The Bellringer

by William Timothy Murray

  Balfast-- (Balfast Ribbon) A farmer in County Barley of the Eastlands. When his son and daughter-in-law died of fever, Balfast took in and raised his grandson, Robigor Ribbon.

  Ballista-- An engine of war used to hurl stones or missiles at the enemy. It makes use of a torsion system of ropes that are tightened by various cranks to bend an arm or bow which slings the missile when released. Others are more technically referred to as catapults, making use of a swinging arm to throw stones, pots of burning oil, or other blunt missiles. Ballistae came in various sizes and configurations, and were used in both defensive and offensive operations. At the Battle of Tallinvale, both types of ballistae were used (true ballistae as well as catapults), whereas at the Battle of Soltani Pass, the ballistae were actually catapults. In both battles, trebuchets were also used.

  Bandit-- The horse of Bob Starhart, an Eastlands Post Rider.

  Banis-- A Firstborn Elifaen of the House of Elmwood. Father to Atlana, Esildre, and Navis. His wife, Tiryna, departed with Aperion. Banis did not join with any other houses during the Time Before Time and lived throughout the Vanara region. As his children became warriors for Cupeldain, Parthais, and Serith Ellyn, Banis served in their courts in various nonmilitary capacities. He was a staunch supporter of Parthais, serving as Vanara's Minister of Justice for many years. In the latter period of Parthais's reign, Banis was removed from his position for insubordination to the throne and became something of a recluse from the Vanaran courts until Serith Ellyn became Queen. He briefly served her as a judge, but moved to Duinnor early in the Second Age, and rarely returned to Vanara thereafter.*

  Banshee-- Witches or messengers of the afterlife who are thought to beckon the living into death or whose appearance forebodes extreme danger. It is said that only certain bloodlines of Men are visited by banshees when near death or sometimes when threatened by mortal crisis. Banshees were unknown in the world until the coming of Men, though some say that they are witches of the First Age who struck some bargain with Beras for their redemption. This tale has it that, in order to redeem themselves of the evils their kind committed in the world, they must act as harbingers to the bloodline of certain dying Men whom they wronged. Other legends say that the banshee are not witches at all, but another kind of spirit somehow bonded to the fate of Men.

  Barian-- A Melnari of the early Second Age. He was renown for his knowledge of the heavens and wrote many books on the subject of the stars. Sometimes called Barian the Counter, it is said that he possessed remarkable eyesight and made an attempt to put a number to the stars and to trace their movements. It was Barian who first perfected a method of using a sextant to aid in navigation, which he shared with his friend and fellow Melnari, Ishtorgus. He was also able to accurately predict certain celestial events, and was a proponent of improved calendars. While living in Altoria, he developed a reliable timekeeping device, one that operated by way of waterwheels and gears. Legend has it that while he was stargazing one night, a falling star struck where he stood, leaving no trace of him but a smoking hole in the ground.

  Barley-- A rural county within the old Eastlands Realm south of Lake Halgaeth and just east of the Thunder Mountains, bordering the lands west of the ancient fortress of Tulith Attis. It is so named because of the main crop grown in the region. Barley was once merely the regional name for the area, but was adopted as the county name when the Eastlands Realm organized itself into counting districts for the purpose of performing the First Census. Nearly all of the lands encompassing Barley were once part of the vast Bosk estate holdings, but over time much of the former Bosk lands were sold or deeded away. Its principal town is Passdale, formerly known as Dalefath. (See Map of County Barley)

  Bartow-- One of the captains of the Fourth Army of Kingsmen under General Teracue during the late Second Age. He served in the Dragonlands, fought against the Wickermen at the Battle of Soltani Pass, and at Tallinvale against the Redvests.

