Ems_Cube

First of all, this is a shameless review. Whilst I personally believe that it is all five stars, I know others will disagree and am happy to receive any criticisms. But I also want to answer questions the reader may have as they read or want to know before they start. Before I begin that, in the comments of the first chapter, there are two maps I have made myself in the comments to give the reader an idea of the realm, key locations and where major houses are located. When I get to Isis's story, there will be a map of the Western continent in the comments. Secondly, I have created a history behind this world, such as a timeline of all the previous kings, key moments, etc, but I will not just dump them on the reader all at once, as that is an expo dump that no one wants to read, unless it is asked. After all, does anyone actually care about eighty-odd sigils and family mottos? Probably not. Now questions. First. What is the novel about? Simply, it is what happens when four people are given commands before birth and how it directs their lives and actions. That is all I can say without giving too much away. Secondly, what am I trying to achieve with this novel? There are a few things, but the main thing I want to do is explore the horrors of war, systems, and beliefs, and how they affect different people, both in the main cast and among side characters. In my writing, I am not going to shy away from the worst aspects of these things. Now there is a thin line between being edgy or brutal for its own sake and capturing these horrors accurately and how they affect people. Whilst I feel I have not strayed onto that path as I am writing, if I do, please let me know. Thirdly, will any character become OP? As the story goes, one of the recurring themes will be what it costs to get more power, be it in terms of political power or, in Alice's case, mainly, Arcane power. By the end of it, yes, but power in the novel, no matter the form of power, will always have a trade-off. Fourth. What is the upload schedule? I will try to upload a chapter a day, but I work full time as well as write. Whilst from Monday to Friday it will be daily, on Saturday and Sunday, I may miss uploads just to give myself a break. Finally. What types of things can you expect from the novel? There are numerous things. One is a wide array of characters distinct in personalities, beliefs and motives. Another is the exploration of mental illness, trauma and recovery, something I find quite enjoyable to write. Character aside, other things include cosmic horror (although later in the story), large-scale wars, political intrigue, rich world history that feels real and numerous world religions and systems. One of the biggest challenges I have given myself with this book, that kinda unique, I feel, is that I have created my own language in it. Is it perfect? Probably not, but I have made an attempt just so the world feels a little more real, although I am unlikely to make more than two new languages, as the one I have made so far at the time of writing this was hard enough to make work. Anyway, if you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer, but enjoy reading.

Ka hish (Kar hish) Ka qwen. Te miju cas shar yetsu, te ethul o shar stel (Kar ka-huh-en. Te mu-jee cas shar-ah yet-su, te e-fool oh shar-ar stel) Ka ethul jiel. Shar latish ettieal, kal hish eik ecole. (Kar e-fool jee-l. Shar-ah ettee-all, kal hish eek e-cole.) I need to add this. Shar being pronounced as Shar-ah and another time as Shar-ar is not a mistake. The word is still the same, just that it has a different context when said as Shar-ar.

"Da shar li kotari. De shar, li etti." (Da shar-ah li ko-tar-ee. Deh shar-ah lee ett-ee)

"Da shar li kotari. De shar, li etti." (Da shar-ah li ko-tar-ee. Deh shar-ah lee ett-ee)

For this part, Co isn't a word but an exclamation directed towards God. Like saying "Oh Lord" or "Ya Rahman". (Forgive me if I am misusing Ya Rahman, that's just how I know the Ya to mean when directed towards Allah.) Just say the Co as you wish. Latish co temor. Latish co ettiel (Latish te-more. Latish ett-ee-ill)

As the Isis story will mainly be within Oros, I know things would be easier if there were a map of the continent. Whilst less detailed then Veston's is has all the informaiton that will be needed for isis story

As there are a lot of Houses within Veston, this is a map of the Great Lords and major houses of Veston, underneath them and the land they directly own.

As said in the author's notes, this is a map of Veston with key areas. Bear in mind some places will never be explored, but are there to fill the map or mentioned in passing

If you still wish to claim I am talking about the prohpet then the chapter still doesn’t insult him. It would simply exemplifie the conquer aspect of Mohammed. As a kid is talking about wanting a grand empire in this chapter it would make sense that rather then focusing on any brilliant reforms or being a noble leade they would associate big with good, seeing a large empire as a great goal. Mohammed would perfectly fit that, as not only did he create a caliphate, he did so by battering two of the worlds oldest (relics) empires. If war is good or bad or if any side of those wars is good or bad isn’t my point and why you assumed it was confuses me.

I have not mentioned the prophet Muhammad in this chapter but Mehmed the second, the ottoman sultan who conquered Constantinople and ended the eastern Roman Empire. I have purposefully avoided speaking on any religious figures such as the prophet and Jesus because people like you will find fault in anything I say whether good or bad about said person or try and claim I have a certain agenda. As for the prophet, he was both a good teacher such as his message on how a Muslim must treat the poor, and his leniency on his conquered subjects by allowing them to keep their faith, but he was also a brilliant military commander. This chapter wasn’t meant to talk about any certain person or group poorly just highlight nations and people who have a history of large scale conquest which I am neither saying is good nor bad, simply impressive.