Glossary O–Z

Author's Note: The terms explained in this glossary pertain to the imaginary world of Earda, the setting for my books. If you are looking for a ‘correct’ definition, I suggest you try the Oxford English Dictionary or a dictionary of mythology or fairies.

OGRON (pl. OGRI, f. OGRA, OGRAI)

One of the largest types of Firbolg. They could interbreed with boggans, and the Renegades bred many kinds of hybrid. Pure archetypal ogri were 2½–3m tall and had limited intelligence, but selective breeding with boggans and even bogles resulted in a strain of intelligent, 2m tall ogri who formed an aristocratic officer class. Krasim, who knew how it was done, probably had to start mainly from scratch when he produced his own, partly why it took him so long. He was, however, prepared to use any good material, whatever its origins, not letting any promising individual go to waste; hence his promotion of Mirdz, a sport hobyah/boggan/human cross (called ogron by courtesy, or coercion) who proved more able as a leader than any engineered by Krasim.

ORICHALC

An extremely hard, light alloy manufactured by the Lords of Lantis and the Lantean ellyl. It looked like gold, and was probably a mix of titanium and gold. Titanium ore is rare in the west of Earda but not in the east, and both Rockmen and the Elfionar smiths were advanced enough in metalworking to extract it.

RENEGADES

Those Lords of Lantis who rebelled against the principles of their people, and came to Earda to exploit their power.

ROCKMEN (ROCKFOLK)

Humanoid race, immensely heavy and strong, though averaging less than 1½m in height. Other races considered them ugly and disagreeable. The males began to go bald at puberty, which was perhaps why they were vain about their beards. They were indefatigable miners, metalworkers and mechanics, and at this period preferred to live in fortified underground cities and trade for food, rather than produce it themselves. Their merchants went all over Earda and were welcomed for their goods, but however much they mingled with other races their customs and attitudes remained peculiarly their own. See Duerghar.

ROSALKA (pl. ROSALKAI)

Also known as Woodwives. The origins of this race are something of a mystery. The Ellantari exiles found them in Earda, and venerated their skill with growing things. Another name for them was 'Shadowfolk', because they lived always within the shadows of the trees— though they loved all plants, and cultivated open plots deep within the forests. This secrecy, however, had more to do with shyness than an actual fear of the sun (as with troll). It was thought the Rosalkai were related to ellyl, though no other Sylvani tribe was so tall (Rosalkai averaged 3m). There may have been some interbreeding, though no Ellantar ever admitted to this; the chief reason for believing it may have happened is the extreme longevity of at least some Rosalkai. Pure Sylvani had an average life-span of 2-300 years, while Elfionar with some Ellantar or Firdan blood lived much longer, some almost indefinitely. Rosalkai may have had a much longer natural life-span to begin with, but nothing else of Earda possessed immortality. Kelbrethl was one known to have been alive many centuries, and according to her own tale must have been at least as old as Rillodan.

The Rosalkai were almost wiped out in the War of the Renegades. Many suffered in the ravaging of Earda, and those that lived in Toremath largely perished in its fall, most being unwilling to leave their forests to take refuge in Iscair. A few small populations regenerated, mainly in the east. It is a strange fact that the extremely long-lived Rosalkai were all women.

SENTINELS

These were trained knights whose job was to patrol the provinces of the Nine Realms. In effect they were its police force, and their methods and hierarchy were similar to those of such forces even today. However Merigarth (as outsiders generally referrred to the Commonality) was a special case, due to Shean sensitivity over allowing larger and more warlike folk into their territory, and the Shean Charter was unique in the Nine Realms. Sentinels patrolled the borders and were able to pass through the Sheadings, but were not permitted to leave the King’s Highways unless requested, or by special warrant.

SEVEN REALMS

The original territories of the Fir Domnan; they were mainly east of the River Archan(See Map). All except Loigris, Lioneis and Ullursland were devastated in the Unprovoked War. The remnants of their populations moved west of the river, founding Conagarth and Manaudsland. The Firdan of Lhianasland also joined the federation at about this time. The Shean, who had begun to settle Merigarth, also asked the High King's protection, on condition the land should belong to them alone - having had unfortunate experiences in the past when living in close proximity to larger and more assertive races. The last addition to the federation was Berithian, newly settled by several migrating tribes. Thus the Seven Realms became Nine, since Selagar, some of whose folk had fled into the mountains, regenerated to a degree and was never abandoned. (It was commonly said that many of the Selagarians' strange practices arose from that time, when their survival had hung by a thread.)

SHEADING

An administrative division of the Shean Commonality, akin to a county. There were six (as there are today in the Isle of Man).

SHEAN

A diminutive humanoid race— average height for males being around 4 feet 7 inches (140cm). To reach 5 feet was rare; Holt at just under 5 feet 2 inches (156cm) was exceptionally tall.

SKARMUCH

After they had settled Merigarth and Westergarth  (chosen for peace as well as potential fertility) the use of arms began to be discontinued among Shean. They kept up archery, since they still hunted, and such sports as quarterstaff and wrestling, since they liked to have trials amongst themselves; but edged weapons were never their preference. However when they sought to enter the Nine Realms and were granted their Charter, it was suggested that at least some of them should learn to fight; the King, looking to a future when all his own knights might be needed in battle to defend the Nine Realms, did not wish his army’s major food supply to be totally undefended. The Protector and his Council solved the problem by instituting Skarmuch at each of the major Fairs, free ale all winter to the overall winning team. It was generally the adolescents and unmarried younger men from well-to-do families who took part, since only they had the money to pay for equipment and time on their hands to practise. Shean called their mock-battles the Skarmuch, an appropriate term since they were rough and ready by comparison with the training mêlées of the King’s troops.

STONEWAY

Road made by the Rockfolk to west and east of Vigdoladgr, used mainly by them, and those who dealt with them, for trade.

TAPROOM

The chief room of a tavern or inn ["A room in which alcoholic drinks are available on tap" — OED]

TOREMATH

The land the Elfionar settled and surrounded by an invisible force to keep the hostile Renegades and their minions out. Most of its geographical location now lies under the Mediterranean. (What Lhiannon's release of the Sea-gate started, the tidal wave from the destruction of Alta Lantis finished.)

TROL (pl. TROLL)

Type of Firbolg, large, extemely misshapen, reckoned to be dull-witted. Like most other Firbolg they lived below ground, only venturing out to forage at night, since their skins and eyes were sensitive to the sun. With troll this was extreme, in fact it seems they were rendered helpless by any exposure. (This trauma could have been partly mental, since all troll firmly believed sunlight would kill them.)

ULLURSLAND

A province of the Nine Realms, to the north of the Commonality. Now sparsely populated, except for the region beside the Sea of Birds.

UTTLANDER

Duergh term for a member of any other mortal race. The word was not from their own tongue, but they had adopted it and made it their own.

WESTERGARTH

The westmost sheading of the Commonality, and second to be settled by a group led by Madwin Garland.

WISENT

European Bison

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