Coulson's Index pt. 2

Unnamed years: Refugees of Old Race fled from Escore and created a memory barrier re the eastern mountains. Approximately 600 unrecorded years then pass.

Year of the Cloven Hoof = Dalesmen come to High Hallack. (Horn)

Approximately 400 more years pass, after which the following sequence begins:

YEAR OF THE…

Serpent King = Kerovan is born in Ulmskeep (Crys)
Ringed Dove = Kerovan's sister Lisana is born. (Crys)
Salamander = Almondia and Truan are shipwrecked in Wark. (Dss)

Joisan is born (Crys) (Dsm?)

Phoenix / Fire Arrow
Hippogriff / Bicorn = Elys and Elyn born. (Dss)
Roc / Hill Giant
Basilisk / Sea Calf
Black Adder / Kestrel
Frost Giant
Yellow Dwarf = Dairine cast ashore at Rannock (Sps)
Fox Maiden / Mandrake
Spitting Toad = Joisan and Kerovan axe married. (Crys)
Kobold
Snow Cat
Horned Hunter
Air Spirit
Swordsmith
Crowned Swan
Moss Wife
Fire Troll = The Invasion (Dss)
Leopard
Falcon
Raven
Night Hound
Gryphon = Pact with Weres
Fire Drake = (Tog)
Hornet
Unicorn = (Yofu) (Grye) (Amb)
Red Boar = (Legacy) (Swou) (Jpard = Kethan born)
Gargoyle = (Sps)
Mandrake
Wyvern
Winged Bull
Horn Worm
Dragon Horse = Eydryth born (?)(Song)
Gorgon
Manticore = Alon born (?)
Barrow-Wight
Cameleopard Firdun
Sphinx
Nix
Lamia
Chimera
Harpy
Orc
Werewolf
Horned Cat
Pookaworm
Weld
Hydra
Triton
Centaur
Opinicus
Simurgh
Remorhaz

MONTHS

Alizon		Dales and Estcarp

Moon Of …….	Season	Month of the …….

	Winter
Dart Venom (Nov.)		Crested Owl
Hunger Moon (Dec.)		Fire Thorn
The Knife (Jan.) (Extra calendar day, Veneration Day – falls between 9^th and 10^th days.)		Ice Dragon
First Welping Moon (Jan./Feb.)		Snow Bird
The Dire Wolf (Mid Feb. into March)

	Spring
		Hawk (First month of Spring)
Chordosh (March / April)		Crooknecked Fern
The Spotted Viper (April into May)		Fringed Violet
The Fever Leaf (May into June)

	Summer
		Willow Carp
The Split-tusked Boar (June / July)		Golden Lac ewing (Their extra day, Midsummer’s Day falls between the 14^th and 15^th.)
The Torgian Foals (July / August)		Silver Crowned Bee
The Second Welping Moon (August)

	Autumn
The Bloodwine (Sept.)		Anda Wasp Harvest Moon
The Hooded Crow (Sept. / Oct.)		Shredbark Tree (Oct. into early Nov.)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

The following categories describe material which recurs throughout the series or is especially relevant.

Notes: An entry marked, for example, (Jpard) indicates the novel or story source of the information.

An entry marked, for example, -- See Jpard (no parentheses) indicates that further detail regarding the item in question will be found under its title in Section II. Consult the Alphabetical Listing for a complete key to abbreviations of novels and stories.

LOCALE KEY

(Arv) = Arvon
(HH) = High Hallack
(Tw) = The Waste
(Est) = Estcarp
(Alz) = Alizon
(Kst) = Karsten
(Esc) = Escore
(Sul) = Sulcar

GEOGRAPHY

HIGH HALLACK

The Dales

Corriedale
Dimdale
Domnudale
Dorndale
Dundale
Edale
Eggarsdale
Ellsdale
Estindale
Falthingdale
Ferndale
Fyndale -- Site of a large fair (Amb)
Garnsdale
Gastendale
Grimmerdale
Harkendale
Harrowdale
Haverdale
Hockerdale
Ithondale
Ithdale / Ithsdale
Kylldale
Langsdale
Lethendale
Menasdale
Mistdale
Moorachdale
Nordendale
Norrisdale
Norsdale
Paltendale
Ravenfielddale
Rimsdale
Rhysdale
Ronansdale
Rosehilldale
Roxdale
Rozdale
Seakeepdale
Summersdale
Syledale
Trewsdale
Tyrnsdale
Ulmsdale
Uppdale / Uppsdale
Vastdale / Vestdale
Ylsedale

Keeps and Holds

Arnwold
Birkhold
Brettford
Castle Van
Coomb Frome
Croffkeep
Dorn
Ellskeep
Eroffkeep
Faerwold
Horla’s Hold
Ithkeep
Ithkrygt
Klavenport's Gatekeep
Komlin's Keep
Malmgarth
Maryekeep
Min's Hold
Moycroft
Paltenkeep
Quayth
Ravenfieldkeep
Seakeep
Sharoon Keep
Thantog
Traedwyth
Trin
Ulfmaer
Ulmskeep
Waleis
Wealdmar

