How to make the unnatural seem natural by Tobias Robbins

My book, The Remnants of Pryr,  comes out this February. 

Visit my BWL Author Page here: https://bookswelove.net/robbins-tobias/

When one of the ancient founders of Pryr returns after a long exile and claims the world will end, the nations must adapt and learn to work together. If not, the Breath of Ruination will bring about a world-ending catastrophe. The kaleidoscopic cast, including gods, assassins, poets, and scientists, provides interlocking accounts in this geo-political drama that dates back to the founding of civilization.

 

I really wanted my story to have a “believable unbelievability” to it. That is to say, I wanted my fictional world to feel as close to real as possible but still be distinct from our real world. For the natural environment, I tried to focus on balancing out the scientific components to make it seem legitimate, while also adding wild fantasy that would give it a visual uniqueness.

 

Fireweed- It is so named because of its bright red color and the burning sensation caused by the thorn's poisonous coating. Thin, wiry it grows to knee height. Thorns are barbed and intended to break off easily allowing more time for the poison to spread.

Scourge fungus- White mushrooms that grow in patches. Their fast-growing roots emit a digestive enzyme that breaks down flesh as easily as metal or stone. Spores grow and spread quickly. Fire must be used to cleanse the infected area if the rare Harken dirt can not be found.

Grasp grass- Carnivorous trap-setting plant. Its roots burrow a deep hole and its blades grow long enough to fill the hole to appear as normal short grass. Once a creature steps into the pit, the blades curl inward pulling in to digest the creature with acidic resin excreted at the bottom of the hole.

 

Cloven steed- Quadripedal mammal with a long neck and head. Each leg ends with feet that are made of four small hooves clumped together. Easily trainable for riding and combat. 

Dune leviathans- Large insectile body composed of many segments each with a set of stubby spikes that help it travel under loose sand. Its head has four forward-facing horns that it uses to dig or use for protection. 

Shaggy monohorn- Heavy four-legged creature large enough for one rider. It has a single horn between its eyes used to gore other creatures. Its long matted hair collects mold and bacteria giving off a repulsive odor.

Bloodhunter bats- Tiny mammals with wings that are lined with sharp bone along the edge for slicing creatures mid-flight. As blood is drawn the bat uses their circular, jagged-toothed mouths to suction on, and lash at the cuts with their spiked tongues. 

Light-eyed grazer- Medium-sized quadruped with thin legs and quills running down its back. It has three horns and can be found in a variety of colors. 

Scissor-beaked turtle- Large, shelled reptile, suitable for riding into combat. The mouth comes to a long point of hard bone that when closed acts as a scissor. 

 

Fuming Plateau- Located near the eastern coast of Pryr. Geysers of steam almost constantly erupt with varying sizes. The columns of steam take on the color of chemical deposits, red, yellow, green, and blue. Bioluminescent bacteria give the geysers a glow. 

Garnet Forest- Enormous stone trees with no leaves and jagged spikes and crooked blades for branches, they can grow high enough to reach clouds. They are commonly in a reddish hue such as burgundy or even brown. 

Acidic Sea- Acid content in water breaks down tissues such as flesh and plant fibers. Given enough exposure it will eat away at metals as well. The sea surrounds the supercontinent of Pryr. 

Neon Canyons- A labyrinth of caves and crevasses; some large enough to contain whole cities. The smooth translucent stone has glowing neon gas veins streaking just below the surface, constantly lighting the canyons.