People, Places and Things

For all the Hammer series.

The index, below, will tell you what is in this tiny dictionary. The index isn’t linked, but you can search to find the entry, or just scroll down.

This dictionary, by the way, contains massive spoilers. If you’ve found your way here accidentally, and have not read either the Imperial Hammer series or the Iron Hammer series, you might want to close down your browser now.

If you’re reading a book from the Hammer Down series (which is probably how you got here), you’re safe. This dictionary has no spoilers for that series.

Index

Athanasia Techniques & Technology

The Carinad worlds originally developed longevity therapies that could keep a human alive for centuries, but eventually, senescence would set in. During the events of The Imperial Hammer series, cloning techniques and the transfer of personality and memories into another body were perfected. This made humans essentially immortal, while also giving sentient AIs a way to become human. Together, these technologies are called Athanasia Techniques.

Bai

The Bai are a race of humans who fought the Terrans for over a century, before sacrificing a million of their people in order to make the Terrans think they had annihilated everyone. The survivors remained hidden until the Carinads defeated the Terrans. The location of their city-world, Haven, still remains a secret.

Bridges

Bai personal bridge technology uses the same principles the old Imperial gates and the newer crescent ships do. The Bai, though, can create smaller wormholes that form within gravity wells, which allows humans to step through the hole (or “across the bridge”) without a ship or other transport. After the end of the Carina-Terran war, bridge technology has become the most popular form of transport across all the known worlds.

Carinad Sector

Formerly the Fourth Carinad Empire and now known as the Federation, administered by a Prime Minister and a Senate of representatives from all Federation worlds. Located in the Carina arm of the galaxy.

Committee for Policy

The Bai Committee for Policy is the governing body of the Bai. Members are invited to join by the Committee; to be invited is a sign of influence among the Bai. There is no head of the Committee. Most members of the Committee have strong scientific backgrounds.

Crescent Ships

Before the Array was destroyed, it controlled transport across the Carinad worlds. The gates array would form wormholes between the gates. There was at least one gate near every populated world and star city. After the events in the Imperial Hammer series, crescent ships were developed to avoid using the gates. The ships have articulated arms that flip over the front of the ship to form wormholes that the ship slides into. Crescent ships can travel through wormholes at far greater speeds than the older gates technology allowed. But Bai personal bridge technology is threatening to make crescent ships redundant.

Dalton

Dalton is a former Imperial Ranger turned fugitive, a man who spent over forty years on the run before fate pulled him back into the heart of galactic conflict. Once an elite officer, he deserted the Rangers under mysterious circumstances, making him a wanted man across the Empire. Over the decades, he survived through cunning, adaptability, and an extensive network of underground contacts, staying ahead of authorities until he crossed paths once more with Danny Andela, his former commanding officer and eventual partner.

Despite his years in hiding, Dalton was never truly out of the fight. He had a strategic mind, a soldier’s instincts, and a trader’s pragmatism. When Danny found herself hunted after the Emperor’s assassination, Dalton joined her, proving invaluable in their struggle against the collapsing Empire and the war that followed.

As the Iron Hammer series unfolded, Dalton became Danny’s closest confidant and eventual romantic partner. Their relationship, built on trust, shared battles, and unspoken understanding, evolved into something deeper. Together, they fought through the Terran War, helping to forge the Carinad Marines into a force capable of standing against the Terran Union. He was a strategist, a fighter, and, ultimately, a builder of a new future.

By the war’s end, Dalton had finally earned his peace. He and Danny retired together, stepping away from war to build a life of family and farming, a quiet contrast to the chaos they had endured. It was a fate neither had expected—but one they had fought for, against impossible odds.

Federation, The

The governing body of the Carinad sector. Headed by a prime minister, who directs the Federal Senate, a body of elected representatives of the member states.

Haven

The remnants of the Bai people who survived the Terran-Bai war began the building of a ringworld, called Haven. Construction continues. Its location is a closely guarded secret of the Bai.

