Foreigner qa-3 Read online

  Crucible: the planet Sol III (Earth), the only known world in the universe on which life arose naturally. [2]

  culling: the sacrament performed by bloodpriests, swallowing seven of every eight hatchlings. [1]

  Dabo (Gar-Dabo): an ancient female maritime explorer. [1]

  dagamant : territorial bloodlust. [1]

  Dagtool: apprentice to imperial bloodpriest Mek-Maliden. [2]

  Daldar: a creche-mate of Wab-Novato. [3]

  Dancer: one of the Face of God’s fourteen moons. [2]

  Dancing the Night Away : an astronomy book about the moons by Tak-Saleed. [1]

  Dandor: a creche-mate of Sal-Afsan. [3]

  Dargo: one of the five original male mates; the first healer. The sixth tenth of the kiloday is named after him. [2]

  Dasan: an ancient land surveyor, famed for her ability to resolve territorial disputes without bloodshed; author of the Hahat Golarda. There was an arch in her honor in the central square of Capital City. [1]

  Dasheter : large sailing ship captained by Var-Keenir, co-opted to the Geological Survey of Land. [1]

  dat-kar-mas : a ceremonial dagger made from obsidian, normally used for cutting hide from an anointed kill to make copies of the sacred scrolls; one was used by Det-Yenalb to blind Sal-Afsan. [1]

  Davpel: the third planet of the Quintaglio sun, a small and rocky world with two moons. [1]

  day: the time it takes for the Quintaglio world to complete one orbit around the Face of God; eleven hours and forty-three minutes of Earth time. Days are subdivided into ten parts, called "daytenths," the first of which begins at dawn. [1]

  dayslab: a hard platform of wood or stone mounted at an angle on a heavy pedestal, it supports the torso and legs while the user lies on his or her chest. [1]

  Dedprod: (7098–7128) the female apprentice governor from Kev’toolar. [2]

  dekaday: ten Quintaglio days, or about five Earth days. [1]

  delbarn : a philosophic discipline related to the organization of knowledge; one of Nov-Dynax’s professions. [2]

  Delplas (Bar-Delplas): (7096– ) a female member of the Geological Survey of Land; she wears a distinctive blue and orange sash. [2]

  Derrilo, Pack: one of three Packs in Fra’toolar that periodically occupy stone buildings near the edge of the cliff exposing the Bookmark layer. [2]

  Detoon: "Detoon the Righteous, the first priest, one of the five original mates, mated to Mekt. [1]

  dewlap: Quintaglio secondary sexual characteristic. Males have a sack of skin on the front of the throat which inflates and shows red during sexual arousal; both sexes of Others have dewlaps. [1]

  dispatch: euphemism used for the culling of the bloodpriests. [1]

  Ditikali-ot : the final Jijaki ark, which crashed into Land. [2]

  diver: ubiquitous indigenous fauna of the south pole, a swimming, fish-eating reptile based on the wingfinger body plan; dissecting one gives Kee-Toroca his first clue about evolution. [2]

  Doblan (Pos-Doblan): a female Quintaglio, the keeper of the maritime rookery north of Capital City, where homing wingfingers are raised. [3]

  Dolgar: ancient philosopher, the founder of psychology. Among his observations was that "the intelligent person must abhor violence." [1]

  Donat (Pal-Donat): Pack Carno’s bloodpriest. [1] Doognar: a spring-fed lake in Arj’toolar province. [1]

  Dordool (Tar-Dordool): leader of Pack Carno. [1]

  downrock: sedimentary rock. [2]

  Drawo (Pahs-Drawo): ( –7110) Sal-Afsan’s father, a Lubalite gored to death by Det-Yenalb’s hornface. [1]

  Drawtood: (7110–7128) a male Quintaglio, one of Sal-Afsan’s children, a dockworker in Capital City. He committed suicide. [1]

  Dybo (Dy-Dybo): (7098– ) as Dybo, crown prince under Empress Len-Lends; after her death, Emperor Dy-Dybo. Hatched in Capital City. The son of the daughter of the daughter of the son of the daughter of the son of Larsk, the prophet. [1]

  Dynax (Nov-Dynax): (7110– ) a female Quintaglio healer, one of Sal-Afsan’s children. She lived for a time in Chu’toolar. [1]

  Edklark (Det-Edklark): A male Quintaglio priest, appointed Master of the Faith in 7128, succeeding Det-Bogkash. [3]

  Edz’toolar: the most isolated province, with a rocky, storm-swept coastline. Located in south-central Land. Provincial color: brown. Governed by Len-Ganloor until 7126; governed by Dy-Rodlox from 7126 to 7128. [1]

