Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow

1 - Earthen Magic, 2 - Illusion Magic, 3 - Evocation Magic, 4 - Animal Magic, 5- Transmutation Magic, 6- Interpersonal Magic, 7 - Elemental Magic, 8-Spiritual Magic, 9- Enchantment Magic, 10 - Prophetic Magic, 11 - Sound and Music Magic, 12-Abjuration Magic, , 13 - Chaos Magic

This was a short introduction to the Shadow Key. Future posts will describe other keys.

Subscribe to SPUNKY and SPELLBOUND in the SNOW for more content. Tomorrow’s post is the Saturday Character Clinic.

Comments are always welcomed!

Goodbye for now

The Spellbound Archive Series - Key 4 - Animal Magic

Susan Rader — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 12:31:48 GMT

Click here to learn about magic in Angelika’s universe.

Animal Magic - Key 4 - The Ravenwood family

Status

The 4th key, animal Magic, and descendants of the first magical family, the Ravenwood’s are active.

Why the Ravenwood’s?

The Ravenwood were always deeply in touch with the environment and animals. Many of the family’s ancestors were involved in animal husbandry, protest groups to protect endangered species, and animal doctors.

The Kilgerat killed ecosystems, destroyed animal species, and sold many species of animals to others. Seren went to Tumbgala to try to stop the animal slaughter. She was infected by the bacteria. It took several years for her full creature powers to occur.

The Family Color

Cinnamon

The Family Crest

Most important accomplishments by the family

Fenric pens one of the most important scholarly work on the history of magic.
Kipa found a species of whale on the water world of Quata. Kipa was able to communicate with the whale and negotiate a treaty with the underwater kingdom on the planet.
Catalie developed a elite team that create a organization that saves creatures during disasters. It was instrumental in saving creatures during a volcanic eruption, tsunami, fire, and flood.

The Family Tree

Worst magical disasters in family

Oak was killed by poachers who were trying to poach Mili Lions. There is a large black market trade in the western region for pets. Oak was working on saving several wolves from toxic air when she came across the poachers.
Falcon worked for years with large predator birds. Her assistant poisoned 24 of her charges before killing herself.
Coralie Ravenwood Saving Animals After a Flood

Relationships to the other magical families of the top 13

The Wolffbound family, key 7, were friends for many years. After Pina retired from the Magaus Alliance, the family moved far out in the eastern region and they lost touch. Early on in the relationship the families worked together to create a series of animal sanctuaries throughout the southern region. These sanctuaries are still in place.

Thank you for reading about the Ravenwood family. Next time, the Obscurai family will entrance you with their mastery of Transmutation Magic (Key 5).

Have a great week everyone!

The Characters of Girt - Obryn Moonblood

Susan Rader — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:47:31 GMT

caption...

Note

Hello everyone. Girt is important to the preceedings that happened before the events on Erudus. The story is not centered there long but the events on the planet inform why Angelika fled to Erudus and why she reacts the way she does.

Obryn Moonglenn is Angelika’s grandfather. His physical presence is not seen often in the story, but he is behind much of what happens. Here is his character sketch.

What is the planet Girt and why do we care about it?

The planet Girt is the planet that Angelika was born on. The landscape on it is similar to the Silverback Mountain Region. Tall mountains surround small pockets of easily habitable land. This planet is warmer than Erudus and less populated.

Obryn dreaming of his dead wife.

Obryn Moonblood is:

Angelika’s grandfather
A scholar who became obsessed with defeating death after his wife died.
Death took his wife from him, and he refused to except she was gone.
Became obsessed with dark magic.
Came up with a plan to bring his wife back by extracting the power of others and using it to bring her back from the veil
The individual behind Mistral and the events affecting Erudus
The person who prepared Mistral’s plan years earlier

Obryn’s emotional arc is tragic rather than villainous. He is not driven by hatred, He is not driven by greed. He is driven by grief that was never allowed to heal.

Obryn always carries a picture of his dead wife in a rose gold necklace.

Role – When the Magic Comes

Mostly unseen.
Operates through Mistral.
Revealed as the true source of the soul-harvesting scheme to enhance his power.

His Rationalization

At first he operates with performs deceptions, then he manipulates, and then exploits, and finally he convinces others to murder for him.
He doesn’t believe he is evil, instead he sees himself as committed.

Obryn reading about black magic.

Mistral’s Death

·When Mistral , the antagonist of our story dies, Obryn starts to feel fear and for the first time his plans have a setback
·Instead of questioning his path he thinks that he needs to modify his approach

Thank you for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow. Please subscribe for further articles.

The Spellbound Archive Series - Magic Type # 13 - Chaos Magic

Susan Rader — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 17:18:11 GMT

What is Chaos Magic?

The 13th key is very rare. Only one person lived to master this magic and that was Kiri Briaras. She was the person who survived the bacteria on Tumbgala. She killed herself ten sols after receiving this power.

This magic allows individuals to alter the fabric of existence by, using any other key of magic, or using more than one key, to strike. The maga does not have to study the other keys to do this.

Chaos magic is also unstable. Even with an individual experienced in chaos magic, its power can implode on itself causing pain and destruction.

Because this key rewrites the underlying laws of reality, the powers are almost limitless. The energy that travels through the body is so intense that physically it can age or kill the body. The brain can be scrambled. Individuals lose their ability to survive and get along with the people around them. They tend to sink into a well of hatred and disappears

Even one use of this power is dangerous. The individual’s body will falters in some way quickly after. Mentally, a person can snap at any time.

Individuals can only use great chaos magic twice before it will kill them. Others with minor powers may live longer, but their lives are miserable, and ultimately the magic kills them.

The color of this magic.

Wheat

Who Uses Chaos Magic?

No one. While elements of this magic may appear in other individuals, a master of Chaos Magic has not been created since Kiri. There are many people born with nominal chaos powers. But they have not in the past progressed beyond the novice power stage.

Kiri Briaras performing Chaos Magic

Whispers in the galaxies suggests that this type of magic exists in small doses in some of the greatest magical beings at this moment.

Limitations and Costs of Chaos Magic

Some of the limitations and costs of this key have already been discussed,

Masters of this key can be very powerful. Their understanding of how to use the ancient languages in charms, and their understanding of how to chant words to physically affect things, can be combined to destroy massive objects and affect the way large crowds of people act. This can happen at any time with little effort.

Society, Technology and Daily Structures

People fear chaos magic. In many cultures in the universe, when a child is born with inherit chaos abilities, she is hunted down and killed.

Men and women, once they reach their middle years are tracked by the Magaus Alliance to ensure their safety and the public’s safety.

Chaos magic is studied in the great halls of the Magaus Allliance, so that they can be prepared for a future master of chaos.

Comments are always welcomed!

Check out the other posts on Magic!

The Moonbliss Family - Key 11 - Masters of Sound Magic

Susan Rader — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 03:19:06 GMT

Author’s Note

Hi everyone. The Moonbliss family are masters of key 11. I am choosing to write about this family early ,because I will be writing about Obryn Moonblood further this weekend.

Status

Dormant. The Magaus Alliance and the magical community believe that there are no more descendants of the Moonbliss family. The community is wrong. Angelika Moonglenn and her grandfather Obryn Moonblood, are living descendants. Only Angelika will master sound magic.

Obryn Moonblood in his study.

Why the Moonbliss family?

Thomial Moonbliss was the original master of sound. He traveled with the Vordant family (who were to become masters of key 10 - Prophetic magic) to visit Lake Kolman on Tumbgala. They were traveling musicians who made their living joining local plinaries.

When Thomial heard about the great uprising, he joined without hesitation. It is said that he sang a dirge while the bacteria took hold of everyone surrounding him. He expected to join them, but instead of dying he felt excruciating pain in his head. The pain lasted for several days until Thomial wanted to die. On the seventh day, he sank into unconsciousness. When he awoke, his neural network had rewired itself to easily pick up and learn sound magic.

The Moonbliss Family Crest

Most Important Accomplishments

Thomial - First sound master - Thomial helped to create the Magaus Alliance. Although he was not a formal member of the organization, Thomial was an advisor for his region. He helped to catch Fertin Mongon,the man who murdered 140 women in 3 sols.

Brinos - Master in sound - the first arch mage of the Magaus Alliance. The youngest person at that time to have such a high rank in the organization. In his spare time, he created a community organization for troubled youth. It gave musical opportunities to underprivileged youth in the southern region.

Tobias I - Member of the Thau Maturge of the Magaus Alliance, Master of Evocation - No sound powers. First member of the family to master a magical key other than sound.

The Family Tree

Worst Magical Disasters in the Family.

Obryn’s wife died at the age of 50. This changed him. He murdered his son, his daughter-in-law and grandson.

Members of the family tend to die early. Tobias I died at 40. Toby died at 6. Eluna and Ashe died in their 30’s. Celeste died at 50. Dinor died at 15.

Relationships to the Other Magical Families of the top 13

Thomial and Vale Vordant were friends before the great skirmish. They remained friends after each of the bacteria, and were able to pool their skills, to restore the systems in their region that the Kilgerat dismantled

No other relationships noted.

The Legends of the Moonbliss’ Family

There is a legend that the Chumberst put a curse on the Moonbliss, family and that is why members tend to die early.

Other Oddities

Albinism runs in the family. It never appears in the same form twice. Angelika has a form of Albinism in her eyes that make them look lavender.

Enjoy your weekend!

Click here to learn about magic in Angelika's universe.

Future posts will outline the top 13 families, with family trees, and other accomplishments.

The Spellbound Archive Series - Type 12 - Abjuration

Susan Rader — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 22:43:04 GMT

"When the universe threatens to implode, Abjuration conquers. Not to stop the storm, but to ensure that we survive it."

Adain Ain

What is Abjuration Magic?

Abdjuration magic is relatively rare

Abjuration is a special type of magic that allows beings to learn how to suppress other’s powers. This can be through spells, scientific understanding, or the pairing of another key with it.

Abjuration is very important in the protection of beings, both magical and non-magical, The people who use this key protect worlds from the creation of magical armies, and help individuals who have misjudged their power and have caused uncontrolled results. It has also allowed for the creation of the ranking registry. This is a registry of magical beings, where families with magical powers, must register and test their children on birth for magical potential. This allows the Magaus Alliance to understand how to work with these individuals if problems occur.

The 12th key allows users to

Create, modify and use incantations to stop other beings from performing or completing magic.
Masters in another key, who get abjuration powers, can amalgamate both skills to enhance them. This allows the user to have a truly unique combination of powers. The person is then more effective in their suppression of other magical powers.
Contain out of control magic, and counsel the person, or help to find them training.
A Magaus Alliance member tries to use abjugation on out of control magic.
Maintain, build, register magical beings and review files in the registry of magical beings.
In rare occasions, a council will convene to decide if a magical being can be stripped of their powers. This rarely happens. Only individuals who have committed the greatest crimes are even considered for this. If a magical being is to have their powers stripped, it takes at least two masters of abjuration to do this.

