Setting
Hart's Hope takes place in a realm called Burland in the midst of its medieval ages. Like many fantasies, magic is a real and functional force in this story's world, but with a grisly twist: all magic, whatever its purpose, must be paid for in blood. The larger or stronger the animal, the more powerful its blood; a dead animal's blood is also weaker than that of one still living, meaning that a spellcaster has only limited time to work their magic before the stricken animal dies. Burland also has a unique writing and language system in which words and numbers, when read backwards, or in rows or columns, can form entirely different phrases and meanings (a fact which Burland's greatest writers deliberately exploit).
The story takes place primarily within Burland's capitol, a city once called "Hart's Hope" but eventually renamed Inwit. The city is notable for its multiple entrances, and the restrictions placed upon those who enter through those gates: a merchant who enters through the Asses' Gate is issued a pass which only allows him access to the commercial areas of the city, while a religious figure who enters through Gods' Gate can only visit the temples and so on. Beggars who enter through Piss Gate are granted a three-day pass during which to find work. And a certain gate, The Hole, has been specifically sealed off by the story's villain, so that nobody can enter through it save by magical or illicit means.
Finally, the people of Burland worship several deities. The Hart is strong in the affairs of men, while the Sweet Sisters, twins congenitally joined at the face so that one looks always inward and the other outward, are worshipped by women. A newly-arrived (or newly-created) god, simply named God and familiar to Judeo-Christian readers, is jealous of his worship and has been encouraging his followers to disbelieve the Hart and the Sisters.
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