Characters & Families

These are some of the characters and families of Elsemorn.

This page covers named individuals and families. For more general information about groups of people, see the page on cultures and peoples.

Characters

These are some of the noteworthy characters of Elsemorn, ordered alphabetically by given name rather than surname.

Aedan was a folklorist and poet in Loril. As a novice at Ilfradare Abbey, Aedan helped Cyngur research folk tales about Searyn. After Cyngur's death, Aedan continued his research and eventually published the Cycle of Redrele and Serene. Aedan's work was continued by his own novice, Aergul.

Aergul was a folklorist, lyricist, and playwright in Loril. He was a novice at Ilfradare Abbey under Aedan, where he helped continue the work started by Cyngur. After Aedan's death, Aergul left the monastery but continued to research and publish for the remainder of his long life. His most celebrated works include the tragedy Grimm Cilld Serene and the opera Dance of the Maiden.

Albrit Ketterbray is a renowned bard and balladeer. He is best known for his cycle of ballads about Redriel, In the Saddle Sits Justice. Albrit is the grandson of the poet Dulon Ketterbray.

Amiers is (or was) a satyrical playwright, tract writer, and occasional journalist. He disappeared while attempting to interview bandit armies in the Southern Wolds.

Ancoj is the warden of Dreya.

Andel Patrox is the king of Feore.

Andir Cyn Ysul is the (presumed) pen name for an author of popular mythological fiction. They are known for weaving factual events into their fiction, and for their criticism of Casseval and Feore.

Anwel is an oracle, specializing in the natural world.

Apheras is an ancient wizard in Rhodynea, Loril.

Ardes is an actor, bard, and manager of the Dreaming Wheels performance troupe.

Arthund Wrenne was a cartographer best known for drawing the lost Wrenne Map. Early in his life, Wrenne showed a great understanding of geometry and navigation, and found work as a maritime pilot while creating local nautical maps. He soon captained a series of ships and sailed them across Elsemorn. Throughout his voyages, he collected maps both ancient and modern, upon which he based his own Wrenne Map.

Aubrey Pascen was the owner of the Stanbrycg Theater in Eaford (near Fellsdare) and a poet of limited talent. His notability lies chiefly as the playwright of Mother Searyn, for which he was attacked by an angry mob and his theater partially burned.

Baldry Byrlagga is the king of Westbare.

Balukhir is the queen of Kozlodus.

Bartholomew is the owner of Bartholomew & Company.

Caid is a folk hero/outlaw based in Feore.

Castienne is a wizard in Siecles, Casseval. He is likely the most famous—or infamous—wizard of Casseval.

Ciar Nyse is an author of popular adventure stories.

Cuthard is the prime minister of Escellier.

Cyngur was a folklorist in Loril. While a monk at Ilfradare Abbey, he researched and cataloged folk tales, primarily those about Searyn. It is said that he first recognized the girl as being the "grimm cilld" (grim child) in Eudreyyan's Wroth Blade of Redriel. Cyngur died while still researching the tales, but left behind meticulous notes for his novice, Aedan.

Cytia is the queen of Tewn.

Diakos is the catuur (magistrate)  of Shalduur.

Diarmun Fitch is a popular character in folk legend. Scholars of folklore tend to agree that he is a historical figure—or is based on one—although his deeds have become embellished and exaggerated over time. Fitch is reputed to have been of great height, strength, resilience, and had a never-ending appetite.

The Dulln is a folk hero/outlaw based throughout Allesley.

Dulon Ketterbray was a celebrated poet and folklorist. His most famous works include Dark Man Upon Morwren and The Lay of Redriel, both retellings of traditional folk tales about the legendary outlaw. Dulon was grandfather to the bard Albrit Ketterbray.

Ealdfrey is the reeve of Greenhalls.

Eudreyyan was a monk at Hasleborne Abbey and a scholar of folk tales. He collected the known sagas about Redriel and published them in his cycle, The Compleat Histories of Outlaw Redrele. He is said to have written original works as well, but none have survived. Eudreyyan is frequently referred to as August Eudreyyan or Eudreyyan the August, or sometimes by his informal name Eudrey.

Fain Thennes is the steyr (steward) of Kaldenhave.

Fird Therines is (or was) an esteemed architect and pioneer in the new (or rediscovered) field of engineering. She is known for designing several of the tallest structures in Fellsdare, Maeros, and Stroudesmoure. Fird is believed to have been abducted by agents of Casseval.

Frithalys (or sometimes Frithus) was a librarian and scholar in Loril. Sometimes known as the Iron Nun, she is remembered for her decades-long reorganization and cataloging of the library at Ilfradare Abbey. This caused Ilfradare to be seen as a serious research library and allowed many later scholars—such as Cyngur—to perform valuable work there.

Gallorand is the admiral of Cosworn.

Garnes Laisenne is the king of Casseval.