The color of this magic.

Blue-Violet

Who Uses High Abjuration Magic?

Adain Ain - First advising magus to Chaiz (also his cousin)- Since most of the magical beings who have abjuration abilities belong to the Magaus Alliance, there is an entire unit which oversees the alliance’s abjuration experiences. One of Adain’s responsibilities is to oversee the abjuration unit. If he feels something is out of control, something is not being done, or there needs to be a change in employees, he works with Elon and Chaiz to find an answer. He is a master of this magic.
Buina Spece - Main decision maker of the Abjuration unit. - She is responsible for the day to day running of the unit. She is also a master of this magic.

Aidan Ain

Limitations and Costs of Abjuration Magic

When abjuration shows in any magical beings, they are watched and mentored by the Magaus Alliance. Abjuration is a hard power to master. Individuals cannot practice it on other magical beings easily. Many times the person doesn’t know they have these powers until they pop up during a confrontation.

Newcomers to this key are often recruited and trained by the Magaus Alliance. They are not allowed to use their magic on anyone outside of training, until they have proved that they have understood and have mastered this key.

Masters are also highly regulated. Any time they use abjuration magic there is an in depth review of the situation. If the master is found guilty of wrongfully using the key, discipline is always given. The severity of the offense will decide the punishment.

This magic is very hard on the mind and body. Each time abjuration is used there is the possibility that the other magic will bounce back and affect them. Abjuration has hurt, maimed or killed many masters. It has also caused emotional pain that is so deeply traumatizing that it may take years to over come. This happens far too often.

Society, Technology and Daily Structures.

Abjuration masters are revered by many, because of their ability to destroy others. In some cultures they are more revered than Chaiz and Elon.

In all societies abjuration allows the Magaus Alliance to maintain an equilibrium in the universe. Magical beings do not attack others, build armies, or kill on a whim. Because of this key, peace between both magical and non magical beings is maintained on most occasions.

"Beings rarely celebrate defense. They celebrate the hero who survives because they take a stand."

Chaiz Wolffbound

Check out the other posts on Magic!

Subscribe to SPUNKY and SPELLBOUND in the SNOW for more content.

Comments are always welcomed!

Have a great Friday everyone!

Short Snippets - Your Journey Has Not Been Gentle

Susan Rader — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 01:09:47 GMT

About this Short Snippet

I was given a prompt recently and decided to change it a little to fit the Erudus universe. The short snippet Your Journey Has Not Been Gentle is the result. This is a long short snippet, and it is only a portion of the story of I have in my mine. I hope you enjoy it.

Check the Snort Snippets section for more short stories

Your Journey has not been gentle

The sea green mist rose lightly from the floor, intermingling with the thin leaves of the feeding firs. Tiny Dancing flies swooped and circled between needles, sucking up the sweet-smelling pollen. The tiny wings of each fly shone brightly as they snapped together, as the bugs somersaulted to the next needle. There were so many flies circling me that it sounded like a million tiny hands clapping at an act in a play.

The sound reminded me of my mother standing on a mountain ledge above us, preparing to sing for the clansman of our little village. My expression had softened, and I had felt warmth throughout my body even though it was overcast and chilly. I had heard her sing in my head “Starry headed child”, a song she had written about Toby and I.

From my position below her I had watched as the eager faces of the village danced to her sound. Her voice was soft, like the fur of a downy bit, but tough enough to reach high, as the mountains themselves did.

When her last well-controlled note drifted upwards towards the moons in the sky, the clansman clapped pots, threw rocks towards the shale on the ground, and screamed “Whea whea whoo”. They threw streams of saffron colored gizzy petals, upwards so they would drift down around her.

Dad had stood below her. When her voice had first lilted upwards, he had closed his eyes humming as he danced in place. His well-worked muscular back looked soft and fluid, his crooked smile was large, and for once he had forgotten about jotting entries into his field book. He touched his hands to his eyes and then softly made a gesture towards her.

I was old enough back then that I knew they were happier than most. Life was not perfect, our house often leaked, we couldn’t purchase sweeties like some of the others, and my pantlings often had holes in them. But there was always laughter at my house, and my parents had a special bond. I had vowed back then that I would someday make a life with someone who looked at me as he looked at her.

That should have been a fond memory for me, but I knew I would not see that again. My father and my brother Toby disappeared the next day, and within a month mom was dead, and I was imprisoned in grandad’s manor. I felt that that I would never be comfortable again around men. I was too damaged and didn’t think I would even be comfortable with someone loving and getting close to me. After all, I was the reason my family was dead. Grandad had wanted my powers, and my family had died protecting me, what would happen if I let anyone else into my life.

I fumbled with my bent amethyst bracelet, that had been my mom’s and forced my brain to watch the dancing flies again. One fly near me was trying to climb further down a needle. It slipped on the dew from the mist that surrounded everything and glided down onto the tip of another needle. impaling itself. Its body slowly slid off the branch and fell downwards into the green glow below.

I released a weary breath. “Perfect.”

I turned away from the flies and began following a path bordered by glowing white veil fungi and moontide flowers. Underneath me, pale ivory silverlit moss sung as I walked and pulled my feet from its cushion.

“Swooch…Swuck

Swooch…Swuck

Swooch… Swuck.”

I kept moving forwards to where I thought the village of the Quilleaf people was located.

It had been several moons since I had landed on Erudus, met Obryn, and made the caves my home. During that time, I had made brief excursions outside onto my ledge that overlooked the valley below. While initially I was relieved that no one was around. It seemed unnatural to me that I couldn’t see any movement. I repeatedly returned to the ledge, hoping to see something. On the second day, I had moved in and out of my caves ten times before mid day and looked down over the valley.

Obryn had patiently followed me in and out, moving closer to me, tilting her head, and pouncing up and down on the rocks each time. On the tenth time, she landed on my shoulder, placed one of her soft wings on my cheek and pushed into my head. “No! Must Stop!”

I reluctantly moved back into the caves my mind racing. Where was everyone? Had I landed on a dead world? How was I going to survive here all alone?”

When I came out of the caves that night, I knew automatically that something had changed. The air smelt of bonfire and cooking tubers, children laughed, and someone hammered on rock repeatedly, each crack resounding with a “bong.”

I rushed to the overlook, tripping on my feet just as I reached the edge. I fell onto the rocks and stared downwards. My chest loosened. ” Thank the stars”, I thought. I was not alone. I moved a little closer to the edge watching as children threw small pebbles against the cliffs. I was going to stand for a closer look before I realized that they might see me.

I slowly moved backwards, barely breathing, trying not to make a noise. What if they were dangerous? What if they didn’t want me here. What if they were like him?

I made my way back into the cave saying to myself that I would gather my courage and descend the mountain tomorrow. Then, I could watch their activities from afar. I wanted the people to be like my parents had been, not like my grandfather. I needed them to be just a little kind, and just a little empathetic.

The next day moved to the ledge realizing that a cold, biting wind had settled over the region. The sound of the wind rumbled into my head, my fingers tingled as the cold began to set into their tips, and as I breathed, the cold hurt my nostrils as it flowed down to my lungs. I gasped in air as I tried to breathe. I hurried as fast as I could into the cave, Obryn buzzing my ears, trying to push me forward.

I learned later that the short cold snap that occurred once or twice a sol was called the Bitter Shift. The temperatures during this time dropped quickly. During the Bitter Shift it was so cold that it was deadly to go outside.

I hated the brisk cold then, and I still hate cold now, especially when the air is wet and clammy. The cold always got into my muscles and sat in the badly fused bones in my legs, making my whole-body ache.

Holding my hands under my arms, I retreated into the cave and grabbed one of the old holey fottie furs that I had found when rummaging throughout the caves.

Having nothing else to do, I returned to the library deep in the caverns. I had spent much of the last month blissfully searching through the room, hoping that I would find something that would help me understand where I was. I had realized very quickly that most of the books were written in local languages and I couldn’t read them. I had found a few gems that were written in the universal language Fresh English, but they had turned out to be cooking instructions, basic math primers, and a biology text on a small animal called a bit.

I returned to where I had left off searching, back in the far corner where it was dark, there were few gems, and water dropped down from the ceiling into a shallow hole in the rock. As the drops fell with a plonk, plonk, plonk, I threw a few mildewed and bug eaten cushions to the side, making it to the back corner where it was drier. Underneath an overturned shelf, I found a small book.

My eyes widened and I suddenly forgot how tired I was. My pulse quickened as I cradled the book against my face. The ancient paper smelt of dust and cedar, and the soft, buttery dragon skin smelt of woodsmoke and earthy moss. I spun myself around, thrust the book upwards and laughed. I twirled around until my ears began to ring and then called to Obryn. “Look, my friend, I found something.”

Obryn floated towards me, her long wings brushing the amber gems on the wall and landed on my lap. She stomped on my legs, trying to make herself a soft well to sink in.

“Obryn, stop!” I chuckled and slightly moved my right knee over so that she could get comfortable. “I hope that’s better you spot nabber.” I gently tapped her on her head, feeling the soft fur on her feathers, before returning to the book.

We sat while the sun moved across the horizon and the night planets rose and moved over the sky. I was lost in time, gently turning the disintegrating pages over, sucking in every word.

The book was a historical guidebook describing Erudus, my new home, that had been printed in the far away galaxy of Duin. How it arrived in my library, I did not know, but it was written in Fresh English, and the pictures it contained fascinated me.

During the day I read about an ancient planet called earth, where the inhabitants had fought and destroyed their ecosystems. As the last of their food crops failed, people had to leave Earth or die. The rich and the powerful, who were responsible for much of the conflict, boarded fine-lined, well-stocked, comfortable, fast moving air barges out into the cosmos.

The people who were left behind lost hope. But something unexpected happened. Ancient peoples, perhaps ancient prophets, had built great circles of stones around the planet. When it was thought everything was lost, they came to life. Energy pulled up from the Earth’s core into the stones, arced outwards and pulled these cosmic gates to life. These gates were portals to thirteen other habitable worlds.

The remaining people did not know where they would go, or if they would die as soon as they walked through them, but they had no choice and fled through the closest set of gates.

Some of the refugees landed on Erudus, becoming the ancestors of the Spineback Mountains region, the Charmed River region, the Dragonveil region and the Pampas region. In the oldest region, the Quilleaf forest, people had lived for sols before the great Earthen influx.

My beautiful book told me all this, but it was really the last sentence of the book that caused energy to spark through me, and the taste of possibility to arrive. The sentence read:

“The ancient priestesses, also known as the Great Mothers, carry a magical life force that allows them to keep the mother tree strong, gives them enough voice to grow the forest, and grows wisdom enough to aid the Mother Tree and keep her people safe.”

