I recently delved my way through the final book of Alastair Reynold's 'Revelation Space' universe, and I must say I have been taken through a brilliantly and imaginatively constructed sub-reality. It was such a thrilling journey that I am compelled to write something in response, I don't think that's too far out of line of the focus of this blog, which is on stories after all. The series was engaging from beginning to end, always brimming over with fresh ideas. There was no lack of beautifully vivid descriptions, but they were always kept slightly off-kilter by their juxtaposition with unsettling, sometimes quite horrific, circumstances.
The cross references between the books made the series another notch more enjoyable and culturally believable. There was such a powerful sense of history and place, despite the stories being set on other planets, in lighthuggers or in the distant future. It is grandiose in scope, beginning from the first human forays into space and the Conjoiner Transenlightenment, ranging all the way into the distant future, the rogue Greenfly terraforming agent. I love the realistic tone that the series has, for example, doing away with faster-than-light travel and exploring the social and political consequences of the massive starships gliding, isolated, in the vast emptiness of interstellar space.
Part of why the series was so appealing was its constant quality of pushing the speculative limits of technology. I find, well... I suppose this is quite obvious, but I find that for the most part fiction can only look ahead to future technologies that are just beyond the fringe of what we know. We certainly couldn't expect H. G. Wells to write convincingly about nanotechnology and relativistic time dilation in the same way as a modern science fiction author would. I suppose Reynolds is advantaged in this respect by his knowledge of astrophysics, so he can forge ahead based our most recent understanding of the universe's fundamentals. And golly... what technologies he envisions : marvels of human and alien engineering abound in the novels, their exact mechanics teetering on the brink of what we could consider possible. Enhanced mental and physical physiology, extensive smart materials, alpha-level simulations, cryo-arithmetic computing, alien neutron star computers and augmented reality, to name a few.
Societies in the Revelation Space saga are just as impressive as the technology; the post-human Conjoiners, the ruined Demarchists, the exotic Ultras. While the picture he paints of humanity's future is grim and bleak, there is still a strong thread of ingenuity, tenacity and courage that plays with my hopes for restoration and recovery, a coming period of prosperity after the storm. I should be glad to relive the experience of this riveting narrative again. The dynamic moods shifting from intense activity to quiet pensive lulls, the poignant vision of a largely unpopulated lighthugger in the solitude of an all-embracing night, the truly alien, inhuman life apart from Homo sapiens sapiens and the fortitude of the characters in the midst of it all.
3 April 2013
1 April 2013
Societal Allegory : The Filial - Overview
In contrast the Radiant Wings, the Filial are a mixed society of elves and fallen men, they represent a society aligned with Yevanian values, in opposition to the Radiant Wings. Instead of individualism, they focus on community, in place of a focus on technological progress, they make the most of what they have. Technology is based less on direct magical application and more on biological systems when it is employed. This stems from their preference of looking understanding the uses of the bounty already existent around them, instead of devising novel methods and devices.
The Filial bear their title as they are the loyal children of Eleyon. The elves have never lost their original communion with the Creator, while the Repentant are the fallen humans who strive to serve the purposes of the All-Father, despite their weakened spirit links. I wanted to reflect the sense that Eleyon maintained a close familial relationship with his followers, so the word filial, normally reserve for parent-child relationships, was nonetheless applicable.
Now to narrate the events that led to this faction's formation. After Ällora appeared to Cevan, he returned to the rest of the fallen, exiled humans and beseeched them to come away with him to a future of independence from Eleyon. Aram and Etria distrusted Cevan's claims of Ällora's promises, as they had suffered great loss from the Prometheus Chalice. Even so, Cevan took some of his siblings, children, nieces and nephews away to the east to found Elenis. The rest of the Fallen remained with Aram and Etria, and called themselves the Repentant.
A choice was offered to the few immaculate elves who remained in the Garden of Elen after the Rebellion. Elenrise would soon occur, so the elves there needed to relocate. Yevanis and The Soul of Eleyon, Eleyon's energy aspect, told them each elf could either leave the broken physical reality of Eldawn, or remain to try and work against the influence of Ällora. All but 14 of the elves decided to depart into the energy plane and leave their corporeal reality behind. Another protected reality would be made for them, distinctly located, and they feature very little in the rest of the story. Of the 14 who stayed, 7 were male and 7 female. All the elves in Eldawn post-Rebellion are descended from these 7 immortal unions.
