Elfhunter (78 page)

Dardis
(DAR-dees): The second son of Aincor,
Dardis was a highly talented and inventive artisan and lover of
learning. Unlike his father, Dardis was of gentle temperament and
was revered especially by the dwarves. He was apprenticed to an
Asarla named Léiras (the far-sighted), who taught him of the making
of things that could be endowed with magical properties. It was
Dardis who made the mirror given to Gorgon Elfhunter; he also
created the Stone of Léir.

Much of what transpires in Alterra has little to do
with magic. The people live and die according to the laws of
nature, and are subjected to the hardships of living as in any
other world. It was once true that magic played a greater role in
the affairs of Alterra, and the scholars state that the waning of
magical influences reflects the waning of the Asari. Yet there is
still magic at work in the world at the time these tales begin, and
Dardis is responsible for much of it.

Léiras instructed Dardis in the making of magical
things—blades, rings, mirrors, amulets, armor, and shields. Mirrors
made by Dardis could tell an enemy from a friend despite outward
appearances; hence it was Dardis who first realized the treachery
of Lord Kotos. He was killed on the eve of the Second Uprising.

Dardis was rather plain and disheveled, often
spending months in his "chamber of inspiration" as he created some
new and wondrous object. Gentle, humble, and unassuming, he was
perhaps the most universally beloved of all Elves in Alterra.

Darkmere
: Name given to the Great Forest Realm
(Greatwood) when Wrothgar took up residence in the Laban Fuath. The
Elves refer only to the southern part of the Forest as the
Darkmere, but others make no such distinction. See also Dominglas
Forest.

Diomar
(DYOH-mar): Man of the Tuathar, sire of
Rogond. His name means "the proud". From diomas (proud).

Dominglas Forest
(DOME-een-glas): The vast
woodland occupying approximately one-third of the northern lands of
Alterra. Sylvan Elves patrol and maintain the north, but Wrothgar
has overtaken a large area in the south. From domhain (domain) and
glas (deep green). See also Greatwood, Darkmere, Aruinnas.

Duathar
(DOO-ah-thar): These are the men of
the south. Like the Anori-folk, they represent a vast array of
cultures, but all have been shaped by the harsh desert lands that
are their home. Also known as "sutherlings", many Duathar are
tribal, and they often war with their neighbors and with each
other. Yet there have been some great scholars among them, and when
they find themselves in more civilized surroundings there is little
that they cannot achieve. They are very fierce fighters, and are
skilled horsemen. They have occasionally troubled the area near to
Dûn Bennas, but have always been driven back.

Duinar
(DOO-ee-nar): Asarla who founded
Tuathas, the northern realm of Men. He appeared to be very old,
with a long snow-white beard and a lined, weathered face. He was
thought slain during the cataclysmic rising of the Fire-mountain
that destroyed Tuathas and all lands near it. Earth is his element.
Name means "guide".

Dûn Bennas
(Doon-ben-NAS): City of Men founded
by the Tuathar, located in the southern tip of the Monadh-ailan
where the Ambros enters the Sea. It was built by survivors of the
ruin of Tuathas, together with men already living in that region,
and it has since withstood many assaults upon its gates. Dûn Bennas
is a fair city, and has within its walls one of the great libraries
of western Alterra; the lore and works contained therein are
equaled only by those of Mountain-home and of Dûn Arian. Name means
"white fortress". From dûn (fortress) and benna (white).

Dûn Arian
(Doon-AH-ree-AHN): Largely unknown
City of Men founded by the renowned scholar Salasin, located in the
far southern lands. Also known as The Citadel. Name means "fortress
of silver". From dûn (fortress) and ariant (silver).

Dwarves
: The third of the great races of
Alterra, and the least understood, as they tend to keep to
themselves. They were also created by Aontar, but they name Him
Fior, the Maker. They call themselves Rûmhar, the Delvers. Their
tongue, Rûmhul, is known to very few outside their own race, and is
among the most difficult languages to master.

Dwarves are arguably the cleverest of all folk, and
they make many wonderful devices. They also make things of great
beauty and worth, for they are craftsmen matched only by the Èolar.
They are diggers and delvers, and they live almost exclusively in
underground realms, though they go abroad in daylight quite happily
when needed. They are short in stature, but broadly-made and very
strong for their size. They are also quite hardy and tolerant of
fire, which is a good thing as they work huge forges deep
underground.

