Pan's name is derived from the Greek elements (pan) meaning “all” and (eleemon) meaning “compassionate”, giving his name the meaning "all-compassionate" or "mercy for everyone" (in Greek). As for little Pan, I actually really have fallen in love with the idea of him taking up the role as the protagonist / uniting character for my World of Magic "pet series" / "pet group". It's my first leap into developing an entire world with a large overarching plot, individual story plots, and interwoven characters. ATM, I envision having a main and secondary protagonist - Pan and Flickerings on-site. Without going wildly into 3/4-baked lore, when the world begins to become unbalanced, two souls are created from the same magic that is drawn from "the well". The two are unaware of their "purpose", and the world must work within the "flow" of the "great story" to unite them and bring back about the balance through their journey. Pan is in their late 20s, hard-working and wise for their age, kind-natured and fierce in their commitment to understanding as many perspectives as possible while defending "right". They are open-hearted but can be daunted by the weight of taking on too many emotional and mental burdens. They learns from their mistakes and at their core just want a world that does the most good for the most individuals. Their journey is sparked by a small nudge from the universe, and unfolds into fulfilling their purpose as one of the two balancers. I feel like their name's meaning can be represented both in their main character traits and in their journey - ultimately bringing everything back to balance is like a "fresh start" in a sense for all, it saves everyone from suffering, grief, and even potentially destruction. They and their journey then embody at the core the idea of compassion and mercy for all.
AWOM
I haven't named the world yet, and I got a little stuck because I started thinking about the climate, the moon(s?), what a "day" would be, or a "year", or how their seasons would happen, language, etc. Now that I have so many characters I'm attached to, I think it's time to start shaping out a protagonist or group of characters whose journ(ies) ties everything together somehow.
A World of Magic takes place (so far) in two "realms" of a world. There's inspiration drawn from worlds like Tolkien's middle earth, as the the world that we know so far has three main continents and "the island". The three continents sit close together, just curving around the "north to south" equator. In the middle of the great expanse of ocean that makes up the majority of the other "side" of the world and sits ringed by these continents is "the island". The island is the home of magic. On it sits a well deep and humming with power. Some legends say man cannot set foot on the island, or that it can only be found by serendipity or mistake rather then intention. Some think the island isn't real, and some think it is a portal to the afterlife, another world, or the glowing moon. The wellspring is the source of magic, a place where the force of all living flows in and out, transforms from death to life, and keeps the world thrumming with vibrancy. The wellspring always has been, and it is said if it ever ceases to be the world will cease to be with it. There is a guardian of the wellspring, a magic being who serves to collect, hold, and guide the energy through transformation. There is legend on how they are "chosen" or created, some say they are reincarnated into themselves when they finally feel weary and ready to rest, some say there has always only been one. Our guardian is Zeridyn, a seemingly ageless being who carries deep wisdom and an easy smile. He does not leave the realm of the well, and shows no interest in "retiring". He is content in his role and treats it with deep respect. He is content with his life and enjoys the company of the other magic beings (and occasional non-magic being) who cross his path or call his island home.
Eriphos is a collector of "lost souls". He is a brilliant and welcoming light to those who feel lost and alone, unsure of who they are or what their purpose is. His home often organically becomes the hometown to many who find rebirth during their time in his company, a new place of origin for the person they have become. Eriphos wrestles with his own feelings of being lost and uncertain about his footing when it comes to who he is and why we all exist. The love he continues to nurture inwards in response to this struggle is likely the unseen gravity that draws others in.
Revel - celebrate the present - a being unafraid to enjoy themself loudly, their vibes are "enthusiastic celebration". In general, the idea for them comes from being "in the moment" and finding joy in the small things. A magic being who tends to don their "almost human" form and bring elation and celebration wherever they go. They lighten the load. Shomari - hope for the future - a name that means things like "guardian" and "one with a forceful personality". I wanted to pair the idea of a strong personality or strong will with happiness, so their vibe is one of "fierce optimism". They guard the heart not with waiting for the other shoe to drop, but with believing in the best to come. A magic being who tends to appear when someone is losing hope, feeling lost, or fearing what is to come. Nullification - cleansing, healing from the past - to nullify us to cancel something previous, to cancel the effect of something previous (like an antidote to snake venom). Null's vibes are "healing, cleansing past wounds". Since I just started leaping into this idea, I'm not sure if I would lean more into "self-forgiveness through acts of atonement" or "healing oneself from past wounds". A magic being who offers opportunity to right past wrongs and paths out of self-loathing and guilt.
