Many terms are cross-listed with others; if a definition contains an unclear word, check that listing.
Acacia - also, the Tree of Empty Houses. Throughout the world, if all inhabitants of a house are lost to gritos by death or catatonia, something or someone removes the house’s roof, windows, and doors, and plants an acacia tree in its hollow shell. This phenomenon has occurred for millennia.
Age of Bells - The era lasting approximately 500 years after the medieval Spanish Catholic nun, Santa Teresa de Ávila (a historical figure in our world, also), discovered that epileptics could predict gritos, and created the Orden and its bell-towers (torres sagradas). Teresa detached her Catholic faith from the Orden to gain the trust of other faiths and cultures in order to quickly establish grito warnings throughout the world. The warnings were so successful that they hugely accelerated civilization’s development, ending the dark ages that had enveloped the world since gritos began.
This trust that they would not proselytize or force conversion also led to the Orden having great freedom to establish their power and hierarchy unchallenged - and to institutionalize other aspects of the original convents’ culture, leading to its contemporary female authorities, general celibacy, widespread medieval Catholic symbolism, and an infusion of Spanish into the world’s languages. The Age of Bells ended with the invention of radio.
Age of Commons - The current era, made possible by the greater safety and freedom brought by radio and campanillas. A period of cultural, scientific, industrial, and population growth; growing migrations of Landers from their Protectorates (see also Exurbo); and greater equality and changing roles between the three branches of the Pax Sagrada and its Triumvirate political structure. An optimistic and progressive time, but not without its own growing destabilization and unrest.
Anno Campana - On December 12th, 1559 - a date and event in common with our own world - the Spanish nun who later became Santa Teresa de Avila had a vision that pierced her heart with its pain and clarity. In Cy’s Mundo Gritoso, it made the connection between her seizures and epilepsy, and revealed she could warn of them with bells, and organize other epileptics to do the same. The first bell rang with the next grito, on January 1st, 1560, and so began the Age of Bells and the Orden itself. That date became the starting point of the current Mundo Gritoso calendar - January 1st, Anno Campana 1.
Autodecelerator - Device that senses campanillas' activation and automatically sends vehicles into safe deceleration and stop. Every vehicle is required by law to have one and perform regular tests of their functioning. Also, ‘Autodecel.’
Bandolerno - From Spanish, ‘bandolero,’ and the Nomado ‘-no’ suffix. Highwayman, brigand, one who walks the roads. Nomado criminal, but also used fondly or jokingly.
Basqno - Nomado of Basque ethnicity.
Bell Walk – Act of ringing the ‘Campana Sagrada,’ or Sacred Bell, to give warning of imminent grito. Performed counter clockwise in two revolutions around the bell, with that set repeated until grito strikes. The bell-ringer is non-epileptic to ensure that seizures do not prevent the walk. The first revolution rings the singing bowl at top, akin to the sound of a finger run round the edge of a wine glass. The next plays a melody from a metal comb’s teeth pulled across the bumps risen around the bell’s surface, similar to a music box’s operation. At the end of that turn’s melody, the bell-ringer tolls the gong hammered flat into one side of the bell.
Belldamn - Rooms below each of the Orden’s Towers. In the current day, little is remembered about Belldamns outside the Orden. They are not pleasant places.
Belldamns use very loud noise, flashing lights, sleep deprivation and other extreme stimuli to the senses to trigger seizures. Before radio and campanillas, increasing numbers of epileptics were needed to provide widespread warnings; Belldamns induced active epilepsy in those who were latent, and thus identified and drafted new Escudas into the Orden. All epileptics were mandated to join. Belldamns were considered a necessary evil; most of those tested were children and young people taken from their families. Such use is now banned and considered torture, and new epileptics are identified via powerful and accurate medical scans.
Belldamns are constructed with underground cells opening to a central observation chamber. In earlier times they contained physical bells, but with the advent of radio loud clashing tones are broadcast above the cells.
They are currently used to restart seizures in Escudas who have been on respite and seizure-suppressants to return them to active duty.
Bell-Ringer - Non-epileptic position of honor; in charge of tolling the Bell-Walk.
Buzzed over - Slang for ‘gone catatonic.’
