Reader's Reference
for
Volume 3 A Distant Light
Volume 3
A Distant Light
A Distant Light
Chapter 21
The Library and the Palace
The Reader's Companion to the Year of the Red Door.
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Ancient Speech -- The language that was spoken by most during the First Age and somewhat into the Second Age. Sometimes it is referred to as the Second Tongue (after the First Tongue, also called Faerish, which was all but lost after The Fall). Aperion -- A Firstborn Faerekind and the First and True King of the Faere, so appointed by Beras during the Time Before Time. Aperion sought to stop the bloodshed between the Dragonkind and the Faerekind and who led the faithful and loyal Faerekind out of the world. It was Aperion who caused those who remained upon the earth to be Scathed of their wings, becoming the Elifaen, or Fallen Ones.* Atlana -- Daughter of Lord Banis and Lady Tiryna of the House of Elmwood and sister to Navis and Esildre. She was the mother of Coreth and Faslor.* Attis -- Thought to be the name of the original builder of Tulith Attis, an ancient fortress near Lake Halgaeth in the Eastlands. It was later the name for the town at the base of Tulith Attis, all of which was destroyed during the Dragonkind invasion of 322 S.A. (See Map of County Barley) Banis -- A Firstborn Elifaen of the House of Elmwood. Father to Atlana, Esildre, and Navis. His wife, Tiryna, departed with Aperion. Banis did not join with any other houses during the Time Before Time and lived throughout the Vanara region. As his children became warriors for Cupeldain, Parthais, and Serith Ellyn, Banis served in their courts in various nonmilitary capacities. He was a staunch supporter of Parthais, serving as Vanara's Minister of Justice for many years. In the latter period of Parthais's reign, Banis was removed from his position for insubordination to the throne and became something of a recluse from the Vanaran courts until Serith Ellyn became Queen. He briefly served her as a judge, but moved to Duinnor early in the Second Age, and rarely returned to Vanara thereafter.* Chancellor -- In most realms, the title is given to the highest ruling lord of the land. In Vanara, the Chancellor is the very highest lord, second only to the Queen in power, who is selected by the Queen to serve as her head of state, overseeing military, diplomatic, judicial, and economic matters and carrying out the Queen's Rule of Law, acting as the Chief Judge of the Land with the power to overturn the verdicts and rulings of Vanaran Judges. The Lord Chancellor of Vanara is also Regent of Vanara whenever the Queen is absent from court, speaking for the Queen and with the Queen's authority. In 849 S.A., Lord Rolland Seafar was named Chancellor, the first mortal to hold that title. The House of Seafar continuously held the title thereafter, with Brandis Seafar, at the age of thirty, becoming the youngest Chancellor in Vanara's history in 865 S.A. Common Speech -- Also referred to as the Common Tongue. It is the common language of Men and Elifaen, and the native language for most Men of the eastern realms. It became the standard language of trade and commerce during the Second Age and as its use spread the former languages, particularly the Ancient Speech, fell into disuse. It is a heterogeneous language made up of many aspects of the Ancient Speech and various dialects, combining words and phrases brought by Men to the world with those spoken by the Elifaen. Common Tongue -- Also referred to as the Common Speech. It is the common language of Men and Elifaen, and the native language for most Men of the eastern realms. It became the standard language of trade and commerce during the Second Age and as its use spread the former languages, particularly the Ancient Speech, fell into disuse. It is a heterogeneous language made up of many aspects of the Ancient Speech and various dialects, combining words and phrases brought by Men to the world with those spoken by the Elifaen. Cupeldain -- One of the Firstborn of the Faerekind and founder of the House of Fairlinden. It was Cupeldain who led the Faerekind to make a war of retaliation against the Dragonkind, against Aperion's command. He and those who followed him were punished by being stripped of their wings.