#affinityforpain

So, I was inspired by @kclenhartnovels and her amazing worldbuilding facts and I decided to share my own world facts about the universe that Newborn City is set in, which is very much like our own but with some crucial differences.

First things first,

The Dawning. The Dawning occurred on Halloween and was the moment when demon kind, via a spokesperson, revealed their presence. Now, no the demons did not have a meeting about this. A few powerful, human-looking clans got together and decided they wanted to “come out of the pit.” Many demons, especially those who look the part, did not like this decision. 

A great deal of violence occurred at the Dawning and in an attempt to protect themselves and create some sort of peaceful coexistence, Newborn City was created. Newborn City was formed over the “ruins” of a small town in Upstate New York which saw some of the more intense damage of said violence. The demons now consider it their “capital” and most of the humans living there left. There were some that stayed, some braver, less bigoted folks, and some who even transferred to the area to be a part of the social services that were needed, i.e. Lucas Anderson moved there to join their police force.

Demons do, however, still live all over the world and many still have not revealed themselves because different is not often viewed with loving eyes in this world. 

In terms of demon types, they’re as diverse as humans and other species. Basically, if you’ve heard of a mythical creature or god or “monster,” you were hearing a human’s version of a “demon.” Demon was not a word chosen by them, but it became one they took ownership of as a bit of a “fuck you.” For me, this is similar to reclaiming the word “queer.” 

I’m obsessed, like obsessed, with mythology and this gave me the chase to twist and manipulate myths and stories from across the globe, plus make up a few of my own.

Alright, so second thing:

In Affinity for Pain, the first book, the world mainly introduces us to the Chakal and to the idea that demons have clans and families that can be both wonderful and awful, just like humans. See, they’re not so different from us.

The Chakal, Hope’s clan, sucks the big one. They are extremely traditional and refuse to update their values to match the changing roles of demons, females, humans, and of course technology. Hope pretty much hates them and thinks their backward ways are likely to get them killed. 

In terms of physiology, the Chakal are an interesting group. The Chakal is a race of half demons who have been shunned by the demon and human cultures. They are fierce warriors with a proud heritage and blend into society because they look human. They would be able to live amongst humans, but most choose never to interact with them. 

There are females and males just as with humans, the males possess great strength and the ability to sense their own kind. The females possess the ability to feel no pain unless omaeriku is formed. The Chakal live together in great camps and travel from place to place. The fathers and children stay together all their lives, except for the female children who leave once they have reached womanhood. Often the females breed before leaving so the species may continue.

So, what’s omaeriku? 

Omaeriku (oh-may-ree-koo): the bond formed between a female Chakal and her jabalv. The bond is automatic and unpredictable. The only way the bond is destroyed is if one or both partners involved are killed. This fated bond is both physical and spiritual for the Chakal and it gives the female involved the ability to feel her loved one’s pain and sense his presence. The ability to form the bond is passed down from mother to daughter. The bond is also lessened in intensity as the couple moves farther and farther away from each other.

Alright folks that was an intro to the World of Newborn City. Hope you enjoyed it! Let me know what else you’d be curious about. This world is full of twist, turns, demons who think their gods, and some who squirt ink.

Hello! Kicking this off with some great questions. Okay, Hope cannot feel pain because she is part of a demonic race called the Chakal. The females of this clan can’t feel pain unless omaeriku is activated. Omaeriku is the bond between soul mates and it is instantaneous and unpredictable. Once the bond is formed with Ciaran, Hope can feel pain AND she can feel his. It’s quite the thing. The Chakal believe this is a curse upon the females of their kind because the first woman would not serve her husband. 

At first, no, she doesn’t empathize well with people at all, emotionally or physically. She doesn’t understand it. She literally can’t wrap her brain around the idea. She is very much like, ‘”What? You’ll heal. Let’s go.”

Hope’s fingers were now stained red with blood, some hers and some from the broken fingers of the man. She reached inside her leather jacket and pulled out her own small gun. She held her hand over the unconscious man, squeezing the trigger tightly, she fired two rounds into his head. The man’s body jerked and twisted as the bullets penetrated deep into his skull and flew out the other side, lodging themselves in the cement beneath him.

Newborn City Series- Affinity for Pain mood board: Hope

Yes. When I am bored, and should be writing but just can’t for whatever reason, I get myself into the mindset of the character and the book by making a soundtrack. I’ve so far made short soundtracks to each of the books in the Newborn City Series. If you’d like to listen to some music while reading Affinity for Pain, may I suggest:

Arch Enemy- Revolution Begins

In This Moment- Promise

Nine Inch Nails- A Warm Place

Nine Inch Nails- The Great Below

In This Moment- Lay Your Gun Down

Snow Patrol- Open Your Eyes