Shattered sunlight book.., p.83
Shattered Sunlight (Book Five of the Storm Below), page 83
The Second Gift can heal most injuries to themselves given time so long as it is a wound that a person, theoretically, could recover from.
The Third Gift allows the healing of others by touch. Repeated use can form a small bond with that person’s soul.
Gift of Metalforging: A common Gift that allows a person to manipulate the rare metal.
The First Gift allows a person to sharpen blades at a touch or patch small damages.
The Second Gift allows a person to reforge metal at a distance.
The Third Gift allows a person to control metal at a distance, including melting an opponent’s weapons or armor.
Gift of Skydancing: The second most common Gift allows a person to walk across the sky on the echo of the ground (even the distant ground beneath the Storm).
The First Gift allows a person to skydance up to fifty ropes from the ground.
The Second Gift allows a person to skydance up to any height.
The Third Gift allows the imbuing of others to skydance.
Gift of Stormsight: The rarest Gift. It allows the creation of illusions and glimpses of the future.
The First Gift can see through illusions and, rarely, have prophetic dreams.
The Second Gift can bend light around themselves to render them invisible or make illusions within arm’s reach. Prophetic dreams are more common, but still rare.
The Third Gift can bend light to create illusions or render things invisible within a large area around us. They can trigger visions of the future by gazing at the Storm, earning them the moniker “Stormwitch.”
The Ages of History: Scholars divide the world’s history into Ages.
The Age of Mist is the oldest and most dimly remembered. This was a time when fantastical monsters and great heroes roamed the world. This Age ended with the conclusion of the Sisters’ War, caused when Theisseg was imprisoned on Mount Wraiucwii and Riasruo retreated to her fiery sun.
The Age of Dirt followed the Age of Mist. The mortal races founded kingdoms, tribes, nations, and flocks upon the ground. Peace reigned until Kaltein freed Theisseg and, with her Blessings, conquered most of the world. But with Riasruo’s intervention, the free races defeated Kaltein. This Age ended when Kaltein summoned the Storm.
The Age of Dawn began on the Summer Solstice when Lanii, daughter of Riasruo, hatched fully-grown from a golden egg and founded the Dawn Empire. The Age of Dawn was marked by a thousand years of peace. It ended when the Great Cyclone tore out the heart of the Dawn Empire.
The Age of Isolation began as the Dawn Empire fractured into a myriad of nations. With the skyland of Swuopii lost, no new ships could be constructed. As the nations warred and the years passed, the ships dwindled through attrition until most skylands lost all contact with each other. During this Age, the Agerzaks appeared, occupying the eastern skylands and exterminating the original inhabitants.
The Modern Age, also called the Age of Strife, began when the Vaarckthians discovered a new way to build ships. This Age is marked by the rapid domination of the Empire of the Vaarck, who at first alone possessed ships, then the slow collapse of the Vaarckthian hegemony as rebellious peoples gained their own ships.
The Calendars: When Lanii founded the Dawn Empire, she established a new calendar with the first year starting on the day she hatched. This calendar became known as the Skylands Rising (SR) calendar. It divided the 416-day solar year into thirteen 28-day months: Yruoujoa, Coajyoa, Aernoa, Isamoa, Lheshoa, Haashoa, Mehnetoa, Nmiozhoa, Bwuovoa, Amechoa, Neiddoa, Lsaapoa, and Hruvvoa. She established a five-day week: Dawnsday, Redday, Starday, Blueday, and Skyday. Traditionally, a new day starts at sunset. Each day is divided into 24 hours.
The Skylands Rising calendar ended with the Great Cyclone, and people began counting years from that dominant event, using AF (After Fall) to denote years.
When Emperor Zhnavth I Ckaeqoigk founded the Empire of Vaarck, he started a new year count beginning with the first Summer Solstice of his reign. The Vaarck’s Founding (VF) calendar became used across the entire sky as the Empire’s hegemony grew. It is still used by the breakaway nations of the Empire out of convenience.
The Wrackthar use the Arfeilian Calendar, created by St. Arfeilia, the wife of Kaltein. It is a variant of the calendar used before the Storm was created, the months similar in name to the ones known above the Storm. It uses a six-day week instead of a five-day and has different “seasons” since the temperature does not fluctuate much beneath the Storm. They use the mood of Dheissech (Riasruo). She becomes calm after the Summer Solstice (the effect of the Rosy Prayer), and grows more agitated throughout the year. Summer is Calm, Autumn is Stirring, Winter is Weeping, and Spring is Rage.
