Midani

Midani is the flowery language of Zakhara, most blessed of Fate. Most of these expressions are based on genuine Arabic, others are specific for Zakhara.

Names

The names below, suitable for PCs and NPCs alike, are but a few of those known throughout Zakhara.

Male

• Aasim (AH-sim)
• Ahmad (ah-MAHD or AH-mahd)
• Akbar (AHK-bar)
• Ala'i (ah-LAH-wee)
• Anwar (AHN-wahr)
• Aziz (ah-ZEEZ)
• Diyab (DEE-yahh)
• Djuhah (D]O-hah)
• Essafah (ess-AH fah)
• Farid (fah-REED)
• Fayiz (fah-YEEZ)
• Hakim (hah-KEEM)
• Hatim (hah-TEEM or HAH-tim)
• Husam (ho-SAHM)
• Jamal (jah-MAHL)
• Jamil (jah-MEEL)
• Kamal (kah-MAHL)
• Karim (kah-REEM)
• Kerim (keh-REEM)
• Khalid (kah LEED)
• Mahmud (mah-MOOD)
• Mamoon (mah-MOON)
• Mutamin (moo-tah-MEEN)
• Naaman (NAH-man)
• Nabil (nah-BEEL)
• Najib (nah IEEB)
• Rashad (rah-SHAHD)
• Umar (OO-mar)
• Yezeed (yuh ZEED)
• Yusuf (YOO-suf)
• Waleed (wah-LEED)

Female

• Alia (ah-LEE-yah)
• Amsha (AHM-sha)
• Aziza (ah-ZEE-zah)
• Badiat (ba-DEE-aht)
• Bahija (ba-HEE-jah)
• Ghunayya (hu-NAI-ya)*
• Farida (fa-REE-dah)
• Fatima (fa-TEE-mah or FAH- tee-mah)
• Halima (ha-LEEM ah)
• Ibtisam (ib-tih-SAHM)
• Jaheira (ja-HAI-rah)
• Jamila (ja-MEE-lah)
• ]uleidah (ju-LAY-dah)
• ]ulnar (jool-NAR)
• Latifa (lah-TEE fah)
• Khadiga (hah-DEE-gah)*
• Khunufseh (hoo-NOOF seh)*
• Maneira (mah NAl rah)
• Nabila (nah BEE-lah)
• Najiba (nah ]EE-bah)
• Nura (NOOR-ah)
• Safana (sah FAH na)
• Samia (sa-MEE ah)
• Setara (seh-TAR-ah)
• Tala (TAH lah)
• Thuriya (thoo-REE ah)
• Tufala (TOO fa lah)
• Wadi'a (WAH-dee-ya)
• Wudei'a (woo DAY-ah)
• Zobeida (zo-BAY-dah)

* The initial "h" is guttural like the sound of a person gargling or gently clearing his or her throat.

Constructing a Surname

One of the most popular forms of Zakharan surnames combines the name of a place or location with the suffix -i. For example, Al-Kharji means "the person from Kharj." Al means "the," and may also be followed by a descriptive name, as in Al-Nisr ("the eagle"). In addition, al may mean ³the house of² or "the tribe of."

Other Zakharan names are formed with a prefix, such as ibn, bin, bint, beni, abd, min, abu, umm, or sitt. Each has a different meaning.

As prefixes, ibn and bin mean "son of." Bint means "daughter of." Beni (BEN-ee) means "the family." So, Hatim Ibn Abbas is literally Hatim, the son of Abbas. When someone refers to Hatim's family, the proper title is Beni Abbas (as in "the Abbas").

Abd* means "slave." As a prefix, it means "slave of." A mamluk, or Zakharan slave-warrior, commonly takes a name beginning with abd, followed by the name of his or her organisation.

Min means "from." Zakharan priests favour this prefix, often linking it to the name of a venerated god or hallowed site, or simply to the name of a place.

Abu, umm, and sitt are relatively uncommon prefixes. Abu means "father of~' and is often followed by the name of the person's first child or, more commonly, the first male child. Umm means "mother of-' and often precedes the name of the first child or, more commonly, the first female child. Roughly translated, sitt means "lady," and is appropriate only for powerful or highly respected women.

* Abdul is a variant of abd al (or abd ul), meaning "slave of the." It is nonsensical alone and is never a proper name.

