The Sekiyan Countryside, day 1

•Are rural areas primarily farms, forests, fields for grazing, or "waste land"? In outlying areas where there aren't many people, how many roads are there, who builds them, and who maintains them?

Rural areas are mainly plains with a number of small towns. There are a number of dirt roads that the various towns cooperate to maintain.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 16

Last question on this topic:

How do the various temples and philosophies explain the classic "problem of evil"? Do they think bad things are always a just punishment for some transgression, a character-building exercise, the result of an evil antagonist (Satan, Loki), or just something the gods can't prevent?

The Sekiyan religion teaches that evil is caused by the demon lord Katva (one of his many names) preying on mortals' weaknesses. Meikon understands that Her people are weak, and is always ready to aid them in keeping Katva away from them

Sekiyan Religion, Day 15

Do the gods have limits to what they can do? To what they will do? Can the gods make mistakes?

Meikon has no limits, but will occassionally do things that mortals interpret as mistakes--but She has her reasons for everything

Sekiyan Religion, Day 14

•Why are the gods interested in people? Are they like the Greek pantheon (quarrelsome, larger-than-life humans), or are they more transcendent and incomprehensible?

Meikon is interested in mortals because She loves them, very much like the Christian God

Sekiyan Religion, Day 13

•Are priests or philosophers full-time occupations, or do they need day jobs? If they are full-time, who supports them--the congregation, a wealthy patron, the temple's investment fund?

Being a Seer is a full time job--they get paid half by the Seer's Guild and half by the congregation they serve

Sekiyan Religion, Day 12

How much influence do their theories have on the way people actually behave?

Every philosopher has their own band of followers, but the population at large don't really care for them.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 11

Are philosophers and theologians considered academics, or do they debate in the marketplace, like Socrates?

Sekiyan philosophers and theologians are mainly academics, but they do love a good public debate on occasion

Sekiyan Religion, Day 10

How much part do various religions and philosophies play in public and private life?

There is a holy day of rest, and the people are encouraged to pray often. Plus, most every festival day, rite of passage, and holiday has a religious element

Sekiyan Religion, Day 9

What offerings are considered good, better, best?

Meikon usually prefers fragrant herbs for offerings, with different herbs used for different blessings (eg. mint for happiness and prosperity, rosemary for love, etc.) Jewels are another popular offering, especially if you want Meikon to appear to you. She will only ask for an animal sacrifice as atonement for grave sins

A meal with a side order of tension....

Losi met Miresa, Bradlin, and Arune at the door of the Seer's lodge. "Welcome--her Ladyship is expecting you."

"Now remember, Arune--while we are here mainly for a meal, also remember we are also here to discuss our options now that we know Miresa has been chosen as the Sixth Gemsinger." Bradlin whispered to the fairy on Miresa's shoulder as Losi led the group past the foyer and into the dining room, where Galia, now clad in a royal blue and purple robe rather than the ornately decorated Seer's robe, was waiting.

"Your guests have come, my lady." Losi began, clasping her hands together as she entered the room. Miresa, Bradlin, and Arune did likewise and held the reverent pose for a few seconds, awaiting the elf's response.

After a few tense seconds, Galia also clasped her hands together and pointed them at the group. "Welcome, all of you--our meal is both festive and tense tonight."

"How can a meal be both festive and tense?" Arune asked, puzzled.

"We're all eating with the Seer, which is a special occasion, and at the same time, Lady Galia likely has information about why my heart now shines with all twelve colors of magia." Miresa explained as Losi led the group around the left end of the table, past the guest of honor's chair and her mistress' seat to a chair at the middle. "Mind your manners, too." she added. Arune nodded and ran a finger across the chimes she always carried, summonng a miniature copy of the chair her Other was seated in on the table, right down to the inlay work of jewel studded vines and flowers.

Some comic verse from Sekiya

It started out like any other day
That lies in the months of spring
Until I tripped on a leg and went flying to the dirt
As a mocking voice said "Watch where you're going!"

As I looked up and saw who spoke
I felt like casting a spell of fire
An obsidian haired girl stood over me
Her confident smirk drawing my deepest ire

"Why did you have to trip me, Halliwen
And send me falling to the ground?"
(I knew full well that if we two fought
We would be matched pound by pound)

"If you must know, Miresa, at magia I'm the best
But if you think you'e better, then here is a little test:
Light the fire upon the stove
That only ignites by power
Then cook a meal by yourself
and have it ready within an hour."

