Races and groups in the Lone Wolf series

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This is a list of fictional races and groups that appear in the world of Magnamund, the setting for the Lone Wolf gamebook series created by Joe Dever.

1 Brotherhood of the Crystal Star
2 Darklords
3 Drakkarim
4 Giaks
5 Nadziranim
6 Helghast
7 Vordaks
8 Kai
9 Elder Magi
10 Shianti
11 References

[edit] Brotherhood of the Crystal Star

The Brotherhood of the Crystal Star, also known as the Magician's Guild of Toran, is a brotherhood of magicians who practice left-handed magic.

Found eons ago, the Brotherhood was founded by predecessors to the Old Kingdom schools of magic. In MS 3434 when the Sommlending appeared in northern Magnamund, they pushed the Darklords west beyond the Durncrag mountains and established the realm of Sommerlund in the territory they had claimed. Vashna, enraged by the defeat, unleashed many Helghast upon Sommerlund in what became known as the Helghast Wars from MS 3520 to 3550. During the Helghast wars, when huge armies of Helghast were shape shifting and infiltrating Somerlund society, the Brotherhood helped find ways to expose and destroy these unkillable monsters.

The guild was nearly destroyed during the invasion of the Arch Darklord Zagarna in 5050 MS (Moonstone). The guildmaster at the time of the Massacre of the Kai played a large role in the early years of Lone Wolf's quest. The Brotherhood is housed in what was called the Guildhall in the port city of Toran in northern Sommerlund. The Brotherhood practices left-handed magic, which is goodly magic in the Lone Wolf book series. The Magician's Guild had a prophecy that two young men, one a warrior and one a mage from the Brotherhood, would ally themselves and reign over Magnamund bringing an era of peace and prosperity. Vonotar the Traitor believed he was the fulfillment of this prophecy when he joined with Zagarna. Banedon and Lone Wolf were the true fulfillment of this prophecy.

The name comes from the crystal star pendant given to those who were accepted as Brothers. The typical uniform of the Brotherhood was a loose, blue robe embroidered with stars, moons and other celestial bodies. The brotherhood is ruled by a Guildmaster and a council of twelve Elders. Banedon, Vonotar, Loy-Kymar, Loren, Artel, Heikon and Martat. Mongoose games currently produces a Lone Wolf game series where one of the players choices is to play as a member of the Brotherhood.

[edit] Darklords

They also known as the Darklords of Helgedad, are monsters created by the Dark God Naar to conquer the world of Magnamund. They had very individual aspects and characters but all were thoroughly evil. The very sight of a Darklord would drive an average mortal insane. Before they were created by Naar, they were quite different; they were timeless beings not racked by the Evil hatred and anger that later characterized them.

These evil beings were immune to all normal weapons; only the Sommerswerd and supernatural weapons created by the Darklords themselves could mortally wound them. They had another weakness; the pure air and sunshine of Magnamund was poison to them. That weakness spurred the creation of the Darklands to give them a hospitable home.

The timeline is :

