I is for Ithaka

April 10, 2014 by Roland Clarke

I is for Ithaka: Ithaka: The Tapestry is a game developed by Prinaka, the company behind the ‘Gossamer Steel’ MMORPG that appears in the cyber-mystery ‘Wyrm Bait’.

Ithaca is the home of the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, and Ithaka is also a famous poem by the Greek poet C P Cavafy that pays homage to Homer’s Odyssey, one of the greatest epic poems written. After the victory of the Greeks in the Trojan War, Odysseus sets sail for his home on Ithaca. But, as the mastermind behind the Trojan Horse deception, he had incurred the wrath of the God Poseidon, who tries to ensure that he never reaches his wife Penelope and their son Telemachus. On his ten year journey, Odysseus faces cyclops, lotus-eaters, sea monsters, and hostile giants, then finds himself trapped by the beautiful nymph Calypso on an island. When he finally reaches home, Odysseus reclaims control of Ithaca. But if you don’t know the full story read more here.

Cavafy’s poem addresses our personal journey to Ithaka, and pays homage to Homer’s epic poem. For an excellent article on “Ithaka” with a link to a powerful Sean Connery reading, with music by Vangelis, go to: http://ninaalvarez.net/2008/08/09/poem-video-of-the-day-ithaca/

I is also for Inventors and for India, which as Bhārata is central to the world’s survival. In the world of Gossamer Steel an Indian engineer attempts to unlock the secret to teleportation. Without inventors and inventions going back to the wheel and earlier, humanity would not have progressed as far as we have. The inventions have been made by people all over the globe, not just in the West. There have been periods, such as the Industrial Revolution, when enormous strides have been made, although sometimes these periods have been times of war. Not every invention has been beneficial, although are the scientist to blame or the paymasters? Many of the inventions that arise in the world of Gossamer Steelare rooted in our current world, although the apocalypse precipitates their creation.

I is also for the ice-wraiths that terrorise The Country, imps and idad or yew, one of the Ogham trees.

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array ~ B is for the Blood-Marked ~ C is for Corylus Avellana ~ D is for Duskweald ~ E is for Energy ~ F is for Feeniks ~ G is for Garuda ~ H is for Herders

The brainchild of Arlee Bird, at Tossing it Out, the A to Z Challenge is posting every day in April except Sundays (we get those off for good behaviour.) And since there are 26 days, that matches the 26 letters of the alphabet. On April 1, blog about something that begins with the letter “A.” April 2 is “B,” April 3 is “C,” and so on. Please visit other challenge writers.

My theme is ‘The World of Gossamer Steel, the SF-fantasy setting for a series of short stories and novellas that portray the tales behind the MMORPG that is central to my crime novel ‘Wyrm Bait’.

H is for Herders

April 9, 2014 by Roland Clarke

H is for Herders: In our tour of the world of Gossamer Steel the herders are descended from the nomads of Eurasia and the Sámi, the indigenous people of The Country. They have common roots and to them the land and its spirits are sacred, and they revere the world that has always been called Sapmi.

For centuries herders have practised Nomadic Pastoralism, moving their livestock to fresh pastures on which to graze. The herded livestock include cattle, yaks, sheep, goats, reindeer, horses, donkeys or camels, or a mix of species. Nomadic pastoralism is commonly practised in regions with little arable land, with the herders seeking out the grazing wherever available. Historically this lifestyle has, in some instances, led to warrior-based cultures that have made them fearsome enemies of settled people, notably in the case of the Mongols and Magyars.

Of the estimated 30–40 million nomadic pastoralists worldwide, most are found in central Asia and the Sahel region of West Africa. Other areas include the Arabian Peninsula inhabited by Bedouins, as well as Northeast Africa inhabited by Somalis.

In areas of harsh climate, the nomadic pastoralists have traditional grazing grounds that they move their herds between. These herders, found in Northern Europe and Russia, include the indigenous Sami, Nenets, Tsaatans, and Chukchis. These are the basis for the Herders in Gossamer Steel, with their lifestyles revolving around reindeer herding.

