Simply Encredible (named for its heroine, Excelsia Encredible), is a look at Vinta's past. Set in the Ronisgald equivalent of the Middle Ages, at a time when the Galden cities were above ground, technology was treated with just as much horror as magic, and the Light sect of the Celestial Church had its grip on Ronisgald, outing all others as heretics, this story is about a little girl torn from the only family she has left. Adopted by a Rimstakken Tinker and taught the ways of technology, she eventually returns to Ronisgald after learning that some of her old friends may have survived.
While I would argue that Teria and Terra are strong characters, Excelsia is the first to truly take the lead role in a story. In a way, it's the opposite of the Sakamota Journals; whereas that book is about a hero using a sword in a time of technology, Simply Encredible is about a gadgeteer who fights with technology in an age it's (as mentioned before) often confused as magic.
This project has unfortunately been on the back burner for awhile, but I hope to continue it one day, as it is part of the Elsewhere Universe. It also sees Narrator Number One in one of his more legendary roles; Sir Unas of the Silver and Jade. No joke, I ended up writing a ballad about him (mostly because I was playing Skyrim heavily at the time. Strange how catchy the bard songs were in that game). Perhaps it will be included as an extra in the final version when this is done.
I do feel I should explain just why this has sat in my folders for so long, however, but to explain it requires a little insight into how I write. There really is very little preperation; I sit down, remind myself where I was, and off I go. If an idea doesn't work, my ideas dry up and I end up staring at a blank page, unable to continue. In such cases, I typically delete the chapter last worked on and try again. I fancy that I peer into another universe more than I actually create, and believe that the story dries up when I got something wrong. After all, I don't have a perspective clock like my author surrogate.
It was while writing about five chapters in when Excelsia entered a situation I won't go into (spoilers). It wasn't explicit, but it put her in an odd situation where she had to consider the nature of her affections for an old friend, and when she did, she realized there was something more there. The issue, as I feel calling it a problem is incorrect and a bit offensive, is that she realizes she is homosexual, or at least bisexual. After the awkward pause, I will say that I slowed down on this project, not because I am ashamed of her or her sexual orientation, nor because I feel there is anything inherently wrong with alternative sexualities. I myself am demisexual, and another Dreamer who asks to remain nameless is homosexual ... and getting married now that the United States has momentarily remembered what century it is.
No, I put the project on hold because I want to treat this development with the respect it deserves. I'm researching the nature of homosexuality, namely how people come to realize their nature, how they felt about it and continue to feel about it, how it affected them and the people around them. The story is about Excelsia fighting zealots and demons with technology and style, but I'm worried about unintentionally writing something in this case that will be viewed as insensitive, not from a religious standpoint (I'm a Dreamer, so figure that one out), but from the perspective of homosexual or bisexual people.
I realize that just talking about this makes many people clench up, and I really wish it didn't, as it's just a part of her character ... and for the record, it's not like I'm throwing in explicit scenes here. You (potentially) have read four of my books, each with its share of romance, and you know by now that I don't write that kinda thing, for the simple reason that I feel my characters deserve some privacy, especially after everything I throw at them ... especially Jimmy. Sorry, Jimmy. If it makes you feel better, I think Finn Cresste of Mass Effect Slipstream is getting it worse than you right now.
It's gonna be a good story when it's done; rooftop chases, battles with demons and constructs, and Excelsia kicking serious butt as she's helping her old friend. There will be betrayal (which I apparently had to spell three times to get it right), crime syndicates, romance (and if this surprises you, did you read the rest of this post?), and even a little Elsewhere here and there. All in all, it will be a fine tale that will stand next to my others, and Excelsia will stand as one of the legends of the Elsewhere Universe.
Showing posts with label Dreamers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dreamers. Show all posts
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Wander (working title)
Now that I've gone through the published books, I'd like to go through some of my other projects still in the works. I will write what people read, so if you like a story idea and want me to start focusing on it more, let me know. Comment here, message me on Facebook, do something to let me know which story you want me to make a priority.
