Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Elves - Regarding Marriage and Relationships
In Book II we learn quite a bit about the Ceres and Elves. It probably isn't fair to make a post based on the second book in a series for which the first has yet to be published (and therefore is unavailable). However, what you will find is that the culture of the Ceres and Elves in Book II has a great many similarities to Khirsha's family culture. There are also some significant differences, which produces the comic thread in Book II.
I will try to keep this post focused on the topic listed in the title, but if you've been reading me at all you know I tend to wander about.
Although few human societies were gender equal, for the other four races 'equality' was common. Males and females had their basic roles, but the ability to branch from these was easy - providing cultural requirements were met. But for Figgits, Dwarfs, Pennans and Nomads, gender was not an exclusionary factor. In those four races we find ability and interest played a much bigger role in deciding one's role in their society. There were exceptions. Every society has its own quirks and prejudices which seem normal to it, but quite odd to others which do not share the quirk. So, since the Elves were the product of a Pennan and a Nomad, their society followed the same path.
Regarding marriage, courting and other things of that nature, the four 'equal' races chose practicality as their judgment rod. What does this mean? Well, like most cultures, the perpetuation of the culture was of foremost concern. This meant taking care of the citizens, or at least making sure the citizens were well able to take care of themselves. The ability to grow, or trade for, the things living required (food, clothing, shelter) was the primary factor. What about children? Well, depending on the society, children were able/required to work based on their age. They were the responsibility - not the possession - of their parents. This point is key, for it drove the decision on who would hold the final say in family matters.
Although each society had its own methods to attempt birth control, their effectiveness varied from 'why bother' to 'most of the time'. Only a very few cultures managed to find the 'most of the time' method, and that usually by luck. (Khirsha's family was one of those, and it was due mostly to luck - but whether good or bad is hard to tell. The Power of the ore in Fire Mountain leeched into the land and water and infected all living things within its range. One side-effect - for Khirsha's family anyway - was a reduction in birth rate.) This meant that females desiring a more - copulatory - relationship with a male ran the risk of becomming pregnant. Should this happen, they could not escape it. The pregnancy would be with them until the child/children were born. Males did not have this problem. They could leave, claiming they had nothing to do with the creation of this new offspring. It would be their word against the females. How was this to be resolved?
The answer became easy. Not wanting to have 'orphaned' children in large numbers, these societies (Nomads, Pennans, Dwarfs and Figgits) decided the female's voice would be heard - and no other. Now, there was no 'her word versus his word' scenarios. It was the female's word. And in virtually all of these societies, the consequence of creating a child was instant betrothal to the co-defendant.
So. Question. Does this mean that a woman, Nonkanta (not desired), could give herself to a man, Kert (simpleton), become pregnant, and then claim that Sohan (charming, handsome) was the father? (source of names: http://www.babynames.com/Names/search.php)
Yes.
It happened, but not nearly so much as imagination would allow. Generally, if a woman (young or otherwise) was willing to engage in this behavior it was because the male she had chosen to do it with was the male she had chosen. If there was any deception involved, it was in convincing the male to participate - but what kind of deception does a woman need for that?
Nonkanta: Hey, Sohan! Do you want to have sex with me?
Sohan: You bet! Let's do it!
For this reason, it was decreed the females would decide who they wanted to court, and the males would have to wait to be asked. The (absolutely correct) thinking was that the males would respond to overtures from virtually any female, whereas females were more selective in choosing mates. So the females got to choose.
One practice of the Ceres and Elves not practiced by Khirhsa's family was the concept of multiple spouses. It wasn't completely straightforward, however. In fact, the rules surrounding it could be quite convoluted - to an outsider. It made perfect sense to them.
In Cere and Elvish culture, having more than one husband, or more than one wife, was acceptable - if one belonged to a Royal House. And this is where the convolutions begin. Royal House membership was not necessarily lifelong, and it was possible to become Royal House through no effort. So what was a Royal House?
Simply put, belonging to a Royal House meant one could trace their lineage back to one of the current advisors to the king/queen, or to the king/queen or their spouse/s. Kings and Queens sometimes 'fired' advisors, replacing them with new members. But while one belonged to a Royal House, one had the right to pursue and acquire multiple partners. This included pursuing partners who were already married. Some of the social relationships were quite messy.
The number of Royal Houses at any given time was dependent on the population. Small populations meant for few Royal Houses while large populations meant the reverse.
Adding to the mess was the fact that one did not have to actually belong to a Royal House in order to participate in this benefit. Only one partner needed to belong to a Royal House. So, Royal House women could seek out males who were not Royal House. Further, non-Royal House women could seek out males who were. Remember, males could not seek out anyone. However, they could - within protocol - make it known to the females that they were available to court. This was done in a variety of ways, depending on the specific society. It is also what gets Khirsha into trouble in Book II.
So what happened to the extended households when Royal House status was removed? Nothing. No marriage could be annulled. Once it existed, it existed.
One last point on marriages. Excepting the case of marriage by pregnancy, all marriages had to be approved, generally by parents. In the case of multiple spouses, the spouses had to approve.
Example:
Woman1 is married to Man1.
Woman2 is married to Man2.
Woman3 is not married.
Man3 is not married.
Woman1 wants to make Man3 her Second Husband.
Man1 must approve.
Man3's parents must approve.
Woman2 wants to make Man1 her Second Husband.
Man2 must approve.
Woman1 must approve. (approval was given far more often than you might think)
Woman3 wants to make Man3 her First Husband, and Man2 her Second Husband.
Man3's parents must approve.
Woman2 must approve.
Convoluted? Messy? What about the children? Wouldnt' that be a mess when it came time for them to find partners?
Yes. It was a mess. But each society's members had no trouble keeping things in order.
The final approval required (except in cases of pregnancy) was the new couple's ability to provide for any/all projected children.
The marriage institution for Ceres and Elves was like a giant entanglement. This is the culture Khirsha is thrown into in Book II. His method for surviving within it is interesting.
I will try to keep this post focused on the topic listed in the title, but if you've been reading me at all you know I tend to wander about.
Although few human societies were gender equal, for the other four races 'equality' was common. Males and females had their basic roles, but the ability to branch from these was easy - providing cultural requirements were met. But for Figgits, Dwarfs, Pennans and Nomads, gender was not an exclusionary factor. In those four races we find ability and interest played a much bigger role in deciding one's role in their society. There were exceptions. Every society has its own quirks and prejudices which seem normal to it, but quite odd to others which do not share the quirk. So, since the Elves were the product of a Pennan and a Nomad, their society followed the same path.
Regarding marriage, courting and other things of that nature, the four 'equal' races chose practicality as their judgment rod. What does this mean? Well, like most cultures, the perpetuation of the culture was of foremost concern. This meant taking care of the citizens, or at least making sure the citizens were well able to take care of themselves. The ability to grow, or trade for, the things living required (food, clothing, shelter) was the primary factor. What about children? Well, depending on the society, children were able/required to work based on their age. They were the responsibility - not the possession - of their parents. This point is key, for it drove the decision on who would hold the final say in family matters.
Although each society had its own methods to attempt birth control, their effectiveness varied from 'why bother' to 'most of the time'. Only a very few cultures managed to find the 'most of the time' method, and that usually by luck. (Khirsha's family was one of those, and it was due mostly to luck - but whether good or bad is hard to tell. The Power of the ore in Fire Mountain leeched into the land and water and infected all living things within its range. One side-effect - for Khirsha's family anyway - was a reduction in birth rate.) This meant that females desiring a more - copulatory - relationship with a male ran the risk of becomming pregnant. Should this happen, they could not escape it. The pregnancy would be with them until the child/children were born. Males did not have this problem. They could leave, claiming they had nothing to do with the creation of this new offspring. It would be their word against the females. How was this to be resolved?
The answer became easy. Not wanting to have 'orphaned' children in large numbers, these societies (Nomads, Pennans, Dwarfs and Figgits) decided the female's voice would be heard - and no other. Now, there was no 'her word versus his word' scenarios. It was the female's word. And in virtually all of these societies, the consequence of creating a child was instant betrothal to the co-defendant.
So. Question. Does this mean that a woman, Nonkanta (not desired), could give herself to a man, Kert (simpleton), become pregnant, and then claim that Sohan (charming, handsome) was the father? (source of names: http://www.babynames.com/Names/search.php)
Yes.
It happened, but not nearly so much as imagination would allow. Generally, if a woman (young or otherwise) was willing to engage in this behavior it was because the male she had chosen to do it with was the male she had chosen. If there was any deception involved, it was in convincing the male to participate - but what kind of deception does a woman need for that?
Nonkanta: Hey, Sohan! Do you want to have sex with me?
Sohan: You bet! Let's do it!
For this reason, it was decreed the females would decide who they wanted to court, and the males would have to wait to be asked. The (absolutely correct) thinking was that the males would respond to overtures from virtually any female, whereas females were more selective in choosing mates. So the females got to choose.
One practice of the Ceres and Elves not practiced by Khirhsa's family was the concept of multiple spouses. It wasn't completely straightforward, however. In fact, the rules surrounding it could be quite convoluted - to an outsider. It made perfect sense to them.
In Cere and Elvish culture, having more than one husband, or more than one wife, was acceptable - if one belonged to a Royal House. And this is where the convolutions begin. Royal House membership was not necessarily lifelong, and it was possible to become Royal House through no effort. So what was a Royal House?
Simply put, belonging to a Royal House meant one could trace their lineage back to one of the current advisors to the king/queen, or to the king/queen or their spouse/s. Kings and Queens sometimes 'fired' advisors, replacing them with new members. But while one belonged to a Royal House, one had the right to pursue and acquire multiple partners. This included pursuing partners who were already married. Some of the social relationships were quite messy.
The number of Royal Houses at any given time was dependent on the population. Small populations meant for few Royal Houses while large populations meant the reverse.
Adding to the mess was the fact that one did not have to actually belong to a Royal House in order to participate in this benefit. Only one partner needed to belong to a Royal House. So, Royal House women could seek out males who were not Royal House. Further, non-Royal House women could seek out males who were. Remember, males could not seek out anyone. However, they could - within protocol - make it known to the females that they were available to court. This was done in a variety of ways, depending on the specific society. It is also what gets Khirsha into trouble in Book II.
So what happened to the extended households when Royal House status was removed? Nothing. No marriage could be annulled. Once it existed, it existed.
One last point on marriages. Excepting the case of marriage by pregnancy, all marriages had to be approved, generally by parents. In the case of multiple spouses, the spouses had to approve.
Example:
Woman1 is married to Man1.
Woman2 is married to Man2.
Woman3 is not married.
Man3 is not married.
Woman1 wants to make Man3 her Second Husband.
Man1 must approve.
Man3's parents must approve.
Woman2 wants to make Man1 her Second Husband.
Man2 must approve.
Woman1 must approve. (approval was given far more often than you might think)
Woman3 wants to make Man3 her First Husband, and Man2 her Second Husband.
Man3's parents must approve.
Woman2 must approve.
Convoluted? Messy? What about the children? Wouldnt' that be a mess when it came time for them to find partners?
Yes. It was a mess. But each society's members had no trouble keeping things in order.
The final approval required (except in cases of pregnancy) was the new couple's ability to provide for any/all projected children.
The marriage institution for Ceres and Elves was like a giant entanglement. This is the culture Khirsha is thrown into in Book II. His method for surviving within it is interesting.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Book I - The Beginning
I'm supposed to talk about Madatar and Ardora today. I don't want to. So nyah.
Well, if you really want me to, I will - but you'll have to post a comment. So, because right now you don't know what I'm doing (I have often been accused of the same thing myself) I am going to talk about The Prologue. Oooo! (how is that spelled, anyway?)
For more than thirty years Swords of Fire has begun with a prologue. You should have seen the size of the original. It was as a long as a full chapter. It explained a great deal of what happened to The Great Sea prior to the book even beginning. At the time my sister-in-law (I'll call her "B", because it's short and sweat, like she is) was my Reader and Ideas Wall. Everything I wrote, or wanted to write, regarding The Great Sea I bounced off her first. If she liked the idea, we would sit and discuss it out for an hour or more. If she didn't like it, I kept rewording it in hopes she would change her mind. Sometimes she did, but not always. Anyway, B didn't like a monstrous prologue and kept having me whittle it down a few pages at a time until I was able to say everything in a single page of poetic prose. Then she was satisfied.
I have rewritten that page several times over the ensuing years, changing this and that to make it better say what I wanted it to say. Until now. In my latest revision of Book I, the one in which word reduction was the primary concern, the Prologue went away. I'm not sure if that was a good idea or not. There was important information there. Now I have to find other places to insert it. Oh, well. I knew I was hardly finished editing. I'm still forty thousand words over my limit. Besides, after the pasting (I like paste - used to eat it in kindergarten class) I took over my New Beginning at Evil Editor's blog (http://evileditor.blogspot.com) I realized the language and style I was using just isn't going to help get this thing published. Pity. However, for your reading pleasure, and because I hate to see it just go away, here is the last version of Book I's Prologue. I've bolded the portions I believe I need to incorporate in the narrative.
The Great Sea. An ancient artifact of the High King, hanging in darkness for time uncounted. Lifeless, its ring of earth remained coated with a thick, unforgiving layer of ice until the Fire came, slipping into it like a finger into a ring. From the Fire came warmth – and life. The waters teemed with it.
The Great Sea. Playground to the Children of Fire, offspring of the High King’s thought. The Children played upon the waters and drew land from its depths. Life spread from the water to the land, and from the land to the air. All the Sea was covered in life. And the High King made the Free Peoples, beings of limited stature, but possessed with creative thought and power. The land, the air, the water: it would be their own to share.
The Great Sea. Battleground to the Children of Fire, for not all were willing to share. The Sea was ravaged and torn, bringing Death, the last to arrive. The High King stayed the wars of his children, and He bound them to the Sea to repair what they could. But the Sea would be theirs no more. It would be given to the Free Peoples – when they were ready. The sign will be this: One comes, the Madatar, who will have the power of Fire, which is the power of the High King. Thus far he is hidden, and by many Free People forgotten. But the Children of Fire have not forgotten. To the Faithful, Madatar is their own hope of redemption, and they seek to help his rise to power. To the Unwilling, he represents judgment, and they seek his destruction. But he is still hidden.
