“Think about it and decide! Time has almost run out and the winds of change are blowing! A mighty storm is coming, First Mage! From out of the deepest, darkest hell of their imaginations shall come their nightmares! And those weakened pantheons can’t do anything about it!” the entity continued his rant as he stood up from his stone chair.
“Now go! Tell them about me if you must! There’s nothing they can do about it now! But decide on which side you will be in the coming war!”
A burst of bright light and the old man was alone once more. Though this time, he had a strange smile on his face.
Notes and Definitions by Chapter
BOOK FIVE
Lore and Definitions
PROLOGUE
Anansi – An African mythological being. The root word of the name means “spider.” The entity is usually depicted as a spider or half-man, half-spider. Though credited in African folklore as the father of all stories, he is also considered as the exemplification of cunning and trickery. However, Anansi was never regarded as a deity.
Onini, Osebo, and Mboro – African mythological beings. They were part of Anansi’s quest to become the father of all stories. He was required to catch Onini the Python, Osebo the Leopard, and the Mboro hornets.
Sasabonsam – African mythological creature. They are said to have bloodshot eyes, iron teeth, and iron hooks for feet. There are two kinds of the monster – one with vampiric characteristics and the other being similar to an ogre.
CHAPTER ONE
Dryads – Greek. Tree spirits.
Hamadryads – Greek. A particular form of dryad bound to a specific tree.
Querquetulanae – The Roman counterpart of dryads.
Hyldemoer – The Norse version of tree spirits or nymphs.
Hantu tinggi – Southeast Asian mythology. Demons possessing palm or coconut trees. Lore mentions that hantu tinggi are giant versions of the plants they occupy and kill those who stare at them. Other myths also say they are portals to other lands. The writer would like to request the adventurous reader, if still alive, who goes in search of these creatures to please inform him which myth is correct.
Chakri – Indian. Smaller versions of the chakram, sometimes worn on the wrist or mounted on headgear as utilitarian decorations. Chakram – An ancient Indian weapon. Variations are found in Asia – for example, among the Malays and Tibetans. The Mongols were reported to have used a spiked version. During the time of the British Empire, soldiers who experienced being on the receiving end of these throwing discs called them “quoits.” Today, the weapon is still in use, having its martial art, as well as being a ceremonial and cultural icon. (TAA, IV)
CHAPTER THREE
Jorogumo – A type of Yokai, a deadly creature from Japanese folklore. They take many forms though the spider aspect is usually present. They can shapeshift and are masters of illusion magic.
Rimaykullayki – “Hello” in Quechua. (TAA, IV)
CHAPTER FIVE
Ellri – Old Norse. Meaning “ancient.” (TAA, I)
CHAPTER SEVEN
Dokkalfr – Old Norse. Meaning dark elves. Dwells within the earth and mostly swarthy. (TAA, I)
Jotunn – Old Norse. The plural form is jotnar. A mythological race living in Jotunheimr, one of the Nordic nine worlds. Usually enemies of both the Vanir and Aesir but instances are recorded of non-hostile interaction. (TAA, I)
Naginata – An early Japanese pole weapon with a long, wide, and curved blade that usually has a single edge. Naginata were wielded by men (O-naginata) and women (Ko-naginata). Ko-naginata were usually smaller to compensate for the upper body strength of females. The blades themselves were forged in the same way as sword blades.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Shaolin spade – A weapon derived from the Chinese farmer’s spade. Carried by Shaolin monks for defense against wild animals, it was also used to bury any dead bodies they came across. It eventually developed into its present form – a flat spade on one end and a sickle on the other. It was also called “monk’s spade” and the “Zen spade.”
