The Valdemar Companion

by John Helfers; Denise Little

  The unit of Hardornian Guards stationed outside the capital of Crown City; In Ancar’s time they supported his reign and consisted of malicious men who bullied townspeople and travelers alike. (Winds)

  Elivan

  The dyheli Wintermoon rode while he and Skif searched for Nyara. (Winds)

  Ell

  An Imperial or Hardornen measurement, approximately the length of a forearm. (BV)

  Elrodie (Herbalist-Healer. Earth-Witch)

  A teacher at Quenten’s school, delegated to welcome Elspeth and Skif. (Winds)

  Ellspeth (Queen)

  A monarch of Valdemar, also known as Elspeth the Peacemaker. Her reign was characterized by self-sacrifice and tragedy. She bought peace for Valdemar with a loveless alliance marriage to avoid conflict with the nelgiboring kingdom of Iftel. After her husband died, she wished to follow her heart and marry Bard Kyran, but for the sake of the realm she denied herself that joy, using her potencial remarriage as a powerful political bargaining tool. Her son Darvi died young, forcing her unwilling grandson Randale to become Heir. When Elspeth died, the fragile peace she built fell apart, leaving a Valdemar filled with petty barons trying to carve out their own kingdoms. (LHM)

  Elspeth (Princess, Herald)

  The daughter of Queen Selenay and her consort, the traitorous Prince Karathanelan of Rethwellan, Elspeth was almost removed from the line of succession when still a child. Elspeth’s problems were caused by a foreign nurse, Hulda, who taught Elspeth to be a brat, hoping to destabilize the royal line. Queen’s Own Herald Talia transformed the Heir from a brat into a proper young lady. At fifteen, Ellspeth was chosen by the Grove-Born companion Gwena, and was formally designated as Heir. At Kerowyn’s first meeting with Elspeth, the sword Need woke and sang, indicating to Kerowyn that Elspeth should be Need’s next bearer. Carrying Need, Elspeth served as her country’s envoy on a mission to find honorable mages willing to work in Valdemar to counter Ancar’s deadly magic. On the journey, she discovered that she had incredible mage potential. She trained with the Tayledras and met Hawkbrother Darkwind k’Sheyna, who later became her husband. Elspeth discovered she was a descendant of Herald-Mage Vanyel when she met another of Vanyel’s descendants, Healing Adept Firesong k’Treva, who taught both Elspeth and Darkwind. After achieving Adept status, Elspeth felt she could serve Valdemar better in the field, so she abdicated her claim to the crown in favor of her young twin half-siblings. (Arrows, Storm, Sword, Winds)

  Empathy

  The Gift of Empathy is possessed in some degree by most Healers. Empaths feel emotion the way a Farspeaker can hear works. An Empath can also “see” if certain emotions are strongly connected to a person or event. (BV)

  Empire Mages

  The term for the Adepts of the Emperor Charliss, their ranks are distinguished by the color robes they wear: purple, blue, or red. (Storm)

  Empyreal Plane

  The sixth plane of otherworldly existence. Even the most powerful Mages cannot coerce the services of beings from this plane, but can only hope the creatures are curious or feel like responding to their call. (Oath)

  Enderby (Lord)

  A councilman for the Forst Reach area who resigned in favor of Withen Ashkevron when Vanyel moved his parents to Haven. (LHM)

  Enelve’astre

  See Kal’enel.

  Erdane (Bard)

  One of Vanyel’s very few old acquaintances still alive when the Herald-Mage returned from his tour of duty on the Karsite border. (LHM)

  Erek

  One of Vanyel’s guardescorts on his exile’s journey to Haven. (LHM)

  Eren

  A Skybolt Healer, he sent Shallan for Need when Kerowyn was wounded. (Sword)

  Eren (Companion)

  Companion to Valdemar’s Heir Presumptive (Herald) Treven, Eren helped Treven and Jisa find a priest willing to marry them and ensure that the marriage was legally binding. (LHM)

  Erna Dele

  A resident of Errold’s Grove who never thanked anyone for their help, yet always scolded Darian for his ungratefulness. (Owl)

