Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda

Home > Other > Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda > Page 48
Reality's Plaything 3: Eternal's Agenda Page 48

by Will Greenway


  As a woman, Dorian went on developing her skills as a mage. Her relationship with Cassandra grew and changed, and later changed further still as Desiray entered the picture. She helped raise Cassin and Annawen and watched them grow into young women. Dorian’s adventures continued.

  Dorian is a skilled and creative mage that is far more powerful than a typical mage of her age and skills. She has a knack for creating magic items and blending magicks to create devastatingly powerful combinations. In later cycles, she takes up the sword and martial training purely for the physical “toughening” to enhance her powers even further. Over the course of decades Dorian has developed a reputation as a schemer and a manipulator. She has successfully won the support, dedication, and even adoration of many extremely powerful allies, including such personages as Gabriella Sarn Ariok, who now mentors her in magick. While all are suspicious of Dorian, there is more than a little respect as well, where brute force has failed, Dorian’s clever deceptions have more than once saved the day.

  Dorian is the wife of Brin Ishtarvariku, she has eleven children between four partners, two with Brin: Rindar and Jaraed. Four with Cassandra: Cassin, Annawen, Kassandra, Dorrian. Three with Desiray: Darin’Kel, Eviria, Leandra. Lastly, two with Megan Vinax: Ralani and Silvia.

  See Also: Felspar, Desiray Illkaren, Felspar, Annawen Kel’Ishtauri, Felspar, Cassandra Kel’Ishtauri, Felspar, Cassin Kel’Ishtauri, Felspar, Darin’kel

  Isis — Pantheon lord, goddess of magic and fertility.

  Ivaneth — Name of the kingdom south of Malan, with Corwin on its western border, and East realm and Coormeer on the east. Ivaneth is ruled by King Edmund Tradeholme. The capital of Ivaneth is Ivaneth City. A city of just over 1 million people.

  — J —

  jihira — Elvish. Meaning ‘to kiss’. There is a phrase referring to Elves who dare to love humans. They are called ‘silcomhad jihira’ or ‘star kissers’.

  justicar — A paladin or warrior given authority to act as judge, jury, and executioner (if necessary) in the fringe areas of the Ring Realms.

  Jyril — Elder race capable of movement throughout the multiverse. They are the oldest known race of creatures with a knowledge of magic and technology that dwarfs anything else yet encountered. Little is known about these curious creatures or their real motives, except that certain sects of this ancient people act as a kind of cosmic police force. The Jyril fought and won a war against the Kriar, putting upon them a “curse” of infertility that kept the gold-skinned creatures from reproducing for millions of cycles.

  See Also: kriar

  — K —

  karanganoi — The name of the ‘other’ Kriar dasta (and name of their homeworld). The Fabrista and Karanganoi are two clans of Kriar that went their separate ways during first exodus. See Fabrista.

  See Also: dasta, kriar

  Kegari — Dragon in the employ of the pantheon lord Idun, she and her friend (sister mate?) Tymoril travel extensively with Bannor.

  See Also: dragon

  kell — Powerful being that appeared in citadel Kul’Amaron and bested several savants, a shael dal, and a Kriar belkirin with little effort. Kell’s origins are unknown but it appeared that he had both savant and Baronian heredity.

  See Also: kriar, kriar ranks

  Kergatha, Azir — Son of Euriel and Vanidaar Kergatha, and older brother of Wren. Azir is a Sil’Kar Nola, a savant of light. During the avatar raid that captures Wren and makes Euriel and Vanidaar mental prisoners in their own home, the then eighteen summer old boy made his escape into the planescape surrounding Cosmodarus. Already trained in the techniques of plane-shifting as well as survival and woodscraft, it was an easy matter for the young man to elude capture by the avatar’s minions in the ever changing environment around Cosmodarus.

