QM: Blog

Theists (Theurgist/Thaumaturge)

These are not Mages, they can't even do quantum manipulation (magic) save only for the Mage/Thaumaturge Rasputin who became emergent when physically attacked with the poison in his system preventing speech.
What they can do is ask their guardian angel/demon (aka Higher Powers) for a specific act and it has to be asked for in specific ways and limits set upon it. Some Powers are better at interpretation than others, some are like computers where garbage in = garbage out.
Certain Theurgist tap directly into the power of God rather than a Power, on our Earth these are Antonelli (Marcus Antonius Longinus, the guy who killed Jesus with the spear), Jude (Judas Iscariot) and Thad (Judas Thaddeus).
Like Mages, Theists do not die of old age, they can however be killed.

1) It takes place 5 years after the end of Magician.
2) Because the emergence of a Mage kills 90% of those who trigger it, plus of the survivors 4 to 1 are women, it's not a normal society as we'd view it, though it's not a matriarchy either.
3) John has 5 wives. Roisin, Abi (Seer) Brianna, Imelda and Jukar (apprentice) plus he's also entangled with Elpida the Gorgon.
4) John's master is Mage Morgana, who is married to Jude (Judas Iscariot)
5) Morgana's master is Simon Magus, head of the Council of the Wise, the ruling body of the majority of Mages on Earth.
6) Seers are 'super' Mages and few in number (as well as female only)
7) Arwen is a Seer as well as the only Fae to be one.

The ratio of male to female Mages runs at approximately 1 to 4 on our Earth (though not others) and relationships between males and females are very different to what an ordinary human would consider the norm. Whilst there are life partnerships, these are rare and most female Mages practice a form of share and share alike with the first partner to a male Mage having the final say as to who else may join the sexual union. The male Mage usually has no say whatsoever once the initial approach is made by the senior partner and he agrees. Negotiations are then entered into by the females with regards to property and (presumably) time allowances with the male. These partnerships tend to be very stable for the first two females in the union with additional females being transitory (friends with benefits) and not a permanent part of the union. Again though, this can vary from partnership to partnership and is the decision of the senior partner of the union itself (though a smart one will negotiate with the other partner/s).
Hence outside of the Bureaus there are a lot of female Mages holding down various jobs whilst leading what to an outsider would look like solitary existences (they aren't).

Hope this helps a little.

Look out for the first chapter of the continuing tale of Journeyman Mage John early next week. Yes, chapter 50) is written and with Spin my proofreader. Once he approves it, chapter one will make its appearance and will continue weekly. It will help a little if you've read Magician, but the story does stand alone if you haven't,

"Hi, thanks for the interest shown in the update. Yes, it's still an ongoing project, currently I'm writing chapter 29). No, I'm not planning on publishing anything here until I reach chapter 50) so you've a while to wait unfortunately. Currently my output is one chapter a week as real life (job and family) intrudes on my writing. Currently it looks like the entire tale will be heading towards about eighty to a hundred chapters though this is quite fluid towards the upper end of the range as I weave a few newly thought out concepts into the tale which can stretch it out a bit.

QM

Yes I'm writing a sequel to magician under the working title of Mage. Unfortunately it has to be done during my less than copious spare time, so don't hold your breath on seeing anything for at least a few months, possibly up to a year.

However, here's a taster...

Around a large table in what was obviously a meeting room sat a disparate collection of Beings. Beings related in some form or other to the Earth human woman who sat at the nominal head. In spite of their apparent youth (less than 30 years of age) of most of them, each of those present exuded an air of competence and command. There was no one else present, no secretaries nor servants, these Beings had no need of such. Very obviously a highly secret discussion was in progress.

"Well, we're about as ready as we can get I think," the tall redhead announced to the assembled team leaders in front of her. "We just need to decide on what we can do if we get caught."

"Agreed, Mage Roxanne, Galadriel's notes advise extreme caution and she's from an extremely cautious race to begin with," stated one of the young-appearing men.

