The Valdemar Companion
Page 19
Altra
The Firecat appointed by Vkandis to assist Karal. (Storm)
Alys
A female member of the Fellowship of Errold’s Grove, in charge of the herds. (Owl)
Amaly
The elder daughter of Herald Pol and Healer Ilea, she is a Healer and married to Ranolf. (BB)
Amarites
An incident involving this group created tension between Valdemar and Queen Lythiaren of Rethwellan, and was a potential source of mistrust when King Randale warned her about the anti-mage crusade launched in Karse. (LHM)
Amba-resin
Ingredient in perfume. (Owl)
Amber
A gemstone formed from fossilized plant resin, it is Herald-Mage Vanyel’s preferred focus for magic. (LHM)
Amber-of-scent
A trade good brought to Valdemar by the Ghost Cat Clan that has a gray-white, greasy appearance, and a heavy, musky-sweet fragrance. (Owl)
Amber-of-the-sun
A yellow, golden-brown, or red gemstone traded by the Ghost Cat Clan that is often used for jewelry. (Owl)
Amberdrake k’Leshya
A kestra’chern of the k’Leshya Clan, he was the most skilled at his profession among the Kaled’a’in. He allied himself to Urtho at the beginning of the Great War and placed his services at the command of Urtho’s Army. Spectacularly dressed and immaculately groomed when possible, he eased the pain and tensions of those who fought, but had no one to ease his pain as the war dragged on. A particular friend of gryphon Skandranon and hertasi Gesten during the Great War and afterward, he was an Empath with the Gift of Healing. He became the mate of Winterhart, the father of Silverblade, and a member of the White Gryphon Council. (Gryphon)
Amberwing
A Tayledras scout. (Winds)
Ames
One of Bazie’s former boys who left to join a circus as a pickpocket. (TT)
Ami
A dishwasher at Rathgar’s Keep during the wedding banquet. (Sword)
Ananda Pellard
Ant Errold’s Grove resident, she was the owner of a bad-tempered rooster killed by an owl. Everyone was secretly grateful to the owl, but Ananda carried on at great length, as though she had suffered a terrible loss. (Owl)
Anastesi
The name of Keisha’s favorite lady-doll from childhood. (Owl)
Anathei of the Purifying Flame
A religious order that believes Evil does not know it is wrong and can be convinced to do Good. Their main temple is located in Oberdorn. They took Thalkarsh into their care after the battle at his temple. (Oath)
Anberg
A captain in the army of the kingdom of Karse and Alberich’s superior during that country’s border fights against bandits. (Arrows)
Ancar (Prince/King)
The King of Hardorn after he assassinated his father, Ancar plotted to overthrow Valdemar by killing Queen Selenay and forcing Elspeth to marry him. A Master-level Blood-Mage, his reign was characterized by atrocities and murder, including the torture of Talia and the murder of Herald Kris and his Companion, carried out while they were invited guests of his country and diplomatic envoys from an allied state. He subjugated his people, murdering any who opposed him and binding them as mind-enslaved troops to be slaughtered during his wars of attempted conquest against his neighboring states, all of which failed. The Companion Gwena trampled him to death during one of Hardorn’s wars with Valdemar after Ancar went mad and attempted to kill Adepts Elspeth and Darkwind in a duel of magic. During that fight, Vree distracted him, and Gwena destroyed him. (Arrows, Storm, Winds)
Anda (Herald-Mage)
A Herald-Mage assigned as Crown representative to Lord Breon’s territory, partner of Companion Eran, residing in k’Valdemar Vale. He was taught his mage-skills by Treyvan and Hydona. (Owl)
Anderlin’s Freehold
A neighboring home base for some of the numerous Ashkevron cousins and cousins-in-law. (LHM)
Anders
A Skybolt that Kerowyn considered throwing at Elspeth to distract the Princess if she hindered her war preparations. (Sword)
An’desha shena Jor’ethan
