The Western Wizard

by Mickey Zucker Reichert

  Valr Kirin (Vawl-KEER-in)—NORDMIRIAN. Lieutenant to the high king in Nordmir. Peusen’s brother.

  Westerners

  Angus (ANG-us)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Arduwyn (AR-dwin)—ERYTHANIAN. A hunter.

  Bacshas (BOCK-shahz)—PUDARIAN. Nephew to deceased King Gasir. Oldest of four nephews.

  Baran (BAYR-in)—BÉARNIDE. A young lieutenant.

  Barder (BARR-der)—BÉARNIDE. Baran’s father. A loyal court guard of usurped King Valar. Killed in the coup.

  Bel (BELL)—PUDARIAN. Arduwyn’s wife.

  Belzar (BELL-zar)—PUDARIAN. Legendary swordsman.

  Blacki (BLACK-ee)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Brignar (BRIGG-nar)—ERYTHANIAN. A knight. Shalfon’s father.

  Bromdun (BROMM-dun)—Santagithi’s archer captain.

  Brugon (BREW-gun)—PUDARIAN. A merchant. Arduwyn’s employer.

  Buirane (BYOOR-ain)—BÉARNIDE. A previous king. Father to the twins Valar and Morhane.

  Cammie (KAM-ee)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Carad (Ka-ROD)—A competent gladiator; Garn’s father.

  Carlithel (KAR-lith-ell)—PUDARIAN. Proprietor of The Hungry Lion.

  Carrol (KAH-rol)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Daegga (DAY-ga)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Davrin (DAV-vrin)—MIXED WESTERN. A previous bard. Mar Lon’s father.

  Dayaan (Da-YAWN)—WYNIXAN. The goldsmith.

  Dorina (Door-REEN-a)—BÉARNIDE. The royal nursemaid.

  Effer (EFF-er)—Bel’s middle child. A son.

  Elanor (ELL-a-noor)—GREENTREE. A young teenager.

  Emerald—Rache Kallmirsson’s girlfriend. Episte Rachesson’s mother.

  Episte Rachesson (Ep-PISS-teh)—HALF RENSHAI. The son of Rache Kallmirsson and Emerald.

  Fastin (FAST-in)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Flanner (FLANN-er)—GREENTREE. A farmer and a rapist.

  Flent (FLENT)—BÉARNIDE. A guard.

  Galan (GAY-lan)—One of Santagithi’s archers.

  Garn—An escaped gladiator from Santagithi’s town. Mitrian’s husband and father of Rache Garnsson.

  Gasir (GAH-zeer)—PUDARIAN. The previous king of Pudar. Killed in the Great War.

  Haim (Haym)—PUDARIAN. Tokar’s apprentice.

  Harritt (HARR-it)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Hortoren (HOR-ter-en)—CORPA BICKATAN. A merchant.

  Jackie (JACK-ee)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Jake (JAYK)—SHOLTON-ORIN. The tailor.

  Jakot (Jah-KOE)—Santagithi’s guard captain.

  Jani (JAN-ee)—Bel’s oldest child. A girl.

  Kakkanoch (KACK-a-nock)—ERYTHANIAN. A knight.

  Kerska (KUR-ska)—WYNIXAN. A merchant. The seller of “Genuine Renshai Swords.”

  Kinesthe (Kin-ESS-teh)—The kjaelnabnir of Rache Garnsson.

  Koska (KOSS-ka)—BÉARNIDE. A guard.

  Kruger (KROO-ger)—PUDARIAN. A dock foreman.

  Kloras (Klow-RASS)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Korgar (KORE-gar)—BARBARIAN. Colbey’s blood brother.

  Lirtensa (Leer-TEN-sa)—PUDARIAN. A dishonest guard.

  Lonriya (Lon-REE-ya)—Mar Lon’s great-grandmother. Creator of the lonriset.

  Loo (LOO)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Mar Lon (MAR-LONN)—Davrin’s son. The current bard.

  Marly (MAR-lee)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Martinel (Mar-tin-ELL)—An ancestor of Mar Lon.

  Mirkae (Meer-KIE)—WYNIXAN. A card shark.

