What follows is a guide in progress! Keep checking back for frequent updates!

Guide

Updated 4-24

What follows is a Pronunciation Guide. It’s just a guide, due to popular request. Unbeknownst to me, there are a great many people who absolutely must know how to pronounce various names – and that’s fine. I myself have always enjoyed making up my own pronunciation for strange names, to go along with the faces I make up for the characters. Ultimately, that is your preference, dear reader. So, in alphabetical order by first name (because that’s how I want to do it) here are names, places, and various ‘things’ that are mentioned in one or more of my novels, along with a guide to the pronunciation I go with – official in my own mind at least. Some names may include other information based on where/how I came up with the name, what it means, or just little nuggets of information I feel like sharing. I’ll mention also in which book/books each name appears.

The Novels:

The Elder Worlds (TEW)

Continuum (CON)

The Crimson Staff (TCS)

The Twilight Plain (TTP)

The Argent Winter (TAW)

And forthcoming:

Ex-Libris (EXL)

The Fallen One (TFO)

The Crescent Isle - E-Book Edition

In Progress works will be noted

Aalthar Axegrinder – Al-thar – One of two known surviving dwarves on Rialos. Wielder of Alchon-dor, and expert metalsmith. (TTP, TAW)

Alchon-dor – Al-shawn-door – Granite bladed battle axe, and one of the seven ancient artifacts that were created to battle against the demons and dragons in a long ago war on Rialos (TTP, TAW)

Andor Malikk – And-or Ma-leek - From the ezine, and possibly future novel, Endless Dawn. Andor is a High Folk, one of the people who live at the top of the massive trees that dominate their world.

Answerer - Answerer (see also Freagarthach)- Also known as the Sword of Kings. According to legend, no enemy can escape the sword's wrath when it is drawn. It is, to put it mildly, a nasty weapon. It's based on the Tuatha de Danann artifact, with some modifications of course.

Anteanis Argenta - Ant-ee-on-is Ar-gent-a - Meaning "Old Silver" in the language of dragons, Argenta is among the most eldest and most powerful of the dragons of Rialos (TAW)

Arcus - Arr-kiss - The weapon ship of the Erdan Fleet. The propulsion and steering of the ship are built around a single weapon of devastating power. (TFO)

Arman Stendgen – Ar-men Sten-gin – He’s a councilor and the real power behind the throne of Gardast. He’s a manipulator and a sneak, and certainly not the sort of guy you would want to trifle with. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Atarax – Rhymes with Cataracts – One of the informal leaders of the daeuman. The name comes from the Greek ataraxia which means undisturbed or intellectual detachment. Rather fitting for her. (TTP, TAW)

Banetea - Bonn-et-eya - This is the spear of the ogres, known as "Bane of All." Thus far it has only been mentioned, but not found.

Baptiste - Bapteeste - This is the name of the Middletown High School principal. Middletown High School is loosely modeled after Montpelier High School (with some obvious changes) and Baptiste is not modeled after anyone in particular. He's quite a minor character really, but a good moral support in the early part of Marc Reilly's career. (EXL)

Barjak - Bar-jack - Barjak is an ogre who befriends Rea, after trying to kill her of course. Ogres in Rialos changed quite a bit from their original incarnation, which was similar to ogres from standard Dungeons and Dragons...big, strong and dumb. Rialos ogres, as it turns out, are tall, muscular, completely bald, and extremely intelligent with their own complex code of honor and law. The big dumb ogre became 'stories told to children' which is a far cry from the true deadly warriors of the mountains. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Broadfoot and Broadfeet - These two are inspired by my wife's friend John "Broadfoot" and the rabbit with an eyepatch and a dagger in its teeth that is the image on his stationery.

Caen Rishtak - Kay-en Rish-tack - One of the most powerful of the Cloaked Paladins. Rishtak eventually determined that he simply needed to exterminate all the other races.

Calphan - Kal-fan- Daeuman and student of Wraith. He is a high ranking member of the Den.(TTP, TAW)

Chaos Bringer - Chaos Bringer - Heard from but not yet seen in the novels, the Chaos Bringer is the one who is stirring up all the trouble. But whether the Bringer is an actual physical entity or merely the embodiment ofthe natural spread of Chaos...well you'll just have to wait and see. :)

Ches Cadentia - Chess Kad-en-chia - Ches is the Erdan pilot chosen to represent his world, Erda, in the quest against the Chaos Bringer. He's a rogue, a maverick, a 'space cowboy' as Ryan calls him, and something of a chain smoker - though he insists that his Erdan smokes are actually healthy. Oh, and he's also arguably the best pilot in the Erdan fleet...not sure who would argue against that. (TEW, TFO)

Claudine (King) - Clod-een - Puppet King, father of Prince Thelbin. Claudine is really controlled by his councilor Arman Stendgen. Either which way, he's forever jealous of the power of the Varanian empire south of the End Sea.

