Rhovanion Selidor
05-03-2011, 09:14 AM
With so many terms and special definitions for certain words, I'd like to compile a list of all this essential Forsilvra jargon. What I'd really love is for everyone to pitch in and add and/or clarify definitions for some of our most commonly used terms. These can be words that are uncommon in modern society, but carry an important significance in Forsilvra (ex. ward), common words that carry specialized meanings (ex. tea), or made-up terms we use within the canon of the game. If you've come across a word and would like it to be defined for the glossary, leave it here. On the flip side, if you see a word that is undefined or could be better defined in this glossary, please write a description!
Forsilvra Glossary of Terms
AL - After Lorterra, the count of years since House Lorterra set the calendar to year one with their rule, in order to standardize the calendar and time across the entire kingdom.
BL - Before Lorterra, the count of years prior to House Lorterra's rule. Before this time, each kingdom had their own calendar and count of years.
banner lord - Pledged to province lords. Banner Lords rule cities and collect tribute from the lesser lords that are pledged to their houses. They are essentially Forsilvra's middle management.
bloodrot - The common term for septicemia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septicemia), or any other type of infection that exhibits similar symptoms. It is almost always fatal if left untreated.
Erilyndrian fire - An incendiary weapon used by the fallen Erilyndrian Empire. It is particularly valuable in naval battles because it can continue burning even under water. The formula is known only to a very few. The game universe version of Greek fire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_fire).
fostering - When young children exclusively from noble houses, specifically banners, are sent away to learn the "tools of the trade". After a certain point in time, they are returned to their birth houses where their lords will continue to decide their fates.
goodfamily - another term for in-laws. father-in-law=goodfather, sister-in-law=goodsister, etc.
hedge knight - A knight with neither a lord nor lands, most often seen at tournaments. Hedge knights do not have good reputations among the highborn.
indigo mountain goat - A rare animal that produces an even rarer pelt for only a few short months of summer. Its deep indigo fur is an expensive and highly prized rarity.
lesser lord / petty lord - Pledged to banner lords. Lesser lords rule small holdings and are the lowest form of nobility in Forsilvra.
lordling - A lesser noble, or younger son or other junior member of a great house. Often used to describe boys of noble birth, especially those who have inherited a title while young.
maester - a graduate of the Bastion of Enlightenment, whose arms and neck are decorated with the tattoos that signify their many subjects of study. Each castle in Forsilvra has a maester sworn to serve it (note: not the family, but the castle and its inhabitants). They care for the ravens, serve as physicians and advisers, and may assist the steward or major domo in keeping the castle running.
manchet - A small loaf of bread that is a specialty in the warmer, southern parts of mainland Forsilvra; in Sanka, Ovador and Svavel. Mostly eaten by the nobility and rarely by wealthier commoners. Particularly sought after for travel, as it is light and does not take up a lot of space.
"moon/morning tea" - A mixture of various herbs including tansies and often pennyroyal, taken by ladies who wish to avoid any long-term consequences of a night of pleasure. Sometimes just called "the tea" in context.
nameday - A synonym for 'birthday' often used interchangeably in Forsilvra.
Pyire spices - Forsilvra's version of Jerk Spices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_jerk_spice) imported from a group of islands known as Pyire.
Sellsword - Mercenary.
Stroman delight - A type of candy originally from Strom, but popular throughout the southern part of Forsilvra. The game universe version of Turkish delight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_delight).
summerwine - A sweet southron wine, very strong made from summer berries. It's often mixed with herbs which further enhance its effects, and its sweet taste serves to hide sleeping potions or other drugs that will render the drinker oblivious or excessively intoxicated. Frequently a tool of dishonest courtesans.
tourney / tournament - Competitions held by the nobility for sport. The tourney's three main events are jousting, the melee and the archery competition. Those who place first and second in these events can receive large sums of money and/or highly sought-after prizes.
ward - A young child or adolescent sent out to another noble family for raising. Often seen more in the noble and upper classes, but occasionally wards of commoner status will be taken on to serve as lovers of their warded house's lords.
warding - The process of taking on a ward. The lord of the warding house decides the ward's fate in the same manner as the ward's original family would have.
