Robin McElveen's Blog, page 71
September 27, 2018
Introducing the Clans: Part 6
The final clan I would like to introduce you to is the Bot’ha (BOAT hah) Clan. I’ve been working non-stop on Ripples, adding all the finishing touches to my manuscript, staying up late. Please forgive me for taking so long to finish the introductions.
Meet the Bot'ha
Name: Bot’haPronunciation: (BOAT hah)How They Interpret Their Name: To Cleanse and PurifyClan Color: YellowClan Symbol: Amella FlowerLocation on the Map: The southern portion of the continent of Emidar (EH mee dar).Terrain Type: Fertile plains/grasslands, marshes, low hills, forestsLanguage: Othwa (OHTH wa) (voice ‘th’ as in ‘than’)Naming: Bot’hani have three names and are called by the last two formally. The first part of their names denotes their family. The second name is used singly by loved ones and close friends.Type of Government: There’s a system of nobility in Bot’ha but there’s also a parliament made up of peer-elected representatives from each social group.Current Person In Charge: ??? They have a king-like figure in charge but I don’t know that person’s name yet, nor their gender.Capital: Jin’Glaou (JEEN glow) (‘aou’ says ‘ow’ as in ‘ouch’)General Conduct: They are extremely protective of their social positions. The more wealthy are friendly to those with less, but there are little things they do which show the differences in position are quite apparent. And the less wealthy don’t really trust those in higher social positions. As a result, the most social unrest can be found in Bot’ha. They value outer beauty and wealth.Tolerance Level: They are generally pleasant, but can be condescending to out-clanners. They welcome visitors because it means an increase in trade.Religion: ??? I haven’t written anything about their religious practices yet.Shrine and Current Guardian: The Bot’ha shrine is Si Yinte Falls. It’s located in a circular crater and surrounded by waterfalls. As a result, there are many rivers, streams, and pools around it watering the beautiful gardens tended by Zim Haya Ne, the current Guardian. Her home is a strange mix of Asian, medieval German architecture.Clothing Style: Bot’hani keep all skin covered and disguised. All of them. Both men and women wear long tunics. Men wear trousers under theirs all the time, while women may or may not. They do not cover their heads as a rule, but some who are more devout may choose to do so.Special Food and Drink: Geshiju is a mildly sweet breakfast pudding made with berries and cream and topped with crispy grain crumbles. I haven’t written any more about their foods yet.Exports: Dried flowers, herbs, and spices; fine fabrics; grain crops; woodworking articles, accessories, and artifacts
For the naming of Bot'ha citizens, cities and landmarks, I came up with them on my own without searching through name generators or Google translate. I love the sound of Asian syllables, but I have no clue if I'm using some spelling/pronunciation that may be offensive in real life. After deciding on the names, if they look like something I've seen before, I research it. Otherwise, I don't. I hope you will forgive me when you hear that in my head, those syllables most often mean something proud, hopeful, admirable, or some other honorable quality. Consider, too, that we all have access to the same range of syllables and they mean something different in each culture. I'm applying that principle here.
Meet the Bot'haName: Bot’haPronunciation: (BOAT hah)How They Interpret Their Name: To Cleanse and PurifyClan Color: YellowClan Symbol: Amella FlowerLocation on the Map: The southern portion of the continent of Emidar (EH mee dar).Terrain Type: Fertile plains/grasslands, marshes, low hills, forestsLanguage: Othwa (OHTH wa) (voice ‘th’ as in ‘than’)Naming: Bot’hani have three names and are called by the last two formally. The first part of their names denotes their family. The second name is used singly by loved ones and close friends.Type of Government: There’s a system of nobility in Bot’ha but there’s also a parliament made up of peer-elected representatives from each social group.Current Person In Charge: ??? They have a king-like figure in charge but I don’t know that person’s name yet, nor their gender.Capital: Jin’Glaou (JEEN glow) (‘aou’ says ‘ow’ as in ‘ouch’)General Conduct: They are extremely protective of their social positions. The more wealthy are friendly to those with less, but there are little things they do which show the differences in position are quite apparent. And the less wealthy don’t really trust those in higher social positions. As a result, the most social unrest can be found in Bot’ha. They value outer beauty and wealth.Tolerance Level: They are generally pleasant, but can be condescending to out-clanners. They welcome visitors because it means an increase in trade.Religion: ??? I haven’t written anything about their religious practices yet.Shrine and Current Guardian: The Bot’ha shrine is Si Yinte Falls. It’s located in a circular crater and surrounded by waterfalls. As a result, there are many rivers, streams, and pools around it watering the beautiful gardens tended by Zim Haya Ne, the current Guardian. Her home is a strange mix of Asian, medieval German architecture.Clothing Style: Bot’hani keep all skin covered and disguised. All of them. Both men and women wear long tunics. Men wear trousers under theirs all the time, while women may or may not. They do not cover their heads as a rule, but some who are more devout may choose to do so.Special Food and Drink: Geshiju is a mildly sweet breakfast pudding made with berries and cream and topped with crispy grain crumbles. I haven’t written any more about their foods yet.Exports: Dried flowers, herbs, and spices; fine fabrics; grain crops; woodworking articles, accessories, and artifacts
For the naming of Bot'ha citizens, cities and landmarks, I came up with them on my own without searching through name generators or Google translate. I love the sound of Asian syllables, but I have no clue if I'm using some spelling/pronunciation that may be offensive in real life. After deciding on the names, if they look like something I've seen before, I research it. Otherwise, I don't. I hope you will forgive me when you hear that in my head, those syllables most often mean something proud, hopeful, admirable, or some other honorable quality. Consider, too, that we all have access to the same range of syllables and they mean something different in each culture. I'm applying that principle here.
