by D M Cornish
vizer’s hoard vizers are semi-independent lords of Turkmantine border provinces. They are famous for possessing great hoards of jewels and wealth by which they fund the armies that help maintain their semi-independence.
W
weed-bunts small flat-bowed, sharp-prowed wooden sailers used by kelpmen to cut through and gather kelp, matted algaes and other sea weeds for either disposal or use, keeping common lanes clear of screw-fouling growths. A ubiquitous sight in any harbor, their operators labor in the hope that they might find some chance treasure churned up from the deeps by storms or the titanic struggles between the great beasts that dwell in the crushing dark.
whip-stock long tail of hair completely bound in ribbon but for a small tuft at the end.
Whit, Greenleaf modern composer of Brandenbrass continuing in the lively modes of Stumphelhose (which is why Rookwood confuses the two) despite a growing taste for more regal and somber music among the gentry.
Widden, the ~ originally one of the minor yet feared tribes of the Piltmen, they are now a violent and perpetually disgruntled group impatient for the return of Pilt greatness and independence. More a self-justifying rabble of brigands, their ideas far outstrip their actual achievements, and many who call themselves so are scarcely the heirs of Pilt glory at all.
wigbold(s) wit who prefers complete anonymity, refusing to make any signifying spoors or other marks and covering his or her telltale hair loss with all manner of wig—hence the name. Some wear pieces so outlandish they are a signifier in themselves; yet other wigbolds dress as normally as is fashionable, deadly lahzars walking about unheeded by the unsuspecting.
Windspect Folia small countenancy (the hereditary holding of a count) northeast of Coddlingtine Dell.
wine euphemistic name for the vinegar seas, from the notion of real vinegar coming from wine.
Wood Hole home to a multitude of out-of-the-way hamlets of hillvale goatherds, beekeepers, reticent peltrymen, parts-gatherers and other furtive souls that reputedly populated these ranges.
worm a wooden shaft about seven to nine feet long, ending in an iron “corkscrew” and used every half-a-dozen shots to pull out any debris left in the breech of a cannon that might otherwise foul the vent hole and prevent firing.
wretchin(s) the darkest of the monster-lords, actively seeking the destruction of everymen, often gathering about themselves hordes of lesser üntermen like an army to harass and harry people. At certain times in history a single wretchin or—more often, a congress of wretchins—has managed to coerce enough of their brother monsters to pose a genuine threat to more than the pastoral fringes of man’s domains. Often then, it is only the intervention of the urchins that has prevented utter ruin to some city or region.
writ public or bureaucratical version of a Singular Contract, posted by governmental agencies seeking assistance with a monster.
written pilot “map” made of written descriptions rather than diagrams or chartings and often a part of the paperwork of a writ or Singular Contract.
X
Nothing for “X” now? Surely this is not possible!
Y
yearnling someone who wants to and is preparing to become a lahzar. In their eagerness they can sometimes dress and mark themselves as if they already were, running the risk consequently of being accused as fakehands, false lahzars—everymen pretending to be ubelmen. Lahzars take very grimly to this, and some even go so far as to rough the offending soul—others even kill them!
Z
zin cool, sharp white wine from the vineyards of the Basket of north-eastern Wörms.
(What do you know, finally an entry for “Z”!)
APPENDIX 1(A)
THE 16-MONTH CALENDAR OF THE HALF-CONTINENT ~WITH CHANGES TO MONTHLY ORDERS AS DECREED BY ORDER OF IMPERIAL BULL EW7~1601
APPENDIX 1(B)
DAYS OF THE WEEK (7)
N - NEWWICH first day of the week
L - LOONDAY
M - MEERDAY
M - MIDWICH
D - DOMESDAY a day of rest
C - CALUMNDAY
S - SOLEMNDAY
DAYS OF OBSERVANCE (THESE NUMBERS CAN BE FOUND IN THE CALENDAR)
1. MALBELLTIDE
2. HALFMERRY DAY
3. MELLOWTIDE
4. MANNER
5. VERTUMNUS
6. EIGHT-MONTH’S EVE (CLERK’S VIGIL)
7. MIDTIDE
8. NYCHTHOLD
9. GALLOWS NIGHT
10. DIRGETIDE
11. THISGIVINGDAY
12. PLOUGHMONDAY
= SOLSTICE
= EQUINOX
THE DATE UPON WHICH THE SOLSTICE & EQUINOX OCCUR IS VARIABLE, HENCE THE TWO POSSIBLE TIMES SHOWN FOR EACH EVENT.
* SAID TO BE THE COLDEST MONTHS, UNFRIENDLY TO TRAVELERS.
% IN THE OLD CALENDARS THIS WAS ONCE THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR.
+ THESE TWO MONTHS WERE ONCE IN THE REVERSE ORDER. THEY CAME TO BE SWAPPED WHEN THE EXCEEDINGLY TALL AND EXCESSIVELY SPOILED DAUGHTER OF MORIBUND SCEPTIC III COMPLAINED SO BITTERLY THAT SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN BORN IN THE BEAUTIFUL-SOUNDING MONTH OF LIRIUM RATHER THAN THE UGLY-SOUNDING (AS SHE THOUGHT IT) MONTH OF CACHRYS. SHE MADE COURT LIFE IMPOSSIBLE UNTIL HER MUCH-HARASSED FATHER DECREED THE SWAP BY IMPERIAL EDICT. THE CHANGE HAS REMAINED EVER SINCE, EVEN AFTER A WAR WAS FOUGHT OVER IT.
APPENDIX 2
A troubardier in court harness based on one of the Archduke of Brandenbrass’ own lifeguards—the Grognards—wearing a combination of functional protection and high courtly fashion.
APPENDIX 3
A troubardier in full harness, dressed for the field of battle rather than the show of court. Troubardiers are the elite of pediteers—the most skilled or experienced, often chosen from the tallest fellows to give advantage in both reach and menace.
APPENDIX 4
A sabrine adept in complete harness, the style coming from the non-Imperial origins of this rare class of teratologist.
APPENDIX 5
A caladine spendonette—that is, a wandering calendar pistoleer—in full mottle-and-harness, geared up with a plethora of pistols and wearing proofed-leather boots and leg attachments known collectively as hauncinbusks or buskins.
The handles of her various pistolas are all capped with some manner of spiked or club-like clout, designed to make the firelock double as a melee weapon once shots have been fired. With the rise of the lahzars it is becoming increasingly the mode for pistoleers of any stripe to either train in the use of a sthenicon or soak their eyes in Bile of Vatës to give them greater accuracy, and equalize the disparity of power.
APPENDIX 6
A peltryman and venator of the Soutlands, accoutred in the usual garb, complete with near full complement of tools and necessary hand-arms.
APPENDIX 7
APPENDIX 8
A CHART OF COMPARATIVE SIZES