Campana Sagrada - the Sacred Bell, made to give three distinct sounds to avoid confusion with other bells. In the first revolution of the Bell-Walk, a singing bowl is sounded in a similar manner to the tone made by running a finger around the rim of a wine glass. The second plays a melody by running a metal comb around the ring of raised bumps on the bell’s surface - a ‘music box’ effect. The melody was the song heard in Santa Teresa’s vision connecting seizures to gritos. The third sound is a gong, struck at the end of the second revolution around the bell.
This cycle of sounds is repeated until grito strikes. It is illegal to own or construct a working model of the Sacred Bell.
Campanilla - Spanish, ‘little bell.’ Pronounced ‘campan-EE-a.’ Invented after radios to warn of gritos; a metal capsule implanted under the skin of the left upper arm. Campanillas vibrate simultaneously in every human arm when gritos are imminent - when the Orden's epileptics begin seizing - and are not dependent on distance or sound. Only the Orden knows how they are made, and why they are able to sense seizures. Every human on the planet wears one and considers it a necessity to life.
Canto - Spanish, multiple meanings. ‘Canto’ can mean ‘song/chant,’ ‘birdsong,’ ‘hymn,’ ‘boulder,’ and ‘pebble.’ Symbolic of several aspects of the Orden and Landers in particular.
First, the birdsong from Teresa’s vision of, in part, a raven circling from a mysterious mountaintop, in which she understood the connection between seizures and gritos. The raven’s song is the melody played during the Bell-Walk. Second, the boulder itself is symbolic of that strange mountain, and of all the mountains surrounding her home city of Ávila where the vision took place. Third, ‘pebbles’ references gathering and protecting humanity, the Orden holding mankind in its hand. Lander slang often revolves around rocks and stones, acknowledging both Teresa’s protection and their pride in being the nodes of civilization that allow mankind to grow and develop.
In our own world and in the Mundo Gritoso, ‘Cantos y Santos’ is the motto the city of Ávila - the city of ‘Stones and Saints.’ See also, 'Riesgo de Canto Casino.'
Catatonia Gritosa, Catatonic - Grito-induced irreversible catatonia; one who has gone catatonic. Unpredictably hits individuals during grito, if for unknown reasons their mind cannot recover from the strain. Catatonics are removed from society and cared for in Rest Homes until their natural deaths.
CDR - See Creed of the Devil Reborn.
Change your Station - slang from radio; get outta here, you’re nuts, you’re pulling my leg, that’s ridiculous.
Child Rest - Vast Orden-run orphanage system, from group houses to a fostering network, caring for any parentless children but especially for those whose parents died or went catatonic en grito.
Columbine Hunting - Lander slang used by youth looking for adventure, traveling to Pulgamarkts and elsewhere, collecting Nomado gear, etc. From the Nomado Pax-Mark of the Columbine.
Common Book - A brief text distributed by the CDR (see also, ‘Creed of the Devil Reborn’). It is an introduction to the Creed’s beliefs surrounding the devil and his grito-causing battles with Good. At root a harmless, inclusive, and apolitical text, the splinter sect led by Gregor Ellis (Diabnos) has created its own revision.
Cracked-seal - Nomado slang referring to a leaking rig (truck) in need of repair. Crazy, dangerously stupid, idiot.
Creed of the Devil Reborn - (Also, ‘The Creed,’ or ‘CDR.’) Founded early in the Age of Commons. The Creed gathered the collective devil myths throughout the world’s religions that explain gritos as each faith’s interpretation of the fight between Good and Evil. Until recently, it remained a quiet voice speaking the world’s religious similarities; their followers stand at all points along the spectrum of those who treat the CDR as a source of spiritual comfort in its universal symbolism, to others who accept the devil as fact.
In the quiet years following the last grito, a splinter group (Diabnos) have become more powerful and changed its tone. Its founder, Gregor Ellis, considers himself a prophet, making the incredible assertion that he remained conscious during the last grito. He believes the devil exists, that the final battle between Good and Evil is imminent, and preaches that the longer the world goes without grito, the more power from humanity’s sins the devil gathers, and the greater chance he will win that final fight. The Diabnos preach against worldliness, see great sin (and therefore more fuel for the devil’s strength) in the increasing freedoms of the world - particularly Lander freedoms - and promote strict morality and a return to traditional roles. They largely recruit among Nomados threatened by the increased freedom and mobility of Landers.
Crimestop - a well-known anonymous crime tip hotline.
