You stand beside the warped wooden bench, under the moonlight. The ruins of the minarets and vaults toppled like fallen dominoes, humbled to the ground from their heavenly posture. The cool silver light diffuses through the destruction, the same night eye that gazed on the founding of the city now wanes on the metropolis's termination. Why is it that sometimes we never seem to remember beginnings, but when the end arrives, it comes in full judgement and solemn heartbreak? And only then, we notice what privilege we had.
It doesn't have to be the monumental losses, really. Sometimes the little things are just as difficult to accept. They crop up again, involuntary recollections from an unwelcome stimulus, a song that plays over the radio, a birthday gift sitting on the shelf.
But other times, the ending slips right past us, drifting away into misty memories.
When did you last play in a playground, running carefree in juvenile confidence? When was the last time you wore that shirt before deciding it was too childish? When was the last time you watched your favourite childhood cartoon, however cynically mocking it seems now? When did you last time you went to dine at that restaurant, suffused with schoolday memories? When was the last time you met up with him? When was the last time you caught up on her life? When was the last time he went for a jog with you? When was the last time you saw her gentle smile? When did you last hear him laugh? When did you last tell her, how inspiring she is? When was the last time you told your parents you loved them? When was the last time someone held your hand? When was the last time...
And then suddenly, it was over. It's been years, and you realise he's grown old, she's become distant. You don't have the energy to run in the field, scream as you slip down the playground slide. It's not appropriate, it's not done. Now, many seasons after that final time, you comprehend the loss. No ruins, no heartbreaks, other buildings simply came in and replaced the old. But, somehow, it unnerves and upsets. What if yesterday was the last time she embraced you? What if tomorrow's lunch is the final time he cracks a joke about your table manners? How would you know?
So, savour each moment, cherish every time you meet up with a friend, treasure the little experiences of daily life. Even things that seem routine, unremarkable and dull will eventually end. Being aware of that uncertainty heightens the experience of every stone or brick that forms the cities of our lives.
12 February 2013
Boreal Traversals
The northern reaches of Eldawn are broadly, from east to west, composed of the Thosaven Highlands, the Silaren Plains and the Vedathen Forest. While some of the regions here are technically more west than north of Mirrorsea, I felt they should be grouped together, since this northwest region is largely populated by the same group of people, the Filial.
A wide, barren and empty expanse under the open sky, Thosaven remains unpopulated as it has not been found particularly useful. However, while its surface geography is uninteresting, Thosaven covers a labyrinthine network of caves, where underground rivers flow. Their source is the north of Coralsea, from the caves in the cliffs, the water trickles into streams that journey under the Dälamond Mountains and back to the great subterranean reserve below Mirrorsea. The water is then drawn back up by the roots of the water-giver trees to flow from Mivaris once more. The caverns remain unexplored. The Shining Wings have dismissed the openings in the cliffs on the northern front of Coralsea as mere curiousities, shunning the skyless darkness within.
A range of mountains stretching from Mirrorsea to the southwest of the Thosaven highlands. It used to be part of a larger mountain range, united with the Gavomond Mountains to the southwest. However, after Elerise, the central section was removed and the ranges adopted their distinct locations and names. The mountains in the Dälamond range are the largest and highest in the region, the greatest, Calnarost, is about 2.84 km above sea level at its peak. The mountains provide a constant northern backdrop. Without a cap of snow, they keep a guarded silver grey watch on the lands on both sides of the range. Selvaris Settlement sits at the southwest end of the range, and mines for the illemyst crystals under the mountain are based there.
Founded under Ällora's guidance, Elenians ventured north of Elenis to the Dälamond Mountains to secure a source of illemyst crystals. The crystals are a possibly a probably a sort of corundum with a high percentage composition of metal. Fibres of gold and copper spin an inorganic web through the alumina. They make the crystals surprisingly easy to use with the magic of the Shining Wings. The settlement has been highly productive and a lev-tram link was established in 423AE, to improve efficiency and reduce transport costs to Elenis. Selvaris is surrounded by steep mountainside to the north, east and south, but the view to the west opens up over the lowlands of Vedathen Forest. The crystal mines extend far into the mountainside, but are not yet near the waterways below the mountains.
To improve the accessibility of Selvaris, a large scale lev-tram was pioneered with the Selvaron Link. The first of the links between the cities of the Shining Wings, it would be improved and refined repeatedly over the following centuries. To avoid disturbing the flow of the sacred Mirrorsea water to appease Mivaris Monastery, the track was built above the water, supported by elegant pillars. Calvaron Link would later be modeled after Selvaron Link.
A dry and still region in the lowlands, the ground on the steppes is hard and sandy. Wind occasionally carries moist air out of the Vedathen, but this typically dissipates into the arid breeze of the region. The absence of weather prevents most life from establishing a foothold. However, experiments by the Guardians, a subgroup of the Filial suggests that the soil's nutrient content is in fact quite rich; plant life grows healthily in it if water is adequate.
A vast tropical forest, the Vedathen covers the lowlands to the northwest of Mirrorsea. The vegetation grows thickest around the rivers and lakes that form from the water that flows out of Mirrorsea by the Parives. Elsewhere, watergiver trees tended by the Guardians supplies the surrounding wildlife with the precious liquid. Vedathen Pass cuts through the Gavomond Mountains to the northwest edge of Mirrorsea, providing relatively easy access from the highlands to the northwestern lowlands. Vedathen is home to the Guardians and the Repentants, and they dwell primarily in Yevanis, as well as in numerous minor settlements in the nearby regions. The Genecsis research outpost is also situated in the forest, near the foot of the Gavomond cliffs.
The great City of Trees founded by the Filial. The site was initially a dry region, away from the rivers and lakes that spawned from the Parives in the forest. The Guardians first coaxed the soil to life and planted Aqualith, which would eventually grow to be the second largest watergiver tree after Miralith in Mivaris. With expert bioengineering, Yevanis became a living organic city. Structures were worked into intricate floral designs made of the branches and vines of the obedient trees. Tasks that would have been assigned to magical crystal constructs by the Shining Wings were given to organisms instead; lighting, heating, documentation and agriculture for example. Most inhabitants lived among the trees, only travelling to the ground, groves and glades for a change of scenery or for important ceremonies. A vast conservatorium of plants and animals dwelt in company with human presence, collectively interdependent.
As demand for illemyst continued to grow in Elenis and Alanis, Selvaris was unable to provide an adequate supply. The Gavomond Mountains, outside usual Shining Wings territory, represented a second exploitable source. Negotiations were conducted with the Guardians to secure a site in Vedathen in order to set up an operations base to mine Gavomond illemyst. Ganvaris was established on the condition that a twelfth of the crystals be given to the Guardians as payment.
