The Reader's Companion to the Year of the Red Door

By William Timothy Murray

In the year 316 of the Third Age, a group of men and women compiled a collection of information and resources that would shed light on how the previous age ended and how their own epoch began. Working at the Great Library of Darini, they assembled this companion using records, documents, and first-hand accounts gathered from decades of expeditions. This Companion is the result of their work.

You've read the story. Now read the stories behind the story!

This Companion is prepared especially for readers eager to know more about the history, the characters, the magic, and the world of The Year of the Red Door. Replete with stories, definitions, timelines, maps, and a plethora of resources, this authorized compendium brings together a wealth of answers and observations. Such as:

Who created the Ring of Hearing?
What Happened to the Sword of Ethliad?
Where did the Captains of Shatuum come from?
How was Robby Ribbon related to the traitor of Tulith Attis?
How did Billy and Ibin become such close friends?
How did Lyrium escape from Tulith Attis?
How did Esildre save the King of Glareth?
Why are the years named?

This extensive collection can be casually browsed or read in any order suited to your personal curiosity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penflight Books
• Release date: Jun 6, 2024
• ISBN: 9781944320546

William Timothy Murray

William Timothy Murray was born and raised in a small town of the Deep South and now lives in the Appalachian foothills of northeast Georgia.He enjoys stargazing, repairing guitars, and music (right now, he is really into Ruth Moody).He is not sure whether his favorite author is Charles Dickens or Patrick O'Brian. His favorite wise character from a classic novel is Faria. His favorite not-so-wise character from a classic novel is Barnaby Rudge.If he had to fight a duel and could choose the weapons, it would be trebuchets at three hundred yards.His favorite place is sitting before a crackling fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, a glass of sweet iced tea, and a good book.He keeps a small writing desk in an old barn. There, amid a clutter of maps, drawings, and books, his memories and experiences join with all the tales he has read to inform and disturb his pen.

Book preview

The Reader’s Companion

to

The Year of the Red Door

by

William Timothy Murray

Volume 1

The Bellringer

Volume 2

The Nature of a Curse

Volume 3

A Distant Light

Volume 4

The Dreamwalker

Volume 5

To Touch a Dream

Copyright Page

The Reader’s Companion to The Year of the Red Door

First Edition

ISBN (print): 978-1-944320-53-9

ISBN (ebook):  978-1-944320-54-6

SWD2D Distribution

Copyright © 2024

by William Timothy Murray

All Rights Reserved

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For permissions, review copies, or other inquiries, write to:

Penflight Books

P.O Box 857

125 Avery Street

Winterville, Georgia 30683-9998

USA

[e-mail]

Be sure to visit:

www.TheYearOfTheRedDoor.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actuality is purely coincidental.

SWD2D_EP3_Ed01/rev1

Preface

The world of The Year of the Red Door is wider and deeper in scope than I could reasonably relate in its five volumes. As detailed and expansive as that tale may be, much was left out or highly abbreviated to keep the five volumes to a manageable, and readable, length. It is hoped that this Companion will give the interested reader an even deeper experience of that tale, and a greater appreciation of the people and events involved. . Or perhaps it will at least entertain you with other tales and information.

There is much here that was only slightly referred to or never mentioned at all. The Flying Rug of Zan, for example, or the tale of Felthain (who became king of Altoria), and the intrigues and tragedies of the final days of Tulith Attis.

Those of you who have not yet read The Year of the Red Door are certainly encouraged to do so. Use of this Companion might be helpful, but be warned you will find here many spoilers.

Please note that portions of this Companion have been previously published, most notably within Eighteen Objects of Power and The Fall of the Faere and Other Stories (both available as separate books). Over the years, I have also made available certain early drafts of notes in the form of back stories, mainly as treats for my readers. Be aware that any previously released materials may have been edited or revised for this Companion.

Finally, I wish to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of my readers. You are patient, persistent, and kind. You have been tolerant of my limitations, sympathetic to the story and its characters, and continue to be supportive of this endeavor, as you have been from the very beginning. That is saying a great deal in this age of fleeting and shallow attention, and speaks to the unique and special qualities of the readers of The Year of the Red Door. Your messages of encouragement, your notes and letters, have meant a great deal to me on a deeply personal level. So I humbly thank you for giving The Year of the Red Door a special place, a real home in your hearts.

