Every world, every character, and every conflict in Merchant of Vision is rooted in the past. As a writer, I’ve always believed that a rich history is what makes a fictional universe feel alive. It’s not just about the present-day events or the characters navigating their challenges—it's about the layers of history that inform their actions, shape their decisions, and create a tapestry of legacy and consequence.
When I set out to create the universe of Merchant of Vision, I knew I wanted it to feel vast, lived-in, and complex. History, both personal and political, became my foundation. I asked myself: what events shaped the galaxy my characters inhabit? What wars, alliances, discoveries, and betrayals led to this moment in time? By answering those questions, I created a universe that feels grounded in its own reality.
The Weight of Legacy: The Fall of the Terran Empire
One of the central historical events in Merchant of Vision is the fall of the Terran Empire—a galactic monarchy that once united countless worlds under its banner. This isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a shadow that looms over every aspect of the story.
A thousand years before the events of the novel, the Terran Empire collapsed in the wake of the Prophet's War, a devastating conflict fueled by religious fervor, political ambition, and the crumbling foundations of an overstretched empire. The once-mighty imperial fleets were scattered, their starships reduced to relics. The core worlds, once thriving centers of trade and culture, were abandoned, leaving behind a vacuum of power that spawned countless independent factions and warlords.
This collapse didn’t just create chaos; it reshaped the galaxy. The duchies and sectors that remain cling to fragments of the empire's traditions, struggling to maintain order in a universe that has grown increasingly fragmented. Characters like Duchess Zhōu Yuèguāng embody this tension—she's a leader trying to uphold the ideals of a long-dead empire, even as she faces the harsh realities of survival in a fractured galaxy.
Personal Histories: Kars Vandor’s Struggle Against the Past
While galactic history forms the backdrop, personal history drives the heart of the story. Kars Vandor, the protagonist, carries the weight of his own legacy. Born on the mining colony of Obarwinko, he grew up hearing stories of his mother Yasmin’s sacrifices—stories of survival, defiance, and the courage to escape an oppressive life.
Kars’s personal history is a microcosm of the larger themes in the novel. Just as the galaxy struggles to move forward while grappling with the remnants of the empire, Kars struggles to forge his own destiny while carrying the burdens of his upbringing. His drive to succeed is fueled by a desire to rise above his circumstances, but he can’t escape the influence of the past—his mother’s resilience, his father’s absence, and the mining colony that shaped his identity.
Creating Historical Depth: The Process
Building a layered history for a fictional universe is an iterative process. Here’s how I approach it:
1. Start with Major Events: I outline the broad strokes of galactic history—key wars, technological breakthroughs, and political shifts. For Merchant of Vision, the fall of the Terran Empire and the Prophet's War were the cornerstone events.
2. Drill Down to Regional Histories: Once the broad history is in place, I focus on specific regions, factions, and cultures. For example, the Felis race has its own rich history, shaped by their relationship with the Dravini and their eventual rise as a dominant galactic power.
3. Personalize the Impact: History isn’t just about dates and events—it’s about how those events shape people’s lives. I explore how historical events influence characters’ motivations, beliefs, and conflicts. This step is critical for grounding the grand scale of the story in personal stakes.
4. Leave Room for Mystery: Not every question needs an answer. Some elements of history are deliberately left vague, allowing room for exploration in future stories. The Dravini, for instance, remain an enigmatic presence in the galaxy, their disappearance a mystery that casts a long shadow.
Why History Matters
The history of a fictional universe isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. It shapes the setting, defines the stakes, and gives weight to the story. When readers encounter a world with a rich history, they feel the depth of the narrative. They can sense the untold stories lurking beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.
In Merchant of Vision, history is everywhere. It’s in the crumbling ruins of abandoned imperial starports. It’s in the ancient treaties that still hold sway over interstellar trade routes. It’s in the whispered legends of the Prophet’s War and the haunting artifacts of the Dravini.
For me, history is what makes a story feel real. It’s what turns a collection of characters and events into a living, breathing universe. And as I continue to expand the world of Merchant of Vision, I’m constantly reminded of the power of history to inspire, to challenge, and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
What’s Next?
As I work on the sequel, Merchant of Fortune, I’m delving even deeper into the history of the galaxy. New factions, ancient secrets, and forgotten battles are waiting to be uncovered. The challenge is always to balance the weight of history with the immediacy of the story—to use the past to enrich the present without overwhelming it
For now, I’ll leave you with a question: If you lived in a universe shaped by the collapse of an empire, how would you navigate the weight of history? Would you cling to the old ways, or would you forge a new path?
Let me know your thoughts—I’d love to hear how history inspires you, both in fiction and in life.
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