GLOSSARY

  Aixin – The ruling people of the *Aixingo Empire, they are divided into *Eight Banners. They are a small ethnic minority in the Empire.

  Aixingo Empire – The largest empire in the Known *Cosmos encompassing more than forty million worlds.

  Aixingo (world) – The capital world of the *Aixingo Empire, it houses the *Imperial Court

  Alabey – The name of the *First Emperor’s people before they became *Aixin and the foundation of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Amrita – A mysterious vessel of ancient design and unknown origin.

  Anágnosis – A vast simulated reality housed on the planet *Euthelion.

  Angrahar – One part of the binary *Awakened Stars worshipped by the *Gathasian Empire.

  Anu – See *Lady Anu.

  ARC – See *Artificial Resonance Core.

  Archon – The ruler of a *polis in the *Eleftherian League.

  Artificial Resonance Cores – Machines capable of interacting with the *Starflow and creating *Resonance.

  Awakened Stars – Conscious stars that exude godlike power through the *Starflow.

  Banner Lord – The leader of one of the *Eight Banners of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Banners – One of the eight fundamental divisions of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Banner Wars – The series of conflicts that led to the foundation of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Barchin’s Lament – A song of mourning written by the poet and *Lore-Keeper Barchin after the fall of *Yarkan.

  Bards of Cáerthand – Travelling musicians, poets, and story-tellers from the planet *Cáerthand who worship *Lady Anu.

  Black City – See *Karbaliq.

  Black Pilgrimage – The journey of an individual embarking to prostrate themselves before the Throne of the *Cosmokrator; those judged worthy are reforged as *Iron Praetors after being broken by the malice of the *Oblivion Star.

  Blood of Many Colours – See *Sweet Wine.

  B?rilar – Elite warriors of the *Jaril Confederacy, they pledged direct loyalty to the *Khagan, and often wore wolf pelts into battle.

  Bureau of Astrogation – An organ of the *Ministry of Transportation of the *Aixingo Empire, it is tasked with ensuring safe navigation and communication across the Empire.

  Bureau of Biological Sciences – An organ of the *Ministry of Science and Technology, it is tasked with overseeing research, grants, and training in the field of biology across the *Aixingo Empire.

  Bureau of Celestial Foresight – An independent organ of the government of the *Aixingo Empire, directly advising the *Grand Council, it is led by the *Grand Astronomer and made up of *Starseers. It plays a key role in coordinating Imperial policy by collating foresight into prophecy.

  Bureau of Customs – An organ of the *Ministry of Civil Administration of the *Aixingo Empire, it is tasked with monitoring and controlling all movements between worlds within the Empire.

  Bureau of Resonance – An organ of the *Ministry of Civil Administration of the *Aixingo Empire, it is tasked with regulating *Resonants within the Empire, including hunting down those who are unregistered.

  Cáerthand – A minor, independent planet.

  Cang Teng River – The largest river on *Luanyuan, almost all settlements are located on its banks, or on those of its tributaries.

  Celestial Pagoda – The building which houses the Great Totem of *Nara Enduri on *Aixingo, it is the most sacred site of the *Aixin.

  Chamber of the Lore-Keepers – The archives of the *Grand Temple of *Karbaliq.

  Chaotic Garden Project – An experiment in *Starflow-driven terraforming undertaken on *Luanyuan and overseen by Cai Wen.

  Chief Botanist – An official of the *Imperial Court of *Aixingo, their formal role is to maintain the Imperial gardens, but their remit has expanded to include all manner of botanical research.

  Clanships – The vast generation ships that carried the *Yultengri across the *Cosmos.

  Cloud Sparrow Clan – A clan of the *Hulijing.

  Commonwealth of Elysia – See *Lysandrine Commonwealth.

  Corpse Reapers – Agents of the *Host of Xerxes that harvest the flesh of fallen *Voidborn to construct *Void Chimaeras.

  Cosmos – All that is.

  Cosmos’ Fair – A grand exhibition showcasing technology, art, architecture, and other social advances, hosted by Lysander in ancient times; its first iteration took place on the planet of *Ferris.

  Covens – The tight-knit and clandestine groups formed by the *witches of *Hecate, most specialise in particular forms of *Starflow magic, known as *Goetia.

  Daqi – An *Awakened Star, also known as the Laughing Star, it is worshipped by the *Hulijing.

  Divine Lantern – The lantern carried by Princess Chang Xi which preserved the ancient flame of the *Unborn Emperor, used to kindle the *Nine Suns, according to *Shang mythology.

  Dynasty – A traditional term for the familial lines that dominated the *Empire of the Nine Suns.

  Eight Banners – The fundamental divisions of the *Aixin people, they also now serve as the highest administrative divisions of the *Aixingo Empire. There are Three *Upper, and Five *Lower Banners.