Founded by Deväl shortly after his induction into Repentant society. Fascinated with the bioengineering marvels of the Guardians in Yevanis, Deväl leads a splinter group, the Genecsists, to found a research facility. Hence, Genecsis was established to catalogue and document the wonders of bioengineering. Ownership of Genecsis is eventually seized by Warrel, who begins to experiment with much more dangerous alterations and augmentations. This happens after Deväl declares a pacifist stance on the conflict between the Shining Wings and the Filial. In its final years, Genecsis was the source of many monstrosities; half-humans, large reptilian beasts and toxin laden plants.
A quiet, open sea northwest of Vedathen Forest. The nutrient rich waters flowing into it from the rivers of Vedathen enable plankton, algae and kelp to grow in large quantities. The depth of the water drops quickly away from the coast, so the phytoplankton serve as the dominant producers there. Nonetheless, the microorganisms support a community of fishes, birds and small sharks. The species are, for the most part, distinct from cousin species in Coralsea and Deepsea. There is no evidence to show that water from Marinsea returns to the Mirrosea aquifer.
A final location overview post on the central Mirrorsea, and then I'll move on to describe how all this links in to the mythology earlier.
North Eldawn
Thosaven Highlands : Time Immemorial
A wide, barren and empty expanse under the open sky, Thosaven remains unpopulated as it has not been found particularly useful. However, while its surface geography is uninteresting, Thosaven covers a labyrinthine network of caves, where underground rivers flow. Their source is the north of Coralsea, from the caves in the cliffs, the water trickles into streams that journey under the Dälamond Mountains and back to the great subterranean reserve below Mirrorsea. The water is then drawn back up by the roots of the water-giver trees to flow from Mivaris once more. The caverns remain unexplored. The Shining Wings have dismissed the openings in the cliffs on the northern front of Coralsea as mere curiousities, shunning the skyless darkness within.
Dälamond Mountains : Time Immemorial
A range of mountains stretching from Mirrorsea to the southwest of the Thosaven highlands. It used to be part of a larger mountain range, united with the Gavomond Mountains to the southwest. However, after Elerise, the central section was removed and the ranges adopted their distinct locations and names. The mountains in the Dälamond range are the largest and highest in the region, the greatest, Calnarost, is about 2.84 km above sea level at its peak. The mountains provide a constant northern backdrop. Without a cap of snow, they keep a guarded silver grey watch on the lands on both sides of the range. Selvaris Settlement sits at the southwest end of the range, and mines for the illemyst crystals under the mountain are based there.
Selvaris Settlement : Established 29 AE
Founded under Ällora's guidance, Elenians ventured north of Elenis to the Dälamond Mountains to secure a source of illemyst crystals. The crystals are a possibly a probably a sort of corundum with a high percentage composition of metal. Fibres of gold and copper spin an inorganic web through the alumina. They make the crystals surprisingly easy to use with the magic of the Shining Wings. The settlement has been highly productive and a lev-tram link was established in 423AE, to improve efficiency and reduce transport costs to Elenis. Selvaris is surrounded by steep mountainside to the north, east and south, but the view to the west opens up over the lowlands of Vedathen Forest. The crystal mines extend far into the mountainside, but are not yet near the waterways below the mountains.
Selvaron Link : Established 423 AE
To improve the accessibility of Selvaris, a large scale lev-tram was pioneered with the Selvaron Link. The first of the links between the cities of the Shining Wings, it would be improved and refined repeatedly over the following centuries. To avoid disturbing the flow of the sacred Mirrorsea water to appease Mivaris Monastery, the track was built above the water, supported by elegant pillars. Calvaron Link would later be modeled after Selvaron Link.
Silaren Plains : Time Immemorial
A dry and still region in the lowlands, the ground on the steppes is hard and sandy. Wind occasionally carries moist air out of the Vedathen, but this typically dissipates into the arid breeze of the region. The absence of weather prevents most life from establishing a foothold. However, experiments by the Guardians, a subgroup of the Filial suggests that the soil's nutrient content is in fact quite rich; plant life grows healthily in it if water is adequate.
Vedathen Forest : Time Immemorial
A vast tropical forest, the Vedathen covers the lowlands to the northwest of Mirrorsea. The vegetation grows thickest around the rivers and lakes that form from the water that flows out of Mirrorsea by the Parives. Elsewhere, watergiver trees tended by the Guardians supplies the surrounding wildlife with the precious liquid. Vedathen Pass cuts through the Gavomond Mountains to the northwest edge of Mirrorsea, providing relatively easy access from the highlands to the northwestern lowlands. Vedathen is home to the Guardians and the Repentants, and they dwell primarily in Yevanis, as well as in numerous minor settlements in the nearby regions. The Genecsis research outpost is also situated in the forest, near the foot of the Gavomond cliffs.
Yevanis City : Established 8 AE
The great City of Trees founded by the Filial. The site was initially a dry region, away from the rivers and lakes that spawned from the Parives in the forest. The Guardians first coaxed the soil to life and planted Aqualith, which would eventually grow to be the second largest watergiver tree after Miralith in Mivaris. With expert bioengineering, Yevanis became a living organic city. Structures were worked into intricate floral designs made of the branches and vines of the obedient trees. Tasks that would have been assigned to magical crystal constructs by the Shining Wings were given to organisms instead; lighting, heating, documentation and agriculture for example. Most inhabitants lived among the trees, only travelling to the ground, groves and glades for a change of scenery or for important ceremonies. A vast conservatorium of plants and animals dwelt in company with human presence, collectively interdependent.
Ganvaris Settlement : Established 2004 AE
As demand for illemyst continued to grow in Elenis and Alanis, Selvaris was unable to provide an adequate supply. The Gavomond Mountains, outside usual Shining Wings territory, represented a second exploitable source. Negotiations were conducted with the Guardians to secure a site in Vedathen in order to set up an operations base to mine Gavomond illemyst. Ganvaris was established on the condition that a twelfth of the crystals be given to the Guardians as payment.
Genecsis Outpost : Established 1960 AE
Marinsea : Time Immemorial
A quiet, open sea northwest of Vedathen Forest. The nutrient rich waters flowing into it from the rivers of Vedathen enable plankton, algae and kelp to grow in large quantities. The depth of the water drops quickly away from the coast, so the phytoplankton serve as the dominant producers there. Nonetheless, the microorganisms support a community of fishes, birds and small sharks. The species are, for the most part, distinct from cousin species in Coralsea and Deepsea. There is no evidence to show that water from Marinsea returns to the Mirrosea aquifer.
A final location overview post on the central Mirrorsea, and then I'll move on to describe how all this links in to the mythology earlier.
Occidental Peregrination
The west of Eldawn is honestly poorly characterised. However, among its established qualities, it is almost entirely unaffected by human interference. The Varives Riverbraids twine their way down from Mirrorsea to the lowlands between the Gavomond Mountains to the north and the Gondaven Hills to the south.
