The Grieving Tree: The Dragon Below Book II Page 38

  d’Lyrandar, Marolis: A dragonmarked half-elf of House Lyrandar. The junior officer on Lightning on Water.

  d’Lyrandar, Vennet: A dragonmarked half-elf of House Lyrandar, captain of Lightning on Water and secretly a follower of the Cults of the Dragon Below.

  daelkyr: Powerful lords of Xoriat, the daelkyr are madness and corruption personified. After the Daelkyr War, surviving daelkyr on Eberron were bound in the depths of Khyber by Gatekeeper druids.

  Daelkyr War: An invasion of Eberron by creatures from Xoriat, led by the daelkyr, approximately nine thousand years before the present. Centered around the Shadow Marches, it ended with the defeat of the daelkyr by the united forces of the orcs of the Shadow Marches and the hobgoblins of the Empire of Dhakaan, but left both races decimated.

  Da ga shek erat: An orc expression of rage, not fit for translation.

  dagga: An orc expression of affirmation commonly used by folk of Zarash’ak. A more intense version, Kuv dagga! is akin to swearing a minor oath.

  Dah’mir: A shapechanging dragon and a priest of the Dragon Below. Once leader of the Bonetree clan.

  dahr: An Adaran expression for something or someone vile; pl. dahri.

  Dal Quor: Another plane of existence, the Region of Dreams. Mortal spirits are said to journey to Dal Quor when they dream. Kalashtar are the descendants of refugee spirits from Dal Quor who bonded with human hosts in order to enter Eberron.

  Dandra: Superficially a kalashtar, Dandra is actually the consciousness of a psicrystal inhabiting the body of her creator, Tetkashtai. She wears a yellow-green crystal containing Tetkashtai, wields a spear forged from crysteel, and specializes in whitefire, augmented by her skill with vayhatana.

  Darguun: A nation of goblinoids, founded in 969 YK when a hobgoblin leader named Haruuc formed an alliance among the goblinoid mercenaries and annexed a section of southern Cyre. Breland recognized this new nation in exchange for a peaceful border and an ally against Cyre. Few people trust the people of Darguun, but their soldiers remain a force to be reckoned with.

  dashoor: A goblinoid artificer, especially one from the time of the Empire of Dhakaan. The secret knowledge of the dashoor has largely vanished, but at one time they were capable of creating wonders. Most dashoor were male.

  Deneith, House: A dragonmark house bearing the Mark of Sentinel. House Deneith operates services offering various forms of protection, including the mercenary companies of the Blademarks and the law enforcement services of the Sentinel Marshals.

  Dhakaani Empire: see Empire of Dhakaan.

  Do hiffi eche?: Azhani phrase: “Do you smell that?”

  Dol Arrah turn away!: An expression of righteous violence.

  dolgaunt: Horrid creatures created by the daelkyr from hobgoblins during the Daelkyr War, dolgaunts have long, powerful tentacles springing from their shoulders. They have no eyes but perceive their surroundings through sensitive cilia that cover their skin.

  dolgrim: Foot soldiers in the armies of the daelkyr, dolgrims were created by the daelkyr from goblins. A dolgrim has four arms and two mouths and resembles two goblins crushed together.

  Dragon Below, The: see Khyber

  dragonmark: 1) A mystical mark that appears on the surface of the skin and grants mystical powers to its bearer. 2) A slang term for the bearer of a dragonmark.

  dragonshard: A form of mineral with mystical properties, said to be a shard of one of the great progenitor dragons. There are three different types of shard, each with different properties. A shard has no abilities in and of itself, but an artificer or wizard can use a shard to create an object with useful effects. Siberys shards fall from the sky and have the potential to enhance the power of dragonmarks. Eberron shards are found in the soil and enhance traditional magic. Khyber shards are found deep below the surface of the world and are used as a focus binding mystical energy.

  Droaam: A nation on the west coast of Khorvaire. Once claimed by Breland, this region was never settled by humans and was known as a wild land filled with all manner of monsters and creatures that had been pushed back by the spreading power of Galifar. In 986 YK there was a movement to organize the creatures of Droaam into a coherent nation. While this has met with some success, the new nation has yet to be recognized by any other country.

  d’Tharashk, Chain: A dragonmarked bounty hunter of House Tharashk.

  duur’kala: Among the goblinoid tribes that consider themselves heirs to the lost Empire of Dhakaan, duur’kala preserve the history and knowledge of past ages. Their music is the most common form of magic among the tribes. Duur’kala means “dirge singers.” Because the magical power manifest mostly in females, duur’kala are sometimes refered to as “daughters of the dirge.”