  Eladia, Republic of – A small, but prosperous, and nominally democratic state; a successor of the *Lysandrine Commonwealth.

  Eladia (world) – A planet orbiting the *Awakened Star *La Serenissima, it hosts the capital of the *Republic of Eladia.

  Ellasian – The dominant language of the *Eleftherian League.

  Elysian – The dominant language of the various successor states of the *Lysandrine Commonwealth.

  Eleftherian League – A powerful confederation of millions of worlds ruled by the *Heptarchy.

  Emperor – A ruler of either the *Aixingo Empire or the *Gathasian Empire.

  Empire of the Nine Suns – An ancient *Shang empire, it worshipped a group of *Awakened Stars, the *Nine Suns.

  Empyrean Freehold – One of the minor successor states of the *Lysandrine Commonwealth.

  Enyallios – An *Awakened Star of the *Seven-Pointed Constellation, it is associated with strength and martial valour.

  Enypoeia – A world of the *Eleftherian League, overrun by the *Host of Xerxes.

  Euthelion – A condominium world of the *Aixingo Empire and the *Eleftherian League, it houses the immense simulated reality known as the *Anágnosis.

  Eutria – A messenger sent by an *Awakened Star, they are powerful and profoundly strange beings, frequently defying mortal comprehension.

  Eutric Blood – The life essence of a *Eutria, its properties vary depending on the nature of the Eutria and its *Awakened Star.

  Falcon Totem Tribe – A nomadic tribe of the *Jaril, inhabiting the deserts near *Karbaliq, it is led by Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Far-Scrying – The *Goetic Art practiced by *witches of the *Oculus Coven of *Hecate that allows seeing forward and backward in time and observing occulted events.

  Ferris – A decaying and impoverished industrial world of the *Empyrean Freehold, it was once a jewel of the *Lysandrine Commonwealth.

  Filaments – Strands of the *Starflow that connect *Awakened Stars, sometimes across vast expanses of space.

  First Emperor – In modern times usually refers to the First Emperor of *Aixingo, once known as Yurhudan Khan.

  Flame of Phaiston – The power inside the *Pyrphoroi, it fuels their battle-rage.

  Fu Lu Xing – One of the *Nine Suns, associated with good fortune, business acumen, and wealth; often seen as the patron Star of both gamblers and businessmen.

  Gathasian Empire – A vast interstellar empire, worshipping the binary *Awakened Stars *Shahrivar and *Angrahar.

  Goetia – See *Goetic Art.

  Goetic Art – The collective term for the *Starflow-based magic of a particular *Coven of the *Witches of *Hecate.

  Gong Sheng Xing – One of the *Nine Suns, associated with gardens, agriculture, and abundance.

  Grand Astronomer – The head of the *Bureau of Celestial Foresight and an extremely powerful *Starseer.

  Grand Council – The body comprised of Imperial Ministers and some other high officials – military and civilian – that advises the *Emperor of *Aixingo.

  Grand Temple of Karbaliq – The central religious site of *Karbaliq, it sits atop the buried *Clanship *Kulkana.

  Great Oasis – The vast lake in the *Kavuktan Desert on Yarkan; *Karbaliq sits upon its shores.

  Great Qam – The *Jaril name for *Nara Enduri.

  Great Ruin – A term used by the *Jaril people to refer to the fall of *Yarkan.

  Grimoire – Written records maintained by the *Witches of *Hecate that detail their *Goetia.

  Heart Orchid Festival – A festival held on the planet *Lan He to celebrate the blooming of the *Heart Orchids.

  Heart Orchids – Flowering plants found only on the planet *Lan He, they bloom irregularly, sometimes decades apart.

  Heavenly Pits – Large pits caused by collapsing limestone caves on *Luanyuan; they were widely used as terraforming nexuses as part of the *Chaotic Garden Project.

  Hecate – The planet inhabited by the *Witches, orbiting the *Witching Star.

  Heishui Zhen – The second-largest settlement on *Luanyuan, it sits on the banks of the *Cang Teng River; it is a mixed settlement populated by both free settlers and convicts.

  Heptarchy – The group of seven heads of state of the *Eleftherian League, they are the seven most powerful *archons.

  Heye – The capital and largest settlement on *Luanyuan, it hosts the local headquarters of the *LPDC.

  Hive, the – The gestalt intelligence formed by those who have fully succumbed to the *Mimesis and drunk the *Sweet Wine; it is utterly subservient to the *Hive Star and its *Theophant, the *Hive Queen.

  Hive Queen – The title of the *Theophant of the *Hive Star.

  Hive Star – An *Awakened Star that seeks to unify all intelligence in the *Cosmos via the spread of the *Mimesis.

