Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name:
Neal James
Title of book and/or
series:
The Rings of Darelius
Brief summary of the
story:
Darelius – a planet in crisis with its civilisation facing
the treat of extinction from a virus to which it has no natural defence.The Darelian people had not been at war for many generations, but now faced not one, but two threats, as a warlike neighbour lay in the wings, awaiting its opportunity.
The only hope of salvation lay in a cure derived from the flora of a primitive planet in the Orion System – eighty light years distant.
It all began on Balan – a planet at war, and also facing its own apocalypse – hundreds of years in Darelius’ past.
Brief description of
the world or location you created for this story:
Darelius- second planet in
the Arthrelian System. Mass 5.2413 x 1024Kg. Volume
1.0652098×1017km³, Circumference 3.865977×107m. Atmosphere 75% nitrogen, 22%
oxygen, 3% carbon dioxide and other minor gases. Surface Pressure 100.05kPa.
Its population of just under
1billion had been stabilised for many generations and was spread evenly across
a planet of dramatically contrasting climatic zones. From the frozen wastes of
its polar expanses to the sultry regions of its tropical paradises, much care
had been taken by its inhabitants in preserving a delicate ecological balance.
Culturally, it was, and had
been for many millennia, diverse and tolerant. History had revealed
alternatives too appalling, and its races had long since thrown off the
xenophobia which had dogged earlier times. Politically it was a model of
democracy, and a planet-wide federation ensured that, as well as guaranteeing
individual freedoms, there was a collective mentality of co-operation and
tranquillity.
Magnanimous in their
attitudes towards friends, the Darelian people were, nevertheless, unafraid to
stand up against tyranny and injustice. They had not been at war for many
generations.
Orbited at its Equator by a
ring system of stunning beauty, it was the jewel of the Arthrelian system.
The threat of extinction had
come out of the black void of space with no warning.
Distance from Earth:
approximately 80 light years.
If we were to visit
Darelius as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The rings – a halo of stunning beauty viewed clearly on
approach with the Arthrelian solar system. Touchdown would reveal a planet of
physical and sociological beauty; the Darelian people, comfortable in their
democracy and unafraid of welcoming strangers, is a race at peace with itself,
and the traveler is quickly absorbed into its cultural make-up.
What dangers should
we avoid on Darelius?
Not in Darelius itself, but it its neighbours, the Kolkats.
Whilst it would be unusual for the traveler to the Arthrelian System to be
molested by these barbaric and warlike creatures as a result of Darelian
protection, it has not been unknown for their hostility towards Darelius to
manifest itself in accosting strangers crossing their path.
Is there a distinct
or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served on Darelius?
No – the Darelians are travelers amongst the stars and, as a
result of visits to an Earth many millennia ago, much of the flora and fauna
found on our own planet owes much of its genetic make-up to colonization by
species from the Darelian world.
What types of
weaponry or fighting styles are common on Darelius?
The Darelian people, whilst adopting a peaceful style of
existence, are not afraid to stand up for their beliefs, and as such have an arsenal
of advanced weaponry at their disposal. Sonic and laser ordnance far in advance
of anything on Earth is readily available. Fighting styles and martial arts,
transplanted to Earth in it distant past would be very familiar to the casual
traveler.
What types of
vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Darelius?
Vehicular transport has surpassed the dirty fossil fuel
technology prevalent on Earth. Power systems based on clean, renewable sources
which power high capacity and low output electrical propulsion would be
familiar to 21st century Terrans. As pointed out, flora and fauna
are of similar genetic structure to that of Earth. Technologically, the
Darelians are far in advance of anything available on Earth, and they are able
to travel, many times faster than light, as a result of the discovery and
harnessing of the Graviton – a particle unknown to their counterparts on our
planet in any practical form.
What types of plants,
animals, or sentient races might we encounter on Darelius that we don’t see on
Earth?
Flora and fauna have developed in slightly different ways on
Darelius, but bearing in mind that the chemical structure of the planet, and
the similarity of its Star, Arthrelia, to our own sun allows for evolution in a
strikingly consistent manner, any differences are fairly cosmetic and due more
to slight variations in climatic conditions across the planet.
