I don’t intend this gloss to be a comprehensive sympædium of knowledge, as I am no scholar. I leave that work to the quillfingers at Pitchington College and John Capers.
However, I have seen a wealth of common sense dwindle over time into obscurities known by only a handful of the Commonwealth’s citizens. What is known in one generation can be lost to the next, so I will try not to assume knowledge on the part of the reader.
My hope is that this gloss might also serve a remedy to general ignorance, including that to which I have fallen prey in my youth.
Albecande.
The archipelago off the northeast coast of Settentria, consisting of Kingsland, Chassaneck, Kasook, and other smaller islands. Sometimes also called Aubecandy, Auben, or Acandie. The islands of this archipelago are ruled by various factions of Indigens, free cities, overseas portages governed by Peregrines and Republickers alike, and wild animals.
Allagaw Mountains.
A chain of mountains separating the Republics of Arborstone, The Wobanack, and Dunsylvania from the Ani Men of the Cannons Coast. The land circumscribed by the Coast and the Allagaws is known as Anuvincia, meaning “The Land” in the Ani language.
In fact, the Allagaws are named for an ancient Ani civilization that supposedly lived in the valley now known as the War Barrens. The Allagaws are reputed to have been the most beautiful people in the world, and had lived in that region since the beginning of time. They were, however, destroyed by the first king of the Api Men, Mushgingus the Rabbit, as his people pushed east to the Shychippee Coast from beyond the western mountains.
This range has few passes and forms an almost impenetrable barrier to travel, much to the liking of both the Anuvincians and to the liking of both the Anuvincians and the Republickers. Holly Gap in the War Barrens is one notable exception.
Amberton.
In the old days, Amberton was the northernmost port city of the Marashid provinces, where they traded with the Indigens of the Ani and Api peoples.
In those days the city was called Anbar, meaning “warehouse” in the Marashid tongue, both metaphorically and because the city was largely made up of warehouses storing goods for trade. Anbar was taken by the Marklanders during the Holy Wars, and was renamed Amberton. It remained a trading center and capital of the Amberton Bay Colony which renamed itself the Amberton Bay Republic following the end of the Peerage.
The Grand Caucus of the Commonwealth convenes in Amberton.
Amberton Bay Republic. (Abbreviated AB)
The region of northernmost expansion of Marashid colonization, AB was originally the “Caromia al-Anbar” named for the city of Anbar. Anbar was a trading center for centuries before Markish knights drove out the Marashids and renamed the city and bay Amberton.
Anachicola Mountains. (Formerly known as Anatisocula)
Vulgarly called the Duck-Eye Range for the color it appears at a distance, this range stretches from the Vinepack Sea nearly to the south coast of Settentria. The Great Valley separates the Anachicola ridge from the Nyctine Mountains. From north to south, the Duck-Eyes are made up of:
• the Brunswick Mountains separating Arborstone from S&P;
• the Garden Ridge of Dunsylvania, the Wobanack, and the Amberton Bay Republic;
• the Bald Mountains separating the Caromia and Garrisonia from Yunvia; and
• the Azure Mountains of Montazur.
Ani Men. (Also “Onny Men”)
The Indigen peoples of Settentria who once dominated the coast along the Vinepack Sea in the north and the White Sea in the east, as well as the islands of Albecande. They were driven off the islands and the eastern coast by the Api Men, however.
There are three remaining Ani states: Vindock and Anuvincia on the northern coast, and Yunvia in the Great Valley.
Antiquas.
The first great Bestiarist, who promoted the idea that heraldic animals existed in three forms: the ideal form in the human mind, and the physical form as a living creature, and the signal form shown on banners. This sparked a thousand years of blundering speculation about the habitation of various heraldic monsters.
Anuvincia. (meaning in the Ani language : “The Land”)
The land of the northern Ani Men, also the name of the Ani Republic there. Anuvincia lies north and west of the Allagaws, and exerts great influence over the Indigen people of the northern coasts and western Albecande, particularly the people of Vindock.
The common idea that the name of this country is derived from “Ani Vinciate,” by analogy to the ancient Noreine Vinciate, is a result of bad education. The word simply means “The Land” in the Ani language.
Unlike their Yunvia cousins to the south, the Ani Men of Anuvincia are very hostile to the Commonwealth. Their coalition was formed 500 years before the founding of Amberton by a prophet, much as the Marashid Empire, and it is sustained through religious reverence.
The Anuvincians believe the rebellion against the Peerage to be an indicator that the Republickers do not respect peace and order. While some trade takes place across Lake Babalard with Arborstone, it is closely regulated by the Anuvincians.
Api Men. (Also “Appy Men”)
The Indigen peoples of Settentria who once lived in the confederacy of Shychippee, along the coast from Amberton Bay in the south to the Albecande islands in the north. They were known as Anabs to the Marashid colonists who founded Amberton, and called Les Nappés by the Calleans.
Traders with the few Api towns in Arborstone and the Great Valley report that their own name for themselves is Lenva.
