The Challenge of Worldbuilding
When you're writing a book that blends sci-fi and fantasy, the worldbuilding can get pretty wild. For my story, I needed a way to access the lost fossil record. Easy, right? Sure, if you have a magic wand. But in the realm of science fiction, we use a different kind of magic: technology.
Enter X-Ray Vision and Futuristic Material Science
To send my characters on their journey, I leaned on the marvels of x-ray vision and futuristic material science. X-ray vision was the easiest to handle because, believe it or not, muon tomography already exists! All it needed was a little sci-fi embellishment to make it work for my story.
Muon Tomography: The Sci-Fi Secret Sauce
Muon tomography (check it out here) is a real-life technology that uses cosmic rays to see through solid objects. It's like having Superman's vision, minus the need for spandex. By incorporating this, I could access the lost fossil record with a sprinkle of scientific plausibility.
The Mining Company and the Journey to Hytiga
My main character Levi (will help move your couch, if you remember) runs a mining company equipped with gear to travel deep within the Earth's crust. This setup conveniently leads to the discovery of Hytiga — a name derived from a mythical island off the coast of Ireland (more on that here). Picture a place built of titanium and gold, constructed by an ancient race called the Kylicians. It's a treasure trove of fantasy hidden within a sci-fi framework.
The Inaccessible Hytiga
Now, here's the twist: Hytiga is so far underground that it's inaccessible. My characters can't just hop in their mining pods and visit. But the discovery eventually leads them to a different location, setting the stage for more adventures. Traveling with mining pods is a breeze, so with the established technological advantage, I needed a reason why both x-ray and pods wouldn't work. If not, the book is over in half a chapter. Because I did the research, science fact gave me the answer.
The Magnetic Roadblock
Scientifically speaking, muon tomography becomes useless given enough magnetism. It's like trying to use a compass inside a magnet factory — not gonna happen. As for the mining pods, the fame of a CEO and the sensitivity of the discovery mean they can't just drill down without attracting unwanted attention. This sets up a perfect scenario where a few days of travel are necessary, making the journey more challenging and exciting, allowing for more character and relationship building, and key plot points to develop.
What Could Cause Immense Magnetism?
So, what's the deal with the massive magnetism? It had to be something plausible yet fantastical. What if there's a magnetic storm? How about a naturally occurring phenomenon deep within the Earth that interferes with technology? This is where the creativity can lead into wondrous places, and allows the story to incorporate both sci-fi elements and a touch of fantasy wonder.
Discovering Fantasy Through Sci-Fi
Blending sci-fi and fantasy lets us explore the best of both worlds. Using advanced technologies like muon tomography to uncover fantastical places like Hytiga creates a rich, engaging story. It's a journey that challenges both the characters and the readers (and the author), leading to discoveries that bridge the gap between science and imagination.