Now, I know at cooking I'm not that great,
and at magia I'm even worse,
But if I succeeded at Halliwen's task,
I would currently be writing a completely different verse

But my "rival's" challenge I did accept
It was only some friendly competition
But the least of my worries came full force
When I tried the spell for ignition

First there came no fire at all
Just a few sparks among the logs of oak
But when I tried playing the spell on the dinner chime
It erupted into a tower of flame and smoke

Which proceeded to blacken all the wood inside
Before one spark leapt from a log
Bounced off some bookshelves, leaving paper singed
Then startling the guard dog

Who yelped and barked with shock and fear
From the ember that had burned him
He looked for a moment to see who had done the deed
Then eyed me--he knew I had spurned him.

I grabbed some water to douse the flames
The dog chasing me all the while
Some water splashed on him and then I wondered
Why did Halliwen pick me to beguile?

I abandoned my meal and ran outside
My challenge now forgotton
But I still needed to calm the dog
So I tried losing him in a field of cotton

The workers present had no idea
That the dog and I were coming
I colllided with one large basket full force
Leaving my mouth full of cotton that felt like it was gumming

The dog was not much better, in his pursuit through the grass
He had picked up burs that the cotton had stuck to
He now looked very much like a sheep
and considering burs were also in his feet
He could've been a duck, too

I was pretty sure an hour or more had passed
Since my misadventure began
If Halliwen knew what had just transpired
She would tell every child, woman and man

I frantically looked on the horizon
For someone that I could explain
Why there were embers all over the kitchen
and the dog was all in pain

And if someone didn't come to intercede for me
I would be in very deep trouble
I looked skyward and prayed to Meikon
"Please send someone, on the double!"

Lady Galia came not long after that
And interceded for me before the high mage
About why I should not be punished
For the kitchen's swath of damage

And although the high mage was quite mad
and Halliwen, she did gloat
I was sent to bed without supper tonight
Confined to my room overlooking the moat

So here I am, penning this verse,
and by Meikon, I am mad
Halliwen, this I promise:
The next time I get my hands on you,
What happens next will be very very bad!

Sekiyan Religion, Day 8

What are the gods' various rites like, and why?

Meikon's rites are designed more like an intimate conversation between mortal (or Seer interceding for mortals) and goddess, as part of Meikon wanting a relationship with Her people

Sekiyan Viginettes #4

Bradlin spotted Miresa reading a book under a tree as he arrived at the top of the hill. Arune was present as well, trying to get a glimpse of what her Other was reading, only to be waved away. He knew well that when Miresa was not training at the mage's lodge, she would be at this hill, playing hypnotic melodies on a flute or whistle, daydreaming, and occassionally reading.

"What book is that?" he asked--usually the books he saw Miresa reading had titles pertaining to the rich amount of lore and legend on Sekiya, especially books about past Gemsingers. But the book she held now was not as thick as the ones she usually read, and contained Ruhar glyphs as well as words in the Alweld.

"It's a spellbook--the high mage requested I study these spells and try to cast one before day's end--but he knows full well what happens if I try to cast a spell." Miresa sighed as she set the book on the grass.

Bradlin balked at this. "You mean..."

"Yes--I can't seem to wield magia at all." Miresa sighed and brushed away a tear. "Isn't it funny? I dream of being a blademage, and yet I cannot wield magia at all."

"How do you know you can't? Have you had your heart opened by Gem's Knowing?" Bradlin asked.

"She has, Sir Dragoon--and no color of magia was found in her heart." Arune replied. "That either means she cannot wield it at all, or what power she does have is very small and not able to be detected at this time."

"If I could, I would open your heart to see for myself, but what if there is power in you, power you don't even know about yet?" Bradlin mused. "I may not be able to wield magia now, but when I receive the Dragon Star in two years' time, power wil awaken within me--magia that fits the dragon I bond with...and the abilty to open others' hearts with Gem's Knowing. That's the one spell every magia wielder knows, even if they otherwise can't wield the magia of the opal."

