My new conworlding project and what inspired it.

[Rounin Ryuuji]

Speaking of other members being interested, I'd love to read this as a work of fiction.

[Jonlang]

Jonlang stop sending your threads to ZBB.

What an odd thing to say

Speaking of other members being interested, I'd love to read this as a work of fiction.

Me too! I just need to write it! In all honesty it will probably never get finished. But who knows? – Maybe it will!

I started to put a plan together a few days ago (I have some time off work) for how to do it. I think it would open with an introduction which tells of the frame story - me finding this old book and my ambition to translate it. Then comes the "translation" which is a collection of mythological stories from a forgotten (fictional) civilisation. These will range from a Creation myth, stories about the Gods, their children, their creating the Earth, the inevitable downfall of one of them, his constant struggle to dominate, the Gods' struggle against him, the coming of humanity, humanity's struggle against the "Devil" God, some stories about heroes (of the Greek and Norse flavour), some rehashing existing myths and legends to fit this world, the retreat of Gods back to their Empyrean and leaving humanity to sort it out themselves, the "Ragnarok" type event, the ultimate downfall of the Devil God. This would then be followed by sections (appendices?) on the languages found in these stories, and maybe other stuff that crops up on the way. Seeing as I've already gotten the conlangs to points with divergences, the stories will need to take this into account and explanations will be needed as to why these languages split, which shouldn't be too hard. I have some ideas already.

[Rounin Ryuuji]

Jonlang stop sending your threads to ZBB.

What an odd thing to say

Isn't it, though?

I started to put a plan together a few days ago (I have some time off work) for how to do it...I have some ideas already.

Please produce.

[JANKO GORENC]

Jonlang stop sending your threads to ZBB.

What an odd thing to say


Oh, I ... Sorry if you had a problem with me.
Of course, you can continue with this topic. As I see it, others like your work. Ignore my previous comment.

[zompist]

Janko, you seem to be bothered by something, but it's impossible to tell what. Don't create problems with other users without at least explaining what the problem is.

[Raholeun]

Posting a bit late, but thanks for sharing Jonlang. That is a great piece of family lore that I am sure will be passed on for quite some time.

With regards to the flower and the ancient loremasters, I was reminded of a chapter of Manly Hall's book (found here). In many of the ancient mysteries, floral symbolism was central:

Flowers were chosen as symbols for many reasons. The great variety of flora made it possible to find some plant or flower which would be a suitable figure for nearly any abstract quality or condition. A plant might be chosen because of some myth connected with its origin, as the stories of Daphne and Narcissus; because of the peculiar environment in which it thrived, as the orchid and the fungus; because of its significant shape, as the passion flower and the Easter lily; because of its brilliance or fragrance, as the verbena and the sweet lavender; because it preserved its form indefinitely, as the everlasting flower; because of unusual characteristics as the sunflower and heliotrope, which have long been sacred because of their affinity for the sun.

The plant might also be considered worthy of veneration because from its crushed leaves, petals, stalks, or roots could be extracted healing unctions, essences, or drugs affecting the nature and intelligence of human beings--such as the poppy and the ancient herbs of prophecy. The plant might also be regarded as efficacious in the cure of many diseases because its fruit, leaves, petals, or roots bore a resemblance in shape or color to parts or organs of the human body. For example, the distilled juices of certain species of ferns, also the hairy moss growing upon oaks, and the thistledown were said to have the power of growing hair; the dentaria, which resembles a tooth in shape, was said to cure the toothache; and the palma Christi plant, because of its shape, cured all afflictions of the hands.

The blossom is really the reproductive system of the plant and is therefore singularly appropriate as a symbol of sexual purity--an absolute requisite of the ancient Mysteries. Thus the flower signifies this ideal of beauty and regeneration which must ultimately take the place of lust and degeneracy.

It would make total sense for an antediluvian hierophant to shroud his or her occult knowledge in floral symbolism. To the layman its just a nice, decorative picture of a plant. To the initiated it is much more. I'd love to see where your project goes if you want to share.