Magic in the Saints of Wura


While editing book three in the Saints of Wura series, I’ve felt compelled to write of a central subject in the book:  Magic, and arcane lore in general. There are minor spoilers below but nothing too big. Yes, if you haven’t read book one yet, I will reveal that magic does exist and becomes a central component to the plot.

First, magic is in everything that exists. It exists as a unifying force and can be used for either good or evil and is indiscriminate to such. The largest barrier to the use of magic is the channeling device used and the mental capacity of the user.

Channeling Devices

All users of magic must use a device of some form to channel magic. Be it a wand, amulet, book, or staff, magic cannot be tapped without a device except in the case of the race known as the Rusis. There is a reason, however, they were almost completely destroyed well before other races of magic… more on that later.

At the time of Winemaker of the North, the only newly created channeling devices were staffs, grown from The Grove in the realm of the Sea-god Meredaas. The staffs sprouted from the trees could then be enriched by the power of the sea and were used in the Priory of Kel and Temple of Wura in Elinathrond. But these were particularly limited. The Order of Wura are normal men but ones that swear fealty to the god Wura. Other than producing light and containing the ability to “stun” an opponent, their staffs allow the user to do no more.  

The staffs used by the Priors of Kel, however, are much more powerful. Healing, telekinesis, and the destructive blasts of fire seen in the siege of Elinathrond near the end of book one, reveal that the war-god Kel blesses his followers with true power. Limited only by their master in book one (the Priory Master Naskin whose staff is the actual staff of the war-god) the priors are the most powerful wielders of channeling devices at this time in history. The staff of Kel itself is one of the god devices and one of two in Winemaker of the North. (Sviska’s dagger, with the ability to manipulate water, is a device of the sea-god.)

The Rusis

The race known as the Rusis are the masters of elemental magic and at one time were the principle ruler within the lands. They had only one city but many grand masters of their craft. Fire, ice, lightning, earth, the elemental magic useable by this race, are essentially as simple as breathing to them, at least at lower levels. The one Rusis that remains is Garoa, but his abilities are limited in Elinathrond until given his gift by Brethor in preparation to taking the mantle as a Saint. Though the Rusis do not need channeling devices, they are weakened by its use and it would seem that the only internal way to push pass this weakness is channeling inner power of the heart (fear, greed, rage, etc.) That being said, it is obvious in Winemaker of the North, Garoa uses most of his strength to melt the floor of the Estate as the 1st Legion pursues them in the western wing. A contrast to this weakness is in Arcane Awakening at the cliffs of Tuonia where he is able to summon massive whips of fire knocking back rank after rank of legionnaires after the events there…okay, that is enough, no more plot hints here!

More on the Rusis people themselves, their abilities made them to me much more feared and their seeking for domination began a war that resulted in the scattering of their peoples…

So far, we have talked of channeling devices and the people that can use elemental magic with ease, but of a more particular interest, especially to book three, is the other type of magic…

The power of the mind and the Dwemhar people

There is little I can say of this. Even within the series, I’ve spoken very little of the Dwemhar. Pure bloods of the Dwemhar, at this time, have not been revealed. But half-bloods do exist. The Dwemhar were a chief race but of a purer form than even the elves. The Dwemhar were above the use of elemental magic and closer to the gods in capacity at full form. Full form Dwemhar, perhaps better termed as reaching the state of Enlightment in our world, would need little to dominate their enemies, that being said, once in full form, they would not have the same desires that became the pitfall to the Rusis race. This is a key and one to pay attention to in the development between book one and book three.

The Dwemhar are something I plan to expand on in future books. Just as I expand on the half-elf Kealin’s story in an upcoming book, my future plans will lead to a few different roads in the world building thus far and I’m excited to share it with you.

If you have any questions or thoughts, drop a line in the comments below and by all means feel free to read more in the Saints of Wura books!

Also, I am now on Facebook and if you enjoyed this post or like my books, I encourage you to like my page! I'm trying to reach as many people as I can and your help would be very much appreciated!

Forewarning, this is not my typical post. This is a bit of a rant and one that I will not be citing my information for. If I was trying to write a document for a college class, I would, but this is just me... This has nothing to do with my writings, myths, legends, or any of the sort. Or perhaps it does... it is seeming more obvious to me that while we have a proliferation of technology and "knowledge", that our culture as a whole is loosing something in our up and coming generations. Imagination.

