Pirates and Stuff Like That (Zylaa's Nano Thread)

[Zylaa]

HOW MAGIC WORKS:
This is almost exactly copied and pasted from last year's NaNo thread... which was almost exactly copied and pasted from the thread the year before that. This is the benefit of using the same world as a setting. XD I've edited out all the bits I think are going to be irrelevant to this story.
[spoilerhead=Magic System]
The magic system for this world is strictly elemental, with the following main powers: Earth, Air, Water, Fire, Light, and Thought/Dream/Mind (I called it "Dream" for years, but that sounds kitschy, so I'm toying with any of the new labels). Elements can combine or divide to form lesser powers (e.x. Air + Water = Weather control, Earth + Fire = Metal)

Magic users are likewise divided into categories.
-- Sorcery is the most basic form, where the sorcerer can both manipulate the raw element with a thought and a wave of the hand. The most powerful form of magic, arguably, since simply blasting fire out of your hand is pretty cool. There are different levels of sorcery (see Genetics section), and even people with no magical talent whatsoever can purchase magical artifacts granting powers. Wands, for example, are sold pre-loaded with certain spells in many stores throughout Owl's Point-- expensive, but they exist.

-- Witchcraft is the general name for enchanting objects, which can be done with or without sorcery. Some magical items, plants, etc. exist in the world, and combining them to create spells counts as witchcraft. The aforementioned wands would be created through witchcraft. Amulets, like the one in this story, are also examples.

-- Sorcery is controlled by genetics, but witchcraft is a talent anyone can learn, albeit a difficult one.

Life, Death, and Magic
All of the elements combined are necessary for life: thus, magic is equivalent to life in Araman (the world). This means all sorts of fun and interesting things can happen with rituals involving living people or even blood. Witchcraft involving blood (or people) is very, very regulated, and there are serious penalties for using it. I'm thinking that the cursed amulet of this story will be one made illegally with blood magic. :3

This setup also means that anyone with a dead bone can stop magic. Bone charms are used to protect against malignant spells, and the stronger the spell, the more bones must be used.

This is what makes necromancy interesting. Necromancy is a well-known talent, although the number of necromancers is relatively few compared to the number of magic users. Necromancers can talk to spirits who are still on the spirit plane, the home of all souls who have not completed some vow they made in life. More powerful necromancers will just summon the spirit back into the plane of the living, where the spirit can talk with everyone as if they were still alive. If necromancers have a full skeleton, they can summon the spirit back to reanimate the skeleton, which will be able to walk around as a sentient entity, although one with transparent ghostly flesh.
Because of their prolonged contact with the spirit plane and death, Necromancers are immune to all but the most powerful magic. In Owl's Point, people are wary of them, but accept them as part of society. As so much magic goes into maintaining the Floatlands, they have maybe one or two resident necromancers, but that's it.
[/spoiler]

And my ultimate nerdy achievement, for those interested...

SPOILER: Click to show

Sorry, but you'll have to understand the basics of genetics to understand what the heck I'm talking about here. I'm not sure how easy it is to pick up on with no knowledge of biology.

Anyway, sorcery use is controlled by seven different genes, one for each element. There are two different alleles for each element, simply magic or non-magic. The magical trait is recessive. However, people with only one magic-allele can still use that element's powers if they possess certain magic-enhancing artifacts. For every combination following this, the capital letter will represent non-magic and the lower-case letter will represent magic. These are the basic genotype/phenotype combinations, using Air as an example:
AA- Cannot use air magic
Aa- Cannot use air magic, except by aid of magical device
aa- Can use air magic

However, the genes do not operate entirely independently. The first six elements can combine, after all, to form combination magic. Air and Water powers combined, for example, create Storm. All other combinations of elements that are not direct opposites also create complimentary magics (Fire + Earth = Metal is the other very useful one). In this case, even with only one magic allele for each gene, the individual will still be able to use the power, although not as much. Again, sample combinations for genotype/phenotype, this time using Storm (air and water).
AA WW -- No magic
Aa Ww -- Lesser Storm magic
Aa ww -- Water magic only; Can perform some storm magic by aid of magical artifact
aa Ww -- Air magic only; " "
aa ww -- Greater Storm magic

