Worldbuilding Wednesday - Scripts and Legends

After years of wondering how to make my own fonts (but never really getting around to it) I at last put in some time and found "MyScriptFont" - and it worked! Today I am as giddy as can be and am proud to give the first glimpse of how a text would look written in the Midland Alphabet (also the one which most of the Keepers use). It still needs a bit of work, but below is the Legend of the Tellerassar's Cry in the script. (Below the picture is the legend. It can also be read over here, with some of the other legends over here and here.)

Epic nerdy goodness!

Why the Tellerassar’s Cry is so Mournful

It all happened on the day on which Ikaira, fleeing the Kingdom of Guldargan with his people, was trapped in a gorge near the Great River, which flows across the breadth of the Midlands of Airthai. A clear river flowed from crevices at the far end of the gorge, the water cutting deep into the light coloured rock as it rushed towards the Great River. Ikaira realized that there was no way for his followers to escape and that they would all surely perish at the hand of King Markus’ soldiers who were by this time driven mad with bloodlust for their hunted quarry. He called out to the Creator, begging him to save his people from Markus’ wrath.

They watched with horror as the soldiers approached, and some of Ikaira’s followers tried to climb up the steep sides of the gorge, but all slid on smooth boulders or loose rocks and fell to the bottom with horrible cries. Again Ikaira prayed and begged, joined by his people, for they saw their deaths approach.

Even as they pushed the women and children to the back of the group a mist began to form around them. The strange mist rose from the deep waters, becoming thicker and thicker as it rose until the group was hidden from sight. Each of Ikaira’s followers felt a strangeness overcome them as their bodies changed and moulded to the forms of eagles.  

Ikaira and his followers beat their wings and soared into the sky. But the archers among the soldiers of Markus nocked their barbed arrows and shot a volley towards the mist and, when the eagles rose above the mist, another volley was ordered.

Only six of Ikaira’s followers were hit, but among them was Alaila – the young woman Ikaira dearly loved and to whom he was engaged. With a shriek she fell from the sky, turning back into her human form. Ikaira saw her blue-clothed form disappear into the fog above the river.

Driven back from the river by the soldier’s arrows, Ikaira’s followers headed north at the command of his call – the language that they all could now understand. But Ikaira stayed behind, landing on a tree on the edge of the cliff, his heart broken in countless pieces and unable to understand why he had been saved and Alaila had not. When his breast could contain the grief no longer, he threw his head back and shouted her name to the heavens even as his voice was wrecked with sobs. This mournful call became the cry of all Tellerassar.

And to this day the Tellerassar’s cry as it flies above rivers and lakes haunts all those who hear it. It is even said by some that Ikaira still lives on in a ghostly form, always returning to the gorge and the river where Alaila perished, still seeker his love. Only when he at last finds her would his soul finally be at rest.

Holt Haliern – Library and Sanctuary of Airtha

Holt Haliern was built before the Great Sundering, in the youth of the world even before the dragons had first appeared. In the centre of the great continent was a large mound of stone and it was this that the Airus took and shaped into a great hall with many rooms and floors. Large caverns and passages were opened to where a great river flowed underground. The stonework was so intricate that nothing of the like has been made since by any living in Airtha. This sanctuary – Haliern – stood as a beacon of light on the plains of the Midlands. At this time the woodland around it was sparse and the Great Wood had not come into being to hide it from the world.

All kinds of valuables and artifacts were brought to Haliern from all over the continent, but the greatest treasures were the books. The earliest of the manuscripts told the stories of the creation of Airtha and how the world came to look as it is. Others were academic treatises, written by the old masters and delivered, bound in great jeweled covers, by messengers. 

Soon the library at Haliern became the greatest in all of Airtha and the people who the Airus had chosen to take care of the great halls saw that this would be the greatest goal of this sanctuary – that it would not only be a place of learning, but also a place of memory. They saw that dark clouds had gathered on the horizon and knew that the Light would not always shine so resiliently in the world. They also knew that there would have to be a place where they would be able to keep the knowledge and memory of the Light alive.

