Glossary

Acropolis, a large citadel of the Nephilim king located on a flat-topped mountain overlooking the city of Bashan

Actaeon Guard, name of the Legionary Guard. From a standard-bearer named Actaeon who centuries earlier died protecting the body of his Imperator (see also, Greencloak)

Adalalcas, the northern continent, ruled by the imperium (see also, Imperium)

Adalcis, ocean to the east of Adalalcas

Aidari, regarded as fanatics and terrorists, they are a group who study ancient magic in service to the undead

Ameliorate, an invention by Asher Tone, with an unknown function. The former Atlantian prince had intended for it to make everything right, though what he means exactly isn’t clear. It is believed he created the device on inspiration, without knowing what he was building. The angel Adal hints that its time and purpose will come

Angels, considered divine by humans, they are spirit guardians of the Spectrum. Legend and the White Daemoni suggest they once took fleshly bodies and walked among humans

Astrolabe, an Atlantian invention, these devices are closely guarded by Atlantian ship captains. Used for navigating the Adalcis Ocean, they are the only means of locating Atlantis—an elusive island hidden from conventional exploration. Without an astrolabe, no ship will ever reach its shores. It is also rumoured that no ordinary person can use them as they require magic to operate.

Atlantian, people of vanished Atlantis, the survivors believed scattered across the world

Atlantis, a vanished, or possibly just half-drowned, island to the southeast of the imperium. It was the centre of great wonders and technologies. Its people were secretive, although they did trade

Aura Crystal, an artefact related to the Shathra Stone, both being fragments of the Spectrum

Black Palace, palace in the capital, Icarthya, and home to the Imperial Family, the Todralans

Book of Chains, the, zorast holy book, it is a mysterious text believed by the faithful to have been written by the Grim. Like the White Daemoni, there is only one copy in existence, though no one knows where it is

Breathers, a name used by virals to refer to anyone living

Byrsa, second largest city in the imperium, now ruled by crime lords since the Nephilim invasion (see also, Primes)

Church, Imperial, the, the foundation of the imperial faith, which worships the divine angels of the Spectrum. It sees the undead as the enemy, and is controlled primarily by paladins, (see also, Paladins)

Conclave, consisting of the nine original families, which ruled pre-imperium, the conclave is the political arena and a check on the imperator’s power

Conclavist, a member of the imperial conclave

Darken, an imperial bodyguard assigned to each member of the Imperial Family. It was custom for the identity of a Darken to be known only to the imperator and the one protected

Dralans, monetary unit of the Icarthian Imperium, denominations of gold, silver, bronze, and copper

Eladaldor, the southern continent (non-imperium)

Elysium, a forgotten world once inhabited by banished angels who thought differently, and who wanted to take flesh and experience a physical existence. Unfortunately, due to ostracism and several other factors, many turned to Darkness and became the Fallen Ones, eventually destroying the paradisaic Elysium. It is now a dead world

Emim, one of many Nephilim clans, often used in battle as warg-handlers (see also, Nephilim, Warg)

Fallen Ones, corrupted, evil, angels. Although not mentioned in the White Daemoni, the Fallen Ones have taken more notice of humans since the discovery of the Shathra Stone. They are divided into categories known as Rifts, of which there are many

Forum, the, a section of the Pantheon where twelve paladins meet to hear petitions, or discuss projects, requiring finance. Largely regarded as a bank, the paladins hold such power within the Forum, that imperators have been sent away empty-handed (see also, Pantheon, Paladins)

Ghouls, a form of viral, more beast in nature despite their human appearance, they have the unique ability to pass between the human world and the Grimstyx. They are also relentless hunters. Rumoured to be several types.

Gog of Magog, eldest of five sons of the infamous Nephilim King, Og of Bashan, Gog is next in line to rule. Magog is the name of his kingdom (see also, Nephilim)

Greencloaks, refers to regular legionaries of the Actaeon Guard

Grim, the, evil character in folklore, and the White Daemoni, who occupies Hell’s Teeth in a world known as the Grimstyx or Styx.

Grolg, a relative of the skunk and the common cow, often used for hauling wagons and carts, and also used as a swear word.