When a magic user has opposing elements, though, they cancel each other out. If a person has, say, both alleles for using Fire magic, but has one allele for using Water magic, they can still use Dark magic, but it's weakened. Using that as an example:
FF WW -- No magic
Ff Ww -- No magic; the artifacts for people to use both Fire AND Water magic, or any opposing element, are extremely rare, although they do exist.
ff ww -- " "
Ff ww -- Can use Water magic, but weakened.
ff Ww -- Can use Fire magic, but weakened.

The other gene controlling magic... or lack thereof... is the necromancy gene. Necromancy works on the same principle as an element does:
NN -- No necromancy
Nn -- No necromancy
nn -- Can use necromancy.

However, since necromancy is antimagic, an individual cannot use necromancy unless they have no other magical allele whatsoever. Even if they just carry one element's gene, they will not be able to use necromancy. The presence of a necromancy allele, by contrast, only slightly weakens magical powers, and slightly more with two necromancy alleles. This is why there are so few necromancers. The allele for can-use-necromancy is almost as common as any elemental magic allele, but the overwhelming number of magic users and carriers in the general population wipes them out.

Ironically, this means that Gottsland, which has systematically executed magic users as evil, also has the highest concentration of necromancers in the world.

[Schoolrikku]

*makes some generic happy comment about cool!necromancy*

... Less generically, I find myself very much wanting to live in the Floatlands. xD They sound so much of fun.

[Zylaa]

^___^ Inorite? *loves her necromancy system a bit too much*

1,755 words, and America hasn't even started NaNo yet. <333 And the best part is, I could easily have done those words in 2, 2.5 hours. I was just delaying. So this bodes well for me finding time to write this month. =D

[♥ Lulu]

Wifey wifey, why have I not posted in here before? I know, I should be ashamed.

So...pirates with snark? Sounds beyond awesome. I also look forward to shipping said snarky pirates XD It sounds like it is gonna be a lot of fun, and it's very sensible you do this with such thoughts - as in, not wanting to lose out on your amazing idea. I wish I had such sensibility XD

Mwahaha, it feels good to be in GMT, hm, even though we have to finish earlier too >_>

[Zylaa]

November 1st is officially over. And I am officially at 3,397 words. =D I am happy. And I'm going to need that buffer. XD

Character development is happening in interesting ways. Like, I pictured Captain Starbell as someone who enjoyed high society and then dressed as a typical dirty pirate for the rest of the year. But no, she's very particular about her appearance, and always goes for the impressive effect as much as she can.
Hawkins, whose first name (at the moment) is Peter, has sadly not developed as much, and I hope that happens somehow. Because I want him to be awesome, as he's gonna be, well, cursed. And that's just not as fun with a non-sympathetic character.

Lulu, it's ok, you're forgiven. XD And yes, GMT FTW!

[Zylaa]

5,211 words!

Hrm. Witty banter is not sparkling the way I want it to sparkle. But I did write a scene today that really captures the Floatlands spirit. ^_^

Also, I've written one 'shippy scene a day so far. XD Let's see if that keeps up.

A couple excerpts, each around 760 words. Because I can.

