The Lafaye Universe-- History and Characters
History:
Way back at the beginning of the world, humans and the non-human groups, dubbed “magics”, co-existed in peace. The magics kept to their own business and the humans kept to theirs, and everything was alright. But as time went on, people began to realize they knew very little about magics and what they were capable of, and humans fear what they do not understand. Due to some un-condoned, violent acts committed by a certain group of dragons, this fear was only strengthened. Eventually, the humans gained enough power and political influence to have every single magic transported to a large, habitable island in the Atlantic, positioned almost exactly in the middle between North America and England. This transference is referred to in history books and by legend as The Separation. The magics were only agreeable to The Separation because the leaders hoped to avoid war, and because the humans had agreed to provide food, resources, and all current technological advances to the island. The island was still aware of what was going on in the world around them—all the current political events, the wars, the natural disasters, the news—and they had the same advancements in science and technology. They weren’t completely sealed off, just contained. Even though the magics showed no sign of rebellion or wishes to leave the island after they were transported, the humans thought it best to add security measures as time went on, building first fences, then walls, then electrical securities as time progressed. As the magics settled in, most ill-will and rebellious thoughts either cooled away or were carefully kept quiet. The humans were kept educated about the magics, what little they knew of them, and the political leaders strove to keep their memory from disappearing as best they could.
Time passed.
Politics shifted, as did people in powerful positions, and new ideas began circulating. The government eventually decided that, if they were careful, magics and humans could potentially co-exist once more. They began incorporating more and more knowledge of magic’s culture, abilities, and differences into public education and knowledge, teaching into two or three generations how to live side-by-side with magics. On the flipside, magics were also taught about human cultures and differences. This was to prepare both sides for the eventual release of the magics, to avoid problems such as cultural clashes and racism from taking place. The magics were released into the world on July the 14th, and three-fourths of the population moved away from the island and into the worlds, almost half of the movers immigrating into the USA. This major event is referred to as The Union.
Despite the government’s best efforts to prevent it, racism, intolerance, and clashes did ensue among the people. Many occurrences such as restaurants refusing service to magics, hate crimes against magics community buildings, protests, and so on took place, causing discontent and further protests on the magic’s side. The government has stepped in and passed laws that changed some of it, but there is still much malcontent, hatred, and racism present in today’s culture.
Way back at the beginning of the world, humans and the non-human groups, dubbed “magics”, co-existed in peace. The magics kept to their own business and the humans kept to theirs, and everything was alright. But as time went on, people began to realize they knew very little about magics and what they were capable of, and humans fear what they do not understand. Due to some un-condoned, violent acts committed by a certain group of dragons, this fear was only strengthened. Eventually, the humans gained enough power and political influence to have every single magic transported to a large, habitable island in the Atlantic, positioned almost exactly in the middle between North America and England. This transference is referred to in history books and by legend as The Separation. The magics were only agreeable to The Separation because the leaders hoped to avoid war, and because the humans had agreed to provide food, resources, and all current technological advances to the island. The island was still aware of what was going on in the world around them—all the current political events, the wars, the natural disasters, the news—and they had the same advancements in science and technology. They weren’t completely sealed off, just contained. Even though the magics showed no sign of rebellion or wishes to leave the island after they were transported, the humans thought it best to add security measures as time went on, building first fences, then walls, then electrical securities as time progressed. As the magics settled in, most ill-will and rebellious thoughts either cooled away or were carefully kept quiet. The humans were kept educated about the magics, what little they knew of them, and the political leaders strove to keep their memory from disappearing as best they could.
Time passed.
Politics shifted, as did people in powerful positions, and new ideas began circulating. The government eventually decided that, if they were careful, magics and humans could potentially co-exist once more. They began incorporating more and more knowledge of magic’s culture, abilities, and differences into public education and knowledge, teaching into two or three generations how to live side-by-side with magics. On the flipside, magics were also taught about human cultures and differences. This was to prepare both sides for the eventual release of the magics, to avoid problems such as cultural clashes and racism from taking place. The magics were released into the world on July the 14th, and three-fourths of the population moved away from the island and into the worlds, almost half of the movers immigrating into the USA. This major event is referred to as The Union.
