WORLD MAP OF UNERA
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CHARACTERS
Acalan Tikau - Chieftain of the Gast tribe the Tekuan, which translates to "Jaguars."
Adelina - A priestess at the First Temple of Baltesia in Southport.
Arlo - The surgeon of the Wilds Lodge.
Armando Pótecil - A conqueror, or general, of the Ilberian military.
Ayda Santidad - The Altacura, or spiritual leader, of the Catedrál.
Baltesar Veda IV - The current Caelrey, or ruler, of Ilberia.
Batu Khatas - An older plainsrider pupil of the Kalgan Greathouse.
Camilo - A ranger apprentice of the Wilds Lodge.
Chuluun - A young plainsrider pupil of the Kalgan Greathouse.
Eld - A dryvan whose shape resembles a young elm tree.
Feral - The unruly, brown mare belonging to Lodgemaster Tadeo.
Gan - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge. Originally from Altan Gaz.
Hugo - A ranger apprentice of the Wilds Lodge.
Isla Ogbi - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge. Leiyn's best friend.
Itzel of Folly - The mayor of Folly. It is a widely known secret that she has a long-standing romantic relationship with Lodgemaster Tadeo.
Joaquin - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge.
Kyaka Ndaye - The current Odisi, or ruler, of Eyi.
Leiyn of Orille - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge. Protagonist of the Ranger of the Titan Wilds series.
Marina - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge. A middle-aged, no-nonsense woman.
Mauricio di Siveña - Governor of Baltesia. Dresses like a genteel fop from Ilberia, but prides himself on his Baltesian heritage.
Mooneyes - A dryvan whose shape resembles a humanoid owl.
Naél - A ranger apprentice of the Wilds Lodge.
Nathan - A curmudgeonly ranger of the Wilds Lodge. No one is sure how old he is, for he has been at the Lodge for as long as any remember.
Oktai of the Spears - The current Hesh Jin, or ruler, of Kalga.
Patro - A serving boy of the Wilds Lodge.
Rowan - Also known as "Hawkvine" and "Rowanwalker." A dryvan whose appearance is humanoid with a blend of a hawk's features and knotted vines.
Sarnai - The surgeon of the Kalgan Greathouse.
Steadfast - Leiyn's black stallion. As loyal as his name implies, he barely makes any sound, not even a whicker.
Taban - A plainsrider of the Kalgan Greathouse.
Tadeo of Lake's Edge - The lodgemaster of the Wilds Lodge.
Yolant - A ranger of the Wilds Lodge. Fond of singing for the Lodge and playing her stringed gourd.
Yul Khyan - Moorwarden of the Kalgan Greathouse.
Zuma Apisi - A Gast shaman of the Tekuan tribe.
THE WORLD
An overview of the locations in the world of Unera.
THE VEILED LANDS
The three colonies of the Veiled Lands are also called "the Tricolonies."
Baltesia
Colony of Ilberia.
Southport - Capital of Baltesia.
Orille - Leiyn's home village.
Folly - A Titan Wilds town.
Saints' Crossing - The bridge town that spans the Gorge de Omn.
Lake's Edge - Lodgemaster Tadeo's hometown.
Breakbay - An abandoned city ringed by titans. Ruined during the Titan War.
The Wilds Lodge - The Titan Wilds stronghold of the rangers.
Altan Gaz
Colony of Kalga.
Orolt - Capital of Altan Gaz.
Helkist - Fur-trading town.
The Greathouse - Also called the Baishin. Stronghold of the plainsriders.
Ore-Ofe
Colony of Eyi.
Kunu - Capital of Ore-Ofe.
Lamayo - Fortified trading city; acts as a secondary capital of Ore-Ofe.
The Stormhold - Also called the Izul. Stronghold of the skystriders.
The Titan Wilds
Borderlands spanning the Tricolonies. In Baltesia, these lands extend beyond the Gorge de Omn.
The Barren - Arid wasteland beyond the Silvertusk Sierra.
Qasaar - Capital of the Gasts and other indigenous tribes.
THE ANCESTRAL LANDS
The continent is also called "Forye."
Ilberia
The Ilberian Union.
Vasara - Capital of Ilberia.
Refugio - Stronghold of the Catedrál; also considered a holy city.
Eyi
The Eyin Empire.
