Agave: The prison of the Ancient One, which is deep in the heart of Elan and was discovered by the dwarfs when excavating Neith. During Persephone’s trek to find and destroy Balgargarath, the Agave was rediscovered.
Agave Tablets: Written by the Ancient One, these tablets detail the creation of the world, the secrets of various metallurgy (such as bronze and iron), and the weaves (spells) to manifest the Art into immortal creatures to do the summoner’s bidding.
Aiden (Fhrey, Miralyith): One of the leaders of the Gray Cloaks, a secret Miralyith society that tried to kill the fane and raise the Miralyith’s position above all other Fhrey tribes.
Airenthenon: The domed and pillared structure where the Aquila holds meetings. Although the Forest Throne and the Door predate it, the Airenthenon is the oldest building in Estramnadon. It was nearly destroyed during the Gray Cloak Rebellion, saved only by the efforts of Prince Mawyndulë.
Alon Rhist: The chief outpost on the border between Rhulyn and Avrlyn. Staffed by the Instarya, the fortress acts as a bulwark preventing the Rhunes from crossing into the Fhrey lands. It was named after the fourth fane of the Fhrey, who died during the Dherg War. After the death of Zephyron, rule of the Rhist was granted to Petragar.
Alward (Rhune, Nadak): The new chieftain of Nadak, one of the two clans destroyed by the Fhrey.
Alysin: One of the three realms of the afterlife. A paradise where brave warriors go after death.
Ancient One: Also known as “The Three.” A being whom the Dherg claimed predates the gods of Elan. He was found locked deep underground in the Agave, where he wrote a number of tablets about his existence and the origin of Elan.
Amphora: A delicate storage vessel with an oval body that tapers near its base. It has two handles near its top.
Anwir (Fhrey, Asendwayr): Quiet and reserved, he is the only non-Instarya Fhrey member of Nyphron’s Galantians. He has a penchant for knots and uses a sling for a weapon.
Anyval (Fhrey, Umalyn): Healer of Alon Rhist.
Aquila: Literally “the place of choosing.” Originally created as a formalization and public recognition of the group of Fhrey who had been assisting Gylindora Fane for more than a century. Leaders of each tribe act as general counsels, making suggestions and assisting in the overall administration of the empire. Senior council members are elected by their tribes or appointed by the fane. Junior members are chosen by the senior. The Aquila holds no direct power, as the fane’s authority is as absolute as Ferrol Himself. However, the Aquila does wield great influence over the succession of power. It is the Curator and Conservator who determine who has access to the Horn of Gylindora.
Aria (Rhune, Rhen): Mother of Gifford who died when giving birth to the cripple.
Ariface: A rare and vicious creature.
Arion (Fhrey, Miralyith): Also known as Cenzlyor. The former tutor to Prince Mawyndulë and onetime student of Fenelyus. Arion was sent to Rhulyn to bring the outlaw Nyphron to justice and was injured when a Rhune named Malcolm hit her on the head with a rock. After partially recovering from her wounds, she fought Gryndal, a fellow Miralyith, when he threatened to destroy Dahl Rhen and kill all its residents. She now resides with the Rhunes and hopes to find a peaceful end to the conflict between Rhunes and Fhrey. During Persephone’s trek to Neith, Arion was critically injured and returned to Tirre in a comatose, near death, state.
Art, the: Magic that allows the caster to tap the forces of nature. In Fhrey society, it’s practiced by members of the Miralyith tribe. Goblins who wield this power are referred to as oberdaza. The only known Rhune to possess any Artistic ability is the mystic known as Suri.
Artist: A practitioner of the Art.
Arwal: Location of one of the Galantian’s greatest battles. Tekchin was severely wounded there.
Asendwayr: The Fhrey tribe whose members specialize in hunting. A few are stationed on the frontier to provide meat for the Instarya.
Asica: A long Fhrey garment similar to a robe. Its numerous wraps and ties allow it to be worn in a number of configurations.
Audrey: Moya’s bow, named after her mother.
Avempartha: The Fhrey tower created by Fenelyus atop a great waterfall on the Nidwalden River. It can tap the force of rushing water to amplify the use of the Art.
Avrlyn: “Land of Green,” the Fhrey frontier bordered on the north by Hentlyn and by Belgreig to the south. Avrlyn is separated from Rhulyn by the east and south branches of the Bern River.
