Whisper Jar

By Xanxa Symanah

The Whisper Jar

A whisper jar is a glass mage-sphere specially created for the purpose of recording information for posterity.  This can be done by holding the jar and either speaking aloud or projecting telepathically into it.  All manner of information can be stored in this way, whether it be historical events, scientific research or stories for children.

The whisper jars were invented by the Geheimsvaak who dwell in the swamps and forests of the wilder parts of Malvania.  Their name means "secret people" and they live up to this reputation, avoiding contact with other Malvanians.

Whisper jars are stored in huge underground repositories, maintained by devoted archivists who take a vow of silence.  Like in a library, the jars can be borrowed by ordinary citizens.

Much of the lore on the Geheimsvaak appears in my novel "Probyt's Progress".



Comments

Post a Comment

Please keep it polite and keep your comments related to the content of the blogs.

Favoured by the Gods

Agrimage

By Xanxa Symanah
Image
Sorcerer who has a deep affinity with rocks, soil and plants.   Agrimages have the ability to bring about changes in the conditions of soil and even manipulate the climate to a certain extent.   They can shape rocks to suit various purposes, including raising or lowering hills and mountains and creating caves and tunnels.   They can increase the growth rate of plants.   The most powerful Agrimages can construct artificial planets such as the Vyrdsphere and the worlds in the Mafalia system.  
Read more

Character Profile: Yozev Kurak

By Xanxa Symanah
Image
  Image of Yozev Kurak made using Tengr AI image generator Name: Yozev Kurak (AKA Doctor Yozev Kandlin, none of them are his real names) Origin: Malvanian (genetically altered to appear Yttrian) Appearance: Fairly tall, skinny, looks malnourished and cadaverous.   Deathly pallor with purple veins pulsing on his forehead.   Dark hair, slicked back with oil.   Wears dark suits underneath black robes. Personality: Difficult to get to know, gives nothing away.   Harsh, cruel and controlling. Family: From one of the Malvanian sorcerers’ enclaves.   Cut all ties many years ago and insists that he has no living relatives. Strengths: Intelligent, has some medical knowledge, well-versed in law (he also works as a lawyer for the Cyad State Legal Bureau), analytical scientific mind. Weaknesses: Plagued by several illnesses which he tries hard to hide, not as intelligent as he likes to think, obsessed with his research. Likes: Genetic research, finding new subjects for his experime
Read more

Prison

By Xanxa Symanah
Image
My characters aren't always perfectly behaved.  In fact, several of them end up in prison.  Here are the most famous prisons in my fictional universe: WOLFTOWN PRISON Located on Pale Island, far to the North of Viria, this is a maximum security installation where the most violent offenders are sent.  In " Malachi's Law ", Malachi Shanahan is serving a life sentence at Wolftown. In real life, I visited Alcatraz.  I found it fascinating and that visit provided the inspiration for Wolftown, with it being on an island. MYNARTH PENITENTIARY One of the most notorious Varathusian prisons, located on the outskirts of the city of Mynarth.  Again, it's a maximum security installation.  In " The Window Man ", Lyle Menehari pays a visit to Mynarth.  Also in " Chimera Obscura ", Andreas Castiglioni serves a five-year sentence there.  Grim brutalist architecture sets the mood.  Draconian punishments are frequently meted out by guar
Read more