Following Elenrise, the Elves reach out to the small settlement of the Repentant which had established itself on the shores of Varives lake. The elves took the Repentant into their protection and moved north, into Vedathen Forest. The Repentant dubbed their magically adept protectors 'Guardians', and so collectively, the Guardian elves and the Repentant humans constituted the Filial.
The Filial established the city of Yevanis in the Vedathen. The Guardians assumed authority, directing construction and progress. They interfaced with the vital animating energy of the forest around them. While animals and plants do not have a Spirit, etheric aspect, they still have an energetic aspect that exists in the energy plane. With their magical prowess and spirit link, the elves are able to direct changes in the flora and to influence the behaviour of the fauna around them. The city of Yevanis would become an apex of bioengineering, a homeostatic system of symbiotic interaction.
The Repentant helped out where they could, but they were severely limited by their compromised magical ability. Their focus is to attain the same degree of intimacy with Eleyon as they used to have. They wanted to maintain a society of emotional and spiritual functionality, material and technological advantages were relatively unimportant. Together with the Guardians, the Repentant strive to be the ideal community that Eleyon wanted. When the Body of Eleyon made his way to Yevanis, they care and support him.
Despite their efforts, conflict inevitably did arise, new generations of humans did mot share the same beliefs as the older ones, the first death, Aram's, unsettled them all. Tensions rose between groups of discontent men and the perceived elvish elite. Their existence was far from ideal.
Nevertheless, their society believed in contentment as much as possible, to live in simplicity and community. The atmosphere of the Filial was markedly different from the social philosophy of the Radiant. They focused on the heart and the human condition. Examining the spirit and the soul, they tried to strengthen the tenuous connection by striving and prayer, pious deeds and goodwill. The result was a society deeply concerned with human relations, equality and mutual respect.
Apart from interpersonal relations, the Filial also busied themselves with the study of biological and environmental systems. They did not forget their commission as the stewards of creation, a task assigned to mankind when Eleyon first created them in the Garden. This was done to preserve as much of the biosphere as possible, and to ensure ecological security in an imperfect reality. So, while the Radiant were linked with light and the heavens, the Filial were associated with life and the earth.
Social standing in Filial society was naturally determined by age, just as it was with the Radiant Wings. In addition, moral integrity was highly valued, as judged by the codified ethical system that developed from their musings on human interaction. The elves, as the ageless, flawless Guardians were necessarily accorded their due respect. In terms of numbers however, the elves were only about a fifth of the population.
And so, the Filial represent the Yevanian-valued society while the Radiant are aligned to Älloran thinking. The interplay between these two factions allows me to examine both the results of these contrasting ideologies and the tension between individual thinking and a society's culture. There will of course, be those who are born into a faction and disagree with their elders, they may defect, or turn themselves out of social company, feeling isolated just as any of us would in their situation. Yet, both societies begin on a fresh slate, traditions barely established, that perhaps does distinguish them from our history laden world. Or does it? In this time of increasingly globalised world-views, homogenous culture and a cessation or diminishment of many traditional practices, perhaps we are not so different from a newly awakened collection of humanity, without the burden of inherited customs.
The Filial bear their title as they are the loyal children of Eleyon. The elves have never lost their original communion with the Creator, while the Repentant are the fallen humans who strive to serve the purposes of the All-Father, despite their weakened spirit links. I wanted to reflect the sense that Eleyon maintained a close familial relationship with his followers, so the word filial, normally reserve for parent-child relationships, was nonetheless applicable.
Now to narrate the events that led to this faction's formation. After Ällora appeared to Cevan, he returned to the rest of the fallen, exiled humans and beseeched them to come away with him to a future of independence from Eleyon. Aram and Etria distrusted Cevan's claims of Ällora's promises, as they had suffered great loss from the Prometheus Chalice. Even so, Cevan took some of his siblings, children, nieces and nephews away to the east to found Elenis. The rest of the Fallen remained with Aram and Etria, and called themselves the Repentant.
A choice was offered to the few immaculate elves who remained in the Garden of Elen after the Rebellion. Elenrise would soon occur, so the elves there needed to relocate. Yevanis and The Soul of Eleyon, Eleyon's energy aspect, told them each elf could either leave the broken physical reality of Eldawn, or remain to try and work against the influence of Ällora. All but 14 of the elves decided to depart into the energy plane and leave their corporeal reality behind. Another protected reality would be made for them, distinctly located, and they feature very little in the rest of the story. Of the 14 who stayed, 7 were male and 7 female. All the elves in Eldawn post-Rebellion are descended from these 7 immortal unions.