  Unfortunately, Azir’s ability to elude pursuit did not prevent him from getting lost amongst of the thousands of parallel worlds of the ribbon realms. He moved from place to place, doing odd tasks to get food and shelter, and looking for a way back home to help his family. After a few seasons spent plane hopping he did eventually find his way back to Cosmodarus, a little older and more determined.

  After several aborted attempts to free his parents and barely eluding capture, he went to the world of Titaan, and the city of Corwin, following the trail of his kidnapped sister. He learned that the temple of Hecate there had recently been over-run by the Justicars and most of the prisoners freed. His inquiries with Justicars bore no fruit, as none of the warriors involved in the raid recalled seeing a young girl. It was during these inquiries that he met his school friend Laramis De’Falcone, a well-connected Coormeerian paladin of Ukko, who had just been admitted to the ranks of the Justicars. Laramis’ funds helped finance a wider search of Corwin, but the efforts netted no leads or any evidence that Azir’s sister Liandra still lived or was even still on Titaan.

  Azir turned his attention back to trying to find a way to free his parents from Mishaka. He turned his attention to the Elven land of Malan, his parents being longtime friends of the T’Evagduran royal family. It was Malan where he and Laramis had attended academy together learning everything from academic subjects to warcraft. His attempts to garner the help of the royal family were frustrated by a border war between Malan and the neighboring lands of Ironwood, and the Dwarves at Blackstar. The conflict had grown to the point that the T’Evagduran royals were involved and unable to be contacted much less assist in Azir’s family crisis.

  Azir then turned his attention to higher powers and his Grandmother Idun, the pantheon lady of the Aesir. He found it strange that the powerful goddess had not already come to the aide of her daughter and grand-daughter already. It was during his attempts to contact her that he learned of a wider conspiracy by the court of Odin against Euriel and her mother Idun. For more than two summers his efforts to contact Idun or get into Gladshiem were blocked by various “coincidences” and “happenstances” that he knew were anything but. It was shortly after that agents of Set and Hecate began pursuing him. He also began having run-ins with the black-winged Valkyries called the Bloodguard. It was only incredible luck, his powers as a savant, and chance alliances with warriors of the All-World’s Tournament that kept him from getting killed or captured.

  With such forces mobilized against him, Azir could do little more than run. He spent several years only steps ahead of the agents of the pantheon lords. Eventually they gave up the pursuit and Azir was free to turn his attention back toward freeing his parents. Azir returned to Titaan, and located his friend Laramis, who, over the seasons, had risen considerably in the ranks of the Justicars and the faith of Ukko. Hardened by cycles spent on the run, skills honed by constantly being hairs from death, Azir decided to make one last ditch effort to free his parents with the assistance of Laramis and a few of his retainers.

  Azir’s efforts were to be short-lived by a chance and detrimental encounter with the avatar Hethanon, who would capture the man and give him into the hands of Mishaka. It is shortly after this time that Azir’s sister Wren Kergatha would finally find her identity and her way back home after more than a decade spent in the streets of Corwin where she was a member of the Brethren guild of thieves. Wren and her friends would eventually succeed in their efforts to restore the Kergatha family, and Azir could finally end his cycles of torment and exile.

  See Also: De’Falcone, Laramis

  Kergatha, Euriel Idun-daughter — Daughter of the goddess Idun, wife of Vanidaar Kergatha, mother of Liandra Kergatha and Azir Kergatha.

  Kergatha, Liandra {Wren} Idun-daughter — Daughter of Eurel and Vanidaar Kergatha. Fifteen summer vetran of the Brethren guild. Wren is a Kel’Varan Nola a savant of forces. Wren has had dozens of run-ins with the pantheon lords and their servants. She has fought several avatars and permanently killed two. Even Hecate speaks of this young woman with grudging respect… knowing her full potential especially when backed by the proper allies.

