The State of the Chronicles, March 2009

Here's where we stand at the end of this month:

--We have covered how magia affects the world, its people, and its technology. That said, we will continue how it affects the arts and entertainment into next month
--We hit 100 posts of work! But I still have a lot more to do with this blog.

To everyone that reads the blog, thanks for your support!

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 6

What games are commonly known -- chess, dice, poker? Which are common among everyone, and which are limited to the peasantry or nobility? Are certain countries/cities known for a passion/expertise for particular games or pastimes?

Card games and dice games are known by everyone, but the upper class has its own card games and board games (which in turn get taught to the lower classes by merchants and traders) One of these is a variant on Solitaire called Dragon's Eye, where the foundations are reversed--rather than going from Ace on up to King, you start with Kings and go up to Ace--which is considered the "Dragon's Eye" Hi/lo stud poker is also popular among the upper class (and has been taught to the lower classes)

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 5

What sports or pastimes are common (hawking, hunting, skiing, baseball)?

Across all races and classes, ball games, card games, dice games, non-lethal duels, theater, music and hunting are common

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 4

What do people at various levels of society do for fun?

The rural areas enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, various kinds of ball games (which will be discussed in a post for their own), and building treehouses and fortresses

The middle class enjoys various kinds of sports, non-lethal duels (i.e. two competitors or creatures trained by the competitors will fight, but not kill one another), the theater, and some kinds of card and dice games

Cards, dice, and tabletop games are the prime entertainments of the upper cless, but they also enjoy non-lethal duels and the theater (some playwrights and showmen will write new material to flatter a wealthy patron)

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 3

Are there permanent theaters or concert halls for performing arts? If so, who owns and runs them? Are there also traveling troupes?

Yes, usually supported by a wealthy patron or the local branch of the performer's guilds, but there are some that run on donations from the public. Traveling troupes also exist, but they tend to visit the rural areas more often (but they will occasionally visit a major city if someone has asked them to come there)

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 2

Who supports the arts? Which arts are most highly valued and why?

The arts and entertainment are mainly supported by the guilds of that art, with gifts from the rich and poor alike. Music and theater are the most valued--music because that's the most common way magia is cast; and theater (storytelling included) because Sekiyans are proud of the millions of myths and legends about their world.

Sekiyan arts and entertainment, day 1

Today we begin covering the arts and other entertainment in my world, Sekiya.

What is the status of the various arts (dance, music, theater, etc.) in this society? Are artists revered or mistrusted?

Of these, music and theater (storytelling files under theater) hold the highest priority, with dance and art a close seconds. Lessons and training in any of the arts is freely availiable, and music and art are taught in schools.

Artists, no matter their art, are respected, with some musicians and storytellers having the equivalent of rock star status among the five races.

Magia and technology, day 5

Last question on this topic:

To what degree do magical objects and the presence of wizards and spells replace technology (e.g., a chest that is enchanted to stay cold replacing refrigerators)? Duplicate technology? Supplement technology?

Sekiya does have the magically cold chest, but most items that replace technology are in the entertainment arena: scrolls with moving pictures replace movies and video games (the ones that replace video games are controlled by the viewer's commands)

Tomorrow we begin discussing arts and entertainment.

Magia and technology, day 4

Can ordinary objects be enchanted to make them extremely lethal (the Frying Pan of Death) or will this work properly only on things that are already weapons? Can ordinary objects be enchanted to make them (or their user) much, much better at whatever they do (the Frying Pan of Ultimate Gourmet Cooking, the Comb of No Bad Hair Days Ever)? How common and useful are such enchantments?

"Frying Pans of Doom" wouldn't be possible--this kind of enchantment would only work on things that were already weapons. On the flip side, it is possible to have "Magical Gourmet Frying Pans"--but the magia will usually only work so many times before you have to re-enchant it again (anywhere from 30 to 99 times)--and those that keep their power indefinitely are usually kept by fairies and given to someone the fairy favors

Magia and technology,day 3

How has the presence of magic affected weapons technology? Do you have to do anything special to armor, weapons, walls, to make them better able to resist spells?

