treesandwords

[treesandwords]

I'm just saying, if there's a curse that runs along your family line and you don't tell your kids about it, how the hell are they supposed to go on a quest to stop it?

#writeblr #wip #this is the plot of sotsk lmao #crying

[treesandwords]

WIP questionnaire

Thanks to @writingmoth for tagging me!

1. What was the first part of your wip that you created? The maps! The first thing I had an idea for in terms of the world was a map with some names (which was still the basis for my current maps but has changed. hm. A Lot since then.)

2. If your story was a TV show, what would the theme song/intro be? Hate to admit I *have* thought of this. It would probably be "The Curse" by Agnes Obel.

3. Who are your favourite characters you've made? Why? Well I love my BOY Jerod. He doesn't seem like he's a Disaster but then he steadily becomes more and more of a disaster as the book goes on. He's also like...I'm discovering he's deceptively innocent. He doesn't seem like he'd be a Weirdo but . He's a weirdo. Also Gevin and Bronwyn, my favourite toxic twins. So angry. I'm also a big fan of Jamos though?? Like understand he is terrible. But I made him so I love him.

4. What other pieces of media do you think would share a fan base for your story? This is actually a really tricky one. I'm inclined to say fans of older fantasy books would be into it because it has more of that vibe, but idk specifically

5. What has been your biggest struggle with your wip? Keeping track of all the many details. I think honestly a lot of what *could* make it really good is the amount of detail in it, but there's also So Much and I get lost and confused. Help I'm stuck in Words.

6. Are there any animals in your story? Talk about them! Ghhhhh this feels like a callout because the main character has a dog that I consistently forget about!!!! Where is she!! A couple other dogs show up as well, and Laedir has his horse that he's best buds with (we stan a weird horse girlie always). Also there's a creepy deer at one point that *might* be an old god and also a terrifying bone dragon that shows up for one scene to traumatize the protagonist, absolutely wreck an upland meadow habitat, and then turn to dust.

7. How do your characters get around? (ex: trains, horses, cars, dragons, etc.) Horses, by foot, horse + cart, boat if they're by the coast.

8. What part of your wip are you working on rn? In the first editing phase, which for now means me going through it with a fine toothed comb and making notes on anything that doesn't make sense, deleting stuff I Just Don't Like, and correcting small errors. Then I'm gonna go back and fix all of it again.

9. What aspects (tropes, maybe?) of your wip do you think will draw people in? Hmmmmm spooky forests and Weird Deer. Curses as a metaphor for family based/generational trauma, responsibility, environmental destruction etc. Asexual main character (though I gotta stress it's not a book *about* The Ace Experience, he's aspec bc the author is aspec and doesn't know how to write anything else. but it does play strongly into who he is and how he views his place in the world. so.)

10. What are your hopes for your wip? I mean I want to tentatively say I'd love to one day publish it...I know that's a long hard road but I'm letting my toes sit right on the edge of it.

Thanks again for the tag! I'm tagging @kaatiba @somethingclevermahogony @on-noon

#writeblr #writing #wip #my wips #tag game #wip questionnaire

[treesandwords]

The Lie in my book is that everyone starts off normal and happy and then Gets Worse. That's what you *think*. But the story is less about them Getting Worse and more about finding out oh they were never normal actually. They've been weird and miserable since long before the story even started. Everyone has done this all before.

#writeblr #wip #wip: sots #sons of the summer king

[treesandwords]

Worldbuilding in Five

I was tagged by @kaylinalexanderbooks ! Thank you!

So last time I introduced you all to Labisa, the birthplace of Ninma and where Narul spent most of his early life (he was actually born in the city of Syshlum). For this round I will introduce you to the birthplace of Ninma's cousin, Akard.

The City of Nashawey, the Jewel of the Putla.

I hope y'all are ready for a lot of lore dumping, this is more a history of Apuna as a whole rather than just Nashawey.

Nashawey (Apunian Nashases = Royal name, Wey = City/Village) is the largest city in both the land of Apuna and the entire continent of Pyritia. Its population is roughly equivalent to that of Labisa in Kishetal, though the city itself is less densely populated and covers a far larger area. The city sits at the southern edge of the Putla Delta, where the great river forks into Dja, Wadi, and Bus. The fertile and reliable nature of the Putla has allowed Nashawey and by extension the kingdom of Apuna to retain a level of prosperity and stability unmatched among the other cultures of the Green Sea. A Fapacha has ruled from the throne of Nashawey, or else from one of the neighboring cities, uninterrupted for approximately 4,300 years (save for a 30 year interruption in which a Namutian successfully seized the Apunian throne, the Namutian Dynasty has been almost entirely erased from all records and history), representing the reigns of 223 rulers (189 Men, 34 Women).

The Apunians are among the oldest civilizations in the world and their origins are linked to the confluence of several prehistoric populations.

After the events of the Calamity and the subsequent destruction of 92% of all human life and the complete destruction of all non-subterranean settlements, most surviving humans dwelled within the mountain sanctuaries of a number of kindly spirits over a period of roughly 300-500 years.

The Apunian culture has roots in three of these mountain populations, the Red Cedars, The Babics, and The Pyrians in addition to several southern Pyritian populations. This also means that the Apunians are distantly related to not only their Pyrian neighbors but also the original inhabitants of the Kishic Peninsula.

The first people to inhabit the land that would later become Apuna were primarily hunter-gathers. These tribes and bands were highly spiritual and interacted regularly with spirits and had dealings with the various beasts and monstrosities which shared their environment. At that time the region was far more lush than it now is, and supported great herds of fauna and a startling array of plant life. It is in this era that the first inklings of the later Apunian medicinal, cosmetic, and potion-making tradition were developed. Climatic changes gradually dried up the plains and marshes of northern Pyritia, in time forming the sweeping Kusr Desert.

These changes forced the gradual separation of the Hunter-Gathers into distinct groups. The Peri peoples traveled west, settling on the strip of land between the Pyrian Mountains and the Green Sea Coast, they are the ancestors of the modern Pyrian tribes.

