One of the things I\u2019ve heard, from readers kind enough to give me feedback on Malmaxa, is how complicated some of the words within the tale are.\u00a0 To that end,\u00a0Malmaxa includes\u00a0a Glossary \u2013 however most never realize it is there till they reach the end of the book, when it serves less of a purpose than it could.<\/p>\n
Bear in mind Malmaxa is an epic tale \u2013 as such there is significant world and culture building.\u00a0 Though exposition could serve to detail concepts, I prefer to let things gradually reveal themselves.\u00a0 Naturally, this clashes with some readers, who want to know \u2013 and know now!\u00a0 For them the Glossary should help provide that \u201cfix\u201d, while doing so in the same tone as the tale.\u00a0 In other words, the glossary is not translated into current day English but instead remains true to the world of Malmaxa.<\/p>\n
Something I would like to stress is that\u00a0these words are not entirely figments of my over-active imagination.\u00a0 Along with the names of the many characters, they have meaningful origins \u2013 though I leave it up to you to find these out, should you have sufficient interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, for readers of the sample, here are a few of the stranger words definitions \u2013 extracted\u00a0directly from the Glossary itself.<\/p>\n
Chukrah<\/strong><\/p>\n A metallic appearing object, worn as a pendant suspended around the neck.\u00a0 They are spiritually bound to their bearer and are held to be sacred instruments of the Gods.\u00a0 Chukrah are flat hexagonal shaped discs comprised of six twisting segments meeting in the center.\u00a0 The color of a Chukrah when worn, particularly when activated, determines the class of the wearer.<\/p>\n cincture<\/strong><\/p>\n A thorough and all-encompassing investigation.\u00a0 Common usage refers to the detailed investigation Herbalists perform on the entrails and organs of beasts, to ensure they are safe for consumption.<\/p>\n Compositus<\/strong><\/p>\n The term describing the first match of one Seizen to another.<\/p>\n Herbalist<\/strong><\/p>\n In Seizen speech neither herb, nor Herbalist utilize a silent \u201ch\u201d.<\/p>\n A Seizen matched to a Herbalist Chukrah.\u00a0 The Herbalist class specializes in the identification and gathering of herbs, which they utilize in the manufacture of curative and other potions.\u00a0 Herbalists, as the principle caregivers of the Seizen, are commonly called on to perform cinctures.<\/p>\n Herbalists are also called Healers.<\/p>\n hijath<\/strong><\/p>\n A versatile, loose fitting, scarf like garment made from a single piece of densely woven cloth. \u00a0Hijath are normally about two feet wide and four to six feet long but vary according to the size of the wearer.\u00a0 The most common use for a hijath is to protect the head, neck, and shoulders from exposure to the elements.\u00a0 They are made from a variety of materials ranging from simple linen to finest silk.\u00a0 Those worn by women are generally more colorful than men\u2019s are.<\/p>\n jumenta<\/strong><\/p>\n Large, longhaired, domesticated beasts suited to drawing wagons or carts.\u00a0 This is their primary purpose.\u00a0 They are invariably in matched breeding pairs.\u00a0 Jumenta hair, once harvested and woven, is extraordinarily strong.<\/p>\n league<\/strong><\/p>\n The distance a Warrior can march in about an hour.<\/p>\n mahahsee<\/strong><\/p>\n A wildly variable alcoholic beverage made from various combinations of herbs, ale, partly fermented grain mash, and aged spirits.\u00a0 Its potency varies from mildly alcoholic to extremely intoxicating.\u00a0 Mahahsee is often served mulled, or heated.<\/p>\n The approximate pronunciation is \u201cmah hah see<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n mark<\/strong><\/p>\n The unique symbol used to identify every Seizen.\u00a0 The word \u201csymbol\u201d is used interchangeably with \u201cmark\u201d.<\/p>\n Each Seizen is tattooed down both arms with their marks of ancestry.\u00a0 These are the symbols of their mother\u2019s mothers and their father\u2019s fathers, for twelve generations.\u00a0 Seizen are granted two new marks, one feminine and one masculine, once each cycle until they reach twelve.\u00a0 The number of marks a child bears determines their age.\u00a0 Children are referred to collectively by the number of marks they bear, for example, \u201cthe fifth-marked\u201d refers to any children bearing five marks on each arm.<\/p>\n match<\/strong><\/p>\n A term used to describe two distinct and completely unrelated unions.<\/p>\n Primarily: The union between a Seizen and a Chukrah.\u00a0 This bond lasts until the Seizen dies, at which time the Chukrah becomes unbound.\u00a0 It is correctly termed a \u201cChukrah match\u201d, though this form is seldom used.<\/p>\n Secondarily: The union between a man and a woman.\u00a0 This is correctly termed a \u201cSeizen match\u201d, though the correct term is seldom used.\u00a0 Matches between Seizen are made during the Convocation.<\/p>\n Commonly: Any union formed between a man and a woman during the Convocation, regardless of age.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" One of the things I\u2019ve heard, from readers kind enough to give me feedback on Malmaxa, is how complicated some of the words within the tale are.\u00a0 To that end,\u00a0Malmaxa includes\u00a0a Glossary \u2013 however most never realize it is there till they reach the end of the book, when it serves less of a purpose 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