The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise

by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

  Agnitheon [Ahn-yith-AY-ohn] – the most illustrious center of higher education in the Great World even though it’s on Fah.

  Aodil [Ow-DEEL] – helpful Kuyumai in the Svalen-Tu myth

  Aiolenee [Ay-oh-LEE-nay] – Riast’s present Empress, from north-eastern Theninzalk, the daughter of an important Hircaj

  Amejgon [Ah-mehzh-GOHN] – Bindomaj messenger

  Analahor, the Inspirational [Ah-nah-LAH-hohr] – goddess of mortality, rebirth, agriculture, arts visible and invisible, intuition, and victory; first daughter of Agnith, the Preternatural, and twin of Hyneimoj, the Ineffable

  Anvil, The – a constellation on the ecliptic, with fourteen others

  Aon – of or pertaining to Ayo

  Aon-bear – ursine from Ayo

  Aon-nuts – delicacies from Ayo

  Armies of Tsmai [TSMY] – mercenaries from Ymiljesai during the Lost Time

  Atakirath [Ah-tah-KEE-rahth] – goddess of the waxing moon

  Atazunah [Ah-tah-ZOO-nah] – goddess of the waning moon

  Aubindimei [Au-bihn-DEE-may] – goddess of clouds; one of the children of Reonoj

  August Ancestor – title for any ancestor whose deeds are still having an impact on the culture; not always flattering

  Aycar [AY-cahr] – ancient title for the lord of a military fiefdom in Theninzalk

  Aym [AIM] – a second-level maritime commander from Ymiljesai

  Aymmeraj [Aim-MEHR-rahzh] – a land-grant on Ymiljesai for military service

  Aymsai [AIM-sigh] – second-level cavalry commander from Ymiljesai

  Ayo [EYE-yoh] – the largest island on the Great World, northwest of Haverartbow

  Ayocath [EYEYOH-cath] – a Hircar in Ayo

  Badrei [Bahd-RAY] – an island in the Drowned World, on the Zengoarst Sea

  Badrei-fish [Bahd-RAY] – fish from near Badrei, an island in the Drowned World; similar to halibut

  Bandikrion, the Destinizer [Bahn-dee-KREE-ohn] – goddess of ambition, fate, enterprise, education, apprenticeship, and of efforts rewarded; sister of Daj and Nyolach.

  Banorin [Bah-NOH-rihn] – landlord of The Ioraj

  barlo-cloak [BAHR-low] – woodsman’s cloak, long, engulfing, with pleated shoulders

  Barren Moon – when the full moon falls on the Last Day or First Day

  Bazdalt Ocean [BAHZ-dahlt] – east and southeast of Theninzalk

  Beidohr, Duin [BAY-dohr, DWEEN] – ancient Firnij of Otsinmohr, very covetous

  Beirach – [BAY-ratch] – a fur-trader

  Berianaj, Farnoxon [Beh-ree-AH-nahzh, Fahr-NOKS-ohn] – Vildecazin coachman

  Berianoroz, Wixerin [Beh-ree-AHN-noh-rohz, Wihks-EHR-ihn] – Vildecaz Castle guard

  Bihn, Yulko [BIHN, YOU-lko] – high-ranking Court magician, and former rival of Nimuar

  Bindomaj [BIHN-doh-mahzh] – human-bat species

  binjoz [BIHN-zhohz] – armored bib worn by Bindomajes

  Blaugrex of the Drowned World [BLAW-grehks] – juggler from Tirin-Dzur; Gleimai's brother

  Boarth Range [BOH-arth] – a Theninzalk mountain range; the northwestern end is the Valdishan Escarpment

  Boarthine – of or pertaining to the Boarth Peninsula

  Boarthine crab – from the coastal waters of the Boarthine Peninsula

  Boarthine Peninsula [BOH-ahrth-een] – where Vildecaz, Otsinmohr, Cazboarth, Rocaz, Eltsigaranth, and Mindicaz are located

  Boarthine Plateau – between Cazboarth and Minidcaz

  Boarthinee [Boh-ahr-THEE-nay] – human capital city in Cazboarth

  bontaj [bohn-TAHJ] – swear-word somewhere between damn and shit, having to do mainly with frustration or disappointment

  Bonti [Bohn-TEE] – god of unmagical misfortunes; once a mythic mortal whose life went from disaster to disaster, hence bontaj as a minor oath.

