Random N:Era Trivia: Author's Edition

 Some things to note, some cool tidbits about my writing process. 

-When writing Where We Lie, before I posted chapter one, I had finished the rough draft. I thought some of the idea was pretty solid, until I realized something. So, in the story proper, Ahmond doesn't want to be with her annoying cousin Baynana, so she offers to trade places with her, so Ahmond will sit in the front of the train and Baynana in first class. I realized: "Wait, they're already sitting in different spots. Ahmond just swapped tickets so she could sit in a worse seat." 

-Where We Lie got a few plot alterations along the way. I even altered the final boss battle. 

-I was high when I wrote the scene with Owlis about to whack Ahmond. I'm not kidding. I've even done minimal edits to that scene so I could just keep that raw, Mary Jane writer's energy. 

-I'm gonna write something while high again. 

-I actually can't re-read Call of the Wild. Several lines of dialogue from N:Era were ripped from my real life. Ironically, I was worried because I felt like, people who hadn't gone through something similar would think the dialogue was cliche. But now, those sections actually hurt me to read. 

-When writing Cyras, I tend to just write her actions and dialogue on the spot, and don't need to think them through. I'd argue Rosod is likely the hardest for me to write, but Owlis is right there. Though usually I got an instinctive grasp on the characters. 

-I think if other people had to write my characters, I'd argue either Cyras or Owlis would be the hardest. A lot of people tend to misinterpret them. Cyras isn't the most likely to be a "bully": She literally stands up for Ahmond several times and protects her from Lilu and Owlis. Also Cyras isn't a "tomboy". Nor is she dirty, filthy, or mucky just because she's a Wild Child - think about this here. Do you like being covered in grime? No? Then why would someone else? Just because they're not afraid of germs? Being clean inherently feels nice and there are grooming instincts. 

-Speaking of, Wilders are just those who lives on the outskirts of any society. Tribal peoples would be a society and are not Wilders. Of course, eventually the line gets blurry. To what point is a pack not a society? These are the debates that rage through Wysdom. 

-Kieral does all the Russian translations, all the accurate ones at least. 

-Ahmond gave me an Eastern European vibe when I drew her. I didn't take up that Chesniy was based on Russia (or at least spoke Russian) until I realized I have like, at least eighty friends who spoke Russian. 

-Cyras' design is based on the primaries, red, blue, and yellow. I actually think her ears are supposed to be the same blue as her paws, not purple, and I just saved the info wrong when I made her character sheet proper... 

-Owlis' design is based on purple, green, and orange, though really a brownish orange. 

-Excitingly, this means we have a blue-purple, red-purple, yellow-green, blue-green, yellow-orange, red-orange, character on the horizon! 

-I don't really wanna say Cyras and Lilu are in love, as much as this is just mutually understood between the two that there's budding romance. Cyras also is gentle with Ahmond and protective, but that's more like she has to protect the sweet little bulochka. 

-Of Vidya Game roles, Cyras is a Rogue/assassin-type of character. Lilu would be a brawler or tank, specifically anti-meta. Ahmond would be cleric/support. Rosod would be a mage/support.

-Lilu is the oldest of the N:Era girls. 

-In most rough drafts, Rosod went with Lilu and Ahmond to find Cyras. However, in the end, she got scrapped from that moment because she wasn't adding anything to the scene, plus I wasn't sure if Cyras could whoop all three of them at once. 

-A lot of inspiration for Wysdom was taken from Germany, England, and the US, for Germangland States. 

-Towers is, in fact, both a Yugioh and Magic parody (and partly of Pokemon too as well!). 

-The general timezone is 1920's in terms of technology. That's why there's references of stuff like Owlis finding out they're inventing refrigerators. Usually magical cold rooms is where people kept stuff or iceboxes. 

-That timezone IS fluid. Some stuff that should be out by 1920's isn't really out yet (such as Chesniy having cars but Wysdom does not), meanwhile technologies up to 1980's have been referenced. We've seen they do have TVs. Video games will be referenced later. 

Question: How does the naming works for the characters?

 Alright, so N:Era has some... unique names. 

Cyras, Ahmond, Rosod, and Lilu. 

How are those names found? 