Despite the government’s best efforts to prevent it, racism, intolerance, and clashes did ensue among the people. Many occurrences such as restaurants refusing service to magics, hate crimes against magics community buildings, protests, and so on took place, causing discontent and further protests on the magic’s side. The government has stepped in and passed laws that changed some of it, but there is still much malcontent, hatred, and racism present in today’s culture.
Character Profiles:
Name: Charm LaFaye
Age: 16
Race: Hamadryad (forest-spirit)
Personality: Rebellious and ready to fight. Lives on the streets, claiming she ran away from home. Hates the government/society that discriminates against her and people like her. Joins protests and riots whenever she thinks it's worth it. Will start fights with anybody, besides her friends. If she really likes you, there's no getting rid of her. Maintains a street-tough image to survive among the rivalries and gangs out on the streets. Practices herb/witch type magic and follows the phases of the moon, despite the fact that witch magic is illegal. Has three magical tattoos-- a bunny that hops around all over her right arm and likes sleeping just under her elbow, a raccoon on her other arm that also moves but only shows up at night, and a branch of flowers covering the right side of her neck and collarbone that change and bloom differently depending on the season.
Likes: Herbs and candles, dragons, cacti, fistfights, standing up for what she wants/believes in, protecting her close friends, the moon, watching the sunset/sunrise, sodas in glass bottles, enchanting things, trees
Dislikes: The government/society, her past, coffee, pollution, being proven wrong, weakness, know-it-alls, tight spaces, physical contact
Fears: Dying without purpose, being forced to return to her old life, claustrophobia
Habits: Wakes up early to watch the sunrise every morning, throws herself into situations without thinking, fidgets with the choker she wears, constantly speaks without thinking
Song: King-- Lauren Aquilina, Boy In The Bubble-- Alec Benjamin
Name: Tiral Hidsway
Age: 18
Race: Human
Personality: Ambitious, friendly, bold. Wants to be seen as equal. Unafraid of people's judgment.
Likes you unless you're rude. Dreams big, and follows them. Poet and baker, has published a book
of poetry and works at Vea's Bakery. Stands up for people, but in a non-violent way. Has magical
tattoos across her face-- stars that change places and number depending on a variety of factors,
they never look the same twice.
Likes: Words, tea, her job, kind people, space aesthetics, courage, quotes, being warm,
music, uniqueness, daydreaming
Dislikes: Pie, rude/judgemental people, being confused, the dark, being interrupted, the cold
Fears: The dark, being misjudged/perceived as unkind, losing what she loves
Habits: Writes quotes/random words on her arm-- always has a pen, can't sleep with at least a little
bit of light, bites her nails when she's nervous
Song: Rise Up-- Andrea Day, Saturn-- Sleeping at Last
Name: Miraran Lian
Age: 20
Race: "One of the Forgotten" (a race of warrior-types specifically dedicated to protecting ideals, groups, or sovereigns, forgotten as time passed and the magics were separated-- most died out)
Personality: Distant, daydreams a lot. When focused, she teases and jokes a lot. Dislikes society and it's views, but understands the government is at least trying to fix the problem, and thinks the laws should be upheld. Tries to discourage the protests and riots. Has a small rivalry with Charm because of that. Keeps a small gang of other magics together, and more or less leads them.
Likes: Quiet, her group, dreaming, flying, hot cocoa, freedom, jokes
Dislikes: The rebellious, Charm, being trapped, riots, questions about her/her family/her race
Fears: Being trapped/unable to fly, losing the last remnants of family she has
Habits: Tends to immediately take off and fly for a few hours when frusterated, wings flare widely when she's experiencing a strong emotion, gets lost in thought and spaced-out very easily.
So there you have it, a brand-new universe that I've been working on for a couple months now. There are other characters, less developed than these, that I'm still working on, and a few more aspects of this world I have yet to explore-- but there's a start! Thanks for reading this far- I know it was long ;)
-Kaytie
Hello i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also
ReplyDeletecreate comment due to this good piece of writing.
Well done Kavin, this comment did make me smile, I'm very happy you commented here! Thank you for your kind words. I'm happy to meet a reader of my blog who isn't a friend or family member :) Keep on writing, everything gets easier with practice-- even courage!
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