"Well, if you really want to see if Miresa has power within her, choose a spell from the book and have her cast it." Arune suggested as she brought the book to Bradlin. "If she can control it, she likely has a small amount of that magia. Or, ask her to open your heart with Gem's Knowing, even!"

Bradlin thumbed through the book for a moment, only pausing to note a spell depicted as an arrow made of ice crystals. "Try this one...the ice spell Frost Arrow."

"Okay..." Miresa picked up the small gold-colored flute that lay by her bag and took a few steps back--if something went wrong, at least Bradlin and Arune would not be frozen. "Ready?"

"Ready!" Bradlin called back as he dashed behind a tree for protection.

"Ready!" Arune agreed.

"Here goes..." Miresa lifted her instrument to her lips, but before her lips met the mouthpiece, she spoke the spell's name. "Frost Arrow." As if responding to her naming the spell, the whistle in her hands glowed a bluish purple akin to tanzanite. With that, Miresa started the reel known in Telrain as "The Shattered Tysal", conjuring a small bluish white arrow that immediately shot for the tree! Bradlin and Arune dove to the ground as the small arrow ricocheted off the tree, freezing the point of impact and burrowing through the grass, leaving a trail of snow in its wake before fizzling out on its own.

Arune watched as the magia-produced ice melted, leaving the grass as it was just seconds earlier. "See why Miresa is so frustrated about her task?"

"Well, she at least named the spell and cast it!" Bradlin protested. "Wasn't that what she was told to do?"

"But I also have to be able to control it." Miresa interjected. "That I didn't do."

Another viginette--chores

A brown haired boy sighed as the armor-clad man before him handed him a bucket and a mop. "I want you to clean the entire floor of this room, Bradlin--you are to do nothing else until you finish. No going out with friends, no going in the dragon stables, no nothing until this floor is cleaned!" He gestured to the normally pure white tile of the assembly hall floor, which was now decorated with various browns, reds, and yellows of stains tracked in by the many apprentices that had eaten breakfast there minutes before.

Bradlin wanted to complain, but defying his dragonmaster would mean more chores that were even worse than mopping--baling hay, changing bedding in the hundreds of stalls, or cleaning the dung from the entire stable complex. He shuddered, grateful that he wasn't the apprentice that had those jobs.

He finally mustered the courage to ask "Not even seeing Glory--uh, Glorian?"

"Eldor's dragon will still be there when you finish, Bradlin--I see you with Glorian so much, I have to wonder if she should be your dragon when you receive your Dragon Star." the dragonmaster sighed. "Now, get to work!"

"Yes, Master Yorin." Bradlin muttered before wiping up the various stains that dotted the floor.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 7

If there are actual, demonstrable gods, what part does faith play in their worship? Why do they want worship?

Fath is a part of trust, which is part of a relationship--and like Christianity, Meikon wants a relationship with Her people.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 6

Where does religion fit into this society? Is there a state church? Is freedom of religion the norm? Do people generally think of the temples/churches as parasites, or as useful parts of society?

Religion is a deep part of Sekiyan life, with temples and shrines in every town. While there isn't a state religion, freedom of religion is welcomed and encouraged. Most of the time, Seers and the temples/shrines they serve in are a welcome sight, but if a scandal happens, it takes a month or two for the new Seer to earn their people's trust

Sekiyan Viginettes: Chicken Soup

"Miresa?"

The brown haired girl groaned and rolled over on her stomach, the auburn tresses nearly swatting the brown haired fairy that hovered by the girl's shoulder.

"Miresa? Are you okay?" the fairy asked again.

"I'b fide, Arude, just bery stubbed ub." the girl sniffled.

"It's only the sniffles, Arune--she'll be fine come the morning." a woman replied as she entered the room with a teacup on a tray.

"The sniffles? Is there anything I can do to help?" Arune asked--Miresa WAS her Other, after all.

"Well, if you do want to make yourself useful, you can make some chicken soup for Miresa." the woman replied as she offered the teacup to Miresa. Miresa eagerly gulped down the warm mixture of honey, mint, and chamomile, then collapsed on the pillow again with a groan

"Chicken soup?"

"That yellow broth I usually make when Miresa is sick?"

