Glossary

Dramatis Personae, amongst other useful notes on places and objects met on the 13th's travels.

13th Irregular Knight Order of the Adarian Protectorate, The - an article of incorporation bestowed upon the six surviving passengers of the Desert crossing by the Marquesa dell'Afforenze. A deliberately small order, the Marquesa hopes that they will be able to operate faster, more efficiently, and more imaginatively than more conventional military units. They also seem to bear some more profound connection to the currently unfolding events surrounding that attack. While they don't enjoy the usual status of nobility, wealth and power that would usually come with such ennoblement, they are granted an uncommon degree of freedom of movement, access, and operational flexibility across the Protectorate, and answer only to the Marquesa himself. While unusual, this is not unheard of - in similarly complex situations, the Marquesa has formed similar orders. The previous twelve such are variously disbanded, retired, dead or missing, or still active. The 13th are currently charged with identifying the agency attempting to destabilise the nascent Protectorate - and stopping them.

Adar - the geographic region now known as the The Adarian Protectorate.

Adarian Protectorate, The - the once chaotic and warring group of city-states, proto-nations and tribal badlands of Adar which has since been unified by the efforts of the Marquesa dell'Afforenze (map). Bordered by the Restless Desert on one side, the ocean on another, and the might of the monolithic "Land of the Inspired", Riedra, on the third, the nascent nation battles to achieve a lasting peace.

Alizad - Faroud's third son, the eldest surviving after Haroun and Mukesh's deaths. A capable guide and merchant, he assisted the 13th in a number of their endeavours around The Rise. Faroud was deeply protective of him after the deaths of his two eldest, and asked him to keep this assistance to a non-combative capacity. Although he wasn't present during the crossing, it was Alizad who later led the dangerous search for the passengers' remains in order to facilitate their resurrection. Later, he was found to have been the leader of a deadly attack on The Marquesa during the latter's crossing to Ghoza with The Rolling Court. Barely thwarted in killing The Marquesa, he was eventually pinned beneath his Glidewing mount. Seemingly terrified that his erstwhile friends would discover his identity, he went so far as to mutilate his own face in an attempt to prevent this - to no avail. He thanked them, and professed sorrow, even as he slit his own throat.

Allfathers of Ghoza, The - the ruling council of Ghoza. As heads of the various Tiefling refugee clans that make up the Ghozan populace, this group of eight elders meet when decisions need to be made which affect all Ghozans, or when the city is required to speak with a unified voice. Under their leadership, Ghoza became one of the charter signatories of the Adarian Protectorate - exchanging their independence as a city-state for the security and stability the nascent federation offered. The path of ascent to the position of Allfather varies from clan to clan, but in all cases the position only passes on when the Allfather dies (or otherwise becomes completely unable to discharge his responsibilities).

Anasazi (tribe) - A nomadic tribe who lived in and around The Restless Desert, and one of the only cultures able to survive (and even thrive) there. Once numerous, the War has long since decimated their numbers. Faroud's family are now the only remaining members of their tribe, to the best of their knowledge. In their day they were renowned as expert ritualists, with a wealth of oral tradition unknown to wider world. This expertise was apparently vital in the subduing of the Ancient Frost Dragon. As they regard death as the next stage in their eternal migrations, resurrection is anathema to them.

Anasazi (town) - The only permanent settlement that was maintained by the Anasazi. Although few ever lived there at any given moment, it was maintained as a sort of elephant's graveyard: wherever the Anasazi had spread to, they always knew where they could find their funerary rights and burial grounds. It was also maintained as a library of sorts, although they generally preferred to transmit their knowledge verbally. Built into the side of a cliff, it was easily defensible, which led to its occasional commandeering as a supply base or outpost during the War. This eventually led to its partial destruction by opposing forces. After the war it was abandoned to bandits and monsters. At Faroud's request, the group that was to become The 13th reclaimed the town, so that he could bury his lost sons properly.

