The Crafting of Millosai

By Seth Giolle

The Crafting of Millosai covers the artwork, music sheets, sketchbook, animal drawings, and character bios that have been created and collected over the years while working on my greater novel series, The Trail of Millosai. This eBook combines the real work you don't get in the novels. This work covers details that make those novel adventures all possible.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312526884

Seth Giolle

Seth Giolle was born on a small, rural farm in southeast Ontario. After Travelling throughout Canada in all its splendour, he once again makes Ontario his home.

Book preview

The Crafting of Millosai

Building a World

By Seth Giolle

A Letter from the Author

The four book series, The Legacy of Auk Tria Yus, was just one part of a greater novel series. Single books and two or three novel series will follow. Each single and series offering will be an adventure unto itself, but each single and series will also continue the greater story of the world of Millosel and its people. This greater series and all of its many parts have already been written, of course. They’re just being edited and published one novel at a time. Since the greater series has been written at least to first drafts, I have a good sense of that greater series, and there’s been a good bit of work put into that series to date.

As a result, I’m able to come out with this book. It’s a Crafting of Millosai. It’s a collection of the languages, covers, illustrations, and smaller details gathered and applied over time. This Crafting covers five sections: Physical and Spiritual Make Up; Culture; Living History; Reference; and Writer’s Craft. Unlike the physical books which needed to be split into five separate sections, this eBook can be published as one joined presentation. The need to make Writer’s Craft smaller for split publishing even demanded I cut some images which I’ve been able to keep in with this eBook version.

The Five Major Sections that follow:

Reference

The EtoGar Calendar

Key Terms

Magical Weaponry

Pronunciation Key

Sea Navigation

Shields and Insignias

Mage Craft

Writer’s Craft

Anecdotal Revelations

Deleted Chapters

The World’s People

Sketch Book

Culture

Language

Spirituality

Then to Now

Song Book

The Physical and Spiritual Make Up

Animals of Millosai

Geography

Spark Tree

Living History

Book 6

Industrious Moments

Prit’s Journal

The Crafting of Millosai:

Reference

Contents

The EtoGar Calendar

Key Terms

Magical Weaponry

Pronunciation Key

Sea Navigation

Shields and Insignias of Past Ages

Mage Craft

The Trial of Millosai

The EtoGar Calendar

by Seth Giolle

The EtoGar Calendar has been around for a long time using age-old constellation names for quadrants, qai, and degrees. Its actual origin cannot be traced to any one age. By its base definition, it is a 300 year calendar by which the world’s people can track their existence in the greater scope of time. By this definition, it would seem simple to uncover its year, at least century, of origin, but the truth is that this calendar has shown up several times, then, faded from documents and picture. So many documents were lost during the Darkening. Its first noted appearance in the oldest known documents, therefore, may not be its original date of creation.

The EtoGar Calendar has only ever been known to few, mostly noble scribes or Order members. As such, the knowledge of how to read and decipher this calendar has been jealously guarded over the ages. It was designed mostly to keep track of names, places, and people and set them in their proper place in history. Records can be burned or lost to time or the elements. Having a name, be it place or person, with a proper citation to the EtoGar Calendar however means the person’s name in a single glance identifies them as nobility, further identifying when they lived. Besides, for a long time, only nobility and scribes could read and write. This is ultimately why only the noble, royal, or more honoured groups used this calendar.

There are examples in everyday use where the EtoGar Calendar has become quite visible in public use. Two examples of this are the place Nieve Alo and the person Goshicin Ni.de-Lanl. Nieve Alo cites the valley as having been first settled in the century of Nieve. In the second case, Lanl used as part of the Earl Goshicin’s name cites his family name as being first taken in the first part of the century of Lan.

In the second case, we will know when Goshicin lived even centuries from now even had all knowledge of the man and his exploits been lost but the mention of the name. Looking to the Quadrant Lan, you find three degrees, one for each tri-moons in that century. L, the first degree, marks the first tri-moons; O, the second tri-moons; and A, the third tri-moons. Since the Earl Goshicin is followed by Lanl, by the ‘l’ at the end, we know he was noble even without the title Earl, and we know he lived in the first tri-moons segment of the Lan century.

To use the proper hyphenation or name from this calendar, you needed to know how to find out which century and tri-moons degree you were living in, and that knowledge was not easily gained, and it was not perfectly accurate.

Between each of the ten century quadrants is one of the ten qai that help make up this calendar. Each qai lists the three main constellations visible in the sky during that particular century. This bit of knowledge suggests the EtoGar calendar was developed over a long period of study. The constellations have been constant since the day the calendar was complete.

Using Lan as a continuing example, one would look to Dash and the qai on the opposite side of the Lan quadrant. Dash in this case is the Qai Title, the central constellation. How Nieve and Lli relate to their Qai title, Dash, helps determine what century and degree you are living in. Combined with the same information from the opposite qai, in this case, in the image above, unseen, the person reading the calendar can isolate exactly what century and tri-moons degree they are occupying, and the proper name and hyphenation can be used.

