The Relevation Trilogy

Abrolous Isles – a group of sparsely populated islands off Enthilen’s east coast.

Afonwee River – the border between Germalia and Nordland, running from the Desolate Mountains through Ephesus and emptying into Elephai Bay. 

Al Mōr Sŭrl – watchtower built by the Dobunni in the old settlement of Iglund (an island in the middle of the Anchep River). The watchtower was renamed the Sunrise Keep by the Erstürmen and incorporated into Sardis’ inner circle.

Anchep River – major river running through the north-west of Enthilen and surrounding Sardis.

Babir Birramal – expansive forest covering the southern region of Enthilen, occupied by stone- and weald-grells.

Bagendon – a town built in the Scaur Hills by Dobunni rebels pledged to overthrow the Erstürmen Kingdom.

Barbarians – invaders/marauders from the lands of Morund, Oder and Sexton. 

Bargan – the name of one of the two moons in the sky above Ostamp.

Bay of Deception – a bay in Nordland where King Giltbert made his last stand against barbarians.

Bay of Fires – a deep, protected bay surrounded by the Abrolous Isles and often used by barbarian ships for anchorage. 

Bay of Marrumin – a bay on Enthilen’s south coast surrounding Giigal.

Beitrag – trading post south of Pergamos.

Bellum cornu – also ‘cornu’. Horn used by the Germalians.

Bethesda – the Dobunni name for Laodicea.

Bilawi tree – a tree with needle-like foliage found in Enthilen.

Bindari – secret location of the graveyard for stone- and weald-grells.

Birraman – stone-grell name for travellers from far-away lands.

Birth twins – two individuals born at precisely the same time, one of them on Earth and the other in Ostamp. Birth twins usually don’t look alike and can be of different genders. However, they will always have the same birthmark, which persists until death.

Blood compass – gold pentagram that spins of its own accord after a single point of the star is dipped in the blood of a birth twin when their twin occupies the same world. There were once five compasses; only one remains.

Blue book – a book left for Tom Anderson that translates the Erstürmen language to English, and tells stories of Erstürmen culture.

Bramble Island – a popular fishing destination off Enthilen’s east coast.

Breadelbane – abandoned village in the western Dambay Plains near the Scaur Hills.

Bullroarer – implement used by Dwarrow to call up his steed, Xaviary, the giant lizard.

Bunbili weed – tobacco-like plant smoked by the Erstürmen.

Calendar of life – the most sacred place in Malang Gunya. An open, circular temple surrounded by marble pillars with paintings decorating the tiled floor depicting essential aspects of grell culture. 

Carcer – Germalian word for prison.

Cathedral of the Elders – room at the highest point in the enormous tree, yurrubang.

Centure – rank in the Germalian army akin to ‘Sergeant’.

Classem – Germalian navy.

Conventus – ruling body of Germalia comprising two hundred and eighty-eight senators and the Sella [chairperson].

Carborupem – slow-burning powder used by the Germalians in their street lamps.

Crest – facial tattoo worn by all free grells. Each crest is unique, representing a plant or animal that the grell is responsible for protecting.

Curate – a holy man [priest] in the Erstürmen culture.

Curmudgles – dwarf-sized, human-like creatures living in Grauberge.

Dachlos – old, homeless people living in the ossuary in Pergamos.

Dalman – a secret location in Babir Birramal where stone- and weald-grells hold the sacred ceremony called garrabari.

Dambay Plains – vast grassland region in the centre of Enthilen once occupied by mouldewerps and stone-grells.

Dangal – shelter made by grells from branches, sedges, sticks and leaves.

Da Und Sepcarture – ancient name for the First Scripture.

Deeping pits – Erstürmen gaol adjacent to the outer wall of Sardis.

Desolate Mountains – an extensive mountain range in the north of Enthilen, marking the border between Enthilen and Nordland.

Detranté – narrow pass through the Desolate Mountains connecting Nordland with Enthilen.

Dhawura – grell name for the season of strong winds.

Divine Creator – another name for Volerdie.

Dobunni – settled Enthilen after the stone-grells and built Bethesda, Iglund (a village on an island in the middle of the Anchep River, now the location of Sardis) and the watchtower of Al Mōr Sŭrl. Came as peaceful settlers rather than invaders. Ousted from much of Enthilen by the Erstürmen and were confined to Bagendon and the Southern Vale in Laodicea before the settlements were attacked.   

Dobunni rebels – those Dobunni pledged to overthrow the Erstürmen Kingdom.

