Wip: Realms Of Loss - Tumblr Posts

Heads Up 7 Up!

I was tagged by @tabswrites for this one! Thank you so much!

Around 7 lines from my WIP Realms of Loss -

They’re opening the carriage, it seems. Though - if he [Lucian] had to describe it - one could say it was really more of a cage than anything else. The chilling creak of frozen iron pops in his ears, as one by one, the locks and gears are removed, like a puzzle coming undone before him. Lucian leaned forward, watching the scene unfold. His curiosity, however, was soon replaced with growing outrage.

Tagging - @autumnalwalker, @cabbojage, @unstablewifiaccess, @lassiesandiego, @hrmkingizzy, @thewardenofwinter, @doublegoblin, @gummybugg and @exquisitecrow

What type of fungi best represents your oc?

Ooh this is a tough question! I never really thought about this, so I had to do some research, and I think I came up with a pretty cool answer.

This time, I'm going with a villain OC from one of my WIPs (Realms of Loss), her Lady General Yrsa, commander of the Last Army.

After some research, I decided that the fungi that best represents her is the mushroom Deadly Webcap (Cortinarius Rubellus), a fungi that - despite its unremarkable apperance - is highly poisonous, containing a mycotoxin that leads to kidney failure and potential death.

I think this fits Yrsa's character in that book perfectly. She is a very tough woman, having mastered the art of being unseen by the world - so much her army and her own existence were vastly considered by the populace as mere myth - while being capable of incredible destruction in the continent she is in, influencing the royal clans to her favor. Hence my choice of a common-looking mushroom that happens to be highly poisonous!

I hope this is a good answer (:

Happy STS!

Which OC has been taking over your mind recently? What excites you about them?

~ @tabswrites

Happy Storyteller Saturday! Thank you so much for the ask, @tabswrites!

Which OC has been taking over your mind recently? What excites you about them?

Cailean Telkerly from Enchanted Illusions, Ahren Ellara from Tales of Wilted Flowers, and Adaria Vytris from Realms of Loss. Lemme explain (:

CAILEAN TELKERLY -

Cailean is one of my favorite characters in that book, being the rogue with a heart of gold archetype that I really, really love in fiction! Since I've been working on his POV backstory a lot lately, I've gotten to know his history a lot better, which only made me love this character even more. I'm excited about quite a lot of things about him, from his intricate past to his personality. He is a classy and witty con man/thief who specializes in stealing from the nobility and overall big targets. To make a very long story short, he agrees to help one of the protagonists (Agatha) because he believes using this partnership will get him rich (and because they have a common enemy), but ends up really falling in love with her in the process (which complicates and screws up his "this partnership is strictly business" plan quite a lot), which leads to a very much "star-crossed lovers" situation sometimes. Plus, he is really adorable in personality, because even though he is a petty criminal, he is also a really good person deep down beneath the opportunistic exterior he carefully crafted throughout the years - and is someone very charmingly sarcastic at that. Writing the growth of his relationship with Agatha, from strangers to partners/friends to lovers, is really, really rewarding, especially given their vastly different worldviews and experiences (and how much they fall in love with each other).

AHREN ELLARA -

I really like writing about Ahren because of his complexity, and his character arc in the first book - which goes from a hesitant good character to a morally grey character, as he ends up doing the wrong things for good reasons (as he was led to believe he had no other choice). He's a really tragic character and a good example of how a chaotic environment and constant pressure can change even the most resilient of people. Ahren had everything, and in the matter of one fateful night, he lost it all. He would do anything to restore his family name and keep his cousin safe, even if it takes making not-so-great choices and morally convoluted deals. The impact of the losses he suffered and the hardships he endured turned Ahren into someone slightly bitter and paranoid, certain that everyone was "out to get him" and that he had to be ruthless before the world has the chance to be ruthless to him - having a "the world was never fair to me, why should I be?" mindset. He is a good person and tried with every fiber of his being to remain so, but eventually, it all becomes too much for him to handle alone, which defines a turning point for his character in Book 1. Overall, a very compelling POV that has taken over a lot of my mind these days!

ADARIA VYTRIS -

There's something I really like about her backstory and motivations throughout the book, they feel very specific and genuine to her. I love writing about underdog characters who beat the odds and decide to take a stand about a system that has wronged them. Adaria is also incredibly loyal and protective of her family, which is the whole reason she embarks on this journey in the first place - to save her siblings. Her relationship with them is also a huge part of why I love her backstory so much! Adaria is a very hopeful character, preferring to believe that one day the future will be brighter - and she will fight to make sure that happens. The odds were always against her - she was just another street kid from the freezing outer cities, probably destined to starve or vanish, like so many before her, but she wanted more than that world could give her, she wanted to be more. To live, not just survive. She decided to challenge her destiny, with what tools she was given and will do whatever it takes to ensure this future for herself and those she loves. Another thing I really like about her is her friendship with Kassien Vann, a knight from Sarythea tasked with protecting a weapon she sets out to steal - their relationship goes from rivals to hesitant allies and finally friends, I really like it!

WIP Intro - Realms of Loss

Tag - # wip realms of loss

Genres - dark fantasy, medieval quest, high fantasy, war

Status - Outlining, Work In Progress

Themes - war, revenge, loyalty, duty vs honor, the impact of cruelty, politics, lies, survival, betrayal, love and family, choosing one's destiny, fate vs will, prophecy, siblings, oppression, inequality and neglect, valor, forgotten histories, and sacrifice.

Synopsis -

A land forsaken by the gods, abandoned to a fate immersed in strife and forgotten magic, divided between warlords fighting for power and conquest in the remains of a ruthless and scarce world. Two kingdoms stained by the past of a bloody betrayal, trapped in an age-old feud, as chaos and war grow ever stronger outside their walls.

