The Thousandfold Thought Part 52

Ankirioth-A province of south central Conriya.

Ankmuri-The lost language of ancient Angka.

Ankulakai-The mountain on the southern limit of the Demua that cradles the city of Atrithau.

Anmergal, Skinede (4078-4112)-A Tydonni thane, slain at the Battle of Tertae Fields. (4078-4112)-A Tydonni thane, slain at the Battle of Tertae Fields.

Annals of Cenei, The-The cla.s.sic treatise of Casidas, covering the history of Cenei and the Ceneian Empire from the Imperial City's legendary foundation in 809 to the time of Casidas's death in 3142.

Annand-A province of north central Conriya, known primarily for its silver and iron mines. "All the silver in Annand" is a common Three Seas expression, meaning "pricelessness."

Anochirwa-"Horns Reaching" (Kuniuric) An early mannish name for Golgotterath.

Anphairas, Ikurei-See Ikurei Anphairas I Ikurei Anphairas I.

Anplei-The second-largest city in Conriya after Aoknyssus.

anpoi-A traditional drink throughout the Three Seas, made of fermented peach nectar.

Ansacer ab Salajka (4072- )-The Sapatishah-Governor of Gedea. The Black Gazelle is his totem. (4072- )-The Sapatishah-Governor of Gedea. The Black Gazelle is his totem.

Ansansius, Teres ( (c. 2300-2351)-The most famed theologian of the early Thousand Temples, whose 2300-2351)-The most famed theologian of the early Thousand Temples, whose The City of Men, The Limping Pilgrim, The City of Men, The Limping Pilgrim, and and Five Letters to All Five Letters to All are revered by Shrial scholars. are revered by Shrial scholars.

Anserca-The southernmost province of the Nansur Empire.

Antanamera-A province of High Ainon, located on the highland frontier of Jekk.

Anwurat-A large Kianene fortress to the south of the Sempis Delta, constructed in 3905.

Anyasiri-"Tongueless Howlers" (Ihrimsu) An early Cunuroi name for the Sranc.

Aoknyssus-The administrative and commercial capital of Conriya. Once the capital of the long-lost s.h.i.+radi Empire, Aoknyssus is perhaps the most ancient of the Three Seas' great cities, with the possible exception of Sumna or Iothiah.

Aorsi-A lost nation of the Ancient North. Aorsi was founded in the 1556 part.i.tioning of Greater Kuniuri between the sons of Anasurimbor Nanor-Ukkerja I at his death. Even contemporaries recognized Aorsi as the most warlike of the ancient Norsirai nations, though her ambitions remained uniquely defensive rather than expansionist. Spa.r.s.ely populated save for the regions surrounding her capital, s.h.i.+arau, Aorsi faced considerable and unrelenting pressure from the Sranc and Bashrag tribes of the Yimaleti Mountains to the north, not to mention the Consult legions of Golgotterath across the River Sursa to the west-a challenge that would spur the construction of Dagliash, the greatest fortress of the age. It is no accident that the word sursa sursa came to mean "front line" across the Ancient North. came to mean "front line" across the Ancient North.

Aorsi's history is one of ingenuity and determination in the face of never-ending crises. Perhaps it is fitting that her destruction in 2136 (see Apocalypse Apocalypse) was due more to the betrayal of her southern Kuniuric cousins than to any real failure on the part of Anasurimbor Nimeric, her final King.

Apocalypse-The protracted wars and atrocities that obliterated the Ancient North. The roots of the Apocalypse are many and deep. Mandate scholars (who, popular opinion to the contrary, are not the recognized authorities on the subject) argue that they are older than recorded history. More sober accounts reach back no further than the so-called Nonman Tutelage, which eventually led the Gnostic School of Mangaecca to the site of the Incu-Holoinas, the Ark-of-the-Skies, where it lay protected, hidden by Nonmen glamours in the shadow of the western Yimaleti Mountains. Accounts are incomplete, but it seems clear that what were called the Great Sranc Wars were a consequence of the Mangaecca occupation of what would come to be called Golgotterath.

Traditionally, scholars date the beginning of the Apocalypse with Anasurimbor Celmomas's call for a holy war against Golgotterath, his Great Ordeal, which is to say, with the beginning of the accounts found in The Sagas, The Sagas, the primary historical source text for this cataclysmic event. Legend has it that Nonmen Siqu informed the Grandmaster of the Sohonc (the pre-eminent Sauglish School) that the Mangaecca, or Consult as they had come to be called, had uncovered lost Inchoroi secrets that would lead to the world's destruction. Seswatha in turn convinced Celmomas to declare war on Golgotterath in 2123. the primary historical source text for this cataclysmic event. Legend has it that Nonmen Siqu informed the Grandmaster of the Sohonc (the pre-eminent Sauglish School) that the Mangaecca, or Consult as they had come to be called, had uncovered lost Inchoroi secrets that would lead to the world's destruction. Seswatha in turn convinced Celmomas to declare war on Golgotterath in 2123.

