The Millennipedia

Warning: Here there be spoilers. Suggest not just wandering through the M'pedia if you're a new reader, because some of the definitions give things away.

This is a work in progress. If there's anything you think ought to be added to it or needs correcting, let us know.

Aba Tyriah: (n, Niah) Father Sky.  One of the two main deities worshipped by the people of Niah-lur-ana, (q.v.) he is seen to rule over the sky and the winds, and favour those flyers (see moyawa) who worship him.

aer: (n, Haian) hour.

Aitza(s): (n, Arkan) a member of the first or aristocratic caste in Arkan society; (adj) of or pertaining to the first caste.  Male form is Aitzas, female, Aitza.  In formal usages, appended to the personal name, e.g. Skorsas Trinisas, Aitzas.

Alchaen of Berit: Haian psyche-healer working in the House of Integrity on Haiu Menshir, specialist in aftereffects of torture.  Chevenga’s main healer during his stay on Haiu Menshir after being tortured to catatonia in Arko by Kurkas.

All-Spirit: see kahara.

Ama Kalandris: (n, Niah) Mother Sea.  One of the two main deities worshipped by the people of Niah-lur-ana, (q.v.) she is seen to rule over the sea and favour those sea-travellers who worship her.

anaraseye: (n, Yeoli) literally “ascendant;” heir to the position of semanakraseye.

Anae: (n, Arkan) patron Goddess of female slaves; in the formalArkan calendar, the month named after Her.

angaseye dagra krisa or adakri for short: (n, Yeoli) literally “keeper of the arch-crystal.”  The nominally highest official in the Yeoli Assembly of Servants.

ankarye: Yeoli unit of currency. Like the Arkan chain and the Brahvnikian dragonclaw, it comes in copper, silver and gold denominations. Plural ankaryel.

Anoseth: (n) port-town on the western coast of the peninsula of Arko, celebrated as the scene of a confrontation between forces led by Chevenga, then Imperator of Arko by conquest, and an Arkan army mustered from the western wing of the Empire led nominally by Malaradas Kazien Aitzas but in truth by Toras Meneken solas. It was settled by a duel between Kallijas Itrean (q.v.) and Idiesas Firnean (q.v.).

Arch-Arbitrate: (n, in Yeoli agra sekalaya) supreme court of Yeola-e, consists of seven judges.

Arkan: (n) citizen of the Empire of Arko, the language of the Empire of Arko; (adj) of or pertaining to Arko

Arko: (n) the Empire of Arko, largest empire in the European Fifth Millennium world; its capital city, sometimes referred to as "Arko-the-City" or "The City Itself."  Corruption of English “Ark Corporation,” or “Ark Co.”, the organization from which the Empire originated.

asa kraiya: (adj, Yeoli) literally, “beyond the longsword.”  The state of having given up warriorhood formally.  Asakraiyaseye: person who has gone asa kraiya.  Maesa asa kraiya: literally, “house of beyond the longsword,” one of the buildings, sites or communities populated only by asakraiyaseyel, where new asakraiyaseyel go to adjust.

ascendant to the demarchy (in Yeoli, anaraseye semanakraseyeni): official Yeoli term for the heir to the semanakraseyesin or demarchy; see semanakraseye.

Assembly of Servants: (in Yeoli kenakerela seraseyel) the legislative assembly of Yeoli, comprised of Servants (seraseyel) representing all the ridings of Yeola-e.  Chosen by election, they can be removed at any time by referendum initiated by petition.

Assembly Palace: (in Yeoli, gramaesa kenakerela) the building in Vae Arahi, Yeola-e, which is the home of the Assembly of Servants, the national administration and the national court apparatus.

atakina (n, Yeoli) fall; on the formal Yeoli calendar, the quarter that starts at the autumnal equinox. Thus the date "atakina 21 " means the 21st day of the quarter starting on the autumnal equinox.

Athali (n, Yeoli) a method of Yeoli shorthand writing invented by the scribe Lurai Athal around Y. 1250 for use in transcribing spoken proceedings so as to avoid the cumbersomeness of classic Yeoli script. Its use in journalism, the courts, the military and official procedures is now standard.

Avritha of F’talezon: Woyvodaana (Queen) of the city of F’talezon, wife of Ranion called the Terrible. Her Zak gift is to stop suddenly in mid-sentence or action, and utter a short phrase of prophecy about which she is afterwards unaware. At one time nicknamed "Viper," she is starting to be known as "the Just."

Azaila Shae-Chila: Head war-teacher at the School of the Sword in Vae Arahi, considered one of the greatest teachers in Yeola-e.  Chevenga’s main war-teacher.

