Revision as of 15:09, 18 June 2015

Important terms and definitions used within Myths of Atalan will be posted here. Note that some common terms may have different emphasis or definitions within MoA, so please read carefully. Anything on this page is considered public knowledge.

• Arcane Magic: Arcane magic is a recent discovery, unlocked by the humans of the Halmorian Empire soon after their arrival within Atalan. The majority of its study was overseen for a time by those of the church of Ephaesus in Atalan, however it is now seen in many other cities, and rumours of other underground study of the arcane persist.

• Atalan: In the year 957 IY explorers located the existence of a distant continent, with a massive, rugged stone city lying empty, and waiting. This city was completely intact, and yet eerily silent, offering little explaination as to the absence of its people. After various investigations and journeys, the city was later settled by the people of the Halmorian Empire five years later. It is now in ruins and occupied by Manifestations.

• Chorav: These small desert humanoids seem to be much like a human, only smaller. Graceful and sharp tongued, the Chorav are known for their gory tales and their skill in scavenging and trade.

• Divine Magic: Divine magic is commonly called a miracle, though with varying degrees of reverence. It is always channeled through a Divine connection to an Overseer. Divine connections are steeped in mythological and religious traditions, and with the eight Overseers that existed for the last number of millenia in particular, there is a great degree of variation by which people understand and praise them.

• Dragons: Dragons were creatures of myths for many years. During the fall of Atalan, they were seen in the hundreds, destroying the Frothing Otter and the lives of hundreds as they fled from Atalan. It is now known that some are much more friendly than others... and some are also much more powerful than others.

• Elves: Creatures of myth until the arrival in Atalan, the Syl'vae remain an enigma even to those few who are fortunate enough to witness their existence firsthand. Elusive like forest shadows, the fey-folk are only seen when they wish to be seen. Haunting and mystical, their piercing gazes reflect ageless wisdom while their features betray none of their thoughts and intentions.

• Eramere: The continent of Eramere appears to be much larger than originally anticipated, and the vast majority of the continent remains unexplored by the settlers. Rumours continue to pour in about the fantastical and mythical discoveries of places and creatures never thought to exist before.

• Gnomes: Tinkerers and inventors, the diminutive creatures called Gnomes have a lot of names that they have been called over the centuries. Gnomes are best known for their ingenuity, engineering skills, and their love for all things new.

• Haerkglar: The Haerkglar are a race of stout and hardy people, famed for their craftsmanship and trade. These Dwarves have a number of mines within various mountain ranges that they travel to. They are in the process of reclaiming an old fortress as their home, as well as reclaiming their deity of old.

• Halmoria: The Old Empire of Halmoria is located across the ocean, and is the home of the majority of the human settlers of Atalan. The daughter of Lord Emperor Alphaeus III is the current leader of the expansionist nation.

• Manifestations: These strange, bizarre entities are known to come from the Beyond - but little else is known about them, given how much they differ from one to the next.

• Orcs: Orcs are large, powerful humanoids who inhabit the swamp known as the Omgi Ztehh, where they battle the undead. Their fierce warriors, berserkers, shamans and priests are legendary.

• Overseers: Across Eramere and Halmoria, almost every sentient being knows about the existence of the Overseers and the areas they govern in the cycle of life and the seasons. It is rare to find any that do not worship one of the twelve.

• Primordials: After arriving on Eramere, the humans of Halmoria found themselves confronted with all manner of creatures never seen before. Bizarre, shamanistic, mysterious, alien, seductive and powerful, the Primordials are not creatures that can be taken lightly. Non-human travelers will often inform others that the Primordials will need to be respected, unless you choose to earn their wrath.

• The Obelisk: The Obelisk, when used singularly, typically refers to the structure within the city of Atalan. Covered in shifting runes and stretching up towards the sky, it is believed to be the source of arcane magic.

• The Planes: It is known by most mortals that a plane of existence lies beyond this realm, where the Overseers dwell. It is here that people believe they return to when they die, to the home of the Overseer that they themselves worship.

• The Beyond: The Beyond is an existence that nearly defies being described, let alone explained, in terms a human mind could comprehend without descending into sheer insanity. From the perspective of a living being The Beyond simply should not be, its existence sending an odd sense of revulsion through those who ponder its existence for to long.

• Undead: Undead are creatures of which few know about and fewer understand. Within Atalan, the reactions run the full gambit from disbelief, dismissive laughter, awe, curiosity and naked fear, among many others. Outside of Atalan, the non-human races are said to have a more detailed understanding of what the undead are, with some continuously fighting the dead that walk.