by Tom Toner
Eoziel XI King of the Lacaille
Eranthis Melius, Seventhling, sister of Pentas
Esos Bult, mercenary
Fallopia Melius, King Lyonothamnus’s mother
Fanesho Unborn daughter of Wilemo Maril (deceased)
FilagoFlorian Von Schiller Melius, Firstling, Lord Protector of the First; son of ZigadenusPerennial Amaranthine, Cancriite, next in line for the Firmamental Throne
Furto Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Geniostemon Melius, FirstLord General, half brother to the ancient King Convolvulus and ancestor of the Berenzargols (deceased)
Geum Melius, chronicler
Ghaldezuel Es-Mejor Lacaille, Knight of the Stars
Gramps Aged Bie, residing on the water moon of Coriopil
Guirm Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Harald Hundred Vilified Perennial Amaranthine, responsible for the murder of a hundred or more Amaranthine
Huerepo Morimiel Vuisse Vulgar, conscript
Hugo Hassan Maneker Perennial Amaranthine
Iblo Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Ignioz Lacaille, ancient hero of the Prism Campaigns (deceased)
Impatiens Melius, Tenthling, friend of Lycaste (deceased)
Imsi Unborn daughter of Wilemo Maril (deceased)
Iro Perennial Amaranthine, sister to Sotiris (deceased)
Izar Bult, mercenary
Jacob the Bold Firmamental Emperor during the Age of Decadence (deceased)
James Fitzroy Sabran Jatropha Perennial Amaranthine, the Most Venerable, Emperor of the FirmamentPerennial Amaranthine known throughout the Provinces, disconnected from events in the Firmament
Jospor Vulgar, Captain Maril’s friend and master-at-arms
Liatris of Albina Melius, authoress from the Westerly Provinces
Lycaste Cruenta Melius Melius, the Beauty of the Tenth
Lyonothamnus I Melius, Firstling, former ruler of the Provinces (deceased)
Lyonothamnus II Melius, Firstling, boy-king of the Provinces
Magwitch Zelio-Ringum, bandit
Mawlbert of Cancri Honoured Pifoon, living in splendour on Cancri’s surface
Mumpher Wulm, bandit
Nerida Perennial Amaranthine, Satrap of Alpho
Onosma Lycaste’s alias, character from a strip serial
Ophiopogon I Melius, ancient Firstling ruler and founder of the Enlightenment (deceased)
Osgol Unborn son of Wilemo Maril (deceased)
Osserine Sussh Mammalian inhabitant and traveller of the Hedron Stars
Palustris Pauncefoot Giant Jalan, commander of the Nostrum Fleet Firmamental Melius, in the employ of the Amaranthine
Pentas Melius, sister of Eranthis; from the Seventh Province
Perception Amaranthine-built AI, now dismantled
Poltor Vulgar, Huerepo’s cousin
Ribio Vulgar-Wulm pilot
Samuel Downfield Perennial Amaranthine, Satrap of Wise
Sarsappus Ruler of the Third Great Domain, Triangulum
Satrap Cirillo Vincenti Perennial Amaranthine, Satrap of Proximo
Slupe Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Smallbone Pifoon, apprentice cook aboard the Epsilon India
Sotiris Gianakos Perennial Amaranthine, brother of Iro
Suartho Vulgar, owner of the Mendellion Mines
Timose Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Trang Hui Neng Perennial Amaranthine, third in line to the Firmamental Throne
Tribulus Melius, Secondling general
Tzolz Hardened Prism warrior in the employ of Ghaldezuel
Veril Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Vibor Lacaille, informant in the employ of Ghaldezuel
Vyazemsky Perennial Amaranthine
Weepert Pifoon, cook aboard the Epsilon India
Yurbs Vulgar, crewmember of the Wilemo Maril
Zigadenus Melius, Firstling, FirstLord Protector, father of Filago (deceased)
SPECIES/BREEDS
Amaranthine Immortal humans, many thousands of years old
Awger Melius/animal crossbreed reviled in the Provinces
Bie Remnants of the Epir, evolved beyond all recognition, living on the water moon of Coriopil
Bult Cannibalistic Prism breed feared throughout the Investiture
Cursed People Speaking animals, often of lowly status and—unlike the Melius—subject to disease
Demian Man Cursed-person of a higher social standing, usually of independent means
Epir Ancient dinosaurian inhabitants of the Old World
Epir spirits Indelible machine souls left over from the age of the Epir, bound to the iron cores of unhollowed planets and moons
