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Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
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6:19 pm
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| Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
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4:30 pm - System of Magic
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kinetic_alchemy
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Hi, I was wondering what steps I might want to take when inventing a system of magic or what things I might want to look for so I don't create any unwanted loopholes. Thank you.
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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| Thursday, June 12th, 2008
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9:06 pm - Treatise: On Dwarven Living Conditions
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stormteller
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High fantasy typically skimps on some of the more tedious logistics of the worldview, and I'm just such a detail-minded person that I get to wondering about these things. One of the most troublesome aspects of a typical fantasy world is that of the subterranean Dwarven city. These are fairly common, and they naturally bring about certain questions of their function; how does a three-dimensional society, physically removed from any other civilizations, forced to carefully dig out any expansions to their living space, and severely limited in their natural resources, function and thrive?( Read more... )
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(2 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
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12:25 am
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ranka
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I've determined the new home for Galhaf. It is a star about 40 light-years away called 55 Cancri A, or Rho1 Cancri.
55 Cancri A is part of a double-star system. The secondary star is a distant red dwarf, which would appear as a very bright star in their sky, not bright enough to light up the night sky, but it would be visible during the daylight hours. They'd probably consider it a bright star at first, but they might notice that it behaves a bit differently than other stars. It's close enough to have a 5 arcminute parallex, though I'm not sure if that would be noticible to the naked eye. It would also move about 1 degree per (Earth) century in the sky, which would likely be noticed by their ancient astronomers. 55 Cancri A is between 4.5 and 5.5 billion years old, and is a little smaller than our sun. It's about twice as metal-rich as our sun. Five gas planets have been discovered in fairly circular orbits, one of which (55 Cancri f) is in the habitable zone. Galhaf is a trojan planet, located in f's leading trojan point. 55 Cancri f (and thus Galhaf) has a year of 260 +/- 1.1 days.
From Galhaf, 55 Cancri f would have the unusual property of appearing largely stationary relative to the sun, 60 degrees away from it. Once they developed the telescope, they would notice that it's in a perpeptual crescent phase. There's another roughly Earth-sized, and life-bearing, planet in the trailing trojan point, which would, therefore, appear to be perpeptually between f and the sun.
Being in the trojan point, I rather suspect Galhaf might be subject to a moderately increased rate of asteroid collisions. In addition, the gravitational interaction of the sun and f would make interplanetary probes more difficult, much to the dismay of their NASA-equivalent. :-)
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(comment on this)
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| Monday, June 9th, 2008
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10:04 pm
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kinetic_alchemy
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Hi, I'm attempting to build a world that suffers from schizotech (most technology it uses comes from 1945-ish; however, there is the occasional more advanced thing floating around.) I want the world to be realistic but acceptable when the 1945-tech breaks away into the unrealistic. On top of this, I'm trying to research what type of stoves, cars, vacuums(?), etc. would be commonly used, but this is kind of a big task, and I don't quite know where to start. Any suggestions on how to maintain balance and to do the research?
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(4 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, June 8th, 2008
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3:42 am
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ranka
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I have found a new home for Galhaf! It will require details to be changed about their orbit, not to mention their calendar and chronology, as a longer year will be required. It is Alula Australis B (Also known as Xi Ursae Majoris B), part of a four-star system, consisting of two pairs. Galhaf orbits the binary pair Ba-Bb together, which consists of a Sun-like star and a brown dwarf in very close orbit (taking just 4 days to orbit each other). The other pair, Aa-Ab, is a yellow dwarf just slightly larger than the Sun and a red dwarf. That pair couldn't have any habitable planets in stable orbits, due to their distance from each other. The two pairs orbit roughly every 60 years, and the Aa-Ab pair orbits each other in about 1.8 years.
It would make their sky a rather interesting place :-)
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(13 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, June 7th, 2008
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8:28 pm - Aurgh!