Well, if you really want me to, I will - but you'll have to post a comment. So, because right now you don't know what I'm doing (I have often been accused of the same thing myself) I am going to talk about The Prologue. Oooo! (how is that spelled, anyway?)
For more than thirty years Swords of Fire has begun with a prologue. You should have seen the size of the original. It was as a long as a full chapter. It explained a great deal of what happened to The Great Sea prior to the book even beginning. At the time my sister-in-law (I'll call her "B", because it's short and sweat, like she is) was my Reader and Ideas Wall. Everything I wrote, or wanted to write, regarding The Great Sea I bounced off her first. If she liked the idea, we would sit and discuss it out for an hour or more. If she didn't like it, I kept rewording it in hopes she would change her mind. Sometimes she did, but not always. Anyway, B didn't like a monstrous prologue and kept having me whittle it down a few pages at a time until I was able to say everything in a single page of poetic prose. Then she was satisfied.
I have rewritten that page several times over the ensuing years, changing this and that to make it better say what I wanted it to say. Until now. In my latest revision of Book I, the one in which word reduction was the primary concern, the Prologue went away. I'm not sure if that was a good idea or not. There was important information there. Now I have to find other places to insert it. Oh, well. I knew I was hardly finished editing. I'm still forty thousand words over my limit. Besides, after the pasting (I like paste - used to eat it in kindergarten class) I took over my New Beginning at Evil Editor's blog (http://evileditor.blogspot.com) I realized the language and style I was using just isn't going to help get this thing published. Pity. However, for your reading pleasure, and because I hate to see it just go away, here is the last version of Book I's Prologue. I've bolded the portions I believe I need to incorporate in the narrative.
The Great Sea. An ancient artifact of the High King, hanging in darkness for time uncounted. Lifeless, its ring of earth remained coated with a thick, unforgiving layer of ice until the Fire came, slipping into it like a finger into a ring. From the Fire came warmth – and life. The waters teemed with it.
The Great Sea. Playground to the Children of Fire, offspring of the High King’s thought. The Children played upon the waters and drew land from its depths. Life spread from the water to the land, and from the land to the air. All the Sea was covered in life. And the High King made the Free Peoples, beings of limited stature, but possessed with creative thought and power. The land, the air, the water: it would be their own to share.
The Great Sea. Battleground to the Children of Fire, for not all were willing to share. The Sea was ravaged and torn, bringing Death, the last to arrive. The High King stayed the wars of his children, and He bound them to the Sea to repair what they could. But the Sea would be theirs no more. It would be given to the Free Peoples – when they were ready. The sign will be this: One comes, the Madatar, who will have the power of Fire, which is the power of the High King. Thus far he is hidden, and by many Free People forgotten. But the Children of Fire have not forgotten. To the Faithful, Madatar is their own hope of redemption, and they seek to help his rise to power. To the Unwilling, he represents judgment, and they seek his destruction. But he is still hidden.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Draem
Poor Draem. Nearly everything I've written about her is lost in the Archives. She started out equal with Kensington and Zenophone, but quickly became a minor figure as the battle lines were drawn. As soon as I made her a supporter of Kensington she seems to have lost her equal status.
Even I can only think of two things when I think of Draem: she supports Kensington; she made the Golden Sheep. Not exactly noteworthy accomplishments.
There are several major components of The Great Sea: Regulator of Time, Isle of Wonder, Isle of Nether Gloom. These are all under Kensington's jurisdiction. But then he is the Regent. So what does Draem do?
Well, from what I remember regarding her personality, the logical conclusion is Draem is mostly involved with the maintenance of flora and fauna. Draem was particularly interested in these things, especially if they were gentle, like sheep. It is said she was very involved in the creation of the Giant Cats. Her influence is certainly there, but the Giant Cats are far from gentle.
No, Draem is one of those characters who original purpose has faded. Once, she had a larger purpose and role. Now, the only reason she still exists is because it's more work to get rid of her than to keep her around as a background character.
She took the opposite road as Tavaar.
Poor Draem.
Even I can only think of two things when I think of Draem: she supports Kensington; she made the Golden Sheep. Not exactly noteworthy accomplishments.
There are several major components of The Great Sea: Regulator of Time, Isle of Wonder, Isle of Nether Gloom. These are all under Kensington's jurisdiction. But then he is the Regent. So what does Draem do?
Well, from what I remember regarding her personality, the logical conclusion is Draem is mostly involved with the maintenance of flora and fauna. Draem was particularly interested in these things, especially if they were gentle, like sheep. It is said she was very involved in the creation of the Giant Cats. Her influence is certainly there, but the Giant Cats are far from gentle.
No, Draem is one of those characters who original purpose has faded. Once, she had a larger purpose and role. Now, the only reason she still exists is because it's more work to get rid of her than to keep her around as a background character.
She took the opposite road as Tavaar.
Poor Draem.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Getting There in Time
One of my peeves with storytellers is their ignoring of space, time and distance. And it isn't just the unsuccessful who are guilty. The Star Wars Saga did this time and time again. One moment the characters would be moaning about how far away some place was, and the next they cover the distance in hardly any time at all. When the story required someone to be some place, they were there. No explanation of how or why.
To be perfectly honest, my feeling was Lucas and company failed us storywise. I still remember reading an interview he gave in which he admitted they wrote the third installment on the fly. He would later deny this, and claim everything they did had been planned from the beginning. Pretty lousy planning, if you ask me. The story ceased to make any sense. What it did make was millions of dollars. And when I criticize the story this is the counter argument. Making money is more important than making a good story. Okay. I'll accept that argument. But then don't try telling me it's a good story because it made money.
I sometimes wonder if I put too much effort into making sure my characters can be where I need them to be. And that they have a reason for being there. This is not to say I am against a character showing up 'in the nick of time'. Coincidence plays a part in life, so it has a part in fiction. But there is always a reason why characters do what they do and go where they go. But before they get there the Reader must see them on their way. This can be done with offhand comments by other characters.
In Book I, Khirsha and Sayla are caught in a compromising situation while on watch by Khirsha's father. That Shello shows up when he does is coincidence. That he was on his way was not. Khirsha and Sayla had been placed on watch to explicitly wait for Shello's arrival. He was overdue. And he didn't show up on their first day.
Sometimes it is easy to be jealous of the very successful. Not because they are successful, but because they no longer take the time to do their best work. I saw all six Star Wars films. It seemed to me that each was worse than its predecessor as regarded story. As for special effects and comic scenes they were all great.
When people cite Star Wars as good storytelling I want to puke. No it isn't. What Star Wars proves is that the best is not required. And I suppose I am a heretic for saying so.
To be perfectly honest, my feeling was Lucas and company failed us storywise. I still remember reading an interview he gave in which he admitted they wrote the third installment on the fly. He would later deny this, and claim everything they did had been planned from the beginning. Pretty lousy planning, if you ask me. The story ceased to make any sense. What it did make was millions of dollars. And when I criticize the story this is the counter argument. Making money is more important than making a good story. Okay. I'll accept that argument. But then don't try telling me it's a good story because it made money.
I sometimes wonder if I put too much effort into making sure my characters can be where I need them to be. And that they have a reason for being there. This is not to say I am against a character showing up 'in the nick of time'. Coincidence plays a part in life, so it has a part in fiction. But there is always a reason why characters do what they do and go where they go. But before they get there the Reader must see them on their way. This can be done with offhand comments by other characters.
In Book I, Khirsha and Sayla are caught in a compromising situation while on watch by Khirsha's father. That Shello shows up when he does is coincidence. That he was on his way was not. Khirsha and Sayla had been placed on watch to explicitly wait for Shello's arrival. He was overdue. And he didn't show up on their first day.
Sometimes it is easy to be jealous of the very successful. Not because they are successful, but because they no longer take the time to do their best work. I saw all six Star Wars films. It seemed to me that each was worse than its predecessor as regarded story. As for special effects and comic scenes they were all great.
When people cite Star Wars as good storytelling I want to puke. No it isn't. What Star Wars proves is that the best is not required. And I suppose I am a heretic for saying so.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Tavaar - 2nd Edition
Yes, I am back to talking about Tavaar. I think she is probably the most interesting of all the characters, but she is not the Main Character. Why not, if she is so interesting? There are several reasons, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that she's only had a name for the last ten years. Thirty years ago, at the story's conception, she didn't even exist. She's a Sally-Come-Lately, but a wonderful addition. I think.
Last week I left off with Tavaar having lost the annual Mock Sword Tournament to Shello. It was the first time she had ever lost to anyone, and it didn't sit well. Her idiot brother, Pulich, who was eleven years older, torked her off and she fought him. She didn't win - but neither did she lose. An important point. (very important)
We begin this week with Tavaar having won the Mock Sword Tournament at the age of ten. Family members would compete in the Mock Sword Tournament eighteen times, beginning at age eight (8) and completing their run at age twenty-five (25). There were six (6) groupings (NOTE: I am using our lettering. Their alphabet was completely different.):
Group A: 8-year-olds (They competed alone)
Group B: 9 and 10-year-olds (9)
Group C: 11 to 13-year-olds (12, 13)
Group D: 14 to 16-year-olds (14, 15)
Group E: 17 to 20-year-olds (17*, 18, 19)
Group F: 21 to 25-year-olds (21, 22, 23**, 24)
The numbers to the right (without stars) indicate the ages when Tavaar had to compete against Shello, who was a year older than she. She would lose to him every time. When she didn't have to compete against him, she won. At seventeen, Tavaar fought Khaiu, and she fought Klarissa at age twenty-three.
I apologize for the writing. This is pretty much how it was written by hand in a notebook. I've made a few minor changes, but nothing significant. My purpose in these first drafts is to simply get what happened down. I worry less about the how, trusting myself to edit it appropriately later.
The pattern continued. When Tavaar competed against Shello, she lost. Otherwise, she won. Their battles were fierce, and it always seemed she could win, but she never did. She hated the defeats, but she was gaining respect for this warrior who would not be beaten. What she did not know was she was also making a favorable impression on Shello and his older brother, (1)Khaiu. She became aware of it when she won the sword championship at age sixteen. Shello and Khaiu came to congratulate her. They greeted her with kisses, as was the custom. However, when Shello kissed her the kiss became passionate. Tavaar had kissed before, many times. Kissing was actually encouraged at the full moon bonfires. Up to this moment, though, Tavaar had never felt the passion, despite her efforts to generate it. Now, with Shello’s lips pressed against her own, passion awoke, touching every nerve, giving her a new awareness of touch and sensuality.
They broke apart. Tavaar's breathing was shallow, and her entire body felt warm. At first she was enraptured, but that immediately changed to a feeling of being exposed. She looked into his eyes, longing for reassurance but terrified of finding mocking laughter. She had been caught by surprise, which did not happen often. She was afraid. But Shello’s eyes showed no laughter. There was no hint of triumph or accomplishment. He looked startled, perhaps even amazed. And there was something else: Shello looked timid and fearful. He had been caught by surprise, too.
Tavaar recovered her poise and with an exhilarating realization she understood she finally had the advantage of this magnificent young warrior. She took the initiative. She kissed him again. This time the passion was not accidental. She had summoned it. It had come at her desire and he was helpless against it. She had won.
Khaiu broke them apart unceremoniously, remarking that he and Shello still had to fight each other for the seventeen to twenty-year-old championship. Tavaar let them go. Shello’s frequent looks back were all she needed. She wasn't a little girl anymore.
(1) references a footnote which simply states: This was the first hint that Khaiu, not Shello, would be Tavaar’s actual love.
From this point on Tavaar is no longer just a little girl who can fight well. She is now aware of her sexuality, and quickly learns how to use it to her advantage. She is entering that period of her life which will generate her reputation henceforth. Some of it was fun to write. Some of it wasn't.
Book I explicitly states that Tavaar and Shello were once lovers. Now here, in a passage written later, we are told Khaiu was Tavaar's actual love. How do these two seemingly opposing statements reconcile to each other? Simple. Tavaar loved them both, and she took both for lovers. But according to this footnote, she loved Khaiu more.
Now, to something related.
Tavaar was sixteen when she first experienced these feelings of sexuality and desire. In Book I, Khirhsa is nineteen. And if you read through the archives you would find this is about right for everyone in the family - all seven thousand of them.
Seems a bit old, doesn't it? Maybe even - odd?
There are reasons for it, but none of the books directly address any of them. The books treat this as normal and hence have little to say about it. However, since at least one person has remarked unfavorably about this, more than implying there is something "wrong", or even sick about it, I will try to explain.
First, and this is most important, the reader must understand that Swords of Fire does not take place in modern day America, England, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Kenya or any other place on this planet. In Western Culture, sexuality comes early (much too early to my way of thinking, but that's a different topic) to our children. Some are dating as young as twelve, including sexual activity. For this reason it is easy for even some of our societies' most conservative members to accept sexual awareness at age sixteen.
One hundred years ago that was far less true than it is today. I do not deny that some pretty wild behavior took place then, but it was far less widespread - and certainly less acceptable. When I was young, living in rural Minnesota, only the most wild (in our area anyway) ever went on dates before sixteen, and most did not date until they were seventeen or older. Television was only beginning to relax its standards, and magazine and billboard advertising were quite tame compared to what we find today.
My point? Even thirty years ago a sixteen-year-old knew a lot less about sex and sexual behavior than sixteen-year-olds today. And in other cultures (we might call them primitive, but they might not appreciate that) this sexual ignorance was even more pronounced. Physical maturity plays a big role in sexual awareness, but Culture can - and often does - suppress it. That is the case in Khirhsa's family. It is a cultural thing, whether we like/agree with it or not.
But beyond culture, there is another overriding force which affected the people in Khirhsa's family. That is the water from Fire Mountain and Fire Lake.
In Book I, the water is spoken of as having healing properties. It heals minor wounds quickly, and cures minor illnesses. The Power of the mountain has leeched into the water, the soil, the food they eat, the animals they hunt and - themselves. It has extended their lifespans by as much as fifty percent. It has made them physically strong. But not all of the effects are desirable. While stronger than any other of the Free People, they mature much more slowly, particularly after the age of twenty. (Tavaar is fifty-six when she and Khirsha have their romantic encounter. Khirsha is nineteen. Converting their physical ages to our own it would be more like twenty-eight and sixteen.) Also, in line with this, they do not reproduce as quickly. A large family would be four children. Most had two or three.