Life is perilous in this world, where only the strongest survive. Some are lucky enough to reside in the still-blessed inner cities of Sarythea, or Avillore, where the massive stone walls keep the encroaching darkness and war at bay, idyllic oasis in the midst of a wasteland. Most, however, are not so lucky. To those born in the ruthless and forgotten outer cities, life is a matter of who can strike first, and strike the fastest - hesitation means death.

When an ancient cursed prophecy and an army thought to have long since fallen tip the scales of this fragile stalemate, destruction seems imminent - if not inevitable - for this gods-forsaken realm.

Among many points of view, however, there might yet be a spark in the midst of this overwhelming night. A prince, born of the last blood of the gods. But with the fate of everything hanging in the balance and his life tied to a curse, will this spark be what brings back light, or the wildfire that'll bring the realms' final ruin? He will do anything to fight against his dark destiny, to bring back hope to his beloved late brother's kingdom in the midst of the growing chaos and encroaching enemies - if he can first survive those who want to see him murdered, or turned into a weapon. To do this, he'll need allies, and when the entire world is against you, beggars can't be choosers - a group of outlaws just might be his only chance.

This is the other WIP I'll be working on during the Winter Nano event!!!

@crowandmoonwriting

Thank you so much for the tag! I'll go with some of the main cast from my WIPs Enchanted Illusions and Realms of Loss for this one. I hope I got this right!

As matches for your OCs (respectively) - from Enchanted Illusions

Ambrose Prosper- He likes optimistic people, and those who can match his absurdly high energy level (in the sense he rarely ever feels tired of constantly doing stuff or never feels overwhelmed and likes an intellectually stimulating company). However, he tends to overlook his own safety and needs while being so focused on his goals and studies and new inventions, so having someone who can offer him support and remind him to take breaks/care for himself, would help a lot.

Clarence Van Sterlling - Your OCs short temper might take him aback at first, but if there's someone who is persistent and patient once he decides he wants someone's friendship, that's him. He is a very sheltered vampire and has trouble navigating social cues- sometimes to his own peril - so having someone to protect him during those moments is great, especially because he is more than willing to furiously protect his partner should need be.

Harriet Sharppe - Oh boy, oh boy, does this girl like to have someone to talk to or share stories with. She is very extroverted, and since she spends most of her time in her mansion with her very introverted and quiet cousin, she has a lot of pent-up talking-energy and stories she wants to tell.

For the next person to find a match to - from Realms of Loss

Viktoras Aeravi - He is an honor-bound bastard son (which means he has some heavy emotional baggage no one else knows about) and is determined to bring peace to his father's lands while in exile. He likes people who have a moral code (as in, someone who wouldn't betray or lie to others), brave and kind people, plus anyone who is light-hearted/has a good sense of humor. Viktoras might be a bit conflicted about his feelings and insecurities at first, but as soon as he gets to warm up to that person, he becomes a hopelessly romantic and loyal partner.

Prince Archyvel - Personality-wise, Archyvel is a good person, but his upbringing, made him slightly vain and very unprepared for the real world - though he is determined to do the right thing. He likes someone with confidence, who believes in themselves (mostly because he wants to be able to cheer them on, which is a very "golden retriever" side of his personality) - he falls in love fast, and is very nervous about it (since he is afraid of actually showing his feelings and it not being mutual). He would be a very doting partner if given a chance.

Adaria Vytris - Due to how her oldest brother raised her, Adaria became someone who believes in being the most efficient/cutthroat in the room, and considers any hesitation or uncertainty as a weakness - this allowed her to survive in the ruthless outer cities they grew up in, but made her a rather mistrusting and very skittish person to actually get emotionally close to. This means, when it comes to any kind of relationship, she has no patience for those who can't keep up with her goals, and neither does she suffer fools, but is someone incredibly sweet (in an awkward way) and ruthlessly protective once the person proves themselves worthy of her trust and time - and if they can have the patience to actually see through her emotional walls, she is actually very kind.

Tagging: @doublegoblin, @oh-no-another-idea, @sm-writes-chaos, @aziz-reads, @clairelsonao3, and @gummybugg

Tag Game: OC Speed Dating

I decided I'd try out coming up with a new tag game, I think thats something I'm allowed to do?

So I'm going to to put some of my OCs forward and say what they look for in a person. And then, the next person can pick some of their OCs who might be a good match for them (Don't worry, it's just for fun). Then put something that OC might look for for in a person, for the next person to find a match for?

So if I say: Zhu Lin - Lin is cheerful and energetic, and likes to look out for people. She'd be looking for someone who needs someone to support them, so she can offer that support to someone.

Jacinda Caçador - Jacinda is a bit short tempered and has trust issues because of her past. She would be looking for someone patient who can bear with her as she warms up to them, before becoming their vigilant guard dog.

Naveed Sahin Hassan - Naveed runs a bar, in part because it lets him meet a lot of people and hear their stories. so he'd be looking for someone with a lot of stories to tell, who doesn't mind sharing them, and generally likes to talk a lot.

And then I'll tag: @ember-writer, @thatndginger, @mysticstarlightduck, @dogmomwrites and @fleurtygurl, if you fancy joining in on this one?

Seven Snippets Seven People

I'm catching up with my tags this week after toiling on the first chapters of Enchanted Illusions and Realms of Loss. I was Tagged by @tabswrites, here! Thank you so much!

(These snippets are from the WIP Realms of Loss)

One -

“Do you think the starlight can see us?”

The prince whispered, almost to himself, and Nesrynna frowned, confused at the strange question as she settled down beside him on the hard rock ground, nursing her injured hand. Behind them, the others kept themselves busy setting up camp for the night. “Whatever do you mean?”

