Terms
Welcome to the terms page for Memorium Tempestatis. Here you will find short definitions for terms that might be unknown to our players. There is also a @terms database on the game, see 'help @terms' when you are logged into the game for more information.
A-Aba: The name of the southwest Emirate in Kuredin. Its capital is Nin-Agal.
Aba al-Mun: The name of the waters around Egish-Nugal in Kuredin.
Acolyte: (AK-o-lite) The lowest rank of the Vesperan priesthood, these are men and women in study to join the priesthood of either order.
al-An: A river in Castana that flows from the Anu mountains and joins the al-Anu river to flow into Lake Gal'atur.
al-Anu: A river in Castana that is joined by the Rif al-An and flows into lake Gal'atur.
Alchemy: (AL-kem-ee) A form of magic performed by the Lumites in which potions are mixed to create the desired magical result. It was taught to the prophet Lumah by the god Enzu and the more intricate lessons are kept within the Asipu.
Alemia: (ah-LEM-ee-uh) A duchy in Avanne, also the capital city of the duchy as well as a major lake found there.
al-Esharra: The river that flows through the Castana capital of Esharra from Mount Sa.
al-Illtanu: A river in Castana that flows from Mount Illtanu to the Opacum Ocean.
al-Mas: Twin rivers in western Castana that flows into the Opacum Ocean.
al-Tur: The shortest of Castana's rivers, it flows from the Esharra mountains into the Creare Sea.
Amnicoule Square: (AM-nih-cool) Loosely translated as 'dwelling by the river', Amnicoule Square is the western city square of Gesarien, where the Vesperan temple grounds can be found.
Anu: A mountain range in western Castana.
Apriciele Square: (ah-PREES-ee-ell) Loosely translated as 'basking in the sun', Apriciele Square is the eastern city square of Gesarien, where the Orienite Cathedral of the Sun can be found.
Apsu-Gar: (APP-soo GAR) The westernmost city in Kuredin and the capital of the Mahru Emirate.
Argent: (AR-jent) n. A silver Avannais coin worth 50 cuprets (500 hemicuprets).
Ascension: The ritual that raises a High Priest and Priestess of the Vesperan Church.
Asipu: (a-SEEP-u) Name of the priesthood of the Lumite faith. It is made up of five orders: Igizu, Sasu, Zizura, Ugnim, and Dikud.
Atu: (A-too) A robe worn by Negeltu, those going through conversion to the Lumite faith.
Auret: (OAR-ay) n. A gold Avannais coin worth 10 argents (500 cuprets or 5000 hemicuprets).
Auxiliator: A man in training to join the Orienite priesthood. They are not true members of the priesthood, and may not speak unless spoken to for the duration of their training, which may last years.
Avanne: The northern nation of Memorium.
Babar: (BAB-r) Silver coin worth roughly ten dollars used in Castana and Kuredin.
Bastine: (bas-TEEN) A duchy of Avanne, its capital city and a branch of the Rive Rychein.
C
Castana:
Castrati: (cass-TRAW-tee) Those who fail the final testing to become a Ferratus or Ferrata and remain in the church as servants. They may not become priests or priestess, as the failure of their tests indicates a lack of true faith.
Cathedral: Properly, Cathedral of the Sun. The major site of worship and administration in an Orienite nation, Cathedrals of the Sun are found in the largest cities of an Orienite nation. The Primate of a nation lives and works in the Cathedral in the capital city of a nation.
Cecidia: (sess-ID-ee-uh) Also called the New City, the Cecidia is the commoners' district in Avanne's capital, Gesarien. The district is flooded by the Rive Mirvil, and traffic must go by ferryboat.
Centurion:(sen-TURE-ee-on) One rank below a Chiliarch in the Hastati, a centurion commands 100 (called a century) of the 1000 men in a chiliarch.
Chalain: (sha-LAYN) A duchy of Avanne as well as its capital city.
Chaveaux: (sha-VOE) A duchy of Avanne, its capital city and a minor river that is found there.
Chiliarch: (KIE-lee-ark) As a proper noun, one rank below the Primate Hastatus, there are five Chiliarchs that each command 1000 men of the Hastati. Typically adminstrators rather than field generals. Also refers to the body of 1000 men commanded by a Chiliarch.
Count: A nobleman in Avanne, a rank below duke. Typically rules a county, a subdivision of a duchy. May also be the son of a Duke or Duchess.
Countess: A woman married to a count, but may also be a woman ruling a county. If unmarried, the daughter of a Duke or Duchess.
