In the following 6 weeks, we are going to briefly introduce you all to our continent, Venar, through early concept art. Each week will be dedicated to a country in the Modern Age (with a clear odd one out). We can't wait to share this world with you. See you soon!
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The use of the scavenger mask is recent, beginning during The Great Plague. Amid these terrible times, a certain Keeper by the name of Shrikestep “The morbid” noticed that scavenger birds, whose feeding habits should render them ill, had somehow found a way of avoiding infection. In order to replicate these abilities, she created a mask resembling the head of one of these birds.
Scavenger masks then were bigger and covered a cat’s whole head and part of their neck. Keepers were expected to see through small gaps in the masks’ pleita and their muzzle was accommodated in a long beak-like structure similar to that of a griffon vulture. The times were dire and thus every contribution helped; some masks were painted with blessed symbols by their Seers. The fight was long and left many scars across clanner territory but, soon enough, the use of masks in combination with teamwork helped bring down the sickness. Having collectively helped saved many lives, Keepers felt masks were worth keeping around and continued wearing them to Colloquiums even after they were no longer needed.
Because these masks were heavy and difficult to wear, they slowly started shifting from their original look to their smaller modern counterpart. These masks, now known as scavenger masks, no longer cover the neck and only partially cover the face. They have eyeholes and are lighter and easier to wear. They are all painted with blessed symbols and are usually heavily decorated by their wearer. Furthermore, scavenger masks now have a new function: they remind Keepers that, when they work together, they become stronger, and as such have become a bonding mark for all Keepers.
While a harsh reality, the lifestyle of the clans often means individuals don’t see farther from their own territories. Clan cats care deeply for their clanmates but often see other clans and outsiders as a threat. A Keepers’ job is to care for, learn from and protect all catkind, no matter their origin and alliance, which can prove difficult to an individual raised with a clan’s mindset. Scavenger masks play an important role on this matter by creating a sense of belonging. By giving cats similar backgrounds and obligations, loyalties and prejudices are broken down. In this sense, all Keepers belong together.
(Of course, not everybody agrees with this idealized idea. The use of scavenger masks is often considered pretentious by outsiders. The fact that clanners need to wear accessories to consider others worthy of their help is very much reprehensible, after all. One could even argue that they only help break down barriers between clanners and not outsiders.)
·Creation
Scavenger masks are created in pleita using locally available plant matter. Seaclan, Clayclan and Duneclan usually prefer using dwarf palm leaves while Mountainclan and Brookclan prefer esparto grass. The masks all represent and imitate the shape of different scavenger birds, the species of which vary depending on origin and personal taste.
An apprentice’s first mask is called a “shrike” and is weaved by their mentor to be worn to Colloquiums until the cat becomes a fully named Keeper. Unlike scavenger masks, shrikes do not imitate the shape of any bird in particular, instead they are lighter and more comfortable to wear. These masks aren’t decorated and don’t bear any symbols either.
Once they have passed their assessments, Keepers are to weave their very own first scavenger mask. These new masks will later be painted by a Seer with the symbol of the Keeper’s new role, granting them a blessing. It is officially worn for the first time during their graduation, on a Colloquium Day. Keepers usually keep their shrike as a token, but some destroy it as a celebration.
When a Keeper has studied enough and is considered experienced within their role, they are given a scarf made of fresh leaves. This first scarf is weaved by the clan’s oldest All-parent, but once it rots every Keeper can make their next one themselves. Its function is to tell every other Keeper around them that they are knowledgeable in their role and their opinion is worthy of being heard. Scarfed individuals usually give speeches or partake in heated debates, while un-scarfed individuals listen and learn. These scarfs mostly serve a bragging purpose, nobody quite remembers when or why they started being used.
When a Keeper is respected, wise and knowledgeable enough, they are called into the All-parent role by another All-parent. When this happens, the oldest All-parent in the clan adds a new symbol to their mask and dyes the tip of their mask’s “beak” in black. This ceremony is held in camp but celebrated during Colloquiums.
Scavenger masks and scarfs are only worn to Colloquiums and sacred, or otherwise important, celebrations.
·Symbols: origin
The creation of the symbols used to decorate scavenger masks predates by generations the origin of the Keeper rank. Their use is exclusive to Seers as these symbols are considered sacred. Seers use them to channel magic and ask for godly favors: when drawn on the surface of a mask these symbols are meant to grant a blessing to their wearer.
