CJ24: Counterfeit Mage, Honest Illusions, Dodecahedron Duels

Worked some more on class tracks for CM. 1 point.



Made sketches of some alien creatures for CM! 3 points.



Tried writing different possible beginnings for CM. 5 points.



Sketched some flora and fauna for DD. :> 3 points.

Fun fact… the notes app thinks my handwriting is either Russian or gibberish…
Transcription is in the 7/20 update lol.
850ish words, so 17 points.

Beginning

• Velera spying on Tazanen’s compartment in Aerial (bit of explanation why), testing camouflage nanobots (probs not) or little robot(s) (is on standby in case it explodes). left friends in their compartment
• hears disturbance one car over, makes eye contact w Taz as Taz also looks out of compartment
• non-mage and mage in dispute (non-mages forced to wear indication of status to get a job?), non-mage attacks mage, Vel sends fleet to buzz around. pretends power is insect control, breaks apart the fight, but tensions still high
• Taz arrives, uses diplomacy
• Vel’s friends (2, guy and a girl) get there just in time to watch both Vel and Taz
• news anchor at the beginning of every chapter?
• this time, magic disappearing, or expedition sent to surface?

Arrive at the academy

• setting desc
• Vel’s friends spread stories abt both Vel and Taz
• history class– powerful mage once a generation? same tratu that bonds w Lytral
• Vel unhappy about sharing the spotlight. tries to outshine Taz
• isle begins to drift, on collision course w other isle
  
  • Vel helps w robots, commended
  • Taz uses connections to get specialized mages there pronto. they put fixes in place. (magic disappearing–less mages being born– but most influential fam can still call mages whenever)
  • bit of info on how drifting happening lately, Worthless must not be doing their job of keeping emeralds clean (overhear convo, maybe Vel’s own opinion as well)
  • in aftermath, Vel keeps glaring at Taz, Taz walks over and is like, why do you hate me so much? Vel is like, because you’re you
  • after Taz leaves, Lytral pops up w smth funny

Investigation

• news anchor, floating isles?
• Taz wants to do smth spectacular for a school proj, plans to ask dean/headmistress if he can use labs for longer or smth
• Vel overhears bit of same convo w robots. headmistress talking w clairvoyant, mentions secret weapon somewhere (headmistress’s quarters cuz she’s a non-mage, next to clairvoyant’s quarters)
• both Vel and Taz investigate, find kyto (magic hunter). they’re both like, why are you here??
• Ly shows up (sensed minds), threatens to tell on them unless they all form a team. Ly’s dreamed of adventures w friends like in stories
• Taz and Vel reluctantly agree to temp alliance
• as they leave, Vel feels smth, like a connection to the kyto
• Taz has an idea, magic scientist, needs to bring along smth interesting. a bit reluctantly, Ly says they can sense minds
• sneak out of academy, pass by Worthless dwellings, see smth suspicious?, find magic researcher’s place, using Vel’s bots as scouts. can also pick the lock with them
• researcher not happy to be woken up, but intrigued by Ly
• learn magic caused by symbiosis w smth, other creatures, researcher wants them to bring kyto, but Taz says no

Inspection

• news anchor
• researcher disguised in inspector group
• yearly thing for academies
• top students prepared to show abilities and knowledge, older ones may be recruited
• kyto stolen, Vel feels it before discovery by clairvoyant or headmistress
• Vel wants to get it back. sends insect to follow (eventually caught by gov and found to be tech)
• Taz’s friends sneak in w inspectors too?? or some other way. teleport? somehow find truth of school? Ly tries to wipe memory, eventually fails.
• Vel and Taz’s actions combine to threaten existence of school later

Vigilantes

• news anchor
• Vel, Taz, and Ly sneak out a few days later to check on friends, memory wipe, seems ok but should check again in a few days
• see Worthless. Ly has the most empathy for them (has never fit in). Vel thinks they aren’t doing enough to improve their situation unlike her and her parents while Taz has grown up to just think of them as different
• some academy stuff
• Vel levels up tech, nanobots maybe, or like Big Hero 6. Taz starts to learn abt illusions, Dusk stuff
• Ly sneaks off to help Worthless. Vel goes to investigate, doesn’t tell Taz bc still doesn’t fully trust Taz. Vel hears kyto
• Ly hears of riot plans, also mention # of Worthless increasing here, at upcoming Emerald Enchantress celebration. large statue of her in main part of city? (on diff isle)