William Timothy Murray

2024  

Table of Contents

The Reader’s Companion to The Year of the Red Door

Copyright Page

Preface

Introduction and Acknowledgements

Maps

Map of County Barley

The World

Duinnor Realm and Shatuum

Nasakeeria and Middlemount

The Carthanes

Glareth Realm

Vanara Realm

Islindia

Thunder Mountains

Western Eastlands

Eastern Eastlands

The Dragonlands

Altoria

Masurthia

Tracia

Glossary

General Chronology of the World

Historical Sketches and Tales: Introduction

Historical Sketches and Tales: A Brief History of Men

Historical Sketches and Tales: Altoria

Historical Sketches and Tales: Bloodcoins

Historical Sketches and Tales: Duinnor

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Eastlands

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Great Dragonkind Invasion

Historical Sketches and Tales: Griferis

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Battle of Grisland Strait

Historical Sketches and Tales: Kajarahn

Historical Sketches and Tales: Karkarando

Historical Sketches and Tales: Kingsmen

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Battle of the Marshlands

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Melnari and Their Familiars

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Battle of Soltani Pass

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Thrones of the Dragonkind

Historical Sketches and Tales: The Triumvirate

Historical Sketches and Tales: True Ink and the Scribblers

Essays and Explanations: Introduction

Essays and Explanations: Being Elifaen

Essays and Explanations: A Kingsman Briefing Paper

Essays and Explanations: Elifaen Perceptions of Time

Essays and Explanations: Notes Pertaining to the Dragonkind

Essays and Explanations: Calendars and Timekeeping

Essays and Explanations: Leases of Forfeiture

Essays and Explanations: Literacy and Education

Essays and Explanations: Prerogatives of the Realms

Biographical Sketches and Tales

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Alonair

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Artais Teracue

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Belmira and Elmira

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Danig Tallin

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Esildre

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Felthain

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Gaiyelneth Labret

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Gardin

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Grantham Farby

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Gurasa

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Gustan Broadweed

Biographical Sketches and Tales: How the Blacksmith Got His Iron

Biographical Sketches and Tales: If Not for Galafronks

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Laeleth and Sir Wind

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Lantos

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Loura

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Martin Makeig

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Ned Arbuckle

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Parthais

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Pellen

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Sally Bodwin

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Sir Sun and Lady Moon

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Tyrin Spritsul

Biographical Sketches and Tales: Ullin Saheed Tallin

Tales of the High Houses

Tales of the High Houses: Introduction

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairlinden

Tales of the High Houses: The Fall of the Faere

Tales of the High Houses: Introduction

Tales of the High Houses: The Last Book of Nimwill

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairmyrtle

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairmaple

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Faircedar

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairwillow

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairbirch

Tales of the High Houses: The House of Fairfir

Tales of the High Houses: Conclusion

Eighteen Objects of Power

Eighteen Objects of Power: Special Supplement

Eighteen Objects of Power: Nasakeeria’s Ring of Fire

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Avatar

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Carriage of Ilex

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Cornucopia of Sudamoor

Eighteen Objects of Power: Ethliad, the Sword

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Flying Rug of Zan

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Glowing Stone of Bazradur

Eighteen Objects of Power: Luna’s Lantern

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Golden Mantle of Duinnor

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Great Bell of Tulith Attis

Eighteen Objects of Power: Swyncraff

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Ice Tree of Greenfar

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Red Feather of Callowain

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Ring of Hearing

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Storm Bag

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Torch of Solstice

Eighteen Objects of Power: True Ink

Eighteen Objects of Power: The Unerring Arrow of Kalsabahyood

Eighteen Objects of Power: Conclusion

Eighteen Objects of Power: Reader’s Companion Notes

Reader's Companion Afterword

Landmarks

Cover

Introduction and Acknowledgements

from the Compilers and Editors of this Companion

Year 316 of the Third Age

This work is based on the five-volume text of The Year of the Red Door, written by William Timothy Murray, along with many of his notes and other previously published work. Copies of these materials mysteriously appeared in what would become the Great Library of Darini only a year after the end of the Second Age. However, as will be mentioned in a moment, much of our work is also derived from other materials that were discovered and gathered together.

A great deal has taken place in the centuries since the end of the Year of the Red Door, the close of the Second Age and the beginning of our own Third Age. Our remaining population is still a tiny fraction of what it once was. All of the great cities are gone, as well as most small communities, and any roads and paths once constantly trodden are now swallowed by the advance of woods and fields. The world is very much still a new place for us, and as we strive to delve into its beauties and mysteries, we continue in our wonder at how our present state came into being. So much culminated during that last fateful year of the old world. So much was remade. We hope this Companion will assist you to better appreciate the tale, the times, the people, and the world of The Year of the Red Door.

The author of the five-volume work that we know as The Year of the Red Door is a person that we know very little about. We do not know how he came to possess the necessary intimate knowledge of the people he wrote about. We have reason to suspect that he was not a dreamwalker, but had some other skill or Sight that he employed. While some of his notes made their way to the Great Library at Darini, there is every indication that he was somehow supplied with much that remains lost or undiscovered. It is as if he was present before all that he described, even that which he related that was within the hearts of others. When The Year of the Red Door first appeared, it was something of a shock. Ullin Saheed Tallin, who made the discovery, found its contents quite unsettling, and many of those he shared it with considered it fanciful, the author prone to conjectures that he weaved into his tale. But we now know better. His work has been corroborated by many findings, and contradicted by very few. At the time of this writing, he was amiable to cooperating with us, but only up to a point. While he made available some of his notes to Darini’s library, he has steadfastly refused to be interviewed himself, preferring to allow others to follow their noses and inclinations, coming to their own conclusions.

Meanwhile, the once-abandoned city of Darini has been reinhabited, and will perhaps become the first great city of this new age of the world, although its dwellers remain few compared to the mighty cities of the old world. Yet the people of Darini have devoted themselves, under thoughtful leadership, to preserve and share whatever they can of the history and literature of the past.

And so it is to Ullin Saheed Tallin that we own much, if not most, of the information and many of the stories contained in this Companion. After the world-changing events that brought the Second Age to an end, Ullin established a Great Library in the restored city of Darini, located in the former lands of the Dragonkind. With the enthusiastic assistance of former Nasakeerians, Dragonkind, Elifaen, and Men—many of whom were accomplished dreamwalkers—he led a series of expeditions throughout the world that spanned over fifty years. His mission was to locate and gather books, records, and archival materials of every description that were abandoned when the world was so radically depopulated. What he gathered was brought back to Darini to be carefully preserved, organized, catalogued, and made available to all.

In addition, under Ullin’s direction, many people who were eye-witnesses or participants in various events were interviewed to garner additional information and perspectives not documented elsewhere.

Ullin himself made extensive use of these resources, aiming to compose a history of the world and the events leading to and during the years prior to 870 of the Second Age, the Year of the Red Door. This work he referred to as "The Prequalia." He was always reading and studying, and even while in saddle he was often making or editing his notes. His progress was steady, careful, and incessant, and the tale of his efforts and expeditions is a worthy epic of itself, full of adventures, discoveries, strange encounters, and mysterious incidents.

Ullin at last departed from the world in the Year 238 of the Third Age, at 273 years of age. I wish to age gracefully, if at all possible, he wrote in his journal, and in a manner that allows me the chance for study and contemplation. In this way, I hope to make some amends for the mistakes of my past, to better appreciate the long endurance of the Elifaen, and, through work and diligence, to obtain for myself and for others some bit of wisdom and some modicum of solace concerning the world and the events that encompass life.

Ullin was haunted by the perplexing events that had engulfed him, and the world, during that final year of the Second Age. He expressed regret that he could not, or did not, do more. According to his wife, Micerea, He thought he should have been a better friend, a better soldier, a stronger swain to me. He regretted how ill-prepared and trained his militia in Passdale was, and how so many died and suffered as a result. He always regretted how he succumbed to the curse put on Esildre, and how that episode of weakness on his part, according to him, confused and lessened him in the eyes of others and in his own self-regard. He thought, or so he told me, that had he been a better man, Robby would have confided to him more, would have had someone to talk to about the burden that he obviously saw well in advance of arriving at Griferis, and in so doing Ullin may have done more for him. So, in later years, I suppose he thought the least he could do was to continue serving Robby, King Philawain, or at least serve the memory of those days.