* Drago -- The ordinary class of Dragonkind. Mistakenly thought by some of the north as a separate race from the Alziekfria since the Drago and Alziekfria are different from one another in appearance and health. That is because the Drago do not regularly receive the darakal elixir and are thus more coarse in appearance and demeanor than those who rule. They suffer scales of the skin, thinning hair, and, should they suffer from the desert sickness long enough, their facial features change, most notable a thinning of the lips, thickening of the tongue, and the loss of the boney structure of the proboscis, resulting in a flat nose with narrow nostrils. As a result of the sickness, few Drago reach physical maturity, becoming increasingly weak and prone to illness, thus their mortality rate is quite high. Dragon -- Terrible, fire-spitting creatures spawned by Morgasir during the Time before Time. Most of the dragons, along with Morgasir and a host of his followers, were destroyed by Beras in a great conflict, but some escaped into the bowels of the earth and into far places. Legend has it that the dragons sired a race of slaves to serve them, and, when the dragons were destroyed, the slaves were set free, becoming the Dragonkind. Dragonkind -- Mortal inhabitants of the southern deserts, calling themselves Drakyr. Their legends tell that they were created as offspring of Morgasir's dragons, to serve as slaves. When Morgasir was destroyed, along with most of his creatures and followers, these people survived by eking out a living in the deserts, shunned and despised by the Faerekind in the fertile lands of the north. Eventually, they multiplied and built great cities, developed engineering and mathematics, writing, and other arts. Since the time of their first great king, Kalzar, the Dragonkind have warred with those of the northern lands.* Duinnor -- A northwestern realm, taking its name from the ancient name for the river that flows along its northern bounds. Among the smallest of the Realms, it is nonetheless densely populated, and, as the ruling realm of the Unknown Kings, it is the most powerful of all the realms. Its chief city is Duinnor City.* (See Map of Duinnor) Eastlands -- Also called "Eastland," "Eastlands Realm," or "the Old Eastlands Realm." The realm that lies south of Glareth and north of Tracia, extending from the coast of the world to the Thunder Mountains in the west. After the Seven Realms were established in the Second Age, it suffered many misfortunes including droughts, floods, plagues, and invasion. Its capital was at Colleton on the coast, once an important trading port. However, in spite of the rich natural resources of the lands, the inept rule of its kings prevented the Eastlands from becoming very strong. After the demise of King Inrick II, the Eastlands became a protectorate of Glareth Realm.* (See World Map) Elifaen -- The Fallen Ones; those of the immortal Faerekind who refused to leave the world at the command of Aperion and who were "scathed," meaning they were stripped of their wings for their disobedience. This event is usually referred to as "the Fall," or sometimes "the First Scathing."* Faere -- Properly speaking, the First Ones, meaning the children of the spirit of the Earth. Those beings who came to inhabit the world in the Time Before Time and who embodied the joy and harmony of creation.* Fairmyrtle -- One of the Seven High Houses of the Elifaen, founded by who received Seven Bloodcoins from Aperion.* Fairoak -- One of the Named Houses of the Elifaen. When their Vanaran lands were lost to war and economic distress, Kahryna Fairoak married Danig Saheed Tallin, making the Joined House of Tallin and Fairoak. Firstborn -- Those Faerekind or Elifaen who witnessed the Time Before Time. Also called the First Ones. Some of these were the embodiment of the spirits of the earth, becoming the very first of the Faere. Others were offspring of the Faere, conceived of love. Those Firstborn who lost their wings became known as the Elifaen, or Fallen Ones. Gaiyelneth -- Chief handmaiden of Queen Serith Ellyn during the late Second Age. Gaiyelneth was known to be precocious, spirited, outspoken, and fiercely loyal to the Queen.* Glareth -- One of the Seven Realms, located in the northeastern coasts and borders the Old Eastlands Realm. Its chief city is Glareth by the Sea. Renown for its maritime trades, it is closely allied with Vanara and has strong trade ties to Duinnor. * (See Map of Glareth) Gory Gulch -- Properly called Peldown, it is a rugged ravine on the south face of the Blue Mountains. It was the site of a famous battle in the year 843 S.A.. There, surviving northern forces made up of mostly Kingsmen and Vanaran Fellfaere, were retreating from the Second Siege of the Green Citadel when they were trapped and encircled by a pursuing army of Dragonkind. * (See Map of Vanara and Shatuum) Gray Guard -- The elite household guard of Queen Serith Ellyn. They perform many duties pertaining to the Queen's protection as well as serving as Palace Guard. They report directly to the Queen's Chancellor and under him they perform a variety of tasks besides guarding the Queen. It is believed that some of their activities are clandestine in nature, perhaps involving spycraft or covert reconnaissance activities.