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Well, this is kinda random, but hey, I post about this occasionally in here anyways so why not conglomerate it?

Anyways, this is stuff that I've been working on for my novel I've been attempting to work on for a couple years now. More of it is in my head than on paper or in bits and bytes, but so far it's coming along fairly well. It's a fantasy based book.

I'll bring things up from time to time I'd like to hear feedback on. Hopefully what I write makes sense, hahaha

Please note that things in one post will most likely tie into several other posts about a variety of things. It might be a confusing web to try to take in all at once and it's difficult to write it all down here at once so I'm trying to fill in as best as I can as I go along. Just be patient and odds are I will end up posting the missing information. I'm posting a lot of the major stuff dealing with history/background/philosophies etc dealing with the novel and they tie in heavily to one another. It's quite a tangle to keep straight in my head, let alone on a computer hahaha.


Table of Contents:

Page 1, Post 1: Zedd's meager Introduction.
Page 1, Post 2: The World of Magic, Part 1.
Page 1, Post 3: The World of Magic, Part 2.
Page 1, Post 6: Gods and Spirits

More will be listed as it develops.

The World of Magic, Part 2

"Energy is the essence of existence. To become One with it, one must conceive its impotence to the fullest measure. Only then can you prove it's impotence." - Bane Della Notte, Edge Dancer

Section 1: The Edge Walker

Legends have it that long ago there was a small group of mages that were different than their brethren. These mages had abilities that seemed to go far beyond what a normal mage could do in sheer power, though each individual seemed only capable of using a single element.

These same legends state that these beings, these 'Edge Walkers' had learned a means to release their spiritual energies from the tethers attached to their physical body to travel the Astral Plane freely, leaving their body in a state of deep sleep in one location while their soul traveled about to gather information. These Edge Walkers numbered ten in total orginally, trained by a being simply known as 'Bane' for purposes that will be detailed in a later post.

To the Edge Walker, the difference between the Planes of existence is more difficult to define. They could travel the Physical Plane freely as any regular person could, but they could also travel with their soul to see lands that are too far away to travel to, to listen to conversation the people were having from the safety of the Astral Plane, where the ones they were eavesdropping on had no way of knowing of their presence.

However, should an Edge Walker stay away from their body for too long, it increases the chances of their body dying.

A powerful Edge Walker could even affect the Physical Plane from the Astral to a minor degree, causing illnesses or other discomforts on the physical aspects of their enemies while keeping their own shell safe.

An Edge Walker also has the unique ability to be able to not only use their own energies to create magic, but they can also use the energies of beings around them, both living and dead. They need very little of their own to ignite their spells.

Because of this unique ability, an Edge Walker has a nearly inexhaustable supply of energy, meaning they can go nearly indefinitely in using their magic if they can keep their concentration to do so. Also, because they can use the energies of things around them, there is no tether attaching the physical manifestation of energy to their body to keep it fueled. They can literally cause the energy manifestation to occur anywhere within their line of sight without an opposing mage having any way to identify where it will happen.

The drawback an Edge Walker acquires is the fact that they can only use a single Element. An Edge Walker that can use Fire can never use the other three Elements due to how they access the energies. This means that an Edge Walker cannot enchant items nor can they combine the elements to create other effects such as physical healing. They are more powerful than a normal mage though. Stories have circulated that it would only take a few Edge Walkers to level an entire city if they so chose to, but there is no records of how true this statement could be.

An Edge Walker can only destroy with their capabilities, and in today's day and age the legends are seen mostly as exaggeration. Edge Walkers, if they truly existed, haven't been seen in several hundred years, not since the Planar Wars when Bane Della Note and Vhalric the Phoenix still walked the world.

Section 2: Edge Dancer

The term Edge Dancer has only ever been used in reference to a single individual: Bane Della Notte.

No one knows for sure what his means, but the same legends that spoke of the Edge Walkers also spoke of their downfall by their own Master, a being of such power that he had supposedly wiped them all out in a single battle.

An Edge Dancer is a true terror. A being so entranced and engulfed in the Astral Plane that they can no longer tell the two planes apart. Many of Bane's own disciples believed he went insane at some point with this melding of the Planes in his mind, for many things he talked about made little to no sense to anyone else but him.