So, after the Bitter Shift had blown away, I grabbed an old purple and cobalt embroidered bag, filled it with the few usable clothes I had found in the cave, and descended the mountain. I hurried towards the soft greenish glow that always enveloped the Quilleaf forest.

I entered the forest, making myself small, my eyes darting from side to side, jumping when I saw movement. Beside me, sage green leaves clung to tiny branches on thin, bending tree trunks. Timbre flowers bloomed in darkness near them.

I tried to see how large the trees were. When I looked upwards, I became dizzy. I didn’t know how tall they were, but they must have lived there for years.

I spoke, longing to blend myself with the environment. “The trees here are just too ambitious.”

I smiled, kicked at the moss under my feet and continued walking. It wasn’t long until I emerged into a large area where a tree with a massive canopy rose so high and so wide above me, that I couldn’t see where the limbs ended. The tree’s twisted bark glowed in rhythm with the sound of the birds, the wind, and the crack of branches in the distance.

As I stared upwards to the canopy, my weak eyes began to adjust to the light, and I saw that a village of sprawling tree houses was nestled into depressions in large survivor trees, that grew around the mother.

The houses had moss covered roofs that were lit by sage green lanterns. Vines trailed down walls decorated in earthy tones of tan, and olive, Flowers that glistened and glowed peaked out from everywhere. At each house’s base, a small filament of light shone out from behind the home. Branches also reached out, twisting and turning making pathways, stairways, and decks on different levels into the sky.

Above the housing layer, an entertainment layer grew. Plinaries sang tales, acrobats tumbled, and animals called from above. There were open areas where you could look at the stars.

In the center, close to the Mother Tree, was the largest Sombre Survivor I had yet seen. I would soon learn that Arboria, the current Great Mother, lived in that small tree house. From there she monitored the health of the mother tree and her people.

I squeezed my eyes tighter so that I could look at the house before me. A small waterfall seeped down from above into a channel behind the house. Part of the building’s ceiling was open to the stars. The house’s outside walls were sage green, and were covered with Toxic Beauties, small violet crystal-like flowers. Branches nearby teamed with animals, including birds, small swinging sokas (-like creatures), and bright insects.

I turned my body around in circles studying the different houses, trying to soak up every detail. Suddenly, I stopped and gasped. “Boggles! The houses are growing from the bark of the trees!”

A slow, low chuckle welled up in me. “I thought the caves were mind-boggling… well, if I stay here, I’ll never leave. I won’t be able to find my way out.”

I froze, and the smile on my face fell, when a woman’s face appeared over a bridge above me. Her black-green eyes were wider than I expected, and her ears were slightly enlarged and pointy. She was standing on one foot, balancing on a branch no larger than a toenail. The woman held a basket filled with a bounty of purplish fruit. It sat on an angle and threatened to tumble down to me.

When the woman saw me look at her, she slowly, rebalanced her basket, and spoke in a hushed tone. “I am Mossa.”

Mossa blinked and scanned my body. I felt her eyes move from my feet upwards until they rested on my wavy auburn hair and lavender eyes. Her eyes widened as she looked into mine.

I fidgeted and fingered my bracelet. I rubbed the back of my neck.

In perfect Fresh English she spoke. “We do not know you. You are strange.” Mossa paused for several glimmers before she spoke again. “I feel you seek something. What can we do?”

It wasn’t until that moment, that I realized I had not noticed the multitude of people that had been wandering about above. I looked more closely. Children dressed in sage rompers hopped around the branches. They were a playing a game that required them to lower their body over the nearest branch, hold onto it with one hand, and snatch glowing seeds from the wind as they drifted by. Whenever a child grabbed a seed, they swung to one of two piles and dropped it in. Their friends excitedly shouted,

“Toda…

Toda…

Toda…”

Men and women were everywhere, and they danced around the village, in their earthen robes, with little effort. Some people carried large baskets on their shoulders just as Mossa had. Occasionally, they would stop and drop quilleaf flutes, timbre flowers, veil fungi, or mushies at a home.

Some people hung down from the branches in small woven hutches. A hutch was close to me. I swivelled my gaze and I looked at it. I froze and my heart rose to my throat. I wanted to step backwards but my fear fought with my curiosity. I stared at the man in the hutch, wondering how he got up into the hutch and if he slept there.

I grimaced when the man, who I would later learn was the great mother’s son, slowly turned his gaze towards me. He nodded so slowly as he acknowledged me, that I had enough time to easily examine his gleaming jet-black hair, flashing glacier grey eyes, too large green cloak, and the glowing seeds encircling him. Otherwise, he did not move, he just watched me. When I glanced around me, everyone in the hutches were staring at me. No one moved.

“Wanderer! Since you do not speak, mother has chosen to come to you. We can feel the lostness in you…”. Mossa smiled. Her mouth slowly opened revealing a set of greenish-white teeth. She placed her basket on the nearest branch, seemingly floating as she moved. Mossa grabbed one of the thickly intertwined vines attached to the nearest tree and began climbing down.

I gasped. Mossa looked like she was born to climb. She flowed downwards like a squirrel descending through the canopy, each movement fluid, skilled and certain.

Mossa came towards me. Her pointy ears poked out from her short, dark hair. They slightly twisted when I spoke.

“I didn’t know what to say to you. My name is Angelika.” I paused almost on the edge of hyperventilating and took a deep breath. “ I mean no harm.”

Mossa’s eyebrows fell almost to her nose. “Do not doubt. The great mother knows all. She comes to seek you.”

As I was trying to think what to say, a chorus of high-pitched reedy flutes began to play in unison. A song that I was to learn had no name, was not written anywhere, and changed whenever it was played, drifted above me with the glowing seeds. It was light, ethereal and the tension throughout my body released when I heard it.

Behind the mist I felt a presence coming towards me. It was the first time that I encountered something that was so magical, so powerful, so contained and so old, that I started to tremble.

The mist began to swirl in a circular motion, picking up dried leaves and small twigs, sending them into the sky. The woman appeared, she did not seem to walk, she just appeared visible. Her long silver hair, robes of imperfect white, and a pronounced limp, moved slowly towards me.

The people in the hutches dropped to their knees as she thumped past, sending their hutches swinging in the air as they looked down towards the ground.

My mind was very clear on the matter that I was unworthy to meet the Great Mother and that I should flee, but my legs did not agree. My feet were solidly stuck to the ground.

The woman did not hurry. Instead, as she walked, her soft eyes traveled down my body, studying every tear and faded patch on my clothing, every cut and bruise on my arms and legs, the knots in my hair, and the creases on my face. Her beautiful silver eyes stopped and rested on my hair; she seemed deep in thought.

The lines around the woman’s mouth lifted slowly in a soft, gentle curve, her eyes softened, and her pupils brightened. “May the great canopy shelter you. I have often hoped that the forest would call you to me before my body feeds the great mother. You look tired, Angelika, child of the mountains.” As she spoke the mother tree’s glow pulsated brightly in time with her voice. The woman motioned for Mossa to come forward.

“Your journey has not been gentle.” She paused while she gently brushed a dancing fly off her arm. “I am the Great Mother. You will call me Arboria, the name the great tree gifted me.” Arboria paused once again and tilted her head upwards, looking into my face, waiting for a reaction.

I could feel the warmth of her magic as it stretched towards me. It was not hurtful or wanting. Instead, it felt like she was giving me a long, soft, warm hug. For the first time in years, I felt that I would be safe here with Arboria, at least temporarily.

The edges of my mouth involuntarily curled upwards and I looked deeply into the depths of Arboria’s silver eyes. She slowly winked, held her hands over her chest, and then spread them out towards me with the palms visible. She tilted her head slightly.

I knew that somehow this woman would change my life and that I needed to stay here. I frantically searched for the words that I could use to convince her to allow me to stay. Arboria already knew what I needed.

“Rest, now. Mossa will share her bower. I will come for you.” Arboria turned back to the mist. She slowly and quietly walked towards it until she disappeared. The air around where her body had been, swirled with energy.

Mossa motioned for me to follow her. For the first time that I could remember, I didn’t hesitate. We walked forwards together, as the dancing flies buzzed, towards her bower. Today I would not think of the past, I would just live for now, hoping that the great mother could help me tame my mind and my magic.

The Characters of Erudus - Brooke and River Abussow of the Charmed River Regions

Susan Rader — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:31:17 GMT

Brooke and River Abussow

Twin leaders of the Charmed Waters region, Brooke and River Abussow, are loved throughout the region. Each of the women is associated with different ideas. Brooke is thought to be associated with calm waters, healing, reflection and wisdom. She is considered to be intelligent, kind, and level-headed. People in her community seeks her guidance when facing choices.

River is often considered to be the opposite of her sister. She is associated with movement, adventure, exploration and change. She loves to go on difficult adventures. She explores remote areas, embraces new people,new ideas and new technologies. She encourages people to embrace new paths.

They are the ebb and flow of the river in action. Brooke calms and restores while River rushes over the falls and over the rocks. Their union makes the charmed waters strong.

The Prophet of the Lakes - The Charmed Waters

Why do they care ?

Brooke and River were born into the region thirty years previously. From the date of their birth they were deemed special by the Prophet of the Lakes. The Prophet foretold that at an early age the women would spend their lives together in the Charmed Waters, and that at the age of twenty, they must decide whether to separate, or stay together to rule the region.

The women initially chose to separate and live their own lives. Unfortunately, Heron Dilner, the old leader, was poisoned and died. When the people of the water region learned that his sons were responsible, both signs threatnedo go to war. The only chance of preventing the skirmish was if the girls were to schose to lead the water people.

Over the last then years they have grown to love their jobs. They want to do what is the best for their people, and because they have skills that inter-mesh, they have proven to be great leaders.

What are Brooke and Rivers’ identifiable characteristics?

Brooke - Brooke walks around with a pocket of sweet treats made from honey. She hands them out to everyone she sees. She eats the candy while she makes decisions. When she pulls out buckle berry sweets, everyone knows she is stressed.

River - River is curious about the natural region around her. When she sees something interesting, she writes details in a small notebook about the world around her. When she sees something sketchy, or strange with her people, she takes notes. She shares these notes with her sister. Often it allows them to work together to prevent problems together.

What comfort objects or rituals does Brooke and River have?

Brooke also has a set of tea mugs that were here aunts that uses every day. These mugs are very special to her. Each chip and break is repaired. The mugs now have so many colors that they resemble a rainbow.

River has a leather necklace that was once give to her by a guide on a remote mountain she visited. The necklace reminds her of the days when she was free to go where she wanted without restraints and without responsibilities. Some nights she looks out at the aurora longing for her freedom.

