Setting Development

[Kayla]

Alright so each of these two entries will be working on intangible and tangible setting respectively. Read or skim as you will. It's all race/world development really. Feel free to add suggestions, ask questions, or make comments. It'll help me flesh the world out.

[Kayla]

INTANGIBLE SETTING

Politics-
A combination of tyranny and anarchy at the same time. The Senka themselves are solitary and as a result have no overall ruler. They live as freely as they wish and go where they want to. However, in contrast many of them have a cruel side which shows primarily through their treatment of others. They have been known to capture other sentient creatures and enslave them. The most common case of this is capturing a rhaidron and removing the feathers which allow it to sense vibrations. This removes most (if not all) of its sight ability and forces it to be dependent upon a rider for direction. They can then be used for mounts. Senka also use smaller and weaker creatures for both slave labor and distraction from predators. Those who disobey a Senka will either die in a painful way or will be tortured depending on the individual. As with humans, some Senka tend to be more sadistic than others.

Religion-
It is not a widespread belief system but more individualized. It is well known the crystals growing in the ground possess magical power and are the energy source for the planet. As a result, the Senka covet them. Some choose to say they were placed there by a god, others just believe it is a natural resource to be used to better them. All in all since the Senka see themselves as superior, they believe they possess the right to every crystal no matter what the cost of obtaining one may be. The energy of a crystal can be absorbed into the body (thus causing the crystal to lose its glow) and make the wingspan and projected tailspike of a Senka larger. These upgrades stop at a certain point but it is rare for a particular Senka to 'max out' due to the danger in obtaining these minerals. While they do grow throughout the island, not all can be absorbed. As a result, those which can are usually guarded over by large and much more dangerous creatures who realize the value.

Technology-
The Senka are intelligent creatures and as a result have found ways of crafting metal and other materials. They have shackles for slaves, chains, whips, and other ways of inducing fear in their captives. They also have magical abilities and enchantments they are known to utilize in assisting with these practices. For example, shackles may have the misfortune of having magic that makes them unable to be removed. This mix of magic and technology make the Senka a feared race. Otherwise, most animals on the island live off primal instinct. The only one that comes close to rivaling the Senka are a race of small, furred creatures about half a Senka's height. They have the same ear style and tail style as the Senka. They have long claws on their hands and feet for digging and are usually used as slaves for burrowing. They can communicate in both their own language and that of the Senka.

Art-
While the planet itself is not particularly open for artistic things like paintings, certain Senka wear charms and bracelets. It is not unheard of for one to wear an anklet, necklace, head circlet, or other form of jewelry to further identify his or herself to another. These items can also be of sentimental value. Families separate at a young age (as the Senka are normally solitary) but siblings may remain together for some time afterward. These siblings often gift one another with tokens of love before separation to remind one another of their family ties.

Language-
Two fluent languages are used on the planet. One is that of the Senka, a proper and strict language. When written into English it would sound like “I do not know the location of where I am.” rather than “I don't know where I am.” Contractions are not ordinarily used unless speaking to a close friend or sibling in which case formality may be lowered. This use of higher level language is mean to intimidate those of lower intelligence.

The second language is that of the furred creatures. They speak in growls, and clicks of the tongue. Movement of the ears, body and tail posture, and if their fur is laying flat are also important communication factors. They are quite capable of speaking the Senka language, but prefer to use it in a lower form. For example while I Senka would snap “Just who do you believe you are?” at an uppity slave, he or she may respond, “Don't know. Sorry.” It is short, apologetic, and less likely to incur the wrath of a Senka who would surely be enraged by the butchering of the language. Their communication is based on quick and to the point messages and this tends to carry over.

As far as wildlife goes, the communications are entirely built on different factors by species. A rhaidron who is angry will stop its hooved feet and lower its head. An angry stonetail on the other hand will lower its head and speed forward in an attempt to spear its tormentor with its long, upward pointing teeth. As most creatures on the planet are blind, they have light and vibration sensitive adjustments to their bodies. A rhaidron has six feathers and a spot under the throat for these purposes. A stonetail's senses are based more on hearing due to their large ears.

Gender-
Senka are primarily a female race. Males are rarely born and when they are they're considered lowly. The belief is that “if mostly females are born then clearly we are better.” Reproduction is rare due to the scarcity of males, though a male is not entirely necessary for it due to alternate methods being possible. This alternate method involves blood, magic, and crystal energy and is practiced more frequently than natural Earth birth. The Senka are fortunately long lived so their race is not endangered despite the low reproductive rates. For the most part Senka remain solitary their entire lives except for maybe a close friend from a nearby area.

Food/Medicine-
There are plenty of smaller creatures on the planet and as a result a natural food chain has been established. A Senka's diet is entirely based on preference. One who is a much more avid crystal hunter may live off that energy, running purely on magic, while another may hunt and eat animals. Since plant-life is sparse, for the most part healing is dealt with either naturally or with magic. Certain animals also possess resistance to diseases and it is believed drinking the blood of that particular creature can heal you.

Interpersonal relationships/Ideals/Ethics/Morality/Values-
These subjects are personal due to the Senka's solitary lifestyle. One individual may choose to interact with other Senka, while another avoids them. For the most part, ideals and values are also choice. Since any family structures are broken apart at a young age for the individual Senka, few if any values from the parent or parents remain. This is because the individual may learn them but is for the most part left to discover things on his or her own.

Family structure-
As mentioned, it is not necessary to have a mother and father to reproduce. You may find a female Senka alone with several offspring and no male, or a male with the same situation. Families with both a male and female parent are possible but not frequent. It is even less common for this family to stay together for the entire period of raising a child.

Senka are born individually. Siblings are not rare, but it is rare for the siblings to know one another simply because Senka are only raised until they can live alone. Twins are the rarest of all and hardly ever occur. A Senka child learns quickly how to hunt, what to avoid, and how to use magic. He or she is also taught how to absorb magic from crystals and is taught basic use of weapons such as knives for defense. This period typically lasts the equivalent of five Earth years. The Senka is not fully grown yet, but is highly intelligent and dangerous.

(c) Katelyn "KaylaAlex" 2012

[Kayla]

TANGIBLE SETTING

Planet- Frigid, on the edge of its galaxy so it is far from the sun, shrouded in a gas cloud atmosphere, one small moon named Shair'ka, has various deposits of frozen water. The sections between continents are miles of ice.

Continent- Al'traum, a section on the northern part of the planet. It has two smaller islands off its eastern coast which are about a day's trek across the ice. For the most part it is a flat place with sections of luminous crystal clusters strewn throughout the land. They occur naturally and are the primary source of light for those living on its surface. The western part of the continent slowly transitions from flat to hilly, and if you travel near the northwest you will find cave systems and cliffs. Luminous insects live within.

Island- The smallest one off Al'traum's coast. It is about 20 miles across. It has a glowing coast line, made of sparkling fragments of the crystals. Unlike the Al'traum mainland, there is sparse vegetation that grows here, surviving in a vampiric fashion. The plants battle one another's roots for nutrients, sucking the loser dry. All of the creatures that live on the island are based on earth species but with glow to them due to their foodchain. The only humanoid species here are the Senka, a race who can project energy to give themselves wings and a spike on the end of their tail. They draw energy from the crystals and if they were to be exposed to sunlight they would die.The majority of creatures are poisonous in some way.

(c) Katelyn "KaylaAlex" 2012

[blitz]

Could you make a sentence development set of questions like you did with character interviews?

[Kayla]

Sure. I'll type them up