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Althea’s Tale

An Excerpt from “Chapter One - Summer Awakening”

5th day of Croon - Year 181 of New Tala

Fishing Full Moon

Tomorrow I am 13. To celebrate Mama got me this bound blank set of leaf paper to write on. My brother Lars got one for his 13th year as well, but all he does is draw crude images in his. And my sister Deb is too young still, her 13th year isn’t for another 4 more years. It’s tradition in our family to have a ceremony called an Awakening the night before you turn 13, but I’m not sure why our family still does it. Both Mama and Daddy says at one point a long time ago families all throughout Manipor practiced an old tradition called Manpora but that was before New Tala when all of the Domains came together. No one does that anymore except our family, at least in our village of Sommentown. We get made looked at funny for holding to old traditions and not being like everyone else. According to Mama the people of Manipor, when it was its own Domain, would receive spiritual blessings on the night of their Awakening after giving a gift of themselves to Tala, the earth, by burying it in the ground under a sacred tree. It sounds a little much to me, but I understand why Mama holds to it since her family is one of the old clans of Manipor. When I asked what her blessing was after her Awakening she smiled and said, “a blue bird”. I have no idea what she means by that. I think Lars’ blessing was just becoming more of an idiot. I’m wearing a red dress with a crown made of flowers that Mama made for me, no slippers so I can feel the summer grass between my toes like one of those fancy furry carpets that the merchants sell during festivals in town. The dress is probably the nicest I’ve ever worn and Mama bought special cloth from a textile merchant during the Midsummer Festival. I’m not sure what else to write about in here and it’s about time for my family and I to walk to the woods behind the house for my ceremony. I will write later I guess.

6th day of Croon

It’s the next day. I’m 13. I woke up this morning thinking that something would happen to me overnight, but nothing seems different. Daddy told me think of it as a metaphorical awakening and that it’s symbolic of me getting older. I guess. Being older here just means more chores at the house. Speaking of I have to go get ready for breakfast because it’s my turn to cook. Happy 13th year to me. Bye.

12th day of Croon - Year 181 of N.T.

Last Half Moon

It’s been 7 days since my Awakening, almost a full week. And it’s been bad. Lars has been sick and Deb whiny and won’t help out to make up for Lars being sick. Daddy hurt himself trying to load goods to sell in town by himself and now Mama and I are pulling all the extra work. We had to take the cart to town ourselves yesterday and unload everything while Old Man Grune watched us and made inappropriate comments about Mama’s “shape” and about how us manporas would get him in trouble with his wife. That’s what the people in town call us because we still follow old traditions. I think it used to be really bad to call someone that because that’s when Mama told him to shush. I told Mama after we left I hope his store shelves get covered in stinkweed and then it smells like rotted flesh. We must not be very good manporas though if no blessings come across our family. Maybe I gave a bad gift. Mama told me to give something meaningful for me. I chose one of the sunflowers I grew over summer because it took a lot of work. Now it seems silly to give something back to Tala that grew out of it to begin with. I hope Lars gets better and Daddy’s injury heals quickly. Harvest is approaching and Mama and I can’t do it all, and Deb is no help.

16th day of Croon

Deb is now sick. Somehow it’s worse than Lars because someone has to be with her at all times. Lars is better and Daddy is healing but Mama’s salves are only doing so much. They don’t know but I heard them talking about how he’s still having trouble putting weight on it even though the wound was healing. Mama had gone in to town yesterday to request the physician come look at him but when she came back they were not with her and she seemed upset when talking with Daddy. “Lars, they don’t respect us, they can’t treat you like this when we provide so much for them” I heard her say to him. Lars is Daddy’s name too just like my brother’s. I think Mama means that the people in town don’t like us because we are manporas. It’s wrong for them to be so mean, I don’t even know why practicing these traditions is so bad except that the rulers of New Tala say it is. I wonder how the physician would feel if all of a sudden he needed one of Mama’s tinctures or Daddy’s leather wares and we told him no. Hopefully Daddy can get better without the physicians help though.

32nd day of Croon, 181 year of N.T. First Crescent Moon

It’s hot. Mama and Daddy are worried because it hasn’t rained, and Daddy can’t walk right. His wound is closed but he makes a big face when he tries walking and I hear him curse and swear out back when he thinks we can’t hear him. Lars and I help out a lot right now, and even Deb helps Mama some in the house since Mama has to help Daddy sometimes too. I heard that Old Man Grune’s got stinkweed growing on his porch steps and it seems he can’t get it to go away. The best news I’ve had since my Awakening.