Shin’a’in of Bear Clan, offshoot of Wolf Clan. His mother was an outClan Kata’shin’a’in woman; as a result his hair was golden brown and he was often taunted as a half-breed. In his early teens he developed mage gifts. Some in his clan felt this was further evidence that he was unclean and should take a vow of celibacy. Refusing the only other option available to Shin’a’in, becoming a shaman, An’desha fled north to the Hawkbrother lands. When he cast a small Fire-Calling spell, his body was usurped by Ma’ar. The boy was a descendent of Zendak, one of Ma’ar’s previous incarnations, and Fire-Calling was a trap enabling the Adept to return as Mornelithe Falconsbane. But An’desha held onto his identity, hiding within the monster’s mind, waiting for an opportunity to reassert himself and reclaim his stolen body. The Avatars of the Shin’a’in Goddess, along with Firesong and Need, helped free An’desha and he rebuilt his life. His hair is now white from dealing with magic and his once greenish-yellow eyes are now a pale silver color with slit, catlike pupils, a memento of Falconsbane’s experiments with Changing. (Storm, Wind)
Andi
A young woman from Errold’s Grove, almost as skilled as Shandi at spinning thread. (Owl)
Andrean Senson
Talia’s brother, he was a second son and kind to his sister. When Talia was nine, Andrean was killed during a brigand raid, removing support and affection from her life. (Arrows)
Andrel (Healer)
The Healer to the Heralds and Herald-Mage Savil’s former lover. He treated both Savil and Vanyel after the terrible events at the Grove’s Bell Tower. (LHM)
Andros (Herald)
The Herald that escorted the aged Bard Stefen to the Forest of Sorrows, where Stefan disappeared to join Vanyel in his afterlife. His Companion, Toril, made Andros forget that he had accompanied Bard Stefen to the forest. (LHM)
Anduras Fair
A Jkathan fair made famous by the Shin’a’in horse traders. (Oath, Sword)
Animal Mindspeech
The Gift that allows one to communicate with animals. (BV)
Anjeyla
A Sixth Form student and Tyron’s girlfriend at the Merchants’ School. (BB)
Apponel
A god honored by some of the Skybolts. (Sword)
Arawell (Guildmistress)
The guildmistress of the Weavers and a member of the Queen’s Council. (Arrows)
Arboli
Archduke Tilden’s scholarly eldest daughter. (Oath)
Arborn Hunting Cat
Tilden brought some kittens of this breed to Tarma and Kethry’s school as Midwinter gifts for the children. (Oath)
Ardana Flinteyes
The only surviving officer after the Skybolts’ rout during the Karsite “bandit” incursion, she became the Skybolts’ leader by default when both Lerryn Twoblades and Icolan Ar Perdin were killed. In Kerowyn’s opinion, the woman was a terrible officer with no head for strategy, a quick temper, and questionable or non-existent ethics. She led the Skybolts to near total destruction before they mutinied in favor of Kerowyn. (Sword)
Ardatha (Companion)
The Grove-Born First Companion who Chose King Valdemar in the early days of the realm. (Arrows)
Aren (Herald)
The Herald who brought a Healer to tend to Alberich after his escape from Karse. (Arrows)
Argonel
A powerful sedative and muscle relaxant fatal in large doses. (Arrows, LHM)
Aristo
A slang term for a member of the nobility. (Oath)
Arms of Valdemar
The symbol of the monarch and kingdom, the emblem shows a winged white horse wearing broken hobbles. Sometimes, the animal is depicted with a broken chain around its neck. Underneath is the motto “No One Way Is The True Way.” (Arrows)
Arnod (Herald-trainee)
Assigned to attend Master Ulrich and Karal in Haven
. (Storm)
Arnod
One of Quenten’s assistant mages. (Sword)
Aroon
A kyree of the Hot Springs Clan who came to help Herald-Mage Vanyel, his Companion Yfandes, and Bard Stefen. (LHM)
Arrkeyla
A Silver Gryphon of Kel’s acquaintance. (Gryphons)
Arrow Code
The secret code used by Heralds in an emergency, unique patterns notched into the fletchings on arrows and shot, delivered or left to be found by other Heralds. In addition, broken and beheaded arrows indicate death and disaster, and colors banded on the shafts have meanings as well—white for “nothing wrong,” green to send a Healer, purple to send a priest, gray to call another Herald, brown to watch for a message, blue for treachery, yellow for military aid, red for great danger, black for death or catastrophe. (Arrows)
Artero (Herald)
Lavan’s Field Investigations instructor at the Col legium during King Theran’s reign. (BB)
Atificers
The engineers, inventors, and technicians of Valdemar. They train in Haven, but their unofficial headquarters is the Compass Rose tavern. They were instrumental in discovering how to stop the Mage-Storms (Storm)