All dwarves are bearded, and they take great pride in
the length and lushness of their beards, thinking it highly amusing
that the Elves have none. As with men, they have a limited
lifespan, although dwarves live longer. Two hundred years is about
average.

Dwim
(DWEEM): Dwarf of Cós-domhain.

Eádram
(Ay-AH-drahm): High-elves, Elves of the
Light. The Eádram founded most of the High-elven Realms of Alterra,
together with the Asari. Of these there were four, but only two
remain at present. The Realm of Eádros was lost in a terrible
conflict known as the War of Betrayal. The other lost realm,
Tal-elathas, was the great center of the Èolar. The remaining
realms are Tal-sithian, founded by Lord Airan of the Eádram with
Arialde of the Asari, and Monadh-talam, or Mountain- home, founded
by the Èolar together with Lord Shandor. High Elves are endowed
with an inner light; with practice they can call upon it during
battle. Examples of High-elves are Galador and Lord Airan of Tal-
sithian. From eádra (light).

Eádri
(Ay-AH-dree): The Evening Star.

Eádros
(Ay-AH-dross): Elven-realm, greatest of
the Eádram. It was lost in the War of Betrayal, destroyed by the
Dwarves of Rûmm. The complete tale of the War of Betrayal is told
by Fima in Ravenshade. From eádra (light).

Elàni
(El-LAN-ee): Elves. Immortal and
impressive, they do not willingly serve the Darkness, though they
may unwittingly do so through pride or deception. They have
established some of the greatest realms in Alterra. Because of
their very long lives, Elves are highly skilled, and many are quite
learned. They make many beautiful things, and are unrivalled as
musicians, singers, poets, and artisans. Elves are formidable in
battle, and quick to defend their lands from any perceived
threat.

Elves are almost universally beautiful, High-elves in
particular. They are tall and very well made, with fine, silken
hair that is usually worn long and flowing or plaited to keep it
out of the way. Their hair may be of any color: silver, flaxen,
golden, chestnut, mahogany, or raven. Their elegantly-shaped ears
aid in distinguishing them from men. Their eyes are bright, and may
also be of any color— the High-elves tend toward blue and grey, the
Sylvan Elves green and brown. The males are beardless, which also
separates them from men and rather pointedly from dwarves.

Elves enjoy an endless life span, unless they are
slain. Their flesh will not fester, and they do not suffer disease.
Yet they may be poisoned, killed in battle or by mischance, or even
die from grief. Because of their very long lives, they do not often
beget children.

They delight in sharing their knowledge and their
language; hence most names of places and roots of common speech are
in their tongue. Though some Elves can be arrogant and dismissive
of other races, they have formed alliances and friendships with men
and dwarves. Regrettably, they have also warred with them at times.
The War of Betrayal between the Elves of Eádros and the dwarves of
Rûmm accounts for much of the remaining enmity between Elves and
dwarves. The magical abilities of the folk of Alterra are held
mostly by the Elves and, naturally, by the Asari. The Elves’
abilities are varied according to their origins, age, and
experience. For example, the High Kings were possessed of
supernormal strength in battle. They could exert a sort of inner
power, engulfing their enemies with blue-white light, as could
certain others among the High-elves. They could prevail over all
but the most powerful of enemies. By contrast, the Bödvari also
engulfed their opponents, but with fire rather than light.

Many Elves have the gift of foresight and insight,
and they sense things over great distances. A rare few can actually
see into the hearts and minds of others; some can do this only with
living thought, and some can perceive only the final thoughts of
the dead.

Some Elves possess powers that assist them in the
healing of wounds, though they have little knowledge of or power
over the afflictions of men.

The Wood-elves are thought to be less magical than
the High- elves, but this is untrue. Their abilities are entirely
practical; they are the stealthiest, lightest-footed and most agile
beings in Alterra. They sometimes seem to defy the laws of nature,
springing up into impossibly high tree-limbs and treading so
lightly upon mud or snow that tracking them is difficult. They
communicate on a very high level with other good-hearted creatures,
especially horses and birds. It is said that an Elf of the Cúinar
can tame the most fractious horse in a manner of moments. All Elves
are known as Elàni. See "Cuinar", "Eádram", and "Èolar".

