Cass Morris
@cassmorriswrites.com
Author: Aven Cycle | Story Editor: Mythik Camps | Podcast Cohost: Worldbuilding for Masochists | novels, short fiction, & immersive xp | Shakespeare nerd, once & future educator, rhetorician, geek chic | she/her | Virginia, USA
linktr.ee/cassrmorris
linktr.ee/cassrmorris
Pinned
Cass Morris
@cassmorriswrites.com
· Dec 8
An actual pinned introduction thread!
Hi! I'm Cass, & you've probably found me because of one of these things:
-Books & writing
-The Worldbuilding for Masochists podcast
-Shakespeare & education
-Halcy-Con & other conventions/conferences
-Immersive experience work & enthusiasm
-General geekery
Hi! I'm Cass, & you've probably found me because of one of these things:
-Books & writing
-The Worldbuilding for Masochists podcast
-Shakespeare & education
-Halcy-Con & other conventions/conferences
-Immersive experience work & enthusiasm
-General geekery
I am absolutely Team Circe Did Nothing Wrong
February 12, 2026 at 6:52 PM
I am absolutely Team Circe Did Nothing Wrong
Reposted by Cass Morris
Men (and my gods, it’s almost always cis men) like this don’t want “reasonable” discussion; they want to be allowed to dictate what reasonable means.
Once again: people are angry for very good reason, and this brand of post is perhaps one of the most tedious and bewildering. Practically every social media platform is rabidly pro-‘AI’ so are govts, academia, companies. This one small space being critical of AI is okay, I think.
February 12, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Men (and my gods, it’s almost always cis men) like this don’t want “reasonable” discussion; they want to be allowed to dictate what reasonable means.
Reposted by Cass Morris
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
“When Citizens United was decided in 2010, billionaires had spent $18 million on the 2000 election, $13M 2004 and $16M in 2008. Then came the deluge. In 2012 it was $231M, and nearly doubled again in next three election cycles —to $682M in 2016, $1.2 billion in 2020 and $2.6 billion in 2024.” Gift:
Opinion | Affordability and the ‘Epstein Class’ Will Define American Politics
www.nytimes.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:26 AM
easy slogan for the next democratic presidential candidate is “i will reform the corrupt supreme court and repeal citizens united”
I have so enjoyed working on this podcast with @mrmaresca.com, @natania.bsky.social, and (previously) @rowennam.bsky.social. It's a delight and an honor to get to sit down with them and other fabulous minds every two weeks and discuss the worlds we all love creating.
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I have so enjoyed working on this podcast with @mrmaresca.com, @natania.bsky.social, and (previously) @rowennam.bsky.social. It's a delight and an honor to get to sit down with them and other fabulous minds every two weeks and discuss the worlds we all love creating.
Interested in a particular topic or guest author? Check the show archive:
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/show-archi...
(The episodes in consideration for this year of the Hugo Award would be 145 through 171.)
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/show-archi...
(The episodes in consideration for this year of the Hugo Award would be 145 through 171.)
Show Archive | Worldbuilding for Masochists
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Interested in a particular topic or guest author? Check the show archive:
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/show-archi...
(The episodes in consideration for this year of the Hugo Award would be 145 through 171.)
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/show-archi...
(The episodes in consideration for this year of the Hugo Award would be 145 through 171.)
Curious what we're all about? Try the episode sampler!
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/new-here-t...
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/new-here-t...
New here? Try the Episode Sampler | Worldbuilding for Masochists
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Curious what we're all about? Try the episode sampler!
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/new-here-t...
worldbuildingformasochists.podbean.com/p/new-here-t...
-Said Discord server also has a podcast drinking game.
-We manage to be both chaotic gremlins *and* erudite scholars, often in the same sentence.
-We're pretty cute and will absolutely wear fabulous outfits to the Hugo Award Ceremony.
-We manage to be both chaotic gremlins *and* erudite scholars, often in the same sentence.
-We're pretty cute and will absolutely wear fabulous outfits to the Hugo Award Ceremony.
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
-Said Discord server also has a podcast drinking game.
-We manage to be both chaotic gremlins *and* erudite scholars, often in the same sentence.