  Mitrian (MIH-tree-in)—Santagithi’s daughter, Garn’s wife, and mother of Rache Garnsson.

  Miyaga (Mee-YAH-ga)—BÉARNIDE. King Morhane’s granddaughter.

  Modrey (MOE-dray)—WESTERN RENSHAI. Tarah’s husband.

  Monsamer (MON-sa-mer)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Morhane (MORE-hayn)—BÉARNIDE. The king of Béarn. Valar’s younger twin.

  Mukesh (Myu-KESH)—A merchant’s son in Santagithi’s Town. Killed by Garn in childhood.

  Nantel (Nan-TELL)—Santagithi’s previous archer captain, now dead.

  Nhetorl (Nee-TORL)—ERYTHANIAN. A guard.

  Nifthelan (Niff-THEYL-an)—BÉARNIDE. The master stone mason. An elder.

  Orlis (OR-liss)—ERYTHANIAN. The king of Erythane.

  Oswald (OZ-wald)—AHKTARIAN. The prince of Ahktar.

  Rache Garnsson (RACK-ee)—son of Mitrian and Garn.

  Randil (Ran-DEEL)—WESTERN RENSHAI. Leader of the Western Renshai. Tannin’s father.

  Rathelon (RATH-eh-lon)—BÉARNIDE. The guard captain of Béarn. Morhane’s illegitimate son. Sterrane’s cousin.

  Rusha (RUSH-a)—Bel’s youngest child. A girl.

  Santagithi (San-TAG-ih-thigh)—The Westland’s best strategist. Leader of the Town of Santagithi.

  Schaf (SHAFF)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Shalfon (SHALL-fon)—ERYTHANIAN. An apprentice knight. Brignar’s son.

  Sham (SHAM)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Sterrane (Stir-RAIN)—BÉARNIDE. Valar’s only surviving child. The heir to Béarn’s throne.

  Sturge (STURJ)—GREENTREE. A farmer.

  Sylva (SILL-va)—MIXED WESTERN. Arduwyn’s and Bel’s daughter.

  Tannin Randilsson (TAN-in)—WESTERN RENSHAI. Randil’s son and Menglir’s great grandson.

  Tarah Randilsdatter (TAIR-a)—WESTERN RENSHAI. Randil’s daughter. Tannin’s sister.

  Thein (THAYN)—BÉARNIDE. A Béarnian guard.

  Tobhiyah (Toe-BIE-a)—One of Santagithi’s guards.

  Valar (VAY-lar)—Morhane’s twin. Murdered for the throne.

  Vashi the Rebellious (VASH-ee)—WESTERN RENSHAI. An eager warrior.

  Verrall (VAIR-al)—PUDARIAN. King Gasir’s second oldest nephew. The heir to the Pudarian throne.

  Yernya (YERN-ya)—BÉARNIDE. A servant.

  Easterners

  Elishtan the Jaded (Al-AYSH-tin)—Ruler of the Tower of Night.

  Shalan (Shigh-LAIN)—A merchant.

  Siderin (SID-er-in)—King of the Eastlands.

  Animals

  Biff—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Bonnie (BONN-ee)—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Bork—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Bosh—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Bouncer—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Dond—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Frost Reaver—Colbey’s white stallion.

  Krim—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Kram—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Los—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Morst—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Rond—A Béarnian guard dog.

  Secodon (SEK-o-don)—Shadimar’s wolf.

  Stubs—Arduwyn’s donkey.

  Swiftwing—A red falcon. The Cardinal Wizards’ messenger.

  Gods & Wizards

  Northern

  Aegir (AY-jeer)—Northern god of the sea.

  Baldur (BALL-der)—Northern god of beauty and gentleness.

  The Fenris Wolf (FEN-ris)—The Great Wolf. The evil son of Loki. Also called Fenrir (FEN-reer).

  Frey (FRAY)—Northern god of rain, sunshine, and fortune.

  Freya (FRAY-a)—Frey’s sister. Northern goddess of battle.

  Frigg (FRIGG)—Odin’s wife. Northern goddess of fate.

  Gladsheim (GLAD-shighm)—“Place of Joy.” Sanctuary of the gods.

  Hati (HAH-tee)—The wolf who swallows the moon at the Ragnarok.