Abbeys

Kantha Twice Born
Landendale
Lethendale
Linna
Meadowvale
Norstead
Rhystead
Rishdale
Ulmstead

Towns and Villages

Boldre -- Ithondale town (Dsm)
Casterbrook
Colmera -- Harkendale village (Que)
Coomb Brackett
Ghyll -- Ithondale (Dsm)
Greywold
Handelsburg
Itsford
Inisheer -- Interior town (Dss)
Komm High -- Wool market (Tog)
Norstead
Linna
Lormill -- village (Wolf)
Pessik -- Harkendale fishing village destroyed by the invaders (Que)
Rannock -- coastal Estcarp (Sps)
Sym -- River village (Dsm)
Trevamger -- Highway & river junction large fair
Twyford
Wark -- Fishing village (Dss)

Ports

Jorby/Jurby -- in Vestdale
Kalaven Port
KlavenPort -- On the Sea of Autumn Mists (Legacy)
UlmsPort
VennesPort

Bodies of Water

Sea of Autumn Mists
Komlin Sea

Landmarks

The Cradle
Emerald Cove
Falcon Fist
Falcon Pass
Falcon Ridge
Giant's Fist
Gorge of Ravenswell
Grayson Heights
Hawk s Claw-- Held by Silvermantle Clan and Voices of the Heights before their defeat in olden times (Jpard)
Mulma's Needle
Salzarat
Sorn Fen
Throat of the Hawk
Wyvern's wing

Battle Sites

Arm of Sparn
Falcon Cut
Ingra Ford
Inisheer
Battle of Morlan
Petthys
Ruther's Pass
Ungo Pass

Islands

Lelanin
Ulys

Inns

Herdsman's Halt Inn of Nordendale
Inn of the Forks -- at a North-South road junction (Legacy)

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THE WASTE

Landmarks

The Black Tower
The Horned One's Keep
Narat
Needle's Eye -- village (Peacock)
Ravensmoore

Enviroment

The Waste is not all desert. Many pockets of mountains, valleys, etc. unpredictable weather, with some dangerously harsh conditions, such as the: Dune Moving Storm (Swou)

ARVON

Clan Territories

Bluemantle
Goldmantle
Silvermantle
Redmantle
Farmarsh -- A village formerly in Silvermantle lands, but annexed by Goldmantle's Lord (blood)
Ford at Deepwater -- In Redmantle lands (Song)
The White Flow -- River boundary of Silvermantle territory (Jpard)

Keeps and Holds

Car of Prawn
Car do Yelt
Car re Dogan
The Gray Towers
Kar Garudwyn

Abbeys and Schools

Garth Howell
Halsted Abbey
Linark

Landmarks

The Fane of Neave
Landisl's Valley
Reeth / The Star Tower
Valley of the Gryphon
The White Highway -- Runs from High Hallack across the Waste to Arvon

Battle Sites

Farthfell
Thos

OCEANS BETWEEN CONTINENTS

North

Islands of Ever Ice
Northern Kingship
Vellas Islands

South

Bay of Dead Ships
Point of the Hound -- Landmark south of Estcarp / Karsten (Port)
Usturt -- spiders’ island (Sps)
Port of Varn
Volcanic Island Chain

ALIZON

Cities

Aliz -- On west coast, opposite Sulcarkeep across the bay (WW)
Alizon City -- Capital, centrally located (Falm & Mage)
Canisport --Western coast (Mage)

Landmarks

Alizon Gap -- Between Tor Marsh and the mountains (Falm)
Alizon Ridge -- On north side of the Forbidden Mountains (Falm)
Castle Krevonel -- Kasarian's family holding: Alizon City (Mage)
Kennel of the Hounds -- Royal castle, Alizon City (Falm & Mage)
The Long Sisters and the Hands -- Shipwrecking rocks off Alizon's west coast (Voice)

Inn

The Hooded Crow Inn -- in Alizon City (Mage)

TOR MARSH / FEN

Enkere -- Where the river draining Tor Marsh reaches the sea (Web)
Volt’s Shrine
Xactol's Sand Pool

KARSTEN

Garthholm on the River -- See WW
Hawkholme -- See Ware
Kars -- Capital, river city -- See WW
Verlaine Keep -- See WW& Web

GORM

Sippar -- Capital and port -- See WW & Web

ESTCARP

Cities and Ports

Es City
Esland – South; grain exporting town (Ware)
Eslee Port -- Also called Estee Port and Es Port where River Es empties into the bay (Song)
Romsgarth -- South Central town noted as a hiring center (Ware)

Keeps

Dhulmat Manor -- East (Three)
Es Castle -- Witches' Headquarters
Etsford -- South Central; Loyse's Keep, where the triplets were fostered (Three)
Falcon's Eyrie -- South
Gweddawl Garth -- South; apprentice witch's home (falm)
Ravenhold Keep -- South (Fallaw)
Sulcarkeep
Keep of Trin
Yle

