Tag Archives: Gossamer Steel

G is for Garuda

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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

“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applications, they have ranged from solo use to landing military units with equipment; although the latter have been superseded by helicopters and short-take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft.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

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

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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’.

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)

F is for Feeniks

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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

“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 25th 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

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)

 

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’.

E is for Energy

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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

“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

*

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’.

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)

C is for Corylus Avellana

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"Calm After The Storm" by Sarah Arbogast

“Calm After The Storm” by Sarah Arbogast

C is for Corylus Avellana: ‘Coll’ or Hazel is one of the thirteen trees in the Ogham Tree Calendar. Hazel, Corylus avellana, is the Tree of Wisdom and Knowledge, and one of the ‘chieftain’ trees of the Irish Celtic tradition.  In my A to Z journey through the World of Gossamer Steel, Coryll and her sister Avellana are key characters in a novella set in the fictional world. As a shaman, Coryll has a deep bond with nature, which through her blood-mark ties her to a reed elemental, Ngetal – the 13th letter of the alphabet. Much of my initial inspiration for the novella and the world came from Teresa Moorey’s Magic And Mystery Of Trees.

Trees hold a powerful place in folklore in many cultures, as diverse as Native Americans, the Qabalah, Druids, as well as Celtic. Many traditions have trees at their heart, from Yggdrasil, the World Tree of Norse Myth, to the Christmas tree.  Further reading on Spirit, Folklore and Trees here.

Most scholars believe that Ogham primarily “served as an alphabet for one of the ancient Celtic languages. Its origin is uncertain: it may have been adapted from a sign language. Current understanding is that the names of the main twenty letters are also the names of 20 trees sacred to the druids. Some authors have suggested the existence of a 13 month calendar which shared some of these names.”

Two central characters in the novel ‘Wyrm Bait’ choose avatars in the MMORPG of Gossamer Steel with the names Coryll and Avellana.

C is also for other short story protagonists Charles Stern and Chamona, for The Country, as well as for CME or Coronal Mass Ejection.

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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 behavior.) 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’.

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)

B is for the Blood-marked

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"Bloody Hand" by Simon Howden

“Bloody Hand” by Simon Howden

B is for the Blood-marked: In my A to Z of the World of Gossamer Steel, the superstitious people of The Country believe the Blood-Marked are dangerous nomads that have been possessed by a tormented spectral creature. However, when confronted with one, reluctant groom Bergwe moves beyond his superstitions and learns that the possession has great advantages when confronting evil as they have the power to summon Elementals.

Blood plays a crucial role in many cultural beliefs, from paganism through organised religions to New Age. Blood is central to our body and life, so it is not surprising that sharing our blood holds great significance, whether it is donating life-saving blood willingly or unwillingly. Blood carries DNA and perhaps the spirit. Is that why we are so fascinated by vampires? Is it the blood-sucking or the immortality?

There is also the sharing of blood to denote a bond beyond friendship – blood-sisters. In Gossamer Steel, being Blood-marked is a similar union of souls but more akin to a shaman and her power animal. [More on that perhaps tomorrow – C is for Corylus Avellana…]

B is also for the Blue Maidens servants of forest goddess Mielikki, and for Baba Yaga. And of course the Blood of murder victims in Spiral of Hooves.

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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 behavior.) 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’.

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)

A is for Array

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A is for Array: when a solar array triggers a massive Coronal Mass Ejection, the resulting storm around the earth causes the destruction and the world of ‘Gossamer Steel’. Amidst all the chaos, others unleash the power to return magic and dreams to the world, primarily in the land called The Country. The remains of the old techno-obsessed world need to devise new ways to survive reusing resources and skills from the past.

Although the Array, called Ra I, is fictional it is loosely derived on existing solar arrays for spacecraft, satellites and the International Space Station.  The best source of energy for spacecraft is sunlight. Engineers have developed technologies to convert solar energy to electrical power efficiently. The best source of energy for spacecraft is sunlight. As NASA says, “Engineers have developed technologies to convert solar energy to electrical power efficiently. NASA and its partners developed a method of mounting solar arrays on a “blanket.” The blanket can be folded like an accordion for delivery to space and then deployed, or spread out, to its full size once in orbit. ” [Read more from NASA here]

A is also for airships, the Alfar or elves that return to The Country, the mysterious Avellana, and for Abbie, who helps Charlie Stern fly, and for April Fools Day 😉

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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 behavior.) 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’.

A2Z-BADGE-000 [2014] (1)