The Flame Iris Temple

by Colin Glassey

  Gold Kingdom – One of the greatest kingdoms in Serica’s history as it controlled all the provinces of Serica as well as Rakeved and part of Shila. Its capital was Kemeklos; its most famous king was Banatar, who lived seven hundred years ago. See also Fire Kingdom and Water Kingdom.

  Goren – A scholar of the Great Sage Temple in Torsihad.

  Gorgi – Former soldier of the Kitran Empire, now living in Essebeg.

  Great Sage – Ancient religious/philosophical figure in Serica. Nearly all governmental officials are avowed followers of the Great Sage. His true name is unknown.

  Great Sage Temple – Library and haven for followers of the Great Sage, located in Torsihad.

  Great Sea – A massive ocean that stretches from the eastern coast of Serica all the way to the westernmost islands of the Archipelago. Ships cross the Great Sea by sailing far north and going from Maspan to Ice Island and thence to Budin. Sea monsters rule the warmer waters of the Great Sea.

  Hemina – Name of the palace of the King of Rakeved.

  Hesmoro – A god of traders, travelers, and thieves. Worshiped by some Kulkasen.

  High Lord Palsomo – Head of House Kirdar of Shila. Miri is a relative.

  Hotan – The largest of the three trade cities at the edge of the Tirala Mountains. Thanks to good farmland, it is self-sufficient. See also Gipu and Fantu’veri.

  Hutinin – Second-largest city in province of Kunhalvar.

  inner palace – Part of the palace set aside for the ruler’s wives and young children. Walled off from the main palace grounds and guarded by a small group of soldier-eunuchs.

  Iron Duke – Brother of the Iron King, famous for leading daring cavalry raids. His real name is Gosta Feshti.

  Iron King – King of Dombovar, former iron miner. Older brother of the Iron Duke.

  Jay Kirdar – Native of Shila, member of the Rutal-lil, cousin of Miri Kirdar, former unofficial leader of the Scythe. Older brother of Ven Kirdar.

  Jori Vaina – Born to a very humble family of riverboatmen. A destitute orphan, he took up a life of aimless wandering, traveling across much of Serica. He studied the teachings of Eston at Yellow Dragon Monastery. Later, he joined the Red Swords and became one of the main leaders. He and his soldiers seized control of Tokolas about four years ago.

  Junithoy – The name the Serice use for the little people who once lived in the mountains of Kisvar. The Keltens believe these are the same as the Piksies.

  Jupelos – Northernmost city of Kunhalvar, located on the Jupol River.

  Jupol River – Major river that flows southwest from Lake Ruduhe, through Kemeklos, and down to the Mur.

  Kagaya – Coastal kingdom south of Rakeved. Known for its sea raiders and its strange religious practices. Kagaya is usually at war with either Rakeved or Murkathaz.

  karst – Unusual mountains found in the Towers of Heaven, characterized by isolation from other hills, nearly sheer slopes, and rounded tops.

  Kemeklos – Capital city of Kisvar province. Former capital of all Serica during the Water Kingdom. Once the largest and grandest city in Serica and all surrounding lands.

  Kimeron – A large province of Serica, its capital is Daka. The second-largest city is Somjarvi. It has been firmly under the control of the Kitran Empire for more than one hundred years.

  King Banatar – One of the greatest kings in Serica’s history; reigned during the Gold Kingdom. He was one of the last Serice kings to lead his soldiers into battle.

  King Borsos – Former ruler of Vasvar province. Murdered by General Tuno while the Archives Expedition was staying in Gipu.

  King Olvin – King of Shila, member of House Tols. Lady Eun is a relative.

  Kirdar – AKA House Kirdar. Major clan of Shila, ruling much of the western part of the country. Based in the city of Birumaz. The head of House Kirdar is High Lord Palsomo.

  Kisvar – Formerly the richest and most important province of Serica. Kemeklos is the capital of Kisvar. See also: Kunhalvar, Dombovar, etc.

  Kitran Empire – A great power that recently ruled over all Serica and the northern lands as well. The Kitran Empire is run by the Kitran tribe, one of the Sogand tribes. The founder was Tolu Tem, styled Emperor of the World.

  Knights of Serica – Newly created order of knights under the direction of Sir Ako. All the men of the Archives Expedition who reached Tokolas were made members of this order: Ako, Sandun, Basil, Kagne, Padan, Damar, Farrel, Wiyat, and Gloval (posthumously).

  krasuth – A group of mysterious men who have magic power over wind and fog. They are the servants of Ell.

