(The following is the lexicon from the novel Memory of the Brightwing. © Wolfen Moondaughter, 2005.)

"a" - say as the "a" in "Adam"
"ah" - say as the "o" in "odd"
"ee" - say as the "ee" in "seen"
"o" - say like the "o" in "snow"
"oo" - say as the "ew" in "dew"
"ahw" - say like the "ow" in cow"
"rl" - say as a rolled "r"
"d" or "g", +"h" - consonant is said while sucking air into the mouth

Syllable stresses, when present, are indicated by UPPER CASE, with extra emphasis denoted by italics.

Alpha, the - the leader in a wolfpack.

Amnesia - a fey human, she is named for her special talent: making people forget things with a touch. Could she be the reason Selina can't remember who she is? A thief, she works with Bermuda. Called "Amnie" for short.

arachnians [a-RAK-nee-enz] - spiders, centipedes, scorpions, and other arachnids that are descended from beings that were Blessed. They have humanoid and "normal" forms that they can shift between. When humanoid, they tend to be at least twice their "normal" size.

athame [a-tha-MAY] - a knife used in ritual magic, usually black-handled, used to trim auras, direct power, cut doors in a Circle, and NEVER used for cutting anything physical.

Atropos (the Crone) - a spidren, syster to Clotho, syster and lover to Lachesis, and in charge of the weapons-dealing and assassination elements in their business. Called "Attie" for short.

Atsuka [ahts-kah] - Last heir to Japan's Yellow Wolf Clan, Gunter's prize student, and Selina's new best friend.

bani [bah-NEE] - a faer being descended of an elemental's having blessed an umahni (human). There are bani elves, dwarves, and giants. Since the bani can be born of humans blessed by any elemental, they are the most diverse group of faer beings.

beesom [BEE-sum] - a broom used to sweep away negatve energy.

Bermuda - a fey male human, named for his ability to make things vanish into a pocket dimension. A thief, his partner-in-crime is Amnesia. Called "Berm" for short.

Bless(ed) (-ing, the) - elementals and other gods can "Bless" other beings, effectively increasing their magical aptitude.

bolline [bo-LEEN] - a knife or sickle, usually white-handled, used to cut things for ritual work, such as in harvesting herbs.

Brightwing, the - the name for a particular soul that has been reborn again and again, each time shouldering the responsibilities of leading those who would follow it into the future, protecting them and working to bring magic back to the world. This soul, thus far, has shared all of its known lives-and the responsibilities therein-with its self-proclaimed consort and protector, the Skyblade. It should be noted that, as souls are generally sexless beings, the Brightwing is not always female when it is incarnate.

Brom [brahm] Bunyan - a mixbreed half-giant (his bloodlines carry verj, bani, AND koru), Brom is descended from Brom Bones (of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow fame) on one side of his family, and Paul Bunyan on the other. Brom is as gentle as he is tall (and at a whopping ten feet, that's a pretty big heart!) He acts as a foil of sorts for his male lover, Ziggy. Also lover to Rahkly. Bassist for "Oberon's Minstrels". He's very strong in Earth magic.

brownies [BRAHW-neez] - small animals that are descended from beings that were Blessed. While not human, they have a humanoid form that they can take on, as well as a "normal" one.

Bryan - Gunter's son and Rahkly's little brother. At the start of the tale, it is uncertain as to whether he will be a waerwolf or not. Has a knack for mixing technology and magic.

Burine [ber-REEN] - black rabbit brownie elder, somewhat estranged mother of Midnight and Hooj.

Certan [SER-tan] - chieftain of the tribe that conquered Tael's own tribe and brought them to the Black Forest as slaves. Took Tael's mother as a wife, and adopted Tael as his son, but died soon after, leaving leadership pf the tribe to his brother, Telcun.

Change(ed) (-ing Magic) (, the) - refers to magic that alters a being's form. Usually used in reference to a waer's shapeshifting ability, or when an elemental has altered a being.

chalice [CHA-liss] - a cup, usually with a stem, used to represent the womb of the Goddess in ritual magic.

Circle - 1) a ritual. "Tonight we're having a Circle for Ostara." 2) a ritual space. "Pets are allowed inside the Circle, but negativity is not." 3) a shield of energy. "We cast a Circle of Protection with the power of the elements, but someone had to leave, so we had to cut a door in it to let them out, and then reseal the door behind them."

