EPIGRAPHY

[Zal Iterr]

Today, I've started posting a new story: Epigraphy. In some ways, it's a complement to Akkadian Statuette; it's science fiction instead of fantasy.

The protagonist is no longer a teenager; he's in his twenties. On the other hand, he still has much to learn.

Hope you enjoy it. Feedback is gratefully accepted.  I posted the first 4 chapters; I plan to post a new chapter every 2 days.

[Zal Iterr]

Argh!  Despite many proofreading attempts by me and several others, a sharp-eyed reader found two mistakes in the first few chapters.  After correcting and rereading the posted text on SOL, not only did I find even more errors, but also that my italics didn't survive to be posted.  I guess the SOL import software doesn't pay much attention to embedded style specifications.  I am now trying it again — we'll see.

[John Brewer]

Good read so far, look forward to more of the story.

[Zal Iterr]

Thanks, John.  The next chapter will be up tonight.

On Wed, Sep 28, 2011 at 15:06, John Brewer <meld...@gmail.com> wrote:

Good read so far, look forward to more of the story.

--

stories: http://storiesonline.net/auth/zaliterr

forum: http://groups.google.com/group/zaliterrs-stories

Hyperactive Alex, Jennifer, The Blackout, Trinity Ranch, Akkadian Statuette, Epigraphy

[Zal Iterr]

So far I got various responses on the science background in this story.  A few had pointed out that it was fairly dry.  More readers seem to enjoy it.  What do you think about the amount of scientific and technical details in Epigraphy?

[PingHansen]

Bloody perfect.

We are dealing with a college professor, not an ignorant dropout.
Besides, changing the "science"/technical level, which seems integral
to the story, would most likely change the story past recognition -
and quite possibly ruin it

On 29 Sep., 06:13, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So far I got various responses on the science background in this story.  A
> few had pointed out that it was fairly dry.  More readers seem to enjoy it.

>  What do you think about the amount of scientific and technical details in *
> Epigraphy*?

[Hal_L]

I think it is fascinating and appropriate. And as Ping pointed out,
it is pretty integral to the story. Much fun, and interesting
characters.

[Zal Iterr]

Thanks, Ping and Hal. Appreciate the feedback.

[Wolkenfels]

First i want to say hello to this group.
I am really a fan of your stories. Every single one is great and i really like the characters you describe there.

Regarding your question about the scientific background i have to say that I have fast read some of the descriptions. My problem with that descriptions is less that I find them boring but that I am more thrilled about the story and cannot wait the story to continue. It is like "oh - i come back to that stuff later - first i want to see what he will do with the book".

[PingHansen]

On 30 Sep., 15:00, Wolkenfels <arndempt...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> Regarding your question about the scientific background i have to say that I
> have fast read some of the descriptions. My problem with that descriptions

Those descriptions are what make the story, if not plausible, then at
least imaginable.

If the story merely stated, that he strengthened his sight .. well,
yawn! In stead we have our hero agonizing about the changes in a very,
well, "realistic" way. And those changes described ARE quite
significant. Messing with the cerebral cortex - ouch! Not for the weak
minded. I'd be _extremely_ cautious.

[John Brewer]

I think that it fits well with the character. Don't change it as it
will allow us to see the contrasts between how he thinks and feels
about things now and the way in which the changes in him and his world
views change him.

On Sep 28, 9:13 pm, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So far I got various responses on the science background in this story.  A
> few had pointed out that it was fairly dry.  More readers seem to enjoy it.

>  What do you think about the amount of scientific and technical details in *
> Epigraphy*?

[Zal Iterr]

Thanks, all.

The new chapter today should be a bit less about the science, and a bit more about its application.

[Allen Wilson]

At first I was quite literally amazed. it reminded me a great deal of
the story by Bruce Bretthauer entitled Kalliste. Not necessarily in
the style, or the fact that both have anthropological/Archaeological
leanings, but the ability to draw you into the story. The historical
detail in that story is, if you're not paying attention, is dry. In
both cases, yours and Bruce's, without those details they would both
be fine stories. With them, however, it increases the desire see how
far down the rabbit hole we'll go.

