#oracea

--Joy (@italiangothicwriteblr)

Happy WBW!

In the nation Oracea~

There's Royal on the Throne with absolute authority that the people regard as a holy figure.

There is also a Senate of Nobility that raises issues, bills, and laws for the seated royal to approve of or deny.

Major Issues:

The nobles are starting to get sick of the absolute power a Royal has just because they were born to the right family and have their own magic, whereas commoners have no magic.

This is why there's a plotline for Oracean Nobility to chase their own type of magic so they can get the power to dethrone the royals. (ie. of corrupt magic)

In the nation of Pyria~

There's also a Royal on the Throne. however, in Pyria the royal family is a lot closer with the people, and no one really regards them as higher than human.

There are elite and wealthy families, but the rich pay a lot of taxes and provide for the lesser fortunate so they're able to have equal opportunities.

Major Issues:

The old Royalty (Astrea's parents) defied ancient laws that warned against Royals of different nations joining in marriage and having children.

Which meals or foods are considered classics or universally loved?

Happy WBW @bardic-tales !

I actually haven't thought too much about meals themselves. But I have considered little beloved cultural specialities.

The nation of Oracea:

They grow cocoa, and make their own chocolate dishes which become specialities

They also specialize in teas.... so tea, biscuits, and chocolates are a famously loved snack of the nobility

The nation of Pyria:

Grain, Wines and Alcohols are their speciality

So, a classic spread in Pyrian homes are baskets of grapes, cheese, breads, and wine.

They also take Oracean chocolate and mix it with their alcohol and create divine alcoholic chocolates that becomes a specialty among the elite

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Any examples of culture clashes between Pyria and Oracea? What might Illyera have had trouble with upon coming to live there? What trouble does Elijah get in because of the different customs?

@writingonesdreams

HELLO 💕💕💕💕💕 [we're gonna pretend this isn't as late as it is 🤣]

Culture Clash with Illyera arriving in Pyria with Ezekiel

Funny enough, most of those differences would have been discussed in length in their letters! Because Ezekiel would have demonstrated how keen he would have been in understanding these differences and accommodating. However, as you would expect, experiencing it in real life would be vastly different.

Pyria is much more sex positive, and LGBT positive. They have more entertainment clubs, that serve a variety of clients no matter their orientation. Oracea has nothing like that. So, Illyera actually seeing all this came with a great shock, but, she also eventually showed that she was eagerly willing to try every new experience Pyria offered with a great joy and amusement!

And she secretly loves spying on the men's baths. They secretly know, and let her. But she only did that a few times in the beginning lmao [because there are no public baths in Oracea]

They propose differently! Oracea uses proposal rings and bracelets. Pyria uses proposal daggers. The dagger is meant to keep the bearer (usually the women) safe from dangers when: (1) the giver (usually the men) isn't around, or (2) protect them from the giver in case the marriage goes wrong.

Pyria is much WARMER given the volcanoes and lava plumes. Illyera really had to get used to this heat. Their bedroom had plenty of ice and servants with fans early on 🤣.

Also, she got used to their robes and fashion -- clothes that are meant to help your body breathe in the heat!

What did Elijah have trouble with arriving in Oracea?

The nobility culture in Oracea is far more stuck-up and complicated. Elijah needed to stalk their Nobility for weeks / months before he understood everything. And yet, he still didn't realize asking Astrea to dance at her ball was akin to putting his name in as a potential suitor / potential husband. [Illyera is immensely glad Pyria has no nobility culture as bad as Oracea's]

He also was not accustomed to the outright racism Oracean's had toward any foreigner. He might have light human skin, but he still didn't have silver Oracean skin. And if he showed his face, he might have stones thrown at him and told to leave.

xx

I feel like there's more but that's all I can think of when it comes to cultural clashes at the moment... I'm sure I'll think of more as I write more. 🙈❤️

Funny this made me realize Illyera and Elijah have a lot on common. They both get used to the new customs of their partner by going to their nation and learning. And their relationship is the opposite. Illyera, the woman, goes to Pyria. Elijah, the man, goes to Oracea. I just thought that was a neat realization haha

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How does the sky looks like in your world? Do you have any unsual aspects, like many suns, moons etc.? How do people see the sky, do they have a strong connection to any of its aspect? (Like worshipping the moon, stars etc.) Give me the deets. 😌❤️

THE SKY 💕💫🌙🌌☄️

Here's a moodboard of how the sky in Pyria & Oracea might look! :D ❤️✨

Does the sky have any unusual aspects?

