The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3) (89 page)
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Authors: R. Scott Bakker
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BOOK: The Thousandfold Thought (The Prince of Nothing, Book 3)
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Languages of Nonmen
—Without doubt, the Nonmen, or Cûnuroi, tongues are among the oldest in Eärwa. Some Aujic inscriptions predate the first extant example of Thoti-Eännorean,
The Chronicle of the Tusk,
by more than five thousand years. Auja-Gilcûnni, which has yet to be deciphered, is far older still.
—Without doubt, the Nonmen, or Cûnuroi, tongues are among the oldest in Eärwa. Some Aujic inscriptions predate the first extant example of Thoti-Eännorean,
The Chronicle of the Tusk,
by more than five thousand years. Auja-Gilcûnni, which has yet to be deciphered, is far older still.
Latter Prophet
—See
Inri Sejenus
.
—See
Inri Sejenus
.
“[to] laugh with Sarothesser”
—An Ainoni phrase expressing their belief that laughter at the moment of death signifies triumph. This tradition stems from the legend that Sarothesser I, the founder of High Ainon, laughed at death the moment before it claimed him.
—An Ainoni phrase expressing their belief that laughter at the moment of death signifies triumph. This tradition stems from the legend that Sarothesser I, the founder of High Ainon, laughed at death the moment before it claimed him.
Law of the Tusk
—The traditional law as laid out in the Book of Canticles in
The Chronicle of the Tusk
. Though largely superseded by
The Tractate,
it is still referred to in cases on which Inri Sejenus was silent.
—The traditional law as laid out in the Book of Canticles in
The Chronicle of the Tusk
. Though largely superseded by
The Tractate,
it is still referred to in cases on which Inri Sejenus was silent.
Legion
—A Dûnyain term referring to the preconscious sources of the conscious thought.
—A Dûnyain term referring to the preconscious sources of the conscious thought.
Leweth
(4061-4109)—A trapper in the abandoned Atrithan province of Sobel.
(4061-4109)—A trapper in the abandoned Atrithan province of Sobel.
Library of Sauglish
—The famed temple complex and text repository found in ancient Sauglish. According to legend, the Library had grown to the size of a city within the city by the time of Sauglish’s destruction in 2147.
—The famed temple complex and text repository found in ancient Sauglish. According to legend, the Library had grown to the size of a city within the city by the time of Sauglish’s destruction in 2147.
Library of the Sareots
—See
Sareotic Library
.
—See
Sareotic Library
.
Ligesseras, House
—One of the Houses of the Congregate.
—One of the Houses of the Congregate.
Logos
—The name used by Dûnyain to refer to instrumental reason. The Logos describes the course of action that allows for the most efficient exploitation of one’s circumstances in order “to come before,” that is, to precede and master the passage of events.
—The name used by Dûnyain to refer to instrumental reason. The Logos describes the course of action that allows for the most efficient exploitation of one’s circumstances in order “to come before,” that is, to precede and master the passage of events.
“[The] Logos is without beginning or end.”
—A Dûnyain phrase referring to the so-called Rational Priority Principle. See
Dûnyain
.
—A Dûnyain phrase referring to the so-called Rational Priority Principle. See
Dûnyain
.
Lokung
—The “Dead-God” of the Scylvendi. See
No-God
.
—The “Dead-God” of the Scylvendi. See
No-God
.
Low Sheyic
—The language of the Nansur Empire and lingua franca of the Three Seas.
M—The language of the Nansur Empire and lingua franca of the Three Seas.
Maëngi
—The true name of the first skin-spy to pose as Cutias Sarcellus.
—The true name of the first skin-spy to pose as Cutias Sarcellus.
Magga, Hringa
(4080-4111)—A cousin of Prince Hringa Skaiyelt of Thunyerus.
(4080-4111)—A cousin of Prince Hringa Skaiyelt of Thunyerus.
Maithanet
—The Shriah of the Thousand Temples, and primary instigator of the First Holy War.
—The Shriah of the Thousand Temples, and primary instigator of the First Holy War.
Mallahet
—A notorious member of the Cishaurim.
—A notorious member of the Cishaurim.