  Hel—Northern goddess of the cold underrealm for those who do not die in valorous combat.

  Heimdall (HIME-dahl)—Northern god of vigilance and father of mankind.

  Loki (LOH-kee)—Northern god of fire and guile.

  Magni (MAG-nee)—Thor’s and Sif’s son. Northern god of might.

  Mana-garmr (MAH-nah Garm)—Northern wolf destined to extinguish the sun with the blood of men at the Ragnarok.

  Modi (MOE-dee)—Thor’s and Sif’s son. Northern god of blood wrath.

  Norns—The keepers of past, present, and future
.

  Odin (OH-din)—Northern leader of the pantheon. Father of the gods.

  Sif (SIFF)—Thor’s wife. Northern goddess of fertility and fidelity.

  Skol (SKOEWL)—Northern wolf who will swallow the sun at the Ragnarok.

  Syn (SIN)—Northern goddess of justice and innocence.

  Thor (THOR)—Northern god of storms, farmers, and law.

  Trilless (Trill-ESS)—Northern Sorceress. Champion of goodness and the Northlands.

  Tyr (TEER)—Northern one-handed god of war and faith.

  The Wolf Age—The sequence of events immediately preceding the Ragnarok during which Skol swallows the sun, Hati mangles the moon, and the Fenris Wolf runs free.

  Western

  Aphrikelle (Ah-fri-KELL)—Western goddess of spring.

  Ascof (AZ-kov)—The eighteenth Eastern Wizard. Obsessed with demon summonings. Was finally killed by a self-summoned demon in year 9083.

  Cathan (KAY-than)—Western goddess of war, specifically hand to hand combat. Twin to Kadrak.

  Dakoi (Dah-KOY)—Western god of death.

  Drero (DREY-roh)—The twenty-second Eastern Wizard. The builder of the hidden escape route from Béarn’s castle.

  The Faceless god—Western god of winter.

  Firfan (FEER-fan)—Western god of archers and hunters.

  Gherhan (GUR-han)—The sixth Eastern Wizard. Killed by a demon in 3319.

  Itu (EE-too)—Western goddess of knowledge and truth.

  Jalona (Ja-LOHN-a)—The twentieth Eastern Wizard. Talked Odin into making the bards the personal bodyguards of the Béarnian kings.

  Kadrak (KAD-drak)—Western god of war. Twin to Cathan.

  Niejal the Mad (Nee-EJ-al)—The ninth Western Wizard. Paranoid and suicidal.

  Ruaidhri (Roo-AY-dree)—Western leader of the pantheon.

  Shadimar (SHAD-ih-mar)—Eastern Wizard. Champion of neutrality and the Westlands.

  Sudyar (SOO-dee-yar)—The fourteenth Western Wizard. Paranoid and agoraphobic.

  Suman (SOO-mon)—Western god of farmers and peasants.

  Tokar (TOE-kar)—Western Wizard. Champion of neutrality and the Westlands.

  Weese (WEESSS)—Western god of winds.

  Yvesen (IV-e-sen)—Western god of steel and women.

  Zera’im (ZAIR-a-eem)—Western god of honor.

  Eastern

  Carcophan (KAR-ka-fan)—Southern Wizard. Champion of evil and the Eastlands.

  God—The only name for the bird/man god of the Leu-kenyans. Created by Siderin.

  Havlar (HEV-ih-lar)—The first Southern Wizard.

  Sheriva (Sha-REE-vah)—Omnipotent, only god of the Eastlands.

  Foreign words

  a (ah)—EASTERN. “From.”

  ailar (IGH-lar)—EASTERN. “To bring.”

  al (AIL)—EASTERN. The first person singular pronoun.

  anem (ON-um)—BARBARIAN. “Enemy”; usually used in reference to a specific race or tribe with whom the barbarian’s tribe is at war.

  aristiri (ah-riss-TEER-ee)—TRADING. A breed of singing hawks.

  bein (bayn)—NORTHERN. “Legs.”

  bleffy (BLEFF-ee)—WESTERN/TRADING. A child’s euphemism for nauseating.

  bolboda (bawl-BOE-da)—NORTHERN. “Evilbringer.”

