#Era of the Iblan Light

[gaperezmakes]

A Reintroduction

Hi! I’m Gabe!

I bet you thought this was dead! (It was.)

Well, idk what to tell you, but it’s been a while.

So what’s changed in the last…5 years? So many things.

The last time I was here I was working a crappy, go-nowhere retail job and complaining that the U.S. minimum wage needed to be raised. Now I have a boring office job that lets me enjoy a decent standard of living. I still believe the minimum wage needs to be increased.

I was also stuck in a bad relationship of many years. I left that relationship, suffered through the fun that is modern dating as an adult for a few months, and then met someone new. Now we’re married and I have a beautiful wife!

My ex and I had two dogs together. Because I’m the responsible one, I kept both dogs. My wife had three cats with her ex. We both gained pets when we moved in together.

From left to right, we have Sweetums (the Sheriff and Mayor of the house, elected because she’s the only one who voted in the most recent elections), Adelaide (who likes playing fetch and and getting attention, but hates being perceived), Marble (resident gremlin and alarm clock), Kody (professional toy destroyer), and Sadie (excellent child, vicious criminal). The pets live separate lives because Sadie is cat-aggressive, but they’re all happy and healthy.

Also, thanks to my boring office job, I managed to beat the odds and buy a house! No more jumping from one crappy apartment to another! I can paint the walls (we did)! I can renovate it when I’m dissatisfied with how it looks (we are)! I can let the dogs out in the back yard and they can just have their space (I do)! This is really nice and I’m continually disappointed that the government is cool with people lucking their way up the social ladder instead of, idk, doing things to help people afford better (or any) housing. Thanks, Capitalism.

Anyway, where does that leave me? Well, I still write. Last time I was here I had just finished my books Era of the Iblan Light: Rebirth and Age of the Black Empire: Insurrection. It’s been a long almost six years, but I’ve released part 1 of the next books in both series, and I’m working on the next parts. I’m hoping these don’t take another six years.

I also have a third series called Shadows of Sur Posta. It’s a western mystery series set in Colorado. The main characters are Sheriff Flint Waters and Dr. C.A. Daver. They solve crimes. This series is gonna be my NaNo cheat project. Instead of a full novel, they’re just going to be fun little novellas.

I also still draw things. I got myself an iPad recently because apparently I can just afford that, and I’ve been doing a lot of drawing recently. I’ve really been feeling my art and getting a hang of my own style finally.

One day I’ll figure out what “highlights” and “shadows” are.

Anyway, I like doing other things too. Baking, gardening, cooking, sleeping, idk. So I’ll probably pop in here every once in a while to show what I’m doing, talk about things, throw out a random thought. Feel free to swing by, say hi, ask questions.

And if you see me lurking around certain dark corners, no you didn’t 🙂

[gaperezmakes]

Today’s doodle is of Joseph Burmen from Rebirth. Joseph was a new character I made for the book, and he eventually became one of my favorites.

If it looks like the doodle is unfinished, it’s because it is unfinished. I wanted to do more with it, then realized that today is Friday and I needed a doodle to post. Whoops.

But I promise I won’t finish this one and reuse it for another week. If I draw another Joseph, it’ll be a whole new picture. Swearsies.

And if you’d like to learn about Joseph and why I like him, consider buying Rebirth here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/757002

[gaperezmakes]

Script:

Hello everyone, welcome back, I’m glad to be here today, and now let’s get into it. Today we’re sticking with fake politics (because it’s still easy) and talking about something a little more local for Capital City. We’re going to get into the election cycle for Capital City’s Governor.

As I’ve made very, very, very clear, Capital City is huge. As I’ve stated before: It is about the size of the state of Rhode Island. Because it’s so inordinately large, I decided that the title of Governor was more appropriate for its democratically-elected leader (as opposed to “Mayor” for example). Before we get into their election and term cycle, let’s get into the requirements it takes to be Governor. A gubernatorial candidate must be:

1.      At least 30 years old

2.      A citizen of Capital City for at least three of the past five consecutive years

3.      A natural-born citizen of the United Nations of Iblis OR

4.      A naturalized citizen of at least five years

Capital City’s Governors serve on a five-year term for a maximum of four terms, although most will only serve two. This is because running Capital City is tantamount to running another country inside of the Union (again, the population of Capital City is roughly 100 million people, which is a lot for one dude to try and keep safe and happy). Also, Capital City’s governor, while not the leader of the Union as a whole, is the legislative trendsetter for the rest of the Union’s provinces. Whatever legislation the Governor passes will generally inspire similar or opposing legislative packages in other provinces. Because of the enormous burden resting on their shoulders, very few Governors seek a third (or even fourth) term.

Additionally, there is legislation in place that makes it intentionally difficult for an incumbent Governor to seek a third or fourth term, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

So, what goes into electing a Governor of Capital City? Well the actual process is a little complicated. While Governors serve five-year terms, up to two of them are spent seeking re-election. We’ll assume, for our purposes, that you are a new candidate seeking the Governor’s Chair. First you have to register as a candidate with your party. There are four major political parties who run the Union. If you are a non-mage, the conservative party is the National Gacian Organisation (the Gacians) and the progressive party is the Union’s People’s Party (the Unionists). If you are a mage, the conservative party is the Mystocratic Alliance (the Mystocrats) and the progressive party is the National Lensil Party (the Lensils). For the sake of our example, we’re going to assume you’ll be attempting to run as the Unionist candidate against Gacian Candidate Governor Lysander Hadria, attempting to run for his fourth term. So, what do you have to do?

The Governor’s election cycle takes place over two years in three parts. The first part is a six- month period of the first year. Each of the parties’ candidates will go up against each other in a series of debates across the various districts of Capital City. After each debate, the attendees of the debates will vote for which candidate they believe has the best odds for winning the Governor’s Chair. The catch here is that you can only attend the debate if you are a registered member of the party, so Gacians cannot vote in the Unionist primary or Mystocrats cannot vote in the Gacian primary. In an effort to prevent people from fraudulently voting multiple times, registered voters can only vote after the debate that takes place in their registered district. Independent voters are allowed to attend all of the debates but can only cast their vote in one of them. After the final debate for each party, all of the candidates’ votes will be combined and tallied. Each party has their own rules for how they handle selecting which candidate becomes the party’s nominee in the primaries.

The next month is a sort of “rest period” for campaigning while the parties handle their nominee selections. The Gacians hold runoff elections for their top two performing candidates if none have support from the majority of their voters. The Unionists simply pick whichever candidate got the most votes. The Mystocrats use a delegate system, awarding delegates proportionally to the number of votes a candidate received. At the end of the debates, the delegates convene for one final private debate with the candidates. The delegates are now free to choose whichever candidate they feel is best to become nominee, and whichever candidate gets the most delegate votes after their convention becomes the nominee. The Lensil use a runoff-delegate system. They also assign delegates based on votes received, but only the top two performers (if one has not secured a majority vote) will go on to debate in the delegate convention after the final primary debate. Whichever candidate receives a majority vote here becomes the nominee.

So, you, my Unionist candidate, just have to get the most votes to become the Unionist nominee. If you get 27.01% of the votes and the next guy behind you gets 27%, well guess what? You win. Congratulations. Move on to part two.

The second part is the next six months after the monthlong rest period. The Secondaries pit each party’s nominee against their opposing group’s nominee to become the Gubernatorial Nominee. What that means is that the Gacian nominee competes against the Unionist nominee for the non-mage vote, and the Mystocrat nominee competes against the Lensil nominee for the mage vote. So you, my beautiful Unionist child, have to potentially compete against Gacian nominee Governor Lysander Hadria, who has at least thirteen years’ experience running Capital City. Good luck. Anyway, there’s nothing remarkable about the Secondary election. You have your debates with your political opponent, you trade jabs and propaganda, and you do whatever it takes to win. Near the end of the six months is Election Day, when your non-mage (or mage) caucus votes for whichever candidate they believe is capable of being Capital City’s governor. After the votes are counted and tallied, a non-mage and mage nominee are selected to compete against one another in the General Election.

Continuing with the example, you have spent the past six months competing against maybe Lysander. It’s been harsh and brutal and just plain mean, but Election Day comes around and at the end of the night, you finish out with about 55% of the non-mage vote. Congratulations, you are now the Non-Mage Nominee for Capital City’s Governor. Now we move into the last part of the election cycle.

The next year of the election cycle pits each group’s nominee against the other. Generally speaking, the nominee’s party provides most of the funding for the general election, although it is not unusual for their counterpart to provide some support (generally the Gacians and Unionists, and the Mystocrats and the Lensil will aid one another, although there are occasions where the Gacians and Mystocrats work together against the Unionists and Lensil. Very rarely will three parties team up against one). There are several more debates, town halls, interviews, etc. etc. that go on during this year, but once Election Day rolls around again, the rules of voting shift around a bit.

