Stormed Fortress

  Spring 5672

  Weavings

  Last to board the state galley moored at the quay beside the slagged ruin of Avenor, Lysaer s’Ilessid muses to his Lord Commander at Arms, while the lines are cast off to make sail in the wake of the last flotilla of refugees: ‘Regrets? I have many. But none to outmatch my honest need for your strength, as I grope for the foothold to safeguard the future …’

  The tall oaks of Halwythwood bud with new leaves on the day that two trail-weary travellers return to Earl Barach’s lodge tent; beside a grown daughter clad in caithdein’s black, invested by Fellowship presence at Methisle, Feithan weeps for joy in the arms of Sidir, restored to her side on command of a crown prince whose talents would bless her life best through benevolent absence …

  Far south, amid the black sands of Sanpashir, on the dark moon fallen nearest the spring equinox, the eldest of the Biedar unsheathes an ancient flint knife to cut the birth-cord of an infant successor; and her words, in thick dialect, charge the child to watch over the one named as Mother Dark’s Chosen through the trials of the next generation …

  GLOSSARY

  A’LIESSIAD—a wholeness of balance between all beings.

  pronounced: ah-less-ee-ahd

  root meaning: a’liessiad – balance, with the prefix for the feminine aspect.

  ADRUIN—fortified coastal town located in East Halla, Midhalla. Bitter enemies of the s’Brydion of Alestron, with a running blood feud since the uprising in Third Age 5018.

  pronounced: like ‘add ruin’

  root meaning: adruinne – to block, or obstruct; or alternatively al – over; duinn – hand

  AFFI’ENIA—name given to Elaira by an adept, meaning dancer in the ancient dialect of the Biedar tribe, but carrying the mystical connotation of ‘water dancer’, the wise woman who presided over the ritual of rebirth, celebrated on the spring equinox.

  pronounced: affee-yen-yah

  root meaning: affi’enia – dancer

  AIYENNE—river located in Daon Ramon, Rathain, rising from an underground spring in the Mathorn Mountains, and coming above ground south of the Mathorn Road. Site of the ruinous battle between Earl Jieret’s war band, and the Alliance war host under Sulfin Evend, which enabled Arithon’s escape to the north in Third Age 5670.

  pronounced: eye-an

  root meaning: ai’an – hidden one

  ALESTRON—city located in Midhalla, Melhalla. Ruled by Duke Bransian, Teir’s’Brydion, and his three brothers. This city did not fall to merchant townsmen in the Third Age uprising that threw down the high kings, but is still ruled by its clanblood heirs.

  pronounced: ah-less-tron

  root meaning: alesstair – stubborn; an – one

  ALITHIEL—one of twelve Blades of Isaer, forged by centaur Ffereton s’Darian from metal taken from a meteorite, and sung by the Athlien with the arcane endowment for transcendent change. Passed through Paravian possession, acquired the secondary name Dael-Farenn, or Kingmaker, since its owners tended to succeed the end of a royal line. Eventually was awarded to Kamridian s’Ffalenn for his valor in defence of the princess Taliennse, early Third Age. Currently in the possession of Arithon.

  pronounced: ah-lith-ee-el

  root meaning: alith – star; iel – light/ray

  ALLAND—principality located in south-eastern Shand. Ruled by the Lord Erlien s’Taleyn, High Earl, and appointed caithdein of Shand.

  pronounced: all-and

  root meaning: a’lind – pine glen

  ALTHAIN TOWER—spire built at the edge of the Bittern Desert, beginning of the Second Age, to house records of Paravian his tories. Third Age, became repository for the archives of all five royal houses of men after rebellion, overseen by the Fellowship Sorcerer, Sethvir, named Warden of Althain since Third Age Year 5100.

  pronounced: all-thay-in

  root meaning: alt – last; thein – tower, sanctuary

  original Paravian pronunciation: alt-thein

  ANIENT—Paravian invocation for unity.

  pronounced: an-ee-ent

  root meaning: an – one; ient – suffix for ‘most’

  ANSHLIEN’YA—name given to Meiglin s’Dieneval by the desert tribes of Sanpashir, prior to her conception of Dari’s’Ahelas, crown heir of Shand, who would bear the rogue talent for far-sighted vision.

  pronounced: ahn-shlee-yen-yah

  root meaning: anshlien’ya – Biedar dialect, ancient word for ‘dawn;’ idiom for ‘hope’