The Dark Forgetting - That time, very poorly recorded, following the explosion of extremely frequent gritos that occurred for the first 100 years of gritos’ existence, nearly 3,000 years before the present day (see also ‘Grito Sinfin’). During the Dark Forgetting, those terrorized few who managed to survive the Grito Sinfin eked existence in the midst of crumbled civilizations and unpredictable gritos, and were too preoccupied with survival to rebuild or consider potential adaptations. Human development stalled until the Age of Bells.
Descanso - Spanish, ‘Resting place.’ A memorial marking the place of a Nomado’s death.
Descansito - Spanish, pronounced ‘des-can-SEE-to.’ A ‘little resting place.’ Roadside sanctuary with sacred space to pray or meditate, a kitchen and shower, and often a few cots. A holding place for the spirits dwelling in all surrounding descansos, and gathering place for loved ones while visiting them. Each descansito has part of its roof removed and an acacia tree planted in a central courtyard to recall, from the symbolism of the Tree of Empty Houses, that life grows even in the empty places loved ones leave in our hearts when they pass. It is called the ‘little’ resting place, even though they are far larger than descansos, because the memorial markers themselves are considered the most powerful, spiritually. Descansitos are beloved, and hold grief, solemnity, joy, or simple rest as needed by those who visit them. They are built along old Catholic architectural lines, but that similarity is cultural, not religious. They prominently house symbols sacred to all faiths.
Devil - Mundo Gritoso’s world religions are largely similar to, and as varied as, our own. They have individually come to separate understandings of gritos, but common to each is the presence of great battles between Good and Evil - specifically, between the sacred figures of their own faiths, and the devil as those faiths imagine him/her. All faiths maintain that the devil's death after these battles causes each grito, after each of which he rises again to fight anew. They also agree that the devil gathers and uses the sins of human nature as his/her own strength in those battles. It a given thing that the devil always loses, and that consequently the collective evil of humanity has never been enough to defeat Good. The CDR has collected those stories in its Common Book.
Diabno - From the Spanish ‘diablo’ (devil), and the -no suffix that denotes Nomados. The vocal splinter sect of the Creed of the Devil Reborn (CDR), led by Gregor Ellis. See also ‘Common Book,’ ‘Devil,’ and ‘Diabnoloco.’
Diabnoloco - Nomado slang, combining the Spanish for devil (diablo) and for crazy (loco). A slur on ‘Diabno.’
Donna - ‘Lady.’ The honorific title given to the head of the Orden and all Torres Sagradas. The Donna is thus the most powerful person in the world. All Donnas are female; the means of their succession is kept secret within the Orden, but generally occurs when a Donna's mind has been so compromised by a lifetime of seizures that she can no longer function well enough to lead.
Earth’s Breath/Respiro del Mundo - The world’s collective intake of breath at the beginning of a grito, in preparation to its scream. Everyone loses memory during this event, but at slightly different points so that some remember the simultaneous beginning of breath; that, and raw throats after gritos, indicated that people screamed en grito (confirmed with the invention of recording devices). Many cultures of the world called gritos ‘Scream’ in their language, and the Orden standardized it to the Spanish.
Eat Miles - Nomado slang. Driving for distance, not at leisure.
EEG - Electroencephalogram. Developed by the Orden (and also exists in our world), an EEG reads brainwaves and, most important to the Mundo Gritoso, identifies seizures as they occur. During active periods of their service, Escudas’ heads are fitted with EEG electrodes under their turbans, and their brainwaves are transmitted to a central receiver. When a set percentage of all Escudas seize simultaneously, it trips an alarm that first broadcasted radio warnings, and now activates campanillas. Only the Orden knows how EEGs communicate with the receiving station, how that station activates campanillas, or how campanillas are made and function.
En grito - Spanish, ‘in grito.’ During the grito.
Endlessness - noun (See also Sinfin). An all, a whole, an everything of something.
Epilepsy - A disorder characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures occur when groups of neurons fire simultaneously in a pulse, as opposed to the normal, random firings scattered throughout the brain - thus disrupting the brain’s regular activities. That synchronicity can spread, and as it does, seizure symptoms intensify - from hallucinations only sensed by the seizing epileptic, to externally obvious alterations of cognitive function, reality, and convulsions which may include total loss of consciousness. Without medication, seizures tend to become more frequent and severe and can eventually create serious permanent damage to neurological and cognitive function.
