Murdoch : Human Country in the southern continent ruled by the ex-convicts (and their descendants) from the WCPS Electra. It is also the name of the river that bisects the Kingdom north to south.
Nad : Nothing. It can also mean land on which there are no trees.
Nadlians of the Larg : Land of the Larg in the southern continent.
North Caravan Route : The route on the northern continent which runs from the ferry at the west coast to Port Lutterell in the east.
Paula*: Original Ambassador from Vadath to Argyll. (Lind: Venlei)
Pilli : Small, edible darting red fish found in the rivers of the northern continent.
Plodder : Name given to the type of travelling horse that favoured for long journeys.
Port Lutterell : Main port of eastern Argyll, most of its traffic is composed of merchantmen plying their trade between the mainland and the islands, also the base for the Argyllian Navy.
Port Wylie : a port on the southern coast of Argyll.
Power core : The device that powered the WCCS Argyll and the WCPS Electra.
R’sair : Pirate Kingdom in the Great Eastern Sea.
Raki : Section of the Avuzdel (see above).
Randall : Kingdom in the Great Eastern Sea.
Reform Movement : Grass roots popular movement in Murdoch campaigning for the abolition of serfdom.
Rhianan : The main port on the Island of Galliard.
Ricca : A rice-like crop grown in the south.
Rothesdale : The demesne of the Ross family.
Royal Guard : The regiment within the army of Murdoch which is responsible for the safety of the royal family.
Rtath : Pack
Rtatha : Pack-range
Rtathen : Pack-mates
Rtathlian : Pack-woods
Rtathlians of the Lind : Land of the Lind in the northern continent.
Rudtka : Larg - Small southern burrowing animal like a rabbit with short ears
Ruza : Hero
Rybak : Planet Wolf, home of the Lind and the Larg and the Lai and named after the James Rybak who found it after the cosmic storm (Paws).
Ryz : Battle line
Ryzck : Troop of Vada - made up of thirty-four vadeln-pairs and one commanding vadeln-pair
Ryzcka : Vada Troop Commander
Ryzcksusa : the commander of the Western Ryzcks.
Settlement : The original landing site of the WCCS Argyll. It became the first line of defence for the protection from ingress over the Island Chain and latterly the headquarters of the Garda.
Silver Star : Bravery award given by the Susa of the Vada to serving and retired vadeln.
Smaha : Red numbing medicinal root
Standard : Language spoken by the humans when they arrived on Rybak – as the years progressed the language has shifted to take account of words of Lindish and of the Larg.
Stanton : A small rural village in the centre of Argyll.
Stewarton : City of Argyll, situated inland beside Lake Stewart.
Stronghold : A name used to describe the section within the town of Vada where the Vada HQ is.
Supply Station : Vada stations which are dotted around Argyll, Vadath and Lind for the use of travelling vadeln-pairs.
Susa : Commander of a Lindar, of the Vada and of the three sections of the Avuzdel.
Susa’s Own : The Fifty-first Ryzck of the Vada, under the direct command of the Susa and the only one which contains more than one Ryzcka and four Vadryzkas.
Susalai : Supreme Commander of the Avuzdel.
Susyc : Overall Commander of the Armies of the North, made up of troops from Argyll, Vadath and the Rtathlians of the Lind.
Sword of Honour : Sword given to the best Vada Cadets on their graduation.
Talastown : Town in north east Dagan and founded by Guildmaster Annert de Gras in the early seventh century.
Thedhrehl : Winter season.
The Exam : The leaving exams sat by all most of those in Argyll and Vadath wishing to go on to further education, the usual age for sitting these is sixteen.
The Rhian Inn : An inn on the Island of Galliard.
Trent Reef : Name of the line of rocks and small islands that run from the south western tip of Lind to the southern continent. In the second century the Larg used it as their route to attack the rtathlians of the west.
Vada : Cavalry (Lind/human)
Vada : The township that has grown up around the Vada stronghold
Vadarnth : The Stronghold of the Western Ryzcks.
Vadath : Country between Argyll and Lind on the northern continent, ruled jointly by humans and Lind
Vadeln-pair : Paired life-mate (Lind/human), often shortened to vadeln or pair
Vadryz : Troop of Vada - made up of eight vadeln-pairs
Vadryza : Vada troop commander of which there are four in each Ryzck; of eight vadeln-pairs each
Venlei*: Original Ambassador from Vadath to Argyll. (Human: Paula)
Volat : Needless slaying of any creature
Vuz : A small, burrowing northern animal rather like a rabbit but with small ears.