  Kulkasen – Ghost Seekers, a major religion/philosophy in Serica. Some Kulkasen are warriors (such as Blue Frostel); others are traveling healers who use their claimed mystical powers to drive away demons and ghosts. Some of the many gods the Kulkasen worship are: Mairen Pal, Temo Tio, Hesmoro, and Domlad the Golden.

  Lakava – Capital city of Vasvar province, port city on the River Mur.

  Lake Histel – Medium-sized lake northeast of Kemeklos. Part of Kisvar province. Famous for its scenic beauty and as the site of temples and schools such as Telihold Tanul.

  Lathe Rupp – A knight of the Knights of Serica. Formerly a student and disciple of Valo Peli, born in Segvarket.

  Lena – A farmer’s daughter from the valley south of Kemeklos. Later joined Valo Peli’s household staff.

  Loganin – A Kulkasen priest of Temo Tio at the Rowan Horse Temple.

  lopor – Strange black powder that explodes when set on fire.

  Lord Itor – Leader of Gipu and head of the Laska clan.

  Lord Sakkel – Ancient Serice hero from the time after the Fire Kingdom collapsed.

  Mairen Pal – Ancient Serice hero, now worshiped as a god of war by some Kulkasen, often linked to Temo Tio.

  Mamarvi – Second-largest city in Zelkat province. Located at west edge of the province, close to the Tirala Mountains.

  Mar Raddi – Ancient hero of Serica. Famed for his hot temper.

  Marsolil – Town near the center of Shila.

  Master Donath – Current mayor of Hutinin, the second-largest city in Kunhalvar province. Formerly the leader of the Great Sage Temple.

  Mavana – Goddess worshipped by the Red Swords. It is believed the Mavana will soon appear in the world and cleanse it of evil, ending the suffering for all believers.

  Minak Kingdom – Founded by nobles of the former Dedilon Kingdom. Almost annihilated in a war with the Kitran Empire. Minak hatred for Palahey Kingdom was legendary.

  Minister Momen – Former head of the Ministry of Rituals, now deceased.

  Minister Renieth – Former acting head of Ministry of Rituals, in charge of relations with the Keltens, tortured to death by Nilin Ulim.

  Minister Thrun – Official in charge of the inner palace of Tokolas.

  Minister Tivadin – Official in charge of the Ministry of Justice.

  Miri Kirdar – Native of Shila, member of House Kirdar. Related to Jay Kirdar and Ven Kirdar. Married to Sandun.

  Molimonik – A medium-sized town on the Mur river, near the northeast border of Kunhalvar province.

  Monavar – One of the provinces of Serica. In the east, it borders Shila. To the south, it borders Anenohad. Tesatur is the largest city, but there are several other large cities in the province. A triumvirate of kings, working in alliance, has ruled the province.

  Mount Mazal – Tallest mountain in Serica, located in Kimeron province.

  Mur River – Largest river in Serica; flows northeast to southwest. Flows into the sea near the city of Buuk.

  Murkathaz – Large but somewhat disorganized kingdom south and west of Rakeved. Wars between Rakeved and Murkathaz have been frequent over the centuries.

  Naduva – Capital city of the province of Dombovar. Ruled by the Iron King. Formerly the last capital of the Wat
er Kingdom.

  Nakata’an – Wilderness region south of Torsihad. The Gold Kingdom controlled it, as did the Water Kingdom, briefly.

  Nava River – Major river that flows north to south and joins with the River Mur at Solt’varkas.

  Northern Expedition – The successful campaign launched by Lord Jori Vaina as he led both his army and his fleet to north to break the siege of Kemeklos. Nilin Ulim’s army met them in a battle at the town of Devek, and the Kitran army was defeated. Days later, Lord Vaina’s forces broke through the enemy encircling the city, and most of the inhabitants escaped. Sandun was captured during the operations and taken to Nilin Ulim’s war camp.

  Nikawsa – Small frontier town on the southeast corner of Kunhalvar.

  Nilin Ulim – Former Kitran warlord, adopted son of Bolod Ulim. Killed by Sandun.

  Number Eight – Chief spy for Lord Jori Vaina. Formerly a tavern owner in Solt’varkas.

  Nurmes – Large city in Dombovar, situated on the River Mur.