The use of symbols on masks started during The Great Plague, when they were painted by Seers to grant their wearer a blessing of resilience and strength. Following the triumph over the disease, as masks started losing their medical use, some Keepers would request specific blessings so that they could become better at their roles. Subsequently, it became custom to have scavenger masks be painted with specific symbols so that every Keeper was blessed according to their role within their clan.
Presently, new scavenger masks are brought to a Seer who paints on its surface the required symbol and appropriately blesses them. This ritual is sacred and private as only the mask wearer and their chosen Seer can participate. To interrupt one means ruining the blessing and having to start again at a different time. If a Keeper were to abandon their role to pursue a different role, their old scavenger mask is to be destroyed and a new one weaved, painted and blessed. This is done under the belief that blessings, when abandoned, become unpredictable.
·Symbols: meaning
Herbologist symbol: “Soleá” when referring to it or when drawn on an object, “Lionflower” when drawn on a cat’s fur. This symbol belongs to Sol, father above and creator of all flora and fauna of the land. Specifically, the Soleá represents the connection between Sol and all plants. It is believed that, when using this symbol, Seers can call for the favor of Sol and increase the healing abilities of all medical plants. When painted on scavenger masks, the Soleá imbues its wearer with a blessing of memory and luck allowing Keepers to better remember each plant’s use and habitat as well as helping them find specific plants when they are more needed. Similarly, Seers draw this symbol over Keepers’ dens, where plants are stored, to strengthen their properties and keep them fresh for longer. It is also drawn over dirt and stone archways in the caves that house Malvaeums to honor Sol and his creation.
This symbol consists of two overlapping flowers, a red one in the back and a white one at front, surrounded by two flowy green vines with leaves at the side. The red flower symbolizes the fertility of the earth while the white one symbolizes the sun; their combination results in plant growth, represented by the green vines.
Healer symbol: “Debla” when referring to it or when drawn on an object, “Evening touch” when painted on a cat. This symbol belongs to Luna, mother above and creator of dreams, conscience, and the passing of time. Because time heals all wounds, the Debla is related to the healing abilities of time. When painting this symbol over a cats’ fur, Seers can call for the favor of Luna, making time flow and healing them faster. When painted on scavenger masks, the use of the Debla allows Keepers to better predict how wounds and ailments of the body and mind will evolve through time, easing treatment and recovery.
This symbol consists of a new moon surrounded by a waning gibbous and a waxing gibbous, underneath a red paw print. The new moon represents healing, the waning gibbous conscience while the waxing gibbous resilience, the pawprint references the use of said attributes.
Matron symbol: “Lucero’s blasón” when referring to it or when drawn on Malvaeums, “Flower cognate” when painted on a cat. This symbol is a blasón* belonging to the bloodline of Crane, Seaclan’s founder, and Winter, god and personification of the season by the same name. Originally, this symbol was used solely to represent said bloodline but, as Crane became more of a mythological figure than a historical one, it gained magical properties. This symbol is now related to fertility as well as health during pregnancy and childbirth. Seers paint it on pregnant monarchs so that Crane and Winter can protect them during difficult pregnancies. It is also painted on cats that wish to have kits to help them conceive. When painted on scavenger masks, the Lucero’s blasón grants its wearer wisdom, strength, and patience in order to help monarchs and kits with their needs and worries.
This symbol consists of two overlapping flowers, the front one is inverted and bright red while the one in the back is dark red. The front one represents inner fertility (bearers’ fertility) while the one on the back represents outer fertility (sires’ fertility), the overlapping of these two symbolizes pregnancies.
* a coat of arms, of sorts.
Blood archivist symbol: “Eclipse’s blasón”. This is the oldest symbol known to clanners, it has been painted on the Cave of fangs’s entrance for as long as clanner history has existed. According to their beliefs, the Eclipse’s blasón belongs to both Sol and Luna. It represents how Sol and Luna once were father and mother to all first living creatures. This symbol is only ever drawn on the archivist room of Malvaeums to honor these deities; on scavenger masks where it grants its wearer a blessing of memory and intelligence so they can remember everyone’s ancestry; on sacred spaces like the cave of fangs; and on deceased cats’ backs when it is time to bury them. It is never painted on living creatures.
This symbol consists of a red root like design that surrounds a waning crescent on its right and a sun made of sparks on its left. The waning crescent represents rebirth and love while the sun represents life and joy, the red root joins both like it would a sire and a bearer in a family tree.
