Age of Swords Read online

  Drumindor: A Dherg-built fortress located on an active volcano at the entrance to a large strategic bay on the Blue Sea. Two massive towers provide protection from any invasion by sea.

  Dunn: One of the three Gula-Rhune clans. The other two are Erling and Strom.

  Dureya: A barren highland in the north of Rhulyn, home to the Rhune clan of the same name. The entire region and all but two of the clan members were destroyed by Fhrey Instarya. Before their destruction, they were the most powerful warrior clan of the Rhulyn-Rhunes.

  Dwarfs: Any flora or fauna of diminutive stature (as in dwarf wheat or dwarf rabbits). Also, the name Persephone gives to Belgriclungreians, as it is easier to pronounce than Belgriclungreians and not taken as an insult as Dherg is.

  East Puddle: The less affluent area of the Rhen settlement in Tirre.

  Eilywin: Fhrey architects and craftsmen who design and create buildings.

  Elan: The Grand Mother of All. God of the land.

  Elf: The Fhrey word for “nightmare” and a derogatory term used by the Dherg to insult the Fhrey people.

  Eraphus: The sea god of Dahl Tirre.

  Eres (Fhrey, Instarya): A member of Nyphron’s Galantians. His main prowess is with spears and javelins.

  Erivan: Homeland of the Fhrey.

  Erling: One of the three Gula-Rhune clans. The other two are Dunn and Strom.

  Esbol Berg: The massive towers and gate at the entrance of Neith.

  Estramnadon: The capital city of the Fhrey, located in the forests of Erivan.

  Estramnadon Academy: The school where Miralyith are trained in the ways of the Art. Entrance to it requires passage of the Sharhasa, an aptitude test.

  Eten: The former chieftain of the Nadak clan. He and almost all his people were killed by a Fhrey Instarya attack.

  Fane: The ruler of the Fhrey, whose term of office extends to death or to three thousand years after ascension, whichever comes first.

  Faquins: Practitioners of the Art who can’t draw power directly from the forces of nature and must instead use physical elements as a crutch to harness that power.

  Fenelyus (Fhrey, Miralyith): The fifth fane of the Fhrey and first of the Miralyith. She saved the Fhrey from annihilation during the Belgric War.

  Ferrol: The god of the Fhrey.

  Ferrol’s Law: The irrefutable prohibition against Fhrey killing other Fhrey. In extreme situations, a fane can make an exception for cause, or can designate a person as exempt. Breaking Ferrol’s Law will eject a Fhrey from society and bar the perpetrator from the afterlife. Since it is the Fhrey’s god that will pass judgment, no one can circumvent Ferrol’s Law by committing murder in secret or without witnesses.

  Fhrey: One of the five major races of Elan. Fhrey are long-lived, technologically advanced, and organized into tribes based on profession.

  Fhreyhyndia (killer of Fhrey): A Fhrey word sometimes used by Nyphron when referring to Raithe. Also, the name that Tesh of Duryea would like to adopt.

  First Chair: An honorific for the chieftain of a dahl.

  First Minister: The third most important person in Fhrey society (following the fane and the Curator). The primary role is the day-to-day administration of the Talwara. The present First Minister, Kabbayn, replaced Gryndal upon his death.

  First Quorum: The group that developed the foundations of the Fhrey society. Notable members included Caratacus and Gylindora Fane.

  Five major races of Elan: Rhunes, Fhrey, Dherg, Ghazel, and Grenmorians.

  Flood (Dherg): One of three Dherg found by Persephone, Arion, and Suri in a rol of the Crescent Forest. The twin brother of Frost.

  Florella Plaza: A large public square with an elaborate fountain outside the Airenthenon in Estramnadon.

  Forest Throne: The seat of the fane, located in the Talwara in the capital city of Estramnadon. It was created when Caratacus intertwined six trees as symbols of the (then) six tribes of the Fhrey.

  Frost (Dherg): One of three Dherg found by Persephone, Arion, and Suri in a rol of the Crescent Forest. The twin brother of Flood.

  Furgenrok (Grenmorian): Leader of the Grenmorians, the giants of Elan.

  Galantians: The Instarya party led by Nyphron and famed for legendary exploits of valor and bravery. Exiled from Alon Rhist for disobeying orders to destroy Rhune villages, they remain outlaws living in Dahl Rhen.

  Garden, the: One of the most sacred places in Fhrey society, used for meditation and reflection. The Garden is in the center of Estramnadon and surrounds the Door, the Fhrey’s most sacred relic.

  Gath (Rhune): The first keenig, who united all the human clans during the Great Flood.