Every name is a corruption of "nature", so there's no, or at least, very little, straight up human names. 

Rosod = Rose. 

Lilu = Lily. 

Cyras = ? 

Ahmond = Almond. 

Vanos = Vanilla. 

Kyofi = Coffee. 

Mosor = Moose (like moose track's ice cream). 

With the Ice Cream Pack, a lot of the names are just toppings or types of ice creams. Vanilla, moose tracks, coffee (yes I've had coffee ice cream before, lol). 

For Crimsons, the name relates to the color red in some way. 

For Violets, the name relates to purple in some way. 

For Oranges, the name will probably relate to something orange or yellow in some way. 

Dires have the most varied of names by far, so I usually try not to name them after their color. 

"What about more obscure names like Wasting?" 

Ah yes. Wasting and Swillow's names were actually Swyllow and Wayping originally. Then I edited the names, and that became Swullow. Until eventually, Swillow and Wasting. Swillow and Wasting were named after a Weeping Willow tree. 

Cyras and Owlis, the Ascended's, actually got human names. Owlis is pronounced as "alice", but I put Owl in front to make the nature name. Cyras is Kyra's (like, someone named Kyra possesses something). Ryvoh is from River. Kryyk is from creek. 

Cyras' name origin is actually a slight mystery to me. I think I may have used Cryo. However, the issue is that Cryo was Greecian, not English. I think her name was actually Cryas for a few days. Until, just swapped a letter and got Cyras, or "Cure us" as Jazmyn says. 

Jazmyn is named after "jasmine". 

Karv is a weird name, "carve". This is actually a holdover from the original Dire naming patterns. Originally Jackals were named after other animals like Scoril being squirrel. Wolves had names like Valkiral and Valtys (don't even ask I cannot remember ever. I think Valkiral was based on the name Akira, as I see that associated with wolves a lot). Hyenas meanwhile were gonna be split after a war, from much more kinder names with warrior's names. The Warrior's names were more "Thrashost". The Kinder names were "Rilic" (relic). 

The hyenas are the only ones left with names like Slasher however. 

Skyless have their own naming system. 

Finally, Dragons have names after intangible thoughts. Knowledge, Despair, Silence. 

Some other naming patterns I might experiment with: Compound names, such as Goldfish. 

Some names are from different languages depending on the region, like Chesniy names will be based on Russian words. Like Ahmond's full name is Ahmond Freezer—Shoklod to represent the Russian part of her name and heritage. 

(Kie's Note: Shoklod is a corruption of Shokolad. Russian for Chocolate.)

 

 

 

Meditation: My View on "OCs"

 A lot of people have, what they call, OC's, or original characters. 

An OC is basically the character you see throughout their art. Their fursona. This person who represents them. They'll have a toyhouse with twenty characters. They write their OCs backstories, but never get to writing a full length novel they've been planning. 

These OCs to them, are precious. These are like old friends. Kinda like, having an imaginary friend, but as an adult, someone who is loyal. Someone who you wish to be, someone who you wish to be with, or someone who you wish you will be with. 

The story is told via the art, via the commissions, via the interactions and the roleplay. 

A soul bond has formed with this character.

As a writer, I feel like my creation of characters ranges to be much more scientific than artistic. Whereas others model theirs from clay, taking careful time to touch up, mine is almost industrial. Mined for who I need for scenes. 

In a way, I really struggle with some emotions. 

People tell me how they can't pick a favorite OC, as that's like pick a favorite child, and I realize that I very rarely have that same level of love for my characters. Do I merely see them as tools? 

No. 

There are characters who I find very precious to me. Cyras and Owlis, and Lilu and Ahmond, and Rosod, and Swillow, and Wasting. 

Erstwhile, a lot of characters are just roles. Daybreak, for example. 

This however is fine. I see a lot of my characters as more expendable. In some cases, accepting that not everybody is important to you is just as noble as loving all.

Where Magic Comes From

 I realize I haven't really said where magic comes from in N:Era. Are some beings just born magic or not? 

 Essentially speaking: There are nine general elements of magic, the basic building blocks. These are: Fire, Ice, Lightning, Light, and Dark, as well as Nature, Poison, Psychic, and Water. The magical world is separate from the physical world in a few ways, as scientifically, ice and water are the same, but magically, they are different. Even steam is different, being a mixture of fire and water. 

