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. 

N:Era Fun Trivias

This is just some random stuff to note about N:Era with Flowers. So two of the characters are actively named after flowers, those being Rosod (Rose) and Lilu (lilies). Every character's name is a corruption of something from nature. A couple of Ascended usually have names that are "Human-like". Owlis is pronounced as "Alice" and Cyras is pronounced as "Cyras'". Ryvoh is River.

"The younger fox sat at the entrance hole and bristled her fur. A field of tulips laid to her left." - Tulips actually symbolize the beginning of love. Roses are representations of true love, and notably, at the end, Cyras receives Summer Roses. So she has associations with white flowers. Yes, I know this symbology is obscure, but I felt like I should finally mention that.

-While Owlis is called Cyras' cousin, they're first cousin's once removed. Cyras' mother Sumhyr is Owlis' cousin because they share a grandmother (Who is unnamed so far or potentially "Time", but I won't spoil. For further purposes, she will be called One Foxy Mama). The child of your cousin is your cousin once removed.

-Kryyk and Cyras are also cousins once removed. Kryyk is the little brother of Ryvoh, meaning Kryyk is actual Owlis' cousin.

-Now if Kryyk was Ryvoh's son instead of brother, then technically Kryyk and Cyras would be 2nd cousins, as they both share the same great-grandparent (One Foxy Mama).

-Wysdom is about 1.2 million square miles and mostly lost land due to the relinquishing, therefore Wysdom is bigger than the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire.

-"The pond was secluded with no one near except for some fish. Lilies and poppies that filtered water quality and added some privacy. Good, Cyras was hungry. She lapped up some water before she jumped and immersed herself.



Smirking at one fish, a quite big goldfish, she blasted jets of flames from her paws. The steam-powered fox spiraled around, bit, and flew out."

Alright, so essentially, lilies and poppies help filter out chemicals from water, making that water better to drink. Since this is Owlis' private garden, that's a sign of how Owlis filters her own ponds.

Also, Cyras being able to flame around underwater isn't impossible. Underwater flames are a result of flames receiving oxygen. Water doesn't beat flames, water smothers flames. But if the flame has a source, the flame is gonna burn.

Ironically, later on in the series, Cyras can't escape ice shackles because the fire needs some time to melt the ice. So fire sorta beats ice in the same way water sorta beats fire.

Anyway, I just thought this was cool stuff I never talked about, right.

Happy Birthday Post

 Yo so this is actually my hundredth prepared post on my blog. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, this isn't my hundredth posted. 

Uh, so 23rd is my birthday, 25th is Christmas, 31st is New Years. Lots of time to look back and reset. I guess I have a lot to account for and a lot to say in this time of self-reflection and growth. 

So far, as I can tell, I'm probably finishing N:Era cycle one this year, we're at the finale. There's only a couple parts left. I probably should have had a different due date.

I gotta finish a couple art pieces. One being a massive Christmas art, one being a more personal gift. 

I kinda wonder why we do put so much stress. I mean, will the first song I listen to this year really matter, or first thing I write up? In some ways, I believe so. This is a marker just like any other. 

Another year makes the last year looks so disappointing in retrospect. 2022 has been hell. 

2023 isn't promised to be better. Yet, throughout this, I've finally fought back most of my depression. I think I've been eating better, talking to myself better, behaving better. Been getting my life on track. 

There's always more, and I don't exactly know what. I guess I've got a few resolutions to talk about. 

I definitely still wanna get N:Era's cycle two started. I'm thinking there might be sixish stories this cycle. I already got like three planned out. 

I wanna explore one idea I've had of Cyras' cousin Raynfall bringing a giant rainstorm over Glacialane. I think we should see one more part of Wysdom after all. 

Nextly, I wanna do Tunnels under Wysdom. I don't really like that name, but still. 

I got a vague idea of one of Lilu's relatives fighting for the crown under suspicious circumstances. 

And finally, Sands of Ascalon. That will likely be the "Fangs of Liberty" of next year. But I don't think that's the end of the cycle, I almost think that's just a halfway point. There's gonna be a few important characters. 

I wanna get into doing shorts. I really like rehashing old Spongebob plots!

I'm definitely gonna resume reviewing MLP. Maybe KIERAL and I will finish Season 5 and go to Season 6? I wonder how far we will go. 

I wanna resume Sponge Standard. 

One thing I've been thinking about is starting up MLP fanfics. I talk a lot of shit, at some point I gotta start posting some. I'd also be interested in Spyro fanfics tbh, I gotta few ideas. 

Maybe resume Neopets fanfics.

Alright, that's most of my ideas for projects for now.

Some Tips for Poetry

I enjoy reading poetry, because I feel like poetry, like writing, really gets out a mood. Better, poetry allows you to access a feeling and extract the pure essence without the set up. You can get to the meat of the point. 