Mundo Gritoso’s epilepsy is the ‘Sacred Disorder’ whose mysterious connection to gritos led to the creation of the Orden and enabled civilization’s adaptation and recovery. In the 16th century an epileptic Spanish nun, Teresa, realized that connection existed; something in a seizure’s synchronous firing of neurons was enough akin to the synchronicity of gritos that it often triggered a seizure up to several minutes before the grito itself, and that warning of impending grito was guaranteed if several nearby Escudas seized at once. Her subsequent establishment of warning bells not only vastly improved quality of life, but made the epileptic-run Orden into the world’s greatest power.
In the Age of Commons, there are several million epileptics throughout the world.
Escuda - Spanish for ‘shield.’ Escudas are female epileptics within the Orden Sagrada, who ‘shield’ mankind from gritos. In the Age of Bells, Escudas resided in a Torre and waited for seizures in solitude and silence in her individual cell. When she sensed a seizure, she rang a small bell. If two or more Escudas seized simultaneously and multiple bells rang, the Bell-Ringer began the larger bell’s bell-walk to warn the nearby population of an imminent grito.
Although there are male epileptics, Tower Escudas have always been female. In roles outside of direct warnings, and those with less power within the organization, Escudas - or Escudos - can be either gender. Genders are better integrated in Orden branches controlling research, science, business, military, arts, etc.
Matriarchal order is so set within the Orden that in Spanish, the collective noun for a mixed-gender group still takes on the feminine case - Escudas, rather than Escudos - a unique situation within the Spanish language, where generally a mixed gender group will take on the masculine '-o' suffix, as opposed to the feminine '-a.'
Esel Cross - ‘Esel’ is an old Beduin word for ‘understanding.’ Made common by Tuaregno Teardrop Men, the Esel is a stylized, intricate cross that each wears upon their passage to adulthood, and symbolizes that no man or woman can know where along the four points of the compass they will travel, or where their journeys will end in death. The Esel is now commonly found on Nomado memorial markers (descansos), along with symbols of the traveler’s individual faith, to acknowledge that truth, and that their soul has finally found those answers.
Exurbo - Phenomenon of urban to rural migration as Landers become confident of their safety away from Protectorates. Started after the advent of radio and accelerated with campanillas, made legal by the repeal of the Ley Relique (Ringing Law) that restricted Landers to Protectorates. The ingrained Lander culture makes Exurbo unattractive and frightening to most, but after five years without gritos it is becoming far more common, and the growing phenomenon is alarming to both the Orden and Nomados.
Gas-Fill - large multi-use gas station/truck stop catering to Transnos. They offer food, rest, showers, services such as banking, and a Nomado lounge (Gratuity Center).
Gratuity Center - also, ‘Grat.’ A rest, relaxation, and entertainment lounge often attached to gas-fills, established in gratitude to Nomados for traveling between cities, enabling communication, trade, security to travelers, etc.
Grip Your Wheel - Nomado slang; keep steady, hold on
Grito - Pronounced ‘GREE-to.’ Spanish, ‘scream.’ The universal, unpredictably occurring phenomenon in which all of the world’s people are simultaneously struck down in an unconscious scream; highly dangerous in that it incapacitates entirely, for a period up to several minutes, causing deadly accidents throughout the world and rendering huge numbers of people irriversibly catatonic.
Gritos did not exist previous to 3,000 years ago, and in the first hundred years of their appearance occurred hundreds of times a year (a period also called the ‘Grito Sinfin’), both indirectly and directly causing mass human extermination, destroying civilizations, and preventing population regrowth. They lessened considerably after 100 years, but still had huge impact on survivors; human progress halted in the era of the ‘Dark Forgetting’ for over 2,000 years previous to Santa Teresa’s Orden beginning the Age of Bells. Gritos only affect humans.
Grito Sinfin - Spanish, ‘endless grito;’ an endlessness of gritos. Reference to the first one hundred years of gritos’ existence, when mankind was shattered by an approximate 10,000 gritos. That era saw mass extermination of humanity, and both directly and indirectly changed mankind’s face and future through the destruction of the early developing world, its civilizations, and its people. Toward the end of that period, gritos slowly decreased and stabilized to occur approximately a couple dozen times per year.
Hobno - Nomado fringe group, from ‘hobo;’ associated with trains and travel along the railways.
