Nyaha's Various Ideas and Contemplations

Could be... Tonorin for example have a natural resistance to magic, after all.

Yes, but Tonorions still could be detected because of what they eat has magic in them too.

Try to stay on topic please. Your ideas are interesting, and I'll take them into account once I've gotten some answers to the question I asked.

Nyaha wrote:

Try to stay on topic please. Your ideas are interesting, and I'll take them into account once I've gotten some answers to the question I asked.

I know. It was a necessary response, I wasn't going to deviate further. Also, I did answer your question

I don't think you did. I asked which placement you think would be better, all you gave me was your idea and 'green hair would be cool'. That's not quite what I was looking for; either way, the forest tribe is going to have some members with green hair to blend in. :3 Or so is the thought anyway.

Oh, well with saying I liked the third tribe best, I meant that the first area is what I thought would be better.

Nyaha wrote:

Try to stay on topic please. Your ideas are interesting, and I'll take them into account once I've gotten some answers to the question I asked.

Right, sorry about that.

Nyaha wrote:

If anyone's interested, I want to discuss my ideas for my Kowo Nekos. The main thing on my mind right now is the three different tribes that I want to have. But I have two ideas for their placement.

First mapping is putting one tribe in Lamina. They would mostly have blond of even straight white hair that would reflect the sun's rays and give them shade, keeping them cool in the sun. The second would be on Shillapo Island, probably in the southern region. They wouldn't have much need for camoflauge or anything like that, so they would have more diverse hair colours. The third would likely be nomadic, travelling around the jungles and forests that make up most of the main continent of Felarya. They would mainly have brown or green hair to help them blend in.

The second mapping is having them all on Shillapo Island, divided to the three geographical regions it has. The characteristics would be mainly the same to each tribe as described above. The main difference here would be that they'd be within feuding distance of eachother. I don't know for sure if this would be the case yet, though.

Which idea do you think is better?

I'd go for the first idea. The genetic diversity makes more sense that way, plus it makes it easier for a larger variety of the cast to come into contact with them. It's also kind of hard to be really called nomadic when you live on one island, so you'd probably have to tweak your third tribe a bit if you go there.

(Edited out.)

I like ^^

I've come up with some new ideas for Kowo nekos, but I need some more feedback on them.

1. Each of the three tribes protects a clue to a hidden treasure somewhere, possibly not even in Felarya. All three clues are needed to find it. Do you think this is a good idea, or would it put them a little over the top?

2. A better name for them; Yamarashi, which is essentially the Japanese word for porcupine. Do you think this works better and sounds good? Also, should I retitle them "Yamarashi" and note in the bio that they're common name is "Kowo Nekos", or the other way around?

(Edited out for revision)

Okay, I think I've come up with an interesting enough idea here. My idea is to make the ability of referencing the existence of Earth in Felarya canon possible, without it actually being our Earth so as to avoid crossovers and arguments, or avoid whatever it was we're trying to avoid by not making the existence of Earth canon in Felarya. If you don't think it fits, say so, but if you have any ideas that might help, also say so, please and thank you.

Earth Dimension


The ‘Earth Dimension’ is a world which links to Felarya every so often here and there. The main thing that makes the Earth Dimension interesting is that, despite the fact that a decent number of adventurers and travellers - and often enough people lost to dimensional anomalies - all claim to have originated in this world, there is no definitive description of it. Each person seems to have a different idea of the world they came from; some speak of a futuristic world in the sky due to the land itself being buried in garbage, others talk of a green, clean world where many people live in harmony, and others yet describe a turbulent world of politics and wars. The reason for this is because the world commonly known as ‘Earth’ occurs in multiple instances in many different dimensions and timelines, each one with a different reality based on the decisions people living in it have made over history. In theory, there are infinite ‘Earths’ that can have any range of realities; anything a person could imagine might be real in one of these worlds.

There is one thing that seems to be consistent with most Earths: magic doesn’t exist. There are exceptions, naturally, but often enough most Earthlings (residents of Earth, be they human or otherwise) arrive on Felarya through dimensional anomalies or vanishing lands. However, another thing that seems to be most common among Earthlings is individuals discovering latent magic abilities at one point or another after arriving in Felarya, which had been previously unknown due to the low magic content in the Earth Dimension.

This is interesting, actually I've been wondering how to come up with a way to link all the earth's together. There's a lot of adventurers people write about involving "earth" so it may be about time something like this is established, but not as a connected world. Like you said "every so often, here and there".