Manipulating certain structures may require specific mixes. Goldmaking would be intensely easily if that was just nature magic. No, gold's true fusion of elements hasn't been found yet. Also, two casters cannot generally fuse their abilities just to manipulate something - so a fire and water caster cannot just make steam. They can both blast, and create steam that way, but cannot channel those abilities to create steam on the spot. 

Magic can be either manipulative or generative. Generative is harder as that requires making the substance out of thin air. For example, Cyras' flames are created by using magic as the fuel, and she even produces oxygen for those flames, and that's why they burn underwater. Manipulative magic however, requires less energy and has less strictness in substance. A nature mage cannot create mud, but can theoretically throw mud around, as that already has earth within, and is simply soaked.

So how does one learn magic? 

Wilders usually learn their innate magic. Everyone usually has an elemental affinity they're born with that even influences the colors of their furs. Cyras was affinitied with fire. However, not everyone taps them like Lilu or Ahmond. Wilders have more pressure to learn magic, while Civics treat this like learning martial arts.

There is no true maximum of elements one can learn. However, typically, an individual only learns one or two elements within their lifetime. Even gods or godlike beings usually only learn how to manipulate one. A theory for this is that every magic inherently requires different thoughts. 

Examples: 

Fire: Cyras and Swillow both share a sense of impulsiveness and even ferocity, while having the valor to stand up for others. Owlis also shares these traits to a lesser extent.

Water: Ryvoh and Kryyk seem to both have a sense of authority about them, or a following of a natural order. They also have a stronger detestment of others advancing, as does Despair. Wasting somewhat follows this rule.

Earth: Cyras, Kryyk, and Ryvoh all have a sense of nature with them, and also have streaks of stubbornity and rigidness. Owlis also shares this rigidity and lawfulness. 

Psychic: Rosod seems to showcase high intelligence and shrewdness as does Sumhyr. This might also mean Cyras is capable of learning psychic magic.

Furthermore, Civics learning magic tends to require teachers. Wilders learn from parents. Civics may learn more organized magics and different tricks from refined teachers, but usually they only accept certain clientele. The Grand University of Western Wysdom in Sunnyvilla has created a model that is seen as proper throughout Aplepsis. This model is: 

Practitioner: 

Sophmore: 

Intermediate:

Adept: 

Expert:

Master: 

Grandmaster:

Elementalists: 

Elementalists are even capable of godlike feats.

Finding an Adept teacher is common is most cities. Villages will at least have a sophmore. However, only in the biggest cities can one find the best elementalists, and this requires lots of networking to even access them.

Quick other notes: 

-Theoretically someone may learn an element that seemingly has nothing to do with their fur color or even their personality. 

-The actual limit of a god's power are unknown. They cannot showcase their full powers without causing cataclysmic damages in all/most cases of Ascended.

-Magic cannot be taken away. Everybody processes magic naturally from the world. Stealing someone's magic... just means they take magic from the atmosphere. Sorta like trying to stand five feet away from someone and suck up the air they're breathing, just kinda weird mate. 

-Ahmond actually has an ice affinity. Rosod's affinity might be psychic but is unknown. Lilu's affinity isn't sand. 

-Water and earth traditionally makes mud. Add fire, and you can cast brick.

Little Owlis' Utopia Self-Review

 Greetings, mutants. 

So let's talk about a self-review. Sometimes you need to look over something, and tell yourself what works and what doesn't. 

I'm choosing Little Owlis' Utopia for this showcase, to help you understand more about the self-critiquing process. Starting off, lemme explain the story, and the fruition. One day, I think I was upset, and in two hours, I wrote this up, put through grammarly, and posted. 

Yes, I know. I did like, seven different drafts of literally any given scene in Where We Lie, and Utopia meanwhile only got two drafts basically. I'm not a fan of hot-off-the-pressing, though I knew this wasn't something I was gonna revisit or rewrite. 

So we need a baseline on what is this story's theme, ideas, everything. The intentions. This is meant to only be a thousand words, exactly. With some cheating at one part, but we'll get to that. 

So here's our first line: 

(Words could be powerful, quite literally.) 

