“That was one tough bugger,” said Ob. “Hope for our sakes there's no more of them lurking hereabouts.”
Dolan looked around, bucket in hand. “Always hated lurkers.”
“It promised there would be more,” said Glimador.
“Not today, I think,” said Theta.
Ob turned to Theta. “Why water?”
Theta wiped the ichor off his falchion with a cloth. “It’s the essence of life,” said Theta. “That one was the essence of death. The two cannot coexist.”
“Dead gods,” said Tanch, only now registering Ob’s remark. “You don’t really think there could be more than one of them, do you?”
“Relax, Magic Boy, or you’ll soil yourself again. I think our fun’s over for today.”
“It’s not,” said Theta. “Not until we find out how that thing got on board. It didn’t just happen by. Someone will answer for this.”
“Could it have flown here from some island or even from The White Rose?” said Glimador. He was very pale and tired and winced as Kelbor bound cloth about his hands, both of which were bright red. “Maybe one of the Leaguers conjured it and sent it to stop us or at least slow us down.”
“Maybe,” said Theta, studying Glimador.
“If you’re right,” said Ob, “wouldn’t it have flown away when we took up the buckets? It had to know it didn’t have a chance.”
“Maybe it feared going back to its master without killing Lord Theta more than it feared dying,” said Glimador.
“More likely, its master is aboard,” said Theta.
“Make no mistake, sonny,” Ob said to Glimador, “It didn’t fear us, not one bit. It feared old Mister Fancy Pants. Seems as if most folks do.”
“What happened to your hands?” said Theta to Glimador.
“We just had a bit of battle in case you didn’t notice,” said Ob.
“I threw too much magic,” said Glimador. “I’ve had them itch and sting before,” he said, staring at his hands, which he held up before him. “But never anything like this. I held a spell far longer than I’ve ever done before. That's what did it.”
Theta walked over and took a closer look at Glimador's hands. “What magic did you use?” said Theta quietly.
“A shield spell. I held back the demon with it below deck. It gave us time to get clear.”
“Your mother taught you that spell,” said Theta.
Glimador didn't respond.
“Go carefully with the magic, young Malvegil, for there’s far worse consequences to its use than burned hands, even for those who are masters of the art. Use your gifts sparingly, or better yet, not at all.”
“Thank you, sir, for the advice,” said Glimador standing tall and confident. “Though I claim no mastery of the mystic arts, I do know what I’m doing.”
Theta turned to Dolan. “Let’s go find the demon’s master.” They headed below deck, Theta with a hand on his ankh.
“Essence of evil,” said Dolan. “Good line.”
“I thought so,” said Theta, a grin on his face.
Sergeant Vid picked his way across the deck toward Ob. He stared aghast at the broken and mangled bodies, and the strewed wreckage. “Castellan,” he said, standing to attention. “Lord Eotrus is awake and asking for you.”
“Praise Odin,” said Ob. “This calls for a drink.”
END
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GLOSSARY
PLACES
The Realms
Asgard: legendary home of the gods
Midgaard: the world of man
Lomion: a great kingdom of Midgaard
Nether Realms: realms of demons and devils
Nifleheim: the realm of the Chaos Lords / Lords of Nifleheim
Vaeden: paradise, lost
Valhalla: a realm of the gods where warriors go after death
Places Within The Kingdom Of Lomion
Dallassian Hills: large area of rocky hills; home to a large enclave of dwarves
Dor Caladrill:
Dor Eotrus: fortress and lands ruled by House Eotrus, north of Lomion City
Dor Linden: fortress and lands ruled by House Mirtise, in the Linden Forest, south of Lomion City
Dor Lomion: fortress within Lomion City ruled by House Harringgold
Dor Malvegil: fortress and lands ruled by House Malvegil, southeast of Lomion City on the west bank of the Grand Hudsar River
Dor Valadon: fortress outside Dover
Doriath Forest: woodland north of Lomion City
Dover, City of: large city situated at Lomion's southeastern border
Dyvers, City of: Lomerian city known for its quality metalworking
Grommel: a town known for southern gnomes
Kern, City of: Lomerian city to the northeast of Lomion City.