  Host, the – The army of Xerxes.

  Hulijing – The shape-shifting fox people that worship *Daqi.

  Hymns of Pythia – Holy songs of prophecy sung by the people of *Ouranos, passed down by the Orcalord from *Pythia.

  Ilion – A world of the *Eleftherian League.

  Imperial Capital – See *Aixingo (world).

  Imperial Common Tongue – A standardised version of the *Shang language, used throughout the *Aixingo Empire, and as a lingua franca beyond.

  Imperial Court – The political apparatus surrounding the *Emperor of *Aixingo.

  Iron-Capped Prince/Princess – A Prince/Princess of the First/Second Degree of the *Aixingo Empire, whose title can be passed down undiminished through successive generations. It is exceedingly rare for new Iron Caps to be bestowed; the vast majority are descendants of the companions of the *First Emperor.

  Iron Praetors – The foremost agents of the *Cosmokrator, they collectively comprise the *Oblivion Court.

  Jaril Confederacy – An ancient civilisation conquered by the *Aixingo Empire.

  Jaril (language) – The native language of the *Jaril people and the dominant language of *Yarkan.

  Jaril (people) – The native people of *Yarkan, a branch of the *Yultengri.

  Karbaliq – The ancient capital of the *Khagans of the *Jaril Confederacy on *Yarkan, now in ruins.

  Kavuktan Desert – A major desert in the equatorial regions of *Yarkan, often referred to as the “deep desert” owing to its depressed formation.

  Khagan – The traditional title of the ruler of the *Jaril Confederacy, meaning *khan of khans.

  Khan – A high leader of the *Yultengri.

  Khatun – The feminine equivalent of *Khagan, also used historically for the wives of Khagans.

  Kulkana – The *Clanship that brought the *Jaril people to *Yarkan.

  Kurultai – A inter-tribal council held among the *Jaril people to decide matters of collective importance, such as the elevation of a *Khagan.

  Lady Anu – A little-known deity worshipped by the *Bards of *Cáerthand. Unusually, she is not an *Awakened Star.

  Lan He – A world under direct administration of the *Aixingo Empire’s central government, renowned for its gardens and beauty, it orbits the *Awakened Star *Gong Sheng Xing. It is the only place in the *Cosmos that *Heart Orchids grow.

  Leadership Committee – The unofficial convict group headed by Michael Arthur, that organises the settlement of *Port Arthur on *Luanyuan.

  Letheion – An *Awakened Star of the *Seven-Pointed Constellation, it is associated with dreams, sleep, and death.

  Limen Asterion – A world of the *Eleftherian League.

  Living Stars – See *Awakened Stars.

  Longque – A world renowned for its swordsmiths and martial arts, it is an *Upper Banner world of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Long Road – The favoured path to the end of time, as foreseen by *Nara Enduri.

  Lore-Keeper – The *Jaril priestesses who preserve historic records in *Karbaliq, they are often seen as the feminine equivalent of the *Qamlar, though they have a more specialised role.

  Love Champions of a Princess Anachronism 3 – A dating sim game set in the time of the *Sheng Hua Dynasty of the *Empire of the Nine Suns.

  Lower Five – The Five *Banners of the *Aixingo Empire that have more autonomy and less connection to the *Emperor.

  LPDC – See *Luanyuan Planetary Development Corporation.

  Luanyuan – A penal world covered in jungles; it is in the territory of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Luanyuan Planetary Development Corporation (LPDC) – A company tasked with overseeing the post-terraforming development of *Luanyuan, mostly through convict labour.

  Lysandrine Commonwealth – The vast interstellar civilisation once ruled by Lysander, formally the Commonwealth of Elysia.

  MAV – See *Mechanised Assault Vehicle.

  Mallam – A title of respect used among the *Jaril, principally employed to address a *Qam.

  Manda – Profound, indescribable understanding of the *Starflow – its cultivation enhances *Resonance. Some believe that Manda is knowledge of the minds of the *Awakened Stars and that its cultivation is the path to *Theophany.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Manticore – A beast once thought to belong only to the mythology of *Susania, it has the face of a human, the body of a lion, and the tail of scorpion; these monsters have been employed in the *Host of Xerxes in its war against the *Eleftherian League.

  Master of the Long Road – See *Nara Enduri.

  Mechanised Assault Vehicle – A generic term for machines that represent a fusion between power-armoured infantry and armoured vehicles.

  Melusine Coven – A largely extinct *Coven of the *witches of *Hecate.

  Miasma of Shadow – The gestalt inter-life of the *witches of *Hecate, they are absorbed back into it after death and then born anew.

  Mimesis – The contagion of desire that drives people to seek out the *Sweet Wine and become subsumed into *the Hive.

  Mimetic – One who has succumbed to the *Mimesis.