Elethorn
(EL-eh-thorn): Elf of Monadh-talam,
rescued by the Company. His name means "piercing", probably in
reference to his bright gaze. From elàn (elf) and thorn (to
pierce).

Elwyn
(EL-win): Sylvan Elf, mother of Nelwyn.
Name means "Elf- maiden". From elàn (elf) and wyn (maid).

Elysia
(Eh-LEE-see-ah): Eternal Elven-home
that has been provided to house the spirits of the Elàni after
death. It is a paradise separate from the afterlife of Men. From
elàn (elf). The Elves, being immortal, will not die unless they are
slain or they choose to relinquish their spirits. Loved ones who
have gone before are sent to conduct them to the Sacred Realm of
Elysia, a place of eternal bliss and light that has been set aside
only for the Elves—neither man nor dwarf nor Asarla can hope to
gain its shores.

Èolar
(AY-oh-lahr): High-elves who achieved
the highest level of learning and skill, but were deceived by
Wrothgar and Lord Kotos. They were mostly lost during the second
uprising. The Èolar are but a family of the Eádram, yet they are
distinct from them. They of all the Elàni most desired to learn and
know all things, and this desire was both their uplifting and their
undoing. They designed and wrought many magical devices, and their
forges produced what is arguably the finest weaponry ever seen.

Their great realm, Tal-elathas, was lost in the
second uprising of Wrothgar, and only a remnant of her people
survived. Fortunately, the realm of Mountain-home, founded by the
Èolar and Lord Shandor, survives to this day. Examples are Aincor,
Dardis, Magra, and Ri- Elathan. From Èolas (knowing).

Eros
(EH-rohs): Sturdy, intelligent dun horse
of Rogond. Also a smooth-flowing, gentle river that gives rise to
the Ambros in the north. From eran (soft, easy).

Falad capell
(FAH-lahd ka-PELL): Horse
pastures of Tal-sithian. From falad (pasture) and capella
(horse).

Farahin
(FAH-rah-heen): Given name of
Ri-Elathan. Name means "welcome rain", from farath (welcome) and
hin (rain).

Farath-talam!
(Fah-RATH TAH-lahm): Elvish
welcome, it means "you are welcome among us" or "welcome to our
realm".

Farin
(FAH-rin): Dwarf of Cós-domhain, eminent
craftsman and maker of Rogond’s ring.

Fiana
(Fee-AH-na): Wood-elves’ name for the
constellation Orion, also the clear stream that flows from the
Linnefionn. Name means "huntress".

Fima
(FEE-ma): Dwarvish Loremaster, originally
of Cós-domhain and now serving Lady Ordath in Monadh-talam, he is a
good friend of Rogond.

Fiona
(Fee-YO-na): Elvish name for the
constellation Orion, it is named after Fiona, the Huntress.

Fior
(FYOR): The dwarves’ name for Aontar.
Name means "The Maker".

First Reckoning
: The Reckonings are marked in
increments of ten thousand, and the First Reckoning coincides with
the beginning of recorded history. We are well into the seventh age
of the Second Reckoning at the time our tale begins in the year
s.r.7266, thus the Third Reckoning will begin in 2,034 years. The
time before the First Reckoning is known simply as the Time of
Mystery, and events of that time are known only through oral
accounting. As many as could be recorded have been, but there is
much of conflict and disagreement in the accounts, and their
accuracy is in doubt. A complete summary may be found in the
Rûndiam-har, the Book of Mystery.

Gaelen
(GEH-lehn): Sylvan Elf of the
Greatwood, daughter of Tarfian and Gloranel, cousin of Nelwyn. Name
means "daughter of valor". From gael- (valor, feminine).

Galador
(GAL-ah-dore): High-elf, formerly of
Eádros, beloved of Gwynnyth and later of Nelwyn. Friend of Rogond.
From gal- (valor, masculine).

Galwaith
(GAL-wyeth): High-elf, friend of
Galador and beloved of Oriana. His name means "brave wanderer".
From gal-(valor, masculine) and waith (to wander).