Reluctant Adept: Book Three of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life (53 page)

In English vernacular, a term that refers to a class of spells innate among the sidhe, which can be used to deceive, lure, or otherwise charm humans and other creatures.

Glindarian

A member of the Glindarian witchcraft sect.

Golem

A magical being created from inanimate matter that possesses limited intelligence and typically requires the continued direction of its creator in order to function.

Hobgoblin

In English vernacular, a term that refers to a diminutive, roughly humanoid race from the Otherworld who are known to be friendly but, more often than not, troublesome. They are prone to practical jokes and fond of living in human homes, helping with small household tasks in return for food. Unlike their smaller cousin, the brownie, hobgoblins are shape-shifters and quick to take offense at any perceived slight.

Icemaker

See cryokinetic.

Isangrim

Title given to the ruler of the North American Rout (werewolves).

Invisius Verso

A secret organization of telepaths and divinors. Its name means 'unseen influence' in Latin.

Leprechaun

In English vernacular, a term that refers to a diminutive, humanoid race from the Otherworld who are known for their skill in shoemaking and leatherworking. They are unrivaled in their ability to evade and escape capture, often by shape-shifting, but in the event they are apprehended, will grant a favor in exchange for release. Like brownies, they are content to reside permanently on Earth.

Levitation

The act of moving objects without interacting with them physically. See telekinesis.

Liaison

English vernacular title given to the amhaín's representatives who provide a means of communication between the sidhe ruler and her Earth-bound subjects. A liaison is typically a part-blood (or less commonly a human) who is soulbound to a sidhe within the queen's retinue. The liaison and his/her mate communicate telepathically through their joined souls. See emissary.

Lycanthropy

A term used to describe the human to wolf transformation curse. See therianthropy.

Mage, Magic User, Magus

Terms used to describe an individual with the ability to cast spells. (Generally not used to describe an individual possessing a psychic power.)

Magi-phobe

A term (often derogatory) that refers to an individual who fears, distrusts, or condemns magic and those who are capable of magic.

Magically Induced Regeneration

Magical healing process in which tissue from a live donor is used to replenish missing tissue in a victim's injury or missing limb. Also known as MIR.

Magic Reservations

Government owned compounds dedicated to the care and rearing of state adopted youngsters who are spellcasters, gifted with a psychic ability, or cursed.

Magic User Registration Bill

A United States bill, which, if passed into law, would require all magic users, psychics, and cursed individuals to register with the government.

Magician

Someone who does parlor tricks. Not a true magic user.

Master of the Hunt

Leader of the Wuldrífan.

Mionngáel

Silven term for someone who is bound to another individual by means of a mutual blood covenant.

MIR

See Magically Induced Regeneration.

Nàsaig

Silven term for the border of land between the living and the dead, the forsaken shore along the river Crònathir (the River Styx).

Necromancer

A sorcerer with power over the dead.

Níláitidir

Silven term for the Between.

Normal

An individual who possesses no magical ability.

North American Rout

The official organization of werewolves in the United States and Canada.

Oracle

See divinor.

Otherworld

The world where the fae reside. Also known as Faerie.

Overburn

The physiological damage caused by burning through more magic than a person's body can tolerate.

Overspooling

The act of readying more potential in one's core than necessary prior to casting a spell. Similar to topping off (overfilling) a car's gas tank.

Paranormal Help Network

A non-profit organization devoted to providing support services to families of the magically gifted.

Paranormal Regulatory Commission

An international organization of psychics that governs the conduct of the psychic community.

Part-blood

A human with sidhe ancestry, usually having one sidhe parent.

Peabody's Beans

Coffee shop owned by Julie and Steven Peabody specializing in psi-free coffee, beverages, pastries, etc.

Pixie

In English vernacular, refers to a diminutive, humanoid race from the Otherworld who are endearingly childlike and benign in character. They live in large clans, are tremendously fond of music and dancing, and often partake in mischievous but harmless pranks.

Portal

A magical conduit, most often forged during a summoning, that connects two different locations, providing access to another dimension or world. A portal may or may not be large enough for physical transport. See gateway.

Prophecy

A prediction of the future.

Prophesier

See divinor.

Psi-free

Term used to describe something that is free of life-essence contamination, untouched by humans or animals.

Psi-ward

An area within a hospital that specializes in the care of those gifted with psychic or magic powers or individuals suffering from magic related injuries or curses.

Psychic Shield

The mental shield fortified by magic that all clairvoyants and telepaths use to control the inflow of thoughts and memories into their own minds.