Docklands – one of the four quarters in Laodicea. Wharf area next to Traders Bay.

Docklands Guard – soldiers tasked with keeping the peace and defending the Docklands from enemies.

Domina – title used by male Germalians when addressing a female.

Domina-homines – Also called ‘lady-men.’ Germalian male prostitutes often dressing as women (and servicing mostly men). Most work in brothels in Gustium, a suburb of Portum.

Dorfisch – fishing town on Enthilen’s east coast near Gestade.

Draconarius – Germalian word for a person carrying a banner or standard.

Draughoul – a creature that has had its soul captured by the eyes of lost souls. They exist in a state of almost suspended animation but aren’t ‘undead’ as such. They can be killed or, over time, their body will wither away to nothing. However, a natural demise can take hundreds to thousands of yarles [years]. Only human-like creatures can become draughouls.

Dreadwerp – relative of the mouldewerp (and the same size). Lives under the sands of Magna Avium and often rides slider serpents.

Dwell – name for both a specific hole in the ground where a mouldewerp lives and the collection of holes in a given location. Akin to ‘home’.

Elephai – Germalian name for tufted goliath.

Elephas Tusk – tavern in Ephesus.

Eligens – a series of challenges faced by apprentice wind-riders vying to become the next person to ride their own griffin.

Elagear – person in charge of supervising the election of the Dobunni rebel leader.

Embruisia – also called cerulean honey. Mind-altering substance used by the Erstürmen.

Enthilen – land in the eastern half of Ostamp occupied by Erstürmen, Dobunni, stone- and weald-grells, mouldewerps and others.

Ephesus – border city between Germalia and Nordland, straddling the banks of the Afonwee River.

Erstürmen – settled Enthilen after being ousted by barbarians (the ancestors of Nordmen) from what is now called Nordland. Came as invaders and conquerors, claiming Enthilen for themselves regardless of other inhabitants.

Eyes of lost souls – two obsidian glass eyes with flaming pupils. One of the seven treasures from the throne of the dead.

Felsie – also called the pool of reflection. A lake in Laodicea located at the bottom of Hansen’s Bluff.

Field Commander – rank in the Erstürmen army usually bestowed on those commanding one of the Erstürmen outposts or significant battles. This rank is immediately above lieutenant and below General, although many in the military view General and Field Commander as equivalent ranks. The Dobunni have also adopted the rank of Field Commander.  

First Scripture – also known as Da Und Sepcarture in the old language of Pergamos. Ancient parchment believed to be written by Volerdie in his own blood, documenting his lore and secrets.

Flüsse – the central, most fertile and densely populated region of the Riverlands.

Gadhang – vast ocean to the south of Enthilen. Crossed by the first stone-grell settlers.

Gaping hollow – deep chasm that breaches the cave floor leading to the secret passage into Sardis.

Garderobe – small room off the throne hall in Sardis that houses the royal robes.

Gari yala – the speaking stone used to denote permission to speak during grell meetings.

Garrabari – ancient stone- and weald-grell celebration involving dancing and singing, telling stories and sacred ceremony. It happens in Dalman when both Seena and Bargan, the two moons, are full.

Gawimarra – grell name for the harvest season.

Germalia – region in the western half of Ostamp occupied by the Germalians. Main city, Portum.

Gestade – Erstürmen outpost on the central east coast of Enthilen.

Giagan – the revered panalope tree on the edge of Babir Birramal.

Giba – a stone sacred to stone- and weald-grells that casts its own light.

Giigal – weald-grell city on an island in the Bay of Marrumin.

Grauberge – cold, mountainous region east of Nordland. Home to the curmudgles, most of whom live in the city of Karlik.

Grimart – name of Whibly’s ship.

Grōz Forst – Erstürmen name for Babir Birramal.

Grōz Wüste – large desert in the western half of Ostamp claimed by Germalians (who call it Magna Avium), but includes disputed territory claimed by both Germalians and the Pordillo.

Gulba – the peace stone given to Dwarrow by the stone- and weald-grells, signifying the alliance between grells and werps.

Guma – grell name for the storm season.

Gustium – seedy suburb of Portum.

Hansen’s Bluff – limestone cliff to the north of Laodicea and overlooking the city.

Heilig-jün – twenty-four disciples that follow the teachings of Enthilen’s Hoch-Vater.

Heine Empire – name for the unbroken reign of kings from the Heine family, beginning with King Giltbert Heine.