Formerly joined with the Dälamond Mountains until Elenrise, the Gavomond Mountains are similar to the Dälamond Mountains in terms of mineral composition and altitude. It too has a large reserve of illemyst crystals, a valuable material for Shining Wings technology. Albeit, the average height of the Gavomond Mountains is slightly below that of the Dälamond Mountains. Verdathen Pass is a notable feature of the mountain range, a winding trail that descends from the highlands to the lowlands of Vedathen Forest. Nearby, the half-peak of Clovemont borders Mirrorsea. The mountain's remarkable appearance, having been cleanly bisected so only half the mountain remains, was a result of Elenrise. The mountain range runs for a considerable distance west away from Mirrorsea.
Branching out from Lake Valives, three rivers flow down a series of waterfalls to the west of Mirrorsea. Running between the Gavomond Mountains and Gondaven Hills, the rivers merge and diverge in a sequence of lakes and tributaries, akin to intertwined, braided threads. Therefore the region is often referred to as the Riverbraid Stair by those who have seen it firsthand. Trees and ferns make their way around the lakes, while birds flit through the air above the rumble of the falls.
West of Mirrorsea and south of the Gavomond Mountains, the Gondaven Hills are yet another region of the dry and windswept highlands. In this area, as in the Tiraven Hills, gentle, rolling undulations blanket the landscape. The region also carries a subterranean culvert that brings water back from the west to Mirrorsea's underground supplying aquifer. The caves beneath Gondaven have towering pillars of limestone, as if a city of giants used to thrive off the barren stone.
West Eldawn
Gavomond Mountains : Time Immemorial
Formerly joined with the Dälamond Mountains until Elenrise, the Gavomond Mountains are similar to the Dälamond Mountains in terms of mineral composition and altitude. It too has a large reserve of illemyst crystals, a valuable material for Shining Wings technology. Albeit, the average height of the Gavomond Mountains is slightly below that of the Dälamond Mountains. Verdathen Pass is a notable feature of the mountain range, a winding trail that descends from the highlands to the lowlands of Vedathen Forest. Nearby, the half-peak of Clovemont borders Mirrorsea. The mountain's remarkable appearance, having been cleanly bisected so only half the mountain remains, was a result of Elenrise. The mountain range runs for a considerable distance west away from Mirrorsea.
Varives Riverbraid : Time Immemorial
Branching out from Lake Valives, three rivers flow down a series of waterfalls to the west of Mirrorsea. Running between the Gavomond Mountains and Gondaven Hills, the rivers merge and diverge in a sequence of lakes and tributaries, akin to intertwined, braided threads. Therefore the region is often referred to as the Riverbraid Stair by those who have seen it firsthand. Trees and ferns make their way around the lakes, while birds flit through the air above the rumble of the falls.
Gondaven Hills : Time Immemorial
West of Mirrorsea and south of the Gavomond Mountains, the Gondaven Hills are yet another region of the dry and windswept highlands. In this area, as in the Tiraven Hills, gentle, rolling undulations blanket the landscape. The region also carries a subterranean culvert that brings water back from the west to Mirrorsea's underground supplying aquifer. The caves beneath Gondaven have towering pillars of limestone, as if a city of giants used to thrive off the barren stone.
11 February 2013
Austral Meandering
Proceeding clockwise, the next cardinal direction is southward. This region is largely uninhabited apart from the Shining Wings settlement of Calvaris. The largest known area to the south is the Forshathen Marsh. The dense vegetation grows from the life-giving waters of the Farives which flows down from the elevated heights of Mirrorsea.
On the southern edge of Coralsea, Tiraven Peninsula forms the other arm of the embracing cliffs encircling the reefs. The peninsula slopes down from the highlands of Mirrorsea, but still remains imposing from sea level. Vegetation is light but spread over most of the region. Moisture from the seas on either side is blown in to hydrate the land with a gentle breeze. Towards the lower eastern end of the Peninsula, the grass cover is continuous.
The Tiraven Hills are similar in appearance and composition to the expansive Gondaven Hills to the west. An open expanse of rolling earth, gentle slopes like waves on a solid lake. This region is located at a higher elevation then the Tiraven Peninsula, and hence does not receive as much of the moist air from the lowland seas. Yet the wisps of water vapour that arrive are able to support a sprinkling of xerophytes, punctuations of green amidst the grey-ochre rocks. Like most the areas in the highlands, the Tiraven Hills are often buffeted by swift winds that causes the hills to feel rather chilly despite their equatorial location. On that note, to clarify, the latitude of Mivaris, Elenis and Alanis is set at the equator of the planet, so the entire region is consequently tropical.
Demand for electricity in Elenis was beginning to grow to slightly worrisome levels by this time. Elenian analysts projected that given the slight variations of the volume of water that flowed east from Mivaris, it would be possible that the lower range could soon be inadequate. It was then decided that a dam should be built on one of the other three rivers that drained the waters of Mirrorsea, to have better control of the power supply of Elenis. Calvaris was thus founded as a settlement to manage the Farives Dam and hence moderate the water flow to the east. This decision created unrest with the monastery at Mivaris, who felt it was unnecessarily intrusive on the part of the Shining Wings. However Mivaris had to bow to diplomatic pressure; the monks maintain a stoic discontent of the situation.
Constructed to expedite transport between Calvaris and Elenis, Calvaron Link is also based on lev-trams, like the Grand Canal. Constructed on an elevated track over the sacred waters of Mirrorsea, to appease Mivaris. The tram skates silently, raised above the horizon, while a pristine reflection accompanies it in the water below the tracks. Slender pillars sink into the clear waters at regular intervals to support the structure.
The Farives supplies water to the thick marshlands to the south. Originally supplying a vast jungle of trees and vines, its capacity for sustenance is impaired by the Farives Dam. The river itself runs almost directly south, swiftly and originally, in substantial volume. Its waters are nutrient rich, as is all of the water that emerges in Mivaris from the watergiver trees.
A deep pool that formed at the base of the Falives Falls from the Farives in the highlands. Falives looks out into the dense verdant canopy of the Forshathen Marsh; a pearl of blue surrounded by jungle green. The lake is well stocked with freshwater fish, which fan out into the daughter streams that flow away into the marshes.
The treacherous and humid environment of Forshathen is rife with think and impenetrable vegetation. Clouds of insects and curtains of vines obscure the view into the distance. Large reptiles and fish from the waters of the marsh that flow out from Falives Lake. Forshathen remains uninhabited, and here, nature shows its sordid attributes. The region is hot and unpleasant, the air heavy, the water soiled. The wildlife has grown aggressive and feral. Few people see the need to utilise such a disagreeable area when the comfortable cities cater to their slightest whims.
South Eldawn
Tiraven Peninsula : Time Immemorial
On the southern edge of Coralsea, Tiraven Peninsula forms the other arm of the embracing cliffs encircling the reefs. The peninsula slopes down from the highlands of Mirrorsea, but still remains imposing from sea level. Vegetation is light but spread over most of the region. Moisture from the seas on either side is blown in to hydrate the land with a gentle breeze. Towards the lower eastern end of the Peninsula, the grass cover is continuous.
