Ahmaan Ka: twin brother to Lash’kun Yho, he is also called the Holder of the Dead, or simply the Holder. His domain is the night.
Aldis Tennech: a human general of Khala Val’ur, he once comm.................anded all the armies of Gal’dorok until he fled to the Wastes with his second-in-command, Sera.
Aldryd: an aged Athrani residing in Annoch, where he holds the title of Keeper. He resides in the Temple of the Shaper.
Alysana: a G’henni woman, younger sister to the second-in-command of the Guard of Annoch, Mordha. She was ordered by Annoch’s keeper, Aldryd, to watch after the traitorous half-eye Dailus.
Annoch: The capital city of Derenar, it is also called the City of the Forge and is home to Athrani and humans alike. Inside its walls lies the Temple of the Shaper. A person from Annoch is called an Annochian, and their army’s colors are scarlet and gray.
Anvil of the Worldforge: used by the Shaper of Ages, along with the Hammer of the Worldforge, to create the world. It can be found in the Temple of the Shaper in Annoch.
Asha Imha-khet: a mortal woman who long ago captured the attention of the Traveler and the Holder. She is also called the Ghost of the Morning.
Athrani: a people who worship the Shaper of Ages and are known for their power to transmute matter, called Shaping. Their distinctive multicolored eyes allow them to be easily distinguished from humans.
Athrani Legion: a collection of soldiers who march under the banner of Ellenos, comprised mostly of Athrani and half-eyes.
Aurik: twin brother to Kaurik and older brother to Kuu. He is a Wolfwalker.
Benjin: a young boy from Haidan Shar, he is armiger to Captain Jahaz. His nickname is Benj.
Binder of Worlds: one of the creators of the world, along with the Shaper of Ages and the Breaker of the Dawn. She is the guardian of the two worlds and helped to imprison the Breaker in his chains.
Breaker of the Dawn: One of the creators of the world, along with the Shaper of Ages and the Binder of Worlds. He was imprisoned by the Shaper ages ago and continues to be a thorn in Her side. His followers, the Hand of the Black Dawn, sought to free him from his prison in the Otherworld.
Breaking (power): Gifted by the Breaker and wielded by Khyth, it allows the user to move or reshape matter, but not to change its essence. It can be learned by anyone and is not limited to those born of Khyth blood. (See also the Breaking.)
the Breaking: a ritual undergone by Khyth apprentices that serves to increase their ability to wield the power of the Otherworld. The ritual is often fatal, scarring the Khyth for life and leaving their skin looking burnt and cracked.
Caelus: an Athrani in the service of Luzo the Théan who helps keep the Théan slaves in line by using his Shaping.
Caladan Durakas: former commander of the Fist of Ghal Thurái, he was killed at the Battle for the Tree.
Cavan Hullis: a captain from Ghal Thurái known for his gift for strategy.
Chovathi: a race of subsurface-dwelling creatures who formerly inhabited Ghal Thurái. They are pale and carnivorous and can only be killed by removing the head.
Cortus Venn: commander of the famed Lonely Guard of Lash’Kargá, he commands an elite unit responsible for the safety of Lash’Kargá—Death’s Edge—by driving away invaders from the Wastes.
Dailus: an Athrani half-eye from Ellenos who meets and befriends Olson Woods. He betrayed Thornton and stole the Hammer of the Worldforge, intending to surrender it to Khala Val’ur.
Derenar: a large region encompassing many human and Athrani cities. It is bordered to the east by the region of Gal’dorok and to the south by the Wastes of Khulakorum.
Djozen: the title for the ruler of a number of tribes.
Djozen Yelto: a Khôl who currently leads two of the three tribes and seeks to unite all three under his rule.
Do’baradai: an ancient city far to the south of Khadje Kholam, it is said to be the resting place of the Three. Its name means “the two brothers” in Khôl.
Duna Cullain: former second-in-command of the Fist of Ghal Thurái and subordinate to Commander Caladan Durakas, she assumed the rank of general when her commander was killed and General Tennech fled.
Ellenos: also called the First City, it is home to the Athrani and is their capital city and the seat of their government. A person from Ellenos is called an Ellenian, and their army’s colors are purple and gold.
Elyasha: called Yasha by her friends, she is a Khyth of the Breaking who is the daughter of Olson Woods and sister to Thornton. She was a former apprentice to D’kane.
Endar: an Athrani half-eye who ascended to the rank of commander of the Athrani Legion.
Eowen: a messenger under Duna Cullain’s employ.
Evram: leader of a group of bandits who have dealings with the slave trade in Théas.
Farryn Dhrostain: a short, fierce captain from Ghal Thurái.
