recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
The Girl Who Climbed The Tower

*The Girl Who Climbed the Tower* is a song. While its exact nature is unknown, it may appear in the mind of any Named who develop an interest in ruling the Dread Empire of Praes. Amadeus describes it as not being from anywhere, and saying that he heard it once when he was young but "it was not for [him]". Given the title and context, it is likely about becoming the Tyrant of Praes.

Six verses have been revealed so far. How long the full song is and whether it has a chorus are unknown, though Amadeus mentions a refrain. The first verse has been the last one to be revealed so far however since it establishes the scene, and in the absence of the step structure which usually denotes order, it's assumed to be the first verse. It could perhaps be the refrain.

### Lyrics

There was once a girl without a name,
There was a tower no one could claim
No one remembers why she has climbed,
Or all those she must have left behind.

The first step is hardest, they said to her.
You will have to walk through fire.
It will burn away what you once were,
And always devour whole a liar

The second is the longest, they said.
You will walk under the restless dead.
The hanged all crooning from the gallows
To join them and rest in the shadows.

They say the third step is the cruelest,
Walk when the moon is at her clearest:
Love ends with the kiss of the knife,
Trust is the wager that takes your life

The last is strangest, she said to them
The easiest and the most solemn
For when the tower is yours to claim
You will have forgotten why you came.

There was once a girl without a name,
There was a tower no one could claim
No one remembers why she has climbed,
Or all those she must have left behind.

### Possible Significance

The description of fire burning away who the girl used to be may refer to the way that both the power of Dread Empress and the actions required to take it change the ruler. The line about fire burning away what you once were could refer to the tendency to lose what you've built or think defines you, right before beginning to work to seize the tower, the line about devouring a liar may mean that Evil or at least the Name of Tyrant of Praes are hard on those who lie to themselves. The line about having forgotten why you came by the time you claim the tower could be about how the process of claiming the Name of Tyrant of Praes seems to twist people tragically against their original motivations. However, this is purely speculative until more information about the song is released.

### Earlier Versions

An early draft of the song was posted to ErraticErrata's Tumblr feed. However, he removed that version and has requested that it not be described due to both changes since he posted that version and possible spoilers.
Shatha's Maze

**Shatha's Maze** was an array of defensive wards protecting the entry to the harbor of Thalassina. It was built about 600 years before current events, during the reign of Dread Empress Maleficent II, by the then active Warlock, from whom it recieved its name, and since then it had failed only twice – both times due to treachery. During the Tenth Crusade it was modified by Wekesa, Masego and Tikoloshe to better withstand an invading fleet from Ashur, and was eventually destroyed, together with the fleet and the city, when Wekesa requested a boon from the Gods Below.

## Description

A fundamental rule of magic is that wards do not work over water. Therefore, in order to ward the bay leading to Thalassina, Warlock Shatha had been forced to cheat. Instead of a single ward covering the bay, he raised over three hundred small, self-contained wards, each extending only over their own coral tower. Since the wards could not affect the water-filled spaces inbetween, they were instead set up to affect those who saw them. The effects were many and varied: some affected the senses to trick the watcher into choosing the wrong path, others simply made them mad or uncontrollably furious, and yet others triggered physical effects like fire or lightning. In order to allow trade, the Maze was normally not active. In times of war, it was activated by a series of rituals performed in two bunkers dug beneath either coast. The High Lords of Thalassina kept a dedicated force of mages on stand-by, ready to start the process at a moment's notice.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/10/31/interlude-apostates/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/11/05/interlude-inheritance/
Lysander

## Aspects

Master

Lysander is a villain Name raised in Refuge known as the Beastmaster.

## Background

Lysander was one of the core five students in Refuge together with the Archer, Hunter, Concocter and Silver Huntress. He joined the Grand Alliance after Ranger left to join Amadeus around the start of the Truth and Terms.

Lysander joins on the campaign to Hainaut but dies in battle before reaching the city.

## Appearance

Lysander is originally from the Free Cities and is a tanned man covered in filth. He has long matted brown hair. Lysander is tall and broad-framed and heavy-set, with clothes made of thick leather save for fur boots and a hood made by fox fur lined with ermine.

He has a long knife and a hatched by his side.

## Relationships

Lysander was part of the core group of students growing up at Refuge. This made him both close and in extreme competition with Indrani, John, Constanza and Alexis. As part of Hye Su's upbringing - killing any tendency to seek help from others or work in cooperation with the other students - Lysander was so focused on proving himself on his own it also was how he died. Despite help being so close by, he could have been saved if only he had called for it.
Skinchanger

The Skinchanger is an Evil Name.

It is noted that the Skinchanger is a cannibal although whether this trait is due to the Name is unconfirmed.

## Abilities

The Skinchanger is capable of shapeshifting. To shapeshift into a certain form, the Skinchanger has to kill and skin the person/creature for use.

