The Accidental Archmage

by Edmund A. M. Batara

  “Let’s go back. I lost my desire to be out in the open at night.”

  – TAA, Book III

  Coniraya – the Incan deity of trickery. See also Cavillaca. (TAA, Book III)

  Danay – Fictional. Dionysus’s new bartender at his temple in Akrotiri. (TAA, Book II)

  Deimos – Ancient Greek. One of the sons of Ares and Aphrodite. Meaning “terror.” (TAA, Book II)

  Dionysus – The Greek god of wine, of mixed divine and mortal origin. (TAA, Book II)

  Drust – Fictional. One of the commanders of the Inkan expeditionary force sent to secure Viracocha’s border temple. Primarily responsible for the Keltoi mercenaries in the army. (TAA, Book II)

  Echidna – Greek. Known as the “mother of all monsters,” she was the wife of Typhon (also Typhoeus or Typhos). The two were described by Homer as neither gods nor men. Conflicting versions of their origins exist. One claims them as giants. A version states Typhon was an offspring of Gaia after the Titans were driven from the heavens by Zeus. Another claims Typhon as the offspring of Cronus. Echidna’s origins are vague though Greek mythology mentions she gave birth to many monstrous children such as Cerberus, the Gorgons, and the Sphinx. (TAA, Book II)

  Ehecatl – The Aztecah god of wind. An aspect of Quetzalcoatl. (TAA, Book III)

  Eir – Old Norse. A Norse goddess associated with healing. Some believe her to be a Valkyrie. (TAA, Book I)

  Eira – Fictional. A forest spirit. The Guardian of the vast Fossegrim Forest. (TAA, Book I)

  Elder Ones – Fictional. For purposes of the story, it refers to the deities of proto-human civilizations and races existing before recorded history. (TAA, Book I)

  “The pantheons were not the first powerful beings in this world or even in your world. Your people do not even remember them which is for the best. To the Elder Ones, the most powerful deities in this world are but saplings in the shadow of a great and ancient tree. But they are secretive and have always hidden except when three of them appeared and put a stop to the last Divine War.”

  – Eira (TAA, Book I)

  Eleos – Fictional. A son of Dionysus. Became the god of fear and assassins. (TAA, Book II)

  Emily West – Fictional. Aunt of Tyler West, the protagonist in the stories. (TAA, Book I)

  Enki – Sumerian mythology. The deity of crafts, mischief, water, among others. (TAA, Book I)

  Enlil – Sumerian mythology. The chief deity of the Sumerian pantheon. God of wind, air, earth, and storms. (TAA, Book I)

  Eric – Fictional. A hunter. Husband of Helga. Forest of Maljen, Skaney.

  “He thought you were either a wolf or a small bear out to get him. You were crashing through the forest in his direction. It was a good thing it was already dark. Otherwise, the arrow would have killed you. He’s good with that bow of his.”

  – the Gothi of Maljen (TAA, Book I)

  Erithizo – Fictional. A son of Eris, the Greek goddess of discord. In myth, Eris is a friend and sister of Ares. (TAA, Book II)

  Eztli – A Nahuatl word meaning “blood.” The second of Yayauhqui’s champions. (TAA, Book III)

  Farman – Fictional name. See Loki. One of his disguises. (TAA, Book I)

  Four Gods, The – Aztec mythology. The Aztec believed that four gods created the world: Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, Huitzilopochtli, and Xipe Totec. They are also respectively referred to as the Back, White, Blue, and Red gods. (TAA, Book III)

  Furor – Greek mythological spirit who exemplifies rage. An attendant of Ares. (TAA, Book II)

  Gangari – One of the names used by Odin in his wanderings. It means “wanderer.” See Odin and Bilyeg. (TAA, Book I)

  Gullin – Fictional. An ancient “dreke” or “draken.” Mentioned in passing by Rumpr and Hrun. Has golden scales and breathes fire. In human form, she wears golden armor. (TAA, Book I)

  “A DRAGON?”

  “She prefers “Dreke” or “Draken,” lad. Not “Wyrm” or “Dragon.” Hates “wyrm” actually. She’s very polite. Anyway, I think we’re here, but it’s raining outside.”

