The Glossary for An Anthem of Suns
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Understand the Era
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A.E. – A period of time encapsulating the events after the establishment of the Pjuiian Empire. The initialism signifies 119,215 years of history at the time of archival publication.
D.E. – A period of time encapsulating the events during the establishment of the Pjuiian Empire. The initialism signifies 26 years of history from the beginning to the end of the Pjuiian War.
B.E. – A period of time encapsulating the events before the establishment of the Pjuiian Empire. Many records leading up to the war were destroyed or rewritten. The exact measure of time is unaccounted for.
Ghod: g-od,
1. a supreme source of acumen, power, magic, and authority within the known universe.
2. a divine being born within Ghodremere.
Ghodremere: god-rem-ear, the name of the heavens.
Valakresch: val-ah-cresh, the name of the Underworld.
The First Making: Refers to the creation of the eleven first ghods: Khalkassia, Kardalouk, Nathaira, Vicitious, Thredda, Jaseux, Paynan, Fedor, Odem, Ingrey and Hisrele.
The Second Making: Refers to the ghod Odem’s creation of mankind on the day he breathed sentient life into the Fabric of Worlds.
The Fabric (of Worlds): Refers to the ghoddess Khalkassia’s divine weaving of the universe.
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The Tearing: Refers to the moment in history when the mortal realms were created. When Kardalouk tore Khalkassia’s divine Fabric into shreds and cast them into the nothingness beyond Ghodremere, different realms were formed from each thread and gossamer.
Dromeha: droh-may-ah, the name of the orange moon.
Sygrid: s-eye-grid, the name of the gray moon.
The Annual Conjunction: A yearly event in which the orange and gray moons cross paths in orbit. It is believed that during this time, beasts of the Hazard Ring succumb to the depths, ensuring the temporary safety of ships passing over dangerous waters.
The Seven Seasons: Consisting of spring, sohntide, summer, iburnn, autumn, winter, and frostfade.
The Sixteen Months: Consisting of Noord, Jannary, Buircht, Much, Prillah, Suird, Fayem, Junos, Mydlemuch, Xefli, Augustom, Tisomber, Unnember, Volstem, Wilemennos, and Decallos. There are 501 days per calendar year.
The Ten Humanity Ruptures: A series of notoriously deadly trials performed by Bruscha-Jeki fledglings across the ten regimes and their unique climates. They are known as mind, body, soul, hope, spirit, carnality, amenity, identity, sanity, and faith.
Zeriph: z-air-if, Refers to one or more of the five authorities who rule/safeguard the Bruscha-Jeki assassins. They are most responsible for protecting the lifeblood, their hidden homestead, and must remain in constant communication with the emperor and his regimes. Current zeriphs: Master Zukos, Nascha, Jørunn, Viatrix, and Aleksander.
Pjuiia: pooh-eye-ah, the Imperial surname afforded to emperors and their offspring. Meaning divine power.
A Explore Terms and Places
Aertinx: air-teen-ks, a pure white gem embedded into the first amulet ever created. Containing untold abilities, its power seeps into anything its implanted into. The power is said to remain, even when Aertinx is removed. Once belonging to the ghoddess Nathaira, the gem was cast into the human realms so the ghod Kardalouk might never cease its power.
Arbitryst: ar-bih-tri-st, a person with no religious affiliations.
Arori: ah-roar-ee, meaning "love" in Crohaghn.
The Assyrian War Dance: A form of ancient Assyrian combat rooted in defense methodology. Often considered a forbidden art, only natives or the Bruscha-Jeki who train under them become privy to the technique.
Barakii: bear-ah-key, a form of savage fighting with no rules. Practiced mainly within the jungles of Errettan and in the Orinwaard mountain ranges. It is believed this type of combat is learned, not taught.
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The Blessed Bloodline: Describes a member of royalty destined to live for ten-thousand years. After the Pjuiian War, the ten most formidable Bruscha-Jeki generals were appointed to rule the newly divided regimes. Due to their power, generations of their royal offspring were blessed with the gift of time. Through marriage, many Blessed Bloodlines have died out, leaving only three in addition to the carefully preserved Pjuiia bloodline.
Bloodborn Bruscha-Jeki: The gifted offspring of one or more exceptionally powerful Bruscha-Jeki. Historically, they are limited to the gift of time, meaning they will have an increased lifespan. It is impossible to outright inherit magic, though it can be later earned through the humanity ruptures.
