Sorcery and the House of Vagrants

As an aside, I have finally laid out point by point the plot of my first novel. I am excited! I feel like I am making progress; albeit very very slow progress. It was an excruciating process trying to make sure a story flows not only from the narrative perspective, but also that it makes sense. Juggling multiple characters and having their goals, actions, and accomplishments intersect and clash in different and interesting ways is very challenging. You have to be on constant watch for plot holes that could completely destroy the internal logic and narrative urgency within the novel.

It's also thrilling when you get it just right. And I think, for the first time, I have a story that I would not be ashamed to stamp my name on.

I'm giving it to my friend (edit: bff) to review tomorrow. We'll see how far my hopes are crushed ... haha.

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Sorcery and the House of Vagrants

And so the Shepherd cast out the unfaithful from his flock.
They were corrupted, meandering, villains with no path.
He left them to the madness of the Wolf,
And lamented their aimlessness, a house of vagrants.

- Song of the Black Soul, Verse 13

It is said that when the Golden Cane snapped, sorcery was borne unto the world. Though the Faithful Forsaken would contest this point, the Sanctuary has always maintained that sorcery was never meant for every mortal. Its power was known to corrupt, pervert the mind, and seemed to be derived from demons. The Mad-Emperor was a known practitioner of these dark arts, and one need only look to his tyrannical rule to see the deadly consequences of such heresy.

The actual origins of sorcery (during the time period of this novel) are as yet unknown. Known effects of sorcery include but are not limited to telekinesis, telepathy, mind control and domination, the manipulation of the elements, and the healing of bodily injury. Sorcery is still rather an uncertain element. It is uncertain why some mortals are able to control it, while others are capable of awe-inspiring, and terrible things.

Those who possess the power of sorcery, and who choose not to suppress it, but rather to embrace its dark temptations and abuse its diabolical power have been dubbed "Vagrant." These are people who have strayed from the Pristine Path, who no longer have purpose in their life, or guidance from the Shepherd.

There are, however, certain aspects of sorcery which are embraced by the Sanctuary. Healers, for example, are highly respected and well-regarded almost universally. Of course, all Healers are required to answer to Sanctuary Law. A vagrant is capable of healing; in such a case, it would still be considered Heresy to use such a power without the express sanction of the Path of Ministers.

In recent times, a new organization has sprung from the ashes of what remained of the Empire's once-mighty retinue of mage-enforcers. Calling themselves the Ardent Flame, the group is composed of the most powerful of the Mad Emperor's personal guard and advisors. They are each and every one dangerous beyond the most heinous of criminals, and brazenly defy the Sanctuary. Constantly on the move to evade the Sanctuary's Redeemers, other members of the Realm's Assembly have named them their very own House of Vagrants. A seat is reserved for them, each year in a different location, to represent the group's nomadic nature. Of course, the Ardent Flame never partake of the Assembly, as they would be seized and slain on sight.

I will discuss the Realm's Assembly in my next entry.