Ullin never completed his Prequalia. But the work was taken up by others, most notably by his daughter, Mira. She has generously made available to us not only the vast collections gathered to Darini, including transcripts of many interviews, but also Ullin’s own copious notes containing his commentaries, questions, and outlines.

As far as Ullin himself, his life touched upon and affected so many events, and was so rich in experience and scope, both before and after the coming of this Third Age, that we editors of this Companion have decided to render only a bare outline of his life (see Biographical Sketches). We must defer the fuller story of his life to some other work that might do justice to its scope, to his character, and to his achievements.

Meanwhile, there are several aspects of this Companion that users are asked to bear in mind. It will be quickly noticed that we rarely cite the sources of our information. We discovered early on in our work that doing so would be somewhat tedious to the reader, would be rarely pertinent, and would unnecessarily lengthen the already bulky size of this Companion. Sources that are mentioned are sometimes pertinent, if only to give the context of when or how a topic is related. However, for the inquisitive, we have left all of our notes and references to the care of the Great Library of Darini, which is accessible in person or via dreamwalking to any and to all who care to visit it. By doing so, others can review all of our materials and sources, as well as our findings. Since we had to contend with many contradictory or conflicting stories, particularly those about the early histories of the world, visitors to Darini would surely better appreciate the scope and travails of our endeavors, aspects of our work to which Ullin Saheed Tallin was certainly well acquainted!

How to Use This Companion

As mentioned above, it remains a mystery to us how the five-volumes of The Year of the Red Door ever came to be written, or exactly what means the author of that work had to discover what he related, particularly those internal matters of the minds and hearts of those involved. We certainly expected to find passages to correct or contradict, but we did not, which only increases the mystery of it, and our amazement. Upon review, we saw that the people involved in that epic adventure made many mistakes, many false assumptions, and quite a few bad or misguided decisions. But the author relates them not as his but their errors, rather matter-of-factly, and with little judgment. It was up to us as readers to see those mistakes and errors, at least eventually, as the story unfolded before us. So now, our task is more or less only to clarify, perhaps expound upon, matters the author did not deem necessary to fully articulate. And to give the contemporary reader a fuller understanding of the context of those long-ago days and years, or at least to render some useful tool for a closer look at those people and events.

Therefore, this Companion is intended primarily for those interested enough in The Year of the Red Door to read it again, or to read and contemplate a bit more about its world. This is both a reference work of sorts and a supplement. As such, there is no real reason to begin at this Companion’s first pages. One may browse to a section or passage that is of immediate interest, or one can turn to the glossary for a quick reminder of who is who and what is what. Or one can delve into the stories and sketches rendered here for deeper insights, or perhaps a bit of entertainment.

Be mindful of these points:

»» The order in which items appear in this Companion does not imply that one item is more important than any other. Instead, they appear in the order that they do for the sake of managing the tedious aspects of layout and formatting for publication. It is hoped that the Table of Contents and the Index (Print only; Use your device's search function for ebook searching.) will aid you in locating sections and passages of interest to you. That is, as a reference work, there is no plot here—this is not a story. So you need not read or peruse the Companion in order from front to back, but are free to decide for yourself how to use this Companion according to your own needs and desires.

»» When The Year of the Red Door is in italics, we refer to the text manuscript of that name. When in normal print, we refer to the time period of the Year of the Red Door.

»» Some sections of this Companion contain passages that are somewhat redundant. Also, one section may contain a description or information about a particular that is different or lacking elsewhere. As explained above, the variety of source materials and points of view account for such variations.

»» We have also made an effort to provide a few details about some of the lesser-known figures that played important roles in the history or the outcome of events. However, virtually every person, place, thing, and event is connected in some way to every other one. For this reason, we obviously had to confine our cross-references. But we hope that the layout of this Companion will help offset any such editorial shortcomings by allowing you to locate such connections.

»» As more information becomes available, future editions of this Companion may contain revisions that provide new information or corrections. Nature takes its due course. Memories fade, books decay, and records are lost. But it is possible that more stories and information may yet come to light.

»» This Companion does not contain all. There was simply too much material to sift through, too many aspects and details to be sorted and sometimes deciphered, and too little time. Indeed, much has been left out of this work. For example, you will find no commentaries of the author of The Year of the Red Door, and not every tale pertaining to it has been included. Naturally, questions may arise that are not answered in this Companion. That is why we heartily invite you to contact us (and the author) directly at:

Email:

[e-mail]

Or via Post:

Penflight Books

P.O. Box 857

125 Avery Street

Winterville, Georgia 30683-9998

U.S.A.

We realize that the above addresses are not within our world, but we have been assured that your mail will get through to us. We do make every effort to answer each note, letter, and inquiry that we receive!

On Behalf of William Timothy Murray,

Cornelius Beckmann, Supervising Editor,

With Assisting Editors:

Maps

Many of the following maps were prepared and published late in the year 869 of the Second Age. The map depicting County Barley was derived from work performed by Ullin Saheed Tallin. It seems that the other maps were derived from various others gathered from a variety of sources. When published within an atlas, the following note was included.

A Note from the Cartographers

The geography and place names depicted on the following maps are generally accepted to be accurate as of the year of their preparation (869 Second Age). Distances are approximate, given the scales of the maps. However, these are only intended to give a general sense of the scale and relationship of the various regions and features. They are not intended for travel or navigation. Any mishaps as a result from the use of these maps for such purposes of travel are the responsibility of the user, not the mapmakers.

For maps more suitable for travel within particular regions of the world, all interested parties are invited to inquire at our establishment.

Brannon & Gray Cartographers

No. 16, Miller’s Pond Lane

Duinnor City

---

Publisher’s Notes:

Page Forward to View Maps.

