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Michaes
An ancient Lunar, sometimes called Magnificent Jaguar in this Age. Michaes only escaped from the Usurpation due to an unnaturally influenced command by his mate, Aeas, to flee and save himself. When he and Skyla met again, he thanked her for that sacrifice, while also acknowledging that she and Aeas were not one. A member of a Lunar Faction calling itself the Sword Of Luna?, Michaes lives on the edge of creation and does his best to prepare for an invasion by the Fae which he knows will succeed and destroy everything. Unless, of course, Solar and Lunar can stand together and somehow hold off this end. Instructed Bright Mane to lead the Circle to him., so he could share his wisdom and perhaps save Creation. Also presented the Circle with gifts held in trust for them since the Usurpation.
Varuna
As far as the characters can tell, Varuna is a fairly old Sidereal. Misati could vaguely guess that the trip he used with Balthasar and his double was related to a very powerful Sidereal Martial Art, albeit one that Coranth never had much respect for ("It lets you permanently make a copy of an enemy? Great..."). He's apparently kept tabs on the characters for quiet some time, and followed them on their trek through the Wilderness to meet Michaes until they ran into Sabbadhine as well as meeting them in Great Forks and revealing a demon's deception. It's also become apparent that he kidnapped Balthasar not long after the Circle left Gordan's Knot to deal with Madaan, and then pretended to be him for months, while keeping the real Balthasar locked away in a cave near Nulam. He also has some sort of ability to suddenly not be somewhere.
Anastaria
One of the oldest Solars that the Circle has had contact with, they ran into Anastaria after she bound the population of a Madaanese village and had them assist her and her demons in the excavations of an ancient Manse belonging to a long dead Twilight Caste named Kalidma. She was also with Shan of the Blade. Needless to say the character's first confrontation with her was unfriendly, but she and most of her force escaped via Sorcery. The characters met her again when dealing with the horror of Sabbadhine, and she helped them bind away the Terror through her mastery of the Celestial Circle. She seems utterly devoted to gaining Sorcercous power and was generally forgiving of the Circle's interruption of her efforts but did encourage them to "grow up and start preparing for the future."
The Warbringer
A Fae Lord, possibly one of the Unshaped, who is planning an assault on Creation. He seems aligned with Sarathe, or perhaps even is Sarathe somehow. After the Circle used Khalas Tha to destroy the Wyld Zone at the center of the Hundred Kingdoms, the Warbringer sent a mighty force of Fae to strike back at them in revenge. Menedraile, promising to join the Court of the Warbringer if the Fae were able to defeat Sabbadhine for the Circle, managed to negotiate a truce and convince them that "he still had something worthwhile to teach."
White-Handed Wanderer
A surprisingly loyal and dutiful Road God, once one of the most powerful in the East, embodying a magical road that traveled from Denandsor, through a rough circle that took it through Madadhine and other important cities in the region and eventually to far off Sperimin and into the Outer Provinces. The Wanderer lost much in the Great Contagion, both in the destruction of the Outer Provinces and in the utter destruction posited upon his road and many of the cities it ran through. Losing his exalted position in the Court of the Ordered Lane, he none the less remained surprisingly free of corruption. Albeit not entirely above it. While he's never asked for worship, he does accept it, and he's always helped any Guild Caravans that travel his road when they perform the Rite of Exodus. Since the coming of Alliance, and his own friendship with Finnre Merayen, his star is once again on the rise.
Bright Mane
One of the Lunar Exalted, a burning moon child. The circle first encountered him in Caer Dharrow, his seat of power over the tribes of the east. He's a major player in the plans of the Lunar Elders, particularly Michaes, but has also proved something of an ally to the circle -- standing beside them in the battle against Sabbadhine, and giving what aid he can in the building of their alliances. His exaltation is mated to that of Misati; the two of them are lovers.
Lord Nubinos, the Azure Dragon
A Lesser Elemental Dragon who rules over a local Elemental Court that manages the Weather around the Northern Hundred Kingdoms, from around Amanton to Grayfalls, including Budan Mar, Madaan, and the Sarine Valley. When approached by Merayen, who sought the Court's aid in the battle they'd planned between Budan and Mar, the Azure Dragon proved receptive and even amused and agreed to her request. Nihjon, an ageless Storm Serpent, was either sent or volunteered to arrange the weather and it is likely that the Circle now ones one or both Dragon's a favor.
Iron Mandarin
A former Dragon-Blooded with Lookshy, currently a reclusive Dragon-Blooded living in a monestary hidden in the the foothills northwest of Nulam. Of exceedingly refined Essence, and near the end of his age, Iron Mandarin has studied many Celestial Martial Arts styles and therein learned some of the truths behind the myths concerning the Anathema. When he met the Circle, he expressed his concern for what their coming meant for the world without condemning them, and before they left he offered them the services of Righteous Lotus to help train their town in the Martial Arts.
