Young Writers Society

The Witch of the Rotten Borough



(So many thoughts, gonna try and order them in a chronological order!)



In regard to worldbuilding, this is a fantastical setting with some early 19th century vibes. We've got steam engines, poufy sleeves, and plenty of political intrigue. The longstanding monarchy has lost power in favor of a divided parliament, but only wealthy landowners have representation.

Despite having little jurisdiction over public policy, the queen still runs a branch of "magic practitioners," (or witches with the right to cast spells under federal law.) If a vassal petitions her with a problem that calls for magic aid, she may send out a small team to assist the afflicted area.

Magic practitioners are usually the children of wealthy families who hold favor with the royal family. They receive licenses to practice at prestigious academies, (kept afloat by the queen's treasury,) and work in various government jobs.

Those who practice magic without a license are just called "witches," or occasionally a "villa." If you are caught, the punishment ranges depending on the severity of the spells you cast, and more importantly, your social status. Peasants practicing magic are one of the few crimes still punished by death.

Last thing to note about magic, though it's innate, it cannot be done without the proper equipment and education, which is how the wealthy keep it out of the hands of commonfolk.

The story primarily takes place in a town called Monsbury. For years, all the land there was controlled by the local duchy, but a financial scheme by parliament led some of it to be sold to private sectors. So, about a third of the land falls under the jurisdiction of the duke, where the rest is subject to the local mayoral government.

The land owned by the duke is rented out to the commonfolk who live there. Because they technically are not landowners, they are not able to vote in local elections. The private properties not controlled by the duchy are easily bribed into voting in the duke's favor, because there is no secret ballot.


 
In regard to characters, there are two of the most importance. Joanne is the second daughter of a wealthy businessman. She is in her early thirties, and has held her license to practice magic for over ten years. Her job requires her to deal with an assortment of magical creatures that occasionally encroach the kingdoms northmost borders. Her average encounters are frazzled pixies and affronted trolls- truthfully, her jobs biggest headache is the people. Lordships, mayors, angry farmhands, all hinder her efforts to her work to the best of her ability.

Joanne is passionate about her craft. And while she's not crazy about politics, she doesn't give much thought to it unless it directly affects her ability to do her job. She's regarded by her peers as the best of the best, and she spends her travel time on a variety of magical projects and studies.

Susanna, or "Susie," lives and works on land lent to her family by the local duchy. At eleven, she has a fascination with all things magic, but no avenue to learn anything about it. Her current plan is to save up a meager amount of money to attend a higher school and "become an academic." It's only beginning to dawn on her the logistics of such a feat. Her family gently encourages her to put such hopes aside.



In regard to plot, the story starts when a dragon makes roost in a mountain near Monsbury. Though there have been no confirmed casualties, only apple trees scorched and cattle snatched, a young girl's (Susie's) disappearance is supposedly connected to the dragon's arrival.

Joanne is called upon to deal with the problem. Perhaps the toughest challenge she's faced yet, she must work together with the locals to scale the mountain, slay the dragon, and save the missing child. This is the initial conflict of the story.

But, after the dragon is defeated, it becomes apparent that there is something more at work in the land nearby Monsbury. There has been a sudden increase in magical creatures. Joanne is forced to stick around longer than she planned.



(I'm really excited for this year's nanowrimo! Cheers to a productive November!)

