The City of Towers: The Dreaming Dark - Book I (53 page)

BOOK: The City of Towers: The Dreaming Dark - Book I
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Hila
: A humble seamstress, Hila was born in a small village on the southern edge of Cyre. She was widowed during the war and traveled south to Sharn after the Mourning.

Hollow Tower
: An arena for aerial sports, located in the district of Hareth’s Folly.

Holas
: A half-orc serving in the Sharn Watch. Born in Malleon’s Gate, he fought his way up from poverty and destitution and earned a place in the watch. Currently he serves as a sergeant in the Daggerwatch Garrison.

Horas
: A dwarf serving with the Guardians of the Gate. Horas spends most of his days processing travelers at Wroann’s Gate in Tavick’s Landing.

Hugal Desal
: A young Cyran refugee. Hugal and his identical twin brother
Monan
came to Sharn after the Mourning and found a home in the High Walls district.

Hulda
: This dwarf served as a field medic in the army of Cyre. After the destruction of her homeland, she traveled south to Sharn to lend her skills to the refugee community in the city. She maintains a makeshift infirmary in Togran Square in the district of High Walls.

Hu’ur’hnn
: A giant owl with the power of speech and a quick wit matching—or exceeding—that of a human. Hu’ur’hnn used to be a racing beast, and he won the Race of Eight Winds in 970 YK. Age has forced him to retire, but he has found great success as a mediator and advisor in the Bazaar of Dura.

Illithid
: An abomination from Xoriat, the plane of madness. An illithid is roughly the same size and shape as a human but possesses a squidlike head with tentacles arrayed around a fanged maw. Illithids feed on the brains of sentient creatures and possess the ability to paralyze or manipulate the minds of lesser creatures. Illithids are more commonly known as
mind flayers
.

Iltrayan
: A dark, dry wine from Aundair. The Iltrayan vineyards lie within a manifest zone tied to Shavarath, and many soldiers claim that a goblet of Iltrayan readies the blood for battle.

il-Yanna
: A word from the Quor tongue, translating to “the Great Light.” This mystical force is the focus of the religion of the kalashtar. For more details.

ir’
: When attached to a family name, this prefix indicates one of the aristocratic lines of Galifar. The descendants of King Galifar I belong to the ir’Wyrnarn line.

ir’Dain, Jairan
: Proud scion of a noble line, Jairen ir’Dain is the Cyre’s ambassador to the city of Sharn—or was, before the Mourning. The Lord Mayor of Sharn has allowed the Cyran embassy to remain open, and Jairen is doing what he can to promote the interests of Cyran refugees.

ir’Dalas, General Bail
: The commanding officer of the Cyran forces at the Battle of Three Moons. General ir’Dalas survived that conflict, but fell in battle against a legion of Karrnarthi undead the following year.

ir’Lanter, Alais
: A noble from the nation of Aundair. Along with his brother Helais, Alais serves as an ambassador, representing the interests of the Aundairian crown in Sharn.

ir’Ryc, Greykell
: Scion of a noble Cyran family, Greykell ir’Ryc served as a captain in the Queen’s Guard of Cyre. Known as “the laughing wolf” due to her tenacity and good humor, Greykell was renowned throughout the southern command for her cunning strategies and her ability to inspire her soldiers. The blood of dragons is said to run through her house, and in addition to being a gifted swordswoman, she possesses a minor talent for magic. Following the destruction of Cyre, Greykell traveled to Sharn. She has established herself as the unofficial sheriff of the High Walls district, though she prefers to maintain order through diplomacy as opposed to the use of force.

ir’Soras, Teral
: Once a councilor to the court of Cyre, Teral ir’Soras retired from politics to enjoy his middle years. This quiet life came to an end when the Mourning destroyed Cyre. Teral survived the disaster and traveled to Sharn. As one of the few Cyran nobles in the city, Teral feels an obligation to use his skills to preserve the remnants of Cyran civilization
and he has devoted himself to organizing the refugees of High Walls.

