Terms Used Within The Campaign

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Abbreviation Key -
(CE) - originated by Carl Ellis
(EN) - originally used by members of the Enclave
(FR) - originally used by Pierre Farquell's group
(NS) - originally used within Nightsider Society
(SP) - orignially used by Gottard Islie's group
(UN) - original source of word unknown



GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A

Aware, Awareness

An ability of the Blessed that allows them to open up their psychic senses to the surrounding area, in order to perceive the non-physical. (See also: Passive Scan) (SP)

B

Balance, Balances

A ritual between two of the Soldiers, in which pieces of the Power Structure are exchanged on a permanent basis. Such an exchange forges a deep phyiscal and spiritual link between the participants in which they become a literal "part" of one another. Allows access to each other's memories, thoughts, abilities. Believed to be essential by Pierre Farquell to keep the Soldiers tied to their humanity. Csn not be reversed or dissolved, except by the deaht of one of the participants. Such an event causes extreme traumatic mental shock to the survivor. Rarely ever done amongst the Blessed, though more often amongst the Soldiers. (See also: Conjoined) (PF)


Beast

A degenerate form of Nightsider, created when a human is drained of blood through Communion, without an appropriate amount of the Necrophage already present. Beasts are little more than savage animals controlled by the will of their creator. Considered tools or expendable. Last known instance of such was in 1927. It is currently unknown whether or not the Seelie or Un-Seelie can create Beasts. (EN)

Blessed

Individuals who have sworn the Oath to The Master Of The Tower. Such individuals are physically and spiritually transformed, gaining new awarenesses and abilities. (See also: Soldiers) (SP)


Bond

(Nightsider) A promise that does not create a Debt. Old Nightsider term - no longer in current use as of 1930.(NS)

Bond

(Mystical) Any event, ritual or act of will that connects two persons together on a spiritual level. May be permanent or temporary. (UN)

Bonded

To give up one's freedom in any or all areas (such as speech, action, thought, etc.) to another willingly. Thought to be derived from or based on the term Bondsman. Used mostly in a derogatory context. (SP)

Bondsman

A ritual between one of the Blessed or Soldiers and any other person, in which pieces of the Self or Power Structure are exchanged on a permanent or temporary basis. Such an exchange forges a link between the participants and allows them access to each other's memories, thoughts and on occassion, abilities. Can be dissolved by the agreement of both parties without harm to either. Done often amognst the French Soldiers, rarely amongst the Blessed of the Keep. (UN)

C

Catacombs

Specifically the rooms and spaces underground beneath the Keep in Trujillo. Some rooms in this area are known to be used as Portalways.(SP)

Cattle

Nightsider derogatory term for human beings. No longer used since 1930.(NS)

Conjoined

A ritual between two of the Blessed, in which pieces of the Self are exchanged on a permanent basis. Such an exchange forged a deep phyiscal and spiritual link between the participants in which they become a literal "part" of one another. Allows access to each other's memories, thoughts, abilities. Distanted by the Blessed as a sign of weakness. Done only extremely rarely amongst the Blessed, though more often amongst the Soldiers. (See also: Balances) (SP)


Contact

The closest, most intimate blood exchange between Nightsider and a Companion. Old Nightsider term - no longer in current use as of 1930. (NS)


Communion

The form of blood exchange between the Fae and their Companion, in which a spiritual as well as a physical bond is formed. Originally an Enclave term, now in common usage as of 1930.(EN)

Companion

A human of any gender who is tied to the Seelie (or Un-Seelie) through bonds of emotion and the sharing of Communion. Originally an Enclave term to designate the chosen heir to the family line - as of 1930 in common usage to mean anyone who occupies that role. (EN)

D

Debt

Nightsider form of currency, used amongst one another to purchase favors, aid, property, etc. The Debt system effectively ended as a means of social currency in 1931 - sometimes still evoked by older Seelie and Un-Seelie who lived during that time. (NS)


E

F

Fever, The

An emotional state brought on by blood-starvation, in which the Nightsider is reduced to an enraged, bestial state. Old Nightsider term - no longer in current use as of 1930, last known documented appearance was in 1929.(NS)

Fight, The

Designation used to describe the struggle against those forces or entities that would seek to invade the Earth from the Outside. (i.e. creatures from the Lovecraftian Mythos) (PF)

French

A group of people originally connected with Pierre Farquell, or directed by him, who opposed the efforts of Goddard Islies' Spanish people through the use of arcane knowledge or abilities. Term used as a catch all phrase regardless of nationality. The French are currently led by the Philosopher King. (SP)

