Wonda is a somewhat vague, nebulous, and free spirit* with a subtle current of mystery and hidden wisdom about what lies behind the veneer of reality. (*When this author says “spirit” he means personality — Wonda is a human, not a Ghost.) This young woman lives in a secluded tower on a piece of landContinue reading “Who and What is Wonda?”
Tag Archives: introductions
Who and What is Skati of the Skins?
No one knows about the existence of this mystical man, apart from the evil Lady of a Thousand Faces. However, she cannot gain access to him or to the structure in his possession that she covets, which is good news for humanity. Residing in a solitary tower in a secret part of Dal-Rhiatah known asContinue reading “Who and What is Skati of the Skins?”
Who was Saint Eridmus?
In the present day, not many people know who Saint Eridmus was and what he did to become revered, let alone why the Church of St Eridmus bears his name. During the time in which the second book of the Nighthunter is set, there are no such things as wizards. They were all wiped outContinue reading “Who was Saint Eridmus?”
St Eridmus’s Church
The Church of Saint Eridmus is located on the outskirts of Corvin village in Dal-Rhiatah, the Northwestern continent. In the days before the old gods were forgotten — before the curse of the Grim began — the villagefolk would attend the church regularly, at least four times a year coinciding with the equinoxes. However, inContinue reading “St Eridmus’s Church”
The Psyche Technicians
In the grounds of Sunnyside orphanage in Corvin village, Dal-Rhiatah, is a separate building normally cordoned off to the general public — that is, apart from the adults that work there and eleven-year-olds. The building, colloquially known as “The Doctor’s Office”, is a laboratory where the children of Dal-Rhiatah take the Test around their eleventhContinue reading “The Psyche Technicians”
Who and What is Reed?
Reed is the longstanding nickname of one of the eldest boys in the shanty town of Coven. Four or five years older than Toby and Elka, he is the main authority figure when Noran is elsewhere or otherwise busy. Whenever bands of children are sent out from Coven to patrol its perimeter and scrounge forContinue reading “Who and What is Reed?”
The Lapuli
The most infamous stench in the world emanates from the lapuli. Its pungent venom is extracted for use in industrial-strength vermin repellents. The aroma is enough to cause children and those of a more sensitive disposition to lose consciousness and suffer vivid nightmares. In most adult persons, prolonged exposure to the smell causes lurid hallucinations.Continue reading “The Lapuli”
A Little More About Ghostmerchants
I touched upon what a ghostmerchant does and the role of that profession towards the end of this post in my blog marathon about magical objects and beliefs in folklore. In the second book of The Nighthunter series, the current ghostmerchant of Corvin is a dull and unassuming-looking man named Mr Brosban. His main jobContinue reading “A Little More About Ghostmerchants”
Who and What is Captain Rossa?
This young female member of the Griny-Plinth is their army’s second-in-command under General Morticum. We meet Captain Rossa during Logan‘s adventures on the magical continent of Thosea, when he and his friends are captured by the Griny-Plinth army and detained for being homo sapiens in their territory. She is a stickler for propriety and followingContinue reading “Who and What is Captain Rossa?”
Who and What is Plintheus Morticum?
Plintheus Morticum the First, otherwise referred to as General Morticum or My Lord, is the leader and guardian of a race of sentient rodent-type creatures known as the Griny-Plinth. He lives in the Griny-Plinth burrow (which was constructed around and on top of an ancient burial mound) past the river Eridanus on the magical continentContinue reading “Who and What is Plintheus Morticum?”
Who and What is Toby Wyverg?
This introverted and thoughtful young lad is the younger brother of Elka Wyverg, a girl who suffers from the ability to summon different kinds of Ghosts whenever she feels strong emotions. Elka is a ghostbait child, confirmed by the Test all children in Dal-Rhiatah have to undertake in their eleventh year. We will meet TobyContinue reading “Who and What is Toby Wyverg?”
Who and What is Elka Wyverg?
Elka is an eleven-year-old ghostbait child living in Corvin, a village or small town in Dal-Riatah, with her younger brother (Toby) and her parents. Dal-Riatah is a continent in the North-West of the Dal-Riatan Empire and its environs, and this country has a curse on it: every child is born either ghostbait (they “Bring” GhostsContinue reading “Who and What is Elka Wyverg?”