TWO -

Her twin blades shimmered in the faint starlight, and Sara traced the edge with the tip of her finger, thinking, her mentor's words echoing in the back of her mind. 'We cannot change what were born as. But we can use it to our advantage.'

She glanced at her reflection on the frosted river, ghostly white hair flowing like an omen in the wind, so much like her mother's. Long ago, Sara had decided, clinging desperately to the hope carried by those words - maybe a monster could save lives, if it turned its fangs towards worse evils.

Three -

Adaria inched forward, leather boots soundlessly sifting through the snow as she stalked, in her hands, her bow and arrow were poised to strike. Moving behind a tree, she waited for the telltale signs of the approaching caravan. The sounds of iron wheels scraping against the frozen forest floor snapped her attention, and as it barrelled into view, her arrow flew, perfectly aimed.

Four-

"Listen, fancy pants."

Gwain growled, marching up to Oryon with such confident anger the wizard stumbled away. The young man grasped the collar of the other's gilded robes, almost lifting Oryon up from the ground.

"I had to do what it took to survive, it’s not a matter of choice. Ever know what starving feels like? No, you don't. I had to use what few broken tools I still had at my disposal, and pray I could make them work - and maybe, just maybe, my siblings and I would survive the Lost Lands' winter. Not everyone has a silver spoon stuck that far up their backside like you do. So don't you dare,"

His eyes burned with such fury Oryon could've sworn Gwain was a Caster like him. The wizard squirmed, regretting making his previous comment already as Gwain continued, staring him down so closely their noses almost touched.

"Don't you dare act like I've ever asked for what I had to do. You wouldn't understand. And if I ever catch you digging around my thoughts uninvited again, my daggers won't be so polite."

Five -

The cold winter chill whipped through his ears, snowflakes clinging to Viktoras’ long onyx hair and wet clothes, as his horse raced through grey road. It had been a long journey from the barracks on the edge of their kingdom, and with the cold seeping from his clothes and into his bones, the young man prayed there wouldn’t be any surprises on the way home. 

Beside him, his elder cousin, Prince Hael, led a few of their trusted soldiers, who followed them close behind. The unmistakable clinking of armor echoed through the blizzard, along with the rhythmic hoofbeats of their warhorses. It was a sound he’d grown to know all too well - so much so it was almost soothing, were it not for the blood staining his cousin’s sword. 

Six -

He stood at the crossroads between blind duty and doing the right thing. On the one hand, he could become a praised knight, like his adoptive father before him, but it would mean ignoring the lies told to him by the Crown. On the other, the chance to do the right thing and fight for the people he swore to protect - and help a thief commit treason against their ruler.

Kassien knew the choice should've been obvious when it came to traitors, that his Oath to the Queen should reign absolute over any other option. But as his white-knuckled grip on the blade loosened and he moved its tip away from the thief's throat, he found that he might not know himself that well after all.

Seven -

Lucian peeked into the dungeons, the smell of rust and dried-out blood burning into his nostrils and memory.

Father might as well cut off his head if he caught Lucian prowling around here, but as the young man sneaked past the guards, heart thundering in his chest and sweaty hands shaking, he forced himself to ignore all of that. He'd heard the rumors about the outsider locked away behind iron and steel, and they felt all too familiar. They called the outsider dangerous, selfsame as they'd always called Lucian disgraceful.

He'd seen what this person's magic could do. And so, Lucian forced himself to ignore the risk - not out of curiosity. But because this was his one and only chance to meet someone like him.

Tagging (gently): @crowandmoonwriting, @moonluringfrost, @the-mindless, @autumnalwalker, @writernopal, @rickie-the-storyteller, @lassiesandiego

Happy Worldbuilding Wednesday!

How are arts and crafts treated in your setting? Is it a common hobby? A communal activity? Do people do it for fun? Or is it reserved for only a certain group which does it for a significant reason?

Happy WBW, Sam! Thank you so much for the Ask, @sam-glade!

I'll answer this ask for my WIPs Realms of Loss and Tales of Wilted Flowers, because these two books have been haunting my brain for the past few days!

How are arts and crafts treated in your setting? Is it a common hobby? A communal activity? Do people do it for fun? Or is it reserved for only a certain group which does it for a significant reason?

Realms of Loss

Well, the answer for that depends on where you are in the setting because Avillore and Sarythea - the main kingdoms in this world - differ majorly from one another. And since life in that continent is very much dedicated to survival, arts take a whole different meaning.

In Sarythea, arts and crafts are both a hobby for people of higher standing who have time to dedicate themselves to it, as it is an act of faith. Sarythea still holds on to their rites from the time the Old Gods were alive, and those beliefs - and the symbolism that comes with them - bleed into their craft. Art is a part of their daily lives as a way to connect to the hope that one day the gods will return and also a way to keep their culture alive despite the war outside their walls.

Craftwork is also economically important for both of the kingdoms, as it is a big part of the trade between allied provinces and helps the economy of the realms keep flowing within their territories. Trained artisans are very valued in both kingdoms for this reason, and often become powerful merchants.

Art is also one of the many things that distinguish the kingdoms from one another, as each kingdom has specific colors and symbols/designs that identify them.

Avillore, however, is slightly different. Known as the Fortress Kingdom, Avillore is deeply invested in its military developments, and as such, warfare is a huge part of its culture*. As such, much of their art is centered on themes of war, might, and power, as a way to exalt their values. People in Avillore don't view art or crafts as a simple hobby, as another way to perfect themselves and showcase their might.

(*The difference is that, though both kingdoms have been trapped in bloody combat for centuries now, and are equally matched when it comes to military prowess, the "art of war" is revered in Avillore, while to Sarythea war is a necessary evil to survive. This is one of the many differences in points of view).

