History Literature / TheNullweaverCycle

* {{Mad Lib Metal Lyrics}}: At Rory's concert, a fan is singing loudly despite not knowing the lyrics. When Rory offers her the microphone, she sings "Uhhh … monkey-butt hive-mind banana-fart fuck motherfuckerrrr!"

''[[https://readformandvoid.com/the-nullweaver-cycle/ The Nullweaver Cycle]]'' is a collaboration between co-creators {{Creator/Mabel Harper}} and {{Creator/Cassidy Webb}}, and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{Dark And Troubled Past}} sexual trauma]].

''[[https://readformandvoid.com/the-nullweaver-cycle/ The Nullweaver Cycle]]'' is a collaboration between co-creators [[https://readformandvoid.com/authors/ Mabel Harper and Cassidy Webb]], and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{Dark And Troubled Past}} sexual trauma]].

Set in a [[{{Urban Fantasy}} switchblade-and-sorcery]] modern day Chicago, ''The Nullweaver Cycle'' series of novels features a [[{{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} queer cast]], apocalyptic themes, and aesthetics inspired by action-adventure anime series.

The story introduces two protagonists, the first of whom is Jules: when a [[{{Murderous Malfunctioning Machine}} hijacked war golem]] turns on the crowd at a meeting of the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae Enclave]], prodigy apprentice [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} Jules Nimri]] deploys his newly-developed "combat [[{{Alchemy Is Magic}} alchemy]]" to bring down the automaton — but only after the construct has [[{{Downer Beginning}} slaughtered dozens]]. Accusations fly in the aftermath of the tragedy, rekindling an ancient inter-faction feud that could plunge the arcane world into [[{{Secret War}} war]].

Meanwhile, in nearby {{UsefulNotes/Chicago}}, young [[{{Blue Collar Warlock}} ex-mage]] Rory Navarrete is swept back up in the esoteric life he left behind when he stumbles on a coven of [[{{Fantastic Underclass}} apostate mages]] in the middle of a ritual human sacrifice. After [[{{Wizard Duel}} striking them down]] with his own forbidden magic, Rory rushes the victim to the Enclave to seek treatment for a supernatural injury — only to be clapped in irons the moment he sets foot on premises.

Jules [[{{Teeth Clenched Teamwork}} negotiates Rory’s release]], tentatively reviving a [[{{Childhood Friends}} childhood friendship]] that ended in betrayal. The star-crossed [[{{Odd Couple}} odd couple]] join forces to investigate the murderous apostates — only to find clues of a deep conspiracy, and a malignant magic long thought extinct. Their discovery could prevent tensions from boiling over, but finding proof is no easy task, and time’s working against them, as Hunter Lockwood, scion of a potent magic dynasty — and Jules’s depraved ex-betrothed — stokes the fires of separatism to fuel his own political rise, pushing the alliance toward the brink much faster than anyone could have imagined.

The series so far consists of:

%% * {{Blue Collar Warlock}}:
%% * {{Cast Full Of Gay}}: One of the two protagonists is {{UsefulNotes/Transgender}}, the {{deuteragonist}} is in a {{UsefulNotes/Homosexual}} relationship, and {{Word of God}} says the second installment will [[https://twitter.com/ReadFormAndVoid/status/1447910299126931461 explore the transfemininity of two existing characters]] — one of whom is [[spoiler:the second protagonist, Rory]].

%% * {{Chosen Conception Partner}}: Master-General Devisha acts as the surrogate and egg donor for her cousin's husband. Her cousin and his husband manage to subvert any {{adoption angst}} as they are transparent about their daughter's biological parentage during her upbringing. She refers to Devisha as "Mom" in the story, Devisha's cousin as "Daddy", and the cousin's husband as "Dad".

* {{Fantastic Underclass}}: Interfaction law classifies users of [[{{Black Magic}} certain schools of magic]] as "apostates", whom the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]] aggressively seek and control. In the story, [[spoiler:Rory (who has an intuitive understanding of maleficium, the school used to harm other's bodies) and Perfect Elisha (who likewise uses cogimancy to read and manipulate other's minds)]] must keep their abilities secret to avoid imprisonment, punishment, or execution.

%% * {{Happily Married}}: Elisha and [=DaShay=].
* {{Hermetic Magic}}: The first paragraph of the novel muses on [[{{Sympathetic Magic}} the bonds between heavenly bodies and earthly ones]] and [[{{Western Zodiac}} astrology]], and start with the Hermetic phrase "As above, so below". The story also features Hermetic schools of magic like [[{{Alchemy Is Magic}} alchemy]], [[{{Functional Magic}} demonology]], and [[{{Astrologer}} divination]]. One of the major factions of the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]] is even named the ''Hermetic Order'' of Khmun.
* {{Heroic BSoD}}: While reading Max's scar, Jules [[spoiler:has an episode of dream-like memories, then falls to the floor and has to be slacked awake by Max]].