Magia has made weapons and defenses both stronger, and any item of warfare is designed with magia in mind. But in order to defend against magia, you need to cast the appropriate buff against the magia you are going against (i.e. if you're going against an enemy that uses fire magia, you would need to cast a water-type buff on your weapons and armor) If you just want to defend against magia in general, you would cast the Spirit spell Energy Wall

Magia and technology, day 2

Are magical weapons available? Can magic be used in warfare? In what ways? Are spells fast enough to be useful in hand-to-hand combat, or is magic more of a siege weapon, useful only for long, slow things?

Magia is mainly a point-and-shoot affair, and magical weapons and defenses are plentiful, but just like trying to harness magia itself, you need to train to use magia effectively in battle.

Magia and technology, day 1

Today we start answering a few questions concerning magia and technology.

Are there magical means of transportation (teleport spells, magic carpets, dragon-riding)? How do they compare in speed, safety, and expense to non-magical means? Are there any drawbacks (e.g., air sickness)? How commonly are they used, and for what purposes (industrial shipping vs. travel for fun)?

The two most common means of this in Sekiya are dragon and wyvern riding and teleportation. While dragoons (and those connected to them) usually ride dragons, some dragoons offer wyverns for normal people to ride. Each dragoon charges his or her own rate, and this rate can change depending on why you need the ride (shipping flights will generally cost more than a travel flight) and how far you're going. This way is not recommended if you get airsick easily or have a fear of heights.

With teleportation, most people with Time magia (either innate or as an influence) can use this, but the risk of the spell failing (or taking you somewhere comepletely different from where you needed to go) increases with the number of people you're trying to warp. Warping items fails less often than warping people, so this is commonly used to get an important item to its destination quickly.

Magia and the world, day 16

Last question on this topic!

Can magic be used in the arts, and if so, how -- paint that glows, pictures that move, flutes that play themselves, etc. ? How do "normal" artists feel about this?

Some storytellers use magia to visually show their audience the tale they are telling, akin to movies. Instruments is also the way many spells are cast, but a spell has to be named before you perform in order for a spell cast via music to work. Just playing random notes or a popular tune without naming a spell won't do anything. Normal artists don't mind magia in the arts--they see it as an extension of their craft.

Magia and the world, day 15

Are there separate civil and criminal courts? Is there a separate court or procedure for magical crimes? Are judges and other court officers required/forbidden to know magic?

Magia related crimes are tried before a mage's tribunal consisting of anywhere from five to seven mages and a judge, but they work the same way as a court of common law--the prosecution and defense each make their cases, then the mages decide, based on the evidence presented, whether the person committed the crime or not.

Judges and other court officials are allowed to know magia, and those with Time magia (either as an innate power or as an influence) are encouraged to help out in the courts.

Magia and the world, day 14

Is forensic magic possible? Commonly used? Used only to investigate certain types of crimes (if so, which?)? Are the results of forensic spells admissible in court as evidence?

Yes--Time magic is commonly used to help solve cold cases by recreating the victim's final moments (in a time loop, similar to a movie) in hopes detectives will be able to find a lead. If a body was never found, a Time spell will be used on any evidence that is availiable. What is seen in the time loop is then used as a starting point to solve an unsolved mystery, and is often used as evidence when the perpetrator is finally brought to trial.

Magia and the world, day 13

Is healing usually a magical process? If so, how does the magical healing talent/spell work (i.e., speeding up the body's natural healing mechanism vs. doing instant repairs from outside)? Does a magical healer have to consciously direct the healing process (meaning that lots of knowledge of anatomy, etc. would be required), or does magical healing simply speed up the normal, unconscious healing process in the patient? Is there more than one kind of magical healer (as there are surgeons, eye doctors, orthopedic doctors, etc.)? Are there both magical and non-magical healers, and if so, are they rivals or simply different specialties?

