A Magic of Nightfall

SUPPORTING CAST

(by rank, then alphabetical order)

The Ca’:

Karin ca’Belgradin [KAH-reen Kah-bell-GRAH-deen] Allesandra’s great-vatarh, once Hirzg of Firenzcia. Died of Southern Fever.

Francesca ca’Cellibrecca [Frahn-SESS-ka Kah-sell-ee-BREK-ah] Daughter of Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca, wife of Semini.

Orlandi ca’Cellibrecca [Orh-LAHN-dee Kah-sell-eh-BREK-ah] Archigos Orlandi I, the first of the Breznoian Archigi. Deceased.

Semini ca’Cellibrecca [SEH-meen-eh Kah-sell-ee-BREK-ah] (nee cu’Kohnle) The Archigos in Brezno. Married to Francesca.

Justi ca’Dakwi [JUSS-tee Kah-DAWK-whee] (nee ca’Ludovici, nee ca’Mazzak) Kraljiki Justi III, also known as Justi the One-Legged, son of Kraljica Marguerite I (ca’Ludovici), vatarh of Marguerite, Audric, and Elzbet ca’Dakwi. Deceased.

Marie ca’Dakwi [MAH-ree Kah-DAWK-whee] Matarh of Marguerite, Audric, and Elzbet ca’Dakwi. Deceased.

Armen ca’Damont [ARR-mhen Kah-dah-MHONT] Starkkapitan of the Firenzcian Garde Civile.

Sinclair ca’Egan [Sinn-CLARE Kah-EE-ghan] Head of the Council of Ca’ in Brezno.

Kenne ca’Fionta [KENN-ah Kah-fee-ON-tah] A’Teni of Nessantico within the Concenzia Faith.

Aleron ca’Gerodi [ALH-er-onn Kah-ger-OH-dee] Member of the Council of Ca’.

Petrus ca’Helfier [PET-roos Kah-HELL-fear] Once Commandant of the Holdings forces in the Hellins.

Marguerite ca’Ludovici [Marhg-u-REET Kah-loo-doh-VEE-kee] Former Kraljica of Nessantico, the “Genera a’Pace.”

Sigourney ca’Ludovici [Si-GOHR-nee Kah-loo-doh-VEE-kee] Second cousin to Audric ca’Dakwi, twin sister of Donatien ca’Sibelli, and a member of the Council of Ca’.

Meric ca’Matin [MAHR-ick Kah-mah-TEEN] An a’offizier with the Holdings army in the Hellins.

Odil ca’Mazzak [OH-deel Kah-MAH-zak] Member of the Council of Ca’.

Dhosti ca’Millac [DOST-ee Kah-MEE-lok] Archigos of the Concenzia Faith prior to Archigos Ana. A dwarf.

Villa ca’Ostheim [VEEH-ahh Kay-OHST-hime] A’Teni of Villembouchure, and a war-teni.

Ana ca’Seranta [AHN-ah Kah-sir-AHN-tah] Archigos of Nessantico.

Donatien ca’Sibelli [Don-AY-shun Kah-see-BEHL-lee] Second cousin to Audric ca’Dakwi, and twin brother of Sigourney ca’Ludovici. Commandant of the Garde Civile in the Hellins.

Colin ca’Vliomani [KOHL-inn Kah-vlee-oh-MAHN-ee] Son of Karl, living on the Isle of Paeti.

Nilles ca’Vliomani [NIGH-ulhs Kah-vlee-oh-MAHN-ee] Son of Karl, living on the Isle of Paeti.

Fynn ca’Vorl [Finn Kah-VOORL] Hirzg of Firenzcia.

Greta ca’Vorl [GREH-tah Kah-VOORL] Matarh of Hirzgin Allesandra.

Jan ca’Vorl [Yahn Kah-VOORL] (nee ca’Belgradin) Vatarh of Hirzgin Allesandra.

Pauli ca’Vorl [PAHL-lee Kah-VOORL] (nee ca’Xielt) Husband of Allesandra, son of the Gyula of West Magyaria.

Toma ca’Vorl [TOH-ma Kah-VOORL) Son of Jan and Greta. Deceased.

Valeri ca’Weber [Vahl-AIR-ree Kah-VEH-ber] A’Teni in Prajnoli, North Nessantico.

The Cu’:

Cu’Brunelli [Koo-Broon-ELL-ee] A famous architect in the Holdings, responsible for the design of the great dome of the Old Temple.

