Sylvan (aka Gaelic) Definitions
"ar bó!" translates to "on the cow" or "on a cow". Used as an exclamation in Gaelic.
"Bhanrigh" means "Queen".
"Básmhar". In Irish Gaelic, "mortal" can be translated as "básmhar", meaning "subject to death" or "daonnaithe", meaning "mortals or humans".
"Beannachd leat" in Scottish Gaelic translates to "goodbye" or "farewell" and is an informal way to say goodbye to someone. It's a common and informal way to say goodbye, similar to "bye" or "goodbye" in English.
"Casan Troma" means "heavy feet" or "heavy-footed ones". A term used by the faerie kind to describe human-sized beings.
Chúirt Seelie. Seelie Court. The Seelie Court (also called the Summer Court) refers to the pantheon of deities of the fey.
"Còinneach" means "moss".
"Daonnaithe". Mortals, humans.
"Doire" primarily translates to "oak-wood". It can also mean "wood", "grove", or "thicket".
"Draíocht Drúchdail" means "magic drewdrop".
"Éibhinn Seòlta" translates as "crazy sexy".
"Fìor Mhath", means "fantastic".
Grinn translates as "handsome" or "pretty".
"G'wan" is an informal Irish slang phrase, a contraction of "go on", used for encouragement, disbelief, or urging someone to proceed, similar to "go ahead" or "you can do it.
"Gàrradh Naomh" translates to "sacred grove".
"Iongantach Duilleach" translates to "amazing leaf".
"Riaghladair" means ruler.
"Saoraidh" means "savior".
Seasmhachd translates to "sustainability".
"Sgoinneil" means "great".
Sidhe. In Irish folklore, fairies are commonly referred to as the "Sidhe" (pronounced "Shee") or "Aos Sí" (pronounced "Ah-sh Shee"), meaning "people of the mounds".
"Sìol" translates to "seed" or "sperm".
"tlachd" means "delight" or "pleasure".
"Tarraingeach" means attractive, alluring, or drawing.
"Tiodhlac" means gift.
Torrachas translates as "gestation", "fertility", or "pregnancy".
"Uachtarach" means superior.
Faerie Creation
There are two methods of faerie creation. The first is called the divine spark or "sradag dhiadhaidh". This is a gift from the Seelie Court. The second is via a divine vessel or "soitheach dhiadhaidh". This method allows the generation of new faeries via sexual reproduction. It does not appear as though asexual reproduction is possible.
The Dewdrop of Diminution
Also called the enchanted dewdrop or the Draíocht Drúchdail. "Draíocht" means magic. "Drúchdail" is used to describe something that is dewy or drizzly. It is a Gaelic adjective that can be used to describe a dewdrop or something that is wet with dew. The dewdrop forms on the "Iongantach Duilleach", which translates to "amazing leaf".
Effect/Duration: The dewdrop abates largeness by granting the imbiber the grace of "perfect size" for approximately 48 hours. The "perfect size" being a 91.67% reduction, meaning that a 6 foot tall human would be transformed to 6 inches tall.
The Lumina Arbour This tree is a towering, ancient being with a silvery, iridescent bark that glows faintly, as if imbued with the moon's light. Its branches extend high into the sky, tipped with delicate, crystalline leaves that shimmer in shifting hues of blue and green. The Lumina Arbour is said to thrive only in the faerie realm, nourished by starlight and songs of the faeries.
At its base, a single, heart-shaped Verdant Leaf unfurls slowly, taking multiple months to fully grow. Once matured, it produces a single Dewdrop of Diminution at dawn. This dewdrop is believed to contain the concentrated essence of the tree's magic, its formation guided by a delicate balance of time, environment, and faerie rituals.
For Eilean and Dervish, this process might symbolize patience, fate, and their commitment to the prophecy. The tree itself could also serve as a sacred or revered entity in faerie culture, tied to the prophecy's deeper meaning. Perhaps Eilean has had to guard the leaf during its growth, protecting it from unseen dangers, which adds to her urgency and belief in Dervish's role.
Links
seaart faeries.
Copilot Notes Re, "Dervish Sanders & The Hyperthemesiatic Recalling".
ReplyDeleteMe: I placed Boudicca's Obelisk in my story, so the year would have to be one after it was constructed.
Copilot: Boudicca’s Obelisk was built in 1737 in Epping Forest, long after the Roman Empire had fallen. If your story is set during the early Roman Empire, this would be an anachronism -- unless, of course, you’re using an alternate version of history where such monuments exist earlier.
If you want to keep the obelisk but maintain historical consistency, you could reframe it as a different structure -- perhaps a sacred stone or an early monument honoring Boudicca’s rebellion, rather than the actual obelisk built centuries later.
Me: In regards to my use of Boudicca’s Obelisk in my story, I think I'll explain that as an alternate history as you suggested. As I definitely wanted my timeframe to be long before 1737.
That’s a great approach -- it lets you keep the obelisk while still maintaining the earlier timeframe you want. In an alternate history, Boudicca could have been honored with a monument much earlier, maybe even during or shortly after her rebellion against Rome.
You could frame it as something with deep symbolic or mystical significance -- perhaps the obelisk isn’t just a tribute, but has some hidden purpose tied to the events of your story. Whether it’s a marker, a binding artifact, or something imbued with power, it could hold a key role beyond its historical counterpart.
Do you envision it as a recognized landmark in your setting, or something lost to time that only certain characters know about?
Me: What year was this rebellion against Rome?
Boudicca’s rebellion against Rome took place around AD 60–61. She led the Iceni tribe and their allies in a fierce uprising against Roman rule in Britain, destroying cities like Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St. Albans) before being ultimately defeated by the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus.
Since your story takes place long before 1737, placing the obelisk in an alternate timeline where it was constructed much earlier makes perfect sense. Will it serve as a historical marker, or does it have a deeper magical or symbolic role in your world?
Me: What was the fallout of Boudicca’s rebellion?
Copilot: The fallout of Boudicca’s rebellion was devastating for the Britons and solidified Roman control over Britain for centuries. After her forces were decisively defeated by the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, the rebellion collapsed, and Roman reprisals were brutal.
Here’s what happened in the aftermath...
Mass casualties: Roman sources claim that 70,000–80,000 Britons were killed, including civilians.
Harsh Roman retaliation: The Romans crushed any remaining resistance, punishing tribes that had supported Boudicca.
Strengthened Roman rule: The rebellion forced Rome to reinforce its military presence in Britain, ensuring tighter control over the province.
Boudicca’s fate: According to historical accounts, Boudicca either died by suicide or succumbed to illness after her defeat.
Despite the rebellion’s failure, Boudicca became a symbol of resistance against oppression, and her legacy endures in British history.