Farstepper: a rare breed of humans possessing the ability to move from one point to another by traveling through the Otherworld. They come from beyond the Wastes of Khulakorum and are known for their skills as warriors and assassins.
Fist of Ghal Thurái: a greatly feared and respected army out of Ghal Thurái, it was most recently led by Caladan Durakas. Alternatively referred to as the Fist of Thurái, or simply the Fist.
Gal’behem: the mountain range that surrounds Khala Val’ur in Gal’dorok. Its name means “the great serpent.”
Gal’dorok: A large region encompassing many human and Khyth cities. It is bordered on the east by the Tashkar Sea, to the west by the region of Derenar, and to the south by the Wastes of Khulakorum. Its name means “great pinnacle.”
Ghaja Rus: a G’henni who made his fortune from the slave trade. He had former dealings with Khala Val’ur through General Aldis Tennech.
Ghal Thurái: also called the Mouth of the Deep, it is a Khyth city built into a mountain. A person from Ghal Thurái is called a Thurian, and their army’s colors are copper and white.
G’hen: A city that borders the Wastes of Khulakorum. Its people are known for their dark skin. A person from G’hen is called a G’henni.
Ghost of the Morning: see Asha Imha-khet.
Gwarái: An ancient beast created by the Breaker of the Dawn in order to hunt down the Athrani. They feed on the blood of Shapers and can be used to absorb their powers. They were believed to be hunted to extinction during the Shaping War.
Haidan Shar: A city east of Ghal Thurái, also called the Gem of the East, it is a prosperous city that has grown from a once-simple fishing village. A person from Haidan Shar is called a Sharian, and their army’s colors are blue and white.
half-eye: A derogatory title given to one born to an Athrani father and a human mother. One of their eyes appears human, while the other appears Athrani (with a second ring of color behind the first). They are capable of Shaping.
Hammer of the Worldforge: an ancient artifact that the Shaper of Ages used to create the world, along with the Anvil of the Worldforge. Collectively they are referred to as the Pieces of the Worldforge.
Hand of the Black Dawn: The name of those who serve the Breaker of the Dawn and seek to free Him. They are led by Khyth, but humans are drawn to them as well. They operate primarily out of Khala Val’ur.
Hedjetti: the title for the ruler of one tribe. The singular form is Hedjetten.
Highglade: a village to the east of Lusk whose claim to fame is Olson Woods, a blacksmith of great renown. A person from Highglade is called a Highglader.
the Holder: see Ahmaan Ka.
Jahaz: a captain in the Sharian army.
Jinda Yhun: Captain of the Guard of Annoch. He is a Farstepper from beyond the Wastes.
Kaurik: twin brother to Aurik and older brother to Kuu. He is a Wolfwalker.
Keeper: A title given to an Athrani who is charged with the protection of the Temple of the Shaper found in their city. There is one Keeper for every temple, and there is typically one temple in any given city where Athrani are found.
Kethras: a Kienari male, brother to Ynara and son of the Mother.
Khadje Kholam: a city situated near the northern end of the Wastes of Khulakorum, it is a large tribal city and the current seat of the ruler of several tribes, Djozen Yelto. To its west is K’har, and to its east is Menat.
Khala Val’ur: also called the Sunken City, it is the capital city of the Khyth, as well as the capital city of Gal’dorok. A person from Khala Val’ur is called a Valurian, and their army’s colors are black and white.
K’har: a tribal city to the west of Khadje Kholam. One of the tribes in the area is the Ohmati.
Khaz: a male Chovathi warrior of the Xua’al clan.
Khel-hârad: the Land of the Dead, whose keeper is the Holder of the Dead.
Khôl: the language spoken in Khadje Kholam and some of the tribal cities nearby. It is also used as a term for someone from Khadje Kholam.
Khyth (title): one who has undergone the ritual of the Breaking in order to gain access to the power of the Otherworld. Above this title exist Master Khyth and High Khyth.
Khyth (people): a people who worship the Breaker of the Dawn and are known for their power to move and manipulate matter, called Breaking. Their eyes resemble smoke and are inherited by their offspring.
Kienar: a small forest near the Talvin Forest that is home to the Kienari.
Kienari: Creatures of stealth and mystery, much taller than humans, who call the forest of Kienar home. They are often described as cat-like, with fine black fur and tails. Their night vision is exceptional and uses heat rather than light to locate their prey. They are master marksmen and feel at home in the trees.
Kunas: Master Khyth of Ghal Thurái, he was sent to the city shortly after his Breaking. He is next in line after Yetz and D’kane to ascend to the position of High Khyth.