Hoolie - Hooligan, guy. Neutral Nomado term applicable to anyone.
Indino - Nomado who would be known as Native American in our world.
It’s your show - Slang from radio; statement of agreement or acquiescence. e.g., it’s your deal, whatever, sure, whichever you want, go ahead.
Jack - see ‘Realjack.’
Joint-Mil - Slang for the joint military whose enlisted ranks are primarily made up of Landers and Nomados. Upper ranks are heavily Orden, and joining the Joint-Mil was a popular assignment for male Escudos, where their promotion was allowed.
Lady Book-Bell - See also Santa Teresa de Ávila; Common name for Teresa among non-western peoples.
Lady Roads - Nomado term. All highways, streets, roads, and drivable paths as a single entity, companion, and patron to the Nomado traveler; seen as related to Terraceana, often her 'Little Sister.'
Landers - By far the most numerous segment of humanity. Throughout the Age of Bells they were required by law (the Ley Relique, or the ‘Ringing Law’) to live in dense urban Protectorates for safety and efficiency of warnings; this was also their preference. This intensive and restrictive protection shaped Lander culture and psychology. With the advent of radio and campanillas, some Landers insisted on increased independence and freedoms, but still tend to be most comfortable living in Protectorates. Pax Tierra is their political designation within the Pax Sagrada Triumvirate. They are internally governed by their Senate, of which The Senator is head. That body is subordinate to the Orden (as is the Nomado’s internal governing structure), although all branches of the Pax Sagrada are symbolically equal.
Ley Relique - Spanish, ‘Ringing Law.’ Law enacted early in the Age of Bells, that confined non-Orden or non-Nomado peoples (Landers) to living within earshot of Protectorate bells. That law was repealed after the invention of radios, but heavily influenced the social, cultural, and psychological makeup of all of humanity, in particular Landers. In practice, it is still largely in effect.
Lubbers - Nomado extremist slang for Landers, Pirata origin; from ‘Landlubbers’ living in Protectorates, far from Terraceana (the Land Ocean). An ugly slur.
Marks & Markers - Homeless Landers based in Protectorates; do not travel. As children, often pickpockets. As adults, often comes with a connotation of substance abuse.
Mundo Gritoso - Spanish, ‘Screaming World.’ The name humanity has given to the world in which the story of Twice-Named Songs takes place; the condition of existence that has developed due to humanity being damaged by and then adapting to gritos.
Music - highly important to the Mundo Gritoso, considered untouchable by financial or political interests. It is a public service, central to all branches of society due to the importance of bells and the world’s still-ingrained habit of listening to radio 24 hours a day (from when it was the sole grito warning). The Orden regulates radio and music, is the financial and educational patron of all musicians, and is dedicated to supporting all music genres. Mundo Gritoso’s free music cards are analogous to our tapes or CDs. One of the world’s greatest holidays is the ‘Roster and Opus Release,’ when the year’s new musicians and albums are made available. These celebrations begin far before release day itself.
Music cards - Equivalent to CDs or tapes, resembles a credit card. Hard paper card with band logo and album information on one side, magnetic strip on the other. When swiped through a reader, the radio accesses its data from a central database and streams the selected music.
Night Marcher - Nomado slang; Ghost, as from Polynesian Nomado culture.
-No - suffix denoting Nomado status, e.g. Transno, Indino, Tuaregno, Basqno, Hobno, etc.
No-town - Short for ‘Nomado-town.’ A remote outpost, often unconnected to roads and ‘afloat’ on Terraceana, others located along seldom used, very rough roads. No-towns are far-removed from even Nomado society, and are relatively free from Orden control.
No-towner - People who live apart from society, alone or in no-towns. They are generally peaceful and keep to themselves, but have some criminal and political-fringe elements.
Nomado - Group identity (cultural and political) formed from a collective of the world’s nomadic peoples. They were exempt from the Ley Relique in exchange for services provided to the Orden and Landers. Early in the Age of Bells, the new-founded Orden contracted with nomads to provide transportation of goods, communication, travelers’ safety, etc. between Protectorates. Taxes still fund Gratuity centers in thanks. Their culture is often romanticized, although Landers sometimes discriminate against them (see ‘Wildman’).
Odd Rock - Lander slang for an odd person; Lander slang often revolves around rocks or stones; see listing for ‘Canto.’