3072- The twenty Darklords were sent by Naar to conquer Magnamund for evil.
3150- Drakkarim nations ally to the Darklords
3192- Rise of Archlord Vashna
3400- Spawn bred in the Black City
3434- Sommlending arrive in North Magnamund, led by King Kian; Darkland force thrust behind the Durncrags by the Sun-people
3520- Helghast Wars begin
3550- Helghast Wars end; Brotherhood of Crystal Star halts Helghast infiltrations
3785- Vashna prepares the Black Muster to conquer Sommerlund, at this time ruled by King Ulnar I.
3799- Darklord Vashna slain at Maakengorge 3799- Darklord Vashna’s soul is imprisoned inside the Maakengorge
3800+ Civil War in Helgedad
4000? Darklord Zagarna recovers Doomstones of Agarash; becomes Archlord; completion of Darkland cities
5050- Invasion of Sommerlund, destruction of Kai, Archlord Zagarna slain
5050-5053 Civil War in Helgedad; Darklord Haakon and Slutar fight for throne
5052- Lone Wolf used as pawn in Darklord power struggle
5053- Lord Slutar frees Lone Wolf, Darklord Slutar disgraced; Haakon of Aarnak becomes Archlord
5054- Barraka of Vassagonia's attempt to resurrect Vashna fails; Lone Wolf recovers Dagger of Vashna
5055- Haakon agrees to exchange Orb of Death with Zakhan Kimah, for Lone Wolf 5055- Lone Wolf recovers the Book of the Magnakai; Archlord Haakon killed by Lone Wolf 5055- Haakon imprisoned on Plain of Despair
5055+ Darklord Ghurch discovers Haakon’s fate
5055-5058-Civil War in Helgedad; Darklord Slutar, Gnaag, Unc, and Ghurch fight for throne
5058- Darklord Gnaag becomes Archlord; Darklord Unc and Ghurch killed
5058+ Darklords unite behind Gnaag; Darklands wage open war on Magnamund; Vassagonia under Zakhan Kimah allies with Darklands; Darklord Xog conquers Cloeasia; Zakhan Kimah slain in combat with Lone Wolf, succeeded by Zakhan Shoualli; Vassagonia declares war on Helgedad; Gnaag raises Siege of Torgar; Darklord Chlanzor and Kraagenskul lose battles against Freelands at Zuttezna; Darklords destroy Luomi, recover three remaining Lorestones; Lorestones moved from Mozgoar to Torgar.
5070- Darklord Kraagenskul killed at Argazad by Lone Wolf; Darklord Taktaal slain at Helgedad by Lone Wolf; Archlord Gnaag killed by Lone Wolf; Transfusor and Helgedad destroyed and subsequently all remaining Darklords killed
5070-Darklord Gnaag and Kraagenskul imprisoned on Plain of Despair
5070+ Civil War in Darklands; Darkland armies flee to Kagorst, Kaag, Akagazad, Aarnak, Nadgazad, Gournen, Helkona, Mozgoar; Doomstone of Darke and Nyras Scepter lost; resurrection of Vashna fails

Gazad Helkona is taken over by Xaol; Slutar and Zagarna factions continue to war for Kaag; Archdruid Cadak of Mogaruith temporarily wins control of Kaag; Nadziranim win control of Kagorst and Akagazad; Doomstone of Darke recovered and Nadziranim of Kagorst and Akagazad ally with Warlord Magnaarn; Nyras Scepter destroyed. There are also rumors in Magnamund that one of the Darklords still lives.

The names of the Darklords are as follows

Chlanzor
Dakushna
Ghanesh
Ghurch -killed by Gnaag
Gnaag - killed by Lone Wolf
Haakon - killed by Lone Wolf
Khatellu
Kraagenskûl - killed by Lone Wolf
Menashga
Mrugor
Nhorg
Shebnar
Slûtar
Taktaal - killed by Lone Wolf
Tomogh
Unc -killed by Gnaag
Vashna -killed by King Ulnar I
Xog
Zagarna - killed by Lone Wolf
Zhanshal

[edit] Drakkarim

They are humans devoted to the service of the dark god Naar and the Darklords.

As human servants and warriors, the Drakkarim are recruited from territories in Northern Magnamund conquered by the Darklords, including Skaror, Nyraz, Nyvoz, and Zaldir. While weaker humans might become slaves or servants, strong Drakkarim men are conscripted into the army of the Darklords.

In the Lone Wolf gamebook The Darke Crusade, the Drakkarim, led by their leader Warlord Magnaarn, seek to recover the Doomstone of Darke. With this, they hope to be able to inspire other Darklord minions to unite under their banner against all opposition.

[edit] Giaks

They are the servants of the Darklords of Helgedad. They are human like, with grey skin color and are squat figures. They have yellow eyes, are very strong and can withstand extremes of temperature.

They were created by Darklord Vashna to help build Helgedad. They were spawned in vast numbers, and were so common they were killed for torch lighting fluid. They made up the bulk of Darklord infantry. They are not known for either their intelligence or bravery. The term "giak" usually refers to mountain giaks, which were renowned for viciousness. They often made use of Doomwolves for rides.

Giaks have their own language which is also used by most of the Darklords servants. It was a simple, guttural language but there is a written version.

[edit] Nadziranim

They are wizards who practice right-handed magic.

