The Musing Mage
@musing-mage.bsky.social
Writer. Gamer. Witch. Dungeon Master.
I'm an obsessive Canadian writer and somewhat drowning game design student. I have a series of 12 novels currently in progress, with 8 mapped out in detail, and my first manuscript almost finished.
I'm an obsessive Canadian writer and somewhat drowning game design student. I have a series of 12 novels currently in progress, with 8 mapped out in detail, and my first manuscript almost finished.
Hah, I've barely described Cassius over the course of a couple of posts, and it feels like he's already becoming one of your favourites.
November 8, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Hah, I've barely described Cassius over the course of a couple of posts, and it feels like he's already becoming one of your favourites.
Well, that depends on how bulletproof their reputation is after 5 years as Korea's darlings. It took them actually breaking up for their fans to abandon them, and even then...they won the crowd back over the course of one song. And that's despite Rumi showing off her demon markings.
November 8, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Well, that depends on how bulletproof their reputation is after 5 years as Korea's darlings. It took them actually breaking up for their fans to abandon them, and even then...they won the crowd back over the course of one song. And that's despite Rumi showing off her demon markings.
Well done, Kiwi!!! ❤️
November 8, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Well done, Kiwi!!! ❤️
Gaius - Hates fancy parties, only suffers them for his wife's amusement
Marius - Flamboyant, fabulous, and always the center of attention, also flirting with ALL the women
Adrian - Smooth, charming, he's there for the dancing
Ciara - She's not interested unless she's been ordered to kill someone
Marius - Flamboyant, fabulous, and always the center of attention, also flirting with ALL the women
Adrian - Smooth, charming, he's there for the dancing
Ciara - She's not interested unless she's been ordered to kill someone
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Gaius - Hates fancy parties, only suffers them for his wife's amusement
Marius - Flamboyant, fabulous, and always the center of attention, also flirting with ALL the women
Adrian - Smooth, charming, he's there for the dancing
Ciara - She's not interested unless she's been ordered to kill someone
Marius - Flamboyant, fabulous, and always the center of attention, also flirting with ALL the women
Adrian - Smooth, charming, he's there for the dancing
Ciara - She's not interested unless she's been ordered to kill someone
Cassius - In his element, public functions are his arena, information gathering and political maneuvering
Katia - Calm, quiet, graceful, the perfect picture of a noblewoman
Derwen - Doesn't like parties, but probably got blackmailed into being a chaperone because no one else is responsible enough
Katia - Calm, quiet, graceful, the perfect picture of a noblewoman
Derwen - Doesn't like parties, but probably got blackmailed into being a chaperone because no one else is responsible enough
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Cassius - In his element, public functions are his arena, information gathering and political maneuvering
Katia - Calm, quiet, graceful, the perfect picture of a noblewoman
Derwen - Doesn't like parties, but probably got blackmailed into being a chaperone because no one else is responsible enough
Katia - Calm, quiet, graceful, the perfect picture of a noblewoman
Derwen - Doesn't like parties, but probably got blackmailed into being a chaperone because no one else is responsible enough
Serenn - Sitting in the shadows mysteriously with Kaydern
Iedan - Glowering and stalking out to the gardens
Tristyn - Awkward, earnest, but his family name means the pressure is on and eyes are on him
Gallus - Calm, collected, waiting for someone to do something stupid so he can do his job
Iedan - Glowering and stalking out to the gardens
Tristyn - Awkward, earnest, but his family name means the pressure is on and eyes are on him
Gallus - Calm, collected, waiting for someone to do something stupid so he can do his job
November 8, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Serenn - Sitting in the shadows mysteriously with Kaydern
Iedan - Glowering and stalking out to the gardens
Tristyn - Awkward, earnest, but his family name means the pressure is on and eyes are on him
Gallus - Calm, collected, waiting for someone to do something stupid so he can do his job
Iedan - Glowering and stalking out to the gardens
Tristyn - Awkward, earnest, but his family name means the pressure is on and eyes are on him
Gallus - Calm, collected, waiting for someone to do something stupid so he can do his job
My best guess? They probably figured that their plan would be busted faster if they started blatantly impersonating Huntrix (as shown when they impersonated Huntrix on stage and Mira and Zoe figured it out immediately from offstage). A degree of separation was, in theory, safer.
November 8, 2025 at 10:41 AM
My best guess? They probably figured that their plan would be busted faster if they started blatantly impersonating Huntrix (as shown when they impersonated Huntrix on stage and Mira and Zoe figured it out immediately from offstage). A degree of separation was, in theory, safer.
I like to write in ways that the deepest readers will think philosophically about the themes of the books and actions of the characters.
How do we separate right from wrong?
How do we define those things?
And how far are we willing to go, how much are we willing to forgive, for those we love?
