Taran Matharu's Blog - Writing Tips and Thoughts

Interview with Mundie Moms

MM: From the and the synopsis, I must say I find your mythology fascinating. It reminds me a little of classic fantasy worlds. So I have to ask a little about your inspiration and especially the pairing of summoners and demons -- what was your inspiration for this magical world?

Taran: That's a tough question! It's definitely a combination of all the fantasy elements that I love, with my own take on each of them. So for example the multiple races came from books, films and videogames such as Warhammer, Warcraft, Lord of the Rings, Redwall, Skyrim. The magical school was inspired by books like The Earth Sea Quartet, Discworld and of course Harry Potter. The demons themselves were inspired by my love for cryptids and mythological creatures around the world, with Pokemon and the summoning class in videogames contributing too. There are a whole lot of other inspirations, both personal and historical, but I think I'll leave it there before I write a whole essay on it! 

MM: Stories with a magical academy setting usually become my very favorites. Tell us a little bit about Vocans Academy. What can a new student like Fletcher expect to see when he enters through its doors? 

Taran: The academy itself is in an old castle, dark, brooding and surrounded by a deep moat. Vocans is more than just a school. It's also a military academy, so there is a focus on being trained as a warrior rather than just a mage. The walls are lined with tapestries and paintings of battles against the orcs. War memorabilia such as orc clubs, arrowheads and ancient armour are kept in glass cases for all to see. 

In the basement are the old dungeons and arena, where orcs were once imprisoned and executed for the entertainment of the soldiers that inhabited the castle long ago. That is where noviciates learn swordplay and are pitted against each other in the end of year Tournament. I'll leave the rest for the readers to discover on their own ;). 

MM: Nobles, orcs, elves and dwarves -- that's quite a cast, and I'm sure it's full of political tension. Can you tell us about the reason for the Hominum Empire's war against the orcs? And how are battlemages used in the war? 

Taran: The Third Orc War begins 15 years before The Novice. On a cold, winter night, an orc tribe slaughters the entire population of Raleighshire in an unprovoked raid, including a family of nobles. Their bodies are tied to trees along the jungle border as a warning. In response to this atrocity, Hominum's new king begins to deforest their jungles. After eight years of bitter fighting, the Third Orc War is officially declared. It is this war that the protagonist, Fletcher, becomes embroiled in. 

Most battlemages are nobles, acting as officers in the military. The Celestial Corps are the aerial contingent, riding their demons into battle in the skies above the jungle, against Wyvern riding orc shamans. Battlemages often act in a supporting role, protecting their troops from projectiles with shield spells and healing the injured. At the same time, they will often go on the offensive, using fire, lightning and telekinesis spells to decimate their opponents. 

MM: If Fletcher, the protagonist and future battlemage, could tell Mundie Moms one thing (before we start reading his story) what would it be? 

Taran: He would probably offer to sponsor you at Vocans and capture a demon for you! He'd then tell you all the different species of demon that have been discovered and try to work out which would suit you best. 

MM: And we have to ask, is there a tiny bit of romance in this book? You know how MMs love their kissy scenes. 

Taran: There is a tiny bit, but not a full-fledged romance. It's certainly teased and there is some flirting. I wanted to leave the readers a chance to ship the characters first ;). 

This interview was originally posted on mundiemoms.blogspot.co.uk, feel free to check it out!