Baska, see Beshan aht Keska nar sept Maekun.

bead: an Arkan unit of time, 72 minutes (there are 20 beads in a day), which has been adopted by other peoples due to the accuracy and popularity of the Arkan bead-clock.  A tenth-bead or just “tenth” (7.2 minutes) is a frequently-mentioned short period of time.

Benai Saekrberk: (n) monastery in the city-state of Brahvniki presided over by the Benaiat Saekrberk, spiritual leader and de facto head of state of Brahvniki.  Also famous for producing the liqueur Saekrberk.

Beshan aht Keska nar sept Maekun: Best friend and second-in-command of Niku Wahunai, elite-class single-wing flyer and operative.  Usename: Baska.

Binchera Shae-Krisa: scribe and secretary to Chevenga after the sack of Arko, during which the previous secretary died after reading a letter impermeated with inhaled poison, intended for Chevenga, left by Kurkas.

Brahvniki: (n) major city at the mouth of the Brezhan River, centre of trade, culture and education and cultural crossroads.

calming essence: (aka panic-drops, fear-drops, coward's-elixir; in Haian, rekehenum) Haian remedy prepared by placing five particular species of flowers floating on water in sunlight, particularly effective in calming panic or fear states.  Many soldiers in the regions served by Haian healers carry it, though few admit they do, except Yeolis; about 350 years ago, Assembly passed a law requiring all Yeoli warriors to carry a vial of calming essence and a vial of whack-weed(q.v.) on their persons during battle.

Celestialis: (n, Arkan) in Arkan religious belief, one of two places that souls are sent to after death, depending on how much they've sinned in life.  Celestialis is the place of reward, commonly thought of as a world in which all dreams and wishes come instantly true.  The mythical Arkan saviour, expected to appear in Arko's direst hour, is known as Celestialin. See Hayel.

chain (as currency): the Empire of Arko’s currency is in the form of specially-designed chains which are made either of copper, silver or gold.

chakrachaseye, see First General First.

chalk, charcoal: the literal terms in Yeoli for "yes" (itai) and "no" (boru), also referring to the associated hand-gestures (flat hand, palmed turned up for chalk, flat hand, palmed turned down for charcoals).  This usage derives from the Yeoli custom of voting by marking a shard or small stone with either chalk to vote "yes" to a proposed measure or charcoal to vote "no" to it. To "sign chalk" to a question is to answer in the affirmative by gesture; to "sign charcoal", negative.

Chavinel: (n) a small town in central Yeola-e.

Chevenga, see Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e.

Chevenga Aicheresa: the name taken by Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e during the times he is not nominally semanakraseye.  Yeolis traditionally take the surname of their mother, but in the case of a semanakraseye or heir apparent, the surname is taken from the parent of either sex who was the previous semanakraseye, so that it remains Shae-Arano-e.  Shae-Arano-e was the surname of Chevenga’s father, who was semanakraseye, and Aicheresa is that of his mother.

chiravesa: (n) the Yeoli custom of two people in a conflict actively imagining being the other so as to resolve it.  If one Yeoli calls another out to do chiravesa it’s generally considered a sacred obligation.

Chirel: (n, Yeoli) the name of the sword belonging to the semanakraseyeni family in Yeola-e, currently the Shae-Arano-el.  It is some four hundred years old and was made by a now legendary swordsmith, Erkussa Nekari.

Circle School: (in Yeoli, akada kirala) academy of general-craft in Vae Arahi, considered the pre-eminent such school in the known world.

crystal: in the Fifth Millennium world, crystals are strongly associated with Yeola-e due to the Yeoli custom of always wearing one as a pendant, usually clear quartz, as a talisman.  Yeolis swear oaths on their personal crystals.  Larger ones are used as sacred talismans in Yeoli courts, and the “speaker’s crystal” is held by whoever is speaking in the Yeoli Assembly of Servants.

darya semanakraseyeni: (n, Yeoli) literally, “guard of the people-wills-one” (“Demarchic Guard”), refers both to the Yeoli head of state’s security detail, and the military unit assigned to guard and support him or her on the field.

dekakraseye: (n, Yeoli) commander of ten.

demarch: see semanakraseye.

Denaina Kotelai: Chevenga’s shadow-mother, and ex-wife of his shadow-father Esora-e Mangu, after she and his blood-mother Karani Aicheresa and his step-father Veraha Shae-Aniya divorced themselves from Esora-e during the Yeoli-Arkan war.

Earthsphere: direct translation of a word commonly used in Yeoli and several other languages emphasizing that the earth is a sphere, conceived originally in the effort not to let that knowledge be lost. Also sometimes referred to as "the Garden Orbicular."

Eight Blocks: (in Yeoli vaenivaen paril) a Yeoli martial arts exercise in which the practitioner runs through the eight main Yeoli defensive motions in sequence.  Can be done either unarmed, with a sword or with a spear.