Mamaradda
(4071-4111)—The Javreh Shield-Captain assigned to execute Drusas Achamian.
(4071-4111)—The Javreh Shield-Captain assigned to execute Drusas Achamian.
Mamati
—The language of scriptural Amoteu, a derivative of Caro-Shemic.
—The language of scriptural Amoteu, a derivative of Caro-Shemic.
Mamayma
(?-?)—One of the Chieftain-Kings named in
The Chronicle of the Tusk
.
(?-?)—One of the Chieftain-Kings named in
The Chronicle of the Tusk
.
Mamot
—A ruined Ceneian city located near the mouth of the River Sweki.
—A ruined Ceneian city located near the mouth of the River Sweki.
Mandate, School of
—The Gnostic School founded by Seswatha in 2156 to continue the war against the Consult and to protect the Three Seas from the return of the No-God. Based in Atyersus, the Mandate maintains missions in several different cities about the Three Seas and embassies in the courts of all the Great Factions. Aside from its apocalyptic calling, the Mandate is distinct from the other sorcerous Schools in several respects, not the least of which is its possession of the Gnosis, a monopoly it has been able to protect for almost two thousand years. The Mandate also differs in the fanaticism of its members: apparently, all sorcerers of rank continuously dream Seswatha’s experiences of the Apocalypse every night, the effect of a sorcerous rite called the Grasping, where initiates reputedly submit to incantations while holding Seswatha’s mummified heart. Also, the members of the Mandate elect an executive council (called the Quorum) rather than an individual Grandmaster to further guard against deviations from their core mission.
—The Gnostic School founded by Seswatha in 2156 to continue the war against the Consult and to protect the Three Seas from the return of the No-God. Based in Atyersus, the Mandate maintains missions in several different cities about the Three Seas and embassies in the courts of all the Great Factions. Aside from its apocalyptic calling, the Mandate is distinct from the other sorcerous Schools in several respects, not the least of which is its possession of the Gnosis, a monopoly it has been able to protect for almost two thousand years. The Mandate also differs in the fanaticism of its members: apparently, all sorcerers of rank continuously dream Seswatha’s experiences of the Apocalypse every night, the effect of a sorcerous rite called the Grasping, where initiates reputedly submit to incantations while holding Seswatha’s mummified heart. Also, the members of the Mandate elect an executive council (called the Quorum) rather than an individual Grandmaster to further guard against deviations from their core mission.
Typically, the Mandate can boast between fifty and sixty sorcerers of rank, and perhaps twice that number of initiates. These numbers, which are typical of minor Anagogic Schools, are deceptive, however, since the power of the Gnosis makes the Mandate more than a match for Schools as large as, say, the Scarlet Spires. Because of this power, the School has long been courted by the Kings of Conriya.
Mandate Catechism
—The ritual set of questions and answers on Mandate doctrine, recited by teacher and student at the beginning of each day of study. The first thing learned by all Mandate Schoolmen.
—The ritual set of questions and answers on Mandate doctrine, recited by teacher and student at the beginning of each day of study. The first thing learned by all Mandate Schoolmen.
Mangaecca
—The ancient rival to the School of Sohonc, and last of the four original Gnostic Schools. From its founding in 684 by Sos-Praniura (the greatest student of Gin’yursis), the School of Mangaecca had pursued a predatory ethos, regarding knowledge as the embodiment of power. Though this earned the School an ambiguous reputation, the Mangaecca managed to avoid running afoul of the High Gnostic Writ, the edict of Nincama-Telesser circumscribing sorcerous conduct. Then, in 777, at the behest of a Nonman Erratic named Cet’ingira, they discovered the Incû-Holoinas, the dread Ark of the Inchoroi. Over the following centuries they continued their excavations of the Ark and their investigations of the Tekne. In 1123 rumours began spreading that Shaeönanra, then Grandmaster of the Mangaecca, had discovered a catastrophic means to undo the scriptural damnation of sorcerers. The School was promptly outlawed, and the remainder of the School fled to Golgotterath, abandoning Sauglish forever. By the time of the Apocalypse, they had transformed into what would be called the Consult. See
Apocalypse
.