-We're pretty cute and will absolutely wear fabulous outfits to the Hugo Award Ceremony.
-We manage to be both chaotic gremlins *and* erudite scholars, often in the same sentence.
-We're pretty cute and will absolutely wear fabulous outfits to the Hugo Award Ceremony.
-This podcast has given rise to a truly incredible community of writers, gamers, readers, and all sorts of worldbuilders who gather in our Discord server to continue the discussions started in our episodes, explore their own worlds, and cheer each other on in their work!
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
-This podcast has given rise to a truly incredible community of writers, gamers, readers, and all sorts of worldbuilders who gather in our Discord server to continue the discussions started in our episodes, explore their own worlds, and cheer each other on in their work!
-We're consistent. We put out an episode every other Wednesday, and have done since the podcast started in 2019.
-We have a volunteer team (of real humans, not AI) that works to transcribe our episodes for greater accessibility.
-We have a volunteer team (of real humans, not AI) that works to transcribe our episodes for greater accessibility.
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
-We're consistent. We put out an episode every other Wednesday, and have done since the podcast started in 2019.
-We have a volunteer team (of real humans, not AI) that works to transcribe our episodes for greater accessibility.
-We have a volunteer team (of real humans, not AI) that works to transcribe our episodes for greater accessibility.
-We welcome a dazzling array of guest stars to discuss their worldbuilding interests, obsessions, and conundrums, ranging from well-established members of the SFF community with dozens of books behind them to debut authors making their first splash on the scene!
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
-We welcome a dazzling array of guest stars to discuss their worldbuilding interests, obsessions, and conundrums, ranging from well-established members of the SFF community with dozens of books behind them to debut authors making their first splash on the scene!
Worldbuilding for Masochists @worldbuildcast.bsky.social is eligible for Best Fancast!
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Hugo Awards!
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
Emails are going out to eligible nominators (those who became a member of LAcon V by January 31, 2026, or were a member of the Seattle Worldcon 2025) about how to set up their LAcon V virtual convention account.
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Worldbuilding for Masochists @worldbuildcast.bsky.social is eligible for Best Fancast!
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
🧵 Here's why we think we're worthy of your consideration:
-We dig into SFF worldbuilding from a ton of different, exciting angles with an eye toward encouraging writers to make interesting, innovative choices.
Yeah -- magic literalizes power structures & dynamics, and that's something that needs consideration both if you want it to feel like a part of a real, living world and if you want to be aware of the sort of message you're sending *about* those power dynamics.
February 11, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Yeah -- magic literalizes power structures & dynamics, and that's something that needs consideration both if you want it to feel like a part of a real, living world and if you want to be aware of the sort of message you're sending *about* those power dynamics.
And "limitations" doesn't just have to be about what the magic *can* do, it's not counting spell slots like bullets, but also the consequences for using it -- whether those consequences are physical, social, legal, moral, etc.
Otherwise... idk, why bother?
Otherwise... idk, why bother?
February 11, 2026 at 6:35 PM
And "limitations" doesn't just have to be about what the magic *can* do, it's not counting spell slots like bullets, but also the consequences for using it -- whether those consequences are physical, social, legal, moral, etc.
Otherwise... idk, why bother?
Otherwise... idk, why bother?
I don't think I agree, either. I mean, sure, yes, you *can* make whatever choice you want, but that doesn't mean it's a good choice that makes a good story. In my opinion, magic should always cause more problems than it solves, or else things will just be too easy on the characters.
February 11, 2026 at 6:35 PM
I don't think I agree, either. I mean, sure, yes, you *can* make whatever choice you want, but that doesn't mean it's a good choice that makes a good story. In my opinion, magic should always cause more problems than it solves, or else things will just be too easy on the characters.
The law also limits the ability of men with magical gifts from seeking high political office, the general sentiment being that a consul-mage would be able to wield far too much power.
My MC Sempronius has kept his gifts a secret, believing the gods want him to achieve more than the law would allow.
My MC Sempronius has kept his gifts a secret, believing the gods want him to achieve more than the law would allow.