The books do not address these issues directly, beyond hinting that the water explains their lifespans. When entering any new world there are some things which are not explained. One must just accept them as parts of the reality in which one now resides.
Last week I left off with Tavaar having lost the annual Mock Sword Tournament to Shello. It was the first time she had ever lost to anyone, and it didn't sit well. Her idiot brother, Pulich, who was eleven years older, torked her off and she fought him. She didn't win - but neither did she lose. An important point. (very important)
We begin this week with Tavaar having won the Mock Sword Tournament at the age of ten. Family members would compete in the Mock Sword Tournament eighteen times, beginning at age eight (8) and completing their run at age twenty-five (25). There were six (6) groupings (NOTE: I am using our lettering. Their alphabet was completely different.):
Group A: 8-year-olds (They competed alone)
Group B: 9 and 10-year-olds (9)
Group C: 11 to 13-year-olds (12, 13)
Group D: 14 to 16-year-olds (14, 15)
Group E: 17 to 20-year-olds (17*, 18, 19)
Group F: 21 to 25-year-olds (21, 22, 23**, 24)
The numbers to the right (without stars) indicate the ages when Tavaar had to compete against Shello, who was a year older than she. She would lose to him every time. When she didn't have to compete against him, she won. At seventeen, Tavaar fought Khaiu, and she fought Klarissa at age twenty-three.
I apologize for the writing. This is pretty much how it was written by hand in a notebook. I've made a few minor changes, but nothing significant. My purpose in these first drafts is to simply get what happened down. I worry less about the how, trusting myself to edit it appropriately later.
The pattern continued. When Tavaar competed against Shello, she lost. Otherwise, she won. Their battles were fierce, and it always seemed she could win, but she never did. She hated the defeats, but she was gaining respect for this warrior who would not be beaten. What she did not know was she was also making a favorable impression on Shello and his older brother, (1)Khaiu. She became aware of it when she won the sword championship at age sixteen. Shello and Khaiu came to congratulate her. They greeted her with kisses, as was the custom. However, when Shello kissed her the kiss became passionate. Tavaar had kissed before, many times. Kissing was actually encouraged at the full moon bonfires. Up to this moment, though, Tavaar had never felt the passion, despite her efforts to generate it. Now, with Shello’s lips pressed against her own, passion awoke, touching every nerve, giving her a new awareness of touch and sensuality.
They broke apart. Tavaar's breathing was shallow, and her entire body felt warm. At first she was enraptured, but that immediately changed to a feeling of being exposed. She looked into his eyes, longing for reassurance but terrified of finding mocking laughter. She had been caught by surprise, which did not happen often. She was afraid. But Shello’s eyes showed no laughter. There was no hint of triumph or accomplishment. He looked startled, perhaps even amazed. And there was something else: Shello looked timid and fearful. He had been caught by surprise, too.
Tavaar recovered her poise and with an exhilarating realization she understood she finally had the advantage of this magnificent young warrior. She took the initiative. She kissed him again. This time the passion was not accidental. She had summoned it. It had come at her desire and he was helpless against it. She had won.
Khaiu broke them apart unceremoniously, remarking that he and Shello still had to fight each other for the seventeen to twenty-year-old championship. Tavaar let them go. Shello’s frequent looks back were all she needed. She wasn't a little girl anymore.
(1) references a footnote which simply states: This was the first hint that Khaiu, not Shello, would be Tavaar’s actual love.
From this point on Tavaar is no longer just a little girl who can fight well. She is now aware of her sexuality, and quickly learns how to use it to her advantage. She is entering that period of her life which will generate her reputation henceforth. Some of it was fun to write. Some of it wasn't.
Book I explicitly states that Tavaar and Shello were once lovers. Now here, in a passage written later, we are told Khaiu was Tavaar's actual love. How do these two seemingly opposing statements reconcile to each other? Simple. Tavaar loved them both, and she took both for lovers. But according to this footnote, she loved Khaiu more.
Now, to something related.
Tavaar was sixteen when she first experienced these feelings of sexuality and desire. In Book I, Khirhsa is nineteen. And if you read through the archives you would find this is about right for everyone in the family - all seven thousand of them.
Seems a bit old, doesn't it? Maybe even - odd?
There are reasons for it, but none of the books directly address any of them. The books treat this as normal and hence have little to say about it. However, since at least one person has remarked unfavorably about this, more than implying there is something "wrong", or even sick about it, I will try to explain.
First, and this is most important, the reader must understand that Swords of Fire does not take place in modern day America, England, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Kenya or any other place on this planet. In Western Culture, sexuality comes early (much too early to my way of thinking, but that's a different topic) to our children. Some are dating as young as twelve, including sexual activity. For this reason it is easy for even some of our societies' most conservative members to accept sexual awareness at age sixteen.
One hundred years ago that was far less true than it is today. I do not deny that some pretty wild behavior took place then, but it was far less widespread - and certainly less acceptable. When I was young, living in rural Minnesota, only the most wild (in our area anyway) ever went on dates before sixteen, and most did not date until they were seventeen or older. Television was only beginning to relax its standards, and magazine and billboard advertising were quite tame compared to what we find today.
My point? Even thirty years ago a sixteen-year-old knew a lot less about sex and sexual behavior than sixteen-year-olds today. And in other cultures (we might call them primitive, but they might not appreciate that) this sexual ignorance was even more pronounced. Physical maturity plays a big role in sexual awareness, but Culture can - and often does - suppress it. That is the case in Khirhsa's family. It is a cultural thing, whether we like/agree with it or not.
But beyond culture, there is another overriding force which affected the people in Khirhsa's family. That is the water from Fire Mountain and Fire Lake.
In Book I, the water is spoken of as having healing properties. It heals minor wounds quickly, and cures minor illnesses. The Power of the mountain has leeched into the water, the soil, the food they eat, the animals they hunt and - themselves. It has extended their lifespans by as much as fifty percent. It has made them physically strong. But not all of the effects are desirable. While stronger than any other of the Free People, they mature much more slowly, particularly after the age of twenty. (Tavaar is fifty-six when she and Khirsha have their romantic encounter. Khirsha is nineteen. Converting their physical ages to our own it would be more like twenty-eight and sixteen.) Also, in line with this, they do not reproduce as quickly. A large family would be four children. Most had two or three.
The books do not address these issues directly, beyond hinting that the water explains their lifespans. When entering any new world there are some things which are not explained. One must just accept them as parts of the reality in which one now resides.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Are Worlds Round
Not in the sense the question implies.
Earth is round. It revolves in space as it orbits our sun. The entire surface is accessible to human life - technically. I've never been to the top of Everest, and I don't expect I ever shall.
The worlds of The Great Sea may, or may not be, spherical. But, like icebergs floating in the polar regions, only a portion is visible above the surface of the water. Most of the mass is submerged. And they do not revolve.
The science is difficult - if not downright impossible - to explain because any scientist who has studied more than a few minutes can tell you The Great Sea is not possible in our reality. For it to exist, certain physical laws would have to be altered. Those so grounded in our reality they become annoyed at descriptions which are impossible could never enjoy reading Swords of Fire. In the first place the worlds themselves would tork them off. Next, they would find the concept of flameswords equally impossible. They might accept certain characters popping in and out of Time, but probably not in the way it is done in Swords of Fire.
And yet I claim the light from The Great Sea is visible to Earth.
So how are day and night achieved if worlds do not rotate? How is it that seasons change? Here I am confronted with an exercise in descriptive writing. I must describe something which does not exist in our reality, using only terms from our reality, and have the reader create a working model in their mind. It isn't easy, and I don't expect to be able to achieve it with every reader. Some very famous books do things with their reality which I have trouble envisioning. But here is my go at answering the two questions.
Think of The Great Sea as a giant ring, donut, Cheerio or Fruit Loop, only monstrous in size - galaxy size. (Fruit Loop might be the best example, since so many think of me as being loopy. grin) That is the core. Now consider how it would look if it were 'squished', so that it was no longer a circle, but oval. Now, in the middle space, nearer to one end of the oval than the other, is the 'sun'. And all over the circle, like glaze on a donut, is water. At one time the water was frozen, but now it is free flowing. The water flows 'clockwise', but in a candy stripe course. This means that the water on the inside of the oval flows to the outside of the oval and then back to the inside as it completes the circle. The worlds float on this. While they are in the inside of the oval, the sun is over them and they have day. When they float to the outside, the sun is behind them and they have night. Seasons come and go because some portions of the oval are closer to the sun than others.
To create such a thing in our reality would require a feat of engineering which goes beyond genius. It simply is not the reality God made for us. But there are other realities which we have explored even less than our own.
Consider the vastness of the Universe. We live on one planet, in one solar system, in one galaxy in one universe. There may be other levels I have bypassed. What percentage of the total knowlede of each do we know? I expect the best scientists would admit to a infinitesimally small percentage at the universe and galaxy levels, and perhaps even the solar system. We don't even know everything about what's going on here on Earth. There is so much we do not know about the reality in which we have been placed. This is what excites those scientists who study such things. Their work cannot end in their lifetime. They will always have something new to discover. Good for them! We need their knowledge.
But the size of total knowledge within our own reality is small when compared with what can be known about other realities. I believe God created more realities than this one, and our ability to imagine is our way to tap into them. Remember, God tells us, "with God all things are possible". Now that statement was made specifically in answer to a question about the impossibility of people getting to heaven, but there is no reason not to take the statement literally. Other realities exist, if only in our minds. (One form of insanity is losing the ability to distinguish between realities. This not only makes a person confused, but possibly even dangerous - to others and themselves.)
The easiest place to see this is in the play of children. Their ability (it was once ours, too) to collectively join in imaginative play is more than just cute. During their play they can see the imagined people, creatures, places or what have you - despite it having been imagined by someone else. They work collectively, expanding their temporary reality accordingly.
That's what fiction writing is all about. It is especially so with fantasy and science fiction because those genres frequently include the creation of other worlds. It is one way adults continue their childhood play. All that really matters is that we can return to this reality at will and remember where we are when we do.
Earth is round. It revolves in space as it orbits our sun. The entire surface is accessible to human life - technically. I've never been to the top of Everest, and I don't expect I ever shall.
The worlds of The Great Sea may, or may not be, spherical. But, like icebergs floating in the polar regions, only a portion is visible above the surface of the water. Most of the mass is submerged. And they do not revolve.
The science is difficult - if not downright impossible - to explain because any scientist who has studied more than a few minutes can tell you The Great Sea is not possible in our reality. For it to exist, certain physical laws would have to be altered. Those so grounded in our reality they become annoyed at descriptions which are impossible could never enjoy reading Swords of Fire. In the first place the worlds themselves would tork them off. Next, they would find the concept of flameswords equally impossible. They might accept certain characters popping in and out of Time, but probably not in the way it is done in Swords of Fire.
And yet I claim the light from The Great Sea is visible to Earth.
So how are day and night achieved if worlds do not rotate? How is it that seasons change? Here I am confronted with an exercise in descriptive writing. I must describe something which does not exist in our reality, using only terms from our reality, and have the reader create a working model in their mind. It isn't easy, and I don't expect to be able to achieve it with every reader. Some very famous books do things with their reality which I have trouble envisioning. But here is my go at answering the two questions.
Think of The Great Sea as a giant ring, donut, Cheerio or Fruit Loop, only monstrous in size - galaxy size. (Fruit Loop might be the best example, since so many think of me as being loopy. grin) That is the core. Now consider how it would look if it were 'squished', so that it was no longer a circle, but oval. Now, in the middle space, nearer to one end of the oval than the other, is the 'sun'. And all over the circle, like glaze on a donut, is water. At one time the water was frozen, but now it is free flowing. The water flows 'clockwise', but in a candy stripe course. This means that the water on the inside of the oval flows to the outside of the oval and then back to the inside as it completes the circle. The worlds float on this. While they are in the inside of the oval, the sun is over them and they have day. When they float to the outside, the sun is behind them and they have night. Seasons come and go because some portions of the oval are closer to the sun than others.
To create such a thing in our reality would require a feat of engineering which goes beyond genius. It simply is not the reality God made for us. But there are other realities which we have explored even less than our own.
Consider the vastness of the Universe. We live on one planet, in one solar system, in one galaxy in one universe. There may be other levels I have bypassed. What percentage of the total knowlede of each do we know? I expect the best scientists would admit to a infinitesimally small percentage at the universe and galaxy levels, and perhaps even the solar system. We don't even know everything about what's going on here on Earth. There is so much we do not know about the reality in which we have been placed. This is what excites those scientists who study such things. Their work cannot end in their lifetime. They will always have something new to discover. Good for them! We need their knowledge.
But the size of total knowledge within our own reality is small when compared with what can be known about other realities. I believe God created more realities than this one, and our ability to imagine is our way to tap into them. Remember, God tells us, "with God all things are possible". Now that statement was made specifically in answer to a question about the impossibility of people getting to heaven, but there is no reason not to take the statement literally. Other realities exist, if only in our minds. (One form of insanity is losing the ability to distinguish between realities. This not only makes a person confused, but possibly even dangerous - to others and themselves.)
The easiest place to see this is in the play of children. Their ability (it was once ours, too) to collectively join in imaginative play is more than just cute. During their play they can see the imagined people, creatures, places or what have you - despite it having been imagined by someone else. They work collectively, expanding their temporary reality accordingly.
That's what fiction writing is all about. It is especially so with fantasy and science fiction because those genres frequently include the creation of other worlds. It is one way adults continue their childhood play. All that really matters is that we can return to this reality at will and remember where we are when we do.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Family Christmas
This song is from my all-time favorite Christmas movie: Scrooge, starring Albert Finney. What makes this song so wonderful is the interaction between Bob Cratchit and his children. It emphasizes Bob's connection to his family and reminds me of how fun my own Christmases were with my dad.
Enjoy it.
