Hello, it's me, the author 'PenInk.' It's a lame name, I know... but this isn't about me! Maybe I'll make a special, egocentric chapter at a later date!
This is a special chapter to talk about some... errrr... 'lore'? 'worldbuilding'? Don't worry, this isn't some info dump, and it's completely optional! It's just for the curious! Enjoy!
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Geography — In the known world, there are three continents:
The central continent, Caelthar, The Heartland. The southern continent, Qadithar, The Golden Reach. The eastern continent, Byongrae, The Dawn Continent.
Caelthar is where Linnie and the party reside, and is the main setting. The entire continent is ruled by one royal family, and governing body is divided among nobles.
The party is currently headed to Corvailles, a large port city and one of the richest and most influential cities in the entire continent.
The party's end destination isn't Corvailles, however, but the capital instead. Zion is the largest city in the kingdom and perhaps the world.
It's where the royal family resides, and where the wizard Alwyn has his items needed to cure Aliza.
Magic Tower — Just outside the capital, there is a large magic tower headed by the Grand Thaumaturge, Alwyn's teacher.
This is where the greatest wizards and witches study, very similar to a modern-day university except students attend from age eleven to eighteen.
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Currency & Trade — In Caelthar, there are four distinct coins that serve as currency.
Chit - least value, Copper
Stub - worth 10 chits, Silver
Turn - worth 30 stubs, Gold
Ledger- worth 50 turns, Gold, printed with noble sigil
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Characters
Great Wizard Alywn — Great prodigious young wizard. Possibly the most famous wizard in the entire continent, and the direct apprentice of the Thaumaturge. The wizard with the largest recorded mana pool.
Alwyn is on a journey around the continent, doing his wizard duties and collecting apprentices for an... unknown reason.
Perhaps he just wants to teach? Though it is unusual for a wizard as young as he to take up the occupation, rather than continue honing their own craft.
If 'friends' described him in three words, he would be: arrogant, foolish, the-greatest-wizard-to-live!
He seems kind of weak right now, though?
Alwyn has messy, dark, raven hair, fair skin, and bright blue eyes. He's above average in height, measuring around 195cm or 6'4ft tall. He's a handsome young man!
Young Apprentice Lin — Nicknamed Linnie, he's a mysterious young boy who grew up on the streets. It's not his first time living, though the memories of his pasts are more foggy than clear.
It is, though, his first time being 'human'. His skewed world view can be attributed to his upbringing. He is the direct and the first apprentice of the wizard Alwyn.
Linnie joined Alwyn out of desperation. The wizard had brought his town to ruin, and a knight was seemingly out for his head.
In that moment, he took Alwyn's hand, hoping to gain that same power that destroyed his town. He doesn't hold a grudge against Alwyn, but instead admires him.
He didn't care at all for his town, a place that abandoned him.
If friends described him in three words, he would be: small, scrawny, cute
Linnie has messy, pale purple hair, fair skin, and bright red eyes. He's below average in height (thanks to malnutrition, and measures around 161cm or 5'3ft tall.
Scorned Witch Aliza — A young witch who had her mana pool shattered as punishment for practicing illegal dark magic.
In her pursuit of regaining her magic, she afflicted herself with a deadly, unknown ailment.
Aliza joined Alwyn out of desperation, considering her strained relationship with the wizard.
Her noble parents support her from the shadows, despite her tarnishing of the family name.
If friends described her in three words, she would be: cool, dark, beautiful
Aliza has long, black hair, pale skin, and muted, gray eyes. She's above average in height, measuring around 155cm or 5'11ft tall. She's a beautiful young woman!
She presents herself to Linnie and Liora quite differently than to her peers. She sees them as little kids, and puts on a nice, older sister persona to make them like her.
The Siaryn Liora — A young (ex) slave girl who was rescued by Linnie and Alwyn. She's from the southern continent, Qadithar, like many slaves.
She is a siaryn, also known as a 'Dhampir,' born from one siarath (vampire) parent, and one human.
She joined Alwyn because she had nowhere else to go. She was alone and starving, out of place in the central continent.
I say that, but she actually has no memory of Qadithar at all. Neither place is truly home for her.
If friends described her in three words, she would be: poor, bright, small
Liora has overgrown, pale white hair, tan skin, and bright, golden eyes. She's above average in height for her age, measuring around 170cm or 5'6ft tall. Her ears are unnaturally pointed, and she has a pair of fangs inside her mouth.
Certainly, she would look out of place in a witch's attire. No, anyone would instantly be able to see that she's out of place.
Despite that, she is more witch than most of them could ever be!
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Fun Facts
Qadithar and Caelthar both follow religions that are largely the same. Cultural practices and naming senses are different, but the deities are all the same.
This is how you get the names 'Bishan' and 'Pischt' to refer to the same deity.
While Caelthar is the name for both the continent and kingdom, Qadithar is divided into multiple kingdoms, though with one empire that holds power over the entire continent.
Alwyn hates 'scientific magic'. This is a reflection of me, the writer. I don't exactly hate the scientific magic that's become popular in recent times, but I prefer the MAGICAL feeling of magic.
Not to say the magic in my story is unexplainable, but it won't be so 'scientific' and formulaic. Naturally, you don't know much about magic in my world yet, since Alwyn isn't doing his job and teaching you!
Soon enough, though!
Aliza has made her 'living' as an alchemist. Unlike many in noble families, though, she is loved by her parents, and was funded for a comfortable life in secret, despite her actions which disgraced the family name.
When the shadow girl and Bishan speak in '#####,' I'm really writing dialogue! Maybe it's a waste, and maybe it's a lame gimmick, I don't know!
You can try and fill in the blanks! It's probably impossible… but you can make them say whatever you'd like! Maybe I'll reveal what they've said later on…
Author – me, PenInk
I apologize if there are any funny mistakes... I wrote all 10 chapters in a single day, and I'm too lazy to edit such a large block of text!! Obviously, I've taken a liking to this story, so going forward, I'll be much more meticulous in writing and editing. Or perhaps I'll revisit these 10 chapters and re-write them entirely...
Point out any mistakes you find, and I'll fix them for sure though!
10 chapters finished, here's hopes for 10 more! Thanks for reading, CH.11 soon!!!!!!