Appendix - Key Terms, Individuals, Locations, and Other Information

The following appendix is to provide a single cohesive source of many of the names and terms that are in this book. As the plot arcs are long and sometimes there is considerable time between mentions of characters or places, this will be a useful resource to readers for refreshing memories regarding which characters are which or where geographic locations are meant to be.

Division of the World

Ceuna - The angelic realm, exclusively accessible to angels in both their mortal and spiritual forms. Each of the greater angels, sometimes referred to as "Angelic Lords," possesses at least one sanctum that they have crafted in line with their affinities. Ceuna does not exist above or below the mortal world, but rather alongside it and only angelic beings have the ability to traverse the two. No being other than the Progenitor is aware of a time before Ceuna's existence.

Vorlanys - An ancient name for the mortal world as an affectionate tribute to the Earth Angel Vorlan, who crafted the world's foundations millennia ago. The name "Vorlanys" is also predominantly used to refer to the primary continental land mass of the mortal world, sometimes distinguishing it from the strings of islands off its shores.

Throughout its history, Vorlanys has been divided amongst many different kingdoms, empires, republics, and other political entities representing a variety of races and peoples. Those contemporary to this book will be discussed later.

The Progenitor

Nameless, eternal, timeless, noncorporeal, and generally unknowable to mortals and angels alike, the Progenitor is an entity defying most attempts to describe it. It exists in a realm entirely separate from either the mortal world or Ceuna. Among the angels, only Forynda and Vorlan have ever been called to it. They describe the Progenitor's realm as a place where every moment exists at the same time. No being other than an omniscient entity such as the Progenitor could possibly make sense of the infinite happenings occurring in that realm.

One of the few things known for certain is that the Progenitor at some point commanded the angels of Ceuna to create a world for mortal beings and gave the angels various abilities to complete that task.

Angels of Ceuna

When the Progenitor first created Ceuna and its angels there were only the three following angels:

Forynda, The High Angel - As High Angel, Forynda is the final arbiter of all disputes among the angels. While she opposed angels living amidst mortals once the mortal world was completed, she tolerated it due to the overwhelming support for it at the time among the angels. She has bright silvery skin with long, flowing white hair and bright golden eyes, symbolizing the powerful Golden Aura with which she is empowered.

Vorlan, The Earth Angel - The prime creator of the lands of the mortal realm. Prior to the creation of the mortal realm, Vorlan had been the gardener and builder of Ceuna, crafting the angels’ own realm. He periodically changes mortal forms, but his primary appearance is green-skinned and amber haired with a flowing beard that resembles brown moss.

Elaous, The Guardian - The protector of Ceuna, Elaous is primarily responsible for ensuring Ceuna's internal serenity. He also fought against external threats from other realms, which were seen as a test by the Progenitor early in Ceuna's history. It is unknown whether those other realms remain a threat to Ceuna. Elaous is large and hulking with white enameled metallic skin.

After a time, the Progenitor tasked Forynda with the creation of a world for mortals. To accomplish this mission, Forynda and Vorlan asked the Progenitor for brethren who could assist them. The Progenitor provided the following Angelic Lords as well as a variety of lesser angels as denizens of Ceuna.

Simel, The Mind Angel - In the creation of beings with vibrant minds, Simel was central in crafting of logic, philosophy, and mortals' senses of morality. Withdrawn and cerebral, Simel has also had a curse of premonitions related to future calamities, though he is uncertain of their origins. Simel chose for his mortal form that of a simple older man with black hair, a sagging face, but also with strange metallic eyes. Between the original three angels, Simel most typically considered himself a follower of Forynda.

Tathyk, The Harvest Angel - Perhaps Vorlan's closest disciple and a kindred spirit in personality and demeanor, Tathyk is the patron angel of farming. Tathyk devised the creation of fertile soils, flowering plants, and virtually every source of food in the mortal realm. Once the mortal world was created, he settled into undertaking his own farming. His appearance is among the most peculiar of the angels with a face of soil and seed-like eyes.