Others ventured south mixing with southern populations, either embracing a desert lifestyle or settling along the eastern plains and coast of Pyritia, these groups, collectively called the Namutians and Aguru.

A small group took to the sea, settling on the island of Knosh.

The last and largest group settled on the banks of the Putla River, where the verdant environment of the Pre-Desert era was preserved. These Proto-Apunians quickly adopted an agricultural lifestyle, forming some of the first wide-scale settlements in the Green Sea Region.

These Proto-Apunians were composed of four distinct kingdoms or "Namu", each ruling one branch of the Putla; these branches now bear their names; Dja, Wadi, Bus, and Putla.

Feuds between the rulers (Pachas) of these kingdoms was commonplace. 400 years of near constant warfare and bickering between these lands would end with the imperialistic ambitions of the ruler of Putla, a man by the name of Nabur. Nabur, alongside his beloved son, Nashases, would lead an attack on the other three Namu, with intention of conquering them and thus uniting the Apunian people.

At the Battle of the Fork, Nabur and Nashases clashed against the other three kingdoms, and though outnumbered it is said that Nabur had earned the divine approval of not only the governing spirits of the River but of the Gods themselves. Legend tells how the river itself rose from its bed and swept away the Pachas of the other kingdoms. This story may actually have some grain of truth as it certainly does seem that the Fapacha is closely associated with the spirits of the river, just one source of the throne's great authority.

While victory was won for the Putla it came at a great price. Nashases was slain in the conflict. Heartbroken, Nabur buried his son where he fell, ordering the construction of a massive underground complex. In order to protect his son's body from desecration he then built his own palace atop his grave. The city of Nashawey or the city of Nashases, spread out from there.

Nabur named himself the first Great Pacha or "Fapacha" and dubbed his newly united kingdom, Apuna, which stems from the Apunian word Apna which is roughly translated to "Unity through Duty."

The Fapacha and his line is believed to be divinely ordained and Apunian faith dictates that upon their death, Fapachas will join the divine council held responsible for the judgment of the dead.

The greatest symbol of royal power in Fapacha is the Royal Scepter. Made from meteoric iron, mahogany, gold, and most importantly; Arkodian Bronze, the exact origin of the snake shaped weapon is unclear, that it was first held by the 10th Fapacha, Ankuwet. In addition to being made from such precious materials, the weapon houses a fire spirit, allowing its user to conjure flame at will. It is among the last remnants of an ancient tradition among the peoples of the Green Sea for royalty to pass down magical weapons. This staff gives the Fapacha one of their aliases, The Lord of Fires.

Apunian civilization is almost entirely confined to the shores of the Putla river, with the desert being only very sparsely occupied by nomadic groups.

Following in the tradition of Nashases, Fapachas are renowned for their massive underground tombs, called Djawda. Labyrinth-like mazes carved into the stone of the desert are meant to deter robbers from breaching the tombs. Often these tombs include artificial rivers and depictions of the night sky. Hundreds of workers are required to excavate these huge structures.

Every major city in Apuna contains at least one palace, meant to act as the residence of the Fapacha and his family when visiting. Apunian palaces are relatively small compared to their neighbors to the north, however they are no less luxurious. It is common practice for new Fapacha to dismantle and reconstruct palaces to better suit their own preferences after taking the throne. The grand palace at Nashawey is the one exception. The palace at Nashawey is unique in that it is primarily constructed from stone rather than mudbrick.

The largest structure in Nashawey, is the famed Gateway. This massive structure stretches across the Putla River where it acts as a sort of tollbooth but also as a defensive structure. The Gateway was constructed by the Fapacha Rutamatep five-hundred years before the events of The Testaments of the Green Sea. The gate itself is composed primarily of sandstone and marble with heavy gilding on its columns. Carvings depict various stories and battles from both the Fapacha who ordered its construction and his successors. It is not unusual for Fapacha to have the carvings of their predecessors chiseled away in order to make room for their own pieces. The Gate is the first thing that visitors see upon entering the city.

Nashawey is home to 45 temples, which double as administrative centers, the largest of which is dedicated to the god, Nur. The all male priesthood of Nur, the god of agriculture and the divine seed, are forbidden from marriage or intercourse with one exception; they may marry and sleep with each other. Marriages of the Priests of Nur are treated as religious events, with both priests dressing in the garb of the God.

Apunian fashion is very bright and colorful, most Apunians wear at least one kind of jewelry. Gemstones are very popular in Apuna, especially as a part of jewelry and woven into clothing and hair-beads. Apunians are also the only major power in the Green Sea that regularly utilizes makeup/body paint. Cosmetics (as well as perfumes) are a major industry in Nashawey. Additionally Apuna is renowned for just how much gold it uses and has access to, even poorer Apunians are likely to have at least one golden bauble. It is said that even an Apunian beggar will sparkle in the sunlight. Most clothing in Apuna is made of colored linen, Apunians are famous for just how vibrant their dyes are. Textiles, alongside grain, are the biggest Apunian exports. 

The city lacks the great defensive walls of Kishite cities as in a sense, the desert acts as a wall in and of itself, thus why the Gateway defends the river.

Apuna is famed not only for the skill of its plantbrews, but also its sages. As a result the city of Nashawey has entire districts entirely dedicated to these professions. Apunian potions and medicines are widely viewed as the best in the Green Sea.

Aside from the palace the city is divided into 45 separate neighborhoods or districts, each of these districts is constructed around a temple/administrative center to which taxes are distributed. 

Tagging @illarian-rambling , @wylanzahn , @roach-pizza , @treesandwords , @mk-writes-stuff , @americanfemcel , and @abalonetea

#worldbuilding #fantasy writing #writeblr #absolutely love reading your worldbuilding stuff op

[treesandwords]

Happy WBW!

I noticed there's a lot of islands and a lot of water on your world map. How advanced is seafaring technology?

Hello and thank you for the question! For most of these posts and questions I have focused solely on the Green Sea and excluded the rest of the world, however for this question I will go over some examples of seafaring peoples from various regions of Kobani.

This also gives me a chance to talk about some of the Forestfolk (non-human) populations of Kobani as they tend to be the greatest voyagers.