Notes - The Outer Cities and the Izuhyn People

OUTER CITIES -

Context -The outer cities are the remains of kingdoms and provinces that were ravaged in the ongoing wars, which surround both of the kingdoms in outposts and villages. It's also the home to most of the population of both of the kingdoms and is situated beyond the protective walls that keep the actual capitals safe. Neglected, those outposts are a ruthless place and those who are unlucky enough to be stuck there must do what it takes to survive both the constant war and the encroaching curse that destroyed the lands beyond it*.

*The area beyond the outer cities and around the Far Reach (the wall that divides the territories of the continent in two) is a desolate freezing wasteland known as the Lost Lands, where the First Battle took place and the ancient capital of the realm (which was once unified, not divided into two) once stood - in the Lost Lands, the betrayal curse runs rampant and is the home to the first figments of what is known as forgotten magic.

Answer - As such, arts and crafts are not seen as something very valuable in these places, as survival comes first. But it does serve a few purposes, whether it is by identifying different gangs of the Guild - a network of spies and thieves that runs the outer cities from the underworld - or allowing for trade whenever a merchant dares pass through these outposts.

IZUHYN PEOPLE -

Context - The Izuhyn People are the inhabitants of an empire beyond the curse that has isolated Sarythea and Avillore. They're descendants of the Archguardians - young gods born of the ashes left behind by the Old Gods - and have very unique culture, magic, and beliefs (for reference, they're the closest thing this setting has to elves or demigods, but not quite) They've never taken part in the wars that ravaged their neighboring kingdoms (until, of course, the beginning of the book when the war literally came to them) as they consider war as a vile and unnecessary spilling of blood.

Answer - They're very connected to nature - and the magic within it - and art is one of the main ways they express that connection as well as being a great part of their culture. Art is also specifically tied to their magic and the way they cast spells, as magic is viewed as a form of art, like a tapestry or a mosaic, and as such, they're known for their intricate amulets.

Tales of Wilted Flowers -

Ravaryn - the continent where the story takes place - has many different kingdoms and species that inhabit it. The main kingdoms relevant to the story are Wenhorn (the most powerful and famous kingdom as their royal family is a descendant of one of the Called, a hero that helped save the realm a few centuries ago), Thysfire (a smaller kingdom - that's actually a duchy - on the western mountains that are known specifically for its trade of magical goods and its artistic tendencies), and Allanar (the kingdom of the Seelie Courts, which has, obviously, a population that's majorly elven or faery).

Okay, onto the answers!

Wenhorn -

As the main hub of quite frankly most of the activity in Ravaryn (be it economical, military, religious, or artistic), Wenhorn serves as a melting pot for different cultures, species, and beliefs, which come together in the city. This means that many different types of arts and crafts can also be found here - be intricate elven jewelry, to beautiful human paintings and handcrafted dwarven metal goods, just to name a few.

For the people of Wenhorn art can be equally a form of expression of their personal culture as it can be a religious activity done within a community and a form of economy. Some people do arts for fun as a part-time hobby, while others become masters in their chosen craft - Wenhorn is known for some of the best painters, architects, and jewel smiths. Being the heart of trade in the realms, artisanal goods are always in high demand in Wenhorn's bustling marketplaces, and many people come to the city just to buy - or learn - those arts.

In Wenhorn, also, inventions are considered a form of art that can be mastered. Many people travel to the kingdom to become apprentices in the royal academies and hone their skills as Inventors, joining magic with science in the mechanical gears of their creations.

Thysfire -

A duchy nestled in the edge of the western mountains of Ravaryn, with a vastly human and dwarven (magically talented or not) population, Thysfire is known for its magical exports - artisanal goods that are often crafted with or imbued with magic they source from the heart of the mountain. Art and crafts, therefore for them is viewed as their main trade and the heart of their economy.

During the famous Summertide Festival, arts are also a communal activity, when the people from the city create new decorations and art just for the event, which is deeply important for them and their culture. Many people - including royalty and nobility from other kingdoms - come to Thysfire for the festival every year, so it is a great opportunity for Thysfirans to sell their crafts and showcase their traditional art.

Allanar -

To the elves and faeries of Allanar, art serves a purpose - more than its beauty, art is a form of remembrance, a way to connect with their ancestors and keep the past alive. Some specific forms of art can be deeply important for some families and the community as a whole - intricate necklaces and jewelry often hold important symbolic meaning to individuals. There are plenty of religious rites in Allanar that strongly revolve around arts as a way to connect with their gods, such as Ildaras Day, a holiday for the elves that honors one of their gods - where one of the many celebrations, other than symbolic sports, also involves intricate and artistic dancing, and singing. The inhabitants of Allanar highly value the beauty and balance that art can create, and their city - one of, if not the most beautiful in all Ravaryn - is a reflection of that. Allanar is also known for having some of the best musicians and sculptors in the entirety of Ravaryn. Arts are also a way for their people to praise and honor the almost immortal Seelie royal family that rules their kingdom - something that often brings their people together.

WIP Moodboard, Realms of Loss - Sarythea

This wonderful mood board was made by @crowandmoonwriting for my WIP!

Sarythea, the Kingdom of Starlight, a gilded land on the heart of the continent, home of the Chosen Prince, Archyvel, and a glorious glimpse into what the continent once was

WIP Moodboard, Realms of Loss - Avillore

This wonderful mood board was made by @crowandmoonwriting for my WIP!

Avillore, a fortress kingdom where might and efficiency are the ultimate goal in their path to perfect their art of war. Land of virtue and ruthlessness, above all.

WIP Moodboard, Realms of Loss - The Far Reach

This wonderful mood board was made by @crowandmoonwriting for my WIP!