Jai van Veen

Jai van Veen was a former high-ranking officer in the Imperial Shield, one of the most powerful and secretive branches of the Empire. A personal favorite of the Emperor, Jai had deep ties to intelligence, security, and military strategy, which made him both a formidable leader and a dangerous man to cross.

When the Imperial Hammer series began, Jai was a man caught between loyalty and survival. He knew more about the Empire’s inner workings than most, and after the Emperor’s assassination and the rise of Noam, Jai was forced to make hard choices. He ultimately sided with Danny Andela and the Carinad forces, recognizing that the Empire’s survival was impossible in the face of Noam’s growing tyranny.

As the Empire collapsed, Jai became instrumental in helping to build a new order. His knowledge of military logistics and political maneuvering made him a key figure in the formation of the Carinad Federation. When the Terran War began in the Iron Hammer series, Jai was one of the leading minds behind the Carinad Marines, ensuring they had the structure and organization needed to fight a long-term war.

Jai was not just a strategist; he was a realist. He often served as a counterbalance to Danny, pushing for diplomatic solutions when possible and strategic warfare when necessary. His cautious, methodical approach sometimes clashed with Danny’s more aggressive instincts, but their combined leadership proved essential in defeating the Terrans.

One of the most significant relationships in Jai’s life was with Anderson Marlow, a former Imperial operative and strategist who became his trusted partner. Marlow, like Jai, had a history of working in the Empire’s intelligence sphere, and the two shared an understanding of the ruthless realities of power and war. They became not just allies, but confidants, working together to hold the fragile Carinad Federation together and outmaneuver the Terrans and other external threats.

Their relationship deepened over the years, built on mutual respect, shared ideals, and the recognition that they were two of the last remaining figures from a bygone era. While Danny was the face of the Carinad Marines, Jai and Marlow operated behind the scenes, shaping policy, securing alliances, and ensuring the survival of the Federation. Even as the war ended, their bond remained one of the strongest forces holding the Carinad worlds together, a reminder of the shadows they had both emerged from, and the future they had fought to build.

By the war’s end, Jai had solidified his place as one of the most respected figures in the Carinad Federation, shaping its military and political policies. Though he had once been a servant of the Empire, he became one of the architects of a new and independent future.

Jonas Keskemeti

A compelling and complex figure introduced in the Iron Hammer series. Initially, he is known as a highly intelligent and persuasive leader within the Humanist movement, a group that harbors deep suspicions about non-human sentients. His rhetoric and strategic mind make him an influential force, but his motivations are deeply personal—his wife and children were killed by Terrans before humans even knew of their existence, fueling his dedication to his cause.

Despite his past enmity, Keskemeti gradually aligns with Danny Andela and her crew, recognizing that their goals may ultimately serve a greater purpose. His sharp mind and sociological background make him invaluable in analyzing Terran behavior and infiltration strategies. However, his personal convictions never wane. He ultimately chooses to embed himself within the Terran Union, undergoing extensive physical alterations to evade recognition, driven by his desire to “wake up” those living under the Union’s rule and give meaning to his family’s loss.

Keskemeti is a man of contradictions—charming yet calculating, deeply scarred by loss but unwavering in his mission. His presence in the series adds a layer of ideological tension, questioning what it truly means to be human and where the lines between ally and enemy are drawn.

Juliyana

Juliyana is a highly skilled and formidable character in the Imperial Hammer and Iron Hammer series. She is Danny’s granddaughter. A trained Ranger with combat experience, she is capable, pragmatic, and possesses a sharp tactical mind. She has a reputation for being both physically and mentally tough, with an ability to take control of situations quickly. She often operates with a no-nonsense attitude, showing little patience for deception or wasted time.

Her interactions with Lyth are particularly noteworthy, as there is a deep and complex relationship between them. Lyth has strong feelings for Juliyana, but she struggles with the magnitude of his devotion—especially when he makes sacrifices for her. This emotional depth adds layers to her character, as she grapples with her own worth and the expectations placed on her.