  Bonti’s Luck – compounded misfortune; hence bontaj

  Bougard hound [BOW-gahrd] – a species of hound bred to hunt boar

  Bozidar VII [BOW-zih-dahr] – late Emperor of Polzark

  Bozidar, Prince – Emperor Riast's heir

  Breimanee-wood [Brei-MAH-nay] – a wood from Ayo noted for its resonant qualities

  brikes – pantaloons

  Brotherhood of Roadmakers and Bridgebuilders – the center for civil engineering and road maintenance; centered on Theninzalk.

  bryo [BREYE-oh] – silver coin, worth roughly $20; prone to magical manipulation

  Burinar [Boo-REE-nahr] – messenger for Vildecaz Castle

  Burinee [Boo-REE-nay] – goddess of summer

  bydoga [beye-DOH-gah] – a long, decorated vest worn by officials on ceremonial occasions

  Byton fowl [BEYE-tohn] - a partridge-like game-bird

  Cantonment of The Tail – ancient administrative district; still functioning

  Cataclysm, The – a catastrophic event that happened between 1700 and 1800 years ago, which resulted in the sinking of the Drowned World. Most Great World priestly calendars date from its time, although not all agree on when it occurred. (A super volcano erupted and collapsed in on itself changing the Great World dramatically)

  Cazach Forest [CAHZ-atch] – on the north side of Vildecaz, facing Cazboarth

  Cazboarth [Cahz-BOH-ahrth] – an isolated principality north-northeast of Vildecaz, facing the Mautsarej Ocean; considered barbaric by most on Theninzalk

  Cazboarthen [Cahz-boh-ARTH-en] – of or pertaining to Cazboarth

  Cazinath-Wanio [Cah-ZIHN-ahth-Wah-NEE-oh] – a remote crossroads on Theninzalk, marked by an ancient tower

  Challim-deer [Chahl-LIHM] – a species of deer common on Theninzalk

  Chamirjen [Chah-MEER-zhehn] – capital city in Cazboarth of the Bindomajes and Chogrun, their Hircaj

  Chogrun [CHOH-groon] – Hircaj of Cazboarth

  Company of Scouts – A special unit answerable to the Porzalk Emperor

  conjure-storm – a storm under magical control

  Continaj [Cohn-TEE-nahzh] – important glass-making city on Zarifaenee

  Crag-Lion – tavern in Valdihovee

  crag-lion – a mountain-dwelling big cat, about the size of a clouded leopard, its fur is somewhat dense, white with black tips making the animal appear pearl-grey; it is considered bad luck to kill one.

  curl-horned goats – a species of large wild goat on Theninzalk, noted for corkscrew horns in the males; prized as game animals

  Crocus Moon – in the Second or Third Month, after the Snowy Moon

  Crown of Ayo – islands surrounding the north and northeast of Ayo

  Cynee [SIGH-ney] – Fah’s Hidden City, home of the Guild of Scholars and Priests

  Dachdoj, Rothireon [DATCH-dohzh, Rohth-ih-RAY-ohn] – a friend of Maeshar's; Firnij of Lenj

  Daj [DAHZH] is never supposed to be spoken except by the Priests of Dallan-Noj, only her title; almost every household has an altar to her on which are kept vials of tears

  Dalmai, Maj [Dahl-MY, MAHZH] – mason at Vildecaz Castle

  damzej [DAHM-zehzh] – golden coin worth about $140, difficult to manipulate magically

  Dandolmaz, the Capricious [DAHN-dohl-mahz] – god of whimsy, serendipity, impulsivity, weird weather, felines, brambles, and the unmagical unexpected – not a mischief god or trickster; son of Lenchmai, the Informer and Nyolach, the Unexpected.