High-resolution maps can be found at:

https://www.theyearofthereddoor.com/tyotrd_maps.html

Map of County Barley

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Map of County Barley

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Map of the Western World

Map of the Western World

---

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Map of the Eastern World

Map of the Eastern World

Duinnor

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Map of Duinnor

Nasakeeria and Middlemount

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Map of the Middlemount and Nasakeeria

The Carthanes

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The Carthanes

Glareth

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Glareth

Vanara and Shatuum

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Vanara and Shatuum

Islindia

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Islindia

Thunder Mountains

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Thunder Mountains

Western Eastlands

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Western Eastlands

Eastern Eastlands

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The Dragonlands

The Dragonlands

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The Dragonlands

Altoria

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Altoria

Masurthia

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Masurthia

Tracia

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Tracia

GLOSSARY

This glossary contains only brief definitions of the terms listed. In some cases, a more in-depth discussion is contained within The Year of the Red Door, while for other terms we refer you to various other sections of this Reader’s Companion.

Adin -- A remote large lake on the eastern side of the Bletharn Plains, on the southwestern side of the Thunder Mountains. It receives waters from the Missenflo and from streams running down from the Thunder Mountains, and its level rises and falls sharply according to seasonal snow and rainfall. On its northern shores is the Kingdom of Sudamoor. The lake forms the headwaters of the Talkana River that flows southward through Masurthia.

See Also:

Eighteen Objects of Power (The Cornucopia of Sudamoor)

Airemoor -- A village on the road between Vanara and Duinnor.

Al Sairs -- The personal household army of Gurasa, the great Dragonkind general. Though small in numbers, comprising only three hundred at most, this elite force drew its members mainly from Gurasa’s own tribe centered on the region of Almedian. Fierce and loyal to Gurasa, they followed him throughout his rise to power and fame, participated in many battles, often as shock troops during assaults or as guerilla fighters to harass the enemy. When Gurasa’s career was ended, the Al Sairs continued to serve him during his unofficial exile in Almedian.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Gurasa)

Alaberbra (Kajarahn) -- An ancient city of the Dragonlands, located in the far northwest of the deserts. It was officially renamed Kajarahn, the Free City, following the devastating attacks of witches and demons that decimated the city during the early Second Age.

See Also:

Historical Sketches (Kajarahn)

Aldergiest Toll -- An account of the battle of Tulith Attis recorded by Aldergiest the Blue. Written in the years shortly after the battle, the ancient writer was apparently at Tulith Attis or knew some of those who survived to relate the details of the battle. It is known that he was a youngster at the time of the battle, and although it is not known when he wrote the Aldergiest Toll, a copy of it was first cataloged in the Royal Archives of Vanara in the year 420 S.A.

Aldred -- Great grandson of Eldwin of Nowhere.

Alglaeth nelar -- In the Ancient Tongue, means proceed nobly or proudly go forth..

Almedian -- A small walled town of the northeastern Dragonlands that was the home of Saltani Gurasa of the House of Golden Sand, a famous Dragonkind general. Its history is ancient though undistinguished, and its people lived chiefly by growing flax and meager wheat crops by using water drawn from its wells. By the Second Age, Almedian had grown somewhat, and was producing rugs and pottery in small quantities as trade commodities. The town was raided several times by renegades, which prompted the construction of its walls and the organization of a militia. During the late Second Age, when Gurasa became a famous and powerful general of the Dragonkind, he saw to the development of Almedian, providing funds to dig additional wells and to create a water distribution system that, along with plants smuggled from the north, served to bolster the available food in the community. He also rebuilt his family palace there, and employed many of the town. Although far from the centers of power, and therefore from the distribution of darakal herb, its people became remarkably robust and healthy compared to others in the Dragonlands, leading some to believe that Gurasa somehow provided more than the town’s normal share of the healing herb. In spite of their modest status and wealth, most Almedians were considered Alziekfria. When Gurasa was forced into retirement, he returned to Almedian to live. Though he endured the tragic loss of his wife and sons, Gurasa and his daughter Micerea did much to increase the prosperity and security of Almedian’s people. At the same time, through various subtle diplomatic maneuvers, Gurasa managed to protect his people from the oppression of the Emperor’s court.

In the final year of the Second Age, Gurasa and the people of Almedian were warned of the encroaching flood and the entire area was evacuated, moving en masse to Darini. There they met with the Nasakeerians and along with them were the first new settlers of that city. Almedians did much to help restore Darini, and they brought with them not only their tools and many supplies, but also their knowledge, including nearly all of Gurasa’s collections of books, records, writings, and artifacts.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Gurasa)

Glossary (Alziekfria, Darakal, Darini, Nasakeeria)

Alonair -- One of the Firstborn of the Faerekind, a maker of fabulous statues and carvings of stone. It was Alonair who set before the Dragonkind the challenge of the Great Stone that preceded the first great conflict between Faerekind and Dragonkind and eventually led to The Fall of the Faere. Like Cupeldain and many others, Alonair lost his wings and became one of the Elifaen, remaining in the world when the faithful of the Faerekind departed with Aperion. Afterwards, Alonair was reviled by some of his race and driven to isolate himself.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Alonair)

Altoria -- One of the Seven Realms, located southeast of Vanara, south Islindia, and along the shores of the southern Iridelin River. Its capital was the port city of Draymoor, just inland along the Iridelin, a major center of trade.

See Also:

Historical Sketches (Altoria)

Alzeeran -- Dragonkind scribe to King Philawain of Griferis. He delivered Chantay's (Lucinda's) amethyst Bloodcoins to Tower Altor.

Alziekfria -- The ruling class and elite of the Dragonkind, mostly the wealthy or those favored by the Emperor. The name means free from sickness. Because this wealthy and influential class received healing darakal extracts in greater quantity and frequency than other Dragonkind, they enjoyed much better health. As a result, most Alziekfria were very different in appearance than others of the Dragonkind who are less fortunate and receive the elixir less often. They commonly had long shiny black hair, clear and smooth, tan skin with no blemishes, and strong, muscular bodies. The women of the Alziekfria class were renowned for their legendary beauty. Because they were relatively free from the debilitating desert sickness, the Alziekfria lived longer and were more physically active than most others. And, because of their relative wealth and status, the Alziekfria also enjoyed higher literacy rates. Hence they held most of the positions of power, and most of the doctors, engineers, scholars, and high-ranking member of the armies and civil servants of the Dragonlands were Alziekfria.