Having said that, let's talk about Wander. Since A Dreamer's Knight, I knew the dream realm was going to be a big part of my work. It is, after all, a great mystery in our world as well. What are dreams? Why do our minds create the images we see while we're asleep? Are dreams our minds way of interpreting reality we haven't fully processed yet?
In the case of the Elsewhere Universe, no. The dream realm is a separate plane of existence that is woven around the mainstream. It has its own natives, its own rules, and its own magic separate from that of normal existence.
Wander is the story of a scarecrow who has lost his memories, and his adventures across the Dream Realm. Who is he? Why is he a scarecrow? Will he recover his memories? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered as the story continues.
This book will be set in the dream realm, with perhaps one or two small suggestions and the occasional flash back or recovered memory. Wander will serve almost as a guide to the way the Dream Realm of the Elsewhere Universe works, explaining everything from the growth of the nixils to the Dream Realm's zodiac. The Dreamers get their power from the dream realm, but they are essentially standing with a foot in both realms. Some would suggest this means they are not truly part of either for this. While none of the Elsewhere Incorporate appear in this story (the Elsewhere not having even been formed yet), Wander will be a key piece of the puzzle that is the Dreamers. When I finish it, that is.
In truth, this story has already gone through a full draft; unfortunately, many aspects of it have changed, and it now requires rewriting. While some of the original remain, I hope to capture the essence of the dream realm with this story.
Having said that, let's talk about Wander. Since A Dreamer's Knight, I knew the dream realm was going to be a big part of my work. It is, after all, a great mystery in our world as well. What are dreams? Why do our minds create the images we see while we're asleep? Are dreams our minds way of interpreting reality we haven't fully processed yet?
In the case of the Elsewhere Universe, no. The dream realm is a separate plane of existence that is woven around the mainstream. It has its own natives, its own rules, and its own magic separate from that of normal existence.
Wander is the story of a scarecrow who has lost his memories, and his adventures across the Dream Realm. Who is he? Why is he a scarecrow? Will he recover his memories? These are just a few of the questions that will be answered as the story continues.
This book will be set in the dream realm, with perhaps one or two small suggestions and the occasional flash back or recovered memory. Wander will serve almost as a guide to the way the Dream Realm of the Elsewhere Universe works, explaining everything from the growth of the nixils to the Dream Realm's zodiac. The Dreamers get their power from the dream realm, but they are essentially standing with a foot in both realms. Some would suggest this means they are not truly part of either for this. While none of the Elsewhere Incorporate appear in this story (the Elsewhere not having even been formed yet), Wander will be a key piece of the puzzle that is the Dreamers. When I finish it, that is.
In truth, this story has already gone through a full draft; unfortunately, many aspects of it have changed, and it now requires rewriting. While some of the original remain, I hope to capture the essence of the dream realm with this story.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Of Galdens and Ronisgald
In an effort to help new readers acclimate to the Elsewhere Universe, I've decided to begin a blog detailing the races of Vinta and their cultures. Much of this information will go into the Elsewhere Access of the Official Elsewhere site, but you'll hear (or rather, read) it here first. Today, I would like to write about the Galdens and Ronisgald.
The Galdens are Vinta's human race. That is to say, of all the inhabitants of Vinta, the Galdens are the most human-like of the races. While humanity is viewed as the end result of the other races of earth gradually becoming one (or leaving altogether, but that's another story), galdens are almost the exact opposite; genetic blanks, as it were. Their history ties into that of the Glyche, which I will expound upon at a later time. Galden genetics are by nature recessive; a child of a galden and a non-galden will always retain most of the non-galden parent's genes. As a result, there is a large movement within Ronisgald regarding 'pure' galdens, though it has died down a great deal by the time of 'A Dreamer's Knight'.
