Happy Storyteller Saturday! Today I'll Send Two Questions (which Are Connected):

Happy Storyteller Saturday! Today I'll send two questions (which are connected):

Question 1 - Imagine that your characters enter a magic labyrinth that shows them their biggest dream (s) come true. What do they see? Is their dream something they can achieve in real life?Question 2 - In the same labyrinth, your characters enter a room that puts them face to face with (an illusion of) the person they hate the most or their worst fear. How do they react? Are they able to put up a fight against the illusion or do they need to be rescued? How do they feel in the aftermath of the confrontation?

Happy STS, Mystic!

Imagine that your characters enter a magic labyrinth that shows them their biggest dream (s) come true. What do they see? Is their dream something they can achieve in real life?

HOHOHO! Bold of you to assume something like this doesn't exist in AASOAF lore already hehe. I can't go into what they see because it's kind of spoilers so excuse my vague-ing on this question 😅

In the same labyrinth, your characters enter a room that puts them face to face with (an illusion of) the person they hate the most or their worst fear. How do they react? Are they able to put up a fight against the illusion or do they need to be rescued? How do they feel in the aftermath of the confrontation?

Ooo okay so one of the big themes in AASOAF is personal growth, so to answer this question, if I were to drop any of the characters into something like this at the start, they would all need to be rescued even if they don't think they do. Predictably they'd all feel defeated and extremely fearful. At the core of each character is a single, but very real, fear that drives them forward and pushes them to do things to soothe that feeling. The goal is at the end, that when put in the same situation they would be able to overcome on their own based on what happened throughout the series and the people they've met along the way.

Happy Storyteller Saturday!

Today I'll send two questions (which are connected):

Question 1 - Imagine that your characters enter a magic labyrinth that shows them their biggest dream (s) come true. What do they see? Is their dream something they can achieve in real life?

Question 2 - In the same labyrinth, your characters enter a room that puts them face to face with (an illusion of) the person they hate the most or their worst fear. How do they react? Are they able to put up a fight against the illusion or do they need to be rescued? How do they feel in the aftermath of the confrontation?

Happy last week's STS! I love the questions that make me think more deeply about my characters, and this is definitely one of them, so thank you! It took so long because I wanted to do a thorough job and find snippets to illustrate my points (because people seem to like those, I guess!)

Both my characters from Good Slaves Never Break the Rules, despite coming from wildly different backgrounds, dream of surprisingly similar things, and they both have to do with putting their fractured families back together.

Below the cut for snippets and mild spoilers for Ch. 6 onward.

Sadly, [Name redacted] can't go back in time to save his mother from dying or his sister from being sold, or to know and have a relationship with his father (which is something he's never admitted to dreaming of, but deep down he does), or for that matter, to have been born into a different life altogether where he'd actually have any chance of being able to do any of those things, so I would say, no, his dream is not really achievable. Within the course of the story, he finds other things to dream of that may be achievable, but they're not his BIGGEST dream.

From Ch. 5

There was a storm cloud forming in his amber-gold eyes. “You’re going to argue with me about this? I couldn’t even—” He turned away suddenly.

Louisa's goal at the beginning of the story was just to make it through university and her o-chem course in particular, but we soon find out that that's really just a byproduct of her attempts to cope with her dysfunctional family and make it on her own so she doesn't have to be dependent on them, or worse, some awful guy (Corey) she's only with because of his money. Thankfully for her, that is achievable, but if she had to choose, she'd rather heal them and bring them all back to the way they were. And thankfully, they're all still alive, so I suppose that's also achievable theoretically, but it's definitely not something she can do all on her own (which she comes to learn).

From Ch. 19

"...And I thought if I had just tried harder, just said something different, I could have made things okay, but I tried and tried and — “

Fears?

For [redacted], his loved ones dying/being tortured right in front of him and not being able to do anything about it. If that were to manifest as a person, I'm almost sure it would be in the form of the evil, sociopathic son of his first owner who basically ruined his entire life in the course of a month. And yes, it would be difficult, but of course he would fight back!

From Ch. 20

It was the fear behind her eyes, much as she tried to hide it; the fear that he once again had failed to prevent. Fearful, sullied, violated, terrorized, discarded, just like everything that had ever been precious to him. Maybe the streak could never be broken.

For Louisa, I had to think about it. My first thought was being trapped -- not physically, although that might be part of it, but just that feeling of a lack of choice and/or options. But then, her conscience also haunts her, especially because she feels she has blood on her hands from living in an evil, corrupt system for so long and doing nothing about it. So maybe "inertia" would be the best way of describing it. Not being able to grow -- to be forever condemned by the past and forced to repeat it or never being able to atone for it. Idk, maybe her fear would manifest in the form of Corey, because when she looks at him, she sees the person she's afraid of being or could have become. 😂 Fight back? She's already started.

From Ch. 25

She made a promise, then and there. If she ever got out of this room, she would do nothing but good, for the rest of her life. Wherever she found to do it, whether she owed it or not. And if she didn't get out? Well, that was just doing penance in a different way.

Happy WBW! 🧙 - If your world has magic users, can anyone use magic or is it something they are born with?

Happy Worldbuild Wednesday! Thank you so much for the Ask, @pluttskutt!

Happy WBW! 🧙 - If your world has magic users, can anyone use magic or is it something they are born with?

Oh, boy, do I have an answer for this! In my main WIP, The Last Wrath, magic - and therefore multiple forms of spellcasting - is something integral to the continent of Agrannor, where the story takes place.

Let's start from the beginning:

In the dark fantasy world of TLW, the lands of Agrannor, magical talent is a very varied concept.

For Mageborn (humans born with magical blood): They are born with pure magic in their blood, which means they have a natural connection to the ancient magic sources that once flowed freely throughout the lands. Those spellcasters are much more powerful and innately talented than any human sorcerer can ever hope to be naturally. Also, they are rather different from humans in many cultural traits, but also in their physical appearance (eye color, hair color, etc.), especially when it comes to the striking Mageborn "runic markings" that naturally occur the more a mage practices their power. Their magic comes from within them and rarely requires the assistance of external means. Since their magic is an inherent part of their blood - something they're born with, they can use their magic without the need for casting runes (though some, more tricky, spells require the use of rune casting) and usually have a connection with a specific type of magic they use to power their spells

E.g. You can be a Nightshaper, a mage who harnesses their magic from the power of the night - the darkness, the stars, the moon, the cold, etc - to cast their spells. In TLW, Vallerius Zyndrosar is a Nightshaper mage.

You can be an Icebringer, a mage who harnesses their magic from the power of winter - the ice, the wind, the stillness, etc - to cast their spells. In TLW, Cyprian Naras is an Icebringer.

You can be a Naturemorph, harnessing your powers from nature itself - from plants to stone, the very dirt you walk on and the heartbeat of earth, etc. In TLW, Myrah Faron is a Naturemorph.

Among many other types of mages.

For the Non-Magical People of Agrannor: Humans are not born magically talented, having little to no natural connection to the ancient magic sources (though some have what is called a "magical affinity" which means they have a slight connection the the Sources, and more chance to succeed should they choose to follow that path). They can, however, become sorcerers or wizards. In Agrannor, a sorcerer relies on an external source of magical powers (usually an artifact, a magically imbued runic weapon, potions or an artificial rune-engraved tattoo/marking) to harness and use magic, and it will never be a natural part of them like it would be for a mage.

Usually, in Agrannor, most of the magic for said artifacts is harnessed from natural sources, such as magical crystals, or magically rich environments, without causing harm to anyone. A talented sorcerer can have a magically imbued tattoo/marking engraved in their skin - usually in their arm - giving them free access to their trained powers anytime they need them. Zephyr Tellian is the most notable human sorcerer in Agrannor, born in the Fallen Kingdom of Eldon, Zephyr was a remarkably magically-talented child, with a strong magical affinity, and got his runic mark early on from the Eldonian Order of Sorcerers, before being forced to flee the fallen kingdom. Yuna Thyren is also a sorcerer in TLW, and her powers come from her runic weapons - crafted by herself - and her mystical heritage.

UNFORTUNATELY - There is a darker side of (some) Human Spellcasting (which some villains in TLW seem to fall under): Recently, some human sorcerers started wanting more power than their artificial magic (artifacts, potions, markings, etc) ould give them. In the Morosyn Empire (one of the regions of Agrannor), the Temple of Radiance enforces the Radiant Hunts, which capture mages to harness the magic from their blood - a cruel and vile initiative that is deeply despised outside of the Morosyn lands. Such Hunts also go after Elves, Faeborn (Faeries), and Merfolk, basically targetting anyone talented enough (according to the Temple's doctrine, the more powerful the spellcaster, the more power can be harnessed from their blood). The Bloodharvest Rituals always kill the captured mages, but the Temple doesn't care - as long as it gets what it is looking for. Such is the reality for many magically talented people in the Morosyn Empire. Most of the Imperial human sorcerers often use this cruel system to become more powerful through artificial magic created from the Bloodharvest. most of the Imperial army is equipped with advanced weaponry powered by the magic harvested from the crooked hunts.

Another important distinction:

Pure Magic - the magic carried by the Mageborn and the other sentient magical species of Agrannor. Being something they're born with, it is completely natural and stems from the nature around them and the ancient sources.