County: A subdivision of a duchy in Avanne, responsible for tax collection, maintaining the ducal military and other day-to-day matters.
Creare: (cray-R-eh) The name of the sea that holds the Holy Isle. It is surrounded by Vicena to the east, Avanne to the north, Castana to the west and Kuredin to the south.
Culture of Love: See also 'Humanita amatora'. A movement in Avannais society that places greater emphasis on the arts, especially music, romance, and greater equality for women.
Cupret: (COOP-ret) n. A copper Avannais coin, worth 10 hemicuprets. The most common form of currency among commoners.
Decurion: (DEK-yur-ee-on) One rank below Centurion in the Hastati, a decurion commands 10 men, typically a guard or scout unit in a century.
Dikud: (DEE-cud) One of the five orders of the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood. They are the administrators and judges of the faith.
Dingir: (din-JEER) One branch of the Lumite faith and the name of the desert tribes in Kuredin. They are generally seen as the more traditional or militant of the Lumites. They believe that all benefits of the Lumite faith should be shared only with other Lumites.
Don: (DON) Title given to the male head of a Castanan noble family.
Dona: (DON-a) Title given to the female head of a Castanan noble family, usually the wife of a Don.
Duchess: Typically a woman married to a duke, but may also be a woman ruling a duchy.
Duchy: (dutch-ee) The largest political division in Avanne. There are eight duchies in Avanne.
Duke: The title of a man governing the duchy, the primary political division in Avanne.
Dumu: (DO-moo) While not an official military rank, this is the title given to all boys in training. If they complete their training they will be raised to the rank of Gibil and begin their military service.
Dur-Anki: The easternmost city in Kuredin and one of the nation's oldest. It is located on the bank of the Rif Ninsar.
Egish-Nugal: (EE-gish new-GULL) The capital city of Kuredin and where Lumah centered the Lumite faith.
Elder: The highest rank of the Excola in the Vesperan Church, the council of eight Elders -- four men and four women -- is responsible, along with the High Priest and Priestess, for ruling the Vesperan Church.
Elios The Castanan name for the mountain range that divides Castana and Avanne.
Ellais: (ell-ESS) The Avannais name for the mountain range that forms the border between Avanne and Castana.
Eluxi: (ee-LUCKS-ee) The name of the sea to the east of Vicena.
Eme: (ee-ME) He is the voice of the Kalif in the larger cities where Lumite temples exist. In these cities he is the final authority in regards to the faith.
Emir: (em-EER) The title given to the sons of the Sultans of Kuredin and Castana. Also the title given the the governors of the Emirites in Kuredin and the others cities in Castana.
Emira: (em-EER-a) Title given to daughters of a Sultan and to the wife of an Emir.
Emperor: The ruler of Vicena.
Empress: The wife of the Vicenan Emperor.
En: (EN) Title for all male priests in the Lumite priesthood.
Enlightened: A rank above Servant in the Excola order of the Vesperan
Church, they answer to the Elders and perform many of the adminstrative
tasks of the Church.
Engur-Ra: A city in Kuredin, located in the southeast, west of Mount Ninsar.
Ensi: (EN-see) Title for all female priests in the Lumite priesthood.
Enzu: (EN-zoo) The name of the god in the Lumite faith, he is believed to have come to earth and teach Lumah for twenty years, imparting on him many lessons, including Alchemy. He is known as Orien to the Orienites and Vesperans.
Eranesse: (air-an-ESS) A mountain range that forms the eastern border of
Avanne.
Esharra: (eh-SHAR-a) The capital city of the nation of Castana.
Espejo: (es-PAY-ho) A city in northern Castana that has never been taken over by the Lumites. It is a pure Castana city without any Lumite influence. It is also the name of the river that runs near the city.
Eternal Light: All Orienite temples and cathedrals maintain a fire that
must never be extinguished. This fire signifies Orien's blessing upon a
place. Also refers to the fire or candle all Orienite households maintain
throughout the night.
Excola: The non-magical order of the Vesperan church.
Famulae: (FAM-you-lee) A small order within the Orienite Church. Made up
entirely of women who have devoted their lives to service of the Church
as penance for the goddess Uxa forsaking mankind. They are not members
of the priesthood, but instead perform the menial labor about a temple or
cathedral.
Feast of the Shadows: A celebration among the Vesperan faithful that
occurs during a solar or lunar eclipse. These celebrations are often wild
and uninhibited.
