Definitions by andy
Noldor
In Tolkien's work, a clan of elves skilled in mining and smithywork, who went west (along with the Vanyar and Teleri) in the early days of the First Age, and settled in a city called Tirion in Eldamar. They were close to the Vanya Aule. However, many of the Noldor returned to Middle-Earth after strife in Valinor caused partly by the machinations of Morgoth. They are also known as deep-elves and (in Tolkien's early work) gnomes.
The original king of the Noldor, Finwe, was slain by Morgoth while still in Valinor, but not until his three sons had begun to fight. The eldest son, Feanor, was the maker of beautiful and powerful jewels called Silmarils, and he was jealous towards his brothers, who he feared wished to usurp his position as Finwe's heir. When Morgoth stole the Silmarils, Feanor, who grew suspicious of the Valar, led a large section of the Noldor in pursuit, and was joined by Fingolfin and his sons. Some of the Noldor, under the third son Finarfin, remained in Eldamar.
The Noldor were put under a curse by the Valar after slaying some of their kin, the Teleri, while trying to steal boats to sail to Middle-Earth. Nevertheless, they became the major power in Beleriand for most of the First Age, and the growth and battles of their realms are the main focus of the Silmarillion. This history was, however, one of feuding and dispair.
Of the elves appearing in other works, only Galadriel is of the Noldor.
The original king of the Noldor, Finwe, was slain by Morgoth while still in Valinor, but not until his three sons had begun to fight. The eldest son, Feanor, was the maker of beautiful and powerful jewels called Silmarils, and he was jealous towards his brothers, who he feared wished to usurp his position as Finwe's heir. When Morgoth stole the Silmarils, Feanor, who grew suspicious of the Valar, led a large section of the Noldor in pursuit, and was joined by Fingolfin and his sons. Some of the Noldor, under the third son Finarfin, remained in Eldamar.
The Noldor were put under a curse by the Valar after slaying some of their kin, the Teleri, while trying to steal boats to sail to Middle-Earth. Nevertheless, they became the major power in Beleriand for most of the First Age, and the growth and battles of their realms are the main focus of the Silmarillion. This history was, however, one of feuding and dispair.
Of the elves appearing in other works, only Galadriel is of the Noldor.
The kings of the Noldor in Middle-Earth included the sons of Feanor (Maedhros, Maglor, Curufin, Celegorm, Caranthir, Amrod and Amras); Finrod Felagund, son of Fingolfin; and Turgon, son of Finarfin. Galadriel, sister of Finrod, later became ruler of Lorien.
Relations between the Noldor and other peoples such as the Sindar are portrayed in the Silmarillion as rather fraught.
Relations between the Noldor and other peoples such as the Sindar are portrayed in the Silmarillion as rather fraught.
Casiorn
City-state located to the west of Vassagonia and to the south of Sommerlund and the Wildlands. This city is independent of all surrounding kingdoms and is mainly a trading centre. It is usually first in line when Vassagonia starts getting expansionist.
Part of the Lone Wolf world, it appears substantially only in one of the Legends of Lone Wolf novels, where Lone Wolf briefly passes through the city and notices extremes of wealth and poverty (which is not, incidentally, an accurate depiction of the type of medieval city-state on which Casiorn is modelled).
Part of the Lone Wolf world, it appears substantially only in one of the Legends of Lone Wolf novels, where Lone Wolf briefly passes through the city and notices extremes of wealth and poverty (which is not, incidentally, an accurate depiction of the type of medieval city-state on which Casiorn is modelled).
V'Ka
Capital of the Maakenmire. Unknown to most followers of the Lone Wolf series (unless of course they happen to have the Magnamund Companion), the Maakenmire is home to an intelligent species of reptilians, and V'Ka, hidden in the swamp, is their capital.
It is also the home of the Gourgaz, often used as lieutenants in the armies of the Darklands, and of numerous rare herbs and the like.
It is also the home of the Gourgaz, often used as lieutenants in the armies of the Darklands, and of numerous rare herbs and the like.
Zakhan
The ruler of the realm of Vassagonia, in the Lone Wolf world. Roughly equivalent to a king or sultan, the zakhan lived in a huge palace in the city of Barrakeesh, always surrounded by retainers and sharnazim guards. The zakhan typically demanded absolute obedience from his subjects, although history tells of a number of good rulers.
When Lone Wolf arrives in Barrakeesh, the old zakhan has died (according to the Legends novels, assassinated by the Darklords), and is replaced by a new Zakhan, Kimah. Kimah is extremely evil and is allied with the Darklords. He reappears in Lone Wolf 9: The Cauldron of Terror, at the head of the Vassagonian army besieging Tahou alongside the Darklord army, and armed with a lethal golden orb emitting a protective shield. Those who even touch the light-shield are killed instantly.
The Zakhan Kimah is one of the hardest opponents to beat in the entire Lone Wolf series, especially if Lone Wolf is armed with the Sommerswerd. (The problem can be avoided somewhat if this item is left behind for this quest, although the reason why this weakens the zakhan is not clear; perhaps the orb absorbs the sword's light?)
In the Legends series, the Zakhan Kimah is tortured and apparently killed by Vassagonian rebels, and a new, good-aligned Zakhan takes over. Although it is clear to a careful reader that he has not been killed, the series stops before this issue is resolved (only one book before it would have to be raised again).
When Lone Wolf arrives in Barrakeesh, the old zakhan has died (according to the Legends novels, assassinated by the Darklords), and is replaced by a new Zakhan, Kimah. Kimah is extremely evil and is allied with the Darklords. He reappears in Lone Wolf 9: The Cauldron of Terror, at the head of the Vassagonian army besieging Tahou alongside the Darklord army, and armed with a lethal golden orb emitting a protective shield. Those who even touch the light-shield are killed instantly.
The Zakhan Kimah is one of the hardest opponents to beat in the entire Lone Wolf series, especially if Lone Wolf is armed with the Sommerswerd. (The problem can be avoided somewhat if this item is left behind for this quest, although the reason why this weakens the zakhan is not clear; perhaps the orb absorbs the sword's light?)
In the Legends series, the Zakhan Kimah is tortured and apparently killed by Vassagonian rebels, and a new, good-aligned Zakhan takes over. Although it is clear to a careful reader that he has not been killed, the series stops before this issue is resolved (only one book before it would have to be raised again).