Sorceresy (also Vestian Sorceresy) The predominant school of Adept learning in the far eastern land of Vest. The Vestian Sorceresy believes all Paths of Alir have equal merit, but they’re known for their Blackshard Council and its extensive exploration of mor’alir (the Path of Shadows).
Stanza segreta (Caladrian, secret room) The term given to a leis which a Nodefinder has pinned to his personal life pattern or to an object in his possession, the use of which allows the Nodefinder to secret away or store items for later use. Colloquially called a “coach.”
Strand (strand´) n. [Agasi, strônd] 1 Any of the parts that are bound together to form a whole [the strands of one’s life] 2 Referring to any of the five composite aspects of elae and its five attributive fields of energy (respectively: strand 1:creative energy, 2:kinetic energy, 3:variant energy, 4:energy of thought, 5:elemental energy).
Tethys – Goddess of the Sea worshipped by sailors, especially from the Island of Jamaii.
Thread (thred) n. [Old Alæic thræd, to bind] A colloquial term used when speaking of a group of four men of a specific race, as opposed to a string, which is a grouping of six.
Tiern’aval (teer´- navol´) n. [origin unknown] An island city, one of the Free Cities of Xanthe, which vanished at the end of the Adept Wars circa 597aV. The city’s fate remains a mystery.
T’khendar (tuh – ken´dar) n. [origin unknown] The realm created by the Adept wielder Malachi ap’Kalien out of Alorin’s own aether, which sacrilegious act resulted in fierce denouncement from the Council of Realms and indirectly, his later madness.
Truthreader (trooth´ rēd er) n. [Old Alæic treowe, true + raedan] An Adept of the fourth strand of elae who is able to hear (and sometimes see) the thoughts of others and is thereby able to discern the time, place and form of any occurrence in their memory, i.e. its truth.
Tyriolicci (teer´e-oh – lee´chee) One of the Wildling races of the Forgotten Lands. See Whisper Lord.
Vestal (vest´-al) n. [Cyrenaic, vestir, to endow] 1 An Adept elevated and empowered with the responsibility of enforcing the laws, regulations, activities and codes of his respective strand of elae, and of overseeing all Adepts subject to it 2 One of five highly-trained and advanced Adepts elected as voting members of the Council of Realms, ranking just below the Seat of the realm in authority.
Weld (weld) n. [Cyrenaic, welden, to be strong] The most major joints in the Pattern of the World. All leis and nodes connect through a weld, thus a weld allows travel to any location. Welds also form the joints between the realms and thus allow travel from realm to realm.
Whisper Lord n. [Collq.] One of the Wildling races (also called Tyriolicci) known for their frenzied fighting style and ability to make small skips through time.
Wielder (wēld´ər) n. [Cyrenaic, welden, to be strong < Old Alæic, valere, a show of strength] A person of any race who uses patterns to compel one or more strands of elae, thereby influencing the strand’s properties to create the effect he has postulated; a sorcerer in the realm of Alorin. Adepts and men alike become wielders through intensive training and study.
Wildling (wahyld´-ling]) n. [Old Alæic wilde] 1 (Collq) An Adept of the third strand of elae 2 Any of the twenty-seven non-human races whose native abilities are attributed to the third strand of elae but who may or may not be possessed of paranormal abilities.
Zanthyr (zan´thur) n. [Old Alæic] An elusive Adept of the fifth strand of elae; zanthyrs can shapeshift between two forms: one human, one animal. Many have been seen to work elae. The extent of their abilities is unknown.
The Sormitáge Ranks
(in ascending order)
The Docian Collar: yoked to the honest study of elae. Adepts wear the Docian collar from their earliest years until they pass the Catenaré Invocation Trials, often a span of five to eight years.
The Catenaré Cuff: chained to the dutiful service of elae. Adepts wear the Catenaré cuff until they pass the Maritus Invocation Trials, usually a span of three to four years.
