Last time, I described some reasons behind some of my more exotic invented words. Well, here are some more…

Mentha

• Damensea: Mentha is the Damensea word for mint.
• Real World Inspiration: “Mentha” is the name of the mint genus and is Latin for mint (this is derived from the Greek word minthe.) In Greek myth, Minthe is a nymph who was transformed into a mint plant.
  

Nightmara

• Damensea: Nightmara are magical, horse-like creatures. They consume dreams in addition to ordinary food, and they possess human intelligence and lifespans. They can control dreams, communicate using thoughts, and can drive humans mad or into comas. Thirteen herds formed a treaty with Calatini four centuries ago, and this treaty is renewed in The Nightmara Affair.
• Real World Inspiration: In folklore, nightmares are brought by an evil spirit, or mare (mara in Old Norse.) Now, my nightmara aren’t evil, but they do possess power over dreams. The nightmara are horse-like as a play on the modern meaning of the word mare.
  

Venuses (singular: venus)

• Damensea: Venuses are incredibly attractive and seductive magical creatures who feed by having sex either physically or through dreams. They can change forms to copulate with any sentient creature.
• Real World Inspiration: Venuses are the Damensea version of succubi/incubi. Their name is derived from Venus, the Roman goddess of love and sexuality. The Latin word “venus” means sexual love/desire.
  

Werebeasts

• Damensea: There are twenty-four breeds of werebeasts. Larger and stronger than ordinary animals, werebeasts can shapeshift between human and their animal. They can only reproduce with their breed of werebeast, humans, or their animal counterpart.
• Real World Inspiration: Werebeasts are based on werewolf and shapeshifter myths. The word werewolf is based off the Old English “wer” (man) plus “wulf” (wolf.) I use werebeast since Damensea has multiple breeds of shapeshifters, but individual breeds are named after their animal, e.g. werewolf, were-eagle, werehare, etc.