Showing posts with label Supernatural. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Supernatural. Show all posts

Monday, April 26, 2010

From Formspring: Are there draconic religious fanatics? Like Tiamat-ic fundamentalists? How well do dragons tolerate crime in their ranks? What would even be considered a crime among dragons?

I'm combining two Formspring questions into one since they are kind of related.

For the first question...the short answer is no. The long answer is no, with an explanation. The dragons don't worship Tiamat. She isn't a god to them, more like a mother to the race. Most dragons believe she is waiting for them in the afterlife. Some dragons don't care, but most do. These dragons believe that Tiamat observes and judges their actions, and that they should seek to make her proud. I guess it might be possible that there are dragons who get angry at non-believer dragons, but it's difficult to imagine they would do anything about it. Dragons don't really care what other dragons do, so long as it doesn't effect them. The skepticism of another dragon has no effect, positive or negative, on another so they aren't likely to care...unless the other dragon is being a dick about it. Then they might get violent.

As for the second question, yes there are laws. The dragons follow a code of conduct and honor called the Lex Draconic. Literally, the Law of Dragons. Most of these laws were set forth by Tiamat herself, but along the way other rules have been added. Most dragon laws concern interactions between dragons, but there are also laws concerning how they are to interact with other races, including humans. Dragons are not forbidden from killing humans, but they are forbidden from taking a position of authority over them. Dragons once did that very thing, and it didn't end well for the humans beneath them.

Similarly, the rules for how dragons resolve challenges is detailed. For example, it is considered an act of dishonor to attack another dragon that cannot possibly defeat you. This law is intended to protect very young dragons, who are hopelessly outmatched against older, bigger dragons. It goes without saying that damaging an unhatched dragon's egg is the worst crime any dragon can commit. Dragons reproduce so infrequently, with only three or four dragons born in a century. If unchecked, killing hatchlings or destroying unhatched eggs could easily lead to the extinction of the race.

Dragons have a number of ways to deal with lawbreakers. The most obvious punishment is death, but it is very rare that a dragon ever does something heinous enough to warrant such a penalty--or, that he gets caught. Examples of crimes that would warrant death include destroying an egg, killing a hatchling, or murdering another dragon in anything other than an honest challenge (i.e. one where they at least stand a chance of survival).

More commonly, dragons are given punitive penalties. This may not sound like much, except that dragons are obsessed with their hordes and territory. Taking some of it away--or worse, forfeiting it all--is terrifying for a dragon. Remember that most dragons have been collecting treasure for hundreds, even thousands of years.

Regardless the amount forfeited, the dragon is also subject to a period of banishment. During this time, other dragons are forbidden from dealing with them. They essentially become invisible. If the dragon attempts to force an interaction--by challenging another dragon during his time of banishment--he puts himself at risk for greater punishment, up to and including death.

But perhaps the worst punishment for a dragon is the knowledge that he's lost the respect of his or her fellows. Dragons are very particular about their reputations among other dragons. They don't really care much what anyone else thinks, but to lose face to other dragons is simply more humiliation that most dragons are willing to risk. That isn't to say they won't do it, it just means they have to be careful about it...and the reward has to be HUGE in proportion to the risk.

The following are examples of rules almost no dragon will violate, even under the worst circumstances:
  • Damaging or destroying an unhatched egg.
  • Killing a hatchling or the killing of a dragon in a clearly unfair fight.
  • Using sorcery or technology to kill another dragon, even a superior one.
The following are examples of rules most dragons won't violate, but might be tempted if they think it is in their best interest:
  • Taking a formal position of authority over lesser races (i.e. humans).
  • Excessive involvement in the affairs of lesser races.
  • Killing a dragon who has already yielded. 
  • Stealing from another dragon's horde.
  • Spending an extended period of time in another dragon's territory without asking permission.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

From Formspring: What is the definition of 'super natural' in your books?

Functionally, I use supernatural to mean anything that exists in violation of the known laws of nature. This is a relative definition, but also a fluid one. It allows for some overlap between science and the supernatural. Things that are considered supernatural at one time might be realized as natural later.