8th day of Sol, 181 year of N.T.

Something strange happened. But I’m not sure what it was. I think No. It was just a coincidence. We’re all just stressed because of Daddy and the Harvest Moon Festival coming up.

17th day of Sol

Daddy is still on a crutch and says he’s getting better, “just old bones healing slowly” he says. The Harvest Festival is in 5 days and Daddy says we will all, Deb included, have to be helping prepare this week. Mama and I are going ahead the day before with Deb to start setting up the market stall and our smaller wares and items while Daddy and Lars will head out the morning of, leaving early with the leather goods and larger items such as crafted furniture and tools. Usually we all go together but with Daddy not moving well we have to set up the stall ourselves and this gives Mama and I time to set up without any pressure from lookers’ on. Daddy may think he’s healing okay but he’s still worried about people in town seeing him moving slow so he thinks this way will keep them from suspecting too much. “An injured man cannot provide quality work, and cannot provide for his family.” I prayed last night to the Goddess that everything will be okay. The Awakening may not have done anything for me but maybe prayer will.

21st day of Sol, 181 year of N.T. Harvest Full Moon

Mama, Deb and I are all packed up and fixing to leave for town. We get to stay at an inn! We’ve never not stayed at our own place, and I know it’s just in town which isn’t anywhere new but it feels exciting. The inn in town is not much, but it’s nice enough and large enough to house traveling merchants every festival season along with any business and people that follow. While Mama says she’s glad I’m writing in here, I’m not allowed to bring it with me in case it gets lost or left behind. “You should never leave your thoughts lying around for other’s to find, they are yours to keep and treasure.” I understand this but hope I can remember everything that happens and write it all down I love the town festivals and getting to meet all the strange people from strange lands. Although this year I’ll be more tied down at our market stall since Daddy won’t be able to unload and stand around much to sell wares. Anyways, we are about to leave so we can get to town before the sun fully sets. I can’t wait to write about the Festival when we return!

Althea

[seagoatapothecary]

Sometimes Spells Are Lazy

Yes it’s true that the most intent you can put into a spell or ritual is only going to increase it’s power and effect. However, I feel like there’s a bit of math involved in this in the sense that the effect is still equal to the amount of intent you put in based on the actual amount of energy you have in store. For me this explains why there are times the simplest, seemingly least thoughtful spells almost have the most immediate and effective results. A children’s silly rhyme sometimes has more of a “POW” than your two hour long, researched, reviewed, and memorized ritual and spell simply because you had no energy to really give at the end of it whereas the childish two-line rhyme works wonders because that was all there was to put into it to begin with. An example using plants is like this: rainfall could drown a plant in water and it will do nothing for it, if not harm the plant because there was no need for THAT much output, but a plant can get one drop of water in a drought and it will spring new growth within a day because that’s exactly all it needed and all the environment could afford to give it at the time.

The message I’m trying to get across is don’t feel guilty about not being able to put in what feels like a bare minimum into your thoughts, spells, or actions for the day. If all you can afford is a simple smile and hello and that’s as positive of energy as you can muster, then so be it. For me, my lazy spell today was disposing of my clipped nails which usually involves a little more of a thought-out intent to banish negativity or bad habits or the such followed by a well-worded recitation, however today all I could muster was a quick:

“Down the toilet you go, and my bad energy is gone.”

Not sure I could even call it childish, even a kid has enough imagination and whimsy to make it rhyme and I couldn’t push it that far. Interesting enough I had that thought as I said my spell and watched my nail clippings swirl down the drain, and I laughed. How funny that even in my adult years and all the experience and knowledge I can say I’ve gained in life so far, I couldn’t even muster a rhyming phrase this morning? But there it was, it worked. I laughed, I smiled at my silliness, and the bad energy was gone.

Sometimes spells are lazy, but sometimes lazy works.

[seagoatapothecary]

[seagoatapothecary]

🍂🎃 I love October ✨🍁

[seagoatapothecary]

[seagoatapothecary]

A Witch's Misery - An Excerpt

Chapter 1 - Walking Fine Lines at 29

As usual, my colon woke me up around 6:28am for a visit to the bathroom. Birthday or not my body was like "A1 since day one biiiitch" and early morning bowel movements kicking at my insides have always been there; today was no different or special. Actually I lied, my birthday did start off without bowel movements. Lets backtrack a few hours:

Fuse woke me, or rather their awful, siren of an alarm woke me, and they immediately began a loud chorus of "Happy Birthday" to which I had to quickly gather myself and compose a face of being half-asleep & showing shocked glee instead of blasting them with a death causing curse, as was my initial instinct.