Kronar Mountains: they mark the northern border of the Kingdom of Lomion
Lindenwood: a forest to the south of Lomion City, within which live the Lindonaire Elves
Lomion City (aka Lomion): capitol city of the Kingdom of Lomion
The Heights — seedy section of Lomion City
Southeast — dangerous section of Lomion City
Portland Vale: a town known for southern gnomes
Riker's Crossroads: village at the southern border of Eotrus lands
Tammanian Hall: high seat of government in Lomion; home of the High Council and the Council of Lords
Temple of Guymaog: where the gateway was opened in the Vermion Forest
Tower of the Arcane: high seat of wizardom; in Lomion City
Vermion Forest: foreboding wood, west of Dor Eotrus
Parts Foreign
Azure Sea: vast ocean to the south of the Lomerian continent
Dead Fens, The: mix of fen, bog, and swampland on the east bank of the Hudsar River, south of Dor Malvegil
Grand Hudsar River: south of Lomion City, it marks the eastern border of the kingdom
Emerald River: large river that branches off from the Hudsar at Dover
Ferd: Far-off city known for its fine goods
Jutenheim: island far to the south of the Lomerian continent.
Minoc-by-the-Sea: coastal city
R’lyeh: legendary island where a great battle was fought.
Shandelon: famed gnomish city
Tragoss Krell: city ruled by Thothian Monks
Tragoss Mor: large city far to the south of Lomion, at the mouth of the Hudsar River where it meets the Azure Sea. Ruled by Thothian Monks.
PEOPLE
Peoples
Emerald elves, Lindonaire elves, Doriath elves, Dallassian dwarves, gnomes, humans (aka volsungs), lugron, svarts
High Council of Lomion
Selrach Rothtonn Tenzivel III: His Royal Majesty: King of Lomion
Aldros, Lord: Councilor
Aramere, Lady: Councilor representing the City of Dyvers
Balfor, Field Marshal: Councilor representing the Lomerian armed forces; Commander of the Lomerian army
Barusa of Alder, Lord: Chancellor of Lomion
Cartagian Tenzivel, Prince: Selrach's son, insane; Councilor representing the Royal House.
Dahlia, Lady: Councilor representing the City of Kern
Glenfinnen, Lord: Councilor representing the City of Dover
Harper Harringgold, Lord: Councilor representing Lomion City; Arch-Duke of Lomion City
Jhensezil, Lord: Councilor representing the Churchmen; Preceptor of the Odion Knights
Morfin, Baron: Councilor (reportedly dead)
Slyman, Guildmaster: Councilor representing the guilds; Master of Guilds
Tobin Carthigast, Bishop: Councilor representing the Churchmen
Vizier, The (Grandmaster Rabrack Philistine): The Royal Wizard; Grandmaster and Councilor representing the Tower of the Arcane
House Alder (Pronounced All-der)
A leading, noble family of Lomion City. Their principal manor house is within the city’s borders
Batholomew Alder: yo
ungest son of Mother Alder
Bartol Alder: younger brother of Barusa, Myrdonian Knight
Barusa Alder, Lord: Chancellor of Lomion, eldest son of Mother Alder.
Blain Alder: younger brother of Barusa
Edith Alder: daughter of Blain; a child
Edwin Alder: son of Blain
Mother Alder: matriarch of the House; an Archseer
Rom of Alder: brother of Mother Alder
House Eotrus (pronounced Eee-oh-tro`-sss)
The Eotrus rule the fortress of Dor Eotrus, the Outer Dor (a town outside the fortress walls) and the surrounding lands for many leagues.
Aradon Eotrus, Lord: Patriarch of the House (presumed dead)
Claradon Eotrus, Brother: (Clara-don) eldest son of Aradon, Caradonian Knight; Patriarch of the House; Lord of Dor Eotrus
Donnelin, Brother: House Cleric for the Eotrus (presumed dead)
Ector Eotrus, Sir: Third son of Aradon
Eleanor Malvegil Eotrus: (deceased) Wife of Aradon Eotrus; sister of Torbin Malvegil.