Bruscha-Jeki: broo-sha jeh-key, a member of the assassin Third Army who has gained access to magic by agreeing to endure the ten humanity ruptures. They were created to fight in the Pjuiian War so one empire could be established by force. In the new age, they protect the installments of appointed royalty and their offspring. In times of peace, they may be ordered to quell rebellion or perform missions away from their homestead. In exchange for their sacrifice, the Bruscha-Jeki are awarded great wealth, power, and a near-immortal lifespan.
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Bruscha-Jeki Ranks: Fledgling, anovollan, reashalt, skarrl, tyrison, xershalle, and zeriph.
The Cabal: Refers to a clandestine group of rebel Stormlings who believe the empire and its practices are tyrannical and in need of revision.
The Covin: A derogatory name for the Cabal created by Aenoch Pjuiia LXX to instill a belief that the rebellion was rooted in fraud and deception.
Crohaghn: crow-hawn, the common tongue; older than memory.
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Denjesh: den-jesh, a language spoken by royals and high nobles to avoid servant and spy gossip.
Deu Anweil: doo on-weel, a Kjihn term referring to a platonic soul-bond or platonic soulmate.
Deu Enam: doo eh-nahm, a Kjihn term referring to a romantic soul-bond or romantic soulmate.
Devitchére: deh-vih-chair, a political group with a reputation of being fiercely loyal to the empire. Most of the party is made up of those who profit from the current system such as royals, nobles, lords, merchants, military members, and enterprisers.
Einach: ee-nak, a religion created from ancient transcripts etched upon a slate of sandstone behind the first waterfall. It is believed to be scribed by the ghods themselves.
Eirju Fjord: air-ju fÄ“-ôrd, the passageway between northern Axerés and southern Orinwaard.
Eovir: yo-veer, the most common fighting technique on the continents. It is used by the First and Second Armies. Additionally, this style is known to make an appearance in underground fighting rings.
Faelight: fay-lite, a kernel of light magic most often used by Bruscha-Jeki to find others with similar forms of power nearby.
First Army: Refers to the ten sovereign militias of the individual regimes. They are the foremost authority within their respective borders. They are also known as the New Guard.
Forgotten One: Refers to the lesser known ghods who came after the first eleven.
Ghaladria: gal-ah-dree-ah, the name of the Sunken City. Once considered a prominent point of trade in Berin Yosa, Ghaladria was cleared out in 3372 A.E. before becoming completely lost to the rising tides in 4989 A.E.
Great Submission: In 802 A.E., Aenoch Pjuiia CXXX deployed his third and most feared army to quell the uprisings following the Yusan Insurrection. It was the first time newer generations began to witness the power of the Bruscha-Jeki firsthand. This event spearheaded the Age of Obedience.
Great Unrest: Refers to the exposed and more publicly noticeable reformation of clandestine groups existing in protest of the Pjuiian Empire; first recorded in the year 7000 A.E.
Gullies: A type of tiny sea slug known to venture on top of ocean waves. They’re known to slither onto wet human skin where they latch and allow their poison to be absorbed through the flesh.
Havaaré: ha-var-ay, a Bruscha-Jeki technique of combining combat with violent magic, eliminating the need for traditional weaponry.
Hju: hew, a Crohaghn word meaning "high" or "above." Refers specifically to geographical features.
Isceuiff: eye-sef, a code language spoken by rebel idealists.
Iysu Shen: eye-sue shen, Bruscha-Jeki battle techniques created by Aenoch Pjuiia LXVI in 12,676 B.E. Largely applauded as a nonpareil technique rooted in bellicose movement and meditation. Isolated hand-to-hand fighting is called Iysa. The weapons form is called Iysil.
Kjihn: j-in, a language spoken by members and some sponsors of the Assassin Circle.
Law of Buirben: bear-ben, a decree forbidding members of a Blessed Bloodline from gaining direct access to Bruscha-Jeki power, especially through the endurance of the ten humanity ruptures. It also forbids the marriage between a royal and a Bruscha-Jeki as it is believed no person in line for a throne should have undiluted access to raw magic.
Lju: lew, Crohaghn word meaning "low" or "below." Refers specifically to geographical features.
Louckytt: luck-yet, a language spoken by poverty-stricken city-folk.
The Monetary System: Copper kinsel, iron dallot, bronze capple, silver smirch, golden marl, Igem Nota, and Moit Auir.
Nojché Conflict: no-chay con-flick-t, refers to the years of 1500 B.E. – 10,710 B.E. when generations of Pjuiia men caused disruption and uprisings within the original seven kingdoms. They protested the chaos of the classes and government systems. Men of Pjuiia lineage made enemies of the royal families as their mass following flooded the streets with protesters. By 12,678 B.E., a bounty was put on the Pjuiia name. For a fortune, the crown would bring great financial reward to whomever killed and delivered the head of a Pjuiia man.