Artificial Magic - The magic used by most of the human sorcerers and magic warriors in Agrannor. It can have two origins:

It can be harvested from nature (usually from some of the sources itself) - Taken from the ancient natural sources, this magic is usually carefully collected from the environment and used to power the sorcerer's runic tattoos, artifacts/amulets/runic weapons, and power-inducing potions. Being derived from pure magic, it is usually good and does not harm others in the process it takes to achieve it.

Blood Magic - Also known as "vile magic", artificial blood magic is the one harnessed from actual people, a practice enforced by the imperial Temple of Radiance. It gives the user a much more dangerous and raw power, creating much more deadly runic weaponry. Due to its cruel and despicable origins, causing inexcusable harm to innocent people, it is an inherently evil form of artificial magic.

Dark/Corrupted Magic - Dark magic is a form of natural/Pure magic, derived from the corruption of the natural ancient magic sources and of magical phenomena around the continent. The corruption of magic is caused by the actions of the Secret Court (an ancient order of corrupted sorcerers who seek to rewrite the world in blood), and is extremely dangerous, unstable, and deadly. It also causes the existence of Fallen Ones - mageborn, faeborn, elves, etc - who are born with the natural magic already tainted by darkness, for the source with which they were connected was corrupted before their birth.

For other sentient (non-human) magical races in Agrannor - Elves, Merfolk, Vampires/Dhampirs, and Faeborn are all born with an inherent connection to the magic around them, being made from it, and have to train their spellcasting skills like any mage seeking to improve their innate abilities.

There are magical academies and orders that exist to train magically talented people - be it mages or sorcerers - and all of them have different approaches to the learning/teaching process and what kind of spellcasters they'll train.

NOTE:

The Secret Court - Formed during the Ancient Wars - a vast conflict that tore the continent apart millennia before the current story even takes place - they sought to learn how to control and utilize the strangely occurring dark magic phenomena around them, creating the most dangerous form of magic that would late serve as their weapon of war against the continent. Even after their perceived defeat by Dawn Knight Abavven Ashiren, all those years ago, they continued working from the shadows - corrupting the ancient sources and twisting the minds of the weakwilled - until their return in the current age of Agrannor. Anyone can become a member of the Secret Court, if tainted by dark magic, and become just as - if not more - powerful than any untainted mage. Dark magic twists the very nature of a being, becoming one with them. It is an extremely vile and dangerous practice that is outlawed - for good reason - in all regions of Agrannor.

So, in short:

Mageborn - humans born with a natural magic affinity to the ancient sources of magic in nature.

Sorcerers - non-magic humans who use artificial means to gain access to magical powers.

Blood Sorcerers (and Hunters) - non-magical human spellcasters who harness their powers from the blood of magically talented individuals. A cruel and unforgivable practice.

Other Sentient Magical Species - Elves, Faeborn (faeries), Vampires & Dhampirs and Merfolk. Non-human species who are naturally born with a connection to magic.

Fallen Ones - mages (or other sentient magical species) who are born with dark magic powers, because the magical source they or their parents were connected to was corrupted unknowingly before their birth. An accidental aftermath of the unholy work of the Secret Court, they can be good people, though their powers often consume them.

The Secret Court - Dark Sorcerers and Mages who choose to use corrupted/tainted magic as their source of magical power. Also unforgivable.

Could you reblog this if you enjoy seeing your writer friends ramble about their wips on your dash?

Happy WBW!

I saw all of the cool, different magic users in your main WIP. How do they interact with each other? Are their hierarchies? Are some magicks seen as evil? Are some seen as better or more powerful than others?

Happy (late) WBW! Thank you so much for the Ask, @anoelleart!

This is such an interesting and compelling set of questions!

Let's start from the beginning:

(About the Magic Users in The Last Wrath:)

How do they interact with each other?

In Agrannor, the relations between different kinds of magic users are as varied as they are unpredictable (and sometimes conflict-heavy in some cases).

Mageborn and Non-Human Magic Users (Elves, Faeborn, Vampires/Dhampirs, and Merfolk) - The most harmonious of interactions between magic users, since they're basically the same (with the exception of Mageborn being human and the others being of every other humanoid, sentient species in Agrannor). They view each other as equals - because they mostly are - and hold many similar beliefs and cultures. e.g. For example, a Mageborn (human) would treat an Elf magic user the same way they would treat another (human) Mageborn.

Mageborn and Human Sorcerers - This is where things get tricky. Most mages usually see Artificial Magic (the one extracted from nature and bound to artifacts by runes) as lesser and a waste of time, while Sorcerers usually see Pure Magic of the mages as too unpredictable and untamed. Still, they might get along and even learn some things about magic from one another, with some Mageborn and normal sorcerers even becoming friends for life.

