Mythania (novel series)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mythania is fictional fantasy universe created by author M. C. Williams. It is essentially part of the steampunk or steam fantasy sub-genre of speculative fiction. There are numerous short stories in the series and several novels on the way, with an extensive website [1] where many of the stories and additional information can be found.
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[edit] The Premise
The Mythania system is a double-planet -- the "Earth-like" world of Mythania, and the dark volcanic world of Atracus. The two worlds are of nearly equal mass and orbit each another around a common point in space as they revolve around the sun. While most stories are set primarily on Mythania itself, with adventures having nothing to do with its sister-world of Atracus, the over-arching storyline ultimately centers around the eternal conflict between the Two Worlds.
Mythania has an 8,000 year recorded history, and adventures and stories are set in various time periods throughout its history. The majority of stories are set in what is called the "Age of Process", essentially the present-day period of Mythania (1000 to 1040 of the Common Age on the Mythania calendar). The "Age of Process" is marked by rapid developments of advanced steam-age technology and magical devices, such as steam automatons, flying machines, airships, aetheric engines, and so forth.
Other stories are set in the past, and many of these are more typical "pure fantasy", being set in a "Medieval-type world" with magic and epic adventures. Other stories set in the past age known as the "Age of Marada" are "science-fantasy", being even more technologically advanced than the modern age of Mythania. The Age of Marada ended in its cataclysmic destruction 1000 years ago, and only now, in Mythania's "modern age", has technology begun to match that of ancient Marada.
[edit] The Stories
The Mythania stories are available online on the Mythania website and new stories are added and updated with some frequency. There are currently three main anthologies of stories online. "Tales of Mythania" are short stories taking place in the modern period of Mythania, the so-called "Age of Process", and is basically steam fantasy. "Dark Chronicles" are stories that also take place in the modern period, but are set in the Dark Kingdoms where industry and sinister magic reign supreme. "Dark Chronicles" are heavily steampunk in flavor, and incorporate science-fantasy (science-fiction fantasy) elements as well. "Legends of Yore" are stores set in Mythania's past, generally between the Fall of Marada (0 CA) and the modern period (1000 CA). These stories are more traditional fantasy, but some may have the occasional technological wonder (perhaps technological or techno-magical artifacts from Marada). Other stories include those taking places during the age of Marada, and these are generally science-fantasy in flavor.
[edit] The Novels
An extensive novel series is currently in progress, and has been for approximately 8 to 10 years. The novels are planned as a six book series. There is currently no word on a release date or on publication, or whether the books will be made available online or through regular book retailers.
