Zoonbats

Glossary

Glossary Edition 0.7 (Note: This is adapted from the behind-the-scenes Zoonbats production guide. Some entries may be spoilers for events not yet published.)

Ai Shaikuan/Ai Shai - Shaikuan is a goddess of protection and guidance. Prayers are preceded with this saying, but like “Oh Lord!” it can also just be an expression of exasperation, or as a way of expressing enthusiasm.
Architexpand - a biomechanical substance developed by Genesys, a Minsha-based corporation. Architexpand was designed as an aid for construction products. A white powder that is activated by water, it was intended to be dusted onto an existing structure, subsequently causing the structure to grow and duplicate itself in a repeating fractal pattern under controlled circumstances, and deactivated at the appropriate time by an accompanying neutralizing agent. Genesys unsuccessfully lobbied the BTC members to use Silnai sites as test subjects for years during the 3290s in their efforts to bring Architexpand to the marketplace. Eventually it was used in the terrorist attacks of Zunnual 17.
Aszim - an old Kuranai expression meaning "cousin."
BTC - The Biotech Trade Council, a powerful alliance of biotechnology corporations based on Ansimh and Minsha. Its influence rivals that of the planetary and lunar governments in the Ansimh planetary system. Silnai protestors have repurposed the acronym for the slogan "Burn The Cheese," referring specifically to the genetically-modified "cheeseproduct" promoted by the Biotech Trade Council's Fromage Festival in Eunil.
Clasp - in the personal mythology of Kel and Bloom, clasp represents a high degree of confidence, charisma, and power, even more powerful than “grasp.” Bloom describes it as “grasp” multiplied with “class.”
Djinai - An ethnic group originating from Zom (the other continent on Shinma), they have light blue skin and light eyes without visible pupils. Featured characters of Djinai ethnicity include Doe and Pazil.
Embargo - "The embargo," also known in Ruma as "the Fousa" (a Rumanai term that equates it to a form of warfare), was enacted in 3305 by the BTC to pressure Silnai states to outlaw organic agriculture in favor of genetically-modified food products designed and sold by off-moon biotechnology corporations. At the time of the story, 3331, three of four Silnai states - Ceb, Disan, and Sunnh - have agreed to terms with the BTC to outlaw organic agriculture, while the fourth state, Ruma, has successfully refused to acquiesce due to the leverage they possess as the only place where a vital natural resource, known as Radiant, can be found in the Ansimh planetary system.
Fauna Festival - a traditional festival throughout Sil in which revelers dress up in animal costumes.
Fromage Festival - a festival created by the BTC that takes place annually in Eunil, started in the 3320s, to celebrate genetically-modified "cheeseproduct." Co-sponsored by the off-moon biotech companies Genesys and Biotech Superium, Shinman protestors believe it is designed to displace the traditional Fauna Festival which takes place at the same time.
Grasp - a local (Fishscale District, Haquel) expression for charisma and the ability to influence/control situations.
Henchberry - A type of fruit that has psychoactive properties, used by Kuranai percussionists to enhance a trancelike state while drumming. Typically grown in orchards designed in overlapping and concentric circles, their cultivation is also aided by drumming, alluding to a symbiotic relationship. In Chapter 3, Wayne recalls that his mentor "Thirsty Coin" said to him, "In their own way, they teach us..." In Chapter 7, Wayne reveals to Murray and Kemi that he hasn't eaten a henchberry since the Grady Orchard was burned down when he was 5 years old. After Kemi persuades him to try a henchberry that she grew in her family orchard in Ruma, Wayne speculates that his reluctance to eat one while working at the orchards in the Northern Lands might have been an attempt to compartmentalize some of his trauma. Upon tasting it, he has a vivid feeling of familiarity and regards the flavor as "what I come from."
Jurai Sonsuraiun - A musical mentor in the Vsai Kuranai orthodoxy who guides a young child to mastery of percussion.
Kourom - An ethnic group, perhaps most similar to Earth humans in appearance. They are believed to have originated in the temperate bands of Amsinh as well as on Minsha, but which one was first, or whether they somehow developed independently, is not fully known. Featured Koroum characters include Toast Duerr, Bloom Banks, and Murray Sepulveda.