Kishetal (And most of the Green Sea)

When it comes to seafaring technology it is important to recognize that the sail is still a relatively new invention in many parts of Kobani. In Kishetal for example the sail has only been a common aspect of seafaring for about 1,200 years. This means that Kishetal and the Kishite identity itself is actually older than the introduction of the sail to the region.

Kishite ships are generally long and low to the water, propelled by oar and sail. Kishite ships are morphologically similar to those used by other cultures in the Green Sea including the Korithians, the Shabalans, and the Apunians. The reason for this similarity is a shared ancestry, as all are at least in part inspired by the shipbuilding technologies of the now extinct Arkodians.

Warships have a convex stern and are propelled by large single-masted square sails and two banks of oars. Most but not all warships also possess large wooden rams at their front, designed to crush and sink enemy vessels.

The largest ships, war barques, while rarely built due to their exorbitant price have the potential to be massive, holding crews of up to 700 people.

Merchant vessels are more varied, typically wider and slower, designed to hold cargo. The largest merchant vessels may carry up to 500 tons of cargo, though 100-150 tons is far more common. Smaller vessels may only carry 5-10 tons of cargo.

Most Kishite ships and shipping routes still hug the coasts or else island hop, the open sea is a daunting and dangerous place even for experienced sailors.

While compasses have not been invented, sailors are able to navigate via stars maps, knowledge of currents, the movements of fauna, and by carefully observing the topography of the coast.

In rare cases sages may be employed on ships both to consult spirits as to directions and locations and to manipulate currents and winds.

Excerpt

The port of Chibal stretched out before Suru, its waters were host to ships from across the Green Sea. Merchants’ ships filled to bursting with cargo, their colored sails flapping in the wind. Goods from the Western Isles of Ikeni and Dirsia where the Green Sea met the Kronatic Ocean to the lands of Apuna upon the Putla Delta. Foodstuffs, beasts, weapons, timber, art, spices, delicate instruments, bundles of tablets and scrolls, and of course slaves. The harbor itself was a massive artificial reservoir, a rectangular structure of hewn stone that protected the ships and buildings that lined the many docks and piers. At the center of the harbor was an artificial island and crouched upon was a figure of bronze, a colossal statue. He had the face of a youth, soft and clean-shaven, his hair in long curls fell down his back. He wore naught but a shawl draped over his shoulders. Had the statue been standing the top of his head would have towered over the tallest of trees, rather he was bent, kneeling, hand outstretched, palm facing the heavens as if intent on scooping up a ship from the harbor below. Suru gazed up in wonder at the serene expression. “How is that possible?” “Money,” Otilia said shortly. She had far more pressing issues on her mind than the statue.

Ikopesh

The Ikopeshi are the undisputed masters of the sea, at least in their region. It was the Ikopeshi who first developed and later introduced the sail to their neighbors. Ikopeshi ships are generally small compared to those of other Green Sea cultures, however they are typically sleeker and faster in their construction. 

The majority (79%) of Ikopeshi belong to or descend from a race of forestfolk called the Iko. The Iko and those that retain their traits are naturally adapted to thrive at sea, this includes a natural proclivity for swimming, slightly increased lung capacities (which accounts for the stereotypical barrel chested look of Ikopeshi), and the ability to safely drink and process saltwater.

The Ikopeshi have no fear of the open sea and will gladly spend days or even weeks without ever stepping foot on dry land. This comfortability at sea is just one reason why the Ikopeshi are both popular maritime mercenaries and dreaded pirates.

Ikopeshi war canoes or urkebul (Ikopeshi urka-long, ebul- boat/ship) are long thin vessels, some over 90 ft in length, propelled by oar (Shown above, source). These ships are among the fastest in the Green Sea and are feared as vessels favored by pirates and raiders.

Ikopeshi warships and pirate ships, whenever possible, carry sages. Sages use the magic of ocean and wind spirits both to increase the speed of Ikopeshi ships and to keep the various sea-monsters which roam the Green Sea at bay. These sages are called Salt-Speakers.

Ikopeshi navigators are famed for their keen knowledge of astronomy and cartography. It is said that Ikopeshi ships that have ventured out of the Green Sea have traveled far enough to see the Northern Ices and far enough south to engage in battles with their fellow seafaring forestfolk, the Ru (Who I will talk about below.)

The Ru and On

The Ru and the On are among the most wide ranging people in Kobani alongside the Ikopeshi and The Paguai, all of whom are primarily composed of forestfolk. About 64% of those that belong to the Ru culture are forestfolk.

The most common Ru forestfolk population are the Ru'kui. The Ru'kui are quite small in stature, typically no more taller than 4ft. However they are muscularly built, with long and powerful forearms and webbed digits, well-suited to both swimming and the manipulation of nautical instruments. However their most unique trait is a pouch of fat that forms around the shoulders and back, giving the Ru'kui a slightly hunchbacked appearance. This functions in similar fashion to a camel's hump and when fully stocked, will allow a Ru'kui to travel for days or in extreme cases weeks at a time without food or drink. This is essential for the island hopping culture of the Ru.

Ru ships come in a variety of shapes the most common are the double hulled wukua built used for trade and the settlement of new islands. The second kind of ship, the vapokua are long and thin canoes designed for hunting large fauna between the rocks and outcroppings of southern Pyritia and the southern ice flows. The Ru are one of the only cultures in Kobani which lives and relies on both tropical and polar environments.

Ru traders travel to and trade with ports in four continents (Pyritia, Macia, Ulania, and Zudia).

As with the Ikopeshi the Ru are reliant on an advanced knowledge of astronomy, one which is passed down in sacred fashion.

One branch of the Ru settled in the eastern sea near Zudia, in time becoming ethnically and culturally distinct. The On, are the product of the intermingling of several forestfolk groups, chief among them are the Ru'kui and the now extinct, Ap. The On population is only 52% forestfolk. These forestfolk, the Onimui, are far taller than their Ru'kui ancestors, taller and broader even then most humans in their area. The Onimui possess broad shoulders and brightly colored skin which may range in color from coral red to turquoise. The Onimui are famed for their strength and stature, for this reason they have been called "The Jeweled Giants of the Southern Sea." The Onimui lack the humps of the Ru’kui and instead their fat deposits are distributed around their bodies, giving them their slightly bulky appearance, similar to blubber in some marine species.