That's not to say that the galden parent will have no impact on the child; galden genetics may take a submissive role, but they are there. For example, a Galden/Fional pairing (such as the samurai Jimmy Olsen Sakamota and his wife, Terra) will bear children with larger ears, whereas a pure Fional would have smaller ears capable of moving much like a normal rabbit's ears. This trait will be passed down to Jimmy and Terra's grand children and great grand children, for at least five generations. The galden traits may not be visible either; a galden/tigreth pairing will produce a tigreth child who looks like any other tigreth, but with the reproductive makeup for a more balanced male/female ratio of children when said child grows up and takes a bride or groom.
People are more than their genetic makeup, however. Galdens are one of the oldest cultures on Vinta, and have lived in the region of Ronisgald for thousands of years. The galdens were an agrarian society until the arrival of the Glyche. While most of the galdens were content with farming and agriculture, galdens on the continent of Rimstak gladly accepted the Glyche assistance in turning the barren desert of Rimstak into a lush paradise. It was around this time that they began to call themselves Rimstakken; they adapted the Glyche language into their own, creating the often-confusing Rimstakken language that still defies all attempts to integrate into universal translators. I will go into their early culture another day.
After the first Corruption, many of the Glyche fled Rimstak in the wake of rioting. Many returned to Ronisgald in hopes of living a simpler life, while others joined the Cleftans in the Cleftan region. This was roughly three thousand years prior to the events of 'A Dreamer's Knight', and while Ronisgald remained agrarian for several centuries, the galdens soon began an industrial revolution of their own. Undoubtedly aided by the hand of the Glyche, Ronisgald began to grow in technological development until they were very near the level of the Rimstakkens. Mining lead to the discovery of several massive crystallic deposits across the continent, including the Amplifier of the Raenqal. The Glyche created a facility to study the massive worldstone, and eventually helped the Galdens to create the massive spheres that would later become the districts of Ronisgald. The CIC Angela was created to take care of the districts as the remaining Glyche dwindled until none remained.
Roughly a thousand years prior to the events of 'A Dreamer's Knight', Lucaius Benjamin Calliban came into power. It was a time of great need, as the construction of the districts required massive amounts of materials. Preying on the fears of a public who had not dealt with non-humans since they went underground, Calliban managed to amass an army large enough to attempt war on the neighboring nations, an event that reshaped much of Vinta. I will get into the mad emperor's war at a later time; suffice it to say, he was not victorious. Ronisgald eventually rebelled at his rule, and ousted him from his self-appointed throne. In doing so, fresh crystallic deposits were discovered; some were used to spread goodwill among the injured nations (particularly Longshore, who bore the brunt of the attack), but most was sold for materials needed to complete the cities. Once most of the districts were complete, Ronisgald fell into place as a respected member of the Vintan Council.
By the time of 'A Dreamer's Knight', Ronisgald and Rimstak are matched in terms of technological advancement. Ronisgald as viewed as being more reliable, while Rimstak is known for taking chances, such as local interstellar travel. Ronisgald is content to stay on Vinta, though they have begun their own space travel program in hopes of forming a colony on one of Vinta's inhabitable moons. The last scars of Calliban's Crusade were finally fading to the point that it wasn't strange to see shoran citizens of Ronisgald.
Overall, Ronisgald is a reliable country; they are good people, if occasionally misled by those with ulterior motives. Angela in particular is a friend of the Elsewhere, and watches over the citizens of Ronisgald as though they were her own children.
Well, that's about it for today's lesson on Vintan cultures. I hope I've been able to provide some enlightenment for anyone reading this. For a closer look at Ronisgald, be sure to check out 'A Dreamer's Knight: Machinations'.
The Galdens are Vinta's human race. That is to say, of all the inhabitants of Vinta, the Galdens are the most human-like of the races. While humanity is viewed as the end result of the other races of earth gradually becoming one (or leaving altogether, but that's another story), galdens are almost the exact opposite; genetic blanks, as it were. Their history ties into that of the Glyche, which I will expound upon at a later time. Galden genetics are by nature recessive; a child of a galden and a non-galden will always retain most of the non-galden parent's genes. As a result, there is a large movement within Ronisgald regarding 'pure' galdens, though it has died down a great deal by the time of 'A Dreamer's Knight'.