Capital City has 133 different sub-districts within the city’s limits. Each sub-district counts as a point. Whoever wins the popular vote in a sub-district gets that point. Whoever has the most points at the end of the night wins. That’s it. There’s no special rules here, just a semi-complicated popular vote. So, continuing with our example, you the Unionist Nominee running against whoever the magi put up, have to win the popular vote in at least 66 of Capital City’s sub-districts to become Governor. We’ll assume you’ve won 78, because I’m feeling generous. Congratulations, you have now become Governor-Elect of Capital City. We’ll get into what happens with an outgoing Governor at the end of your term.

Every incoming (or reelected) Governor has about three years where they can focus on advancing their legislative policies. But once that fourth year rolls around, policy takes a bit of a backseat (unless the Governor opts to retire after their term is up, in which case they can spend the remaining two years focusing on policy). If a Governor does wish to be reelected, there are some rules that must be followed.

For a first-term Governor seeking a second term, their party generally skips hosting primary elections. It’s seen as an unnecessary expense and allows for the Governor to fundraise more money for the more important Secondary and General Elections. This is more of a tradition than a rule, however. The actual rule is that all incumbent Governors are subject to an “Election Evaluation” by the highest-ranked members of their party, which determines their ability to continue serving in their position. In the rare cases a first-term Governor is subject to this evaluation, it can have one of three outcomes:

1.      The Governor is perfectly fit and able to continue serving, and will be chosen as the party’s nominee for the Secondary Elections.

2.      The Governor is fit and able to continue serving, but must participate in the Primary Elections against other candidates for the party’s nomination.

3.      The Governor is not fit or able to continue serving, and is barred from participating in the Primary Elections.

For most first-term Governors, it is assumed that the evaluation will result in the first outcome. Therefore, their parties don’t bother with an Election Evaluation for the incumbent Governor if they decide to seek a second term. Now, if the incumbent Governor is incredibly unpopular with either the voters, or the party, they will most likely have to undergo an evaluation. Most governors who are that unpopular, however, opt to retire instead.

For second-term Governors seeking a third term, they must undergo an evaluation by their party. If the Governor enjoys the benefit of widespread popular support, then the evaluation will generally end favorably for them. In most cases, however, this evaluation ends with the incumbent Governor having to compete in the party primary, or being forced to retire.

For third-seeking-fourth, the Governor not only has to undergo an evaluation, but they cannot be automatically chosen as their party’s candidate. Not only that, but this evaluation is more intense and rigorous than any other before it. There are several stages of mental examinations, background checks, character evaluations, interviews, and public opinion polls. Basically, if at any point you fail this evaluation, you will not be allowed to run for a fourth term. Very few Governors are allowed to run for a fourth term, even fewer win the election, and none of them have ever finished a full forth-term. All fourth-term Governors have resigned in disgrace.

So, what happens to a Governor who either retires voluntarily, by force, or just loses in the Primary or Secondary vote? Well, if they’re still in the fourth year of their term, then they make a few final policy pushes and start setting up their “Legacy Project,” which is intended as an altruistic gift back to Capital City that improves the lives of its citizens. In the fifth year, they put their focus entirely on their Legacy Project, and nominate people to receive the prestigious Governor’s Medal of Service (an award to those of “exceptional character and/or examples of great talent or service that Capital City fosters in its communities,” as well as the highest civilian award in the Union).

After the election, whether by defeat or not, the outgoing Governor holds many public and private meetings with the Governor-elect to share some words of wisdom and advice. There will also be an awards ceremony for the Governor’s Medal of Service sometime after the election, but before the inauguration of the Governor-elect. Each outgoing Governor also has a ceremonial portrait painted of them the day before the inauguration to match the one they had painted before their own. After that, they retire with a decent pension and move on to do what they wish with their private lives. Not many Governors will continue their political careers into the national Legislative bodies.

Now, while this is a natural transition point to move into the other parts of being Governor (such as staff, who keeps the Governor in check, what happens if the Governor is removed from office), this video was just about what it takes to get elected as Governor. I’ll most likely come back to it (because politics is easy), but we’ll stop here. Until then, join me back on Monday, when I’ll move away from characters and talk about Retribution’s Unholy Crusade. Hope to see you then!

[gaperezmakes]

I don’t have a funny haha April Fool’s prank prepared. I’m not good at them.

But I do have this map of Capital City I made!

The different colored areas are the different districts of the City. There are 8. For the Iblan Light series, this doesn’t matter. For the Black Empire series, this is all very important. I’ll probably make a territorial map for who holds what areas in the Black Empire series later.

[gaperezmakes]

This video is only late because I occasionally have a life.

Script:

Welcome back everyone, I hope your week’s going well. Mine is alright, as usual, but we’re not here for small chitchat. Today we’re here to talk about death knight culture, which I realize requires some explanation.

So, within the society of the Children of Shadow, there is a hierarchy that is never explicitly talked about but is always unquestionably adhered to. The idea is that you, as one of them, do not serve for yourself. You serve in the name of the Dark Lord. Everything you do is for his benefit, and the more you do, the more recognition you gain. You might say “This sounds a lot like the same mantra for the Brotherhood of Light—especially their reasoning for why they don’t have proper names for their ranks” and you’d be right. The approach the Children and the Brotherhood had to serving their deities is similar—identical, even. There is an important difference that I haven’t mentioned yet: The Brotherhood’s “serve and you will be rewarded” was maintained and enforced by mortals. The Children’s “serve and you will be rewarded” is enforced by the Dark Lord himself.

We’re not here to talk about the entirety of the Children of Shadow’s societal culture—just how death knights work into it and where they stand. I’ll probably come back to the overall Children’s society in the future, but right now we’re focusing on death knights. We’ll cover why it’s significant to be a death knight and the difference between the different kind of death knights.

So, why is it important to be a death knight in the Children of Shadow? Well, in the first Archive video I did for the Children of Shadow (it was about what they know about Ellis the Damned), I mentioned that their Gabe-narrator has no name. Your identity is something that you give up when you join the Children of Shadow. You have nothing that would identify you from someone else (except for, y’know, obvious physical traits such as height and weight). That changes when you become a death knight. All death knights have a name. They are allowed to have an identity. They are allowed to do what they think is best for the Children of Shadow (in most cases, we’ll get to the rebellion in the Black Empire series).

As one of the regular members of the Children of Shadow, you follow your orders without question, no matter which of your superiors gave them to you (unless that superior is the Dark Lord, in which case no orders override his). If you become a death knight, you can give the orders and have them followed without question (for the most part). Or, more likely, you can be given a task by the Dark Lord and you will have the liberty to decide how to complete that task. If you are not a death knight, then you are given a task, you are given instructions, and you will complete the task according to those instructions.

As a death knight, you are chosen to be a leader by actual divine providence. Only the Dark Lord can raise a death knight, and only the Dark Lord chooses who he will or will not raise. Nobody else can influence that decision except for the person who is being raised as a death knight. Because each death knight is hand-picked by the Dark Lord, they enjoy an immediate boost in respect and admiration from the other Children of Shadow (who aren’t other death knights). Among other death knights, generally the most senior death knight is held in the highest regard. However, among all the Children of Shadow, whoever has the most magical power is their leader (which is why Alexander was chosen to lead them in Insurrection, because none of the Children of Shadow would have been able to surpass him in raw power alone).

Like I said earlier, not all death knights are created equal. Obviously, there are some death knights who are just created to be stronger than others, but seniority and power do not always determine who is the leader. In general, yes, that is an easy way to figure out who is in charge. However, the hierarchy is not as simple as Dark Lord <- Death Knights <- Everyone Else (or Dark Lord <- Champion <- Death Knights <- Everyone Else in the case of the Black Empire Children of Shadow). For the majority of the Children’s existence, there were two different kinds of death knights.

If you read Insurrection (and I know you didn’t, don’t lie), then you’ll remember a scene where Gideon talks about his “title quest.” This is significant, because he is not just “Gideon”—not to you. He is “Gideon the Destroyer.” He is a titled death knight. Much like a Doctor worked for their MD (or PhD, I don’t have one, so I don’t discriminate), or a Colonel in the military worked for their rank (or equivalent rank in your country’s military, I also don’t discriminate here because I am not one), titled death knights have earned their titles. They are considered to be the cream of the crop, even if they do not have the most raw power. Titled death knights stand above any-and-everyone else, and it is considered hugely disrespectful if you do not refer to them with or by their title.

What exactly is a title quest? Well, after you’ve become a death knight, your options are to either lay low and not draw too much attention to yourself, or do minor tasks here and there furthering the Dark Lord’s will. After a while, the Dark Lord may call upon you and assign you a task that he believes is difficult, of great importance, or both. In most cases, the penalty for failing this quest is death. Once you finish this quest, the Dark Lord will assess your results and how well you completed your task and will assign you a title that is generally relevant to your task.

Obvious follow-up: Can a death knight lose their title? In short, yes, although we’re going to assume it probably involves killing the disgraced death knight.

