Here you’ll find various reference materials for the books of the LEGACY TRILOGY, such as maps, expanded dramatis personae, story recaps and the like. Perfect companions for a leisurely read, or if you want to dig a little deeper into the setting.
It’s particularly useful if you’re listening on audiobook and can’t flick back to an earlier section.
All reference materials are spoiler-free based for the associated book, but have a care not to stray into later volumes as these will surely reveal all manner of arcane and interesting secrets.
This page is a work in progress, and will see continuous updates. Remember to check back from time to time, and feel free to make requests via the Contact Page.
Note that the Pronunication Examples are quite low quality, having been recorded for another purpose. These may get updated in the future. We’ll see how it goes.
af Broki, Gormir – Thrakkian skald and traveller.
af Garna, Anliss – Thrakkian outcast and thrydaxe mercenary. Sister to Armund af Garna, and hero of the Battle of Zanya.
af Garna, Ardothan – Thane of Indrigsval. Brother to Armund and Anliss af Garna.
af Garna, Armund – Thrakkian outcast and thrydaxe mercenary. Brother to Anliss af Garna.
af Tregg, Jagraval – Thrakkian thrydaxe. In service to Ardothan af Garna.
af Üld, Inkari – Ceorla of Indrigsval. In service to Ardothan af Garna.
af Vardin, Arkynar – Thrakkian Hero of Old.
Akadra, Carid – Uncle to Viktor Akadra. Father to Messela Akadra.
Akadra, Messela – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Cousin to Viktor Akadra.
Akadra, Viktor – Former Champion of the Tressian Council.
Andwar, Aeldran – Prince of Icansae.
Andwar, Aelia – Princessa of Icansae.
Andwar, Naradna – Prince of Icansae.
Ashana – Once-mortal Hadari Goddess of the Moon. Mistress of the twin realms of Evermoon and Eventide. Known as Lunastra in Tressia. By tradition, Lumestra’s closest sibling.
Ashanal, Elspeth – Daughter to Ashana.
Astor – Lord of the Forge, worshipped in Thrakkia. Keeper of Skanandra’s mirrored halls and witness of valour.
Athariss, Karn – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows.
Belenzo, Konor – Tressian saint and hero of legend. Founder of the Lumestran church.
Beral, Erashel – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Southwealder and proud.
Brass, Adbert – Sergeant of the Akadra Hearthguard. Ex-poacher.
Czaron, Altiris – Southwealder fugitive.
Daranathi, Maradan – Prince of Britonis
Daranathi, Sard – King of Britonis
Darrow, Hawkin – Steward to the Reveques. Wife to Vona Darrow.
Darrow, Vona – Lieutenant of the Tressian Constabulary. Wife to Hawkin Darrow.
Devren, Kos – Hadari warleader, in service to the Silver Kingdom of Rhaled. Kai Saran’s oldest friend.
Elise Ashanal – Daughter of Ashana.
Ellian – A woman of impeccable decorum.
Emilia Sarravin – Commander of the 7th regiment. Knight of the Sartorov Chapterhouse.
Endala – Goddess of Wave and Wind. Once worshipped in Tressia.
Forthinal, Saramin – Sister to Aella Saranal and Aethal Forthinal. Aunt to Melanna Saranal.
Gavrida, Halan – Lieutenant of the 11th Regiment.
Gwenhwyfar – Thornmaiden and daughter of Jack o’Fellhallow.
Haldrane – Hadari spymaster. Head of the Emperor’s Icularis and servant of Kai Saran.
Heren, Manni – Sergeant of the Reveque Hearthguard.
High King Bryken – Giant of Myth.
Ilnarov, Elzar – Tressian High Proctor and Master of the Foundry. Viktor Akadra’s mentor and confident.
Ilnore – A haughty noblewoman of the Tressian Hallowside, proud and steady.
Indro Thaldvar – Borderer captain of Lasmanora.
Izack, Stantin – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Redoubtable grandmaster of the Knights Essamere.
Jack o’ Fellhallow – God of the Living Lands. Lord of Fellhallow. By tradition, the Raven’s closest sibling.
Jardur, Haralda – Prince of Corvant
Jardur, Raeth – King of Corvant.
Jaridav, Amella – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Kanda, Elni – Captain of the Reveque Hearthguard.
Keldrov, Arlanne – Reeve of Ardva.
Kelver, Bran – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Kendrae – A flighty and wayward soul.
Kesriel, Venner – Captain of the Dauntless
Kiradin, Ebigail – Disgraced member of the Privy Council.
Koldra, Brask – Vranakin Rogue.
Krastin, Inidro – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows.
Kressick, Tor – Tressian Constable
Kurkas, Vladama – Captain of the Trelan Hearthguard. Veteran of the Battle of Zanya.
Lamirov, Leonast – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
Loqueton – A strange man from an unfamiliar place.
Lumestra – Tressian Goddess of the Sun, known as Astarra in the Hadari Empire. By tradition, Ashana’s closest sibling.
Malatriant – Tyrant Queen of Old, known as Sceadotha in the Hadari Empire
Mannor, Torvan – Grandmaster of the Knights Prydonis
Marest, Evarn – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
Merisov, Brock – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Mezar, Sabelle – Member of the Tressian Grand Council.
Moldrov, Rath – Steward of the Council Palace.
Noktza, Riego – Castellan of Ahrad. Knight of the Prydonis Chapterhouse.
Nyzad, Erad – Kernclaw of the Crowmarket.
Orova, Roslava – Champion of the Tressian Council.
Psanneque, Anastacia – Serathi spirit, bound to clay. Josiri Trelan’s lover.
Psanneque, Sevaka – Officer of the Tressian Fleet.
Raldan, Edvard – Lieutenant of the Tressian Constabulary.
Rann, Apara – A vranakin kernclaw, a cousin of the Crowmarket.
Reveque, Constans – Son to Malachi and Lilyana Reveque.
Reveque, Lilyana – Tressian noblewoman. Patron of the city’s hospices. Wife to Malachi Reveque. Mother to Constans and Sidara Reveque.
Reveque, Malachi – Né Malachi Satanra. First Councillor of the Tressian Privy Council. Husband to Lilyana Reveque. Father to Constans and Sidara Reveque. Close friend of Viktor Akadra, Roslava Orova and Josiri Trelan.
Reveque, Sidara – Daughter to Malachi and Lilyana Reveque.
Saran, Kai – Hadari Emperor. Ruler of the Silver Kingdom of Rhaled. Husband to Aethal Saran. Father to Melanna Saranal.
Saranal, Aethal – Hadari Princessa. Wife to Kai Saran. Mother to Melanna Saranal.
Saranal, Melanna – Hadari Princessa and Imperial heir. Daughter of Kai and Aethal Saran.
Sera – Lunassera handmaiden. A devoted servant of Ashana.
Shalamoh, Eldor – Wandering historian and seeker of hidden truths.
Shurla, Endri – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows
Taladan, Helyn – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Tanor, Zephan – Shieldbearer of the Knights Essamere.
Tarev, Rika – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
The Huntsman – Ashana’s equerry. Father of a vanished daughter. Bearer of an ancient debt.
The Nameless Lady – Inheritor of Mantles Past. Daughter of Tzal and Endala.
The Raven – The God of the Dead and Keeper of Otherworld. By tradition, Jack’s closest sibling. Known as Malgyn in the oldest of texts.