Glossary

• Al-Faddi: Silver.
• Al-Zor: Throat, as applied to singers.
• Al. The (definite article). As a prefix, it may also mean "the house of" or "the tribe of."
• Aywa (EYE wah): Yes.
• Bazan. Flames.
• Bit. A copper piece.
• Dinar. (pl. dinars) Gold piece, equal to 10 dirham or 100 bits.
• Dirham. (pl. dirham) Silver piece, equal to 10 bits or 1/10 dinar.
• Fiq: A small copper coin of little value. Also bit.
• Hatar (hah TAR): Danger.
• Jari. Courageous.
• Kwayis (KWAY iss): Good.
• La (LAH): No.
• Mashl: "Nothing."
• Midani. Zakharan common language, a melodious dialect.
• Mish. A negation for any adjective it precedes (so "mish kyawis" means "bad").
• Saj. Teakwood.
• Saji. Brave.
• Samm (SAHM): Poison.
• Sukhteh. Burnti1s

Magical Terms

• Baraka: A concept which doesn't translate well. It can mean magic or charisma or the special favor of God. People or places can have it. Shrines which have this property are often touched in the hopes that some of the baraka will rub off. People who have it can do almost anything they want. Zakhara: Magic. Adepts. Quite common in this high-magic period.
• Derwishes: Believers in a mystical form of Islam. They believe that certain fortunate people are specially blessed by Allah with baraka (qv), and are therefore worthy of respect in the community. They often take wovs of powerty and live in the wilderness. Many high-ranking adepts become derwishes, at least for a time.
• Genie: (Zahkaran) An supernatural, elemental creature. Very proud and very powerful. Neither good nor evil by nature, they are bound by Fate, but not as favoured as humans. Includes Dao (earth), Efreet (fire), Djinn (air) and Marid (water).
• Half-Genie: (Zahkaran) Mundane creatures infused by the nature of the genies. They live in this world, but usually in fantastic and remote places.
• Hama. Spirit, or the spirit-bird that rises from a body when the person dies. It sometimes carries messages for the living.
• Haram. Holy site.
• Ins. Midani term to identify the enlightened races of humans, elves, dwarves, and the like; Namegivers or enlightened races, as opposed to genies or monsters. Unenlightened namegivers are still considered ins. Any enlightened, non-genie creature can be considered an ins.
• Jinn. General noun for a Genie of any type.
• Namegiver: (Zahkaran) The sentient races, capable of defining things and thus causing magic. Many creatures are considered namegivers. Se also ins.

Religiuous Terms

• Al-baqarah: The Cow. Also the name of the second Surah of the Quran.
• Al-fatihah: The first Surah of the Quran, a comforting prayer that is the Islamic equivalent of the Lord's Prayer.
• Allah: (Zakhara) Fate personified. Described as female in the legends, but some claim this is merely human perception.
• God: (Zahkara) Fate as the great controlling force. Se also Allah, Fate.
• Gods: The greater powers of the world, patrons of the religious orders. Some gods are enlightened, others are unenlightened. The unenlightened believe gods are the ultimate powers of the universe.
• Hajama. A great god, called "the Courageous," represents the ideal of courage in the face of opposition.
• Hakiyah. Great goddess, called "the Honest," symbolizes truth.
• Haku. Great god, called "Free," represents personal independence.
• Jauhar. Common god, called "the gemmed," represents wealth.
• Jihad: A holy war. A mobilisation of the faithful that involves a great deal of magical power.
• Jisan. Great goddess, called "the Bountiful," symbolizes fertility and productivity.
• Kor. Great god, called "the Venerable," represents wisdom.
• Mihrab. Prayer niche in a mosque.
• Minbar. Pulpit.
• Mosque. A temple.
• Muezzin: A man who calls the faithful to prayer from the minaret of a mosque.
• Muslim: One of the enlightened (Zakharan).
• Najm. Great god(dess), called "the Adventurous," symbolizes adventure and curiosity.
• Nidir. Vow.
• Quran or Qur'an: The Book of Islam, containing the word and dictates of God. To the Muslims what the Bible is to Christians. Zakharan: Laws of the Loregiver.
• Selan. Great goddess, called "the Gracious," represents divine beauty and heavenly grace.
• Shiatan: Satan, the devil. This is a maling force that subtly influences every heart, filling them with selfish desires and pretty evil.
• Surah: A chapter of the Quran.
• Tahrik min qad. A type of Zakharan legend that describes a holy warrior's (faris's) redemption following a downfall. It means "moving through the flame."
• Taqiyya. Doctrine of caution. Under compulsion, a believer may be exempted from fulfilling obligations of religion. Used to justify concealing beliefs that others object to.
• Zann. Great god, called "the Learned," epitomizes learning and intelligence.

Time & Numbers

• Ahad. The first High Holy Day.
• Sifr: Zero.
• Arba. The fourth High Holy Day.
• Ascension Day. The anniversary of the day the First Grand Caliph ascended to the throne, and the day on which a new Grand Caliph ascends to the throne, and on which the reigning Grand Caliph makes a public appearance and worships and speaks at the Golden Mosque. Ascension Day takes place on Yasad.
• Atnen. The second High Holy Day
• Calendar. The Zakharan calendar holds these months, each of 30 days: Taraq, Masta, Magarib, Gammam, Mihla, Qawafil, Safa, Dar, Riyah, Nau, Rahat, Saris. Between Qawafil and Safa fall the High Holy Days.
• Dar. The eighth month of the year, and the month of the Grand Caliph's Birthday.
• Gammam. The fourth month of the year.
• Grand Caliph's Birthday. This day of great celebration in Huzuz occurs on 27 Dar.
• High Holy Days. Five days of faith, meditation, and fasting, and five nights of grand celebration. They are Ahad, Atnen, Salas, Arba, and Yasad; they follow Qawafil and precede Safa each year, belonging to neither month. Also Ramadan.
• Magarib. The third month of the year.
• Masta. The second month of the year.
• Mihla. The fifth month of the year.
• Nau. The tenth month of the year.
• Qawafil. The sixth month of the year.
• Rahat. The eleventh month of the year.
• Ramadan: The holy month of Islam, during which all Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset. (Zakhara): see High Holy Days.
• Riyal. The ninth month of the year.
• Safa. The seventh month of the year.
• Salas. The third High Holy Day.
• Saris. The twelfth month of the year.
• Taraq. The first month of the year.
• Yasad. The fifth High Holy Day, and Ascension Day.

