Objects/Systems/Events

The Bards---A familial curse passed to the oldest child, male or female, of a specific family. The curse specifically condemns the current bard to obsessive curiosity but allows him to impart his learning only in song. A condition added by the Eastern Wizards compels each to serve as the personal bodyguard to the current king of Béarn as well.

Cardinal Wizards---A system of balance created by Odin in the beginning of time consisting of four, near immortal opposing guardians of evil, neutrality, and goodness who are tightly constrained by Odin's Laws.

The Great War---A massive war fought between the Eastland army and the combined forces of the Westlands.

Harval---"The Gray Blade." The neutral Sword of Power (see Swords of Power).

The Knights of Erythane---An elite guardian unit for the king of Erythane that also serves the higher king in Béarn in shifts. Steeped in rigid codes of dress, manner, conduct, and chivalry they are famed throughout the world.

Kolbladnir---"The Cold-bladed." A magic sword commissioned by Frey to combat Surtr at the Ragnarok.

Mjollnir---"Mullicrusher." Thor's gold, short-handled hammer so heavy that only he can lift it.

Morshoch---"The Sword of Darkness." The evil Sword of Power (see Swords of Power).

The Necklace of the Brisings---A necklace worn by the goddess Freya and forged by dwarves from "living gold."

Odrorir (OD-dror-eer)---The cauldron containing the mead of poetry brewed from Kvasir's blood.

The Pica Stone---A clairsentient sapphire. One of the rare items with magical power.

Ragnarok (ROW-na-rok)---"The Destruction of the Powers." The prophesied time when men, elves, and nearly all of the gods will die.

Ristoril---"The Sword of Tranquillity." The good Sword of Power (see Swords of Power).

The Sea Seraph---The ship owned by an elf known only as the Captain that sails the northern seas.

The Seven Tasks of Wizardry---A series of tasks designed by the gods to test the power and worth of the Cardinal Wizards' chosen successors.

Swords of Power---Three magical swords crafted by the Cardinal Wizards and kept on the plane of magic except when in the hands of a Wizard's champion. It is prophesied that the world will end if all three are brought into the world at once. This event has occurred. (See Ristoril, Morshoch, and Harval).

The Trobok---"The Book of the Faithful." A scripture that guides the lives of Northmen. It is believed that daily reading from the book assists Odin in holding chaos at bay from the world of law.

Foreign Words

a (ah)---EASTERN. From.

ailar (IGH-lar)---EASTERN. To bring.

al (AIL)---EASTERN. The first person singular pronoun.

anem (ON-um)---BARBARIAN. Enemy; Usually used in reference to a specific race or tribe with whom the barbarian's tribe is at war.

aristiri (ah-riss-TEER-ee)---TRADING. A breed of singing hawks.

årvåkir (AWR-vaw-keer)---NORTHERN. Vigilant one.

baronshei (ba-RON-shigh)---TRADING. Bald.

bein (bayn)---NORTHERN. Legs.

bleffy (BLEFF-ee)---WESTERN/TRADING. A child's euphemism for nauseating.

bolboda (bawl-BOE-da)---NORTHERN. Evilbringer.

brishigsa weed (brih-SHIG-sah)---WESTERN. A specific leafy weed with a translucent, red stem. A universal antidote to several common poisons.

brorin (BROAR-in)---RENSHAI. Brother.

brunstil (BRUNN-steel)---NORTHERN. A stealth maneuver learned from barbarians by the Renshai. Literally: brown and still.

chroams (krohms)---WESTERN. Specific coinage of copper, silver, or gold.

corpa (KOR-pa)---WESTERN. Brotherhood, town. Literally: Body.

demon (DEE-mun)---ANCIENT TONGUE. A creature of magic.

djem (dee-YEM)---NORTHERN. Demon.

Einherjar (IGHN-herr-yar)---NORTHERN. The dead warriors in Valhalla.

eksil (EHK-seel)---NORTHERN. Exile.

fafra (FAH-fra)---TRADING. To eat.

feflin (FEF-linn)---TRADING. To hunt.

formynder (for-MEWN-derr)---NORTHERN. Guardian, teacher.

Forsvarir (Fours-var-EER)---RENSHAI. A specific disarming maneuver.

frichen-karboh (FRATCH-in kayr-BOH)---EASTERN. Widow. Literally: manless woman, past usefulness.

frilka (FRAIL-kah)---EASTERN. The most formal title for a woman, elevating her nearly to the level of a man.

galn (gahln)---NORTHERN. Ferociously crazy.

garlet (GAR-let)---WESTERN. A type of wildflower believed to have healing properties.

garn (garn)---NORTHERN. Yarn.