Climax

• news anchor– smth more, knows more than what saying
• academy found out, inspection team sent to confirm and close it down
• riots, Worthless disrupt celebration, go on strike
• kyto escapes
• Emerald Enchantress hologram turns on, informing of probs they may be facing? nah, no psychohistory. maybe some things wrong, some right?
• Vel bonds w the kyto, steals magic from inspection team w/o them knowing what happened
• mage silences statue, gov does damage control, but public in turmoil
• isles start to drift, Vel uses robots, Taz organizes mages, Ly chases statue and hears rest of what it says, including where engines??

Denouement

• Vel joins team learning abt engines (gov keeps quiet, clairvoyant and headmistress protect Vel by simply saying they can remove magic w/o saying how)
• Ly, Vel, and Taz convince school to start taking in Worthless and mages, more than previously– just related to alumni or hand-picked by talent/intelligence
• kyto warns of aliens coming? first time it speaks?
• expedition team sent to surface returns?

Did some geography and worldbuilding for HI. Thought of a group of isles in the world. 3 points.

Wrote 211 words of worddumping about various places in HI. Might share when I fill in all the bullet points. 4 points.

#NaNoTags! profile.php?u=149699&c=1696343 473 words, but a lot of them were Oliver rambling… About 245 words of me actually doing the hashtags XD 5 points.

Drew and thought of stuff for four sources of magic in the HI world. 4 points.



Sketched one of the current fashion trends of Kylvyn. 2 points.

Thought about the multiverse. Kinda wanna do something to connect all my stories, like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation and Robot series, or Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere. Very much a work still in progress tho. 1 point.

Also, I wrote a test scene for DD! Very infodumpy, but it got me in the habit of using the different pronouns (there are three genders; faces use ae/aae, vertices use tzae/tzaae, and edges use sae/saae) and helped me figure out what other vocab words I need (most importantly, some for the different kinds of dodecahedrons: small/minor, medium, and core). 1281 words, so around 25 points.

TW: negative feelings, violence? idk. no gore, but it is a duel

Rage. It filled Eia as if the darkness of the spaces between stars was seeping into aae, filling aae with an all-consuming need to act. To burn. To duel.

"I challenge you to a duel," ae gritted out.

In front of her, the twisted, shameless vertex who'd ruined aae older edge's life laughed. In a moment, Eia knew. This was the kind of asfadan who exulted in the power tzae had, who pulled stunts and schemes purely for tzaae own entertainment. Tzae was glad Eia's older edge's reputation and future had been destroyed. The darkness seeped into aae and filled aae to the brim.

Tzae would never take ae seriously unless ae invoked the duel with the ancient words.

Eia took a breath. Then ae intoned, "May Ahaehu and Zuifah be witness to my words and actions. Today, on the tenth of Aeh, I challenge the vertex Dai to a duel to the sevaz. The winner shall achieve reparations and weep at the sevaz of the loser. The loser shall drift mindlessly in Ahaehu until Ahaehu sees fit to claim the body as well as the being. May this be done."

Finally, Dai's eyes widened. And slowly, Eia smiled. Tzae couldn't back out of it now.

The park around them was still empty, the two of them sheltered in a small grove of trees. It was the middle of the day, and most students were in school. Eia would return to classes once ae defeated Dai. Many were skeptical at the idea of a face dueling, but Eia had always found something natural in it. Ae spent enough time observing the dodecahedrons of others. Made sense that aae'd be able to intuit their movements and control aae own dodecahedrons with precision.

Dai let out a yell. That was completely unnecessary, seeing as the duel didn't even take place in the mortal plane. Eia focused on the immortal plane, where Dai's dodecahedrons floated around tzaae. A few smaller memories of tzae punched outwards in a spike, other recent memories arranging themselves into a shield in front of tzaae.