The Far Reach - a great divide between two warring realms, Avillore and Sarythea, built to keep the encroaching curse of the Lost Lands at bay, ruled over by a council of Lords and Ladies bound by an ancient pact - the last mighty string that holds the land together.

Last Line Tag!

I was tagged by @tabswrites here! Thank you so much for the Tag! (:

The Last Snippet I wrote for Realms of Loss -

She saw the young man standing on the edge of the small cliff, looking out over the ashen snow covering the mountain below. His fingers traced the beak of the blood plague mask strapped in the belt at his side, and he spoke through gritted teeth, "This Mask is my coffin, and soon it will be theirs."

Tagging - @rickie-the-storyteller, @autumnalwalker, @crowandmoonwriting, @jasperygrace, @oh-no-another-idea, @sm-writes-chaos, @writernopal, @meerawrites, @clairelsonao3 and @elshells

Realms of Loss - Character Aesthetic

I was tagged by the amazing @rickie-the-storyteller to make this aesthetic moodboard for one of my characters.

Rules: Search for the name of one of your OCs on Pinterest, and add "core" to it. Pick 9 of the first pictures you see and make a board. Then state whether or not the overall aesthetic fits your character!

So here's the moodboard for the character Kassien Vann, from my WIP, Realms of Loss!

I had to dig a little deeper on the Pinterest search (especially since the app wasn't properly recognizing the name lmao😭) to find pictures that fit a more medieval aesthetic while following the rules and here it goes! I rather like how this turned out, I think it does fit this character's aesthetic surprisingly well!

Tagging: @writernopal, @meerawrites, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs, @exquisitecrow, @clairelsonao3, @oh-no-another-idea and @tabswrites

My goals/plans for writing this year are:

Make a finished first draft for Realms of Loss!!!!

Finish and edit Tales of Wilted Flowers (first draft)

Make a second draft for The Last Wrath

(this is more of an art goal, but it involves some scriptwriting, so here it goes!) to finally design, start and finish my Supernova Initiative webcomic!

Welcome 2024!

We’re in the final countdown until the New Year, and I’m so excited! What are y’all’s plans and resolutions for the next year? They can be related to writing or not!

Share in the replies or the reblogs, and everyone go support and follow each other!

Alone, bound and pain for the OC(s) of your choice?

~ @tabswrites

(The OC Ask Game)

Thank you for the Ask, @tabswrites!

✨Spoilers for Realms of Loss and Enchanted Illusions Below the Cut✨

Alone: (OC - Adaria Vytris, WIP Realms of Loss)

How does your OC deal with loneliness?

This is a perfect question for my OC, Adaria Vytris, from Realms of Loss, whose worst fear is, coincidentally, ending up completely alone.

As such, she does not deal very well with loneliness, and despite being an awkward introvert with the social skills of a little gremlin, she still 100% prefers to be around other people - even if they're just close by and she's the weird one lurking on the edge of the room. When she's completely alone, Adaria usually keeps herself busy in some way, anything to avoid feeling that empty void of loneliness that creeps up in the back of her mind when she's not busy protecting other people or just talking.

Have they ever been completely alone before?

Yes, Adaria has been completely alone before, a few years before the main story, when she ended up separated from all her older siblings because of the ongoing wars of the continent and thought they were all dead. It was really traumatic for her and is by far the worst time of her entire life.

How do they act when there's no one around to see them?

Very nervous. Usually, she has a very aggressive/blunt persona when she's around people, as she takes up a "protector" role in her friendship group and mimics her older brother's jaded challenging behavior towards all authority figures because it's all she's known (and because their kingdom literally lives in a very oppressive absolutist/theocratic monarchy-style government, so it's obvious she resents following rules).

She rarely ever shows the more vulnerable side of her personality to others, because she finds solace in being the shield that keeps them safe. When that role is taken from her for some reason and she's left completely alone, especially if against her will, her anxieties creep up on the back of her mind and she starts to question her worth - because she fears not being able to make it in the world by herself. She's at her most vulnerable when she's alone, much different from her assertive self she takes up in the company of others.

Bound: (OC - Julia Kyllians, WIP Enchanted Illusions)

Has your OC ever been imprisoned or captured? What happened?

At the beginning of the book, it is implied that Julia's just been released from jail, having been wrongfully imprisoned two years before due to lies spread by her young father's corrupt employer as a way to silence her - after she found out the millionaire wanted to illegally prolong her father's contract. This is the inciting incident for her character arc, which leads her to join Thaddeus Lockhill's revolutionary movement in hopes of clearing her name and breaking that contract.

How did they get out?

It is unclear at the start of the book whether she was actually released, bailed out (which is highly unlikely), or if she broke out of prison (whether by herself or with some help).

Did the experience leave any scars?

Mostly emotional ones - which lead to a deep desire for justice and the tiniest bit of wishing for revenge.

Pain: (OC - Teivel, WIP Realms of Loss)

What's the worst pain your OC has ever felt?

Teivel is a young Izuhyn being held prisoner of war in the Fortress of Avillore. Aside from the emotional pain and trauma of being forcibly locked in a filthy, freezing dungeon in an unknown, enemy country, after being ripped from everyone and everything he knew and loved, while having his magic constantly suppressed, he's also spent the past years before the main story of the book (before being freed by Lucian Dhaeras) being experimented on by Avillorian alchemists and interrogated for information about his people. Which, in a medieval-ish world without a great grasp of human rights - especially when it comes to someone dubbed "the enemy" - can only mean horrifyingly painful things. He's been through pretty much every torture that would cause him pain but not kill him.

Do they have a high pain tolerance?

After everything he's been put through, it's safe to say that he kind of has to have developed a high pain tolerance, or he would've gone utterly batshit insane by now.

happy WBW! what are superstitions like in your wip(s)? are any of your characters particularly superstitious or particularly skeptical?