I use the terms supernatural, otherworldly, and paranormal as synonyms in my book. Most of the time, I favor the term otherworldly. The agency that investigates and tracks supernatural creatures and events for the U.S. Government in my books uses the term otherworldly in their name: Section for Otherwordly Research and Defence, SORD. This is a new name for the agency, taken when it was placed under the Department of Homeland Security. Before, it was two separate agencies, one in the FBI the other in the NSA. The former was called Weird Events Bureau (WEB) and the latter Otherwordly Research Division (ORD). These were combined into one agency after 9/11. ORD was mostly scientists and analysts, while WEB handled the law enforcement aspect. The combined agency makes an appearance in Max's first book, then again in the 3rd and 4th Dragon's Blood Chronicles books.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

So...stuff.

I'm in the process of moving my blog from myspace to Blogger. This is the same blog I posted yesterday, 4/3/2009, on myspace. I'll continue posting both places, until the blog is transferred over.

Hey, friends! Lots of excitement! Got some good news from my agent today...which I can't really talk much about except to say some fine publishers have requested more of my manuscript for review. I can't say which ones, but I can say this: they are good ones. Really good ones.

I'm understating my elation: when Cari told me the news, I backflipped into a wall. That's okay, I can fix the wall.

So, we're all pretty happy about that.

In other news, the following other things are happening that make me very happy:

1. The Hills is going off the air. Television will get just a little less stupid.


2. My friend (and possibly cousin or something) Larry Poindexter has a guest spot on Supernatural starting April 8th:



That's him playing the priest there. Go kick some ass, Larry!

3. After six years, Danzig will release a new album in June! He will also tour. I'll see you there, Mr. Danzig.

4. Obama's health care reform passed. I know, some of you aren't happy about it, because you think it's a big socialist takeover of medicine. It isn't. Trust me...I WANT a big socialist takeover of medicine. I VOTED for a big socialist takeover of medicine. That isn't what we got. We actually got a much more moderate, pro-free-market plan. It is not socialist. Not in the least. Need proof? Here is an article from the International Socialist Party, the hub of all liberal socialist movements world-wide, complaining about how conservative and non-socialist Obama's health care reform is. IF you really are terrified of socialism in America, you really don't have any room to be scared until these guys are happy.

5. Stargate: Universe is back. Yeah, that's right. I know it's kind of like Battlestar:Gallactica, except minus the trite dialog, unlikable character, overacting, misplaced aggression, meandering plotlines, convoluted backstories, ham-fisted political allegories, redundant sermonizing, inexplicable 1940 War-era motif...okay, I guess it isn't anything like Battlestar:Overactica afterall. Whatever. Stargate is a superior franchise.



6. Kick-Ass.

7. Starting to play Shadowrun again, after like seventeen years. That is pretty significant, because Shadowrun was my introduction to the urban fantasy genre, and has had a lot of influence on my work. I'm getting back into it with my friend Ross, and a new group of college-age guys. Also, they are all registered sex offenders, so that's a relief. What? You'd rather I play with unregistered perverts? Sorry, I have to draw the line somewhere.

8. Next and nowhere near least, my beautiful (and patient) wife Amanda and I celebrated our sixth (?) anniversary last month. Yay for us. Well, for me. Between us, I think I got the better end of the bargain. Still, you can help me make her suffering worth while by purchasing many copies of my book when it comes out.

9. My grandfather's birthday was last week. He is my last surviving grandparent. He's a fine man with a huge, loving family. And though I know there is no possible way he's ever going to read this blog, I just want the world to know what a wonderful man Virgil Thompson is.

10. Iron Man II.



Next: Thor. Hell. Yes.

Finally, on a more serious note, I want to add a couple of words about another good man: my father-in-law, Armin. He's in the hospital as I write this, having tests run to see if they can figure out what's going on with his heart. I don't want to go into it too much, but I'll just ask that my friends keep him in their thoughts and prayers (if you pray) and hope for a speedy recovery.

That's all I've got for now, friends. Take care, and I'll try to stay in touch!

Praise Tiamat!

--Sean P.
represented by Tribe Literary, a Wheelhouse Group Agency


www.seanpoindexter.com