The Infinite Beauty of the Details: A Glimpse into the Merchant of Vision Universe

One of the most rewarding aspects of crafting the Merchant of Vision universe has been immersing myself in the tiny, intricate details that bring this vast galaxy to life. There's something to be said for suggestions for the reader. But also I just love to generate facts and data for the setting.  The worlds, the cultures, the histories—they’re all painted with broad strokes and refined with careful, deliberate attention to the small, fascinating quirks that make them feel alive.

Take, for example, the mysterious orbital megastructure known as Kaeloth’s Array. When I first conceived of it, it was simply a massive ring encircling a dying star—a remnant of an ancient civilization that had long since vanished into the void. But as I dug deeper into its potential story, it evolved into so much more. The Array isn’t just an artifact; it’s a fully functional hub of ancient technology, its inner rings housing gravitational wave collectors and energy converters that tap directly into the dying star’s volatile energy. This power is distributed through still-functioning conduits to nearby systems, remnants of a galactic empire that stretched across hundreds of star systems thousands of years ago.

But the real joy in world-building isn’t just about the big, dramatic elements like Kaeloth’s Array. It’s in the small, surprising details that emerge when you’re fleshing out a world. For example, on the lush, jungle planet of Talarin, the locals harvest phosphorescent “sky-pods”—balloon-like plants that emit a soft, natural glow at night. Used as both lanterns and decorations, these sky-pods have become central to Talarin’s culture, symbolizing light in the darkness. To outsiders, they might seem like mere curiosities, but to the Talarin people, they hold deep cultural significance, featuring in songs, festivals, and even funerary rites.

One of the most unique and mind-bending details in the Merchant of Vision universe is the phenomenon of "memory currents" on the planet Zaien Toh. Here, travelers speak of rivers that seem to hum with ancient songs. Scientists hypothesize that these “currents” are made up of microbial organisms that emit vibrations, collectively creating an ambient soundscape that shifts and evolves as the currents flow. It’s a small, strange detail, but it’s these little things that make Zaien Toh feel like a real place.

For me, these fun facts and intricate world-building details aren’t just “extra” material—they’re the heart of the story. They’re what make the Merchant of Vision universe not just a backdrop for action and drama, but a living, breathing galaxy full of wonder, history, and endless possibilities.

These moments of discovery—both for the characters and for me as the creator—are what inspire me to keep writing. When I create a new detail, whether it’s a forgotten relic, an alien species, or a strange natural phenomenon, I’m reminded of why I started this journey.

So, tell me—what’s the one small detail from a story or a world you’ve read about that stuck with you? Is it a glowing plant, a singing river, or something even stranger? I’d love to hear how these details have shaped your connection to a story as a reader or an author!