The Goals of Brooke and River

The girls want to keep their family safe, grow seafood and kelp exports. They also want to keep Heron Dilner’s boys out of office, and prepare their community for the future, by building strong relationships within. Finally, they want to build a stronger and more fair system for stopping the abuse of power.

Brooke and River’s Attitude

What Brooke and River feel early on:

Early on neither woman wants to take on the responsibilities of power. They think that ruling will be too restrictive. Both women fear their own skills and think that the other sister is not suited for the job.

Mid Core attitude:

As they grow more confident in their jobs both women begin expanding their desire to reach out to their people, and to learn more about what their constituents need.

End-state attitude:

The women become confident in their jobs. They now know that they need each other to do their best for their people.

What is the worst thing that happened to Brooke and River?

Early on in their rule, the Dilner boys hired some men to kill the women. Fortunately, Brooke and River had already gained the trust and the loyalty of the soldiers of their realm. They were warned of the contract against them and worked with them to come up with a plan to protect themselves. This is the first time the women worked together seamlessly. After this incident the women knew they worked better together and chose to help each other in the future.

Thank you for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow. Please subscribe for further articles.

Inking Erudus - The Vegetation of the Charming Waters Region

Susan Rader — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 12:20:26 GMT

Region - The Charming Waters

The Charming Waters is a river and lake filled area in Erudus. It is filled with waterfalls, marshes, and streams. Many of the plants evolved and developed strange colors , glows and sounds.

Moonveil Lilies

These flowers grow in protected streams and ponds. They open in the early hours of the day where the moonlight reflects onto their cobalt blue petals. Small fish, toads and dragonflies hide inside their flowers feeding on their nectar. The petals when they ripen, fall and purify the water and surrounding plants.

The pads of these lilies are strong enough that small animals rest on them and are protected from predators.

Shimmery Grass

A grass that grows around the river banks. It has reflective leaves that shimmer so much that the rivers appear to be rushing into the distance. The grass is so thick in some areas that it hides small animals and birds.

The grass can be woven into small mats and chairs. The grasses change color at certain times of the year.

Accoustic Reeds

Along protected lakes and shorelines tall reeds grow. When the wind passes through a stand of these reeds a gentle chiming tone rings over the waters. They are the colors of sage green, silver and cobalt. Musicians and sound masters use the reeds to craft flutes. These flutes attract the aquatic life of the charming waters to the shore.

Glimmer Kelp

This kelp is found in the deeper areas of the lakes and rivers. It intertwines below the surface creating pockets of shelter for small fish. At night the kelp provides a cobalt glow and larger fish feed on it.

Members of the region collect the kelp and use it in outdoor lamps. The glow lasts for about a moon cycle before more kelp has to be gathered to replace it.

Divine Lotus

The lotus grows in secluded waters. It blooms twice per sol cycle. The flowers are cobalt blue when they open, and then slowly fade until they become lavender. It is rumored that dragons appear when the lotus blooms. They rest beside the waters where they breathe in the plants light citrus scent. This aroma relaxes the dragons and allows them to enter a trance-like state. The dragons natural abilities to channel time, are enhanced, and they are able to see into the future. These visions they see are transmitted to the entire hive of dragons to be permanently stored in their collective memory.

Wace Ferns

These ferns have silver-green leaves that feed small animals and the people of the region. They spread along the shores quickly during the growing season. Because they grow so quicklym they readily feed the whole region as a vegetable. In winter the ferns go dormant and heat the ground where they lay. Far along the shore empty rspots lay among the snow.

Foggybells

Foggy bells are flowers that bloom lavender and release fragrance when the wind travels over them. They attract insects which pollinate the local flowers and food crops. If the insects eat too much pollen they become magical. The pollinators then can set small fires in the local grasses.

Hollow Vine

A climbing vine that follows riverbanks and rivers. The silver green leaves are hollow and turn silver at night and glow in the night. Locals can travel by it in the evenings.

The vines produce small purple berries that are made into pastries and once they ripen are made into alcohol.

These vines stabilize sandy shorelines.

River Willow

This is the most predominate tree of the area. It has large branches that weep downwards to the ground where they intertwine with the grasses below. Underneath the canopy the branches creates such as strong umbrellas that people often camp underneath them.

Falling Birch

This is a tree that has leaves that glitter and look like a rainbow falling to the ground. The white bark streaked with different blue colors. In the fall the colors of the leaves change to a glowing blue and green.

Water Flower

This is a water that changes color based on how good the water quality is. People of the region monitor their drinking water, and the health of the vegetation, by looking at the changing color of the flower petals.

The flower is often shown in the legends of the region.

Other posts discussing the vegetation on Erudus.

Next Week

An introduction to the plants of the ice region on Erudus.

Good-bye for now. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

The Spellbound Archive Series - Type 11 - Sound and Music

Susan Rader — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 12:31:25 GMT

Where others hear noise, I hear possibilities.

Angelika Moonglenn

What is Sound Magic?

Sound magic is very uncommon. While many prodigies show great abilities with music, most beings cannot become a true master of sound.

Because very few people become novices in sound, and only four people in history have been masters of this magic, people tend to forget the keys abilities and how powerful it can be. Sound magic is powerful, but when used in combination of mastery of another key, it can be one of the most powerful forms around.

Sound magic is the ability to integrate magic into sounds and music. With sound magic the following things are possible:

Vocal calls, the ability to play musical instruments, and singing can be used to modify waves of magic to either amplify or destroy power as needed.
Music can be used to soothe, teach, and enter the minds of large groups of people to deescalate situations.
Waves of sound in emergency situations can be used in battle to push supernatural being to other realms.
Vocalizations can be used to call creatures.
Vibrations can be used to destroy windows and small buildings.
Masters who have learned to compose music can use their compositions to influence people, the weather, creatures, and the growth of vegetation.
In rare cases, individuals will develop the ability to influence the actions of others.
Mastery of another key, can allow mages to use sound to amplify that type of magic.

This Magic’s Color

Blue-Green

Angelika playing her alioni while Jynx watches.

Who Uses High Sound Magic?

Angelika Moonglenn - This is the first key that Angelika will master. Because she also becomes a master in other keys, Angelika’s powers grow very strong. She is able in the future to use her music to destroy places far in the away. There are records of no one else in the ancient texts to have done this. Pain from these incidents is always excruciating and lasts for several sols.
Arboria Greenwood (the Great Mother of the Quilleaf forest on Erudus) - The mother is a master in certain parts of sound magic. She does not develop a mastery like Angelika and she does not want to. Arboria is able to use sound to heal the Mother tree and encourage its growth. She can also create songs that will calm the Quilleaf people. Strangely, her music has no effect on any other civilization’s people.
Chaiz Wolfbound - Nominal powers when the book begins. Chaiz is a prodigy in several musical instruments and composition of songs. His mother insisted that while he was learning magic he learn music. He went once a week to a music tutor for over ten years. Chaiz loves music, and although incredibly busy, tries to play once a week. He hides his talents to the others in the Magaus Alliance. This is unfortunate, because if he had shown his talents, Elon would have seen he actually has nominal powers in sound magic. After he meets Angelika he will develop his powers quickly.

Chaiz Wolfbound III composing music.

Limitations and Costs of Illusion Magic

When individuals start learning sound magic it is confusing for them. Songs affect them more than usual. Sad songs can not only make them cry but they can send athem into a downward spiral for several weeks. Upbeat or happy sounds may do the converse. Individuals can feel unbeatable. Sometimes, this will cause these individuals to get involve in relationships, fights, etc. that they are not prepared for. Individuals have died this way.

When the magic progresses, certain individuals find that they can call animals and creatures to them. If the person tries this too early they can call powerful supernatural beings to them. These beings can strike out and destroy the person. Supernatural forces may also choose to ignore the maga and strike out at others.

Several hundred sols ago, a young man named Calypri was just learning sound magic. He called four wolfen spirits to him. He was not strong and sure enough in his abilities. The wolfen flew through him and attacked the people in his village, killing all 134 individuals that lived there. Calypri’s guilt was so strong after this incident, that he jumped off a mountain peak to his death.

A master has many limitations. Sound can calm and influence others but shortly after the music or sound stops, people’s behavior can return to normal. In the future Angelika will go beyond this trend. She will learn how to use lyrics in her music, to change people’s behavior permanently

Sound waves moving supernatural beings to another realm.

If a master uses sound too often to solve their problems, several things can occur to the individual.

Loss of hearing as the waves converge on the individual to destroy their ears.
The waves may also cause brain damage.
Change of the vocal chords, so that certain individuals are so attracted by the magas voice, that they begin to stalk her. Eventually, when the maga tries to extricate themselves from the stalkers presence, they often try to kill her.
Vibrations from the sound can reverberate backwards causing damage to the internal organs of the magical being. This can be fatal.
When sending beings to other realms the maga can be pulled into the other realm.
Magical beings can be entranced so much by music, that they lose all interest in anything else. Eventually, they may lose interest in eating and moving. They will die.

Society, Technology and Daily Structures.

Because sound magic is so rare, it really doesn’t affect the day to day running of society. Music is important to most cultures as a means of expression but is considered only to be entertainment, not powerful, and unimportant.

Although technologies of musical instruments are always being improved, sound magic has little to do with this. The only technology available is a gauge used by the Magaus Alliance. The gauge measures the power of the sound and magic in a sound master. The same design for this gauge has been used for years.

Music cannot erase pain, but it can make carrying it easier.

Angelika Moonglenn

This was a short introduction to Sound Magic. Next week: An introduction to type 12 - Abjuration Magic

Comments are always welcomed!

Goodbye for now. Have a great Saturday everyone.

Check out the other posts on Magic!

The Solari Family- Key 3 - Invocation Magic Masters

Susan Rader — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 12:32:00 GMT

Click here to learn about magic in Angelika’s universe.

Key 3 - Evocation Magic - The Solari Family

Status

The 3rd key, Evocation Magic, and descendants of the third magical family, the Solari’s are active in the magical community. Many of the family use their abilities working with the Magaus Alliance.

Why the Solari’s?

The Solari family has lived in the Zynta Tract, a region in the center of the Milky way galaxy. The family started out as members of a crew that battled fires in their galaxy. Often these fires were set by lightening. Other members of the family, worked as guards in prisons, and protected politicians and dignitaries.

Sometimes, but rarely, individuals in the Solari family were able to see spirits. Before the bacterial change they could only view what spirits were doing

When the Tumbgala war came, Aurelia Ravenwood went with the crowd to face the Kilgerat. She was one of the 13 who survived the bacteria. Aurelia was sick for only six months before her powers came. First, she began to attract and control fire, then she was able to predict when it would snow, and eventually she was able to communicate with spirits.