Arborstone. (Also the Arborstone Republic, abbreviated AS.)
A Republic nestled in the Brunswick Mountains between the Sagadock and Pennawsky District (SP) and Anuvincia. Stonies are known for their independence; Arborstone initially refused the offer to join the New Margoland Compact. AS is the only Republic that carries on trade with the Anuvincians, and a dozen or so Api Men towns can still be found there as well.
The Chamber of the Arborstone Republic meets in the city of Quasock.
Archipelago.
A fancy term used by cartographers to mean a chain of islands. The major archipelagos of the world are Albecande, Barabbea (including the Abrahams and Flamingo Shoals), Duranesia, the Outer Islands of the Shychippy Coast, the Peregrine Islands, and Piscanesia.
Ashcraft family.
A notable family in the history of the Commonwealth. Notable members include: Sir Ian Ashcraft, Knight of the Church during the Holy Wars; Ava J. Ashcraft, second Commander General of the Commonwealth; and Solomon Ashcraft, frontiersman.
Ashland. (Also the Ashland Republic.)
One of the Old Republics, the earliest rebellions against the Peerage. Ashland was created when the non-commissioned officer ranks of the Royal Army of the Colonies rose against their officers and established a military-oriented commonwealth in the land of Anuvincia north of the Allagaw Mountains.
Ashland ended after a half century, when the northern Ani Men — who were the proper residents of Anuvincia — drove the Ashlanders back south of the Allagaws.
Babalard, Lake.
The lake separating the Republic of Arborstone from Anuvincia to the west, Babalard lies in the furthest northern reach of the Great Valley, running north-south, and empties into the sea of Vinepack. It was named by Marashid traders from Amberton, who built forts on the shores of Babalard to trade with the Ani Men to the east and the Api Men to the west of the lake.
The Allagaw mountains become much more easily traversed as they turn north from the border of Dunsylvania to run west of Babalard.
Bestiarism.
The school of thought roughly following the Ensignists and preceding the Calculists, the Bestiarism seemed to consist of the belief that the fantastical animals of heraldry must be real creatures either naturally resident in far countries, or driven to remote regions by the steady march of civilisation.
Exploration demonstrated effectively the absurdity of Bestiarism, ending its influence among sensible people.
Blicker. (Also, Johnny Blicker.)
Intended as a slander against Republickers by Peregrines, particularly the resentful denizens of Markland, this term has been taken up enthusiastically by citizens of the Commonwealth as a self-descriptive. Johnny Blicker, usually depicted as barefoot and sporting red suspenders, is used by pamphleteers to symbolize the typical rural Republicker, while the more formally dressed Cousin William is used to symbolize urbanites, or the Commonwealth as a whole.
Blowflower.
A common yellow flower, called a “loving’s-on” in Dunsylvania, a “horseflower” in New Warrens, and a “handy boy” in the Redlands.
Bootgutter Island.
Bootgutter Island was an infamous pirate hide-out in the Barabbean Sea, a very flat island with many lagoons and inlets, and covered with a thick forest. The White Fleet managed to clear it of buccaneers in the year 280R by setting fire to its underbrush on the windward side during a dry gale, and let the driving wind raze everything to the ground from shore to shore. Marines waiting on the leeward shore arrested and hanged everyone fleeing the blaze.
Breuksted. (pron. broh-sht’d)
Port and largest city in the Sagadock and Pennawsky District. The Assembly of S&P convenes in Breuksted.
The name of the city, having lost it’s K, sounds a rough rhyme with “toasted” as a rum-sodden drunk might pronounce it, a fact that is the inspiration for dozens of vulgar poems.
Brookhill, Bonde.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Republicker Army during the War Against the Peerage, and the first Commander General of the Commonwealth of Republics. A soldier and surveyor, Brookhill is usually depicted in uniform with a saber in one hand and a spyglass in the other.
Calculism.
The school of thought following Bestiarism and preceding today’s spirit of Venture, which sought to reduce all of nature and society to numbers. Calculism infamously was used to prop up the rule of the Peerage.
Calendars.
There are various calendars used in the Commonwealth, but the most common is the Republicker Calendar which began its count with the fall of the Peerage. The Reider Case took place in the 296th Year of the Republics, or 296 R.
Some in the Amberton Bay Republic use the Amberton Calendar inherited from the Marashid, which begins at the founding of Anbar eleven hundred years ago.
There are two other calendars known in the Commonwealth, used by different communities. Many Marashid slaves use their own calendar starting from the revelation of the Signs of Arshad around thirty-four hundred years ago. Some church-going Republickers use the calendar starting from the Nomination around seventy-four hundred years ago, particularly for religious holidays.
There are certain quillfingering academics who still reference the Old Calendar, which begins at the founding of the city of Norea almost nine thousand years ago, but this calendar has not been used seriously since the rise of the High Church.
Caromia, The. (Also the Republic of the Caromia, abbreviated RC.)