  Eberron: 1) The world. 2) A mythical dragon said to have formed the world from her body in primordial times and to have given birth to natural life. Also known as “The Dragon Between.” See Khyber, Siberys.

  Ekhaas: A hobgoblin woman and a duur’kala of the Kech Volaar. Self-declared guardian of the Dhakaani ruins in the vicinity of Tzaryan Keep and Vralkek.

  Eldeen Reaches: Once this term was used to describe the vast stretches of woodland found on the west coast of Khorvaire, inhabited mostly by nomadic shifter tribes and druidic sects. In 958 YK the people of western Aundair broke ties with the Audairian crown and joined their lands to the Eldeen Reaches, vastly increasing the population of the nation and bringing it into the public eye. Inhabitants are known as Reachers. Among themselves, Reachers refer to their homeland as “the Eldeen.”

  Empire of Dhakaan: An ancient empire ruled by hobgoblins, the Empire of Dhakaan stretched across southern Khorvaire millennia before the arrival of humans. Dhakaan was weaked by the Daelkyr War and collapsed about six thousand years before the present.

  Fat Tusk: A tribe of orcs living in the Shadow Marches.

  Feita: A pompous gnome woman.

  Frostbrand: A Blademarks company of House Deneith, commanded by Robrand d’Deneith, specializing in wilderness and winter operations. It was disbanded after the Massacre at Narath.

  gaeth’ad: An orcish herbal tea that can be brewed with a variety of effects. Popular in the Shadow Marches and among members of House Tharashk. Generally brewed and served by the master of a gaeth’ad house.

  Gatekeepers: A sect of druids, originators of the druidic tradition in the Shadow Marches and the Eldeen Reaches. Originally formed to defend Eberron from invasion by Xoriat during the Daelkyr War, they watch over the seals that bind the daelkyr in Khyber.

  General, the: A myserious veteran of the Last War, hired by Tzaryan Rrac to train and command his ogre troops.

  Geth: A shifter veteran of the Last War, he served with the Frostbrand until the Massacre at Narath. He wields a magewrought gauntlet that is both shield and weapon and an ancient Dhakaani byeshk blade recovered from Jhegesh Dol.

  Ghaash’nena: A legendary orc spirit, the ghostly protector of lost children.

  goblinoid: Common term for a member of one of the three goblin races—goblins, hobgoblins, and bugbears.

  Graywall: A city in Droaam at the border with Breland, considered the gateway to the kingdom of monsters.

  hiff: Azhani for “to smell.”

  Hruucan: A dolgaunt in the service of Dah’mir, he was killed by Singe’s fire magic but has been reborn as a fiery undead creature driven by his need for revenge.

  illithid: An abomination from Xoriat, the plane of madness. An illithid is roughly the same size and shape as a human but possesses a squidlike head with tentacles arrayed around a fanged maw. Illithids feed on the brains of sentient creatures and possess the ability to paralyze or manipulate the minds of lesser creatures. Illithids are more commonly known as mind flayers.

  il-Yannah: A word from the Quor tongue, translating to “the Great Light.” This mystical force is the focus of the religion of the kalashtar.

  Itaa!: A goblin war-command equivalent to “Attack!”

  itanchi: Azhani for a spire or other tall, narrow structure
.

  Jhegesh Dol: A stretch of haunted swamp in the Shadow Marches, once the site of a daelkyr stronghold during the Daelkyr War.

  Jorasco, House: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Healing. House Jorasco dominates the healing arts in Khorvaire.

  Kagishi: A gnoll guide operating out of Vralkek.

  kalashtar: The kalashtar are an offshoot of humanity. Stories say that the kalashtar are humans touched by spirits from another plane of existence and that they possess strange mental powers.

  Karrlakton: A large city in Karrnath. Location of the headquarters of House Deneith.

  Karrnath: One of the original Five Nations of Galifar. Karrnath is a cold, grim land whose people are renowned for their martial prowess. The current ruler of Karrnath is King Kaius ir’Wyrnarn III.

  Karth: A sailor on Lightning on Water.

  Kech Volar: A clan among the goblinoids of Darguun dedicated to the preservation of the lore of the Dhakaani Empire. Their name means “Wordbearers.”

  kesh: a kalashtar term for the telepathic mindlink all kalashtar can create with other beings.

  Khorvaire: One of the continents of Eberron.

