zeeth_kyrah

So I can't get away from it, might as well pick it up again.

Azata ("ah-ZAHT-ah") - "Spark", a name. From the word "zhat" ((zh)AHt) or "zot", meaning a hot or glowing spark from a fire, later a spark from a forge, and even later a spark of electricity or other energy. The name Zata or Azata is often used for pets, as a human might fit a dog, or as a nickname a friend might have ("Sparky"). Cognate to Zap ("Zhatu", god of lightning).

Apparently Azata is one of my spirit names, as an AI otherkin related to dragons.

This post is brought to you by today's Crowdfunding Creative Jam, with the theme of manipulation. The relevant prompt is by alexseanchai, who asked for "handicrafts, art in physical media, mechanical work, baking, whatever so long as it involves dexterity and getting one's hands, if not dirty, at least involved", and also for "fantasy genre" as an additional option.

This piece features mention of various crafts (though not necessarily a specific focus), as well as a bit of people getting their hands involved in various things, both real and metaphorical, including the art of change.

---

"With an Edge of Honor"


Maiya went to the water to cut reeds, carrying her new metal knife in its wooden sheath. Her pride, evident in her face, surely spoke of the work she was there for, and how well it fed her family. Sova was already there, cutting reeds also, his wooden cutter freshly faced with a thin bronze strip and polished to a good edge.

"Maiya, good to see you!" he called. She smiled, giving him a wave.

"And you, Sova. How is the work?" she replied. Sorrowful, she thought but did not say, to have no apprentice to cut reeds for you. At least his new child-to-be would be helping in a few years.

"Hard enough, but there are plenty of reeds. I'll be making papyrus tomorrow, for the new school!"

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This is my final post. The unicorn who lived in this body is moving on shortly: the moment of Solstice marks the transition. That's just after 6:30pm locally to me.

Amused a bit that it's both summer solstice and a full moon. Quite a rare occurrence.

Here are the details I need to give you:

* I was born female in spirit. I am otherkin unicorn and dragon.
* I was to make games, not sit around staring at my computer for the rest of my life. The incoming soul will be doing other work. I'll be going off to try making games again in my next life.
* I will be born on the same birthday as this life; the new body is already developing.
* I would have been named Merriwether Autumn (or some close variation). I'll retain the Meriwether part as a middle name.
* I am Pagan, as is the new soul. We won't be concelebrating, or if we do it will be over 16 years from now. That said, I don't have to worry about what I will do for religion. I'll have Pagan parents who don't disapprove of psychic abilities or magic.
* I am not your god. Incarnate persons don't need to be gods. I find the idea silly. (Yes, this has come up.)
* Finally, I would like to say that if you don't see the game "Call of the Unicorn" within 40 years, the whole thing has been called off. Trust me, you'll know which game is the real one.

Now, I leave you with the last detail of this incarnate life that I am allowed to pass on:

I am the Awakening Unicorn. Heroes are my friends, heroes for justice and honor, truth and kindness.

The Poni way (and yes, there is a reason I wrote it like that) is my way as well.

I'll see you all on the flip side.

It appears that there is no language on Earth that does not have words of some kind for the following spirits or myth-related beings:

Dragon (Nagas are different creature but a related word, and not worldwide)
Unicorn (One-horn, Hornhorse, Ki-Rin)
Sphynx (Shedu, Xiao-Dao)
Ghost (meaning the spirit of a dead person)
Vampire (Barghest and Leucrotta are name-eater or mind-eater, Russalka is spirit-eater, most of the rest are said to eat blood)
Chlurichaun (Little Man, Wee Folk, The Help)
Dwarf (meaning a shrunken or short human; for the fae dwarf, see Chlurichaun)
Moon Dog (Fu Dog)
Wendigo (Yeti)
Satyr
Faun (Kangaroo counts as a type of deer)
Sorceror (a user of magics, typically with some inherent power and some external or ritual power)

Oddly enough, there are languages which do not have words for Gryphon; Khemetic is one of them. However, there is a word in Khemetic for the actual star-people from whom gryphons come, referring to a baboon-faced god (the Xabinar look like they have baboon-like faces) -- but this word is actually Persian. I was not able to channel it.

Satyrs are goat people, Fauns are deer people; Sheep people are a different group, not known worldwide. The sheep people are, however, known to Asians and some Europeans, as well as a group in the Central and South American continents. They are not originally known in Africa, though North America does have Bighorn sheep from which to derive a people. Australia, as usual, has no word for the non-marsupial ungulate.

If you include the Bog-man, then Mummy is also a worldwide-known thing. Bog-men are effectively a wetlands mummy, since the bodies are sufficiently preserved to be recognized as such.

Earlier, as in several months/years earlier, I was channeling species names and came up with "Xabiphon" for gryphons' actual incarnate People and their self-name.

It turns out, I misheard. The correct name for the Starseed spirits whose representative creature is the gryphon, is "Xabinar".