I hate birthdays.

Fuse beamed down at me with self-righteous glee as they projected their unusually boisterous tone at me.

"There's a bowl loaded for the birthday boy!" They said with pride as they pointed towards the colossus of a bong sitting bedside, whose grungy glass bowl was now packed full with cannabis and dusted with fine, powdery keef. I rolled over and laying on my right side, propped up on one arm, I flashily snapped my fingers causing a hissing spark followed by a small burst of green flame immediately coming off my left thumb.

"Oooo okay show off." Fuse playfully responded as they retracted their hand that had previously been holding out a lighter for me. While we both knew it wasn't wholly impressive compared to what else I could snap into (or out of) existence, it still warranted the reaction I was going for. I sucked up my hit and exhaled. Coughing hysterically, sparks began popping off my fingers as I realized I still had a fire going.

Make a wish.

I blew out the sparks on my hand, and composing myself, rolled back over and fell asleep without a word.

Now back to 6:28 this morning. Pooping. Followed by a series of back and forth trips until the time of 8:23am, which were separated by periods of laying on the air mattress bed we had "curated" several months ago and reflecting on all the fine lines I walked on, crossed, and completely obliterated over the past 29 cycles around the sun.

Fuse is who decided we "curated" the our bed. The real story is we found it behind a nearby dumpster.

This was the first of these fine lines. The next was one I never had control of and would walk on carefully for the rest of my life, unfortunately, because it began with my parents. See not only am I the product of a witch & a human but my conception itself was a secret, and once my grandparents did find out they weren't exactly, thrilled. About any of it. See half-witches are taboo because 99% are born as humans with nothing unique about them at all, no offense mortals. But the remaining 1% are born with, well, very strange gifts. Usually leading to madness or overall consumption by the ability (or abilities). And let's just say my parents kept me a secret for a reason. According to my mother, from just a few weeks of being conceived I was already providing an immense of magic overload for her causing a shift in her own gifts and causing her and my father to immediately swear off telling ANYONE. Obviously, the secrecy didn't exactly last long.

[seagoatapothecary]

Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread

1 cup Flour (abundance, prosperity, grounding) ¼ cup Sugar (attraction) 1 stick of Butter (calming, strength, glamour, purification) ¼ teaspoon Salt (cleansing, protection, banishment) ¼ cup dried Cranberries (healing, protection, love, divination) ¼ cup Pistachios (curse breaking, influence, warding) ½ teaspoon Almond Extract (mental clarity, abundance, healing) 1 tablespoon Orange Juice (happiness, strength, abundance, attraction)

(vegetarian)🥄

[seagoatapothecary]

In your day to day interactions, you may be exchanging energy with other people, places, and situations. Your energy field is ALWAYS interacting with the energy fields of others. Even if you aren’t actively trying to do this - your energy field has to be in sensing mode so that you can effectively pick up on things, like valuable warning signs from creeps.

This is why recalling your energy is IMPORTANT. When we don’t recall we tend to feel fatigued physically and spiritually.

[seagoatapothecary]

🌿💚Healing Herb Roasted Root Vegetables

2 Parsnips or Turnips (health, love, prosperity, manifestation, protection) 3-4 Purple Beets (love, healing, longevity) 3-4 Golden Beets (healing, longevity, happiness) 1 Butternut Squash (protection, warding, longevity, luck, love) 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (healing, peace, protection) 2 teaspoons Lemon Juice (warding, purifying, cleansing, healing) ½ cup Fresh Herbs-  Rosemary (cleansing, purifying, healing, protection)  Oregano (healing, luck, protection, love, happiness)  Sage (cleansing, protection, balance, warding, healing)  Thyme (purification, protection, positivity)  Parsley (divination, spirit work, protection, strength) Sea Salt (cleansing, protection, banishment) Black Pepper (banishment, protection, warding)

(vegetarian.vegan.gf)🥄

[seagoatapothecary]

✨November Dreams✨

[seagoatapothecary]

I haven’t seen anyone make a post like this so here goes

this is a post for all severely depressed people who can’t channel their depression into anything “creative”, who have abandoned their hobbies for months or years because of the lack of energy and motivation, for those who keep rewatching old stuff over and over because getting into new things costs energy, for those who struggle having and keeping interests because the fog in the brain makes everything feel dull and nothing feels special. For everyone missing the pre-depression days of binging a show or obsessing over a video game or having it inspire you. It can be hard being on this website full of creative and passionate people (no shade) talking and sharing interests when you don’t even see the point of getting out of bed. All we can do is hope it’ll get better one day. Let’s not lose this hope. It will be okay, it has to. ��️‍🩹

[seagoatapothecary]

scrolling twitter today and then coming over here is like walking out of a burning building and then walking into the calm remains of a building that burnt down 5 years ago and has been reclaimed by nature.

