Encyclopaedia Elysia | Glossary / Dictionary

Aspects: Aspects are the living things that make up a Nymph's demesne, from the trees and animals to the insects, fungi and even the smallest particle of an element. Each one contributes to the collective consciousness of the demesne itself and plays a vital role in maintaining the natural balance.
Demesne: A demesne (pronounced domain) is a parcel of land, between 5 and 50 acres, that bonds with a Warden. Also known as a "grove", it develops a collective consciousness shared by all the Aspects living within its borders.
Faeth: Any being, sentient or otherwise, born of the Fae Forest (ex. "No matter how long they live in a town, the Faeth are wild at heart").
Familiar: A Familiar is an animal that has bonded with a Wanderer. They often gain a measure of intelligence from their bond, but also serve as a mobile Source of their Wanderer's element.
Heart: All Sylvan communes have a "Heart", but what that Heart is made of varies. (In many Dryad communities, it is the "Heart Tree" or a stone altar called the "Heart Stone".) The material and location is always significant and sacred as this is where their rituals take place.
Hel: Elysia's sun. It's also a common expletive (ex. "What the Hel!" or "What under Hel?").
Neme: Elysia's visible moon.
Selene: Elysia's second moon, which is not normally visible to the naked eye. (There are some exceptions, however, like the Danse Macabre.)
Shaping: An artisan skill most common among Dryads, Shaping is the act of "growing" murals and other such depictions into a material such as wood. The result is similar to the work of a carpenter or stonemason, but Shaping is done by manipulation of elements and has a much more smooth and natural effect. Shaping can be employed in art but is more frequently used to build homes and create murals within a Sylvan community.; Water Shaping is an art form all its own and is the domain of the Nyads. Used most often for entertainment, it can also have practical purposes (such as forcing water to defy gravity in order to carry a fresh supply to a tree-top commune). Water Shaping is also used in some coastal communities to defend against storms.
Sidhe: The Sylvan word for male Nymphs. Sidhe are almost an entirely separate species.
Sylvan: Anything of a "Nymphly" nature, from their language (ex. "Sylvan is a melodic language") to their culture (ex. "Sylvan festivals are very nature-based").
Summon: Used for both Wanderers and Dracovari, "to Summon" means to Call for help from either a dragon, a familiar, or an unbonded animal. This Call is at least partly telepathic in nature, but exactly what can be Summoned, and from how far, depends on the species of the Summoner and their ability.
Waymarkers: Waymarkers are symbols Shaped or grown into trees and rocks to serve as sign posts, route markers or warnings. Some communes hide these waymarkers so only their own can find them, while more open communes leave their signposts visible for the use of outsiders.