Kuu: the youngest of four brothers, he is a Wolfwalker who is still mastering his power. He is able to transform into a gray desert fox.
Lash’Kargá: a southeastern city of Gal’dorok that sits on the edge of the Wastes of Khulakorum. It is nicknamed Death’s Edge.
Lash’kun Yho: twin brother to Ahmaan Ka, he is also called the Traveler. His domain is the day.
Lilyana: Lily to her mother, she is a young Athrani girl from Ellenos.
Lusk: a human town on the edge of the Talvin forest that has recently become a hub of trade in Derenar.
Luzo: commander of the slaves of Théas. He is a brutish man whose sole duty is to keep the slaves in line.
Menat: a tribal city to the east of Khadje Kholam. A few tribes inhabiting the area are the Qozhen, Khuufi, and Elteri.
Miera Mi’an: a young woman from Highglade who has known Thornton since they were young. She never knew her mother and was raised by her father. She was revealed to be, unbeknownst to her, the reincarnation of the goddess the Shaper of Ages.
Mordha: a G’henni woman who is part of the city guard of Annoch. She is second-in-command to Jinda Yhun and older sister to Alysana.
the Mother: often called the First Kienari, and the Binder of Worlds, she is one of the three gods of creation, and mother to Kethras and Ynara (see Kienari). She was killed by D’kane in the Battle for the Tree and was replaced as Binder of Worlds by her daughter, Ynara.
Olson Woods: a highly skilled blacksmith from Highglade and father to Thornton Woods and Elyasha. He was killed by D’kane in the Otherworld.
the Otherworld: an ethereal place of power that exists parallel to—and beyond—this world. It is where the Breaker of the Dawn was imprisoned and where the Athrani and Khyth draw their power.
Pieces of the Worldforge: the Hammer of the Worldforge and the Anvil of the Worldforge. Both were used by the Shaper of Ages when creating the world.
Rathma: a Farstepper from Khadje Kholam and younger brother of Jinda Yhun.
R’haqa: a tribal city south of Khadje Kholam and north of Do’baradai.
Seralith Edos: an Athrani woman from Ellenos who left the Athrani city for Khala Val’ur, she serves General Aldis Tennech.
Shaper of Ages: one of the creators of the world, along with the Breaker of the Dawn and the Binder of Worlds. She gave up her power to the Athrani so they might defend themselves against the Khyth, who were empowered by the Breaker. Her most recent reincarnation was the Highglader Miera Mi’an.
Shaping: gifted by the Shaper and wielded by the Athrani, it is the ability to transmute matter into any form imaginable. Only those who are of Athrani blood can Shape.
Shaping War: a long-finished but not forgotten war between the Athrani and Khyth, which served to drive a permanent wedge between the two races. It has been a continuing source of hatred for both of them.
Sh’thanna: the female Athrani Keeper of the Temple of the Shaper in Ellenos. She is friends with Aldryd.
Sivulu: the oldest of four brothers, he looks out for Aurik, Kaurik, and Kuu. He is a Wolfwalker of great renown.
the Spears: a mountainous region in the east of the Wastes of Khulakorum. Its peaks run north–northeast into the mountains of Gal’behem, the Great Serpent.
Théas: also called the City of a Thousand Towers, it is situated halfway between Ellenos and G’hen. Its fighting forces are known as the Deathdancers. A person from Théas is called a Théan, and their army’s colors are forest green and black.
Thornton Woods: a young blacksmith from Highglade, son of Olson Woods and brother to Elyasha.
the Three: the collective name for the Traveler, the Holder of the Dead, and the Ghost of the Morning. They sleep in Do’baradai, where, the stories say, they await their reawakening.
Thuma: second-in-command of the Athrani Legion, he is a large Athrani man with a blond beard and brown eyes.
the Traveler: see Lash’kun Yho.
the Wastes of Khulakorum: a desert region far to the south known for producing Farsteppers. Most of the region is referred to by outsiders as “beyond the Wastes.”
Wolfblade: an ancient weapon infused with the blood of the Ghost and the Holder, and that binds them together. Djozen Yelto has it in his possession.
Wolfwalker: a human who is able to transform into a wolf by the use of an ancient power. Stronger Wolfwalkers are able to transform into larger, monstrous wolves; less powerful Wolfwalkers can only muster the form of smaller canine animals, such as foxes.
Ynara: a Kienari female, sister to Kethras and daughter of the Mother. She ascended to the role of Binder of Worlds when her mother was killed.
Zhala: brood matriarch of the Xua’al Chovathi clan, she has six subordinate broodmothers, one of whom controls the male Khaz.