  Gelston (Rhune, Rhen): The shepherd who was hit by lightning during the Grenmorian attack on Dahl Rhen; uncle to Brin.

  Gifford (Rhune, Rhen): The incredibly talented potter of Dahl Rhen whose mother died during his birth. Due to extensive deformities, he wasn’t expected to live more than a few years.

  Goblins: A grotesque race feared and shunned by all in Elan, known to be fierce warriors. The most dangerous of their kind are oberdaza, who can harness the power of elements through magic. In the Dherg language, they are known as:

  Ba Ran Ghazel (Forgotten Ones of the Sea)

  Fen Ran Ghazel (Forgotten Ones of the Swamps)

  Fir Ran Ghazel (Forgotten Ones of the Forest)

  Durat Ran Ghazel (Forgotten Ones of the Mountains)

  God Killer: A moniker given to Raithe of Dureya, who was the first known Rhune to kill a Fhrey (Shegon of the Asendwayr tribe). While staying in Dahl Rhen, he killed another Fhrey (Gryndal of the Miralyith).

  Grandford: A stone bridge over the narrow gorge of the Bern River that separates Dureya from Alon Rhist. The first official battle of the Fhrey–Rhune war takes place there.

  Grand Mother of All: Another name for the goddess Elan (the world).

  Gray Cloaks: A secret society of Miralyith who believe they have ascended to a higher state of being than other members of the Fhrey society.

  Great Famine: A year of unusually harsh conditions that destroyed most of the crops of the Rhunes, leading to mass starvation and many deaths.

  Great Puddle, the: A large pond formed outside the walls of Tirre during unusually heavy rains. It divided the Rhen camp into two distinct living areas: West Puddle (the more affluent) and East Puddle (the less desirable).

  Great War: The first war between the Fhrey people and the Rhunes.

  Grenmorian: The race of giants who live in Elan.

  Grin: The name Suri and Tura gave to The Brown, a ferocious bear of the Crescent Forest.

  Gronbach Eyck Prigmoore (Dherg): The mayor of Caric and Master Crafter of that city.

  Grygor (Grenmorian): A member of Nyphron’s famed Galantians, and the only giant of the group. Known for his love of cooking and the use of spices.

  Gryndal (Fhrey, Miralyith): The former First Minister to Fane Lothian. Respected as one of the most skilled practitioners of the Art, Gryndal was killed in Dahl Rhen by Raithe, the God Killer.

  Gula-Rhunes: A northern alliance of three Rhune clans (Dunn, Strom, and Erling) that have a long-standing feud with the seven southern Rhulyn-Rhune clans. Historically, the Fhrey have pitted these two sides against each other and fostered their mutual animosity.

  Gwydry: One of the seven tribes of Fhrey. This one is for the farmers who are responsible for raising crops and livestock.

  Gylindora Fane (Fhrey, Nilyndd): The first leader of the Fhrey. Her name became synonymous with ruler.

  Habet (Rhune, Rhen): The keeper of the flame of Dahl Rhen, responsible for ensuring that the braziers and the lodge’s fire pit remain lit.

  Harkon (Rhune, Melen): Chieftain of Clan Melen.

  Hawthorn Glen: Home to Suri and Tura.

  Hegel (Rhune, Dureya): One of Raithe’s brothers.

  Heim (Rhune, Dureya): The most ferocious and skilled fighter among Raithe’s brothers.

  Hentlyn (land of mountains): An area to the north of Avrlyn, generally inhabited by Grenm
orians.

  Herkimer (Rhune, Dureya): The father of Raithe, killed by Shegon.

  High Spear Valley: Home of the three clans of the Gula-Rhunes.

  Horn of Gylindora: A ceremonial horn kept by the Conservator that was originally bestowed on Gylindora Fane by the legendary Caratacus. The horn is used to challenge for leadership of the Fhrey. It can only be blown during an Uli Vermar (upon the death of a fane or every three thousand years). When blown at the death of a fane, it’s the fane’s heir who is challenged. If the fane has no heir or if it is blown after three thousand years of reign, the horn can be blown twice, providing for two contestants.

  Imaly (Fhrey, Nilyndd): A descendant of Gylindora Fane, leader of the Nilyndd tribe, and Curator of the Aquila.

  Instarya: One of the seven tribes of the Fhrey. Instarya are the warriors who have been stationed on the frontier in outposts along the Avrlyn border since the Belgric War.

  Iver (Rhune, Rhen): A woodcarver and abusive slave owner; the former master of Roan and her mother.

  Jerydd (Fhrey, Miralyith): The kel of Avempartha.

  Kabbayn (Fhrey, Eilywin): The current First Minister, who replaced Gryndal after his death.