Clotho [CLO-tho] (the Maiden) - a spidren, youngest of The Fates, in charge of the drug-trafficking end of the business. Called Clo for short. She is recently estranged from her systers, Lachesis and Atropos.

Doepacer - a wolf Firstborn, mother to Snowstar. Dreamgate Mirror, the - a magic mirror, made by a koru elf woman, but later "acquired" and cleansed by the Brightwing's people. The Mirror has a variety of functions, not the least of which is creating magical gateways to other places. Use of it is keyed to a silver and moonstone ring.

dryad [DRY-ad] - see elemental.

Duma [DHOO-mah] - a waercheetah healer; Kiraka's female lover.

Eithne [ATE-nah] - fey female of the Phelan clan, healer and strong in Fire magic. Late wife of Gunter, mother of Rahk and Bryan. Died giving brith to Bryan after overusing her powers in battle. Now acts as a spirit guide for her family.

elemental, elemenkind - conscious forces of nature, the elementals live in the physical representations of their element. Earth-oriented elementals, which usually inhabit rocks or trees, are often called "dryads". Air elementals, which are made of wind or gas clouds, are called "sylphs". Water elementals are "undines", and Fire elementals are "salamanders".

Esbat [ESS-bat] - a ritual celebrating the full moon.

Faer [FAIR] (folk, the) - refers to any fully-magical being (i.e., not simply fey) that is descended from a bipedal being that was Blessed by an elemental-i.e., elves, dwarves, and giants, manitou, brownies and faeries. Basically, any fully-magical humanoid being that is not a waer.

faeries [FAIR-reez] - insects that are descended from insects that have been Blessed. They are humanoid in appearace, and are usually twice the size of their normal kin. They can shapeshift into a "normal" form.

Fates, The - a trio of female spidren who excel at exploiting human vices. Named for the Greek myth of The Fates (unless the rumor is true, and the myth is actually named for them.)

fey [FAY] - refers to a being that carries the Trait in their blood, but does not have the Gift. They are stronger in magic than most, but not as powerful as a waer or faer.

Fire Rage, the - a spell which consists of the caster focusing their anger and making it manifest through Fire magic. It's a volatile spell that can burn the user if one is not careful-in other words, one is in danger of being consumed by one's own anger.

Firstborn [FIRST-born] - a being that has been imbued with magic beyond their natural level, usually by prolonged exposure to an elemental. Firstborns can acquire the genetic code of any other species; they don't become that exact creature, but rather become a new version of themselves. Firstborns are potentially immortal-although none have died of natural causes, so this is not for certain.

Foreverwood, the - a stretch of enchanted woods in the Black Forest, where Rahbin, the dryad, once lived.

Gaia [GUY-ah] - the magic-users' name for the planet Earth. She is a goddess of sorts to them, the Great Mother of All (life on Earth, anyway). She is actually a sentient being-just not quite in the classic sense of the word.

Ganfer [GAN-fer], the - a Firstborn, consort to Sylvia, the High Lady of Avalon, patriarch of the Phelan clan, ancestor of Eitne, Rahkly, Bryan, Grainne, and Patrick. Native of Ireland. Took Gunter and his sister in when they lost their family in WWII.

Gauntlet of the Seven Gates, the - a gauntlet used to open preset doorways to seven locations, each gem of the Gauntlet leading to one of the seven doors. It can ONLY open doors to those seven places, so one must be careful not to let a gate close while one is on the other side. The Gauntlet can also from a shield of protection.

Gift, the - inherent magical ability that greatly exceeds the norm. A being has the Gift either by having been Blessed by an elemental (or a god, like Gaia), or by receiving the Trait from BOTH parents, or by wishing really, really, REALLY hard.

"going/gone anthro" - a phrase that refers to a waerbeast, brownie, or Manitou taking on a humanoid animal form.

Gunter Meister [GOON-ter MY-ster] Rudolph - His name means "Warrior Master Redwolf", and he's exactly that, New Avalon's combat instructor. He's also Rahkly and Bryan's father, and not well-loved by anyone but Atsuka and his late wife, Eithne. Native of Gemany, he and his sister came to live with the Phelan clan when their family was killed.