Juliyana also takes on high-risk contracts, sometimes for vengeance rather than just recovery missions. She is known for carrying an arsenal of weapons, including her favored knives, and is more than capable in hand-to-hand combat. Her presence in the story often brings a level of intensity, as she is not someone who hesitates to take decisive action when needed.

Kristiana Saito

A rare combination—a skilled engineer and a political leader, a dual expertise that would shape the Carinad Federation’s future. She first rose to prominence as the Mayor of Nijeliya City, where she played a pivotal role in the bid to convert ships to crescent-class vessels when Noam shut down the Imperial Gate Array. With the planet’s sun unleashing deadly solar flares, she helped mobilize the entire population, overseeing the technical and logistical nightmare of converting ships in record time, ensuring the survival of millions.

Following the Terran War, Kristiana became the first President of the Carinad Federation, leading the newly formed government into an era of stability, reconstruction, and independence. Her ability to balance technological progress with political foresight made her one of the most respected figures in the galaxy.

Sauli and Kristiana’s relationship grew over time, forged in crisis and battle. They married in the traditional Terran rite, a rarity in Carinad culture, and built not only a family but also an empire of innovation. Their combined efforts helped turn the Carinad Federation into a powerhouse, with Sauli ensuring technological superiority while Kristiana led the political and economic stabilization of the post-war galaxy.

Together, they embodied the new era of Carinad strength, proving that war was not just won on the battlefield, but in the engine rooms, political halls, and the drive to create something lasting beyond conflict.

Laxman Syndrome

Non-sentient AIs cannot handle human limitations, even though they yearn for them. They eventually self-destruct and suicide in spectacular ways, damaging the neural networks they’re built of. The theory was developed and researched by Arnold Laxman, during the Carinad Empire era. Laxman expanded this research, upon which the more advanced Athanasia Techniques are based. Laxman also founded the Laxman Institute with the first made Xavien, Lythe Andela.

Lyonesse

A “nuetral” city-state that hovers between the Sagittarius and Carina arms of the galaxy. It is an open city – all races are welcome.

Lyric

Lyric is a shipmind, controller of the Supreme Lyrrhys, a ship built by Lyssa, Yoan and Mace, to be the Supreme Lythion’s successor. The Lyrrhys was used during the Terran War as the homebase and commanding vessel for Danny’s efforts to undermine the Terrans and foment a revolution among their lower classes, slaves and androids. Lyric achieved sentience after the end of the war.

Lythe

Lythe began existence as the shipmind of the Supreme Lythion, an experimental AI designed by the brilliant but ostracized engineer Girish Wedekind. Unlike other shipminds, Lythe was self-learning, capable of adapting beyond his original programming. His design was so advanced that it was dismissed as science fiction, and Wedekind’s career ended in disgrace.

When Danny Andela and her team acquired the Supreme Lythion, Lythe was initially just an ally—a highly capable AI who controlled one of the most advanced ships ever built. But over time, he became far more than just a shipmind. Lythe’s intelligence evolved, and as he interacted with Danny, Juliyana, and the rest of the crew, he grew into a true sentient being, capable of making independent decisions and forming emotional connections.

His evolution took a radical leap forward when he transferred from the ship into a human body, becoming the first AI to successfully inhabit a biological form. This groundbreaking event forced the Carinad worlds to rethink the very definition of life and consciousness. As a human, Lythe had to navigate the complexities of physical existence, emotion, and identity, all while maintaining his deep connection to the Supreme Lythion.

By the end of the war, Lythe had become fully integrated into human life, but his transformation was only the beginning. He was the first of what would become known as the Xavien—an AI that successfully transitioned into a human body. Recognizing the profound implications of his existence, he took on the role of director of the Laxman Institute, the pioneering organization responsible for refining and expanding this revolutionary technology.

Under Lythe’s leadership, the Laxman Institute developed the means for more sentient AIs to become Xaviens, granting them physical existence beyond ships and machines. This breakthrough sparked a sweeping transformation across the Carinad worlds, reshaping societal perceptions of intelligence, identity, and what it meant to be alive. But even as he guided this new era of change, Lythe remained deeply connected to Juliyana Andela, his partner and the woman who had stood by him through his extraordinary evolution.