Quietly, Eia deflected them with a memory ae'd made of observing the grove when ae first arrived. Ae sensed tzaae memories– getting food with tzaae friends yesterday, arriving at school, intimidating a younger student. Aae lip curled in disgust as aae arranged aae dodecahedrons in the Sepa formation. This was a tricky formation, leaving one's core memories and personality lightly guarded, practically inviting one's opponent to become reckless. It was often mistaken for being a rookie's first attempt at a duel.

Dai bombarded Eia with more dodecahedrons, which Eia reflected away, pretending to be on the defensive. Ae didn't break any, and ae deflected a few of Dai's dodecahedrons so they passed close to her core dodecahedrons, grazing yet not breaking them. Risky. But that was how ae dueled.

Eia could sense Dai growing frustrated as aae refused to send dodecahedrons tzaae way. "Duel me!" tzae yelled. "You're the one who asked for it!"

Eia grinned silently. Oh, yeah? Well, if that was what tzae wanted… Eia flicked three dodecahedrons at Dai. They looked like small memories– aae notes from class this morning, the way aae saw the sunlight through the leaves, a feeling of irritation from something aae younger vertex did last night.

Dai sent a few smaller dodecahedrons at them, expecting them to easily break.

They did not.

Eia released the illusion, revealing that the seemingly-minor dodecahedrons ae'd sent were actually [middle between small and core]. Aae sense of justice, one of aae earliest memories with aae older edge, and a deep feeling of rage.

Dai's face showed shock for a split second as tzae scrambled to send more dodecahedrons in defense. Tzae was too slow. Eia tried not to delight too much in tzaae expression of horror in the moment before Eia's dodecahedrons crashed into tzaae core dodecahedrons.

Ae was prepared for tzaae sob story. Every bully had one, asfadans said. Bullies were bullied previously, and so continued the cycle of pain. Eia had steeled aaeself and removed any trace of pity ae could've felt for Dai.

But then ae saw Dai's older edge. In the moments between Eia's dodecahedrons impacting Dai's core and Dai's core shattering, Eia witnessed years.

Dai looking up to tzaae older edge. Dai pulling stunts and mock duels to impress saae. Dai proudly showing off a high grade from school. And Dai's older edge not caring.

Upon first glance, Eia thought aae older edge and Dai's could not be more different. But then ae saw how a prank Dai pulled, telling a younger kid how aliens lived in the kid's hair and the kid ruffling aae hair frantically, made Dai's edge laugh. And how Dai's face lit up like the sunrise.

It hit Eia in the gut. That desire to win approval, that joy ae felt when Eia made aae edge laugh– ae knew it better than words.

The next core dodecahedron was a feeling. Or rather, a combination of feelings: inadequacy and frustration. Frustration at being lacking in so many ways, frustration at never living up to expectations, frustration when others kept lowering those expectations. A stubborn streak of defiance to do the opposite of what others expected. And, stars, Eia'd felt that too, in the way ae rebelled against gender norms and how faces were supposed to sit still and be peacemakers all the time. Ae felt that frustration. Ae understood that sense of inadequacy; that no matter one did, it would never be enough, and yet one would still be judged for it. Hardly aware of aaeself, ae sunk to aae knees.

Then another memory. Dai's older edge committing sevaz. Eia couldn't breathe. Choosing to become mindless? To become just a shell of oneself? It was a desperate bid by those who could not bear to live another moment.

And it broke Dai. Eia felt the shock, pain, and anguish along with the younger Dai as tzae stumbled across the body of tzaae edge. The questions. The grief. The rage.

And oh, Ahaehu, ae knew that rage. Ae felt that rage of the inherent unfairness of the world every morning, when ae thought of the contrast between the goodness of aae parents and the way they were treated by others who looked down on them. Ae felt that rage when Dai tormented aae edge.

Finally, ae made a sound. Ae screamed, "Why?" Eia forced aaeself to focus on the mortal plane, where Dai lay, seeping to sevaz as ae watched.

