GLOSSARY

Elemestrin

Beware, all who enter here! This page contains spoilers for Elemestrin, so if you haven’t finished the book, turn back now. If you’ve followed Cody’s (and Lyria’s) story to the very end, here’s where you’ll find a glossary of all the unfamiliar terms you’ve encountered.

Acqusquen (ah-koos-kwen) [N]: Any living organism that can tolerate the presence of, and often harness, reyen; often perceived by humans as “magical” or “mythical.”

Active: A type of nymph who can use their abilities without a Cache to some extent, as their body naturally allows reyen to escape in harmless amounts. [N = activin (ak-tee-vin); activa (ak-tee-vah)]

Ádis (ah-dees) [N]: A Nyphraim city located below the modern human city of Athens.

Aerotect (ay-roh-tekt) [N]: One of Zenyx’s inventions; when charged up with reyen for Air, it detects movement in the surrounding area.

Apotelesman (ah-paw-teh-lez-man) [N]: An extremely rare vision received by nymphs, seemingly at random, portraying a possible future timeline; their source is unknown.

Artificer: A nymph involved in the creation of Chips, Caches, or other reyen-based items. [N = artificin (ar-tih-fih-kin)]

Astral: A member of the Astral Council and one of the nine leaders of the Nyphraim world.

Astral Council: A group of nine nymphs united to lead the Nyphraim world.

Astral Court: The building located in the centre of Kholinth, where the Astral Council convenes for meetings, audiences, or any other political/legal matter.

Asyr-Nikasen (ah-seer – nee-kah-sen) [N]: A large Nyphraim city located underneath the Helgrindur volcano in Iceland; it is home to a variety of acqusqua species known to exist in few other places.

Atalantia (ah-tah-lan-tee-ah) [N]: An ancient Nyphraim city that was intentionally sunken several hundred years ago.

Aura (aw-ruh) [N]: One of the four known types of sprites, connected to air.

Black Hole: The prison located beneath the Astral Court said to hold the most dangerous lawbreakers.

Cache (kash): An accessory unique to each nymph; the gemstones it bears allow the Nyphraim wearer to harness reyen. [N = chanalen (shah-nah-len)]

Capa (kah-puh) [N]: A rodent-like acqusqua creature that dwells in underground tunnel networks and possesses fur capable of changing rigidity.

Caryophyllun (kah-ree-oh-fy-lun) [N]: A memorial site where the Caches of nymphs who have passed away are displayed in remembrance.

Centauri (sen-toh-ree) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the star Proxima Centauri, it represents normalcy and requires someone with an average and well-rounded character.

Chefnin (chef-nin) [N]: A drink that vastly boosts energy, containing both murada sources of caffeine and acqusqua ingredients.

Chekovya (cheh-kohv-yuh) [N]: A Nyphraim city located on the northern coast of Russia.

Chimaera (ky-may-ruh) [N]: A cat-like acqusqua creature; due to their evasive nature, knowledge about them and their abilities is limited.

Combination Ability: An ability requiring two channels of reyen to use; requires direct contact.

Communication, Health, and Protection Implant (CHPI or Chip): A technological implant set into the back of every nymph’s wrist; serves communication and entertainment purposes, but also monitors and reports any unusual or alarming changes in health or activity.

Crenwyllos (kren-wih-lohs) [N]: A Nyphraim city carved into the cliffs of Sardinia, off the west coast of mainland Italy.

Crocotta (kroh-kaw-tah) [N]: An aggressive, highly territorial acqusqua creature with keen hunting instincts and a venomous bite.

Crutinon (kroo-tih-nohn) [N]: A very potent painkiller reserved for use by certified Healers.

Drifter: Any human-born nymph in the process of transferring to the Nyphraim society. [N = iteren (ih-teh-ren)]

Dyffinbaccan (dih-fin-bah-kun) [N]: A paralytic composed of the murada dieffenbachia plant combined with other acqusqua ingredients.

Eclipsor (eh-klip-sohr) [N]: One of Zenyx’s inventions; when charged up with reyen for Air-Light, it conceals the holder.

Elemestrin (eh-luh-mes-trin) [N]: The only nymph in known history to possess all six abilities.

Enfield (en-feeld) [N]: A winged canine acqusqua creature known for its youthful yet obedient nature; they make excellent companions.

Esterit (ez-teh-rit) [N]: A city that was meant to be built in modern-day Tibet several thousand years ago, but plans were scrapped.

Everlight: A flame created using Fire-Light; it does not require typical fuel and burns with an unusually high luminosity. [N = emej-lunan (eh-mej – loo-nan)]

Ezuro (eh-zoo-roh) [N]: One of a group of nine cities in Antarctica, built from highly diluted linarite.

Gate: A stone archway engraved with an unusual symbol; nymphs can travel between them through the use of a Chip. [N = paregron (pah-reh-grohn)]

Glowstone: A luminescent stone of variable shape and/or size, created using Water-Light. [N = lunan-kalxen (loo-nan – kalk-sen)]

Harobai (hah-roh-by) [N]: A Nyphraim city located near the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania; it primarily homes minor criminals.

