QM: Blog

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."

Æsir (Human). Small confederation of six Earths of which Valaskjalf is their capital. Fought the Tuatha Dé Danann for over 1,000 years until the Tuatha Dé Danann gave it up as a bad job, much to the disappointment of the Æsir who were quite enjoying the fight. Their society is extremely class conscious with a system of prenoms or titles defining upper and lower classes. Mages work openly with the Æsir government but are not in charge in so far as anyone else appears to be either. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Viking/Norse

Anasazi (Human). Small pastoral society with a preponderance of very powerful Mages, peaceful but very isolationist. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Bhutan.

Craebh Ruadh (Human). An Earth where Mages rule ordinary humans, though quite benevolently for the benefit of all. Hostile to the Coalition of the Pure who hoped to find support amongst them but managed only to alienate themselves and earned enmity by assassinating the leader of the Craebh Ruadh who had opposed their proposals. Powerful in magic as a group, but individually no match for the High Mages of Earth. Much of their group magic has Theurgical roots via their priesthood. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Ireland before the Romans.

Nazca (Human and Neanderthal). One of only two (known) Earths where homo-neanderthalis survived, though very much as second-class citizens. Isolationist in nature and ruled by what appears to be some form of criminal secret society backed up by some very heavy duty Mages. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Apartied South Africa.

Olorun (Human). An Earth where religion rules via theurgical magic. Has little interest in other Earths with non-believers. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Yemen.

Phaëtoni (Human and Neanderthal). The other (known) Earth where homo-neanderthalis survived. Very much in the majority over homo-sapiens, though ruling them benevolently. A very peaceful society with little or no magical use. They are allied to the Craebh Ruadh in order to prevent incursions by the Tuatha Dé Danann. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Costa Rica.

Rutasi (Human). An Earth ruled by a world spanning empire whose Emperor is treated as a living god. Highly militaristic, though not expansionist, simply using them to keep the populace in line. Pretends that other worlds do not exist, though their Mages will open a dialogue if there's something that they want or need. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.

Tiamati (Human). A world where mysticism apparently runs riot and Mages are the highest of the high. Largely peaceful though find it difficult to comprehend the Mages of other Earths, nor cope with being treated as their equals. Closest approximate Earth analogy - Egypt under the middle kingdom of the Pharaohs.

Tuatha Dé Danann (Human). Expansionist militaristic society originally holding four Earths in its autarchy (Falias, Gorias, Finias and Murias). Technologically advanced up to about the level of 1800 AD, though uses magic to supplement its military and so are considered very dangerous.
The world of Murias has since seceded from the autarchy and now stands alone amongst the other civilised Earths.
The world of Finias has since been abandoned due to the Nephilim incursion there and subsequent genocide. Closest Earth analogy - Pre- revolutionary France.