Many of the messengers who carried the books over the whole of the continent were asked to give their services to Haliern alone. These Knowledge Seekers searched the length and breadth of Airtha for books and knowledge and had strong ties to the Seekers of the south; those who had turned against the Lewjan and left the Shadow behind to search of truth. Of one of these Knowledge Seekers, a great lay is still told of in the Midlands and Western Lands. Filled with sorrow, but also hope, it became one of the great legends still known in the later days when much sadness and shadow had covered the lands and hope was all but lost.

Yet Holt Haliern remained throughout the long ages of the world. The books in the libraries were written, copied, and kept safe from those who wished to destroy it. It served again as a sanctuary during the Time of Tears when the Second Sundering ripped the Continent apart. But, by the time of the Third Sundering of the lands of Airtha, the glory of Holt Haliern had faded. It still stood within the great forest of Brenoth, but was all but forgotten by the people of Airtha. Most who remembered the name Holt Haliern believed it to be nothing more than an old legend. The scholars of Holt Haliern rarely ventured from the confines of their halls and the Knowledge Seekers travelled in secrecy; seen as thieves and dark magicians by most who encountered them. This was the darkest time for Holt Haliern and would last for many generations after the Third Sundering until the shadow from all of Airtha started to lift. 

(Stock photos from Stock .xchng)

Worldbuilding Wednesday - The Midland Wars

(To read part one of the Midland Wars, click here.)

Part 2 - Sanctuaries

When great swathes of the Southern Fields burned in war, the survivors went to the Keepers of Eamidthéo, the great Keepers’ House which stood beyond the river which was then called the Agréarg*, but in later ages would be called the Ameragh River, in honour of the Lady Ameragh** after whom this House was also later named.

The people chose two leaders to go ahead and speak to the Keepers, one from Guldargan and one from Treddian. They crossed the wooden bridge and asked to speak to the Wíslic. As they told their story to the Wíslic and the Elders of the House, the Keepers took pity on them and decided that a sanctuary would be made for the people. But, knowing that there were a very many people in the Midlands who were suffering, the Keepers decided that the refugees would be given land free of charge if they would agree to share their surplus food with the others of the Midlands, regardless of the kingdom they belonged too. The two leaders returned to their people and told them what the Keepers had said.
Many had been disillusioned by the cost of ongoing wars of greed they cared little for and said that they would share what surplus they had with others in need if it would mean that they could live in peace. But others were unhappy and said that they would just become the Keepers’ slaves. These people moved further east, towards the mountains, where they settled close to the border of Morgeneard.

Those who wished to stay moved across the river to the lands east of the House of the Keepers. Here they formed a new people and built new homes. Through their hard work the land produced a bounty of food and they were able to keep many in the Midlands from hunger and starvation during these dark years. They were the first who were known as the People of the Keepers to those of the Midlands and beyond and some of the greatest healers and scholars have come from among them.

During this time the Keepers of the Midlands guarded their lands and those parts now known as the Sanctuaries closely. While the Eastern Keepers – on the eastern coast of the Continent – had long since had their own guards and soldiers and all the Eastern Keepers were taught some form of self-defence or the use of a weapon, the Houses of the Midlands only served as repositories of knowledge and though many diplomatic talks between kingdoms or parties were undertaken, they had not needed to resort to violence. In the future, however, and most notably during the battles with the Fáll, they became an integral part in the keeping of peace in the Midlands.  

Sanctuaries were formed around the Houses of the Keepers of Eamidthéo in the south as well as Théotriewe in the north. The Keepers’ House of Holt Haliern, however, had been hidden in the Great Wood for many centuries and there was no land around it which could be made a Sanctuary quite like that of the other houses and only took in a few people which they would then lead to one of the other Sanctuaries. Holt Haliern, however, already had one of the greatest of libraries in the Continent and scholars of all the kingdoms embroiled in war sent their most prized texts and copies of their texts to the House for safekeeping.