Karal Malaku
A Lookshy Ranger, one of a task force of Rangers that Lookshy sent to destroy Sabbadhine after recieving report of a "Fair Folk Noble" causing problems in the area to such an extent that it was trivial to track her. When the Dragon-Blooded attacked, fully half their force died in seconds, as the Fae they'd expected turned out to be something much more dangerous. He later participated in the final battle against The Harvester, operating at range with Merayen and the other Dragon-Blooded who survived the assault. Malaku has since kept in contact with Merayen, and is her best source of information on Lookshy.
Gharavan
A Lion Dog formerly in the service of Lady Voss, acting as a Guardian of her Estate in Great Forks. The characters ran into Gharavan, and the two Gods in his Pack, when attempting to make contact with the Goddess of Guardians on behalf of the White-Handed Wanderer (the Goddesses' Ex-Girlfriend). Initially quite angry at the Solars for their intrusion, he eventually accepted their apology and they parted on generally good terms. When their Lady eventually left Great Forks for the South, Gharavan and his pack left her service (not willing to leave the East, for reasons they won't share, but probably because they were initially tasked with Guarding something in this Direction). They've since entered into the service of the Circle, guarding various locations throughout the Alliance.
Randal Saeris
The Bandit Prince of Madaan, Randal Saeris inherited a shaky Kingdom from his Father and has managed to take the education and discipline that he learned under his father's tutelage into a chance to create an actual Kingdom as opposed to just a momentary gasp of warfare and occupation. He began this new reign with a merciless pruning of his military of all disloyal elements, a task which the Delenshi were happy to help him with (while stopping his "invasion"). The next several years were spent rebuilding his forces and cementing his rule, while planning larger ambitions. As far as larger ambitions go, there can be no mistake that Randal is an ambitious man, who dreams of forging a great empire and uniting the Hundred Kingdoms. For now, those dreams are put on hold, in favor of working in the shadows of the Solar Exalted and following in their mighty tread.
Khalan
One of the many slaves that Skyla and the Circle freed from Nevin, Khalan was one of the slaves captured during the Budan Mar civil war and then later sold to the Guild in order to help pay for the arms and armor that both armies needed to fight their war. By far the dominant personality of the freed Slaves, Khalan is a close ally of Skyla in particular and the Circle in general. He's since returned to Mar, to serve Prince Rodarl and help rebuild his land, and has fought beside Jackal on several occasions against the various opportunistic invaders.
Shan of the Blade
First met during her wanderings by Merayen, Shan is something of an enigma. A dangerous warrior, carrying the nigh legendary Star of the East. Sometimes he seems personable enough, if a bit rough. Other times he rages out of control and kills entire villages full of people. Over the smallest slight. He's fought, and almost killed Merayen and even managed to escape from the entire Circle the first time they met him as a group. The second time they ran into Shan, he was with Anastaria, and after knocking him out and taking him conscious they learned of his strange "curse" and how she was the only one who might be able to cure it. They were still debating what to do with him when Anastaria, using her powerful sorcery, came to his rescue. He later stood with them against Sabbadhine.
Opal Blossom
A Twilight Caste from Nexus, and a Scavenger Lord. She joined the Circle outside the Fortress City of Gharos two years ago, helping them to find the Golden Manse wherein it was rumored the Wood Dragon's Eye (a very powerful healing artifact) could be found. Once they got inside, she betrayed them with a cave in though was very careful not to cause any lasting harm, and stole the artifact for herself. Skyla was furious! When the Circle met her later, in Great Forks, she explained that she'd been signed on to get the Artifact - at any cost - by Gavin Bael of Nexus and had "no choice" but to betray them. After extracting a promise to give them a good deal on whatever she found in her next expedition, she left, heading into the Far East. The ruins of lost Sperimin.
Talespinner, Dreamweaver, and Dayshield. The Three of Great Forks suffer from the attention of The Quiet One, a fourth powerful God who wants in on their deal and spends his time attempting to do his part to protect Great Forks outside of the influence and attention of the Three. In an attempt to deal with this God, the Three spun a tale, similar to the one they'd used on the Princess Magnificent so long ago, of a mortal that would grow to "unravel him from our story and oust him forever from our city." That story ended up being a baby girl, adopted at a young age by the Quiet One and raised to be his Assassin. When Seraph learned her origin, and her purpose, she rejected both and turned her back on Great Forks, The Three, the Quiet One, and her memories.
Sarathe
An unshaped Fair Folk, who kept Menedraile company while he was trapped in the midst of Madadhine. Referred to by various Fae who survived the Great Burning as "The Mother", "Lady", "Queen" and other titles beyond these. She's been sending messages - not quite taunting, but hardly reassuring - to Menedraile ever since his escape from the Wyld through the guise of fae-touched mortals, glamoured fae and other such mediums and still seems to have additional plans for him. One of those messages, a prophecy repeated more than once, says simply: "Three score and ten after the Dragon falls, that is the day of the unravelling, when the walls of Creation will buckle and all will be returned to the Dream."