Tirane, Cardivan – Prince of Silsaria.
Tirane, Thirava – Prince of Silsaria.
Toldav, Ernac – Grandmaster of the Knights Lancras.
Trelan, Calenne – Daughter to Katya and Kevor Trelan. Sister to Josiri Trelan. Beloved of Viktor Akadra.
Trelan, Josiri – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Secret leader of the wolf’s-heads. Son to Katya and Kevor Trelan. Brother to Calenne Trelan. Anastacia’s lover.
Trelan, Katya – Dowager Duchess of Eskavord. Member of the Privy Council. Mother to Josiri and Calenne Trelan. Wife of Kevor Trelan. Sister of Taymor Trelan.
Trelan, Kevor – Duke of Eskavord. Husband to Katya Trelan. Father to Josiri and Calenne Trelan.
Trelan, Taymor – Brother and confidant to Katya Trelan.
Tzal – The Unmaker, the Forlorn. The Lord of Flame and a Blight Upon Worlds.
Zarn, Konor – Peddler of wares and influence.
Abbeyfields – Ancestral home of the Reveque family, located in Tressia.
Ahrad, the Eskagard – Mighty Tressian fortress, guarding the River Ravonn and the border with the Hadari Empire.
Ardva – Inland port located on the Grelyt River in the Tressian Southshires.
Athreos – Desert separating the Hadari Empire from the distant land of Itharoc.
Branghall – Ancestral home of the Trelan family, located in Eskavord.
Brinnorhill – Thrakkian town.
Church of Tithes – Foremost meeting place for the Parliament of Crows.
Cindercourt – Thrakkian site of judgement.
Coventaj – Cavern hidden beneath Tressia, said to house a glimmerless river whose headwaters spring from a land of giants and depart the ephemeral world without ever touching the sea.
Darkmere – Once the capital of the Tressian Kingdom. Malatriant’s stronghold and now a ghost-haunted ruin.
Davenwood – Forest in the Southshires.
Drag Hill – Ancient street in Tressia, connecting the main city with the old docks.
Dregmeet – Deprived and sunken district of Tressia. Home of the Crowmarket and rampant skulduggery.
Elsbarg – Thrakkian town.
Eskavord – Regional capital of the Southshires.
Eventide – Ashana’s realm in shadow, that swallows the glory of Evermoon.
Evermoon – Ashana’s realm in silver, visible in the night sky at certain times of the month.
Fellhallow – Ancient and mysterious forest. Ruled by Jack o’Fellhallow, and best left well alone.
Freemont – Ancestral home of the Kiradin family, located in Tressia.
Glaiholda – Thrakkian thanedom.
Glandotha – The heart of Fellhallow.
Greyridge Shirelands – Region adjoining the Greyridge Mountains
Hadari Empire – Eastern realm forged by the hero of legend Hadar Saran. Composed of several great kingdoms and many client kingdoms. Ruled from the city of Tregard.
Kellevork – Thrakkian fortress.
King’s Gate – Chief entryway into the city of Tressia.
Kinholt – Second city of the Kingdom of Rhaled.
Kreska – Southshires city. Home of the Grand Cathedral and the tomb of Konor Belenzo.
Mooncourt Temple – Temple in the heart of Tregard, raised in glory of Ashana.
Otherworld – The realm of mists and home of the dead that exists beyond the ephemeral world.
Ravencourt Temple – Temple in the heart of Tregard, raised in glory of the Raven.
Rhaled – The Silver Kingdom. Heart of the Hadari Empire.
Royal Tressia – Westernmost county of the Tressian Republic.
Scawmede – Thrakkian thanedom.
Selann – Tressian island. Toiling ground of indentured Southwealders.
Silvane House – Ancestral home of the Tarev family, located in Tressia.
Skanandra – Mirrored feast hall where the Thrakkian dead carouse throughout the ages.
Skazit Maze – Network of caverns and passageways. Used by Konor Belenzo’s rebels in the time of Malatriant, and again by present-day wolf’s-heads.
Strazyn Abbey – Ruined edifice in the heart of Tressia. A place of black rumour.
Sothvane – District in Tressia, bordering Dregmeet.
Tarvallion – Regional capital of the Marcher Lands. The jewelled heart of the Tressian Republic.
The Eastshires – Easternmost county of the Tressian Republic.
The Estrina – Artificial river, split off from the Silverway as it enters the city of Tressia.
The Foundry – Forging place of Tressia’s magical constructs, such as kraikons and simarka.
The Heartweald – Sprawling forest at the center of the Tressian Republic.
The Marcher Lands – Central county of the Tressian Republic. Sometimes also known as The Heartlands, and dominated by the sprawling forest of Heartweald.
The Seven Dancers of Glandotha – Stone circle in the heart of Fellhallow.
The Silverway – Majestic river originating in the far-off Hadari Empire. Flows through Tregard and Tressia.
The Southshires – Southern county of the Tressian Republic. Rebellious district that grows defiance like crops.
Thrakkia – Loose agglomeration of feuding thanes, located on the Tressian Republic’s southern border. A wild and colourful land.
Tregard – Capital city of the Kingdom of Rhaled, and of the Hadari Empire entire.
Tregga – Regional capital of the Eastshires.
Tressia – Capital of the Tressian Republic. Sprawling city sat astride the majestic Silverway River.
Tressian Republic – City-State remnant of the continent-spanning Tressian Kingdom. Governed from the city of Tressia.
Westernport – District in Tressia, within the bounds of Dregmeet.
Zanya – Village, and site of a battle between Southshires secessionists and the Tressian Council’s forces.
Caenir – Thrakkian insult. Roughly translates to ‘cur’.
Ceorla – Thrakkian noble.
Chandirin – Ghostly steed, gifted only to the chosen of Ashana.
Crowmarket – Association of thieves, murderers and scavengers, operating out of Dregmeet and beholden to the Parliament of Crows.
Cyraeth – Mournful spirit unable to cross fully over into the mists of Otherworld. While most are harmless, some are driven to acts of vengeance against their slayers.
Dotha – Hadari title, equivalent to ‘Queen’.
Droshna – Name given to Malatriant’s warlocks by Hadar Saran.
Ephemeral – A mortal, destined to flare bright and brief in the passing of days.
Essamere – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Essavir / Essavim – Hadari terms of supreme respect and affection.
Eternal – One who has transcended mortality through magic and obsession and cannot easily die.
Etravia – Deathless spirit, vaporous and distant from the world.
Exodus – Tressian Council decree by which Southshires rebels were forcibly expatriated and enslaved.
Fellnore – Tressian Knightly chapterhouse
Firestone Lantern – Glass and quartz lantern, goaded to emit light by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Forbidden Place – A site where the divine leeches into the ephemeral world, causing great wonder and peril. Anathema to constructs.
Grunda – Leathery, horned beast often pressed to the business of war by the Hadari.
Gwyraya Hadar – The great kingdoms of the Hadari Empire.
Immortal – Elite warriors of the Hadari Empire.
Ithna’jîm – The folk of far-off Itharoc.
Kernclaw – A shadowy assassin in thrall to the Crowmarket.
Kraikon – Construct. Bronze giant, fashioned in the shape of a man and armoured for war. Animated by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Lancras – Tressian Knightly chapterhouse
Livasdri – Thrakkian name for a strawjack.
Lunassera – Ephemeral handmaiden of the goddess Ashana. Said to be chaste.