  Danliree [Dahn-LEE-ray] – jenny-mule

  Dantogorin, Marlingee [Dahn-toe-GOH-rihn, Mahr-LIHN-gey] – Porzalk Court magician

  Darnoz, Galiaj [DAHR-noz, Gah-LEE-ahzj] – Captain of the day guard of Vildecaz Castle for the Twelfth Month

  Dejcaz, Macklei [DEHZH-cahzh, MACK-lay] – Master Bridgebuilder of Valdihovee

  Dej River Road – an important road on the north of the Porzalk Empire, along the River Dej

  Dej-sturgeon – from the river Dej

  Deneran [DEH-neh-rahn] trading village on the River Dej

  dezhup [DEHZ-hoop] – men’s formal Court robes

  diejinee [dee-EH-zhih-nay] – the astral body of the living

  Din
onthee [Dee-NON-they] $# goddess of renewal; one of the children of Reonoj

  Djora-Mai [D’ZHOH-rah MY] – Nimuar’s mistress for eight years, from the Drowned World

  doga [DOH-gah] – a long, a-cut men’s vest, often decorated

  dogaza [doe-GAH-zah] – a mid-calf-length pleated vest used in everyday magical rites and spells

  dolaj [doh-LAHZH] – riding-coat

  dolamine sash [doh-LAH-meen] – a broad, pleated sash worn by household servants and horsemen on parade, across the dolaj

  Dorachjin [Dohr-AHTCH-zhihn] – Bindomaj flying household Guard

  Dorionaj, the Incorruptible [DOHR-eeoh-nahzh] – legendary founder of the League of Korzareon Cities and consort of Somanee

  Dozinthroee [Doh-zihn-THRO-wey] – Drowned World island, home of the Priests of Mirvex-Doz

  drouch [DROWTCH] - a large predator from sub-arctic regions, hunting in small packs and combining the worst features of timber-wolves and wolverines; impervious to magical, or any other kind of manipulation

  Drowned World, The – a chain of island clusters to the west of Theninzalk, sometimes called the Sixth World

  drugh-ox [DROOG] – long-haired arctic ox, valued for its silky coat

  drugh-ox wool – from a long-haired arctic ox

  Drux, Neilach [DROOKS, NAY-lahtch] – Nimuar’s valet

  Dryach [DRY-atch] – Vildecazin muleteer

  Duz [DOOZ] – title of regional nobles of the second degree

  Duzeon [Doo-ZAY-on] – appointed heir (either sex) of a Duz

  duzine [DOOZ-een] – of or pertaining to Duzes

  Duzky [DOOZ-key]pl. duzkies – the region ruled by a Duz

  Duzna [DOOZ-nah] – female children of a Duz

  Duzoj [DOO-zohzh] – male children of a Duz

  Duzor [DOO-zohr] – husband or wife of a Duz

  Dyreijalu [Deye-ray-ZHAH-loo] – major city in Fauthsku.

  Dyskeleoc School [Die-SKEHL-ee-ock] – one of the lesser magical universities

  eayon-brandy [EI-yohn] – a twice distilled plum brandy, similar to slivovitz

  Eivenlijee [Ei-vehn-LEE-zhay] – an ancient city known for its corruption and treachery

  Elerot, Demantheon [EH-leh-roht, Day-mahn-THE-ohn] – Vildecaz Castle guard

  Elet, Hajmindor [EH-let, Hahzh-MIHN-dohr] – Imperial Councilor and Provincial Goriach for Udugan

  Eltsigaranth [Ehl-TSEE-gahr-ahnth] – an isolated duzky on the northeast end of the Boarthine Peninusla, north of the Kingdom of Waniat; matrilineal in inheritance and nomenclature.

  enicanthus flower [ehn-ee-KAHN-thus] – floppy-leaved flower; the hips and berries are medicinal; blooms in the Fourth or Fifth month

  Enicanthus Moon – in the Fourth or Fifth month

  Enzboarth River – major Boarthine river

  Eoques-ware [YO-kwes] – porcelain-like pottery

  Eralinee [Eh-rah-LEE-nay] – goddess of spring

  Erianthee [Air-ee-AHN-they] – Duzna of Vildecaz, younger daughter of Nimuar

  Fading Light – early winter in the Porzalk Empire, one of the five yearly festivals, ends at the Solstice

  Fah – the Fourth World, triangularly south of Theninzalk and Pomig; socially and religiously matrilineal; in terms of actual property, patrilineal.