Cloaked One - Cloaked One - Entity who is the patron of the Cloaked Order of Paladins, but for reasons unknown aids Rea, Ryan, and perhaps the Marked Stranger. It is thus far unknown whether the Cloaked One is a true god, an extra-dimensional being, or something else completely. (CON, TCS, TTP, TAW, TFO)

Corvus - Core-vus - Rhymes with Bore-bus - This is the ship of Ches Cadentia, rendered from a 3D modeling program (my own work again). It's quite a nice ship he has, and though this rendering isn't perfect, it gives a good idea of what it looks like. (TEW, TFO)

Daeuman - Day-u-mon - A race created through magick, much as the An-Eeya were created from Eeya (ancient elves from elves). The daeuman were created using humans as the starting point, and thus most can pass for humans if they hide their more twisted features - creepy eyes, fangs, snake-like skin. (TTP, TAW)

Dartan Crimsonstaff - Dar-Tan - Dartan is a wizard who apprentices himself to his most hated enemy in order to avenge the loss of his family.

Dragon’s Son - Dragon's Son - Also known as Vlad Dracul, or Dracula. He's not a vampire, but he's real real evil, and as one of the Hands of the Chaos Bringer, he is mighty powerful.

Drys - Driss - Warrior of Gaiya, Drys is stubborn, uppity, and deadly. It's not easy to gain her trust, but once you do there's no more reliable comrade in arms.

Earth - duh - One of the five Pillars. Earth, while technology based, is not as far along the path as Erda is.

Erda - Err-dah - One of the five Pillars that are the closest reflections of the True World. Erda is the most technological world of the five Pillars.

Erwal Thorne - Err-wall Thorn - Erwal is a ranger and a scout, and originally a character from the MUD Ancient Anguish (check it out, a great game!). His first major appearance came in the short tale, A Murder of Ravens (along with Khardur, below) and I liked him so much as a character I actually wrote him into The Crimson Staff. You'll be seeing more of him, to be sure. Image below is my own work. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Farilal Denor - Fair-i-lal Den-or - Below you see "the creepy hand" from the Fultus edition of The Crimson Staff. Clutching The Crimson Staff, Farilal is not a wizard to toy with. Bate, my high school English teach who brought about the first writing of The Crimson Staff, referred to Farilal as "Farilulee" . . . and thus is partly responsible for this guide.

Faul (Commander) – Fall – The Commander of the Erdan Fleet. Commander Faul is hard-nosed leader who ultimately wants the best for his people. As the saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions (or adverbs)." (TEW, TFO)

Fendalis Caentoth – Fen-dal-iss Kay-en-toth – Fendalis was the name of my first character on the MUD, Ancient Anguish. While he started life in AA as a mage, in my novels he is a member of the Cloaked Paladins, joining the dying order and quickly having the fate of the paladins placed in his hands. He and Narvon are cousins. (TTP, TAW)

Flaura – Flora – A mid-ranked Guardian (Lonian). Flaura takes a rare opportunity to observe and learn from Willow, a far more powerful Guardian. Flaura is pretty minor on the whole in The Elder Worlds, but she could be a valuable asset to the heroes in finding out what’s been happening in Treowe while they’ve been gallivanting across the multi-verse. (TEW)

Freagarthach - (Frag-air-thex) - See Answerer above. The actual pronunciation in ancient Irish involves both phlegm and mumbling, so do the best you can with this name. :)

Freyo – Fray-O – Captain of Styrian, and an old flame of Ches Cadentia. The name comes loosely from the word "frigid" which is a fair description of her personality, at least if she doesn’t like you. And there’s not many people she likes. (TFO)

Gaiya - Guy-ah - One of the five Pillars. Gaiya is a world based on magick, and those worlds that are reflections of it, including Rialos (world 227) are also magick-based. Technology is unknown to them, as magick accomplishes any needs beyond a basic medeival society.