See Also:

Glossary (Darakal)

Historical Sketches (Karkarando)

Amandoel -- The name given to Heneil by people of his time, meaning The Builder.

Ancient Speech -- The language that was spoken by most during the First Age and somewhat into the Second Age. Sometimes it is referred to as the Second Tongue (after the First Tongue, also called Faerish, which was all but lost after The Fall).

See Also:

Essays and Explanations (Literacy and Education)

Anerath -- A spirited horse that belonged to Ullin Saheed Tallin. The name was derived from the Ancient Speech and means water prancer because it was noticed how much the colt loved to splash and play in streams and ponds. He was one of the famous Majestics, a breed that was famous for their endurance, agility, and strength. Anerath was a gift to Ullin Saheed from the Thrubolds, Duinnor’s renowned horsemen and breeders of the Majestics, in gratitude for his having saved their son’s life at the Battle of Garmitor.

Ullin received Anerath some years later, in 863 SA, just when he was transferred to the King’s Post and assigned to Collandoth. For the next seven years, the two traveled all over the world, usually without other company, and traversing long stretches of difficult terrain. Anerath developed a special sensitivity to Ullin and his habits and needs, often sensing danger or the correct way forward before Ullin did. In some of his notes, Ullin relates how Anerath, more than any other animal he had encountered, seemed always to have a keen sense of whatever situation was at hand. Ullin was certain that, somehow, Anerath understood what was said to him.

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Glossary (Thrubold)

Aperion -- A Firstborn Faerekind and the First and True King of the Faere, so appointed by Beras during the Time Before Time. Aperion sought to stop the bloodshed between the Dragonkind and the Faerekind, and he led the faithful and loyal Faerekind out of the world. It was Aperion who caused those who remained upon the earth to be Scathed of their wings, becoming the Elifaen, or Fallen Ones. It was also Aperion, so legend tells, who gave protection to the people of Nasakeeria by creating the Ring of Fire that surrounded that land. Aperion, too, gave to the Seven High Houses the Forty-Nine Keys of the Nimbus Illuminas as an offer of peace and as a way that the Elifaen might depart from the earth and take up their abode with him and with the other Faerekind in their heavenly home.

See Also:

Eighteen Objects of Power (Nasakeeria’s Ring of Fire)

Glossary (Aperion’s Fire)

Tales of the High Houses (The Fall of the Faere)

Aperion’s Fire -- A term used by occupants of Nasakeeria. It is what they called the mysterious wall of flame that ignited and surrounded Nasakeeria whenever a person attempted to enter (or leave) Nasakeeria. When a person attempted to pass through Nasakeeria’s border, Aperion’s Fire would shoot forth from the ground upward. It spread rapidly from the place it first appeared, and within seconds formed a searing wall of flame some hundred feet or more high and about fifty feet deep. The flames incinerated any intruder with such effectiveness that nothing but the bones were left, which were then thrown by the force of the flames beyond the edge of Nasakeeria’s border. Over time, these bones formed a grisly ring around Nasakeeria, a reminder of the danger.

The exact nature of Nasakeeria’s origin remained a mystery from its founding until the end of the Second Age. However, soon after it was established, it was quickly learned that any human who crossed its border on foot or on horseback would be consumed by hot flames that quickly sprang up from the ground trespassed upon, and the flames would spread almost instantaneously around the entire circumference of Nasakeeria. The force and the heat of the flames were such that the baked bones of trespassers were thrown outward to land some yards away from the flames. Over time, so many have inadvertently or intentionally crossed that these bones form mounds surrounding the lands. Mysteriously, while the bones were thrown outward, very few objects carried by such interlopers were blasted in that direction, and it was thought that such items were either wholly consumed by heat or else thrown into the interior of Nasakeeria.

This phenomenon was responsible for the destruction of at least two armies, one from Duinnor and the other made up of Dragonkind, that inadvertently encroached Nasakeeria’s border. Countless others were also killed as a result of losing their way. Twice in history, entire armies were lost to Nasakeeria’s fires. On the first occasion it was an army of Duinnor, dispatched eastward to join with those who sought to turn the tide of the Dragonkind Invasion of 322 S.A. The generals apparently knew but ignored the danger, and were consequently consumed, along with all three thousand of their men. This debacle led Duinnor to begin constructing warning pillars around Nasakeeria in an effort to prevent any future loss of life.

In 493 SA, Duinnor began a project of erecting warning markers around Nasakeeria. The markers were pillars of stone, standing eight feet high, each with a large carving of a skull at the top. Also, each marker was inscribed with a written warning for all to turn back. Beginning at the westernmost border of Nasakeeria, Duinnor placed a marker approximately every three to five hundred yards, proceeding north and eastward.

The construction and installation of the warning pillars was a momentous project beset with many difficulties, controversy, and delays. Each warning column was some eight feet high, capped with a likeness of a human skull, and they were installed some 500 yards apart along the perimeter of Nasakeeria. Owing to various problems, it took over sixty years to complete. In spite of this, there have been accounts of witnesses claiming to have seen the fires of Nasakeeria light up, probably the result of foolhardy adventurers or hapless travelers who ignored or failed to see or understand the warning pillars.

After the world was remade, Ullin Saheed Tallin discovered in Vanara copies of reports (apparently stolen from Duinnor) concerning some grisly secret experiments conducted by Kingsmen who wished to gain a better understanding of Aperion’s Fire. In 436 SA, they used a powerful trebuchet to toss dead bodies across Nasakeeria’s border. They learned that, dead or alive, whether touching the ground or not, any human crossing would trigger Aperion’s fire. They also drove fully accoutered war horses, wagons filled with a variety of weapons and goods, cattle, deer, and a myriad of other animals across (none with riders or drivers), but all passed safely. The report was attached to another report dated 868 SA, which recommended a new set of tests. These would involve stealing a flying apparatus from Vanara. An extremely high tower would be built, and the flying device (along with the pilot) would be launched from atop this tower in an attempt to cross over to Nasakeeria at very high altitude. However, it was noted in the report that even Vanarans had difficulty understanding how to gain altitude with their best flying devices, and likely an altitude could not be reached that was significantly higher than what the trebuchet experiment had achieved. And, it was noted, even if a flyer succeeded in crossing over, his chances of returning were very low, essentially making the mission a suicidal one.