A
Agerzak Humans: A race of Humans characterized by white skin, dark brown to black hair, and brown to amber, slanted eyes. They dwell in the eastern skies amid the fractious Petty Kingdoms or in the Autonomy-conquered Fringe. Considered uncivilized barbarians by the rest of the skies. Unlike Vaarckthian or Vionese Humans, the Agerzaks were not lifted up into the skies by Riasruo. They are theorized to be colonizing Stormriders who conquered the eastern skylands during the Age of Isolation.
The Autonomy of Les-Vion: A large nation that dominates the southern skies. Little more than a hundred years ago (296 VF), the Autonomy won their independence from the Empire of Vaarck. The population of the Autonomy is dominated by Vionese Humans, with a significant population of Agerzak Humans dwelling in the Fringe. Every five years, the Autonomy elects a president. In 398 VF, Jordyn Kalthin assumed the presidency. The Autonomy’s flag is a gold, two-headed griffin on a field of blue and red.
B
Bronith: A hunter who witnessed the moon nymph Eyia dancing upon a moonlit glade. He fell in love with her. But when the moon set, she danced up the moonbeams. He followed her, refusing to be parted from his love. He chases her still, his constellation behind hers in the night sky.
C
Chaylene the Shieldmaiden: The Vionese member of the Hopeful Company. When the Hopeful Company was betrayed, Chaylene attacked the Tyrant-King. She surprised Kaltein’s forces and bought the Company time to flee at the cost of her life. Riasruo placed her in the Heavens.
The Church of Riasruo: The official religion of the majority of the skies. Only the Agerzak barbarians reject Riasruo’s benevolent gifts. The church is symbolized by the five feathery rays of Riasruo. The clergy of the Church is divided between the priestesses who minister to Riasruo’s flock, and the skeins, the male monastic orders that fulfill various, specialized roles. Only Luastria, as Riasruo’s favored race, can serve as clergy, and most come from the Jwauahwii Flock. The Church performs anointments of newborns, marriages, funerals, and Blessings, as well as devotional ceremonies on Dawnsday where effigies are burned in bonfires, symbolizing a person’s sin to be cleansed by the flames.
The Church (Organization): The lowest members of the clergy are the acolytes. They perform the bulk of the church’s rituals from marriages to funerals. The only services they are not allowed to perform are the Blessings. Priestesses serve in a Parish, which may be a simple temple in a small town to a region of a skyland where they wander on a circuit from village to village. Multiple parishes form a Diocese administered by a Bishopress. Most skylands are a single Diocese, while the large skylands (Les, Vion, Vaarck, and Ulanii) are split into several. The Canton is the largest administration level stretching across multiple skylands. Each of the fifteen Cantons are administered by an Archbishopress who serves on the Synod of the Faithful, the advisory council to the Bishriarch, the head of the Church.
The Circle of the Stars: The thirteen constellations that encircle the world around the elliptic. As the year passes, the sun rises before a different constellation. The thirteen months of the year are named for them: Yruoujwia, Coajyii, Aernigk, Isame, King Lhesh the Blind, Haashwil, Dread Mehnet, Nmiozhn, Bwuova, Ameche, Neiddar, Lsaapsu, and Hruvv.
Coinage: With metal being scarce in the skies, coins are manufactured from porcelain with ground gemstones mixed in. With an engine that uses Major Pressure, the coins are hardened to the point of near indestructibility. While all nations, except the Theocracy, mint their own coins, they follow the Vaarckthian model of names. The lowest coin is the Sapphire. 5 Sapphires make up a Ruby. 4 Rubies (20 Sapphires) make up a Diamond. 5 Diamonds (100 Sapphires) make up an Emerald, the largest denomination.
Constellations: The skies are populated by the heroes, monsters, and mythical beasts of bygone eras, placed in the skies at the whim of Riasruo and Theisseg. The stories and legends of the past are painted on the tapestry of the night sky.
Cyclones: The Cyclones (called Crusades by the Wractkhar) are mighty maelstroms that rise out of the Storm Below. At the heart of each is an engine called the Eye that sits in a calm center. It glows gold and pulses with lightning shooting out into the Cyclone. The Stormriders’ lives are tied to the Cyclone and are unaffected by its violent winds. If the Eye is not destroyed, the Cyclone can ravage a skyland before the engine’s energy peters out. Every skyland has at least one ship ready to defend its eastern shores. Many questions persist about the Cyclones and the Stormriders.
D
The Dawn Empire: The Dawn Empire was founded when Lanii, Riasruo’s daughter, hatched from a golden egg on Jyuou, the easternmost skyland. Lanii’s descendants ruled the skies in peace from Vauabrii on the Skyland of Swuopii. On the first day of 1026 SR (1 AF), the Great Cyclone struck. Xaiutwoa III and her heir Niiwa perished, but her youngest daughter, Yriitwao, survived.
