shape-shifter:one who can take the shape of an animal or another human. Those who shift into immortal form are unable to change back.

Sight, the:aspect of the magical Gift that gives its holders certain advantages in matters of vision. It can be erratic, showing holders only lies, illness, magic, or future importance. In its fullest form, it can allow the holder to see clearly over distance, see tiny things in sharp detail, and to detect illness, lies, G.o.dhood, magic, death, and other aspects of life.

Sky:the crow G.o.ddess, consort of the Dawn Crow.

Southern Lands:another name for the Carthaki Empire, which has conquered all of the independent nations that once were part of the continent south of the Inland Sea.

spidren:immortal whose body is that of a furred spider four to five feet in height; its head is that of a human with sharp, silvery teeth. Spidrens can use weapons. They also use their webs as weapons and ropes. Spidren web is gray-green in color and it glows after dark. Their blood is black and burns like acid. Their favorite food is human blood.

Stormwing:immortal with a human head and chest and bird legs and wings, with steel feathers and claws. Stormwings have very sharp teeth, but use them only to add to the terror of their presence by tearing apart bodies. They live on human fear and have their own magic; their special province is the desecration of battlefield dead.

Tanair:Lombyn Isle estates that form part of the inheritance of Lady Saraiyu and Lady Dove Balitang, granted to them by their mother, Sarugani Temaida. Estates include Tanair castle and village, and the villages of Inti and Pohon.

Thak:language of old Carthak, used as a magical language in present times.

Tongkang:island to the south of Gempang, between Gempang and Malubesang Isles.

Tortall:chief kingdom in which the Alanna, Daine, and Keladry sagas take place, between the Inland Sea and Scanra. Home to Alianne of Pirate's Swoop and her family.

Trebond:birthplace of Alanna the Lioness, now held by Baron Coram and his wife, Rispah.

Turnshe Mountains:central mountains of Lombyn, stretching from the northern point of the island to the southern point. Travel in northern Lombyn is through the Kellaura Pa.s.s on the Dimari Road.

Tusaine:small country tucked between Tortall and Maren.

Tyra:merchant republic on the Inland Sea between Tortall and Maren. Tyra is mostly swamp, and its people rely on trade and banking for income. Numair Salmalin was born there.

Va.s.sa River:river that forms a large part of the northeastern border between Scanra and Tortall.

wild magic:magic that is part of the natural world. Unlike the human Gift, it cannot be drained or done away with; it is always present.

wildmage:mage who deals in wild magic, the kind of magic that is part of nature.

Daine Sarrasri is often called the Wildmage for her ability to communicate with animals, heal them, and shape-shift.

Wind:Kyprioth's cousin, a G.o.d.

Yamani Islands:island nation to the north and west of Tortall and the west of Scanra, ruled by an ancient line of emperors, whose claim to their throne comes from the G.o.ddess Yama. The country is beautiful and mountainous. Its vulnerability to pirate raids means that most Yamanis, including the women, get some training in combat arts. Keladry of Mindelan lived there for six years while her father was the Tortallan amba.s.sador.