Not quite Gangnam style

Welcome to Oweho, a port city on the southern coast of Garz that is home to its own laid back style.

One of the things I'm enjoying most in this book is getting to write about other places in Arbea. There is still a lot to learn about the society that Gemmy lives in (and we will). But it's nice to get out there and see some of the other contrasting cultures. 

Here is a brief (unedited) description of the people of Oweho:

"Where everyone in Bansho was reserved, you could tell by just looking at the people of Oweho that relaxation was the centre of their society. Gemmy’s mother would call it ‘lose moral fortitude’ but to Gemmy it was exciting.

"Even their style lived out loud. All of their clothing was loose fitting billows of fabrics. The men wore wide shorts that went down past their knees in brightly coloured mismatched patterns. The few who bothered to wear shirts wore a kind of mesh vest or simple swells of thin colourful fabric.

"Women, young and old, were much the same. They either wore long shapeless dresses - volumes of sheer fabric with wide belts or sashes synched round their wastes - or similarly baggy skirts with the same light fabric or mesh tops. Still, there was elegance - their dresses with plunging necklines and steep armsayes opening out in a suggestive manner; the only accents to their clothing being large colourful jewellery.

"It was all a very well planned, care-free style, even their hair. Older men tended to have completely shaved heads. But younger men had a strange sort of reverse-Rhe’zan cut. Their head was shaved all over except for large quaff of hair at the front that was styled to protrude in any direction. The women also wore similar cuts or wore their hair up in what Gemmy could only compare to a bird's nest. They tied their sun-bleached and knotted hair into buns at strange angles and allowed it to poof-out. They used colourful bandanas to help keep it aloft. They added to the look by affixing large flowers or shells all throughout the jumble of tresses."

Oweho fisherman

 

Here's a sketch of Sem decked out in some Oweho fashions. I think the style suits her.

The Oweho style (and particularly for women and their hair) was inspired by a girl I worked with, Clementine Robertson. She is a brilliant artist from Australia and had the most amazingly beautiful curly hair. I could always tell her emotional state by it. As she was finishing her dissertation at Uni it was, more often than not, just piled up on top of her head - to me it always seemed sculptural, like another work of her art. When she was calm it was equally inspiring, flowing downward in rivulets, spilling over her shoulders like a dazzling frisky shawl. If Emersus Project were ever made into a film, she would be first on my list for costumes and conceptual art as I think, in her hands, Arbea would be taken to a whole new level of incredible.

Enjoy!
‽


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An open letter to Ryan Murphy - tackling stigma

Dear Ryan, Brad and Ian,

I have been a fan of Glee since the beginning. My heart leapt and my spirits lifted as Mercedes belted out 'don't stop' for the first time. As a gay man I've ridden the waves of happiness, fear, triumph, heart break, sorrow and laughter that has been the development of Kurt and Blaine and even Karofsky (I totally called that one) coming to terms with their sexuality. Rachel has infuriated and inspired me. Santana has surprised me. Britney has shocked me with her brilliance. I still can't watch early episodes for fear that I will succumb to the sorrow that is missing Finn. I have sung along with, cheered, dreamed, cried, laughed and celebrated along side the characters whose lives have mirrored so much of my own and many of those I know. But, as the show enters it's final season there is one friend of mine that I realise has been absent from the show: clinical depression. Would you be able to work this old friend into the last series?

According to WHO (World Health Organisation) 350 million people suffer from depression and it is the leading cause of disability world wide. Think of the people it would benefit to explore such a prolific ailment on Glee. Think of the stigma it could help combat. Your show has already done on so much to tackle difficult and often uncomfortable topics that draw teens and adults alike to watch it. It's time to show the world how people react to depression, the kind that can't be fixed with a song or the realisation of ones dreams?  

Glee has championed so many taboos. And, yes, we've seen depression on the show before. And it's always been well drawn and sensitively portrayed. But it has also always found a solution beyond proper medical treatment. For many, clinical depression and other mental illnesses are not so easily dealt with. It has no root cause other than an unfortunate physical disability. It can take years to get a handle on, subsequently breaking up friendships, families, careers and lives along the way.

I am gay. And I have suffered depression because of it. But I also suffer from depression and anxiety that no amount of acceptance or hugs or boyfriends can fix. It is a mysterious longing, ennui, an intangible pain that yearns for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. But, unlike coming to terms with my sexuality, the act of recognising my depression does not make everything better. It's a disability like any other. I have to manage every day with the aid of medical help just as Artie has to use a wheelchair to get around.

