Chimud: An Introduction

Discussions about constructed worlds, cultures and any topics related to constructed societies.
Gerk
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Re: Chimud: An Introduction

Post by Gerk »

As the creators of Chimud neared completion of the physical structure of the world shell, including the terraforming of the interior they turned their attention to the crafting of the careful balancing of the ecosystem.

The race had terraformed hundreds of worlds over many centuries, and had developed not only skill, but artistry in the craft. The pure scale of the project allowed their most skilled to explore their every flight of fancy.

Even though there were some hard fast rules that were dictated by the rule of the long term plan, they had a lot of leeway, and they took advantage of it.

While the original plan assumed that the population would live in a re-creation of their distant ancestors world, they instead ended up in a world of fantasy that borrowed not just from literature and popular media, but also the deepest imaginations of the most dramatic among them.

Some of the artisans even found that too limiting, and set up algorithmic genetic iteration systems that would create entirely new life unlike any that had ever been seen or dreamed of before.

These creations were intended to be the backdrop for mankind to live among and dominate over. These were flora fauna and pintrel.

Mankind was supposed had deviated from a standard norm so dramatically that it was hard to even tell it originated from a single race as well, but it did not stop there.

Many who did not agree with the plan to deprive all of their descendants of technology plotted to subvert things, and created their own races of descendants. The exatrel. These people genetically manipulated their own descendants to be built for war. And they planned to leave them hidden caches of information so that they could rise up and conquer the world of Chimud, and be free of the repressive system it represented. But their plans were discovered and there was a violent conflict. Many of them were killed and the caches of knowledge were destroyed.

Still their twisted descendants survived, and multiplied.

The last of the ancients died out, and with them the last of the knowledge of they truth behind Chimud. And for a few generations things progressed as intended. With nice neat isolated societies that followed the plans laid out by their ancestors. But soon after, things started sliding sideways.

Though the pintrel were entirely build in genetic labs, they were based on the genetics of the creators, and it turned out that some of them could interbread with mantrel. Soon halbreads were walking the earth.

The AI servants of the system fell back on precise wording in their directives and determined that any living sentient being which descended from the creators would need to be treated as one of the primary species. So most pintrel still could not work magic, but some could, and the lines got blurred.

Additionally the AI found that mankinds inherently superstitious nature gave rise to new spiritual beliefs and religions. They discovered that it was far easier to subtly influence people who viewed them as spirits than to use force. So they started to cultivate these superstitions and reinforce them. They used their advanced technology to generate miracles and magic that fit the expectations of the population.

Over uncounted generations the fantastical visions of the creators truly came to life, and where they might have bred dragon like lizards, the spirits of AI gave them the ability to fly and breath fire. After all a village in fear of a local dragon is unlikely to explore them mountain that houses an atmospheric exchange siphon. And if they get too nosy, that dragon can always eat a few of them.

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I've had a drink or two as I post this, and I haven't looked it over or edited it, but it's fun to try and explain this stuff so that it makes sense outside of the many little notes I have... I hope it is fun to read as well. I am thoroughly entertained by the concepts of this world in my head, and if anyone else finds it amusing in the least all the better.
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alynnidalar
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Re: Chimud: An Introduction

Post by alynnidalar »

I'd love to hear more about the specific species that make up e.g. mantrels and pintrels.

I really like the idea of dragons, etc. being specifically designed by the AIs to keep people from advanced technology that must necessarily exist; you could get some interesting legends out of that about people who managed to slay a dragon (or sneak past one) and discovered astonishing architecture and artifacts they don't understand how to use. Or perhaps stories about plucky heroes tricking gods and spirits could be based on real events where people managed to pull one over on the AIs.
Gerk
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Re: Chimud: An Introduction

Post by Gerk »

Sure thing, here are a few of the races I am working on to use in my first story. There will be many more, and these are subject to change at any time, until I actually publish something it's all in flux. That probably means forever.


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The Orag:
The Orag are a race of Mantrel. They are commonly known for their love of stonework. Generally of large stature, they average well over six foot, and have been known to be over eight feet tall. They would be fearsome warriors if not for their gentle nature. The orag are responsible for the greatest castles and temples in all of the known kingdoms. (at least in so far as the area explored in my story so far.)

For nearly a thousand years they lived in peace with the dominant empire of Kortal. They had a partnership that was mutually beneficial, the Kortal empire defended their lands and the Orag worked as artisans and crafters for the emperors.