Artis Camlodon
Chief Healer among Urtho’s forces. (Gryphon)
Arton
Tarma’s magical disguise created by Kethry—it made Tarma look like a male mercenary. In this disguise, Tarma got a job in King Raschar’s guard, got him to trust her, and finally got him to confess that he’d tortured and murdered his sister, Idra. (Oath)
Arvale annexation
A troubling postwar problem in the time of Valdemar’s King Tavist, it was a crucial point in the Arvale-Zalmon negotiations. (LHM)
Arved (Herald)
Valdemar’s Seneschal during the time of King Randale. (LHM)
Arven
Vinyel’s daughter by one of Guard-Captain Lissa Ashkevron’s shaych guards. (LHM)
ashaka
A k’Leshyan endearment. (Storm)
Asheena
[he Mage Starwind k’Treva’s bondbird, a white gyrfalcon. (LHM)
Ashke
A Tayledras word meaning “beloved.” It was Tylendel’s special name for Vanyel, one he explained as a play on the younger boy’s family name of “Ashkevron.” Years later (Bard) Stefen used the same term of endearment. (LHM)
Ashkevron
The surname of Herald-Mage Vanyel, the Ashkevrons are a large family of hard-working low nobility. The Ashkevron holdings lie west of Haven, and for a while formed the western border of Valdemar. The family gained renown as horse breeders—their hunters and later their sturdy warhorses were among the best In Valdemar. Ashkevron heavy horses were routinely used for Valdemar’s heavy cavalry. (LHM, Winds)
Ashkevron, Ariel (Herald)
The daughter of Vanyel’s brother Mekeal. Her Companion is Darvena (LHM)
Ashkevron, Charis
Vanyel’s youngest sister. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Deleran
One of Vanyel’s numerous siblings. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Diera
A volunteer scout with the Guards at the Karsite front. (BB)
Ashkevron, Heforth
One of Vanyel’s younger brothers. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Jehan (Lord)
The master of the Ashkevron manor when the travelers from k’Sheyna came through the Gate. (Winds)
Ashkevron, Joserlin
Vanyel’s great-great Grandfather who designed the original manor-keep at Forst Reach. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Joserlyn
Herald Andros was assigned to deliver a palfrey wearing a saddle as present from Joserlyn Ashkevron to his sister. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Kaster
One of Vanyel’s brothers, appointed Second Councilor and Seneschal of the March of Lineas-Baires. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Kemoc (Lord)
Lord of Forst Reach during King Roald’s reign. (Oath)
Ashkevron, Lissa
Vanyel’s older sister who signed on to join Trevor Corey’s training school for young swordswomen. After graduating from Corey’s school she joined the Guard and was eventually promoted to captain. (LHM)
Ashkevron Manor
The longstanding Ashkevron family household west of Haven. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Mekeal
The second son of Withen Ashkevron, he became heir to the Holding after Vanyel was Chosen. As a young man he bedded Lady Treesa’s maid Melenna and fathered Medren. As an adult he married Roshya and fathered six children. He gradually grew into competence in his management of Forst Reach. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Ria
Wife of Vanyel’s brother Kaster. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Roshya
Mekeal Ashkevron’s wife and the mother of his six legitimate children, she became Forst Reach’s chatelaine when Lady Treesa moved to court. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Savil (Herald-Mage)
Vanyel’s beloved aunt and his teacher in Haven. Savil ran off to the capitol city when she was fourteen and was Chosen by her Companion, Kellan, the moment she passed the main gates. One of the best Herald-Mages in Valdemar, she was also an excellent teacher, and was given many of the most promising students among the Heralds as her special resonsibility, among them Tylendel and later Vanyel. She held an anchoring position in the Guardian Web protecting Valdemar. She died fighting a mage construct raven sent by the Dark Mage Leareth to assassinate her. Note: Herald Kerowyn’s Companion is named Sayvel, and has a strong interest in leaching. (LHM)
