Out of the Silent Planet Glossary

Out of the Silent Planet Glossary

Malacandra

the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System; known to humans as "Mars"

eldila

a species of being entrusted by the Old One (God) with care over His creation. They appear to humans to be little more than heavenly glimmers of light, and seem to be equivalent to angels.

Oyarsa

Perhaps roughly analogous to archangels, an Oyarsa rules over each of the planets in the Solar System. They are exalted members of the eldila and care for their respective planets.

bent

"Bent" is the closest Malacandran equivalent to an expression of sin and evil. Earth is "bent," in their view, as are Weston and Devine.

hrossa

a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a large otter. Native to Malacandra, they delight in farming, hunting, and art of all forms.

pfifltriggi

a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a mantis. Native to Malacandra, they are the planet's primary builders and technicians.

seroni

a species of intelligent, creative, and communicative beings that have a form resembling that of a feathered man, but stretched vertically. Native to Malacandra, they are the planet's primary scholars and thinkers, spending much time dwelling on abstract concepts and the transcendentals.

handra

the Malacandran word for "earth" (although, of course, on Mars), meaning soil or heart of the land

handramit

the geographical regions of Malacandra that are characterized by deep, lush valleys - means "low earth" in Malacandran

harandra

the geographical regions of Malacandra that are characterized by high, bare stretches of rock - means "high earth" in Malacandran

hnakra

A hnakra, in the language of the hrossa, is a shark-like aquatic creature that swims through the waters of Malacandra. It is considered a great honor to kill many hnéraki (pl. form) in their culture.

hnakrapunt

In the language of the hrossa, one who kills many hnéraki (literally "hnakra-slayer").

Thulcandra

The Malacandrans' term for the planet Earth

the Old One

the Malacandran name for God; he created the universe and entrusts Oyéresu with care over each individual planet.

Maleldil the Younger

The Malacandran equivalent to Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of all intelligent life.

Update this section!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this section.

Update this section

After you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.

Cite this page