The Family Color

Magenta

The Family Crest

Most important accomplishments by the family

Zephryn was one of the first soldiers to work for the newly formed Magaus Alliance.
Orielle worked for the Magaus Alliance in the spiritual arm of the service. Her job was to help spirits move to the other realm. She rose very quickly in the ranks.
Calyra helped her local political party to work with others around her region to negotiate trade treaties and ease tensions between opposing factions. She helped her planet to negotiate the first treaty between the Ondiun, her people, and their neighboring planet Sedom. The treaty negotiated the release of over one thousand prisoners and prevented an all out war between the two communities.
Lucien rose in power until he became the head of the spiritual unit of the SW areaof the Magaus alliance.
Selene and Salim worked for the Magaus Alliance. They traveled between the nests working in training and leadership programs. Selene and Salim quit the alliance after Salim was hurt in a work related training incident.
Lyra is currently a junior member of the 14th central unit of the SW hive. She works in the supernatural unit, moving within the region to help spirits move on.

The Family Tree

Worst magical disasters in family

Lucien dying at the age of 46 after being dragged into the spiritual after world by some unhappy spirits.
Salim put his trust in a wrong trainee. The trainee was too eager to gain power and tried learning magic more quickly than he should. Salim was hurt when the trainee lost control and blew a wall of a hall in the hive inwards. It took Salim a year of therapy to partially recover.

Salim Solari

Life ends at death, souls continue into eternity.

Ancient saying of the Solari family.

Relationships to the other magical families of the top 13

The Solari’s became friends with the Clearwaitier family (Masters of Key 9 - Enchantment Magic) after Eleinia worked with them to create a magical primer to aid in the transition of spirits to the other world.
Became partners with members of the Wolfbound family (Type 7 - Elemental Magic). The families worked to destroy evil spirits using thought, word and the use of air currents.

Thank you for reading about the Solari family. Next time, the Ravenwood family will fly in to help you to learn about their mastery of Animal Magic (Key 4).

Have a great week everyone!

Inking Erudus - Building the Vegetation of the Dragonveil Region

Susan Rader — Sun, 31 May 2026 12:02:48 GMT

“The Dragonveil Mountains are where the volcanic soil became rich, stone learned to bud, the sky glowed, and the mountains cloaked themselves in dynamic flame.”

The Cultivator for the Dragon Grounds

Region - Dragonveil Volcanic Mountains

The soil that exists in the region is mineral rich, but loosely packed and unstable. The soil builds around high mountains and cliffs. In sheltered valleys, the soil is fertile enough. that the Dragon Ryders can grow food crops. In really sheltered valleys and a few trees grow.

Steam vents, often associated with hot springs, spring up throughout the region. The dark volcanic soil is filled with mineral veins, and on one mountain. Mount Resili, deep veins of diamonds run throughout.

The Ashcon Tree

The Ashcon tree is a dark black conifer. It is a unique piece of vegetation, as after its roots are firmly embedded in the volcanic rock, it can withstand volcanic dust and ash. When the moonlight hits its sage green leaves they sparkle like little lights in the night.

Dragon Moss

A thick formation of moss that can float on lava flows. When the lava moves, the moss can get caught on rocks as the lava flows away. Here, the moss stays warm for days giving a resting place for animals. Many small dragon species sleep in the plants.

Sizzle Fern

A fern with maroon fronds that loves the mist and steam of the geothermal vents in the region. The leaves are warm to the touch, and provide shelter for small insects in the area.

The fronds are gathered in the spring and the fall by the people of the DragonVeil. They are served raw as a vegetable. Their roots are boiled before eaten.

Vein Grass

This is a common grass in the meadows of the region. The blackish-blue stalks with maroon veins are grazed upon by dragons and other animals. This plant is one of the most important food sources for grazing animals in this region.

Celestial Blossoms

These flowers have cobalt petals with silver spiky centers. They grow in the cracks high up in the mountains and they emit tiny specks of light at night.

The Ryders use these flowers in their initiation ceremonies, birthings, coming of age ceremonies, and mourning rituals.

Standing Shrubs

Standing shrubs lie high in the Dragonveil region. They have twisty, black branches topped by grayish-green leaves.

It roots set themselves deep into the soil on the volcanic rock making the soil stable. This helps to prevent landslides. Dragon ryders often will plant these shrubs on slopes that are unstable

Blood Vine

This plant climbs on cliffs. Its grey-green leaves hide crimson sap within them.

This sap is used by healers for headache relief, to soothe allergies, ease burns, and treat smoke inhalation.

The sap is also used when a dragon dies. The animal’s leather is cured with the sap of the Blood Vine.

Note: Dragon Ryders never kill dragons. They only cure a dragon hide after the animal has lived out its natural life and dies.

Croon Reeds

These reeds with blue-green leaves have hollow stems. Wind pass through them causing a low, mournful sound.

Dragon ryders from different regions use the reeds to communicate. Holes are carved into the stalks and then notes are played in certain sequences. Each sequence means something different.

Gem Orchids

These flowers have transparent petals that reflect and glimmer in the sunlight like gemstones.

The petal colors range from cobalt to deep purple or lavender.

A small bird native to the Dragonveil mountains lives in these flowers.

Nesting Willows

A willow found in the valleys of the Dragonveil Mountains. This tree has a massive black trunk that is streaked with silver. It also has a blue seed pod.

The trunk and the seed pods glow lightly in the night. When a dragon comes near, the light intensifies.

This willow is often planted near the dragon grounds because they provide shelter, warmth and nesting materials for the dragons species.

The tree’s sap is also boiled down to make several different types of medicines used by dragon healers.

Next Week

An introduction to the plants of the Water region on Erudus.

Other posts discussing the vegetation on Erudus.

Thanks for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Good-bye for now. Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

The Characters of Erudus - Arboria Greenroot - The Great Mother of the Quilleaf Forest People

Susan Rader — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:04:21 GMT

Arboria, also Known as Arborita, Stats

Born - Somewhere between 550 to 560 sols ago on a warm, sunny day

Position - The Great Mother, the high priestess, of the Quilleaf Forest People

Magic abilities - Master of Earthen Magic, and Enchantment magic. Arboria has very minor powers in animal magic (can only communicate with Leafwhisper species of win hors).

Age - 550 - 560 sols

Significant Other - None at the moment. Has had several relationships in the past. Relationships in the Quilleaf forest tend to be fluid.

Children - Meadow, Alder son - his wife is Leaf

Meadow, Alder and Leaf

"We must not reap from the Mother Tree with abandon. Take what she offers, and she will protect our people forever."

Arboria Greenroot

Arboria’s Life

Arboria, sometimes called Abrianna by her family, has lived in the Quilleaf forest for hundreds of sols. Her mother was a priestess of the forest before her, and she inherited the position at the age of 15, with no opposition.

Arboria has always been close to nature. She loves animals, and used to sit under the Mother Tree for hours, watching the glowing seeds drift away, on the breeze. That was a different time, before Mistral, before the killings, and before the mistrust. The forest was healthy, and the Quilleaf people thrived in the depths of the forest.

But, when Mistral’s voice appeared in the wind, the world changed. It started slowly, with a few incidents, then one cool fall afternoon, Mistral sang long, and low to the people of Polinta’s Plinary, demanding that they march into the Water People’s kingdom, and kill everyone at the harvest festival. It was early in the day, so only a portion of the people were there, but almost 275 people were killed, from all five of the cultures on Erudus.

The culture’s blamed each other, and the seeds of distrust were sown. Over the next years, Erudus declined. The environment was dying, it was unsafe to go outside one’s community, and hatred of the “other” was common.

Arborita lived through all of this, building her magical powers, hoping to aid the Mother tree as she struggled to survive. She wanted to help her people, survive the darkness, but had almost given up hope, when Angelika Moonglenn stumbled into the Quilleaf forest, and stared up at the Mother Tree.

Arboria watching Angelika under the Mother Tree

Why does the character care?

Arboria understands that for any civilization to survive, they must live in harmony with the environment. She was told the tales of the great war, and was fed by the stories of her father, Fenren. He told of the great suffering that he had fled, before landing on Erudus, and meeting her mother. With each new tale, her parents emphasized that one person can make the difference. Arboria has led her life, trying to be kind, and trying to stop the pain she sees.

Arboria wants her people, and the Mother tree to survive. Her fear of the future, drives her forward.

What are the character’s unusual identifiable characteristics?

Arboria has two characteristics that are noticeable. First, she pauses before answering any question. This gives her an air of intelligence, and people believes that she thinks about every question.

As Arboria has gotten older, she has begun to limp. The limp is so pronounced that she can be identified from far away.

What comfort objects or rituals does the character have?

Arboria’s comfort objects are a set of four rings. Two of the rings represent her children, one is for her son’s wife Leaf, and the final ring represented her last husband. Terren. The day Terren knew he was going to die, he gave Arboria the rings. Ever since then, she has worn one ring on her right hand, and three on her left. She feels that as long as she wears these pieces, she will be close to her family.

Arboria’s Character Tags. What differentiates her from other characters?

Arboria speaks slowly and directly. She thinks about everything she says. Arboria also speaks with a slight lisp.

Arboria’s Goal

To make Erudus, the Quilleaf forest, and her people’s home, safe and environmentally healthy.
To save the Mother Tree.
To ensure her family is healthy and happy.
To make sure her family’s legacy is strong.

The character’s Direction

Arboria’s wants to help the environment , the great forest, and her family. She knows that if major things do not happen, her family will die. So, with her determination, she uses her knowledge and power each day to makes things better.

The character’s attitude

What —the character— feels like early on:

She feels determined, but disappointed. Arboria fears that the great forest, and Erudus will die before the problems can be fixed. She is also frustrated with the lack of understanding of the other civilizations.

End-state attitude:

Now that the land and forest are regenerating, Arboria is still determined and hopeful that planet Erudus will become the paradise that she Envisions in her mind. She now understands why the other civilizations acted the way thy did, and knows that, with some effort, bonds can be forged with the others.

The Character’s Drive

Arboria is full of the fear of the future. She works hard to ensure that Erudus, and the great forest will be strong well into the future, so that her people’s and descendants will live peacefully and live in harmony with the world.

“Angelika may command sound, and creatures, but she has wounds so deep, that even I have to reach deep into my powers to help her. She is worth the effort, through her pain she shows kindness and empathy, and these qualities, are the truest form of magic.”

Arboria Greenroot of the Quilleaf Forest.

Arboria’s relationship to Angelika

Arboria sees that Angelika is struggling with the basics of her magic. Initially she did not want to help Angelika, but Angelika s curiosity, kindness, and empathy, won Arboria’s respect. Arboria gave Angelika some tasks, to help her learn her magic.

Over the years, Arboria will go on to be a mentor to Angelika, and Arboria will consider Angelika as a valued daughter of the Quilleaf people.

Thank you for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow. Please subscribe for further articles.

