A Glossary

Fantasy is stereotyped by its traditionally incoherent array of baffling terms which border on the unintelligible. Whether the Eshanic Mythos falls into that category is irrelevant, but due diligence dictates an attempt to alleviate the burden. It is arranged by general category rather than alphabet, so that relationships between terms might be more certain.

One might question the purpose of creating proprietary names for the mythos. Is it not more confusing for the reader? Perhaps, but the benefit is creating new words with new meanings or associations. Indeed, take the terms Esseythu for example. It roughly means soul. However, it doesn’t regard an abstract spiritual idea of soul, but instead a well-known empirical phenomenon wherein sentience is granted to beings through the separation of Eshanic core from the mundane body. This is the real Esseythu, which can be directly manipulated through extra-natural powers, and easier to communicate with that new word rather than using soul with its traditional meanings and attempting to redefine it.

Acolitus – The being which is, and created, everything. He was once darkness, but by creating Eshor, or the stars above, the components for mass creation were devised. All sentient existence as we known was born by accident, for Acolitus was himself ignorant of such process. He has competed with, warred against, and fostered the world which became thereafter.

Eshan – The deities of the universe. They are the unplanned children of Acolitus, the Creator. All mortality was spawned from their works. All narratives are derived from their machinations.

Alor’eshan – The elder generation of the Eshan. In their birth, the universe was abundant with unfathomed power, and much of that power was born into them. Those of this generation, Aebaster, Atûn, Mesian, Qazun, the Ezontach, and others, are second only to Acolitus. Few and powerful.

Ebal’eshan – The younger generation of the Eshan. In their birth, much of the power abundant in the universe was invested into the Alor’eshan. The hundreds of Eshan in this new generation were all less powerful, and compelled subordinates to their more powerful siblings.

Nith’eshan – Eshan beyond the Eshanic Mandate. These deities are those who refused to or were unable to sign themselves onto the Eshanic Mandates which limit all Eshanic activities. They are generally hated by Acolitus as agents of disorder. However, all Eshanic actors covet them for operations in Esha.

Olun’eshan – Olun’eshan are mortals who have been uplifted to the ranks of Eshan. They are no demi-gods, but simply now deities. The process, in brief, is that Eshan imbue the departing soul of a mortal with immense Eshanic power which evolves its weak original state. Sufficient power means ascension. Nothing more to be said about it.

Nem’eshan – The Nem’eshan are a conscious exception to most Eshanic knowledge. They are Eshan who have chosen to divorce themselves from common affairs in the universe. Mortals do not know their names, and even the other Eshan lose memory of their existence. Their role is strange, but their possible presence generates constant paranoia among the reigning Eshan.

Adomeythu – The universe. Its name means Awakened Dream in the tongue of the Eshan, which encapsulates the whole mythos. Everything exists within it- Esha, the Eshan, olundi, etc. It doubles as the essence of Acolitus, for he as creator is the universe, and everything derived from his energy. For common olundi, this term is most accurate in describing the greatest measure of existence.

Vussalas – The Eternal Space. This is the region beyond Esha which is the most natural manifestation of Acolitus. It is his nakedness, in a manner of speaking. All celestial bodies contrived by Eshan once dwelled there in busy harmony. This was ended prior to the creation of Esha. Vussalas is now desolate save for some Eshan who rejected Esha’s allure.

Eshabal – The sun. It is also the embodiment of Acolitus the Creator, just as all the Eshan in Vussalas possess some physical form. It wanders around the world in constant orbit according to the Natural Mandate, and so Acolitus might see those little and great things which come to pass.

Kovûl – The moon. It was created as the gateway through which mortal essence passes upon death. Acolitus speaks with them one last time through this place, and then directs their essence to either an Eshanic master or himself.

Eshor – The stars. These take two forms, those which are Eshan and those which are not. The Eshanic Eshor are the physical embodiments of Eshanic beings in Vussalas. In ancient times the Eshan could pass between Eshoric and physical form, back and forth, without hindrance. Now they cannot according to the Eshanic Mandate agreed after the First Feud. Non-Eshanic Eshor are indeed Eshor, but have never achieved the requisite conditions.

Esha – The world. This is the sole material celestial body left in the universe, wherein there were many millenia ago. It was created by Acolitus to curtail the violent feuding of the Eshan. Over time, this paradise in the universe became the frontier of terrible contests. It is the domain of all olundi.

Qadal – The First Half of Esha. It is the domain which the Alor’eshan were granted after the First Feud. It is considered the more ordered, better civilized, less populated, and stable half of the world. Few reign there in plenty.

Voryndal – The Second Half of Esha. It is the domain which the Ebal’eshan were granted after the First Feud. It is generally considered the more chaotic and inferior member of the pair. Many reign there in relative scarcity of resources and land. Life is cheap, blood runs easy.

Olundi – Mortals. These are the beings whom the Eshan created as their agents and sources of power in Esha. This includes every race in existence. Why not just call them mortals, then? The reason is that mortal simply points out their fate of death- nothing more beyond. Calling them olundi in lore highlights their unique existence as the inhabitants of the sole rocky celestial body in the universe, Esha, after all the other were destroyed through Eshanic in-fighting.

Lurollusia – Fate. The name is derived from Luros, being one of the Alor’eshan. He devised the basic framework of fate through eight wisdoms, ranging from compassion and faith to clarity and cunning. Each of the Eshan and theoretically olundi have some position among the eight. According to Luros, pursuing and knowing one’s Eshanic wisdom illuminates their future. Later generations of Eshanic thinkers thoroughly disproved the concept through logical reasoning. However, the mystical concept of fate remained popular as a common superstition.

Esseythu - Mortal essence, the soul. This is the Eshanic energy which makes common elements in the universe, themselves a mundane version of Eshara, sentient. Nothing would exist in life without it. Eshan have this essence naturally occurring. It was the brilliance of the Eshan Qazun to replicate it within contrived bodies. This was the gateway to creating Olundi and the world as it is known.

Nemeshir/Nemeshari – Extra-mortal power. It is close to magic in the common sense. However, it originates specifically from the Eshan, for it is the power of creation made manifest in useable form. The subordinate varieties of Nemeshir are Eshan: the direct Eshanic kind; Vojûn: created by Atûn; and Ackesh: which relates to the natural defenses of the mind. Others exist but might be learned of elsewhere. Nemeshari are those who practice any form of Nemeshir. This can include Eshara, Vojûn, Ackesh, Sekura, Wismura, or others. Names may differ between nations.

Nemgorotir – These are creatures or more sentient beings created from non-Eshanic, often Vojûnic sources. They possess full life, but are weaker in body, mind, and life-span.

Persatir – These are the material creations of olundi given life. They near universally take a Vojûnic form and require a restoration of that power to survive. Other forms have been known, however. Alike the Nemgorotir, they possess some manner of sentient life, but are derided by common olundi for their artificial status.