The World of Terra

That’s right. I’ve decided to start a podcast. I know. I know. “If you can’t keep up with your blog about your books, how are you going to keep up with a podcast?” That’s the beauty of it, though. My blog took a backseat to the serious writing. With a podcast, I can record episodes in advance and release them as needed. Also, the podcast allows me to talk through any writing dilemmas or blocks I may come up against.

If you’re interested, check it out:

It’s been far too long since I posted anything here. For that, I’m profoundly sorry. Writing took over. Things happened with my family. However, I successfully published the first book in the Way of the Fist series.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1043958

Every year, in a small village called Sarquith, not far outside the capitol city of Debash, is a day-long celebration honoring the cleric and warrior who became the wandering willow and Quillus. It is called the Festival of Tears. From sunup to sundown local artisans sell their wares in stalls lining the main street of the village.

At the center of the village grows the original wandering willow. The whole town square is filled with the Quillus flowers. For the festival the tree is carefully decorated with a myriad pastel ribbons.

On the outskirts of town the local farmers sell the other produce the area is renown for: strawberries. This magnificent fruit grows only in and around the village, year round. It is shipped all over Terra, as a rare and exotic fruit.

Not far from the town square is a vendor who sells a most unusual sweet only available during the festival. It is called a Frozen Tear of Aleera. Frozen water sweetened with honey and flavored with either strawberries, lemons, or Quillus flowers, they are shaped like a tear and hung on a string tied to a dowel.

The temple of Lilith, goddess of wisdom and healing, outside the village, sees many weddings during this celebration. Lovers the world over come to be blessed on the auspicious day.

Scattered all over Terra are trees called Wandering Willows. They are magical plants with ebony bark and crimson leaves. They protect all who shelter beneath their bows. Never far from these magnificent specimens grows the most powerful healing plant in all Terra, the Quincilus flower. But, how did they come to be?

Shortly after the world was created, a cleric and a warrior were traveling. One night, while they slept, they were attacked and murdered by bandits. The warrior, a beautiful man with dark skin, died first, protecting the cleric. His body became the trunk of the first tree. His blood soaked the earth, spreading it all over Terra, turning the leaves deep crimson. The cleric, a dainty woman with silver hair, died trying to heal him. Her body became the flower.

To this day, their magical protection and healing for travelers is unparalleled.

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is a common occurrence. There are many different forms. None of them are as common as magic, though.

Psyonics is often referred to as mind-magic. Nothing could be farther from the truth, though. Most often it is a genetic gift passed down through certain families but doesn’t present in everyone. There are also wild psyonicists who discover their powers by accident. In either case, it’s a gift that requires intense mental focus and acuity.

Chi energy is used by martial artists and Fei Xoa practitioners. It comes from within the body and can be harnessed to heal or to harm. The energy presents in different colors for each person, dependent upon their aura. It requires intense training and practice.

Elemental energies are the most rare and powerful. Aeromancers harness and manipulate the power of the wind. Hydromancers do the same with water. Pyromancers manipulate fire. While Terramancers harness the powers of earth, rock, and soil. It is believed that certain families are predisposed to such abilities and they must train for years to begin mastery.

has an infinite number of variables. All arcane magic requires time to study and cast, as well as a key ingredient or two. Divine magic requires the user to pray for their spells for no less than an hour daily. Natural magics require not prayers or studies, but time to practice and perfect. They are also limited, by the caster’s skills, in frequency.

Magical items come in every for imaginable. Most have a limited number of uses before they have to be recharged. Armor and weapon magics vary dependent upon the creator and desired outcome.

Necromancy, or death magic, is frown upon and strongly discouraged. There are only a handful of necromancers. They are solitary, and carefully observed.

Blood magic is strictly forbidden. There are no recorded spells and all record of it has been stripped. The penalty for using such magics is death. In all recorded history this has happened twice and is written as such: “The greatest of all taboos has been violated by -name inserted here- and the gods struck him down.”

All other magics have been practiced and used for the betterment of all Terra. Some races prefer one magic over another.

is the other mage academy in Corelon. It is home to the most inovative and forward thinking people in Terra. Because of the academy, Corelon is the most magically advanced city. Krezdiv is the most magically advanced country. They export all manner of magical items throughout the rest of Terra.

Gnomes are the most prominent race of magic-users in attendance. Their tinkering and technology combine with magic in world-changing ways. Elves contribute their natural magics to the academy. Meanwhile, Dwarven magic is more focused on the creation of weapons, armor, and devices of war. Halflings tend to use their magics for stealth and personal gain. Common Orcs and Ogres focus on natural magics, while the reclusive and rare High Ogres use all known magics.

is the warmage academy in Corelon, on Krezdic. Its focus is to train mages to use their magic in concert with armor and weapons. It also trains them to use spells that cover massive areas.

This facility takes only the most skilled and dedicated mages and soldiers. It has held a terrifying reputation since it was established. Every year, at least one student dies while undergoing the final testing.

Those who survive and go into the world, usually end up as advisors to rulers. Their wisdom, prowess, and ferocity are highly coveted. The kingdoms they aid prosper and flourish.

was established specifically to train the best soldiers in all Iskendurun. Officers from every division are trained rigorously. Some of the most famous tactitioners of all time have graduated from here.

While each region of the country is expected to train their own soldiers, they send their best and brightest to the Academy. Even King Darius, Prince of the blood Tarak, and Prince Gordon attended.

The Academy is renown all over Terra. Many kingdoms send their high-borns to learn tactics, combat strategies, and warfare.