CHAPTER TEN
Notes on Meluhha – From “The Indus Civilization” by Christian Violatti, published 30 October 2013. (https://www.ancient.eu/Indus_Valley_Civilization/)
CHAPTER TWELVE
The Lady of the Spiked Throne – An undetermined piece of religious sculpture dating to the Indus Valley civilization. (Massimo Vidale, The Lady of the Spiked Throne: The Power of a Lost Ritual, Department of Asian and North African Studies, Gnutti EURAL, Rovato, Brescia / Trieste, 2011). ( https://www.harappa.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Spiked-Throne.pdf )
Unicorns – The unicorn is the most common motif on Indus seals and appears to represent a mythical animal that Greek and Roman sources trace back to the Indian subcontinent. ( https://www.harappa.com/indus/25.html )
Kanabo – An ancient Japanese weapon, considered part of the “bo” or Japanese quarterstaff family. It is also considered to be the favorite arm of the “Oni,” or a kind of Japanese demon.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Berserkr – The Norse origin of the word “berserker.” Contrary to popular belief, these fighting men are not regarded as mad or insane warriors. They are considered champions and experts in using weapons. Unfortunately, their advantage in a battle – battle lust and the ability to disregard crippling wounds – sometimes also work to the disadvantage of those who employ them. It is said King Olav Haraldsson’s berserkers lost the battle of Stiklestad (1030 A.D.) for him when, instead of holding the line, they attacked. A theory had been put forward that the state of being berserk resulted from eating fly agaric mushrooms, but this has never been proven. Considering how poisonous the plant is, one doubts if anybody would risk experimentation.
(Please refer to https://www.historyextra.com/period/viking/the-truth-about-viking-berserkers/)
Curavali – A Tamil word for cyclone or hurricane.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Alföðr – A Norse word meaning Allfather.
House of Gimli – A Norse myth, not the dwarf. It is little known compared to the more popular Valhalla, where half of those who died in battle reside (the other half goes to the goddess Freyja). Valkyries select those who join the einherjar ranks. The House of Gimli, considered the most beautiful part of Asgard, is believed to be where the souls of righteous men reside. In another version, it is thought to be where the survivors of Ragnarok will live.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Swina bqllr – Old Norse swear phrase, meaning pig’s balls.
Nodachi – A form of Japanese longsword, similar in function to a claymore. The length of the weapon meant its use relied on its length and power for downward cuts. Unfortunately, it also demanded a larger area around the warrior using the weapon.
Ymirs frosteistna! – “By Ymir’s frosty balls.” Old Norse expression.
Kenjutsu – A Japanese word usually applied as a general term to describe all the schools or arts of swordsmanship in ancient Japan.
On glima and tricks – Glima is the ancient Norse of wrestling.
Please refer to https://www.vikingmartialarts.com/history-of-glima/
Góðan daginn – One of the traditional Norse greetings meaning ‘good day’. The phrase used by Jorund in Book One was more practiced by the ancient Norse.
Trelleborg – Norse fortresses are known by this term. They are usually described as fortifications in the shape of a ring. However, in Adar, the mixture of cultures and the introduction of trading among dissimilar civilizations also introduced new concepts in defensive structures, for example, the Scarburg fortress.
Batur – Old Norse. Meaning “a boat.” Also used to refer to a fighting unit of thirty-six to forty men. (TAA, I)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Heruli – A term used by the Romans to describe a tribe found in Denmark today. Their warriors had been described as elite fighters. To quote –
“The heruli are said to have had a kingdom on Fyn. This may have survived until into the sixth centu
ry, but more of them had previously been driven out of Scandinavia by the Danes. The heruli often took service as warrior bands in the Roman army. They appeared in the same way as the berserkers, in small groups in the service of chieftains or kings, and there is a possibility that the origins of the berserkers may be found among the mysterious heruli.”
(Please refer to https://www.historyextra.com/period/viking/the-truth-about-viking-berserkers/ )
Drotten – Old Norse phrase meaning vigorous and warlike. Usually used to refer to young jarls or leaders.
Frea – Old Norse phrase meaning wise and respected. Usually used to refer to old rulers and leaders.
Hird – Old Norse. The term used to refer to the bodyguards of a ruler as a separate body of fighting men.
