Zamoseea DeepSeek Zamossey

Having heard of the magic of the new kid in town (DeepSeek), I put it through the paces of that “novel prompt” with quite impressing results and ask it for an illustration as well.

Varianta în limba română pe FaṭăCarte Meta Zamolxis.

• DeepSeek answers the older novel outline prompt.
• Sharing the illustration prompt and results.
• Providing some historical lies that may or may not be relevant in the AI competition.

If you haven’t heard, recently, DeepSeek has managed to release and opensource a LLM that’s cheaper to use and more powerful than the latest from the US [oligarchic] competition (listen to CNBC, BB).

As you (might) know, I already asked a silly prompt the competition in DacOdiseea Shanti Draco DacOdissey. Since then, somebody already attempted to answer that ending riddle in the comments to Introducing.. with mixed results. So I need to maybe make the testing prompt more complex and further clarify who or what I’m looking for. However, this wouldn’t be a fair comparison (which is more interesting at this point than producing “production-quality” text). Additionally, adding prizes would likely not reach the kind of person I need to share with me the task of getting people interested in writing this novel in small chunks and overseeing the exquisite cadaver process.

Without further ado, here it is the result of the aforementioned prompt; just click to expand.

### Novel Outline: *The Dacian Voyage*

#### **Title**: *The Dacian Voyage: Across the Unknown Sea*

#### **Genre**: Historical Fiction / Adventure

#### **Setting**:
- **Time Period**: 1st century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire.
- **Primary Locations**:
  - **Dacia** (modern-day Romania): The homeland of the protagonists.
  - **The Mediterranean Sea**: The journey begins here, with stops in various Roman ports.
  - **The Atlantic Ocean**: The uncharted waters that lead to the New World.
  - **Latin America**: The final destination, where the Dacians encounter ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.

#### **Premise**:
A group of Dacians, fleeing Roman conquest and seeking a new homeland, embarks on a perilous journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Guided by ancient myths and the stars, they navigate treacherous waters, face unimaginable dangers, and ultimately arrive in Latin America, where they encounter the advanced civilizations of the Maya or the Olmecs. The novel explores themes of survival, cultural exchange, and the resilience of the human spirit.

---

### **Part 1: The Flight from Dacia**

#### **Chapter 1: The Fall of Sarmizegetusa**
- **Introduction to the Protagonists**:
  - **Decebalus**: A young Dacian warrior and the de facto leader of the group.
  - **Zia**: A skilled healer and Decebalus's sister.
  - **Vladan**: An elder and wise man, knowledgeable in ancient Dacian lore.
  - **Lucian**: A former Roman soldier who defected to the Dacians.
  - **Mira**: A young girl with a mysterious connection to the gods.
- **The Siege**: The Roman legions, led by Emperor Trajan, lay siege to the Dacian capital, Sarmizegetusa. The Dacians are outnumbered and outmatched.
- **The Decision to Flee**: Vladan reveals an ancient prophecy about a land far to the west, beyond the great ocean, where the Dacians can find refuge. The group decides to flee, taking with them sacred relics and a map drawn from the stars.

#### **Chapter 2: The Journey Begins**
- **Escape from Dacia**: The group narrowly escapes the Roman forces, using their knowledge of the land to evade capture.
- **The Ship**: They acquire a ship from a sympathetic Greek trader in a coastal town. The ship is old but sturdy, and they name it *The Zalmoxis*, after their chief god.
- **Setting Sail**: With a small crew of Dacian refugees, they set sail from the Black Sea into the Mediterranean, heading for the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar).

---

### **Part 2: The Mediterranean Odyssey**

#### **Chapter 3: Trials at Sea**
- **Navigating the Mediterranean**: The group faces storms, Roman patrols, and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar waters.
- **Cultural Encounters**: They make stops in various ports, including Athens, Carthage, and finally, Gades (modern-day Cádiz). In each place, they gather supplies, information, and new allies.
- **The Roman Threat**: Lucian, the former Roman soldier, is haunted by the fear of being recognized and captured. His knowledge of Roman tactics proves invaluable in evading pursuit.

