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Harbinger of Doom (An Epic Fantasy Novel) (Harbinger of Doom Volumes 1 and 2)

Page 31

by Thater, Glenn

“And we cannot disobey,” said Arioch. “He is the Lord: all good, all holy—omniscient, omnipotent, and eternal. We are but men.”

  “He is mad,” said Thetan.

  They were silent for some moments before Gabriel spoke. “I agree,” he said. “The Lord has gone mad. He does evil and calls it good.”

  “But his plan—” said Arioch.

  “Is the road to ruin,” said Thetan. “I will not murder innocent babes; not for him; not for anyone. To hell with his plan.”

  “To hell with us, if we stand against him,” said Mithron.

  “So be it,” said Thetan. “We've stood by and allowed this madness to continue for far too long already. Each time we carried out his punishments, we thought we were doing the right thing, but we were not. In my heart, I knew that. There is blood on my hands that will never wash clean. It ends here, tonight. Never again will I do his bidding. Though it will surely mean my death, I will move against him on the morrow. Are you with me?”

  “I am,” said Gabriel. “I can't believe that it has come to this. But yes, I will stand with you, brother.”

  “As will I,” said Mithron.

  “Arioch?” said Thetan.

  “I'm with you,” said Arioch. “Though I fear that you are the harbinger of our doom.”

  GLOSSARY FOR THE FALLEN ANGLE

  PLACES

  The Realms

  Asgard: legendary home of the gods

  —Bifrost: mystical bridge between Asgard and Midgaard

  Midgaard: the world of man

  —Lomion: a great kingdom of Midgaard

  Nether Realms: realms of demons and devils

  Nine Worlds, The: the nine worlds of creation

  Nifleheim: the realm of the Chaos Lords / Lords of Nifleheim; the very hell of myth and legend

  Vaeden: paradise, lost

  Valhalla: a realm of the gods where warriors go after death

  Places Within The Kingdom Of Lomion

  Dor Eotrus: fortress and lands ruled by House Eotrus, north of Lomion City

  —Odinhome, The: temple to Odin located in Dor Eotrus

  —Outer Dor, The: the town surrounding the fortress of Dor Eotrus. Also used generically as the name for any town surrounding a fortress.

  —Riker's Crossroads: village at the southern border of Eotrus lands

  —Vermion Forest: foreboding wood west of Dor Eotrus

  —Guymaog, Temple of: ruined temple located in the Vermion Forest.

  Dor Lomion: fortress within Lomion City, ruled by House Harringgold

  Dor Malvegil: fortress and lands ruled by House Malvegil, southeast of Lomion City on the west bank of the Grand Hudsar River

  Doriath Forest: a large forested area south of Eotrus lands

  Dover, City of: large city at Lomion's southeastern border

  Dyvers: Lomerian city known for its quality metalworking

  Kern, City of: a major Lomerian city east of Dor Eotrus.

  Lomion City (aka Lomion): capital city of the Kingdom of Lomion

  —Tammanian Hall: high seat of government in Lomion; home of the High Council and the Council of Lords

  —Tower of the Arcane: high seat of wizardom; in Lomion City

  —The Heights: seedy section of Lomion City

  —Southeast: dangerous section of Lomion City

  Tarrows Hold: known for dwarves

  Parts Foreign

  Bourntown

  Dead Fens, The: mix of fen, bog, and swampland on the east bank of the Hudsar River, south of Dor Malvegil

  Ferd: far-off city known for its fine goods

  Karthune Gorge: site of a famed battle involving the Eotrus

  Kronar Mountains: foreboding mountain range that marks the northern border of the Kingdom of Lomion.

  Lent

  Minoc-by-the-Sea: coastal city

  R’lyeh: a bastion for evil creatures; Sir Gabriel and Theta fought a great battle there in times past.

  Saridden, City of

  PEOPLE

  Peoples

  Dwarves, elves, gnomes, lugron, smallfolk, svarts

  Volsungs: generic term for the primary people/tribes populating the Kingdom of Lomion.

  Orders of Knighthood

  Caradonians; Tyrians; Odions; Myrdonians

  High Council of Lomion

  Selrach Rothtonn Tenzivel III: His Royal Majesty: King of Lomion

  Aldros, Lord: Councilor

  Aramere, Lady: Councilor representing the City of Dyvers

  Balfor, Field Marshal: Councilor representing the Lomerian armed forces; Commander of the Lomerian army

  Barusa of Alder, Lord: Chancellor of Lomion

  Cartagian Tenzivel, Prince: Selrach's son, insane; Councilor representing the Royal House.

  Dahlia, Lady: Councilor representing the City of Kern

  Glenfinnen, Lord: Councilor representing the City of Dover

  Harper Harringgold, Lord: Councilor representing Lomion City; Archduke of Lomion City

  Jhensezil, Lord: Councilor representing the Churchmen; Preceptor of the Odion Knights

  Morfin, Baron: Councilor (reportedly dead)

  Slyman, Guildmaster: Councilor representing the guilds; Master of Guilds

  Tobin Carthigast, Bishop: Councilor representing the Churchmen

  Vizier, The (Grandmaster Rabrack Philistine): The Royal Wizard; Grandmaster and Councilor representing the Tower of the Arcane

  House Alder (Pronounced All-der)

  A leading, noble family of Lomion City. Their principal manor house is located within the city’s borders. Longtime rivals of the Eotrus.

