Reavers: black armored, nearly indestructible golems created by Leilavin in what is known by the akhkharu as the Scourge of Leilavin. Aided by powerful Night Mares, they are immune to the Crafts and can command those less powerful. Ordered to destroy the Co'nane, they nearly succeeded, halted only by Alaric Aelfvalder's intervention.
Rhoma: bands of migratory people who freely roam Erseta making a living on trade, medical remedies, and entertainment. They are ethnically diverse, outcasts and unwanted remnants of many different segments of society and cultural backgrounds.
The Rhoma make their living by providing services such as horseshoeing, horse-trading, and renovation and repair of furniture, metal tools, and cookware, and are renowned for their miraculous skill in non-doctrinal medicines and healing. They also are known for their mystical entertainment, usually having with them skilled magicians, puppeteers, and fortunetellers.
Sachem: title of the chief, or leader of the Onasho caste.
Scintilla: the Craft or Discipline of fire. The wielder can manipulate flame to certain extents depending on the elements required for fire.
Sects: the akhkharu are divided into four well-known sects: the Arcana, the Malic, the Paphic, and the Obdura. Those not belonging to sects are called Aberran. The remaining are not known as accepted Sects, but as separate species of akhkharu. These are the Co'nane, the monstrous Dhamphir, and the ghostly Eidolon.
Sha: a society originally founded by Elious directly trained by the Aelon. They are custodians of lore lost by the Exodus, gatekeepers to Everfell, and trained in various Disciplines. Although highly respected by the Mandru and other indigenous peoples, they are viewed as witches and sorcerers by the more 'civilized' nations.
Shado: elder, or wise one found among the people of the Steppes and surrounding areas. The male counterpart to the Shama. They are looked to for counsel, advice, and serve as spiritual leaders. Often they are the interpreters of the laws of their people.
Shadowmeld: one of the harder Crafts to master, it allows the wielder to travel from one distance to another by slipping through shadows. This Craft is not without its dangers, for some have never come out of Shadow, and others have caught glimpses of things so terrifying that it has caused some to swear off the Craft altogether. The difference in distance traveled is dependent on the skill of the wielder. Some may travel mere yards while others may appear miles away from their point of departure.
Shama: female counterpart to the Shado, skilled in the lore of medicine and healing, usually found in the Steppes and among the Mandru. Also consulted in interpretation of dreams and visions, and for counsel.
Shift: term for the talent to swiftly shift from using the Outer, or regular mind, to the Inner Mind which accesses the Crafts or Disciplines.
Silver Horn: the name given to Marcellus Admorran by the Mandru. Also, the standard of House Admorran.
Solestra: Aelon word for soul mate, roughly translated as 'soul to heart, heart to soul'. When two Aelon become solestra, they are bonded by a Craft called a soulmeld that unites them in a far more intimate way, igniting a greater awareness of the other so that the two almost truly become one.
Speaker: the leader of a Sect of akhkharu.
Stone of Dunnar: in Norland legend, the hammer of Dunnar, lord of storm and thunder.
Sword of Deis: a powerful fusorb affixed to a crystalline sword, given to the first Pontifex of Deis by the Aelon. Later stolen by Anko the Shadow Prince, who feared its light. Unable to destroy it, he concealed it in a secret location. Many quests have been undertaken by valiant knights seeking to find it, though none have been successful.
Taevisa: term for the Sky Father, or Creator by the Onasho caste.
Ternios: a trio of Ios Shi that advise the Sha and guard the Blueshift Rings in Halladen.
Theurgist: a master of Apokrypy.
Thrall: human servants of the akhkharu. While some give their aid willingly, most are influenced by the Mental powers of their akhkharu masters to a greater or lesser extent.
Threshold: various gateways to realms outside of natural reality, such as Everfell or Erseta Tari.
Toke: the common currency of Erseta. Tokes come in three categories. From greatest to least they are amber, jade, and onyx.
Tome of Apokrypy: the most extensive compendium of Apokrypy that still exists.
Transference: a Craft which allows the user to move and lift objects by strength of mind through special focus of the Inner Mind. The stronger the willpower, the more powerful the Craft.
True Verse: the original language of Erseta, when words had power. Also, the language of Apokrypy.
Turanga: a strategy game popular in Leodia. Two opposing forces of armies are manipulated to capture the other's fortress.
Victorious Legion: the military force led by legendary knight Tristan the Bright.
Vitalis: the Craft or Discipline of healing. Focus with the Inner Mind allows the wielder to link to nearby living energies and siphon them to the infected or wounded, allowing them to heal much faster than normal.
Vizardry: this Craft allows the wielder to alter his appearance, whether it be body, face, or both. Some take the Craft a step further as camouflage to blend in with their surroundings.
Voroar: an Aelon warden assigned to certain charges for training and development.
Ward: a special bind of Elemental and Aetheric energies that enhance a human subject, allowing him special talents and abilities.
Wedja: eye carvings enhanced with Aether, allowing them to link to kamsets and transfer visual images.
Wisent: large, wooly animals related to bison.
Wortan: the chief god of Norland. Creator of Erseta and the universe. Head of a pantheon of gods, lord of the hunt and the harvest, god of wisdom and strength.
Wyrmhole: a portal that bypasses time and space, allowing the creator to travel from one point to another instantaneously.
About the Author
BARD CONSTANTINE LIVES in Birmingham, Al with his wife and his unrestrained imagination. When not handling 'real world stuff' he's usually found in a dank basement pounding his keyboard under the watchful eye of a vindictive muse. Although his claims of sanity appear authentic, such statements are currently under meticulous investigation by the Department of Mental Health. Additional information can be retrieved at http://bardwritesbooks.com.