[seagoatapothecary]

NaNoWriMo WIP RE-Intro:

Lights of Abahd

Genre: YA, fantasy, adventure

Themes: magic, violence, politics, lgbtq+, spiritualism, mythology

Goal: 50,000 words (personal challenge: 75,000)

Status: Outlining/Second Draft

Synopsis: The Arch Mage of Thar’bon is seen as the most powerful mage in the kingdom. Leading the High Council and the Order of Mages, they are tasked with the safety of every citizen in the kingdom, and keeping order between the Great Houses. Always the head of the legendary mage family, House Abahd, members of their family have a monumental reputation to support.

Grandsons of the current Arch Mage, Aranthol and Alameric, have those same high expectations on them. Upon coming of age, the dutiful Aran, and reckless Meric, are inducted into the illustrious Order of Mages. Passing their trials, they are assigned to the same squad of mages, led by elder brother, Aran.

It’s a turbulent time in Thar’bon. The Crown Prince struck down in his prime. Crime at an all time high in the capitol, and numbers are low in the Order. As their squad is tasked with investigating thefts at important magical sites throughout the kingdom, a string of gruesome attacks strikes the Great Houses of Thar’bon. The Abahd brothers must put their differences aside and come together to forge their own destinies, and save Thar’bon.

“Lights of Abahd” is a magical story of two brothers trying to find their place in a magical world where their purpose seems predestined. Join Aran and Meric as they navigate this magical world and fight to defend their people.

~~~~

Main Characters

Aranthol “Aran” Abahd of Cauthuun, 19 - Light Magic/Battle Mage

“Our family needs us, why can’t you see that, brother? They need to us to be strong, not for them, not forselves, but for the Kingdom; for our people. Everything we are is because of this family .”

As the elder brother, Aran is seen as the future of the Abahd Family. Responsible and stoic, but a fierce combatant, his natural aptitude for magic and skill in battle make him a excellent new addition for the Order of Mages, and future successor to the hereditary title of Arch Mage…but is that where his heart is?

Alameric “Meric” Abahd of Cauthuun, 18 - Eye Magic & Empath/Support Mage

“My path is my own. I will forge my own destiny, one where I put myself first, not my surname. Who do they think I am? My father? My brother? Never.”

Meric is only a year younger than his brother, and the black sheep of his family. He’s a free spirit, with a wicked mind and sharp tongue, with more skill than he shows. But being the younger, rebellious grandson of the Arch Mage isn’t good for the family image…but what does he care?

Adolphia “Doll” Seran of Vyrth, 18 - Blade/Portal Magic & Empath/Battle Mage

“We of House Seran don’t cower behind our fathers’ name or position.”

Adolphia is the over-achieving daughter of the Head of House Seran. Heir to her mother’s seat, she has worked hard to prove her worth to her mother, and the rest of the kingdom, and there is little that she will let stand in her way.

Emon, 20 - Necromancer/Rogue Mage

“Necromancy is an art, just like yours. I was born with my magic, it’s branded on me like—like your name. Without your magic, you have your Houses. Without my magic? I am nothing.”

Mysterious and aloof, Emon works as a thief and professional grave robber. His ability to summon the dead and reanimate corpses makes him a powerful mage, but it’s his wicked mind and ruthlessness that make him a sinister foe.

Sana Slumstotter, 18 - Nature Magic & Healer/Support Mage

“You choose who you are. I don’t mean shape-shifting; who you really are, where you go, the life you lead. No one else should make that decision for you.”

Sana, born a little boy to a peasant woman in a slum of Thar’bon known as Grimebay, new who she really was from a young age. With no formal last name or training, Sana uses her skills as a healer and influence over nature to be inducted into the Order.

Ilerion DeClare, 18 - Time Magic/Battle Mage

"Underestimate me again and I'll shove your words back in your highborn mouth."

Born into a mediocre house from the highlands, Ilerion is determined to make something of himself. His goal is to ascend the ranks of the order, and gain his house greater status and glory.

————————————————————-

I'll be posting more world building including a map, character outlines (and astrological profiles!!!), lore and much much more!!! I'm finishing nano this year 😬 please let me know if you want to be added to a tag list!

Check out my other projects here

and

Clips and more from my book, The Blade of Arandus

[seagoatapothecary]

NaNo Character Intro:

Aranthol Augustus Hesikai Abahd, 2nd Heir to the Archmage

Titles: Lord of Cauthuun

Order of Mages Branch/Rank: Rangers; Captain

Age: 19

Ethnicity: Alosi/Bressian

Culture(s): Copper Alosi/Hillmen

Relatives: Alameric Abahd (brother), Lord Alasare Abahd (father), Evianna Beryl (mother), Lord Commander Augustus Abahd (grandfather)

Friends: Adolphia Seran, Sana Slumstotter, Ilerion DeClare, Emon (love interest)

Enemies: Emon, Crown Prince Hyperion (rival)

Heir: Alameric Abahd

Appearance & Character