An Edge Dancer is a being that can not only have its soul travel one direction in the Astral Plane, but can also physically control its body in the Physical Plane at the same time, doing two entirely different things. Because of this, they can attack their enemy from both planes of existence at the same time, and affect both planes from either plane at the same time with more devastating results than an Edge Walker.

An Edge Dancer is the only Mage that can rip energies from the Astral Plane into the Physical Plane in their purest form, doing whatever they wish with it. Their powers are nearly limitless and they cannot become exhausted. They can sheer through any defense, mundane or magically created as they are using the raw energies of Creation and Destruction itself.

To clarify, an Edge Dancer can use spiritual energy in raw form or the element they could originally use. So far the only Edge Dancer that existed started as an Edge Walker before. An Edge Dancer isn't a God. They still have limitations, but they do have a lot of raw power.

The markings of an Edge Dancer are unmistakable: Their eyes take on a solid black colour, with the iris looking as though it is a giant swirling disk of stars seen from a vast distance. It is said that their eyes are windows into the vastness of the Universe in both Planes, and can draw a man's soul into their depths to be lost for eternity.

Should the legends be true, the Edge Dancer, Bane Della Notte, was slain in combat by a Knight of the Sun known as Vhalric, whom also died in the battle. It is said that the Knight's soul was reborn as the Phoenix, a holy Paladin Spirit and travels the Astral Plane in search of Bane to destroy him once and for all.

Alrighty! Lots of questions that I can hopefully fill out. I'll do the best I can on that. Hopefully I don't create any confusion.

I haven't seen Willow, so I am not familiar with the reference, sorry. The quote I used for your first question is mostly just a rough outline I've used as a reference. As to the Spock reference, I always liked Spock so I thought it fit nice.

As to the term Astral Plane used, I haven't really thought of a name for it yet and that was the first to come to mind. I've done similar with other things not mentioned as it gives me a rough reference point again until I come up with something else. I'll probably think of a better name later.

The colour of beings seen in AP are not defined by alignment so much as creature species, age of that creature, gender (changes shade slightly). Whether a creature is good or evil cannot be told by the energy they emit.

About the Astral Imprints and the AP itself. It lays directly on the physical plane itself. Think of two lights of different colours shining in the same location at different angles. Both are there and intermingle, yet both are still separate at the same time.

As for enchanting items, you described it exactly: The mage is giving some of their life essence into the item. All of a regular mage's power comes through their life energies. Every time they create fire, or cause a gust of wind they are using that energy. Same with a regular person though as they go throughout their day. When you get tired, you rest and rebuild your energies. Mages do the same thing, eventually they'll need sleep or a lot of food or they'll eventually collapse from exhaustion, or even die if they use too much.

On the quote on Bane. It's not meant to really make sense, yet it does from Bane's standpoint. Remember, his mind isn't always here all the time, the two planes are basically one and the same in his head. He doesn't see the same things a regular person does, as he sees in both planes at all times. That would affect someone seeing dead people all the time and all types of weird things relating to energy.

I haven't gone into detail on Bane Della Notte, so I can fill that in. Originally I came across the name using a language translater program. I wanted another species in the story that is seen very rarely, and I ended up going with Vampire. Cliche, I know, but I have it tied into a lot of stuff so it makes sense on why there are Vampires about. "Bane Della Notte" roughly translates from Italian into "Curse of the Night." Which seemed suiting for a vampire. I'm so lame some days.

The term Planar Wars is along the lines of Astral Plane. I really couldn't think of a name at the point I started things so I used that as a reference filler. The context might be different though. I'll have to post on that later as well to show what that is all about. I chose several hundred years ago because in the story the world is still recovering from that battle and it seemed a reasonable amount of time to do it. Again, very cliche. I might have to consider altering that part, as that wouldn't affect the current story much so much as background stuff on it.

To clarify, an Edge Dancer can use spiritual energy in raw form or the element they could originally use. So far the only Edge Dancer that existed started as an Edge Walker before. An Edge Dancer isn't a God. They still have limitations, but they do have a lot of raw power.

Knight of the Sun I can explain later as well. Wow, I have a lot of explaining to do don't I?

I can sum them up though. Basically they're your traditional Knighthood. They wear the thick steel armour and go about being chivalrous and are glory seekers. They wear special crafted and enchanted armour that reflects and refracts sunlight multiple times over, blinding anyone that looks at them. Their helms are enchanted to make them immune to this effect so they can't blind each other, and during peace time they wear thick white robes over the armour to keep light off of it that are embroidered with their emblem.