SPOILER: Click to show

“One good thing about the cold,” she said, lighting the room with a wave of her hand. “I don’t have to worry about making an inspirational speech good. Did you hear that cheer?”
“I’m just hoping the seas don’t freeze solid before we get back,” Peter said. “I’d cheer at anything that mentions warmth.”
“darn right.” Starbell cast a longing glance toward her oversized hammock. On it, she had piled at least a dozen blankets, five pillows, and a bearskin. She burrowed into it like a mole every night, which Peter thought was adorable, though he valued his life too much to say that. She looked back at him, cast her glance towards the bag in his hand, and her eyes widened slightly. “You’re bleeding.” Peter looked down in surprise. His fingertips were covered in just-scabbing scrapes.
“The chest with the goods was all splintered. I scraped it by accident.” She laughed, shaking her head, and took his hand in hers to peer at the scrapes. With a shake of her right hand, a ball of light glowed on her fingertips.
“Splinters,” she said when he looked confused. “You don’t even fight and still get injured? What do I have to do, send you belowdecks with Retti?”
“You really think that’s safe?” he said. “I can picture it now. The raid starts up, we’re sitting in the darkness, wondering how you all are doing… when, suddenly, she turns to me and asks if I want to listen to this little poem she’s written.”
“Poetry doesn’t give you splinters,” she said. “Unlike this.” She prodded his smallest finger and he winced.
“Splinters, on the other hand, don’t compare waves to the ghosts of dying birds.” Starbell looked up and met his gaze, her perfectly arched eyebrows raised in incredulity.
“Seriously?”
“Seriously. When was the last time you listened to some of her poetry?”
“I always tell her I have captain-y things to do,” Starbell said, her blue eyes darting to the side sheepishly. “It’s worked for a couple of months.” She turned her attention back to his bloodied hands. “Why must you insist on fingerless gloves?”
“I like being able to feel things,” he said. Only after saying it did he realize that, what with his fingers currently clasped in hers, that statement might have been misinterpreted.
I mean, yes, he did like feeling her fingers on his, except when she had just prodded that splinter, of course. But that wasn’t the sort of thing you go around saying.
She ignored his unintentional overture and sighed. “Two splinters. In your right hand. Can you at least manage to get them out yourself, or should I shepherd you through that too?”
“I mean, you never know. I could end up stabbing myself in the eye. Or decapitating myself. You can’t trust me with anything.” She rolled her eyes and straightened up, patting him on the shoulder. If he’d been happy about her hands on his, an openly affectionate gesture was cause for celebration. Internally.
“You know I think you’re great, right?” she said.
Dear Life, physical contact and compliments. How was a man supposed to deal with this?
“I remember this on occasion,” he said. “Like, the occasions on which you aren’t degrading my intelligence.”
“So once a month? You must spend your life in misery, then.”
“I’ve been thinking of taking up angsty poetry myself. Or maybe angry poems, for a bit of variety on the ship.”
“‘Captain Starbell’s unjust insults hurt like the ghosts of dying birds,’” she intoned, striking a dramatic pose and gazing off into the distance.
“No no no, too mellow. You have to say things like ‘My wrath is a raging fire.’” Starbell gave a mock gasp and brought her hand to her mouth.
“You dare question my literary talent?” Starbell said. “Rascal! Fiend! You have offended my honor.”
“I think the poetry did that before me,” Peter said.
“Blasphemy. Prepare to duel, knave!” she said, drawing her sword with a dramatic flourish. Peter politely waited for a few moments, allowing her to get the pose of intimidation just right.
“Do you actually want to duel?”
“Heck no. I’m over that phase.”
“‘Phase’ defined as between birth and twenty?” Peter said.
“Correction: I didn’t know you before I was ten. Ten years is a perfectly acceptable length for a phase,” she said with dignity.
“And you of course never tried to cross swords with anyone before me,” Peter said.
“Nope. Nobody at all.” She had reduced five children to tears before her mother gave her a stern talking-to. After that, at least half a dozen more children fell to her (slightly more chivalrous) duels before she met Peter. Her reputation had preceded her at age 10.

