Isigney

High in the mountain ranges is a land of meadows and groves. The White Horn casts a shadow over the land of Isigney. Legends say a monster that lives in the White Horn’s caves would devour any daring mountaineer. Full of magic and beauty, the queens rule Isigney with all the blessings of Nature. The matriarchies influence extends to all the known world. These have accumulated reputations as not only pure and beautiful princesses, but also powerful dangerous witches. No man has any dominion over them; only the bravest, strongest and most handsome knights and princes will ever earn their favor. The only men the queens respect is the wizards of the Merlinian order. Old men who are considered eunuchs in the courts, their wisdom, magics and relations with the Fae folk are highly respected, though they have no authority or command in their courts. 

• House Aurora

Home of the unofficial capital of Isigney, this bloodline resides in the grandest, most majestic castle of all the queendoms. Any matters of enough importance for the matriarchies to congregate occur in this court. Grand elaborate mosaics decorate the walls depicting the establishment of the dynasty. Its towers have views of all the other queendoms in Isigney, including a view of Main Street down in the Prairie. Pink and blue are the unofficial colors of this house. Bloodline known for their golden hair. Major export is textiles. Their territory is considered to have the most perfect weather, flora and most vibrant community of Fae in all the realm. The cultural center, the envy of all the houses, the most blessings from the Fae. The greatest evil dragon in Isigney history was slain to establish this dynasty. To celebrate their supremacy, the queen has her wizard set off a firework display every dusk. The beating heart of Isigney

• House Cinders

The only house to rival the house of Aurora, this queendom is known for their opulence and fashion. Glass is used extensively in their decorations and fashions and is a major export. The most beautiful pure white horses are bred here and are highly valued across Isigney. White and silver have become the official colors of the queendom; use of other colors is considered tacky and vulgar. Considered the purist bloodline among the matriarchies. Grand balls, dancing and courtship are a way of life here. It is a cultural belief that only thru toil, suffering and sacrifice can true luxury and grandeur be achieved. It is no wonder this house has grown rich from the slave trade. 

• House White

Located in a dense forest, this bloodline prides themselves on their alabaster complexion and black hair. No other house has better relations with the dwarven communities and benefit greatly from their skills in mining and smithing. Also known for their exports of quality apple varieties, mirrors (a strong trade relationship with Cinders) and the open secret of the best poisons in the world. 

• House Rose

A house of romance and mystery, this bloodline is known for their beauty and their wisdom. The most educated house with an impressive book collection. Besides being known for their varieties of roses, the dark forests are populated with large beasts who guard and serve the house loyally. Said to be the sons of Rose

• House Rapion

The main export of this house is the rapion plant, a widely renowned vegetable to promote fertility, a healthy pregnancy and hair growth. This bloodline is known for their luxurious hair and elaborate braids. 

• House of Snow

Far to the north is a land of fjords and glaciers. The fairest complexions and harshest environment of perpetual winter. It is rumored children are kidnapped and raised in the ice palace to maintain their sparse population. The purest drinking water sources are found here. The other houses often trade for their water. 

• House of Mer

A coastal land, this bloodline is known for their singing voices and their seafood. They have a reputation for making the best wives and mothers, but also the most deadly when crossed. 

• House of Rumple

This house has a particularly sinister reputation. Their major export is spun gold and are quite wealthy. Although the traditional bread basket of Isigney, cereal production from the Prairie dwarfed them drastically. The bloodline has an army of goblins to serve and guard their queen. It is said all are sons of Rumple, and since the bloodline named them all herself, they all answer to and serve their matriarch. 

• House of Frog

Ruling the port city of New Isigney, this house has a disgraced reputation. Not only considered descended from a spoiled, deceitful stock, the rumor is their sons turn to frogs when they come of age and live the rest of their days in the swamp. Their bloodline has been tainted by more exotic, savage people, but these people are fiercely loyal to their queen. 

• Main Street

A grand metropolis in the heart of the Great Prairie, this city is just one long line of business and commerce, the economic hub of the Empire. Connected by a great railroad system and river basin, trains and riverboats import and export from all over the continent, funneling into Isigney. While  Isigney is still a feudal society, the colony enjoys a novel freedom from queens and ladies. Knights have conquered the Prairie from the red people and driven them into the Frontierlands beyond the mountain ranges east and west of the Prairie. In a matter of decades, settlers and pioneers and pilgrims of all kinds flooded into the Prairie; homesteading, building farms and factories everywhere. Main Street was a boomtown. Far to the north the grand Aurora castle can be seen from the mountain peaks by all of Main Street, reminding the citizens of the matriarchies dominion over them all. Though all are loyal to the queens paying homage to them and the motherland, the people of the prairie have enjoyed not only freedom but innovation. Electric light is slowly replacing gas light and motorcars are slowly replacing horses. Main Street is a center all its own of egalitarian wealth, prosperity, modern music and fashion, and the cultural spirit on the new colony. 