#### **Chapter 4: The Pillars of Hercules**
- **The Gateway to the Atlantic**: The group reaches the Strait of Gibraltar, known as the Pillars of Hercules. They are warned by local sailors of the dangers that lie beyond—the "Sea of Darkness."
- **A Leap of Faith**: Despite the warnings, the Dacians decide to press on, driven by the prophecy and their desperation to find a new home.

---

### **Part 3: The Atlantic Crossing**

#### **Chapter 5: The Sea of Darkness**
- **Into the Unknown**: The group ventures into the Atlantic Ocean, guided by the stars and Vladan's ancient knowledge.
- **Struggles at Sea**: They face relentless storms, dwindling supplies, and the psychological toll of being adrift in an endless sea.
- **Mira’s Visions**: Mira begins to have visions of a distant land, which she believes are messages from the gods. Her visions guide them westward.

#### **Chapter 6: Landfall**
- **A New World**: After weeks at sea, they finally sight land—a lush, tropical coastline. They make landfall in what is now modern-day Brazil.
- **First Encounters**: The Dacians encounter indigenous tribes, who are initially wary but eventually welcome them. The Dacians learn about the local customs and begin to establish a settlement.

---

### **Part 4: The New World**

#### **Chapter 7: The Lost City**
- **The Quest for the Prophecy**: Vladan believes that the prophecy points to a great city hidden in the jungle, where the Dacians can find their new home.
- **The Journey Inland**: The group ventures into the dense rainforest, facing dangerous wildlife, harsh terrain, and rival tribes.
- **Discovery**: They discover an ancient Mesoamerican city, possibly Maya or Olmec, which they believe to be the fulfillment of the prophecy.

#### **Chapter 8: Cultural Exchange**
- **Integration**: The Dacians and the Mesoamericans begin to exchange knowledge, technology, and culture. The Dacians introduce metalworking and advanced agricultural techniques, while the Mesoamericans share their knowledge of astronomy and architecture.
- **Conflict and Resolution**: Tensions arise between the two groups, but Decebalus and the local leader, a wise and powerful queen, negotiate a peaceful coexistence.

#### **Chapter 9: The New Dacia**
- **Building a New Life**: The Dacians establish a new settlement near the Mesoamerican city, blending their traditions with those of the locals.
- **The Legacy**: The novel ends with the Dacians looking to the future, having found a new home and a new purpose. The final scene shows Mira, now a young woman, teaching the children of both cultures about the gods and the stars, ensuring that the Dacian legacy will endure.

---

### **Themes**:
- **Survival and Resilience**: The Dacians' journey is a testament to the human spirit's ability to endure and adapt in the face of overwhelming odds.
- **Cultural Exchange**: The novel explores the idea that different cultures can learn from and enrich each other, even in the most unlikely circumstances.
- **The Power of Myth and Prophecy**: The Dacians' belief in their gods and the ancient prophecy drives them forward, even when all seems lost.

### **Character Arcs**:
- **Decebalus**: Begins as a warrior focused on revenge against Rome but grows into a wise and compassionate leader.
- **Zia**: Starts as a healer who doubts her abilities but becomes a key figure in bridging the gap between the Dacians and the Mesoamericans.
- **Lucian**: Struggles with his identity as a former Roman soldier but ultimately finds redemption by protecting his new family.
- **Mira**: Transforms from a frightened girl into a spiritual leader, guided by her visions and her connection to the gods.

### **Ending**:
The novel concludes with the Dacians having found a new home in Latin America, where they begin to build a new society. The final scene hints at the long-term impact of their journey, suggesting that their arrival in the New World will have far-reaching consequences for both the Dacians and the indigenous peoples they have come to live among.