"Oh! That!" Arune giggled. "I'm pretty sure I can make that--I've seen Miresa make it too, so how hard can it be for a fairy?"

Sekiyan Religion, Day 5

Is there tension, rivalry, or outright hostility between any of the actual gods? How does this affect church politics? People's everyday lives?

As there is only one actual deity, Sekiyans don't have to worry about this too often--but Meikon will make Herself known somehow if one or more of the Twelve Stones is in danger

Sekiyan Religion, Day 4

How do various religions view non-believers? Foreigners? Non-humans?

Sekiyans believe the High Goddess wants to love all peoples--non-believers, foreigners, and non-humans included. In fact, non-humans have their own titles for Her

More from Sekiya

For post #300, I thought I would share more writing from my world...


Miresa sighed as she stared out at the vast marketplace stretching out before her. The frail looking wood stalls that lined either side of the road sold a bewildering array of items, but only one of them held the item that Losi had asked her to get: flower seeds.

She sighed and started down the left side of the dusty road, paying no heed to the calls of the merchants around her, all of them hoping she would buy this suit, buy that mystic scroll, or many other items. But she did not have time for clothes, instruments, weapons, or even mystic scrolls--not this time. Diamoon and the Newspring Festival were approaching fast, and Losi needed to plant the many flowers that would be decorating the temple soon, and there would be no festival without flowers.

She finally spotted the garden stall sandwiched between a food stall and a jewelry stall and began studying the small buckets of seeds and flowerpots with already blooming plants inside--of all the flowers and herbs for sale, which ones would Losi like arranging most?

"You here for some flowers, miss?" The gentle voice of the garden merchant snapped her from her thoughts.

"Yes--but I can't decide which of these seeds to get." she stammered.

"Take your time, good lady, I have many fine plants to choose from." the merchant assured her before going to tend to another customer.

Miresa turned her attention back to the seed holders, each one marked with a picture of what plant the seed would eventually become--some small circular ones would become morning glories. Those wouldn't work, as they would be closed at the high points of the festival. Some tiny pointed seeds next to it would become marigolds, and some rounder seeds next to them would become zinnias. So many to choose from, and I can't just buy them all--couldn't Losi had been more specific about which ones she wanted? she grumbled.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 3

•How many gods are there, and is there a hierarchy among them? Which ones are good or evil, or is this meaningless when speaking of gods?

There is one actual diety, Meikon, and the Twelve Stones are often seen as god-like beings themselves

Sekiyan Religion, Day 2

Are there actual gods/godlike beings? If so, do they take an active role in the religions that worship them? Do they take an active role in the lives of everyday people? Why?

Although the Twelve Stones can be seen as deities, Sekiya does have a deity: the High Goddess Meikon. She is a benevolent deity, and is depicted as a mother figure actively involved in the lives of Her people, because She loves them.

Sekiyan Religion, Day 1

How do various religions, if any, view magic? Do any forbid it? Require it? Why, or why not? Do any require/forbid magicians to be priests/priestesses (as opposed to members of the congregation)?

Magia is seen as a way for the High Goddess Meikon to work within the world through ordinary people. As such, Seers (the equivalent to priests) and their parishoners can (and often do) have it

Sekiyan Population, Day 3

Is population shifting from rural to urban, south to north, mountains to coast, etc.? Why--invasions, plague, job opportunities, gold rush? What effects has this had on the places being left? The places gaining people?

The population is constantly rebalancing itself--when there is an exodus to the cities, a influx of new residents in the countryside occurs shortly afterwards

Sekiyan Population, Day 2

How diverse is the population of this country--how many different races (human or non-human), creeds, cultures, etc. normally live in various cities and towns in this country? In what percentages?

Sekiya has a generous balance of its five races, but some climes tend to attract more of a particular race (i.e. forests have more elven settlements, dwarves are more common in the highlands and mountains, etc.)

A Sekiyan Blessing

If something like 9/11 ever occurred in Sekiya, this is the prayer Galia would say:

On a day like today, darkness sought to destroy us
But we have survived as a testament of the light
And may the High Goddess comfort the kin of those that died
So their loved one's memories do not fade into the night.

Sekiyan Population, Day 1

•How many people are there in this country? How does this compare with world population?