  Ministry of Civil Administration – One of the most powerful branches of the government of the *Aixingo Empire, it overseas a huge variety of functions, including the *Resonance Bureau.

  Ministry of Cultural Affairs – A branch of the government of the *Aixingo Empire, it is charged with maintaining cultural harmony and cohesion with wide-ranging censorial powers over cultural practices across the Empire; it encourages approved cultural diversity, whilst ruthlessly persecuting other cultural expression.

  Ministry of Science and Technology – A branch of the government of the *Aixingo Empire, it oversees scientific research programs, administers grants programs, enforces research ethics, and coordinates the roll-out and use of technology across all branches of the Imperial government.

  Ministry of Transportation – A branch of the government of the *Aixingo Empire, it regulates transport and oversees the construction, maintenance, and administration of transport infrastructure across the Empire.

  Moyang – A world of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner.

  Nara Enduri – The *Awakened Star worshipped by the *Aixin, associated with prophecy. *Aixingo orbits it. It is associated with prophecy and divine order.

  New Elysia – A planet ruled by the *Order of Astraios.

  Nine Suns – The group of *Awakened Stars worshipped by the *Shang, believed to be aspects of the flame of the *Unborn Emperor.

  Nightblooms – Non-photosynthesising subterranean plants of *Luanyuan that subsist by consumption of other plants.

  Nizamabad – A previous name for *Luanyuan.

  Nox Aeterna – A name for the fallen industrial world that orbits the *Oblivion Star, it is the throne world of the *Cosmokrator.

  Oblivion Court – The collective term for the *Iron Praetors, presided over by the *Cosmokrator, it has never fully convened.

  Oblivion Star – An *Awakened black hole.

  Obsidian Gate – The event horizon of the *Oblivion Star.

  Oculus Coven – A *Coven of the *witches of *Hecate that specialises in *Far-Scrying magic.

  Old Stars – See *Nine Suns.

  Onyx Tortoise Banner – One of the *Lower Five of the *Eight Banners of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Orbital Ring – A common structure built around civilised planets, it allows starships to avoid needing atmospheric flight capabilities, relying on *STOCs to ferry passengers from the surface.

  Orchestra – A cult worshipping a being known as the *Conductor.

  Order of Astraios – A chivalric order that worships the *Starflow collectively. It has both warrior and civilian members.

  Ouranos – An archipelagic world of shallow seas, orbiting the *Awakened Star *Pythia, destroyed by the Cosmic leviathan Lotan.

  ?zgünyaylaq – A ruined village outside of *Karbaliq.

  Planetary Governor – An official of the *Aixingo Empire charged with governance of a specific planet, usually an *Aixin.

  Players – Members of the *Orchestra.

  Plaza of the Khagans – The central square of *Karbaliq.

  Polis – A city-state within the *Eleftherian League.

  Port Arthur – The informal name of a convict settlement on *Luanyuan, it is named after one of the convicts, Michael Arthur. It is officially designated *LPDC Penal Settlement 682341.

  Prince-Imperial – The title of the heir to the *Emperor of *Aixingo.

  Project Chaotic Garden – See *Chaotic Garden Project.

  Protected Religious Minority – A religious group within the *Aixingo Empire that does not follow the *State Religion of Aixingo, but which has received authorisation from the *Ministry for Cultural Affairs to practice their beliefs. Any religious worship outside the State Religion that has not received Protected Religious Minority status is illegal and harshly punished by Imperial authorities.

  PSD – See *Pseudo-Synaptic Disruptor.

  Pseudo-Synaptic Disruptor – A device used by staff of *Chaotic Garden Project to temporarily disable the carnivorous plants of *Luanyuan.

  Pyrphoroi – Legendary warriors of the *Eleftherian League, born from a dark bargain between the *archon Phaiston and the Awakened Star *Enyallios.

  Pythia – An *Awakened Star devoured by the *Cosmic leviathan, Lotan.

  Qamlar – Singular Qam, the *Resonants and holy men among the *Jaril.

  Resonance – The power to harness the *Starflow.

  Resonance Bureau – See *Bureau of Resonance.

  Resonant – A person with *Resonance.

  Ruin-Lord – A term used by the *Jaril people to refer to the *First Emperor.

  Sanctum of Karbaliq – The chamber deep below the *Grand Temple of *Karbaliq, it serves as the bridge of the *Clanship *Kulkana.

  Seanchaint – The “old tongue” of *Cáerthand, today largely used by the *Bards.

  Seven-Pointed Constellation – The group of seven *Awakened Stars worshipped by the *Eleftherian League.

  Shang – The major ethnic group of the *Aixingo Empire. Before the *Aixin conquest, they ruled the *Empire of the Nine Suns. Today, 80% of the Aixingo Empire’s population is Shang.

