa – a new house with no honourable lineage, they name as they see fit
Rulag Ursa Bear Tamer – the Betrayer, now sits in the high thain’s hall. Previously thain of Jarvik, father to Kalag Ursa
Thran Blood Fist – lord of Jarvik
Kalag Ursa Rulagsson – lordling of Jarvik
David Emerald Eyes – chain-master of Jarvik
Jalek Blood – axe-master of Jarvik
Father Oryk Grey Claw – priest of the Order of the Hammer
The Ranen of The South Lands
Those of the Freelands – formerly Tor Ranen – are known as the Free Companies. They are commoners who earn their names with deeds of honour. They have never sought nobility or family names.
The Moon Clans – unconquered tribes of the Moon Woods
Federick Two Hearts – chieftain of the Crescent
Aesyr Two Hearts – maiden of the rowan oak, daughter to Federick Two Hearts
Ossa Two Hearts – maiden of the rowan oak, daughter to Federick Two Hearts
Theen Burnt Face – chieftain of the Crescent
Dawn Sun Runner – night-raider of the Crescent
Barron Crow Friend – man of the Earth Shaker
Warm Heart Moon Father – Volk war-hound of the White Pack
Wraith Company – protectors of the Grass Sea
Horrock Green Blade – captain of Wraith Company, commander of the destroyed Ro Hail
Haffen Red Face – former axe-master of Ro Hail – deceased
Freya Cold Eyes –wise-woman of Rowanoco
Micah Stone Dog – young axe-man of Ro Hail
Darron Moon Eye – priest – deceased
Scarlet Company – protectors of South Warden
Johan Long Shadow – captain of the Scarlet Company
Mathias Flame Tooth – axe-master of South Warden
Dragneel Dark Crest – priest of Brytag the World Raven
Twilight Company – protectors of Ranen Gar, the northernmost stronghold of Ranen
Fynius Black Claw – captain of Twilight Company, exemplar of Brytag the World Raven
Vincent Hundred Howl – warrior of Twilight Company
The People of Karesia
The Seven Sisters – enchantresses, formerly of Jaa, now of Shub-Nillurath
Saara the Mistress of Pain – leader of the Seven Sisters, bears no mark
Isabel the Seductress – marked with the sign of a coiled snake
Sasha the Illusionist – marked with the sign of a flowering rose
Shilpa the Shadow of Lies – marked with the sign of birds in flight
Ameira the Lady of Spiders – marked with the sign of a spider’s web – deceased
Katja the Hand of Despair – marked with the sign of a howling wolf – deceased
Lillian the Lady of Death – marked with the sign of a hand – deceased
The wind claws – warriors who give their life to Jaa
Dalian Thief Taker – greatest of the wind claws and father of Al-Hasim
Kal Varaz – servant of the Seven Sisters
Kamran Kainen – servant of the Seven Sisters
Larix the Traveller – deceased
The Viziers of Jaa – his faithful
Voon of Rikara – high vizier of Karesia and exemplar of Jaa
Sanaa Law Keeper – vizier of Thrakka
Shadaran Bakara – vizier of Thrakka
The Hounds – criminals serving as the Karesian army
Izra Sabal – whip-mistress of the Hounds
Turve Ramhe – whip-master of the Hounds
Kasimir Roux – captain of the Hounds and adjutant to whip-mistress Izra Sabal
Common folk
Al-Hasim, the ‘prince of the wastes’ – exile and thief, friend to the house of Canarn, son of Dalian Thief Taker
; Claryon Soong – Kessian mobster
Emaniz Kabrizzi – book-dealer of Ro Weir
Jenner of Rikara – Karesian smuggler, brother to Kohli
Kohli of Rikara – Karesian smuggler, brother to Jenner
Makad Rarzi – smuggler and ship’s captain
Walan Zeen – Karesian warrior
The Godless
Kirin – a mongrel race, neither Ro nor Karesian
Rham Jas Rami – assassin, dark-blood and friend to Bromvy Black Guard of Canarn
Keisha of Oslan – body slave to Saara the Mistress of Pain, dark-blood and daughter of Rham Jas Rami
Zeldantor –body slave to Saara the Mistress of Pain, dark blood and son of Rham Jas Rami – deceased
The Dokkalfar – an ancient race of non-human forest-dwellers
Tyr Dyus the Daylight Sky – warrior and Fell Walker
Tyr Hythel – warrior of the Fell
Tyr Kalen – warrior of Canarn
Tyr Nanon the Shape Taker – warrior of the Heart and soldier of the Long War
Tyr Rafn – warrior of the Heart – deceased
Tyr Sigurd – warrior of Canarn, previously of the Heart
Tyr Vasir – warrior of the Drow Deeps
Vithar Jofn – shaman of the Heart
Vithar Joror the Heart’s Hand – shaman of the Heart
Vithar Loth the Tree Father – shaman and Fell Walker
Vithar Xaris – shaman of Narland
Mysterious others
Ryuthula – Gorlan mother
Magnus’s shade – apparition and servant of Rowanoco
Torian’s shade – apparition and servant of the One God
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I think I’m getting better. I hope I am... and I really hope you all enjoy this. Thank you for so many things.
Simon Hall, Kathleen Kitsell, Marcus Holland, Benjamin Hesford, Scott Ilnicki, Carrie Hall, Martin Cubberley, Tony Carew, Karl Wustrau, Mark Allen, Paolo Trepiccione, Terry and Cathy Smith, Mathilda Imlah, Melmo the Sinister Apothecary.
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