forrader (foh-RAY-der)—NORTHERN. “traitor”
forraderi (foh-reh-derr-EE)—NORTHERN. “treason”
forsvarir (fors-var-EER)—RENSHAI. a specific disarming maneuver
frey (FRAY)—NORTHERN. “lord”
freya (FRAY-a)—NORTHERN. “lady”
frichen-karboh (FRATCH-inn kayr-BOH)—EASTERN. widow; literally “manless woman, past usefulness”
frilka (FRAIL-kah)—EASTERN. the most formal title for a woman, elevating her nearly to the level of a man
fussling (FUSS-ling)—TRADING. slang for bothering
galn (GAHLN)—NORTHERN. “ferociously crazy”
ganim (GAH-neem)—RENSHAI. “a non-Renshai”
garlet (GAR-let)—WESTERN. a specific type of wildflower believed to have healing properties
garn (GARN)—NORTHERN. “yarn”
Gerlinr (gerr-LEEN)—RENSHAI. a specific aesthetic and difficult sword maneuver
granshy (GRANN-shigh)—WESTERN. “plump”
gullin (GULL-in)—NORTHERN. “golden”
gynurith (ga-NAR-ayth)—EASTERN. “excrement”
hacantha (ha-CAN-thah)—TRADING. a specific type of cultivated flower that comes in various hues
hadongo (hah-DONG-oh)—WESTERN. a twisted, hardwood tree
harval (harr-VALL)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “the gray blade”
Hastivillr (has-tih-VEEL)—RENSHAI. a sword maneuver
herbont (HER-bont)—TRADING. a specific type of gnarly tree that tends to grow with multiple trunks
jovinay arithanik (joh-VIN-ay ar-ih-THAN-ik)—ELFIN. “a joining of magic”; a gathering of elves for the purpose of amplifying and casting spells
jarfr (YAHR-fer)—OUTWORLD. a fierce predator akin to a wolverine.
jufinar (JOO-fin-ar)—TRADING. a specific type of bushlike tree that produces berries
kadlach (KOD-lok; the ch has a guttural sound)—TRADING. a vulgar term for a disobedient child; akin to brat
kathkral (KATH-krall)—ELFIN. a specific type of broad-leafed tree
kenya (KEN-ya)—WESTERN. “bird”
khohlar (KOH-lahr)—ELFIN. a mental magical concept that involves transmitting several words in an instantaneous concept
kjaelnabnir (kyahl-NAHB-neer)—RENSHAI. temporary name for a child until a hero’s name becomes available
kinesthe (kin-ESS-teh)—NORTHERN. “strength”
kolbladnir (kol-BLAW-neer)—NORTHERN. “the cold-bladed”
krabbe (krab-EH)—NORTHERN. “the crab”; a Renshai sword maneuver
kraell (kray-ELL)—ANCIENT TONGUE. a type of demon dwelling in the deepest region of chaos’ realm
kyndig (KAWN-dee)—NORTHERN. “skilled one”
latense (lah-TEN-seh—RENSHAI. a sword maneuver
lav’rintir (lahv-rinn-TEER)—ELFIN. “destroyer of the peace”
lav’rintii (lahv-RINN-tee-igh)—ELFIN. “the followers of Lav’ rintir”
lessakit (LAYS-eh-kight)—EASTERN. “a message”
leuk (LUKE)—WESTERN. “white”
loki (LOH-kee)—NORTHERN. “fire”
lonriset (LON-rih-set)—WESTERN. a ten-stringed instrument
lynstriek (LEEN-strayk)—RENSHAI. a sword maneuver
lysalf (LEES-alf)—ELFIN. “light elf ”
magni (MAG-nee)—NORTHERN. “might”
meirtrin (MAYR-trinn)—TRADING. a specific breed of nocturnal rodent
minkelik (min-KEL-ik)—ELFIN. “human”
mirack (merr-AK)—WESTERN. a specific type of hardwood tree with white bark
missy beetle—TRADING. a type of harmless, black beetle
mjollnir (MYOLL-neer)—NORTHERN. “mullicrusher”
modi (MOE-dee)—NORTHERN. “wrath”
Morshoch (MOOR-shok)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “sword of darkness”
Motfrabelonning (mot-frah-bell-ONN-ee)—NORTHERN. “reward of courage”
mulesl om natten (MYOO-sill-ohm-NOT-in)—RENSHAI. “the night mule”; a Renshai sword maneuver
