A Time of High Magick - A Magical ATL

[Mr.Bluenote]

Ok, I admit it, I am bored as heck, and have just recently finished yet another Christian IV biography along with the latest Bartimaeus-book by Jonathan Shroud - I think he is named (and yes, I know, it's a children's book, but it's actually quite good) -, and was thus wondering about the wondrous world it would be if magic was real...

So what do you guys, and girls I suppose I should add nowadays, think? Mind you, it's rather rough and made during a night where coffein seemed to be the only thing keeping me upright!


A Time of High Magick
1497-1509: The Kalmar and Merchant Wars. King Hans I and his son, future king, Christian I battles first the Swedes in the bloody Kalmar War and then duels with The Hanseatic League at sea. Rumours of the use of the Black Arts circulate. Inquisitors sent from both Spain and the papal State denounces use of forbidden arts.

1520-1605: The Scandinavian Wars. Danish and Swedish kings fights long and protracted wars over southern Sweden and the Baltic regions. Around 1600 due to open use of Magick, the Danes gain a deceisive upper hand.

1590: A dozen women are burnt as witches in Copenhagen. These poor souls will be the last witches burnt in Denmark. Illigal use of Magick will however be considered high treason and punished by death, but witch hunts are now a thing of the past… in Denmark.

1592: The young Crown Prince Christian – future King Christian IV the Great – visits Tyge Brahe at Uranienborg at the Isle of Hven. Here Christian vitnesses the wonders of Magick first hand as he is given a grand tour of Hven and the beautiful castle of Uranienborg. Uranienborh was magically created by Brahe himself some years earlier. Tycho Brahe was a brilliant astronomer and Mage. Furthermore Brahe was directly responsible for the acceptance of Magick in Denmark and thus large parts of Northern Europe during a time of superstition and witch hunts.

1596: At his coronation the King is crowned with a new crown seemingly made form somekind of living gold. Tyge Brahe – the maker of the new royal crown - was present and will later be introduced as the Kings High Advisor as part of the Triumvirat of Christoffer Valkendorf, Christian Friis and aforementioned Tyge Brahe.

1598: High Advisor Brahe raises the Great Frederik’s Tower in honour of Christian’s liberal father, Frederik II, in Copenhagen. The tower will set a trend that will lead to some 20 towers being raised in Copengagen by 1820. Both the King himslef and his Triumvirat does a lot to beautify Copenhagen and make it into a modern city – meaning the streets are cobbled, lit, wide and fairly straight, garbage was collected and sanitation something taken serious – Copenhage had and still has the largest sewer system, and a lot of catacombs apparently, in Europe next to Prag and Paris.

1600: After much debate and facing a lot of resistance from both the Catholic Church, and parts of the public, the first official Thaumaturgical university exam is introduced at Copenhagen’s University. The Royal Mages will be the only ones allowed to practice Magick in public and will all work 10 years in the Crowns service as Royal Mages. Most students at the University are active practitioners of Magick , but some are what is called Theoretical Thaumathologists, meaning that they don’t do Magick, but know a lot about the theories behind it – H.C. Ørsted was a Theoretical Thaumathologists. It become something of a tradition to stay in royal service after the 10 year tenure. Soon the education is splint into sub groups such as Healing, Manipulation etc etc. A handful of the students usually end up in the Royal Navy or as Mage Guards. In time, the Royal Mages will to a certain degree replace the old nobility as the perceived cream of society.

1605: The General Conscription Laws is introduced. A position of Mage Captain is introduced in the Royal Lifeguard. The first Mage Captain is Roal Paulsen, a simple commoner - Paulsen was the son of a merchant – which created quite a stir at the time. Magick will be the way to gain social prominence for many in the years to come.

1616: The Tranquebar colony is established in India. First stock company is created; The East Indian Company. Two Royal Mages accompany the colonists setting up the first colony.

1618: First glow orbs begin to appear in Copenhagen in various royal households. They too will set a trend so that by 1800 nearly a third of the great cities houses and practically all of Copenhagen’s public areas are lit by magical glow orbs. The Royal Danish Navy quickly begin to introduce glow orbs on board naval vessels – no fire hazard is a major boon on a 17th century ship. Holmen – the headquarter and main anchorage of the Royal Danish Navy as well as primary shipyard, will be amongst Europe’s foremost producers of glow orbs for nearly 200 years.

1623: Silver and, more importantly, Orichalcum, was found at Kongsberg in Norway. Mining began in 1624 under the supersvision of Tyge Brahe himself. Orichalcum will find use in magical weapons and, somewhat more rare, various pieces of magical equipment. Furthermore veins and nodes of Orichalcum seem to be natural deposits of magical energy made solid and thus believed to be the real reason behind the myth of Ley lines. Many Mages, well the very rich and powerful ones, will in the future create their dwellings on top of Orichalcum nodes or veins and draw strength directly from it. Orichalcum is best described as looking like living metallic amber and is generally warm to the touch. Earth Elementals are often found near Orichalcum deposits and/or are very easily conjured where there is much Orichalcum in the ground.

1625-1645: The Holy Wars. Christian IV unleashes his conscripted army upon the Catholics of Germany Empire. Tilly is defeated at Lutter am Barenberg and his army destroyed, sack of Aachen and Köln follows. Duing the Long March to Münich in early ’40 King Christian IV falls off his horse and dies.

1627: The mounted Royal Lifeguard receives new armour inlaid with Orichalcum runes and symbols.

1629: Kongsbergs is momentarily closed as one of the miners develop Lycantrophy and kills several fellow miners. Orichalcum seem to have a triggering effect on certain people. Later studies by Hans C. Ørsted in the 1830’s will reveal that the ability to use Magick is contributed to something called Attunement-genes. Some will develop into Mages ala fx. Brahe, others will never learn its use, while a few will develop Magick related diseases. For the time being, however, Kongsberg is reopened and the miners screened by Royal Mages and regularly rotated to other mines.

1630: Prag is claimed as an independent city state by a group of mostly Czech Mages. Magick is ripe in the ancient city and great towers and Magick constructs sprouts up left and right. Prag is one of the few states/places in the world more or less defended only by magical means. The first of many Elementals will be conjured in Prag amongst other things. Huge deposits of Orichalcum are found in the areas surrounding Prag.

1639: The first Goldhorn is found at Gallehus in Denmark. They seem to have strange magical abilities as their inscriptions are made with inlaid Orichalcum. Their discovery hints at the use of Magick in earlier times

1640: The Great Ottoman Revolution. One of the Sultans’ advisors take control of Constantinoble with the aid of a powerful Djinn. The Ottoman Empire will be ingulfed in a fierce Magick fueled civil war for the next 10 years. The horrors of the civil war will show the wolrd how utterly terrifying, not to mention destructive, a magick war can be.

1643: After a large earthquake in Norther Norway, reports of trolls and dwarfs begin to circulate. A lot of people seem to disappear. Mage Captain Iver Gyldenløve was sent to investigate the rumors and much to his own surprise find them to be true.

1644-50: The First Troll War rage in Norway. The earthquake had apparently opened a rift of sort to another dimension and now the inhabitants are pouring into this world. The dwarfs, a race on the run basically, become stout royal subjects and allies on the Troll War.

1651: Thadeus Marcher – a Prag Mage of great skill – commits suicide. In his writings one sentence will feature prominetly in heated debates among scholars and Mages for many year: “When the Planes align, the World shall be whole!”

1700: In Russia, a 17 year old Anna Ivanova is crowned Tsarina Anna I. Anna I was a daughter of Ivan V the Insane, and was most likely behind his death. She would become known as the White Tsarina for her pale teint and apparent ability to control the Russian Winther. She was known for travelling Russia in her sled, drawn by two huge snow white unicorns and for taking an active hand in the well-being of her subjects – wellfed subjects make the best soldiers as she said at a later stage, when asked about her social conciousness by an apparently suicidal courtier. Tsarina Anna I rejuvenated the Russian army and established a Russian Mage Guard – originally consisting of more Germans than Russians – and enlarged the already quite impressive St.Pavel’s Fortress in St.Petersburg by means of Magick. She warred continously against all Russia’s neighbours and pushed the Rodina’s borders further and further East as well – Wars fought against Tartars, Turks, Mongols and what not were fierce and ripe with the use of sacrifices, rumours of cannibalism, Black Arts, all sorts of Magick and what not! Ironically, she was also a stout supporter of the arts and did much to promote Russian and Slavic culture – quite often with the barrel of a gun or firestaff.

1702: Elves appear in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The English are forced to retreat from all three areas as the locals seem to ally quite easily with the magically powerful warrior elves using orichalcum weapons. It is, however, soon clear that elves can’t stand iron and the English are able to negotiate a peace setlement.

1705-15: The Repressive Years. Mages are hunted down and burnt in many of the Catholic countries in Sounthern and Central Europe. Many flee to more enlightnede countries such as Denmarks, England, Holland and France or to nations were they are protected by powerful rulers such as Ireland, Wales, Scorland and Russia or later Lyonesse and Schwitzerland.

1712: Elves appear in France and proclaims the independent kingdom of Lyonesse in Bretagne. Well, not as much proclaimed it as created it – one night the entire landscape vanished in a fog and fairy tale castles began to appeare as well as huge tracts of ancient forrest.

1715: The Second Troll War.

1719: It is rumored that a nest of Griffyns are found in the mountain of central Norway.

1720: Schwitzerland is closed off to the world. Only in 1723 diplomatic relations will be reopend wiht the rest of the world. Schwitzerland is now ruled by what appeares to be a Gnome King.

1756-1769: The Colonial Wars. Denmark, Holland, France and England engage each other around the globe in a struggle for colonies and riches. Bloody stalemate in India where the greater powers expend themselves in futile attempts to drive to others out of the subcontinent for good. Heavy use of Magick by all sides make the wars particular bllody. Especially the locals seem to pocess great skill with Magick. The Thugees are a vile nuisance, claming many lives with their use of Black Arts. Firestaffs are used for the first time in combat, as are hand-thrown exploding globes and Elementals on a larger scale.

1780: The many wars fought during the last 100 or so years have emptied France’s coffers, killed off many of its sons and made its people poor. The mere presence of the more liberal Lyonesse with its ideals of real Noblesse Oblige had generated a series of dangerous ideas in many a Frenchman’s head. The both oppressive and greedy nature of the nobility and the Chruch, not to mention the Monarchy itself, did much to undermine the aferage Frencman’s faith in authority and God. The Ancien Régime would soon fall and France erupt in civil war where every neighbour tried to impose its will on France. Said foreign intervention led to the rise of a group of military men, dashing Lannes, daring Ney, cunning Napoleon, dreaded Davout and clever Hoche. Hoche having been persecuted for his Magick abilities gathered aforementioend group around him – ironically only Davout possessed any Magick qualities besides Hoche -, and launched a coup d’etat. While armies from England, Spain, Austria and the Papal State advanced towards France, Hoche mustered all the men he could and went out to meet the Austrians, while Davout moved north against the English and the other Marshals – as they named themsleves – moved aginst the other invaders. After Hoche’s death, Napoleon with the backing of Davout was named Grand Protector of France – the First among Equals.

1782: The volcano wrecked isle of Thera near the Greek coastline reform itself into a beautiful and verdant island. Ottoman, Greek and Austrian troops soon clashes over the island. The Theran Wars will rage until 1790, where the Ottomans finally establish their sovereignty over the island. The Theran underground is rich in Orichalcum.

1784: John Wesley is named the first Archmage of England. He will spearhead England’s quest for Magick supremacy over its many enemies.