See Also:

Eighteen Objects of Power (Nasakeeria’s Ring of Fire)

Glossary (Nasakeeria)

Applewait -- Family of Greenfar.

Aram -- see Tallin, Aram

Arata -- In the late Second Age, Lord Arata was one of the seven Supreme Judges of Duinnor. He was outspoken about issues of corruption and crime. His rulings often flew in the face of the desires of Lord Banis, and on several occasions Banis sought to have him removed as a judge. There were even attempts on his life, the investigations of which seemed to implicate Banis or his agents.

Arbuckle, Ned -- Bridge tender of the bridge at Passdale that crosses the Bentwide.

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Biographical Sketches (Ned Arbuckle)

Aremon -- A Nasakeerian hunter of the late Second Age.

Arkstan -- Proprietor of the Rivertree Tavern in Passdale.

Arldewain -- One of the Elders of Nowhere.

Ashlord -- Common name of Collandoth, a Melnari. This name is primarily used by Men.

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Historical Sketches (The Melnari and Their Familiars)

Atlana -- Daughter of Lord Banis and Lady Tiryna of the House of Elmwood and sister to Navis and Esildre. She was the mother of Coreth and Faslor. Along with her siblings and her father, she refused to go with Aperion and was Scathed of her wings. During the First Age, Atlana was a staunch supporter of Cupeldain and, later, his son Parthais. When her father was dismissed from Parthais’s court, she left with him but returned shortly afterwards to remain in Vanara. She became a powerful and trusted advisor to Queen Serith Ellyn. When Serith Ellyn led an army east to confront the Dragonkind, she fought next to Serith Ellyn at the Battle of Saerdulin. Upon her return to Vanara, she continued to serve the Queen as a military advisor. She married Mathos and had two children by him. In the late Second Age, she and Mathos went to relieve a beleaguered garrison in the Blue Mountains and were both killed at the Battle of Gory Gulch.

Attis -- Thought to be the name of the original builder of Tulith Attis, an ancient fortress near Lake Halgaeth in the Eastlands. It was later the name for the town at the base of Tulith Attis, all of which was destroyed during the Dragonkind invasion of 322 S.A.

Avatar -- An uncanny apparition and mysterious servant of Unknown Kings that changed in form at the beginning of each regnal year. Eventually, the form taken by the Avatar would lend its name commonly given to a regnal year (The Avatar never had the same form as during any previous year.). The Avatar served the Unknown King in mysterious ways, not all of which is known. It is known, however, that the Unknown King sometimes sent the Avatar to summon someone to the King’s High Chamber. The Avatar then floated through the streets of Duinnor City until it arrived before the person being summoned. As it passed through the city, so uncanny was its movement and appearance, that the Avatar filled people with fear whenever they saw it, even when its form was not itself very threatening. It was also somewhat mysterious that anyone thus summoned has not the will to resist, and would follow the Avatar back to the Unknown King.

Sometimes, especially during the reign of the First through Fifth Unknown Kings, the King and the Avatar would go about the city of Duinnor together, with the King following the Avatar in his sedan or sometimes in a carriage. With the King in his resplendent and eerie Golden Mantle and the Avatar, uncanny and fearsome, leading the way, such processions struck fear, awe, and compliance into the populace. However, with only one or two exceptions very early during the reign of the Sixth Unknown King, such processions ended. Thenceforth, only the Avatar, often with a company of Palace Guard, would go forth into the city.

It is assumed that the Avatar could not be sent beyond the walls of Duinnor City unless in company with the King, because it was never seen to do so.

See Also:

Eighteen Objects of Power (The Avatar)

Averstone -- A small village in the frontier between Vanara and Duinnor. It was situated along the old mountain road that runs from Vanara to Duinnor, and was only a few miles away from Elmwood Castle. For a number of years, Averstone was an important waypoint, particularly with those traveling to Elmwood Castle, with several inns, stables, coach houses, and blacksmiths vying for customers. For a few years, a horse race from Duinnor to Linlally passed through Averstone, something of a rival to the Mulberry Race. But participants were few and it never gained much popularity. During the latter part of the Second Age, Averstone began to decline when Lady Esildre suddenly stopped receiving guests. This coincided with road improvements that were made along other routes between Duinnor and Linlally. By the end of the Second Age, Averstone was a quaint and much-forgotten community of only a few dozen families. When, at the end of the Second Age, Secundur’s legions were unleashed from Shatuum, Averstone was overrun and completely destroyed, and all its people consumed.

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Glossary (Mulberry Race)

Ayreltide -- A winged horse in the service of Lady Islindia, Queen of the Wood. He existed as such only during the periods when Islindia brought forth her memories into actuality. Ayreltide rescued Ullin Saheed Tallin twice, first by taking him away from the Crack Between Worlds and, later, by bringing Micerea to him and helping them fend off the captain of Shatuum that pursued him.

Bailorg -- (Braig Bailorg Denuth Delcorman) One of the Elifaen, perhaps a Firstborn, but not a member of any known House. He was a mysterious figure, an acquaintance of Pellen in Duinnor during the early Second Age. He was also seen from time to time in various courts, traveling extensively throughout the realms. It is suspected that he traveled into the Dragonlands on several occasions. He was involved in many nefarious activities, delicately balancing his service to several patrons at the same time, including Secundur, King Balsalza (of the Dragonlands), Lord Banis, and the Unknown Kings of Duinnor. He seems to have been chiefly interested in increasing his own wealth, power, and influence.

Certain facts about Bailorg emerged during the late Second Age. He was involved in the sack of Tulith Attis, serving at the time as a kind of adjunct advisor to the Dragonkind. It is almost certain that he was a double-agent, serving also Secundur and the Fifth Unknown King of Duinnor, playing each off of the other for his own gain. He delivered Pellen from certain death on the battlefield of Tulith Attis, turning Pellen into a formidable traitor (Pellen had been in the clutches of the Fifth Unknown King, ordered by the King to deliver Lyrium’s Bloodcoins to Duinnor. Pellen’s plot had resulted in the murder of his wife, Myrium, his brother Heneil, and many others.). Bailorg delivered to Pellen a special suit of armor, supposedly to help disguise him, but was instead enchanted in such a manner that eventually forced Pellen into the service of Secundur. Pellen then, at Bailorg’s direction, imitated his brother Heneil’s voice and had the gates of Tulith Attis opened to the Dragonkind horde, which immediately set about the massacre of all they found within. As his reward for helping the Dragonkind overthrow Tulith Attis, Bailorg and Pellen joined in the looting of the place, but the Bloodcoins were missing. However, during his journey away from the region, Pellen, who knew he was doomed in Duinnor by his failure, left Bailorg on his own. Shortly afterwards, Bailorg’s slaves revolted against him, resulting in the loss of all his stolen treasure and, ultimately, the creation of the land and people of Nowhere.

Bailorg was known to have in his possession the Storm Bag of legend. Using this, he apparently conjured certain weather conditions to assist him, including a dense fog over Tulith Attis, and various other storms.

After the loss of his loot and slaves, Bailorg escaped capture and disappeared for many years. However, by the mid-Second Age, he was a known associate of Lord Banis of Duinnor, and even acted as a guide for Banis’s son, Navis, showing Navis to the borderlands of Shatuum on an ill-fated mission to rescue his sister, Esildre. Evidence later emerged that Bailorg murdered Navis at the behest of Lord Banis, who feared that his son might succeed in the rescue and thus spoil his relationship with Secundur. This murder remained hidden for hundreds of years, however, and Bailorg returned to Duinnor to report that he had successfully guided Navis and the rescue party to Shatuum. Generously rewarded for the feat, Bailorg became a person of unsavory business, and he was reputed to have negotiated for the lease of deeds for various Vanaran properties and estates to Duinnor holders. Although implicated in many crimes over a long period of time, Bailorg was never arrested and tried. This is because he enjoyed the simultaneous protection and patronage of powerful figures, including Secundur, Lord Banis, and the Unknown Kings of Duinnor.

In a strange turn of events, Bailorg committed a botched kidnapping which resulted in his death in the year 870 S.A. Yet his life and actions had a profound influence on people and events far separated from one another, on countless families who fell victim to the evils he perpetrated, and thus on the events related within The Year of the Red Door.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Esildre, Pellen)

Eighteen Objects of Power (The Storm Bag)

Glossary (Banis, Navis, Nowhere)

Tales of the High Houses (The House of Fairfir )

Ballista -- An engine of war used to hurl stones or missiles at an enemy. It makes use of a torsion system of bands of rope that are tightened by various cranks to bend an arm or bow which slings or propels the missile when released. Others are more technically referred to as catapults, making use of a swinging arm to throw stones, pots of burning oil, or other blunt missiles. Ballistae came in various sizes and configurations, and were used in both defensive and offensive operations. At the Battle of Tallinvale, both types of ballistae were used (true ballistae as well as catapults), whereas at the Battle of Soltani Pass, the ballistae were actually catapults. In both battles, trebuchets were also used. Smaller versions of both were also used by various navies to good effect, especially those in the late Second Age that made use of spring steel rather than ropes for torsion or wooden arms.

Bandit -- The horse of Bob Starhart, an Eastlands Post Rider.

Banis -- A Firstborn Elifaen of the House of Elmwood. Father to Atlana, Esildre, and Navis. His wife, Tiryna, departed with Aperion. Banis did not join with any other houses during the Time Before Time and lived throughout the Vanara region. As his children became warriors for Cupeldain, Parthais, and Serith Ellyn, Banis served in their courts in various nonmilitary capacities. He was a staunch supporter of Parthais, serving as Vanara’s Minister of Justice for many years. In the latter period of Parthais’s reign, Banis was removed from his position for insubordination to the throne and became something of a recluse from the Vanaran courts until Serith Ellyn became Queen. He briefly served her as a judge, but moved to Duinnor early in the Second Age, and rarely returned to Vanara thereafter. In Duinnor, Banis rose to power through wealth accumulated by leasing Vanaran lands from Elifaen and collecting the unpopular Lease Taxes from those who did not depart those lands. Through various intrigues, he filled the parliament of Duinnor with his own supporters and served as Second Lord of the Royal Exchequer for many years, where he came to control much of Duinnor’s financial policies, including the expansion and enforcement of the controversial Leases of Forfeiture. His power was further increased as he served as the chief advisor to the King’s First Lord of the High Chamber, Lord Harstaff. Upon the death of Lord Harstaff, Banis was elevated to First Lord, and took the place of Harstaff, becoming second in power only to the King himself. It was Banis who was responsible for the loan of the black eagles of Shatuum to Duinnor, and he used them to spy on Duinnor’s enemies and friends alike. The eagles of Shatuum were, in fact, given in trade by Secundur to Banis for his daughter Esildre. When his son Navis sought to free Esildre from Shatuum, Banis, in fear for the loss of those eagles and much of his power, engaged Bailorg to murder Navis. However, when Esildre eventually did come out of Shatuum, Secundur had found the arrangement with Banis so useful that he allowed the loaned eagles to remain in Duinnor.

Over time, Banis became the subject of much displeasure due in chief to his free abuse of power. It was well understood that he encouraged corruption among the Regular Army of Duinnor, and wielded great control over the military. Although the Kingsmen reported directly to the King himself, Banis continually sought to subvert them from their duties. He also sought to remove judges who would not favor his associates in their rulings, and was himself on several occasions implicated in murder, attempted murder, extortion, and corruption. He was never tried for any of these crimes, likely due to the protection given him by the King.

During the final years of the Second Age, Banis became increasingly desperate, audacious, and overt, often doing little to hide his acts of revenge, murder, fraud, and theft. He came to control the leadership of Duinnor Regular army, and, by the time of his death, he was making inroads to exert control over the Kingsmen. At last, desperate that his role in the Navis affair would become discovered and made known by Robby Ribbon, Banis ordered his agent in Vanara, Count Dialmor, to assassinate Robby using special operatives already in place who were preparing to assassinate Queen Serith Ellyn. As described in The Year of the Red Door, the operation failed, but at great loss of life and tremendous damage to the White Palace in Linlally. One of the attackers was captured and it almost immediately became known to the Sixth Unknown King that Banis had ordered the assault without the King’s approval. This resulted in a rift between the King and Banis, and in his last months Banis became paranoid to the extreme and began to show signs of a growing madness.