Towns and Villages

Blagden -- Southeastern village (Falm)
Cedar Crest -- Southeastern village (Wtw)
Kastryn --North Central village (Song)
Mountain Gate -- Southeastern village (Oldt)
Pethiel -- North Central village (Exl)
Rannock -- Coastal village (Sps)
Ravensmere -- Northwest (Heart)
Riveredge – South Women's village (Wtw)
Rylon's Corner -- village famous for horse race and fair (Song)
South Wending -- Village between Kastryn and Lormt (Song)
Torview -- Northwest village (Heart)
Twin Valleys -- South Central village (Wtw)

Places of Interest

Dame Cavern – Southeast, A Place of Old Ones between Riveredge and Lormt (Wtw)
Lormt -- Southeast (Exl & Mage)
Place of Wisdom --Northwest Witch school (Falm)

Landmarks

Barrier Mountains -- Between Estcarp and Alizon
Falcon Crag
Falcon’s Eyrie -- Fane of Wings
Great Mountains -- Notheast, between Estcarp / Alizon and Escore
Karsten Gap -- Destroyed in the Turning
The Keyhole -- Near Karsten Gap
Serpent Teeth -- Rocks off Rannock

Inns and Taverns

The Bold Falcon -- Eastern (Sentinel)
The Dancing Dolphin -- In Eslee Port (Song)
Silver Horseshoe
Silver Spur
Wayfarer's Inn -- Adjacent to the Silver Spur (Heart)

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ESCORE

Cities and Keeps

Canyon Keep
Duke Chastain's Holding
The Citadel of Hilarion
Dinzil’s Dark Tower
HaHarc
Iuchar's Tower
Jerrany's Keep
Lynxholme
Old Port

Towns and Villages

Coelwyn -- Fishing village (Strait)
Maddoc -- A river town east of Green Valley (Strait)

Geographic Features

Garden of Stones
Green Valley
Gulf of Hilarion
Hot Sgrings
Lake of the Krogan
Merfay Island
Moss Forest
Mount Holweg
Mountain Pass
Oceax Bay
Strait of Storms
Undermountain Caves
Valley of the Sleepers

Ancient Battle Sites

Emnin
Jahalli
Varhum
Vock

DEITIES / OLD ONES

The division between Old Ones and deities is often indistinct. Some titles for Deities are: Eternal Ones or Hand of the Over Guardian. Shrines where they are worshipped or reside are called Fanes the priests or priestesses there are Those who Tend the Fanes.

Old Ones = Great Ones, Great Names, Those who Had Been Before. Their more-than-human intermediaries are Voices. The Old Ones' absence from human affairs since ancient times is known as the Long Rest. Their metal is silver, their gems opals, pearls, jade, and amber.

The Triune Goddess and Horned Man

Dians = Moon Maiden. Gray eyes, black hair. Carries a silver bow and arrows. Wears a white tunic or robe and the New Moon wrought in silver over her brow. Austere and remote. Kurnous is her brother.
Gunnora = Amber Lady Harvest Lady Evernourishing One Corn Woman Mother of Mares (Kioga). Special protector of women and children. Neither she nor Neave like those who disturb the progress of Things As They Must Be. She is tall, dark, with full breasts and a narrow waist. Her eyes and gown are amber colored her symbol is a sheaf of ripe grain bound with a fruited vine. Kurnous is her Consort.
Raidhan = The Crone. Black—robed Hag of the Dark Moon. Kurnous is her son.
Kurnous, The Horn Crowned Man = He Who Hunts by ancient tradition, holds power only a few seasons, then his blood and flesh enrich the fields. Slanted eyes, pointed chin, amused expression, curling hair crowned with stag horns. Mail coat is green, brown, and blue. Often called upon by soldiers as well as hunters.

General List of Gods and Old Ones

Alafian = He built an ancient way through The Waste and is still served by a Dryad there. (Horn)
Archerydon = (HH) Female Old One of feathers and fire. (Circle)
Archon = The Dark Ones following him came south into Arvon. (Horn)
Asbrakas = The Waiter in the temple of Varn. (Port)
Cuntif = The evil balance of Kurnous. (Horn)
Destree m'Regnant = Voice of Gunnora. -- See Port
The Dog = Gate Guardian. -- See Southeast Ak
Dussa = Deity of the Krogan.
The Flame: Those Who Set the Flame = Dalesfolk worship the Flame, symbol of creation, served by cloistered Houses of Dames (abbeys) and Ladies of the Shrines. The most devout Dames wear silver hoops on their girdles, turning them like beads or wheels to accompany formal prayers.
Galkur = Old One of the Dark -- See Gryg
Glydys = An Old One Yonan called upon. (Gate)
Ibycus = Voice. (Jpard)
Jonkara -- See Falb
Landisl = Old One of the Light, crested gryphon—man: avian face, paws for feet, taloned hands. (Gryg)
Matr = A Sky-One, departed companion of Landisl. (Gryg)
Mig = Old One. -- See Circle.
Neave = Goddess of truth and gentle peace. Rules the seasons and proper relationships. Guardian of the Forces of Things As They Must Be.
Ninutra -- See Trey, Ware
Neevor = Voice of Landisl. -- See CRYS.
Nornan = Deity of Gorm. (WW)
Qrd = (Tw) Dark Master served by Black Ones, birds with red eyes and red flesh about their bills. (Horn)
Rllene = Sky—One, departed companion of Landisl. (Gryg)
Talann = Her Moon Shrine is near Ghyll. (Dsm)
Telgher = Landisl's ally. -- See Gryg.
Volt = Avian Old One revered by Torfolk. -- See WW.
Yahnon = Old One, creator of a Gate gone rogue whose guardians were: Lagit, Scalgah, and Theffen. (Port)
Yoer = Sky—One departed companion of Landisl. (Gryg)