ir’Talan, Grazen
: Born into House Deneith, Grazen served in the Blademark and earned a place in the
Sentinel Marshals
. During an assignment in Sharn, Grazen fell in love with an heir of the Tala line. As the Galifar Accords prevent the heirs of dragonmarked houses from holding royal titles, Grazen chose to leave House Deneith to marry his beloved. Between his own skill and the influence of his new family Grazen obtained a commission in the Sharn Watch. Today he is the captain of the Daggerwatch Garrison in Upper Dura.

ir’Talan, Hareth
: An aristocrat and architect who lived in the early days of Sharn. Many believed that Hareth was mad, but the gold and connections of the ir’Talan family gave him the opportunity to design one of the districts fo Sharn. Now known as Hareth’s Folly, this district is a bizarre conglomeration of building styles from across Eberron—and at least according to Hareth, from across the planes of existence.

ir’Wyrnarn, Wroann
: The daughter of King Jarot ir’Wyrnarn, the last king of Galifar. Prior to her father’s death, Wroann served as governor of Breland. When Jarot died in 894 YK, Wroann turned against the tradition of the kingdom and crowned herself Queen of Breland. To the people of Breland, Wroann is a heroine who took a stand against outdated traditions. To many others—especially the people of Thrane and Aundair—Wroann was the worst of the rebels, responsible for a century of war and the destruction of Cyre.

Ivy Towers
: A residential district in the Upper Menthis ward of Sharn.

Jani Onyll
: A Cyran soldier who served with
Daine
in the Last War.

Jask Roots
: Alchemists claim that the jask root is the most nutritious vegetable that can be grown in Khorvaire. The root was first discovered in the Talenta Plains, where it is a staple of the halfling diet. However, most humans—especially human children—are revolted by the taste of jask root. As a result, roots are typically served with thick, sugary glaze.

Jhaakat
: A hobgoblin warrior from the land of Darguun, Jhaakat led a bad of Darguuls to Sharn following the war, in hopes of finding mercenary work. Currently he lives in Malleon’s Gate. The lack of work has fueled his frustration, and he often picks fights with humans and elves.

Jhola’
: This is a salutation used by the halflings of the Talenta Plains. It can be translated many different ways, depending on the time, location, and the relationship between the speakers.

Jholeg
: A goblin scout who served in the Cyran army under
Daine’s
command.

Jode
: This halfling has revealed little about his past. He bears the Mark of Healing but has never admitted to having a tie to House Jorasco. While he occasionally speaks of a childhood in the Talenta Plains, Jode moved to the Five Nations at a young age. In 988 YK he took up service in the Queen’s Guard of Cyre in the company of his friend
Daine
. He never sought to hold any sort of command and instead served as a healer and occasional scout, using his dragonmark and quick wits to assist his friend.

Jol
: An old Cyran refugee. Jol was born in the village of Callol. His family was killed when the Darguuls captured the village, and Jol was tortured. He now lives in High Walls, but is widely considered to be insane.

Jorasco, House
: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Healing.

Jura Darkhart
: Born Jura d’Cannith, this dragonmarked aristocrat was expelled from House Cannith after marrying a dryad. He remained in Sharn even after being condemned as an excoriate. His wife died in 995 YK.

Kadran
: A servant of House Lyrandar, Kadran serves as the major domo in the household of Dantian d’Lyrandar.

Kalashtar
: The kalashtar are an offshoot of humanity. Stories say that the kalashtar are humans touched by spirits from another plane of existence and that they possess strange mental powers.

Karris
: A grim Cyran dwarf. Karris was once a soldier, but following the Mourning he chose to serve Teral ir’Soras as an assistant and bodyguard.

Karrnath
: One of the original Five Nations of Galifar. Karrnath is a cold, grim land whose people are renowned for their martial prowess. The current ruler of Karrnath is King Kaius ir’Wyrnarn III.

Kasslak
: An authority figure in the district of Malleon’s Gate.

Kazha zar
: A Draconic incantation often used to activate arcane spells involving movement or teleportation.

Kela
: The hostess at the King of Fire.