Huskalar – The plural form of the Norse word huskarl (adopted as housecarl in the English language). The term refers to the armed retainers of a jarl.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kush – An ancient land in Africa settled by what we now call the Nubians. Conquered by the Egyptians, they eventually freed themselves. Split into two kingdoms later in their history, one allied itself with the Hyksos when the latter invaded Egypt.
Djenne-Djenno – A prehistoric realm arising in Africa, where Mali is now located. One of the first to smelt iron, engage in trade routes, and the domestication of animals and plants. The name literally means ‘ancient Djenne.’
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Dvergar – Old Norse word for dwarves (dvergr is the singular form). Norse mythology mentions dwarfs, or dwarves, as others might prefer it to be spelled, but lore indicates two kinds – the Svartálfar who reside in one of the Nordic nine worlds (Svartálfaheimr) and the Dvergar. Both long-lived kinds are exceptionally skilled metal craftsmen, said to exemplify wisdom, preferring residing underground, but unfortunately characterized by the greed for wealth, particularly gold.
The epic considers them a related race – one preferred the old ways and the other believed in adapting to new realities – though most individuals of both kinds are cranky and difficult, worse than the orneriest mage.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Drottin – Old Norse meaning warband leader. Drott refers to the warband itself.
Mia – An old Norse game involving dice usually made of bone.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Pentekostyes – Greek/Spartan term. Refers to a military unit of 160 men. (TAA, Book I)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Siege weapons – The Sai Men Dao Che and the Chikyu Ni Fureru are historical ancient Chinese siege weapons. The term Ajisai No Hoyo is fictional. The Wolf’s Teeth siege defense apparatus was first experienced by the Japanese during their invasion of Korea under Shogun Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Goryeo – one of the ancient names for the Korean peninsula.
Kraken – Despite Hollywood’s efforts to the contrary, the Kraken was never a Greek mythological creature. It is a Norse myth.
CHAPTER TWENTY -SEVEN
Eldhúsfífl – Old Norse. A good-for-nothing.
Fífl – Old Norse. An idiot.
Hraumi – Old Norse. A braggart.
Vámr – Old Norse. A disgusting person. Tyndur was being kind.
Vígríðr – Old Norse. The field where the final battle of Ragnarok would be fought.
Uff da – Norwegian/Nordic. An expression expressing surprise, dismay, or bafflement, depending on the situation.
Járngreipr – Old Norse. According to the Gylfaginning, Thor wears gauntlets enabling him to handle Mjolnir.
(Please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%A1rngreipr)
Fenrisúlfr – Old Norse. One of the names of Fenrir, meaning Fenris-wolf.
Ullr – A Norse deity associated with archery, single combat, and glory.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Minhocao – A Southern American myth, described as either an enormous snake or worm with bony scales capable of dragging horses, men and other large prey into a river or its feeding ground.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Lagmann – Old Norse term meaning a lawspeaker. An important office in Nordic societies. At Gamla Uppsala, 1018, Torgny the Lawspeaker forced King Olof Skötkonung not only to accept peace with his enemy, King Olaf the Stout of Norway, but also to give his daughter to him in marriage.
(Please refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawspeaker )
EPILOGUE
Dory – Ancient Greek. A spear. The singular form of dorata. The term “dorata” was also used by Homer in one of his epics. A “dory” is the typical phalanx spear, but it is shorter than the spear used in a Macedonian phalanx which is called a “sarissa”. (TAA, II)
Bonus Content:
The Chronicles of Adar (Prequel Stories)
The Great Migration has begun. Magical entities, gods, and creatures all escaping from an Earth losing its magical energy. Without magic and man’s belief, even gods will die.
A new world beckons. Full of magic. Of new life. Of novel opportunities. Of war. Of death.
Yet to cross over, a price needed to be paid. Magical energy. In a world fast losing its magic.
These are stories of how Adar came to be.
Babylonia: The Sumerians
(circa 3000 B.C.)
