Damar – Born in the valley Sun House in southern Kelten. An expert horseman and scout who crossed the Tirala Mountains and reached Serica.
dreamweed – A mildly narcotic/hallucinogenic plant that is smoked or eaten. Grows in Nukivanu and Tokivanu.
Duke Huripolis – King Pandion III’s younger brother. Hero of the battle of Agnefeld.
Earl of Agnefeld – One of the most powerful lords of Kelten, father of Sir Ako.
Earl of Torobeus – A cunning and clever lord of Kelten. Rules the port of Torobeus.
Erimasran – A large but little-populated province of Kelten. Major cities include: Sirosfeld and Potomopolis. The northwest region of Erimasran is called Tokivanu, and the northeast is Nukivanu. Kagne is from Tokivanu.
Erithofeld – Small town south of Seopolis. Home to many scholars and alchemists. There is a rivalry of sorts between the scholars in Erithofeld and Tebispoli.
Esolas – Major trade city in the center of the Archipelago, part of Ikaria.
Falstan – A large island north of Melnehlan, famous for its skilled knights.
Farrel – Expert marksman, a scout who joined the Archives Expedition, crossed the Tirala Mountains, and reached Serica. The best cook in the expedition.
Findaire – Wife of Arkturos, near-legendary Queen of Kelten. Findaire may be connected to the Piksies, though the legends are conflicting.
Fiodroch – A powerful kingdom directly south of Kelten. Blessed with warm weather and good soil, Fiodroch is populous and wealthy. It has suffered from a succession of ineffective kings, and the nobles of Fiodroch hate each other with a passion. At present, King Pandion has good relations with King Langaras of Fiodroch.
Gloval – One of the scouts who crossed the Tirala Mountains with the Archives expedition. Injured during the battle of the Burning Tower and killed by assassins hired by Nilin Ulim a week later.
Hepedion – a town of Kelten, several days’ journey north of Seopolis. Birthplace of Sandun and Basil.
Huripolis – Large city of Kelten, sixty miles south of Seopolis.
Ikaria – The largest of the great islands forming the core of the Archipelago. The city of Esolas is located just off the coast of Ikaria.
Issedon – A small and rather disorganized kingdom directly north of Kelten. Raiders from Issedon have been attacking Kelten settlers in Erimasran for centuries. Tutaos is the king of Issedon, but he controls little beyond his capital city, Polimani.
Jibur – A small kingdom, south of Fiodroch. The southernmost kingdom of the Archipelago, Jibur suffers from hot summers and powerful storms that sweep in from the ocean on a regular basis. Recently, several expeditions set sail from Jibur seeking a route to Serica, but none made it past the treacherous waters and the huge sea monsters.
Kagne Areke – Trader and traveler from Tokivanu, in the northern wilds of Erimasran. Joined the Archives Expedition to escape difficulties with the Bishop of Sirosfeld. Spent around nine months with Sandun in Seopolis when they were both young men.
Karmo – City of ghosts in the middle of the Tirala Mountains. Utterly destroyed about a hundred years ago.
Kelten – A region of the Archipelago that is linked culturally and linguistically to the great island of Melnehlan. Kelten was settled during the second Trimarch of the Pellian Empire, less than a thousand years ago. Kelten has expanded and taken control of the east side of the Kelten Alps, a land called Erimasran.
Kelten Alps – A long and high range of mountains that divides the original lands of Kelten from Erimasran.
Kelten calendar – Twelve months: Aftayule, Mudmon, Triomon, Ostarmon, Pentamon, Arralitha, Heptamon, Weodmon, Haligmon, Winterfiloth, Dyusmon, Shoashmon.
Kelten Civil War – A complex series of events that resulted in many battles fought across the land as noble families picked one side or another. The largest battle took place outside Woodland, where more than fifty thousand Kelten soldiers fought and many thousands died. The battle of Agnefeld may have been the last battle in the civil war, but only time will tell.
King Maklinos the Great – One of the greatest kings of Kelten’s history, he defeated the Turan army of Ors Divar in Issedon and then went on to conquer Fiodroch. However, his grandson was weak, and Kelten’s civil war eventually resulted.
King Pandion III – Reigning king of Kelten. Claimed the throne after defeating the usurper King Oniktes after the battle of Agnefeld. Married to Queen Joaris with two (legitimate) sons: Proklos and Leonos. Pandion spent nearly a decade in exile in the Kingdom of Fiodroch before his triumphant return to Kelten.