Kuranai - ethnic group of alligator-like people. They appear to have reptilian characteristics but they are mammals. In fact, referring to them as “reptiles” is considered a slur. Believed to originate from the Kura wetlands and swamps of northwest Sil, there are large agrarian Kuranai communities in Sunnh and Ruma. A major orthodox religious faction are known as the Vsai Kuranai, who are considered master percussionists with mystical abilities.
LUNAR - (Liberation for Unified Native Autonomy and Resistance) - The terrorist organization that claimed responsibility for the coordinated attacks on Xunnual 17, 3304. Their stated purpose is to prevent the economic exploitation of Shinma and to promote isolationism for economic and cultural health. It’s unknown how they acquired huge quantities of the biomechanical substance Architexpand, which is exclusively manufactured by the Genesys corporation on Minsha. The Silnai believe that LUNAR was backed the BTC, or perhaps more specifically Minshan power players within the BTC, while the BTC accused Silnai radicals of carrying out the attacks against their own countrymen in an isolationist bid to seriously hinder trade with off-moon business interests.
Merkur - Officially called Merkur Hyperconcentrated Espresso Gel, Murray describes it in Chapter 1 as being prescription-only, yet commonly provided surreptitiously to truckers to aid in extremely long, fast hauls. Upon experiencing its effects for the first time in Chapter 3, Wayne enthusiastically describes it as "liquid gold". However, employees of Cafe Kuranai in Chapter 7 refer to its users as "merkur fiends" and describe having seen it being dealt illegally among truckers in the parking lot of the Superknights travel center, warning Wayne that it causes strange behaviors. Murray also exhibits traits of obsession and/or addiction. Lumas describes its physical appearance: "It looks like molasses, but made out of aluminum. It's like silver, thick silver liquid..."
Midnight Hour - The moon Shinma has days of varying lengths, ranging from 24 to 25.5 hours, due to its orbit around Ansimh. The additional time over 24 hours is colloquially referred to as "the midnight hour," and is predictable, tracked in a similar reliable way as tide tables. For businesses that are open all night, it is usually used as a break time.
Mirousz Inkhadroun - A prayer that an artist uses prior to practicing their craft, asking the Source to shine its light clearly through the artist as though the artist is a lens.
Mixtape - In addition to the commonly-understood Earth meaning of the term, 'mixtape' also refers to small, living biomechanical cassette organisms that are bred as a spiritual practice by the Z'sasoun people.
Pocket - "The pocket" is the shared groove of a rhythm section in a band.
Renchant - description of a powerful odor that is a combination of wretched, pungent, and enchanting.
Reptile - term used as a slur against Kuranai people.
SOAR - (Silnai Organic Agricultural Resistance) - an underground organization that resists BTC mandates outlawing organic agriculture throughout most of Sil. Wayne set off to the Northern Lands of Ruma in order to try and contact this organization in his efforts to learn more about what happened to his mentor Thirsty Coin's henchberry orchard, and the people who worked there and delivered him to safety in Haquel when it was destroyed. In Chapter 3, Murray confirms his involvement as a smuggler to Wayne, while noting that "SOAR" is used as a recruitment name, and now that Wayne has contacted them, he should be discreet and no longer speak the name. In Chapter 7, Irena advises Wayne to refer to the organization as "The Market" if he needs to speak of it.
Seed Structure - a cluster of spherical dwellings created by Z'jurundu communities and attached to the rooftops of tall buildings in large cities. Each spherical structure is composed of scrap metal and connected to others with catwalks, giving the appearance of a sort of futuristic shanty town. The structures are only semi-permanently in place, and can be launched at will to float through the sky to other locations. Z'jurundu establish these communities without prior notice to the property owners of the buildings they rest upon, but they are usually welcomed due to the fact that the structures utilize some sort of anti-gravity technology that minimizes the weight that rests on the buildings, combined with the fact that Z'jurundu are experts in HVAC technology and can maintain and improve the heating and cooling systems of their host buildings free of charge. A large Z'jurundu seed structure settlement is visible on the buildings across the street from the warehouse where Wayne Molly lives in the Timekeepers' District.
Shiroun C’Nanzour - An expression meaning that someone did something difficult while making it look easy. (Derived from sports commentary about a legendary Ringracing player.)
Spritey - Spriteys are comic book characters in Silnai culture. Somewhat similar to superheroes, they are depicted as supernaturally powerful plus-size women who derive their unique powers from medicinal plants, flowers, and herbs.
