Avishraa Reloaded

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amberworld:start [2021/05/07 08:36] – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation shyriathamberworld:start [2024/02/29 13:59] (current) – shyriath
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 ====== Amberworld ====== ====== Amberworld ======
 ===== Background ===== ===== Background =====
-The emergence of [[Avishraa:]] resulted from a conjunction of two factors. One was the existence of free, ad-supported messageboard provider InsideTheWeb (ITW), which operated from 1997 to 2001, and which made it disturbingly easy for anyone to create, customize (in a basic way) and post on a messageboard, or even many messageboards. The second was [[user:Shyriath]], Avishraa's creator, first obtaining Internet access toward the earlier end of the same timeframe, while he was in high school.+The emergence of [[universe:mikurmiya:Avishraa]] resulted from a conjunction of two factors. One was the existence of free, ad-supported messageboard provider InsideTheWeb (ITW), which operated from 1997 to 2001, and which made it disturbingly easy for anyone to create, customize (in a basic way) and post on a messageboard, or even many messageboards. The second was [[user:Shyriath]], Avishraa's creator, first obtaining Internet access toward the earlier end of the same timeframe, while he was in high school.
  
 Shyriath vaguely recalls searching for promising locations for fantasy roleplaying, and hitting upon, as one of them, an ITW board called Amber's Place. Shyriath never did become fully aware of its history before his arrival, but at that time, being a spot for peacefully roleplaying any of a variety of fantasy creatures - particularly dragons - it had begun to develop into a kind of hub for other, less-active boards that functioned as various characters' private realms. Shyriath vaguely recalls searching for promising locations for fantasy roleplaying, and hitting upon, as one of them, an ITW board called Amber's Place. Shyriath never did become fully aware of its history before his arrival, but at that time, being a spot for peacefully roleplaying any of a variety of fantasy creatures - particularly dragons - it had begun to develop into a kind of hub for other, less-active boards that functioned as various characters' private realms.
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 Shyriath's character was a magically-powerful but physically-pathetic dragon, also named Shyriath; the name, in fact, was created for the character, since up to that point the person behind him had not previously required any kind of username. Those powers that the character had were mostly telepathic, but the details were not consistent and shifted in accordance with the player's needs and/or whims. However, feeling a need to give the character some background, Shyriath gradually built up a picture of where he was from and why he'd come to Amber's Place, and the result was the Avishraa setting. Shyriath's character was a magically-powerful but physically-pathetic dragon, also named Shyriath; the name, in fact, was created for the character, since up to that point the person behind him had not previously required any kind of username. Those powers that the character had were mostly telepathic, but the details were not consistent and shifted in accordance with the player's needs and/or whims. However, feeling a need to give the character some background, Shyriath gradually built up a picture of where he was from and why he'd come to Amber's Place, and the result was the Avishraa setting.
  
-Avishraa consisted mostly of background information, and very little if any of the world was ever directly seen in any of the continuity, though it remained a persistent influence. Shyriath's ITW board, title Citadel of Life, was set in a kind of living building complex that had been magically transported from Avishraa to the same world (or plane, or reality, or whatever it was) that Amber's Place, as well as the private domains of the other players that Shyriath had become familiar with, all resided in. Several of the threats the character faced throughout the character's career emerged, directly or indirectly, from there, especially Zadireth, his eternal nemesis.+Avishraa consisted mostly of background information, and very little if any of the world was ever directly seen in any of the continuity, though it remained a persistent influence. Shyriath's ITW board, titled Citadel of Life, was set in a kind of living building complex that had been magically transported from Avishraa to the same world (or plane, or reality, or whatever it was) that Amber's Place, as well as the private domains of the other players that Shyriath had become familiar with, all resided in. Several of the threats the character faced throughout the character's career emerged, directly or indirectly, from there, especially Zadireth, his eternal nemesis.
  
 Shyriath's participation in ITW, however, declined as 2000 approached, and so did that of much of the rest of the community. In Shyriath's case, this had much to do with the end of high school, applying to colleges, and getting a part-time job. Given that many of the other players were in a similar age bracket, this may have been the case for them as well, though Shyriath had noticed, on wider-ranging sojourns throughout ITW boards, that many other communities seemed to be suffering from a similar problem. Certainly, a drop in ad revenue was cited by ITW as the main reason for shutting down in 2001, and may have been linked to the rise of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezboard|EZBoard]] at about the same time. Shyriath's participation in ITW, however, declined as 2000 approached, and so did that of much of the rest of the community. In Shyriath's case, this had much to do with the end of high school, applying to colleges, and getting a part-time job. Given that many of the other players were in a similar age bracket, this may have been the case for them as well, though Shyriath had noticed, on wider-ranging sojourns throughout ITW boards, that many other communities seemed to be suffering from a similar problem. Certainly, a drop in ad revenue was cited by ITW as the main reason for shutting down in 2001, and may have been linked to the rise of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezboard|EZBoard]] at about the same time.
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 ==== Avishraa ==== ==== Avishraa ====
 {{ :avishraa_system.jpg?200|A depiction of Avishraa's original solar system}} {{ :avishraa_system.jpg?200|A depiction of Avishraa's original solar system}}
-Avishraa is, then and now, the large, habitable moon of a gas giant, previously called Telvahr (the equivalent of current [[universe:mikurmiyakastun|Kastun]]). At the time, the implications of this for day length had not been thought through, though the effects of tides had, and there were instances where Avishraan characters, introduced to worlds where tidal pull was not so strong, felt this as a curious absence.+Avishraa is, then and now, the large, habitable moon of a gas giant, previously called Telvahr (the equivalent of current [[universe:mikurmiya:Kastun]]). At the time, the implications of this for day length had not been thought through, though the effects of tides had, and there were instances where Avishraan characters, introduced to worlds where tidal pull was not so strong, felt this as a curious absence.
  
 Avishraa was in a star system centered on a close binary star, //Shar Avikael//, the Eyes of Avikael, with the planets orbiting around both of them; these were //Sharii//, the Eye of Wisdom, possibly a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-type_main-sequence_star|K-type]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subgiant|subgiant]] in the early stages of expansion, and //Shayel//, the Eye of Knowledge, probably a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-type_main-sequence_star|G-type main sequence star]]. Telvahr was one of six planets (and an asteroid belt); there was life known to be found in Telvahr's atmosphere. At least two other major moons of Telvahr were identified inside of Avishraa's orbit: Irthruun and Havthruun (the First and Second Moons). Avishraa was in a star system centered on a close binary star, //Shar Avikael//, the Eyes of Avikael, with the planets orbiting around both of them; these were //Sharii//, the Eye of Wisdom, possibly a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K-type_main-sequence_star|K-type]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subgiant|subgiant]] in the early stages of expansion, and //Shayel//, the Eye of Knowledge, probably a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-type_main-sequence_star|G-type main sequence star]]. Telvahr was one of six planets (and an asteroid belt); there was life known to be found in Telvahr's atmosphere. At least two other major moons of Telvahr were identified inside of Avishraa's orbit: Irthruun and Havthruun (the First and Second Moons).
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 === Udunshraa === === Udunshraa ===
 {{ :udunshraa_plan.jpg?200|Plan view of Udunshraa}} {{ :udunshraa_plan.jpg?200|Plan view of Udunshraa}}
-Udunshraa, the Citadel of Life, was the home of the Davir Sria. It was, in effect, a small city, built around a kind of source of pure order that manifested as an orb of white light, shimmering in innumerable patterns. Udunshraa housed only [[chosen:srian|Srians]] because [[chosen:kaean|Kaeans]] found it to be repulsive; the reverse was true of Udunneyaa. When Davir Sria and Davir Kaea had to meet, it was generally outside the walls of either.+Udunshraa, the Citadel of Life, was the home of the Davir Sria. It was, in effect, a small city, built around a kind of source of pure order that manifested as an orb of white light, shimmering in innumerable patterns. Udunshraa housed only [[chosen:#Srians]] because [[chosen:#Kaeans]] found it to be repulsive; the reverse was true of Udunneyaa. When Davir Sria and Davir Kaea had to meet, it was generally outside the walls of either.
  
 {{:citadel_landscape.jpg?200 |The town by the lake}} {{:citadel_landscape.jpg?200 |The town by the lake}}
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 On Avishraa, it was originally in the highlands, away from the Sahvarr River, but was magically transported to the world containing Amber's Place. Shyriath then made his home there for a while, but eventually abandoned it before ending up in what was, on the Amberworld board, called A Nice, Green Place. On Avishraa, it was originally in the highlands, away from the Sahvarr River, but was magically transported to the world containing Amber's Place. Shyriath then made his home there for a while, but eventually abandoned it before ending up in what was, on the Amberworld board, called A Nice, Green Place.
  
-Udunshraa has no precise equivalent in the worldbuilding project; though the [[avishraa:community:Citadel:]] exists as a home for all [[Chosen:]] separate from the world, there are no Srian-specific locations (though there is a tendency for Srians and Kaeans to cluster together in certain areas).+Udunshraa has no precise equivalent in the worldbuilding project; though the [[geopolitical:Citadel:]] exists as a home for all [[Chosen:]] separate from the world, there are no Srian-specific locations (though there is a tendency for Srians and Kaeans to cluster together in certain areas).
  
 === Udunneyaa === === Udunneyaa ===
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 The HK had built a civilization of sorts across the archipelago, consisting mostly of widely spaced estates or homesteads; there were a few local capitals, mostly trade hubs or favorable sites, as well as the Great Citadel carved into Mt. Aduruth; this was their major population center and the seat of their rulers. The HK had built a civilization of sorts across the archipelago, consisting mostly of widely spaced estates or homesteads; there were a few local capitals, mostly trade hubs or favorable sites, as well as the Great Citadel carved into Mt. Aduruth; this was their major population center and the seat of their rulers.
  
-While mek'Tarae has not reappeared within the worldbuilding project, its influence continues to be felt. The name of the Citadel, its general organization, and the nature of its center in [[avishraa:community:citadel:Oldstone]] are all heavily inspired by mek'Tarae. As for the [[culture:organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]] - the forerunners of the Hzataalar of the worldbuilding setting - they may yet find it convenient to have a world to be used as their private meeting place.+While mek'Tarae does not exist as it did in Amberworld within the worldbuilding project, the [[organization:hzataalar|Friends of the Future]] - the forerunners of the Hzataalar of the worldbuilding setting - too have acquired a [[universe:oghiras|world]] to use as a private meeting place, which bears more than a passing resemblance to mek'Tarae's landscape. Additionally, the name of the Citadel, its general organization, and the nature of its center in [[geopolitical:citadel:Oldstone]] are all heavily inspired by mek'Tarae.
  
 ===== Species and factions ===== ===== Species and factions =====
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 Some traits appear to have been influenced by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragons_(Pern)#Physiology|Pernese dragons]], including multifaceted, color-changing eyes, names ending in -th, and antennae, replacing external ears, visually derived from Pernese headknobs; possibly also falling into this category was the idea that Avishraans were by nature at least somewhat telepathic. The word "appear' is used in the previous sentence because the author honestly does not remember consciously thinking about Pernese dragons at the time, but for there to be that many parallels purely by chance beggars belief. This is especially true since he had read most of the books and had fond memories of them; since the similarities struck him as obvious when, much later, he finally noticed them, he could not honestly expect anyone else to believe they were coincidence. The faceted eyes were later dropped in favor of more catlike, vertical-slit pupil eyes, but the antennae remained, and so did the -th ending, at least in one language family. Most members of the species were downgraded from 'telepath' to 'empath'. Some traits appear to have been influenced by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragons_(Pern)#Physiology|Pernese dragons]], including multifaceted, color-changing eyes, names ending in -th, and antennae, replacing external ears, visually derived from Pernese headknobs; possibly also falling into this category was the idea that Avishraans were by nature at least somewhat telepathic. The word "appear' is used in the previous sentence because the author honestly does not remember consciously thinking about Pernese dragons at the time, but for there to be that many parallels purely by chance beggars belief. This is especially true since he had read most of the books and had fond memories of them; since the similarities struck him as obvious when, much later, he finally noticed them, he could not honestly expect anyone else to believe they were coincidence. The faceted eyes were later dropped in favor of more catlike, vertical-slit pupil eyes, but the antennae remained, and so did the -th ending, at least in one language family. Most members of the species were downgraded from 'telepath' to 'empath'.
  
-They came in a wide variety of colors, which were loosely based on those of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)#Metallic_dragons|metallic]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)#Chromatic_dragons|chromatic]] dragons of D&D; these were essentially treated as racial groups and individuals tended to find those of their own color more attractive and trustworthy. Mixed-color pairings were known, but children of such parents would be either one parent's color or the other (or more rarely a grandparent's color, if multiple generations of mixed couples were involved); there were no mixed-color individuals. The takmins still come in a wide variety of colors, but the [[takma:scales-and-coloration|genetics of color inheritance]] are more complex; not only can a child turn out to be a color between those of its parents, but even startlingly different than either of its parents. While both species have racial groupings, they are only loosely affiliated with scale color and are more strongly identified with body shape.+They came in a wide variety of colors, which were loosely based on those of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)#Metallic_dragons|metallic]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_(Dungeons_%26_Dragons)#Chromatic_dragons|chromatic]] dragons of D&D; these were essentially treated as racial groups and individuals tended to find those of their own color more attractive and trustworthy. Mixed-color pairings were known, but children of such parents would be either one parent's color or the other (or more rarely a grandparent's color, if multiple generations of mixed couples were involved); there were no mixed-color individuals. The takmins still come in a wide variety of colors, but the [[takma:scales_and_coloration|genetics of color inheritance]] are more complex; not only can a child turn out to be a color between those of its parents, but even startlingly different than either of its parents. While both species have racial groupings, they are only loosely affiliated with scale color and are more strongly identified with body shape.
  
 Avishraans originally had a slight tendency toward matriarchy, but on the whole the sexes were still fairly balanced, and kings and other male leaders were known - see Kalnath, the title character of the [[amberworld:Kalnassai]]. Couples tended to be long-term and monogamous. This was one of the more radical changes for the takmins, as both species became strongly matriarchal and tending toward [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry_in_nature#Paternity_sharing|polyandry]] - indeed, there were many more males than females to be had. Mostly this was because the author found it interesting to experiment with and work out its consequences. Avishraans originally had a slight tendency toward matriarchy, but on the whole the sexes were still fairly balanced, and kings and other male leaders were known - see Kalnath, the title character of the [[amberworld:Kalnassai]]. Couples tended to be long-term and monogamous. This was one of the more radical changes for the takmins, as both species became strongly matriarchal and tending toward [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyandry_in_nature#Paternity_sharing|polyandry]] - indeed, there were many more males than females to be had. Mostly this was because the author found it interesting to experiment with and work out its consequences.
  
-The [[amberworld:ancient_tongue|language]] they spoke will have no direct parallel in the worldbuilding project, but its vocabulary has been, and probably will continue to be, pilfered for contributions to the [[language:imperial|Imperial language]] and its predecessors.+The [[amberworld:ancient_tongue|language]] they spoke will have no direct parallel in the worldbuilding project, but its vocabulary has been, and probably will continue to be, pilfered for contributions to the [[language:imperial:start|Imperial language]] and its predecessors.
  
 Avishraans were social beings and tool-users, and were capable of technological civilization; Shyriath wanted his dragons to be a bit more than the clever savages traditionally presented in fantasy works. They had advanced far enough to form what were essentially medieval city-states, each dominated by a particular color, and frequently and with some enthusiasm warred against their neighbors. Though color-dominance is no longer a factor, in most other respects this picture has only been expanded upon rather than substantially changed; both takmin species have a stronger sense of territoriality and aversion to clustering together than humans do, which makes centralized organization above a given size relatively difficult. In the present day of the project, medieval city-states remain the norm, at least for the takmar; the xtauh are less technologically advanced, less willing to submit to hierarchical authority, and generally live in more marginal environments, and so are more of a mix of agricultural city-states, transhumant ethnic groups, and raiders, most somewhere between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age. Avishraans were social beings and tool-users, and were capable of technological civilization; Shyriath wanted his dragons to be a bit more than the clever savages traditionally presented in fantasy works. They had advanced far enough to form what were essentially medieval city-states, each dominated by a particular color, and frequently and with some enthusiasm warred against their neighbors. Though color-dominance is no longer a factor, in most other respects this picture has only been expanded upon rather than substantially changed; both takmin species have a stronger sense of territoriality and aversion to clustering together than humans do, which makes centralized organization above a given size relatively difficult. In the present day of the project, medieval city-states remain the norm, at least for the takmar; the xtauh are less technologically advanced, less willing to submit to hierarchical authority, and generally live in more marginal environments, and so are more of a mix of agricultural city-states, transhumant ethnic groups, and raiders, most somewhere between the Neolithic and the Bronze Age.
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 Alas, the cosmic apartments no longer have a place, as such. That said, the essential ideas behind the above cosmology remain intact: beings outside our universe, the [[extrinsic:|Extrinsics]], control, or at least affect, it at their whim; they inhabit realms that reflect their own nature; they are less limited than the gods. (I haven't yet decided whether gods truly exist or what their nature is if they do, but they would be bound within a particular universe, rather than being outside it.) Alas, the cosmic apartments no longer have a place, as such. That said, the essential ideas behind the above cosmology remain intact: beings outside our universe, the [[extrinsic:|Extrinsics]], control, or at least affect, it at their whim; they inhabit realms that reflect their own nature; they are less limited than the gods. (I haven't yet decided whether gods truly exist or what their nature is if they do, but they would be bound within a particular universe, rather than being outside it.)
  
-The two most powerful Extrinsics are still [[extrinsic:Order]] (aka [[culture:mythology:imperial-religion:lamnar:Seluurin]]) and [[extrinsic:Chaos]] (aka [[culture:mythology:imperial-religion:lamnar:Khezri]]), though they are far less benevolent than their Amberworld counterparts; not necessarily malicious, either, but not really concerned with how mortals feel about what is done to them, in the same way that a human walking across a field would be hard-pressed to care about whether he or she is stepping on any ants. The Dark Powers, another creation of Wyvr's, are reflected in [[extrinsic:Hunger]] (aka [[culture:mythology:imperial-religion:lamnar:Uvuun]]).+The two most powerful Extrinsics are still [[extrinsic:Order]] (aka [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:Seluurin]]) and [[extrinsic:Chaos]] (aka [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:Khezri]]), though they are far less benevolent than their Amberworld counterparts; not necessarily malicious, either, but not really concerned with how mortals feel about what is done to them, in the same way that a human walking across a field would be hard-pressed to care about whether he or she is stepping on any ants. The Dark Powers, another creation of Wyvr's, are reflected in [[extrinsic:Hunger]] (aka [[mythology:imperial_religion:lamnar:Uvuun]]).
  
 The connection between the Chosen and their supposed patrons is less clear-cut in the worldbuilding project than it was for Amberworld. While it is generally implied that Order and Chaos are at least partially responsible for their creation and that their division into Srians and Kaeans reflects this fact, the question of why they did so remains opaque. Certainly, they have no need for mortal agents to do their work for them - partly because their influence is already pervasive, and partly because they are not as directly antagonistic toward each other - and evidently do not feel any great obligation to protect or aid them. It is possible, should the RPs in the current setting result in a meeting with them, a mortal may be in a position to ask for and receive answers. It is equally possible that the answers, once received, may be heavily biased, misrepresented, even outright falsehoods, or possibly may not even be comprehensible to mortals. The connection between the Chosen and their supposed patrons is less clear-cut in the worldbuilding project than it was for Amberworld. While it is generally implied that Order and Chaos are at least partially responsible for their creation and that their division into Srians and Kaeans reflects this fact, the question of why they did so remains opaque. Certainly, they have no need for mortal agents to do their work for them - partly because their influence is already pervasive, and partly because they are not as directly antagonistic toward each other - and evidently do not feel any great obligation to protect or aid them. It is possible, should the RPs in the current setting result in a meeting with them, a mortal may be in a position to ask for and receive answers. It is equally possible that the answers, once received, may be heavily biased, misrepresented, even outright falsehoods, or possibly may not even be comprehensible to mortals.
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