On vessels are smaller and more delicately built than their Ru counterparts, and the On rarely visit the southern icefields when compared to their Ru cousins.

The Dorthuit

(I couldn't find a picture that quite fit what I wanted for this and I don't have the time or skills to draw my own.)

The Dorthuit refers to a confederation of 46 distinct tribes including 5 forestfolk tribes.

The Dorthuit are the only Polar culture which utilizes sails. The Dorthuit are also unique in that their vessels are primarily constructed from skin and bone rather than wood, due to the resources available to them. This however has not stopped them from creating impressive ships, some large enough to carry entire villages. These ships are incredibly light, and even the largest sailing ships and canoes, some of which may stretch to 50 or 60 feet in length can be lifted and carried on the shoulders of 20 or fewer individuals. This allows for the Dorthuit to effectively travel over sea, ice, and land with ease. 

During the winter months when the ice is at its thickest and the largest ships can be turned upside down and used as temporary homes, their sails turned into blankets or other domestic implements. 

Alongside these larger sailing ships are a vast array of canoes and rowing boats, well made for slipping around ice flows, well-suited to hunting large mammals and various polar sea monsters. It is traditional in many tribes for young people to build their first canoe as a right of passage into adulthood. This canoe will be used and repaired for the remainder of that person's life, and it is considered an ill omen if one's canoe is destroyed or otherwise lost. For this reason, it is not unusual for canoes to be destroyed or stolen during intertribal conflict as a form of spiritual warfare.

The Dorthuit are experts at reading the paths and movements of currents and their subsequent effect on ice flows. They are less reliant on astronomical navigation compared to other sea-faring cultures.

The Kavuru , Indosi, Balijivuri, and Kikiruru

These people inhabit the islands of southern Macia. Though they now speak several different languages and are culturally distinct all descend from the ancient “Boat People'' who were in actuality a mixture of groups including people from the Proto-Sinrian regions of the southern Sinrian Peninsula, what is now the kingdoms of Jini and Malu, alongside people from Wuru, Mu, Namut, Cholyasia, and even the Ru. This diversity of origins and cultural influences has made this region one of the most culturally dynamic in the world of Kobani. 

The Kavuru and Kikiruru in particular are famed for their skill in ship-building. Both of these cultures build massive flat-topped ships, several of which may be lashed together to form floating cities, called kutaparung/kotaparun. The largest example of this is the Kavuru capital city of Gupatag, which is so massive that it even has agricultural land, one which rice, fruit, and livestock are reared. These massive structures, while ungainly, are technically navigable, and if unleashed from the reefs and landmasses which they are connected to, can be moved.

On a less spectacular note, these cultures make use of large vessels propelled by sail and oar. These are typically made with a lashed constructed from logs, lashed together with plant fibers and natural adhesives rather than with slats or planks as is more common in regions like the Green Sea. These vessels come in a number of forms, from broader and slower merchant vessels, to the sleeker, double-decked war ships known to raid as far west as the coast of Pyritia and along the coast of Mu.

Warships in particular are heavily decorated with dyes, gilding, and elaborate carving. While most of these vessels utilize a single mast and sail formulation, some varieties may include two or even three sails. These peoples are some of the earliest to adopt this particular technology. Sailing sages or Brine Saints, are of major importance in these cultures, particularly among the Indosi, where these sages often act as leaders or figures of authority. It is said that the best Sages may captain and steer a ship without a crew, eyes closed with only the guidance and assistance of the spirits of the wind and sea. 

In Balijivuri culture spirits are invited to live on vessels themselves, offered regular offerings of cooked food and alcohol, in exchange these spirits (in theory) protect the vessel from the machinations of other less hospitable spirits, demons, and monsters.

These are just some of the seafaring cultures of Kobani and their technologies, hope that answered your question!

#writeblr #world building #fantasy world #writing #BRAIN VIBRATINGGGGG!!!! #this is sooooo cool #gives me earthsea vibes

[treesandwords]

Said it before but I'm thinking Again about how Jerod starts off so unsure of who he is and not seeing himself as anyone or anything in particular, and then over the course of the story essentially ends up taking on the roles of everyone in his life who has left him. Anyone he grieves, anyone who haunts him, he becomes them in some way. His purpose from the beginning (in his mind) is to keep his family together, and then that feeds into him refusing to let anyone or anything be forgotten. He is a living, walking record of the past because he forces himself to be one.

#wip #writeblr #writing #fantasy writing #my wips #wip: sotsk #my ocs #oc: jerod dalion #my son my son

[treesandwords]

Happy STS! Which of your characters has changed the most since you first started conceptualizing them?

This is a great question! I mean honestly all of them to some degree, but I feel like I've done the most with Gevin. He started off as this charming-yet-troubled older brother of the main character who didn't really have much function in the narrative apart from being involved in The Incident, but I've basically made his existence (and death) the central driving force for much of the book's 2nd half. He's becoming a much more sinister character than I'd originally pictured too, someone who a lot less is known about and who comes across as a lot more threatening. And yet his loss is like. the whole point of the book in some ways. He's so messed up I love him.

Thanks for the ask! Sorry it took SO long

#writeblr #writing #my writing #ask answered #wips #my wip #wip: sotsk

[treesandwords]

Gonna make a Vibes post for more characters soon.....

#writeblr #writing #wip: sotsk #got Ideas

[treesandwords]

i love when by the time the story starts The Incident is already well in the past, and yet you can feel The Incident in every word every character says and the past keeps welling into the the present like blood through the cracks of dry and broken skin

#me with #sons of the summer king #yup guess what there's Another Incident #writeblr

[treesandwords]

Jamos @ 5/6 of his sons: I don't care if you're neuron divergent I need you to go to fucking War

#writeblr #my wips #my ocs #wip: sotsk #sons of the summer king #saw this meme and fucking SCREAMED this is him

[treesandwords]

Roy G. Biv tag game

Tagged by @somethingclevermahogony , I adore this concept!