Emao-e Lazaila: one of the handful of Yeola-e’s best generals, assigned to head up the Arkan military during Chevenga’s second term as Imperator, once Hurai Kadari decides to retire to Yeola-e.  Usename: Steel-Eyes.

Enchian: (n) citizen of Tor Ench, the language of Tor Ench, which is used as a common tongue by many cultures of the region; (adj) of or pertaining to Tor Ench.

 

  Esora-e Mangu, by Karen Wehrstein

Esora-e Mangu: Chevenga’s shadow-father and first war-teacher, son of Krasila Mangu, who has a war-school in the town of Chavinel.

Etana Shae-Sai: administrator in Assembly Palace, originally from the city of Thara-e; he and his lover Shainano-e Anataeya married into a three of convenience with Chevenga before he became semanakraseye, so as to provide him heirs and further their bureaucratic careers.

etesora (n, Yeoli) summer; on the formal Yeoli calendar, the quarter that starts at the summer solstice. Thus the date "etesora 19" means the 19th day of the quarter starting on the summer solstice.

ezethra: (n, Yeoli) a tea that is a staple drink in Yeola-e.

faibalitz: (n, Arkan) team sport in which players must hurl a wooden disc coated with leather through a narrow goal to score.  There are various versions of it, but the most famous is played on wheeled skates on a smooth stone, or more rarely (and spectacularly, in a metal-poor world) steel floor, with five players per side and full contact permitted.  This is the favourite game of the wealthiest Aitzas and Imperial families in Arko.  Abbreviation: faib.

fessa(s): (n, Arkan) a member of the third or professional caste in Arkan society; (adj) of or pertaining to the third caste.  Male form is fessas, female, fessa.  In formal usages, appended to the personal name, e.g. Skorsas Trinisas Fessas.

fik: (v, Arkan) fuck.  Word frequently used in cursing in several different ways.  Fikken: fucking.  Fikket: fuck it.

Finpollendias: (n) village on the outskirts of the city of Arko, the plain next to which is celebrated as the site of the battle that was Arko’s last futile stand against the Yeoli-led alliance.

Fire: (n) the disaster that destroyed civilization some 2000 years ago, its exact nature not understood.  It is known that the vast majority of the then-existing population was killed and the highest technology lost.

First General First: (in Yeoli, chakrachaseye) supreme commander of all Yeoli armed forces. The semanakraseye is required either to perform this role or appoint a qualified person instead.

First Notyere Shae-Arano-e: semanakraseye of Yeola-e in the 14th century on the Yeoli calendar, who attempted to seize autocratic control of the nation, precipitating a short civil war known as the War of the Travesty.  He was defeated and killed by a Yeoli mob after being sentenced to exile without safe conduct for his actions.

Fifth Chevenga Tanashai Shae-Arano-e: eldest child of Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e, born atakina 19, 1545, and ascendant to the demarchy.  Usename: Tawaen (a corruption of itanavaen, Yeoli for “fifth.”

forzak (adj, Arkan): condemned to Hayel (q.v.) for all eternity after death. See strina.

Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e: semanakraseye of Yeola-e, Y. 1547 to present. Added the name First Virani-e in 1556. Short forms: Ch’eng’, Sheng; mispronunciations: Shefen-kas, J’vengka, Sievenka; known aliases: Karas Raikas, Rao Kyavinara; most frequent nickname Amiyaseye ("Beloved").

F’talezon: city at the northern navigation head of the Brezhan River, one-time centre of the now defunct Zak empire.

gehit: (n, arch. Arkan) literally, “rise,” the formal word used by an Imperator of Arko to give permission to a person who has prostrated him or herself to get up again.

Haian: (n) citizen of Haiu Menshir, generally a healer if outside Haiu Menshir; the language of Haiu Menshir; (adj) of or pertaining to Haiu Menshir.

Haiu Menshir: (n) small archipelago of islands in the eastern Miyatara and a pacifistic nation which specializes in medicine and neutrally supplies the best healers to the world in return for never being invaded or engaged in war.  Haian healers are identified by the black robe with two white stripes falling from the collar and a pendant in the shape of the Haian national symbol, the poppy.

Haiuroru: (n) capital city of Haiu Menshir.  Haiuroru University, located in the central district of the city, is the world’s pre-eminent hospital and medical university.

Haranin: (n) the mountain to the immediate west of Vae Arahi in Yeola-e.

Hayel: (n, Arkan) in Arkan religious belief, one of two places that souls are sent to after death, depending on how much they've sinned in life.  Hayel is the place of punishment and has been described in various ways in various Arkan works, but in common thought, the souls there are held in the sensation of smothering to death for all eternity. See Celestialis.

Hearthstone Dependent: (in Yeoli, pirafyira tenemina) residence of the semanakraseye and family, plus other high government officials and their families, in Vae Arahi, Yeola-e.