"Yes, the Yr'ch cannot do magic; however, they can detect it, locate it and deal with it via their technology, Kordanta," the woman addressed as Roxanne replied. "John's gift looks good on you by the way," she added.

"Feels good too, never ever thought to be in my twenties again."

"Freya approached Morgana for you?"

"Yes, now all I need to do is find a woman like her."

"Good luck with that," Roxanne giggled.

"Can the Seer we have get us in?" came a question from a dark-haired woman wearing what appeared to be a Feileadh Mòr or great plaited kilt, though in a vivid shade of orange.

"Seer Melanie believes she can, Sinnead. They do not appear to be aware of phasing shifts or a few other tricks we use."

"That's a relief; they appear to be highly expansive compared to even the Æsir. Fifteen worlds so far and population problems like you could not believe according to the Maraú-Uxuí."

"Expansive yes, but only when they need to in order to control their population. Their… government makes Falias look like a paragon of freedom and tolerance."

"Falias at least have stopped the Tuathans from making merry in the affairs of other worlds. The Yr'ch invaded at least one of the worlds they hold and use the inhabitants… or what's left of them, as slaves," Sinnead grimaced.

"Our orders are to observe, our various Seiðkonur Councils and governments will make decisions," a middle-aged man dressed in loose fitting clothing patterned randomly in severely contrasting colours stated.

"Yes Harmel, but this is to plan a 'go to hell' plan," Roxanne replied.

"Yes, I understand, but I'm hoping we won't need one."

"Better to have one and not need it…"

"Than to need one and not have it. Yes, I understand Roxanne. As does Seiðkonur Snorrison."

"Which is why we have the Mazdani with us as shock troops just in case we need a quick get-away."

"My people are interested as to how we'll manage against the Yr'ch. They appear to be physically impressive," stated the well-muscled humanoid with a very long face and mottled hairy exterior.

"Well if it goes to hell, you'll find out, Tu'tar."

"Whilst it is tempting, we had best hope not as they do outnumber us by a fair margin," Tu'tar replied with a rumbling laugh.

"Sixty billion of them at the last count, though they also do fight… or rather squabble amongst themselves somewhat."

"That's where I believe we can activate a plan of some sort. Distraction rather than confrontation is the key here," stated a young female humanoid with dark skin and pointed mobile ears.

"Agreed Teali, it must also direct their attention away from our cluster of Earths."

"It is the opinion of my sisters that their civilisation will implode long before they reach us. However, that implies that they will act in a manner in which we expect," a young-looking blonde woman stated.

"We cannot rely on should haves, might have beens and probably wills, Melanie."

"Agreed Roxanne, my sister Seers are working on a solution to this, based upon them reaching us in one form or another."

"For that we have the Journeyman Mage John option, Melanie."

"What option is that?" she asked confused.

"He mixes up a batch of Mages from the special forces of all nations in time for us to train them and set them after the Yr'chs to buy us more time to do it to an army."

"Oh… that option."

"Yes, so inform your sisters to put their efforts on the back burner and come up with a solution for the here and now please. Not saying we won't need it, but there are potential solutions needed before the enemy is at the gate."

"Of course, Roxanne."

"Rakona of Loegria has confirmed that their special forces will be ready," a slim intense young-looking woman added.

"That's good Brianna, their tech isn't as advanced as the Yr'ch… hell, let's just call them Orcs, it's easier to pronounce and they do look like them, a bit… but, it's better than anything we have."

"We were interested to learn of Loegria," Teali nodded. "However, we understand why you won't tell us where or how."

"The Council… well, my Council, felt that the members of this exploratory group needed to know and that a level of trust has been built up enough to permit that."

"Plus it would be difficult to hide what they are in this expedition," a tall alien-looking pale-skinned male with delicate pointed ears stated.

"That's true, Talshish."

"You have our word of honour that our governments will not be informed," Kordanta stated.

"Thank you, Kordanta," Roxanne replied, seeing the nods off all the leaders assembled. "Now, back to business."