A Cruel Curiosity

A lack of knowledge might spark a conflict, but seeking knowledge can take on dangerous forms when not accompanied by empathy and respect: it is fated to become a morbidly analytical pursuit.

This category include those “scientists” who demand answers and use any means necessary to reach them – vivisectioning living creatures and putting whole ecosystems under the microscope, destroying entire archaeological complexes and ancient ruins, or stealing the ritual objects and cultural heritage of an entire people just to catalog them in a university library or flaunt a collection.

In this regard, archaeology, botany and zoology are excellent starting points for a natural fantasy conflict. Even better if a member of the group practices one of these disciplines with both ethics and passion, or if they are a descendant of the culture under scrutiny. It’s a great way to flip the usual fantasy stereotype that depicts ancient ruins as completely detached from the current culture, promoting a false portrayal of archaeological research and its social and environmental impact.

Example: At the center of Irkalla lake is a millennia-old city-island whose name none remembers. Clattering constructs, protected by stone armor and animated by complex magics, wander across its labyrinthine canals. Along the southern coast is a village, inhabited by the descendants of the original builders: the local artisans adapted the wind motors recovered among the ruins and the Council is gathering explorers to discover the truth about their ancestors and the lights that appear over the lake during the night. However, some want to collect the maze’s treasures and sell them to the highest bidder, and others have the dangerous wish to see in action the miraculous weapons of light mentioned in the Irkallans’ poems.