Thank you for the ask, @ashen-crest!

I'll answer this one for my medieval dark fantasy WIP, Realms of Loss!

What are superstitions like in your WIP(s)?

There certainly is a lot of superstition in the world of Realms of Loss, the continent of Helvastte, especially since it is basically a land torn by an ages-old war and a dangerous ever-spreading curse brought by the death of the Old Gods, where the survivors battle for power. In a world like that, there are bound to be a lot of myths and stories that get twisted up through time and turn into popular superstitions - some that are true, others that are just myths born out of fear and lack of information.

For example, in the Outer Cities of the citadel of Avillore (one of the main kingdoms bound in the neverending war that tears the land apart), it is a common children's superstition that leaving a window open at night invites evil spirits that will snatch their souls away to eat them.

There are many dangers in the Outer Cities, (which are the abandoned outskirts of villages beyond the protective walls of the Citadels) - the blood plague, hungry beasts from the winter forests, and actual black market merchants dubbed the Soul Traders - so this superstition about closing windows at night was likely born as a cautionary tale told by parents or older siblings wanting to keep the children safe.

Another example of superstition in Helvastte belongs to the people of Sarythea, who believe that, on the eve of the Solstice, one must knock three times on the doorframe of a new house one's been invited to and invoke the names of their Celestial Court of choice, as a way to wish protection upon oneself and the owners of the house for another prosperous year.

While the Celestial Courts and magic do exist in the realms, it is unclear whether following this superstition actually changes anything. It is likely a harmless superstition meant to keep people at ease, and it isn't clear where this habit actually started or why.

Are any of your characters particularly superstitious or particularly skeptical?

Most Superstitious - Viktoras Aeravi, the bastard son of the Watcher Lord of the Far Reach, is one of the most superstitious characters in Realms of Loss, but not in an obsessive way, rather just because tradition is everything to him and one of the pillars where he finds his personal worth. He believes strongly in the power of one's will and that following superstition is a harmless, but important, way to show he belongs in the culture he was born into (a sense of home he feels he lacks due to his bastard birth).

Particularly Skeptical - Gwain Vytris, a thief of the Guild and Adaria Vytris' older brother, has been through many hardships in the Outer Cities and spent most of his life ensuring the continued survival of his younger siblings - but going through all of this at a very young age changed him into a rather jaded, fatalistic and pragmatic person. He believes that both royalty and the Celestial Courts have abandoned them, and that being superstitious is just another way to sugarcoat this fact.

Incorrect Quotes Tag!

Thank you so much for the tag, @saintedseraph!

I really love this generator, lmao, so I'll do this one for my WIPs Enchanted Illusions and Realms of Loss! I adjusted some of the quotes to fit the characters better but here it goes:

(Enchanted Illusions)

Evangeline - We should normalize not loving family members, and maybe, just maybe... plotting their accidental murders. Ambrose - Or you can just say: “I hate my dumbfuck step-mom” or whatever. You know. Talk like a normal person!

Vincent - *on the phone* Just threaten him with bankruptcy - or snap his kneecaps, I don't care - and he’ll talk, I’m at a parent-teacher conference. Everyone - ... Vincent -  Anyways, you said Harriet is enjoying finger painting! That's great.

Marcus - *sharpens knife* We've got ways of making people talk. Marcus - *cuts a piece of cake* Liam -  ...Can I have some? Marcus - *pulls away the cake* Nuh-uh, cake is for talkers.

Agatha - You have your weirdly sincere humility. Caileain -  I prefer the term "self-loathing", actually.

Valentine - *ferally sarcastic, with the intention to annoy* Oh, fiddlesticks! That really ruffles my feathers! Thaddeus - *near tears* Please, just say fuck

Julia, grinning - I have a knife! Thaddeus - Put it down, Julia. Julia - Make me! *sprints away*

(Realms of Loss)

Random Avillorian Soldier - You have an impressive pain tolerance. Teivel - Thanks, it's the trauma.

Sara - And what did we learn, Drystan? Drystan - *bored, almost reciting the words* Tackling and stabbing someone isn’t the correct response to being asked a simple question

Prince Archyvel - I think I need a hug... Mehri - Good thing I'm hug-shaped! *45 minutes later* Prince Archyvel - You... you can let go now. Mehri - *tightens his hug, smiles* No, I absolutely cannot.

Kassien - I love you. Adaria - *blushes*  How many people have you said that to? Kassien - Everyone. Adaria - ... What? Kassien - I told everyone that I love you.

Oryon - Let's bury the hatchet, Gwain. Gwain - Oh, don't worry, I won't be burying any hatchet unless I get a clear shot at your groin! Oryon - *runs away*

Nesrynna - Why are you guys acting like this? Viktoras, dead serious - Oh, we're not acting. Delyan - We really are like this.

Lucian, handing out popsicles - Which flavor do you want? Mehri - Blue flavor! Lucian - Uh, you mean Blue Raspberry...? Mehri - Blue flavor! Blue flavor! Lucian, concerned - Blue is not a flavor! Mehri, eyes glow -  BLUE FLAVOR!

Tagging (gently, no pressure) - @tabswrites, @ashen-crest, @gummybugg, @doublegoblin, @oh-no-another-idea, @sm-writes-chaos, @writernopal, @sam-glade and @clairelsonao3

I'm glad you liked the question, @oh-no-another-idea! Thanks for turning it around, I'll try to answer it! (:

I am a huge fan of worldbuilding, so most of my WIPs are very high fantasy settings, lmao. I've mentioned the pantheon of gods from The Last Wrath and Tales of Wilted Flowers in a few other posts, so in this one, I'll cover the pantheon of Celestials from Realms of Loss - which happens to be a huge part of the story, because some of the MCs are half-deities and the plot vastly revolves around the return of a dead god (who is actually a demigod ascended into Godhood, but details, details...)

