Cimillion (seh-MIL-e-on)—Emperor Sandus’s son, believed killed as an infant by Gadrith the Twisted
Citadel, the—headquarters of the Quuros Imperial Military
City, the, aka the Capital City—just called “the City”; originally a city-state under the control of the god-king Qhuaras, its original name (Quur) now applies to the whole Empire
Continuance—a royal practice of delaying the execution of a female member of the House until she has borne a child; usually done when there is no male heir
Copper Quarter, the—the mercantile district of the Lower Circle in the Capital City
Cornerstones, the—eight magical artifacts; the Stone of Shackles and Chainbreaker are two of these
Court of Gems, the—slang for the Royal Families of the Upper Circle, represented by twelve different kinds of gemstones
Crown and Scepter, the—famous artifacts that may only be wielded by the Emperor of Quur
Culling Fields, the—a tavern and inn situated just outside the Imperial Arena. Also a nickname for Arena Park.
D
Daakis (DAY-kis)—a god of sports, swordplay, and games
Dana (dan-AY)—god-queen of Eamithon, still worshipped as the goddess of wisdom and virtue
D’Aramarin (day-ar-a-MAR-in)
Dorman (DOR-man)—a nobleman belonging to House D’Aramarin, cousin and friend of Galen D’Mon
Daughter of Laaka, aka kraken—an enormous immortal sea creature
Delon (DEL-on)—first mate aboard the slave ship The Misery
demons—an alien race from another dimension that can, through effort, gain access to the material world; famous for their cruelty and power. See: Hellmarch
D’Erinwa (day-er-in-WAY),
Morvos (MOR-vos)—a nobleman of House D’Erinwa, fond of card games
Phaellen (FAY-lan)—a nobleman of House D’Erinwa, murdered by Gadrith D’Lorus
Desolation, the—an island chain between Zherias and Khorvesh that poses a major shipping and navigational hazard because of the lack of currents on one side and the Maw on the other
Dethic (DETH-ik)—a eunuch slave trader operating out of Kishna-Farriga
D’Lorus (du-LOR-us)
Cedric (KED-rik)—High Lord of House D’Lorus; father of Gadrith
Gadrith (GAD-rith)—Lord Heir of House D’Lorus, convicted of treason and executed at the end of the Affair of the Voices; also known as Gadrith the Twisted
Raverí (rav-ear-EE)—wife of Gadrith D’Lorus; officially listed as mother of Thurvishar D’Lorus. She was believed executed after his birth for the charges of witchcraft and treason
Thurvishar (thur-vish-AR)—son of Gadrith and Raverí D’Lorus, Lord Heir of House D’Lorus after his father Gadrith’s execution
D’Mon (day-MON)
Alshena (al-shen-AY)—wife of Darzin D’Mon, originally from House D’Aramarin
Bavrin (BAV-rin)—second living son of High Lord Therin D’Mon
Darzin (DAR-zin)—Lord Heir and eldest living son of High Lord Therin D’Mon
Devyeh (DEV-yeh)—third living son of High Lord Therin D’Mon
Galen (GAL-len)—second son of Lord Heir Darzin D’Mon
Kihrin (KEAR-rin)—eldest son of Lord Heir Darzin D’Mon by a slave, Lyrilyn. See: Rook
Saerá (SAY-ra)—eldest daughter of Darzin D’Mon
Therin (THER-rin)—High Lord of House D’Mon
Tishar (tish-AR)—younger sister of Pedron D’Mon, also half-vané
Devoran Prophecies, the—a many-book series of prophecies that are believed to foretell the end of the world
Devors (de-VORS)—island chain south of the Capital City, most famous as the home of the Devoran priests and their prophecies
Doc (Dok)—the owner and primary bartender of the Culling Fields, a tavern
Doltar (dol-TAR)—a country distant from Quur
Dragonspires, the—a mountain range running north–south through Quur, dividing the dominions of Kirpis, Kazivar, Eamithon, and Khorvesh from Raenena, Jorat, Marakor, and Yor
dreth (DRETH)—See: vordreth
drussian (deus-E-an)—a rare metal superior to iron that can only be created through super hot magical fires
Dyana (DEE-an-ah)—a vordreth woman, married to Emperor Sandus, murdered by Gadrith the Twisted
E
Eamithon (AY-mith-ON)—a dominion just north of the Capital City, the oldest of the Quuros dominions and considered the most tranquil
Empire of Quur—See: Quur
Esiné (eh-SIN-ah)—a Manol vané clan that communicated through hand movements
F
Faris (FAIR-is)—a member of the Shadowdancers criminal organization, formally code-named Ferret
firebloods—a race originally related to horses but modified by the god-king Korshal to possess extraordinary size, power, resilience, loyalty, and intelligence. Firebloods are omnivorous and although they do not possess opposable thumbs, some are capable of manipulating tenyé. They have an average life expectancy of eighty years or more.
