L.A. Garnett – Author

This is a continuation of my series of behind the scenes world-building that, while not required to enjoy The Spiraling and future books of the Tunsealiorian Saga, will add more depth to the world of Tunsealior. The images included here are not of my characters but are reminiscent of inspiration that I draw from when writing.

Makmo is the son of two Imdite—Agdos (god of the force and volcanoes) and Otona (goddess of the sky and weather)— and is the life partner of Ioka. He is the King of the Wela and God of Warriors, Duty, and Fathers. He is often depicted wearing gold and silver armor, with a bearded face, and wielding an enormous broadsword. He is associated with knowledge, strength, nobility, and family.

Ioka, often called the Golden Mother, is the daughter of two Imdite—Rura (goddess of the wilderness) and Bivdon (god of memory)—and is the life partner of Makmo. She is Queen of the Wela and the creator of the four Iokan Peoples. She is depicted wreathed in a gold, a golden band on her head, with a war-scythe. She is associated with the natural elements, mothers, and vengeance.

Paroi is the son of the Imdite Senia (god of truth and healing) and Mirena (goddess of justice), and is the life parter of Dalka. He is depicated as a shadowed, cloaked figure with a hunting hawk on his arm. He is associated with secrets, spies, and birds.

Dalka, sometimes called the Dark Mother, is the daughter of the Imdite Bivdon and Gaena (goddess of the harvest), and is the half-sister of Ioka. She is the ruler of the Eternal Plane. She is depicted as tall, with pale skin and dark lips and hair, with long black robes and wielding a bident spear. She is associated with death, darkness, protection, and the afterlife.

Hepas was the God of the Hunt before his fall, and is now called the Unnamed. He was the son of the Imdite Agdos and Rura, and is the half-brother of both Makmo and Ioka. He was banished from the Shimmering Plane, home of the Wela, many thousands of years ago and was cast to the Black Plane.

Afina, the Silver Mother, is the firstborn of Makmo and Ioka and the Jewel of the Wela. She is the life partner of Itrodo and creator of the Eilvyn. She is depicted as possessing an otherworldly beauty, with perfect symmetry in her features, and to look upon her is to look on a sculpture of beauty, whatever that may be to the beholder. She is associated with beauty, Eiyer, gemstones, protection, and albino creatures.

Itrodo, the Truthful, is the firstborn of Paroi and Dalka and the life partner of Afina. He is depicted with long dark hair, intricately braided, holding a scale in one hand and with the other resting on the head of a lion. He is associated with justice, truth, laws, and retribution.

Bensa is the daughter of Afina and Itrodo, and the creator of Humans. She is depicted as a beautiful woman with a full figure, with vines and flowers in her hair and clothed in wildflowers. She is associated with earth and nature, childbirth, farming, and all living creatures.

Elethea is the youngest daughter of Ioka and Makmo, and Jaecar’s twin—she was born in the early morning. She is the life partner of Aria. She is depicted as being wrapped in cloth from neck to ankle, with golden bracelets and decorative rings in her hair. She is associated with fertility, childbirth, and romantic love.

Jaecar is the son of Ioka and Makmo, Elethea’s twin. He was born as the sun set. He often represented not as a person but as a mythical winged reptile known as an Imprion, which breaths fire. He is associated with vengeance, retribution, strength, and faithfulness.

Tisma is the daughter of Dalka and Paroi. She is depicted as bony and tall, with stark white hair and youthful features, wielding her twin knives Fualst and Mystne (‘time’ and ‘space’, respectively). She is associated with dangerous circumstances, jealousy, and curiosity.

Madoc, frequently called The Lover, is the son of Afina and Itrodo. He is rumored to be the father of many half-Wela children, and many young and unmarried women claim their illegitimate children to be fathered by Madoc. He is depicted as half-clothed, often with dice in one hand and a drink in the other. He is associated with fertility, gambling, drunkenness, brewing, and the night.

Aria is the daughter of Bensa and Hepas. She is depicted draped in long robes, playing the flute, with a sword on her hip. She is associated with flutes and other musical instruments, poetry and storytelling, satire, vengeance, and happiness.

Nen is the son of Paroi and Bensa. He came to maturity in a week’s time, and is the creator of the Kit’ak. He is depicted wrapped in waves from the waist down, bearing a spiked spear and riding the back of a great swordfish called Gyshile. He is associated with stubbornness, sailors and fishing, and naiviete.

Zelmela is the daughter of Bensa and Hepas, and is depicted in a long gray cloak, pulled over her head, holding a lantern. She is associated with mining and caverns, solitude, and rest.

Idola is the daughter of Afina and Itrodo. She is depicted most often with Afina, as a child no older than ten, seated beside or just behind her mother holding a small chest in her hands. She is associated with childhood, foresight, scholars, and safe-keeping.