There has been much debate regarding the next twenty years, and much severe criticism of the pride and bickering that would eventually destroy the Ordeal. What most fail to realize is that the threat facing the High Norsirai of Kuniuri and Aorsi at this time was entirely hypothetical. In fact, it is surprising that Celmomas was able to hold his coalition, which included Nonmen as well as token contingents of Kyraneans, together for as long as he did.

The first great battle, fought in 2124 on the Plains of Agongorea, was indecisive. Celmomas and his allies wintered in Dagliash and forded the River Sursa the following spring, catching their foe unawares. The Consult withdrew to Golgotterath, and so began what would be called the Great Invest.i.ture. For six years the Ordeal attempted to starve the Consult into submission, to no avail. Every a.s.sault proved disastrous. Then, in 2131, after a dispute with King Nimeric of Aorsi, Celmomas himself abandoned his own Holy War. The following year disaster struck. Consult legions, apparently utilizing a vast subterranean network of tunnels, appeared in the Ring Mountains to the rear of the Ordeal. The coalition host was all but destroyed. Embittered by the loss of his sons, Nil'giccas, the Nonman King of Ishterebinth, withdrew altogether, leaving the Aorsi to war alone.

The following years witnessed a string of further disasters. In 2133 the Aorsi were defeated at the Pa.s.ses of Amnerlot, and Dagliash was lost soon after. King Nimeric withdrew to his capital of s.h.i.+arau. A year pa.s.sed before Celmomas acknowledged his folly and mobilized to relieve him. By then it was too late. In 2135, Nimeric was mortally wounded in the Battle of Hamuir, and s.h.i.+arau fell to the Consult legions the following spring. The Aorsic House of Anasurimbor had perished forever.

Now it was Kuniuri that stood alone. His credibility destroyed, Celmomas was unable to rally any allies, and for a time the situation seemed bleak. But in 2137 his youngest son, Nau-Cayuti, managed to rout the Consult at the Battle of Ossirish, where he earned the name Murswagga, or "Dragonslayer," for killing Tanhafut the Red. His next victory, within sight of s.h.i.+arau's ruins, was more complete still. The Consult's remaining Sranc and Bashrag fled across the River Sursa. In 2139 the young Prince besieged and recaptured Dagliash, then launched several spectacular raids across the Plains of Agongorea.

Then, in 2140, Nau-Cayuti's beloved concubine, Aulisi, was abducted by Sranc marauders and taken to Golgotterath. According to The Sagas, The Sagas, Seswatha was able to convince the Prince (who was once his student) that she could be rescued from the Incu-Holoinas, and the two of them embarked on an expedition that is almost certainly apocryphal. Mandate commentators dispute the account found in Seswatha was able to convince the Prince (who was once his student) that she could be rescued from the Incu-Holoinas, and the two of them embarked on an expedition that is almost certainly apocryphal. Mandate commentators dispute the account found in The Sagas, The Sagas, where they successfully return with both Aulisi and the Heron Spear, claiming that Aulisi was never found. Whatever happened, at least two things are certain: the Heron Spear was in fact recovered, and Nau-Cayuti died shortly after (apparently poisoned by his first wife, Ieva). where they successfully return with both Aulisi and the Heron Spear, claiming that Aulisi was never found. Whatever happened, at least two things are certain: the Heron Spear was in fact recovered, and Nau-Cayuti died shortly after (apparently poisoned by his first wife, Ieva).

In 2141, the Consult returned to the offensive, wrongly thinking the Kuniuri crippled by the loss of their greatest and most beloved son. But Nau-Cayuti's mead-brothers proved themselves able, even brilliant, commanders. At the Battle of Skothera, the Sranc hordes were crushed by General En-Kaujalau, though he died of mysterious causes within weeks of this victory (according to The Sagas, The Sagas, he was another victim of Ieva and her poisons, but again this is disputed by Mandate scholars). In 2142, General Sag-Marmau inflicted yet another crus.h.i.+ng defeat on Aurang and his Consult legions, and by the fall of that year he had hounded the remnant of their horde to the Gates of Golgotterath itself. he was another victim of Ieva and her poisons, but again this is disputed by Mandate scholars). In 2142, General Sag-Marmau inflicted yet another crus.h.i.+ng defeat on Aurang and his Consult legions, and by the fall of that year he had hounded the remnant of their horde to the Gates of Golgotterath itself.

But the Second Great Invest.i.ture proved far shorter than the first. As Seswatha had feared, the Consult had been merely playing for time, nothing more. In the spring of 2143 the No-G.o.d, summoned by means unknown, first drew breath. Across the world, Sranc, Bashrag, and Wracu-all the obscene progeny of the Inchoroi-hearkened to his call. Sag-Marmau and the greater glory of Kuniuri were annihilated.