Aran considers himself quite average looking, with light brown skin, deep brown eyes and curly black hair cut short. He's shorter than most mages, around 5'8", but makes up for it with a stout, powerful frame.

He dresses modestly; his casual attire consisting of a simple red tunic, with black trousers and boots. While on duty, he dons a sleeveless fitted black shirt, black tights and boots, with the traditional leather armor of the Ranger division of the Order of Mages.

Aran is level headed, modest, responsible and hard working, soft spoken, and has simple pleasures and few trivial wants. He is openly kind to common folk, and has a strong sense of duty that sometimes supersedes his own wants and desires. He is dedicated and resilient, and understands his future role as the Archmage, and it’s importance to the kingdom, but would rather just blend into the ranks of the Order. He’s extremely low maintenance compared to most nobles, with only one personal attendant that he uses mostly to supply him with snacks. Despite his stoic nature, Aran is a fierce combatant, enjoying the rush of battle. Aran is a natural leader and honorable to a fault. He does not have the most tactical mind, Aran will always put his team in a position to succeed, and himself in a position to sacrifice himself if necessary. He can be shrewd and cold when it comes to his responsibilities, and ruthless in battle. He also has a fiery temper that he inherited from his father, Alasare. Though he’s called dense and a “brute” by his brother, Aran is surprisingly thoughtful, and has a tendency to daydream, a habit he garnered from his mother, Evianna.

Aran has a large appetite, which he attributes to his high capacity for mana. The more magic he uses, the more famished he is. Aran is also gay and has no real attraction to women. He is troubled by this, as the title of Archmage is hereditary and another part of his duty is to produce an heir himself.

Magic & Abilities

Light Magic - Aran has the ability to absorb and store light, and express it using his mana. He is his strongest in direct light, such as sunlight, and on rare occasion, moonlight.

Photokinesis - Aran can manipulate light as he sees fit. He can shape the light into anything within the range of his imagination, such as weapons, rods of light, domes and walls for defense, and more. He can also produce powerful blasts of pure light magic. However, he does not have an acute control over his mana, and thus cannot produce large or intricate light structures when he is moving.

Light Augmentation - Aran can apply his light magic to different parts of his body in order to enhance his strength, speed and durability. He can also empower weapons, causing them to glow with bright light and raise to high temperatures that burn can burn flesh. This requires very little mana control, thus making it Aran's main fighting style.

Sensing - Due to his very calm, still mind, Aran is a natural and powerful sensor mage. He is able to sense the mana of others from several miles away, and recognize familiar mana signatures.

Skills

Expert Combatant - Aran has been trained in several styles of hand to hand combat, and with a variety of weapons, thought Meric is better with small blades. He the better at hand to hand, able to easily subdue opponents without magic.

Shield - Aran received a shield from his grandfather as a gift for being inducted into the Order of Mages. Aran uses his light magic to augment the durability off the shield, and sharpness of the edges. Due to a charm placed by his grandfather, the shield slowly collects magic that makes contact with it.

High Mana Levels

Aran is a High Magic mage, with an extremely high capacity for magic, able to pull heaps of mana from the mana pool at once. He rarely runs out of mana, and is seen as a prodigy in his generation because of this.

Weakeness

Low Mana Control - While being a prodigy in High Magic, Aran has very little skill in Mundane magic, as his ability to spin minute amount of mana is lacking. He has very little acute control over his magic, and thus things like charms, potion making and warding are quite difficult for him.

Average intelligence - Aran is notoriously pretty dense and is never the sharpest in the room. He has a simple, straight forward mind and way of thinking, which can cause issues in complex situations that do not require punching and kicking.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Up next, Aran's younger brother, Meric Abahd!

More about The Lights of Abahd!

Let me know if you'd like to be added to a tag list!

[seagoatapothecary]

NaNoWriMo - An Excerpt from “The Talahrians”

Genesis of Talah

When the world began, it was but a sparkle. A twinkle in the eye of the universe, and in one moment when it wasn’t there, it exploded into existence and then it was; and for a time that’s all it was. It floated meaningless, empty, and quiet in the grand darkness of the universe. Then in the next moment the darkness in its grand observation of all it was, noticed a new speck. The universe was delighted, for all the specks before it had gone and no longer existed within its deep folds. It noticed the silent solitude of the speck and in grief cried mighty waters that flooded down onto it, creating endless deep and dark oceans harboring entities that new no forms or substance.