Photo courtesy of nkzs at http://www.sxc.hu

*Agréarg (a-gree-argh) was an ancient name, literally meaning “River of the Grey Mountains”, the Grey Mountains being the name of the southern part of the great mountain range which formed the border of the Midlands in the east – from the border of Morgeneard southward. 

**Ameragh was the Wíslic of Eamidthéo, who calmed the dragon Skáhag. Read more about her here and here. She is remembered in the sad song “The Maiden of the Stars”.

Maps, maps and more maps!

I'm putting some finishing touches on a few small maps to illustrate this part of the history - holding thumbs that I'll have them finished by Friday... otherwise I'll have them ready for next week's Worldbuilding Wednesday. 

Worldbuilding Wednesday: The Wíslic and the Elders

I’ve been reviewing my old wolrdbuilding posts and stories a bit while working on a major part of Airthai’s history. So, before some more new fiction and worldbuilding next week, here is a look back at some of the other important women of Airthai – it’s not just the Rún whoplay a big role in the world.

Last week I had a look at the Houses of the Keepers of Airthai. This week I’ll tackle part of the hierarchy of the Keepers: the Wíslic and the Elders. The Keepers started on the eastern coast of the Continent, in the lands of the Saerímavolk; and it is with them that today’s post gets under way.

The Wíslic and Elders of the Saerímavolk

Because most of the men of the Saerímavolk towns would leave the land each day for the sea, one of the women of the town would be chosen to act as the leader of the town. She was well-skilled in various kinds of knowledge; including the laws of her people and the ways of healing. Called the Wíslic, she would see to it that the town is run well, disputes are settled and trading is fair.

Various others – usually older than forty – would be chosen to help her in her work and provide schooling for the children of the town. These people were called the Elders and consisted of both men and women. Because the men were ‘married to the sea’ they were mostly called upon in these matters, while the women handled the land disputes and matters. Some even referred to them as ‘Sea Elders’ and ‘Land Elders’.

The most gifted of the girls were tutored further and then, of these young women, seven were chosen. Later one of the seven would be chosen as Wíslic by the people of the town. Although the daughter of a Wíslic may also become a Wíslic, this was not a strict tradition and had to be earned.

The Wíslic and the Elders of the Keepers

The hierarchy of the Keepers worked in much the same way as that of the Saerímavolk, as the Keepers were modeled on this hierarchy when it was started.  The Wíslic of a House, however, could also be a man. The Wíslic was chosen from among the Healers and the Scholars most of the time.

The Elders of the Keepers were chosen because of their level of knowledge or skill. Although most were older in years, some had been given the rank at a young age. One of the most notable Elders was the scholar and scribe Nëane, a Ciph from Ellanda.  He was sixteen years old when he joined the Keepers and only twenty-one years old when made an Elder.

Ameragh was also very young and was made Wíslic of the House of Eamidtheo before her thirtieth birthday; making her the youngest Wíslic of a House of Keepers. 

The youngest Wíslic of a House of Keepers

From the Worldbuilding Archive: The Rún

I started working on a new (shorter...) Airthai story, and decided to revisit these Worldbuilding posts - enjoy!

Worldbuilding Airthai: The Rún

While the Shadow have the female servants called Vídolf (Women of the Dark Arts), the Light has those called the Rún (or the Hidden Ones). The Rún, like the Vídolf, consisted of far more women than men. So much so, in fact, that a male Rún was unheard of except in the southwest of the Western Lands and Western Isles; where there was one male Rún to every five female Rún. Although gifted with a special talent for healing, they were human and mortal, although they were more likely to reach the age of one hundred and twenty than other mortals. This made their life spans shorter than the average Ciph life span by only about thirty years.