Following Elenrise, the Elves reach out to the small settlement of the Repentant which had established itself on the shores of Varives lake. The elves took the Repentant into their protection and moved north, into Vedathen Forest. The Repentant dubbed their magically adept protectors 'Guardians', and so collectively, the Guardian elves and the Repentant humans constituted the Filial.
The Filial established the city of Yevanis in the Vedathen. The Guardians assumed authority, directing construction and progress. They interfaced with the vital animating energy of the forest around them. While animals and plants do not have a Spirit, etheric aspect, they still have an energetic aspect that exists in the energy plane. With their magical prowess and spirit link, the elves are able to direct changes in the flora and to influence the behaviour of the fauna around them. The city of Yevanis would become an apex of bioengineering, a homeostatic system of symbiotic interaction.
The Repentant helped out where they could, but they were severely limited by their compromised magical ability. Their focus is to attain the same degree of intimacy with Eleyon as they used to have. They wanted to maintain a society of emotional and spiritual functionality, material and technological advantages were relatively unimportant. Together with the Guardians, the Repentant strive to be the ideal community that Eleyon wanted. When the Body of Eleyon made his way to Yevanis, they care and support him.
Despite their efforts, conflict inevitably did arise, new generations of humans did mot share the same beliefs as the older ones, the first death, Aram's, unsettled them all. Tensions rose between groups of discontent men and the perceived elvish elite. Their existence was far from ideal.
Nevertheless, their society believed in contentment as much as possible, to live in simplicity and community. The atmosphere of the Filial was markedly different from the social philosophy of the Radiant. They focused on the heart and the human condition. Examining the spirit and the soul, they tried to strengthen the tenuous connection by striving and prayer, pious deeds and goodwill. The result was a society deeply concerned with human relations, equality and mutual respect.
Apart from interpersonal relations, the Filial also busied themselves with the study of biological and environmental systems. They did not forget their commission as the stewards of creation, a task assigned to mankind when Eleyon first created them in the Garden. This was done to preserve as much of the biosphere as possible, and to ensure ecological security in an imperfect reality. So, while the Radiant were linked with light and the heavens, the Filial were associated with life and the earth.
Social standing in Filial society was naturally determined by age, just as it was with the Radiant Wings. In addition, moral integrity was highly valued, as judged by the codified ethical system that developed from their musings on human interaction. The elves, as the ageless, flawless Guardians were necessarily accorded their due respect. In terms of numbers however, the elves were only about a fifth of the population.
And so, the Filial represent the Yevanian-valued society while the Radiant are aligned to Älloran thinking. The interplay between these two factions allows me to examine both the results of these contrasting ideologies and the tension between individual thinking and a society's culture. There will of course, be those who are born into a faction and disagree with their elders, they may defect, or turn themselves out of social company, feeling isolated just as any of us would in their situation. Yet, both societies begin on a fresh slate, traditions barely established, that perhaps does distinguish them from our history laden world. Or does it? In this time of increasingly globalised world-views, homogenous culture and a cessation or diminishment of many traditional practices, perhaps we are not so different from a newly awakened collection of humanity, without the burden of inherited customs.
28 March 2013
Societal Allegory : The Radiant Wings - Overview
The most developed society in the Eldawn's current state of imagination is that of the Radiant Wings. First of all, I need to amend the name Shining Wings. It was standing until recently, including in some of the cartographic posts on this blog, but has been altered slightly since. I conceived of the name Shining Wings very early in the development of the story. The name derives from the image that Ällora chose when he presented himself to the Radiant; an ethereal, dazzling, winged figure. However as I began to think about how to denominate the factions of Eldawn's humanity, it was cumbersome to type "members of the Shining Wings" or such. They needed a simple referral word, such as the elves, the Repentant, and so on. From the name Shining Wings, the "Shinings" sounded ridiculous, and wings sounds so ambiguous in isolation.
The word "Radiant" prevailed itself upon me after a small disagreement. Radiant has similar luminary connotations to shining, which is why it was considered in the first place. A slight hiccup made itself apparent with the word's etymology, which relates it to radius, though the original latin radiō simply means to radiate. This resolved itself when I remembered that circles are ubiquitous in the designs and motifs of Radiant architecture. So it was decided that the designative word for this society would be the Radiant, and the full name would maintain its avian associations as "The Radiant Wings". It appealed all the more as Radiant rhymes with Repentant; both these groups are subdivisions of the Fallen after all.
