eagerly hoping for a transfer to a new assignment as soon as possible.
Lovise
ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Dex Dizznee
QUALIFICATIONS: As the oldest of the goblins assigned to guard Sophie and her friends, Lovise has had decades of service in the goblin army. The only reason she hasn’t been placed in charge of her own squadron is because she prefers assignments that are more solitary.
KNOWN FOR: Her abundance of patience, which is particularly essential for her assignment, given that she spends a great deal of time around Dex’s triplet siblings.
NOTES: Lovise was severely injured during one of the Neverseen’s recent attacks, and yet she refused anything more than temporary battlefield remedies for her wounds until she’d reorganized the security. She then returned to Gildingham for proper treatment, and while she was there, Queen Hylda gave her the option of being reassigned. But Lovise has grown quite fond of Dex and chose to remain with her charge. She also became one of the few goblins to have visited a Forbidden City after going with Sophie, Dex, and Sandor to London.
Cadoc
ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Edaline Ruewen
QUALIFICATIONS: Before being assigned to the Lost Cities, Cadoc served in Queen Hylda’s palace and also taught battle tactics at one of the goblin’s military academies. All in his regiment agree he’s one of the best in their ranks.
KNOWN FOR: Cadoc is the strong, silent type—and so tall and muscular that he manages to make Sandor look petite.
NOTES: Cadoc survived the ogre attack that killed Brielle—but only because Havenfield’s resident T. rex broke free from her enclosure and went on an ogre-chomping rampage. And he was seriously injured in the fight. He now works to protect both Grady and Edaline as much as he can, feeling it’s his duty to honor Brielle’s sacrifice.
Brielle
ASSIGNMENT: Bodyguard to Grady Ruewen
QUALIFICATIONS: Before volunteering to serve in the Lost Cities, Brielle was second-in-command for a series of goblin squadrons, which is likely why she offered to be a bodyguard. Serving time with the elves can often lead to appointments in Queen Hylda’s palace.
KNOWN FOR: Unflinching commitment and loyalty—and her long, curly hair. She also saved Grady Ruewen.
NOTES: Brielle was killed during an ogre attack at Havenfield after taking on four ogres at once so Grady could get to Edaline. Three ogres fell to her sword. The fourth ended her life—and was captured and killed by King Dimitar during his interrogation (despite Queen Hylda’s demand that the ogres turn the murderer over to her). Brielle’s aurified body now stands in the Hall of Heroes, a permanent testimony to her bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice.
OGRES
CAPITAL CITY:
Sadlitzagvatka
(translates to Ravagog in the Enlightened Language)
RULED BY:
King Dimitar
Queen Gundula
CULTURE:
The ogres have proven time and again that they’re one of the more volatile, aggressive species on the planet, and many aspects of their culture could definitely be considered extreme. Their work camps are known to push workers until they collapse. Bloody sparring matches are a regular occurrence—even with their king. In fact, ogre leaders aren’t elected, but rather must fight their way to the position through deadly rounds of sparring. Even the ogres’ homeland was stolen long ago from the gnomes—and the ogres made sure to tear down the trees and poison the river in case anyone tried to help the gnomes return. So it’s no surprise that weapons and battle training feature prominently in the ogres’ lives. Warriors famously wear a minimum amount of armor to prove how little protection they require, and scars are celebrated. The army is organized to ensure that the king reigns supreme, with all ranks reporting to him—and select Mercadirs (who hold no actual power) are in charge of seeing that his orders are carried out. Ogre warriors are able to utilize certain skills, like the grusom-daj (where their brains transmit a high-pitched frequency to trigger pain) and phase-shifting (using a gadget to shift the force of gravity to launch themselves to safety). But the ogres’ greatest military (and medical) advancements are actually a result of their incredible biochemistry (which also affects much of their architecture). Substances like aromark (used for homing devices), reveldust (used to detect the presence of microbes), Bucollosisia (the bacterium that the Neverseen used to make soporidine), ethreium (another type of tracker), and numerous other microbes are utilized to tremendous effect. Even their Markchains (similar to the elves’ registry pendants) rely on special bacteria to identify whether someone has permission to be in Ravagog. And Mercadirs who commit serious offenses find themselves punished with a shamkniv (a special kind of dagger) dipped in flesh-eating