  – Conversation between Rumpr and Tyler (TAA, Book I)

  Hal – Fictional. As referred to in the story, the murderous artificial intelligence in the 1968 epic science fiction film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” A name given by the protagonist to one of his Elder AI guides. (TAA, Book I)

  “I am but a guardian left by your ancestors, Elder. Before they ascended millennia ago, they left icons of their presence in this world for their descendants. A memory of what and who they are. Unfortunately, the upheavals in this world have either destroyed or damaged most of their sanctuaries of knowledge. Like me, for instance. Buried under a mountain of rock, with only two memory banks remaining.” – Hal (TAA, Book I)

  Habrok – Fictional. A Nordic ranger, one of the men of the Gothi of Maljen. Together with Jorund, his service was given to the Archmage. (TAA, Book I)

  Hades – The Greek god of the underworld which also bears his name. His favorite flower is the asphodel. (TAA, Book III)

  Hela – The Norse goddess of the Nordic underworld, called Hel. (TAA, Book I)

  Helga – Fictional. Wife of Eric, a hunter. Forest of Maljen, Skaney. (TAA, Book I)

  Helgi – Fictional. A member of the Champions of the Oak. Blessed by Thor and given a magical war hammer. He died in the Siege of Scarburg, flattened by a giant’s wooden mace. (TAA, Book I)

  Hephaestus – Ancient Greek. The Greek god of fire, metalworking, forges, craftsmanship, and other similar work. A son of Hera, he was thrown away as a baby because of a deformity in his foot. He eventually got back at Hera and became a Greek god. Married to Aphrodite. Also famous for his automata creations. (TAA, Book II)

  Hermes – A Greek god considered to be the messenger of the Olympians. (TAA, Book III)

  Hidden Ones – Fictional. See below. (TAA, Book III)

  He may be a Hidden One, one of the solitary and dark entities of Earth which escaped to this world.

  – Said by X (TAA, Book III)

  “They are not that common, Elder. Almost all arose from beliefs and practices of evil men who practiced magic. These mages believed in greater demons and similar malevolent beings. Where they failed to create portals to dimensions of such actual entities, their beliefs gave rise to these manifestations. And we know how deceitful these creatures are. They wouldn’t confess that the portal spells failed. The problem is that most are created by powerful magi using blood magic. These beings have become powerful through time, establishing their circle of worshippers and creating vast reserves of magical power. With such power, a few would have the capability of moving to Adar. The knowledge to make the portals was not a well-kept secret among the pantheons during that time. Some pantheons and deities even worked with such foul existences.”

  – Hal’s explanation (TAA, Book III)

  Homados – Greek mythological spirit representing the din of battle. Identified with Ares. (TAA, Book II)

  Hrun – Fictional. The bergbui of the mountains near Scarburg. Talks in skaldic verses. See bergbui. (TAA, Book I)

  Hualpa Micos – Fictional Quechua name. A close confidant of the Sapa Inca. (TAA, Book III)

  Huascar and Atahualpa – Incan legend. Two brothers who fought against each other with the throne as the prize. (TAA, Book III)

  Huitzilopochtli – The Aztec deity of human sacrifice and brutal war. Among the Aztec gods, he is considered to be the one representing the Aztec peoples as a whole. There exists scholarly disagreement as to the interpretation of the name. One of the translations offered is “South hummingbird.” This deity is the one tasked in Aztec myth to postpone the end of the world every fifty-two years and his strength is sourced from human blood. He was the deity who founded Tenochtitlan. (TAA, Book III)

  Hypnos – Ancient Greek. The god of sleep. (TAA, Book II)

  Inti – A major Incan deity. In the book, a son of Viracocha. (TAA, Book II)

  Jormungandr – Old Norse. A major figure in Norse mythology. Also known
as the Midgard Serpent. The arch-enemy of the Norse god Thor. (TAA, Book I)

  Jorund – Fictional. Originally a battle-hardened huskarl of the Gothi of Maljen and dedicated to Odin, he became one of the first companions of the Archmage when his service and oath were transferred to Tyler. He died during the siege of Akrotiri. (TAA, Boos I and II)

  “I was a warrior of Jarl Thorvald. The call came for huskarls to serve a new and important Gothi of the All-Father. I volunteered as I have always considered the All-Father as my personal deity. Other warriors have Thor. But the All-Father also exemplifies wisdom and a warrior should have bravery, honor, skill, and wisdom in equal measure.” (TAA, Book I)

  Kamayuk Uturuncu Atoc – Fictional. Quechua name. The leader of the Inka component of the expeditionary force sent to secure one of Viracocha’s temples. (TAA, Book III)

