There is something intriguing to me about keeping track of the context around a project that is itself simply the context of a thing. It is all very convoluted, but in the convolution there is clarity.

From the author...

Essentially, this blog is an opportunity for me to discuss the process of writing these stories from within the character of Matthus Sparrowblade. Forcing myself to think about why he would include this story, and what questions he would be having, helps keep me honest.

Friday, October 13, 2006

"Theurgist: A member of an highly influential and feared wizard secret society of the same name (i.e., the Theurgists). Theurgists use their understanding of the four faces, and the way they interact with with world, to make complicated alliances and pacts with the animating spirits that reside in the world around them. From these pacts, they earn power, knowledge, and protection from their enemies. The Theurgists are often thought to dabble in necromancy. Most wizards claim to know at least one theurgist, but it is likely that few do, or rather, if they do, they do not know it."

It is such a sad constant that those who wield great power seldom use it to garner respect and love. Instead, they sow seeds that blossom into fear and mistrust. It is not difficult to see the motivation for so many years of hatred and terror aimed at the wizard cults.

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

"Thaumaphile: A scholar who devotes his study to the understanding of the history and usage of various types of supernatural power. Thaumaphiles may or may not be associated with any of the various wizard cults, and some, occasionally, have association with a temple or god. As a rule, thaumaphiles claim to have no power of their own, but their understanding of the underlying theory that governs the power of others has, according to various legends and histories, allowed them to manipulate magical energy. For the most part, thaumaphiles keep to themselves, or at least keep their research secret, since they are not generally well-received by wizards or priests."

I read an odd analogy in some other book--which book was it?--that tried to explain the thaumaphile. It used more modern terminology: wizards are like authors, and thaumaphiles are like literary critics. Thus, the thaumaphile does not create anything of his own, but instead, illuminates or degrades the work of others. Before learning of these strange men and women, I had not thought of supernatural power as something that could be enhanced or devalued through the understanding of another.

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

"Seer: A member of the secret society known to the world as the Augurs of Manafar. As with many of the wizard cults, the term seer has now come to refer to a wider range of practitioners, though such a usage is a sure sign of arcane ignorance. Historically, seers were an offshoot cult of the theurgists, though were the latter use their communion with spirits and the awareness that comes from the elements to manipulate the world around them, seers use a similar mastery to predict the probabilities of certain occurances. As such, they have often been found in the employ of various war leaders, kings, and other open-minded government entities."

It is fascinating to see the way in which these wizard cults proliferated. From one single origin, they became as numerous, varied, and in some ways as antagonistic as the various priesthoods.