The Valdemar Companion

by John Helfers; Denise Little

  Firesong k’Treva

  Healing Adept, son of Starfall k’Treva, the descendant of Vanyel Ashkevron, and one of the most powerful Tayledras Mages ever. Intelligent, charismatic, confident, almost unbelievably handsome, vain, theatrical, highly Gifted in his craft. Firesong is a man and a Mage who loves an audience. In his youth, he created a new breed of bondbird from firebirds. With his bondbird Aya flaming above his head and riding a white Mage dyheli, he made quite an entrance when he was called to k’Sheyna Vale to help repair its damaged Heartstone. He trained Princess Herald-Mage Elspeth and helped Darkwind become an Adept. When Mornelithe attacked and An’desha freed, Firesong followed Mornelithe’s soul to the nether planes and ripped it apart, then burned the remains, thus destroying the reincarnation of Ma’ar forever. Later, as the Tayledras envoy to Valdemar, Firesong was central to the effort to stop the Mage-Storms. His face was permanently scarred when the sword Need exploded in his hands while directing the power from one of Urtho’s devices in the last battle to prevent a second Cataclysm. He used beautifully decorated masks to cover the damage to his face. He was one of Darian Firkin’s teachers. (Storm, Winds, Owl)

  Firesong k’Treva

  A Tayledras Gate guard in Vanyel’s time, she recognized Herald-Mage Savil when she arrived unannounced at k’Treva vale from Forst Reach seeking help for the wounded Vanyel. (LHM)

  Firestarters

  The Gift to start fires at will. It is one of the few Gifts that has little use to the Heraldic Circle except as an offensive weapon. Herald Lavan “Firestorm” Chitward had the strongest recorded Gift of firestarting in Valdemar’s history, and while it may have saved Valdemar, it certainly killed him. It is Herald Griffon’s Gift as well, and a burden to him because it is very easy for him to lose control of the fire. (Arrows, BB)

  Firestarter/Firestorm, Lavan

  See Chitward, Lavan

  Firestorm

  A Tayledras scout, his bondbird is Kreel. (Winds)

  Firkin, Daralie (Dar)

  Darians mother. Her husband’s trapping partner, she was caught with him when a Change-circle engulfed their camp in the forest outside Errold’s Grove and transported them far away to the northwest. (Owl)

  Firkin, Darian

  See Darian Firkin kVala k’Vaidemar

  Firkin, Kevin

  Kelsie’s twin and Darian’s younger brother, unknown to him until he finally found his parents in Raven Clan territory. (Owl)

  Firkin, Lelsie

  Darian’s little sister, and Kavin’s twin, she was the first to see Darian when he arrived in Raven Clan village. (Owl)

  Firkin, Kullen

  Darian’s father, he lost a foot when he and his wife Daralie were caught in a Change-circle and suddenly transported from the forest near Errold’s Grove to Raven territory far northwest of Valdemar, Daralie and he became welcome members of Raven tribe and made a new home with them. (Owl)

  Firkin, Ranie

  Darian’s youngest sister, born after his parents were transported from the forest near Errold’s Grove to Raven territory far northwest of Valdemar. (Owl)

  Firkin, Tel

  Darian’s youngest brother, age two, born after his parents were transported from the forest near Frold’s Grove to Raven territory far north west of Valdemar. (Owl)

  First Council of Elders

  A loosely organized organizational body among the Tayledras. (Owl)

  First Level Judgment

  A basic law course taught at the Collegium. Tuck Chester used what he learned in that course to allay Lavan’s concerns about his role in the bullies’ deaths. (BB)

  Firstwife

  The highest possible status for a female in the Holderkin culture. A firstwife supervises all other wives of a Holder male, and organizes the household and all its children. (Arrows)

  Fisherfolk

  The people who inhabit the shores of Lake Evendim and earn their living by harvesting its waters. The men hunt giant sturgeon with spear and harpoon, and use line and nets to harvest smaller freshwater fish. During the warm summer months, the women dive for sponges. The Fisherfolk are a tough bunch, who must routinely deal with natural threats such as disastrous weather, uncertain seas, freezing winters, and who also face unnatural threats like pirates and slave raiders. (Arrows)