Pontiff – One of the three leaders of the Parliament of Crows.
Prizrak – The ghoulish remnant of an ephemeral sent mad by lingering within divine mists. Driven by the need to feast on flesh, and weeps bloody tears.
Proctor – One who commands a portion of Lumestra’s light, and can issue orders to foundry constructs.
Prydonis – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Rassophore – Lowly member of the Crowmarket, young and unproven.
Revenant – Bleak spirit of Otherworld in thrall to the Raven.
Sartorov – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Savir / Savim – Hadari terms of respect and affection.
Serathi – An angelic daughter of Lumestra.
Shadowthorn – Slang term for Hadari, used in the Tressian Republic.
Simarka – Bronze construct, fashioned in the shape of a lion and animated by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Smeltpriest – Thrakkian priest and keeper of laws.
Strawjack – A child of Fellhallow. A forest demon. Sometimes called a ‘Whispering One’.
The Dark – Primordial force from which all life and creation sprung.
The Parliament of Crows – Triad rulers of the Crowmarket. Said to be deathless.
Thornmaiden – A daughter of Jack o’Fellhallow.
Thrydaxe – Thrakkian mercenary.
Vanaguard – Thrakkian royal guard.
Varloki – Mythical child of Astor.
Vigil Oath – Pledge taken by the Knights Essamere.
Volrandri – Thrakkian curse. Refers to the cold abyss of the honourless dead.
Vranakin – Member of the Crowmarket.
Zaifîr – Fire spirit spoken of in Ithna’jîm legend.
Abitha Marest
Anastacia Psanneque
Anliss af Garna
Anton Tarev
Apara Rann
Ardothan af Garna
Arlanne Keldrov
Armund af Garna
Arzro Makrov
Ashana / Lunastra
Aske Tarev
Astor
Calenne Trelan
Callad Vorn
Constans Reveque
Drakos Crovan
Ebigail Kiradin
Elda Savka
Elzar Ilnarov
Hadon Akadra
Haldrane
Hawkin Darrow
Josiri Trelan
Kai Saran
Kasamor Kiradin
Katya Trelan
Kevor Trelan
Konor Belenzo
Kos Devren
Lilyana Reveque
Lumestra / Astarra
Maggad Andwar
Malachi Reveque
Malatriant / Sceadotha
Marek Nomar
Melanna Saranal
Messela Akadra
Revekah Halvor
Roslave Orova
Sera
Sevaka Kiradin
Shaisan Yanda
Sidara Reveque
Stantin Izack
Tailinn
Tzal
Valmir Sark
Viktor Akadra
Vladama Kurkas
Vona Darrow
Yan Braxov
Sommertide
Bloom
Fade
Wintertide
Dawntithe
Frosthold
Lumenwake
Sowentithe
Reach
Wellmarch
Radiance
Reaptithe
Ashen
Wealdrust
Witherhold
Wanetithe
Lumendas
Astridas
Jeradas
Endas
Maladas
Tzadas
Lunandas
Ahrad
Ardva
Athreos
Branghall
Dregmeet
Eskavord
Fellhallow
Grelyt River
Hadari Empire
Kreska
Otherworld
Rhaled
The River Ravonn
Silvane House
Skazit Maze
Tevar Flood
Thrakkia
Tregard
Tressian Republic
Brenae af Brenae, Vaega af Vaega!
Cyraeth
Essamere
Icularis
Ithna’jim
Kraikon
Prizrak
Prydonis
Sartorov
Simarka
Thrydaxe
Fifteen years after Katya Trelan led the rebellious Southshires in a doomed secession from the Tressian Republic, her son, Josiri Trelan, prepared to finish what she began and free his people from the Council’s oppressive rule. His sister, Calenne Trelan, wanting nothing more to do with the Trelan name, sought escape from the family legacy through arranged marriage to the bold knight Kasamor Kiradin. Upon learning the neighbouring Hadari Empire sought to invade the Southshires, Viktor Akadra – the Council Champion, architect of Katya Trelan’s downfall, and bearer of a forbidden magical shadow – resolved to atone for past deeds by rallying the Southshires’ defenders against the Hadari.
Things started to go wrong almost at once. Unbeknownst to Josiri, the wolf’s-head outlaws he’d laboured to bring together colluded with the Hadari. Viktor met political opposition on the Council, led by the scheming matriarch Ebigail Kiradin. Kasamor was killed on route to his wedding, and Calenne struck out into the world alone – a journey for which she was wholly unprepared.
Viktor gained leverage on the Council by threatening to reveal the existence of his shadow, convincing his father to support the Southshires’ defence. He arrived in the Southshires just in time to save Calenne from ne’er-do-wells, and through her gained introduction to Josiri.
Unable to bear the thought of working with the man who destroyed his mother, Josiri refused to cooperate with Viktor, but soon discovered ‘his’ wolf’s-heads’ treachery. Despite Viktor’s efforts at reconciliation, Josiri fell into drunken despair, refusing to have anything to do with repelling the Hadari. However, Calenne – whose own fear of Viktor was steadily turning to admiration and affection – offered to act as the rallying figurehead Josiri would not, in exchange for Viktor marrying her and freeing her of the Trelan name.
One by one, Josiri’s remaining allies joined Viktor’s outnumbered army and met the Hadari in unequal battle at Davenwood. Despite early successes, the tide turned against the Tressians. Fearing for Calenne’s safety, Josiri shook off his despondency and seized control of the wolf’s-heads, bringing them into the fray against the Hadari. At the same time, a desperate Viktor drew upon the full power of his shadow – and quiescent magic buried in the Southshires – to blind swathes of the Hadari. The Tressians triumphed, but at huge cost. Many lay dead, and Calenne was missing in the aftermath, having last been seen leading a charge to save her routed countryfolk.
Both of them distraught at Calenne’s disappearance, Viktor and Josiri resolved to begin anew. Their pact was almost immediately shaken when soldiers acting under Ebigail Kiradin’s orders restored martial law to the Southshires. In retaliation, Josiri freed the Hadari prisoners, including the crown prince Kai Saran and his daughter Melanna Saranal. He was sheltered from the consequences only because Viktor adopted him into the Akadra family. Both were forced to return north to Tressia, leaving Calenne’s fate a mystery.
Worse, upon arriving in Tressia, it became apparent that Ebigail’s political machinations afflicted more than the Southshires. Having reduced the Council almost to nothing through assassination, she framed Viktor for practising witchcraft and set about seizing control of the city – and the Republic – by force.
Despite wanting nothing more than to return to the Southshires and find Calenne, Josiri found himself drawn into the fight. Eventually, Viktor’s allies overthrew and killed Ebigail, only to receive warning that the Southshires were sliding into disaster.
Malatriant, once the Tyrant Queen of the old Tressian kingdom and dead for centuries, had been manipulating the folk of the Southshires across the course of years, urging them to revolt and thus empower her return. The south’s new wave of oppression had given her precisely that. An entire town was now under her control, and her abhorrent rule was spreading. Those who fell to Malatriant’s influence became part of her, an army of puppets unable to break free of her control.
When news of this reached Tressia, Josiri determined to free his people. Viktor and his allies on the Council immediately threw their support behind him, despatching an army to confront and destroy Malatriant … if such a thing could be done.
Desperate to find Calenne, Viktor left Tressia ahead of the gathering army, and arrived in a Southshires drowning in primordial darkness. Assailed by Malatriant’s thralls, he was rescued by Calenne and resolved to confront the Tyrant Queen face to face.