1791: Sailors claim t have seen land rise in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

1799-1810: The Napoleonic Wars. Aided, somewhat reluctantly, by Holland and Denmark, the Grand Protector of France, Napoleon, sweeps across Europe and secures french supremacy for the next 150 years. Lyonesse finally succumbs to French rule. One of its prominent leaders, Atheldaire the Grey, go on to become one of Napoleons most successful Marshals, and the only one besides the Emperor’s chief enforcer, the Iron Marshal, Louis Davout, to beat a Russian army.

1800: After the Fall of Lyonesse, the Unseen Court at Caermael in Ireland, agrees to a union with England and Scotland. The United Kingdom is born. Wales, ruled by wild gaelic elves, even wilder men and what appeares ot be dragons stubbornly refuses. War will ravage the ares for the next 20 years.

1800-20: The Welsh Wars also known as the Dragon Wars – not to be confused with the many Chinese and Far Eastern Dragon Wars or the Tibetan Dragon Revolution – prevent the English, or British as they are now usually known, from medling in Continental affaires.

1810+: Russian and Francophile forces square off along the closed borders of Russia. The White Tsarina – stil very much alive even though the years are showing, especially at summer time for some reason - and her mighty Magick alone hold the borders. Many educated european Thaumathologists condemn the White Tsarina’s powers as vile and evil.

1825: A treaty was signed between the United Kingdoms and Russia settling the border between Canada and Alaska, then a Russia possession.

[Adam]

I wnat to see more of this, especially the introduction of magick into the 20th century. :)

[Count Dearborn]

Does the US exist?

Don't forget Cibola, Quivira, or El Dorado.

Does the city of Bhogavati come back? (Its a city that was built by the Nagas.)

What about Agarthi, Shambalah, or Shangri-Lah?

[Mr.Bluenote]

I wnat to see more of this, especially the introduction of magick into the 20th century. :)
Sure, coming right up. Sir! :) Well, not right up, but I'm rewriting the A(SB)TL and adding stuff here and there. Consider doing one century at a time - sooner or later I'm bound to end up in the 20th! ;) Good of you to comment, Rama!

Does the US exist?
Yes, and the American Revolution - of sorts - will feature prominently in the rewritten A(SB)TL. And thank you for commenting btw!

Don't forget Cibola, Quivira, or El Dorado.
El Dorado, I known of, but what are the two other? El Dorado might feature as an abadoned city or lost civilization ala Atlantis - the island that's popped up in mid-Atrlantic.

Does the city of Bhogavati come back? (Its a city that was built by the Nagas.)
Ehm, Nagas are what, Deerborn? Anyway, I'll do a Google on them right after this post, and if they're any fun, nasty or just interesting they'll pop up as well! :)

What about Agarthi, Shambalah, or Shangri-Lah?
That's some of the places that will most likely be involved in the Far Eastern Dragon Wars or the Tibetan Dragon Revolution. I haven't heard of Agarthil, though.

Other comments? Wishes? Critizism?

Best regards!

- Mr.Bluenote.

[Tielhard]

I like this! It is a beautiful silly concept. Thank you.

[Mr.Bluenote]

I like this! It is a beautiful silly concept. Thank you.
You're welcome, T! Glad you find it amusing and entertaining! Heh, yes, it's a bit silly, isn't it? But I sometimes like to put the "serious" parts of brains on hold and retreat into childhood fantasies! :)

I reread Pratchet's Lords and Ladies not too long ago and wanted to do something different with Elves. Combined those pesky long eared fellows with high magic(k) and the 16-17th century and you have destilled fun! :)

Hope to post something later today or tomorrow!

My regards!

- Bluenote.

[Count Dearborn]

The elves, and other Fae-Kin will be alright, as long as you don't make them the cutesy, Victorian ones.

Nagas are the Serpent-Folk, a legendary race native to India and Southeast Asia. They are either described as many-headed intelligent serpents; human headed snakes; or snakes with human torsos, heads, and many arms. According to legend they could shape-shift, and that they could produce viable children with humans. Appearently, many of the ancient rulers of that area of Asia where supposed to be desended from Nagas. Bhogavati is supposed to be their great city.

Agarthi, or Agartha is a mythical, underground land of wonders. It made its way into Nazi lore.

Cibola, and Quivira where lands, somewhere in the American Southwest, that the Conquistadors went looking for. Many think that the Pueblo cities might have been the basis for these legends. Cibola was also the land of seven golden cities, probably misremebered tales of the Aztecs or Incas.

[Mr.Bluenote]

A Time of High Magick
Magick is real. It has slumbered, awaken and gone to sleep once again, but now it’s easing its way back into the world of Man. The etheral energy known as Magick moves in sycles, from low ebb to high tide and has always done so. During the late 15th century Magick began to manifest itself once more and grew in strength through the next 500 years and then some. The energy level is tightly connected to the Outher Planes - other worlds or semiparalleldimensions of existence. When the Outer Planes gather, or overlap, the Magick rises and culminates when the worlds become one, or Wolrd as such become whole if one will…

15th Century
1492: Funded by their most Catholic Majesties of Spain, Christopher Columbus makes the first of aseries of voyages to the Americas, or New World as it was called. Columbus was a reality seeking a western seabotn trade route to Asia, not seeking new land. On his return Columbus introduces tobacco to the Europeans.

1497-1509: The Kalmar and Merchant Wars. King Hans I and his son, future king, Christian I battles first the Swedes in the bloody Kalmar War and then duels with The Hanseatic League at sea in the Baltic. Rumours of the use of the Black Arts circulate. Inquisitors sent from both Spain and the Papal State denounces any overt use of the forbidden arts.

1497: John Cabot, or Giovanni Caboto as his real name was, explores the Atlantic in search of the mytical isle of Hy-Brasil. Instead he finds New Foundland of the Coast of Vinland. Cabot claims the area for the English King, Henry VII. The next years, Cabot searches for the Northwest Passage, a northern route to Asia.

1499: Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, sights the coast of South America during a voyage of discovery for Spain. Vespucci was rumoured to have brought an ancient stone tablet with inlaid metals that glowed with him as a navigational tool.


Next the 16th Century and more Magick! :)

[Count Dearborn]

According to legend, the strongest magic-users in Europe where the Fins.

[Mr.Bluenote]

16th Century
1500-1508: Tudor Palace of Placentia is built at Greenwich by the English King Henry VII. Weissstein, or White Stone as it is know in the English language - is used for the first time, albiet in small quatity. Scolars disputes this to this day, though, and many claim that the White Stone was added much later. Weissstein – White Stone - is a golden marble-like material, that is warm to the touch and nearly indestructable. Elemental Earth-energy is fused with stone and slight amounts of Orichalcum to create Weisstein. During the 17th century many Magi specialized in creating Weissstein or magically raising buildings made of Weissstein from the ground - or the Brahe a bulding as it was, an still is, known.

1505: A Danish captain, Gerd Morgenstern, arrives in Greenland and later travels to Vinland – the northeastern area of the Americas. Captain Morgenstern was later condemned as a practitioner of the Black Arts and burned at the stake. Vinland, however, was still claimed by the Danish King, Hans I. Hans I and the English Tudor-king are at odds over the ownership of Vinland for the rest of their lives, and the disagreement will follow the two countries and their Royal Houses for many years to come!

1507: The name of America – in honour of Amerigo Vespucci – was used for the first in a geography book referring to the New World.

1513: Ponce de León of Spain lands in Florida.

1515: The first Danish colony, Christiana, named after the Danish Queen, is established in Vinland.

1517: Martin Luther launches the Protestant Reformation in Europe, bringing an end to the sole authority of the Catholic Church, resulting in the growth of numerous Protestant religious sects and a rise in Magick related incidents.

1519: Hernando Cortés stumbles upon the Aztec Empire and tries to conquor it. He returns to Spain in 1521, nearly driven insane by his expiriences with the Aztecs. It is rumored that the Aztecs used some kind of Black Arts fueled by sacrificies as well as employed Spirits and Undead Horrors in their fight against the Spaniards.

1519-1522: Ferdinand Magellan is the first person to sail around the world. His flagsship, the Bella Madonna, is blessed by several priests and has, or so it is believed, a water elemental bound to its hull.

1520-1605: The Scandinavian Wars. Danish and Swedish kings fights long and protracted wars over southern Sweden and the Baltic regions. Around 1600 due to open use of Magick, the Danes gain a deceisive upper hand. During this time, the Danes also occasionally clashes with English and French ships in and around the Americas. The borders of Vinland, Nouvelle France and the English colonies are far from agreed upon. Other priorities – such as more important wars - seem to prevent open warfare.

1521: Cortés arrives back in Spain. His white hair and tales bring horror and wrath to many Spaniards hearts. The Catholic Majesties prepare for an even greater cross-Atlantics expedition. Inquisitors, armed with holy scriptures, packing a lot of firewood and armed with their righteous faith, debarks with the army.

1524: Giovanni da Verrazano, sponsored by France, lands in the area around the Carolinas, then sails north and discovers the Hudson River, and continues northward into Narragansett Bay and Arcadie. Da Verrazano claims the areas in the name of the French King and name it La nouvelle France – New France.

1532: The Spaniards finally defeat the Aztects. Almost the entire Aztec male population is condemned as heretics, devil worshippers and practitioners of the Black Arts and burned. Women and young children are enslaved.

1540 and onwards: The relationship between Spain, France and England continues to sour as they vie for power, influence and overseas colinies. Holand and Denmark do their outmost to keep out of the brewing conflict.

1541: Hernando de Soto of Spain discovers, navigates and maps the Mississippi River.

1587: The first English child, Virginia Dare, is born in Roanoke, om August the 18th. Roanoke will later be known as the Place of the Shapeshifters. The second true Magus of England, John Shayle, saves the colony from almost certain destruction be the savage Half Wolves.

1588: In Europe, the destruction of the mighty Spanish Armada by the English results in England replacing Spain as the dominant power and leads to a gradual decline of Spanish influence in the Americas. Magick is openly used by the English as Grand Magus John Dee, Queen Elizabeths I’s personal advisor, rain fire upon the Armada and capture the ships by strong magical winds.

1590: A dozen women are burnt as witches in Copenhagen. These poor souls will be the last witches burnt in Denmark. Illigal use of Magick will however be considered high treason and punished by death, but witch hunts are now a thing of the past… in Denmark. In Spain and the Holy Empire, children are either put in Jesuit or Inquisition care or burned as heretics and worse. Grown ups are usually burnt without further ado.

1592: The young Danish Crown Prince Christian – future King Christian IV the Great – visits Tyge Brahe at Uranienborg at the Isle of Hven. Here Christian vitnesses the wonders of Magick first hand as he is given a grand tour of Hven and the beautiful castle of Uranienborg. Uranienborg was magically created by Brahe himself some years earlier. Tycho Brahe was a brilliant astronomer and Mage. Furthermore Brahe was directly responsible for the acceptance of Magick in Denmark and thus large parts of Northern Europe during a time of superstition and witch hunts.

1596: At his coronation the King is crowned with a new crown seemingly made from somekind of living gold. Tyge Brahe – the maker of the new royal crown - was present and will later be introduced as the Kings High Advisor as part of the Triumvirat of Christoffer Valkendorf, Christian Friis and aforementioned Tyge Brahe.

1597: Christian IV stations two warships at Christiana in Vinland and expand the colony.

1598: High Advisor Brahe raises the Great Frederik’s Tower in honour of Christian’s liberal father, Frederik II, in Copenhagen. The tower will set a trend that will lead to some 50 towers being raised in Copenhagen by 1820. Both the King himslef and his Triumvirat does a lot to beautify Copenhagen and make it into a modern city – meaning the streets are cobbled, lit, wide and fairly straight, garbage was collected and sanitation something taken serious – Copenhage had and still has the largest sewer system, and a lot of catacombs apparently, in Europe next to Prag and Paris.

