recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Akhen

Akhen (Old Exekian: "The Creator"; also known as "the one god", "the Eternal One", "the All-Father", "King of the Universe", "Lord of Time") is a deity worshiped by the followers of Akhenism and Vormundism.

Both Akhenists and Vormundists believe that Akhen is the sole god in existence. He is said to have created the universe for his pleasure and sentient life out of loneliness. He resides in Paradise, a harmonious realm beyond the physical, material universe. While he has played a significant role in the history of the world, he usually does not interfere directly with mortals, preferring to utilize his servants instead.

## Known Servants

The Ferdia - Also known as the "gift-bearer" or "sky-serpent", the Ferdia is a dragon-like creature who brings the righteous and virtuous heroes of history various gifts from the god as rewards for good deeds. In most cases, the gifts are hereditary and can be passed on to the gifted person's descendants.

Casimir - A spirit who can take human form, he is also known as "the deceiver", "the tempter" and "the sorrowful one". His task is to tempt physical beings into sin; if they reject him, he is granted an hour of bliss. If they fall for his charms, they lose their soul and Casimir gains another sorrow. He has been identified as The Devil among the Major Arcana.
Heather Montag

Heather Montag was a Human female. She was a member of the Cult of Vormund, one of the earliest believers in Vormundism. By the time she met and befriended Dagda Vormund, she was widowed and working as a healer in Hiberia.

Heather agreed to hide the runaway slaves Clara and Sophie from the local authorities. In her honor, they took her surname of Montag as their own.

By 164, Heather had passed away after her son, a lawyer working for Balthasar Krezt, arranged to have her poisoned. Vormund believed she had been murdered, but they had no proof.
Goran

Goran was the first male Fomori. Originally conceived as the second child of Embal and Callidora, when his mother discovered she was pregnant she fled into the sea, where she was transformed into a Fomori. Goran was born at sea, but he eventually returned to land as an adult in order to find a mate.

On land, he encountered his father, who tried to convince him to stay. Goran selected a bride and lived with her for some time, but he began to long for the ocean and eventually abandoned his family. His children were likewise compelled to return to the sea at some point in their long lives.
Old Kingdoms

The Old Kingdoms were a series of fragmentary monarchies which existed during ancient times in what is now known as the countries of Apicarta and Exekia. These kingdoms were ruled by both Exekians and humans, although in later centuries the Exekians began to enslave all humans. The Old Kingdoms gradually merged together, eventually forming the Old Exekian Empire.

Artifacts, documents, and legends abound regarding the Old Kingdoms era, with some of the most famous figures being Queen Skoga, her lover Arkady, and their dispute over which was the wealthiest, which sparked a war with a neighboring kingdom, Sylarat.

The Old Kingdoms were in a nigh-constant state of war with each other, often over perceived slights between one ruler and another. These conflicts were brutal, bloody, and according to the Mandorlin, part of the reason why the gap between the earthly and the divine grew larger.
Lucia Stirling

Lucia Stirling was princess of Apicarta, and through her marriage to Messala Nikov, Prince of Thun, she became consort of that realm.

## Biography

The secondborn child of Lucien Florescu and Queen Enid Stirling, she was the only daughter her parents' marriage produced. Ignored by her mother, she was doted on by her father, who was roused from his melancholy by her presence.

Her father's madness first began to manifest when Lucia was about seven years old. Periods of silent catatonia and violent, paranoid outbursts began to disrupt the family's lives. Lucia was too young to understand what was happening, but she refused to leave her father's side until forced by her mother. She was brokenhearted when Lucien was sent away to live in confinement.

Eventually Lucia grew into a beautiful and gracious woman. She married Messala Nikov, who ruled the principality of Thun, an island kingdom off the coast of Dardanos. She moved away to live with him, and apart from attending her father's funeral, she did not return to her homeland.

At the funeral, Lucia was approached by Queen Laura Stirling and the two struck up a conversation. Laura sympathized with Lucia over the loss of her father, and Lucia offered the young queen some advice.
Darjeel

Darjeel is a plant which grows in temperate climates. Known for its distinctive white flowers with dark purple edges, the leaves can be harvested and turned into a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

One of the hallmarks of darjeel use is watering eyes, caused by irritation when the drug is inhaled in powdered form. The leaves can also be chewed, smoked, or ground into a paste and the liquid strained for use in mist flutes. The resulting hallucinations are extremely intense and often render the user immobile.

The use of darjeel is considered highly dangerous, as it can drive people insane. It is illegal in many countries, though it is also used in divination rituals.
Stormbending

***"Stormbending"*** is the second song from the Devin Townsend Project album *Transcendence*, released in 2016.

## Appearances

* *Transcendence* (original studio recording)

## Lyrics

```
    Time is a human construct
    And you were below the waves
    Time after time
    July was in her eyes
    But you lie, you lie
    To your soul, your soul
    Your soul, let it fly

    I remember the rainy days in Chinatown
    Oh, I hope you'll be ok
    Time after time
    July was in her eyes
    But you lie, you lie
    To your soul
    All we're offering is a chance to be loved

```
Tristan Stirling

Helen Stirling

Tristan Stirling was king of Apicarta. By his wife Deirdre, he fathered Aldous, Helen, and Claudius, and is the paternal grandfather of Richard and Eleanor.