Aae dodecahedron of rage crashed through one more of Dai's dodecahedrons.

A blanket of oppressing apathy covered Eia as aae attention was dragged back to the immortal plane. This dodecahedron made ae feel as if nothing aae did would ever matter. What was the point in trying? Life was full of pointless questions no one would ever find the answers to. With effort, Eia tried to distance aaeself from the backwash of Dai's sevaz.

Ae found aaeself weeping instead. All this darkness in one asfadan…

It did not excuze tzaae actions. But kneeling there, staring at Dai's body, Eia thought ae could understand, at least a little. Dai had made tzaae older edge laugh once. That had felt wonderful. Then, when tzaae older edge entered into sevaz, Dai grasped at something that would make the world make sense, that would dull the pain.

Eia kneeled there for a while. The sun sank lower. Finally, Eia touched tzaae forehead and offered a prayer to Ahaehu. "May Ahaehu guide the soul of this once-asfadan in tzaae travels within Ahaehu." Eia closed Dai's eyes and stood slowly.

Then Eia left the grove and didn't look back.

Sketched some rocks of power from the HI world. These are actually in Tseilan, not the main country of Kylvyn where the first novel will start. 3 points.



Plotted for HI. 7 points.

Imagined Time a bit. 1 point.

Thought about The Nineteen, the rulers of the country of Kylvyn (for my HI project). Decided on the forms each of their artifacts take. 6 points.



Did some more brainstorming on how illusions work, plus how they can be combined with the rocks of power from Tseilan. 4 points.

Worldbuilding for HI

What intelligent species or races populate your world? Dwarves? Elves? Xenomorphs? Other? How did they come to exist?
There are two main species: one that is pretty much like humans, and another that resides solely on the Illustrious Isles. The humans vary in skin tone, eye color, and hair color similarly to humans on Earth, although in Kylvyn, they often have very different appearances due to illusions. The residents of the Illustrious Isles have dark, shimmery skin (can be in shades like midnight blue, deep violet, etc.) and are often taller than humans. …Not sure if this is going to be canon, but I think it would be amusing if the human-like race was created by the Illustrious Isles people as an experiment after they stumbled across an old human movie floating in the wreck of a starship crash or something…
How does each race or species perceive each other? How do they co-exist?
Humans see the Illustrious Isles people as something other, to be respected, and maybe even a little feared, seeing as their technological prowess is so much beyond the capabilities of humans. The people of the Illustrious Isles feel neutrally about the humans, being willing to trade for special items like illusions from Kylvyn or sand from Sheera in return for some of the items they have an abundance of.
What is their average life expectancy?
Humans have an average life expectancy of 150 years (the years of this planet are shorter than Earth years) and Illustrious Isles people have an average life expectancy of 300 years.

Physical Build
What do the inhabitants of your world look like? Do they have any distinguishing features? Gonna be focusing on the inhabitants of Kylvyn, the main country in which the story will take place, for this one. The people there are naturally short (average height around 5’3" in terms of Earth measurements). They display skin colors ranging across the entire rainbow due to illusions. Some complex illusions can even manage to make different colors fade in and out across one’s skin like an animation. Eye color can also be whatever one imagines, from flames to nearly translucent lavender to half-green and half-brown. Height is usually not changed. Some higher-quality illusions can also include touch, but it can feel a bit disorienting to look a different height than what one naturally is. Also, people don’t enjoy standing out too much, paradoxically; they want to be unique but also not alone.
What is the societal standard for beauty? How might this differ in each region of the world?
The Kylvyn standard is keeping up with the trends. Right now, this involves clothing of smooth swoops, hair that defies gravity, and animated skin color. One who chooses not to use any illusions would be seen as a weirdo at best and made an outcast at worst (of course, if a celebrity chose to do this, it’d be a different story). In Tseilan, appearance doesn’t particularly matter, and they view their neighbors in Kylvyn with no small degree of befuddlement, questioning their obsession with changing their appearances. In Sheera, practicality and physical fitness are prized. In Eaue, the happier a person’s appearance makes them, the more beautiful they are. So, beauty is actually in the eye of the person themself, which then extends to the beholders.

