Background Information of the Trilogy
The Black Jewels Trilogy is set in a unique world of three Realms: Terreille, Kaeleer, and Hell. These three realms, although being situated upon the same land, are parallel in existence. These three Realms are separated through Gates, which are guarded by Priestesses, those who practice the craft of traveling through Realms. The people of these realms are the Blood (those with magic) and the landens (those who do not have magic)
Blood society is very hierarchical and is matriarchal, with order and control being established not through law and fear of prosecution, but rather through the Blood's Jewel and Caste system, and through the certain behavioral traits that have been bred into the Blood since their creation.
Blood society is based on an elaborate system of two intertwined but inherently different facets of individual Blood rank. The first of these is caste rank, which determines what type of Blood male or female you are. This system is also based around the Jewels of the Blood. These jewels determine the amount of magical power each Blood male and female can wield, and the depth into the abyss (the source of their power) they can descend to.
The Blood are the rulers, meant to govern and protect the land and people in their care (Blood and landens alike). Blood society is a matriarchal society, where the ruling power belongs to the females (mostly the Queens), while the role of males is to serve and protect. The landens (normal humans with no magical ability) are at the lowest end of the caste system and are not Blood, but are protected by them.
Within each realm are many territories. In the Blood Realms, there are Territories (countries), Provinces, Districts, Cities, Townships, and Villages. Each can be ruled by a Queen or some other strong member of the Blood, or possibly by a Council. A Village Queen serves in the District Queens Court, who in turn serves in the Provincial Queens Court, who serves the Territory Queen. Territory Queens do not yield to other Territory Queens, unless in exceptional circumstances. Typically, the majority of the strongest males in a territory will serve the ruling Queens in that territory.
There is no law against murder in Blood society, as aggression and violence is a natural part of their culture.
Slavery and torture are legal and considered a "normal" part of life in the Realms where the taint has spread.
There are a series of protocols and Blood Laws that help to make Blood society a functioning civilization. Blood who do not follow these rules and who embrace greed and gluttony risk becoming "tainted".
While there are many cities, the Blood Realms are a mostly agricultural based society. They have a low-tech civilization similar to that of a pre-industrial age, with Craft (magic) taking the place of electricity.
Blood society is built on the Bloods need to be connected to the land, especially the Queens. They believe they are the Stewards of the Earth and thus have a very nature or earth - centered culture.
The Blood culture exhibits a kind of code of chivalry and honor that is vital to their culture.
Board Plot
It is Fifty thousand years after Jaenelle's maelstrom was unleashed and purged the Realms of the taint and her returning to the Darkness, and the Dark Court and its descendents having followed her over time. The Blood have struggled back to their feet. In Terreille they have begun to rebuild their society in the name of the Old Ways. They began to honor what Witch and those like her believed. After a few of their centuries the Old Ways were once more in place.
In Kaeleer, the Old Ways has crumbled in some of the Territories. The downward spiral in Kaeleer caused the Realm to split into two parts - the Untainted and Kindred, and the Tainted.
- The Untainted Territories of Askavi, Dea al Mon, Glacia, and Scelt have closed their borders and guard them closely from those outside their own cluster and the Kindred Territories. The Kindred lands have once more closed themselves off to all but the Untainted Territories. The Tainted Territories of Centauran, Dhemlan, Dharo, Little Terreille, Nharkhava, and Tigrelan have united under a trio of Warlord Princes. The Dark Triad, as they are known rule the Taint from Dhemlan, Dharo, and Little Terreille.
Which side will you choose? Will you honor the Darkness in Terreille or join those that still do in Kaeleer? Will you join The Dark Triad in spreading the Taint? The Taint is spreading will Witch return once more to purge the Realms or are they on their own?
Enter the world of Blood Thorns and choose your path.