Matters Undefined

Locally Undefined

We say that a thing is “locally undefined” if some of (or even all) the characters in the narrative are unaware of that thing but which, from the perspective of us as creators, is defined even if we have not yet actually defined it.

An example of something which is locally undefined is the true relevance to Calmarendians of the Galaxia Linda.

Generally Undefined

We say that a thing is "generally undefined" if it is something that should be known or knowable within the context of the narrative but which we, as creators, have not (yet) given definition to. This might be for a number of reasons:

• It is irrelevant or unimportant detail that does not require definition.
• It is something we have not (yet) got around to defining.
• It is something we do not (yet) know how to define.
• It is something for which we currently have many ideas and will publish that which best fits the overall narrative as it develops.

An example of something which is generally undefined (but not locally undefined) might be the times of trains between Blear Bridge and Shirenewtown. We do not know what they are because we do not need to know but anyone on Calmarendi would, presumably, be able to access that information quite easily.

A thing can be both locally undefined and generally undefined. For example, the land area of Calmarendi is unknown to us because we have not (yet) decided what proportion of the world should be covered by water; the Calmarendians themselves do not know what it is because they lack the knowledge and means to be able to measure it.

Strictly Undefined

We say a thing is "strictly undefined" if it remains undefined not because we have not yet defined it but because we do not want it to be defined and that it should, perhaps, be thought of as something that is undefinable and/or best left to the imagination of the reader.

Examples of things that are strictly undefined include:

• The exact geography of Athershaw and how it fits into the map of Greater Manchester.
• Whether, to what extent and how the Wanderers have the power of precognition.
• How graviton field generators work because if you lot knew that you would try to make weapons with them and then everyone would be sad.