Formerly a Marashid colony, conquered by Markland during the Holy Wars. It joined the rebellion against the Peerage and is now part of the Redlands Republics (RLR) coalition of the Commonwealth.
Like all of the Redlands Republics, The Caromia is divided into north and south districts. The legislative College of the Caromia convenes in the capital city of Deburotte. The largest port in the Caromia is Apton, still sometimes called Abtowne.
Chassaneck.
One of the islands of Albecande, home to many fishermen and whalers.
Coalition.
The idea of a coalition of republics began in Newmark with the New Margoland Compact, which was originally created so that the colonies of New Margoland could petition the Peerage with one voice. The Compact evolved into an organized Coalition, which was then emulated by the Midlands and Redlands colonies.
By the time that the colonies rebelled, declaring themselves free Republics, the Coalition structures were entrenched in their societies and governance. Thus, the Commonwealth was conceived as a collection of Republics organized through the Coalition structure.
SEE Commonwealth, New Margoland Compact, Newmark, Midlands, Redlands.
Commander.
The highest rank in the military forces of the Commonwealth. Commander rank makes an officer eligible for certain choice offices, including the Commander General who wields ultimate executive power, and the officers of his General Cabinet.
Common Court, The.
Convening in Mayport in Summerland, the Common Court serves as the final court of appeals in the Commonwealth.
Its eleven judges are selected from the justices seated on the High Courts of the Coalitions, and confirmed (or denied) by the Commander General. Tradition requires that a new judge should come from the Coalition that had previously had fewer sitting Common Judges than the others, which is inevitable given that the total seats are not divisible by four.
Commonwealth, The. (Also the Commonwealth of Republics, or CWOR.)
Originally a collection of Peregrine colonies on the continent of Settentria, the Commonwealth was created when three independent coalitions of rebellious colonies united to repel the armies of the Peerage. The four coalitions currently making up the Commonwealth are the Newmark Coalition (NMC), Midlands Coalition (MLC), Redlands Republics (RLR), and the late-joining Southwest Coalition (SWC).
The Commonwealth is ruled by the Delegates of the Grand Caucus in Amberton, the Judges of the Common Court in Mayport, and the Commander General in Maxon and his/her General Cabinet.
SEE Coalition, Grand Caucus, Common Court, General Cabinet.
Cousin William. (Also, Cuzzy Will.)
An image created by pamphleteers to complement the rustic Johnny Blicker who represents local interests or rural Republickers. Cousin William, usually shown with a flat-topper and greatcoat, symbolizes urbanites or the Commonwealth as a whole.
The nickname “Cuzzy Will,” often drawn to the mouth of Johnny Blicker when speaking to his city-dwelling Cousin, has become a sort of rhetorical shorthand for shrugging off the more inexplicable policies of the Commonwealth government, as in “Why’s the Caucus taxing shoak water? ‘Cuz he will.”
Deburotte. (pron. deb-’r-oat)
Capital city of the Republic of the Caromia, known as The City of Hornets. The legislative College of the Caromia meets in Deburotte.
Devrael. (Also Devra, Devara)
The first Angel and, by doxology, “all of the Angels born together.” She is the eldest Archangel, and saved humanity from the sin of deicide by preempting our rebellion against the Children of God, slaughtering them in our stead.
According to the Church, St. Tanna Nomen was the manifestation of Devra. However, the Marashid disagree, claiming that Tanna was the manifestation of The Dragon who opposed God’s Creation.
Drille. (One of the so-called ’Royal Beasts’)
The Drille is the Bestiarist term for the great lizards, one of the Royal Beasts supposed to have a single lineage on each continent or archipelago. Settentria disproves this superstition for the Drille, as there are three lineage of great lizards found here.
Along the southern coast of Settentria lives the Barabbean Crocodile, a lineage of Drille that also makes its home in Novacavalis, the northern coast of Meridia, and the islands of Barabbas. The Barrabean Crocodile is somewhat smaller than its cousins, the giant Aethran and Piscanesian Crocodiles, but larger than the Sinean and Meridian lineages. It hunts both swamps the open sea, and is generally gracile in appearance.
Inland in the southeast of Settentria lives the Alligator, more a creature of the river and estuary than the Barabbean Crocodile, and of a more robust appearance than crocodiles in general.
In lands that know a winter, generally from Amberton Bay to the Sea of Vinepack, lives the Kinnebeck, which hibernates under the thick muds of marsh and riverbank like a frog during the cold months. The Kinnebeck is a very robust creature indeed, with a flat, thickish head, strong foreclaws for pushing mud aside, but no noticeable back legs.
Dunsylvania. (Also the Dunsylvania Republic, abbreviated DS.)
A Republic south of Anuvincia, southwest of Newmark, and north of Amberton Bay. It is part of the Midlands Coalition in the Commonwealth of Republics.
Dunsylvania was organized by settlers from the Peregrine island of Dunland, who made their capitol in the ancient Api city of Maxon. The Commander General of the Commonwealth is now officially headquartered at Maxon.