Psychic

An individual gifted with a mind power, either telekinesis, pyrokinesis, cryokinesis, divination, truthsaying, or clairvoyance. Sensitives are also sometimes psychic.

Puget Pacific Towers

Office building in downtown Seattle where Sotheby's is located. Across the street and a block away from Peabody's Beans.

Purgatory

See the Between.

Pyrokinetic

An individual who is capable of generating ambient heat. Also known as a firestarter.

Ríutcloch

A sidhe magic item that, when used, forges a temporary portal between two individuals.

Rowan

A member of the Rowan witchcraft sect.

Runestone

A stone marked with a runic inscription, often used in witchcraft to focus and enhance the magus' spellcasting.

SAM

Seattle Art Museum.

Scolaca

Silven term for 'servant.'

SCU

Supernatural Crime Unit.

Seer

See divinor.

Sensitive

An individual who can detect (and often identify) specific types of magic and/or individual spells.

Shape-shifter

A being that can change its shape and hold its new form, either by virtue of magic or a curse. A werewolf is a type of shape-shifter.

Sidestep

The act of moving a person or object to another dimension.

Sidhe

An elder race that is arguably the most humanoid of all the magical beings that inhabit the Otherworld. The sidhe are known by other sobriquets—aos sí, aes sídhe, daoine sídhe, daoine síth, and (perhaps least liked by the creatures themselves) fairy and elf. Humans who are reluctant to name them directly often refer to them as 'the good neighbors,' 'the fair folk,' or 'people of the mounds.' Their Earth-bound gateways are typically encapsulated by a mound of earth or encircled by stones or mushrooms.

Silven

The language of the sidhe.

Siritóir

Silven title for an individual who is responsible for tracking down or monitoring a particular person or group of individuals; a tracker.

Skin-suit

A thin bodysuit crafted from psi-free, moisture-repelling fabric, used to prevent contact between a clairvoyant and other individuals or objects.

Sorcerer/Sorceress

A magus who uses gestures for casting spells, they are typically restricted to a certain field of magic.

Sorcery

Spellcasting performed by a sorcerer or sorceress.

Stake-burner

A derogatory term often applied to magi-phobic individuals, especially those in judicial or law enforcement positions.

Strigoi

An individual affected by the strigoi curse; a vampire.

Strigoi Curse

The curse that causes vampirism. An individual afflicted by this curse is granted immortality, superior strength, and, in a limited fashion, the ability to shape-shift. Countering each of these boons is an equally powerful weakness. (This duality is the hallmark of all curses.) In the case of vampirism, the cursed individual's existence is restricted to the night—during daylight hours they are helpless and virtually comatose. To satisfy their thirst for sustenance, they must drink human blood. Precious metals cause great pain and weakness. The most powerful strigoi are almost always blessed with one additional gift that may or may not be offset by an additional weakness.

Styx

The river and adjoining shore that forms the boundary between the land of the living and the dead. According to legend, any being who enters the river's treacherous waters without sufferance is doomed to drown for all eternity. See Crònathir and Nàsaig.

Summoner

A magic user capable of summoning a spirit being, usually from another dimension or universe, to a designated location, typically a circle of power.

Supernatural Talent and Company (ST&C)

Paranormal talent agency located in Seattle, owned by Jack Beaumont and Lire Devon.

Sylvan Haven

Term used by the sidhe to describe Earth. Translated it means 'treed haven.'

Tánaiste

Silven term for 'second-in-command.'

Telekinetic

A psychic capable of levitating an object. A type one telekinetic can move only inanimate objects, a type two can move only animate objects, a type three can move both animate and inanimate objects. See levitation.

Telepath

A psychic capable of reading human thoughts without skin contact. Some (but not all) are capable of inserting memories into a human subject's mind. Fewer still are able to assume enough control to direct their human subject's actions.

Therianthropy

Term used to describe the curse of human to animal transformation. An individual afflicted with this curse is granted the ability to transform into a particular animal. Only rigorous training and self-discipline allows the cursed individual to retain their human consciousness during transformation. Depending upon their skill, this transformation can take place at will, however, during nights of the full moon, the transformation is compulsory. See werewolf.

Thìr na Étail

Silven name for the Earth. Translated it means 'Land of Treasure.'

Thìr na Soréidh

The amhaín's sealed enclave within the Otherworld. Translated it means 'Land of Farewell.'

Threefold Principal

The belief that the energy a magic user (or psychic) dispenses, whether it be positive or negative, will be returned threefold. You reap what you sow.

TK

A slang term for telekinesis. See levitation.

Tonngéar

A surface-dwelling Otherworld beast.

Touchy