Provost Magsto – title of the head of a Library or a School
Pruferaj, Foreon [Proo-FEH-rahzh, Foh-RAY-ohn] – Imperial Councillor
puff-bread – fried batter-bread
Quaenach, Hoperinaz [KWY-nahtch, Hoh-peh-REE-nahz] – guide and scout
quaenaz-leaves [KWEYE-nahz] – tea from Ymiljesai
quansaj [quahn-SAHZH] – great-coat made of fur
quazmei [KWAHZ-may] – frond pom-pom-trees from Poemig
Rachnoraj [Ratch-NOHR-ahzh] – mythic defender of Jinoarthcaz
Rathmei-Ur [RAHTH-my-OOR] – mythic first love of Svalen-Tu
Reiqui, Sharax [Ray-KWEE, SHAH-rahx] – physician in Valdihovee
Researchery of Cynee, The – repository of magical records and information on Fah, loosely affiliated with the Agnitheon
Reaper’s Moon – full moon occurring usually in the Ninth or Tenth Month
redcoon – the Great World version of the Asian raccoon, technically called the Lesser Panda (not a bear on this planet, either)
remetrij [ray-MEHT-rihzh] – shapable magical energy
Reonoj, The Ubiquitous [RAY-oh-nohzh] – hermaphrodite god/goddess of the cosmos, water, creation, time, and destiny; one of the Six Founder Gods, rarely invoked, and patron of Theninzalk He/she has six self-created children: Aubindimei, Dinonthee, Guinee, Mintrij, Neittrij, and Parmentoj
respect – between making a leg and a sala’am; a sign of recognition of rank and of high regard
reverence – a gesture honoring a god, goddess, or lesser spirit
Riast II [REE-AHST] – current Emperor of Porzalk
River Dej [DEHZH] – the boundary between Vildecaz and Ostinmohr
Roba elk [ROH-bah] – smallish elk native to Ayo, but raised for game animals on Theninzalk and Haverartbow
Rocaz [ROH-cahz] – recently annexed neighbor duzky to Vildecaz; now part of the Porzalk Empire
Rocazin, Dochanee [Roh-CAHZ-in, Dotch-AH-nay] – Housekeeper-General of Vildecaz Castle
Rojmohr [ROHZH-mohr] Ocean – touching the Zihn-Fah, Ymiljesai, and the Drowned World, as well as four seas
Romonaj, Therin [Roh-MOH-nahzh, THEH-rihn] – Tiumboj Castle page
rourua [rohoo-ROO-ah] – Fahnine lounging robe, usually silk
Ruch, Hoftstan [ROOTCH, HOFT-stahn] – Nimuar’s pursuivant and seneschal, father of Kazhtal, Rimdoch, and Jenebij
Ruch, Jenebij [ROOTCH, Zheh-neh-BIHZH] – Hoftstan’s youngest son.
Ruch, Kazhtal [ROOTCH, KAHZH-tahl] – Hoftstan’s oldest son
Ruch, Rimdoch [ROOTCH, RIHM-dotch] – Hoftstan’s middle son
sajah [SAHZH-ah] – long vest with deep back pleats, usually made of fur
Salah-badger [SAH-lah] – similar to the Chinese badger, but 20% larger
Sanma [SAHN-mah] – older coach-horse in the Vildecaz Castle stable, a gelding
Sanmuveth, Ambuprikoj [Sahn-MOO-vehth, Ahm-boo-PREE-kohzh] – ancient Firnij of Udugan
sanzi [sahn-ZEE] – exclamation of wonder or surprise, similar to wow
Senkei [Sehn-KAY] – Vildecaz Castle spell-hound
serinel [seh-ree-NEHL] – women’s formal Court gown
Shajdoch [SHAHZH-dotch] – god of cuisine and cooking
Shandreij [Shahn-DRAYZH] – goddess of Vildecaz’s orchards
shandoz-berries [SHAHN-dohz] – hard, currant-like berries that become soft and sweet when stewed in milk
Shepherd, The – northern constellation
Shodoch [SHOH-dohtch] – mewsman at Valdicaz Castle
Silent Moon – in the Thirteenth month but not on Last Day
Silent One, The – the goddess of grief, death, and the lost – her name,
Six Founder Gods – the ancestors of all the other gods – with the exception of sun, moon, and star gods and goddesses – goddesses, demi-gods, demi-goddesses, and a fair number of folk heros: Agnith, the Preternatural; Kylomotarch, the Forgettor; Lenchmai, the Informer; Ondirpikeon, the Cyclical; Reonoj the Ubiquitous; and Zavthomaj, the Retributionist
skin-clothes – ordinary undergarments
Skoniz [SKOH-nihz] – Vildecaz servant, in charge of baths and plumbing
Snowy Moon – usually occurring in the First or Second Month
Somanee [So-MAHN-ay] – legendary heroine of the Drowned World in the Lost Times.