Next, sometime during the week, the 17th century.

[Mr.Bluenote]

The elves, and other Fae-Kin will be alright, as long as you don't make them the cutesy, Victorian ones.
Haha, you have never read Lords and Ladies I take it?! :) Nay worry, my good Count, the Elvish Tuatha de Danann will not be cute in anyway, au contraire one is tempted to say.

Nagas are the Serpent-Folk (...) Bhogavati is supposed to be their great city (...)
Thanks for all the info, Deerborn. Nagas etc etc will feature in the parts regarding India! Likewise will some of the other places you metioned! I had originally wanted to focus on Denmark as mentioned in the first post, doing some kind of cross-over between Christian IV's reign and Shroud's universe, but the thing kinda grew, but I'll try to keep the A(SB)TL centered mostly on Europe and related matters... I think... ;)

According to legend, the strongest magic-users in Europe where the Fins.
Yeah, they seem to have a great tradition for magic according to their legends - Ilmarinen and all that. I'll figure the Finns will play a semi-prominent role when Russia enters the scene for real.

Once again thank you for your comments and ideas!

Regards and all!

- B.

[Count Dearborn]

There are the Horned Serpents of Celt Myth. Perhaps they are cousins of the Naga.

[Roedecker]

Here is a "scientific" explanation for how magick could work:

After the Big Bang came the universe, its galaxies, star systems and suns. Woven into and intertwined with all of this - from the smallest molecule to the largest star - is "Quintessence". This Quintessence is an essential part of nature - like energy or matter. It is a field of energy that spans the universe. It surrounds and penetrates all things. This energy field is made up of magion "particles" - subatomic, high energy, fluctuations in the quantum state of the space-time continuum. Magion particles exist throughout the universe as "background" radiation. Even in the deepest void of space, one can find magion particles. Due to the unique nature of magion particles (fluctuations on the quantum level), they affect both matter and energy. Magions have the ability to change all the physical properties of any other particles they happen to interact with, including other magions. They can change among other things mass, inertia, electrical charge, space-time coordinates, and can even convert magions into matter and vice versa. Magion particles are not true particles, but do possess mass. Magions also exhibit the wave motion properties of electromagnetic radiation. Hence, they travel through most matter at light speed, while still interacting with matter on an atomic level.

All living creatures generate bio-neural energy within their nervous systems. This energy is concentrated in nerve fibers throughout the body and the spinal column, but is especially strong in the synaptic neurons of the brain. The more highly developed the brain, the stronger the bio-neural energy generated. Some simple life forms do not have true brains, only nerve clusters. These creatures generate very little bio-neural energy. Humanoids, however, have very complex and highly evolved brains. They are capable of abstraction, imagination and language. Hence, they have the strongest bio-neural energy.

In a similar fashion to the way mass distorts the space-time continuum to bend the fabric of reality and produce gravity, the bio-neural energy of living organisms distorts the universal magion field. The presence of bio-neural energy, that which is generated in the nervous system of a biological entity, causes an increase in density in the magion field.

Intelligent beings, especially those capable of language, are usually able to exert a certain amount of control over magion particles. Not only do they have stronger bio-neural energy, but living creatures that use language, imagination and structured thought patterns are able to affect the unified field. The process occurs during the interaction between bio-neural energy and magion particles. In such interactions, the bio-neural energy can alter the wavelength and frequency of magion wave properties. Certain frequencies of bio-neural energy can also alter the density, quantum oscillation, phase and other properties of magion particles. By influencing magion particles, they can be directed, used to generate energy, matter, gravity, spatial anomalies and other phenomena.

It is difficult for a humanoid to do and it must be learned. But, with the proper training, an intelligent mind can learn to shape and direct the flow of Quintessence. Those that master control of the magion field do so by altering the perceptions of their mind, which causes their nervous system to shift the frequency of their bio-neural energy. These are the fundamental building blocks of what is called magick.

Most actual spell casting is done by using short incantations (most often in what sounds like gibberish) accompanied by gestures. This is because certain words and gestures act as "psychological triggers" to alter the perceptions of the mind, allowing one to manipulate magion particles to override the usual laws of nature. An accomplished magic-user can sometimes perform simple magick without the need of a spell, instead using pure thought alone.

Wood is a magickally imbued material. This is because in addition to harnessing sunlight, photosynthesis allows wood to store a significant quantity of magion particles within its cells. Using the unique properties of wood, magick wands and staffs are created. A wand or a staff functions as a "magick focuser". In the same way a convex glass can focus sunlight enough to create a small fire, wands and staffs focus the magickal energy of their users, not necessarily increasing the magick power, just making it more intense.

[Mr.Bluenote]

There are the Horned Serpents of Celt Myth. Perhaps they are cousins of the Naga.
Really? I didn't known that! Somekind of proto-Dragon or? A race of serpent-like creatures sounds good btw!

Regarding various magic critters. I have this idea that small magical occurences will happen first, then the evermore overlapping Outer Worlds/Planes/what not will fuel the magical energies further and more and more things magic will happen and appear. Creatures and such like appeare proportional to their magicness - say Dwarves first, Dragons last...

Best regards!

- Mr.B.

[Mr.Bluenote]

Here is a "scientific" explanation for how magick could work: (...)
Wow, it almost sounds like magic is real, dosn't it?! Neat article, Roedecker.

I might steal a few of the ideas as I intend to have theoretical sorcerors or thaumatologists that specultates quite a lot over the mysteries of magic etc etc appear in the A(SB)TL.

Thanks for the respons!

Best regards and all!

- Mr.Bluenote.

[Count Dearborn]

Why not use the idea of the Nine Worlds of the Norse Mythology? Only, maybe the other eight worlds are actually alternate earths, or some such.

Check out the writings of Rupert Sheldrake. I think he had some influence on Terry Pratchett. The "Observer Effect" would also have some bering on the magic. And don't forget "Any suffecently advanced technology is indistiguishable from magic." Its one of Sir Arthur C. Clarke's laws.

[Mr.Bluenote]

Why not use the idea of the Nine Worlds of the Norse Mythology? Only, maybe the other eight worlds are actually alternate earths, or some such.
Hmm, good idea! Will do, or have done! :) Thanks for the inspiration, Count D!

I've rewritten the intro and added stuff about the Nine Worlds etc etc. Furthermore, I also made a part about the Tuatha Dé Danann - which is far from final btw - and are working on the Dvergar, that's the Dwarves...

The A(SB)TL will be expanded within the week. The 17th century is eagerly waiting its freedom in print! :)

Thanks for the comments and ideas, guys! It's much appreciated.

Bets regards!

- B.

[Mr.Bluenote]

A Time of High Magick - Introduction, v.1.1
Magick is real. It has slumbered, awaken and gone to sleep once again, but now it’s easing its way back into the world of Man. The etheral energy known as Magick moves in sycles, from low ebb to high tide and has always done so. During the late 15th century Magick began to manifest itself once more and grew in strength through the next 500 years and then some. The energy level is tightly connected to the Outher Planes - other worlds or semiparalleldimensions of existence. When the Outer Planes gather, or overlap, the Magick rises and culminates when the worlds become one, or World as such become whole if one will…

Among Theoretical Thaumatologists and Magi academia it is generally agreed upon that there are 9 pirmary worlds aka the Nine Worlds. The Worlds are linked to those of ancient Norse Mythology, but unlike in Norse Mythology, the Wolrds are connected by an etheric superstring instead of the World Tree of Yggdrasil. The etheric superstring – the Ginnungagap according to Bohr and Heisenberg - is an energy conductor of great capacity, thus it is possible for beings to travel be Magick means between the Worlds, a feat made much easier as the Worlds began to overlap.

The Nine Worlds are generally believed to be Asgard, Elphame (Both Alfheim and Svartalfheim in Norse Mythology), Vanaheim, Niflheim, Midgard, Muspelheim, Jotunheim, Hel and Nidavellir.

Asgard is the Realm of the Aesir. The Aesor are basivcally the ancient Norswe Gods of Legend. Elphame is home to the fae and the Tuatha Dé Danann. Elphame consists of both Alfheim - home of the Light Elves or Aes Sdihe - and Svartalfheim – home of the Daoine Sidhe, the Dark Elves - in Norse Mythology. Vanaheim is the home of the Godlike Vanir – the Aesir’s fierce competitors. Niflheim is the Realm of Ice. Midgard is the World of man, our World. Muspelheim is the Land of Fire. Jotunheim is the Realm of Giants and lesser races, according ther the Tuatha Dé Danann. Hel is the Realm of the dead and hel herself – the Goddess or Claimer of the Dead. Nidavellir – The Dark Fields -, is the ancient home of the Dvergar – Dwarves.

The late 15th Century and the 16th Century saw Magick as well as Magical societies and Outer World races appear, or reappear. There was a gradual build-up of Magick, which meant that low level conjuring tricks suddenly began to work, Elemental energy ozed into the World of Man, then a handful of Dvergar - Dwarves - and Jætter – Trolls - turned up, as more potent Magick became avialable, the Tuatha Dé Danann - Elves - and Dragon along with other highly magical creatures appeared in numbers. The slow introduction of Magick, over a timespan of nearly 200 years, made Magick an integrated, albeit at times quite frightening part of people’s lives and everyday. Magick did cange the World of Man, though. Magick undermined ancient customs and rules; blood and birthright – except in the few instances were race, as in the case of Fae, and the strange oneness with the land, as seen in Russia and Persian, manifested itself - no longer meant everything, knowledge, skill and personal power on the contrary suddenly did. A new elite saw the light of day; the Magi. Some rulers were pretty cever and accepted the Magi, or at least some of them, into the already existing nobility and thus strenghtened their hold on power, where others tried to suppress the Magi, which usually ended badly in revolution, warfare and generel mayhem. Magick spread like wildfire in Europe in especially the 16th and 17th century and saw the rise of educated and literate men and women that were increasingly self-conscious and aware of their own importance and place in the political landscape. The best seen case of this newfound self-conscious was seen in the French and North American Revolutions in the 18th century.

Basically, the appearance of Magick gave power to the idea of Individualism – that a person is sacred and above the Collective. Individualism often clashed with Collectivism, as seen in the Tuatha Dé Danann ruled United Kingdom, Poland-Lithuania, Persia under the Daemon-Shah, Ahrimanes, or Russia under the immortal Soil-Bound Tsarina. Still, for the most part, society, order and the rule of law prevailed and made Individualism, as well as its main proponent, the Magi, work within the established society and for the common, usually at least, good. In the the late 19th and early 20th century, a dangerous new type of Individualism emerged and mixed with Collectivism, the idea of Nationalism and the Myth of the Great Man would lead to many conflicts and massive social upheaval. Mass warfare and Magick destruction were waged on a gargantuan scale and millions perished.

[Mr.Bluenote]

The Fae
The land of faery,
Where nobody gets old and godly and grave,
Where nobody gets old and crafty and wise....
- W.B. Yeats, The Land of Heart's Desire.

Land of Heart's Desire, Where beauty has no ebb, decay no flood, But joy is wisdom, time an endless song!
- W.B. Yeats, The Land of Heart's Desire.

In a time where Magick is real, the old creatures of legend and Mythology springs to life as well. Among the most powerful and influencial of these magical creatures are the Fae. Wild Daoine Sidhe, notorious Leprechauns, elegant Aes Sidhe and deadly dark monsters emerged from their hiding places and began to walk the World of Man in 1702.