Bakrakar: Patron god of Clan Nadak. A giant stag that ensures fortunate hunting.
Balgargarath: A creature created by the Ancient One in retribution for his mistreatment by the dwarfs. It rendered Neith, the homeland of the dwarfs, uninhabitable. Created by an incredibly powerful weave, it is the Art manifested into corporeal form and as such it can’t be harmed by any use of magic. It was destroyed by Persephone’s party by unraveling its spell after penetration of a weapon that contains its name.
Battle of Grandford: The first official battle in the war between Rhunes and Fhrey.
Battle of Mador: During the Belgric War, the battle between the Fhrey and Dherg when Fenelyus first used the Art, crushing the Tenth and Twelfth Dherg legions under a pile of rock that subsequently formed Mount Mador. The battle turned the tide of the war by stopping the Dherg advance.
Belgreig: The continent to the far south of Elan where the Dherg people reside.
Belgric War: A war between the Fhrey and Dherg. Also referred to as the Dherg War and the War of Elven Aggression.
Belgriclungreians: The term Dherg use to refer to themselves and their kind in the years after settling in Belgreig.
Bern: A river that runs north-south and delineates the border between Rhulyn and Avrlyn. Rhunes are forbidden from crossing to the west side of this river.
Black bronze: A metal alloy whose recipe—known only to the Dherg—utilizes gold, silver, and copper. It’s especially important in the making of sculptures.
Book of Brin: The first known written work chronicling the history of the Rhunes. It dates back to the time of the first war between Rhunes and Fhrey.
Brazier: A shallow metal container raised off the ground that holds combustible material. Braziers are constantly tended to ensure they have a burning flame that is used as the source of cook fires by all members of a Rhune village.
Breckon mor: The feminine version of the leigh mor. A versatile piece of patterned cloth that can be wrapped in a number of ways.
Brin (Rhune, Rhen): Keeper of Ways for Dahl Rhen and author of the famed Book of Brin. During the giant attack on Dahl Rhen, Brin’s parents, Sarah and Delwin, were killed.
Carfreign Arena: A large open-air field in Estramnadon where contests and spectacles are held. It was there that Lothian defeated Zephyron in a particularly gruesome Uli Vermar challenge.
Cenzlyor: In the Fhrey language, the term means “swift of mind.” A title of endearment bestowed by Fane Fenelyus onto Arion, indicating her proficiency in the Art.
Chieftain: The leader of a given clan of Rhunes. Since the appointment of the keenig, their positions of power were decreased as the keenig rules over all Rhunic people.
Clempton: A small village of Dureya, home of Raithe (the God Killer).
Conservator of the Aquila: The keeper of the Horn of Gylindora and, along with the Curator, one of the two Fhrey most responsible for administering the process of succession. The Conservator is also responsible for picking a new Curator when needed. The current Conservator is the Umalyn high priest, Volhoric.
Council of Tirre: A coalition of Rhulyn clan leaders convened to appoint a keenig to rule over all the Rhunes and lead the battle against the Fhrey.
Crescent Forest: A large forest that forms a half circle around Dahl Rhen.
Crimbal: A fairy creature that lives in the land of Nog. Crimbals travel to the world of Elan through doors in the trunks of trees. They are known to steal children.
Curator: The vice fane who presides over the six councilors of the Aquila, elected by a vote of senior members. The Curator leads meetings of the Aquila in the absence of the fane, and chairs the Challenge Council, which decides who has the right to blow the Horn of Gylindora. Together, the Conservator and the Curator are the Fhrey most responsible for determining the succession of power and administering the Uli Vermar challenge process. The current Curator is Imaly.
Dahl (hill or mound): A Rhune settlement that is the capital city of a given clan and is characterized by its position on top of a man-made hill. Dahls are usually surrounded by some form of wall or fortification. Each has a central lodge where the clan’s chieftain lives, along with a series of roundhouses that provide shelter for the other villagers. Originally there were seven Rhulyn-Rhune dahls, but two (Nadak and Duryea) were destroyed by the Fhrey and one (Rhen) was destroyed by giants.
Delwin (Rhune, Rhen): A sheep farmer who was the husband of Sarah and father of Brin. He was killed by the giant attack that destroyed Dahl Rhen.