Hooj [HOOJ] - a black rabbit brownie, familiar of Rahkly, half-brother to Midnight, son of Burnine. When Hooj was born, his birthday fell on Ostara, earning him the title "Hooj-the-Trickster, Son-of-Oestre [aw-STREE]". Best friend of Piicha.

Kiraka [kee-RLAH-kah] - a waerdog, or waer African Wild Dog/Cape Hunting Dog, Kiraka, or "Patch", as she is affectionately called, is Sylvia's "right hand." She and her younger brother, Rangi, both bear a white birthmark over one of their eyes - hers is on the left. Kiraka is actually Swahili for "patch".

koru [KO-ru] - any faer being that is descended of Montin's Blessed umah. They are actually part "mineral" (stone, clay, metal, etc.) as well as have fungus in their make-up (from the mushrooms inside Montin's caves.) There are koru elves, dwarves, and giants. The koru elves are known for their thirst for control over the power of creation, and their fascination with death. They generally are strong in rock-shaping magic and necromancy.

labrys [LA-bris] - a double-sided axe, symbolizing the Goddess.

Lachesis [lah-KEE-siss] (the Mother) - a spidren, syster to Clotho, syster and lover to Atropos, leader of The Fates, and in charge of the prostitution element in their business. Called "Lachi" for short.

Luna - the common name magical creatures use for the moon.

Mahadevi [mah-hah-DAY-vee] - the waertiger high preistess of the Temple of the Moon's Phaces, in New Avalon. Her name, roughly translated, is Hindi for either "great mother" or "moon goddess".

magic - using Spirit, focused by will, to bring about desired events. As a noun, it's another word for Spirit, specifically referring to Spirit that is used in spellcasting, shapeshifting, etc.

Midnight - a black rabbit brownie, Selina's familiar, sister to Hooj, daughter to Burnine. Named for the Witching hour, 12 am. Also known as the Spider-Slayer. She has a crush on Piicha.

Montin [MAHN-tin] - the rock dryad that created the koru. He inhabited the mountains known today as the Alps, at the edge of the Black Forest, near the Foreverwood.

Moon's Justice, the - a labrys, shaped like the symbol for the trinity of the moon. Especially made for the Brightwing, it symbolizes that soul's wisdom and authority, as well as serving as a reminder of how justice can be a double-edged blade.. Its blade will not harm someone who means no lethal harm to the bearer.

ni [NEE] - better known to humans as Neanderthal.

Ostara [o-STAH-rah] - the spring equinox, one of the solar Sabbats, circa March 17th-23rd. Marks the time when the days are finally longer than the nights, and green things are starting to bloom again. The second of the fertility, or planting Sabbats, in the Wheel of the Year.

pentacle - a circular disc with a pentagram, or five-pointed star, painted or carved into it, believed to be endowed with Earth Magic, and/or the power of the all five elements.

Piicha [PEE-cha] - a bond rabbit brownie, familiar of Atsuka, best friend of Hooj, with a crush on Midnight. He is strong in Air magic.

Rahbin [rahh-BEEN] - the tree dryad that created the initial verj (although some other dryads did the same, with other ni in other places, later.) He lived in the Black forest, in a section called the Foreverwood, before he was destroyed. Centuries later, he was reborn, and is now the dryad for New Avalon.

Rahkly Baird Phelan [RA-klee BAI-rld feh-LAWN] - "Rahkly" is from "Raghallach", a Celtic name meaning "brave". Baird is another word for "bard". Phelan is a Celtic surname meaning "wolf". Conceived at Ostara and born at Yule, he is marked him for great things: better known as Rahk, he is believed to be the current incarnation of the Skyblade. Son of Gunter and brother of Bryan. Lead guitar and vocalist for "Oberon's Minstrels". Male lover of Brom and Ziggy, but in love with Selina.

Rangi [RLAHN-ghee] - a waerdog, or waer African Wild Dog/Cape Hunting Dog, Rangi (or "Paint", as he is affectionately called) is Kiraka's younger brother. Both bear a white brithmark over one of their eyes - his is on the right. Rangi is actually Sawahili for "paint."

Sabbat [SA-bat]- a sacred day. There are eight Sabbats in the Wiccan calender: Imbolc [IM-bowlk], Ostara, Beltane [BEL-tayn], Litha [LIH-thah], Lughnasadh [lu-NA-sah]/Lammas [LAH-mahss], Mabon [may-BAHN], Samhain [SAHW-en], and Yule. Many other pagans observe these days as well, but not all.

