DICTIONARY:

A generic title meaning “head” or “leader.” See also “Téte.”

The river that divides the city of Nessantico.

A small Tehuantin watercraft like a canoe.

The leader of the Concénzia Faith. The plural is “Archigi.”

The wide boulevard that forms a circle within the city of Nessantico, and also serves as a focus for city events.

The moon-god of the Tehuantin people.

A one-piece blouse and pants, usually tied with a wide belt around the waist, and generally loose and flowing elsewhere. Bashtas are generally worn by males, though there are female versions, and can be either plain or extravagantly ornate, depending on the person’s status and the situation.

The “Fortress of the Dragon,” an ancient tower that now serves as a state prison for Nessantico. Originally built by Kraljiki Selida II.

“Ascension” The ceremony where a new Hïrzg or Hïrzgin of Firenzcia is officially recognized after the prescribed mourning period for the previous ruler.

The term for the high status families in the Holdings. The rich. See: Family Names.

The title of the ruler of Daritria.

The Tehuantin term for “house.”

In the Concénzia Faith, there are Three Calls during the day for prayer. First Call is in the morning, when the sun has risen above the horizon the distance of a fist held at arm’s length. Second Call is when the sun is at zenith. Third Call is when the sun is a fist’s length above the horizon at sunset.

Tehuantin word for “neighborhood,” the subdivisions of their cities.

Main god of the Nessantico pantheon, and the patron of the Concénzia Faith.

The “knights” of Nessantico—men of the ca’-and-cu’ families. The title of “chevaritt” is bestowed by the Kraljiki or Kraljica, or by the appointed ruler of the various countries within the Holding; in times of genuine war, the chevarittai (the plural form of the word) are called upon to prove their loyalty and courage.

The chevarittai will follow (usually) the orders of the Commandant of the Garde Civile, but not particularly those of the common offiziers of the Garde Civile. Their internal status is largely based on familial rank. In the past, occasional conflicts have been decided by honorable battle between chevarittai while the armies watched.

There are three primary coinages in use in Nessantico: the bronze “folia” in tenth (d’folia), half (se’folia), and full (folia) denominations; the silver “siqil” in half (se’siqil) and full denominations; the gold “sola” in half (se’sola) and full denominations. Twenty folias equal a se’siqil; fifty siqils (or two thousand folias) equal a se’sola. The daily wage for a simple laborer is generally around a folia; a competent craftsperson might command four or five folias a day or a se’siqil a week. The price (and size) of a loaf of common brown bread in Nessantico is fixed at a d’folia.

Each of the various countries within the Holdings retained their colors and flags. Here are the basic banner structures: East Magyaria: horizontal stripes of red, green, and orange; Firenzcia: alternating vertical stripes of black and silver; Graubundi: a field of yellow with black stars; Hellin: red and black fields divided diagonally; Il Trebbio: a yellow sun on a blue field; Namarro: a red crescent moon on a field of yellow; Nessantico: blue and gold fields divided diagonally. Used by both North and South Nessantico. Miscoli: a single white star on a field of midnight blue; Paeti: vertical stripes of green, white, and orange; Sesemora: a field of silver with a mailed fist in the center; Sforzia: a field of white with a diagonal blue bar; West Magyaria: horizontal stripes of orange, red, and blue

The head of a town or city, usually a ca’ and a chevaritt

The primary theology within Nessantico, whose primary deity is Cénzi, though Cénzi is simply the chief god of a pantheon.

The gathering of all a’Téni within Concénzia—a Concord A’Téni is called to elect a new Archigos or to make changes to the Divolonté.

A straight wind instrument made of wood or brass, and played like a trumpet.

The advisory council for the Kralji of the Holdings. Usually consists of five members. The Council of Ca’ will sometimes serve as the quasi-official governing body of the Holdings if the current Kraljica or Kraljiki is underage, incapacitated, or absent.

The six days of the week in Nessantico are named after major deities in the Toustour. The week begins with Cénzidi (Cénzi’s Day), and follows with Vuctadi, Mizzkdi, Gostidi, Draiordi, and Parladi

“God’s Will”—the rules and regulations that make up the tenets followed by those of the Concénzia Faith.

“Chamber servants,” the servants whose task it is to attend to the Kraljiki or Kraljica in their bedchamber. Only highly trusted servants are given this assignment.

Within Nessantico and most of the Holdings, the family names follow the female line. A man will (except in rare cases) upon marriage take his wife’s family name, and all children (without exception) take the family name of the matarh. In the event of the death of a wife, the widower will usually retain his wife’s family name until remarried. Status within society is determined by a prefix to the family name. In rising order, they are: none, ce’(pronounced Keh), ci’ (Kee), cu’ (Koo), ca’ (Kah).

The loose alliance between Firenzcia and states that have seceded from the Holdings: Firenzcia, Sesemora, Miscoli, East and West Magyaria.

The title for the ruler of Sforzia.

“Guard” or “soldier” (used interchangeably). The plural is Gardai.

A euphemism for homosexuality.

The city guard of Brezno in Firenzcia.

The army of the country of Nessantico. Not the largest force (that’s the army of Firenzcia), but the Garde Civile directs all the armies of the Holdings in war situations.