Knights of Hurin – Order of religious knights founded in Pella a thousand years ago. Smaller in number than the Knights of Saint Pellar.
Knights of Saint Pellar – Order of religious knights, about four hundred years old. Members take vows of chastity and poverty. Sir Ako once declined an offer to join the order.
Lindao – An island off the southern coast of Melnehlan. Tindares, the Island King, sailed from Lindao with his army and fought with Diohar the Fair for rule over Kelten. Tindares won the war. Lindao became independent from Kelten 150 years later and consequently, Kelten merchants do not trade at Lindao.
Liris – Daughter of the Bishop of Sirosfeld.
Maklin – Scribe at the Royal Archives, born in Miloalos. Part of the Archives Expedition but suffered a major injury during a battle with Issedonian raiders in Nukivanu and returned to Sirosfeld.
Master Angelosia – Native of Akia and thought by many to be the foremost artist of the Archipelago.
Master Eulogo – Long-serving head of the Royal Archives in Tebispoli. Sandun worked for Master Eulogo for nearly a decade.
Melnehlan – A large island that, in conjunction with Akia and Ikaria, forms the core of the Archipelago. Melnehlan is perhaps the richest region of the Archipelago at present, but it is often riven by wars between the archdukes, who each rule large territories. The king of Melnehlan is usually chosen from the weakest of the archdukes.
Methalassa – Large ocean that lies between Kelten and the other islands of the Archipelago. Methalassa also refers to the seas that surround the islands of the Archipelago, though to the west is the Great Ocean.
Mondrakora Mountains – Large and rough mountains located in northwest Kelten.
Mount Shioni – One of the tallest and most beautiful mountains in Kelten.
Naktam – The great evil that has opposed Sho’Ash since the beginning of time. Synonymous with the Black Terror.
Norris – A scout who came north with Sir Ako. He fought in the battle with the Issedonian raiders but lost several fingers on his right hand and had to return to Sirosfeld.
Nukivanu – Northeast region of Erimasran, bounded by the Tirala Mountains to the east. Very desolate.
Olef – A female scout and member of the Archives Expedition. After starting a relationship with Basil, she became pregnant and gave birth to Niksol Vuno.
Padan – A scout and man-at-arms. Right-hand man of Sir Ako. Born and raised in the hills around Mount Lefkotai in the southern Kelten Alps.
Pella – Former capital of the great Pellian Empire. Pella was ruined by a series of earthquakes as well as civil wars. For all the vicissitudes it has suffered, it remains the center of the religion of Sho’Ash and is a very important city in the Archipelago.
Pellian Empire – Created by the Great Commander more than 1,500 years ago, the Empire ruled much of the Archipelago for centuries. Later historians divided the Empire into Trimarches or long stretches of time when different branches of the Imperial family controlled the government. The Pellian Empire finally collapsed shortly after the independent kingdom of Kelten was proclaimed.
Piksies – A race of small human-like people. Once resident in Kelten, they vanished shortly after Kelten was colonized by the Pellian Empire. A city of Piksies was discovered by the Archives Expedition. The Piksies ga
ve Skathris and the stone cutter to Basil. See also: Junithoy.
Queen Joaris – daughter of King Pandion II and married to Pandion III (a distant relative on his mother’s side). She married young and lived with her husband in exile for many years in Fiodroch.
Saint Hurin – More than a thousand years ago, he was the soldier/guardian of Saint Pellar. The Knights of Hurin are named after him.
Saint Pellar – The woman who brought the Holy Book and the religion of Sho’Ash to the Archipelago more than one thousand years ago. Pellar was not her real name, but after she was martyred in Pella by order of the Kuropalatine, she became known as the Saint of Pella.
Sandun Eiger – Around thirty years old, former master of the Royal Archives, born in Hepedion, north of Seopolis. Leader of the Archives Expedition. Known in Tokolas as the Fire Sword due to his involvement in a pyrotechnic display and the fact that his Piksie sword, Skathris, glows faintly.
Seopolis – Capital city of Kelten, situated on the coast and at the mouth of a large river. Seopolis is a major trade port and the center of most of the government of the kingdom.