Alas, that confrontation went poorly. Viktor’s shadow was revealed as an aspect of Malatriant’s all-consuming Dark, and he was swiftly overpowered. She revealed that it was he who’d set her free by drawing on the magic of her prison during his triumph at Davenwood. But far from wanting him dead and the world under her thrall, Malatriant claimed she wanted nothing more than to bequeath what remained of her power to Viktor – to have him become her heir.
Seeing no other way to stop Malatriant, Viktor agreed to become her heir. At the last moment, when all seemed lost, the Tressian army arrived and Josiri’s selfless sacrifice brought Viktor back to his senses. Casting off Malatriant’s influence, Viktor ordered everything that had fallen under her sway – towns, villages and people – burned to ash, ending her threat for good.
In the aftermath, Viktor confessed to Josiri that Calenne too was under Malatriant’s control and had died in the fires. Heartbroken, Josiri parted ways with Viktor, their nascent friendship shattered by betrayal. Unable to bear what had been made of his ancestral home, Josiri headed north to Tressia, to take his mother’s restored seat on the Council. Viktor, determined to keep watch in case any fragment of Malatriant returned, set off into the wilds, deep in conversation with a Calenne that only he could see …
Roslava Orova, a knight of Chapterhouse Essamere, resolved to confess her unrequited love for Kasamor Kiradin, only for him to be murdered by an agent of Tressia’s shadowy thieves’ guild, the Crowmarket. Saved from that same grisly fate through divine intervention and transformed into a deathless eternal, Rosa saved councillor Malachi Reveque from assassination, and learned that the two attacks were somehow connected.
Through careful manipulation and the unwilling aid of her daughter Sevaka, Ebigail Kiradin convinced Rosa that Viktor Akadra was to blame for both attacks. Lost in guilt and loss, and having grown friendly with Sevaka, Rosa fell wholly under Ebigail’s sway. Resisting Malachi’s attempts to convince her of Viktor’s innocence, she oversaw his capture on his return from the Southshires.
In truth, those deaths – and many others – had been commissioned by Ebigail Kiradin herself as part of her attempt to seize control of the Republic. To secure her position, Ebigail then had the Crowmarket kidnap the loved ones of influential Tressians, ensuring that nothing would oppose her coup.
Only when Sevaka learned the truth about Kasamor’s death – and was nearly assassinated in turn – did Rosa finally realise how she’d been used. Alas, Ebigail had foreseen this eventuality. She had Rosa captured and condemned to burn on a pyre beside Sevaka.
As Viktor Akadra rallied forces against the coup, Malachi realised that there was no hope of victory unless the Crowmarket abandoned Ebigail. Offering a sympathetic ear on the Council, he convinced the shadowy guild to release their prisoners, freeing others from Ebigail’s control and altering the course of the final battle. Meanwhile, Rosa freed herself from the pyre and saved Sevaka’s life.
In the aftermath, Malachi was elevated to the rank of First Councillor despite his wishes. Knowing that he was compromised by the Crowmarket, he didn’t want to give them more influence of the Republic’s governance. A penitent Rosa throws her support behind Viktor’s return to the Southshires, and Malatriant’s defeat.
When Kai Saran launched his invasion of the Southshires, he did so to prove his worthiness to be the Hadari Emperor – the Hadari have always valued the strength of the sword. An inheritor’s bloodline alone was not enough to make the case, but a victory against the Tressian Republic would do so.
Kai’s chief representative in the days leading to invasion was his daughter, Melanna Saranal. She dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps and becoming the first Empress, but Hadari tradition forbade women the right to bear swords, and thus the right to rule.
Denied support by her adoptive mother, the Goddess Ashana, Melanna found encouragement with Ashana’s Huntsman, who gifted her a sword that blazed with alabaster flame. Initially dismissed by the men in the Hadari army – including her father – Melanna proved herself by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat at Charren Gorge, and thereafter fought at Davenwood as a full heir, fit to inherit her father’s throne.
Alas, the Hadari army was defeated at Davenwood. Both Melanna and her father were captured, only to be set free by Josiri Trelan. With Kai’s chief rival slain elsewhere, he was now free to return to the Empire and claim his throne. However Melanna, urged on by Ashana, lingered in the Southshires with Malatriant’s Dark overtook it. Joining forces with Josiri Trelan and Roslava Orova, she rescued Viktor Akadra and became instrumental in Malatriant’s defeat.
af Broki, Gormir – Thrakkian skald and traveller.
af Garna, Anliss – Thrakkian outcast and thrydaxe mercenary. Sister to Armund af Garna, and hero of the Battle of Zanya.
af Garna, Ardothan – Thane of Indrigsval. Brother to Armund and Anliss af Garna.
af Garna, Armund – Thrakkian outcast and thrydaxe mercenary. Brother to Anliss af Garna.
af Tregg, Jagraval – Thrakkian thrydaxe. In service to Ardothan af Garna.
af Üld, Inkari – Ceorla of Indrigsval. In service to Ardothan af Garna.
af Vardin, Arkynar – Thrakkian Hero of Old.
Akadra, Carid – Uncle to Viktor Akadra. Father to Messela Akadra.
Akadra, Messela – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Cousin to Viktor Akadra.
Akadra, Viktor – Former Champion of the Tressian Council.
Andwar, Aeldran – Prince of Icansae.
Andwar, Aelia – Princessa of Icansae.
Andwar, Naradna – Prince of Icansae.
Ashana – Once-mortal Hadari Goddess of the Moon. Mistress of the twin realms of Evermoon and Eventide. Known as Lunastra in Tressia. By tradition, Lumestra’s closest sibling.
Ashanal, Elspeth – Daughter to Ashana.
Astor – Lord of the Forge, worshipped in Thrakkia. Keeper of Skanandra’s mirrored halls and witness of valour.
Athariss, Karn – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows.
Belenzo, Konor – Tressian saint and hero of legend. Founder of the Lumestran church.
Beral, Erashel – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Southwealder and proud.
Brass, Adbert – Sergeant of the Akadra Hearthguard. Ex-poacher.
Czaron, Altiris – Southwealder fugitive.
Daranathi, Maradan – Prince of Britonis
Daranathi, Sard – King of Britonis
Darrow, Hawkin – Steward to the Reveques. Wife to Vona Darrow.
Darrow, Vona – Lieutenant of the Tressian Constabulary. Wife to Hawkin Darrow.
Devren, Kos – Hadari warleader, in service to the Silver Kingdom of Rhaled. Kai Saran’s oldest friend.
Elise Ashanal – Daughter of Ashana.
Ellian – A woman of impeccable decorum.
Emilia Sarravin – Commander of the 7th regiment. Knight of the Sartorov Chapterhouse.
Endala – Goddess of Wave and Wind. Once worshipped in Tressia.
Forthinal, Saramin – Sister to Aella Saranal and Aethal Forthinal. Aunt to Melanna Saranal.
Gavrida, Halan – Lieutenant of the 11th Regiment.
Gwenhwyfar – Thornmaiden and daughter of Jack o’Fellhallow.
Haldrane – Hadari spymaster. Head of the Emperor’s Icularis and servant of Kai Saran.
Heren, Manni – Sergeant of the Reveque Hearthguard.
High King Bryken – Giant of Myth.