Now, to describe the characteristics of Radiant Wings society proper. The founder of the Radiant splinter group is Cevan, first son of Aram and Etria after the Rebellion. Cevan turned to Ällora for magical augmentation, unsatisfied with the compromised existence that he inherited by no fault of his own. Soon, Cevan convinced many of his siblings, nieces and nephews to join him in his allegiance to Ällora. The Radiant thus distinguished themselves from the Filial, the people who remained with Aram and Etria in loyalty to Eleyon.
If any one principle was the focus of this people, it would be the pursuit of technological progress. This directive has been honed over the centuries by the will of Ällora. While their technology was of course, based on magic, it still achieves a staggering degree of complexity. For example, by the time of the story, computing is bordering on artificial intelligence, telecommunications are similar to our own and medicine is developed enough to allow artificial organs to replace natural ones. Religion in the Radiant Wings is intertwined with academia and magical mastery, headed by a pantheon of beings established by Ällora. Faith is apparently grounded on scientific laws instead of divine mandate. This religion has a loosely defined and individualistic moral code. All in all, it is an embodiment of Älloran philosophy, with an utter disregard for the reflective merits of Yevanian thought.
Culturally, the Radiant identify strongly with light. Ällora, master of the electromagnetic force, naturally revealed himself and his purposes through illuminative visions. The 'Wings' in the 'Radiant Wings' are a reference to the angelic form that Ällora assumed, a majestic humanoid with brilliant white eagle's wings. Magnetism was naturally not chosen for these revelatory incidents because baseline humans do not have a direct sense of magnetic fields. Additionally, the pantheon of gods that Ällora instituted is associated with the celestial bodies, the great heavenly sources of light. Consequently, much of Radiant culture centres around astronomy and the lofty firmament. In contrast, fields concerned with the earth such as biology or geography are sidelined.
As a result of the values that the Radiant hold dear, social stratification is based on knowledge and scientific achievement. A rigourous educational system distinguishes prodigies from the mediocre early, singling them out for enhanced instruction and mentorship. In a society of technologically augmented immortality, age also plays a dominant role in determining authority. Spirited savants must still defer to the vast experience of their centuries-old elders. Great age is taken as a sign of maturity and wisdom, though this assumption is coming under artistic scrutiny by 2100AE.
My vision of Radiant Wings society is of a people who in many ways, are similar to us, despite their temporal and imaginative removals. They look for fulfillment, cherish similar hopes, foster parallel dreams. But in other ways, it is a world that is superior to our own. While not without a few blemishes, life in Elenis and Alanis is nonetheless superbly comfortable materially. The convenience of magic allows me to do away with the lower tiers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Accordingly, the fabric of Radiant society is a primed canvas for the deliberation of human pursuit for self-actualisation. With this panoramic description in place, I will elaborate on the details of Radiant Wings culture in coming posts.
The word "Radiant" prevailed itself upon me after a small disagreement. Radiant has similar luminary connotations to shining, which is why it was considered in the first place. A slight hiccup made itself apparent with the word's etymology, which relates it to radius, though the original latin radiō simply means to radiate. This resolved itself when I remembered that circles are ubiquitous in the designs and motifs of Radiant architecture. So it was decided that the designative word for this society would be the Radiant, and the full name would maintain its avian associations as "The Radiant Wings". It appealed all the more as Radiant rhymes with Repentant; both these groups are subdivisions of the Fallen after all.
Now, to describe the characteristics of Radiant Wings society proper. The founder of the Radiant splinter group is Cevan, first son of Aram and Etria after the Rebellion. Cevan turned to Ällora for magical augmentation, unsatisfied with the compromised existence that he inherited by no fault of his own. Soon, Cevan convinced many of his siblings, nieces and nephews to join him in his allegiance to Ällora. The Radiant thus distinguished themselves from the Filial, the people who remained with Aram and Etria in loyalty to Eleyon.
If any one principle was the focus of this people, it would be the pursuit of technological progress. This directive has been honed over the centuries by the will of Ällora. While their technology was of course, based on magic, it still achieves a staggering degree of complexity. For example, by the time of the story, computing is bordering on artificial intelligence, telecommunications are similar to our own and medicine is developed enough to allow artificial organs to replace natural ones. Religion in the Radiant Wings is intertwined with academia and magical mastery, headed by a pantheon of beings established by Ällora. Faith is apparently grounded on scientific laws instead of divine mandate. This religion has a loosely defined and individualistic moral code. All in all, it is an embodiment of Älloran philosophy, with an utter disregard for the reflective merits of Yevanian thought.