Ancient Frost Dragon - its name has long since been forgotten, as had, until very recently, the mere fact of its existence. First sighted in the modern era when it attacked Faroud's trade caravan crossing The Restless Desert, seemingly out of the blue. This event cost many of Faroud's family their lives, including his two eldest sons Haroun and Mukesh. Thanks to research by The Marquesa and The 13th, it has been discovered that the dragon was originally a great scourge of Sarlona, only eventually subdued by the Knights Justicaar and the powerful rituals of The Anasazi. Unable to kill it, they left it comatose, subdued by a collection of powerful Artifacts. The removal of just one, millennia later, was enough to allow the Dragon to slowly wake. It then set its mind to two things: the destruction of the remaining artifact (so it might not be similarly restrained again), and the death of its liberators (in its own, alarming words - it "will be beholden to no man").

Artifact, The - initially discovered in Harbriggen, the artifact was being held and experimented on by an artificer and his team in an underground lab. The resultant catastrophe killed almost the entire populace of the town, including the experimenters themselves. While its full power is unknown, it seems to possess a powerful arcane dampening effect. The artificer referred to it in his journal as "a fulcrum" - innocuous on its own, but when combined with a long enough "lever", its full potential is enormous. While the original was destroyed, it seems that a means of replicating copies was found before the disaster - one such copy seems to have been used in a recent, devastating terrorist attack on The Rise. Subsequent investigation revealed that the Artifacts were originally used in a cave deep beneath The Restless Desert to restrain the Frost Dragon.

Ashenport – An agricultural and fishing village located three days ride from Shah. Unusually prosperous for this region, it was recently discovered that this was due to the influence of Dagon. In exchange for such a plentiful bounty, the residents of Ashenport would regularly offer a sacrifice of any visitors to the town, for which they would occasionally organise a trade fair to attract more victims. After Dagon was forced to flee the village due to the arrival of the 13th, the mass self-sacrifice of the villagers has led to the village becoming abandoned.

Bastard Sword - popular "death metal" folk ensemble. Known as "death metal" due to the highly dangerous nature of their performances, as well as the famously low life expectancy of their line-up (the drummers, in particular, fare badly, currently being on number forty-six). Last seen at a gig organised by Wilson on the outskirts of The Rise; reviews of the performance were generally mixed, with true connoisseurs noting that the event suffered from a disappointingly low body-count.

Braid - a deadly assassin, Braid has been dogging the steps of the 13th to an unknown purpose since even before their official inception. With a powerful tail in place of legs, he generally chooses to stand at around nine feet tall, the tentacles which flow from his scalp intricately braided into long dreadlocks, and adorned with fine jewels and precious metals. Never seen without his weapons, he wears twin bandoleers of wicked looking knives, assorted throwing weapons, and vials of dangerous-looking liquids. Known only as the last member of a long-forgotten species, he is regarded as a creature of pure evil - which makes his apparent association with the Knights Justicaar and the Lady Constance all the more surprising. Even more surprising is the fact that the 13th survived their initial encounter with him - legend tells of a merciless assassin who can number the gods themselves amongst his victims.

Broken Wing - The Rise's liveliest night-spot, run by the anachronistically-named Wilson. Last seen dangling off the edge of The Rise, the pub's current whereabouts (in light of recent events) are unverified.

City of Bridges, The - see Shah.

Corvagura - a small nation neighbouring bordering Adar to the North-East. Once home to the bulk of the Kalashtar population of Sarlona, they have been all but pushed out by the encroaching empire of the Inspired. Those remaining look to the stability and prosperity of the neighbouring Adarian Protectorate for protection - as such, the area of Corvagura closest to the border has become a member of the Protectorate in all but name.

Darian, Knight-Captain of the Hospitalier - current leader of the Knights Hospitalier and right-hand man to the Marquesa dell'Afforenze. Brought the remains of what was to become the 13th out of the Restless Desert, and organised their resurrection under instruction from the Marquesa. Impressed with their conduct in the desert, and their subsequent actions, it was also he who recommended them to the Marquesa. As a sort of roving troubleshooter, it is his job to attend to the sort of issues which beset his young nation before they turn into more serious problems. He is also a trusted advisor, adjutant and ambassador of the Marquesa. As with the Marquesa, he has no firm base, but instead goes where he is needed, usually with his small group of hand-picked men in his personal airship: the small, fast, and unusually-named picket Excession.

Eberron - the world.