Cyrona, The Water Angel - Creator of the world's waters ranging from oceans to modest lakes and streams, Cyrona also was responsible for creating most forms of aquatic life in the mortal world. An ardent follower of Forynda, she oddly does not share Forynda's serene demeanor, but rather a far more tempestuous personality. Cyrona has a translucent blue watery body, reflective of her creations.

Omonrel, The Sculptor Angel - A disciple of Vorlan, Omonrel became a sculptor and artist in the mortal world, providing some of the most striking natural features, including the inspiring peaks of Mount Pivox and Mount Ceuna. Perhaps no angel fell more deeply in love with the mortal world than Omonrel to the point where he became part of a mortal house, House Kedholn, and aided them in the expansion of their lands and wealth. His passions led to him becoming the informal leader of many angels who chose to live in Vorlanys, including Gorondos and Parlon. Omonrel has shiny and bright ivory skin, smooth jet black hair, crystal blue eyes, and an angular face.

Rithys, The Night Angel - The world owes its moons and the stars in the sky to Rithys, who took particular pride in her two moons. Preferring introspection and calm, she has spent less time int he mortal world than any other angel. It is said among mortals that night is as isolating as it is due to Rithys's personality. Her appearance is striking even among the angels with skin as black as night, eyes that are milky and cloudy, and hair that phases between ivory and black.

Parlon, The Music Angel - Originally, Parlon was meant to aid Vorlan in the construction of the world's forests, but his own interests took a different path and he became the patron angel of music, poetry, and many other forms of art. Along with Omonrel, Parlon became deeply enmeshed in the mortal world, putting on grand performances of his music all over Vorlanys. He most commonly appears with light golden skin, amethyst eyes, and long elegant hair.

Aberos, The Barrens Angel - Occupying an odd place in the angelic pantheon, Aberos was simultaneously a disciple of Forynda, Vorlan, and Elaous. From Forynda, he had a stern sense of law. From Vorlan, he learned the gift of creating and guiding various forms of life, including being the patron angel of various reptilian and aquatic creatures. From Elaous, he learned to become a great warrior. Without a clear and distinct role, Aberos was given the duty of developing the mortal world's barren and remote places. Aberos has a chiseled dark gray stone face with emerald green eyes.

Jagreth, The Beast Angel - While most of the angels contributed in some way to the mortal world's life forms, none had a greater breadth and depth of contributions than Jagreth. This is especially true of the world's greatest creatures such as the massive Coji birds or the gargantuan swamp-dwelling Kaglens. His deep affection for these beasts has led him to reside almost exclusively in the mortal world. Jagreth is physically massive and has deep crimson skin with bulging muscles and fierce black eyes.

Nethron, The Aura Keeper - Nethron's primary responsibility is the maintenance of the various essences of Vorlanys and so he is the custodian of the various natural auras, but not the Ceunan Aura, which was Forynda’s personal dominion. These duties have caused him to reside primarily in Ceuna, studying the strange aspects of the Auras, which are poorly understood by angels and mortals alike. Nethron's most notable appearance comes from his crystalline eyes that flicker between seemingly countless colors, representing the Auras. His skin is sleek and silvery and he typically wears a dark blue robe with golden patterns.

Myrvaness, The Wind Angel - As a disciple of Elaous, Myrvaness primarily has served as a guardian of Ceuna, but also contributed to the mortal world's weather and climate, specifically its winds and storms. With few duties in Ceuna, she has spent most of her time on the mortal world watching its wars and has become an ardent student of such warfare as a result. She has bright yellow skin, iridescent green eyes, and red hair.

Gorondos, The Fire Angel - Also called the "Fire Bringer" or "Flame Bringer" in differing parts of the mortal world, Gorondos the patron of the world's flames and volcanic activity, including the mighty fiery Mount Hetras. His role was comparatively minor in the mortal world's creation, but he has spent much of his time living amongst mortals who admire his power and his ability to create fantastic spectacles. He has ashen skin, much like the volcanic ash spewed from his mountains, and iridescent orange eyes that flow continuously like lava.