Ferrata: A ranking female mage in the Venae order of the Vesperan Church,
equivalent to a Ferratus.
Ferratus: A ranking male mage in the Venae order of the Vesperan Church, a rank above Initiate.
Ferryman: One who pilots a ferryboat in the Cecidia district of Gesarien.
Gal'atur: A Lumite city in northern Castana. It is also the name of the lake just north of the city.
Gesarien
(juh-SAIR-ee-en): The royal city of the nation of Avanne.
Gibil: (geeb-ILL) This is the rank given to all new members of the Castanan military and is the lowest active rank. Some members spend their whole lives as a Gibil, though those are generally commoners.
Grace: The form of address ("your Grace") for an Avannais Duke or Duchess.
Great Desert: The large desert region in the southern region of Castana. It is the location of Lumah's Crater.
Guskin: (gus-KEEN) Gold coin worth roughly forty dollars used in Kuredin and Castana.
Hastati: The military arm of the Orienite Church, they have ranks separate
from the civilian priesthood. Their members are chosen from the ranks of
the Auxiliators and are considered some of the finest fighting men to be
found anywhere.
Hastatus: The common soldier of the Hastati.
Hebat: Hemicupret: (hem-ee-COOP-ray) n. The smallest denomination of Avannais currency, a copper coin.
High Priest/Priestess: The heads of the Vesperan Church, there is always a
High Priest and Priestess. Due to the ceremony that accompanies their
elevation to the rank, if one of the two dies, the other will die seven
days later, to the minute.
Hoinari: Humanita amatora: The 'Culture of Love' movement in Avannais society. It
is characterized by an emphasis on the arts, specifically music,
romance, and greater equality for women.
Igizu: (ig-EE-zoo) One of the five orders of the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood. They are the teachers of the faith.
Illtanu: (ill-TAN-u) The name of both a city and a mountain range in western Castana.
Imin: (I-min) Title for the commander of each branch of the Castana military. Used in conjunction with his branch of the military, such as Imin Katsuban, or simply just Imin.
Inimku: (INIM-koo) The holy text of the Lumite faith, similar to the Bible and the Koran.
Initiate: A rank above Acolyte in the Vesperan priesthood, these are
trainees preparing for their final testing of either order.
Joglar: (jog-LAHR) A partner to a troubadour, this is a man -- more
rarely, a woman -- that performs the music written by a troubadour
through voice and instrument. Joglars and troubadours typically form a
partnership for a touring season, if not longer.
Juhar: (joo-HAR) A small square hat worn by Kuredin men.
Ka-Gal: The name of both a city and river in eastern Kuredin.
Kalif: (ka-LEEF) The leader of the Lumite faith, he is considered to be hand-chosen by Lumah.
Katsuban: (CAT-soo-ban) They are the Castanan cavalry. Made of mostly nobility they fight on horseback, either with bow, lances, or swords.
Knight: A nobleman warrior in Avanne. They fight from horseback, with
hand-to-hand weapons only.
Kubar: (KOO-bar) A loose gown with extremely wide sleeves worn by Kuredin women and now finding a place in Castana fashion as well.
Kug: (KUG) Copper coin, smaller than an Urudu, worth roughly a penny used in Kuredin and Castana.
Kuredin: (cur-a-DEEN) The desert nation across the sea and the home of the Lumite faith.
Kurum'ur: (cur-um-OOR) They are the city guard branch of the Castanan military, it is the one branch where commoners can rise into positions of leadership.
Ku-sa: (COO-sa) The highest rank a commoner can reach (except in the Kurum'ur) in the Castanan military. This is the lowest officer level.
Lady: The lowest female noble rank in Avanne. Often the daughter of a
Marquis or Marquessa, or the wife of a Lord.
Lord: The lowest male noble rank in Avanne. A Lord is of noble birth, but
has no land or specific job or title. Often the son of a Marquis or
Marquessa.
Lugal: (loo-GULL) The third-highest rank in the Castanan military, he serves under the Imin
Lumah: Lumah's Crater: A deep crater in the desert that is either seen as a place where Lumah was taken into the heavens by Hebat or where Lumah killed Orien, depending on one's faith. The explosion that took place was so damaging it darkened the skies for a week.
Lumite: Lymphia: (LIM-phee-uh): The ancient predecessor of the Vicenan Empire.
Also called the Eastern Vicenan Empire.
