Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia (Acts of the Sojourner Book 1)

by S. A. Chapman

  Lapis Azuri, (General): A bright blue stone excavated from Fulcrum Island.

  Legion, (General): A component of the Praetorius, which was comprised of four Legions; Vigilant, Authoritor, Ultimus and Aquaticus, and each had a particular purpose.

  Let, the, (Hexen): The act of spilling blood, releasing Animus into the Aetherium. To the Hexen, blood is considered the currency of their craft. For Hexen’Darq acts, the more pain inflicted during the Let, the greater the outcome.

  Liar Toad, (Animal): An amphibious creature that spends most of its life in a mud dug-out. Croaks like a sobbing child.

  Liberty, the, (General): A well-known and nostalgic galley. Captained by the infamous Dharn Thusgard.

  Light Steps, (General): See Illumin.

  Lightmark, (General): At the top of each Focal tower is a large metal bridge connected to a large suspended torus, called the Sky Ring. Rising from the Dome of the Decree, and penetrating the centre of the Sky ring, is a large spire called the Lightmark.

  Lodestone, (General): A kinetically activated ore, which provides illumination when struck.

  Lumerus the Wise, (History): A descendant of Magnus, the first to raise steel against the original dwellers of Sanctuary. Lumerus penned his manifesto, the Structuram Civilitatis, which placed emphasis on the concept that 'destiny' lay in the hands of those who wish to fulfil it and not orchestrated by unseen forces. He also stipulated the veneration of the Sacred Labour of humankind, prizing the upholding of the Virtues, and the mental battling of the Iniquities.

  Lux, (General): A star with a deep golden brilliance that illuminates the face of Aurania.

  Machinists, (General): A group of Engineers who build and design weapons of war and destruction, in contravention to the Decree of Khyram and the statues of the Khyramic Order. Opposed to the Toolsmiths.

  Magistratum, (General): The Focal Tower and administrative seat of the Magistratus.

  Magistratus, (Profession): The Magistratus, those who represent Lumerus's Governance Pillar; comprised of the twenty-four Governors.

  Magnavision, (General): A series of lenses, use to present an image to the viewer from afar.

  Magupat, (Geography): A city of Purists, located on the coast of the Fulcrum Island.

  Malignant Nine, (Apocrypha): The Nine Malignant Archetypes that sprang forth from the sores of Kayin.

  Malignus, (Apocrypha): See Malignant Nine.

  March Confederacy, (Politics): The 12 unified and independent region states of Elysia, formed after the Cycles of Bloodshed in the lands annexed by the Alliance.

  Makara, (Animal): The Epitome of Water. A tremendous worm of the sea, with a gaping fanged mouth that can swallow ships whole.

  Market, (General): Each district is divided into five sub-sectors, and the smallest is the Market. The Market is where trading took place between the inhabitants of the District and the traders of the outside.

  Marshmallow, (Plant): A prairie herb that is native to the Plains. Has sweet aromatic leaves used to flavour sweets or used as a smoking herb.

  Materia, (Apocrypha): One of the Five Tears of Concordia. Not only represents the Solid State, but also representative of the Terrestrial Realm, the source of all Solid matter throughout Existentia.

  Meadowtail grass, (Plant): A knee to waist high plant that covers the Elysian Plains. Used in the making of Plainslager.

  Medallia, (General): The trade currency of the Union of Merchants.

  Medicus, (Profession): A vocational decree and order of an Ecclesiast Elder that studied the living organism and its ailments, the surgical arts and medicines. The Medicus were the healers of Sanctuary, and administered their duties as Medici by healing all in need.

  Merusul the Unyielding, (History): Merusul, the Unending High Priest, refuted Lumerus's claims, strictly observing the adherence to the veneration of the Unending Eighteen and their 'fate' determining divine intercession and the seed of all knowledge as a gift from them. The adherence to this veneration is what is now known as the Strict Observance of Merusul.

  Meteor Launcher, (General): A weapon designed by the Machinists for the Attaran Alliance. Fires long spears of timber at high velocity. Effective against personnel in defensive positions.

  Militus, (Profession): The Militus class, formed the backbone and bulk of the Praetorius, serving as the guardians of the Operarius districts, the Shield, the external Curtain and as peacekeepers and escorts.

  Mill-Sack, (Measurement): A standard form of Concordat Weight measurement. See Concordat Weight Measurement Conversion Table.