Culturally, the Radiant identify strongly with light. Ällora, master of the electromagnetic force, naturally revealed himself and his purposes through illuminative visions. The 'Wings' in the 'Radiant Wings' are a reference to the angelic form that Ällora assumed, a majestic humanoid with brilliant white eagle's wings. Magnetism was naturally not chosen for these revelatory incidents because baseline humans do not have a direct sense of magnetic fields. Additionally, the pantheon of gods that Ällora instituted is associated with the celestial bodies, the great heavenly sources of light. Consequently, much of Radiant culture centres around astronomy and the lofty firmament. In contrast, fields concerned with the earth such as biology or geography are sidelined.
As a result of the values that the Radiant hold dear, social stratification is based on knowledge and scientific achievement. A rigourous educational system distinguishes prodigies from the mediocre early, singling them out for enhanced instruction and mentorship. In a society of technologically augmented immortality, age also plays a dominant role in determining authority. Spirited savants must still defer to the vast experience of their centuries-old elders. Great age is taken as a sign of maturity and wisdom, though this assumption is coming under artistic scrutiny by 2100AE.
My vision of Radiant Wings society is of a people who in many ways, are similar to us, despite their temporal and imaginative removals. They look for fulfillment, cherish similar hopes, foster parallel dreams. But in other ways, it is a world that is superior to our own. While not without a few blemishes, life in Elenis and Alanis is nonetheless superbly comfortable materially. The convenience of magic allows me to do away with the lower tiers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Accordingly, the fabric of Radiant society is a primed canvas for the deliberation of human pursuit for self-actualisation. With this panoramic description in place, I will elaborate on the details of Radiant Wings culture in coming posts.
20 March 2013
Vignette : Relaxation
Bright blue. The road still roaring behind him, but the quiet of the garden lies ahead. Urban stresses destabilise, he's been languishing in mental misery, worry. Weary of protracted pressure, fulfillment evasive, or lost forever into the mists of the past.
Shading to azure. A lunar smile glimpsed through the leaves invites him in, promising reprieve. The path saunters into the vegetation. He glides away from the noise, paced at a measured adagio. A few turns breaks the direct visibility of the buildings, branches embrace his perspective.
Tinting sapphire. The footway meanders on, unhurried. Lamps along the manicured greenery hum to luminescence. Sounds of screaming tires still affix his thought on worldly concerns. The hues of the trees diminish in contrast with the failing light.
Spectrum cobalt. Falling sun, glazed orange. He drifts among the trees, smells the moist grass. The first heavenly speckles reveal themselves. Always the same, reliable, steadfast. Bright inspirations to countless individuals, whether their connections were known. The canine star near the zenith. The pandemonium reduced by increasing distance from the garden's perimeter.
Toning zaffre. His deliberate ambulation allows the trunks to maintain a smooth shift across his view. A pond reflects the lights of the sky in a tranquil mirror. He can finally hear himself think, but that wasn't the point. The point was not to think.
Deepening ultramarine. He watches the slender silhouettes of the trees merge into the colouration of the darkened skies. The chirp of unseen crickets breaks the silence, but not the peaceful solitude. More stars uncloak themselves, linking hands to portray heroes and beasts of mythological association. His mind lost in the hush of the setting, can unburden itself and roam free.
Fading to midnight blue. He lies back on the empty field, listening to the music of the night. Why could this island of solitary ease not last for all eternity? The vault of the sky continues to turn, defying wistful sentiments. Breathing deeply, he empties his mind. Of sight, of sound, of people.
And then it ends, the wordless orison, return to the bustle, reluctant exodus.
Shading to azure. A lunar smile glimpsed through the leaves invites him in, promising reprieve. The path saunters into the vegetation. He glides away from the noise, paced at a measured adagio. A few turns breaks the direct visibility of the buildings, branches embrace his perspective.
Tinting sapphire. The footway meanders on, unhurried. Lamps along the manicured greenery hum to luminescence. Sounds of screaming tires still affix his thought on worldly concerns. The hues of the trees diminish in contrast with the failing light.
Spectrum cobalt. Falling sun, glazed orange. He drifts among the trees, smells the moist grass. The first heavenly speckles reveal themselves. Always the same, reliable, steadfast. Bright inspirations to countless individuals, whether their connections were known. The canine star near the zenith. The pandemonium reduced by increasing distance from the garden's perimeter.
Toning zaffre. His deliberate ambulation allows the trunks to maintain a smooth shift across his view. A pond reflects the lights of the sky in a tranquil mirror. He can finally hear himself think, but that wasn't the point. The point was not to think.