Firstlings Melius people of the First Province
Gheal Breed of Prism native to the Old World
Honoured Prism Wealthy Prism who live on the surfaces of Vaulted Lands
Jalan Giant breed of Melius, from the eastern counties of the Oyal-Threheng
Jurlumticular Throng Large Prism breed responsible for the Volirian Conflict, considered extinct
Lacaille Poor Prism breed at war with the Vulgar
Melius Giant person of the Old World
Oxel Tiny Prism breed
Perennials Amaranthine of advanced age
Pifoon Wealthy Prism breed favoured by the Amaranthine
Pre-Perennial Junior Amaranthine
Prism Cluster of hominid breeds descended from Homo sapiens
Quetterel Secretive, antisocial Prism breed
Ringum Prism cross-breed
Secondlings Melius people of the Second Province
Skylings Melius name for the Prism
Tenthlings Melius people of the Tenth Province
Threen Nocturnal Prism breed
Vulgar Prism breed at war with the Lacaille
Wulm Long-eared, stocky Prism breed
Zelioceti Secretive Prism breed
Zeltabra Beast of burden and transport, Old World
PLACES
Airal Tethered moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Amaranthine Utopia Garden on the Old World dedicated to the preservation of the Insane
AntiZelio-Coriopil Water moon of Zeliolopos, Prism Investiture
AntiZelio-Formis Largest moon of Zeliomoltus, Prism Investiture
AntiZelio-Glumatis Volcanic moon of Zeliolopos, Prism Investiture
AntiZelio-Slaathis Wooded moon of Zeliolopos, Prism Investiture
Aquarii Satrapy nearest to Virginis, Amaranthine Firmament
Astririon-Salay Port on the Clawed Sea, Proximo Carolus, Amaranthine Firmament
Atholcualan Lacaille city on Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Baln Lacaille city, Harp-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Blessing Planet mostly inhabited by the Vulgar, Prism Investiture
Burrow Lumm Pifoon-owned parent planet of Port Halstrom and Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Cancri Sotiris’s home Satrapy, Amaranthine Firmament
Cractitules Mountain range on Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Desiduum Free moon of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Dozo Township in Harp Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Drolgins Large moon orbiting Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Elebastial Tethered moon of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Epsilon Eridani Vaulted Land, parent world of Port Maelstrom, Amaranthine Firmament
Epsilon India Vaulted Land, Amaranthine Firmament
Eriemouth Moon at the edge of the Prism Investiture
Fielem’s Land Planet of Vaulted Sirius, Amaranthine Firmament
Filgurbirund Only planet belonging to the Vulgar, Prism Investiture
Firmament The Amaranthine realm, eleven light-years wide, comprised of 23 Solar Satrapies
Firmament’s End Realm at the edge of the Firmament, ringed by the Gulf of Cancri
First Province Ruling Province, Old World
Foundries of the Interior En
ormous foundries on the inner surface of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Gimble Free moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Girdis Mountains Mountain range on the Tethered moon of Port Maelstrom
Gliese Vaulted Land, capital of the Firmament
Great Solob Free moon of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Greenmoon The Old World’s single moon, known by the Amaranthine as Yanenko’s Land
Gulf of Cancri Border between the Firmament and the beginning of the Prism Investiture
Gurl Town on Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Harp-Zalnir Lacaille moon, Prism Investiture
Hauberth Under Shiel City on Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Humaling Star in the outer reaches of the Prism Investiture
Hume’s Land Planet of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Indak-Australis Star in the outer reaches of the Prism Investiture, its planets and moons engulfed in war
Ingolland An island in the Westerly Provinces, Old World
Inner Second Affluent lands in the Second Province,Old World
Inner Epsilon India Vaulted Land near Gliese (interior), Amaranthine Firmament
Inner Virginis Vaulted Land (interior), Amaranthine Firmament
