Below is a list of key terms that are used in this novel.

• A •

Air Dragon (creature): A dragon (of the air sect) that resides in Hanghua, Wuzhen.

Aivrena (place): An eastern country where elves reside. It is considered a safe haven as the elves accept anyone regardless of who they are or who they are meant to become. For more information about the country's history, check out The Secrets of Tarot Guide. Aivrena is featured in A Celestial Requiem and A Celestial Redemption and is influenced by Celtic mythology.

Avian (creature): A bird shapeshifter.

Auzineia (place): A northern country where elemental mages reside. For more information about the country's history, check out The Secrets of Tarot Guide. Auzineia is featured in A Celestial Requiem and is influenced by Celtic mythology.

• B •

Bábá (word): Mandarin term for 'father.'

Bìxià (word): Formal way of saying "Your Majesty" or "Your Highness" to the Emperor. 

• C •

Celestial (creature): A pure-blooded, golden dragon. These are considered high-ranking dragons, descendants of the ancient Chinese Dragon Zodiac and Meihui.

Celestial Qi (energy): The source of a Celestial dragon's power.

Cerai (person): He is one of four council members of the Khaisitha, from the Crane Tribe. He is rumored to be over 1,000 years old but this remains unconfirmed.

Crane (creature): A subspecies of avian shapeshifters whose true form is a crane. These are considered to be the most knowledgeable, and noble, out of the entire avian shifter population.

Cultivation (energy): A process in which individuals create qi. It's usually done through meditation and other techniques. Everyone has the capability of developing qi, but the process differs between ordinary individuals and those with Celestial energy.

• E •

Earth Dragon (creature): A dragon (of the earth sect) that resides in Zhenyuan, Wuzhen.

Elemental (creature): see Mage.

• F •

Fengguan (object): a phoenix crown for Empresses.

• H •

Húlí Falls (place): A waterfall near Shangzihua, Wuzhen. Refugee kitsune have sought solace here, as there is a shrine at the top of the waterfall.

• M •

Mage (creature): A being that uses one of the four elements to produce something magical. It is unheard of for a mage to manipulate all four elements as it is frowned upon. They are also referred to as an Elemental.

Meihui (deity): The Goddess of Light and Wuzhen's most sacred goddess. In other cultures, she is known as Solas.

Mianguan (object): an Emperor's crown.

• S •

Shiumu (creature): The Serpent Queen of the Suzihua Sea who torments the water dragons in Xianyang. She is based on the water demon/goddess from Chinese mythology.

• W •

Water Dragon (creature): A dragon (of the water sect) that resides in Xianyang, Wuzhen.

Wuzhen (place): A western country where dragons, humans, kitsune, and various demons reside. For more information about the country's history, check out The Secrets of Tarot Guide. Wuzhen is featured all the books of The Secrets of Tarot series and is influenced by Chinese mythology.

Wyrmling (creature): A young dragon.

• X •

Xesal (place): A prison where law-breaking and peace-threatening individuals are held. Xesal is featured in A Celestial Acceptance and is influenced by Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, and Celtic mythologies.

Xianyang (place): The water dragon district. It's the easternmost district of Wuzhen.

Xīngān (word): Mandarin term of endearment meaning 'my heart and soul.'

• Y •

Yaoguai (creature): Demons that are exclusive to Wuzhen. They search for Celestial and other Divine Beings to feast on with the hopes of gaining immortality and divinity.

Yǔmáo (term): Mandarin term that roughly translates to 'feather.' It is assigned to individuals that are part of Khaisitha's council.

Updated 2/12/2021.