Monday, April 8, 2013

G is for Gneledar


Gneledar is Talia's hometown. And it's still giving me fits! If it seems a bit "off" or under developed it's due in part to the history fluctuation during story development. Originally it was a village, not a city. When Sendek took a leap forward time-wise, I knew Gneledar needed to grow up too. But I also needed it to retain its slightly backward superstitious nature because it contributed to Talia's development.

And yes, you can read that last sentence as laziness on my part. But I didn't plan on us spending much time in Gneledar anyway, so why develop it?

Back to this post...Why would a technological society hold onto superstition? I finally worked it all out in my mind but none of it made it into the final draft of the novel. Here are a few tidbits for the curious.
Chris Beaumont 2012
Click to enlarge and see the city

1. Geographical
Gneledar is an isolated valley on the eastern edge of Algodova. Surrounded by mountains, the most notable being Riyou and Gair, it escaped Royalist attention for hundreds of years. The people lived simple lives, happily oblivious to the rest of Sendek. They farmed, fished the streams, lived and died. Life was hard and the population never grew large enough to push them out of the valley.

When the Royalist arrived there was a brief time when Gneledar tried to defend themselves, but they were out classed on every level. The invading army conquered with as little death as possible and then brought in advancements like the metabolizer and better health care. The city grew and the people prospered with very little effort on their part. Even in Talia's time, most people just accept the situation because life is good. Does it matter how it works as long as it works?

2. Historical
The valley of Gneledar has a rich magical history. In fact, Riyou and Gair were the summer home of the green dragon clan anciently. Elvin was born and raised there, and when he created the Dragumon he brought them there. The creatures of Talia's dreams swam in the same river she did and hunted in her very own trees.

That magical history soaked into the earth and wildlife. Perhaps this is why several direct descendants of Elvin were born there--there is a reference to at least one other in TMW. A boy who changed the course of the river.

And now, my question for you comes from the fact that I never lived in one place very long growing up.

What is the thing you love most about your hometown?

15 comments:

  1. What I love most about my hometown is that I don't live there anymore. haha
    Dani @ Entertaining Interests
    #warriorminion

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    1. LOL, that's too funny. I hope you like where you are now better.

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    2. I'm with Dani. I'm nostalgic about my hometown, but I shook the dust off long ago and wouldn't live there again. Too small, too few things to do. I like to visit once in a while, but can't stay there.

      I would also say that not developing a town isn't that far out of the realm of reality. Any small Midwestern town has the potential for stagnating. Partly why many of us have moved on, which just encourages additional stagnation. And on and on it goes. Vicious cycle.

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  2. I never lived long in one place either, so I don't have what I would consider a home town.
    I'll forgive your laziness if you forgive mine!

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  3. Great backstory for Gneledar. No one comes close to your world-building I think.

    Hometowns in the Midwest have changed so much. From vibrant towns with railroads, grocery stores, lumber yards, and schools to empty buildings long abandoned train tracks. Now the only 'shopping' is for the nearest illegal drugs.
    CD Coffelt ponders at Spirit Called

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  4. I'm in love with all of your beautiful names. Talia, Gneledar, and Sendek. Sometimes I struggle so much with names that the way you roll them off your pen has got me green with envy.

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    1. Those are some of my best. I wish they all came as easily. ;)

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  5. You are the Queen of world building.
    What I loved about my neighborhood was that we were on the edge of 'civilization' or so it felt to me at the time. Just down the block were fields with old sheds and horses. We had the Jordan river less than a half mile walk. It was a magical time.

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    1. That does sound wonderful. When I was young we lived on 40 acres of woods and we just ran wild. Don't you miss those days?

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    2. They were good times. When I bought my house there was a huge field that abutted my backyard. My kids got the joy of having wide open spaces for a few years before the "field people" moved in.

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  6. Hmm... technically I wasn't in my hometown long enough to enjoy it. The city that became my hometown had lots of advantages, including the historical fantasy park, Valley of the Moon. I love that place and miss it dearly!

    Mel at Writings Musings and Other Such Nonsense

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  7. Very cool! I miss my hometown. We moved away a long time ago, but at least I'm close to family.

    New follower here. I'm stopping by from the "A to Z" challenge and I look forward to visiting again.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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  8. Hometown? As in the town I grew up in? I guess I liked our proximity to Disneyland, although we rarely went. Still can navigate the place pretty well. Of course, I'm not that far away from there now.

    And I don't know why you're worried about superstitious people in technologically advanced societies. There will always be those that hold on to the old beliefs. Just look around our world.

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