Investiture Large volume of wild space beyond the Firmament, given to the Prism by the Amaranthine on the condition of loyalty
Izmirean Port of the Tenth Province, Old World
Jothem Tethered moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Julem’s Land Planet of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Kapteyn’s Star Star in the Prism Investiture, orbited by the Threen worlds of Port Cys and its moon, Obviado
Kawl Tethered moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Kifer Tethered moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Kipris Isle Island in the Nostrum Sea, Lycaste’s birthplace, Old World
Magior Tethered moon of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Mars-Gaol The Old World’s neighbouring planet, a blasted wasteland
Mendellion Mines Mines beneath Praztatl, Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Mersin Port in the Tenth Province, Old World
Mostar Citadel on the border of the Westerly Provinces, Old World
Never-Never Realm bordering the edge of the Prism Investiture
Nilmuth Citadel in the country of Vrachtmunt, Drolgins, Prism Investiture
Ninth Prism Realm Central band of the Investiture, owned mostly by the Threen; location of Kapteyn’s Star
Nirlume Moon of Blessing, neighbouring Stole-Havish, Prism Investiture
Old Satrapy/Satrapy of Sol Satrapy containing the Old World and its accompanying planets
Old World Lycaste’s ancient home, chief planet in the Satrapy of Sol and sacred centre of the Firmament
Ophos Tethered moon of Gliese, Prism Investiture
Osserine Hedron Star Snowflake-shaped world at the very edge of the galaxy
Outer Procyon Second of three uninhabited planets in the Seventeenth Solar Satrapy of Procyon, Amaranthine Firmament
Outer Wolf One of the Firmamental Emperor’s private planets, Amaranthine Firmament
Out Whoop The edge of known space, Prism Investiture
Pan Land in the Westerly Provinces
Pauros Free moon of Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Phittsh Port on Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Port Cys Port Obviado’s parent planet, Prism Investiture
Port Echo Moon at the edge of the Prism Investiture
Port Elsbet The Fourth Solar Satrapy (formerly Barnard’s Star), Amaranthine Firmament
Port Halstrom Lacaille moon, Prism Investiture
Port Obscura Threen moon, Prism Investiture
Port Obviado Former Amaranthine world now locked in darkness; Threen moon, Prism Investiture
Port Olpoth Vulgar moon, Prism Investiture
Port Palestrina Tethered moon of Vaulted Sirius, Amaranthine Firmament
Port Rubante Tethered moon of Vaulted Sirius, Amaranthine Firmament
Proximo Carolus Closest Satrapy to the Old World, Amaranthine Firmament
Pruth-Zalnir Lacaille moon, Prism Investiture
Sarine City Capital city of the First Province, Old World
Saturn-Regis Planet in the Satrapy of Sol, Amaranthine Firmament
Sea Hall of Gliese Palace in the Firmamental capital, Gliese, Amaranthine Firmament
Sea of Winth Inland sea on the Vulgar moon of Nirlume, Prism Investiture
Sepulchre Ancient Amaranthine treasure horde beneath the Girdis Mountains of Port Maelstrom
Stathe Free moon of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Steerilden’s Land Fourth planet in the Solar Satrapy of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Stole-Havish Vulgar moon, Prism Investiture
Tail Land in the Westerly Provinces
Tau Ceti; the last harbour Formerly the Twenty-Fourth Solar Satrapy; fourteen planets, Prism Investiture
Tenth Province Southern Province of the Old World, bordering the Nostrum Sea
Thrasm Ancient prison on the Tethered moon of Port Maelstrom
Untmouth Vulgar harbour city, Drolgins, Prism Investiture
Van-Bergen’s Land Planet of Port Elsbet, Amaranthine Firmament
Vaulted Alpho Vaulted Land, Amaranthine Firmament
Vaulted Ectries Vaulted Land, Amaranthine Firmament
Vaulted Sirius Vaulted Land, Amaranthine Firmament
Vaulted Wise Vaulted Land, Amaranthine Firmament
Vrachtmunt Vulgar country in the southern hemisphere of Drolgins, Prism Investiture
Westerly Provinces Wild, internally governed Provinces west of the First and Second, Old World