Dawnspire: Another name for Sky Towers used in the Autonomy.
The Desperate Alliance: An alliance of the Dzet Clan, the Jwauahwii Flock, the Soweral Flock, the Vaarck Nation, the Vion Nation, the Ethinsk Tribe, and the Zzuk Tribe against the Wrackthar’s aggression. Iiwroa, the representative of the Jwauahwii Flock, proposed journeying to Mount Wraiucwii and beseeching Riasruo for help. The Hopeful Company was formed, made up of a champion from each nation. Ultimately, the Alliance prevailed and defeated the Wrackthar.
Dzetian Zalg: The only race of Zalg carried into the skies by Riasruo were the Dzet Clan. They are characterized by brown to yellow fur and beady, black eyes.
E
The Empire of Vaarck: Also known as the Vaarckthian Empire. When the ship engines were rediscovered by the Republic of Vaarck, the merchant princes expanded their commerce to the surrounding skylands. When a rebellion threatened them, the Republic appointed Zhnavth Ckaeqoigk to lead their military. After routing the rebellion, the general used the military’s loyalty to declare himself Emperor Zhnavth I Ckaeqoigk. In two hundred years, through a series of expansive conquests, most of the skies were under the Empire’s rule. Only the Theocracy of Riasruo and the Kingdom of Agerz remained free. Thanks to the Agerzak’s metal weapons and fearless prowess in battle, the Empire of Vaarck suffered three devastating defeats attempting to conquer the barbarians. These defeats weakened the empire and emboldened the nationalist rebels around the skies. Today, the Empire only controls the central skies, the heartland of the Vaarckthian peoples.
Engine: A magical construct with a gem at its core attached to a wooden frame. The combination of the right gem, the right wood, and the right Blessing can produce different results. With ships, the entire hull is the frame. Scholars research new combinations all the time, discovering new devices to ease life or create new weapons. Engines are used in the saddles of flying beasts, to mint coinage, to irrigate fields, and to control the weather. Numerous engines exist for warfare. These weapons are expensive, but most believe the advantages outweigh the costs.
Ethinski Gezitziz: A race of Gezitziz characterized by red scales with yellow underbellies, and ruby to sapphire eyes. The majority dwell in the Ethinsk Union in the northwestern skylands.
The Ethinsk Union: The nation of the Ethinski Gezitziz located in the northwestern skylands. The Ethinski won their independence from the Empire in 299 VF. They are famed for their high-quality ceramics, including their fine porcelain. Every seven years, the nation elects a doge to rule their republic.
Eyia: A moon nymph danced on a moonlit glade before a mortal named Bronith. When morning came, she was forced to leave her lover and return to the moon for a thousand years. But he followed her. Now Eyia rests in the skies, her constellation forever chased by her lover Bronith.
F
The Five Sacred Beasts of Riasruo: When the world was in its infancy, Riasruo created five beasts to teach the mortal races. Thus were born: the Vermilion Roc Coajyii, the Golden Hawk Lsaapsu, the Alabaster Ostrich Hruvv, the Azure Songbird Shian, and the Rainbow Peacock Xiadwul. The popularity of her beasts only increased Theisseg’s jealousy and led to the start of the Sisters’ War.
The Free Nests of the Soweral: The nation of the Sowerese Luastria dominates the northern skies. The ships of the Free Nests are the fastest. The country won its independence from the Empire of Vaarck in 308 VF. The Free Nests are a constitutional monarchy led by an empress who is advised by the parliament.
The Fringe: A region of the Autonomy that used to be the two Agerzak Kingdoms: Thusseldem and Mecheissen. During the Pirate Wars, the Autonomy subjugated this region to gain safer shipping lines to the Great Empty and the lucrative whale oil. The conquered territory was nicknamed the Fringe. The Autonomy colonized the area, establishing sugar and pineapple plantations.
G
The Gezitziz: A species of lizard-like, bipedal humanoids. Their origins lie in the Age of Mist when Haashwil, a serpent-like Szezziith, was rewarded by Riasruo and granted arms and legs. Two tribes of Gezitziz were carried into the sky at the end of the Wrackthar War: the Zzuki and the Ethinski.
The Grand Temple of Riasruo: The seat of power of the Church. It resides atop a hill overlooking the city of Ianwoa on the Skyland of Ulanii. From here the Bishriarch and the Synod administers the faithful of Riasruo. At its pinnacle resides the Sun Lance.
