Seven Reimagined, A new view of an old story Options

[SubRosa]

A while ago I wrote Seven, which is set in Tamriel. Afterward I thought about adapting it to an original setting. I did a lot of world-building, remade the characters to fit the new world, and got started into translating the story over.

I ran out of steam when I started looking at my over-arching direction, and started seeing some problems. The biggest one was that I had in mind a big High Fantasy story - an ancient race rising to destroy the world, champions rising from the dead, the army of light banding together to fight off evil, and so forth. The twist I planned to this standard format was that the protagonists were trying to stop the war, rather than win it. With finding a peace between all involved being the end goal, rather than destruction.

But the story I was starting out with - Seven - is Low Fantasy (at least the way I define it). Farmers and mercenaries vs. bandits. Ordinary people, with ordinary problems. I like that, as it feels very accessible, and makes the characters, even the extraordinary ones, feel more relateable. So that made me want to continue in that vein, and do a series of stories about a pair of hired spells who are part mercenaries, part private detectives. Sort of like Spenser For Hire or Magnum P.I. with magic. That in turn meant scrapping the entire over-arching story. Or trying to bridge the gap between Low Fantasy and High Fantasy. It left me with a lot of questions, and I was not feeling excited about the answers. So I ended up setting it all aside.

Instead of leaving it all collecting dust, I decided to post what I did finish up here. Maybe it will fire me up to get back to working on it again. People who have read Seven will recognize most of the main characters. Names have been changed in many cases. Some because the originals were Bethesda creations, others to suit the new races/languages. Speaking of which races and the like are entirely new, as is the geography, flora and fauna, how magic works etc... I will put some of that here in this post, and start the actual story in a second post. Let me know if you want to see more of the background notes, and I will put them in this post.


This is a world map

This is the continent of Aulerci, where most of the action takes place



Aela

Loria



The Stone Forest (IRL The Shilin Stone Forest outside of Kunming)

Another example of karst landscape


An Oro (IRL Orodromeus)

A Crumhead (IRL Parasaurolophus)

RL Troodon (the inspiration for the Teodon race)

Troodon front

Troodon head

Ancient Rasen Armor (IRL Samnite bronze armor)

Bronze lamellar armor

Bronze lamellar armor again


Veia Map

Rasen street

Rasen city

Rasen apartment block

Rasen-style architecture





Phereinon

Phereinon again

Malediction

Owl Screeching

Owl Carving





Serves Camna



Wooden mug

Tamac (tomahawk)



Raven pendant

Hrafngoelir

Hrafn's shield

Hrafn's seax


Venca



Rasen bedroom

Rasen bedroom 2

Rasen bedroom 3



Lorcras armor

Hagalaz rune




Horse-Powered Ferryboat 1

Horse-Powered Ferryboat 2

Spirecrown - Saurolophus Angustirostris





Lambeosaurus

Parksosaurus

Ornitholestes

Hadrosaurs 01

Hadrosaurs 02

Orodromeus

Gasparinisaura

Ouranosaurus

Maiasaura

Tropical Milkweed Beetle




Teodon Coloration (this is just what their scale colors look like, not actual representations of the characters)
Alcheon's coloration

Daehyun (a very common peasant coloration)

Dark Eye (though his belly is not so brightly white

Sindeok



Banyan tree

Durian tree

Bromeliads

Bamboo forest

Solagea


Kye Rim Graves

Teodon Dok

Teodon village house

Teodon village house



Earthen rampart, wall, and ditch

cheavaux de frise


Shield Wall training




Fighting Moves
Dark Eye's finishing move against Daeso

Phereinon's belly to back suplex (German Suplex) that she used upon the Arvern Oathman of House Camna

Here is a link to Sindeok's killing move against Brown-Scales

Morte Strike and Half Sword Defense

[SubRosa]

Acadian: Every time Aela tries to get some quality time with the spirits someone interrupts her!

I do not doubt that Venca has more than a little transphobia in him, thanks to his upbringing and his culture. He has forgotten most of that however, along with all of his history. But I think there are some things that still stick about right and wrong deep in his subconscious. He is a very complicated person. He is trying to take the high road, especially given that he knows his life might end up in Aela's hands. But it can be difficult to overcome the prejudices that have been drilled into you from childhood, and are continually reinforced every day by the society you live within.

Aela's vs Aela sounds like a Celebrity Death Match video!


haute ecole rider: As you and Acadian both noted, there is a lot of that sparring going on with the Magnificents right now, as they feel one another out and try to get to know who they are dealing with. As Aela thought a few times - "I should be building trust".


Renee: I enjoyed writing that interaction between Aela and Phereinon. As Acadian and Haute noted in the most recent episode, there is a lot of feeling out going back and forth as the Seven try to learn who they can trust and who they cannot. Phereinon is of course concerned that whoever goes with her to Tregyn is someone who can pull their weight and not lose their nerve. Aela, OTOH, is naturally suspicious of someone who sometimes forgets to breathe. Plus she has a visceral reaction, thanks to years of being on the ugly end of bigotry. Her dander can be easily roused.