The original name of Dunsylvania, when it was a Markish colony in treaty with the Api Men, was Elmland. It was renamed Dunsylvania for its Dunnish settlers, who reorganized the colony after the Api were driven west through the War Barrens.
The Fortress stands in the Great Valley in Dunsylvania, near the Chippahellen Gap.
Elleon and the Shoals, Republic of. (Abbreviated ES.)
One of the Redlands Republics, often simply called Elleon. The capital and largest port is also named Elleon, originally known as Gadanfar under the Marashid. Some traditionalists still refer to this ancient name.
During the Holy Wars, the Cavalines drove the Marashid from the shores of Elleon, meeting their Markish allies at what later became the city of Espry in Garrisonia. Elleon was later ceded to the Markish, and joined the Redlands Coalition of Colonies before becoming a Republic after the fall of the Peerage.
Elleon itself (the territory, not the city) is little more than a strip of coast along the south march of Garrisonia. The “Shoals” of the Republic’s official name refer to the Flamingo Shoals extending toward the Barabbean Islands from Cape Elleon.
Elmland.(See Dunsylvania.)
Flamingo Shoals.
An area of shoals, marshes, and low islands off Cape Elleon, north of the Isles of Barabbas and west of the Abrahams. Some consider the Shoals part of the Abrahams, or with the Abrahamas part of Barabbea, but the vastness of their swamps sets them quite apart from those isles and atolls in character.
The Republic of Elleon and the Shoals (ES) claims to govern the entire area of the Flamingo Shoals, but in reality it is a rain-soaked wilderness and refuge for pirates, swamp elephas, crocodiles, alligators, and the eponymous fish-eating bird. The Red Fleet does however maintain a fort, Fort Obila, near the southern tip of the Shoals.
Some claim the center of the Shoals to be covered by large lakes of sweet water, while others claim they are fields dotted with the small farms of Indigens from a mysterious and ancient clan, who trade with brigands.
Galloway.
A port town in the Wobanack north of Cross Cape, Galloway rests just inside the mouth of the river of the same name.
Gansley-Arkensen Group.
A century-old alliance of tradesmen, factory owners, and shippers operating out of Amberton Bay. Founded by notorious smugglers and racketeers.
Garrisonia Republic, The. (Abbreviated GR.)
Originally a Marashid caromia, it was the salient of the Empress Sunia in Settentria, and is now part of the Redlands Republics coalition. The capital of Garrisonia, Espery, was founded by Knights of the High Church, but its largest city, Port Sahl, dates back to the Marashid days.
Even though the name is generally stressed on the “-son-” throughout the Commonwealth, Garrisonian traditionalists insist that the proper sounding stresses the first and penultimate syllables.
Gates of the Inner Sea.
The northern straits leading from the outer world to the Inner Sea between continents of Aethra and Meridia were known in ancient times as the River Circus. The great flow of the Gates – far too powerful for coast-hugging vessels of the Noreine Vinciate to overcome – were cited by ancient scholars as proof that a river spun eternally around a plate-shaped world.
It was only when Marashid ships explored further down the Aethran coast and discovered the calmer waters of the Inner Sea that the continent of Meridia (called Qum by the Marashid) was sighted and the fantasy of the River Circus was dashed.
It was Dr. Joseph Freeman who discovered, by means of soundings using a self-sealing bucket of his own design, that the straits consist of two streams. The surface stream known to sailors is warm and swift, flowing outward from the Inner Sea into the Barabbean, beneath which in the depths is a colder and saltier current feeding into the Inner Sea from the outside world.
General Cabinet.
Established under the Regulatory Act of 29R, the General Cabinet serves as advisory and administrative council to the Commander General. As such it represents the executive power of the Commonwealth. Officially, the Cabinet’s seat is in Maxon, but they generally meet at the Fortress.
There are twelve members of the General Cabinet each in command of one or two corps through which they carry out the orders of the Commander General:
Skirmisher General – Infantry Corps, Dragoon Corps
Quartermaster General – Provisionary Corps
Detailer General – Regulary Corps
Physick General – Medical Corps
Vexillar General – Signal Corps
Comptroller General – Treasury Corps
Attorney General – Legal Corps
Investigator General – Security Corps
Cavalier General – Equestrian Corps, Hobelar Corps
Surveyor General – Engineer Corps, Artillery Corps
Admiral of the Navy – Blue Fleet, White Fleet (and the privateer “Black Fleet”)
Admiral of Ports and Pilotage – Red Fleet, Green Fleet
Gotthardt, Elias.
The last great Bestiarist, and author of the book now commonly called simply The Bestiary.
Grand Caucus.
Convening in the city of Amberton in the Amberton Bay Republic, the Grand Caucus of the Commonwealth (often simply, and somewhat erroneously, called “The Caucus”) consists of the full membership of all four Coalition Caucuses. The Coalition Caucuses are themselves composed of Delegates from their member Republics.