  Egg of God: an egg from which God herself supposedly came; never referenced by the sacred scrolls, but proposed by Spooltar in his famous discourse on theology. [3]

  Eggs of Creation: according to the first sacred scroll, the eight eggs laid by God from which all things in the universe, except the Quintaglios themselves, came. [2]

  Empress/Emperor: the head of Quintaglio state, always a direct descendant of the Prophet Larsk. Referred to as "Your Luminance." [1]

  Emteem: (7098–7128) male apprentice governor from Jam’toolar. [2]

  even-day: an even-numbered day within a kiloday. [1]

  even-night: the night of an even-numbered day; sometimes called "liar’s night," since most Quintaglios are awake then but it’s too dark to see their muzzles. [1]

  exodus project: the effort, led by Wab-Novato, to get the Quintaglio people off their doomed world. Symbolized by a sash consisting of a lower green strip and an upper black one. [2]

  Face of God: Galat-jaroob, the fifth planet of the Quintaglio sun, a gas giant world with fourteen moons, the innermost of which is the Quintaglio world. Diameter: 60,000 kilopaces (similar to Saturn’s). Mass: 236 times that of the Quintaglio world (intermediate between Jupiter and Saturn). [1]

  Falpom (Irb-Falpom): (7060–7126) the palace land surveyor who had an office near Tak-Saleed’s. She was Kee-Toroca’s teaching master and, from 7111 until her death, first leader of the Geological Survey of Land. [1]

  Family, The: The Royal Family, the direct descendants of the Prophet Larsk. [1]

  fangjaw: a type of carnosaur that evolved after the transplantation from the Crucible, a quadruped with two giant teeth growing up from the lower jaw. [1]

  far-seer: telescope, invented by Wab-Novato of Pack Gelbo in 7105. [1]

  Fastok: a port south of Capital City. [3]

  Fetarb: a butcher at the imperial palace. [2]

  Fifty Packs: "The Fifty Packs" is a general expression, referring to all the Quintaglio people. Each of the original five hunters had a Pack of ten members, and each of those ten members founded a Pack, for a total of fifty. However, many subgroups were subsequently formed, and there are now far more than Fifty Packs. [1]

  first ancestor: an oblique reference to Lubal, thought to be first-formed of the original five hunters. [1]

  First Edict of Lubal: "A Quintaglio kills with tooth and claw; only such killing makes us strong and pure." [3]

  First Emperor: term sometimes used for Larsk; the Arch of the First Emperor stands in the central square of Capital City. [1]

  fed-lizard: ichthyosaur. [1]

  Forgool (Dak-Forgool): (7095–7126) eminent geologist from Pack Vando, expert in erosion, assigned to the Geological Survey, but died of fever before taking his post; Wab-Babnol joined the Survey in his place. [2]

  Foss: assistant to imperial hunt leader Lub-Galpook. [2]

  Fra’toolar: a province in southwest Land where the alien ark was unearthed. Provincial color: dark blue. [1]

  gabo : a type of nut, with three seeds within. [1]

  gadkortakdt : the point in a game of lastoontal in which neither player can force a win. [1]

  Galadoreter : ill-fated sailing ship; blown out to sea by a storm, unable to land for dekadays. With no way to release the territorial instinct, the crew fought until everyone aboard was dead. The ship blew back to shore near the mining town of Parnood. [1]

  galamaja : a type of tree with pale wood. [1]

  Galat-jaroob : Quintaglio term meaning "the Face of God." [3]

  Galpook (Lub-Galpook): (7110– ) a female Quintaglio, one of Sa
l-Afsan’s children. Succeeds Jal-Tetex as imperial hunt leader. [1]

  Gampar (Nor-Gampar): (7090–7110) a male mate aboard the Dasheter who went into dagamant and was killed by Sal-Afsan. [1]

  Ganloor (Len-Ganloor): (7079–7126) female governor of Edz’toolar, sister of Len-Lends, killed in a hunting accident. She was succeeded by Dy-Rodlox. [2]

  gaolok : sap used to waterproof ship hulls. [1]

  Garios (Den-Garios): a member of the exodus project staff who mated with Wab-Novato in 7112, producing a daughter, Bos-Karshirl. [3]

  Garsub (Jal-Garsub): the middle-aged female hunt leader of Pack Tablo in Edz’toolar. [2]

  Gatabor: a hunter who belongs to Pack Derrilo in Fra’toolar. [2]

  Gathgol (Var-Gathgol): Capital City’s undertaker, a male who assists Sal-Afsan in investigating the murder of Afsan’s daughter, Haldan. [2]

  Gefpel: the seventh planet of the Quintaglio sun, small and rocky. [1]

