[WARNING! BROWSING THIS GLOSSARY BEFORE READING THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS COULD SPOIL THE STORY FOR YOU. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU READ AT LEAST TEN CHAPTERS BEFORE CHECKING THE GLOSSARY.]
Hey, everyone!
One of my beloved readers suggested I create a kind of roadmap for terminologies that'll help readers keep track of the little details. So here's a glossary for every proper noun in the novel so far.
This section will be edited frequently to reflect what's in the story. Probably every ten chapters or so.
Enjoy!
[GLOSSARY]
[#]
[A]
ABILITIES: The power a soul can learn after it absorbs enough essence from shadow beasts or lessers. Using an ability drains one's soul energy.
ABYSS: Official name of the Underworld, the domain of the Lord of Death where all souls come after death. Here they are processed and judged before moving on to higher realms. It is also the name for the game Leo and Morgana built together.
ADVENTOUR BULLETIN BOARD (A.B.B.): A notification system that alerts players in the mortal plane about news in the Abyss. It is also the name for the giant board found in the Town Square where quests and other activities are posted.
ABYSSAL STEEL: One of the metal alloys found in the Abyss. It is considered a high-tier metal. It is used as crafting material.
ABYSSAL PLAINS: A vast plain in the first layer of the Abyss. It has many regions ripe for exploration and is also the starting location in the Abyss for players. It is where Adventour is built.
ADVENTOUR: The town of Beginnings created by Morgana to serve as a home base for the players.
AGATHA CHRISTOFF: A lesser denizen of the Abyss and a member of Leo's developer team. She is a hag who holds the title the 'Hag of Tales' and holds the role of Lead Scenario Writer in Leo's team.
APOTHECARY HARKNESS: A triple-eyed, hedgewitch, and follower of the Fates. She is a lesser who serves as the local apothecary and healer in Adventour.
ATH3NA: Real name, Zatanna Ziegler. She is a popular Wetube streamer and gaming influencer who was first to complete the secret easter egg hunt in MnMII, making her the first BETA player in the Abyss.
AWAKENING: Soul awakening is the term used when souls learn new abilities from the essence they absorb. Several requirements are needed for a soul to awaken to a new ability.
[B]
BANSHEE: A race of lesser denizen that is prolific in the Abyssal Plains. A female spirit who heralds the death of others, usually by wailing, shrieking, or keening.
BEAST HUNTER: Unique title earned by Black Howler after he evolved. Little is known of his evolution and its abilities.
BETA PLAYER: Gamers who have signed the reaper's pact during the beta stage of the Abyss.
BLACK HOWLER: A former athlete, who, after a terrible accident found an escape from his pain in virtual reality games. He is a skilled solo player who became the second player to evolve in the Abyss.
BOUNTIFUL-GRADE SOUL STONE: Highest grade of soul stone. Only Morgana and Leo have seen one among the denizens of Adventour.
BRONT, SON OF BRONTES: A lesser denizen of the Abyss and a member of Leo's developer team. He is a cyclops who holds the role of Quality Control Lead in Leo's team.
[C]
CHIMAERA: Powerful shadow beast known as the guardian of the Dark Forest which it calls home. It has the body of a lion that's the size of a minivan with three heads; a lion's head, a goat head, and a snake head on its tail.
CHIMAERA'S GOAT HORNS: Countless battles have sharpened the chimaera's goat horns enough to penetrate dragon scales. It can be used as a weapon or material for creating rare relics.
CHIMAERA'S LION PELT: The pelt of the Chimaera has endured the assault of countless shadow beasts, making it as sturdy as Abyssal Steel. It can be used as material for creating rare relics. The pelt can also be used to stay warm in cold environments.
CHIMAERA'S SNAKE VENOM: A vial that contains the venom of the chimaera's snake tail. Coating it on a relic during its creation process may give the relic a rare ability. Drinking it may awaken a rare ability in one's soul.
CORRUPTED BRONZE: One of the metal alloys found in the Abyss. It is considered a low-tier metal. It is used as crafting material.
CRAFTING MATERIAL: Materials used for crafting. They can be spoils dropped by shadow beasts or items bought at a merchant's store.
[D]
DARK FOREST: A special location within the Abyssal Plains that is filled with shadow beasts. Only brave players dare to visit.
DANI, THE GHOULIE: A lesser denizen of the Abyss and a member of Leo's developer team. He is a ghoul who holds the role of Marketing Manager in Leo's team.
DANTE'S DRIP: A popular tavern in Adventour. It is owned by Donatella.
DEATHLY RING: Leo's ring that allows him to assume shadow personas like Maestro. The ring can also hide Leo's presence as long as he is standing within a shadow.
DENIZENS: The term used for beings who live in the Abyss.
DONATELLA: She is a maenad who is known to be one of the seven guardians hired by Morgana to protect Adventour. She moonlights as the owner and bartender for Dante's Drip.