The Skinchanger is capable of shapeshifting into creatures larger than herself or creatures capable of taking flight. Examples include:

* A wolf the size of a small barn
* An eagle-thing with armor piercing poisonous horns
* A hawk
* A large hound

## Known Holders

**Unnamed person**: A signatory of the Truce and the Terms who participated in the War against Keter. At the time during the War against Keter, the Skinchanger was the first Named the Lycaonese had in at least half a century.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/chapter-43-conclusions/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/chapter-43-conclusions/
Skein

## Aspects

Spool

Wind

The Skein is a Horned Lord, a Ratling who has grown incredibly large and intelligent. It was later defeated by the Dead King and revived as a revenant in his service. It served as the guard of the palace known as the Threefold Reflections in Keter.

The Skein posses a great deal of pride in its abilities.

## Appearance

The Skein stands on two feet at sixty feet tall with two antlers. It has dark fur and a wormlike tail. Its head is snakelike, with pale golden eyes above deep red gouges.

## Powers

As a Horned Lord, the Skein is naturally powerful. The Skein possesses incredible strength and speed, and its evolution from a typical ratling has given it a high intelligence. Steel does nothing against its eldritch hide.

Unlike common ratlings which are driven by hunger, the Skein possesses the ability to think and reason. One inherent power it has as Named is the ability to see the future. As a Horned Lord, the Skein is able to consume things that normally should be impossible such as domains and spells.

Its aspects shown are **Spool** and **Wind**.

**Spool**: Allows the Skein to rewind time. It is limited to short jumps backwards, with participants retaining their memory of the previous timeline.

**Wind**: Allows the skein to manipulate space in some fashion. Was used to tamper with Catherine Foundling's creation of portals.

## References

1. ↑ Book 4 - Chapter 40: Vivienne's Plan
2. ↑ Book 4 - Chapter 42: Skein's Plan
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Book 5 - Chapter 43: Masego's Plan
4. ↑ Book 4 - Chapter 42: Skein's Plan The Skein’s jaw hung unhinged, gaping wide, and it closed only when the last of the darkness had been swallowed into it. There went my domain.

Which he had eaten, because that was a thing that could be done.
5. ↑ Book 5 - Chapter 44: Small Slights
Tancred

### Background

Tancred, the current Scorched Apostate, is an untrained mage who was born on the shores of The Tomb. He fled south to the town of Marserac when the Dead King invaded. He uses his magic to imitate the Light.

Tancred used his magic to detect victims of a plague created by the Dead King who were in Marserac. When the townspeople attempted to flee further south, he killed nearly everyone in the town rather than risk further infection. Then lost control of his magic and burned down most of the town.

The Beastmaster spotted the burning town and alerted Catherine Foundling. She recruited Tancred for the crusade against the Dead King under the Truce and Terms.

### Appearance

Tancred is 14 years old, with blue eyes and black hair. He is tall for his age. Two thirds of his face, including one of his eyes is covered in sever burns which resist healing with light.

### Powers

Tancred is an untrained mage who uses magic to imitate Light. He can detect magically created diseases and create highly concentrated bursts of light and fire, which he loses control of upon release.

### References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/01/14/chapter-2-enlistment/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/01/17/chapter-3-standard/
Licerian Wars

**The Licerian Wars** were a series of conflicts between the Miezan Empire and the Baalite Hegemony. The wars led to the fall of the Miezan empire.

## Overview

Liceria was a part of the Miezan Empire somewhere other than Calernia, likely where the war took place.

There were at least two Licerian wars.

The first war occured after the Miezan's built bridges across the Blessed Isle, but before they could invade  Callow, which was a series of petty kingdoms.

The Second Licerian War fractured the empire and led to governors attempting to claim the throne.

## Trivia

* Catherines essay on the Licerian wars has been read by Ime and Akua Sahelian. They considered it sloppy and terrible, respectively.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Extra Chapters - Seed I
2. ↑ Book 3 - Chapter 5: Beachhead
3. ↑ Book 1 - Chapter 14: Villain
4. ↑ Book 1 - Chapter 6: Aspect
5. ↑ Book 2 - Chapter 2: Demand
6. ↑ Book 6 - Chapter 46: Vestibule
Bumbling Conjurer

"*Their work is singularly incompetent, but they struck gold seemingly by accident*"
―Warlock

Bumbling Conjurer is a heroic name is associated with both magic and comic relief.

## Role

Despite it being a Name that is geared towards magic, it is also relies heavily on luck. The user is immune as long as their accidental failures result in comedic triumphs. This results in any action of harming or being harmed backfiring on the assailant in comic ways. The comedic portion of the Name can also backfire on the Named causing their spells to fizzle out at the worst times or causing them to slip on their own robes.

## Abilities

The name augments the user's magical capacity, allowing them to cast an assortment of spells. Despite their increased power due to their Name they lack accuracy. The conjurer might intend to cast a spell but might be blown back into a wall causing a chandelier to drop on their foe. The foe will be dispatched but not by the intended means.