It is the one part of me that I am still reluctant to share and open up about. It is the part of me that I am not always honest with others about. Unlike the prejudice that I've faced as a black man and as a gay man, it can feel insurmountable because 'the calls are coming from inside the house'. It is the dirty secret I've hidden from boyfriends and family and friends for fear of how they will react; rejection, lack of understanding, rebuke, disappointment. They are shadows that leave me cold when I'm in a room full of people who care. So how could I possibly share that darkness with the world?

Like so many, when I am depressed I search for a cause: Am I unhappy at work? Am I dissatisfied with my relationship? Am I not living up to my full potential? This questioning and examination only seeks to deepen my depression as the answer is always bound to elude me. Everything is fine yet I am unhappy. I feel ashamed. I feel I am lacking or broken because I can't make it work. There is guilt because I am not appreciating the people and the things in my life that are wonderful. And, over and over again, the people who do know tell me they love me and support me and I still feel like I'm letting them down. So, I have to work hard to overcome it - but not on my own.

I have to be open with friends and family this private and frightening thing, a sentiment which has been mirrored in so many other situations on Glee. I have to work with medical professionals to keep things in check and help me understand what's going on. And, more often than not, it's friends who spot my symptoms long before I know what's even going on. It's scary to have to depend on others to help where I am physically incapable. Normally, I believe I can do anything I set my mind to. So knowing that it's my mind that is set against me is terrifying. And the trust and faith that I have to put in those around me to help overcome it is immense. However, it's that trust and those relationships that help me overcome many of my darkest hours.

I can understand the reluctance of any television series to tackle such a large issue as clinical depression and mental illness. It's a big topic that can't be wrapped up in a short story arc, it's not funny and doesn't always have the nicely packaged and clean ending. Do you advocate medication or therapy? Do you show that relationships with good people, characters you love and admire, can break down and friends walk away? It's a big tangle of issues and upsetting situations that can grow arms and legs. But I believe that you and your team on Glee could do this in a way that is sensitive, true and beneficial to people who struggle and those around them to help spot the signs.

Depression is a scary, invisible illness that is blind to race, religion, talent or sexuality. It can take down the boldest and brightest. But, when handled, it can elevate people from their lowest points to become greater than they ever imagined. What a feeling it is to get on top of something that feels insurmountable. And, you find out how sparkling and true many relationships in your life are.

So, as Glee comes to a close next season, please take some time to explore a condition that affects (and takes) many lives every day. Glee has already made such a difference to sooooo many people. How many more could be helped by your incredible work? And hey, if you need someone to come on the show and sing about it, I'm happy to sing a few bars for you. ;-)

A huge fan,

Themo

Not Gilligan's Island

Here is my first sketch of the Island of Rheza.

Rheza itself is a collection of the main land and several small islands inhabited by the Rhe'zan people.

It is to the west of Arbea Major, the continent where the majority of Emersus Project takes place. Book 2, Spirit Shear, takes place on Garz Isle (bottom right corner).

The islands in the middle are the "disputed territories". These are the main source of disputes between Rhe'zans and humaneks and is where the majority of conflict between the two races take place. The reason for the conflict is a lot older than anyone can remember but the most modern of reasons being the vast resources of precious metals that can be found on the chain of islands.

The reason humaneks consider Rhe'zans to be ruthless because, in addition to defending/attacking in the disputed territories, they have often mounted assaults on areas of Arbea Major. However, within the disputed territories there is a permanent humanek military instalment at Port Lintz.

Enjoy!
‽




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Cat commandos

Here's a final look at the Rhezan people:

This guy should have a tail

They're definitely a feline species and will have tails. I've based the look of their facial masks and stripe patterns more on the look of a golden tiger than any other big cat. I think it gives them the fierceness but I find the colouration of the golden tiger to be quite elegant.

The Rhezan's have various classes. The ruling class, the cleric, warrior and working class. All classes are identifiable on sight. 

Ruling and mystic classes have long chin hair (nemil) and manes. The ruling class are set apart by a patch of fur on their forehead that looks like a crown. Clerics (including mystics, clergy, traders and craftsfolk) keep the long fur on their forearms shorn and their nemil braided depending on their area of work. 