Gerlinr (Gerr-LEEN)---RENSHAI. A specific aesthetic and difficult sword maneuver.

granshy (GRANN-shigh)---WESTERN. Plump.

gullin (GULL-in)---NORTHERN. Golden.

hadongo (hah-DONG-oh)---WESTERN. A twisted, hardwood tree.

Harval (Harr-VALL)---ANCIENT TONGUE. The gray blade.

hastivillr (has-tih-VEEL)---RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

kadlach (KOD-lok; the ch has a guttural sound)---TRADING. A vulgar term for a disobedient child; akin to brat.

kenya (KEN-ya)---WESTERN. Bird.

kjaelnabnir (kyahl-NAHB-neer)---RENSHAI. Temporary name for a child until a hero's name becomes available.

kinesthe (Kin-ESS-teh)---NORTHERN. Strength.

kolbladnir (kol-BLAW-neer)---NORTHERN. The coldbladed.

kraell (kray-ELL)---ANCIENT TONGUE. A type of demon dwelling in the deepest region of chaos' realm.

kyndig (KAWN-dee)---NORTHERN. Skilled one.

lessakit (LAYS-eh-kight)---EASTERN. A message.

leuk (LUKE)---WESTERN. White.

loki (LOH-kee)---NORTHERN. Fire.

lonriset (LON-ri-set)---WESTERN. A ten-stringed musical instrument.

lynstreik (LEEN-strayk)---RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

magni (MAG-nee)---NORTHERN. Might.

meirtrin (MAYR-trinn)---TRADING. A specific breed of nocturnal rodent.

mirack (merr-AK)---WESTERN. A specific type of hardwood tree with white bark.

mjollnir (MYOLL-neer)---NORTHERN. Mullicrusher.

modi (MOE-dee)---NORTHERN. Wrath.

Morshoch (MORE-shock)---ANCIENT TONGUE. Sword of darkness.

mynten (MIN-tin)---NORTHERN. A specific type of coin.

nådenal (naw-deh-NAHL)---RENSHAI. Literally: needle of mercy. A silver, guardless, needle-shaped dagger constructed during a meticulous religious ceremony and used to end the life of an honored, suffering ally or enemy, then melted in the victim's pyre.

noca (NOE-ka)---BÉARNIDE. Grandfather.

odelhurtig (OD-ehl-HEWT-ih)---RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

oopey (OO-pey)---WESTERN/TRADING. A child's euphemism for an injury.

orlorner (oor-LEERN-ar)---EASTERN. To deliver to.

pike (PIKE)---NORTHERN. Mountain.

prins (PRINS)---NORTHERN. Prince.

ranweed---WESTERN. A specific type of wild plant.

raynshee (RAYN-shee)---TRADING. Elder.

rexin (RAYKS-inn)---EASTERN. King.

rhinsheh (ran-SHAY)---EASTERN. Morning.

richi (REE-chee)---WESTERN. A specific breed of songbird.

rintsha (RINT-shah)---WESTERN. Cat.

Ristoril (RISS-tor-ril)---ANCIENT TONGUE. Sword of tranquillity.

sangrit (SAN-grit)---BARBARIAN. To form a blood bond.

skjald (SKYAWLD)---NORTHERN. Musician chronicler.

svergelse (sverr-GELL-seh)---RENSHAI. Sword figures practiced alone; katas.

talvus (TAL-vus)---WESTERN. Midday.

thrudr (THRUDD)---NORTHERN. Power, might.

torke (TOR-keh)---RENSHAI. Teacher, sword instructor.

Tvinfri (TWINN-free)---RENSHAI. A disarming maneuver.

ulvstikk (EWLV-steek)---RENSHAI. A sword maneuver.

uvakt (oo-VAKT)---RENSHAI. The unguarded. A term for children whose kjaelnabnir becomes a permanent name.

Valhalla (VAWL-holl-a)---NORTHERN. Hall of the Slain. The walled "heaven" for brave warriors slain in battle.

Valkyrie (VAWL-kerr-ee)---NORTHERN. Chooser of the Slain.

valr (VAWL)---NORTHERN. Slayer.

Vestan (VAYST-in)---EASTERN. The Westlands.

waterroot---TRADING. An edible sea plant.

wisule (WISS-ool)---TRADING. A foul-smelling, disease-carrying breed of rodents which has many offspring because the adults will abandon them when threatened.