Getting to know everyone, Day 18

Finally got my connection back, so let's continue with day 18 of my character exercise:

What makes her proud?

Miresa: Learning something new

Bradlin: Being able to serve as a dragoon, even though he is just an apprentice

Galia: Watching Losi grow in her magia abilities

Arune: Serving as a Wingblade


Does he still keep in touch with his childhood friends? Which ones? Why?

Miresa: Most of her childhood friends have moved on to other cities, so Bradlin's the only one left that she communicates with on a regular basis

Bradlin: Besides Miresa, no

Galia: Yes, she writes to two of her best friends, Hintar and Merimir, on a regular basis

Arune: Not so much her friends in the fairy realm as she does her friends in the human realm.


Write about her favorite birthday (or favorite holiday that went perfectly).

Miresa: Her 13th, when she was accepted as a blademage apprentice

Bradlin: His 12th, when he met Glorian for the first time

Galia: Her 14th, when her innate power awakened

Arune: Her 12th (in human years), when she was old enough to become a Wingblade

Getting to know everyone, Day 17

He has an award on his shelf. What’s it for? Does he feel he deserves it?

Miresa: She has a Star of Magia medallion for showing great improvement in her skill over the course of a year. She feels unworthy of it because she is still causing accidents and other incidents trying to control magia

Bradlin: He has a pin signifying his status as an apprentice dragoon that all apprentices are required to wear when meeting dignitaries or on parade. Wearing it makes him both proud and mindful of his personal promise to find his father.

Galia: She has a sapphire pendant given to her in recognition of her service as Seer. She wears it proudly, and looks foward to the day she can put it around Losi's neck.

Arune: She has a medallion singnifying that she is a Wingblade that has an Other. She relishes wearing it, as she has a growing bond with Miresa.


Has she ever struck someone in anger? How does she feel about that?

Miresa: No, she knows to control her anger

Bradlin: Yes, he once struck Merakor after Merakor taunted him yet again. He felt guilty about it while he was in confinement, and asked Merakor to forgive him. Fortunately, Merakor was willing to forgive.

Galia: No, she doesn't believe in using force unless absolutely necessary.

Arune: No, she knows hitting someone only leads to more problems.


What makes him embarrassed?

Miresa: Someone recanting stories of one of her more damaging incidents.

Bradlin: Comments about his friendship with Glorian

Galia: She is not easily embarassed

Arune: Unintentional faux pas

Getting to know everyone, Day 16

What is her greatest regret in life? Does she intend to do something about it?

Miresa: Of all her magia related accidents, she regrets setting one of the study quarters on fire, even though it was an accident. She has apologized to the master blademage, cleaned her own mess, and served a day of confinement as punishment.

Bradlin: He regrets not spending as much time with his father as he wanted to--another reason he goes on the quest

Galia: She regrets not warning her hometown in time to stop a demon attack when she was young, but she acknowledges there was nothing she could do at the time

Arune: She regrets calling her old commander a number of things she shouldn't have--they have since worked the disagreement out


What major thing does he want to accomplish in life?

Miresa: She wants to become a blademage

Bradlin: He hopes to become a legendary dragoon

Galia: She wishes to travel around Sekiya and write a book about the journey

Arune: She wants to become a Wingblade commander herself


How does she feel about growing old?

Miresa: She doesn't worry about it very much

Bradlin: He understands it's just part of life.

Galia: She knows that it happens to everyone, so she doesn't worry about it

Arune: She understands that it is a natural part of life, but is interested in why elders command the respect they do

Getting to know everyone, Day 15

We're halfway through 30 days of questions...

He has a box of things stashed away that he won’t get rid of. What’s in that box?

Miresa: Old books and instruments that she hangs onto for sentimental reasons, never mind that they aren't playable anymore.

Bradlin: Various letters and items his father either made or owned.

Galia: Books she keeps for sentimental reasons

Arune: Various jewelry

What is her worst flaw according to you? What does she think her worst flaw is?

Miresa: She doesn't take criticism very well, but she thinks her struggle to wield magia is her worst flaw

Bradlin: He often rushes into situations without considering results, but he feels his worst flaw is his slacker side

Galia: She has been considered by some to be cold and distant, but she thinks her struggles with authority is her worst flaw

Arune: She can come across as bratty when rubbed the wrong way, but she feels her biggest flaw is misunderstanding much of the world


What is his greatest strength according to you? What does he think his greatest strength is?

Miresa: She's proud of her determination, but her actual strength is her energy

Bradlin: He feels his sense of honor is his strength, but it is actually his sense of humor

Galia: She prides herself on her wisdom, but her actual strength lies in her compassion

Arune: She sees herself as friendly, but her real strength lies in how well she guards her Other

Getting to know everyone, Day 14

Two of today's questions I have answered somewhat already, so just one question again today:

What did her parents say to her that she’ll never forget?

Miresa: "Trust in your abilities, and you'll discover powers you never knew you had."

Bradlin: "Heroes do not become so overnight"

Galia: "Sometimes the greatest heroes are someone you least expected."

Arune: "Every race has their own unique treasures--treasures far better than wealth or fame."

More questions coming

In addition to the 30 days of character questions, I'm also hoping to refine the worldbuilding by answering questions from http://www.larseighner.com/world_builder/index.html

Of course, some of these will likely be repeats of what I've already shown you.

Getting to know everyone, Day 13

Does she feel she has responsibilities that are more than she can handle? What is she doing about them?

Miresa: Yes; she is trying to deal with them through talking with a mentor, so she understands what is required of her as a blademage.

Bradlin: No, he understands that being a dragoon requires a lot of responsibility, although he would not admit this up front

Galia: No, she knows how to handle the stress of being a Seer and training Losi

Arune: No, she understands her duty as a Wingblade

What did she want to be when she grew up?

Miresa: An adventurer

Bradlin: A dragoon

Galia: A dancer

Arune: A trader

What does he want to do but can’t?

Miresa: She wants to become a great blademage and travel across Sekiya, but can't wield magia very well.

Bradlin: He wants to travel to find out if his father is still alive, but can't due to his commitments as a dragoon apprentice

Galia: She wants to try and learn to dance, but she doesn't have the skill (she does have the agilty and stamina to do it, however)

Arune: She wants to see what lies beyond the Eastern Continent, but she is bound to her Other, and only goes where Miresa goes.

School in Sekiya

Until about age 13, kids go through a traditional school setting (homework, teachers, projects, papers, tests, and the like), but depending on what their ultimate career path is, they will also receive a little training in that path in addition to the typical math, basic magia (the equivalent of science), and history. Once they turn 14, they go to learn a trade. Fairies bypass this altogether and use their training in a trade as their schooling.

Miresa's and Bradlin's typical school day when they were younger, would then look like this:

8 AM: School begins

8:15 AM: History
9 AM: Basic magia (those that couldn't wield magia, like Bradlin, would either use this period as a study hall, or as basic training in their desired trade)
9:45: Math

10:30: Recess

11:15: Literature (an equivalent to an English class)

Noon: Lunch

1:00: Writing
1:45: Music
2:20: Specialized class (for Miresa, this is sword training)

3 PM: School ends

Elven, dwarven, and avri schooling would be a sort of block schedule, with more time devoted to different subjects depending on the day.Galia's typical school day would look like this:

8:00: School begins

Block 1: History (1:30)
Block 2: Math (:50)
Block 3: Basic magia (1:30)

Lunch

Block 4: Physical arts (equivalent to a PE class) (1:00)
Block 5: Fine arts (in Galia's case, this was a music class) (:50)
Block 6: Literature (:45)

roughly 3 PM: School ends

Most cities will have a school building with a staff of teachers, but the more rural areas will be taught by the local Seer. With the exceptions of fairies (they receive their schooling by training for a trade, and therefore do not need a traditional classroom), schooling is readily availiable, even for the poor. In the case of Miresa, Bradlin, and Galia, their homes are large enough to support a proper school building and a staff, but not small enough to be taught by the local Seer.