SPOILER: Click to show

As per usual with Floatlands parties, more people showed up, drawn by the noise, and the party spread out over the neighboring ships and platforms. Captain Starbell tried at first to stop people from climbing the rigging, but eventually gave up on it and just enjoyed the dance. Fast jigs with complicated routines gave way to more leisurely pieces as the night and drinking wore on. Eventually, as the trio realized they were now simply background music, they started to play what they wanted. A few people joined in to sing, and Retti sang one old Garian ballad so sweetly half a dozen people cried.
A few songs after that, Peter swayed over to Captain Starbell and draped his arm over her. She had been sitting easily on the table, one leg dangling over the side, the other propped up for her to lean on. Peter flopped down on her right, the better to accommodate his arm-draping.
“Good season,” he said. “Good captain. You, I mean. Should’ve toasted you.” He accompanied each sentence with a wave of his empty tankard.
“You’re cute when you’re drunk,” said Captain Starbell. He gasped, clasping his right hand to his chest. At least, that was his intent. Since his right hand was holding the tankard, it thwumped into his sternum and slightly spoiled the effect. He glared down at the offending object before going on.
“What, only then? I’m hurt. Wounded, even.”
“Well, yes, you did manage to hit yourself in the chest just then,” she said, giving him an affectionately disparaging look. Yes, it is possible to look affectionate and disparaging at the same time.
“Irrelevant,” he said. “Beside the point.”
“Redundant.”
“You know, you are not being helpful at all here,” he said, leaning in. She snuggled up against him; comfortable place to lean, seemed like the logical thing to do.
“What am I supposed to help you with, exactly?” Peter was quiet for far too long. “You alive?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Apparently this had exhausted Peter’s capacity for conversation, so he pulled her closer.
He gets so affectionate when he’s drunk, thought Captain Starbell, with the sort of expert denial that only comes after ten years of practice. It’s rather nice, cuddling, her internal dialogue continued. Pity it’s not very respectable. I should stop.
An owl crew member, Tam, staggering like the ship was in the middle of a hurricane, somehow managed to make it to the musicians and yelled “Play that one about the cow!” before collapsing and rolling over so his taloned feet stuck into the air.
Nevermind, Captain Starbell thought. She carefully tilted her hat so she could lean her head into Peter’s shoulder. Theoretically she could take the hat off, but that was only a theory, one no crew member had ever seen tested.
After a few more words exchanged with Tam, the musicians did indeed start playing “that one about the cow.” It was a childhood tune that everyone knew, and quite a few people started clapping their hands. Starbell hummed along and watched the people dance, those few who were still paying attention. Tam, from the floor, twitched in a vaguely rhythmic way. Peter started slumping against her, and she wondered for a few minutes whether it was intentional or not before his breathing turned heavy and regular. Captain Starbell jabbed her shoulder into him.
“Huhwha?” He started, sitting fully upright so she nearly fell into his lap.
“How can you sleep with all this noise going on?” she said.
“I’m drunk, that’s why,” he said. “It’s not that loud, Starbee.”
“Thankfully, it was loud enough that nobody heard you call me that,” she said. The chatter of a hundred voices filled the air, and the music was still going strong. One of her childhood neighbors, who had lived in the next converted-ship over, was singing a song about the folk hero Wren. The captain noticed quite a few children sitting and listening. In the Floatlands, when neighbors made noise late at night, nobody complained, they just joined in the party. Kids and all. Her mother and father were standing by the mainmast, happily leaning against each other as they swigged their respective tankards of rum. Retti and a brown-feathered Owl friend of hers were deep in conversation, sitting ten feet up in the rigging. Ten feet above them, Lucy and Retti’s little brother were preparing to dump a bucket of water on them. “It’s so nice to be home,” said Captain Starbell as the young teenage girls’ squeals of shock echoed around the ship.
“Indeed,” said Peter.

[Deleted]

Aww, Zylaa. My face was like '=D' while reading this. Starbell and Peter are awesome and adorable and I SHIP THEM SO MUCH NOW HAHAHA.

[Shadaras]

Might I say that your new thread title makes me laugh? =D

And those are awesome excerpts. ^_^ I like Captain Starbell and Peter muchly. And the Floatlands in general sound epic.

[Amneiger]

They are indeed awesome and adorable. =D Give'em more alcohol and see what happens. =D

[Tam]

...This made me grin so much when I was reading it. xD I really love these characters so far, and yes, I completely ship (...*decides to omit apostrophe*) them already.

That was an excellent drunkscene, also. xD Between you and Rikku, you're making me nervous for how well I'll fare when I have to write one of my own.

