Curse of Witch and War
Page 13
KEEP READING
The Skyfall Era
Children of Sun and Moon
Currents of Wind and Tide (Interlude 1)
Legacy of Moon and Fire
Fragments of Memory and Dream (Interlude 2)
Avatar of Night and Day
Prequel:
Curse of Witch and War
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GLOSSARY
Arun Guard: The elite protectors of the Solar Emperor. They receive the Sun Brand.
baju: a buttoned shirt worn by males and females, typically long-sleeved.
belacan: Solar spicy shrimp paste.
bidadari: angelic beings from Kahyangan.
Children of the Sun: clergy of the Solar faith, led by the Radiant Queen.
dhow: a mid-sized sailing vessel with lateen sails and a long, thin hull.
Djambo Baros: the mythic Tree of Life, which houses the Wheel of Life.
ekor pari: a Lunar rope-whip, called “stingray tail” by the Solars.
gandewa: a hunting bow, used in war by some Solars and by pirates.
Glamour: Moon Scion power of illusion. Used to create superficial changes to appearances. A closely guarded secret.
gudeg: sweet stew made from jackfruit.
Ibu: title of respect given to adult Solar females of equal or greater standing.
jukung: an outrigger canoe. One of the most common means of transportation around the Skyfall Isles.
Kahyangan: the Spirit Realm.
karedok: Solar salad with peanut dressing.
Kebatinan: a Solar meditation technique believed to bring them closer to their god, Surya.
kemban: a bodice wrap sometimes worn by females.
keris: the most common weapon carried by both Lunar and Solar warriors. The Lunar keris knife is an undulating dagger with waves that symbolize the synthesis of fire and water. The Solar keris sword is a straight-bladed shortsword said to house the honor of a Solar warrior.
kolak: a Lunar sweet dish made from palm sugar, coconut milk, and fruits.
leyak: demonic servants of Rangda.
Macan Gadungan: Weretigers who serve Moon Scion houses as bodyguards and avengers. Despite their power, they are virtual slaves in Lunar society. They can only assume tiger form when the moon is out, but even in human form they have supernatural strength, speed, resilience, and senses.
Moon Blessings: Magic powers of Moon Scions including superhuman speed and strength, the ability to walk on walls, and the Glamour. The more a Moon Scion draws his Blessings, the faster he becomes a lunatic.
Moon Scion: The Lunar nobility, who claim descent from the Moon God, Chandra. They possess magical abilities called Moon Blessings.
nagasari: banana-filled cakes made with palm sugar.
nasi goring: rice curry. Traditional Solar breakfast.
Pact: an accord between the three dynasties of the Skyfall Isles to hold the Astral Temple in trust of the gods. It was broken in the year 1 AP (After Pact), igniting the First War.
Pak: title of respect given to adult Solar males of equal or greater standing.
Radiant Queen: leader of the Solar religion, the Children of the Sun. The last was Aji Bidara.
Radnai: Lunar dance theater that combines music, dance, and Silat.
rendang: the signature Lunar dish, made from beef or duck covered in coconut milk.
sarong: a skirt that wraps around the waist, worn by both males and females.
Selamatan: a Solar ritual performed several times for the souls of the dead. Without Selamatan, Solars believe souls can linger as angry ghosts.
Sepak Takraw: a Solar sport where players kick a rattan ball to keep it airborne. Once a children’s game, now a professional sport.
Silat: martial art of the Skyfall Isles. Lunar Silat places more emphasis on unarmed combat, while Solar Silat focuses on swordplay.
songket: a Lunar method of weaving gold into silk.
stagen: a sash worn by women for special occasions.
Sun Brand: a magical tattoo the Arun Guard receive on their backs. This allows them to store sunlight, then spend it to move at superhuman speeds, affect the minds of animals, and Sun Stride (instant teleportation).
toyak: fighting sticks made from rattan wood.
ultop: a child’s toy that presses a rod through a funnel to make a loud pop.
War King: a supreme leader of the Moon Scion houses during times of conflict. Currently this is Ketu.
Warak Ngendog: amphibious dragon-headed hybrid creature. It has a long neck and body similar to a giraffe, small semi-functional wings, and a dragon-like tail. The Arun Guard use the Sun Brand to control them and use them as mounts for soldiers and weapons of war.
Wayang: Solar shadow puppetry.
Wheel of Life: most Skyfall natives believe that in death they are returned to the Wheel of Life, through which they will be reincarnated.
Places
-dvipa: Skyfall language term meaning “land.”
Academy: a university hosted by the Ministry of Information; located in its own district in Kasusthali.
Astral Temple: religious site sacred to all three dynasties. Located on Puradvipa.
Bukit: the Lunar capital, located in northeastern Swarnadvipa.
Kasusthali: the Solar capital, a city under the sea, off the coast of Yawadvipa. Destroyed in 1195 AP.
Mait: an archipelago north of the Skyfall Isles.
Malayadvipa: A land near the Skyfall Isles.
Puradvipa: one of the central Skyfall Isles. Home to the Astral Temple, and settlements of both Lunars and Solars.
Serendib: an island nation across the sea.
Spice Islands: a chain of islands in the Outer Isles famous for its spices.
Suladvipa: a province of the Solar Empire, ruled by King Kertajaya. Home island of the Ignis.
Swarnadvipa: home island of the Lunars.
Tianxia: a faraway land known for its exotic goods.
Yawadvipa: home island of the Solars.
Deities
Agni: Fire God, patron of the Ignis.
Antaboga: serpent of the underworld and harbinger of Rangda, Demon Queen.
Bedawang Nala: the mythic world turtle that carries the endless sea of the Earth on its back.
Chandra: Moon God, patron of the Lunars.
Nyai Loro Kidul: Queen of the South Sea. Also called Dewi Kadita. Possessed Landorundun and presumably died fighting Rangda.
Rangda: Demon Queen, ruler of the frozen underworld. Goddess of death. Called Nirrti in Serendib. Released from the underworld and possessed Ratna. Presumably destroyed fighting Nyai Loro Kidul.
Surya: Sun God, patron of the Solars.
Phases of Time
bangun: pre-dawn morning phase.
esuk: post-dawn morning phase.
teng’angi: mid-morning phase.
lingsir kulon: early afternoon phase, the time of the midday meal.
asar: late afternoon phase.
sore: evening phase.
sirap: night phase.
tengah wengi: midnight phase.
lingsir wengi: late night phase.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Who am I? I’m a writer who loves speculative fiction, especially epic fantasy. I adore mythology and history, and those passions inspire most of my works. I studied philosophy in college, then publishing. More importantly, I went backpacking in India where I met my future wife, Tarannum “Juhi.” She supports pretty much all my crazy obsessions, like writing novels, so I started Incandescent Phoenix Books, and she eventually became my graphic designer. We’re a husband-and-wife team, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever.
I pretty much love to hear from readers, so feel free to email me at matt@incandescentphoenix.com. Really, it’s cool.
If you loved this book and have a moment to spare, I’d really appreciate a short review wherever you bought the book. Every review makes a world of difference.
> Matt Larkin, Curse of Witch and War