Essential Vocabulary for Aspiring Fantasy Novelists

Playing Pathfinder every week after losing Eevee, our friend, became a vital part of our grieving process. We slowly built up four campaigns, each involving different members of our larger social circle, and playing at least twice a week. Last weekend, I took it upon myself to DM, even though I was nervous about my lack of experience.

Determined to do justice to the story, I delved into the first chapter of my module, absolutely captivated by the engaging narrative. By the end, I had fallen head over heels for D&D mastery. Eager to hone my skills, I invested time in understanding the nuances of gameplay and found myself grappling with unfamiliar terms. I realized I didn't know much more than the basics, not just specific to Pathfinder, but Also, I came across several words from the GameMastery Guide (page 55) that were completely new to me. Maybe these words will resonate with you too.

Abstemious – Refraining from self-indulgence, especially when it comes to eating or drinking. E.g. "He continually ate only what he required."

Nugatory – Of no value or importance; insignificant. E.g."That advice was nugatory and just a waste of time."

Lapidary – Elegant and concise, suitable for engraving on stone. E.g. "He spoke in a lapidary manner, making every word count."

Beshrew – To curse or blame for a misfortune. E.g. "Beshrew you, beasts! Your lair is surrounded!"

Alluvium – Sediment deposited by flowing water; fertile soil. E.g "The river meandered through alluvium, creating a lush valley."

Xanthous – Having yellow or red hair. E.g "The princess, with her raven xanthous hair, captivated the prince."

Convivial – Friendly, lively, and enjoyable. E.g. "Our weekly game nights are always convivial and full of laughter."

Cyclopean – Relating to ancient masonry made with massive irregular blocks. E.g "The walls of the ruins were cyclopean, standing tall despite the passage of time."

Hecatomb – A great public sacrifice, originally of 100 oxen. E.g "The villagers set out to perform a hecatomb, hoping to appease the angry gods."

Coxcomb – A vain and conceited man; a dandy. E.g "The coxcomb carefully preened his feathers, brushing away even the slightest speck of dust."

Elan – Energy, style, and enthusiasm. E.g "With fervor, she played her violin, pouring her elan into each note."

Duffer – An incompetent or stupid person, especially an elderly one. E.g "He was nothing but a bumbling old duffer, incapable of carrying out even the simplest tasks."

Rigmarole – A lengthy and convoluted procedure. E.g "The bureaucratic procedure for obtaining a marriage license was nothing but rigmarole."

Bilbo – A type of sword, now often a name for a heroic character. E.g "He wielded Bilbo with grace, cutting down the minions of darkness."

Halidom – A holy place or sanctuary. E.g "Seeking solace, she entered the halidom, consoling herself among the holy artifacts."

Mordant – Bitingly sarcastic. E.g "He spoke with a mordant wit, expertly dismantling his opponents with his words."

Hirsute – Hair covered or excessively hairy. E.g "The woodland goblins sported thick, hirsute coats, aiding them in blending with their surroundings."

Lampoon – To publicly mock or ridicule. E.g "Recognizing the absurdity, she lampooned the courtier's foppish behavior."

Fustigate – To criticize harshly. E.g "The critic fustigated the artist's work, leaving no stone left unturned in their assessment."

Madrigal – A type of vocal music, often composed for multiple voices. E.g "The madrigal, with its intricate harmony, filled the air with beauty."

Hagiography – The writing of the lives of saints. E.g "The hagiography, full of fanciful stories, created an unrealistic ideal of holiness."

Foozle – To mess up; to fail clumsily. E.g "His attempts at charity often foozled, his heart generally better than his deeds."

Jeremiad – A mournful complaint; a long list of woes. E.g "The old man's jeremiad was likeclockwork, reciting his grievances nightly."

Truncate – To cut short; to shorten. E.g "As time grew short, she was forced to truncate her speech, leaving out important details."

Dross – Worthless matter; rubbish. E.g "Sifting through the dross, she uncovered the hidden treasure buried within."

Cuspidor – A spittoon, used for spitting tobacco or snuff. E.g "The cuspidor, stood quietly in the corner, awaiting its duty."

My lifestyle during the first draft of the campaign involved abstaining from food and drink with busy game nights, consuming only what was necessary to keep me energized.
In the fashion-and-beauty section of a bookstore, I came across a book on hirsute hairstyles, captivated by the xanthous hairdos perfectly aligned with the medieval themes in Pathfinder.
The entertainment in our social circle often revolved around convivial game nights, the lively banter and laughter creating a sense of camaraderie reminiscent of a cyclopean structure.
The sports section of the local newspaper reported a hecatomb of goals scored by a team, a spectacle that made me wish our Pathfinder campaigns had such a dramatic climax.