Revered after his death as a wise and just ruler, Tristan was far more controversial during his reign. He was assassinated at the age of fifty two by the Eclipse, a radical religious group which his lax policies helped create.

## Biography

### Early Life

Tristan was the eldest child of Enid Stirling and Lucien Florescu. He was betrothed to Lady Deirdre Crimwall at the age of fourteen and married her as soon as they came of age. They had three children: two sons, Aldous and Claudius, and a daughter, Helen.

### Vormund and the Eclipse

Twelve years into Tristan's' reign, the prophet Vormund began preaching tolerance and brotherhood between the races. He drew many followers in a short amount of time, most of them soldiers, along with a few Exekians who had remained hidden in the northern regions. Vormund became a threat, and was captured and executed.

A year later, soldiers guarding the southern border began to desert their posts or throw down their weapons, refusing to fight. The Exekians, led by Nechtan, immediately invaded and terrorized the countryside before being defeated by the elderly Tristan and his army. This event, along with Tristan's continuing persecution of the Vormundists, led to the formation of the Eclipse, a group of radical Vormundists who believed the Stirling bloodline was cursed, and that peace was impossible so long as their family was in power.

### Later Years and Death

Tristan was assassinated during a visit to Isidore, the ancestral home of the Zosimus family. During dinner, he was shot by Drusus Rolfe, a member of the Eclipse. Gavin Zosimus, his wife Beatrice, Aldous and Claudius were present in the room when he died the following morning from his injuries.
Wedding Ceremony

The two parties came out of the caverns together, carrying candles and lamps, and made their way to the fire. Melissa carried Laura, wrapped in the blanket Vormund had made, with Gavin at her side. Sophia was clad in red, with bands of embroidered white, black, and blue designs at her collar, elbows, and waist. Her veil was gone, flowers woven in her long black hair, and in her hands she clutched a wooden bowl.

Rowan had never seen Kemet in person. While he was much taller than he would have guessed—he towered over everyone else—the face that drew near was the same he had seen in his dreams of late. He had abandoned his black cloak in favor of a black jacket instead.

Once everyone was gathered by the fire, Vormund laid aside his guitar and rose. He took the wooden bowl from Sophia and stood between her and Kemet.

“A marriage sanctified by the god is beyond any earthly law,” he said. Then, lowering his voice, he asked Sophia, “Will you guard him against the evils of this world?”

“Yes,” she replied.

“And you—will you shield her from temptation?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“And do you both vow to remain in bondage to each other until death?”

Sophia’s gaze flickered. “I do.” Kemet echoed her a moment later.

“Take each other’s hands now, and let this seal be a symbol that holds fast.”

Sophia’s small hand, olive complected and with the nails worn to a nub, clasped Kemet’s four long fingers without hesitation.

Vormund tipped the wooden bowl over until the hadzic nectar inside flowed over the edge, trickling over their knuckles and coating the backs of their hands before seeping between their fingers and over their joined palms. The nectar had the color and consistency of honey, but the weight of it dragged down until it was only the thinnest of coatings. Gradually, it would harden like wax.

*Aren’t Exekians colder than us?* Rowan thought. What if the seal didn’t work?

But a few moments longer was all it took. Slowly and carefully, their hands separated, slipping out of the fragile, gauzy shell of amber. The shape of their clasped hands was cast, and it would last for hundreds of years, provided it was kept in good condition.
Amarnan Paladins

The **Amarnan Paladins** are an order of Vormundist knights from the kingdom of Amarna. Founded by Leonard Gorrister in 170, members are sometimes referred to as the **Knights of Vormund**.

The order can trace their origins and fighting style to the Zantine Paladins, as Gorrister was trained by Marcus Roland, a Zantine Paladin.
Exekia

Exekia (originally known as "the shadlowlands") is a region in the northern hemisphere. It is bordered to the south by Apicarta. Considered inhospitably cold to humans, it is the current "official" homeland of the Exekians, who are better equipped to tolerate the extreme temperatures.

In the years following the First Exekian War and the collapse of the Exekian Empire, the Exekian survivors of the conflict fled into the hostile northern wastes across the Kuhlimani Mountains and the Antrea River in order to escape the genocide of their people. Two centuries later, the land is divided between two rival factions, the New Exekian Empire and the Clan.

The area is characterized by its extremely low temperatures and frozen tundra. Dubbed the shadowlands for the endless night which lasts all winter, Exekia generally has only five to six hours of daylight even in midsummer. The sudden sharp drop in temperature come nightfall and the high-speed winds which ravage the region have made it largely inhospitable to most forms of life.

Since the First Exekian War, the shadowlands have become a safe haven for Exekians fleeing human aggression. Numerous feudal kingdoms and tribes formed, which experienced infighting amongst themselves within the last two hundred years. Currently, there are only two major factions, the New Exekian Empire to the west, and the Clan to the east.

## Inspirations

Svalbard, Norway - The northernmost settlement in the world.

Oymyakon, Russia - Incredibly cold and windy settlement in Siberia.
Eltenia

Eltenia is a region of Iskirra. It is located to the north of Zantium, separated by the Luzhin mountains. It was a constitutional monarchy. The capital city is Weir.

