Essential Terms

by Scott A. Story

Language

Aenglik is spoken at court and by the peasantry, and there is no language social divide. Old Karmithian is the language of the courts, Church, and in most written documents. It is rarely spoken outside those spheres. Old Karmithian numerals (I, V, VI, etc.) are still used, although in some educated circles Emirkanian numerals (base ten, include “0” and the decimal) are gaining in popularity.

Money

The standard unit of trade is the silver regal, the Aorlisian penny. The imperial is a gold coin, but few are minted and it is more a coin of accounting than actuality. Sometimes coins will be split in two, so a half noble is ha’noble, for example, and it equals 6 taekles.

1 imperial = 20 regals, 1 regal = 20 nobles, 1 noble = 12 taekles

by Scott A. Story

Time

The year is 1245, and numbering begins at the Karmithian Accession. Years prior to the Accession are marked down in reverse order, such as year -30 = 30 years prior to year 1, and year -65 = 65 years prior, etc. Modern Imperial Time is reckoned by each emperor’s coronation, counting forward. The current year is the 4th year in the reign of Emperor Dathan.

Months

Wintermonth = January
Hornung = February
Springmonth = March
Budmonth = April
Pasturemonth = May
Fallowmonth = June
Haymonth = July
Reapingmong = August
Woodmonth = September
Vintagemonth = October
Harvestmonth = November
Holymonth = December
Harmsway = Leap Year extra day

Days of the Month

Kalen (Kl) root of "Calendar," the first day of month
Ides = Middle of month, usually the 15th
Nones = 9 days before Ides
Months had three segments of unequal length
Roman numerals count down backwards from Ides to Kalens
Roman numerals count down backwards from end of month till Ides
An example would be 12-10 = 4th day before Ides of Holymonth

Days of the Week

Saleday = Sunday
Sylvaday = Monday
Karraday = Tuesday
Aurliday = Wednesday
Rheaday = Thursday
Amorday = Friday
Uuliday =Saturday

Time-Keeping

Matins (during the night, at about 2 a.m. also called Vigil and perhaps composed of two or three Nocturne
Lauds or Dawn Prayer (at dawn, about 5 a.m., but earlier in summer, later in winter)
Prime or Early Morning Prayer (First Hour = approximately 6 a.m.)
Terce or Mid-Morning Prayer (Third Hour = approximately 9 a.m.)
Sext or Midday Prayer (Sixth Hour = approximately 12 noon)
Nones or Mid-Afternoon Prayer (Ninth Hour = approximately 3 p.m.)
Vespers or Evening Prayer ("at the lighting of the lamps", about 6 p.m.)
Compline or Night Prayer (before retiring, about 7 p.m.)