Encyclopedia of Names, Places, Objects for

Dawn of Winter

A.

Aridisia- Large continent (actually a sub-continent) in the great Northern Sea. Also the name of the native people of the continent. They tend to be tall, dark haired, and very martial. -ian- Language of the people of Aridisia or also the name of the people themselves.

Argonet- Great Fortress at Fleurrany, seat of the Northern Duchy of Sementeau.

Ar-Hiskogt- Vÿkstra name of Greywater Deep when it was a colony of the Vÿkstra people.

 

B.

Bordeau- Ancient fortress of the Aridisians at the fork of the Sirrik and Hinkel rivers south of what is today called Horwald. It served as a base-of-operations during the early invasions of the region and is the site of the defeat of Thain Margyn II in 1165, which is significant because it marks the beginning of the end for the Vÿkstra kingdoms, and is also the first time the Northmen are introduced to cavalry in combat.

 

C.

 

D.

Donapét- Young Istrim Prelate from the southern hills of Mittelien. He began his service to the Istrim as a simple monk, and worked his way quickly to the upper echelons of the order through his bold audacity and bureaucratic skills. He is charged with collecting information through the Istrim’s network of spies in Iradar and along the North Coast.

Dÿghus River- River in Northern Iradar- It’s mouth is the site of Greywater Deep.

Dÿnmar- One of the three ancient tribes of Northmen who colonized the Northern Aridisian Coasts. Now blended with the Hortag peoples. Also the name of the Dynamr people’s Kingdom.

 

E.

 

F.

Farandor- Aridisian nation located west of Mittelien and Iradar. Its capital is at Olnnus.

Five Clauses- Code of conduct for followers of the Oestriam church.
    1. Obedience
    2. Tithe
    3. Honor of Oes
    4. Resistance to temptations of Anoes (there are many)
    5. Righteousness of the Aridisian People

 

Fleissen- Aridisian name for the Sirrik River, which marked the southern boundary of Horwald. It was heavily defended during the Aridisian Invasion, and many crumbling fortresses remain along its southern banks.

Fleurrany- Aridisian name for Mattamer. Seat of the northern Duchy of Sementeau, and the fortress of Argonet.

Forkanknut- Vÿkstra; Great Thaw- Ancient Vÿkstra and Northman celebration of high Spring, when the frozen rivers of ancient Dÿnmar traditionally thawed and summer approached.

Frôrindor- 2071-2129; Exalted monk and prophet of Oes, Early father of the High Hand of Oes and considered by its members to be one of its greatest prophets.

 

G.

 

Gendry, Baeren- Youngest son of Orren Gendry. He is a boy of 16 high summers and is known to be an active, but somewhat overly-boisterous youth.

Gendry, Maeric- Second son of Orren Gendry, a young man of twenty years. He is promised to wed Mayline Morlinsson when she reaches her 16th High Summer.

Gendry, Orren- Duke of Horwald, northernmost province of Iradar.

Gilliume, Monteneau I- Aridisian general who lead the invasion of, and became the first Duke of the Northern Reach (Horwald).

Grand Council of Truth- Ruling council of the Istrim located at the Tograth. Made up of 12 Prelates of the Istrim Church and the "Word," or Grand Prelate.

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H.

Haarinkards- Vÿkstra from "Dark Heads", early northman term for Aridisians.

Haarik-Mor- Sworn Lord under Thain Haryld I who murdered the Thain and seized power by marrying his wife, taking his grandson as hostage, and defeating and killing his son, Harimaar II in battle. Becomes Thain Haarik-Mor, first Thain on Ar-Hiskogt not of the line of the Harståg royalty. Its translation means "Dark Word," or "Hidden Meaning."

Halberet- Large, wealthy duchy in Iradar.

Halmar- Ocean-going nation on the southern shores of Aridisia. Its capital is the ancient port of Hebronus.

Hårstag - Ancient Vÿkstra name of Hortag.

Harimaar- First Thain of Ar-Hiskogt.

Harimaar II- Grandson of Harimaar I, becomes thain of united Ar-Hiskogt and Marinacht. Founds settlement of Suden Hadlyn. Defeated and killed by Haarik-Mor.

Harwald- Infant son of Harimaar II, Taken as hostage by Haarik-Mor. Dies at age 12 of an outbreak of winter fever while still a hostage.