spell-hound – a breed that seeks out spells, appearance: between a standard, unclipped poodle and a corgi.
Spirits of the Outer Air – astral matter
Strong Light – mid-summer in the Porzalk Empire, the Solstice is one of the five yearly festivals, between the Sixth and Seventh Months
Srin – Vildecazin horse
Sublime Shadowshow – visible manipulation of astral matter
Svalen-Tu [SVAH-lehn-TOO] – mythic heroine
Tahmei, the Refulgent [TAH-may] – hermaphroditic god-and-goddess of the sun and twin of Takzei, one of the Heavenly Twins
Tail, The – a string of islands in the Drowned World
Takzei, the Luminous [TAHK-zay] – hermaphroditic god-and-goddess of the moon and twin of Tahmei, one of the Heavenly Twins
Tassel-plant – from which cloth and paper is made
Temej, Joaican [Teh-MEHZH, Zhoh-EYE-cahn] – Hajmindor Elet’s guide
Terichovee, Lomcoz [Teh-ree-CHOH-vay, LOHM-cohz] – Keeper of the Mews at Vildecaz Castle
Thaw, The – spring in the northern part of the Porzalk Empire, and occasion for a Vildecaz festival just before Last Day
Theninalk [Then-IN-zahlk] – one of the Great World’s five continents, sometimes called the Second World
Theninzaylin – of or pertaining to Theninzalk
thesavee-oil [THEH-sah-vey] – aromatic, cleansing oil used for bathing
thimble-cabbages – something between Brussel sprouts and artichokes
thimble-pig – a miniature pig about the size of a Corgi, kept as a pet on Theninzalk and Ymiljesai
Tirin-Dzur [TIHR-reen-DZUHR] – one of the strategically crucial islands of the Drowned World
tisslet [TIHS-leht] – chamois-like antelope about the size of a housecat
Tiumboj [Teeoom- BOHZH] – new capital of the Porzalk Empire
Tobrach[Toh-BRATCH] – the county controlled by a Tobrine
Tobraj [Toh-BRAZH] – the child of a Tobrine
Tobreon [Toh-BREE-on] – of or pertaining to a Tobrine
Tobrine [Toh-BREEN] – an ancient rank for certain Drowned World nobles or the fourth degree
Tobrinee [Toh-BREEN- ay] – consort of a Tobrine
Toivanoch [TOY-vah-notch] – King of Waniat
tongue-satin – beautiful, clingy cloth from Haverartbow
tourmill-egs [TOUR-mihll] – from the goose-like tourmill-bird; the eggs are large and blue-spotted and considered especially nutritious
treemonk – similar to a chipmonk, but larger
Tsampaj [Tsahm-PAHZH] – god of the forest preserve of Vildecaz
Tsandej, Rygnee [TSAHN-dehzh, REEN-yay] – Erianthee’s travel-maid
Tsendae-fish [Tsehn-DEYE] – similar to koi, kept by collectors
tsinwaj-flowers [TSIHN-wahzh] – hyper-fragrant early-spring bloomer; blossoms range from pale pink to brilliant reds to deep violet
Tsoraj, the Enduring [TSOH-rahzh] – god of the bones of the earth, all forms of minerals, mines, jewels, skeletons, masonry, and metallurgy; third son of Agnith
Tsorech [TSOH-retch] – Porzalk Empire Province, site of the Old Capital city of Martsingoz
Tsumohr [TSOO-more] – demi-god of scholarship in Vildecaz; son of Lenchmai the Informer and a brainy mortal woman
tube-bread – a dense bread cooked in a tube.