Hearthstone Independent: (in Yeoli, pirafyira antenemina) the mansion built for Chevenga near Vae Arahi through the donations of thousands of Yeolis, after his impeachment .

Hermaphrodite: (in Yeoli, vaeharaseye) in Yeoli belief, the mythical/spiritual/symbolic being embodying both genders and thus representing the unity of opposites, similar to the Chinese yin-yang symbol.

Hetharin: (n) the mountain to the immediate east of Vae Arahi in Yeola-e.

Horoken the Accursed: notorious pirate of the Miyatara, reputed to be a cannibal, who ceased to be active some years ago and whose whereabouts are unknown.

House of Integrity: (n) Haiu Menshir’s largest and the world’s pre-eminent mental hospital.

hyerasora (n, Yeoli) winter; on the formal Yeoli calendar, the quarter that starts at the winter solstic. Thus the date "hyerasora 33 " means the 33rd day of the quarter starting on the winter solstice.

Hyerne: (n) a nation to the south of Laka on the northern coast of the Miyatara, unusual in that it is a rigidly matriarchal society, with all important positions held by women; a citizen of Hyerne, the language of Hyerne; (adj) of or pertaining to Hyerne.

Ibresi: (n) main island of Niah-lur-ana.

Idiesas Firnean solas: Arkan elite warrior and champion, who represented Malaradas Kazien in a duel against Kallijas Itrean (q.v.) representing Chevenga, settling the attempt of Toras Teleken solas (q.v.) fronted by Malaradas, to return the Empire to Arkan control.

Ikal: (n, Yeoli) the Yeoli spy/secret service organization, about which very little is known by people outside it.

impeachment: (in Yeoli, chiranyeraisin) process whereby a semanakraseye of Yeola-e is removed involuntarily from office.  It happens in one of three ways: automatically, in the case of a semanakraseye who is declared mentally incompetent or convicted of certain crimes; judicially as part of a sentence handed down by the Arch-Arbitrate of Yeola-e if the semanakraseye is convicted of other crimes; or by a national referendum initiated by petition.

Imperial Seals: official seals of office worn by the Imperator of Arko.  They take the form of golden and bejeweled bracelets chained to rings, one on each hand.

Iyesi: (n) an ancient empire which rose out of the chaos following the Fire. Its territory was centred around what is now the nation of Tor Ench.

Jewel of the World: a term of endearment/adulation used by Skorsas to Chevenga; when he was a ring-fighter Skorsas called him "Jewel of the Mezem" but expanded it after the conquest of Arko.

Jinai Oru: Yeola-e’s most reputable and famous augur or seer.

Jitzmitthra: five-day year’s end festival of Arko, the most significant festival of the Arkan year, the theme of which is wildness, abandon and humour.

Kabiri: (n) village to the east of the Yeoli city of Tinga-e.

kahara: (n, Yeoli) literally, “All-spirit.”  The Yeoli term for the collective divine entity comprised of the spirits of all living things, particularly people, or cosmic consciousness.  Kahara kra: “All-Spirit wills.”

Kallijas Itrean solas/Aitzas: Arkan elite warrior and champion, who lost a duel non-fatally against Chevenga for the Yeoli capital of Vae Arahi during the Arkan occupation of Yeola-e, the two becoming lovers in the process. Elevated to Aitzas by Chevenga after defeating Idiesas Firnean in a crucial duel. Short form: Kall.

Kaninjer of Berit, by Karen Wehrstein

Kaninjer of Berit: Haian healer specializing in physical ailments, especially war-wounds, who is hired by Chevenga as his personal physician after his first stay on Haiu Menshir and before returning to Yeola-e to fight the Arkans.  They became close friends.  Nephew of Merchoser of Berit. Short form: Kan.

Kantila: (n) small town in Yeola-e near the Lakan border; fairly close to the city of Leyere. Became celebrated in the Yeoli-Lakan war as the site of a siege that was broken by Chevenga single-handedly by secretly scaling the wall and opening the gate to the waiting Yeoli army.

Karani Aicheresa: blood-mother of Chevenga and widow of Seventh Tennunga Shae-Arano-e, semanakraseye of Yeola-e.

Karas Raikas, see Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e.

katzerik: (n, Arkan) cigarette, usually containing dried tobacco. Smoking has returned as a common practice among Arkans. The word is a corruption of "cancer stick."

kere: (n, Yeoli) sibling (of either sex).  A common Yeoli form of address to a stranger.

kevyala: (n, Yeoli) child-rape; a common Yeoli curse-word.  Kevyalin: child-raping, kevyalaseye: child-raper.

kinamun: (n, Haian) certainty, sureness.

