Critter Titles: Throughout the novels, Clare Bell's characters often bestow unique labels to the creatures they encounter. Such titles typically refer to a beast's personal traits or habits. The following are just a few of the animals thought to prowl the Miocene universe. Blubber-Tusker - An arcane Walrus. Bristle-Mane - Ancient Hyenas of North America, similar in appearance and behavior to the modern variety, Crocuta crocuta. Dappleback - Prehistoric Horse, relatively small in size, approximately 2-3 ft at the shoulder, possessing 4-3 toed hooves. Face-Tail - Massive shaggy coated Mammoths. Giant Bird- Immense, heavy-beaked, flightless bird - both predator, scavenger, and forager. Rumbler - Indricotherium, a massive relative of the rhinoceros, retaining a potential weight of 15-20 tons, and standing an estimated 17 ft tall. Sea-Mare - Paleoparadoxia, a large marine mammal similar in appearance to a web-footed hippo. Sea-Lion - A carnivorous marine mammal, recognized for its bark and swift locomotion on sand. Shamble-Claw - Thick furred Giant Sloth. Striper - Another variant of ancient equine. Threehorn - Three horned deer known for their temper and stubborn natures. They are relatively close to the same stature as modern deer, containing a pair of bowed antlers on top of the skull, and one double-pronged horn on the nose. Treeling - Branch-dwelling creature similar to the Eocene primate Notharctus and the present-day Ring-Tailed Lemur. Frequent Phrases: Certain phrases are mentioned persistently throughout the books. They are known to all and issued among creature's capable of speech, be they members of any given Clan, or Unnamed drifters. Cull - A word meaning ‘to selectively kill‘. Killing Bite - A bite to the neck resulting in death. Bare your throat - The tilting back of the chin to expose one’s throat to another in respect, salute, or surrender. When in battle, a bared throat symbolizes ones forfeit and submission. This gesture is a signal that the defeated will yield, and is to be spared from the Killing Bite - while this silent law of mercy is known between both the Named and able-minded Unnamed, it is not always obeyed. Named (Clan) Terms & Phrases: The following are terms specific to the 'Named' way of life. Only those within the Clan use these phrases, and they are produced quite often, during every-day conversation. Clan Kill - Mealtime, in which selected herdbeasts are slain, those that are ill, weak, or too old to produce offspring. The Named gather to dine, beginning with the Clan leader, and esteemed members, followed by elders, and lastly, cubs. Dance-Hunt- A performance carried out by the Firekeepers, much like a theatrical play. The Dance-hunt reenacted the first, historical battle ever fought with the Red Tongue. However, the Dance-hunt has recently been seen as violent and evokes ill memories of a tragic event. The Clan Leader has yet to decide whether or not the Dance-hunt shall be reestablished. Firekeeper (s) - One who cares for the numerous guardfires located on Clan ground. Their job is to manage the Red Tongue with responsibility, and to boldly offer its assistance when needed, whether it be to chase away the dark, or a potential threat. Ho - A term often used in place of Hello. Herder (s) - One who drives and guards Clan herds. The Named have many such flock keepers. They are of vital importance to the Clan. Without them, the animals would become lost or killed by Raiders, and the Named left without food. `Light' in the eyes - The mindful, conscious awareness of ones gaze - the (often inherited) ability to understand the world around ones self, rather than simply exist within it, bestowing the ability to speak or think beyond an animalistic level. "May you eat of the haunch and sleep in the driest den" - A Clan slogan. Unnamed, Un-named - Any feline born outside of the Clan, lacking a full-blooded connection to those of the Named. While certain individuals possess intellect similar to the Named, the majority of these cats are recognized for their the inability to produce speech, or enlightened thought. Red-Tongue - Fire. Raider (s) - One who enter Clan ground with the goal to kill Named herd beasts. Unnamed Terms & Phrases: Although many of the Un-Named cannot manipulate their tongues or minds in order to provide verbal communication, there are those who maintain the ability to talk and contemplate on a 'higher' plane. Unlike the Named, there is no common law dictated among these transits, and any sense of order is implied and easily contradicted. The wanderer's claim - A law amongst the comprehensive Unnamed. Those drifting far from home are allowed to dine from a kill someone else possess. Raid - An attack planned or carried out against Named herds. Hunter (Tribe) Terms & Phrases: While clearly intelligent, due to their extraordinary lifestyle, the Hunter Tribe sustains its own distinct set of words and expressions that may take a while to get used to. True-Of-Voice - The name bestowed unto the Leader of the Hunters throughout all generations, be it male or female. This one - I. That one - He, She, Him, Her, You. The Song - An enchanting, mind-spoken rhythm, the many voices of past ancestors - heard only between the Hunters. It is solely within their leader, True-Of-Voice, that this Song dwells. True-of-Voice lends the telepathic chorus onto all other born Hunters, a melody that will guide and comfort them throughout their lives. Many would say that these Mammoth-sentinels live forever bound within a dream, for the Song offers endless security, even when faint. When one feels sorrow, it gives joy. When one feels frightened, it bestows courage. When one is weak, hungry, or lost, the Song brings strength, nourishment, and direction - even if these occurrences are through ones own blissful zeal towards the melody itself. All else is nothing without the Song, It abolishes... completes all need, and all want. As mentioned, the Song is perceived only within the minds of true-born Hunters, very few birthed outside of their lineage/society can receive this powerful, magical resonance. Very few indeed. The words that belong - Ones name or title. The Hunters do not understand the value of a name - they barely recognize its existence, unless seeking a reaction from another Hunter, or hearing their own name spoken by someone else.