I write dark stuff, but being stuck behind someone talking in a theater might be too much. This show a key difference between my characters, and neither handles it well: Aldous would ignore it and hope they stop. Heiden would instantly threaten them, possibly escalating to a duel. #AwesomeCharacters

Have a monotonous or dangerous task that doesn’t require lifting more than a hunk (~21 lbs). Get a skeleton to do it. If it weighs more, use more skeletons or a specialized undead. In Locus Mortis, most physical labor is handled by the tireless dead. 1/2

Volla: If something goes wrong, someone pays. Accident or not. People are made examples of. Some see it as the town casting out bad omens, but wiser minds know it’s a reminder that the cult holds absolute authority. 1/2 #FebruaryWorldbuilders

Marianne’s family is important in Volla, so she began flirting with Aldous to annoy her father. It was a crummy reason, but once she got to know him, she genuinely liked him, and the feeling was mutual. He gave her a place to vent, and she became one of the few real connections he had in Volla.

Aldous and [Spoiler] were so close to meeting, but because of [Spoiler], she met Heiden instead. It was probably for the best. Aldous would’ve started a fight.

Divine blessings are recognized as such, and such gifts are fully legal. Praedica gems have only existed for fifteen years, so it’s still the Wild West. Gems need to be registered, but the penalty is only a fine. Life Drain, however, is illegal, and being caught with one attuned is a death sentence.

Volla: They’re brutal. Intent doesn’t matter, only impact. For minor offenses, monks issue fines on the spot. For serious crimes, Judicators, senior monks, decide whether you broke the law and your punishment. The only other voice heard is the monk describing your crime. 1/2 #FebruaryWorldbuilders

Hello! It's taken me about 3 years, but I'm finally looking for beta readers for my 51k sapphic gothic suspense "The Strings of Willis Manor"! If you're interested in signing up, or learning more about it, click the link below! forms.gle/SU1tuBTedESn... Thanks! :] #TSOWM #BetaReader #WriteSky

Aldous loves being a stablemaster. He prefers horses to people. His dream is to own his own stable, so he takes odd jobs in town, even though people undervalue his work. If he didn’t need the extra coin, he’d give them up. 1/2 #AwesomeCharacters

No I in team, but there’s con in economy.

Ooh, an easy #FebruaryWorldbuilders: Volla: Monks. Zealots of Fulla who also double as soldiers. Trikruna: Guards. Also technically considered a defense militia, same training/weapons as soldiers. Iteru: Khui. Proper watchmen who deal with internal city disputes.

I mean Ra created reality as it is known, and Ma'at pushed back Isfet, so... clear answer for the gods. There is one praedica gem user that more powerful than the rest, but even she doesn't know she could kill everyone in a city or army with a thought. #Febchantment

Lot of good snippets for hurt, especially at the start of my novel. I can't remember if I shared this #WIPSnips, or maybe I did and have just edited since. Either way, I like this scene, it's a step forward for Aldous. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Haggling is common, and Heiden is a bit below average at it. She not a merchant and she has orts to spare, but she'll threaten anyone that takes her for an easy mark. It's actually considered an embarrassment if you pay Aldous full price. He is swindled on the daily. #AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky

I thought I'd never find a good meaningful #WIPSnips for this, too many to chose from. But here we learn a little more about Isa. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Talking about Percival for this #WritingPrompt. Aldous' steed can be a bit demanding, and often self-centered but he was also Aldous only friend for a long time. He was the one that really save his sister's life and without him he would be dead many times over.

Simple ones first, the Divine Monarchies: Volla: The Hierophant writes Fulla’s Dogma into Law. Iteru: The Pharaoh write religious laws, Overseers write secular laws. Now the difficult one. Trikruna: A Constitutional Monarchy, and need the clergy and laity's approval. 1/2 #FebruaryWorldbuilders

There are two school of magic: Divine magic - Magic created from cosmic power that are subject to the laws of nature (to protect reality) Arcane magic (Not yet called this) - Stolen divine magic that is not as strong and very specific, but can be used without restraint. Needs a praedica gem.

#WIPSnips I have a perfect audio snippet for this one already! #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #Writers #AmWriting

Heiden's ideal night is one she didn't plan. Yes, she’s independent and usually takes the lead, but that's probably the reason she enjoys being taken care of. Bonus points if it is a surprise date (when she hasn't made other plans) and she get to dress up. 1/2 #AwesomeCharacters

#WIPSnips Had to vibe for this one. 'Killer', despite its meaning, I think it does fit in this case. #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Where time exist, it works the same as here in the real world, relativity and all. I guess it gets more confusing when you go to a realm without time, which you can't do, cause you'll become undone the moment you do. So... best not to think about it. 😅 #FebruaryWorldBuilders

CW: Body Horror (Desecration of a Corpse, Eyes) I have many grisly scenes in my book that fall under this description, but I think this one is the least spoiler-y. #Febchantment #WritingCommunity

Hmm. Deities can see ones fate and the stars will guide you to better days. Is that superstition if it’s true? People do carry minerals because they believe the ✨vibes✨ they give off will improve your luck in specific areas. Neither of my MC’s do that though. #AwesomeCharacters #WriteSky

It is know in the Iteru Kingdom, cause they view religion from top-down (i.e. explain the world by what the gods tell them) Both of my characters are of the Trikruna religion, and their view is Ra always was and will always be. TBF is true, cause Ra existed before time and space. 1/4

Start where it all began… 🌿The Chrysillium Tree 🌿 Book 1 in The Chyrsillium Saga 
Star-born trees, ancient magic, and rebellion stirring beneath a fragile peace treaty. 👉🏼 linktr.ee/lakenhoneycu... #FantasyBooks #BookSky #IndieFantasy

Humans die when they misuse magic. When gods lose control, it’s catastrophic. Demons survive on scraps of cosmic energy, but gods receive a constant stream, and that power must go somewhere. Every deity has a “release valve” system, but it’s vulnerable. 1/2

Still debating keeping this part in my story or to toss it. Aldous is asking about Heiden's tea for the first time, and why she doesn't share it. #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

My MC's have a belief and a want, and I sort of think, what kind of person has those trait? I write short stories for my characters before the beginning of the story and I sort get a feel for their personality. I definitely heard people say something and was like: "My character would say that too."