Mageborn tend to see Artificial Magic as fake and surface-level, and Sorcerers tend to see mages as untrained and too wild.

Things get tricky when it comes to Blood Sorcerers - the ones who use Blood Magic to imbue their artifacts with Pure Magic harvested from the blood of mageborn and non-human magic users. Given the vile nature of how blood magic is harvested, Mageborn people rightfully see Blood Sorcerers as monsters, and some Blood Sorcerers only see Mageborn as fuel to their artifacts. It's pretty brutal.

Sorcerers and Non-Human Magic Users (Elves, Faeborn, Vampires/Dhampirs, and Merfolk) - It is pretty similar to the relations between Mageborn and Sorcerers, though - due to recent events and conflicts - Non-Humans are much more afraid of sorcerers (even the benign, artificial magic users) than mages are.

Normal Magic Users (Mageborn, Non-Humans, Sorcerers) and Dark Spellcasters - The deliberate use of dark magic is overall a heinous crime in Agrannor, especially with the nearing approach of the War of Prophecy and the return of the Secret Court. All regular magic users see Dark Magic as a dangerous, vile creation - and they would be very right. Dark Spellcasters are often villainous and twist/corrupt regular magic into dark magic, which makes it much more volatile and has serious repercussions.

Note:

FALLEN ONES - Those Mageborn who come into the world with their magic already tainted by darkness - due to the corruption of their bonded magic source - are outcasts from society, even though they cannot control their powers and are not to blame for them. Some, due to being shunned and rejected by something they can't control, become bitter and resentful, abiding by the perceived "nature" of their powers, while many others choose to become good and prove the world wrong by using their powers for good. Still, they are generally not very welcome by any of the other users.

Are there hierarchies?

Yes and no. There are hierarchies within the groups, with the most talented magic users often reaching the position of High Mage or Arch Sorcerer in their respective groups and orders. This is also true within sorcery academies, with the lower-ranking sorcerers being Apprentices, the middle-ranking ones being Mentors, and the highest-ranking ones, as mentioned above, Arch Sorcerers. Mageborn societies are indeed more lenient and less hierarchical, with magic being seen as a part of the person's nature and their identities, and not something that should be only seen as a career.

Within Non-Human communities, the strength of one magical ability can be life-defining, especially within Merfolk tribes - which are led only by the strongest and most apt who compete for a ruling position - and Elven cities - where the wisest and most magically talented individuals can rise to the ruling Council of Elders.

Are some magicks seen as evil?

Yes, as mentioned before in this post. Dark Magic and Blood Magic are both vile forms of magic (though one stems from the corruption of pure magic, while the other is pure magic harnessed from the blood of another person), which are seen as heinous and blasphemous by most of the other magical users. Mageborn, Non-Humans and normal Sorcerers tend to see those two forms of magic as the worst possible crime one can commit. Even the non-magical Human Kingdoms (especially in the Free Realms and the Borderlands) outlaw and look down upon Dark Magic, and prefer to stray from Blood Magic whenever possible.

Within the human territories of the Morosyn Empire, especially in areas where the Temple of Radiance is most prominent, Blood Magic is the most common and most endorsed form of magic, causing other - regular - magic users in their lands to have their lives put in terrible danger.

Are some seen as better or more powerful than others?

Objectively, pure magic is more powerful and intuitive than most artificial forms of magic, requiring little training to reach its potential, and being present with its users at all times - since it is a part of them. But regular Artificial Magic can be just as powerful if the user is willing to put in long hours of training and a lot of effort - though it will never be as intuitive and will always require the casting of runes to be precise. The use of Blood Magic was - unfortunately - created to try and make artificial magic more powerful and allow its users to reach their "potential" immediately, but it has serious drawbacks.

The legendary Sunscryer mage (someone who carries the full power of the sun - with both its beauty and eldritch horror) is by far the most powerful type of Mageborn that can exist and their magic is often the purest form in existence as well. Sunscryers are incredibly rare and often appear once in many centuries and even millennia. In TLW, Julyan Ashiren is the living Sunscryer.

Dark Magic is something untamed and of untapped potential, spreading as easily and unstoppably as a wildfire in a dry forest, and it can cause dreadful danger to both its users and the world around them. It is, by far, the most dangerous form of magic in existence.

I hope this answers your Ask probably! I loved your questions and had a lot of fun writing the answers!

💛 Send this to ten bloggers you think are wonderful. Keep the game going! I hope you're having a beautiful day darling, sending lots of love your way! 💛

Oh my goodness!!! Thank you so much for sending this, @conkers-theficwriter! This made my day, seriously! (And right back at you, you're a wonderful writer and an amazing blogger!) 💕