The McCullough Chronicles

That makes sense, although not in the bio sense.

? Wouldn't they get genes from both parents?

I know, but some stories have magic passed down through Salic law and I was just saying that wouldn't work in the verse.

How does magic get passed down, again? (I feel like I've asked something like this before...)

Genetically, magically enforcing it's propagation.

So I thought this could happen in the second book. Cyril and Mel haven't seen their parents in over six months, they're about to start their second year at the school, when C get's a letter from his dad... informing him that his mother has died. And can anyone suggest a cool country and city for the rulling body of the Society/Kingdom (the measurers) to live in? I was going to put them in Melbourne but the S/K is thousands of years old and exists in every country on Earth, it seems odd that they'd live in Oz. Also way back on the first page Prince suggested making the S/K be ruled by a physical god king. Well C and M are basically a genetic experiment hijacked by Baldur, maybe C and M are recreations of the type of being the Emperor is. And for some reason I think she's a woman, still called a king though.

Aside from Members the S/K also rules over what is collectively called the Citoyen/Citoyenne, supernatural races that the measurers did stuff for, and are now bound in servitude. For example the Satyrs are only capable of reproducing because some Member created the first females of the race. Races not bound to the S/K include shifters, vampires, merfolk and most of the other aquatic races. Talking animals get the most shit from the S/K. Great now I want the overthrow of the S/K to be the series' main plot.

edited 3rd Jul '11 5:15:06 AM by Zolnier

Seems like a good start. I suggest their capitol should either be the island Mag Mel/Tír na nÓg or a surviving remmnant of the continent Mu. (The later gives you an reason to have them strong Down Under.)

What's wrong with talking animals, then? </joking Brief Accent Imitation>

Given we've got Baldur trying to bring 'em back, I'd usually suggest they're part of a race from that area, but having a super race associated with that area seems like a minefield...

As a point of curiosity, do you have a theme about your mythological creatures? They seem to be primarily Greek, but that's mostly because the vampires imply you've got Western creatures and satyrs are...satyrs.

Not really, any suggestions for themes?

Write What You Know? Are you particularly well versed in any mythologies? If not, sticking to Greco-Roman is probably a good idea, given how widespread an effect the whole thing has had on Western culture. Any differences you make are more likely to look like unique twists rather than errors.

Well C and M are part selkie so the Greco Roman train has sailed.

*shrug* Just meant predominantly. And I get the feeling your interested enough in selkies for them to fit under writing stuff you know.

You could just say, "All Myths Are True, and some are rarer than others."

That makes sense. So any thoughts on Talking Animals?

Do you want them to be literally animals who happen to be able to talk, or beings who think/feel about the same way humans do but happen to be animal-shaped?

I think they started out like the former but are going the way of the latter.

How'd they make the progression?

As generations of enhanced animals interact with humans human stuff rubs of on them.

edited 3rd Sep '11 4:48:06 AM by Zolnier

I assume some of this happens around places of magic?

Actaully Talking Animals are created by Members as novelty pets.

...Dang.

Is the gray hair intended to be a selkie thing, or is it something else?

It's a selkie thing. And what could powers unique to a person be called? And could this be how the measurer's could take control of shifter clan? Render one's leader brain dead, and have a Member telepath "Hijack" the part of it's brain responsible for imposing it's will on the clan.

edited 3rd Jul '11 11:40:20 PM by Zolnier

That sounds like it would make sense. Is there a limit to the measurers' powers?

Imago?

Measurers are Members who are at least a thousand years old, they have raised their powers (which like regular members vary) to near god levels. Which sucks for them because as soon as the "King" has copied their powers she kills them. People like her and C and M can examine how Members manipulate magic, and adapt themselves to do the same. It's easier than slowly developing new ones.

edited 5th Jul '11 2:06:51 AM by Zolnier

Cyril and Melissa's relationship, if any, with the people on High. The powerful people on the series. How do they catch their attention and their opinions on them.