The Quiet One
The history of the Quiet One is hard to tell, for few know of him and none speak of him. All the Circle knows on him comes from The Three, Great Fork's Ruling Gods, and they are obviously biased in their opinions. They hold him an unwanted influence on their city, a johnny come-lately who is nearly the match for any one of them and wants to stand amidst them as an equal. It's accepted by Misati, and the Circle, that due to the Three's fatecrafting the Quiet One adopted Seraph and raised her as his assassin. After her Exaltation, he stole her memory, but managed to escape from Great Forks before the God could do anything else. It's certain that their paths will cross again, however, for the fatecrafting of the Three has not yet run its course.
Gavin Bael
Old retired Gavin Bael, once a powerful Guild Factor and then simply a retired old man enjoying himself in his final years as a Nexus has-been living off the money he'd earned in earlier years. Then, something happened, and ole' Gavin exalted as a member of the Quicksilver Falcons - an Eclipse Caste Solar. He's since taken over the Guild's traditional Headquarters in Nexus, has positively astounding contacts and influence within the Guild, and is literally building his own little Kingdom out of the Chaos that is found betwixt the River Harlot's Legs. He sent Opal Blossom to find the Wood Dragon's Eye.
Caiannon
Formerly an Assassin in the service of The Quiet One. Since his meeting with Seraph in Great Forks, however, he's gone rogue and seems utterly obsessed with playing the role of villainous foil for Misati. So far, the Night Caste has failed to kill this Fae twice, and he doesn't seem very interested in actually killing her. At least, not without making a big production about it. Worse, from Coranth's experiences with Fae, this is pretty typical of shaped fae.
The Daughter's Abyssals
The Circle have run into these Deathknights on at least one occasion, and heard of some of their deeds on others.
Nihjon
An ageless Storm Serpent that managed the storm over the battlefield at the Vale of Shinar (an area in Budan Mar). Probably a servant of The Azure Dragon in some capacity, though it's just possible that he simply volunteered to assist the Solar's on his own rights. The mere sight of a powerful majestic Storm Serpent so far above the battlefield, when Nihjon allowed the clouds to part and afford those below a view, was more than enough to instill a sense of fear and awe in all those below. But especially the soldiers of Budan. He was enraged when the Fair Folk attacked following the battle, and flew out to face them, only stopping his (likely to be ultimately suicidal) assault when Misati hijacked a Gryphon and flew it so that she could get atop Nihjon and talk some sense into him.
Righteous Lotus
A student of the Iron Mandarin, and an Enlightened Mortal, Righteous Lotus arrived in the town of Nulam almost four seasons ago and began instructing the people there in the ways of Martial Arts. Many of the villages citizens took up his training, and then yet more, until now fully half the town studies the Martial Arts. A few have even left for the Monastery to study under the Dragon-Blooded himself. Righteous Lotus himself is more concerned with the Martial Arts, and the town itself (which he has adopted as his own), than any larger concerns the Circle faces and seems content to do his small part to help. He is, however, a potent warrior and a master of the Jade Mountain Style.
Ahrmaine
A former Ravager, spared by the Circle and allowed to slowly recover. While still very much scared by his experiences, over the last year, the former noble has come back to his senses (particularly after the death of Niloga). One of the Circle's strongest and most passionate allies, currently living in Madaan under the care of Randal Saeris and Balthasar, always keen to do what he can to further the Circle's alliances.
Sabbadhine
Once a very big deal, a type of Behemoth known as a Terror created in the Primordial Age by the now-dead Demon Prince Adrian. Known as the Harvester, Sabbadhine is an intelligent strand of Essence within the thread of human souls, specifically the souls of human females. She could take over young girls upon, or perhaps merely prior to, their 10th birthday and turn them into "her" or one of her five daughters. Bound away in the First Age by the Solars, after an attempt to kill her by slaying all her mortal relations failed to do what was expected, and recently banished away from Creation for 30 years. The Circle suspects that she was freed by a Deathlord, most likely the Pale Faced Daughter of Iron and Bone.
Lady Voss, and Ghalos Linnai
A Goddess of Watchfulness and Guardians, and her Lover, a Zenith Caste Solar Exalted. Lady Voss had once been involved with the White-Handed Wanderer, but their relationship lost it's passion long ago, and was just "something to do." When Master Linnai entered into the picture, a Solar taking a rest from the rest of his Circle in the South, he captivated the Lady Voss in every way while also capturing her heart in a way she'd not expected from a mere mortal. The two hatched a grand plan to stage a take-over of the Southern Terrestrial Bureaucracy via the assassination and replacement of a Celestial Censor. They've since left, presumably to carry out that plan, and will probably not be seen by the Circle again. Gharavan and his Pack were in the Lady Voss' employ.
The unreferenced, the dead, and the contextless
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