This is the first story of yours that I have read, and I'm sure I will
enjoy every chapter of Epigraphy, as well is the others.

AFW

On Sep 29, 12:13 am, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> So far I got various responses on the science background in this story.  A
> few had pointed out that it was fairly dry.  More readers seem to enjoy it.

>  What do you think about the amount of scientific and technical details in *
> Epigraphy*?

[Zal Iterr]

Chapter 6: Sound Effect

Based on responses, people like this chapter.  I try to mix up periods of research and introspection with action.

This was clearly a more action-oriented chapter.

One of the readers expressed misgivings that the story might turn to traditional fantasy elements.

No, this is really a science fiction story.  Although Mitch calls things "magic" and "spells",

these are physical phenomena; the term are for his convenience.

After all, the phenomena are fantastic, and as an anthropologist, he is familiar with terms like ritual magic, spells,

enchantments, etc.  It's more convenient then saying "plasm construct", but there is no supernatural element.

[John Brewer]

Unfortunately, I do have one big complaint! I find it difficult to
wait for the next chapter.

For you, that is a good problem, for me, not so good.

[Zal Iterr]

Well, you could read my other stories in the meantime :-)

[John Brewer]

I have, your output is much too slow. :)

> > For you, that is a good problem, for me, not so good.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Zal Iterr]

I'd better get cracking, then! :-)

I am flattered.  Thanks!

On Monday, October 3, 2011 1:59:23 AM UTC-4, John Brewer wrote:

I have, your output is much too slow. :)

[Zal Iterr]

An email I got from an email link asked:

 

"Why can't he [Mitch] develop a spell to find a Grimoire,

either the original that went SOMEWHERE when it
disappeared or other versions?"

I thought I would quote my answer here.  The terminology that Mitch uses may have mislead readers into thinking that this is magic.  This is what I wrote:

As to location spells: this is a science fiction story, not fantasy.

Mitch is an anthropologist, so his first response has been to call things like "Ritual", "Grimoire" and "Spells".

But in all actuality, the book he found transcribed might as well be called Plasm Construction: A Practitioner's Handbook. He kept the terms, because a spell is easier to say then "plasm-based construct".

That is not to say that a "location spell" cannot be constructed — but there is no clear way to him to design it. How would it work?  At this point, Mitch would recognize one if he saw the pages: the strange paper, the Nalu characters, the tint-ed characters.  But how would he perceive it even a few feet away, closed?

[Allen Wilson]

Here here! Or is it hear hear for Mitch-Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Zal Iterr]

Heh!

Actually, I think "hear, hear" is the traditional version. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear,_hear

On Monday, October 3, 2011 5:49:06 PM UTC-4, Allen Wilson wrote:

Here here! Or is it hear hear for Mitch-Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[PingHansen]

On 4 Okt., 00:22, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Actually, I think "hear, hear" is the traditional version. Seehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hear,_hear

Indeed. "Hear, hear" it is. I have pointed it out to many, but very
few "listen".

[Zal Iterr]

Chapter 08: Unexpected Connections

Hope you enjoyed a bit of genealogy.  Mitch now has some reason to think his talent may be genetic.

Well, we've had several more chapters of exploration and research by now.  Enjoyable I hope.

I think it's time for a little action again.  The next chapter will be up tomorrow.

[Zal Iterr]

On Wednesday, October 5, 2011 10:13:43 AM UTC-4, Zal Iterr wrote:

I think it's time for a little action again.  The next chapter will be up tomorrow.

Hope y'all liked the action.

Time to queue up the next chapter.  It will be a bit longer than average.

[Zal Iterr]

Epigraphy Concepts: Magic Books and Faeries

A bit about the concept of Epigraphy: I enjoyed several books where a normal (or normal-seeming) hero finds some artifact that leads him to magic.  I also enjoyed a number of stories where such magic was represented by some supernatural creatures, like elves or (increasingly common) vampires, who are hiding from the "mundanes."

