Wip: Tales Of Wilted Flowers - Tumblr Posts

Trick or treat! 👻

~ @tabswrites

Treat! 🎃

Have five random facts about the cast of Tales of Wilted Flowers:

When Niven Fenrith was younger, he had once dreamed of becoming a musician of some kind - being talented in many kinds of musical instruments and being a very good singer. But then life (a.k.a. spoilers) led him to become the underappreciated assistant to a politician instead.

Lorelai Wildwood loved sneaking around in her childhood mansion's hallways, which had many secret passageways and hiding spots. Also, due to the fact her father had once been a knight, she learned sword fighting and archery very early on - a hobby she adored. These abilities prove rather useful in the story, especially when the King's soldiers are after her.

Arista's family history is a mystery to everyone around her, something that is deeply intentional on her part, but not due to her vampiric heritage - rather, because of who the human side of her family is. She pretends not to know her past because explaining it would be even more complicated. (Keep an eye out for this fact, it ties into a really important plot twist later on in the book's story!)

Ahren Ellara is actually the adopted ward of Faellyn's paternal uncle, but when their House was destroyed, Ahren was the only relative to survive along with her. Over time, their relationship became more like siblings than cousins, because they were the only family each other had to rely on.

Micah Rook adores most kinds of animals - cats, dogs, snakes, anything (: - But is terribly afraid of any kind of bird (from seagulls to ducks and even pigeons, it doesn't matter, they will freak him out and he will run away screaming). It gets to the point where it is comically hilarious, especially since he is really trying to keep up the "tough pirate/rogue" persona - it all goes out of the window when a bird sees him and he sees the bird.

TRICK OR TREAT

OH MY GOODNESS THAT DRAWING IS ADORABLE!!!!!!

Thank you for the ask, @gummybugg!

I wasn't sure what to give you as an answer to this ask, but eventually, I decided to post this! It's a snappy lil' snippet from Tales of Wilted Flowers (mostly a dialogue exchange between Xarian and Caladin that I really liked!)

Context: After escaping a series of rather life-threatening events, the team (at this point consisting of Xarian, Lorelai, and a couple of their friends) settles down to camp overnight, and a rather brutally honest rant takes place.

"So let me get this straight - a false King, a scheme from the most ancient sorcerer Houses, and a wrathful Banished." Caladin began, tapping his knee with the back of his knuckles as he listed their current misfortunes, half-heartedly, sitting on a fallen tree at the edge of their camp. "Remind me why I have anything to do with this, again?"

Lorelai cheerfully turned towards him, ready to answer, but Xarian was quicker to interrupt. He was done with Caladin's carelessness.

"Well, for starters, you did take out a squad of mercenaries - very loudly - with a power that I've only seen once in my entire life. In front of that whole village, and the Royal Guard. I want to know why you - a human - hold such magic and why." As Xarian got up and all but paced around the clearing, Caladin listened on with clear disinterest, as if more busy sharpening his sword than paying attention.

The fae scowled, exasperatedly teleporting the sword halfway across their camp with one flick of his wrist, putting the blade far away from Caladin's distracted hands.

Earning an annoyed glare from the young human, Xarian continued answering through a bitter laugh, vitriol barely hidden behind his calm explanation.

"And, of course, since you made the decision to save me and my friends, a decision which - by all means - you weren't obliged to make, you're now wanted in all corners of the kingdom, same as us." Xarian gestured widely, between them both and the others, who were watching his explanation with a mix of concern and awe.

"Your only real shot at making it out alive is seeing this mess - a mess that you're currently a very important part of - through to the end. Unless, of course, you fancy getting a very private tour of the gallows, when the royal soldiers inevitably catch us all, my not-so-dear friend." He paused, now muttering under his breath, through gritted teeth. "That is if you don't make me completely lose my patience and do something incredibly stupid, like killing you before the King ever does. Is that a good enough reminder?"

Caladin's mouth formed a thin line, the words dawning on him rather quickly. There was a moment of very awkward silence before he nodded quickly. "Yep, reminded. No need for extreme measures."

Xarian sighed, stopping right in front of Caladin. "Thank you." These two words were forced behind a smile, quietly coming through his exasperation, but the intention was - mostly - the same as always.