  Shangxia – A world of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner, it is heavily urbanised.

  Shangxia Jazz – A music genre popular on *Shangxia, particularly in the planet’s many nightclubs.

  Shangxia Planetary Technical University – A major institute of higher learning on *Shangxia, specialising in science, technology, and engineering.

  Shah – The ruler of the *Gathasian Empire, their full title is Shahanshah or ‘king of kings; they are also sometimes referred to as *’Emperors’ in other languages.

  Shahrivar – One part of the binary *Awakened Stars worshipped by the *Gathasian Empire.

  Sheng Hua Dynasty – The first *Dynasty of the *Empire of the Nine Suns.

  Shepherd of Destiny – See *Nara Enduri.

  Singgeri Arkan – The *First Emperor’s flagship during the Second Banner War (see *Banner Wars).

  Soloist – A powerful agent of the Conductor that uses music to subsume individuals into the *Orchestra.

  Starflow – A power that suffuses the *Cosmos. Some conscious beings can *Resonate with it and draw special powers from it, typically tied to a particular *Awakened Star.

  Starflow Tempest – The collective term for the anomalies left in the *Starflow, after the *First Emperor employed his *Theophany at *Yarkan.

  Star Junction Mall – A shopping centre on the asteroid settlement of *Yuntu-9.

  Starlift Elevator – A structure that allows rapid transit from a planet’s surface to its *Orbital Ring, avoiding the use of *STOCs.

  Star Nomads – See *Yultengri.

  Starseer – A *Resonant of *Nara Enduri with the power of foresight.

  Starship Amrita – See *Amrita.

  Startear Pearls – Highly sought-after pearls that can only be harvested on *Whaitere; many believe them to have *Resonance-enhancing properties.

  State Religion of Aixingo – The official religion of the *Aixingo Empire, it is a syncretic belief system, blending the traditional shamanistic religion of the *Aixin – focused on *Nara Enduri – with the worship of the *Nine Suns, as practiced by the *Shang. It sees the Nine Suns as subordinate to Nara Enduri.

  STOC – A surface-to-orbit craft. Most starships are not designed for atmospheric entry, so these crafts ferry people from planetary surfaces to orbit.

  Supreme Admiral – A rank assigned to the commander of a group of fleets of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Susania – An ancient empire, now supplanted by the *Gathasian Empire.

  Sweet Wine – The Blood (see *Eutric Blood) of the *Hive Star’s *Eutria, it is the object of the *Mimesis.

  Taels – The currency of the *Aixingo Empire, once a measure of silver, but now abstracted.

  Tempest – See *Starflow Tempest.

  Tengrita? Mountains – A mountain range in the northern hemisphere of *Yarkan.

  Theophant – One who has received *Theophany, Theophants have immense, god-like power over the *Starflow, far exceeding that of ordinary *Resonants.

  Theophany – A vision granted to a *Resonant by an *Awakened Star.

  Theophany Research Society (TRS) – A clandestine organisation that funds research into the scientific understanding of *Theophany and the *Starflow.

  Tianyun Hao – A freighter captained by Kang Jiayu, it is involved in arms running.

  Twin Star Empire – See *Gathasian Empire.

  U?armaz – The *Jaril term literally meaning “those for whom flight is impossible”; associated with the whispering dead of *Karbaliq.

  Unborn Emperor – The creator deity of the *Cosmos, according to *Shang mythology; the *Nine Suns burn with his flame.

  Upper Three – The three *Banners of the *Aixingo Empire that have direct ties to the *Emperor and the *Imperial Court, these Banners supply most of the highest Imperial officials and *Iron-Capped Princes.

  Verdant Standard Army – The principal fighting force of the *Aixingo Empire, it is comprised of non-*Aixin – principally *Shang – soldiers. It is considered less prestigious than the armies of the *Eight Banners.

  Voidborn – The soldiers of the *Host of Xerxes.

  Void Chimaera – A monstrosity in the service of the *Host of Xerxes, it is assembled from the flesh of fallen *Voidborn soldiers to continue fighting.

  West Gate Yamen – The Planetary Governor’s residence on *Shangxia.

  Whaitere – A tributary world of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner, it is famous for its *Startear Pearls and idyllic island resorts.

  White Gang – A secret society and crime syndicate on *Shangxia.

  White Horse Alabey – The clan of the *First Emperor of *Aixingo, predecessor of the *White Horse Banner.

  White Horse Banner – One of the *Banners of the *Aixingo Empire, it is one of the *Upper Three.

  Witches – The arcane race that inhabits the planet *Hecate, they are all female and all *Resonants, specifically of the *Witching Star, the *Awakened brown dwarf around which Hecate orbits. They have no nations, but form tight knit, clandestine groups known as *Covens.

