Migration, The
The term the White Gryphon population gave to their long trek via two Gates which eventually brought them to the western coast. (Gryphon)
Mind-magic
What outlanders call Valdemar’s magic. (Oath, Storm)
Mind-mate
Warrl’s nickname for Tarma. (Oath)
Mindspeaker
The term for someone who can communicate directly to another person’s mind without verbal speech. Many Heralds are able to do this. The majority of those with the skill form their strongest Mindspeaklng bonds with their Companions. Also known as Mindspeech, the skill is closely related to the talents known as Mindtouching, Mindreaching, Mindcalling, and Farspeaking. (Arrows, BB, LHM)
Minstrels
Performers who lack the Bardic Gifts, but who have sufficient musical talent to be in demand as performers strictly on the basis of the sound of their music. They haven’t the mind-Gift that allows true Bards to sway the audience’s thoughts by manipulating them, and achieve their fame and livelihood based solely on their musicianship and charisma. (LHM)
Miranda thorn
An assassination tool created by Ma’ar and used by Conn Levas as a poison dart on Urtho. It has no antidote, and causes hallucinations and great pain before the victim finally dies. (Gryphon)
Mirror-egg
A Mind-magic technique Herald and Heir Roald taught Kethry. The mirror is an egg-shaped shield that is completely reflective on the inside. In Valdemar, Heralds use it when a trainee with the Projective Gift refuses to lock his mind-Gift down or uses it harmfully; Inside the mirror-egg, everything projected is reflected back at the projector. Kethry found a way to adapt the technique magically as a Mage-trap and used it to trap Raschar’s mages before they could attack the troops fighting to avenge Idra and put Prince Stelanson on the throne of Rcthwellan. (Oath)
Misborn constructs
Mage-created beasts that chased Elspeth, Skif, Gwena, and Cymry from the Plains. These constructs looked like cattle with horny plates covering their bodies. Each was as tall as a warhorse, with swept-back horns, slitted eyes, fangs, clawed hooves, and front legs that move like a dog’s. (Winds)
M’laud
Senior Healer of Urtha’s forces. (Gryphons)
Mocker-birds
A bird common throughout Forst Reach, its call varies between a shriek and pleasant singing and often imitates sounds the bird has heard. (LHM)
Moll
The drunken cook at the Hollybush cavern. (TT)
Mona (Herald-trainee)
One of Lan’s classmates in Herald Artero’s Field Investigations course. (BB)
Monarch’s Own
The title of the Herald Chosen to become the closest friend and advisor of Valdemar’s ruler. The position has existed since the first days of the Herald-Companion relationships, and it is a position of such special trust that it requires an extrardinary Herald to fill it. A new Monarch’s Own is Chosen by the Companion of the last Monarch’s Own Herald, always a Grove-born Companion stallion who never seems to age, to occupy that position, one held for the Herald’s lifetime. The character strength and honesty of the Monarch’s Own is the reason why Valdemar has suffered so little strife through the centuries, compared with its neighboring kingdoms. A monarch with such a trusted friend is much better able to withstand the stresses of ruling and steer a moral course in difficult times. (Arrows)
MoonSteeds
In Valdermaran religion, they are the magical horses that draw the Lady’s Chariot. (Arrows)
Moon-days
A term that refers to the time of women’s menstruation, it is also known as the Moon-time. (BV)
Moondance k’Treva
A Tayledras Healer-Adept. He was born as Tallo, and brought to the Pelagirs by Savil when he was a young man. Tallo discovered he was a Mage by reading books. He fell in love with a gleeman, and called down lightning to frighten his lover after he was rejected by him. The lightning went out of Tallo’s control and killed the gleeman, so the horrified Tallo tried to take his own life. Savil found the dying boy and took him to the Hawkbrothers to be healed. Tallo gradually came to understand and forgive himself, and took the use-name of Moondance. Moondance lifebonded to Starwind, and was one of Vanyel’s Tayledras teachers. Moonwind came to Forst Reach to save Vanyel from an ensorcelled leech-blade. While there, he was able to make Withen Ashkevron forgive Vanyel for his sexual orientation, and reach out to embrace him. Moondance and Starwind adopted and raised one of Vanyel’s children, Brightstar. (LHM)
Moon-flower
