Spinel: The Stone of victory
A blue banner with clusters of pale blue crystals in the top left and bottom right. There are pink spinel like crystals in the bottom left and top right. The Text in the centre reads “Crystalsof the Lightgiver - Spinel”
Crystals in The Lightgiver
Spinel
Colour: A glassy crystal that comes in a variety of colours including, blue, green, red, black and more well known pink.
Appearance: Spinel is a glassy crystal that ranges in clarity from clear with no inclusions to opaque depending on the colour. Most commonly, this crystal is found in tetrahedral shapes and is usually deposited in clusters around areas which have very little light.
Rarity: moderately rare. This crystal is usually given before important battles to encourage victory and bring luck. At certain times, Spinel can also be gifted to a wife from her husband on the night of their wedding; symbolising her victory over winning his heart.
Attributes: Although a crystal of luck and victory this gemstone is usually worn by few people. It’s Auralight is not as potent as some other crystals and so has been deemed by most as unuseful. Those who have been given a spinel crystal will usually wear it beneath clothes as a personal talisman.
Healing: It is said that those who are more connected to Auralight will be able to feel the power pulsing through it. Due to this, those who choose to wear spinel will have it close to their hearts. It is rumoured that the crystal will emit a humming which only the wearer is able to connect to.
If this gem has been gifted by a husband to his wife, it is said that the crystal will be able to connect both people and will allow the wearer to feel her husbands heartbeat.
There are few cut spinel gems in the world but those who possess one usually do due to personal preference and belief.
Dynasties of the Lightgiver
A blue banner with clusters of pale blue crystals in the top left and bottom right. There are dark obsidian like crystals in the bottom left and top right. The Text in the centre reads “Crystalsof the Lightgiver - Obsidian”
Here are a list of Royal dynasties from first recorded during the Lightgiver Era (LE) and Post Lightgiver Era (PLE).
Prior to these records are the First Souls. There is very little known about these people as there have been few artefacts and writings found. However, from crystal drawings and carvings we are able to understand a small amount about the First Souls lives.
Pre-Lightgiver Era
The First Souls
Lightgiver Era
Eldoria Realm
Drakoria
Ironforge
Leviathar (sea)
Nagaar Empire
Sylvanwind
Lycanthrope
Aquis
Blackfrost
Post Lightgiver Era
Juntian
Yarvaar
Mardarvis
Pleithian
Uthernai
Theibian
The Era of the Druz
Obsidian: The Dark Stone
A blue banner with clusters of pale blue crystals in the top left and bottom right. There are dark obsidian like crystals in the bottom left and top right. The Text in the centre reads “Crystalsof the Lightgiver - Obsidian”
Crystals in The Lightgiver
Obsidian
Colour: An opaque crystal that is black in colour.
Appearance: Obsidian has a smooth texture and is very sharp when chipped or made into shards. Some people call it Phoenix stone however, this is usually a false Obsidian as it can only be created from breaking parts of the Lightbringer into smaller pieces.
Rarity: Rare. This crystal is only kept by those who have been handed it through generations of sorcery.
Attributes: The opposite of the “All powerful” crystal. This crystal allows for the Druz and other warlocks to drain Auralight from anything within the world.
Healing: As it is just as powerful as The Lightgiver, work with this Crystal needs to be approached with caution. It is a powerful gem that can manifest some of the darkest desires of an individual, rendering them captivated and can become obsessed. Using this crystal in conjunction with any other crystal will drain the power from the other crystal to the point of it becoming powerless. Although this gemstone is seen as a dark crystal, it can be used for many helpful spells as well; for example, during the Sainder dynasty the land was plagued by a mysterious illness which left the sufferers drained of their Auralight. Obsidian was utilised as a leeching stone to remove any dark matter from the individual.
The Lightgiver Chronicles
A blue banner with clusters of pale green crystals in the top right and bottom left. The Text in the centre reads “The Lightgiver Chronicles - Lore”
Crystals in The Lightgiver
The Lightgiver
Colour: Clear crystal that has small ridges on it. A particularly skilled user is able to generate extreme powers through creating vibrations by rubbing the ridges.
Appearance: Transparent or transleucent crystal, often left raw as it grows in clusters or obelisks. Once shattered the shards become dark.
Rarity: Part of Lore, this crystal as neve been seen as a whole but fragments of it remain in certain libraries and crypts unknown to many of the public.
Attributes: The “All powerful” crystal that gives light and energy to the world. This crystal allows for people to channel Auralight; allowing them to make use of other crystals within the cosmos and enhance their own strongest attributes.
Healing: This crystal is widey used for giving power, it allows for Auralight to flow through individuals and can be used with both positive and negative effects. For example, The Lightgiver is a power healing crystal that allows for a user to clear their mind, organise their thoughts and enhance their crystal powers. Using this crystal in conjunction with any other crystal will enhance the power of both stones used. On the other hand, this crystal can be used for necromancy, and has previously allowed the wicked King Daryl of the Aquis Dynasty to conquer new lands by creating an army of living grotesqeries.
Cosy Fantasy Recs
Cosy Fantasy has taken the reading community by force and everyone is here for it! Have a look at my recommendations for cosy fantasy and link your own too!
It has been a long time coming but cosy fantasy is here to stay and save from the smash hit, Legends and Lattes from the King of cosy fantasy Travis Baldree, cosy fantasy has been cropping up in our everyday lives.
From cosy games, RPG’s, and books to cosy TV here is my list of cosy recommendations. So grab a blankie. light a candle and make your favourite hot drink. Let’s get into this!
Delicious in Dungeon
We’ve all done it… watched some anime (usually Studio Ghibli) and dreamed of the yummy food that has been prepared. There is something so aesthetically pleasing about looking at ‘Anime Food’ and for a foodie like me Delicious in Dungeon is BLISS!
