Dramatis Personae (Northflame)

-Also known as: the Tarnished Key, Valeska (to N, borrowed name from Darlhía's friend, who had passed away several years prior)
-Daughter of Sarhía Morley, Granddaughter of Lhash Morley
-Friend and partner in crime of Ridley Donahue; romantic partner of Khella Airus.

-Thief by trade, specializing in cat burglary and infiltration.

Personal Timeline:

1165:

-Darlhía Morley is born to Sarhía Morley (21)

1170:

-Darlhía’s (5) father dies at sea; her mother Sarhía (24) is presumed dead in the same wreck, but in fact kidnapped by Pryors; Lhash (44) adopts her orphaned granddaughter

1189:

-Khel (26) and Dar (24) meet investigating the murder of Dar’s friend Valeska (24, deceased), have adventures, and begin dating

1191:

-In the wake of his falling out with Dunlat (33), Ridley (31) nearly kills himself in his despair, but the act is averted by Dar (26). He soon becomes her friend and partner in crime.

1194:

The Raid on Tarengheth:

-Eramis (60) orchestrates an attack on Tarengheth using P’lharin (90, appearing 20s or so) and Sarhía (50, appearing 30s or so), bringing them in via Gaelyn’s (41) smuggling contacts; The Tarnished Spade and Shears are killed.

-Ultimately, the attempt is thwarted by Lodin Volsyr (3000+) and Darlhía (29); however, Dar is licked, leading to a cascade of misery for her friends and family; the Host of the Tarnished Key sacrifices herself so that Darlhía may inherit it, which lets her retain moments of lucidity as Corrigan attempts to undo the damage

-Dar is taken into the care of the Church, with visitations from her Grandmother and friends; however, tormented by her lack of physical and metaphysical freedom, she asks Ridley and Khel to break her out. When they do so, with Khel assuming her identity as part of the operation, Dar escapes from Ridley and throws herself into the Ghant; as a natural born witchling, of sorts, bearing a Tarnish, she is bound to the fate of an enduring spirit, to eventually reform as a revenant.

-The cause of Dar’s death is kept secret between Ridley and Khel; the latter returns to Kerwhick. Ridley is unable to face Lhash, and breaks contact without explanation.

1195:

-Dar’s spirit begins to re-solidify, connecting her to other Norn spirited witchlings like N. Lacking some parts of her memory, she introduces herself as Valeska. Eventually, she is able to reach her loved ones as well, though only in states of altered consciousness, including their dreams.

1196:

-Dar (31) helps N (12) to escape Grimshaw (62), early in the year

Entities (Northflame)

Ofhelia Dyre

-Also known as: Mother Melody, the Tarnished Song.

-Killed Ezik, traumatized and caused brain damage to Flitch, nearly killed Rhaze and Esher.

Personal Timeline:

1144:

-Ofhelia Dyre is born a Witchling

1164:

-Ofhelia (20) inherits the Tarnished Song by chance, when the former host is killed during a solar storm and thus unable to revive through the swarm.

1171:

-Major Plague Event sweeps through Dimirha; Ehlíath is ravaged by the epidemic

1172:

-Mother Melody events, involving Flitch (10), Rhaze (11), Esher (10), and Lhash (46), who comes to the children's’ aid; Ofhelia (28) is killed, but her combined triple spirit remains and continues to haunt the night on the anniversary of her death; as her Tarnish is not passed on, the host is reduced to nine

Entities (Northflame)

Nheo (Deceased)

-Also known as: Ne; The Dead God

-Friend of Corrigan

Entities (Northflame)

Corrigan

-Also known as: Kor; the Rust

-Core sentience of the Tarnished

Entities (Northflame)

Lodin Volsyr

-Pryori dissident, follower of Corrigan

Personal Timeline:

(1200 BC)~-1900:

-Lodin Volsyr is born

(1150 BC)~-1850:

-The Dominion launches an operation to control its unruly citizens through magic; however, the device does not account for the resonance that occurs between the spirits and minds of its targets, which triggers and uncontrolled catatonia of all life in Kheld, and begins spreading across the planet.

-The Death of Nheo; the entity ignites itself into an equivalent of a coronal mass ejection; this unexpected even damages the satellite array that acts as a relay for the device, and ends the engine’s effect.

-Kor is devastated by the loss of its only friend, and shatters; the pieces that try to follow Nheo intermingle with other spirits over the next few decades, and form the basis of the Tarnished lineages: Coin (Hope/Bargaining), Chain (Yearning/Dwelling), Shroud (Fear/Panic), Mask (Denial/Abandon), Ring (Shock/Numbness), Key (Determination/Acceptance), Mirror (Loneliness/Isolation), Adze (Rage/Retaliation), Grail (Confusion/Helplessness), Shears (Rest/Surrender), Spade (Guilt/Shame), Song (Despair/Sorrow), and finally Crown (Control).