Excession - Darian's personal airship, said to be the fastest in the fleet. Small, and manned by his hand-picked crew. Was said to be instrumental in the defence of Kasshta Keep, as Darian, then Lieutenant, flew a small group of warriors through heavy enemy artillery fire to break through their lines and open a passage to relieving forces.

Faroud - Clan-father, patriarch and trader. A well-liked merchant operating in and around The Restless Desert and The Rise, his family comprises the only known remnants of the Anasazi. As such, he is one of the only humans able to safely navigate the Desert. During the closing decades of the War, and the first few precarious years of peace thereafter, he used this ability in the occasional unofficial (but nonetheless invaluable) assistance of the Marquesa dell'Afforenze. As such, despite being far from the wealthiest or most powerful merchant in the area, he nonetheless commands an uncommon degree of respect from the Marquesa. He used this respect after the fated desert crossing to leverage the resurrection of the 13th, to whom he felt a huge debt of gratitude. Like most of his people he is diligent disciple of Kol Korran, the god of trade and civilisation. He is currently engaged in the restoration and exploration of the ruins of Anasazi.

Fravashi - A species more commonly associated with myth and legend than present-day Eberron. Nonetheless, their first known emissary for an age has recently arrived in Shah. The physical aspects of the species remains unknown, however, as it remains encased in a suit of armour and a blue energy field.

Ghoza - once a prosperous, historic pan-humanoid city, Ghoza was almost completely razed to the ground early in the War. Some two hundred years ago, the Tiefling diaspora began settling there in order to escape the general persecution and suspicion they faced in the world at large, and to provide a refuge from the ongoing conflict. Building on the ruins of old Ghoza, the settlers rebuilt what little they could, and recycled the stone from what they couldn't. Tieflings continue to arrive from all over Eberron, meaning the city now radiates from a well-fortified central stronghold, to a sprawling refugee camp on the outskirts. Home to many different Tielfing clans, the city operates almost entirely under separate clan governance. Ultimate Ghozan leadership takes the form of the council of Allfathers, the Tiefling elders who head the eight major clans. Under their leadership, post-War Ghoza's security was cemented when it became one of the founding member-states of the Adarian Protectorate. Having thrived despite general distrust, Ghozan Tieflings have developed a reputation for cunning and resourcefulness - to those that know, their intelligence and espionage capabilities are seen as second to none. Indeed, with three major schools devoted the art in Ghoza alone, the Marquesa unsurprisingly relies on the city Allfathers and their spymasters for the bulk of his intelligence operations.

Goldleaf Trading Consortium – A powerful trading consortium operating in Shah and the surrounding region. It’s members all wear tattoos of a gold leaf as a reflection of a lifetime commitment to the consortium.

Guardians, The - the Kalashtar resistance movement, engaged in a bitter struggle with ruling Inspired of Riedra. Based in and around their once homeland of Corvagura, the movement now also includes a large number of humans and a scattering of other races as well, united by their distrust of the growing Riedran empire.

Harbriggen - a small logging camp informally overseen by the military; it is the nearest source of timber to The Rise. The 13th were sent to investigate it by Darian after the garrison, under the command of Colour Sergeant Harcourt, failed to report as scheduled. On arrival, they found the entire area bathed in permanent twilight, lit only by an unfamiliar moon. The town itself was deserted. Investigation revealed that almost the entire population had been either killed or corrupted by aberrant creatures. These creatures had emerged from a planar rift caused by experimentation on the Artifact, conducted by an artificer and his team at the request of an unknown patron. The 13th destroyed the remaining equipment, closed the rift, and burned the nest which contained the remaining populace. Doing so returned the area to its original position in the planes.

Harcourt, Colour Sergeant - Commander of the garrison at Harbriggen, and unofficial administrator thereof. Died during a desperate suicide mission to close the rift that devastated the town.

Haroun - Faroud's second son, and a deadly archer and ranger. Affable and light-hearted, he was often the face of Faroud's business dealings, and well-liked in The Rise. Both he and his young son died in the Restless Desert as he tried to guard the evacuation.