A current, further example considering documentation involves the use of EtoGar anne Lanl following the exact date on certain Crown and court documents. EtoGar refers to the calendar; anne refers to the year you’re referencing; and Lanl refers to the Lan quadrant, L degree. High True King Jerdann rules in the Lan century under the first tri-moons as is proven by the EtoGar Calendar.

There have been closer dating tools and calendars for as long as the EtoGar Calendar has been in existence. That measure of closer dating has been even more jealously guarded over the ages. Only the Order knew this detail of time management until High True King Jerdann ordered their methods taught to the world so the masses could be educated in a common, time-telling method. A unified world needs a unified method of conducting and ordering time after all. This closer detail to time was grudgingly passed on.

The archaic was redefined before the general masses could use and be taught this time-keeping skill. The archaic symbols still used on more private Order documentation was replaced by notation and wording. The general order of time display has remained the same.

The name of the current High True, or in his or her absence, High King or Queen, is usually noted first. After that, the current season is mentioned followed by the exact quarter of that season, then, the day of that quarter. There are four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter; four quarters per season, qeen, teise, ashall, and isem; and thirty-two days per quarter. This amounts to the equivalent of a sixteen quarter year.

The need for sixteen quarters has been debated as to whether sixteen months is too high a number and truly necessary. The debate has yet to be answered, and time-keeping remains the same.

Using this explanation, introducing exceptions, for official Order, high-level and internal documents, a date found on a document might read Jerdann Year 5. Spring.(Current Symbol for qeen).3. This would be the third day of the first quarter of Spring in the 5th year of High True King Jerdann’s rule.

Official documents to the crown and from any source and in some lower-level Order documents don’t use the symbols for a simple matter of saving time. Instead, it takes into account that there are thirty-two days per quarter. If an event is in the third quarter of Fall, the author of the note in question simply adds the first two quarters’ days together with the current number of days in that third quarter. The 19th day in the third quarter would involve having 19 added to 32, then 32 more. This would make the 19th day of the third quarter the 83rd day of that season, Fall.

As such, on these official documents, the date would read Jerdann Year 5.Fall.83.

Dating for personal letters and journals is conducted differently again. The date begins with the current year of the current High True King’s rule, followed by the first one or two letters of the season, the first letter of the quarter, then, the exact day of that quarter and a capitol letter for the current High True King.

This date for the otherwise notated Jerdann Year 3.Summer.(symbol for second quarter).12, or Jerdann Year 3.Summer.44 becomes the following for personal notes and journals: 3.Su.t.12J - the third year of High True King Jerdann’s rule, Summer, teise quarter, 12th day.

There is work on simplifying and unifying the process of writing dates, but as yet, like the number of months, the subject is still undecided.

Author’s Note:

I’ve always loved the Aztec and their history. As such, the EtoGar Calendar has its source in the Aztec Calendar. To me, it only made sense time keeping would start on Millosel with a similar means of keeping track of time.

The Trial of Millosai

Key Terms

by Seth Giolle

Parts of a Castle:

Moat

Ditch dug as a fortification around a castle usually filled with water.

Drawbridge

A bridge that crosses a moat. It can be raised to block or lowered to allow passage across the moat.

Bailey

The outer courtyard of a castle. It is alternately, the outer defensive wall that surrounds the outer courtyard of a castle.

Smithy

Workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering; a forge.

Courtyard

An area wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings.

Study

A room used for reading, writing, and studying.

Soldier Terms and Ranks:

Infantry

Soldiers fighting on foot.

Cavalry

Soldiers fighting on horseback.

Man-at-Arms

A soldier charged with the duty of defending a castle, individual, or group of people. This person is given rank, weapons, and armour in payment for this service as well as food, lodging, and payment.

Unit

A group of 100 men-at-arms.

Legion

Five units.

Corporal

Member of infantry or cavalry of low rank. Guards are often Corporals.

There are three levels to this particular rank of Corporal a person must work their way through before gaining a new rank in a noble’s army.

Sergeant

A soldier with full commission and command over Corporals.

Leftenant

A soldier given command of subordinates and responsibility of leading soldier groups on mission outside of the castle and separate advanced or special groups within a larger battle.

General

An honourary rank used in times of war. Generals command groups of Leftenants.

Senior General

An honourary rank used in times of war. Senior Generals command groups of Generals.

Captain of the Guard

The soldiers in command of all ranks in a noble’s army.

Other:

Birth right

A right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth. This can include inheritance, title, authority, and money.

Auswix Chaz

Spirit Realm.

MIN.OT.O

Group of assassins from older times.

Grionde

Accepted and enforced Royal Religion.

Jerr-Sta’Llal

Annual holiday to commemorate the first King, Jerr-Sta

Grio.Dynal

Annual holiday to commemorate the first High King, Grio.dyness

True King

A title given to the kings of old in recognition of the sovereign link they held with the world. As they were healthy, the world prospered. As they ailed, crops would wilt. Together, man and world linked magically, both stayed strong, and ailments were few and far between.

Joining

A linking ceremony between two lovers who wish to spend their lives together.

The ceremony is designed and run by the lovers. Paired rings, bracelets, tattoos, or such are crafted and worn by both lovers as a symbol to the world of their undying love for one another.