Ilnarov, Elzar – Tressian High Proctor and Master of the Foundry. Viktor Akadra’s mentor and confident.
Ilnore – A haughty noblewoman of the Tressian Hallowside, proud and steady.
Indro Thaldvar – Borderer captain of Lasmanora.
Izack, Stantin – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Redoubtable grandmaster of the Knights Essamere.
Jack o’ Fellhallow – God of the Living Lands. Lord of Fellhallow. By tradition, the Raven’s closest sibling.
Jardur, Haralda – Prince of Corvant
Jardur, Raeth – King of Corvant.
Jaridav, Amella – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Kanda, Elni – Captain of the Reveque Hearthguard.
Keldrov, Arlanne – Reeve of Ardva.
Kelver, Bran – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Kendrae – A flighty and wayward soul.
Kesriel, Venner – Captain of the Dauntless
Kiradin, Ebigail – Disgraced member of the Privy Council.
Koldra, Brask – Vranakin Rogue.
Krastin, Inidro – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows.
Kressick, Tor – Tressian Constable
Kurkas, Vladama – Captain of the Trelan Hearthguard. Veteran of the Battle of Zanya.
Lamirov, Leonast – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
Loqueton – A strange man from an unfamiliar place.
Lumestra – Tressian Goddess of the Sun, known as Astarra in the Hadari Empire. By tradition, Ashana’s closest sibling.
Malatriant – Tyrant Queen of Old, known as Sceadotha in the Hadari Empire
Mannor, Torvan – Grandmaster of the Knights Prydonis
Marest, Evarn – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
Merisov, Brock – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Mezar, Sabelle – Member of the Tressian Grand Council.
Moldrov, Rath – Steward of the Council Palace.
Noktza, Riego – Castellan of Ahrad. Knight of the Prydonis Chapterhouse.
Nyzad, Erad – Kernclaw of the Crowmarket.
Orova, Roslava – Champion of the Tressian Council.
Psanneque, Anastacia – Serathi spirit, bound to clay. Josiri Trelan’s lover.
Psanneque, Sevaka – Officer of the Tressian Fleet.
Raldan, Edvard – Lieutenant of the Tressian Constabulary.
Rann, Apara – A vranakin kernclaw, a cousin of the Crowmarket.
Reveque, Constans – Son to Malachi and Lilyana Reveque.
Reveque, Lilyana – Tressian noblewoman. Patron of the city’s hospices. Wife to Malachi Reveque. Mother to Constans and Sidara Reveque.
Reveque, Malachi – Né Malachi Satanra. First Councillor of the Tressian Privy Council. Husband to Lilyana Reveque. Father to Constans and Sidara Reveque. Close friend of Viktor Akadra, Roslava Orova and Josiri Trelan.
Reveque, Sidara – Daughter to Malachi and Lilyana Reveque.
Saran, Kai – Hadari Emperor. Ruler of the Silver Kingdom of Rhaled. Husband to Aethal Saran. Father to Melanna Saranal.
Saranal, Aethal – Hadari Princessa. Wife to Kai Saran. Mother to Melanna Saranal.
Saranal, Melanna – Hadari Princessa and Imperial heir. Daughter of Kai and Aethal Saran.
Sera – Lunassera handmaiden. A devoted servant of Ashana.
Shalamoh, Eldor – Wandering historian and seeker of hidden truths.
Shurla, Endri – Pontiff of the Parliament of Crows
Taladan, Helyn – Member of the Stonecrest Hearthguard. A Phoenix.
Tanor, Zephan – Shieldbearer of the Knights Essamere.
Tarev, Rika – Member of the Tressian Privy Council.
The Huntsman – Ashana’s equerry. Father of a vanished daughter. Bearer of an ancient debt.
The Nameless Lady – Inheritor of Mantles Past. Daughter of Tzal and Endala.
The Raven – The God of the Dead and Keeper of Otherworld. By tradition, Jack’s closest sibling. Known as Malgyn in the oldest of texts.
Tirane, Cardivan – Prince of Silsaria.
Tirane, Thirava – Prince of Silsaria.
Toldav, Ernac – Grandmaster of the Knights Lancras.
Trelan, Calenne – Daughter to Katya and Kevor Trelan. Sister to Josiri Trelan. Beloved of Viktor Akadra.
Trelan, Josiri – Member of the Tressian Privy Council. Secret leader of the wolf’s-heads. Son to Katya and Kevor Trelan. Brother to Calenne Trelan. Anastacia’s lover.
Trelan, Katya – Dowager Duchess of Eskavord. Member of the Privy Council. Mother to Josiri and Calenne Trelan. Wife of Kevor Trelan. Sister of Taymor Trelan.
Trelan, Kevor – Duke of Eskavord. Husband to Katya Trelan. Father to Josiri and Calenne Trelan.
Trelan, Taymor – Brother and confidant to Katya Trelan.
Tzal – The Unmaker, the Forlorn. The Lord of Flame and a Blight Upon Worlds.
Zarn, Konor – Peddler of wares and influence.
Abbeyfields – Ancestral home of the Reveque family, located in Tressia.
Ahrad, the Eskagard – Mighty Tressian fortress, guarding the River Ravonn and the border with the Hadari Empire.
Ardva – Inland port located on the Grelyt River in the Tressian Southshires.
Athreos – Desert separating the Hadari Empire from the distant land of Itharoc.
Branghall – Ancestral home of the Trelan family, located in Eskavord.
Brinnorhill – Thrakkian town.
Church of Tithes – Foremost meeting place for the Parliament of Crows.
Cindercourt – Thrakkian site of judgement.
Coventaj – Cavern hidden beneath Tressia, said to house a glimmerless river whose headwaters spring from a land of giants and depart the ephemeral world without ever touching the sea.
Darkmere – Once the capital of the Tressian Kingdom. Malatriant’s stronghold and now a ghost-haunted ruin.
Davenwood – Forest in the Southshires.
Drag Hill – Ancient street in Tressia, connecting the main city with the old docks.
Dregmeet – Deprived and sunken district of Tressia. Home of the Crowmarket and rampant skulduggery.
Elsbarg – Thrakkian town.
Eskavord – Regional capital of the Southshires.
Eventide – Ashana’s realm in shadow, that swallows the glory of Evermoon.
Evermoon – Ashana’s realm in silver, visible in the night sky at certain times of the month.
Fellhallow – Ancient and mysterious forest. Ruled by Jack o’Fellhallow, and best left well alone.
Freemont – Ancestral home of the Kiradin family, located in Tressia.
Glaiholda – Thrakkian thanedom.
Glandotha – The heart of Fellhallow.
Greyridge Shirelands – Region adjoining the Greyridge Mountains
Hadari Empire – Eastern realm forged by the hero of legend Hadar Saran. Composed of several great kingdoms and many client kingdoms. Ruled from the city of Tregard.
Kellevork – Thrakkian fortress.
King’s Gate – Chief entryway into the city of Tressia.
Kinholt – Second city of the Kingdom of Rhaled.
Kreska – Southshires city. Home of the Grand Cathedral and the tomb of Konor Belenzo.
Mooncourt Temple – Temple in the heart of Tregard, raised in glory of Ashana.
Otherworld – The realm of mists and home of the dead that exists beyond the ephemeral world.
Ravencourt Temple – Temple in the heart of Tregard, raised in glory of the Raven.
