Witchfire
A natural ore with the mineral properties to more effective channel disentropy, without being destroyed in the process. Often alloyed with kirion for greater strength, though can be alloyed with other metals.
CULTURES
Avān
A species originally made by the Seethe in Torque Spindles from Seethe and Human specimens, as well as samples from predatory animals. The Avān were originally used as peacekeepers in the Petal Empire, though they ros up against the Seethe. Rather than release Humanity from their servitude, the newly formed Awakened Empire kept Humanity as a vassal race for the next millennium until it was toppled as part of a Human revolt.
Dragons
One of the Elemental Masters species, Dragons are also known as the Fire Masters. They call themselves the Hazhi. Rarely seen in the modern world, they are known to spend much of their time in slumber as part of the Great Dreaming, with only a small percentage of their population awake at any one time.
Fenling
A race created by the Seethe in the Torque Spindles, the Fenling are the merger of giant tool-using rats and the Avān. They are a race of scavengers who rarely deal with non-Fenling, and are known for their cannibalism and carrying of virulent diseases.
Feyhe
One of the Elemental Master species, the Feyhe are also known as the Sea Masters. They are capable of changing into a series of simple and complex shapes.
Herū
One of the Elemental Masters species, the Herū are also known as the Earth Masters.
Humans
Also referred to as the Starborn. The most populous species on Īa. Once a vassal race to the Petal Empire of the Seethe, as well as the Awakened Empire of the Avān, Humanity is now independent. The largest Human faction in South-Eastern Īa is the Iron League; composed of Atrea, Jiom, Imre, Manté, Ondea, and Angoth. Humans are known to live in almost every nation.
Iku
An ancient and enigmatic race of avian-like humanoids, with strong ties to the Sēq Order. They are rarely seen outside their mountain retreats, and generally people mistake their appearance for a disguise. For the most part the Iku are daikajé, travelling warrior philosophers and teachers. Sometimes associated with bad omens.
Nomads
The undying or undead. Generally, they are without physical form and need to inhabit a physical shell in order to interact with the physical world. Seen as heretics by the Ancestor-worshipping Avān.
Rōm
Also called the Time Masters, the Rōm predate the Elemental Masters. There is very little documented about the Haiyt Empire of the Time Masters. It is known the Haiyt Empire simply ceased as a result of the Time Masters vanishing from Īa.
Seethe
One of the Elemental Master species, the Seethe are also known as the Wind Masters. The founders of the now fallen Petal Empire, they are effectively immortal, though they can die via sickness and violence. As Seethe mature, they undergo a physiological change where their bones thin and they grow wings. Seethe elders are capable of flight. The Seethe live and travel in extended family units known as troupes. They can be found in many cities across South-Eastern Īa, though most dwell in the floating Sky Realms, which drift around the world, propelled by the winds.
Tau-se
The lion-folk of the Taumarq, originally made in the Torque Spindles by blending Humans and lions. They are collected into a tribe-based patriarchy, though it is the women who run businesses and households. The Tau-se are sought after as mercenaries, but they will only serve an employer they respect.
Y’arrow-te-yi
A reclusive species reputed to be descended from earth elementals.
So many people are involved behind the scenes of a novel, every one of them enthusiastic about the project and supportive of it. And stories are such subjective things: one person’s passion is another person’s poison…
To the usual suspects of my family and friends, for the patience, the laughs, and the care.
To my agent, John Jarrold, who has been a constant source of wisdom, advice, and support. A writer could not hope for a better agent.
To David Pomerico and the 47North Author Team, for the duty of care and the guidance, where no question was ever too much trouble, and every answer was cheerfully given. You made what could have been an arduous journey feel surprisingly smooth. Thanks also for the tremendous effort in your promotion and marketing of The Garden of Stones, and The Obsidian Heart.
To Stephan Martiniere for such wonderful artwork on both The Garden of Stones and The Obsidian Heart.
To my copy editor, Wenonah Hoye, for your attention to detail, and thoughtful suggestions.
Thanks to all of you. Any success I have is shared by you.
Mark Barnes was born in September, 1966, in Sydney, Australia. Raised and educated in Sydney, he was a champion swimmer who also played water polo, soccer, cricket, and volleyball. Drawn to the arts at a young age, he wrote his first short story at age seven, and was active in drawing, painting, and music as well.
His career stuttered in finance, slid into advertising, then leaped into information technology, where he continues to manage a freelance organizational change consultancy. It was not until January, 2005, when Mark was selected to attend the Clarion South residential short story workshop, that he began to write with a view to making it more than a hobby. Since Clarion South 2005, Mark has published a small number of short stories, worked as a freelance script editor, and done creative consultancy for a television series. The Obsidian Heart is Book Two in the Echoes of Empire series, which began with his first novel, The Garden of Stones.
ALSO BY MARK T. BARNES
The Echoes of Empire series
Book One: The Garden of Stones
The Obsidian Heart Page 49