The invitation and involvement of friends and family is common but optional as is where and when the ceremony is performed.

Animal

A land, sea, or air borne mammal driven by primal needs.

Creature

A more highly-developed animal capable of sentient, organized thought and higher-level functions. Creatures are often stronger and more vicious than an animal and pose a greater risk to their enemy.

Spark

A plane of existence a person is tied to (i.e. Living Spark for humans, dwarves, giants, barbarians, animals, and creatures; Gnome Spark for gnomes; Dragon Spark for dragons; Auswix Chaz for the dead; and the Veshod that links them all for the unicorns and mermaids).

Tsy Tchay

Largest of the three moons circling Millosel.

tSoNilk

Smallest of the three moons circling Millosel.

ONW

Second largest of the three moons circling Millosel.

Clan

A group of people who live by a chosen faith that is not royally sanctioned. Clans build their own temples and follow their own practises. At times, clans have been known to war with one another over private differences or land disputes.

Nnuys AKT Ront-gnu

Short-form title for the Nnuys Quitte Kordonna Actorai Ront-Gnuthesat

Otherwise referred to as The Book.

This book was written with the knowledge of the fates. It foretells in true, academic, historic fashion the future of the world of Millosel up to its very final day of existence.

Time:

Soltie

An eight day week.

Month

A thirty-two day period of time.

Year

A thirteen month period of time.

Constructs:

Glider

A device of wood, cloth, and gear that a person uses to float a given distance using air currents to stay aloft.

Plane

A glider that can be manipulated to the degree where a pilot can not only steer but work the craft to gain altitude and stay aloft indefinitely.

Bellows

A mechanical device that blows a strong current of air; used to make a fire burn more fiercely, to sound a musical instrument, or to force air onto a plane’s wing to allow lift when wind has momentarily stopped blowing.

Flaps

Small parts of the wing that move to give a plane or glider lift or make it descend as desired by the pilot.

Hand Cart

A wheeled vehicle drawn by merchant or farmer.

Wagon

Any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal.

Carriage

An enclosed vehicle with wheels drawn by one or more horses.

Gear

A toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion

Pulley

A simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope

Schooner

A vessel that is powered by the wind; often having several masts.

Kayak

A small canoe consisting of a light, manoeuvrable frame.

Long Boat-

The largest boat carried by a merchant sailing vessel.

Hot Air Balloon

Balloon for travel through the air in a basket suspended below a large bag of heated air

Fishing Trolley

A sea going vessel that is short but seaworthy; used for fishing off of.

Whaling

The act of catching whales for food or commerce.

Salvage Vessel

A sea going vessel designed for bringing sunken ships and their parts from the watery depths below.

Weapons:

Staff

A strong rod or stick with a specialized utilitarian purpose.

Sword

A cutting, thrusting weapon with a metal blade, hilt, and hand guard

Katana

A long, curved single-edged sword

Pike

Weapon consisting of a spearhead attached to a long pole or pikestaff.

Halberd

A pike fitted with an axe head

Bow

A weapon for shooting arrows.

Shield

Armour carried on the arm to intercept blows. Shields can be made of wood or metal, but often are crafted by a melding of both.

Arm Shield

Small shield usually strapped to the upper arm that offers a lighter, yet smaller area of protection for the person fighting.

Body Shield

A shield large enough for a person to hide behind. They are heavy and awkward to use up close in battle but effective against long-range attacks.

Society Roles:

Merchant

Person selling wares at market or on the road.

Mage

Person gifted in the magic arts.

Wizard

Person of higher level magical skills.

Noble

A person given the title of Lord, Duke, or Earl by birth right. Nobles are born into positions of wealth and social status.

As authority is given to noble families by the given royalty, nobles are most often in command of servants and armies and are often given rule over towns and territories to deal out punishment as they see fit.

Guard

An armed, protector of a castle or house.

Soldier

An armed protector who is given greater responsibilities that include unit command, army rank, progressive promotion, and outbound assignments.

Archer

A person who is expert in the use of a bow and arrow.

Footman

A man employed as a servant in a large establishment (as a castle) to run errands and do chores

Chief Advisor

The person in position of giving expert advice to a noble.

Archaeologist

A person who makes their living unearthing lost civilizations.

Prince

The son and heir to the King, patriarch of a royal throne.

King

The patriarch and ruler of a country.

Regent

A figurehead who steps in to rule a country or kingdom in a time when a king is unable to do so.

Scribe

A servant whose chief role is to transcribe notes given to him from a superior.

Scholar

A person who’s chief aim in life is to learn.

The Trial of Millosai

Magical Weaponry

by Seth Giolle

Magical Weaponry

Introduction

Enchanted blades are magical, true, but an enchanted weapon is still a weapon. As such, it still involves the same parts that would make up the most average of sword, dagger, spear, or other. Describing enchanted blades involves the use of proper wording. To aid in the description of the enchanted blades therefore, I have included the following terminology and their definitions in simplest terms as they need to be understood.

The Three Swords:

of the Legacy of Auk Tria Yus

Goelld’n-Auk

The dragon contained within this blade adores its power and used it often in life. As such, it draws wielders who crave or need power and will use it in near brutish ways. It draws brave, blunter minds to it so it can relish in the action of battle it might encounter.

