It's been far too long since the last time I did this, but here's an updated version of my fanfiction's background.

Faust

Faust is the patron deity and creator of Ponykind, mother of the Divine Princesses, and creator of the world; also known as The Divine Mother, The First Mare, and The Bringer of Light.

Divine Princesses

The daughters of Faust and the sovereign rulers of the Pony Kingdoms.

Chosen Noble/Blessed Noble

A mortal blessed by Faust and given the powers of a Divine Princess; considered the adopted children of the Divine Mother Herself.  The blessing is usually granted through a Divine Princess, usually one the blessed is familiar with.

Nether

The darkness that existed before Earth, before space, before time, and even before Faust Herself; considered to be evil in its purest form.

Remnant/Remnant Vesper

The last remnants of what was once the all-encompassing Nether; historically known as the Remnant Vespers, or simply Remnant, but one particular Remnant has gained a form of sentience and has called itself Nightmare; possible connections to Nightmare Moon currently being investigated.

Timber Wolf

Not to be confused with Canis lupus (Grey wolf) or any subspecies.  A malevolent forest spirit that takes the shape of a large wolf using natural materials, usually wood, but older specimens have been known to include rocks into their form, and Remnant infused Timber Wolves often include the flesh and bones of their kills into their form.

In desperate times multiple Timber Wolves can combine in order to form a Dire Timber Wolf.

Noble Dragon Code

A sacred code that is instinctively known by all Dragons, and is one of their most sacred ideals; a Dragon that fails to live up to The Code is considered to be nothing more than a mere beast by other Dragons.  Little is known of Dragons, let alone the Noble Dragon Code, but Pre-Tribal texts have revealed the following tenets:

• Never steal from a fellow Dragon’s horde; if you wish to take it, then you must challenge the horde’s current owner for it and defeat him or her in a duel of honor.

• Never take the Heart-Sworn of a fellow Dragon for yourself; the price is death by Windigo’s breath.

• The greatest treasure to any Dragon isn’t the largest horde of the most valuable treasures and tastiest gems, it is your Heart-Sworn and your offspring.  Let who so ever places more value on wealth than family be forever cursed by Father Bahamut, and forced to never know the peace of the Eternal Dream.

• If someone, be they fellow Dragon, Pony, or otherwise, does you a service then you must repay this service in kind, either by offering part of your horde or providing a service.

• If someone, be they fellow Dragon, Pony, or otherwise, saves your life, then you are bound to serve them until the day you save their life.

• If someone, be they fellow Dragon, Pony, or otherwise, saves the life of your Heart-Sworn or your offspring, then you, your family, and your descendants, will be forever bound to protect the savior and his or her family and descendants for as long as each other’s bloodline continues to breed true.

Parasprite

A spherical shaped creature approximately one hoof in diameter, and infamous for its ravenous appetite and its high rate of asexual reproduction.

The Branches and Schools of Magic

While magic is the most popular catchall term for the manipulation of the various energies that make up our world, there are actually different types of magic, each with their own advantages and disadvantages; often within each form of magic are various schools which focus on a select few attributes of a specific form, such as pyromancy in the Arcane Branch.

Arcane: Traditional Branch of Magic

Pure Magic: The most common form of magic, it is the direct manipulation of arcane energy to affect the surroundings; includes levitation and telekinesis; the specialty of Unicorns

Aeromancy: The direct manipulation of the air element to affect the surroundings; once the specialty of Pegasi, now a lost art.

Geomancy: The direct manipulation of the earth element to affect the surroundings; once the specialty of Earth Ponies, now a lost art.

Pyromancy: The direct manipulation of the fire element to affect the surroundings.

Aquamancy: The direct manipulation of the water element to affect the surroundings; according to legends it is the specialty of Sea Ponies, whether or not it is a lost art like so many other forms of Pony magic is yet to be seen.

Umbramancy: The direct manipulation of darkness (as in absence of light, such as a shadow) to affect the surroundings; rumors state that a member of Luna’s Night Court is a master of this art and uses it to spy upon the more unruly members of Canterlot nobility.

Luxomancy: The direct manipulation of light to affect the surroundings; the specialty of the long disbanded Solar Inquisition.

Omnimancy: The direct manipulation and mastery of all six elements, and the namesake school of the Omnimancers.  A lost art since the death of Willow Grimoire, the last Omnimancer, who sacrificed herself in order to help Celestia and Luna find the Elements of Harmony. Only the most powerful of mortals ([Author's Note: Didn't realize I didn't finish this, sorry.])

Spiritual: Magic of the Soul

Necromancy: The direct manipulation of the forces of life and death.  Though often considered a dark art certain spells can be, and have been, modified to serve as healing spells.  Many of these modified spells are still used today by healers and Unicorn doctors.

Shamanic: Tribal Magic

Shamanic: The branch’s namesake and its most well-known school.  Practitioners use totems as a focus for their magic.

Voodoo:  The Shamanic equivalent of Necromancy.

Druidic: Magic of Nature

Deinós̱ouranós̱vasiliás

A species of dinosaur, specifically a member of the Velociraptorinae subfamily, that is often considered the missing link between dinosaurs and the various dragonic species.  Roughly translated its name means “Formidable Sky King”.

Tribal Era

The Tribal Era refers to the era before the founding of Equestria when the Three Great Kingdoms ruled the Old Lands and discrimination between the Pony Tribes was commonplace.

Pre-Tribal Era

The era before the first official founding of Pony civilization; outside of various myths and legends very little is known of this mysterious era.  Legend has it that it was during this era that Faust took mortal form and gave birth to her numerous daughters, two of which now rule Equestria, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

The First Princesses

According to legend, during the Pre-Tribal era there were six Ponies, two Unicorns, two Pegasi, and two Earth Ponies, whom where entrusted, by Faust, with a magic crystal and six wands of great power.  The magic crystal, known as The Heart of Ponyland, was said to be the original source of magic, and the six wands, the Divine Scepters as they were known in some sources, controlled the various natural processes of the world.

Canterlot

Canterlot was built several years after The Longest Night to serve as the new capital city of Equestria.  The most masterful and architects of all species, Equine or otherwise, combined their skills to construct a city that was as beautiful as it was strong, and the most magically powerful Unicorns, including Sophos the Red, a descendant of Clover the Clever, pooled their magic to further reinforce Canterlot.  This combination of engineering and magic not only allows Canterlot to hang off the side of Mt. Equis but all but ensures that the city would outlast even the mountain.