Um, yes. ...Can't wait to read more? <333

[Rikku]

^_^ They is made of adorable! D'aww. <3

... And for some reason the phrase 'Play that one about the cow!' appearing all sudden-like made me give a mildly undignified laughtersnort. >.>; Um. 'tis due to NaNo I am sure.

[Zylaa]

^_^ Thanks guys!

Rikku, cows are inherently amusing animals. Your reaction is entirely reasonable. XD

So characters are developing-- not, sadly, the characters I already have down on the page, but the new characters that I'm bringing in are turning into new and interesting things. =D

The shopgirl who tells Peter about the curse was always going to be a fun sort of character to write. Kind of hostile, but witty, because all my characters are witty. >_> And then this exchange happened, which I basically thought up as I wrote...

(For the record, Jane is an already-introduced character. She's a crewmember with a crossbow who wears pink gloves her mom knitted her and shoots to kill when people insult said gloves. Yes, she is a tribute to another character who some of you will recognize. >_>)

SPOILER: Click to show

“I’ll see you in a few days at the most,” [Captain Starbell] said. “That sort of break doesn’t merit a giant hug.”
“But nobody else will hug me,” Peter lamented. “I’ll have to live a hugless existence for all of a few days.”
“You could try asking Asiira for a hug when you see her,” she said. “That would be hilarious.”
“I think I’ll avoid that, thanks,” Peter said. “I’ll just find a nearby Lion Shark and hug it, it would have the same effect. But without the social humiliation factor.”
“Maybe the shark would laugh about you to all its shark friends,” said Captain Starbell.
“But the shark and I don’t have mutual friends,” said Peter. “I don’t know its shark friends. It can laugh to them all it wants.”
“Maybe one of the crew is friends with sharks,” she said. “Ever think about that?”
“Jane probably knows a few,” he agreed. “Beat them in a wrestling match once, has a drink with them now and then as they compare innocent beings they’ve slaughtered.”
“Jane usually wins.”
“Obviously.”

So now I knew that a) the shop girl was named Asiira and b) she was dangerous as anything.

Who cares that she's a shopgirl, she is coming on this quest whether she likes it or not. Now to figure out why.

... And I also need to figure out what on earth the quest is going to be. I keep coming back to dragon-slaying, but the problem is that's so hard. I mean srsly, dragons are super intelligent, massive, breathe fire, have claws and spikes and teeth like knives, can fly, and have hides you can barely get through with an axe. How on earth can you kill one? So maybe it'll have to do with some other random animal group. Shapeshifters, maybe. Unicorns (which don't exist). Hmmm.

[Rikku]

... Jane. xD Oh. It took me far too long to get that. But I was busy being amused by fundialogue so that's alright.

Hm, things to kill. Sea-specific beasties might be nice? To make it all piratey?

[Zylaa]

So yesterday I realized something fairly obvious.

How can you end a curse? You kill the person who the curse was originally intended for. That seems like a good logical way for a curse to end.

And what if the person who the curse was intended for was a notorious pirate? Those are fun!

So now I'm going to have a fun villain to write, and pirate battles, and win. <3

Went to a write-in today with Lulu!! It was loads of fun. We both wrote a ton, and we were surrounded by a whole coffeeshop full of people furiously and silently typing for huge stretches at a time. It was entertaining to see the normal people's reaction. XD Anyway, I now have my wordcount buffer back!

Realized I wrote over 4k words of the scene with Peter and Asiira the shop girl. ... I'm so long-winded it'll be a wonder if I can fit this whole plot in. XD

[♥ Lulu]

I particularly liked the angry woman with a child who complained to the staff XD And that one brave man who sat at our table to read a book, despite us all hunched in front of our laptop screens, typing furiously. And I mean FURIOUSLY. Apparently the turn out was something like fifty-two.

I still don't understand this 4k on one scene XD I can barely do 4k per short story. I am unbelievably impressed with you. Watch me marvel! I'm glad it's going well <3 Can't wait for next week. (And I hope you got your report done too, missy).