The Crown of the Conqueror (60 page)

  There are strict laws governing the treatment of debtors and the sanctions against debt guardians who keep men beyond their term, pay less than expected against the debt or mistreat their debtors are severe. Debt guardians are seen as an undesirable but necessary part of modern Salphorian society by most, though there are those chieftains who still prefer to settle such matters in the old-fashioned way with swords and shields.

 

Whereas the ancient beliefs in supernatural beings has been quashed throughout Great Askhor, in Salphoria the belief in and worship of "spirits" still survives. The exact nature of the ceremonies and shrines varies from region to region and even from tribe to tribe, but the intermingling of old customs has led to a more or less coherent pantheon.

  Spirits are known by many names across Salphoria, and their exact appearance, deeds and moods may change, but all are embodiments of nature and the world. The spirits bring rain and sun, cause plants to grow, raise up mountains and sweep the lands with plague. They can be entreated for favour or appeased with offerings, but their relationship to the peoples of Salphoria is inconsistent – just as likely to deliver pestilence as a bountiful crop.

  Some tribes have priesthoods dedicated to the spirits, though usually this role is taken on by the chieftain as being their most favoured individual. Priests do not act as intermediaries to the spirits, but they are responsible for creation and upkeep of shrines dedicated to a particular deity. There are many ceremonies and festivals attended by Salphors throughout the year, particularly in spring and autumn when crops are sown and harvests made. On these occasions, the people sing the praises of benevolent spirits and build great fires and raise a great clamour to drive away those that are hostile.

 

Adral
– Governor of Nalanor.

 

Aegenuis
– King of Salphoria, father of Medorian.

 

Aghali
– Salphor chieftain.

 

Aleoin
– Daughter of Aegenuis

 

Allenya
– Eldest of Ullsaard's queens and mother of Jutaar.

 

Allon
– Governor of Enair.

 

Anasind
– First Captain of the Thirteenth Legion, later Askhan general.

 

Anglhan Periusis
– Governor of Magilnada.

 

Aranathi
– Daughter of Gelthius.

 

Ariid
– Chief servant of Ullsaard's household.

Asirkhyr
– Hierophant of the Temple.

 

Askhan
– Collective term for both the native people from the tribes of Askhor and those peoples brought into the empire of Greater Askhor.

 

Askhos
– First King of the Askhans, founder of the empire and sire of the Blood.

 

Asuhas
– Governor of Ersua.

 

Bariilin
– Second Captain of the First Magilnadan Legion.

 

Brotherhood, The
– A widespread administrative sect responsible for many of the functions of the empire, including criminal law, taxation, trade, infrastructural organisation and the suppression of pre-empire superstitious beliefs. Proselytisers of the Book of Askhos.

 

Canaasin
– First Captain of the XIV legion.

 

Daariun
– Second Captain of the First Magilnadan Legion.

 

Donar
– First Captain of the Fifth Legion.

 

Eriekh
– Hierophant of the Temple.

 

Erlaan
– Prince of the Blood, son of Prince Kalmud, grandson of King Lutaar..

 

Eroduus
– Askhan noble, admiral and fleet owner.

 

Etor Astaan
– Merchant and noble of Askh, father of Noran.

 

Faeghun
– Son-in-law of Gelthius.

 

Furlthia Miadnas
– Former first mate of Anglhan's landship, chief member of anti-Askhan conspirators.

Gannuis
– Eldest son of Gelthius.

 

Gebriun
– Legionnaire of the XIII legion.

 

Gelthius
– A former fisherman, farmer and bandit of the Linghan people in Salphoria, Gelthius has served as a debtor on Anglhan's landship, joined Salphorian rebels, been involved in the fall of Magilnada to the Askhans, was drafted into the Thirteenth Legion and fought in the overthrow of King Lutaar. He longs for a return to a quiet life.

 

Haeksin
– Legionnaire of the XIII legion.

 

Harrakil
– First Captain of the XVII Legion.

 

Huuril
– Third Captain in the Thirteenth Legion.

 

Huurit
– Wrestler, lover of Queen Luia.

 

Juruun
– Legionnaire of the XIII.

 

Jutaar
– Son of Allenya, second eldest of Ullsaard. First Captain of the First Magilnadan legion.

 

Jutiil
– First Captain of the XII Legion.

 

Kaasin
– Icon bearer of the First Magilnadan Legion.

 

Kalmud
– Prince of the Blood, eldest son of King Lutaar, father of Erlaan. Infected by a devastating lung disease whilst campaigning along the Greenwater River.

 

Kalsaghan
– Warrior of the Linghar, son of Naraghlin.

 

Kasod
– Second Captain of the First Magilnadan Legion.

 

Kubridias
– Salphor chieftain.

Kulrua
– Governor of Maasra.

 

Laadir Irrin
– Askhan noble.

 

Laasinia
– Chief handmaiden of Queen Allenya.

 

Leerunin
– Court chamberlain of King Ullsaard, treasurer of Askh.

 

Lenorin
– Chancellor of Magilnada, aide to Anglhan, with antiAskhan sympathies.

 

Lerissa
– Widow of governor Nemtun, noblewoman of Geria.

 

Liirat
– Dockmaster of Geria.

 

Liitum
– Merchant of Geria.

 

Linghal
– Chieftain of the Hadril.

 

Liradin
– Chieftain of the Cannin.

 

Loordin
– Legionnaire of the XIII

 

Luamid
– First Captain of the Sixteenth Legion.