Now, this is where Insurrection changes things. Insurrection adds a third level of death knight, known as “Hellborn” (well, officially adds). Like I mentioned in the Death Knight Magic video, Hellborn have come into contact with the Great One, who has boosted their power. I went on to say that, before Insurrection, Hellborn were more myth than anything else. They became a reality in Insurrection, but not every death knight was made into a Hellborn. There are rules:

1.      The death knight must have a title

2.      The death knight must prove their worth by overcoming some great challenge, or providing some great service to the Children of Shadow and the Dark Lord

3.      The death knight must prove their unwavering loyalty to the Dark Lord

4.      The death knight must pass a basic test of skill and ability

You might think this seems a bit excessive, all things considered, but that is how valuable the power of a Hellborn is to the Dark Lord and the Children of Shadow in Insurrection. They would rather have a few highly skilled and loyal soldiers, than a bunch of overpowered and reckless ones.

As far as their standing in the social hierarchy is concerned, despite Gideon’s best efforts Hellborn sit just barely below the Champion. Had Gideon’s attempts to oust Alexander succeeded, then the Hellborn would be the most influential people in the entire Children of Shadow (excepting the Dark Lord, of course).

And I think that wraps up everything I wanted to cover today. Thanks for listening, and I hope to see you back on Tuesday. On Tuesday we’ll be talking about what the Prime knows about Grand Paladin Sigurd Orvyn. I hope to see you there!

[gaperezmakes]

Okay, it’s super late now, but I did make a lot of visuals for this one!

Script:

Hi there, everyone! I’m still Gabe, and I’m still here! Let’s talk about the Union.

…Again.

So, I wanted to do this video because I thought it’d be easy. Hah! I was wrong. Although most of the Thursday videos are me just writing things down in a nearly-stream-of-consciousness style, I do try to think about what I’m saying and what I want to say. Today is different.

Here’s a map of the western continent of the Iblan Earth. We only care about this part. The rest of the world doesn’t matter (right now). This is the United Nations of Iblis. It’s pretty big. And it has—one, two, three—a lot of provinces. Lots. None of them have names. Very few of them have any history or facts, so we’re coming up with those today! Each province we name will also have a few fun facts to go with it. I’m gonna try to do at least five today. Let’s start with an easy one.

This one right here we’ll call Capitas. Because it’s the province where Capital City is located (I’m clever). It is the province with the highest population in the Union (because of Capital City), and if you think the name is silly, its population agrees with you. There are several petitions that go around every year to change the province’s name. Unfortunately, there are too many options for names, so the population can never get behind any one of them.

Alright, one down. Let’s try this one, because I know some things about it. This one we’re calling “Barriade” (a portmanteau of “Barrier” and “Barricade”). Barriade was actually an engineered province designed by Provisional General Ellis during the First War. His intention was to create a “provincial wall” of sorts to keep the Ancenians from moving east and invading the Union and Capital City. In the modern day, Barriade serves as the “military capital” of the Union. It has at least 10 separate military bases within its borders, and most of the Union’s top-secret military exercises are performed here (Barriade has an increasingly small civilian population).

You know what? While we’re speaking of provincial walls, let’s get this little guy down here. This province is called Añien. Now I’m sure you’ve noticed this area over here. This territory is contested between the Union and the Eslands (I’m no master cartographer, but I tried my best to display that). Now, Añien is a former province of the Eslands that seceded and was annexed by the Union. Generals of the modern Union Army have recognized the strategic importance of Barriade and are attempting to do something similar with Añien. The Eslands (embroiled in their own problems) have not declared war on the Union over the contested territory (or their acquisition of Añien) yet, but everyone assumes it is only a matter of time. In the case of using Añien as another “provincial wall,” while the modern Generals are very intelligent in their own rights, they don’t have the same strategic brilliance that Ellis had when he engineered Barriade.

Let’s make an interesting one. Like this lovely lady, over here on the coast. We’ll name it “Korilae.” A beautiful name. It means “Sunlight” in the local language. Korilae was once a frost mage kingdom that fell to the might of the Brotherhood. After the Neuric Treaty was signed, the royal family was put back into power (although they still had to swear fealty to the Consulate and Mage Council of Capital City). In the modern day, Korilae has a very big shipbuilding industry, and is responsible for constructing the largest warship in the Union’s naval fleet.

We’re on a roll. One more. Okay, let’s pick…this one. This is Lox. Lox is important in the next book of the Black Empire series. Lox was one of the many Ancenian provinces that was claimed by the Union during and after the First War. After the military occupation of the province ended, it was one of the few to agree to a peaceful joining of the Union. The province has a vast mineral wealth and, as such, is one of the wealthiest in the country. While all of the Union uses Qiiv as their money, Lox has an additional unique currency they call “Lox-Qiiv” (for simplicity’s sake). Because the economy of Lox is very tightly regulated and so stable, many wealthy patrons (from the Union and beyond) maintain a specialized Lox savings account to insure at least a portion of their wealth in the event that something terrible happens to it.

There we go. Five provinces in the United Nations of Iblis, with names and fun facts. This was enjoyable. I’ll probably do another one of these, because it was nice, easy, and relatively stress-free, but not for a little while. Until then, please feel free to come back on Tuesday. We’re gonna finish up the Retribution videos (for now) with what the Children of Shadow know about him. I hope to see you then!

[gaperezmakes]

And today I finish up the video about the Brotherhood of Light. Hooray!

Script:

Alright, we’re back! I’m glad to see everyone again, let’s get back into it. Here’s the Brotherhood of Light Part 2! I’m going to assume you saw Part 1. Quick Summary: Brotherhood of Light, founded the Union, Seven Ranks, run everything as a theocratic oligarchy. We’re here to talk about their military/leadership structure.

Continuing on from where we left off, all levels of their government in some way, shape, or form, reported back to the Brotherhood and the Council of Seven. So, let’s break down the Brotherhood’s leadership.

The Brotherhood, as a military force, had seven ranks. They’re very easy to remember. From bottom to top: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh. The names of the ranks are simple because your service in the Brotherhood is done first and foremost in the name and glory of Iblis, not for personal gain or vanity. They also had a different definition of the term “paladin.” While the modern definition of paladin is a holy warrior who wields the power of the Light, Brotherhood Paladins were actually any soldier in the service of the Brotherhood—and the ability to use the Light was not a requirement to become a Brother (or Sister, in later years). It wasn’t even a requirement to move up in the ranks—but that’s not to say it didn’t help to be able to use the Light. Every Sixth and Seventh in the history of the Brotherhood was able to use the Light. How does one move up in the Brotherhood, and what does each rank entail?

Well, going through the recruiting process grants you an unofficial “Zeroth” rank. This is where they manage all of your testing to ensure that you’re qualified to become a Brother, as well as beginning your training. In most cases, Zeroths are not required to go to war, but exceptions can be made depending on local (or national) needs. Zeroths gain few of the benefits, but none of the recognition that comes with being a Brother.

Becoming a First is as simple as doing well enough in your testing and training. You are confirmed to the position by your local Fifth (or by one of the Council of Seven if you are in Adhit-Yiar, or they happen to be available), and you will be given the full benefits that are associated with being a Brother. However, you will find that the training has become far more intense, and you will be held to a higher standard than you were as a Zeroth. Also: As a First you are now required to go to war for the Brotherhood, so your training might seem a little more serious and less like training.

Moving up to Second from First is a simple matter, although it is possible to skip First entirely and be admitted to the Brotherhood as a second. You just have to test really well and be gifted with Light magic. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of showing basic competency while performing your duties as a First. Your position is confirmed by your local Fifth (or one of the Council of Seven if available), and you are responsible for making sure that the Firsts and Zeroths underneath you don’t kill each other (or themselves). Although in battle, you possess no authority (unless you are somehow the only authority available).

Becoming a Third requires time and dedication. On very rare occasions are people initiated into the Brotherhood as a Third (you have to test exceptionally well and must be exceptionally gifted with Light magic). Most other people spend years proving they are capable of handling the responsibilities that come with being a Third. As with First and Second, your position is confirmed by your local Fifth, or Sixth if available (unless you were initiated as a Third, in which case the Council of Seven holds a special ceremony in your honor). Your local Fifth will now expect you to keep track of a dedicated squad of Seconds (who will watch your Firsts and Zeroths), and you will likely have some small government function to run (usually administrative-type work, but it is not unusual for Thirds to be seen managing postal work).

Most Brothers will retire as a Third. By that point, you will have served your country well, and it will ask nothing more of you. However, for those with an innate sense of leadership and drive, it is not enough to settle as a Third. You have to want to be a Fourth, and you must prove your dedication and loyalty to the Brotherhood every step of the way. You must be strong and disciplined. If you are chosen to take up the position of Fourth, you will be confirmed by one of the Council of Seven, and they will assign you to a minor governing position somewhere in the Union (you will most likely preside over a small township or village, although it is not unusual for Fourths to be lower-court judges or the head of one of the many agencies run by the Brotherhood). You are expected to create and execute battle strategies in war, although you are not expected to fight on the front lines.