  Kergatha, Vanidaar — Husband of Euriel Idun-daughter,
father of Liandra Kergatha and Azir Kergatha. Vanidaar, like his two children, is a savant—Kul’Vita Nola—a savant of life forces.

  keshira — Elven diplomatic term referring to a person of royal descent who is not currently in power or acknowledged by the powers that be. Sarai refers to Bronawyn Darkstalker as “Keshira” because the royal family of Drakmourne Silissia were run out of the kingdom (indeed off the continent).

  See Also: Shadowstalker, Bronawyn, T’Evagduran, Sarai (3rd Princess)

  kidomma — Elvish term of respect for an woman who is older but of lesser rank. Ryelle refers to Euriel Kergatha (who is a baroness by rank) as “Kidomma”. Domma is an elven synonym for “mother”. The prefix ‘ki’ is somewhat like ‘kul’ (which means power) but is more like emphasis than true meaning. So the best translation is ‘special mother’ or ‘respected mother’.

  See Also: T’Evagduran, Ryelle (1st Princess)

  Kirikos, Dame — A cleric of Ishtar in service Jharon Ko. The dame (along with the entire Corwinian precinct of Ishtar) is slain by Mishaka.

  kriar —Summary: The Kriar being a vegetative (rather than mammalian) humanoid race possess several plant-like attributes. Their skin is photosynthetic, and they derive nourishment from light. Their tissue is dense (like wood) and thus they are heavier and more resistant to injury. Kriar scientists have heavily modified the hereditary physiology of the species and many of the evolutionary drawbacks of their origins have been engineered away. Most Kriar rely on a life-support mechanism called a matrix stone that is embedded in their bodies at a young age. These jewels provide supplemental photosynthetic nourishment so the Kriar can function for extended periods in environments where there is little to no natural sun-light. These jewels are normally installed in sets. A focus stone in the forehead, a distribution matrix enfleshed in the collarbone, and brain-stone or central control enfleshed beneath the lower abdominal muscles. These matrixes often have cybernetic enhancements and convenience mechanisms built into them depending on the kind of work the Kriar does. Warriors typically have additional implants in the palms of both hands. These are high-energy foci. The hand focus allows the warrior to create force weapons and shielding, along with usually having various sensor and cybernetic apparatus built into them.

  kriar ranks — Unlike the Earthly military, which separates rank designations into Officers and enlisted men, the Kriar are broken into two overlapping ranking tracks—Combat grade and Engineer grade. At the same rank in hostile situations, Combat grade always takes precedence over Engineer grade. There is some fuzziness to authority where tactical and strategic command comes into play. The authority of Engineer grade is generally recognized over Combat grade in non-critical situations, reflecting the extra schooling and specialized knowledge of the military engineering track.

  Engineers are required to be flight certified on all vessels up to 100,000 tons. They must have combat certification on three classes each of ground armor, flight armor, tactical and strategic fighter craft. To qualify above Thane rank, Engineers must check out as at least level 5 certified in all timediving related skills. Engineers must also be checked out on all classifications of portable weaponry, and able to perform field strip and repair on said same. They must also be proficient with biomedical units, and fluent in the programming/hacking of cybernetic a.i. Because the Engineer track emphasizes flight and technical knowledge, Engineers have much looser martial requirements.

  Kriar Rank Equivalents

  Combat Grade Rank: Prime Kath

  Engineer Grade Rank: Shal Prime

  —Equivalent to: Fleet Admiral

  Combat Grade Rank: Counsel Kath

  Engineer Grade Rank: Shal Counsel

  —Equivalent to: Admiral

  Combat Grade Rank: Varkath

  Engineer Grade Rank: Varkath

  —Equivalent to: Vice Admiral

  Combat Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Equivalent to: Rear Admiral (upper half)

  Combat Grade Rank: Tarkath

  Engineer Grade Rank: Tarkath

  —Equivalent to: Rear Admiral (lower half)

