isolate: A stratum that has no straits and no ligatures to other strata. A stratum can be created as an isolate or can become one over time. Pronounced is?l?t, not is?lat.

Jackie (Jacqueline) MacAuley: A server at Pete’s Eats, in Dorf.

Janie (Jane) Breitenbach: Beth Ryder’s best friend and co-worker, back in Dorf.

Jazzy (Jazmin) Ryder: One of Beth Ryder’s nieces, second daughter of Ben and Justine Ryder.

Justine Jenson Ryder: Beth Ryder’s sister-in-law, suspected by Cordus of being Eye of the Heavens in disguise. Her true shape appears to be a collection of floating blue balls. She is capable of workings that leave no trace in the fabric of reality. Whatever she actually is, she seems unaware that she is anything other than a normal human woman.

Kara Dolores Sanchez: A member of Cordus’s organization. A powerful healer.

Koji Noguchi: A member of Cordus’s staff.

learned working: A working mastered through study and practice (rather than functioning automatically, like a gift). Some learned workings, such as unlocking doors, are common, but most workers never acquire many. A worker with quite a few learned workings under their belt is said to have entered the fourth caste.

Lia Ryder: One of Beth Ryder’s nieces, third daughter of Ben and Justine Ryder.

ligature: A doorway between two different strata of the Second Emanation. Unlike straits, ligatures do not need to be opened by a power — they remain open all the time.

Limu: A great power holding territory in the First Emanation (the Pacific Ocean, its archipelagos, and its coastal rim). Gifted in fire- and mineral-working. Styles himself “Lord.” Claims to be the true husband of the person now calling herself Justine Ryder. Claims that she stole something from him. Sent a green man bounty hunter to retrieve her.

Madisyn Ryder: Beth Ryder’s youngest niece, fourth daughter of Ben and Justine Ryder. A Nolander who saw through very early, a sign she has little power.

mini-dinosaurs, or minis: Beth Ryder’s names for a small theropod species of dinosaur that attacked her in the Octoworld isolate.

mouse: A friendly creature Beth Ryder found while meditating on Rib Mountain, in Wisconsin. Graham Ryzik advised her not to tell anyone about it.

Nolander: A person born in the First Emanation who is able to work essence, at least to the degree of seeing through, but who is not strong enough to open a strait and emigrate to the Second Emanation. Organized by Seconds into quasi-police forces responsible for keeping the existence of the Second Emanation a secret.

Octoworld: Beth Ryder’s label for a nameless isolate inhabited by sentient, water-working octopuses, as well as other creatures.

the old mill at Bilford Crossing: An abandoned building near Dorf; location of a strait.