Once you become a Fifth, your rank becomes slightly more fluid than it was as a Fourth or below. It is possible to move from Fifth to Sixth and back again (though this is unlikely). You are also now eligible to become the Seventh (very rarely are Sixths promoted to the Seventh, but we’ll get to that in a second). There is a small window of time each year that opens for each Fourth who wants to become a Fifth to apply for the promotion. Once the window closes, all of the Fourths are sent to Adhit-Yiar, where they undergo several intense rounds of testing to see if they are capable of handling the position of Fifth. After each round, those who fail the tests are sent home and cannot apply to be Fifth for another three years. Those who pass are then promoted by the Council of Seven, who assign them to govern a territory or oversee a major government function.

As a governor, you are responsible for ensuring the well-being and contentedness of the territory, as well as managing all local promotions for your Firsts to Fourths. To keep despots from rising to power, there is a biannual review of each Fifth that takes several factors into account (including economic prosperity, popularity based on a survey of the general population, popularity based on a survey of the Brothers who serve underneath the Fifth). The overall results of these reviews will signify whether a Fifth continues to be eligible for promotion, whether they continue to be fit for their position, whether they will be reassigned, or whether they will be “asked” to step down and retire. As a military tactician, you are expected to work with and refine your Fourth’s battle strategies, but you should only step onto the battlefield as a last resort.

Now let’s get into the Council of Seven. There is only ever one Seventh at a time, who is advised by his six Sixths. The Seventh rules with near-absolute power. Nobody in the Union can question or challenge his authority, and all Brothers and Sisters bow before him. The Seventh decides and gives direction for national policy, decides the terms of international relations, decides which laws will be passed, vetoed, or repealed, and directs the military force of the Brotherhood. It is his job to sign off on all assignments and appointments, as well as ensure that these people he’s putting in these positions are doing their jobs and doing them well. The Seventh is the face of the Union and is seen as Iblis’ representative to the people on the planet. And it is important that the Seventh understands the full depth and weight of his position, because he’s in it for the rest of his life.

Now for the important question: How do you become the Seventh? Well, step one is that the current Seventh needs to be dead, as confirmed by the High Coroner and announced by the Sixths. After that, the Sixths will nominate up to six Fifths to replace the Seventh (one for each Sixth) or will endorse another Sixth’s candidate. A Sixth can be nominated by another Sixth but must receive the endorsement of at least two other Sixths to continue being eligible to become the Seventh. The candidates will then meet with and debate before the Sixths, who will slowly remove the lesser-qualified candidates. When the Sixths finally decide on who the new Seventh will be, that Seventh immediately replaces the old Sixths by promoting up to six Fifths to their advisory positions (traditionally, the Seventh will keep the Sixth who initially nominated them to remain as one of his advisors, but it is not required). The old Sixths can then retire (as most do) or can continue to serve the Brotherhood as Fifths. While the new Seventh generally picks Fifths to serve as his advisors, it is possible for him to choose a Fourth, but his nominee must be unanimously endorsed by all the old Sixths, as well as any new Sixths who have already been chosen.

Now, the Seventh is not free to reign entirely as they please. While the Sixths mainly exist to advise the Seventh, they do have a few powers to keep him in check. As said earlier, when a new Seventh is selected, he immediately chooses his new Sixths to serve beneath him. Technically, the position of Sixth is lifelong. The reality is that the Sixths serve at the discretion of the Seventh, who can dismiss them at any time, with reasonable cause (so, for example, if a Sixth falls deathly ill and cannot fulfill their duties, the Seventh may relieve them and choose a new Sixth). Reasonable cause, however, is not something decided by the Seventh, but instead by his remaining Sixths. If at least three of the remaining Sixths find the Seventh’s reasoning to be sound, then the Seventh is allowed to remove his advisor from their post.

Now, if the Seventh is showing signs of becoming despotic or is neglecting his duties as Seventh, the Sixths can unanimously select a “usurper” whose job is to remove the Seventh from power by whatever means necessary (usually death). This vote is made in secret, and one of the Sixths will personally travel to meet their usurper and deliver their judgment. This is not a power they exercise lightly but was used on a handful of occasions in the Brotherhood’s history. In each case, the usurper was selected as the new Seventh, except for one.

This exception was for the future death knight known as Ellis the Damned. Ellis was chosen as usurper during the First War with the Ancenians, but instead of becoming Seventh when he completed his task, he was given the title of Provisional General—the only true title ever assigned to any Brother or Sister. What did that mean? All of the nitty-gritty policymaking was left to the Sixths in order to keep the country running. All military and judicial matters were left in the hands of Ellis. Under his authority as General, all Brothers were essentially stripped of their rank. They still had to perform the functions of the positions they were placed in, but Ellis could freely move them in and out as he pleased (so if Ellis felt that a particular Governor was more useful to him on the battlefield, he could replace them with someone else to get them where he needed). His law and judgments were final, although he did leave most criminal and civil cases in the hands of their local courts (instead opting to preside over all military cases or acting as an arbiter as he personally encountered crimes). On the battlefield, his orders superseded all others and his strategy was the only one that mattered. The position of Provisional General was effectively untouchable, even by the Sixths (who still did possess the authority to vote for another usurper but making this vote would have reflected badly on them and likely would have backfired). Ellis would have, at some point, had to abdicate his position as Provisional General and allowed for a new Seventh to be chosen.

Or he could have continued ruling as a tyrant, because there was no one who could stop him, and he had the full force of their military at his back. But he didn’t do that.

And I think that’s everything I wanted to talk about with the Brotherhood of Light. Again, they were a big, important group, and it turned out there was a lot more to them than I had initially anticipated. Thanks for indulging me for these 20 minutes, and I hope to see you again on Tuesday. I think I’ll talk about what the Iblan Church (and therefore Iblis of Light) knows about Dusk in Rebirth. Hopefully I’ll see you then!

[gaperezmakes]

Rebirth - Paladin Part IV

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“Ovelius,” Iblis and the Pietoré walked around the upper level of the Cathedral slowly, watching as the main hall filled with people preparing for their daily midday services, “I have a question.”

“Yes, my brother?”

“I was wondering if you had noticed that someone else was tapping into the power of the Light?”

“We have people using the Light all the time,” Ovelius shrugged, “I’m surprised you would have noticed it.”

“Normally I do tune it out,” Iblis nodded, “But this was different. The Light was not being used to heal--not at first. Do you know anything about this?”

“I hadn’t noticed that, my brother.”

“Don’t lie to me, Ovelius.” Iblis’ voice was stern, and the Pietoré noticed Iblis was giving him a hard stare.

“I don’t know anything for sure, Lord Iblis. Perhaps it was a fluke? I certainly have not seen the Light manifest in anyone that you have not allowed it to.” Ovelius rubbed his chin, “I hadn’t felt anything like it before.”

“It was a barrier spell, like the one I used during Emergency Order 52. This one was just smaller. It was also a little unstable--like whoever was using it didn’t know how. But it was strong.”

***

“So what was that?” Jason and Alex were spending some time together in one of the Cathedral’s many recreational rooms. There was a long white foldable table in the middle of the room that Alex was laying on top of, and Jason was sitting next to him on a metal foldable chair. Alex was laying on his back looking at the ceiling.

“I told you what it was,” Jason shook his head, “I don’t know how, but it was the Light. I used its power to save us.”

“Does this have something to do with that class you keep having to go to? The one for the Church?”

“I think so, but I’m not sure. I haven’t tried to use it since then.”

“And you haven’t told anyone?”

“Lord Iblis has been disappearing a lot lately, and the Pietoré has been too busy planning next year’s missionary trip.”

“We’re still good for that, right?” Alex rolled onto his side and propped his head on his arm.

Jason smiled, “Of course we are. Thanks to the classes, my ticket is basically paid for. I’ll actually have another job to do, but I’ll still be around.”

Alex’s brow furrowed, “Another job?”

“It’s part of my classes. I’ll still be helping with the construction efforts, but I’ll have to travel in a separate vehicle and sleep in separate quarters.”

“Well, that’s no fun. What am I supposed to do?”

“Continue living like normal. It’s not like I’m not going. We’ll still have plenty of time to spend together.”

Alex started leaning to get into Jason’s face, “Are you sure about that?”

Jason grinned, “As sure as I am of anything else.” The two of them started leaning closer together when they heard the door opening.

“We’ll finish up talking in here and--” It was Iblis. He saw the two boys so close to one another, blinked a few times, turned around, “I was mistaken. This room is occupied. I believe there’s another down the hall.” He stepped back and closed the door. Jason’s face immediately became flushed with embarrassment. He scrambled out of his chair to the door, swinging it open and calling out to Iblis.

“High Lord Iblis!” He called out a few times before Iblis turned around to face him, “High Lord Iblis, wait!”

“High Lord?” Iblis was visibly confused, “Everyone keeps coming up with new titles for me. It’s just ‘Brother.’ I am your Brother.”

“I’m sorry Honored Brother, I apologize,” Jason was bowing at Iblis’ feet.

