Elderling Creations Theory (Spoilers through all the books and Dragon Haven)

[Farseer]

Etta's contraceptive charm was "the size of an apple pip" with a thin thread of wire that pierced her navel. As it was in the shape of a skull, I just imagined that it may have an ability to verbally communicate UNLESS, if the skull is merely painted on or there is no shaped 'mouth' then, it could be similar to the Tarman in that it is unable to 'talk', as such.

As far as size goes, that Bolt felt it important enough to digest, rather than discard, possibly suggests that size doesn't really matter with wizardwood (at least as far as its ability to store memory goes)? If it did, why would the dragons etc be concerned by the fact that humans strive to obtain even a sliver of it?

In saying that, possibly the size does affect the capacity for communicative ability? Etta also hires the charm from the owner of the brothel so that may be a factor as well?

This is part of an old discussion but I had forgotten that Althea, too, had worn one of these wizardwood contraceptive charms. What is interesting is that while Etta hired hers, Althea's had been given to her by her sister, Keffria - a Bingtown Trader's daughter who would have been aware of her father's distaste for such magic and also would have been aware of the illegal use of the wizardwood, not to mention that she'd have known it was no doubt illegally sourced/stolen from her Rain Wild kin?

Hmm...it's also interesting knowing that both these ladies had made use of such charms and then later still conceived and gave birth to healthy sons (who possibly may even grow to become Elderlings?), particularly given Malta's problems in that area. Obviously there were no long-term effects from the use of the charms eg not being able to conceive, and possibly there were even some benefits?