September 26, 2018
Introducing the Clans: Part 5
Today’s clan is one of my favorites. They show up in book two, Over Land & Under Stone, so please look forward to that. I debated on whether or not to share the info about them now, or closer to the time that book comes out. But why not? They’re different and fun to discuss.
Introducing the Genzet Clan
Name: GenzetPronunciation: ‘G’ sounds are always hard in the world of Y’Dahnndrya. The soft ‘g’ sound will always be represented by ‘j’. So the pronunciation is GHEN zet.How They Interpret Their Name: Guardians of LifeClan Color: blueClan Symbol: The largest moon of Y’Dahnndrya, Min, which is a deep blue color.Location on the Map: The northern portion of the continent of Emidar (EH mee dar).Terrain Type: Mountains, mountain forests, valleys, mountain desert, grasslandsLanguage: Enzi (EHN zee)Naming: Male children are given a three-letter first name. Female children receive a four-letter first name. All children take on the surname of their father. Tanderali cities are named using altered forms of the names of rocks, minerals, and gemstones.Type of Government: Tanderali Genzetti are ruled by a Council of Guildspeople. I’m not sure how the overland Genzetti rule themselves yet.Current Person In Charge: There is no one person listed as the head of the Genzet Clan.Factions: Tanderali - (tahn dare AH lee) - Those Genzet who live under the mountains. Drositiri - (droe see TEAR ee) - Those Genzet who live in the southern regions of Genzet territory in stone homes above ground. These factions do not get along and both have their own capital city.Capital: The capital of Tanderali Genzet is Turmali City. The capital of Drositiri Genzet is Kwarta.General Conduct: Genzetti have a strict code of conduct they adhere to. They are very conscious of their duty and meticulous in their performing of it. Since their form of government is based on their progress within their guild, there’s a lot of intrigue and undermining that goes on in the Tanderali sector. The Drositir don’t seem as concerned with this type of ‘honor’. They prefer to earn honor by performing heroic deeds. No matter which faction they belong to, there is very little physical contact between the members of the Genzet clan outside of their own families. Males are extremely polite to females as a rule, because it is the female who chooses her life-mate.Tolerance Level: They are probably one of the least tolerant of out-clanners. They and the Shinnoahns are similar in this, though I think they’re probably the least tolerant of all. The two factions don’t tolerate each other very well, much less out-clanners. They are on their best behavior for Trade Days, though, because there are many things their land can’t provide them with.Religion: The Tanderali are mostly monotheistic, worshiping the single creator deity who they call Andurdrao (ahn DOOR drow) (‘u’ says ‘oo’ of ‘moon’), meaning ‘Breath of Life’. The Drositiri are split fairly evenly between worshiping Andurdrao or serving the Sekot Mundei (SEH caught MOON day). The Sekot Mundei is a cult that worships the gods and goddess of the moons and suns. I’m still working on that pantheon.Shrine and Current Guardian: The shrine of the Genzet is Mt. Gild’n Shrine. It’s built into and jutting out of Mt. Gild’n in the north-western part of Genzet. All Genzetti, regardless of faction or religious preference are supposed to make a pilgrimage to the shrine. They learn about different career paths and who they are as individuals during this one sun-cycle (two in special circumstances). Bal Shif is the current Guardian of the shrine.What sets them apart from the other clans: Lots, actually! They are the only clan to have colorful skin. Their skin, hair and eyes are the same color. Tanderali tend to be darker-toned or more muted in color, while Drositir tend to be brighter colors. But there’s really no way to tell a person’s faction unless you ask them. They are also the only clan to have slightly pointed ears and short fangs. They are not vampires. They are not elves. They are not dwarves. They are Genzetti. Another thing which sets them apart are their piercings, of which they may have many.Clothing Style: Genzetti like to show skin, for the most part. So tight-fitting garments, deep ‘v’ necklines, backless shirts, shorts, anything that will allow them to move easily in a fight, these kinds of garments are desirable to them. There are exceptions and no Tanderali male would ever walk around shirtless. Also, they prefer darker colored clothing or clothing that helps them blend into the territory they are passing through. I