This lexicon contains minor spoilers for TSOSF book one, chapters one through three.

Major spoilers have been omitted.

If you wish to be surprised, skip this for now. 

Terms are listed in the order that they appear. 

A full alphabetical lexicon is located at the end of each book.

The Den – a gathering place inside Corestone.

Fa’loom – a man who is of service – in ways sensual and otherwise – to women and they/thems.

Fiera – a mildly hallucinogenic substance that only women and they/thems are allowed to consume.

Themias – the name of the main continent of Nuama.

Corestone – a large residence carved from ocean-side cliffs, with many chambers, corridors, and rooms, as well as gardens, hot springs, and gathering places atop the cliffs. Corestone has a trade market and smaller, more private dwellings that are also carved from the cliff-face.

Servant – a man who was deemed unworthy of being a Fa’loom.

Sestras – women.

Lake Tiv’esh – the largest lake on the central continent (Themias), renowned for its depth and bioluminescent creatures within.

Rite of Acceptance – the cerimony that all women have the rite to undergo if they wish. Whomever is able to withstand them, become Empress. In recent times, very few other than the daughter/s of the current Empress have elected to undergo the trials, as they are known to cause great emotional distress, and the current Empress and her lineage have been ruling well for many generations.

Thelyrah – the current Empress of Nuama.

Isahore – Thelyrah’s second favorite Fa’loom.

Toheri – Thelyrah’s favorite Fa’loom, who has been serving her for nearly twenty years.

Sareff – Thelyrah’s Fa’loom, and a traitor.

Etanash – Thelyrah’s closest friend.

Kalek – a traitor.

Unchilded – not having been with child.

Youngling Sestra – a young woman.

Mamlakah – the equivilant of a town or village.

Ensheduana – priestess, midwives, sacred women.

Cloudweavers – women who love to fly, and who have chosen their main form of barter to be transporting materials and goods around Nuama. Also act as guards when required, which is seldom.

Afir’nak – a Mamlakah on the western coastline of Themias.

Keeper – a woman who “keeps” Fa’loom, rather than simply hiring them as needed from the closest Duug. She must be willing to take responsibility for him and all his actions, and provide for him.

Songwriter – a woman who composes music.

Skygate – a large, open window through which women fly in and out of their dwelling. Covered with thin biomatter when the weather is bad.

Farshe – a servant and traitor.

Sacred Oaths – the oaths that all women and they/thems take to protect one another and place one another first and foremost, over any man. When taking the Oaths, every women undergoes a miniature version of the Rite of Acceptance. Since taking the Oaths happens before the Rite, very few women continue forward with it, as the Oaths themselves are quite intense.

Dar’kat Mounts – a mountain range in the northeast of the continent of Themias, known for dangerous winds.

Nuama – the world on which this story takes place.

Min’ah – Thelyrah’s daughter.

Minor Mamlakah – a smaller Mamlakah, though it’s considered rude to point this out and so the term is rarely used.

Sacred Knowledge – only some Sestras are granted access to this, through a test they don’t realize they’re taking, so as to not be disappointed or bitter if they don’t pass. If they pass, they are given tattoos on their chest and wrists, if not, on their back and ankles. Most who pass become Ensheduana, although that’s not a hard and fast rule.

Varapos – penis.

Yezari – testicles.

Ga’hueal – a hot and dry island where disobediant or dangerous men are sent. This does not happen often, so the island is sparsely populated.

River Neith – a river that runs from Lake Tiv’esh to Themias, ending in a very tall waterfall on the western side of Corestone dropping to the ocean below.

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