Prior to Exekian Imperial colonization, the region was inhabited for centuries by prosperous human farmers. The Exekians arrived only within the last few hundred years, and they were outnumbered by the humans six to one. After the collapse of the Empire, most of the Exekian inhabitants departed. The rest vanished into the mountains.

The citizens of Eltenia are extremely wealthy due to the abundance of natural resources found there, particularly lumber and iron, as well as its booming agriculture and fishing trade. The country is also known for its natural beauty, which attracts tourists from around the world, bringing even more money with them. Eltenians had a very high opinion of their society due to their civil liberties and freedoms, including universal suffrage and democratic elections. They were assimilated into Iskirra, which adapted many of their freedoms and rights into their own society (but not democracy). Currently, the Eltenian coastline is plagued by frequent pirate raids, and their military is struggling to deal with the issue.

The Eltenian shieldmaidens originate here, mainly in and around the region of Ardal.

## People and Society

* **Races (Numbers)**: 90% Eltenian, 10% Immigrant (6% Zantine, 2% Apicartan, 1% Iskirran, 1% Other)
* **Languages Spoken**: Eltenian, Exekian
* **Autonomy**: Very high

### Religion

The Temple is the primary religious group in Eltenia, though they have little power within the secularized government. Agnosticism and atheism are both common. Zantine Akhenism has increased in recent years due to the influx of Zantine refugees.

### Magic

* Laws on magic: Magic is technically permitted in Eltenia, although the Temple preaches against it. The generally secular government neither outlaws magic nor offers special protections to magic practitioners.
* Magical Tolerance
* Magic in Warfare

### Ethics

* **Gender Equality/Roles**: In many ways, Eltenia is the most free country in the region when it comes to gender equality. Both men and women can vote and serve in the military, with the Eltenian shieldmaidens being among the most elite of their armed forces.
* **Familial Units:**
* **Social Rituals:**
* **Fashion and Dress:**
* **Cuisine:**
* **Entertainment/Games/Sports:**
* **Art and Other Great Works:**
* **Notable Subcultures:**
## Government

* Government type: Constitutional monarchy
* Nobility and Privilege
* Capitol City: Weir
* Taxation: High
### Economy

* Natural Resources
* Taxation
* Trade, Guilds and Market
* Technology and Medicine
* Transportation and Communication
* Farming
* Export/Import

Other Significant events

**Politics**

* **Government**
* **Laws**
* **Military**
* **Foreign Relations**

**Territories/Subdivisions**

* Weir (capital)
* Melekess

**Geography and Ecology**

* **Notable Natural Landmarks**
* **Notable Flora/Fauna**

**History**

**Key People**

* **Current**
* **Historical**
The White Stag

"*The creature was very much like a deer, and yet not. It walked on four long legs capped with small cloven hooves, and its sleek body was covered in white fur. Jagged antlers crowned its regal head, somehow not too heavy for its slender neck to bear, and its eyes were milky white framed by thick lashes. There was an ethereal quality to this beast that made it seem like it wasn’t real—a trick of the light, an optical illusion.*"

The white stag was a being which appeared in the Arcane Realm after Marcus Roland's self-sacrifice. Marcus' spirit climbed onto the stag's back as if it were a horse, riding it as he chased after the Magician. The stag is strongly implied to have been divinely sent as a mount for Marcus to use in his eternal battle against the Magician.
Vormundus Richter

Vormundus Richter (born Tristan Stirling II) is a human male who lives somewhere in Exekia. Raised by Clara Richter and Kemet, he is only vaguely aware of his true heritage as the eldest son of King Aldous and Queen Laura.

## Biography

He was born at Carthmere Castle. When he was four years old, his father decided to take him with him to war. His mother went with him. Wanting to stop the invasion and genocide planned by Aldous, Laura agreed to exchange her newborn son, the heir to the throne of Apicarta, for an Exekian child while the two were being held captive by the Exekians at the fortress of Heliobas. She named the changeling John and carried him with her into her husband's camp. Afraid of what the Exekians might do to his son, Aldous agreed to halt the assault on the fortress, and eventually called off the war altogether.

Her natural son was given to Clara Richter, the human wife of the Exekian commander Kemet. She renamed him Vormundus after the prophet Dagda Vormund, and raised him as her own child.
Sebastian Stirling

Sebastian Stirling was a prince of Apicarta. He was the youngest child of Princess Enid Stirling and Lord Lucien Florescu, being preceded by his brother Tristan and sister Lucia. He married Lady Rose Carnell. While the couple had many children, only one made it to adulthood, their daughter Frances.

During the War of Succession, after Prince Claudius went into hiding, Sebastian managed to place Frances on the throne, declaring her queen. But Aldous Stirling found Claudius, killed him, then returned to the capital and had both Frances and her husband thrown into the castle dungeons. Sebastian mounted an army, intended to break them free of prison, but the attack failed and Sebastian was himself captured. He was sentenced to death for treason, along with his daughter and son-in-law.
Callidora

Callidora was the first female Exekian. Created by Akhen as a mate to Embal, the first male, she bore him a son, Monaxia. After the birth of her first child, she became convinced that she had been made unequal to Embal and began to resent him. After discovering she was pregnant again, she fled into the sea, where she was transformed into the first Fomori.