Mannerisms & Etiquette
What is the code of conduct between people of different ranks or classes? People of different cities or regions? Elders?
Imitation is seen as a great insult in Kylvyn. People of a lower rank found to have a similar illusion to that of someone of a higher rank must buy a new illusion and change their illusion as soon as possible. People from the capital city often see themselves as superior to those in the countryside, as they have access to the most illusions. Those in the countryside see themselves as more practical and down-to-earth than city people. Elders aren’t particularly respected in Kylvyn, but children (the new generation) are.
How do people in your world convey non-verbal boredom? Disbelief? Happiness? Respect?
In Kylvyn, boredom is conveyed by a tilting of the head to one side, as if one were about to fall asleep. Disbelief is conveyed through a raising of the eyebrows. Happiness is conveyed through a smile, and respect through a slow nod. Closeness is conveyed through a touching or caressing of the anchor points, such as the forehead, tips of the ears, or chin for the face. Instead of a pat on the head as in Earth customs, it could be that an adult pats the forehead of their child.
What would be a gesture that is universally insulting in your world?
Flicking (using an index finger and a thumb) towards an anchor point would be insulting. It’s seen as nearly an attack on the person themself, as so much of who they are are tied to their illusions. A flicking gesture in general is insulting in Kylvyn.
What etiquette exists in different parts of your world?
Tseilan prizes politeness, justice, communication, and the arts. They are hospitable to outsiders and to others of their own country and have extensive guides to manners. Sheera is highly practical and to the point. They view most etiquette guides of Tseilan and other countries as a waste of time and energy. Eaue does not have consistent etiquette, nor really what could be considered as manners by other countries in general.

Customs & Rituals
Are there any rites of passages in your world? "Coming of age” celebrations? If so, what age marks the transition from child to adult?
A coming of age celebration in Kylvyn involves the commissioning of a special kind of illusion. This is done at age fifteen. This illusion is often very complex and expensive, and may be worn for up to a month, rather than the weeks or days of other illusions. The entire family takes part in the planning of the illusion, which may take up to a year. Finally, the design is sent to an illusion maker and the child places the illusion on their anchor points at the ceremony, stepping into adulthood.
What traditions surround death and burial? What about engagements and proposals of marriage?
In death, it is traditional to cremate the body and use some of the ashes in the next illusions of the family. The mourning period can be a week to a few weeks, after which the family changes their illusions. A few members of a certain religion request the use of an artifact to remove the illusions on the dead person before burying them. Engagements are done through the offering of an illusion rather than a ring, as is common on Earth. The vial used to store an engagement illusion is often embedded with jewels or features delicate metalwork. At a wedding ceremony, the couple exchanges illusion vials (also similarly intricate and beautiful) and does each other the honors of placing the illusions on their anchor points. These vials are family heirlooms that are passed down for generations.

Family Structure
What is the normal family unit? The typical family unit consists of two parents and children (on average, two). The birth rate is currently declining in the city.
What is the social system within a family unit in your world? Patriarchal? Matriarchal? As couples can consist of people of any gender, the social system is neither patriarchal nor matriarchal. Responsibilities and authority are often (though not always) evenly distributed.
What constitutes a good father? A good mother? A good child? The standards are the same whether the parent is a father or a mother. A good parent is one who educates their child to fit in with society and to follow the trends, while also giving the child love and providing a safe place to experiment with their self-expression, interests, and identity. A good child is one who is both creative and obedient, being eager to explore yet also staying safe and listening to their parents.