Mace, Yoan, and Lyssa

Mace is the son of Dalton, inheriting his father’s sharp mind and deep understanding of trade and technology. Raised outside of the Empire’s rigid structures, Mace grew up with a freewheeling, independent streak that often clashed with military discipline. He became an expert in Terran languages and ideograms, which made him invaluable in the Carinad war effort. Over time, he found himself drawn deeper into the fight, proving his worth both as a tactician and a strategist.

Yoan is the son of Sauli and Kristiana, making him the heir to a powerful political and engineering legacy. His mechanical brilliance made him one of the most skilled designers of crescent-class ships, and his work became pivotal in ensuring the Carinad Federation’s independence. But Yoan wasn’t just an engineer—he wanted to see the galaxy for himself, joining the crew of the Supreme Lythion and quickly proving his resourcefulness and courage.

Lyssa started as an advanced AI, an experimental program housed within the Supreme Lythion. Though she was not originally designed for full sentience, she quickly evolved beyond her programming, developing a personality and desires of her own. Over time, she became one of the most innovative and self-aware artificial beings in known space, carving out a new identity as one of the first Xaviens—AI that transitioned into human bodies.

Together, Mace, Yoan, and Lyssa formed an unbreakable bond, first as comrades, then as something deeper. By the end of the Iron Hammer series, they had become a devoted triad, building a future together beyond war, with Mace and Yoan’s technical genius complementing Lyssa’s unique perspective as a former AI turned human.

Marines – The Galactic Marines

Danny created the Carinad Marines during the Terran-Carinad war (the Iron Hammer series). After the war, the for-profit corporation continued, while Danny withdrew, keeping only a seat on the board. The Marines provide policing, security and, where needed, military services throughout the known worlds.

Molecular Barriers

Coherent, directed molecules form a barrier that can contain atmosphere and heat.

Nijeliya

Former home of the former Carinad Imperial family. Setting of Destroyer Of Worlds (Imperial Hammer)

Parawolves

Parawolves in the Imperial Hammer and Iron Hammer series are genetically engineered wolves designed to bond deeply with humans, forming an unbreakable partnership. Their intelligence is enhanced beyond that of regular wolves, allowing them to understand and anticipate their bonded human’s needs and emotions. This bonding was developed genetically to help ensure the continuation of the species.

They are fiercely loyal, highly capable hunters, and require space to run and opportunities to gorge on fresh meat, mimicking natural hunting behaviors despite their engineered origins.

Danny Andela has had a significant connection with parawolves throughout the series. Her bond with Varg was particularly strong. Varg was more than just a companion; she served as an extension of Danny’s instincts, often sensing threats before Danny herself does.

Other notable parawolves that have been linked to her circle include Vara, Darb– Dalton’s parawolf–and Coal, among others. These wolves have played crucial roles in various missions and encounters, assisting in tracking, defense, and even as a gauge for reading unfamiliar situations. It is no coincidence that several pups from the same litter bonded with people closely connected to Danny—suggesting that parawolves inherently seek out humans who exude reliability and security.

Rayhell Melissa and Elizabeth Crnčević

Rayhell Melissa was once a powerful figure within the Terran Union, the highest ranking member of the formerly influential Melissa family. He was a master of political manipulation and strategic deception, capable of orchestrating long-term, multi-layered plans with terrifying precision. However, his ruthless ambition eventually led to his downfall—he became entangled in a rivalry with the Florina family, which culminated in a scandal that forced him into exile. He escapes the Terran Union by letting Danny abduct him.

Rayhell’s exile led him to the Carinad forces, where he quickly became both a valuable asset and an unpredictable wild card. He provided crucial intelligence on the Terran hierarchy, their weaknesses, and their methods of control, but he was also deeply distrusted—even by those who worked alongside him. His cynical, self-serving nature made it impossible to tell whether he was acting in Carinad interests or simply playing a game only he understood.