Glindel – Glin-dell – He is a rival and former friend of Narvon’s from their days in Eeyalla. Glindel is one of those misguided souls who gets Rea mad. The girl’s got a temper. (TCS)

Gol – Gall – The warrior-god of the goblins of Rialos. Like ogres, goblins are far different on Rialos than many other fantasy worlds. Rialos goblins are actually smart, master tacticians, and creators of an extremely popular game of luck and skill – Draw & Quarter. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Gorim – Go-rem – Remember that poor goblin that Rea decks after the attack on Skyview, the one who was grieving over the fallen child? That’s this fellow. He was exiled from the goblin capitol Irne (short story, The Game) and has traveled on his own since. Though relatively minor, Gorim was critical in teaching Rea about tolerance and not decking people out-of-hand. (TCS)

Griellna – Gree-el-na – She is a gnome, one of very small number of her kind left, and bodyguard of Nitsua Tesh – though she’s small and unimposing, she’s quite a fighter. Women are the fighters in gnomish society, and Griellna is one of the best. (TTP, TAW)

Gullen Mertek – Gull-en Mer-teck – He is the adopted father of Rea, having found her lost in the Canol market when she was a young girl, and unable to find her parents, he took her in. Though a bit stuck in his ways, Gullen’s the quintessential good-guy. He’d give you the chainmail off his back if you needed it. (TCS, TTP)

Gustave Merdocca – Goose-stave Mare-doe-ka – An old warrior, Gustave was hired to whip the powerful but brash daeuman into shape. Though creaky, he showed the new race that even strength and speed cannot top skill. (TTP, TAW)

Harshfeld (Baron) – Harsh-felled – This would be the former owner of Night Razor. He still has a beef with Saila Terin for stealing it, but he doesn’t know where she is. (TTP)

Havan Ur Drak – Have-an Ur Drack – Gardener and Cloaked Paladin. He’s Fendalis’ mentor, and in the grand tradition of mentors, he does not get much time to train the young elf paladin. (TTP)

Heron – Heron…like the bird – Mr. Heron is one of five heads of Rev-Co that answer to the mysterious CEO. Heron is a bit reluctant about his job and what the company is doing, and his surrogate son Joned turns him farther against Rev-Co – though he can never really leave, can he? (CON)

Ibis - Ibis...like the bird...notice a trend? - Mr. Ibis is another of the heads of Rev-Co. Rev-Co is a bit like a hydra really...cut off one head, and there's always a couple more.

Jaarla – Jar-la – An ogre, Jaarla fights along with Erwal against the daeuman. The double-A’s in her name are there because it is a necessity to have a few character names with randomly doubled letters. That’s actually in the Fantasy Writer’s Handbook, page 17. (TTP, TAW)

Jak – Jack – Charter member of the I Pissed Off Rea Club. He’s still a bit of a jerk, but he’s been through a lot and grown considerably since the early days picking fights with Rea in Skyview. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Jarrett (Protector) – Jarrett, and not the guy from the Subway commercials – Jarrett takes over power in Canol when Thelbin is deposed. (TCS, TTP)

Jayson – Jason – Has nothing to do with Argonauts. Jayson claims to have been to other side of the Twilight Plain, and talks of the Mystics. A careful reader might have some suspicion about where Jayson actually comes from. But I won’t tell…yet. (TCS)

Jillian – Jillian – High school teen-queen, or reporter/journalist – depending on what you’re reading. She’s out saving the world ten years before her cousin Ryan gets his start on things. (EXL, TFO)

Katya – Cat-ya – or Kat, she is the best friend of Jillian. She’s small but athletic, and nearly gets taken into that place between worlds where Balor was bound. That would not have been a good thing for her. (EXL)

Khardur (King) - Kar-dur - King Khardur, self proclaimed "King of All the Dwarf" is a character based in large part of Dan Morgan's character of the same name on the MUD Ancient Anguish. He's a well-traveled old dwarf. Image is my own art, paltry though it may be, from The Last Stand, a short story included with The Twilight Plain. (CON, TTP, TAW)

Lorin – Lauren – She is a mechanic aboard Styrian and becomes good friends with Ston-Rucken. (TFO)

Magick - Magic - Why the 'k' on the end? I'll tell you why. Because. Simple eh? Part one of 'why' is an aesthetic thing. It's different, and I like it. Seems to be more mysterious than magic (without the k). Part two, it's an older, rather archaic spelling, and I like it.

Marabou – Mara-boo – Little is known about this Rev-Co exec.

Marc Reilly – Mark Riley – Student teacher at Middletown High in 1995, and one of a circle of friends who must face down Balor. (EXL)

Narvon Caentoth – Nar-von Kay-en-toth – Also known as Snake, Narvon befriends Rea to help her on her quest. Of course he has less than honorable intentions to start with, but he quickly learns from the IPORC (I Pissed Off Rea Club) that it’s not a good idea to be on her bad side. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Natalie Holth (Major) – Natalie Hole-th – She’s an Earth pilot who has the dubious honor of testing out Black Seventeen’s new Night Raptors – modified space shuttles designed for space-combat. (TFO)

Nitsua Tesh – Nit-sue-a Tesh – Bard and companion of Griellna, Nitsua has her moments, and she’s capable enough, but without Griellna she would likely have difficulties. Being a bard, however, she could talk her way out of nearly any situation. (TTP, TAW)