The Caucus organizes various “conditional” committees (many of which, nevertheless, exist in virtual perpetuity) but only one officially permanent committee: the Senior Committee of the Caucus comprised of five Officers from each of the Coalitions. These five are the same Officers who preside over their Coalitions, and decide who to assign seats on the various committees.
Hoose Kettle.
A name for a type of iron pot favored by the Api Men, and now in general outdoors use throughout Newmark.
Typical hoose kettles have two handles coming from opposite sides. A hoose kettle with feet is called a wicked hoose kettle.
Investigative Acquaintance.
A typology of Detection developed at the Fortress’s academy by various Security Corps instructors including Commander Lea Thomas. The first form is Observation, the second is Interview, the third is Forced Interrogation, and the fourth is Paid Informant.
Jenny.
A crude term referring to Indigens, sometimes spelled “genny.”
Kasook.
An island in the archipelago of Albecande. Kasook is known for its dense forests, pebble shores, and xenophobic Indigen residents. Neither Peregrine nor any outside Indigen people have ever succeeded in establishing a settlement on Kasook.
Kelly Company.
An arms manufacturer known for selling rifles and pistols to the government of the Commonwealth. The Kelly Company’s seal is a shield bearing a beast like a gigantic fox with an eagle’s talons as forefeet.
Kingsland.
An island in the archipelago of Albecande, Kingsland is home to various free towns along the shore where live fishermen, whalers, and those who carry on trade with the Api Men who live in the uplands. Kingsland is known for its steep-sided ridges, which separates the island into dozens of mutually inaccessible valleys.
A company of Royal Coast Marines, who had been marooned on Kingsland for setting fire to their own ships, later founded the Kingsland Trading Company.
Kingsland Company.
Founded by a company of Royal Coasts Marines who were marooned on the shores of an inaccessible valley on Kingsland in 248 R, the Kingsland Company established strongholds around the world.
Lighterman’s Union.
The Lighterman’s Union grew in power during the revolt of the 270s that bears its name. The Lighterman’s Union Revolt hit the city of Lemaigne particularly hard, because lightermen were completely excluded from that city due to the depth of Pulpy Cat harbor.
The Union finally brought the Companies to negotiate by allowing dockhands, warehouse workers, and carpenters to join. They were also helped by a sympathy strike of the Wagoner’s Union.
Lolly Oakweed.
A vine with large flowers that bloom for a single day. It is originally found in Meridia and Novacavalis, where its seeds are used in rituals.
Mackinack.
A type of large turtle with a knobby shell and sharp bite.
Marashid.
A word meaning “Well-Guided,” the Marashid are the peoples of northern Aethra who adhere to the revelations of the Angel of Arshad, some three thousand years before the end of the Peerage.
The Marashid had an extensive collection of colonies, called caromiot, in Settentria, Barabbea, and Meridia (which they call Qum), before being driven out by Peregrine Knights during the Holy Wars.
Some Marashid remain in the Commonwealth, particularly in the Redlands Republics, but have been reduced to servitude. Many of these, particularly the shoak-skinned southern Aethrans were slaves even during Marashid days. The terms Janubian (and the slander Zanjo) are derived from words used by the Marashid.
Margoland. (Occasionally also Markland.)
One of the larger Peregrine islands, in the northwest corner of that archipelago, clustered with Pitland, Elkland, and many smaller islets. The original name of the island during the Noreine Vinciate was Marginia, as it constituted that empire’s furthest extent in the north.
During the Holy Wars, the Markish seized control of the northeast Settentrian coast as a means of attacking Marashid colonies down the shoreline, in the Midlands and Redlands, and in the Barabbean Sea. In the process, they disrupted the Indigen confederacy of Shychippee, which was forced inland.
After the Marashid were driven out, the Markish and their allies against the Marashid (including the Cavaline, Agvarol, and Callean empires) found themselves at odds with each other and with those among them born in Settentria. Eventually, during the War Against the Peerage, the Peregrines in Settentria formed coalitions that drove their former masters back across the sea.
Midlands, The. (Also the Midlands Coalition, or MLC.)
A coalition of former Markish colonies in lands that were taken from the Marashid during the Holy Wars. There are significant numbers of Dunnish and Pitch settlers in the Midlands as well.
The Midlands consist of the Amberton Bay Republic (AB), Dunsylvania (DS), Summerland (SL), and the Republic of Nancycomb (RN). When the Commonwealth was formed, MLC was chosen as the seat of government, as it was seen as neutral between Newmark and the Redlands.
The Grand Caucus of the Commonwealth meets in Amberton, the Common Court convenes at Mayport in Summerland, and the Commander General of the Army and Navy of the Commonwealth is headquartered at Maxon in Dunsylvania.
Mehillusis.
The last king of the Api Men of the Shychippee Coalition, also known as The Old Man. It was Mehillusis who led the Api in their final journey west through the War Barrens.
Montazur. (Abbreviated MA)
Part of the Southwest Coalition, the Republic of Montazur was founded as a colony by Cavaline forces who agreed to settle west of the Anachicola Mountains after the Treaty of Espry. The colony, later Republic, was named for the great knob that marks the southern end of that range.