Haryld I- Son of Thain Harimaar I. Second Thain of Ar-Hiskogt.

Hastad- Earldom in Central Halberet.

Hataag- Modern tongue of the Hortag people across the North Sea.

Hathan- Nation in southwestern Aridisia. Its capital is Harthilien, which is also its only major city.

High Hand of Oes- Small but martial Church of Oes headquartered in Telirie, the Capital City of Mittelien in Central Aridisia. They are intolerant, and border on fanatical. Their prelate is referred to as the Mouth of Oes.

Hildar- Southern Continent of which Aridisia is a part, also a Large nation south of Aridisia known for its rivers. Aridisians refer to the continent as the Far South.

Hinkel River- Small branch of the Sirrik River in Iradar.

Hehurin Dhurik- One of the original three colonies of the Vÿkstra people on Aridisia at the present-day site of the town of Embrage.

Honos Dismore- Urban city in southwestern Mittelien in central Aridisia. Serves as the seat of the Prelate of the Temple Right.

Hortag- Descendents of the Vÿkstra people living in the ancient lands of their anscestors. Also the island kingdom of the same name. In Vÿkstra, pronounced Hårstag.

 

I.

Il-Fartun- Expansive but largely unpopulated nation in southwest Hildar.

Istrim- Aridisian translation: Balance; Large and powerful Aridisian church of Oes that seeks to attain the ultimate harmony (i.e. Balance) with Oes through the eradication of human baggage such as Emotion, Irrationality, and Frivilousness. Their seat and Grand Council of the Truth is in the mountains above Midhwait, in a great fortress known as the Tograth, meaning the "Point," or "Focus." They are know for their cruelty and intolerance. They are extremely powerful and very wealthy.

 

J.

Jendrÿsk, Harald- Vÿkstra name taken by Harold Gendry during the rebellion of Horwald against the Aridisian Duke Martine Morhame of Sementeau,

 

K.

 

L.

 

M.

Mandates- Sacred texts of the High Hand of Oes written in 2107 by a warrior-monk named Frôrindor that define the rules of action for the monks of that church.

Margrave, Marten- Duke of Sementeau (aka the Northern reach).

Marinacht- Ancient Colony of the Vÿkstra people in Aridisia. Later conquered by Monteneau Gilliume I and renamed Allierny. Now the seat of the Merenet duchy.

Morlinsson, Gustaf- Thane of the small village of Maeden in central Horwald. A fast friend of Orren Gendry, he served the Duke and the Duke’s father as a Carl before being granted land in exchange for his bravery. His is of little use as a councilor save in matters of war and arms, but loyal to no end. He is honest and straightforward, and proved to be a good, just Thane who is well-loved by the townsfolk of Maeden. He deals strongly and harshly with those who break the Duke’s laws, and is generous to those around him. He is a large, powerful figure of a man. His daughter

Morlinsson, Martel- Wife of Gustaf Morlinsson and mother of Mayline.

Morlinnson, Mayline- Eldest daughter of Gustaf Morlinsson, a girl of fifteen high summers. She is promised to Maeric Gendry, second son of Duke Orren Gendry of Horwald.

Midhwait- Large city on the foothills of the Meagren Mountains in Northern Mittelien.

Mittelien- Large and powerful nation in Central Aridisia. Its capital is in Telerie.

Morhame, Michel- Distant Relative of the Ormien dukes, becomes duke when the Ormien line dies out. First of the Morhame dukes of Sementeau.

Morhame, Martine- Last of the Morhame Dukes. Fights in the eastern wars of 2420-2429. Begins ruthless repression of Northmen and their culture in 2430. Is defeated by Harold Gendry and killed by townsfolk in 2433.

Mouth of Oes- Prelate of the High Hand of Oes,

Muurinark- Colony of Ar-Hiskogt founded deep in the southern forests by Haarik-Mor. Still exists today as Murinet.

Mystic Truth- Shadowy, secretive Aridisian church of Oes based at Dolcem in Eastern Halmar. They search for the "Truth behind the Truth"- the so called "Mystic Truth," or the power of understanding the will of the world. They are often suspected of secretly worshipping Anoes.

 

 

N.

Naaren-Gaird-Vÿkstra name for the Northern Aridisian Coast; translation: Long Summer

Northern Reach- Aridisian name for the Duchy the ancient Aridisians established in Northern Aridisia, which later became Sementeau, then Horwald.