Nyrek - Nye-wreck - Nyrek is a gale-mage and Sea Knight, and the first such wizard to fly a sailwing without the benefit of a crew, effectively using his magick to become one with the ship itself. This character is based off my father’s character, Nirek, from the MUD Ancient Anguish, and due to my father’s love of the fireball spell, Nyrek uses the Roiling Sphere of Scorching Doom . . . which he finds to be a far better name. (TTP, TAW)

Ohk – Oak – One of the most powerful Guardians, he’s as stubborn and bull headed as anyone. He’s self-righteous, snooty, and not the kind of guy you’d want to be on the bad side of. His motivations are somewhat shady. (TEW, EXL, TFO)

Osina – O-see-na – Her name means ‘one’ and that’s her. Even when she’s rescued from Tuom she is still alone, at least she feels that way. She’s a Guardian with some serious (and understandable) baggage. (TEW, TFO)

Pyx – Pix – The gnomish deity of Rialos.

Rail – Rail – Mr. Rail is one of the top guys of Rev-Co. He is focused on alternate worlds, and his research leads him to Balor of the Evil Eye. He's pretty sure he can control Balor. It might be that old Rail bit off a bit too much with that though. (CON, TFO)

Raladna – Rall-ad-na – Ogre and one of the two leaders of the ogre city Halon, along with Barjak. She and Barjak fought to a draw for the right to lead Halon.

Randall – Randall – An unfortunate fellow who becomes smitten with Rea. Admittedly, she gets a bit smitten as well, but that’s usually when things go bad. (TCS)

Rea - Ray-ah - Rea (surname withheld for those who have not read The Crimson Staff) is a warrior-wizard who was raised by a warrior of Skyview when she was lost from her parents. She is headstrong, has a wicked temper, but a good heart. She grows considerably through the three novels in which she appears, and, as she is the first major character I wrote, is a sentimental favorite of mine. She's come a long way since my junior year of high school. Image is from the Fultus edition of The Twilight Plain (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Rialos (see History of Rialos below) – Ree-ah-lose (rhymes with ‘close’ as in not near) – Rialos is also known as world #227, based on the Erdan system of habitable but unexplored planets. The folk there are primitive, by Erdan standards, but Rialos is strong in magick. One theory about the use of science or magick in a realm is based upon its physical closeness to the Pillars. For example, Rialos is nearer in proximity to Gaiya and Terran, worlds that do not use technology as we know it. Worlds physically nearer the reflections of Earth and Erda are typically more technology minded. Tuom has the rare distinction, though decimated by Dragon’s Son, of being equal parts magick and technology. Rialos, however, is firmly in the magick side – thus the existence of wizards, dragons and the like. Ryan swears he will return to 227 (Rialos) and, in fact, that’s where is mother ends up. (TEW, CON, TCS, TTP, TAW, TFO)

Ruby-eyes - Ruby Eyes - Ruby-eyes is Rea's sword, and one of the seven artifacts created by the seven races. Ruby-eyes is actually the Eeyan (elf) blade. It glows with a red aura when danger is near, and is an extremely powerful weapon. Rea doesn't know the full potential of the blade. Image is from the Fultus edition of The Twilight Plain. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Ryan Rose – Ryan Rose – Vermont teenager with an over-active imagination. Contrary to popular belief, Ryan is not me. Certainly he is probably more like me than most of my other characters, so I guess if you want to say he’s very loosely based off me, that’s fine. But very loosely. Anyway, about all he’s got going for him is his imagination, his persistence and general stubbornness, and his affinity for fantasy and sci-fi. He works for the story because, hopefully like the reader, he is willing to suspend disbelief. He has a lot of growing up yet to do, and it will be fun for me to see how his new friends affect him. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it too. (TEW, TFO)

Saila Terin – Sigh-la Tear-in – Saila is an elf thief who starts following Fendalis after becoming somewhat enamored with the Cloaked Paladin. She’s torn because part of her really is attracted to him (though she might not be willing to admit that) and part of her wants to see him fail – seeing as she doesn’t trust religions and gods and the like. (TTP, TAW)

Sailwing - Sail wing - The sailwings are the vessels used by the Sea Knights of Rialos. They are levitated above the water (or land, if you're Nyrek) and the two rotating angled sails are used to harness the wind. The image below was created using a 3D modeling program, and is a work in progress. (TTP, TAW)

Sentinel - Sentinel - This is the giant dwarf-shaped fortress carved from the side of the Sundered Mountain, and site of The Last Stand (short story). Image is a close up of the Fultus edition of The Twilight Plain. (TTP)

Seth Kerin - Duh! It's me! :)

Shelly Vorcé – Shelly Vore-say – An enigmatic woman with ties to Rev-Co. It’s hard to say exactly whose side she is on. (CON, TFO)

Ston-Rucken – Ston-Rook-en – Terran warrior whose world is embroiled in a catastrophic civil war. He’s short and burly, and wears armor made of rocks that covers everything but his head. He’s quite sturdy, and has an almost magical control over rock, earth and metal. He and Khardur would get along great. Wouldn’t it be fun if they met up sometimes? (TEW, TFO)

Stork – Stork – Yes, his name is Stork. Another of Rev-Co’s morally questionable leaders.