• New Isigney

Far to the south of the Prairie the many rivers meet into a great river that empties out into the southern sea. The river delta is a dense dark swamp that hides the mysterious port city of New Isigney. Founded by pirates from Isigney long before the Prairie was settled, it has the reputation of being a haven for thieves, witches and murderers. All walks of life from the Adventurelands converge here, settle and mix. Proper settlers of the Prairie do not linger here. Primal magics and centuries of ghosts linger in the swampy air. Only the bravest or most foolish would dare to explore this sinister city. 

• Frontierlands

Beyond the Prairie lies jagged mountains, dense forests and hot deserts. Lands still populated by the red people. In the deepest and most secluded forests live communities of animals that speak, walk on two legs and wear clothes. The bears in the eastern mountains are most known about. History says such talking beasts once populated Isigney before they were pushed out by men. Normally peaceful creatures, they avoid all mankind, even the red people. The matriarchs encourage the Prairie settlers to push their borders and conquer more land from the red people for the Empire. Pioneers, hunters, fur traders and outdoorsmen of all kinds explore these wild lands, but little progress has been made when it comes to permanent settlement. The only arguably successful settlement into the Frontierlands was Big Thunder Mountain. Far west into the mountains and deserts stands a sandstone mountain. The red people call it Thunder Mountain because lightning strikes it so often and consider the site sacred to their gods. Isigney settlers discovered the largest gold, silver and copper deposits in history within it. At it’s peak, a mining town had developed and was connected by train to Main Street. The good fortune was brief, when natural disasters, lethal accidents and constant attacks from the red people drove the few survivors to flee. The railroad fell into disrepair and Big Thunder was soon reputed to be haunted. 

• Adventurelands

The dark swampy port city of New Isigney has become the gateway to savage, exotic lands far beyond the continent. Tropical islands home to fabulous singing birds and delicious fruits. Impassable jungles filled with giant deadly beasts of all kinds, hiding ancient bizarre civilizations. These are the Adventurelands. Only the cruelest hardest pirates that may or may not be loyal to the matriarchies dare to explore these lands. They pillage and plunder these strange lands, often taking slaves. An enterprise the queens may or may not profit from. Supposedly the wealthiest individuals in the Empire bribe pirates for safe passage to secluded islands for pleasure and leisure. Far more wild and treacherous than the Frontierlands, the promise of fantastic treasures and riches lures those with nothing to lose to adventure. 

• Tomorrowlands

The wizards of the Merlinian order are a front for a clandestine organization of the greatest minds of all mankind. The most genius, most progressive and innovative minds have been secretly gathered from all across the world to discover the secrets of Nature and develop technologies for the benefit and future of mankind. Whether in hidden locations in the world behind cloaking and force fields or even another dimension, they are a meritocracy/magocracy/geniocracy apart from the politics of the Empire. They consider the matriarchs of Isigney figureheads while they very slowly share their discoveries with the people of the Empire. The wizards depend on their patronage and the resources of the Empire to fund their research. They mostly rely on steam power, but working toward new power sources. They have successfully colonized the oceans, discovered caverns several miles into the earth where species thought to be millions of years extinct still thrive, even colonized the moon and already exploring other planets in the solar system. All while functioning in secret from the rest of human society. What little technology they demonstrate in Isigney is theatrical and publicly called magic. The queens are none the wiser. Officially they believe in not allowing their technological advancements to fall into wrong hands, causing harm to mankind and the world at large. In practice, there is an elitism to their society they believe that not even the ethnocentric nobility are worthy of, and certainly not the peasants and savages of the world. Only the most scientifically minded who can contribute to their innovations are allowed to even know the existence of Tomorrowland and enjoy their advancements. 

Adult Rangers

 A cloaked vessel is orbiting the Earth. It’s long range scanners detect an alien invasion is approaching our solar system and will be here in a matter of weeks. Scans indicate the invading force has the numbers and technology to conquer Earth in a matter of days. The AI activates and recruits/teleports individuals from the planet surface who are skilled fighters and indomitable spirits. They are to represent all that humanity has to offer in the defense of our planet. On the ship for who knows how many millennia are are 7 perpetual energies that were meant for hosts to convert said energy into anything the host manifests, whether it be armor, weapons or vehicles. Think Iron Man meets Green Lantern. While each energy is infinitely powerful and undepletable, the limits of the power lies with the host, their mental fortitude and imagination. Most importantly, the 7 energies work best connected together toward a common goal. The 7 energies are colors: Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Black, Pink and White. The hosts that wield these powers are called Rangers. 

Tane is a Maori man. Tall, strong, and a great fighter. Also a great dancer, lover of people, Life and sport. Nothing he loves more than leading his team to victory in a match. He’s lived a very comfortable life on the island with little worries. The first recruited to be the red ranger.

Alexei is a Russian transgender man. Red haired and blue eyed. Petit but very lean and fit, he never believed he was a girl. He trained and competed to be the man he always knew he could be. Gymnastics, weightlifting and martial arts. It’s his life’s mission to keep up with the boys. Recruited to be the blue ranger.