The Beginning
The Faery Folk first appeared in Ireland, Wales and Scotland on the 1st of November – All Saints Day, or Samhain in the old Gaelic tongue -, in 1702. Not overly surprising, the locals of Gaelic descent allied with the Fae and threw the English out – well, more or less. Nevertheless, the English were forced to retreat from most of their holdings in all three areas. The Gaelic people seemed to get along quite easily with the powerful and highly magical Fae. Especially the mighty Tuatha Dé Danann – Elves – with their enchanted orichalcum weapons were too much for the average Red Coat. It was, however, soon clear that the Fae couldn’t stand iron and the English were able to negotiate a peace setlement with the war-weary Fae – one thing aboiut immortals, they really, really don’t like the idea of dying. As part of the settlement, the Tuatha Dé Danann – People of the Goddess Dana - as they called themselves and the English exchange ambassadors. A young elvish women arrived at the Court of St.james. She claimed to be Niamh Chinn Óir – Niamh of the Golden Hair - from Tír na nÓg, Princess of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Heiress to the Land of Youth, where no one ever grows old. Niamh was to serve as an ambassador from her father – the King of All Fae, Auberon mac Lir – Auberon the Son of the Sea -, to the English Court and that of Man.

Whether it was intende by the scheming Tuatha Dé Danann or not, Niamh and the Crown Prince of England, the 19 year old George, fell in love – who can resist the beautiful and enchanting Tuatha Dé Danann – and eventually Niamh gave birth to a son. The son was named Lugh, and he would grow to rule England and later the United Kingdom forever. Ironically, he could not stand the other apparently immortal ruler, Tsarina Anna I of Russia. With Lugh as King, the Tuatha Dé Danann and their little brothers and sisters of the Sidhe – Faerie folk - spread all over the British Isles and were soon to be found in positions of power everywhere.

In the late summer of 1712, the Tuatha Dé Danann appeared in France as well, and proclaimed the independent kingdom of Lyonesse in Bretagne. Perhaps, not as much proclaimed it as created it; one night the entire landscape vanished in a fog and fairytale castles began to rise from the ground as well as huge tracts of ancient forrest suddnely appearing. Later the same year, Logres appeared in the Pyrennes.

In the late 18th Century, violence and revolution sweep through France and the Continent. Lyonesse was besiged by the Revolutionary Army of France and finally succumbed to the Rule of Man.

After the Fall of Lyonesse, the Tuatha Dé Danann-led Fae in Irland and Scotland agreed to a union with England, and thus the United Kingdom is born. The Union was fairly easily accepted by all sides as the King of England was Lugh I, the Half-Elven off-spring of Niamh Chinn Óir and King George II. Wales, still ruled by wild Gaelic elves – mostly of Unseen Court -, even wilder men and what appeares to be dragons, stubbornly refused. War ravaged the area for the next 20 years.

The Welsh Wars also known as the Dragon Wars – not to be confused with the many Chinese and Far Eastern Dragon Wars or the Tibetan Dragon Revolution – ended with a British victory on the 1st of May, Beltaine, 1820, as King Lugh’s Irish Guards and the Light Sidhe of the Life Guard finally take the last Welsh stronghold in Snowdonia. It was said, and believed to this day, that the King himself duelled with a mighty White Dragon and drove it way with Magick and his enchanted sword. The war, however, prevented the British, as they were now usually known, from medling in Continental affaires, and most of the Continent had been rearranged and split between them by Grand Protector Napoleon of France and Tsarina Anna I of Russia at the time of Caer Malgrum’s fall.

In 1841, the first Man, Richard Dadd, during the reign of Lugh I, became British Chanslor. Chanslor Dadd’s relationship with King Lugh I was exellent, and Dadd’s death in 1888, at the age of 71, was truly mourned by the Half-Elven King. Dadd never was a powerful Magus, but he had a knack for dealing with the Tuatha Dé Danann, an would be remembered as one of the most influencial Men ever.

The Fae Folk
The Sidhe, or Faerie Folk are many different races; the mighty Elves themselves, or Tuatha de Danaan, helpful Brownies, playful Pixies, sensuous Nyads, seaborn and gently Selkie, scary Bocca or Bogeys, tricky Leprechauns, dreaded Formorians, cyclopian Fachan and terrible Firbolgs. These are the Faerie - a beautiful, magical and occasionally terrifying part of the Magick new world of the 18th Century. No-one, well, no Man at least, is able to tell anything about the English King Lugh and his relationship with his mother or his grandfather, Auberon, or his grandmother, Queen Fand of the Seelie Court. The Man-Elven relationship seems to be plagues with intrigue, long-hidden agenda and are by nature highly enigmatic. As Lugh continous to rule and rule and rule, the English, began to feel ill at ease and home in their own land, and soon rose up in a revolt. The uprising were put down, albeit with some diffulty, by the King’s Men - the Armed forces of the United Kingdom -, who are dominanted by Elven officers and regulars with a Gaelic background.

The expression Blue Blooded originates with the Thautha de Danaan. Not only the Elves, but all the Fae has copper in their blood instead of iron, which makes their blood bluish instead of red. Thus the expression Blue Blooded for those born to tule and the Nobility – two sides of the same coin in the Half-Elven King’s Realm!

Nature, be it woodland, moors, meadows and the sea is of a sacred nature to the Fae, The Fae King, Auberon mac Lir, is the Sea’s Great Son and Ruler. The Tuatha de Danaan are even said to have come from the sea. Some scholar speculate that Auberon mac Lir is the rolemodel for Poseidon of Greek Mytholgy and Frey of Norse Mythology and whether Atlantis was his original realm. Most other Fae - like Queen Fand of the Seelie Court - are, however, connected to land, by it woods, meadows, moors or mountains. As the Worlds began to overlap and align, many new landscapes appeared, or reappeared, among them Holy Elven lands; Lyonnesse and Logress. Lyonesse is mostly woodland as trees often are the haunts of the lesser Fae – non-Elves, basically. Logress, however, is for the most part rugged mountan terrain.

Magick of the Fae
Fae Magick seem to be quite diferent from Human Magick, but then again so does Dwarven Magick etc etc. Faery Magick is often very powerful, but is unsuited for direct use, menaing that few fae can hurl fireball around like some of the more detsructive and powerful human Magi. Fae Magick is often called Glamour as it works in roundabout ways. Just as Fae themselves usually are fundamentally different from Men deep down, but look rather alike on the surface, so is Glamour very different from the Magick of man, but in many ways much more powerful. All Fae are by nature Magick – whether or not they are born with the Attunement-gene has not been discovered so far. It seems that it is unconsious use of Glamour among other things keep the Fae immortal, beautifull, scar-free and bloody charming. The fact that Fae can use Glamour without actually meaning too makes it a breed part from other types of Magick as Magi must concentrate on using their Magick.

The Seen and Unseen Courts
The Fae, are divided into several smaller clans, communities and what not. All are ruled by the Thuatha de Danaan – aka the Elves -, and answer to Auberon mac Lir, the High King of Tír na nÓg and thus all Fae and Elves. The two largest are the Unseen Court of Queen Macha the Red and the Seen Court of Queen Fand. The Unseen Court are inhabited be the Daoine Sidhe – the Dark Lords -, whereas the Aes Sidhe – Host of the Air - are hailing from the Seen Court. The Unseen Courts is Svartalfheim of Norse Mythology, whereas the Seen Courts is Alfheim. Queen Macha has twin sons, the Emain of Macha – two inseperable young men/women, that apparently has a say or two in the Wlsh Troubles. Macha’s consort if Lord Hemed – acting as Warleader of the Unseen Court, as well as a Minister in King Lugh’s government. The two Courts are usually at odds with each other – Macha and Fand can’t stand one another, nor do they or their subjects agree on much in regards to humans etc etc. The Daoine Sidhe feel superior to all other races, including their Fae brethern, and feel that all should bow to them, whereas the Aes Sidhe see mortals and other non-Fae as misguided children needing a strong hand and the wisdom of the Tuatha Dé Danann. The Daoine Sidhe has a tendensy towards cruelty and malign racism, while the Aes Sidhe mostly show a more benign racism and tend to treat other Fae and races with polite disdain. King Auberon rarely get involved in Court politics, though, as he is more than contend to keep to his own company at sea.

Then of course there is both Lyonnesse, now part of France, and Logres. Lyonesse was, and still is, populated by Woodland Fae, and would be considered as the same kind as the ones owing their alligiance to the Seen Court. Logres is a mountaineous region and rules over by Grey Elves, or Mountain Elves basically, and seem to remind more of tall, beautiful Dwarves or Norse Elves than the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Logres is often mistaken for Wales or even the British Isles. In reality it’s a mountainous Fae Kingdom interposed over the Pyrennes Mountains between Spain and France. What was once Andorra simply disappeared one day and in its, and the surrounding mountainsides, stead stod Logres, with its mighty white peaked mountains – among the tallest in Midgard -, tall towers, grey castles and Fae inhabitants. In sharp contrast to Lyonesse, Logres is a hard place, not a fairytale landscape. The Fae who live here are tough and self-reliable. Just as the Lyonessian Fae, theyr are honourable and stand by their word, unlike many other Fae. The Fae of Logres get along very well with both Gnomes and Dvergar – Dwarves.

Scholars and the like believe that the traditions of honour and strenght, combined with Lyonesse’ chivalrous and poetic traditions – the ancient Trobadours came from Lyonesse and are very visible even today - gave rise to the Era of Chivalry and thus the Legends of Arthur – a time were the Worlds were very close and Magick for a brief time were at an ebb. Fae knights – Melior de Logres among others – are thought to have found their way across the Channel to aid their kin in their struggle against human invaders and their allies the Formorians and Fir-Bolg.

[Mr.Bluenote]

The Dvergar
The Dvergar – Dwarves - are often associated with mountains, stones, metals, the deep underground and the art of forging. Generally, they are somewhat dark and brooding creatures, but all in all the Dvergar are the most human of the Magick creatures. Often the Dvergar are portrayed as selfish, greedy and cunning, but in reality they are simply stubborn and very gifted trades- and craftsmen with a somethat dark sense of humour, that seldom give others their loyalty, but when they do, it is unbreakable.

Nidavellir – literally the Dark Fields -, is the ancient home of the Dvergar, and a place of great mountains ranges and hilly landscapes. Nidavellir is closely connected to the vast plains and rugged foot hills of Jotunheim - the Realm of Trolls and Giants. The stout Dvergar and their allies often contest various Ginnungagaps - Etheric crossings - and launch either invasions or counter-invasions of the foul lands almost continously.

The Dvergar have found a second home in the north of the World of Man, a place where they are valued and respected. Most of their Ginnungagaps leads to Scandinavia and the Northern parts of the Midgard. A large Physical Overlap, mixed with some Ginnungagap from Jotunheim, has occurred in North Norway, Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Isles. At present the Dvergar are nearly fully integrated in the Kingdom of Denmark and take part in the everyday life of the Danes as equal partners.

The Dvergar High King is the imposing Modsognir. His son, Durinn, is the Dvergar’s warleader and heir, while the Kings brotherson, Dvalinn, acts as Kansler – something akin to Primeminister. King Modsognir officially rules Nidavellir as High King, but is in fact in charge of little else than what amounts to foreign policy and warfare, as aspects of Dvergar society are handled by the three Dvergars Clan Kings, or Thanes in the Dvergar language. The Clan Kings often consult the High King, but it’s more a matter of form than anything else.

According to Norse Mythology, the Dvergar were created when Odin and his brothers Vili and Ve fabricated the world from the Ymer's body and bred out of maggots feeding on the flesh of the dead giant. The three Brothers gave the Dvergar wits, intelligence and the shape of small humans. The Dvergar are quite often described as rather ugly to the human eye, but are in fact more humanlike in both nature and look than even the Thuatha Dé Danann. In sharp contrast to aforementioned Thuatha Dé Danann, Dvergar blod is a deep red because of the very high concentration of iron in it, which is very symbolic of the two races often opposed ways. Soon after their creation, or so Norse Mythology claim, the Dvergar moved under the hills and mountains of Nidavellir, and did not come out from beneath the land very often in fear that they will be turned into stone by the sun. This is untrue, however, but it is generally believed that since Nidavellir is a fairly dark world, and thus the Dvergar are rather sensitive to bright light, this myth has some truth to it. It is even said that the Dvergar Alvis and Dvalin, the two first Dverga to cross from Nidavellir to our World, Midgard, turned to stone when the rays of the sun struck them. A a tribute, the Dvergar often call the sun Dvalin's Delight with typical dark Dvergar gallow’s humour.