The capital of Montazur is the city of the same name, and its largest port is similarly uninspired in name: Portside.
Moominshy.
A variety of cherry popular in Newmark.
Murshy.
A vulgar term referring to the Marashid, but sometimes simply used for people of Aethran descent even if they have converted to the Church.
Murshy Cant.
The dialect spoken by Murshies, a creole of Markish and the language of the Marashid. One characteristic of thick Murshy cant is switching verbs and nouns, as in “Sold he tobacco to all the stores in town.” Some common Murshy terms:
abby – boss, patron, craftsman (in relation to apprentices) See “wally.”
ain – (pron. like “pain”) twice, double. Spoken after the thing doubled.
aye – any
aye-nam – aye, yes
Elsinore – a common Murshy name for a cat
geddin’ – (hard “g”) tomorrow
ha-this, ha-that – this, that
hedgery-hee – millstone
her – often used for “them” when referring to things
jamhouse – A Murshy church.
jozzle, jozzle bird – pigeon
kitta – cat
kottle – kill. The similarity to the word “coddle” is the premise for many a humorous comment.
lah – nay, no
lala – no, usually in a casually dismissive way, as in ”Lala, I haven’t seen him today.”
to nack up – to vote on some proposition, a “nack-up” being a referendum
on – the responsibility of, as in “it’s on us to do right in the eyes of God.”
reed – to want or request something
scanchy bean – a drink made of honey and brine
shooks – (pron. like “books”) thanks. “No shooks” is used quite unlike “no thanks,” however. In Murshy cant, “no shooks” means “no thanks are necessary” or “you’re welcome.”
solly john – a walking staff
wally – boy, especially apprentices or working youths
yalla-yalla – quickly, urgently
Mushgingus.
The first great king of the Api Men of Shychippee in ancient days, also known as The Rabbit, who ruled the Api Men when they slaughtered the Allagaws on their way from the heart of Settentria to the Shychippee Coast.
Naissance.
A Republic in the Southwest Coalition, and the port city that is its capital. The Republic is abbreviated, under the Regulatory Act Revision 265-3, as NR.
Nancycomb. (Also the Republic of Nancycomb, or RN.)
The smallest republic in the Midlands Coalition, Nancycomb is also the only member of MLC not to host a function of the Commonwealth government. However, the Chamber of Commerce in Nancycomb’s capital of Kulley is a very powerful organization that weilds great influence in the Caucus and Common Court.
Nancycomb is bordered by Summerland to the north, and is otherwise surrounded by the waters of Amberton Bay and the open sea. It was named for the Api clan of the confederacy of Shychippee who once lived on its peninsula.
The proper sounding of the name is to rhyme with ants-a-bum, with barely a stress on the last two syllables, but many in the Redlands and Southwest insist on saying it as if it were derived from the lady’s name and the grooming tool.
New Margoland Compact.
A confederacy of the Markish colonies of the Wobanack, Outer Islands, and New Warrens organized to petition their rights before the Peerage. After the fall of the Peerage, when the Compact became a Coalition of Republics, the Wobanack’s Sagadock and Pennawsky Districts became a single, independent member.
The breakaway Arborstone Republic, in the wilderness northwest of the Wobanack, eventually joined the NMC when it rebelled against the Peerage. (See also Newmark.)
Newmark. (Also the Newmark Coalition, or NMC. Formerly known as the New Margoland Compact.)
A coalition formed by the union of several smaller Markish overseas provinces that later became Republics of the Commonwealth: Arborstone (AS), the Wobanack (RW) and its Sagadock and Pennawsky District (SP), Province of the Outer Islands (OI), and New Warrens Colony (NW).
The rebellion of the NMC was the beginning of the War Against the Peerage that resulted in the creation of the Commonwealth.
New West Seas Company.
A confederation of ships’ captains that started as a union of Gansley-Arkensen contractees, essentially smugglers and pirates extending GA business into outlawry. Many in the GA Group are still resentful of New West Seas chartering themselves into legal legitimacy and independence.
Old Massey Ink.
An importing company based in Pitchington. The seal of Old Massey features the head of a bald elephas with its tusks sawn short, ringed by the company name.
Outer Islands Republic. (Abbreviated OI)
The first Markish colony in Settentria, the Outer Islands served as a staging point for attacks against the Marashid colonies to the south during the Holy Wars. It is now part of the Newmark Coalition in the Commonwealth of Republics.
The Outer Islands were part of the Shychippy coalition of Api people. The Marklanders drove them off the islands to the coast, before also colonizing the Shychippy coast and driving the Api Men inland.
The major islands in OI are (from south to north) Manito, Pawmanuck, Patmos, Bluestone, the Three Sisters (Tackenny, Whalehorse, and Natchanett), Tenobish, the Three Brothers (Sculler, Sealbed, Sunrise), Tackerack, Seaseg, and Highmoor.