Magic, Technology, & Weapons
Magic System(s)
For what purpose is magic used in your world? Who can use it? I’ll be considering magic to be the illusions of Kylvyn, the rocks of power of Tseilan, the sand of knowledge of Sheera, and the tree of happiness of Eaue. Magic is an everyday part of life, and residents of this world wouldn’t consider it magic any more than we would consider a smartphone magic. Pretty much everyone in Kylvyn can use illusions, provided they have the money. The cheapest illusions are only about the price of a piece of fruit, for context (like, less than 1 USD). Everyone in Tseilan can use the power given by the rocks if they make the journey to the summit of the mountain. Magic is more difficult to attain in Sheera, and it is mostly restricted to the cleverest and most brave and whoever they favor, seeing as the process of getting that sand of knowledge involves following dangerous sandboxes (boxy sand creatures… design in progress). Pretty much the whole forest of Eaue is infused with magic from the tree of happiness. So, not only the locals, but also visitors can use that magic.
What limits are there to its power? What are the consequences of using it? Illusions can’t be removed without the use of an artifact (which, as of the start of the novel, are only in the hands of the Nineteen). This, however, isn’t seen by many to be much of an inconvenience, as they can always buy another illusion and simply layer it over the previous one. There is no limit to how many illusions a person can have. Consequences… Well, this is more a consequence of the culture than the illusions themselves, but one runs the risk of getting addicted to trends and always having to have the newest style of illusion.
What is the history of magic and magicians in your world? Illusions appear to have been around since around five thousand years ago, when people first settled in the area eastwards of the mountains that is now the nation of Kylvyn. At first, illusions were created by accident, then people experimented with specific plants, passed down knowledge over generations, and developed the illusion bases used today. Progress in illusions is constantly happening. As for magicians, well, everyone uses magic. Illusion makers, however, have been respected for at least the last few millennia.
How does society view magic? Positively? Negatively? As the Other? It’s simply a part of life.
Where does magic come from (ie. the divine, the human body, the landscape)? It comes from the landscape. Kylvyn’s illusions come from a spring in the mountain range, near the border between it and Tseilan. Tseilan’s rocks of power are on the flat top of one of the mountains in that range. Sheera’s sand of knowledge can be found by tracking the movements of sandboxes (I’ll come up with a more unique name for them later, lol). Eaue’s magic is from a certain tree in the heart of the forest.
Does your world have any magical creatures? I mean… the animals and plants there are different from those of Earth… Animals can also use illusions, though typically humans place the illusions on their anchor points (like dressing up a pet). It would make waves in the news if an animal managed to place an illusion on itself.

Worldbuilding for CM

Religion
How do people worship in your world? Some denizens of the Marzel Isles practice some form of ancestor worship, others are monotheistic, and others (a distinct minority) worship the Emerald Enchantress and other prominent mages from history. The breakdown is about 35% agnostic or atheist, 30% monotheistic, 30% practicing a form of ancestor worship, and 5% practicing mage worship. Some sort of prayer, or sending thoughts out into the universe, or something along those lines is common.
When and where do people worship? There are a few places of worship scattered throughout the isles, but most worship is done from home or as people go about their days. Those who worship mages often pay their respects to statues of mages that are placed around cities.
Are there different belief systems that are in conflict? Yes, the various belief systems occasionally experience friction with each other. Currently, they have a state of mildly uncomfortable but stable peace, although there have been more aggressive conflicts in the past.
What do places of worship look like? Places of worship are generally decorated with the help of mages to look opulent and awe-inspiring.
What holidays are celebrated? The raising of the Marzel Isles is the biggest celebration of the year. The birthday of the Emerald Enchantress is also celebrated. These celebrations involve displays by mages whose talents lean toward the showier side (think fireworks, moving images in the air, duels for fun, conjuration, illusions, talent show things), feasts open to all (even a smaller feast in the Worthless quarters, because the rulers of these isles aren’t totally cruel), parades, music, dancing, and other activities for children and families. The birthdays of other mages may be celebrated, but are usually simple notations in the calendar. Only a handful of them are occasions where students have days off school.
What is your world's attitude towards artistic expression? Artistic expression is encouraged, especially if it involves magic. People consider magic to be a great gift that should be used (otherwise, you’re no better than the Worthless!). For religious people, artistic expression may be used as part of their religious practices.
What are people most afraid of? Losing their magic. They don’t know it yet, and so maybe do not fear it as much as they would if they knew, but it is a very real possibility. (Basically, magic abilities stem from a symbiotic relationship with a practically-invisible alien creature called a tratu (plural tratut). There are other alien creatures, however, such as the kyto, which can go nom nom and eat tratut.) In some religious lore, the surface of their planet is also called an equivalent of hell, and people may fear being trapped there for eternity.