Getting to know my characters, Day 12

Make up 3 book titles he read last year.

Miresa: "Legends of the Gemsinger" (multiple times), "Blademage Tactics", "The Travels of Ciarin"

Bradlin: The dragoon conduct manual (as he is supposed to take an exam over this as part of his training), the dragon field guide (also part of the exam), "The Dragoons of Legend"

Galia: "Lore of the Forest of Dawn", "The Great Magia Compendium, 6th edition" (which essentially lists every named spell known to Singers; it is updated every year), "Sekiyan Heroes"

Arune: "The Ultimate Guide to Humans", "Swords of Legend (and The Stories Behind Them)", "A History of Storysingers"


What does he do when stress builds up?

Miresa: Go someplace quiet and play music

Bradlin: Hole up in the dragonstables and talk to the dragons, usually Glorian (who he has nicknamed Glory)

Galia: Walk away from what is bugging her, settle in the quiet spot in her room and read while Siwyn sits in her lap.

Arune: Retreat to her garden and tend to the plants


What’s her favorite retreat?

Miresa: A small hill nearby the river

Bradlin: The dragonstables

Galia: Her chamber (if inside), the inn (if in public)

Arune: Her garden

Getting to know my characters, Day 11

What was his favorite gift that he received of all time? Who gave it to him?

Miresa: The book "Legend of the Gemsinger", which her mom gave her.

Bradlin: The dragon pendant his father gave him before he disappeared

Galia: An arrangement of lillies (the symbol of the Seers) Losi made for her to commemorate her first anniversary of service as a Seer

Arune: A whistle Miresa made for her

Does she have a green thumb?

Miresa: No

Bradlin: Not so much planting as he enjoys digging in dirt

Galia: While she relishes flowers and has a lot of flowers around the shrine and in her chambers, she doesn't have the talent for growing them herself.

Arune: Yes, she grows her own fruits, vegetables, flowers and some plants usually limited to the fairy realms

Does he have pets? Did he have a special pet as a child?

Miresa: She wanted one, but her mother has an allergy.

Bradlin: Currently, he doesn't, but he had dogs when he was young. They were meant to help his father in hunting, but he bonded with them and considered them pets

Galia: She has a cat named Siwyn ("song of the cat", according to the translation most Sekiyan scholars agree on)

Arune: Not currently, but she wishes to tame a butterfly for riding.

Flora Fauna, and a plea for help

Flora and Fauna of Sekiya

Most plants and animals in Sekiya are no different from what you would find on Earth. For instance, dogs, cats, cows, and many other Earth plants and animals are alongside mystical creatures. Likewise, mundane plants exist alongside mystic ones--and some mundane plants on Earth gain magic powers.

Some original fauna:

Bloom rattler--a kind of poisonous snake akin to a rattlesnake that has a large, hood-like appendage around its head. Usually keeps this deflated unless threatened, when it will inflate it to where it looks like a sort of flower, hence its name.

Dragon slime--It may look like a mass of goo--but one that behaves like a dragon. It will not transform into its dragon state unless potential prey approaches. Blue ones (ice elemental) are especially dangerous, as they can blend with water. While they tend to congegate around swampy lands, be very careful if you see what looks like water on what is otherwise dry land.

Some ideas of what other mysical creatures I can use?

The Sekiyan Family and Other Things

--Families

Most families in Sekiya tend to be two parents and at least one child. In the case of longer lived races, such as elves and avris, extended family members may also be present (eg. grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the like.) If one parent dies, an extended family member may take over the missing role. (as in Bradlin's case, when his grandfather stepped up to provide a male role model for him when his father disappeared. If both parents were to die, the child(ren) would be sent to what extended family they have, or to someone willing to take them in.Fairies, on the other hand, do not have family per se, as they are born from special flowers called lifeblooms--but they do consider other fairies they know (or their Other, if the fairy is a Wingblade) as their family. Newborn fairies are looked after by the Lifebloom Watch--fairies charged with guarding the various gardens of lifeblooms that are scattered through the fairy realms--until they reach the human age of two or three, when they are adopted by the guildmistress of their desired trade. Unlike humans, fairies at this human age are much more mature than their human age might indicate.

--Continents of Sekiya

Contrary to what I've shown you so far, Sekiya actually has more than one continent--the one I've been showing you so far is the eastern continent. As the story goes on, you'll be seeing three more (but they will be revealed as the story goes on).

--The High Goddess Meikon

The most revered being on Sekiya, and the creator of the Twelve Stones of Power; Meikon is at heart a benevolent deity--but she will not hesitate to strike down any that clearly have no regard for other living beings. She initially confined all the evil beings of the world to a continent all their own--a continent filled with suffering and despair--but the demons found a way to escape and spread to the most remote corners of the world (including the Onyx Crags), where they receive instructions from the demon lord Catva, who is confined to the Realm of the Blackvoid for all time.Meikon is often depicted as a young woman with a slender build clad in a jewel-studded set of light armor holding a flute (presumably casting Holy spells with it). This instrument is seldom seen among the mortal plane, except when a Gemsinger awakens or when she (rarely) takes the form of a mortal to observe her creations.

Getting to know everyone, Day 10

What one person does she most wish she didn’t have to put up with, but feels she has to?

Miresa: Haliwen, but unlike her, she doesn't see Haliwen as a rival.

Bradlin: Merakor, so he doesn't get daily reminders that he can't wield magia

Galia: The leader of the council of Telrain, as he is the most anti-elf among the group. However, the elder's word is the final say, so Galia remains Seer of Telrain

Arune: Currently, she doesn't have somone, but she did view her first commander like this.

Who is his confidant?

Miresa: Bradlin

Bradlin: The dragon Glorian, who belongs to the dragoon in charge of his group of apprentices.

Galia: Losi, the young avri that trains under her and looks after the shrine while she is away.

Arune: Miresa


Who did she give presents to on the last gift giving occasion? What did she give?

In the world of Sekiya, the Christmas-esque holiday is the elven festival Lafisavia, "the night of luck and light". While it started as an elven holiday long ago, it was quickly adopted by other races, and now all of Sekiya celebrates it in some form--although the elves still throw the best party.

That said, Miresa gave Arune a new rapier she forged herself, Bradlin gave Miresa a dragon pendant as a token of their friendship, Galia gave Losi a flower arranging kit (since Losi likes arranging flowers), and Arune gave one of her friends a potion of friendship.

Getting to know my characters, Day 9

I've covered the other two questions for today before, so just one question today:

How would his parents describe him as a child and now?

Miresa: As a child, she was described as very talkative, now, she focuses on putting her words into action.

Bradlin: As a child, he was described as a daydreamer, but if you talked to the dragonmaster today, he'd be described as a hard worker (although he still has to be gently reminded on occasion)

Galia: As a child, she was described as very intelligent and laid back; today she would also be described as friendly and skilled at conversation and storytelling.

Arune: As a child, she was described as a little too overeager to help and slightly clumsy (although she meant well); today, she has overcame her clumsiness and is always ready to defend the fairy realms and those she loves.

Fantasy Debut: On Religion in Fantasy

Fantasy Debut: On Religion in Fantasy

Very interesting article concerning religion in fantasy--and how careful you have to be when bringing it into play.