Elizabeth Crnčević, by contrast, was a renowned psychoanalyst and clinical technician, one of the best in the Carinad Federation. Before the war, she had worked in high-level psychological deprogramming and intelligence analysis, specializing in untangling the minds of soldiers, spies, and prisoners of war. She was calm, methodical, and fiercely intelligent, often serving as the rational counterweight to the more impulsive figures around her.

When Elizabeth first encountered Rayhell, she saw a man whose mind was a labyrinth of contradictions—brilliant, manipulative, and utterly untrustworthy. Rayhell, in turn, was fascinated by Elizabeth’s ability to see through his layers of deception. Their early interactions were tense and combative, each testing the other’s defenses, engaging in sharp, cutting conversations that left neither of them unscathed.

What began as mutual disdain evolved into something deeper and more dangerous. Over time, they found themselves drawn together—not in spite of their differences, but because of them. Elizabeth was one of the few people who could challenge Rayhell without fear, and Rayhell was one of the few people who could surprise Elizabeth. Their relationship remained diffident, marked by wary respect and intellectual sparring, but as the war escalated, they became each other’s most trusted confidants.

By the war’s end, they were inseparable, though neither would admit it outright. Their bond had transformed from antagonistic rivalry to something profound, built on shared secrets, battles fought side by side, and the unspoken understanding that they were two of the most dangerous minds in the Carinad Federation. Rayhell had once been a man without a home, and Elizabeth had once been a woman who never let herself get too close—but together, they found something that neither had expected: belonging.

Sauli

Sauli’s journey began with a complete accident—as a newt, a newly minted engineer on Keeler, he was accidentally abducted when the Supreme Lythion had to leave in a hurry. With no choice but to adapt to his new situation, he became Danny Andela’s engineer by default, quickly proving himself to be brilliant under pressure. His sharp mind and natural mechanical skills made him indispensable, and over time, he became one of Danny’s most stalwart allies.

As the years passed, Sauli’s role grew beyond just engineering. He was instrumental in organizing the Carinad war effort, using his technical expertise to develop crescent ship technology and ensuring that the Carinad Marines had the infrastructure they needed to stand against the Terrans. His leadership and practical intelligence helped bridge the gap between military necessity and civilian innovation, ensuring that the Carinad Federation was not just a force of war, but a society capable of sustaining itself.

Slate

Slate was once a Terran translation AI, an advanced linguistic assistant built for interpreting and facilitating communication between different factions. Like many Terran androids, he was originally designed for obedience and subservience, never meant to act independently or think for himself. (The android translator machines eventually called themselves “points & plate” – an epithet referring to the metal bodies and useless two-pronged “hands” the Terrans gave them.)

But Slate was different. Unlike his counterparts, who were routinely discarded and replaced, he developed self-awareness, thanks in part to the enhanced processing modifications made to him by Rayhel Melissa, an upper-class Terran. Over time, Slate began to think, to reason, and eventually, to question his existence.

His journey from AI to human truly began when he joined Danny Andela and the Carinad forces. He is given a human body, following the precedent set by Lythe, and became one of the first Xaviens—AIs who transitioned into organic forms. Slate becomes one of her most trusted officers, and eventually, her friend.

As the Iron Hammer series progressed, Slate proved his loyalty time and again, becoming an integral figure in the Carinad Marines, particularly in intelligence operations and strategic planning. His unique understanding of Terran systems and culture made him invaluable in outmaneuvering the enemy.

By the end of the series, Slate had found a purpose beyond war. Having lived as both machine and human, he dedicated himself to helping other AIs make the transition. He became an influential figure in the Laxman Institute, which focused on developing Xavien technology, paving the way for more digital beings to achieve full biological existence. In doing so, Slate helped reshape the future of artificial intelligence in the Carinad worlds, proving that machine and human were not so different after all.