Part 1 – The Name: Why the Hidden Ones?

This name was given to these women for two reasons. The first is that they usually hid in plain sight, living as just another member of the community. Only when living as one of the Keepers or as servant of one of the rich families could they wear the garments associated with the Rún with more freedom. This was because they could then be kept safe from the Servants of the Lewjan who wished always to do them harm because they held such power. Those living in villages or towns serving the Light would be referred to simply as “healers” or even “the needlewoman”, because their talents were with needle and thread. By using certain signs, depictions of living things (like plants) and words, they could make cloths that could heal wounds and illnesses that most healers can’t.

These signs, words and other depictions made into tapestries, embroideries and even sometimes lace and cords, were only known by the Rún (and is therefore hidden). The knowledge of these signs is taught orally from one Rún to the next. This means that Rún, once they are known as such, takes up apprenticeship with an older and accomplished Rún either from their own or another village or go to one of the Keepers’ Houses to learn. Holt Haliern in the Midlands and the House of Rún in the Western Lands have the Rún with the most talent and are therefore sought after places to go to and learn the language of the Rún.

The best of the Rún can fashion cloaks that make the wearer invisible to the eyes of the Lewjan servants or those who want to harm them. More than one Rún would often work on a cloth meant to heal a specific illness or wound; as it is extremely draining work. 

Unfortunately the cloths’ abilities can also be drained and can not be used indefinitely. The healing houses usually have cloths to help lessen pain, help knit bones or serve as an antidote to some poisons. These can be used for cases where the medicine available is not working or simply to ease extreme pain.  

I came across this painting by Mary Cassat, called The Young Bride in the beautiful book In Praise of the Needlewoman by Gail C. Sirna.  

Blast from the Past Worldbuilding Wednesday: Moonstruck

I've decided to post one of the most popular Worldbuilding posts from the archive for today - enjoy!

In yesterday’s Worldbuilding post, gave the meanings of the names of some of the different ‘good guys’. In another post about the Khalné, Khalvér and their students who have to choose who they want to follow and serve, one of the leading teachers – and spokesperson of the Khalvér at the occasion – wanted to ‘correct’ his equal on the Khalné’s side:

“Centuries ago when the world was still young, there were those with the Talent and they used it for the good of mankind and they were called the Khallahna. But on the day of the Battle of the Black Field there came a rent in the brotherhood of the Khallahna and the Khallahna was split into two groups. One, the Khalné, called the servants of Light. The other, the Khalvér, the servants of the Darkness.”

“I believe you mean ‘Servants of the Moon’,” Trialma interjected in the moment Parlegon paused for breath.

This name – Servants of the Moon – must be understood in the context of the world; which gives me a chance to go a bit into the symbolism of Airthai.

The sun, moon and stars

 The Keepers’ signs all contain the four stars of the main constellation used for navigation. Stars, however, were also seen as a sign from the Creator that, even with the darkening of the world, with the people’s fall and the Sundering, there is always light and hope. The Creator is also sometimes referred to as the Light. While the sun is the obvious symbol of Light during the day, the moon is the symbol of Light during the night. Because of the perceived static nature of stars and the ever-changing moon, stars came to be considered a sign of never-wavering loyalty and Light.

The waxing and waning of the moon

Like the moon waxes and wanes, so the Khalvér believe that they will never be defeated, but will always return to grow to full power once more. Other than the stars’ light, they teach that the moonlight is the true light, placing emphasis on (or highlighting if you will) everything. Moonlight is believed to be ‘concentrated’ or ‘stronger’ sunlight.

 This reasoning is especially used by the Khalvér while the students of the Khallahna are being taught and used to sway students from choosing to follow the Khalné. By choosing to serve the ‘Stronger Light’ many are led to believe that they are choosing the right way and are the true heirs of the Khallahna. Their hatred of the Ahma, however, speaks directly against this.