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ranka
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I just found out that 36 Ophiuchi, where I had placed my concultures, is estimated to only be about 590 million years old.
That's barely enough time for anaerobit prokaryotes to evolve, much less a complex ecosystem.
Back to the drawing board.
And it was such a nice system, too ...
current mood:  frustrated
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
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11:58 pm - The new world
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secret_vice
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This is my latest draft of my creation story. The creation story as I wrote in an earlier post belongs to one of the dwarf tribes in a fictional world that I am currently in the process of building. The tribe that this story belongs to are widely known for their religious beliefs that often seem strange and unusual to peoples of other races. The theme of the "Otherworld" in this story is just one aspect of their religion that is often recieved with sceptical comments from non-believers more so than any other religion in this world.
The story itself was originally based on some Norse mythology that I had read when I was researching for this piece. From my research of Norse mythology I was able to gather a lot of idea's which have given me a lot to think about over the past few weeks. However I soon found that the idea's that I had previously came up with were replaced with new idea's that had no relation to Norse mythology at all.
Instead the story began to take on a new direction and with the introduction of the "Otherworld" I realized that the story was loosely based on Celtic mythology, which I had also extensively researched and became a central element of the following story.
I would also like for you to note even though I am relatively happy with this piece, despite this, I realize that further changes will be needed. As you read the story you will notice that the names of the various God's have not been mentioned. This I will do later because I am also working on a conlang that I intend to use for this very purpose and this will take some time before it is completed to my standard of liking.
Also the story is short; but that was my intention because I just wanted to focus on this specific element of the dwarvish Religion and mythology. I do however intend to write other stories that I plan will describe the events that take place in the Otherworld following the departure of all beings, and what the beings faced in the new world (again the world has yet to be formally named).
So it is with those final notes that I will leave you to continue and read the story. Also if you do read this then please make sure that you make a comment as constructive criticsm is strongly wanted.
***
There once was a time when all beings lived in a world beneath this one. The world was known as the Otherworld and in it lived the high God, his eleven follwers named the lower God's, and all peoples, creatures, and other beings who served all Gods of both status.
For many years the inhabitants of the world lived together peacefully. All were proud of the world that they lived in and wished to live no where else. After all the world was beautiful and was reknowned for it's lush green hills and crystal blue lakes that sparkled as the ripples danced towards the riverbank.
For a long time it was like this; but slowly the world began to change. As time passed the world became darker until little remained of it's former beauty.
The mountains where many of the beings had lived began to crumble to dust; the lush green hills became dry and hard, so dry that no longer would any plants or tree's grow; and so the God's and all the beings who lived there began to starve as the food that had once been plentiful began to disappear until all the trees and plants that remained were stripped of their bearings.
Also not only was the world beginning to change but so were the inhabitants who lived within it. The beings who had once lived together peacefully soon began to argue against one another and would sometimes go to war.
Tired of this the God's decided to hold a meeting to discuss what they ourght to do. Then, after much debate, the high God decided that all beings, with the exceptance of the God's will be removed from the world. "It is time," he announced suddenly, in a loud deep voice that was filled with sadness. "Let all those who have opened their hearts to evil be banished from this world. I will not let this world be destroyed by their evilness."
"But where shall they go?" asked one God in a small voice. "There is no world but this one."
"So I once thought myself but it appears that there is another," replied the high God in calm voice, but, despite this, for the first time the lower God's noticed a shadow of fear that lurked mysteriously behind his eyes. At this the lower God's frowned but the high God rushed on so as they could not interupt.
"It appears that my previous knowledge of this world was gravely mistakened. Like yourselves, I only knew of this world and so I was surprised when I discovered, by accident, a new world. The world exists above ours and can be reached through a secret passage that connects the two worlds together.
Since it's discovery I have watched that world and through my study of it -all I saw was darkness; and I knew that it was ridden with evil, sadly much like this one. But this world is not meant for evil. Evil destroys it. The new world, however, seems to live for evil and it is through good that the evil can be destroyed. This I understand and so I it is my intention that these beings be removed from this world and into the other in the hope that one day the evil that reigns within their hearts will be destroyed. Thus until that day they will be forbidden to re-enter this world.
