S
Sacred Fire - A fire within the Kadeshan of Ankorite monasteries. This fire is always lit - in some of the older monasteries the same fire has burned for centuries - and represents the Great Fire of Creation who forged the world and everything in it.
Sarav - The Shining City. Seat of power in Quarai, the Shining City is the hub of religious activity in the land and earns much of its income from the patronage of worshippers. Särav collects regular taxes from its outlying Ekklesias as well as port towns such as Teserat.
Sarcaseed Oil - A form of natural oil produced from the seeds of the Sarca plant (a type of wild wheat). Sarcaseed Oil has a pungent scent and is often used for cleaning metal of rust. It produces a long lasting stinging sensation close to burning if it gets into open wounds or cuts and can make the skin feel hot if left on. Sarcaseed Oil is often used to annoit the wounds of punished prisoners.
Savage Age - The time before the coming of the first holy yazata to rule Quarai, when the evil dragons were revered, the Unclean filled the land, and mankind lived as primitives. Followed by the Enlightened Age.
Season Meet - The quarterly festival where members of an Ankorite monastery gather with their sister convent of Ankorinas to sing, dance, share, feast, and generally celebrate and pray for a fruitful season. The high point of a Season Meet is the Pairing Ceremony.
Seven Lords - The honorific name for the yazata family who were rulers of Quarai before Nuryana, and who were slain by the Darakos.
Shufthu'atan - Nectar of light, a sacred substance beleived to be the only true pure element on earth. The golden honey-like liquid is the only sustainence Nuryana needs and during the ritual of Waking it is the sacred meal she consumes. Only the Blessed Crimson are permitted to fill her bowl and they alone know where to attain the liquid though they are forbidden to partake of it themselves.
Sibeya - A form of thin and supple tree. Its grey bark is often burned as a purfume incense and its thinner branches make supple and pliant switches. The flexibility of this trees wood often makes it idea for ship masks as it allows for some swaying in high winds.
Soenel - A consercrated holy warrior in service to the Ekklesia, or, less often, to the Ankorites or some other divine cause.
Soulless/Soulless Ones - The most common name used for the Darakos.
T
Tanavar Minar - The land to the west of Quarai across the Sea of Rashanar. Mountainous and green this land provides a wealth of precious and semi-precious stones and rock.
Taradyum: The Supplication for Forgiveness. This is a short prayer recided by those following the teachings of the Circle, usually after the Evening Call. This is a cleansing prayer seeking forgiveness for any wrongs or shortcomings a devotee may have comitted during the day. Taradyum is not altogether specific in time or location and may be uttered at any occassion during the day or night.
Tertaeum - The Daeum in which the Tertagi reside.
Tertagi - The third level of training for the Reborn. It is when boys reach this level that they are chosen by a Fardasi to continue training under their tutalage. It is at this stage that the Degi will begin to learn to use real weapons. During this time the Degi will be responsable for the upkeep of their Fardasi's equipment and be expected to obey orders from their Fardasi.
Tert-cen - thirty. Cen being the word for "ten times"
U
Unbinding Ceremony - The counter to the Pairing Ceremony, this is performed at the end of the Ankorite's three-day Season Meets, and releases Paired couples from the bonds of their temporary marriage.
Unclean/Unclean Ones - A name for any of the various magical creatures associated with Darakos and the heathen Savage Age. Now largely wiped out in Quarai.