Worship of the moon

The twisting of the original knowledge of the Khallahna and the folklore and beliefs before the Sundering can especially be seen in the ways of the Lharna–ahna[1] people (of the northwest of the Sundered Lands), who believe that the moon is their lord and which they serve. They make an offering every new/dark moon. By doing this, they believe that they will win back their lord’s favour and ‘call back’ their lord’s face to watch them for another month.

The Lharna-ahna is one of the few peoples of Airthai who make neither a distinction between the Creator and the Lewjan as the one who they serve. The Khalvér, though sometimes referring to themselves as “Servants of the moon”, don’t worship it, but the Lewjan.

They referred to themselves as Servants of the Moon...

---

[1] Lharna – “moon”

Worldbuilding Airthai: The Rún

While the Shadow have the female servants called Vídolf (Women of the Dark Arts), the Light has those called the Rún (or the Hidden Ones). The Rún, like the Vídolf, consisted of far more women than men. So much so, in fact, that a male Rún was unheard of except in the southwest of the Western Lands and Western Isles; where there was one male Rún to every five female Rún. Although gifted with a special talent for healing, they were human and mortal, although they were more likely to reach the age of one hundred and twenty than other mortals. This made their life spans shorter than the average Ciph life span by only about thirty years.

Part 1 – The Name: Why the Hidden Ones?

This name was given to these women for two reasons. The first is that they usually hid in plain sight, living as just another member of the community. Only when living as one of the Keepers or as servant of one of the rich families could they wear the garments associated with the Rún with more freedom. This was because they could then be kept safe from the Servants of the Lewjan who wished always to do them harm because they held such power. Those living in villages or towns serving the Light would be referred to simply as “healers” or even “the needlewoman”, because their talents were with needle and thread. By using certain signs, depictions of living things (like plants) and words, they could make cloths that could heal wounds and illnesses that most healers can’t.

These signs, words and other depictions made into tapestries, embroideries and even sometimes lace and cords, were only known by the Rún (and is therefore hidden). The knowledge of these signs is taught orally from one Rún to the next. This means that Rún, once they are known as such, takes up apprenticeship with an older and accomplished Rún either from their own or another village or go to one of the Keepers’ Houses to learn. Holt Haliern in the Midlands and the House of Rún in the Western Lands have the Rún with the most talent and are therefore sought after places to go to and learn the language of the Rún.

The best of the Rún can fashion cloaks that make the wearer invisible to the eyes of the Lewjan servants or those who want to harm them. More than one Rún would often work on a cloth meant to heal a specific illness or wound; as it is extremely draining work. 


Unfortunately the cloths’ abilities can also be drained and can not be used indefinitely. The healing houses usually have cloths to help lessen pain, help knit bones or serve as an antidote to some poisons. These can be used for cases where the medicine available is not working or simply to ease extreme pain.  

They could make cloths that heal...

I came across this painting by Mary Cassat, called The Young Bride in the beautiful book In Praise of the Needlewoman by Gail C. Sirna. 

Worldbuilding Wednesday: Moonstruck - lunar folklore

In yesterday’s Worldbuilding post, gave the meanings of the names of some of the different ‘good guys’. In another post about the Khalné, Khalvér and their students who have to choose who they want to follow and serve, one of the leading teachers – and spokesperson of the Khalvér at the occasion – wanted to ‘correct’ his equal on the Khalné’s side:

“Centuries ago when the world was still young, there were those with the Talent and they used it for the good of mankind and they were called the Khallahna. But on the day of the Battle of the Black Field there came a rent in the brotherhood of the Khallahna and the Khallahna was split into two groups. One, the Khalné, called the servants of Light. The other, the Khalvér, the servants of the Darkness.”

“I believe you mean ‘Servants of the Moon’,” Trialma interjected in the moment Parlegon paused for breath.

This name – Servants of the Moon – must be understood in the context of the world; which gives me a chance to go a bit into the symbolism of Airthai.