But despite this they shall not be left alone. One day each year the passage shall open and in our mercifulness we, the God's of this world, and soon the new world, will visit them and bestow them with gifts from this world when they deserve them. These gifts shall remind them of what they lost and in turn will help them to leave behind their hatred that has seeped into their hearts.
Following their departure the passage shall be shut to protect this world as we attempt to heal it." So it was with this final statement that the God's lead all the beings through this passage and into the other world where they have since remained.
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(comment on this)
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9:56 pm - The new world
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secret_vice
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This is my latest draft of my creation story. The creation story as wrote in an earlier post belongs to one of the dwarf tribes in a fictional world that I am currently in the process of building. The tribe that this story belongs to are widely known for their religious beliefs that often seem strange and unusual to peoples of other races. The theme of another world in this story is just one aspect of their religion that is often recieved with sceptical comments from the non-believers.
The story itself was originally based on some Norse mythology that I had read when I was researching for this piece. From my research of Norse mythology I was able to gather a lot of idea's which have given me a lot to think about over the past few weeks. However I soon found that the idea's that I had previously came up with were replaced with new one's.
There is however a strong possibility that I might use those notes in a different story, perhaps in a creation story that belong to a different tribe of dwarfs, as I really do find Norse mythology to be quite interesting to read. It is with that final comment about that I will let you read to continue to read the story.
Also constructive criticsm is strongly wanted.
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************
There once was a time when all beings lived in a world beneath this one. The world was known as the Otherworld and in it lived the high God, his eleven follwers often referred to as the lower God's, and all peoples, creatures, and other beings who served all Gods of both status.
For many years the inhabitants of the world lived together peacefully. All were proud of the world that they lived in and wished to live no where else. Afterall the world was beautiful and was reknowned for it's lush green hills and crystal blue lakes that sparkled as the ripples danced towards the shore.
For a long time it was like this; but slowly the world began to change. As time passed the world slowly became darker and darker until little remained of it's beauty.
The mountains where many of the beings had lived began to crumble to dust; the lush green hills became dry and hard, so dry that no longer would any plants or tree's grow; and so the Gods and all the beings who lived there began to starve as the food that had once been plentiful began to disappear until all the trees and plants that remained were stripped of their bearings.
Also not only was the world beginning to change but so were the inhabitants who lived within it. The beings who had once lived together peacefully soon began to argue against one another and would sometimes go to war.
Tired of this the God's decided to hold a meeting to discuss what they ourght to do. Then, after much debate, the high God decided that all beings, with the exceptence of the God's will be removed from the world. "It is time," he announced suddenly in a loud deep voice that was filled with sadness. "Let all those who have opened their hearts to evil be banished from this world. I will not let this world be destroyed by their evilness."
"But where shall they go?" asked one God in a small, slightly shakey, voice. "There is no otherworld but this one."
"So I thought myself but it appears that there is another," replied the high God in calm voice and for the first time the God's noticed a shadow of fear that lurked mysteriously behind his eyes. At this comment the God's frowned but the high God rushed on so as they could not interupt.
"It appears that my previous knowledge of this world have been gravely mistakened. Like yourselves I only knew of this world and so I was surprised when I discovered, by accident, a new world. The world exists above ours and can be reached through a secret passage that connects the two worlds together.
Since it's discovery I have watched that world and through my study of it -all I saw was darkness; and I knew that it was ridden with evil, sadly much like this one. But this world is not meant for evil. Evil destroys it. The new world, however, seems to live for evil and it is through good that the evil can be destroyed. This I understand and so I it is my intention that these beings be removed from this world and into the other in the hope that one day the evil that reigns within them will be destroyed. Thus until that day they will be forbidden to re-enter this world."