Dherg: One of the five humanoid races of Elan. Skilled craftsmen, they have been all but banned from most places except Belgreig. They are exceptional builders and weaponsmiths. The name is a pejorative Fhrey word meaning “vile mole.” The Dherg refer to themselves as Belgriclungreians.
Didan (Rhune, Dureya): One of Raithe’s brothers.
Dome Mountain: Raised peak above the city of Neith, brought down by Suri and sealing the entrance to the dwarven homeland.
Door, the: A portal in the Garden of Estramnadon that legend holds is the gateway to where the First Tree grows.
Downriver Tower: One of two towers near the front of Alon Rhist, so named as it is the southernmost tower and the Bern River flows north to south.
Drome: The god of the Dherg.
Drumindor: A Dhergbuilt 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 from the water.
Dunn: One of the three Gula-Rhune clans. The other two are Strom and Erling.
Dureya: A barren highland in the north of Rhulyn, home to the Rhune clan of the same name. The entire region and all the clan members were destroyed by Fhrey Instarya. Before their destruction, they were the most powerful warrior clan of the RhulynRhunes. Only two Dureyans are known to survive: Raithe and Tesh.
Duryngon: A prison under the Verenthenon at Alon Rhist used to house prisoners and exotic animals that are studied to determine how best to fight them.
Dwarf: Any flora or fauna of diminutive stature (as in dwarf wheat or dwarf rabbits). Also, the name Persephone gives to the residents of Belgreig, that is easier to pronounce than Belgriclungreians and not as insulting as Dherg.
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: Mispronunciation of the Fhrey word Ylfe, meaning “nightmare,” and a derogatory term used by the Dherg to insult the Fhrey people.
Elysan (Fhrey, Instarya): Close friend and adviser to Zephyron.
Erdo (Rhune, Erling): Chieftain of Clan Erling who took over after the former chieftain, Udgar, died in a challenge battle with Moya.
Erebus: Father of all gods as discovered by Brin in the Agave Tablets.
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 GulaRhune clans. The other two are Dunn and Strom.
Ervanon: One of the four Fhrey outposts manned by the Instarya to protect the frontier. It is the one farthest north.
Estramnadon: The capital city of the Fhrey, located in the forests of Erivan.
Estramnadon Academy: Also known as the Academy of the Art. The school where Miralyith are trained in the ways of magic. Entrance to it requires passage of the Sharhasa, an aptitude test.
Fane: The ruler of the Fhrey, whose term of office extends to death or until three thousand years after ascension, whichever comes first.
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: Also known as Law of Ferrol, it’s 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: The literal translation of killer of Fhrey. It is the name Tesh of Duryea wanted to be known by, but Raithe prohibited the boy from adopting that name.
First Chair and Second Chair: Honorific for the chieftain of a dahl and their spouse. Its origin comes from actual chairs that are placed on a dais in a dahl’s lodge.
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 Tree: Fruit from this tree is believed to grant immortality, and it’s rumored to lie behind The Door in Estramnadon. The Belgric War was fought largely due to the dwarfs’ belief that this treasure was being kept from them.
Five major races of Elan: Rhunes, Fhrey, Dherg, Ghazel, and Grenmorians.
Flood (Dherg): A builder, Frost’s brother, and one of three Dherg responsible for unleashing Balgargarath from a complex series of noise-creating traps. To save him from execution, Persephone takes the three dwarves back to Tirre after Gronbach’s broken promises.
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. Created by Caratacus, who intertwined six trees as symbols of the (then) six tribes of the Fhrey.
Forks, the: Place where the North Branch and the High Spear portions of the Bern River converge and the burial place of Herkimer, Raithe’s father.
Frost (Dherg): A builder, Flood’s brother, and one of three Dherg responsible for unleashing Balgargarath from a complex series of noise-creating traps. To save him from execution, Persephone takes the three dwarves back to Tirre after Gronbach’s broken promises.
Frozen Tower: One of two towers near the front of Alon Rhist, so named as it is farther north and as such catches the brunt of the cold winter winds. Also, it lacks a fireplace to provide warmth.
Furgenrok (Grenmorian): Leader of the Grenmorians, the giants of Elan. He was employed by the Fhrey to attack Dahl Rhen. While many were killed, and the dahl destroyed, the ultimate goal of killing Raithe, Arion, and Nyphron failed.