Pawmanuck.
The largest main island in the Outer Islands Republic, north of Manito and south of Patmos.
Peregrines.
An archipelago of the Old Countries to the north of the continent of Aethra and the west of the continent of Sinea. The name originally referred to all of the islands other than Norea under the sway of the Noreine Vinciate, but now generally includes that island as well.
Some Peregrine scholars find it appropriate to refer to the entire collection of islands as Peregrina, and count it among the continents. This is frowned upon in the Commonwealth, however, where the Peregrines are counted among the archipelagos.
It is generally accepted that the main islands of the Peregrines number nine in total: Elkland, Pitland, and Margoland in the northwest; Agvar and Cavalis in the southwest; Norea and Anthica in the southeast; and Callea and Dunland in the center.
Some claims the Northlands chain to be part of the Peregrines, but others consider it to be a separate archipelago.
Philippson, Hillfort.
The third Commander General of the Commonwealth of Republics, Phillippson is most famous for the Regulatory Act which established the twelve-member General Cabinet and its attendant executive Corps.
Philippson acted as quartermaster for Commander Brookhill during the War Against the Peerage, and was later appointed Treasurer of the Commonwealth when Brookhill was elected the first Commander General of the Commonwealth.
Prelatarians.
A sect considered heretical by most Churchers, due to their belief in the Prelacy of St. Tanna Nomen. The Prelatarians in turn gave rise to the fissiparous Free Group.
Preston Marks Timber Company.
A lumbering firm that owns property throughout the Wobanack.
Purser Corps.
The Purser Corps are the armed keepers of the treasury of the Commonwealth, and answer directly to the President of the Caucus in order to maintain Caucal control over the provisioning of the armies of the Commander General. The Pursers maintain a network of vaults hidden throughout the Commonwealth, many of which are decoys containing chests full of nothing but sand and rock.
Quasock.
Capital city of the Arborstone Republic in Newmark. The legislative Chamber of Arborstone meets in Quasock.
Redlands, The. (Also the Redlands Republics, or RLR.)
A coalition of former Markish colonies in lands that were taken from the Marashid during the Holy Wars. There are significant numbers of Cavaline, Callean, Pitch, and Elkish in the Redlands as well as many Marashid slaves and Indigens from Yunvia.
The Redlands consist of the Republic of the Caromia (RC), the Garrisonia Republic (GR), and the Republic of Elleon and the Shoals (ES). All three of these republics are divided into northern and southern districts.
The Redlands were named for the distinctive color of the soil there.
Republicker.
A citizen of the Commonwealth of Republics. Also used to distinguish the governments of the various Republics from the over-arching Commonwealth government.
Revenue Classification.
Property categories for tax collection purposes in Newmark. Primary Property is raw material, like lumber or iron ore, meaning nothing at all had been done to it except ripping it out of the ground. Once processed, it becomes Secondary Property. Shipping and presentation makes it Tertiary Property and, once delivered, the account close-out and buyer’s receipt would make it Quaternary (or “Final”) property.
Flotsam from a shipwreck, under the doctrine of “providential baptism” established under the Peerage, is considered to be transformed again to Primary Property.
Royal Beasts.
Peregrine Bestiarists, trying to make sense of military heraldry, invented an absurd theory that certain creatures were distinguished by having a single form (called a “lineage”) on each continent. These creatures were called “Royal” and believed to have certain privileged connections to angels or heathen gods.
Later discoveries of island lineages forced the Bestiarists to reform this spurious idea to include not only continents but also major archipelagos, which required a debate about what constituted a major archipelago that pitted Markish and Dunnish scholars against their Northlander neighbors. (See Peregrines)
The realization that multiple lineages of certain Royal Beasts lived on the same continent, and other creatures that seemed to constitute distinguished lineages lived only in the Tropicks, led to an attempt to subdivide continents into “fiefdoms” and the eventual unraveling of the entire ridiculous system.
Still, the idea of Royal Beasts lives on among the half-educated town-dwelling class.
The Royal Beasts themselves are known by archaic names adopted from heraldry: the Bosse or wild cattle; the Drille or great lizard; the Elefas; the Falque or hunting bird; the Felle or great cat; the Kerve or deer; the Korbe or crow; the Loupe or wolf; the Serpent; and the Urse or bear.
Speculative Royal Beasts include: the Camel; the Etrut or running bird; the Marifer or seal; the Rhinocere; the Sirene or sea cattle; and the Pteque or ape.
Royal Coasts Company.
The oldest mercantile fleet, founded by privateers during the Holy Wars.
Security Corps.
Established under the Regulatory Act of 29 R, the Security Corps inherited the staff and leadership of the Board of Inquisitors (a throwback to the government of the Peerage) which itself had developed from the Order of the Knights Proctor who were charged with defending the dogma of the High Church during the Holy Wars.
The Security Corps is commanded by the Investigator General, a member of the General Cabinet of the Commonwealth.