Obi is a Nigerian man. Loves nothing more than to smile and laugh. Good food, good music, good jokes. He had to struggle all his life, often had very little. But you’ll never meet anyone who has more hope for the future or believes more in the good of people. Recruited to be the yellow ranger. 

Inti is an Amerindian man from Bolivia. Grew up speaking Spanish. An avid hunter, fisherman, sportsman and survivalist, he loves raw nature and the wild. He abhors cities and crowds of people. He finds modern civilization disgusting. He is most at peace in the rainforest. Recruited to be the green ranger. 

Rashid is an Arabian man. Bitter and hardened, he has been fighting all his life. He fines little pleasure in things. His solace is his faith in Allah. Recruited to be the black ranger. 

Xiuying is a Chinese woman. Though very feminine and graceful, she takes full advantage of opponents who are oblivious to how formidable she is. Though modest, she takes great pleasure in humiliating men who insult her. Recruited to be the pink ranger. 

Christophe is a Canadian man. Tall and handsome, blue eyed and blond. The gentlest soul, chivalrous by nature, but a bit of a ego and vain. Recruited to be the white ranger. 

One by one these people are teleported to the vessel, notified by the AI that they have been chosen to defend their world from an alien attack. The 7 energies were placed there by a highly evolved benevolent civilization as a fail safe for anyone who would harm the primitive planet. They have weeks to train, hone their skills and minds, and learn to work as a team in order to defeat the threat. 

They all rely on the computer translators to communicate with one another, and often spar with one another to release tensions. Bonds slowly form. Leadership is often in question, all not necessarily wanting to answer to one. 

As a team building exercise and to boost morale, Tane teachers the others a war dance and chant. The chant speaks of family, ancestors and home, and the gleeful willingness to die to defend them. One by one the others take it up, chanting in their own languages and adding their own moves to the dance. It often devolves into a competition to show off moves and martial ability. 

When the threat finally arrives, it is devastating. The death and destruction is almost instantaneous. Individually, they can beat back the tide but just barely. Fighting as a team with any kind of focus proves difficult. They are all beaten down, taunted and humiliated. Tane is the one who begins a beat, stomping his feet and chanting. One by one the others join, soon chanting and dancing in rhythmic unison. At it’s completion, the 7 energies connect in a blinding light. 

Each has evoked the spirits of their ancestors: fighters and warriors and soldiers from their respective cultures. Each radiating with the power. Just like that, an army of ghosts appears. The once devastating alien force has been brought low by the spirits of all humanity throughout history. When the last threat is cornered, the army of humanity has completely integrated: every color bleeding into another. All 7 rangers strike the final blow at once. 

Once the threat is officially eliminated and the recovery is under way, the 7 are compelled to relinquish the energies back into stasis, the AI goes back into hibernation, and the rangers are all returned to their lives on Earth, no one the wiser who they are or what they’ve done for the world. Each is will never forget the bond they formed, fighting for all life and all humanity, as brothers and sister. 

Alternate Reality Rangers

 The British Empire never lost the American colonies, slavery was never outlawed, and the Nazi ideology took root all over Europe, exterminating all those considered inferior to the Master Race. 

Zhane is the White Knight ranger, Imperial General of Europe. Many have come to challenge his power, and he killed them all. 

Carter Grayson is the Red Conqueror ranger, Imperial Lieutenant of the Americas. Many red rangers have come and gone, but Carter proved himself worthy of the red power. He is everything a red ranger should be and believes in the cause. However he secretly deeply resents that both Ryan & Dana Mitchell challenged for the white and pink power and were killed for it. 

Flynn McAllister is the Blue Mariner, Imperial Commodore of Oceania. 

These 3 represent of the power of the London based Euro Empire, that maintains peace and order across the planet and defends the planet from alien invaders. 

Tommy Oliver is the Green Crusader ranger, Imperial Brigadier of West Asia. Many have challenged him for the position of green ranger and were quickly defeated. Rumors of his Native American heritage have been dismissed when DNA testing confirmed he is Irish/German/Polish/Greek. Fundamentalists/Conservatives/Purists in Parliament may argue he is not pure enough to be a ranger, but moderates believe his position as a ranger promotes a Pan-European unity, and improves relations with the Slavs and Greeks. Constantinople has been reclaimed from the Muslims for Euro power and is Tommy’s base.  

Calvin Maxwell is the Yellow Commissioner ranger, Imperial Colonel of East Asia. Hong Kong based. His sexual deviance is a deeply kept secret, which would mean his elimination if discovered. 

Chase Randall is the Black Colonizer ranger, Imperial Major of Africa. Cape Town based

Karone is the pink ranger unofficially. She is Zhane’s consort/concubine. No man has ever been the pink ranger, and Zhane only allows her the pink ranger power as a final protection for the mother of his children. 