Geography

• Afyal. A far-off island nation holding ancient ruins.
• Asheba: Large island continent south-west of Zakhara. Land of the blacks. Largely unexplored and totally unenlightened.
• Cities of the Heart. The soul of the land of Zakhara, these include Halwa, Hiyal, Wasat, and, of course, Huzuz.
• Cities of the North. Cities of constant warfare, these include Qudra (the City of Power, home to many mamluks), the Free Cities, and the Corsair Domains.
• Cities of the Pantheon. The home cities of the League of the Pantheon, or Pantheist League. Pantheists recognize only five gods: Hajama, Kor, Najm, Selan, and Jauhar. Worship of other gods is forbidden by the close-minded and somewhat fanatical inhabitants.
• Cities of the Pearl. Wealthy trade cities on the western coast of the Golden Gulf. Places filled with over-proud, unscrupulous merchants.
• Haunted Lands. Once the home of warring city-states, petty nations, and proud nomads. Brought to destruction by the pride of a single ruler, these places now lie deserted and ruined. A dangerous, unpleasant place.
• High Desert. Home of the largest nomadic tribes of Zakhara.
• Huzuz. The greatest of the Cities of the Heart, the City of Delights, Golden Huzuz, the Gem of Zakhara, the Jewel of the Suq Bay and the Golden Gulf, the Heart of the Heart of the Enlightened Lands, the grandest city of Al-Toril.
• Ruined Kingdoms. Nog and Kadar, ancient kingdoms that have fallen to ruins. Places of danger.
• Toril. The planet Zakhara graces with its presence.
• Zakhara. The Land of Fate, called the Burning World by some. A vast, civilized land.

Desert Terms

• Barchan. Crescent-shaped dune, commonly at the desert's edge. The "horns" point away from prevailing winds.
• Dirah. The territory of a given desert tribe, usually about 200 square miles.
• Gassi. Rocky path between two seif dunes.
• Harrat. Field of volcanic debris.
• Jabal. Mount, mountain.
• Jalla. Camel dung; useful for fuel and many other purposes.
• Kavir. Salt/mud flat; dangerous terrain in which a salt crust lies directly over a sea of black, slimy mud.
• Khamsin. Sirocco, a hot, destructive wind storm.
• Sarahin. Wolves' den.
• Seif. Also called a "sword dune," it is the largest of all dune types. It runs parallel to the desert winds, has a sharp peak, is very rugged, and can extend for hundreds of miles.
• Simoom: A strong, hot, sand-laden wind that blows through the Saharan and Arabian deserts.
• Star dune. Twisted mass of sand resembling a starfish.
• Wadi. Seasonal watercourse that floods but once or twice a year and is otherwise dry and solid.
• Whaleback dune. Dune resembling a colossal beached whale. It runs parallel to prevailing winds.

Naval Terms

• Anjar (pl. anajir). Grapple-type anchor.
• Balanj. Ship's cabin.
• Bandar. Port (a place where ships may rest).
• Barijah. Small, 40-foot dhow that commonly serves fishermen, pearlers, merchants, and shore-dwelling pirates.
• Bawara. Heavy anchor for sandy or muddy bottoms.
• Beam. The width of a ship from gunwale to gunwale.
• Daftar. Rutter, sailing instructions often used for navigation in place of charts. Very valuable.
• Daqal. Mast.
• Dhow. Any ship, particularly one of Zakharan manufacture.
• Didban. The ship's look-out.
• Dusur. Oakum or cordage for caulking seams in a ship's hull.
• Jama. Pulley block.
• Jazirat. Island.
• Jummah. Ship's hold.
• Kamal. Simple navigation tool consisting of a card and knotted line.
• Kashabat. Wooden scaffold serving as beacon and watchtower.
• Khabb. Gale, typhoon.
• Khann. A point in the compass - there are 32 different compass points for navigation.
• Khayt. Stitch, as in the stitched hull of a ship.
• Markab (pl. marikab). A ship.
• Mizen. Mizzenmast of a ship.
• Oculus. Eye decoration painted on the bow of a ship.
• Qinbar. Coir (coconut fiber) cordage for making ropes.
• Qutb al-gah. The pole star.
• Rahmani. A book of sailing charts.
• Safinah. Ship.
• Sahil. Coast.
• Sambuk. The most common boat in the Land of Fate, aside from the barijah.
• Shira. A ship's sail.
• Sinn. Toothed anchor.
• Suwar. Sailing charts or maps.
• Zaruq. Small ship, slightly larger than a barijah.