* Greendale -- (Marcus Greendale) The Librarian of Vanara, in charge of the great library located at the Ministers Hall in Linlally. Griferis -- "Place of Judgment," the legendary place where future kings and queens are supposedly judged for fitness to rule. * (See Map of Vanara and Shatuum) Halethiris -- The original forest realm of the Faere and center of Faerum, established during the Time Before Time, with its fabulous city of marvelous towers and glass-domed houses, many supported in the branches of the colossal trees that grew there (some over five hundred feet tall). After the Fall, the Elifaen eventually repopulated Halethiris, but had not the ability to create the structures that once stood there. Power slowly shifted west to Vanara, and many tragedies befell Halethiris until its destruction by Secundur and his followers. At the heart of the region is now an impenetrable forest, called Islindia, after the Faere Princess who once lived in those parts and who, it is said, still roams its blighted and melancholy ruins.* (See Map of Forest Islindia) Islindia -- Also known as the Lady of the Wood, Queen of the Wood, and the Princess of Sorrows. Islindia was Princess of Halethiris during the Age of Strife and the early First Age. Through an enchantment intended by her father, King Ilex, to restore Halethiris to the glory of the Time Before Time, Islindia was inadvertently given the power to bring about the past for one day each month. This ability brought her to Secundur's attention, who became infatuated by her beauty. Secundur captured Islindia and tried to force her to become his concubine, but she resisted. In an effort to punish her, he murdered her lover which served to make her even more resolute in her refusals. Still, Secundur continued to entreat her to be his, but she despised him and rebuffed him. She was rescued by her kin, but Secundur destroyed Halethiris with a withering blight. Only she, her father, King Ilex, and her uncle, Solstice, survived the blight Secundur put upon the forest. It is said that Islindia and her father were cursed to remain in the ruins of that place until the world was remade, at which time their spirits could be free.* (See Map of Forest Islindia) Linlally -- The ruling city of Vanara. Founded and built by Cupeldain, it was enhanced by the carvings and statues of Alonair. It was originally the name only for the palace that Cupeldain built atop the Falls of Tiandari, but later became the name for the larger city that grew up around and below the palace along the banks of the Iridelin River. Since it is a place of governance, and the oldest city of the Elifaen, it is an important city to all of the Realms. In the latter Second Age, Duinnor commonly stationed armies there, ostensibly for defense purposes since Linlally is the closest major city to the Dragonlands. (See Map of Vanara and Shatuum) Lyrium -- A Firstborn Faere who, with her sister Myrium, was the founder of the House of Fairfir. In the Time of Strife, Lyrium became renown for her gift of Sight, which enabled her to foresee portents of things to come.* Navis -- One of the Firstborn of the House of Elmwood, son of Banis, who with his siblings, Atlana and Esildre, was born during the Time Before Time. As did his siblings, Navis refused to go with Aperion and was Scathed of his wings. Navis was a renown warrior and had many adventures. He fought many battles under Silmain, Cupeldain, and Parthais. When a great monster, Jatarak the Ogre, appeared in the region of Altoria during the First Age, Navis pursued him into the Crevasse of Fire and slew him. In the Second Age, Navis singly fought and slew an entire legion of Dragonkind at the Battle of Saerdulin. He and his sister Esildre later became students of Raynor the Wise. After Esildre went to Shatuum, Navis traveled there seeking to free her, but he never returned. Nimwill -- Scribe and court chronicler of Parthais during his reign as King of Vanara. As such, he attended and personally recorded many events that took place within the Royal Court, and he also traveled with Parthais to record his various exploits and experiences. Nimwill was with Parthais when he executed those accused of murdering Cupeldain, and was also with the king during his many campaigns in the Dragonlands as well as other parts of the world. He was at the Battle of Tamkal Plain when King Parthais slew King Salkasin, and he was in Masurthia when Parthais forced King Barindon and Queen Therona to make peace. Nimwill also accompanied King Parthais to see the legendary place called Griferis.* Parthais -- Third King of Vanara, son of Cupeldain, father of Thurdun and Serith Ellyn.