Name: Joanne Gundry.
Age: 32 and some months.
Height: Approximately 5'8
Eye color: A dim brown, like wet sand.
Physical appearance: Some describe her as severe. Her thin lips are perpetually pressed into a slight frown, and slight wrinkles have begun to crease her forehead despite her rather young age. She has a square jaw and dark eyebrows, yet her hair is a soft brown, often worn in a tight bun stuck to the back of her head. The dresses she wears are practical, but still obviously expensive.
Strange or unique physical attributes: She has some wear and tear from her frequent misadventures.
Favourite clothing style/outfit: She has a penchant for dramatic hats, but only dons them during long travels, and never when she is on a job. She was married in her twenties to a good friend, but he passed away at an early age. Though there was never any romance in their partnership, she still wears her wedding band out of respect to him, and to dissuade any potential suiters.
Where do they live? What is it like there? -- Joanne travels often for work, but her base of operations is in the kingdom's capital city. She owns a small apartment where she hordes books too heavy to bring with her on expeditions. However, in the story proper, she spends most of her time in the chilly town of Monsbury.
Defining gestures/movements: She's a confident walker, and an expert in two-inch heels.
Things about their appearance they would most like to change: As new characters bring her out of her shell, Joanne begins to smile more, and her brow begins to unknit. (She also wears more fancy hats, when her friends pick up on the fact she likes them)
Speaking style: With close friends, she speaks in a flurry of words, hardly taking a breath. She still speaks quickly with strangers, but in more clipped tones.
Pet peeves: When local government tries to get involved with her job.
Fondest memory: When she received her doctorate in magic.
Hobbies/interests: Even though she struggles to be creative with it, she enjoys trying to invent new variations of old spells.
Special skills/abilities: Joanne is extremely skilled in the magical arts.
Insecurities: She's constantly afraid that a small infraction will cause her license to be taken away. She often ponders who she would be without it, as magic has been at the core of her life since the beginning.
Quirks/eccentricities: She makes really terrible jokes. Her friend Oscar is the only one to laugh at them.
Temperament: Peeved.
Negative traits: Cynical. Malicious towards people she dislikes. Struggles to make friends. Follows rules, regardless of who they hurt. Looks down on people she feels are inferior. Is guilty of sometimes using big words to make others feel small.
Things that upset them: Failure.
Things that embarrass them: Her mother.
This character is highly opinionated about: That the practice of magic should be highly regulated, and only limited to a select few. That schools of magic should only accept the highest caliber of students to ensure that the next generation of practitioners only use spells in service of their country.
Any phobias? -- Water, she can't swim.
Things that make them happy: Long walks through city streets.
Family (describe): Joanne's parents are wealthy aristocrats. She is the second child of eight, which is why she got sent to study magic.
Deepest, darkest secret: She's lonely.
Reason they have kept this secret for so long: Because there's nothing to be done about it, is there? She's content with her life. That's what matters. No need to pine after something she has never needed.
Other people's opinions of this character: Her magical peers are impressed by Joanne's prowess. Her work associates think her rude and obnoxious. Most bureaucrats find her a pain to work with, but effective at what she does. Her few friends know she is intelligent and passionate. They love trying to get her to talk.
Favourite bands/songs/types of music: When Joanne visits home, she enjoys going to concerts with her mother.
Favourite movies: There was a tragedy about a tortured academic that made her cry. Don't tell anyone that though.
Favourite TV shows: N/a
Favourite books: Anything nonfiction, but she hordes books about magic.
Favourite foods: A hearty shepherd's pie and warm glass of mead.
Favourite sports/sports teams: N/a
Political views: Though she may deny it, Joanne is an aristocrat.
Religion/philosophy of life: A person's value is discerned buy their lives work.
Physical health: As healthy as someone in circa 1830 can be. She does a lot of hiking, has money for doctors, and eats healthy. So that's something!
Dream holiday: She already travels so much; her ideal holiday would probably just be a visit home.
Description of their house: Cluttered with books and sentimental items. One space cleared for a fancy desk and gas lamp, so she can study into the wee hours.
Description of their room: Joanne doesn't take much time to personalize her bed. Just a blanket and pillow will do.
Any pets? -- Her job isn't very receptive to pet ownership. If she ever settled down, she'd probably get a cat. But that's currently off the table for her.
Best thing that has ever happened to this character: Before the story, joining the Queen's workforce. After the story, allowing Susie to become her apprentice.
Worst thing that has ever happened to this character: She went through a rough patch in college. Joanne let the stress gnaw a hole through her- and her family wasn't the most supportive. But she found a friend in her late husband, and Joanne managed to pull herself out of it.
Superstitions: She's a skeptic about everything. Almost to a fault.
Three words to describe this character: Chilly, talkative, and gifted.
If a song played every time this character walked into a room, what song would it be? -- The My Little Pony theme song.

Wow, this sounds like such a cool and developed world! (you fantasy writers never cease to amaze me!) I really like the focus on magical creatures.
Best of luck to you this NaNo!!