Aris cu’Falla [AIR-iss Koo-FAH-lah] Commandant of the Garde Kralji.

Andreas cu’Gorin [Ahn-DREH-us Koo-GOHR-ren] Ambassador for the Firenzcian Holdings to the Holdings of Nessantico.

Helmad cu’Gottering [HELL-mahd Koo-GERR-tehr-ring] Commandant of the Garde Brezno.

Petros cu’Magnaoi [PET-rhoss Koo-mag-NAY-oy] Kenne’s longtime companion and lover, an u’teni in the Faith.

Aubri cu’Ulcai [AHH-bree Koo-UHL-kie] Commandant of the Garde Civile in Nessantico.

The Ci’:

Edric ci’Blaylock [EDD-reek Kee-BLAY-lok] Maister (teacher) for Audric.

Sala ci’Fallin [SAHL-ah Kee-FAHL-een] Kenne’s O’Teni assistant.

Alia ci’Gilan [AHH-lee-ah Kee-GHEE-ahn] Wife of Mika ci’Gilan.

Mika ci’Gilan [MEE-kah Kee-GHEE-ahn] A’Morce (Head) of the Numetodo in Nessantico.

Edouard ci’Recroix [EDD-ward Kee-reh-KROI] A famous artist.

Gairdi ci’Tomisi [GAIR-dee Kee-Tome-EES-ahh] A Firenzcian agent in Nessantico.

The Ce’:

Sala ce’Fallan [SAH-lah Keh-FAHL-linn] An o’teni and aide to Archigos Kenne.

Roderigo ce’Messina [Rod-eh-REE-goh Keh-Meh-SEE-nah] Chief aide to the Hirzg.

The Unranked:

Alisa Morel [Ah-LEES-sah more-ELL] Serafina’s sister and Nico’s tantzia in Ville Paisli.

Bayard Morel [BAY-ardh more-ELL] Serafina’s marriage-brother and Nico’s onczio in Ville Paisli.

Serafina Morel [Sair-ah-FEEN-ah more-ELL] Matarh of Nico.

Talis Posti [TAWL-iss POHS-tee] The lover of Serafina Morel.

Citlali [See-TAHL-lee] A general of the army.

Darkmavis [Dark-MAY-viss] A well-known composer.

Xaria [Shah-ree-ahh] Niente’s wife.

Mahri [MAH-ree] A Tehuantin spellcaster who lived in Nessantico during the end of the reign of Kraljica Marguerite.

Marlon [Marr-LOAN] One of Audric’s bedchamber servants.

Mazatl [Mah-ZAH-uhl] A general of the Tehuantin army.

Necalli [Neh-CAHL-lee] The Tehuantin Tecuhtli (king) responsible for Mahri’s and Talis’ machinations in Nessantico.

Seaton [SEA-tun] One of Audric’s bedchamber servants.

Uly [OOO-lee] A seller in the River Market, a Tehuantin who know Talis.

Zolin [ZOE-leen] The Tecuhtli (king) of the Tehuantin people.

DICTIONARY:

A’Sele [Ah-SEEL] The river that divides the city of Nessantico.

Archigos [ARR-chee-ghos] The leader of the Concenzia Faith. The plural is “Archigi.”

Avi a’Parete [Ahh-VEE Ah-pah-REET] The wide boulevard that forms a circle within the city of Nessantico, and also serves as a focus for city events.

Axat [Ahh-SKIAT] The moon-god of the Tehuantin.

Bashta [BAASH-tah] A one-piece blouse and pants, usually tied with a wide belt around the waist, and generally loose and flowing elsewhere. Bashtas are generally worn by males, though there are female versions, and can be either plain or extravagantly ornate, depending on the person’s status and the situation.

Bastida a’Drago [Bahs-TEE-dah Ah-DRAH-goh] The “Fortress of the Dragon,” an ancient tower that now serves as a state prison for Nessantico. Originally built by Kraljiki Selida II.

Besteigung [BEHZ-tee-gung] “Ascension” The ceremony where a new Hirzg or Hirzgin of Firenzcia is officially recognized after the prescribed mourning period for the previous ruler.

The “ca’-and-cu’ ” [Caw-and-Coo] The term for the high status families in the Holdings. The rich.

The “Calls” In the Concenzia Faith, there are Three Calls during the day for prayer. First Call is in the morning, when the sun has risen above the horizon the distance of a fist held at arm’s length. Second Call is when the sun is at zenith. Third Call is when the sun is a fist’s length above the horizon at sunset.