So it was with this final statement that the God's lead all the beings through this passage and into the other world where they have since remained.
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(comment on this)
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| Thursday, May 8th, 2008
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4:08 pm - creation story
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secret_vice
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Have you ever writen a creation story for a conworld? At the moment I am writing a creation story for a conworld that I am working on. The creation story is told from the viewpoint of the dwarves and is loosely based on some ideas that I read in a book about mythologies. I think the book was mainly about Norse mythology with a small collection of mythology taken from a few other races.
Note: this isn't a can-you-help-me-with-this kind of question. I am simply asking out of interest.
current mood:  creative
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(8 comments | comment on this)
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| Monday, March 17th, 2008
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1:56 pm - World building: crops
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| Tuesday, March 11th, 2008
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6:08 pm - Headline News from Fyksland
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reclamationzone
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This weekly publication is a compact collection of news headlines appeared in Staandæt Poste, a national daily in Fyksland. Originally published in Fyksian, this condensed edition is available in English to provide news briefs of the past week to readers from around the world. The daily news items account for local and international headlines from a Fyksian perspective. Staandæt Poste is an independent news agency and is in no way affiliated with the Government of Fyksland.
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) fyksland_news
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(comment on this)
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| Monday, March 3rd, 2008
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10:45 pm - Immortal phoenix people
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orenachangeling
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This is a race from a universe I'm working on. The genre is science fantasy / magic in space. Please ask as many questions about my creation as possible, the process of answering them will help me develop it further. As well if you see any holes in my logic please point them out.
The Kihya are a race of anthropomorphic phoenixes. They have the head and wings of a bird while their body, arms and legs are human like in appearance. One of the most notable things about the Kihya is their immortality. Like the phoenixes they resemble, whenever a Kihya is old or mortally injured they can be healed by dying and being reborn in a burst of fire. This healing fire spontaneously comes forth from within the Kihya and does not need to be started by outside sources. Kihya are unable to reproduce, as there is no need to since they are immortal.
Kihya also have several kinds of psychic abilities. All Kihya can telepathically communicate and have the ability to read minds, both surface thoughts and buried memories. The level of telepathic ability varied between individual Kihya. Some Kihya also have additional abilities such as telekinesis, remote viewing and precognition.
The Kihya originally were not immortal, they were born and died like any other life form. They evolved on the world Nestorhem, which was destroyed in a battle with their enemies the Maraskans. This happened when the Maraskans invaded Nestorhem and threatened to overrun the entire galaxy. The Seneschal, a mysterious god like figure known to the Kihya, defeated the Maraskans by destroying Nestorhem with them on it. The Seneschal was only able to save four hundred Kihya from the millions that previously made up their population but he gave them immortality in return. It is unknown exactly how this chain of events played out and most other races believe this story to be only legend or allegory.
Also, I have worked out how the Kihya became immortal, but it is really confusing and probably wouldn't make sense without reading the whole story (or even then for that matter). I'll tell you about it if anyone wants to know but I don't want to make this post a mile long explaining both the Kihya and this process at the same time.
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(11 comments | comment on this)
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5:25 pm - World with weird seasons: request for ideas and thoughts
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hellmutt
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Sorry for the ill-thought-out nature of this idea. It began as a "wouldn't it be funny if" thought for a roleplay setting on a world with very long (seasonal) 'years'. Can anyone give me any thoughts on whether and how this might be possible? Hopefully with as little handwaving as possible!
( World, or half-world, with long cycle of seasons that behave weirdly )
If it's not even vaguely plausible I'll shrug and change my plans; just thought it would be cool to think about the effect this would have on the evolutionary side of things. :) Animals are more to my interest than geography and astrophysics, and I'm really stumped with finding out how to research this stuff.
