| encumbered | to burden |
| edict | proclamation / decree |
| pillage | to rob by force |
| pious | very religious / observant of religion |
| abyss | deep void or hole |
| monotonous | unvarying tone / pitch |
| barometer | a measure of change |
| pestilential | deadly |
| lucidity | clearness (control) |
| convalescent | to recover from illness or injury |
| harangued | long, pompous / annoying speech |
| reverie | daydream / fantasy |
| reprieve | to cancel or postpone punishment |
| tempest | violent storm |
| lamentation | deep regret / grief |
| crucible | a severe test |
| derision | scornful laughter |
| automatons | to act or behave like a mindless robot |
| conscientously | thoughtfully and carefully |
| embarkation | to set out / commence |
| contagion | disease transmission |