The structures built by the Orag were not just the works of great skill, but also of magic. They worship the god Lotan who they believe was the greatest of the gods. For it was Lotan who's used the ire of Ilis to strike the hammer of creation on the anvil of the void and create the world shell. He was the first and last god.

In the days after the ancients he loved the Orag most of all the races of mantrel, and he blessed them with the power of 'stonesong'. Through the use of this magic the Orag can manipulate stone as to bend to their will by literally singing to it. They can make it flow like clay or even water, then harden stronger than diamond.

The greatest work of the Orag is the great library in the capital of Kortal. It is a structure without peer in all of the known world. In it is housed the largest collection of magical knowledge ever assembled. And the value of this collection is well understood. So the library, is more than just a warehouse, it is a fortress, built to defend against the inevitable wrath of the gods.

The construction of the library cost the Orag greatly. For more than a generation they sacrificed and toiled in its construction. And upon its completion, they expected the richest of rewards from the Emperor of Kortal. But he betrayed them and refused to pay the agreed price. So a rift between them formed that eventually lead to war.

The Orag were not naturally inclined to violence, but when roused they were terrible to face in battle. The very ground they stood upon rose up and fought along side them. Indeed they may have defeated Kortal and reclaimed the castles they had built for them as their own, except they were too few in number, and the wizards of Kortal did not have to bend their craft to war, it was war.

Eventually the Orag fond themselves pushed back to their home Lotanano. The second greatest work of stone they had ever created. But unlike the library Lotanano was build to defend against the armies of man. Situated high in the mountains, it was inaccessible without crossing great stone bridges, bridges that would melt and draw back like gianr stone snakes when the Orag chose to deny entry.

The Sovronis:
Past Carsarus, the Easter most region of Kortal is the great wilds. This vast forest is home to the trees of Sovron. These trees are unlike any others. Their trunks are over one hundred feet in diameter, and upon their tops is a whole other world. Their highest branches grow dense and high. Among the clouds they form the ground upon which the Sovronis live.

The Sovronis are a race of mantrel that are the opposite of the Orag in many ways. Rarely to they grow to be over five foot tall, they are extremely delicate of build. Most Sovronis live their entire lives without ever setting foot upon the true ground far below their world in the sky. In fact many younger Sovronis don't even realize that there is a world below them. They think of the ground in the same way most men consider caves or souterrain fissures.

In the trees of Sovron they have built their entire civilization. They build houses, farms, even cities. Of course the materials they use are a bit different than those who live on the ground might turn to. They harvest materials from birds and other animals that share their world, and stone or metal are rare as meteorites.

In the distant past the Sovronis were masters of magic that let them form spiritual links with their avian livestock. But many of the youth born to this generation seem to lack the bond that their elders had. And many fear that they will lose their connection to nature. If this happens it will mean dark days ahead, and there have been whispers that it might be time that someone needs to venture beyond their safe treetop homes, and find a new connection to CAI the moon spirit, and regain her blessing to grant them their magic again.

The Kortalians:
The Kortal empire is the center of where I am working on my story. It is the closest to the traditional depiction of humanity in typical fantasy works.

They have dominated a large portion of their world for a thousand years. Originally named after the conqueror Kortal, who had no strong affinity for magic himself, realized that the key to power was controlling magic. He used his military prowess to build an army, then used that army to begin the collection and cataloging of as much magical knowledge as possible.

The library of Kortal was born. Throughout the history of Kortal the librarians were known and respected as much as their armies were feared. The librarians worked both in the Capital as well as out in the field. They were sent alone and in groups to the furthest reaches of the known world, with he mission to learn all that they could about local magics. Most places magic was practiced by tradition, handed down by the generations without ever being documented or fully examined. Kortal sought to change that.

The expansion of the empire Kortal built was unstoppable for many generations after he had passed. His family was worshiped like living gods.

My story takes place at the height of Kortalian power. The empire is roughly divided into five regions, that represent the previous domains of the largest kingdoms and empire that they dominated and adopted as part of Kortal.

In each of the previous capitals, still the largest cities on each region, there is a warning bell. Each linked to a matching bell in the capital of Kortal. If one of these bells is rung, its match will ring as well. Ringing the bells in the outer cities summons the armies to defend that region. Ringing any of the bells in the capital causes all the outer bells to ring, summoning all of the armies of all of the lands of Kortal to defend the capital.