  Battalion-- A military unit normally consisting of between 1200 and 1800 men including military support staff (but often excluding civilian support personnel such as wranglers, blacksmiths, wagon drivers, etc.). The size and makeup of the battalion level military unit varies greatly from realm to realm, and from army to army. In Duinnor, a battalion is usually no less than 1500 soldiers, but in Glareth a battalion may have as few as 800 men. Several battalions may comprise an army unit or division. Battalions sometimes act as semi-autonomous units under a battalion general or other command responsible to a higher general or commander. Battalions are usually subdivided into companies, variously consisting of between 150-500 men. Sometimes battalions are organized in support of specific types of operations or duties. For example the 1st Battalion of the Kingsman Fourth Army is a Heavy Assault Battalion, while the Third Battalion of the Kingsman First Army is an engineering battalion, and specializes in fortifications, mapping, bridging, and the like, often in service to other units outside the First Army.

  Baygast-- Company commander of Sparrow Company, First Battalion, Fourth Army of Duinnor. He distinguished himself at Westlawn when he commanded a small ballista that helped destroy the monster of the Wickermen.

  Beauchamp-- Familiar to Raynor the Melnari; Beauchamp takes the form of a rabbit. Beauchamp was captured sometime around 700 S.A. while on an errand for Raynor and was taken into the Dragonlands as a part of a menagerie of exotic northern animals. He survived the ordeal and managed to escape, working his way northward over the course of many years, eventually returning home to Raynor in Duinnor in 870 S.A..

  Begrimlin-- Often referred to as Begrimlin the Kingmaker, although it is not known why he was called Kingmaker. A Firstborn Elifaen, he was renown for his ability to bring feuding parties to treaty, though he found little success when it came to bringing peace between his people and the Dragonkind. In the latter part of the First Age and into the Second Age, he was active in many realms.*

  Behemoth-- A constellation of the northern sky, so-called after the legendary monster that roamed the earth during the Time of Strife and was said to have been thrown into the heavens by Cupeldain (though Cupeldain denied any such tale).

  Bekund-- Captain of the House Guard of Tallin Hall.

  Beleron-- An Elifaen prophet of the early Second Age who forewarned the Elifaen against joining with Men. A cult sprang up around him that persecuted Men and created divisions between Men and Elifaen during the early part of the Second Age. He eventually renounced violence and called for peace between the races, but was himself assassinated, along with several others of his cult who joined in his renunciation.*

  Belmira-- One of the daughters of Heneil and Lyrium, twin sister of Elmira, though they are not identical twins.*

  Belsalza-- During the late Second Age, King of the Dragonkind. Son of Salzadur and supposedly a descendant of Kalzar the Great. Belsalza rejected the reforms of his father, rebuilt the armed might of the Dragonlands, reunited the sundered tribes, and renewed war against the north.

  Bentbend-- A village south of Passdale on the river Bentwide.

  Bentwide-- The stream that flows from the headwaters of Lake Halgaeth to the Saerdulin to the south. When Heneil's Wall was build, damming Lake Halgaeth were it fell into the Saerdulin, the lake level rose considerably, eventually spilling into the Bentwide. The Bentwide then flowed as a river, deep enough for boats to dock at the town of Dalefath (later the site of Passdale), where a bridge crossed the river permitting goods and traffic to go to Attis. When the dam burst late in the Second Age, the Saerdulin retook its course and power, and the Bentwide was reduced to a stream as the lake quickly fell to its ancient level. (See Map of County Barley)

  Beras-- The personification of the Creator; sometimes called Intent. He is worshipped by Elifaen, Men, and the Dragonkind, all having separate views of Beras. Beras is also referred to as the personification of the Creator's Intent, seeing to the balance of the world. It was Beras who commanded the earth to be formed and for life to emerge upon it. And it is Beras who is regarded as the father of th
e Faerekind. The Dragonkind peoples also worship Beras who is, in their religions, the force behind their liberation from the ancient dragons who enslaved them. Men worship Beras as their savior, who directed their departure from their Lost World and guided their epic passage across the boundless sea to the shores of the Found World.

  Berralasa-- One of the Elders of Nowhere, the outspoken wife of Herbert the Blue.

  Bilaylin-- 1. A founder of the Bosk clan of Men, also called Bilaylin the Hammer. Along with several other Men he joined with the Elifaen to fight the Dragonkind in the Second Age. He gained a reputation for valor on the battlefield and cantankerousness everywhere else. He died at Tulith Attis during the Dragonkind siege of that place, but was survived by a son and three daughters. 2. The right name of Billy Bosk, a descendant of Bilaylin the Hammer. Billy Bosk was one of those who accompanied Robby Ribbon and his party westward in 870 of the Second Age.