Cleric

nemil alternative braiding

young royal

Warriors have long manes braided down their back but must keep their nemil trimmed. They also have the long fur on their left arm short for the use of shields in combat. The working class keep all hair trimmed and are not allowed to grow long manes (longer than shoulder length). 

 

With all the classes, the length of their hair is born of necessity. With workers, working in the sun and dealing with machinery, a lot of hair would only be a hinderance. With clerics it would not do to have the hair on your arms (or chin) falling into inks or potions constantly. But the nemil is a symbol of wisdom so they often keep it braided and tucked it into their collar when working.

Farmer's close crop

Mangy old farmer

 


Female Rhe'zans do not belong to any class as, in their society, woman are revered as subordinate to men. However, women of working classes sometimes do keep their manes cut short for ease. They do not have forearm hair at all and have less broad shoulders than males. They also have different colour manes to males.

Enjoy!
‽




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Mapology

Mapology is not a word... at all.

But what do you call it when you develop the mythology, language and culture of a land by creating a map?

I'm updating the first map of Arbea Major which is in 'Black Star' (see initial sketches of the continent). However, as the story of Emersus Project grows so does the world in which Gemmy lives. But, to really give the world a coherent depth I've had to expand it in ways that might seem superfluous but actually have a deeper impact on the world I've created on the whole.

For example, the language of the people in the North is Germanic, where as the further south you go they become more Latin based. And as the story and world expands out to the western isles of Rheza, they have a language all their own. Oh, and and if we cross the ocean to Arbea Minor languages there have a Nordic quality. So, how does that influence naming conventions of towns and places of importance? How do culturally important sites come into play?

It's all very exciting and fun and the favourite part for me was asking friends to help me 'name that place'. I got so many great suggestions that I couldn't decide which ones to use so I've just chosen to use all of them. But this presented a challenge of how each suggested name fits in with the phonemes of the cultural linguistic landscape. So, throw in some creative spelling and invented mythology and all the places make sense.

Even more fun is through this exercise I've created stories and histories about each of the places on this map. They'll also come with the history that my friends have imbued them with for whatever inspired them to come up with the names.

My favourite invented sites are the 'faels' which are historic sites much like Stonehenge, one of many prehistoric standing circles found all throughout Britain. I had an idea for these sites but not a name for them. These are marked on the map with squares. The names were inspired when a mate suggested the name 'Gabbro' which is a type of volcanic rock.

And fear not, friends, there is more mapping to come! I still have yet to draw out in detail the island of Rheza and its landmarks and cities. So if you don't see your name suggestion here it will be included some where in the story. My biggest challenge was the suggestion of 'Fearweebo' but I nailed it!

Enjoy!
‽


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Gemmy and Sem class photo

So, one of the big changes in the book is haircuts!!

I love doing fresh drawings of the characters before I start writing about them. I feel when you're sixteen how you feel on the inside and the changes that are taking place are reflected on the outside. Not so much style, but your attitude, and both Gemmy and Sem have plenty of attitude. Although, by the time I finished 'Black Star' I'd already started leaning towards these changes as demonstrated in the book's frontispiece.

Anywho, after much ado with, at his mother's insistence, Gemmy gets a 'proper' haircut. It's a bit 90s Joey Tribbiani from Friends, but hey, they live in a world with anthropomorphic cat and salamander people. However, despite the respectable trim, he's still less than meticulous about keeping it neat and can't manage to get his cow-licks under control.

Sem on the other hand stays true to form with a less than planned hair style. She's let it grow out, more out of indifference than anything (plus it's easier to put into a pony tail on the sparrein field). But she still proudly sports a self-sheared fringe to keep her hair out of her eyes. Our girl stays as laissez faire as ever. Although she's still not kicked the bad mascara habit.

Enjoy!
‽


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Do you believe in magic?

If each of the books has a theme, Black Star is definitely 'science' and Book 2 is definitely 'magic'. With this in mind I've decided on a working title for Book 2 - Spirit Shear. 

In Arbea, magic is referred to as 'mysticism'. The symbol for magic is a composite of the Arbean glyphs for power and 'spirit shear' which is a combination of the symbol for 'heaven' and 'destruction'.

The concept of 'spirit shear' comes from the archaic idea that the use of mysticism is some how drawing on the power of the gods. 

Enjoy!
‽



Buy 'Black Star' on Amazon in the UK and US
Check out Themo on Twitter and Facebook