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PEOPLE and RACES

Alizonders -- For descriptions see Mage & Falm
Dalesfolk -- See Horn for origins.
Falconers = Reddish brown hair, gold flecked eyes. Winged helms with masks. Uniforms bear falcon badges small undermodification marks denote individual troops. -- See Falb for origins Falm, FalLaw, Wtw, Southeast Ak for life styles and post—Turning developments.
Far North People -- See Web, Ramp.
Flannan = (Esc, Est) Small avians. Sometimes used as messengers. Humanoid heads with jutting beaks. Arms beneath their wings, tiny hands, long, supple necks, clawed red feet. White feathers, except for their faces. Have very short attention spans.
Gray Ones = (Esc, Tw, Arv) Werewolves, usually of the Dark, though exceptions are known. Narrow heads, black lips, matted, brindled fur on their necks and shoulders. Yellow—red eyes.
Keplians = (Esc) Resemble powerful and beautiful horses. Of the Shadow can become either of the Dark or Light.
Kioga = (Arv) -- See Grye
Kolder -- See Web (re uniforms, control belts) and Falm.
Krogan = (Esc, Kst) Humanoid amphibians, a result of experiments by Great Ones. They can exist briefly outside aquatic environment. Believe their life cycle is linked to Donta: See S'Ol. Webbed feet and fingers, gills, pale skin and hair eyes are deep green and have no whites. Wear waistcloths of scaled fabric and pouches made of shell halves. Krogan who marry outside the clan add "S'" to their names. For burial customs,-- See S'ol
Lizards = (Esc) Nearly man-sized. Green-gold jewel—scaled skin. Use front feet as hands. Domed, humanoid heads, wide, lipless mouths, long tongues. Distantly related to tree lizards.
Moss Wives = (Esc) Small, hunched, gray. Long, mosslike hair, gnarled hands, wrinkled faces, flattened noses, large eyes with thick, bushy lashes. Protruding stomachs, stumpy frames, withered- looking legs. Their homes (nests) are walled with curtains of moss-grown vines. Shy usually friendly to humans.
Old Race = (Originated in Esc) Dark haired, pale skinned, slender, grey eyed, arched brows.
People of the Green Silences / Green People = (Esc) Ancient race dwelling in spell-protected Green Valley. Guardians of nature: use wind, water, earth, and air magic. Adapt to their surroundings' colors. Wall their houses with greenery and roof them in woven bird feathers Valley People cannot abide within stone walls or where only men live.
Renthans = (Esc) As large as horses. No manes topknots of fluff above a single red horn curving back in an arc. Coats: red roan with a creamy white underbody. Tails are small brushes they keep clipped tight to their haunches. Highly intelligent mind-speakers. Allies of the People of Green Silences.
Sarn Riders = (Esc) Servants of the Dark mounted on bony Keplians. They wear gloves, black, tight-fitting clothes, and thigh—length, hooded cloaks. Their eyes are greenish—yellow pits and their movements are jerky. Weapons: Rods emitting jagged flames.
Sulcar = Tall, fair, big-boned traders and/or raiders. Called "sea-serpents", and live on serpent—prowed boats with their families. Bards chant them into battle. Their identifying crests are mythic creatures: birds, animals, reptiles.
Thas = (both continents) Subterranean race serving the Dark. Small covered with bristly, rootlike growths. They attack by undermining the earth and dragging victims into their vast burrows. Fear air and fire. Weapons: Ropes of roots envenomed spears.
Toads of Grimmerdale -- See Tog and Wtw. Ancient race some members have degenerated and serve the Dark.
Tormen = Dwell in the marsh between Estcarp and Alizon. Revere Volt his totems guard their house isle communities and fields. Their history is kept by "Rememberers" using "Remember Chants".
Torfolk are small in stature, with large bones, long arms, short legs, fine, downy hair, and comely human faces. Are generally hostile to intruders. (WW, Web, Sas)
Var -- See Port
Vrangs = (Esc) Eaglelike dwell in the heights. Have lizards' heads with glittering red scales and narrow, toothed jaws. Their bodies are covered by blue-gray feathers.
Vugsalls -- See Sorc
Were-Riders -- See Yofu, p. 67, for origins and history. -- See Blood for were-Pack members and their change—forms.