They were created by the dark God Naar and sent to Magnamund to conquer the world for evil. Presumably, they arrived in Magnamund with the Darklords in MS 3072.They are also the ones who imbued Vonotar with the powers of right-handed magic to become the greatest wizard of the age.^[1]

[edit] Helghast

A powerful shape-shifting monster from Helgedad. The word is both singular and plural.

In its true form, a Helghast looks like an undead creature with a rotting face and glowing red eyes, and wears a long hooded cloak. Helghast can disguise themselves as humans and other creatures, and are often used as spies and assassins. They are very strong, and immune to ordinary weapons. They can only be damaged by magic weapons, and because Helghast are undead, the Sommerswerd does them double damage.

[edit] Vordaks

They are evil creatures who have grey skin and are skeletal in appearance despite having flesh.

They are undead lieutenants of the Darklord armies and are able to use mindforce, or mental attack abilities on their enemies. They were created in Helgedad. In death, they reveal the vordak gem, which is used to give them "un-life".

[edit] Kai

Kai Lords or The Kai are warrior monks who have mastered various natural and supernatural abilities. The Kai Monastery is found in the western central part of Sommerlund near the Durcrag Mountain range, next to the Darklands.

In the land of Sommerlund, it is tradition to send the children of certain families to the Kai Monastery for training. There, they become initiates who are trained by existing Kai Lords, until they too have become masters of the way of the Kai. Once fully trained, the new Kai return home, prepared to defend themselves and their families should the threat of the Darklords be made manifest. Although Kai training is not easy, it instills unique Kai disciplines upon those who practice it. These disciplines manifest themselves in areas such as honed combat reflexes, psychic powers of the mind, and uniquely sharpened senses.

Kai disciplines are the skills taught to and mastered by the fictional Kai Lords of the Lone Wolf universe. According to the lore, these skills have been mastered over the centuries and passed down from one generation of Kai to the next. A true Kai Master will have mastered all of these disciplines.

In the gamebooks, there are a total of ten disciplines. A new reader (playing as a new character) begins with five of these ten disciplines. The rank of a Kai Lord is based upon the number of disciplines learned, with the following progression:

Novice
Intuite
Doan
Acolyte
Initiate
Aspirant
Guardian
Warmarn or Journeyman
Savant
Master

As a player successfully completes a Lone Wolf gamebook, he or she is able to select an additional discipline, so that, for example, someone who has completed one book will have six disciplines.

The Kai disciplines themselves are as follows:

Camouflage - The ability to remain undetected, both in terms of remaining hidden when in natural surroundings, and blending in with the natives when in more urban settings.

Hunting - The ability to find food virtually anywhere, except in extreme arctic or desert conditions. Additionally confers a certain speed and manual dexterity.

Sixth Sense - The ability to sense imminent danger or a concealed threat. Also the ability to sense when something is not what it seems.

Tracking - The ability to track a person or object, or to determine the correct path to take in order to reach a given destination.

Healing - A natural ability to heal wounds more quickly than average.

Weaponskill - Focus and mastery of a single weapon or weapon category.

Mindshield - The ability to protect one's mind from mental or psychic attacks, particularly those of agents of evil.

Mindblast - The ability to attack an enemy using the force of one's mind, increasing general combat prowess except against foes who are specifically immune.

Animal Kinship - The ability to bond with and communicate with animals.

Mind Over Matter - Telekinesis, or the ability to move small objects with one's mind.

Sun Eagle founded the Order after completing his quest to recover the Lorestones of Nyxator. He recounted his story in the Kai Orders most valuable possession, the Book of the Magnakai.

At the beginning of the Lone Wolf gamebook saga, Flight from the Dark, the Kai are all but wiped out by a sudden sneak attack from Darklord forces. The only surviving member of the Kai, who was once known as Silent Wolf, swears vengeance and takes on the name of Lone Wolf, last of his clan. Lone Wolf, in the wake of the destruction of Helgedad and the Darklords, refounded the Kai order and helped produce the first Kai Masters since the destruction of the order 30 year previously.