Jamos Dalion had travelled a good deal in his youth, and the evidence was abundant in his private room. Books on the shelves were written in no language Jerod recognized, scrolls of parchment he had never seen the insides of piled along the tops of them. A small chest in the corner painted bright red with delicate gilt inlays came from Dalsa in the Latavni Empire, and a Baleric wood carving stood on another shelf high above. There were little copper lanterns and jewelled cases, clay pots and shards of a sharp black stone, a fish made of red glass...Jerod wondered if it was a kind of collection, akin to the one hidden in his own drawers. And of course, there was the map.

As it had been Nysel’s father – or what remained of his wealth – that gave shape to much of the celebration, things from her country, and from the Imperial lands her mother hailed from, were brought to Durrigan when the time was near. Much of it being food. Pomegranates and oranges and southern red quail, black plums and soft cheese and flat, spiced bread, barrels of a drink made from honeyed wine and the juice of lemons. Other things came from them too. A canopy of orange silk. The bride’s clothes.

He shook himself. Here he was, at home, under green and yellow silks in springtime. His brother was getting married. The air carried a scent of heather honey, and blue moths flickered at the lit torches. Right now, there was nothing to fear.

Time passed in great swaths. One of the old men began a hacking cough and Jerod felt the dust surrounding his own throat, the cracks in his lips, the blood drying on his face. Old memories swam to the surface of his mind; a piece of twisted old metal cool between his fingers, a black orb so dark he could see no light within it. A stub of wax candle and a bowl of blood cradled in rust-coloured leaves. A woman with a face like old parchment, cloaked in emerald green, a lantern in her hand.             And older ones. Green veins creeping up the length of a dead boy’s arm. How old had he been? The sleeve of his tunic had been slashed and jostled so that his wrist was visible, the old mark caked in blood and dirt. Were his veins green too, now?

Laedir was of a different sort, and did not look much like his father. Were he not who he was, he would not be half as intimidating. But his younger siblings found him so, because he was the eldest in the family and the heir to Durrigan, because at twenty four he already had a wife and young child of his own. He was not very tall. A dark blue travelling hood covered his hair, darker and curly like his mother, but his eyes were like Jamos’. They too gave little away. He had square hands and a square face of quiet, closed features. Often he did not smile.

Despite everything, he could not help noticing the warm touch of her arm, of the way the lantern light played across her cheeks. Violet night-shadows mingled with the gold radiance, shade and light together sharpening the lines of her nose, her jaw. Jerod had a brief but vivid image of himself sitting across from her and sketching the lines of her face with his charcoals, bringing those shapes to life on parchment.

Tagging: @kaatiba @writingmoth @on-noon

#writeblr #writing #wip #fantasy writing #my wips #wip: sotsk #nothing for indigo unfortunately #also there's no text colour changer for yellow wahhhh

[treesandwords]

ROY G. BIV Tag Game

Thanks for the tag @illarian-rambling! These are all coming from books 1 and 2 of my WIP, The Testaments of the Green Sea.

Um I suppose content warning for violence and blood for the first one, if that is something that you are uncomfortable with, skip red and go to orange.

As he bent to continue his impromptu drink, the deck erupted. It was as if the wood itself had chosen to spring at the man, or the sea had punched through the ship's hull. The massive hand closed around the front of his skull, the rough and leathery palm engulfed the entirety of his face and muffled his shrieks.  Blood spattered the deck, mixing with the wine. The crunch and the snap of bone and of wood were nearly indistinguishable. His form was pulled through the jagged hole, ribs and shoulders cracked and folded in on themselves, the sheer force ripped the left arm from the body. A spray of red painted the deck where a moment before he had stood. And then he was gone.

.

Of course, it's been great having more than just me down here. After Zanuk died, I was getting worried that Wadikir was never going to get another slave for the Hall, not that I’m happy that you and Suru are slaves, it's just if you had to be slaves anywhere I’m glad it was here, and -” Now it was Shela’s turn to blush; she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Her last few words had been barely more than a squeak. She quickly pivoted away from Otilia, careful not to send the scrolls rolling across the floor again. She wasn’t entirely sure why she felt so embarrassed, but she was. The two walked in silence through the labyrinthian pathways, past the flickering clay lamps that threw their dancing orange light over the ancient walls. Both were deeply mired in their own imaginations. So I was right, Otilia thought, It’s not just me. Otilia couldn’t help but smile.

.

“How long is this tunnel?” Narul groaned. “You’re almost at the end sir, just beyond this bend.” The tunnel abruptly opened into a large octagonal room, its walls carved from yellow stone, punctuated by three doors as well as the tunnel from which Narul had emerged. At its center lay a large round pool, shallow on one side and deeper on the other. Placed around this pool were various benches, cushions, and vases. He looked at the strange clay bottles which hung from the ceiling like exotic fruits and at the bronze tools laid out on a nearby table; pincers, hooks, and ladles among other things. For the slaves of Labisaj, baths had consisted of water pulled from the well poured over the body once or twice with a bucket, just enough to get the majority of the grime off of the skin. He had no idea what he was expected to do here, there was no bucket to be seen. On a whim, he walked towards the water. “Do I just get in?” He turned to the attendants. They looked at him, perplexed. “No sir, it's not heated yet, and you have not been cleaned.” “Cleaned? Isn’t that what the water’s for?” 

.

The production was extravagant, even for Ninma. Dish after dish were presented to the tables. Fish and crusteacans played a central roll; stewed, boiled, baked, fried, even raw. Narul lost count of the varieties. After a short while, each silver tray would be whisked off by the servants to some unknown location, often with the majority of the food still left on them. Along with fish there came slabs of meat; beef and goat, nearly every dish drizzled with sauces of vinegar or mustard or else coated in herbs and oils. Occasionally vegetables; peeled asparagus, cabbage, and other greens would make an appearance and would be almost entirely ignored. Bowls of beer and wine were constantly replenished, with the banqueters drinking from golden ladels dipped directly in the bowls. Fluffy wheat bread too was in constant supply, this was only the second time Narul had tried wheat bread, barley being far more common. Otilia looked up from a dish of tiny octopi swimming in vinegar and sesame oil, to see Shela across the room, a sloshing bowl of beer balanced on her head. She smiled and waved. Shela frowned, eyes darting from side to side and mouthed. “We need to talk….tonight…” Otilia frowned, but nodded. Shela smiled weakly, setting the bowl at one of the tables and returned to the kitchen to receive yet more food for the banquet. The sensation of fullness was not one with which Narul had ever been particularly familiar.  He leaned back with a groan, one hand on his belly, he felt somewhat sick. Ninma looked similarly green-faced.