All About the Muryans
The Muryans are an ancient race of beings who came into existence shortly after the birth of Noran’s world (the Empire of Dal-Rhiatah). They first lived in the planet-wide, sentient forest named Panko – before Homo sapiens began – and they had a symbiotic relationship with the plants and trees, and later on, withContinue reading “All About the Muryans”
WHO AND WHAT ARE THE HIGH MADRE?
These three prophetesses are the leaders and main teachers of the Kendra, a convent of egoless prophetesses who revere Saint Agrimond, along with the ancient benevolent magic that their world was created with – Foundational magic. Somewhat inspired by the Fates from Greek myth or the three witches from Macbeth, these three women are aContinue reading “WHO AND WHAT ARE THE HIGH MADRE?”
WHO AND WHAT IS ULFRYD SPIRN?
A minor character in “A Dark Heritage: The Nighthunter” who goes on an almost fairytale-style quest and meets an unfortunate end. An apprentice to a travelling merchant, Ulfryd is fourteen years old and having an affair with a girl at an inn when an old song people are singing in the marketplace enters his head,Continue reading “WHO AND WHAT IS ULFRYD SPIRN?”
Who and What is Uncle Edwyn?
Noran Cadwallader‘s Uncle Edwyn is a best friend, benevolent authority figure, and mentor to the boy from birth until age six, when something very unfortunate happens to the old man. He and his wife, Noran’s Aunt Adyah, keep a small farm on the outskirts of Little Beddin, amongst the hills. Aunt Adyah is a practical,Continue reading “Who and What is Uncle Edwyn?”
All About the Griny-Plinth
These anthropomorphic beings first came to me in a dream. They were eccentric and fascinating, yet dangerous in a concentrated, stubborn, hive-mind sort of way, and they were galloping after me upon tiny, prehistoric horses, trying to catch me. They looked like the Leptictidiums from the non-fiction TV series “Walking with Beasts” – like kangarooContinue reading “All About the Griny-Plinth”
All About the Nephisiati
Throughout the lands of Ossyan, Thosea, and Dal-Rhiatah, stories and myths of the Nephisiati echo down the generations. No one has clapped eyes on them and lived to tell the tale, save for a select few who lost their minds and were institutionalised as a result. In some legends, they look like hideous monsters withContinue reading “All About the Nephisiati”
The Book of Nighthunting
Who and What is Finglas Snudd?
One of the last Nighthunters to walk the path between the Living and the Dead. This man was the one who took on Logan Bartholom as his apprentice, buying the vulnerable five-year-old from his destitute mother. He was capable of appearing kindly and generous, but this was just a disguise hiding the real terror ofContinue reading “Who and What is Finglas Snudd?”
Who and What is Professor Conan Burrows?
A sensitive, intelligent, and somewhat eccentric man who never thought he would find love. He spent his childhood and early adulthood alone, obsessed with the old myths and legends of Ossyan and Dal-Rhiatah. He attended University at Lodston to study anthropology and other related subjects. On the hunt for evidence of the elusive First RaceContinue reading “Who and What is Professor Conan Burrows?”
Who and What is Cailte?
We meet this child in the first book of the Nighthunter series, trapped in a tight spot in a hotel kitchen in Cybrith Port. On discovering that their ship to Thosea is delayed, Logan and Noran also find that Cybrith Port has been infiltrated by a sinister New Religion, and a strange being that callsContinue reading “Who and What is Cailte?”
Who and What is Captain Penglas?
The no-nonsense owner and Captain of the ship named The Gastwrnis, which has sailed across the White Ocean from Ossyan to Thosea countless times over the years. He has a “proper” way of speaking from a childhood raised by a rich family, and he does his utmost to cover this up by adopting the dialectContinue reading “Who and What is Captain Penglas?”
Who and What is the Vorx?
A demon or shade from the outer circles of Hell (or the Underworld). It has been summoned out of Hell many times over its existence to do various tasks (none of which it will divulge to you… unless you’ve got food, that is). We meet this Ghost in the beginning of Book One of theContinue reading “Who and What is the Vorx?”
Who and What is Flara?
The patient, courageous, and somewhat naïve daughter of Fletch (the Far-Seer and theosophical poet), Flara is terminally ill and doesn’t fully realise it. We meet her in the second book of the Nighthunter series, when Logan Bartholom (The Nighthunter) visits Fletch after saving the elderly man from a Ghost attack. Flara’s mother was twenty yearsContinue reading “Who and What is Flara?”
Who and What is the Witch of Mount Wanslo?