What role, if any,
does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people on Darelius? If there is magic, please give some examples
of what it involves or how it’s used.
The Darelian people are pragmatic and realistic on their
approach to life. They are a scientific race whose belief systems are based
firmly in what is provable. Their culture has, apart from references to the
religions of its neighbours, no place for magic, superstition or the
supernatural.
Tell us about any
sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment on Darelius.
A race at peace, and with much time to devote to leisure and
the arts, Darelian entertainment systems and facilities are very similar to
those now maturing on Earth. As a consequence, their choices of relaxation
activities are more widespread and varied than those which we enjoy. However,
the basic rules remain the same, whilst the games etc have developed to a
higher level of sophistication – there is no room for violence in any of their
leisure regimes.
Are the days of the
week and months of the year the same on Darelius as on Earth? What holidays or
special events are celebrated regularly there?
The Darelian calendar works in a very similar way to that of
Earth. The seasons vary with the same axial angle as that of our planet, and
the Darelian day is 30 hours – very close to that of the Earth. There is the
same number of days in a weekly period, but there are only ten months in a
Darelian year. The holidays on Darelius are not fixed to specific events such
as Bank Holidays in the UK or Labor Day and Thanksgiving in the USA – the
attitude to taking time away from work is much more fluid.
Is there a particular
religion practiced on Darelius? Please
describe what it involves.
The Darelian people evolved away from all forms of religious
idolatry many millennia in their past. Their attitudes towards social
integration are focused more on the needs of the peoples who inhabit the planet
rather than towards any needs of a spiritual kind. This has been the main
reason for their lack of internecine conflict for as long as anyone can
discern.
What is the political
or government structure on Darelius? Who
is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
Darelius is a federation of states which grew from a tribal
system in its distant past. At its head sits a democratically elected President
supported by a US-style Congress of representatives. Raymond Challis is the
leader of a liberal coalition of members from a variety of political
persuasions, and he runs the government of the planet supported by a second
tier of continental sub-parliaments. He is a benign and understanding head of
state who is, nonetheless, unafraid to confront tyranny from which ever quarter
it may come.
Are there any other
unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Darelius?
Since the Darelians, in their past, were visitors to a
number of other galaxies including our own, it is reasonable to assume that
some of their culture remained after departure. Any Earth visitor would
therefore find much about Darelian society and its philosophy to compare to
that ‘back home’.
Has anything in your actual
life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
The final part of ‘The Rings of Darelius’ is set in Derby, a
city in England ten miles from my home, and a place where I have worked. I am
therefore familiar with the geography of the place I use for the critical phase
of the plot. The cultures of the main players in the story are influenced by my
reading of a number of science fiction stories, and the watching of a variety
of films/TV series. Among the writers are Isaac Asimov, Frank Herbert and
Arthur C. Clarke. Of the visual inspirations, I relied heavily on Gene
Roddenberry’s ‘Star Trek’ series in all of its formats.
What, if any, “hot-button”
or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
War and inter-racial conflict are two of the more violent
subject dealt with, and I found it important to maintain a balance to ensure
that the ‘good guys’ didn’t always win a particular battle whilst ensuring that
the end of the conflict came down on the ‘correct’ side.
Author Autobiography:
Neal James is a UK author of
crime fiction. He is a prolific short story writer turned novelist. ‘The Rings
of Darelius’ is his first venture into the world of science fiction, and his
seventh book in as many years. He lives in Derbyshire with his wife and family.
Where, and in what
formats, can we purchase your book(s)?
The Rings of Darelius, as with
all of my books, is available in both hard copy and digital format. It can be
bought direct from the publisher, Lulu.com in paperback at:
and from
Amazon on both sides of the Atlantic on paperback and on the Kindle.
It is
also listed by Barnes & Noble in paperback, but should be available
also on the Nook later this year.
Where can readers
connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Darelius. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part LXXVI!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world, in Realm Explorers Part LXXVI!
-Annie Douglass Lima
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