The sword has a black grip with a golden stripe across its black bulbous pommel. The guard runs ninety degrees between handle and blade with angled tips and golden wings emblazoned spreading outwards.

This sword was once used by Grio.dyness to take the throne from the last True King, Ellor. Adversely, the Hawk also bore Goelld’n-Auk, and it has been theorized that as the Hawk grew and changed as a person, his blade and the original enchantment on that metal changed and grew with him.

Enchantments upon this blade includes the acquired, collected wisdom of all bearers who’ve wielded it before, the ability to cut through metal like its butter, and the ability to cut through and, thus, destroy magical barriers.

Bvornt’wenn

Bvornt’wenn is one of the three main swords crafted by Auk Tria Yus in ages past. Animals, land, and defences are emblazoned in red across its guard to represent the loyal, fierce, proud heart of the dragon captured within this blade. A bright red gem is set upon the sword’s pommel with a black grip.

The true wielder of any magical blade must possess the same qualities as the spirit that is melded with metal; otherwise, that blade will never accept the person’s hand. Magical blades have a way of averting a person’s mind, staying their hand, or simply driving them mad.

They have a mind of their own after all.

Keiritte Alo is the current wielder of Bvornt’wenn.

Enchantments upon this blade include the acquired, collected wisdom of all bearers who’ve wielded it before and the ability to absorb and redirect an opponent’s magical flame or other attack.

-

Di’Jennai

Di’Jennai is the third of the three main swords crafted by Auk Tria Yus in ages past. This weapon is a slim, katana-like sword with a curved blade and a dragon’s head and neck carved into its grip up to and including the rounded, smooth pommel. This weapon’s finger guard is studded and round.

The dragon spirit fused into this blade was proud, crafty, and skilled and demands the same of any bearer who might stake his or her claim.

Osseeth Zil is the most noted and capable bearer of this sword.

Enchantments upon this blade include the acquired, collected wisdom of all bearers who’ve wielded it before and the ability to shield its bearer from direct and indirect magical attacks.

Other Magical Weapons:

Sh’Ansew

Sh’Ansew is the Sword of Answers. It can locate any item, place, or person you wish to find, but it absorbs a little life force with each request. This sword was hidden in a safe place far from greedier hands. It has since been destroyed.

D’Ele-Cass’Lon

The Cassiloni-Te were beautiful birds that once filled the plains. They aren’t seen anymore. No one actually knows what or who killed them. Maybe it was just their time. A man once killed two of these birds. Using their bones, feathers, and some sinew, he crafted a sword the way a certain wizard instructed. The Cassiloni-Te shifted between the living, human spark and that of the Auswix Chaz, the spirit spark. They shifted to and from at will like stepping through a door. With this blade, the man who missed his dead son could do the same. But the dead protect their own.

The man never got the chance to actually use the blade he’d created. He was taken by spirits, and the blade was sealed in a vault where wiser people prayed it would forever stay untouched. But no secret stays buried forever.

-

Elnhome

The creation of Elnhome dates back to the age when the three swords of the Legacy were crafted. While those three Legacy swords were being forged, Elnhome was also born. The Wizard Yus forged this blade with an enchantment by winding a magical, blue snake around its otherwise black grip turning normal metal into something else. Elnhome can give great speed and amplify average skill, but it does so by absorbing the bearer’s physical life force. It kills the bearer to give the bearer great skill.

Atkleas was the last human bearer of this enchanted blade.

Esclavique

This sword is truly the sword of kings. It will only aid a member of the True Blood Line of the kings. It’s believed the spirits of past kin are held within the sword to aid each new True King to carry it. Several lifetimes of wisdom and fury wait for the tapping.

Lagueu

Lagueu is the Shadow Sword. There are many legends around how it was made. The most common belief is that Whalms offered their aid in battle. When their benefactor won with their help, they took their prize. They took the children of the champion’s village. Whalms in those days, or so it is told, turned human children into new whalms. The champion hadn’t been told this part of the deal and went out to retrieve his daughter and the others.

It’s said he found them, and they ran for freedom. The whalms released great dark magic on him, and his sword was transformed. He killed them, and most stories have the children dying as well, and the sword became darkly done. Its bearer can step into one shadow and pass through into a shadow realm.

This swords has a smoky, grey blade, but an average guard, grip, and pommel. The bearer can then step out of another, distant or near shadow at will.

Non-Jackiare

There was a mayor attacked by Shadow Creatures, creatures born of the darkness between the different sparks. None who survived any such attack was ever the same again. They became as dark as the creatures that had attacked him or her. To prove his worth to his town, the mayor held a festival to prove he hadn’t changed, but as the people slept after a long day’s festival, a band of marauders charged by that same mayor, snuck into town to pillage and murder them all.

The Mayor had joined with his charges, and his blade, Non-Jackiare became imbued with his darkness. The dagger was hidden away in a crypt to keep it safe from greedy hands, but like so many of the other less savoury weapons, there were a few who remembered it and continued to seek it out.