It mixes the atmosphere of a popular table top game, the comedy of anime and the cosiness of food with the idea that if you are venturing into a dungeon - you could eat the monsters that dwell within. It is the most obvious way to ensure your adventure party is fed and watered!
The characters are relatable and quirky and now that I have finished watching, I can honestly say that they have all got their abilities and flaws. My particular favourite is Senshi who is the dungeon cook. It would be really interesting to see a backstory for this character as there seems to be nothing really that has been explored in this field.
This Netflix Series features the familiar food you see in a fantasy - with a twist! One to definitely watch!
Bee and Puppycat
Holy Moly Cow! This Netflix series is strange, cosy and I have zero idea what is actually happening! Nevertheless, I still love this series! It has a pastel pallet which contributes to the dreamy nature of the whole series. I love that it has a chill lofi vibe from the aesthetics to the soundtrack and the voice actors do a great job of contributing to this.
Puppycat is so cute as a character and totally relatable - especially when hes a little grumpy! This series is one to look out for and watch in one sitting - maybe with a blankie, and buttery toast.
Coffee Talk
Moving onto cosy gaming, Coffee Talk was a game which I found by accident when looking on the Nintendo Shop. It has a nostalgic feel to it with the pixelated characters which adds to the cosiness of it - especially if you are a retro gamer like I am!
The premise of Coffee Talk is that you are a cafe owner in a city where fantastical creatures reside and work alongside humans. They come into your cafe and will chat to you about their lives, loves and feelings and ask for a drink. You as the barista will need to use the ingredients to create a drink for your customer as they tell you about what is going on in their lives.
Honestly, I love Coffee Talk and will happily read about the characters and a snippet into their lives!
On Lavender Tides
Picture this - a reader tells you that they have read a book about an orc who decides to set up a coffee shop from scratch and you as the reader will be taken through everything from gutting the building to installing an oven. I remember thinking it would be pretty dull. And yet… here we are lapping up the famous cosy fantasy novel which was Indie published and has now been taken up by Tor.
Why is this relevant?
Well, it just goes to show that Cosy Fantasy books have arrived and are here to stay! Joining the cosy fantasy vibe is a personal favourite of mine - “On Lavender Tides” by Travis M. Riddle.
This is a book series which has a particular special spot for me as it is based on Pokemon. Having played Pokemon Red as a child The Jekua Series has fallen close to my heart - yes I can see that this is slightly biased but - well aren’t all my recommendations!
These are just a few of the Cosy Recs I have blogged about. I have got a few more recommended on my Instagram which you could always have a peep at!
On the other hand if you have some of your own recommendations for Cosy Fantasy I would love for you to add them below!
If you would like to hear more from me sign up below!
Dark Fantasy Tropes
We love all sub-genres of fantasy, but my personal favourite is Dark Fantasy. I love the bleakness, the rising up of the anti-hero and even the despicable villain who will stop at nothing to gain their rewards.
But what exactly contributes to Dark Fantasy? And what are the main tropes?
We love all sub-genres of fantasy, but my personal favourite is Dark Fantasy. I love the bleakness, the rising up of the anti-hero and even the despicable villain who will stop at nothing to gain their rewards.
But what exactly contributes to Dark Fantasy? And what are the main tropes? If you are here from my Instagram post: hi! If you are here just because I hope you enjoy a look into my top 3 Dark Fantasy Tropes. Let’s get into this!
1) The Anti-hero
The reluctant hero is (in my opinion) quite different to the Anti-hero. Here we see a character who is usually thrust into the hero position after something tragic occurring - usually their familly has been brutally murdered or ther dog has been taken. The Anti-hero is pretty opposed to the idea, and when done well, this can be paired really well with a dry sense of humour, sarcasm or even a begrudging attitude toward the fact that suddenly their life has turned upside down.
“How is this different from the reluctant hero”
Well… A reluctant hero will step up to their role and fall into the archetypal hero ‘mould’. The reason the Anti-hero becomes more entertaining is because they are usually mixed with the ‘morally grey’ characteristics for a villain and hero combined.
And you know how much we (of the fantasy community) LOVE a morally grey character?
2) The Bleak Setting
Nothing more than a bleak setting screams DARK FANTASY! This trope allows us to tap into the atmosphere of a dark fantasy, thus showing the reader that settings play a powerful role. This determines how we see each of the characters’ roles in the book and also adds to the foreboding atmosphere; ultimately keeping the reader asking “how will the protagonist ever overcome this?”
When written well a bleak setting can show elements of dystopia and can also tie in my next favourite trope…
3) Politics in the plot
This is a trope which, I feel, can make or break a dark fantasy novel. If done well politics can be the glue to a good plot and can lay the foundations for the lore in a fantasy land. Everything could stem from this one trope, including why the protagonist rises to fight evil, the back story to the antagonist or even how religion is woven into a political sub-plot.
Maybe I am being biased, but I love a good political story with intrigue and dark atmosphere (especially when paired with corrupt leaders). It adds to the overall feeling of loss of hope. And I love it!!
So here you have it. There are a few more I’ve added to the Instagram post here which you can see. If you have any other tropes that you think could make the list comment on my Insta post!
Also keep your eyes open for my up and coming post of which Dark Fantasy books (in my opinion) show these tropes the best.
Welcome to the world of Rebecca Kaur
Fellow authors, folk of the books and people who enjoy writing and reading. Welcome to my blog. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for making it this far and hope you truly enjoy my posts.
I am hoping to be adding snippets of my current Work In Progress, book reviews and updates on my writing process that will inspire some more people to pick up a pen or get typing on a keyboard.
This is my first of (hopefully) many. I hope to see you along the way!