Duck duck duck...trick or treat!

Treat, treat, treat! 🎃

Thank you for the Ask, @doublegoblin!

Have some neat worldbuilding facts about my current WIP - Tales of Wilted Flowers! (:

THE WORLDBUILDING FACTS:

There are 6 ancient families, known as the Sovereign Houses, that are said to have held incredible power in the lands of Ravaryn, after the Sentinels defeated the old gods - now known as the Banished. It is said that - initially - the role of these powerful families was to protect different kingdoms of the realm from ever falling under the sway of the Banished again. Now, however, many years later, they mainly exert political power over the nations of Ravaryn from behind the scenes, with some feuds and alliances to spare.

In the world and lore of the continent of Ravaryn, the humanoid creatures called "vampires" are actually blood-drinking (vampiric) faeries, who are extremely powerful as their magic comes from the life essence extracted from blood. Arista Bryar, one of the main characters of the book, is a half-vampire.

The Lydean Sea one of the most mythical places in all of Ravaryn, with many legends and tales about its strange waters covered by iridescent mists and filled with dreadful monsters. Most tales are true, and still, many secrets remain about this unique body of water - where only the bravest sailors dare to go.

The main kingdoms of Ravaryn are: Wenhorn - one of the biggest and most powerful kingdoms in the realm, as well as being the home to the descendants of the Sentinels of the past; Allanar - a mainly elven and fae kingdom, being within the ancient lands of both these civiizations; and Thysfire - a smaller, slightly more backwater, kingdom, mostly known for its magical exports and an age-old feud/dislike towards Wenhorn. But there are many others, just not as relevant to the main story and initial political conflicts within the Book 1 of Tales of Wilted Flowers.

trick or treat

Treat! 🎃

Thank you for the ask, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs!!!

For you, I'll give you some of the songs from my Arista Bryar playlist, (a character from one of my main WIPs, Tales of Wilted Flowers)!

About the Character - Arista Bryar appears to be simply young runaway dhampir and witch on a chaotic personal quest - but as past secrets and new truths are revealed, it soon becomes clear that there is far more to her than meets the eye.

The Witch of Briar Thorn - Karliene

Fangs - Neoni

How Villains Are Made - Madelen Duke

Drinking Blood - Jonathan Young

Little Girl Gone - Chinchilla

Savage Daughter - Ekaterina Shelehova version

Paint It Black - Hildegard Von Blinging (cover)

Kings and Queens - Ava Max

Coming Home - Arc North, Rival, Cadmium

Journey to the Past - Anastasia (cover by Annapantsu)

🎃Trick or treat!💀

--@oh-no-another-idea

Thanks for the ask, @oh-no-another-idea!!!

Treat! 🎃

This is the last one of these in my inbox, I know I was late to answer it, but in the spirit of Halloween, have a smol spooky snippet from Tales of Wilted Flowers!

The dead forest was eerie - filled with the kind of silence where things appear louder than they should ever be. They could hear everything, and yet, not enough. It felt like... death. Something terrible had happened in this place, this they knew. And the echoes of what once was still haunted the ruins that remained in an endless winter. As the last threads of rageful spirits. mourning what was taken from them. Every they took upon this ashen, barren soil felt wrong, dangerous. No one was supposed to be here. The wind whistled as it curved around twisted branches, a cold, soulless chill passing through them. Cinder-covered snow crunched beneath the soles of their boots, though the air was dry as a desert. And yet, the ruins they sought remained out of reach - that is presuming they managed not to get lost beforehand. "Are you sure we are on the right track?" Caladin asked tentatively, wincing at how his hushed voice seemed to echo even so. He scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly. "... Because I'm sure whatever terror is inside these ruins certainly is not a good way to die." There was a pause, for a moment, but not for long. Arista looked over her shoulder, still carefully holding up the torch that was lighting their way as their group all but waded through the forest's thick fog. "No, I'm not sure. But I grew up on tales of this place - or at least, of what this place used to be before... all of this." She gestured outwards towards the fog-filled wastes, skipping over a gnarled root. "If we're lucky, and our suspicious friend back in the city was telling the truth, we might just make it out alive. At this point, blind luck seems to be our charm."