As the Bumbling Conjurer, Simeon unintentionally was able to redirect the scrying of one of the Calamities, Warlock. Simeon was also able to inhibit Apprentice's spell casting due to the unpredictable nature of the Bumbling Conjurer.

## Known Holders

**Simeon**: Was a part of William, the Lone Swordsman's Band. Killed by Warlock with a spell.
Penitent's Blade

A blade utilized by William of Greenbury. The sword is extremely sharp and able to cut through goblin steel with ease. This is attributed to the fact that the sword was crafted from an angel's feather. Anything sliced by the blade can never be healed, leaving lasting wounds on opponents. Often described as having a "keening" sound when swung.

### Role in PGTE

Used as the sole weapon of William of Greenbury in his role as the Lone Swordsman, it was eventually turned into a tool to summon an Angel of Contrition during First Liesse. After the angel summoning was prevented, Catherine Foundling broke it, and scattered the pieces.
Tower

> In Callow the symbol that bound us was the ancient bells of Laure, to the extent that even the Fairfax kings and queens had used them in their heraldry. Here in Praes, though, it was the Tower.
> I stood before the beating heart of the Dread Empire and felt like an ant.
>
>

> -Catherine Foundling; Chapter 20: Rise
>
>

## Background

The Tower of Ater is the seat of government for the Praesi nation. It is where Court is usually held for attending nobles and villains. Constructed on the orders of the first Dread Empress of Praes, Dread Empress Maleficent, it has been a symbol of Praesi villainy for centuries. It has been destroyed twice, once by Dread Empress Triumphant in her last act, and again by a Proceran army in the Second Crusade.

## Appearance

The Tower is an extremely tall spire constructed of dark stone. Reaching over two hundred stories, the tower is surrounded by constant storm clouds at higher levels. The main entrance to the tower is manned by a demon bound to the doorway, and is reached by climbing on stairs carved into sculptures of weeping victims. Multiple other entrances exist, for lesser nobles and servants.
Stalwart Apostle

"*When I became the Stalwart Apostle the sorcery vanished from my veins, and the Light finally answered my prayers*"
―Pascale
The Stalwart Apostle is a Good Name.

## Role

The Stalwart Apostle's story is that of faith in the dark rewarded. The Name is given to those are devout in their belief of Above, willing to throw away everything in the face of trouble while sticking true to Above.

Coming into the Name, Pascale's sorcery vanished, and in replacement, she was able to wield Light.

Like most heroic Named, the Stalwart Apostle has a villanious mirror, the Scorched Apostate.

## Abilities

As the Stalwart Apostle, Pascale is capable of using Light. Using Light, Pascale was able to dissolve the plague created by the Plague-Maker, a Revenant of the Dead King.

The Name is also capable of healing injuries. However, wounds too deep aren't able to be fully mended.

## Known Holders

**Pascale**: Catching on to the Plague-Maker’s work, Pascale realized that she could not get rid of the plague with the magic. Placing her faith in Above, Pascale came into her Name, losing her sorcery but gaining the ability to use Light. Saved by the Grey Pilgrim while she was curing the plague, Pascale was introduced and brought into the Grand Alliance by Hanno.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/01/28/chapter-6-equivalent/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/12/29/interlude-flow/
Scrying

### Description

An individual uses a series of magical arrays in order to initiate a link between two small containers of water. The water is used as a medium where an image can be glimpsed. From this link, two individuals or more depending on the size of the water container can speak.

### Tactical Use

Scrying is used to communicate over long distances. It allows military commanders the ability to coordinate attacks in two different instances. Scrying distance, clarity, as well as time frame that a conversation can be held,  is determined by the strength of the mage who is initiating the ritual.

It is unknown if multiple links can be formed between vessels but highly skilled mages have been known to penetrate the communication between two individuals and spy on any conversations had.
List of Callowan Sayings and Phrases

From small slights, long prices: Revenge should be greater than the original slight, even if doing so requires taking a long time. The idea of avenging a slight three times over appears to be common, as Horrors and Wonders includes a note that if you steal from a Callowan farmer his grandson will track yours down, attack him and take three apples.

Long price: a recurring cost or problem that someone must suffer repeatedly.
Scorched Apostate

"*My gift is death*"
―Tancred
The Scorched Apostate is an Evil Name.

## Role

The Name is given to those who while originally devout in their beliefs, end up losing their faith in some manner. The Scorched adjective refers Tancred's scars, gained in the course of combating the plague spread by the Dead King.

Like most villainous Named, the Scorched Apostate has a heroic mirror, the Stalwart Apostle.

## Abilities

As the Scorched Apostate, Tancred had an eye for recognizing a magically seeded disease, the ability to wield highly concentrated light and flame in short bursts while losing control of it upon release. He was also a born mage, one of great power, having torn through a village while so unschooled. One first inspection, the Scorched Apostate's magic is a close mimicry to Light.