Sekiyans prefer to let nature take its course when it comes to healing, but Holy magia is usually used to stabilize the patent so doctors can do what needs to be done (by manipulating the natural healing process). Just as there are different kinds of doctors in our world, so too are there different kinds of healers--the difference is how they heal. Some use potions, others herbs, some use magia, and still others a combination of these. Traditional doctors and magical healers work together most of the time, (i.e. when going into surgery, magia is your anethesia) but there are some ailments only magia can heal (traditional doctors are taught to recognize these) diseases)

The 100 post thank you

For my 100th post, I just want to say thank you to those that read the blog--thanks for their interest in my project and their support.

Magia and the world, day 12

How much has the presence of magic affected military strategy and tactics in general?

Guns and other firearms like them (except for bows and similar weapons) do not exist, but weapons can and often are enchanted, making for swords that shoot beams like a blademage's weapon (even when the user has no blademage training whatsoever), various enchanted arrows (your standard fire, ice, and light arrows, plus some new elementals), and even ways to magically infuse catapult rocks. Defensive wise, you can put up a strong shield around your camp to deflect (or reflect) the magia, absorb it for your camp, or drain it out of your opponent's weapon.

Magia and the world, day 11

Are magicians a force in politics, or are they above it? Are there national politics that revolve around magic/wizards (i.e., trying to outlaw or promote certain kinds of magic, trying to draft all wizards into the king's army, licensing of magicians, etc.)?

Since anyone and everyone can wield magia in Sekiya, this includes the politicians. Sekiyan politicians sign an oath promising that they will not use magia to manipulate rulers or otherwise promote their own agenda before they take office. Breaking this oath can land you in both the common courts and the mage's tribunal depending on what you did and how serious of a crime it is.

Currently, magia legislation involves approval for various research and what to do about missing Holders

New picture

I've changed my userpic to a sapphire, so it better fits "SparklingBlue". I may use the ruby again, I may not, but we'll see

Magia and the world, day 10

Given the magical/technological level of this society, what is an appropriate ratio of farmers or food producers to urban residents? If this is based on the presence of magic, how many urban residents are going to starve if the spells supporting farming fail suddenly?

70% urban (including the middle class) to 30% rural (not including those of the middle class that grow food by choice). Magia is not usually used to help in farming, but no one would starve in the event magia were to not work--each town keeps a stockpile of food in case of famine.

Magia and the world, day 9

Where is scientific and/or magical research done--universities, private labs, under the auspices of the king/government, etc.?

As mentioned before, there are a number of magia academies scattered throughout Sekiya--these are where most of the research concerning magia takes place. That said, some researchers prefer to do their work in private labs, usually so they can do experiments in the field.

Magia and the world, day 8

What effect has magic had on laws? Art? Technology? Entertainment? etc.

Law wise, it has led to the creation of a Mage's Code detailing what can and can't be done with magia. Not only is a magia wielder subject to common law, he/she is also bound to this document too.

Arts/entertainment wise, instruments are what is most popularly used to wield magia, but a spell has to be named before playing--just playing random notes or a popular tune won't work. Storytelling is also a very popular art, with magia sometimes being used to project images of what is being told (similar to movies)

Magia and the world, day 7

Are there magical artifacts (rings, swords, etc)? If so, who makes them? How? Are they permanent, or does the magic wear off after a while?

Magical artifacts are plentiful around Sekiya, but the rarest and most powerful were made a thousand years ago--and many artifacts from that time have yet to be found. While the elves and the fairies generally make the bulk of the artifacts (eg. common items, clothes, potions, and jewelry), the humans, dwarves, and the avris also make a few kinds themselves (the dwarves that can wield magia make magical weapons, for example).

Making a magical item can be as simple as casting a specific spell, Magia Fusion, on an ordinary object, but artifacts made like this are not as powerful as relics made using special processes.

