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.
