The Raiselig Dossier

About

Hilda is a great TV Show/Graphic novel by Luke Pearson. In it, the titular main character is accompanied by Alphur the elf. As an elf, Alphur is a red-tape enthusiast, devoted to ensuring protocols are followed, contracts are adhered to, and every T and I are crossed and dotted. Hilda can’t even see the elves until she has signed all the paperwork allowing her to do so.

From this, a simple idea: Magic is in words. The first magic word was Abracadabra, assumed to mean “I create as I speak,” or rather, as I will, so it is. As time goes on, stories of wizards involve more magic words, more complex arcane gestures, charts, telescopes, potions, etc. They were scholars and scientists, their magic arising from complex and intricate procedures, rather than mere fiat.

As the process continues, eventually, would not all magic become contracts and established precidents?

There was humor in this idea, and sadness. I invisioned a world where snapping your fingers to light your fireplace required contractual negotiations, and even existing as a goblin required a Notary Public. I saw old folk monsters becoming the newer re-envisioned versions of themselves, because the files needed updating. I saw people who thought they were one thing forced into becoming something they weren’t.

Enter Raiselig, a corruption of the Afrikaans translation of “Mystery Light” or “Traveling Light,” a being who was once a Will-o’-the-wisp, or a vampire, or an amalgamation of thousands of different myths from across the globe. Ultimately, they are a being who knew once who they were, and now survives their abusive redefinition by learning and enforcing the rules of behavior that tormented them, perpetuating the abuse on others.

The Dossier will likely never be more than a series of short stories. While I have other ideas for Raiselig, none of them are really capable of sustaining a full book.

Chapters