by Matt Larkin
Ibu: title of respect given to adult Solar females of equal or greater standing.
Jadian: were-beasts such as the Macan Gadungan.
jukung: an outrigger canoe. One of the most common means of transportation around the Skyfall Isles.
Kahyangan: the Spirit World.
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.
Mait: an archipelago north of 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.
Lunars
The Lunar Empire is ruled by Moon Scions, which divide themselves into twenty-seven extended families called Houses.
House Soma
Calon: deceased Ratna’s mother, Rahu’s wife. Killed during the Fourth War. Formerly of House Arang.
Chandi: daughter of Ketu and Simhika, cousin to Ratna. A powerful Moon Scion.
Ketu: Rahu’s younger brother. Father of Chandi. A dedicated priest of Chandra and a master of Silat.
Rahu: War King of the Lunars, master of Silat, and the most powerful Moon Scion known.
Ratna: daughter of Rahu and Calon. Moon Scion of minor talent. Sent to wed the Solar Emperor and end the Fourth War.
Simhika: deceased Chandi’s mother, Ketu’s wife, Calon’s cousin. Killed during the Fourth War. Formerly of House Arang.
Malin: Macan Gadungan. Ratna’s bodyguard. Originally from Mait.
House Hasta
Sangkuriang (Sang): Moon Scion, Lord of House Hasta.
House Indu
Mahesa: Moon Scion. Childhood friend of Chandi and Ratna.
House Kshuparaka
Anusapati: deceased Chandi’s former fiancée. Murdered Ken Arok and then went lunatic. Killed by Chandi and Malin.
Solars
Aji Bidara: the Radiant Queen.
Empu Baradah: First of the Arun Guard. Naresh’s mentor.
Kakudmi: the Solar Emperor, son of Ken Arok. Ratna’s former husband.
Ken Arok: deceased the previous Solar Emperor, killed by Anusapati at the battle of Astral Shore.
Kertajaya: King of Suladvipa, cousin to Ken Arok.
Landorundun (Landi): Potential for the Arun Guard. From Suladvipa. Seen as one of the most beautiful women alive.
Lang: Potential for the Arun Guard from Suladvipa, and nephew of Kertajaya.
Lembu Ampal (Lem): a potential for the Arun Guard. A man of exceptional size.
Naresh: a potential for the Arun Guard. Renowned for his prowess with the sword as well as his reckless behavior.
Wanebaka: a potential for the Arun Guard from the Spice Islands.
Others
Bendurana (Ben): Serendibian ship captain. Once served the Lunars, later the Solars. Sails the Queen of the South Sea.
Partigatiga: Igni rebel leader.
Semar: Igni Fire Priest and most respected member of the Igni community.
Deities
Agni: Fire God, patron of the Ignis.
Antaboga: serpent of the underworld and harbinger of Rangda, Demon Queen.
Chandra: Moon God, patron of the Lunars.
Nyai Loro Kidul: Queen of the South Sea.
Rangda: Demon Queen, ruler of the frozen underworld. Goddess of death. Called Nirrti in Serendib.
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.
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Matt Larkin, The Skyfall Era Trilogy: Books 1-3