Magus: A rank above Ferratus in the Venae order of the Vesperan
priesthood. There are rarely more than five Magi and never more than ten
at any one point in time. One Magus is responsible for the school of the
Venae.
Mahru: (ma-ROO) The name of the western Emirate in Kuredin. Its capital is Apsu-Gar.
Mar: The name of a city in western Castana.
Marquessa: (mar-KESS-uh) A woman married to a Marquis or, if unmarried,
the daughter of a Count or Countess.
Marquis: (mar-KEE) The rank below Count, a Marquis is an Avannais nobleman
without land of his own. Often assigned to jobs within a county in the
service of the Count or Countess.
Marsein: (mar-SAYN) A duchy in Avanne, its capital city and a branch of
the Rive Mirvil.
Masa'a: (ma-sa-A) The naval branch of the Castanan military. It is
made up of men from all walks of life, including members of the Lumite priesthood, the Asipu.
Master: The highest rank of the Venae. There may never be more than two
of Master rank, and if there are two, they must be a man and a woman.
Often, there is no one of Master rank, as the long study and usage of
magic is usually fatal before reaching this rank.
Masu-Sar: (ma-soo-SAR) Title of the leader of the Castanan military.
Ministrator: One rank below Proximate, a Ministrator is the lowest of the
ordained Orienite priests. They are responsible for religious instruction
of the lay populace.
Mirvil: (meer-VILL) A major river in Avanne. The capital Gesarien is at
the confluence of the Mirvil and the sea. Also a duchy in Avanne.
Mitzrata: A city in eastern Castana on ths shores of the Creare Sea. Just north of Esharra it is the city closest to the capital.
Montremarche: (MONT-reh-marsh): Also called the Old City, this is the
nobles' quarter in the Avannais capital, Gesarien.
Namadu: (na-ma-DO) A greeting used by Kuredin and Castanans. Customarily it is said with a bow or an inclination of the head, depending on the person giving the greeting and the person it is being said to. Nan-Garu: The capital of the northwestern Emirate, Shusi, in Kuredin. It was the first location Lumah visited when he crossed the strait from Castana.
Negeltu: (neg-EL-too) Title given to Lumite converts during their three years of conversion. Not used as a social title, but only within the temple.
Nin-Agal: The capital city of the A-Aba Emirate in southwest Kuredin.
Ninsar: The name of both a mountain range and a river in eastern Kuredin.
Nugal: The largest river in Kuredin. It flows from Mount Tul-Ku, through the city of Egish-Nugal and into the Aba al-Mun.
O
Occasa: Opacum: (O-pack-um) The name of the ocean to the west of Castana and Kuredin.
Orien: Orienite: It can either mean a single member of the faith, such as, 'He is an Orienite' or it means the entire religion known as the Orienite faith. It is based in the Vicenan Empire.
Oviedo: (o-vee-A-doe) The former name of Castana's capital, Esharra.
Praelocutor: (PRE-low-kyoo-ter): The head of the Orienite Church. He rules
from the island of the Holy City and rarely leaves it.
Primate: One rank below Praelocutor in the Orienite Church, there is a
Primate assigned to each of the Orienite nations, where he heads the
church there. See also 'Primate Hastatus'.
Primate Hastatus: The head of the Hastati, the military arm of the
Orienite Church.
Proximate: One rank below Primate in the Orienite Church. Proximates do
the majority of the day-to-day work in the Orienite Church, and are the
diplomats, philosophers, historians, researchers, preachers and
administrators of the Church, reporting directly to the Primate of their
nation.
Qadi: (KAY-dee) Title for male members of the Sultan's council of advisors in Kuredin and Castana.
Qadim: (KAY-deem) A council of advisors to the Sultan of Castana. It is headed by the Vizier.
Qadiya: (KAY-dee-a) Title for female members of the Sultan's council of advisors in Kuredin and Castana.
Racaille: (rah-KY-ell) A duchy of Avanne, its capital city and a branch of
the Rive Rychein.
Rif: (RIF) The Kuredin word for river.
Rive: The Avannais word for river.
Rychein: (rye-SHAYN) The second major river in Avanne, which flows near
the eastern border.
Sa: A small cluster of mountains just west of the city Mitzrata in Castana.
Sag-Gul: The southernmost city of Castana, it was the first place taken in the Lumite conquest.
Sahar: A desert city in southeastern Castana.
Salarin: (SAL-ah-rin) A duchy of Avanne and its capital city.