  Khyber: 1) The underworld. 2) A mythical dragon, also known as “The Dragon Below.” After killing Siberys, Khyber was imprisoned by Eberron and transformed into the underworld. Khyber is said to have given birth to a host of demons and other unnatural creatures. See Eberron, Siberys.

  Kirvakri: An alias adopted by Dandra.

  koa: Azhani for “a great place,” especially a large, permanent structure but also a place of magical power.

  Krepis: An orc of the Fat Tusk tribe and a druid of the Gatekeeper sect. A student of Batul.

  kraat: Goblin for “a smithy.”

  Kuun, Duulan: A hero of the Dhakaani Empire, first warlord of the name Kuun and a friend of Taruuzh.

  Kuun, Rakari: A hero of the Dhakaani Empire, slayer of the daelkyr lord of Jhegesh Dol.

  lanan: Azhani for “to remember.” An archaic form.

  Last War, The: This conflict began in 894 YK with the death of King Jarot ir’Wyrnarn, the last king of Galifar. Following Jarot’s death, three of his five children refused to follow the ancient traditions of succession, and the kingdom split. The war lasted over a hundred years, and it took the utter destruction of Cyre to bring the other nations to the negotiating table. No one has admitted defeat, but no one wants to risk being the next victim of the Mourning. The chronicles are calling the conflict “the Last War,” hoping that the bloodshed might have finally slaked humanity’s thirst for battle. Only time will tell if this hope is in vain.

  lhesh: A Goblin term for a warlord.

  Lhesh shaarat: Goblin expression for “a warlord’s sword.” Lhesh shaarat are swords of high quality and distinctive design and are often magical.

  Lightning on Water: A House Lyrandar elemental galleon. Instead of sails, an elemental galleon uses a bound air elemental for propulsion.

  long step: A kalashtar term for psionic teleportation.

  Lor: An ogre torturer in the dungeon of Tzaryan Keep.

  Lyrandar, House: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Storm. House Lyrandar has economic control of shipping in Khorvaire.

  Marg: A goblin daashor, apprentice to Taruuzh.

  Medalashana: A kalashtar. Once a companion of Tetkashtai and Virikhad, she was later driven mad by Dah’mir, turned to his service, and renamed Medala. She was destroyed in a psionic battle with Virikhad after Dandra forced his psicrystal into her hand. She specialized in the art of telepathy.

  Metrol: The capital of Cyre. Metrol was destroyed by the Mourning.

  mootu: Juicy, sweet bite-size morsels with a meaty texture. A delicacy among orcs. Possibly a breed of slugs.

  Moza: A scarred goblin of Vralkek.

  Narath: A river town in northern Karrnath, close to the coast of the Bitter Sea. Destroyed in 989 YK in the infamous Massacre at Narath.

  Natrac: A half-orc of Zarash’ak who deals in indentured servants. Vennet kidnapped him and cut off his hand, using him as bait in a trap to capture Dandra for Dah’mir. He wears a prosthesis capped with a long knife.

  nena: Orc for “mother.”

  Ner: A previous huntmaster of the Bonetree clan, killed by Medala. He was Ashi’s father.

  Orshok: A young orc druid of the Fat Tusk tribe, a student of Batul, and curious about the world beyond the Shadow Marches. He carries a hunda stick, a traditional orc weapon and tool resembling a staff with a hooked end.

  otoio: Azhani for “below” or “beneath.”

  poli: Orc for “please.”

  pon: Azhani for “metal.”

  ponhan: Azhani for “forge.”

  Preesh: A goblin in the service of Chain d’Tharashk. psicrystal: A sentient crystal created by psions as a tool and companion. Each psicrystal is a unique reflection of the psion who created it.

  psion: Someone who is skilled in the art of psionics, the power of the mind. Kalashtar are natural psions, able to manifest the telephatic link they call the kesh. Many go on to master greater skills.

  Raat shan gath’kal dor: A duur’kala expression meaning “The story stops but never ends.” A formulaic ending to goblin legends.

  Rat: A cultural hero figure among shifters based on one of the animal forms of their lycanthrope ancestors. Usually referred to as “Grandfather,” he is depicted as a cunning and stealthy trickster. “Grandfather Rat!” is a common expression of frustration.

  rohan: Azhani for “to make.”

  Rond betch!: Azhani expression of surprise or anger. Literally, “Fierce darkness!”

  rotto: A plant of the Shadow Marches with a hard, woody stem used to make a cosmestic treatment. Quite rare and valuable.