Sekiya's recent history

100 years before-Earth Fairy Mori crowned queen of the Fairies--succeeds Fire Fairy Sidata

95 years before-War of the Black breaks out between the demons and the elves--Forest of Dawn almost completely burned

92 years before-War of the Black ends-King Alean rushes food, drink, medicine, and other aid to the elves of the Forest of Dawn

89 years before-Despite the humans' aid, famine still looms in the elven realm--Third Gemsinger appears and heals the Tree of Rebirth, effectively healing the elven realm

85 years before--Dragon Rogue appears in the Rubis Mountains--Dragon Order rushes to help, Ruby Dragoon made in their honor

79 years before--Dwarven Lord Solir appointed High Overseer--succeeds Dwarven Lord Kagan

75 years before--The Great Quest of the Diamond begins

65 years before--The Great Quest of the Diamond ends

60 years before--Human King Alean dies--is succeeded by his daughter, Cadesa

60 years before--Avri Father Shia is found dead by a mysterious poison--new Father Hian vows to find the perpatrator

55 years before--Winged Alliance formed between the Dragon Order and the Avri--the dragoons offer to help find who killed Shia

50 years before--Fourth Gemsinger appears when the same demon that killed Shia threatens to poison everything else in Sekiya

40 years before--Cadesa forced into exile when rival Thali seizes throne

35 years before--Fifth Gemsinger appears and drives Thali away­--Cadesa's daughter Leria ascends to human throne

20 years before--Water Fairy Kamino crowned queen of the fairies--succeeds Earth Fairy Mori

16 years before--Miresa is born

The Races of Sekiya

Here are the races that are a part of my world:

Humans

The most plentiful race, usually concentrated around plains and rivers. However, pockets of them also exist in the realms of other races. Skin colors range from the typical European style, to a Hispanic style for those humans that live in the desert. Those with dwarven blood in them appear darker than a desert dwelling human, while those that have elven or fairy blood appear paler. Hair colors come in a variety of colors, with shades of brown or black being the most common. They are usually average height, and slightly muscular.They usually get along well with other races, but dwarves tend to be a little leery of them.

Elves

Similar to humans, this race's most recognizable feature is their slightly cat-like ears. They are also taller and paler skinned than a human, allowing them to move quickly through their forested realms. A few have ventured outside the forest to be with a human or avri lover, turning their skin darker. Because of their reluctance to leave the forest, they tend to be frail in build. They typically are light haired and have light colored eyes.They are usually willing to give a race the benefit of the doubt, but their alligences can change with every conflict. Currently, this alliance lies with the humans, as thanks for bringing them food and supplies during the Black War.

Dwarfs

Short, stocky, muscular, strong--that's a dwarf in a nutshell. They reside inside the cliffs and caves of the Rubis Mountains, where they mine gems and forge weapons and armor. Generations of working at the forge has turned their skin dark, which surprisingly enough, gives them camoflage in the mountain caves and protects them from the cold. Hair colors and eye colors tend to be within reds, browns and other dark colors.

Since they are not usually visited by other races, dwarves tend to be wary around someone different--unless you manage to earn the dwarf's trust.

Avri

Popularly called "winged humans" by the elves and very similar to humans in many respects, this race's most striking feature is the pair of wings on their back, allowing them a means of flight. The color and shape of the wings depends on the avri's age--young avris have wings akin to a fairy's, while elders tend to have huge, thick angel-like wings. They are more slender than a human and have wider backs to accomodate flight. Because of their extreme agility, avris are masters of fighting arts, both on land and in the air. They are usually pale haired and have slanted eyes. They tend to live in the treetops of forests, and are very skittish around unfamiliar people and places. They tend to get claustrophobic in caves.

Fairies

Shy and elusive, fairies tend to settle in wooded areas, where they can observe other races in the comfort of grass or leaves. They look like miniature humans with elf-like ears, with delicate wings. Hair colors are usually red or brown, which allows them to blend in with trees, rocks, and on rare occasions, a house. If you free a trapped fairy, it is said, they will do something great for you in return. They are highly attuned to the twelve Stones, making their magic powers very potent. Whether this power is for good or evil depends on the individual fairy.They are naturally curious, and will reward those that treat them well.

Getting to know my characters, Day 8

What does she feel about fate and destiny?

Miresa: Fate and destiny are one way she sees the High Goddess at work in the world.

Bradlin: Fate and destiny are just being in the right place at the right time.

Galia: The High Goddess calls people from all walks of life--fate and destiny mean that She is working in the lives of people

Arune: Fate and destiny are not mere chance


What scars does he have? What are the stories behind them?

Miresa: A tiny scratch on her arm, from an errant sword swipe during training one day

Bradin: A splotch of tender skin left over from a burn he got when he tripped and spilled boiling water on himself

Galia: She has no scars.

Arune: A scrape on her leg from long ago, received during a skirmish with a bat.


What tattoos does she have? Why? If she doesn’t would she? What would it be if she would?

Miresa: She doesn't, but if she could, it'd be of a phoenix

Bradlin: He doesn't have one yet, but when he finishes his training, part of the initiation will involve giving him the Dragon Star, a marking all dragoons bear on their fighting hands. The design, an eight point star with a dragon wing intertwining, is said to grant the bearer the magia of the dragon he has bonded with (if the receiver has magia, this element is said to be added to the element(s) they can wield. The design's power has led to humans that can wield four elements of magia.)

Galia: Being a Seer prohibits her from marking her body in any form, but if she could, the design would be her family's crest, the Goldmoon

Arune: She finds the concept of marking one's body strange, but if she did, it would be the Wingblade's crest

The Story's Overview

Here's a list of books in the series and potential titles:

1. Emerald Etude
2. Garnet's Galop
3. Peridot Prelude
4. Aqua's Air
5. Ruby Rondo
6. Pearl Pavane
7. Topaz Tourdion
8. Sapphire Sarabande
9. Opal Overture
10. Tanzanite's Toccata
11. Amethyst Allemande
12. Diamond Dance (finale)

Getting to know my characters, Day 7

Who refuses to speak to him and why?

Miresa: Haliwen, the proverbial "teacher's pet" in Miresa's class of apprentices. Like Miresa, her powers have not awakened yet, and so she views Miresa as a rival

Bradlin: Merakor, a dragoon apprentice that can wield magia. He frequently tries to put Bradlin down over Bradlin's inability to wield magia (which is something Bradlin can't help)

Galia: Most of the council of elders of Telrain, all because she is an elf.

Arune: Her former commander, who feels Arune is still as clumsy as she was when she was under her command as a recruit even though Arune has long since overcame her clumsiness and became a Wingblade

If she were told she was destined to fulfill a great prophecy, how would she react? (book one spoilers ahoy!)

Miresa: Ask herself if she really is capable of fulfilling said prophecy.

Bradlin: Initially, he'd be shocked, but then he'd ask a barrage of questions.

Galia: She'd be a little surprised, but wouldn't ask questions about how to go about fulfilling said prophecy

Arune: Ask to see some form of confirmation that she (or in the story's case, her Other) is the chosen.


Who important in his life has died and how did he handle it?

Miresa: Her grandmother, whom she never knew. She does keep her memory alive by leaving flowers on her tomb.

Bradlin: His father is presumed dead, so when the news first broke, he shut himself in his room and cried for several hours, denying that the death had happened. Since that time, hints have surfaced that his father is alive, lending his initial denials some credibility.

Galia: Fortunately, she hasn't lost anyone yet, as the elven lifespan is much longer than a human's

Arune: Hana, a fallen comrade of hers. When the news first broke, Miresa held her close and let her cry for a while. After calming down, Arune wrote a poem in her friend's memory.

Some of the East Continent's notable features

--In the northern mountains, there lies a cliff that looks very much like a dragon. Dwarven lore says the cliff was formed by a dragon chasing the Stone of Fire, but the stone threw off its pursuer by flying skyward, causing the dragon to crash land into the mountain. Some dwarves say that dragons have actually nested inside the cliff and its catacombs, earning it the name of Wyvern's Cliff.