Cenzi [SHEN-zee] Main god of the Nessantico pantheon, and the patron of the Concenzia Faith.

Chevaritt [Sheh-vah-REE] Chevarittai [Sheh-vah-REE-tie] The “knights” of Nessantico-men of the ca’ and cu’ families. The title of “chevaritt” is bestowed by the Kraljiki or Kraljica, or by the appointed ruler of the various countries within the Holding; in times of genuine war, the chevarittai (the plural form of the word) are called upon to prove their loyalty and courage. The chevarittai will follow (usually) the order of the Commandant of the Garde Civile, but not particularly those of the common offiziers of the Garde Civile. Their internal status is largely based on familial rank. In the past, occasional conflicts have been decided by honorable battle between chevarittai while the armies watched.

Coinage There are three primary coinages in use in Nessantico: the bronze “folia” in tenth (d’folia), half (se’folia), and full (folia) denominations; the silver “siqil” in half (se’siqil) and full denominations; the gold “sola” in half (se’sola) and full denominations. Twenty folias equal a se’siqil; fifty siqils (or two thousand folias) equal a se’sola. The daily wage for a simple laborer is generally around a folia; a competent craftsperson might command four or five folias a day or a se’siqil a week. The price (and size) of a loaf of common brown bread in Nessantico is fixed at a d’folia.

Colors Each of the various countries within the Holdings retained their colors and flags. Here are the basic banner structures: East Magyaria: horizontal stripes of red, green, and orange; Firenzcia: alternating vertical stripes of black and silver; Graubundi: a field of yellow with black stars; Hellin: red and black fields divided diagonally; Il Trebbio: a yellow sun on a blue field; Namarro: a red crescent moon on a field of yellow; Nessantico: blue and gold fields divided diagonally. Used by both North and South Nessantico; Miscoli: a single white star on a field of midnight blue; Peati: vertical stripes of green, white, and orange; Sesemora: a field of silver with a mailed fist in the center; Sforzia: a field of white with a diagonal blue bar; West Magyaria: horizontal stripes of orange, red, and blue.

Comte [KOM-tay] The head of a town or city, usually a ca’ and a chevaritt.

Concenzia [Kon-SEHN-zee-ah] The primary theology within Nessantico, whose primary deity is Cenzi, though Cenzi is simply the chief god of a pantheon.

Concord A’Teni The gathering of all a’Teni within Concenzia-a Concord A’Teni is called to elect a new Archigos or to make changes to the Divolonte.

Cornet A straight wind instrument made of wood or brass, and played like a trumpet.

Cuore della volpe “Fox Heart,” a reddish flower with large white seeds. The oil of the seeds, mixed with wine, is medicinal in dilute quantities and is used for pain relief. In stronger dilutions, the extract is extremely potent and can cause temporary paralysis or death.

Days of the Week The six days of the week in Nessantico are named after major deities in the Toustour. The week begins with Cenzidi (Cenzi’s Day), and follows with Vuctadi, Mizzkdi, Gostidi, Draiordi, and Parladi.

Divolonte [Dee-voh-LOHN-tay] “God’s Will”-the rules and regulations that make up the tenets followed by those of the Concenzia Faith.

Domestiques de chambre “Chamber servants”-the servants whose task it is to attend to the Kraljiki or Kraljica in their bedchamber. Only highly trusted servants are given this assignment.

Family Names Within Nessantico and most of the Holdings, the family names follow the female line. A man will (except in rare cases) upon marriage take his wife’s family name, and all children (without exception) take the family name of the matarh. In the event of the death of a wife, the widower will usually retain his wife’s family name until remarried. Status within society is determined by a prefix to the family name. In rising order, they are: none, ce’, ci’, cu’, ca’.

Firenzcian Coalition The loose alliance between Firenzcia and states that have seceded from the Holdings: Firenzcia, Sesemora, Miscoli, East and West Magyaria.

Fjath [Phiy-AHTH] The title for the ruler of Sforzia.

Garda “Guard” or “soldier” (used interchangeably). The plural is Gardai.

Gardai’s Disease A euphemism for homosexuality.

Garde Brezno [GAR-duh BREHZ-noh] The city guard of Brezno in Firenzcia.

