When he had a chance around his efforts to earn them some coin, Therelin sought out Master Gheran once more—the magician who had hinted that it was Master Myandin that had kept secrets from Therelin, not the other magicians he had crossed paths with during his initial exploration out of Keth. It had been the better part of a year since Therelin’s first encounter with Gheran in the streets of Noress-That-Was. Continue reading Therelin 33
The days passed slowly—slow as blood drying. Unlike blood though the gleam of dark sunlight that rested in the corner of Arn’s cell continued to grow. Some days, those when he started awake from the deepest mazes of the dreamworld, Arn could swear he saw a face reflected in the fiery spot—a grotesque and furious face. Continue reading Arn 72
After breakfast, Aralim set out for the Magistrate’s Hall with most of his companions in tow. Only Velad’na remained at the Shipwright Stead, content to study from his books while the others pursued the investigation. Miresh’s training was proceeding well, but her studies had begun not three years earlier; she was adept at picking up certain skills, but others took hours of long practice. Nill was surprised that magic was not a thing that happened instantly—most spells took recurring and drawn-out focus to achieve the desired result. It was only through great repetition that magicians were able to perform some results in mere moments. Continue reading Aralim 144
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Year 1478
On the eve of 1478, an ominous man steps off the riverboat and into Rema, the capital of Numa’nakres. Though Nerediil laments what has happened to him, he dismisses such thoughts as being akin to those of Virn. He eyes the Iron Palace in the heart of the city, he is instead drawn to the celebratory sounds of those celebrating the Raderan New Year. He tails a couple of girls from a drinking hall, but is stopped by the guards before he can act against them. The guards see his fangs and claws before he tears them limb from limb with unexpected strength. He resolves that, though his target is in the Iron Palace, he can have some fun in the streets first. Continue reading In Recent Years: Elsewhere in Gethra
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From her throne at the Eye of Maga, Queen Zanna the Just rules her city and the villages in the surrounding region. She is counselled by many: Rel, her advisor; Pralla, the chief Priestess of Maga; Whiteleaf, a foreign ambassador from Tal’lashar; and Sergeant Kieb of the Crimson Highway. When an ambassador from the southern harbour of Varravar seeks out Zanna’s help with their ailing High Priest, Zanna refuses. The Eye of Maga—the namesake lake where the goddess Maga offers her miraculous healing gifts—is not to be tainted by someone such as the scheming leader of far-away Varravar. Continue reading In Recent Years: Zanna
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Caravaneer Vaenuth is a fierce woman, biting in her ambitions and her appearance. A foreigner to the lands of Numa’nakres, Vae has proven herself among her peers. Nonetheless, she draws looks for her differing skin colour, her enveloping tattoos, her bold hair style and the weapons she bears. Her exterior is sharp to protect her from her past—a child slave sold to a brothel in Bellasa, on the Great Isle. On her back, she bears the brandmark of a slave—as well as a lionhead brand she gave herself in reclamation. Continue reading In Recent Years: Vaenuth
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Though originally from the small town of Portram, Therelin of Keth prepares to depart Keth City and the tutelage of Master Myandin. From Keth, Therelin sails to nearby Kedar Port, the best place to catch a ship into the broader lands of Gethra. He practices his magic as they sail, and studies geography and science from the tomes he has brought. Continue reading In Recent Years: Therelin
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Renado, son of Gharo, sets out from Kedar Port after securing an arms deal for his smuggled goods—though not the deal he had expected to make. The voyage home to Sheld is normally a safer one, but a hurricane bears down on the Vanci Dispatch—named for Ren’s uncle Vanci—forcing the smuggler vessel to seek shelter. The only island within their reach is the strange Isle of Dusk, where sailors dare not venture. As they hide aboard this ship as near to the Isle as they dare, they spot movement on the shore. Moments later, the Dispatch vanishes—crew and all. Continue reading In Recent Years: Renado
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Working as a hunter in the village of Olston, Raya Ganner watches as more and more refugees arrive, displaced by civil unrest in Ith and revolution in distant Elpan. The young woman asks her friend on the town Council how she can help and soon she joins a group being sent to the nearest city, Vagren, in search of aid. In Vagren, she witnesses the dangers of the slave trade and befriends a tavern stable boy named Benn. Additionally, she is able to persuade two magicians—Viker and Lotha—to assist Olston with their contacts and their supernatural abilities. Continue reading In Recent Years: Raya
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Neeko and his assistant Pais’ca live for a time with the Cani, a primitive tribe living in the jungles of the Elder Coast. Neeko, an alchemical researcher by profession, is fascinated to learn of the Cani’s kibroot, a natural root that, when added to food, somehow enhances the body’s ability to derive nutrients from the food. Using kibroot, the Cani—and Neeko—are able to eat only a fraction of what would normally be required, while still remaining healthy. Continue reading In Recent Years: Neeko