A Viral Imperium: The Plagueborn Series Book 1

by Darren Joy

  Breathers, a name used by virals to refer to anyone living

  Byrsa, second largest city in the imperium

  Cerberus, fabled guardian of Hell’s Teeth (see also, Grim, Hell’s Teeth)

  Chimera, a low rank of Fallen Ones, capable of shapeshifting (see also, Fallen Ones)

  Clots, when attacked, virals formed groups called clots to defend themselves (see also, Purges)

  Conclave, consisting of the nine original families, which ruled pre-imperium, the conclave is the political arena and a check on the imperator’s power

  Conclavist, a member of the imperial Conclave

  Conversion, a mysterious ritual that enslaves the mind, (see also, thraels)

  Dalba, a full body cloak with a thick gauze face veil worn by the Imperial Family when beyond the palace. It once denoted divinity and sacredness. While this used to be imperial law, it is no longer enforced, and is considered customary. Used for ceremonial occasions mostly. It is a crime for anyone not of the Imperial Family to wear the dalba

  Darken, an imperial bodyguard assigned to each member of the Imperial Family. The identity of a Darken is known only to the imperator and the one protected

  Eladaldor, the southern continent (non-imperium)

  Ewsannec Tribes, mountain tribes to the west of Adalalcas who are in constant rebellion. Region known as the Borderlands, though it is within imperial territory (see also, Borderlands)

  Exemplar Guardians, the elite imperial bodyguard, considered separate from the legions. Known to harbour fanatical views (see also, Redcloaks)

  Fallen Ones, corrupted, evil, angels. Although not mentioned in the White Daemoni, the Fallen Ones have taken more notice of humans since the discovery of the Shathra Stone (see also, Angels, Chimera, Titans, Harpies)

  Glut, a name given by the poor, for the richest areas of an imperial city

  Gog of Magog, eldest of five sons of the infamous Nephilim King, Og of Bashan, Gog is next in line to rule. Magog is the name of his kingdom (see also, Nephilim)

  Gorgons, large and muscular, sabre-toothed creatures used by harpies as mounts. Origins unknown. Mentioned twice in the White Daemoni, and also in legend with reference to the Grim (see also, Harpies)

  Governor, ruler of any imperial city save the capital where the imperator/imperatrix sits

  Green Cloak, refers to regular legionaries of the Actaeon Guard

  Grim, the, evil character in folklore, and the White Daemoni, who occupies Hell

  Grimstyx, also known as Hell, it is the fabled world of the Grim mentioned several times in the White Daemoni

  Grolg, a relative of the Skunk and the common cow, often used for hauling wagons and carts

  Grond, a heavy spiked war hammer, wielded one handed by giants

  Guck, a seaweed concoction eaten by virals (Name invented by Threadfin Todder)

  Gulac, a military grouping of one hundred Nephilim warriors (see also, Nephilim)

  Gulley, a fortified, narrow strip of land joining the northern and southern continents protected by double walls and forts

  Gurd, a small hut made from dried mud, branches and twigs over a wooden frame

  Hallow Quarter, (Byrsa City) churches and the Blue palace

  Harog, a spear-like weapon with dual ends, one a blunted or spiked weight, the other a blade

  Harpies, a middle rank of winged Fallen Ones, considered vicious. According to the White Daemoni, they also ride the Gorgons (see also, Fallen Ones)

  Hell’s Teeth, a fabled fortress of the underworld, guarded by Cerberus, where the Grim resides (see also, Grim, Cerberus)

  High Exemplar, leader of the exemplar guardians and personal bodyguard to the imperator

  Icarthian, both official nationality and language of the imperium

  Icarthya, capital city of the imperium located on the north-eastern coast of Adalalcas

  Imp, a misnomer referring to young Nephilim (an imperial historian is believed to have named them, alluding to a demonic creature in the White Daemoni, and not in reference to their size)

  Imperator/imperatrix, ruler of the imperium

  Imperial marshal, commander of all imperial legions, excepting the exemplar guard. Usually a member of the Imperial Family though exceptions exist historically

  Imperial Quarter, (Icarthya City) churches, parks, libraries and the Black Palace

  Imperium, an empire that encompasses the entire northern continent, so named as to set it apart from other empires on the southern continent

  Kecci, a small dog-like animal, the result of mixing slinkt and dog. Its whine is not as dangerous as a slinkt’s (see also, Slinkt)

  Lame, imperial city on the edge of what is called the borderlands (see also, Borderlands)

  Malk, river that flows through the city of Byrsa into the Adalcis Ocean

  Mammon Quarter, (Byrsa City) wealthy merchants, churches and libraries

  Marshal, commander of a single legion

  Minorum, a class of politicians considered plebeian and given less authority in conclave

  Mongrels, small and deformed but intelligent beings of mysterious origin often used as scribes

  Muck Quarter, Muck, often said in a derogative manner, it refers to the poorest areas of a city. The poor, or Muckers, often bear the name with pride

  Nalrost, Rasnal, ancient human high mage, (non-viral)

  Natron, a chemical salt found in the southern arid regions of the imperium

  Nephilim, race of giants on the southern continent of Eladaldor (see also, Gog of Magog)

  Noy, a broad river that flows northeast to southwest through the imperium

  Oblivion Chains, rare angelic objects used to bind the soul (see also, Soul Shard)

  Paladin, a legionary officer, financier and patriarch of the Church

  Patriarchal, class of politicians made up of the nine ruling families (see also, Minorum)

  Patricians, the elite, whether of the political class, the rich etc.