Healer: A nymph responsible for the care and healing of those afflicted by disease or injury. [N = medicen (meh-dih-ken)]

Imp (imp): An acqusqua species that exists in a hidden society separate from the Nyphraim one. [N = imfe (im-fuh)]

Keeper: A nymph responsible for the upkeep of the Nyphraim cities, as well as the systems that keep them concealed from outside eyes. [N = tueon (too-ay-ohn)]

Kholinth (koh-linth) [N]: The oldest Nyphraim city and de-facto capital of the Nyphraim world; it is located in the Welsh hills.

Kholinth Academy for Modern Technology (KAMT): The best school for Nyphraim technology beyond the 9th Tier; includes a division for Chip technicians, as well as a growing sector for gemstone-based inventions to improve the Nyphraim lifestyle.

Kirin (kee-rin) [N]: A hooved, semi-aquatic acqusqua creature that lives in herds in tropical coastal areas.

Knoxen (nawk-sen) [N]: The middle denomination of Nyphraim currency; an amber cube worth 30 shilpé.

Lampad (lam-pad) [N]: One of the four known types of sprites, connected to fire.

Lenomeil (leh-noh-may) [N]: A Nyphraim city located in eastern Myanmar.

Leviaten (leh-vy-ah-ten) [N]: A small dragon-like, aquatic acqusqua creature; different species can be found in freshwater versus saltwater.

Lightwarden: A nymph involved in operating the artificial lighting systems of public city spaces and buildings; especially crucial for cities concealed by physical barriers, such as Shallenor. [N = lunatrin (loo-nah-trin)]

Link: The bond formed between a nymph and the first unlinked Cache they use that matches their abilities. [N = junsen (jun-sen)]

Lunarall (loo-nah-rawl) [N]: One of Zenyx’s inventions; a glass sphere containing ever-burning sparks, emitting a bright light.

Lune [N]: The most powerful position on the Astral Council and the official leader of the Nyphraim world.

Lynx [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the Lynx Arc stars, it represents the spread of warmth and requires someone kind-hearted who is able to connect with the common people.

Majoris (mah-joh-ris) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the star VY Canis Majoris, it represents impulsiveness and requires a nymph who trusts their instincts above all else.

Mavi (mah-vee) [N]: A Nyphraim city located on the ocean floor east of New Zealand; one of the highest-status cities.

Medial: Any nymph who does not belong under another class of career. [N = median (mee-dee-an)]

Meerkat: One of Zenyx’s inventions; a device strapped around the ankle to track and monitor the wearer’s moves. (No Nyphraim translation; Zenyx let Lyria name it.)

MelKulan (mel-koo-lan) [N]: Trix’s favourite dark chocolate and honeycomb treats.

Menthen Mifrange (men-then mih-frawn-gay) [N]: Thin, crispy, mint-flavoured cookies.

Mermaid: An acqusqua species suspected to exist in a hidden society in the deep ocean, though nothing is known about their appearance or abilities. [N = merkulae (mer-koo-lay)]

Millun (mee-loon) [N]: The largest denomination of Nyphraim currency; a maroon octahedron worth 20 knoxepé.

Modifier: A nymph practiced in destroying memories. [N = minon (mee-nawn)]

Moonhigh Festival: An annual festival held on the winter solstice, involving a pyrokinetic display in Phenlar followed by an all-night celebration throughout Kholinth.

Muraden (muh-rah-den) [N]: Any being that is unable to tolerate reyen within its body.

Nabrillos (nah-brih-lohs) [N]: An unused Nyphraim city, deteriorated to ruins; it is a popular site for day trips and tourism.

Naiad (ny-ad) [N]: One of the four known types of sprites, connected to water.

Natural Essence: The basic component that constructs all material entities; it exists in a multitude of forms, which can be manipulated by different reyen channels or combinations thereof.

Null: A type of nymph, exclusively human-born, who is unable to control their outflow of reyen without a Cache; instead, reyen builds up until it can no longer be contained, at which point it is released in explosive amounts. [N = nullen (nuh-len); nullea (nuh-lay-ah)]

Nymph: A human-like acqusqua species capable of using reyen to manipulate the elements; they live in hidden cities scattered across the globe. [N = nyphren (nih-fren)]

Nyphraim [1] (nih-frem): Anything related to nymphs or their world. [N = nyphra (nih-frah)]

Nyphraim [2] (nih-frem): The primary language spoken by nymphs. [N = nyphrain (nih-frayn)]

Odayarei (oh-dah-yah-ray) [N]: A Nyphraim city located in rural Japan, known for its spectacular gardens.

Oread (oh-ree-ad) [N]: One of the four known types of sprites, connected to earth.