Ysindal lace - A very fine and expensive lace imported from the Uncharted Lands by merchants. The lace comes in many colors and is often seen only on the dresses of the very rich. Ysindal is distant place that people know of, but most Forsilvrans have never been there.
Forsilvra Glossary of Terms
AL - After Lorterra, the count of years since House Lorterra set the calendar to year one with their rule, in order to standardize the calendar and time across the entire kingdom.
BL - Before Lorterra, the count of years prior to House Lorterra's rule. Before this time, each kingdom had their own calendar and count of years.
banner lord - Pledged to province lords. Banner Lords rule cities and collect tribute from the lesser lords that are pledged to their houses. They are essentially Forsilvra's middle management.
bloodrot - The common term for septicemia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septicemia), or any other type of infection that exhibits similar symptoms. It is almost always fatal if left untreated.
Erilyndrian fire - An incendiary weapon used by the fallen Erilyndrian Empire. It is particularly valuable in naval battles because it can continue burning even under water. The formula is known only to a very few. The game universe version of Greek fire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_fire).
fostering - When young children exclusively from noble houses, specifically banners, are sent away to learn the "tools of the trade". After a certain point in time, they are returned to their birth houses where their lords will continue to decide their fates.
goodfamily - another term for in-laws. father-in-law=goodfather, sister-in-law=goodsister, etc.
hedge knight - A knight with neither a lord nor lands, most often seen at tournaments. Hedge knights do not have good reputations among the highborn.
indigo mountain goat - A rare animal that produces an even rarer pelt for only a few short months of summer. Its deep indigo fur is an expensive and highly prized rarity.
lesser lord / petty lord - Pledged to banner lords. Lesser lords rule small holdings and are the lowest form of nobility in Forsilvra.
lordling - A lesser noble, or younger son or other junior member of a great house. Often used to describe boys of noble birth, especially those who have inherited a title while young.
maester - a graduate of the Bastion of Enlightenment, whose arms and neck are decorated with the tattoos that signify their many subjects of study. Each castle in Forsilvra has a maester sworn to serve it (note: not the family, but the castle and its inhabitants). They care for the ravens, serve as physicians and advisers, and may assist the steward or major domo in keeping the castle running.
manchet - A small loaf of bread that is a specialty in the warmer, southern parts of mainland Forsilvra; in Sanka, Ovador and Svavel. Mostly eaten by the nobility and rarely by wealthier commoners. Particularly sought after for travel, as it is light and does not take up a lot of space.
"moon/morning tea" - A mixture of various herbs including tansies and often pennyroyal, taken by ladies who wish to avoid any long-term consequences of a night of pleasure. Sometimes just called "the tea" in context.
nameday - A synonym for 'birthday' often used interchangeably in Forsilvra.
Pyire spices - Forsilvra's version of Jerk Spices (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_jerk_spice) imported from a group of islands known as Pyire.
Sellsword - Mercenary.
Stroman delight - A type of candy originally from Strom, but popular throughout the southern part of Forsilvra. The game universe version of Turkish delight (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_delight).
summerwine - A sweet southron wine, very strong made from summer berries. It's often mixed with herbs which further enhance its effects, and its sweet taste serves to hide sleeping potions or other drugs that will render the drinker oblivious or excessively intoxicated. Frequently a tool of dishonest courtesans.
tourney / tournament - Competitions held by the nobility for sport. The tourney's three main events are jousting, the melee and the archery competition. Those who place first and second in these events can receive large sums of money and/or highly sought-after prizes.
ward - A young child or adolescent sent out to another noble family for raising. Often seen more in the noble and upper classes, but occasionally wards of commoner status will be taken on to serve as lovers of their warded house's lords.
warding - The process of taking on a ward. The lord of the warding house decides the ward's fate in the same manner as the ward's original family would have.
Ysindal lace - A very fine and expensive lace imported from the Uncharted Lands by merchants. The lace comes in many colors and is often seen only on the dresses of the very rich. Ysindal is distant place that people know of, but most Forsilvrans have never been there.