No human person knows Her true name or is exactly sure where She came from, but this Witch, the oldest and most evil of all Dead things, lurks in a cave on Mount Wanslo, a mountain that is close to the Hiraeth chain of mountains near World’s End. She has been there for centuries, luringContinue reading “Who and What is the Witch of Mount Wanslo?”
Who and What is Mistress Yagga?
The only known (or partially known) benevolent Witch in Ossyan and the Dal-Rhiatan Empire. She is also one of the oldest. If permitted to remain in their place of Haunting, Ghosts evolve into Witches. Over the centuries, if left to exist, a Witch gradually develops a solid body almost exactly like that of a human.Continue reading “Who and What is Mistress Yagga?”
What and Where is Little Beddin?
Old name: Betwyn, meaning “Bed of White.” This little town, population two hundred, is in the south-east of Ossyan (the south-eastern continent) and close to the edge of Cybrith Wood. Cybrith Port is close by. This is where Ermen Manor is, the house where Duke Ermen of Little Beddin and its environs once lived withContinue reading “What and Where is Little Beddin?”
Who and What is Fredrik?
Fredrik is a dronespook. According to the Book of Nighthunting, a dronespook is “one of the only benevolent species of Ghost, afflicted with moderate to severe past-life amnesia, often used as a maid, servant, or footman, esp. in wealthy people’s homes.” Though he died as a fully-grown man, Fredrik’s usual shape is that of anContinue reading “Who and What is Fredrik?”
Who and What is Noran Cadwallader?
A complicated character and the anti-hero of the first book in the Nighthunter series. Noran is given the gift of magecraft (or magic) through his dreams by an ancient Witch whose goal is to corrupt him and drain his life — or any life She can find — to ensure her already legendary longevity. TheContinue reading “Who and What is Noran Cadwallader?”
Who and What is Aronda of the Dust?
A long-time resident of the village of Corvin in Dal-Rhiatah, Aronda is the local Physic. Her duties involve herbal medicine, setting broken limbs, midwifery, and caring for the elderly and the sick. Fletch’s daughter Flara is a long-standing patient of hers, though her attitude is more brisk and business-like than warm and friendly. She livesContinue reading “Who and What is Aronda of the Dust?”
Fletch’s Story (Excerpt)
The Soul will be discovered in two parts: one at the head, one at the heart. It is as yet unknown to me which parts are responsible for what. Perhaps one is thought and the other, feeling; perhaps one is good, and the other, the Devil’s advocate. Perhaps they are of the same function, thoughContinue reading “Fletch’s Story (Excerpt)”
Who and What is Fletch?
An old man with an even older head on his shoulders, Fletch is a social outcast and mystic living on a solitary hill just outside of Corvin village in the northern continent, Dal-Rhiatah. He is blessed — or cursed — with the gift of Far-Seeing, where his mind wanders into different periods of the futureContinue reading “Who and What is Fletch?”
Who and What is Logan Bartholom?
This human man — if he is a human man — is the main protagonist of the Nighthunter novels, is a form of exorcist, has recurrent amnesia, and suffers from a type of lycanthropy. He also has the rare ability to travel to different worlds and times, though he doesn’t usually have control over whereContinue reading “Who and What is Logan Bartholom?”
Who is Anthea Blackthorn?
The oldest witch in existence. One of the main characters in the Nighthunter book four, she is the leader of an undercover coven of kindly witches in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England. She has a long and murky past, as is the case with anyone who lives long enough to need to adopt fresh identities in orderContinue reading “Who is Anthea Blackthorn?”
Possible cover for “Intangible Country” by Fletch
Fletch is the mystical, far-seeing poet whom Logan Bartholom, the Nighthunter, meets in book 2. Fletch is an outcast from society because he married a woman half his age, and she died giving birth to his only daughter, Flara. Flara is terminally ill, an innocent who can see and converse with the Dead. Fletch wouldContinue reading “Possible cover for “Intangible Country” by Fletch”
Finding Your Place
Work on the world maps is underway! To start with I have been developing a map for the island of Ossyan using MapHub, which is a free, easy-to-use website. It always gives you real-world maps to work with though, so I’m having to utilise a map of the Wash in England and stick new placeContinue reading “Finding Your Place”
So, it begins…
Albins! as a pair of certain turtles would say should you find yourself suddenly beached on the shores of Thosea. Welcome to the Nightwalks blog, a place where you can glean info about the Empire of Dal-Rhiatah and its surrounding environs, the people who live there, and all kinds of other cool stuff. You’ll findContinue reading “So, it begins…”
Nightwalks 