Poetry doesn't have to be deep, or about war, or hatred, or some other insane principles. Poetry can, and has been, about walks late at night, autumn days. In fact, some of the most popular poems were about exactly that, especially ones from Romanticism. 

I tend to think that a lot of people have this idea that poems are inherently pretentious or overwritten. This isn't true, and is a bit of an immature viewpoint on a literary art. Though in all fairness, they may have seen some more amateur poems.

Usually the problem with people's character "themes" or poems, is that they don't know what a poem is. A poem is not writing down pretty stuff, hoping that that works. Poems have a very specific standard of writing. Here's some tips to get started.

Let's start off with the technicals. 

Meter

So last night I wrote up a poem spontaneously, and here's what we got: 

(Cyras and Rosod:

Trifling and Shifting

Like a potato thrown around

Your blame is cast upon myself

And yet you take part of the piece

How could I ever bear the brunt

Of something I never had

And how could I lose

You who I never had) 

This is, not a very good poem.

There's not really a rhythm or flow here yet. When read, this reads like: 

 

Trifling and Shifting

Like a potato thrown around

Your blame is cast upon myself

And yet you take part of the piece

So there's nothing intrinsically wrong with whacky beat from time to time, but this stumbles. You can't really sing with this, or recite this without sounding awkward.

Poems usually have a beat, a rhythm. This is achieved by feet. A foot is a series of stress and unstressed syllables. Here are a few examples.

Iambs are unstressed and stressed. These are associated with the beating of a heart. Pre-SENT. 

Trochees are stressed, then unstressed. PRE-sent. Trochees are usually known as feminine versus masculine Iambs.

Anapest: An anapest is two unstressed syllables and one stressed syllable. 

"Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;"

Question from @KIERAL.

Do you spend a while being picky or do the words kinda just come naturally sometimes? When you're like, not improvising I mean

Self: 

Yes to both tbh.

A lot of times I have to be very picky, but you naturally speak in Iambic pattern so sometimes you can just belt a line.

Like uh, "how dare you fucking rip my soul apart." Iambic Pentameter line right there.

Question:

Wow

That's actually pretty cool.

 

Self

Yeah so you can just belch out phrases. I might put that in examples.

 

A series of feet is what makes a poem. Iambic Pentameter is a series of five iambs, or five unstressed and stressed syllables.

An Irish Airman foresees his Death

By W.B. Yeats

I know that I shall meet my fate

Somewhere among the clouds above;

Those that I fight I do not hate, 

Those that I guard I do not love; 

My country is Kiltartan Cross,

My countrymen Kiltartan’s poor,

No likely end could bring them loss

Or leave them happier than before.

Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,

Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,

A lonely impulse of delight

Drove to this tumult in the clouds;

I balanced all, brought all to mind,

The years to come seemed waste of breath,

A waste of breath the years behind

In balance with this life, this death.

With four iambs in each line, this is iambic tetrameter. That word tetrameter means four feet of iambs. So each line is ba-BUM ba-BUM ba-BUM ba-BUM.

But wait, "a lonely impulse of delight" isn't in Iambs. We have an iamb (a lone), an iamb ("ly im"), then a phyrric ("pulse of") and finally, another iamb (delight).

The simple explanation is that you don't have to put everything in complete meter all the time, and doing so can even make a poem seem sing-song or seuss-like (A good thing if you're going for that). A lot of times, you can mix with the beat. 

In this example, there's almost a sighing breath when you say the line. There's three unnaccented syllables in a row, as he remembers pleasantly how he had fun joining.

Antigonish [I met a man who wasn’t there]

Hughes Mearns

  

Yesterday, upon the stair,
I met a man who wasn’t there
He wasn’t there again today
I wish, I wish he’d go away…

Even read in monotone there's still power.

Now free verse is an acceptable method of writing. That's where instead of worrying about beat, you just start writing, but even then, without a rhythm, the poem will sound like verbal garbage.

Meaning

Poems usually have a deeper meaning. Instead of saying something directly, a poem is more like trying to emote something through words. Like trying to explain a concept to someone who's never heard that before, and trying to emphathize with someone who knows all too well at the same time.

"Darkness Pays Orr A Visit" (A Guild Wars 2 Poem).

Darkness pays Orr a visit.

With billowing robes of blackened silk,

She beckons us, arms outstretched.

I see my brothers walk forward, greet her as a friend.

So many fold themselves into her embrace.

And even over their cries, and the roars of the beasts,

I hear Darkness call to me with a promise.

But I close myself. I will not join her yet.

Another call is more beautiful,

And I will chase it back to you.

