Glossary
Anathema
The Anathema, it is said, used bizarre and unnatural rituals to steal power from the spirits of the sky – Sun, Moon and Stars – as a means of proving their worth to their hideous masters the demon kind. The Dragon-Blooded defeated them in an age gone by prior to the start of the Golden era of mankind. Turned away from heaven, these Anathema are occasionally reborn and are once again able to wreak havoc.
Animal Gods
To the north Mela the Great Wolf and her children roam the woods hunting any Beastmen that wander into her domain.
The forests that spills across the mountain pass to the East are watched by Bjarn the Great Gold Bear. His children roam the hills and ensure the Wyld doesn't spread out onto the valleys.
Finally Galti the Great Black Boar guards the impenetrable forests to the West. His children are the most feared as they continue to fight long after their wounds have killed them.
The Chosen
Periodically, the spirits choose a child from amongst those living near the woods. This is indicated by three signs. The relevant spirit will be seen outside the house when the child is born. A mark resembling the relevant beast appears on the child's third birthday. Finally, a beast of the relevant type will arrive on the child's seventh birthday to act as its guide and mentor.
A child that has been chosen is bound to serve the spirit beasts. His responsibilities are threefold. He determines a fair tribute for protection within his district. He hunts down creatures or spirits that have broken the pact. Finally he carries requests or pleas from the locals to the spirits.
For example, should someone decide to build a new homestead in the north, it is traditional to request the aid of Mela. Failing to do so will usually lead to the homestead being overrun by creatures of the Wyld.
Alternatively one might decide to petition Bjarn for assistance in travelling through the mountain passes to the south. Those that offer such tribute rarely encounter problems on route.
Dragon-Blooded
The rulers of the Blessed Isle – the heart of creation. The Dragon-Blooded believe they contain the essence of the Celestial Elemental Dragons and were created in order to impose order upon the world. Having experienced the "Second Breath" they have powers that are beyond those of mere mortal men. Their abilities are hereditary and they are organised by family.
Fulgard
Fulgard is a blighted land that has been liberated by the Rygor from its former oppressor the sorcerer Vifil. Whilst defeated, his experimentation has left a taint on the countries people that leaves the country a very dangerous place. Any one of the local population could be carrying the demonic seed that can bear fruit at any time. The Rygor witch finders do their best to keep the corruption at bay.
Horned God
An older deity of Helmguard. His following is fairly small as those that have a religious inclination usually follow one of the Animal Gods.
Malith
The nation state found to the west of Helmguard, currently under the rule of the Anathema. The Dragon-Blooded are leading an coalition army (including forces from Tyrannus, Helmguard and Fullgard) in order to liberate its citizens.
Lord Peregrine
One of the four Merchant Prince’s of Helmguard. Peregrine usually acts as the spokesperson for the group. He is well known for his enormous appetite.
Rasyla
An old goddess of the woodlands currently trapped in a strange temple to the North-West of Stormguard. Legend has it she was a trickster spirit with an affinity for the creeping creatures.
Rygor
These were once nomadic mercenary horsemen, the Rygor are now the rulers of Fulgard. Their knights are considered to be the finest in the Realm.
The Scarlet Empress
The ruler of the Dragon-Blooded and saviour of the world. The Empress managed to unlock the ancient weapons that were used to defend the Realm against the incursion of the Fair Folk from the Wyld. She has ruled for nearly 800 hundred years. It is believed that she is currently in retreat meditating on the state of the world.
Captain Tylor
Commander in charge of the defences of Stormguard during the Tyrannus attempt to take the country with the aid of Rassala. Currently he acts as the liaison officer to the Dragon-Blooded.
Tyrannus
A large and powerful city state located to the East of Helmguard. They have a history of assimilating their neighbours and so Helmguard watches them very closely. Their principle deity is a large bull headed man. The majority of the population are considered to be slaves. Only those who have fought in battle are considered citizens.
Wyld
In the usage of the wise, the Wyld is both the corrosive madness that lies beyond the edge of creation and inchoate potential as an elemental force. There are many areas in the Threshold, typically those that were the sites of bivouacs or battles during the Fair Folk’s invasion, where reality is still soft and malleable, and these areas are often called Wyld.
In common usage, "The Wyld" is a general term for the large tracts of wilderness and unsettled lands that lie between the kingdoms and city-states on the shores of the inner sea.