think this is a carry-over from their role as ‘Guardians of Life’ which they have all but forgotten over time.Special Food and Drink: Tanderali - Gajilen Crumble is blend of berries baked in a stone oven, topped with sweet crumbles and drizzled with hane’en sauce. It’s a favorite dish of children. Drositir - Towering Floryl is not a dish just anyone can make. Floryl bloom cut out of slightly sweetened dough are ‘cemented’ atop each other in a pyramid. Before assembly, the four-petaled flowers are basted with a sweet syrup which crystalizes, leaving a sparkling crispy crunch on the top. A single candy pearl sits at the center of each.Exports: They are miners, gemstone workers (carving, cutting, setting), metal workers, stone workers, religious leaders, and warriors
Introducing the Genzet ClanName: GenzetPronunciation: ‘G’ sounds are always hard in the world of Y’Dahnndrya. The soft ‘g’ sound will always be represented by ‘j’. So the pronunciation is GHEN zet.How They Interpret Their Name: Guardians of LifeClan Color: blueClan Symbol: The largest moon of Y’Dahnndrya, Min, which is a deep blue color.Location on the Map: The northern portion of the continent of Emidar (EH mee dar).Terrain Type: Mountains, mountain forests, valleys, mountain desert, grasslandsLanguage: Enzi (EHN zee)Naming: Male children are given a three-letter first name. Female children receive a four-letter first name. All children take on the surname of their father. Tanderali cities are named using altered forms of the names of rocks, minerals, and gemstones.Type of Government: Tanderali Genzetti are ruled by a Council of Guildspeople. I’m not sure how the overland Genzetti rule themselves yet.Current Person In Charge: There is no one person listed as the head of the Genzet Clan.Factions: Tanderali - (tahn dare AH lee) - Those Genzet who live under the mountains. Drositiri - (droe see TEAR ee) - Those Genzet who live in the southern regions of Genzet territory in stone homes above ground. These factions do not get along and both have their own capital city.Capital: The capital of Tanderali Genzet is Turmali City. The capital of Drositiri Genzet is Kwarta.General Conduct: Genzetti have a strict code of conduct they adhere to. They are very conscious of their duty and meticulous in their performing of it. Since their form of government is based on their progress within their guild, there’s a lot of intrigue and undermining that goes on in the Tanderali sector. The Drositir don’t seem as concerned with this type of ‘honor’. They prefer to earn honor by performing heroic deeds. No matter which faction they belong to, there is very little physical contact between the members of the Genzet clan outside of their own families. Males are extremely polite to females as a rule, because it is the female who chooses her life-mate.Tolerance Level: They are probably one of the least tolerant of out-clanners. They and the Shinnoahns are similar in this, though I think they’re probably the least tolerant of all. The two factions don’t tolerate each other very well, much less out-clanners. They are on their best behavior for Trade Days, though, because there are many things their land can’t provide them with.Religion: The Tanderali are mostly monotheistic, worshiping the single creator deity who they call Andurdrao (ahn DOOR drow) (‘u’ says ‘oo’ of ‘moon’), meaning ‘Breath of Life’. The Drositiri are split fairly evenly between worshiping Andurdrao or serving the Sekot Mundei (SEH caught MOON day). The Sekot Mundei is a cult that worships the gods and goddess of the moons and suns. I’m still working on that pantheon.Shrine and Current Guardian: The shrine of the Genzet is Mt. Gild’n Shrine. It’s built into and jutting out of Mt. Gild’n in the north-western part of Genzet. All Genzetti, regardless of faction or religious preference are supposed to make a pilgrimage to the shrine. They learn about different career paths and who they are as individuals during this one sun-cycle (two in special circumstances). Bal Shif is the current Guardian of the shrine.What sets them apart from the other clans: Lots, actually! They are the only clan to have colorful skin. Their skin, hair and eyes are the same color. Tanderali tend to be darker-toned or more muted in color, while Drositir tend to be brighter colors. But there’s really no way to tell a person’s faction unless you ask them. They are also the only clan to have slightly pointed ears and short fangs. They are not vampires. They are not elves. They are not dwarves. They are Genzetti. Another thing which sets them apart are their piercings, of which they may