Kiss of the Lake: (in Yeoli, baesa d'yaka) originally a slang term that became the official term for the Yeoli ritual in which a semanakraseye proves his life-dedication to the people of Yeola-e by holding him or herself underwater to unconsciousness. It is done at the outset of a semanakraseye's term office and then every four years to a maximum of three times total.

knuckle-sucker: (n) literal English translation of an Arkan term meaning a trashy, steamy romance novel, i.e. a bodice-ripper.

Korsardiana: (n) island in the Miyatara, west of the peninsula of Arko, possessed by the Empire of Arko.

kraiya: (n, Yeoli) longsword.  Kraiyaseye (literally “longsword-person”): warrior.

kras': (n, Yeoli) see kraseye.

kraseye: (n, Yeoli) literally “will-person”): commander.  Kras' is the abbreviated form, the Yeoli version of "sir." A-e kras’ is the traditional Yeoli military acknowledgement of an order.

Krero Saranyera: Yeoli elite warrior and childhood friend of Chevenga, appointed Captain of the Demarchic Guard during Chevenga’s first term as Imperator.

Kurkania: (n) the furthest west province of the empire of Arko, held by the empire for about 200 years but a seat of constant unrest, named after the Imperator who first conquered it, Eleventh Kurkas Aan.  Granted independence by Chevenga soon after his conquest of Arko.

Kurkas Aan: Imperator of Arko for some thirty years, until he is deposed and executed by Chevenga at the end of the Arko-Yeola-e war. In full: Sixteenth Kurkas Joras Amitzas Boras Aan.

kyash: (n, Yeoli): shit.  Frequently used as an expletive.  Kyashin: shitty.

Kyirya Sencheli: Up and coming Yeoli elite warrior, and Chevenga’s favourite sparring partner after Kallijas.

laesha: (n, Yeoli)  a tactical competitive board-game evolved from current-day chess, known by other names in other languages.

Laka: (n) the nation southwest of Yeola-e and on the southeastern border of Arko.

Lakan: (n) citizen of Laka, the language of Laka; (adj) of or pertaining to Laka.

lefaetas: (n, Arkan, pl. lefaeti) elevator or lift, powered by hydraulics.  Arko, being located in a giant crater, is equipped with seven major public lefaeti, as well as the main tunnel and gate, as entrance points to the city.  There is also a small lefaetas running from inside the Marble Palace to the cliffhead.

Lives of Notables: an annual directory of prominent living people, published by Imprimatur Silias Liksenaias on the Great Press of Arko. Often called just Lives, it is approaching its fourth century of publication.

Lord Friend Death: (in Niah, Vastiga Kampa Sou) The Niah death-God, who determines when a person will die.  Depicted as a handsome man with a mouth full of shark's teeth, He is referred to as Lord Friend (Vastiga Kampa) only, with "Death" (Sou) only added in extreme circumstances.

mahachao aiyana: (n, Yeoli) literally “saint mother.”  Yeoli sacred term for the teacher/sage Yeola who was instrumental in founding the nation.  The two corruptions commonly used in curses: mahaiyana, mamaiyana, as in sakra mahaiyana, “sacred Saint Mother.”

Mahid: the family name of the Aitzas clan of Arko whose stock in trade is total, unquestioning, mindless loyalty to the Imperator. Famously dressed in onyxine (black) with the silver belt buckle, they serve as bodyguards, spies, assassins, torturers, concubines and in any other function the Imperator asks of them.

mamaiyana, see mahachao aiyana.

Marble Palace: (in Arkan, Kirias Pastaias) the palace in the city of Arko which is both the residence of the Imperial family and the seat of government.

marya: (n, Yeoli) a short poncho, generally crocheted of wool, in a pattern of colours distinctive to the location in which it was made.

Megidan of Haiuroru: Haian psyche-healer and full empath; her gift is that she can feel any emotion in a person, even subconscious ones.

Mezem: (n, Arkan) the arena of the city Arko, used most famously for gladiatorial combat, seats some 55,000 spectators.

milakraseye: (n, Yeoli) commander of a thousand.

Minis Aan, by Karen Wehrstein

Minis Aan: son of Kurkas Aan, Imperator of Arko, and heir to the throne. Minis was spirited out of the city of Arko shortly before it was overrun and sacked at the end of the Arko-Yeola-e war, and his whereabouts have been unknown ever since. In full: First Minis Kurkas Joras Amitzas Aan.

Miyatara (n, Yeoli): the Mid-World sea, known in Arko as the Arkan Sea, in Zak as the Mitvald.

Moghiur: (n) a nation to the northwest of Yeola-e, occupied for some seventy years by Arko and liberated by Yeoli and allied forced under Chevenga; a citizen of Moghiur, the language of Moghiur; (adj) of or pertaining to Moghiur.

moyawa: (n, Niah) single-wing, or hang-glider, the one flight technology known to the world, retained by the A-niah people, also sometimes referred to just as a “wing.”  A double-wing is a wing capable of carrying two people. The word is also used to mean "sail."