Gulley, a fortified, narrow strip of land joining the northern and southern continents protected by double walls and forts

Hell’s Teeth, a fabled fortress of the underworld, guarded by Cerberus, a two-headed gorgon. It is the abode of the Grim. Often used as a swearword (see also, Grim)

Icarthian, both official nationality and language of the imperium

Icarthya, capital city of the imperium located on the north-eastern coast of Adalalcas

Imperator/imperatrix, ruler of the imperium

Imperial Marshal, commander of all imperial legions, excepting the exemplar guard. Usually, a member of the Imperial Family though exceptions exist historically

Imperial Quarter, (Icarthya City) churches, parks, libraries, and the Black Palace

Imperium, a vast empire, which encompasses the entire northern continent of Adalalcas, so named as to set it apart from other empires on the southern continent

Mongrels, small and deformed but intelligent beings of mysterious origin often used as scribes or servants. They also have sticky fingers apparently

Muck Quarter, Muck, often said in a derogative manner, it refers to the poorest areas of any imperial city. The poor, or Muckers, often bear the name with pride

Nephilim, race of giants on the southern continent of Eladaldor, made up of many different clans, ruled over by a king (see also, Gog of Magog)

Netherworld, the, a fiery world, inhospitable to most forms of life, it is also a back door to the Grimstyx, and is used by the Torments to hide after the fall of their master, the Grim

Nightmares, manifestations created by the power of Tartaros as its influence on the world grows stronger. These manifestations can take any form including elements from the river or sea held together by a dark weave of viralic magic. They are vulnerable to viralic magic and therefore viral mages.

Pantheon, a huge building owned by the Church in Icarthya which contains the Forum, and an underground complex where it is rumoured the White Daemoni is held under lock and key (see also, Paladins, Forum)

Paladins, often ex-legionary officers, they are both financiers and patriarchs of the Church. They control a vast amount of imperial wealth (see also, Forum)

Paytor, educator and clergyman

Pleth Quarter, (Icarthya City) wealthy merchants, libraries, and part of the city port.

Primes, crime bosses who rule the underbelly of any imperial city, often at war with one another

Prole Quarter, (Byrsa & Icarthya) factories, stonemasons, artisans, and (Icarthya) port

Purges, an extermination of virals in history, lasting several years and spanning continents. Little is known of what happened, or why

Revenants, believed to have been ordinary people kidnapped by the Grim, and turned into something neither living, dead, nor undead. They have no minds of their own, and can take possession of mortals. Since Astra Dar seized control of them, the Darkness has reshaped them into something far worse—twisted amalgamations of multiple creatures, their forms an unnatural fusion of stolen bodies. Revenants are believed to be soulless.

Scarap, a broad blade with multiple curves and four sharp points, designed for hacking

Shathra Stone, a powerful stone sphere revered by the Nephilim, and said to contain all of existence

Shraeds, dark winged entities of Tartaros, and enemies of existence

Slinkt, a sleek and vicious predator occupying forests. It emits a high-pitched whine that knocks smaller animals dead. Can render a grown man unconscious. Crossbred with dogs to produce kecci

Soul Chains, possibly angelic in origin, although this is not certain, these are used similarly to oblivion chains, but instead of binding magic, they bind souls.

Soul Shard, an angelic weapon forged in the mortal realm. Imbued with a portion of an angel’s soul, which gives it great power, but weakens the giver. An empty shard can also be used to take souls (see also, Angels)

Spectral, Spectralic, considered the opposite to viralic magic, and a power linked to the Spectrum, it is a form of power accessible to the living.

Spectrum of Existence, is everything in existence both seen and unseen, flesh spirit and all other forms of reality. Believed to contain hundreds of millions of other worlds

Sydarag, a lizard-like creature, which runs on two legs with a long neck and snaking tail. Used by the imperial legions as mounts, because of their great endurance

Talent, a name used to refer to magic. It is Threadfin’s belief that only virals have talent, but evidence now suggests the living do too. Also, sometimes referred to as a bent.

Tartaros, name given to the Darkness devouring the Spectrum of Existence. Possibly the White Daemoni’s version of Hell. Sometimes referred to as Oblivion

Tystria, third largest city of the imperium

Vanth, once angels they are a Rift of the Fallen Ones. They were also used to lead the revenants, and currently the forces of Astra Dar (see also, Fallen Ones, Revenants)

Viralic, name given to magical power used by virals (see also Talent)

Virals, often called Plagueborn, deaders or undeaders, virals are born dead and always after a plague outbreak. Though few remain since the purges, there are thousands of viral souls linked to Aiyana Todralan

Warg, powerful wolf-like predator from the southern continent. Often found in company of Nephilim. Imperial historians have suggested they are a cross between black wolves (now extinct), and an unknown creature

White Daemoni, ancient holy text of the Imperial Church and source of all holy doctrine. Said to have been written by an ancient angel who wore flesh. The name of that angel is a matter of contention, as the author is unknown (see also, Angels)

Zorast, referring to both members and religion, it is sometimes known as, the Faith. It is a religious cult with mysterious beginnings sweeping across several continents, including Adalalcas. Fanatic worshipers of the Grim, they are known to practice ritual sacrifice