Tiraven Hills : Time Immemorial
The Tiraven Hills are similar in appearance and composition to the expansive Gondaven Hills to the west. An open expanse of rolling earth, gentle slopes like waves on a solid lake. This region is located at a higher elevation then the Tiraven Peninsula, and hence does not receive as much of the moist air from the lowland seas. Yet the wisps of water vapour that arrive are able to support a sprinkling of xerophytes, punctuations of green amidst the grey-ochre rocks. Like most the areas in the highlands, the Tiraven Hills are often buffeted by swift winds that causes the hills to feel rather chilly despite their equatorial location. On that note, to clarify, the latitude of Mivaris, Elenis and Alanis is set at the equator of the planet, so the entire region is consequently tropical.
Calvaris Settlement : Established 731AE
Demand for electricity in Elenis was beginning to grow to slightly worrisome levels by this time. Elenian analysts projected that given the slight variations of the volume of water that flowed east from Mivaris, it would be possible that the lower range could soon be inadequate. It was then decided that a dam should be built on one of the other three rivers that drained the waters of Mirrorsea, to have better control of the power supply of Elenis. Calvaris was thus founded as a settlement to manage the Farives Dam and hence moderate the water flow to the east. This decision created unrest with the monastery at Mivaris, who felt it was unnecessarily intrusive on the part of the Shining Wings. However Mivaris had to bow to diplomatic pressure; the monks maintain a stoic discontent of the situation.
Calvaron Link : Established 732AE
Constructed to expedite transport between Calvaris and Elenis, Calvaron Link is also based on lev-trams, like the Grand Canal. Constructed on an elevated track over the sacred waters of Mirrorsea, to appease Mivaris. The tram skates silently, raised above the horizon, while a pristine reflection accompanies it in the water below the tracks. Slender pillars sink into the clear waters at regular intervals to support the structure.
Farives River : Time Immemorial
The Farives supplies water to the thick marshlands to the south. Originally supplying a vast jungle of trees and vines, its capacity for sustenance is impaired by the Farives Dam. The river itself runs almost directly south, swiftly and originally, in substantial volume. Its waters are nutrient rich, as is all of the water that emerges in Mivaris from the watergiver trees.
Falives Lake : Time Immemorial
A deep pool that formed at the base of the Falives Falls from the Farives in the highlands. Falives looks out into the dense verdant canopy of the Forshathen Marsh; a pearl of blue surrounded by jungle green. The lake is well stocked with freshwater fish, which fan out into the daughter streams that flow away into the marshes.
Forshathen Marsh : Time Immemorial
The treacherous and humid environment of Forshathen is rife with think and impenetrable vegetation. Clouds of insects and curtains of vines obscure the view into the distance. Large reptiles and fish from the waters of the marsh that flow out from Falives Lake. Forshathen remains uninhabited, and here, nature shows its sordid attributes. The region is hot and unpleasant, the air heavy, the water soiled. The wildlife has grown aggressive and feral. Few people see the need to utilise such a disagreeable area when the comfortable cities cater to their slightest whims.
9 February 2013
Oriental Odysseys
To start off the location descriptions, I'll detail the area of the map to the east of Mirrorsea, the region dominated by the Shining Wings. The eastern regions of the map are largely composed of Coralsea and the atolls and islands contained within, up till the eastern edge at the Bonraven Peninsula.
For locations that were artificially constructed or otherwise influenced by humanity, the year that the site is founded will be given in years After Elenrise, or AE. Elenrise is a major event that happens soon after the Rebellion, resulting in the formation of Mirrorsea. In general, natural formations will be indicated as existing, from Time Immemorial. These descriptions will be brief summaries, with the main purpose of filling in broad brushes of history behind the maps.
Founded by Cevan under Ällora's guidance, at the eastern edge of Mirrorsea, constructed within a deep crater about 10 km in diameter. Elenis means the Prime City, or First City, in the understanding of the Shining Wings populace. Elenis grew to become the administrative and religious centre of Shining Wings society. The city was founded over the eastern river of Mirrorsea, the Berives. Water then flowed down from Mirrorsea in the Elenian Falls on the western wall of the crater. Six great cataracts cascaded, alternating with the five towering statues of the Shining Wings pantheon. The waterfalls were linked to hydroelectric generators and used to power much of the city. The base of the statues had the Great Temples respectively dedicated each of the gods. The rest of the city was mostly built on the slope down to the to the centre of the crater. Water from the falls was channeled in aqueducts to a central waterway, a great circular pool that served as the harbour of Elenis. The north, south and east walls of the city had gardens of stone and crystal, shelved neatly in rows and columns. Water in the central pool would flow out east, through the East Cleft in the crater wall, into the Elenian fields and out into Coralsea. Elenis is worth describing in much more detail, along with a map, but I'll save that for a more specific post.
For locations that were artificially constructed or otherwise influenced by humanity, the year that the site is founded will be given in years After Elenrise, or AE. Elenrise is a major event that happens soon after the Rebellion, resulting in the formation of Mirrorsea. In general, natural formations will be indicated as existing, from Time Immemorial. These descriptions will be brief summaries, with the main purpose of filling in broad brushes of history behind the maps.
East Eldawn
Elenis City : Established 3AE
Founded by Cevan under Ällora's guidance, at the eastern edge of Mirrorsea, constructed within a deep crater about 10 km in diameter. Elenis means the Prime City, or First City, in the understanding of the Shining Wings populace. Elenis grew to become the administrative and religious centre of Shining Wings society. The city was founded over the eastern river of Mirrorsea, the Berives. Water then flowed down from Mirrorsea in the Elenian Falls on the western wall of the crater. Six great cataracts cascaded, alternating with the five towering statues of the Shining Wings pantheon. The waterfalls were linked to hydroelectric generators and used to power much of the city. The base of the statues had the Great Temples respectively dedicated each of the gods. The rest of the city was mostly built on the slope down to the to the centre of the crater. Water from the falls was channeled in aqueducts to a central waterway, a great circular pool that served as the harbour of Elenis. The north, south and east walls of the city had gardens of stone and crystal, shelved neatly in rows and columns. Water in the central pool would flow out east, through the East Cleft in the crater wall, into the Elenian fields and out into Coralsea. Elenis is worth describing in much more detail, along with a map, but I'll save that for a more specific post.
Elenian Fields : Established 3 AE
Founded along with Elenis to supply crops for the city's inhabitants. It is located outside the Crater of Elenis, to the east, the Grand Canal bisected the fields north-south and supplied water. With advances in technology, the agriculture of Elenis is eventually entirely mechanised and computerised. Magical programs dancing though circuitry and orchestrating movements of water through irrigation systems, harvesting, sowing and weeding automata. Small villas were constructed in the fields for the Elenians who fancied a change of scenery from time to time. The fields open up to the east to Elenos Beach and the marine expanse of Coralsea.
Elenos Beach : Time Immemorial
East of the Elenian Fields, Elenos Beach is a streak of shimmering white sand. The grains are so small that the texture of the sand is unexpectedly smooth. Beach life peppers the shore, crabs and seabirds, while the occasional rock formations shelter tide pools. The waves on the beach are gentle and regular, varying in intensity with the tides. Like the fields, the beach is divided by the Grand Canal.