  Paytor, educator and clergyman

  Plagues, a series of devastating outbreaks, which spread throughout the known world. Believed to have begun two hundred years ago and ended only recently (see also, Virals)

  Plebeians, (Plebs) anyone who isn’t of the elite class. Not always Muckers (see also, Patricians)

  Pleth Quarter, (Icarthya City) wealthy merchants, libraries and part of the city port.

  Prime, a crime boss who rules the underbelly of a city

  Prole Quarter, (Byrsa & Icarthya) factories, stonemasons, artisans, and (Icarthya) port

  Purges, an extermination of virals in history, lasting several years and spanning continents. Little is known of what happened, or why

  Redcloak, refers to exemplars who wear red. Colour said to symbolise life, the blood of the living (see also, Exemplar Guardians)

  Scarap, a broad blade with multiple curves and four sharp points, designed for hacking

  Scrips, a form of money introduced by Imperator, Olen Quintus, to improve the lives of the poor. Accepted only by the Church in exchange for food, clothing etc.

  Shathra, a Nephilim graveyard of legend

  Shathra Stone, a powerful stone sphere worshiped by the Nephilim. Believed a myth by many

  Shraeds, winged entities of Tartaros

  Skunk, a broad-backed muscular animal for carrying immense loads. Slow-moving, it emits a regular and foul smell. The spine of any legion supply line, but always kept to the rear

  Slinkt, a sleek and vicious predator that occupies forests. It emits a high-pitched whine that knocks smaller animals dead. Can render a grown man unconscious

  Soul Shard, an angelic weapon forged in the mortal realm. Imbued with a portion of an angel’s soul, which gives it great power, but weakens the giver. To give an entire soul to a shard is taboo (see also, Angels)

  Soul Splice, a rare form of soul-shard, designed to fight Fallen Ones in their human form. Its sole purpose is to separate the soul from the flesh

  Spectral, Spectralic, considered the opposite to
viralic magic, and a power linked to the Spectrum, it is a form of power accessible to the living. However, for centuries there have been no known spectral mages

  Spectrum of Existence, is everything in existence both seen and unseen, flesh spirit and all other forms of reality. Believed to contain hundreds of millions of other worlds

  Sydarag, a lizard-like creature that runs on two legs with a long neck and snaking tail. Used by the imperial legions as mounts, because of their great endurance

  Talent, a name used to refer to magic. It is Threadfin’s belief that only virals have talent, but legend suggests the living once did so too (see also, Bent, Viralic, Nalrost)

  Tarl, a large forest that covers much of the northern half of the imperium

  Tartaros, name given to the Darkness devouring the Spectrum of Existence. Possibly the White Daemoni’s version of Hell

  Tharons, name given to ancient rulers (pre-imperium)

  Thraels, humans enslaved by Fallen Ones (see also, Fallen Ones)

  Titans, highest rank of Fallen Ones, these entities have little of their angelic selves remaining. Though not the first to have given themselves to evil, they are its most loyal

  Tystria, third largest city of the imperium

  Viralic, name given to magical power used by virals (see also Talent)

  Virals, often called Plagueborn, deaders or undeaders, virals are born dead and always after a plague outbreak. Regarded as lower than animals, few remain since the purges. Some think them a myth. As they grow older, their bodies decompose faster. Legend suggests there were several types once

  Warg, powerful wolf-like predator from the southern continent. Often found in company of Nephilim. Imperial historians have suggested they are a cross between black wolves (now extinct), and an unknown creature

  Warghound, unrelated to wargs, this large creature is in fact a distant relative of the sydarag, though it retains no lizard-like features. Loyal and fierce in defence of their masters

  Watcher, a powerful entity Threadfin Todder encounters in a place between worlds

  White Daemoni, ancient holy text of the Imperial Church and source of all holy doctrine. Said to have been written by an ancient angel who wore flesh. The name of that angel is a matter of contention, as the author is unknown (see also, Angels)

  Yellow Bliss, a poison extracted by apothecaries from a plant called, Yellow Spot

  About the Author

  Darren Joy lives on the southwest coast of Ireland with his wife and cat.

  He has worked numerous jobs ranging from IT Manager to Housekeeping Supervisor to toilet cleaning – one might see a trend perhaps.

  When not writing fantasy, he’s reading and daydreaming about it to the detriment of everything and everyone else, except the wife of course.

  His debut novel, A Viral Imperium, was born in a dark and dingy corner of his consciousness. There are far darker corners yet, but for now, he’s rummaging about in the basement,

  and so coming soon ...

  A PLAGUEBORN NOVEL - BOOK TWO

  A Malignant Fetch

  For more visit: www.darrenjoy.com

  Acknowledgements

  I wish to thank all those who have supported me and my writing in various ways down through the years. To Noel O’Regan for his wonderful expert advice, spot on criticism and encouragement. To my friend, William Brick, for all those times we couldn’t meet for coffee. To Danny, Emma, Selena, Denice and Sandra - a creative junkie like me, to everyone who read and gave feedback on my stories, even when they were terrible, all the way back when. Lastly, to my Dad and my sister, Stacey, and anyone else I’ve forgotten.

  I dedicate this book to my wife,

  and to my daughter.

  For our little Elvina whose memory lives in our hearts, always, and for my beautiful Alina whose love and support I cherish.

  Everything together.