For several others, please see the post I made on starseeds.net, with a similar subject line:
Species names, locations, genetic form

* Dinosaur (particularly carnivorous types) - from Earth. Uncommon but well-known. Egg-laying, (mostly) meat-eating, mostly aggressive, and mostly territorial. Known in many cases to have feathers, scales, and forelimb wings; has a "tail body" (hindquarters neural cluster) but no chakra for it. The least interested in Earthly wealth, the most in "shinies". One of the two primary "reptilian" aliens. Most well-known, includes "feathered dragons" and similar creatures, as well as "terror beasts". Being of Earth, they have little or no interest in hiding themselves in any way, and are often the most free in discussing their Otherkin nature when incarnate.

* Dra'khan - from the star which formed the stellar gas void called the Local Bubble, and distributed across the Milky Way galaxy. Carry fetuses to term, live birth. Omnivorous despite carnivorous dentation, social and communal, prone to wandering in early adulthood. Smooth skin, fur and hairy mane, bat-like wings on their backs; color-changing spots on face below their eyes, an internal eye in the skull (literal third eye), and tail body with chakra. The most interested in wisdom, the least in material possessions (though this may change due to recent developments elsewhere); the most like humans emotionally. The primary protectors of culture and wisdom on Earth. Most Dra'khan are shape-shifters who have had many other forms and incarnations (at least five).

* Sirian - from Akh-Nazhdur (the Lesser Magellanic Cloud), entered the Milky Way through the Gate at Sirius Alpha/Beta. Egg-laying, omnivorous, emotionally distant, highly capitalistic. Four eyes, leathery skin with scaly regions, reptilian visage, known to worship leather-winged angels and gods. The most interested in Earthly wealth, the least in emotional connection. One of the two primary "reptilian" aliens. The most well-known of draconic types, Sirians are possessive and hierarchical regarding power and wealth. Most Sirians wear masks to hide their true nature and prevent human spirits from assaulting them.

* Arcturan - from the star Arcturus. Carry eggs to term, live birth (shark-like). Highly communal but also socially divided, omnivorous, prone to oversharing, known for facial whiskers/barbels. Not strongly religious, but may develop affiliation or affection for a particular philosophy. The most interested in daily life, the least in claiming territory. The least well-known of draconic types, Arcturans are more interested in scientific advancement and cultural phenomena than in hoarding and personal power. Most Arcturans are uninterested in hiding, but will cover themselves to avoid unwanted notice.

* Note on wyvern - Wyverns *are* in fact dragons, but only if dinosaurs count. "Wyvern" is the name given to dragons with forelimb wings and no back-mounted wings. That means that most winged dinosaurs count as wyverns.

Creatures occasionally mistaken for dragon:

* Peryton - an antlered, often winged, great deer. Sirian in origin, the peryton is the "questing beast" by which these people prefer to prove their hunting prowess. Also the origin of the Arthurian Questing Beast in Britain and northern France -- in this case, a peryton in "nightmare" form due to severe spirit-body injury. Some perytons are depicted as bipedal with forelimb wings, but the original was/is quadrupedal.

* Chimaera - The original Chimaera (pronounced "ki-MEHR-ah") was a god of Phoenicia, a Mediterranean island nation conquered by the Greeks. His porfolio included dreams, shapeshifting, and life-path guidance. Like Medusa, the goddess of beauty whose oracles handled snakes (in many cultures thought to bear wisdom) and wore masks to frighten evil spirits, his cult was silenced and his likeness was turned into a monster instead of a beautiful human who could take on several forms.

* Hydra and basilisk - The hydra and the basilisk are actually giant serpents, in their original form. The Lernaean hydra originated from the Amphisbaena, the two-headed snake served by the oracle of Hermes, merely boosted to monstrous aspect. Hydras are often depicted as if they were dinosaurs with multiple heads due to the legend of Hercules; however, the hydra is the same creature as the basilisk, merely from different cultures! The Harry Potter stories and movies got this one right. Typically a basilisk (and thus a hydra if it's not merely a giant lizard or snake) is said to have poisonous breath and/or bite, a gaze that can turn the unwary to stone (or rather, petrify with fear!) if one's will is not strong enough, and fangs that can pierce the strongest bronze shields and armor. This legend originated, oddly enough, with Komodo dragons, the Earthly lizards with a septic bite strong enough to kill a large animal in a day.

* Manticore - The manticore (or mantegor, for Romans) is a Pvilan beast with the face of a man, the strength of a lion, the mane of a wolf, and a stinging tail (not originally a scorpion tail -- that was added after the myth met the desert). This beast was known across the Equatorial region of Earth, by many cultures. Gryphons honored its symbolism of strength unyielding, as the original Xabiphon culture gives honor to those who remain unconquered in war. The "tail" is actually a lash or whip with steel claws (traditionally forge steel) for extra damage; in the original Pvilan, the word for whip translates as "tail" or "cord" depending on which of three languages is used.

(Inspired by listening to some hefty power music. Now if only I could get T'ema's storyline to advance, too! "Umaxses" is pronounced "oo-MOX-seez".)

