…and a hint of Dacian mythology!
Welcome back to the New Moon Newsletter! (Can you believe it’s June already? The solstice is next week 👀)
Firstly, as promised, let’s get into the role of Dacian mythology in The Puppet Master.
Some historical background:
(Romanian pronunciation is DA-cha or DA-chee-ah–I’ve heard it both ways.)
The Dacian empire spread across pre-Roman Romania and covered parts of Hungary, Ukraine, Serbia, and Moldova from around 82BC until Roman conquest in 106AD. (Keep this date in mind while reading The Puppet Master!) The empire encompassed the Carpathian Mountains, spanning from the Black Sea inland to modern day Hungary.
In 106AD, the Romans destroyed Dacia’s capital city, Sarmizegetusa Regia, and overthrew a once mighty empire. One of my travel goals is now to visit Dubova, Romania, and see the carved relief of Decebalus—the last king of Dacia, who died fighting the Romans.
Writing geek out moment! He took his own life, and one of my characters is written as one of his lost sons. (Disclaimer–there is no archeological evidence for him having sons, this is fantasy.) I’d created a scene where Decebalus killed himself, only to later do research that confirmed he actually did & in the manner I had written… like what?! I took it as a sign that their story needs to be shared.
Anyways, back to the Dacian’s. As with many cultures that passed down information orally, we don’t know too much about them. There are scant writings from Greece, namely from Herodotus, Strabo, and Thucydides that mention their culture. The Greeks called the Dacian’s Getae, and Dacia is actually what the Romans named them. They’re often referred to as Geto-Dacian, a combination of both.
What did the Dacian’s call themselves?
We don’t know. As I mentioned earlier, with oral tradition much is lost. Historians believe that their name may have had something to do with the wolf, as they oftentimes referred to themselves as people of the wolf or “wolf-men.” There’s also speculation that each tribe would have called themselves something different and there wasn’t a large overarching cultural name as we are accustomed to in our modern day.
Now, for the lore.
Dacian legend focuses heavily on the wolf.
For example, in the legend of the Great White Wolf Zamolxis, Dacian’s head god, turns a priest into a wolf to protect Dacia from invaders.
What we know of Zamolxis is largely thanks to the Greeks. The man-turned-god traveled to study in Egypt and learned the magic of the soul. (Okay, conspiracy brain, chill out.) He brought back Egypt’s wisdom to Dacia and withdrew to a cave for three years. During this period he was mourned as being dead until he “resurrected” later, further gaining the Dacian’s trust in his teachings.
That sounds a bit familiar, doesn’t it?
Let’s circle back to the wolf. Similarly to many past cultures, the Dacian’s attributed characteristics of the wolf in their own hunting parties. They would take on the persona of the wolf, imagining themselves morphed with the animal and using their spirit to aid in hunting and battles. This is where we see the first legends of the were-wolf, the man turned wolf.
You’ll see hints of this ideology later in my book series—yes, The Puppet Master is just the first 😜
Now for some news I’ve been super stoked to share with you!
I’m co-hosting a podcast with the one & only Mina West! Find her here on insta: @ravensecho.writing *cue Snoopy happy dance*
We bring you Craft & Kettle, a podcast for self published authors, by self published authors! We discuss all things self publishing and try to humanize what it means to be an indie author–the trials & tribulations as well as the successes and milestones!
Take a listen here on YouTube or here on Spotify!
Now, for what I hinted at in my Instagram story–I need your help. You’re about to have a first look at The Puppet Master… namely, the back cover blurb. *eeeeek!*
No pressure, but if you feel called to let me know if this would cause you to want to read more–or put the book down–please let me know by hitting respond or commenting! XOXO
Drum roll please….
I present to you the working back cover copy of The Puppet Master! I reserve all rights to this copy. Special shoutout to Alina Loi (@alinaloiwrites) for helping me organize it & reminding me to stay true to The Puppet Master’s writing style.
Would fate have looked more kindly on me if I never chose to tempt it? Or was I always meant to wander down the road less traveled–and come face to face with the darkness it brought?
With the weight of a blood moon watching over her, Vanora gives into the temptation of harnessing the rumored power of her bloodline and summons their last practicing witch–her great-great grandmother. Alone and desperate for guidance, she gives herself to the giddiness of magick, only to find herself abducted by a local urban legend.
Sharp teeth and glowing red eyes meet her when she wakes, ready to complete a ritual to turn her into a senseless thrall.
The captivating vampire responsible for turning Vanora instead tricks those who rule over the community of undead and swears to free her. The longer she is within the shadowed, subterranean world, Vanora begins to understand one unsettling truth–vampires love their wretched games of dominance.
Will Vanora escape the labyrinthine cave she’s held captive in, or will the ruthless vampires discover all is not as it seems?
One’s light, if not given up, can overcome the darkest shadow.
…okay, running to hide in a cave & will return in 3 years.
Actually, that sounds ideal for writing the rest of the series…
I’m super excited to show you a sneak peek of art in July’s New Moon Newsletter! Hoping your June is turning out splendidly & don’t forget about the summer solstice next Sunday, 6/21! Get outside and bask in some sunlight to honor the longest day of the year!
xoxo,
Carren
Alchemizing Dreams 
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