Old Home - Nomado slang for the place of one’s birth and the landscape that carries one’s formative memories. The childhood home, the place you come from and know best; a place of family, memory, and nostalgia.
Opus - The collective musical output of a ‘roster’ - a list of all musicians and groups featured in a Roster and Opus release. Plural, ‘opera.’ See also ‘music,’ ‘Roster and Opus,’ and ‘roster.’
Orden Sagrada - Spanish, ‘Sacred Order.’ Often, simply ‘Orden.’ The matriarchal epileptic organization originally broken off from the Catholic church by Santa Teresa de Ávila and her convent in order to most effectively provide grito warnings to mankind. A take-off from ‘Sacred Disorder’ - epilepsy - to signify both the organization and the fact that a seizure is a sudden synchronous, ‘orderly’ firing of neurons that unbalances the brain’s normally harmonious disorder (see epilepsy). The world’s unchallenged authority and power for the past 600+ years. They are generally a beloved and trusted group who have enabled mankind to create a safe, productive, and rich existence in the face of gritos. In the age of commons, there are several million epileptics through the world.
Out-About - Traditional Nomado roaming tours into the Lady Roads or Terraceana. Travel for travel’s sake.
Pax - Latin, ‘Peace.’ The three branches of Mundo Gritoso society are Pax Epileptica (Orden); Pax Nomado (Nomados); and Pax Tierra (Landers). These branches together are the Pax Sagrada. The term ‘Pax’ first sprung from deep relief that humankind could adapt to and ‘make peace with’ gritos.
Pax Epileptica - Epileptic Peace. The political face of the Orden Sagrada; one third of the Pax Sagrada political Triumvirate. The world’s indisputable authority, it controls most research, funding, music, law, etc. The Donna is its head.
Pax Mark - One of three emblems marking affiliation within the Pax Sagrada, Nomado, Lander, or Orden; other groups such as the Diabnos (a Mark featuring the screaming devil) and Hobnos (a pair of dice) have created their own. Pax Nomado’s mark is the columbine, symbolic of the circle of doves for which the flower is named: the world’s messengers and peace-facilitators in parley themselves. Pax Epileptica’s mark is a bell. Pax Tierra (Landers) incorporates a hand holding a stone with a red thread run through it, symbolic both of Teresa’s protection, and their own role as the holders of the hubs of civilization (via Protectorates).
Pax Nomado - ‘Nomado Peace,’ the political face of the Nomados; one third of the Pax Sagrada Triumvirate. The position of Nomado Voice is its head.
Pax Sagrada - Sometimes simply ‘The Pax.’ See also, Triumvirate. Refers to the collective made of the three branches of Mundo Gritoso society - Pax Epileptica (Orden), Pax Nomado (Nomados), and Pax Tierra (Landers). Often used interchangeably with Triumvirate, but ‘The Pax’ often refers to society as a collective, and Triumvirate only refers to society’s political structure, activities, and leadership.
Pax Tierra - ‘Land(ers) Peace;’ the political face of the Landers, and one third of the Pax Sagrada Triumvirate. The Senator is its head.
Phrase Turning - Nomado slang, indicative of someone who knows Nomado slang and speech cadence.
Pirata - Nomado fringe group. ‘Extreme’ Nomados who live entirely apart from society, either settled, or constantly wandering Terraceana and only occasionally coming in contact with other Nomados - and Landers and Orden very rarely. Most are peaceful and simply want to keep to themselves (see No-towners), but there can be a connotation of lawlessness and criminality.
Protectorate - very high-density, compact (not sprawling into suburbs as do our own) cities that Landers have traditionally been restricted to. Highly innovative environmentally, architecturally, and culturally. Even with the repeal of legal restrictions, they still house the vast majority of the world’s people. See also, 'Ley Relique.'
Play the Dice the Road Throws You - Nomado slang: roll with the punches, carry on in face of unexpected circumstance, etc.
Pulgamarkt - Or simply, ‘Pulga.’ A flea market, from spanish ‘pulga’ (flea) and german ‘markt’ (market). The largest, found at some crossings of major highways and railways, are huge and carnivalesque compared to our own, and have a wider variety of goods and services.
Raise Finger - Nomado greeting, index finger of the left hand raised and lowered, imitating the gesture drivers give from their steering wheels in crossing paths with someone going the opposite direction.