* {{Made of Indestructium}}: Adamantine a.k.a. "cold iron" is an untransmutable, unyielding metal that is indestructible by anything else.

* {{Magical Society}}: Ordo Arcanus, the Hermetic Order of Khmun, Fraternitas Mercurii, Hekate Aristokratia, Initiates of the Divine Flame, La Messe Noire are members of the the Six Orders Alliance that led to the Auctoritas Magicae.

* [[spoiler:{{Power Of The Void}}]] This seems to be the end-goal of the apostate mages' coven, to [[spoiler:bring about the Nihility, a parallel dimension of darkness and void.]]

* {{Sequel Hook}}: The first book ends with [[spoiler:Perfect Elisha losing his only lead on the apostate mages and almost dying in a Void attack, one of the apostate mages making contact with Rory at his concert, and Jules and the Archmagus being placed at the center of a smear campaign designed to push two factions of the Auctoritas Magicae Enclave (Ordo Arcanus and the Hermetic Order of Khmun) to go to war.]]

%% * {{Wainscot Society}}: The magocracy (list factions?). "A city founded by mages centuries before, Delphi had two faces—a true one only magic adepts could see, and a false one that masked its many arcane secrets from mundanes"

%% * {{Wizard Duel}}:

Set in a [[{{Urban Fantasy}} switchblade-and-sorcery]] modern day Chicago,''The Nullweaver Cycle'' series of novels features a [[{{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} queer cast]], apocalyptic themes, and aesthetics inspired by action-adventure anime series.

The story introduces two protagonists, the first of whom is Jules: when a [[{{Murderous Malfunctioning Machine}} hijacked war golem]] turns on the crowd at a meeting of the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]], prodigy apprentice [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} Jules Nimri]] deploys his newly-developed "combat [[{{Alchemy Is Magic}} alchemy]]" to bring down the automaton — but only after the construct has [[{{Downer Beginning}} slaughtered dozens]]. Accusations fly in the aftermath of the tragedy, rekindling an ancient inter-faction feud that could plunge the arcane world into [[{{Secret War}} war]].

''[[https://readformandvoid.com/the-nullweaver-cycle/ The Nullweaver Cycle]]'' is a collaboration between co-creators {{Creator/Mabel Harper}} and {{Creator/Cassidy Webb}}, and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{Dark And Troubled Past}} sexual trauma]].

* {{Alien Geometries}}: In the story, [[{{Place of Power}} the Fathoms]] are this, as — despite having specifically designated entry points in the material world — they have no set location themselves. According to {{Word of God}}, [[https://discord.com/channels/534980812412813313/855763421101162506/944250895422591016 the Fathoms are located both everywhere and nowhere]].
%% * {{All There In The Manual}}: Word of God on the Discord sharing background info like the history of La Messe Noire, explaining what "tranquilization" is, etc. Also, the glossary on the website?

* {{Background Magic Field}}: The City of Delphi is a magically charged location with abundant mana reserves due to its proximity to [[{{Place of Power}} the Fathoms]]. {{Word Of God}} has [[https://discord.com/channels/534980812412813313/855763421101162506/944250718594940959 said]] the reason [[{{Magical Society}} the Auctoritas Magicae Enclave]] built its headquarters in [[{{Everytown America}} Delphi, Illinois]] was for the magic concentration there, with the Enclave being right on top of the entrance to the Fathoms.

''[[https://readformandvoid.com/the-nullweaver-cycle/ The Nullweaver Cycle]]'' is a collaboration between co-creators {{Creator/Mabel Harper}} and {{Creator/Cassidy Webb}}, and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{DarkAndtroubledPast}} sexual trauma]].

When a [[{{Murderous Malfunctioning Machine}} hijacked war golem]] turns on the crowd at a meeting of the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]], prodigy apprentice [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} Jules Nimri]] deploys his newly-developed “combat [[{{Alchemy Is Magic}} alchemy]]” to bring down the automaton — but only after the construct has [[{{Downer Beginning}} slaughtered dozens]]. Accusations fly in the aftermath of the tragedy, rekindling an ancient inter-faction feud that could plunge the arcane world into [[{{Secret War}} war]].

