Parallel Worlds: The Magic of Joint Points of View

Two is better than one, right? Well, that depends, two crimes committed? Probably not. But two main characters with a joint point of view in a novel? Absolutely. Writing a novel with dual perspectives is tricky but rewarding. It allows you to show two sides of a coin and reveal details other characters may not even notice. While I plan to do a character reveal blog soon, today I’ll discuss, on a structural level, how Morgana and Welt are both important points of view in the first novel, and why this originally female-led book is now multi-layered, with Welt as a secondary point of view.

Morgana lives for magic. She can see the magical auras in the world, feel it in her instincts, and use it in her day-to-day life like having Steve, her undead skeleton, bring her morning coffee. Through Morgana, the reader experiences a world brimming with magical potential and gains insight into the magic and lore of this universe. She also shows us the consequences of misusing magic or defying the gods. Morgana is a magnet for magical events, plunging both herself and the reader into extraordinary experiences.

Morgana could not last a day without her magic, yet many in the adventuring guild have never seen or felt magic. Not everyone in this world is born with the magical energy needed to cast spells. Without it, you would have to rely on your life force, slowly killing yourself by attempting to harness a power beyond your reach.

If the novel were strictly from Morgana’s point of view, readers would struggle to understand how the average human, beastfolk, elf, or others perceive the world without magic. How do they feel? What challenges do they face that Morgana, deeply entrenched in magic, would never even consider?

This is where Welt comes in. Welt has always been an important character. He is the adventuring guild’s most powerful non-magical human, capable of keeping up with the world’s elite magical adventurers. He thrives in raids and expeditions to such an extent that everyone respects and follows his commands without hesitation. But how does he do it? What challenges does a non-magical human face? What goes through his mind when he hears about Morgana’s undead skeletons breaking something, or the alchemy tent running out of magical ingredients, or people sending him enchantment scrolls to proofread when he has no magical alignment?

How does Welt survive in a world that thrives on magic?

Having a joint point of view gives readers a glimpse into both the magical and non-magical worlds. It highlights differing mindsets and shows how two opposing characters can still share similar dreams and goals. As heads of their respective departments, Morgana and Welt rely on each other’s expertise. But it’s more than that. We get to see their passions, their frustrations, and their daily habits in ways no one else can. While Morgana’s point of view brims with coffee, skeletons, and working out the will of the gods. Welt’s perspective focuses on strategizing, caring for guild members, and perhaps indulging in the occasional bottle of wine.

This dual perspective is also a valuable tool for showing readers events or details the other character wouldn’t know. For instance, Morgana can see magic in the air, communicate in multiple languages, and spends her days socialising with a select few in the guild. Welt, by contrast, manages a mountain of reports, trains rigorously to keep up with magical adventurers, and uses his intellect and physical skills to problem-solve. His ability to memorise magical spells, creatures, and weapons ensures he can command any battlefield with precision.

Through Welt, we see an analytical, sociable leader respected by his peers. Through Morgana, we see a magical, commanding presence with an army of skeletons to command, and sometimes to worry about.

These two characters, while living in juxtaposing worlds, come together to form an elite duo. At the end of the day, they always have each other’s backs in a fight. No matter how much they argue, work, or drink, they share an unshakeable respect for one another. If one of them has a problem, the other will address it immediately, a bond forged over a decade of trust and camaraderie. Through their dual perspectives, we see how they think and feel, witnessing the results of a friendship forged over many years that now can face any threat. Strong enough to take on the world and any trials the gods themselves throw at the ragtag adventuring group.