Radio - Orden invention some 100+ years previous to the beginning of the book. Allowed for huge strides forward in industry, freedom, travel, etc. because life and its activities did not have to happen within earshot of a physical bell, and because they enabled humanity to communicate over long distances. Even after the arrival of campanillas, radios were constantly left on to enable grito warnings, continuing the explosion of the importance of music that occurred with their invention. Incredibly liberating devices, and in some ways destabilizing to society and the status quo.
Realjack - also, ‘Jack.’ Extreme Lander. Someone who, through paranoia over gritos or physical limitation lives out the majority of their life - especially in public - in a wheelchair, and their social interactions primarily through a virtual environment. ‘Realjack’ can refer to both ‘highjacking’ reality, and being constantly ‘plugged into a jack.’ As bewildering a way to live to Nomados as is the Pirata lifestyle to Landers, Nomados, particularly those with Diabno sympathies, often look down upon them. 'Realjack' is a relatively neutral (especially between friends) yet still loaded term, but 'Jack' is always a slur.
Respiro del Mundo/Earth’s Breath - See ‘Earth’s Breath.’
Rest homes - Primarily places for catatonics to spend the rest of their existence, and Escudas to retire to when their seizures no longer respond to medication. Excellently run, caring facilities. Although caring for catatonics throughout their natural lives is costly, after helplessly watching so many loved ones waste away and die throughout the Dark Forgetting, humanity has chosen to accept that cost and cover it through taxes and tolls.
Rig - A Transno’s home, conveyance, and livelihood - very similar to a semi-truck. Most are gradually and increasingly intricately ‘tattooed’ to match their Transno drivers’ tattoos.
Road-Word - Nomado slang; news of the road, gossip.
Romno - Nomado of Rom (Gypsy) ethnicity and culture. Originally the group has roots in India.
Roster - A listing of musicians and groups whose work makes up the yearly music release; the collective work itself is that Roster’s Opus. Roster and Opus release days, and the celebrations leading up to them, are major holidays.
Roster and Opus - The world holiday and celebrations commemorating each year’s release of musicians and their new work. These celebrations begin far before the official January 1st release day.
Sacred Bell - See 'Campana Sagrada.'
Sagrada - Spanish, ‘sacred.’
Santa Teresa de Ávila - Also Teresa of Book & Bell, Lady Book-Bell - the 16th C. Spanish epileptic nun who, 600+ years before the start of the book, had a vision that led to coordinating epileptics to use seizures to warn the world of imminent gritos. Those warnings, along with her decision to separate the new epileptic organization she created (the Orden) from the Catholic faith, accelerated the development of civilization, gave rise to the Lander/Nomado division, and established epileptics and the Orden as the world’s major power.
Settled Houses - Nomado slang for when a Nomado stops wandering in favor of making a home in a set place, generally within a town (but never a Protectorate).
Sinfin - Spanish, ‘endlessness,’ noun. An ‘all,’ a ‘whole,’ an ‘everything,’ a universe of something; ex: ‘sinfin de singrito:’ ‘an endlessness of a time without gritos,’ grito’s ultimate End.
Singrito - Spanish, ‘without grito.’ A period between gritos.
Sitspot - Often wall-seats buckled to the side of buildings, available to the public in the event of grito. Also grito benches, etc.
Skid/Mark - Collective term for homeless living at the fringes of Lander and Nomado society. Skids are Nomado; Marks are Lander. Train stations and railways are common ground and neutral territory.
Skids & Skidlings - Homeless Nomados. As children, often pickpockets. As adults, often comes with a connotation of substance abuse.
Skyscrape - tall building; skyscraper.
Sleepspot - any permitted spot for a Nomado, primarily Transnos, to park in for a nap or night’s sleep. Many spaces are available at gas-fills and Pulgamarkts.
Static - Especially to older generations who were among the first to rely on radio grito warnings, static was proof that airwaves were active. Static signifies safety, company, and protection; whereas clear sound or silence meant that one was utterly alone and vulnerable to being struck by grito unawares. Even after the advent of campanillas, radios come with a static setting that listeners use to create more or less static according to their taste. High static is slowly being more associated with older generations, and Landers.
Static grinder - Nomado insult. Someone so fearful of gritos that they isolate themselves in a secure location and listen to very staticky radio constantly. See also Real-jack and static.