The Great Cyclone: On the Summer Solstice, the first Cyclone attacked. It struck the great Skyland of Swuopii, dragging it and the other eastern skylands down into the Storm Below and leaving behind the Great Empty.
The Great Empty: The great sky to the east. Haunted by vast clouds of krill that nourish the mighty whales.
H
The Hopeful Company: A group of seven heroes, one from each nation of the Desperate Alliance, who sought to reach Mount Wraiucwii and gain Riasruo’s aid during the Wrackthar War. Led by Iiwroa, the company faced many dangers, but ultimately succeeded and gained her Blessings, shifting the fortunes of the Wrackthar War. The members were: Iiwroa (Diplomat of the Jwauahwii Flock), Rakl (Miner of the Dzet Clan), Ukzin (Spearman of the Ethinsk Tribe), Nreef (Swordrooster of the Soweral Flock), Qobthien (Huntsmen of the Vaarck Nation), Chaylene (Shieldmaiden of the Vion Nation), and Zzupwish (Broodmother of the Zzuk Tribe). Only Iiwroa survived the company’s journey.
Hypostasis: An avatar or embodiment of a divine entity. The two Goddesses cannot appear in the living world in their full majesty. They have to cloak themselves in living flesh. These hypostases require a living sacrifice. Riasruo’s Five Sacred Beasts, Theisseg’s Monstrous Children, and the Golden Daughter are all hypostases. The more a Goddess has at one time, the more She has to split Her awareness and the weaker they become. They can be killed, but require extraordinary methods.
I
Iiwroa: A Jwauahwiian diplomat and leader of the Hopeful Company. Only she and Qobthien survived to reach the summit of Mount Wraiucwii. She beseeched Riasruo and was given the Goddess’s Blessings. Qobthien perished on the return journey. With this new magic, the Desperate Alliance defeated the Wrackthar. Iiwroa perished at the end of the Wrackthar War.
J
Jwauahwiian: A race of Luastria characterized by brown feathers while the males have bright red feathers about their eyes and throat. They have eyes that range from green to gold. The Jwauahwii Flock dominates the Church of Riasruo. While they can be found throughout the skies ministering to the followers of Riasruo, they primarily dwell in the Theocracy of Riasruo in the northeastern skies.
Jwiaswo: A minor deity and one of Riasruo’s lovers. He embodies the Red Moon. He is full every 104 days on the first evening of a new season. The only evening he and his brother are full at the same time is the Summer Solstice, which marks the start of a new year.
K
Kaltein: The Tyrant-King of the Wrackthar Humans. His lust for power led him to free Theisseg by sacrificing Hruvv, the last living Sacred Beast, atop Mount Wraiucwii. She taught Kaltein how to employ Riasruo’s Gifts. With them, the Wrackthar quickly conquered and enslaved the world. Only the Desperate Alliance resisted. When Theisseg granted his enemies Her Blessings, Kaltein’s forces were defeated. Forced back to Romeich, Kaltein was wrongly blamed for the summoning of the Storm. Married to Arfeilia.
The Kingdom of Agerz: The origins of the Agerzaks are lost to the confusion of the Age of Isolation. The Agerzaks, believed to be Stormriders, conquered and colonized the eastern sky, circa 200 AF (1225 SR). When flying ships were rediscovered, the Vaarckthians were surprised to find the barbarians occupying the bones of the Queendom of Xwuoupy, the Duchy of Thugri, the Kingdom of Amev, and the Empire of the South. After weathering three wars against the Empire of Vaarck, civil war fractured the Kingdom of Agerz into a myriad of domains. In twenty years, eight petty kingdoms emerged.
L
Lanii: The daughter of Riasruo. On the Summer Solstice, right after the skylands were lifted above the Storm, a golden egg hatched on Jyuou, the easternmost skyland. Lanii emerged fully-grown. The survivors of the Wrackthar War proclaimed her their Dawn Empress by universal acclaim. Lanii ruled with wisdom before ascending into the Heavens to become the constellation called the Golden Daughter, leaving behind her daughter Xaiutwoa I, to rule the Empire of the Dawn.
The Luastria: A species of bird-like humanoids. The most favored race of Riasruo. Only Luastria, primarily of the Jwauahwii Flock, are priestesses for Riasruo. Luastria live longer than Humans.
M
Metal: The rarest material in the skies. The only sources were those the original inhabitants brought up from the ground below two thousand years ago, and the armor and weapons scavenged after a Cyclone attack. Most metal is hoarded by various governments, used to produce compasses and the dies that stamp coinage. Ceramics and bones have replaced most uses of metal in the skies.