  Witching Star – The *Awakened Star around which the planet *Hecate orbits, it is a brown dwarf.

  Wolf Totem – A sacred object of the *Jaril Confederacy, its possession is needed to summon a *kurultai.

  Writhe – One of the greatest of all the horrors of the *Host of Xerxes, the Writhe is a formless being of shadowy tendrils that feeds on the sanity of its victims and continually grows.

  Yamen – The residence of a *Planetary Governor of the *Aixingo Empire.

  Yarghun Company – A major tourism and development company on *Yarkan.

  Yarghun Grand – A major hotel in *Yengishahr.

  Yarkan – A world of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner, inhabited by the *Jaril people.

  Yarkanese Falcon – A genetically modified falcon brought to *Yarkan by the *Jaril aboard the *Clanship *Kulkana, it is said to be the fastest creature in the *Cosmos and is an important symbol of the Jaril people.

  Yengishahr – The capital of *Yarkan.

  Yuheng – A world of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner.

  Yultengri – The Star Nomads or People of the *Clanships.

  Yuntu-9 – An asteroid settlement in the territory of the *Onyx Tortoise Banner.

  Zhouyuan 63 In-Atmosphere Armoured Transport – An aerial transport employed by the *Verdant Standard Army and some other militaries, such as those of the *Eleftherian League. It is considered to be a dated design.

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  Notes: (1) While most characters are alphabetised by surname, Aixin characters are listed by first name, as they do not traditionally use surnames (all nominally adopt ‘Aixin’ as their surname). (2) Shang names are written with the surname first.

  Aixin Abahai, Prince – Banner Lord of the Onyx Tortoise and Iron-Capped Prince of the First Degree.

  Alin of the Hala Ertu, Vice-Admiral – Chief of Staff to the Supreme Admiral of the First Group of Fleets of the Aixingo Empire during the Second Banner War.

  Alingga Khan – See Shixing Emperor.

  Alp – A Jaril warrior fighting with Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Apollo – A talking black cat and the captain of the Amrita.

  Arslan – A Qam in training and tribal warrior of the Jaril.

  Artabanus – The ambassador of the Susanian Empire to the Jaril Confederacy during the Second Banner War.

  Arthur, Michael – A convict on Luanyuan, he is head of the leadership committee at Port Arthur, which was informally named after him.

  Atilay Qam – A Qam cooperating with the Yarghun Company in Karbaliq, he nonetheless maintains contact with allies of Toghrul Yarghunoghul.

  Bai Qiang – The boss of the White Gang, known as Big Bai.

  Barchin – A poet and Lore Keeper of Karbaliq, she lived at the time of the fall of Yarkan; after her death she manifests as the U?armaz known as the Veiled Lady.

  Barin – A schoolboy from ?zgünyaylaq who died during the fall of Yarkan.

  Bilegtyn, Yesugei – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan.

  Black Dragon – A mysterious masked swordsman and Resonant, working as an agent of Bright Eyes.

  Bo Runchu, Sergeant – An LPDC guard at Port Arthur on Lunayuan.

  B?ri – A dog kept by the schoolchildren of ?zgünyaylaq, he died during the fall of Yarkan.

  Bright Eyes – Mu’s mysterious benefactor.

  Buka Qam – A Qam of the Falcon Totem Tribe and a close ally of Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Bukaqizi, Mrs – A school teacher in ?zgünyaylaq who died during the fall of Yarkan.

  Buyaroghul, Sutay – A shift manager in Yengishahr Spaceport’s security department.

  Cai Wen, Lady – The Chief Botanist of the Imperial Court, Director of the Bureau of Biological Sciences, and a Shang aristocrat holding the rank of Countess of the First Degree.

  Candle-Bearer, the – An U?armaz who was once a Lore-Keeper of Karbaliq.

  Chang Xi – A princess in Shang mythology whose Divine Lantern provided the flame that kindled the Nine Suns.

  Charlie – Nova’s robotic dog.

  Chen, Madam – A patron of the Silver Moon lounge and a gambler.

  Chen Xiaoyu – The youngest convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, he has an intellectual disability, and is a follower of Fu Yuanjing.

  Cheng Wenlong – Chief Magistrate of Yarkan.

  Chu, Ms – A Resonance Bureau enforcement agent.

  Commandant, the – See Du An.

  Conductor, the – See Sarcos.

  Cosmokrator – The Theophant of the Oblivion Star, it is an ancient war machine, built by a lost civilisation.

  Cui Mengyao, Dr – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, she is a former doctor.

  Dai Muchen – Chief-of-staff to Cai Wen.

  Deng Weiren – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, he is a follower of Gao Yunqi.

  Du An – The Commandant of Port Arthur on Luanyuan.