  Errold’s Grove

  A village of about fifty buildings on the forested side of a bridged ford over the River Londell, located near Lake Evendim on the far northwestern edge of Valdemar, and part of Lord Breon’s holding. Once an important border town, the village was largely forgotten when war with Hardorn broke out, seeing a Herald only about once a year. Errold’s Grove changed after it was attacked by the Blood Bear Clan. In the years after the town was saved, a Tayledras Vale was founded nearby, trade resumed with dye-merchants and fur trappers, troops were sent from Valdemar, a permanent Herald was assigned to the village, and the leaders of the village and the Vale worked together to manage the influx of refugees from the North. (Owl)

  Ersala

  The Sunhawks’ horse buyer, whose purchase of extra Shina’in horses gave Tanna and Kethry stock for their horse trader cover story as horse dealers while searching for Captain Idra. (Oath)

  Esten (Companion)

  Companion of King Randale. (LHM)

  Estrel

  The wife of Justin Twoblade and mother of Kethren, a former shepherd with a vast knowledge of herb-healing and midwifery, she was placed in charge of Tarma and Kethry’s nursery at their school. (Oath)

  Etaven

  The Shin’a’in word for water. (Oath)

  Ethen

  The Commander of Emperor Charliss’ personal guard, he replaced Commander Peleun. (Storm)

  Ethereal Varirs

  Creatures of the Elemental planes who can be bargained with for favors or for something they want tram the earthly plane. (Oath)

  Evalie

  The name Talia gave the imaginary Companion she wished would Choose her. (Arrows)

  Evan (Herald)

  Herald and Instructor at the Colleglum, his specialLy is teaching trainees in the use of ForeSight. His Companion is Jolene. (BB)

  Evan (Trader)

  A trader accused of murder In Westmark who was exonerated by Talia’s Truth Spell, Evan later repaid his debt to her in Hardorn, confirming her suspicions about Prince Ancar and later smuggling items Talia had requested into her prison cell. (Arrows)

  Evendim, Lake

  The circular lake that lies on the westernmost border of Valdemar and is actually a great inland sea. The perfectly circular impact crater is the last remaining evidence of the great power released by the detonation of Dark Adept Ma’ar’s fortress at the end of the Mage Wars. Lake Evendim is the home of fisherfolk, hardy humans chat harvest the giant sturgeon in the lake. (Arrows, Owl)

  Evening Court

  A Haighiel Royal Custom that the King is obliged to attend, although he does not necessarily stay for all the events and entertainments. (Gryphon)

  Everet (Archpriest)

  The Archpriest of Valdemar during Vanyel’s time, he was deeply concerned over the growing anti-mage crusade in Karse. (LHM)

  Exile’s Road

  This road leads west from Haven to Lake Evendim, and passes through the villages of Hall, Deercreek, and Zoe. (LHM)

  Exorcism

  A religious rite performed by Karsite priests that can take one of two forms. In the first form, the priest casts the ghost out of the possessed victim or object and bars it from being able to return, In the second form, the priest blesses the ghost and helps the spirit see where it is supposed to go, then the priest helps break any bonds holding it to this plane and send it on its way, if it is ready. (Storm)

  “Fair Maid of Bredemere, The”

  A classic tragic romantic song of Valdemar. (LHM)

  Faires

  Celebrations held all over Valdemar, gathering merchants, encertainers and townsfolk together for revelry and fun. Four major seasonal Faires were held every year, during the Spring Equinox, in Midsummer, at the Harvest, and at Midwinter. (BV)

  Falcon of Light

  One of the Son of the Sun’s titles. (Storm)

  Falconsbane, Mornelithe

  See Mornelithe
Falconsbane

  Faldis-juice

  A delicious but addictive liquid narcotic derived from the Faldis fruit. (Sword)

  Fallan

  An innocent chambermaid sent to “entertain” the “hero” who slew the dragon terrorizing Lord Havrin’s lands. She didn’t please him, so he beat her and complained to the Innkeeper, who promptly fired her. Tarma and Kethry saved the poor girl by introducing her to a good man who needed her. (Oath)

  Falling of the Sky and the Stars

  A phrase the kyree historian Rris used to describe the time of the ancient Cataclysm. (Storm)

  False One, The

  Solaris’ predecessor as Son of the Sun, who was incinerated by lightning during a Midwinter Fire-Kindllng Ceremony for his corruption of Vkandls’ sacred Rules and Writ. (Storm)

  Faithern (Lord)

  A border lord who made his keep available to Queen Selenay and her party during the crises with Hardorn. (Arrows)

  Fanshane (Lady)

  A noble at Shalaman’s Court, she was a thoroughly detested harridan blamed for ruining Lady Shensse, among others. She was one of Hadanelith’s victims. (Gryphon)