This dagger’s blade is ice pick shaped. The short guard is thin and has curved ends. Its black grip is padded with silver wire winding its way around to a capped pommel.

Ig.Yar

This sword is a lesser known bit of legend. One night, a sword appeared in the town of Resedd along the coast of the Coloured Seas. It was a gift to the town. No one in Resedd knew there was a secondary gem they couldn’t see in the back of the sword. They only saw the front gem which shone so beautifully in the suns.

The back gem caught the moons’ light and cast an enchantment over the town. The people were transformed overnight into vines, and the vines still take over the valley where Resedd lies, and the sword it’s believed is still in that fountain top where it was planted buried under vines.

-

Inx Clarjoux

This blade was held by Dogasse Kye. He was a barbarian who found peace. He worked to give his fellow barbarians a more loving faith. He even had a few bands following him at one point, but he was killed. He became a competitor to a fellow barbarian who didn’t want his kin believing in any other barbarian’s strength and purpose but his own. Grio.dyness simply didn’t want to share power. Inx Clarjoux it is said could heal any wound. Its red grip has black cable winding around and up from a black pommel to its black guard.

The Cane

It has a proper name, but that is inconsequential. It is a cane that, according to legend, was carved by the giants back when they roamed the free world. Ages on now, they have vanished from sight and mind for most people, but there have been sightings and there are rumours about The Cane. It travels from forest to grove to Wood and back again. It mingles with the trees when in each wooded region. Being as tall of them, it’s hard to notice what it is per say until you’re there in front of it. That is when most people know to fear any stray thought.

-

The Green Sword

The Green Sword has known many names. Galarna is one of them. The Green Sword is a broad sword. Bright green outlines the blade. The guard, grip, and pommel are deceivingly average-looking. Legend has it giants made this blade. Since then, it has been stolen from them, then returned each time by giants on a mission to retrieve their property.

There is an older, little known legend that has the Green sword as man made and enchanted by the Swathai of old. According to the legend, the giants were chosen as keepers so that man would never know what enchantments were laid upon this metal, to keep man and this blade from interfering with another’s best laid plans.

Staltas

This blade was fashioned using magics of Guardian and human mage origin. It can summon great transformation or stop the same change. Kael used this blade to help maintain his human body and stop his inevitable transformation back to his true Guardian form.

The Trial of Millosai

Punctuation Key

by Seth Giolle

People

The Trial of Millosai

Sea Navigation

by Seth Giolle

Sea navigation has long depended on the stars and moons for guidance. Judging by where the moons are in their cycle and what season it is, you can look for certain constellations. After citing those constellations, you can find your way home.

The problem with this navigation has always been cloud cover.

To this end, the Kran’Peile was designed.

The Kran’Peile was designed by a brilliant man. The King he was in service of took credit for his work, hence, its original title, the Kran-Stithe. Over time, one King and lord replacing the other, the rights of the worker slowly gaining power, this map-drawn form of navigating the seas changed names.

To the common man, it is known today as the Peille Metre though its technical title is still Kran’Peile.

There are other benefits to this tool than simply navigation on a cloudy day. By plotting where you are on the map using the four dissecting lines, you can plot where you’re going and stay on track during your voyage. Using stars and moons, a sailor quite often still strays somewhat from his course, and there are some swells and whirlpools that you don’t want to stray into. The Kran’Peile is more accurate than constellations.

The problem with this tool is that it loses its accuracy where the lines aren’t close together. There are many astrologers, engineers, and inventers trying to draft a better version of navigation though no one has improved this fault that still plagues this navigation system today.

Author’s note:

It occurred to me at one point that there were no stories that involved boats. That didn’t really bother me as much as it became a challenge, so I wrote a story in the novel storyline that took place on a boat. That required marine animals and sea navigation, hence, the birth of this Kran’Peile. It didn’t make any sense this world would magically know longitude and latitude. They needed their own system. They might one day end up with something close to our current plotting system, but until then, they’re on their own.

The Trial of Millosai

Shields and Insignias

of Past Ages

by Seth Giolle

Table of Contents

Author’s note

Medieval

1st and 2nd Darkening

Birth of the Renaissance

Author’s note:

This section of the Crafting of Millosai relates to the symbols and icons used over the eras covered in the novel series. It shows and describes in general terms the shields certain kings, nobles, clans, and towns used in their day citing interesting points as space and interest allows.

This section also includes symbols some of those groups use for their particular faiths. These faiths are not delved into completely here and now because they’re discussed in a separate section on Spirituality. They are mentioned here simply to give a reader a sense of why the particular group chose that symbol for their faith in the first place.

This section also briefly discusses the more-Renaissance age where shields were still in use as people do seem to love to try and kill one another. The birth of the Renaissance was still rough, but it gave birth to the kingdoms that would either survive, thrive, or be removed from the map.

The symbols they chose to use are shown and discussed. Where a kingdom is no more, that is noted. Where things are the same, that is noted as well. The current insignias and symbols used by currently strong provinces, regions, and territories are not mentioned in this section.

Medieval

Royalty of Old

Research into the various symbols and icons through the ages has uncovered many interested illustrations. Each one has been remastered as can be best done, but they are each still in an original state to protect their authenticity.