It's not a bad idea. It actually sounds a bit like Earth as described in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, where it and other worlds in "plural sectors" have a somewhat shaky existence, or tend to cross over between parallel universes. What you've explained is almost exactly how I felt about Felarya's relationship to Earth and parallel universes, i.e. that being nestled between "dimensions", or parallel universes, it can be visited by multiple versions of the same world.
The one flaw I found is that IMO the part about earthlings frequently ending up near settlements isn't necessary. Rather we simply don't hear a lot about those who end up in the middle of the jungle because their stories would always be of the form "so-and-so winds up in Felarya, may or may not do some stuff for a little while, then gets eaten or starves in the wilderness," which gets boring and offers no potential for sequels.

parameciumkid wrote:

The one flaw I found is that IMO the part about earthlings frequently ending up near settlements isn't necessary. Rather we simply don't hear a lot about those who end up in the middle of the jungle because their stories would always be of the form "so-and-so winds up in Felarya, may or may not do some stuff for a little while, then gets eaten or starves in the wilderness," which gets boring and offers no potential for sequels.

I agree, now that you've pointed it out. Changed.

I really like this idea If so much of Felarya can be based on legend and lore, why can't Earth? It may been seen as a bit of a handwave but it's actually a very clever way of bringing together various backstories while remaining canon. As long as it doesn't tempt people into dropping their efforts into inventing brilliant new lands for their OCs to come from I think this is a good thing for Felarya.

Mute Grounds

The Mute Grounds are a place located in what has been said to be the dead-centre of Imoreith Tundra. It is a place where the snow and the ice seem not to reach, and it becomes a sort of rocky plateau, where there is a little more vegetation growing through the rocks and dirt, many of which actually bear edible fruits. Various naturally-occurring vegetables have been found here as well. The most notable feature, however, is that, unlike in the rest of the tundra where the physics of sound fluctuate, this area never has any sound at all. The second or third most notable feature is the large structure located in the middle of it, which appears to be a three-story-high temple, with stairs on the west side leading up to the entrance at the top. Inside there are many statues, well-made, of very old-looking men and women, which are thought to symbolize wisdom and integrity; they are considered strange or just out-of-place by many because people do not become old on Felarya. From there, the structure goes downwards on the inside, leading down to a vast dungeon beneath the ground many floors deep, which is populated by many and various dangerous beasts and monsters, as well as self-resetting traps. It is unknown just how far down it reaches.

Some who have managed to survive and return from this dungeon describe a strange feeling of ease and peace coming over them the further down they went; at first it is not very noticeable, but it becomes more apparent deeper underground, and the amount and aggressiveness of the beasts in the area decrease as well. The strangest thing of all about the Mute Grounds is that it is home to a number of people, mostly human but with other races mixed in, who all claim to be members of the Brotherhood of Mute. This is part of what gives the Mute Grounds its name. They don't seem to have any homes or settlements in the area, which has led some to believe that they reside somewhere inside the temple. Just where their safe grounds are located is a mystery, though, as is their method of getting from there to the surface of the grounds. The members spend much of their time writing new scriptures containing messages from their goddess, Mute, and passing on their knowledge and beliefs to the next generation. They are often seen outside the temple, and most usually at nighttime, gazing at the sky. They believe that those who are 'enlightened' are able to read the messages of knowledge contained in the lights that appear in the tundra's sky.



Brotherhood of Mute

The Brotherhood of Mute is a religious group that is present in Felarya. It is founded on beliefs concerning "__", the goddess of knowledge, focus, and tolerance. Her name is silence itself, and thus cannot be spoken, however she is referred to in many languages using words referring to silence, most of which translate into English as "Mute". The Brotherhood believes in the power of knowledge, and its members aim to learn as much as they can about anything they are interested in, both as individuals and as a group, and to sharpen their minds and be able to attain deep levels of focus. Some pursue these goals through intense meditation, others by going on adventures and learning things by experience or holing themselves up in libraries and reading as much as they can. It is said that those who have attained the most intense level of focus possible, also referred to as those who are 'enlightened', are able to hear the silent messages that the goddess Mute speaks. Those who are enlightened then have a duty to pass down those messages to other members of the Brotherhood, so that they may learn from them. It is not uncommon, though not demanded, for members of the Brotherhood of Mute to take vows of silence in order to increase their focus, or to pursue the ideal of listening and learning rather than being listened to.

Though the religion's actions are rather laid-back, its members are widely seen as stiff and uptight, though not necessarily judgemental. Most of the Brotherhood's members are descendants of previous generation's members, and any recruitment is done purely by word-of-mouth, in the belief that those who seek knowledge will naturally discover the religion on their own. They have a sort of monastery-esque church where members of the Brotherhood congregate and share their knowledge with each other or meditate in groups, though there has also been talk of a large group of them living somewhere in Imoreith Tundra as well. It should be noted that, although it is called the 'Brotherhood', it is very socially progressive and has many female members as well.

