Page 74 of Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome #1)

Glossary

Alkonost — a legendary woman-headed bird that has a healing touch, an otherworldly beautiful face, and a mesmerizingly alluring voice capable of making anyone who hears her forget all their sorrows and worries.

Amare — the title given to a secondary male in a dark fae household, meaning ‘beloved’ and showing a meaningful bond between males, contrary to the term ‘servus’ that showed a submissive, subservient role.

Augurec /pron: au-gur-retc/ — an alloy of silver, iron, and copper produced by artificer mages with the ability to disrupt the natural patterns of all aether; magical shackles.

Bies (s.) /pron: b-yes/ biesy (pl.) — a personification of all the undefined evil forces in nature.

Once, they were placed amongst the most dangerous and oldest demons in Central and Eastern Europe.

They were massive bison-like beasts with horns and hooves that were hostile and resistant to most types of weapons.

Borovio —one of the seven dukedoms of the Dagome kingdom, governed by the Erenhart family.

Domine —the official title of the primary(alpha) male in a dark fae household responsible for the protection and external affairs. His authority is almost equal to Domina’s.

Domina(s.)/dominae(pl. ) — a lady of her own domain. Dark fae title for the head of the household.

Drah’sa /pron: Dra-sa/ — a dwarven term of endearment meaning ‘little sister,’ used for one considered a family member.

Draugr /pron: drow-gar/ — a revenant awakened in his grave that retains some mental capabilities. Their primal reason for existence is to protect their treasures, but they can be tethered to the necromancer’swill.

Falchion /pron: falkion/ — a broad, slightly curved sword with a cutting edge on the convex side

Geas — a form of magical compulsion, curse, or obligation. Those under a geas are required to follow certain conditions or orders, risking death for disobedience.

Ghoul — minor Vel demon. A male with pale bodies, sharp fangs and poisonous claws that feasted on dead bodies, preferably freshly killed.

Gromnitsa — a holiday marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.

Jarylo — god of fertility and spring, exceptionally well endowed.

Kirbai — a hybrid of the horse and snow leopard created by Cahyon Abyasa before he was corrupted by foul magic. The animal is known for its intelligence, fierce nature, and loyalty. It can survive in the harshest environments and climb almost vertical walls.

Kirtle — a dress similar to men’s tunics. They were loose and reached to below the knees or lower. Slits on the sides were pulled tight to fit the figure. Kirtles were typically worn over a chemise or smock and under a formal outer garment or surcoat.

Kupala’sNight — an ancient holiday celebrating the summer equinox with high fires and fertility rituals.

Lanara poison — a potent poison invented specifically for the mages. It suppresses the ability to connect with aether and, therefore, cast the spell.

Latawiec(s.) /pron: Lata-vi-etc/ latawce (pl.) /pron: latav-ce/ — shapeshifting demons.

They flew in the currents of the wind. Their physical bodies were similar to large birds, with sharp claws and colourful feathers, but they had human heads.

They could temporarily shift into human shape to tempt the victim with their song, and when they sang, those who heard it clawed their bodies, ripping the flesh as an offering for the ravenous demons.

Mamuna — a female swamp demon in Slavic mythology known for being malicious and dangerous.

Makosh — goddess of family and females, sometimes called the mother of gods.

Morgenstern — otherwise known as Morning Star flail – mace with a chain ended with a spiky ball.

Navia — an afterlife where all spirits come to rest after crossing the Veil that divides the spirit world from the living.

Nyja /pron: Ni-ya/ — goddess of War and Death, guardian of the souls that died a violent death.

Obraka — a slow and sensual dance relying on physical touch and showcasing the male’s strength to lift their partner.

Olgoi worm /pron: ol-g{oi}/ — giant blind earth worm with rows of serrated teeth, famous for drilling tunnels in the dirt and rocks. They rarely hunt sentient beings, but during periods of starvation, they can migrate to the surface and prey on warm-blooded animals.

Peasant’s crown — a traditional crown-like braid for women

Psoglav /pron: p-so-gwav/ — a demon with a human body with horse’s legs, a dog’s head with iron teeth, and a single eye on the forehead. They live in caves or in a dark land that has plenty of gemstones but no sun, and they love to eat people, especially fresh corpses

Raróg /pron: ra-roog/ — fire demons coming in the shape of horse-size falcons with beaks and claws made of burning embers and wings that start fires while they fly

Rusa?ka — a nature spirit affiliated with water and streams. Often in the shape of beautiful maiden with green or bluish hair. Similar to vila it has capricious nature and can be both helpful and obstructive to the humans. Often asociated with luring young men to their deaths in the waters.

Skeins — length of thread or yarn, loosely coiled and knotted

Spectrae — Ghost-like creatures created from tortured and fractured souls. They feed on the life force of other beings attempting to regain their solid shape and restore themselves. Particularly attracted to the life force of the dragon.

Srebrec — unstable ore similar to silver, with magical properties. The ore is able to siphon and store aether especially from the living beings. Mining it requires magical protection. Due to its instability it needed to be smelted into an alloy such as augurec to under the risk of explosion.

Striga — a female monster born from violent death. They hunted those who wronged them, and once their vengeance was completed, they hunted for any human. They looked like skinny females with two rows of teeth, large claws, and leather-like hair.

Strychnos — a highly toxic shrub whose bark and berries can cause seizures and imminent death.

Svarog /pron: S-va-roog/ — god of fire, patron of blacksmiths and metalworkers.

Utopiec(s.)/utopce(pl.) — spirits of human souls that died drowning, residing in the element of their own demise. They are responsible for sucking people into swamps and lakes as well as killing the animals standing near the still waters.

Upiór /pron: u-pi-oor/ — an undead being that arises from one cursed upon their death, appearing as a freshly deceased corpse. An upiór draws its strength from drinking and bathing in the blood of the living and can kill with its shrieks.

Vambraces — forearm guards are tubular or gutter defences for the forearm worn as part of a suit of plate armour that was often connected to gauntlets.

Vila /pron: vi-wa/ — a beautiful female nature spirit who dwells in pristine corners of the natural world, from forests and meadows to rivers and lakes.

They possess supernatural healing abilities and the power of shapeshifting.

Their eyes and dance can bewitch men who often perish from unrequited love.

Vjesci /pron: vi-yes-chi/ (s./pl.) — (originally from Polish folklore adjusted to the lore) An undead demon that retained the thoughts, personality, and body of the person.

As their body slowly cooled down, the cheeks and lips would have a bright red colour, and blood could be found underneath the nails and on the face, while their limbs remained supple.

Vyraj /pron: vi-ray/ — an afterlife paradise for those who deserve it and warriors who have fallen in battle.

Wlok /pron: w-wok/ (s./pl.) — a major Vel demon that looks like tumbleweed made of bones. It rolled over the roads and fields, killing any living creature that had bones inside, adding them to its “body” inits constant need to grow.

?mij (z- as in English: vi si on - me-j) — a powerful demi-god associated with water and marshlands, a giant, three-headed viper with large wings.

He can be called from the void between the worlds, and his favour can be obtained by offering him a sacrificial woman.

Once the ?mij makes a deal, he will protect the city to its death, only to be reborn in the void.