Northmen- Aridisian term for the Vÿkstra in Northern Aridisia, or their Descendents.

Norskraa- Timber-rich but uninhabited island between Aridisia and Dÿnmar.

Noruth- Hildaran Nation located on the shores of the Southern Sea facing Aridisia.

 

O.

 

Oes- Aridisian "Creator" God, Brethren of Anoes. Worshipped as both benevolent and harsh, but always just and righteous.

Oestriam- Major church of Oes based in Hebronus. Their code of conduct is called "The Five Clauses."

Olnnus- Port Capital of Farandor in the Bay of Urgone.

Ormien, Henry- Distant relative of the Margrave Dukes of Sementeau, becomes duke after the last of the Margrave line dies. Established Ormien line of northern dukes.

Osten-Gaard - One of the original colonies of the Vÿkstra people on the northern Aridisian Coast. Its original site was burned to the ground by Aridisian invaders and has not been rebuilt. It lies some 90 miles west of Greywater Deep.

 

P.

 

Q.

Quarhot- Hildaran Nation that forms the border of Aridisia and Hildar.

 

R.

Temple Right- Introspective church of Oes centered in Honos Dismore.

Rock of the Sun- The large fortress-home of the Oestriam Order in the city of Hebronus. It sits on a great sun-baked rock in the bay of Hebronus and is the center of political/religious life in the city.

Also the name given to the Master of the Oestriam order, though not an official title.

 

S.

Saar-Innan - Ancient capital city of Harståg, now the seat of the king of Hortag.

Sementeau- Aridisian name for the duchy of Horwald. See also Northern Reach, the.

Sirrik River- River in southern Horwald marking its ancient southern boundary. Now called the Fleissen.

Southern Sea- Large sea that forms a huge bay seperating much of Aridisia and Hildar.

Southern Waste- Large Mountainous Desert Region in southern Hildar.

Suden Hadlyn- First colony of Ar-Hiskogt, founded by Harimaar II some 75 miles to the south of Ar-Hiskogt. Gradually, the town moved south some 20 miles and became Highbridge.

Surijuk- One of the three ancient tribes of Northmen from Dÿnmar who colonized the Northern Aridisian Coasts. Now blended with the Hortag peoples.

Sword-Arms- Professional warrior-monks of the High Hand of Oes.

 

T.

Taruk- Ancient Thain of Hårstag who was defeated by Hariamaar.

Telirie- Capital City of Mittelien in central Aridisia.

Tograth- Ancient fortress of the Istrim located high in the mountains north of Midhwait. Site of the Grand Council of Truth.

Thain- Vÿkstra noble title, signified King, or Leader. Its literal translation is "Answers to none." Modern spelling is Thane.

Thane- Modern Northman noble term derived from Thain. Signifies the base nobility of Horwald, below the rank of Earl.

 

U.

Urgone, Bay of- Large bay in western Aridisia.

Urik hur-Taruk- Son of Taruk, Thain of Hårstag who recognized the sovereignity of Hariamaar in return for aid against southern invaders.

 

V.

Viskard, King of Ar-Hoskigt who is defeated and killed by Windham of Gilliume at Mattamer. Last king of Ar-Hoskigt.

Vÿkstra- 1. Name of a race of peoples who originated across the North Sea. They colonized the North Coasts of Aridisia before being subjugated and absorbed into the Native Aridisian culture.
    1. The native Language of the Vÿkstra People, now a dead language, it is closely related to Hataag, the tongue of the peoples who now dwell in the native lands of the Vÿkstra.

Vÿkstras- tr: The People; Vÿkstra name for their own race.

 

W.

Winter Plague/Fever- Deadly plague that periodically sweeps across Aridisia from across the sea. Areas on the coast or near travel-ways are usually the hardest hit. First recorded in the mid-9th century.

Wistryl- Daughter of Oerimund, Thain of Dÿnmar. She was forcibly married to Thain Haarik-Mor of Ar-Hiskogt in 779 to cement an alliance between the two states.

Word, the- High Prelate of the Istrim Church. The Current Word is a man of advanced years. His true name is, or was, Hurinët Dompeliet. He was the second son of the High Magistrate of Mittelien when his family sent him to the Istrim. He is known to be devious and cunning, and is one of the most powerful men in Aridisia,

 

X.

 

Y.

 

Z.