  King Midas – Greek Mythology. A well-known myth, the story of the golden touch centered around the gratitude of the god Dionysus. One day, his tutor and foster father, the minor deity Papposilenus, got drunk and wandered away. He was found by men of Phrygia, who brought him to King Midas. The king recognized him and treated him with honor. He was entertained as a royal guest for ten days and nights. When the minor deity was brought back to Dionysus, the god was so happy that he gave the king his choice of reward. King Midas chose the touch of gold. Legend says Dionysus was unhappy about the king’s wish but had to grant it. The wish turned out to be a curse. Eventually, Dionysus told the king to wash his hand in the river Pactolus for the curse to be removed. (TAA, Book II)

  Kjotve – Fictional. A senior mercenary. One of the surviving escorts of Tyler’s group which was ambushed, together with the contingent of reinforcements from Maljen, on the way to Bildsfell. (TAA, Book I)

  Krampus – A mythical figure in Central European folklore. The son of Hel. The entity has a more primitive Santa Claus tradition – frightening, painful, and bloody. Krampus walks around with a bundle of birch sticks, is horned, has an extended red tongue, goat’s feet, and looks like a demon. Mentioned in passing by Viracocha who described the frightful being as soft-spoken and a good conversationalist. (TAA, Book III)

  Laverna – Roman/Etruscan. An old Italian divinity. Goddess of thieves, cheats, and mischief. (TAA, Book I)

  Loki – The Norse god of trickery and deceit. (TAA, Book I)

  Maherpa – Fictional. One of the commanders of the Inka expeditionary force sent to secure Viracocha’s border temple. Officer in charge of volunteers from Kemet. A Brave of the Pharaoh, an elite royal guard. (TAA, Book II)

  Medusa – Greek. The name of a Gorgon, a winged monster with the body of a female with living snakes as hair. The gaze of a Gorgon can turn one to stone. Medusa is one of three sisters, the others being Stheno and Euryale. The Gorgons are believed by the ancient Greeks to be an archaic race which hated mortal men. The main character was in error in initially calling a Gorgon a Medusa. (TAA, Book II)

  Mictlāntēcutli – An Aztec deity. The Aztecah lord of the dead. He dwells in the lowest part of the land of Mictlan, their underworld. Ugly fellow. Tall and appears as a bloody skeleton, with eyeballs and bones with some fleshy parts still attached. Wears a necklace of eyes, still dripping with blood. His followers sometimes practice cannibalism in his temples. (TAA, Book III)

  Mors – Another Greek spirit. He represents death in battle. Also an attendant of Ares. (TAA, Book II)

  Nakki – Fictional. A forest spirit, brother of Eira. Also known as the Fiddler Troll of Fossegrim Forest. Died when he attempted to open the Elder tablets Eira found in a cave. (TAA, Book I)

  Nemanja – An early Celtic war goddess. Like the Greek Furor, the diety personifies the rage and havoc of battle. In Irish mythology, she is known as Nemain. (TAA, Book III)

  Nenetl – Nahuatl word for “doll.” The name of the spirit of air sent by the deity Ehecatl to help Tyler and his companions. (TAA, Book III)

  Nike – The winged goddess of victory. In Greek, “Nice.” The daughter of the giant Pallas and the river Styx. Though sometimes identified with the goddess Athena, some sources name her as one of the attendants of Ares, probably due to the connection of the war-god to battles. Yet the winged goddess does not only represent victory in war but also in peaceful competition. Believed to be a mediator between men and gods. (TAA, Book II)

  Nordic primary deities – Odin, Thor, and Frey. In Nordic belief, they are the King, the Warrior, and the Farmer. (TAA, Book I)

  Nýchta – Fictional. Greek, meaning “the night.” Another of the race of ancient draken. (TAA, Book III)

  Odin – The one-eyed leader of the Nordic pantheon. (TAA, Book I)

  Palirroia – Fictional. Greek. Meaning “riptide.” Name of the Ismenian drakon encountered near Akrotiri. (TAA, Book II)

  Papposilenus – The tutor of Dionysus. With the permission of Athena, he ruled Akrotiri as its king. Extremely fond of wine. And women. As is his pupil. (TAA, Book II)

  Phobos – Ancient Greek. One of the sons of Ares and Aphrodite. Meaning “fear.” (TAA, Book II)

  Polúmetis – Ancient Greek. One of the names of Hephaestus. Meaning “shrewd, crafty, of many devices.” In the book, the preferred name of the deity. (TAA, Book II)

  Ptah – The Egyptian deity of craftsmen and architects. One of the five major Egyptian gods. (TAA, Book I)

  Quetzalcohuātl – A major Aztecah deity, also known as the feathered serpent or the White God. Also spelled “Quetzalcoatl.” Legend identifies him as the one Aztecah god who was against human sacrifice. Quetzalcoatl is the deity Tezcatlipoca’s main rival. (TAA, Book III)

