DRAMATIS PERSONAE
The Galactic Confederation is a loose federation of nonhuman races, governing Earth’s region of the spiral arm of our Galaxy. Its member races include the Shalnuksis, the Ader’at’eel, the Fusttael, and the Finsit’tuvii. The Council is the supreme governing body of the Confederation; the High Commission is a subordinate body, in charge of relations with nonmember races, particularly humans.
TRAN
The Five Kingdoms is a confederation of northern kingdoms (including Ta-Boreas [Kingdom containing the seat of the High Rexja], Ta-Meltemos, Ta-Lataos, Ta-Kartos, and Ta-Merga) under a High Rexja.
Drantos is an independent kingdom under its own Wanax, although it has been claimed by both Rome and the Five Kingdoms. Chelm is part of Drantos.
Rome is a (self-proclaimed) empire, descended from Romans of the time of Septimius Severus (c. AD 200) brought to Tran by the Shalnuksis.
The City-States are an array of independent cities lying south of Drantos and southwest of Rome. Their most prominent members are Vis and Rustengo.
The Sunlands is the general term for everything south of the City-States.
The Westmen are nomadic horse barbarians from beyond the High Plains, ultimately descended from Scythians.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE
THE GALACTICS
Gregeral—One of Inspector Agzaral's trusted aides.
Inspector Agzaral—Confederation High Commission law enforcement officer.
Jehna Sae Leern—Courier for the Ader’at’eel.
Karreeel—Shalnuksi merchant, in the Tran trade.
Les—Human pilot in Shalnuksi service; Gwen Tremaine’s husband.
Wilno—Retired Confederate naval officer; classmate of Agzaral.
THE STAR MEN
Private Jack Beazeley—Mason’s right-hand man.
Sergeant Harold Bisso—Elliot’s right-hand man.
Private Alexander Boyd—Gengrich’s chief of staff.
Sergeant William Campbell—Professor of Engineering at the University.
Sergeant Lance Clavell—Rick Galloway’s ambassador to Nikeis.
Sergeant Major Rafael Elliot—Topkick of the mercs; Provost of the University.
Rick Galloway—Captain, U.S.A.; Colonel of Mercenaries, Eqeta of Chelm, Captain General of Drantos, War Leader of Tamaerthan.
Corporal Arnold Gengrich—Formerly leader of mutinous mercs and Lord of Zyphron. Now stationed in southern Chelm to protect the border.
Private Clarence “Jimmy” Harrison—Clavell’s right hand man.
Corporal Alan MacAllister—Expert sniper.
Sergeant John McCleve—Medic; Professor of Medicine at the University.
Major Art Mason—Rick’s right-hand man; Marshal of the Captain General’s Household.
Sergeant Ben Murphy—Bheroman of Westrook.
Private First Class Arkos Passavopolous—“The Great Ark”; machine-gunner.
Technical Sergeant Harvey Rand—Former scout/assassin for Gengrich, now prison trustee foreman at madweed farm.
Private Lafferty Reznick—Murphy’s partner. Killed in battle with Westmen.
Corporal Mortimer Schultz—Formerly Master of Foot in Rustengo, now publisher at the University of Tran.
Gwen Tremaine—Rector of the University.
Corporal Jerzy Walinski—Balloon crewman. Blinded in one eye from an arrow wound.
Warrant Officer Larry Warner—Chancellor of the University.
THE ALLIANCE
Ajacias—Former Bheroman of Drantos, in the Sutmarg. Betrayed Drantos to the Five Kingdoms and is now deposed.
Apelles—Son of Lykon; Priest of Yatar.
Balquhain—Drumold’s son and heir.
Camithon—Deceased Lord Protector to Ganton until the young Wanax reached age of majority. Killed in battle against the Westmen. Ganton’s battle-axe was Camithon’s.
Corgarff—Subchief to Dughuilas.
Caradoc—A lord of Clan Tamaerthan; rescuer of Tylara from Sarakos in Janissaries. Deceased husband of Gwen. Assassinated on orders of Tylara.
Drumold—Mac Clallan Muir; Tylara’s father.
Dughuilas—Chief of Clan Calder.
Enipses—Bheroman of Drantos.
Ganton—Son of Loron; Wanax of Drantos.
Hilaskos—Bheroman of Drantos.
Mad Bear—Chief of the exiled Silver Wolves clan of the Westmen (the Horse People).
Maev—Merchant’s daughter; handfasted to Apelles.
Monira—Leader of the war-trained Children of Vothan.
Morrone—Son of Morron; companion to the Wanax Ganton.
Pinir—Son of the smith; Master Gunner in the Royal Artillery of Drantos.
Rudhrig—Eqeta of Harms.
Lady Siobhan—Art Mason’s fiancée and Gwen Tremaine’s office manager.
Teuthras—Colonel of First Tamaerthan Hussars.
Traskon—Son of Trakon; Bheroman of Drantos.
Tylara do Tamaerthan—Rick Galloway’s wife; Eqetassa of Chelm and Justiciar of Drantos.
Yanulf—Highpriest of Yatar and Chancellor of Drantos.
THE ROMANS
Flaminius Caesar—Former Emperor of Rome, deposed.
Titus Frugi—Commander of Flaminius’ legions against the rebellion.
Titus Licinius Frugi—Legate, commanding the Fourth Legion.
Lucius—Freedman and confidant to Marselius.
Gaius Marius Marselius—Former Prefect of the Western Marches; now Emperor of Rome.
Octavia Marselia—Publius’ daughter and now wife of Ganton.
Archbishop Polycarp—Founder of the movement for the united worship of Yatar and Christ.
Publius—Marselius’ son and heir.
Marcus Julius Vinicianus—Exiled Roman nobleman and former chief spy for Gengrich.
THE ENEMIES
Ailas—General in service to Issardos, currently in command of a Five Kingdoms army occupying part of Chelm.
Prince Akkilas—High Rexja Toris’ sole surviving legitimate son.
Issardos—High Chancellor of the Five Kingdoms.
Laërtes—Wanax of Ta-Kartos.
Neleus—Wanax of Ta-Merga.
Matthias—Highpriest of Vothan.
Phrados the Prophet—Religious fanatic opposed to the united worship of Yatar and Christ, assumed deceased at the Battle of Vis.
Crown Prince Strymon—Heir to Ta-Meltemos.
Prince Teodoros—Strymon’s younger brother.
Toris—High Rexja of the Five Kingdoms.
Volauf—Captain General to Matthias.
Walking Stone—Paramount war chief of the Westmen.