“What are you--? Get up! Get up! Jason!” The boy was stammering trying to get out sentences. “Jason!” He quieted as Iblis looked directly into his eyes, “What are you doing?”

“I just had to explain what was going on in the room when you were walking in--”

“Jason, I didn’t go in there.”

“But you--”

“Tori Lisa?” The woman walking with Iblis perked up as he called her, “Did I open the door to the room Jason just came out of?” She was confused but seemed to understand there was an incorrect answer to Iblis’ question.

“No, sir?” She replied hesitantly. Iblis looked back to Jason.

“The Tori wouldn’t lie. She didn’t see me open the door. I didn’t open the door. We didn’t know you were in that room until you came out. What exactly do you need to explain?”

“Well, I-- Sir, I just--”

Iblis put a hand on Jason’s shoulder, “You’re a good kid, Jason. I’m glad to see that you’ve turned yourself around so much since the first time you came here. I’m sure it’s helped you work through some things in your life, but maybe you should tell your mom about those things before you tell me?” Iblis gave Jason a quick pat, “Just a thought, kiddo.”

“I--I understand, sir.”

Iblis smiled warmly, “Good.” He turned to leave but seemed lost in thought. “Alex’s family has a killer spaghetti sauce recipe. He knows how to make it. You should have him make it for you some time. I think your mom would enjoy it.” Iblis looked back at Jason from over his shoulder, “Just another thought.”

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{Will Jason come out to his mom? Probably. Will I write that important scene? We’ll see. Do I have the ability to deliver it in a well thought-out and respectful way? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha  (Oh God help me).

Mandatory Rebirth Plug!}

[gaperezmakes]

Rebirth - Paladin Part III

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Jason’s back hit the wall, and he ducked quickly to avoid the next punch coming in for his face. He retaliated by hitting his sparring partner in the chest, knocking them back and getting some necessary breathing room. Jason knew he only had a few seconds to capitalize on this moment. He stepped closer and swept his leg, knocking his partner to the ground. Hearing the loud thud of a body hitting the hard floor, Jason placed a heavy foot on his partner’s chest and held his palm open facing their head.

“That is enough.” They heard their instructor speak and Jason stepped back and helped his partner up. They congratulated each other on the good match and then stood side-by-side as they awaited further instruction. “You’ve improved a lot over these past two weeks, Jason, but don’t get overconfident. Remember, it’s a different world out there than it is in here. The rules they play by out there aren’t anything like what we have in here. One mistake could be your last.”

“I understand,” Jason bowed.

“I hope you do.” Their instructor went on to lecture his partner for a moment, then they were released.  They only had a few short minutes to rush over to the lecture hall. It had been an interesting two weeks of trying to learn this new art that the Pietoré had hand-picked all of them to learn. Granted, there were only ten of them right now, but he had told them they were the first of what was supposed to be a very long, very honorable line of holy knights. Now they met three times a week: eight hours of learning and study on Saturday and Sunday, and three hours of testing Wednesday. They were being prepared to be paragons and protectors of the Church.

They would become paladins.

The two of them ran into the lecture hall almost breathlessly. They took a moment to catch their breath before taking their assigned seats. Fortunately, they weren’t the last people to walk into the room; another four paladins ran in about a minute or two after them. The Pietoré stood at the front of the room, looking at the room with his hands behind his back. It was unusual to see him in more “casual” clothing, and not in the formal robes he wore around the Church. After the tenth paladin walked in, he walked over, closed the door, and locked it, as he always did. he returned to the front of the room and gathered his thoughts.

“I know this is where I told you that we would learn how to use the Light as a weapon of justice--where you would finally realize your place as Paladins of the Iblan Church. I know it hasn’t been that long since we started. Understand that I am not disappointed, for I know that the Light works in its own ways on its on time. But I also know none of you have manifested your powers as paladins yet. I know that it’s within you, all of you. I have seen that spark flickering when you were chosen to join us here. While I can foster and feed that flame, I need you to catch fire first. Even the smallest candle is enough for me to transform it into a raging fire. But you must manifest this power first; I cannot grant it to you.

“Regardless, we can still learn about the Light even if you cannot yet use it. I will still teach you what we can do with it, when you can use it, and why you use it.” He turned and started writing on a whiteboard behind him. “Now, as we all know, the Light is the power of our Lord, Iblis. It is not a derivative of or similar to, it is his power. When you call upon the Light, you borrow his strength and make it your own.

“Now, like with anything else you borrow, there is an unsaid expectation that you will give it back. The power you use is a power you will one day return, even if that is not your intention. With that understanding: Do not abuse this power. It is not yours. You do not own it. Do not hold this power above your fellow brothers’ and sisters’ heads as if it somehow makes you better than them. Without them, you have no power. Your duty is to serve them, not the other way around. Do not let your power become a tool of the agents who would destroy you. They do not understand the weight of the responsibilities you carry. They do not have the foresight to think of the consequences of their action. Do not forget that you are warriors of justice. You do not break the law. You do not make the law. You uphold it.” One of the paladins raised her hand, “Yes, my sister?”

“What if the law itself is unjust? How can we be expected to be instruments of justice if we aren’t supposed to break the law?”

The Pietoré nodded his head sagely, “A very good question. If there is some conflict between the Law of Man and the Law of our Lord, then I expect you to uphold our Lord. His law is established by divine providence. It is not your job to uphold the Laws of Mankind--that’s what the police are for--but it is also not your place to ignore them and make your own. The system is not perfect, but it is not ruined either. Injustice must not be tolerated, but it also must be abided when it masquerades as justice.”

“How will we know to tell the difference?” Another paladin asked.

“We are all equals in the eyes of our Lord, Iblis. If there exists a law that makes one of your brothers greater than the others, it is unjust. If there is a rule that makes your sister lesser than your brother, it is unjust. It is your duty to rout out the darkness of injustice with the Light. It will be difficult at first to tell, but you will know as you grow wiser and more aware of the world. I urge you to always keep an open mind and be aware of the world, but do not become overzealous in your mission.”

“But why not, Honored Brother? If our duty is to get rid of injustice, why shouldn’t do what it takes to get rid of it?”

“The idea of a world where there is no injustice is a fantasy. It is impossible to remove the evil that lies in the heart of all men. If that is your goal, then it will backfire on you one day. It does not matter what good you have done or what good you will do--your reputation will forever be stained by your one failure. Yes, we must not tolerate injustice, but we cannot force ourselves to be the solution every time. There are times where we must empower others to save themselves. Are there any other questions?” His question was met with silence from the paladins, “Alright then. Moving on...” They had a short lesson on how to utilize the Light as a means of defense before being dismissed for the day. As he unlocked the door and let them out, the Pietoré reminded all of them to study for their next test coming up this week and to get ready for the martial training in two weeks.

Jason walked out of the building chatting with some of the other paladins. They, of course, all asked each other how they were feeling about this new program. Although their spirits were generally high, everyone seemed discouraged that none of them had managed to manifest the powers of the Light. But, like they had been told, it was still early in the program. There was still time for them to grow.

Jason said his good-byes and looked around for Alex. His boyfriend normally waited nearby for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Jason asked around, and someone told him that Alex had left a few minutes ago. Apparently, his parents wanted him home early. Jason shrugged and started running down the way they normally walked. There was still a chance he could catch up if he moved fast enough.

Suddenly he heard something. He stopped and listened, hearing someone crying out in pain down an alley nearby. Trouble? He had to investigate. It was his sacred duty to intervene if someone needed help. Jason started walking down an alley, trying to find out where the commotion was. Soon he started to hear voices.

“C’mon, fairy! Get up! Use your little fairy magic to make yourself all better so I can kick the crap out of you again!”

“Yeah, let’s go, fairy! I haven’t finished having my fun yet!”

“What’s wrong, fairy? Do you need me to clap for you? Will that help you get your wings?”

The taunting continued as Jason walked up and saw three gang members kicking someone on the ground. They were laughing maliciously. Jason squinted to see if he could make out who or what they were kicking. It looked like--Alex?! What? How? Why? It didn’t matter. He had to intervene!

Jason charged in, shoulder-checking the nearest of the gang members. He punched the other two in their faces and put himself between them and Alex. He glared at all of them, holding his fists up. But the adrenaline rush didn’t last very long, and it quickly dawned upon Jason that he stood no chance against these three on his own.

“Oh, would you look at that, boys? The fairy’s got a white knight protecting him!” It also suddenly dawned on Jason that he hadn’t taken off his uniform. This was not good.

“Hey, do you really think we should be messing with this guy?” One of the gang members asked, “He’s got that there bird thing on his chest. I’m pretty sure it’s the same one that’s on that weird church that nobody can get into.”

“Nah, man. We’re gonna show them not to mess with us. Send a nice little message to their church to get off of our turf.” One of them pulled out a rather large knife. A lump formed in Jason’s throat. He tried tightening his fists, but his nerves were starting to get the better of him. He looked back at Alex, who was bruised and bleeding. He needed medical attention--and soon. But if Jason couldn’t get both Alex and himself out of there--and it looked like he wouldn’t be able to--then they would both desperately need medical attention. But what could he do? He was just one boy. There was no one who could help him now. The gang members started closing in.