  brishigsa weed (brih-SHIG-sah)—WESTERN. A specific leafy weed with a translucent, red stem. A universal antidote to several common poisons.

  brorin (BROAR-in)—RENSHAI. “Brother.”

  brunstil (BRUNN-steel)—NORTHERN. A stealth maneuver learned from barbarians by the Renshai. Literally: “brown and still.”

  chroams (krohms)—WESTERN. Specific coinage of copper, silver, or gold.

  corpa (KOR-pa)—WESTERN. “Brotherhood, town” lit. “body.”

  demon (DEE-mun)—ANCIENT TONGUE. A creature of magic.

  djem (dee-YEM)—NORTHERN. Demon.

  Einherjar (INE-herr-yar)—NORTHERN. “The dead warriors in Valhalla.”

  eksil (EHK-seel)—NORTHERN. “Exile.”

  fafra (FAH-fra)—TRADING. “To eat.”

  feflin (FEF-linn)—TRADING. “To hunt.”

  Forsvarir (Fours-var-EER)—RENSHAI. A specific disarming maneuver.

  galn (gahln)—NORTHERN. “Ferociously crazy.”

  garlet (GAR-let)—WESTERN. A type of wildflower believed to have healing properties.

  garn (garn)—NORTHERN. “Yarn.”

  Gerlinr (Gerr-LEEN)—RENSHAI. A specific aesthetic and difficult sword maneuver.

  gullin (GULL-in)—NORTHERN. “Golden.”

  hadonga (hah-DONG-ah)—WESTERN. A twisted, hard wood tree.

  Harval (Harr-VALL)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “The gray blade.”

  hastivillr (has-tih-VEEL)—RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

  kadlach (KOD-lok; the ch has a guttural sound)—TRADING. A vulgar term for a disobedient child; akin to brat.

  kenya (KEN-ya)—WESTERN. “Bird.”

  kjaelnavnir (kyahl-NAHV-neer)—RENSHAI. Temporary name for a child until a hero’s name becomes available.

  kinesthe (Kin-ESS-teh)—NORTHERN. “Strength.”

  kyndig (KAWN-dee)—NORTHERN. “Skilled one.”

  lessakit (LAYS-eh-kight)—EASTERN. “A message.”

  leuk (Luke)—WESTERN. “White.”

  lonriset (LON-ri-set)—WESTERN. A ten-stringed musical instrument.

  lynstreik (LEEN-strayk)—RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

  magni (MAG-nee)—NORTHERN. “Might.”

  modi (MOE-dee)—NORTHERN. “Wrath.”

  Morshock (MORE-shock)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “Sword of darkness.”

  mynten (MIN-tin)—NORTHERN. A specific type of coin.

  nådenal (naw-deh-NAHL)—RENSHAI. Literally: “Needle of mercy.” A silver, guardless, needle-shaped dagger constructed during a meticulous religious ceremony and used to end the life of an honored, suffering ally or enemy, then melted in the victim’s pyre.

  noca (NOE-ka)—BÉARNIAN. “Grandfather.”

  odelhurtig (OD-ehl-HEWT-ih)—RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

  oopey (OO-pee)—WESTERN/TRADING. A child’s euphemism for an injury.

  orlorner (oor-LEERN-ar)—EASTERN. “To deliver to.”

  pike—NORTHERN. “Mountain.”

  prins (PRINS)—NORTHERN. “Prince.”

  Ragnarok (ROW-na-rok)—“The destruction of the powers.” The prophesied time when nearly all men and gods will die.

  ranweed (RAN-weed)—WESTERN. A specific type of wild plant.

  rexin (RAX-in)—EASTERN. “King.”

  Ristoril (RIS-tor-ril)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “Sword of tranquillity.”

  sangrit (SAN-grit)—BARBARIAN. “To form a blood bond.”

  skjald (SKYAWLD)—NORTHERN. Musician chronicler.

  svergelse (swerr-GELL-seh)—RENSHAI. “Sword figures practiced alone; katas.”

  talvus (TAL-vus)—WESTERN. “Midday.”

  torke (TOR-keh)—RENSHAI. “Teacher, sword instructor.”

  ulvstikk (EWLV-steek)—RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

  uvakt (oo-VAKT)—RENSHAI. “The unguarded.” A term for children whose kjaelnavnir becomes a permanent name.