Excerpts from the writings of Kurum, a minor priest-scribe in the Temple of Enlil:
So it was prophesied and so it was to be.
Revealed it was to the Great Magi Iter-Pisha in the month of Adar during the fifth year of the glorious reign of the Priest-King Amar-Sin, a new land, a magical land, for the faithful.
In the Great Magi’s nightly meditation and prayers before The High God Enlil, came a wind, strong and fresh, into the temple. Blowing through its colored stone alcoves and marbled halls, the tempest weaved its course and whirled its tumultuous way into the prostrate voice of the faithful.
As the Great Magi bowed and abased himself, the words of fate, resounding from the temple halls and boring through his bones, came from the mighty and powerful divine visitor:
Attend! O, faithful Servant!
For We are pleased with thee,
And in Our bliss and generosity
Grant thee and yours, a new land!
For thy use and Ours. Serve us well,
Such is Our pleasure and command.
And the Great Work began. A world to call our own. Away from the Elamites, the Akkadians, and the barbarians which have so troubled this ancient land of the Gods.
Ur-Kasdim: The Chaldeans
(circa 500 B.C.)
The ruler of Ur-Kasdim, beloved of the gods, whose reign covers all he surveys, Lord of the Chaldees, of the warrior line of Arphaxad, looked upon the enemy besieging his city. The balcony of the palace was thankfully beyond the range of the enemy’s weapons. Negotiations with the Achaemenids had failed a month ago. Now the Persians are here. Their rise to Empire looked unstoppable. He would have preferred peace. Even to the extent of being a vassal state. But the terms were too onerous. Gold, levies, and land he could forego. But to abandon their gods…
As he watched, a wave of new attackers assaulted the walls and was beaten back again. Parts of the city were already destroyed, some buildings were burning. He could see the dead bodies of his people on the streets. But the besiegers were too many. And now, his spies have told him about massive reinforcements coming to the enemy’s aid. They were a day away. Ur-Kasdim is good as fallen.
“My Lord, my King? A soft voice called for his attention.
“Yes, Nabu-Ikbi?” He looked upon the wizened visage of his Chief Astronomer. A competent man, his field was more about magic than the stars. Though the two fields do mesh nicely. The man provided a covert alternative to the High Priest-Mage of the Temple of Anu, the father of the gods. True to his misgivings, the traitorous priest conveniently defected to the Persians at the first opportunity.
“My King, we have been given a choice of life or death by the gods.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
“I had a visi
on last night. But not of the divine Anu. But of the deity Ereskigal.”
“The goddess of the underworld? That seems to be dark tidings for us. What does Irkalla, the underworld, have to do with us?” reacted the monarch.
“The goddess deigned to inform me that she acts for Great Anu in giving us a choice. Die here under the Persians or go to a new land.”
“And how do we go to such a land? We are surrounded! More enemies will be arriving!”
“I have been shown the way, O my Lord King. Through the temple of Anu. A portal shall emerge between the two columns behind his altar but…”
“Why the hesitancy, Naku-Ikbi?” asked the king, hope rising within him.
“A rite has been revealed to me to manifest the portal. And for it to appear, we need to sacrifice mortal lives.”
“How many?” asked the King, now grasping at an unexpected lifeline.
“For the city’s inhabitants, we need the equivalent of three sattu of sacrificed lives.”
“Three years, huh? 1,080 sacrifices. Get them from the prisoners. If those are not enough, select from the most worthless of the slaves. Where does the portal lead?”
“My Lord King, a new land prepared by the gods. But we may need four sattu as we cannot evacuate all the people and the remaining slaves at the same time. One sattu to activate the portal and the rest to keep it open for the time needed.”
“I don’t care how many lives it takes! Just prepare the rite! Order the head of the Palace to prepare everything we need to bring with us! I want us through the portal by mid-morning tomorrow. Tell my general to come and confer with me!”
“As you wish, O Exalted King.”
The Accidental Archmage - Book Five Page 36