## Known Holders

**Tancred**: Tancred came into his Name after having lost faith in Above, finding the will to combat the plague spread by the Dead King. He was assassinated by the Dead King while sleeping.
Warlord

"*I stand for Warlord by the weight of my deeds,” he said, using the old turn of phrase. “Let them raise or bury me.*"
―Hakram Deadhand
Warlord is a Name associated with the orc tribes of the Steppes. Unlike many Praesi and Callowan Names, the same word is used regardless of gender. This is a result of the structure of Kharsum, where a noun is followed by a suffix to indicate gender.

The Name of Warlord, along with all other orcish Names, vanished during the Miezan occupation. Amadeus has speculated that if the Tower had lost control of the orcs their old Names might have had a resurgence, but Dread Empress Maleficent just barely managed to keep them in the fold. The first orc Named to appear since then was Hakram, with a new Name: Adjutant.

## Role

The Role of the Warlord was to lead the Clans into battle. Warlords would sweep down from the Steppes to plunder the Soninke and Taghreb kingdoms before returning with treasure and slaves.

## Powers

Hakram as Warlord has an Aspect called **Lead**. Hakram is able to keep his warriors up, quickening and strengthened them. However, it also leaves them exhausted to the point of collapse when he leaves.

## Known Holders

**Hakram Deadhand:** Deciding to lead the Clans, Hakram challenged Troke Snaketooth, one of the other claimants to the Name. Winning the challenge allowed Hakram to transition from Adjutant to Warlord.
Serenity

"*He had seen this place before. Green land stretching in every direction, an endless expanse of villages and fields and rivers. Men and women and children that never went far from the place of their birth, taught that they were to be content and peaceful with mother’s milk. There were no dangers, no dooms, nothing to fear in the Serenity. Only one beautiful day after another, until one day you breathed your last and the Fair King called your mortal coil to the Lands Beyond. Some would have called it a paradise, a place without sickness or war.

Anaxares the Diplomat called it a lie.*"
―Anaxares the Diplomat
Serenity is a hell or a part of the hell the Dead King conquered. The only sources of information about it as of yet are Hye Su, Malicia and Hierarch Anaxares.

The dead of Serenity always rise, as such, the realm is the Dead King's most regular source of ensouled dead.

It was described as fertile land dotted with villages by Anaxares. Hye Su only saw a throne hall, while Malicia described an almost utopian society while in the form of Athal. The information is relatively trustworthy as Malicia interrogated real servants in Keter and would not have wanted to blow her cover by providing wrong information.

The people of Serenity grow barley.

Despite the lack of a sun, the Serenity has plenty of light.

The Dead King lives in Serenity and seems to plan on becoming a God by copying Creation in Serenity. His will permeates the realm.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Book 7 - Interlude: Legends I
2. ↑ Book 7 - Chapter 64: Gehenna It was one of the many ways the Hidden Horror had turned the Hell into his personal fiefdom, Hye Su had explained. The afterlife here was service in Keter’s armies, marching through the gate into Creation. Not all souls remained in the Dead King’s grasp, but many did. It was his most regular source of Binds, the ensouled undead used as officers for his armies.
Tolltaker

"*"The Tolltaker they called her now, for there was no sin under Callowan sky she did not get a cut from"*"
―https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/02/16/chapter-65-elision/The Tolltaker was an alternate version of Catherine Foundling created by the Fourfold Crossing.
## History

The version of Catherine that became the Tolltaker split from the original timeline when she lost a pit fight where she had bet against herself, after which she lost her job at the Rat's Nest. She encountered the rapist guard which the real timeline version of Catherine killed, but never met the Black Knight and the fight she started with the rapist ended with the victim dead and her in jail awaiting execution. She was given an offer of freedom and a new life by the Smugglers' Guild, which she accepted.

She eventually took control of of all of the organized crime in Callow by climbing the ranks within the Smugglers' Guild and then killing the leaders of the Thieves' and Assassins' Guilds. During this same period, she grew increasingly disillusioned with her own people since she interacted with horrible criminals that reminded her that not every problem came from Praes.

Whether Tolltaker was a Name or simply a nickname, she wielded considerable power within the version of Callow in her timeline. However, she still ended up beholden to the Tower when Eudokia found her and began delivering quotas and orders in exchange for unofficial Imperial sanction. At some point afterwards, she encountered William of Greenbury and his band of Heroes, who were looking for entry into the city. She promised them entry and then sold them out to the Empire, using the money to buy a mansion in Laure and then put it to the torch.

When Akua and the Truebloods rebelled against the Tower the Tolltaker took advantage of the chaos to pursue vendettas against everyone she felt had wronged her or her country, including the Imperial Governors and the nobles of Callow. She furthered the rebellion by providing arms, and by killing the Assassin when he came for her.