I am glad you noted that line about being born normal. I am sure many people - trans or not - have felt that way. It is not easy being different from everyone else in the world, and seeing your opportunities vanish because of it - while others seem to have everything just given to them because they look, or act, or speak, or think, how they are *supposed* to.



Chapter 8.5

Later that day, Venca took Alcheon under his wing, and began training the young Teodon in the use of shield and spear. Aela watched with fascination as the soldier began his instruction. She was not the only one whose interest was piqued either, and in no time at all nearly all of the passengers and several of the crew were crowding around to get a view of the Rasen's lessons.

"Let's take a look at this weapon combination." Venca began as he picked up Alcheon's crescent-shaped shield in his left hand. He slid his right hand over its bright yellow face, and held it up so all could see. "This shield looks very simple. Some thin planks of wood with a piece of rawhide stretched over it. A little yellow paint and red eyes to make an impression. But don't underestimate it. The crisscrossing strips of wood give the design strength, and this hardened leather on the face reinforces it. If any of you have a dog and give it rawhide to chew on, you know how tough that can be."

The Rasen rapped his fingers against the gleaming metal boss in the center of the shield. "The boss here where I grip it is made of bronze, so not only is that going to protect my hand, but I can punch with it as well." To underscore his words, the Rasen jabbed outward with the shield. "This is a very simple piece of kit, and aside from the boss, something that anyone can make. But in the hands of a skilled fighter, it gives you both a strong defense, and a good offense."

"Now the spear." Venca stepped over to Alcheon once more and took the weapon from the Teodon's hands. Its leaf-shaped point was now wrapped in several layers of thick leather, secured by crisscrossing strips of cord. "This looks even more primitive. It's just a stick with a pointy end! But don't laugh, this is one of the oldest weapons in the world, and the reason people still use it today is because of how effective and versatile it is. Not to mention how easy it is to make."

"Now with Hrafngoelir's help, I'm going to show you just what you can do with this arms system." The Skanjr stepped up holding a shorter spear in an overhand grip. Like Alcheon's weapon, its point was also blunted. In her other hand she gripped her shield, which was decorated with a white knotwork dragon against a blue background.

Moving slowly, the Northerner stabbed overhand at the Rasen's shoulder. He easily raised his shield and deflected the blow. She followed with several more stabs in slow motion, each time going to a different part of his body.

"Now since this shield doesn't cover my entire body, I have to constantly move it to counter Hrafn's attacks," Venca said as they performed their intricate dance. "But what you have to be careful not to do, is hide behind it."

To illustrate his point, Hrafngoelir attacked Venca's face. He raised his shield to counter, and deflected the Skanjr's blow. She brought her weapon back for another strike at his head, and he continued to hold his shield up high to counter.

"Every second I have my shield up like this, I can't see what Hrafn is doing," Venca said. Now the Skanjr's spear darted down, its point angling for his belly. The Northerner stopped short, with the blunted point inches away from the ebon plates sheathing the Rasen's abdomen. "Now I'm dead, because I let her trick me into covering my eyes."

"But an enemy who feints high and goes low is not the only thing you have to watch for," Venca went on. "If you don't lift your shield when you need to, that leaves you open to another common move: going over the top of the shield rim." Hrafngoelir attacked high again, and in slow motion, she used her height to stab over the top of the Rasen's shield.

"If she's quick, and I'm not paying attention, I'm dead," Venca said. Now he finally brought his own spear into play. He held it in an underhanded grip, with the point straight up. The Rasen swung it across his body from right to left, and twisted his torso with it. The wooden shaft of his weapon met the haft of Hrafngoelir's spear and swept it away.

"But as you can see, I can use my own spear to knock hers aside," he said. "Now I can drive her back."

Then with a backhand motion Venca swung his spear back from left to right in a wide arc, once more twisting his body with it. The weapon's leather-bound tip slashed for Hrafngoelir's head. The Skanjr was forced to step back to avoid being hit, leaving her too far away for her shorter weapon to reach Venca.

"As I am sure you begin to see, the real strength of this spear and shield is my reach," Venca shifted the spear to an overhand grip, and jabbed at Hrafngoelir several times. She used her round wooden shield to bat his spearhead away. But every time she tried to close in to attack herself, the point of his spear was there waiting for her.

"This spear is at least seven feet long," Venca said. "So even when I'm holding it with one hand in the center, I've got a good three and half feet of range. When I am fighting someone like Hrafngoelir - who has a shorter spear or a sword - I have the advantage as long as I can keep her at a distance."

"Now the Teodon raiders we are going to be fighting prefer to use a short spear, about five feet long, the same as she has," Venca went on. "Some of them fight with a buckler as well, but others use their spears two-handed. They like to get in close, where they can land a flurry of blows with that spear, using it like a staff."

"So why don't they use a longer spear?" Loria asked.

