So it has been several days since I last wrote anything, mostly because I find myself constantly in a position of wondering whether anything I want to say is even interesting enough to tell my friends, let alone post publicly on the internet. It’s also partially, however, because due to inexperience, I’m not sure how much I’m supposed to share of my writing, particularly before my book is done.
For instance, I’m aware that posting whole chapters online is probably not a good idea so long before it’s finished, but since it’s the most interesting thing I’m doing at the moment, I constantly want to talk about it (as I have done recently several times).
The other thing I have to say is that unfortunately this book is going to have to take a backseat in my life for a while from now on. I’m currently studying an IT degree with a flexible courseload so I took the month of May as a kind of break to work on my writing much harder, and now I have to go back to focussing on the course.
I’m terrible at implementing organisation, but I’ve done up a whole schedule for myself that I will try my best to stick to, which includes time for blogging everyday (provided I can come up with anything interesting to say, although I can always just fall back on Tolkien facts, I suppose) and a smaller amount of writing whenever I can manage it. I also have plans, so that I don’t go mad from not being creative enough, to undertake one small project, like a poem or a short story or an outline for something, every week, which I may post here.
I’m frankly flabbergasted as many people have viewed these things I’ve rambled about as has been happening. I honestly thought this would just be me shouting into the void, although I suppose some of the posts probably are. I have a very wide range of interests, and the posts about writing (and science) are the ones that garner people to go so far as to follow me (to my terror), and those are the ones I am the most unsure about.
So… because I am writing about them currently in the story, here is a profile of a fantasy race from my book Into the Sun.
The Irtysu (for English speakers, pronounced like the words “ear” “too” and “sue” put together)
Culture type: tribal, pastoral. Farmers work their lands and give tribute (in the form of food, since they do not use currency, only barter) to tribal leaders living in larger settlements in return for protection from raiders and enforcement of laws.
Homeland: Irtysuhëm. The land in the furthest northern reaches of the Frozen Continent, it lies on the western coastline of what is called the Winter Peninsula, though they seek to push all the way east through colonisation efforts. Aggressive farming efforts struggle to produce enough food in the harsh conditions, the land often giving way to tundra that must be landscaped by planting trees and diverting riverways. It snows almost constantly through winter (though lightly) and the bracing cold is a mark of pride for the Irtysu, who state that it has made them strong. Its north and south borders are formed by high mountain ranges, and to its south lies Havershom, with whom it has intermittently been at war for several hundred years.
Religion: a pantheon of various animal-themed Gods. Most notably Grannoch, the Bear-God of Strength; Korvannon, the Crow-God of Storms; Rinca, the Doe-Goddess of Life; and Avellor, the Horse-God of War.
Government: feudal. The tribal leaders often go to war with each other but heed the rule of whichever tribe is counted as having the Chieftain until they are ready to fight each other for power again. Alliances are made and formed based on power struggles and trade opportunities and the favour of those tribes who live near the border to the neighbouring country of Havershom is always highly sought-after. The current Chieftain, Runatric, hails from the Gerau tribe, with the seat of his power at Gerausund in the centre of Irtysuhëm’s coastline. Much of his tribe’s power stems from their ready access to the sea and sailing prowess. The Gerau rose to power during the time of Runatric’s father Segaldic and have held their position since.
Physical characteristics: blonde, silver or white hair, generally. Darker hair colours exist, particularly reds, but they are something of an anomaly. Very pale skin. They tend to be quite bulky; men in particular are usually muscular, as life and the work they all do is hard. Both genders tend to be tall and broad-shouldered by comparison to other races. Blue, green or grey eyes are most common.
Other notable facts: adulthood begins at 15. Women can learn fighting if they choose and can find a master who is accepting apprentices. At 15 each Irtysu acquires their own first horse, usually paid for as a birthday present by their parents. The Irtysu hold horses in very high regard and have formidable cavalry forces which they pit against each other or Havershom. Any Irtysu who kills a dragon is granted the title of Sky-cleaver by the Chieftain and may ask for any gift he or she wishes. The Irtysu have an above-average number of magic-users due to their fortitude and strength cultivated by their harsh lands.
Real-life inspiration?: not entirely. The climate of the Winter Peninsula informed a lot of how the Irtysu turned out for me. They probably come across as seeming quite similar to the Vikings, wearing a lot of fur, being quite aggressive, that sort of thing. It was unintentional; I needed them to be big and burly to survive in the ridiculous cold, and stubborn and proud and not all that bright overall to explain why they didn’t just leave. Some of my races have a basis in real-life culture, but not the Irtysu.
If anyone found this interesting, I have a lot of races I could do this for. We shall see!
Emiliana's Thoughts 