THE FOUR REALMS
STONE REALM
The Stone Realm is ruled by Madame in the capital city of Craewick. The largest of the four allied Realms, it is a trading post which supplies the other Realms with tangible goods crafted by the large population of Ungifted workers who live in Craewick.
DESERT REALM
The Desert Realm is ruled by Declan in the capital city of Kripen. It is the military base for the Minders, known for its many taverns, rowdy citizens, and brutal training methods.
COASTAL REALM
The Coastal Realm is ruled by Sorien in the capital city of Blare. It is where all the arts, from painting to singing to dancing, are taught.
WOODLAND REALM
The Woodland Realm is ruled by Porter in the capital city of Aravid. It is where the sciences, mathematics, and histories are taught.
THE WORLD OF THE MEMORY THIEF
gifted
Gifted are those with the ability to transfer memory from one mind to another through touch. They can detect another Gifted by the energy which radiates from a Gifted’s skin, the source which makes the transfer of memory possible.
UNGIFTEd
Ungifted can receive foreign memories but cannot transfer memories themselves. They’re often the victims of memory theft and wear many layers of clothing to protect their skin. Most of the Ungifted work in the Realm city of Craewick as farmers, blacksmiths, masons, tailors, and carpenters.
Sifters
Sifters are the most powerful of the Gifted, having the ability to transfer memories through sight. Sifters rule each of the Four Realms, and the rarity of their Gift makes them the most respected and feared of the Gifted. A Sifter can implant memories quickly enough to change one’s thoughts in an instant and steal enough memories to kill with a single glance. The large amount of energy in their skin creates a barrier around their minds which protects their memories from being stolen by another Sifter. One trait all Sifters share is the gold flecks in their eyes, a sign of the extra energy of their Gift.
The mINDERS
The Minders are the Four Realms’ army, a large battalion of Gifted soldiers. Most of the Gifted are conscripted into the Minders, unless they come from wealthy families who can pay to opt out of service.
COLLECTORS
Collectors are the Gifted who work for the Craewick Treasury. They spend years mastering talents throughout the Four Realms and sell them at the Memory Auction or at the treasury.
hOLLOWS
Hollows are the wealthiest of the Gifted. Because taking on too many foreign memories can muddle the mind, Hollows are known by their graying eyes and dazed looks. They often dress with every inch of skin covered to protect their minds from memory theft.
sHADOWS
Shadows are the best thieves in the Four Realms. They run the black market of memories in the Mines, a hidden underground city. The Shadows are a safe haven for orphans and anyone looking to avoid their Minder conscription. Their motto is “to help those who can’t help themselves,” and they protect the Ungifted, often hunting down Minders who steal from the Ungifted and returning the memories to their rightful owners. They also protect the Ungifted from the Ghosts when the Minders fail to do so.
GHOSTS
Ghosts are those who create and implant violent, painful memories. They’re usually hired by the Hollows to make an enemy suffer and often attack and steal memories from the Ungifted. Though the Minders consider both groups to be thieves and traitors, the Ghosts and the Shadows are adversaries.
HUNTERS
Hunters are those who chose to read and take on memories from the minds of animals. A combination of animal instincts and human nature, they’re skilled trackers and often travel in packs.
UNGIFTED TRIBES
Ungifted Tribes are large groups of nomadic, Ungifted people who’ve chosen to live fully apart from the Gifts.