--Nearby one of the many villages dotting the plains is a large rock formation capped by a point, where it is said the fourth Gemsinger cast an Earth spell to evade a jealous lord bent on trying to become the Gemsinger himself by absorbing the true Gemsinger's powers. Today, the rock is known as Gemsinger's Point, and is used as a reference point for all travelers on the plains. Going north will eventually take you into the northern hill country, going south will lead to a coastline, going west will take you into the western hill country, where you'll eventually wind up in the desert before reaching the forest on the western coast, and going east will take you into the large Forest of Dawn, which takes you to the canyons of the drylands before reaching the plains of the eastern coast.

--On the eastern edge of the Forest of Dawn lies the Emerald Canyons, which were said to have been the first thing formed when the Stone of Earth landed on the newly created world. It first sliced through the large rock that was present nearby the warm realm where it landed, creating the ornate rock formations and caves of the canyons. Once it had completely cut through the rock, the Stone of Water added the Mizuiro River that currently flows through the canyons. --With the canyons completed, the Stone of Earth reversed course and created the Forest of Dawn, named because the fact it is always sunny there, thanks to its proximity to the canyons. Because of its pleasent year round temperatures, the first elves established their first settlement there, which ultimately became the elven capital city.

Getting to know my heroes, Day 6

What was her last nightmare? What was her last pleasant dream?

Miresa: Her last nightmare involved bats stealing orbs that resembled the Twelve Stones, while her last pleasent dream involved her becoming an honored blademage.

Bradlin: His last nightmare involved finding out the demon lord was his father, while his last pleasent dream involved flying around on a dragon of his own

Galia: Her last nightmare involved seeing Telrain in flames, while her last pleasent dream involved memories of growing up in Coraira.

Arune: Her last nightmare involved Miresa dying, while her last pleasant dream involved growing the largest garden in all of Sekiya

Whose forgiveness does he seek and why?

Miresa: The head blademage, for doubting her abilities

Bradlin: The master dragoon, for calling him a slacker when he really does put in a good effort

Galia: Some of the elders of the governing council of Telrain, for trying to have her sent away all because she was an elf.

Arune: Her first commander in the Wingblades, for picking on her


What does she daydream about?

Miresa: Playing on the plains nearby Telrain or adventuring

Bradlin: Flying on dragons

Galia: Festival days she remembers well

Arune: Happy times she's shared with Miresa

The rulers, guilds, and clergy of Sekiya

The Rulers:

Human Queen Leria

Daughter of the Windsinger Queen Cadesa, Leria came to power after the Fifth Gemsinger drove away her iron fisted rival Thali. Fortunately, she is far nicer--her first act as queen was to try those that had committed atrocities under Thali, to assure the people that uneccessarily high taxes, frivolous laws, and putting innocent people to death on trumped up charges would not be tolerated under her rule. Although she doesn't have any magia herself, her firm yet kind rule has earned her the nickname of the Lightbringer Queen.

High Elf King Fion

Despite his intimidating figure, Fion does have a gentle side--he was the driving force behind the current alliance with the humans. With his dominant magia being Earth, he can listen to the forest for the latest goings-on in Sekiya. Although some elves would call him a go-getter, he always makes sure not to charge into battle without a plan. His cunning and skill in both war and in peace make him well respected.

Dwarven Overseer Solir

A champion of order, he was quick to rid the dwarven lawbooks of the excesses of his predecessor and establish a return to more streamlined rules when it came to what could be mined when, acceptable trades, suitable prices for gems and armor, among other things. He is also a master of the tall tale, which once helped two Gemsingers and many other heroes escape from their enemies. Acts like this earned him the nickname of "the storysinger". He gets frustrated when he has to meet with Fion--but the Elf King is quick to remind him of the flaws of his simplistic plans--and of what could go wrong if he had magia.

Father Hian

When Hian first became the Father of the Avris, the community was still reeling from the mysterious death of his predecessor, Shia. Fearful that he too could be claimed by something sinister, he imposed some very strict security measures--an avri was forbidden to fly outside the borders of the homeland without a very specific reason, to name the most hated of these. But when the Dragoon Order found that Shia's death was caused not by an avri, but a demon--he rescinded most of these orders and learned to face his fear with the dragoons alongside him. When word arrived that Hian and the dragoons had defeated Shia's killer, the avris forgave him for his initial brash reaction. He has since learned not to jump to conclusions, awakening his innate Wind magia.

Fairy Queen Kamino

Shy yet friendly, Kamino's calm demeanor has made her loved and respected among the fairies. While she lacks the skill and strength of her predecessor, she makes up for it with her intelligence and wisdom. In an attempt to better defend the fairy realms from attack, she formed the Wingblades, an order of fairy warriors sworn to protect the realm--or the Other they have bonded with, in the case of a few Wingblades that protect those of other races. While this plan was initially met with skepticism and fear--particularly among the old fairies that had grown up under the peace loving Mori, the Wingblades proved valuable in drving away a bat invasion not long after their formation. Like most fairies, she is one of the rare few that can wield more than three elements--her innate magia is Water, with influences from Holy, Time, Spirit, and Lightning.

The Guilds:


The Dragon Order

Formed 500 years ago when the first dragoon was said to have trained an apprentice, the guild is Sekiya's main air force. When they are not providing aerial aid to a force that needs it, they are patrolling the skies or adventuring themselves. While they are not usually paid for their services, most that ask for their help bring a gift anyway as thanks. Apprentices learn how to care for, ride on, and fight while riding on a dragon, with the final test being the successful rearing and bonding with a dragon hatchling.

The Mage's Lodge

This guild is devoted to training those that have at least one of the twelve magias--or teaching other ways to cast it, as through a blade. Apprentices must first learn just which magia they hold (be it one element, three, and in rare cases, even more), then learn a number of different spells associated with what element (or sometimes elements) Once sure they can comforably wield their innate magia, the apprentice has the option of refining their skils even more, going on a quest determined by the high mage, or training to be a part of the guild.

The Gem Clans

In the avri lands; every avri is a part of a clan, with one clan for every elemental. Each clan teaches a different style of fighting to all that wish to learn, regardless of race. For instance, warriors that wish to fight with a blade train under the Ruby Clan, those that want to fight with a bow train under the Peridot Clan, and so on.

The Wingblades

This guild of warrior fairies is mainly tasked with defending the fairy realms and keeping the peace. Initially feared, they now command a reverence after fending off several waves of bats. Occasionally, a Wingblade may be rescued by another race--and the Wingblade in return chooses to protect their rescuer--their Other--in return. If a Wingblade's Other has magia, both sides can tell where the other is, even if they are seperated by thousands of miles.

Clergy:


Holders of the Stones

These are the guardians of each of the sites where Twelve Stones are said to have landed many years ago--if one disappears, the Stone that Holder guards is in danger, but if all twelve disappear--that is one sign the Gemsinger is needed.

Goddess' Enclave

These monks and nuns mainly choose the Holders of the Stones when a holder either dies, gets a disability, or otherwise cannot serve, but they will also travel around the world, giving teaching and healing to those in rural areas

Gem Seers

In larger villages, cities and towns, there is usually one Seer, which serves as a healer, an oracle and a teacher. They usually have innate Holy magia, but Seers with other magia are not unheard of.

Galia answers more questions...

Some more questions about my world, answered:

Q: You say magia is cast through magic instruments...would that make every form of music magical?

A: No. A spell has to be named before you play it, so just playing a popular tune or random notes will not work.

Q: Is it possible to wield magia through one's voice?

A: Yes, although no records have been found of a Singer that actually sang. In fact, it would be actually harder to wield magia this way because it would be going through your own body rather than an instrument, which would tire out the Singer faster due to the immense power the magia holds.

Q: What if you can't wield magia for some reason?

A: They are treated no different from those that do wield magia, although it is not unheard of for someone who previously had no magia to discover they can actually wield it.

