If you'll refer to my post Armies, Battles, Dreadful Promises and Enchanted Elves, you'll see (in the third paragraph) a reference to a "tattoo-like emblem" that Klista uses for a spell that holds Faulkner captive. (amendment -- Faulkner wasn't unconscious when enchanted)
I need a name for it.
My magic language is somewhat akin to Latin or Greek. Since the "thing" is either enchanted in itself or only used for magic purposes, it needs to have a name that stems from Latin or Greek or something like it. The "thing" itself is a short, copper-colored string with a distinct metallic quality. When Klista marks him with it, it branches out seemingly with a life of its own and creates a sunburst design.
It writhes when picked up, and melts into the skin of the victim causing intense pain if resisted. It then sends out roots which are first visible but fade quickly leaving only a small metallic copper colored spiral/sunburst type pattern just below the surface of the skin in the area of placement. The eyes of a person so infested will sometimes appear to be the same coppery color as the object which is probably not sentient, but an enchanted object.
Here's a graphic my mom and I made representing (closely, but not exactly) what it looks like (sort of), or as close as we could come to it with the software we have.
The image (and currently, the object) is entitled "boot" because after weeks of referring to it as "that thing" mom finally pulled a random word out of the air and (to my consternation) has been calling it that ever since.
We have some words that could help in finding a name if translated into Latin or Greek:
battery, halter, bit/reins, manacle, prison, chain (for what it does)
fire, flame, fever, red, copper, swirl, spiral (for how it looks)
With the use of an etymology dictionary, some of the words and related words were translated:
cupric (Latin)/chalco (Greek) -- copper
catena -- chain (Latin)
rhizo/rhiza (Greek) -- root
pyr (Greek) -- fire
Keep in mind that I don't want something exactly Greek or Latin, but something that sounds Greek or Latin -- or better, both. A combination of the words would be best -- preferably longer than 5 letters and shorter than 12. I know, tall order.
I am looking especially for the feedback of Seer and Inesdar on this one. I know Inesdar hasn't been on lately (due to schoolwork, I think) but once he is back I'll make sure he sees it. Anyone's ideas would be welcome, however. Thanks in advance!
Lady Eruwaedhiel