The Spellbound Archive Series - Type 10 - Prophetic (Oracle) Magic

Susan Rader — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:20:29 GMT

Introducing the Spellbound Archives

The Spellbound Archives is a new series that will discuss the world of Erudus. Today’s post is key 10 - Prophetic (Oracle) magic. In the following weeks, information on how magic works, the 13 keys, and the Magus Alliance, the 13 Ancestral Families of Magic, will be discussed further. Other elements of Erudus, such as creatures, world building, and sound will be explored.

What is Prophetic (Oracle) Magic?

This key deals with a maga who intuitively knows things, and occasionally may have visions of what will happen in the future. True masters of this key can see far into the future,

Unfortunately, no one knows how to control these visions. Masters, who have had a previous vision, can feel when a vision is coming, but cannot stop, or enhance it.

When a maga sees a true prophecy, things happen to their brain. Their mind connection to the particles of the universe is so enhanced that thousands of years of activity in the future flows through the maga’s brain. With each new prophecy, the brain’s network is stretched even further, causing their personality to change erratically. The maga becomes unpredictable, often loses their sense of morals, and They become problematic for the community they live in. Eventually, when returning from a prophecy, the maga’s mind will snap.

Because so many prophets have died over the years, people become adept in this magic rarely. Con artists, often prey on others, and pretend they are prophets. They tend to shop up when large disasters occur.

Novices usually start with an intuitive connection to the environment around them. Small hunches about what will happen around them grow to be true. This happens so often, that the maga can no longer deny that she has powers.

The hunches grow until the maga’s power become so great that true prophecies begin.

The Color of this Magic.

Maroon

"Every vision stains the prophet’s mind, darker and deeper. Just as the sun descends at the end of the day. The prophet’s blood turns maroon, boiling his mind, changing who he is and what he believes. Then the blood rushes and strikes. The prophet dies, forever in our memories, but before his time.”

Who Uses Prophetic (Oracle) Magic?

Oren Dawnseer - During the sol when another sun appeared in the sky, many sols ago, a magus saw many visions. These visions went so far into the future, that some of these prophecies still occur today. Oren is a very unusual magus. He saw over seventy-five prophecies, before he died, just after returning from his last prophecy.
Lorink Dreamseeker - A magus associated with the Magus Alliance. Forty-one years old, Lorink looks like he is over a hundred. He has seen four major visions, all of which have helped the Magus Alliance to stop major criminal activities. The doctors who work for the alliance, are afraid that the next vision that Lorink has, will kill him. Lorink already forgets things, has a hot temper, and sometimes stares into space.
Lorink Dreamseeker of the Magaus Alliance.
“His hair turned silver before he was twenty. He has forgotten his family, and stares out the window for hours. His prophecies have aided our planning immensely, and have saved thousands of lives, but I hate the cost that Lorink has borne. My friend has disappeared before my eyes, and I cannot help at all.”
The Grand Mage - Chaiz Wolfbound III

Limitations and Costs of Prophetic (Oracle) Magic

Newcomers have intuitions about the things around them. They know what is happening and fear for their future. No one wants to become a master in prophetic magic. Some people will lose family members, because those people fear the erratic behavior that they know the maga will have.

Masters often lose contact with their family and friends. Prophets find it hard to make new friends and are often lonely. The fear that they feel for the future is all encompassing. Once major visions come the magus’ lives are miserable.

Society, Technology and Daily Structures.

Although people avoid prophets and novices, they respect the prophecies of true masters. When a high prophecy is made, they listen, and the leaders of the society, do what is necessary to mitigate problems, and to reinforce good things.

Learning centers have courses dedicated to the great prophecies from the past, and study each new prophecy in depth as it comes.

This was a short introduction to the 10th key, Prophetic Magic. Future posts will describe other keys.

Subscribe to SPUNKY and SPELLBOUND in the SNOW for more content. Tomorrow’s post is the Saturday Character Clinic.

Comments are always welcomed!

Goodbye for now.

Check out the other posts on Magic!

1 - Earthen Magic, 2 - Illusion Magic, 3 - Evocation Magic, 4 - Animal Magic, 5- Transmutation Magic, 6- Interpersonal Magic, 7 - Elemental Magic, 8-Spiritual Magic, 9- Enchantment Magic

The Draven Family - Key 2 - Illusion Magic Masters

Susan Rader — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:52:16 GMT

Click here to learn about magic in Angelika’s universe.

Key 2 - Illusion Magic - The Draven Family

Status

The 2nd key, Illusion Magic, and descendants of the second magical family, the Draven’s are active in the magical community.

Why the Draven’s?

The Draven family has lived in the Nyxara Expanse, a region in the far west of the Milky way galaxy for sols. Fortune telling, and tricks were popular in the area for centuries before the Thumbgala War. The Draven family were a member of a plinary that traveled throughout the region performing tricks which fooled the eye, but had no magic in them.

Although the Kilgerat had not yet come to the Nyxarea expanse, the people were aware of the suffering happening in other regions. The Council of Nyxarea debated what they should do. They agreed that they must oppose the Kilgerat, both for themselves and for others. When the uprising began many of the families went to participate in the war.

Seraphine was one of the thirteen that survived the bacteria but she became very ill. It took almost two years for her to recover. During this time her brain slowly rewired itself so that she became the first master of Illusion.

Masters of Illusion in Nyxarea are called the Veiled.

The Family Color

Peach

The Family Crest

Most important accomplishments by the family

Hiding and successfully protecting the third Arch Mage of the Magaus Alliance, from enemies during a major conflict in their region.
The ability to rise above the other families of Illusion, so that the Dravens are not viewed as thieves and murderers. The family are “strange”, but they have proven to the outside world that they take their magical powers seriously, and are trying to use them to help others.
Forced the creation of an agency to label, track and deter illusionists who live in the bad lands, a hot region of the Nyxarea.
Partnered with Chaiz Wolfbound III, one of the heads of the Magaus Alliance, to help individuals with powers in this magic. There purpose is to help them use their powers without becoming addicted, and without swinging their personality towards corruption and evil.
The addition of Kaelith into a new division of the Magaus Alliance. His expertise allows non magical beings to see ghosts, and the invisible magical creatures around them. The new division has been created to help individuals who are facing evil understand what surrounds them.

The Family Tree

Worst magical disasters in family

Zephyre murdering his wife Calystria shortly after they were married.
Theron and Seraphune becoming thieves later in life after they were swindled of their fortune. The pair tried to steal the Whisper of the Mist, a rare gem that was being transported through the region by the Peak Merchants. They were tried and put into jail by the Magaus Alliance. The family’s reputation was severely affected.
Isolde attempted to cure an individual of a severe mental illness by inserting thoughts into the person’s head. This backfired, made the illness worse, causing the individual to go on a murder spree. Twenty one people were killed before the individual was caught.
Isolde Draven

Relationships to the other magical families of the top 13

The Draven’s became friends with the Wolfbound family (Masters of Key 7 - Elemental Magic) after Chaiz III worked with them to fund and create an initiative to improve the outcome of children who inherit powers in this key.
Became partners with members of the Stonewich family (Type 8 - Spiritual Magic). The familieds started a study which examines all of the keys, to understand the care needed to stop negative outcomes from powers. This study is often used by the alliance when planning campaigns.

Thank you for reading about the Draven family. Next time, the Solari family will summon you to learn about their mastery of Evocation (Key 3).

Have a great week everyone!

The Leafin Family - Earthen Magic Masters

Susan Rader — Sun, 24 May 2026 23:42:57 GMT

Click here to learn about magic in Angelika’s universe.

Earthen Magic - The Leafin family

Status

The first key, Earthen Magic, and descendents of the first magical family, the Leafins are active. On Erudus, The Great Mother, Arboria, and Meadow, Aroboria’s daughter, are masters in the key.

Why the Leafin’s?

The Leafin family has lived in the Quilleaf forests for generations. Their ancestors were on the planet before the great Earthian inflow, when the forest was rich, and strong.

When the Earth people settled, they stripped the environment, as they had done on Earth, putting the ecosystems on the planet in jeopardy. The forest began to die, and it wasn’t until the Goddess Aurora gave the Mother Tree seeds to the priestess, that the forest began to recover. Ever since then, the Quilleaf people work to protect and enrich their environment.

When the Kilgerat began killing planets, and destroying environments, many of the Leafins went to participate in the great uprising. It was Briar Leafin who survived the bacteria. Because he had lived in the forest all his life, and had been a protector of the environment since he was young. Scholars believe that the neuroplasticity of the brain, was easily modified to magic that is centered around nature, the earth, and the environment, because of this.

The Family Color

Green, often hunter green.

The Family Crest

Most important accomplishments by the family

Nurturing of the Great Mother tree on Erudus.
The work Meadow has done with the Windsongs to stop the destruction of planets through mining.
The spread of Earthen magic throughout the great ancient kingdoms of the Milky Way.
The Leafin family’s work with arborists, agriculturists, and scientists to preserve dying groups, and to restore extinct species. The Leafins promoted a law to require that extinct species were only to be revived, when the group is needed to preserve environments, or aid in medicine. The law has been past by some of the largest societies in the galaxy.
Briar II appointment to the Magaus Alliance to become the enforcer for the Drmmon nest. Briar has worked with the alliance for twelve years, and is well respected, and liked. His duties as the Environmental Enforcer, has allowed for the recuperation of over fifty planets.
The Family Tree

Worst magical disasters in family

The death of Thistle Leafin at the age of eleven in a flood. Thistle was volunteering on a flood plain, hoping to offer the people of the region, solutions to their growing water threat. Unfortunately, he was too late and was caught in the expected flood.
After the Goddess Aurora gave the priestess the Mother Tree seed, the priestesses early death.
A great sickness, caused by Mushies, that killed almost half of the Quilleaf forest people. Cederra was able to use her knowledge of sickness to make a vaccine. This vaccine is still used and given to the children of the forest, giving them immunity for life.

Relationships to the other magical families of the top 13

Early on the Leafins became friends with the Ravenwoods, masters of key 4, animal magic. Their friendship withered when Mosswyn was voted in as the new priestess of the Quilleaf people. The duties and stress of Mosswyn’s new position did not allow her to visit her friends. Now, although the people remember the Ravenwood mages in their forest, mages of animal magic have visited the Quilleaf people for sols.
The Clearwaitier family, who are masters of the ninth key, Enchantment magic, are in contact with Arboria. She has never met them in person, but because of her mastery in Enchantment Magic, they family regularly checks in with her.

Thank you for reading about the Leafin family. Next time, the Draven family will entrance you with their mastery of Illusion Magic (Key 2).

Have a great week everyone.

Inking Erudus - The Vegetation of the Quilleaf forest

Susan Rader — Sun, 24 May 2026 12:03:53 GMT

Other posts discussing the vegetation on Erudus.