Q: How many of the twelve elements can you wield at one time if only one can wield all of them safely?

A: Most Singers can safely wield one to three elements, although fairies and elves can wield more than that (they can safely wield up to six). Any other race safely wielding more than three elements of magia is reletively rare.

Q: Why is there a limit on how many elements you can wield?

A: Although you cannot die from casting magia, you CAN exhaust yourself to the point where you could die. The limit is in place for two reasons: one to prevent the abuse of the magia, and to prevent Singers from becoming exhausted by wielding elements they can't control.

If you have a question about the world of Sekiya, please don't hesitate to ask me--you could see your question on a future Q&A!

Getting to know my characters, Day 5

Today's questions:

If he had a free day, what would he do?

Miresa: Train, go on a walk with Arune, go into town and see what was for sale in the market, go mine magia crystals with Bradlin, make a new instrument, practice on one of her existing ones

Bradlin: Spar with his friends at the lodge, visit the dragons he's made friends with, help the caretakers in charge of the hatchlings, mine magia crystals with Miresa, find a place to sit and daydream

Galia: Read, go on a long walk, go into town and tell stories in either the square or the inn

Arune: Accompany Miresa on a walk, cook, clean house, explore town

She’s been told she has a month to live. What would she do?

All four would reaffrirm their faith, say goodbye to those they loved, get their affairs in order, and do the things they love one last time

Make a list of all the things that are important to him, including principles, physical things, emotional things. Go back through the list and circle the things he’d be willing to fight or die for.

Miresa: She'd be willing to die for her family, her friends, peace, and happiness

Bradlin: He'd be willing to die for his friends, his honor as a dragoon, and a peaceful Sekiya

Galia: She'd die for the chance for Sekiya to live in peace and her friends

Arune: She'd die for the Wingblades' honor, Miresa, and a peacful world.

A rough description of Sekiya's East Continent

In lieu of a map, this rough description will have to do.

Upon arrival from the Saphir Sea, it is only a quick walk down the beach and up a small hill to reach the coastal town of Neras. After gathering supplies, going west down the coast will lead to the Crags of Onyx, where it is said evil beings dwell. At the eastern edge of the coast is an entrance to the Forest of Dawn, but going north will take you to the Glittering Plains. Gemsinger's Point lies about 150 miles north of the coast. Most of the humans chose to settle either on the plains or in the valleys and hills nearby rivers, with the human capital city sitting close by the source of the Aoi River, a tributary of the Mizuiro. A few human settlements are close by the forests, where they trade with other humans and the elves.

Once at Gemsinger's Point, you can travel in four different directions: You can return to the coast by going south, continue northward to the Highlands of Moonwish; which border the Rubis Mountains, go east to the Forest of Dawn and the Emerald Canyons, en route to the Breezesong Plains; or go west to the Windsinger Hills, through the Redwing Desert, and onward to the Woods of Waking.

Getting to Know My Heroes, Day 4

Today's questions (and answers)

What hobbies or side interests are most important to her?

Miresa: When she isn't training, she likes reading, mining magia crystals from the river, and playing music

Bradlin: He likes spending time with the dragons, sparring, mining magia crystals and writing

Galia: She enjoys reading, telling stories, chatting, long walks and exploring

Arune: She enjoys swimming, exploring, gardening, and collecting things

What does he always carry with him?

Miresa: Her favorite sword and a tin whistle she made herself

Bradlin: A dragon shaped pendant his father gave him before he disappeared

Galia: A book

Arune: Her rapier and some flowers and herbs

What does her bedroom look like?

Miresa: Very simple, with wood factoring prominently in the design. Besides her bed, there is also her closet, her dresser, a desk and a bookshelf filled with books she's received from Galia, and sheet music of spells and popular songs

Bradlin: He sleeps on a futon-like couch, as apprentice's quarters in the dragoon's lodge are not very large. He does have a shelf to store especially large and beautiful magia crystals and dragon related items, plus a small closet for his clothes

Galia: Her room is large and spacious, with whites, blues, greens, and purples factoring prominently in the design. In addition to her dresser, bed, and closet, she also has a bookshelf and a large wicker chair by the window (where she will sit and read)

Arune: The walls are the sides of a large old jewelry box, and the furniture is mainly wood with flower petals, grass blades, and feathers (for example, the bed is made from some strudy braches, with some down for the bedding and pillows and some flower petals for blankets.) This room is enchanted, so that when the box is opened, it looks like a perfectly normal jewelry box. Her friends can see the entire house if they are among those she trusts

The Limits of Magia

Like I've mentioned before, wielding magia is a fact of life in the world of Sekiya--almost anyone is able to wield it, and many beings do. Those that don't are treated like anyone else--having magia and its related skills do not make you higher class.But every kind of magic has its limits, and magia is no different.

In a video game, you can easily figure out how much magic your character can wield via a number--their MP. But in a book interface, like I'm hoping for my story cycle to become, MP doesn't work for obvious reasons.To remedy this, I tie "MP" to fatigue--cast too much magia at one time and you'll be very tired. Cast a spell and wait a few seconds to see if it did what you wanted--you won't be THAT tired. In fact, several castings in row won't tire you, but the longer the battle goes on and the more spells you cast, you get tired. But if you're physically fighting and are tired from that, using magia won't tire you out even more--physical fatigue and magia induced fatigue are completely different.How long the user has been wielding magia determines how much magia you can use safely without being fatigued. A new mage's apprentice will tire out very quickly, whereas a wizard that's been wielding magia for years might take several hours of constant spellcasting for the first signs of magia fatigue to set in. High powered spells are also known to be more tiring than low powered ones.

I've touched on another limit of magia many times already--certain races can only wield so many elements safely. For humans, avris and dwarves, this limit is three. Elves and fairies have a limit of six elements, as their culture relies more on magic than the other races do. Only one being can safely wield all twelve elements safely--the legendary hero called the Gemsinger (and his/her Wingblade, if the Gemsinger is an Other to one; although this lasts as long as the Wingblade is close by her Other. If the Gemsinger and the Wingblade are seperated by a very long distance, the elements the Wingblade cannot wield are expunged until they reunite. If the Gemsinger has to leave the Wingblade alone for a while to go a short distance, this doesn't occur.)That said, if another is found to wield all twelve elements, they will find that spells will tend to misfire more often, unless it is an element they can safely wield. The All-Wielder (i.e. the one that can wield all twelve elements without the Gemsinger's other powers) must then choose to keep two (or five if it is an elf or fairy) complementing elements aside from their innate power--the rest are then expunged.

I am an Eclectic Reader

You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You're open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.

If you want to see how you score, go here: http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/

Themes of a Gemsinger

As I have read on a number of fantasy blogs (they know who they are), a good epic fantasy asks the reader to explore some facet of the human condition. For me, I want "Gemsinger" to focus on these: believing in yourself (the prime lesson everyone will learn in some form across the twelve books, especially Miresa), challenging expectations (something Bradlin comes to learn), and having hope and faith in one another (another lesson everyone will be learning in some form)

Mind you, this will not be lighthearted to the point chicks and bunnies are abound and the party succeeds at everything--if the story were a movie, it would likely be rated PG-13 for fantasy violence and some frightening images. But I'm still going to strive to make you smile when you conclude each book of the cycle, even though the happy ending may be a little subdued at first.

Getting to Know My Characters: Day 3

One of the questions involves something that doesn't exist in my world, so there's only two questions today:

What piece of artwork does he have in a space he calls his own?

Miresa: A portrait of the previous Gemsinger

Bradlin: A picture of a dragon

Galia: A stylized map of the East continent (where the first three books take place)

Arune: A portrait of Miresa she painted herself


Your character walks into his home and sees blood on the floor. What’s his first reaction?