  ANYN’E AIN S’TEIRDAEL—handfast to my prince.

  pronounced: an-een-ay ay-in s’tay-er-daa-el

  root meaning: anyn’e – one with suffix for in potentia; ain – my; s’teirdael – possessive prefix, ‘belonging to’ one who holds rulership

  ARAETHURA—grass plains in south-west Rathain; principality of the same name in that location. Largely inhabited by Riathan Paravians in the Second Age. Third Age, used as pasture land by widely scattered nomadic shepherds. Fionn Areth’s birthplace.

  pronounced: ar-eye-thoo-rah

  root meaning: araeth – grass; era – place, land

  ARITHON—son of Avar, Prince of Rathain, 1,504th Teir’s’Ffalenn after founder of the line, Torbrand in Third Age Year One. Also Master of Shadow, the Bane of Desh-thiere, and Halliron Masterbard’s successor. First among Mankind to tap the transcendent powers of the sword, Alithiel, and also responsible for the final defeat of the Grey Kralovir necromancers.

  pronounced: ar-i-thon

  root meaning: arithon – fate-forger; one who is visionary

  ARWENT—river in Araethura, Rathain, that flows from Daenfal Lake through Halwythwood to empty in Instrell Bay.

  pronounced: are-went

  root meaning: arwient – swiftest

  ASANDIR—Fellowship Sorcerer. Secondary name, Kingmaker, since his hand crowned every High King of Men to rule in the Age of Men (Third Age). After the Mistwraith’s conquest, he acted as field agent for the Fellowship’s doings across the con tinent. Also called Fiend-quencher, for his reputation for quelling iyats; Storm-breaker and Change-bringer for his past actions when Men first arrived upon Athera.

  pronounced: ah-san-deer

  root meaning: asan – heart; dir – stone ‘heartrock’

  ATAINIA—north-eastern principality of Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-tay-nee-ah

  root meaning: itain – the third; ia – suffix for ‘third domain’ original Paravian, itainia

  ATCHAZ—town located in Alland, Shand. Famed for its silk.

  pronounced: at-chaz

  root meaning: atchias – silk

  ATH CREATOR—prime vibration, force behind all life.

  pronounced: ath

  root meaning: ath – prime, first (as opposed to an, one)

  ATH’IEL I’CUEL’AN ALESSTAIRIENT—Creator light your extreme persistence/dedication.

  pronounced: ahth-ee-el ih-cue-el-ahn ah-less-tay-ree-ent

  root meaning: ath – prime force of creation; iel – light; i’cuel’an – you/one or ‘your’ with prefix meaning shaded towards light intent; alesstairient – emphatic form, extreme dedication

  ATHERA—name for the world which holds the Five High Kingdoms; four Worldsend Gates; formerly inhabited by dragons, and current home of the Paravian races.

  pronounced: ath-air-ah

  root meaning: ath – prime force; era – place ‘Ath’s world’

  ATHIR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold, located in Ithilt, Rathain. Site of a seventh lane power focus; also where Arithon Teir’s’Ffalenn swore his blood oath to survive to the Fellowship Sorcerer, Asandir.

  pronounced: ath-ear

  root meaning: ath – prime; i’er – the line/edge

  ATHLIEN PARAVIANS—sunchildren, dancers of the crystal flutes. Small race of semimortals, pixie-like, but possessed of great wisdom/keepers of the grand mystery.

  pronounced: ath-lee-en

  root meaning: ath – prime force; lien – to love ‘Ath-beloved’

  ATHLIERIA—
a dimension removed from physical time/space, or the exalted that lies past the veil.

  pronounced: ath-lee-air-ee-ah

  root meaning: ath – prime force; li’eria – exalted place, with suffix for ‘beyond the veil.’

  AVENOR—Second Age ruin of a Paravian stronghold. Traditional seat of the s’Ilessid High Kings. Restored to habitation in Third Age 5644. Became the ruling seat of the Alliance of Light in Third Age 5648. Located in Korias, Tysan.

  pronounced: ah-ven-or

  root meaning: avie – stag; norh – grove

  BARACH—second son of Jieret s’Valerient, and older brother of Jeynsa. Successor to the title, Earl of the North.

  pronounced: bar-ack

  root meaning: baraich – linchpin

  root meaning: bar – half; ris – way

  BIEDAR—desert tribe living in Sanpashir, Shand. Also known as the Keepers of the Prophecy. Their sacred weaving at the well produced the conception of Dari s’Ahelas, which crossed the old caithdein’s lineage of s’Dieneval with the royal line of s’Ahelas, combining the gifts of prophetic clairvoyance with the Fellowship-endowed penchant for far-sight.