Coralsea : Time Immemorial
The large expanse of water that surrounds Alanis. Tracts of coral reefs teem with an abundance of aquatic life. The water of Coralsea not as shallow as Mirrorsea, but certainly a far cry from the benthic depths of Deepsea. Waves are not very powerful, as the reefs resist and drain much of the kinetic energy of the water, although the intertidal height of the sealevel is quite substantial. The regions of Coralsea abound with variations of microclimes and niches. There is an innumerable diversity of species; fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, sea snakes and turtles, coral and sea mammals. Larger predatory species also roam the waters closer to the Deepsea border; sharks and dolphins, where the seabed begins to descend. The sea supplies Alanis with an excess supply of food, fish complemented with the fast growing kelp from kelp forests amongst the reefs.
The Grand Canal : Established 578 AE
A path existed between Elenis and Alanis a few years after Alanis was established, in 173 AE. Eventually the traffic along the path grew and it was decided to design a high capacity transport system with the levitating train. All 132 km of the Grand Canal had a two way lev-tram track, as well as a walking path that is rarely used. The trams carry goods, people and supplies between Alanis and Elenis. The journey is covered in just over two hours, while the trams appear to glide over the surface of Coralsea. The canal greatly improved the coordination of resources and people of Elenis and Alanis. A few swift trams are always on the tracks at any time.
Alanis City : Established 173 AE
Alanis means the New City in contrast with Elenis. Alanis was first founded as a research and development facility. A community began to grow up around the central scientific group and eventually Alanis grew to become the nexus of both the sciences and the arts for Shining Wings society. The main city has three concentric rings of skyscrapers, the central circle housing the most ornate and grandiose. The outermost ring was divided into 10 districts, while the two inner circles were a district unto themselves, for a total of 12 districts in Alanis. Electrical power was obtained from the ebb and flow of Coralsea tides. At high tide, large dams were filled with water, which was released at low tide to turn massive generators. The pace of life in Alanis is rapid and vibrant compared to the quiet and serene atmosphere of Elenis.
Deepsea : Time Immemorial
The largest body of water near to Shining Wings society, its southern and eastern reaches remain largely uncharted and unexplored. Unlike Coralsea, the seafloor rapidly drops to abysmal levels away from the coastline. Galvanor the Explorer reported sightings of great oceanic beasts of unmeasured size on this ventures. After Galvanor's disappearance, few have attempted further exploration of Deepsea.
Bonraven Peninsula : Time Immemorial
Connected with the highlands westward through the Thosaven to Mirrorsea, Bonraven peninsula does not support much life. In the arid environment, there are large deposits of various metals, glinting through the stone. The Shining Wings set up Bonaris nearby in the highlands to serve as a mining outpost of these metals. The peninsula supports large stacks of rock, shaped into mysterious giants by the erosive highland winds. They stand as silent guardians over the maze of mines excavated at their feet, imposing, but powerless. Common metals from Bonraven are iron, copper, aluminium and manganese. Traces of silver can also be found.
Bonaris Settlement : Established 175 AE
Founded in 175 AE after metals were sourced in the Bonraven Peninsula, to provide a haven for the miners. The mines were eventually fully automated, so only a few Alanians remain to ensure smooth operations and scout for new deposits. Food and living materials have to be brought here from Alanis from the Bonaris elevator to support the residents here.
Well that's all I have for the regions east of Mirrorsea at the moment, further explanation on the nature of Shining Wings society is necessary, to link it in with the mythology I established previously, but we will get there.
6 February 2013
Cartographic Iterations : Down to Earth
The posts so far have dealt with a lot with the abstract concepts within Eldawn, so it's high time that I moved to describe more of the tangible aspects of this world. To begin with, the process by which I designed the geography of the locations I have conceptualised. Now of course none of these places will be familiar since I've never mentioned them on this blog. I'll probably post location descriptions soon so that you can have a better understanding of these places. Anecdotally, this post is going to look really long because of the images.
I must say that I haven't really designed a very large area, simply because I haven't needed to for the narrative as it is so far. The most recent map is 21.1 cm by 14.3 cm. According the scale that I set for it, which was 1 cm to 20 km, that's only 422 km by 286 km. In terms of area, thats only 120,692 square km. For the sake of comparison, the Earth has a surface area of 510,100,000 square km. In other words, if the planet that my story is set on is comparable in size to the Earth, I've used 0.0237% of the surface available to me. Coincidentally, looking through Wikipedia's list of countries by land area, the country closest in size is North Korea, at 120,538 square km. If you're so inclined, check out google maps at this link to get a better idea of the magnitude of the area involved : http://goo.gl/maps/DkEbr
But I should begin with how the geography of Eldawn asserted itself. To be honest, it began very simplistically. I didn't even look at any references of real world geography, I must say the first few maps look positively juvenile to me now. I'll upload the scanned softcopies and give a few remarks on their development.
Map Version 1 - I was simply putting in locations that I had already determined for my narrative flow at the time. Elenis and Alanis are two great cities of the Shining Wings, one of the two main societies that formed after the Rebellion. The northern forest was also something I had established early on. The name 'Viridien' however, has since been jettisoned after my cousin remarked that a forest in Pokémon was dubbed with the adjective 'Viridian' already. The map was attempted with a slight isometric tilt which is why it looks really, really odd. No attempt at a scale either. Selvaren and Vatonen were the names of two Shining Wings settlements, while Calnarest was the temporary name for the forest city of the Filial, the other main human society.
Map Version 2 - Very similar to Version 1, Selvaren settlement was relocated and Mirrorspring indicated. At this point in history, Mirrorspring is the only source of water, there is no rain. Mirrorsea is elevated above the other lands and water flows out of four great rivers to irrigate the surrounding land. Coralsea is established around Alanis. Cardolen is placed while Vatonen is removed. Crude names for the cardinal directions were attempted.
Map Version 3 - Still not much of a sense of accuracy with the scale of geographical objects in this iteration. Decided that Coralsea should be encircled by a peninsula and an island of sorts. Cardolen is established as the Shining Wings settlement that was responsible for the maintenance of the southern dam on the waters of Mirrorsea. Genexis, the research outpost of the Filial is also indicated for the first time. The sketch of the globe with wind currents represents my thinking about climate and the biomes that would be appropriate to the region. I had decided that Mirrorspring would be located exactly on the equator, so the Viridian could not possibly be temperate as it was in Version 1 of the map, with the hastily sketched conifers. Also, Calnarest has been renamed Yevanis, in step with Alanis and Elenis.
Map Version 4 - The notion that Coralsea would be embraced by a pair of peninsulas and an archipelago was established by this version. Also, the names were given in the script I have devised for Eldawn, I'll probably have to think of a few more, but I'll save languages for another post. Enjoy the preview of the script here anyway. I attempted to get a better sense of scale with the mountains, but after I sat back to reexamine the map, the whole thing just looked odd. Less of an isometric approach though, that was a good decision. The coastlines are also a little less smooth, although still highly unrealistic.
