Shadow Webs—these are the dreaded webs of the Widdershae. They are spun of the black that lies in the wells of night. An ancient darkness that, but for these webs, is known only in what can be seen between the stars after both suns fall.
Sith—second born of the Aelin. Elves of the Dark Forest who serve the lord there whose name must not be spoken and who also serve the Dark Lady who sleeps there.
Teluri—small Lilani that were fashioned into mirrors. It is said that a great sorcerer could use them to watch things from afar or to transport themselves to any active Lilani. It is said that those possessing the Teluri may use it to communicate with one another over great distances. The lords of the elves are in possession of four of the original seven Teluri; the other three were lost.
Tuorlin—Lord of Ithilden and High Lord of all the Elflands. Tuorlin is one of the few surviving Chosen who went to the Vale of Mists.
Tyndomiel—of all the elves, Tyndomiel are the strangest as they each possess the ability to shape-change. Tyndomiel group themselves into clans of like kind. All varieties may be found—bears, wolves, dogs, cats, lions, birds, dolphins, sharks, and many others—throughout the lands of Himlolth and the water surrounding it.
Trees of Life—great and ancient trees that have been growing on the face of Oesha since her birth. Many of these trees have died off or been killed over time. But three are still known to remain—Anaturnar in the Dark Forest, Ithildar in Ithilden, and Yewstaff in the Minonowe. Others may grow in hidden places, for some were uprooted by the dragon Faehorne during the strife of the treekillers.
Valemar—an offshoot of the Ithildar, the Valemar are the youngest of the elves. Feet as nimble as the breezes, forms as flowing as water, the Valemar are the most graceful of the Aelin. The Valemar have taken Minonowe for their home.
Vanye—A Blade Dancer of Ithilden, Vanye has been sent on an unhappy mission to name a Chosen. Renown among the Blade Dancers for defeating the leaders of Nine Trolls Army, and the grandson of High Lord Tuorlin, Vanye would rank higher among the Blade Dancers were it not for his sometimes failing to follow the rules.
Veil—the border that separates the world of dreams from the physical world.
Vlad Valkire—the great lord who broke the Vyrl’s Tyranny over elves. The name Vlad Valkire, in the elder tongue, means “a lad Valkyrie.” For he was the first male born of the Dark Lady Elwin, who was the mother to all Valkyrie. Vlad is also the son of the Lord of the Dark Forest, who killed him.
Vyrl—of old, they were Aëdar, before they were corrupted by the dark will of Gorthar. Once angels, they are now demons of hunger and malice. It is rumored that only three Vyrl remain alive on all of Oesha. Three rule in the Vale of Mists. Each year, according to an ancient promise, a child must be sent to feed the Vyrl. These Chosen seldom ever return.
Werewolves—elves who were transformed into wolves by the changing influence of the Vale of Mists. Werewolves possess incredible vitality and are nearly impossible to kill, recovering from all hurts unless their bodies are entirely destroyed.
Widdershae (Widd-ur-shee)—spider-elves. A branch of elves of the middle house called the Delvendrim (deep-elves), who were wiped out by a terrible plague that turned them all into giant spiders. The Widdershae succumbed to the poison of Saurlolth, queen of the Ingolith and so they were twisted in form to resemble those spiders of the great void. The wise count them among the Ingolith. For their forms have been twisted by spirits of the void which possess them. Great magic may still drive these spirits out and restore the Delvendrim who were thus twisted. Delvendrim returning to the world in this way can recall their lives as Widdershae only through nightmares.
Winowe—Luthiel’s foster mother.
World of Dreams—a place parallel to the real word and overlapping it. This place responds to all desires, fears and dreams of humankin and the greater spirits. Only sorcerers can sense the existence of the world of dreams and the only physical beings who can look into it are those who possess a Wyrd Stone. Of late, the world of dreams has become a dangerous place, populated with Dimlock and other nightmares.
Wyrd—a word that stands for both dreams and magic. It represents the deep connection between dreams and the mystical arts.
Wyrd-Stones—thirteen Stones fashioned by Vlad Valkire while under the instruction of Mithorden at Lenidras. They are crystals that have within them each a bit of the song of Aehmiel and the light of Lumen. Powerful aids to sorcerery, the Wyrd Stones transport their users into the world of dreams which is the world from which all things spiritual and magical come. Wyrd Stones wholly reveal what sorcerers must sense in order to practice their art—the raw stuff of creation—true dreams, making it readily available for use in magic. When activated, the Wyrd Stone causes its user to become ghost-like and semi-solid. Things of the physical world other than moonsteel or nethril affect them less, passing through them with only slight resistance. Great wounds become minor. Hunger, fatigue, pain, all become insubstantial while in the world of dreams. On the other hand, creatures of nightmare and dream may directly affect a sorcerer traveling through the world of dreams, making use of a Wyrd Stone very dangerous in the current day.
Zalos(or Zaelos)—The Lord of Ashiroth. Also former companion of Vlad Valkire.
About the Author
Robert Fannéy’s abiding love of fantasy began as a nine year old boy when he was first introduced, by happy chance, to The Hobbit. He has been hopelessly lost in the World of Dreams ever since. He began writing Luthiel’s Song at the age of 22, while at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. After numerous careers and many stolen hours on nights and weekends, the first part of the tale—Dreams of the Ringed Vale—published in 2005, followed by The War of Mists in 2009. Robert is currently working on the third book in the Luthiel’s Song series—The Nightmares of Winter.
Robert lives in Virginia with his wife, Catherine, and three talkative cats.
You can find out more about Robert, Luthiel’s Song and the World of Dreams at:
www.luthielssong.com
Luthiel's Song Concept Art
During the development of the first book in the Luthiel's Song series, Luthiel's Song: Dreams of the Ringed Vale, anime artist Siya Oum produced a number of rough concept sketches, character renderings, and other concept art. Some was used in early serial editions of the novel, and most have rarely been seen. In this special digital edition of Luthiel's Song, we present you some of this fanciful work together with the book for the first time.
More bonus material appears in the e-book version of Dreams of the Ringed Vale!
Lastly, here is a full image of the beautiful cover painting from Luthiel's Song: The War of Mists by Marek Okon:
www.luthielssong.com
Luthiel's Song: The War of Mists Page 36