Hoch-Vater – a title meaning ‘high father’ and used only by the most respected curate in Erstürmen culture.

Homage march – march from Babir Birramal to Malang Gunya undertaken every yarle during the long dark by stone- and weald-grell pilgrims to honour the grells who died trying to protect Malang Gunya from the Erstürmen invasion. 

Hurna – a horn used by the Erstürmen to rally troops in battle.  

Hurst – tall pinnacle of rock in the Nordargen Sea where Erstürmen kings of old would hide treasures and jewels, and where legend has it, griffins used to nest.

Iglund – Dobunni village, built on the island in the Anchep River that is now home to Sardis.

Infada – Qaysar Rais’ personal guard of twelve elite fighters who are armed with daggers infused with a deadly poison.

Infinitas – a silver jewel in the shape of a lemniscate. When combined with the eyes of lost souls, the Infinitas is the key to unlocking the wisdom of ancestors [and transforms the eyes of lost souls into the Eyes of Relevation].

Kamel – same as ‘camel’.

Khorsal – cross between a camel [kamel] and a horse. Mount favoured by the Pordillo.

King’s Quarter – one of the four quarters of Laodicea occupied by the Erstürmen.

King’s Shield – elite Erstürmen soldiers who have vowed to protect the king with their life.

Kirika – building in most Erstürmen settlements containing a chapel for worshipping Volerdie, and other rooms. Often built underground and above the dungeon.

Koken – cooking/eating area in a typical Erstürmen family home.

Laodicea (Bethesda) – port city on the northeast coast of Enthilen at Traders Bay. Divided into four quarters (King’s Quarter, Southern Vale, Docklands and The Terraces) and occupied by Erstürmen, Dobunni, and others. Dobunni settlers built the city and named it Bethesda.

Lata Via – main thoroughfare in Portum.

Legatus – military rank in the Germalian army akin to ‘General’ or ‘Commander’.

Leichenhalle – room where the Erstürmen keep corpses before burning or burial.

Leviathan – enormous statue of a monstrous and mythical sea creature spanning the heads of Traders Bay.

Levit – young boy or girl tasked with assisting curates.

Lieutenant – rank in the Erstürmen army immediately above sergeant-at-arms and below Field Commander. Some armies also use Prime Lieutenant to denote a rank above Lieutenant.

Lokan – a cursed woodland in the foothills of the Desolate Mountains.

Lost Sisters – natural stone columns in Nordland located near the entrance to the road under the Desolate Mountains.

Lufu – Dobunni word for ‘lover’.

Lumina – Germalian name for the twelve ‘daylight’ hours. 

Lupanar – a brothel in Portum.

Magna Avium – Germalian name for Grōz Wüste.

Magu – name of the four weald-grell elders.

Malang Gunya – ruined stone-grell city in the middle of the Dambay Plains in Enthilen.

Marduk – life-size statue of an ancient man believed to have travelled between worlds and become a god. Considered by sea-farers as the God of the Ocean.

Marradir – a boulder in the middle of Dalman on which the stone- and weald-grells wrote and signed the truce that marked the end of tribal conflict between the groups.

Master’s Hall – largest building in each quarter of Laodicea used by the quarter’s master to conduct various business.

Meduz – grainy, milky alcoholic beverage found throughout Ostamp.

Meladoor tree – barbarians use the timber from this tree to make their ships.

Mendeal herbs – herbs found throughout Enthilen and used for medicinal purposes.

Milbi – small stone shelter used by stone-grells.

Miyan – the name for the grell custodians that tend the graveyards in Bindari.

Mons Harena – tallest sand dune in Magna Avium [Grōz Wüste].

Morund – a landmass situated east of Ostamp, across the Veiled Occyan, and home to people the Erstürmen and Dobunni call barbarians.

Mouldewerp – long-time inhabitants of Enthilen. Previously lived in the Dambay Plains until ousted by stone-grell settlers who used to hunt mouldewerps for food and sport. Now live in small and secretive groups, mostly in the Scaur Hills.

Mr Prickles – Widukind’s pet dodo.

Mulugan – the group of stone- and weald-grells tasked with decision-making and guiding the two tribes during the garrabari.

Mumbal – grell name for the season of blossoms.

Murdark – name of a barbarian ship.

Muwin – a ground spider. Grin’s facial crest [tattoo].

Needle – a narrow passage connecting the inner circle of Sardis with the second circle. The only [widely known] way to access the inner courtyard.