Curiosity struck the depths of the universe’s mind and it opened its eyes, shining down moonlight from its orbs, illuminating the waters enough for it to see the speck drowning in the sorrow of its own tears and how the moonlight called to the shapeless horrors below. Thus the universe created the first of its new children, deciding to mold one single child unlike any other it had before, and of its mind birthed the brightest Star-child the universe had ever known in its grand existence. This child was named Atrom. It hailed down onto the speck a piercing light that seared and burned the dark nothingness below the waters and chased them back into the universe where they had come from. Atrom was so bright it evaporated the sorrowful waters and revealed the barren, desolate surface of the speck. They felt lonely and sad as it’s mother once did, and in understanding this loneliness the universe birthed its next four children, the lesser Stars: the first being Tene, the Fire-starter, the Blaze of Creation, made from the flames of Atrom and in the image of its sibling; second, Speur, the Star-gazer, the Storm of Creation, made to observe its older siblings and enlighten its next two Star-kin, the twins Usge and Klak, the Ocean-maker and the Stone-shaper, and the Blood and Hammer of Creation, both whom were husband-wives to each other and spent their first lives forging the essences of them and their older siblings Atrom and Speur with that of the speck through the Forge of Creation, producing the life-force known as Talah, the Life-bringer, and the Spark of Creation that birthed all the known races that dwell along its surface.

Before the races crawled out of their holes and ran across Talah, the Star-children together with their Earth-child made the shapely land with Klak’s hammer, and filled its valleys with the blue, spirit-rich waters of Usge. Speur brought blankets of clouds and stars that bursted with rain and shielded Talah from the harshest of Atrom’s light. Lush forests and fields began to form and wild beasts sprang forth from the sky and emerged from the sea, calling attention to the Sleeping Children under Talah’s thick crust. That’s when we came clawing and grasping for the surface world, and for a time walked like lost children along Talah. Tene became jealous of their siblings Creation and, not seeing their own hand in any of it, dropped its flames onto Talah, singeing its surface. Some of the First to Wake caged this fire and learned to use it in their magics and inventions. These people began to call themselves the Tenets, in honor of Tene, and followed the Will of the Flame. Some of the other First Races saw their kin’s love of fire and felt the power was too destructive and must be balanced and restrained. These peoples splintered off and became the Speurfolk, the Usgemer, and the Klakmer. Each named for the Star-child they followed across Talah. The Tenets became enamored with their fire magics and stayed with the caged Flames of Tene across Talah’s surface. The Usgemer seeking forbidden magics and knowledge in the depths of Usge’s waters, built their kingdom as vast and vibrant as the oceans they inhabit. The Klakmer found special stones and ores in the high mountains and deep caverns of Klak’s rugged lands, and became just ashard and sturdy as their stone halls. Lastly, the Speurfolk found their homes in the ever-changing winds, choosing to become one with the realm of Speur and remaining solely in the skies above Talah, far from their kins reach.

Because of our separation, a darkness formed within Talah, feeling abandoned as a mother to the First Children and began to fill this Void with a new creation, an old one that stalked the universe long before the Star-children were born, and unknown to them and the First Races, except for Atrom who’s first memory was vanquishing the Sleeping Shadow that now grew quietly inside Talah. After time had passed and further dissonance grew between the First Children, so did the Sleeping Shadow, until one day it burst forth from Talah, creeping across her surface and claiming the realm of the Shadows for their own. The First Children all sought to vanquish them on their own, each exhausting the strengths of their magics until the Shadow overcame them all. Atrom watched this and pleaded to the universe for aid, hopin the universe would help the once empty speck, now filled with life, as it had before. The universe, knowing it’s only intervention was to eliminate the Shadow by eliminating the life before it, continued to stare in silence at the struggle of the First Children. Atrom continued to plead with their mother, who finally spoke, but being so vast and so great, lost her voice in its own space, Atrom was the only to hear the message: “Atrom’s light is Shadows blight”. Atrom called out to its siblings but to no avail, as each were marked by Shadow and could no longer see Atrom’s light. In Atrom’s last attempt to gain their attention, they sent a radiant beam down catching alight the branches of a single tree in white-gold flame. However, the Star-children and the First Races continued their focus on the Shadows that plagued each of their domains, unknowing that the ignorance and growing distance from each other was part of the Shadows effect on them as well. Atrom continued to circle Talah’s surface along with the moon-eyes of the universe, now called Dorcha and Solas , hoping that one of the First Children or their Star-siblings would see their burning message.