  Keenig: A single person who rules over the united Rhune clans in times of trouble. There hasn’t been one appointed since the days of Gath. The Council of Tirre has been formed to select a new keenig to see the Rhune people through the approaching war with the Fhrey.

  Keeper of Ways: The person who learns the customs, traditions, and general memories of a community and is the authority in such matters. Keepers pass down their knowledge through oral tradition. The most famous Keeper is Brin from Dahl Rhen, who created the famed Book of Brin.

  Kel: The administrator of a prestigious institution.

  Knots: Known to disrupt the natural flow of the Art, knots often create difficulty in communication and prevent consensus building. Once a knot is unraveled, so, too, are arguments unknotted, leading to eventual agreement.

  Konniger (Rhune, Rhen): Shield to Chieftain Reglan of Dahl Rhen and husband of Tressa. Konniger ruled Rhen for a short period of time between the reigns of Reglan and Persephone after assassinating the former. He also tried to kill Persephone and was inadvertently killed by Grin the Brown.

  Krugen (Rhune, Menahan): Chieftain of Clan Menahan, the richest of the seven Rhulyn clans.

  Krun: The patron god of Clan Melen.

  Leigh mor: Great cloak. A versatile piece of fabric used by Rhune men that can be draped in a number of ways, usually belted. A leigh mor can also be used as a sling to carry items or as a blanket. Usually, they’re woven with the pattern of a particular clan. The female version, known as a breckon mor, is longer, with an angled cut.

  Linden Lott: The chief Dherg city after the fall of Neith. It holds an annual contest to determine the best in various endeavors valued by the Dherg people, such as building, forging weapons, and digging.

  Lion Corps: Personal bodyguards to the fane.

  Lipit (Rhune, Tirre): The chieftain of Dahl Tirre.

  Lothian, Fane (Fhrey, Miralyith): The supreme ruler of the Fhrey, father to Mawyndulë, son of Fenelyus. He came into power after an unusually gruesome challenge in which he defeated Zephyron of the Instarya in a humiliating and cruel display of power.

  Maeve (Rhune, Rhen): The former Keeper of Ways for Dahl Rhen and mother of Suri; she was killed by Grin the Brown.

  Magda: The oldest tree in the Crescent Forest; an ancient oak known to offer sage advice, including information that was instrumental in saving the village of Dahl Rhen when it was targeted by First Minister Gryndal of the Miralyith.

  Mahn (Rhune, Rhen): The son of Persephone and Reglan. He was killed by a ferocious bear known as The Brown.

  Makareta (Fhrey, Miralyith): A member of the Gray Cloaks and the object of Mawyndulë’s first romantic crush.

  Malcolm (Rhune, honorary Dureyan): The ex-slave of Zephyron and former resident of Alon Rhist. After Malcolm attacked Shegon with a rock, he and Raithe became companions. He is also responsible for attacking Arion in a similar manner.

  Mari: The patron god of Dahl Rhen.

  Master of Secrets: The adviser to the fane who is responsible for Talwara security. Vasek is the current holder of that title.

  Mawyndulë (Fhrey, Miralyith): Prince of the Fhrey realm; the son of Lothian, grandson of Fenelyus, and former student of Arion and Gryndal. He was present at Dahl Rhen when Raithe killed Gryndal. He’s currently representing the Miralyith in the Aquila as the junior councilor.

  Mehan: The patron god of Clan Menahan.

  Melen: A Rhulyn clan known for its poets and musicians.

  Menahan: A Rhune dahl known for its wool, ruled by Chieftain Krugen.

  Mideon, King (Dherg): A key player in the Belgric War between the Dherg and Fhrey. The last monarch of the Dherg race.

  Minna: A wolf and the best friend of Suri, who dubbed the animal the wisest wolf in the world.

  Miralyith: The Fhrey tribe of Artists—people who use the Art to channel natural forces to work magic.

  Morton Whipple (Rhune, Rhen): A childhood friend of Persephone.

  Mount Mador: A mountain conjured by Fane Fenelyus during the Belgric War, which killed tens of thousands of Dherg.

  Moya (Rhune, Rhen): A beautiful young woman of Dahl Rhen known for her fiery spirit and loud mouth.

  Mynogan: The three gods of war worshipped by the Dureyans and other warrior tribes. They represent Battle, Honor, and Death.

  Mystic: An individual capable of tapping into the essence of the natural world and understanding the will of gods and spirits. Both Tura and Suri are mystics from the Hawthorn Glen.

  Nadak: A region in the north of Rhulyn that is home to the Rhune clan of the same name. It was destroyed by the Fhrey Instarya, and most of its residents were slaughtered.

