Gray Owls - #7 - Glossary of Known Terms Vol. 1

References

The Elderburn - late in the 5th Age of Cloudsinger, a rogue ship named the Briarios suffered a catastrophic engine failure due to a shockwave emanating from a fissure in the Aether at Io's Edge.  Scholars believe that the shockwave was caused by the death of an ancient Elderbrain.  The resulting "burn" all but obliterated the Illithid population within the depths of Io, and scorched the Font of the arcane forever in ways that scholars are still discovering.

Greetings and Courtesies

Lo there... - the truncated colloquialism in reference to the late Daniel Miller's prayer of forgiveness.  The full text features a lengthy recitation, complete with multiple verses in different languages, that is intended to reference not only the entity at fault, but to admonish his or her own legacy as a show of mutual understanding and equality.  At its inception, Miller's Prayer was often utilized to quell the emotions of those ignited by the tragedy of Oroboros and to stop in-fighting in the lower class.

Known Slang

Boyo - a casual slang between friends of the lower crust; often used by upper class citizens to belittle one whom they perceive as "less than," those in the lower districts of the world happily claim this word, meaning "child" in halfling, as a means of communicating casual equality.  This word can also be wielded as a weapon against those of the court by placing them on equal perceived footing.
*Taka - in stark contrast, this word translates directly to "Master," and holds an additional reverence.  The word itself was derived from the Giant alphabet, found in ancient texts detailing the old masters.  Those of the court often use it to communicate great respect for those whom they deem above them.  To the few that know it in the lower crust, the intent can be the same, though it is often used in a mocking tone.
Dog - a Bounty Hunter.
*Mutt - a slang, derogatory insult in reference to a "dog" that can't learn new tricks, or has difficulty wielding the tools they have.
*Diamond Dog - there are those in the business of catching and killing that are called Sworn.  These are individuals who are sponsored by one of those in either the Tyrium Court or the Torkmund Assembly.  Sworn hunters receive wealthy stipends, apartments, and higher end weaponry and gear in exchange for their utmost loyalty in regard to specific jobs.  A Sworn cannot turn down a job from their sponsor, and have often been wielded as weapons in turf warfare.  Despite the perks, there are still many Hunters that steer clear of this proposition, opting to hold onto their freedom for as long as they can...
*Torky - anyone who benefits from a sponsor's allowance, often a Sworn Bounty Hunter (see Diamond Dog).
​*Raptor, Talon Chaser - Bounty Hunters who are known to take, or are in the process of taking the specific, high-risk job of hunting down one of the factions of the Spirals; this particular faction was known as the Knight Owls, each marked by the distinct tattoo of a great-horned owl perched upon a closed gauntlet.  As these entities were once a powerful brotherhood of soldiers, each job is given the flat rate of 50 platinum pieces for an implied 50 hours of hunting.
Cull - slang for "culprit."  Often used in casual description by Lawkeepers and Hunters alike.
Danny Boy - slang in reference to Daniel Miller, the first Loremaster to abandon his post in favor of "tearing down the high towers and breaking the wall of magic."  Often used in casual conversation or when dealing with Strainers.
Ferni - slang for Tieflings, or others with Infernal features.  Despite its perceived negative connotation, this is often spoken in reverence to such creatures.
Grin - specific shorthand for those officers in The Grinning Brand.
*Smilie - disrespectful slang for those in the The Grinning Brand.
Hatters - direct reference to a mythical entity or boogeyman, often used to scare children back inside at night.  Hatters are said to be the things shadows are made from, and if a shadow flickers in your direction to get inside quick, before the lights around you are snuffed out; the Hatters collect those who do not belong...
Shiver - a member of the Vertigo Caste is often called a Shiver; so named because of its innate ability to wield elemental cold energy wherever it goes.  Many Shivers are accompanied by large winter wolves, which the Shiver utilizes to help track, trap, and outmaneuver their targets.  Each Shiver's eyes are covered by a magical black cloth, but no one seems to know why.  Those of the Courts know well of the Vertigo Caste, but their actions, though often sanctioned, are calculated and mysterious.  No one is completely sure who pulls the strings of the "Vertighast."
Skirter - those who live in the shanty towns and small villages beyond the walls of the three bastions of Wynnrik.
Squid - disrespectful slang for the broken race of Illithid that now roam the surface of Io.
Spiral - it is common knowledge that the Knight Owls, and the dissonant factions of the sorcerer clans, unleashed hell willingly by igniting the Font of Magic at the turn of the Age.  It is their fault that Io spins toward its destruction, and this blame persists through time.  Such entities of chaos, those who threaten the balance of the universe by their own existence, are called Spirals.
*Arky - casters connected to the arcane blood burned when the Font was ignited.  Many died because of this, and those who survived were forever changed.  This term is a negative slang for another, called "Ark-touched," which is no longer used.
​Tusk-head - a half-orc.  Normally "tusk-face," the swap of the "head" in the slang denotes a loss of intelligence as well.

Known Curses and Lewd Language or Gestures

Kahna - reference to a mother or matriarch having sexual congress with another.
Strix - reference to a product of defecation.
*Kahnastrixa - reference to a mother having sexual congress with another and possibly while also defecating, but the combination is unclear.
​

Submitted in haste - Edwin Ferguson, Lorekeeper