Rhaled – The Silver Kingdom. Heart of the Hadari Empire.
Royal Tressia – Westernmost county of the Tressian Republic.
Scawmede – Thrakkian thanedom.
Selann – Tressian island. Toiling ground of indentured Southwealders.
Silvane House – Ancestral home of the Tarev family, located in Tressia.
Skanandra – Mirrored feast hall where the Thrakkian dead carouse throughout the ages.
Skazit Maze – Network of caverns and passageways. Used by Konor Belenzo’s rebels in the time of Malatriant, and again by present-day wolf’s-heads.
Strazyn Abbey – Ruined edifice in the heart of Tressia. A place of black rumour.
Sothvane – District in Tressia, bordering Dregmeet.
Tarvallion – Regional capital of the Marcher Lands. The jewelled heart of the Tressian Republic.
The Eastshires – Easternmost county of the Tressian Republic.
The Estrina – Artificial river, split off from the Silverway as it enters the city of Tressia.
The Foundry – Forging place of Tressia’s magical constructs, such as kraikons and simarka.
The Heartweald – Sprawling forest at the center of the Tressian Republic.
The Marcher Lands – Central county of the Tressian Republic. Sometimes also known as The Heartlands, and dominated by the sprawling forest of Heartweald.
The Seven Dancers of Glandotha – Stone circle in the heart of Fellhallow.
The Silverway – Majestic river originating in the far-off Hadari Empire. Flows through Tregard and Tressia.
The Southshires – Southern county of the Tressian Republic. Rebellious district that grows defiance like crops.
Thrakkia – Loose agglomeration of feuding thanes, located on the Tressian Republic’s southern border. A wild and colourful land.
Tregard – Capital city of the Kingdom of Rhaled, and of the Hadari Empire entire.
Tregga – Regional capital of the Eastshires.
Tressia – Capital of the Tressian Republic. Sprawling city sat astride the majestic Silverway River.
Tressian Republic – City-State remnant of the continent-spanning Tressian Kingdom. Governed from the city of Tressia.
Westernport – District in Tressia, within the bounds of Dregmeet.
Zanya – Village, and site of a battle between Southshires secessionists and the Tressian Council’s forces.
Caenir – Thrakkian insult. Roughly translates to ‘cur’.
Ceorla – Thrakkian noble.
Chandirin – Ghostly steed, gifted only to the chosen of Ashana.
Crowmarket – Association of thieves, murderers and scavengers, operating out of Dregmeet and beholden to the Parliament of Crows.
Cyraeth – Mournful spirit unable to cross fully over into the mists of Otherworld. While most are harmless, some are driven to acts of vengeance against their slayers.
Dotha – Hadari title, equivalent to ‘Queen’.
Droshna – Name given to Malatriant’s warlocks by Hadar Saran.
Ephemeral – A mortal, destined to flare bright and brief in the passing of days.
Essamere – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Essavir / Essavim – Hadari terms of supreme respect and affection.
Eternal – One who has transcended mortality through magic and obsession and cannot easily die.
Etravia – Deathless spirit, vaporous and distant from the world.
Exodus – Tressian Council decree by which Southshires rebels were forcibly expatriated and enslaved.
Fellnore – Tressian Knightly chapterhouse
Firestone Lantern – Glass and quartz lantern, goaded to emit light by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Forbidden Place – A site where the divine leeches into the ephemeral world, causing great wonder and peril. Anathema to constructs.
Grunda – Leathery, horned beast often pressed to the business of war by the Hadari.
Gwyraya Hadar – The great kingdoms of the Hadari Empire.
Immortal – Elite warriors of the Hadari Empire.
Ithna’jîm – The folk of far-off Itharoc.
Kernclaw – A shadowy assassin in thrall to the Crowmarket.
Kraikon – Construct. Bronze giant, fashioned in the shape of a man and armoured for war. Animated by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Lancras – Tressian Knightly chapterhouse
Livasdri – Thrakkian name for a strawjack.
Lunassera – Ephemeral handmaiden of the goddess Ashana. Said to be chaste.
Pontiff – One of the three leaders of the Parliament of Crows.
Prizrak – The ghoulish remnant of an ephemeral sent mad by lingering within divine mists. Driven by the need to feast on flesh, and weeps bloody tears.
Proctor – One who commands a portion of Lumestra’s light, and can issue orders to foundry constructs.
Prydonis – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Rassophore – Lowly member of the Crowmarket, young and unproven.
Revenant – Bleak spirit of Otherworld in thrall to the Raven.
Sartorov – One of Tressia’s great knightly chapterhouses.
Savir / Savim – Hadari terms of respect and affection.
Serathi – An angelic daughter of Lumestra.
Shadowthorn – Slang term for Hadari, used in the Tressian Republic.
Simarka – Bronze construct, fashioned in the shape of a lion and animated by a spark of Lumestra’s magic.
Smeltpriest – Thrakkian priest and keeper of laws.
Strawjack – A child of Fellhallow. A forest demon. Sometimes called a ‘Whispering One’.
The Dark – Primordial force from which all life and creation sprung.
The Parliament of Crows – Triad rulers of the Crowmarket. Said to be deathless.
Thornmaiden – A daughter of Jack o’Fellhallow.
Thrydaxe – Thrakkian mercenary.
Vanaguard – Thrakkian royal guard.
Varloki – Mythical child of Astor.
Vigil Oath – Pledge taken by the Knights Essamere.
Volrandri – Thrakkian curse. Refers to the cold abyss of the honourless dead.
Vranakin – Member of the Crowmarket.
Zaifîr – Fire spirit spoken of in Ithna’jîm legend.
Aeldran Andwar
Aelia Andwar
Altiris Czaron
Ardothan af Garna
Cardivan
Carid Akadra
Eldor Shalamoh
Emilia Sarravin
Erashel Beral
Gormir
Hallan Gavrida
Haralda
High King Bryken
Indro Thaldvar
Inidro Krastin
Inkari af Uld
Jagraval
Jezek
Kasvin
Koldra
Konor Zarn
Kos Devren
Leonast Lamirov
Maggad Andwar
Maradan
Messela Akadra
Naradna Andwar
Prazarov
Raeth
Riego Noktza
Sard
Sevaka Psanneque
Stasmet
Tavar Rasha
Thirava
Zephan Tanor
Astarria
Bregin Point
Britonis
Cindercourt
Corvant
Demestae
Disri
Elsbarg
Galda
Govanna
Hadgrove
Harlene
Icansae
Itharoc
Kellevork
Kerna
Novona
Rhaled
Selnweald
Sharnweald
Silsaria
Sirovo
Skanandra
Soraved
Sothvane
Starik Wood
Talnost
Tarona Watch
Trondae
Vrasdavora
A vo keldinel, verasalna rariath cala serathi
Antaya
Ashanael Brigantim
Ceorla
Claith
Domis everan unmonleithil
Drakonback
El, versas cala te tremar
Falsang
Ithna’jîm
Lething
Lunastran
Saran Amhyrador
Sorvidar
Te magnis cala nomaris, magnis vratis
Vaest dralla, ikna. Brenæ ist dan
Vardaga! Træger yr dogri
Varloka
Varlokai
Zaifîr
Lunandas, 28th Day of Frosthold
A kernclaw attempts to assassinate Kai Saran and Melanna Saranal during the former’s coronation. The goddess Ashana intervenes. Her Huntsman kills the kernclaw and her daughter Elspeth heals the mortally wounded Kai. In the aftermath, Ashana rallies the Hadari nobility in a fresh war against Tressia – one fought with the goal of ending the threat of Viktor Akadra and the Dark he carries.