Her second son, Goran, was born at sea. Upon reaching adulthood, he returned to land in search of a mate. There he was reunited with his father, who begged Akhen to return Callidora to him as well. But Akhen refused, citing Callidora's freedom to choose where, who, and what she was, even knowing the pain and grief she caused by her actions.
Dinah Wallis

Dinah Wallis was an Iskirran sorceress. She attended the College, and was an acquaintance of Drusus Rolfe and Connor Vandeer. During a class trip, she attacked Rhiannon Roland, who killed her in self-defense.

Appearance

Dinah was described as a tall and willowy girl with smooth brown hair cut at shoulder length. She walked on the balls of her feet with her nose in the air and carried herself with a prim and proper bearing. This ladylike affectation would disappear in a heartbeat whenever she became angry - which was quite often. She had a short temper and would lash out at others over the slightest inconvenience. If you truly enraged her, she would become physically violent. She carried a dagger on her at all times, which she would use to threaten or injure her rivals.

Highly competitive, Dinah firmly believed she was the smartest person in the room and the most capable. If she saw someone getting ahead of her, she would seek ways of cutting them down or one-upping them.

Biography

Dinah was a member of the "new nobility", and therefore fell into a class of students at the College whose families were paying for their tuition.
Nesrine

Nesrine is an Exekian female. She fought in the Fifth Exekian War on the side of the New Exekian Empire.

Years later, she served as an ambassador from the New Exekian Empire to the court of King Richard Stirling. She looked down on John Stirling and was rude to her host; this put her under suspicion when an assassination plot was discovered.
Matta's Mutiny

> *"I was struck by the state of our society. The Empire was built upon the backs of mortal slaves, individuals whose lives were already brief and difficult enough as is without us imposing our will upon them. I had never questioned the system by which we lived, but after realizing this truth, it seemed disingenuous to continue propagating it."*
>
>

> -Matta, *Book of Matta*
>
>

Matta's Mutiny was an armed slave revolt in 230 BYZ. Led by the Exekian alchemist Matta, it resulted in the murder of Caspar, a high-ranking politician, and the attempted assassination of Emperor Rokanan. The rebellion was put down and those involved were interrogated under torture. To the confusion of the investigators, the slaves claimed the guards were ordered to leave their posts by a hunyadi, allowing them to escape. The hunyadi was revealed to be Kemet, Matta's adopted son.
First Exekian War

The First Exekian War, otherwise known as the Revolution, was a military conflict between the Exekians and the humans, resulting in the overthrow of the Old Exekian Empire.

Led by Letholdus Stirling, a group of human slaves working in the mines of Arza Vist rebelled against their Exekian masters after one of the overseers was injured by a dislodged iron ore. The slaves realized they could make weapons out of the iron to be used against the Exekians. The resulting revolt became known as the "March to the Forge".

The March sparked several similar rebellions throughout the Empire. The Exekians were slow to react to the threat, believing it could be easily crushed. Slave revolts were more common at the end of eras, as the Exekians would be collectively weaker due to kluuda. Since the era had barely begun, they felt certain of their strength and power.

This proved a fatal mistake, as the rebels quickly grew out of control, attracting runaway slaves by the thousands. Under Letholdus' command, they were shaped into an effective army. A series of strikes on various Exekian settlements culminated in the Tearing of the Web, a siege of the capital of the Empire. The Emperor, Taranis, was killed and most of the city's inhabitants were slaughtered, including the infamous attack on the House of Life.

With the Empire in shambles, most of the Exekian survivors fled to the Shadowlands. Letholdus proceeded to set himself up as a warlord and married Camilla to secure his legacy. He would become the progenitor of the royal Stirling family.
Isidore

Vincent Apothik (ward of the lord)

Laura Stirling (daughter of the lord)

Melanie Sutherland (stepdaughter of the lord)

Balian Zosimus (son of the lord)

Lindsay (cook)

Morgan (governess)

Hilarion (falconer)

Wilbur (stable boy)

Isidore is the ancestral home of the Zosimus family. Located just outside the city of Tyr, it has been destroyed and rebuilt numerous times, with the most recent incarnation being a large mansion constructed on the old foundations by Lord Hugh Zosimus.
Sophie Montag

Sophie Montag was an Apicartan woman. She was the younger "sister" of Clara Montag.

Sold into slavery to the wealthy Hiberian merchant Madame Rathbone as a replacement for Clara, Sophie was swept away after Clara killed her master, forcing the two slaves to flee for their lives. They were found by Dagda Vormund, who placed them in the care of Heather Montag, a healer and friend of his. Clara and Sophie both took the surname Montag and began referring to each other as "sister".

While Clara became one of Vormund's most devout followers, Sophie was skeptical. She traveled with the cult surrounding Vormund only to be close to Clara.

Upon their return to the city, they discovered Heather had died in an insane asylum, where she had been forcibly committed by her son. Left with no other options, Sophie stayed with Kirk Babbitt, a retired sailor turned pawnbroker. After speaking with her brother, she decided to leave with him, intending to live with the rest of the Cult of Vormund until better arrangements could be made.