  Fah-Harej School [FAH- Hah-REHZH] – Fahnine magical school, looked down upon by others for religious reasons (Fah-Harej does not endorse any specific worship)

  Fahnine – of or pertaining to Fah

  Fahnine schow-rat [SKOW] – a large, dangerous rodent from Fah

  Farmentij Rapids [Fahr-MEHN-tihzh] – on the River Dej

  Fauthsku [FOWTH-skoo] – important eastern Province of the Porzalk Empire

  Fauthskyo [FOWTH-sky-oh] – of or pertaining to Fauthsku

  Ferzal [FEHR-zahl] – river-woman pilot

  Firnach [FIHR-nahtch] – the consort of a Firnij

  Firnal [FIHR-nahl] – the territory held by a Firnij

  Firnij [FIHR-nihzh] – a rank between warlord and nobles of the first (lowest) degree, male or female

  Firnine [FIHR-neen] – of or pertaining to Firnijs

  Firnoi [FIHR%+noy] – the family of a Firnij

  Firefly Moon - In the Sixth or Seventh month

  First Day – the beginning of the year, 379 days long, with 13 months of 29 days apiece and seven day weeks, with two days left over at the beginning and end of the year

  Fisher Moon – in the Seventh or Eighth month

  Fithnoj [Fihth-NOHZH] – Vildecazin traveling cook

  Foluch [FOH-lootch] – Vildecaz Castle spell-hound

  Founding Day – festivals practiced in cities on Theninzalk, said to be left over from The Cataclysm

  Freimach [Fray-MATCH] – mythic rebuilder of Ymiljesai

  frost-leopard – very dangerous big cat from Poemig

  Frozen Moon – in the Twelfth or Thirteenth month, usually the last moon of the year

  gaihups [GUY -hups] – long, full robe worn by professional magicians and scholars

  gainnel [gayn-NEHL] – a Justice’s formal robes

  Gajbehr [GAHZH-behr] – blood-bay gelding

  Ganarch Bog [GAHN-artch] – a particularly nasty swamp in the Vildecaz game preserve

  Ganveth River – runs along the northwest border of Udugan.

  Garinekoree [Gah-rih-neh-KOH-ray] – goddess of strategy and treachery, of espionage, politics, and malific influences

  Garminrich [Gahr-MIHN-ritch] – senior groom at Vildecaz Castle

  Garvalin [GAHR-vah-leen] – river-man with a barge for hire

  Gathering Crops – late summer-early fall in the Porzalk Empire, one of the five yearly festivals

  gaunel – [gow-NEHL] – long-sleeved, ankle-length, basic women’s garment, often with elaborate sleeves

  Gaxamirin, Zervethus [Gahx-ah-MIHR-in, Zehr-VEY-thoos] – Imperial Scholar from Thenir

  gayling – small coin worth about $1.50 but much prized for being resistant to spells

  Gaz-owl [GAHZ] – a rare species of Aon owl often bred in semi-captivity

  Giuynee [Geeoo-EYE-nay] – Vildecaz Castle waiting-woman

  Glade of Tsampaj [Tsahm-PAHZH] – semi-sacred clearing in the Vildecaz game preserve; in early spring filled with tsinwaj flowers

  Gleimai of the Drowned World [GLAY-my] – juggler from Tirin-Dzur, Blaugrex’s sister

  Godrienee [Goh-dree-EI-nay] – Dowager Empress of the Porzalk Empire

  Golozath Oracle [Goh-LOH-zahth] – a powerful Oracle residing in a cave in the Valdishan Escarpment

  Goptou [Gohp-TOO] – Fahnine city

  Goptoun-satin [Gohp-TOON] – cloth from Goptou on Fah

  Goriach [GO-ree-ahtch] – title for a Provincial Archmagistrate

  Gnocarnaz [Nyo-CAHR-nahz] – trading town on the Boarthine Plateau

  Greenleaf Moon – in the Fifth or Sixth month

  Gremilvee [Greh-MEEL-vay] – large town in Porcaz near Tiumboj

  gremmi bontaj [GREHM-mee bohn-TAHJ] – obscenity roughly equivalent to fuck; significantly worse than bontaj alone

  Guild of Boatwrights and Sailmakers – one of three international and intercontinental guilds; this one is centered in the Drowned World

  Guild of Merchants and Traders – one of three international and intercontinental guilds; this one is centered on Pomig

  Guild of Scholars and Priests – one of three international and intercontinental guilds; centered in Fah’s Hidden City of Cynee

  Guild of Rectification – founded by Somanee: an international and intercontinental High Guild that maintains rates of exchange, standardizes weights and measures, and adjudicates all disputes in such matters; centered on Haverartbow.

  guin [GWEEN] – womens’ underblouse, usually sheer with ornamented collar

  Guinar, Moncaz [GWEE-nahr, Mohn-CAHZ] – one of Dom Guyon’s aliases