Muunas: (n, Arkan) the Arkan God worshipped by male members of the Aitzas caste as well as the Imperial Family. Considered the most powerful of the Gods, their Imperator.

Nellas: (n) nation covering the eastern portion of the major island after which it is named in the eastern Miyatara.  Occupied by Arko until it became an Enchian possession as part of the alliance arrange between Tor Ench and Yeola-e.

Niah: (n) citizen of Niah-lur-ana (plural A-niah), the language of Niah-lur-ana; (adj) of or pertaining to Niah-lur-ana.

Niah-lur-ana: (n) archipelago of islands in the eastern Miyatara, home of the people who have maintained the use of the hang-glider or single-wing (see moyawa). They are also famed for the export of premier-quality chocolate.

Niku aht Tanra nar sept Taekun: Niah elite warrior and single-wing flyer, who gave to the Yeolis and then the world the Niah secret of single-wing technology after falling in love with Chevenga when they were both gladiators, and later married him.  Bio coming. Usename: Wahunai, Niah for "Wild One."

Notyere: see First Notyere Shae-Arano-e.

nye’yingi: (v, Yeoli) corruption of nyereyingi, literally “celebrate,” a traditional Yeoli term of greeting.

oka(s): (n, Arkan) a member of the fourth or free worker caste in Arkan society; (adj) of or pertaining to the fourth caste.  Male form is okas, female, oka.  In formal usages, appended to the personal name, e.g. Pasas Janas, okas.

omores: (n, Niah) beloved; a common Niah term of endearment.

path unconceived: (in Yeoli, kura pasapenai) concept in Yeoli strategic philosophy meaning a strategem that is thoroughly outside the box.

pehali: (n, Niah) literally, “sweet chocolate heart,” a common Niah term of endearment.

Porfirias: (n) town north of Arko, scene of the second-last battle of the Arkan-Yeoli war, in which the Yeolis and their allies routed the Arkans.

Raikas, see Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e.

relinquishment of will (in Yeoli, sedakrar): a formal ceremony undergone by Yeoli warriors when they are assigned to a unit and commander. The subordinate swears to relinquish his or her will to the commander; the commander swears to hold the subordinate's life sacred and sacrifice it only if absolutely necessary.

Riji Kli-fas: born Riji Asadji, pre-eminent ring-fighter, artist and professor of philosophy, born in Tor Ench but making his home in Arko.  Famed for his odd dualism of impeccable refinement outside the ring and utter barbarity in it, he returned to the Mezem in his thirties after it was suggested that Chevenga was a better duelist than he. He has two sons, Younger Riji and Senjalias, by his Arkan wife Sora.

Ro: (n) island in the eastern Miyatara, seat of an Arkan naval base.

Rojhai Tennunga aht Niku nar sept Taekun Shae-Arano-e: Chevenga and Niku’s second-oldest child, and one of a pair of twins; the other died at two days old from being stream-tested.  Usename: Roshten.

Roshten: see Rojhai Tennunga aht Niku nar sept Taekun Shae-Arano-e

Roskat: (n) small nation between Yeola-e and Arko, which was occupied by Arko for some seventy years before being liberated by Yeoli and allied forces under Chevenga.

Roskati: (n) citizen of Roskat, the language of Roskat; (adj) of or pertaining to Roskat.

rya-kya: (n, Yeoli) literally, “everything-nothing.”  The central concept of Yeoli philosophy as well as martial arts, encompassing both the concepts of the whole and the void.

Sack: refers to the sack of Arko by Yeoli and allied forces at the conclusion of the Arkan-Yeoli war. Despite his stated intent not to allow the city to be sacked, Chevenga neglected to give the order forbidding it, and attempted suicide in remorse by leaping out of a Marble Palace window while it was still in progress.

School of the Sword: (in Yeoli, akada kraiya) the martial arts school of Vae Arahi, considered to be one of the foremost in Yeola-e.

sakra mahaiyana: (y) see mahachao aiyana.

Second Fire (n) a postulated second disaster of the same nature as the Fire, most often invoked in oaths, i.e. “Second Fire come if I am forsworn.”