Mumsi - Capital of Eyi.
Kaiam - Important city of Eyi.
Kalga
The Kalgan Dominion.
Galkhir - Capital of Kalga.
Betgol - Important city of Kalga.
BESTIARY
Draconion - Axolto to the Gasts. A large lizard that resembles the monitor lizard of the Ancestral Lands, they have been domesticated over eons to be riding animals to the native peoples of the Veiled Lands. Docile unless threatened, they have spines along their backs except where a rider is seated. Draconions typically appear in four colors: orange, yellow, red, and black. They sometimes combine variations of these and have striped or mottled patterns.
Spirit animals - Little is known of the creatures that appear as animals, yet also seem to be more. Travelers through the Titan Wilds have reported being assisted by creatures who are often of silver or golden coloring. These have taken the forms of wolves, large cats, foxes, deer, and all other manner of beasts. Many believe them to be spirits from Omn, sent by the Saints to keep their followers safe. Others have reported the native peoples have stories of them as little gods taking forms that humans can understand, and that often their favors granted will someday need to be repaid.
Titans - Also called "kainox" by the native peoples of the Veiled Lands. Straddling the line between beasts and spirits, they appear as enormous animals or mythical creatures that ravage the land. Titans are not always present in the landscape; they "awaken" or materialize in cycles that can vary from months to years. Many appear to be tied to a certain feature in the terrain, but this does not appear to be accurate in all cases. Following is a list of the titans known thus far:
Hill tortoise - Earth titan.
Tempest hawk - Storm titan.
Rain mammoth - Rain titan.
Ash dragon - Volcano titan.
Sea kraken - Ocean titan. Also called "The Wight on the Tide."
River serpent - River titan.
Gorge spider - Rock titan.
Thorned lion - One of the largest predators in the Titan Wilds, it typically poses little harm to humans unless starving. They have been known, however, to prey on livestock. The rangers of the Wilds Lodge have learned torches burning fennel are sufficient to drive it away from human populations. With a mane of spines, it is deadly to contend with. Aggression should be avoided whenever possible. Thorned lions typically travel alone, though females will care for their cubs until they are several years old.
Tusked jackal - An aggressive canine species known for their destruction of other animal habitats. Tusked jackals travel in packs of thirty or more and bring down their prey through numbers and ferocity. As they pose significant threats to humans and livestock, they are best driven away
Wolfdeer - A species of fanged deer that appear to be particularly aggressive. Unknown if they are carnivorous or not. Like other deer species, they travel in herds. Stags compete for the rights to mate with a herd's does. Fights have been known to be to the death. Mateless young stags often travel in a herd of their own.
BOTANICAL
Drybrush - A fern-like plant that shrivels upon a touch, then slowly stretches back out its leaves and limbs, regaining color and moisture and seeming to come back to life.
Echinacea - A pink flower whose extract is often used as a natural antibiotic.
Everscent - A flower that changes its aroma throughout the seasons, and sometimes over the span of a few moments. Usually, these scents are quite pleasant.
Firefruit - Aubergine berries that burn one's skin for hours. There are stories among the Gasts of using firefruit to incapacitate one's foes.
Hangman's vine - A carnivorous plant that strangles any creature unfortunate enough to be snared by it. Known by the red coloring of its vines and leaves. It is exclusively found wrapped around full-grown broad-leafed trees.Travelers are advised to be wary of which trees they rest against.
GLOSSARY
Many of the terms not referenced in the previous wikis can be found here.
Akan'Oala - Translates to "Those Who Came Before." This is the name given by Gasts to their ancestors. Legend has it that they came long ago to the Veiled Lands and conquered them by benefit of their superior magic. In the eons since, time and war have robbed the Gasts and other indigenous peoples of many of these secrets, leaving their history shrouded in mystery.
The Altacura - The leader of the Catedrál. Addressed as "Gran" or "Her Sanctity." The Altacura has always been female. Many of those who reached Ascendance to become one of the five Saints have previously been the Altacura. Though officially a religious leader, by benefit of her station and the Catedrál's resources, the Altacura has traditionally wielded great power both in Ilberia and in the world at large.
Amente - Translates to "lover" in Ilberian, though usually intended in a derogatory sense; for example, a lover of Gasts, which would be seen by Ilberians and Baltesians as a negative label.