  Fivepenny Street

  A broad street in Haven with a number of taverns and drinking establishments. An alley off this street gave access to the back door of the Griffin’s Egg, a tavern favored by the Unaffiliated students. After a prank in which the Blues flooded the third-year Bardlc students’ gathering place, the Bardic Trainees retaliated by starting a trash fire near Fivepenny Street to smoke out their tormentors. Eventually Dean Elcarth had to straighten out the resulting uproar. (Arrows)

  Fivetree

  One of the towns on the northern Circuit ridden by Herald Kris and Herald-Intern Talia. (Arrows)

  Flea-wort

  A kind of shelf-fungus which grows on fallen, winter-killed trees, harvested by Healers for medicinal uses. (Owl)

  Flecker

  One of Falconsbane’s underlings sent to gather information about Ancar. (Winds)

  Fledgling Healers

  The term for students at Healer’s Colleglum in Haven. They wear pale green robes. (Storm)

  Fletcher

  An elderly Hoiderkin landowner who married Talia’s sister Vrisa as one of his Underwives in an arranged match. (Arrows)

  Floating barges

  After the Cataclysm, the k’Leshya retained the knowledge to make these transport devices. The covered barges are made near weightless by magic independent of how much mass is heaped in them, and can hover with a height range from treetop level to a finger’s length off the ground. Though usually drawn by beasts, they can also be moved by magic. Having no intrinsic weight of their own, they make it possible to haul large cargos with virtually no strain to the beast pulling them. (Storm)

  Florian (Companion)

  An unattached Companion who worked with Karal, answering his questions about Valdemar., including the ones about the Companions. Eventually he became the young priest’s staunch friend and protector, willing to sacrifice himself to save Karal and all the lands and peoples threatened by the Mage-Storms. (Storm)

  Focus Stone

  A semi-precious or precious gemstone which helps a mage concentrate their energies best, and a secondary stone, which is less effective. A prime focus stone is required to set a Mage-Web, particularly when a Herald-Mage is Guardian. (LHM)

  Forbidden Places

  What the Northern barbarians called Change-circles. The Ghost Cat tribe’s shaman warned his Blood Bear Clan counterpart to shun such dangerous locations, but to no avail. (Owl)

  Forest of Sorrows

  A large forest on the far northern border of Valdemar, the Sorrows are said to protect the kingdom from invasion. Legend holds that with his dying breath Herald-Mage Vanyel cursed the forest, saying “nothing which intends evil to the realm or its people will live more than five minutes within the vast woods.” In fact, the spirits of Vanyel and Stefan and Yfandes took root in Sorrows and manifested to deal with any threat to Valdemar. After the Mage-Storm solution, Vanyel and his friends crossed into the Havens. They no longer protect the Forest of Sorrows. That job now falls to the Ghost Cat Clan. (Arrows, LHM, Storm, Winds)

  Forest of Wendwinter

  A vast wilderness far to the north of Valdemar. The Ice Wall Mountains and Crookback Pass lie beyond it. (LHM)

  Forest spirits

  A superstition that spirits stalk the people who wander into the Pelagiris Forest. In reality, the spirits are the Hawkbrothers, and the stalking is quite real. (Oath)

  Forestgyres

  Largest of the bondbirds other than eagles. (Winds)

  Formal Tack

  The tack a Companion wears at Court Parades and formal occasions. It consists of a light leather saddle dyed deep blue, tooled and worked with silver. The chest and rump bands are adorned with silver bells, as are
the hackamore’s reins. Formal tack is marked with the sigil of the Companion, a vowelless representation of the companion’s name. (LHM)

  For’shava

  A Shin’a’in word meaning “very, very good.” (Oath)

  Forst Reach

  The ancestral land of the Ashkevron Family. The Forst Reach Holdings lie almost directlywest of Haven, off Exile’s Road. Until the Baires-Lineas annexation, Forst Reach was on the border of territory claimed by Valdemar. (LHM, Oath, Sword, Winds)

  Fortellan

  The site of an Imperial Depot looted by Tremane. (Storm)

  Forten (Companion)

  Herald-Mage Mardic’s Companion. (LHM)

  Fortunea (Companion)

  Companion to Herald-Bard Jadus. Jadus was admitted to the Bardic Collegium in his youth. In his third year, something drew him to Companion’s Field. Fortunea Chose him and turned his life upside down. Though resentful at the time, he later confessed to Talia he wouldn’t have traded a moment of his subsequent life for the Laureate Bard’s coronet, and he owed it all to Fortunea. (Arrows)