The Gladdened Ear is a folk hero/outlaw based in Casseval and Feore.

Gorzog was an ogre bard, famed (mostly among ogres) for his songs. These were all short drinking ditties—as ogre songs are—meant to be repeated until someone started a different song or everyone fell asleep. It is said that Gorzog's memorable ditties single-handedly revitalized the ogre singing tradition. See the songs of Gorzog for some of his most famous compositions.

H.A. Hare is the (presumed) pen name for an author of popular crime fiction. Hare is best known for creating Tsennek, the "Great Orc Detective". Little is known about Hare's real identity.

Haandeval is a (fictional) gift-giving character.

The Halfred Grim is a folk hero/outlaw based in Fellsdare and northwest Loril. This person is also known as the Halfred and Grim Halfred.

Halsere was an explorer who attempted many sea voyages beyond the "known world". Most of his expeditions ended in disaster and he was rescued from several of them. Halsere did confirm that west of the Galdor Sea and east of Thalvien was open ocean with few islands, and that north of Theresk is an impenetrable wall of pack ice. He disappeared on his final voyage exploring the Sea of Steam.

Healrek Irenweall is the prime minister of Clovenhorn.

Hirne Tennesby is the king of Stroud.

Hudde of Talstan was a historian who worked on the chronology of Elsemorn. His work apparently angered the local populace, who killed Hudde and burnt his modest library.

Iancleas Gallandar was an explorer who mapped the western coastal region of Allesely and found no indisputable remnants of Cordiana. This caused a great deal of controversy, as it was hoped that some structures—and perhaps even artifacts—may have survived the tides that destroyed that land. Iancleas was later murdered by Corusene fundamentalists.

Innaon Aikatre is the king of Athyl.

Keaddas is the catuur (magistrate) of Naef.

Kenrik Fayne is (or was) a self-professed "gentleman adventurer" with wealthy familial ties to Loril and Kaldenhave. He is remembered for a series of ill-fated expeditions which lead to dozens of deaths and disappearances, including the artist Rathas. He himself disappeared on his last adventure.

Kielfaer is the nolaur (sovereign) of Whethelen.

Knaal is an oracle, specializing in royal families and lineages.

Koro Kaaralo is the nolaur (sovereign) of Kaadar.

Leech Wyllew is a folk hero/outlaw based in the three capitals of Loril.

Maared is the queen of Miraalys.

Mauh is the admiral of Therborous.

Miellasfal is the queen of Aceley.

Morrund Avyn was an explorer from Cordiana. He is known for the westward expedition which some say caused the burning tides and subsequent downfall of that empire. Among the Corusene, the name "Avyn" is often used as an insult or a curse word.

Niashoj Maldenhom is the nolaur (sovereign) of Erralsgyve.

Omun Alok is the king of Gellem.

Persa Redev is the prime minister of Reddes.

Radmar Wealde is the prime minister of Haliodderun.

Rathas is (or was) an artist from Feore and later Loril. They are remembered for their illustrations of mythological figures—most notably folk characters Redriel and Searyn—and also for their realistic drawings of exotic locations and animals. At the height of their career, Rathas joined an expedition led by Kenrik Fayne and disappeared.

Raudan Liofric is the king of Thannescombe.

Rava is the regas of Kestemyr. Outside of Kestemyr, Rava has been given many unpleasant nicknames, most notably the "Witch Queen".

Redriel is a popular character in folk legend. In the earliest tales, he is simply a common outlaw who thrives on foiling the unpopular sheriff. The specific sheriff and general settings differ from tale to tale, suggesting that these legends spread quickly after their initial tellings (possibly due to a resurgence of the bard profession at that time) and were not confined to one location. Despite this fact, the scholar Eudreyyan believed that the legend ultimately originated in or around Allascerne, in Feore. Redriel is also known as Redriel h'ley, Redrele, or the Mistrunner.

The figure is usually depicted as towering but lanky, wearing a wide-brimmed hat (Rain Unforseen) and a notched belt, sometimes explained as a record of the men he has killed (The Ten Score Graves) or the women he has saved (A Lass in Peril). He carries the powerful mithhring blade Caratauc but uses it infrequently. In most tales, he talks his way out of dangerous situations (Palaver and Folderol) or simply rides away on his black steed, Morwren (Dark Chevalier).

The title Mistrunner stems from his unusual fear of mists, fogs, and the like. Redriel invariably flees whenever they appear (Redrele Mistrunner), often abandoning his present duty. (In Afeard Redriel, a dense fog approaches and he cryptically confesses to a damsel, "I cannot save you in this life but I will surely do so in the next!") These legends, collected most recently by Dulon Ketterbray in his Mistrunner Cycles, are all in agreement that the mist has some power over the hero.

Redriel appears with Searyn in a small number of tales. While their exact relationship is not known, Cyngur determined that she was not a blood relative but rather a heroic sidekick.

Satra Luquin was a theologian and patriarch of the Church of Corus in Casseval.