Rangers from another dimension has disrupted the status quo. They know things about ranger history that no one should know. They produced many names but one caught Tommy’s ear: Billy Cranston. Tommy looked up his record and confirmed Billy was in fact the first blue ranger, right before his time. Billy’s genius invented many technological advancements not only for the rangers but for the planet. Despite rumors of a Jewish taint, Billy’s tenure as the blue ranger was exemplary until his sexual deviance was discovered. He was quickly disgraced and euthanized. His potential was wasted by his affliction that prevented the propagation of his bloodline. Tommy’s Native American heritage may or may not be a lie; Zhane is credited for killing Bandora and saving Tommy from her control, securing his position as the green ranger. The presence of a racially diverse ranger team from another reality provokes a coup: several rangers are murdered and their powers claimed by tribal leaders to lead a racial/global/civil war to overthrow the empire. Zack Taylor claims the black power for Africa. Adam Park claims the yellow power for East Asia. Carlos Vallerte claims the red power for America. Jake Holling claims the green power for West Asia. Flynn flees to Zhane for protection, but believing the rangers have grown too weak to resist usurpers, Zhane kills Flynn and claims the blue power for himself, so not to fall into enemy hands. With the pink, blue and white powers, Zhane single handedly forms a megazord to resist the rebellion force of usurper rangers, who formed their own megazord. Zhane is overpowered and flees the planet with Karone and their children. The remaining rangers form a confederation, with equality and coexistence among the new empires. Zhane and Karone have 3 rangers powers (white, pink, blue). Perhaps it will take a generation or two, but Zhane intends to conquer the planet, reclaim all the ranger powers and form a dynasty to rule. First he needs to get started on his new harem on the ship, which includes Katherine Hillard, Gia Moran, Dana Mitchell (not dead after all), Emily, Tori Hanson, Ronny Robinson, Summer Landsdown, Kira Ford, Lilly Chillman, Taylor Earhardt, Sydney Drew, Kendrix Morgan and Lauren Shiba. These were women who were told they were potential rangers, but were in fact kept as breeding stock for the actual rangers. 

Wholesome Manhood

 Romantic drama. A cis gay man is dating a trans gay man for the very first time in his life, and vice versa. They are both interested in a LTR. The subject of having kids, raising a family comes up. While trying to find common ground as queer men, a heated argument develops. Can’t help but compare and contrast life experiences. The need for normalcy and belonging. Childhood traumas, sexuality and gender identity, shame and self loathing, self harm, latent hostilities about their differences, anger issues and insecurities about their individual physical and psychological masculinities. Life’s disappointments, past relationships, the anxiety of potential parenthood. Even when wondering if they really love or hate each other and why they are even trying to work it out, they both are holding on to the hope of a happy life full of unconditional love and acceptance. 

The Cunnings

Adrian

• 25
• Tall and lanky (+6ft), jet black hair, starting to grey at the temples. Well trimmed goatee. Storm grey eyes. Aquiline nose
• Far sighted; wheres reading glasses. 
• Greek/Italian descent
• Grew up in Boston with his mother, a university professor at Harvard
• ENTP
• Gemini
• Fav food: Mediterranean. Chicken pasta
• Very well educated. Studied Philosophy, Linguistics and Political Science. 
• Fluent in Greek/Latin/Hebrew. Very talented with languages.
• Academic, eloquent, highly literate. 
• Has smooth, soothing singing voice. Can beatbox.
• Plays transverse bamboo flute while alone, to help him think. 
• Innovative mind. Very reasonable and logical. Wants to lead the world to a brighter future.
• Out of touch with his emotions; cold. 
• Ambitious, arrogant. Has to be the smartest guy in the room. Despises stupidity. 
• Not above manipulating and lying to people; especially people he doesn’t respect or thinks is stupid (most people)
• Magickal gifts: Clairaudiance; can hear people’s thoughts/true meaning behind words. Hears spirits/ghosts/daemons. Suppressed since childhood. The Voice; can compel and manipulate others with his speech. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Telepathy. Psychokinesis.  
• Comparable character: Reed Richards, Rupert Giles, Captain Sean Renard

Gwen

• 22
• Voluptuous, stocky build. Big mop of copper red curls flowing everywhere. Rich green eyes. Pug nose.
• Irish/Scottish descent.
• Grew up in Montana in foster care. Strong ties to local Native American community.
• ISFJ 
• Taurus
• Fav food: all fruits and vegetables, especially root vegetables. Lactovegetarian. 
• Excellent cook and gifted gardener. Domestic, home body. All about creature comforts.
• Deep smoky singing voice. 
• Loves percussion, drums. Bongos.
• Very green politics. Despises waste. Good head for economics. Very practical, down to earth. Strong work ethic.
• Values tradition. Craves routine, structure, stability, security, order. 
• Very stubborn and close-minded. Hates technology. Afraid of change. Materialistic.
• Magickal gifts: Clairkinesthesia; physically sensitive to vibrations, forces and energies. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Can cause stillness/silence/darkness under stress. Can block, absorb or negate forces and energies.
• Comparable character: Monica Gellar, Paula Proctor

