Hello, it's me, the author 'PenInk.' It's still a lame name, I know... but again, this isn't about me!
This is the special chapter to talk about 'worldbuilding'?
Don't worry, if you didn't read the first one, this isn't some info dump, and it's completely optional! It's just for the curious! Enjoy!
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I'll take some time to talk about the past ten chapters. Were they a drag? If you believe they were, feel free to message me or leave a comment! I promise, I much rather get feedback than continue posting garbage... hehe.
I worry that, so early in the story, writing an 'arc' that removes two vital characters (Alwyn and Aliza) is a mistake, and I should instead take time to build them up. But it's a gamble, and I've decided it's necessary in order to finalize and develop my main cast.
That's right, the part won't be staying as the squad of just Alwyn, Linnie, Aliza, and Liora. So look forwards to that!
Worry not, though, I'll be giving special love to Aliza (one of my favorite characters) in the next chapter! Alwyn though... he's doing his own thing.
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The Feast of The First Voyage — TFTFV for short (great acronym, I know,) is a seven day festival celebrating and remembering a legendary voyage the founder of Corvailles made. It's said to have been a perilous journey, one of pilgrimage and refuge. Refuge from where? Hmm...
The founder landed on the coast of Caelthar and started a small community there which grew in to the great port city Corvailles.
The festival's events are meant to represent the tales of the founder's trials and tribulations. In a time of sea monsters, pirates, and legend, it's a compelling story! But many of the games are quite watered down...
For example, the lantern show is meant to replicate the lanterns the founder's comrades used to lead each other through a mystical, misty night.
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Corvailles — As you may or may not have noticed, Corvailles is not a south-friendly city. Though Liora takes it on the chin, the people aren't very nice to her! Many are plainly ignorant, while many are simply hateful! Thankfully, though, Marielle and her family, The Saivelles, don't hold any prejudice against Liora. Is that because she's the great Alwyn's apprentice?
Corvailles is a very wealthy city. It's very different than other cities you may see throughout the story, and perhaps isn't the greatest example to choose as the first city the reader experiences for an extended period of time. I hope to make most of the cities you'll experience unique and memorable in their own rights, too.
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Characters
The Everflame Wizard, Alwyn — 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!
Nineteen years old. (If I've said any different before, forgive me, I forgot, HA... THIS is the official age.)
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 is currently suffering from insomnia, his 'dream' has been stolen by the 12th saint, Pischt (also known as 'Bishan').
Alwyn has left Linnie alone in Corvailles, responsible for both Liora and himself. Linnie is currently trying to locate Pischt and get his dream back. He is being opposed by a strange group(?) of Pischt worshippers.
If friends described him in three words, he would be: scrawny, brash, 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.
Fourteen years old, though could be mistaken for an eleven or twelve year old.
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.
Twenty years old. (If I've said any different before, forgive me, I forgot, HA... THIS is the official age.)
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!
Fifteen years old. Could be mistaken as thirteen or fourteen years old.
The Familiar, Lady — A cute black kitty cat. Linnie originally met her in his dream, where she could speak. In real life, though, she cannot speak at all. Her voice was supposedly taken by Pischt, just like Linnie's dream.
She's a cute and intelligent animal. That's about it.....
She has short black hair, large paws and ears, and orange eyes. She roughly resembles a russian blue, but... less blue.
If friends described her in three words, she would be: fiesty, cute, kitty??
How old...? How old is she...? I don't know...
The Young Lady of Corvailles, Marielle — A young noble girl part of the Saivelle family, the ruling family of the city of Corvailles. She's quite mean and demanding to the common folk, but she's largely just ignorant. She's friendly to people she likes/respects, though, like Liora and Linnie.
Despite looking sheltered at first glance, (she is), she's very talented physically. This is shown in the festival's physical games, where she beat everyone including Linnie, under the masked identity of 'Miracle.'
She has a loving family and loves her people.
If friends described her in three words, she would be: rich, pretty, commanding
Mari has long orange hair, fair skin, and the bright, signature pink eyes of the Saivelle family. She's about average in height for her age, measuring around 162cm or 5'4ft tall. Her hair is usually styled in two large twin tails.