Terran - Terr-an - One of the five Pillars. Terran, along with Gaiya, reflect the magickal aspects of Treowe. Terran's civil war is started when technology is introduced fostering mistrust between the Terrans as the "Machinists."

Thelbin (Prince) – Weasel . . . I mean Thell-bin – Yes, he probably does have weasel DNA. He’s the son of King Claudine and if you take every whiney, sycophantic prince you’ve ever seen in a movie, put them in a blender, and you’ll probably get old Thelbin out of the deal. It’s good to have villains that can get what they want using others, and aren’t all powerful on their own (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Themos – They-mose – Unfortunate kid who witnesses an attack from creatures in the Twilight Plain (TTP)

T’orbath Dynnlon – Tore-beth Din-lawn – An ancient elf (An’Eeya) who is, as far as he knows, the very last of his kind. He’s spend much of his 3000 years of life as an assassin, and though Narvon is able to fight him to a draw, T’orbath would get the edge in a rematch. There aren’t many that could out fight this guy, and you will be seeing more of him, guaranteed. One of my personal favorite characters, if one can have a favorite. (TCS, TTP, TAW)

Treowe - Trey-ow - The True World. Treowe is the center of all things, and as such casts its reflection on those worlds around it. Each of the five Pillar worlds support Treowe, even as they reflect particular aspects of it (past, present, future, technology, magick). Each of course reflects each element, but to differing degress. If one Pillar falls, all reality could well become unhinged. That would be bad.

Tuom - Too-Om - Tuom is one of the five Pillars, and most likely to fall first based on current events. It has the unique capacity for technology and magick, reflecting both aspects of Treowe equally. This unique aspect will be dealt with in a future novel.

Uiscias - Ish-kess - Bet you never thought that was how to pronounce it! Me neither! Feel free to refer to him as 'that druid guy' if it suits you better.

Umbra / Umbrae – Umbra / Umbray – Shadows, basically. They’re human (mostly) shaped shadow-creatures that seem to grow more powerful as the Chaos Bringer’s power grows. At first they can be destroyed by bright light alone, but before long they’re much tougher than that. (TEW, CON, EXL, TFO)

Vemala Tra’nel – Vem-a-la Trannel – A Dun-Kel from the ezine (and possibly future novel) Endless Dawn.

Vender N’Olis - Ven-der Nah-lis - This is the High Paladin on par in rank with Havan Ur Drak at the beginning of The Twilight Plain. He's on a pilgrimage to the southern desert where it is rumored the demons of long ago wars were banished.

Wraith - Wraith - Leader of the Den of Thieves, and something of a psychic. He can blend in with any crowd, and his face is almost unrecognizeable. Trying to remember what he looks like is like trying to hold sand between your fingers. He always seems to slip away.

Wran - Ran - Daeuman leader, and consort of Atarax. The two don't really see eye to eye. Wran is quite ambitious, and is determined to see "the people" rise above the common animal - ie, everyone else.

Yven Mortis - Yeh-ven Mor-tiss -Yven is a Cloaked Paladin and one of the major players The Crescent Isle - E-book Edition(image below is from the game Oblivion). (TTP, TAW)

The History of Rialos

Months as they correspnd to ours: January Icemonth; February Frostwind; March Windfall; April Springfest; May Blooming; June Midyear; July Solstice; August Brightdays; September Joyfest; October Harvest; November Leaf-fall; December Yearsend

On Magick

The world of Rialos is a world of magick. Magick is a part of the very fabric of the world, penetrating all things great and small, and all creatures from the smallest flea to the largest dragon.

The globe of Rialos is surrounded by the Ether, a layer of protective magickal energy in the upper atmosphere. The Ether is safe to travel in, if one has the means to do so, and there is little or no noticeable change in the Ether as compared to the air on or close to the ground. One who is particularly sensitive to magick will notice a tingling sensation in the Ether, a feeling of immense power that is on the edge of dormancy.

In the unlikely event that one had the means to travel higher, beyond the Ether, one would enter a layer of raw magick that surrounds the entire planet. This raw magick is highly unstable, and exceedingly dangerous to any living creature. The Ether protects the people of Rialos from this raw magick, though the raw magick is able to slowly seep through the Ether, there to be drawn upon by wizards and sorcerers with the knowledge and ability to do so.