Mm. Could alternatively be "words were powerful, quite literally". That makes a stronger statement, but one that's more absolute. "quite" can be dropped. "Words could be powerful, literally." I'm not entirely sold on having this as an opening sentence, however the phrasing feels more floaty and appropriate to the scenario than, "Words were literally powerful". 

(A gryphon rubbed the fresh ink on the parchment several times. Within, he tried infusing an element of flame. However, the paper burned up.) 

The phrasing is a bit awkward, imo. Like, just tightening this a bit, "A gryphon rubbed the parchment several times, trying to infuse flames into the ink. The paper burned. He grimaced." Perhaps I could figure out something more graceful than that given a few hours. Regardless, I think picking "a" instead of "the" gryphon was a good choice, as that keeps the distance from the character and the situation. He's not "the" gryphon, he's just "a" gryphon. In the example rewrite, we aren't entirely sure what he's doing, but we understand he doesn't actually want the paper to burn. 

(He had cast the spell several times, trying to enchant the letters, figuring he had a theory. He was known as Ramseas, the poet. One of the greatest Weavers of his generation, and Knowledge's primary student. Having learned under the dragoness for many years, he wasn't sure why he failed this often.)

Boi. How do you "figure you had a theory", as opposed to, "he had a theory". These sentences also seem out of order. I'd probably rewrite as: "He was Ramseas, the poet. One of the greatest Weaver's of his generation—not to mention Knowledge's primary student—he wasn't sure why he so often failed to enchant the letters." In this example, the sentences flow into one another more easily. Instead of, "He has a theory, move out to knowing his name, and knowing his accomplishments, then we learn he's a student of Knowledge", we go with, "his name - his accomplishments - and yet he still fails."

("Ramseas," Knowledge said, "I am pleased to see you." Cradled in her arms, was a purple fox who's paws reached and slapped at the beads around Knowledge's neck. The little fighter was biting down on the beads, trying to break them.) 

Does this imply he was on a walk while trying to enchant everything? I suppose the implication is after he burned that parchment, he goes to meet her. I do wish I explained what exactly the "paper" was, because Skya is based more on ancient Asia. Good cameo of Owlis. Not too crazy on Knowledge's dialogue here, really feels more like this is meant to establish that Knowledge is present. 

(Ramseas never asked about the Fall Goddess. He knew that Knowledge was attempting to educate the young vixen.) 

Educate her on what? She's literally pawing at beads. Also who doesn't ask about a goddess? Also, technically, no one even knows she's the Fall Goddess or Autumnal Ascended yet as she hasn't invented Fall yet. 

("I have finally figured out the problem with the puzzle, so I may learn more than four elements.")

A bit of a weird line. Instead of saying puzzle, maybe be more concrete. "I'm still working on enchanting letters, so we can instill any element into a given letter." 

(Knowledge's eye ridge furrowed. Her pupil was far bigger than Ramseas, even while slit. "Ramseas, you barely have a good grasp on any element other than Water. Most are lucky if they learn two elements. But better learn those elements and learn them well than learn nine and learn them poorly.")

Perhaps this is pretty expository. Could be truncated to: "Ramseas, you barely have a grasp on any element. Only with water are you exceptional. Better learn two elements and learn them well, than learn nine and learn them poorly." I do oddly like the arrangement of the last sentence, seems more whimsical than if she just said, "Better learn those elements well, than learn nine poorly." Her pupil being bigger than Ramseas while slit seems more . . . terrifying than intended.

(Ramseas said, "Think about spells in words."

"Such as books. That is known as a spellbook," Knowledge said.

Ramseas grimaced, a vein pulsing, his talons flexing. But in the same moment he did that, he also took a breath. "No, my thoughts are that if we all weave the spells in words, we can access those spells later.")

Mate, are you honestly throwing a fit? The fact Knowledge didn't just blast him into the stone age, or yesterday by this world's standards, shows great restraint. I could have been more descriptive of "access". Such as having him say, "We can access those spells by unleashing the words". 

(Weaving was a certain type of magic, focusing on hexes and enchantments, putting spells within armor and artifacts.) 

This feels like something that could/should've come up earlier.  