  pronounced: bee-dar

  root meaning: biehdahrr – ancient desert dialect for ‘lore keepers’

  BITTERN DESERT—waste located in Atainia, Tysan, north of Althain Tower. Site of a First Age battle between the great drakes and the Seardluin, permanently destroyed by dragonfire.

  pronounced: bittern

  root meaning: bityern – to sear or char

  BRANSIAN s’BRYDION—Teir’s’Brydion, ruling Duke of Alestron. Husband of Liesse.

  pronounced: bran-see-an

  root meaning: brand – temper; s’i’an – suffix denoting ‘of the one’/the one with temper

  CAITHDEIN—(alternate spelling caith’d’ein, plural form caithdeinen) Paravian name for a high king’s first counsellor; also, the one who would stand as regent, or steward, in the absence of the crowned ruler. By heritage, the office also carries responsibility for oversight of crown royalty’s fitness to rule.

  pronounced: kay-ith-day-in

  root meaning: caith – shadow; d’ein – behind the chair ‘shadow behind the throne’

  CAMRIS—north-central principality of Tysan. Original ruling seat was the city of Erdane.

  pronounced: cam-ris

  root meaning: caim – cross; ris – way ‘cross-road’

  CAOLLE—past war-captain of the clans of Deshir, Rathain. First raised, and then served under, Lord Steiven, Earl of the North and caithdein of Rathain. Planned the campaign at Vastmark and Dier Kenton Vale for the Master of Shadow. Served Jieret Red-beard, and was feal liegeman of Arithon of Rathain; died of complications from a wound received from his prince while breaking a Koriani attempt to trap his liege in Third Age Year 5653.

  pronounced: kay-all-eh, with the ‘e’ nearly subliminal

  root meaning: caille – stubborn

  CARITHWYR—principality in Havish, once a grass-lands breeding ground for the Riathan Paravians. Now produces grain, cattle, fine hides, and also wine.

  pronounced: car-ith-ear

  root meaning: ci’arithiren – forgers of the ultimate link with prime power. An old colloquialism for unicorn.

  CATTRICK—master shipwright hired to run the royal shipyard at Riverton; once in Arithon’s employ at Merior by the Sea, now in charge of the shipworks for Duke Bransian s’Brydion at Alestron.

  pronounced: cat-rick

  root meaning: ciattiaric – a knot tied of withies that has the magical property of confusing enemies

  CILADIS THE LOST—Fellowship Sorcerer who left the continent in Third Age 5462 in search of the Paravian races after their disappearance following the rebellion.

  pronounced: kill-ah-dis

  root meaning: cael – leaf; adeis – whisper, compound; cael’adeis colloquialism for ‘gentleness that abides’

  CILDEIN OCEAN—body of water lying off Athera’s east coast.

  pronounced: kill-dine

  root meaning: cailde – salty; an – one

  CORITH—island west of Havish in the Westland Sea. Site of an old drake lair, and a ruined First Age foundation. Here the council of Paravians convened during siege, and their appeal brought the Second Dreaming by dragons, which enacted the summoning of the seven who became the Fellowship Sorcerers.

  pronounced: core-ith

  root meaning: cori – ships, vessels; itha – five

  CORRA—wife of Fiark, and mother of his children

  pronounced: cor-ah

  root meaning: cor – ship; ar’ia – little etheric being/a benevolent sprite that brings good fortune to shipping endeavours

  CORTEND—company sergeant, under Talvish’s command.

  pronounced: core-tend

  root meaning: koria’tiend – one who keeps order; orderly spirit

  CRESIDEN—Dame Dawr’s most trusted man-servant.

  pronounced: cress-i-den

  root meaning: criess – honest; i’den – light of manner, courteous

  D’AEDANTHIC—desert dialect, the name by which the Biedar tribe of Sanpashir refer to Davien.

  pronounced: die-dan-thick

  root meaning: d’ae – fire; danthic – hands

  DAELION FATEMASTER— ‘entity’ formed by set of mortal beliefs, which determine the fate of the spirit after death. If Ath is the prime vibration, or life-force, Daelion is what governs the manifestation of free will.

  pronounced: day-el-ee-on

  root meaning: dael – king, or lord; i’on – of fate

  DAELION’S WHEEL—cycle of life and the crossing point that is the transition into death.