Enjoy it.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
How Much is Too Much
If only Swords of Fire were published and available for everone to read. That would make posting about Madatar and Ardora easier. As it is, unpublished with only a bleak hope on the horizon of that ever changing, it is difficult for me to say much about them. You see, I don't want to say too much. I don't want to spill the beans, as it were. Knowledge about Madatar in particular is supposed to be progressive. But how can that be if I blab it all here? (Well, since nobody reads this, perhaps it doesn't matter.)
Last week I confessed that Madatar is revealed in Book II. What about Book I? Is Madatar there? Yes. Only we do not see him, hear him, or know what he is doing. Madatar is working from behind the scenes. Like every other character in Book I, Madatar is attempting to manipulate events to suit his purposes. It is not clear whether he is aware of Shatahar's plans to trap him at Khirsha's home village, but he does seem to possess a sense of urgency.
What I need, and have not had for years, is a regular confidant. I need someone to bounce ideas off to learn if they are any good. After I lost my original confidant I went for years alone. Then I thought I had found a new one. But she didn't want to learn about what was going to happen through discussing it with me. She wanted me to write it, so she could read and be surprised. She failed to understand my need to discuss both the future and the past in order to write the present. They are not separate stories. They are all part of the same flow and, as such, have to blend seemlessly into each other, the joining of hand to wrist to forearm to elbow to upper arm to shoulder. Each is a distinct part of the body, but there are no definitive lines separating them.
For now, take it that Madatar is very active in Book I, but hidden. Ardora is there, too. But she's even more hidden.
Last week I confessed that Madatar is revealed in Book II. What about Book I? Is Madatar there? Yes. Only we do not see him, hear him, or know what he is doing. Madatar is working from behind the scenes. Like every other character in Book I, Madatar is attempting to manipulate events to suit his purposes. It is not clear whether he is aware of Shatahar's plans to trap him at Khirsha's home village, but he does seem to possess a sense of urgency.
What I need, and have not had for years, is a regular confidant. I need someone to bounce ideas off to learn if they are any good. After I lost my original confidant I went for years alone. Then I thought I had found a new one. But she didn't want to learn about what was going to happen through discussing it with me. She wanted me to write it, so she could read and be surprised. She failed to understand my need to discuss both the future and the past in order to write the present. They are not separate stories. They are all part of the same flow and, as such, have to blend seemlessly into each other, the joining of hand to wrist to forearm to elbow to upper arm to shoulder. Each is a distinct part of the body, but there are no definitive lines separating them.
For now, take it that Madatar is very active in Book I, but hidden. Ardora is there, too. But she's even more hidden.
Monday, December 22, 2008
What Exactly Do the Children of Fire Do
The Children of Fire (COF) did a good portion of the work during The Great Sea's creation. The Great Sea does not belong to them, however. Is this fair? No less fair than the fact that the men and women who did the actual construction of my house do not get to live here. At least the COF get to live on The Great Sea.
The COF are the most powerful beings on The Great Sea, excepting Madatar, Ardora and the High King, of course. As such, they have the power to do pretty much as they please. What they do not have is the authority. There is a limit on what the High King allows them to do. Up to that limit, it's mostly what they want. However, that being said, the High King has tasked them with certain duties. What the COF decide, individually and collectively, is whether to act in accordance with their duty. So what are the duties?
Mostly, the COF keep The Great Sea operating. They see to it that day and night remain on all inhabited worlds. They keep worlds on their course. They affect seasons. They have also been assigned the task of repairing The Great Sea. (After all, they were the ones who nearly destroyed it.) Basically, they are the custodial staff - masters of a variety of trades.
Hierarchically, there were four (4) levels: Lords (only Kensington, Draem and Zenophone); Wizards (the strongest); Teachers (less strong, but still formidable); Mortals (COF who chose to not only take physical form, but to accept mortality).
Not all the COF chose to comply with their duty. Some continued to seek domination, and they were given new names. Zenophone was still called a Lord, but the Wizards who abandoned their call were renamed Warlords. Teachers were called Titans and Mortals became Overlords. The Overlords extended their disobedience by taking Free People slaves and mating with them. From these unions came the Accursed Races: Gnomes, Barbarians, Renegades, Gargoyles - and Trolls.
Kensington, and his followers, maintained control of all The Great Sea's key elements, including Time. In fact, Kensington personally controlled the Regulator of Time. This was important, as history could not be changed once the Regulator of Time passed. (No world was 'in sync' with the Regulator of Time. In fact, they were all ahead of it.) Well, it was too difficult for most anyway.
Time is an important element in Swords of Fire. It is neither constant nor permanent. History can be changed - providing one has the power and means to go backward in Time. It is possible - on The Great Sea - to 'step out of Time'. Doing so presents all possibilities based on all possible choices. It is a dangerous venture, for one could find themself trapped 'outside of Time'. For this reason, the Free People were not granted this power naturally (like the COF). But using the power of Madatar they could do it, although only a couple did.
One final task the COF had was to support Madatar and Ardora. This Kensington, Draem and their followers did - one with particular zeal. Zenophone and his followers sought Madatar and Ardora's demise. They could not be 'killed' as we understand dying. But they could be so weakened they would be trapped on one of two isles made for COF who had become too weak to continue: the Isle of Wonder and the Isle of Nether Gloom.
Kensington and his followers continued to send messages to various members of the Free People, warning them of critical events in their path, such as storms, earthquakes, famine and such. Not everyone could hear them (the COF used the winds to speak), and those who could generally could not hear just anyone. It was a long and arduous task to match a member of the COF with an individual who could hear and understand them. Those of the Free People who could became known as Prophets, and their ability was sometimes called The Gift. There were a few communities in which large percentages of the populous had this ability. This is hinted at in Books I and II, and reveals itself more fully in Book III.
The COF are the most powerful beings on The Great Sea, excepting Madatar, Ardora and the High King, of course. As such, they have the power to do pretty much as they please. What they do not have is the authority. There is a limit on what the High King allows them to do. Up to that limit, it's mostly what they want. However, that being said, the High King has tasked them with certain duties. What the COF decide, individually and collectively, is whether to act in accordance with their duty. So what are the duties?
Mostly, the COF keep The Great Sea operating. They see to it that day and night remain on all inhabited worlds. They keep worlds on their course. They affect seasons. They have also been assigned the task of repairing The Great Sea. (After all, they were the ones who nearly destroyed it.) Basically, they are the custodial staff - masters of a variety of trades.
Hierarchically, there were four (4) levels: Lords (only Kensington, Draem and Zenophone); Wizards (the strongest); Teachers (less strong, but still formidable); Mortals (COF who chose to not only take physical form, but to accept mortality).
Not all the COF chose to comply with their duty. Some continued to seek domination, and they were given new names. Zenophone was still called a Lord, but the Wizards who abandoned their call were renamed Warlords. Teachers were called Titans and Mortals became Overlords. The Overlords extended their disobedience by taking Free People slaves and mating with them. From these unions came the Accursed Races: Gnomes, Barbarians, Renegades, Gargoyles - and Trolls.
Kensington, and his followers, maintained control of all The Great Sea's key elements, including Time. In fact, Kensington personally controlled the Regulator of Time. This was important, as history could not be changed once the Regulator of Time passed. (No world was 'in sync' with the Regulator of Time. In fact, they were all ahead of it.) Well, it was too difficult for most anyway.
Time is an important element in Swords of Fire. It is neither constant nor permanent. History can be changed - providing one has the power and means to go backward in Time. It is possible - on The Great Sea - to 'step out of Time'. Doing so presents all possibilities based on all possible choices. It is a dangerous venture, for one could find themself trapped 'outside of Time'. For this reason, the Free People were not granted this power naturally (like the COF). But using the power of Madatar they could do it, although only a couple did.
One final task the COF had was to support Madatar and Ardora. This Kensington, Draem and their followers did - one with particular zeal. Zenophone and his followers sought Madatar and Ardora's demise. They could not be 'killed' as we understand dying. But they could be so weakened they would be trapped on one of two isles made for COF who had become too weak to continue: the Isle of Wonder and the Isle of Nether Gloom.
Kensington and his followers continued to send messages to various members of the Free People, warning them of critical events in their path, such as storms, earthquakes, famine and such. Not everyone could hear them (the COF used the winds to speak), and those who could generally could not hear just anyone. It was a long and arduous task to match a member of the COF with an individual who could hear and understand them. Those of the Free People who could became known as Prophets, and their ability was sometimes called The Gift. There were a few communities in which large percentages of the populous had this ability. This is hinted at in Books I and II, and reveals itself more fully in Book III.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
So What is the 'Religious' Message
There isn't one. Not officially. However, I remember giving the book to a co-worker a few years back. She liked to read fantasy, and she was very intelligent, so when she expressed an interest in reading what I had written I told her I would be pleased to hear what she had to say about it.
She only came back with two comments. The first was I had a tendency to shift the Point of View (POV). I thought I had corrected that, but I even got called on it from the Minions when I submitted my first 300 words to Evil Editor (http://evileditor.blogspot.com). The second was that it was "too religious" for her to get into. I argued that it wasn't relgious at all, but she wouldn't accept it.
I felt bad because she wasn't going to read it again or give me any more help, but I wasn't going to change the story just because she thought it was religious. For one thing, I still didn't think it was. I certainly had no conscious intent, anyway.
Afterward, I tried to figure out why she thought the book was religous. (She didn't want to talk about it.) My only conclusions - right or wrong, I'll never know - were my references to the High King, and that The Great Sea as a created place (suggesting God). Oh, and I supposed she thought Zenophone was Satan. I don't know who she thought was Jesus Christ. There is no Christ figure in the book. None of my characters are without fault, much less sinless. Characters may sacrifice themselves for other characters, but that is true on both sides of the fight. The Barbarians are as likely to sacrifice themselves for their comrades as anyone in Khirsha's family. The point of the book is not about getting to heaven, or being reconciled with the High King. It is about the struggle for control of a place, called The Great Sea. To me, it's not religous.
I think the problem was that Jenni didn't like it that 'religion' was against some things which were part of her lifestyle, and so she was ever alert to defend herself against charges of sin. I didn't put any of that in the book. The book isn't about telling people what's right and what's wrong, or what they should think or believe. When I was young I tried to write like that, but all of that writing was contrived crap. As I have aged I have come to realize nobody has charged me with the task of making anyone believe anything. Those are not the gifts I was given at birth. What I am good at, and what I enjoy doing, is telling stories. That's what Swords of Fire is: a story. And I want the characters to seem real, so every character has both admirable - and not so admirable - traits.
Swords of Fire is not some kind of cheap instruction manual on morality. (You won't get through Book I before you realize my main characters are far from being Champions of Morality.) It is history. It is what happened at a place called, The Great Sea. No brow beating intended. I promise. But I couldn't make Jenni understand that.
All the same, I now believe I was wrong to argue with Jenni about what she got from my book. It is my feeling that when a reader reads a story, it becomes theirs, and they are a free to take from it whatever they wish. I denied Jenni that right, and maybe that's more why she was finished with the book. We were still friends. We talked and laughed about other things, confiding what co-workers confide. But we couldn't talk about the book anymore.
That I have 'religious' (I hate that word) convictions is no surprise. Most people have them. Even believing there is no God is a religious conviction, I think. And I guess it is only a matter of course that what I believe works its way into what I write - particularly as regards fiction. My concepts of good and bad show in some of the family laws/edicts. Most of what I believe to be 'good' and most of what I believe to be 'bad' is shared by most of the people who share my culture. In Swords of Fire, even the so-called 'good' cultures adhere to rules and behavior I do not consider good in my own culture. The same is true for bad. So either I'm a hyprocrite, or I'm not so solid in my convictions as I believe, or it doesn't matter at all because Swords of Fire is just a story. It's a safe exploration of other ways of thinking. I don't know. I think that's too deep for me.
So here's the short answer: Swords of Fire is a story. Take from it what you will. I do hope you enjoy it. That, I did intend.
She only came back with two comments. The first was I had a tendency to shift the Point of View (POV). I thought I had corrected that, but I even got called on it from the Minions when I submitted my first 300 words to Evil Editor (http://evileditor.blogspot.com). The second was that it was "too religious" for her to get into. I argued that it wasn't relgious at all, but she wouldn't accept it.
I felt bad because she wasn't going to read it again or give me any more help, but I wasn't going to change the story just because she thought it was religious. For one thing, I still didn't think it was. I certainly had no conscious intent, anyway.
Afterward, I tried to figure out why she thought the book was religous. (She didn't want to talk about it.) My only conclusions - right or wrong, I'll never know - were my references to the High King, and that The Great Sea as a created place (suggesting God). Oh, and I supposed she thought Zenophone was Satan. I don't know who she thought was Jesus Christ. There is no Christ figure in the book. None of my characters are without fault, much less sinless. Characters may sacrifice themselves for other characters, but that is true on both sides of the fight. The Barbarians are as likely to sacrifice themselves for their comrades as anyone in Khirsha's family. The point of the book is not about getting to heaven, or being reconciled with the High King. It is about the struggle for control of a place, called The Great Sea. To me, it's not religous.
I think the problem was that Jenni didn't like it that 'religion' was against some things which were part of her lifestyle, and so she was ever alert to defend herself against charges of sin. I didn't put any of that in the book. The book isn't about telling people what's right and what's wrong, or what they should think or believe. When I was young I tried to write like that, but all of that writing was contrived crap. As I have aged I have come to realize nobody has charged me with the task of making anyone believe anything. Those are not the gifts I was given at birth. What I am good at, and what I enjoy doing, is telling stories. That's what Swords of Fire is: a story. And I want the characters to seem real, so every character has both admirable - and not so admirable - traits.
Swords of Fire is not some kind of cheap instruction manual on morality. (You won't get through Book I before you realize my main characters are far from being Champions of Morality.) It is history. It is what happened at a place called, The Great Sea. No brow beating intended. I promise. But I couldn't make Jenni understand that.
All the same, I now believe I was wrong to argue with Jenni about what she got from my book. It is my feeling that when a reader reads a story, it becomes theirs, and they are a free to take from it whatever they wish. I denied Jenni that right, and maybe that's more why she was finished with the book. We were still friends. We talked and laughed about other things, confiding what co-workers confide. But we couldn't talk about the book anymore.