  For’a’hier

  Shin’a’in name for the Firefalcon clan. The dying shaman found near Tarma and Kethry’s camp was from that clan, which was regarded as “different,” producing the most shamans among the various peoples, and even an occasional mage. (Oath)

  Fountain of Beer Inn

  The inn in Petras where Justin Twoblades and Kyra sought out their contact. (Oath)

  Free-lancers

  Sometimes termed “freeswords,” they’re fighters for hire and not affiliated with any Company. Cheaper because they haven’t posted bond with the Guild, they are also considered less reliable than bonded mercenaries. (Oath)

  Frelennye

  Herald Tylendel’s family surname. The Frelennyes engaged in a bitter feud with the Leshara Holding, one that threatened to drag the entire surrounding region into their conflict. (LHM)

  Froggy

  Sixth Form bullies’ nickname for a girl in Third Form at the Merchants’ School. (BB)

  Fromish

  A Jkathan town east of Lythecare, and Sir Skolte’s home. Tarma and Kethry safely delivered his new bride there, and hired on as guards for an outbound lewd merchants’ caravan. (Oath)

  Frostfire

  A reclusive Tayledras Adept. When he was burned in a fire, Starblade mistook the mysterious white-haired figure who rescued him as Frostfire. (Winds)

  Fry

  Cook Tel’s helper. Minstrel Renfry paid Fry to steal Vanyel’s pack and blanket from Bel, the abusive owner of the Inn of the Green Man. (LHM)

  Full-bond

  A complete mental melding of a Tayledras with her or his bondbird. If the human can’t come out of the full-bond, the human’s body will eventually die and his or her spirit will be completely absorbed into the bondbird, diminishing as a result. (Winds)

  Fyllia

  A Herald-trainee who hailed from Forby on Lake Evendim, a village at the end of Hollyton Road. (BB)

  Fyllis (Queen)

  The wife of King Theran and Queen of Valdemar during Lavan Firestorm’s time, her Gift was Empathy. She was the third daughter of the Duke of Brendan, located on Valdemar’s far southeastern border. Fyllis and Theran were both Chosen as heralds while he was still the Heir. It was a love match as well as being a very good political marriage. (BB)

  Gacher

  One of the young dyheli stags who volunteered for the dangerous expedition to the northwest. He was killed by a colddrake. (Owl)

  Gaerazena

  One of Hadanelith’s victims in White Gryphon. (Gryphon)

  Gala (Companion)

  Herald-trainee Tylendel Frelennye’s Companion. Gala provided the only known instance of a Companion repudiating her Chosen. She gave her life to amend a wrong Tylendel had committed in his madness after his twin brother Lord Staven Frelennye was murdered. (LHM)

  Gallen

  Headman of Covia, a western village under siege on the fringe of Tayledras territory in the Pelagirs. Gallen was rough-hewn, but a strong leader, he informed Starwind and the other Tayledras mages of the vicious encroachments of the Blood-Mage Krebain. (LHM)

  Gandels

  Pelageris Forest predators, they run in packs and can be influenced magically—Falconsbane often herded them into k’Treva’s territory to provide a distraction. (Winds)

  Garber (Commander)

  General Shaiknam’s second. Among those serving Urtho, both officers were poorly regarded, in particular for their unthinking and wasteful treatment of non-human combatants. (Gryphon)

  Garland of Death, The

  A litany, dating from from Urtho’s time, that all mages of k’Leshya including the gryphons were required to learn. It detailed an inventory and set of descriptions of the weapons hidden in Urtho’s Tower on Dhorisha Plains. (Storm)

  Garth

  One of Vanyel’s escort-guards on his exile’s journey to Haven. Tall and dark, Garth was a common swordsman. Employed by Lord Withen Ashkevron, Vanyel sarcastically referred to his escort as the shadow of “Sun and Shadow”. (LHM)

  Garth

  A Sunhawk scout, he was a dark, tiny man, an excellent tracker but a lousy archer, who rode a tall Shin’a’in gelding. He helped find a back way into the Jkathan rebels’ stronghold. (Oath)

  Gartheser (Lord)