## Disappearance

When Dread Empress Magnificent came to Laure she called for the Tolltaker to meet with her and tried to force her to kneel. The Tolltaker, along with the other three versions of Catherine created by the Fourfold Crossing killed Dread Empress Magnificent simultaneously, causing the Crossing to collapse and the real version of Catherine to return.
The Sun in the West

I don’t know if this is the whole song or just parts of it, so a single line skip denotes regular story text between lyrics, and 2 line skips denotes perspective change or lots of text between lyrics, that way you can judge for yourself.

### Lyrics

*My father wept for a prince*
*And died with a spear in hand.*

*My mother hasn’t wept since*
*Or left a god un-damned.*

*Maybe I’ll go east, they say*
*Swords there can win a crown.*

*Rule king a year and a day*
*Be buried with great renown.*

*Long ago, the tale goes,*
*The sun rose in the west*
*It might be it will again:*
*Tarry not, or we’ll be dead.*

*The fire turns to ember,*
*I wake from a sorry dream*
*Morning rides in pale splendour*
*Chasing down a fading gleam.*

*The road is long and winding,*
*Though I did it love it once*
*And tread it still, searching*
*The bottom of many cups.*

*Long ago, the tale goes,*
*The sun rose in the west*
*It might be it will again:*
*Tarry not, or we’ll be dead.*
Archer

"*On her back there was a quiver and almost absurdly large longbow strapped, but the weapon she had out was the longknife in her hand*"
―Chapter 24: Archer
## Role

While the role of archer does not lean to either good or evil, the Named is not shackled by the same constraints such as backlash for not adhering to Roles.

## Abilities

The Name offers increased strength as well as durability, but the primary physical benefits of this name are in flexibility as well as speed. By focusing on speed the named is able to employ the use of short swords for combat using quick strikes to overwhelm enemies. The Name also decreases noise made by the user similar to Hunter. Finally the user has increased observation skills and can locate enemies before the user is located.

As the Archer, Indrani is one of the most fearsome combatants in the Grand Alliance, able to fight to a draw with the Red Knight, one of the physically strongest Named among the Truce and the Terms.

## Known Holders

**Indrani**: One of the five core students in Refuge studying under the Ranger, Indrani was once a slave in Mercantis. A member of the Woe, Indrani became a claimant to the Ranger Name.

As the Archer, Indrani has three Aspects: **See**, **Flow**, and **Stride**.

**Hawk**: One of the Scourges of the Dead King. Believed by Hanno to had been an Archer while alive. A ranged Name with an aspect to simply 'kill'. She is weak up close and tends to retreat in close ranged combat with Named.
Sage of the West

The **Sage of the West** is a martial name from Levant that is aligned with Good.

## Role

The Role seems to lean heavily towards mythical monks, who abstain from using weapons and earthly riches. Hence why the Named only used leather wraps around their hand and does not wear shoes. The user is a strong supporter of good hence why she sought out evil and was eventually indoctrinated to the Undead Kingdom.

## Abilities

User has enhanced martial arts skill. As a result of using hand to hand combat the user must rely heavily on strength and speed. When facing opponents who use weapons the use of hand to hand combat might become a weakness, but the name offers defensive abilities such as hardening skin to the toughness of steel.

## Known Holders

**Unnamed Revenant**: Tall and massively built, the woman had no weapons but for stripes of leather around her knuckles and wore no armour, but a threadbare tunic. Used as a guard for the Dead King. Had an Aspect that helped turn her skin harder than steel.

Killed by the Ranger while visiting the Dead King.

**Armaranta Viegle**: **Recalled** by Hanno, a woman who had lived long ago and spent a lifetime studying the Light. A major influence in the shape the Lanterns took in the centuries after and died at the age of ninety-three, fighting a dragon with her bare fists.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/regard/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/01/06/winter-iv/
Maddened Keeper

"*The Maddened Keeper: the seal on darkness, who partakes of its powers*"
―Wandering BardThe Maddened Keeper is a Name related to the binding of evil. Despite being a heroic Name, the Maddened Keeper did not openly consider herself one of Above’s champions.

## Role

The Maddened Keeper does the work of Above in swallowing evils, acting as the seal on darkness, partaking of its powers. What the Maddened Keeper keeps within her is a mere finger’s touch away from Creation.

## Abilities

The Maddened Keeper is host to a great many old secrets that should have stayed unknown – and is rumoured to had even turned herself into a living seal on a Hell Egg from Triumphant’s days.

When fighting fae, the Maddened Keeper demonstrated the ability to swallow a cloud of decay that’d powdered rock and have killed the Blade of Mercy. The fae also avoided physical contact with the Maddened Keeper.  Through physical touch, the Maddened Keeper is able to spread Demonic corruption.

The Maddened Keeper also hardly ever tires, her body seeming to resist any change at all.