I haven't read 'The Magician'. I'll have to try to find it in the bookstore and check it out.

Mages are meant to be in very low population in this world, so they are not in power. If I had to give a stastic, I'd say maybe 1 potential mage for every 5000 people. Edge Walkers is an even lower number than that, more like 1 potential Edge Walker for every 40,000 people. Considering not all of those that have the capabilities are necessarily trained, that should sum up to very few people being mage, let alone an Edge Walker.

Potentially these numbers could be higher, but after the Planar War and a few other select incidents many people don't trust mages. Many mobs have managed to capture and slay mages out of hatred alone. Not too many go around advertising they can use magic.

Many of them serve the countries of their birth in a variety of ways. Most mages are also relatively harmless, as they're more interested in furthering their studies and comparing notes with each other than trying to kill each other. I haven't fleshed out every country yet, but for the most part they're ruled by the people, though that doesn't mean some countries can't have mages in government positions.

The core plot of the story is basically that not only will Bane eventually return (I honestly have no idea if anyone will like the story enough for me to fill in more than one book yet) but that another Edge Dancer would eventually emerge at some point. I do have a detailed outline written down in a notebook I keep on my computer desk so I can look at it when needed. In that one though Bane does not return, so much as the cult trying to revive him is trying to find his body and gain control of selected countries so they can do searches.

Bane isn't the core of the actual story, just a part of it. Not all of the main characters in the first book would be main characters in the second book. I don't want to focus on any one particular individual, as the stories are more about the fantasy world as a whole, not a specific individual. In the first book Bane isn't even there, but you see stuff about him pop up occasionally.

Hopefully this helps out so far. If you want, I can make posts on specific things, such as the Knights of the Sun, Planar Wars etc. Just let me know and I can write what I have on them for you.

Thanks for your interest and comments. I really do appreciate this as it'll help me fill in gaps I don't see so it's easier to understand.

Willow is Willow from Buffy the Vampire slayer. You mean to tell me you never watched Buffy? surprised It was a great show.

Ok Astral Plane -> Energy Plane? EP is a bit bland but works. I am sure you will find something appropriate. Maybe make up a word.

"Think of two lights of different colours shining in the same location at different angles. Both are there and intermingle, yet both are still separate at the same time."
- I know what you are saying but how you view the lights is always relative. :p

When you get tired, you rest and rebuild your energies. Mages do the same thing, eventually they'll need sleep or a lot of food or they'll eventually collapse from exhaustion, or even die if they use too much.
- What if mages were able to (in their spare time) infuse crystals with some of their energy and then draw from it in time of need? Or you could have an artifact of this sort for the hero to find, or...I am just trying to think of things of interest that you can do so mages are not so limited in certain encounters. Then again, Mercedes Lackey used "nodes" deep in the earth to contain power and in her books the mages could draw power from those nodes. Have you read her books?

I wanted another species in the story that is seen very rarely, and I ended up going with Vampire.
- Of course you will change the name and alter their characteristics so they are not spawn of dracula, right? XDD

The term Planar Wars is along the lines of Astral Plane.
- coming back to this, if I were you I would make up words for this. If you use "Astral or Energy" Plane, then that precludes other planes in a way. If you say Planar Wars you may as well just make up a name. Made up words are great. Just make sure it sounds like "astral", like...Taral Plane (tara is Hindi for star) for example. Taral Wars. Star Wars. Hmmmmm.....lmao. Ok, maybe something else, but you get the idea. ^_^

Have you considred having more elements and not calling them Elements? You are sort of limited with earth air fire and water. What about a plasma element? Or an element for emotion? Maybe an illusory element and one could be an illusionist. A light element could manifest as a weapon of lightning or pure visual displays.

I am just trying to think up a couple of ideas because right now you are kind of limited in what you can do with these mages if they are restricted in this manner and can't mix things up to make other things. And also you want to make things fun for the reader so that they wish they could enter your world! Most humans would like power of some sort, or to imagine they have it. And people want to read something different too. There are plenty of 4 element books. What about infinite elements? Or "The Known Elements" like the periodic table and sometimes a mage comes along and discovers another, I don't know, just tossing ideas out.