Four Races, the—four immortal, powerful races that once existed; only the vané still exist in their original, immortal forms, with the other races having devolved into the morgage, dreth, and human races
G
gaesh (gaysh), pl. gaeshe (gash-ee)—an enchantment that forces the victim to follow all commands given by the person who physically possesses the totem focus, up to and including commands of suicide. Being unable or unwilling to perform a command results in death.
Galava (gal-a-VAY)—one of the Eight Immortals; goddess of life and nature
Galla Sea (GAL-la)—sea between the Devors island cluster and the Desolation
Gallthis (gal-THIS)—a garbage pit outside the Capital City, unofficially used by people who don’t wish to pay the fees charged by the Junk Boys
Gendal (GEN-dal)—former Emperor of Quur, murdered by Gadrith D’Lorus
god-touched—a “gift” or “curse” (depending on who one asks) handed down by the Eight Immortals to the eight Royal Houses of Quur. The Royal Houses are forbidden on pain of death, from making laws. As a side effect of the curse, each House has a distinctive eye color.
Guarem (GOW-rem)—the primary language of Quur
Grizzst (GRIST)—falsely attributed to being one of the Eight Immortals; famous wizard, sometimes considered a god of magic, particularly demonology. Believed to be responsible for the binding of demons
H
Hell—distinct from the Land of Peace; where demons come from
Hellmarch—the result of a powerful demon gaining access to the physical world, freely summoning demons and possessing corpses. This usually results in a runaway path of death and devastation.
I
Ivory District, the—the temple district of the Upper Circle in the Capital City
J
Jorat (jor-AT)—a dominion in the middle of Quur with varying climate and wide reaches of grassy plains, known for its horses
Juval, Captain (JEW-val)—the Zheriaso captain of the slave ship The Misery
K
Kalindra (KAL-ind-rah)—a member of the Black Brotherhood, of Khorvesh and Zherias descent
Kame (KAY-me)—a prostitute working the harbor area of the Capital
Kandor (KAN-dor)
Atrin (AT-rin)—an Emperor of Quur who significantly expanded the borders of the Empire; most famous for deciding to invade the Manol, which resulted in the destruction of virtually the entire Quuros army, leaving Quur defenseless against the subsequent morgage invasion. Also, the last known wielder of the Sword of Empire, Urthaenriel.
Elana (eh-lan-AY)—Atrin Kandor’s wife; after her husband’s death, she returned to using her maiden name, Milligreest
Karolaen (KAR-o-lane)—former name of Kharas Gulgoth
Kazivar (KAZ-eh-var)—one of the dominions of Quur, north of Eamithon
Kelanis (KEL-a-nis)—son of Khaevatz and Kelindel, now king of the vané
Kelindel (KEL-in-del)—the Kirpi
s vané king who married the Manol vané queen Khaevatz and united the vané people
Key—a specialist burglar working for the Shadowdancers, trained at unlocking magical wards and enchantments; technically a witch. See: witch
Kirpis, the (KIR-pis)—a dominion to the north of Kazivar, primarily forest. Most famous for being the original home of one of the vané races, as well as the Academy. Also home of a number of very famous vineyards.
Kirpis vané—a fair-skinned, immortal race who once lived in the Kirpis forest before being driven south to eventually relocate into the Manol Jungle
Kishna-Farriga (KISH-na-fair-eh-GAH)—one of the Free States, independent city-states south of Quur, past the Manol Jungle; Kishna-Farriga is used as a trading entrepôt by many neighboring countries
Khaemezra (kay-MEZ-rah), aka Mother—the High Priestess of Thaena, and leader of the Black Brotherhood; Teraeth’s mother
Khaeriel (kay-RE-el)—queen of the vané, deceased
Khaevatz (KAY-vatz)—Manol vané queen, famous for resisting Atrin Kandor’s invasion; she later married Kirpis vané king Kelindel
Kharas Gulgoth (KAR-as GUL-goth)—a ruin in the middle of the Korthaen Blight; believed sacred (and cursed) by the morgage
Khored (KOR-ed)—one of the Eight Immortals, God of Destruction
Khoreval (KOR-e-val)—a magic spear wielded by Janel Theranon, particularly efficacious against demons
Khorsal (KOR-sal)—a god-king who ruled Jorat. He was particularly obsessed with horses, and modified a great many of the people and animals under his power. Responsible for the creation of the fireblood horse lines and centaurs.