The myths and legends concerning the Dvergar are legio, and another bit of mythology that indicates the importance of the Dvergar is the ancient myth that four Dvergar has the duty of holding up the sky – basically, Ymir's skull – high (quite ironic) over the lands of Midgard – the World of Man. Their names where Norðri (North), Suðri (South), Austri (East) and Vestri (West). Furthermore, Nýi and Niði governed the waxing and waning of the Moon, thus controlling the Lunar phases.

The Dvergar are magical creatures, but as with the Fae their inherited Magick are mostly inactive and works rather discretely. The Dvergar are incredible tough and long lived, which is why the Danish King – a sworn ally of the Dvergar - favours heavy Dvergar Infantry Regiments as his crack troops. Besides their more physical strenghts, the Dvergar have the ability to form stone and metal in ways no other being can and furthermore infuse their masterpieces with potent Magick.

Dvergar are skilled metal-workers and the makers of many a magical artifact, both in Norse Mytholoigy and in reality. The Dvergar were great metal workers, for whom even the Gods went to for metal working. Dvergar such as the sons of Thane Invaldi – himself one of the mightiest Dvergar smiths -, Brokk and Eitri, who according to legend made Thor's great hammer, Mjollnir, and Odin's spear, Gungnir, the ring Draupnir and the flying ship Skidbaldnir. The Dvergar has introduced many things to the World of Man, including the self-loading crosssbow, the later repeating all-metal variant, the man-portable Dragon flamethrower and the heavy auto-balista of Troll War-fame as well as the deadly Bomborger and miscellaneous equipement such as the Hulioshjalmer-helmet and chameleon-cloaks. The Dvergar were also deeply involved in the creation of the first Juggernauts, huge self-moving Land Fortresses, the everpresent elemetal-engines and subsequently the duplication of the United Kingdom's dreaded Air and Sea Leviathans.

The Fylgja
Dvergar seer women. Often see a troubled future and are doomed to act upon it. Fylgja are the Dvergar guardians. When they die, they often – in a Magick rich environment – linger to aid their descendants or the whomever they seem to take an affection to. It is believed that this is the reason for ancient myth about Dvergar being Wights and such like. It is sometimes seen that Fylgja take an interest in a Human and its family and thus provide said person and the family with advice and protection. The Danish royal family has several Fylgja for example, but it is also seen that commoners has a Dvergar Guardian.

[Mr.Bluenote]

A Time of High Magick
Magick is real. It has slumbered, awaken and gone to sleep once again, but now it’s easing its way back into the world of Man. The etheral energy known as Magick moves in sycles, from low ebb to high tide and has always done so. During the late 15th century Magick began to manifest itself once more and grew in strength through the next 500 years and then some. The energy level is tightly connected to the Outer Planes - other worlds or semiparallel dimensions of existence. When the Outer Planes gather, or overlap, the Magick rises and culminates when the Worlds become one, or World as such become whole if one will…

The Worlds
Among Theoretical Thaumatologists, Magi Academia and scholars it is generally agreed upon that there are 9 primary Worlds aka the Nine Worlds. The Worlds are linked to those of ancient Norse Mythology, but unlike in Norse Mythology, the Worlds are connected by Etheric superstrings instead of the World Tree of Yggdrasil. The Etheric superstrings – the Ginnungagap according to Bohr and Heisenberg – are energy conductors of great capacity, thus it is possible for beings to travel by Magick means between the Worlds, a feat made much easier as the Worlds began to overlap. At times there has been some local overlaps of some Worlds, last seen in our World – Midgard – around 600-800 A.D., which leads to a slight rise in Magick.

As a rule it seems that the vast majority of the Worlds are somewhat alike, meaning the sky is blueish, the sun single and golden-white – even though its power differs -, the length of a day is 24 hours, there’s a single, fairly large greyish white moon, with a 30 days or so Lunar cycle. Even the star patterns are often the same. Where the Nine Worlds differ wildly is in the details of their geography, history, mythology and Magick levels. The landscape for example often differentiate the World in question from its eight brethern, so to say, in the most apparent way as the mixture of deserts, grassland, mountains, woodland, swampland, lakes, seas and the like seperates one World from another quite clearly as does the local weather pattern. The dominant civilisation and culture as well as the level of sophistication, customs and language also sets the Worlds apart. Quite often one will find examples of a given World’s dominant civilization (culture, history, mythology ect ect) on the World of Man and somewhat less frequent on other Worlds as the Etheric superstrings – the Ginnungagap – opens gates and portals between the Worlds and in some case, when the time is right, even overlap physically. The latter mostly happens with the World of Man – Midgard - as center, though.

The Nine Worlds are generally believed to be Asgard, Elphame (Both Alfheim and Svartalfheim in Norse Mythology), Vanaheim, Niflheim, Midgard, Muspelheim, Jotunheim, Hel and Nidavellir. The ancient Norse names are used as the pioneers in Etheric research, Ørsted, Bohr and Heisenberg, all used the terms and found them most appropriate.

Asgard is the Realm of the Aesir. The Aesir are an immensely powerful race of humanlike creatures - basically the ancient Norse Gods of Legend – that are able to control the Aether as well as what we would call Magick with great skill and competance. Asgards itself seems to be a rather cold mountainous World, evidently plagued by intrsuins from Jotuheim and on occasion Muspelheim. The contineous warfare seems to have forstered a more warlike culture than otherwise seen among the very civilized Worlds, as axe-wielding seaborn raiders, bear-warriors and horned vikings dominates Asgard. The Aesir tends to favour locations and areas woht a culture similar ot that of Asgard mush more than most other Travellaers pf the Wolrds. and cultures on planes that they travelled to, and thus these associations remained. Asgard manifest on the World of Man in a massive Physical Overlap in Sweden, most of the Baltic and Finland.

Elphame is home to the Fae and thus the Tuatha Dé Danann – People of the Goddess Dana. Elphame consists of both Alfheim - home of the Light Elves or Aes Sdihe - and Svartalfheim – home of the Daoine Sidhe, the Dark Elves - in Norse Mythology. Elphame seem to have overlapped physically with parts of the British Isles, Northern Scandinavia and the South Central Atlantic Ocean were the isle kingdom of Auberon mac Lir, Tir na nÓg, has arisen once more. Quiet a few Scholars speculates that a land bridge between the isle of Tir na nÓg and Irish part of the United Kingdom, Mar Mog, will maifest itself as the Planes keeps aligning and Magick thus grow stronger.

Vanaheim is the home of the Godlike Vanir – the Aesir’s fierce competitors. The Vanir sometimes assemble the Grecco-Roman Pantheon and share a number of similarities with said cultures. The Isle of Thera along with the Black Sea and Mediterranean seem to have been Vanir populated strongholds during the last Overlap of Worlds. Nowadays, 1902, a major Physical Overalp between Vanaheim and parts of aforementioend areas has happened. The Vanir are more, shall we say, earthbound than the Aesir and less troublesome in general. The Vanir seems to be associated with a warm sunny Outer World, with many seas and small islands, heavily populated with various monsters such as centaurs, minotaurs, chimerae, medusae, and so on. Similarly for most other pantheons, one can discover a good deal about the plane for which it originally originated, especially its climate, typical geography, and common monsters, by analysing its myths, customs, and common associations.

Niflheim is the Realm of Ice. Doubles as the elemental plane of Water and Air.

Midgard is the World of Man, our World. Midgard seem to be the center of the Worlds as the other Worlds are drawn towards Wordl of Man.

Muspelheim is the Land of Fire, Dragons and Fire Giants and Earth and Fire elemental Magick.

Jotunheim is the Realm of Giants and other lesser races, according to the Aesir and Tuatha Dé Danann. In Norse Mythology, as well as present time, Jætterne – Trolls – seem to come from Jotunheim along with a plethora of other equally usually unpelasant races. Jotunheim is very close to the Dark Fields of Nidavellir. Dvergar and their allies often contest various Etheric crossings and the people’s of the two Worlds invade and counter-invade almost continously. Siberia, the northern and southern parts of the Americas and northern Scandinavia has seen some overlap and many Ginnungagap.

Hel is the Realm of the dead and mighty Hel herself – the Goddess or Claimer of the Dead. Hel is one of the Realms with most Etheric cross points – or in Magi Academia speak; Etheric Ginnungagap Superstrings attached. Hel is also one of the weirdest Worlds as it seems to draw the essence of the Dead and somehow preserve their form. An more and more occuring problem is the Dead with a persona strong enough to refuse the draw of Hel and thus stay in their own World in some form or another – usually one hostile to Life as it will often need to feed on somebody’s lifeforce to keep strong and thus avoid being pulled towards Hel.

Nidavellir – literally the Dark Fields -, is the ancient home of the Dvergar, and a place of great mountains ranges and hilly landscapes. Nidavellir is closely connected to the vast plains and rugged foot hills of Jotunheim - the Realm of Trolls and Giants. The stout Dvergar and their allies often contest various Etheric crossings and launche either invasions or counter-invasions of the foul lands almost continously. Most of their Ginnungagaps leads to Scandinavia and the Northern parts of the Midgard. A large Physical Overlap, mixed with some Ginnungagap from Jotunheim, has occurred in North Norway, Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Isles. At present the Dvergar are nearly fully integrated in the Kingdom of Denmark and take part in the everyday life of Danes as equal partners.

Nidavellir is officially ruled by the Dvergar High King, the quite imposing Modsognir, but the High King is in fact in charge of little else than what amounts to foreign policy and warfare, as aspects of Dvergar society are handled by the three Dvergars Clan Kings. The Clan Kings often consult the High King, but it’s more a matter of form than anything else. His son, Durinn, is the Dvergar’s warleader and heir, while the Kings brotherson, Dvalinn, acts as Kansler – something akin to Primeminister.

The Power of Magick
Magick is the general term used to describe the superbatural powers used by the Magi – wizards and the like – and the powers of mythological creatures now so common on and in the World of Man. The energy of magick seems to come from the Outher Worlds and as they align the power of Magick grow. But what is actually happening when a Magus uses Magick. It all depend, to acertain degree at least, on local tradition, as for example European Magi of the Hermetic tradition will use books and other assesories ot use their Magick. Basically it boils down to being able to gather energy and manipulate it. Scholars believe that the so-called Attunement-Gene acts as a reservpoir ro battery for Magick and the Magus’ personal believes and culture detreme how said energy is used. Powerful and well-trained magi can summon Magick from deposties and sometimes even from other Worlds directly.

The late 15th Century and the 16th Century saw Magick as well as Magical societies and Outer World races appear, or reappear. There was a gradual build-up of Magick, which meant that low level conjuring tricks suddenly began to work, Elemental energy ozed into the World of Man, then a handful of Dvergar - Dwarves - and Jætter – Trolls - turned up, as more potent Magick became avialable, the Tuatha Dé Danann - Elves - and Dragons along with other highly magical creatures appeared in numbers too. The slow introduction of Magick, over a timespan of nearly 200 years, made Magick an integrated, albeit at times quite frightening part of people’s lives and everyday. Magick did cange the World of Man, though. Magick undermined ancient customs and rules; blood and birthright – except in the few instances were race, as in the case of Fae, and the strange oneness with the land, as seen in Russia and Persian, manifested itself - no longer meant everything, knowledge, skill and personal power on the contrary suddenly did. A new elite saw the light of day; the Magi. Some rulers were pretty cever and accepted the Magi, or at least some of them, into the already existing nobility and thus strenghtened their hold on power, where others tried to suppress the Magi, which usually ended badly in revolution, warfare and generel mayhem. Magick spread like wildfire in Europe in especially the 16th and 17th century and saw the rise of educated and literate men and women that were increasingly self-conscious and aware of their own importance and place in the political landscape. The best seen case of this newfound self-conscious was seen in the French and North American Revolutions in the 18th century.