  Faramentha Jadrevalyn

  Rethwellan’s King, Megrarthon’s heir, and Daren’s oldest sibling. Known as Faram, he was also brother to the late an unlamented Karathanelan, Queen Selenay’s first husband and father of Princess Eispeth of Valdemar. During her training days at the Collegium, Elspeth began correspondlng with him, learning a great deal about her relatives. She also discovered that the Hulda sent from there to become her nursemaid was not the same Huida who actually arrived in Valdemar. Though Faramentha is the half-brother of Elspeth’s treacherous father, he is far more sensible and likable than his dead sibling and is loved by his people. (Arrows, Oath, Sword, Winds)

  Faras

  A hertasi massage specialist. (Winds)

  Farist

  Nickname for Herald Griffon’s Companion, Harevis. (Arrows)

  Farnherdt (Healer)

  A retired Healer who was summoned along with many other Healers to help the seriously injured Talia after her rescue from Hardorn. (Arrows)

  FarSeeing/FarSight

  Also known as Looking or Seeing, it is a Heraldic Gift enabling the possessor to see people or events at a distance far beyond normal vision. Heralds who are not Mindspeakers are likely to be Farseers. Farseelng can be linked with Fetching to transport people or objects from a distance. (BV)

  Father’s Mother

  Title for the ruling matron of a Holderkin family, often the mother of the senior male in the Holding. (Arrows)

  Fayshan

  A priestess of the Cloistered Order of Kemos Sequestered. Fayshan was given charge of Jisette Jelnack after the King’s Judgment condemned the Insane woman to permanent confinement In the Cloister. (BB)

  Feast of the Children

  A holy ritual in Karse. Parents were ordered to bring their children to the Temple to be inspected by the Sun-oriests. Until Solaris banned the practice, those suspected of having “witch-powers” were burned alive or taken for the Temple. (Storm)

  Featherfire k’Treva

  Daughter of Herald-Mage Vanyel and the Tayledras woman Snowlight. Featherfire is Mage-Gifted, a twin to Brightstar, who was adopted by the Mages Starwind and Moondance of k’Treva Clan. (LHM)

  Featherless Son

  A fond nickname the gryphons Treyvan and Hydona gave Darkwind. (Winds)

  Fedor (Herald)

  A Herald, his Gift is Foresight. He was assigned to assist Lord Marshal Weldon at the Karsite front, speaking for the ForeSeers among the Heralds. (BB)

  Fedris

  One of Ancar’s mages, he accompanied the first contingent of troops attacking Valdemar and controlled them with coercion spells. (Winds)

  Feeling

  A Heraldic Gift related to Empathy. (LHM)

  Feka

  A bitter stimulant herb brewed as a powerful tea. (Sword)

  Felar (Companion)

  Companion to Seneschal’s Herald Jaysen Kondre. (LHM)

  Felara (Companion)

  Herald Ylsa’s Companion. He and Ylsa helped save Talia after she was thrown into the frozen rIver by Blues. (Arrows) ,,.

  Feldar’s Teeth

  A mercenary company that surrendered to a Karsite mercenary group and were murdered. (Oath)

  Feliss

  An injured gryphon among Urtho’s forces treated by winterhart. (Gryphon)

  Fellis-oil

  A moderately effective insect repellent made from the feLlis plant. When the Valdemaran army waited in the swamps for Prince Ancar’s army to attack, the oil did not keep the midges and mosquitoes that infested the area away. (Arrows)

  Fellowship, The

  An Errold’s Grove sub-community of a dozen families united by their religious beliefs in peace and non-violence. They are noted for their diligence, hard work, and skill in handcrafts, particularly textiles. (Owl)

  Felwether

  The town where Lady Myria was to be executed for the alleged murder of her husband. (Oath)

  Ferd

  One of the Arcificer students injured in the boiler explosion. (Storm)

  Ferla Dawkin

  Dib Dawkln’s mother, who brought the injured boy to Keisha for treatment. (Owl)

  Fern Holl

  One of the Fellowship farmers, she protested (with Khmer) at an Errold’s Grove Village Council meeting. (Owl)

  Ferris-oil

  An oil with a distinctive odor used for many purposes, including polishing woodwork. The Companions like the thick oil, since it not only lends off biting insects, but is good for their hooves and coats. (Arrows, Oath)