City & Building Terms

• Baksheesh: A tip, gratuity, or bribe.
• Bazaar. A bustling open-air market.
• Bedestan. A covered market specifically constructed for prominent merchants and important products.
• Budayeen: The entertainment and black-market district. Religious and temporal laws are often suspended here.
• Burj. Tower.
• Caravanserai. A large building with a central courtyard, able to provide food, lodging, storage space, and other amenities for entire caravans
• Casbah. Castle or keep.
• Hammam. Bathhouse.
• Harim. Women's quarters; female counterpart to selama. Also refers to the women who spend time in those quarters.
• Madina. Town center/market.
• Madra. School.
• Maristan. Hospital.
• Medersa: A Muslim college of theology and law.
• Medînah: City.
• Qal'at. Fortress; a fortified keep, manor, or palace.
• Selama (selamlik). Men's quarters; counterpart to Harim.
• Souk: An open-air marketplace. Usually souks will consist of one type of shop or booth along one street.
• Suq. Covered marketplace, typically at a city's center.
• Zardkhanah. Arsenal.
• Hazneh. Treasury.

Clothing & Appearance

• Aba. Robe resembling a modern-world "graduation gown," worn primarily by Al-Badia (nomads). Also abba.
• Agal. Cord or group of cords designed to hold a keffiyeh, or headcloth, snugly to the head.
• Caftan. Flowing, ankle-length overgarment, often cinched at the waist with a sash.
• Chador. A modest or moralist woman's full-body robe with a hood, plus a veil or cloth "mask" that may conceal even the wearer's eyes.
• Dishdashah. Simple tunic, usually worn by farmers and poor merchants.
• Dolman. Loose, floor-length robe with sleeves.
• Fez. Round felt hat, like a cone with a flat top. A tassel roughly as tall as the hat dangles from the top.
• Henna. An herb that produces an orange-red dye, which is used to beautify fingernails, toenails, and (occasionally) palms, soles of feet, and halfling foot hair.
• Jellaba. Heavy "winter aba," worn over the traditional aba and usually made of wool or felt.
• Kalian. Smoking Pipe
• Keffiyeh. Headcloth.
• Kizzil Bash. Redhead. Generally considered dangerous, exotic and beautiful.
• Kohl. A thick black powder that, when moistened, serves as a heavy eyeliner for Zakharan women.
• Libdeh: The knitted skullcap of a Muslim male.

Weapons & Armour

• Achwas. Bow.
• Akarkiz. Staff.
• Bagh Nakh (tiger's claws). A weapon resembling a set of brass knuckles with spikes.
• Daraq. Small, lightweight shield similar to the buckler, favored by desert riders.
• Diru. Armour.
• Duru. Shield.
• Jambiya. Curved, double-edged dagger commonly employed by desert dwellers.
• Katar. Short, easily-concealed weapon, sometimes called a "punch dagger."
• Lamellar. Type of scale mail made of overlapping metal plates (lamellas), connected by metal links.
• Liquid Star. This is an oil enriched with elemental fire and air, that explodes when it comes into contact with air.
• Nabbut. Club.
• Rimah. Spear.
• Sahm. Arrow.
• Sef, Suyuf. Sword.
• Tufenk. Little more than a long blowpipe, the tufenk is used to project Greek fire across a short distance.