Dhuka herder moving his reindeer ~ Image: Uluc Kecik

H is also for HAV – Hybrid Air Vehicles, which are modified airships designed for freight or surveillance. With the rising cost of fuel, HAV are becoming one way forward in aviation, especially when attempting to access remote areas with heavy loads. In the 21^st century many of the drawbacks with conventional airships are being resolved, and this is a growth area. In a world without oil, this technology will become crucial to a new world.

In our tour of the world of Gossamer Steel, H is also for antagonist Hubert Green, and for the Hearthalls, centre of learning and of pilgrimage in The Country.

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array ~ B is for the Blood-Marked ~ C is for Corylus Avellana ~ D is for Duskweald ~ E is for Energy ~ F is for Feeniks ~ G is for Garuda

G is for Garuda

April 8, 2014 by Roland Clarke

G is for Garuda: The Garuda (from the Sanskrit: Garuḍa गरुड or “devourer”) is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology. In the world of ‘Gossamer Steel’ it exists in the self-reliant land of Bhārata, where myth and a greenpunk solutions exist alongside each other. An airship called Garuda, piloted by Captain Devaki, is essential to the exploits of Dravidian pirates. Garudas also play a central role in the cyber-mystery ‘Wyrm Bait’, appearing in the ‘Gossamer Steel’ MMORPG in the climactic in-game battle.

Appearing in several legends and venerated all over South East Asia, the Garuda is the mount of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism but has his own independent scriptures. In Buddhism, the Garudas are a race of winged beings that were the enemies of the Nagas, serpent beings, until the Buddha made peace between them. Both Thailand and Indonesia use the Garuda in various forms as their national symbols, including the sign of the Thai Royal family, and in stylised form as the logo of Garuda Indonesia, the national airline of Indonesia.

“Garuda Statue” by antpkr

G is also for Gliders, engine-less heavier-than-air craft, capable of sustained flight. With recreational, sport and military applications, they have ranged from solo use to landing military units with equipment; although the latter have been superseded by helicopters and short-take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft.

Towed into the air or carried by a plane as payload, then released, glider’s aerodynamic shape allows them to remain aloft longer. Certain types can climb and soar using updrafts and thermals, in the same was as large gliding birds, such as owls and hawks, which are often seen circling inside a thermal to gain altitude without flapping their wings.

For sport/recreation there are three types of gliders, sailplanes, hang-gliders and para-gliders, although the latter are used by the military for dropping troops into remote areas. The latter two are primarily solo craft are either made of an aluminium alloy or composite-framed fabric wing, or are wing-shaped parachutes. They are light and manoeuvrable enough to be launched by the user from a high location such as a hill or cliff. In one Gossamer Steel tale, Captain Devaki uses a hybrid hang/para-glider that is more akin to the aerobatic wings used for Parabatix.

Hang Glider ~ Image courtesy of Dominic Harness / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In our tour of the Gossamer Steel world, G is also for giants, goblins, gremlins, gnomes, ghosts, protagonist Niels Gundersson and the antagonist Hubert Green.

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array ~ B is for the Blood-Marked ~ C is for Corylus Avellana ~ D is for Duskweald ~ E is for Energy ~ F is for Feeniks

F is for Feeniks

April 7, 2014 by Roland Clarke

F is for Feeniks: Feeniks is the Finnish for the constellation Phoenix, and the name given to a falcon companion of a key shaman character in the world of Gossamer Steel. The phoenix is a potent mythological figure and symbol of rebirth or renewal so central to the Renascence of the earth. One of its equivalents, the Hindu Garuda, plays a crucial role in the cyber-mystery ‘Wyrm Bait’, appearing in the ‘Gossamer Steel’ MMORPG.

“Phoenix In Fire” by fotographic1980

Another equivalent, the Firebird appears in many Slavic folk tales, and can symbolize many things. Some legends portray the Firebird as a creature of blessing, while in other tales characters believe that it will bring doom to anyone who captures it. In some stories the Firebird is a symbol of wealth and of power, and in others a prize to be captured, such as that of Prince Ivan. Many artists have been inspired by the legends. Most notably Igor Stravinsky, who on June 25^th 1910 immortalized the legend in his ballet score for choreographer, Serge Diaghilev.

F is also for Food – from cloudberries to dosas – and for Fashion – from embroidered Sami gákti to Indian shalwar kameez. Both are key in any world building but an essential part of my two enclaves, The Country and Bhārata, at times being intrinsic to a particular character.