A botanical which supplies a powder controlling a woman’s moon-days, and also prevents pregnancy. (Sword)
Moon-trout
These were a special treat for Zhaneel, who was very fond of the fish preferring them fresh, by which she meant still wiggling. (Gryphon)
Moonmist k’Sheyna
A Tayledras scout who ran into a basilisk on her patrol. (Winds)
Moonpaths
The name for the Shin’a’in spirit realms. Any clan member who seeks the paths with unselfish intent and concentration can walk them at night under the full moon. Swordsworn can walk the Moonpaths any night and can call and be answered by Leshya Kal’enedral, the spirit-warriors. Shamans may also walk into this spirit world whenever they choose and speak with any spirits there, if any are willing to reply. (BV)
Moonshadow
The infant daughter of Snowfire and Nightwind. (Owl)
Moonsong kVala
A Tayledras Adept who directed Tarma where to find the Lha’irden Clan, and predicted Kethry’s future relationship with Need. (Oath)
Moonwing
The Tayledras mage who, after the k’Sheyna Hearcstone disaster, changed her use-name to Silence and became a recluse. (Winds)
Mornedeath
The Jkathan city where Kethry grew up. Bounded by forests, timber is its staple in trade. The outer walls, two stories tall and as strong as stone, are a monument to ingenious wood-workers. These towering barriers were designed to keep forest beasts out, especially in winter. (Oath)
Mornelithe Falconsbane
Thc last incarnation of Ma’ar, a powerful, ruthless blood-path Adept, who lived during the reign of Queen Selenay. His name is Kaled’a’in, meaning “Hatred-That-Returns,” emphasizing the many times he has been reborn throughout the centuries since he was destroyed by the gryphon Skandranon, always seeking revenge, particularly on gryphons and descendents of the Kaled’a’in, Loyal allies of his ancient enemy Urtho. Other incarnations include Leareth, the mage that Vanyel destroyed, along with his Dark Servants, during a Final Strike. Ma’ar found a way to hide his soul in the nether planes after death, waiting until one of his descendants learned and cast the Firespell He would then steal the descendant’s body, destroying its soul and substituting his own so he that could live again. Falconsbane took the body of a young Shin’a’in runaway named An’desha, but this time the victim’s soul stayed in place, hiding from Mornelithe. During this life, Mornelithe fathered, experimented on, and abused the Change-child Nyara. He tested alterations upon her that he later employed on his own stolen body. His final form combined the features of a man and lynx, with tawny-gold hair, canine teeth, and gold-green slit-pupiled eyes. Mornelithe was responsible for the enslavement of Darkwind’s father, Starblade, forcing Starblade to crack the k’Sheyna Vale Heartstone in an effort to steal its power for his own purposes. With the help of Nyara, Skif, Firesong, the Avatars of the Shin’a’in Goddess, Darkwind, Elspeth, and the sword Need, An’desha escaped his prison and reclaimed his body. Firesong chased Mornelithe’s soul into the nether plain and tore it apart, killing Ma’ar forever. (Winds, Storm)
Mount Thurlos
Along with Dellcrag, it marks a pass infamous in Valdemaran legend, the site of the last Herald-Mage Vanyel’s valiant final stand against the hordes of Dark Servants and Leareth. (Arrows)
Mountain sickness
Caused by traveling at higher altitudes and the drop in barometri
c pressure, the symptoms are nausea, headaches, and shortness of breath. (Owl)
Movat
One of Urtho’s Generals. (Gryphons)
Movement, The
Also known as the Citizens for Rights Group in the Empire, they tried to establish reforms in the Eastern Empire. Melles ordered his agents to use propaganda and rumor to establish him as “The People’s Friend” and Emperor Charliss as “The Tyrant,” to confuse the Movement and subvert its goals to his own. (Storm)
Mudders
The horses Lord Ashkevron loaned to Darkwind and Nyara for their ride to Haven. They are sturdy, dun-colored, big-boned, with rough coats and they work well in mud. (Winds)
Muleteer
One of Hulda’s seemingly endless stream of bedmates, all chosen for their physical prowess. He was dimwltted but had plenty of stamina. Ancar selected him for these qualities, and had him deliberately placed in Hulda’s way so she would be occupied while Ancar pursued his own plans. (Winds)
Murfee
Also known as old Man Murfee, he was the deceased owner of the inn at a small supply village near Hawk’s Nest. (Oath)
My Lady