People & Titles

• Ajami. Outlander or foreigner.
• Al-Badia: Dessert dwellers. They generally are poorer, but feel superior to, al-hadar.
• Al-Hadhar: Town- and city-dwellers of Zakhara. Rich and jaded, they compensate for their lack of freedom with wealth.
• Alim. (pl. ulama) Learned man, scholar, sage, or wizard.
• Amir. Ruler; Prince; also a honourary title given to faris and other holy warriors who are 10th circle or higher. Also emir.
• Bahriyin. Seamen.
• Bananiyah. Sailors.
• Birk. Virgin maiden.
• Caliph. Spiritual leader and temporal ruler. The Grand Caliph is at the center of Zakharan life.
• Cherkajis. (wheelers about). skirmisher cavallry, generally the most expert horsemen and the best soldiers.
• Cleric of Order. A pragmatist, ethoist, or moralist; common priests with organized religion, who maintain mosques.
• Da'i. Missionary, minister, an assassin officer.
• Dalil. Guide.
• Daroga. Police magistrate.
• Effendi. Master.
• Emir: Title of honour; Prince; Ruler or very high official. Prefered by those who do not rule in their own name (such as Mamluks).
• Ethoist. A conservative but tolerant Cleric of Order.
• Fellahln: Peasants.
• Fidai. (pl. fedayeen) One who sacrifices himself for a cause, a brave warrior.
• Free Priest. A kahin, or mystic; a priest who rarely has ties to a specific church.
• Haddama: Serving Maid.
• Ishtiyam. Ship's pilot or navigator.
• Lasiq. Beginners, the lowest rank among assassins.
• Manjus. Rascal.
• Moralist. Narrow-minded, intolerant Cleric of Order.
• Mudabbir al-Markab. Ship's mate.
• Mulahid. The impious.
• Mystic. A Free Priest who lives in isolation, but journeys among men to make revelations and predictions.
• Naffatun. Artillerists who man the fire throwers.
• Najhuda (pl. nawakhid) The ship's owner, but not necessarily the captain.
• Pragmatist. The most common and most liberal of the Clerics of Order. Most believe in the validity of all gods.
• Qadi. Judge.
• Qatil. (pl. quttal) An assassin.
• Ra'is. "Head," a title of respect, often used for those who hold civil posts.
• Rafiq. Comrade; term used by assassins amongst themselves.
• Raqi. Title of honor bestowed upon spellcasters who are 10th circle or higher.
• Rubban. Captain.
• Rubbaniyah. Ship's officers.
• Sabiya (pl Sabaya). Maiden.
• Sahib: "Sir². A title of respect.
• Sheikh. The leader of a tribe, which may be large or small, and is typically nomadic; a honorific that can be applied to anyone.
• Simsaar: A broker or agent.
• Sitt: lady, appropriate only for powerful or highly respected women
• Ulama. Learned men or scholars. Plural of alim.
• Vizier. High-ranking advisor to a sultan or emir (king or prince). Also wazir.

Disciplines

• Askar. Warrior discipline; common citizen with fighting skills.
• Barber. Discipline; a rogue who frequents bazaars and dispenses advice, grooming, and medicinal needs.
• Beggar. Discipline who makes a living primarily by begging and entertaining. High-circle beggars may become prominent citizens or spies.
• Corsair. Discipline; seagoing warrior.
• Desert Rider. Warrior discipline; common nomad with fighting skills. Desert riders are skilled in mounted combat and expert at survival in the desert.
• Elemental Mage. Mage disicpline; a specialist in magic related to one element. An elemental mage specializes in wind, sand, sea, or flame, and shuns the use of the other elements.
• Faris. (pl. farisan) Warrior disicpline; professional soldier and holy warrior.
• Hakima. Disicpline; a wise woman with mystical powers who sees the truth.
• Hamabi: Calculator; a rare scholarly spellcaster discipine (wizard).
• Holy Slayer. Discipline; a member of a secret organization dedicated to a particular faith, who eliminates those who work against the will of the gods.
• Imam. A holy man and leader of the church; a teacher; the cleric discipline, divided into four types: Moralists, Ethoists, Pragmatists and Mystics.
• Kahin. Discipline; idol-priest who believes divinity is found in all things. One of the Free Priests.
• Mamluk. Warrior disicpline; a slave warrior of Zakhara, raised for battle and for government service.
• Matrud. Discipline; outcast from a desert tribe who lives by raiding tribes and towns; a scout.
• Mercenary Barbarian. Warrior discipline; professional soldier from a barbarian tribe on the fringes of the civilized lands.
• Merchant. Discipline; a merchant who often treads a thin line between honest trade and outright swindling.
• Rawun. Discipline; a legend-keeper and storyteller of a desert tribe. Lesser Rawuns may be entertainers in cities.
• Sa'luk. Discipline; common "scoundrel" of Zakhara.
• Sha'ir. Discipline; a wizard with the power to command genies.
• Sorcerer. Discipline; common wizard of Zakhara who specializes in all the four elemental provinces - wind, sand, sea, and flame.

Creatures

• Afrit or Afreet: Demon.
• Al-Jahar. The dazzle. An evil creature that uses disguise and manipulation to generate the emotions it feeds upon.
• Ashira. Rare tree spirits that live in domesticated trees.
• Crypt Servant. A servant who has chosen to serve his or her master for an eternity in undeath.
• Gawwar samakat. (pl. gawwar samak) A large fish that creates whirlpools to capture ships. Also afanc.
• Goldbug. A beetle that resembles a gold piece and has a poisonous bite.
• Jana-nimr. (pl. jana-nimar) Great winged cat.
• Markeen. A mythical, lesser form of genie who looks exactly like a specific real human and hides among humans to do evil.
• Nasnas. An evil half-person found in dangerous ruins.
• Opinicus. An odd-looking servant of good causes; looks like a blend of camel, monkey, eagle, and lion.
• Pasari-Niml. (pl. Pasari-nimal) A horrid, antlike creature that carries off children and beggars.
• Saluqi. Desert greyhound.
• Silat. A horrid, horned hag who eats those who are bad.
• Simurgh. The legendary king of birds, a good and wise creature who helps other good creatures.
• Singing tree. A rare tree whose leaves make beautiful music. There is one in the Grand Caliph's garden.
• Sirine. A beautiful female whose lovely song lures sailors to their deaths.
• Spell lice. Tiny parasites that drain spells from unwashed spellcasters.
• Talking bird. A wise bird, an agent of Fate who helps the deserving. One lives in the Grand Caliph's garden.
• Tatalla. The eye; a small, implike creature used as a spy and sometimes assassin.
• Tayif. Ghost. Also taif.
• Vargouille. A horrid, batlike monster found in ruins.
• Vilirij. A parasite that looks like discolored skin.
• Zaratan. A mythical turtle of sailors' tales, as big as an island.