Khorvesh (kor-VESH)—a dominion to the south of the Capital City, just north of the Manol Jungle
Korthaen Blight, the (Kor-THANE)—also called the Wastelands, a cursed and unlivable land that is (somehow) home to the morgage
L
Laaka (LAKE-ay)—goddess of storms, shipwrecks, and sea serpents
Land of Peace, the—Heaven, the place rewarded souls go after they die and are judged worthy by Thaena
Lorgrin (LOR-grin)—chief physicker of House D’Mon
Lower Circle—the area of the Capital City that exists outside of the safety of the tabletop mesa of the Upper Circle, thus making it vulnerable to flooding
Lyrilyn (LIR-il-in)—a slave girl owned by Pedron D’Mon
M
Maevanos (MAY-van-os)—1. an erotic dance; 2. a holy rite of the Black Gate, the church of Thaena
Magoq (mag-OK)—oar master on board The Misery
Manol, the (MAN-ol)—an area of dense jungle in the equatorial region of the known world; home to the Manol vané
Mataris, Baron (MAT-ar-is)—a nobleman from Eamithon who liked to live in the City
Maw, the—an area of ocean maelstrom to the south of the Desolation, near Zherias
Merit (MER-it)—a thief running with Faris in the Shadowdancers
Milligreest (mill-eh-GREEST)
Elana (e-lan-AY)—wife of Atrin Kandor, responsible for ending the morgage invasion of Khorvesh
Jarith (JAR-ith)—only son of Qoran Milligreest; like most Milligreests, serves in the military
Nikali (ni-KAL-i)—cousin of Qoran Milligreest, famous for his skill with a sword. See: Terindel
Qoran (KOR-an)—High General of the Quuros army, considered one of the most powerful people in the Empire
mimics—a mysterious shape-changing race that hide amongst humanity, typically selling their services as spies and assassins; infamous for their fondness for devouring brains
Misery, The—a slave ship
misha (MEESH-ah)—a long-sleeved shirt worn by men in Quur
Miyathreall (my-ah-threel), aka Miya—a handmaiden to Queen Khaeriel; gaeshed slave to Therin D’Mon
Morea (Mor-E-ah)—a slave girl owned by Ola Nathera; Talea’s sister
morgage (mor-gah-GEE)—a wild and savage race that lives in the Korthaen Blight and makes constant war on its neighbors, mainly Khorvesh
Mouse—a Key in the Shadowdancers, deceased
N
Nathera, Ola (OH-la na-THER-ah), aka Raven—a former slave, now owner of the Shattered Veil Club in Velvet Town
O
Octagon, the—the main slave auction house of the Capital City
Ogenra (OH-jon-RAY)—an unrecognized bastard of one of the Royal Families. Far from being unwanted, Ogenra are considered an important part of the political process because of their ability to circumvent the god-touched curse.
Old Man, the—See: Sharanakal
ord—the main monetary unit of Kishna-Farriga
Q
Quur, the Great and Holy Empire of (koor)—a large empire originally expanded from a single city-state (also named Quur) that now serves as the Empire’s capital
R
Raenena (RAY-nen-ah)—a dominion of Quur, nestled in the Dragonspire Mountains to the north
Roarin (RAY-or-in)—a morgage-blooded bouncer at the Shattered Veil Club
raisigi (RAY-sig-eye)—a tight-fitting bodice worn by women
Rava (ra-VAY)—Raverí’s mother, executed for witchcraft
Raven—See: Nathera, Ola
Rook—See: D’Mon, Kihrin
S
sallí (sal-LEE)—a hooded, cloak-like garment designed to protect the wearer from the intense heat of the Capital City
Sandus (SAND-us)—a farmer from Marakor, later Emperor of Quur
S’arric (sar-RIC)—one of the Eight Immortals, mostly unknown (and deceased); god of sun, stars, and sky
Scandal—a fireblood mare from Jorat
Sharanakal (SHA-ran-a-KAL)—a dragon, associated with fire; also known as “the Old Man”
Shattered Veil Club, the—a velvet house and entertainment hall owned by Ola Nathera
Simillion (SIM-i-le-on)—first Emperor of Quur
Standing Keg, the—a tavern in the Lower Circle
Star—a Joratese horse trainer, enslaved for stealing horses
star tears—a kind of rare blue diamond
Stone of Shackles, the—one of the eight Cornerstones, ancient artifacts of unknown origin
Suless (SEW-less)—god-queen of Yor, associated with witchcraft, deception, treachery, and betrayal
Surdyeh (SUR-de-yeh)—a blind musician who lives and works in the Copper Quarter, Lower Circle, Capital City
T
Taja (TAJ-ah)—one of the Eight Immortals, Goddess of Luck
Talea (tal-E-ah)—Morea’s sister, a slave girl formerly owned by Baron Mataris
talisman—a otherwise normal object whose tenyé has been modified to vibrate in sympathy with the owner, thus reinforcing the tenyé against enemies who might use magic to change it; this also means it’s extremely dangerous to allow one’s talismans to fall into enemy hands. Since talismans interfere with magical power, every talisman worn weakens the spell effectiveness of the wearer.