The beloved instrument of Herald-Bard Jadus, it was a superbly made harp which he willed to Talia upon his death. As a wedding gift, Talia was looking for a harp for Herald Dirk, when she discovered the curious history of “My Lady.” Originally created as the masterwork of a Master instrument builder, twin harps were commissioned by a pair of identical twin Master bards. The two harps were created out of the same tree, at the same time, and crafted by a master to be as identical as any two instruments could possibly be. After the death of their original owners, the two harps were separated, and one came into the hands of Herald Jadus and, after his death (Herald) Talia. Once she learned the story, Talia launched an extensive search, and was able to find “My Lady’s” long-lost sibling, and reunite the pair of harps, providing a priceless and unique wedding gift for her beloved Herald Dirk. (Arrows)
Myrgan
One of Quenten’s apprentice mages, he was assigned to find a weapon that could strike Ancar’s chief sorcerer. (Sword)
Myria (Lady)
Accused of slaying her husband, she was about to be burned at the stake in the village of Felwether when Tarma and Kethry rescued her. The lady was eventually exonerated by the efforts of the two oath-sisters. (Oath)
Myrim (Healer, Councilwoman)
The speaker for the Healer’s Circle in council, she was not a supporter of Lord Orthallen, nor was she wholeheartedly in favor of the proposed marriage alliance between Valdemar (Elspeth) and Hardorn (Ancar). She was cautiously in favor of the betrothal if the Heir stayed at the Collegium until her training was complete. Her caution turned out to be warranted. (Arrows)
Myste (Herald-Chronicler)
The current keeper of the records of Valdemar, she wore bifocals and was romantically involved with Herald Alberich. Elspeth asked Myste to translate one of the Collegium’s ancient mage books into modern language for her. (TT, Winds) Note: Myste bears a profound physical resemblance to Mercedes Lackey, as well as sharing her nickname. Hmmmm… (BV)
Nada
A Holderkin woman married to an abusive man, she was beaten every night and wore high-necked tunics to hide the bruises. She served as an example for girls like Talia, who feared what marriage might mean to a Holderkin female. (Arrows)
Nala Karcinamen
A junior-ranked Healer attached to Keros troops. (Owl)
Nandy Lutter
The most notorious gossip in Errold’s Grove, she and her husband Derrel owned the only shop in town. They were also the only residents who regularly went to the outside world for trade goods the town could not make, giving them a monopoly on selling certain items to the village. (Owl)
Naril (Lady)
The noblewoman who ruthlessly toyed with Dirk’s emotions to get to Krls. The Court beauty manipulated Dirk shamelessly, making him fall in love with her, then cruelly rejected him, nearly driving him to suicide. (Arrows)
Nathen (Herald)
A Herald posted to assist the fisherfolk of Lake Evendim, he was seriously injured fighting off a slaving raid by pirates. He impressed the Queen’s Council when he reported that the brigands abetting the slavers were people Valdemar had previously banished. Nathen presented inarguable proof of a conspiracy involving many highborn and highly-placed people in the western sector. (Arrows)
Natoli
Herald Rubriks daughter, she was a student artificer dedicated to the pursuit of science and engineering, and was romantically involved with, as well as intellectually attracted to, the Karsite envoy Karal. (Storm)
Neave (Herald)
A Herald-trainee Chosen by Companion Kyldathar, he was Talia’s classmate in their Heralds Magic instruction group. His Gift was as a Projector. Before coming to Valdemar, Neave’s early life had been a horror of physical and sexual abuse, which he inadvertently projected into the dreams of the other Herald trainees. He later developed this into a weapon, projecting those memories into the minds of evildoers. (Arrows)
Need