Fourteen years old.
The Crown Prince, Odrick Marcrune — A master swordsman, golden boy of the court, adored by the military. Knows he's destined for the throne and relishes it. That's not the only thing he relishes, though...
He's engaged to Marielle, despite the age difference. It's quite disturbing if I do say so myself... it's a political marriage, but lets hope it doesn't go through, am I right!?
He's said to be knighted soon, as all princes are once they reach 21 years in age. Is he talented enough to be classified as a knight? Probably not, but 21 year olds rarely are. It's sure that he'll eventually become one, though, like all previous princes.
If friends described him in three words, he would be: demanding, arrogant, radiant
Odrick has short golden hair, fair skin, and the bright, royal purple eyes of the royal Marcrune family. He's about average in height for his age, measuring around 177cm or 5'10ft tall.
He has a grin plastered on his face at all times and wears the crown prince's crown, a classic golden crown embedded with rubies all around.
He's twenty-one years old.
The Youngest Prince, Sylven — He has little talents. A mysterious young boy, he's been largely kept out of the spotlight compared to his brothers. He has no known ambitions, but he doesn't need to, since he has no responsibilities.
He followed his eldest brother to Corvailles for an unknown reason. Did he just want to escape the house? Or is there a reason for being in Corvailles specifically?
If friends described him in three words, he would be: boring, handsome, dependent
Sylven resembles his elder brothers, he has mid-length golden hair, fair skin, and the bright royal purple eyes of the monarchy. He's about average in height for his age, measuring in at 167cm or 5'5ft tall.
He usually wears a simple golden crown around, but it's just an accessory and doesn't officially signify anything in particular...
He's fourteen years old.
The Prince's Caretaker, Thalia — She is an incredibly proficient fighter. Though she seems like a simple servant thanks to her title as 'caretaker,' in reality, she is a specially appointed soldier given to the young prince due to his inability to defend himself.
She is just bordering on the level of knight. Due to her young age and peasant background, this is incredibly impressive. Unfortunately, her official training was halted so she could serve the prince.
She cares for the prince like a little brother and would do anything to protect him.
If friends described her in three words, she would be: quiet, cold, sharp
Thalia has a mid-length bob cut, dirty blonde hair, fair skin, and black eyes. She's about average in height for her age, measuring in at 175cm or 5'9ft tall.
She's twenty-three years old.
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Fun Facts
- I forget if I mentioned this before, but there are four princes in total! In order from eldest to youngest: Odrick, Caevran, Rhalion and Sylven
- There are various different ways to obtain power. The largest are magic and 'tending.'
Magic is, obviously, the path wizards and witches take. Not everyone can be a wizard/witch, you must have both talent for learning and have been born with a suitable mana pool. Most people aren't even born with a mana pool.
Tending is the path knights take. Technically, anyone can become a knight. Of course, just like real life, some people have more talent than others. It requires grueling training and talent to become a knight. A knight's strength is granted by their 'inner flame.' It's a power unrelated to mana, and everyone has it. Knights must tend the inner flame to surpass human limits.
Then, there are various other less common paths. I wouldn't want to get in depth with it, but there are things like 'oracles' which fit into neither catagory, and is a different power entirely! Just note, there are various things like that! The world is quite large, after all.
- 'Why does Pischt/Bishan have two names?' Well, the southern and central continents, Qadithar and Caelthar, both share a religion, just with different rituals, practices, and names. I feel like I might've shared this already... sorry if that's the case.
- If I made a mistake, specifically double clicked letters, like 'caase' or something, I made that mistake because my keyboard double clicks often! I try to edit closely, but I'm also lazy, so I might miss things.
Author – me, PenInk
I apologize if there are any funny mistakes... I have tried to be on top of editing! I've posted a chapter nearly every day! Isn't that great? I only missed one day...
Anyways,
Point out any mistakes you find, and I'll fix them for sure though!
20 chapters finished, here's hopes for 10 more!
CH.21 soon! And don't forget, I'm releasing a special chapter 20.6 after this... what'll it be about!?
Thanks for reading...!