Metallic Arts Linguistics

[Truthwatcher Artifabrian]

So, I realized that allomancy means metal magic. Allo is too close to alloy to be a coincidence, and mancy is known to mean magic (think necromancy, meaning death magic).

 So I thought about the others. Feruchemy probably means something science because chemy is very close to chemistry. Hemalurgy means blood something.

 Can anyone help me finish off feruchemy and hemalurgy?

[Kingsdaughter613]

35 minutes ago, Truthwatcher Artifabrian said:

So, I realized that allomancy means metal magic. Allo is too close to alloy to be a coincidence, and mancy is known to mean magic (think necromancy, meaning death magic).

 So I thought about the others. Feruchemy probably means something science because chemy is very close to chemistry. Hemalurgy means blood something.

 Can anyone help me finish off feruchemy and hemalurgy?

Feru from ferrous meaning iron. Lurgy- metallurgy.

Edited January 8, 2021 by Kingsdaughter613

[Truthwatcher Artifabrian]

Just now, Kingsdaughter613 said:

Feru from ferrous. Lurgy- metallurgy.

Thanks!

[Kingsdaughter613]

1 minute ago, Truthwatcher Artifabrian said:

Thanks!

Lurgy apparently means “working with.” So Metal Magic, Iron Alchemy (Chemy is an obsolete word for both alchemy and chemistry), and Blood Technique. It works!

[+Artemos]

There's an old post by brandon when he was originally coming up with the names. He talks a lot about his thought process. Fun fact: Feruchemy was originally named Hemalurgy.

Spoiler

Brandon Sanderson

This is for both those of you who've read MISTBORN and those who haven't.

In the first book, you'll notice that I named two of the three magic systems present in the world. The primary name, which I'm quite satisfied with, is Allomancy.

Sazed's power is the one I'm considering changing. It is called Hemalurgy. Now, I like the way this sounds. However, it doesn't quite fit in meaning with Sazed's powers. (The Hema, which should evoke thoughts of 'blood' has rightly drawn complaints from readers.)

However, Hemalurgy DOES fit quite well with the third (mostly unmentioned magic system) used by the Steel Inquisitors.

So, I'd like to rename Sazed's magic system. Here are my thoughts.

Ferrachemy. I like the sound and construction of this one--it fits with the other two, and seems to relate well to Sazed's powers. The only problem is that I think it's too easy to read as "Ferr-Alchemy," which just doesn't feel right to me.

Ferruchemy. The word I'm drawing the 'Ferr' from anyway is Latin for iron, which is Ferrum. So, this is truer to my source, but it just doesn't sound as good to me.

Ferrichemy. I'm not sure if I like the way this one looks or not.

Ferrochemy. Perhaps where I'm leaning right now.

Anyone else have any suggestions? I like the traditional-science feel endings of things like 'mancy, 'lurgy, 'chemy. I also like beginnings that relate somehow to metals, as those are used so prevalently in the magic.

Brandon Sanderson

I just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped me with this one.

Ones I particularly liked:

Auronomy was VERY cool sounding. However, I'm worried about having two 'A' words for the magic. (Still debating this one.)

Ferramy also had me for a time. The only problem is that I really want something that has the same 'feel' as the other two magic systems. Â This doesn't quite resonate right.

Sangrimancy is also very cool sounding.  The only problem is that I don't really need another 'blood' related magic system. Skar--I stored this one away for potential use in another world. 

However, I think Jade has really had the best suggestion on the thread. Dropping the second 'R' from the Ferr prefix makes it work a lot better with things. And, to avoid the 'feral' reference Stacer noticed, I think using the original Latin 'u' with the 'Fer' gets us a better word.

So, the current winner:

Feruchemy. It isn't actually the coolest sounding word on the thread--I think that's a tie between Auronomy and Sangrimancy. However, Feruchemy 'Fits' better with Allomancy and Hemalurgy. The three have a kind of internal resonance, and give the right feel.

Thanks all!

Now, another task. These three are all active arts--something done, rather than simply a study. I'd like, however, a good name for the blanket term for the study of all three magic systems. A name for the system of the world, rather than the specific magical applications of this system.

All three systems use metal in different ways, and all three draw power for the user from different places. Any clever ideas? (Initial thoughts for me include using 'ology.' However, I'm not opposed to something longer, like I used in DRAGONSTEEL. (Realmatic Theory, for those of you who haven't read it.))

TWG Posts (April 9, 2005)