A magical, indestructible short sword created in a desperate and successful sacrifice so long ago that the times of its origin have been lost from living memory. The blacksmith mage Lashan forged it, working into its metal powerful spells and prayers. She impaled herself on the blade when it became necessary to save the young female acolytes of her faith by joining her soul and the steel she’d forged into one spirit. Need serves only women, and refuses to strike or kill them. Need supplies whatever her wielder lacks: Adept-level mage skills when she is in the hands of a trained fighter, superb fighting skills when used by a sorceress. She will also heal anything short of a death-wound. When Need encounters the successor to her present handler, she awakens and sings. As that successsor draws the blade, writing as fine as any scribe’s flares crimson along its length. The words are always in the reader’s own language, and state “Woman’s Need calls me, as Woman’s Need made me. Her Need must I answer, as my maker bade me.” A deep bond is formed between sword and wielder, and Need sometimes drives that wielder into deadly danger in her eternal quest to succor womankind. She can be resisted and reasoned with, as Kerowyn discovered, but the bond and her strength are so powerful that parting with her causes agonizing pain, as Kerowyn also discovered. Kethry received the sword from Baryl Longarm; years later, when Kerowyn sought help from Kethry to save Dierna, the sword “spoke” for Kechry’s young grandaughter. Need gave the inexperienced Kerowyn both fighting ability and mage skill, enabling her to defeat her enemy. In later years Need would chose Elspeth and then Nyara. Need was destroyed when she was channeling energy during the Mage-Storm solution at Urtho’s Tower, and the resulting explosion would scar Firesongs face and arms horribLy. Karal and An’desha saw the spirit of the woman who had been Need on the Moonpaths after they recovered from their exertions at Urtho’s Tower. (Oath, Storm, Sword, Winds)
Needleworkers’ Guild
One of the Crafts groups, it dealt with seamstresses and embroiderers. The Guild helped throw a party to welcome the Chitward family to haven. (BB)
Nemor
The Arch-Priest of Anathei of the Purifying Flame. A philosopher and a true believer, Nemor longed for a really challenging being which he could convert from evil to good, and thus prove the tenets of his religion. He got his chance with Thalhkarsh. After Nemor saved Kehry and Tarma’s lives in the battle with the demon, he took Thalhkarsh back to his temple for reeducation. (Oath)
Nera
A hertasi Elder of the enclave at the marsh in k’Sheyna territory, he enjoyed playing the role of an eccentric old creature. (Winds)
Nerissa (Herald)
Also known as Nessa, she was noted for her amorous conquests, and often teased about them. Despite her success in attracting men, she panted for a chance to ride Circuit with Herald Kris, regarding him as “the lure of the so-far unattainable.” To shake her off, Kris eventually let her “attain” him once. (Arrows)<
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Nerya
A fourteen-year-old girl at Forst Reach, and one of the few females the traumatized Tashir Remoerdis wasn’t afraid of. Vanyel suggested that he should go out riding with her. (LHM)
Nes
A Shin’a’in term meaning “bad.” (Oath)
Nestor (Lord)
The lord of Laverin, and speaker for the West, he was involved with the pirates who had raided the shores of Lake Evendim. (Arrows)
Nether Planes
The plane where natural magical energy, which flows through various dimensions like water, eventually ends up. In these Planes, everything is chaos and energy. From here it is thought that magic flows back into the World Plane of living things, repeating the cycle. It’s also where Ma’ar and his incarnations fled whenever the stolen bodies they inhabited died. There Ma’ar hid his disembodied personality in a pocket amid the planes, waiting for an opportunity to seize another hapless descendant’s physical form and be reborn again. Also called the Void. (Storm, Winds)
Neutrals
These Mages refused to take sides during the War. They were flamboyant and chose to perform magic whenever and wherever they could with no regard for consequences that might affect the innocent. Their selfish actions and refusal to commit to the side of good caused conflict for them with Urtho. (Gryphons)
Nevis
A bisexual young courtier at Haven, he broke Tylendel’s heart by seducing the Herald-Mage tainee. Nevis then went to Savil and accused Tylendel of being the seducer; fortunately she knew the opposite had been the case. As Vanyel overheard from Court gossip, Nevis was a problem to both sexes, and everyone at Court was glad whcn his family finally called him home and away from Haven. (LHM)
Nevis
One of Tremane’s numerous aides. (Storm)
Night-singers
A common insect in Haighlei once trapped and caged to provide a night sound that was popular in the gardens, but whose popularity has since been superseded by night-singing birds. (Glyphon)
Night-trumpet
A scented plant native to Halghlei. (Gryphon)
The Valdemar Companion Page 37