Jules [[{{Teeth Clenched Teamwork}} negotiates Rory’s release]], tentatively reviving a childhood friendship that ended in betrayal. The star-crossed odd couple join forces to investigate the murderous apostates — only to find clues of a deep conspiracy, and a malignant magic long thought extinct. Their discovery could prevent tensions from boiling over, but finding proof is no easy task, and time’s working against them, as Hunter Lockwood, scion of a potent magic dynasty — and Jules’s depraved ex-betrothed — stokes the fires of separatism to fuel his own political rise, pushing the alliance toward the brink much faster than anyone could have imagined.

%% * {{Cigarette Of Anxiety}}: Rory only stress smokes, as the narrative points out that Rory only smokes cigarettes when he is not doing well.

* {{Mage Species}}: The ability to do magic is passed from parents to children. It may skip generations, or crop up unexpectedly on occasion, but it is ultimately based on inheritance. This separation has contributed to the isolated community of only mages in the story.

* {{Magical Society}}: Ordo Arcanus, the Hermetic Order of Khmun, Fraternitas Mercurii, Hekate Aristokratia, Initiates of the Divine Flame, La Messe Noire are members of the the Six Orders Alliance that led to the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]].

%% * {{Mind Probe}} Elisha
%% * {{Mana}}:
%% * {{Master Of One Magic}}: the necromancers, goetians, alchemists, etc
%% * {{Masquerade}}:

%% * {{Muggles}}:

%% * {{Necromancer}}:

%% * {{Portal Cut}}: Rory mentions it being possible when he and max first teleport

%% * {{Power Tattoo}}: the red-glowing tattooed channels on Jules’s left arm. the tattoos began to glow faintly red, then blazed like molten silver in a sequential pattern. his tattoos, which had begun to take on their scarlet glow. A faint red glow emanated from his coat sleeve as he pressed his left palm to the pavement. his sleeve emitting that faint red glow. The finger-pads and palm of the right one were tattooed with copper-hued symbols and line fragments in scattered array - similar markings peeked out from the edge of his left sleeve. trellis of tattoos that adorned it from bicep to wrist. a thick web of coppery tattoos. The scarlet gleam of Jules’s tattoos dulled once more to copper. Jules converts his own essential energy (mana) to prima materia, which is a novel method he (re?)discovered himself, as explained in Chapter 1. But he can and does modify/add to his tattoos to enable different kinds of transmutations
%% * {{Prevent The War}}:

%% * {{Rescue Romance}}: Max and Rory and Max and Jules
%% * {{Rich Bitch}}: Rory mentions old money and calling Jules "old money bitch"

%% * {{Smart People Wear Glasses}}: Jules

%% * {{Spiritual Successor}}: This novel is to TDE

%% * {{Switching POV}}:
%% * {{Training The Gift Of Magic}}:

* {{Magical Society}}: Ordo Arcanus, the Hermetic Order of Khmun, Fraternitas Mercurii, Hekate Aristokratia, Initiates of the Divine Flame, La Messe Noire are members of the the Six Orders Alliance that lead to the [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]].

''The Nullweaver Cycle'' is a collaboration between co-creators {{Creator/Mabel Harper}} and {{Creator/Cassidy Webb}}, and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{DarkAndtroubledPast}} sexual trauma]].

The first novel is being released [[https://readformandvoid.com/the-nullweaver-cycle/ on the authors' website]] one-third at a time.

->''"Welcome to a hidden world that lurks beneath mundane notice, of occult rites and arcane sciences, of relics and divinations, of primeval spirits whose loyalties may be won with the lure of a wand and the threat of a knife."''

%%-->''Those Who Create and Destroy: Part II'' (2022)

%%* {{Cast Full Of Gay}}: One of the two protagonists is {{UsefulNotes/Transgender}}, the {{deuteragonist}} is in a {{UsefulNotes/Homosexual}} relationship, and {{Word of God}} says the second installment will [[https://twitter.com/ReadFormAndVoid/status/1447910299126931461 explore the transfemininity of two existing characters]] — one of whom is [[spoiler:the second protagonist, Rory]].

%%* {{Childhood Friends}}: Rory and Jules.
%%* {{Chosen Conception Partner}}: Master-General Devisha acts as the surrogate and egg donor for her cousin's husband. Her cousin and his husband manage to subvert any {{adoption angst}} as they are transparent about their daughter's biological parentage during her upbringing. She refers to Devisha as "Mom" in the story, Devisha's cousin as "Daddy", and the cousin's husband as "Dad".
%%* {{Cigarette Of Anxiety}}: Rory only stress smokes, as the narrative points out that Rory only smokes cigarettes when he is not doing well.