Once an item is enchanted, the magia remains inside it for all time, but if it is not used for a long time, the magia goes dormant until the item is found/used again.

Magia and the world, Day 6

What wild animals, actual or imaginary, live in this area? Are any of them potentially useful--e.g., for fur, whale oil, hides, magical ingredients, etc. Are there magical beasts, like dragons and unicorns? If so, which ones? How many? Are they common, or are some endangered species? Have any been domesticated?

On Sekiya's eastern continent, Earth animals that live on plains and in forests are the most common, as well as mystical creatures that live in those habitats. Some examples of Earth animals you might see include robins, cardinals, blue jays, mockingbirds, and other wild birds (their feathers are used as decoration on clothing and magical charms), deer (used for food and blankets), rabbits (used for food and winter clothes) squirrels, and many more.

In terms of mystical creatures, dragons, wyverns, goblins, unicorns, griffons, and rocs are all common on this continent. Of these, only dragons have been tamed for the dragoons

Magia and the world, Day 5

Which peoples/races/cultures/countries are most technologically and/or magically advanced? Least advanced? Why?

The elves and fairies of Sekiya are the most advanced in the knowledge of magia, while the dwarves are the least advanced. This is because the elves and the fairies use magia more in their culture, and have more people that study it. The dwarves meanwhile, just do not see a reason to harness magia themselves, although they certainly possess the capibility and skill to use it.

Magia and the world, day 4

Where did civilization begin? What directions did it spread? How was its development affected by the presence of magic? The presence of non-human races, if any?

Sekiyan civilization was said to have originated from a point in the fairy realms known as New Life Wood, From there, the new fairies made the realm grow, making some of their magia spill out into the other realm and making it hospitable for other races to exist there, bringing the first humans, dwarves, avris, and elves not long after.

I know this doesn't look like much, but I'm still working on details in this regard

Magia and the world, day 3

If there are imaginary animals (dragons, unicorns, etc) how do they fit into the ecology? What do they eat? How much and what kind of habitat do they require? Are they intelligent and/or capable of working spells, talking, etc.?

There are plenty of mystical beings in Sekiya--dragons, griffons, unicorns, rocs, phoenixes, and wyverns are just a sampling of fantasy creatures you would be able to find. For the purpose of this entry, we will focus on the dragon and its smaller cousin, the wyvern.

Usually, meat eaters such as dragons would be content to eat other kinds of mystical creatures and larger Earth creatures--for example, dragons in the wild usually eat young griffons and rocs, and think twice before going after livestock or humans themselves (although a few dragons have terrorized the people of Sekiya before and met a grisly fate.) Wyverns, meanwhile, usually eat Earth birds of prey (i.e. hawks, eagles, etc.)

Dragons usually live in large caves up in the mountains and highlands, although a few have made their homes in a forest cave. Wyverns, by comparison, live in forest clearings and grottoes on the plains.

Both species are capable of speech, and tend to wield magia in a breath attack that does not require the spell to be named, although they can wield magia by naming a spell if they so choose. They have also been domesticated by dragoons and breeders for defense and as the dragoon's companion. if you treat a dragon well, you will have a loyal companion for life. Wyverns however, have not been known to be tamed, but the dragoons have managed to tame a few to let apprentices practice caring for them.

Magia and the world, Day 2

How do organized religions react to magic?


Magia is seen as a way the High Goddess, Meikon, granted permission for mortals to tap into the power of the Twelve Stones (when before, only she and a number of divine beings were able to even sense it). When Meikon created the world, she taught the first beings she created how to sense and wield magia--these beings were the first fairies. The new fairies then went out and taught others how to use magia--Elves were next (this explains why elves and fairies rely on magia more in their culture), followed by humans, dwarves, and the avris. At first, Meikon objected to the other beings she had made using magia, but the fairies explained that eventually, the other races would have asked for permission to wield magia anyway, and that they gave the other races precautions on how to use magia responsibly--and that is why almost any being can sense and wield magia.