(1100 BC)~-1800:

-The Revenge of Corrigan; Tarengheth is built as a haven for the dissidents Witches and Tarnished; Orë the Tarnished Crown begins their eternal vigil below the fortress.

854:

-Jharik (40) is sent to Ehlíath as an agent of the Pryors, having agreed to do so to save Drhani (24); he has since been trained to better harness his abilities. There he meets Lodin, and learns the truth of Corrigan and the Tarnished, as well as his personal history with the order.

1194:

Entities (Northflame)

Vani Taalesin

-Pryori Witch; created the concept of the Second Engine and later became part of it

Personal Timeline:

(1200 BC)~-1900:

-Lodin Volsyr and Vani Taalesin are born

(600-700 AD)~-100-0:

-The tenuous peace between Karda and Lhakhar snaps, leading to a war that lasts roughly a century. The war is brought to an end when a group of Lisidionites and refugees from mixed backgrounds encounter a pryor, Vani Taalesin, on Lisidion; Vani proposes a possible, supernatural means of bringing an end to the animosity between nations, and setting a standard for peace that may continue its influence for generations to come.

(700 AD) 0:

-The Country of Aracon—named for the fictional paradise created in bedtime stories by the group for a child (Kloë) in their care—is established by survivors of those who summoned the Norn; the forest, still containing the engine created by those who sacrificed themselves (Sabelleus of Lisidion, who gave himself for the future of children; Tyrhía Odrhin, who gave herself for history to mark; Marin Arkshaw, who gave themself in defiance of power; and Vani, their Pryor companion, who believed staunchly in the end of all tyranny)

Entities (Northflame)

The Second Engine

-Sabelleus of Lisidion

-Marin Arkshaw

-Tyrhía Odrhin

-Vani Taalesin

Ehlíath Criminal

Ridley Donahue

-Also known as: Rhed Donnaley (alias)
-Son of Eldin and Iyana; younger brother of Prilha, older brother of Merser. Adopted father of N.
-Friend and partner in crime to Darlhía and Jackdaw; previous employee and friend of Dunlat.
-Generally amicable associate of Lhash, Khel, and others, due to his natural charisma; poor choices and insecurity, however, cause these bridges to be burned from time to time.

Personal Timeline:

1160:

-Ridley Donahue is born

1171:

-Iyana Donahue (44) dies of the plague, leaving her family devastated

1175:

-War between Kadar and Aka’thei summons aid from Dimirha, Endhar, and Lifáraen—Ridley (15) goes to war

1176:

-Ridley (16) returns from War as a deserter

1181:

-Ridley (21) comes to Ehlíath; he unwittingly saves Dunlat (23) from an attempted assassination, and is offered a place on his crew. Over time, the two become friends.

1182:

-Ridley (22) becomes more properly acquainted with Jackdaw (20), becoming friends with him through the necessities of his work despite the knowledge that he is estranged from his brother.

1184:
-Ridley’s (24) personal friendship with Dunlat (26) leads to his steady promotion through the organization, until he is one of his more trusted advisers. Some romantic feelings start to develop, though Dunlat refuses to act upon them.

1188:

-Ridley (28) discovers the illegal slave trade being run by the Eisovs (30), who work in the City Watch, and exposes the matter with Khel’s (25) assistance; however, Gaelyn Dauth (35) covers up the incident and recruits the twins through coercion. Khel, disillusioned by the event, leaves the Overseers and the Watch for private investigation

-Ridley’s experience reignites his PTSD, and he begins to spiral. Jackdaw (26) offers to help medicate his mental condition, leading to his eventual addiction to Crasuith Tar.

1191:

-Ridley’s (31) addiction worsens and begins to affect his work. As the mistakes and fallout begin to pile up, causing Ridley to spiral into self-loathing and further drug abuse, he nearly overdoses, at which point he and Dunlat (33) suffer a falling out.

-Ridley nearly kills himself in his despair, but the act is averted by Dar (26). He soon becomes her friend and partner in crime. Dunlat remains unaware that his former friend attempted suicide over their falling out.

1194:

-Dar is licked, leading to a cascade of misery for her friends and family; she is taken into the care of the Church, with visitations from her Grandmother and friends; however, tormented by her physical and metaphysical lack of freedom, she asks Ridley and Khel to break her out. When they do so, with Khel assuming her identity as part of the operation, Dar escapes from Ridley and throws herself into the Ghant; as a natural born witchling, of sorts, bearing a Tarnish, she is bound to the fate of an enduring spirit, to eventually reform as a revenant.

-The cause of Dar’s death is kept secret between Ridley and Khel; the latter returns to Kerwhick. Ridley is unable to face Lhash, and breaks contact without explanation.

