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): 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, 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.

Dragon (DRA-gon): A term used synonymously with Eastern Dragons and Wyverns. The noun is capitalized as they are sentient beings. See also Wyverns.

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.

Dwarfinn (DWAR-fin): Plural form of Dwarf.

Eldoria (EL-do-REE-a): The Aelfinn Kingdom where the Aelfs live.

Engle (ENG-el): One who inhabits England.

England (ENG-lahnd): Where the Engles live. A very fertile land with better weather and is accessible only by the sea.

Englandshaf (ENG-lahnd-SHAHF): England's Sea, which is connected to the Norðrsær.

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."

Gasthaus (GAST-house): A tavern with simple guest accommodations, usually above the tavern.

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.

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 or illness were sent. Inhabitants were known as Hel-walkers, or draugr.

Hersir (HAIR-seer): The leader of a small group of warriors.

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.

Kobold (KOH-bold): A mischievous and evil spirit inhabiting mines and caves. While often depicted as small and goblin-like, they could be incredibly strong and vicious when angered.

Líf (LEEF): Life. After one of two humans who survived Ragnarok, and now means long life and survival.

Loki (LOH-kee): Loki is a cunning trickster god in Norse mythology. He is known for his chaotic nature and role in 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.

Necro (NEC-row): Short for Necromancer, the English version of Völva (see below), or witch doctor.

Norðrsær (NOR-dr-SAY-er): The sea to the north of Norðrlönd. Also written as Northrsaer.

Meyja (MEY-yah): Specifically refers to an unmarried woman or maiden, ALA "lass."

Moon (Moon): A unit of measure that is approximately one month long. AKA "month."

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. Also written as Nordrlönd.

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.

Skitkarl (SKIT-karl): Literally 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."

Skitkarlar (SKIT-kar-lar): Plural of skitkarl.

Skitr (SKIT-er, trilled 'R'): Literally 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 pertaining to undesirable situations, AKA "fucking."

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."

Stred Mik (STREAD MEEK): Vulgar expletive expressing one's undesirable involvement in a dismal situation, AKA "Fuck me!"

Torc (TORK): A torc is a rigid, typically metal neck ring, often open-ended, that was historically worn by various Germanic cultures.

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.