The city guard of Nessantico. Based in the Bastida, their insignia is a bronze dragon’s skull. The common ranks are “gardai” (ranging from a prefix of e’ to a’), the officers are “offizier” (also ranging from a prefix of e’ to a’). The highest rank in the Garde Kralji is Commandant.

The bureaucratic organization responsible for maintaining the rolls of family names, and for assigning the official prefixes of rank to them.

“Creator of Peace”—the popular title for the late Kraljica Marguerite I. For three decades under her rule, there were no major wars within the Holdings.

The term for the high-class courtesans with ca’-and-cu’ patrons.

Leg armor.

The “False World” Ball—takes place every year in Nessantico.

Ruler of West Magyaria. East Magyaria also uses the same title.

A short chain mail coat.

The title for the ruler of Firenzcia. “Hïrzgin” is the feminine form, and “A’Hïrzg” is the term for either the female or male heir.

“The Way.” The Ilmodo is a pervasive energy that can be shaped through the use of ritualized chants, perfected and codified by the Concénzia Faith. The Numetodo call the Ilmodo “Scáth Cumhacht.” Other cultures that are aware of it will have their own name. Niente’s people call it “X’in Ka.”

Instructor

Title most similar to “Empress.” The masculine form is “Kraljiki” (Krahl-jee-kee). To refer to a ruler nongender-specifically, “Kralji” is generally used, which is also the plural.

The title for the ruler of Namarro

The large, brackish lake in which the island city of Tlaxcala rests.

The document given to an acolyte who is to be taken into the Order of Téni and placed in the service of the Concénzia Faith.

“Mother”.

The “half-gods”—the demigods created by Cénzi, who in turn created all living things.

A city set on the long slopes of a mountain in the east of North Nessantico; also the site of a famous battle between Nessantico and the province of Firenzcia, and the only good pass through the mountains between the Rivers Clario and Loi.

The disciples and followers of the self-proclaimed prophet Nico Morel.

“Mother” in the Tehuantin language.

The proper title for the chief spellcaster of the Westlanders. The spellcasters are called “nahualli”—which is both singular and plural.

The southernmost province of the Holdings of Nessantico.

The capital city of the Holdings, ruled by the Kraljica.

A document that releases an acolyte from his or her instruction toward being in the Order of Téni. Typically, 5% or less of acolytes complete their training and are accepted into the Order. The vast majority will receive a note.

“Uncle.”

“Officer” the various ranks of offizier follow the ranks of téni. In ascending order: e’offizier, o’offizier, u’offizier, a’offizier. Often, an offizier in one of the armies also is a Chevaritt.

Midwife.

The city that sits on the main river crossing of the Clario in eastern Nessantico.

Title for the ruler of Sesemora.

One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

A city in the province of Namarro.

The fruit of the sapnut tree, from which a rich yellow dye is made.

A childhood illness, often deadly.

The Numetodo term for the Ilmodo.

A province in the northeast of the Holdings of Nessantico.

An affliction that kills a high percentage of those affected—the fever causes the brain to swell, bringing on dementia and/or coma, while the lungs fill with liquid from the infection, causing pneumonia-like symptoms. Often, even if the victim recovers from the coughing, they are left brain-damaged.

“High Captain”—the title for the commander of Firenzcian troops.

A measure of weight for dry goods. Merchants are required to have a set of weights, certified by the local board. A stone is approximately a pound and a half in our measures.

The ocean to the west of Nessantico.

The ruler of Tennshah.

“Father” in the Tehuantin tongue.

The ruler of Il Trebbio.

“Aunt.”

A robe-like garment in fashion in Nessantico.

The title for “Lord” or “War-King” in the Tehuantins’ language.

“The People”—the name the Westlanders call themselves.

“Priest.” Those of the Concénzia who have been tested for their mastery of the Ilmodo, have taken their vows, and are in the service of the church. The téni priesthood also uses a ranking similar to the Families of Nessantico. In ascending order, the ranks are e’Téni, o’Téni, u’Téni, and a’Téni.

The Tehuantin term for “temple.” The plural form is teocaltin.

“Head”—title for the leaders of an organization, such as the Guardians of the Faith or the Council of Ca’. Another title for an organizational leader is “A’Morce” (used by the Numetodo, among others . . .).

The capital city of the Tehuantin nations.

The “All-Tale”—the bible for the Concénzia Faith.

An hour. The glass referred to is an hourglass, the sides of which are typically incised with lines marking the quarter-hours. Thus, a “mark of the glass” is roughly fifteen minutes.

A combination concierge and watchman who patrols a small area (no more than a block each) of the city. The utilino—who is also a téni of the Concénzia faith—is there to run errands (for a fee) as well as to keep order, and is considered to be part of the Garde Kralji.

Title most similar to “Madam,” used in polite address with adults who have no other title, or where the title is unknown. The masculine form is “Vajiki.” The plurals are “Vajicai” and “Vajik.”

Armor protecting the lower arm.

“Taat.”

One of the books contained in the Toustour.

Foreign term for a telescope.

A town on the border of Nessantico and Firenzcia, at the River Clario.

Téni whose skills in Ilmodo have been honed for warfare

Tehuantin name for the mountain range between the Tehuantin empire and the Helllins.

A wind instrument similar to a cornett but curved rather than straight.