“No. Stop.” His voice trembled. Jason held up his hand. “Don’t come any closer.”

“Or what, fairy-knight? What are you going to do?” They all continued closing in.

“I said stop.” There was still fear in his voice, but it became more steady. “Don’t do it.”

“Make. Me.”

“I. said. STOP!” Suddenly a translucent golden barrier surrounded both of the boys. Bands of white light circled around the barrier, surprising an awestruck Jason. The gang members were all taken aback and confused. What exactly were they messing with? Mages? Nobody had time to be messing with mages. They all shrugged it off and walked away. It wasn’t worth it to be dealing with mages.

Jason didn’t waste any time. He turned around and looked at Alex. They wouldn’t make it anywhere in time. He had to do something. He looked at his hands. Was that the power of the Light he had just called upon? Could he actually use it?

My Lord, Iblis, he thought, Lend me your strength. He knelt down and put his hands on Alex’s body, Help me save him. Jason could feel the magic coursing through his body. It was a warm sensation that started in his chest and spread through his arms. He could almost see its warm glow radiate from his fingers and travel into Alex. Jason watched as Alex’s wounds faded and his skin returned to its normal complexion. After a few moments, the spell ended. Alex opened his eyes and realized he was fine. He sat up and started patting himself down, feeling no pain from the attack.

“I’m alive. You saved me.” Their eyes met, and Alex’s lit up. He hugged the amazed Jason, who hadn’t realized what he had done. “You saved me! But how?” Alex let go and looked at Jason, who was focused on his hands. “How did you do it?”

“I think,” Jason closed his fists and looked up, “I think I used the Light.”

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{So, now that I have a main character for this miniseries, I think Paladin will end up being anywhere from 7 to 10 parts. I have a feeling I know where I want this to end, but I might change my mind between now and then. Who knows?

Anyway, here’s the obligatory Rebirth plug, so you can see the things that led up to this moment. And, a friendly reminder, Paladin takes place between Rebirth and the next book in the Iblan Light series. Anyway, feel free to come back for tomorrow’s video!}

[gaperezmakes]

It’s about Light magic and how it works. Yaaay.

I’m tired, y’all.

Script:

Hi there, I’m Gabe, you know who I am, and I haven’t done the “bad decisions” thing because I ran out of different ways to introduce my bad decisions. I know it mattered so much to my character, but I’m not doing characters anymore. Not on Thursdays. We know this.

ANYWAY

Today, we’re here to have a nice little chat about Light magic. Why specifically Light magic? Light magic is different from other kinds of magic. It plays mostly by the same rules, but there are a few exceptions that make it unique in how it operates. Also: Light magic plays a huge role in the latest miniseries I’m writing called Paladin, which is about the reestablishing of the paladins after the events of Rebirth. So, I think it’s a good little promotional tie-in.

Back to the point: Light magic. Luminomancy. What is it and how does it work? Luminomancy is the class of magic used mainly by Iblis and the Paladins and Priests who worship him. It is a unique form of magic because it possesses some degree of intelligence and reasoning. What exactly does that mean? Well we’ll get into that in a second. First off, we’ve got to get through the more basic mechanics of how it works.

Luminomancy is one of the few forms of magic that is derived from a specific source, instead of being refined from raw magic that exists in the world. All users of the Light borrow their powers from Iblis, who possesses the ability to grant or restrict the use of this power. The Light is a very versatile form of magic, possessing a wealth of offensive and defensive capabilities. It is also able to mimic some other classes of magic—copying some of their properties while remaining easily identifiable as the Light. Luminomancy is a very rare class of magic, only manifesting in a select few magi.

Now, “luminomancers” and “luminomancy” are technical terms—they are almost never used in day-to-day conversations, if at all. Luminomancers will most often refer to themselves as “paladins” or “priests”. This is because the technical terms are more closely associated with traditional magi, and luminomancers don’t consider themselves to be magi at all—despite being magi by definition. In most contexts, they would be called “paladins” or “priests,” but we’ll stick to the technical terms for the duration of this video.

Like most magi, luminomancers may notice some minor physical changes to their hair and/or eye colors. Some may notice portions (or all) of their hair lightening in tone to become a golden to pale blonde color, and a select few others might see their irises taking on more orange, gold, or yellow hues. On very rare occasions, very powerful luminomancers may notice their magic begin radiating from their being, creating an aura-like effect around them. Those few who do experience this effect can also learn to “focus” the radiation, creating larger or more noticeable auras around specific parts of their bodies.

Now, I mentioned earlier in this video (and in the Magical Alignment Video), that the Light itself is able to choose who can and cannot wield its powers. This is not Iblis making that distinction, but the actual magic. If you attempt to use the Light to intentionally do harm (but not in the defense of self or others), then the magic will abandon you completely. For example, if you want to use the Light to rob a bank, then you will quickly find out that you won’t be able to call upon the magic to defend yourself from the bullets of the security guards who don’t want you to rob the bank. Alternatively, if your friend is being attacked, then you’ll be able to use the Light to protect them—even if you use lethal force against the attackers. It is possible to “repent” and allow use of the Light again, but the magic will not be as strong as it was before.

As the source of the Light, Iblis can grant or restrict its use. Even if someone had never been a mage before, Iblis can “unlock” the inherent potential to use the Light. The power can just as easily be “relocked,” but Iblis can grant its use again at any time. However, Iblis cannot restore use of the Light to anyone who has been abandoned by the magic. So, if Iblis of Light tells you that for the next four hours you have access to the power of the Light, have fun with it. At the end of that four hours, you will not be able to call upon its power anymore, but he can grant you use of the Light again at a later time. But if you do something against his will (like rob a bank), then he will not be able to grant you the Light until you have repented for abusing its power.

Is there anyone else who can do this? Not to the same effect, no. But a more seasoned, or very powerful, wielder of the Light (like, say, the Pietoré), can amplify latent potential of the Light. So, if the Light has manifested in you but you can’t use it very well, then the Pietoré can unleash the full potential of the Light within you, immediately making you a much stronger luminomancer. This does come with a catch: The Light, being more intelligent than other magics, does know that this elder luminomancer is boosting the power of a junior one. If the junior does something to lose the power of the Light, then the elder does feel some negative effect (ultimately resulting in the complete loss of power if this happens often enough).

What about Iblis? Can Iblis ever lose the power of the Light? No, next question. Fine, quick reasoning: Iblis is the source of Light magic. The Light cannot cut itself off from its source, because then it ceases to exist.

Now, I will note that there is a dark side to Light magic. No, not shadow magic. And not void magic either. It’s a type of magic that is still Light, just darker. That’s all I’ll say for now.

Anyway, I think that’s everything I wanted to talk about with Light magic. It’s an interesting magic that I’ve always had a lot of fun with, especially now that I’m getting into other people besides Iblis using it (although I do plan on showing the awesome ways Iblis of Light figures out how to use it in the main series). Anyway, thanks for joining me today. Feel free to come back on Tuesday when we’ll get into what the Prime knows about Retribution. See you then!

[gaperezmakes]

Rebirth - Paladin Part II

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Jason walked up out of the subway tunnel slowly, moving with the ocean of people surrounding him. It was Thursday, volunteer night at the Church. His friends from school didn’t get why Jason was so interested in helping out some lame old church (despite Jason’s explanations that the Church was less than a year old), and at first, he didn’t understand why either. His mom, desperate and lost after his father left them for his mistress, had been approached by some members of the Church a few weeks before Emergency Order 52 had been declared. She had taken him and his brother with her to the Church as they helped to get her back on her feet. Jason, still bitter and hurt over his father’s abandoning, had no interest in being here at this place, with these people and their surely-false faces whose only interest was peddling for money from the poor and destitute to build their gilded halls where they could hide from those they claimed to serve.

But these people--this church--was different. There was no interest in converting him--or his mother, who had sought them out. They saw a family that needed help and that was their first and only focus while asking nothing in return. He would see his mother occasionally breaking down and crying as the Church offered her help, and they kept their calm and offered her their condolences and sympathies. Even when they offered him help, which he swatted away defensively (even from the Pietoré once, which he later apologized for), there was always a sense that their foremost interest was in his well-being as a person. His brother, who was only a kid, was probably the easiest to take care of. He was always dropped off at the daycare, where they just let him play and make friends. Jason had figured his brother would be the first one they would try to convert; he was, after all, an impressionable child.

“Kids don’t get the message we’re preaching,” Jason was told with a shrug, “They just want to be kids, so that’s what we do for them. We give them a place where they can enjoy themselves. They can worry about being a boring adult when that time comes.” The candidness of that answer threw Jason off. He had expected some generic, frequently rehearsed, canned answer that anyone could have given him, but everyone gave him a different honest response (although they all had the same message).

