Before you unsuspecting readers begin to plow through this collection of short stories, there are a few terms that it's good to be moderately familiar with, so I have provided a gorgeously breif but hopefully explanatory glossary for your understanding pleasure.
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Son of the Challenger: A book being written by me, HarmonyIsarine. It used to have a co-author, but that has sincechanged.From it spring these short stories that I will continue to write from different characters points of view. SotC is currently being revised and rewritten. It's a very long and hard process that I would never wish upon anyone.
Delic Continent: A continent located below the equator of Retah.It has a very temperate climate andhardly ever snows except on high mountains, which are sparse. The location of a large political upheaval.
Shevroh: A country located on a peninsula on the southern edge of the Delic continent. Beginning during the 4230s, it swallowed country after country in 4239 it had claimed half of the continent. It was then stopped by Tyme Rebels. Although the large country still exits, it no longer expands. The original country of Shevroh is now referred to as Shevroh Proper. Note: These dates have been changed, but I currently cannot locate my timeline to correct them. Sorry!
Tyme Rebels: A rebel group that is entirely devoted to destroying Shevroh. It was founded by an Isian named Tyme Qwen and expanded feverishly during its first years. Although Tyme Qwen didn't want to be idolized, he was. With the help of three friends, Jihen Nujan, Senzi Ceyrad and Kuil'ri-tuw, the people rallied and formed a force that caused Shevroh to think twice before assimilating anyone else. Tyme Qwen took the anger that Shevroh caused, and funneled it into a useful objective.
Tyme Qwen: An Isian that was born with exceptional leadership abilities and graced with good friends to help him through. Although he was killed at the Battle of Enirasi, his legacy continued on in the rebel group.
Humans: One of three species on the planet. They find it more difficult to use magic than the faeries, but easier than Isians. Even so, human mages are rare. The only non-flying species. Quiderle'Jin humans are an exception to several of the rules.
Faeries: One of three species on the planet. One of the two species that can fly. Their wings are butterfly-like, but narrower and without the patterns and tails. Wing color depends on the mood. Color shows in many small scales (like a butterfly or moth wing) about the size of a pinky-nail. Generally only one color, the wings can be two or even three, depending on the situation.
Isians: One of three species on the planet. One of the two species that can fly. Their wings are more bird-like. Wingspans range from 10-20 feet, with exceptions. They are shorter than the other species on average, and never become overweight. Their toes are nearly twice as long as a human's or faerie's. Their bones, although still dense, are not so dense as the other species'. Lungs are slightly large and absorb more oxygen from the air. Small feathers grow on the back of the neck instead of hair. All changes, other than the small feathers on the back of the neck, those were just cool , aid in flying or perching. They cannot use magic without the aid of a previously enchangted object. Quiderle'Jin Isians are an exception.
Quiderle'Jin: Pronounced kwid-EARL-gin (gin as in the liquor) The Quiderle'Jin is a magic-based religion that accepts members of all three species. At birth runes are tattooed onto the face and hands in order of strength. The strongest goes on the forehead, second strongest on the left cheekbone and third strongest on the right cheekbone. The next strongest appears on the last joint of the left thumb, the sixth on the left index finger, the seventh on the left middle finger and the eighth strongest is tattooed on the palm of the left hand. The rest are tattooed according to strength of the owner on the tips of the fingers of the right hand, the thumb the strongest and the pinky the weakest. There are 12 runes in all. Spells are cast by touching runes on the fingertips to the runes on the face in different patterns for different strength spells. Threes and it's multiples are good for a Quiderle'Jin. Nine is very bad, though, and 24 is the best number. Robe color must match hair color, and the collar of the robes matches the eye color of the individual. Quiderle'Jin always wear their robes.
Circlien Department: The mail system for Shevroh. It employs magic to send packages and letters to a specific citizen, no matter where they are. At age 15 every citizen of Shevroh is given a key to a safe box to start their own account with the Circlien Department.
Great Rift: A rift in the world where magic seeps from. It is so powerful that many spells are contaminated unless the user knows how to counter the effect. It was created during a long-ago war, and drastically changed the landscape.Thesource of power in the Great Rift comes from tworivers that collide into each otherand a small lake nearby that form the shape of the Quiderle'Jin rune of Foretelling, Tacdeho.Tyme Rebels constructed their headquarters here to prevent Shevroh from finding them through the use of magic.
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Ending notes: There is much, much more to this world and it's people than what is included in this glossary. There is much that even I don't know, and I consider myself to be the resident expert on Retah and it's people. By the way, if you can help me make some better names, feel free to do so. If you have any questions or you are merely curious about this work, feel free to IM or e-mail me. I think that's it. Enjoy the stories chronicled here in the Downfall!