Grand Epic Elemental takes place in a fantasy world that is loosely based on the cultures of the Silk Road era. Since there are many terms used that may be unfamiliar to the reader, a glossary is provided below.
Terms and their cultural origin
Airag (Mongolian) - fermented mare’s milk, also known as kumis
Aaruul (Mongolia) - dried milk curds
Baba (Chinese) - father
Barbat (Central Asian) - a short-necked lute
Caravanserai (Persian) - an inn where caravans rest at night
Chapan (Central Asian) - loose long-sleeved cotton coat
Deel (Mongolian) - wide-sleeved robe
Didi (Chinese) - younger brother
Doira (Central Asian) - frame drum
Dolmas (Central Asian, Mediterranean) - stuffed grape leaves
Doppi (Central Asian) - skullcap
Doujiang (Chinese) - soy milk, can be served sweet or savory
Dutar (Central Asian) - long-necked two-stringed lute
Fantuan (Chinese) - glutinous rice wrapped around a piece of youtiao, can also include other ingredients such as pickled vegetables and rousong
Gevreg (Mongolian) - wide ornate belt worn around the waist of a deel
Guqin (Chinese) - seven-string instrument, similar to a zither
Gutal (Mongolian) - leather boots with an upturned toe
Khaalag (Mongolian) - fur hat with a pointed top
Kowtow (Chinese) - to kneel with one’s head touching the floor, done as an expression of deep respect
Laghman (Central Asian) - a dish made with noodles, meat, and vegetables
Morin khuur (Mongolian) - literally means “horse fiddle”, a bowed stringed instrument
Palov (Central Asian) - rice dish made with meat, carrots, and onions
Qi (Chinese) - literally means “breath” or “air”, the vital force of living things
Rousong (Chinese) - “meat floss”, a dried meat product with a fluffy texture
Samsa (Central Asian) - meat-filled pastry
Shifu (Chinese) - title for a teacher of martial arts
Shixiong (Chinese) - elder martial brother
Shidi (Chinese) - younger martial brother
Surnay (Central Asian) - wind instrument, similar to an oboe
Tanghulu (Chinese) - candied fruit on a skewer
Weimao (Chinese) - wide-brimmed hat with shoulder-length veil
Youtiao (Chinese) - a long strip of deep fried dough
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