MuZe
Writer, editor, and all around catastrophe <3
Check out my fantasy flash series #DiaryOfNana for some mini-mage adventures!
All work also posted on my site! muzetriggerstudios.wordpress.com
Please support me: ko-fi.com/muzetrigger
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders! This time we're going from the North to the South Library! I've mentioned before that South Library sits sprawling across a large river valley that functions as the Library's grain basket (as well as most other produce) but just outside of the valley is a vast desert! 1/
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders, we're talking about the physical worlds of our fantasy/sci-fi stories. Do you have any deserts? Either of the extremely hot or extremely cold variety? What's it like? Do your characters ever go there (hope they came prepared!)
- Some auxiliary campuses actually operate out here, and they form a kind of boundary line to the Outer Reaches proper In fact, Ashe's family used to work at one of these campuses before- well, you can piece it together when the book comes out ;) 2/3
- The desert isn't super dangerous until you start dipping into the Outer Reaches, which is where *a lot* of Curses start The temperature also spikes HARD the closer you get to the Reaches Really, the borders between the Reaches and the Library just give rise to a lot of catastrophes 3/3
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders! It's North Library time! This major campus is located in the snowy mountain ranges of the Library's territory, which are sometimes referred to by the local people of the Outer Reaches as "The Spine of the World" As the name suggests, the range is a long line of fairly 1/
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders, let's talk some specific geographical features for a few days now. Is there a mountain in your world? What is it like? What sort of minerals or gemstones can be found there? Anything interesting going on there?
- regular peaks that can look bone white in the spring and early summer (they're almost impossible to see during winter due to weather) That being said, the Spine is also home to some of the most rich and colorful alpine wild gardens in the world! Despite largely being known for their stonecraft 2/
- and turbulent weather, North Library's real pride is its wildflower vistas :) They also have a formidable astronomy department owing to the exceptionally clean air and dangerously high altitudes In general, the campus of the North Library is inhospitable to outsiders and beyond its bounds, 3/
- The mountain paths are far and few between. When they do exist, they're narrow, steep things and take you through long and winding routes, though at least you'll still have the waterfalls and an amazing view of the central plains It's even said you can see Central from the side of the Spine! 4/4
- #Febchantment I've used a few already but the branches of magic get their own terms. Invocations refers to a formal body of standard spells taught at the Library. Basically the input X, output Y workhorse spells Reach magic derives from its origins in the Outer Reaches... 1/
- #Febchantment Day 4 Vocab time! Tell us about some important terms we need to know to understand your magic system. Obviously, make sure you include the definitions! 😁 As usual, interpret the prompt however makes sense to you! Don't feel limited only to conlang words. #writingcommunity #writesky
- ...a magical wasteland that is in constant physical flux and filled with dire flora and fauna Affinities are... well magical Affinities. If you couldn't tell, the Library isn't the most creative when it comes to naming things so most of their terms aren't too esoteric 2/
- There's also Naming, an informal rite of passage that's tied to a mage's conception of self and magical progress But I think the actual fun terms are the ones the Library uses to label certain archetypes of Affinities, like Flame Bearer, Weaver, Seer, Thorn Tender, etc. 3/4
- They're nothing too fanciful or descriptive but they're meant to give a rough idea of what a mage's Affinity is geared towards It's kind of like when you tell people you're from the Bay Area instead of the exact town because it just gets the point across quicker 4/4
- #Febchantment Oh shoot I missed this yesterday! There are 3(ish) systems of magic in the Library: Affinities, Invocations, and Reach magic (with Curses being a kind of nebulous 4th) Reach magic is much more ritualized, community cast, and nature based and Invocations are your standard spells 1/