  Combat Grade Rank: Kath

  Engineer Grade Rank: Shal’kath

  —Equivalent to: Captain

  Combat Grade Rank: Belkirin

  Engineer Grade Rank: Shal’kiran

  —Equivalent to: Commander

  Combat Grade Rank: Varlonn

  Engineer Grade Rank: Shal’kar

  —Equivalent to: Lieutenant Commander

  Combat Grade Rank: Tarlonn

  Engineer Grade Rank: Lonn’kar

  —Equivalent to: Lieutenant

  Combat Grade Rank: Bellonn

  Engineer Grade Rank: Thane’kar

  —Equivalent to: Junior Lieutenant

  Combat Grade Rank: Lonn

  Engineer Grade Rank: Thane

  —Equivalent to: Ensign

  Combat Grade Rank: Varthane

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Master Chief Petty Officer

  Combat Grade Rank: Tarthane

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Senior Chief Petty Officer

  Combat Grade Rank: Belthane

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Chief Petty Officer

  Combat Grade Rank: Thane

  Engineer Grade Rank: Searga

  Equivalent to: *Petty Officer First Class

  Combat Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Petty Officer Second Class

  Combat Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Equivalent to: *Petty Officer Third Class

  Combat Grade Rank: Searga

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Seaman

  Combat Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  —Equivalent to: *Seaman Apprentice

  Combat Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Engineer Grade Rank: -NONE—

  Equivalent to: *Seaman Recruit

  * Indicates Enlisted designation in Earth Navy. The Kriar do not possess a concept like enlisted. The Kriar military consists entirely of career professionals.

  See Also: kriar, tarkath

  krillar — Weapons created by the Elder elite Loric Felspar. There were eighteen of these weapons, six staves, six swords, and six daggers. They are all powerful magic weapons that draw their strength from all the living things in the world around them.

  See Also: Felspar, Loric

  — L —

  Loki — Pantheon lord, god of fire and magic. Many would say trickery and deceit as well. Loki shifts his form often and is not the most mentally stable of the Vanir. Loki’s half-immort wife is Sigyn (pantheon lords cannot breed true with one another—but can copulate with half-immorts) with whom he has a daughter (Hella). He also has a mistress (Angrboda) who in mythology is a “giant”, but in actuality was a Dreel. (Rumor has it, that Angrboda is an alias for Vulcindra Skybane, and descriptions of “giant” Angrboda and Vulcindra coincide quite strongly.) Loki has two progeny by Angrboda—Fenrir (Fenris) and Jormungand, who are more often known as the Fenris Wolf and Midgard serpent. These mythical “monsters” were actually shapes taken by Loki’s half-dreel children.

  Loki is not on particularly good terms with any of his children, and has a way of pissing off just about everybody. Bannor Starfist and Sarai T’Evagduran have several run-ins with Loki. During a battle with Odin’s High Jury, Odin and Loki have a sharp division after Odin attempts to slay Daena Sheento who had tao-merged with Hella. Loki had viciously denounced Daena as being merged with Hella but later reveals that he does indeed acknowledge this has happened (and considers her to be his daughter in fact). Loki rescues Daena and Sarai from Odin’s spear, only to later betray the group and get a good dragon stomping for his trouble.

  Loki confronts Sarai late
r over what he sees as a threat to the pantheon lords. He believes her child will be born an ascendant, and that child will cause ragnarok (according to him). Daena, freshly rejuvenated from the valkyrie renewal spring pummels Loki brutally after he refuses to give up his attack on Sarai and Bannor.

  Loki’s current whereabouts are unknown, but it is fairly certain he is still alive. He is on the outs with the Vanir for actions it is assumed he took against Balder and his son Forseti.

  See Also: dragon, T’Evagduran, Sarai (3rd Princess), tao

  Luthice — A baronian war-witch hailing from the Karanganoi homeworld. She and her sister Senalloy both have an extraordinary knowledge of Kriar technology and artifices. Both sisters speak the Kriar high-tongue fluently which alone is very rare.

 

‹ Prev