Abbreviations and Terms Abbreviations:
cw:	clockwise.
ccw:	counter-clockwise.
g1:	(ground level 1) - first floor of the ground level.
g1a:	(ground level 1, 2nd floor) - second floor of the ground level.
g2:	(ground level 2) - first floor of the second level above ground.
g3:	(ground level 3) - first floor of the third level above ground.
g4:	(ground level 4) - first floor of the fourth level above ground.
g5:	(ground level 5) - first floor of the fifth level above ground.
g6:	(ground level 6) - first floor of the sixth level above ground.
u1:	(underground level 1) - first floor of the first underground level.
u2:	(underground level 2) - first floor of the second underground level.
It is important to note that a level, whether above ground or underground, may include more than one floor. This is due to rooms of varying heights. Notably, the ceiling height of support buildings in the baileys tends to be shorter than the ceiling height of the rooms in the adjacent castle component. Where this occurs, the level will typically be detailed on multiple floorplans. The second (third, fourth, etc) floor plan will be clearly titled, and the floorplan number will be denoted with a lower-case letter. For levels above ground, the floors will ascend. For levels underground, the floors will descend. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the rooms depicted on any one floorplan will be at the same height. Example: The ceilings of the ground level (G1/ground level 1) rooms in a castle rise to a height of twenty feet. Within the castle's bailey, the support buildings all have ceiling heights of ten feet. The second floors (G1a) of the support buildings all begin at eleven feet height, and rise to twenty feet. These second floors (G1a) all fall within the height allocated to the ground floor, before the second level (G2/ground level 2) of the castle begins, and so are part of ground level (G1) one. Glossary:
arrow loops		narrow slits in the castle walls through which archers and crossbowmen fire at opposing targets.
attiliator		crossbow maker.
bailey		the interior courtyard of a castle, surrounded by the castle walls.
barbican		outer defensive structure, usually at a gate or bridge.
buttress		projecting structure for supporting or giving stability to a wall or building.
castellan		person in charge of the castle in the absence of the castle's ruling lord or family.
chandler		candle maker.
donjon		the main keep of a fortress.
gallery		corridor through a castle wall that connects areas within a castle.
machicolation		openings between the corbels of a projecting parapet for discharging missiles upon opposing targets below.
motte		artificial mound that a fortress is built upon.
parapet		low wall or railing to protect the roof of a platform or roof.
plinth		ramp-like buttress thickening the base of a fortification, typically a tower.
postern		small exit that allows castle defenders to reach the castle exterior for either escape or to launch a sally forth against attackers.
wicket gate		small door in the main gate of a gatehouse that allow persons limited access through the gate when the main gate is closed.
Darkfuries: Castles and Keeps Copyright © 2002 by Brian K. Moseley. All rights reserved.