Glossolalia (Discussion)

[SA]

[ic=Culmination]Twice I have witnessed the End of the World, and here I stand amidst the maddened throng as the sky boils and the city warps, and some unseen will destroys it for the third time in my immortal memory.  The air is thick, coursing down my throat like a solid, living thing, and I must convince myself that I am not dying'¦ though, of course, I am.[/ic][ooc]This is the discussion thread for Glossolalia.  Post awayyyy![/ooc]

What is Glossolalia?

It's been difficult defining the setting for myself, let alone for others.  It began as a few disconnected images and sensations, a certain feeling more so than a coherent world, and over time I have worked to make it accessible, if not entirely sensible.  The core ethos in the main thread describes some of the tone I'm aiming for, but it's got a lot of work ahead.

I'm trying to capture a sense of duality, wherein the world is both mythical and real.  Everyone knows the legends that are the foundations upon which the world sits, and through adventuring (in a physical or metaphorical sense) they uncover the reality of these tales.  It's kind of 'Lovecraft's evil twin': that is, the secrets are uplifting, rewarding, or simply affirmations of the suspicions and superstitions the world already holds to. (When the Old God is gibbering in dead tongues, you really do want to know what he's saying)

As I post more, I will be attempting to accentuate and clarify this feeling, and any assistance will be great.

[ic]I kissed his cheek and pushed the coin into his hand.

"A year," I said.  "One year and I'll come find you, and then we can chase that star together."

The engine whistled as the Wheel expelled its fuel and spasmed into the air.  The skies beckoned.[/ic]
[ooc]Up Next

The World and its transient territories
Myths of the First and Second Sun
The Tale of the Gallow King[/ooc]

[LordVreeg]

so...Did you read all the 'nightside' books, or am I wrong about that paticiular chaotic influence?  Ther is much in the feel that is similar.  In a good way.

Is the layering intentional?  The feeling that there is something beneath the surface always, and more layers under that, old Gods and spirits whispering the confessions of the older beings they destroyed, if only one could understand the language they confess in?

I also get a mutability, a feeling like change is more the rule here than anything else.

[SA]

I've only heard of the Nightside series in passing; I had no idea what they were about until I did a quick wiki a few minutes ago.  As long as the similarity is a good thing, that's great.

Glossolalia is certainly a setting with many layers.  A woman might look into her husband's eyes one day to find that he is in fact an angel, has always been, and has chosen her for some manner of quest or exaltation.  The stones we tread on might one day be the walls of a goddess's fortress; we sense their destiny as a vague but ever-present feeling of awe, but know not what it portends.

I intend to describe the setting in sections, detailing different levels and "directions" of human awareness:

The Great Century
The adventures of mortals with varying degrees of awareness.  This setting is predominantly terrestrial, and deals with superstition and fragile mortal faith moreso than the potent actions of immortal beings.

The Hour at World's End
The moment stretched across eternity between one century and the next.  Here, mortals begin to comprehend their inner nature, and the Infinite begins to reshape them accordingly.

The Turning Wheel of Heaven
Epic, Age-spanning tales of the immortals.  The secret patterns that repeat across reiterations of the world are guided and thwarted.

The Catalogue of Stars
Hmm... that would be telling.

However, the levels do overlap.

As mentioned in the main setting thread, a lot of the world is left open.  There will be a lot of locations and historical figures to incorporate into one's setting, but not much of a history to incorporate them into (although there will be suggestions).  The different levels allow increasing levels of influence and plot options (as well as leaving some behind), and steadily reveal a world that is both changing and immutable.

[Stargate525]

I glanced at it, and I will review, but I feel I need to say that this is NOT a setting you want to try and dissect right after watching fight club...

To be honest, I don't think my brain oculd handle anything more than a mild skim; attempts to analyze this might break me.

[Jharviss]

I'm going to take my own advice and simply say that I've read over what you've posted and I'm very-much intrigued.  I look forward to reading more, and may I say amazing writing.  It's very evocative.

On a sidenote, why Glossolalia?  The name doesn't roll off the tongue at all and I can't pin it for the setting.  What's the meaning behind it?

[SA]

I'm going to take my own advice and simply say that I've read over what you've posted and I'm very-much intrigued. I look forward to reading more, and may I say amazing writing. It's very evocative.

On a sidenote, why Glossolalia? The name doesn't roll off the tongue at all and I can't pin it for the setting. What's the meaning behind it?

love[/i] the way it sounds.

Other names that didn't make the cut:

The Breaking Wheel (too grim)
The Turning Wheel of Heaven (too precise, too wordy and misleading)
Starfall (misleading and generic)
The Infinite Hour (too precise and misleading)

There were others, but none of them struck the right chord with me.

(When I name a setting, I typically want it to look to most folks like an actual english word, but one they likely haven't heard before: Verdigris, Antebellum, Thassalos, etc.  This stresses the one constant in everything I create: "this exists within my paradigm, but I have no idea what it is..."

Such a process, as well as my settings in general, doesn't resonate with everyone.  But I'm not trying to make it.)

[LordVreeg]

Glossolalia?  KNew it immediatly, though I was reaquainted with it after reading stephenson's Snow Crash...very interesting choice, but apt for the way this world feels.  

[Jharviss]

Indeed.  Having looked it up and seeing what you have to say about it, I very much agree.  Glossolalia is a fine name, it just struck me a bit funny since I don't recall having heard it before.  It's certainly better than your other choices!

[SA]

Finally, a (small) update!  I'll be adding to the various "Myth" sections that'll pop up throughout the thread.  Their purpose is to propose alternate theories/versions of creation stories, historical events and - most importantly - supernatural practices.

Moar soon.

[Jharviss]

Yay, an update!  I was hoping that Glossalia wasn't dead (or you, yourself, Salacious Angel of the Facist Almond).