For reference, I am in my late 20s, I have multiple small children and frequent make-believe play, sword fights, and dragon slaying as an almost daily occurrence in my house. I have no qualm with getting on the floor and rolling around with the kids. :)

As a child, I grew up believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter bunny. But now, some "experts" say this is wrong to do to kids. That somehow because I'm "lying" to my kids by having them believe and prepare for what essentially goes beyond religious holidays and goes back to pre-Christian times... I don't think my parents did a disservice to me. Some of my fondest memories as a child were making cookies and fudge for Santa or dyeing Easter eggs, but current knowledge would say: "Nope, don't make cookies for Santa. In fact you shouldn't eat cookies at all." (Is cookie monster still eating salad? Probably... I'm not sure.)

This leads into the issue of the lack of art, fiction, music etc. in schools in the United States. Sure, my children are all under the age of 10, but I understand that a lot of fiction is in the process of being eliminated from  High schools as "unnecessary". I am all for education and learning core classes, but why isn't art part of core knowledge? A semester or two of Art in four years of High School is a joke. We have enough young adult people on anxiety medications that are overstressed, time starved, etc... most had some form of artistic outlet that now as adults they fail to have time for. Why? Is it all the fault of schools, government, etc. No. But did it get pushed down and deemed not important? I think so.

My last four years of schools was chock full of "Get ready for college, Take your SAT, GET READY FOR THE STATE TESTS! ..." As time goes on, I feel the only preparation that is really happening in our schools is how to bubble in a scantron for the aforementioned "State Tests".  The lack of personalities in this overran smartphone zombie world has to be reaching a pinnacle... perhaps this is why zombie movies have became so popular... oh and again, this is a rant.  My apologies.

From the time my children were able to understand make-believe, my wife and I have pushed for them to draw, create, explore, and as they get older, write their own stories. My wife and I both write so it makes sense our kids would have this same desire. As much as we do this, watching a fictional movie with our kids can sometimes become more an episode of "Mythbusters". It's great that the kids are curious to want to know how everything works but at one point is it too much? Everything has to be figured out? Cool. Lets do it. Lets figure it out.

How does Santa have flying reindeer?

I dunno, maybe it is elven magic? Or do you think that maybe his reindeer have wings?

Oh, like Pegasus?

Maybe. I'm not too sure. Maybe you should draw a picture or write a story and try to figure it out!? Use your imagination.

Is this wrong of me? I don't think so or I wouldn't do it. I must teach my children that there is more to this world than simply worldly things. Following numerous news outlets on Facebook, I get enough of the world. My job gives me enough of the world. I know about this world and while I'm teaching my kids as much about life as I can, I'm also exposing them to music and art of all kinds. My wife and I can't expect a school to do it and we sure as heck can't expect anyone else to... Playing outside, drawing, dancing to all kinds of music.... this isn't just good for kids. Adults could benefit too.

That's what I'm trying to teach my kids in hope that they will continue you doing it in adulthood. Imagination may be under attack but if it wasn't for imagination the movies we watch, the music we hear, and the world we experience would not exist. Knowledge and imagination go together. We must keep both alive in both our hearts and minds... we need more art, more songs, and more fiction... textbooks may teach the rules but its the imagination that creates the end result...



-end rant-

Just over two weeks ago, Arcane Awakening released, marking the second story in the Saints of Wura series. Though Book Three is in heavy editing, I wanted to give fans of the stories and those still waiting to try it out, a shorter tale that both introduces and enriches the histories and peoples in lands of the North.

Arrowfall is a short story prequel set before the events of Winemaker of the North and chronicles an elven company attempting to reach the refuge of Elinathrond.

Here is the blurb:

A young elven girl flees her homeland as a holocaust against all magic sweeps the lands. Struggling to reach a refuge in the far north, the elf, her father, along with two other elven guardians, are being hunted by many that wish them dead. Her father has a way to stop the holocaust but he must reach the refuge to enact it.
 
When a chance run in reveals a possible trap set for their people, they must decide to continue on to the safety of the north or risk themselves to save others. But  can they trust their own companions and has another trap from within already been set to devour them?

This story will release within the next 2-3 weeks! My mailing list has already received complimentary copies so if you haven't yet, I urge you to join my mailing list via the link above!

Now... the cover reveal!

..and there it is!
 
Watch for the release of Arrowfall!