At last, not long before the Sixth Unknown King was overthrown by King Philawain, Banis threw himself (or was thrown) from a high window of his apartment. Although Elifaen, he died instantly upon impact with the street below. During the investigation which followed, it was found that Banis had obsessively kept extensive and meticulous records of all of his activities and those of all his associates in crime. The discovery of these records led to the arrest of many of his accomplices, including high-ranking officials.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Esildre)

Glossary (Bailorg, Dialmor, Faradan, Navis)

Historical Sketches (Duinnor)

Banshee -- Witches or messengers of the afterlife who are thought to beckon the living into death or whose appearance forebodes extreme danger. It is said that only certain bloodlines of Men are visited by banshees when near death or sometimes when threatened by mortal crisis. Banshees were unknown in the world until the coming of Men, though some say that they are witches of the First Age who struck some bargain with Beras for their redemption. This tale has it that, in order to redeem themselves of the evils their kind committed in the world, they must act as harbingers to the bloodline of certain dying Men whom they wronged. Other legends say that the banshee are not witches at all, but another kind of spirit somehow bonded to the fate of Men. The most notable banshee was Caparrashee, attached to the Ribbon family of Men.

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Glossary (Caparrashee)

Barian -- Known as Barian the Counter, he was a Melnari of the early Second Age, famous for his knowledge of the heavens.

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Historical Sketches (The Melnari and Their Familiars)

Barindon -- Second King of Solsorna of the House of Cypress in the region that would become Masurthia Realm. Barindon was the son of Marfain and Terisi. It was his father, Marfain, who established the House of Cypress in the Time Before Time. Marfain and Terisi settled in the region of Solsorna when it was a fishing town governed by a clan of Elifaen. After a number of disputes, Marfain slowly took control of territories surrounding Solsorna until he laid siege to the town in 550 F.A. Shortly afterwards, he made it his kingdom, pronouncing himself King of Solsorna. In 925 F.A., Marfain died as a result of a hunting accident, and his son, Barindon, ascended the throne. Barindon continued his father’s policy of expansion, pushing the boundaries of his domain north to the Plains of Bletharn, east into the lower Thunder Mountains, and westward into Altorian territories. In 931, after years of conflict with Altoria in the Wachee River territories (between Altoria and Masurthia), Barindon led a small army across the Wachee to sack and burn several Altorian garrisons. This act quickly led to war between the two realms. At the same time, both Altoria and Masurthia sought to wrest control of the trade routes passing through the territory that connected Tracia and Vanara. In 936 F.A., several Vanaran barges laden with trade goods bound for Solsorna were confiscated upon their arrival in Draymoor. This came at a time when King Barindon sought to also block Tracian overland caravans from carrying goods to Vanara. As a result of these actions, Parthais assembled a large army and drove them south into the Wachee river valley and effectively separated the warring parties. He then split his army and while he remained encamped along the Wachee, a third of his army marched toward Draymoor while the other third marched to Solsorna. He sent messengers ahead of each vanguard to warn King Barindon and Queen Therona that unless they immediately sued for peace and sent their envoys to Parthais, each city would be sacked. The plan worked, and both Therona and Barindon were humiliated. Before Parthais would remove his armies, the two feuding sovereigns were forced to agree upon the Wachee as the border between their realms. They were also forced to agree upon trade conditions and terms favorable to Vanara.

After the conflict ended, Barindon embarked on a road and bridge building campaign while at the same time began developing his trading fleets. In 947 F.A., he invited Lady Lucinda to bring her House to Masurthia, since he had heard of her troubles in Glareth. Many believe this was a ploy to obtain her Bloodcoins in an effort to legitimize the House of Cypress. However, Lucinda’s ships never arrived as several were lost along the way and the final three were shipwrecked on the coast between Tracia and Masurthia. Although Barindon would spend years searching for Lucinda’s two sons, who supposedly survived with the Bloodcoins, they would never be found.

Barindon himself died at sea in the year 996 F.A. Childless, the throne then went to his niece Gina.

See Also:

Biographical Sketches (Esildre, Felthain)

Tales of the High Houses (The House of Faircedar, The House of Fairwillow)

Barley County -- A rural county within the old Eastlands Realm south of Lake Halgaeth and just east of the Thunder Mountains, bordering the lands west of the ancient fortress of Tulith Attis. It was so named because of the main crop grown in the region. Barley was once merely the regional name for the area, but was adopted as the county name when the Eastlands Realm was organized (under the regency of Glareth) itself into counting districts for the purpose of performing the First Census in 483 SA. Nearly all of the lands encompassing Barley were once part of the vast Bosk estate holdings, but over time much of the former Bosk lands were sold or deeded away. Its principal town is Passdale, formerly known as Dalefath.

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Glossary (Dalefath, Passdale)

Barsonfar -- A village in Connassa Province of Glareth known for its dairy products, including a pungent, hard yellow cheese.

Bartow -- One of the captains of the Fourth Army of Kingsmen under General Teracue during the late Second Age. He served in the Dragonlands, fought against the Wickermen at the Battle of Soltani Pass, and at Tallinvale against the Redvests.

Battalion -- A military unit normally consisting of between 1200 and 1800 men, including military support staff (but often excluding civilian support personnel such as wranglers, blacksmiths, wagon drivers, etc.). However, the size and makeup of the battalion level military unit varied greatly from realm to realm, and from army to army. In Duinnor, a battalion is usually no less than 1500 soldiers, but in Glareth a battalion may have as few as 800 men. Several battalions may comprise an army unit or division. Battalions sometimes acted as semi-autonomous units under a battalion general or other command responsible to a higher general or commander. Battalions were usually subdivided into companies, variously consisting of between 150-500 men. Sometimes battalions were organized in support of specific types of operations or duties. For example, the 1st Battalion of the Kingsman Fourth Army was a Heavy Assault Battalion, while the Third Battalion of the Kingsman First Army was an engineering battalion, and specialized in fortifications, mapping, bridging, and the like, often in service to other units outside the First Army.

Military organization changed and varied greatly from place to place and over time. Thus, the term varied wildly