The bell in the capital has never been rung. No invading army has ever gotten past the outer regions, so effective are the armies and war wizards of Kortal.

The Tribes of Muelet:
The tribes of Muelet are savage barbarians. They live in the lands of eternal mist. They are almost completely hairless, and so pale that the other races of mantrel have given to calling them boneskins.

They are feared and hated by the empire of Kortal which tried to wipe them out for hundreds of years, before giving up and choosing instead to build a great magical barrier to keep them at bay.

The tribes are moon worshipers. They base all of their magic on worship and study of the moon. CAI is their god and goddess. They believe that the gods were weak and CAI devoured them in the time of the ancients.

Fiercely independent the tribes believe that each man and woman is equal to any they meet. The very idea of kinds or emperors is upsetting to them. This leads them to form temporary alliances when they have to fight together against outsiders, but prevents them from forming truly effective large scale war parties. In fact it is often said among the Kortalians that if the tribes ever decided to coordinate like civilized men and form a real army, they would sweep over Kortal without slowing down to enjoy the sights. There is more than a grain of truth in this.

A generation ago the last great invasion of Kortal from the tribes of Muelet was lead by Sula the last moonchild. Born under the light of a moonbeam, she was charismatic and courageous. Though the tribes would rather die than be forced to join an army they are quick to follow who they see as a worthy leader, so long as that leader understands that they are there voluntarily, and if that leader fails to live up to their ideals, they are as likely to kill the leader as they are their common enemies.

Sula never had to worry about that, she was brave, inspiring, and effective in leading her warbands as any tribal leader ever had been. Her efforts lead the tribes to raid further into the lands of Kortal than any had ever before.

They may have even reached the capital if not for a terrible magic unleashed by the war wizards of Kortal. A magic so terrible they has to sacrifice one of the princesses of Kortal to summon it.

The tribes were utterly devastated, and have been licking their wounds ever since.

Many in Kortal still question if the sacrifice was worth it. The princes was just the first price they ended up paying for their victory, in the end it cost them far more than any had ever believed could be possible. (this is starting to touch on the details of the story I am working on, so I'll leave it vague for now.)


Foddel

The Foddel are a diminutive race that appear to be tiny bears a few inches tall. They are largely broken up into two major groups. The Foddel Calis, and the Foddel Remolis.

Foddel Calis have formed friendship with many races of Mantrel. They live in among them and are often seen as peers in many ways, though due to their size they are often looked down upon. ( I couldn't resist.)

Among the more war like races of Mantrel they tend to be seen as either useful pets, or vermin to be eliminated. But among more peaceful and enlightened races, they are welcomed and cherished. For example the Orag love them, and are grateful for the Foddel who live with them. The Foddel help keep away pests and serve as their eyes in places they have trouble going, while the Orag help build and shelter the Foddel. In the Empire of Kortal on the other hand most of the educated upper class see them as little more than talking rats.

Dassy Ecclic

The Dassy Eeeclic are a race of beings who appear mostly human, with a few distinguishing features. They have hairless tails and their hands and feet are distinctly longer and disproportionate when compared to most races of Mantrel.

The Dassy are extremely jealous of the magic that Mantrel can control, and they have studied it for generations. Unfortunately for them they lack the blood of the gods, and so can not command the power of the spirits. To overcome this they abduct children of the races of Mantrel when they are babies, and then raise them to think that they are their children. They train them to use magic at the will of their Dassy parents. Eventually when and if the child grows old enough to question or rebel the Dassy kill them and blame their deaths on the nearest Mantrel of note. This helps them perpetuate a hatred of the Mantrel that is useful in controlling other young children.

Lychanda

The Lychanda are a blessed and cursed race of Pintrel. Though they can not command magic to cast spells or perform any of the miracles of the Mantrel, they have an ability that many see as magical itself. They can shape shift and assume the form of nearly any other being. This ability is their blessing. The hatred and fear that it inspires among the other races is their curse. They are almost universally feared and hunted. Their numbers have dwindled over the centuries to the point where there are but a handful of them wandering the world, and many will never meet a fellow Lychandan more than a couple times in their lives.


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As to the types of events you mentioned, they are precisely the sorts of things I see happening in this world and being interesting to write about. My first story doesn't focus on one of those, but on one of the major rifts when the AI systems decide that someone is growing too powerful and need to be brought down a peg.
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