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 have joined with the Rhunes to oppose the fane.
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.
Gavin Killian (Rhune, Rhen): The new Chieftain of Clan Rhen, who takes over after Persephone is appointed as the keenig.
Gelston (Rhune, Rhen): The shepherd who was hit by lightning during the giant 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.
Gilarabrywn: A dragonlike creature created by Suri by sacrificing her best friend, Minna. It was created using the same spell that made Balgargarath, and as such it is the Art in corporeal form. It was crucial to the survival of Persephone’s party and ultimately destroyed by Suri when it was discovered it couldn’t leave the confines of Neith.
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).
Grand Mother of All: Another name for the goddess Elan (the world).
Grandford: The location of a great bridge that allows crossing of the Bern river. It marks the boundary between the Fhrey-held fortress of Alon Rhist and the Rhune plains of Dureya.
Gray Cloaks: A secret society of Miralyith who attempted to overthrow Fane Lothian because he wasn’t doing enough to elevate the position of Miralyith over other tribes in the Fhrey society. Principal members include Aiden, its leader, and Makareta, who manipulated Mawyndulë to help them discover weaknesses in the fane’s defenses.
Great War: The first war between the Fhrey people and the Rhunes.
Grenmorian: The race of giants who live in Hentlyn in northern Elan.
Grin the Brown: A ferocious bear who was responsible for the deaths of many residents of Dahl Rhen, including Mahn, Persephone and Reglan’s eldest son; Konniger, former chieftain; and Maeve, the dahl’s Keeper of Ways. The beast was eventually killed by Persephone.
Gronbach (Dherg): The mayor of Caric and Master Crafter of that city. He deceived and tricked Persephone into ridding Neith of Balgargarath and failed to uphold his promise to provide weapons to the Rhunes to fight the Fhrey. His treachery led to the eventual destruction of Neith by Suri. Brin’s outrage with the dwarf makes him a central villain in her famed Book of Brin.
Grygor (Grenmorian): A member of Nyphron’s famed Galantians, and the only giant of the group. Known for his love of cooking and use of spices. This fondness for the culinary arts has fostered a friendship between him and Padera, Dahl Rhen’s oldest member.
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 when the Miralyith attempted to extract retribution for the dahl harboring Nyphron and Malcolm’s attack on Arion.
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. As conflict with the Fhrey intensified, the Gula and Rhulyn Rhunes joined forces, all serving Keenig Persephone.
Gwydry: One of the seven tribes of Fhrey. This one is for the farmers and laborers 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 Eternal Flame, responsible for ensuring that the braziers and the lodge’s fire pit remain lit.
Haderas (Fhrey, Asendwayr): Leader of the Bear Legion, a fighting force made up of Asendwayr and Gwydry, who were tasked with stamping out the Rhunes.
Harkon (Rhune, Melen): Chieftain of Clan Melen.
Hawthorn Glen: Home to Suri and Tura.
Hentlyn (land of mountains): An area to the north of Avrlyn, generally inhabited by Grenmorians.
Herkimer (Rhune, Dureya): The father of Raithe and a skilled warrior known as Coppersword. He was killed by Shegon.
High Spear Valley: Grassy plain just south of the High Spear Branch of the Bern River. Home of the three clans of the Gula-Rhunes.
Hopeless House: Alon Rhist residence of Gifford, Habet, Mathias, and Gelston. So named because it housed the most unworthy of Rhen’s remaining people. While not a resident (due to being female), Tressa spends much of her time there as an honorary member.
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.
Huhana Hill: Also known as Little Rhen. It is an area of Alon Rhist largely populated with former residents of Dahl Rhen. The houses there were largely abandoned after Rhunes took over the fortress.
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 Belgreig War.
Iver (Rhune, Rhen): A woodcarver and abusive slave owner; the former master of Roan and her mother, Reanna.
Jerydd (Fhrey, Miralyith): The kel of Avempartha. He led the attack on Dahl Rhen, which destroyed the village but failed to kill Arion, Nyphron, or Raithe.
Kabbayn (Fhrey, Eilywin): The current First Minister, who replaced Gryndal after his death.
Karol: The room in the Kype where the ruler of Alon Rhist hears grievances and makes judgments on those accused of crimes.
Kasimer (Fhrey, Miralyith): Leader of the newly reformed Spider Corp, a group of Artists who can combine their power for coordinated attacks.