Wiehlish Town on Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Woenmouth Moon at the edge of the Prism Investiture
Yanenko’s Land The Old World’s single moon
Yire Island in the Westerly Provinces, OldWorld
Zadar Citadel on the border of the Westerly Provinces, Old World
Zeliolopos Largest of Tau Ceti’s gas giant planets, Prism Investiture
Zeliomandranus Second largest of Tau Ceti’s rock worlds, Prism Investiture
Zeliomoltus One of Tau Ceti’s gas giant planets, Prism Investiture
Zuo City on Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
SHIPS
Balnazo Lacaille Colossus battleship
Bunk Barge Huge travelling sleeper vessel, pan-Prism ownership
Corbita Jatropha’s Wheelhouse
Epsilon India Pifoon Voidship
Grand-Tile Lacaille Colossus battleship
Hasziom Lacaille Man-o’-War
Nomad Lacaille tetraluminal Voidship
Pride of the Sprittno Lacaille Voidship, Nomad class
Wilemo Maril Vulgar privateer vessel
Yustafan Lacaille Colossus battleship
Zlanort Lacaille Colossus battleship
GENERAL GLOSSARY
Age of Decadence (AD 9000—AD 10,550) period of Amaranthine prosperity and technological innovation
Andolp’s Light-Trap The Shell; the Soul Engine
Artery Causeway extending through the Provinces of the Old World
Atholcualan Star Locomotive train running between Zuo and Atholcualan, Pruth-Zalnir, Prism Investiture
Battle of Nilmuth The failed attempt to capture the Shell at the Fortress of Nilmuth, as seen at the beginning of The Promise of the Child
Bilocate/Bilocation Amaranthine teleportation, made possible through the alignment of iron particles in their blood
Bloodfruit Meaty foodstuff, grown
Cancriites Inhabitants of Cancri
Corbita Jatropha’s Wheelhouse
Deepslides Prism equivalent of crude, long-exposure photography
Dorielziath Epic tale written in historic Threheng times, still a popular piece of Old World literature
Ducats Currency of the Firmament
Eastern legions, th
e Elatine’s legions, part of the Oyal-Threheng
Elderly Fistatussis Sun at the very edge of the galaxy
Eldest, the His Most Venerable Self, Emperor of the Amaranthine
Firmamental Edicts Laws of the Firmament
Firmamental Satrap Amaranthine governor of a Solar Satrapy
First Court Court of King Lyonothamnus II, His Enlightenment
Frush River on Filgurbirund, Prism Investiture
Growth-stone Mouldable stone substance
High Second Elitist and complicated Secondling language
House of Berenzargol Wealthy Secondling family
Inception The development of immortality in the distant past
Jalanbulon Jalan regiment
Knights of the Stars, the Law of Succession Order of Lacaille knights Amaranthine ritual whereby the oldest living Amaranthine claims the throne
Light Charger Heavy laser mounted on the Epsilon India’s nose
Limewine Prism alcohol
Low Oxel Prism language, composed of whistles
Low Second Melius language
Lumen rifle/pistol Expensive and relatively rare Prism weapon, fires lasers
Lug-train Long, wheeled vehicle used on AntiZelio-Glumatis
Lyonothamnine Enlightenment of the First Regime of the boy-king Lyonothamnus II
Micro-mines Collections of shrapnel discharged by Prism ships
Moonkings Regional rulers in the Prism Investiture
Op-Ful-Lacaille Lacaille infantry
Optilocket Prism equivalent of a crude chemical camera
Organ Sun Artificial sun within a Vaulted Land
Orifice sea Thin area in the crust of a Vaulted Land, bored for structural support and to allow access; often filled with water
Perennial Parliament Assemblage of Perennial Amaranthine
Perinnieds Ancient Hioman Empire, pre-dating the Amaranthine
Plenipotentiary Wandering lawman and census-taker, Old World
Prism Campaign 200-year war between the Prism and the Amaranthine; ended with the formation of the Prism Investiture and the defeat of the Lacaille
Quarter Basic Melius unit of time, equivalent to three hours
Ring book Book of metal plates popular in the Provinces
Rolling fortress Enormous moving castles built by the Prism
Satrapies Provinces of the Firmament
Shamefashion The habit of wearing clothing in Melius society
Shameplague Sexually transmitted disease of the Old World, eventually fatal
Shell, the The Soul Engine
Shigella poison Concentrated bacteria, often applied to the tips of Prism bullets