The Maritus Bracelet: married to the courageous exploration of elae. Adepts wear the Maritus bracelet until they’ve completed their Maritus thesis and passed the Devoveré Invocation Trials for their strand, usually a span of five to ten years.
The Devoveré Ring: devoted to the just and virtuous practice of elae. Adepts are awarded their Devoveré ring upon successful completion of the Devoveré Trials.
A stacked Adept– referencing an Adept who has gained more than one ring in the discipline of a single strand.
A bracketed wielder – referencing an Adept who has gained a Devoveré ring for each strand of elae and thereby wears a ring on every finger of his or her right hand. A bracketed wielder has ascended from Docian to Devoveré on every strand of elae.
A rowed wielder – having gained a bracket on both hands. A rowed wielder has ascended first from Docian to Devoveré in every strand, then again ascended through the same ranks specializing in the wielder’s craft of Patterning, learning to apply the Laws and Esoterics to each strand of elae, as well as building his or her repertoire of associated patterns.
The Laws of Patterning
(1-17)
1. KNOW the effect you intend to create.
2. What applies to one applies to all.
3. Create newly each effect.
4. Positive determinism is necessary to achieve the intended effect.
5. A wielder is limited by what he can envision.
6. Energy responds to positive thought. Corollary: Patterning is most effective at the level of thought.
7. A wielder succeeds in the alteration of energy, space and time in inverse proportion to his agreement with the material universe.
8. All patterns are the result of effort channeled along a specific vector; thus, patterns are the product of force.
9. Do not counter force with force; channel it.
10. Energy cannot be unmade, merely transformed.
11. All things are formed of patterns.
12. A pattern need not be perfect, but the wielder’s concept of it must be.
13. Intention monitors solidity, solidity monitors structure.
14. Exact duplicating forces, in opposition, will nullify structure.
15. Talismans magnify intent.
16. Talismans form the bridge of cause and effect.
17. The use of talismans must focus force without limiting scope.
The Esoterics
(Covered so far)
1. Absolute Being is the entire concept of actuality. Corollary: Absolutely Being is the exact form, material composition and position in space as modified by time.
2. Patterns lie within the boundaries of Absolute Being.
3. The wielding of Form must encapsulate Absolute Being.
4. Time results from the application of an intention that matter and space will persist. Thus, time and space are monitored by Absolute Being.
5. Absolute Being must equal the scope of a wielder’s concept of effect.
6. Absolute Being is necessary to the creation of space. Corollary: Energy cannot exist without Absolute Being.
7. Solidity is monitored by Absolute Being.
8. Absolute causation is fundamental to Absolute Being.
9. Pure concept always overwhelms linear translation.
11. A wielder is limited by what he can envision himself envisioning.
12. Space, energy, time and form are the result of thought applied as intention.
13. Energy can be unmade only within the space of Absolute Being; corollary: a wielder can unmake his own energy but not the energy of another.
14. Exact duplicating thought, with the same energy, in the same time, will nullify reality and actuality.
15. Doubt of intention results in diminished effect on a gradient scale.
20. The strands are divisions of energy as applied towards creation of life, form, time, thought, elements. Thus, all Laws of Patterning follow also the laws of energy.
21. Actuality is monitored by th
e wielder’s point of view. Reality is monitored by collective thought agreement.
22. Illusion becomes reality when a) collective agreement is achieved on the existence of the illusion and b) when enough agree that the illusion should persist.
