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Cerulean Blue Pearls
Found exclusively in the seas around the Lancer Archipelago, these pearls are known and sought after for their near-perfect roundness and brilliant blue coloring. Found mostly in the winter months, and most often on beaches and in tide pools after a sea-churning storm, the Cerulian Oyster has distinct blue striations on its shell. The meat is bitter and tough. Only the indigenous natives eat them, but only after several months of curing in fermented papaya juice. The winter/early spring traveler is sometimes rewarded for his efforts when thousands of oysters are found and harvested and the prices drop dramatically. However, the price to mainland Freeholders is always high.

Consumption
tuberculosis


D

Deauxama
He is the "god-like" creator of Freehold and the main god worshipped. Some believe he is only a mythical figure but others believe he was a real man and a Brannock. It is pronounced 'Doo-Zama'.

Deauxama, Mark Of
Birthmark in the shape of a lion on the left shoulder that all males share in the line of Deauxama, passed down from Brannock to Brannock. Unfortunately several kings have sired bastard sons and they, in turn, sired sons, so there are several bloodlines with the Mark. Many of the bastard sons were raised in the other Houses, as some of the women would have relations with the current king to claim bloodright for the future.


Dew
A narcotic derived from the flowers of a rare plant. Sold as a clear, somewhat viscous liquid that dissolves in water, beer, or wine. The scent is similar to lilac, and the extract is occasionally used in luxury perfumes. One drop is sufficient to induce a state of general euphoria coupled with mild sensory disturbances -- typically, purple ripples are seen. The effect generally lasts 4-5 hours.
Light occasional use does not lead to addiction. However, heavy or frequent use can do so. Early symptoms include irritability, violent outbursts, and a sense of paranoia. Withdrawal symptoms include nerve pain along arms and (more rarely) legs, and in severe cases extreme pain and nausea.
The plant itself is toxic, and its leaves yield a quick-acting poison. It grows primarily in damp woodland, is about the size of a violet, and has starry white flowers. It is cultivated and exploited by the Fold of Assassins, who use the poison in their own activities and sell the drug in order to finance them.

Dusty Moon Inn
This is one of the main hostelries in Monroi Pass that caters to and is highly favored by the caravan masters and their staffs. A modest to upscale establishment, the inn is mostly a re-built construction using the former foundations, curtain walls, some private and common areas and two standing towers that remained of the first fortress built in the region. The old kitchen with its overlarge hearth has now become a steam and bathhouse. Newer construction includes kitchens, a private well, expanded guest rooms and stables, as well shops for an on-premise blacksmith and cartwright. Independent security provided by the inn reduces thefts from wagons, but breaches have been committed. While not having the reputation as a brothel, suitable arrangements can be made for the right price or inducement. Its good to excellent food and drink are overseen by a head cook, who has a chip on his shoulder after being exiled to Monroi Pass by one of the six households for reasons unknown and he isn't telling.


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F

Fire Mountain
Semi-active volcanic area at the farthest point north, even the Ghourlesh steer clear of this area, reputed to be haunted by the dead of the Northlands.

Fold, The
The Fold is the official guild of the assassins. All elite Assassins have Titles and are Ranked. There are only 21 Titled Assassin's at any one time plus dozens of assassins in training, plus The Bossman. No one sees the Bossman, who runs everything from Deaxa.

G

Ghourlesh
Nomads that live in the far, far north. They paint their faces and bodies white with 'corpsepaint', blending in with the perpetual snow and ice that surround them. Natural enemies of the Northlanders.

Goh
Fertility Goddess of the North; worshipped by the Northlanders


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Keyes
A port town at the mouth of the eastern estuary, controlling the only sea route into Deaxa.

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Lancer Archipelago
The Lancer Archipelago is made up of five major islands, 15 smaller islands and numerous uninhabitable atolls. It is located approximately 600 miles south of the Bit Islands and 300 miles from the southern coast of the Freehold mainland. Navigation by sailors not familiar with the region can be treacherous owing to shifting sandbars. Sandbars build and recede with the seasonal shift in current patterns, or with the help of the occasional hurricane. While the islands' five governors currently swear fealty to and fly the flags of Deaxa, they are willing to change sides for better trade alliances and for greater autonomy, whether real or only perceived. While they don't outwardly condone piracy, they sometimes look the other way as a means to maintaining their own substantial power in the region. Each island maintains several warships and a small fleet of lesser vessels. Owing to their relative isolation, the islands rely heavily on each other for raw materials and craftsmen, which keeps internal strife at a minimum. Materials most commonly shipped to and sold on the mainland include sugar, various spices, perfume extracts, pumice, gem-quality peridot and obsidian, and the much sought-after cerulean blue pearls.

M

Magic
There is no more magic in Freehold. Magic was "destroyed" in a grand battle between Deauxama (the warrior "god" who created Freehold) and the Great Daemon Rasduu.

N

Northlanders
The nomadic, fierce warrior clans that live to the north of Freehold. Whatever you do, don't call them 'barbarians' to their face.

O

Old Bridge
The bridge that separates Freehold from the Northlands.

P

Plague Flags
Plague flags are pieces of fabric of various colors. Type of disease determines the color. Approximately the size of a head scarf, they are nailed to walls, fences, doors, etc., to warn passersby and visitors that a particular disease is present and active.
Red Flags-Red Spot Fever
Yellow Flags-Enteric Pestilence
Black Flags-Plague

Point
The term used to describe the student at the top of his or her class at Spire.


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R

Red Spot Fever
Red Spot Fever begins as general body aches and pains and low fever for several days. A faint flush of the skin is noticed. About day four, the fever increases and red welt/blister spots start to appear. Any area of skin can be affected, but it is generally localized to above the waist and facial areas. In mild cases, the fever breaks before the patient becomes dangerously ill with fever and the "spotting" and subsequent scarring is minimal. In moderate to severe cases, the patient may become delirious and dehydrated from fever. The amount of spotting is heavy and deep within the skin causing pock-marked scarring. Scarring also occurs if infection sets in when the blisters are open and oozing fluid. There is no known cure for Red Spot Fever; however, ingesting tea made from the leaves of the Fire Leaf plant and cleansing the skin with a tincture made from the plant's flowers is said to offer relief and speed recovery. Death from Red Spot Fever is nearly 80%, with most deaths resulting from skin infections rather than the fever itself. It is highly contagious and quarantine of patients is recommended. By law, plague flags must be posted to warn of contagion.


S

Spire
Freehold's most elite military academy. Spire admits only the most physically fit children of noble houses who are both bright and determined. The curriculum covered in the six winters that the students are at the school is vast - archery, marksmanship, pole arm skills with blades and blunt ends, knife fighting, knife throwing, sword fighting, unarmed combat, jousting, infiltrating and espionage, tactics and strategy, psychological warfare, military history, basic first aide in the field (i.e. how to stitch up or cauterize their own wounds), etc . . .
The school itself consists of five enormous towers and the grounds are surrounded by a wall so high and sturdily built that even Freehold's armies would be hard pressed to breach it if the need ever arose. For its part, Spire possesses an adjunct army made up mainly of students who have graduated in the past three winters as they are required to serve the school for that long. After their three winters of service are up, most students return to their houses or take up posts for the army or king. Some remain with the adjunct army, most often in hopes of attaining a permanent position at Spire.


Swamp runners
Bandits who haunt the Southern Fens, sticking mainly to the roads outside of Fen Way.


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