Basically they're your traditional Knighthood. They wear the thick steel armour and go about being chivalrous and are glory seekers. They wear special crafted and enchanted armour that reflects and refracts sunlight multiple times over, blinding anyone that looks at them. Their helms are enchanted to make them immune to this effect so they can't blind each other, and during peace time they wear thick white robes over the armour to keep light off of it that are embroidered with their emblem.
- Do they bathe? Where does their armor come from? Would not everyone want this armor?

I haven't fleshed out every country yet, but for the most part they're ruled by the people.
- It's important to establish tech level and political structure. If you don't have structure then what stops one country from going after another, etc. If the "people" rule (which is not always the best survival oriented type of government) then how do things get done?

Are Edge Dancers inherently bad? By nature?

There exist three Gods. Nath, Dath and Rath.
Nath, Dath and Rath...ok, this totally reminds me of what my brother once told me he saw in the ER (he's a doctor), anyhow this woman came in and she had named her kids: Shawntay, Dantay and Rontay. So you might want to give them different names. Not a big deal maybe, but on the other hand names can have power and meaning and they can give you direction you might have missed otherwise.

I like what you have done with your Gods and the beliefs that different people have.

Your "spirits" (of course you will have your own word) are a good idea. You have sketched them out nicely and their place in the scheme of things. Sounds good to me.

As for Astral/Energy Plane, I think you have a good idea. I will have to try to find a suitable name. I'll continue calling it Astral for now to keep things from getting confusing though.
- Ok AP for now, sounds good. If I think of anything I will let you know.

Storing power like that would take an insane amount of effort if that was the case. It's definitely possible and not something I considered until you brought it up.
- Storing something like that is a totally sneaky thing to do and might tip the scales for an evil mage. XD

As to Mages being limited, I don't really see that as the case. They can do a lot of things by combining various elements together.
- Ok I didn't know this. Can a married mage couple, or a couple connected in some way, one water and one earth, combine to make a mudslide? And yeah, actually I do think that 4 elements kind of limits them. It's just been done to death. Not to mention the Fifth Element was a movie and so you don't want to go down that route either.

Bane became a vampire by consuming a small part of essence from Achmael. He can, in turn, create a weaker type of vampire that consumes part of his essence. Each time a new generation creates a vampire, the new one is weaker than the previous.
- Ok this has been done before with vampires. Matter of fact Anne Rice did something similar. Though relatively "young" in centuries, Lestat was insanely strong and survived sunlight because of that very reason.

Yes, the knight is a bit slower from the added weight, but they are hard to kill because of the extra protection.
- Well, actually, if their armor reflects with the power of the sun they would be nigh impossible to get near to kill.

Is all of this fairly clear so far? I'm noticing as I write these out that everything intertwines with everything and it could potentially be a confusing mess. Hopefully I'm keeping things fairly easy to understand.
- Well, you are sketching it out, but yes, your ideas are clear. You have some very good ideas though.

The best part is, you are also coming up with a lot of stuff I haven't even considered yet which helps develop it further. I highly appreciate that, it helps me see how solid my planning was and how things have turned out so far.
- Mainly I am interested in making sure you don't repeat what has already been done and that what you do write is interesting enough in concept that your readers would not only be interested in your world, but would want to BE in your world.

How long does a book normally take to write?
- A good book should take about a year to write.

I read this and thought I had replied, but evidently not.

I think in this case that sketching out background material is an utter necessity. You need to know how your system of magic works in order to not have plot holes and inconsistencies. Feel free to post more. I got a bit busy but am on holiday for a week though I will be travelling to Nashville to see my mom.

No problem, I have been at my mom's, I wont be back till Sat night and will be tired anyhow from the drive.

Ok, due to issues with medication and being unable to read more than a bit at a time, I'll post what I think as I carefully read each post. That way you get (hopefully) good feedback, and I can actually assimilate what I read. Heh.

Read your first post. I like it. You took a basic, sometimes overdone concept and gave it your own twist. You seem to have put a lot of time into making sure everything works properly within the rules you have set up. Kudos, as I know that is no easy task. You'll want to really pay attention however, to make sure you don't fall into the trap of making things too generic. It's easy enough to do, I know I've done it plenty of times, just be vigilant. I can't remember offhand if you go into this in a later post, but you'll also want to address whether or not a mage's spell can backfire, and if so what are the consequences. Also, are there any long term affects from using magic? Or using magic too often (besides personal limitations)?

I'll add more to this post as I'm able to read more. Sorry I can't read it all at once, I'd like to though, it's interesting and engaging so far.