Basically, the appearance of Magick gave power to the idea of Individualism – that a person is sacred and above the Collective. Individualism often clashed with Collectivism, as seen in the Tuatha Dé Danann ruled United Kingdom, Poland-Lithuania, Persia under the Daemon-Shah, Ahrimanes, or Russia under the immortal Soil-Bound Tsarina. Still, for the most part, society, order and the rule of law prevailed and made Individualism, as well as its main proponent, the Magi, work within the established society and for the common, usually at least, good. In the the late 19th and early 20th century, a dangerous new type of Individualism emerged and mixed with Collectivism, the idea of Nationalism and the Myth of the Great Man would lead to many conflicts and massive social upheaval. Mass warfare and Magick destruction were waged on a gargantual scale and millions perished.

The World of Man at present
In a time where Magick is real, the old creatures of legend and Mythology are a part of everyday life in the World of Man. Hunts of Wild Fae rides across the Pampas, and Tango after darkness has fallen in the seedy Tavernas of Buenos Aires, while Sidhe lords and ladies waltz gracefully at society balls and plan new intrigues at the London Court of the Half-Elven King. Dragons takes to the sky with supreme confidence as only supernatural creatures can or occasionally walk the streets of the World of Man, Midgard, as urbane tourists looking for a new treasure or piece of art to add to their evergrowing hoards. Dvergar toil deep below ground or use their natural afinity to create new marvels of innovation, craftmanship or engineering, while Trolls and worse run rampant. But the race of Man are far from teethless as mighty weapons of war streak across the sky, shake the ground to its very core or sail the oceans regardless of wind and weather.

But all is not well in the World of Man in 1902, as the Nine Worlds interpose themselves over each other, ancient gateways along with ancient hatred appear once more. From troubled Wales in the Aes Sidhe-ruled United Kingdom, or nowadays Mar Mog, to occupied Lyonesse, the Fae led by their masters by default, the Tuatha Dé Danann, has put their mark on the World of Man like a stamp of ownership. In Northern Europe another Troll War seems to loom menacing in the horizon as does future conflict between the French and Russians under the Immortal soil-bound Tsarina with the Aesir of once Finno-Swedish lands on the sideline. On the Balkans and on the Anatolian plains the Bulgarian Empire are ready for yet another war with its neigbours as are the Court of the Daemon-Shah of Persia.

Furthermore a new Welsh uprinsing has disturbed the already fragile peace of Mag Mor - the Great Island – as the Luthians - King’s Party basically – has begun to call the United Kingdom. Among the Fae of the Half-Elven kings’ Court in London it is feared that the Americans as well as Continental Enemies, be they Russian, Persian, Bulgarian or French, will take the opportunity to cause further trouble. Furthermore, numerous French, American and Russian Leviathans, be they mighty airborn fortresses or floating citadels has been launched the last 20 or so years, so any conflict will not necessaruly end in a victory for the Great Island. The danger is so serious, that several politicians of the two Houses of the Oireachtas – parliament – has begun to consider a Conscription Law and a law making it possible to recruit English men, and thus extending a future draft from Irish and Scottish males to every male of the Mar Mog. Furthermore the Air Corps and the Royal Navy has been granted extra funds for construction of new Air and Sea Leviathans as well as the rather new Continental invention, Juggernauts.

In mid-1902 the attention of the nations of the World of Man is fixed on the growing crisis in Morocco and the showdown between two Great Powers: France and Russia, as well as the Austro-Bulgarian-Persian three-sided conflict just waiting to erupt into full blown warfare. Quite a few fear the outbreak of a general war that would engulf not only the continent of Europe, but spread across all of the globe and into Outer Worlds as well. Men are not the only ones with a few axes to grind and old hatreds to satisfy.

[Mr.Bluenote]

15th Century
During the 15th century a series of important events took place. The Renaissance (from the Italian word Rinascenza meaning Rebirth) kicked off in the Italian City States and Magick made a comeback. The combination of the Renaissance and Magick made for some truly interesting times.

The early 15th century saw a booming European economy with an aristocracy to finance and support scholarship and the arts on a unprecendented level. The Magick Renaissance, as it is known today, was an act of collaboration as borders disappeared, people relocated either due to war or the opportunity to get rich and artisans and artists were rebuilding entire cities on behalf of their patrons. This collaboration between classes and regions; patrons, scholars, artists and artisans from everywhere in Europe as well as Magick fueled the Magick Renaissance and changed the World of Man forever.

The Bulgarian annexation of Constantinople for example triggered an exodus of the former Byzantine elite – those who survied Tzar Stephan’s purges – to Western Europe, especially the Italian Peninsula. The exodus of so many gifted people as well as the ideas and treasures of all sorts they brought along with them had a tremendous impact on the societies where they chose to reestablish themselves and thus serve as a prime example of the time. Furthermore, the Ottoman and later Persian control of the traditional sea and land routes to the Asia as well as the general insecurity of the areas in question spurred a frenzied search for new trade routes.

Theoretical Thaumatologists, Magi Academia and Scholars, however, view the Magick Renaissance as not only an intellectual revolution, but also a social, ideological and to a lesser degree national revolution as warfare, religious and political persecution and, quite ironically considering the huge amounts of wealth generated at the time, an actual rise in poverty levels was even more apparent than in the so-called Dark Ages of Medival Europe. Out of this, however, new nations, beliefs, ideologies as well as philosofies and a radical new way of life would appear in due time…

Timeline
1453: Siege of Constantinople is lifted. The walls of the old Imperial city truly are indestructable. None of the Ottomans Army’s otherwiese devastating siege weapons are able to breach the mighty Byzantine walls. Among Theoretical Thaumatologists and scolatisv magi, this is the first Magick incident. As late summer approaches, a terrible plague haunts the Ottoman Army. Muhammed II dies of the plague berore he can order a retreat. The Ottoman Army disintegrates as rivalries and rebellions break out almost instantaneous after the Sultans death.

In the same year, the Battle of Castillon is fought.The French under Jean Bureau utterly defeat the English and recapture the city of Bordeaux, which basically end the Hundredd years War – the long, bloody conflict between France and England. Calais is now the only English outpost left on the Continent.

1455: A vicious civil war erupts in the Ottoman Empire. Not only are three contenders to the throne fighting each other, several of the subjugated and conquered people rise against their former oppressors. The most succesful uprising was led by the Haidouk, a Bulgarian nationalist movement, so to say, and forces from the small Bulgarian state of Vidin. A series of Bulgarian warlords begin to reclaim their ancient lands under the banner of Stephan Madara. The Bulgarians, numerous Balkan allies and likeminded warlords soon drive the seriously weakened Ottomans before them, and also engage the Serbs and other “competitors” in combat. The Balkans flares into violence and bloodshed again and again over the next decade…

1473: With Bulgarian aid the Byzantines pushes the Ottomans away from the Bosperus and into Anatolia. The Ottomans, weakned by civil war, are unable to defend their western borders as they are also under attack form Persia in the east. The Balkans and the northwestern parts of Anatolia are now in Christian hands once more.

1475: Tsar Stephan of Greater Bulgaria, still a vigorous man despite being nearly 50, orchestrates the assasination of the last Byzantine Emperor and incorporates the city of Constantinople into his greater Bulgaria. The Byzantines resists this, but Tsar Stephan drown any aspirations of continued Byzantine independence in blood. On Christmas Eve, Constantinople was declared the capital of Bulgaria.

Tsar Stefan Madara seem to be one of the first soil-bound rulers to appear. Stefan Madara and his Guard were a fierce and powerful lot. They were scions of an old Thracian line and were powerful warriors and ecxellent horsemen. Accordin to myth the Thracians even fought alongside the Trojans against the Greeks in the Trojan War in ancient times. Even today little is known about the first Tsar of the reborn Great Bulgarian Empire, but there seem to have been major Magisk afoot. According to legend Stefan and his Madaran Guard all had beautiful white horses, several sizes larger than oridnary horses, and wore, the Bulgarian Tsar’s Madaran Guard still do, golden scale-armour and crested helmets.


1477: Burgundy, the homeland of the Habsburgs, fall to France as Duke Charles the Bold is killed in battle. His daughter, Mary, moves the Burgundy Court to Brussels in the Netherlands.

1480: Tsar Stephan dies of old age in Constantinople. His son, Simeon, succeeds him and proves to be just as audacious, cruel and skilled on the battlefield as his legendary father. Simeon continues to expand Bulgaria. Out East the Ottomans face defeat after defeat to both the Bulgarians and their alliesa and to the resurgent Persia. Rumours coming from the Persian-Ottoman Border speak of vile things, black magic and monsters.

1485: After the defeat of the last Ottoman Army at Kirkuk, the Daemon-Shah, Ahrimanes, offically declare himself ruler of the reborn Persian Empire and lay claim the most of the Middle East and the now defunct Ottoman Empire.

Scholars today believe that Ahrimanes might be identical to the Aesir God of Deceit, Trickey and Betrayal – Loke - as he was cast out of Asgard and according to Persian mythology, Ahrimanes, or Angra Mainyu, apparently was a deity of some sort – known as the Spiritual Enemy – who was cast out of Heaven, and locked in eternal conflict with Ahura Mazda, or Ormuzd, the Wise Lord. Ahrimanes was apparently surrounded even then by scores of Djinn.

In Persian and Muslim mythology, the Djinns were ancient creatures that sinned against God and thus was degraded from their original high estate. Djinn seem to be creatures of pure flame – most likely hailing from the World of Muspelheim, and were ever busy fermenting evil, calamities and injuries. It is quite reasonable to speculate that a major Physical Overlap between Muspeheim and Midgard had occurred somewhere in Persia – oif so it’s the first instance of a recorded Physical Overlap. Since the Persia Empire is still off limits to every non-Persian, it is however difficult to prove.

After said declaration, little is heard for the next 50 years. Now and again Bulgarian troops clash with ditto Persians, but generally the area is quite. It is believed that Ahrimanes used the time to consolidate his grip on power and gather strenght as the level of Magick is still very low and magical creatures thus quite weak.

1492: Funded by their most Catholic Majesties of Spain, Christopher Columbus makes the first of aseries of voyages to the Americas, or New World as it was called. Columbus was a reality seeking a western seabotn trade route to Asia, not seeking new land. On his return Columbus introduces tobacco to the Europeans.

1497-1509: The Kalmar and Merchant Wars. King Hans I and his son, future king, Christian I battles first the Swedes in the bloody Kalmar War and then duels with The Hanseatic League at sea in the Baltic. Rumours of the use of the Black Arts circulate. Inquisitors sent from both Spain and the Papal State denounces any overt use of the forbidden arts. The rumours alone, howvere, triggers a series of witch hunts in Northern Europe.

1497: John Cabot, or Giovanni Caboto as his real name was, explores the Atlantic in search of the mytical isle of Hy-Brasil. Instead he finds New Foundland of the Coast of Vinland. Cabot claims the area for the English King, Henry VII. The next years, Cabot searches for the Northwest Passage, a northern route to Asia.