Garde Civile [GAR-duh Sih-VEEL] The army of the country of Nessantico. Not the largest force (that’s the army of Firenzcia), but the Garde Civile directs all the armies of the Holdings in war situations.

Garde Kralji [GAR-duh KRAHL-jee] The city guard of Nessantico. Based in the Bastida, their insignia is a bronze dragon’s skull. The common ranks are “gardai” (ranging from a prefix of e’ to a’), the officers are “offizier” (also ranging from a prefix of e’ to a’). The highest rank in the Garde Kralji is Commandant.

Gardes a’Liste [GAR-dess Ah-LEEST] The bureaucratic organization responsible for maintaining the rolls of family names, and for assigning the official prefixes of rank to them.

Genera a’Pace [Jhen-AH-rah Ah-pah-SAY] “Creator of Peace”-the popular title for the late Kraljica Marguerite I. For three decades under her rule, there were no major wars within the Holdings.

Grandes Horizontales [GRAHN-days Hor-eh-ZHON-tah-leh] The term for the high-class courtesans with ca’ and cu’ patrons.

Greaves Leg armor.

Gschnas [Guh-SHWAZ] The “False World” Ball-takes place every year in Nessantico.

Gyula [G-YUH-lah] Ruler of West Magyaria. East Magyaria also uses the same title.

Hauberk A short chain mail coat.

Hirzg [HAIRZG (almost two syllables)] The title for the ruler of Firenzcia. “Hirzgin” is the feminine form, and “A’Hirzg” is the term for either the female or male heir.

Ilmodo [Eel-MOH-doh] “The Way.” The Ilmodo is a pervasive energy that can be shaped through the use of ritualized chants, perfected and codified by the Concenzia Faith. The Numetodo call the Ilmodo “Scath Cumhacht.” Other cultures that are aware of it will have their own name. The Tehuantin call it “X’in Ka.”

Instruttorei [Inn-struh-TORR-ay] Instructor.

Kraljica [Krahl-JEE-kah] Title most similar to “Empress.” The masculine form is “Kraljiki” (Kralh-jee-kee). To refer to a ruler nongender-specifically, “Kralji” is generally used, which is also the plural.

Kusah [KOO-sah] The title for the ruler of Namarro.

Marque The document given to an acolyte who is to be taken into the Order of Teni and placed in the service of the Concenzia Faith.

Matarh [MAH-tarr] “Mother.”

Moitidi [Moy-TEE-dee] The “half-gods”-the demigods created by Cenzi, who in turn created all living things.

Montbataille [Mont-bah-TEEL] A city set on the long slopes of a mountain in the east of North Nessantico; also the site of a famous battle between Nessantico and the province of Firenzcia, and the only good pass through the mountains between the Rivers Clario and Loi.

Nahual [NAH-hu-all] The proper title for the chief spellcaster of the Tehuantin. The lesser spellcasters are called “nahualli”-which is both singular and plural.

Namarro [Nah-MARR-oh] The southernmost province of the Holdings of Nessantico.

Nessantico [Ness-ANN-tee-ko] The capital city of the Holdings, ruled by the Kraljica.

Note of Severance A document that releases an acolyte from his or her instruction toward being in the Order of Teni. Typically, 5% or less of acolytes complete their training and are accepted into the Order. The vast majority will receive a note.

Onczio [AHNK-zhee-oh] “Uncle.”

Offizier [OFF-ih-zeer] “Officer”-the various ranks of offizier follow the ranks of teni. In ascending order: e’offizier, o’offizier, u’offizier, a’offizier. Often, an offizier in one of the armies also is a Chevaritt.

Passe a’Fiume [PASS-eh ah-fee-UHM] The city that sits on the main river crossing of the Clario in eastern Nessantico.

Pochspiel [POCK-speel] A Firenzcian card game of bidding and bluffing, similar to modern poker.

Pontica a’Brezi Nippoli [Phon-TEE-kah Ah-BREHZ-ee Nee-POHL-ee] One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

Pontica a’Brezi Veste [Phon-TEE-kah Ah-BREHZ-ee VESS-tee] One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

Pontica Kralji [Phon-TEE-kah KRAWL-jee] One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

Pontica Mordei [Phon-TEE-kah MHOR-dee] One of the Four Bridges of Nessantico.

Quibela [Qwee-BELL-ah] A city in the province of Namarro.

Retes A Magyarian strudel, often made with apples or sweetened cheeses.

Sakal [Sah-KHAL] The sun god of the Tehuantin.