- #Febchantment Day 3 What is the central concept of your magic system? E.g. Elemental magic? Music magic? Name-based magic? Something else? (Note: this isn't the "source" of magic - that's Day 8!) If you already answered this previously, feel free to go into more detail! #writingcommunity #writesky
- Affinities are forms of personal magic, and the Library views them as extensions/expressions of a person's soul. In that sense I guess they're kind of like... dozens of anime power systems XD (I was really into Bleach as a kid, so probably a lot of that) 2/
- One quirk of this system (which actually led mages to believing Affinities were extensions of their souls) is that Naming oneself (a cultural rite of passage of self-identification) gives a considerable amp in control and power 3/3*
- *In-universe I imagine this is both hugely affirming and frustrating for trans mages trying to find the name that fits them best, and especially for people who feel at home with multiple names who then have to multiple Namings ;p
- It's like I'm recreating the crystal rivers that were running through this place and catching their currents as they're being made? It definitely takes a lot of balance, but the staff is helping. Somehow. As long as I keep pushing forward, it kind of stabilizes me. #DiaryOfNana #Fantasy #WebSerial
- Okay! New spell. Crystal iceskating is awesome. Or- I'm not sure it's iceskating? It doesn't really get that cold during winter at West. Snow and a lot of rain mostly. But, I don't know what else I would call it. #DiaryOfNana #fantasy #webserial #writesky
- Nana has also never ridden a bike before! Updates for Nana on M/T/Th/F! Read the rest of #DiaryOfNana on its new feed! bsky.app/profile/muze... Or on my website (Dec 2025 translation is now up!): muzetriggerstudios.wordpress.com/diary-of-nan...
- Okay! New spell. Crystal iceskating is awesome. Or- I'm not sure it's iceskating? It doesn't really get that cold during winter at West. Snow and a lot of rain mostly. But, I don't know what else I would call it. #DiaryOfNana #fantasy #webserial #writesky
- This staff has a really odd balance. It's old, I know, but it feels way too uneven, almost like an amp. I don't think I'm using this right. It's so… aggressive, like it wants to move, to fight. I hope all that old magic didn't corrupt it… #DiaryOfNana #fantasy #webserial #writesky
- In case it isn't obvious, Nana has never gone iceskating before :p Updates for Nana on M/T/Th/F! Read the rest of #DiaryOfNana on its new feed! bsky.app/profile/muze... Or on my website (Dec 2025 translation is now up!): muzetriggerstudios.wordpress.com/diary-of-nan...
- #Febchantment! Soft magic all the way :) I'd like to write hard magic, but I tend to gamify it too much or write too many exceptions :p Magic should have room to be magic! XP Of course having said this, the Library is all about finding the "rules" of magic so... XD
- #Febchantment Day 2 Do you have a "hard" or "soft" magic system? In other words, does your magic system have strictly defined rules (think: Brandon Sanderson's books)? Or is it more undefined, mostly vibes/rule of cool (think: Gandalf from LOTR)? Somewhere in between? #writingcommunity #writesky
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders! Nana's story takes place largely in and around the West Library, where she's growing up Lion Girl also starts at West, but I want the whole series to explore the other campuses and Outer Reaches too! :) And for stories after *that*... more problems for future Muze ;) 1/2
- #FebruaryWorldbuilders. What is the scope or size of your world, or the 'space' of the story you're writing? Does it take place on a planet? Across a galaxy? Perhaps you're only writing about one small country or even a city. Or perhaps you have many planets/worlds?
- As for the size of these places, the Library campuses are roughly cities, with Central being a large metropolis Library territory is more ambiguous since I'm indecisive, but it and the Outer Reaches are at least a continent (with the Reaches making up the majority of that continent)! 2/3
- This staff has a really odd balance. It's old, I know, but it feels way too uneven, almost like an amp. I don't think I'm using this right. It's so… aggressive, like it wants to move, to fight. I hope all that old magic didn't corrupt it… #DiaryOfNana #fantasy #webserial #writesky
- Like that's weird, Diary. I just found this ancient artifact in the depths of a mystery ruin! I should not feel like it's- …familiar? Anyway, that's not important. Nalu and Prof. Rii are. If I can just boost myself there… #DiaryOfNana #fantasy #webserial #writesky