"Now that is a good question," Venca said, momentarily pointing his blunted spear to the wizard. "The answer is where they live. Most bandits in Kye Rim make their lairs in the wildest areas. Usually swamps and jungles, filled with dense undergrowth, where no one else wants to go. They spend as much time in the water as they do on land. So the simple answer is that a seven foot weapon like this is just going to get in their way. They need something that is small enough that they won't be snagging it on everything around them. I can tell just by looking at this spear, that Alcheon is from a place on the periphery of the rainforest, where the growth isn't as heavy. Probably the northern coast. Or from one of the big cities."

In the meantime Hrafngoelir stepped aside and handed her shield to Aela. The Arvern's fingers naturally fell around the crossbar behind its steel boss. It was heavier than she expected, and smelled of leather, oil, and sweat. Gazing down across the leather that faced the linden wood core, she briefly studied the white dragon emblazoned there. Painted in an intricate knotwork design, it reminded her of her own people's artworks. Both the dragon and the blue background it rose against were worn and faded, showing the nicks and abrasions of hard use.

Hrafngoelir gripped her spear with both hands now. Aela glanced back up in time to see her sweep it around her body in a noisy flourish. Then she walked back to face Venca once more.

"Now just like before, Hrafn's going to want to get in close with that spear," Venca said to the onlookers as she closed in. The Skanjr deftly used the shaft of her spear to knock aside a jab from Venca's own weapon. Stepping closer, she brought the butt of her spear forward, only to see it deflected by the Rasen's shield. Still closing the gap between them, Hrafngoelir countered by sweeping the head of the spear forward. Venca brought his shield up to block once more, and the Northerner came right up to his chest. Rather than pull her spear back, or swing it around for another blow, she pressed right against his shield with both hands on her weapon.

"See how quickly she closed the distance between us?" Venca said. "Now watch what she does." The Northerner moved a foot around behind one of Venca' ankles and shoved. The Rasen went down to the deck on his back, with the shield maiden right on top of him. She dropped her spear and pulled a single-edged Skanjr knife from her belt. Unlike most daggers, this one's back widened slightly outward to two-thirds of the distance up the blade. Then it tapered down and forward to meet the cutting edge in a narrow point. Holding the broken-back seax overhand like an icepick, she slowly jabbed down at the Rasen.

Then she stood up and put the dagger away, while Venca climbed to his feet behind her. "See how fast that happened?" Venca said. "We went from spear-fighting, to wrestling, to knife-fighting. When it's for real that will only take seconds. That's what the raiders will try to do. They'll push it in close and take away your range advantage. Then they'll wrestle with you, and cut your throat."

"So now you know what you are up against," Venca concluded. "Next we'll start going through it one at a time with everyone, and you can learn how to keep Hrafn at a distance, and stop her from killing you."

Alcheon was the first to step up and take his spear and shield from Venca. Hrafngoelir continued her role as the aggressor, once again taking her shield to defend with. As with the demonstration, all of this was done in slow motion, so that everyone could see what was happening.

"Hold your spear overhand, high above your head, just behind the balance point." Venca guided Alcheon to lift his spear in such a manner, with the point drooping down from where he balanced the long weapon in his hand. "Now when you thrust, you're going to be using gravity to bring the point down into your enemy's face. Thrust over the top of her shield, just like Hrafn did to me at the beginning."

"So it's like fighting downhill," Alcheon observed as he took a tentative jab at the Skanjr.

"Exactly," Venca nodded. "That is going to give you more speed and power, and take less effort. Always take every advantage you can. With that in mind take a small step with your left foot when you strike. That will close the distance, and prevent her from being able to step back out of range. Once you hit, step back again, and get out of her range once more. Remember, always keep her in range of your weapon, but stay out of range of hers."

Alcheon took that half-step forward and jabbed once more, stepping back again the moment his spear head struck Hrafngoelir's shield.

They continued doing so for long minutes, and gradually picked up the pace of the drill as Alcheon showed that he was comfortable with the movements. Then Hrafngoelir began to advance, and Venca instructed the Teodon to step back every time she moved forward to keep her at a distance, and to always drop his spear point in her face to stop her.

The other four Agrigentans followed one at a time. Some had greater success than others. Daehyun seemed skilled with the spear already, and Aela overheard him say that he sometimes went hunting with bow and spear in the marshes. Ranazu dove into the lessons with a zeal that was nearly frightening, and Aela wondered whose face he imagined staring back at him when he sparred with Hrafngoelir. Vesia was clearly unskilled with the weapon, but diligently followed along with the lessons anyway. Finally the old Teodon Hyunsu seemed to be almost afraid of the spear, and looked like he was ready to jump off the boat the first time that the Skanjr struck his shield.

Perhaps most of all Aela was amazed at how Venca, usually so surly and morose, seemed to come to life in the training sessions. It was as if the person he truly was on the inside was showing through. Perhaps he was so engrossed in what he was doing that he forgot to brood? In any case the training sessions became a staple of life aboard ship, with Venca leading Alcheon and the Agrigentans in lessons every morning, afternoon, and evening.


Hrafn's shield

Hrafn's seax