  Duan – A former convict on Luanyuan.

  Elyaroghul, Mr – A driver on Yarkan.

  Fang – The lead singer of the house band at Mr Wu’s Jazz Lounge and Cocktails, a nightclub on Shangxia.

  Father – See Mr Mei.

  Fu Yuanjing – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, she is a religious fanatic of the faith of the Nine Suns, rejecting Nara Enduri and the State Religion of Aixingo.

  Gao Yunqi – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, he is a member of the leadership committee, and a former student activist.

  Aixin Gorjin – Mu’s childhood friend and the son of Prince Aixin Manggūltai.

  Han Wendao – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan.

  Hao Chendian, Dr – A scientist working for the Bureau of Biological Sciences of the Aixingo Empire, he reports to Cai Wen.

  Hua, Mrs – The general manager of Mr Wu’s Jazz Lounge and Cocktails, a nightclub on Shangxia.

  Ilgün – A Jaril warrior of Sayan Yinalqizi’s Falcon Totem Tribe.

  Jia Hongmei – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, she is a follower of Gao Yunqi.

  Jirgalang of Hala Borjigit – A Resonance Bureau agent from the time of the First Emperor, who served as liaison to the Empire’s First Group of Fleets during its invasion of the Jaril Confederacy.

  Kang Jiayu – The captain of the freighter Tianyun Hao, she is involved in arms smuggling.

  Khasarqizi, Ms – A secretary of the Yarghun Company.

  Lai Leizu – Assistant to Dr Zhao Yingtai.

  Li Mingxia – A concubine of the Planetary Governor of Shangxia, Aixin Yucheng, and an aspiring actress.

  Li Mingze – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, he is a follower of Gao Yunqi.

  Li, Mr – A staff-member at Mr Wu’s Jazz Lounge and Cocktails, a nightclub on Shangxia.

  Li, Ostara – See Ostara.

  Li, Sergeant – A Customs Bureau agent on Shangxia’s Orbital Ring.

  Li Shulin – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, she is a member of the leadership committee and overseas provisions and meal preparation.

  Li Zichuan – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan.

  Liang Zheng, Associate Professor – An academic of the Shangxia Planetary Technical University.

  Liao Yuxi, Lieutenant – An officer and medic with the LPDC guards at Port Arthur.

  Lin, Mr – A dealer at the Silver Moon Lounge’s gambling tables.

  Lin Anshun – A fictional love interest in the game Love Champions of a Princess Anachronism 3.

  Lin Jiehong, Lieutenant – A security officer working for the Luanyuan Planetary Development Corporation.

  Lin Yunxiang – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan, he is a follower of Ma Jinhai.

  Liu, Mr – An agent of Bright Eyes.

  Liu Jing – An accountant working with the White Gang.

  Locke, Tavian – A travelling Bard and Resonant of a mysterious entity known as Lady Anu.

  Lotan – A Cosmic leviathan that devours stars, also known as the Heliophage; one of the Iron Praetors.

  Lysander – Once known as the Philosopher-King, he ruled a vast civilisation before embarking on the Black Pilgrimage and being remade as an Iron Praetor.

  Ma Jinhai – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan; he was once a notorious gangster.

  Aixin Manggūltai, Prince – Chief retainer to Prince Aixin Ulu?un and father of Aixin Gorjin.

  Man of Beauty – A diplomat and soldier of the Empire of the Nine Suns who visited Yarkan and made first contact between the Shang and Jaril.

  Matthias – The six-winged raven familiar of Seraphina.

  Mei, Mr – The father of Mei Xuelan, he is a member of the Orchestra.

  Mei, Mrs – The mother of Mei Xuelan, she is a member of the Orchestra.

  Mei Xuelan – A young girl whose family emigrated from Moyang to Luanyuan to be with the Orchestra.

  Meng – A convict on Luanyuan.

  Milos – A superintelligent dolphin of the world Ouranos, that Mu encoutners in a dream

  Mother – See Mrs Mei.

  Mu (Aixin Mukushen) – A fugitive princess running from the Imperial authorities.

  Aixin Nikan – Planetary Governor of Yarkan.

  Nyx, Eirene – The deceased wife of Kallistos Nyx.

  Nyx, Kallistos – The security chief aboard the Amrita, a former hoplite of the Eleftherian League.

  Nyx, Philandros – The deceased son of Kallistos Nyx.

  Orcalord – The leader of Ouranos, a Resonant of Pythia.

  Ostara – The first mate of the Amrita and its gardener, she also acts as a counsellor for the crew.

  Pan, Mr – A people-smuggler on Shangxia.

  Psyche – A pop-star and gaming streamer who rose to fame within the Anágnosis.

  Pu Mengqi – A convict at Port Arhtur on Luanyuan, she is a follower of Fu Yuanjing.