have many.Clothing Style: Genzetti like to show skin, for the most part. So tight-fitting garments, deep ‘v’ necklines, backless shirts, shorts, anything that will allow them to move easily in a fight, these kinds of garments are desirable to them. There are exceptions and no Tanderali male would ever walk around shirtless. Also, they prefer darker colored clothing or clothing that helps them blend into the territory they are passing through. I think this is a carry-over from their role as ‘Guardians of Life’ which they have all but forgotten over time.Special Food and Drink: Tanderali - Gajilen Crumble is blend of berries baked in a stone oven, topped with sweet crumbles and drizzled with hane’en sauce. It’s a favorite dish of children. Drositir - Towering Floryl is not a dish just anyone can make. Floryl bloom cut out of slightly sweetened dough are ‘cemented’ atop each other in a pyramid. Before assembly, the four-petaled flowers are basted with a sweet syrup which crystalizes, leaving a sparkling crispy crunch on the top. A single candy pearl sits at the center of each.Exports: They are miners, gemstone workers (carving, cutting, setting), metal workers, stone workers, religious leaders, and warriors
September 24, 2018
Introducing the Clans: Part 4 - Ikhel'dur
Ahhh! It's so good to be back up and running again. I hope it stays that way for a while.
I'm continuing with my Meet The Clans series. I haven’t written much about this clan yet. So their information isn’t as complete as some of the other clans. I hope you’ll enjoy what I can share with you today.
Meet the Ikhel'dur Clan
Name: Ikhel’durPronunciation: IKH hell door - The ‘kh’ is breathy and the ‘r’ is slightly rolled.How They Interpret Their Name: Guardians of the WatersClan Color: redClan Symbol: Curling WavesLocation on the Map: All the islands of Y’Dahnndrya are their domain.Terrain Type: Various island terrains, some more rocky than others, some volcanic islandsLanguage: Their general clan language is Keldu (KELL doo), but each island has its own language as well.Naming: The islanders have a single public name and a private name they share only with those closest to them. The public names consist of five letters, but are sometimes shortened to nicknames.Type of Government: Each island is self-governing. If they ever meet for a conference, the leaders of each island represent their people.Current Person In Charge: There are too many to list here. At least one person represents each island.Capital: One might say Mapi’i Island (mah PEE EE) is the capital, but honestly, it’s just the biggest island of Ikhel’dur where international trade days occur. It’s the only island barred to out-clanners on any other day besides an official trade day.General Conduct: Of all the clans, the Ikhel’dur are the most easy-going. They take joy in being unique individuals and encourage visitors to their islands to do the same. As a result, many who are cast out from their clans end up in Ikhel’dur. They are straight-forward and sometimes come across as flirty. They love to smile and are not afraid to welcome each other with a hug. They are polite and courteous and try to treat everyone with equal openness. When pressed, really pressed, they will fight. Because they hate it so much, they train to be quick and precise so battles don’t last any longer than they must.Tolerance Level: They are the most tolerant of all the clans, welcoming those outcast from other clans. When welcoming newcomers or out-clanners, they are not so demonstrative as they are with their own people. But if given any kind of encouragement, an Ikhel’dur native will pass around hugs all day.Religion: They are mono-theistic, worshiping the single creator deity who they call Kwikrei’ya (kwee KRAY yah), meaning ‘One Who Creates’Shrine and Current Guardian: The shrine of the Ikhel’dur is Yacan Island. This is a little different than the other shrines but I won’t say too much here. I don’t want to spoil it for you. Serafin is the guardian of Yacan.Housing: Some live in caves, some in grass and leaf huts, some in fiber-cloth tents. It just depends on what their terrain offers.Clothing Style: Leaves, flowers, grasses, and fibers go into making their clothing. They are similar to the M’Neshunnayans in that it wouldn’t be unusual to see them in skimpy clothing, depending on the climate of their island.Special Food and Drink: I haven’t touched on this topic much yet. I’ll leave it to your imagination for now.Exports: They are fishers, sailors, basket-weavers, and jewelry artisans. They export exotic fruits, as well, and some of the fiber-cloth they weave.