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(15 comments | comment on this)
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| Sunday, February 17th, 2008
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10:17 pm - Future Building Questions 001
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dsgood
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Warning: These questions are intended for use in writing fiction. They are not suitable for construction of real-world utopias. If used to design Role Playing Games, proper results are not guaranteed. Investments based on these questions are guaranteed to make a small fortune only if you start with a large fortune.
1. Which theory of society do you believe:
a) Society is an organic whole whose parts work together.
b) Society is made up of competing groups.
c) Society is made up of competing ideas.
d) Society is continuously constructed and reconstructed as people respond to what they think the words and actions of others mean.
e) Society is run by secret masters, benevolent or malevolent.
f) Other.
2. You see history as being:
a) A rise toward greater and higher civilization.
b) Bound by rigid cycles; for example, the United States will last as a civilization exactly as long as the Roman Empire did.
c) Cyclic, but the cycles are rather looser.
d) Cyclic, with the cycles we can see being part of a greater cycle. When civilization reaches its peak, it will destroy itself. Humans will start all over again, from the beginning of the Stone Age. Alternatively, humans will die out and another intelligent species will experience the next cycle. (Of course, this requires explanation of why oil and various ores weren't used up in previous cycles.)
e) It's all going to repeat, exactly the same. For example, there will be another Roman Empire.
f) Other.
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(5 comments | comment on this)
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| Tuesday, January 8th, 2008
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2:18 am - Trains!
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| Friday, January 4th, 2008
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2:09 pm - Community Info
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| Tuesday, December 18th, 2007
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12:57 am
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dsgood
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Historical timeline, concensus view of 20th century history -- somewhat different from the views of historians -- in the 25th century:
1914 Great War
Establishment of first world empire, the League of Nations.
1939 League of Nations breaks up; the Atomic War. (Use of atomic weapons in later wars considered minor.)
World empire re-established as the United Nations
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(10 comments | comment on this)
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| Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
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7:16 pm - Mythical Creature: The Frerwyn
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stormteller
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I'm cross-posting this from Mythmakers, because this community has a lot more people in it.
This is one of many races inhabiting one of my story worlds. They are quite obviously based on wherewolves, but I tried to add some twists that would make them a more interesting race to read about. I'd like to know what people think about my effort; is it too cliche, or is it a refreshing twist on an old monster?( Read more... )
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(9 comments | comment on this)
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| Saturday, October 20th, 2007
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12:51 am - Birth in Terralga
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mdu_ntr
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Known spontaneous abortions and stillbornsare deemed demonic and are destroyed (usually by fire). The widwife must remove the afterbirth and a monk must clean the uterus with holy water then cleanse it. This ritual usually entails lots of prayers and chants. The mother and midwife must stay in a different room, away from the rest of the world, until the next full moon. The night of the full moon the mother and the midwife musdt lie naked in the rays of the moon.
Asexuals and hermaphrodites are regarded firrefently depending on where they come from but they are all sent to monasteries. Followers of Thabid (solid god) hate hermaphrodites because they are the symbol of SaHir. In these areas the father takes the baby to the closest Abdul al SaHir monestary and the mother must regain her respect with another child-asap. Il Fagr they are taken up as servents at the monasteries. In other areas asexuals and hermaphrodites are taken in to monasteries from birth and cared for by a wet nurse. In such places giving birth to a shim is looked on highly. Once giving birth to a shim, the only people who see their children again is the Il Fagr.
Steriles don't know they are sterile until they try to concieve. Once they know they are sterile nobody will want to marry them but they are still part of the village/ city as normal people. The only difference is if you are of Il Fagr or are royal. Il Fagr deem that you must have done something terrible to warrent such a punishment from Abha, who is usually kind and forgiving so you are shunned. Rolyals who cannot pass on thier blood cannot inherit. Sterility is grounds for devorce.
Facilitated abortion is an underground trade and is considered disgusting and any person found doing it is shunned. Whores do do it in many cases but after having it done they move on. In Il Fagr, it is punnishable by death
current mood:  alseep
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(14 comments | comment on this)
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