Jinn and their Terms

• Albarrana. Efreet Fortress that serve as regional centers of defence.
• Crawler. Nickname for a type of vermin from the elemental plane of Earth. They eat gems and are very vicious.
• Dao. (pl. dao) Earth genie.
• Djinni. (pl. djinn) Air genie.
• Duster. Vermin from the elemental plane of Air; similar to a dust devil, this creature can generate whirlwinds and dust clouds. It lives by smelling perfume.
• Efreeti. (pl. efreet) Fire genie.
• Flameling. Vermin from the elemental plane of Fire; it enjoys setting things on fire.
• Gen. (pl. gens) A small creature from one of the elemental planes, which may serve as a sha'ir's familiar. Types include the daolani (earth gen), efreetikin (fire gen), maridan (water gen), and djinnling (air gen).
• Genie, Tasked. A genie who has worked at a particular task for so long that it has adapted to the task.
• Ghul. Earth elemental half-genies, the most wicked members of an inferior order of jann.
• Janni. (pl. jann) Fire half-genies that live in the deep desert. Often firecely proud warriors.
• Khon Khors (blood drinkers). A title among the dao.
• Marid. (pl. marids) Water genie.
• Pahari. Shapeshifting nymphs who live in the ocean. Half-genies of water.
• Spitter. Vermin from the elemental plane of Water; it has a vicious bite and causes damage by spitting water.
• Thurgur. The efteet military zone.

Animals

• Assad. Lion. Also asad.
• Baqarah: Cow. Also the name of the second Surah of the Quran.
• Dhabb (also dhubb). Large, edible lizard; "fish of the desert."
• Gamal: Camel.
• Hamir. Donkey, the filthiest of animals.
• Heway. A deadly white snake often found at desert oases.
• Jana-qit. (pl. jana-qitat) Lesser winged cat, sometimes seen in the alleys of Huzuz.
• Jana-sehliya. (pl. jana-sahali) Winged lizard. Common pet and pest alng coasts and in orchards.
• Kalb: Dog. Next to the donkey, Arabs consider the dog the filthiest of animals.
• Mehari. Racing camel.
• Nisr. Eagle. Also nasr.
• Qit. Cat.
• Talab. Fox.
• Tersa. Turtle.

Food & Drink

• Ashida. Pudding.
• Cold tea: Alcohol. (Slang)
• Fikra (pl Fikar). Potion.
• Koumiss. Drink of fermented mare's milk, very potent.
• Leben. A sour milk; staple of the Al-Badian diet.
• Ma (MAH): Water.
• Nabidh. An alcoholic beverage made from fermented dates.
• Nargil. Coconut.
• Ruzz. Rice.
• Samak. Fish.
• Sherbet. Zakharan sweet fruit drink.

Expressions

Greetings & Farewells

• Det är en mycket märkvärdig historia, som ,om den vore ristad med en nål i innersta ögonvrån, skulle tjäna till lärdom för var och en som läste den med vördnad. Traditional way to start telling a story.
• Ahlan wa sahlan: "You have come to your people and level ground." A formal greeting.
• As-salaam: "Farewell, Peace be with you."
• Es salam alekum (ess sah LAMB ah LEH koom): May peace be upon you. A general greeting. Wa alekum es salam (wah ah LEH koom ess sah LAMB): May peace be upon you also, the proper response.
• Maas salama (mahs sah LAMB ah): Go with peace.
• Marhaba: A greeting, often used with persons of a lower social standing.
• Saheeda (sah EE da): Greetings. Hello. Also goodbye.
• Salaam: "Peace." A greeting or farewell.
• Salaamtak "Peace be with you." A greeting or farewell. Allah yisallimak: "God keep you in peace." Response to "Salaamtak."
• Where you at?: A Budayeen greeting.

Exclamations

• Allah is most great: A frequent Islamic interjection, usually at the end of some speech or negotiation.
• Bashem Ustun: Upon my head be it!
• Be Chesm: By my eyes.
• Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem: "In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful." Common saying.
• Bismillah: "In the name of God." Common Arabic interjection.
• Business is business and action is action: Motto of the Budayeen.
• I conjure you to do it!: I beseech or command you to do it.
• I have a pain in my liver: I have a pain in my heart. You have caused me pain, shame, or sorrow.
• Maktoob: "It is written."
• Minfadlak (min FAHD lahk): Please.
• Mush hayk: "Is it not?" A suffix added on to the end of a statement.
• Qadaa oo Qadar: "A judgment of God and Fate."
• Sahtay: A toast, similar to cheers.
• Shukran (SHOOK rahn): Thank you. Afwan (AHF wahn): You're welcome (response to shukran).
• Wallâhî il-azîm: "By Almighty God!" An exclamation.
• Ya salaam: An exclamation of joy or dismay similar to "Oh, my God!"