DRAGONLING: A low-level shadow beast that is known to the nest by the banks of the river Styx. Lowest ranking member among dragon-type shadow beasts and is about the size of a tiger.
[E]
EASTER EGG: An Easter egg is a hidden video game feature or surprise. Leo used
ESSENCE: The life force that remains in a soul stone after a soul is destroyed. Essence is the stuff soul energy is born from. Absorbing essence can trigger a soul's awakening and its evolution.
EVOLUTION: A state where a soul reaches a higher form, gaining power beyond what they were previously capable of. Often, this means transforming into a new type of being that is different from the base form.
EXCELLENT-GRADE SOUL STONE: Second-highest grade of soul stone. Has only been mentioned but not seen yet.
[F]
FEL IRON: One of the metal alloys found in the Abyss. It is considered a mid-tier metal. It is used as crafting material.
[G]
GAME MASTER: Leo's title.
GAMER: The term used for human beings who enjoy playing video games.
GHOUL: A demon-like lesser denizen with the appearance of a withering human that frequents graveyards and consumes human flesh.
GARGANTUAN GAMES: Leo's game development company. Currently under new management.
[H]
HAG: A powerful fairy disguised as a wizened old woman. Hags are known to be great storytellers and are often the source for all the best literature in the Abyss.
HEARTHSTONE: a large outcropping of crystallized soul energy with the same amount of essence as a bountiful-grade soul stone. It has a unique ability to absorb essence if fed. Morgana used her Hearthstone to build Adventour.
HELL SLIMES: A low-level shadow beast that is known to frequent the Weeping Meadows. It's appearance and abilities are unknown as of now.
HIGH-GRADE SOUL STONE: third-highest grade of soul stone. Has only been mentioned but not seen yet in the novel.
[I]
[J]
[K]
[L]
LAGERTHA: Draugr warrior Lagertha was once a human Viking. After death, she became a lesser denizen of the Abyss and a member of Leo's developer team. She is a Draugr who holds the role of Community Manager in Leo's team.
LEATHER STRIPS: Crafting material created from shadow beast leather.
LEONARDO DANTE (LEO): The greatest game developer in the world, Leo Dante struck a deal with death at a young age in order to have more time to pursue his dream. Ten years after his time finally ran out, he strikes a new deal with the reaper, Morgana, to help her become the next Lord of Death by building a game that will dupe gamers into selling their soul to her. In exchange, Morgana promised to give Leo back his life once she becomes ruler of the Abyss. Leo is the protagonist of the story.
LESSERS: Denizens of the Abyss are divided into two categories: Lesser beings and Higher beings. Lessers are formerly lost souls who have evolved into new beings and found a permanent home in the Abyss.
LIFE-DRAINING LESSER WRAITH: A low-level shadow beast with the appearance of a hooded figure in a tattered cloak. It has a mouth that can suck the life essence out of its target.
LIFE-DRAINING TOUCH: Ath3na's first ability. The touch of any part of her body can siphon off the life force of others to heal her wounds and replenish her soul core.
LORD OF DEATH: The title for the ruler of the Abyss and master of death. The last Lord of Death mysteriously died, triggering the conflict that is currently consuming the Abyss.
LOW-GRADE SOUL STONE: Lowest grade of soul stone. Has a turquoise glow. Dropped by low-ranking shadow beasts.
LYGHTNING: A pretty blonde woman with blue eyes and alabaster skin. She is one of Ath3na's new party mates. Little is known of her as of now.
[M]
MAENAD: maenads are lesser denizens who worship wine and other alcoholic beverages. Once the handmaidens of the Lord of Revelries, they were cast down to the Abyss for an unknown reason. Maenads are all female with long unkempt hair and deer antlers on their heads.
MAESTRO: Leo's alter ego who shows up when Leo wants to interact with players directly. He plays the role of Trainer of Heroes.
MASAMUNE: a lesser denizen of the Abyss who was once a famous Japanese swordsmith. In the afterlife of the Abyss, he has earned the title of Vampyre Smith of Legend in the Abyssal Plains. He is also one of the seven guardians hired by Morgana to protect Adventour.
MASAMUNE'S ARMAMENTS: Masamune's shop that doubles as a weapons and armor shop as well as a smithy.
MERCHANT: Term used for denizens who buy and sell products created or procured in the Abyss.
MID-GRADE SOUL STONE: Second-lowest grade of soul stone. It has a bright electric blue color. Dropped by low-rank and mid-rank shadow beasts like the chimaera.
MYTH AND MAGIC II: The most popular MMORPG out right now. The precursor to Abyss and the last game Leo developed while he was alive.
[N]
[O]
[P]
PLAYER: Term Leo's developer team uses for gamers who have signed the reaper's contract. Alternate term: Substitute Reaper.