Map Version 5 - Alright, this is the final attempt at a map and the most refined at the moment. This was done from an entirely top-down view, which is why Mirrorsea is circular, instead of elliptical as it appears previously. The cities of Elenis and Alanis are linked by the Grand Canal, and the Shining Wings settlements of Selvaris, Bonaris and Calvaris are noted. I drew this map after helping my dad navigate on vacation. Sweeping around over google earth caused me to realise that none of my maps previously had the convincingly fractal like quality of actual geography. I hope this map reflects that a little more. Coming up with names that have a history behind them will be a little difficult I do confess, but if I want to construct a map, I want to do so properly.
The mountains are now to scale, since I was able to pin down a proper 1 cm : 20 km ratio. Although they aren't exactly Everest, I still calculated that they could have a believeable height of approximately 2.89 km on average, which is monumental enough for the purposes of my story. Climactically, the forests are now tropical, and the coral growing in Coralsea is consistent with an equatorial latitude. The mountains however, still remain cold because they are part of the elevated highlands, outlined in grey. Seas and water bodies are outlined in blue for the most part, and vegetated areas in green. The colouring is somewhat incomplete though.
I'll probably continue editing and detailing this final version of the map digitally, get it in full colour and so on when I feel the need to. Right now I'm directing my attention more towards the characters and history of Eldawn. In the meantime, I'll post the location descriptions for the places indicated on the map so that they have a little more substance behind them. This experience of landscape design has been yet another insightful journey to understanding the thought that infuses a credible fantasy. I do hope these maps give the world of Eldawn a little more substance for you, apart from existing as a pool of theological and philosophical ideas.
I must say that I haven't really designed a very large area, simply because I haven't needed to for the narrative as it is so far. The most recent map is 21.1 cm by 14.3 cm. According the scale that I set for it, which was 1 cm to 20 km, that's only 422 km by 286 km. In terms of area, thats only 120,692 square km. For the sake of comparison, the Earth has a surface area of 510,100,000 square km. In other words, if the planet that my story is set on is comparable in size to the Earth, I've used 0.0237% of the surface available to me. Coincidentally, looking through Wikipedia's list of countries by land area, the country closest in size is North Korea, at 120,538 square km. If you're so inclined, check out google maps at this link to get a better idea of the magnitude of the area involved : http://goo.gl/maps/DkEbr
But I should begin with how the geography of Eldawn asserted itself. To be honest, it began very simplistically. I didn't even look at any references of real world geography, I must say the first few maps look positively juvenile to me now. I'll upload the scanned softcopies and give a few remarks on their development.
Map Version 1 - I was simply putting in locations that I had already determined for my narrative flow at the time. Elenis and Alanis are two great cities of the Shining Wings, one of the two main societies that formed after the Rebellion. The northern forest was also something I had established early on. The name 'Viridien' however, has since been jettisoned after my cousin remarked that a forest in Pokémon was dubbed with the adjective 'Viridian' already. The map was attempted with a slight isometric tilt which is why it looks really, really odd. No attempt at a scale either. Selvaren and Vatonen were the names of two Shining Wings settlements, while Calnarest was the temporary name for the forest city of the Filial, the other main human society.
Map Version 3 - Still not much of a sense of accuracy with the scale of geographical objects in this iteration. Decided that Coralsea should be encircled by a peninsula and an island of sorts. Cardolen is established as the Shining Wings settlement that was responsible for the maintenance of the southern dam on the waters of Mirrorsea. Genexis, the research outpost of the Filial is also indicated for the first time. The sketch of the globe with wind currents represents my thinking about climate and the biomes that would be appropriate to the region. I had decided that Mirrorspring would be located exactly on the equator, so the Viridian could not possibly be temperate as it was in Version 1 of the map, with the hastily sketched conifers. Also, Calnarest has been renamed Yevanis, in step with Alanis and Elenis.
Map Version 4 - The notion that Coralsea would be embraced by a pair of peninsulas and an archipelago was established by this version. Also, the names were given in the script I have devised for Eldawn, I'll probably have to think of a few more, but I'll save languages for another post. Enjoy the preview of the script here anyway. I attempted to get a better sense of scale with the mountains, but after I sat back to reexamine the map, the whole thing just looked odd. Less of an isometric approach though, that was a good decision. The coastlines are also a little less smooth, although still highly unrealistic.
Map Version 5 - Alright, this is the final attempt at a map and the most refined at the moment. This was done from an entirely top-down view, which is why Mirrorsea is circular, instead of elliptical as it appears previously. The cities of Elenis and Alanis are linked by the Grand Canal, and the Shining Wings settlements of Selvaris, Bonaris and Calvaris are noted. I drew this map after helping my dad navigate on vacation. Sweeping around over google earth caused me to realise that none of my maps previously had the convincingly fractal like quality of actual geography. I hope this map reflects that a little more. Coming up with names that have a history behind them will be a little difficult I do confess, but if I want to construct a map, I want to do so properly.
The mountains are now to scale, since I was able to pin down a proper 1 cm : 20 km ratio. Although they aren't exactly Everest, I still calculated that they could have a believeable height of approximately 2.89 km on average, which is monumental enough for the purposes of my story. Climactically, the forests are now tropical, and the coral growing in Coralsea is consistent with an equatorial latitude. The mountains however, still remain cold because they are part of the elevated highlands, outlined in grey. Seas and water bodies are outlined in blue for the most part, and vegetated areas in green. The colouring is somewhat incomplete though.
I'll probably continue editing and detailing this final version of the map digitally, get it in full colour and so on when I feel the need to. Right now I'm directing my attention more towards the characters and history of Eldawn. In the meantime, I'll post the location descriptions for the places indicated on the map so that they have a little more substance behind them. This experience of landscape design has been yet another insightful journey to understanding the thought that infuses a credible fantasy. I do hope these maps give the world of Eldawn a little more substance for you, apart from existing as a pool of theological and philosophical ideas.
Mortal Explanations
In light of the etheric rebellion, I should take some time to explain the mechanics of life and death in Eldawn. When Aram and Etria drank from the Prometheus Chalice, death and all its looming uncertainty first entered the world.
As of now, humans within the physical world of Eldawn have three components of existence, as previously detailed. The etheric spirit, the energetic soul and the material body. Physical death occurs when the spirit and the soul no longer has a direct connection to the physical body to sustain it. Whatever modern science has come up with at the moment, I find it very unlikely that consciousness is purely an emergent property of the neural network. The opinion I hold concerning the mind-body problem is that it is dualistic in nature. Perhaps if computer technologists do devise a convincing artificial intelligence, not one that has to be extensively programmed, then I will revise my stand on this.