Builder symbol: “Alambre”. This symbol is associated with Lady Mallow, goddess of death, healing, and art. Particularly, it focuses on her artistic abilities. Because most Seers hesitate to communicate with Lady Mallow, as it is described as debilitating or draining, this symbol draws directly from her magic rather than asking her for a favor. When used on cat-made objects, it grants a boon of protection and sturdiness. Accordingly, this symbol is painted on dens when the weather threatens to damage them and on different important cat-made objects to ensure they stay structurally sound for longer. When painted on scavenger masks, it grants a blessing of craftiness and creativity to its wearer.
This symbol consists of a thorn circle, symbolizing a clan camp, surrounded by two long needle-like bones. It connotes the ability to transform a dangerous and inhospitable habitat into a home.
Acolyte symbol: “Giants’ Blasón”. This symbol is the blasón of the Giants’ bloodline, Mountainclan’s founder. This symbol is solely used in Mountainclan, where their bloodline is carefully maintained. Mountainclan is very keen on keeping this bloodline within the confines of their territory, as a result, it is rarely painted on Malvaeums of other clans. Similarly, because the acolyte role exists solely within Mountainclan, scavenger masks are only painted with this symbol here. Painting a mask with it grants its wearer a blessing of love and dedication but, mostly, it serves a social function: marking the wearer apart from other Keepers and denoting their special duties to their clan.
This symbol consists of an eye whose pupil is a half-moon, three drops of blood can be seen underneath it. The half-moon symbolizes magic while the three blood drops represent Mountainclan’s Leader, Seer and Acolyte Keeper, all of which share the Giant’s bloodline. The symbol denotes an Acolyte’s responsibilities to their Seer (caring for and watching out for them, as represented by the eye) and their Leader (providing new offspring to the bloodline, as represented by the drops of blood)
Mentor symbol: “Nene”. This symbol bears no magic qualities and is only painted and used by Keepers. The Nene is mostly used for bragging, Keepers paint this symbol on their checks when their Apprentice graduates. The more Nenes a scavenger mask has, the more Apprentices its wearer has trained.
This symbol consists of small red dots on the masks’ cheeks.
All-parent symbol: “Alcea”. This symbol bears no magic, isn’t associated to a god, and is only used by Keepers. When painted on scavenger masks, Keepers are paying homage to Hollyhock “the undying”. According to legend, Hollyhock was a Seer who was taught by Lady Mallow how to escape death by weaving and healing. During her life she would pass on her knowledge to different Apprentices, helping many generations to come. By painting an Alcea on a scavenger mask, Keepers are acknowledging wisdom, experience, and skill similar to that of this cat of legend.
This symbol vaguely resembles the shape of a mallow flower, shape that Lady Mallow herself painted on Hollyhock’s nose when they taught her. It is drawn on the “beak” of scavenger masks along with dyeing the tip of said beak in black.
I don't even know, just... Simple, zero-cluster names. Sounds kind of Dwarvish to me, but as in dwarves from Worldbox. Who knows. You can maybe use it or take inspiration or something. If you combine a long word with a short one, a city name (-ish) can be born. Like, Mozal Gur
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Hey! I’m in the same boat as you. I believe it will be years before I finally release my WIP, so I want to start gaining some buzz at least on here and Instagram before I release it.
It is going to be a Fantasy series. An Adult Contemporary Fantasy series. And a Portal Fantasy.
Pretty much, it asks the question, if having magic is worth it? And asks some questions about our own world, as well as the magical world.
It follows three protagonists, although only one is the narrator. (Close third person narration. I don’t like writing in first person narration anymore.)
What happens when magic is more of a force for ill than good? Can an enemy become a friend? Can you change for the better as a person? I ask all these kinds of philosophical questions.
I’m more of a character writer. So I concentrate more on characters than worldbuilding, which I’m fine with.
It’s a very intense story, and can be quite dark at times, so I don’t think it will be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m proud of it. :D
I wrote the first draft three years ago, and am now beginning to finally finish up revisions for this draft, even though I had a few drafts beforehand where I tried to fix things up and failed. Oh , well.
I don’t want to say too much more, as I’m planning on releasing it one day. But hope this answered your question. Thank you for the ask! It’s much appreciated. :)
Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday! What are some of your favorite elements of world building? Tell us something cool about the worldbuilding you've done so far. Use the tag #worldbuilding wed asks and see who else wants to chat this fine Wednesday :)
I’m a little behind! I really like making the world how I want it, and then backtracking on how it would make sense. New island built in the middle of the ocean for people to live in harmony? Cool let’s get some legit magic going. I want mythical creatures, so I have them! I love magic and creating something new (and then going to the how or why)
Working out the kinks on two different types of magic in the same world. How different peoples use them and what their limits are.