Hugh

• 20
• Muscular and hirsute. Straight golden hair & thick beard. Amber eyes. Prominent brow.
• Eagle eye vision; 20/10.
• German/Norse descent.
• Grew up in Texas with mother and two younger half-brothers in trailer.
• ESTP
• Leo
• Fav food: Red meat. Tex-mex. BBQ. Spicier the better. 
• Played football in high school, rides a Harley. Discharged from the military for insubordination. 
• Smokes. Likes tequila and beer.
• Deep, forceful singing voice. Works with heavy metal or reggae.
• Secretly plays the Irish fiddle and the Spanish guitar.
• Fearless and bold; true lust for life. Bit of a adrenaline junkie
• Rebellious and defiant to a fault. Hates authority figures and being told what to do; values his freedom above all else. 
• Aggressive, angry, impulsive, bad temper
• Redeeming quality: High value on the truth. Absolutely despises hypocrites and liars. Not afraid of the truth, no matter how unpleasant, ugly or harsh.
• Magickal gifts: the Sight (clairvoyance). Can see through time and space, auras. Suppressed since childhood.
• Advanced magick: Fire-starter.
• Comparable characters: Johnny Lawrence, Poe Dameron, Eric Northman, John Constantine, Mickey Milkovich

Vivienne

• 17
• Petite. Fine soft long flowing brown hair. Big saucer sea blue eyes. Cupid lips.
• French/Russian descent.
• Grew up in San Francisco with stepfather and stepsister after mother’s death.
• INFP
• Pisces
• Fav food: Japanese. pescatarian.
• Dances ballet, plays the piano. Swims. Likes bells and cymbals.
• Raised Catholic, but familiar with Eastern philosophies 
• Keeps dream journals since childhood. Lucid dreamer.
• Very artistic and emotionally sensitive. Naive, romantic, idealistic, childlike. Still a virgin.
• Sweet, delicate, heartbreaking soprano voice.
• Magickal gifts: Dream-walking. Empathy. 
• Advanced magick: Astral projection. Reiki (laying on hands). 
• Comparable characters: Dawn Summers, Rachel Berry, Jenna Hamilton, Charlotte York, Usagi Tsukino, Elena Gilbert

Magick is everywhere and in everything. The world runs on it. Almost all people have magickal talent, though the vast majority of people never harness their skills. They live their lives as Mundanes. But the most magickally talented people throughout history have no choice but to answer their calling. 

They become community leaders in their tribes. Shamans, Viziers, Philosophers, Druids, Priests, Mystics, Seers, Wizards, Witches or perhaps just cunning folk. Some become Sorcerers or Enchanters who use their gifts selfishly, or worse still, Warlocks; traitors who turns against or harm their own kind.

Almost all mages commune with daemons, spirits, ghosts, faerie or gods of some kind. The oldest worship in human history is Earth Mother. The hunter-gatherers of Europe worshipped the creative power of women and the Earth that provides and shelters them. Her and her son/consort the Horned God were the Divine. When the nomadic, patrilineal, horse-ridding, cow-herding tribes conquered from the East, they brought their Sky Father with them, along with his daughter, the Goddess of Rain and Rivers. While associated with agriculture and irrigation, her healing, benevolent qualities translated to modern Divine Feminines, such as the Virgin Mary and Quan Yin. And the first Hieros Gamos between cultures occurred.

The philosophers of Greece establish the 4 Elements, the components that make up all the Universe: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. All of creation can be corresponded this way: The phases of the moon (new, waxing, full, waning) , the seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter) , the times of the day (dawn, noon, dusk, midnight), the four stages of life (childhood, adolescence, maturity, geras), the four aspects of the Human (body, mind, spirit and heart). When all elements are in balance, can Life truly flourish; the quintessence. 

When tribes and cultures mingle and join, their wisdom and magicks is shared and enriched, making theirs magicks stronger. But darkness pervades throughout humanity, thus hatred and fear murder and destroy. Ancient wisdoms and magicks have been lost. Whole families have been wiped out by the ignorant and suspicious. The Burning Times (13-18th centuries) are a primes example. 

It was during the Burning Times that many mages and their families were wiped out, while others escaped to the New World. In America, peoples and cultures from all over the planet converge and meet. One particular family, the Cunnings, who can trace their lineage to the founding of Londinium, made their way across the Atlantic. Having mixed and reinforced their blood and magicks from Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Normans, etc., they became possibly the most magickally gifted family in Western culture. After centuries of itinerancy across the British and French colonies, they eventually settled in the center of this great new land: St. Louis. Where the East meets West and the Mississippi connects the North to South, a grand manor was built in 1904, during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. 