The sun, moon and stars

 The Keepers’ signs all contain the four stars of the main constellation used for navigation. Stars, however, were also seen as a sign from the Creator that, even with the darkening of the world, with the people’s fall and the Sundering, there is always light and hope. The Creator is also sometimes referred to as the Light. While the sun is the obvious symbol of Light during the day, the moon is the symbol of Light during the night. Because of the perceived static nature of stars and the ever-changing moon, stars came to be considered a sign of never-wavering loyalty and Light.

The waxing and waning of the moon

Like the moon waxes and wanes, so the Khalvér believe that they will never be defeated, but will always return to grow to full power once more. Other than the stars’ light, they teach that the moonlight is the true light, placing emphasis on (or highlighting if you will) everything. Moonlight is believed to be ‘concentrated’ or ‘stronger’ sunlight.

 This reasoning is especially used by the Khalvér while the students of the Khallahna are being taught and used to sway students from choosing to follow the Khalné. By choosing to serve the ‘Stronger Light’ many are led to believe that they are choosing the right way and are the true heirs of the Khallahna. Their hatred of the Ahma, however, speaks directly against this.

Worship of the moon

The twisting of the original knowledge of the Khallahna and the folklore and beliefs before the Sundering can especially be seen in the ways of the Lharna–ahna[1] people (of the northwest of the Sundered Lands), who believe that the moon is their lord and which they serve. They make an offering every new/dark moon. By doing this, they believe that they will win back their lord’s favour and ‘call back’ their lord’s face to watch them for another month.

The Lharna-ahna is one of the few peoples of Airthai who make neither a distinction between the Creator and the Lewjan as the one who they serve. The Khalvér, though sometimes referring to themselves as “Servants of the moon”, don’t worship it, but the Lewjan.

They referred to themselves as Servants of the Moon...

---

[1] Lharna – “moon”

Worldbuilding Wednesday: The Wíslic and the Elders

Last week I had a look at the Houses of the Keepers of Airthai. This week I’ll tackle part of the hierarchy of the Keepers: the Wíslic and the Elders. The Keepers started on the eastern coast of the Continent, in the lands of the Saerímavolk; and it is with them that today’s post gets under way.

The Wíslic and Elders of the Saerímavolk

Because most of the men of the Saerímavolk towns would leave the land each day for the sea, one of the women of the town would be chosen to act as the leader of the town. She was well-skilled in various kinds of knowledge; including the laws of her people and the ways of healing. Called the Wíslic, she would see to it that the town is run well, disputes are settled and trading is fair.

Various others – usually older than forty – would be chosen to help her in her work and provide schooling for the children of the town. These people were called the Elders and consisted of both men and women. Because the men were ‘married to the sea’ they were mostly called upon in these matters, while the women handled the land disputes and matters. Some even referred to them as ‘Sea Elders’ and ‘Land Elders’.

The most gifted of the girls were tutored further and then, of these young women, seven were chosen. Later one of the seven would be chosen as Wíslic by the people of the town. Although the daughter of a Wíslic may also become a Wíslic, this was not a strict tradition and had to be earned.

The Wíslic and the Elders of the Keepers

The hierarchy of the Keepers worked in much the same way as that of the Saerímavolk, as the Keepers were modeled on this hierarchy when it was started.  The Wíslic of a House, however, could also be a man. The Wíslic was chosen from among the Healers and the Scholars most of the time.

The Elders of the Keepers were chosen because of their level of knowledge or skill. Although most were older in years, some had been given the rank at a young age. One of the most notable Elders was the scholar and scribe Nëane, a Ciph from Ellanda.  He was sixteen years old when he joined the Keepers and only twenty-one years old when made an Elder.

Ameragh was also very young and was made Wíslic of the House of Eamidtheo before her thirtieth birthday; making her the youngest Wíslic of a House of Keepers. 

"Ameragh was the youngest Wislic of a House of Keepers"