Talituses

Talituses are a term used primarily in speculative fiction and role-playing contexts to denote a class of portable artefacts that concentrate, guide, or alter magical or psychological energy. In many settings, talituses function as specialized talismans that can empower a wearer, amplify sensing, or connect distant minds.

Form and function: Talituses are typically small and can be made of metal, crystal, or carved wood, often inscribed with glyphs. They are activated by the bearer’s intention or a ritual, and their effects depend on the user’s skill and the talitus’ design. Common variants include warding talituses, which protect the user; divinatory talituses, which reveal patterns or futures; and communicative talituses, which link remote observers.

In fiction and games, talituses serve as plot devices; their creators may be ancient orders or modern inventors, and their power may be limited by scarcity or moral cost. They are frequently treated as artifacts with historical lore, requiring discovery, translation of inscriptions, or alignment with a user’s personal or cultural identity to unlock their full potential.

Etymology and usage: The word appears to be a modern coinage, combining talisman with a Latin-like plural ending; it is not widely attested outside fiction. As a result, there is no single canonical definition or canonical set of rules governing talituses across different works.

See also: talisman, amulet, tallit. Note that tallit refers to a Jewish prayer shawl and is phonetically similar, but distinct in meaning and usage.