Illidan, Lord - a powerful Eladrin noble from one of the high families of Shah. He harbours a deep-seated resentment of the Marquesa, whom he regards as of essentially low birth, and therefore unfit to rule Adar. With the help of the Ghozan Tiefling Qu'erla, he led a "rescue attempt" to retrieve the injured Marquesa from Ghoza. His true intentions were to kill the Marquesa and assume control of the Protectorate.

Inspired, The - the powerful ruling race of Riedra; like the Kalashtar, they trace their origins to the dream plane.

Knights Hospitalier, The - from the early days of the War, this order was dedicated to the construction and administration of field hospitals, the conduct of medical evacuations, creation of sanitation works and various combat medic duties. All its members had to be both able warriors and talented healers. In the latter days of the war, the order, under the command of the respected Knight-Captain Darian, aligned itself to the Marquesa dell'Afforenze. Having been heavily involved in the medical treatment of erstwhile allies, enemies, and civilians alike, as well as the construction or repair of clean water supplies and sewerage systems post-war, the order is well-liked across Adar.

Knights Justicaar, The - an ancient knight order formed during the War - a form of military police, their remit was the difficult job of both maintaining order on and near the front lines and affected civilian areas, and the conduct of court-martials and related judicial duties. Commonly thought to be long since defunct, they are in fact still in operation across Sarlona, and possibly all of Eberron. Now operating largely in secrecy, those who are aware of them know them as fierce and uncompromising defenders of justice, peace and order. Both Braid and the Lady Constance seem to have some connection with the order, and a Knight Justicaar was found closely observing the events in Harbriggen.

Knights Templar, The - a knight order dedicated to the protection of temples during wartime, and the safe escort of pilgrims to holy sites. While still extant, the group is now regarded as something of a social club, mostly giving themselves over to fine food and wine in their few remaining chapter houses. Still technically nobles, they no longer command much in the way of respect or power.

Lady Constance, The - a glamorous socialite and canny political figure at the height of Shah high society. Tales of her beauty are legion, as are tales of her ruthlessness. The fact that she has survived as a de facto one-woman noble house speaks to this ruthlessness. Said to be part elf, drow, eladrin, or some mix of the three, she is certainly of the fey to some degree, as she is at least three hundred years old (though this is an estimate, as it is not thought a good idea to ask her her age). She is also a renowned collector of unique artifacts, treasures and curiosities. The vault which comprises the top two floors of her home is legendary, and said to be impenetrable. Discovered, somewhat surprisingly, to be both a Knight Justicaar and an associate of Braid's.

Marius – In command of the militia force in Shah in the capacity of not much more than a sheriff. More of an administrator than a military man, he nonetheless took part in the War and his brother, Darian, is the Marquesa’s right-hand man. Has a very neat moustache and enunciates very clearly. Has an impressive collection of potted plants.

Marquesa dell'Afforenze, The - Soldier, general, veteran, philanthropist and strategist. The Marquesa was a general in the closing decades of the War - by the time he earned his ennoblement for his efforts, he was one of the greatest generals in the region. The War left him, after a string of regicides on both sides, a reluctant ruler. A king with little time for kings, he found himself in the uncomfortable position of being simultaneously a monarch and a republican. While he allows some of the trappings of pomp and circumstance to persist around him, (he understands that they are expected, even needed, to a degree), he is still an officer and soldier at heart. Under his auspices, in a scant few years the region of Adar has turned from a group of loosely anarchic warring city-states, into a prosperous affiliation enjoying general peace for the first time in millenia. Known as the Adarian Protectorate, the Marquesa affects to rule from the road or the air, determined to inform himself on the truth on the ground first-hand. In the early days of his reign he made throne in the Rolling Court, an enormous land-train trundling along the Protectorate's trade routes. More recently, he has taken to using an airship, The Redoubt, instead - or he had, until the attack on The Rise proved airships to be too vulnerable. As a ruler, he believes in the stabilising effect of trade between nations, that peace is prima facie good, and that commerce, education, and strong lines of communication are the best way to achieve it. His men love him for his past valour, and trust his current motives, which means he enjoys a degree of loyalty rarely afforded kings and emperors. With his adjutant and plenipotentatiary Darian at his right hand, little is left standing between him and a lasting peace in the region.