%%* {{Conveniently Coherent Thoughts}}: Averted when using cogimancy.

%%* {{Dark Is Not Evil}}: Schools of magic that are usually labeled as evil, such as necromancy and contracting daemons, are not evil in this setting.

%%* {{Does This Remind You Of Anything}}: the xenophobic campaigning taking place in Ordo Arcanus

%%* {{Everytown America}}: Delphi, Illinois

%%* {{Gentleman And A Scholar}}: The aristocracy of [[{{Magical Society}} Auctoritas Magicae]]

%%* {{Happily Married}}: Elisha and [=DaShay=].

%%* {{Love Triangle}}: [[spoiler:Max shows an interest in Rory at the start of the story and in Jules when she first meets him.]]

%%* {{Magic Is Mental}}: gnostic states
%%* {{Magical Potion}} mentioned in passing

%%* {{The Magocracy}}: the Auctoritas Magicae is the ruling body of the Six Orders Alliance
%%* {{Mind Probe}} Elisha
%%* {{Mana}}:
%%* {{Master Of One Magic}}: the necromancers, goetians, alchemists, etc
%%* {{Masquerade}}:
%%* {{Mind Rape}}: cogimancy
%%* {{Muggles}}:
%%* {{Mundane Utility}}:
%%* {{My Skull Runneth Over}}: "neutronneutronprotonneutron" scene
%%* {{Necromancer}}:
%%* {{Never the obvious suspect}}: invoked with [[spoiler:Duncan]]
%%* {{No Eye in Magic}}: cogimancy (mention Rory's comment about not looking them in the eye)
%%* {{No Tech But High Tech}}: the fathoms and phones with magic

%%* {{Place Of Power}}: The Fathoms under [[{{Everytown America}} Delphi]] are part of what make the town such a magically charged location, and they're the reason Ordo Arcanus built its headquarters there, with the Enclave right on top of the entrance.
%%* {{Portal Cut}}: Rory mentions it being possible when he and max first teleport
%%* {{Psychic Surgery}}: On Jules

%%* {{Power Tattoo}}: the red-glowing tattooed channels on Jules’s left arm. the tattoos began to glow faintly red, then blazed like molten silver in a sequential pattern. his tattoos, which had begun to take on their scarlet glow. A faint red glow emanated from his coat sleeve as he pressed his left palm to the pavement. his sleeve emitting that faint red glow. The finger-pads and palm of the right one were tattooed with copper-hued symbols and line fragments in scattered array - similar markings peeked out from the edge of his left sleeve. trellis of tattoos that adorned it from bicep to wrist. a thick web of coppery tattoos. The scarlet gleam of Jules’s tattoos dulled once more to copper. Jules converts his own essential energy (mana) to prima materia, which is a novel method he (re?)discovered himself, as explained in Chapter 1. But he can and does modify/add to his tattoos to enable different kinds of transmutations
%%* {{Prevent The War}}:
%%* {{Red Herring Mole}}: averted with Duncan
%%* {{Rescue Romance}}: Max and Rory and Max and Jules
%%* {{Rich Bitch}}: Rory mentions old money and calling Jules "old money bitch"
%%* {{Roaring Rampage of Rescue}}: Rory for Max at the start, then Rory for Jules at the bar
%%* {{Safety In Muggles}}: Rory realizes at the bar

%%* {{Smart People Wear Glasses}}: Jules

%%* {{Spiritual Successor}}: This novel is to TDE
%%* {{Strange Secret Entrance}}: Hotel elevator
%%* {{Summon Magic}}: demonology
%%* {{Switching POV}}:
%%* {{Training The Gift Of Magic}}:

%%* {{Transmutation}}: Alchemy

%%* {{Wainscot Society}}: The magocracy (list factions?). "A city founded by mages centuries before, Delphi had two faces—a true one only magic adepts could see, and a false one that masked its many arcane secrets from mundanes"

%%* {{Weak But Skilled}}: Jules' whole thing

%%* {{Words Do Not Make The Magic}}:
%%* {{Write What You Know}}: The story deals candidly with

%%->''"quote form the story here"''

''The Nullweaver Cycle'' is a collaboration between co-creators Mabel Harper and Cassidy Webb, and set in the {{Literature/Form And Void}} multiverse. The setting and story are notable for featuring a large {{UsefulNotes/LGBT}} cast, highlighting [[{{UsefulNotes/Transgender}} transgender]] protagonists, and openly processing [[{{DarkAndtroubledPast}} sexual trauma]].