Howling Dark

by Christopher Ruocchio

  scianda

  Pl. Sciandane. A Cielcin migratory fleet, comprising several itanimn and presided over by a single Aeta.

  sign of the sun disc

  A gesture of benediction made by circling thumb and forefinger and touching forehead and lips before holding the hand up to the sky.

  signifer

  In the Legions, a soldier tasked with carrying the banner bearing the symbols of the individual legion or subgroup.

  Solar Throne

  The Imperial throne. Carved from a single piece of citrine quartz. Sometimes used as a synonym for the Imperial Presence or Office.

  solifer

  In the Legions, a soldier tasked with carrying the banner bearing the symbol of the Imperial sunburst on its flag.

  Sollan Empire

  The largest and oldest single polity in human-controlled space, comprising some half a billion habitable planets.

  SOM

  Surrogate Operating Medium. The lobotomized shell of a human being animated by machines, used for slave labor and as soldiers by the Extrasolarians.

  Sparrowhawk

  A lighter craft commonly used by the Legions, a one-manned rapid attack ship used in ship-to-ship fighting.

  strategos

  An admiral in the Imperial Legions, responsible for the command of an entire fleet, comprising several legions.

  strojeva

  A golem, specifically a golem of Durantine manufacture. Typically designed to closely mimic a human being in appearance.

  sulan

  An ancient predator native to the Cielcin homeworld.

  suppression field

  A Royse Effect field designed to simulate gravity.

  Tanager

  A lighter craft commonly used by the Legions, a heavier, two-man fighter.

  Tavrosi

  Any of the languages from the Demarchy of Tavros. Typically refers to Nordei.

  telegraph/QET

  A device which uses entangled quantum particles to communicate instantly over vast distances.

  terranic

  In terraforming and ecology, refers to any organism of Old Earth extraction. Not extraterrestrial.

  theologi

  A priest or theologian.

  tiatari

  In Cielcin culture, the worker caste.

  tokolosh

  A species of flesh-eating microorganism that, when swarming, appears as a mass of darkness.

  Travatsk

  A Tavrosi language named for the Travatskr ethnic group, recognizable by its lack of vowel reduction.

  trias

  A unit of three legionnaires, usually two peltasts and one hoplite.

  triaster

  The commander of a trias, usually a shielded hoplite.

  tribune

  A Legion officer in command of a cohort (four to a legion). Commands both ground forces and naval officers.

  Twelve Abominations

  The twelve most grievous sins according to the Chantry’s Index. Legal privileges do not apply in such cases.

  TX9

  A chemical compound pumped into the body when the blood is drained in preparation for cryonic fugue.

  Udaritanu

  A complex, non-linear writing system used by the Cielcin.

  Umandh

  A coloni species native to the planet Emesh. Amphibious and tripedal, they have an intelligence comparable to that of dolphins.

  uncreated gods

  In philosophy, refers to the gods of ancient religions which emerged as byproducts of organic cultural evolution.

  Upper Centaurus

  Region of the Centaurus Arm of the galaxy nearer the core. Location of the Principalities of Jadd and many Imperial provinces.

  vampyromorph

  A species of winged, blood-drinking creatures commonly used in baiting shows during the Colosso.

  Veil of Marinus

  Territory contested between the Empire and Norman Freeholds. Comprises most of the front in the Crusade against the Cielcin.

  viceroy/vicereine

  The ruler of an Imperial Province appointed by the Emperor. The title is typically heritable, but is not always so.

  White Sword

  A ceramic greatsword used by Chantry cathars for formal executions, especially of the nobility.

  Writ

  The Chantry’s legal and moral code, enforced by the Inquisition and the Index.

  xanarth

  A massive land predator native to the planet Athyras.

  xenobite

  Any life form not originating in terranic or human stock, especially those life forms which are considered intelligent; an alien.

  Zenoan

  A fraternal order of the scholiasts with an emphasis on introspection and emotional regulation.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Christopher Ruocchio is the author of The Sun Eater space fantasy series from DAW Books. He began writing when he was eight years old and sold his first novel, Empire of Silence, at twenty-two. He is also the assistant editor at Baen Books and a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he received a degree in English Rhetoric and the Classics.

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