  Mind-Shot, (General): A horrendous artillery weapon used by the Gunnish during the Serican Uprisings. It's payload of delirium-inducing psychotics killed and or debilitated those involved.

  Mount Sierra Gloria, (Geography): The highest mountain on Elysia, arising from Fulcrum Island.

  Mudthrone, (General): A fortress in the Serican swamps. Founded by the pompous Lord Footscraye.

  Naga, (Animal): The Epitome of Air. A snaking sky serpent with horns of lightning. Communicates by way of thunder.

  Nihon Mountains, (General): A mountain range on Xia.

  Nine Iniquities, the, (General): The nine negative qualities of the human condition, as penned by the Wise and Noble Lumerus.

  Nine Virtues, the, (General): The nine positive and beneficent qualities noted in the Structuram Civilitatis of Lumerus, said to constitute a positive and useful member of society.

  North-Way, the, (Geography): The road that leads from the Northern Stately Gate to the Prevention. Used to continue all the way to the Evergreen until the Prevention was created.

  Northern Brokerage, (Politics): An alliance of townships in the great forest.

  Northern Gate, (General): The Northern Stately Gate keystone has a giant set of wings spanning out from it, with a screaming bird-like head of an Ustrina, the Epitome of the state of Plasma, or the visible Flame.

  Novaflash, (General): A highly reactive and explosive compound used by miners to destroy rock.

  Nox, (General): The Binary Twin of Lux. A Dark Star that absorbs the light generated by one-quarter of Lux.

  Noxshine, (General): Bootleg liquor made in the Districts. Prepared by fermenting bread rations, freezing the bread-brew and syphoning off the unfrozen alcohol. Further diluted with bread-brew to make drinking the liquor bearable.

  Old Ones, (Apocrypha): The heretical deities worshipped prior to the 1st Schism.

  Old Ways, (Apocrypha): The various systems of belief and behaviour that existed and was tolerated prior to the 1st Schism.

  Olfactum, (Alchemy): The thick, aromatic and antimicrobial sap of Chlorian pine.

  Oligarchs, (Politics): The principal shareholders of the Union of Merchants.

  Operarium, (General): Each District of the Operarium is managed by its own leadership structure and has its own mercantile, production, agricultural, residential and judiciary sectors. Each District has a level of autonomy, but each is required to meet a minimum set of requirements and outputs. Ten percent of each District’s production is levied by Sanctum, to sustain its dwellers.

  Operarium Circuit, (General): Between the two walls of the Shield, is the Operarium Circuit that circumscribed the insides of Sanctuary. As there are only four entrances into Sanctuary, the Circuit is used to gain access to the twenty-four Districts of the Operarium.

  Operarius, (General): The Operarius, or the Civil class, is comprised of the tradesfolk, merchants, agrarians and civilians that make up the workforce and civility of Sanctuary. Each sector of self-sufficiency, is operated by a sub-class of the Operarius.

  Operates Sciens, (General): Essentially, the Operarius class is restricted to enter only the grounds of the inner walls of Sanctum. However, a special sub-class of the Operarius, known as the Operates Sciens, can work within the walls of the Curtain. The Operates Sciens are comprised of the trades responsible for maintaining and beautifying Sanctuary; the Faber, the Caementarius and the Plumbarius.

  Order of the Waters, (Genera
l): See the Centre Hand.

  Orm, (Apocrypha): The Great Revealer. Is considered to reside in the form of a Blood-Snake.

  Ormish Druid, (Apocrypha): The spiritual leaders of the Frystians. Soothsayers and reciters of the Veithred Djyntarf.

  Page, (General): A child born in the Districts and taken from their parents after their 2nd Cycle - to be raised within the Sanctum. The child will remain within the Sanctum, or returned to the Districts, depending on the outcome of the Calling.

  Page Matron, (Profession): The women tasked with raising the Freeborn and Underborn Pages. Usually of the Freeborn caste.

  Page-Ward, (General): An orphaned child, to remain within the Sanctum.

  Palisade of Sails, (Geography): The descriptive and common name for the Free City of Karajan. So titled, as the Land-Ships of Karajan are formed in a defensive ring, protecting the township that lies in its heart. The colourful Hold-Sails of each Land-Ship blow in the gentle winds of the Lakefields.

  Panther Guard, (General): One of the Red Empress's elite bodyguard units.