Sanguere: (san-GAIR) A term referring to a former Vesperan mage that
failed his or her testing and has turned to darker arts as a path to
magical power. A Sanguere must take blood from another to gain power to
perform magical tasks. Sangueres are hunted by members of all faiths,
and thus are extremely rare. Few even believe they exist. Can also
refer to a Lumite alchemist, though it is an insult of the highest order.
Sar: (SAR) Not necessarily just below Imin, this rank is given to older members or members who can no longer serve in their full capacity. They are the bookkeepers and scribes for their branch of the Castana military.
Sasu: (SA-soo) One of the five orders of the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood. They are the historians of the faith.
Senor: (sen-YORE) Title given to all noble Castanan men.
Senora: (sen-YORE-a) Title given to all noble Castanan women. Younger women are sometimes referred to as Senorita.
Senorita: (sen-yore-EET-a) A title for a young noble Castanan woman, generally those who are not yet married.
Servant: A ranking member of the Excola order of the Vesperan priesthood,
typically involved in teaching, diplomacy, academia and other wide-ranging
tasks for the Church.
Shar'ur: (shar-OOR) The royal guard in the Castanan military, it is very often a position passed from father to son. They are considered the elite fighters in Castana.
Sheikh: (SHAKE) Title given to all Kuredin noblemen whether they live in Kuredin or Castana.
Sheikha: (SHAKE-a) Title given to all Kuredin noblewomen whether they live in Kuredin or Castana.
Shesh: The name of a river in the A-Aba Emerite in southwestern Kuredin. it flows from Mount Shesh-Gal.
Shesh-Gal: A small mountain range in southwestern Kuredin.
Shu-si: (shoe-SEE) The name of the northwestern Emirate in Kuredin. It's capital is Nan-Garu.
Sielle: (SYE-ell) A mountain range that forms the northwestern border of Avanne.
Sila'kar: (SEE-la-car) A farewell used by Kuredin and Castanans. Is often shortened with Sila for a more familiar good-bye. Like Namadu is a delivered with a bow or nod of the head.
Sugid: (SOO-gid) A portion of the Inimku, it is the five commandments by which all Lumites are supposed to live their life if they are to achieve paradise in the heavens as one of Lumah's stars.
Su'gub: The name of the ceremony in the Lumite faith in which new students, known as Zid, are accepted into the Asipu. This ceremony occurs twice a year.
Sukur: (soo-CUR) The foot soldiers of the Castanan military. They are generally made up of commoners and lower nobility. Their weapons include lances, swords, maces, axes, and bows.
Sultan: (SAUL-tan) The title for the leader of Kuredin as well as the ruler of Castana. Equivalent to the title of King.
Sultana: (SAUL-tan-a) Title given to the wife of a Sultan in Kuredin and Castana.
Sunura: (sun-OORA) Means, "They are blind" in the Kuredin language. A term used to describe anyone who is not a Lumite and sometimes spoken as an insult, especially if used to describe a member of the Lumite faith.
Temple: A site of worship in the Lumite, Orienite and Vesperan faiths.
Troubadour: A composer of music in Avanne. The troubadour rarely, if ever, performs his own music, instead partnering with a joglar, who will sing and play the music the troubadour composes.
Tul-Ku: A mountain range in northeastern Kuredin.
Ugnim: (OOG-nim) One of the five orders of the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood. They are the warriors of the faith.
Urid: (OO-rid) Copper coin worth roughly fifty cents used in Kuredin and Castana.
Uruki: (oo-ROO-key) One branch of the Lumite faith. They believe that all benefits of the Lumite teachings should be extending to all people, whether they follow the faith or not.
Usmi: (OOS-me) The Usmi are the leaders of each of the orders within the Lumite faith.
Uxa:
Velleca: (va-LAY-sa) The name of both a city and river in northern Castana. It has no Lumite influence, it is a strongly Orienite city.
Venae: (VEEN-ay) The magical order of the Vesperan priesthood.
Vesperan: It can either mean a single member of the faith, such as, 'He is a Vesperan' or it means the entire religion known as the Vesperan faith. It is based in Castana.
Vicena: The eastern nation of Memorium.
Vizier: (viz-EER) Title for the Sultan's advisor and second only to the Sultan as far as power is concerned.
Zibar: (zee-BAR) Bronze coin worth roughly a dollar used in Kuredin and Castana.
Zid: (ZEED) Title given to all students in training to join the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood.
Zisura: (zee-SUR-a) One of the five orders of the Asipu, the Lumite priesthood. They are the alchemists/scientists of the faith.