That I have 'religious' (I hate that word) convictions is no surprise. Most people have them. Even believing there is no God is a religious conviction, I think. And I guess it is only a matter of course that what I believe works its way into what I write - particularly as regards fiction. My concepts of good and bad show in some of the family laws/edicts. Most of what I believe to be 'good' and most of what I believe to be 'bad' is shared by most of the people who share my culture. In Swords of Fire, even the so-called 'good' cultures adhere to rules and behavior I do not consider good in my own culture. The same is true for bad. So either I'm a hyprocrite, or I'm not so solid in my convictions as I believe, or it doesn't matter at all because Swords of Fire is just a story. It's a safe exploration of other ways of thinking. I don't know. I think that's too deep for me.
So here's the short answer: Swords of Fire is a story. Take from it what you will. I do hope you enjoy it. That, I did intend.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tavaar
I can't wait. I have to say something about Tavaar now or I'll bust. I won't tell everything, because I'd use up all my blog space. But the truth is, the only character with more words written about them than Tavaar is Khirsha - and that's because he is the main character.
Tavaar is my favorite supporting character. Through her, I learned more about The Great Sea than even writing about Khirsha. I think that is because, being so much older than Khirsha, she allowed me to fill in Khirsha's backstory. She has a very colorful backstory, herself. I will provide a few excerps from the journal writings. (NOTE: These are from First Drafts. I may do a little quick editing while I transcribe, but I'll probably leave them rough.)
Black writing is current. Purple writing is journals comments, and deep red is actual journal entries.
Here are a few bios: Tavaar was born in the year 296 on Seeday Intumen 4 to Taylich and Odelmaar. She was the couple's fifth child, but only the third who lived. The first two children, a girl and then a boy, died in their first year. Tavaar belonged to Mines, which was one of three lines opposing Defense and Sword's hold on Head-of-Family. She lived in Gahrem Village, Mines chief village. Her grandfather was village Sachem (mayor), and her father would become Mines Sovereign. Her grandmother was a strict and powerful woman, feared and respected by everyone.
Tavaar literally began as a ‘nothing’ character. Originally, she didn’t even have a name. She was FM225, and so she remained for a number of years. She was nameless – and heartless – as were all of Odelmaar’s children. Pulich was named first. He became important when he became Shello’s main opposition for Head-of-Family . But Tavaar remained nameless. She was not important. Yet.
The reference to FM225 reveals how I named background characters in Khirsha's family. There are nearly seven thousand members spanning 352 years. (I have subsequently given everybody a real name. That took years.) The first character indicated gender. The second character identified the generation. The number was a gender counter within a generation. So, to interpret Tavaar's original name: 225th female in the 14th generation.
Tavaar got her name when I realized something had to happened in Gahrem Village. Who did Khirsha meet? What was said and done? The intention was to portray her as ‘dark’, and possibly even ‘evil’, like Pulich. However, when Khirsha began to interact with Tavaar, she became a surprise. Suddenly, her character became important. At first, I didn’t recognize it. However, when she and Khirsha kissed in the garden, I found myself walking an unknown path. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. That Khirsha and Tavaar would meet again was clear. What happened when they did was an even bigger surprise. Suddenly, Tavaar had become part of the war between Madatar and Shatahar. She could not be left in Gahrem.
I realized I had to learn more about Tavaar. How had she become the poster child for wanton behavior? How good was she with a flamesword? (Originally, not very.) But in writing her back story, I discovered only Shello, Khaiu, and maybe Klarissa were better in her own generation. Outside her generation, there was Khirsha and Kelso, of course, and possibly Abrin and Kordahno. So, I began writing what I expected to be a few chapters depicting Tavaar’s life growing up in Gahrem Village. I wound up spending the next six months devoting nearly all of my writing to Tavaar. I filled several journals. I found myself falling in love with Tavaar. Such is the way of all good friendships. They begin innocently and build one step at a time. Through Tavaar, I learned to appreciate Odelmaar and his motivation. He was no longer just an evil sovereign. I know Tavaar well. I like her. I understand her pain. I think it may be mine.
Tavaar taught me to see my characters in new light. After Tavaar, there were no more 'good' characters and 'bad' characters - regarding Free People anyway. There were reasons why characters did 'bad' things. Reasons which made sense, and explained them perfectly. Further, 'good' characters now began to show their faults. Everybody started to become real. I think that's why I love Tavaar so. She showed me who everybody is.
Tavaar had one extremely close friend: Sashwa. Tavaar's relationship with Sashwa was similar to Khirsha's with Kelso. They were also near cousins and also grew up in the same house. Sashwa was also older, but only by a year. I've written a lot about the love the two women bore each other. So much that the question came up: are they gay?
The long answer is that Khirsha, Kelso, Tavaar and Sashwa lived in a different place and time. It was a different culture which accepted – and encouraged - behavior we might question, or label. Kissing was an accepted form of communication – even between rivals and enemies. Khirsha and Kelso differed from Tavaar and Sashwa because of gender. As females, Tavaar and Sashwa were dominant in relationships, which allowed them great latitude of freedom. But there was more to it. Being different people, they showed love in different ways. Sashwa loved to tease Tavaar. Tavaar was beautiful. Her reactions encouraged Sashwa to continue, and even escalate. Was there anything behind the teasing? Officially, at the time of this writing, I can honestly state I know of no tale which goes beyond jest - beyond dreams. That is the long answer. The short answer is: No. But they did love each other.
Here is the actual beginning of Tavaar's story, from The Birth of a Girl.
She was born in the year 296, as years were reckoned within the family. She was a late child, nine years junior to her nearest sibling, and the only surviving daughter. A beautiful baby, who from the first was alert to her surroundings, Tavaar was lavished with attention and doted upon like a precious and fragile statuette.
Yet her beauty, which was considerable, only served to mask her intelligence, wit and tremendous physical strength and skill. In after years, many wondered how she could have remained unnoticed for so long. 1The heaviest blame was placed upon her father, Odelmaar, for he was seen as a difficult man. Others cast shadows at her mother, Taylich. After all, Taylich was the final voice in Tavaar’s early years. Then, of course, there was the family line into which Tavaar had been born: Mines. Mines tended to minimize the role of their women and exalt their males. Perhaps this was because, as miners, physical strength mattered more for them. 2This argument is shaken by the fact of Tavaar’s tremendous strength. Despite her sleek and elegant stature, Tavaar was stronger than most males, retaining this power well past the age when weakness and frailty became the curse of those who still live.
Tavaar grew up with the finer things. Mines was a wealthy line and the house of Odelmaar-Taylich was wealthy within Mines. Servants were commonplace, and Tavaar learned at an early age the place of the Unaligned. She observed carefully as her father, mother and two older brothers directed servants. 3Of the four, it seems amazing to report that Odelmaar was the best with servants. Although not recognizing any type of social or family equality, he did not go out of his way to be disdainful and abusive. Taylich could be most unfair. For this reason, complaints were brought to Odelmaar.
The brothers were worse than unfair. They were outright abusive, particularly as they neared and passed age twenty. Pulich was the worst, but Ovaer was redeemed only because he compared favorably to his older brother. Tavaar’s quick and attentive eyes missed little.
To her credit, Tavaar’s approach with servants was akin to her father’s. 4She neither required from, nor offered to, emotional displays of any kind. She did not criticize small mistakes and recognized accidents for what they were. On those occasions where discipline was needed, Tavaar doled it without fanfare or heat. What was, was. There was no debate and no allowance given for self-justification. She merely stated the crime and the consequences. Those under her authority learned quickly that to argue with, or challenge in any way, Tavaar’s decision was to commit a new offense. Yet Tavaar did not punish to excess. Her decisions, while hard, were appropriate.
An often criticism of Tavaar, and for years it was certainly so, was she did not overtly acknowledge overt effort. All efforts performed by servants were viewed as being within their general responsibility of ‘serving’. However, it must also be said that Tavaar commanded the greatest loyalty, surpassing both her mother and her father. Some attribute this to Tavaar’s beauty, which was considerable, and perhaps with the males this may have been so. But Tavaar was not a replica of her father. Whereas Odelmaar tended to look upon the Unaligned as naturally inferior, Tavaar did not. To Tavaar, they were people who had a job to do.
Tavaar is remembered by many as a distant person who was difficult to get close to. From her late-twenties to mid-fifties this was certainly so. Tavaar’s social interactions were extremely limited – a choice of her own making. She devoted her life to her garden, her military skills, 5her role as secondary hostess to her mother, her tasks within her line, and especially, her children.
But as a young girl, Tavaar had plenty of social energy and drive. She began mock sword training at five and 6secretly began training with steel at nine. She was the best of her age, proving it by winning the sword competition at age eight. At age nine she would compete again and find herself facing someone who was destine to play an important role in her life: 7Shello. She would lose their battle and weep bitterly over the defeat. When Pulich, who was twenty, sought to tease her, she threw caution to the wind and attacked her brother in a vicious sword fight she could not hope to win – at nine. Still, her fury and quickness kept her brother on the defensive until Taylich intervened and scolded Pulich for fighting with someone so young. Odelmaar said nothing, being too taken with amazement to speak. He, alone, had seen what no other saw: Tavaar was already better than her renowned brother. Her skills were raw, but they were there.
The small numbers in bold represent footnotes. Each journal entry began with a comment section, followed by the narrative, and finished with footnote comments.
Tavaar is my favorite supporting character. Through her, I learned more about The Great Sea than even writing about Khirsha. I think that is because, being so much older than Khirsha, she allowed me to fill in Khirsha's backstory. She has a very colorful backstory, herself. I will provide a few excerps from the journal writings. (NOTE: These are from First Drafts. I may do a little quick editing while I transcribe, but I'll probably leave them rough.)
Black writing is current. Purple writing is journals comments, and deep red is actual journal entries.
Here are a few bios: Tavaar was born in the year 296 on Seeday Intumen 4 to Taylich and Odelmaar. She was the couple's fifth child, but only the third who lived. The first two children, a girl and then a boy, died in their first year. Tavaar belonged to Mines, which was one of three lines opposing Defense and Sword's hold on Head-of-Family. She lived in Gahrem Village, Mines chief village. Her grandfather was village Sachem (mayor), and her father would become Mines Sovereign. Her grandmother was a strict and powerful woman, feared and respected by everyone.
Tavaar literally began as a ‘nothing’ character. Originally, she didn’t even have a name. She was FM225, and so she remained for a number of years. She was nameless – and heartless – as were all of Odelmaar’s children. Pulich was named first. He became important when he became Shello’s main opposition for Head-of-Family . But Tavaar remained nameless. She was not important. Yet.
The reference to FM225 reveals how I named background characters in Khirsha's family. There are nearly seven thousand members spanning 352 years. (I have subsequently given everybody a real name. That took years.) The first character indicated gender. The second character identified the generation. The number was a gender counter within a generation. So, to interpret Tavaar's original name: 225th female in the 14th generation.
Tavaar got her name when I realized something had to happened in Gahrem Village. Who did Khirsha meet? What was said and done? The intention was to portray her as ‘dark’, and possibly even ‘evil’, like Pulich. However, when Khirsha began to interact with Tavaar, she became a surprise. Suddenly, her character became important. At first, I didn’t recognize it. However, when she and Khirsha kissed in the garden, I found myself walking an unknown path. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. That Khirsha and Tavaar would meet again was clear. What happened when they did was an even bigger surprise. Suddenly, Tavaar had become part of the war between Madatar and Shatahar. She could not be left in Gahrem.
I realized I had to learn more about Tavaar. How had she become the poster child for wanton behavior? How good was she with a flamesword? (Originally, not very.) But in writing her back story, I discovered only Shello, Khaiu, and maybe Klarissa were better in her own generation. Outside her generation, there was Khirsha and Kelso, of course, and possibly Abrin and Kordahno. So, I began writing what I expected to be a few chapters depicting Tavaar’s life growing up in Gahrem Village. I wound up spending the next six months devoting nearly all of my writing to Tavaar. I filled several journals. I found myself falling in love with Tavaar. Such is the way of all good friendships. They begin innocently and build one step at a time. Through Tavaar, I learned to appreciate Odelmaar and his motivation. He was no longer just an evil sovereign. I know Tavaar well. I like her. I understand her pain. I think it may be mine.
Tavaar taught me to see my characters in new light. After Tavaar, there were no more 'good' characters and 'bad' characters - regarding Free People anyway. There were reasons why characters did 'bad' things. Reasons which made sense, and explained them perfectly. Further, 'good' characters now began to show their faults. Everybody started to become real. I think that's why I love Tavaar so. She showed me who everybody is.
Tavaar had one extremely close friend: Sashwa. Tavaar's relationship with Sashwa was similar to Khirsha's with Kelso. They were also near cousins and also grew up in the same house. Sashwa was also older, but only by a year. I've written a lot about the love the two women bore each other. So much that the question came up: are they gay?
The long answer is that Khirsha, Kelso, Tavaar and Sashwa lived in a different place and time. It was a different culture which accepted – and encouraged - behavior we might question, or label. Kissing was an accepted form of communication – even between rivals and enemies. Khirsha and Kelso differed from Tavaar and Sashwa because of gender. As females, Tavaar and Sashwa were dominant in relationships, which allowed them great latitude of freedom. But there was more to it. Being different people, they showed love in different ways. Sashwa loved to tease Tavaar. Tavaar was beautiful. Her reactions encouraged Sashwa to continue, and even escalate. Was there anything behind the teasing? Officially, at the time of this writing, I can honestly state I know of no tale which goes beyond jest - beyond dreams. That is the long answer. The short answer is: No. But they did love each other.
Here is the actual beginning of Tavaar's story, from The Birth of a Girl.
She was born in the year 296, as years were reckoned within the family. She was a late child, nine years junior to her nearest sibling, and the only surviving daughter. A beautiful baby, who from the first was alert to her surroundings, Tavaar was lavished with attention and doted upon like a precious and fragile statuette.
Yet her beauty, which was considerable, only served to mask her intelligence, wit and tremendous physical strength and skill. In after years, many wondered how she could have remained unnoticed for so long. 1The heaviest blame was placed upon her father, Odelmaar, for he was seen as a difficult man. Others cast shadows at her mother, Taylich. After all, Taylich was the final voice in Tavaar’s early years. Then, of course, there was the family line into which Tavaar had been born: Mines. Mines tended to minimize the role of their women and exalt their males. Perhaps this was because, as miners, physical strength mattered more for them. 2This argument is shaken by the fact of Tavaar’s tremendous strength. Despite her sleek and elegant stature, Tavaar was stronger than most males, retaining this power well past the age when weakness and frailty became the curse of those who still live.