Talon—a mimic assassin and spy working for Darzin D’Mon
tenyé (ten-AY)—the true essence of an object, vital to all magic
Teraeth (ter-WRATHE)—hunter of Thaena; a Manol vané assassin and member of the Black Brotherhood; son of Khaemezra
Terindel (TER-in-del)—an infamous Kirpis vané who tried to assassinate Queen Khaevatz and usurp his brother’s throne
Thaena (thane-AY)—one of the Eight Immortals, Goddess of Death
Theranon, Janel (jan-EL ther-a-NON)—a demon-tainted warrior who goes to the Afterlife when she sleeps
Three Sisters, the—either Taja, Tya, and Thaena, or Galava, Tya, and Thaena; also, the three moons in the night sky
tsali stone (zal-e)—a crystal created from the condensed soul of a person
Tya (tie-ah)—one of the Eight Immortals, Goddess of Magic
Tya’s Veil (tie-ah)—an aurora borealis effect visible in the night sky
Tyentso (tie-EN-so)—a sea witch servi
ng aboard the slave ship The Misery
U
Upper Circle—the mesa plateau in the center of the Capital City that is home to the Royal Houses, temples, government, and Arena
Urthaenriel (UR-thane-re-EL)—Godslayer, the Ruin of Kings, the Emperor’s Sword. A powerful artifact that is believed to make its wielder completely immune to magic and thus is capable of killing gods
usigi (YOU-sig-eye)—undergarments, specifically underpants or loincloths
V
Valathea (val-a-THE-a)—a harp passed through the Milligreest family; also, a deceased queen of the Kirpis vané
Valrashar (val-ra-SHAR)—a vané princess, daughter of Kirpis vané King Terindel and Queen Valathea
Valrazi (val-RAH-zi)—Captain of the Guard for House D’Mon
vané (van-EH) aka vorfelané—an immortal, magically gifted race known for their exceptional beauty
Veil—1. the aurora borealis effect sometimes seen in the nighttime sky; 2. the state of perception separating seeing the “normal” world from seeing the true essence or tenyé of the world, necessary for magic
Velvet Town—the red-light district of the Lower Circle. Those who engage in the sex trade are commonly described as “velvet,” e.g., velvet boys or velvet girls
Vishai Mysteries, the (vish-AY)—an underground religion popular in parts of Eamithon, Jorat, and Marakor; little is known about their inner workings, but their religion seems to principally center around a solar deity; often pacifistic
Vol Karoth (VOL ka-ROTH), aka War Child—a demon offspring crafted by the demons to counter the Eight Guardians
voramer (vor-a-MEER), aka vormer—an extinct water-dwelling race believed to be the progenitors of the morgage and the ithlakor; of the two, only the ithlakor still live in water
voras (vor-AS), aka vorarras—an extinct race believed to have been the progenitors of humanity, who lost their immortality when Kharolaen was destroyed
vordreth (vor-DRETH), aka vordredd, dreth, dredd, dwarves—an underground-dwelling race known for their strength and intelligence; despite their nickname, not short. Believed to have been wiped out when Atrin Kandor conquered Raenena.
W
Watchmen—the guards tasked with policing the Capital City
Winding Sheet, the—a velvet house specializing in providing lethal entertainments for those with sufficient wealth to afford them