Gabriel Garn, Sir: House Weapons Master (presumed dead, body possessed by Korrgonn)
Jude Eotrus, Sir: Second son of Aradon (missing)
Knights & Soldiers of the House: Artol 'The Destroyer', Sir Paldor Cragsmere, Sir Glimador Malvegil, Sir Indigo, Sir Kelbor, Sir Ganton 'the bull', Sir Trelman, Sir Marzdan (captain of the gate, deceased), Sir Sarbek (acting Castellan), Harsnip (deceased), Baret, Graham, Sergeant Balfin (deceased), Sergeant Vid, Sergeant Lant, Sir Miden (deceased), Sergeant Jerem (deceased), Sir Conrad (deceased), Sir Martin (deceased), Sir Bilson (deceased), Sir Glimron (deceased), Sir Talbot (deceased), Sir Dalken (deceased)
Malcolm Eotrus: Fourth son of Aradon
Ob A. Faz III: (Ahb A. Fahzz) Castellan and Master Scout of Dor Eotrus, a gnome
Stern: Master Ranger for the Eotrus (presumed dead)
Talbon of Montrose, Par: Former House Wizard for the Eotrus (presumed dead)
Tanch Trinagal, Par: (Trin-ah-ghaal) of the Blue Tower; Son of Sinch; House Wizard for the Eotrus. Alias: Par Sinch; Par Sinch Malaban.
House Harringgold
Harper Harringgold, Lord: Arch-Duke of Lomion City; Lord of Dor Lomion
Grim Fischer: agent of Harper, a gnome
Marissa Harringgold: daughter of Harper
Seran Harringgold, Sir: nephew of Harper
House Malvegil
Torbin Malvegil, Lord: Patriarch of the House; Lord of Dor Malvegil.
Landolyn, Lady: of House Adonael; Torbin's consort. Of part elven blood.
Eleanor Malvegil Eotrus: (deceased) Wife of Aradon Eotrus; sister of Torbin Malvegil.
Glimador Malvegil, Sir: son of Torbin, working in the service of House Eotrus.
Gravemare, Hubert: Castellan
Hogart: harbormaster
The Lords of Nifleheim
Azathoth: god worshipped by The Shadow League; his followers call him the “one true god”.
Arioch; Bhaal; Hecate
Korrgonn, Lord Gallis: son of Azathoth
Mortach: (aka Mikel) — killed by Angle Theta
The Asgardian Gods
Odin, Thor, Tyr, Frey, Freya, Heimdall, Loki,
Other Gods
Dagon of the Deep
Thoth
Great Beasts, Monsters, Creatures
Duergar: mythical undead creatures
Dwellers of the Deep: worshippers of Dagon
Fire Wyrm: a dragon
Giants (aka Jotuns):
Leviathan: a sea creature
Trolls: mythical creatures of the high mountains
The Crew Of The Black Falcon
Slaayde, Dylan: Captain of The Black Falcon
Bertha Smallbutt: ship's quartermaster
Bire Cabinboy: ship’s cabin boy
Chert: a young seaman
Darg Tran, son of Karn, of old House Elowine: ship’s navigator
Eolge: a crewman
Fizdar Firstbar 'the corsair': former first mate (presumed dead)
Guj: boatswain. A half-lugron.
N'Paag: First Mate
Old Mock: a crewman
Ravel: ship’s trader and medic
Tug, Little: Near 7-foot tall part-lugron seaman; Old Fogey — Tug’s battle hammer
The Passengers of The Black Falcon
Artol: former Sergeant to Gabriel Garn
Claradon Eotrus, Brother: (Clara-don) eldest son of Aradon, Caradonian Knight; Patriarch of the House; Lord of Dor Eotrus
Dolan Silk: Theta’s manservant
Ganton, Sir (the Bull): a knight of House Eotrus
Kayla Kazeran: part Lindonaire elf, rescued from slavery in Tragoss Mor
Kelbor, Sir: a knight of House Eotrus
Lant, Sergeant: a soldier of House Eotrus
Lomerian Soldiers: a squadron of soldiers of House Harringgold, assigned to assist House Eotrus.
Malvegil, Sir Glimador: first cousin to Claradon; son of Lord Malvegil
Malvegillian Archers: a squad of soldiers assigned to assist House Eotrus by Lord Malvegil
Ob A. Faz III: (Ahb A. Fahzz) Castellan and Master Scout of Dor Eotrus, a gnome
Paldor Cragsmere, Sir: a young knight of House Eotrus
Seran Harringgold, Sir: nephew of Arch-Duke Harper Harringgold — assigned to assist House Eotrus
Tanch Trinagal, Par: (Trin-ah-ghaal) of the Blue Tower; Son of Sinch; House Wizard for the Eotrus
Theta, Lord Angle (aka Thetan): a knight errant.