Ascendance - The process by which a person is made into a saint. Often, saints have arisen from a previous Altacura, though not exclusively. Holy miracles must be attributed to the person in order to achieve Ascendance, as do revelations of morality as divinely inspired by Omn. Only five individuals have thus far Ascended in the Catedrál's history.
The Caelrey - Also known as "the World King." The political leader of Ilberia. In practice, often has to share power with the Altacura and her Catedrál. Reigns from Vasara, the capital of Ilberia.
The Catedrál - Also called "the Holy Catedrál." A sprawling religious institution worshiping the prescience of Omn and the god's revelations. The Catedrál has largely acted as a matriarchy, with precedence given to women for positions of power. Though officially a religious institution, its significant resources and moral sway often translate to geopolitical power that its leaders are unafraid to wield.
Cloaking - The induction of a ranger apprentice into a full ranger by giving the apprentice a ranger cloak, a resilient and warm article dyed a forest green. Inducted rangers are also referred to as "cloaked rangers" by benefit of this ritual.
The Cloudholder - Leader of the Stormhold, the home of the skystriders of Ore-Ofe.
Conqueror - A general of the Ilberian military. In the colony of Baltesia, conquerors wield authority only surpassed by the Caelrey and, contentiously, the Altacura.
Dryvan - Also called "skin-walker" and "forest witch." Known as "sach'aan" to the Gasts. Among themselves, dryvans refer to themselves as "the Kin." Dryvans are shapeshifters. Though often possessing shapes approximately human, they are changed with attributes of animals and plants. Rarely seen, it is unknown what their disposition is toward humanity, for stories have been told of both boons and harms.
Epochs of Unera - According to the Catedrál, the first age of Unera was the Epoch of Sin, when all of humanity was mired in ignorance and transgressions. During that time, those with mahia were worshiped as gods, and all quailed at their power. Then, with the founding of the Catédral came the Epoch of Epiphany, the current age, which began with the miracles of the First Saint, Inhoa the Merciful. This is believed to be a time of civilization and virtue, when the truth of the Saints will be spread to the far corners of the world and all will be saved from their sins.
Esse - Also called "lifefire," "lifeforce," and "essence." Known as "ilis" to the Gasts. Esse is the vital life energy of a being. Invisible to most, those who possess mahia see it as bright life, often moving like flames throughout the body. Each individual possesses a unique esse, and those with an attuned enough lifesense may identify any being by it. Though mostly isolated to a being's body, mahia allows one to either draw it out of individuals or manipulate it to different effects.
Ferino - Translates literally to "feral" from Ilberian. A derogatory term used by Ilberians and Baltesians toward Gasts and other indigenous peoples.
Fesht - An expletive common in Baltesia referring to an aggressive sexual act. Thought to have originated from an indigenous tribe.
Gasts - Refer to themselves as "The Many Tribes." Though perceived by colonists as a cohesive group, Gasts entail various tribes bonded by cultural and spiritual beliefs held in common. During the colonization of the Veiled Lands, the Gasts resisted the Ancestral Lands, which led to the Titan War. Following their capitulation, the Gasts largely retreated to beyond the Silvertusk Sierra to the arid lands beyond the mountains called the Barren.
Ghosts - Called "timili" by Gasts. These ghosts are typically found in ancestral ruins and manifest as whispers and a lingering sense of esse.
The Hesh Jin - Also called "the Ocean Lord." Leader of Kalga.
Legion - The force of evil to the Catedrál, opposing the good force of Omn and the Saints. Seen as a fragmented being with many faces on account of the tormented souls it has captured screaming for release. Some believe Legion manifests demons in Unera to serve his purposes. For some, titans and dryvans are a few of these demons, while others see them as natural manifestations akin to animals and plants.
The Lodgemaster - Leader of the Wilds Lodge, home to the rangers of Baltesia.
Mada - A familiar term meaning "mother" to Baltesians and Ilberians.
Mahia - Known as "semah" to the Gasts. Mahia is a magic of life and death, allowing its user to manipulate esse to various effects. These effects include healing, killing (by draining an individual of esse), and strengthening or energizing one's body. Mahia also seems to have something to do with titans, as the creatures appear to be at least partly magical in origin. While seen as having come from Omn by the Catedrál, it is also seen as a tool by which Legion could exploit human weakness and lead people into sin. The other Ancestral Lands have higher levels of tolerance, though most view it with distrust. Among the Tricolonies, these attitudes are often passed on, though more leniency has evolved.