Syff - a mild psychoactive herb used medicinally and recreationally. It can relax its users but is also known to sometimes contribute to a sense of paranoia.
Taoruoun - A toast, wishing for health and happiness.
Temein, sul temein - A Z’jurundu blessing said at greeting, departure, or to emphasize shared recognition of a truth.
Tricrescent - A V-shaped triangular formation of the other three moons seen from Shinma in upward-facing crescents. It occurs every 17 years.
Vsai Kuranai - an orthodox religious sect of Kuranai known for their master drummers who can induce trances within themselves and others, and also use their drumming to aid in the cultivation of henchberries. Wayne was born into the Vsai and had begun his tutelage under the mentorship of "Thirsty Coin" Grady, beginning his path as a drummer and expecting to become a master in his late teens/early adulthood. However, due to the strict rules of the Vsai, Wayne was essentially excommunicated upon the death of his jurai sonsuraiun (mentor) "Thirsty Coin," and both Wayne and his subsequent guardian, Moira Molly, were unable to persuade the Vsai to allow him back into the sect.
Zalun - a term used as a slur for immigrants to Shinma. Some youth have attempted to reclaim/repurpose it as a term of endearment.
Zanuul - a unit of Silnai currency equivalent to a dollar.
Zee - slang for the unit of currency Zanuul, similar to saying “buck” instead of “dollar”
Z'jurundu - An ethnic group. Distinctive aspects of their appearance include an elongated skull; large eyes with a third eyelid, similar to a cat's nictitating membrane, but functioning like a half-silvered mirror such that the Z'jurundu individual can still see but other people cannot discern their irises and pupils; two to eight fibrous antennae originating near the brow and extending up to a foot in length; patterns of spots on the cheeks; small nostrils without a fleshy outer nose; small earflaps without an outer ear. Colloquially "the family upstairs," in the present day they are a semi-nomadic people who build modular shanty-like structures (called “seed structures”) on the rooftops of buildings. The structures can potentially migrate as well by using some sort of similar organic tech to what exists in Niana, allowing immensely heavy objects to float. They are a somewhat isolated society in Sil due to the location of their settlements, but they often interact with outsiders in the capacity of HVAC technicians, as well as healers providing services to non-insured individuals. They are believed to originate from the polar regions of Amsinh. Although long-established in Sil, some bigots use the term “Zalun” (literally translated to “people of the stars,” but as a slur meant to single them out as immigrants) to disparage them, while younger generations have tried to reclaim this term as a label of cultural pride. Notable Z'jurundu in the story so far: Oaizmi Ioma.
Zlinx - a concentrated form of Syff, a mildly psychoactive herb.
Zoonbats - an expletive meaning something like “holy shit!”, “OMG,” etc.
Zoy - an expression describing a state of confusion, or a kind of stunned realization.
Zuuli - a unit of Silnai currency equivalent to a 50-cent piece.
Z'sasoun - an ethnic group traditionally known as skyfaring explorers and traders, they are said to have been integral in the development of the ancient biomechanical technology (or organisms?) that form the basis of the “sky city” Niana as well as rumored other floating islands that are currently missing. Other biomechanical entities related to Z’sasoun culture referred to during the story are mixtapes - see the section “Biomechanical Entities.” Z’sasoun people have striking dark coloration around their eyes as well as unique striping patterns on their torsos that begin to appear in puberty and gradually become darker throughout their adult lives. Believed to have originated from the desert regions of Amsinh. Featured characters of this ethnicity include Myra Fine and Kel Cole.
Zse - old Kuranai diminutive term meaning "boy" or "son."
Zunnual 17 - Zunnual 17, 3304 was the date of a series of coordinated terrorist attacks throughout Sil, Shinma. An organization called LUNAR claimed responsibility. In the attacks, the biomechanical substance known as Architexpand, created by the Minshan corporation Genesys, was misused to cause uncontrolled growth and collapse of logistics sites in 8 Silnai cities, completely destroying all but two of them. In the aftermath, the BTC accused Silnai radicals of carrying out the attacks on their own country in an isolationist bid; Sil officials accused BTC operatives led by Minshan business leaders of carrying out the attacks in order to create an excuse to strip Shinma of its Most Favored Consumer status in the BTC.