Secondborn [SE-CUND-born] - the offspring of a Firstborn. They have more magic than an average member of their parent species. Also, if their Firstborn parent is of a diffrent origin species than their non-Firstborn parent, they can shapeshift between the two.

Selina - born an ordinary human girl, and now having no memory of her past, she is, some believe, the current incarnation of the Brightwing. She is also strongly drawn to Rahkly-as well as to Atsuka, to a lesser degree.

Skyblade, the - a particular soul that has been reborn again and again, acting as a leader and a protector of magical beings-particularly the Brightwing, which it has proclaimed itself the sacred consort of. Together, these two souls seek to restore the magic to Gaia. It should be noted that, as souls are basically sexless, the Skyblade is not always incarnate as a male.

Snowstar - the offspring of Doepacer and a human, a Secondborn waerwolf. She brought peace between the humans and the wolves of her land, with the aid of Tael. An incarnation of the Brightwing, the life in which her soul received that title (or so it is believed.) Sol [soul] - the name magical beings tend to use for the sun.

Solstice [SOUL-stiss] - a solar event. The Summer Solstice, or Litha, marks the longest day of the year, and the Winter Solstice, or Yule, marks the shortest. Both are Sabbats.

soul - a concentration of Spirit energy that has developed a sense of identity. Souls do not need to ever have been "incarnate" to exist.

souleater - a being that "eats" souls. Usually a corrupted elemental.

spidren - waerspiders. Their hafling form is rather like a centaur: they have a humanoid torso and arms, and a spider's abdomen with six legs.

Spirit - the fifth element, also known as the Lifeforce. Composed of all the other elements, it is the element that animates all things, and of which all souls are comprised.

Sylvia Greenwood - a Firstborn, and current High Lady of New Avalon. A very secretive woman, but respected by almost everyone.

syster - term used to describe one who is syster in heart, but not by birth.

Tael [TAY-l]- the son of a fey woman and a Firstborn, his people were made slaves by another tribe. He later discovered his magical heritage and, with the aid of Snowstar, brought peace between his tribe and that of their captors, as well as found them a new home with the verj of the Foreverwood. An incarnation of the Skyblade, the one in which that sould received that title (or so it is believed.)

Telcun [TEL-kun] - chieftain of the tribe of humans who keep Tael's people captive in the foreverwood. Tael's abusive adoptive uncle.

Thirdborn [THIRD-born] - the descendants of a Secondborn (the term is not limited to their own offspring, but also applied to their descendants.) The Thirdborn have more magical power than an average member of their species, but just how much depends on whether they have inherited the Trait from both parents. If they only inherited the Trait from one parent, they are called "fey", and may not change shape on their own.

Thurisaz [THOOR-ih-saz] - an air elemental gone souleater, with a grudge against the Brightwing and the Skyblade. Inhabits Adam.

Trait, the - refers specifically to the genetic trait which carries magic. If a being inherits the Trait from both its parents, they then have the Gift.

umah [oo--MAHH] - beings from the planet Mars, known for greed, selfishness, and a fondness for experimentation. Also known as "Grey Aliens", although those we know of today are a bit evolved from the umah that landed here during the age of the ni.

umah-ni [oo-MAHH NEE] - actually having a separate meaning from "umahni", this is a catch-all name for the earlier steps in human evolution, such as Cro Magnon and Homo Erectus.

umahni [oo-MAH-nee] - the rest of the planet's name for Homo Sapien, derived from the names of their parent species, umah and ni.

umahni-ka [oo-MAH-nee KA] - a derogatory term for humans. The "ka" is stressed-almost spat, really. Roughly translated, it means "damn humans", and expresses disgust over them in the context of them being like dog doo.

verj [vairj] - any faer being that is descended of dryad-Blessed ni. There are verj elves, dwarves, and giants. They generally weaken when out of the range of their dryad's root structure. The verj are strong in plant-shaping magic, and are, in fact, part plant themselves.

waer [wair] - refers to any fully-magical being (i.e., not simply fey) that is descended of a human and an animal, such as a waerwolf.

Yven [ee-VEN] - male elf, leader of the Foreverwood verj.

Ziggy - fey bassist for "Oberon's Minstrels", and male lover of both Rahk and Brom. He has a reputation as a wise-ass and a sex-fiend.