by C S Marks
Tuathas (TOO-ah-thas): Greatest of all realms of Men, Tuathas alone possessed an Asarla. Because of this they were more enlightened than other men. The Tuathar were commonly known simply as northmen. From tuath (north).
Tuathar (TOO-ah-thar) sing. Tuathan: Men of the Northern Realm of Tuathas. Name means “north-man,” from tuath (north) and aridan (man). Because of the influence of their Asarla, they are tall and comely, hardy and strong.
Turanen (TOOR-ah-nen): Younger brother of Tarfion and Tarmagil, father of Nelwyn and spouse of Elwyn. An unparalleled archer, he was slain in the third uprising. Name means “glen-bowman.” From tuag- (bow) and ranen (glen).
Turoc: Fearsome black boar, slayer of many Elves, who was slain by Gaelen’s father, Tarfion.
Ulcas (UL-cas), sing. Ulca: Evil servants of Wrothgar. Some are quite formidable in battle, but most can prevail only through sheer numbers. All are ugly. They dislike sunlight and live in dark places, particularly beneath mountains. They lurk in nearly every dark, forsaken place in Alterra, and their numbers have waxed and waned according to the power of their Master. There is some debate among scholars concerning the origin of Ulcas, but it is assumed that they are perversions of existing races, for Wrothgar can create nothing of his own; he can only twist and subvert the creations of Aontar.
There is some speculation that the Elves had a part in the making of the Ulcas, a notion that is most emphatically denied by both the Elves and the Ulcas. The two races hate each other, and they claim no relationship that does not involve the point of a blade. The Elves are quick to point out that Ulcas will not consume their flesh (they will eat nearly anything else), that they are entirely hairless, lacking even eyelashes, and that they will not suffer the touch of objects that are Elven-made, hence they could not share the same forebears.
The prevailing view held by western scholars is that Ulcas were men in the beginning, and that Wrothgar, desiring to make them stronger, infected them with a pestilence. This disease killed the weaker members, and those that survived lived much longer, even to the point of appearing to be immortal. All Ulcas now carry the pestilence, which has changed over generations such that it can no longer infect men. It is passed to the Ulcas before they are born, and it makes them hardy and long-lived, but it also twists and distorts their hairless bodies and makes them intolerant of sunlight. Naturally, the Elves prefer this view, yet it has not been proven.
Ulcas are highly variable in appearance; most are greyish-black in color, but some are pale or mottled, and some are dark as pitch. They are all undeniably ugly, some so ugly as to be hideous. Ulcas typically speak a crude form of Aridani, varied according to the area of origin. Because they do not write or record events, we know little of their history, customs, or culture. Their name simply means “evil, wicked” in the Elven-speech.
They have played a large part in Wrothgar’s plans throughout history, swarming down upon their enemies in huge masses during battles. They are terribly weakened by sunlight, hence it is perilous to go abroad at night in any unprotected lands. During daylight they are most often found belowground. They feed primarily upon flesh, scavenging the dead as well as preying upon the living.
Their eyes are well designed for seeing in darkness, with cat-like, vertical pupils. In color they are generally a pale yellow to muddy yellow-brown; blue or grey-eyed Ulcas are almost unknown.
Wrothgar (ROTH-gar): Wrothgar (ROTH-gar): Evil Being of Alterra, also known as the Shadowmancer or the Black Flame. He was so named because of his ability to summon the dreadful being known as “The Shadow”, who can so confuse the soldiers of an enemy army that they turn upon one another. His hallmark is the peculiar dark fire that envelops him when he is engaged in battle—this flame will slowly consume everything it touches. High Elves can shield themselves from it only by summoning their inner Light.
Wrothgar has arisen twice at the time this tale begins; first in f.r.3506-3525, and again in s.r.2026-2029. Each time he has been defeated and driven back into shadow by the Light-bearers. Despite defeat he has eventually regained his strength, for evil cannot be truly vanquished from the world. So long as the children of Aontar are corruptible, and choose the path of Darkness, Wrothgar will continue to trouble them. The name Wrothgar means “Dark Fury.” From wroth (fury, wrath) and gor (dark).
About C.S. Marks
C.S. Marks has often been described as a Renaissance woman. The daughter of academic parents, she holds a Ph.D. in Biology and has spent the past two decades teaching Biology and Equine Science. She is currently a Full Professor at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in west central Indiana.
She began writing shortly after the untimely death of her father, who was a Professor of American Literature at Butler University. A gifted artist, she has produced illustrations and cover art for all three books. She plays and sings Celtic music and a few examples of her songwriting may be found within the pages of Fire-heart. She enjoys archery, and makes hand-crafted longbows using primitive tools.
