Ohm
Scope
The motivation behind building Ohm
Ohm is an immersive, high-fantasy world with meaningful stories, lovable characters, and gripping adventures. It harbors deep connections on a personal and spiritual level, asking and answering the universe's big questions in a fantastical setting.
The goal of the project
Ohm is the baseline of a novel that will later be condensed into a screenplay and feature film. The audience will be fully immersed in an inspiring, colorful, and thought-provoking universe. They will be awe-struck by the majestic world and feel like they are joining the characters in their grand adventure.
Ohm's Unique Selling point
Ohm has six regions (districts) loosely based on the concepts of the seven chakras. The advancement of magical technology and its people's conflicts throw the kingdom out of balance. Alator must save the kingdom from the Muha invasion with the help of friends he meets along the way.
The main characters are loosely based on the suits of the tarot: the Swords, Wands, Cups, and Pentacles, and the astrology signs Aquarius, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Capricorn, respectively.
Theme
Genre
High fantasy, medieval fantasy, steampunk/cyberpunk, adventure, coming-of-age, epic, sword and sorcery.
At first glance, this may appear to be a mishmash of genres that are incompatible, but in reality, they are intended to blend together to form the diverse, eclectic blend of cultures and styles that make up Ohm.
For instance, Thoril (an expansive megalopolis connected to Lower Ohm via a massive bridge) is in the midst of transitioning from the Clockwork Age into the Magitech Revolution (or whatever the fuck I end up calling it). Much of the region, particularly the outskirts and northern areas, is still steeped in steampunk, but is beginning to evolve with magitech infusions. As one approaches the City Proper (in the south-central region), they will notice a significant increase in the level of technology, which is definitely much closer to a cyberpunk vibe, i.e., huuuuuge futuristic structures, experimental labs, etc.
Lower Ohm, which is made up of Muha, Saram, Plessium, and Hatan, is closer to what one would expect from a medieval fantasy world. Magitech has not yet arrived here (or whatever has, there is very little of it). Many distinct landscapes coalesce across its four regions:
The rocky quarries, earthy plains/farmlands, and old-school villages of Muha;
The tropical paradise, orange groves, and mermaid coves of Saram;
The scorching deserts, dragons, and volcanic badlands of Plessium;
The mountainous region of Hatan, above the clouds, with magical forests, and healing springs, and fucking pegasi.
Raw magic, in fact, is where magitech comes from in the first place. Mages, spells, mysterious untapped powers -- those all exist. Eirielians study it. The Hatanese heal with it. The Sarami charm with it. The Plessia fight with it. The Muhara fight AGAINST it.
And Thoril? Thoril ADVANCES it, infuses it, for better or for worse.
So yes, this is a high fantasy. And a medieval fantasy. There is steampunk, and cyberpunk, and sword & sorcery. It is an epic with a rambunctious adventuring party of kids trying to save their kingdom while also figuring out who they are.
And I love every bit of it.
Reader Experience
The audience should be filled with awe, wonder, wanderlust, and intrigue. They should be fascinated by the depth and diversity of the world and eager to explore its many corners, big and small. The kingdom feels massive and full of life. Ohm harbors many secrets, and there is always something new to discover.
Reader Tone
The world is mostly bright and colorful, although it takes a darker turn as war looms over the horizon. It is generally pleasant to live there, as the kingdom has known peace for a very long time, with small and relatively few skirmishes. Beneath the surface, however, there are underlying issues that indicate greater hardships and horrors.
Recurring Themes
Balance/imbalance: Chakras - colors, locations, cultures, traits, strengths, weaknesses, diversity.
Individuality: Astrology - Aquarius, Saggitarius, Pisces, Capricorn.
Individuality: Tarot Suits - swords/blades, wands, cups/vessels, pentacles/coins.
Alator is swords/blades, element of air (Aquarius). Bri is wands, element of fire (Saggitarius). Leno is cups/vessels, element of water (Pisces). Cerawyn is pentacles/coins, element of earth (Capricorn).
The Good and Evil of Technology. Rapid advancements, destruction, injury, AI, connection and/or isolation, war machines, protection, civilization, medical marvels, human enhancements, etc.
The Hero's Journey? Consider implementing the Hero's Journey from the Tarot deck. Not 100% sure on this one yet.
Character Agency
Each character has unique strengths and skills that have the potential to drive lasting change, but this will be no easy feat. They are just teenagers, after all, and none are in high positions of power. But each character is incredibly gifted and unique, with Alator's strength and leadership as the Muha elder's grandson, Bri's ingenuity and technological mastery, Leno's powerful magic and kindness, and Cerawyn's manipulation and cunning. With their combined talents, they may stand a fighting chance.