En route to Tyr, she was attacked and killed by Ethan, who had been driven mad by the drug *darjeel*. Her murder prompted Leonard Gorrister to report the cult to the police, effectively disbanding them and leading to Vormund's heresy trial.
Joan Zosimus

Joan Zosimus was the daughter of Galian Zosimus, sister of Hugh Zosimus and Theodor Zosimus, and the aunt of Stephen and Gavin. After being widowed, she went to stay with her brother and sister-in-law Sibylla. After Hugh died, she remained with the family, helping to raise her grandchildren and later her great-grandchildren, all of whom affectionately called her "Auntie Joan".
Letholdus Stirling I

Letholdus Stirling I was the founder of the royal Stirling dynasty, and while his yet-unnamed kingdom only stretched from Carthmere to Bodai, he is considered the first king of Apicarta.

 Biography

### Early Life

Letholdus was born a slave in the Old Exekian Empire. By the time he was ten years old, he was among the many children working in the copper mines of Arza Vist. There he met Camilla, a fellow slave, and the two became close.

When he was seventeen, he witnessed an event that would change history. Struck by a dislodged iron ore, one of the Exekian overseers was severely burned. The slaves realized iron could be used as a weapon against the Exekians, and planned an uprising. With Letholdus and Camilla among them, they attacked their masters with pieces of iron and marched to the forge, where they smelted the ores into weapons.

### First Exekian War

Ten years later, at age twenty seven, Letholdus become the leader of the burgeoning population of fugitive slaves. Organizing them into an army, he sacked the capital, slew Emperor Taranis, and took up residence in the palace.

### Ascension, Reign, and Death

Shortly after, Letholdus was crowned king of the city. He established his court at the emperor's palace, renaming it Castle Vallon, and declared the pregnant Camilla his queen consort.

Camilla died in childbirth, bearing a son, Cassius I. Reportedly, Letholdus was so stricken with grief at her death he locked himself in his chambers and refused to eat anything for thirty days.

Letholdus' reign lasted sixteen years; at the time of his death, his kingdom consisted only of the land from his castle to the city of Bodai. He continued to repel the Exekian forces up until he was slain in battle. His son succeeded him and proceeded to expand the borders by force.
Letholdus Stirling III

Letholdus Stirling III, aka the Raven King, was ruler of Apicarta. Born the eldest of three children, he was named heir to the throne at his birth.

It is believed he had a hand in the deaths of his sister Odette Stirling, his brother Stephen Stirling, Stephen's wife Maria and their infant son in order to prevent them from impeding the line of succession.

He married Aalis Bricassart, whom he imprisoned after discovering she had committed adultery. Their only child, Enid, was conceived and born in the Ivory Tower.

Letholdus' obsession with subjugating the free city-state of Kataru consumed most of his reign. Angered by the Katarans' steady refusal to join peacefully with Apicarta, Letholdus believed they were stubborn and arrogant, and he sought to humble them. He repeatedly attempted to take the city by force, burned large sections of it, and was known for his brutal treatment of Kataran prisoners of war.

His reign lasted thirty nine years. He is remembered for his ruthlessness and brutality as well as his bizarre obsession with his personal ideals of purity and justice. He was known by the moniker "the raven king" for his black hair and wardrobe.
Peredur

Peredur was a legendary figure who lived during the Old Kingdoms era. He is credited with being the first paladin.

Born in what is modern day Apicarta, he was an enslaved soldier in the armies of Queen Skoga. He was dispatched to fight in the Raid of Sylarat, but deserted the battlefield.

Fleeing into the forest, he encountered the wounded Ferdia, a mighty Exekian warrior. The good-natured Peredur treated Ferdia's wounds, even though he hated the Exekians for enslaving him. In return, Ferdia agreed to train him, making Peredur the first paladin.

Peredur was eventually captured by Skoga's men and sentenced to imprisonment for desertion. For six nights, he lay in prison, awaiting his fate. Each night, he dreamed of a different facet of love: unconditional love, friendship, sacrifice, eternal love, "love that wills the good of the other", and servitude. At the end of the six days, he was due to be executed. However, in the aftermath of the failed raid, chaos broke out among the petty kingdoms and Skoga was killed.
Weboftheworld Wikia

This wiki is a personal project devoted to cataloguing a growing fictional universe. Keep in mind most of the articles are out of date, and a few contain spoilers, so if you just waltz in here and look at random pages, you'll likely come away confused. I don't really recommend you go any further than this home page, but I know you're probably not going to listen to me, so whatever I guess.

## Navigation

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## Latest activity

Photos and videos are a great way to add visuals to your wiki. Find videos about your topic by exploring Wikia's Video Library.

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Arza Kell

Arza Kell (Old Exekian: "silver mountain") is a mountain in Apicarta. It is part of the Kuhlimani range, and is one of its smallest peaks.

Below the mountain is a vast network of limestone and marble caves, eroded by a subterranean river. The spectacular stalactii and other rock formations found in these caves were largely unknown to the public until after the publishing of Gavin Zosimus' *Hymns to Akhen*, which described how Dagda Vormund and his followers used the caves as a headquarters and semi-permanent residence. Likewise, the Exekian aisling Kemet, an important figure with their faith, lived in the caves for centuries and buried his copies of the Mandorlin, or holy books, in the earth there.
Paladins

The paladins were a special class of knight found within Zantine, Amarnan, and Dalite society. They specialized in combat, defense, and warfare against magic users and supernatural beings. They were typically men, though some women have been documented.