  pronounced: day-el-ee-on

  root meaning: dael – king or lord; i’on – of fate

  DAENFAL—town located on the northern shore of Daenfal Lake, which bounds the southern edge of Daon Ramon Barrens in Rathain.

  pronounced: dye-en-fall

  root meaning: daen – clay; fal – red

  DAKAR THE MAD PROPHET—apprentice to Fellowship Sorcerer, Asandir, during the Third Age following the Conquest of the Mistwraith. Given to spurious prophecies, it was Dakar who forecast the fall of the Kings of Havish in time for the Fellowship to save the heir. He made the Prophecy of West Gate, which forecast the Mistwraith’s bane, and also, the Black Rose Prophecy, which called for reunification of the Fellowship. At this time, in the service of Arithon, Prince of Rathain.

  pronounced: dah-kar

  root meaning: dakiar – clumsy

  DAON RAMON BARRENS—central principality of Rathain. Site where Riathan Paravians (unicorns) bred and raised their young. Barrens was not appended to the name until the years following the Mistwraith’s conquest, when the River Severnir was diverted at the source by a task force under Etarran jurisdiction.

  pronounced: day-on-rah-mon

  root meaning: daon – gold; ramon – hills/downs

  DARI s’AHELAS—crown heir of Shand who was sent to safety through West Gate to preserve the royal lineage. Born following the death of the last Crown Prince of Shand, subsequently raised and taught by Sethvir to manage the rogue talent of a dual inheritance. Her mother was Meiglin s’Dieneval, last survivor of the old caithdein’s lineage of Melhalla, which was widely believed to have perished during the massacre at Tirans. However the pregnant widow of Egan s’Dieneval had escaped the uprising and survived under a false name in a Durn brothel.

  pronounced: dar-ee

  root meaning: daer – to cut

  DARKLING—city located on the western side of the Skyshiel Mountains in the Kingdom of Rathain.

  pronounced: dark-ling

  root meaning: dierk-linng – drake eyrie

  DASCEN ELUR—splinter world off West Gate, where the heirs of three crown lineages lived in exile, with intent to spare the royal blood-lines from the upheaval that followed the Mistwraith’s invasion.

  pronounced: das-en el-ur

  root meaning: dascen – ocean; e’lier – small land
br />   DAVIEN THE BETRAYER—Fellowship Sorcerer responsible for provoking the great uprising in Third Age Year 5018, that resulted in the fall of the high kings after Desh-thiere’s conquest. Rendered discorporate by the Fellowship’s judgement in Third Age 5129. Exiled since, by personal choice. Davien’s works included the Five Centuries Fountain near Mearth on the splinter world of the Red Desert through West Gate; the shaft at Rockfell Peak, used by the Sorcerers to imprison harmful entities; the Stair on Rockfell Peak; and also, Kewar Tunnel in the Mathorn Mountains.

  pronounced: dah-vee-en

  root meaning: dahvi – fool; an – one ‘mistaken one’

  DAWR s’BRYDION—grandmother of Duke Bransian of Alestron, and his brothers Keldmar, Parrien, and Mearn.

  pronounced: dour

  root meaning: dwyiar – vinegar wine

  DESHIR—north-western principality of Rathain.

  pronounced: desh-eer

  root meaning: deshir – misty

  DESH-THIERE—Mistwraith that invaded Athera from the splinter worlds through South Gate in Third Age 4993. Access cut off by Fellowship Sorcerer, Traithe. Battled and contained in West Shand for twenty-five years, until the rebellion splintered the peace, and the high kings were forced to withdraw from the defence lines to attend their disrupted kingdoms. Confined through the combined powers of Lysaer s’Ilessid’s gift of Light and Arithon s’Ffalenn’s gift of Shadow. Currently imprisoned in a warded flask in Rockfell Pit.

  pronounced: desh-thee-air-e (last ‘e’ mostly subliminal)

  root meaning: desh – mist; thiere – ghost or wraith

  DHARKARON AVENGER—called Ath’s Avenging Angel in legend. Drives a chariot drawn by five horses to convey the guilty to Sithaer. Dharkaron as defined by the adepts of Ath’s Brotherhood is that dark thread mortal men weave with Ath, the prime vibration, that creates self-punishment, or the root of guilt.

  pronounced: dark-air-on

  root meaning: dhar – evil; khiaron – one who stands in judgement