  Partitio River, (Geography): The largest river of Elysia. Horizontally splits the land-mass of Elysia in two. The North Face of Sanctuary borders on the Partitio River.

  Pass, (Measurement): A standard form of Concordat time measurement. A Pass is a full of revolution of Lux by Aurania, marked by the Umbra Orbis.

  Pellet-Shot, (Measurement): A standard form of Concordat Weight measurement. See Concordat Weight Measurement Conversion Table.

  Perfecti, (Profession): A fully initiated and senior ranking member of the Hierophants.

  Persuader, (Profession): A vocational degree and high-order of an Elder Medici. Persuader's are primarily tasked with understanding the mental states of those within sanctuary by using Enneagonian Mentalometry. Known for the methods of persuasion and influence of mind.

  Pillar Tree, (Plant): A tall growing tree with a high canopy.

  Pinespeak, (Geography): A logging township in the Northern Brokerage. Well known for the efficient and impeccable treated timber manufacturing standards.

  Pitch Truffle, (Plant): A bulbous, fungus infected tree root. Produces a powerful oxidative thick liquid that combusts upon contact with water.

  Plague Bearers, (General): Those infected with the Yellow Plague, and have solace and hospice at the Citadel of the Silent Prince.

  Plumbarius, the, (Profession): The Plumbarius, are those who worked with and maintain the aqueducts of Sanctuary and the Sanctum Fosse, ensuring the continuous flow and supply of fresh water.

  Pneumechanised Battalion, (General): A battalion of steam-powered mechanised infantry. A proud invention of the Machinists, readily used and deployed by the Union of Merchants.

  Point-March, (Measurement): A standard form of Concordat Length measurement. See Concordat Length Measurement Conversion Table

  Polybolos, (General): A large, mounted Arbalest.

  Port Aspire, (Geography): A large sea-port associated with the township of Aspiration. The headquarters of the Sea Farers Guild.

  Port Hope, (Geography): A large sea-port associated with the township of Hopeton.

  Praetorius, (Profession): The Praetorius, those who represent Lumerus's Protective Pillar, serve as the protectors of Sanctuary and as peacekeeping forces external to Sanctuary. The Praetorius is divided into four Legions, further sub-divided into Cohorts and Centuriae.

  Praetorian, (Profession): The second of the warrior class, are the Praetorians. The praetorians, serve as the commissioned and senior officers of the Praelitorius, commanding the Legions as well as being its administrators. Only those of the Praetorian Class are stationed and reside within the grounds of the Sanctum.

  Praetorian Shake, (General): A greeting amongst those of the Praetorian ranks. An interlocked hand to inner wrist shake.

  Praetorium, (General): The Focal Tower and administrative seat of the Praetorius.

  Prefect, (Profession): The Prefects are generals of the Praetorius, who lead the Tribunes in the militaristic and civilian duties. Each Prefect has a number or Tribunes under his command.

  Prelates, (Profession): Third Degree Order of the Ecclesiasts. Prelates are chosen from among the Elders of the Ecclesiasticum, to act as superintendents of the Acolytes and Elders; and were involved in their instruction and welfare. Amongst the ranks of the Prelates were the Degree Masters, who acted as chief administrators of the various degrees.

  Prevailing Wind, (General): A greeting adopted by those of Karajan. Traditionally used by the Tharlugian and Aegean sailors.

  Prevention, the, (Geography): An unnatural and man-made protrusion of stone that blocks the Northern-Way to Shayde.

  Prime Prefect, (Profession): The Praetorian Prime Prefect, or fully titled as the Praefectus Praetorio is the supreme commander of the Praetorius, and is the supreme figurehead of the Praetorium.

  Proclamation, (General): The gathering at the dawn of a new Pass, attended by all at the entrance to the Temple of Labour. Proclamations also occurred throughout the Elysia and all were governed and facilitated by the Ecclesiastics.

  Profanum Profanorum, (General): A structure which houses the Decree of Sirius in the Dome of the Decree.

  Protusia Isle, (Geography): A series of islands in the Hydraen Ocean. Home to the ancient Chlorian Pine.

  Purists, (Cult): The followers of the Old Ways.

  Pylon Lance, (General): A lance which a wooden sheath covering its shaft features a collar, use to slot into a shield.

  Qulin, (Animal): An extremely fast and mobile creature from Xia.

  Raker, (Shadefiend): A voracious ocean predator, with a taste for any flesh of the land - whether that flesh is wood or man is irrelevant.

