Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone, as ancient as time itself, served as a key to translate words and define ideas, enabling communication between people of different languages. The Rosetta Stone (Glossary) will assist in the language used in the stories of Hel.
Aelf (Alf): Original Norse texts refer to them as Ælfr. In this context, they are a race of humanoids whose notable characteristics include platinum blonde hair, tall stature, slender build, extreme physical coordination, long pointed ears, and a general disdain for all other races and cultures. They are excellent healers, adept at Reiki and the use of crystals, and their archery skills help them develop an innate mastery of geometry and mathematics.
Aelfs (Alfs): Plural form of Aelf.
Aelfinn (ALF-fin): Possessive form of Aelf.
Ást mín (awst meen): Term of endearment. Literally "my love."
Bikkja (BIK-kya): A common word in modern Icelandic (meaning "female dog" or "bitch"), and it comes directly from Old Norse.
Blótstafn (BLOHT stahvn): A raised fist with index and pinky fingers extended (like the metal "rock on" sign). Meaning: In Norse culture, this could be used to mock someone as a follower of Loki, a Jötunn-lover, or a dishonorable oathbreaker.
Bretahaf (BRET-a-HAHF): The Breta Sea, which surrounds the land of the Britons and separates it from the Norðrsær.
Briton (BRIT-on): One who inhabits Breta (later known as Britain, then England).
Crenel (KREN-el): One of the open spaces or indentations in the top of a battlement or fortified wall, used for shooting or observation. Essentially, it's the gap between the solid parts (merlons) of a battlement.
Dragon (DRA-gon): A term used synonymously with Eastern Dragons and Wyverns. The noun is capitalized as they are sentient beings. See also Wyverns.
Dagmark (DAGH-mark): The Scandinavians divided the day into eight sections, marked by the sun's position relative to the horizon, which varied widely between summer and winter.
Draugr (DROW-gr, with a gutteral 'g' and a trilled 'r'): The reanimated corpse of the deceased inside the burial mound. Said to retain some intelligence and had the ability in swell up in size, the only way to kill them (again) was decapitation or burning. Reference.
Draugar (DROW-gar, with a gutteral 'g' and a trilled 'r'): Plural of Draugr.
Dûrgath (DOOR-gath): Dwarfinn Kingdom where the Dwarfs live.
Dwaelf (dw-ALF): A contraction of Dwarf and Aelf – a pejorative term that can lead to violent physical confrontations.
Dwarf (DWARF): A race of humanoids whose notable characteristics include short stature, thick build, innate understanding of metallurgy, mechanical creativity, and excellent vision in the dark mines.
Dwarfs (DWAR-fs): Plural form of Dwarf.
Dwarfinn (DWAR-fin): Possessive form of Dwarf.
Eldoria (EL-do-REE-a): The Aelfinn Kingdom where the Aelfs live.
Favn (FAH-vun): A "fathom" (a unit of measurement about 6 feet long, derived initially from the span of outstretched arms). It could also mean "embrace."
Fukk (FUK): Imperative conjugation of Fokken, AKA "Fuck!"
Fukka (FUK-ah): Old Norse word meaning to breed, derived from the proto-Germanic word "Fokken." It applied to animal breeding but grew to be used with vulgarity.
Fukkin (FOK-in): A contraction of "Fukkandi," the present participle of Fukken, AKA "Fucking."
Fyrnrót (FURN-root, furn with a rolled "R"): A mystical herb native to the cold, untamed regions of Norðrlönd that can induce visions. See also Fyrnrót.
Gasthaus (GAST-house): A tavern with simple guest accommodations, usually above the tavern.
Goði (GO-thee): Someone responsible for overseeing local religious practices, including conducting rituals and maintaining sacred sites. Also spelled Gothi.
Granat (GRAH-naht): Grenade. Small handheld explosive. Based on the Latin "Granatus."
Half-moon (Half moon): 1. The state of the moon when it appears to be half-full. 2. The time it takes to go from a full moon to a no-moon and vice versa, or about 14 days.
Haustblót (HOWST-bloht): Autumn feast celebrating the fall harvest and animal sacrifice to appease the gods throughout the winter. See also Haustblót.
Hel (HELL): Hel, or Hela, is a goddess who presides over the underworld realm of the dead, also called Hel. She is typically depicted with a face that is half-beautiful and half-decayed, reflecting the duality of life and death. Due to the dragon wars with Ravnsríki, it was believed the volcanic plain far west of Helsgaard that was home to Dragons (Wyverns) was the entrance to Hel.
Hel (HELL): The domain of Hela where those who died of old age, illness or cowardice. Inhabitants were known as Hel-walkers or draugr.
Helsgård (hels-GARD): This name refers to the entire region encompassing both the Helsgaard Plateau and the verdant valley that lies to the west, between the plateau and Hel. This valley is known as the Helsgaard Frontier. A clerical error a century ago corrupted the original runes. This changed the name from Helsgarðr ("Hel's Yard") to Helsgård ("Hel's Homestead").
Hersir (HAIR-seer): The leader of a small group of warriors. Later, during the Viking Age, it included being a landowner and executing administrative duties, such as collecting taxes and enforcing laws.
Höfn (HEW-fn): A haven or safe place.
Ísdolkr (EES-dolkr, with a soft 'k' and rolled 'r' sound at the end): Means "ice dagger," a famed but never-seen dagger made of quartz crystal that can be used to overcome the evil magic of the Dark Stone.
Ja (YAH): Yes.