G

Gift

A special ability or skill that the Blessed develop, that is uniquely the individal's. A natural consequence of their evolution and learning to control their arcane abilities. Originally derived from the term "Gift Of God" (See also:Talent) (SP)

Great House, The

Estate and buildings just outside Chalone-sur-Saone in France. Center of the French group's power, and home to the Philosopher King. Known to be the equivalent of the Tower and the Keep.(SP)

I

Imp, Imps

Any effect that occurs when the use of a Gift or Sorcery goes awry. An unusual or unexpected result from the use of Sorcery that is not considered life-threatening. (SP)

In Service To

Catch phrase meaning to be dedicated to a single ideal, cause or duty to the exclusion of other things. Sometimes used in derision, as in "He's in service to his appetite." Meaning that appetite overrides common sense. (SP)

K

Keep, The

One part of the monestary in Trujillo. Specifically any areas of the structure that are NOT contained in the Tower. These levels of the building comprise living quarters, general use rooms, the chapel, etc. Never used interchangeably with the term Tower. (SP)

Knot

A shaping and twisting of the Self by The Master Of The Tower, to cause a predetermined event or effect to occur within an individual. Used for purposes of reward, punishment and/or control. This ability believed to be lost upon the death of Goddard Islie. (SP)

M

Master Of The Tower, The

Individual who directs the efforts of the Spanish. Both a secular and a mystical title. Previously Goddard Islie, currently Theo Weiss. (SP)


N

Nest

Any permanent grouping of two or more Nightsiders, wherein there is one dominate and the rest subordinate to the will of the leader. Nests are formed for mutual protections, benefit or status. The nature of the rules that govern a nest are highly individualistic and dependent on the dominate Nightsider's desires. A Nest may or may not be left or joined at will, depending on the rules governing it. As of 1930 an archaic social form that has largely been replaced by the less restrictive Family amongst the Seelie and Un-Seelie. (NS)


Nightsider

Original term for a person who had become a vampire through contracting the Necrophage. No longer used since October of 1930 when the Nightsiders became the Fae. (NS)


Nightsider Condition

The disease vector that causes vampirism. See also Necrophage. (CE)

O

Oath

A vow given to The Master Of The Tower that transforms an individual physically and spiritually into one of the Blessed. The nature of this vow is secret and specific to the individual, and the details are kept private. The effects of the Oath can not be reversed. (See also Vow) (SP)

Outsider, Outsiders

Any of the non-earthly creatures whose presence within our reality/earth cause destruction and death. (i.e. Lovecraftian Mythos Monsters)(UN)

P

Philosopher King, The

Individual who directs the efforts of the French. Both a secular and a mystical title. Previously Pierre Farquell, currently Carl Ellis.

Portalways

Structures usually built in the shape of doorframes, built by means of sorcery that allow instant transport to another physical location. Must be created in matching pairs. Increasingly unreliable since Feburary 1930, and no new portalways have been constructed since then. (See also: Gates) (SP)

R

Retained

To be brought back to life or ressurected from death or near death by means of sorcery. Most specifically the Lovecraftian "Ressurection" spell - thought not always. Thought to be derived from the term "Retained From Heaven". (SP))

S

Scrying, Seeing

An ability of the Blessed that allows them to actively and selectively perceive the non-physical in people and/or surrounding areas. (See also:Active Scan) (SP)

Self

Term used to designate the essential energy of the body and soul that every living thing generates. Use of this energy allows the Blessed to access their Gift, and to create "magical" effects. Also the energy used in the casting of spells. (See also: Power, Ponic Energy) (SP)

Sorcerer

A person who uses or participates in Sorcery. (UN)

Sorcery

Magic or the use of magic. Specifically of the type not used by the Blessed or Soldiers. Includes rituals, summonings, spells, curses and other learned abilities. Also a catch phrase term for weapons or devices created by using magic. (UN)

Spanish, The

A group of people originally connected with Goddard Islie, or directed by him, who opposed the efforts of Pierre Farquell's French people through the use of arcane knowledge or abilities. Term used as a catch all phrase regardless of nationality. The Spanish are currently led by The Master Of The Tower. (PF)

T

==Tower, The

The central structure in the monastary in Trujillo, Spain. The lower to middle floors comprise research rooms. The upper floors are the private residence of The Master Of The Tower, and the upper most internal floor is that of the Whispering Room. The Tower while a part of the monastary struture is also considered a separate place as well.

Treaty, The

An agreement struck in December 1929 between certain members of the Nightsider Community and Carl Ellis' people, to mutually help one another in The Fight. (CE)