Trelman, Sir: a knight of House Eotrus
Vid, Sergeant: a soldier of House Eotrus
The Crew/Passengers of The Grey Talon
Alder Marines: squadrons of soldiers from House Alder
Bartol Alder: younger brother of Barusa; a Myrdonian Knight
Blain Alder: younger brother of Barusa
DeBoors, Milton: (The Duelist of Dyvers). A mercenary
Edwin Alder: son of Blain
Kaledon of the Gray Waste: a Pict mercenary
Kleig: Captain of The Grey Talon
Knights of Kalathen: elite mercenaries that work for DeBoors
Myrdonian Knights: squadron of knights assigned to House Alder
The Crew/Passengers of The White Rose
Rastinfan Rascelon: Captain of The White Rose
Ginalli, Father: High Priest of Azathoth, Arkon of The Shadow League.
Ezerhauten, Lord: Commander of Sithian Mercenary Company
Brackta Finbal, Par: an archmage of The League of Shadows
Frem Sorlons: captain of the Sithian’s Pointmen Squadron
Glus Thorn, Par: an archmage of the League of Shadows
Hablock, Par: an archmage of the League of Shadows (deceased)
Lugron: hulking, brutish humanoids
Mason: a stone golem created by The Keeper
Morsmun, Par: an archmage of the League of Shadows (deceased)
Mort Zag: a giant
Ot, Par: an archmage of the League of Shadows (deceased)
Pointmen, The: an elite squadron of the Sithian Mercenary Company
Sevare Zendrack, Par: Squadron wizard for the Pointmen
Sithians: mercenaries under the command of Ezerhauten; some are soldiers, some are knights
Stev Keevis Arkguardt: an elven archwizard from the Emerald Forest allied with The League of Shadows; former apprentice of The Keeper
Sithian Mercenary Company
Ezerhauten, Lord: Commander
Frem Sorlons: Captain, Pointmen Squadron
Landru, Par: a squadron wizard
Rewes of Ravenhollow, Sir: a knight
The Pointmen (an elite squadron of the Sithian Mercenary Company)
Frem Sorlons: captain, Pointmen Squadron
Sevare Zendrack, Par: squadron wizard for the Pointmen
Putnam, Sergeant: Pointmen,1st Squad
Boatman: Pointmen
Borrel: Pointmen; a lugron
Bryton: Pointmen
Carroll, Sir: Pointmen; a knight
Dirnel: Pointme
n; a lugron
Held: Pointmen
Jorna: Pointmen
Lex: Pointmen
Little Storrl: Pointmen,1st Squad; a young lugron
Maldin, Sergeant: Pointmen,2nd Squad
Moag: Pointmen,1st squad; a lugron
Roard, Sir: Pointmen,1st Squad; a knight
Royce, Sir: Pointmen; a knight
Torak: Pointmen; a lugron
Ward: Pointmen
Wikkle: Pointmen; a lugron
Militant Orders
Caradonian Knights: priestly order; patron—Odin
Kalathen, Knights of: mercenary knights
Odions, The: patron—Odin; Preceptor—Lord Jhensezil; Chapterhouse: in Lomion City
Sithian Knights, The: Preceptor—Lord Ezerhauten
Sundarian Knights: patron: Thor; Preceptor: Sir Hithron du Maris; Chapterhouse: hidden in Tragoss Mor
Tyr, Knights of: patron—Tyr
Others Of Note
Angle Theta, Lord: (Thay`-tah) (aka Thetan) knight errant and nobleman from a far-off land across the sea.
Archmage / Archwizard: honorific title for a highly skilled wizard
Archseer: honorific title for a highly skilled seer
Arkon: a leader/general in service to certain gods and religious organizations
Azura du Marnian, the Seer: Seer based in Tragoss Mor
Gorb: Azura’s bodyguard
Rimel Stark: Azura’s bodyguard and famed Freesword
Dirkben: Azura’s bodyguard
Black Hand, The: a brotherhood of deadly assassins
Brigandir: supernatural warrior(s) of Nifleheim
Churchmen: a generic term for the diverse group of priests and knights of various orders
Dwellers of the Deep (Harbinger of Doom Volume 4) Page 25