Vuz-beetle : A nasty little slimy beetle-like creature that likes warm, dark places.
Walda : A southern grass used as fodder.
WCCS Argyll : Colony Ship that survived the cosmic storm and landed on Rybak
WCPS Electra : Prison Ship that survived the cosmic storm and landed on Rybak (Wolves)
Western Ryzck : The section of the Vada responsible for the defence of the western coast of the northern continent, in the Rtathlians of the Lind.
Western Sea : Long narrow (in places) strip of water between Dagan (in the west) and the main northern continent
Wral : Large bear-like animals that inhabit the riverbanks of the snowy mountains of the northern continent
Zarova : Long necked camel-like meat animal
* * * * *
APPENDICES
* * * * *
Appendix 1
The Dukedoms of the Kingdom of Murdoch in Order of Precedence
North Baker: South Baker: Smith: Cocteau: Van Buren: Gardiner: Brentwood: Duchesne: Graham : Hallam : Markwood : Charleson
* * * * *
Appendix 2
The Royal and Noble Protocol Ranks within the Kingdom of Murdoch in Order of Precedence
It was King Elliot the Second (20-93) (reigned 73-93) who formalised and made law the rank structure of the nobility. Women cannot hold land or rule in their own right. All females take the feminine equivalent of their husband’s title, except for a Daughter-Heir of one of the 9 Dukedoms. Her husband becomes the Son-Heir then Duke on the death of his father-in-law and she will become his Duchess. If a Prince marries a Daughter-Heir, he retains the title Prince, becomes Prince-Heir and then Prince-Duke but his wife does not assume the title of Princess. A direct male descendant of a Duke may use the title Lord, other nobles use the title Sir. All ladies of noble birth may use the sobriquet Lady except for unmarried daughters of a Thane.
King/Lord Prince Consort : Queen : Crown-Prince (Heir to Throne) : Crown-Princess : Crown-Prince-Heir (Son of Crown-Prince) : Prince-Duke (Married to Daughter-Heir and reigning Duke) :Prince-Heir (Married to Daughter-Heir) : Prince : Princess : Duke : Duchess : Lord Marshall (Overall Commander of the Armies of Murdoch) :Duke-Heir (Son-Heir to Dukedom of one of the 9 Dukes) : Count (Son of a Duke) : Count (Eldest son of a Count, known as Count Heir) :Countess (Count’s wife) : Contessa (Daughter-Heir to Dukedom of one of the 9 Dukes) : Contessa (Daughter or Granddaughter of a Duke) : Margrave (Younger son of a Count) : Margrave (Eldest son and Heir of a Margrave, known as Margrave Heir) : Margravess (Margrave’s wife) : Margravessa (Daughter of Granddaughter of a Count) : Baron (Younger son of a Margrave) : Baron (Titled but not descended from a Duke) : Baron (Eldest Son and Heir of a Baron, known as Baron Heir) : Baroness (Baron’s wife) : Baronessa (Daughter or Granddaughter of a Margrave
) : Kellen (Younger son of a Baron) : Kellen (Titled but not descended from a Duke) : Kellen (Eldest Son and Heir of a Kellen, known as Kellen Heir) : Kellene (Kellen’s wife) : Kellessa (Daughter or Granddaughter of a Baron) : Thane (Younger son of a Kellen) : Thane (Titled but not descended from a Duke) : Thane (Eldest son and Heir of a Thane, known as Thane Heir) : Thanene (Thane’s wife) : Thanessa (Daughter or Granddaughter of a Kellen)
* * * * *
Appendix 3
The Year
First Month of Summer – Dunrhed : Second Month of Summer - Vadrhed : Third Month of Summer - Lokrhed : Fourth Month of Summer - Sanrhed : Fifth Month of Summer - Rakrhed : First Month of Winter – Dunthed : Second Month of Winter - Vadthed : Third Month of Winter - Lokthed : Fourth Month of Winter - Santhed : Fifth Month of Winter - Rakthed
A Rybakian year is ten months long. There are only two seasons, summer and winter. The year begins with Dunrhed, the first month of summer because tradition states that this was the month of landing. There are four weeks, each ten days long, in a Rybakian month. A week is called a tenday.