Sealed eight Demons in her body. Upon her death, the Demons were released, among which was the Demon of Terror and the Demon of Absence. As a result of the Demon of Absence, memory of the Maddened Keeper is spotty.

## Known Holders

**Unnamed woman**: A traitor working to undermine the Truce and Terms with the Wandering Bard. Fled Callow during the early years of the Conquest. Described to be skinny, a "perennially exhausted woman in her early twenties, skin drawn and pale and her dark hair ratty". Dressed in threadbare robes ever rumpled and thin, but with a sense of menace about her, like a diseased thing, the sight of which had you withdraw your hand out of fear and disgust.

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/chapter-14-audience/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/chapter-14-audience/
3. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/04/10/interlude-deadhand/
4. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/04/24/interlude-knock-them-down/
5. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/chapter-14-audience/
Saint of Swords

Saint by Dr. God Of Dissapointment , on discord

A heroic Name, currently participating in the Tenth Crusade. Revered as a hero among heroes, has a reputation as an experienced combatant and to survive this long the hero has trained extensively.

### Power Level

The Saint is an offensive name that can cut through large groups of soldiers with little effort. A name that is on par with Catherine's winter mantle besting her on several occasions. While primarily dangerous in close combat the Saint has shown the ability to attack enemies from long range. Despite the overwhelming abilities the true extent of the name is hindered by the age of the wielder. This is an inherent weakness of all heroes as the age with time. Thus aspects are heavily limited or in fact never used in battle. The handicap causes the Saint to rely on the natural abilities of the name as well as her experience.

### Role

The Saint of Swords is compared many times to a blade. Over time the Saint has sharpened her senses to the point that the wielder was able to form a greater attachment with creation. The very soul of the Saint has been formed into a blade, likened to a domain. Thus the Saint more than most names has been used as heaven's weapon. The Saint is able to feel the pull of creation sensing future stories, creation of heroic bands. The Saint is at home when facing armies of enemies with the heavens backing her. Thus all the violence she commits is confirmed and encouraged, allowing a clear conscience. The Saint is most often used by the Heavens to clean up particular cases that warrant force over negotiation.

### Special abilities

The Saint is extremely powerful, able to trade full-strength blows with Catherine's Winter form without great effort. The Name is geared towards combat and lacks ability to support other heroes, or any defensive aspects. The pure focus of the name does afford the individual with a clear advantage in duels or open battlefields, but it truly shines when the name can depend on others to cover inherent weakness.She has the passive ability of having transformed herself into a living domain. It is implied that the ability may once have been an independent aspect similar to Cat's Fall, but over time was refined into become a permanent characteristic of her soul. Her status as a living domain makes her mostly immune to oracular abilities, giving her a distinct advantage when sent by the Heavens to kill a villain with some form of future-sight. It also allows her to cut through nearly anything, including the fabric of Creation itself, which creates razor sharp slices in the air which can even be used as stepping stones for her to maneuver with in combat.

Aspects: **Sever**, **Listen**, **Decree**
Yara of Nowhere

## Aspects

Wander

Narrate

Guide

"*You idiot,” the Intercessor screamed. “You fucking idiots.*"
―The Intercessor
Yara of Nowhere

## Biography

This aspect allows the Bard to disappear and reappear somewhere else instantaneously. She can use this to appear when she needs to talk to someone, or to escape an attack that would kill her. According to Kairos, she flees from three things: True love, her own death, and her heart's desire.

**Narrate**

This aspect allows the Bard to see the stories of heroes and villains, allowing her to predict their actions. She also uses this ability to halt the stories of Below, allowing villains to freely take actions that would normally lead to their inevitable defeat.

**Guide**

This aspect allows the Bard to manipulate angels, and possibly other divine beings. She is seen using this ability to prevent Mercy from smiting a hero in a flashback, and she later uses it to allow Judgement to bring the Hierarch back to life. It's also suggested that she could use this ability on the ealamal, expanding its area of effect to wipe out most of Calernia.
Valiant Champion

"*Stories not about truth. They about glory and sex. And killing. Sometimes Gods, but mostly other three.*"
―Rafaella
The Valiant Champion is a martial name.

## Role

The Valiant Champion is one of the five founding members of the Blood in Levant.

## Abilities

The Champion's role offers increased physical characteristics. This name allowed the user to take on many opponents at once as well as fighting off the captain. It seems this is a name geared to fighting opponents who also use martial names. It seems that the name somewhat relies on attention thus it is better when paired with multiple allies as it empowers those around it and feeds off of the attention from others. It also seems that champions are able to craft their own dimensions.

The Valiant Champion was able to hold her own against the Captain she was only able to with the assistance of the Ashen Priestess healing her literally from the brink of death multiple times. Her name is still powerful able to hold the gates by herself turning the tide of battle.

