Adria Idonea - Princess of Heiland; daughter of King Ebenhardt Idonea, niece of Duke Preinon Idonea, and elder sister of Prince Hafgrim Idonea; also known among the Aesidhe as Likshochuhalene (Lilene), Lozheskisiyama (Lózha), and Pukshonisla (Púksha).

 

Aeman - The people who have settled or conquered much of Heiland; typically fair of hair, skin, and eyes; politically considered the rightful people of Heiland by other nations, and presently ruled by the House of Idonea.

 

Aesidhe - The native people of Heiland; darker skinned and typically organized into nomadic tribes, they mostly inhabit the forests of central and southern Heiland; now under threat by Aeman encroachment and the Knights of Darkfire.

 

Anna - Hafgrim Idonea’s nursemaid as a child.

 

Chasebatu - An Aesidhe Runner; often leads the Runners in song.

 

Chatechushochugloka - Name given by the Aesidhe to Adria’s bow; literally: Fire Heart of the Black Tree.

 

Chosen Mother - Aeman translation for a term of endearment one gives an older woman who is not one’s natural mother.

 

Ebenhardt Idonea - King of Heiland; father of Adria Idonea and Hafgrim Idonea, and younger brother of Preinon Idonea.

 

Elwynd High - Highland nation south of Heiland; mostly populated by Aeman or Aeman-like peoples, but with their own language, Wenish.

 

Erentis - Western continent of the known world of Morandia.

 

First Arrow - Present given to a young Aesidhe woman when she reaches her maturity; intended to later be given to her potential husband as a betrothal gift.

 

Ghost Dance - A Sacred Ceremonial mentioned by Shísha as a future practice.

 

Hafgrim Idonea - Prince of Heiland; child of Ebenhardt Idonea and younger brother of Adria Idonea.

 

Healer - Aeman translation for a term of respect typically given to those with healing knowledge and ability, usually but not always skills of a Mechushegi.

 

Heiland, Kingdom of - Nation of the northernmost area of the continent of Erentis in the world of Morandia.

 

Highreach - Largest city of Heiland; often considered the capital before the construction of Windberth.

 

Hollow Path - The sea west of Heiland; its name is based upon the Aesidhe name.

 

Hunter - Title for an Aesidhe who hunts for the tribe and may serve as a warrior; considered a term of respect.

 

Idonea, House of - The present ruling family of Heiland; King Ebenhardt Idonea united all of Aeman Heiland during the War for Union, just after the War of Scars.

 

Ierusca (alternatively Jerusca or Yerusca) - Nation southwest of Heiland; politically ruled by Somana, but often a source of rebellion; the Ieru have a very distinct culture, peoples, and political structure.

 

Imani - Young Aesidhe woman of the Shíme Okshowaniya; friend and confidant of Adria.

 

Kaye - Nursemaid and governess of Adria Idonea as a child.

 

Kelman - The people of Kelmantium.

 

Kelmantian - The language of Kelmantium.

 

Kelmantium - Major nation of Numinon, to the east of Erentis across the sea.

 

Knights of Darkfire - Military order of the Sisterhood and Heiland; often referred to in Heiland simply as Knights, but distinguished from the Heiland feudal hierarchy rank of knight.

 

Lichushegi - Aesidhe title of Holy Woman; female form of Mechushegi.

 

Lilene - Short form of Likshochuhalene, Adria Idonea’s child name among the Aesidhe.

 

Likshochuhalene - Adria Idonea’s child name among the Aesidhe; literally: Gold Pales in Sunlight.

 

Lózha - Short form of Lozheskisiyama, Adria Idonea’s adult name among the Aesidhe.

 

Lozheskisiyama - Adria Idonea’s adult name among the Aesidhe; literally: Walks Two Webs.

 

Mateko - An Aesidhe Runner and Hunter.

 

Mechushegi - a Holy person among the Aesidhe; refers to either a male or female; plural: Mechushegiya.