How do we separate right from wrong?
How do we define those things?
And how far are we willing to go, how much are we willing to forgive, for those we love?
November 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
I like to write in ways that the deepest readers will think philosophically about the themes of the books and actions of the characters.
How do we separate right from wrong?
How do we define those things?
And how far are we willing to go, how much are we willing to forgive, for those we love?
How do we separate right from wrong?
How do we define those things?
And how far are we willing to go, how much are we willing to forgive, for those we love?
It probably won't surprise you to learn that I'm a big fan of anti-heroes and exploring morally grey areas.
What is violence?
To what extent must we be violent to survive?
What separates protection from violence?
Is violence right in service of the greater good?
What IS the greater good?
What is violence?
To what extent must we be violent to survive?
What separates protection from violence?
Is violence right in service of the greater good?
What IS the greater good?
November 7, 2025 at 7:50 PM
It probably won't surprise you to learn that I'm a big fan of anti-heroes and exploring morally grey areas.
What is violence?
To what extent must we be violent to survive?
What separates protection from violence?
Is violence right in service of the greater good?
What IS the greater good?
What is violence?
To what extent must we be violent to survive?
What separates protection from violence?
Is violence right in service of the greater good?
What IS the greater good?
To her, being a warrior is a way of life, and every battle is a challenge. A way for her to hone her skills, push harder, prove herself the equal of her half-brothers, one of whom always looked down on her and bullied her for her illegitimacy.
She wants to be as great a warrior as her mother was.
She wants to be as great a warrior as her mother was.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
To her, being a warrior is a way of life, and every battle is a challenge. A way for her to hone her skills, push harder, prove herself the equal of her half-brothers, one of whom always looked down on her and bullied her for her illegitimacy.
She wants to be as great a warrior as her mother was.
She wants to be as great a warrior as her mother was.
Ciara's mother, Haegyra, was a great warrior, and Ciara carries that same fire in her blood. She's not a peaceful warrior by any means, with a fiery temper and sharp sapphire and gold eyes that unsettle others.
She does not mind violence, so long as there's a reason for it. She even revels in it.
She does not mind violence, so long as there's a reason for it. She even revels in it.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Ciara's mother, Haegyra, was a great warrior, and Ciara carries that same fire in her blood. She's not a peaceful warrior by any means, with a fiery temper and sharp sapphire and gold eyes that unsettle others.
She does not mind violence, so long as there's a reason for it. She even revels in it.
She does not mind violence, so long as there's a reason for it. She even revels in it.
And finally, Ciara. The firecracker daughter of High King Eoin, born to her father's huskarl a couple of years after the death of Eoin's queen during a harsh winter.
Ciara is a King's Wolf, an organization that takes its roots from Iedan's role as Cailean's black hand and most ruthless protector.
Ciara is a King's Wolf, an organization that takes its roots from Iedan's role as Cailean's black hand and most ruthless protector.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
And finally, Ciara. The firecracker daughter of High King Eoin, born to her father's huskarl a couple of years after the death of Eoin's queen during a harsh winter.
Ciara is a King's Wolf, an organization that takes its roots from Iedan's role as Cailean's black hand and most ruthless protector.
Ciara is a King's Wolf, an organization that takes its roots from Iedan's role as Cailean's black hand and most ruthless protector.
Adrian eventually becomes the hero his younger self always wanted to be, but by the time he gets there, everything has changed. The world, his understanding of the situation, his loyalties, even his own sense of identity as he begins to slip back into the person he was three thousand years ago. Kai.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Adrian eventually becomes the hero his younger self always wanted to be, but by the time he gets there, everything has changed. The world, his understanding of the situation, his loyalties, even his own sense of identity as he begins to slip back into the person he was three thousand years ago. Kai.
Now, Adrian DOES excel in the legions. He's a talented fighter and learns the ins and outs of battle tactics well. But war proves to be a harsh reality for him. Where he first equated soldiers with heroes, he learns that war is not nearly so simple. Especially when struggling with his heritage.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Now, Adrian DOES excel in the legions. He's a talented fighter and learns the ins and outs of battle tactics well. But war proves to be a harsh reality for him. Where he first equated soldiers with heroes, he learns that war is not nearly so simple. Especially when struggling with his heritage.
Adrian, another of Cassius's MANY offspring, is a northern-born child of the emperor. Because of his heritage, Adrian often feels like an outsider in his own family.
In order to gain some acceptance and make something of himself, he goes to his father, the emperor, and asks to join the legions.
In order to gain some acceptance and make something of himself, he goes to his father, the emperor, and asks to join the legions.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Adrian, another of Cassius's MANY offspring, is a northern-born child of the emperor. Because of his heritage, Adrian often feels like an outsider in his own family.
In order to gain some acceptance and make something of himself, he goes to his father, the emperor, and asks to join the legions.