Miresa: Check to see if it is not coming from her own body first--then find where it is coming from

Bradlin: Shock, but stay calm as best as possible

Galia: Calmly but quickly try to locate where the blood is coming from.

Arune: Go and get help right away

A preview of sorts...

In this preview scene, Bradlin (or Brad to those that know him), is bringing food to one dragon he particularly likes, and happens to watch some fellow dragoons check this dragon's eggs to see if they are fertile.

After carefully descending the frail-looking stairwell down into the dragon stables, Brad set his torch into a nearby stand, making numerous dragon scales glint in the dim firelight. Some were red, others blue, and still others green, but at this moment, Brad was looking for one particular dragon--a red one whose scales were a darker red than most of her kind. The dragonmaster had said that such dragons were rare, and those with less than noble intentions would go to any lengths to find one. Rarer still were those born with a lighter scale color--those kinds of dragons were reserved for only the greatest dragoons.He decided to call a single name into the mass of snoozing dragons. "Glory?"

"I'm over here, little one." a gentle female voice replied back in the direction of the nesting room that was tucked away in the left wall. Brad gathered up the meat and started down the left side of the room, being careful to step over any heads, claws or tails that were possibly buried in the hay. After feeling the left wall for a moment, he felt the door leading into the nesting room and stepped inside.

"What brings an apprentice like you down here?" a guard snapped, as if afraid that someone was coming inside to disturb the mother dragons, their eggs, or their hatchlings.

"The dragonmaster bid me to feed Glory--um, Glorian." Brad stammered. The guard nodded and guided Brad over towards a room being tended to by two other dragoons, who appeared to be inspecting the eggs that lay by the stomach of a beautiful dark red dragon. One would hold the egg so it would be in line with the harp the other dragoon was reaching for, and the other, a Lightsinger named Arahan, would play the Light spell Aura of Life. The lullaby-like melody would send a beam of light onto the egg, allowing whoever was with Arahan to determine if the egg held a hatchling or not. Infertile eggs were gathered up and thrown out, but fertile eggs would be returned to the mother's side, where they would be examined again in three days.

After a few minutes, Brad heard the gentle rustle of the last egg being placed back by Glorian's side. For some reason, she had never laid any infertile eggs, making some dragoons speculate that all red dragons were like this. Brad knew this wasn't true, as some of the normal red dragons had laid infertile aggs before. Maybe dark red dragons are exceptionally warm, unlike normal fire dragons. he thought as Arahan and his partner departed, leving him the only human in the room.

He remembered his meat and offered it to the snoozing dragon. "Glory...I brought you some food."

The deep red dragon sleepily stirred until it saw the huge slab of beef being offered to it. "Thank you, little one...I was feeling hungry a little while ago." With that, she bit into the meat with a almost sickening crunch. Unlike the other dragons, Glorian--or as Brad had affectionately nicknamed her, Glory--seemed to retain her elegance and majesty even when eating, as there wasn't much of a mess left of the food for the apprentice in charge to clean up when she ate.

Running "Gemsinger" through the cliche-o-meter

1. Does nothing happen in the first fifty pages? (plot related, no; random event, yes)

2. Is your main character a young farmhand with mysterious parentage? (no, her parents are alive, and they have a profession other than farmer--exactly what, I don't know yet)

3. Is your main character the heir to the throne but doesn’t know it? (no, her family line has no royal connections)

4. Is your story about a young character who comes of age, gains great power, and defeats the supreme badguy? (yes, yes, and yes)

5. Is your story about a quest for a magical artifact that will save the world? (more like artifacts, but yes)

6. How about one that will destroy it? (no, the Twelve Stones hold the world together)

7. Does your story revolve around an ancient prophecy about “The One” who will save the world and everybody and all the forces of good? (yes)

8. Does your novel contain a character whose sole purpose is to show up at random plot points and dispense information? (Galia is sort of this kind of character, but she is a permanant part of the party--and does more than play tour guide)

9. Does your novel contain a character that is really a god in disguise? (no)

10. Is the evil supreme badguy secretly the father of your main character? (No way!)

11. Is the king of your world a kindly king duped by an evil magician? (no)

12. Does “a forgetful wizard” describe any of the characters in your novel? (no)

13. How about “a powerful but slow and kind-hearted warrior”? (no)

14. How about “a wise, mystical sage who refuses to give away plot details for his own personal, mysterious reasons”? (no)

15. Do the female characters in your novel spend a lot of time worrying about how they look, especially when the male main character is around? (no, Miresa and Galia have better things to worry about)

16. Do any of your female characters exist solely to be captured and rescued? (no)

17. Do any of your female characters exist solely to embody feminist ideals? (no)

18. Would “a clumsy cooking wench more comfortable with a frying pan than a sword” aptly describe any of your female characters? (no)

19. Would “a fearless warrioress more comfortable with a sword than a frying pan” aptly describe any of your female characters? (no)

20. Is any character in your novel best described as “a dour dwarf”? (no)

21. How about “a half-elf torn between his human and elven heritage”? (no)

22. Did you make the elves and the dwarves great friends, just to be different? (not quite, the dwarfs are leery around elves, but trust the elf if they know the elf means no harm)

23. Does everybody under four feet tall exist solely for comic relief? (no, Arune is more intelligent than that, but she has her comic moments)

24. Do you think that the only two uses for ships are fishing and piracy? (no, they're used for traveling too)

25. Do you not know when the hay baler was invented? (Yes, I know, but it existing in Sekiya wouldn't make sense)

26. Did you draw a map for your novel which includes places named things like “The Blasted Lands” or “The Forest of Fear” or “The Desert of Desolation” or absolutely anything “of Doom”? (I have a rough map, but nothing named that)

27. Does your novel contain a prologue that is impossible to understand until you’ve read the entire book, if even then? (it has a prologue, but it is easily understood)

28. Is this the first book in a planned trilogy? (no)

29. How about a quintet or a decalogue? (try a dodecalogue)

30. Is your novel thicker than a New York City phone book? (It might be a doorstopper, it might not, but likely yes)

31. Did absolutely nothing happen in the previous book you wrote, yet you figure you’re still many sequels away from finishing your “story”? (oh, plenty of things will be happening...)

32. Are you writing prequels to your as-yet-unfinished series of books? (I still need to start mine!)

33. Is your name Robert Jordan and you lied like a dog to get this far? (NO!)

34. Is your novel based on the adventures of your role-playing group? (no)

35. Does your novel contain characters transported from the real world to a fantasy realm? (no)

36. Do any of your main characters have apostrophes or dashes in their names? (no)

37. Do any of your main characters have names longer than three syllables? (no)

38. Do you see nothing wrong with having two characters from the same small isolated village being named “Tim Umber” and “Belthusalanthalus al’Grinsok”? (I see a problem there)

39. Does your novel contain orcs, elves, dwarves, or halflings? (yes, yes, yes, and no)

40. How about “orken” or “dwerrows”? (no and no)

41. Do you have a race prefixed by “half-”? (no)

42. At any point in your novel, do the main characters take a shortcut through ancient dwarven mines? (yes, just not in this book)

43. Do you write your battle scenes by playing them out in your favorite RPG? (no, I save that for other things)

44. Have you done up game statistics for all of your main characters in your favorite RPG? (no)

45. Are you writing a work-for-hire for Wizards of the Coast? (no, I'm doing this for fun right now)

46. Do inns in your book exist solely so your main characters can have brawls? (no, they're more civilized than that)

47. Do you think you know how feudalism worked but really don’t? (I know how it works, thanks)

48. Do your characters spend an inordinate amount of time journeying from place to place? (yes, but things happen while they travel)

49. Could one of your main characters tell the other characters something that would really help them in their quest but refuses to do so just so it won’t break the plot? (no)