Region - Quilleaf Forest

Vegetation in the Quilleaf region is ancient. Trees have grown in this location for thousands of years, and the Great Mother Tree is thought to be over ten thousand years old.

While sage green is the predominant color in the region, blue, purple and silver occur frequently. Animals live under the canopy and birds sing throughout the day, The forest feels alive, ancient, and hints of magic and music, and reminders of the influence of the ancestors are found everywhere.

The Quilleaf Tree

These are tall, narrow trees that grow frequently in the forest regions on Erudus. Its silver green leaves are very narrow. When wind passes through the leaves they sound like a choir of children calling.

The trees have been used since ancient times to make the alioni. This is a violin-like musical instrument, that the people play in times of celebration.

One man named Marcai Sinwov, produces alioni’s, that are so special, they are considered priceless. Each alioni has its own magical properties. He will give Angelika an alioni called The Amethyst Dragon. This instrument allows Angelika to put on performances, in which she takes the shape of a dragon in flight that moves with her music.

The ebony black bark of the Quilleaf tree is also stripped, boiled, and used as a head tonic, and a cure for sore throats

Skysong Willows

These droopy trees are found along streams. Deep within the Quilleaf forest there is a stand of ancient Skysong Willows that are considered to be sacred. It is rumored that the ancient priestess, Elowen Shimmer, sat under these willows when she created a set of ancient spells to enhance the growth of the mother tree, and to protect the people from destruction. The Great Mother still uses these spells today.

The tree has long, cobalt blue hanging leaves, that brush together in the wind, sounding like chimes.

The skysong willows are home to a tiny species of rodent that eats the rusty blue flowers to survive. It is a major food source for the great birds that swoop over,

The Feeding Fir

The feeding fir is a tree that glows faintly from the needles on its branches. When the moon rises, the needles turn silver, and sparkle.

The unique glow of this tree attracts a number of magical insects to its pollen, allowing the bugs to survive in the dense woods. These insects will be described later, but some examples are Skreech, Dancingfly, Threst, Gook and Bluebop. Without the feeding fir these species would die.

Echo Weed

An invasive flower that has pale silver petals that vibrate when singing occurs near them. They are used often in ceremonies and rituals, especially naming ceremonies, and the yearly mother tree celebration.

Veil Fungi

This fungus is pale ivory. It grows deep in the forest under ancient trees, and very often near spiritual sites. Because Spirits are often seen around these fungi, they are often associated with Masters of Spiritual Magic.

Ancient tales say that these fungi grow where great ancestors died, to remind the people to be kind to one another, and to show that the ancestors still move the people’s actions today.

Veil fungi is eaten often in the Spineback Mountain region.

Silverlit Moss

This is the most common plant found in the Quilleaf forests. The moss grows on the forest floor, fallen trees, and at the base of the Mother Tree.

The plant is soft enough that new mothers gather it to place under their babies to protect them.

Image of plants growing under the Mother Tree

Plants that only grow near or under the Mother Tree

Timbre Flowers

These are huge amethyst flowers that open when music occurs. At this time masters of sound gather the petals and boil them to remove their color. When the color is spun into clothing, the clothing reverberates the mages magic, allowing them to produce more effective spells.

Resonant Tears

These are tiny crystal-like flowers that grow at the base of the mother tree. These flowers are sacred.

The droplets that fall from the flowers are collected and given to babies to give them strength. The droplets turn red at the time the mother tree produces its seeds. The liquid is collected and stored by Arborita. From this she can make a medicine, called rejuv, that can extend a person’s life. This elixir is given to few people, and the existence of it, is a cherished secret of the Quilleaf people. Only the great mother knows how to transform the droplets of the flower into the elixir.

Plants that Grow here and other regions

These plants grow here, but have already been described in other articles.

Looseybuds
Mushies
Moontide Flowers
Glowyroot Tubes
Skypods

Next Week

An introduction to the plants of the volcanic mountains of Dragonveil.

Thanks for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Good-bye for now. Have a lovely weekend everyone.

The Characters of Erudus - Brynn, the Leader of the Dragon Ryders

Susan Rader — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:00:54 GMT

The Dragon Ryder Brynn’s Stats

Born - Somewhere in the Volcanic mountainous region on Erudus.

Position - High leader of the Dragon Ryders on Erudus

Magic abilities - Occasionally uses Evocation magic to call upon his ancestors to help him. He has bonded with his dragon Eterness.

Age - Around the age of 28, but no one is really sure. He was abandoned in the dragon hatchery as a baby.

Significant Other - Ignis - The Dragon Ryders have no formal marriage pact. Instead, relationships tend to be fluid. Ignis is Brynn’s current partner

Children - One dead son, Az. Az fell and died at the age of ten. He was trying to navigate the ledge on their volcanic mount, Mount Charem, but lost his footing.

Brynn and Ignis

Character’s Life

Because Brynn’s parents abandoned him in the dragon hatchery, he was shuffled amongst the various households in the Dragonvein.

Brynn has always been good natured, loves to laugh, pull pranks, and entertain others. He gets along well with everyone, particularly the women who live in the Dragonvein, and everyone knows him.

When the old High Leader of the Dragon Ryders died, the people had to choose two people to compete to be their new leader. Because, he was so well known and liked, Brynn was one of the two chosen. He underwent the Choosings. This is a three part competition in which the best ryder is chosen to lead the group. At the age of 25, beating a man twice his age, he won the leadership. The man and his family, want him to fail, and are actively planning to have him forcefully removed from the Dragonvein.

Baby Brynn in the dragon hatchery.

Why does Brynn care?

Brynn is greatful that everyone in the community worked to raise him when he was a child. Because, he moved around so much, he learned the underlying problems of the dragon ryders, was taught by some of the greatest men that lived in the Dragonvein and has learned the intricacies of each family. He knows what he has to do to help his people. He cares and is determined to keep the Dragon Ryders strong

What are Brynn’s unusual, identifiable characteristics?

Brynn likes to laugh and have fun. He often performs pranks. These pranks can be mean spirited at times. Some examples of Brynn’s earlier pranks are , learning dragon calls and luring the animal’s ryders to their dragon when it is not required, switching eggs in the hatchery so that different types of dragons are together, and, teaching baby dragons stunts. As he gets older, the pranks become darker and more dangerous.

Brynn teaching baby dragons to steal ryder gloves

What comfort objects or rituals does Brynn have?

Brynn has a dragon tooth necklace that he wears at all times. The necklace was placed on him when he was abandoned in the hatchery. In times of stress he holds the necklace, remembers how far he has come, and convinces himself to move on.

Brynn gives each of his female partners a similar dragon’s tooth.

Brynn’s character tags - What differentiates him from other characters?

Holding his dragon tooth necklace in times of stress, and using it to calm himself.

Brynn’s Goal

Initially Brynn’s goal is to keep his people safe, protect the dragon’s, increase their numbers, and improve the training of the dragon ryders. Later, in the story Brynn wants to become more powerful, and desires to trick some his rivals in the Dragonvein, so that they can be removed.

Brynn’s Direction

Unfortunately, Brynn sets out on a path to become angry with the world, and try to advance his powers over others, to make himself feel more worthy.

Brynn holding his dragon tooth necklace.

Brynn’s attitude

What —the character— feels like early on:

Brynn feels greatful for everything his fellow ryders have given him. He loves his people, wants to make a difference, and plans to use his skills to advance the dragon ryder’s community.

End-state attitude:

Although, Brynn still loves is people, and his connection to his dragon, as he ages he has begun to lose sympathy with those individuals who disagree with his leadership style, and seek to change his rules, and his positions. His attitude at time has become volatile.

Brynn’s Drive

Brynn’s actions come from his abandonment in childhood. He has always felt unworthy, and has sought to feel better about himself by trying to be better than everyone else. He uses humor to bond, and obtain power. When he becomes the leader of the dragon ryders, he still feels unworthy, and people’s objections to his policies make him angry. He never wants to feel this way again, so he strikes out at others.

Thank you for reading Spunky and Spellbound in the Snow. Please subscribe for further articles.

The Spellbound Archive Series - Type 9 - Enchantment Magic

Susan Rader — Fri, 22 May 2026 12:02:38 GMT

Introducing the Spellbound Archives

The Spellbound Archives is a new series that will discuss the world of Erudus. Today’s post is the 9th key of magic. In the following weeks, information on how magic works, the 13 keys, and the Magus Alliance, will be discussed further. Other elements of Erudus, such as creatures, world building, and sound will be explored.

What is Enchantment Magic?

A person who can use Enchantment Magic is one who can use Magical Spells or Charms, to affect either the physicality of the world, or to affect others state of being.

Those who affect the physicality of the world, are able to use words to, move and change objects. In changing objects, for example, the person may move or remove windows, doors shingles, walls etc. When a person has great power in them, but no control of their magic, this key can be dangerous, as the magic may explode outwards like a bomb.

Others who use this key, can affect other states of being. For example, love scripts, cursing papers, luck charms are often sold. While this type of magic is often thought of as trivial, a master can use their Enchantment skills very effectively.

Minor skills in enchantment are common, and are often mimicked by non magical people. Mastery of this key is uncommon.

The Great Enchantments, are five books, which gather together some of the most powerful spells and charms. Three of the five books have been retrieved and moved to the great library in the Magaus Alliance’s main nest. Only the two heads of the alliance have access to these books. Two of the enchantment books remain missing.

The color of this magic.

Lime

Who Uses Enchantment Magic?

The curator in the great library at the main nest of the Magaus Alliance.

The Great Mother - Head of the forest people, considered to be a goddess born from the forest, the great mother is the member of a lineage of ancient peoples who have used enchantment magic for thousands of years. She uses charms and spells to keep her forest healthy and to keep her people happy. She is considered to be a “Master” of this type of magic, although she has never been tested, has never met a member of the Magaus Alliance, and rarely leaves her forest.
Angelika MoonGlenn - Minor powers. Although, this is the earliest key of magic that Angelika began to develop, her powers never grew beyond minimal. She can write spells and charms, but without music, her charms always backfire. When she adds music to the spells, her mastery in sound magic shines.
The Curator of the Reference Center in the main nest of the Magaus Alliance - Gwenion Manow - Older woman who has been working in the reference center for so long that she has seen twenty renovations of the library. While she enjoys working with videos and tapes, and she likes to read the other magical texts, she loves magical charm and spell books. Gwenion reads as many as possible, but as she has no power in this key, she cannot use the charms.
Love Charms and Luck Charms for Sale in the Marketplace near the Silver Back Mountains

Limitations and Costs of Enchantment Magic

When individuals begin to develop powers in charms and spells, relatively minor things happen, few people are hurt, and the affects of this key are limited. It is only those, who will go on to develop great powers in the other keys, who are at danger when these powers begin to develop. Initially, because the maga cannot control either of the keys yet, sometimes, the magical streams will connect, causing an outward explosion of power. Magas have died because of this.