musserënde (myoo-ser-EN-deh)—RENSHAI. “sparkling”; a Renshai sword maneuver
mynten (MIN-tin)—NORTHERN. a specific type of coin
nådenal (naw-deh-NAHL)—RENSHAI. “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
nålogtråd (naw-LOG-trawd)—RENSHAI. “needle and thread”; a Renshai sword maneuver
noca (NOE-ka)—BÉARNESE. “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”
pen-fruit: WESTERN—an edible fruit that is the seed of the pen-fruit tree
perfrans (PURR-franz)—WESTERN. a specific scarlet wildflower
pike—NORTHERN. “mountain”
placeling (PLAYS-ling)—ANCIENT TONGUE. a creature with Outworld blood placed magically into a human womb
prins (PRINS)—NORTHERN. “prince”
ranweed—WESTERN. a specific type of wild plant
raynshee (RAYN-shee)—TRADING. “elder”
rexin (RAYKS-inn)—EASTERN. “king”
rhinsheh (ran-SHAY)—EASTERN. “morning”
richi (REE-chee)—WESTERN. a specific type of songbird
rintsha (RINT-shah)—WESTERN. “cat”
Ristoril (RISS-tor-rill)—ANCIENT TONGUE. “sword of tranquillity”
sangrit (SAN-grit)—BARBARIAN. “to form a blood bond”
sawgrass—WESTERN. a specific type of grass
shucara—(shoo-KAHR-a): TRADING. a specific type of medicinal root
skjald (SKYAWLD)—NORTHERN. “musician chronicler”
skulk i djevlir (SKOOLK ee dyev-LEER)—NORTHERN. “devils brutal fun”
skulkë i djeygullinhåhi (SKOOLK-eh EE djev-gull-inn-HARR-ee)—NORTHERN. “golden-haired devil’s brutal fun
stjerne skytedel (STYARN-eh skih-TED-ell)—RENSHAI. “the shooting star”; a Renshai sword maneuver
svartalf (SWART-alf)—ELFIN. “dark elf ”
svergelse (sverr-GELL-seh)—RENSHAI. “sword figures practiced alone”; katas
take—TRADING. a game children play
takudan (TOK-oo-don)—OUTWORLD. “sewer rat”
talvus (TAL-vuss)—WESTERN. “midday”
tåphresëlmordat (taw-FRESS-al-MOOR-dah)—RENSHAI. “brave suicide”; leaping into an unwinnable battle for the sole purpose of dying in glory for Valhalla rather than of illness or old age
thrudr (THRUDD)—NORTHERN. “power”, “might”
tisis (TISS-iss)—NORTHERN. “retaliation”
torke (TOR-keh)—RENSHAI. “teacher”, “sword instructor”
tre-ved-en (TREH-ved-enn)—RENSHAI. “Loki’s cross”; a Renshai sword maneuver designed for battling three against one
trithray (TRITH-ray)—TRADING. a specific type of purple wildflower
tvinfri (TWINN-free)—RENSHAI. a specific disarming maneuver
ulvstikk (EWLV-steek)—RENSHAI. a specific sword maneuver
uvakt (oo-VAKT)—RENSHAI. “the unguarded”; a term for children whose kjaelnabnir becomes a permanent name
Valhalla (VAWL-holl-a)—NORTHERN. “hall of the slain”
valkyrie (VAWL-kerr-ee)—NORTHERN. “choser of the slain”
valr (VAWL)—NORTHERN. “slayer”
Vestan (VAYST-inn)—EASTERN. “The Westlands”
waterroot—TRADING. a specific edible sea plant
wertell (wer-TELL)—TRADING. a specific plant with an acid seed used for medicinal purposes
wisule (WISS-ool)—TRADING. A foul-smelling, disease-carrying breed of rodents that has many offspring because the adults will abandon them when threatened
yarshimyan (yar-SHIM-yan)—ELFIN. a type of tree with bubblelike fruit
yonha (YON-a)—OUTWORLD. “wild animal”
/> yrtventrig (eert-VEN-tree)—RENSHAI. a specific sword maneuver
PLACES
Northlands
The area north of the Weathered Mountains and west of the Great Frenum Range.The Northmen live in nine tribes, each with its own town surrounded by forest and farmland. The boundaries change.
