Longing for Colors (Day 290)

I'm going to talk about a couple of things today because I've given up on actually writing a coherent entry. I had some thoughts about introducing another new character to my little writing project, but I may wait to do that. He's connected with Aisen and it might be a better idea to rewrite his introduction first. Then again, there wouldn't be much harm in just writing about his backstory now. That would give me better context on what kind of character he is in that initial meeting with Terakiel. 

The idea is that Aisen is part of a group of outcasts, persecuted for reasons that are currently unknown even to me. If I were to follow the tradition of the character Aisen was inspired by, then it would be because of his "magical" powers. I feel like this is too convenient an explanation, considering Terakiel's own situation, though. I'm considering the idea of having more conflicting forces at play. Terakiel could have access to this terrifying primal energy from the Strand--and so does Casnie--but what if the Strand is not the only way to harness these kinds of powers? What if there are other "sorcerers" out there who use other methods to accomplish their goals?

What immediately springs to mind is the idea of clerical magic from traditional fantasy. Priests draw on holy powers from various different deities to accomplish similar goals. Some deities are virtuous and others are chaotic, but individuals from all over the world draw on them to perform miracles and cast spells. I don't like the idea of deities being something that really exists in my story, but I would like to flirt with a similar concept. Is the Strand a real, physical thing or is it a theoretical construct invented by the humans of Illatha? I think I like the idea of the Strand being approached in different ways depending on the regon. The plains people of Jiendo, for instance, call Stranders sorcerers instead. They'd be more prone to call what these individuals do "magic" than other regions. Sorcerers are feared and reviled in Jiendo, whereas skill with the Strand is considered a form of status in Sidea.

On the other hand, unregulated Stranders (called wilders) are looked down upon in Sidea. They are considered foolish and dangerous to those around them--which can often be true, as is seen in the case of Terakiel. For those with especially high levels of attunement, carefully monitored instruction and training is required to prevent accidents that could cause damage to the Strander and those around him or her. Stranders are so rare in Terakiel's hometown that the very concept has vanished to time. Abilities such as the ones Terakiel possess are considered little more than myth and superstition. 

I feel like every time I discuss the Strand, I tiptoe carefully around using the word "magic." It's a very effective and descriptive word, but I've made a stylistic decision to avoid using it. Sideans typically do not use the word primarily because it is not an accurate description of what the Strand is to them. Magic consists of parlor tricks and vulgar illusions, whereas the Strand is primal, elemental, and very real. Those societies that are more prejudiced against its use are more prone to using that name, however. The problem I'm running into is that I have to use very awkward phrasing to avoid using the word "magic." I end up using words like "energy," "force," and I go on about "communing with the Strand." I hope at some point that I'll devise a more elegant solution.