CUSTOMS

Rites of Passage

Birth

Naming newborns = Done with a touch of water. "Look upon him, name him, that he may have life well set before him." (Jpard) -- See also Three and Grye.

Puberty

Rite of Manhood -- See Crys and GEN INFO: OATHS.
Festival of Change = The Kioga coming-of—age ceremony. (Grye)
Maiden Day = For girls in Falconers' Women's villages. (Wtw)

Marriage

Axe marriage = By proxy bride is symbolically bedded beside an axe. This form includes a later right of bride refusal. (Crys)
Cup and Flame = Formal vows: Life Cup drunk and House Candle lit by bride and groom. At Bride Feast they eat from same plate.
Fold Gather = Where High Hallack’s nobility assemble to offer their eligible daughters for marriage.
hand-fasting = Betrothal.
maiden brides = wear blue.
sworn troth = As binding as marriage.

Burials

"Earth take that which is of earth. Water accept that of water. And that which is now freed, let it be free to follow the higher path."
(Variant) "Let that which is of earth return to earth. Let the inner spark which is life return to That Which Sent It. May she who lives here be troubled no more and may She who Guards all womankind welcome this one into the House of Peace through the last of all gates."
(For a stranger) "May your sleep be sweet, stranger, may your path be beyond smooth, may you come to your desiring and it give you peace." A white round stone is then placed on the grave's head.
(For a warrior) "Honor his name forever." A bared sword is raised in salute to the warrior's funeral pyre.
High Hallack burial = The dead are laid in the Field of Memory.
Krogan burial -- See S'ol.
Lelanin burial = The body's grave must be sealed by a priestess's words to prevent the spirit's rising. Grief is buried in a hole into which the mourner screams, then covers with a stone.
Sulcar burials = Known as burn burials.
Vupsall burials -- See Sorc for description.

Seasonal Customs

earth tithe = Harvest Time feast bowl associated with Harvest Sacrifice.
Harvest Homing Dance = Practiced in Estcarp. (Sps)
Fall Hunt ceremony
Harvest Gift = Sent to an Arvon Clan Chief: wine and grain.
Harvest Maid = The last stalks are woven into a human effigy which is toasted in cider, then impaled on a pitchfork atop the wain.
First Day of Winter = At that time Dalesfolk burn straw wheels at that time to frighten off evil spirits.
Mid—Winter Feast = One of four fateful nights of the year when powers are loosed.
Year's Turn Feast = (Regarded as pagan by the Abbeys not observed by the Dames.) Celebrants burn the Straw Man and Flax Maid women throw ivy in fire, the men holly, for good luck in the coming year.

Luck Wishes and Superstitions

"falcon-away" = A sign used by superstitious Falconer women and children to ward off bad luck. (Wtw)
"Luck be with you and fortune your shield."
One throws the stones to read for luck on the trail, etc.
War Departure wish -- See Crys.
Fortune well = (Crys) In western Ithdale. When the full moon reflects on its waters, one casts in a pin and recites a spell rhyme for luck. The area is marked by numerous wish ribbons and straw and twig effigies.

Miscellaneous Customs

Hiring = At market towns and fairs. Laborers seeking employment wear badges on their caps or bonnets to advertise their trades.
Merchant flags = Raised over traders' tents and booths at fairs. Sulcar traders raise them when coming into the port.
head collecting = A barbarian practice they believe it enslaves the ghosts of the slain.
visit veils = Worn by Falconer women chosen to be impregnated.

SAYINGS and EXPRESSIONS

Falconers'/Borderers' marching cadence = Earth-sky—mountain—stone! Sword cuts to the bone!
By...the Death of the Kolder (Sps) = Simond's expression.

the Eyrie
the Fangs of(Zar)
the Favor of Likerwolf
Harith and Haron and the Blood of the Hawk Brood
the Heat of the Eternal Flame
the Horns of(Alizonian)
the Hunter's Cup
the Nine Words of Min
Reith and Nieve
the Sword Hand of Karthen the Fair
the Warmth of the Flame and the Flash of Gonder's Spell Sword
the Waves of Asper

Sweet Gunnora
Swordbrother Oath -- See Fallaw, Terms and Expressions.
Volt guide us

Euphemisms

Death = The Last gate, Last Road, Black Gate.
Evernight; Victory of the Dark.
Halls of the Valiant = the Falconers' Valhalla.

Expressions

"A nest of Anda wasps..."
"a stoat introduced into a house of hens..."
"As long as the Flame Eternal burns upon any altar..."
"As thin as Dame Carelda's washboard..."
“As well try to empty Fos Tern with a kitchen ladle..."
"By the Powers of Air, so shall it be."
"I would take Gunnora's three oaths..."
"if the Flame favors us..."
"like all Demon Night opening..." (Sulcar saying)
"little dove, little love...." said to a child. (Tog)
"looked like a fetch out of an old tale..."
"The queens of falcons be my witness..."
"wisdom must balance all swords..." (Estcarp Hillfolk saying)
"Witch borne from Witch get. Witch she is, the pattern set."