(Ramseas knew Water, Fire, Lightning, and Earth. However, he could never get the grasp of Psychic magics despite how intelligent he was. However, if his master would seal some of her psycho magic, perhaps he could become a psychic magician.

Knowledge smiled gracefully. "I will await your results.)

Knowledge feels a bit awkward. She goes from being, honestly, pretty mocking, to being entertained by Ramseas. Also, what even is a graceful smile? 

Anyway, calling this "psycho magic" is definitely . . . acceptable. Mention his master sealing her magic in words, and I think that we'd be fine. 

(

***

Owlis sits with Knowledge, not anymore a baby, but still a young girl. She has been on the mortal plane for a while now, after sneaking away. Ryvoh wasn't speaking with her because of an incident with Knowledge's sibling, Despair. The great beast holds a lot of physical similarities with his sister, both having eye patches, long trident like horns coming from their heads, and thick tails. However, Knowledge held serenity. Instead of a hidden anger, she hid peace.) 

Tbh, I dislike doing "***". I know I do them a lot, but basically people complain whenever I don't do that. I wanna experiment with just separating the paragraphs further. The phrasing enters present tense, indicating a shift in time. This is really gimmicky. I don't recommend this really, that's why I only did that for this short story. I think the first sentence is better rendered as, "Owlis sits with knowledge, now a child". Young girl is redundant. Eye patches implies they're missing eyes, when I really meant they both had patches of scales around their eyes differently colored than the rest of their faces. Also how do you hide peace while holding Serenity? 

A rewrite of this would likely be, "Owlis sits Knowledge, now a child. She has wandered the mortal plane for a while, after sneaking away from the Celestial Plane. Ryvoh refused to speak with her because of an incident with Knowledge's brother, Despair. While both hold similarities; from the patches of different colored scales around their eyes, the trident-like horns growing from their heads, and their thick tails; Knowledge is serene and peaceful.

(Thousands of threads come from Knowledge, each one grabs a piece of rubble, which all fit together for the structure of a library. They are within a Skyless kingdom, reassembling broken pieces of a school that Owlis has started classes in. The classes are short and are introducing potential materials until the real semester starts, as is Skyless customs.) 

Again, the sentences here aren't quite related, and move on about different topics quickly. I think that specifying that only part of the school is broken would be better. The thousands of threads is familiar to anyone who's seen Rosod in action and knows that's how she telepathies. We then move onto how the school functions, but that's another paragraph. 

("I wish I knew some of that magic," Owlis says, though she only speaks up because Knowledge looks serious during these meetings. "I already know, Fire, Lightning, and Earth. Ryvoh knows Water, maybe I'll learn from her.")

To be honest, mate, I totally feel that. I understand the sense of like, speaking to ease the tensions. Anyway, Owlis wants Psychic magic, and mentions the elements she's learned. I found a friend didn't realize why Knowledge gets caught off-guard in the next paragraph. Essentially, Owlis is mentioning she wants to learn the same elements as Ramseas. 

("Please Owlis, I'm focusing on this for now, alright Sweetie?" The sternness of her expression is hidden with a light smile, however Owlis knows that lacks genuiness.)

 

Can reverse one sentence. "A light smile hides the sternness of her expression". Or perhaps saying what sternness means, such as a quivering lip. 

 

This is oddly a real situation to me. Just like a child trying to talk to a parent who's at work.  

 

(Owlis says, "This library has been ruined ever since I was born."

"Try a little later than that," Knowledge says.

"I just wish I saw the place."

Knowledge tells her, "You did when you were younger.") 

Yeah, so this slowly tries to get at the idea that Ramseas was the one who blew up the library, and the flashback to prior is hinted at being Knowledge's current thoughts as she repairs the library. I have to question why she didn't just repair the place earlier. One hint on the library's fate is Knowledge saying "Try a little later than that". 

I also get that feeling of like, wishing to see the library's prime. But Owlis can't remember. 

(Owlis raises an eyebrow, as Knowledge explains, "This is where I taught some of my best students. Your mother let me watch over you, and admittedly, not one of her best judgments as you were always running about, sniffing people, biting books. Buttnaked."

Owlis scrunches her nose up. "I'm always 'buttnaked'."