Keenig: A single person who rules over the united Rhune clans in times of trouble. Until the appointment of Persephone during the Fhrey war, there hadn’t been one appointed since the days of Gath, who saved mankind during the Great Flood.
Keenig’s Council: A body of advisers to Persephone consisting of the ten chieftains of the Rhune clans.
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 such as Jerydd, the kel of Avempartha.
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. The knot that holds together a being created from the Art (such as Balgargarath or the Gilarabrywn) is loosed by piercing the creature with its true name.
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.
Kype: The most secure building of Alon Rhist. It is used as living quarters and meeting space by Persephone, Nyphron, Suri, and Arion.
Language of creation: The root language of the gods and every living thing in Elan. The chords plucked while performing Artistic weaves taps into the language of creation, the building blocks of all living things.
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.
Little Rhen: The area of Alon Rhist that mainly houses Rhunes displaced from the destroyed Dahl of Rhen. The original Fhrey inhabitants left that area of Huhana Hill after the Rhunes took over the fortress.
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. She was killed during the Grenmorian attack on Dahl Rhen.
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. After the rebellion, she (nor her body) were never seen again.
Malcolm (Rhune): The ex-slave of Zephyron, former resident of Alon Rhist, and best friend of Raithe. He’s attacked two Fhrey with rocks: Shegon and Arion.
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. For a short time, he represented the Miralyith in the Aquila as the junior councilor and later as the senior. He was duped by the Gray Cloaks into providing them aid, but was not involved in the rebellion. His action to save himself ended up saving the life of Imaly and several other Fhrey when he held the Airenthenon together.
Medak: A Galantian who was killed by Gryndal during Gryndal’s attack on Alon Rhist. Younger brother to Eres.
Melen: A Rhulyn clan known for its poets and musicians, ruled by Chieftain Harkon.
Melvin (Rhune, Rehn): Deceased husband of Padera.
Menahan: The richest of the seven Rhulyn clans. Known for its wool and great sheep flocks. It’s ruled by Krugen.
Merredydd: One of the four Fhrey outposts manned by the Instarya to protect the frontier. It is the one farthest south.
Meryl (Rhune): A former slave of Shegon and roommate of Malcolm.
Metis, Minister (Fhrey, Nilyndd): Highest ranking member of the Nilyndd tribe, responsible for creating weapons and armor.
Minna: A wolf and the best friend of Suri, who dubbed the animal the wisest wolf in the world. Minna was sacrificed by Suri and turned into the Gilarabrywn that fought Balgargarath.
Miralyith: The Fhrey tribe of Artists—people who use the Art to channel natural forces to work magic. Their tribe is currently in power, and due to their skill with the Art that is not likely to change in the coming future. Many of this tribe have begun to think of themselves as gods, or at least at a higher level than other Fhrey tribes, as evidenced by the recent Gray Cloak uprising.
Mirtrelyn: A building where Fhrey go to socialize, consume alcoholic beverages, sing, and tell tales. Its Rhunic translation is Land of Mirth.
Misery Rock: A large pillar of stone that rises above the Dureyan plain. A small path makes it scalable. It is an excellent spot for observing the Grandford Bridge and the entrance to Alon Rhist.
Mount Mador: A mountain conjured by Fane Fenelyus during the Belgreig War that killed tens of thousands of Dherg.
Moya (Rhune, Rhen): Shield to Keenig Persephone, who killed Udgar (Chieftain of Gula-Rhune Clan Erling). She’s the first person to use bows and arrows and was the one who shot and destroyed Balgargarath. She is romantically linked to Tekchin, one of the Fhrey Galantians.
Muriel: Daughter of Erebus as discovered by Brin in the Agave Tablets.
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.
Naraspur: The horse that Arion rode from Estramnadon to Alon Rhist. She left it at the fortress after a fall during her debut trip.
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. It was an underground city and the most revered place in the Dherg culture. For thousands of years the Dherg were denied use of Neith by the Ancient One, who in revenge created Balgargarath to kill any who entered the city. Neith was later destroyed, buried by Suri during an emotional outburst.
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. His bid to become the Rhune keenig failed since only humans can rise to that position.
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.
Parthaloren Falls: The massive set of waterfalls that Avempartha resides on. The rushing water provides an enormous power source to channel the Art.