The Dark God Naar attempte to wipe out the Second Order while Lone Wolf was busy fighting the Deathlord of Ixia. He sent an army of dragon creatures to attack the monastery, which Lone Wolf was able to arrive back in time to help counterattack. He then ensured that a huge number of gigantic dragons, which he would later discover were being brought through with Shadowgates created by Naar, were lost en route to Magnamund.

[edit] Elder Magi

They are an ancient human-like race from world of Magnamund. This race was instrumental in the completion of Lone Wolfs quest to recover the Lorestones, and later as councilers and assistants to him to counter the threat of the dark God Naar.

A human-like race of central Magnamund sent by Kai to destroy the Agarashi Empire. Kai gave the Elder Magi Left-handed magic to help in their fight. In 4570 MS, they wove a spell that put all of the inhabitants of Naaros to sleep. They seized the stolen Lorestones from under Agarash's nose. The Elder Magi eventually defeated the Agarashi after a thousand years' war.

Their race was brought to near extinction by the Cenerese. The Cenerese caused a Great Plague to sweep the land in 2514 MS killing nine out of ten Elder Magi. The Elder Magi were saved from destruction by a group known as the Herbalish. The Magi were known to have helped Lone Wolf on his quest to recover the Lorestones, and later Lord Rimoah acted as his companion and counciler throughout the later books, especially the Grand Master Series.

[edit] Shianti

They are a non-human race of supremely powerful goodly beings.

"Their skins were as black as ebony, and their eyes were yellow. The only food they required was air. Their powers were those of demigods: they were immortal and invulnerable; they could create and destroy through the mildest exercise of their will. Yet they were not omnipotent." (Eclipse of the Kai, p. 102) The Shianti were "Tall and proud, shining with a radiance that spoke of magic and arcane mystery." (Grey Star the Wizard, p. 9) The pupils of their eyes were reflective like mirrors.

Two Shianti known by name are Acarya and Maiteya.

This "people" were a wandering folk who searched for millennia in the Daziarn for a home. They came to Magnamund in 1600 MS through a temporary shadow gate, and seemingly oblivious to the events of that world, decided to live there and call it there permanent home. The Human race emerged on Magnamund soon after the arrival of the Shianti, and the Shianti bestowed great blessings on the good people of Magnamund. Humans began to worship the Shianti like Gods. They were known as Suukon in the East and Majhan in the North. They were later remembered as simply the Ancients. Remnants of the Shianti religion persisted at the time that Grey Star ventured into Southern Magnamund. This religion was forced underground by the Shadakine Empire. Grey Star met a priest of the Shianti religion that had been imprisoned for twenty years while he was at the Hall of Correction. They were infinitely wise and good, and in the height of their power, they created the Moonstone. So significant is the creation of the Moonstone that all time in Magnamund is counted before and after its creation. This was known as "the Golden Age of Magnamund"

Ishir in bodily form warned the Shianti of this eventuality (about MS 3000). "The children of this world must claim their inheritance. The time has come and they must learn to stand alone. They are lost in their worship of you and the day draws ever nearer when they will covet the power of the Moonstone." (Grey Star the Wizard, p. 10) She requested that they leave, but they begged to stay, not wanting to leave their homeworld. She showed mercy by letting them stay if they send the Moonstone into the Dazarin and no longer participated in Magnamunds history. To this they agreed, and moved to the Isle of Lorn, which they surrounded by the Sea of Dreams, a sea east of the tip of Southern Magnamund, to maintain their isolation from human intrusion. The Sea of Dreams was enchanted with illusions and magical winds by the Shianti. This exile came at the same time as the rise to power of the Drakkarim nation, and the arrival of the Darklords.

Their isolation was held inviolate until the defection of Shasarak. No human had set foot on the Isle of Lorn until the arrival of Grey Star. Through Greystar, the hoped to counteract the evil power of Shasarak without breaking their agreement. It was later revealed that Shasarak was an evil Shianti, who attempted to use the Moonstone for evil purposes. One of Lone Wolfs Grand Masters brought the Moonstone back to them, and promised that they would deliver the Moonstone into the hands of the Goddess Ishir herself. It remains to be seen what effect this will have on the balance of Good in the various planes of existence.