 

Mélitali - An Aesidhe term of endearment for a child who is not naturally one’s own; refers to either a girl or a boy.

 

Mewashemesitibopi - Aesidhe who have left the tribal cultures and settled in Aeman lands; literally: “They Went to the Cities.”

 

Morandia - The known world.

 

Moresidhe - A rarely-seen race of people who sometimes serve as traveling merchants.

 

Náme - An Aesidhe child looked after by Imani and Adria.

 

Northland(s) Sea - The sea east of Heiland.

 

Northlands - Islands east of Heiland and north of Numinon; populated almost entirely by Aeman; seafaring culture.

 

Numinon - Eastern continent of the known world of Morandia.

 

Others - Aesidhe name for the Aeman; usually considered a term of reproach, and not typically used for an Aeman respected or loved by an Aesidhe.

 

Palmill - An Aeman town in Heiland on the frontier of the forest inhabited by the Aesidhe.

 

Pentaros - Nation of Erentis south of Heiland; population is mostly a mixture of Aeman and Somanan peoples; nominally a part of the Somanan Empire, but currently in a state of rebellion led by Michael Pentaros; also, the ruling house of Somana.

 

Preinon Idonea - Elder brother of King Ebenhardt Idonea of Heiland and uncle to Adria; once Duke of Idonea and Warden and Marshal of the Violet West; currently in exile among the Aesidhe; known among the Aesidhe as Watelomoksho, he is the informal leader of the Runners.

 

Púksha - Short form of Pukshonisla, Adria Idonea’s Hunter name among the Aesidhe.

 

Pukshonisla - Adria Idonea’s Hunter name among the Aesidhe; literally: Follows the White Wolf.

 

Runners - Metehãloweye (Aesidhe: Those Who Run); a group of Hunters, scouts, and protectors of the Aesidhe; informally led by Preinon Idonea and Shísha.

 

Shema Ihaloa Táya - Prior name of the Shíme Okshowaniya tribe; literally: They Watch Birds Walk.

 

Shíme Okshowaniya - Current name of the tribe Adria and the Runners often camp with during the winter; literally: We Survive.

 

Shísha - A blind Holy Woman (Lichushegi) of the Aesidhe; advises and informally leads the Runners alongside Preinon Idonea (Watelomoksho).

 

Sisterhood - Religious order based in Heiland; all members are female and are guided by the Matriarch, currently Matron Taber.

 

Sister - Member of the Sisterhood; also used for a specific rank within the Sisterhood.

 

Somana, Empire of - Nation which spans most of the continent of Erentis in the world of Morandia; considered the most powerful nation in the world; it comprises a number of cultures and smaller nations, and is currently governed by Emperor Alexander I Pentaros and a representative bicameral Senate.

 

Somanan - Term for both the language and people of Somana.

 

Spirit Helpers - Spirits believed by the Aesidhe to carry prayers to their ancestors.

 

Sun Dance - A Sacred Ceremonial of the Aesidhe that is no longer practiced.

 

Taber, Matron - Currently the Matriarch of the Sisterhood and Chancellor of Heiland; second in power only to King Ebenhardt Idonea.

 

Tainábe - Aesidhe term for a state of awareness, almost like daydreaming.

 

Violet West - The area of Heiland west of the Greyward Mountains; historically a separate nation from Heiland, was brought under rule by Ebenhardt Idonea and administered for years thereafter by Duke Preinon Idonea.

 

Werdstan Mountains - Mountains in northern Heiland stretching east from the Greyward Mountain range; Windberth is built in the far east of these.

 

Wilding Ghosts - Myth used to frighten Aeman children, often associated with the Aesidhe or their Runners.

 

Windberth - Capital city of Heiland, built high atop Mount Chancer in the Werdstan Mountains in the north; seat of power for the House of Idonea, the Sisterhood, and the Knights of Darkfire.

 

Zhehomikhhoapoehhe - A Hunters’ End Camp; considered the last camp of a season of hunting or of war, before the Hunters return to their tribe(s); usually celebratory.