1242

Background and Inspiration for 1242

The year is 1242, but Earth is much more technologically advanced than current day. These technologies range from advanced sci-fi weapons to robots made for slavery. However, not all humans have access to these technological luxuries, and are stuck living relatively normal compared to how they would have actually lived during this time in history. This separation between people caused a split in the economy, and both sides have their own name. The wealthy people that have access to products involving pyro-mechanics and futuristic weapons and luxuries are called Pats, and the poor people, which are farmers and other middle class workers, are called Brutes. These names aren't too significant in the story, but they are used as insults between the two classes.

There are three book series that definitely played in the writing of this book. The first one, which is the first series I read out of the three, is Ranger's Apprentice by John Flanagan. This series is a medieval fantasy book. The main character of which, named Will Treaty, was an apprentice to Halt, a well known member of the Ranger Corps in Araluen.

The second series is Red Rising by Pierce Brown. This series is a sci-fi fantasy, which takes place on the many planets and moons in our own solar system. The main character is a Red named Darrow. The government ranks their citizens based on the planet and wealth they are born into. The lowest "rank" is Red, and the highest is Gold. Darrow disguises himself as a Gold to take down the government, and comes across many futuristic technologies along the way he didn't have access to as a Red.

The third series, and probably the most significant, is The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. Kvothe, born into a troupe family, loses his family at a young age and spends most of his life chasing after the mysterious group responsible for his family's death. The setting is in medieval times in a "kingdom" that isn't necessarily a true kingdom. He uses his intelligence and character to get him into the most prestigious school in the whole land, the University, and uses his resources, peers, and strangers to help him gain knowledge of these people. He is also a musician, which is how he makes money, and studies what most at the school consider fairy tales, such as the name of the wind and common folklore.

All of these series mean a lot to me, and I highly recommend reading them to anyone who is reading this. These series are what kept me reading and writing at times that otherwise I would have quit.