Ngayirr biyal – the most hallowed tree in stone-grell culture.

Ngulubul – meeting place on the edge of Babir Birramal where grells gather before undertaking the homage march.

Ngurung-ginya – grell name for the season of the long dark.

Nocturna – Germalian name for the twelve ‘night-time’ hours.

Nordargen Sea – sea to the north of Nordland.

Nordland – land to the north of Enthilen occupied by Nordmen (descendants of barbarians).

Nordmen [Nordman] – nomadic [mostly] people living in Nordland.

Occidian Sea – sea off Germalia’s west coast.

Oder – a landmass situated east of Ostamp, across the Veiled Occyan, and home to people the Erstürmen and Dobunni call barbarians.

Ölblut – liquid extracted from the throne of the dead by Malphas and used to taint the skin of his four tainted grells.

Ossuary – underground graveyard found in Pergamos. Once used by the stone-grells to bury their children in, now home to the dachlos [homeless].

Ostamp – landmass that includes Enthilen, Germalia, Nordland, Grauberge, Pordillo Territory, Grōz Wüste and Babir Birramal.

Overseer – leader of a group of twenty grell slaves.

Pallaxium – largest building in Portum housing the ruling Germalian Conventus.

Panalope tree – a favourite tree of stone- and weald-grells used for various purposes. The largest tree species in Babir Birramal.

Pergamos – a lost and ruined city lying underneath the foundations of Malang Gunya. Believed by some Erstürmen to once be occupied by their ancestors. Also believed to be Volerdie’s seat of power when he ruled over Ostamp and other lands. Malphas rebuilt the city when he ruled Enthilen.

Plainalope – goat-sized antelope.

Pledge Feste – name of the ceremony in which the Dobunni ask for citizens to pledge allegiance to the Dobunni rebels and their cause.

Pordillo – nomads living in the deserts of Magna Avium. Sworn enemies of the Germalians.

Pordillo Territory – land in the southwest of Ostamp occupied by Pordillo nomads.

Portum – main city of Germalia.

Praefecti – rank in the Germalian navy, akin to ‘Commander’.

Proclaimant of the King – title bestowed on Lothar by Malphas.

Qaysar – title of the leader of the Pordillo, akin to ‘king’.

Rārian Falls – where the Anchep River tumbles over the Riverlands Escarpment, west of Sardis. The Erstürmen maintain guardhouses at the top and bottom of the road that zig-zags down the escarpment face next to the falls.

Remembrance Totem – [also called ‘family totem’]. Softstone about the size of a taper candle. Grells etch the story of their life on its surface, and totems are handed down to next-of-kin or buried with the grell.

Rephaim – the corrupted grell soldiers, trained by Krieg and loyal to Malphas.

Revelé – small town in the northern foothills of the Desolate Mountains.

Riverlands – fertile farmland wedged between the Scaur Hills and Groz Wüste. Occupied by unaligned farmers and villagers.

Riverlands Escarpment – steep, sheer cliff running along the western edge of the Scaur Hills.

River Lousse – a river running from the Desolate Mountains south into the Dambay Plains and on towards Gestade.

River Milawa – river in the Dambay Plains and the closest river to Malang Gunya.

Rufous – small town on the outskirts of eastern Babir Birramal.

Sand Bēċe – small town on Enthilen’s east coast.

Sardis – royal city of Enthilen, occupied and built by the Erstürmen, comprised of seven concentric circles. Each circle of the city is occupied by Erstürmen of different status; the closer to the inner circle, the higher the status. The inner circle is occupied by the royal family and trusted court. Left to ruin during Malphas’ reign.

Satch – name for a troop of twelve Rephaim soldiers. 

Scaur Hills – a rocky range running along the western edge of Enthilen, marking the border between Enthilen and the Riverlands and eventually Grōz Wüste.

Scripture verses – also called Polus Sepcarture in the old language of Pergamos. A black book believed to be an interpretation of the First Scripture. Only curates are typically permitted to read and interpret the scripture verses.

Seena – the name of one of the two moons in the sky above Ostamp.

Sella – chairperson of the Germalian Conventus and most powerful person in Portum.

Senatorial Dictum – the book of laws governing Germalia.

Sergeant-at-arms – rank in the Erstürmen army immediately above soldier and below lieutenant.

Serpent oil – highly combustible liquid.

Sexton – a landmass situated east of Ostamp, across the Veiled Occyan, and home to people the Erstürmen and Dobunni call barbarians.

