Card Tales - Prologue. Glossary

Glossary:
Aglaia,

the dark face of the goddess that chose Cardanniel, is very active in his life unlike some of the other gods/goddesses. Her 'priests' are called her vengeance and do her bidding while appearing to be other things, such as priests of other orders. It is a long kept secret that Aglaia is the mistress of the life-giver whom the priests call the green man and only those who can see her can serve her. Aglaia personally keeps all the souls of her priests so soul-stealing creatures may not attack them and so that they may perform services for creatures that soul-bearing creatures cannot. In the place of the soul, Aglaia leaves behind a piece of her own essence which the priests believe to be their soul, although the more educated ones know it is not their true soul.

Allana, Priestess of the Sea-god, was a youngish woman who helped to save Card and Dart from the sea when the pirate ship went down.

Aglaia, Dedication Ceremony: "Aglaia, before you is an offering of flesh and blood. A soul that can seek and be used for your vengeance. I offer him to you." The heart-dagger is plunged into the supplicant's heart. The soul separated from the body as it would in death and the dark goddess takes it for safe keeping until the day the neophyte would need it again. The blade is removed leaving behind a scar. The presiding priest then loops the chain that was with the dagger over the neophyte's head and directs him to dress instructing him to wear the dagger close to his heart for the rest of his days.

Aglaia, Prayer to: "I honor you always, by the maiden's tears that flowed to the earth as the green man enjoyed her pleasure." (Pouring of water.) "By the mother's blood as she gave me birth," (shedding of blood) "and by the elders who watch over me until I join the ancestors, I am your vengeance," (supplication.) "By Aglaia, I swear."

Balfor was a short man, also known as a dwarf, from one of the southern mountainous tribes known for their tempers and fighting ability who bore an odd runic tattoo on his forehead that read 'Bear Defiler'. He was in the pirate ship with Cardanniel and Dart when it sunk.

Cadrith is Cardanniel's son by birth although the boy is unaware of this. He is also a servant of Aglaia; Cardanniel preformed the ceremony himself.

Cardanniel our hero, and an Elvin lord in his own right who has been mentored by the servants of Aglaia among others. His role is ever changing as Aglaia calls him to do various tasks. He is capable of assassination and healing -- bringing death and giving life. He is also able to free trapped wizards and feed vampires if necessary. He believes he bears no soul, yet he feels the call of the death-bringer deeply in his soul. This confusion has set him out on a journey of self-discovery as his feet follow his heart and Aglaia guides his hand.

Common Blessings: "May Meliae guide and protect you, and Jashtet lead you to water so you may not thirst."

Daenor was a short man, also known as a dwarf, from one of the southern mountainous tribes known for their tempers and fighting ability who bore an odd runic tattoo on his forehead which read 'I am an idiot'; but which he claimed to read 'Lord of Death'. He was in the pirate ship with Cardanniel and Dart when it sunk.

Dart (Dartildon) the sidekick with his own secrets yet to be discovered, who now sleeps with Cardanniel of his own free will. His father was a weredragon and his mother a witch of power equal at least to a warlock. He had two sisters, one a witch, the other a weredragon, but the jury is still out on which of his parent's powers Dart has inherited exactly. So far his mother has given him preventatives to slow down his magical maturity, but recent events have forced him to develop a few of the more reflexive and defensive types of magic that are the first sure signs of a wizard or worse… a warlock. His birthday is the summer solstice.

Death-bringer the invisible moon of the planet. It is larger and worshipped by the dark cults as well as those who serve the dark face of the maiden. It is unknown as to why it does not reflect light, but those who can see it are also sensitive to its magic. She is rumored to be the manafestation of Aglaia, or Life-giver's mistress.

Enchanted ring that no one knows how to use -- Cardanniel is given it by the Old Man who wins it in a bet from Garnet during one of the challenges. The Old Man subsequently dares Cardanniel to put the ring on -- which he does -- and nothing happens -- yet!

Fagan awagon-driver who is traveling with Kobe, and who needed Cardanniel's assistance.

Garnet appears to be a red dragon that played questions and challenges (truth or dare) with Glinda, Lugh, Cardanniel, and the Old Man, while Guide and others watch with vested interest, and who ends up being the god of the air. He has a secondary form of a young man with long red hair that seems to burn in the fading sun-light and he lusts after Cardanniel, but he does not want to invade Dart's territory so to speak.

Glinda appears to be a young, human, female psychic who played questions and challenges (truth or dare) with Garnet, Lugh, Cardanniel, the Old Man, while Guide and others watched with vested interest, and who ends up being the goddess in her youthful form.

Guide is the moniker given to Cardanniel's soul while he is with his Flesh. Guide watches the game of questions and challenges (truth or dare) between the gods and his Flesh and knows it is not truly a game but a test, and that his Flesh must pass this test or they both will die.

Heart-dagger is the small dagger worn by all the priest of Aglaia. Some people claim it holds the priest's soul, but this is not true. It is only a symbol of their connection with the dark maiden. Many have symbols on the pommel, which appear at the grace of the goddess. Cardanniel's heart-dagger bears a dragon.

Jashtet is a desert goddess of compassion, known to guide lost travelers to water or shelter.

Kobe a young half-elvin boy traveling with Fagan, who broke his leg when falling off a bridge, Cardanniel healed him.

Life-giver

is the sun and is worshipped as a god by the majority of the people along with the goddess in her three major faces.

· Thiphrion is a not so ancient name for the life-giver and is not so commonly used in spells or prayers of great urgency.

· Ukhebrînâz is the most recent name for the life-giver and is used frequently enough by the temple priests that most people know this name although they have been admonished to never say it in fear of bringing his wrath.

· Voracaldil is the most ancient name for the life-giver.

Lugh appears to be a small, blue faery who played questions and challenges (truth or dare) with Glinda, Garnet, Cardanniel, and the Old Man, while Guide and others watch with vested interest, and who ends up being the god of the sea that saved Cardanniel when the pirate ship went down.

Meliae is a desert goddess of protection, a warrior, and mother of all.

Messenger the visible moon of the world. It makes two circuits of the planet each night and is believed to carry messages from the living to the Ancestors (stars) who have passed beyond this life and into the next life.

Nel was Dart's eldest sister and a witch. She died before they left The Traveller's Inn. It was her funeral pyre that freed their mother from her captivity as a wood nymph by burning her tree; this act also killed their mother.

Old Man appears to be a very old man that is supervising as well as participating in the game of questions and challenges (truth or dare) between Glinda, Garnet, Cardanniel, Lugh, while Guide and others watch with vested interest. During game play, he reveals his true name to in the past have been Voracaldil, Thiphrion, and Ukhebrînâz.

Riva (Riviskara) was Dart's older sister. Born a weredragon with strong magical abilities she ordered their mother's death and fought their father in magic duel. She ended up a duck and transformed her father into a walking stick. She forced Cardanniel to promise to give Dart two more doses of a potion his mother made for him from his birthing.

Ziran is an Elvin lord and the uncle of Cadrith. He does not recognize Cardanniel as a priest, but promises to care for the boy until he is ready to be trained.