Happy Storyteller Saturday! Which of your characters is the least like you and why do you like them despite your lack of similarities?

Thank you for the Ask, @lassiesandiego!

I'm one of those writers who likes to say that most of my good characters have a small "piece of myself", except for most villains of course, as it makes writing them much easier and allows me to understand their motives better!

That being said, I would say that, out of all my main WIPs, the characters that are the least like me are: Azra Moorsworth (The Last Wrath), Faellyn Ellara (Tales of Wilted Flowers), and Clarence Van Sterlling (Enchanted Illusions).

DISCLAIMER: What is listed under "differences" is merely a comparison between my characters and my own personalities. Neither traits are "right" nor "wrong", as I am simply stating the contrasts between me IRL and the characters I have created for my stories! (:

Now, as for why they're so different from me and why I like them despite the personality differences!

AZRA MOORSWORTH -

(Differences) - Azra is much meeker/insecure than my personality - he prefers to avoid conflict (by "conflict" I don't mean fights, but facing challenges and things that get him out of his comfort zone), and is much more extroverted than me - I could never dream of reaching his level of extrovertedness. If we were to use the Enneagram to define this difference in personality, Azra is a Type 4 (the Individualist), while I am a Type 8 (the Challenger), having fundamentally different outlooks as well!

(Why I Like Him) - Azra is an incredibly positive character, especially when it comes to cheering others up and making sure everyone around him is having a good time - traits that I aspire to try and improve in my personality as well. He is also selfless when need be, despite all his fears, personality and instincts telling him to run the other way he chooses to stand for what he and his siblings believe in if that is truly necessary, despite the dangers and cruelty of the world he lives in. He is, fundamentally, a cinnamon roll, and one of the purest characters in TLW when it comes to a moral compass - I can't help but adore him!

FAELLYN ELLARA -

(Differences) This is a curious one, as she does share similarities with me, but not nearly as much as the other members of the main cast. I would say that the main difference between her and me is that Faellyn is incredibly forgiving - even when she should not be, too forgiving for her own good - and has a patience level that I aspire to have one day. Believes in the best in other people, even when other people have proven her wrong. Her Enneagram is Type 7 (The Enthusiast)

(Why I Like Her) Honestly, what's not to like? She's sweet, funny, bubbly, and has a great sense of justice! Despite being impulsive and reckless at times, she has an ongoing drive to do what is right for others, especially for those she cares about. She has a big heart, and is almost always the smile in the room! She's diplomatic and intelligent, as well as tricky when it matters. I also find it incredibly endearing and satisfying to write and show how much she grows throughout the story, becoming more mature and wise without losing the merciful and sweet side that makes her who she is.

CLARENCE VAN STERLLING -

(Differences) While I am somewhat introverted, I would say that he is 1000% more introverted than me. Clarence is very quiet, preferring not to talk as much, and liking extended periods of being by himself - while, in comparison, I am very talkative to those I consider my friends, and don't quite feel comfortable in extended periods of solitude. Another key difference is that, due to his vampiric upbringing, Clarence is also very naive/sheltered as to the ways of the world, being almost (if not completely) clueless as to how the human world and its inhabitants work. Clarence is firmly an Enneagram 1.

(Why I Like Him) He is very endearing and polite, and despite not really understanding all the new human things surrounding him he tries his best not to be rude or scary towards anyone, despite having the ability to do so. Clarence is also intelligent, wickedly clever, and something of a prankster if given the chance! Honestly, writing about him navigating the human world with the help of his newfound friends and his sorcerer girlfriend, is one of the most adorable things I have written!

I hope this answers your questions! (:

For whichever character you fancy, what simple activity that most people do / can do scares them?

Thank you for the Ask, @trancetales!

For whichever character you fancy, what simple activity that most people do / can do scares them?

I chose one character from each of my Main WIPs to answer this one!

(From Tales of Wilted Flowers)

Neoma'ka Ornasi is a fearsome goblin warrior. She has vanquished beasts and defeated mercenaries! And yet, she is dreadfully terrified of the sea (having strong Thalassophobia, a trait that I too share), though she is also a weak swimmer and an even worse diver, so her fear does have a reason. She cannot fathom why people would ever want to leave the safety of the mainland to venture into uncharted waters with untold monsters within - even worse, why people would consider sailing for a living, like the many pirates and sailors she has encountered throughout the story!

