The World of Myros

Alright, one more worldbuilding post! In the past I've been coy about the broader world, but since the third book blows out the walls on Breilin, now I'm showing the full map. You'll definitely want to enlarge this one.

While much of the world has yet to be explored, throughout the novels there have been quite a few references to many different locations. Hope you enjoy!

The Unnecessary Victory: Ranks in the Maenhu

As the third book focuses on the regions already established, I wasn't going to do further worldbuilding posts. However, thanks to the talented Lamsey, I have a finished diagram of the ranking system used in the Maenhu, so you're getting an additional post!

This version is shrunken, so click to see the higher quality version if you can't read it easily. A lot of information explained in the novel is condensed into a single form here.

Errants of the Maenhu separate warriors into two Realms, but these aren't referred to as frequently because they're more general categories. Those in Iron can still operate like normal soldiers, while Steel is for experts and masters who can dominate a battlefield.

The ranks themselves have already been explained, so for this post I'll emphasize the differences in testing procedures. In the third book, it's revealed that they're all actually entangled in a single system that interweaves the apparently separate methods of testing.

Ironsquires with no or limited sense of sein are unable to light up even a single sphere. As they strengthen, there's an ambiguous period between a Peak Ironsquire and a Lesser Ironlord, both able to light up a single sphere. This ambiguity disappears with the grasp of multiple senses, which rapidly increases their strength and allows them to be evaluated by a Wooden Judge. The vast majority of sein-capable combatants fall into this category.

For those who have completely mastered sein in all five senses (or more), this is inadequate. Because in the Maenhu's system they focus on sein first and the body afterwards, the second stage is entirely focused on physical development. As Steeljudges develop their bodies, they test their blood on dull glass spheres. Once they have the strength, their blood will make the spheres sensitive to sein, allowing them to be embedded in branches to create Wooden Judges.

The third and final stage testing the soul is where the Maenhu's system finally loses its rigor. Masters with fully developed sein and body advance to more esoteric techniques. They use these on several rare species of plants to grow trees that are the final representation of their power. Size is roughly correlated to their advancement, but the difference between Lesser, Greater, and Peak stages isn't as clear. 

Of course, this system has its limitations, as made clear in the novels. Raider systems with advanced physical techniques will hardy register via a Wooden Judge despite their strength, while warriors from the Chorhan Expanse who balance their growth will seem to stall in the early ranks and then take great leaps. Overall, however, it is one of the more sophisticated systems in the world of Myros.

The Unnecessary Victory Released!

The third book in The Brightest Shadow has been released, bringing the first trilogy to a close! This one is nearly as big as the first, bringing the whole series to almost a million words. 

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BC25MYVH

Description: The arrival of the Hero was worse than anyone could have imagined.

War has been simmering for generations, but the Legend is about to make the violence boil over. Forces gather from across the continent and even across the world as complex conflicts are forced into narrow categories. For the first time, Tani and her allies have a chance to make a difference, but that will pit them against one of the most dangerous warriors in the world. The Zeitai wants war as much as the Hero, and the result may really be the end of everything.

Time is running out, sending everyone scattering in different directions before the final battle. Tani seeks out a near legendary warrior, Slaten delves into forbidden ancient histories, and Celivia struggles to balance her conflicted loyalties between both sides. Everyone they've met, Expanse or mountains or Maenhu, will find themselves tested. Because, it turns out, the Hero can still make things worse.