Strip your gears - Nomado slang. To lose one’s train of thought, come unhinged; to be speechless/mindless.
Swag - Nomado traveling kit; his/her possessions. Also, a backpack or similar bag to hold those possessions.
Taxes & Tolls - Collected by the Orden Sagrada. Tolls are paid in the tollyards beneath Epileptic Towers (Torres) along the roads; taxes are paid on purchases, property, etc. They go towards research and human services, rest homes, the Nomado Grat centers, music, etc. Divvying the taxes and tolls is debated within the Triumvirate, although the Orden has final say.
Teardrop Man - The eulogizers of Mundo Gritoso, often Tuaregno, who create and sing songs of people who have died and share their stories along the roads so that their names and stories are joyfully celebrated. They are named for the teardrops tattooed on their faces, one for every life they’ve learned and sung. It is they who brought the Esel cross into prominence on roadside memorials, and also carry bags of seeds they scatter along their way, in symbolism of life returning from the earth. It is a very happy and poignant occasion when a Teardrop Man comes to town.
Tech - Electronics.
Terraceana - Spanish, from ‘tierra’ and ‘oceana:’ ‘Land Ocean.’ All land unmarked by roads, towns, and civilization. Beloved to Nomados, feared by Landers. Covers far more undeveloped land than in our own world.
‘Tonic - Slang, Catatonic.
Torre de Campanas/Torre Sagrada - Spanish, ‘Bell Tower,’ or ’Sacred Tower;’ often simply ‘torre’ or tower. Standard construction: 3 stories tall bridging a road, especially crossroads, topped by bell; toll stations at road level, tollyards/rest stops to their side. The lowest glassed-in story is the ‘resting floor’ where Escudas periodically recuperate on seizure-suppressants from their unmedicated active periods, in which they are part of the group that warns of gritos.
Tower - See ‘Torre de Campanas/Torre Sagrada.’
Transno - Nomado whose livelihood and culture is rooted in transportation. Often what we’d recognize as truckers, they and their rigs are often increasingly and identically tattooed. They live the majority of their lives along the Lady Roads.
Tree of Empty Houses - See ‘Acacia.’
Triumvirate - the political collective made of the three branches of Mundo Gritoso society - Pax Epileptica (Orden), Pax Nomado (Nomados), and Pax Tierra (Landers). Sometimes used interchangeably with ‘Pax Sagrada,’ but ‘The Pax’ often refers to society as a whole, while the Triumvirate is solely its governing structure, political activities, and leadership.
Tuaregno - (pr. Twa-REG-no). See also, ‘Teardrop Man.’ Nomado beduin group originally from northern Africa, traditionally the singing eulogizers of Mundo Gritoso.
Tucker - Food.
Unlock Your Brakes - Nomado slang, quit being so stubborn.
Vegas - Originally the largest and most notorious No-town adrift in Terraceana’s southwest desert, now the Pax Sagrada Triumvirate’s political seat, which shares space with the world’s largest Gratuity Center - the entire city of Vegas. Its original history and current use have melded interestingly; the Pax Sagrada’s political headquarters is the ‘Riesgo de Canto Casino' (alternatively meaning ‘Song’s Risk,’ Risk of a Pebble,’ etc; see listing for ‘Canto’). Political debates and decisions are made here, as well as quite a lot of financial gambles by the public playing its tables and slots.
The concept of gambling resonates through various parts of life in the Mundo Gritoso, and its origins are thought to come from the reality of humans having to 'gamble' throughout their lives in the face of unpredictable gritos.
Wheel-spinner - Nomado slang: much movement, not a lot of action. Can be chat or rambling, mental gear-spinning, etc.
Whole - loosely, God, or what many of Mundo Gritoso’s people acknowledge as a supreme entity or universal creative force; a more fluid definition than what ‘God’ tends to hold in our world, and regardless of one’s individual faith, most concede that there is ‘Whole’ at the heart of all, and use other descriptors to make their particular faith clear.
Whole’s Prophet - refers to Mohammed, of the Islamic faith.
Whole’s Son - Refers to Jesus, of the Christian faith.
Whole’s Tribes - Refers to those of Jewish faith.
Wildman - Lander slang, and often slur, against Nomados. One of those words that can be used fondly among close friends, but generally carries a negative connotation when outsiders use it.