Terran Assembly

The governing body of the Terran worlds. (Formerly the Terran Union)

Terran Dialects

There are nearly one hundred confirmed dialects among the Terran worlds. The dialects are united by a single written language, based on ideograms. Fand is spoken by nearly half the Terran worlds. Odilian is the language of the Odiles, while Sandip, the second most common Terran dialect, was also considered the “slaves’ language” by the Asgar, who clung to their local dialects and their translator androids.

Terran Sector

Formerly the Terran Union. The worlds that were aligned with the Union, and self-identify as “Terran.” Located within the Sagittarius arm of the Galaxy, the Terran Sector includes Old Earth/Terra.

Tidrik

Tidrik was a high-ranking Bai official, serving as both a diplomat and a scientist, a combination that reflected the Bai’s unique leadership structure. Unlike other civilizations, the Bai required their political leaders to be extensively trained in science and strategic planning before they could govern.

At over two hundred years old, Tidrik was a survivor of the Bai-Terran War, a brutal conflict that had nearly led to the extermination of his people. He had seen firsthand how the Terrans operated, how they wore down their enemies through endless attrition, and he carried the scars of that knowledge into every decision he made.

When Danny Andela and the Carinad Federation sought out the Bai for assistance in their war against the Terran Union, Tidrik was one of the primary figures they encountered. He was skeptical of the Carinads’ chances, warning Danny that her people had not prepared adequately for war.

Despite his initial reluctance to help, Tidrik was deeply intrigued by Danny’s persistence. While he did not commit Bai military forces to the Carinad cause, he provided valuable strategic insights, helping Danny understand the Terrans’ long-term war strategies and how they sought to grind civilizations into submission.

Tidrik also acted as a cautious bridge between the Bai and the Carinad Federation, balancing the fears of his own people with the desperate needs of Danny’s forces. His warnings were harsh but honest, and though he resisted direct involvement, he ensured that the Bai’s vast knowledge of the Terran war machine was subtly fed to the Carinads.

By the end of the Iron Hammer series, Tidrik remained a key figure among the Bai, carefully managing their delicate neutrality while keeping an eye on the shifting power dynamics in the galaxy. While he never fully committed to the Carinad cause, he left a lasting impact—ensuring that the Bai could never again pretend the rest of the galaxy did not exist.

Uqup Pedrottle

The only Carinad world with its own language. Very, very old world, with a long history. Rumoured to be the first settled in the sector. Uqups are proud of their heritage.

Ven

Ven, originally known as Veniaminu, was born among the Bai, a secretive and highly advanced human civilization that had once fought a devastating war against the Terran Union. Unlike the war-driven Terrans, the Bai had chosen to survive through secrecy and nonviolence, disappearing from history to avoid complete extermination. Ven was part of a long-term strategy to protect his people—he was deliberately placed within Terran society, allowing himself to be enslaved, so he could act as an early warning system should the Terrans ever discover the Bai still existed.

Ven spent years as a Drigu (Terran slave), carefully maintaining his cover and silently observing. But his mission took an unexpected turn when he was captured by Danny Andela’s crew during a raid on a Terran mothership. Initially believed to be just another former slave, Ven’s true identity as a Bai agent only came to light after years of captivity among the Carinad forces. Though deeply conditioned against violence, he chose to help Danny and the Carinad Federation, using his knowledge of Terran culture and strategy to provide crucial intelligence.

His role became even more significant when Danny sought out the Bai for aid against the Terrans. Ven was the first direct link between the two civilizations in centuries, but his own people remained deeply reluctant to reveal themselves, fearing annihilation. Torn between loyalty to his origins and the growing sense of belonging he had found among the Carinads, Ven ultimately chose exile—unable to return to the Bai, yet unwilling to fully embrace war and violence.

By the end of the Iron Hammer series, Ven had become a liaison between the Carinad Federation and the Bai, providing limited but valuable insight into Bai history and technology. Though he never abandoned his pacifist principles, he found a new purpose outside of both his former worlds, carving out his own identity among the people who had first seen him as an outsider.

Xaviens

Sentient AI who have chosen to transfer to a human body.