Six Months Later, Lunandas, 28th Day of Ashen
In Tressia, Josiri Trelan and Vladama Kurkas (now the head of Josiri’s hearthguard) rescue several southwealders before the vranakin of the Crowmarket can ritually sacrifice them. Among the rescuees is a starstruck Altiris Czaron – a teenage boy who has lived his whole life in Exodus for his parents’ ‘crimes’, and reveres Josiri and the phoenix that is his heraldic symbol.
The Tressian Council is less impressed with events, with several of its members – including Erashel Beral, a southwealder who is Josiri’s equal in rank, influence and age – calling for Josiri’s censure. First Councillor Malachi Reveque manipulates the situation to protect Josiri from the council and the Crowmarket’s reprisals, but reveals himself to be under the sway of a shadowy vranakin handler, Apara Rann. Malachi’s schemes are revealed to be only partially successful when the vranakin stage a murder at his private home as a warning against defiance. That same evening, the clay-bound serathi, Anastacia, meets Malachi’s daughter, Sidara, for the first time and goads her into using the magic her mother Lilyana insists she keeps hidden.
At the fortress of Ahrad on the Tressian/Hadari border, the deathless eternal Rosa Orova is trying (and failing) to balance her desires as a warrior with the political burdens laid upon her as the Council Champion. The arrival of her lover Sevaka Psanneque briefly lightens her mood, though the two soon fall to quarrelling when Sevaka suspects that Rosa is embarrassed by their relationship – having disowned her family name, Sevaka is a social outcast. As the women go their separate ways, The Raven appears and invites Rosa to be his queen in Otherworld, but his words only succeed in making Rosa re-evaluate her quarrel with Sevaka. Rejecting the Raven’s advances, she proposes to Sevaka.
Lumendas, 1st Day of Wealdrust
When Kai Saran launches his assault on Ahrad, Rosa and Sevaka are caught in the thick of the fighting. Rosa faces the Huntsman who, despite her eternal nature, almost kills her. Sevaka rallies the fortress defenders, critically wounding Kai. Elspeth again uses magic to restore Kai to life; meanwhile, Sevaka’s contribution is usurped due to her outcast status. Recognising the fight is lost, Sevaka spirits the wounded Rosa away from Ahrad before it falls. But the Hadari victory is not without cost. Ashana used the last of her magic to bring about victory, and she turns to dust in Melanna’s arms.
Back in Tressia, Altiris discovers where the Crowmarket are holding more southwealders and brings the news to Josiri. Finding no support in the council other than Erashel, Josiri nevertheless plunges into Dregmeet to stage a rescue. Thanks in no small part to more behind-the-scenes interference from Malachi, the attempt succeeds. However, Altiris is mortally wounded in the process. Wracked with guilt, Josiri brings the boy to Sidara and convinces her to use magic to heal him. Altiris lives, but both Malachi and Lilyana are furious with Josiri for using her thus.
Sevaka is retreating westwards when the Hadari pursuit catches up with her small band. She and a barely-recovered Rosa rally the fugitives, but they are badly outnumbered and the brief battle quickly turns to disaster … until the Raven – who took Rosa’s rejected as a challenge – intercedes with an army of revenants in hopes of winning her favour.
As the main Hadari force entrenches its position at Ahrad, Melanna is conflicted. Too many of her peers are more concerned with loot and glory than in stopping the Dark, and Elspeth metes out unnecessary cruelties on the prisoners taken. When word arrives of the Raven’s involvement, Kai appoints Melanna the leader of an army charged with pursuing Rosa and Sevaka’s band. Melanna resists at first, wanting to fight at her father’s side, but relents when he reminds her that this is a chance to prove herself worthy of being empress one day. That night, Kai is visited by the god Jack o’ Fellhallow, who offers his aid in fighting the Raven in exchange for Kai’s ‘future’. Sensing a trap, Kai angrily refuses.
Astridas, 2nd Day of Wealdrust
When word at last reaches Tressia concerning Ahrad’s fall, Malachi and Josiri put aside their recent quarrels in order to muster a hasty defence. Josiri heads south with Erashel to muster the Southshires into the coming war … and much to Josiri’s disgust, convince Viktor Akadra – who has been living a hermit’s life on the Thrakkian border – to take up the sword once more. Josiri still holds Viktor responsible for his sister Calenne’s apparent death, and has no wish to see him again, but Malachi forces him to set aside his personal feelings for the greater good.
Jeradas, 3rd Day of Wealdrust – Maladas, 5th Day of Wealdrust
Viktor’s and Calenne’s life of isolation on the Tressian/Thrakkian border is ended by the arrival of Armund af Garna. Armund wants Viktor’s help protecting a Tressian village from his usurper brother King Ardothan’s extortion. Viktor is reluctant to get involved, fearing that his Dark-born shadow will escape his grasp, but Calenne convinces him otherwise. Calenne herself breaks a promise not to get involved in the battle, and when Viktor resorts to using his shadow in order to save her. For the first time in months, he feels like himself again. Thus when Josiri arrives to recruit him to the growing war, Viktor offers only token resistance and agrees to help.
In Tressia, Kurkas is teaching Sidara and Altiris the way of the sword when Anastacia subverts the lesson and further encourages Sidara to use her magic. An angry Kurkas heads into Dregmeet in the hopes of finding the rest of the southwealder captives. Betrayed by his contact, he sees the vranakin begin their assault on the wider city and becomes lost in the rising mists. As the vranakin claim more of the city, Malachi convinces Apara – who is increasingly unhappy with events, but dares not defy the Crowmarket – to arrange a parley. Krastin, the vranakin leader, shrugs off Malachi’s threats, and warns him not to resist.
Meanwhile, Sevaka and Rosa have retreated to the fortress of Vrasdavora with Melanna’s army hot on their heels. Rosa unleashes an ambush under a flag of truce, inflicting heavy casualties on the Hadari army and earning Melanna’s hatred. Melanna sends a traitor to poison Rosa and sabotage Vrasdavora’s defences. As Rosa teeters on the edge of death, a heartsick Sevaka is determined to defend the fortress to the last, even if it costs the defenders their lives.
Tzadas, 6th Day of Wealdrust
Knowing that the Republic will fall without help, Viktor heads south to help Armund depose Ardothan in hopes of gaining the Thrakkian’s aid in the aftermath. While Josiri and Erashel searches Viktor’s home for clues as to where he’s gone, Calenne learns she is a ghost that no one other than Viktor can see. When Josiri and Erashel set off in pursuit of Viktor, Calenne follows, convinced that Erashel is manipulating Josiri to her own selfish ends.
At Vrasdavora, the Raven convinces Sevaka to a last minute change of heart. Accompanied by a garrison of volunteers, she holds the fortress long enough for the rest of the refugees to escape and dies a valiant death on the ramparts. Rosa recovers from the poison’s delirium amid the refugee train. Learning of Sevaka’s fate from the Raven, she begs him to fully involve himself in the war, and offers herself as his queen should he do so.