Magia and the world, Day 1

Are the laws of nature and physics actually different in this world (to accommodate magic) or are they the same as in real life? If the same, how does magic fit in? How do magical beasts fit in?

The laws of nature and physics can be bent (and sometimes broken) when under the influence of some magia. For instance, moving objects can be brought to a complete stop with no damage to what is around it (due to the kinetic energy being reduced to nothing), or redirected towards another place entirely. One spell can even reverse the pull of gravity on a target.

As for the laws of nature, most of the time the denizens of Sekiya let nature run its course, but there are some plants that only grow when affected by magia, and sometimes, creating a pool of water by a water spell can be a lifesaver during a drought.

Magical beasts rub shoulders with Earth creatures, but the carnivores (i.e. dragons, for example) mainly eat other magical creatures (Griffons and rocs are a particular favorite of dragons in the wild, but tame ones usually learn to eat beef and chicken)

The life of a spellcaster, Day 4

How are illegal magicians apprehended? Punished? Is this the responsibility of the magician's guild, or do ordinary law enforcement agencies have to deal with it?

If they have commited a non magia-related crime, then they are subject to common law like everyone else, only placed in a magia proof cell block if they are sentenced to prison time.

Magia related crimes are the jurisdiction of the local mage's tribunal--those found to be casting forbidden spells without a very specific reason (or another serious crime) will have their powers locked via Mystical Bane. Lesser magia related crimes are punished via probation (in which they are confined to their house and told not to use magia for a certain amount of time), restitution, or prison time.

Tomorrow: Magia and the world

The life of a spellcaster, Day 3

Are certain spells illegal (as opposed to magic generally)? Why--because of the effect of the spell, or because of the ingredients or procedures needed to cast it, or what? How are violations of this law detected?

Yes--spells that involve creating monsters, placing a harmful effect on someone (unless you are doing so in self defense) or manipulating weather will land you before the mage's tribunal. Use of these spells can either be detected by their effects (for obvious reasons), or sensed by the mages on the tribunal (these five mages are especially trained to "sense" magia being cast, and why it is being cast)

The life of a spellcaster, day 2

Is a magician's lifetime normally longer or shorter than average? Why? Does this vary for different races/species? Are there races/species all of whose members are magicians?

No--magia wielders are no different from those that don't when it comes to lifespan.

While every race is capable of wielding magia, elves and fairies are less likely to have members that can't or don't wield magia, since their cultures rely on magia more than humans, dwarves, and avris. That said, there are a few elves and fairies that can't wield magia for whatever reason.

By Request: Paying for Training

Tia of Fantasy Debut (http://fantasydebut.blogspot.com/) brought up an important question a few days ago: How do people pay for magia training?

The short answer: They usually don't.

The long answer: Since magia can be sensed and used by almost anyone, and training is needed to be a good spellcaster, said training is usually offered freely. In the rural areas, either the town Seer or a resident mage will do the training, sometimes in exchange for food.

In the middle class areas (such as Telrain), magia training is a proper subject in the school system (effectively replacing science). Those that can't wield magia for whatever reason use the period as a study hall or as training in their desired trade.

The upper class has several options open to them--they can undergo private lessons with a master mage at their house (for a fee), take free training along with everyone else, or enroll in a magia academy (which has a hefty price for tuition, room, and board, as well as a selective entrance process.) Some academies will also admit those of the lower classes, complete with a number of scholarships to ease the financial burden on those that aren't quite well off.

Hope this answers your question!

The State of the Chronicles, February 2009

Wow! Interest in my series is really taking off!

Lets recap what happened in the past month:

--Joined the CherryD community (which you can go to here: http://cherryd.ning.com/) and gained a few more fans
--Was interviewed for The Old Bat's Belfry (what transpired can be found here: http://oldbatsbelfry.blogspot.com/2009/02/reader-appreciation-interview.html)
--Finished developing the characters, and commenced serious worldbuilding.

To everyone that reads the blog, thank you!