There's two moons for no other reason then it being fantasy, and I can play with funky moon festivals!

Do they worship the moon / stars?

The old religion worships multiple gods... Two of which are the twin moon gods, and they say those are the gods that gave the Oracean Prophet her Soul Magic all those generations ago.

Do people have a strong connection with the sky?

Oracean Royalty do!

I call their magic "Soul Magic" because I know it manipulates souls. However, because of how it looks, there are people in-world that call it "Star Magic."

Oracean Royalty (including Edrei, Illyera, Elayna and Louis) all have freckles all over their skin that light up like stars / constellations when they use their magic.

It gives off the impression that they're "angels born of the stars." It further implicates them as children of the gods in the eyes of the common people.

I'm also considering giving Astrea these stars, but they would light up brighter because of her darker skin. So when Elijah dances with her at night he could literally see the stars, and fireflies around her and look at her all like, "my darling starbug." 😍

In Oracea, there's also incredible festivals that take place in line with the moon!

When the two moons line up, it's said to: bring good fortune, and give the Royals more power to make the land flourish.

During these festivals, there's more magical fireflies floating around. This is a common-folk belief that the land is being maintained and taken care of by the Royals. An increase in fireflies during these events increases the commoners belief in the royalty.

There's also the Curse of the Blood Moon

When both moons turn red, it's said the Gods are furious and cursing the land with divine punishment.

Oracea believes Bastard Princess Astrea was born on one of these Blood Moons and see her existence as a curse, and punishment. Everyone thus blames every little thing on her.

Crops are poor this year? Goddamn it, the cursed princess. My cookie won't fit in my cup of milk? The fucking princess cursed me, and my cookies and milk.

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Oh, and yes, there are monsters in the sky in those pictures for very good reasons. The Gods gave magic to the prophets for a reason, after all---

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What's life like for an ordinary person in your world? What would be considered an ideal life?

Hey! Happy WBW!

I actually haven't considered this... Given how all of my characters are such renowned people in general. No one starts as a normal person. Except maybe Will. But still... I certainly need to put more thought into it.

But here's what I got so far!

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For the nation of Oracea.

Immigrants live outside the capital. They're farmers, herders, and live lower scale lives like that. Some can see the looming capital walls in the distance and dream of what life in like behind the pearly gates.

But, most are happy if they're crops are flourishing enough to live, so they can attend and trade at festivals, and live a peaceful life within their community.

Galhad is happy being Antor's apprentice at the blacksmith. Will is happy as a farmer that teaches at a school he created. They live ideal lives. Until the inciting incident brings a fire about and destroys their village.

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But for the inner city... I haven't really considered an ideal life within the gates, but I'll certainly be thinking about it now lol.

Maybe I'll update this once I figure it out...

In Oracea, if you have to do a whole bunch of steps before you can even dance with somebody at a ball…then who do most people dance with? Family members? Or are balls mostly for dinner and entertainment rather than for dancing, as they are here?

Hey!!! Sorry this took me a hot minute you uncovered a plot hole and I needed to gather some cement to come cover it.

It's very similar to here!! It's more for dinner, entertainment (performances), socializing (and flirting, and gift giving)!

Is there a particular place in your world that you would want to visit? Where is it and why?

HAPPY WBW @tc-doherty HELL YEAH!!! LOTS OF IMAGERY SO BUCKLE UP!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ The answer to "Why" is mostly because they're GORGEOUS. 🤣🤣

Oracea!!

I want to visit the Oracean castle in person and walk all over !! Every inch!!! There's hidden corridors not even the royalty know about!! I wanna see the throne room!! I wanna look up to those carvings!!!

YES I WANT TO SEE ANTOR AND EDREI'S LOVE IN PERSON. They count!!!!! I WANNA SEE THEM MIX MAGIC IN PERSON BECAUSE I BET IT WOULD LOOK A LOT LIKE THAT IMAGE

The city at night is just BRIMMING WITH MAGIC (powered by the moons maybe?) And there's ghosts and traces of magic coming to life like these animals!! But it's just magic being viewed so the human eye can understand it!!!

THEY HAVE ANCIENT MUSHROOM TREES THAT SURROUND THE CAPITAL AND HELP FUNNEL MAGIC INTO THE LAND/// i wanna see them in front of a sunset this 🥺

Pyria!

The centre of the capital allows you to see mountains scapes with giant statues and temples in the back! Breath taking!!! I wanna see!!!

The building where the government meets!!! Surrounded by statues and noble memorabilia!!! Often grand weddings take place here!!