Mevakri – A devotee of the Path of Light and an important spiritual leader amongst the Kalashtar. She founded the Guardians and is now in joint command alongside her husband, Baron Obama. She has a number of close and trusted followers and acolytes, including Nevitash of the 13th.

Mukesh - the eldest of Faroud's sons, he was a large man (especially for the Anasazi), and a fierce warrior. His wife was in labour with his third child (and first son), when the Frost Dragon attacked. He died during the defence of the subsequent evacuation, alongside his younger brother, Haroun.

Obama, Baron – Joint leader of the Guardians. A accomplished military tactician and diplomat, he played a large part in the War before leading the rebellion against the Inspired. Married to Mevakri, he was recently abducted by the Inspired - only for the 13th to lead a successful rescue mission to retrieve him.

Path of Light, The - a lawful neutral religion followed by the Kalashtar of Adar and neighbouring Corvagura. Followers revere a positive energy they call il-Yannah ("the Great Light"). They seek to, through spiritual meditation and other subtle means, bring about the Turn of the Wheel of Dal Quor, which would result in the destruction of the current Dal Quor and its evil Quori denizens. Most followers are psions and psychic warriors, seeking to perfect themselves through meditation and communing with the light. They are in particular conflict with the Inspired of Riedra. They forgo weapons, in favour of the unarmed strike.

Qu'erla - A headstrong young Tiefling, he is the eldest son of a clan Father. His clan, however, is considered too small to have a seat on the council of Allfathers. Qu'erla was incensed at what he saw as continued human interference in his people's affairs, and due to his clan's status, largely impotent to influence Ghozan policy on the matter. He holds that Ghoza should be a fully independent Tielfing nation, rather than merely a member state of the Adarian Protectorate. The levy of taxes on Ghoza by the Protectorate was the last straw; what the Allfathers saw as a small price to pay for security, stability and prosperity in the region, he saw as a direct insult to Ghozan sovereignty: human overlords stealing desperately needed supplies from the burgeoning Tiefling population. Forging an unlikely alliance with the dissident Lord Illiadan of Shah, he agreed to lay a trap for the Marquesa on his next visit to Ghoza, in return for which Lord Illidan promised to grant full Ghozan independence once he took command of the Protectorate. Qu'erla is a charismatic and energetic young man, who has gathered a small but committed Tiefling nationalist following.

Redoubt, The - the massive, armoured, armed airship which, with its escort vessels, forms the Marquesa's new roving estate, like the Rolling Court before it.

Restless Desert, The - a massive desert on the South-Eastern side of the continent of Sarlona, it forms part of the border of the Adarian Protectorate. An environment as harsh as any normal desert, it is made immeasurably more dangerous by the fact that it moves some 10-20 leagues every day, seemingly at random. Worse still, what few landmarks, oases, waterholes, and even small mountains and rocky canyons it contains move within it in a similarly erratic fashion. This makes crossing it safely all but impossible. One of the only cultures to have mastered it was the nomadic Anasazi, who made it their home. Theories attempting to explain this enigmatic motion include the lingering after-effects of some terrible weapon unleashed early in the War, the curse of some capricious Djinn, the presence of some temple or castle within the desert protected by a powerful mazing enchantment, or the proximity of the Desert to one of the "soft places", where the reality of Eberron runs dangerously close to the infinity of other, stranger planes. The truth is long forgotten. Until recently, a powerful, Ancient Frost Dragon was imprisoned beneath it.

Riedra - also known as "The Land of the Inspired" or "The Land of Unity", Riedra is the largest nation on Sarlona, and home to the Inspired empire and their various vassals. Highly secretive, they nonetheless conduct a vigorous diplomatic mission worldwide.

Rise, The - what was once a refuelling and maintenance base for war-zeppelins during the War has long since become one of the busiest spots on the trade routes around the Restless Desert. Built on the edge of, and partially spilling over, the towering cliff which marks the edge of the desert, it is almost inaccesible overland due to the harsh environment. It survives as a market town almost entirely due to airship traffic, offering the only such docks to any such ships in the area. The nearest settlement is the newly repopulated cliff-town, Anasazi. Recently devastated by a terrorist attack which disabled the propulsion of all airships in the area - leaving them to fall catastrophically to the streets below or the canyon floor nearly a mile beneath. The Rise lies in the demesne of the Marquesa.