Horses are her passion, and she is an accomplished horsewoman, having competed in the sport of endurance racing for many years. One of only a handful of Americans to complete the prestigious Tom Quilty Australian national championship hundred-mile ride, she has described this moment as her finest hour.
She has been happily married for nearly three decades. She and her husband, Jeff, share their home with ten dogs (predominantly Welsh Corgis) and five horses. They live deep in the forest, where there are miles and miles of trail riding to be had.
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Ebook available now, in print 2013!
Elfhunter
This is the tale of Gorgon Elfhunter, a monstrous, mysterious creature who has sworn to destroy all the Elves of Alterra—until none remain. It is the story of Wood-elven heroine Gaelen Taldin, who has sworn to rid her world of the Elfhunter even as she is hunted by him. The conflict between them creates a tangled web that blurs the line between Light and Darkness, love and obsession, free will and fate. Filled with moments both tender and terrifying, thrilling yet thought-provoking, it is a timeless epic fantasy suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of Elves, dwarves, mortal men, and delightfully intelligent horses. Come to Alterra—the “World that Is”.
Newly remastered by Parthian Press, with illustrations by the incomparable Hope Hoover, this second edition will intrigue and delight fans of the series as well as those who have yet to discover it.
“Best villain since Darth Vader!”
“Truly captivating! The eloquence with which C.S. Marks writes is extraordinary.”
“Breathtaking. Brutal. Brilliant.”
Ebook Available Now On Amazon
The Fire King
Invincible. Unconquerable. Perfect. Fearless.
It’s no longer enough….
Not for Aincor Fire-heart, the first High Elven King of Alterra. For Aincor’s reign, his power, his life itself—is about to change.
After charging headlong into a conflict that plunges all of Alterra into war, Aincor must face a force of such power and terror that none may stand against it. Despite unrivaled skill, pride, and valor, no one is truly invincible…or fearless. As the Flame struggles against the Shadow, Aincor’s secret, hidden dread rises up to torment him. Will it stand in the way of victory?
If the King falls – what of the Kingdom?
From the creator of the beloved ELFHUNTER Series comes a tale of fate and faith, of the eternal but never certain struggle of Light against Darkness, of the power of love itself—as a King is forced to confront that which is in himself, that which is in us all.
WHAT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO LOSE TO GAIN ALL?
Available now in Print at Part
hianPress.com
and Ebook on Amazon.
Fire-heart
In the Second of the Tales of Alterra, the World that Is…
…the Company embarks on a thousand-mile odyssey through vast lands both savage and civilized, where they encounter a great variety of strange, sometimes hostile people. Their eyes are opened to many wonders, but evil lurks at every turn as destiny takes them onto unexpected paths. Battling through blood, treachery, fire, and thirst, they reach a safe and peaceful haven only to face the ‘Scourge’—a ter- rible army of the worst dregs ever to roam the desert—and its nearly insurmountable weapon. Meanwhile, Gaelen of the Greatwood has summoned Gorgon Elfhunter to follow after her, knowing that the journey has only delayed their final reckoning. Should he find her, even the strength and will of the Fire-heart might not be enough!
Ebook coming in 2013
Ravenshade
In the third of the Tales of Alterra, the World that Is…
…the Elfhunter is forced into a confrontation with Gaelen of the Greatwood, setting into motion a tale of deceit and betrayal from which neither may emerge. In an effort to prevail over his wily enemy, Gorgon forms a powerful, poisonous alliance with an ancient, sinister force darker and deadlier than any the Company has yet known. Each side must weave a web of deception that ultimately drives them deep into the ruined northern lands, even as the World of Alterra is plunged into war. Will the armies of Lord Wrothgar overwhelm all who stand against them? Does the fate of the Light rest on the shoulders of one small Wood-elf as Gaelen strives to defeat the Elfhunter at last? At the heart of it all is the Stone of Léir and the mighty but forlorn spirit trapped within it.
Ebook coming in 2013
Outcaste
The first in the new Alterran series:
Undiscovered Realms
The Defenders of Light despise you.
The Powers of Darkness would doom you.
What if you discovered that your ancestors committed the most shameful atrocities in history? What if your only chance to climb from the darkness of the past depends on the good graces of
your enemies? How will you convince them to aid you when they kill your people on sight?
You are the last hope of a struggling race, beset from all sides. No one wants you—everyone wants you dead. You have made your case before the Council of the Wise, but just as the first fragile trust begins to form, it is shattered. How can your former enemies ever trust you again? Will you find your way back into the Light or be forever Outcaste?
The latest from award-winning author C.S. Marks, Outcaste is the first in a new series beginning twenty years after the ending of the Elfhunter trilogy. A riveting tale told in the classic epic style, it is suitable for readers of all ages. Join the Company of intrepid adventurers (and delightfully intelligent horses). Come to Alterra, the World That Is.
Coming in 2014