Dramatis Personae
The Five Vestals
Alshiba Torinin—the First Vestal and Alorin Seat, an Adept Healer
Dagmar Ranneskjöld—the Second Vestal, a Nodefinder
Seth Silverbow nach Davvies—the Third Vestal, an avieth of the Wildling races
Raine D’Lacourte—the Fourth Vestal, a truthreader and raedan
Björn van Gelderan—the Fifth Vestal, also called the First Lord
The Malorin’athgul
Darshanvenkhátraman (Dar´shan – vin ka´tra mahn) called Darshan
whose name means Destroyer of Hope; also known as the Prophet Bethamin
Pelasommáyurek (Pe´las – oh my´yur eck) called Pelas
whose name means Ender of Paths; also known as the artist Immanuel di Nostri
Rinokhálpeşumar (Rin´och – cal pesh´oo mar) called Rinokh
whose name means The Mountain That Flames
Shailabhanáchtran (Shale´ – ah bah nock´trun) called Shail
whose name means Maker of Storms
The Sundragons (Drachwyr)
Dhábu’balaji’şridanaí (Da´boo – ba lah´gee – shree´da-nye) called Balaji
whose name means He Who Walks the Edge of the World
Şrivas’rhakárakek (Shree´vas – rah kar´akeck) called Rhakar
whose name means The Shadow of the Light
Jayachándranáptra (Jai´ah – shan´dra – nap´tra) called Jaya
whose name means Rival of the Sun
Ramuhárikhamáth (Rah´moo – hareek´amath) called Ramu
whose name means Lord of the Heavens
Amithaiya’geshwen (Ami-thi´ya – gesh´win) called Mithaiya
whose name means The Bosom of God’s Nectar
Náeb’nabdurin’náiir (Ni eb´– nab dur´en – ny´ear) called Náiir
whose name means Chaser of the Dawn
The Seventeen Gods of the Akkad
Jai’Gar—the Prime God
Azerjaiman—the Wind God
Sons of the wind god—North son, Shamal; South son, Asfal; East son, Sherq
Daughter of the Wind God—West daughter, Qharp
Shamash—God of Travelers and the Poor
Inanna—Goddess of War
Naiadithine—Goddess of Water
Enlil—God of Earth and Agriculture
Inithiya—Goddess of Love and Restoration (Spirit)
Angharad—Goddess of Fortune (Fate)
Thalma—Goddess of Luck (Virtue)
Huhktu—God of Bones
Baharan/Baharani—the two-headed God of Blood/Goddess of Birth
Ha’viv—the Trickster God, patron of thieves
On Tanis’s Travels
Sinárr—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms
Mérethe—an avieth bound to Sinárr
Rafael—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms
Baelfeir—a Warlock from the Shadow Realms, aka Belloth the Demon Lord
Agasan’s Imperial Household
Valentina van Gelderan—Empress of Agasan
Marius di L'Arlesé—High Lord of Agasan, Consort to the Empress
Nadia van Gelderan—Princess Heir of Agasan
Giancarlo—a Caladrian truthreader in the service of the High Lord
Vincenzé—a Caladrian Nodefinder and wielder in service of the High Lord
Francesca da Mosta, Commander of the Imperial Adeptus
Lieutenant di Corvo, First in the Princess Nadia’s Praetorian Guard
At the Sormitáge
Liam van Gheller—Endoge of the Sormitáge
Felix di Sarcova della Buonara—a Devoveré Nodefinder studying at the Sormitáge
Malin van Drexel—(missing) a Nodefinder working on his Maritus thesis
Isahl N’abranaacht—(aka Shailabanáchtran) a literato at the Sormitáge University Monseraut Greaves—Imperial Historian and a maestro at the Sormitáge University
On Ean’s Travels
Isabel van Gelderan—Epiphany’s Prophet, High Mage of the Citadel, sister to Björn
Dareios Haxamanis—a Prince of Kandori
Ehsan Haxamanis—a Princess of Kandori
Sheih—a mor’alir Adept from the Vestian Sorceresy
Bjorn’s Council of Nine
Björn van Gelderan—the First Lord and Alorin’s Fifth Vestal
Cristien Tagliaferro—a truthreader