Blessings

(Anakue child blessing) "Let not his feet carry him near the Shadow. Let these hands work in the service of life and the Light, his mind remain clean and untainted. Grant him the strength of will to naysay any thought born of the Dark." (Grye)
(For killed grey) "Honor to the Great One of the herd. Our thanks to That Which Speak for the four-footed that we may eat. We take not save that which is freely given. (Horn)
"May the Right Hand of Lraken be your shield" (Sulcar)
"Good luck ride with you, to right, to left, at your back, and before." (Warl)
"With the Fourth Blessing..." Neevor's blessing.
"May the Great Flame abide about you, hedge you in." (Trey)

Curses

"May the Death of Kryphon of the Dart be upon you." (Horn)
"May the Rats of Nore forever gnaw him night and day." (WW)

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RELIGION and BELIEFS

The Dales

The Undying and One Flame
Mount of Astron = a devotional reading required listening at many Dales' morning services. (Tog)
House spirits = family ceremonies as well as prayers take place before a small niche dedicated to the house's spirits. (Amb)
The Black Wain = This is said to carry away naughty children, or come for those doomed to die. (Stillborn)
Abbey Hours = Hour of the Fifth Flame Hour of Last Light Hour of Great Silence. (Yofu)
Those Who Tend the Fanes = Keepers of Shrines.
A mirror kills demons. (Yofu)

Sulcar

Sign of Wottin = May be accompanied with a prayer for calm seas: Wind and wave! Mother Sea/ Lead us home/ Far the harbor/ Wild thy waves/ Still, by the power/ Sulcar saved!" (Falb)
"It lies between the fingers of the Old Woman," then spit over shoulder.
A man will not fall in battle unless he hears his name called aloud while the clamor still rings. (Warl)
A man using a dead man's sword may be possessed in battle by his ghost, for good or evil. (Warl)

Karsten

Temple of Fortune = served by priests titled Reverend Voices (WW)
The Stone of Engis = Karstenians swear oaths by this. (WW)

Arvon

"The fabled Earth Center from which all life is said to have screamed." (Jpard)

Estcarp

The Hand of the Over Guardian (WW)

Escore

White Brethren speculation = That a man who has not completed his task is reborn to finish it. (Trey)
Variant: One who dies with a task laid on him for good or ill clings to a shadow of life until the task is fulfilled.
Cross two fingers when speaking of the dead to avoid their possible revenge-taking. (Sorc)
Paths gf Balemat = A primitive belief: An evil spirit awaits the dead whose rites were not properly carried out. (Sorc)

SALUTATIONS

Salutes

Men clap bare hands together, then raise right palm for friendly salute.
A man brings his fist up to salute a war leader. (Dss)
Kioga: Palm pressed to forehead -- sign of respect. (Grye)

Standard Greeting, with Variants

To the giver of the feast, fair thanks. For the welcome of the gate, gratitude. To the ruler of this house, fair fortune and bright sun on the morrow.
For the welcome of the gate, my thanks. For the feasting on the board, my pleasure and my good wishes. To the lord of this roof, fair fortune.
To the house greeting, to those of the house good fortune. To the day a good dawn and sunset, to the endeavor good fortune without a break.
Fair fortune to this holding and good morning to you.
Good fortune to this house and the dwellers therein.
To the farer on far roads the welcome of this roof, and may fortune favor your wandering. (Dale welcome for a guest unknown personally to any lord.)
Greeting to a sharer of the road.

Welcome and Guesting Cups, etc.

High Hallack: A hosting horn (the wine of hospitality) and a platter of welcome cakes is presented. The hostess then lays hand on a guest's wrist and leads him to table.
The welcome cup enables the traveler to wash trail dust from his throat before he announces his name and business. A plate with bread, salt, and water seals the guesting bond.
Estcarp: (A very old formula, in abeyance in wartime) "The House Of _________ , on which be the sun, the wind, and the good of wide harvest, opens gates to a geas—ordered man." Response: "Gates open to one swearing no threat against (House name), man or clan, roof tree, field, flock, herd, or mount." The host's sword is then held out to the guest, point foremost he kneels and presses lips to it and repeats the response, opening with, "No threat from me against...." The guesting goblet is then offered.
Guesting cup/goblet: Filled with a mixture of water, wine, and milk. Both host and guest drink. Then the guest sprinkles drops to right and left (house and land) and passes goblet back, to be handed around the host's household.
Falconers' salutations: "Greeting, sword brother."
"Between us there is peace. The Lord of Wings opens his Eyrie to the Captain of Estcarp."
"I give you greeting, Brother. Was it fair, the hunting?" "It was fair, the hunting. Is the fire warm upon the hearth?" "The fire blazes and the board is laid. Will my Brother take his rest among my Brothers?" "Gladly would I rest."
"Welcome, Hawk Blood, who kept well the faith."
Tormarsh Salutations: "I give you greeting. May the blessing of Volt himself be with you."
(To a Tor clan daughter who is with child.) "Fair day. Fair be your going, fair be your coming, firm your steps upon the crossing places, full your hands with good labor, your heart with warmth,
your mind with thoughts which will serve you."
Moss Forest: "Who are you who follow a trail through the mossland?" "No threat from me to the House of _____ and her sister, clan, or rooftree, harvest, flocks...."
Krogan: "To Kofi of the river, greeting and peace from..."
Sulcar: "I am Koityi Stymir, at your summoning..."
Var: "Thrice blessing. Power calls to power, Light to light, even as Dark can call shadows. Peace is not yet won, but there is now a beginning." Response: "well to Varn."
Vupsalls: "Fair morning, leader of men."
"Mother of men, ruler of the Chief tent, be blessings and more good than can be held in the two hands of all on you."
"Seeress, we seek." "They who seek may enter."
"The Mother of Many does me honor...There shall be no forewalker or aftergoer between us."