Tavaar grew up with the finer things. Mines was a wealthy line and the house of Odelmaar-Taylich was wealthy within Mines. Servants were commonplace, and Tavaar learned at an early age the place of the Unaligned. She observed carefully as her father, mother and two older brothers directed servants. 3Of the four, it seems amazing to report that Odelmaar was the best with servants. Although not recognizing any type of social or family equality, he did not go out of his way to be disdainful and abusive. Taylich could be most unfair. For this reason, complaints were brought to Odelmaar.
The brothers were worse than unfair. They were outright abusive, particularly as they neared and passed age twenty. Pulich was the worst, but Ovaer was redeemed only because he compared favorably to his older brother. Tavaar’s quick and attentive eyes missed little.
To her credit, Tavaar’s approach with servants was akin to her father’s. 4She neither required from, nor offered to, emotional displays of any kind. She did not criticize small mistakes and recognized accidents for what they were. On those occasions where discipline was needed, Tavaar doled it without fanfare or heat. What was, was. There was no debate and no allowance given for self-justification. She merely stated the crime and the consequences. Those under her authority learned quickly that to argue with, or challenge in any way, Tavaar’s decision was to commit a new offense. Yet Tavaar did not punish to excess. Her decisions, while hard, were appropriate.
An often criticism of Tavaar, and for years it was certainly so, was she did not overtly acknowledge overt effort. All efforts performed by servants were viewed as being within their general responsibility of ‘serving’. However, it must also be said that Tavaar commanded the greatest loyalty, surpassing both her mother and her father. Some attribute this to Tavaar’s beauty, which was considerable, and perhaps with the males this may have been so. But Tavaar was not a replica of her father. Whereas Odelmaar tended to look upon the Unaligned as naturally inferior, Tavaar did not. To Tavaar, they were people who had a job to do.
Tavaar is remembered by many as a distant person who was difficult to get close to. From her late-twenties to mid-fifties this was certainly so. Tavaar’s social interactions were extremely limited – a choice of her own making. She devoted her life to her garden, her military skills, 5her role as secondary hostess to her mother, her tasks within her line, and especially, her children.
But as a young girl, Tavaar had plenty of social energy and drive. She began mock sword training at five and 6secretly began training with steel at nine. She was the best of her age, proving it by winning the sword competition at age eight. At age nine she would compete again and find herself facing someone who was destine to play an important role in her life: 7Shello. She would lose their battle and weep bitterly over the defeat. When Pulich, who was twenty, sought to tease her, she threw caution to the wind and attacked her brother in a vicious sword fight she could not hope to win – at nine. Still, her fury and quickness kept her brother on the defensive until Taylich intervened and scolded Pulich for fighting with someone so young. Odelmaar said nothing, being too taken with amazement to speak. He, alone, had seen what no other saw: Tavaar was already better than her renowned brother. Her skills were raw, but they were there.
The small numbers in bold represent footnotes. Each journal entry began with a comment section, followed by the narrative, and finished with footnote comments.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Great Sea - What is It
My concept of The Great Sea changed. Originally, it was a sheet of water hanging in space (the world really was flat). The worlds existed in "gravity wells", and each turned on an axis. It was kind of like a game a cousin of mine had called Bas-Ket. It was a table game in which the ball would roll around the board until it fell into an indentation. Levers on the side would be used to "shoot" the ball at the basket. I don't know if the game gave me the idea or not.
The concept changed when I was given a Christmas present back in '82 or '83. Spouse's brother and his wife, who were my Readers at the time, purchased a star from the International Star Registry (ISR). Before I opened it, they said everyone should have one.
Now what the ISR does is charge a fee for naming a star. (Back in '83 the price was $25. I think it's around $50 now.) Now this star naming was far from official. No scientist, astronomer or whoever would ever know about it. In fact, no one on the planet would know - unless I told them. It wasn't about being official. It was just kind of a cool idea. I know some people are quite upset about it (scientists, astronomers and people who think wasting money is one of the seven deadly sins), but I don't see any problem. People pay money to go swimming. There are two nice parks near here. They charge admission. My point is, we waste our money all the time. If you are happy with what you got, then the money was well spent. (And since I didn't spend the money, I'm happy. grin)
Anyway, I opened the gift and found a star in the constellation Perseus (right off the bow arm's elbow) had been named Madatar. Cool. I knew it wasn't really named Madatar, but that wasn't the point. It ignited creative thought. I did some investigation to find out how many light years away this star was from Earth. I think it was 54-million/billion, or something like that. I wrote a prologue, long ago abandoned, which went something like this (I'm not going to search the archives for the exact text): In the blackness of space a light shown forth. It crossed the silent void, passing other light with other history, until it fell upon a planet orbiting a yellow sun. And before the first human looked up to see the light and understand it, all of this happened.
Cool? Oh. Well, give me a break. It was almost thirty years ago. And it's not part of the book anymore. Heck, I've even forgotten where I put the star map and the certificate. I put it someplace where it would be protected (not the archives).
Anyway, the idea of The Great Sea being an actual place in space was a cool thought - to me. I changed it from a flat ocean to a donut ring. I know. A donut ring in space as as impossible as a flat piece of water. But that's in our space. Our reality. What about other dimensions? Huh? What about that, Mr. and Ms. Astronomer? You can't say, because you've never been there. You say I haven't either? You're sure about that, are you? I wouldn't place any money bets on that if I were you. I believe imagination is another dimension of reality.If so, I've been in lots of 'em. (After all, we're God's imagination.)
I drew a funky map using Microsoft Paint. (It's the only computer drawing tool I have.) Most of the names have remained in tact. Some have been changed - most notably Kensington's Pillars and the months of the year. Kensington's Pillars became part of the so-called High Festivals. All of the month names were changed. The Lords of the Sea references are to the Eternity Isles, which are not referenced in Book I at all, but become very important in Book III.
Now all the worlds orbited a sun (the Fire), wrapping around the donut ring as they moved, creating night and day. Currents, land mass and proximity to other worlds dictated each world's path. Some darted around the ring like super fast jet skis. Others lumbered along.
So that's The Great Sea. It continues to evolve. Every time I write something new I learn more. Probably my biggest jump in knowledge came through writing Tavaar's backstory. It's 500,000 words, and it taught me more about The Great Sea than anything else I've written. I would love to tell that story to the world, but 500,000 words? To reduce it to something publishable I would have to cut 80% away. Not only that, but her story won't end until Book VI or VIII or something. I could easily write a million words about Tavaar. (But then, with my wordiness, I can easily write a million words about anything on The Great Sea.)
So there you go. I hope this answered some questions.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The Golden Sheep
The Golden Sheep were a creation of Draem's. She made them alone.
My historical writing on the Golden Sheep is lost somewhere in the archives. I should have organized everything, but it never occurred to me I would wind up with so much. A lot of the old texts were handwritten, and with my handwriting that is like trying to read Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Anyway, I never did have much on the Golden Sheep, so I should be able to put most of it here from memory.
They lived on mountain slopes, high enough to dissuade the common curious, but not so high as to be completely exposed. They were large creatures. Most of the things made by the Children of Fire tended that way. On average, they were probably the size of a hefty pony. They foraged, but it is not clear whether that was just something they did, or whether they actually had to eat to survive.
They were extremely shy creatures, making the Phoenix appear gregarious in comparisson. It is not known if that was Draem's intent.
The amazing feature Draem gave them was that they changed color. In the winter they were white, blending in with the snow perfectly. Through Amaris (spring) and into Nelshius (summer) their wool would darken until it was black. Then, in Luvellish (fall), their wool would turn to gold strands. It wasn't just that their color was gold, although it was, but their wool actually became gold. The season for gold was short, though. Around Mid-Harvest (halfway through fall) a new coat of white wool would begin to grow, pushing out the gold strands, which would break off and lay along the mountainsides. The white wool grew quickly, so by the time Fargius (winter) arrived, they were well protected from the cold. This property of camoflage suggests to some that Draem did intend them to be shy.
As to the gold strands, certain bird species, such as eagles, would collect them for nests. The gold was soft and pliable. It also contained Fire, provided by the sheep themselves. The Dwarfs learned of the Golden Sheep and sent expeditions out to harvest the bounty.
Being sheep, the Golden Sheep were virtually defenseless when The Great War erupted. During the breakup of the Original World, the Golden Sheep were mostly destroyed. What few that remained moved higher into the mountains, and became more reclusive than ever. At the time of Book I, no one had seen a Golden Sheep since The Great War.
Point of Interest: In Book I, there is a reference to the golden wool in Sovereign Odelmaar's description. Odelmaar was a proud man and it showed in his manner and dress. His robe was black with gold accents on the sleeves, collar and fringe. He wore a golden belt made of some material that looked like hair but was in fact gold. It had been found on Fire Mountain.
My historical writing on the Golden Sheep is lost somewhere in the archives. I should have organized everything, but it never occurred to me I would wind up with so much. A lot of the old texts were handwritten, and with my handwriting that is like trying to read Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Anyway, I never did have much on the Golden Sheep, so I should be able to put most of it here from memory.
They lived on mountain slopes, high enough to dissuade the common curious, but not so high as to be completely exposed. They were large creatures. Most of the things made by the Children of Fire tended that way. On average, they were probably the size of a hefty pony. They foraged, but it is not clear whether that was just something they did, or whether they actually had to eat to survive.
They were extremely shy creatures, making the Phoenix appear gregarious in comparisson. It is not known if that was Draem's intent.
The amazing feature Draem gave them was that they changed color. In the winter they were white, blending in with the snow perfectly. Through Amaris (spring) and into Nelshius (summer) their wool would darken until it was black. Then, in Luvellish (fall), their wool would turn to gold strands. It wasn't just that their color was gold, although it was, but their wool actually became gold. The season for gold was short, though. Around Mid-Harvest (halfway through fall) a new coat of white wool would begin to grow, pushing out the gold strands, which would break off and lay along the mountainsides. The white wool grew quickly, so by the time Fargius (winter) arrived, they were well protected from the cold. This property of camoflage suggests to some that Draem did intend them to be shy.
As to the gold strands, certain bird species, such as eagles, would collect them for nests. The gold was soft and pliable. It also contained Fire, provided by the sheep themselves. The Dwarfs learned of the Golden Sheep and sent expeditions out to harvest the bounty.
Being sheep, the Golden Sheep were virtually defenseless when The Great War erupted. During the breakup of the Original World, the Golden Sheep were mostly destroyed. What few that remained moved higher into the mountains, and became more reclusive than ever. At the time of Book I, no one had seen a Golden Sheep since The Great War.
Point of Interest: In Book I, there is a reference to the golden wool in Sovereign Odelmaar's description. Odelmaar was a proud man and it showed in his manner and dress. His robe was black with gold accents on the sleeves, collar and fringe. He wore a golden belt made of some material that looked like hair but was in fact gold. It had been found on Fire Mountain.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Great Sea's Technologies
I thought I would write a bit about how the Free People do various tasks. All of the civilizations (and there are thousands of them) were primitive by our standards. No one had harnessed electricity. There were no combustion engines. But some were more advanced than others.
Khirsha's family had what I consider to be an odd assortment of technology. On the one hand, they could make swords which burned with fire, and were able to drain power from another sword. Seems like advanced stuff to me. On the other hand, their 'clocks' were almost comical.
The clocks were hourglasses of varying size. The smallest lasted about a minute. The largest went as long as two hours. They were filled with water and manually operated, meaning someone had to be there to turn them when their time ran out. Clearly, this was not an efficient means of keeping time, which suggests something else that is obvious: the family wasn't overly concerned about time of day.
The family did not measure time by minutes and hours. Instead, they measured it in turns and short-turns. (When a glass's top portion emptied, it had to be 'turned'.)
A short-turn lasted roughly one minute. These glasses were used to time events of short duration. During the Presider Flamesword Test in Book I, ten small bottles were used to time each test.
A full-turn, or turn, was about an hour, or sixty short-turns. These glasses were used for meetings, classes and as part of the Village Timekeepers. The Timekeepers were made of twelve full-turns. The first four jars would contain blue tinted water. The next four would be clear. The last four would have red tinted water. Most of the villages had a Timekeeper. One of the Unaligned (a servant class people who are not especially keen on their status) would be responsible for turning the glasses.
The family had 440 houses (I counted them - and I know who lives in every one - do I live an exciting life, or what) in 29 settlements, or villages, but not all had a Timekeeper. Only the eighteen largest villages kept one, and very few houses had one. Some of the family Sovereigns, or other weathy members with live-in servants had them.
The large-turn glasses were only used at the temple during classroom instruction.
Regarding timekeeping, the family was far behind other cultures. Even the nearby Kingdom of Azua had better. But, as I said, time of day was not a significant concern to the family. They were warriors, hunters, farmers and herdsman of cattle. Most gauged their time by the position of the sun. At night, it was the moon - when there was one. Even when things were rushed, their lives were slower than ours.
Khirsha's family had what I consider to be an odd assortment of technology. On the one hand, they could make swords which burned with fire, and were able to drain power from another sword. Seems like advanced stuff to me. On the other hand, their 'clocks' were almost comical.
The clocks were hourglasses of varying size. The smallest lasted about a minute. The largest went as long as two hours. They were filled with water and manually operated, meaning someone had to be there to turn them when their time ran out. Clearly, this was not an efficient means of keeping time, which suggests something else that is obvious: the family wasn't overly concerned about time of day.
The family did not measure time by minutes and hours. Instead, they measured it in turns and short-turns. (When a glass's top portion emptied, it had to be 'turned'.)
A short-turn lasted roughly one minute. These glasses were used to time events of short duration. During the Presider Flamesword Test in Book I, ten small bottles were used to time each test.
A full-turn, or turn, was about an hour, or sixty short-turns. These glasses were used for meetings, classes and as part of the Village Timekeepers. The Timekeepers were made of twelve full-turns. The first four jars would contain blue tinted water. The next four would be clear. The last four would have red tinted water. Most of the villages had a Timekeeper. One of the Unaligned (a servant class people who are not especially keen on their status) would be responsible for turning the glasses.