(From The Last Wrath)

Bryn Seperi is deathly afraid of fire due to a certain traumatic event in his backstory. Due to this, activities as simple as cooking, sitting around a fire, or walking into a candle-lit store can turn into terrifying flashbacks if he is not extremely vigilant, so he avoids all of that completely.

(From Enchanted Illusions)

Evangeline Daemitya is afraid of needles, something that turns sewing, patching things up and even getting a blood draw, into bone-chilling situations to her. Getting injections is so terrifying to her that she sometimes passes out at the mere sight of it.

Heads Up Seven Up

I was tagged by @tabswrites for this one, here! Thanks for the tag!

Rules: post the last seven lines you wrote! Then tag others!

It's not exactly seven lines, I think, but here you go!

From Tales of Wilted Flowers -

“Out of all the bad ideas, my dear.” Xarian shakily called out [to Lorelai], not breaking eye contact with the beastly wolf currently a burning stick away from biting his neck off. Instead of standing by the snuffed-out fire, he’d moved forward. But that made him the only thing standing between a Faellyn petrified by fear and a ravenous shadow-hound. He scoffed, softly, at the situation they were in. “That has to be one of our worst.”

Tagging (gently) - @lassiesandiego, @sm-writes-chaos, @hrmkingizzy, @unstablewifiaccess, @aziz-reads, @writernopal, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs, @oh-no-another-idea, @elshells and @clairelsonao3

Get to Know my OC Tag!

I was tagged by @doublegoblin for this! Thank you so much (:

I've done this, a long time ago, for Raelen - from my WIP, The Last Wrath. This time, I'll do this tag for Ahren Ellara - from my WIP, Tales of Wilted Flowers.

Ahren is Faellyn's stern but caring, cousin and adoptive brother (when their House - and their entire family legacy - fell they became the only family each other had to rely on, it had some effects on Ahren's psyche, making him incredibly paranoid)

(You see a tall, lanky young man with long, unruly silvery blond hair, walking towards you. His head is held high, proud, though he fidgets anxiously with his hands as he sits down in front of you. Posture immaculate, though the nervous fidgeting doesn't quite stop, he looks at you, wary and haughty at the same time.)

Are you named after anyone? 

No, I do not think so. Though my father was rather sentimental, I don't think I was named after anyone - at least, not after anyone whom I know or whose name is on our family records. If I was named after anyone else though, there's just no way I could know - and currently, it's too late to ask, wouldn't you say?

When was the last time you cried? 

Why do you ask?! (He blurts out, a bit louder than he'd intended, before sighing, though his eyes narrow, suspiciously) Oh for the love of Gods, fine...When those awful dreams started, a couple of weeks ago. I think - it's all rather blurry, really. (Leans forward, suddenly dangerously serious, showing a hidden dagger) No one else knows, and I am not above making sure it stays this way.

Do you use sarcasm? 

The answer is yes, I think so. I usually don't do it extremely on purpose, it mostly comes out naturally - especially when I'm dealing with annoying company or unexpected situations. Some people think my remarks are quite funny, but I still don't know why.

Do you have kids? 

If you count Faellyn... kinda? I mean, of course, I'm not her father, I'm her cousin, obviously, I'm not that much older than her - but I think I did raise her? I don't know if it really counts, as I was a teenager who didn't have many options and she was an insufferable kid (he chuckles), and later on we got a bodyguard. One could say we raised one another, but given the slight age difference and the assassins on our tracks, I think I did most of the work.

What’s the first thing you notice about people?

If they're lying to me, or trying to deceive me or use me in any way. Because most people are, especially when you've got royal blood in your veins and a bounty on your head. I also notice whether or not they're an immediate threat. If not, I mostly notice their quirks, whether they have a sense of humor, if they're assassins working for the King - you know, the normal stuff.

What’s your eye color? 

Dark Greyish Blue, but it does seem to have a slight green hue. I like my eyes.

Scary or Happy Endings? 

(With a mischievous smile, leans forward). Why not both? There's nothing wrong with the right amount of terror and fun!