PORTAL II: The most popular gaming console on Earth which was developed by Gargantuan Games. Morgana and Leo have adapted the Portal II to act as a portal that separates players' souls from their bodies and sends them into the Abyss.
[Q]
QUEST: Term for activities or tasks players must accomplish in order to get stronger, earn currency, or learn more about the Abyss.
QUEST RANK: a feature that determines the level of difficulty for quests.
[R]
REAPER: A higher form of denizen. Little is known from them besides the fact that they hold great power and serve the Lord of Death. Two of their known tasks is to act as administrators for lesser denizens and as managers for soul contracts. Morgana is the only known reaper at this time.
REAPER'S PACT: A contract that binds a human's soul to a reaper in exchange for favors. An example of a reaper's pact is Leo's contract with the old Lord of Death.
RELIC: Relics are powerful items in the Abyss that can be created, bought, or dropped by fallen denizens. These are often equipment. Morgana's obsidian baseball bat is the only known relic as of this time.
[S]
SHANNON: A banshee who serves as Leo's administrative assistant. She performs any and all jobs that Leo or Morgana require of her.
SHADOW BEAST: Monsters that are born in the Abyss.
SHADOW BEAST LEATHER: material created from the skin or hide of a shadow beast.
SOUL CORE: The soul core acts as a finite container that stores essence and converts its soul energy that the player can use. It's the essence of a player's power given form, the beating heart of your soul.
SOUL ENERGY: Soul energy is the fuel soul uses to empower itself. Whenever a player activates an ability, they use up a portion of their soul energy.
SOUL PULSE: Ath3na's ability. Using soul energy, Ath3na could launch a salvo of spiritual blasts from her weapon to hone in on random targets in front of her.
SOUL STONE: Condensed soul energy manifests as a physical stone of glowing, bluish color. They can be used as currency for trade or consumed by players to earn soul energy.
* A. 1 low-grade SS = lowest monetary value* B. 10 low-grade SS = 1 mid-grade SS* C. 100 low-grade SS or 10 mid-grade SS = 1 high-grade SS* D. 1,000 low-grade SS or 100 mid-grade SS or 10 high-grade SS = 1 Excellent-grade SS* E. 10,000 low-grade SS or 1,000 mid-grade SS or 100 high-grade SS or 10 Excellent-grade SS = 1 Bountiful-grade SS.
SPECTRAL CLOAK: Ath3na's ability. It allows a spiritual body to go incorporeal for two minutes. It provides forty percent magic damage resistance and seventy-five percent physical damage resistance. The player can move through solid objects while activated.
SPIRITUAL BODY: Spiritual bodies are the matter in which all denizens of the Abyss, including players, take form. A spiritual body made of soul energy and its soul core.
STYX: The river Styx is the first of the five rivers of the Underworld. Located in the Abyssal Plains, it is said that the river is where lost souls go to travel to other areas in the Abyss.
SUBSTITUTE REAPER: A term similar to an adventurer in other MMORPGs. The substitute reaper is born of a spiritual body made of soul energy which is taken from the soul of the player.
SUBSTITUTE REAPER SYSTEM (SRS.): The primary system built for player functionality.
SWORD-TAIL DIRE WOLF: A low-level shadow beast that is known to frequent the Dark Forest. It has the appearance of a large wolf that possesses a tail so sharp it is akin to a sharp-edged blade.
[T]
TAINTED CORUNDUM: One of the metal alloys found in the Abyss. It is considered a low-tier metal. It is used as crafting material.
THORMINATOR: A Wetube streamer and personal friend of Ath3na who has the appearance of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger but with red hair. He is one of Ath3na's new party mates.
THOR MCCLOUD: A lesser denizen of the Abyss and a member of Leo's developer team. He is the alpha of the McCloud werewolf clan and holds the role of Lead Programmer in Leo's team.
TOWN HALL: The town center and base of operations for Leo and Morgana's development team.
TOWN SQUARE: Center of town where the bulletin board, central stage, and town hall are located.
[U]
UNDERWORLD: Outdated name for the Abyss.
[V]
VAMPYRE: A powerful denizen that subsists by feeding on the lifeblood of others. Masamune is the only known vampire at this time.
[W]
WEREWOLF: Also known as a lycanthrope, a werewolf is a powerful denizen that is a human-wolf hybrid with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf. Often, they take the shape that is a cross between a human and a wolf.
WOLF'S HOWL: Black Howler's ability. The sound of your howl instills fear into the hearts of your enemies leaving them panicked and too shaken to defend themselves for a short period.
WRAITH WARRIOR: Unique title earned by Ath3na. During her evolution, Ath3na's spiritual body changed. Her hair turned white and her skin has become almost-translucent. There is little information known as to what her new abilities are now that she has evolved.
[X]
[Y]
[Z]
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END OF GLOSSARY