  Fess

  An aged, wizened palace guard posted at the suites of Queen Selenay and her Court, and well past due for retirement, but too proud of his position to let go just yet. (Arrows)

  Festival days

  Annual holidays. These are celebrated across Valdemar even among the puritanical Holderkin; their horses wear bridle bells on Festival Days. When young Talia heard bridle bells on the day Rolan Chose her, she realized they must be those of a Herald, because no local horse would be wearing them on a non-FestivaL day. (Arrows)

  Fetchers

  The term for those rare Gifted who can transport objects, or, with great effort and risk, living beings. Herald Dirk is one of the few who possess this Gift during Selenay’s reign. (Arrows)

  Fetch/Fetching

  Those with the Fetching Gift can retrieve objects or people from a distance. Generally the target needs to be within sight of the Herald doing the Fetching, but the Gift can, in rare occasions. be combined with FarSight to Fetch people and things from long distances, with che FarSeing Herald zooming in on the target and giving the focus to the Fetching Herald, as Dirk and Elspeth did with Talia when she was imprisoned in Hardorn. (Arrows)

  Field Uniform

  The standard Heralds’ outfit for Circuit riding, hard use, or fighting, constructed of leather, raime, wool and linen. Field Uniforms are made for comfort and ease of movement, and may be added to in layers depend on the weather conditions. (BV)

  Fifty Noble Houses

  The collective term for the hereditary high-born of Mornedealth. (Oath)

  Filix

  The Master Mage of the Silvers of White Gryphon. While accompanying Regin’s search team to look for Tadrith and Silverbiade, he was killed by the magic-absorbing wyrsa they encountered. (Gryphon)

  Final Strike

  The unstoppable and self-sacrificing magic of last resort for a Mage, releasing all his personal energy and any power he can grab from his surroundings in a massive explosion, killing the Mage and any opponents nearby. Herald-Mage Vanyel Ashkevron used a Final Strike to stop the Dark Mage Leareth and his army at Crookback Pass, and the Mage Justyn used one to buy time for the villagers of Errold’s Grove to escape when they were artacked. (LHM, Owl)

  Fiona (Lady)

  Partner to Lady Arawell in a sheep importation project which promised to boost th
e widowed Fiona’s family fortunes and those of Arawell’s Weaver’s Guild. (Arrows)

  Firecat

  The Karsite equivalent to Companions, they are reincarnated former Son of the Suns who advise those who need guidance in ruling the country. About the size of a bobcat, they are catlike in appearance with cream colored coats with red points on the ears and tail. Firecats have the ablility to Gate themselves and objects they carry in a method they call Jumping. (Storm)

  Fire elemental

  See Sandaar

  Fire Kindling Ceremony

  One of the holiest days in Vkandis’ annual calender, it occurs in Midwinter in Karse. All fires across the land arc extinguished, then relit from flres ignited at each of Vkandis’ temples, fires that are lit when a beam of light from the midwinter sun hits the temple altar. (Storm)

  Firebird

  Once considered to be a fable, these colorful birds inhabit some Valdemaran woodlands and the Pelagiris Forest. They ignite flames around themselves when they are alarmed, or during display behaviour. Firesong k’Treva developed a brand new bondbird strain from the breed, and bonded with the Firebird Aya. Aya’s displays are controlled showers of sparkling fake fire. (Oath, Owl, Storm, Winds)

  Firedance

  A Tayledras scout. (Winds)

  Fireliight k’Treva

  A Tayledras Adept of Vanyel’s time. (LHM)

  Fireflower Retreat

  A study center for Kyllian Mages. This particular School produces graduates equally versed In mage-craft and Healing. (Owt)

  Firefrost k’Vala

  An elderly and cheerful Healer-Mage, one of Darian’s Tayledras teachers. Her bondbird is a snow white peregrine. Firefrost earned her name by heallng many cases of severe frostbite, including an entire family of tervardi durtng a blizzard when she was a teenager. (Owl)

  Firelance

  The k’Leshya clan’s chief trondi’irn. (Owl)

  Firelord

  One of the many heroic epithets the Bards gave Vanyel in their songs. (LHM)

  Firemare

  A member of Amberdrakes family, lost in the chaos triggered when Ma’ar’s killer armies swept through the land. (Gyphons)

  Firemare Valavyskya

  e was an Elder for the Owl Clan of the Kaled’a’in after the Mage Wars. (Winds)