Any special talents? 

I've been trained in sword fighting and archery, and I would say I am pretty good at it. I also like to write poetry I never let anyone read and I can embroider/sew somewhat adequately.

Where were you born? 

I was a child/ward of House Ellara, whose castles were hidden in the Far Reaches of Ravaryn, so I'm pretty sure I was born in one of the royal chambers of one of those castles. I don't quite remember which one though, it's been a while since I was there.

What are your hobbies? 

Uh, I draw and write random stuff in my journal, sometimes? I guess poetry like I mentioned before, but I'm in no way that good at it. Those are the only things I could honestly think of - I've never quite had a routine or hobbies, that is, and certainly never quite had the time to actively pursue interests like that.

Do you have any pets? 

No. Though, when I was a young kid, I distinctly remember that my elder brothers had a hunting hound named Sundew. She was quite adorable, but I never quite knew what came of her, after everything happened.

What sports do you play/have played? 

I'm not a huge fan of sports, but I guess sword fighting and archery do count as some form of that, don't they? So yeah, I think that's an acceptable answer.

Favorite subject in school? 

I was educated by the best tutors on the land, and my favorite subjects were philosophy and the art of politics. I was also quite good at chess and literature!

Dream job?

... Being a Lord again. Does that count? Oh, it doesn't matter. Does it though? I've done my fair share of working while traveling through these rather accursed lands, and for all I care, what I really want is to go back to what I was. But, honestly, as if that's ever going to happen.

Tagging: @lassiesandiego, @gummybugg, @forthesanityofstorytellers, @clairelsonao3, @unstablewifiaccess, @liv-is, @aziz-reads, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs and @anoelleart

Tell-All Tuesday!

I was tagged by @moondust-bard for this one, here!

Rules/Directions: In a new post, share with us an element about your WIP’s worldbuilding. Don’t forget to use the tag MS: Tell-All Tuesday

I'm going with my WIP Tales of Wilted Flowers for this one!

THE GOBLIN CLANS -

In the golden-grass plains of Ravaryn, live great nomadic goblin clans, organized in tribes that have a strong hierarchical system based on combat prowess and what conquests an individual has. Though their lifestyle is majorly based on wayfinding and travel, they do have some settled cities that serve as outposts for traveling hordes and that are known for being the center of trade in the eastern half of their continent - for example, their capital, the city of Mosrak near the Ravarian Desert, is home to the biggest and most powerful goblin leaders and clans, as well as Ravaryn's greatest marketplace (of both good and evil items).

Goblin society is vastly matriarchal, and their leaders are chosen through trials that test their merit as warriors and strategists. A goblin's coming-of-age ceremony usually involves heading out into the world to conquer something new, as goblins strive to be the best at anything they do (something inherited from their fae heritage, since they are, in Ravaryn, a subspecies of faery). A goblin's greatest honor is to undergo the ceremony that declares them the strongest or smartest member of their clan and become the right-hand warrior to their tribe's leader.

Goblins are among the richest and most influential species of Ravaryn, only second to the Elves of the city-state of Allanar. Though their trade network ranges far and wide within Ravaryn Goblins are not known for any seafaring exploits and since they worship the Goddess of Desert and Travels, they consider the sea (and therefore its god) as something lesser.

For Xarian:

face: Describe your OC's face. What's their smile like? Are their orbs cerulean? What would someone notice first when looking at them?

stature: What's your OC's body type? How tall are they? Do they wear clothing to accentuate their look or do they try to mask it?

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

Thank you so much for the Ask, @clairelsonao3!

(From the OC Character Design Ask Game)

face: Describe your OC's face. What's their smile like? Are their orbs cerulean? What would someone notice first when looking at them?

Xarian has a thin and angular face, pale but tanned, slightly sharp, though there are dark circles under his eyes. His bright hazel eyes are mysterious, the tell-tale sign of someone trying not to give away anything about himself, except when he is looking at Lorelai, the love of his life - then his cold eyes turn warm, filled with endless devotion.

He is rather handsome, and he knows it. Xarian has different smiles, for different situations, usually a sly smirk or a quick taken-aback chuckle, but his genuine smile is unique - soft and radiant, truly joyful, a rare glimpse of the person he used to be, once.