## Known Holders

**Rafaella**: Rafaella had won her Name by triumphing over others in honest battle.

A habit of Rafaella's is to cut off the tips of swords and makes them into rings she wears around her neck. After defeating the Captain, she skinned the Captain and wears her as a cloak. Rafaella has since stopped wearing the cloak after being cautioned against it by Catherine Foundling.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2021/05/04/interlude-north-i/
Taghreb

The Taghreb are one of the two main human ethnic groups of the Dread Empire of Praes, specifically to the desert. The other are the Soninke.

### Appearance

Taghreb tend to have lighter skin than Soninke, but darker than Southern Callowans. They are most likely molded after northern-african and middle-eastern appearance.

### Culture

The Taghreb tend to be ruthless and arrogant, but have complex customs and rules of etiquette that few are willing to break lightly. One of thier most well known custom's is when an Taghreb ask to sit at your fire then that is an agreement that they will not commit any violence at least till dawn.

The Taghreb are a dwindling people, almost second-class citizens after the Soninke, who made the main Praesian population. Although human, and though entitled to more rights than Orcs and Goblins, they are not among the most powerful nobles, who are mainly Soninke. According to Aisha Bishara, the sand buries everything, and she wants to have a place in the world*.*

The Taghreb had mixed their lineages with the djinn, thus enancing their personal magic power. Although the boost was successful, it proved ultimately less enduring than the Wolof ritual magic.
War College

"*Today we set aside Good and Evil. There is one sin, defeat. There is only one grace, victory. Everything else is meaningless.*"
―AmadeusPivot
The War College is the only officer's school in the Empire, meaning that every officer wanting to make a career in the Legions of Terror is expected to have graduated.

### Companies

Within a week of joining, students are assigned to a company of a hundred other cadets that will serve as their mother unit for the rest of their time at the College. Given that there are around a thousand cadets in attendance, the student body is divided into ten companies. Each company has a name and a standard, typically an animal from the Wasteland, except for the company at the head of the monthly rankings, which is called First Company. The companies gain points based on how well they do in weekly war games.

### War Games

The companies rise and fall in the rankings based on how well they do in weekly war games. The most common scenario is an attack and defense mission where each company is given a flag and told to try and capture the other team's flag and take it back to their capture zone. Such a battle is worth 2 points for the winner, or 1 point for the defender if they hold out long enough to force a draw.

### Company Organization

Each company is broken down into five lines of 20 troops, divided into 2 tenths of 10 troops each. Each line has a lieutenant a sergeant, with the sergeant normally supporting the lieutenant or leading the second tenth if the line splits. The whole company is led by a captain.

There are a wide variety of types of troop, each specializing in a different aspect of combat. Depending on the tactical style of a captain, they may use a variety of different troop compositions.

* Regulars are moderately armored, and are intended to offer a good mix of speed and power. They are generally orcs or humans.
* Heavies are more heavily armored than regulars, and are meant to provide the greatest front line strength on the battlefield at the cost of reduced mobility. The tend to be the limiting factor in terms of mobility. They are typically orcs or humans, though Captain Morok was able to get a tenth of ogres.
* Scouts are lighter armored that regulars and are typically trained in stealth and survival as well as combat. They are both effective recon troops and highly mobile strike forces.
* Sappers are engineers and explosives specialists. They are trained to build fortifications, siege weapons and other useful things, and tend to be the most effective in the use of goblin munitions. They are frequently goblins.
* Mages are trained to some degree in combat as well as magic. They are typically armored like regulars, and are trained to use basic healing magic and fireballs. Any mage who cannot learn these two basic spells is forced to drop out of mage training and generally become a regular or scout. Some mages are also taught more advanced magic like scrying. They are absolutely vital because they can provide magical firepower and can also bring wounded troops back to combat readiness.
Nihilis Report

"*I’m honestly not sure what’s more screwed up about this, that the Empire has a designated form for killing off bureaucrats, or that they expect me to fill it in triplicate.*"
―Catherine FoundlingsupplyThe Nihilis report is a form to report the execution of a bureaucrat. Under what exact circumstances it is used are unknown, beside the fact that a Squire who also leads one of the Legions of Terror is allowed to use it. Amadeus gave Catherine a copy of it, presumably to threaten anyone who Akua bribed to inconvenience her. She used the mention of the form, along with a (completely false) claim that she had developed the same power as the Lone Swordsman to recognize lies and a threat to allow Robber to torture him, to force Commissioner Rashid to admit to having accepted bribes from Akua and sign the proper papers to turn over supplies for the Fifteenth Legion.
Silver Spears

The Silver Spears were a mercenary company. They were under the command of the Exiled Prince and the Page.

They were defeated by the fifteenth in the Battle of three hills. The survivors of the battle fled into the hills around Marchford, where they were corrupted by a demon. They were killed in the battle of Marchford afterwards.
Hell Eggs

"Hell Eggs" is the name given to several artifacts created by Dread Empress Triumphant and carried by her Legions of Terror. Most of these were destroyed in the First Crusade that toppled Triumphant, but a few still survive scattered throughout Calernia.