Orenten Bohon / Orb (oh-ren-ten boh-hawn) [N]: One of Zenyx’s inventions; uses the wearer’s reyen to read their movements and counteract imbalance.

Pegasi (peh-gah-sy) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the binary stars of IM Pegasi, it represents duality and requires a nymph with a strong sense of empathy and the ability to view situations from an opposite angle.

Phenlar (fen-lar) [N]: A Nyphraim city located in northern Sweden, known for its incredible views of the northern lights.

Phoenix (fee-niks) [N]: An acqusqua creature with red-orange, threadlike feathers, which give the appearance that it is burning.

Polaris (poh-lah-ris) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the north star Polaris, it represents a sense of direction and requires a nymph with a strong moral compass.

Primary Ability: A nymph’s ability relating to the reyen pathway they most connected with at birth; the only one of their core abilities that does not require direct contact.

Pualli (poo-ah-lee) [N]: A Nyphraim city located in the Brazilian Amazon, constructed of rickety floating platforms and low-status homes.

Reyen (ray-en) [N]: The force that manipulates natural essence; can be tolerated and potentially harnessed by acqusqua creatures.

Rihn (rin) [N]: The form of writing belonging to the Nyphraim society; structured around phonetic sounds rather than individual letters.

Scholar: A nymph involved in research as a career, funded by the Astral Council. [N = reven (reh-ven)]

Scout: A nymph who takes on a role in human society for a variety of reasons, all related to the protection and maintenance of the Nyphraim world. [N = quaeran (kway-ran)]

Secondary Ability: Any of six core abilities possessed by a nymph that is not their primary ability; requires direct contact to work.

Sentinel: A nymph responsible for guarding the borders of the Nyphraim cities to protect from external threats and deter wayward humans. [N = excubiin (eks-koo-bee-in)]

Setchelin (set-cheh-lin) [N]: A combination Nyphraim city and acqusquen reserve located in South Africa.

Shallenor (shah-leh-nohr) [N]: The largest Nyphraim city by population, located beneath the Himalayan Mountain range; it is known as the social and business city, operated 24/7.

Shelquey (shel-kee) [N]: An acqusqua creature resembling a large sea serpent; as natural troublemakers, they are responsible for many human myths about aquatic creatures.

Shield: A nymph responsible for physical defence and combat, typically stationed as guards or security. [N = praesin (pray-eh-sin)]

Shiln (shil-nuh) [N]: The smallest denomination of Nyphraim currency; a yellow pyramid.

Sirius (see-ree-oos) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the star Sirius, it represents brightness and requires a nymph who is capable of remaining high-spirited in any situation.

Solaris (soh-lah-ris) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the Earth’s sun, it represents proximity and requires a nymph who is deeply trusted by the Lune to act as their closest adviser.

Sparker [N]: One of Zenyx’s inventions; a ring that produces sparks, providing Fire nymphs with a source.

Sprite [N]: An acqusqua creature known to exist and suspected to have Nyphraim-level intelligence, but little is known about their form or abilities.

Stella [N]: The eight advisory positions on the Astral Council, ranked below that of the Lune.

Stellore (steh-loh-ray) [N]: Stars (informal/expletive).

Tahruc (tah-ruk) [N]: One of the largest known acqusqua creatures; a massive bird that possesses unique camouflage abilities.

Tareña (tah-ren-yuh) [N]: A Nyphraim city located near the Cloud Forest Reserve of Costa Rica.

Tea-o (tay – oh) [N]: One of a group of nine cities in Antarctica, built from highly diluted sunstone.

Thymiria (thy-mee-ree-ah) [N]: A Nyphraim city located on an island in northern Canada; it is one of the highest-status cities due to its superior security and isolation from humans.

Tier: A level of standard Nyphraim education, usually taking one to two years to complete; there are nine Tiers before specialized education. [N = nichian (nee-shee-an)]

Tracker: A nymph responsible for locating human-born nymphs. [N = vestin (ves-tin)]

Triiya (tree-yah) [N]: Trix’s nickname for Lyria; nobody but Trix knows what it means.

Tuarre Alta (too-ah-ray awl-tah) [N]: One of Kholinth’s many unique buildings and the tallest structure of any outdoor Nyphraim city.

Tutor: A nymph involved in teaching either Tiered or post-Tiered education. [N = ereden (ay-reh-den)]

Valantis (vah-lan-tis) [N]: An ancient Nyphraim city that sunk in a volcanic explosion and tsunami around 1650 B.C.

Vault [N]: The storage facility for all Caches, located in Mavi; a member of the Astral Council always resides in the property above.

Vega (vay-guh) [N]: One of the nine positions on the Astral Council; for the star Vega, it represents intelligence and discovery and requires a calculating nymph with a thirst for knowledge.

Vero (vay-roh) [N]: One of a group of nine cities in Antarctica, built from highly diluted nephrite.

Wisiberyn (wee-zee-beh-rin) [N]: An acqusqua plant that contains high levels of reyen; it is grown by nymphs for consumption in protected locations.