Jarl (YARL): An elite, landowner, or wealthy person.
Jarnøska (YARN-uh-ska): Literally "Iron Raven" - A redical secret society in Jarnborg driven by revenge to exterminate the Wyverns.
Jörð (YER-th, with a soft "th" sound): Means "Earth" in Old Norse. Norse mythology describes her as a giantess (Jötunn) and personifies the Earth—a similar concept to Gaia in the Gaia Theory.
Karl (KARL): An ordinary person.
Kobold (KOH-bold): A mischievous and evil spirit inhabiting mines and caves. While often depicted as small and goblin-like, they could be powerful and vicious when angered.
Líf (LEEF): Life. Named after one of two humans who survived Ragnarok, it now means long life and survival.
Loki (LOH-kee) is a cunning trickster god in Norse mythology. He is known for his chaotic nature and for aiding and hindering the other gods.
Lúðr (LOO-thr, with a soft 'th'): Large horns, often made from animal horns or wood, produce a deep, resonating sound that can be heard for long distances. They are also written as Lúthr.
Meyja (MEY-yah): Refers to an unmarried woman or maiden, AKA "lass."
Miðsumarblót (MITH-soo-mar-blote): A blót (sacrifice/ritual) to honor the gods, ancestors, and spirits at the height of the sun’s power. See also Miðsumarblót.
Moon (Moon): A unit of measure approximately one month long. AKA "month."
Necro (NEC-row): Short for Necromancer, the English version of Völva (see below), or witch doctor.
Nei (Nay): No.
No moon (No moon): The time of the month when the moon is not visible. AKA "new moon."
Norðrlönd (NOR-thrl-ond): The peninsula encompassing Eldoria, Ravnsríki, and Dûrgath..
Norðrsær (NOR-dr-SAY-er): The sea to the north of Norðrlönd. It is also written as Northrsaer.
Norns (NORNS): The Norns were the Norse goddesses of fate, represented by three sisters named Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld. They lived underneath the world tree and wove the tapestry of fate.
Óðinn's Merk (OH-thin's Merk, the "th" is soft): One of the currencies of Ravnsríki. It's a coin made of gold, stamped with Odin's face, weighing about 30 grams.
Pikk (PICK): A vulgar slang word for a penis. It's also an insult to someone you don't like, especially a boy or man.
Rass (RASS): A vulgar slang word for the posterior that refers to a jerk or an idiot.
Rasshol (RASS-Hole): A vulgar slang word for the posterior and used about a jerk or an idiot.
Ravnsríki (RAVNS-ree-kee, with rolled 'r's): The name of the Human kingdom, which roughly means "Raven's Realm" or "Raven's Domain."
Seithr (SEY-ee-thr, with a trilled 'r'): A type of magic involving communion with the dead practiced in Norse society. AKA seiðr. Reference.
Skål (SKOHL rhymes with "bowl," but with a shorter, crisper "o" sound): A traditional Scandinavian toast, meaning "cheers" in modern usage. Historically, it was more than just a drinking salute—it symbolized camaraderie, respect, and good fortune. The word originates from Old Norse skál, meaning "bowl," referencing the communal drinking vessels shared among warriors and friends during feasts.
Skalds (SKAHLDS): The poets and storytellers of the Norse world, skilled in composing and reciting verses that praised kings, warriors, and gods. They preserved history, recounted heroic deeds, and wielded words as both entertainment and political influence.
Skitkarl (SKIT-karl): Translates to "shit-fellow" or "dung-man." It's a fancy Old Norse way of calling someone a "jerk" or a "good-for-nothing." AKA "Bastard." See also Skitr and Karl.
Skitkarlar (SKIT-kar-lar): Plural of skitkarl.
Skitr (SKIT-er, trilled 'R'): Means "shit" or "dung." It can also be used figuratively to mean something worthless or contemptible.
Skitsmæli (SKIT-smye-lee): "Nonsense" or "foolish talk." Literally "shit-talk." More vulgar and direct, similar to "bullshit" in its intensity.
Sordinn (SOR-din): Vulgar adverb intensifier about undesirable situations, AKA "fucking." See also Fokkin.
Sordinnad (SOR-din-NAHD): Vulgar past tense for being the victim of an undesirable situation – also a term for being sent on a suicide mission. AKA "fucked."
Stred (STREAD): Vulgar expletive expressing a dismal situation, AKA "fuck." See also Fokk and Fokken.
Stred Mik (STREAD MEEK): Vulgar expletive expressing one's undesirable involvement in a dismal situation, AKA "Fuck me!"
Tagelharpa (TAH-gel-HAR-pa): The name means "horsehair harp" because the strings are made from horse hair.
Tanrite (TAN-rite): A combination of an unknown white crystal and a shiny metal powder that explodes when exposed to impact.
Torc (TORK): A torc is a rigid, typically metal neck ring, often open-ended, that was historically worn by various Germanic cultures.
Unter (UN-ter): Meaning "below" or "under." When used as a prefix to a city name, it denotes the ghetto or an impoverished area.
Várblót (VOR-bloht): Spring feast celebrating emerging from winter's embrace and animal sacrifice to appease the gods and bring good fortune and abundant harvests. See also Várblót.
Vid hamri Thors (VID ham-ree THORS, with a soft 'TH'): By Thor's Hammer – a severe curse.
Wyvern (WHY-vern): A winged, flying reptile with two hind legs and arms that form their wings, similar to bats and pterodactyls.