Their primary role was to defend against militant magic users in the Old Exekian Empire, and they would carry out the penalty dealt to such people (either execution or banishment). To do this, they wielded special weapons and learned how to exorcise spirits.

The weapons of the paladins were made from a material known as Exekian steel. While its origins have long been kept a secret from the outside world, the divine metal is in fact derived from Exekian blood, which has anti-magical properties. Originally, the blood was freely given; if it was taken by force, supposedly the weapon would be cursed to shatter in the heat of battle. But after the fall of the Old Exekian Empire, the paladins began forcibly taking Exekian blood from unwilling captives, in many cases resulting in the Exekian's death.
The Magician

The Liar

The Magician was a demonic being and one of the Major Arcana. He resided in the Arcane Realm, a dreamlike world where he held absolute power, but could never leave.

The Magician had an interest in the mortal world, and found ways to influence the course of events there by acting as a patron demon to various sorcerers. He was implied to have created the tarot deck, which he used to communicate with the living, as well as the magic mirror, which he used to control and eventually possess Ardath Roland.
Melissa Zosimus

Melissa Zosimus (née Gardner) was a human woman from Tyr. By her husband Gavin Zosimus she mothered the future queen Laura Stirling.

Originally a servant at Isidore, the estate of the Zosimus family, she was discovered by a young Gavin while she worked in the gardens. He was immediately smitten with her, but she refused his offer to become his mistress on the grounds that they would not be equal. Gavin finally agreed to marry her, knowing his mother would disinherit him.

However, before they could elope, Gavin's elder brother died unexpectedly, and Gavin became the sole heir of the family fortune. His mother was infuriated when she learned of Gavin's plans to marry a servant. In spite of her threats to disown him entirely, Gavin eloped with the pregnant Melissa.

The two wandered from city to city, eventually encountering Vormund and his followers. Upon learning of their situation, the prophet allowed them to stay at Arza Kell. As Melissa's time drew near, they traveled with Vormund to the nearby city of Bodai.

Melissa went into labor and was taken to the physician, but before she could give birth, the police arrived with orders from the governor to banish Vormund and his cult from the city. Melissa was thrown out with the others, but found help in Leon Gorrister, who offered to led them to the house of his mother, a midwife. Before they reached the house, Melissa gave birth to Laura on the side of the road, facilitated by Leon.

While in the postpartum care of Hester Renard, Melissa died of hemorrhaging. Gavin brought her body to Arza Kell, where she was buried.
Skoga

Skoga was an Exekian and the ruler of the ancient petty kingdom of Yaekar. A Mandorlin figure, she appears in the Histories of Heroes.

## Biography

Skoga was born thousands of years ago in the lowlands. She ruled over Yaekar, an ancient Exekian petty kingdom. Her lover Arkady was from the city of Sylarat, and their relationship meant that Yaekar allied itself with the city.

However, the lovers began to quarrel when Skoga began to believe that Arkady was wealthier than her. In an attempt to quell her unease, Arkady called for a cataloging of each of their material properties. It was then that Skoga realized Sylarat was protected by Ferdia, the greatest Exekian warrior, while her own kingdom had no such special protection. Mad with envy, Skoga called her armies together, including enlisting the aid of her ally and other lover Sadon, and marched to the city, intent on slaying Ferdia. Wounded, the warrior nonetheless escaped, killing many of her men in the process.

Among those who survived the battle, an enslaved soldier named Peredur deserted the army and fled into the forest, where he encountered Ferdia. In exchange for bandaging his wounds, Ferdia agreed to train Peredur, making him the first paladin.

Skoga eventually managed to capture Peredur and sentenced him to die after six days in prison. However, at the end of the six days Skoga was killed and all her prisoners were released.
Balian Hayden

Balian Hayden was the son of Lord Sylvester Hayden and Lady Beatrice. He is the younger brother of Lady Melanie Sutherland. He later became a knight.

## Biography

Balian Hayden was born in 167 AYZ in Tyr. He was his parents' second child, being preceded by a daughter, Melanie. His father died when Balian was barely a year old, and his mother remarried to Lord Gavin Zosimus.

Balian grew up on the family estate, Isidore, alongside his stepsister Laura and his stepfather's ward, Vincent. The four children were very close when they were young, vowing to always look out for each other.

Despite the infamy surrounding the Vormundist religion, Gavin raised his children in the faith.

During the War of Succession, Gavin sided with Prince Claudius. He was eventually killed in battle. As punishment for betraying the crown, King Aldous took the Zosimus family hostage and burned Isidore to the ground. All of the children attempted to flee, but only Vincent escaped.

The family was quickly separated from one another. Balian was taken from his mother and sent to a boys' camp along with other sons of traitorous lords. There, he was forced to train to become a warrior.

Four years later, having excelled in his combat training, Balian was permitted to become a knight. Waiting in line to be knighted by the queen, he was stunned to realize the queen was none other than Laura. The two were reunited, and Laura made him her personal bodyguard.
War of Succession

The War of Succession was a military conflict over control of the throne of the kingdom of Apicarta.