Searyn is a popular character in folk legend. She is nearly always depicted as a girl (only once as a woman, in Aubrey Pascen's Mother Searyn) dressed in peasant's clothing or simple rags (Sword and Scraps). She invariably wields Isfael, a galeyerd sword that is taller than her (Bloody Searyn). Many Searyn tales are filled with gore as she slays scores of attackers (Childe Serene and the Village Devol), though there is often a moral element as well (Deserved Death to Thee and Thine). She is frequently depicted as emerging from a dense fog (The Birth of Searyn), though she seems to have no fear of the fog, nor of anything else. Searyn sometimes appears as a sidekick of sorts to Redriel and as a contrast to his generally peaceful nature.

Seisill Matham was a playwright and poet in Fellsdare. He is known to have written more than 30 plays (including comedies, histories, and tragedies) and published two volumes of poetry, both collections of sonnets. Seisill was an accomplished actor and singer, and often performed in a lead role and the chorus. He is remembered as never having missed a performance. Several times he appeared on stage with broken bones, once carted around by stagehands after being thrown from a horse. Seisill was drenched in blood for an entire performance of Love for Lady and Queen, having concluded a duel backstage right before his entrance. Nearly all of his works were performed at the Stanbrycg Theater, which was owned by Aubrey Pascen, himself an aspiring playwright. Pascen rented the theater to Seisill in return for being his understudy in all productions.

Serl Harfyrd is the king of Fellsdare. Despite being middle-aged, Serl is often called the "Boy King" as he was eight years old when his father, Bren Harfyrd, was assassinated.

The Soul Gamblers are (likely fictional) card players said to roam Elsemorn. In some stories, they steal souls, though in others they redeem their own. The pair are reputed to be immortal, perhaps ghosts or vampires. In the most common stories, their names are Eselin Moliore and Renot.

Sturs Langskap is the king of Oarssund.

Tanrik Velleys was a popular bard and poet. His music was primarily about contemporary events and people of all kinds, nobles and heroes but also peasants and criminals. It is said that he revolutioned the standard repertoire of his time, which was largely based on maudlin romantic legends. Topical songs became the norm, at least until the Redriel ballads made larger-than-life characters popular once again. Despite this, many of Tanrik's works survive in quoted passages and melodies. Examples include "Fairslie Irons Picks", "The Rebel of Dunric Woods", "Pirates on the Rime Sea", and "Silver Moon".

Tenney Blackhand was a historian and student of Hudde of Talstan. He carried on Hudde's work until, like his master, Tenney was killed by a mob.

Thane Aska is a folk hero/outlaw based in the Reeves of Loril.

Thane Terrai is a folk hero/outlaw based in Fellsdare and northwest Loril.

Thares is the primary host or prophet figure of Corus.

Thel Feldweg is the lord of Burhi.

Thenral Gaff was a cartographer who drew the infamous Wrenne Forgery.

Tsennek is a character in the crime fiction of H.A. Hare. Popularly called the "Great Orc Detective", Tsennek has appeared in dozens of novels, short stories, and collections.

Vane Aldrid is (or was) a notorious jester to many nobles in Allesley and Medoruul. It is said that Vane was blessed (or cursed) with knowing the exact sarcastic joke or cutting remark for the moment. Vane was also rumored to have keen political and military insights. Neither this nor the "jester's privilege" saved Vane, as he was cast out of throne room after throne room, until he disappeared entirely.

Venka is the warden of Theystra.

Vict Falkor is the earl of Falxmed.

Vilik Andillir is the nolaur (sovereign) of Rovallia.

Wyrthas is an oracle, specializing in the afterlife and the unseen.

Ynder Antherys is a composer and playwright in Loril. Ynder began his career as an actor and bard in Fellsdare, and in time achieved fame in Aceley and Thannescombe as well. He now owns theaters and manages the Three Moons Theater Company in all three of Loril's kingdom cities.

Yngetor is a folk hero/outlaw based in Casseval.

Families

These are some of the noteworthy families of Elsemorn:

The Aikatres are the royal family of Athyl.

The Alokan are the royal family of Gellem.

The Andilliras are the royal family of Rovallia.

The Byrlaggen are the royal family of Westbare.

The Faersteloj are the royal family of Whethelen.

The Falkora are the royal family of Falxmed.

The Falsteloj are the royal family of Aceley.

The Feldweggen are the royal family of Burhi.

The Harfyrds are the royal family of Fellsdare.

The Kaaralos are the royal family of Kaadar.

The Laisennes are the royal family of Casseval.

The Langskappa are the royal family of Oarssund.

The Liofric are the royal family of Thannescombe.

The Maldenhom are the royal family of Erralsgyve.

The Patroxes are the royal family of Feore.

The Soandera are the royal family of Miraalys.

The Tennesbys are the royal family of Stroud.

The Wealden are the royal family of Tewn.