Dictionary, Dramatis Personae

Dictionary, Dramatis Personae

Cave of Worlds

A system of wormholes and the realms they connect. The realms share a common space-time, but some of them have different laws of physics.

Ylem – A fundamental and primeval energy that fills the Cave of Worlds. Ylem leaks from the wormholes into the Worlds. For the rare adepts who can access it, it’s the source of magic-like powers.

The Wheft – The physical manifestation ylem, including a purple haze and a distinctive scent of sandalwood and myrrh. Not everyone can sense the Wheft.

Hámeistari of the Cave of Worlds -- Also sometimes known as High Master, High Lord or Chair. Chief executive of the Cave of Worlds. The current Hámeistari names up to ten heirs (viz., Erfingja (singular Erfingi) to serve as potential successors in the event of the Hámeistari 's death or incapacitation.

The Dómstóll -- A group of 144 Candidates (viz., Dómarar, (singluar Dómari) to the office of Erfingi of the Cave of Worlds. The Dómstóll also serves as a coordinating committee for the governance of the Cave of Worlds, and individual Dómarar can serve is administrative officers.

The Gamla -- a legendary ancient and now presumably extinct race of beings that supposedly created the Cave of Worlds. The Upprunasaga is a collection of legends recounting their interaction with various human species and the eventual diaspora of human and other terrestrial species across the Cave of Worlds. The Upprunasaga myths are thought to be seminal versions of various terrestrial legends such as Gilgamesh, the Kojiki, Nimrod, the myths recounted by Hesiod and Homer, or the Ramayana.

                                                 
Characters

Sebastian, a database wizard with a company called Data Wizards He has OCD, is lonely, rootless, and friendless

Irene, Apache Programmer at Data Wizards who has shown a special interest in Sebastian

Marcus, Sometime worker at Wheft Enterprises. Current Hámeistari of the Cave of Worlds

Rufo, assistant to Marcus. Warrior, among numerous other talents.

Lord Ludwig Hesseldorff, Jarl of the Well of Hvergelmir

Prince Aric, the Jarl’s heir and son

Princess Irina, the Jarl’s daughter
                                                 
Locations and Objects

Neflheim – primitive planet orbiting a red dwarf sun

Well of Hvergelmir – Domed habitat in a glacial mountain pass on Neflheim

Ophion – an egg-shaped object that looks like a ceramic American football. For those who know how to use it, it grants power over the Cave of Worlds. It as old as the Big Bang, and filled with ylem. In some legends, it’s called the Primeval Egg. Marcus claims it's the "super-computer that generates reality," but he may have been speaking metaphorically.

Dome of Moros – where the Ophion is hidden

Khemnu – location of the Dome of Moros

Sarpedon -- planet with two suns and a Sahara-like desert

Ukarpa -- Medusa-like creature on Sarpedon

Finder -- an adept at using the Wheft to find things. Also called an Etsijä

Derzen -- the skill that the Finders possess. Also called the Sight.

Hovestad -- one of the leading planets in the Cave of Worlds. Birth planet of Marcus.

Middangeard--World where the Hámeistari of the Cave of Worlds resides

Y'homa --lingua franca of the Cave of Worlds
          Yomaic local dialect of Y'homa, officlal language of Middaangeard

B'gani Prasadah--Official residence of the Wolderweard of the Cave of Worlds on Middaangeard, also known as the Purple Palace