Guide
How to read names?
In this story, particularly in the Episodes of Blossom, surnames come first, followed by a given name. In the case of “Hey-Jyang Hsian”, “Hey-Jyang” is the surname while “Hsian” is the given name. In this world, surnames are not always the equivalent of family names, thus people of the same heritage may use different surnames depending on race and culture. The translated names do not follow real-world Pinyin conventions, as linguistic development in this fictional world diverges slightly from that of our own.
How to distinguish “World” and “Realm”?
世界=Worlds > 境=Realms
While the two Worlds presented in the story share essential logics of creation, they are mostly separated as self-consistent entities with nuances, and thus, a complete tale can take place in a world. Realms operate like planes that divide their parent world into lesser worlds with thinner barriers to cross.
What are the races in Blossom?
- 壇族=Tan：Known as Altarians in the Western Continent, the name reflects the Tans’ past as a deeply religious people due to their lack of innate talent of magic. In the present age, they have turned toward technological mastery, dominating much of the Origin Realm.
- 妖族=Yao：Yaos are humanoid descendants of animals and woody plants. Although they are well versed in elemental magic, the decline of mana across the realms has significantly limited their power. Altarians of the West refer to them as “Pagans,” a name also applied to other Tans who choose to live among Yaos.
- 羽族=Yu: Known as Celestians in the Western Continent, Yus are Mana-based lifeforms that can be made flesh by the World through Karma. It was believed that Yus are manifestation of the Great Will, and thus would guide people toward a righteous way of living.
What is a Counterpart?
Counterparts shares the same soul throughout tales. You may understand them as one entity that manifests itself as 化身=avatars to experience each different worlds.
What is Karma?
业力=Karma is the essential momentum that drives the interaction between sentient beings. While it operates from even before life was born, it is not impossible to altered it through the outcome of major collisions of beings.
What is the religious implications within the stories about?
It is impossible to say there is no commentary on religion. However, my goal here is not to offer critique or interpretation, but to borrow the concepts and basic structure of existing myths. In this way, I am able to articulate my own ideas while grounding them in familiar narrative forms, rather than distancing audiences through wholly unfamiliar constructions.