The first thing someone would notice about Xarian, especially if under the right lighting, is that his hair has a slight metallic glint to it, making the curls atop of his head genuinely look like an actual mix of real silver and copper. This is due to the kind of faery he is, and his changeling nature.

stature: What's your OC's body type? How tall are they? Do they wear clothing to accentuate their look or do they try to mask it?

Xarian is thin and lanky, though muscular, and is a rather tall person. His clothing is usually meant for practicality, as Xarian doesn't really care about how he looks as long as he is moderately put together, though his leather boots make him look slightly taller than he already is.

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, or clumsy?

Xarian moves stealthily, extremely coordinated. He is the kind of person that no one notices when he enters the room due to how quiet he is unless he wants to be noticed, and he is also very flexible and fast when he needs to be. As mentioned before, his clothes are meant to be practical, which includes allowing him a free range of motion and freedom, he dislikes clothes that make him feel trapped or uncomfortable.

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!

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.

Happy STS, Mystic! My STS asks have been severely lagging recently, but hooray for the holidays and free time!

What’s the biggest burst of inspiration you’ve ever had writing-wise, and what was the result?

Happy STS, @clairelsonao3, thank you so much for the ask! (And Happy Holidays to you, whichever you celebrate, and a Happy New Year! 🎆)

What’s the biggest burst of inspiration you’ve ever had writing-wise, and what was the result?

I'm not sure which of my moments of inspiration was the greatest or biggest one, lol - my writing mostly starts or consists of multiple little bursts of inspiration and their ramifications. So, I'll go with the most recent ones!

I was working on some backstory for Tales of Wilted Flowers, and one of my biggest and most important moments of inspiration was figuring out the key moments for Caladin's backstory, which was much different than I had initially thought it would be - including the reason why he despises his powers and lives running from his bloodline. I think it was a very neat moment of realization for me as if all the pieces were coming together to create his story and pave the path for his current goals. Another important moment was deciding the final arc for Korbyn, the villainous dark magic apprentice of Lord Eldryc, who is more than it seems in many ways.

As a final one, I think that figuring out the main motivation/backstory for King Tieran Kallasen in a way that really fits his character - him being the heir of the "ancient heroes", but who never quite measured up to his family's expectations and name really fit the theme of the story, and was a nice subversion of the "Chosen One" trope (the descendant of a chosen one become a villain out of greed and despair) in my eyes. Living in the shadow of a legacy that had long since become hollow made him obsessive with maintaining his status and becoming the most powerful as a way to prove that he was going to be greater than those who came before him - even if it took slaughtering his enemies to prove a point and awakening an ancient sorceress to gain more power over those who denied him.

(For The Last Wrath, one of my greatest moments of inspiration came while developing Luciya and Fabian's backstory, as well as Quinn's own story)

Heads Up Seven Up

I was tagged by @oh-no-another-idea, here! Thank you so much for the tag!

This one is a slightly smaller snippet from a Rewrite of a climactic confrontation that takes place in Act 2 of my WIP Tales of Wilted Flowers.

“So you kept it a secret.” Lorelai crossed her arms over her chest, brows furrowed as she scrambled after Xarian, who had stormed off anxiously into the woods.  Xarian doesn’t look over his shoulders, which tensed up as he walked faster, hands fidgeting his sides. His usually soft voice was now bitter and sharp as he answered with a quick, “Yes. I didn’t think it would matter.”

Tagging - @the-mindless, @writernopal, @crowandmoonwriting, @meerawrites, @unstablewifiaccess, @sm-writes-chaos, @steh-lar-uh-nuhs, @aziz-reads @sam-glade and @rickie-the-storyteller

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!

Happy late in the day STS, Mystic!

In your opinion, what's the one totally unique thing that sets Tales of Wilted Flowers apart from all other stories?

Happy STS, Claire! Thank you so much for the Ask, @clairelsonao3!

I guess one of the most unique things in that WIP are the dark fairytale vibe that permeates the story and some worldbuilding aspects which I'm really proud of (such as):

I'm really, really happy with the lore I created regarding Ravaryn's dryads and their home, the Whispering Forests. I tried to stay true to aspects of the original dryad myths while giving my own spin to them. Plus writing the dryad culture and lore in this WIP is really different from that of the other Seelies (such as elves, vampyrs, and faeries) in the book, so it's really a delight for me!