The manor has Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Aestheticism influences, including Neo-Romanesque and Edwardian Baroque touches, accomplishing Gesamtkunstwerk. Foursquare style, but on a much grander scale. Spacious grounds. Study with Library, Music Room, Full Kitchen with adjacent dining room, nook, garden conservatory and root cellar. Access to spacious side garden. Billiard Room with full service bar, weight room and sauna in basement, spacious backyard with pergola, fire pit and swimming pool. Unattached garage fits four. 5 bedrooms. Guest bedroom on first floor. Master bedroom has bath for two and balcony overlooking backyard. Attic observatory has 360 views, but currently sealed off to conserve heating. 

Jack Cunning, the last heir to the Cunning estate and fortune, was a infamous playboy and confirmed bachelor, who dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. In his will, he names Adrian, Gwen, Hugh and Vivienne as his blood kin and heirs. The entire estate is to be split between them, the manor is in all their names, and have full access… on the condition they all live in the manor together for at least one calendar year. 

There are many bloodlines currently existing all over the world. Bloodlines of both Good, Neutral and Evil witches. Not all of the descendants become witches in these families. Only the most talented ones are selected and raised into a specific tradition of esoteric origin. 

Hereditary Witches like British, Irish, Greek, Hoodoo, Voodoo, Slavic, Nordic, Celtic, Arabian, Mexican, Italian, Stregherian, are passed down from one generation to another. Hereditary Witches are common in parts of the world where families live together most of their lives.

Why do they keep their magical identity Secret? 

For two reasons. 

1. Witches are not easily accepted in society probably because of the power they possess. Hence, these families, often try to keep this as a secret, NEVER exposing themselves or their powers, not even to their own descendants. Witch craze of the Dark Ages made witches more secretive (as if they were not secretive enough).

2. These Bloodlines, often serve different purposes. Others serve the Light, others serve Evil purposes, others become more political or meddled with financial interests. Hence, it’s not uncommon to see Bloodlines engaging in Witch Wars. There are actually rumors, that great wars (for example the World War 2) begun as a result of Witch Wars. Remember the British Witches fighting the Nazi occultists? Or maybe think of the Crusades for example. There are many who believe that the crusaders where actually trying to search and locate powerful magical artifacts, some of them which had nothing to do with Christianity whatsoever. 

10 Signs You come from a Line of Witches

Only if a child shows specific signs of Magical Power, may the ancestor reveal their powers and wisdom. However, there are many ‘hints’ or ‘signs’ that your ancestors actually know much more that they will ever admit. 

I, myself, come from an old Bloodline of Witches. Only when I become 20 years old, my grandmother revealed the truth. The age is not standard. Other families reveal their ‘Magical Identity’ to their descendants in a young age, other prefer to keep it secret for more. 

But let’s see some signs, when we come from a Bloodline of Witches. 10 Signs that all hereditary witches should know!

1. Your Ancestors are Story Tellers

Did/do you ancestors keep telling you interesting stories and fairytales? Hereditary Witches are often raised with stories and ‘fairytales’ which are told over and over again. It is very important for their descendant to learn about the World of Witchcraft. 

Moreover, these stories often possess a certain pattern. It teaches the young witch something about their esoteric tradition or builds up their moral integrity. ‘With Great Power comes Great Responsibility’.  

2. Your Ancestors are Potion Makers

Did/do you ancestors always had a potion for everything? It is very common in Bloodlines, to craft potions for almost any condition and pass them through generations. A potion to help you study, a potion for sweet dreams or help you dream better, a potion to ease anxiety, a potion for better sex life… the list is endless. 

3. Your Ancestors are Dream Interpreters

Did/do your ancestors were always interested in listening to your Dreams? Witches and of course Hereditary Witches know that in our dreams we become more aware of our true nature. When the physical plane ceases to influence our judgement, our true potential might be unveiled. Moreover, the Hereditary Witches may wait for the right moment to talk to their children or grandchildren about their magical powers. This ‘right moment’ might come after a dream the child saw. A dream revealing his/her true destiny. 

4. Your Ancestors are Peculiar Advisors

Did/do your ancestors give you weird advice? My grandmother always used to give me advice which made no sense, UNLESS you’re a witch. They sounded more like superstitions to others who made laugh of her. Of course I’ve listened to them carefully. 

Advices like, do not whistle at night in forest, have always a pot of basil in your home or do not leave your hair in a brush, or always flush blood covered paper-towels made sense only when I’ve studied witchcraft.

5. Your Ancestors are Amazing Cooks 

Did/do your ancestors cook in an odd way – using spices and herbs no other knows and of course uses? Kitchen Witchcraft is very popular because it’s concealed and powerful at the same time. Witches love herbs and spices and they like to use them every day to enchant the living. 

Do you keep getting amazing by their vast collection of dried herbs and exotic spices organized in glass bottles with handwritten labels? Cooking becomes a unique experience when you also employ Witchcraft…

6. Your Ancestors are Nature Lovers

Did/do your ancestors raise you to love and spend time outdoors in Nature?Hereditary Witches love to teach their heirs about the miracles of nature. New Witches are taught to recognize birds, reptiles and trees. They organise activities in the Wilds, spending much time around lakes, rivers, forests, coasts etc in order to help their heir get in touch with Nature.