  Valhalla (VAWL-holl-a)—NORTHERN. “Hall of the Slain.” The walled “heaven” for brave warriors slain in battle.

  valr (VAWL)—NORTHERN. “Slayer.”

  Valkyrie (VAWL-kerr-ee)—NORTHERN. “Chooser of the Slain.”

  Vestan (VAYST-in)—EASTERN. “The Westlands.”

  wisule (WISS-ool)—TRADING. A foul-smelling, disease-carrying breed of rodents which has many offspring because the adults will abandon them when threatened.

  Places

  Northlands

  The area north of the Weathered Mountains and west of the Great Frenum Range. The Northmen live in eighteen tribes, each with its own town surrounded by forest and farmland. The boundaries change, and the map is correct for the year 11,240.

  Asci (ASS-kee)—Home to the Ascai. Patron god: Aegir.

  Blathe (BLAYTH-eh)—Home to the Blathe. Patron god: Aegir.

/>   Drymir (DRY-meer)—Home to the Drymirians. Patron god: Frey.

  Devil’s Island—An island in the Amirannak. A home to the Renshai after their exile.

  Dvaulir (Dwah-LEER)—home to the Dvaulirians. Patron god: Thor.

  Erd (URD)—Home to the Erdai. Patron goddess: Freya.

  Farbutiri (Far-byu-TEER-ee)—Home to the Farbui. Patron god: Aegir.

  Gilshnir (GEELSH-neer)—Home to the Gilshni. Patron god: Tyr.

  Gjar (GYAR)—Home to the Gjar. Patron god: Heimdall.

  Kor N’rual (KOR en-ROOL)—Sacred crypts near Nordmir.

  Nordmir (NORD-meer)—The Northland’s high kingdom. Home to the Nordmirians. Patron god: Odin.

  Othkin (OTH-keen)—Home to the Othi. Patron god and goddess: Aegir & Frigg.

  Renshi (Ren-SHEE)—Original home of the Renshai, now a part of Thortire. Patron goddess and god: Sif & Modi.

  Shamir (Sha-MEER)—Home of the Shamirians. Patron goddess: Freya.

  Skrytil (SKRY-teel)—Home of the Skrytila. Patron god: Thor.

  Svelbni (SWELL-nee)—Home of the Svelbnai. Patron god: Baldur.

  Talmir (TAHL-meer)—Home of the Talmirians. Patron god: Frey.

  Thortire (Thor-TEER-eh)—Home of the Thortirians. Patron god: Thor.

  Ti (TEE)—The original name for Devil’s Island.

  Varli (VAR-lee)—Home of the Varlians. Patron god and goddess: Frey & Freya.

  Vikerin (Vee-KAIR-in)—Home of the Vikerians. Patron god: Thor.

  Westlands

  The Westlands are bounded by the Great Frenum Mountains to the east, the Weathered Mountains to the north, and the sea to the west and south. In general, the cities become larger and more civilized as the land sweeps westward. The central area is packed with tiny farm towns dwarfed by lush farm fields that, over time, have nearly coalesced. The easternmost portions of the Westland are forested, with sparse towns and rare barbarian tribes. To the south lies an uninhabited tidal plain.

  Ahktar (AHK-tar)—One of the largest central farm towns.

  Auer (OUR)—A small town in the eastern section.

  Béarn (Bay-ARN)—The high kingdom. A mountain city.

  Bellenet Fields (Bell-e-NAY)—A tourney field in Erythane.

  Bruen (Broo-EN)—A medium-sized city near Pudar.

  Corpa Bickat (KORE-pa Bi-KAY)—A large city.

  Corpa Leukenya (KORE-pa Loo-KEN-ya)—Home of the cult of the white bird, created by Siderin.

  Corpa Schaull (KORE-pa Shawl)—A medium-sized city; one of the “Twin Cities” (see Frist).

  The Dun Stag—A Pudarian tavern famous for its ale and frequented by travelers and merchants.

  Erythane (AIR-eh-thane)—A large city closely allied with Béarn. Famous for its knights.