In Helvastte, the main continent of that WIP, the actual Old Gods are dead, having perished in a dreadful battle centuries prior, which ravaged the lands and caused the appearance of a terrible curse. So, the main deities who rule over and are worshipped in Helvastte are the Celestials, who were born of the remnant strings of magic from Ichor, the blood of the Gods, after the fall of the first pantheon.

Celestials are immortal and incredibly powerful beings, but not nearly as powerful as the Old Gods. For example, Celestials cannot create or destroy worlds, which the Old Gods could easily do, nor change the Tides of Fate, which didn't affect the Old Gods. They also aren't immune to the Forgotten Curse, because - much like them - it was created out of the Ichor spilt by the Old Gods in their battle.

But what can Celestials do in Helvastte? They hold incredible power over specific domains, such as the Storms, Chaos, or Marriage to name a few - and so, because of this, there are many demigods, some more or less powerful than others depending on their Domain. They are also magical entities and have a lot - and I mean a lot - of sway over the decisions and wars waged by the human kingdoms sworn to them. They can be patrons of some specific orders of Casters, and often sire half-deities, known as Divine Heralds, who are the magical elite of the realms - the most powerful kinds of mortals.

For example of a half-deity in the actual story, Kassien Vann was a highly trained Divine Herald of the elite royal guard, son of the Celestial of Storms, Moyrah, and a human man.

There are two rival Celestial Courts in Helvastte, which favor specific human kingdoms in their neverending war to decide who will rule what remains of the continent, as conquests are paramount for survival in a land ravaged by a curse even the Celestials aren't immune to. Some Celestials aren't a part of the Courts and are often called the Unseen.

Happy WBW, Cass!

In the world of your WIP, is there a main pantheon of deities/gods that is worshipped? Are they actual celestial beings that exist or are they figments of the people's imagination? If they exist, do they have anything to do with the magic that exists in that world?

Hello, pal, thanks for the ask! <3 Man you've managed to hit me right in the chink of my armor! As a writer who is low on world building, I don't think a single one of my WIPs has any sort of new or imaginative religions/gods. 😭

This is still a terrific question though--may I turn it around and ask YOU the same? 💛

OC vs a Cockroach

Thanks for the Tag, @anyablackwood!

I'll answer it for Realms of Loss for this one, because I did this tag for Enchanted Illusions the last time!

Prince Archyvel of Sarythea: ????0/10 Are you kidding me?! This boy is the most spoiled person one could ever hope to meet, he's the baby brother of the King! Archyvel was raised with a silver spoon in a palace with an older brother who sheltered him every day of his life and their stepmom who was way too nice to him. If this kid sees a cockroach he's having the mental breakdown of the century - he'd scream, cry, nearly puke, and promptly run away, likely calling out to Mehri - his valet/assistant - to deal with the "revolting beast".

Mehri: 10/10 Would pick the roach up with his bare hands and gingerly lead it to the garden or somewhere far away from his prince. Is very adamant that "this little insect is just another sweet form of life that should be cherished, not hurt".

Nesrynna Alorai: 8/10 Has more important things to worry about so she doesn't bother, just walks away unless asked to do something about it. Will obliterate the roach if it gets too close to her personal space or starts to fly.

Gwain Vytris: 3/10 Hates insects, especially roaches because they feel unclean (he hates feeling/being dirty) and bring back bad memories of his childhood in the slums and forests of the Outer Cities. Usually, he won't have a breakdown or really show much of his disgust aloud, will step/jump on the thing until it's dead, or simply walk away. But if it flies and somehow gets in his hair lots of loud cursing, screaming and a lot of crying will be heard, though he'll carry on like nothing happened and stoically pretend he wasn't disturbed after the insect is dealt with.

Kassien Vann: 11/10 Somehow perfectly hits it with an arrow or drowns it with his magic, every time, he never once misses.

Adaria Vytris: 10/10 Goes full exterminator on the insect, with the wrath of a thousand suns. It won't even see her coming until it's too late. She also hates bugs, but instead of being scared/disgusted she just has a fiery hatred towards them. Will continue to stomp on the roach long after it's just goo on the floor.

Lucian Dhaeras: 8/10 Has one of his stray cats catch it and lets them play with it. If they aren't around, he is very weird about it: might set it on fire.

Drystan Earell: 10???/10 Will automatically consume its life force to fuel his magic, thus disintegrating it into ash.

Viktoras Aeravi: 7/10 Does nothing about it, just locks it in the room and makes it someone else's problem, like the little rascal he is.

Teivel: 9/10 Watches it silently from a distance and feels disgusted that a part of him - the one that was trapped in a dirty Avillorian cell for almost five years with little to no food and some days forgets he's free - even considers eating it. Feels depressed.

Delyan Sorkip: 2/10 Is the person who finds the roach Viktoras neglected to kill, usually after it crawled onto his bed at 2AM. Nearly has a heart attack, kills the roach like a normal person, and storms out of the room in tearful rage ready to start a fight with Viktoras and the Gods.

Sara Kallary: 4/10 Hates it with every fiber of her being, and even though she could probably destroy it to hell and back manages to miss it every time she tries to hit it and even if she does stomp on it the roach doesn't die. Angrily calls out to her murderous boyfriend Drystan to deal with the roach properly.

Gwynnifer: 10/10 Doesn't mind it at all and is unbothered about it. Will catch it in a jar, carefully study it and keep it alive like a pet for weeks until either: 1. it dies, 2. she sets it free, 3. she feeds it to her bonded Drakyna, who plays with it like the giant lizard-cat it is.