7. Your Ancestors are Lone Wolves

Did/do your ancestors love to spend time alone? They may be old and/or widowed but they have no problem staying alone at home. Somehow they manage pretty good. Witches are not afraid of being alone. In fact they prefer it for certain rituals and procedures. It’s not that they don’t enjoy the company of the ones they love. On the contrary. However they love spending time alone. 

8.  Your Ancestors are Living Calendars 

Did/do your ancestors always know what’s the current moon phase or know exactly what holiday is today? They may know the religious calendar by heart too. Witches are always attuned with the Circles of the Sun and the Moon. It is very important for witches to be up-to-date with the Zodiac. 

9. Your Ancestors performed Weird Birth, Death and Other Rituals 

Did/do your ancestors performed little rituals when a new child was born or moved to a new house, or when new Year has come? Witches, although they want to keep their practice in secret, they always try not to neglect important moments. Do they bury the placenta in a blessed grove when a new child is born? Have you noticed them covering the mirrors of the house when someone has died? 

Although they don’t talk much about what they are you doing, they insist on performing these rituals. Moreover, they want to their descendants to attend some of these rituals or maybe tell them with every little detail. 

10. You and Your Ancestors Have the Same ‘Witch Marks’

Did/do your ancestors have the same markings on their body as you? Did they keep telling you that you’ve inherited these weird spot on your body? 

As we’ve extensively explained in our Witch Marks article, it’s very common for Lines of Witches to possess the same Marks on their body as a proof of their ‘Spiritual Bloodline’. What’s even more interesting is that one might be adopted and have the same ‘Witch Marks’ too. Witch Marks is the magical imprint of a Magical Bloodline in the genetic code. 

Steampunk Fay underground

I haven't written anything in a long time, but last night I dreamt I was in this metropolis, like Chicago or New York, with highways and railroads everywhere. It was 1910s or 1920s I think, somewhere in very early 20th century. Right on this corner on this busy intersection, I'm staying in a ritzy hotel. While there, I discover an entire underground tunnel complex inhabited by elves, goblins and trolls who staff the hotel in human form. In the maze of tunnels I find whole living communities, farms and gold mines. They try to keep me prisoner from escaping into the world and telling anyone this Fay community exists, but I end up escaping and hide out like a refugee thanks to a sexy, silver daddy werewolf. I don't know what story to make out of this, but it's almost like Narnia meets Harry Potter!

Crane's Foot

I've been mulling over this idea for a while now. What if we can access our blood memories? We can follow our chromosomes back to our ancestors. At the onset of puberty, a flood of memories from times and places long past course through our minds like a long-repressed trauma. Only with years of mental discipline and concentration can we reach back to the very birth of our cultural identities with coherence. Our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents and so on and so forth, as far back as our minds allow. Thousands of years, hundreds of generations. We remember their experiences, their skills, their thoughts and dreams, everything up until the conception of the younger generation. Words and songs and stories lost to time are immediately resurrected. Their personalities bleed into our own as we experience their lives as our own. Being an Irish farmer, a Viking raider, a Russian serf, an American slave, a Spanish conquistador, a Roman soldier, a Scythian rider, a Venetian banker, a plague survivor. A stranger across the world is remembered as a brother in a previous life. Clans and nations once dust are restored to life with bonds as strong as childhood adventures. Bitter rivalries and holy wars long dead are rendered fresh. 

Live Action (+ CGI) Disney's The Sword in the Stone

For the first time in SEVERAL years (I'm talking at least 20) I just re-watched Disney's animated feature The Sword in the Stone. I'm finding a new appreciation for it; it's one of Disney's best!

I imagined a live-action version of the film with very little change, except maybe play down the musical aspects. Merlyn and Mim talk-sing a lot, but mages tend to speak in verse because casting magic requires it. Their speech is even occasionally lyrical.

Keep all the anthropomorphic characters, from the sugar jar to the amourous she-squirrels! Archimedes: Perfect. As. Is. Talks like a man, behaves like a man, but for all intents and purposes, an owl. When Melyn and Wort are fish/squirrels/whathaveyou, make them look as real as possible, but still keep their human facial traits, especially the eyes.

I imagine Stephan Lang as Merlyn: absent-minded, eccentric, crotchety and cranky; even a little clumsy. With a walking stick that doubles as a wand. But without that running beard gag. You can tell his mind is crammed to the brim with knowledge and he is constantly rummaging through the pile that is his mind, trying to find the appropriate information for the moment at hand. And he'd still have that silver fox thing going on!

Helena Bonham Carter is an obvious choice for Mad Madame Mim! Manic, maniacal, with a childish glee toying with her prey like a cat with a mouse.

Mim might have more of a roll in this version, constantly trying to undermine Merlyn's good works simply out of rivalry, with an epic mage's duel climax!

Not really sure about casting Wort (Arthur). Nathan Gamble?