  Biradur-- (Biradur Waste) The desert wasteland to the southeast of the Blue Mountains of Vanara in the northernmost reaches of the Dragonlands. It stretches from Kajarahn to the west to the Nalamain Hills and the Tamkal Plain to the east, and reaching from the Badlands southward to Calamandor (the Green Citadel). The Biradur is notorious for its vast flat stretches, sometimes covered by shifting dunes of sand, and for its violent sandstorms.* (See Map Coordinates C5)

  Blain-- (Blain Farby) Father of Grantham Farby of Duinnor

  Blaney-- Surname of brothers Gargeoff and Markum Blaney, residents of Hill Town and expert scouts. The two brothers migrated from Tracia during the rise of the Triumvirate and served under Martin Makeig in the fighting that took place when Redvests invaded the Eastlands.

  Bletharn-- (Bletharn Plain, or The Great Bletharn Plains) The great grassy plain that divides east from west, with Duinnor and Vanara on the north and west at the edge of the world and the other realms to its south and east. It is virtually uninhabited and has few trees and no significant surface water in the form of streams or lakes In addition, a peculiar blight lays upon this region so that any game taken from the place and eaten will make a person violently ill from an intestinal malaise that might last for days but rarely results in lasting harm.* (See Map Coordinates G5)

  Bloodcoins-- The common name for the Forty-Nine Keys to the Nimbus Illuminas, often called simply, The Forty-Nine. There are various theories as to how they came to be called Bloodcoins. One stems from a legend pertaining to Chantay and her daughter Lucinda, that when Chantay was driven mad by the Seven given to her by Aperion, Lucinda cut off her mother's head and Chantay's blood covered the objects of the dispute. Others say that they are called Bloodcoins because they were given to the seven greatest "blood houses" or bloodlines of the Elifaen. Another explanation stems from the superstition that any Mortal who possesses any Faere coin of any kind will meet with bad luck or death (But there is no indication that this belief existed at all until sometime during the latter part of the Second Age.)*

  Bluepine-- A village in the northern extremes of Tallinvale.

  Bodwin-- (Sally Bodwin) Girl of Hill Town in the late Second Age. Daughter of Niels Bodwin and goddaughter of Martin Makeig.*

  Boggy Wood-- A densely wooded and boggy region of Forest Mistwarren on the eastern side of the River Saerdulin opposite County Barley at Tulith Attis. (See Map of County Barley)

  Bonewalker's Valley-- Also called Griferis Vale or Grigferith Vale. Since little is known about Griferis, many tales and legends surround it. Bonewalker's Valley may be derived from the land of Shatuum that surrounds Griferis since it is in that place that all manner of vile and hideous creatures dwell and from where goblins and other creatures purportedly come from. (See Map Coordinates C3)

  Bordy-- A Passdale councilman.

  Borwain-- Ward of Lord Threshmere of the House of Hemlock. Borwain was crippled from a young age and depended upon the use of crutches to get about. He had the uncanny talent of making drawings that seem to depict living, moving, and changing things.

  Bosk-- One of the Ancient Honored Houses of Men, though not a Named House. It is descended from the earliest Men that arrived on the world's shore. The family estate is located in County Barley of the Old Eastlands Realm. Its most famous member was Bilaylin the Hammer who fought and died at Tulith Attis. His descendants were granted vast land holdings not far from Tulith Attis.

  Boskland-- A regional name for the lands belonging to the House of Bosk. (See Map of County Barley)

  Branard-- One of the militia of Boskland.

  Brennig-- (Russard Brennig) Commander General of Tallinvale, Lord Tallin's chief aide and military advisor, died at the Second Battle of Tallinvale.

  Brinathar-- (Brinathar the Lion) Summer constellation to the east of Behemoth. Brinathar was a lion, and was the legendary protector of Ererdid the Princess, whose constellation is nearby. This constellation depicts Brinathar watchfully crouching nearby to the sleeping Ererdid.