That's not to say that the galden parent will have no impact on the child; galden genetics may take a submissive role, but they are there. For example, a Galden/Fional pairing (such as the samurai Jimmy Olsen Sakamota and his wife, Terra) will bear children with larger ears, whereas a pure Fional would have smaller ears capable of moving much like a normal rabbit's ears. This trait will be passed down to Jimmy and Terra's grand children and great grand children, for at least five generations. The galden traits may not be visible either; a galden/tigreth pairing will produce a tigreth child who looks like any other tigreth, but with the reproductive makeup for a more balanced male/female ratio of children when said child grows up and takes a bride or groom.
People are more than their genetic makeup, however. Galdens are one of the oldest cultures on Vinta, and have lived in the region of Ronisgald for thousands of years. The galdens were an agrarian society until the arrival of the Glyche. While most of the galdens were content with farming and agriculture, galdens on the continent of Rimstak gladly accepted the Glyche assistance in turning the barren desert of Rimstak into a lush paradise. It was around this time that they began to call themselves Rimstakken; they adapted the Glyche language into their own, creating the often-confusing Rimstakken language that still defies all attempts to integrate into universal translators. I will go into their early culture another day.
After the first Corruption, many of the Glyche fled Rimstak in the wake of rioting. Many returned to Ronisgald in hopes of living a simpler life, while others joined the Cleftans in the Cleftan region. This was roughly three thousand years prior to the events of 'A Dreamer's Knight', and while Ronisgald remained agrarian for several centuries, the galdens soon began an industrial revolution of their own. Undoubtedly aided by the hand of the Glyche, Ronisgald began to grow in technological development until they were very near the level of the Rimstakkens. Mining lead to the discovery of several massive crystallic deposits across the continent, including the Amplifier of the Raenqal. The Glyche created a facility to study the massive worldstone, and eventually helped the Galdens to create the massive spheres that would later become the districts of Ronisgald. The CIC Angela was created to take care of the districts as the remaining Glyche dwindled until none remained.
Roughly a thousand years prior to the events of 'A Dreamer's Knight', Lucaius Benjamin Calliban came into power. It was a time of great need, as the construction of the districts required massive amounts of materials. Preying on the fears of a public who had not dealt with non-humans since they went underground, Calliban managed to amass an army large enough to attempt war on the neighboring nations, an event that reshaped much of Vinta. I will get into the mad emperor's war at a later time; suffice it to say, he was not victorious. Ronisgald eventually rebelled at his rule, and ousted him from his self-appointed throne. In doing so, fresh crystallic deposits were discovered; some were used to spread goodwill among the injured nations (particularly Longshore, who bore the brunt of the attack), but most was sold for materials needed to complete the cities. Once most of the districts were complete, Ronisgald fell into place as a respected member of the Vintan Council.
By the time of 'A Dreamer's Knight', Ronisgald and Rimstak are matched in terms of technological advancement. Ronisgald as viewed as being more reliable, while Rimstak is known for taking chances, such as local interstellar travel. Ronisgald is content to stay on Vinta, though they have begun their own space travel program in hopes of forming a colony on one of Vinta's inhabitable moons. The last scars of Calliban's Crusade were finally fading to the point that it wasn't strange to see shoran citizens of Ronisgald.
Overall, Ronisgald is a reliable country; they are good people, if occasionally misled by those with ulterior motives. Angela in particular is a friend of the Elsewhere, and watches over the citizens of Ronisgald as though they were her own children.
Well, that's about it for today's lesson on Vintan cultures. I hope I've been able to provide some enlightenment for anyone reading this. For a closer look at Ronisgald, be sure to check out 'A Dreamer's Knight: Machinations'.
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