Nyrinn: near-in, the name of a tiny province within Quaredonn.
Ojshka: osh-kah, meaning "weak" and "unworthy" in Kjihn.
Omaki: oh-mah-key, meaning "intimacy" in Crohaghn.
The Pjuiian War: Refers to the twenty-six-year war in which Aenoch Pjuiia LXVI led his Bruscha-Jeki forces against the seven ancient kingdoms. With a strategy of divide and conquer, his assassins set out on a mission to slaughter the last supreme kings and queens, claiming the continents for generations of Pjuiia emperors to come.
The Prince’s Handbook: Imperial Edition: A set of strict beliefs, rules, and conduct codes created by Emperor Aenoch Pjuiia CCCXXIII to ensure the welfare and achievements of his son, Sorinn Daveryn Zadkiellan Aediccus Pjuiia.
River dé Nepous: ri-ver day neh-pooh, a brackish stream with manmade canals winding through Wrenya Tokova.
River Zioux: ri-ver z-oos, an onyx river in the hells of Valakresch where trapped souls are stored and prepared for sorting.
Sae Slayer: say slay-er, a fear-striking name bestowed upon Sorinn Pjuiia following his promotion to stygianbor in the Imperial Navy. Sae refers to creatures of a deadly/wicked sort, particularly, but not limited to those confined to the sea.
Safe Zone: Refers to the hundred-mile perimeter beyond the continental beaches surrounding the Hazard Ring. They are considered safest for travel and are largely exempt from beastly interference.
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Sai: s-eye, a three-pronged weapon used to stab, strike, and deflect.
Sarrvettan War: sar-veh-tan war, from 30,803 to 30,810 A.E., tensions between Sarrkothiek and Errettan grew into an all-out series of battles when the daughters of four Errettan diplomats were said to be kidnapped by Sarrkish criminals. Aenoch Pjuiia CLII called for the war to cease after twenty-one months when all trades between the two kingdoms halted, demanding the girls be returned. Three were given safe passage home, but one chose to remain on Shadowed Shores. Ever since, there has been tension between the two kingdoms.
Second Army: Refers to the Imperial Army and Naval branches that operate under the direct orders of the emperor. They are permitted access to assist with matters pertaining to all ten regimes. They are also known as the Mid Guard.
Slamhound: A type of wolf bred or trained to assassinate targets on command. Most commonly acquired for or taught by Bruscha-Jeki.
Sreu: sr-oo, the name of an ancient and deadly mountain clan that has populated the Underbelly of Orinwaard since before the Age of the Empire.
Siren: A mermaid cursed by the ghoddess Khalkassia to blindly prowl the seas for all eternity.
Stalkers: A mutated species of eel which can reach up to twenty-four meters in length and has developed two heads. They rely heavily on sonar hearing, have two hearts, and produce a mucin that can be used to heal damaged human tissue.
Stygianbor: stih-jin-bore, a rank in the Imperial Navy that refers to the members of an elite team tasked with protecting ships from perilous dangers residing within the oceans. Known to kill and track leviathans of the sea.
Suzerain: a superior lord or leader to whom fealty is due. Suzeraine refers to one who is feminine.
Third Army: Refers to established members of the Bruscha-Jeki Assassin Circle. They are considered the strongest and most mysterious force within the regimes. They are also known as the Old Guard.
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Tusi: too-see, meaning trust in Crohaghn.
Ulmin Morta: ul-min mor-tah, a person who thinks the creation of the universe was a blunder without considering any divine beings, crafts, laws, or texts to be truthful.
The Underbelly: The name of the southernmost mountain cluster in Orinwaard. It is often considered home to the most feral clansmen warriors.
Veducii: veh-doo-chee, a derogatory name referring to the ghod Kardalouk.
Xesei: zeh-zay, a Kjihn word meaning "mentor of pain."
Yemperialist: yem-peer-Ä“-ah-list, a person who is politically neutral. They make no effort in fighting for reform and seem otherwise content in how civilization is run. Their name derives from the Stormlings who used “empire” as a root for emphasis of where their loyalties fell in a “with us or against us” mentality.
Yun Swen: y-unn s-when, the sacred inking of the brother monk.
Yusan Insurrection: By 108 A.E., history had been largely rewritten. During this time, people had become accustomed to a new way of life following the creation of the empire. Before long, generations of the new age found their revised government falling short on keeping its promises. Because of this, littles fires began lighting in rebel groups across the ten kingdoms and unrest began to rise again.
Zuvos: zoo-voh-s, meaning "secrets" in Crohaghn.
