Editing Talislantan Terminology
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<i>'''The fastest way through the malathrope is the belly.'''</i> Disaster is best faced head-on. | <i>'''The fastest way through the malathrope is the belly.'''</i> Disaster is best faced head-on. | ||
− | <i>'''If it’s not the omnivrax, it’s the malathrope.'''</i> | + | <i>'''If it’s not the omnivrax, it’s the malathrope.'''</i> Ttrouble is omnipresent. |
<i>'''Your certainty regarding my luck makes my own diminish.'''</i> A common expression reflecting both a pessimistic view of the world and a cynical notion that anyone who praises your luck will soon be trying to take advantage of you. | <i>'''Your certainty regarding my luck makes my own diminish.'''</i> A common expression reflecting both a pessimistic view of the world and a cynical notion that anyone who praises your luck will soon be trying to take advantage of you. | ||
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==Virdish== | ==Virdish== | ||
− | The Virds are a nomad people of the Desertlands, brought into the Rajan hegemony with the rise of the Nihilist Cult. In the | + | The Virds are a nomad people of the Desertlands, brought into the Rajan hegemony with the rise of the Nihilist Cult. In the Second Age, their language and its use were intertwined with pre-Rajan references, Rajan-specific words, and expressions common throughout the Desert Kingdoms. |
<i>'''Irg'''</i> A Virdish word that literally referred to someone who commands an infantry battalion and, thus, liaises regularly with the Rajan. Such positions were held by folk who considered themselves superior to others in cleverness and guile. They were also executed by the Nihilists with great frequency. An ''irg'', is therefore, primarily, someone who thinks himself clever and, secondly, someone likely to get in trouble because of that belief. | <i>'''Irg'''</i> A Virdish word that literally referred to someone who commands an infantry battalion and, thus, liaises regularly with the Rajan. Such positions were held by folk who considered themselves superior to others in cleverness and guile. They were also executed by the Nihilists with great frequency. An ''irg'', is therefore, primarily, someone who thinks himself clever and, secondly, someone likely to get in trouble because of that belief. | ||
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<i>'''Spitting'''</i> Spitting, as a waste of precious water, was an indication that the speaker has conceded a point of debate and, in so doing, “sacrificed” precious bodily essence. | <i>'''Spitting'''</i> Spitting, as a waste of precious water, was an indication that the speaker has conceded a point of debate and, in so doing, “sacrificed” precious bodily essence. | ||
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<i>'''Squintting and grunting'''</i> The traditional Virdish equivalent to a laugh. | <i>'''Squintting and grunting'''</i> The traditional Virdish equivalent to a laugh. | ||
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No less an authority than the esteemed Thystram is recollected to have called the ''malamentis'' “the craziest being I have ever had the displeasure to study.” This note is nowhere to be found in the Thystram’s collected works, but rather in the notes of his acquaintances. Those same sources note that the famous naturalist was so disturbed by creatures, that he ripped the pages detailing them from his works and consigned them to the fire. | No less an authority than the esteemed Thystram is recollected to have called the ''malamentis'' “the craziest being I have ever had the displeasure to study.” This note is nowhere to be found in the Thystram’s collected works, but rather in the notes of his acquaintances. Those same sources note that the famous naturalist was so disturbed by creatures, that he ripped the pages detailing them from his works and consigned them to the fire. | ||
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<i>'''King Shaar'''</i> The subject of a romantic fable that was widely-told throughout the Wilderlands region. It which was usually recounted as history, although reputable historians scoff at such assertions. Shaar is always portrayed as the bravest, handsomest, wealthiest, and most virtuous ruler of whatever people happen to be telling the tale. He was, however, unable to produce an heir to the throne (for some reason) and in his melancholy, locked himself away in his keep, or fortress, or tomb, or sky-castle (depending again, on the version of the story) to brood. Therefore, many fertile young women went through truly mind-boggling lengths to reach the King and present themselves as prospective brides (or whatever the culturally-appropriate position was). After many years of this, one equally virtuous and becoming young women, who was too modest to pursue the legendary ruler, accidentally discovered his place of solitude and Shaar was instantly besotted with her. His announcement of marriage was said to have triggered a wave of suicides across the land and many otherwise unmarked cairns and mounds across the Wilderlands are said to those of women who killed themselves when Shaar’s nuptials were made public. | <i>'''King Shaar'''</i> The subject of a romantic fable that was widely-told throughout the Wilderlands region. It which was usually recounted as history, although reputable historians scoff at such assertions. Shaar is always portrayed as the bravest, handsomest, wealthiest, and most virtuous ruler of whatever people happen to be telling the tale. He was, however, unable to produce an heir to the throne (for some reason) and in his melancholy, locked himself away in his keep, or fortress, or tomb, or sky-castle (depending again, on the version of the story) to brood. Therefore, many fertile young women went through truly mind-boggling lengths to reach the King and present themselves as prospective brides (or whatever the culturally-appropriate position was). After many years of this, one equally virtuous and becoming young women, who was too modest to pursue the legendary ruler, accidentally discovered his place of solitude and Shaar was instantly besotted with her. His announcement of marriage was said to have triggered a wave of suicides across the land and many otherwise unmarked cairns and mounds across the Wilderlands are said to those of women who killed themselves when Shaar’s nuptials were made public. | ||
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Given the relative frequency of violent death, and consequent hurried burials, in the Wilderlands, it would seem that this terribly romantic legend is used to explain the much more prosaic reality behind the ubiquitous unmarked graves in that region. | Given the relative frequency of violent death, and consequent hurried burials, in the Wilderlands, it would seem that this terribly romantic legend is used to explain the much more prosaic reality behind the ubiquitous unmarked graves in that region. | ||
− | <i>'''Trool-headed'''</i> The <i>trool</i> is a squat, ungainly beast of foul temper inhabiting the Wilderlands region. It’s appearance suggests the worst characteristics of the reptile, the mammal, and the amphibian; it’s bloated, disc-shaped body is | + | <i>'''Trool-headed'''</i> The <i>trool</i> is a squat, ungainly beast of foul temper inhabiting the Wilderlands region. It’s appearance suggests the worst characteristics of the reptile, the mammal, and the amphibian; it’s bloated, disc-shaped body is less attractive only than the tiny, wedge-shaped head on top of it. Despite these aesthetics accomplishments, the <i>trool</i> is more famous for it’s behaviour than its appearance. <i>Trools</i> are infamous both for their strict sense of entitlement and their denseness. Upon meeting another creature, a <i>trool</i> will always pause and wait for the other to move out of the way, giving it primacy. <i>Trools</i> cannot speak, but seem to believe that the other will intuit what it wants. A <i>trool</i> will quite literally die before it allows another creature to pass it. This is attested to by the many dead <i>trool</i> that have been observed expired while silently awaiting tree-stumps and rock outcroppings to move aside and let them pass. |
<i>Trool-headed</i> is thus used to mean stubbornly stupid. | <i>Trool-headed</i> is thus used to mean stubbornly stupid. | ||
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