  Oardulos – Large city on the Mur River, on the border between Kunhalvar and Dombovar. Occupied by the army of Dombovar at present.

  Okanka River – Large river that runs from Hutinin north to the Mur River.

  Olitik – Small town in the hills east of Jupelos

  Omot – Small town in the province of Torsihad.

  opmi – Serice term that refers to the elite warriors of the Archipelago (i.e., knights). Opmi have an outsized reputation in Serica, as legends and stories paint opmi in a favorable light.

  Palahey – Major kingdom that captured several provinces of Serica, including the capital city of Kemeklos. Palahey was later conquered and destroyed by the Kitran Empire.

  Polkinombu – A krasuth from Murkathaz. He and Kagne reached Sandun in the middle of Nilin Ulim’s camp.

  Pomoz – Large port town in Shila.

  Prempol – City and region of Murkathaz.

  Radiant Prince – Nominal leader of the Red Swords, AKA Herald of the Mavana, AKA: Habaluk.

  Rakeved – A major nation south of Serica, a former province of Serica during the Gold Kingdom but independent for several hundred years. See also Russu Ti Tuomi.

  reblith – Shila word that is extremely insulting.

  Red Crane Army – The army of Kunhalvar province. Cranes are common along the river Mur near Tokolas; also, Jori Vaina’s soldiers were originally part of the Red Swords.

  Red Prophet – The inspirational and effective leader of the Red Swords for many years.

  Red Swords – Religious movement that has spread throughout western Serica. Violently opposed to the Kitran Empire. Red Sword warriors captured Zelkat, Kisvar, and Vasvar in the first years of the rebellion. Later, Lord Jori Vaina captured Kunhalvar as a member of the Red Swords. They worship the Mavana.

  Rektava – A priest of Hesmoro at the Seven Stars Temple.

  River Reed – Formerly known as Moss Pond. He is the abbot of the Temple of Noon, in Tokolas. Before he came to Tokolas, he was a senior prior at the Flame Iris Temple.

  Rogge – A travelling merchant, guided the Archives Expedition from Gipu to Hazeny. Injured at the battle of Wheat Town. His nephew is Evet.

  Rowan Horse Temple – A temple for the Kulkasen of Tokolas. A collection of many individual shrines to different gods such as Temo Tio and Hesmoro.

  Russu Ti Tuomi – A princes of Rakeved. She came to Tokolas with her father. After a failed assassination attempt, she came to live at the Kelten embassy with Sir Ako. Later, they married.

  Rutal-lil – Military/religious order of knights in the nation of Shila. Both Jay Kirdar and Ven Kirdar are members. The Rutal-lil are devoted followers of Ekon.

  Sakhat – Province of Serica in the northwest. Depopulated as it has suffered assaults from Sogand raiders for more than one hundred years. Capital city is Hevravi.

  Sasuvi – Capital city of Zelkat province, on the Nava river. Sasuvi was once the largest city in western Serica, but Tokolas is now larger. Sasuvi was the center of the Red Swords movement for a decade. Vellen now governs Zelket from the palace in Sasuvi.

  Segvarket – A city at the border between Kunhalvar and Vasvar provinces.

  Sekovos – (pl. Sekovie) – A strange race of humanlike creatures who have great powers over the minds of men. They are called shapeshifters or fox-spirits. Their interactions with mankind are few and entirely on their terms. They are followers of Ses.

  Serica – Very large and populous kingdom that lies between the Tirala Mountains and the Great Sea. Serica used to be unified but is now divided into many warring states. One of the early kingdoms in Serica’s history was called the Fire Kingdom. Years later, a new kingdom conquered all Serica; it was called the Gold Kingdom. The Water Kingdom eventually took power after a long civil war. The Kitran Empire destroyed the Water Kingdom and briefly controlled a vast territory, even larger than Serica.

  Serica-glass – A remarkable form of pottery, smooth like glass yet nearly unbreakable. It holds colors without fading and is prized throughout the world. The secret of its manufacture is closely guarded by a small number of families in Serica, Shila, and Rakeved.

  Serice – The people of Serica are collectively referred to as the Serice. Unlike the people of the Archipelago, most Serice have pointed ears.

  Ses – A demigod, like Ajh and Ell. His people are the Sekovie (see Sekovos).

  Seven Stars Temple – A temple for the Kulkasen of Tokolas consisting of a collection of shrines to the different gods such as Lord Mairen and Hesmoro.