Dreams and Daydreams These two are young of heart, playful and energetic. Creatures who in their magic forms are seen not walking but bouncing, not running but bounding. Happy, frolicking little beings who weave their magic in the minds of others to create dreams and daydreams. Their ferocity and strength are seen only when they are fighting darkness in the mind, chasing away nightmares. They love to visit Zeridyn and listen to his stories.
Not 100% sure yet which way I want to go with these babies. On one hand I like the idea of them being magic beings who live in the "human" world. Once humans, they committed great acts and were given the option at death to enter the well, or to be made magic beings who remember their lives (and deaths) and who serve the great purpose. Alternatively, they could be humans who play similar roles simply by who they are - Valeria is the inner flame, fierce and unwavering, she doesn't let you give up, she's the voice that say "get up, keep going", the flash of strength in your core when you push past that "wall". Stelios is a pillar, one who holds up, who bolsters.
Still shaping up her story too. Her name meaning of "oath" and "noble" brings a variety of characters to mind.playing with the idea of her being one of the "mythics", non-human and magic-endued beings who hail from the sacred land but can walk amongst humans on the other continents. She would be the "gardener" or keeper of a sacred garden that flourishes on kept oaths and decays on broken ones. "Tending" the garden would be about helping humans keep their oaths, and she could tie in with Null in regards to "wiping clean the past". Alternatively, I have a few ideas of a human character who would still have a story relating to the core word of "oath", but it could go different ways depending on what feels "right" as I write
Nagisa's name has several Kanji variations (according to the internet - I am sadly a single language speaker atm waves fist at education system) with lovely and overlapping meanings. One meaning is "calm, lull" such as calmness (the state of being still and peaceful, with no wind or waves) / calmness of the sea (the state of the sea being still and peaceful, with no wind or waves). In another Kanji variation the meaning is reported to mean ""wonderful, strange, mysterious." And finally, "beach, shoreline, water's edge, sand". Derived from the concept of peacefulness. I envision her character being a mythic who is / takes the form of waves in the sea, but also can appear in an almost-human form. Her role in the great scheme of the world is to help individuals, communities, and the world find true peace within their hearts. The peace that isn't "lack of action" but rather acceptance, faith, action with purpose, finding that what is within your capability is your responsibility and what isn't, isn't.
"Naili is an Arabic origin masculine given name and surname. The name is used in Turkey with the same meaning of Nail: "accomplished, conquered." It is a variant of Nail attached with the Turkish accusative case marker -i. It was used in the Ottoman period as the pseudonym of a well-known Divan poet." A "darker" character that can be seen as an antagonist / sources of "darkness". I really like the idea of presenting certain aspects of darkness as a "contrasting melodic theme" through which I can explore higher level questions about the role of "darkness / bad" in our lives. Not wicked, I'd rather their story resolve into an understanding of what drove their seeking of power and conquering.
The larger "representation" of "bad, dark, evil" within the world of magic, Kazu's name having variations that can mean both "one, alone", "accomplish", and "harmonize, respond" nicely reflects the variation of perspectives on "good and bad" that I want to represent in my story.
My immediate feeling is that Tegoshi would fit really well within my World of Magic story and actually has a "home" paired with Nagisa. I like the idea of Tegoshi being a mortal and Nagisa a mythical, the two having fallen in love. As Nagisa is the calm tide and the sea, Tegoshi helps souls cross the waters to the island. The idea of "cross over, pass through" being meaning behind the name plays well here on two levels!
to move or shine in an irregular or unsteady way, The word flicker comes from the Old English words flicorian and flicerian, which mean "to flutter". Initial draw of the name came from the idea of "flickerings" of premonitions / visions. Though the meaning also brings out images of the nature of the character being like that of a irregular, unsteady flame. If the initial idea for protagonist(s) lives on - the two halves, I think Flickerings could be one of the two. Alternatively, Flickerings could be a fascinating character withing TWOM with powers related to "seer-ing".
Cream Pherret