.

It was dark now. He was alone. Did he dare call out for help? Only the reflection of the moon lit the world around him. There were no birds, no animals, just the soft whistle of the wind. He looked for something to cover himself, to warm his aching body, he found nothing but more snow. He could swear his fingers were turning blue. As he felt his breathing slow and his eyelids grow heavy, he saw two figures coming towards him through the snow, people he thought, what kind, he couldn’t be sure. Were they Apunian’s coming to kill him? It didn’t matter, they were something. " Help me." He pleaded as the figure drew near.

.

“I hope you have saved some wine and women for me!” A voice crowed as the tent flaps were pushed aside. Four men entered, still dressed in their armor, they were all southern nobility from the cities of Kotsa, Felu, and Kitsu. Tizanush, son of Atab the lord of Kotsa, was at their head. He was tall and handsome, with flowing brown hair and broad shoulders. He could have leapt from the mouth of a poet or from the chisel of an artist. He was new to war, having only joined Akard’s cabinet the year before when his father and by extension the city of Kotsa had sworn allegiance to the throne of Labisaj.  The other nobles greeted him cordially, offering him wine and food, one of the prettier girls was even shoved his way. As he stood he began to undress, taking of his armor, and this clothing underneath, leaving his body bare. He grinned and flexed. “A true man doesn’t mind the cold. Even if parts of him might.” The others laughed. Zatar did not. He eyed the brat and his sword, coldly. Tizanush bent to retrieve his silken belt. The lordling inspected the indigo fabric for a moment and then tied it over his naked waist, and hung his sword from it. It was a beautiful blade, mountain bronze perhaps from Bur or Kurk, long and thin like a rapier in the the style of the southerners best-suited for slipping between armor, rather than hacking or slashing.

.

I should head back, I’ll already be later than Suru said I should be. Narul gazed at the shadows stretching away from the descending sun. It was only as he stood that he saw the figure bending to drink at the water’s edge. He had seen wolf pelts in the markets or draped over the shoulders of street performers in costume, but he had never seen a pelt still attached to the creature which had grown it. But even he knew that this beast was nothing like the creatures that had supplied those pelts. It was massive, the size of a horse, each paw as big as a man’s head. Its silvery fur seemed to glimmer a soft blue in the sun’s waning light.   A stone came loose beneath the giant’s foot and clattered loudly against its peers. Narul swore under his breath as the beast straightened, its shaggy head turning owl like to see what had disturbed its drink. Narul felt a pang of fear as he looked into violet eyes, there were no irises nor whites, just dark pools like lost forest springs. It had the face of a human, smooth and hairless, its skin as pale as moonlight, its delicate lips the same golden hue as the sunset.

Tagging @hallowedfury, @treesandwords, and @peresephones

#writeblr #writing #fantasy writing #ooohhh i love this concept!!

[treesandwords]

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday!

I'm wondering if there are any legends or traditions in your world surrounding celestial or weather-related phenomenon, if that makes sense? Myths about eclipses, names of constellations, things like that?

Thanks!

(from @treesandwords)

There are many different celestial related myths, all spread between various cultures and traditions. For the purposes of brevity I will stick to one.

Eclipses: The Kishic Conception

Within Kishic mythology, the Sun god Re, resides at the center of the Universe, his own brilliance illuminating that sphere, thus creating the Sun.

This does have some small basis in reality, it is true that the chief ruler of the Heavenly Deities, as well as many other gods do dwell within the sun, or more accurately within the singularlity which is cloaked by the sun. However the light shed by the Sun is not the direct result of these beings.

It is believed within Kishic mytho-history that it was Re who led the gods to Kobani during the Great Calamity, thus scouring human civilization from the surface of the planet and ending the Age of Metal and Glass. During this terrible event, the sun was blackened, as the shining god who fueled it descended upon the greedy and impious humans.

Once again this does have some basis in reality. The gods did truly descend onto Kobani and thus wipe out most human life. However it was almost certainly not the Ruler of the Heavenly Deities, who would smite humanity first, though they would arrive later. Additionally it was not impiety which brought about this drastic action, but rather the gross abuse of powerful magical technology by humans, which threatened to disrupt the Cycle of Reincarnation through the Mortal worlds, thus potentially endangering many billions of other beings. The Blackening of the Sun mentioned, was almost certainly the result of the immense amounts of dust, ash, and smoke cast into the atmosphere, which would have effectively blocked out the sun.

As a result of this myth it is believed among Kishics that an eclipse is thus the times when Re has left his throne. As such Eclipses are viewed with great superstition and fear, as possible portents of the return of the gods to Kobani to rain down fire and destruction. Sacrifices are made, mostly of livestock and wine, though human offerings are not entirely unheard of.

#writeblr #writing #worldbuilding #fantasy writing #other peoples writing #yoooooo i love this sm #thanks for the answer!

[treesandwords]

"Durrigan was not under siege. Its fields remained unburnt, its skies free of smoke and ash, its castles untoppled. But it was touched, as all things were. And all of its children, young and old, had a sense that it could be touched worse at any turn, that everything around them that lingered still, lingered only at the end of the finest thread, soon to snap. Anything and everything could shatter like glass, melt away like river clay. There is no such thing as permanence, and if they did not know that before then they did now."

-Chapter 24

#writeblr #writing #wip: sotsk #sons of the summer king #idk i just loved this quote

[treesandwords]

Hey, it's Worldbuilding Wednesday! If the Green Sea had an equivalent to the 7 Wonders of the World, what would go on the list? Natural or constructed wonders are both included.