Expressions of surprise

• My liver!
• Ybbah! (Oh, papa!)
• Ymmah! (Oh, mama!)

Compliments and good wishes

• He makes coffee from dawn until the dead of night: He is truly an outstanding host.
• May Fate guide thee to glory.
• May Fortune smile upon you.
• She is to a man as rain is to the desert.

Lovers' talk

• Huriye. A voluptuously beautiful young man or woman.
• My eyes, my eyes, my soul, my soul, the heart of my heart!: You are my life.
• Ya shabb: "O young man."
• You are the life-stuff of my liver!: You are very dear to my heart. Said of spouse or family.
• You have given me an internal wound: You have pained my heart deeply.

Sayings to avoid the Evil Eye, Expressions of modesty

• Far from you: Superstitious formula spoken to prevent tragedy or bad luck caused by someone talking about such matters.
• I am quite unable to express my thanks: A common Arabic expression of gratitude, the formal reply to which is "No thanks are needed when one performs a duty."
• Inshallah: "If Fate wills" or "It is the will of Fate." A catch-all phrase used by Arabs in almost every situation in which the outcome is in some doubt. Uttering this statement takes all blame for failure out of the hands of man and places it in the hands of Allah, but it is not an excuse.
• The gods are merciful and Fate is all-knowing and I am but a humble slave before them: Said by a person receiving a compliment, as a matter of humility and a defense against the evil eye.

Insults and ill wishes

• Himmar oo ibn-himmar: "Donkey and son of a donkey." One of the worst insults possible to an Arab.
• Ibn wushka: "Son of an unclean woman."
• Kaffir: Unbeliever. Also means black person, or slave. Used as an insult.
• Maghrebi: A mildly racist slur used to describe Algerians, Tunisians, or Moroccans.
• May a porcupine live in your trousers for a thousand days and die there for a thousand and one.
• May you sleep with a restless heart and know a thousand nights of misery.
• Uncivilized idiot!
• Yil'an'abook!: "May your father be cursed!"
• You are the son of a dog's water.
• You are the son of camel dung.

Customs

• Blood feud. A battle, often long-standing, between two families, clans, or tribes. It begins when one side kills a member of the other, but feels justified in doing so. The other side disagrees and attempts to even the score, launching a cycle of one vengeance killing after another.
• Diwan. Court or council of a ruler; a time or place of audience.
• Diyyah; Blood price, payment to settle a blood feud or conflict involving the loss of life or honor. See also fidyya.
• Fidyya; Ransom, the price paid for one's life and freedom. Paid in circumstances that are not serious enough to demand Diyyah.
• Salt bond. A formal bond of hospitality between host and guest when they have shared salt, which lasts for three days. During that time the host takes responsibility for the guest's well-being, and the guest agrees no harm shall come to the host - not by the guest's own hand nor by that of his or her family. Violating this marks a man as without honour, and is a sure way to invoke the Evil Eye.