  Reze – Fictional. Greek/Pelasgian. A word meaning “beam.” The name of the king, or Primus, of the Pelasgoi in the story. (TAA, Book II)

  Rumpr – Fictional. An ancient earth elemental, known by many names in various lands. In Hellas, he is known as Geros Gis or “Earth Lord.” (TAA, Book I)

  Seth-Tenoch – Fictional. The leader of a Quinametzin war band. (TAA, Book III)

  Sisyphus – The Greek mythological figure who had the never-ending task of rolling a boulder up a hill, only to find it moving down as he neared the top. (TAA, Book III)

  Skadi – A Nordic minor deity. Believed to be a jotunn, she was Loki’s jailer. (TAA, Book I)

  “Oh, you mean Skadi’s little love nest! Nope, no, nein, nyet. That traitorous bitch of a jotunn! We’re almost cousins! Or half-cousins! Didn’t even give me some slack! I mean, a millennium or five should have been enough for some loosening of the rules or at least the chains! But noooooooo… she had to be a stickler for the rules!” – Loki (TAA, Book I)

  Snorri – Fictional. The war-mage of Scarburg. A follower of Odin. (TAA, Book I)

  Staff God – A major Andean deity. Considered to be the oldest god found in archaeological sites in South America. First found in a burial site belonging to the Norte Chico or Caral-Supe civilization dated between the fourth and second millennia B.C. The deity was also worshipped by other succeeding civilizations in the region. In the story, one of the references to the deity Viracocha. (TAA, Book II)

  Supay – Incan. God of death and the Incan underworld. Also known to be the ruler of a race of demons. (TAA, Book II)

  Sutr – Norse mythology. Believed to be the primordial giant of fire. A jotunn. (TAA, Book I)

  Tezcatlipoca – An Aztec deity. One of their major gods. A dark deity associated with night, discord, sorcery, war, strife, and similar concepts. The name is usually translated as “smoking mirror.” His titles include Necoc Yaotl (“Enemy of all sides”) and Titlacauan (“We are his slaves”). (TAA, Book III)

  Thaut – Ancient Egyptian. One of the principal gods of Ancient Egypt. Called the god of knowledge and wisdom, among others. The name Thoth is a Greek derivative of the name. He is believed to be an inveterate seeker of knowledge. Egyptian myth credits him with having a collection of books containing all lore. (TAA, Books II and III)

  Thor – The Nordic god of thunder. Introduced to Tyler as Torvald, a warrior of the Oak. (TAA, Book
I)

  Tlaloc – The Aztec god of rain and fertility. Also their god of thunder and lightning. The name is usually related to earth and sometimes translated as “one who is made of earth.” One of the titles associated with him is Xoxouhqui or “the Green One.” (TAA, Book III)

  Tlaltecuhtli – Nahuatl. An Aztec god of earth. Literally means “earth lord.” In this story, he is considered to be one of the primary Aztecah deities. (TAA, Book III)

  Tyche – Greek. Fortuna in Roman mythology. (TAA, Book III)

  Tyler West – Fictional. The protagonist of the story. (TAA, Book I)

  Tyndur – Fictional. An einherjar. Lost during the battle against Elder beings. Refuses to return to Asgard. Also known as Starkad and Skaldr. Later joined Tyler’s group as one of the companions. (TAA, Book I)

  Tyr – A Norse deity believed to be the god of war. (TAA, Book I)

  “Tyr died?”

  “Damned Incans ambushed him.” (TAA, Book I)

  Villac Umu Ayar-Maita – Fictional. The chief priest of the Inka Kingdom. Killed the boy-king of the kingdom and became the Sapa Inca. (TAA, Book III)

  Viracocha – See Staff God.

  Volundr – Norse mythology. A legendary human blacksmith. Portrayed in sagas as one of the sons of the king of the Sami people. The magical swords Gram and Durandal were believed to be of his forging. (TAA, Book I)

  Wilan – Fictional. An old Inkan mage. One of the disguises of the Staff God. (TAA, Book II)

  X – Fictional. An Elder artificial intelligence construct similar to Hal. (TAA, Book II)

  Yayauhqui – A Nahuatl term meaning “the Black Mirror.” A leader of Aztecah champions. Sacrificed by her master, the Black God of the Aztecah pantheon, to become a powerful undead witch. (TAA, Book III)

  Ymir – A jotunn. A giant and the first being to come into being in the Norse creation myth. Though popular belief aligns Ymir with snow and ice, in Nordic legend, he personified chaos. (TAA, Book I)