Happy WBW! Since you specifically asked about The Green Sea I won't include things from other regions of Kobani, like the moving palaces aka Zawuk of the Makurians or the Ruins of Shaotsu far to the east in Mu.

Please excuse my crappy Microsoft paint diagrams

The Seven Wonders of the Green Sea as Recorded by Taruku the Traveler

The Marvels of Taruku as listed in order. 1 The Tomb of Tamel, Labisa, Kishetal 2 The Garden of Metal and Glass, Near Chibal, Kishetal 3 The Gates of Nashawey 4 The Arkodian Furnaces, Miminat, Korithia 5 The Vases of Stars, East of Kotsa, Kishetal 6 The Cavern City of Unkhatet, Knosh 7 The Cliffs of the Boticii, Western Ikenii 8 The Dunes of Nosina, Aguru Desert 9 The Ruins of Lake Opala, Tuwa, Namut 10 The Gardens of the Giants, Jonluria 11 The Palace of Irutilikugal, The City-State of Irud, Perhibaha 12 The Menagerie of Meshnangul, The City-State of Girumu, Perhibaha 13 The Zawuk of Kibud, North of the Kimikasan Mountains, Makia 14 Port of Turqouise, Kingdom of Saqaetaba, Nuret 15 The Temple of Pandhatrajun, Kingdom of Janpadran, Sinru

Continues below!

Taruku of Chibal was the son of a somewhat successful tin merchant in the Kishic City-State of Chibal. His father’s trade gave the young man access to a great deal of travel throughout the lands of Kobani. He traveled personally as far north as Jonluria, where he met a clan of giants, as far south as lake Opula in eastern Pyritia where he recorded several Pre-calamity ruins, and as far east as the Kimikasan Mountians north of Sinru, where he noted the Zawuks. In his writings about his travels, The Winds, Tarkul describes many aspects of the Green Sea and some of the areas beyond. The most famous section of the book is Taruku’s “Marvels” those natural or non-natural phenomena which Taruku felt were most extraordinary. There are 15 of these in total but for the purposes of this paper I will only be listing the 7 found in the lands which line the Green Sea (Highlighted in Green in the list above.)

1 The Tomb of Tamel

Kishic monarchs are traditionally buried in what are known as Jasheboli, or living mountains. These pyramid-like structures contain the bones of the dead rulers along with various treasures and goods. Kishic funerary customs dictate that the body first be exposed to the elements and typically consumed by local scavengers. After this the remaining bones are collected and buried. The bones of the poor are often buried near rivers or sacred groves, but the wealthy often have elaborate tombs. This is especially true of the massive burial structures of monarchs, which in some cases such as the Tomb of Tamel, may be topped with a temple to the city's patron god. Traditionally the first couple layers of a tomb are covered with plants such as fruit trees to create the illusion of a verdant mountain, thus the name. The Tomb of Tamel is the first such structure, made for the first and only Ruler of the Kishic Empire, the spiritblood Tamel. He likely based the idea for the tomb on the burial mound tradition of his homeland, Shabala. The Tomb of Tamel stands prominently in the center of the city, as opposed to the typical custom of such structures being built on the outskirts of Kishic cities. Perhaps the most notable facet of the Tomb is its sheer size, though hundreds of tombs have been constructed in the wake of Tamel, no tomb has reached its massive scale. The second largest, the Tomb of the Warrior Queen, Seha III, is approximately 30% smaller. The temple atop the Tomb of Tamel is dedicated to the Goddess Humbalibal. The trees growing on the tomb are fig, date, and pear. Visitors to Labisa often pay to purchase these fruits from the priests. It is believed that using one of the fruits from Tamel’s tomb for a sacrifice or offering will serve to better win the favor of the gods.

2 The Garden of Metal and Glass

The Garden of Metal and Glass is the name given to a mysterious forest which sprouts from the otherwise arid grasslands which lie to the east of the city of Chibal in Kishetal. Plants which grow there are not characteristic of that region, and indeed are not found natively except for in regions hundreds or even thousands of miles away. Fauna are similarly odd, several species found within the Garden are found only in that small area and nowhere else in Kobani, or else may be found in far away exotic regions in Makia and Pyritia. Their presence in Kishetal is as of now, unexplained. The Forest surrounds a massive set of Pre-Calamity ruins, the largest in Kishetal. The exact nature of these ruins is as of yet unknown. Though the Garden is renowned for its verdant beauty, it is said to be home to several powerful and aggressive Forestfolk tribes as well as a number of particularly impressive spirits, for this reason the Garden has not been settled or otherwise exploited by humans.

3 Gates of Nashawey

This massive structure is found in the Apunian capital at Nashawey stretches across the Putla River where it acts as a sort of tollbooth but also as a defensive structure. The Gateway was constructed by the Fapacha Rutamatep five-hundred years before the events of The Testaments of the Green Sea. The gate itself is composed primarily of sandstone and marble with heavy gilding on its columns. Carvings depict various stories and battles from both the Fapacha who ordered its construction and his successors. It is not unusual for Fapacha to have the carvings of their predecessors chiseled away in order to make room for their own pieces. The Gate is the first thing that visitors see upon entering the city.

4 The Arkodian Furnaces

The Arkodian Furnaces, located in the modern Kishic city of Miminat are a part of the city's Arkodian predecessor, Myminat. It is here that the ancient city's smiths and sages worked together to create the famed and magical Arkodian Bronze. At its peak it was the largest such structure in Kobani. The furnaces were destroyed and subsequently abandoned after the sack of the city by Kishic invaders. Today the ruins are appreciated for their grand scale and the perceived inspiration that can be gained from being in the presence of the soot stained stones. Hundreds of poets, artists, and philosophers travel to the ruins in order to find inspiration. Much of modern Korithian architecture is directly inspired by this site.