* Passdale -- A town in County Barley of the Eastlands Realm on the banks of the Bentwide River. It was located on the site of a small settlement known as Dalefath which was destroyed in the Dragonkind Invasion of 322 S.A. (See Map of County Barley) Regent -- Those placed in charge of certain matters in lieu of the actual king or governor. For example, in Vanara, the Chancellor is second in power and importance to the Queen, serving as the administrative governor of Vanara and overseeing all military and civil branches of government. As well, the Vanaran Chancellor is the Chief Judge of the Realm, supervising the courts of other judges or acting as a judge himself from time to time. When, during the late Second Age, Queen Serith Ellyn traveled to Glareth, the Chancellor was Regent of the Queen and ruled Vanara in her absence. Saheed -- A given name among Men, particularly of the Tallin and Markal lineages. Seafar -- A House of Men who originally settled in the northern coastal regions of Tracia but later settled mostly around the Bransondale region. They eventually resettled in Vanara and rose to great prominence as the most powerful House of Men in that Realm.* Secundur -- One of the Firstborn. He was believed to be a follower of Morgasir but escaped the destruction that befell his teacher. Known as the Lord of Shadow because he shuns light. Ever the provocateur of discord among people, he is held responsible for many of the world's woes, including the perpetual strife between the Dragonkind and the peoples of the northern lands. It is said that he provoked Kalzar to attack the north, and later provoked Cupeldain to retaliate. He also frequented Vanara, and spoke lies and rumors to Ormace and others when Cupeldain sought to have the Forty-Nine gathered. Later, King Parthais granted to Secundur a remote region northwest of Vanara later known as Shatuum, those mysterious forbidden lands bordered northwest Vanara and southwest Duinnor territories. There, Secundur slowly gathered his might, breeding foul creatures and hatching dark plots against other lands. Serith Ellyn -- Firstborn Elifaen, Queen of Vanara, daughter of Parthais of the House of Fairlinden. Serith means "most high." The beginning of the Second Age is marked at the start of her reign. She and her brother Thurdun were exiled by King Parthais, and they were later the targets of his agents whose orders were to hunt them down and kill them both. Parthais was no less cruel to his own people who pleaded for deliverance from his tyranny. Serith Ellyn secretly raised an army and managed to position it well within Vanara without being detected. In a bold and swift night attack, she led her army into Linlally and stormed the White Palace where she slew her father.* Shatuum -- A forbidden land on the borders of Vanara and Duinnor along the western edge of the world ruled by Secundur. (See Map of Vanara and Shatuum) Swyncraff -- A magical staff or rod that obeyed its master by remaining in any shape as long as its owner desired. It could be as hard as steel or as supple as rope.* Tallin -- Surname of Men whose lineage goes back to the first Men who came ashore in the world. They eventually became the powerful Named House of Tallin, and under Lord Danig Tallin. It was also due in great part to his efforts that the people of Tallinvale and Tallin City became prosperous and secure.* Thurdun -- Son of Parthais, brother of Queen Serith Ellyn of the House of Fairlinden.* Tiryna -- Firstborn of the Faerekind, and sister to Desira. Tiryna with Banis had three children, Atlana, Navis, and Esildre. Of these, only Tiryna departed with Aperion. Tracia -- One of the Seven Realms, located to the southeast of the world along the coasts where Men first settled. Its chief city is Forlandis. In the late Second Age, Tracia suffered a series of revolts and uprisings, culminating in the overthrow of the Ruling Prince by the so-called Triumvirate and its army of Redvests (named for the color of their uniforms).* (See Map of Tracia) Tulith Attis -- An old abandoned fortress in County Barley, of the Eastlands. It was the site of a siege and subsequent massacre during the Great Dragonkind Invasion, and events there precipitated much discord between Men and Elifaen.* (See Map of County Barley) Vanara -- One of the Seven Realms and the most ancient of all, believed to be among the first places where the Faerekind of the world lived. It was in Vanara that the Faerekind built their first cities, before the Fall. It lies to the south of Duinnor and just north of the Dragonlands, separated by a rugged range of mountains from the deserts.* (See Map of Vanara and Shatuum) *Many of these entries are abridged versions of those found within 
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