February 11, 2026 at 6:14 PM
The law also limits the ability of men with magical gifts from seeking high political office, the general sentiment being that a consul-mage would be able to wield far too much power.
My MC Sempronius has kept his gifts a secret, believing the gods want him to achieve more than the law would allow.
My MC Sempronius has kept his gifts a secret, believing the gods want him to achieve more than the law would allow.
Then there are laws. Aven has the leges tabulae magicae -- my little addition to Rome's Twelve Tables -- governing the use of magic, both its privileges and its restrictions, both to honor those the gods honor and to protect the rest of the populace from being taken advantage of.
February 11, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Then there are laws. Aven has the leges tabulae magicae -- my little addition to Rome's Twelve Tables -- governing the use of magic, both its privileges and its restrictions, both to honor those the gods honor and to protect the rest of the populace from being taken advantage of.
The Prohibition of Mars prevents the use of magic in combat -- not merely by custom, but by fact; magic so used goes wrong because Mars disapproves of it. Soldiers can charm their armor to endure better than normal, because that's Vulcan's territory, but nothing to do with actual acts of war.
February 11, 2026 at 6:14 PM
The Prohibition of Mars prevents the use of magic in combat -- not merely by custom, but by fact; magic so used goes wrong because Mars disapproves of it. Soldiers can charm their armor to endure better than normal, because that's Vulcan's territory, but nothing to do with actual acts of war.
#Febchantment D11: There are a few different restraints built in. Magic does take a lot out of the user. Not everyone with the talent is equally blessed or equally educated -- some magic can be done on instinct, but more complex forms require training, as does learning control to avoid burnout.
#Febchantment Day 11
What limitations did you put on your magic system to keep it from becoming too OP? Is power in short supply? Do spells take a physical toll on the body?
Note that this is about magic done RIGHT. Day 13 will be about when magic goes horribly wrong!
#writingcommunity #writesky
What limitations did you put on your magic system to keep it from becoming too OP? Is power in short supply? Do spells take a physical toll on the body?
Note that this is about magic done RIGHT. Day 13 will be about when magic goes horribly wrong!
#writingcommunity #writesky
February 11, 2026 at 6:14 PM
#Febchantment D11: There are a few different restraints built in. Magic does take a lot out of the user. Not everyone with the talent is equally blessed or equally educated -- some magic can be done on instinct, but more complex forms require training, as does learning control to avoid burnout.
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat
February 11, 2026 at 3:22 AM
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat
Reposted by Cass Morris
Got hit with a $3000.00 vet bill yesterday. Still looking for work. So, uh, buy my books, maybe?
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/EC2/e...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/EC2/e...
Eric Carter
Buy books online and find book series such as Eric Carter written by Stephen Blackmoore from PenguinRandomHouse.com
www.penguinrandomhouse.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Got hit with a $3000.00 vet bill yesterday. Still looking for work. So, uh, buy my books, maybe?
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/EC2/e...
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/EC2/e...
Reposted by Cass Morris
While this absolutely sucks, we are going to see a lot more places implementing universal global age verification over this next year, because the number of states and countries legally requiring it has gotten to the point no one can keep up anymore.
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM
While this absolutely sucks, we are going to see a lot more places implementing universal global age verification over this next year, because the number of states and countries legally requiring it has gotten to the point no one can keep up anymore.
Reposted by Cass Morris
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
There are a lot of tools that can help with the particular use a mage is trying to frame the magic to -- a scrying bowl or glass, for example, to channel the power of the Element -- but none are strictly necessary simply to draw the power.
February 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
There are a lot of tools that can help with the particular use a mage is trying to frame the magic to -- a scrying bowl or glass, for example, to channel the power of the Element -- but none are strictly necessary simply to draw the power.
*Most* Spirit mages rely on their own hearts for that power, which is potent but can also lead to quick burnout. It's possible to siphon it from other living creatures, but that's both tricky to handle and ethically murky.
February 9, 2026 at 3:19 PM
*Most* Spirit mages rely on their own hearts for that power, which is potent but can also lead to quick burnout. It's possible to siphon it from other living creatures, but that's both tricky to handle and ethically murky.