[seagoatapothecary]

NaNoWriMo WIP RE-Intro:

Lights of Abahd

Genre: YA, fantasy, adventure

Themes: magic, violence, politics, lgbtq+, spiritualism, mythology

Goal: 50,000 words (personal challenge: 75,000)

Status: Outlining/Second Draft

Synopsis: The Arch Mage of Thar’bon is seen as the most powerful mage in the kingdom. Leading the High Council and the Order of Mages, they are tasked with the safety of every citizen in the kingdom, and keeping order between the Great Houses. Always the head of the legendary mage family, House Abahd, members of their family have a monumental reputation to support.

Grandsons of the current Arch Mage, Aranthol and Alameric, have those same high expectations on them. Upon coming of age, the dutiful Aran, and reckless Meric, are inducted into the illustrious Order of Mages. Passing their trials, they are assigned to the same squad of mages, led by elder brother, Aran.

It’s a turbulent time in Thar’bon. The Crown Prince struck down in his prime. Crime at an all time high in the capitol, and numbers are low in the Order. As their squad is tasked with investigating thefts at important magical sites throughout the kingdom, a string of gruesome attacks strikes the Great Houses of Thar’bon. The Abahd brothers must put their differences aside and come together to forge their own destinies, and save Thar’bon.

“Lights of Abahd” is a magical story of two brothers trying to find their place in a magical world where their purpose seems predestined. Join Aran and Meric as they navigate this magical world and fight to defend their people.

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Main Characters

Aranthol “Aran” Abahd of Cauthuun, 19 - Light Magic/Battle Mage

“Our family needs us, why can’t you see that, brother? They need to us to be strong, not for them, not forselves, but for the Kingdom; for our people. Everything we are is because of this family .”

As the elder brother, Aran is seen as the future of the Abahd Family. Responsible and stoic, but a fierce combatant, his natural aptitude for magic and skill in battle make him a excellent new addition for the Order of Mages, and future successor to the hereditary title of Arch Mage…but is that where his heart is?

Alameric “Meric” Abahd of Cauthuun, 18 - Eye Magic & Empath/Support Mage

“My path is my own. I will forge my own destiny, one where I put myself first, not my surname. Who do they think I am? My father? My brother? Never.”

Meric is only a year younger than his brother, and the black sheep of his family. He’s a free spirit, with a wicked mind and sharp tongue, with more skill than he shows. But being the younger, rebellious grandson of the Arch Mage isn’t good for the family image…but what does he care?

Adolphia “Doll” Seran of Vyrth, 18 - Blade/Portal Magic & Empath/Battle Mage

“We of House Seran don’t cower behind our fathers’ name or position.”

Adolphia is the over-achieving daughter of the Head of House Seran. Heir to her mother’s seat, she has worked hard to prove her worth to her mother, and the rest of the kingdom, and there is little that she will let stand in her way.

Emon, 20 - Necromancer/Rogue Mage

“Necromancy is an art, just like yours. I was born with my magic, it’s branded on me like—like your name. Without your magic, you have your Houses. Without my magic? I am nothing.”

Mysterious and aloof, Emon works as a thief and professional grave robber. His ability to summon the dead and reanimate corpses makes him a powerful mage, but it’s his wicked mind and ruthlessness that make him a sinister foe.

Sana Slumstotter, 18 - Nature Magic & Healer/Support Mage

“You choose who you are. I don’t mean shape-shifting; who you really are, where you go, the life you lead. No one else should make that decision for you.”

Sana, born a little boy to a peasant woman in a slum of Thar’bon known as Grimebay, new who she really was from a young age. With no formal last name or training, Sana uses her skills as a healer and influence over nature to be inducted into the Order.

Ilerion DeClare, 18 - Time Magic/Battle Mage

"Underestimate me again and I'll shove your words back in your highborn mouth."

Born into a mediocre house from the highlands, Ilerion is determined to make something of himself. His goal is to ascend the ranks of the order, and gain his house greater status and glory.

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I'll be posting more world building including a map, character outlines (and astrological profiles!!!), lore and much much more!!! I'm finishing nano this year 😬 please let me know if you want to be added to a tag list!

Check out my other projects here

and