Officer trainees in the Security Corps are called Watchmen, junior officers are called Observers, and mid-grade officers are Detectives. Unique among the traditional lines, officers in the Security Corps can be detailed to any of the other Corps.
Shoak.
A dark brown substance derived from a bean plant found in Meridia and Novacavalis, usually taken as a drink called shoak water.
Elder Murshies are sometimes referred to affectionately as “Ol’ Shoak.”
Six Grade Plan.
A key part of the Regulatory Act of 29R, the Six Grade Plan organizes the members of all of the Corps in the Commonwealth government and the various Republics.
In reality, the Six Grade Plan includes eight ranks, six operational grades and two training grades. The operational ranks are generically called Sanbuckler, Detail, Squad, Company, Field, and General. All but the Sanbuckler Grade are considered officers.
The two training grades are Recruit and Candidate. Upon completion of training, Recruits become Sanbuckler Grade members and Candidates become Company Grade officers. The reason for this distinction is that the first three grades regulate local and Republicker personnel, while the last three regulate Commonwealth personnel.
Despite these general, statutory names, most officers have titles specific to their Corps or assignment. For example, a Field Grade office in the Equestrian Corps would be a Colonel, in the Security Corps a Detective, and in the Medical Corps a Physician.
Southwest Coalition.(Abbreviated SWC.)
A coalition of former Cavaline and Callean colonies in lands that were taken from the Marashid during the Holy Wars. Despite the non-Markish origins of these lands, many Republickers of Markish descent now live there, as well as many Marashid slaves and Indigens from the Ani, Mascock, and Hasinite peoples.
The Southwest Coalition consists of Montazur (MA), the Naissance Republic (NR), and the Republic of Strayland (RS).
Stockton Arms.
A weapon manufacturer known for inventing the revolving pistol. The trademark of the company is a fouled S.
Strayland Republic. (Abbreviated SR.)
After the Holy Wars, when the Markish controlled most of the eastern coast of Settentria, the lands beyond Callean Naissance were held by a few straggler Cavaline forces who had not found their way to Novacavalis or Fort Elleon. Dubbed Straylings, their colony eventually came to be known as Strayland.
The Strayland Republic is now part of the Southwest Coalition in the Commonwealth. Its capital is at San Agvaro and, in honor of the star-following Straylings that gave the land its name, their Republicker Banner is a dark blue field with a single white star.
Straylings.(From the Agvarol word Estrellingo.)
These were originally sea nomads from the Peregrine Islands of Agvar and Cavalis, who were known for travelling between the Old Countries and New Lands using only the stars, rejecting the newly developed magnetic compass, which they considered sorcery.
The name eventually came to refer to all descendants of the Agvarol and Cavaline in the New Countries.
Summerland. (Abbreviated SL. Often incorrectly referred to as The Summerland Republic.)
Part of the Midlands Coalition in the Commonwealth, Summerland shares a northern border with Dunsylvania, an eastern border with New Warrens, a southern border with Nancycomb, and a western border with the Amberton Republic. Like Nancycomb, it also has coasts on both Amberton Bay and the open sea.
The capital of Summerland, Mayport, is where the Common Court convenes.
Suppahallock.
Descendants of Ani Men who allied with the Knights during the Holy Wars, the Suppahallock settled in the region near the Dunsylvanian river that now bears their name in the Great Valley. During the uprising that led to the founding of the Ashland Republic, the Suppahallock were massacred by rebels.
Tanna. Also St. Tanna, Tanna Nomen.
According to the orthodox theology of the Church, St. Tanna Nomen was the manifestation of the Archangel Devrael, who had won liberation from Her penitence for the Slaughter of the Children of God.
Tanna was a washing woman in the city of Iar, during the Norean Empire. Descended from the natives of Ias, she led a resistance against both the Noreans and Iarenes. She was eventually martyred, her followers founding the High Church.
According to the Marashid, however, Tanna was in fact the manifestation of The Dragon who fought God to stop the Creation. The Marashid believe that their Angel of Arshad warned them that the return of Tanna would trigger a worldwide war.
Tackerack.
An island north of Cross Cape.
Tenobish.
An island in the main archipelago of the Outer Islands Republic, and its largest city, sometimes called Tenobishport.
Trout, Redback.
A fish plentiful in the streams of Newmark.
Violence, Classes of.
In the law of the Commonwealth, acts of violence are sequestered into four categories: Self-Defense, Contractual Fighting like duels, Unprovoked Assault, and Commericial violence like armed robbery and hired assassination.
Woakus.
One of the great kings of the Api Men in the old days, also known as The Grey Fox.
Yunvia.
A republic of Ani Men in the Great Valley west of the Caromia and Garrisonia, and northeast of Montazur. The Yunvia are much more friendly to the Republickers than other Indigens, partly because they also overthrew their hereditary Peerage over a thousand years before the founding of Amberton.
There are occasionally talks between the Yunvia and both the Redlands Republics and Southwest Coalition about including Yunvia in the Commonwealth.