Sapnut The fruit of the sapnut tree, from which a rich yellow dye is made.

Scarlet Pox A childhood illness, often deadly.

Scath Cumhacht [Skawth Koo-MOCKED] The Numetodo term for the Ilmodo.

Sesemora [Say-seh-MOHR-ah] A province in the northeast of the Holdings of Nessantico.

Southern Fever An affliction that kills a high percentage of those affected-the fever causes the brain to swell, bringing on dementia and/or coma, while the lungs fill with liquid from the infection, causing pneumonia-like symptoms. Often, even if the victim recovers from the coughing, they are left brain-damaged.

Starkkapitan [Starkh-KAHP-ee-tahn] “High Captain”-the title for the commander of Firenzcian troops.

Stone A measure of weight for dry goods. Merchants are required to have a set of weights, certified by the local board. A stone is approximately a pound and a half in our measures.

Strettosei [STRETT-oh-see] The ocean to the west of Nessantico.

T’Sha [Ti-SHAH] The ruler of Tennshah.

Ta’Mila [Tah-MEE-ah] The ruler of Il Trebbio.

Tantzia “Aunt.”

Tashta [TAWSH-tah] A robelike garment in fashion in Nessantico.

Tecuhtli [Teh-KOO-uhl-ee] The title for “Lord” or “War-King” in the Tehuantins’ language.

Tehuantin [Teh-WHO-ahn-teen] “The People”-the name the Westlanders call themselves.

Teni [TEHN-ee] “Priest.” Those of the Concenzia who have been tested for their mastery of the Ilmodo, have taken their vows, and are in the service of the church. The teni priesthood also uses a ranking similar to the Families of Nessantico. In ascending order, the ranks are e’Teni, o’Teni, u’Teni, and a’Teni.

Tete [teh-TAY] “Head”-a title for the leaders of an organization, such as the Guardians of the Faith or the Council of Ca’.

Tlaxcala [Tlash-TAH-lah] the capital city of the Tehuantin nations.

Toustour [TOOS-toor] The “All-Tale”-the bible for the Concenzia Faith.

Turn of the glass An hour. The glass referred to is an hourglass, the sides of which are typically incised with lines marking the quarter-hours. Thus a “mark of the glass” is roughly fifteen minutes.

Utilino [Oo-teh-LEE-noh] A combination concierge and watchman who patrols a small area (no more than a block each) of the city. The utilino-who is also a teni of the Concenzia faith-is there to run errands (for a fee) as well as to keep order, and is considered to be part of the Garde Kralji.

Vajica [Vah-JEE-kah] Title most similar to “Madam,” used in polite address with adults who have no other title, or where the title is unknown. The masculine form is “Vajiki.” The plurals are “Vajicai” and “Vajik.”

Vambrace Armor protecting the lower arm.

Vatarh [VAH-ter] “Father.”

Verzehen [Ver-ZAY-hehn] Tehuantin term for a telescope.

Ville Colhelm [VEE-ah KOHL-helm] A town on the border of Nessantico and Firenzcia, at the River Clario.

War-teni Teni whose skills in Ilmodo have been honed for warfare.

Zink A wind instrument similar to a cornet, but curved rather than straight.

HISTORICAL PERSONAGES:

Falwin I [FAHL-win] Hirzg Falwin of Firenzcia led a brief, unsuccessful revolt against Kraljiki Henri VI, which was quickly and brutally put down.

Henri VI [OHN-ree] First Kralji of the ca’Ludovici line (413-435), from whom Marguerite I was descended.

Kalima III [Kah-LEE-mah] Archigos from 215-243.

Kelwin [KEHL-win] First Hirzg of Firenzcia.

Levo ca’Niomi [LEHV-oh Kah-nee-OH-mee] Led a coup in 383 and was Kraljiki for three days. Forcibly removed, he would be imprisoned for almost two decades in the Bastida, and there would write poetry that would long survive his death.

Maria III Kraljica of Nessantico from 219-237.

Misco [MEEZ-koh] The legendary “founder of Brezno.”

Pellin I [PEH-Lihn] Archigos of the Faith from 114-122.

Selida II [Seh-LEE-dah] Kraljiki of Nessantico. Finished building the city walls and the Bastida d’Drago.

Sveria I [seh-VERH-ee-ah] Kraljiki of Nessantico 179-211. The Secession War occupied nearly all his reign. He finally brought Firenzcia fully into the Holdings.