This post is about the the first part.  Some of the time, the artifact is magic in its own right, like a Jinn bottle (a sexy female Genie is always a plus!), a ring, etc.  But some effort on the hero's part makes it somehow more deserving.  So a magic book makes more sense.  But the science-fiction reader in me had a problem: if such a book existed, why wasn't it discovered before, by others?  Common answers included a) it was all an accident, anybody could have stumbled on it; or b) it was magic destiny at work, and the book would not have appeared/be readable to anybody but the hero, who is a long-lost scion of a wizardly dynasty.

Somehow, while those are workable neither of those was fully satisfying.  I also had a supplemental problem with the book itself: either it was very old and rare (and books had been exceedingly expensive and rare before a few centuries ago) and thus it would have been in a museum or a rare books/manuscript section of a library, and probably been studied.  Alternatively, it was *not* all that rare -- but then why weren't other copies studied by other scholars before?

As an aside, the idea of a grimoire already being in a rare book collection, but obscure to anybody without the proper magic, has made its way to print: A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness has it heroine find one in the Bodleian Library (Oxford).  I really liked the premise, but wasn't so happy with the plot.

Anyway, my solution was a level of indirection: the original book was very rare and old, but was collected at a time (mid-19th century) when rare artifacts were still collected and removed from provenance by amateur antiquarians, (without that being a scientific and legal crime).  And then the transcription of the book ended up in a journal -- something rare enough that a casual browser wouldn't buy, but not so rare that only a museum or a bona-fide scientific program would have it.

I also tried to address the destiny vs. merit problem.  Theoretically, anybody could have bought this journal, but it would have been useless without the knowledge and especially *hard work* of a talented and somewhat obsessed epigrapher.

I hope my approach has been successful: I welcome input from my readers.

[John Brewer]

I do like the fact that the text was discovered in the journal and how
it got there in the first place. The only thing thing is a little
contrived is the fact the the main character discovers the journal in
an out of the way book shop on vacation and then finds a genetic
connection to the author. It would have been the other way around. He
finds a possible connection to a person through helping his aunt with
her research into the family history. Investigates this person, and
finds the journal.

However, back to the original topic. I have read several stories in
which magic tutorials were found in various ways (old book stories
being popular). The books were uninteresting to anyone that didn't
have a 'hidden' magic talent. The books then allowed the person to
bootstrap themselves into the magic world. Most of them have been
interesting reads. It is the same sort of thing that attracted me to
your last two stories. How would a modern person integrate magic into
a world that denies its existence? How do you safely practice without
drawing undue attention. One could assume that either the government
and/or current magic users would find a sudden interest in the new
talent. It is also hard to limit the scope of the changes that it
would have on the world. Most of the stories struggle to get beyond
the small changes into the large.

[Zal Iterr]

On Monday, October 10, 2011 9:53:36 AM UTC-4, John Brewer wrote:

I do like the fact that the text was discovered in the journal and how
it got there in the first place. The only thing thing is a little
contrived is the fact the the main character discovers the journal in
an out of the way book shop on vacation and then finds a genetic
connection to the author. It would have been the other way around. He
finds a possible connection to a person through helping his aunt with
her research into the family history. Investigates this person, and
finds the journal.

Good point!  You actually outlined a way I could have avoided that coincidence.

Rats, too bad the story is written already, but I would  be tempted to use that approach if I ever

make significant revisions.  Thanks!

However, back to the original topic. I have read several stories in
which magic tutorials were found in various ways (old book stories
being popular). The books were uninteresting to anyone that didn't
have a 'hidden' magic talent. The books then allowed the person to
bootstrap themselves into the magic world. Most of them have been
interesting reads.

Yep, I liked many of those as well.  At the end of my books, I usually give a list of fiction that inspired me -- I will do this with Epigraphy as well. 

 

It is the same sort of thing that attracted me to
your last two stories. How would a modern person integrate magic into
a world that denies its existence? How do you safely practice without
drawing undue attention. One could assume that either the government
and/or current magic users would find a sudden interest in the new
talent. It is also hard to limit the scope of the changes that it
would have on the world. Most of the stories struggle to get beyond
the small changes into the large.