Quote :

Inside there are many statues, well-made, of very old-looking men and women, which are thought to symbolize wisdom and integrity.

If people don't age in felarya, then i think several statues of wrinkly, decrepit people are going to evoke a rather different response then awe. Statues would be more described by expressions and items being held.

Sorry, I don't have more to add. I'll post again if anything new catches my eye.

I like the mute stuff. A lot.

(Edited out)

Thanks for the feedback, this was a rush job, and hasn't been thought through thoroughly yet. Though you make excellent points, it would also be nice to discuss solutions rather than just the problems themselves. Really, you haven't given me much to work with here, so I guess I'll start us off. ^^; Also, others feel free to join in if you have any points or ideas.

Ilceren wrote:

Nyaha wrote:

Mistron Ehrs herself is a powerful mage, proficient in light-based magic. It is said among the elves that her arrows of light are capable of piercing concepts such as violence and evil, turning dangerous and voracious creatures into no more than domesticated animals, for a time.

Uh, that sounds kinda... strange.

Her magic being able to pierce emotions was just a rough idea, meant to be used on wild animals. Would it be more acceptable if it only works on sentient people if they want to change, or doesn't work on them at all?

Ilceren wrote:

Nyaha wrote:

Due to the luck she experienced in her rescue by the elves, she is seen not only in the village, but by those who have heard of her in other parts of Felarya, as a religious figure representing positive karmic energies.

Care to explain this a bit more? Because I don't really get it; if someone is saved, the great figure is normally the saviour, not the one saved.

You're absolutely right - the elves that saved her should get recognition, too. I think maybe being honoured as heroes and having a statue or two around the lake of them, as well as certain buildings named after the members and such things will be included. Is it too absurd that Mistron Ehrs would end up getting recognition for having the luck to come out of the ordeal alive against all odds?

Ilceren wrote:

Nyaha wrote:

The elves, mainly the four chiefs which share psychic links with Mistron Ehr

Needs explanation too.

It would probably be something that is created after they are selected by the people to become chiefs. Would it make more sense for the mermaid to be psychic or the elves to awaken psychic abilities?

Ilceren wrote:

Nyaha wrote:

She also demands a sacrifice of an elf volunteer every two weeks, telling them that she will be able to better protect the village with the help of their spirit.

Um, how big is the community? Because that makes twenty-eight people a year (an Earth year, anyway), just in adults, probably. And if you consider a healthy woman can have a child every one-and-a-half or two years, starting at sixteen-seventeen for safe birth and up to fifty years old, you'd have to have around double that number in births in two years just for the population to remain stable. Meaning at least sixty women in that age range (more if the sacrifices are not only men), which would put the population between a hundred and fifty and three hundred. And that's just for the population to be stable.

I'd had my doubts about that. Would it be better if it were every month or two months? Also, don't forget that there can also be population increase from elves travelling there from other parts of Felarya.

Ilceren wrote:

Nyaha wrote:

Sometimes the individual is very willing, other times, they are elected by their peers against their will. But either way, the residents of the lake are generally happy with their lives under the protection of the mermaid.

Better they be happy, or else the mermaid would just arrow-pierce their bad emotions and made them domesticated elves.

I think this falls into our discussion about her magic/abilities.

Certainly interesting. She came off as maybe a little less corrupt than I personally would have liked, but this is your character, and I lean into grimdark a bit too much myself. Besides making her demand fewer sacrifices for the sake of population stability, I think you have a fair start on Mistron Ehrs and the surrounding village.

I would be interested to know when she first started asking for Elvish sacrifices. Does she genuinely need their spirit to adequately protect the community, or is that a lie on her part? I can see it going in either direction, in a lighthearted setting. On one hand, being surrounded by tasty morsels would be nothing if not tempting, and she might have tried to go a more socially acceptable route than just snatching an Elf up every once in a while, which of course would not go unnoticed. On the other hand, perhaps her magic was getting rusty, or the growing community was attracting more and more predators, meaning she really needed the infusion of magic to stay ahead of the curve. The naturally magical Elves might be more beneficial to her than Humans or other races with regards to magic.

Those Elves who go willingly might consider it an honor to lend their power to their protector, ensuring the survival of the community as a whole.

Any thoughts on offering them pain-numbing herbs before their ordeal? If you're going to offer yourself up, maybe knowing the agony of digestion isn't going to be an issue would help them relax. Then again, the pain of digestion is rarely brought up, so this may not be important.

(Edited out)