The fact that vampyrs (vampires) in Ravaryn are just more ravenous, blood-drinking faeries, who experience human emotions and are not necessarily undead. I just find that idea rather neat.

Messing around with the "Chosen One" trope and making the villain be the actual (corrupt) chosen one and one of the heroes be a supposedly "doomed by the narrative" type of character (Caladin).

OC in 3 Tag!

Thanks for the Tag, @tabswrites!

Tagging (gently, with no pressure): @oh-no-another-idea, @sm-writes-chaos, @writernopal, @clairelsonao3, @rickie-the-storyteller and @steh-lar-uh-nuhs

Rules - Post three pictures that represent your OC

I chose three pictures that represent my OC Rylisan from Tales of Wilted Flowers because I've been obsessed with developing the backstory of this sad, traumatized, adorable elf boy these past few days.

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.

sorry I missed WBW, but here's Funny or Fluffy Friday!! mind talking about something funny and/or fluffy in your wips? snippets welcome!!

Yay! Thank you so much for the cool ask, @ashen-crest!

Funny or Fluffy Friday - In the spirit of this day, I'll give you both a funny and a fluffy snippet from my WIPs!

Funny - Enchanted Illusions

(Context - Augustus Grimmure and Harriet Sharppe finish dealing with some unsavory company on a train ride. The necromancer and the girl have vastly different definitions of what "funny" means.)

"My, my. It seems people in this town are so uptight! They just don't have any sense of humor anymore!" Augustus dusted off and adjusted the lapel of his bloodstained white dapper suit, shaking his head with mock disappointment.

Harriet stared at him with a deadpan expression, blinking. "Augustus. You made the dead guy tapdance." She groaned, glaring at the necromancer, hoping her friend would get the message. He didn't.

Instead, he threw his arms open wide with a childish gasp of protest, a sly smile on his lips.

"And it was hilarious! I frankly don't see what all the fuss is about."

Fluffy - Tales of Wilted Flowers

(Context - Just about to reach the kingdom of Allanar, Eiralis and Rylisan have a peaceful day, and after spending a day in town, they go to a local meadow to have some time to relax by themselves. Eiralis braids Rylisan's hair.)

They sat together in the meadow, gentle silence flowing between them with the soft spring breeze. It smelled of wildflowers and dead leaves - to Eiralis, it smelled much like home.

After so many fights and battles, so much running around the kingdom, this was a welcome moment of reprieve. Rylisan was quiet, beside her, their shoulders close but never touching. The elf seemed intently focused on his task at hand, polishing his sword with great care, engraved silver glimmering in the sunlight.

She watched fondly the flowers dancing in the wind and noted how strands of silky blond hair seemed to frame Rylisan's face, though occasionally they flew in front of his eyes. Eiralis heard him mutter a swear in elvish as he pushed the strands away for the third time, brows knitted in annoyance.

"May I...?" She reached forward tentatively, gently. Rylisan startled slightly, the words spoken suddenly popping the bubble of silence. He stared at her for a moment, taken aback by the question until he understood her meaning. Then he nodded, though a bit hesitant, dropping the blade he'd been polishing.

"I, um - Of course."

The human girl smiled, gingerly taking the bothersome strand of hair and parting it into three, and then slowly, but gracefully, started weaving it into a braid. As she worked with practiced ease, she noticed Rylisan's eyes following her movements - unsure, at first, but then, slowly, there was a glint in his eyes - trust, she recognized.

When she was done with this one, Eiralis moved on to the other side, wrapping both braids so that they met at the back of his head, and tying them together with care. As the hair fell into place, she plucked a daisy from the meadow and wove it into one of the braids. "All done!" She said with a smile, moving back to where she'd been sitting. "Now the hair won't keep getting in your face."

Rylisan looked up, reaching up a hand to the braids, fingers just barely brushing it. His eyes met hers, and surprisingly, he smiled - not his trademark scowl or a polite grin, but a genuine, beaming smile.

"Thank you."