Keldan Ridge
: A remote region of hills in southern Cyre. While passing along the ridge in 994, Daine’s soldiers encountered a heavily armed force of unknown nationality. This enemy scattered the Cyran forces; it was this forced retreat that pushed Daine, Lei, Pierce, and Jode outside the radius of the Mourning.

Khorvaire
: One of the continents of Eberron. For more details.

Khyber
: 1) The underworld. 2) A mythical dragon, also known as “The Dragon Below.” After killing Siberys, Khyber was imprisoned by Eberron and transformed into the underworld. Khyber is said to have given birth to a host of demons and other unnatural creatures. See
Eberron, Siberys
.

Khyber’s Gate
: This name is used to cover a vast stretch of the Cogs of Sharn. It is a lawless area where the Watch will not go, and many criminals, goblinoids, and Droaamites make their home in this dark district.

King of Fire
: A tavern and gaming hall located in the district of Hareth’s Folly.

Korlan
: A half-orc from the Shadow Marches, Korlan developed an aberrant dragonmark when he was ten. He was driven from the Marches, but found a home in Sharn with House Tarkanan.

Korluaat
: “Hero’s Blood.” A highly alcoholic beverage favored by the hobgoblin warriors of Darguun.

Kundarak, House
: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Warding.

Lakashtai
: A kalashtar woman residing in Sharn.

Lamannia
: A plane of existence known as the Twilight Forest.

Last War, The
: This conflict began in 894 YK with the death of King Jarot ir’Wyrnarn, the last king of Galifar. Following Jarot’s death, three of his five children refused to follow the ancient traditions of succession, and the kingdom split. The war lasted over a hundred years, and it took the utter destruction of Cyre to bring the other nations to the negotiating table. No one has admitted defeat, but no one wants to risk being the next victim of the Mourning. The chronicles are calling the conflict “the Last War,” hoping that the bloodshed might have finally slaked humanity’s thirst for battle. Only time will tell if this hope is in vain.

Lhazaar Principalities
: A collection of small nations running along the eastern cost of Khorvaire. The people of this land are renowned seafarers, and there is a strong tradition of piracy in the region.

Lorrak
: A Brelish dwarf. Lorrak holds the rank of sergeant in the Sharn Watch.

Lynna
: A soldier who served in the Cyran army under Daine’s command. Lynna was killed in the battle of Keldan Ridge.

Lyrandar, House
: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Storm.

Magewright
: A general term for any professional who uses magic to enhance the skills of his trade. The typical magewright can only perform one or two spells; examples include the blacksmith who uses magic to improve his craft, the lamplighter who produces everbright lanterns, and the auger who uses magic to divine the future for her clients.

Mal
: A soldier who served in the Cyran army under Daine’s command. He was killed in the battle of Keldan Ridge.

Malleon’s Gate
: A district in the Lower Tavick’s Landing ward of Sharn. This area is largely inhabited by goblins, Droaamites, and other inhuman creatures.

Manticore
: 1) A magical beast with the body of a lion, the wings of a dragon, and the face of a man. 2) An inn located in the High Walls district of Sharn, which uses a Manticore as its trade sign.

Marcher
: An inhabitant of the Shadow Marches.

’mark
: A slang term for the bearer of a dragonmark. See
dragonmark
.

Menthis Plateau
: One of the five quarters of Sharn. Menthis is noted as a center of education and entertainment. Most of the theaters of Sharn are spread throughout this quarter, and Morgrave University is located on the Upper Ward.

Metrol
: The capital of Cyre. Metrol was destroyed by the Mourning.

Minal
: A member of the Sharn Watch, serving in the Daggerwatch Garrison.

Mind flayer
: See
illithid
.

Mithral
: A silvery metal that is just as strong as iron, but far lighter and more flexible.

Monan Desal
: A young Cyran refugee. Monan and his identical twin brother
Hugal
came to Sharn after the Mourning and found a home in the High Walls district.

Moresco
: A halfling pickpocket who makes his home in the drains of Daggerwatch.

Morgalan
: A human with a minor gift for sorcery, Morgalan served in the Brelish army but grew tired of the military life. Morgalan deserted the army and along with a group of his friends, he became a bandit, preying on those traveling along the road to Sharn.

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