#wip: afhg

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AWAY FROM HALLOWED GROUND (Working Title) - WIP Intro

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Gothic Fantasy

Status: Planning & