Glossary

Stenwold Maker Beetle-kinden spymaster and statesman

Cheerwell ‘Che’ Maker his niece

Tisamon Mantis-kinden Weaponsmaster

Tynisa his halfbreed daughter, formerly Stenwold’s ward

Salma (Prince Salme Dien) Dragonfly nobleman, agent of Stenwold

Totho halfbreed artificer, agent of Stenwold

Achaeos Moth-kinden magician

Scuto Thorn Bug-kinden artificer, Stenwold’s lieutenant

Sperra Fly-kinden, agent of Scuto

Balkus Ant-kinden, agent of Scuto, renegade from the city of Sarn

Thalric Wasp-kinden major in the Rekef

Ulther Wasp-kinden governor of Myna, killed by Thalric

Reiner Wasp-kinden general in the Rekef

Te Berro Fly-kinden lieutenant in the Rekef

Scyla Spider-kinden magician and spy

Lineo Thadspar Beetle-kinden Speaker for the Assembly of Collegium

Kymon of Kes Ant-kinden master of arms in Collegium

Hokiak Scorpion-kinden black-marketeer in Myna

Skrill halfbreed scout in Stenwold’s service

Grief in Chains Butterfly-kinden dancer

Places of import

Asta Wasp-kinden staging post for the Lowlands campaign

Collegium Beetle-kinden city, home of the Great College

The Commonweal Dragonfly-kinden state north of the Lowlands, partly conquered by the Empire

The Darakyon forest, formerly a Mantis stronghold, now haunted and avoided by all

Helleron Beetle-kinden city, manufacturing heart of the Lowlands

Myna Soldier Beetle-kinden city conquered by the Wasp Empire

Sarn Ant-kinden city-state allied to Collegium

Spiderlands Spider-kinden cities south of the Lowlands, believed rich and endless

Tark Ant-kinden city-state in the eastern Lowlands

Tharn Moth-kinden hold near Helleron

Vek Ant-kinden city-state hostile to Collegium

Organizations

Arcanum the Moth-kinden secret service

Assembly the elected ruling body of Collegium, meeting in the Amphiophos

Fiefs competing criminal gangs in Helleron

Great College in Collegium, the cultural heart of the Lowlands

Prowess Forum duelling society in Collegium

Rekef the Wasp imperial secret service

For many years the Wasp Empire has been expanding, warring on its neighbours and enslaving them. Having concluded its Twelve-Year War against the Dragonfly Commonweal, the Wasps have now turned their eyes towards the divided Lowlands.

Stenwold Maker realized the truth of the Empire’s power when it seized the distant city of Myna. Since then he has been sending out covert agents to track the progress of an enemy whose threat his fellow citizens will not recognize.

Among these agents are his niece Cheerwell, his ward Tynisa, the exotic Dragonfly prince Salma, a humble half-breed artificer Totho . . . and staunchest of his allies is the terrifying Mantis warrior Tisamon.

But can their efforts bring the Lowlands to their senses before it is all too late?