Oh. A fun #WritingPrompt: The rain clouds from before had cleared and the goddess Nuit had just left a sliver of white of her moon for the world to see. It was cold and the snow softly crunched under her feet. But the house was lit. The hearth and candle light came out of the dinning room’s window.

Well, friends, I have reached a milestone this week and soft-launched my author website at camalin.net If you felt like being encouraging, perhaps you might drop by and even consider subscribing to my newsletter? 😐🙏💙 Website feedback also welcome and appreciated!

Souls are undeniably real. The recently deceased sometimes walk in Locus Mortis. With a Soul Lock gem, a soul can be anchored to the human world until it’s time to say goodbye, even allowing them to leave their earldom. #FebruaryWorldbuilders

Tuning deepens the longer a gem is attuned. Each praedica gem has a human limit, a plateau that marks mastery. Mastery belongs to the gem, not the power it grants (so don't lose your gem). Most require four to five years to reach it, depending on the power. Heiden explains below: #Febchantment

Yes. And it’s why the gods get frustrated. They can see how events will likely unfold and try to gently nudge people in their domain toward better outcomes. The gods are surprisingly selfless. But humans are responsible for their own choices, and that annoys them. The deities have free will too.

Praedica gems don't grant the user any immunity to it power. There are exceptions, but that's when the power /is/ protection. However, attuning a power meant for an all powerful deity doesn't always go well for the user. In fact most gems just kill the user immediately upon attuning. 1/2

Both MCs had plenty of flings, but before the story, only Aldous had been in love. In Ventus, he met a man he believed was his soulmate. They were young, but Aldous saw a future with him. He would sneak him into his mentor’s hayloft when he was away, where they talked about the future together. 1/2

CW: Description of Drowning. I search for liquid in my manuscript, but it returned nothing even though I swore I used it for this scene. I forgot I switch it out for water, as liquid sounded like he didn't know what he was jumping in. (Aldous POV) #WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity

Oh! Get to describe Aldous a bit in this #WritingPrompt: Marianne once said they were kindred spirits, their matching black hair and deep brown eyes a reflection of each other. Aldous never saw it that way. He didn’t see himself in such an innocent creature. He only saw an animal he had failed.

Yes, there are prophecies. My novel even has a 4,000-word explanation for them (😅 written to avoid a lore dump). The short version: Fate is what’s likely to happen. Destiny is what the gods want to happen. Soulmates also exist, and I’ve included an excerpt below. #FebruaryWorldbuilders

#Febchantment Attuning a gem brings an invasive warmth sensation that can be controlled. Movement isn’t required, but most users use gesture to help visualize where the magic flows. For example, one of the necromancers clenches his fist by his face to focus it. 1/2

Aldous is great, but not world class at anything. But I feel he would enjoy watching curling. Heiden would be a consider a world class athlete (fencing), but not in the winter games. She would probably get a kick out of Biathlon. Both would love bobsledding & luge though. #AwesomeCharacter

Aww man. Reading a book, (great so far). And... they do something I did. It small minor thing, but what do you do if you read a book and you find similarities in your work? Do I cut it? change my stuff slightly? (This book is popular so it at least means I have some good ideas)

Anything that leaves Ma'at becomes undone, so those realms are inaccessible. To enter the Umbra is actually easy, and every mortal will eventually figures it out 😅. The difficult part is leaving. Demons must posses an earthly item (like a Ley Line). Mortals need a body and Bastet's [name TK].

For a human to use a praedica gem, leech-hide leather is essential for attuning. It can be made into gloves, belts, harnesses, collars, or even a monocle. The leather pulls the gem’s power into the human. #Febchantment

We're in the final count down! The Coyote's Pack will be out this Friday. #booksky #writersky #lgbtq+ #t4t #fantasywestern

Heiden trained with tutors since her teens as a duelist and archer, on foot and horseback. She’s also trained in jousting, and is competent with spear and club, though she considers them beneath her. She doesn’t need magic to be dangerous. Combative by nature, she has no issue starting a fight. 1/2

All my other mentions of Purple for this #WritingPrompt are a bit spoilery: And then came the celebratory music, distant but energetic. A crowd had gathered despite the cold and snow, bundled in coats and laughter. Purple flags snapped in the wind, each one bearing Fulla’s yellow symbol.

The ultimate source of magic, or just the praedica gems? You know what, lets trace the whole thing! Blue Star - The Deity Ra. Power behind all magic. Needed to keep Isfet at bay. In the material world its cosmic rays shine on the southern pole and are not seen by the human eye. 1/4

There are infinite realms, but most are either Isfet (chaos) or Nun (nothing). Neither has space or time. Only Ma’at’s realm is survivable, and Isfet is constantly trying to break it down. 1/4

Heiden loves Bastet. It’s always warm, overrun with cats, and known for its… uh… activities. She goes every few years. Probably no surprise that Aldous’ corral and stable is his favorite place. He doesn’t see it as work, but as taking care of something he loves. #AwesomeCharacters