50. Do any of the magic users in your novel cast spells easily identifiable as “fireball” or “lightning bolt”? (not that blatent, but yes)

51. Do you ever use the term “mana” in your novel? (no)

52. Do you ever use the term “plate mail” in your novel? (no)

53. Heaven help you, do you ever use the term “hit points” in your novel? (no, that only works for a game!)

54. Do you not realize how much gold actually weighs? (that's what Wikipedia is for)

55. Do you think horses can gallop all day long without rest? (no, but my characters will be walking)

56. Does anybody in your novel fight for two hours straight in full plate armor, then ride a horse for four hours, then delicately make love to a willing barmaid all in the same day? (things will happen, but not that quickly)

57. Does your main character have a magic axe, hammer, spear, or other weapon that returns to him when he throws it? (not Miresa, but someone else might)

58. Does anybody in your novel ever stab anybody with a scimitar? (no)

59. Does anybody in your novel stab anybody straight through plate armor? (no)

60. Do you think swords weigh ten pounds or more? (no, but they're not light either)

61. Does your hero fall in love with an unattainable woman, whom he later attains? (no)

62. Does a large portion of the humor in your novel consist of puns? (no)

63. Is your hero able to withstand multiple blows from the fantasy equivalent of a ten pound sledge but is still threatened by a small woman with a dagger? (no)

64. Do you really think it frequently takes more than one arrow in the chest to kill a man? (no)

65. Do you not realize it takes hours to make a good stew, making it a poor choice for an “on the road” meal? (depends on the recipe)

66. Do you have nomadic barbarians living on the tundra and consuming barrels and barrels of mead? (no)

67. Do you think that “mead” is just a fancy name for “beer”? (they may both be alcoholic beverages, but they're not the same thing!)

68. Does your story involve a number of different races, each of which has exactly one country, one ruler, and one religion? (yes and no)

69. Is the best organized and most numerous group of people in your world the thieves’ guild? (no)

70. Does your main villain punish insignificant mistakes with death? (no, he's actually pretty merciful for a demon lord)

71. Is your story about a crack team of warriors that take along a bard who is useless in a fight, though he plays a mean lute? (no, but my heroes will run into a bard or two on the way)

72. Is “common” the official language of your world? (no)

73. Is the countryside in your novel littered with tombs and gravesites filled with ancient magical loot that nobody thought to steal centuries before? (no, all the cool stuff is in dungeons, ruins, and shrines)

74. Is your book basically a rip-off of The Lord of the Rings? (no)

Final score: 10/74

Meet the Heroes...

Miresa

Basic information: She is 16 years old, and has a thin yet muscular build, due to her training in weaponry as a blademage. She has about a mid-high school education level when the first book of the series begins, which grows as the cycle goes on. Because of this, she tends to get a little wordy compared to her friend Bradlin

What would someone notice 5 minutes after meeting her: She is very inquisitive, and may make you feel uncomfortable if you're not accustomed to so many questions. This is not because she doesn't trust you or doesn't understand...she simply has a passion for learning.

What would someone notice after 5 days of traveling with, working with, or being around her: She cares a lot about those she loves, and wishes to share what she knows with others, be this telling a story or walking you through how to brew a potion. When she is learning something, she is very persistent, and will try every possible solution to find one that works--even those that require going out on a limb. However, she does know her limits, and will not try anything with a high risk of injury unless there are no other options

Family information: Both parents are still living, and love her dearly. Her mother instilled her love of learning, and her father gave her her energy and persistence.

Hometown: She and Bradlin live in Telrain, a village not far from the Forest of Dawn and a few major cities. Even if she were born in another city, she would still be interested in all her hometown has to offer.

Magia status: At first, she cannot wield any magia--until the Twelve Stones start to communicate with her, and she is awakened as the Sixth Gemsinger. As she travels throughout Sekiya and rescues the Twelve Stones, more and more elementals unlock until she reaches all twelve in time for the final battle. If she encountered something she had learned never existed or was thought not to be true, she was be quite shocked, but then devote her energies into learning about it and teaching others that it was real/true.Despite her being a blademage, she has her doubts about ever harnessing the power of magia--the ensuing adventure proves that she had the magia inside of her all along.

Bradlin

Basic information: He is a year younger than Miresa, and slightly taller than her. His build is a little more muscular than Miresa, because of the rigorous physical training dragoon apprentices go through each day. He isn't quite as smart as his friend (about a freshman in high school level), and is easily confused when Miresa throws a big word at him.

What would someone notice 5 minutes after meeting him: He is quite a goofball, and is usually out doing things other than studying. While he does understand protocol and will use formal language when the situation requires it, he sometimes resents all the pomp and circumstance his dream job occasionally calls for.

What would someone notice after 5 days of traveling with, working with, or being around him: Despite the comical laid back front he puts up, he is very protective of those he loves--sometimes to the point where he jumps into action without considering results. He is usually the one to crack a joke to cheer you up when you are feeling bad.

Family information: Father is presumed dead after never returning from an expedition; mother is still living. While he is not a complete mama's boy, he still loves, respects, and appriciates all his mother (with his grandfather's help) has done for him. Deep down, he wishes to find out for himself wether or not his father is alive or dead.

Hometown: Lives with his friend Miresa in the village of Telrain, whom he frequently travels with to the nearby Aquayume River to mine magia crystals--tiny crystalized pieces of magia that are commonly buried underground or in riverbeds. Depending on how much they bring back, they will receive some form of payment from the master mage.

Magia status: He cannot wield magia at all, but he does enjoy bringing magia crystals he's found or mined to those that can.

Galia

Basic information: She is 23 years old, slightly taller than her human companions, and slender. Despite the thin build, she is surprisingly strong for a Seer due to her custom of a long run each day. She is revered and respected for her wisdom, and knows many things Miresa doesn't even realize.

What would someone notice 5 minutes after meeting her: She is very calm and softspoken, almost to the point that some would mistake her as shy. However, she is very skilled at making conversation, and will gladly talk to you for hours if you have the time. She doesn't anger easily, only resorting to force as a last resort.

What would someone notice after 5 days of traveling with, working with, or being around her: Being an elf, she has immense knowledge about magia and Sekiyan lore, the bulk of which no human can begin to understand. She is a master storyteller, and will do her best to make a tedious task a bit more bearable by spinning a tale or a song.

Family information: Both of her parents, and much of her extended family, are still living, thanks to the elves' longevity. While she doesn't always agree with their advice, Galia does try to respect her elders.

Hometown: Galia hails from the city of Coraira, the "hero's home". (so named because many elven heroes came from there or the surrounding areas.) She considers Telrain her home away from home, but makes an effort to visit her family at least once a year.

Magia status: She is an innate Holy singer, with influences from Spirit, Light, Time, Darkness, and Fire.

Arune

Basic information: She appears 12 years old in human years, and is medium height for a fairy. She has a wiry build due to her training as a Wingblade. Like her Other, she is very curious about the world in a different sense--what is mundane to humans is mystifying to a fairy, so she is always documenting such things as human furniture, festivals, and customs to share with other fairies.

What would someone notice 5 minutes after meeting her?: She is quite antsy, which is understandable when you are a few inches tall. At the same time, she knows that what is dangerous to her may not be so for Miresa, but still feels an urge to protect her from cats and planks of wood. Her curiosity has led her to dig through tiny cracks in hopes of finding things. Despite the differences in size, she gets along with Miresa and her friends very well

What would someone notice after 5 days of traveling with, working with, or being around her: She has an odd sense of humor--but what is funny to fairies sometimes comes off as weird or strange to humans and elves. Being small and attuned to magia allows her to sense mystical traps and beings, even if a human or elf doesn't sense anything. Plus, she'll be happy to retrive that key you dropped down the well or dig around for that trinket stashed in the wall.