Anglar Tempest—(deceased) a Nodefinder (revived as a Shade)
Dunglei ap’Turic—(deceased) an Adept wielder
Parsifal D’Marre—(deceased) a Nodefinder
Arion Tavestra—(deceased) a fifth strand Adept, one of Björn’s three generals
Markal Morrelaine—a na’turna wielder, one of Björn’s three generals
Ramuhárikhamáth—a drachwyr, one of Björn’s three generals
Malachai ap’Kalien—(deceased) a fifth strand Adept from Daneland
The Fifty Companions (those known to be living)
Pavran Ahlamby—a truthreader
Usil al’Haba—a Nodefinder
Elien ap’Gentrys—an Adept wielder
Gannon Bair—a truthreader
Karienna D’Artenis—an Adept Healer
Laira di Giancora—an Adept Healer
Mian Gartelt—an Adept Healer
Viernan hal’Jaitar—an Adept wielder
Socotra Isio—a Nodefinder
Ledio Jerouen—an Adept Wildling
Dore Madden—an Adept wielder
Mazur of Elvior—an Avieth of Elvior
Franco Rohre—a Nodefinder
Delanthine Tanner—an Adept wielder
Thessaly Vahn—an Adept Healer
Devangshu Vita—a Nodefinder
Niko van Amstel—a Nodefinder
On Franco’s Travels
Alshiba Torinin—an Adept Healer, First Vestal of Alorin and the Alorin Seat
Franco Rohre—an Adept Nodefinder and Deputy Vestal
Niko van Amstel—an Adept Nodefinder and Vestal Candidate
Aldaeon H’rathigian—an Adept truthreader, Seat of the elf realm of Markhengar and Speaker of the Council of Realms
Mir Arkadhi—an Adept truthreader, Seat of the realm of Eltanin
Members of the Nodefinder Rebellion
Carian vran Lea—an Adept Nodefinder and pirate from Jamaii
Gannon Bair—an Adept truthreader, member of the Fifty Companions
Ledio Jerouen—a Whisper Lord, member of the Fifty Companions
Mazur of Elvior—an avieth, member of the Fifty Companions
Franco Rohre—an Adept Nodefinder, member of the Fifty Companions
Devangshu Vita—an Adept Nodefinder, member of the Fifty Companions
Cassius of Rogue—an Adept Nodefinder
The Ruling Prince of M’Nador and His Allies
Radov abin Hadorin—Ruling Prince of M’Nador
Viernan hal’Jaitar—Radov’s Consul and wielder (see the Fifty Companions)
Taliah hal’Jaitar—(deceased) daughter of Viernan; a mor’alir Adept
Nassar abin’Ahram—Commander of the forces at Ramala
Leilah n’abin Hadorin (called Lily)—Radov’s disavowed daughter, princess of M’Nador
Korin Ahlamby—Leilah’s betrothed
The Prophet Bethamin (aka the Malorin’athgul Darshan)
Dore Madden—an Adept wielder serving the Prophet (see the Fifty Companions)
Raliax—(deceased) a Saldarian mercenary serving Dore Madden
Demetrio Consuevé—an Adept Nodefinder
The Karakurt—a female truthreader, leader of an infamous ring of assassins
Pearl—the Speaker of the Karakurt’s will
Thrace Weyland—an Adept truthreader and purveyor of information
In the Akka
d
Emir Zafir bin Safwan al Abdul-Basir—Akkadian Emir, Unifier of the Seventeen Tribes
Rajiid bin Yemen al Basreh—Prime Minister of the Akkad
Farid al Abdul-Basir—Nodefinder son of Zafir, a prince of the Akkad
Men of the Emir’s Converted
Loukas n’Abraxis—a combat engineer from Avatar, member of the Emir’s Converted
Tannour Valeri—an assassin from Vest, member of the Emir’s Converted
Rolan Lamodaar—an expatriated prince from M’Nador, member of the Emir’s Converted
Raegus n’Harnalt—a commander among the Emir’s Converted, originally from Avatar
Nyongo Kutaata—a Shi’ma warrior, a member of the Emir’s Converted
On Trell’s Earlier Travels
Yara—an old Kandori woman
Lord Brantley—(deceased) Earl of Pent, liegeman to the Duke of Morwyk
Kingdom Blades (A Pattern of Shadow & Light 4) Page 126
