Ancestors-unicorn-like sentient species, precursor race to the Linyaari. Also known as ki-lin.

Ancestral Friends-an ancient shape-changing and s.p.a.cefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns (or Ancestors) from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhili-inyar.

Ancestral Hosts -see Ancestral Friends.

Andina-owner of the cleaning concession on MOO, and sometimes lady companion to Captain Becker.

Aridimi Desert-a vast barren desert on the Makahomian planet, site of a hidden Temple and a sacred lake.

Aridimis-people from the Makahomian Aridimi desert.

Arkansas Traveler-freight-hauling s.p.a.ceship piloted by Scaradine (Scar) MacDonald.

Attendant - Linyaari who have been selected for the task of caring for the Ancestors.

Balakiire-the Linyaari s.p.a.ceship commanded by Acorna's aunt Neeva.

Basic-shorthand for Standard Galactic, the language used throughout human-settled s.p.a.ce.

Becker-see Jonas Becker

Bulaybub Felidar sach Pilau ardo Agorah-a Makahomian Temple priest, better known by his real name, Tagoth. A priest who supports modernizing the Makahomian way of life, he was a favorite of Nadhari Kando before her departure from the planet. He has a close relationship with his young relative, Miw-Sher.

Calum Baird-one of three miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.

chrysoberyl -a precious cats-eye gemstone available in large supply and great size on the planet of Makahomia, but also, very rarely and in smaller sizes, throughout the known universe. The stones are considered sacred on Makahomia, and

are guarded by the priest cla.s.s and the Temples. Throughout the rest of the universe, they are used in the mining and terraforming industries.

Condor-Jonas Becker's salvage ship, heavily modified to incorporate various "found" items Becker has come across in his s.p.a.ce voyages.

Declan "Gill" Giloglie - one of three human miners who discovered Acorna and raised her.

Delszaki Li-once the richest man on Kezdet, opposed to child exploitation, made many political enemies. He lived his life paralyzed, floating in an antigravity chair. Clever and devious, he both hijacked and rescued Acorna and gave her a cause - saving the children of Kezdet. He became her adopted father. Li's death was a source of tremendous sadness to all but his enemies.

Dinan-Temple priest and doctor in Hissim.

Dsu Macostut - Federation officer, lieutenant commander of the Federation base on Makahomia.

Edacki Ganoosh - corrupt Kezdet count, uncle of Kisla Manjari.

enye-gbanyii-Linyaari time unit, small portion of ghaanye.

f.a.gad-Temple priest in the Aridimi desert, who spied for Mulzar Edu Kando.

Felihari-one of the Makavitian Rainforest tribes on Makahomia.

Ferula-Acorna's mother.

Fiicki - Linyaari communications officer on Vhiliinyar expedition.

Fiirki Miilkar - a Linyaari animal specialist.

Fiiryi-a Linyaari.

fraaki-Linyaari word for fish.

Friends-also known as Ancestral Friends. A shape-changing and s.p.a.cefaring race responsible for saving the unicorns from Old Terra and using them to create the Linyaari race on Vhili-inyar.

Gaali-highest peak on Vhiliinyar, never scaled by the Linyaari people. The official marker for Vhiliinyar's date line, anchoring the meridian line that sets the end of the old day and the beginning of the new day across the planet as it rotates Our Star at the center of the solar system. With nearby peaks Zaami and Kaahi, the high mountains are a mystical place for most Linyaari.

ghaanye (pi. ghaanyi)- a Linyaari year.

gheraalye malivii-Linyaari for Navigation Officer.

gheraalye ve-kbanyii- Linyaari for Senior Communications Officer.

giirange - office of toastmaster in a Linyaari social organization.

GSS - Gravitation Stabilization System.

h.o.a.r ha Liirni-Linyaari term for advanced education, usually pursued during adulthood while on sabbatical from a previous calling.

Hafiz Harakamian-Rafik's uncle, head of the interstellar financial empire of House Harakamian, a pa.s.sionate collector of rarities from throughout the galaxy and a devotee of the old-fashioned sport of horse racing. Although basically crooked enough to hide behind a spiral staircase, he is genuinely fond of Rafik and Acorna.

Highmagister HaGurdy-the Ancestral Friend in charge of the Hosts on old Vhiliinyar.

Hissim-the biggest city on Makahomia, home of the largest Temple.

Hraaya-an Ancestor.

Hrronye-Melireenya's lifemate.

Hrunvrun-the first Linyaari Ancestral attendant.

luliira-a Linyaari ship.

Iirtye - chief aagroni for narhii-Vhiliinyar.

Ikwaskwan -self-styled leader of the Kilumbembese Red Bracelets. Depending on circ.u.mstances and who he is trying to impress, he is known as either General Ikwaskwan or Admiral Ikwaskwan, though both ranks are self-administered. Entered into devious dealings with Edacki Ganoosh that led to his downfall.

Johnny Greene - an old friend of Calum, Rafik, and Gill; joined the Starfarers when he was fired after Amalgamated Mining's takeover of MME.

Jonas Becker - interplanetary salvage artist; alias s.p.a.ce junkman. Captain of the Condor. CEO of Becker Interplanetary Recycling and Salvage Enterprises Ltd.-a one-man, one-cat salvage firm Jonas inherited from his adopted father. Jonas spent his early youth on a labor farm on the planet Kezdet before he was adopted.

Judit Kendoro-a.s.sistant to psychiatrist Alton Forelle at Amalgamated Mining, saved Acorna from certain death. Later fell in love with Gill and joined with him to help care for the children employed in Delszaki Li's Maganos mining operation.

Kaahi-a high mountain peak on Vhiliinyar.