Glossary

Aerie:

Afterglow: A wandering spirit seeking a living body, the product of a Soullight corrupted from Shade. Capable of possession, leading to the subsequent corruption and consumption of the possessed's Soullight.

Alchemy: The use of organic matter in salves, potions, tonics and tinctures to cause magical effects. The only form of mysticism that doesn’t require a dedicated source of Lustre, instead relying on the ambient presence of it in the organic matter.

the Bask: The slumbering beast in the sky, and the source of Light.

Cinder: A lesser deity; each is attributed to a broken off piece of the Bask’s physical form. Collectively referred to as the Vigils of the Firmament. There are five vigils, respectively: the left hand, the right hand, the forewings, the hindlegs, and the tail.

Cinderling: A uniquely special Starling who is tethered to a particular Cinder, granting them exemplary power and the status of demigod-hood. Every Echo is said to have at least one Cinderling, though the one of modern age is not readily known.

Echoes:

Ember: Remnants of the Bask’s power; though not quite sentient, they are beings of free will. Silently they can transmit ideas, emotions, and vague imagery. Embers can choose to tether to a mortal, creating a Starling.

Firmament: The great cascade of light which flows from the Bask’s slumber in the sky; the aurora and the stars.

the Flesh:

the Fleshless:

Flood of Shade:

Gloams:

Light: The origin of all life; a mystical energy capable of manipulating reality.

Nescient Light: Found in inanimate objects, such as stone, hewn wood, and metal.

Percipient Light: Found in all living things, such as animals, plants, and people.

Lustre: The portion of the Bask’s light that mankind are capable of influencing; magic.

Mysticism: Another name given to spellcasting, specifically referencing spellcasting performed by those who cannot manipulate Light directly (such as Vassals and Starlings).

Rime: Lustre in its static state; liquid or frozen. Used to conjure magical effects.

Shade:

Shadows:

Pillagers:

Reapers:

Stalkers:

Soullight: A condensed, unique form of living Light; the very essence of a being. Entirely composed of Lustre, and therefore is able to be manipulated.

Spell: A specific formula of how to achieve a desired magical effect. Most spells have multiple paths that can be followed to get the same result.

Starling: A spellcaster chosen by an Ember, giving them the ability to manipulate Lustre without the need for an external source of Rime, and are capable of crafting entirely new magical effects.

Stjarnhov: (pl. stjarnhovr) Locations dedicated to the worship of the Vigils, meaning “house of stars”. These are usually dedicated to a single Vigil, though they will often allow worship of others with the exception of the Right Hand.

Tar:

Tarred:

Theurgs: Diviners of mysticism; they utilize prayer and ritual to create patterns of Lustre.

Vassal: A spellcaster who has made a pact, willingly or otherwise, with a Fleshless spirit in exchange for power. A vassal becomes corrupted by Shade, and as consequence is commonly shunned by society.

Véǫrn: (pl. véǫrnr) Small altars dedicated to communion with the Light of the Bask, meaning “altar of the eagle”.

Wrights: Engineers with an expertise in Rime; they study mysticism with an emphasis on science and experimentation, known for their creation of enchanted weapons and tools.