—The ancient rival to the School of Sohonc, and last of the four original Gnostic Schools. From its founding in 684 by Sos-Praniura (the greatest student of Gin’yursis), the School of Mangaecca had pursued a predatory ethos, regarding knowledge as the embodiment of power. Though this earned the School an ambiguous reputation, the Mangaecca managed to avoid running afoul of the High Gnostic Writ, the edict of Nincama-Telesser circumscribing sorcerous conduct. Then, in 777, at the behest of a Nonman Erratic named Cet’ingira, they discovered the Incû-Holoinas, the dread Ark of the Inchoroi. Over the following centuries they continued their excavations of the Ark and their investigations of the Tekne. In 1123 rumours began spreading that Shaeönanra, then Grandmaster of the Mangaecca, had discovered a catastrophic means to undo the scriptural damnation of sorcerers. The School was promptly outlawed, and the remainder of the School fled to Golgotterath, abandoning Sauglish forever. By the time of the Apocalypse, they had transformed into what would be called the Consult. See
Apocalypse
.
Manghaput
—A major port city in Nilnamesh.
—A major port city in Nilnamesh.
Mansion
s—The mannish name for the great subterranean cities of the Nonmen.
s—The mannish name for the great subterranean cities of the Nonmen.
Mantraitor
—See
Mekeritrig
.
—See
Mekeritrig
.
Mark, the
—The name for what is otherwise known as the “bruising of the onta.” Aside from the Psûkhe, which may or may not be a true sorcery, all sorcerous manifestations and practitioners exhibit what is called the Mark. Various descriptions of the Mark have come down through history, but there seems to be little consistency in the accounts, apart from the experience’s ephemeral nature. According to religious accounts, the Mark is akin to the disfiguring of criminals, the way the God reveals the blasphemers in the presence of the righteous. But apologists such as Zarathinius point out that if this is indeed the case, then it is more than a little ironic that only the
blasphemers
can see the Mark. In secular accounts, textual analogies are typically resorted to: seeing the Mark is akin to seeing where text has been scratched away and overwritten in ancient documents. In the case of sorcery, since the amendments to reality are as flawed as the Men who do the amending, it stands to reason that some essential difference would be visible.
—The name for what is otherwise known as the “bruising of the onta.” Aside from the Psûkhe, which may or may not be a true sorcery, all sorcerous manifestations and practitioners exhibit what is called the Mark. Various descriptions of the Mark have come down through history, but there seems to be little consistency in the accounts, apart from the experience’s ephemeral nature. According to religious accounts, the Mark is akin to the disfiguring of criminals, the way the God reveals the blasphemers in the presence of the righteous. But apologists such as Zarathinius point out that if this is indeed the case, then it is more than a little ironic that only the
blasphemers
can see the Mark. In secular accounts, textual analogies are typically resorted to: seeing the Mark is akin to seeing where text has been scratched away and overwritten in ancient documents. In the case of sorcery, since the amendments to reality are as flawed as the Men who do the amending, it stands to reason that some essential difference would be visible.
Marsadda
—The former capital of Cengemis, located on the coast of Ce Tydonn.
—The former capital of Cengemis, located on the coast of Ce Tydonn.
Martemus
(4061-4111)—A Nansur General, and aide to Ikurei Conphas.
(4061-4111)—A Nansur General, and aide to Ikurei Conphas.
Massentia
—A province of the central Nansurium, called “the Golden” because of the bounty of her wheat fields.
—A province of the central Nansurium, called “the Golden” because of the bounty of her wheat fields.
Meärji
(4074- )—A Galeoth thane, client to Prince Coithus Saubon.
(4074- )—A Galeoth thane, client to Prince Coithus Saubon.
Mehtsonc
—The ancient administrative and commercial capital of Kyraneas, destroyed in the Apocalypse in 2154.
—The ancient administrative and commercial capital of Kyraneas, destroyed in the Apocalypse in 2154.
Meigeiri
—The administrative and spiritual capital of Ce Tydonn, founded in 3739 about the Ceneian fortress of Meigara.
—The administrative and spiritual capital of Ce Tydonn, founded in 3739 about the Ceneian fortress of Meigara.
Meigon
(4002- )—A member of the Dûnyain Pragma.