Silver tausen – very rare and valuable coin. Value varies depending on which Erstürmen king is depicted on the coin.

Skullard – the title of a first-mate on a merchant ship. 

Slider serpent – horse-sized snake that lives in the deserts of Magna Avium [Grōz Wüste].

Slumstadt – shantytown/ghetto on the fringes of Sardis.

Slyencia Bay – Portum’s main harbour.

Softstone – stone used for grell remembrance totems.

Southern Vale – one of the four quarters of Laodicea occupied mostly by Dobunni.

Steward’s Shield – soldiers sworn to protect Hunfrid, Steward of Sardis.

Stone-grell – [grell] early inhabitants of the land now known as Enthilen. Built Malang Gunya and occupied the city until being ousted by the Erstürmen.

Süden Forst – Erstürmen outpost in the south of Enthilen on the edge of Babir Birramal.

Sunrise Keep – Erstürmen name for Al Mōr Sŭrl; one of two keeps in Sardis’ inner circle.

Sunset Keep – one of two keeps in Sardis’ inner circle.

Tainted grell – a stone-grell whose skin has been tainted by Malphas using arcane, evil arts. There are four tainted grells with four different skin colours: Eroberung (white), Krieg (red), Hunger (black), and Ende (pale).

Terraces – one of the four quarters of Laodicea occupied by wealthier residents.

Testament of Fire – a ceremony used by the Dobunni to select rebel soldiers for critically important missions.

The Feign – the southern foothills of the Desolate Mountains.

The Hive – Portum’s wharves.

The Ravage – a fatal disease that spread through Enthilen (mostly Sardis) during the final days of King Ewald’s reign and the rise of King Adalwolf.

Throne of the dead – believed to be Volerdie’s throne. Made from desiccated, ossified bodies. Also called the ‘dead throne’.  

Thyatira – ruined city in Nordland, once occupied by the Erstürmen before they were expelled by barbarians.

Traders Bay – bay neighbouring Laodicea, where the city port and docklands are located.

Tufted goliath – woolly, elephant-sized creature with tusks and horns living mostly in Nordland. Germalians call them ‘elephai’.

Turma – Germalian name for a troop of camel [kamel] riders usually numbering thirty.

Tu’sok – sacred dead tree at the centre of the mouldewerp dwell in the Scaur Hills.

Umbo – title bestowed on the figurehead/commander of the King’s Shield. Rarely participates in actual battle.

Undred – giant, horse-like creature with a single, curved horn protruding from its forehead.

Vater – a title given to the tainted grells, meaning ‘Father.’

Veiled Occyan – ocean to the east of Enthilen.

Vertraúlich – dressing room for curates.

Vestium – Germalian word for wardrobe/closet.

Vigilum – law enforcers in Germalia, akin to ‘Police’.

Vinum – Germalian word for wine.

Volatal Vexil – name for the twelve griffin riders [wind-riders].

Volerdie – a god worshipped by the Erstürmen. Also known as the Divine Creator.

Volerdie’s Lore – another name for the scripture verses.

Volerdie’s Wrath – seismic events that can occur in Enthilen from time to time.

Vulking – merchant ship owned by Captain Adcock.

Walar Rock – rock overhang near Gestade.

Weald-grell – [grell] once identified as stone-grells until the tribal war that saw them abandon Malang Gunya and settle on the south coast of Babir Birramal at Giigal.

Weregrim – large, blind hound residing underground in the tunnels connecting to Pergamos.

Whale-master – person in charge of guiding the whales that pull ships.

Wilay – furry, arboreal, cat-sized animal eaten by grells; skin used for clothing.

Wind-rider – a person who rides a griffin.

Wonchulus – an oasis in Magna Avium containing water.

Worshipful Master – preferred title of Malphas [Oldaric].

Wurloin – a whale-sized arthropod that makes funnel nests in the sands of Magna Avium.

Xaviary – horse-sized lizard ridden by Dwarrow.

Yarle – Erstürmen word for a time period covering six seasons/three hundred and sixty days.

Yirany – yellow tuber eaten by grells.

Yirra – grell name for the growing season.

Yulumbang plant – medicinal shrub used by the grells to treat sore throats and coughs.

Yurali bush – common shrub in Babir Birramal.

Yurrubang – an enormous tree at the centre of Giigal housing hundreds of weald-grells.

Zōdiakos – name of the room inside the Pallaxium where the conventus hold their meetings.