-Dunlat contacts Ridley to express his condolences for Dar’s passing, and the two begin to reconnect, saving Ridley from utterly deteriorating following the loss of Dar.

1195:

-Ridley (35) begins working for Dunlat again.

1196:

-Lhash (70) and Lisl (36) set their plans into motion: See the Conspiracy.

-N (12) arrives in the Clag; she meets and saves Ridley.

1202:

-Ridley (42) is seemingly killed when Eramis (68) attempts to capture N (18); in reality, he is put into secret and protective custody by Sovereign Askha (44)

-Also known as: Lisl Arkshaw

-Younger sister of Silan, older sister of Col

-Friend of Anya Bekker, currently employed by Lhash Morley

-Previously employed by (and in an abusive relationship with) Gaelyn Dauth

-Friend of Darlhía and Khella

-Lisl has a pattern of coming to practically worship whoever she ties herself to, following their will and perspective to the point of losing herself along the way. Though Lhash tried to help her overcome this, she ultimately succumbed to the same instinct during the Conspiracy to Kill Dunlat.

Ehlíath Criminal

Vhílath Rhenna

-Also known as Maevelyn Dauth

-Younger sister of Gaelyn Dauth

-Employed by Haedn Callowhen

Ehlíath Criminal

Mercy Knox

-Also known as Trisetta Larkland

-Daughter of Marl Larkland; younger sister of Enford Larkland; granddaughter of Alma Larkland

-Friend of Jackdaw

Minor Characters (Northflame)

Dunlat's Crew

-Rheggit

Minor Characters (Northflame)

Previous Rulers and Princes Palatine

Minor Characters (Northflame)

Previous Crime Lords

The Noble Line:

-Sarhía Rheve Lhe'Greylen

-Klhoster Marius vin Lhasker

-Latisha Hargrave Lhe'Aldwhick

-Aizn Morgoss n'Bardl

-Khethlyn Kite vin Dresdon

The Merchant Line:

-Ghul Hanley

-Sirhensa Klane

-Ord Rindell

-Imhelda Dorsey

The Murks Line:

-Vhanse Davrich

-Nulhen Pine

-Kinley Davrich

-Rhoko

-Hish

The Athurley Line:

-Halsh Athurley

-Grint Athurley

-Brhen Athurley I

Minor Characters (Northflame)

Notorious Witchlings

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

Khella Airus

-Former Watch Captain, currently private investigator.

-Romantic partner of Darlhía and Jackdaw, separately

-Friend of Ridley, Lisl, and Lhash

-Previously employed by Gaelyn Dauth

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

Gaelyn Dauth

-Undercover Overseer; employs Atyana and Muri Eisov, previously employed Khella and Lisl

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

The Witch Hunter

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

COMMANDER OF THE EHLÍATH CITY WATCH

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

Muri Eisov

-Twin brother of Atyana Eisov, employed/exploited by Gaelyn Dauth

Law Enforcement (Northflame)

Atyana Eisov

Empress Erida Vyke, the Burning Star (Deceased/Historical)

-An influence Empress of Kadar

Witchlings

Jharik (Deceased/Historical)

-A famous writer, poet, and adventurer. Son of Zheyda

Witchlings

P'lharin Cras (Status Uncertain)

-A northern reach guide and adventurer

Witchlings

Hyde Grimshaw

-A doctor and chirurgeon; veteran of the Kardarnl Army.

-N's mentor, protector, and abuser

-Friend of Malnr Gallise

Witchlings

Jhin "The Ashtaker" Arghast (Deceased)

-A Witchling arsonist; when her lover Jamis was killed by the Tarnished in an attempt on her life, though she had done nothing against the city or Corrigan, she sought retribution.

-In 1156, her arson spree caused massive chaos in Ehliath; she even set the Ghant aflame. She was finally captured and killed by Eramis Dhorum.

Witchlings

Silmon "the Braylhich Ripper" Wald (Deceased)

-A serial killer witchling driven mad by the Pryors and sent into Ehlíath to make contact with Eramis Dhorum. Killings occurred in 1160.

Witchlings

Captain Mharika "Lovely Mhari" Rhaldon (Deceased/Historical)

-Witchling pirate captain of supernatural charisma, leading to a somewhat inflated sense of self, as she was not immune to her own powers.

Witchlings

Olandr Vyke (Deceased/Historical)

-Twin brother of Erida, psychically gifted; held strong contact with the Pryors and used his abilities to guide his sister.

-Following Erida's retreat from the north, the two suffered a falling out, and Olandr left her service to continue fighting the Rust. He eventually found and became the mentor of Captain Lovely Mhari.