Persephone, Keenig (Rhune, Rhen): Ruler of all Rhunes, former chieftain of Dahl Rhen, and widow of Reglan. She killed Grin the Brown and led a party to Neith to kill Balgargarath. When Gronbach failed to provide promised iron weapons, she tricked him into revealing the manufacturing process to Roan, who took this knowledge to the Rhune people.
Petragar (Fhrey, Instarya): The lord of the Rhist, appointed by Fane Lothian after the death of Zephyron.
Phyre: The afterlife, which is divided into three sections: Rel, Nifrel, and Alysin.
Plymerath (Fhrey, Instarya): The gate guard who was on duty the night the fane’s army arrived at the outskirts of Alon Rhist.
Poric (Fhrey, Instarya): Main gatekeeper of the Kype.
Pyridian (Fhrey, Miralyith): First son of Lothian, brother to Mawyndulë, and founder of the Estramnadon Academy of the Art, now deceased.
Rain (Dherg): Perhaps the best digger of his people, he is one of three Dherg responsible for unleashing Balgargarath from a complex series of noise-creating traps. To save him from execution, Persephone takes the three dwarfs back to Tirre after Gronbach’s broken promises. He is a 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. He refused the position of keenig because he felt war with the Fhrey was impossible. He is in love with Persephone, but she does not reciprocate. He was the first person to train Tesh in combat skills.
Raow: A feared predator that eats its prey starting with the face. Raow sleeps 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.
Reanna (Rhune, Erling): Deceased mother of Roan and slave of Iver.
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. The place where most people who are neither heroes or villains go when they die.
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 and later his wife, Persephone. Dahl Rhen was destroyed by a Grenmorian attack initiated by Fane Lothian for harboring Nyphron of the Instarya and killing First Minister Gryndal.
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 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-Rhune 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.
Rigarus (Fhrey, Asendwayr): Leader of the Wolf Legion, a fighting force made up of Asendwayr and Gwydry, who focus on scouting.
Roan (Rhune, Rhen): An ex-slave of Iver the Carver. An incredibly talented, emotionally scarred inventor. With the help of the Dherg, she perfected wheels and carts. She adapted the javelin and the device used to start fires to invent the bow and arrow. Thanks to Persephone, she was able to observe the Dherg process of making iron swords.
Rol: A small Dherg fortification. Rols were created throughout the frontier to provide shelter during the Belgreig 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.
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.
Sarah (Rhune, Rhen): Mother of Brin, wife of Delwin, best friend of Persephone, widely known as the best weaver in Dahl Rhen. She was killed by the giant attack that destroyed Dahl Rhen.
Sebek (Fhrey, Instarya): The best warrior of the Galantians. He uses two cleve blades named Thunder and Lightning.
Shahdi: The non-Instarya military group charged with maintaining order in Greater Erivan.
Shegon (Fhrey, Asendwayr): A hunter stationed at Alon Rhist to provide the warrior tribe with fresh meat. He was killed by Raithe after the Fhrey killed Herkimer (Raithe’s father).
Shield: Also known as shield to the chieftain or chieftain’s shield. The chieftain’s personal bodyguard, and generally the finest warrior of a given clan.
Shrine, the: The previous living quarters of Fane Alon Rhist when he was stationed at the fort. After his death, the room remained unoccupied and has been memorialized as tribute to him.
Siegel (Rhune, Dunn): The chieftain of Clan Dunn.
Sikar (Fhrey, Instarya): An officer and patrol leader in the Instarya tribe stationed at Alon Rhist and also a former friend of Nyphron before the Galantian’s desertion.
Sile (Fhrey, Asendwayr): Employed after the Gray Cloak Rebellion, he is one of two bodyguards who never leave the side of Fane Lothian. His size indicates he may have Grenmorian blood.
Speech Rock: A large stone in the lower courtyard of Alon Rhist that is generally used to give orders to soldiers before going into battle.
Spider Corps: A group of Miralyith specially trained in coordinated attacks where one Artist directs the combined power of the others in the group.
Spyrok: The tallest tower in Alon Rhist. It lies across a bridge on the far side of the Kype.
Strom: One of the three Gula-Rhune clans. The other two are Dunn and Erling.