Tuleraj, Amiroz [Too-LEH-rahzh, Ah-MIH-rohz] – present landlord of The Ancient Song, Sinlaj Ozhadin’s nephew
Tushan-Loz [TOO-shahn-LOHZ] – another island in The Tail
Udugan [OO-doo-gan] – a rich and prosperous Porzalk Province, also one of the largest provinces, stretching from the southeast side of Theninzalk
on the Kozareaon Sea, comprising all the parts not controlled by the League of Kozareon Cities, and angling up across the Theninzalk heartland to the edge of Otsimohr.
Udugandish – of or pertaining to Udugan
Udugan Inkwine – especially potent, dark wine from Undugan
Umbow Federation of Merchant Cities [OOM-boh] – the allied cities of the coastal southwest of Haverartbow; matrilineal in inheritance but patrilineal in nomenclature
Umver, Sinj [OOM-vehr, SIHNZH] – a somewhat reliable guide in the Boarth Range
urajin [OO-rah-zhihn] – a long-necked stringed instrument with four drone strings and four plucked ones.
Uwarnaz, Encantheon [Oo-WAHR-nahz, En-cahn-THEE-ohn] – ancient Mirkal of Zaralk
Valdihovee [VAHL-dih-ho-vay] – Vildecazin city on the River Dej, below Vildecaz Castle; an important trading port
Valdishan [VAHL-dih-shahn] Escarpment – the mountains Vildecaz Castle is built upon, the end of the Boarth Range
Van, Chormi [VAHN, CHOHR-mee] – coachman and valet to Poyneilum Zhanf
Varian – the military head of federated cities or states on Theninzalk
Variat – administrative head of federated cities or states on Theninzalk
varrolei [VAHR-roh-lay] – a square-sleeved open robe of Fahnine origin
Vault of Meilianoz [May-lee-AHN-ohz] – the heart of Tiumboj Castle
veari [vay-AH-ree] – Fahnine shape-changer, about the same mass as an Irish setter
Veth [VEHTH] – capital city of Udugan, located as near to the middle of the province as possible
Vethcaz, Romjai [VEHTH-cahz, Rohm-ZHEYE] – Hajmindor Elet’s postilion
Vercaz-Old-Fortress [VEHR-cahz] – ancient Vildecazin town and fortification
Vildecaz [VIHL-deh-cahz]: small, semi-autonomous duzky on the northwest side of the Polzark Empire, facing the Drowned World
Vildecazin – of or pertaining to Vildecaz
voiture – the act of lighting magic candles
wallow-moj [MOHZH] – a swamp-dwelling bad-tempered beast something like a cross between a wild boar and a hippo; about the size of a cow
Warinach Mountains [WAHR-ih-natch] – the eastern boundary between Udugan and Porcaz
Weeping Moon – in the Tenth or Eleventh month
wenrir [wehn-REER] – a juniper-like berry-producing thicket; the berry that comes from it is highly valued
Wiandoj, Boriar [WY-ahn-dohzh, BOH-ree-ahr] – one of Hajmindor Elet’s officers
wisp-cotton – from southern Theninzalk or northern Fah, very fine-spun, sheer cotton
Womilaj [Woh-MIH-lahzh] – seal-brown pony
Womotomaj, the Fabricator [Woh-moh-TOH-mahzh] – god of all things constructed, bridges, roads, governmental structure, law courts, mendacity, and fabrication; the oldest son of Hyneimoj
Worjinranth Falls [Wohr-ZHIHN-rahnth] – high, broad falls on the River Dej, and the eastern end of the Dej River Road
World on Dozinthroee, and a chapter house on Zegul-Gnax; Nimuar was trained there.
wyn [WEEN] – a Theninzaylin distance of about 2.3 miles
Wyrenthee [Weye-REHN-they] – fabled seductress of pre-Cataclysmic times
xanji [KSAHN-zhee] – mythic stag-headed sphynx
Xerizan [Ksehr-EE-zahn] – a remote fishing village
Yaee [Yah-AY] – consort of a Yao
Yahmah [Yah-MAH] – the territory of a Yao
Yao [YAHOW] – a noble of the fourth degree and of a Founding Family
Yaolaj [Yah-oh-LAHZH] – oldest child of a Yao
Yaonoi [Yah-oh-NOY] – all other children of a Yao
Yatsoleon, Gavviz [Yah-TSOH-lay-on, Gah-VIHZ] – Imperial messenger
Year Crown – the Last and First Days, one of the five yearly festivals
Yenotomaj [Yeh-noh-TOH-mazh] – god of diplomacy, contracts, unmagical intent, group dynamics, social dealings, clarity and obfuscation, and societal change.