Family information: Fairies don't have family per se, but Arune shares a special bond with any fellow Wingblade, living and dead.

Hometown: Moondancer Ridge, the fairy realm where all Light fairies live. When in the human realm, she has her own dwelling inside an old jewelry box, which while looking like a perfectly normal box to strangers, is actually a multi-level house with all the ameneties she needs.

Magia status: She is an innate Light singer, with influences from Holy, Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind

A (Very) tentative plotline...

Here's a VERY tentative outline of the plot of the first book of The Gemsinger Chronicles, Emerald Etude. "Some adventures" means filler quests that I'm not sure what they'll be yet.

--Galia tells a group of kids the legend of the Gemsinger (Miresa is not in this group of kids)

--Fast foward to a few years later--Bradlin hears the legend from a fellow dragoon's dragon, Glorian (which he nicknames Glory)

--Miresa and Arune meet

--Elsewhere, in the Onyx Crags, one of the demon lord Katva's lackeys (yet to be named) discovers a facet of the Twelve Stones--they will follow the will of the one that can wield all twelve. Thinking this means "Gather them all up for yourself, and when you have them all, they'll do everything you say" Katva (or his lackeys) goes out and does everything short of killing the Holders in an attempt to find the Stones. (What he doesn't realize is, the "one that can wield all twelve" is the Gemsinger, setting up the overarching plot of the cycle)

--Back in Telrain, Miresa begins receiving messages from the Twelve Stones in her dreams. Even Galia is stumped as to why, so they blow it off as innate Time powers (as psychic powers would fall under Time and Spirit) trying to awaken.

--Miresa and Bradlin go out to mine magia crystals--and Miresa gets a message in broad daylight

--Miresa is awakened as the Gemsinger

--Miresa is told that the Sixth Gemsinger will do three specific things within hours of awakening: actually sing a spell, save her hometown, and fend off a monster invasion.

--Miresa sings a Holy spell to heal Arune after she gets whacked by a stray plank of wood

--Back with Katva, he plots to raid Telrain in hopes of finding the Stone of Earth.

--The monsters invade during a festival, Miresa drives them away with Earth spells

--Galia remembers another aspect of the story--the one awakened as Gemsinger won't have access to all twelve elements right away--s/he has to master them one at a time, and travel to gather the Twelve Stones

--Miresa tries to master Earth powers--with sometimes humorous results

--Katva realizes Miresa is competition to his getting the stones

--Miresa, Bradlin, Galia, and Arune leave Telrain in hopes Leria will have more information about why the Holders are disappearing

--After some adventures, the party arrives in the human capital, where Leria charges Miresa with the Gemsinger's Quest

--The way back to the Forest of Dawn has some adventures

--Galia introduces Miresa, Bradlin, and Arune to Fion

--Fion tells the party about how the Emerald Shrine has been overrun by monsters

--The party has some adventures getting to the Shrine

--The party goes through the Shrine and gets the Emerald; Miresa masters Earth spells, setting up Book 2, Garnet's Galop

Don't forget to follow me!

If you are interested in my story and want to follow the development process as it happens, use the "Adventurers" widget to follow me and watch the quest of putting together an epic tale unfold.

Day 2 of getting to know my characters

What does she fear most in the world? How far would she go to avoid it?

Miresa: She fears losing her friends, and would even die for them if she had to.

Bradlin: He is afraid of being viewed as a laughingstock due to his tendency to slack off, which is why he does put in an effort

Galia: She fears the demon lord, Katva, gaining the Twelve Stones themselves--this is why she joins the party.

Arune: She fears being misunderstood, hence why she tries to study other races so she doesn't inadvertently committ a faux pas

If she could have one object from his childhood back again, what would it be?

Miresa: Her favorite book, "Legend of the Gemsinger"

Bradlin: His first magia crystal

Galia: Her first brooch she crafted

Arune: The first seed she used to play sproutball (a game popular in the fairy realms, despite the fact it can become like Calvinball; all you need to play is a seed, which acts as a ball)

When faced with her worst enemy, what does she do?

Miresa: Ask what s/he wants

Bradlin: Give the person an intimidating glance

Galia: Brace herself in case the person wishes to fight

Arune: Look for a way to escape

Galia answers your questions about the Chronicles, part 1

Here are some of the more common questions about my world, as my elven sage, Galia, would answer them:

Q: What are the Twelve Stones of Power?

A: The Twelve Stones are very highly concentrated forms of the basic elements, which the High Goddess Meikon formed into the shape of gemstones, twelve in all. They behave very much like a living creature, thanks to the immense amount of energy inside them.

Q: What is magia?

A: Magia (pronounced Mah-jee-uh) is the energy contained within the Twelve Stones. When called into existence, it will do the caster's bidding. It cannot tell whether it is used for good or evil--it just does what it is told. Elves and fairies can actually see pure magia itself, as they are more reliant on it than humans, dwarves, and avris are.

Since magia is very concentrated, it can overwhelm a living creature's body--this is why magic users usually channel it through a mystical instrument, and sometimes other objects. Going through the object's material dispels the magia's power to the point where the wielder can safely control it. It is possible to wield magia through actual singing, but this is more risky because living bodies cannot handle pure magia very well--the wielder would have to have immense skill or years of training to safely do this.

Q: Okay, so what are the Twelve Stones' elementals?

A: The garnet holds the powers of time--buffs to speed up and slow down time fall under this gem, as do means to predict the future or seeing into the past.

The amethyst holds the powers of darkness--this gem contains offensive spells involving darkness and harmful status inducing spells

The aquamarine holds the powers of water--mostly offensive spells, but there are buffs and defense spells too

The diamond holds the power of light--specifically, creating light itself, but it can be used for doing damage.

The emerald holds the power of earth--both the rocks and crystals side and the plant side

The pearl holds the power of the moon--stealth and some offensive spells file under here.

The ruby holds the power of fire--all of this gem's spells are for offense

The peridot holds the power of wind--while mostly offense, ways to teleport also file under here.

The sapphire holds holy powers--This is where healing, defense buffs, and the damaging aspects of light are held.

The opal holds the power of spirit--This gem focuses mainly on buffing, but unlike the other gems' buff spells, spirit based buffs affect the target directly as opposed to being created by the magia.

The topaz holds the power of lightning--This gem holds offensive spells and a sort of buff; the target gains an electric field around them

The tanzanite holds the power of ice--this gem focuses on offensive spells based on the cold.



Stay tuned for more questions and answers!

Getting to know everyone

Getting to know the heroes of my cycle across thirty days, using this template: http://dragonwritingprompts.blogsome.com/2006/03/01/character-questionaire/

1. What does he want more than anything in the world?

Miresa: She simply wants to learn to harness the power of magia well.

Bradlin: He wishes to be a great dragoon

Galia: She wishes to travel across all of Sekiya

Arune: She wants to understand the other races of the world.



2. What one object would he grab if his house were on fire?

Miresa: The whistle she uses to practice casting spells

Bradlin: His favorite scale from his collection of dragon scales

Galia: One of her books

Arune: The diamond she received to commemorate her being a Wingblade




3. What secret does he hope is never revealed? Does anyone else know it?

Miresa: She is easily embarrassed (Bradlin knows this)

Bradlin: Despite the hardworking front he puts up, he can be quite the slacker (Miresa knows this)

Galia: She will occasionally talk just for the sake of talking (no one knows this, yet)

Arune: She doesn't understand other races very well (Miresa knows this)

My earliest notes

If you want to read my earliest notes on my project, I have them all here: http://community.livejournal.com/gemsinger/

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to Tales of a Gemsinger, my special blog just for writing practice and tracking development of my original project--The Gemsinger Chronicles.

Here, you can watch the development of my world, Sekiya, and comment on writing exercises I may undertake to help build the world. Of course, constructive feedback is always welcome.