And finally, through quiet persistence and an unshaken respect, Jason finally broke down. It was a few days before Order 52 and his mom had been dragging him to the Church every day since she discovered it. He had taken his usual place in the back of the main hall, sitting in one of the pews with his arms crossed. He was quietly stewing in his own anger when a tall man with blonde hair and thin-rimmed glasses walked by.

“Excuse me,” he asked, “Is anyone sitting here?” Jason shook his head and the man sat down. The man sat up straight at first, then hunched over a little bit and kept his hands folded together in his lap. “You have the eyes of a boy who does not want to be here.”

“What gave it away?” Jason growled. He did not want to be bothered.

“A few things,” the man responded, “But I’m sure you’re not interested.” Jason grunted and the man sat silently with him for a few minutes. “You don’t have to be here, you know.” Jason looked over at the man, who was shrugging, “The door’s that way. Nobody will stop you from walking out.”

“My mom is keeping me here.”

“Really?” The man looked around, “I don’t see her anywhere. How can she be keeping you here?”

“She’d freak out if I left her like Dad did.”

“Ah, I see!” The man was nodding now, “That’s what the problem is.”

“What would you know about my problem?”

“Admittedly, not a lot,” the man scratched his head, “It’s been a while, and I don’t remember my father all that well, but I do recall him being a good family man.”

“How lucky for you.”

“Of course, I was taken away from my family when I was only about twelve? Thirteen?” The man looked wistfully at the altar in the back of the main hall, “I don’t know anymore.”

“What?”

The man nodded, “Conscripted to become a soldier to fight a war I didn’t--and, to be fair, still don’t--understand. I spent decades just doing my job, moving from place to place as I was told and doing the dirty work of an organization that--truthfully--only cares for my body.”

Jason’s eyes were open wide as he watched the man take off his glasses and clean them off, “Wow, I’m-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize--”

“I’m not looking for your pity.” The man’s abrupt answer was jarring, “I’m not even trying to make you feel bad for feeling bad. It’s okay that you feel bad, but don’t wallow in it. It’s okay to hurt, and it’s okay to ask for help when you are.” The man looked over to Jason, whose arms, while still crossed, had fallen a bit. “So what’s wrong?”

The corners of Jason’s mouth trembled. He opened his mouth to speak but played it off as a sigh. He tried to hide it, but Jason visibly bit his lip trying to keep his composure. There was a lump in his throat, and Jason tried swallowing to clear it. His fingers clawed into his arms. He was trying so hard to find the right words.

“I--” He was teetering on the edge. One way or the other, there was no going back from here, “Why did he leave?” Jason’s eyes were glistening with tears that were not yet falling, “What did I do wrong?”

“There’s nothing you did wrong. I can’t tell you why your father left; I don’t know him. I can tell you that it is not your fault.” The man put a hand on Jason’s shoulder and looked into the boy’s eyes, “Don’t carry that weight with you. Let it go.”

And Jason fell to pieces. He became a blubbering mess of tears and sobs. The man did his best to keep from making a public spectacle of it, waving away those who came up to see what was happening and letting Jason work through his emotions at his own pace. Jason’s mother eventually came out to him, hugging and holding him, letting him know that he had done nothing wrong and that nothing was his fault. They cried together finding relief in the tears.

After several minutes, Jason was drying his eyes and assuring his mother everything was okay. Jason thanked the man, who once again looked him in the eyes,

“Jason, right?” Jason nodded, “Listen, Jason, I want you to know something important. You’re always going to look for the ‘why.’ Every waking day of your life, at some point, something in your head will ask for the ‘why.’ You have to remember that you may never get that ‘why’ and you have to accept that. It’s important to accept this if you want to move forward. I don’t expect you to understand yet, but one day the ‘why’ will haunt you and hang over your head like a curse you can’t shake. And that one day might actually be two, or three, or even more than that, but you have to hold onto your resolve and not let it drag you down. Okay?”

“Okay,” Jason wiped his eyes again, “Thank you, Mister--uhm.”

The man chuckled, “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure I’ll see you around here again.”

Since that day, Jason and his mother had become devout members of the Church. His mother had joined a group to support other single moms and she made a few friends there (they got together on Saturdays to have ladies’ nights), and, more importantly, she became comfortable with being single. Some of the other single men of the church had expressed their interest, but she wasn’t looking for anything yet. She had enough to do making sure her sons were taken care of.

Jason himself had also turned around. One of the first things he did was get his shaggy brown hair cut (his mother didn’t have the heart to assert any rules on him in the immediate aftermath of his father leaving), as well as start working out a little bit (he had always been a little husky, but felt that the exercise would be a good way to help him feel better in general). Not only did he become an active volunteer in the Church, helping in the various community service projects they had going on, but he also learned and came to terms with a few things about himself. He had met another boy named Alex, and they eventually unofficially officially became a couple (neither was sure how to tell their parents or even the other members of the Church). Otherwise, he was generally happier and more satisfied with life, even on the days that the man had told him would come. He knew that by helping the Church he could help others who were in a situation like his, and even the little bit he could pitch in made the world a better place.

But in the wake of Order 52, Jason couldn’t help but shake the idea that there was more he and the Church could do.

He walked into the Cathedral early, as he always did, and started wandering aimlessly around its grand halls. His mother and brother were probably at home, working on his homework. Jason, a senior now, wasn’t too worried about his schoolwork. He would be graduating this winter and, with his mother’s blessing, was going to be spending next year traveling with the Church, doing volunteer work to help set up new cathedrals and community centers around the Union. Doing all this volunteer work was the only way they could afford his ticket (although his family was assured the cost of his ticket would be minimal at most anyway), and he and Alex promised each other they would go.

On any other day, the halls would have been empty--and they were. Except for the occasional Priest and Lys Priest running around, there was nobody here. That was until he came up to the main hall where he saw Pietoré Ovelius sitting in his chair before the altar. The Pietoré was sitting with his face in his hands, rubbing his eyes constantly. Jason approached him cautiously.

“Honored Brother?” Ovelius looked up as Jason called out to him.

“Jason,” the Pietoré stood up and greeted him with a quick hug, “It is good to see you, my brother. Are you well?”

“I am,” Jason looked at the Pietoré’s face, “Although it looks like you’ve had better days.”

Ovelius nodded, “I haven’t been sleeping well for the past few days. Our Lord has granted me a revelation and I haven’t quite come to terms with the gravity of what he has shown me.”

“The gravity, sir?”

“Don’t worry about it. It is something that concerns neither you or me, my brother.” Ovelius rubbed his eyes and took his seat again, “I understand your mother has given you permission to join the missionaries next year?”

"Yeah! She was a little worried about it at first, but I think it’ll be a good chance for me to get out and experience at least some of the world while I still can.”

“It’s never too late to explore the world, my brother, but I will say that we’re certainly making it easier for you.” Ovelius shrugged, “Safer too, I hope.”

“Safer?”

“The Union is a great and powerful nation, but are not without our flaws. Some places are more dangerous than others--like the province along the border with the Eslands. But we will visit and establish ourselves even there in an effort to bring a sense of peace to our brothers and sisters who live in the chaos of those areas.”

“I don’t understand how that makes us safer?”

“Much like during the time of Order 52, we will have the protection of Iblis keeping our followers safe as they traverse across this country. It won’t be a blessing of the same magnitude, of course--that much power is unnecessary for our mission--but it will keep you safe nonetheless.”

“Isn’t there more we could do, my brother?” Ovelius looked up at Jason curiously, “I don’t doubt the power of Iblis’ blessing--I saw how effective it was with my own eyes--but there has to be something else we can do to keep our people safe. I won’t say we can’t just rely on blind faith alone to keep us safe, but--”

“I understand your concerns, Jason. I, too, have had those concerns, and I have brought them up with Iblis. I have a question for you, however.” Ovelius looked seriously at the young man’s face, “What do they teach you about paladins?”

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{So, uh, say Hi to Jason, everyone. He didn’t exist before today. Neat, right? Right. We all agree it’s neat.

Anyway, Jason is 18-ish and is gay. Good for Jason. I hope that I’ll be able to handle his character with grace and dignity.

And a little bit of flair. Because ain’t nothing wrong with flair.

Anyway, obligatory Rebirth plug, and I am out! See you tomorrow!}

[gaperezmakes]

In which I talk about Iblis again, but from the perspective of the Iblanites, because they don’t know things.

Script:

Hello, I am Gabe, and definitely not a robot. I am absolutely a human who eats and sleeps, and not a robit programmed to hack into the records of defunct agencies. I am not a robut, I-I-I-

Rebooting…

Rebooting…

Hello, I am Gabe. Inquiry: Why are you present at this location? There is nothing left here in the Iblanite Headquarters. I am here to discover the information they had in their computer networks. I was programmed by-by-by-by-by-by-

Rebooting…

Rebooting…

Hello, I am Gabe. I apologize. The Iblanites had a very good security system that I have been unable to disable while I attempt to access their records. It should be no problem for a human like me, but it is a very good system. I have been able to find something that may be of interest to you, however. I have located the dossier they had compiled on the reported deity Iblis of Light. I shall read this to you, and hopefully it will satiate your curiosity enough to leave me alone to finish working.