  Barusa Alder, Lord: Chancellor of the Kingdom of Lomion.

  Edwin Alder: nephew of Barusa

  House Eotrus (pronounced Eee-oh-tro`-sss). The Eotrus rule the fortress of Dor Eotrus, the Outer Dor (a town outside the fortress walls) and the surrounding lands for many leagues. Lord Eotrus is a vassal to the king of Lomion.

  Aradon Eotrus, Lord: Patriarch of the House (presumed dead)

  Adolphus: a servant

  August Eotrus, Lord: ancestor of Aradon (deceased)

  Claradon Eotrus, Brother: (Clara-don) eldest son of Aradon, Caradonian Knight

  Donnelin, Brother: House Cleric for the Eotrus (presumed dead)

  Ector Eotrus, Sir: third son of Aradon

  Eleanor Malvegil Eotrus, Lady: wife of Aradon (deceased)

  Gabriel Garn, Sir: House Weapons Master (presumed dead, body possessed by Korrgonn)

  Humphrey (Humph): Claradon's manservant

  Jude Eotrus, Sir: second son of Aradon

  Knights & Soldiers of the House: Sergeant Artol, Sir Paldor (Sir Gabriel’s squire), Sir Glimador Malvegil, Sir Indigo; Captain Marzdan (watch captain of the gate); Sir Bilson; Baret; Gorned (a House guard); Sir Sarbek; Sir Bareddal of Hanok Keep; Sir Miden of Forndin Manor; Sir Worten; Sir Erendin of Forndin Manor; Sir Talbot of Forndin Manor; Sir Dalken; Sir Glimron;

  Malcolm Eotrus: fourth son of Aradon

  Ob A. Faz III: (Ahb A. Fahzz) Castellan and Master Scout of Dor Eotrus, a gnome

  Sirear Eotrus, Lady: daughter of August Eotrus (deceased)

  Stern of Doriath: Master Ranger for House Eotrus. (presumed dead)

  Talbon, Par, of Montrose: House Wizard for the Eotrus (deceased). Son of Par Mardack

  Tanch Trinagal, Par: (Trin-ah-ghaal) of the Blue Tower; Son of Sinch;

  House Harringgold

  Harper Harringgold, Lord: Archduke of Lomion City; patriarch of the House; Lord of Dor Lomion

  Grim Fischer: agent of Harper, a gnome

  Marissa Harringgold: daughter of Harper; former lover interest of Claradon Eotrus

  Seran Harringgold, Sir: nephew of Harper

  House Malvegil

  Torbin Malvegil, Lord: Patriarch of the House; Lord of Dor Malvegil.

  Landolyn, Lady: of House Adonael; Torbin's consort. Of part elven blood.

  Eleanor Malvegil Eotrus: (deceased) wife of Aradon Eotrus; sister of Torbin Malvegil.

  Glimador Mal
vegil, Sir: son of Torbin, working in the service of House Eotrus.

  House Tenzivel (the Royal House)

  King Selrach Rothtonn Tenzivel III: His Royal Majesty: King of Lomion

  Cartagian Tenzivel, Prince: Selrach's son, insane.

  Other Noble Houses of Lomion

  House Tavermain

  House Grondeer

  House Dantrel

  House Forndin

  A minor House loyal to and located within Eotrus lands. Their major holding is known as Forndin Manor.

  Alana Forndin, Lady: matriarch of the House

  Sir Erendin of Forndin Manor: eldest son of the House (deceased)

  Sir Miden of Forndin Manor: younger brother of Erendin (deceased)

  Sir Talbot of Forndin Manor: younger brother of Erendin (deceased)

  House Hanok

  A minor House loyal to and located within Eotrus lands. Their major holding is known as Hanok Keep.

  Sir Bareddal of Hanok Keep: in service to the Eotrus

  The gods (the Aesir)

  Odin (the “all-father”); Thor, Heimdall; Tyr; Frig; Frey; Freya; Balder, Sif;

  The Lords of Nifleheim

  Azathoth: god worshipped by the Lords of Nifleheim and The Shadow League. His followers call him the “one true god”.

  Arioch

  Bhaal

  Hecate

  Mortach (aka Mikel)

  Korrgonn, Lord Gallis: son of Azathoth

  —Reskalan: demonic foot soldiers in service to the Lords of Nifleheim

  —Zymog: a reskalan

  Others Of Note

  Angle Theta, Lord: (Thay`-tah) (aka Thetan) knight-errant and nobleman from a far-off land across the sea.

  Arkon: a leader/general in service to certain gods and religious organizations.

  Black Hand, The: feared guild of assassins.

  Brondel, Sire: father of Sir Paldor of Dor Eotrus

  Caradonian Knights: priestly order of knights

  Dark Sendarth: famed assassin in league with House Harringgold.