Unfortunately, when masters “overuse” this key, their health can disintegrate quickly. In a prolonged event where massive power is use, a maga can loose pieces of their memory. If this happens too often, the maga personality changesc, they can forget their friends and family, and their magical powers may disappear.

Society, Technology and Daily Structures

On Erudus, individuals selling charms from carts in marketplaces, and traveling plinaries (circuses), is common. Plinaries tend to sell more advanced charms in their concession areas, but the effects of their spells are temporary. Although, spells are frequently used throughout society, the use of them has become more fun and a past time, than useful.

Masters can do major things, but because they happen infrequently, and when they do, the Erudans respect their abilities.

This was a short introduction to enchantment magic. Future posts will describe other keys.

Subscribe to SPUNKY and SPELLBOUND in the SNOW for more content. Tomorrow’s post is an article in the series, The Characters of Erudus. This time we will be discussing the Dragon Ryder Brynn

Have a great Friday!

Comments are always welcomed!

Check out the other posts on Magic!

1 - Earthen Magic, 2 - Illusion Magic, 3 - Evocation Magic, 4 - Animal Magic, 5 - Transmutation Magic, 6- Interpersonal Magic, 7 - Elemental Magic, 8-Spirital Magic

Short Snippets - The May Holiday - Visions from the Past

Susan Rader — Mon, 18 May 2026 12:07:50 GMT

About this Short Snippet

Today is a long weekend in Canada. It is the Victoria Day holiday, but is more affectionately called the May 2-4 (or May two four) holiday. This is because, after a long cold winter, this holiday is the official start to summer, nice weather, and sitting on a deck, or porch with a beer. In slang, two four, is a case of twenty four beers.

The holiday is also officially supposed to be celebrated around Queen Victoria’s birthday which is May 24th.

With different things going on in my life, and around the world, I really appreciate that today everyone gets a chance to sit back, relax, and take a breath.

I am also really grateful for the many things my country has given me. Canada is far from perfect, many things need to be fixed, and sometimes we get into spats, but this is home, and like everyone I have had a stressful life, but it is still a life that has been more blessed than others on this planet.

So today, I wanted to incorporate some of the holiday into my current project. I had always intended Earth to be an ancient, extinct planet in my tales, so for the first time I included a reference to its death here.

I hope you enjoy these words. I’m always happy to hear your comments.

Check the Short Snippets section for more short stories

The May Holiday - Visions from the Past

Final Newsletter, before the great hiatus break, after the completion of the Meter Project. All questions, complaints, laughter or whatever to be addressed to Angelika Moonglenn

Hello all, Elon is off, so I’m filling in. Many of you have asked me why I like May, and what the May holiday on Erudus is all about. So, here you go.

I can’t believe I’m writing this, but please read all of the words CAREFULLY, before contacting me for more information. Honestly, guys it’s not that difficult, and you are not going to be tested on it.

Once you have read this, you can fly away, to your beaches, bars, mountains, or whatever. Honestly, if you want, ditch the newsletter and go, it’s just between you and me.

Uh oh! Tallman’s reading over my shoulder and told me that I should say that TECHNICALLY, your supposed to read this. So yes boys, it is required in your contracts, and by the laws of the Magaus Alliance, that your read all memos, notes, addendums, text, emails, yada yada yada…

OOP! He's gone now. So ya, technically your supposed to read it, but nobody’s going to check, so do whatever.

Enough of the frivolity, thanks for all your work, have a great vacation, cause you’re going to need it. When we return, we have something doubly exciting, doubly frustrating and, well, doubly deadly in mind. So have fun!

So, chatty me will stop. The actual content is below.

It was coming again. That day that I had learned to fear. I had been on Erudus ten years, helping people, living through weird shit, and tuning my magical powers each day.

The first May holiday, after I had run through the cosmic gate, had left me frustrated and upset. I didn’t understand why, a community which does not remember where the ritual came from, continued to celebrate something that kept people miserable and in grief.

Jynx and I sat on the cool stone ledge, overlooking the pampas. As I watched the flare grass swaying in a gentle wind and heard the soft melody from the burning stalks, my mind drifted back to the last May holiday. At sunset, Keefee and his men had lit a bonfire of dried sighing sage. When the intoxicating smell of the burning plant filled the air, elders, mostly old women, marched forwards with memories of their dead. They spoke of the pain and suffering that they still felt after their loved one had passed on through the veil into the light. The tales were often long, vivid and detailed. In some cases, they brought bloody shirts and wrote magical images of the person’s last moments in the sky. This had happened repeatedly for years.

As I have matured, I have learnt that while memory and love of the dead is important, to move forward through life, you must remember the good times spent with your loved ones, instead of dwelling on the horror of their deaths. If you only remember the pain, as I did for many years, remembering my grandfather slitting my mother’s throat, you circle through the pain forever, and eventually it will take you down.

So, as I sat on that ledge, as the sun descended, and the aurora began to bounce around the mountains, I needed to know why the ancestors were so callous, as to start this grief-filled tradition.

I wandered back into the cave, down into its depths, where the library I had found rested. It was dark here, many of the ancient texts were damaged, and although I was always fixing the old mechanical video system, it always smoked during use. Still, the books here were older than I had seen anywhere else on Erudus, and I hoped in this chamber, I could find something about the May holiday.

I searched for much of the night, through the dragon hide covered books, feeling the soft leather on the tips of my fingers, looking for something that would help me. Towards dawn, I resigned myself to starting up the recording system, and inserting, small rectangular keys into openings on the big silver box.

The videos I began with, were images of the last days, on the now extinct planet Earth. As I watched, fire rained down from the heavens, and terrified families fled the flames, carrying everything they had, trying to protect themselves from thieves, using home spun implements, such as pitch forks and slabs of wood.

I sighed. I was the only one on Erudus who knew the ancestors had fled from Earth through the cosmic gate. I had learned this only a short time ago, and I wanted time to plan how I was going to tell my friends. When I told them, legends would die, people’s traditions would be in flux, and the identity of the Erudites would be damaged.

I stretched my arms high above my head, hoping to ease tension in my back. I was tired of watching dead people fight, so I threw the key to the far side of the table and grabbed a box of rectangles I had not yet searched through.

I picked up the closest rectangle, intending to insert it into the machine, when I saw faint writing on its side. Written in the now universal language of English, granted a very old form of English, but still understandable, was the word Christmas.

My feet drummed the floor as I smiled. I didn’t know what Christmas was, and it wasn’t what I wanted, but at least I would not have to view every video in the box.

I grabbed a cobalt pebbles from the floor and threw them upwards, hoping that the universe would grant me luck. I began pulling rectangles from the box, reading the labels. Halloween, Qingming festival, ANZAC day, Hogmanay; the names were weird.

Still, I continued my search, until halfway through the box, I came upon a rectangle with “May 24^th” labelled on it. Could that be it?

There was a click, and a whir, as I inserted the rectangle into the box. Then the video began playing. Almost immediately I frowned, tilting my head sideways, as I leaned forward to get a better look at the movement. In the first image a man in a boat, on a long-ago forgotten lake, dragged a scantily clad woman, across the water with only a cord attached to the boat, and boards attached to her feet. Another showed beautiful sparks filling the sky with magenta, sage and gold. The sparks glittered in the sky while crowds watched below. Other rectangles showed images of hiking, fishing, tenting, festivals, and outdoor dining. It was only when I saw the last image, that I understood how the May holiday on Erudus had begun.

In the last video, friends sat over a great bonfire, holding sticks with strange mushy cubes, over the flames while laughing. They told stories, some of them funny, but most of them of murder, mayhem and ghosts. Everyone laughed at the results and added their ideas. The tales became bizarre and horrific. When I thought they couldn’t get worse, someone pulled out an old guitar and began to sing, out of tune, a boisterous song. Everyone surrounding the fire joined the song.

It seemed to me that the holiday originally was about fun, relaxation, and friends. It was never meant to be a memorial for the dead, where misery is revered. The bonfire and tales were just for fun.

I reached out and turned off the machine, waiting until it clicked itself off. I knew what I had to do, and I only had a couple of days to do it. I would need help.

On the night of May Day, the ritual began as usual. Keefee and his men built a bonfire of sighing sage. But, before the melodic sound of the burning leaves began, I raised my hand to the sky, concentrated, and played back the images I had found for all to see, in the dark sky. Once the last flame of bonfire disappeared from the sky, I steadied myself, took a breath, and started to talk about Earth, how the inhabitants had killed her, and how everyone on Erudus were descendants of the people who fled destruction.

When I was done speaking, the melodic sound of sighing sage, was all that could be heard. The people were silent and still. No one stirred for sometime, until Keefee, moved forward and began to speak.

The dead deserve to be remembered; both our kin, and those who long ago sought to celebrate life. The ancestors may not have understood that both our environment and our lives are fragile, but they did understand that life deserves to be celebrated.
In saying this, I do not wish to dishonor the dead. We will continue to remember our friends, when their souls pass on, and we will still grieve. But, for so long, this day has been about dredging up old memories, that fuels our grief and keeps it burning too long.
We must look around us. The mountains are now safe to walk, our land is fertile, the plants are growing wildly again, and there is no longer a voice in the wind that wishes us dead. Today should celebrate the living, and the joys we have each day.
So, from today, we will celebrate the May holiday, with a festival honoring the great beauty of the landscape, emphasizing its fragility, planning to help it. There shall be Dilly ball games, our children shall tent under the stars, we shall grill, and we will build bonfires, around which we will spend time together, taking pleasure in each others company, and watching our beautiful aurora.
Everyone, let us cheer the ancestors, who lost everything, but taught us that spring, and life are worth celebrating.

Keefee raised his left hand to the sky. “Owa! Owa! Owa!”

When everyone raised their hands and cheered in response, I was so proud, that my smile must have glowed. These people, who in ten short years had drastically changed their lives, so that they no longer killed and focused on death. Now, when given the chance, they chose life over grief, and they chose to move forward.

Now, that I am far away, here at the head nest of the Magaus Alliance, helping my you, my new friends ease pain in other places, when the May holiday comes around, I remember those smiling faces. They give me the hope I need, to continue my journey, wherever it may lead.

To everyone around me, you may not be Erudian, but you’re all human, and everyone deserves to celebrate life. So, happy spring, and happy may, I hope you enjoy blue skies, bright sunshine, and the call of the wind.

Before I leave, I want to say one more thing. Don’t try that cord and boards thing on the water, because it looks like it’s more weird shit to me. But then, everyone thinks I’m odd, and Tallman and I are off to go ziplining, so maybe I’m wrong.

Anyway, happy May 24^th! See you!