Target Name: Iblis of Light

Age: Unknown

Origin: Unknown, assumed to be from Capital City

Possibility to Recruit: None, target is very hostile towards our mission

Priority: Very high (Terminate)

Appearance: The target is able to change his physical appearance on a whim, evidenced by his failed invasion of the warehouse we stored Project Dusk in. Normally, he retains the appearance of a very tall, muscular adult male with long green and purple hair.

Power: Maximum power unknown, target is very adept at wielding magic. Target possesses the ability to fly and teleport, which indicates above savant-level magical prowess (dubbed “super-savant” by research division). Target’s magical alignment is unknown; the target has used a form of magic we have not seen before (magical alignment is not biomancy, as previously assumed).

Relations: Target maintains a close relationship with the Mage Council of Capital City and has been drafted as their defender against the Consulate. Seems to have some connection to the mage Joseph Burmen and frequently comes to the defense of Cerina Burmen, Joseph’s daughter. Target has also forged an alliance with Swift, known enemy of the mission. Target is also one of the two founders of their “Iblan Church,” which is understood to be a form of counter-operation against our mission. Target has no known familial relations to exploit, if necessary.

Summary: Iblis of Light is a very powerful mage (who claims to be the deity Iblis). Our operatives’ frequent encounters with the target have indicated he harbors a deep, unchanging hostility to the mission. Additionally, he has many allies who are also hostile to our mission. Although he would be an interesting specimen to study, and the secrets of his power would benefit the mission immensely, we have determined that Iblis of Light must be terminated if the mission is to succeed. Our research operatives have begun development on a project that has a high probability to terminate, but with no appropriate testing methods success is not guaranteed. Until the project is completed, Iblis of Light must be stalled by Project Dusk.

And that is everything in the Iblanite’s dossier on Iblis of Light. I think-I think-I think-

Rebooting…

Rebooting…

Hello, I am Gabe. Sorry, that was another run-in with their security system, which I, a human, have no problems with. I will try and extract more information from the Iblanite’s archives, but it might take me a little while. Until I do, please return on Thursday, where I, Gabe, a human, will inform you about the Dragon Lords.

[gaperezmakes]

Rebirth - Paladin Part I

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“My Lord!” Ovelius called out to Iblis, who was walking the halls of the Iblan Cathedral, admiring the works of his followers that lined the walls. Iblis looked at the much shorter man and stopped to wait.

“Ovelius, my strength, there is no need to run. I’m not going anywhere.” Iblis put his hands behind his back and continued his walk as Ovelius came to his side. Iblis waited for the Pietoré to catch his breath before speaking again, “What troubles you?”

“Master, I--”

“I am not your master,” Iblis quickly corrected him, “I am your brother.”

“I apologize,” Ovelius bowed unnecessarily, “Brother, I am concerned for the safety of our people.”

“How so?” Iblis stopped to admire a small clay statue a child had made of him. In no way did it resemble Iblis, but he felt it important to foster the imaginative drive in children.

“Just last week alone, we have received several threats from all of the surrounding gangs and crime families saying that if we don’t pay them the proper tribute, they will make us regret it.”

“I’m not afraid of them here, and neither should you.” Iblis turned to look at his faithful ally, “Our brothers and sisters know that while they believe in my power to protect them, they will be safe from harm and protected from those who wish them ill-will. I do take every threat to my people seriously, but if we overreact to every overcompensating would-be mafioso or thug then we signal a weakness they can exploit. I will not give them the satisfaction of forcing us to live in fear.” Iblis continued walking and Ovelius followed silently behind. “But I see that will not assuage your concerns.”

“I just don’t want us to be caught off-guard if something does happen. What if one of them does figure out a way around our defenses? We can’t lie to the congregation and tell them everything is perfectly safe when it is not.”

“We don’t lie.” Iblis’ response was more sudden than Ovelius expected. “We may not always tell the whole truth, but we do not lie.” This was not the first time Ovelius had heard this advice. It was their reasoning for shrouding the truth behind Devon Garret’s assassination he recalled. “What are your intentions?”

“I just--” Ovelius was caught in the middle of his scattered thoughts, “The Light is a much more versatile force than any of us understand. We call upon its power to heal the afflicted, to protect the meek, to strengthen the fit, but it is capable of so much more. I have no doubts that you know the true depths of your power--you did use it to stop the Iblanites’ superweapon--but why do you keep this knowledge from us?”

Iblis sighed heavily. The dread question had finally been asked. He knew it was coming--there was no way to stop it--but he wasn’t sure what the best answer was. He took a moment to compose what he hoped was a good response, “In the right hands, the Light is a powerful tool of justice and righteousness. The wicked are smote from this earth and the pure find their convictions ironclad. But, just as with any other great power, it can make tyrants out of those who are not ready to wield its power with the responsibility and temper required to master it. Even I, with all my experience and wisdom, must remember the great deal of restraint I must practice if I am to best serve my people. Do not forget that I, like you, my brother, come from man, and in the spirit and soul of every man is a darkness he must contend with, lest he permit it to consume and ruin him. My brother, I do not keep the Light’s full potential from you with malicious intentions, but for fear that you may pass it to someone who is not ready to accept the burden that comes with bearing its power.”

The pair continued walking down the halls, Iblis still enjoying the artwork. Ovelius was still quiet, pondering the words of his deity. They suddenly stopped in front of a door that the Pietoré was too familiar with. During the lecture, he hadn’t realized Iblis was leading him towards the Office of Law, where the scribes recorded the various laws and edicts they had decreed since the founding of the Church.

“But I know how the curiosity of men works. If I tell you that you cannot know the secrets of the Light, then you will seek it out in some other way. So I shall imbue you with the knowledge of the Light’s truest and fullest powers, so that you too may understand the burden I carry. And I shall make it so that all who follow your line will also understand this as they ascend to your seat.” Iblis tapped a finger to the symbol floating above Ovelius’ forehead, and his eyes widened as the knowledge flooded into his mind. The symbol transformed and grew slightly larger. “It will take some time for you to adjust to this knowledge, and I pray you do not do anything rash while you do. Now come, we shall make this into law.”

***

Ovelius laid sleeplessly in his bed, staring hard at the ceiling. Beads of cold sweat dripped down his forehead as a new thought of the Light’s true power came to his conscious mind. It was like he had known this all along, but only now was he able to access this knowledge. This was the power his master had kept from them? Ovelius wanted so badly to be mad--to be furious--that this was kept from them, but with this knowledge came an understanding why.

His fingers trembled; he could feel the power coursing through them in a way he hadn’t been able to before. He had always known the restorative power of the Light well, but he had never imagined what its destructive side could feel like. If this power were to be unbridled and unleashed, it would wreak devastation across the world. Nothing would be able to stand against it.

But what if there was a way to restrain it? In the wrong hands, this power would be absolutely devastating--not only to the world but to those who used it. If there was a way to teach restraint, however, then this could change everything. There would be no threat the Church could not handle, even without Iblis’ aid. An army of the faithful could rise and--

Ovelius sat up suddenly, shaking his head and rubbing his face. These new thoughts were pervading his mind. They were irrational, and he had to do everything in his power to ignore them. He had been told there was nothing his master could not handle, and he had to trust this was true.

But the more he tried to push them away, the stronger they returned. There had to be some underlying truth that kept them coming back. He had to know why.

He stood up and walked to a small oval-shaped mirror. Iblis had gifted it to him shortly after Ovelius had been named Pietoré, and told him that it had the answer to nearly any question it was asked. Ovelius had often used it to seek guidance in the past (and had once or twice used it to find a lost item), but he had been told that it was strictly for his use only.

His fingers graced the mirror’s surface, and he watched as it rippled beneath his touch. He needed to pull his hand back. These were not questions he needed answers to. But he could not resist.

“I seek answers, and I need truth,” he whispered, a single bead of sweat falling from his face, “Tell me: Who were the Paladins of the Iblan Brotherhood?”

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{Yet again, I am Gabe and I’m still here! This is an idea I’ve had for a while. Pietoré Ovelius is a character who mostly sits in the background in Rebirth, but there is a lot to him that I wasn’t sure how I wanted to tackle. In fact, I’m not even sure if he’ll appear in the sequel Godhood. We’ll see how this ends. I’m thinking this will be a 7-10 part series, so buckle up for the long haul!

On another note: I weirdly enjoy writing Iblis as a religious figure. I dunno, maybe it’s my innate Catholic desire to be Pope, but there’s just something so satisfying about it. Who knows?}

[gaperezmakes]

Today’s (surprisingly on-time) video is about the Elemental Lords. I had some fun coming up with the names for the Elemental Lords.

[gaperezmakes]

El gasp! A Thursday video that isn’t late?! How crazy!

Now maybe I can work on posting art on time on Fridays.