  Dolan Silk: (Doe`-lin) Theta's manservant

  Harbinger of Doom, The: legendary, perhaps mythical being that led a rebellion against Azathoth

  Hedge Wizard: a wizard specializing in potions and herbalism, and/or minor magics

  Jaros, the Blood Lord: foe of Sir Gabriel Garn

  Krisona, Demon-Queen: foe of Sir Gabriel Garn

  Mardack, Par, of Montrose: father of Par Talbon. A renowned wizard

  McDuff the Mighty: a dwarf of many talents.

  Myrdonians: royal Lomerian Knights

  Pipkorn: (aka Rascatlan) former Grand Master of the Tower of the Arcane. A wizard.

  Shadow League, The (aka The League of Shadows; aka The League of Light): alliance of individuals and groups collectively seeking to bring about the return of Azathoth to Midgaard

  Sluug, Sir (Lord) Samwise: Preceptor of the Rangers Guild; Master of Doriath Hall

  Throng-Baz : an ancient people that used runic script

  Valas Tearn: an assassin said to have slain a thousand men; foe of Sir Gabriel Garn

  Valkyries: sword maidens of the gods. They choose worthy heroes slain in battle and conduct them to Valhalla.

  Vanyar Elves: legendary elven people

  Volsungs: alternate word for men/humans

  Wizard (aka Mage, Sorcerer, etc.): practitioners of magic

  Bestiary

  Barrow Wight:

  Reskalan: demonic foot soldiers in service to the Lords of Nifleheim

  Tranteers: the lithe, speedy horses bred in Dover

  Trolls: legendary bogeymen from the mountains

  Wyrms or Fire Wyrms: dragon-like creatures

  THINGS

  Miscellany

  Asgardian Daggers: legendary weapons created in the first age of Midgaard. They can harm creatures of Nifleheim.

  Book of the Nobility: treatise containing the traditional Lomerian laws with respect to the nobility.

  Chapterhouse: base/manor/fortress of a knightly order

  Dargus Dal: Sir Gabriel's Asgardian dagger

  Dor: a generic Lomerian word meaning “fortress”.

  Dyvers Blades: finely crafted steel swords

  Mages and Monsters: a popular, tactical war game that uses miniatures

  Magus Mysterious: olden language of sorcery

  Militus Mysterious: olden language of sorcery used by certain orders of knights

  Ragnarok: prophesied battle between the Aesir and the Nifleites.

  Squad: a unit of soldiers typically composed of 15 men; can refer to any small group of soldiers

  Squadron: a unit of soldiers typically composed of two squads of approximately 15 men each.

  Weave of Magic; aka the Magical Weave: the source of magic

  Worfin Dal: “Lord's Dagger,” Claradon's Asgardian dagger

  Yggdrasill: sacred tree that supports and/or connects the Nine Worlds

  Combat Maneuvers, Techniques, and Styles

  Dyvers’ thrusting maneuvers

  Dwarvish overhand strikes

  cernian technique

  Sarnack maneuvers

  Lengian cut and thrust style

  Valusian thrust

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  For more than twenty-five years, Glenn G. Thater has written works of fiction and historical fiction that focus on the genres of epic fantasy and sword and sorcery. His published works of fiction include the first four volumes of the Harbinger of Doom saga: Gateway to Nifleheim, The Fallen Angle, Knight Eternal, and Dwellers of the Deep; the novella, The Gateway; and the novelette, The Hero and the Fiend.

  Mr. Thater holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics with concentrations in Astronomy and Religious Studies, and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, specializing in Structural Engineering. He has undertaken advanced graduate study in Classical Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Astrophysics, and is a practicing licensed professional engineer specializing in the multidisciplinary alteration and remediation of buildings, and the forensic investigation of building failures and other disasters.

  Mr. Thater has investigated failures and collapses of numerous structures around the United States and internationally. Since 1998, he has served on the American Society of Civil Engineers' Technical Council on Forensic Engineering (TCFE), is a member of that Council’s Executive Committee, and is the past Chairman of TCFE's Committee on Practices to Reduce Failures. Mr. Thater is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and has testified as an expert witness in the field of structural engineering before the Supreme Court of the State of New York.

  Mr. Thater is an author of numerous scientific papers, magazine articles, engineering textbook chapters, and countless engineering reports. He has lectured across the United States and internationally on such topics as the World Trade Center collapses, bridge collapses, and on the construction and analysis of the dome of the United States Capitol in Washington D.C.

  CONNECT WITH ME ONLINE

  My Website:

  http://www.glenngthater.com

  My Twitter Page:

  http://twitter.com/GlennGThater

  BOOKS BY GLENN G. THATER

  THE HARBINGER OF DOOM SAGA

  GATEWAY TO NIFLEHEIM

  THE FALLEN ANGLE

  KNIGHT ETERNAL

  DWELLERS OF THE DEEP

  VOLUME 5+ forthcoming

  THE HERO AND THE FIEND

  (A novelette set in the Harbinger of Doom universe)

  THE GATEWAY

  (A novella length version of Gateway to Nifleheim)

  HARBINGER OF DOOM

  (Combines Gateway to Nifleheim and The Fallen Angle into a single volume)

 

 

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