Witchlings

The Dancer, the Mourner, and the Nightmare (Deceased/Historical)

-Three Witchlings born in the same year who were brought together by Mharika and Olandr to form a terrifying pirate crew.

Witchlings

The Time-Eater/The Wisp

-The Time-Eater came about from the persisting soul of a witchling, and became an energetic parasite that attached itself to living hosts, consumed their lives and memories, and moved on when they died. Remnants of voices and lives from its victims would remain as it changed forms. It would feed on other victims to sustain itself, and eventually learned how to erase people from collective memory via mechanism similar to the Resonance Engine.

-The Time-Eater came to Ehlíath in 1128, and attached itself to a host with remarkable dissociative aptitude. This host, through their attempts to track down the Time-Eater and recover their own memory, eventually learned that they were the source, and were able to master the anti-memetic abilities of the witchling spirit. This individual became the first Wisp.

-Whenever the Wisp dies, the spirit possesses its next host, similar to how Tarnishes can be inherited. Fortunately, the original Wisp remains largely in control, and has been able to hold back the Time-Eater's hunger through their machinations as a crime lord.

Historical (Northflame)

Sabelleus of Lisidion

-A member of the Second Engine; known for seriousness and practicality

Historical (Northflame)

Lumie Davenport

-An author

Historical (Northflame)

Shole Hearth

-An author

Historical (Northflame)

Elhash the Great

-The conqueror responsible for uniting the Lhakhik nations into a single empire

Historical (Northflame)

Saint Belorv

Royal Court (Dimirha)

Sovereign Askha III

-Current Sovereign of Dimirha

-Parent (paternal) of Princes Mareshi, Khivarel, Dhevira, Ashira, Ílhen, and Noma; secretly the adoptive, not genetic, parent of Esparha.

-Romantic partner of Jhira, Kanhía, Neantha, and Tharl.

Royal Court (Dimirha)

Crown Prince Mareshi

-Daughter of Sovereign Askha III and Consort Kanhía; second eldest of the Princes.

-Full sister of Ílhen, half sister of Ashira, Khivarel, Dhevira, and Noma, foster sister of Esparha

-Will inherit the throne of Dimirha

Royal Court (Dimirha)

Valeska

Civilians (Northflame)

Anatol Garnett

Kadar Criminal

Silan Arkshaw

Also known as: Enford (erroneously, to Alma Larkland)

Kadar Criminal

Col Arkshaw

Kadar Criminal

Alma Larkland

Kadar Criminal

Anya Bekker

Crime Lords (Northflame)

Dunlat Moran

-Crime Lord; primary territory in North Riverside/the Trade District. Ally of Rhaze and Haedn Callowhen.
-Brother of Sark "Jackdaw" Moran; employer of Flitch and Esher; complex relationships with Ridley Donahue and N.

-Dunlat has a strong sense of personal integrity, and values loyalty very highly among both his personal and professional acquaintances. He is not known for giving second chances to those who have betrayed his trust, or have generally lost his good will. He is unlikely to admit that there are exceptions to this rule, namely his brother and Ridley.

-Dunlat has both patience and ambition, and wants to take more power within Ehlíath's government; he has been moving towards a goal of being appointed Lord Magistrate, and eventually being elected Chancellor. He intends to leverage his economic power and general popularity to gain the necessary allies in the Patrician Council for this to occur.

The Wisp

[REDACTED]

Crime Lords (Northflame)

Marl Larkland

Ranks of the Tarnished

Important current and past members of Corrigan's circle, the Tarnished.

Character Connections (Northflame)

Name Color to Role Key (Primary Fill, Secondary Edge):
-Black: Criminal
-Indigo: Crime Lord
-Red: Professionally Dangerous
-Green: Witchling
-Maroon: Tarnished
-Brown: Civilian
-Blue: Second Engine
-Teal: Historical or Cultural
-Turquoise: Pryori
-Purple: Royalty
-Gold: Royal Court

Connection Color to Relationship Key:
-Green: Friend
-Navy Blue: Professional Alliance
-Red: Enemy
-Blue: Employed by (Arrow Point)
-Cyan: Hive Mind or Telepathic Connection
-Maroon: Killed (Arrow Point)
-Yellow: Parent or Guardian of (Arrow Point)
-Brown: Abuser of (Arrow Point)
-Salmon: Siblings
-Grey Purple: Succeeded by (Arrow Point)
-Hot Pink: Strong Romance and/or Married
-Pink: Possible Romance
-Teal: It's Complicated/Dynamic

Symbol Key:
-X: Deceased (For Most Relevant Times)
-Gear: Hive Mind Participant
-Question Mark: Status/Fate Unknown
-Hourglass: Definitely going to Die
-Underline: Leadership Position
-Italicized: Main/Perspective Character
-All Caps: Name Yet to Be Determined