The Unholy Consult (Aspect-Emperor #4)

In 2469, Sumna capitulated to Shrial forces, but hostilities continued until Triamis was anointed Emperor in 2478. Though himself Inrithi (converted by Ekyannus III), and despite enacting the constitution governing the division of powers between the Imperium and the Thousand Temples, he refrained from declaring Inrithism the official state religion until 2505. From that point the ascendancy of the Thousand Temples was assured, and over the ensuing centuries the remaining Kiünnat “heresies” of the Three Seas would either wither away or be forcibly stamped out.

The rise of Fanimry and the Kianene Empire from the 38th century onward posed the first great challenge to the dominance of Inrithism—a threat so severe as to induce many in the Thousand Temples to advocate the removal of the Holy Tusk in Sumna to A?knyssus. If anything, however, the existential challenge led to a revival of enthusiasm and militancy both among Inrithi faithful of all castes, culminating in the election of Anas?rimbor Maithanet as Shriah and the calling of the First Holy War in 4111.

The success of the expedition either destroyed Inrithism (the Orthodox position) or actualized it (as the Zaudunyani claim). Either way, the bulk of Inrithi institutions and dogma survived intact under the otherwise bloody rule of Anas?rimbor Kellhus, unlike Fanimry, which was all but destroyed.

Inr?mmi (4058—4112)—Man-of-the-Tusk, ranking member of the Scarlet Spires, assumed lost at the Battle of Shimeh.

Inshull (?—?)—One of the Chieftain-Kings named in the Tusk.

Insinger—Archaic term for sorcerer.

Inskarra, Saweor (4061—4111)—Man-of-the-Tusk, Earl of the Thunyeri province of Skagwa, slain at Anwurat.

Interdiction—The embargo on communication between the Great Ordeal and the New Empire declared by Anas?rimbor Kellhus.

Interval—Name of the man-sized tubular bell used by the Great Ordeal to communicate time and orders. Originally cast in Seleukara, the bell was transported to Holy Sumna, where priests belonging to various Colleges and Cults were charged with inscribing its exterior with their holiest benedictions. The bell was subsequently mounted on a great, oaken wain drawn by a team of four oxen, and manned by four priests (including one eunuch) and six Shrial slaves (all of whom would be executed en route to Golgotterath).

Intrinsic Gate—The ensorcelled gate raised by Nil’giccas, sealing the rent portion the High Horn upon the summit of the Scab. Known to the Nonmen by the same name they had given its Inchoroi predecessor, ?bil Noscisor, ‘Shut Teeth’ (Ihrims?). Now located within the citadel of the High Cwol.

In?nara Highlands—A region of foothills to the northeast of the Unaras Spur of the Hethanta Mountains.

The Inverse Fire—Xir’kirimakra (C?no-Cinc?lic). Subparticular intentional field machine linking individual observational frames of reference to their eternal fate in the Outside. Given that the Gods are both jealous and connoisseurs, most souls peering into the Inverse Fire discover the fact of their eternal damnation, an experience so profound as to drive all who witness it into the horrifying embrace of the Consult. This was what rendered Mekeritrig an inevitable consequence of Cet’ingira’s survival, and why Apocalypse has always clustered as bees about this perpetually disastrous device.

Inversi—Ursranc specifically bred to guard the Upright Horn, and thus the Inverse Fire. More heavily armoured and armed, they are also more disciplined and cunning. An upside-down flame traced in gold is their emblem.

Inversions—Daimotic Cants of Dispossession, or more generally, sorcery allowing the souls of the living to wander the ways of the dead. Outlawed by the Thousand Temples, eschewed by the Mandate, Inversions are the most feared discipline of the Daimos, especially within the Scarlet Spires.

Invishi—The commercial and spiritual capital of Nilnamesh, and one of the most ancient cities of the Three Seas.

Inward Stair—The great stair running from the Pith of Ishterebinth, across the upward face of the Ilculc? Rift beneath the Hanging Citadels, down to the Chthonic Manse.

Iothiah—A great Old Dynasty city located on the Sempis Delta.

Irreüma—A so-called “all-Gods temple” located in the administrative quarter of the Hagerna. Though its architecture belongs to the classical Kyranean period, its provenance is unknown.

Irsalfus, Hiappus (4068—4132)—The first Schoolman to be killed in the Culling.

Iros—Viritic name for Antareg. See Antareg.

Iryssas, Krijates (4089—4121)—Man-of-the-Tusk, young and impetuous major-domo of House Krijates, and cousin to Krijates Xinemus. Lost in calm seas off the coast of southern Conriya.

Ishoiya—Sheyic for “uncertainty.” The so-called Day of Doubt, an Inrithi holy day celebrated in late summer, commemorating the spiritual turmoil and renewal undergone by Inri Sejenus during his imprisonment in Xerash. Among the less pious, Ishoiya is renowned as a day of copious drinking.

Ishori?l—“Exalted Hall” (Ihrims?). See Ishterebinth.

Ishroi—“Exalted Ones” (Ihrims?). The name given to the Nonmen warrior castes.

Ishterebinth—“Exalted Stronghold” (?meri derivation of the Ihrims?, Ishtir’it). Mansion of E?rwa located to the west of the Demua Mountains, and the last surviving (and so often referred to as the House Charnel). Known as Ishori?l (“Exalted Hall”) in the Is?phiryas, Ishterebinth was considered one of the premier cities of the C?nuroi after Si?l and Cil-Aujas. One of the Nine, those Mansions older than the Is?phiryas, the founding of Ishori?l is lost to the mists of prehistory. Tradition attributes the founding to the third Ladling (third generation following Tsonos), claiming the Hero ?lk?’kolil as their founder, the problem being that the great southern Mansion of Incissal also claims ?lk?’kolil as their founder (thus the ironic connotations of any reference to “the Sons of ?lk?’kolil” in Nonman literary traditions, and K?’jara-Kinmoi’s famous disparagement of his age-old competitor as the isull?’imiroi, or “Sons of Someone”). The tradition holds that ?lk?’kolil, fleeing the House Primordial after seducing his stepmother (while wearing his father’s armour), traveled west chasing visions sent by Imimor?l, promising a new home bloody with Nonman silver, a “House Eschatological” to match and ultimately surpass the glory of Holy Siol.

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