The above shields have been connected with the old sovereign High King Jehan Dlo ll. The left-most shield was used by his main, castle guard and select soldiers. The central shield design has been marked as belonging to more specialized units, and the right-most shield was used by his general soldier company.

The shields below are connected with King Durlan Wen Tol, the brother of the above sovereign. The left most shield in the below image was used by King Durlan’s main, castle guard. As above, the central shield design in the image below was used by Durlan’s more specialized units. He shared the same shield as his brother for his general soldier company.

Lesser Nobles

The shields above were found to be the work of Duke Etaq Di San. Banners and paintings that have been recovered from older castles have indicated falcons were either a family crest or favourite.

Unfortunately, there has been little found to document how old these shield designs might be. Other documentation connects Duke Di San with High King Jehan and King Durlan. Though it’s possible there was more than one Duke Di San through the ages, it is most likely he is one and the same noble who supported the afore-mentioned kings during Millosel’s medieval period.

Another noble mentioned in many old texts is the Earl Goshicin Ni.de-Lanl. This noble is noted as being a direct descendant of those put in charge of defending True King Ellor who reigned before the First Darkening. There has been no mention found for a reason no aid came for Ellor near his end, and this has led to many debates.

Some believe the Earl’s ancestors sided with the Wolf, led by Grio.dyness, and helped overthrow their current king. Others believe the barbarian Wolf clan attacked both castles at the same time and cut off any aid the Earl Goshicin’s forebears might have otherwise offered.

The stag and this shown shield design was the original design used in the days before the First Darkening when True King Ellor died and his throne was seized. Those who follow the line of thought that the Earl’s family helped betray their king use this fact as proof the family helped in the fall of the True King. The continued use of the same emblem and shield would be a statement to the world that they were proud of their heritage in the following overthrow of the throne.

Helping the afore-mentioned sovereignty was another noble named Lord Rel Riolne. In some texts his family name doesn’t have the ‘l’ in Riolne, but in others, it does. This is an interesting point as family names are often quite exact.

It’s been theorized this noble and his family line is descended from an older name found through historical research Nere-le Net Rione, the figure referred to in some places as having been a goddess. It has been more easily accepted she was simply revered as such. She was not of noble or royal blood. That much is not in dispute.

If this family was tied to a non-noble, Lord Rel Riolne might have tried at periods to hide this fact. As such, the name spelling would change, but then, the old spelling would resurface when an old friend or mistaken servant added an extra letter. There is no proof of this connection either way.

There also is no mention through the historical texts which specific bird Lord Rel Riolne used as a marker for his shield design. As Duke Di San was using a falcon, it wouldn’t do for this noble to use the same animal, and yet many believe this bird shown in the designs above to be falcon in origin.

It is possible this is an older species of falcon or an extinct bird breed that dates back to the first in Lord Riolne’s blood line. Like so much else, any fact to support or deny such a claim has been lost to time.

Medieval Clans

The medieval period was fraught with danger relating to various clans. Some of those clans continue to practice their ways to this day. Unlike it was back then, they do not war over petty territorial disputes. There have been many symbols used on flags, shields, and banners over the eras.

The D’Arkiz, whose medieval shield design is shown above, were present in the past. This clan does continue today. Their heritage is said to predate the First Darkening in fact. Though they have no set home base for their practices, then or now, they claim fierce pride in their presence in our world. The symbol displayed on the right represents their current faith.

 

An older, still present, clan is that of the Dragon Clan, shown above. Their shield was designed to represent lightening which is the element to which they pay their homage. Their loyalties are tight and offered to those in need, and they follow a system of protecting dragons should they return. As many do not believe dragons were ever real, this clan has taken some criticism over the years, but they still hold to their beliefs.

The symbol on the right represents their faith. There has been no explanation for the moon, three swords, or ‘v’ aspects of this symbol. It might not even be a moon. Three swords have been drawn back to older lore concerning the creation of three blades. The choice of moon, if that is what the circle relates to, is most likely Tsy Tchay as most clan beliefs centre around that central moon. The ‘v’ is likely a dragon in flight.

Another clan from this era is the Temple Gkoek. This all female clan believed in power and practiced their own path to perfection through excelling in physical and combat-oriented training.

The Gkoek clans still practicing today continue to aim to be one with their chosen deity though few have died in the effort to help them make this ascension for some time. The left-most symbol is how they currently represent their faith and temples.

The Kranggr Answii symbol shown above is easily recognizable. Like the D’Arkiz, the Answii are nomadic, and the Answii hold no complaint with making their presence known wherever they go.

This was one of the most violent clans in the past making war to claim territories and project a more fearsome reputation so other clans would give them room when the need arose. It worked for the most part, but as the old clan wars began, other clans did not back down, and though fear was created, it was also constantly tested. This clan has lost and gained the most members throughout history.

Their most notable claim to fame has been their arm shields, which follows, which are sharpened and used as weapons in combat. Though the Answii have also not done combat in a long time, they do still bear this shield design today and declare it as readily as they do their presence in any given area.