Sho’Ash – God worshipped by nearly all inhabitants of the Archipelago. A complex figure, Sho’Ash is believed to have killed the Black Terror and saved the world.
Sir Ako – Full name: Ako Bous Rosen. The third son of the earl of Agnefeld and, since age seventeen, a knight of Kelten. Joined the Archives Expedition and led it successfully across the Tirala Mountains to Serica. He saved Russu Ti Tuomi from assassins in Tokolas. In Kelten he was married to Lilly of Stonyford, formerly handmaid to Queen Joaris.
Sirosfeld – Largest town in Erimasran, the far east of Kelten lands. Located on the east side of the Kelten Alps.
Skathris – Magic sword owned by Sandun; a gift of the Piksies. Able to cut through metal with ease.
Spear of Sho’Ash – The weapon Sho’Ash is believed to have used to kill the Black Terror.
stone cutter – Magic knife owned by Basil, capable of cutting through both stone and metal.
Sword of Saint Hurin – Legendary weapon believed to have been brought to Kelten and then hidden away. Bards of Falsten claim it was brought to their island, not Kelten.
Tebispoli – A small town situated across the estuary from the capital of Kelten, Seopolis. Tebispoli is home to the Royal Archives, the College of Astronomers, and the offices of the Royal Navy. Sandun lived here for a decade.
Thessegon – A northern kingdom, and one of the most isolated lands of the Archipelago. Under attack from the Sogands, usually the Turans, for the last three hundred years.
Tokivanu – Northwest region of Erimasran. Kagne’s birthplace.
Wen the Fair – Legendary queen of early Kelten. Married to the Lost King, the father of Arkturos, but the stories say she was not Arkturos’s mother.
Wiyat – Scout and man-at-arms who crossed the Tirala Mountains and reached Serica. His father is a captain of the guards for the earl of Agnefeld.
East of the Tirala Mountains
Adesari – Angelic creature, believed to be mythical.
Ahnlas – Large port town and capital city of Godalo province.
Alina Boethy – Daughter of Valo Peli.
Anenohad – One of the coastal provinces of Serica. Its capital city is Urmatos.
Anessa – Large town in the province of Torsihad.
Arja Boethy – Wife of Valo Peli.
Arno Boethy – Original name of Valo Peli.
Artos Vepsailin – Native of Rakeved, merchant and distant relative of Russu Ti Tuomi. Currently unofficial envoy from Rakeved to the government in Tokolas.
Ashala – Native of Gipu. Daughter of Gushi. She chose Sandun upon his arrival in Gipu and stayed with him as translator and lover when the Archives Expedition continued its journey to Serica.
Betesek – Medium-sized town in Zelkat province.
Birumaz – Second-largest city in Shila, controlled by House Kirdar for many centuries. Birthplace of Miri Kirdar.
Blue Frostel – AKA Arna Frostel, member of the Rulon Mors. Descendant of General Arna Frostel.
Boethy clan – Valo Peli’s clan in the Tea Hills of Serica.
Bolod Ulim – A Kitran general, related to the Emperor Tolu Tem. Commanded Kitran Empire army in unsuccessful siege of Naduva. Adopted father of Nilin Ulim.
Budin – Large island kingdom east of Shila. See also Lord Onell.
Burning Tower (battle of) – Pivotal battle in Vasvar’s campaign against Lord Jori Vaina. The Archives Expedition destroyed many ships that were part of the Vasvar fleet during the battle.
Buuk – Southernmost province of Serica. The River Mur flows through Buuk to reach the Southern Ocean, Buuklos is the capital city.
Daka – Capital of the Kitran Empire. Former capital of the Palahey Kingdom.
Dedilon Kingdom – A kingdom that ruled over the northern lands for centuries. Frequently at war with the Gold Kingdom, then the Water Kingdom, as well as the Sogand tribes. Destroyed by the Kingdom of Palahey. See also Minak Kingdom.
demelzo – A title applied to scholars who have passed the most difficult tests. Somewhat analogous to being granted the title Doctor of Philosophy.
Diasu – Maidservant to Miri Kirdar and resident of Birumaz.
Dombovar – The richest province of Serica, with a wealth of natural resources and a concentration of the best scholars and artisans. Its capital, Naduva, was the last capital of the Water Kingdom. For more than five years, the Iron King has ruled Dombovar.