  Shila – An important independent nation east of Serica. The capital city is Sorabol, ruled by King Olvin. There are several major clans that run Shila, including House Tols (the ruling family) and House Kirdar.

  Silan – Mythical flying creature, believed to grant luck. One of the yearly guardian animals.

  Sogand tribes – The Sogands are a race apart, such that interbreeding between Sogands and humans is rare. They live in the northlands, occupying a huge swath of land from Thessegon in the west, to Shila in the east. Many tribes make up the Sogands: the Kitran, the Gokiran, the Turan, the Gurwan, and others. The Kitran, under Beeshe Tem, subdued all the other clans. Under Tolu Tem, the unified Sogands conquered all the provinces of Serica, destroying the Water Kingdom in the process.

  Solt’varkas – Ancient capital of the Fire Kingdom, located at the junction of the Mur and the Nava rivers. The city was largely destroyed by earthquakes and floods.

  Somjarvi – Major city of Kimarom province. It is located on the shores of Lake Rudohe, at the headwaters of the Jupol River.

  Sorabol – Capital city of Shila. Ruled by King Olvin of House Tols.

  Sukanea River – Large river that joins the Mur River near Tokolas.

  Sumetar – AKA Sume. Expert horse archer, with a mysterious background.

  Tea Hills – Large region of foothills on the far west side of Serica. Famous for its tea.

  Teketavaska – Small messenger post on the Okanka River, at the midpoint between Tokolas and Hutinin.

  Telihold Tanul – Old temple of Eston in Kisvar province near Lake Histel. Vir Telihold is an offshoot of Telihold Tanul.

  Temo Tio – A god of war, worshiped by many Kulkasen. Often worshiped along with Mairen Pal.

  Temple of Noon – Small temple of Eston in Tokolas. Its head is Abbot River Reed.

  tik – Serice unit of distance measurement, a bit more than one-third of a Kelten mile (roughly two thousand feet).

  Tilsukava River – Small river of Torsihad, flows into the Sukanea River.

  timbal – Serice musical instrument with twenty-one strings. Similar to a Kelten harp.

  Tirala Mountains – Major mountain range east of Erimasran consisting of high peaks and plateaus. Almost entirely uninhabited, except by some Piksies.

  Todoskar – A skilled warrior, not in the army. Usually su
ch a man is a kulkasen and follower of Temo Tio.

  Tokolas – Major city in Serica, capital of Kunhalvar province. Located on a bluff overlooking the River Mur. Lord Jori Vaina has ruled Tokolas for several years.

  Tols – AKA: House Tols. Major clan of Shila that has ruled the nation from the capital of Sorabol for centuries. The king of Shila is Olvin of House Tols, as is Lady Eun.

  Tolu Tem – The most powerful Kitran emperor. A grandson of Beeshe Tem, his armies conquered Naduva and ended the Water Kingdom. Tolu Tem was called Emperor of the World, and all the lands around Serica either acknowledged his rule or were attacked.

  Torsihad – One of the poorest and least developed provinces of Serica with many mountains and rivers. See also: Kunhalvar, Dombovar, Vasvar, Zelkat, Torsihad, etc.

  Towers of Heaven – Unusual geographic region of Torsihad. Five major temples are located here, including the Great Sage Temple and Flame Iris Monastery. See also: karst.

  Turtle, Year of the – In Serica, each year is denoted by a guardian animal. There are twelve guardian animals and thus a cycle of twelve years (and a larger cycle of sixty years). The other guardian animals are (in order) Dragon, Fox, Bear, Horse, Beaver, Cow, Dog, Cat, Tiger, Whale, Turtle, and Silan.

  triatismas – Demonic creatures, believed to be mythical. Also used to describe individuals who have been taken over by a demon. In Shila, to call someone a triatismas is a very grave accusation.

  Urmatos – Capital city and port town of the province of Anenohad.

  Valo Peli – The new name of Arno Boethy. He was an official and general of the Kitran Empire, but he retired after twenty-five years of service. Expert in the manufacture and use of lopor. Valo Peli met the Keltens in the town of Hazeny, and together they ventured to Tokolas. Valo Peli was marked for death by Nilin Ulim.

  Vellen – The governor of Zelkat province. Formerly a senior member of the Great Sage Temple.

  Velochaken – Capital city of Rakeved. See also Hemina.

  Ven Kirdar – Native of Shila, member of the Rutal-lil, cousin of Miri Kirdar, younger brother of Jay Kirdar.