Found in only a few texts is mention of the Temple Lake Dwellers. It is believed this clan simply staked its claim on a territory and stayed there. As such, they didn’t do grand battles or expand their territories. As such as well, their name did not spread with great fame and remembrance. In other words, they have almost been forgotten over time. There are groups who practise the old ways of this clan, but these methods are more interpretive than accurate.

The shield design shown above has been found imprinted in clay in certain excavation areas. The symbol on the right is used to represent their faith.

The next group of mention from this era is that of the Walkec Clan. They are noted as being the opposites of the Gkoek. They are still today a male clan, and though there have been few open disputes between Walkec and Gkoek groups, they still are not friendly to one another.

The Temple ZRR’DANE is of next notable mention in the clans of old. They were always at war from what our histories have been able to tell though this clan survived those many battles without being killed out. There has been little mention found of what strategies or temples they used to help them survive the ages.

The ZRR’DANE remain a hostile clan. They are very territorial though they follow the Clan Peace Agreement signed centuries ago, and they do not wage war in our age. They simply do not allow outsiders to come too near their temples or ask very many questions.

The shield which follows is still carried today by those ZRR’DANE clan members on patrol around their temples. It is also borne on marches. The symbol that accompanies represents their given faith.

The last clan that has any known shields or icons to be found in the texts is that of the AQITE QARKO. This clan of old still continues to this day. Their shield design and faith symbol shown to the left and below suggest a following of the stars and suns. This clan is said to have few allegiances to this day. In the medieval era, they battled for supremacy and shifted loyalties when the need arose or situations favoured a shift. As such, this clan was to be feared and watched. It is still a clan to be respected.

 

Medieval Towns

Chalenn

This town is mentioned in many sources. It is noted as having horses, grains, water, and produce as its main staples in trade though its most notable claim to fame was the quality of its horse breeds.

Its allegiances were royal though there have been many references found in the histories to suggest they did business with anyone who could pay their price.

This town did have some more famous and embarrassing run-ins with the rebellions over time. Though the Stilenn dukes who ran this town claimed this was a lie, history has recorded otherwise.

Davergen

Davergen, also cited as the town of Daverg by some older maps, has known many earls and lords. The current noble would prefer Davergen’s darker history be forgotten in this new age as this town is set to become our new world capitol.

Derak Peak

Derak Peak is mentioned in the old histories as having been a small, rural town that relied heavily on trade. This town ceases to be mentioned after a time. It is believed there was a massacre, and this town took the brunt of the attack.

The most interesting part of this town’s history is that images of shields used by Derak Peak are found decades later. It seems descendants of this town made it their goal to keep the memory of Derak Peak alive.

LonThesharr Deslies

This town shield is found beside various royal emblems. It is also mentioned often as having strong royal ties. To this day, this town supports the crown in any way possible.

Qestilar Eckvian

Qestilar Eckvian has been mentioned in many texts, and this town continues to thrive, but its greatest value to historians lies in the past. According to our histories, this island town was home to the Order’s oldest sect, and it once held deep catacombs that are now nonexistent.

What mysteries and purpose did those catacombs hold? Who built them and why? Of more pressing a nature, how far do these mysteries date back?

The Valley of Gan

The Valley of Gan has seen many towns. It has held true to the old shield design shown to the left, but the town and its noble changed often. Its magistrate today still uses this design to honour this valley’s past.

The magistrate, unlike those before, has openly offered this valley’s mountain to tours. The central mountain to this valley is riddled with catacombs said to have hosted unsavoury groups in the past. They are now a source of solid income.

Kasmin

This town is mentioned in older texts citing a strong, royal attachment which continues to this day. Historically, its chief trade has changed throughout the decades from produce to iron. It still boasts a strong army. That much has never changed.

Kelrin Pass

This town, like Chalenn and Kasmin, have been mentioned over time as owning to a strong loyalty to the crowns. Its chief trade has been iron for horse shoes and weaponry. This town has also known many famous architects that are the source of its strong houses and more advance marvels.

Nolostre

History tells of Nolostre always having strong walls and fierce pride. This old shield design has of course been abandoned to time and successive rulers.

The greatest debate regarding this town is why any ruler would choose wooden shields to represent a strong, stone-walled town. Perhaps it was vanity to express a simpler, bolder statement by using wood to show strength.

Town of Sheava

Sheava is a mythical town found in texts from before the First Darkening. The reason it’s mentioned and its shield is presented in this section relates to a great conundrum. This shield design and other various symbols have been found in dig sites dating as young as the medieval era. If this town and its surrounding area was consumed by the First Darkening, how is it there are symbols from this town present in the medieval sites? Perhaps they were digging up the past as well?

Yuh Grai

This shield design has been abandoned to time. More recent shielding involves more rectangular carving and a hint of ivory at edging.

Yuh Grai’s history has escaped most texts. There is mention of their allegiance to the crown of the time, but there is little mention of any goings-on this town might have been involved in.

1st and 2nd Darkening

There are many symbols and icons, shields for the most part, that history cannot identify. Written account for the chosen town has gone missing or been burned, maybe lost to land quakes or floods. The town’s people have been spread out or moved away perhaps. In many cases, small villages or nomadic groups may simply have died out, and they never took to chronicling their blood lines or ways.

