Sayings of the Realms
Here I will keep a Work in Progress article about the various sayings and phrases people use in the Realm and what they mean. As my writing grows, I anticipate this doing likewise - for where there are people, there are unusual ways of phrasing things!
Saying List
Those added so far are:- Spilling into Buckets, Not Goblets
- A Wall-Lizard's Claw
- Hitting the Lizard
- Under the Roof
- An erdàn
- You don't enter Minor drunk
- The hounds eat better than the hoards
Spilling into Buckets, Not Goblets
Origin: Qal'ath
Usually relating to thoughts, where you speak all of them at once, rather than trying to handle them one at a time.
This can also be related to someone's life, where they are attempting to successfully undertake too many tasks in the same moment.
The Kyadd nodded, feeling so anxious her thoughts "spilled into buckets, rather than goblets", as they say. "Thank you. Firstly, sorry for intruding, but I'm a light sleeper and once I'm awake, I'm awake, and I can't help what I overhear and it's a cat-heritage thing, and..."
A Wall-Lizard's Claw
Origin: Qal'ath, Wild Marshes
This is a phrase which is the shortened, and therefore more common, form of A Wall-Lizard's Claw's Chance.
Wall Lizards are the smallest Skàlkyn known in the regions of Qal'ath, Shevezz and Doon. Therefore its claws are the smallest claws of any lizard in the Known Lands.
So, A Wall-Lizard's Claw meant one had such a tiny chance of something occurring that it may as well be zero.
"Let’s not do too much though. The people are capable of saving themselves and keeping their pride. We can put a barrier up against more water flooding in, though," she suggested, "I just hope no officials detect it.” “If they cared a wall-lizard’s claw about this place, we wouldn’t be in this mess!” he despaired."Wrenched" (My draft, unpublished novel)
Fleeing the Tempests, 17 Ur
Hitting the Lizard...
Origin: Wild Marshes
by F J Brodie
Chronicler's Note:The saying referred to someone accurately guessing something, or making an argument in a conversation that was factual, accurate and likely needed action. The countryside Elelupii simplified this to "exactly!" or "spot on!". But "Hit the Lizard" was only half of the phrase and had two variants:
Only dangerous "lizards" (which could cover a wide variety of similar creatures) were hunted. Many were part of the local cycles, occasionally kept as pets and, in the case of the S'wal'kà / Téperskà, used for transportation.
...'twixt the eyes
This is the original ending of the saying, as used by the Wild Folk. It is thought that shooting an arrow into a larger Lizard does not kill it outright, as it can use the other one to launch either an attack of its own, or an attempt to flee. Thus they aimed, between the eyes - 'twixt them....on the head
Qal'ath and others At some point in the mixing of the Wild Folk with other nations, the hitting of the proverbial lizard changed from a successful hunting technique to one more blunt. "Hitting the Lizard on the Head" still carries the same meaning.Chronicler's Note:
While the two phrases mean the same, unless a particularly large rock were hurled onto a (large) lizard's head, such an action would likely enrage it. Thus, if a Qalathii were to use this variation among Wild Folk, they would invoke amusement, rather than respect.
Under the Roof
Origin: Forest of Doon, Bruhaii FoyblàniiAs few creatures 'under the roof' were hunted by the Woodsmen, Nature's cycles claimed its inhabitants, and as all beings were part of the delicate balance of the Elements, they tried to honour the fallen as much as possible.
Unlike other sayings, "under the roof" was a practical reference and needed no decoding. Particularly prevalent among the Foyii of The Forest of Doon, "under the roof" denoted being in the Wood itself.
Some parts of Doon are so dense as to close off the sky, yet this saying was not in reference to feeling trapped or cut off. Instead it was used to speak of the protection and comfort of the Forest. The Foyverii in particular would yearn to be back "under the roof" if sent on missions outside of Doon.
Finally, as the Woodsmen only lived in actually-roofed huts during the early years of child's life - or if holding a particularly important role for the clan - the leaves above were genuinely the only roof they lived with for most of their lives.
The Arrow Strays...