Asci (ASS-kee)—home of the Ascai; Patron god: Bragi
Aerin (Ah-REEN)—home of the Aeri; Patron god: Aegir
Devil’s Island—an island in the Amirannak. A home to the Renshai after their exile. Currently part of Nordmir
Erd (URD)—home of the Erdai; Patron god: Freya
Gelshnir (GEELSH-neer)—home of the Gelshni; Patron god: Tyr
Gjar (GYAR)—home of the Gyar; Patron: Heimdall
Nordmir (NORD-meer)—the Northlands high kingdom, home of the Nordmirians; Patron: Odin
Shamir (Sha-MEER)—home of the Shamirians; Patron: Freya
Skrytil (SKRY-teel)—home of the Skrytila; Patron: Thor
Talmir (TAHL-meer)—home of the Talmirians; Patron: Frey
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. This area is known as the Fertile Oval. The easternmost portions of the Westlands are forested, with sparse towns and rare barbarian tribes. To the south lies an uninhabited tidal plain.
Almische (Ahl-mish-AY)—a small city
Béarn (Bay-ARN)—the high kingdom; a large mountain city
Bellenet Fields (Bell-eh-NAY)—a tourney field in Erythane
Corpa Bickat (KOR-pah Bih-KAY)—a large city
Corpa Schaull (KOR-pah SHAWL)—a medium-sized city; one of the “twin cities” (see Frist)
Dunford (DUNN-ferd)—a small village east of Erythane
Erythane (AIR-eh-thayn)—a large city closely allied with Béarn; famous for its knights
The Fields of Wrath—plains on the outskirts of Erythane; home to the Renshai
Frist (FRIST)—a medium-sized city; one of the “twin cities” (see Corpa Schaull)
Granite Hills—a small, low range of mountains
Great Frenum Mountains—(FRENN-um): towering, impaasable mountains that divide the Eastlands from the Westlands and Northlands
Greentree—a small town
Hopewell—a small town
Keatoville (KEY-toh-vill)—a small town east and south of Dunford
The Knight’s Rest—a pricy tavern in Erythane
Myrcidë (Meer-see-DAY)—a town near the Weathered Mountains that consists entirely of magically hidden caves
New Lovén (Low-VENN)—a medium-sized city
Nualfheim (Noo-ALF-highm)—the elves’ name for their island
The Off-Duty Tavern—a Pudarian tavern frequented by guardsmen
Oshtan (OSH-tan)—a small town
Paradise Plains—an Erythanian name for the Fields of Wrath
Porvada (Poor-VAH-da)—a medium-sized city
Pudar (Poo-DAR)—the largest city of the West; the great trade center
The Red Horse Inn—an inn in Pudar
The Road of Kings—the legendary route by which the Eastern Wizard is believed to have rescued the high king’s heir after a bloody coup
Santagithi (San-TAG-ih-thigh)—a medium-sized town
Sheaton (SHAY-ton)—a small town northeast of Dunford
The Western Plains—a barren salt flat
Wynix (Why-NIX)—a medium-sized town
Eastlands
The area east of the Great Frenum Mountains, it is a vast, overpopulated area filled with crowded cities and eroded fields. Little forest remains.