If a hole were to be torn in the Ether, something that is only theoretically possible, the resulting downward flow of raw magick would cause catastrophic and chaotic events across the landscape of Rialos. In a word; bad.

History

The following historical account is gathered from a combination of myths, legends, and known facts, in an attempt to piece together in an accurate form, the history of Rialos. Dates given use the Varanian Time calendar, for consistency, although dates in Pre-Varanian Time may be somewhat inaccurate due to limited recording of events during that era. In many cases only approximate times are available. Wherever possible though, multiple sources have been used to verify the given dates.

The Ancient Era

2000+ years Pre-Varanian Time – 1 P-V.T.

-Ancient Times story (no real title yet)

Approximately 2000 years P-V.T. is as far back as verbal history goes, and there is no written record of that time period. 2000+ P-V.T. is a time when the myths we tell our children were a reality. Demons and Dragons both were common in this era, Demons ruling the land while Dragons ruled the sky. Even as these mighty creatures ruled Rialos, six humanoid races arose, created (as the myth goes) by the Cloaked One; Humans, Elves (Eeya, in their tongue), Goblins (Gol-kin, or the Kin of Gol), Ogres, Dwarves, and Gnomes. At this time, most races lived in the Southland, near present-day Varania, by all estimates. It was also around this time that the first settlements were founded, for most of the humanoid population lived in roving tribes. Sometime in this period Irne was founded by Gol, and remains the single oldest permanent settlement. The earliest uses of magick were also begun during this time. Magick was still little understood at this time, and when a group of Elves attempted to usurp the Demonic Powers with powerful magick, they themselves were changed and corrupted. The An’Eeya were formed of this magick, numbering around one hundred. Like Elves in most respects, the An’Eeya were different in the thin coat of black hair that covered their bodies, red eyes, and sharp teeth. The An’Eeya were different enough that they became the seventh humanoid race.

1,900 P-V.T.

At this time the Demon hordes were beginning to regroup, while most of the major races had founded cities of some size or another. The An’Eeya are an exception, for their numbers remain small, no more than a few hundred. Ogres and Elves are the dominant humanoid races of the time. Humans struggle to survive, largely in wandering tribal groups. Dwarves and Gnomes prosper in the mountainous areas. Goblins have very limited success in similar territory. The names and exact locations of many of the early cities of the various races are now lost.

1,800 P-V.T.

1,799 P-V.T.

The seven races join in a temporary truce and gather in the Sun Peaks. There, largely with the magickal prowess of the An’Eeya, seven mighty weapons were forged. While each weapon was created primarily by one race, all seven infused each with enormous power.

The Crimson Staff, created by the humans. The Crimson Staff is a sturdy six-foot long staff composed of a single long crystal, probably a ruby or similarly valuable blood-red stone. The Staff confers great power upon its wielder, most commonly wizards.

Rubyeyes, a sword forged by the Elves (Eeya). This fabulous sword glows red when danger is about. The silvery blade never dulls, and the hilt is shaped like a golden dragon with the wings as the crosspiece, the head as the pommel, and the tail extending partway up the blade. Rubies form the dragon’s eyes.

Night Razor, a dagger created by Goblins. This dagger has a hollow grip that twists, allowing various poisons to flow down the hollow of the blade. A sapphire is set in the pommel, and at the will of the owner the Blade of Assassins can be magickally extended to the length of a sword.

Vansheim, a warhammer made by Gnomes. A silver hammer with a hooked spike on the back, Vansheim is engraved with Gnomish runes, with seven diamonds set along the haft. Legend has that Vansheim will destroy anything that it hits solidly.

Talon, a black blade forged by the An’Eeya. Talon is a black-bladed longsword with spidery runes etched along the length of the blade. Like Rubyeyes, this blade glows red when danger is near.

Banetea, a huge spear created by the Ogres. Banetea or "Bane of All" is a seven-foot long spear, but magickally alters its length to suit the wielder. The triple bladed spear head is made of a single carved piece of quartz, and the haft is made of ironwood and decorated with the names of ogre heros of old.

Alchon-dor, a double-bladed battle axe created by the Dwarves. "Mountain Cleaver"

The rune-covered blades are made of a single piece of granite, sharpened to a razors edge, and capable of cleaving through virtually anything, wielded by Aalthar Axegrinder.

With the Seven legendary weapons, the seven races are able to mount a counter offensive, and regain some of their lost territory. The War rages on for the next ninety-nine years. The Seven themselves, those powerful members of each race who wielded the seven legendary weapons, held sway in a terrible battle in the Sun Peaks that initiated the turning point of the war.