Deepening ultramarine. He watches the slender silhouettes of the trees merge into the colouration of the darkened skies. The chirp of unseen crickets breaks the silence, but not the peaceful solitude. More stars uncloak themselves, linking hands to portray heroes and beasts of mythological association. His mind lost in the hush of the setting, can unburden itself and roam free.
Fading to midnight blue. He lies back on the empty field, listening to the music of the night. Why could this island of solitary ease not last for all eternity? The vault of the sky continues to turn, defying wistful sentiments. Breathing deeply, he empties his mind. Of sight, of sound, of people.
And then it ends, the wordless orison, return to the bustle, reluctant exodus.
Factional Origins
Alright, I hope this post is able to bridge the gap between the mythology and the concrete fantasy setting of Eldawn by providing an overview of the sundering of mankind. Initially created in a perfect state of unified community, the Rebellion induces a few key divisions. I've already detailed the mechanics of mortality in Eldawn that resulted from disobedience, so I will not reiterate them in detail.
First off, I'll begin with the oldest group of humans, the elves. In Eldawn, elves are not an entirely distinct manifestation of sentience, as they are in most fantasy settings. The elves of Eldawn are unfallen humans. In appearance, the elves are not any taller or diminished for their age, but the elves are immortal, and they can continue to grow with time, so they do eventually attain greater stature than mortal man. They remain eternally youthful, without any deterioration of faculty, as the 24th chromosome has the regulatory mechanisms that maintain perfect bodily function indefinitely.
In terms of the souls and spirits of the elves, they are attuned to the Spirit of Eleyon, and they are utterly aware of the energetic and etheric planes. However, necessarily, as the elves are still primarily physical creatures, they cannot manipulate energy or the ether as proficiently as the beings who are indigenous to those planes. All the same, the elves still have some direct control over energy, they can use magic much more naturally than their disconnected brethren. This allows them to maintain psychic connections, and makes them empaths, detecting emotions much more transparently than fallen humanity.
The second group are the Fallen, which are further subdivided into the Repentant and the Radiant. The Fallen are descended from Aram and Etria after they partook of the Prometheus Chalice. They have been robbed of functional immortality and immaculate spiritual connection by the destruction of chromosome 24.
The Repentant are the baseline humans of Eldawn. They have lifespans of about 900 years and endure the full deterioration of age. Since they are disconnected from their higher aspects of existence, they are insensitive to the inflections of energy and ether around them. Upon death, their consciousness transitions into the energy plane, but because they are unaccustomed to the sensory input, most of them have to be placed in specific support constructs in order to preserve the integrity of their souls. It would be similar to how a congenitally blind person who was suddenly given sight would need time to adapt.
The Radiant are the faction of the Fallen who have decided to follow Ällora. Through Ällora's magic, they have been granted an artificially enhanced spirit link, allowing them to use magic and sense the higher planes. Although not with the same innate affinity as their elvish brethren. They cannot detect empathic signals very well for one thing. Biologically, their natural lifespan is extended by the enhanced spirit link to about 1,200 years. However their physical bodies deteriorate and age over that time. In defiance of senility, they augment their weakening physiques with magical constructs. In their advanced age, it could rightly be said that without the constant support of magical devices, the individual would not rightly draw another breath. Nonetheless, in theory, by converting more and more of themselves into magical technology, the Radiant also attain a degree of immortality in spite of their biological limitations.
I'll move on to describe the qualities of the societies that arise between the racial segregation presented here. I apologise for the lack of updates in recent weeks, I have had restricted access to my blog, but development of the story has continued apace. Some of my recent thoughts remain a little unpolished and untested however, but they do seem promising to me.
First off, I'll begin with the oldest group of humans, the elves. In Eldawn, elves are not an entirely distinct manifestation of sentience, as they are in most fantasy settings. The elves of Eldawn are unfallen humans. In appearance, the elves are not any taller or diminished for their age, but the elves are immortal, and they can continue to grow with time, so they do eventually attain greater stature than mortal man. They remain eternally youthful, without any deterioration of faculty, as the 24th chromosome has the regulatory mechanisms that maintain perfect bodily function indefinitely.
In terms of the souls and spirits of the elves, they are attuned to the Spirit of Eleyon, and they are utterly aware of the energetic and etheric planes. However, necessarily, as the elves are still primarily physical creatures, they cannot manipulate energy or the ether as proficiently as the beings who are indigenous to those planes. All the same, the elves still have some direct control over energy, they can use magic much more naturally than their disconnected brethren. This allows them to maintain psychic connections, and makes them empaths, detecting emotions much more transparently than fallen humanity.
