A

Aith - a type of bark burned in religious ceremonies within the Ekklesia.  When combined with Zinith it produces a strong halluigenic smoke.

Alexiamous Heart - The centre of Iysärav.  The Alexiamous Heart is the chamber most used by the Circle.

All-Light - Another name for the Creator, used primarily by the Ankorites

Ankorinas - The female counterparts to the male Ankorite order.

Ankorites - A sect of monks with different doctrines than the rest of the Ekklesia. They are mostly found in isolated Monasteries in outer provinces of Quarai, and are generally looked upon with suspicion.

Ardazem - The named rank given to those of the Reborn who have been Called.  The Ardazem have completed their training and are active in their duties as protectors and servants to the Blessed within Iysärav.

Arkigana - The leader of an Ankorina Convent

Arkigos - The leader of an Ankorite Monastery

Atash - Literally meaning "flame", atash is the Ankorite word for soul and in their view represents the portion of the divine spark in everyone.

B

Blessed - An honourific title given to the Circle Elders

Beythanian - The White Guard, or Blind Sisters.  An elite fighting force of all female warriors who's duty it is to guard Nuryana within her private quarters.  Part of their initiation is a ritual blinding ceremony so that they may remain in Nuryana's presance.  The White Guard is akin to the Arsadem in the rigor of its selection of candidates and is the female equivelent.  Sisters of the White Guard live and die within Iysärav and must remain celibate with no contact to the outside world or those within Iysärav itself, their life and existance is dedicated soley to the protection of Nuryana and thus spend much of their time in silence.  Some even opt to have their tongues removed when they are blinded, to better serve the Queen.

Book of Light (The) - A sacred book containing special rituals and incantations to be used against Darakos, demons, and Unclean creatures. Supposedly these were handed down by the first of the divine monarchs.

Brethren (The) - The name Ankorite monks use for themselves.

C

Call of Supplication - A prayer of thanks used by the Ankorites, generally to express reverence for gifts or blessings of the Creator.

Calling (The) - This is the final initiation ceremony for the Reborn who make it through their training within the Daeums.  Nameless from the day of their Rebirth, The Calling Ceremony is when an individual recieves a new Name and is called into Being from the Limbo they have dwelt in for the fifteen year training period.

Caraidium - A strong smelling herb with a fresh clean aroma.  Good to eat with many madicinal properties, Caraidium is an antibacterial and is said to purify the soul if ingested.  Caraidium is widely used in religious ceremonies and has come to be one of the many plants associated with the Circle.

Cardaeum - The "Fourth finger", this is the living space of the Cardegi.

Cardegi - The fourth tier of trainees who enter the fist.

Ceredia (The) - The Book of Blood.  An ancient account of the Savage Age and all that occured and dwelt within it.  The Book of Blood is read often to strengthen mankind's humility and gratidute towards the yazata who brought the Age of Enlightment about.  The reading of the Ceredia is commonplace within households of literate citizens following the teachings of the Circle and Ekklesia.

Circle (The) - The main religious leaders of Quarai.  The Circle are the closest beings to the God Queen and are the deliverers of Her Divine Will to the average people.  Members of the Circle are the heads of the Ekklesia and are sometimes known as the Blessed Crimson in regard to their crimson robes.

Circle chamber (The) - The hall where the Pool of Resurrection is centered.  This is where those wishing to become the Reborn are tested.

Cycle of Days (The) - A sequence of prayers given daily by the Ankorite monks. It contains five segments, which together describe the first day during which the world, humankind, anf all other creatures were formed.

D

Darakos - The name used for dragons.  The term Darakos is not often used, it is more common to call them by the more widely uttered phrase of "The Soulless Ones", or various other terms of revile.

DarakDazem - Those who undertake Dragon-Purges.  DarakDazem are often blessed by Circle members before they undertake their quest, however they are not required to be part of Iysärav or have any special training.  Most DarakDazem are mercenaries, hunters, or soldiers.

Daudaeum - Literally meaning the "Second Finger" this is the sleeping dormatories and courtyard in which the Daudgi live.

Daudegi - The name given to the second level trainees who enter the Fist.

Degi - Loosely meaning "One", the Degi are the trainees who enter the Fist and Daeums as nameless boys.

Dragon-Purge - A person specialized in the hunting and capture of Darakos, and bringing them back to the city of Särav to be properly cleansed.  Though the hunts must be supervised by an ordained official of the Ekklesia, the hunters themselves are often foreign mercenaries, and so the foreign (informal) term "dragon" is used.

Durisimi - The holy cloth worn only by Nuryana.  Fine and lightwieght, it is woven by the Azure Sisters of the Circle.

E

Ekklesia - The pervasive church of Quarai, dedicated to the worship of their divine rulers. Headed by the Circle.

Ekklesial Offerings - Gestures of goodwill given by the public or townships.  Ekklesial Offerings are a form of tax paid to the Circle to ensure the contiued blessing of Nryana.  Each city or town within the jurisdiction of the Ekklesias and Circle is expected to donate these Offerings on a regular basis every third of the year.  Smaller settlements are subject to tithes that are not expected to be as large.  Ekklesial Offerings may also be given by generous individuals within to cleanse their atash.

Elder Brethren - Experience Ankorite monks, often but not always older individuals, who are respected and responsible for making decisions on behalf of their particular Monasteries and the Ankorite Order.

Elixir - A mixture of honey, olive oil, and holy water used by the Ankorite monks in many of their rituals.

Enlightened Age - The current time of the people of Quarai, beginning with the coming of the first yazata rulers. It is regarded as a time of wisdom and creat civic and social development, thanks to the guidance of the divine monarchs. Preceded by the Savage Age.

Ephedra - A medicinal plant used to control athsma and other lung problems.

Exalted Litany (The) - A list of everyone who has been sainted or otherwise honored by the Ekklesia.

F

Fardasi - An honourific name given to older members of the Ardazem.  Loosely translating as "Older Brother", the younger Tardegi are expected to recieve Fardasi who overtake their personal training and become a mentor to the boy.  Fardasi remain as guiding figures throughout the life of the younger Reborn.

Farsemi - A title used by Fardasi when talking about their charge. Roughly translated to "Younger Brother"

FIrstn Day - The beginning of the world in Quaraian mythology.