1,753 P-V.T.

5,327 Eeyan Era

The last of the Gnomes fall in the great Battle of the Sun Peaks. Seven Gnomes take Vansheim and retreat deep into the vast tunnel system beneath the Sun Peaks, hiding the mighty weapon from the enemy by sealing themselves inside a vast cavern. The Dwarves fall while defending their mountain stronghold, the Sentinel, from the Demon hordes, but succeed in demolishing the demon ranks as Aalthar, wielder of Alchon-dor, strikes the very mountain, splitting it in two and sending thousands, demons and dwarves, falling into the abyss within. What would be known as the Battle of Sundered Mountain marked a major setback for the demons, and their heaviest loss in any battle of the Wars, before or after.

"The Last Stand" takes place, as described in brief above.

1,740 P-V.T.

Halon, the last city of the Ogres, falls to the Demons. Banetea is captured by the Demons and hidden away beyond the Twilight Plain as the last of the Ogres dies in battle. A small tribe, located at the junction of the Sun Peaks and the Dark Ice Glacier, is all the remains of the Ogre race. New Halon, the city founded by the small tribe of outcast ogres, has a population fluctuating between 1500 and 2000.

1,720 P-V.T.

The Dragons are pushed slowly to the north, while the Demons are forced ever southward. The Demon-Dragon War begins to turn dramatically in favor of the Seven.

1,717 P-V.T.

The Dragons are cornered in the Blackdeath Mountains by the Eeya and An’Eeya. The Dragons agree to remain hidden away for two hundred years. In the southern lands, the Cloaked Order of Paladins is founded to aid in the battle against the Demon hordes.

1,710 P-V.T.

The Demons are pushed farther still to the south, finally being cornered in Last Hope. Humans and Goblins fight together until the Demons curse the land surrounding the city. The Dune Sea Desert, also known as the Desert of Lost Souls, is formed of this, and Last Hope remains the only city within the Desert. The Demon City, deep within the Desert, remains in ruins. Demons continue to roam the Desert in unorganized groups, kept always in check by the Cloaked Paladins.

1,700 P-V.T.

A group of Eeya (elves) found Inbathia, The City of Trees. Last Hope to the south remains a guardian city against the return of the Demons, and a base for those of the Cloaked Order of Paladins that hunt for the demons throughout the desert.

1,697 P-V.T.

Draw and Quarter is invented by the Kin of Gol (Goblins). The game of strategy and warfare becomes tremendously popular among the goblin race, and much of their society grows around the various forms of the game. It is used (among other things) to determine the guilt or innocence of an individual who must play against his/her accuser. Further, Draw and Quarter, along with Goblin Ale, become the primary exports from Goblin controlled lands.

1,517 P-V.T.

Dragons re-emerge after their two hundred year truce. Elves of Eeyalla agree to allow dragons to roam the area north of the Sun Peaks. Humans in the northern realm suffer greatly, and struggle to survive, founding and surviving in Farnorth Keep.

1,500 P-V.T.

Dragon-Elf War begins. Eeya and Dragons join in defeating the An’Eeya, wiping out all but a few of the Ancient Elves. T’orbath is one of the survivors, inheriting Talon from his dying father, Orban Dynnlon.

1,469 P-V.T.

Eeya and Dragons turn on each other in the war of pride. After a year of tremendous and costly fighting, the dragons are forced into a second slumber, this time for 3000 years. The dragons retreat again to the Blackdeath Mountains, and Rubyeyes is returned to Eeyalla as a symbol of Eeyan power.

1,382 P-V.T.

Humans in the south lands begin to found cities. There are minor skirmishes with rival goblins as the two forces vie for power over the wandering tribes.

1,201 P-V.T.

Great War of Souls. Humans, Goblins and Elves battle amongst each other. This war comprises more casualties than the Demon-Dragon war of centuries ago.

1,000 P-V.T.

After 201 years, the Great War of Souls ends where it began. Three races maintain a fragile peace. Tension is high, and racial mistrust abounds, but the Elves focus on the northern regions, while the Goblins and Humans build and rebuild cities in the south. Great Elven libraries grow as volumes are collected from the various races and factions concerning differing views on history, philosophy, warfare and magick. Over the next 1000 years, known as the Elven Age, Elves grow in prominence and their vast tree-cities dominate much of the northern and later the southern regions as well. Goblins remain largely reclusive in the mountainous regions, and Humans prosper in their own right, maintaining holds on Farnorth Keep and Guard Island. Nila, the largest human city of the time, becomes a center of learning and magick.