The Seasons
Winter Season : thedhrehl - Summer Season : Rhedhrehl - Moon (night) : tran - Sun (day) : rhan - Hot : rhed - Cold : thed - Season : dhrehl
The Day
Midnight Bell - First Nightbell - Second Nightbell- Third Nightbell - Fourth Nightbell – Dawn Bell - First Bell - Second Bell - Third Bell - Fourth Bell – Noon Bell – Sixth Bell- Seventh Bell – Eighth Bell – Ninth Bell – Eve Bell – Eleventh Bell – Twelfth Bell – Thirteenth Bell – Fourteenth Bell – Midnight Bell
Numbers
Numbers 1-10 ; dun, vad, lok, san, rak, olf, tak, zan, echt, duntan
* * * * *
Appendix 4
Rank Structures of the Garda and Navy of Argyll
Infantry and Cavalry - Commissioned Ranks (ascending order) - Juvenis (First Year (Staticum) Officer Trainee : Senis (Second Year (Staticum) Officer Trainee : Coronet (or Second Leftenant) : Leftenant (Lt) : Captain (Capt) : Major (Maj) : Colonel : Major-General : General (Gen) : Field Marshall (FM)
Navy - Commissioned Ranks (ascending order) - Midshipman : Sub Leftenant : Leftenant : Commander : Captain : Commodore : Admiral
* * * * *
Appendix 5
The Monthly Duty and Leave Pattern of the Vada
Duty - Duty - Duty - Short Leave - Duty - Duty - Duty - Short Leave - Duty - Duty - Duty - Short Leave - Duty - Duty - Duty - Long Leave - Long Leave - Long Leave - Long Leave
Ryzck Badges of the Vada
First Ryzck: Allst tree - Second Ryzck: Vada sword - Third Ryzck: Lind head - Fourth Ryzck: Red flag (original flag of the Vada) - Fifth Ryzck: Lind paw print - Fifteenth Ryzck: Lai in flight - Sixteenth Ryzck : Double swords - Eighteenth Ryzck: Kura - Thirty-eighth: Knife - Fifty-first Ryzck (Susa’s Own): Lai watching
The Express: Yellow lightning bolt on a red circle - Supply Stations: leaf of walda grass - Holad: Red cross
* * * * *
Appendix 6
Extract from the Genealogical List of King Elliot the Twelfth of Murdoch and his descendants
King Elliot XII (590-647) m. Zilla of Argyll (591-649)
*King Elliot XIII (611-92) m. Thanessa Alison Tanon (612-59)
**Crown-Prince Elliot (632-90) m. Contessa Anne Cocteau (634-718)
***Princess Anne (654-60)
***Princess Alison (655-62)
***Princess Susan (656-70)
***Princess Zilla (658-66)
**Prince Paul (635-87) m. Margravessa Alison Graham (636-714)
*Prince Ian (617-80) m. Margravessa Catherine Duchesne (616-98)
**King Ian I (636-708) m. Thanessa Dorothy Fullarton (637-92)
***King Ian II (656-720) m. Contessa Daniella Cocteau (655-737)
****King Elliot XIV (677-750) m. Kellessa Nancy Taviston (679-733)
*****King Elliot XV (700-71) m. Margravessa Mary Baker (704-63)
******King Elliot XVI (740-93) m. Contessa Antoinette Cocteau (742-93)
*******Queen Antoinette (b766) m. Prince David (760-88)
********Crown-Princess Antoinette (b788) m. Prince Crispin of Leithe (b780)
*********Prince-Heir Elliot (b808)
*****Prince Paul (703-64) - Issue
*****Prince Ian (703-64) - Issue
*****Princess Daniella (709-80) m. Duke Paul Baker (709-80) - Issue
****Prince Ian (679-753)
****Princess Alison (680-746) m. Earl Louis Galland (680-740) - Issue
***Prince Paul (660-711) m. Contessa Susan Hallam (665-711) – Issue
**Princess Catherine (638-88) m. Duke Robert Brentwood (632-96) – Issue
**Princess Isobel (640-715) m. Duke William Duchesne (638-720) - Issue
By AL 808, there are a number of subsidiary royal blood-lines, all descended from King Elliot X (527-601), through his eldest son King Elliot XI, his descendants and his youngest son, Prince David (535-608). Queen Antoinette was married to one of these descendants of Prince David and in AL 808 the current Lord (Prince) Marshall of the Kingdom, Pierre (b767) is also of that house. Duke Paul Hallam is married to Princess Elizabeth who was the sister of Queen Antoinette’s late husband. Prince Xavier, a devoted subject of Queen Antoinette, is her cousin, once removed, being the grandson of her great-uncle.