Ymiljesai [Yee-mil-ZHEH-sigh] the Fifth World, west of the Drowned World and slightly north of Fah
Ymiljesin – of or pertaining to Ymiljesai
ympara-oil [yihm-PAH-rah] – magical oil used in conjurations and protective spells
Yqumil [Yeck-MIHL] – grain-growing region on Ymiljesai
Ysmil [Yes-MIHL] – agricultural valley on Ymiljesai
Ysmili-fruit [Yehs-MEE-lee] – a slick-skinned grapefruit-sized peach-like fruit.
Yrich [YE-ritch] – footman at Vildecaz Castle
Yveth [YE-vehth] – the plague city of Porzalk, now a ruin
Yew Trees – a tavern in Valdihovee
Zaralk region [ZAHR-ahlk] – in the southern part of Otsinmohr Province
Zaroga-Jin [Zah-ROH-gah-ZIHN] – Palace in the ancient city of Jinoarthcaz
Zarifaenee [Zah-ree-FEYE-ney] – an important trading island east-southeast from Theninzalk
Zaythomaj, the Retributionist [Zahv-THOH-mahzh] – god of justice and karma, of redressed wrongs, and cosmological magic; one of the Six Founder Gods, and patron of Pomig
Zegul-Gnax [Zay-GOOL-Nyaks] – the largest island in The Tail, about the size of New Zealand (both islands)
Zeimanevee [Zay-mah-NEE-vey] – goddess of winter
zenft [ZEHNFT] – a smock-like shirt worn in cold weather
Zengoarst [Zayn-goh-AHRST] Sea – one of the larger seas of the Drowned World.
Zhanf, Poyneilum [ZHAHNF, Poy-NAY-loom] – Priest of Mirvex-Dor and good friend to Nimuar
zhorel-wood [zhoh-REHL] – a particularly durable wood from the north of Theninzalk
Zjin-Fah [dzheen-FAH] – the equatorial and semi-equatorial northwestern peninsula of Fah, traditional opponents of and competitors with the Porzalk Empire
zlatz [ZLAHTZ] – fairly mild curse, similar to damn
Zomercaz, Haverdin [Zoh-MEHR-cahz, HAH-vehr-dihn] – Court herald in Tiumboj
Zunah [ZOO-nah] – Porzalk Empire’s imperial autumnal assembly, in the Tenth Month after the second full moon following the Autumnal Equinox, one of the five yearly festivals
zyriha-cat [zigh-REE-hah] – a Fahnine big cat, very dangerous, similar to a tiger.
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
A professional writer for more than forty years, Yarbro has sold over eighty books, more than seventy works of short fiction, and more than three dozen essays, introductions, and reviews. She also composes serious music. Her first professional writing – in 1961-2 – was as a playwright for a now long-defunct children’s theater company. By the mid-60s she had switched to writing stories and hasn’t stopped yet.
After leaving college in 1963 and until she became a full-time writer in 1970, she worked as a demographic cartographer, and still often drafts maps for her books, and occasionally for the books of other writers.
She has a large reference library with books on a wide range of subjects, everything from food and fashion to weapons and trade routes to religion and law. She is constantly adding to it as part of her on-going fascination with history and culture; she reads incessantly, searching for interesting people and places that might provide fodder for stories.
In 1997 the Transylvanian Society of Dracula bestowed a literary knighthood on Yarbro, and in 2003 the World Horror Association presented her with a Grand Master award. In 2006 the International Horror Guild enrolled her among their Living Legends, the first woman to be so honored; the Horror Writers Association gave her a Life Achievement Award in 2009.
A skeptical occultist for forty years, she has studied everything from alchemy to zoomancy, and in the late 1970s worked occasionally as a professional tarot card reader and palmist at the Magic Cellar in San Francisco.
She has two domestic accomplishments: she is a good cook and an experienced seamstress. The rest is catch-as-catch-can.
Divorced, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area – with two cats: the irrepressible Butterscotch and Crumpet, the Gang of Two. When not busy writing, she enjoys the symphony or opera.
Bibliography
The Vildecaz Talents: The complete set of Vildecaz Stories including Nimuar's Loss, The Deceptive Oracle and Agnith's Promise Page 65
