Touch Of Fire ~ Glossary
Badlands: The badlands lie toward the west in what was once Arizona . Only disease and crazed mystics live there now. There is a legend that says that the apocalypse—and the Elementals came from there.
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Desert Dwellers: The inhabitants of the badlands. They despise both the plainfolk and the fae. They are an isolated people who remember many of the stories from the old age. The men like to scarify their skin and use crucifixes as totems. They regularly perform sacrifices and bloodletting.
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Elementals: It is the proper name of the fae, mages who have an innate ability to wield one of the four Elements. Like all talent, some fae are better at wielding the magic than others. Only the most gifted become mages. Those who survive the tests, but fail to rank, remain as drudges, servants to those who have been sanctioned.
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Elemental Orders: An Elemental belongs to one of the four Orders. Solas Clan ~ Fire, Hydra Clan ~ Water, Gaia Clan ~ Earth, Zephyr Clan ~ Air.
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The Zephyrs are the rarest of all Elementals. They died in great numbers during the last war between plainfolk and fae at the Battle of the Twin Rivers. They are known as the tricksters among the Elementals. The really talented Zephyrs can fly for short distances if they can call upon enough wind to lift them.
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The Solas is the most powerful clan. They are led by Senosai, the most charismatic Reverend Father ever to live. It is said Senosai plies black magic. He is feared and respected by all the clans.
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The Gaia clan is the most gentle. There is a legend that says that the Gaia Order was the foundation stock from which all other Elementals sprang from. Lady Ilia, Leda's Reverend Mother is of the Gaia Order.
Although Leda is of Fire, she remains with the Gaias because she was adopted by Ilia.
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The Hydras often mix with Gaias. But Hydras are rarely trusted. Hydra Elementals will switch sides if it suits their purpose.
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There is a myth that there exists a Fifth Elemental, fae who can read thoughts. No one really believes it, but Senosai thinks such an Elemental can be created with the right foundation stock.
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The Holy Trinity: A religion that evolved after the last age died. It is a blend of Christian, Muslim and Buddhist religions. It's called the Trinity because of its three gods, Jesus, Allah, and Buddha.
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Meekee: An artifact Grey finds during one of his excavations. It is a little mouse that stands on its hind legs and wears human clothing. He is told by Trideus that the mouse is called Meekee, the god of merriment.
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Mehican: The New Earth word for Mexican.
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Merigans: The New Earth word for Americans. There is no distinction for North or South America.
The Merigans name their babies depending on what they see outside their doors on Naming Day. They are renown for passing down their oral history.
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Plainfolk: Normal humans who have no magical ability. The fae sometimes call them savages because they know little of the ancient world.
Reverend Mothers or Fathers: The elders of each House are called either Reverend Mother or Reverend Father depending on their gender. They are revered above all others. Their will is law, especially within the confines of their Houses.
No elder may be allowed to come to harm. Harming an elder is punishable by death.
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The Four Warlords of the Apocalypse: In the great Dak'ota territory there remains a massive monument to the four warlords who ruled before the apocalypse. It is in fact, Mount Rushmore .
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Virgin Butter: One of the many great concoctions Leda makes. Originally created as a emollient for sexual intercourse, Virgin Butter also makes a damn fine hair liniment. Leda gets a chance to test it out—on her tangled hair.