* * * * *
Appendix 7
Extract from the Genealogical List of the Kingdom of Leithe
King Altan (729-780)
*Prince Atan (748-771)
*King Cadan (b750) m. Catherine of Rethan (d784)
**Crown-Prince Catar (b774) m. Anne of R’sair
***Prince Cadan (b796)
***Princess Anne (b800)
***Prince Altan (b802)
***Princess Catherine (b804)
***Princess Jeanne (b808)
**Prince Lars (b776) m. Contessa Anne Kirkton of the Eastern Isles (b780)
***Prince Lars (b800)
**Princess Catherine (b777) m. Atran of Eilidon
**Princess Jeanne (b779) m. Zand of Randall
**Prince Crispin (b780) m. Crown-Princess Antoinette of Murdoch (b788)
**Prince Rand (b782) m. Contessa Fiona Kirk of the Western Isles (b804)
***Princess Fiona (b d 804)
*Prince Kador (b758) m. Anne Galland of the Galland Isles Confederation (762-92)
**Prince Kador (b 781) m. Jonat of Eilidon (b 782)
*** Prince Kador (b 801)
* * * * *
Appendix 8
Short Extracts from the Genealogical List of the Ducal Houses of Murdoch in AL808
House of Cocteau
Duke Pierre (b760) m. Contessa Denise Hallam (b763)
*Duke-Heir Pierre (b782) m. Thanessa Pauline Ross (b782)
**Pierre (b804)
House of South Baker
Duke Xavier (b788) m. Contessa Anne van Buren (b788)
*Anne (806)
House of North Baker
Duchess-Heir Emma (b767) m. Count Derek Hallam (b763)
*Duke-Heir William (b787) m. Margravessa Elizabeth Smith (b780)
House of Van Buren
Duke Raoul (b782) m. Princess Anne (b788)
*Duke-Heir Raoul (b806)
House of Smith
Duke Charles (b751) m. Princess Mary (753-806)
*Duchess-Heir Mary (b773) m. Count Ernest van Buren (b766)
**Charles (b786) m. Princess Ruth (b793)
(Margravessa Madeleine Smith, one of Queen Antoinette’s ladies-in-waiting, is a daughter of one of the more junior, cadet branches of the ducal House of Smith. Count Malcolm Smith, Kellen Daniel Ross’s friend and one of Prince Crispin’s followers is Madeleine’s elder brother)
House of Duchesne
Duke William (638-720) m. Princess Isobel (640-715)
*Duke-Heir William (660-711) m. Margravessa Wendy Cocteau (665-96)
**Duke William (683-740) m. Margravessa Jill Baker (682-731)
***William (700-16)
**Count Thomas (685-735) m. Mar
gravessa Greitje van Buren (685-747)
***Thomas (709-16)
**Count Paul (686-725) m. Thanessa Arlene Bramwell (696-740)
***Duke Paul (716-74) m. Miss Emma Daniels (715-93)
****Emma (740-93) m. Count Andrew Graham (722-91)
*****Duke William (b749) m. Contessa Claudine Cocteau (b762)
******Duke-Heir William (b749) m. Margravessa Kate Baker (b786)
*******William (806-07)
******Count Andrew (b782) m. Kellessa Anne Karovitz (b782)
*******Andrew (b800)
*******Anne (b802)
House of Graham
Duke Michael (b761) m. Margravessa Mary Hallam (b765)
*Duke-Heir Jeremy (b786) m. Princess Emma (b790)
*Count Michael (b788) m. Margravessa Rose Duchesne (b788)
(Count Peter Graham (b789) is of the line of one of the junior, cadet branches of the ducal house)
House of Charleson
Duke Peter (b763) m. Margravessa Emma Hallam (b766)
*Duke-Heir Peter (b788) m. Margravessa Lucille Duchesne (b788)
(Count Xavier Charleson (b790) is of the line of one of the junior, cadet branches of the ducal house)