In the initial state of humanity, the physical body and the mind were entwined strongly by a spirit link. The physical body was capable of sensing our material surroundings, light, temperature, sound and so on. The mental construct was able to sense the energy signature of the world, the burst of electricity in a lightning bolt, the flow of ATP in the cells of a plant, the constant tingle of weak interaction that plays out in the sun, the change in gravitational fields as the moon orbits about the earth. The mental senses were more akin to tele-senses, capable of detection at a distance. As the mind is also constructed of energy flows, some form of telepathy was possible. Just to clarify, there are many more types of energy than just the energy of the four magical disciplines. Mental energies were reserved for the construction of the soul, and so none of the forces were designed with the capability to affect the soul directly to preserve their delicate composition.
These two sets of senses, physical and mental, constituted the full experience of the world. The etheric spirit was what Eleyon used to devise a connection between the two sets of beings, and so the spirit was the breath of life, the animating factor of vitalism for the physical body.
The physical body can exist independent of the mind, as with someone in a coma. The brain however serves as the hardware for the mental software, to give an analogy, and is the converter between mental intention and physical action. But people in Eldawn differ from a computer in that their mental states can continue to exist independent of their bodies. When the brain is damaged with a lesion in, let's say Broca's area, the individual's mind can still speak and express itself linguistically, but the hardware necessary for delivering that intention to the physical vocal apparatus no longer exists. Hence the physical body of the individual is handicapped.
Death in Eldawn occurs when the spirit link between the mind and the body is completely broken. To convey this I'll try and explain the exact mechanics of what occurred to Aram and Etria when they chose the Chalice. Ällora promised them power, that their magical abilities in the plane of energy and the ether would be greatly enhanced. They would be like the Deols in capability. This awareness was granted to them for awhile, but Yevassë, with Eleyon's permission, had a counter to Ällora's machinations. She laced the drink with a retrovirus that attacks the spirit link, weakening it to the point that awareness of the energy plane is greatly reduced and the etheric awareness is all but non-existent. The spirit link in fallen humanity is set to decay to the point where it breaks entirely at some point, and the individual passes on. The exact part that decays is not the prime stable spirit fold itself, but a divinity core that Eleyon devised to anchor the spirit link into the physical body.
Allow me to indulge a little here, but 23 pairs of chromosomes has always struck me as an odd number. Why not have 24 pairs in the perfect genome? So yes, humans in Eldawn were created with 24 pairs of chromosomes initially. The 24th pair was what regulated aging, and reinforced the structures within the physical body responsible for tethering the spirit link. Anatomically, I'm inclined to say that those structures were located around the heart and brain. The retrovirus in the Prometheus Chalice attacked the 24th chromosomes and hence introduced senescence and death.
Well that's my current overview of the mechanics of death in Eldawn. As for the motivations behind the behaviour of the Deols, I'll save the character psychologies for the storytelling proper.
As of now, humans within the physical world of Eldawn have three components of existence, as previously detailed. The etheric spirit, the energetic soul and the material body. Physical death occurs when the spirit and the soul no longer has a direct connection to the physical body to sustain it. Whatever modern science has come up with at the moment, I find it very unlikely that consciousness is purely an emergent property of the neural network. The opinion I hold concerning the mind-body problem is that it is dualistic in nature. Perhaps if computer technologists do devise a convincing artificial intelligence, not one that has to be extensively programmed, then I will revise my stand on this.
In the initial state of humanity, the physical body and the mind were entwined strongly by a spirit link. The physical body was capable of sensing our material surroundings, light, temperature, sound and so on. The mental construct was able to sense the energy signature of the world, the burst of electricity in a lightning bolt, the flow of ATP in the cells of a plant, the constant tingle of weak interaction that plays out in the sun, the change in gravitational fields as the moon orbits about the earth. The mental senses were more akin to tele-senses, capable of detection at a distance. As the mind is also constructed of energy flows, some form of telepathy was possible. Just to clarify, there are many more types of energy than just the energy of the four magical disciplines. Mental energies were reserved for the construction of the soul, and so none of the forces were designed with the capability to affect the soul directly to preserve their delicate composition.
These two sets of senses, physical and mental, constituted the full experience of the world. The etheric spirit was what Eleyon used to devise a connection between the two sets of beings, and so the spirit was the breath of life, the animating factor of vitalism for the physical body.
The physical body can exist independent of the mind, as with someone in a coma. The brain however serves as the hardware for the mental software, to give an analogy, and is the converter between mental intention and physical action. But people in Eldawn differ from a computer in that their mental states can continue to exist independent of their bodies. When the brain is damaged with a lesion in, let's say Broca's area, the individual's mind can still speak and express itself linguistically, but the hardware necessary for delivering that intention to the physical vocal apparatus no longer exists. Hence the physical body of the individual is handicapped.
Death in Eldawn occurs when the spirit link between the mind and the body is completely broken. To convey this I'll try and explain the exact mechanics of what occurred to Aram and Etria when they chose the Chalice. Ällora promised them power, that their magical abilities in the plane of energy and the ether would be greatly enhanced. They would be like the Deols in capability. This awareness was granted to them for awhile, but Yevassë, with Eleyon's permission, had a counter to Ällora's machinations. She laced the drink with a retrovirus that attacks the spirit link, weakening it to the point that awareness of the energy plane is greatly reduced and the etheric awareness is all but non-existent. The spirit link in fallen humanity is set to decay to the point where it breaks entirely at some point, and the individual passes on. The exact part that decays is not the prime stable spirit fold itself, but a divinity core that Eleyon devised to anchor the spirit link into the physical body.
Allow me to indulge a little here, but 23 pairs of chromosomes has always struck me as an odd number. Why not have 24 pairs in the perfect genome? So yes, humans in Eldawn were created with 24 pairs of chromosomes initially. The 24th pair was what regulated aging, and reinforced the structures within the physical body responsible for tethering the spirit link. Anatomically, I'm inclined to say that those structures were located around the heart and brain. The retrovirus in the Prometheus Chalice attacked the 24th chromosomes and hence introduced senescence and death.
Well that's my current overview of the mechanics of death in Eldawn. As for the motivations behind the behaviour of the Deols, I'll save the character psychologies for the storytelling proper.
3 February 2013
Rebellious Ideation : The Best Intentions
It is often remarked that stories aim to foster understanding of people from different backgrounds, perspectives, ideals, values. By experiencing the lives of others, whether the characters in a story are based on real people or entirely constructed, we come to identify with them. We may not like the fact that we do, with a character's flaws highlighting our own shortcomings, confronting us with our failures. Alternatively we may find ourselves slipping directly into a persona we identify strongly with. Whatever the case, when we imagine the lives of complex characters, we identify, but not necessarily identify with, their dreams, desires, drives and fears. When we do so, the characters become more than just names, labels and descriptions; they take on a life of their own.
