The Barrow
Page 63
WHITE ELIXIR—one of the three magical elixirs produced by alchemy. A white liquid or powder that can be used to heal, create magic mirrors, turn base metals into silver, or impart the gift of languages or Second Sight.
WINTER CENTURY, the—period of over 100 years following the Catastrophe, during which the world saw a period of cold and darkness, and Hathhalla ruled as the Sun’s Veil. The hunt for the Worm Kings is most intense during this period. Ends with the death of Githwaine.
WORM KINGS, the—common name for the kings and generals of the Imperial Court of the Thessid-Gola Empire who became twisted by foul magics after the disappearance of Dauban Hess. To retain their appointed thrones, they embraced bloodthirsty rituals that extended their lives at the price of their humanity and the corruption and decay of their bodies. The Oracle Queens cursed them in revenge for the sack of Khael, and after the Catastrophe befell them, they were hunted to extinction by the last of the Dragon Kings.
WYVERN KING, the—brutal ruler of the Manon Mole during the Age of Legends, avowed enemy of the Spring Queens. Defanged by the Spring Queen Ymaire.
YHERA—Queen of Heaven, Goddess of Night, Queen of the Waters, one of the goddesses of the Moon, and often worshipped as the Creatrix, the divine origin of all that is. She is the goddess of language, sovereignty, rulership, wealth, wisdom, love, fertility, protection, and war. Also known as Yhera Cosmopeiia, Yhera Luna, Yhera Chthonia, Yhera Anath, Yhera Fortuna, and Yhera Invictus, amongst other epithets.
For some years I wrote and illustrated a fantasy comic called Artesia. With my various duties at the graphic novel publishing company (and now BOOM! Studios imprint) Archaia increasingly taking me away from my drawing tables, finding the time to actually finish what I had started became increasingly difficult. With comics, the drawing and painting is the time-consuming part (at least for me), so after a while I turned to the idea of writing (without the art) as a way to continue working with the world and characters of the Artesia graphic novels. Years ago I had worked on a “prequel” screenplay to Artesia with my brother, John, and our mutual friend Hidetoshi Oneda, and that screenplay served as the basis for this book. To them I owe a great deal of thanks and no small portion of credit.
Familiarity with Artesia is not required, I hope, to enjoy The Barrow. Over the years a lot of people have contributed their support, enthusiasm, critiques, and comments to the Artesia comics and graphic novels or the Artesia roleplaying game, and to all of them I extend once more my thanks and gratitude, as well as my hope that they find this a worthy iteration of the characters and world with which they may already be familiar.
For either their general advice or specific comments on this manuscript, my thanks to Thomas Harlan, John Fultz, Mike Lee, and Myke Cole (and my apologies where I have occasionally ignored what I’ve been told). And many, many thanks to my editor, Lou Anders; to the fine folks at Pyr and Prometheus Books, including Catherine Roberts-Abel, Nicole Sommer-Lecht, Bruce Carle, Gabrielle Harbowy, Jade Zora Scibilia, Melissa Raé Shofner, Mary Read, Jill Maxick, and Lisa Michalski; and to Sam Weber and Gene Mollica.
Author photo by Monika Broz
Mark Smylie has worked as a writer, illustrator, editor, and publisher for over a decade. His epic military fantasy graphic novel series, Artesia, was first published by Sirius beginning in 1999. He was nominated for the Russ Manning Award for Best Newcomer that year, and for an Eisner Award for Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition in 2001. Over the years his illustrations have appeared in game books from Wizards of the Coast, White Wolf, and most recently Kobold Press, and in collectible card games from AEG. He designed and illustrated a role-playing game based on Artesia that won the Origins Award for Role-Playing Game of 2006 and three Indie RPG Awards; the game was also nominated for six ENnies. Mark founded Archaia Studios Press (ASP) in 2002 as a self-publishing home for his graphic novels, and the company, now an imprint at BOOM! Studios, has expanded over the years to publish a wide variety of American and European graphic novels, including award-winning titles such as Mouse Guard, The Killer, Return of the Dapper Men, and Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand. Mark still serves as the imprint’s chief creative officer. He lives in New Jersey, which he actually enjoys a great deal. Author Site: www.swordandbarrow.com