The musical group Duolva Duottar in traditional Sami dress. The man on the left, Ole Mahtte Gaup, is wearing a luhkka. The woman and the other two men are wearing gákti ~ Photo by Petr Brož

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array

B is for the Blood-Marked

C is for Corylus Avellana

D is for Duskweald

E is for Energy

My theme is ‘The World of Gossamer Steel’, the SF-fantasy setting for a series of short stories and novellas that portray the tales behind the MMORPG that is central to my crime novel ‘Wyrm Bait’.

E is for Energy

April 5, 2014 by Roland Clarke

E is for Energy: After the apocalypse that creates the Gossamer Steel world, the role of oil as an energy source diminishes rapidly as the means to produce and distribute its derivatives are devastated. The surviving enclaves are forced to turn to alternative energy sources, primarily solar, wind and the waves. There is also a powerful atmospheric charge to be tapped from The Storm that continues to divide the world and create Electro-magnetic interference.

All these renewables, except atmospheric charge, are viable today. The uptake on renewable sources depends on many factors, not least the individual country’s government and public opinion. The United Kingdom is the world’s leading generator of offshore wind power, and is currently seeing a healthy growth in onshore wind generation, while in the United States the favoured renewables varies from state to state. According to Wikipedia sources, “In 2010 renewable energy accounted for 17% of total energy consumption. Biomass heat accounted for 11%, and hydropower 3%…” “…In international public opinion surveys there is strong support for promoting renewable sources such as solar power and wind power, requiring utilities to use more renewable energy (even if this increases the cost), and providing tax incentives to encourage the development and use of such technologies. There is substantial optimism that renewable energy investments will pay off economically in the long term…”

English: Wind turbines in a rapeseed field in Sandesneben, Germany ~ Jürgen at Flickr

English: Wind turbines in a rapeseed field in Sandesneben, Germany by Jürgen at Flickr

Our industrialised society will continue to devour fossil fuels at an enormous rate, despite climate change and high oil prices, but inevitably they will run out. But will the Ravagers of Gossamer Steel destroy the world first? Or will an apocalypse herald a new fossil fuel-free world? A greenpunk future?

United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity. Thus, in Gossamer Steel, one of the leading enclaves is India.

“King Of Nagas & Kylin Carving On Teak” by kornnphoto

E in our A to Z tour of the Gossamer Steel world is also for the elves/elfes or Alfar; for the Elementals that are intrinsic to the Blood-marked and possess supernatural powers; and for Etiäinen, spirits summoned by Finnish shaman.

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array

B is for the Blood-Marked

C is for Corylus Avellana

D is for Duskweald

D is for Duskweald

April 4, 2014 by Roland Clarke

D is for Duskweald: In our A to Z tour of the World of Gossamer Steel, there is an ancient woodland sacred to the Alfar or elves, which lies at the heart of The Country. Only the descendants of the horsemen of the Steppes and the Sámi reindeer herders dwell on the edge of The Duskweald, a sacred place that has become central to their beliefs and rituals. Few outsiders ever dare to venture into the trees. Duskweald is also a prestigious guild in the MMORPG ‘Gossamer Steel’.

Wikipedia says, “Dusk is the darkest stage of twilight in the evening.” In Hinduism, which is one of the significant components of Gossamer Steel, twilight is a time when some sacred ceremonies are performed, in part because the power-seeking Asuras are active. One of the most crucial festivals is Diwali, the festival of light – lights in the midst of darkness.

Weald is another word for woodland, although to me, being born and bred in Sussex, The Weald is a once wooded area between the North and South Downs in Southern England. As we live beside a wood and have done so since we married, my wife’s website is The Duskweald.

“Light In The Forest” by dan

However, in my fictional world the darkest side of dusk and twilight is the end of our modern technological world, an apocalypse that involves aspects of Ragnarök or Götterdämmerung, The Doom or Twilight of the Gods. The Country is one of the few regions that survives the devastation of the world.

D is also for Dravidian pirate Devaki, captain of the hybrid-airship Garuda, and for solar array astronaut Donn Thorson, plus the mysterious doppelganger that inspires the science of Dasra Ashvin.

PREVIOUS A TO Z POSTS:

A is for Array

B is for the Blood-Marked

C is for Cory