The family had 440 houses (I counted them - and I know who lives in every one - do I live an exciting life, or what) in 29 settlements, or villages, but not all had a Timekeeper. Only the eighteen largest villages kept one, and very few houses had one. Some of the family Sovereigns, or other weathy members with live-in servants had them.
The large-turn glasses were only used at the temple during classroom instruction.
Regarding timekeeping, the family was far behind other cultures. Even the nearby Kingdom of Azua had better. But, as I said, time of day was not a significant concern to the family. They were warriors, hunters, farmers and herdsman of cattle. Most gauged their time by the position of the sun. At night, it was the moon - when there was one. Even when things were rushed, their lives were slower than ours.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
If the Saga's About Madatar, Why Make Khirsha the Main Character
Swords of Fire is about Madatar. It is his story. But he is not the Point of View Character (POVC). Neither is Ardora, the Yin to to his Yang. Instead, the POVC is a character who is young, strong, vulnerable and who has a lot to learn. Why?
Mostly, it felt right. But there are clear advantages in choosing Khirsha over Madatar. The most important being that the reader gets to discover Madatar over time - like all the other characters in Swords of Fire. Until Madatar is revealed (in Book II, if you're interested), we wonder about him. Who is he, really? Why hasn't he revealed himself - to anyone?
There are clues but, like so many clues, they don't appear to be clues until shortly before (or after) their revelation. There were more clues, but I'm being forced to cut some in order to shorten the length of Book I. Even after Madatar is revealed, we are left with things to ponder. Each book in the progression presents new clues, and our knowledge escalates with the conflict until the inevitable final battle. (I haven't written it - officially - but I know what it is.)
Actually, did I say the most important reason for choosing Khirsha instead of Madatar as POVC was to discover Madatar? I'm wrong. The most important reason is that I believe readers can better identify with Khirsha than with Madatar. Khirsha is more like us. He lives in a physical world, as opposed to the spirit realm of Madatar and the Children of Fire. Khirsha is a lot like us - even if he isn't.
Mostly, it felt right. But there are clear advantages in choosing Khirsha over Madatar. The most important being that the reader gets to discover Madatar over time - like all the other characters in Swords of Fire. Until Madatar is revealed (in Book II, if you're interested), we wonder about him. Who is he, really? Why hasn't he revealed himself - to anyone?
There are clues but, like so many clues, they don't appear to be clues until shortly before (or after) their revelation. There were more clues, but I'm being forced to cut some in order to shorten the length of Book I. Even after Madatar is revealed, we are left with things to ponder. Each book in the progression presents new clues, and our knowledge escalates with the conflict until the inevitable final battle. (I haven't written it - officially - but I know what it is.)
Actually, did I say the most important reason for choosing Khirsha instead of Madatar as POVC was to discover Madatar? I'm wrong. The most important reason is that I believe readers can better identify with Khirsha than with Madatar. Khirsha is more like us. He lives in a physical world, as opposed to the spirit realm of Madatar and the Children of Fire. Khirsha is a lot like us - even if he isn't.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Shatahar
Shatahar is Zenophone's main agent for finding and destroying Madatar, and ultimately Ardora.
He is the most powerful of the Warlords, the strongest of Zenophone's servants. He is so powerful, in fact, that he has designs on usurping his master's position and becoming the Ruling Power over The Great Sea himself. Yet powerful as he is, he is terrified at the prospect of Madatar finding him first. This is his greatest weakness, and the reason he delays his own victory. Fear may be a powerful weapon, but it can also be a two-edged sword.
According to some archival writings, it was Shatahar who first discovered Elva's Children (Elves) and brought a host of Barbarians against them. But the Elves escaped, with the help of the Figgits and their sailing craft. For this reason Shatahar bears an especial hatred for Figgits.
In Pawns (a.k.a. Flames of Hatred), Shatahar makes a cryptic comment regarding Lord Kensington: Time moved forward. Time was his enemy. He was trapped in time, but to be anywhere else was to risk assault. In Time he would crush his enemy. He would crush all who opposed him. Meanwhile, what was he to do? He lacked advantage. It had been taken from him. Curse Kensington! This passage is very likely to disappear from the final version, but it seems to indicate that Kensington is the reason for Shatahar losing whatever advantage he had. It also hints at something Swords of Fire does not make clear until Book III: Time is a place. And, as a place, one can either be in time, or out of it. There were advantages and limitations to both. Regarding what Kensington did, this is what happened:
When the Children of Fire first walked upon the waters they generated a great cloud of condensation. This Cloud remained for the duration of The Great Sea's lifespan. It was held back from all but a few lifeless worlds at the command of Lord Kensington. When the Figgits took the Elves onto the ocean, Kensington released the Cloud and it blanketed all of The Great Sea. Even the Children of Fire had trouble seeing through the Cloud, and Kensington used this to scatter the Elves and hide them from Zenophone, Shatahar and the other Warlords.
Shatahar - and the others who sought Madatar's destruction - now had to begin from scratch, searching the worlds one by one to find their enemy. Since they were all terrified of their foe, this process was slow. Moving from world to world took time. It also took energy, and Shatahar soon learned it was seldom possible for him to enter a world unannounced. The power and anger he projected just could not be contained. The Warlords were hindered by something else: mistrust of their allies. They just did not share information with each other. Neither did Zenophone share with his Warlords. Although allied against a common enemy, the Warlords tended to act independently. This was another of their weaknesses.
Eventually, Shatahar would employ lesser beings than himself, called Titans, to make the world-to-world search. The Titans would travel at Shatahar's bidding, and since Shatahar was gifted more so than the other Warlords in understanding the minds of Kensington and Grenville, the leaders in the effort to help Madatar, Shatahar was able to stumble upon key places in Madatar's rise to power. Fortunately for Madatar, Shatahar didn't understand just how key his information was.
He is the most powerful of the Warlords, the strongest of Zenophone's servants. He is so powerful, in fact, that he has designs on usurping his master's position and becoming the Ruling Power over The Great Sea himself. Yet powerful as he is, he is terrified at the prospect of Madatar finding him first. This is his greatest weakness, and the reason he delays his own victory. Fear may be a powerful weapon, but it can also be a two-edged sword.
According to some archival writings, it was Shatahar who first discovered Elva's Children (Elves) and brought a host of Barbarians against them. But the Elves escaped, with the help of the Figgits and their sailing craft. For this reason Shatahar bears an especial hatred for Figgits.
In Pawns (a.k.a. Flames of Hatred), Shatahar makes a cryptic comment regarding Lord Kensington: Time moved forward. Time was his enemy. He was trapped in time, but to be anywhere else was to risk assault. In Time he would crush his enemy. He would crush all who opposed him. Meanwhile, what was he to do? He lacked advantage. It had been taken from him. Curse Kensington! This passage is very likely to disappear from the final version, but it seems to indicate that Kensington is the reason for Shatahar losing whatever advantage he had. It also hints at something Swords of Fire does not make clear until Book III: Time is a place. And, as a place, one can either be in time, or out of it. There were advantages and limitations to both. Regarding what Kensington did, this is what happened:
When the Children of Fire first walked upon the waters they generated a great cloud of condensation. This Cloud remained for the duration of The Great Sea's lifespan. It was held back from all but a few lifeless worlds at the command of Lord Kensington. When the Figgits took the Elves onto the ocean, Kensington released the Cloud and it blanketed all of The Great Sea. Even the Children of Fire had trouble seeing through the Cloud, and Kensington used this to scatter the Elves and hide them from Zenophone, Shatahar and the other Warlords.
Shatahar - and the others who sought Madatar's destruction - now had to begin from scratch, searching the worlds one by one to find their enemy. Since they were all terrified of their foe, this process was slow. Moving from world to world took time. It also took energy, and Shatahar soon learned it was seldom possible for him to enter a world unannounced. The power and anger he projected just could not be contained. The Warlords were hindered by something else: mistrust of their allies. They just did not share information with each other. Neither did Zenophone share with his Warlords. Although allied against a common enemy, the Warlords tended to act independently. This was another of their weaknesses.
Eventually, Shatahar would employ lesser beings than himself, called Titans, to make the world-to-world search. The Titans would travel at Shatahar's bidding, and since Shatahar was gifted more so than the other Warlords in understanding the minds of Kensington and Grenville, the leaders in the effort to help Madatar, Shatahar was able to stumble upon key places in Madatar's rise to power. Fortunately for Madatar, Shatahar didn't understand just how key his information was.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
The High King - Good or Evil
I suppose the definition of the High King's involvement in The Great Sea depends on one's view of someone who has the power to do anything. Most views of such beings - real or imagined - tend to be prejudiced one way or the other.
Some would hold that, since the High King has the power to stop all evil but doesn't, the High King is himself evil. They maintain that a good being of such power would suppress all evil and keep The Great Sea at peace. But there is a problem with that which the Evil Viewers (those who see the High King as evil, not viewers who are evil) refuse to acknowledge. In order to suppress all evil, the High King (or whoever) would have to suppress all freedom, because the simple truth is - everyone tends to evil. The Evil Viewers deny this, but it is true. All beings, creatures and what have you are inclined to act out of selfish motive. Not only that, but what one being, creature or what have you considers evil, another might consider their 'right', and to be denied that right is evil. You see, it comes down to how one defines evil. Let us look at The Great Sea.
The High King created The Great Sea. It was his to give to whomever he chose. He gave it to the Children of Fire, but with the understanding it was eventually to go to Madatar and Ardora. Until Madatar and Ardora claimed their gift, Kensington was to rule and Draem and Zenophone were to support him. Fair enough.
But in Zenophone's mind, he was far better suited to rule the Sea than Kensington. Furthermore, why should the Sea be given to Madatar and Ardora when they had no part in fashioning it? After all, was it not the Children who did most of the actual work? In Zenophone's mind, it was evil for him to do all of that work and get nothing in reward. It wasn't fair that Madatar and Ardora should be given something for which they had not labored. Evil.
From Kensington's point of view it did not matter that Madatar had not been present. The Sea belonged to the High King and the High King was free to give it to whomever he wished. It could be argued that being given the regency may have influenced Kensington's thinking. Would he have thought the same had Zenophone been chosen as regent? In any case, from Kensington's point of view, refusal to abide by the High King's decision was evil.
But it goes even further than that. The concept of what is evil and what is good filters down into the very basic elements which make up life on the Sea. The mortal beings who have been given free thought - and thus named Free People - have dominion over the creatures which live out their existence by instinct. Horses, sheep, cattle and other creatures are forced to serve Men, Dwarfs and Figgits. Is that fair? What is more, some creatures live by feeding upon others. Is that fair? Some say yes and some say no.
The High King set the rules by allowing certain things to be and not others. Individual concepts of his goodness - or lack of it - derive from a selfish perspective. The free thinking beings considered actions which supported their wants and desires to be good, and those which interfered with them bad. Beasts and other creatures didn't care one way or another. They just lived until they died, and perhaps that is the pivitol point on which good and evil truly separate. There is life, and then there is death. What happens after death? Nothing? Transition? Eternity? What happens?
If, as some claimed, death was the end of whatever/whoever died, then life on The Great Sea was all important, and whatever happened on The Great Sea was all important. So to be denied a good life for no apparent reason was evil.
But what if there was more? What if life on The Great Sea was akin to living in a nursery? What if dying simply meant graduation? That changes things a bit, although there are those who would say not by much. But suddenly, life on The Great Sea becomes a school. Troubles and blessings, whether one's own or another's, are simply lessons to help prepare for what comes next. If so, then why not just say what comes next? Maybe because what comes next is entirely determined by what takes place? It changes things drastically, at least in the minds of some.
Was the High King good or bad? Each reader will make up his/her own mind regarding that, and that is as it should be. Some will express their opinion to others, and that is well and good. Others may even seek to persuade others to believe as they do, which is fine. Some will get angry when others disagree with them. That is unfortunate.
In any case, what is the Author's intent? Well, that would be me. With regard to Swords of Fire, I am the one who has the power to put a stop to anything I choose. Even the High King cannot act apart from my will. As a writer, I make the determination over what is good, what is bad - and what is simply a matter of perspective. When someone reads what I have written, the story becomes their's, and they will make these determinations.
For the record, I believe the High King is good - because he conforms to my idea of goodness. However, even I must concede that he cannot be wholly good, because my idea of goodness tends to be somewhat fluid, changing as I grow in knowledge and experience. It isn't runny, like pure water. It is more like a thick lava crawling across the ground. It will harden in time, but that is not to say a great upheaval cannot change it.
So it is with me. Many of my beliefs regarding good and bad have hardened. Not all. New experience still affects my views on many things, and in some things I have completely reversed my thinking over the years. This is especially so in areas involving punishment and forgiveness. I don't see far, but I see further ahead than I did before. My physical eyes continue to weaken, but my inner eyes, my comprehension, increase, albeit slowly. As I understand better, I can see further ahead - to a point. This is affecting how I view good and bad and punishment and forgiveness. I see myself differently, and so I see others differently. I don't always like what I see in me, but I'm realizing I am so much like everyone else - even if I am so different.
Is the High King good? Of course he is, silly. He is me. How can I see him any other way?
Some would hold that, since the High King has the power to stop all evil but doesn't, the High King is himself evil. They maintain that a good being of such power would suppress all evil and keep The Great Sea at peace. But there is a problem with that which the Evil Viewers (those who see the High King as evil, not viewers who are evil) refuse to acknowledge. In order to suppress all evil, the High King (or whoever) would have to suppress all freedom, because the simple truth is - everyone tends to evil. The Evil Viewers deny this, but it is true. All beings, creatures and what have you are inclined to act out of selfish motive. Not only that, but what one being, creature or what have you considers evil, another might consider their 'right', and to be denied that right is evil. You see, it comes down to how one defines evil. Let us look at The Great Sea.
The High King created The Great Sea. It was his to give to whomever he chose. He gave it to the Children of Fire, but with the understanding it was eventually to go to Madatar and Ardora. Until Madatar and Ardora claimed their gift, Kensington was to rule and Draem and Zenophone were to support him. Fair enough.