  Rrac, Tzaryan: An ogre mage warlord of Droaam, one of the first warlords to embrace the rule of the Daughters of Sora Kell when they seized power in 987 YK. He controls a large territory in southern Droaam, dominating local orc tribes with his ogre warriors. His symbol is a blue star.

  run: Azhani for “true.” Sometimes applied as a prefix to nouns to indicate authenticity or veracity, as in runsheid—a true hunter.

  Ryl: An experienced half-orc guide operating out of Vralkek.

  Sarlona: One of the continents of Eberron. Humanity arose in Sarlona, and colonists from Sarlona established human civilization on Khorvaire.

  Sentinel Marshals: The dragonmarked House Deneith is the primary source for mercenary soldiers and bodyguards in Khorvaire. The Sentinel Marshals are a specialized form of mercenary—bounty hunters empowered to enforce the laws of Galifar across Khorvaire. This right was granted by the King of Galifar, but when Galifar collapsed the rulers of the Five Nations agreed to let the Sentinel Marshals pursue their prey across all nations, to maintain a neutral lawkeeping force that would be respected throughout Khorvaire. See House Denieth.

  shaarat: Goblin for “a blade,” especially a sword.

  Shadow Marches: A region of desolate swamps on the southwestern coast of Khorvaire. The Shadow Marches have a strange connection to Xoriat and were at the center of the Daelkyr War many millennia ago.

  Sharn: Also known as the City of Towers, Sharn is the largest city in Khorvaire.

  Shay, Timin: An alias used by Singe. Taken from the name of a friend who died in childood.

  shekot: An orc expression, roughly equivalent to “inconsiderate ass.”

  sheni: Azhani for “to be somewhere” or to be found at a location.

  shifter: A humanoid race said to be descended from humans and lycanthropes. Shifters have a feral, bestial appearance and can briefly call on their lycanthropic heritage to draw animalistic characteristics to the fore.

  Siberys: 1) The ring of stones that circle the world; seen as a shining band like clustered stars in the southern sky. 2) A mythical dragon, also called “The Dragon Above.” Siberys is said to have been destroyed by Khyber. Some believe that the Ring of Siberys is the source of all magic.

  Siberys mark: The most powerful form of a dra
gonmark. Extremely rare.

  Singe: An Aundairian wizard specializing in both fire magic and swordsmanship. A lieutenant in the Blademarks, he served with the Frostbrand company until the Massacre at Narath. His real name is Etan Bayard, but he prefers his nickname.

  Sovereign Host, the: a religion found across much of Khorvaire. The Lord of the Host are Arawai (god of agriculture), Aureon (god of law and knowledge), Balinor (god of beasts and the hunt), Boldrei (god of community and hearth), Dol Arrah (god of honor and sacrifice), Dol Dorn (god of strength at arms), Kol Korran (god of trade and wealth), Olladra (god of good fortune), and Onatar (god of artifice and the forge).

  tak: a Reacher expression for “thank you;” “twice tak” is “thank you very much.”

  Taruuzh: A legendary Dhakaani daashor.

  Tetkashtai: A kalashtar spirit imprisoned in a psicrystal by Dah’mir in an effort to drive her mad. While trapped in the psicrystal, she is virtually powerless. Dandra needs her help to use her psionic powers fully.

  Tharashk, House: A dragonmarked house bearing the Mark of Finding. House Tharashk is known for its bounty hunters, inquisitives, and dragonshard prospectors.

  Tiger: A cultural hero figure among shifters based on one of the animal forms of their lycanthrope ancestors. Tiger is noble being, a warrior of incomparable grace and speed. Unlike the other shifter culture-heroes, no relation is ever claimed to Tiger. “Tiger’s blood!” is a common oath of anger.

  tochit: Azhani for “without,” meaning specifically lacking a quality.

  Tomollan: A young Brelish man.

  Treykin: A member of the Frostbrand company killed at Narath.

  tribex: A heavily-muscled antelope-like creature with long, sharp horns. Used as a beast of burden in Darguun.

  Tzaryan Keep: Stronghold of Tzaryan Rrac in Droaam.

  Urthen: A servant in the employ of Natrac in Zarash’ak.

  vayhatana: A kalashtar term for psionic telekinesis. Literally translated, it means “ghost breath.”

  Vralkek: A port town in Droaam, previously claimed by Breland. Ruins indicate that it was a settlement of the Empire of Dhakaan in the distant past.