So there's no traditional meter here (in fact this does actually sound like verbal garbage when reading imo) but there is meaning. Without knowing the game, you get the idea this is a war, and the brothers are armymen all falling to their deaths and a man who refuses for a lover.

Now here's Break the Chain, from Fleetwood Mac.

Listen to the wind blow (btw, double stress is a spondee.)

Watch the sun rise

Running in the shadows

Damn your love damn your lies

 

And if you don't love me now

You will never love me again

I can still hear you saying 

You would never break the chain

Now they could just say: "I'm staying for the band." 

Instead however, the wind blowing and sun rising implies a more subtle and still atmosphere, however running in the shadows means moving around without speaking. Then finally, there's a snap with the "damn your love, damn your lies."

The deeper meaning is "screw you for being a bad husband, also, I'm only staying with you because of the band." The band is referred to as a chain. Chains link, but at the same time, they are also cold, hard, and metal.

Poetry is often about indirectly saying something that cannot be said straightaway. When writing a poem, think about how you can say this without just putting down "I'm sad because I ran out of cake."

Imagery: 

Another winter in a summer's town.

Another winter
The renters go home
The maple goes from crimson to brown
Oh God
My God
Another winter
In a summer town

You can hear the "oh god, my god" as interrupters with how short they are. They give a clear desperation, while we get the idea of the trees slowly dying. 

A winter in a summer's town sounds unfathomable. Basically saying even a town that's warm and pleasant ends up falling in ice, and... with time.

The beach is empty
They cover the pools
The patio umbrellas come down
Oh God
My God
Another winter
In a summer town

This goes more about the idea of everybody leaving. The winter is metaphorical and physical, meaning how now poverty is entering the area. The beach is empty, as in there's no tourists. The pools are covered as nobody is swimming in winter.

One little leaf adrift in the breeze
Refuses to fall from the sky
Blown by the wind, it clings to the trees
Unwilling to wither and die
The summer’s over
But I’m still a girl
Cavorting in my carnival crown
From blossom to blossom, I buzz like a bee
Then glance in the mirror, and who do I see?
A middle aged woman inhabiting me
Because it’s winter
In a summer town

"One little leaf adrift in the breeze," is a sign of hope. We go down towards the girl in her "carnival crown". She's still dressing like she's young, but as soon as she glances in the mirror she sees the truth, a middle aged woman.

The imagery is heavy, going with flowers as a person withering. The seasons alter as does the wealth of a person who was at top of the money game. 

When writing a poem, think about what makes for a much stronger image. Poems force you into the present, into that moment. 

In Summary

 Let's look at the Raven. 

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door—
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
               Only this and nothing more."

The final line is only 4 stresses, but the rest have 8 stresses. 

We have strong imagery (midnight, tapping, forgotten lore). 

We have strong depth (forgotten lore being a symbol for sense, someone close to sleeping like they're stuck in an eternal dream.) 

We have rhythm. 

I don't think these are the only three elements that make a poem, but they are amongst the most important.

 

 

Lupegarthe Culture

 Lupegarthe is a kingdom of 100,000 Square Miles, known to the world for being shut off. 

Dialect

The Lupegarthe dialect has a few unique quirks. Firstly, if a word has the letter "o", they usually pronounce the "o" as "oh". Even if the word isn't pronounced with an o, like "do" or "move".

R's are rolled, and are breathy. Some say that r's at the end of words are said with "sch". Like Fenrirsch" or "watersch". 

Words that come in multiples but are said as singular are said as multiples in Lupegarthe. Examples are: "Bloods", "waters", "butts", and "hairs" (Thanks @Kieral for this suggestion) or "furs". 

 

Any d is said as "th". So "saith", "harth", "guarths". 

Any idioms with noncanines are prohibited.

Sire is used the same as "bitch". The main reason was ironic politeness where people would say, "Yes, my sire." So sire ended up meaning, roughly, "little bossy brat." 

 

Harbringer instead of harbinger. 

Culture

Unlike other dire cultures, or dire based cultures, corporal punishment is exceedingly rare. At the very least, at border towns. Most aren't said to frown upon the practice, but weren't raised that way and therefore don't hit their kids. Even judicially, the practice wasn't said to be necessary as other methods work just fine. 

Swillow: I'm pretty sure a major reason comes from the fact we were enslaved peoples by the Crimsons. Since Crimsons, well, beat people, we kept away from the practice along with a lot of other traditionally Crimson ideas - even if we shared those ideas. However, in my case, I was also simply too rich to be spanked. 

 

Wasting: I'm actually against the practice. I dislike hearing that Macheel's gotten a spankings from Citrus.

Border towns are usually richer parts because soldiers were meant to guard them. Merchants moved in to provide foods, waters, and armors. Eventually, the border towns had the most stable economies from war. 