In order to gain some acceptance and make something of himself, he goes to his father, the emperor, and asks to join the legions.
Marcus, Gaius's youngest full sibling, is sadistic and cruel. He's no soldier, mind you, but he enjoys tormenting slaves, palace staff, and especially women.
He's a coward who preys on the weak and has drawn disdain from many siblings (to the point that Gaius is even willing to have him offed).
He's a coward who preys on the weak and has drawn disdain from many siblings (to the point that Gaius is even willing to have him offed).
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Marcus, Gaius's youngest full sibling, is sadistic and cruel. He's no soldier, mind you, but he enjoys tormenting slaves, palace staff, and especially women.
He's a coward who preys on the weak and has drawn disdain from many siblings (to the point that Gaius is even willing to have him offed).
He's a coward who preys on the weak and has drawn disdain from many siblings (to the point that Gaius is even willing to have him offed).
Marius, Gaius's younger half-brother, joined the legions with his brother and proved himself an able warrior. Not for a love of violence, but for a love of family.
After a harsh disillusionment, Marius becomes a pacifist by choice. Though he never forgets his soldier's roots.
After a harsh disillusionment, Marius becomes a pacifist by choice. Though he never forgets his soldier's roots.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Marius, Gaius's younger half-brother, joined the legions with his brother and proved himself an able warrior. Not for a love of violence, but for a love of family.
After a harsh disillusionment, Marius becomes a pacifist by choice. Though he never forgets his soldier's roots.
After a harsh disillusionment, Marius becomes a pacifist by choice. Though he never forgets his soldier's roots.
It's not that Gaius enjoys violence, exactly. It's just that military operations are what he's good at, and he feels satisfaction in rising to the challenge where others can't.
However, he has a strong sense of justice and often questions his father's competence and motives later in his life.
However, he has a strong sense of justice and often questions his father's competence and motives later in his life.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It's not that Gaius enjoys violence, exactly. It's just that military operations are what he's good at, and he feels satisfaction in rising to the challenge where others can't.
However, he has a strong sense of justice and often questions his father's competence and motives later in his life.
However, he has a strong sense of justice and often questions his father's competence and motives later in his life.
Gaius, one of Cassius's sons (after Cassius becomes emperor), is a career military man. As a Legate who worked his way up from Tribune, a certain amount of violence is part of his job. However, if he can minimize casualties by maneuvering around his opponents, he will do that.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Gaius, one of Cassius's sons (after Cassius becomes emperor), is a career military man. As a Legate who worked his way up from Tribune, a certain amount of violence is part of his job. However, if he can minimize casualties by maneuvering around his opponents, he will do that.
Cassius, however, does still see himself as a hero. Just one that will do whatever it takes to protect his homeland, even from threats within it. In fact, he sees it as his duty to protect his people from the incompetence of those in power, even as he has power himself. There is hypocrisy here, yes.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Cassius, however, does still see himself as a hero. Just one that will do whatever it takes to protect his homeland, even from threats within it. In fact, he sees it as his duty to protect his people from the incompetence of those in power, even as he has power himself. There is hypocrisy here, yes.
Cassius, as a prince of the Daeorian Empire, has been surrounded by plots and politics all his life. He knows violence well, and while it isn't always his first instinct, he knows how use it.
When his elder brother proves incompetent, Cassius has him killed to prevent an idiot ascending the throne.
When his elder brother proves incompetent, Cassius has him killed to prevent an idiot ascending the throne.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Cassius, as a prince of the Daeorian Empire, has been surrounded by plots and politics all his life. He knows violence well, and while it isn't always his first instinct, he knows how use it.
When his elder brother proves incompetent, Cassius has him killed to prevent an idiot ascending the throne.
When his elder brother proves incompetent, Cassius has him killed to prevent an idiot ascending the throne.
Gallus is Tristyn's best friend and one of the Tower Sentinels of the Lapis Tower.
As a trained knight, Gallus doesn't seek out violence, but accepts it as something he may have to employ to keep the residents of the Lapis Tower safe. But if he can use magic to disarm/restrain, he'll do that first.
As a trained knight, Gallus doesn't seek out violence, but accepts it as something he may have to employ to keep the residents of the Lapis Tower safe. But if he can use magic to disarm/restrain, he'll do that first.
November 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Gallus is Tristyn's best friend and one of the Tower Sentinels of the Lapis Tower.
As a trained knight, Gallus doesn't seek out violence, but accepts it as something he may have to employ to keep the residents of the Lapis Tower safe. But if he can use magic to disarm/restrain, he'll do that first.
As a trained knight, Gallus doesn't seek out violence, but accepts it as something he may have to employ to keep the residents of the Lapis Tower safe. But if he can use magic to disarm/restrain, he'll do that first.