I'm continuing with my Meet The Clans series. I haven’t written much about this clan yet. So their information isn’t as complete as some of the other clans. I hope you’ll enjoy what I can share with you today.
Meet the Ikhel'dur ClanName: Ikhel’durPronunciation: IKH hell door - The ‘kh’ is breathy and the ‘r’ is slightly rolled.How They Interpret Their Name: Guardians of the WatersClan Color: redClan Symbol: Curling WavesLocation on the Map: All the islands of Y’Dahnndrya are their domain.Terrain Type: Various island terrains, some more rocky than others, some volcanic islandsLanguage: Their general clan language is Keldu (KELL doo), but each island has its own language as well.Naming: The islanders have a single public name and a private name they share only with those closest to them. The public names consist of five letters, but are sometimes shortened to nicknames.Type of Government: Each island is self-governing. If they ever meet for a conference, the leaders of each island represent their people.Current Person In Charge: There are too many to list here. At least one person represents each island.Capital: One might say Mapi’i Island (mah PEE EE) is the capital, but honestly, it’s just the biggest island of Ikhel’dur where international trade days occur. It’s the only island barred to out-clanners on any other day besides an official trade day.General Conduct: Of all the clans, the Ikhel’dur are the most easy-going. They take joy in being unique individuals and encourage visitors to their islands to do the same. As a result, many who are cast out from their clans end up in Ikhel’dur. They are straight-forward and sometimes come across as flirty. They love to smile and are not afraid to welcome each other with a hug. They are polite and courteous and try to treat everyone with equal openness. When pressed, really pressed, they will fight. Because they hate it so much, they train to be quick and precise so battles don’t last any longer than they must.Tolerance Level: They are the most tolerant of all the clans, welcoming those outcast from other clans. When welcoming newcomers or out-clanners, they are not so demonstrative as they are with their own people. But if given any kind of encouragement, an Ikhel’dur native will pass around hugs all day.Religion: They are mono-theistic, worshiping the single creator deity who they call Kwikrei’ya (kwee KRAY yah), meaning ‘One Who Creates’Shrine and Current Guardian: The shrine of the Ikhel’dur is Yacan Island. This is a little different than the other shrines but I won’t say too much here. I don’t want to spoil it for you. Serafin is the guardian of Yacan.Housing: Some live in caves, some in grass and leaf huts, some in fiber-cloth tents. It just depends on what their terrain offers.Clothing Style: Leaves, flowers, grasses, and fibers go into making their clothing. They are similar to the M’Neshunnayans in that it wouldn’t be unusual to see them in skimpy clothing, depending on the climate of their island.Special Food and Drink: I haven’t touched on this topic much yet. I’ll leave it to your imagination for now.Exports: They are fishers, sailors, basket-weavers, and jewelry artisans. They export exotic fruits, as well, and some of the fiber-cloth they weave.
September 14, 2018
Mysterious Mayhem
Something strange has been going on with Weebly lately. I haven't been able to post photos or slide shows since I added the slideshow for introducing the D'Koruyin Clan. I'm not sure what's going on but for now, those introductions are on hold. And as I'm getting ready to tie off all my loose threads and publish Ripples, I'm going to take a break from blogging. I may periodically post a short message like this one to keep you updated, but there won't be regular posts. I'll be posting notes on my facebook author page if you'd like to read about the clans there. Just click the highlighted portions to go check it out. If you do, please be sure to like my page or follow it so you can stay updated with what I'm doing at facebook. And I'm hoping to create some short slide shows to upload to YouTube. As long as I can link to YouTube videos, I'll be able to share my inspiration photos with you. But it's 'do-or-die' time now and if I don't get through this final edit, the book won't be out on time. Yikes!
I hope you'll stick with me. I'm going to have to take a short haitus. It's a scary thing to think your followers won't come back because you didn't have a Shadow Clone Jutsu you could rely on when tasks are insurmountable. Thanks and much love to those who stick around!
I hope you'll stick with me. I'm going to have to take a short haitus. It's a scary thing to think your followers won't come back because you didn't have a Shadow Clone Jutsu you could rely on when tasks are insurmountable. Thanks and much love to those who stick around!