Doctor Haz – Physician to Lord Jori Vaina in the city of Tokolas.
Doctor Tomi – Master apothecary in the Great Sage Temple.
Dragon of Mur – One of the great boats that Kunhalvar marines captured from General Tuno’s invasion force during the battle of the Burning Tower.
Ekon –The name of the religion followed in the Kingdom of Shila. There are some minor differences in practice and beliefs between the followers of Ekon and Eston in Serica.
Essebeg – Tiny village in the hills east of Jupelos.
Eston – Major religion of Serica and surrounding lands. The religion of Eston is old and complex, but belief in reincarnation is one of the core tenets of the faith. Known in Shila as Ekon and in Gipu as Janko’aran.
Eun – Native of Shila. Fourth wife of Lord Jori Vaina. Member of House Tols.
Evet – Nephew of Rogge the trader.
Fajhemon Orsbil – A general of the Kitran Empire and distantly related to Tolu Tem. Chief commander of Nilin Ulim’s army.
Fantu’veri – One of the three major trade towns in the Tirala Mountains, west of Serica. Famous for its gold mines and its precious gems. See also Gipu and Hotan.
Filpa – A member of the Kunhalvar messenger service.
Fire Kingdom – One of the first kingdoms in Serica’s history. The capital was Soltvarkas. The Fire Kingdom conquered most provinces of what is now considered Serica. See also Gold Kingdom and Water Kingdom.
Flame Iris Monastery – A famous religious shrine in the religion of Eston. Often the destination of pilgrims from Serica, Shila, and Rakeved.
Fuseboni – A town on the Mur river, at the border between Zelkat and Kunhalvar.
General Arna Frostel – A famous general of the Water Kingdom. Executed by the Water Kingdom government under suspicious circumstances.
General Pojo Erdis – An old friend of Lord Jori Vaina. General of the Kunhalvar army. See also Red Crane Army.
General Esko Kun – An old friend of Lord Jori Vaina. General of the Kunhalvar army.
General Modi – Cousin of Lord Jori Vaina. Commander of the eastern army of Kunhalvar. The eastern army is fighting with the army of the Iron King of Dombovar.
General Tuno – AKA Two-Swords Tuno. General of Vasvar and now king of Vasvar. Murdered King Borsos and subsequently attacked Tokolas (see the Burning
Tower).
Gial – Ancient city in the hills of southern of Shila.
Gipu – Small trading city located at the edge of the Tirala Mountains. The Archives Expedition stayed in Gipu for nearly six months during the winter. See also: Hotan and Fantu’veri.
Godalo – One of the coastal provinces of Serica. Godalo shares a border with Rakeved to the south and Anenohad to the north. Its capital city is Ahnlas.
Gokiran – One of the great Sogand tribes. Second in status ranking to the Kitran and ahead of the Turan and the Gurwan.
Gold Kingdom – One of the greatest kingdoms in Serica’s history as it controlled all the provinces of Serica as well as Rakeved and part of Shila. Its capital was Kemeklos, and its most famous king was Banatar, who lived seven hundred years ago. See also Fire Kingdom and Water Kingdom.
Gorgi – Former soldier of the Kitran Empire, now living in Essebeg.
Great Sage – Ancient religious/philosophical figure in Serica. Nearly all governmental officials are avowed followers of the Great Sage. His true name is unknown.
Great Sage Temple – Library and haven for followers of the Great Sage, located in Torsihad.
Great Sea – A massive ocean that stretches from the eastern coast of Serica all the way to the westernmost islands of the Archipelago. Ships cross the Great Sea by sailing far north and going from Maspan to Ice Island and thence to Budin. Sea monsters rule the warmer waters of the Great Sea.
Gushi – Member of the Etchana clan in Gipu. Expert linguist and father of Ashala.
Hazeny – Small town west of the Mur River.
Heaven’s Lightning – Flagship of the Kunhalvar navy.
Hevravi – Capital city of Sakhat province. The town is nearly in ruins after a decade of battles between Red Swords and Kitran Empire soldiers.
High Lord Palsomo – Head of House Kirdar of Shila. Miri Kirdar is a relative.
Hofanta – A local doctor in Tokolas.
Hotan – The largest of the three trade cities at the edge of the Tirala Mountains. Thanks to good farmland it is self-sufficient. See also Gipu and Fantu’veri.
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