Unfortunately, most of the kingdom is inhospitable and extremely cold. 

Some peoples don't live amongst civilizations, known as hermits, and live amongst themselves. Some even form unofficial micronations. 

 

Religion

 

Crimson influences have led to the main religion being the Old Pantheon of Crimsons, however with a dire twist. Most believe the Crimsons drew the gods in their images, and so they reimagine the gods as being wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, or painted dogs. 

Chil, god of Burning Passion and Artistry is usually worshipped by cults as an evil figure. However, instead of portraying gods of darkness as evil, they are usually worshipped and revered as much. 

Swillow: I'M not particularly religious. 

Wasting: I think there's something nice about having belief. Going to a temple every month. We only worship six main gods, and we have different opinions on whether a god is evil or not based on how Crimsons lied and what we believe the truth actually is. 

Swillow: Misinterpretations of a religion are great proof to not worship such a religion. 

Wasting: Misinterpretations of peoples manifestos are great reasons to not worship those manifestos, Fenrir. 

 

Military

Harbringers are soldiers known for scare tactics when hunting.

 

Art

Much of art in Lupegarthe is now "plagued" by abstract colors. The idea of using color as a metaphor, instead of painting literally. One of the greatest modern paintings is known as portrait of the death god, but instead of the death god, Golden Apple Rotree is painted in green, her lower half as a tree, and the branches are impaling various crimsons. The portrait is seen as offensive by many as implying she is an evil being, but others are saying she had to manifest that part of herself. 

Some religious art is painted of Ascendeds in Wysdom. Particularly, of Sumhyr. However, Snofall has gotten a fair amount of artwork because of her involvement with winter. A replica of her, created from snow, is still preserved in Bloodveil Museum of Arts. 

Horror art is very common, especially about isolation. One horror play is entirely done with a cardboard box, and waves in the back, as someone is on a boat sailing the sea ("The Ocean Speaks".)

 

Politics

Politics in Lupegarthe range from two extremes. More liberal actors are known as "fenrirs" as they are believed to be the end of the world. Any border town tends to be against liberalism. 

Royalists are the other main party in Lupegarthe. 

Swillow was a Fenrir. She actively spoke out against the police and against police corruption.

 

Swillow: Some of those that work forces...

Wasting: I want to note that we kicked her out because a police wolf working for police talking about how she hated the police, is not a good look. I was told by a superior that she had to be rid of, so that's when I framed her for murder. 

 

Swillow: Yes, seems we both got what we wanted. The Green Flag movement in Wysdom showcases a lot of my views - a return to a primal way of living. And more importantly, no hatred towards other species. 

 

Wasting: Regrettably, we should talk about that. 

History

600 years ago, Crimson slavers took Dires from islands and brought them over to what will be Lupegarthe but was known as Bloodveil.

 

They toiled until one wolf led a revolution, known as Golden Apple. Golden Apple and her band of rebels helped overthrow an oppressive government, and she installed herself as first queen. However, after her death, her lineage was split between two branches of her appletree: Grun and Rot. The fight between the apples went on until eventually Golden Apple Rotree married Cyder Grun. Golden Apple Rotree also ordered the hunting of any crimsons in the land and said anyone who wasn't a dire must leave the kingdom forevermore. 

 

From then on, nobody who isn't a canine is allowed. Golden Apple hired several Marquis to guard the borderlands and towns. 

 

Several great texts were written during the time of Golden Apple's call against Crimsons, known as "Proclamation Era". The four major texts are the Dialogue of Hasselana and Yew, a story on the meaning of freedom. The Epic of Goltere. The Poem "Ripping the Veil", and finally, "History of Lupegarthe". 

 

All four are thought of as the basics of their common ideals: Freedom, liberty, the right to protect the homelands and support of borders, and purity. 

 

Swillow: I wonder how you can have freedom when you support borders, for, is supporting limits not the same as supporting chains? And you cannot maintain purity if everyone may do as they please. 

Immigration

Wasting: Believe this or not, we do allow others in... If they fit the canine criteria. 

 

Swillow: Adoption of orphaned pups from other parts of the world isn't entirely rare for us. We're actually probably the biggest foreign adopters, however, this is founded by the wrong ideals of course. We also usually don't allow adults in, because of the belief they won't be capable of integrating. 

 

Wasting: Some have immigrated however. This isn't that out of the box. There are still some rumors of Crimsons still living within the lands of the hermits.

 

Swillow: I remember a lot of time in an alley with Citrus, and we'd be smoking, and we'd see some kid show up. I remember one time, the kid was all like, "oh you shouldn't be smoking that, that's against the law". I was like, "Sire, I am the law." Then Citrus said, "We should follow him to his daddy and see what you can get daddy arrested for." I'm like, "Girl, slow down."