5 The Vases of Stars

These vases, located in southern Kishetal are all that remains of a mysterious tribe, known as the Rekita, which once inhabited the region before the coming of Tamel and the founding of Kishetal. Nobody is sure what happened to this group, though they may be related in some way to the Rechiru people who now inhabit Jezaan. They left behind no buildings or roads, only massive stone jars/vases, some large enough to fit an average adult man, haphazardly strewn across an area of grassy hills. What makes the Vases special are the spirits which have taken residence inside of them. The majority of spirits are invisible to all but sages, seers, and spiritbloods. The Vases are one of the few places in Kobani where spirits are observable by ordinary people. The spirits are typically seen as colorful balls of fire, sages theorize that they are a particularly shy variety of fire spirit. If a person is quiet they may observe the spirits as they bob lazily around the Kishic countryside.

6 The Cavern City of Unkhatet

The City of Unkhatet is a massive network of interconnected tunnels, caverns, and rooms forming a subterranean city which is home to approximately 12,000 people. The tunnels stretch over an area roughly the size of Kishic city of Labisa. While not the only subterranean community which can be found in the Green Sea, it is the largest and the most complex. The origins of the city are forgotten to time and theories abound. Some believe that the initial tunnels were created in the Pre-Calamity era. while others believe that the first tunnels were dug for Forestfolk or else by ancient flint miners. Regardless, the city exists as a semi-autonomous entity beneath the Knoshic kingdom of Juta. The city is reliant on the surface for most foodstuffs and textiles, while those below provide mined goods, including flint, gold, and iron ore.

7 The Cliffs of the Boticii

These massive cliffs, found on the western coast of Ikenii, are named for the tribe which ruled that particular region when Taruku visited that area. The beautiful striped black and white stone is composed primarily of a mixture of chalk and black flint, with occasional sections of sandstone, and iron heavy deposits adding flashes of yellow, red, and orange. The cliffs are home to thousands of examples of fossilized sea life, including certain ancient species of sea-dragon. Unfortunately the site is heavily exploited as these fossils, and particular teeth and shells, have become popular for artistic, medicinal, and even militaristic purposes. Thousands of pounds of chalk and fossils are taken from these cliffs every year, destined either for other regions of Ikenii or else for other parts of the Green Sea and beyond. Interestingly enough, the Boticii, for which the cliffs are names, are one group who have historically refrained from looting and exploiting the spoils of the cliffs, as they believe that the cliffs and the sea below are inhabited by dangerous spirits, who may lash out at those who invade their territory. Judging by the number of shipwrecks and drownings which occur in the region, these beliefs may be more than mere folklore.

This region was also once home to the last Giant Clan in the Green Sea, though this particular group went extinct 600 years before the events of The Testaments. Today giants can only be found in the frozen regions of the Daturic.

@patternwelded-quill @flaneurarbiter @skyderman @blackblooms @roach-pizza @illarian-rambling @dezerex @theocticscribe @axl-ul, @persnickety-peahen, @surroundedbypearls

#writeblr #writing #worldbuilding #fantasy writing #other peoples writing #brain is vibrating at immense speeds

[treesandwords]

Find the Word Tag Game

I was tagged by @roach-pizza, thanks! My words: ice, storm, stubborn, mist

I am tagging @pluttskutt, @scribble-dee-vee, @faeriecinna, and @wmlittlemore-is-writing Your words: Hair, drop, wrath, shudder

Ice

He ran south, past the combatants, through the valley. It felt as if his body had been possessed by a fiery entity which drove him forward in spit of cold and exhaustion. He ran, until the sounds of battle faded and yet he kept running, heart egging him onward. He had never run so far or so hard in his life. He stopped only when he could hear the river murmuring ahead of him and he could see the first of the natural limestone pillars which his father had called spirit towers He could see his breath wafting in front of him. Sweat dripped from his bare torso, unlike the Labisaji’s the southern conscripts had little to no armor or coverings, they wore simple woolen skirt and thin cloak. He came to an old stone bridge, its crumbling length stretched over the river. He crept across it, fearful that the slick ice may send him into the half frozen water below. But he made it. He collapsed in the snow, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. His running and terror had distracted him from the cold, but now that he was still it rolled over him, gripping him tightly.

Storm

“What are you doing, slave? I didn’t say you could touch that! I’ll just have you beaten until you learn respect for your master, what kind of things did the Fapacha teach you? You’re disrupting my play! Guards take that away from that fool before he hurts himself and then bring him to the palace so…” The king’s rant was disrupted as the Namutian lifted the bow. The muscles in the man’s arms flexed and his grip on wood and string tightened as he drew back the arrow, the goose feather brushed against his cheek. His fingers loosened and the familiar twang of the bowstring cut through the sound of the storm.  To Ninma it seemed as if time had slowed as the arrow leapt from the bow, sliced through the air, past her head, and buried itself deep in her father’s throat.

Stubborn

“Where’s Ninma?”  Otilia smirked and crossed her arms. “Guess.” Narul groaned and rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. “Did she go out with them again?” “How’d you guess?”  “Dammit. Why does she do that? I keep telling her it's a bad idea. One of these days, she’s going to get herself killed. I keep telling Dati not to let her go. Stubborn old man….” “She does it because she’s a sixteen-year-old kid, Narul. She’s just rebelling. Besides, you always go off chasing monsters and such, and you never let her go with you. She’s just bored. Didn’t you ever do anything rebellious when you were that age?” Narul threw his hands in the air and exclaimed. “ I don’t do it because it's fun! I’m doing it to protect the village! And no, I didn’t act rebelliously when I was her age. I thought I was going to eat someone or something! And I definitely wasn’t robbing merchants!”

Mist

They came to the top of a small hill, in the distance, the sea was just visible as a ribbon of blue and gold, and there cloaked in the mist of very early morning, they could see Nituru. “I don’t remember crossing by anyone,” Jani commented, pointing away from Nituru, and instead towards a small fire burning at the base of a stone column. “Me neither, I don’t know if it's all that safe to sleep out here,” Ninma muttered. They approached the camp. The snow around the fire was tamped down by several pairs of feet, there were no tents or supplies or people for that matter, just the lonely fire.

#writing #writeblr #fantasy writing #other peoples writing

[treesandwords]

Me trying to explain SOTSK to other people like. it's a "Something Lives In The Woods and Wants To Eat You" story but. the thing that lives there is generational trauma and toxic masculinity.

#writeblr #wip: sotsk #self rb because this is funny