Glossary and Pronunciation Guide
Cast of Characters
Sir Roede of House Halene
(Rode; Huh-lean)
A Knight chosen to wield the goddess's holy blade. His gentle, nurturing disposition is at odds with the warmongering Ateri lifestyle.
Caedyn Spellcrafter
(Cay-den)
The Divine Prince of Drest. He hides his true feelings behind a cold and calculating facade.
Addie
(Aa-dee)
Caedyn's younger half-brother. Caedyn is fiercely protective of him.
Lady Adeline
(Aa-duh-lynn)
Emilia's mother. She wants nothing more than to see her daughter married, even if she doesn't like the groom-to-be.
Adomas
(Aa-doh-mas)
The Lord of Ruin, the Inevitable End of All Things. Though He is worshipped by the Drest as the God of Death, He has little to do with them.
Sir Aren of House Selma
(Air-en; Sell-muh)
A knight of Ateriss. Though young, he is renowned for his skill on the battlefield.
Sir Detter of House Velen
(Deh-tur; Vell-en)
Aren's best, or perhaps only, friend. His easy-going nature allows him to take most things in stride.
Eilys Stormcaller
(Eye-liss)
Caedyn's friend, with whom he once had a brief romantic relationship. His short temper and foul mouth earn him many enemies.
Lady Elyssa of House Halene
(Eh-liss-uh; Liss-ee; Huh-lean)
Roede's younger sister, who also goes by Lyssie. Though many consider her spoiled, the truth is that she believes in standing up for what she feels is right.
Emilia of House Adeline
(Eh-mee-lee-uh; Aa-duh-lynn)
Roede's childhood friend. When they were children, their mothers agreed that they would one day marry.
Evalyse
(Eh-vuh-liss)
The Goddess of Life worshipped by the Ateri. Though Her influence can be felt in all things, no one knows Her true thoughts.
Knight-Commander Jannel
(Jan-ell)
Commander of the Order of the Holy Knights. Though he ostensibly has complete control of the military, he, like everyone else, is at the mercy of the Church.
Lilaenn Starseer
(Lil-ayn)
Caedyn's mother who died when he was a child. Rumor has it that she could divine one's future.
Divine Prince Luxia
(Loo-sha)
Caedyn's public persona. Under the scrutiny of Nazarre and his followers, Caedyn plays the role of a dutiful, loyal son.
Hierophant Nazarre
(Nuh-zah-ray)
Caedyn's father, and the current ruler of Drest. A calculating man who will pay any price to achieve his goals.
Empress Rayna III
(Rai-nuh)
The current ruler of Ateriss. She ascended the throne at a young age, under suspicious circumstances.
Places
The Holy Ateri Empire
(Uh-ter-iss; Uh-ter-ee)
The Queendom of Ateriss and its colonies. The Ateri believe they have a divinely-appointed mission to spread the word of their goddess - by force, if necessary.
The Drest Republic
(Drehst)
A nation made of diverse groups spread over various geographical regions. The only thing they can agree on is that Adomas's reign is inevitable.
Adom
(Aa-dum)
The capital city of Drest. A ruinous city protected by magic.
Adomas's Bones
"The Bones"
A set of enormous bones protruding from the Ezad Desert. Believed to be the remains of Adomas.
Evalystine
(Eh-vuh-liss-teen)
The capital city of Ateriss. Equal parts city and fortress.
Ezad Desert
(Eh-zahd)
The southernmost region of Drest. It's said that this was once fertile land, until He came to rest there.
Lake Lithev
(Lih-thehv)
A lake in the center of Evalystine, upon which the Chuch of Our Lady Life sits. The Ateri believe its waters are the source of all life.
The Outlands
Outsiders
A general term given to any country that is neither Ateriss nor Drest. Little is known about the people who live there, or if such people exist.
Spinel Mountains
(Spee-nell)
A mountain range that cuts Drest in half. The rocky terrain makes travel difficult.
Other
Ahrien
(Ah-reen)
Literally "Heartbeat", this is the name given to Caedyn's gremorre. He's rarely seen without it.
Caellia
(Cay-lee-uh)
A flower that only grows around The Bones. Its unique red and white coloring creates a blood-spatter effect.
Cortainne
(Cor-tayn)
The Godslayer. This holy blade can only be wielded by a chosen warrior.
Gremorre
(Greh-more)
Books of spells used by the Drest. Each one is unique to its owner.
Ild
(Illd)
The currency of Ateriss. Gold coins that depict their first Empress.
Ven
(Vehn)
The currency of Drest. Silver coins with a strange spell circle on the back.
Vereldyn
(Ver-ell-den)
Literally "Storm Flower", this is the name given to Eilys's gremorre. He seems embarrassed about the name.