But in Zenophone's mind, he was far better suited to rule the Sea than Kensington. Furthermore, why should the Sea be given to Madatar and Ardora when they had no part in fashioning it? After all, was it not the Children who did most of the actual work? In Zenophone's mind, it was evil for him to do all of that work and get nothing in reward. It wasn't fair that Madatar and Ardora should be given something for which they had not labored. Evil.
From Kensington's point of view it did not matter that Madatar had not been present. The Sea belonged to the High King and the High King was free to give it to whomever he wished. It could be argued that being given the regency may have influenced Kensington's thinking. Would he have thought the same had Zenophone been chosen as regent? In any case, from Kensington's point of view, refusal to abide by the High King's decision was evil.
But it goes even further than that. The concept of what is evil and what is good filters down into the very basic elements which make up life on the Sea. The mortal beings who have been given free thought - and thus named Free People - have dominion over the creatures which live out their existence by instinct. Horses, sheep, cattle and other creatures are forced to serve Men, Dwarfs and Figgits. Is that fair? What is more, some creatures live by feeding upon others. Is that fair? Some say yes and some say no.
The High King set the rules by allowing certain things to be and not others. Individual concepts of his goodness - or lack of it - derive from a selfish perspective. The free thinking beings considered actions which supported their wants and desires to be good, and those which interfered with them bad. Beasts and other creatures didn't care one way or another. They just lived until they died, and perhaps that is the pivitol point on which good and evil truly separate. There is life, and then there is death. What happens after death? Nothing? Transition? Eternity? What happens?
If, as some claimed, death was the end of whatever/whoever died, then life on The Great Sea was all important, and whatever happened on The Great Sea was all important. So to be denied a good life for no apparent reason was evil.
But what if there was more? What if life on The Great Sea was akin to living in a nursery? What if dying simply meant graduation? That changes things a bit, although there are those who would say not by much. But suddenly, life on The Great Sea becomes a school. Troubles and blessings, whether one's own or another's, are simply lessons to help prepare for what comes next. If so, then why not just say what comes next? Maybe because what comes next is entirely determined by what takes place? It changes things drastically, at least in the minds of some.
Was the High King good or bad? Each reader will make up his/her own mind regarding that, and that is as it should be. Some will express their opinion to others, and that is well and good. Others may even seek to persuade others to believe as they do, which is fine. Some will get angry when others disagree with them. That is unfortunate.
In any case, what is the Author's intent? Well, that would be me. With regard to Swords of Fire, I am the one who has the power to put a stop to anything I choose. Even the High King cannot act apart from my will. As a writer, I make the determination over what is good, what is bad - and what is simply a matter of perspective. When someone reads what I have written, the story becomes their's, and they will make these determinations.
For the record, I believe the High King is good - because he conforms to my idea of goodness. However, even I must concede that he cannot be wholly good, because my idea of goodness tends to be somewhat fluid, changing as I grow in knowledge and experience. It isn't runny, like pure water. It is more like a thick lava crawling across the ground. It will harden in time, but that is not to say a great upheaval cannot change it.
So it is with me. Many of my beliefs regarding good and bad have hardened. Not all. New experience still affects my views on many things, and in some things I have completely reversed my thinking over the years. This is especially so in areas involving punishment and forgiveness. I don't see far, but I see further ahead than I did before. My physical eyes continue to weaken, but my inner eyes, my comprehension, increase, albeit slowly. As I understand better, I can see further ahead - to a point. This is affecting how I view good and bad and punishment and forgiveness. I see myself differently, and so I see others differently. I don't always like what I see in me, but I'm realizing I am so much like everyone else - even if I am so different.
Is the High King good? Of course he is, silly. He is me. How can I see him any other way?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Kelso
This is the first of my posts on the people who are important to Khirhsa, who is the Main Character in my Swords of Fire saga. It is only fitting I begin with Kelso, although Kelso is not, ultimately, the most important person to Khirsha.
I can write a awful lot about Kelso (or is that a lot, awfully?), but I will keep this post short. My first novel hasn't been published and I don't want to reveal too much right now.
Kelso is near cousin to Khirhsa, which means there is a sibling relationship between their parents. In the case of Kelso and Khirhsa it is their fathers. Khaiu (Kelso's father) and Shello (Khirsha's father) are brothers. Much is made in Pawns (a.k.a. Flames of Hatred) how Kelso and Khirsha are like brothers. "Different in appearance, they were very much alike in spirit and had bonded closer than many who were married." (from Pawns)
Kelso was born on *Nelshius in the year 329 to Tura and Khaiu. This was the day which separated the Planting Season from the Growing Season. We would call it the beginning of summer. His birth took place at the Great Hall. Hawnka (another important character in Khirsha's life) acted as mid-wife assistant. Khirsha would be born four years later, at Mid-Summer's Day. Kelso's first sibling, Thaia, would not arrive until 337. Khirsha's first sibling, Kaschira, was not born until 338. Both Thaia and Kaschira would die in the Year of Sickness in 340. That was a notable year for many. It was also the year when Khirsha had his first notable contact with Tavaar, who was to become quite important to him. Shirae and Tursa, Khirsha and Kelso's youngest sisters, would not be born until 342. This lack of siblings brought the boys together as though they were brothers, and it remained that way until death finally separated them.
Kelso was pretty much everything a mother and father could want. He was strong, gifted, handsome, intelligent. The list went on. He is described in Pawns as being "built for strength and endurance. He had dark eyes that looked out mischievously through thick black hair hanging loose to his shoulders". Many girls near his age desired him, but he only allowed a few to get close. Partly, this was out of fear. It was the one area in which Kelso's confidence abandoned him. But mostly it was because, like his father, Kelso was intensely interested in developing his skills with the flamesword, and relationships tended to be distracting. The result was he was seen as the greatest warrior of his generation. Possibly even greater than Shello, who many believed to be the greatest ever.
He was Khirsha's mentor in virtually everything, including girls. In Pawns, it is Kelso who opens Khirsha's eyes to the political subterfuge going on around them. It is Kelso who first concludes the family is at risk of war, and with who. It is Kelso who points out to Khirsha that spying on the flying Cere Princess is hardly an act worthy of love. It is Kelso who encourages Khirsha to speak with Sayla before their friendship is ruined. And it is Kelso who prophetically tells Khirsha he is going to have to make a difficult decision of life and death. This position of importance creates a problem.
The problem with Kelso being so important to Khirhsa, both as a pseudo-brother and a mentor, is that Kelso also becomes Khirsha's crutch. As long as Kelso is around, Khirsha will never achieve his potential. This is proven by the fact that Khirsha always loses to Kelso in everything. (An extremely important point.) When they were very young this was only natural. Kelso was four years Khirsha's senior. But by the time Khirsha was nineteen (his age during Pawns) he should have been been able to win at least some time. That he never did was evidence of Kelso's emotional superiority. The two had to separate in order for Khirsha to grow, and that is, in fact, what happens.
Should Pawns ever become a published work, and should you come to read it, pay close attention to Khirsha's interactions with Kelso. They portend a lot.
* The Great Sea's calendar year was 396 days divided into eight months of 48 days each and 12 days which were not part of any month. Each month had six 8-day weeks. Every week day had its own name, and each day of the year was also uniquely named. The year was structured so that every day had the same name every year. Thus, for someone born on Magday Calesen 3 in the year 340, their birthday in 341, 342, 343 and so forth would remain Magday Calesen 3.
The Swords of Fire Calendar
The Swords of Fire Calendar is posted below. The print is small because Blogger is shrinking the image to fit. To read the calendar start at the top left and read across, then down to the left and across again. Thus, Year-In is the first day of the year, followed by Amaris, followed by the six weeks of Calesen, followed by Mid-Spring, followed by the six weeks of Effloren, etc.
Each year had 396 days.
Each year had 396 days.
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Worlds and Their Origins
When the High King created The Great Sea he did not do all of the work himself. He could have, but that is not the way he does things. Instead, he provided the direction and means and allowed the Children of Fire to build it. The King did make the original foundation, and the Fire which sustained the Sea was his. But the actual fashioning was done by the Children of Fire. Think of it as a Master Craftsman handing his students a basic form, such as a ball of clay, and telling them to reshape it into a bird, or a tree, or anything. That is what the High King did.
Some place in the archives (I can't find it now) I have an account of how the first world was created. It was Kensington who made it. He, Draem and Zenophone had just arrived. The Fire in the midst of the ring had already melted much of the ice, and the High King had blown upon the waters to start the rotation. Kensington stepped upon the Sea, and when he lifted his foot, land from beneath the surface, broke free and rose. The three Lords walked the Sea, breaking up more and more pieces of land, and generating a thick steamy cloud in the process. Soon, they were joined by others, and the footprints of their frolicking became the worlds.
The Children watched the worlds (lifeless pieces of earth) race across the waters, crashing, merging and sinking. Eventually, they began pushing the worlds together, creating a massive piece of land which became a vortex to everything else. It was upon this Original World that the High King introduced Life. It was an explosion of life. The waters had life. The land had life. There was life in the air. And the Children were allowed to tend and direct this life, as gardeners and herdsmen.
The Children governed their new world from its center. For time uncounted this continued. Then, at last, Zenophone believed he was ready and made his move to take sole control. And so began The Great War. But Zenophone had miscalculated. His followers did not number so highly as he had deceived himself into believing. Neither did all of the creatures he had made come to him. Only a few dragons took his side, and none of the most powerful. Unwilling to relent, Zenophone chose to see the Great Sea destroyed rather than allow another to have it.
The World was rent apart, killing great numbers of the Sea's life. But before all was lost the High King intervened. Like a parent putting a stop to a fight between siblings which has escalated to a point of danger, the High King ended the War and imposed restrictions on what the Children could, and could not, do henceforth. All who had participated were confined to the Sea, even those who's strength had been exhausted. For them, two isles were made: The Isle of Wonder, for those who had fought beside Kensington and Draem; and The Isle of Nether Gloom, for those who had fought with Zenophone.
The King gave them their decree. "The isles shall beckon to you according to your deeds. When your strength gives way you shall be pulled directly to the isle which holds your heart. From the Isle of Nether Gloom there is no escape. Those who go there will remain in their confinement until I at last put an end to the Sea. On the Isle of Wonder you will rest and regain your strength. When you are able, you will be free to rejoin in the work of repair."
The Children were then tasked with repairing the Sea, in as much as it could be repaired. They were forbidden to rejoin the pieces of their world because the upheaval required would kill the life which remained. So the worlds were left separate. They were hidden from each other by the cloud of mist which still hung over the waters. Each moved over the waters at its own pace, and each had it's own time. The Children built portals, windows from one world to another to allow quick passage. In time, there was a new routine.
But Zenophone was not content. The Sea had been promised to Madatar. What, he thought, if Madatar was not able to claim his prize? What if he were to be so decimated that he was trapped on one of the isles? And so Zenophone, and all who were too proud to return to Kensington, set about to find Madatar and destroy him. It was a dangerous game they played. Madatar was stronger than any one of them, including Zenophone. And should he join with Ardora, there would be no chance of victory. They were limited in what they could do. If they pushed too hard, the High King might intervene again. But for whatever his reasons, the High King was not interfering at the moment. The race was on. Madatar was somewhere on The Great Sea. But on which world?
Some place in the archives (I can't find it now) I have an account of how the first world was created. It was Kensington who made it. He, Draem and Zenophone had just arrived. The Fire in the midst of the ring had already melted much of the ice, and the High King had blown upon the waters to start the rotation. Kensington stepped upon the Sea, and when he lifted his foot, land from beneath the surface, broke free and rose. The three Lords walked the Sea, breaking up more and more pieces of land, and generating a thick steamy cloud in the process. Soon, they were joined by others, and the footprints of their frolicking became the worlds.
The Children watched the worlds (lifeless pieces of earth) race across the waters, crashing, merging and sinking. Eventually, they began pushing the worlds together, creating a massive piece of land which became a vortex to everything else. It was upon this Original World that the High King introduced Life. It was an explosion of life. The waters had life. The land had life. There was life in the air. And the Children were allowed to tend and direct this life, as gardeners and herdsmen.
The Children governed their new world from its center. For time uncounted this continued. Then, at last, Zenophone believed he was ready and made his move to take sole control. And so began The Great War. But Zenophone had miscalculated. His followers did not number so highly as he had deceived himself into believing. Neither did all of the creatures he had made come to him. Only a few dragons took his side, and none of the most powerful. Unwilling to relent, Zenophone chose to see the Great Sea destroyed rather than allow another to have it.
The World was rent apart, killing great numbers of the Sea's life. But before all was lost the High King intervened. Like a parent putting a stop to a fight between siblings which has escalated to a point of danger, the High King ended the War and imposed restrictions on what the Children could, and could not, do henceforth. All who had participated were confined to the Sea, even those who's strength had been exhausted. For them, two isles were made: The Isle of Wonder, for those who had fought beside Kensington and Draem; and The Isle of Nether Gloom, for those who had fought with Zenophone.
The King gave them their decree. "The isles shall beckon to you according to your deeds. When your strength gives way you shall be pulled directly to the isle which holds your heart. From the Isle of Nether Gloom there is no escape. Those who go there will remain in their confinement until I at last put an end to the Sea. On the Isle of Wonder you will rest and regain your strength. When you are able, you will be free to rejoin in the work of repair."
The Children were then tasked with repairing the Sea, in as much as it could be repaired. They were forbidden to rejoin the pieces of their world because the upheaval required would kill the life which remained. So the worlds were left separate. They were hidden from each other by the cloud of mist which still hung over the waters. Each moved over the waters at its own pace, and each had it's own time. The Children built portals, windows from one world to another to allow quick passage. In time, there was a new routine.
But Zenophone was not content. The Sea had been promised to Madatar. What, he thought, if Madatar was not able to claim his prize? What if he were to be so decimated that he was trapped on one of the isles? And so Zenophone, and all who were too proud to return to Kensington, set about to find Madatar and destroy him. It was a dangerous game they played. Madatar was stronger than any one of them, including Zenophone. And should he join with Ardora, there would be no chance of victory. They were limited in what they could do. If they pushed too hard, the High King might intervene again. But for whatever his reasons, the High King was not interfering at the moment. The race was on. Madatar was somewhere on The Great Sea. But on which world?
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