(4002- )—A member of the Dûnyain Pragma.
Mekeritrig
(?- )—“Traitor of Men” (Kûniüric) The mannish name for Cet’ingira, the Nonman Siqu who revealed the location of Min-Uroikas to the School of Mangaecca in 777, and who would become a ranking member of the Consult during the Apocalypse. See
Mangaecca
and
Apocalypse
.
(?- )—“Traitor of Men” (Kûniüric) The mannish name for Cet’ingira, the Nonman Siqu who revealed the location of Min-Uroikas to the School of Mangaecca in 777, and who would become a ranking member of the Consult during the Apocalypse. See
Mangaecca
and
Apocalypse
.
Memgowa
(2466-2506)—The famed near antique Zeümi sage and philosopher, primarily known in the Three Seas for his
Celestial Aphorisms
and
The Book of Divine Acts
.
(2466-2506)—The famed near antique Zeümi sage and philosopher, primarily known in the Three Seas for his
Celestial Aphorisms
and
The Book of Divine Acts
.
memorialists
—Those members of a Scylvendi tribe, typically the old and infirm, entrusted with the memorization and recitation of the Scylvendi oral tradition.
—Those members of a Scylvendi tribe, typically the old and infirm, entrusted with the memorization and recitation of the Scylvendi oral tradition.
memponti
—A Sheyic term meaning “fortuitous turn.” In jnan, the most auspicious moment to make one’s purposes clear.
—A Sheyic term meaning “fortuitous turn.” In jnan, the most auspicious moment to make one’s purposes clear.
Men
—With the possible exception of the Sranc, the dominant race of Eärwa.
—With the possible exception of the Sranc, the dominant race of Eärwa.
Meneanor, Sea of
—The northernmost of the Three Seas.
—The northernmost of the Three Seas.
Mengedda
—A ruined city in the heart of the Mengedda Plains, famed as the battleground where Anaxophus V struck down the No-God with the Heron Spear in 2155.
—A ruined city in the heart of the Mengedda Plains, famed as the battleground where Anaxophus V struck down the No-God with the Heron Spear in 2155.
Mengedda Plains
—The natural geographical frontier between Shigek and Nansur, just south of the Unaras Spur and north of the Gedea Highlands. As the site of innumerable battles, the fields are widely reputed to be haunted.
—The natural geographical frontier between Shigek and Nansur, just south of the Unaras Spur and north of the Gedea Highlands. As the site of innumerable battles, the fields are widely reputed to be haunted.
Men of the Tusk
—The warriors of the First Holy War.
—The warriors of the First Holy War.
Meöri Empire
—A lost nation of the Ancient North. Founded as a trading stronghold by Akksersian colonists
c.
850, the city of Kelmeöl grew rapidly, and its people, the Meöri, progressively asserted more and more authority over the neighbouring White Norsirai tribes. By the time Borswelka I was declared King in 1021, it had become an aggressive, militaristic city-state. By the time his grandson Borswelka II died in 1104, it had conquered most of the Vosa River Basin and had established trading contacts with Shir to the south through a series of forts along the River Wernma. Strategically situated, and without any regional competitors, the Meöri Empire, as it came to be called, flourished as a mercantile nation. It collapsed with the destruction of Kelmeöl in 2150 during the Apocalypse.
—A lost nation of the Ancient North. Founded as a trading stronghold by Akksersian colonists
c.
850, the city of Kelmeöl grew rapidly, and its people, the Meöri, progressively asserted more and more authority over the neighbouring White Norsirai tribes. By the time Borswelka I was declared King in 1021, it had become an aggressive, militaristic city-state. By the time his grandson Borswelka II died in 1104, it had conquered most of the Vosa River Basin and had established trading contacts with Shir to the south through a series of forts along the River Wernma. Strategically situated, and without any regional competitors, the Meöri Empire, as it came to be called, flourished as a mercantile nation. It collapsed with the destruction of Kelmeöl in 2150 during the Apocalypse.
metaphysics
—Generally, the study of the ultimate nature of existence. More specifically, the study of the operative principles behind the various branches of sorcery. See
sorcery
.