1499: Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, sights the coast of South America during a voyage of discovery for Spain. Vespucci was rumoured to have brought an ancient stone tablet with inlaid metals that glowed with him as a navigational tool.

[Count Dearborn]

Do your Dwarfs look like Neanderthalis? Are the Elves as tall as or taller then humans? (Pixies=Pictsies) Or maybe they are an offshoot of the Dwarfs? Do the Elves have pointed ears?

[Mr.Bluenote]

Do your Dwarfs look like Neanderthalis? Are the Elves as tall as or taller then humans? (Pixies=Pictsies) Or maybe they are an offshoot of the Dwarfs? Do the Elves have pointed ears?
Humbum, since King Lugh of Mar Mog (the British Isles) is Half-Elven, I think Elves are pretty human looking (and, eh, working), with some twists - think Warhammer Eldars with some Pratchett added. Oh, and pointy ears are a trademark of the Fae, my good Count, so yeees naturally. :)

The Dvergar are just as Dwarves usually are; short, broad shouldered humans with a fondness for body hair and things that needs a lot of oil and might go boom or clank at any time! :)

Seriously, I'll incorporate some physical discriptions into the Fae and Dvergar parts at some point. Never really thought about it!

So, other comments, ideas, criticism? Is the Bulgarian/Persian Empire reborn thingie working so far?

Best regards!

- Mr.B.

[Smuz]

The Aesir seem as if they could overpower Midgard easily. I can't help but wonder if this current meshing of worlds comes in the wake of Ragnarok- the Aesir have been almost entirely wiped out by their foes, especially those from Jotunheim, Muspelheim and Vanaheim (which itself has been decimated by the conflict). These realms are now weak, chaotic and sometimes open to invasion, but as they represent some of the more magickally powerful, they may be amongst the least integrated. Certainly, some believe that those of the Aesir and Vanar who survived wander the nine worlds, looking for allies, quests or trouble.

For example, in the Second Troll War, during the winter of 1716, a fortress of the Swedes, Apfelfestung, located in a mountain pass above the coastal town of Apfelburg, was besieged by a force of firbolg and troll, eager to loot the semi-prosperous trading port. On the second Sunday of the seige, officers leaving the fort's chapel were accosted by a man described by the chaplain as "well built of body and tall, wrapped against the frost in a blue cloak, with a long horse-whip in one hand. When he lowered his hood, I saw grey hair tied back and a leather eye-patch. I took him for a mercenary captain, perhaps a Finn" who informed them that his "host" were sited a short distance away, and could enter the town soon by another pass from another direction, and would join the fort's garrison in a sally. The arrangements were agreed at an inn in the town, where the three rounds of drinks the stranger (whose name cannot be recalled by any left after the incident) bought for the officers is seized upon by certain theorists. After what the barkeep can only describe as "negotiations", which did not result in any immediate payments, the party left, the stranger leaving the town in an unknown direction. That wednesday morning, before dawn, church bells or cockcrow, almost a hundred cavalrymen, described variously as "Lapp or Finn light cavalry, with axes slung by saddle-horns", "Hussars, cossacks with fur over their breastplates and swords sheathed" and "Fae riders- their spears were as for boar but of silver, and none carried so much as a pistol" (the last description from a sergeant recuperating from frostbite in the fort's infirmary) trotted along through the town's main street and into the fort. It is believed the fort's company, save for a few cannon crew and twenty infantrymen, fifteen of them walking wounded, along with the mercenary cavalry, proceeded boldy out of the fort and down the pass's road, breaking into a charge into the hurreidly assembled troll lines. While reports from those manning the fort are sketchy, owing to distance and light snow, evidence afterwards certainly indicates a swift victory- over 600 bodies of the enemy were found, ranging from their line of battle immediately in front of their camp in the pass to the last corpses, speared from behind some miles downhill. Only one corpse of a man was found (stabbed in the back with a firbold shortswordat the original line of battle). What became of the company is unknown, but a letter left behind by the fort's second in command, addressed to the mayor of the town, speaked confusedly of "only option", "saving the townsfolk", and, most cryptically, of his hope that "he will be worthy". No sign of the company has yet been reported.

[Count Dearborn]

The Aesir and the Vanir could just be the inspiration for the ancient gods of mankind. To the ancient humans, who were usually not much taller then five feet and a half, a person who was over six feet would seem to be a giant. Perhaps the average height for a Aesir woman is about six feet, the average for a man is six and a half feet. Every so often, an Aesir will grow taller the nine feet. The same could be said for the Vanir.

Are the Trolls the Jotunar, or are they a separate race? Perhaps the average giant is about twelve feet, but they rarely get over fifteen feet.

Do the Hindu Gods exist in your world? How about the animal spirits of America and Africa? Perhaps the African trickster, Anansi the Spider, disrupts the slave trade? Perhaps the North American Tricksters, Coyote and Raven give the Europeans a hard time? Kurupira and Viraccocha would do the same in South America?

[Smuz]

Deerborn, you're reminding me all too closely now of Neil Gaiman's sublime American Gods (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0380789035/qid=1121779025/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-2443751-3663230?v=glance&s=books&n=507846). Of course, Gaiman has the gods in more or less hiding. "Sure, we can die. We don't die easily and we don't die well, but we die." He also has a need for belief reminiscent of Pratchett's Discworld pantheons. Meh, why do I always wind up pimping strange books to strangers?

This TL seems to be all about the fey/Celtic/Norse specific mythologies though, to the point of being annoyingly monocultural.

[Count Dearborn]

American Gods was a good book. I also like Terry Pratchet, especially the Susan Sto Lat stories, and the Ramtop Coven stories.

[Count Dearborn]

Bump, bump, bump

[Count Dearborn]

So, when are you going to work on it again?

[Chris]

Humm, might steal some of this. Check out...The Magic Wars in the writers formum, bum da bum da bum:D

Chris

[Mr.Bluenote]

So, when are you going to work on it again?
Enough with the poodles arleady!!!* :) Nah, just kittin', my good Count! I'm actually giving the A(SB)TL a lookover now and trying to figure our how to proceed.

This TL seems to be all about the fey/Celtic/Norse specific mythologies though, to the point of being annoyingly monocultural.
I'm sorry if this High Magick-line seems to be monocultural, Smuz. That was never my intention, but I have to start somewhere and with something. I basically don't like ATL's or any kind of set-ups that are trying to incorporate everything. I like a fairly clearcut guiding red thread (is that btw an english expression?).

That said and done, I do hope to use Indian, Persian, Far Eastern and South American mythology as base for some of the Nine Worlds...

Humm, might steal some of this. Check out...The Magic Wars in the writers formum, bum da bum da bum:D
Be my guest, Chris, as I fully intend to rip off some of your fine work as well. I've only today realized that you have posted MW's here too - read it on Changing Timesl Good wokr, very good indeed!

Best regards and all!

- B.

*) Blimey, I just quoted Girlmore Girls in public - argh, no more girlfriend forced televison for me anymore! :)



[

[Mr.Bluenote]

16th Century
The 16th Century saw the Magick Renaissance spread even further. Not only did Magick spread like wildfire across the known world, it also fueled an interest in the past and in both general and esoteric knowledge. As scholars, nobles and Magi suddenly turned to ancient manuscripts, myth and other means of gathering new knowledge, new ideas came surfaced as well did ancient ones. The Magick Renaissance in all its glory meant more than anything else a rediscovery of classical learning, arts and sciences. The Renaissance was truly a time of rebirth.

Naturally the Holy Mother Church based in Rome and later Madrid felt the wordly Renaissance, driven as it was by ungodly acts of Magick as a direct threat to its very existence. Ironically, it seem that most clergymen were more concerned about their livelyhood than the Faith itself.

The Magick Renaissance, as noted, begun for real with the arrival of Byzantine refugees in Italy in the late 15th century and soon spread northwards. French and Germans, as well as Scandinavians and Britons adapted and modified it during this period, but still the Magick Renaissance brought knowledge, enlightenment and a new spirit with it. For a breif time the World of Man seemed like a peacefull place full of art, teater, music, literature and learning. This would not last as the Magick Renaissance also brought with it new conflicts and struggels as the Church, Kings, Nobles, burgers and peasants alike clashed in this brave new world.

Timeline
1500-1508: Tudor Palace of Placentia is built at Greenwich by the English King Henry VII. Weissstein, or White Stone as it is know in the English language - is used for the first time, albiet in small quatity. Scolars disputes this to this day, though, and many claim that the White Stone was added much later.

Weissstein – White Stone - is a golden marble-like material, that is warm to the touch and nearly indestructable. Elemental Earth-energy is fused with stone and slight amounts of Orichalcum to create Weisstein. During the 17th century many Magi specialized in creating Weissstein or magically raising buildings made of Weissstein from the ground - or the Brahe a bulding as it was, an still is, known.

1505: A Danish captain, Gerd Morgenstern, arrives in Greenland and later travels to Vinland – the northeastern area of the Americas. Captain Morgenstern was later condemned as a practitioner of the Black Arts and burned at the stake. Vinland, however, was still claimed by the Danish King, Hans I. Hans I and the English Tudor-king are at odds over the ownership of Vinland for the rest of their lives, and the disagreement will follow the two countries and their Royal Houses for many years to come!

1507: The name of America – in honour of Amerigo Vespucci – is used for the first in a geography book referring to the New World.

1508: The Holy Mother Church in Rome condemn an elderly man, Leonardo da Vinci, as a user of Black Arts. One of De Vinci apprentices use powerfull Magick to free his master. It is quite ironic that Leonardo dosn’t seem to be a Magus himself, but rather appears to be a forerunner of the scholary Theoretical Thaumatologists of today. After their escape, da Vince and his apprentices seek refuge in Milan, where the headstrong and ambitious Duke Sforza refuses to hand him over to the Church. The Church responds by orchestrating massive witch hunts across the Italien Peninsula.

1509-12: The first in a series of profane uprisings in Italy spread across the Peninsula. Churches are being burnt to the ground and the Clergy hunted own. At the same time as the uprisings a civil war is being waged bewteen the folowers of the Milanese Sforzas and more or less the rest of Italy, except, curiously enouhg Vince. Venice seems to be able to keep out of the wars.

The Pope, Julius III, is forced to flee Rome and eventually ends up in Spain after having been in France for a while. Julius III dies in Spain just as the uprisings ends.

When the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, dies in 1512, the uprisings seem to burn out, probably because Ludovico’s son and successor, Massimiliano Sforza, no longer see the usefullness of rebellious, profane peasants. For the next twop years his victorious armies destroy remaning pockets of resistance.

1513: Ponce de León of Spain lands in Florida. Giovanni di Medici as Leo X succeeds Julius III as Pope of the Holy Mother Church. Leo X is from Firenze, not to mention a Medici, an thus a strong opponent of Massimiliano Sforza. During his reing as Pope, Leo X is in strong opposition to the Italian King, the Protestant movement and the enemies of his new native country – in that order. Leo X is the first Pope to recognize magick as not necessarily a Black Art and soon incorporates Magi in the Holy Inquisition.

1514: Massimiliano Sforza is crowned King of Itay. Only Venice and the Kingdom of Naples are not included in Sforza’s Italy.

1515: The first Danish colony, Christiana, named after the Danish Queen, is established in Vinland.

1517: Martin Luther launches the Protestant Reformation in Europe, bringing a definitive end to the sole authority of the Catholic Church. The Reformation, combined with the Papacy’s all to apparent weakness results in the a growing number of Protestant religious sects and a rise in Magick related incidents. Ironically, Luther is against all forms of the Black Arts – Magick in general, actually.

1519: Hernando Cortés stumbles upon the Aztec Empire and tries to conquor it. He returns to Spain in 1521, nearly driven insane by his experiences with the Aztecs. It is rumored that the Aztecs used some kind of Black Arts fueled by sacrificies as well as employed Spirits and Undead Horrors in their fight against the Spaniards.