Origin: Disputed. It is used by some of the Foyii, but has been read in Qalathian research scrolls, historical documents and others too. While this saying has several variations, it generally has the same meaning. And that meaning is reliant upon the end of the phrase, as one might expect....not too far from the target
Or "...not far from...", means a comment or observation is as close to being accurate without, well, hitting the Lizard twixt the eyes, I would say....far from the target
Is the opposite of "not too far", where a statement is distant from the fact of the matter being discussed.Jumping Out of Oneself
Origin: This is mostly a Qalathi and Foyi saying. It refers to being so startled you cannot control your body's immediate reaction. An older form of this is "to jump out of one's skin".Why This Saying Evolved
Qal'ath has no organised faith or worship so does not separate the physical and the non-physical states of a person. The Foyii separate the physical and the elemental where the life energy returns to nature to nurture it. To have kept a reference to "temporarily departing one's skin" would have implied a near-death experience. This was changed to "jump out of oneself" - i.e. to suddenly and temporarily forget about your own existence for a moment (hence losing control for a second).An Erdàn
Origin: Foyii This literally translates as "in the lands". However, as a standalone saying it means "in all the possible ways (across the land)", usually when indicating an impossibility.Example
"I was just going to ask how an erdàn you thought you would get to the Viàtoli on time." (Ayàvi)The inference is that, even considering all the ways they could get there on time, it would not be possible.
Not drunk when you enter Minor
Origin: Bezélan Minor The full saying is:If you're not drunk when you enter Minor, you will be when you leave.Such is the state of the so-called "half-capital" that the poor have few comforts. The availability of unregulated and locally-brewed cheap ale, along with the usually-legal Fyrous-Ale mixes, gave rise to the above saying, which is unfortunately, not a great exaggeration of reality for Bezélan Minor's residents. Example:
Lenìc sighed. “Yet another drunkard.” “But,” Pelorma said pointing, “most people don’t enter Minor drunk.” “Good point,” Lenìc agreed with a wry chuckle.Wrenched, Dag Kantà
The Hounds Eat Better Than the Hoards
Origin: Bezélan Minor, with possible cross-over with Ragged Row. If a child overhears an adult using this phrase, they are more likely to find the correct interpretation than the adults, because its history is more literal.Summary
The meaning referred to the Mishōndii Courier Hounds, whose diet was of such a quality that the poor in the Capital felt the dogs were treated better than some of the Realm's citizens. This eventually led to its meaning morphing beyond its original intent, whereby the wealthy were depicted as "Hounds" and the poor as "Hoards". Historical BasisHistorical Basis
It first came into use during the time when the Mishōndii Couriers were in service, and surprisingly, when the poor were better supported than current times. The "post pups" as they eventually became once Qal'ath entered peacetime were given a strict - but high quality diet. Mixed with Qalathian and Elelupii alchemy, along with rare ingredients from Byantē, their food helped each chosen pup to grow strong but not agressive, inquisitive but not reckless. While not afforded meat of regal quality, the hounds were still fed low-fat, rich red meats. Such a diet was not private knowledge, and while the components of it were likely embellished as rumours do, nevertheless the poorer quarters felt hard done by. This led to a bitterness that stretched beyond simply the "rich and the poor".Modern Interpretations
If we bring this record up-to-date, its context is rich-against-poor, with the wealthy portrayed as "vicious hounds" depriving them of anything good. Extremes have a tendency to breed aggressive artwork, with some less-than-flattering paintings daubed on the sides of buildings and occasionally, outer city walls.
In wealthier areas, warning posters, created by esteemed artists, depicted the "hoards" through black-and-red hands grasping the "hard-working folk" from under the ground as tree roots, or as flame-touched dragons, or other winged lizards. Why this is relevant for this saying are these counter-slogans:
The Hounds Eat Better than the Hoards, for the Hounds Work Harder than the Hoards
The Hoards Hate the Hardy HoundsDepictions not withstanding, in the 550s AFD, the rich-poor divide, exacerbated by royal proclamations, only worsened, leading some in the deprived areas wondering how to "turn into hounds" to get what they felt they deserved.
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Still the Hounds Eat Better
After the Qalathii-Foyii Schism of 545AFD, the Mishōndii Project was reinstituted, though it took about two years to fully restart while pups were reared from a small population. Technological and Bio-Alchemy has evolved since the original project, but the focus on "natural diet where possible" led to a refined diet being introduced for the hounds. Though whichever communication means they had, the underground dissention within Minor in particular learned of this and history began to repeat. While time had moved on, still in the jewel of the Realm, the Hounds ate better than the Hoards. Only the hounds were fewer and the Hoards were larger.
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The Desolation of the Crystal Vale by FJ Brodie (Me)
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