—Generally, the study of the ultimate nature of existence. More specifically, the study of the operative principles behind the various branches of sorcery. See
sorcery
.
Meümaras
(4058- )—The Captain of the
Amortanea
.
(4058- )—The Captain of the
Amortanea
.
Middle North
—A term sometimes used to refer to the Norsirai nations of the Three Seas.
—A term sometimes used to refer to the Norsirai nations of the Three Seas.
Mimara
(4095- )—Esmenet’s first-born daughter.
(4095- )—Esmenet’s first-born daughter.
Mimaripal
(4067- )—A client baron of Chinjosa.
(4067- )—A client baron of Chinjosa.
Ministrate
—The Zaudunyani organization dedicated to the conversion of the Orthodox.
—The Zaudunyani organization dedicated to the conversion of the Orthodox.
Min-Uroikas
—“Pit of Obscenities” (Ihrimsû) The Nonman name for Golgotterath. See
Cûno-Inchoroi Wars
.
—“Pit of Obscenities” (Ihrimsû) The Nonman name for Golgotterath. See
Cûno-Inchoroi Wars
.
Miracle of the Circumfixion
—The second of the Warrior-Prophet’s three so-called “Miracles,” referring to his survival of the Circumfix in Caraskand.
—The second of the Warrior-Prophet’s three so-called “Miracles,” referring to his survival of the Circumfix in Caraskand.
Miracle of Water
—The first of the Warrior-Prophet’s three so-called “Miracles,” referring to his discovery of water in the wastes of Khemema.
—The first of the Warrior-Prophet’s three so-called “Miracles,” referring to his discovery of water in the wastes of Khemema.
Misarat
—An immense Kianene fortress located on the northwestern frontier of Eumarna.
—An immense Kianene fortress located on the northwestern frontier of Eumarna.
Mog-Pharau
—The ancient Kûniüric name for “No-God.” See
No-God
.
—The ancient Kûniüric name for “No-God.” See
No-God
.
Mohaïva
—A district of Nilnamesh.
—A district of Nilnamesh.
Momas
—The God of storms, seas, and chance. One of the so-called Compensatory Gods, who reward devotion in life with paradise in the afterlife, Momas is the primary deity worshipped by seamen and merchants, and is the patron divinity of Cironj (and to a lesser extent Nron). In the
Higarata,
he is depicted as cruel, even malicious, and obsessed with minute matters of propriety—leading some commentators to suggest he is in fact a Bellicose, as opposed to a Compensatory, God. His primary device is the White Triangle on Black (representing the Shark’s Tooth worn by all devotees of Momas).
—The God of storms, seas, and chance. One of the so-called Compensatory Gods, who reward devotion in life with paradise in the afterlife, Momas is the primary deity worshipped by seamen and merchants, and is the patron divinity of Cironj (and to a lesser extent Nron). In the
Higarata,
he is depicted as cruel, even malicious, and obsessed with minute matters of propriety—leading some commentators to suggest he is in fact a Bellicose, as opposed to a Compensatory, God. His primary device is the White Triangle on Black (representing the Shark’s Tooth worn by all devotees of Momas).
Momemn
—“Praise Momas” (Kyranean) The administrative and commercial capital of the Nansurium. Heavily fortified, Momemn houses the residence of the Nansur Emperor, as well as one of the busiest harbours on the Three Seas. Historians have oft noted how each of the three capitals (Mehtsonc, Cenei, and Momemn) of the three great empires to arise from the Kyranae Plain have stood along the River Phayus, each closer than the last to the Meneanor. Some claim that Momemn, which stands at the river’s mouth, will be the last, thus leading to the common phrase “running out of river” to indicate changing fortunes.
—“Praise Momas” (Kyranean) The administrative and commercial capital of the Nansurium. Heavily fortified, Momemn houses the residence of the Nansur Emperor, as well as one of the busiest harbours on the Three Seas. Historians have oft noted how each of the three capitals (Mehtsonc, Cenei, and Momemn) of the three great empires to arise from the Kyranae Plain have stood along the River Phayus, each closer than the last to the Meneanor. Some claim that Momemn, which stands at the river’s mouth, will be the last, thus leading to the common phrase “running out of river” to indicate changing fortunes.
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