  Narsirabad: A large spear from the lodge of Dahl Rhen used by Malcolm. Its name is Fhrey for “pointy.”

  Neith: The original home of the Dherg in Belgreig. Neith is a huge underground city and the most revered place in the Dherg culture.

  Nidwalden: A mighty river that separates Erivan (the land of the Fhrey) from Rhulyn (the land of the Rhunes).

  Nifrel: Below Rel. The most dismal and unpleasant of the three regions of the afterlife.

  Nilyndd: The Fhrey tribe of craftsmen.

  Nyphron (Fhrey, Instarya): The son of Zephyron and leader of the famed Galantians. After attacking the new leader of Alon Rhist, he was declared an outlaw. He and his Galantians found refuge in the Rhune village of Dahl Rhen.

  Orinfar: Ancient Dherg runes that can prevent the use of the Art.

  Padera (Rhune, Rhen): A farmer’s wife and the oldest resident of Dahl Rhen, she is known for her excellent cooking ability and for being the best healer in the dahl.

  Persephone (Rhune, Rhen): The chieftain of Dahl Rhen and widow of Reglan. She killed Grin the Brown.

  Petragar (Fhrey, Instarya): The lord of Alon Rhist, appointed by Fane Lothian after the death of Zephyron.

  Phyre: The afterlife, which is divided into three sections: Nifrel, Rel, and Alysin.

  Pithos: Extremely large clay urns used to store crops for long periods of time.

  Rain (Dherg): One of three Dherg found by Persephone, Arion, and Suri in a rol of the Crescent Forest. An even-tempered Dherg who wields a large pickax, Rain is perhaps the best digger of his people and the grand-prize winner at the Linden Lott competition.

  Raithe (Rhune, Dureya): The son of Herkimer; also known as the God Killer. He killed Shegon (a Fhrey Asendwayr) in retribution for his father’s death, and Gryndal (a Fhrey Miralyith) when he threatened the people of Dahl Rhen.

  Raow: A feared predator that eats its prey starting with the face. Raow sleep on a bed of bones and must add another set before going to sleep. A single raow can decimate an entire region.

  Rapnagar (Grenmorian): The leader of a raiding party sent by the Fhrey to destroy Dahl Rhen and kill Arion, Nyphron, and Raithe.

  Rasr
a: The patron god of Clan Nadak.

  Reglan (Rhune, Rhen): The former chieftain of Dahl Rhen and husband to Persephone. Killed by Konniger in an attempt to usurp his power.

  Rel: One of the three regions in the afterlife.

  Rhen: A wooded region in the west of Rhulyn that is home to the Rhune clan of the same name. It was formerly ruled by Reglan; his wife, Persephone, now rules the region.

  Rhist: Also sometimes referred to as the Rhist, a shortened name for Alon Rhist, the Fhrey outpost.

  Rhulyn: The “Land of the Rhunes,” bordered by the Fhrey’s native Erivan to the east and the Fhrey outposts in Avrlyn to the west.

  Rhulyn-Rhunes: The seven southern clans of Rhunes: Nadak, Dureya, Rhen, Warric, Tirre, Melen, and Menahan. The Rhulyn-Rhunes have been in constant conflict with the northern tribes of the Gula-Rhunes.

  Rhune: One of the five major races of Elan, the race of humans. The word is Fhrey for “primitive,” and for some, it is seen as derogatory. This race is technologically challenged, superstitious, and polytheistic. They live in clusters of small villages, and each clan is governed by a chieftain. There are two major groups of Rhunes, the Gula-Rhunes from the north and the southern Rhulyn-Rhunes. The two factions have warred for centuries.

  Rhunic: The language spoken by the humans who live in Rhulyn.

  Roan (Rhune, Rhen): An ex-slave of Iver the woodcarver. An incredibly talented, emotionally scarred inventor.

  Rol: A small Dherg fortification. Rols were created throughout the frontier to provide shelter during the Belgric War. Most have a hidden door that opens and shuts via a series of pulleys and gears and are lined with Orinfar runes to protect those inside from magical attacks.

  Rol Berg: A gate deep in the heart of Neith.

  Rose Bridge: A bridge decorated with roses that crosses the Shinara River in Estramnadon, the Fhrey capital. The meeting place of the Gray Cloaks.

  Rostwell: The mammoth dining hall in Caric where all members of the ruling party take their meals.

  Roundhouse: A typical Rhune dwelling consisting of a single circular room with a cone-shaped roof, usually covered in thatch.

  Ryeteen: The Fhrey term for a simplistic system of markings carried over great distances by birds for limited communication. Ryeteen is also used for the keeping of itemized lists.