---

This outline provides a rich foundation for a historical fiction adventure novel, blending real historical elements with imaginative storytelling to create a compelling narrative.

--

Now, what was left was making up the illustration.

DeepSeek could not create images, but instead provided this very detailed prompt (without any request from me other than a very general make up an illustration of the ship for the above).

Ship Description for The Zalmoxis:

Overall Design:

• Type of Ship: A sturdy, ancient Mediterranean vessel, inspired by Greek or Roman merchant ships of the 1st century AD.

• Size: Medium-sized, capable of carrying 30-40 people, with a mix of oars and sails for navigation.

• Material: Built from dark, weathered wood, with intricate carvings along the hull and stern.

Key Features:

1. Hull:

   • The hull is painted in deep earthy tones, with a prominent figurehead at the bow—a carved representation of Zalmoxis, the Dacian god, depicted as a bearded man with a serene expression, holding a torch symbolizing guidance and hope.

   • Along the sides of the hull, there are faintly visible Dacian symbols and runes, etched into the wood, representing protection and good fortune.

2. Sails:

   • The ship has a large, square main sail made of heavy linen, dyed in shades of crimson and gold, with a Dacian wolf emblem (a symbol of strength and unity) prominently displayed.

   • A smaller triangular sail at the stern helps with maneuverability.

3. Deck:

   • The deck is cluttered with barrels, crates, and coiled ropes, showing signs of a long journey.

   • A small shrine to Zalmoxis is visible near the mast, with offerings of flowers and incense.

4. Oars:

   • A row of oars protrudes from the sides, ready for use when the winds are calm. The oars are painted with alternating black and white stripes, a nod to Dacian warrior traditions.

5. Atmosphere:

   • The ship is depicted sailing through a stormy sea, with dark, turbulent waves crashing against the hull. Lightning illuminates the scene, casting an eerie glow on the ship and its crew.

   • In the background, the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar) are faintly visible, shrouded in mist, symbolizing the boundary between the known and unknown worlds.

Crew on Deck:

• A few figures are visible on the deck, braving the storm:

  • Decebalus stands at the helm, gripping the rudder with determination, his cloak billowing in the wind.

  • Zia is seen near the mast, holding onto the ropes, her face resolute.

  • Vladan is kneeling by the shrine, praying to Zalmoxis for safe passage.

  • Mira stands at the bow, her arms outstretched as if channeling the storm, her hair whipping in the wind.

Color Palette:

• Dominant Colors: Deep blues (stormy sea), dark browns (ship's wood), and gold accents (sails, carvings).

• Contrast: The crimson sail and the glowing figurehead stand out against the dark, stormy backdrop.

Mood:

• The illustration conveys a sense of adventure, danger, and hope. The storm represents the challenges the Dacians face, while the ship itself symbolizes their resilience and determination to reach a new world.

The illustration shown above was slightly modified by me and is one of the 4 generated with the aforementioned prompt. The main results of the prompt can be seen in the photo album shown below (gpho-zmshp).

On the subject of gen-AI competition and rivalry, it’s worth remembering that in the space race, Russia lied a lot – their little doggy had died after only 6 days in space, and Gagarin didn’t exactly return to earth, but parachuted instead. But none of that really matters anymore: China might finally be the worthy adversary that USA had been subconsciously searching for throughout its history.

I’ll leave you with a recent discovery (for me at least): apparently, the Hungarians are not the direct descendants of the Huns (adv-hung).

Sources / More info: adv-hung, gpho-zmshp

Also Sprach Zamolxis: istorie OLD, #istorie, history OLD, #history, daci OLD, #daci, dacian OLD, #dacian, dacians OLD, #dacians, hun OLD, #hun, huns OLD, #huns, hungary OLD, #hungary, hungarian OLD, #hungarian, deepseek OLD, #deepseek, ai OLD, #ai, writing OLD, #writing (Tags)