Makayo - Translates to "Unity." The Gast afterlife, in which an individual merges with the world. The losing of oneself to the great whole of being is anticipated with eagerness.
The Moorwarden - Leader of the Greathouse, home to the plainsriders of Altan Gaz.
Odiosa - A witch hunter of the Catedrál. By virtue of possessing mahia, odiosas sense out those with magic and either recruit them to their cause or have them executed. It is unknown how people become indoctrinated as odiosas, though their odd temperaments allude to some sort of torturous process that addles the mind.
The Odisi - Also called "the Sky Queen." Leader of Eyi.
Omn - Also called "the Unknown" and "Omn Almighty." The god honored by the Catedrál. Most often depicted as a faceless, genderless orb of astral origin, similar to the sun and the moons, though distinct from both. Omn is believed to be the creator of all, including magic and titans.
Pada - A familiar term meaning "father" to Baltesians and Ilberians.
Plainsrider - A protector of the Tricolonies dwelling at the Greathouse in Altan Gaz. Akin to rangers and skystriders.
Ranger - A protector of the Tricolonies dwelling at the Wilds Lodge in Baltesia. Akin to plainsriders and skystriders.
The Ranger's Lament - An invocation spoken by a ranger after taking a life. Often spoken to alleviate guilt at the killing. The phrase is as follows: "Your spirit touches mine."
The Ranger's Oath - An oath taken by rangers at their cloaking ceremony, which they vow to uphold during their service. The oath is as follows: "Perceive. Preserve. Protect."
The Sacred Saints - The five individuals in Catedrál history who have Ascended from mortals into divine representatives of Omn. The Saints are seen as intermediaries between the faceless god and humanity, and interpret what is good and what is sinful. The Saints and their associated virtues are as follows:
Hugo of Resolution and Equity
Luciana of Sincerity and Candor
Jadiel of Grace and Beauty
Inhoa of Mercy and Quietus
Carmen of Loyalty and Justice
Shaman - A magic wielder and religious leader of the Gasts. As those possessing mahia, shamans serve many vital functions within Gast society, including healing the sick and wounded, communing with the ancestors and the spirits of the world, and warding against titans. They are often highly educated and serve as advisors to chieftains. By benefit of magic, shamans have also historically been reservoirs of indigenous history. Unfortunately, if a shaman dies before they can pass this knowledge on, it is forever lost, a problem that became particularly difficult during the Titan War and was one factor that led to the Gasts' retreat.
Skystrider - A protector of the Tricolonies dwelling at the Stormhold in Ore-Ofe. Akin to plainsriders and rangers.
Taht - Meaning "father" or "mother," it is a respectful address for shamans.
Tekuan - A Gast tribe with a reputation for being continued aggressors since the Titan War. Their name translates to "Jaguar" and their people are tattooed with this symbol.
The Ten Virtues - The ideals upheld by the Catedrál as being good and worthy of pursuit. All are associated with one of the Sacred Saints. The virtues are resolution, equity, sincerity, candor, grace, beauty, mercy, quietus, loyalty, and justice.
Titan's awakening - The event when a titan first emerges from a natural body, such as a hill or river, and forms its body. It is believed titans may lie dormant in places for years before rising. Upon their awakening, those with magic perceived it as radiating very strongly from them, often so much so that it is impossible to resist their pull.
The Titan War - The war over the colonization of the Veiled Lands, fought between the Gasts and other indigenous peoples against those coming from the Ancestral Lands. After years of failed negotiations, the Gasts finally pushed back against the people invading their lands. Using magic, their shamans sent titans against the colonial settlements, devastating them and killing thousands. Though those possessing mahia from the Ancestral Lands did not know how to control titans, they used their magic against the shamans themselves, leading to the deaths of most of them. Following the loss of their shamans, the Gasts and other natives retreated beyond the Silvertusk Sierra to the lands known as the Barren. Only a few remained behind, and these were discriminated against, often to the point of violence.
Toa - Translates to "chief," the title given to a Gast chieftain.
Unera - Called "Tlalli" by the Gasts. Unera is the planet, the world at large.