  Broadweed-- (Gustan Broadweed) Schoolmaster in the town of Passdale, County Barley in the late Second Age.*

  Brolith-- Elder of Nowhere.

  Buckie-- Powerful pony of Barley, favorite of Ibin Brinnin. Would allow no other person to ride him.

  Buckman's Ferry-- A ferry located near to where the Bentwide meets the Saerdulin. (See Map of County Barley)

  Buckmarl-- A type of large antlered deer or elk ridden by many of the Faere in the Elder Days and sometimes still. They are swift and light on the hoof, strong and nimble in the wood and on rocky mountainsides. They are renown for their ability to leap from crag to crag, much like a ram, with surefooted ease.

  Byrn-- (Byrn Tallyck) Tradesman and resident of Greenfar.

  Bywaters-- Resident of Greenfar.

  * * *

  Calamandor-- Known as the Green Citadel by Men, a great city in the northern deserts of the Dragonlands, sacked and destroyed twice in the Second Age. It is one of the oldest and largest cities of the Dragonkind, with plentiful wells. It was called the Green Citadel because of the tower that once held the Glowing Stone of Bazradur which emitted a bright green light both day and night. In 790 S.A., the tower mysteriously crumbled and fell, shattering the stone so that it could not glow as before. Calamandor was also renown for its elegant and rare overhanging gardens.* (See Map Coordinates D5)

  Calletshire-- County in northeastern Eastlands Realm close to the border with Glareth Realm. (See Map Coordinates K3)

  Calman-- A captain of the King's Post stationed at Janhaven during the late Second Age.

  Carbane-- Ruling Prince of Glareth, father of Prince Danoss. Carbane is of the Elifaen House of Beech.

  Carella-- A bright star of the constellation Brinathar the Lion, often called the Eye of Brinathar.

  Carthane Mountains-- (The Carthanes) Lofty mountains to the west of Glareth and the Eastlands Realms. The range is bordered in the north by the the Osterflo River and stretches south to the Thunder Mountains, west to the Plains of Bletharn, and eastward to Lake Halgaeth. Its highest peaks are ever capped with snow, as they rise precipitously in the middle region of the range and drop away as rapidly to the north. Its high passes, particularly Loringard Pass, are a favorite summer route to and from the Eastlands and the west, but they are closed from late summer through late spring by ice and snow. * (See Map Coordinates I3)

  Cartu-- A warlord clan of Thunder Mountain hillsmen who took power over the Damar and eventually united the other clans under their rule, making Lang Cartu their king.

  Celefar-- 1. One of the Firstborn Faere who stayed behind with Cupeldain and the others of the Faere who were determined to fight the Dragonkind. It was Celefar who was loved by Aperion's daughter, Laeleth, and the love of Laeleth and Celefar and their travails to be reunited are recorded in many songs, poems, and tales. 2. A buckmarl ridden by Prince Thurdun, brother of Queen Serith Ellyn of Vanara. He is named for one of the legendary Firstborn, a great warrior and the lover of Laeleth, daughter of Aperion.

  Certina-- One of the so-called "Familiars." She accompanied Collandoth in the world duri
ng the Second Age. Certina's form was that of a small owl, no bigger than one's hand.

  Chaldron-- A constellation of the northern sky, named by the Dragonkind fro a mighty warrior. Chaldron ever circles the North Star, lost and never able to find his way home.*

  Chancellor-- In most realms, the title is given to the highest ruling lord of the land. In Vanara, the Chancellor is the very highest lord, second only to the Queen in power, who is selected by the Queen to serve as her head of state, overseeing military, diplomatic, judicial, and economic matters and carrying out the Queen's Rule of Law, acting as the Chief Judge of the Land with the power to overturn the verdicts and rulings of Vanaran Judges. The Lord Chancellor of Vanara is also Regent of Vanara whenever the Queen is absent from court, speaking for the Queen and with the Queen's authority. In 849 S.A., Lord Rolland Seafar was named Chancellor, the first mortal to hold that title. The House of Seafar continuously held the title thereafter, with Brandis Seafar, at the age of thirty, becoming the youngest Chancellor in Vanara's history in 865 S.A.