Mr.Duck on 22/6/2016 at 03:54

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SECOND UPDATE:
Did some small changes and corrections to the story, including title change, added a bit more to the fight scene between Maldos and Kordallis, and decided to link the story to it's direct page on my writing blog :)

UPDATE:
I added the proper premise as I currently have it wriitten. Hopefully this clarifies a few things, while also getting people more interested in reading (besides this initial story).


Hello fellow TTLGers,

Yours truly, as quite a few others from here, has had the writing bug for the longest time, though I guess in these past few years is where I've started to try and scratch that itch, while also learning a bit of how to actually write stuff people are remotely interested in reading.

One of my long term projects is a fantasy series that has managed to evolve quite a bit since it's original inception.

Currently I am doing some worldbuilding stories to start getting a flavor for the place, the different races, groups, powers, lore and what not. And just to plain old work on my writing chops more. SO, with all of this I wanted to share one of the first short stories I've made in this universe. I hope you guys give it a read, and please, feel more than free to offer feedback. I'm still learning the ropes, but hopefully I can entertain and capture the imagination of more than one person. Cheers. :)

PREMISE

The world of TALES OF THE UNDEREALMS is one where magic exists, but not as a force that comes from parts unknown, but instead it has a point of origin and manifests in the world as AETHERIUM, an unseen particle that is found both in living beings and the environment, it also manifests itself physically in a crystalized form known as LUCERIUM. The world is set deep, deep underground in a vast network of caverns and tunnels. A world full of amazing wonders and unspeakable dangers, also a world teeming with life, where an ancient civilization once ruled supreme, establishing a vast empire that eventually crumbled over the abuse of the power they harnessed from the SOURCE, the parallel dimension where all aetherium comes from.

There are a myriad of groups of people inhabiting underground, with their own customs and characteristics, all changed over centuries through the power of aetherium. All came initially from the race known as the MAGI (HOMO MAGIKOS), which are also the largest of the races that have spread far and wide deep underground. Once, long, long ago, they lived on the surface, where the sky was limitless. No record, oral or written, exists of how they ended up deep underground in this strange land, but what little is known mentions how regular homo sapiens feared and mistrusted them, eventually persecuting them.

Despite their amazing powers, regular humans vastly outnumbered them, so they fled, eventually finding the great underground, although this world was alien to them they found it teeming with natural and plant life that enabled them to sustain themselves. The Magi settled permanently underground, forsaking the surface. In time words like "above", "sun", "moon", "sky" and more became myth.

Two more discoveries would alter the life of the Magi forever for all time: the discovery of TRANSCENDENT ruins and the finding of the last living city of Transcendent. Through thm the Magi learned about the Source and its secrets, how to harness its power as well as how to use lucerium crystals -aetherium in crystalline form found extensively underground- to build all manner of devices, weapons, tools and other wonders.

But with this near great power came a warning: the Source is not a benevolent energy to harvest endlessly without any risk. It is raw, unpredictable chaos that can corrupt anyone or anything overexposed to its influence. The Transcendent knew it very well, for that was the reason for their fall.

The people underground are divided into two main groups: aetherium users who can directly use their bodies to channel portals to the Source and harness its power in different ways; those who can only use the power of lucerium crystals. There has always been a precarious balance between both groups.

Eventually the Magi splintered into different factions, experimenting and changing their very nature as the Transcendent once did long ago. In time these developed into new races with their own history, beliefs, customs, as well as their own unique take on Source magic and lucerium creations.

This is not a fairy tail dreamland; peace and harmony are elusive concepts in this world as they were above. Individuals and groups plot against each other. Most carry an agenda fueled by greed, a lust for power or more darker motivations. Though there are those that understand the very delicate balance of great power and the Source, who try to have a watchful eye against its corruption and surppress it by any means necessary. Then, of course, there are the natural dangers the underground world already provides on its own.

The stories focus on different individuals who come and go, banding together or going solo, some misfits even in this strange world, each with their own hopes, dreams, fears. Each wanting something or someone, and willing to go to great lengths to reach them. In time, a very special group of individuals may form as they band together to live in this treacherous and dangerous world.

Welcome, to the Underealms.

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(https://shitiwrotetoday.wordpress.com/2016/06/14/tales-from-the-underealms-first-whisper/) Tales of the Underealms: First Whisper.

demagogue on 23/6/2016 at 05:00

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It's very evocative and imaginative, Duck.
A little alien, a little at home, a little meditative, a little action...
The naturalist take on magic is a good approach, and the fine line between yearning and addiction.
Please keep up the good work!

Sulphur on 23/6/2016 at 07:33

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I much like the detail and balance of elements in this one. The setting and execution work well with each other, with what appears to be a usual fantasy coming of age scenario twisting out into something more detailed and darker. Good stuff.

nickie on 23/6/2016 at 18:25

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I'm going to read this when I get home again in a couple of weeks time. Don't lose it somewhere in the meantime.

Sycamoyr on 25/6/2016 at 13:41

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Great writing! Your words illustrated such a beautiful and gripping scene. I was almost thinking the whole confrontation was a vision she had received from the Endless, but when she woke up her mother still had the wound; it turned the fantastical into something tangible and a solid building block in the story where you could take the plot in so many directions.
I'm looking forward to possibly reading more, learning more about this world and Isdralia's story. Thank you for sharing!:thumb: