Hello again Dear Reader,
Today was spent with one of my friends who is also a writer (and is also busy outlining a series of books) — and, wow, does it help to speak to someone else about plot points (or plot holes) that you’re struggling with. Especially because she already knows the characters and the overall outline of the first books of Ruon Chronicles and I don’t have to worry about giving away spoilers!
She also really helps me to refine the magic system and explain it properly in the books. But don’t worry, there won’t be huge blocks of exposition… Sometimes it’s easy to forget that, while the system is in your head and makes sense, you need to pass that on to the reader who doesn’t know.
Plus, I love the local coffee shop’s blood orange gingerade. And it makes a very good writing drink. But moving on from blood orange drinks to the bloodstones in The Ruon Chronicles.
Bloodstones and Blood Nith
Okay, so here are my initial notes on the bloodstones:
The darkest of the Nith (magic) was made by the Lewjan himself, though how he had brought it into being remained a mystery lost with the breaking of the Knowledge Stone.
The blood Nith is one of the most powerful magics as well as it uses the lifeblood of others to form the stones. Therefore, instead of simply having your own power to use in your Nith, the user has some of the power of whomever’s blood it was as well - almost as if the Nith (or I guess vitality) of the person was stored in their blood (well, it’s in their DNA, so close enough!).
The most powerful of the blood stones are made with the blood of Airus.
I’ve spent the last few days figuring out how this not only fits into the larger story of the Chronicles, but also exactly how these stones will affect those who use them.
For this I drew on various things, like substance addiction and Kuru (the research for which has now made my search history even weirder, and thank you X-Files for making me aware of this disease all those years ago). This should give you an idea of how dangerous these stones are to those who use them as well.
However, the actual making of these bloodstones is still alluding me as this does feature in the first part of book 1. So, back to the drawing board — or at least the note cards I use for plotting and notes.
A Blog I’ve Just Discovered That’s Perfect For Ruon Chronicles Research
I’m a huge fan of Thrums Books’ range of needlework and textile titles and found this blog thanks to the publisher’s Facebook page.
Epicness!
And just what I need to flesh out some of the aspects of the different Ruon in the different countries of Airtha-Eyrassa…
Here’s the link to their books in the Kobo shop.
Until next time, keep well and keep safe!
Love,
Carin