Alternate Professor X story

This isn't really any idea for a film or TV, but just my crack at fan fiction. I always had a problem with Charles Xavier. He had so much potential to do so much good, but he was such a pacifistic, hypocritical, Gandhi-type character, he did more harm then good. What if he took more control and responsibility? What if he was more politically ambitious?

What if...

Charles Xavier used his telepathic powers to make his stepfather feel all the harm he ever did, to avenge the abuse of Cain Marko and himself, eliminating Juggernaut as an enemy/rival by indebting him into servitude.

He psychically slays Cassandra Nova in quick work before she ever becomes anything at all.

He meets Moira at Oxford, marries her and telepathically disables Joseph MacTaggert from being a threat to anyone.

His son David with Moira is a perfectly sane, if slightly eccentric, and powerful telepath who can warp reality and time travel while under extreme psychological duress. Professor X uses David for his own purposes, but only under desperate, life-and-death circumstances.

He avoids the Vietnam War draft and eliminates Cain's draft as well.

After he defeats Shadow King, he develops a brain trust, a think tank to assist in his power and uses the astrally imprisoned Shadow King as a symbol of his power to any challengers. His brain trust would eventually include Sage, Jean, Emma, Betsy, David, Nathan, Rachel, the Stepford Cuckoos, etc. They only meet in session through Cerebro. They all connect to each other, then all to Charles, who is connected to every mutant mind on the planet. All telepaths eventually enter into a priestly class of the planet's society.

He never becomes parapalegic. Although he relies heavily on his mutant powers to achieve his goals, he is quite athletic and physically skilled.

He never allows his friendship with Eric Lehnsher to deteriorate, instead agreeing with Eric and offers to counsel him during his reign; even manipulating Eric during his rise as Magneto, mutant representaive of the world.

He acts as personal counselor to the Magnus family, fostering Eric's relationship with Pietro, Wanda and Lorna.

The Xavier Institute for Gifted Youth is an exclusive boarding secondary school. Admission is by Charles Xavier's personal invitation only. Part of the curriculum is regular psychic therapy sessions with a faculty telepath, which usually was Professor X. Students receive the best education the Western world can provide and attend the most prestigious universities in the world; Oxford receives most of the institute's graduates.

Moira's Mutant Research Facility is adjacent, address 1407 Graymalkin Lane. 

The X-Men and the Brotherhood were one and the same, ruled by Magneto, ruled by Professor X. Professor X is in charge of the education and development of the world's mutants and Magneto (under Professor X's approval) is in charge of executive administration.

The Sentinel Program is a police force for the planet and answers to Magneto.

Sage acts as his personal secretary, committing all important information and intelligence to memory, including the world's mutant census. During his students' graduation ceremony, Sage activates any and all latent mutations in the graduates.

Mystique is his personal spy, who infiltrates all sorts of organizations, including the US government.

Charles is Lord Imperial of the Hellfire Club, which he renamed the Phoenix Society, to both subconsciously appease Jean and please Eric, claiming it is to honor the survivors of the Holocaust. The most esteemed and powerful mutants in the world are members.

He never interfered with Jean's mental development, and instead treated her as an equal, confidant and apprentice for the rest of his life.

He detected and cleared Scott's mental blocks and traumas, allowing Scott to turn off his optic blasts, but also causing Scott to become telepathically dependent. First Charles was his guardian, then Jean, then Emma Frost.

The Summers brothers, and other powerful energy mutants, enter into a politically ruling class along with Magneto.

He fosters Jean and Scott's relationship, encouraging Jean to take responsibility for his psychological health. He encourages their conception of Nathan. Nathan grows to be named Professor X AND Magneto's successor, and Phoenix as the queen mother. Nathan soon takes the Stepford Cuckoos as his brides.

As he expands his royal family and mutant noble class, Charles brokers marriages between mutants, such as Scott and Jean, Alex and Lorna, Ororo and Forge, Anna Marie and Remy, Kitty and Piotr, Nathan and the Stepford Cuckoos, etc.

Once James Howlett enters their lives, Professor X encourages Jean to foster him and give up responsibility of Scott to Emma. Jean and James have two daughters: Rachel and Laura.

Jean cousels and heals James's taumatic relationship with Victor and Daken.

Team X is a special ops unit Professor X supervises and ensures mutant rights are never violated. Members include James Howlett, Victor, his son Daken, his daughter Laura, Rahne Sinclair, Silver Fox, etc.

He mentally conditions Anna Marie to suppress her mutant powers at will. While she rarely uses her powers, she only uses them while partnered with another mutant, normally Remy.

The humans enter into a working/service class to the mutants. Only the human families of mutants rise to any social esteem.

The Morlocks represent the lowest mutant class. Though under the protection of Professor X, it is a resevoir for his school's application process. A mutant social land-fill, Professor X uses them to invade human communities.

By the time Apocalypse rises, Charles Xavier is dead and Nathan makes quick work of him, and the Legacy Virus is never engineered.