Thus when Kai Saran routs another Tressian army, his victory is quickly underdone by the Raven’s revenants. Elspeth saves Kai from the Raven. The emperor, seeing only failure ahead and fearing that it will destroy Melanna’s future, invokes Jack o’ Fellhallow and agrees to his bargain. As for Melanna? She’s having doubts about the invasion – especially in light of her father’s new alliance. A war that had begun to cleanse Tressia of the Dark has found nothing of the Dark to cleanse, and her peers – even her father – are more concerned with territory.
In Tressia, the vranakin slaughter the Tressian constabulary in the rising mists. Altiris and Sidara are drawn into the fight while searching for the absent Kurkas. Sidara survives an attack by a reluctant Apara and uses her magic to kill one of the Crowmarket’s pontiffs, but is wounded in return. A terrified Altiris drags her deeper into the mists in search of safety.
Lunandas, 7th Day of Wealdrust
Melanna is recruited by a revived Ashana to unmake the war they have set in motion – both women now recognise the horror they have set loose. With Jack and the Raven now at loggerheads, the mythical Reckoning – the last war of the gods – grows ever more likely. Guided by the Huntsman, Melanna and Ashana journey to the fantastical Celestial Clock and treat with the other gods, begging them to contain Jack and the Raven. Their words fall on deaf ears. Even though his power is at a low ebb – the vranakin having stolen the bulk of it for their own ends – the Raven is certain he can defeat Jack.
Viktor and Armund arrive in Kellevork and challenge Ardothan to a trial by combat. Viktor wields his shadow to best Ardothan’s legendary champion, and Armund reclaims his throne. When Josiri enters Kellevork in search of Viktor, Calenne murders Erashel in a fit of rage and realises that she is an aspect of the Dark given form. Lost to madness, she descends into Kellevork, assaults Josiri and attempts to murder Armund in her attempt to get Viktor to come home. Confronted with the delusion he’s been living for months – Calenne truly died at Eskavord, at Viktor’s hand – a forlorn Viktor talks the ersatz Calenne down and unravels the magics her wove to create her.
United by twin grief, for at the end Calenne was real to them both, Josiri and Viktor agree to put the past behind them. Armund makes good on his promise to provide the army that Tressia so desperately needs. But before they can depart, Melanna and Ashana beg Josiri to help them prevent the Reckoning’s approach. Josiri reluctantly agrees, leaving Viktor to ride north without him.
In Tressia, Anastacia rescues first Kurkas, then Sidara and Altiris and leads them out of the mists. Offered hospitality by a repentant Lilyana, they stay the night at the Reveque mansion, only to be woken when vranakin – Apara among them – set the building ablaze. Lilyana dies defending her children, but Apara at last listens to her conscience and saves everyone by spiriting them into Otherworld … all save Anastacia, who remains behind to support the collapsing roof long enough for the others to escape.
Lumendas, 8th Day of Wealdrust
Vranakin ambush Apara’s band in Otherworld. Apara is mortally wounded. Sidara and her brother Constans are captured; Sidara to be sacrificed in a ritual to complete the Crowmarket’s hold on the city, and Constans to ensure that she makes no trouble. Altiris pursues, leaving Kurkas to escort the dying Apara Rann to safety.
Kurkas and Apara are met in Dregmeet by Josiri, Ashana and Melanna. Ashana, needing a thief for the next stage of her plan, makes Apara into an eternal, saving her life and severing the Crowmarket’s lingering influence. Reunited with his captain of hearthguard, Josiri sets about working to prevent the vranakin from taking over the city.
Meanwhile, the final confrontation between Republic (and the Raven’s revenants) and Empire (and Jack’s forest demons) gathers a few short leagues from the city. Kai Saran now knows that he is dying, and is determined to deliver Melanna a victory as her inheritance. Viktor joins with Rosa’s band of refugees as he travels north, and counsels her not to give into the darkness gathering in her soul.
Astridas, 9th Day of Wealdrust
Backed by Jack’s forest demons, Kai Saran brings the Republic’s last army to battle. The arrival of Viktor’s Thrakkian host buys the Republic a reprieve, but with the Raven weakened from the Crowmarket leeching his power, the battle seems a forgone conclusion … although that doesn’t stop the Raven from revealing to Kai that Jack intends to claim Melanna as payment for his aid. The Raven transforms Rosa in a literal Queen of Otherworld, but even that isn’t enough to hold Jack at bay.
Guided by Ashana, Melanna and Apara walk the mists to distant places and times, stealing items they can use to bargain with the Raven and Jack. From Jack’s domain of Fellhallow, they steal the god’s buried heart. From a peculiar place that Apara believes to be part of Tressia, the gather the last shard of the Raven’s spirit.
Josiri rallies the Tressian citizenry – including a distraught Malachi, who was broken by his wife’s death and his children’s apparent demise – to defeat the vranakin before they can complete their ritual. Anastacia, wreathed in magic she unwittingly stole from Sidara at their first meeting, helps him rescue the children from vranakin clutches, then relinquishes that magic back to Sidara … who kills Krastin and unleashes an army of constructs to break the vranakin forever.
As battle rages, a horrified Kai turns on the Lord of Fellhallow, buying time for the Raven to reclaim his power from the defeated vranakin. As the course of the battle reverses, Jack flees. Rosa, her humanity in full retreat beneath the Raven’s enchantment, hacks her way through the Hadari army to reach him. Before Rosa can land the final blow, the gods of the Celestial Clock summon Jack and the Raven to their presence. Melanna and Apara trade their purloined treasures for a cessation of hostilities, averting the Reckoning’s threat … for the time being, at least.
With Jack’s and the Raven’s forces withdrawn from battle, the Hadari close in on the outnumbered Tressians. Viktor helps Rosa shake off a portion of the Raven’s enchantment, and calls upon the Dark to raise the battlefield’s dead. Though he isn’t able to make them fight, the horror of the moment sets the Hadari to flight, ending the battle in a bloody stalemate.
As night falls, Melanna rejoins the army. With her father missing, she takes command and offers peace in exchange for the lands that have already been conquered – a demand to which Viktor reluctantly agrees. The Raven visits Rosa and apologises for all he’s put her through. He offers to let her keep the power he granted her as Queen of Otherworld but Rosa, sick of carnage, refuses. So instead the Raven restores Sevaka to life and leaves them to heartfelt reunion.
Jeradas, 10th Day of Wealdrust
With the war done, Malachi begins preparations to hand rule of Tressia over to Josiri, who he believes will make a far better ruler than he. But before he can do so, Kai Saran and a band of his warriors sneak into the council palace with the goal of killing everyone inside at the cost of his own ailing life – a glorious death that will expunge the emperor of his failures and allow Melanna to rule without opposition. Empowered by Elspeth’s magic, Kai tears through all opposition. Malachi dies defending Sidara, buying time for Viktor to arrive and hurl Kai from the palace balcony.
Lunandas, 21st Day of Wealdrust
No longer sustained by the magic of the vranakin, Dregmeet sinks into the sea. Free for the first time in her life, Apara watches it drown. Rosa and Sevaka are married. Melanna ascends to the imperial throne, but is left disconsolate when Ashana warns that they can never again speak, otherwise Jack with renege his bargain and claim Melanna for his own.
As he and Josiri discuss the Republic’s future, Viktor declares his intention to rule as a Lord Protector. When Josiri objects, Viktor is tempted to use his shadow to change his mind. Though Josiri ultimately agrees, Viktor can’t be certain he didn’t manipulate his friend into making the decision … but decides he can live with it, if he did. After all, the Republic must come first.
