There were a number of people especially instrumental to The Interminables as it developed, some more directly than others. The original project grew out of a desire to preserve some of the characters developed by myself and friends in the MMORPG City of Heroes, which shut down in 2012 – the end product is very different, but credit goes where credit is due.
To my brother Hagen: thank you for donating what became the Susurration, Lord Kasimir, the entire country of Triskelion, and probably a full quarter of the plot to the cause. I have no idea how many hours we spent throwing ideas around, but they were well-spent.
To HairlessRN, whom I have never met in person: thank you for all the medical fact-checking advice, the insightful commentary, and the inspiration for this book's talking tiger/bear/blizzard.
To PropBob, whom I have never met in person: let's just say that Grace Wu wouldn't have been who she is without you.
To Warpshaper and Kusim, whom I have never met in person: thank you for all your help in early plot development and brainstorming. Tornado Alley still looms on the horizon.
To Flashtoo, whom I never met until two years ago and now we're together and you're watching me write this: you know what you've done.
Lastly, I would like to thank all involved parental and grand-parental units, other brothers (biological and bonus), the population of Targhee dorm (2013-14), the Virtue server, and, of course, the inestimable Mrs Zapatka, for their inspiration and support.