On the Eastern Continent, there are roughly 250 million beings, about a fourth of the total global population

Sekiyan Politics, Day 7

Last question on this topic:

What kinds of people are likely to face prejudice: dwarves, werewolves, merchants, women, undertakers? Is this institutionalized (i.e., a matter of law), or is it mostly a matter of public attitude?

Despite non-human discrimination being outlawed long before our story begins, there are still some pockets of people that do it still, mostly out of misunderstanding

Sekiyan Politics, Day 6

What political positions are considered conservative? Liberal? Unthinkable? How do such positions differ from what is considered conservative/liberal in your own society?

Labels such as these do not exist on Sekiya

Sekiyan Politics, Day 5

•How much influence do "special interest groups" such as merchants, wizards, or various religions, have on court politics? How do they exercise their influence--indirectly (by talking lords or council members into taking their sides) or directly (by having their own representatives on the council)?

"Special interest groups" are not what we think of them on Earth--they do not sweet talk or bribe the court into taking sides. They do, however, have seats in the legislature to represent their needs, wants, and views

Sekiyan Politics, Day 4

What are the major political factions at present? How long have they been around? Which factions are allies, which enemies? Are there any potential new forces on the political scene (e.g., a rising middle class, a university gaining unexpected power because of certain magical discoveries, etc.)?

Of the five races, only the humans and the elves have organized factions in their governing bodies--they generally keep to themselves, and do not form alliances with other factions.

One faction, the Givers, believes that magia is sacred, and unfit to be wielded by anyone but them. (so they go around locking people's hearts when they have no authorization to do so, and neither Leria nor Fion have any idea about their activities--yet) They were formed 500 years before our story begins, and while their goal is admirable, how they go about achieving it is questionable.

Another faction formed 1000 years before our story begins, the Call, believes that magia can be wielded by whoever Meikon calls (which can be anyone). They are devout believers in the Gemsinger story, whereas the Givers believe they can control the Gemsinger to their whims.

The newest faction on the political scene, the Guardians (formed 200 years before our tale begins), combines some of the beliefs of the Givers and the Call--they believe magia is sacred, but the fact that anyone can wield it is proof that Meikon wishes to use ordinary people in protecting the world, and the Gemsinger is the ultimate incarnation of a guardian

Sekiyan Politics, Day 3

Does the level of technological advancement match the level of social and political advancement?

Not always--magia may help you get inso some positions, but is not required for advancement

Sekiyan Politics, Day 2

Is there tension, rivalry, or outright hostility between any of the actual gods? How does this affect church politics? Court politics? People's everyday lives?

There is only one diety on Sekiya--and Meikon has no other competition. However, people worry when one of the Holders (the guardians of the Twelve Stones) disappear, as all twelve Holders being gone is a sign that a Gemsinger needs to appear. If the Stones themselves are taken by evil hands, then the actual world would be affected (eg. water dries up, earth wilts, wind blows uncontrollably, etc.)

Sekiyan Politics, Day 1

Is magic a profession, an art, or just a job? What is the status accorded to magicians in this society? Are they forbidden overt political action, or are wizards and/or the wizard's guild knee-deep in court intrigue?

Magia is both a profession and an art, as it is used and studied all across Sekiya. As a result, powerful magia users get rock star-like attention, but only those that have ties to the court keep tabs on the court intrigue

Returning to the Calendar of Sekiya for a moment

The months of the Sekiyan year revolve around the Twelve Stones, with each month named a "moon":

Garnemoon, the month of Time
Amethimoon, the month of Darkness
Marinmoon, the moth of Water
Diamoon, the month of Light
Emermoon, the month of Earth
Pearmoon, the month of the Moon
Rubymoon, the month of Fire
Perimoon, the month of Wind
Sapphirmoon, the month of Healing
Opalmoon, the month of Spirit
Topamoon, the month of Lightning
Zanimoon, the month of Ice

Sekiyan History, Day 4

•Which peoples/countries/races have, over the centuries, fought, been allies, traded, or traditionally been rivals? Where are such old events still important--still causing hard feelings?

The humans and the elves' relationship didn't start on the best of terms--like most of the non-humans, they were enslaved under human hands, so even after the enslavement of non-humans ended, there was still resentment and anger among the elves, until 1000 years before our story begins, when both sides began patching things up