The effect of his coming cannot be overestimated. As numerous independent accounts attest, all Men could sense his dread presence on the horizon, and all infants were born dead. Anasurimbor Celmomas II had little difficulty gathering support for his Second Ordeal. Nil'giccas and Celmomas were reconciled. Across Earwa, hosts of Men began marching toward Kuniuri.

But it was too late.

Celmomas and his Second Ordeal were destroyed on the Fields of Eleneot in 2146. The Heron Spear, which could not be used because the No-G.o.d refused to give battle, was lost. Kuniuri and all the great and ancient cities of the River Aumris were destroyed the following year. The Nonmen of Injor-Niyas retreated to Ishterebinth. Eamnor was laid waste the year after, though its capital, Atrithau, raised on anarcane ground, managed to survive. The list continues. Akksersia and Harmant in 2149. The Meori Empire in 2150. Inweara in 2151, though the city of Sakarpus was spared. The s.h.i.+radi Empire in 2153.

The Battle of Kathol Pa.s.s, fought primarily by the remnants of the Meori and the Nonmen of Cil-Aujas in the autumn of 2151, would be mankind's only victory during these dark years, one which was entirely undone when the Meori turned on their benefactors and sacked the ancient Nonman Mansion the following spring (which gave birth to the myth that the Galeoth, the descendants of those Meori refugees, were forever cursed with treachery and fractiousness).

Though defeated at the Battle of Mehsarunath in 2154, Anaxophus V, the High King of Kyraneas, managed to save the core of his host and fled southward, abandoning Mehtsonc and Sumna to the Scylvendi. The Tusk was evacuated and brought to ancient Invis.h.i.+ in Nilnamesh. Though the historical record is scant, Mandate scholars insist that it was at this time that the High King admitted to Seswatha that his knights had rescued the Heron Spear from the Fields of Eleneot eight years previously.

Perhaps no single event from these dark times has inspired more acrimony and debate among Three Seas scholars of the Apocalypse. Some historians, the great Casidas among them, have called this the most monstrous deception in history. How could Anaxophus conceal the only weapon that could defeat the No-G.o.d while the greater part of the world died? But others, including many belonging to the Mandate, argue precisely the opposite. They admit that Anaxophus's motive-to save Kyraneas and Kyraneas alone-was more than a little suspect. But they point to the fact that had he not hidden the Heron Spear, it would surely have been lost in the catastrophes following the Fields of Eleneot and the destruction of the Second Ordeal. According to extant accounts, not once did the No-G.o.d expose himself to battle during this time. It was the years of attrition that forced him to intercede in the Battle of Mengedda.

Whatever the case, the No-G.o.d, or Tsuramah as the Kyraneans called him, was destroyed by Anaxophus V in 2155. Freed of his terrible will, his Sranc, Bashrag, and Wracu slaves dispersed. The Apocalypse had ended, and Men set out to recover what they could of a ruined world.

apples-Galeoth slang for severed heads gathered as trophies.

Araxes Mountains-A range forming the eastern frontiers of both Ce Tydonn and Conriya.

Architect-An epithet used by skin-spies to describe their Consult makers.

Arithmeas-The Prime Augur to Ikurei Xerius III.

Ark-of-the-Skies-See Incu-Holoinas Incu-Holoinas.

Arweal (4077-4111)-One of the Nascenti, formerly a client thane of Earl Werijen, claimed by disease at Caraskand. (4077-4111)-One of the Nascenti, formerly a client thane of Earl Werijen, claimed by disease at Caraskand.

Ascension-The direct pa.s.sage of Inri Sejenus to the Outside as described in "The Book of Days" in The Tractate The Tractate. According to Inrithi tradition, Sejenus ascended from the Juterum, or the Sacred Heights, in s.h.i.+meh, though The Tractate The Tractate seems to suggest that Kyudea and not s.h.i.+meh was the location. The First Temple was purportedly raised on the very location. seems to suggest that Kyudea and not s.h.i.+meh was the location. The First Temple was purportedly raised on the very location.

Asgilioch-"The Gate of Asga" (Kyranean from Kemkaric geloch geloch) The great Nansur fortress, dating back to Far Antiquity, guarding the so-called Southron Gates in the Unaras Spur. Perhaps no Three Seas fortress can claim such a storied past (which includes, most recently, stopping no fewer than three Fanim invasions). Over the years the Nansur have coined many epithets for the famed stronghold, among them Hubara, or "the Breakers."

Aspect-Emperor-The t.i.tle taken by Triamis the Great in the twenty-third year of his rule (when the Shriah, Ekyannus III, formally inst.i.tutionalized the so-called Emperor Cult) and adopted by all his successors.