Rolling Court, The - home of the Marquesa in the early days of the Protectorate. Having grown in size since its earliest incarnation as two covered wagons and an dozen outriders, it is now an enormous land-train, bristling with mounted weapons, and guarded by a dedicated platoon. The central vehicle is comprised of three massive wagons, furnished in some comfort, where the Marquesa holds court. The total staff in its largest incarnation approaches some 400 people. In recent years, it has been largely replaced in its role as the Marquesa's base of operations by the airship Redoubt.

Sarlona - a continent on the Northern hemisphere of

Eberron. Salona (map) is dominated by some of the largest deserts in the world, it is also home to some mighty mountain ranges. The Inspired of Riedra are its largest population.

Shah - one of the largest cities in Adar. Also known as The City of Bridges. Once a single, small bridge over the Dagger River, over the centuries it has grown to a massive city state, a towering edifice of bridges, arches, towers, markets and slums. A confusing nested structure, it is layered by seven huge, principle bridges, each one built over its predecessor. The higher up the structure, generally, the more affluent the resident. While fabulous wealth and power occupies the rarified atmosphere of 7th, a trip to ground level (or Underbridge as its also known) is considered as suicide to all but the canniest of city dwellers. Ruled by an ever shifting political class of aristocratic families, political games dominate affairs on the top levels. The city police forces, militias, prestigious universities, arts scene, and lively commerce thrive despite these machinations (or perhaps because of them). Home to the Lady Constance.

Skamos – A Tiefling of limited social standing who rose to a position of prominence within the Guardians for his skills in diplomacy and espionage. Close friends with Nevitash of the 13th, he played in prominent role in the recent rescue attempt of Baron Obama from the clutches of the Inspired. Died in the recent arcane devastation that decimated the Rise.

Tali - a previous administrator of The Rise, now retired. Was nonetheless instrumental in the evacuation and reconstruction efforts of The Rise after it suffered from a devastating terrorist attack. Although few know it, she is a true master swordswoman, deadly even in her old age.

Terza – A half-elf employed as a emissary for the Goldleaf Trading Consortium based in Shah. Would be considered beautiful were it not for an unsightly cataract over her right eye. Recently survived Dagon’s Call in the village of Ashenport in no small part due to the efforts of the 13th.

Traveler, The - unaligned god of change. Grouped in with the evil Dark Six deities of Eberron, this is actually only by dint of his not being a member of Sovereign Host of good deities - in practice, he stands alone. Disciples of The Traveler virtually never make themselves known as such, preferring to masterfully dissemble the truth of their faith. Revealed by the Kalashtar resistance movement The Guardians to be interested in, and somehow involved with, the actions of the 13th. Moments before the attack on The Rise, the Traveler himself manifested to the 13th via the dream world, stating simply that they had work to do, and wishing them luck.

War, The - no-one can remember why it started, who the original combatants were, or how long it raged. Even its name has been lost to time, as the centuries of conflict on

Eberron stretched in millennia. It ended not with a bang, but a whimper; with a sort of simultaneous worldwide malaise, the entire conflict simply began to evaporate. Desertion became rampant, orders were ignored, whole prisoner of war camps awoke to find the guards gone and the gates unlocked. While brushfire conflicts rage on across the world, the War itself (as it is now simply known) simply faded away. There is a sort of taboo surrounding these events, an unspoken superstition - it is considered bad luck to talk about the reasons for its end, should doing so somehow jinx the precarious peace and plunge the world back into conflict.

Wilson - current propitiator of The Broken Wing (or what's left of it, anyway) in The Rise. A goliath, he stands at a smidge under eight feet, and brooks little shit in his establishment. His name is not actually Wilson, but that was the name on the alcohol licence over the bar, and it seemed easier to change his name than change the licence.

Yosht – An Emissary of the Fravashi who is currently located in Shah. He recently survived an assassination attempt at the hands of a doppelganger working for an unknown person or persons. Since arriving in Shah he has rarely left his vessel, an airship of unknown properties. His motives for being in Shah are also unknown.