Following the assassination of Tristan Stirling, his twin sons, Aldous Stirling and Claudius Stirling, contested each others' right to the crown. Claudius gathered supporters and waged war against his brother for three years. Aldous was in a defensive position and had more followers, giving him an advantage.

Among Claudius' supporters was Lord Gavin Zosimus, the most wealthy man in the kingdom. During the Battle of Duat, Gavin sacrificed himself to save Claudius, but the battle became a turning point in the war, favoring Aldous. Zosimus' family was taken hostage by Aldous, who later married his daughter Laura.

Eventually, Claudius went into hiding, adopting the false identity of William Harding. His sister Helen, who had been acting as a spy for him, was captured by Aldous shortly after. She revealed the whereabouts of Claudius to Aldous, believing if she told him where he was, Aldous would let him live.

While Aldous was still searching for Claudius, a second pretender, Aldous' cousin Frances, appeared. Through the machinations of her father, Sebastian, she was crowned queen at the capital in Aldous' absence. Aldous returned with his brother in chains to find his cousin on the throne. However, Frances willingly gave up her seat of power and submitted to imprisonment, having faith that Aldous would be merciful if she did so.

Sebastian mounted an attack on the capital in an attempt to free his daughter, but failed. He was captured and Aldous, convinced his enemies were all too dangerous to be left alive, had them all executed. Claudius was killed first, then Sebastian, then Zachary Guildford (Frances' husband), and finally Frances.
Cassius Stirling II

Odette Stirling

Cassius Stirling II was the fifth king of Apicarta. He was the sole heir of Prince Erasmus Stirling II, who did not live to wear the crown.

When his uncle Reginald assumed the throne upon the death of King Letholdus Stirling II, the infant Cassius II was spirited away by his mother Elisabeta, who feared he would be killed or imprisoned. The two lived in hiding for the next twelve years.

The fourteen year old Cassius revealed himself upon Reginald's death and took the throne. He married Margot Castile, who bore him three children: Letholdus Stirling III, Odette Stirling, and Stephen Stirling. His twenty three year rule was largely uneventful and is considered a period of relative peace.
Queen of Peace (book)

*Queen of Peace* is the planned second novel by A.J. Norman. It is a sequel to *Borrowed Time*, set roughly ten years later, and deals with the social and political unrest which results from the spread of Vormundism, as well as the prophesied rise to power of Laura Zosimus, the titular "queen of peace".
Sarovar

Sarovar is a colony of Iskirra. It's largest settlement is the city of Melekess. The region is primarily valued for its natural resources, including materials which are used to create new technologies.

During the early years of the Iskirran Empire, the Iskirrans invaded Sarovar and committed genocide against the Sarovaran people. The genocide proved bloody and costly to perform, and resulted in Iskirran policy changing to favor cultural assimilation over mass killings.
Kataru

Kataru is a city state located on a small island off the coast of Apicarta. It is currently ruled by Mara Mallory. The city is known for its enclosed architecture and rainy weather. The citizens are stereotyped as gloomy and solemn. They are known for wearing modest full body robes in dark, muted colors. The culture is dominated by religion, and the Temple still holds sway over their society.

During the rule of the Old Exekian Empire, it was a small trading port of little consequence. After the Empire fell, it grew substantially, remaining independent even when it was repeatedly sieged by King Letholdus III.

The master sculptor Meier Amano was born in Kataru.
Claudius Stirling

Claudius Stirling was the son of King Tristan and Queen Deirdre and the brother of Aldous and Helen.

When his father was assassinated, Claudius disputed Aldous' right to rule, leading to the War of Succession. He was eventually betrayed by his sister, tortured, and executed at the age of twenty seven.
Butter Knife

Butter Knife was a sword owned by Marena Roland. Forged by her lover and fellow student Ardath in the Academy forge, it was gifted to her by him shortly before she left to join the Cult of Vormund.

Butter Knife was so named because it had the words "butter knife" engraved on the blade. This epigram originated from a joke told by Marena about how she would like to kill her enemies using a mundane object as a makeshift weapon, such as a butter knife.
Stephen Stirling

Prince Stephen Stirling was the youngest child of King Cassius Stirling II and his queen consort Margot Castile.

His older sister Odette died suddenly at the age of sixteen under mysterious circumstances. Her death had a profound effect on Stephen, who suspected from the beginning that his brother Letholdus III was responsible.

Stephen married Maria, a minor noblewoman, at the age of twenty four. The two had a son, Stephen II. At the time, Letholdus had not yet married and had no heirs, making Stephen's infant son next in line after him. This created further tension between the brothers.

Upon their father's death, Letholdus assumed the throne. Stephen began to express his fears that his brother would use his newfound power to cause them harm.

One night, three assassins broke into the family's castle near Tyre, killing Stephen, Maria, and their infant son. The murderers were caught, tortured, and eventually executed, but they never provided a motive for the killings or named the one who ordered them. It is generally believed that Letholdus orchestrated the murders to keep the line of succession pure.
Clergy

The clergy is any formally ordained member of the Temple, a religious organization found throughout Alucarsia. While the religion most widely accepted in the country is rooted in Akhenism, the Temple does not refer to it as such, nor do they call their single deity "Akhen". They do this to avoid anything Exekian, including using words from their language. Regardless, the Temple organizes its clergy based on the Exekian *fellinar*.

