Glossary
Ahmah (Myanai)
Informal term for ‘mother’.
Ancients (Yceltic)
A race predating the Ycelts. Lore describes their unique colouring: moonbeam pale skin, midnight hair, and midday eyes, compared with the ancient Myanai described as having midnight skin, moonbeam pale hair, and twilight eyes.
Ballad of Fyora and Zar (Yceltic)
A popular but lengthy ballad often used to denote the passage of time.
Braies (Yceltic)
A type of undergarment made from linen or wool, traditionally worn to cover the privates from waist to knee, though some Yceltics choose more or less coverage to suit their taste and modesty.
Cleansing (Yceltic)
A ritual to burn heretics. Believed to cleanse their souls and restore purity. Used as a remedy against Xenon’s Curse.
Cult of the Dark Sun (Yceltic)
Ycelts consider Elnora’s worshippers as members of this religion or cult. Elnora’s priestly class typically excludes women from its ranks.
Cursed Land of Ycelt (Yceltic)
According to ancient lore, following the Great War, Xenon cursed all Ycelt to remain at war (Ycelt’s curse). Hierarchies that once relied on strength of magic, now relied on might. This is used to explain the constant state of political and military unrest throughout the High Realm. Xenon spared his followers from Ycelt’s curse by placing His curse (‘the Curse’) on any individual who raised a hand against them.
Cynnelic (Yceltic)
A minor (low-ranking) lord. An archaic term, no longer in common use.
Dearling (Yceltic)
Form of endearment, often used by commoners to refer to children.
Dorj (Myanai)
Literally a palace, but used colloquially to mean household, or home.
Dosha (Myanai)
A husband and overlord. Head of a Myanai household.
Dryhten (Yceltic)
The highest-ranking lord beneath a prince. Distinct from an ordinary lord (‘cynnelic’).
Elnora (Yceltic)
Goddess of the Dark Sun, commonly referred to as Our Dark Lady, or Our Lady of the Dark Sun. The Cult of the Dark Sun is the mainstream religion throughout Ycelt. Also used to describe the sun.
God-Body (Myanai/Yceltic)
A person’s simulacrum or ethereal form. Those gifted with Travelling can move via their ethereal form, or ‘God-Body’.
God-Sight (Myanai/Yceltic)
Also called Vision. Using magic (ethereal sight) to perceive. Ethereal perception.
High King (Yceltic)
The most senior ranking secular ruler in Ycelt. The king of kings.
High Priest/High Priestess (Yceltic)
The most senior ranking post in the holy class.
High Realm (Yceltic)
All land under jurisdiction of the High King of Ycelt.
Ilak (Yceltic)
A domesticated ruminant mammal, similar to a sheep or goat, used for their meat, milk, skin, and wool. Ycelts also use ilak fat to make butter and candles.
Kordra (Myanai)
A full-bodied robe worn by women in Myan.
Lan-Dosha (Myanai)
A castrated male chaperone, hired to accompany women in public spaces.
Marked Prince (Yceltic)
A title given to the eldest male child in a royal dynasty, marked to inherit the throne.
Mayora (Myanai)
Mother.
Moonbelt (Yceltic)
A belt worn to contain menstrual rags.
Moontime (Yceltic)
Menstruation.
Moonsworn (Yceltic/Myanai)
A person touched by the god Xenon and blessed with His magic.
Musolano (Myanai)
A place to house and study objects. Often contains Anciet relics. A museum.
Neophyte (Yceltic)
A lower ranked priest, often still in training, or holding a serving position below a standing priest.
Novice (Yceltic)
A lower ranked priestess, often still in training, or holding a serving position below a priestess.
Princess Elder (Yceltic)
A title bestowed when the first-born child in a royal dynasty is female, not male. The title holder may inherit a plot of land and retain the title even after marriage.
Salvees (Myanai)
A crier’s call to attract buyers. Literally, a sale.
Scry (Yceltic/Myanai)
Ethereal Perception. Using magic to spy via a charged surface.
Shrillan (Yceltic)
A prohibited plant known for its effects on the mind and body, including changes in perception and mood. When smoked, induces mild euphoria and relaxation. When fermented and chewed, acts as a stimulant to keep the user awake. A common side effect of chewing fermented shrillan is hallucinations. Used in religious rituals and to inspire visions in those with magic.
Soup of the Gods (Myanai)
Colloquial description of the ethereal currents through which magic passes.
Taya menel (Myanai)
A request for someone to move out of the way. Literal translation is ‘Move, let me pass.’
Thukran (Myanai)
My thanks.
Torja (Myanai)
First wife. The most honoured rank afforded a woman in a Myanai household.
Uhtan (Yceltic)
The false light before dawn.
Xenon (Yceltic)
God of the Black Moon (formerly, Silver Moon). Xenon’s followers are often called ‘Moonsworn.’ Ycelts consider the Moonsworn heretics. Also used to describe the moon.
Xenona (Myanai)
A sorceress. Believed to be touched by the god, or ‘moonsworn’.
Xenona-ran (Myanai)
Magic employed by a Xenona, or sorceress.
Xenon’s Curse (Yceltic)
The ‘Curse’. Xenon’s Curse befalls anyone who touches a Sworn Priestess in violence or in lust. According to Ancient Yceltic lore, Xenon’s Curse brings horror thrice over. Yceltics believe Xenon Curses any individual who defies His sacred laws.