FAREWELLS

High Hallack: "Go with the good will of the house."/"Go with the Peace." / "Go with the Will of the Flame.”
"Good fortune, sun bright and lasting to you."
"May Our Lady of the Harvest Shrine guide your way."
"For the feast, my thanks, for the roof, my blessing, for the future all good, as I take my road again."
(Father—kin farewell, YEAR OF THE UNICORN): "As he who stands for all of you as father-kin, do I drink long years, fair life and easy passing, kin—favor, roof-fortune, child-holding. Thus it be ever."
Estcarp: "Go with fortune."
"Go in strength, watch well your footing, and keep always alert with eye and ear."
"May your road be a fair one and may the sun shine upon it."
"A fair road before you and a swift return."
Falconer: "Be strong, warrior, and fly high. The Lord of Wings favor your hunting."
"Go, winged warrior. We be of one breed with your master and there is peace between us."
Alizonder: "I.wish you abundant hunting and the best of hounds for your pack.
"Whatever you pursue, may your blade strike true."

OATHS

Hands placed between those of the one to whom oath—taker swears, then pressed to forehead: "Lord, I am in your debt. Accept me as your liegeman, as is right."
Rite of Manhood: (Crys) A kin—oath is sworn, then the father's gift-sword is accepted.
Kioga Festival of Change: -- See CUSTOMS and Grye
Oath of Bearing and Forebearing: (Crys) Spit at the subject's Eeet. Then, You have taken our kin—Lord. Therefore you stand in his place." (The burden of the speaker's support is the blood-price.)
Falconers' Oath of Sword and Shield, Blood and Bread. See WW
Swordbrother oath = See Fallaw, also Terms and Expressions.
"I would take Gunnora's Three Oaths." (Crys)
"May I be slain by my own blade, struck with my own darts, if I ever meant any ill to those within the House of Dhulmat or to any man of Estcarp." (Three)
Koris swore upon the Axe of Volt when he promised to guard Jaelithe's triplets in her absence.

TRUCES

Swords are exchanged to mark a truce. They also may be scabbarded with peace strings.
Both hands held out, shoulder high, palm out: An age—old sign for truce. (Gryg)
Fyndale Peace = Visiting heads of households laid bared hands on an Old Ones' gray stone pillar and swore to keep peace throughout the fair. (Amb)

