Need A Bit of Input Naming A Fantasy Concept

[uncle_twitchy]

Okay, folks. I'm rewriting my swashbuckling fantasy novel, set in a culture with roughly Renaissance/Restoration-level of technology. Magical energy covers the world much like water does, flowing in ley lines like rivers and pooling at ley line intersections like lakes and ponds. Those who can sense and control this energy can use it to bend

Comments

[uncle_twitchy]

I like the idea of "The Butchers" being slang for those who would take another's life to cast their spells. And I really like "The Butcher's Bill."

[uncle_twitchy]

That's completely unrelated enough for me to feel comfortable using it.

[uncle_twitchy]

Someone on a message board I frequent suggested "the cunning ones" or "the cunning folk", which I liked enough to decide on just The Cunning.

"This is Cunning business. Ordinary people shouldn't get involved."

"Those men are the Cunning. We should leave."

It fits so well. Has the right degree of suggesting the metaphysical as well as the sinister while being simultaneously colloquial.

So. The Cunning it is.