Rules of Magic
How does magic work in your world? Where does it come from? When a child comes of age, a tratu may choose to inhabit them. This process is imperceptible to most people. The tratu feeds off of the person’s energy, thoughts, hopes, dreams, etc. and in return, provides the person with the ability to use magic. The tratut find the taste of emotions and daydreams to be delightful. They usually only sample a little of everything, so the person would not notice anything different (i.e. there’s no memory loss or anything involved). When a person dies, the tratu is released and usually wanders around the isles until it finds another person to inhabit. Tratut are generally invisible, but can choose to manifest as a crystal in the middle of flowing tendrils, in a kind of iridescent color. See sketches in my notebook. Each tratu also only has one power it can grant, although a person may improve at using that power over time.
How does a practitioner summon or channel their power? Is there a language that's needed in order to call forth magic? If so, what are its roots? Does a practitioner need external tools such as wands or amulets? No language or external tools needed. A practitioner simply wills what they want to happen, and the tratu tastes their desires and makes it happen, provided the tratu has the ability.
Is magic regulated in any way? What is the governing body? Magic is used to classify people into castes. The governing body is made up of the most powerful mages on the isles. Mages are generally assigned jobs according to their abilities, but may choose to also use their abilities when off of work, provided it does not cause harm to others.
What is the cost of using magic? Some mages may feel burnt out after using magic for too long, but this is fairly rare. If something goes wrong while a tratu is entering a human, the human may suffer a damaged memory or other emotional or mental disorders.

Practitioning Magicians
What are magicians' status in society? Are they trusted advisors of kings or charlatans on
the road? The more powerful the mage, the higher their rank. Power is measured through officials (with the ability to sense other mages' abilities) being sent to each coming of age ceremony and having the child demonstrate their abilities. Ranks can be re-measured upon request, but rarely change (there’s perhaps a 0.01% chance a tratu grows more powerful).
How many magicians exist in your world? How do they perceive one another? Around 95% of the residents of the isles are mages. This percentage has dipped from 96% five years ago, and 97% twenty years before that. Mages often judge each other based on their abilities and form friendships with those of similar abilities (seeing as those with similar abilities often work the same jobs). There are various stereotypes about those with different abilities. However, mages see each other, regardless of ability, as better than the magic-less people whom they call the Worthless.

Politics
Government
What is the form of government? Is it a monarchy? Republic? Empire? Theocracy? Technically it’s a republic, but everyone knows only the most powerful mages have the funds to really launch campaigns and get elected. There are a few family lines that have managed to be in the Senate (may change the name) at least every other generation. (Tratut tend to favor similar people, which may give some stereotypes some credibility, although even people from the same family can be very different). The Senate consists of 49 members.
What are the responsibilities of the government? How far does the government's sphere of
influence spread (magic, religion, etc.)? The government sends officials out to measure ability and assigns jobs to people based on their abilities. Usually this is done by providing people with ten to twenty choices of job for which they may be suited. If someone does not find any of the options agreeable, they may submit a request for a job of their choice. If someone does not choose any of the offered jobs or continues with a job that was denied, they may have to pay annual fines.
How is the government perceived? Is it trusted by the people or is there tension? On the whole, the upper class is satisfied with the government. The middle class complains about how the government consists primarily of the elite, but doesn’t have much real force behind its words, as things are still pretty good for them. The lower class find the government to frequently be unfair, but have learned about times in history when things were worse, and they’re not at rebellion levels of discontent. The Worthless are deeply dissatisfied and will be staging a revolution over the course of the novel. The government provides them with only one general category of job: hard labor. Mages barely see them as fellow human beings. They cannot vote. Some religions teach that they are ineligible for entry into heaven because of their lack of magic. Others don’t mention them at all. They are assigned dwellings away from the rest of society, out on the edges of the isles, where they also work. Health care is minimal, and they will be the first ones to die if two isles ever end up colliding.