I do as well.  I have a hard time visualizing a group of magic-users, no matter how careful and secretive,

keeping magic secret for long.  Too many temptations (good and bad), too many opportunity of slipping. 

 

[Zal Iterr]

Epigraphy Concepts: Part 2

I mentioned the other question in my mind when I started writing the story was how to create a magic group that remained hidden for so long.  And, I wanted to do it in a plausible, science-fictional way.

There have been several major approaches, many resulted in enjoyable books.  Still, I had doubts.  A secret society of human magicians -- difficult to keep secret so long.  Humans don't work that way.  Vampires: how would they have evolved?  Also, hard to keep secret, because of their preying characteristics.  Elves: well maybe.  I toyed with the idea of Faerie-land -- alternate universe, with rare and difficult crossing opportunities.  Wen Spencer did something like that.  Wen also used a method that I've been thinking about for a while.

In many portrayals, Elves are like small humans (I know this is not universal), very secretive (hiding in wild places or underground), and magic users.  Often they are described as an older race than Man.

I decided that if a human-like race evolved, it wouldn't be on some other planet.  It would be a branch of our own evolution.  After all, we know that Neanderthals were fairly highly evolved, rather like us in shape, and died off only recently (by geological standards).  So, why couldn't another subspecies evolve, earlier than us?  Of course, they would have to be much more withdrawn than homo sapiens, otherwise they would have overrun the world a long time ago, especially since they would have developed technology so long ago.

But I could swallow that -- many primate species are quite shy (not our closest cousins the chimps, though).  If the hominids could have survived to a high-tech, long-life, low-environmental-impact, low-birth-rate stage without a huge industrial/population expansion first, they could, conceivably, keep the evidence of their existence to a minimum.  I see *some* signs of human societies going in that direction -- but only in a few, high-standard-of-living places.

Anyway, that's how I got to the Nalu.

[John Brewer]

I was trying to see if others would join in, but I couldn't wait any
longer... ;)

One of the problems with a hidden society, is that with their power it
would be very difficult for them not to try to influence things long
the way. I understand the limited numbers, but at the time the the
plasm was discoverd, it would have made them top dog. It isn't that
they are non-agressive, the showed a lot of agression at the meeting.
That they chose isolation is interesting. I would think that the
isolation would break down at some point. After all, if nukes go
flying, they are stuck with the results as well. It would be easy
enough for them to influence things from the background. Only bother
when things get really ugly. Say, driving Hitler nuts, or giving Groby
and Reagan nightmares until they came to agreement.

Most of the stories with fairies or elves give them some sort of
alternate world or living space that can't be touched or fouled up by
humans. I didn't get the impression that this was the case for the
Nalu. Understand, I am not saying that the story isn't plausible. I
would just find it hard to wrap my head around the working the plot
out. Better you do it than me. Sometimes it is better to give fewer
details than try to fillin all the gaps. Let the reader fill them in
or they can get lost in the story and ignore the dirty details.


On a different subject, a very good chapter. I can't wait to read how
Jenn reacts to the new developments. Of course, with Alice having
stated up front that she swings both ways, it may not be too hard for
Jenn to join right in.

[Zal Iterr]

Thanks for your thoughts as well.  I do think that for any human secret society with power,

it would be hard to meddle.  But there are two things that are going on that make it a bit hard.

1: Perception of humans.

The Nalu are long-lived, and change their perception slowly.  Only a generation ago,

humans were ephemeral, dirty, squabbling, ignorant apes.  Manipulating human cultures was

not a particularly fruitful endeavor -- the persons you manipulating, even the entire culture,

would be gone long.  Even spending effort to learn it seemed mostly fruitless, only a few Nalu

were interested: Niraet who got buried by an eruption for his troubles, and more recently the

"anthropologist" Eliraet.  There is even a distaste for getting too involved with them: they are

too much like "real people", but have characteristics of animals.  To have a more positive attitude,

there is also potential heartbreak -- you can get close enough to the Zve, but they will die on you

of the silliest infections and injuries, even with Nalu help.  And even the luckiest of them die in 60-70 years.