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FLORA

angelica = counteracts poison. -- See Magic: Herbs
agueweed = feverwort. For coughs and fevers. (Exl)
arrow tree = (Esc) Throws poisonous thorns. (Gate)
ash tree -- See Magic: Herbs
black willow -- See Magic: Herbs
blue poppy = Pain killer also for coughs and chest disorders. The seed pod's sap is stewed with sugar to make a syrup. (Exl)
bounty bush = (Tw) (Saltg)
bronze root = (HH) A cure for sneezing. (Nighth)
bural = (HH) A root that is hard to pull free. (Gryg)
carnation -- See Magic: Herbs
carnelian fruits = (Ramp)
catmint = For skin swellings, rashes, and small burns should be steeped, not boiled. (Exl)
comfrey = Good for healing wounds. (Exl)
corfil = (TOR) Plant which yields a scarlet dye.
Dragon's Tongue = Cleanses wound of putrid matter.
elder flower = used in beauty creams.
elder wood -- See Magic: Herbs
false sage = beauty cream ingredient.
Fever-leaf vine = (Alz)
fogmot = (Esc) Grows on tree trunks edible. (Gate)
fringe hazel = ("Double See Spit") Bark is an astringent, stops bleeding salves of it soothe pain.
frost flowers = (Exl)
garlic -- See Magic: Herbs
golden fruits = (Ramp)
huk-berries = (Ware)
hyssop = Good for insect bites. (Exl)
illbane -- See Magic: Herbs
Insect-eaters = (SoutheastAs) Plants growing on far southern shore (Port)
ker-apples = (HH) Of autumn. (Tog)
knitbone = (Exl)
langlorn -- See Magic: Herbs
langmar -- See Web
loguth = (Tor, Est) Plants which produce fibers used in weaving.
Lormt flowers = (EST) Called "Noon and Midnight". Grow only near that ancient repository of knowledge. (Exl)
minz weed = (HH) Addictive. It is chewed. (Rodd)
moly -- See Magic: Herbs
moss = Used for bandages.
mullein = beauty cream ingredient.
nettles = boiled, they stop bleeding.
pla-plums = (Crys)
primrose = beauty cream ingredient.
rampion = Eases women's plight. (Ramp)
ranni vines = When they bud, spring is near. (Godron's)
red dead-man's hand = toxic seaweed; kills shellfish.
redwort = Better for stimulating the heart than witch's thimble.
rowan tree -- See Magic: Herbs
saffron -- See Magic: Herbs
salt -- See Magic: Herbs
sandalwood -- See Magic: Herbs
saxfrage = cures fever.
selka = (Arv) The Kioga make it into a refreshing juice. (Grye)
semroot = narcotic. (Ramp)
shred bark = makes a brown dye. (Mage)
silanti flowers = Grow on Karsten's coast.
silver nettle = makes a bleach. (Mage)
star candles = Moss Forest flowers. -- See Warl
star eyes = (Esc) First flowers of spring. (Sorc)
stench vines -- See Warl
smother root = (Alz) A poison.
stranglevine flowers = (Alz) -- See Mage
summer s last / first of spring = (Est) Mountain Gate flowers. (Oldt)
tansen tree = Has fragrant blossoms. -- See Warl
tresayne = Its leaves aid in healing. (Green)
valerian -- See Magic Herbs
vervain -- See Magic: Herbs
weed -- See Web
witch's thimble = A heart stimulant.
white heart -- See Zar
white hedge berries = (Alz)
yarrow = an astringent.

FAUNA

Mammals

Alizonian Hounds -- See WW, Mage
Aspt = (Esc) Beaverlike animals same habits, but larger. (Warl)
assassin beast = (Tor) -- See WW.
Broc-boar = (HH) (Crys)
blue-horned sheep = (HH) -- See Mage
deer
dire-wolf = (Alz) -- See Mage
Donta = (Kst) -- See S'ol
Garth Howell mounts = (Arv) -- See Song
orex = (Kst, Esc) -- See Ware
Lormt pack = (Est) Tri·horned canids. -- See Falh
mountain leapers = (Esc) (Kep)
mountain monster = (Est) (Torb)
night-hunter = (Kst) -- See Ware
pards = both continents
pronghorns
rasti = (Esc) Rodents three feet long, black, agile. Hunt and kill in packs.
scavengers = (Kst) -- See Ware
seafoxes = Live on far northern islands. Thick—furred water dogs whose pelts are prized. (Ramp)
shriekers = (Alz) Burrowing animals. -- See Mage
snowbears = (Esc) (Kep)
snowcats = Both continents. Larger than pards. Have beautiful thick gray—white fur. Renowned hunters.
Torgians = (Est; Esc) Much valued horse breed noted for speed and endurance. Duns with dark manes coats won't take a gloss.
verbears = (Kst; Esc) -- See Ware
vuffle = (Esc) -- See Warl: Expressions
Vupsall Hounds = (Esc) -- See Sorc
Waste ponies -- See Gryg

Birds

hegitts = (HH) Sea birds. -- See Ramp
hooded crow = (Alz)
idylbirds = (HH) (Ramp)
lanagoot = (HH) (Isle)
rus = (Esc) Flying spies for Sarn Riders and others of the Dark. Long supple necks, small, beaky heads. Cry a whistling screech.

Reptiles

Merfay = (Esc) Turtlelike creatures. Scaly skin, webbed feet and hands, round heads, short necks. Friendly to Krogan.
Tor Lizard/ Wak-lizard = (Tor) -- See Web
tree lizards = (Esc) Live in treetop mazes. (Three)

Water Creatures

Decca -- See Seasd
fleckfish = (HH) (Ramp)
fos-crab = (Esc)
pincushion fish = (HH) (Ramp)
possel = (Esc) Shellfish. -- See Warl
quasfi = (Esc) Shellfish. -- See Warl, Strait.
taape fish -- See Isle.

Insects, Arachnids, and Crustaceans

Anda wasps
biting clouds/bitter motes -- See Southeast Ak
light insects = (Tor, Esc) Used by Torfolk and Vupsalls. – See Sas, Sorc
rock crustacean = (ESC) Land-going lobster. -- See Gate
spider monster = (ESC) -- See Ware
web-riders = (ARV) -- See Song
zizt spiders = (Esc) -- See Sorc

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Continued with Coulson's Index pt. 3

Source Material is from the Andre Norton Collection archived at the Cushing Memorial Library @ Texas A&M University

Reproduced on this website by permission of the Andre Norton Estate

Digitized and edited by Jay P. Watts aka: “Lotsawatts” ~ May 2017

Duplication (in whole or parts) of this document for profit of any kind NOT permitted.

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