Historians have agreed more so that these shields relate to towns, clans, or groups that existed during the First or Second Darkenings. There is much history that was lost to those majorly lawless times.

For whatever reason, there are images that have been found depicting unknown shields with equally unknown histories. They follow in this section. By studying them, one might decipher the past and find meaning for the present.

The Kingdom of Tentefor

Tentefor began a strong, noble kingdom. It is now a region, but many still hold to its original, founding pride. This pride has led to many arguments with Tentefor’s original neighbouring kingdom of Teshellon. This hostility has died greatly over the years, but it refuses to abate completely.

Tentefor claimed a prideful dominance over the eastern seas. As such, the symbols they chose to present in documents reflected the water and its travel and trade.

It’s most notable town was that of Fettil which is now inside other borders. The wax seal and ink stamp of that town, still used today, follow.

The Kingdom of Sathiol

-

This kingdom started out smaller than Ammoll at first. In time through its many colourful political and war-related ventures, it is now as large as Ammoll and a great source for culture and commerce.

One of its more notable towns would be that of Elimn whose was seal and ink stamp are presented on the right.

This Province has also changed its column (far left) and bunting (direct left) over time, but the theme of mountains to show strength remains the same.

The Kingdom of Zilmn

The Kingdom of Zilmn, now a province like so many others, has changed its boundaries many times over the years. The column (left) and buntings (right) show up in our histories involving for the most part warring terms. History would tell, and its current magistrate won’t deny, that Zilmn has been at the heart of many a war for power and lands.

As fate would have it, this kingdom suffered the most through every conflict it started. As this kingdom changed its boundaries often there are no notable towns to mention that have stayed current over the years, and no seals or ink stamps can be easily selected for example.

The Trial of Millosai

Mage Craft

by Seth Giolle 

Mage Craft

An Introduction

Mage craft can be separated into two categories: Spell Craft and Words of Power. An introduction of each follows with examples offered on the following pages. The exact details of necessary words or ingredients have not been included in the magic descriptions, simply the basics so as to introduce an understanding of the process involved in enacting the specific magical art.

All magic that involves spoken spell weaving from spell craft to the use of Words of Power is draining to the magicker. As such, the magicker must be careful not to drain themselves too far, or they may be open to attack until they are rested again.

 -

Spell Craft

Spell craft involves the use of Potions, Charms, and Woven Words.

Potions use earth and water elements mixed in the proper quantities with the same results and limits as many spoken spells and are therefore included in this section. Potion craft is generally passed down from parent to child, and potion ingredients differ on area and season. Charms are objects spells have been attached to. As such, they fit in this section as well.

Spell craft is more often momentary and limited in its effect, and it doesn’t create anything new. It merely adds to existing strength, healing, and otherwise present energies to exact the desired effect. As spells are the simplest form of magic, they are accessible to all who have the potential to manipulate the world around them.

-

Words of Power

Words of Power are woven into the very fabric of existence. They are the words that make something red or green. They are the words that form the elements that hold something solid or make it liquid. They are the words that define the molecules and elements of everything physical around us. They are the foundations of what is real.

Spell craft accesses the same elemental base of reality but on a surface level. Using and manipulating the Words of Power themselves involves accessing the very fabric of existence to manipulate and transform a chosen item into something else.

This level of power is impossible to most every magicker.

Words of Power can be accessed by thought and need not be spoken. This level of magic is more draining to perform. It is empowering once connected because the magicker is in tune with the very essence of life, but it is hard to access and leave such depth. Upon leaving, the magicker is left without that life and feels very drained. When using the Words of Power, things must be spoken true, or things could go awry.

Spell Craft

Potions, Charms, Woven Words

Potions

Love

Love is a heightened state of existing awareness and arousal where the simple seems extraordinary. A smile is an invitation, and the less impressive qualities in a person can be easily overlooked. Love potions are attuned to heighten a person’s natural state of arousal and awareness. The person giving the love potion needs to time arrival and presence for when the person receiving the potion will be affected.

Love potions are often made from local plants, but aphrodisiacs can be created from other sources as well. Like all potions, the exact ingredients and portions vary from region to region based on what plants and dyes are available on hand.

Love potions generally last nine or ten hours, and they can leave a person dizzy but functional the next day. Memory is not affected. If handled properly, the enhanced amourous state can be continued, and the person who received the potion may never know the love was started by potion delivery. Enhanced love may become true love.

     -

Lust

Lust potions work much like Love Potions, but potions focused on Lust are stronger at inciting arousal. They have a shorter duration, but their effect is amplified, and the drain on the body is considerable. A person who has taken a Lust potion may not move for the whole next day, and memory is sometimes hard to retrieve the morning after.

-

Luck

There is some debate on the state of things regarding Luck Potions.

There are those who believe Luck Potions merely improve a person’s naturally positive mood. In a heightened, happy state, a person tends to speak and interact with others in a more positive way. As such, positive things happen. Luck is achieved.

Like Love Potions, Luck Potions vary in ingredients from region to region, and despite those who might doubt the use and effect of these potions, there are some who swear by Luck Potions to save their lives.