Intellectually, they understand that humans' technology makes them much more dangerous now,

including the nukes and the sheer size of chemical and biological impact on Earth.  But perceptions change slowly.

Consider the lag in perception even among human societies when a relatively undeveloped country/culture

advances in power and influence.

2. The Nalu have been sinking into a kind of cultural depression for a very long time.

Long before the end of the last glacial period 11,000, they settled into a slow population decline.

Take what happens to the first-world countries, and extend it -- low infant mortality and long lives means

that people spend less and less of their time child-raising, and more time living independently.

That causes even less desire to bear raise children, and the cycle is amplified.

Combine that with freedom from hunger, disease, aging.  Basically, many of the Nalu,

especially those over 400 years old, are tacitly accepting the end of their culture.

So, by the time of the nukes and global telecomms (which are, in some ways, are just as threatening),

the Nalu are still regarding humans emotionally as animals, but intellectually, they have started to fear them.

But at this point, many of them are basically unmotivated to do anything.  The majority prefer not to think about it too deeply, believing that in case of confrontation with the "Zve", their plasm ability will protect them (as it can -- a Nalu out of phase can survive even a nuclear explosion), but really preferring not to test it.

So, isolation and secrecy seems the best way to live out their lives in peace.  And soon enough (by Nalu standards),

it won't matter any more.

But, of course, there are exceptions :-)

[Zal Iterr]

On Friday, October 14, 2011 12:25:39 PM UTC-4, Zal Iterr wrote:

Thanks for your thoughts as well.  I do think that for any human secret society with power,

it would be hard to meddle.  But there are two things that are going on that make it a bit hard.

I meant, of course, "it would be hard NOT to meddle". 

[John Brewer]

I hadn't realy added into the mix the longevity of the Nalu. I agree
that it would make some difference. However, at least from what we
have seen as humans, a lesser advanced culture rarely survives contact
with one more advanced. In your tale, there are mitigating factors,
isolation, apathy, etc. As I stated above, I didn't find that the
reasoning behind it broke the story in any way, I just couldn't get my
head out of my 'Zve' thinking. They seemed to react to our hero pretty
quickly, both in the first encounter and later at the meeting. Maybe
these particular Nalu had been chewing on the Zve problem for some
time and found the recent events spurred them into action.

[John Brewer]

You left us with a cliff hanger on this one. Now we have to wait two
more days for his Jenny to be brought into the picture.

[Zal Iterr]

Heck, some authors leave open questions for years!

-- zaliterr

Hyperactive Alex, Jennifer, The Blackout, Trinity Ranch, Akkadian Statuette, Epigraphy

stories: SOL BTFH

forum: Google Group

[Zal Iterr]

I see that Epigraphy is now the most downloaded story of mine on SOL,

having a couple more thousand downloads then Akkadian Statuette.

The downloads seem to be highly correlated to the length of the story,

so perhaps I should work on writing longer novels. :-)

[Allen Wilson]

It can't hurt. Well, unless you get arthritic fingers
AFW

On Oct 19, 6:40 am, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I see that *Epigraphy* is now the most downloaded story of mine on SOL,
> having a couple more thousand downloads then *Akkadian Statuette*.

[Zal Iterr]

Click ... click ... click :-)

-- zaliterr

Hyperactive Alex, Jennifer, The Blackout, Trinity Ranch, Akkadian Statuette, Epigraphy

stories: SOL BTFH

forum: Google Group

[Zal Iterr]

I kind reader sent me an interesting news story that had interesting
parallels to
the kind of work that Mitch does. I found it very interesting:
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/10/26/secret-society-revealed-scientists-crack-mysterious-18th-century-code/

On Sep 26, 8:48 pm, Zal Iterr <zalit...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Today, I've started posting a new story: *Epigraphy*. In some ways, it's a
> complement to *Akkadian Statuette*; it's science fiction instead of fantasy.
>
> The protagonist is no longer a teenager; he's in his twenties. On the other
> hand, he still has much to learn.
>
> Hope you enjoy it. Feedback is gratefully accepted.  I posted the first 4
> chapters; I plan to post a new chapter every 2 days.