The Virian Chronicler

Image of Nilvolio made using NightCafe AI SDXL. Nilvolio Mirenjan is a one-legged gypsy busker who performs outside Probyt's Miscellanium and the Thaddorindaeum bookstore. He appears in both places at the same time by means of powerful sorcery. In reality, he is a shape-shifted Chronomage who chooses to take the form of an injured war hero. He is shrouded in mystery and gives away little. He tends to speak in riddles and has a playful nature.  

  Image of Baejaal made using Picfinder AI. Worship of Baejaal, the God of Lost Causes, is the last resort for the desperate and the despairing.   There has not been any priestly Order dedicated to him since ancient times. In bygone eras, Baejaal was designated as the God of Dreams.   Dreams were believed to be a subconscious form of prayer.   The ancient Order of Baejaal was dedicated to sleep studies, deep trance meditation and the interpretation of dreams.   Little is known about this Order due to it being disbanded so long ago.   Any written records kept by the adherent priests and priestesses were lost or destroyed, along with any books and scrolls of scripture. People also used to pray to Baejaal when they were awake, requesting him to grant their dearest wishes.   He would always answer those prayers, even when he refused to give people what they wished for. On one occasion, he left a prayer unanswered.   The other deities scorned him and declared him an outcast.  

Images of Kerajan people made using Deep AI. The Kerajan Territory is an independent region set apart from the rest of mainland Viria.   The Kerajans are a strict abstemious people who disdain any forms of religion, entertainment or sport, believing them to be distractions from the more important aspects of life.   Most Kerajans work in factories or offices, according to their skills.   Kerajan children are usually sent out to work at the age of ten, having received the bare minimum education to prepare them for their designated workplaces. Physically they resemble mainland Virians.   They wear utilitarian clothing in neutral colours.   Their manner of speech tends to be clipped and formal.   Many of them lack the typical Virian intonation, making them sound more like Malvanians.

Image of Bodah Conder made using Picfinder AI. Bodah Conder is Matriarch of the Conder clan, a traditional Northern Virian travelling clan.  She is married to Eric and has two daughters, Laramie and Oenone.  Her brother, George, is the father of the Vyagei Sheraleen Conder.  Bodah is a formidable warrior with decades of battle experience.  She rules her clan with tough love.  She values warrior skills and survival skills above all else.  She fights hard and plays hard, celebrating her clan's victories with heavy drinking and dancing sessions.  

Image of Grazyna Montessori made using Picfinder AI. Grazyna Montessori was rejected by her Carpathian father, Lord Curando Montessori, due to her being born blind and albino.  She also had a Vyagite crystal bond, which endowed her with the powers of prophecy, giving her family another reason to loathe and fear her.  From the age of ten until her mid twenties, she was a resident at the Freedom House psychiatric facility in Northern Malvania.  She left the facility after meeting Theos Babaloney, a travelling sorcerer who visited Freedom House.  She went to live with Theos at the Ommadawn sorcerers' enclave in Northern Viria.  She married Theos and they had one son, Aldoux Babaloney, known as Odo.  Odo inherited her Vyagite bond and gift of prophecy.

  Modern style Temple of Iraevesh made using Starry AI. Ancient style Temple of Iraevesh made using NightCafe. Ancient style Temple of Iraevesh made using Picfinder AI. In the modern era, Iraevesh, Goddess of Justice, is worshipped by the Carpathian population of the planet Varathusia. However, worship of her pre-dates the formation of the Carpathian Movement. The original Varahs held her in high regard and worshipped her alongside Varagord, God of Wisdom. Iraevesh is often depicted in paintings and statues as a winged woman. There are variants on the theme, including a reptilian version of her. All iconic representations contain the same two artefacts — the Book of Truth and the Blade of Justice. Most often the figure of the Goddess is shown carrying them, but in some instances, they may be woven into her clothing or tattooed on her skin. In bygone eras, the guilt or innocence of a person charged of a crime was determined by having them place their hand inside a jar and select a

    Younger version of Mary Verkhauten made using Picfinder AI. Older version of Mary Verkhauten made using Picfinder AI. Mary Degmarah Verkhauten was born into a traditional Virian gypsy family.  Being avidly ambitious, she sought to rise above her origins and gain a higher social status.  The discovery of her Vyagite crystal bond led her to join the Order of Scherza at the Shintillah Temple and train as a priestess.  She married Malachi Shanahan and became a teacher at the Temple.  The couple had two children, Justeen and Elias.  

Black phoenix image made using Picfinder AI. The black phoenix is a rare sorcerous creature indigenous to the Fenian Galaxy.  Most people believe it to be extinct or a myth.  Its image is associated with sorcery, particularly attributed to Minestria, Goddess of Sorcery, and to the Vyrdigaan Order of Sorcerers.  Little is known about its nature and habits.  

  Image of Dhamarys Vento made using Picfinder AI. Dhamarys Vento is half-Varathusian and half-Sartorian.  Indulging her wish to travel, she went to Viria and ended up joining a Holy Temple.  She soon realised the cloistered life was not for her.  A chance meeting with Lord Ignacio Ingrao led her to join his household on Varathusia.  She worked as a housemaid and also entertained Lord Ignacio in bed. Later on, she enjoyed a more elevated status as wife to Lord Ignacio's eldest son, Lord Aurelio.

Image of Ayod Donovan made using Picfinder AI. Fhadre Ayod Vinicius Donovan is a sorcerer-priest. He comes from the esteemed Donovan family line which originated on Malvania.  Ayod joined the Order of Ledni at a Holy Temple on Viria and became one of the Fire Goddess's priests.  He took a vow of silence which he kept for several decades.  Another calling led him to abandon his vow of silence during his senior years and leave the Temple.  His life thereafter became radically different.  He gained a whole new family.

 Image of younger version of Lady Darleen Ingrao made using Picfinder AI. Image of older version of Lady Darleen Ingrao made using Picfinder AI. Lady Darleen Ingrao is the youngest daughter of Lord Ignacio Ingrao. She is a spoiled, privileged and over-indulged seductress. Her turbulent behaviour causes much distress and trouble for those who try to love her. She is never satisfied and always yearns for something indefinable which she can never identify or attain.  

Image of Marvyn Flanagan made using Picfinder AI. Marvyn Flanagan is a long-time friend of Lord Lyandro (Lyle) Menehari. Their friendship goes back to their adolescent years when they studied together. Marvyn was always interested in drawing and painting, which led to his interest in body art. He became a skilled and much sought after tattoo artist. He also has engineering skills and some experience in espionage techniques.  

Images of Par-Varahs made using Picfinder AI. The Par-Varahs are a sub-category of the Varahs on Planet Varathusia. They are the poorest citizens among the population of mainland Varathusia. Many are homeless and reliant on begging, thieving and charity handouts to survive. Hostels and outreach projects are run by religious orders and charities to help these disadvantaged citizens.