Members of the clergy are devoted to studying the religious texts, particularly the Holy Books, as well as bettering and supporting their communities. They often hold fundraising events, such as the ecclesia faire. While they were never particularly powerful, in recent years they have lost much of their influence on the increasingly secular Alucarsian society.

Ranks of the clergy include priests/priestesses, monks, and bishops. The highest ranking is that of bishop, making one a "Lord of Time". Any unauthorized/unofficial religious figure is typically classified as a "wild man" (due to the tendency of such persons to live outside of civilization and/or adopt a "wild", unkempt appearance) and is usually dispatched by the clergy.
The Temple

The **Temple**, also known as the **Temple of the One God**, is the most widespread religious institution in the nations of Apicarta, Kataru, Zantium, and Dardanos.

Based on Akhenism, it differs primarily in its vastly different interpretation of the "Holy Books" - edited versions of the Mandorlin - and insistence that the language in which the Books were originally written, Old Exekian, is a foul and corrupted version of the divine, holy language of "the god".

The clergy is modeled after the Exekian fellinar; it is primarily administered by the Matriarchs. Each city in Apicarta has a Matriarch, to whom all members of the clergy in that city report. Lesser clergymen include priests/priestesses, monks, and theologians.

The Temple maintained a semi-close relationship with Zantine Akhenism up until the destruction of Zantium. Zantine beliefs regarding the use of magic influenced the Temple's policy on the matter, although the rarity of magic found in Apicarta means that most Temple members have little to no understanding of what magic is, much less the intricacies involved.

In more recent years, especially after the fall of Zantium, religion has lost influence and no longer has as much sway in political spheres. The Temple has drawn further criticism due to its practice of restricting and censoring its members. Nonetheless, any serious religious matter is deemed their responsibility even if it does not involve "official" clergy, including instances of cults, prophets, mystics, miracles, witchcraft and magic.

Certain bishops and clergymen have been investigated for ties to the criminal underworld, and for participation in illegal activities, such as smuggling, racketeering, human trafficking, and prostitution.

## Origins

The Temple officially began during the reign of King Letholdus II. In 72 AYZ, Letholdus II approved the translation of the Mandorlin from Old Exekian into Apicartan.

## Current Bishops

Guardian of Bodai - Julianna Morrow

Guardian of Hiberia - Balthasar Krezt

Guardian of Kataru

Guardian of Tyr

Guardian of Zemar
Martin

Martin was a human slave who lived under the Old Exekian Empire. He was the lover of Rathina, an Exekian. After he died, she commissioned the creation of a dagger with the power to exchange the life force between beings, intending to use it to bring him back from the dead. However, the dagger was stolen before it could be used and subsequently lost.
The Heart is the Lonely Hunter

**"The Heart is the Lonely Hunter"** is the seventh episode of the first series of Once Upon a Time,

## Summary

* This is the final appearance of Jamie Dornan as Sheriff Graham/The Huntsman in the starring cast due to his character's death in this episode. He later returned in the episode "A Land Without Magic" as the Huntsman who spared Snow's life so long ago
Ecclesia faire

The ecclesia faire is a traditional celebration common in the south. Hosted by the local clergy, it includes feasting, singing, dancing, and games.

While it was originally intended as a religious holiday, in recent years there have been reports of drug use, sexual activity, rape, abduction, assault and murder occurring at the faire. These events are typically swept under the rug and ignored. The information is spread in the form of rumors and hearsay, lending little authenticity to the claims.
Nykara

Nykara is both a continent and a country in the southwestern Waltari Sea. There is no central government; rather, the country is made up of several major city-states, including Melekess, Lydell, Silvenia, and Vitharn, each with its own sovereignty. Numerous small towns and villages as well as nomadic tribes wandering the desert are considered to be among the Nykaran people, though such folk are generally lawless.

While much of the broader continent is inhospitable desert, mountains, and frozen tundra, some regions, particularly those close to the river Neva, are fertile enough to give rise to prosperous civilizations. Thus, a few of the tribes organized themselves into cities along the river during ancient times. The "desert royalty" who became the leaders of the cities continue to rule today through their descendants, particularly the Cohilas family.

Native Nykaran people are smaller in stature (described as "petite" and "lithe") with bronze skin and dark hair/eyes. Melekess, the most populous Nykaran city, is very ethnically diverse due to centuries of immigration from other lands. Twenty years after the fall of Zantium, it boasts the largest population of Zantines in the world.
Tarot

Tarot is a method of divination using trump cards. Each card represents one of the Arcana, "cosmic archetypes" who represent aspects of the human psyche. By pulling a card from the deck during a divination session, one can supposedly determine the path their future may take, and whether their fortunes will be fair or foul.

The reputation of the tarot varies from one region to the next. Its origins are unknown, with many different theories being posited as possible. The Zantines despised tarot, seeing it as a form of witchcraft. Others are indifferent to it or largely ignorant of its existence, as in the lands of Apicarta and Exekia.

A small cult has developed around the Major Arcana, worshiping them as divine beings or "cosmic archetypes" similar to a polytheistic pantheon. There is evidence that such beings do exist, but whether they are divine or not is less certain.