  Gelbo: Wab-Novato’s home Pack, in western Jam’toolar. [1]

  Geological Survey of Land: project to provide a complete inventory of natural resources that might be of use to the exodus. Proposed by Wab-Novato, authorized in 7111 by Dy-Dybo, and directed first by Irb-Falpom and later by Kee-Toroca. [2]

  Gerthalk: "Gerthalk the Miracle Worker," an ancient healer. [1]

  glowgrub: beetle larva capable of bioluminescence. [1]

  glyph: Quintaglio written character; "stone-glyphs" are an ancient writing form. When a word is to be emphasized, its constituent glyphs are written facing to the left rather than the right. [1]

  God: the deity of the Quintaglio people, personified as a giant armless female Quintaglio. [1]

  Godglow: light visible on the horizon before one actually sights the Face of God. [1]

  God’s eyes: shadows cast on the Face of God’s cloud tops by its coterie of moons. [1]

  Gork: Sal-Afsan’s large pet monitor lizard. [2]

  government, Quintaglio: the Emperor or Empress is the head of state and governor of Capital province; each of the seven other provinces has its own governor. The principal branches of Quintaglio government are the church, civil works, the exodus, interprovincial trade, the judiciary, portents and omens, and tithing. [1]

  Gray Orb: one of the Face of God’s fourteen moons. [2]

  Greeblo: (7057– ) an elderly female member of the Geological Survey of Land. [2]

  groundfruit: the succulent fruit of a low-growing plant. [1]

  Guardian: one of the Face of God’s fourteen moons. [2]

  guards, imperial: security officers charged with protecting members of The Family. [1]

  guvdok stone: torus-shaped stone carved with one’s professional credentials and award citations. [1]

  Hadzig (Irb-Hadzig): a member of the Dasheter crew, swallowed by Kal-ta-goot. [1]

  hahat dan : standard abbreviation of the Quintaglio phrase "hahator pas da dan," meaning "permission to enter my territory is granted." [1]

  Hahat Golarda : an ancient scroll written by Dasan that apportioned provincial territories. [3]

  Haktood (Len-Haktood): (7080– ) the governor of Arj’toolar at the time Sal-Afsan left there. [1]

  halbataja : a tree whose leaves are used for medicinal purposes. [1]

  Haldan: (7110–7126) a female Quintaglio, one of Sal-Afsan’s children. She was a naturalist who studied animal populations. Murdered. [1]

  Hall of Stone Eggs: a corridor in the old palace in Capital City lined with cut geodes. [1]

  Hall of Worship: a Quintaglio church. Major services are held every fifth even-day. On odd-days, daytenths are marked by the appropriate number of drumrolls; on even-days, by the appropriate number of bells. [1]

  halpataars : Quintaglio term meaning "bloodpriest." [1]

  Halporn: a port city in Fra’toolar province near the Jam’toolar border. [1]

  kaltardark : a liquid used to clean lenses; deadly poison (symbolized by a drop shape with the outline of an animal lying on its side); Drawtood commits suicide by drinking this. [2]

  Haltang: a male, third of seven apprentices to Tak-Saleed. [1]

  hamadaja : a type of tree, its leaves are the favorite fodder of thunderbeasts. [1]

  hamrak : a philosophic discipline concerned with morals and ethics; one of Nov-Dynax’s professions. [2]

  Hapurd (Bal-Hapurd): an old member of the palace staff. [1]

  Harnal (Pas-Harnal): a metallurgist who lives in Capital City. [2]

  Helbark: (7110–7110) a male Quintaglio, one of Sal-Afsan’s children; he died of fever shortly after hatching. [1]

  henkar : a plant producing yellow melons that thunderbeasts like to eat. [3]

  Hoad-Malat: a past imperial hunt leader. [1]

  Honlab (Len-Honlab): the stubborn governor of Chu’toolar. [3]

  Hoog: one of the original five hunters, patron of butchers. Associated with the color yellow. [1]

  Hoont’mar mountain chain: a chain of mountains on the border between Chu’toolar and Mar’toolar. [3]

  Horbo, Pack: one of three Packs in Fra’toolar that periodically occupy stone buildings near the edge of the cliff exposing the Bookmark layer. [2]

  hornface: ceratopsian dinosaur; herbivorous. Often domesticated and used in caravans. "Triple hornface" refers to the genus Triceralops. [1]

  hornface, bossnosed: pachyrhinosaur ceratopsian dinosaur; herbivorous. [1]

  Howlee, Tower of: a mythical tower to the stars, twenty-five kilopaces tall, with a base fifty paces wide, told of in the fiftieth sacred scroll. [3]