Clips and more from my book, The Blade of Arandus

[seagoatapothecary]

NaNo Character Intro:

Aranthol Augustus Hesikai Abahd, 2nd Heir to the Archmage

Titles: Lord of Cauthuun

Order of Mages Branch/Rank: Rangers; Captain

Age: 19

Ethnicity: Alosi/Bressian

Culture(s): Copper Alosi/Hillmen

Relatives: Alameric Abahd (brother), Lord Alasare Abahd (father), Evianna Beryl (mother), Lord Commander Augustus Abahd (grandfather)

Friends: Adolphia Seran, Sana Slumstotter, Ilerion DeClare, Emon (love interest)

Enemies: Emon, Crown Prince Hyperion (rival)

Heir: Alameric Abahd

Appearance & Character

Aran considers himself quite average looking, with light brown skin, deep brown eyes and curly black hair cut short. He's shorter than most mages, around 5'8", but makes up for it with a stout, powerful frame.

He dresses modestly; his casual attire consisting of a simple red tunic, with black trousers and boots. While on duty, he dons a sleeveless fitted black shirt, black tights and boots, with the traditional leather armor of the Ranger division of the Order of Mages.

Aran is level headed, modest, responsible and hard working, soft spoken, and has simple pleasures and few trivial wants. He is openly kind to common folk, and has a strong sense of duty that sometimes supersedes his own wants and desires. He is dedicated and resilient, and understands his future role as the Archmage, and it’s importance to the kingdom, but would rather just blend into the ranks of the Order. He’s extremely low maintenance compared to most nobles, with only one personal attendant that he uses mostly to supply him with snacks. Despite his stoic nature, Aran is a fierce combatant, enjoying the rush of battle. Aran is a natural leader and honorable to a fault. He does not have the most tactical mind, Aran will always put his team in a position to succeed, and himself in a position to sacrifice himself if necessary. He can be shrewd and cold when it comes to his responsibilities, and ruthless in battle. He also has a fiery temper that he inherited from his father, Alasare. Though he’s called dense and a “brute” by his brother, Aran is surprisingly thoughtful, and has a tendency to daydream, a habit he garnered from his mother, Evianna.

Aran has a large appetite, which he attributes to his high capacity for mana. The more magic he uses, the more famished he is. Aran is also gay and has no real attraction to women. He is troubled by this, as the title of Archmage is hereditary and another part of his duty is to produce an heir himself.

Magic & Abilities

Light Magic - Aran has the ability to absorb and store light, and express it using his mana. He is his strongest in direct light, such as sunlight, and on rare occasion, moonlight.

Photokinesis - Aran can manipulate light as he sees fit. He can shape the light into anything within the range of his imagination, such as weapons, rods of light, domes and walls for defense, and more. He can also produce powerful blasts of pure light magic. However, he does not have an acute control over his mana, and thus cannot produce large or intricate light structures when he is moving.

Light Augmentation - Aran can apply his light magic to different parts of his body in order to enhance his strength, speed and durability. He can also empower weapons, causing them to glow with bright light and raise to high temperatures that burn can burn flesh. This requires very little mana control, thus making it Aran's main fighting style.

Sensing - Due to his very calm, still mind, Aran is a natural and powerful sensor mage. He is able to sense the mana of others from several miles away, and recognize familiar mana signatures.

Skills

Expert Combatant - Aran has been trained in several styles of hand to hand combat, and with a variety of weapons, thought Meric is better with small blades. He the better at hand to hand, able to easily subdue opponents without magic.

Shield - Aran received a shield from his grandfather as a gift for being inducted into the Order of Mages. Aran uses his light magic to augment the durability off the shield, and sharpness of the edges. Due to a charm placed by his grandfather, the shield slowly collects magic that makes contact with it.

High Mana Levels

Aran is a High Magic mage, with an extremely high capacity for magic, able to pull heaps of mana from the mana pool at once. He rarely runs out of mana, and is seen as a prodigy in his generation because of this.

Weakeness

Low Mana Control - While being a prodigy in High Magic, Aran has very little skill in Mundane magic, as his ability to spin minute amount of mana is lacking. He has very little acute control over his magic, and thus things like charms, potion making and warding are quite difficult for him.

Average intelligence - Aran is notoriously pretty dense and is never the sharpest in the room. He has a simple, straight forward mind and way of thinking, which can cause issues in complex situations that do not require punching and kicking.

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Up next, Aran's younger brother, Meric Abahd!

More about The Lights of Abahd!

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