The second group are the Fallen, which are further subdivided into the Repentant and the Radiant. The Fallen are descended from Aram and Etria after they partook of the Prometheus Chalice. They have been robbed of functional immortality and immaculate spiritual connection by the destruction of chromosome 24.
The Repentant are the baseline humans of Eldawn. They have lifespans of about 900 years and endure the full deterioration of age. Since they are disconnected from their higher aspects of existence, they are insensitive to the inflections of energy and ether around them. Upon death, their consciousness transitions into the energy plane, but because they are unaccustomed to the sensory input, most of them have to be placed in specific support constructs in order to preserve the integrity of their souls. It would be similar to how a congenitally blind person who was suddenly given sight would need time to adapt.
The Radiant are the faction of the Fallen who have decided to follow Ällora. Through Ällora's magic, they have been granted an artificially enhanced spirit link, allowing them to use magic and sense the higher planes. Although not with the same innate affinity as their elvish brethren. They cannot detect empathic signals very well for one thing. Biologically, their natural lifespan is extended by the enhanced spirit link to about 1,200 years. However their physical bodies deteriorate and age over that time. In defiance of senility, they augment their weakening physiques with magical constructs. In their advanced age, it could rightly be said that without the constant support of magical devices, the individual would not rightly draw another breath. Nonetheless, in theory, by converting more and more of themselves into magical technology, the Radiant also attain a degree of immortality in spite of their biological limitations.
I'll move on to describe the qualities of the societies that arise between the racial segregation presented here. I apologise for the lack of updates in recent weeks, I have had restricted access to my blog, but development of the story has continued apace. Some of my recent thoughts remain a little unpolished and untested however, but they do seem promising to me.
2 March 2013
Medial Elucidations
In order to conclude the series of location overviews, I will explain the geographical effects of Elenrise, a pivotal event in Eldawn's history and how it resulted in Mirrorsea, then proceed with a description of the final central area of the map.
To begin with, a little more background. When Ällora set his plans for the Rebellion into motion, one of the first things he did was to separate the three aspects of Eleyon. By dabbling with the soul of another, something forbidden, Ällora ensured the primal Trinity was severed into three distinct beings. This was done with the fourth state of substance. Ällora was the one who made this final discovery, with Yevassë's help. Compressing physical matter resulted in an immensely dense material, basically the theory defying substance that resides in black holes. This state was attractive enough to consume matter and energy viciously into itself, but with the ether, it did not pull absurdly strongly, as there isn't much to pull on in the first place. All the same, black hole matter did allow something that could not previously be done in the ether; the ether could be cut. Normally too fluid to separate fully, the ether links of a spirit could be severed with the new hyper-dense substance.
So Eleyon's spirit was subject to such etheric surgery, Eleyon was divided into a spiritual etheric being, a mental energetic being, and a bodily physical being. The mental being of Eleyon is the one who decided to remove the amniotic Garden of Elen from the circles of the world once the human Rebellion occurred. The Garden of Elen was situated precisely over the site that would later become Mirrorsea. Yes the Garden of Elen is very similar to the biblical Garden of Eden, but I've no qualms about drawing on my beliefs for inspiration. So upon Yevassë informing and discussing the effects of the Rebellion, it was decided that the Garden of Elen would be excised from the physical reality of earth, along with the unfallen humans who were still dwelling within. It was taken in a perfect circle, in the event known as Elenrise.
The Garden of Elen had a central watergiver tree, drawing up water from the ground and generously supplying four rivers with aqueous vitality. This remained after Elenrise and the shallow plain that remained of the rest of the area soon filled with a thin sheet of clear water. The resulting reflective surface was dubbed Mirrorsea. The water continued to flow outward and into the channels of the four rivers outside the perimeter of the Garden that remained after Elenrise. Therefore four cardinal rivers flow out of Mirrorsea, as seen on the map, to maintain a supply of freshwater to the rest of the land. On to the formatted location descriptions :
The original home of Aram and Etria, as well as their early descendants, the elves. Elen Garden is removed from the world by Yevassë and Eleyon's energetic aspect after Aram and Etria take the Prometheus Chalice. The massive withdrawal is termed Elenrise, and is henceforth used to date the years. Positioned at the equator, the garden housed a myriad of tropical fauna and flora, unrivaled anywhere on the planet. The centre of the garden was the base of the first watergiver tree, elevated slightly on a central mound. Water from this tree flowed out in four directions, nourishing the entire region.