Most scholars today agree that, as in the case of the Aztec Empire, some form of early large scale Etheric crossing or even a Physical Overlap had occurred. It is often speculated, that there might have been a permanent Overlap as seen in Egypt, Cambodia and other societies favouring pyramides – the shape of pyramids seem to harness and store Magick energy and thus create Etheric gateways. Seen from todays perspective, it is quite obvious, that the ancient Aztec civilization was closely connected to Hel and their pantheon refflecst the inhabitant of said World.

1519-1522: Ferdinand Magellan is the first person to sail around the world. His flagsship, the Bella Madonna, is blessed by several Catholic Mage-Priests and has, or so it is believed, a water elemental bound to its hull.

1520-1605: The Scandinavian Wars. Danish and Swedish kings fights long and protracted wars over southern Sweden and the Baltic regions. Around 1600 due to open use of Magick, the Danes gain a deceisive upper hand. During this time, the Danes also occasionally clashes with English and French ships in and around the Americas. The borders of Vinland, Nouvelle France and the English colonies are far from agreed upon. Other priorities – such as more important wars - seems to prevent open warfare.

1521: Cortés arrives back in Spain. His white hair and tales bring horror and wrath to many Spaniards hearts. The Catholic Majesties and their resident Pope prepare for an even greater cross-Atlantics expedition. Inquisitors, armed with holy scriptures, packing a lot of firewood and armed with their righteous faith, debarks with the army.

1524: Giovanni da Verrazano, sponsored by France, lands in the area around the Carolinas, then sails north and discovers the Hudson River, and continues northward into Narragansett Bay and Arcadie. Da Verrazano claims the areas in the name of the French King and name it La nouvelle France – New France.

1532: The Spaniards finally defeat the Aztects. Almost the entire Aztec male population is condemned as heretics, devil worshippers and practitioners of the Black Arts and burned. Women and young children are enslaved.

1540 and onwards: The relationship between Spain, France and England continues to sour as they vie for power, influence and overseas colinies. Holand and Denmark do their outmost to keep out of the brewing conflict.

1541: Hernando de Soto of Spain discovers, navigates and maps the Mississippi River.

1548: The powerfull Jagiellon Mage-King, Zygmunt II August, is crowned King of Poland. Zygmunt II uses his skills as a Magus ruthlessly to destroy the old and powerfull noble families and enforce a new order upon Poland. In a series of wars, Zygmunt II enlarged Poland and made it a powerfull state. Zygmunt II is perhaps best remembered for his creation of the Djem, a true parliament and the series of laws that aimed to protected commoners from exploitation.

1556-1560: Poland and Denmark engages in a more or less contineous war in the Baltic area. In the end Denmark relinquish all claims to Estonia and the lands of the now defunct Livonian Sword Knights.

1572: The Polish king Zygmunt II August dies of old age. His son, Zygmunt III August, is an able staesman like his father, but lacking his Magickal skills.

1587: The first English child, Virginia Dare, is born in Roanoke, om August the 18th. Roanoke will later be known as the Place of the Shapeshifters. The second true Magus of England, John Shayle, saves the colony from almost certain destruction by the savage Half Wolves.

1588: In Europe, the destruction of the mighty Spanish Armada by the English results in England replacing Spain as the dominant colonial power and leads to a gradual decline of Spanish influence in the Americas. Magick is openly used by the English as Grand Magus John Dee, Queen Elizabeths I’s personal advisor, rain fire upon the Armada and capture the ships by strong magical winds.

1590: A dozen women are burnt as witches in Copenhagen. These poor souls will be the last witches burnt in Denmark. Illegal use of Magick will, however, be considered high treason and be punished by death, but witch hunts are now a thing of the past… in Denmark. In Spain and the Holy Empire, children are either put in Jesuit or Inquisition care or burned as heretics and worse. Grown ups are usually burnt without further ado.

1592: The young Danish Crown Prince Christian – future King Christian IV the Great – visits Tyge Brahe at Uranienborg at the Isle of Hven. Here Christian vitnesses the wonders of Magick first hand as he is given a grand tour of Hven and the beautiful castle of Uranienborg. Uranienborg was magically created by Brahe himself some years earlier. Tycho Brahe was a brilliant astronomer and Mage. Furthermore Brahe was directly responsible for the acceptance of Magick in Denmark and thus large parts of Northern Europe during a time of superstition and witch hunts.

1596: At his coronation the King is crowned with a new crown seemingly made from somekind of living gold. Tyge Brahe – the maker of the new royal crown - was present and will later be introduced as the Kings High Advisor as part of the Triumvirat of Christoffer Valkendorf, Christian Friis and aforementioned Tyge Brahe.

1597: Christian IV stations two warships at Christiana in Vinland and expand the colony.

1598: High Advisor Brahe raises the Great Frederik’s Tower in honour of Christian’s liberal father, Frederik II, in Copenhagen. The tower will set a trend that will lead to some 20 towers being raised in Copenhagen by 1820. Both the King himslef and his Triumvirat does a lot to beautify Copenhagen and make it into a modern city – meaning the streets are cobbled, lit, wide and fairly straight, garbage was collected and sanitation something taken serious – Copenhage had and still has the largest sewer system, and a lot of catacombs apparently, in Europe next to Prag and Paris.

[Mr.Bluenote]

Please bear in mind that the above is stil a fairly rough draft, but so far so good! :)

However, I need some advice and ideas. I'm having some trouble figuering out what happens in the Balkans, where we have the Bulgarians, in Germany and on the areas bordering Europe. Any ideas?

Oh, I've rewritten parts of the material concerning the Nine Wolrds. I've posted it down below!

All comments etc etc are welcome!

Best regards!

- B.


The Worlds
The Nine Worlds are generally believed to be Asgard, Elphame (Both Alfheim and Svartalfheim in Norse Mythology), Vanaheim, Niflheim, Midgard, Muspelheim, Jotunheim, Hel and Nidavellir. The ancient Norse names are used as the pioneers in Etheric research, Ørsted, Bohr and Heisenberg, all used the terms and found them most appropriate.

Asgard is the Realm of the Aesir. The Aesir are an immensely powerful race of humanlike creatures - basically the ancient Norse Gods of Legend – that are able to control the Ether as well as what we would call Magick with great skill and competance. Asgards itself seems to be a rather cold mountainous World, evidently plagued by intrusions from Jotunheim and on occasion Muspelheim. The contineous warfare seems to have forstered a more warlike culture than otherwise seen among the very civilized Worlds as axe-wielding seaborn raiders, bear-warriors and horned vikings dominates Asgard. The Aesir tends to favour locations and areas with a culture similar to that of Asgard much more than most other Travellers of the Worlds. Asgard manifest on the World of Man in a massive Physical Overlap in Sweden, most of the Baltic and Finland.

Elphame is home to the eternal Fae and thus the Tuatha Dé Danann – People of the Goddess Dana. Elphame consists of both Alfheim - home of the Light Elves or Aes Sdihe - and Svartalfheim – home of the Daoine Sidhe, the Dark Elves, Again the names of Norse Mythology are used. Elphame seem to have overlapped physically with parts of the British Isles, Northern Scandinavia and the South Central Atlantic Ocean were the Isle Kingdom of Auberon mac Lir, Tir na nÓg, has arisen once more. Quiet a few Scholars speculates that a land bridge between the isle of Tir na nÓg and the Irish part of Mar Mog – formerly the United Kingdom - will maifest itself as the Planes keeps aligning and Magick thus grow stronger.

Vanaheim is the home of the Godlike Vanir – the Aesir’s fierce competitors. The Vanir sometimes assemble the Grecco-Roman Pantheon and share a number of similarities with said cultures. The Isle of Thera along with the Black Sea and Mediterranean seem to have been Vanir populated strongholds during the last Overlap of Worlds. Nowadays, 1902, a major Physical Overalp between Vanaheim and parts of aforementioend areas has happened. The Vanir are more, shall we say, earthbound than the Aesir and less troublesome in general. The Vanir seems to be associated with a warm sunny Outer World, with many seas and small islands, heavily populated with various monsters such as pegasi, centaurs, minotaurs, chimerae, medusae and so on. Similarly for most other Outer World dwellers, one can discover a good deal about the plane for which they originated, especially its climate, typical geography, and common monsters, by analysing its myths, customs, and common associations on Midgard.

Niflheim is the Realm of Ice. Doubles as the elemental plane of Water and Air. Nifleheim is home to a number of extremey hostile creaturesas well as series of Warrior-Poet rulers. Siberia, the northern and southern parts of the Americas, parts of Asia and northern Scandinavia has seen some overlap and many Ginnungagap. Nifleheim is avery diversified Outer World as it seems to have several dominant cultures. Multicultured Outer Worlds are far from common.

Midgard is the World of Man, our World. Midgard seem to be the center of the Worlds as the other Worlds are drawn towards Wordl of Man.

Muspelheim is the Land of Fire, Dragons and Fire Giants and Earth and Fire elemental Magick. Its cullture and general landscape appeare to have many similarities with ancient Persia, Assyria and Mesopotamia and aspects of Asian culture as well.

Jotunheim is the Realm of Giants and other lesser races, according to the Aesir and Tuatha Dé Danann at least. In Norse Mythology, as well as present time, Jætterne – Trolls – seem to come from Jotunheim along with a plethora of other equally unpleasant races. Trolls are multilimbed massive creatures with class divided socielty based on birth rank – so-called casts. Jotunheim is very close to the Dark Fields of Nidavellir and apparently Muspelheim. Dvergar and their allies often contest various Etheric crossings and the people’s of the two Worlds invade and counter-invade almost continously. The Caucasus mountains, India and parts of Africa, as well as Northern Europe has seen some overlap and many Ginnungagap.

Hel is the Realm of the dead and is populated by the mighty Hellings. The Planes is ruled by Hel herself – the Goddess or Claimer of the Dead once more according to Norse Mythology. Hel is one of the Realms with most Ginnungagap Etheric cross points – or in Magi Academia speak; Etheric superstrings attached. Hel is also one of the weirdest Worlds as it seems to draw the essence of the Dead and somehow preserve their form. A more and more occuring problem is the Dead with a persona strong enough to refuse the draw of Hel and thus stay in their own World in some form or another – usually one hostile to Life as it will often need to feed on somebody’s lifeforce to keep strong and thus avoid being pulled towards Hel. Hel is a realm dominated by deep, damp vallyes and tall volcanic mountains covered with in temples in what seem to be Mayan or Aztec style.

Nidavellir – literally the Dark Fields -, is the ancient home of the Dvergar, and a place of great mountains ranges and hilly landscapes. Nidavellir is closely connected to the vast plains and rugged foot hills of Jotunheim - the Realm of Trolls and Giants. The stout Dvergar and their allies often contest various Etheric crossings and launche either invasions or counter-invasions of the foul lands almost continously. Most of their Ginnungagaps leads to Scandinavia and the Northern parts of the Midgard. A large Physical Overlap, mixed with some Ginnungagap from Jotunheim, has occurred in North Norway, Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Isles. At present the Dvergar are nearly fully integrated in the Kingdom of Denmark and take part in the everyday life of Danes as equal partners.

[Chris]

I was just thinking that this timelines version of the modern age might make for a great story, or even perhaps the late 1800s.

Chris

[Count Dearborn]

Me want more.

Look into the myths of the Magyars?

[Count Dearborn]

How about an Update?

[Count Dearborn]

More more more, please.

[Count Dearborn]

So, is this idea dead?

[Count Dearborn]

Bumpity, bump, bump

[Count Dearborn]

Now that Diamond has been banned, maybe you could pick this up again.