  Royal Counselor who spoke for the North, and Lord Orthallen’s closest ally. Thin, nervous, and balding, he made a poor impression on Herald Talia at her first Council meeting, right after Elspeth’s Choosing. Talia read Gartheser’s feelings, picking up strong displeasure. She also felt a faint note of disappointment and wondered if that was because Gartheser had hoped his kinsman, not Elspeth, would be named Heir. Gartheser was Orthallen’s “yes man” on the Council. (Arrows)

  Garthhold

  Settlement area in the Pelagir Hills held by the Tayledras, who gave immigrant farmers permission to work the land. When a colddrake queen attacked the settlement and killed several people, the Tayledras sent help, including young Vanyel Ashkevron, who destroyed the beast. The courage of the farm folk in putting their lives back together after sudden tragedy gave Vanyel the insight that enabled him to become a good Herald. (LHM)

  Gate

  A magical means of instantaneous long-distance transportation. A Gate is erected by a spell that can only be cast by an Adept, and can only connect to a point the Adept knows thoroughly. Its fabric is spun from the Mage’s own energy resources. These are connected to the Gate by a scintillating cord of energy like spider silk. The energy comes to rest in a continuously shifting pattern laid over the Gate arch, spinning out and reaching into the Void where more spider threads seek the anchor at the other end, the destination in the mind of the Adept. The gate can be used by anyone or anything while it is open, but except in unusual circumstances, the Adept building the Gate must stand where the Gate originates and maintain the energy flow to hold the Gate open while others go through. (BV)

  Gate guards

  Tayledras sentinels armed with spears and bows and arrows. Not mages themselves, they are still sensitive to the signs of a Gate being activated in their territory, When Herald-Mage Savil came through a Gate from Forst Reach, Gate-guards were waiting for her. These Tayledras are clan members who, if they have a Mage-Gift, prefer not to use it. They serve as Healers, scouts, border-guards, and craftsmen, and guard the few places within the Vale’s shield that need both tangible and intangible protection. (LHM)

  Gate of Judgement

  It stands beyond the Pillars of Wisdom in the evocation of the death-curse against an Oathbreaker. (Oath)

  Gate-invocation

  The spelicasting of the selected portal’s right and left sides, its threshold, and its lintel, before the actual work of spell weaving the Gate can take place. It helps if the Gate-invocation is cast over an appropriate structure, like a door, archway, or gate. It is also easier if the portal is cast on sanctified ground like a temple, or the entrance to a temple. (LHM)

  Gate-spe
ll

  A spell that enables a mage to cross great distances instantly. It is the most personal of spells, and requires great power and great skill from the Mage who attempts it. Only one mage can build a particular Gate, because only one mind can direct the energy needed to a precise location. A mage may use energy from another person or persons in the creation of the Gate. The spell-wielder must have a firm and intimate knowledge of the location of where the Gate is to exit, and be able to visualize the scene exactly. First the anchoring Portal must be erected with a Gate-invocation spell, then the actual Spell Weaving of the Gate is done. Gating warps space back upon itself. As the threads of energy seek the far end of the Gate under the mage’s direction, the Gate pulls power from the mage. That is the moment of greatest danger for the mage, as the Gate can drain the Mage to unconsciousness if the mage is careless. When contact is made with the exit portal, the power threads lock on and the Gate achieves a stable, though temporary, solidity. Taking down the Gate enables the mage to regain some of the expended energy, replenishing enough lost energy to keep the mage from collapsing. Using sanctified ground, or repeatedly using the same terminal portal eases the difficult task of Weaving a Gate. The six permanent Gates which existed in Urtho’s time were enormous fused-stone arches, each one tied to its own magic node from which it drew power. For years after the cataclysm, Gates could no longer be erected; and when it became possible to build them again, everyone was wary of sending living beings through them until it was certified that procedure was really safe. (BV)

  Gathering

  A Holderkin trade fair, an infrequent opportunity for isolated communities to see and buy outsiders’ goods. (Arrows)

  Gathering tent

  A Shin’a’in communal structure. Tarma’s people were celebrating in their gathering tent when they were attacked and killed by bandits. (Oath)

  Gavis (Companion)

  Companion to herald Courier Sofya. Yfandes learned Companion Gavis and his Chosen were stopping at an Inn on Exile’s Road and suggested that she and Vanyel stop there for the night as well. Vanyel twitted her about having a thing for the young stallion’s over-muscled charms. (LHM)