Tagging: @clairelsonao3, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs, @gummybugg, @meerawrites, @oh-no-another-idea, @tabswrites, @ashen-crest, @writernopal and @elshells

Hiya Ducky!

How about 💀 for the OC questions tag game? I love learning about characters' fears, I think its one of the most fundamental characterising traits that everyone has a deep fear of something.

Hi, Trance! Thank you so much for the ask!

(The OC Ask Game)

That is a really great question, and I totally agree - a character's fear is very important to their arc, especially when it comes to growth and development! I'll talk about some OCs from my WIP Realms of Loss.

Realms of Loss:

Prince Archyvel of Sarythea: Archyvel's worst fear is being a failure or proving to be utterly incapable and worthless. He was raised at the height of luxury, in an environment where he never had to try too hard or prove himself/attempt to improve, and, while on the surface he was comfortable, that life led him to develop some serious insecurities - especially when he compared himself to his older brother, the great hero and King of Sarythea, or saw how the court's advisors whispered about him being "the Royal family's weak link". To counter that insecurity, for a long while, Archyvel indulged himself with more and more luxury, parties, and gold galore - but when that mask is taken from him and he is forced into exile, he is left with nothing and forced to confront his fear face to face in the real "fight or die" world where his brother wasn't there to intervene. His story arc in the book is very much about what it means to be a true, worthy leader and strive for growth and improvement instead of hiding from his life's challenges.

Nesrynna Alorai: Nesrynna's worst fear is being corrupt or evil - like her aunt was- she also fears being unable to continue her father's interrupted quest. Growing up, Nesrynna definitely had the best example of the worst possible person imaginable one could be and witnessed firsthand the extent of the cruelty and injustice people like her aunt were capable of dishing out in the name of greed, something that cost her father's life, who was her hero and only parent. Having such a dreadful set of events happen to her so early in her life impacted her heavily, making Nesrynna a person who takes her morality and being a righteous/good person very seriously - constantly second-guessing herself, being untrusting of herself and being reminded that her background could one day define her. This, while being a core root of her current personality, is also her weakness, and she must learn to trust herself again, finding certainty in her own choices.

Gwain Vytris: Gwain's worst fear is being weak, and failing to be strong enough to make sure he and his siblings survive - he is also afraid of being used or manipulated by others, especially more powerful people. Growing up as a street urchin in the dreadfully neglected slums of the Outer Cities of the kingdom of Avillore forced Gwain into a protector role for his younger siblings very early on, making him have to grow up fast and make unfair choices in the name of survival. This, paired with some of his specific traumas, turned Gwain into a very jaded, cold, and skeptical young adult who considers emotions/vulnerability as a weakness that could potentially lead to death, which impacted his relationship with the younger siblings he raised as well. His arc throughout the book is centered around coming to terms with the gruesome unfairness of his past and learning to let go of all that hatred in the name of trying to give himself a chance at a better, happier future by opening up to the people who truly cared about him.

Viktoras Aeravi - Viktoras' worst fear is being nothing more than the illegitimate bastard that brought shame to his family, being considered worthless or meaningless. Born into a stern noble family to whom honor and tradition were everything, Viktoras was never given a choice - his illegitimate birth seemed to already define his destiny and his chances. He spent most of his life trying to prove himself to a household where he felt he never would truly belong, constantly longing for the sense of family and belonging he was deprived of by blood. This influenced many of his choices and his behavior, trying to always be flawless and honorable at all times, which, while a noble goal, was born out of his insecurity and anxiety. Viktoras main story arc is about finding that belonging and realizing that family isn't always defined by blood, while also showing his true worth to those who denied him so long ago.

Gwinnifer - Her fear is being unable to bring about change and thus being unable to save her kingdom from being caught in a war that was none of their making. A wild spirit and a peacemaker by heart, Gwinnifer wanted nothing more than a better, more just world and to protect her kingdom, the Izuhyn People, from the wars of their neighboring realms. She was an outsider, a child lost in the woods of the Lost Lands, unexpectedly found by royal Izuhyn scouts and taken in as their own despite her not being one of them. She wants to be able to "repay" this kindness by changing her kingdom's fate in the war, and thus sets out to make sure the forbidden prophecy doesn't come to pass. Her arc centers around healthily using that fear for the improvement of the world around her, while realizing she didn't need to be a hero or peacemaker out of a sense of desperate duty, as she would always belong amongst the people who chose her regardless of her choice, but choosing to persevere and bring peace because that was her heart's calling.

Happy Blorbo Blursday! Do you absentmindedly color code your OCs? Do those colors show up in the writing or only in the categories in your head?

--@oh-no-another-idea

Happy Blorbo Blursday, @oh-no-another-idea! This ask is so absolutely perfect for meee!!!!

Do you absentmindedly color-code your OCs? Do those colors show up in the writing or only in the categories in your head?

YES. So much yes to this! When I'm creating a character I usually assign a certain vibe or aesthetic to them, and that certainly comes with its assigned color-coding. Most times color-coding comes naturally to me as I develop a character's aesthetic, almost as if the character (or my subconscious lmao) is "telling me" what color and vibe they'll have.

I'm a huge fan of symbolism, so, along with the color, the character usually has a symbol, animal, or element I unconsciously assign to them, and it certainly does come up in my writing as a way to distinguish the character's styles.

For example, I associate Rylisan Fenrith from Tales of Wilted Flowers with warm sunlight yellow, soft snowy blue, and polished silver. His symbolism includes owls, blooming/wilted daisies, and shattered pomegranates.

Meanwhile, I associate Prince Archyvel of Sarythea, from Realms of Loss, with deep red, tarnished gold, and charcoal black. His symbolism includes constellations, peacocks, and flowers on a broken crown.