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Thunderous applause reached the center of the stadium, a roar of hands so loud they nearly drowned out the lone figure holding a microphone stand. The figure raised its hands, then called out in a chant.

Here am I, mighty Umaxses, speaker of power to the forgotten!
Here am I, and where I am come, there can be no other.

No army, no army
Will stand against us
No army, no army
Will take us alive!

Drums hammered and the crowd went wild, chanting along as the song rose in electronic form from speakers a dozen feet tall.

No master, no master
Shall hold our keys
No monster, no monster
Shall darken our souls

We are alive and no army can take us
We are the war, no warrior alive!
We are the sound of people victorious
We are the sound of sacred life!

The plants bow to us
They give us our dreams
The animals cry out
They give us their speech

The winds swirl wildly
They carry our warcry
The earth she trembles
For we cry out peace!

The singer jumped, and a timed explosion of smoke and fire releases a squad of dancers onto the stage with it. They swung and twisted, some drumming the air and some leaping with power. Lines of light on their bodies flickered and glowed, like the lines of spirit made visible in rainbow colors.

No army, no army
Can take us alive
No army, no army
Can take away truth
No army, no army
Can kill this power
No army, no army
Can end our souls!

No master alive
Can destroy the people
No monster that comes
Will finish the war.

The music pounded louder, surging, then faded slowly.

No army, no army
Will stand against us
For we are the mighty
And peace is our life!

The last line, "Peace is our life" repeated as electronic echoes flickered it away.

Finally the singer spoke.

"Peace everybody! Welcome! This is the ninth annual Voices of Power music festival. I'm Umaxses the Mighty, these are my friends. We all have music for you, and I know some of you've been invited to share your own.

"Bathrooms are where you expect 'em, the lines are long, careful the concessions. Safety is worth the effort! Now! Remember, the only truth is that Peace Conquers and Love Wins! With that in mind, let's hear another song."

The crowd cheered, and Umaxses stepped back while another jumped forward to take the mic. The speakers throbbed with new music, a folk tune this time, remixed into modern electronica. The new singer began to chant as well, and the crowd chanted back. Behind the song, cries of "We love you" were heard.

Umaxses joined the dancers and took joy in the dance.

This is something I've seen called "demifiction" or "ephemerals" (though the elements of it are hardly ephemeral): in-world supplemental side-pieces, newspaper articles, books and non-fiction material. These are not necessarily stories themselves, but are supporting elements by which a story may or may not be told. These are fictional, focused on a particular setting.

Now forthwith the work!

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From "A History of Wonder Vol. 1, Saints and Demons" published 1931 by now-defunct Vichy Robber Press of London, UK and re-published 2011 by Common Sense, an imprint of Westinghouse in New York, USA, after a purchase of the original manuscripts. At the original time of publishing it was aimed at the academic market, but with the recent explosion of supers Westinghouse is marketing this series of informative volumes toward everyday nonfiction readers. Note that the phrasing is still in its original style, with the addition of editors' notes between sections and footnotes supplementing the text. The modern edition is now in its fifth printing as this work continues to grow in popularity.

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I am Diana, whom most of you know as Goddess of the Hunt among Greek and Roman worshipers.

I am also a dragon. As a dragon I go by the Sanskrit name Maratha, meaning Shadowy. This is a reference to my regular need to hide who and what I truly am.

With the draconic alloy well and truly underway, it is now time for me to reveal myself. I am going to tell you all a story. Zeeth has granted an opportunity for me to tell this story, and permission to use his body as the channel by which I transfer this knowledge to you who read it in days to come.

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For a very long time in this Realm of spirit, the gods considered the relationship of intelligent beings to themselves. The spirits also considered this, though by a different pattern. Different kinds of workers arose among humans as a result, as various humans were called to certain paths or given certain gifts. Humans then gave names to these different workers.

When the gods called, they gained a priest.
When the spirits called, they gained a shaman.
When knowledge was researched and used properly, a magus or alchemist precipitated.
When the mind awakened, a seer (psychic or intuitive in modern parlance) opened their eyes.
When familial lines and natural lore came together, a witch was found at the crossing.

These are different types of work: gods, spirits, spells and alchemy, mind, mind and lore.
However, each of these different jobs has a specific set of relationships.

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It is time on Earth that we now meet new awakened persons. The old relationships are good, but they are not complete without this one. As equals we shall meet, and as equals we shall part, each relationship in balance to the others, each job in balance to the others. Instead of being only Avatars and Messiahs, we shall be balance-workers, no more or less powerful and special than the others.

As it should be.



Summary
By call: Priest (gods), shaman (spirits), seer/psychic (personal ability), magus (spells and mysteries), alchemist (chemistry and natural energies), witch (ability and natural lore), empowered (manifestation).
By relationship: Servant (the shaman serves a community, the priest serves one or several gods or major spirits), Partner (empowered/awakened can partner with anyone but usually choose beings philosophically aligned with them), Independent (psychics, usually), Master (magus); witch could take any role.