Glossary

Terms and definitions from the world of The Liar’s Crown in the Dominions Trilogy!

GEOGRAPHY

TermDefinition
Nova the name of the entire world (like Earth);
also the name of the mother goddess (the world is named for her)

click here for a map of Nova
dominion the six land masses (like continents) that make up the world of Nova

each dominion is named after the goddess who rules it: Aryd, Mariana, Savanah, Tropikis, Tyndra, and Wildernyss; and each dominion is formed to that goddess’s preferences including climate, creatures, culture, and so forth

click here for more info on each of the dominions

POWERS & ABILITIES

TermDefinition
Vexillium / Vexa human WITHOUT supernatural powers / abilities
Imperiuma human WITH supernatural powers / abilities;

an Imperium is able to sense, manipulate, manifest, and/or destroy the element they have power over.

powers are inherited, passed down through blood lines. each generation manifests the power a little differently (ex. one generation might only sense the element, but the next could manipulate it)
Hyloraean Imperium with powers over tangible elements like sand, water, plants, etc.;
the light emitted by a Hylorae when using their powers is yellow
Enfernaean Imperium with powers over intangible elements like soul, mind, emotions, etc.;
the light emitted by a Enfernae when using their powers is purple

*For a list of powers and the people who wield them, click here.


HISTORY / MYTHOLOGY / RELIGION

TermDefinition
Allusianthe name of the heavens where the goddesses are supposed to live (like Olympus).
acolyte or priestesssomeone who serves in a religious or ritualistic capacity. usually an Imperium with a power that lends toward what they are doing. usually in a temple. but can also be a creature like a sand nymph.
bondmatesa couple who have performed the bonding ritual which unites their souls not only in this life but in all lives to come.
Goddessthis world is ruled by 7 goddess –the mother goddess, Nova (who is believed to be gone), and her her six daughters named Aryd, Mariana, Savanah, Tropikis, Tyndra, and Wildernyss (who each rule over their own dominion)

the dominions are named after their ruling goddess; the goddess have been silent for centuries, but people still pray to them
heartmatesa couple who are married
Sacred Treeeach dominion has 1 sacred tree created by the goddess
not much is known about the trees at this time

*Aryd – the tree is always burning
*Tyndra – a massive maple leafed tree that weeps blood
templethe main building in large cities where religious ceremonies and rites are performed; the temple in the capitol city of each dominion houses the portal for that dominion

MAGICAL / SUPERNATURAL ELEMENTS

TermDefinition
jeditea blue rock (that can glow) that seems to help Reven with controlling or bolstering his own powers
portaltall/wide glass structures that can be used to travel instantly to any other portals; allows travel between the dominions; can be “turned on” and used only by Imperium by using their power near it

there is one portal in the main temple in the capitol city of each dominion, and additional portals in the bigger cities of Aryd

glass and mirrors have been banned so that no one dominion can try to make more portals (though no one really knows how they were made for certain)
The Walla massive glass wall in the dominion of Aryd which creates a physical barrier at the very border of the entire dominion, keeping the Devouerers out; no one knows how high it goes or if it’s a wall or a dome

SUPERNATURAL CREATURES

TermDefinition
Devourera monster that lives in the oceans of Nova and devours any humans that come into the waters; the Devourers have been named

every dominion has their own defenses at their borders against the Devourers

For a list of Devourers, click here.
Goddess
sand nympha humanoid, sentient, magical creature made of and able to control the element of sand (though different from a sand Hylorae like Meren, not specified what the difference is yet); skin is made of all the different colors of all the deserts of the dominion; hinted that sand nymphs are specific to the dominion of Aryd; not much else is known

Hesperia, a sand nymph, acts as an acolyte to bless new birth of every royal child born to the royal family

*note: there are other kinds of nymphs in the world linked to other natural elements, currently unnamed
Shadowraitha specific creature with control over darkness and shadow
dragonall we know is they don’t exist now, but did at one time

PEOPLE & CULTURES

TermDefinition
authoritatehighborn; someone born into an upper class family
domina / domineterm of respect used to address someone highborn
vizieran advisor for the ruler of Aryd, always an authoritate with political clout
Wanderersthe group of nomadic peoples who live in the deserts rather than the cities in Aryd
zariph / zariphathe ruler of a zariphate
zariphatea single community of Wanderers who live/travel together under the leadership of one zariph or zaripha; loosely inspired by nomadic peoples such as the Roma, Bedouin, Maasai, Mongols, and some Native American tribes like the Cheyenne or Comanche

ANIMALS & PLANTS

TermDominionDefinition
ANIMALS
basanWildernyssa fire rooster (firebird), it spews cold fire

a mix between a rooster and a miniature ostrich with black feathers and a bright red coxcomb; shy but deadly
death wormWildernyssbite paralyzes its prey so you’re alive as it swallows you whole and digests you slowly

massive snakelike creature, it is furred instead of scaled, grey like rocks and as thick as a log. it’s mouth opens in four parts, each part forming a triangle that come together into what looks like a blunt nose when closed. essentially, its entire head is a creepy mouth, its face peeling back to expose rows upon rows of dagger-sharp teeth down an endless throat.
harpy eagleWildernyssa very large vulture-like bird that eats carrion. no physical description given as it was only heard, but not seen. makes sounds like a woman in the throes of pleasure when they eat.
kirinWildernysslegend holds that this is a gentle creature

a horse-like body, only with antlers that expand feet above and to either side of his head. around the hooves and down the front of his chest are bloodred scales. the tips of gleaming gold, razor-sharp teeth peek out from his mouth.
raigusAryddesert dogs whose bite the Wanderers believe traps a soul in the realm of the living; no description given
sandratArydlittle rats in Aryd that; no description given
yoewl catArydshimmering copper-colored masked cats that roam the desert
PLANTS
creosus willowArydone of the few plants that manages to thrive in the desert. has a distinctive fresh smell similar to arctic weeping trees from Tyndra
arctic weeping treesTyndratrees that grow among rocks and boulders on Tyndra’s shores. has a distinctive fresh smell similar to creosus willows from Aryd

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