A Hell Egg is a Legion battle standard (actually just the staff, the flag is optional) to which is bound a Demon and an army of 100 Devils. A diabolist wielding the standard can deploy these fiends in battle and call them back into the standard afterward. Hell Eggs are even more dangerous weapons today than they were when they were created, because the devils in them are now all hundreds of years old and therefore much smarter than freshly-summoned ones.

Akua Sahelian the Heiress unleashed a Hell Egg containing a demon of Corruption on Marchford, assailing the city with fiends and also corrupted remnants of the Silver Spears mercenaries, causing a terrible battle that mauled Catherine's Fifteenth Legion. Another Hell Egg containing a demon of Absence was found and destroyed by heroes during the Tenth Crusade.
White Knight

"*The White Knight was a creature of certainty, which leant him the appearance of calm, but there was nothing peaceful about certainty.*"
―Chapter 10: Reflections
The **White Knight** name is given to heroes who wish to stand for justice and defend the people. The current holder, Hanno of Arwad, is a former Ashuran.

## Role

The White Knight's role is to stand for Justice. He is unable to commit any acts of evil, or to perceive any act he does as unjust lest he be judged by the same power that was bestowed upon him.

The lives of most White Knights have centered on fighting Villains, although there has been a tendency among those born to Callow to instead specialize in fighting beasts and monsters, leaving the traditional rivalry with the Praesi Black Knights to the Shining Princes or Princesses.

## Abilities

The White Knight, like many other heroes, mainly relies on inspiring others to his cause. He can cause regular soldiers to fight with the ferocity of ten men. He is also dangerous on his own, employing Light that heals him but burns whatever else it touches. For additional offensive abilities he is capable of using a deeper version of Name dreams that grant him he memory and proficiency of not only others that shared his Name but many other names.

Supported by the Choir of Judgment, Hanno make no choices on who is evil or should be punished, Instead relying on a silver dollar that when he flips, lands on the whims of the Choir of Judgment which shows if the person Hanno faces is Good or Evil.

As the White Knight as Hanno shown two Aspects: **Recall** and **Ride**. The first which remained with him even after losing the Name.

During the final war against Keter, Hanno once again picked up the Name of the White Knight, along with two new aspects: **Save** and **Undo**.

**Save:** Hanno is able to feel the balance of victory and defeat around him as battle happens, allowing him to **Save** those he wish to.

**Undo:** Once a day, a death or calamity could be undone.

## Known Holders

**Hanno of Arwad**: When he was young, Hanno was stripped of his tier and citizenship after refusing to denounce his mother. This in turn drove him to seek guidance from the Choir of Judgement, who recruited him as the White Knight.

As the White Knight, Hanno had three aspects: **Recall**, **Ride** and an unnamed third aspect that allowed him to use the coin of the Seraphim. However, in time, Hanno lost the Name and only retained Recall and lost the other two as aspects.

During the final war against Keter, Hanno once again picked up the Name of the White Knight, along with two new aspects: **Save** and **Undo**.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/11/01/winter-iii/
Myrmidon

"*The Myrmidon, garbed in bronze and faith, was sharing quiet words with the Rogue Sorcerer.*"
―Interlude: Kaleidoscope VI

## Abilities

The Name has a high level of martial skill. Enough to be recognized as an impressive fighter by Catherine Foundling, as well as being delegated the responsibility of protecting the Rogue Sorcerer from a winter infused Catherine by the Saint of Swords. The Name is also strong enough to be recognized as one of the top two physically strongest Named.

The Name is also capable of having a dimensional pocket, a rarer ability in heroes than villains, though not unheard of.

Displayed the capability of imbuing weapons with Light.

## Known Holders

**Akatha:** A signatory of the Truce & the Terms, she was a part of the Grand Alliance in the War against Keter. Before joining the Grand Alliance, she is rumoured to have been chased out of Penthes by the Exarch, while being jeered at by the mob on her way out.  She also speaks nothing aside from Aenian, barely passable tradertalk and a smidge of Tolesian.

When in battle, the Myrmidon battles in bronze armour and a shield, both blessed , and a trident, which she inbues with Light.

During the seige of Keter, Akatha lost a leg. Afterwards, she fell into a trap while killing a Revenant and the Tumult dropped about a ton of rock over her. She still survived and joined the band to fight against a drakon. Akatha perished during the battle.

## References

1. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/chapter-43-conclusions/
2. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2018/06/04/kaleidoscope-vi/
3. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/12/11/interlude-woeful/
4. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2020/01/24/chapter-5-expired/
5. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/11/01/winter-iii/
6. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/winter-i/
7. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/09/02/winter-i/
8. ↑ https://practicalguidetoevil.wordpress.com/2019/11/01/winter-iii/