Knowledge says, "Skyless wear loincloths. You refused pretty often, however now you're part of a Skyless school, and get to wear a uniform."

"I don't even get clothes." Owlis rolls her eyes.) 

Sorta more amusing and childish dialogue, and slowly hints at Knowledge's more playful part. Owlis' line is kinda weird, because "get" can be interpreted as "receive" when I mean "get" as in "understand". 

(Knowledge tells her, "Think about this. You're a Weaver who could learn how weaving clothes works in school."

"I'm so focused on building a society, and I want to do that, I don't even want to learn here." Owlis double glances at Knowledge, hoping that isn't offensive. However, this academy was built on Knowledge's intelligence and as a temple for the grand master.) 

I do appreciate Knowledge's pun. Sentence could be repaired slightly. "You're a Weaver who could learn, in school, to weave clothes." 

 "I want to build a society. I don't even want to go here."

 (Knowledge joylessly smiles. "Never rush. Always test a theory a few times. Learn fundamentals."

Owlis says, "I already have a bunch of kids waiting for Utopia. We've built the place up several times, but we keep getting wrecked, and I keep trying to build each part. I've found out this place has like healing pools. That is amazing! My empire should have one of those."

"Kingdom, Owlis. An Empire is several kingdoms.") 

Knowledge is still hurt, and every time she smiles, there's a certain joylessness. I think I'm relatively safe from overstating this, as I've only said that twice now. Could grammar Owlis better. "I've found this place, has, like, healing pools. That's amazing!" 

("Yeah, that's my plan." Owlis nods. "But I feel like I'm in over my head about all of this Utopia stuff. I've this idea on how we'll share power, and who gets what. Also an idea about farming. But as soon as I work on the farming, I have ideas on developing the libraries. We already have the criminal justice figured out, however. We get a giant, really big paddle, and we WHACK butts until the eyes pop out. So far no one's eyes have popped out yet but they have engineering classes in school."

Knowledge muses, "I've heard that one little fox is actually only a few infractions away from a school paddling for being a smarty-no-pants and brat. Perhaps she should workonherhomework.") 

That's the cheat I mentioned. Technically the story is 1003 words if you count "workonherhomework" as separate. 

Owlis trying to develop a kingdom is definitely relatable. Also, I feel like this could be developed further, what Knowledge means by she's only a few infractions away, and she has homework. Supposedly, school hasn't even truly started yet. Basically, there is a "primer", and then you actually start the classes proper. That could have been more detailed. 

(Owlis gasps and runs off while Knowledge giggles. She looks on at a distant tower known as Archivists' tower, which is where her student Ramseas was sealed away after his spells burned books, then libraries, then people.

She wonders how far away Owlis is from being the next Ramseas.) 

And the plot twist this all went towards. Incidentally, this puts the story in a new context. I forgot this was how this ended, was on this twist line. I feel weird for "spoiling that" earlier in the text. Though if you're reading this, you've waived your spoiler-free rights. 

Huh, these author's notes though: 

(Author’s Notes: This weird little tale was, thought of, written, and published within a few hours and is about overextending. Perhaps there is a moral here, but there is definitely a rant.  Yup. Not revised at all.

I normally never upload extremely raw drafts. I will admit that a chapter of N:Era Where We Lie only got like three drafts, but yeah, this is fresh off the press plus some quick grammar looks.

So Ramseas is actually gonna be a main villain of a side story expansion. So are the Skyless, they're gonna be in Owlis Fall of Dragons. I feel like this tale is mostly about all the stuff that will happen.

I dunno if you'll enjoy, but I figure I haven't uploaded in a while.) 

That's a bit mysterious. I have no idea what I was ranting about. I suppose perhaps I was talking about people who lack fundamentals in writing. 

 

Anyway, um, just a cute tale, really. I can agree with the idea of there is a moral. Like, this is clearly about understanding what you're doing, but I feel like there's too much exposition throughout, that could be cut, or moved around in other areas to provide a smoother stream of information. 

 

I think the actual structure is fine. Knowledge seems like a weirdly depressed individual until you realize she's sad because she's repairing damage done by one of her favorite students. I'd probably improve Ramseas' attitude so you could more clearly see him being excited by his revelations. 

 

Anyway, that's a self-critique, yeah.