  Hunter: a constellation named in honor of Lubal: during the Larskian era, it was known as the Prophet in honor of Larsk. [1]

  Hunter’s Shrine: a structure made of the bones of previous hunt leaders built atop a giant rock pile near Capital City. According to legend, each of the original five hunters had brought one stone to this pile for every successful kill throughout their lives. [1]

  hunting spirit: a Lubalite term for "soul." [1]

  hunt leader: leader of a Pack’s hunting parties; almost always a female who is in perpetual heat. [1]

  imperial jack: a breed of wingfinger, flocks of which fly in a distinctive three-pronged formation. [3]

  Inlee (Vek-Inlee): an ancient female maritime explorer. She was the first to sight the north polar cap, but mistook it for the icy shore of the River. [1]

  Irb-Falpom: one of the five Quintaglio gliders used in the battle against the Others. [3]

  Jal-Tetex: one of the five Quintaglio gliders used in the battle against the Others. [3]

  Jam’toolar: a province in northwest Land. Provincial color: gold. [1]

  Jawn: an Other who teaches Kee-Toroca their language. [3]

  jerboksaja : a type of tree with branches that trail into the wind. [1]

  Jidha: (7112– ) a member of Capital Pack, creche-mate of Bos-Karshirl. [3]

  Jijak: (plural, Jijaki) extinct beings evolved from transplanted Opabinia, with six legs, five phosphorescent eyes each on a short stalk, plus a long flexible trunk ending in a pair of cup-shaped manipulators. The first intelligent form to emerge in this universe, used by The Watcher to transplant life from the Crucible. [2]

  Jodor (Fas-Jodor): (7079– ) the hunt leader of Pack Derrilo. [2]

  Jostark: one of the five original male mates; the first crafter, mated to Katoon. [2]

  Jostark’s Day: a holiday, celebrated with a parade, in honor of craftspeople. [2]

  Jostor: a famous musician who was a creche-mate of Sal-Afsan. [3]

  Julor (Cat-Julor): a creche mother from Pack Carno who knew Sal-Afsan. [1]

  kadapaja : a type of tree; its wood is used in fires because of its even flames and slow consumption. [1]

  Kaden (Lub-Kaden): female, a hunt leader from Pack Gelbc She was deceased by 7131. [1]

  kalahatch : a traditional call to the hunt. [2]

  Kal-ta-goot: a giant plesiosaur (aquatic reptile) that twice did battle with the Dasheter. The first time, in 7109, it chomped off Captain Var-Keenir’s tail;
the second time, in 7110, it was slain by Sal-Afsan. [1]

  Karshirl (Bos-Karshirl): (7112–7131) a female structural engineer from Capital City, assigned to the exodus project; daughter of Wab-Novato and Den-Garios, she was killed in a landquake. [3]

  katatadu bench: bench on either side of the throne slab, used by imperial advisors. [1]

  Katood (Dath-Katood): an old male mate aboard the Dasheter. [1]

  Katoon: one of the original five hunters. Associated with the color green, [1]

  Katoon, Skull of: a constellation. [1]

  Keebark: a creche-mate of Sal-Afsan. [3]

  Keenir (Var-Keenir): (7047– ) captain of the Dasheter and influential Lubalite, he was a creche-mate of Tak-Saleed. [1]

  keetaja : a type of tree with golden wood. [1]

  Keladax: ancient male philosopher, known for the dictum "Nothing is anything unless it is something." Also coined the saying "Time crawls for a child, walks for an adolescent, and runs for an adult," and wrote a famous polemic on battles in which he observed that the most important thing you can have on your side is being right in the eyes of God. [1]

  Kelboon (Af-Kelboon): (7110– ) a male Quintaglio mathematician, one of Sal-Afsan’s children. [1]

  kev : an old Quintaglio word for "bright." [3]

  Kevo: one of the original Fifty Packs. [3]

  Kevpel: the fourth planet of the Quintaglio sun, a ringed gas giant. [1]

  Kev’toolar: a province in southeast Land. Provincial color: light blue. [1]

  kiit : Jijaki term for the super-strong blue building material developed for their interstellar ramjets. [2]

  Kijititatak Gikta : a Jijaki children’s television program, featuring an animated character named Tilk. [2]

  kiloday: one thousand Quintaglio days (about one and a third Earth years). [1]

  kilopace: one thousand paces (about one kilometer). [1]

  Klimsan: "Klimsan the Scaly" (Sar-Klimsan), a previous imperial hunt leader; also "the smooth-skinned Klimsan," another previous imperial hunt leader. [1]

  Kreeb River: a meandering river that forms part of the border between Arj’toolar and Fra’toolar; Pack Carno roams along its north shore. [1]