 

Luia
– Second eldest of Ullsaard's queens and mother of Urikh.

 

Luisaa
– An infant, daughter of Urikh, grand-daughter of Ullsaard.

 

Lukha
– Noble of Askh, private legion commander.

 

Luuarit
– Second Captain and surgeon in the Thirteenth Legion.

 

Luusin
– Second Captain of the First Magilnadan Legion.

 

Maalus
– Noble of Askh, private legion commander.

 

Manamosalai
– Mekhani shaman-chief.

Mannuis
– Warrior of the Linghar, son of Naraghlin.

 

Maredin
– Wife of Gelthius.

 

Medorian
– Son of King Aegenuis.

 

Meesiu
– First Captain of the III legion.

 

Meliu
– Youngest queen of Ullsaard and mother to Ullnaar.

 

Minglhan
– Youngest son of Gelthius.

 

Murian
– Governor of Anrair.

 

Muuril
– Sergeant of the XIII legion.

 

Naadlin
– First Captain of the II legion.

 

Naathin
– First Captain of the VII legion.

 

Naraghlin
– Chieftain of the Linghar.

 

Neerlima
– Wife of Prince Urikh.

 

Nemasolai
– Shaman-chief of the Allako.

 

Nemurians
– Non-human species that live on a chain of volcanic isles lying off the coast of Maasra. Standing more than twice as tall as a man, and of broad girth, Nemurians are heavily muscled, covered with thick scales and possessing prehensile tail. Extremely secretive, the only Nemurians known to the people of Greater Askhor are those who hire out their much sought after services as mercenaries. Nemurians are also well known for the skill in metalworking and the quantity of iron in their weapons and armour; an element still rare in the empire.

Noran Astaan
– A noble of Askhor, sole heir of the Astaan family and royal herald in service to Prince Aalun. A long time friend and ally of Ullsaard, rendered comatose whilst protecting Ullsaard against assassins.

 

Pretaa
– Mother of Ullsaard, former courtesan in Askh and lover of Cosuas.

 

Rondin
– First Captain of the X Legion.

 

Serbicus
– Salphor chieftain, co-conspirator of Furlthia.

 

Thasalin
– Chief brother of Geria.

 

Ullnaar
– Son of Meliu, youngest of Ullsaard. Clever and cultured, Ullnaar is studying civic law at the colleges in Askh, under the tutelage of Meemis.

 

Ullsaard
– King of Greater Askhor. Married to Allenya, Luia and Meliu. Father to Urikh, Jutaar and Ullnaar. Pretender to the Crown of the Blood.

 

Urikh
– Son of Luia, eldest of Ullsaard, Governor of Okhar. As heir of the family, Urikh has spent considerable time expanding his personal assets and influence across the empire.

 

Named Salphorian peoples and tribes: Pretari, Caelentha, Deaghra, Hadril, Hannaghian, Laeghoi, Linghar, Menaeni, Orsinnin, Vatarti, Vestil,

 

Altes Hills
– Low mountain range stretching coldwards from the Magilnadan Gap to the coast of Enair. This range forms the duskwards boundary of coldwards Ersua and all of Anrair. Sometimes referred to simply as the Altes.

 

Arondunda
– Salphorian settlement, home of Kubridias.

Askh
– Founding city of the empire, capital of Askhor, birthplace of Askhos. The largest and most advanced city of the empire, boasting the Grand Precinct of the Brotherhood, the Royal Palaces, the Maarmes arena and circuit and many other wonders of the world.

 

Askhan Gap
– The widest, and only easily navigable, pass in the Askhor mountains. Protected by the Askhan Wall and dominated by the harbour at Narun.

 

Askhor
– The homeland of the Askhan empire, situated in the dawnwards region of the empire, bordered by the Askhor mountains and the dawnwards coast.

 

Askhor Wall
– A defensive edifice stretching the entire width of the Askhor Gap, built in the earliest years of the empire to defend against attack from the neighbouring tribes. The Askhor Wall has never been attacked.

 

Carantathi
– Current capital of Salphoria and seat of King Aegenuis's court. Lying far to duskwards of the Greater Askhor border, its precise location is unknown to the empire.

 

Cosuan
– New settlement at the mouth of the Greenwater.

 

Daasia
– Settlement on the Greenwater, hotwards of Geria.

 

Enair
– Most coldward province of the empire, brought into the empire during the reign of King Lutaar's predecessor. A land of strong winds, frequent rain, large marshlands and heavy forest. Enair has no major cities and relies on timber trade and sea fishing for its low income. Birthplace of Ullsaard.

 

Ersua
– Most recent province of the empire, situated dawnwards of Nalanor and separated from Salphoria by the Free Country. Consisting mostly of the foothills of the Altes Hills, Ersua is now Greater Askhor's main source of ore for bronze.

 

Ersuan Highlands
– A range of mountains that separates Ersua from Nalanor, curving several hundred miles to duskwards between Ersua and Anrair.

Geria
– Harbour town on the Greenwater, capital of Nalanor, whose quays are owned by the Astaan noble family. 

Grand Precincts of the Brotherhood
– An imposing black stone ziggurat situated on the Royal Hill in Askh, predating the founding of the city. The centre of the Brotherhood's organisation, it is here that ailurs are bred, the fuel known as lava is created and the great library of the empire - the Archive of Ages - is found, and adjoining the precinct are the highest law courts of Greater Askhor. No-one other than a Brother or the king have ever set foot within.