0 V.T.

Varania founded, and the Varanian Era begins. The greatest city in Rialos emerges, and soon surpass Nila in prominence and power, although Nila remains the official capital of the Southlands, and the human territories. Work is begun also on the Cloaked Cathedral, a center of worship for the Cloaked One, the creator in most human mythology.

40 V.T.

Caen Rishtak rises to power as the High Paladin of the Cloaked Order, and begins to rally support for the destruction of all evil.

45 V.T.

Rishtak sights all non-human races as being evil, and focuses on destroying the elves and goblins.

50 V.T.

52 V.T.

The first Paladin War begins as the Cloaked Paladins begin to fight among themselves. Rishtaks faction breaks off completely at this time, denouncing the remaining paladins. Many are slain on both sides in the fighting.

53 V.T.

The last of Rishtak’s followers are defeated, and Caen Rishtak himself vanishes into the Desert of Lost Souls.

70 V.T.

Construction is begun on the Goblin Wall. Many skirmished break out between the Snowtop Mountains and the coastal areas, and the humans and goblins jointly build the massive and lengthy wall in order to form a visible and formidable boundary between their respective territories. They agree to guard the Wall equally.

Guard Island becomes occupied and the fortress is built there to protect the Southlands. It also helps to guard the trade routes from the southern coast to the northern wilds from the frequent attacks by pirates and cutthroats.

81 V.T.

The Sea Knights are founded at Guard Island to protect the waterways of Rialos, primarily the trade routes of the End Sea area.

100 V.T.

The Goblin Wall is completed. In total the constantly manned wall spans some hundred miles.

150 V.T.

The humans, fearing goblin aggressions, take over the wall completely, ousting the goblin contingent and defending the Wall with brutal force. Any goblin settlements within close range of the Wall are summarily destroyed. Both sides and the top of the fifty-foot wide wall are patrolled at all times. The Cloaked Paladins, still small in numbers since the Paladin War, assist in the defense of the Wall.

500 V.T.

The Grand Forum of Avatars is formed in Varania. Avatars of each nation, assisted by their councilors and representatives, meet at the Grand Forum to make political decisions. The Forum itself is a massive domed granite building. There are sections in the circle of avatars for the seven major races, as well as sections for the minor races, although their areas are considerably smaller and their Avatars have less influence. At this point in time, only the elves and humans have sections of the Forum that are in use. The empty sections are meant initially as a tribute to the seven original races.

798 V.T.

The goblins win the right to join in the Grand Forum, and promptly send an Avatar to Varania for that purpose. Humans retain their majority and power in the Forum, but with elves and goblins now having some power of their own, the human Avatar and councilors are kept more in check.

1385 V.T.

1487 V.T.

Karll Crimsonstaff is born (father of Rea and Dartan Crimsonstaff).

1488 V.T.

Danea Folenis is born (future wife of Karll and mother of Rea and Dartan Crimsonstaff).

1508 V.T.

Karll and Danea are married, living in Canol.

1510 V.T.

Dartan Crimsonstaff is born

1511 V.T.

1 Daeuman Time

Arman Stendgen orchestrates the creation of the Daeuman from humans using magicks similar to those that created the An’Eeya from the Eeya (elves). Wran is the first of the Daeuman, along with some twenty others.

1513 V.T.

1515 V.T.

Farilal Denor finds the Crimson Staff, slays his master and takes over the tower of wizardry in Gardast.

This is also the time when the Cloaked Order of Paladins begins to sharply decline in numbers. Many depart because they have grown tired of the bureaucratic ways of the Grand Forum in Varania, and have grown disillusioned with the Paladins who seem to be doing little good. There is little strife in the southlands, and the Paladins simply are not needed to keep the peace as they once were. The Sea Knights of Guard Island continue to patrol the End Sea area, maintaining the safety of the waterways. Many of the Varanian people, as well as most others in the southlands, have also lost faith in the ability of the Paladins.

1516 V.T.

Gullen finds Rea in the marketplace of Canol. Dartan, searches for his sister, but unable to find her, returns home to find that Karll and Danea were killed by Farilal in his attempt to wipe out the Crimsonstaff family. Dartan escapes and joins the Den, the thieves guild. Over the next several years he is trained as an assassin.

1522 V.T.

"Double-Cross"

1526 V.T.

Dartan learns of the staff for which his family was named, and apprentices himself to Farilal. Farilal is unaware of Dartan’s bloodline.

"The Game"

1531 V.T.

8327 Eeyan Era

The 3000^th year of the dragons’ slumber comes to a close.

The events as detailed in "The Crimson Staff" take place.

-Fifth day of Joyfest

Rea prepares to leave Skyview/Kellsys prepares to leave Eeyalla (False Heroes)

-Fourth Day of Harvest (beginning of "The Twilight Plain")

1532 V.T.

"The Last"