Second Naingini Shae-Arano-e: semanakraseye of Yeola-e for 39 years, father of Seventh Tennunga and grandmother of Fourth Chevenga. She retired from the post in 1529.

second Notyere: (in Yeoli vaen Notyere) common Yeoli expression for a semanakraseye or other person in a prominent position suspected of secretly amassing or desiring power beyond the mandate of his or her position.  See First Notyere Shae-Arano-e.

semana kra: (Yeoli) “The people wills.”  Expression stating the core principle of Yeoli political practice, source of the title semanakraseye.

semanakraseye: (n, Yeoli) literally, “the-people-wills-person,” head of state of Yeola-e, sometimes rendered in English as “demarch”.  Semanakreseyeni: of or pertaining to the semanakraseye (“demarchic”); semanakraseyeni signet, seal worn by the semanakraseye; semanakraseyesin: the position of head of state  (“demarchy”); kraiyasemanakraseye, warrior demarch.  It is a hereditary position, but subject to the direction of the Yeoli Assembly of Servants, and a person can be removed from it by impeachment.

senahera: (n, Yeoli) literally, “seeker of spirit,” member of the Yeoli order of monks.

setakraseye: (n, Yeoli) commander of a hundred.

Seventh Tennunga Shae-Arano-e: semanakraseye of Yeola-e from 1528 to his assassination in 1534, during which time he gained great renown as a fighting commander; father of Chevenga.

shadow-(parents/children): (n, in Yeoli amera- ) term used by Yeolis for the non-biological relations in a marriage of more than two, as opposed to the biological parents/children (sanga- ).  Ashamaha (shadow-mother); ashapaera (shadow-father); ashake (shadow-child); sangamaha (blood-mother); sangapaera (blood-father); sangake (blood-child).  Slang usages include ashamama (shadow-mom) and ashapapa (shadow-dad).

Shaina, see Shainano-e Anataeya.

Shainano-e Anataeya: administrator in Assembly Palace, originally from the city of Thara-e; she and her lover Etana Shae-Sai married into a three of convenience with Chevenga before he became semanakraseye, so as to provide him heirs and further their bureaucratic careers. Short form: Shaina.

shen: (n, Arkan) shit.  Frequently used as an expletive.  Shennen: shitty, shitting.

Shininao: (n, Yeoli) spiritual being associated with death, seen as a small beaked creature with bat-like wings which plucks the soul out of the right ear on death.

Sijurai aht Roheen nar sept Taekun: Niah elite warrior and single-wing flyer, one of two who serve as Niku’s immediate subordinates.  Short form: Suku.

Skorsas Trinisas fessas/Aitzas: son of a goldsmith in Arko and one of the Mezem “boys” – bodyservants to the fighters.  Assigned to Chevenga, he falls in love with him and eventually becomes his chamberlain, first in the Marble Palace, then in the Hearthstone Independent.  Elevated to Aitzas by Chevenga shortly after he first becomes Imperator.

sola(s): (n, Arkan) a member of the second or military caste in Arkan society; (adj) of or pertaining to the second caste.  Male form is solas, female, sola.  In formal usages, appended to the personal name, e.g. Kallijas Itrean, solas.

Sria: (n) nation on the southern coast of the Miyatara.

Srian: (n) citizen of Sria, the language of Sria; (adj) of or pertaining to Sria.

stream-test: a Yeoli custom, dating back to the time in which the Yeoli population was so small that birth defects were common, in which a two-day-old infant is placed in an ice-cold stream for a designated amount of time to test for health and strength.  Once practiced by all Yeolis, it is now only done by more traditionalist or militaristic families, and for a shorter period of time than in the past so that more children survive.

strina (adj, Arkan): assigned to Celestialis (q.v.) for all eternity after death.  See forzak.

Surya Chaelaecha: Yeoli psyche-healer and auric seer, whose gift manifested as soon as he laid down his sword permanently, during the rout at the end of the battle of Porfirias during the Arko-Yeola-e war. Surya's given name was Rao but after his Haian teacher awarded him the name Kinamun, which means "certainty," he changed it to the Yeoli translation.

Sword of Saint Mother: (in Yeoli, kraiya d’mahachao aiyana) The sword given by Yeola, the founder and namesake of Yeola-e, to the fledgling nation in case it ever needed to take it up; still kept as a sacred item in the School of the Sword.

Tardengk: largest city in Laka, and the capital, built around the Palace of Kraj.

Tawaen, see Fifth Chevenga Tanashai Shae-Arano-e.

tenth or tenth-bead: see bead.)

Tennunga, see Seventh Tennunga Shae-Arano-e.

Terera: (n) medium-sized city south of Vae Arahi, capital of Yeola-e, on the shore of Terera Lake.

Thara-e: large city in central-west Yeola-e, on the Ereala River.

The City Itself: see Arko.

Third Artira Shae-Arano-e: younger sister of Chevenga, who served as acting semanakraseye while he was away captive in Arko, fighting the Arko-Yeola-e war and serving as Imperator. Short form: Ardi.

Thresholds: (in Arkan, iskalanzi) English transliteration of the Arkan term for the stages of coming of age.  First threshold is crossed on the seventh birthday, second threshold at fourteen, third threshold at twenty-one.

Tinga-e: (n) largest city in Yeola-e, located in central Yeola-e.  Site of the first ever major siege to be broken by A-niah flyers under a non-Niah commander who knew fully how they did it.