Dunchart (DOON-shayrt)—a small city
Ixaphant (IGHCKS-font)—a large city
Gihabortch (GIGH-hah-bortch)—a city
LaZar (LAH-zar)—a small city
Lemnock (LAYM-nok)—a large city
Osporivat (As-poor-IGH-vet)—a large city
Prohathra (Pree-HATH-ra)—a large city
Rozmath (ROZZ-mith)—a medium-sized city
Stalmize (STAHL-meez)—the Eastern high kingdom
Bodies of Water
Amirannak Sea (A-MEER-an-nak)—the northernmost ocean
Brunn River (BRUN)—a muddy river in the Northlands
Conus River (KONE-uss)—a shared river of the Eastlands and Westlands
Icy River—a cold, northern river
Jewel River—one of the rivers that flows to Trader’s Lake
Perionyx River (Peh-ree-ON-ix)—a Western river
Southern Sea—the southernmost ocean
Trader’s Lake—a harbor for trading boats in Pudar
Trader’s River—the main route for overwater trade
Objects/Systems/Events
Bards, the—a familial curse passed to the oldest child, male or female, of one specific family. The curse condemns the current bard to obsessive curiosity but allows him to impart his learning only in song. A condition added by the Eastern Wizards compels each bard to serve as the personal bodyguard to the current king of Béarn as well.
Cardinal Wizards, the—a system of balance created by Odin in the beginning of time consisting of four, near-immortal, opposing guards of evil, neutrality, and goodness who were tightly constrained by Odin’s laws. Obsolete.
Great War, the—a massive war fought between the Eastland army and the combined forces of the Westlands
Harval—“the Gray Blade.” the sword of balance imbued with the forces of law, chaos, good and evil. Obsolete
Knights of Erythane, the—an elite guardian unit for the king of Erythane that also serves the high king in Béarn in shifts. Steeped in rigid codes of dress, manner, conduct, and chivalry, they are famed throughout the world.
Kolbladnir—“the Cold-Bladed.” a magic sword commissioned by Frey to combat Surtr at the Ragnarok
Mages of Myrcidë—a society of genetic human mages once feared and revered. The greatest and strongest of the Cardinal Wizards came from this society before the Renshai killed them all and left their dwellings in ruins. Always reclusive, after their destruction, they were all but erased from human memory
Mjollnir—“Mullicrusher.” Thor’s gold, short-handled hammer so heavy only he can lift it
Necklace of the Brisings, the—a necklace worn by the goddess Freya and forged by dwarves from “living gold”
Pica Stone, the—a clairsentient sapphire. One of the rare items with magical power. Once the province of the Mages of Myrcidë, it became the totem of Renshai, was returned to the “last” Myrcidian by the “last” Renshai, then was shattered. The shards were regathered, the stone remade, and it now tests the heirs of Béarn to assign the one worthy of rulership.
Ragnarok (RAN-yer-rok)—“the Destruction of the Powers” the prophesied time when men, elves, and nearly all the gods would die. Because of actions by Colbey Calistinsson and Odin, things did not go exactly as fated. The current flashpoint of religious differences comes in the form of those who believe the Ragnarok has already occurred and those who believe it is still to come.
Sea Seraph, the—a ship once owned by an elf known only as the Captain and used to transport the Cardinal Wizards. Obsolete.
Seven Tasks of Wizardry, the—a series of tasks designedby gods to test the power and worth of the Cardinal Wizards’ chosen successors. Obsolete.
Trobok, the—“the Book of the Faithful” a scripture that guides the lives of Northmen. It is believed that daily reading from the book assists Odin in holding chaos at bay from the world of law.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 40
CHAPTER 41
CHAPTER 42
CHAPTER 43
CHAPTER 44
CHAPTER 45
CHAPTER 46
EPILOGUE
Appendices
WESTERNERS
EASTERNERS
NORTHERNERS
OUTWORLDERS
ANIMALS
GODS, WORLDS & LEGENDARY OBJECTS
FOREIGN WORDS
PLACES
Objects/Systems/Events
Flight of the Renshai Page 75