Aslikevron, Treesa (Lady)
Vanyel’s mother and the wife of Withen Ashkevron. (LHM)
Ashkevron, Vanyel (Herald-Mage)
See Vanyel Ashkevron
Ashkevron, Withen
Vanyel’s father, Treesa’s husband, and the Lord of Forst Reach in the reign of King Randale. (LHM)
Asra (Guardsman)
A auard posted at the West Gate of Highjorune in Lineas who was bribed by Vanyel to look the other way when he left the city. (LHM)
Assassin Mage
Sent by Dark Mage Leareth to assassinate Lady Treesa, he infiltrated the Ashkevron Manor under the guise of an insane man, and wounded Father Beren, Lady Treesa, and Vanyel before he was killed. (LHM)
Assembly of Peoples, The
The governing body of Iftel that is composed of humans, gryphons, kyree, dyheli, ratha, and tyrill. (Storm)
Astera
A major goddess in Valdemar. After Father Leren’s mage-directed attack and the discovert that an entire temple school had been “purchased” and its priests tempted to serve evil, the priests of Astera sent “finders” into every Temple along the Border to uncover any other traitors to the faith. (LHM)
Atus
One of the mages Falconsbane sacrificed to build up a store of magical energy to steal the power-locus. (Winds)
Aubri
A rufous broadwing gryphon, he is one of Skan’s oldest friends who eventually became the training advisor to young Silvers at White Gryphon. (Gryphon)
Audria’s Teeth
An oath employed by Wendar, Rathgar’s seneschal. (Oath)
Aurinalean Empire
The united principalities east of Hardorn. Also known as the Eastern Empire. (Storm, Winds)
Autumnwing
The leader of a group of Hawkbrothers who asked to borrow Elspeth’s bathing pool. (Winds)
Avatars
Otherworldly creatures that serve deities as messengers and/or agents of divine orders. (Winds, Storm)
Awhani
The wisewoman of Gray Wolf tribe. (Owl)
Aya
Firsong’s bondbird, a white firebird, part of a new bondbird strain that the young mage created. (Winds)
Ayshen
The hertasi baker at k’Vala Vale, he became chief hertasi at k’Valdemar Vale. (Winds)
Azureheart
A Tayledras noted for his abilities as a dyer. (Owl)
Azurestar
The shaman of Cat Clan when Kaled’a’in split
into the Shin’a’in and Tayledras Clans after the Cataclysm. (Winds)
Bachelor’s hall
The quarters at Forst Reach allotted to unmarried young men. (LHM)
Backet, “Old Man”
A villager of Errold’s Grove. (Owl)
Baern
Herald-trainee Nerissa added his name to her extensive list of amorous conquests. (Arrows)
Baires
A western border country north of Lineas once ruled by the Mavelans. When they tried to usurp the Lineas throne through assassination, the plot backfired and killed every member of the Mavelan family. As a result, Baires and Lineas became vassal-states of Valdemar. (LHM)
Bard
A Bard is much more than a talented musician. To qualify as a Bard, a musician must have the Bardic Gift—the ability to influence listeners through Mind-magic while singing. In addition, a Bard must have at least one of two additional gifts: Creativity—the ability to compose and/or arrange music, and Talent and the ability to perform vocal and/or instrumental music at a high level. Bards are trained at the Collegium in Haven. Full Bards wear scarlet uniforms, while Bard-trainees wear red-brown. (BV)
Bard Cottage
A pricey lodging where Herald Rubrik found quarters for the Karsite ambassador and his secretary. (Storm)
Barda
A member of Errold’s Grove’s Fellowship community and the selected representative of the village to the Council at k’Valdemar Vale. (Owl)
Bardic Chronicles
The records of songs and the stories behind them stored In the Coilegium’s archives. After Vanyel’s death. any song dealing with magic could not be kept in the repertory of Valdemar’s bards, who mysteriously “forgot” them. (Winds)
Bardic Collegium
The Bardlc portion of the Colleglum where students learn all aspects of music including the use and control of the Bardic Gift. Vanyel was enrolled there on his Aunt Savil’s orders, taking courses in History, Literature, and the Religions of Valdemar. A Bardic student wears rust-brown robes, while a master wears scarlet red. (LHM)
Bardic Council
The seven members appointed by the Bardic Collegium to meet and consider the status and dispositions of Bardic trainees and candidates. (LHM)