The geographical result of Elerise, the basin leftover began to fill with freshwater drawn up through the watergiver tree, which was preserved in Eleyon's goodwill after Elenrise. The tree was named Miralith. The circular sea around it was called Mirrorsea, having a very uniformly shallow depth throughout. The waters reflect the expanse of open sky that dominates the highlands almost perfectly, when viewed from an angle. The monastery of Mivaris was founded around the base of Miralith, and the devotees there tend the tree unceasingly. The shallow waters are cold due to their high altitude, but looking directly down shows the seabed supports an even carpet of seagrass. The water is fresh and drinkable, while small fish dart between the grass blades, coloured speckles in the green.
Mivaris was established primarily to tend to the invaluable watergiver tree and ensure a protection of water supply and its fair utilisation by all of humanity. I'll have to give a bit more background on the factions of humanity that result from the Rebellion so that you aren't lost, but that'll be reserved for another post.
To begin with, a little more background. When Ällora set his plans for the Rebellion into motion, one of the first things he did was to separate the three aspects of Eleyon. By dabbling with the soul of another, something forbidden, Ällora ensured the primal Trinity was severed into three distinct beings. This was done with the fourth state of substance. Ällora was the one who made this final discovery, with Yevassë's help. Compressing physical matter resulted in an immensely dense material, basically the theory defying substance that resides in black holes. This state was attractive enough to consume matter and energy viciously into itself, but with the ether, it did not pull absurdly strongly, as there isn't much to pull on in the first place. All the same, black hole matter did allow something that could not previously be done in the ether; the ether could be cut. Normally too fluid to separate fully, the ether links of a spirit could be severed with the new hyper-dense substance.
So Eleyon's spirit was subject to such etheric surgery, Eleyon was divided into a spiritual etheric being, a mental energetic being, and a bodily physical being. The mental being of Eleyon is the one who decided to remove the amniotic Garden of Elen from the circles of the world once the human Rebellion occurred. The Garden of Elen was situated precisely over the site that would later become Mirrorsea. Yes the Garden of Elen is very similar to the biblical Garden of Eden, but I've no qualms about drawing on my beliefs for inspiration. So upon Yevassë informing and discussing the effects of the Rebellion, it was decided that the Garden of Elen would be excised from the physical reality of earth, along with the unfallen humans who were still dwelling within. It was taken in a perfect circle, in the event known as Elenrise.
The Garden of Elen had a central watergiver tree, drawing up water from the ground and generously supplying four rivers with aqueous vitality. This remained after Elenrise and the shallow plain that remained of the rest of the area soon filled with a thin sheet of clear water. The resulting reflective surface was dubbed Mirrorsea. The water continued to flow outward and into the channels of the four rivers outside the perimeter of the Garden that remained after Elenrise. Therefore four cardinal rivers flow out of Mirrorsea, as seen on the map, to maintain a supply of freshwater to the rest of the land. On to the formatted location descriptions :
Central Eldawn
Elen Garden : Time Immemorial to 0 AE
The original home of Aram and Etria, as well as their early descendants, the elves. Elen Garden is removed from the world by Yevassë and Eleyon's energetic aspect after Aram and Etria take the Prometheus Chalice. The massive withdrawal is termed Elenrise, and is henceforth used to date the years. Positioned at the equator, the garden housed a myriad of tropical fauna and flora, unrivaled anywhere on the planet. The centre of the garden was the base of the first watergiver tree, elevated slightly on a central mound. Water from this tree flowed out in four directions, nourishing the entire region.
Mirrorsea : Formed 0 AE
The geographical result of Elerise, the basin leftover began to fill with freshwater drawn up through the watergiver tree, which was preserved in Eleyon's goodwill after Elenrise. The tree was named Miralith. The circular sea around it was called Mirrorsea, having a very uniformly shallow depth throughout. The waters reflect the expanse of open sky that dominates the highlands almost perfectly, when viewed from an angle. The monastery of Mivaris was founded around the base of Miralith, and the devotees there tend the tree unceasingly. The shallow waters are cold due to their high altitude, but looking directly down shows the seabed supports an even carpet of seagrass. The water is fresh and drinkable, while small fish dart between the grass blades, coloured speckles in the green.
Mivaris was established primarily to tend to the invaluable watergiver tree and ensure a protection of water supply and its fair utilisation by all of humanity. I'll have to give a bit more background on the factions of humanity that result from the Rebellion so that you aren't lost, but that'll be reserved for another post.
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