Inspiration for Fyrnlosing, location of Dream Songs
Fyrnlosing is a group of 1000 or so islands that was created when an enormous Cataclysm shattered the previous continent of Gedwimor. The result was several centuries of petty squabling and even wars between the survivors. As the story starts, Fyrnlosing, in general, and the island of Dun Ard, in particular, have been at peace for several centuries.
The concept of this story comes from role playing I used to do in online virtual worlds, originally in Second Life, which still exists, and later in inWorldz, which disappeared some time ago (to my great sadness). My main character, Erissa, and her daughter, Rowan, were conceived in those worlds. Their appearance has changed since that time, as they now have cat-like ears, inch-long retractable nails, and hair that is more like a horse’s main (there is only hair down the centerline of the scalp–essentially a natural Mohawk). These are normal traits of Erissa’s race, the Gesweglin. The behavioral characteristics and special skills of the two have not changed.
Erissa was updated to have the hair and cat-like ears I describe as features of her race (Gesweglin)
A distant view of Erissa on my current land (since the virtual Fyrnlosing no longer exists).
A close-up of the new version of Erissa from the front…
and from the side.
Original concept of Erissa
Erissa now has white hair in a Mohawk and cat ears but otherwise is as shown.
Wolf Castle
Home of Erissa and Rowan, it sits atop Wolf Mountain on the island of Dun Ard.
Concept of Rowan playing the harp
Like her mother, Rowan now sports a Mohawk and cat-like ears but her hair is still black and her general attire is what I envision for her.
Of course there’s some romance
Entanglements, actually, that don’t always go smoothly.
Most of Dun Ard residents are humans. Only Erissa and her team of Scildere warriors are Gesweglin. Rowan’s father was human.
The local village
The village is medieval in style since the Cataclysm destroyed most of the technology that existed before. Which is a good thing, most of the humans living there believe.
Horses are the main transport
The positions of the riders are due to the physics of the virtual world, not reflective of my plans for the characters.
Dun Ard lighthouse
The town on Dun Ard is located where it is due to a natural port.
Caves
Old and extensive caves are part of the story but they are lots spookier than the ones in this picture.
Caitlin is a powerful sorceress who lives alone on a neighboring island. She is a human with powerful magic, granted to her by the guardians of the land. Humans with magic are rare.
Caitlin
Caitlin intentionally dresses to look ordinary.
Enchanted Grove
The original concept for the enchanted (heavily protected by magic) grove where Caitlin lives.
Cait in Her Library
The library in the story is now in the town, rather than in Caitlin’s domain. Somehow that made more sense.
The residents of Dun Ard Castle are a secretive bunch that don’t mix with others often. This is because they have an abundance of pre-Cataclysm technology that they’re trying to restore. Most of the townspeople would be unhappy if they knew.
Rowan’s father was one of the residents of Dun Ard Castle before he married Erissa and still worked there afterward. Many races live in the Castle, which may be another reason they generally avoid the town.
Dun Ard Castle
The Castle is a pre-Cataclysm relic that holds many secrets.
Castle Infirmary
The healing bed in the Casle infirmary was experimental technology before the Cataclysm.
Castle Laboratory
There are many laboratories in the Castle. They probably don’t look much like this, but you get the idea.
Liane Firehawk
Master Healer Liane is one of the few who spends as much time in the town as she does in Dun Ard Castle. She belongs to a race called the Flythwaek, who are nearly extinct.