Perhaps one of my more controversial ideas on the face of it, but the enemy of the Creator in my mythos is not hell-bent on mindless dominion. He may play the role of an antagonistic force, but his motivations are not at their core, destructive or malevolent. In the real world, the human mind cannot possibly comprehend the plans God or Satan, but within Eldawn, I have license to change that. It seems too abrupt to suppose that the cosmos in a state of perfection could breed a host of depravity and disgust in an instant. The manner of disorder and violence that is so rampant on our planet. In the Bible, Lucifer fell because of pride, holding himself above his Creator. Certainly this is not repulsive and distasteful, but at it's core it is still simply and blatantly selfish. I do not feel satisfied with such a straightforward explanation of the Etheric Rebellion for Eldawn. Hence my attempts to construct other motives, less shocking, but ultimately, equally consequential.
I suppose it could be deduced from my earlier posts that Ällora is the one who makes the fateful decision to turn against Eleyon. The idea began to conspire soon after creation was complete, with Aram and Etria, the first two created human beings. They were given the Garden of Elen as a home, a haven amidst the wonders of nature. While Eleyon was content and delighted with their presence in the Garden, Ällora soon became restless, dissatisfied with what he came to view as stagnation. Whatever circumstances shaped his being, they somehow excluded a true appreciation of the relational facets of existence. The other Deols were able to grasp the developments, the growth of Aram and Etria's appreciation for their creation, and for the beings that shaped it. How they learned to understand each other and the depth of relational connection. To appreciate the standard of care to which they had been crafted, loved, and provided for in every aspect so that nothing would be wanting.
But Ällora was ignorant of the growing maturity of humanity in matters of the heart. Instead he looked to the future, and in his mind's eye he envisioned astounding feats of architecture, advanced technology, sublime works of art. Upon returning to the reality of quiet communion in the Garden of Elen, Ällora was increasingly sickened by the perceived idle squandering of time enforced by Eleyon. He suggested a change to the frail materially based humans; the Prometheus Chalice, to allow them to work with the magic of the Deols, with ether and energy. However Eleyon vetoed this suggestion, leaving Ällora to mull on further resentment.
He had ample opportunity to clarify the situation with Eleyon, but Ällora chose not to, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Ällora began to devise a plan that would induce the potential of humanity to blossom. Ällora convinces a third of the energetic beings to side with him, and together, they wrested control away from Eleyon. Eleyon, as previously mentioned, is a triune being, as a result of his initial investigations to the substance of the spirit. Ällora bided, awaiting a moment when Eleyon's three aspects would each occupy a separate plane of reality. Then he cut the plane-link between the aspects of Eleyon, leaving one trapped in a physical body in the plane of matter, another in the energetic construct of the plane of energy, and the final in the etheric spirit form in the plane of ether. I'll detail how this happens in another post, but as of now mechanics are secondary to the effect that produces. Eleyon, for the first time, feels incapacitated and disoriented; he lost contact with himself. The other Deols were in shock, unable to react, except Yevassë, who had suspected Ällora's intentions.
Ällora quickly moves to tempt Aram and Etria with the Prometheus Chalice, promising the ability to shape the universe as the Deols would. The parents of humanity took the cup, drank, and their eyes were opened to the higher planes. But soon the effects of Yevassë's countermeasure set in, and Aram and Etria lost their personal connection with anything beyond the physical plane, and along with that, their pristine immortality.
Thus, Ällora turned against his creator in his pride; taking matters about the fate of mankind into his own hands despite his well-meaning intentions for Aram and Etria. Humanity became fragmented and imperfect, Eleyon was rendered powerless temporarily and all the world was shaken to its foundations but subsequent disagreement and strife.
Perhaps one of my more controversial ideas on the face of it, but the enemy of the Creator in my mythos is not hell-bent on mindless dominion. He may play the role of an antagonistic force, but his motivations are not at their core, destructive or malevolent. In the real world, the human mind cannot possibly comprehend the plans God or Satan, but within Eldawn, I have license to change that. It seems too abrupt to suppose that the cosmos in a state of perfection could breed a host of depravity and disgust in an instant. The manner of disorder and violence that is so rampant on our planet. In the Bible, Lucifer fell because of pride, holding himself above his Creator. Certainly this is not repulsive and distasteful, but at it's core it is still simply and blatantly selfish. I do not feel satisfied with such a straightforward explanation of the Etheric Rebellion for Eldawn. Hence my attempts to construct other motives, less shocking, but ultimately, equally consequential.
I suppose it could be deduced from my earlier posts that Ällora is the one who makes the fateful decision to turn against Eleyon. The idea began to conspire soon after creation was complete, with Aram and Etria, the first two created human beings. They were given the Garden of Elen as a home, a haven amidst the wonders of nature. While Eleyon was content and delighted with their presence in the Garden, Ällora soon became restless, dissatisfied with what he came to view as stagnation. Whatever circumstances shaped his being, they somehow excluded a true appreciation of the relational facets of existence. The other Deols were able to grasp the developments, the growth of Aram and Etria's appreciation for their creation, and for the beings that shaped it. How they learned to understand each other and the depth of relational connection. To appreciate the standard of care to which they had been crafted, loved, and provided for in every aspect so that nothing would be wanting.
But Ällora was ignorant of the growing maturity of humanity in matters of the heart. Instead he looked to the future, and in his mind's eye he envisioned astounding feats of architecture, advanced technology, sublime works of art. Upon returning to the reality of quiet communion in the Garden of Elen, Ällora was increasingly sickened by the perceived idle squandering of time enforced by Eleyon. He suggested a change to the frail materially based humans; the Prometheus Chalice, to allow them to work with the magic of the Deols, with ether and energy. However Eleyon vetoed this suggestion, leaving Ällora to mull on further resentment.
He had ample opportunity to clarify the situation with Eleyon, but Ällora chose not to, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Ällora began to devise a plan that would induce the potential of humanity to blossom. Ällora convinces a third of the energetic beings to side with him, and together, they wrested control away from Eleyon. Eleyon, as previously mentioned, is a triune being, as a result of his initial investigations to the substance of the spirit. Ällora bided, awaiting a moment when Eleyon's three aspects would each occupy a separate plane of reality. Then he cut the plane-link between the aspects of Eleyon, leaving one trapped in a physical body in the plane of matter, another in the energetic construct of the plane of energy, and the final in the etheric spirit form in the plane of ether. I'll detail how this happens in another post, but as of now mechanics are secondary to the effect that produces. Eleyon, for the first time, feels incapacitated and disoriented; he lost contact with himself. The other Deols were in shock, unable to react, except Yevassë, who had suspected Ällora's intentions.
Ällora quickly moves to tempt Aram and Etria with the Prometheus Chalice, promising the ability to shape the universe as the Deols would. The parents of humanity took the cup, drank, and their eyes were opened to the higher planes. But soon the effects of Yevassë's countermeasure set in, and Aram and Etria lost their personal connection with anything beyond the physical plane, and along with that, their pristine immortality.
Thus, Ällora turned against his creator in his pride; taking matters about the fate of mankind into his own hands despite his well-meaning intentions for Aram and Etria. Humanity became fragmented and imperfect, Eleyon was rendered powerless temporarily and all the world was shaken to its foundations but subsequent disagreement and strife.
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