Suri (Rhune, Rhen): The illegitimate child of Reglan, who had an affair with Maeve (Dahl Rhen’s Keeper of Ways). She was left to die in the forest but was saved and raised by a mystic named Tura. She may be the only Rhune known to possess the ability to use the Art. Her best friend, a white wolf named Minna, was turned into the Gilarabrywn in the Agave of Neith. Later, Suri destroyed the entrance of Neith during an emotional outburst. Arion of the Miralyith believes Suri is the key to peace between Fhrey and Rhunes.
Synne (Fhrey, Miralyith): Employed after the Gray Cloak Rebellion, she is one of two bodyguards who never leave the side of Fane Lothian. Renowned for her quick reflexes.
Talwara: The official name of the Fhrey’s palace, where the fane resides and rules.
Tegan (Rhune, Warric): The chieftain of Clan Warric.
Tekchin (Fhrey, Instarya): One of Nyphron’s band of outlaw Galantians, Tekchin is a rough, outspoken warrior whose preferred weapon is a thin, narrow-bladed sword. He is romantically linked to Moya, Shield of Persephone.
Ten Clans: The entirety of the Rhune nation, comprising seven Rhulyn clans and three Gula clans.
Tesh: The orphan boy who, along with Raithe, is all that remains of the Dureyan clan. His hatred of the Fhrey has driven his intensive training.
Tet: A curse word derived from
Tetlin Witch.
Tetlin Witch: The universally hated immortal being thought to be the source of all disease, pestilence, and evil in the world.
Tirre: Clan of Rhulyn-Rhunes. Its dahl is Located in the south of Rhulyn on the Blue Sea. They are known for salt production and trade with the Dherg. Their chieftain is Lipit.
Tirreans: Members of clan Tirre.
Torc: A rigid circular necklace that is open in the front. In Rhune society, it is a mark of leadership. The Dherg often bestow a torc as a reward for a great accomplishment.
Traitor, The: The moniker Mawyndulë bestowed on Arion for her part in First Minister Gryndal’s death while aiding the Rhunes of Dahl Rhen.
Tressa (Rhune, Rhen): Widow of Konniger who was the ex-chieftain of Dahl Rhen. She is generally despised and shunned by those who know her.
Treya (Fhrey, Gwydry): Personal servant of Prince Mawyndulë.
Trilos (Fhrey, unknown tribal affiliation): A mysterious person obsessed with the Door in the Garden.
Tura (Rhune, no clan affiliation): Mentor to Suri and an ancient mystic who lived in the Hawthorn Glen near Dahl Rhen. She was most noted for her ability to predict the future.
Uberlin: Mythical source of all wickedness in Elan, believed to be the father of the Tetlin Witch.
Udgar: The former chieftain of Clan Erling of the Gula who challenged Persephone for the position of the keenig. He was defeated in one-on-one combat by Moya.
Uli Vermar (the reign of a fane): An event that occurs three thousand years after the crowning of a fane or upon his death, when other Fhrey can challenge to rule. This is done by petitioning the Aquila and being presented with the Horn of Gylindora.
Umalyn: The Fhrey tribe of priests and priestesses who concern themselves with spiritual matters and the worship of Ferrol.
Urum River: A north-south Avrlyn river west of the Bern, and the place where Raithe would like to make a new start.
Vasek (Fhrey, Asendwayr): The Master of Secrets.
Vellum: Fine parchment perfected by the Dherg for drawing maps, made from the skins of young animals.
Verenthenon: The huge domed meeting room of Alon Rhist that sits across the corbel bridge from the Kype and is used for official meetings and dissemination of orders from the leader of Alon Rhist.
Vertumus (Fhrey, Instarya): The personal assistant to Petragar.
Vidar (Fhrey, Miralyith): The senior councillor of the Aquila representing the Miralyith tribe who made Prince Mawyndulë the junior councilor. He was framed by the Gray Cloaks and removed from his position by Fane Lothian.
Volhoric (Fhrey, Umalyn): The senior councillor of the Aquila representing the Umalyn tribe. He also holds the position of Conservator of the Aquila.
Vorath (Fhrey, Instarya): A member of Nyphron’s Galantians. He has taken to the Rhune custom of wearing a beard. His weapon of choice is a pair of spiked-balled maces.
Warric: One of the seven Rhulyn-Rhune clans, ruled by Chieftain Tegan.
Wolf Legion: Fhrey military, light infantry/cavalry.