Proverbs

• A clever man's mistake is equal to the mistakes of a thousand fools.
• A dog cannot bite when it has a bone in its mouth.
• A dog on the run can safely be kicked.
• A man's head is like the desert; the hotter it gets, the emptier it appears: Foolish deeds are done in anger.
• A narrow place is very big to the narrow minded.
• A small date stone props up the water jar.
• A smooth lie is betterthan a distorted truth.
• A strainer is none the worse for having another hole.
• A town's gate can be shut, a fool's mouth never.
• A wise woman is one who has a great deal to say, yet remains silent.
• After the incense has come, the guest must go: A reference to the custom of passing a censer filled with frankincense following a coffee ceremony, after which the guests leave (or retire for the evening).
• Allah may love a poor man, but not a dirty one.
• As the mind expands, the tongue grows quiet: Those who are wise do not chatter idly.
• As the sands of the desert are to the weary traveller, so is too much speech to him who loveth silence.
• Better the gurgling of a camel than the prayers of a fish.
• By all means make friends with the dog, but do not lay aside the stick.
• Catch the halter rope and it will lead you to the donkey.
• Don't be deceived by the whiteness of the turban, soap is bought on credit.
• Every man thinks of his own fleas as gazelles.
• Every rose has a thorn as its friend.
• Everysheep hangs by its own leg.
• Fortune is with you for an hour and against you for ten.
• Greed lessens what is gathered.
• Guests are like fish; after three days, both stink: Al-Badian proverb. Refers to the three-day limit for a guest's stay, a custom observed throughout Zakhara.
• He who drives an ass must, of necessity, know its wind.
• He who has burned his mouth with milk blows on ice cream.
• He who is a mocker dances without a tambourine.
• He who speaks the truth better have one foot in the stirrup.
• Hearts are depositories of secrets, lips are their locks and tongues are their keys.
• However high the eye may rise it will find the eyebrow above it.
• If a light serves to see, it also serves to be seen.
• If a man puts a cord around his neck God will provide someone to pull it.
• If a man said to you 'A dog carried off your ear,' would you go after the dog, or search first for your ear?
• If Fate throws a knife at you there are two ways of catching it: by the blade, or by the handle.
• If I listen I have the advantage, if I speak others have it.
• If the King at noon day proclaims it is night, behold the stars.
• If the prayers of dogs were answered bones would rain from the sky.
• If you ask a mule of his lineage he will say only that one of his parents was a horse.
• If you make yourself honey the flies will eat you.
• If you see him riding on a bamboo cane, say to him 'Good health to your horse.'
• In the desert one forgets everything, one remembers nothing any more.
• Into a closed mouth no fly can enter.
• It is he who eats when he is full that digs his gravewith his teeth.
• It's easy to carry on a war with a spyglass.
• Let us sit bent, but talk straight.
• Life is a perpetual drunkenness, the pleasure passes but the headache remains.
• Manage with bread and butter until God brings the jam.
• May Allah protect me from my friends, my enemies I can handle.
• Mother a weed, father a weed, do you expect the daughter to be a saffron root?
• Never argue fashion with one who sings the song of the sword (Zakharan).
• Nobody but the one who is carrying the load knows how much it weighs.
• Nourish a raven and it will pick out your eyes.
• Often the best way of giving oneself what one lacks is to take from oneself what one has.
• Once you put your head into the mortar it is useless to dread the sound of the pestle.
• One must not shoot a glass arrow at a painted deer.
• Open up your door toa good day, and prepare yourself for a bad one.
• Patience, my friend, is the key of paradise.
• Take care, the sleep of non-existence will overtake you at last, for the coming and going of the breath is but the rocking of the cradle.
• The air of heaven is that which blows between the horse's ears.
• The barking of dogs does not hurt the clouds.
• The bear knew nine songs, all were about honey.
• The beard of the guest is in the hands of the owner of the tent.
• The best fighting is against yourself.
• The best kindness is done quickly.
• The biggest nuts are those which are empty.
• The camel driver has his plans, and the camel has his.
• The camel never sees its own hump, but that of its brother is always before its eyes.
• The candle is put into the lantem and the moth is left outside, fluttering.
• The dawn does not come twice to awake a man.
• The day has its eyes, the night has its ears
• The dog's tail is still bent.
• The fish in the trap begins to think.
• The hand that you cannot bite, kiss.
• The heart of the fool is in his mouth, the mouth of the wise man is in his heart.
• The jar cannot remain whole forever.
• The moon shines in the absence of the sun, do not strike a rail with your fist nor mistake the sun for the puff of a candle.
• The palm of one hand does not eclipse the sun
• The tongue has no bone, yet it crushes.
• The understanding of an Arab is in his eyes.
• The universe is sacred, you cannot improve it. If you try to change it you will ruin it. If you try to hold it you will lose it.
• There cannot be two stallions in the same small stall of camels.
• Think of the going out before you enter.
• Though your companion may be honey, do not eat him completely: Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing.
• Three things cause sorrow to flee: water, green trees, and a beautiful face.
• To him who has no teeth left Allah gives dry beans to eat.
• To the dog that has money men say 'My Lord Dog.'
• To the donkey one thistle is better than two ass-loads of jewels.
• Tomorrow with the apricots: A common levantine phrase similar in meaning to "When pigs fly."
• Trust in Allah, but tie your camel first.
• Unhappy is the man who has no nails with which to scratch his head.
• We opened our home to him, and he brought in his ass: He overstepped the bounds of good taste; he tested the limits of our hospitality.
• What has died has passed.
• When fate arrives the physician becomes a fool.
• When it begins to rain, he takes shelter in the fountain: He leaps from the frying pan into the fire.
• When the crow is your guide, he will lead you to the corpses of dogs.
• When the feathers are of gold it is unwise to make broth of the hen.
• Whoever pets scorpions with the hand of compassion gets stung.
• Without finqers the hand would be a spoon.
• You can count the number of apples in one tree, but you can never count the number of trees in one apple.
• You have baked your bread; now you must eat it: You must live with the consequences of your actions. You've made your bed, now lie in it.
• You talk in the east, he answers in the west.

Swahili

These are nice expressions, suitable for southern barbarians.

• Bwana: A term of respect similar to Mister.
• Choo: Excrement.
• Habari gani?: "What's up?"
• Jambo: Hello.
• Kwa heri: ³Good-bye². Used when speaking to one person.
• Kwa heriniya kuonana: "Good-bye." Used when speaking to more than one person.
• Mgongo: Rear end, rump, etc.
• Kwa siha yako: A toast, similar to "Cheers!"
• Njema: "Nothing."