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