  Qin Huiping – An LPDC guard at Port Arthur on Luanyuan.

  Reilly, Nova – The Amrita’s engineer (no formal qualifications), she is also a hacker and stowaway.

  Ruyin – Mu’s former lady-in-waiting, she is now an agent of Bright Eyes

  Sarcos – Otherwise known as The Conductor; a being worshipped by the Orchestra cult.

  Seraphel – A wraith-like entity that delights in the corruption and abasement of the noble and powerful; one of the Iron Praetors.

  Seraphina – The Amrita’s resident expert in the arcane, she is an exiled witch of Hecate.

  Shixing Emperor – The current Emperor of Aixingo, also known by his Aixin name, Aixin Alingga Khan.

  Shu, Lieutenant – A Customs Bureau agent on Shangxia’s Orbital Ring.

  Aixin ?olontu, Prince – Minister for Cultural Affairs and Prince of the First Degree of the Aixingo Empire, he is an Iron-Capped Prince and the Banner Lord of the Golden Celestial Phoenix Banner.

  Su, Bolin – A site overseer at Karbaliq, working for the Yarghun Company.

  Sutayoghul, Mr – A pilot of Yarkan.

  Tangai – A Jaril warrior fighting with Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Tender Hand – See Ruyin.

  Tianyan Emperor – The regnal title of the First Emperor of Aixingo.

  Toghrulqizi, Erkegul – The daughter of Sayan Yinalqizi and Toghrul Yarghunoghul.

  Togri Bahru – Director of the Aixingo Empire’s Bureau of Resonance, also known as the Unseen Man.

  Ulchuk – A Jaril tribal leader and warrior allied with Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Aixin Ulu?un, Prince – Minister for Civil Administration and Prince of the First Degree of the Aixingo Empire, he is an Iron-Capped Prince and the Banner Lord of the White Horse Banner.

  Unborn Emperor – The creator of the Cosmos in Shang mythology.

  Wang, Mr – A Resonance Bureau enforcement agent.

  Wei Jiang – A gangster and underboss of the White Gang.

  Weimin – A merchant on Luanyuan who trades goods between the river settlements.

  Wen, Captain – The captain of the starship that takes Mei Xuelan’s family to Luanyuan, he is a member of the Orchestra.

  Wen, Mrs – The wife of Captain Wen, she is a member of the Orchestra.

  Wu, Mr – The owner of Mr Wu’s Jazz Lounge and Cocktails, a nightclub on Shangxia.

  Xerxes – A powerful interstellar warlord; one of the Iron Praetors.

  Xingyan – A Starseer of the Bureau of Celestial Foresight and lover of Zhen Yan.

  Xixi – Mei Xuelan’s favourite toy/the Eutria of the Hive Star.

  Xu Jianyu – A fictional love interest in the game Love Champions of a Princess Anachronism 3.

  Yao Zhi – A landlady in Shangxia City, owner of an apartment on Onyx Tortoise Boulevard.

  Yang Yuanyun – A senior site manager of the Karbaliq development, working for the Yarghun Company.

  Yarghunoghul, Taghay – A prominent businessman on Yarkan, he seeks to redevelop the ruins of Karbaliq as a tourist attraction. Brother of Ulduz Yarghunqizi and Toghrul Yarghunoghul.

  Yarghunoghul, Toghrul – An archaeologist and activist. Brother of Taghay Yarghunoghul and Ulduz Yarghunqizi.

  Yarghunqizi, Ulduz – A prominent businesswoman of Yarkan, sister of *Taghay Yarghunoghul and *Toghrul Yarghunoghul.

  Yinaloghul, Chinor – A worker for the Yarghun Company at Karbaliq; secretly an ally of Toghrul Yarghunoghul. He is the brother of Sayan Yinalqizi.

  Yinalqizi, Sayan – A prominent tribal leader and warrior of the nomadic Jaril.

  Yu Zhenfeng – A fictional love interest in the game Love Champions of a Princess Anachronism 3.

  Aixin Yucheng – Planetary Governor of Shangxia.

  Yurhadan Khan – See Yurhudan Khan.

  Yurhudan Khan – The First Emperor of Aixingo – name used before his ascendency.

  Yusminay – A shift manager in Yengishahr Spaceport’s security department.

  Zhang, Harry – The bartender and chef aboard the Amrita.

  Zhang Jiwen – A convict at Port Arthur on Luanyuan; he is a member of the leadership committee and formerly a geologist.

  Zhao Linyi – The fictional protagonist of the Love Champions of a Princess Anachronism series of games.

  Zhao Yingtai – A scientist working on the Chaotic Garden Project.

  Zhen Yan – A shapeshifting Hulijing bounty hunter and favourite of Big Bai.