Tor Ench: (n) coastal nation south of Yeola-e, last vestige of the Iyesian empire.

Toras Meneken solas: Arkan soldier who rallied a force from the western regions of the Empire, fronted by the veteran but senile general Malaradas Kazien Aitzas, to try to retake Arko from Chevenga.

Tuzgolu: (n) island in the eastern Miyatara, seat of a major Arkan naval base until it became a possession of Tor Ench as part of the alliance arrangement with Yeola-e.

Twin Hawks: (in Yeoli, vae nakal) identical but opposed mythical beings representing the ancient nations whose war against each other is believed to have caused, at least in part, the Fire that flung the world back into barbarity. They are generally depicted facing and staring at each other hatefully, locked in perpetual threat, the destruction of each assured by the other.

Fifth Tyeraha Shae-Arano-e: regent semanakraseye of Yeola-e from the assassination of her brother Seventh Tennunga (q.v.) in 1534 to her nephew Fourth Chevenga's coming of age in 1547, at which point he became semanakraseye.

Tyirian Kamiyen: Yeoli war-teacher who trains the Elite Demarchic Guard.

Vae Arahi: (n) small town in central/north Yeola-e that serves as the capital and seat of government of Yeola-e, location of Assembly Palace and the Hearthstone Dependent, official residence of the semanakraseye and other high-ranking government people and their families.

verekina (n, Yeoli) spring; on the formal Yeoli calendar, the quarter that starts at the vernal equinox. Thus the date "verekina 72" means the 72nd day of the quarter starting on the vernal equinox.

Virani-e, see Fourth Chevenga Shae-Arano-e.

Vriah ah Niku nar sept Taekun Shae-Arano-e: Chevenga and Niku’s eldest child, conceived while they were both ring-fighters.  She is a full empath, able to feel others’ emotions except when she consciously blocks them out.

War of the Travesty: (in Yeoli, gyera d’yabera) the only civil war in Yeola-e’s history, between First Notyere Shae-Arano-e, a semanakraseye attempting to seize autocratic power, and those who opposed his attempts, including his sister First Denaina Shae-Arano-e. Notyere was defeated, sentenced to exile without safe conduct and killed on the steps of Assembly Palace, and laws strictly limiting the power and resources of the semanakraseye were subsequently passed.

whack-weed: (aka bash-weed, war-drops, fall-weed; in Haian, arnika) Haian remedy made from the plant whose current Latin name is arnica montana, particularly effective for physical traumas, unconsciousness or dazed states induced by head blows, shock, bruises, and overexertion.  Soldiers in every region served by Haian healers often carry it; in Yeola-e, about 350 years ago, Assembly passed a law requiring all Yeoli soldiers to carry a vial of whack-weed and a vial of calming essence (q.v.) on their persons during battle.

wing, see moyawa.

wisdom tooth: it is customary for Yeolis to wear the wisdom-teeth of deceased loved ones as pendants in memoriam.  The wisdom-tooth is often used along with the crystal to swear oaths.

workfast (in Yeoli keresin): co-operative business venture of the type traditional in Yeola-e, its shares owned equally by its workers.  Barokeresin: shipfast, or workfast that owns and sails a merchant ship; agrakeresin: farmfast, or workfast that operates a farm.

Workfast Literary: (keresin etyairin) Yeola-e’s oldest and most well-known book-copying house, based in Terera; becomes a book-publisher proper upon adapting Arkan printing technology.

Workfast Proclamatory: (keresin kuraseyesin) a semi-official organization responsible for disseminating official national communications throughout Yeola-e.

wristlets: (in Yeoli, kraiyachil) bands worn around the wrists, and sometimes extending to the forearms, by Yeoli warriors, generally crafted of leather, copper or, in the case of the highest-quality ones, steel. In Yeola-e, they symbolize warriorhood, awarded on graduation from a war-school or on blooding.

Yeola: the founding mother of Yeola-e, the hermit sage to whose valley the original Yeolis, a school of children fleeing persecution in the Empire of Iyesi, fled; she is still revered as a saint.

Yeola-e: mountain-ringed nation east of Arko

Yeoli: (n) citizen of Yeola-e, the language of Yeola-e; (adj) of or pertaining to Yeola-e

You Whose... : formal method of addressing the Imperator of Arko so as to show deference, e.g. "You Whose Whim is the Will of the World," "You Whose Arms are the World's Fortress," "You Whose Life is the World's Eternity," etc. The Arkan language has a verb which means to address an Imperator in this way, translated into English as "to you-whose."

Zak: (n) member of the Zak ethnicity, the language of the Zak; (adj) of or pertaining to the Zak people. The Zak are most famous for their short stature and the high incidence of psychic or extra-sensory powers in their population.