  Rapax, (Shadefiend): Half–reptile, half–faunlike creature which attacked in packs and indiscriminately. Rapax were voracious and dangerous and possessed a potentially fatal, paralysing poison that could be administered by spit, fang or claw.

  Rattlecon, (Shadefiend): A feathered, single eyed serpent. Highly aggressive yet easily pacified with speed and skill.

  Ravthan, the Lands of, (General): A province of Shayde. The lands of Ravthan are governed by a feudal system, each division of the land is ruled by an Ur who maintains a Horizon-Watch Bastion.

  Realignment, (General): A method used on those suspected of heretical influence, yet believed possible of rehabilitation. Allegedly a non-invasive procedure - yet rumoured otherwise

  Reckoners, (General): The followers of the Deathtress. Reckoners are believed to have no equal in combat.

  Reclamation Army, (Politics): An Attaran force assembled by Merusul after the 1st Schism, with the sole intention of reclaiming the Sanctum.

  Red Empire, (Politics): The Matriarchal Empire of the Red Empresses.

  Red Empress, the, (Politics): The ruler of the Imperial Red House of Serica. The line of Empresses is said to be the living embodiment of their star, Míngxīng. Some say that if the line of Empresses were to cease, Míngxīng would collapse on itself and the Sericans would be no more.

  Redemptions Glory, (Politics): A brigade of prisoners from Attamerus.

  Renaming, the, (History): An event wherein all names or titles of objects within Elysia that were of the Old Tongue, were given titles in Common. Many have been known to laugh and scoff at the simplicity of the names.

  Residence of the Governor, (General): The Governor’s residence is not overly decorative and quite simple in design. However, it does feature its own and quite large garden as well as fortifications and housing for the guards of the residence.

  Residential District, (General): The fourth sector is the Residential, which housed at least twelve-thousand people, with two thousand multi-storied stone building making up the residential district.

  Righteous Navy, (History): The now disbanded Navy of Sanctuary.

  Riverbreaker, (General): A tribe of Frystians who dwell along the banks of the Gelus river.

  Rootwort, (Plant): A prairie herb famed for its large, aromatic tap root. Leaves a
re eaten as bitter greens.

  Round, (Measurement): A standard form of Concordat Length measurement. See Concordat Length Measurement Conversion Table

  Salt-Fish, (Commodity): A salt-cured fish. Can be any fish, but Aecorian Blacknack is tried and tested favourite.

  Sanctity Forest, (Geography): The colourful band of flowering trees that surrounds the Evergreen Glade.

  Sanctuarian Ambassador, (Politics): A position that once held prestige. A role now fulfilled by Excelators when required.

  Sanctuary, (Geography): The capital of the Elysian Concordat. A formidable fortified city, with many countermeasures in place to prevent unauthorised entry into its grounds. Directly in the centre of Elysia, and is the heart of navigation, as all roads, in some way or form, led to Sanctum.

  Sanctum, (Geography): The heart and administrative seat of Sanctuary. Segragated from the Districts by the Curtain.

  Sanctum Fosse, (General): A large and deep ring of water, known as the Sanctum Fosse, is the water supply of Sanctuary and is fed from the southern stream of the Evergreen, which flowed across the Border Bridge and entered Sanctuary through a series of drains and pipework at the northern outer wall of Sanctuary.

  Sanctum Sanctorum, (Apocrypha): The name of the Profanum Profanorum prior to the 2nd Schism.

  Sanguinus Venomax, (Animal): A blood red reptile, who’s bite is said to cause the victim to unwillingly become subjected to the will of Concordia.

  Savage, (Politics): The classification of all who do not follow the Governing laws of the Concordat.

  Savarian, (General): A race of tall Savages who dwell on the Southern Steppes.

  Scull, (Measurement): A standardised container for storing foodstuff. See Concordat Volume Measurement Conversion Table

  Scull-Block, (Measurement): A standardised form of Concordat volume measure, used primarily in trading. The prototype and standard of the Scull-Block, is a wooden container that holds 24 F-Blocks, being 4 F-Blocks long, 3 F-Blocks wide and 2 F-Blocks deep. Most trading within the Concordat, particularly in commodities, uses the Scull-Block as its standard of bulk volumetric measure.

  Sea Farers Guild, (Politics): A guild of sea-farers who set rules and guidance for sea travel and trade.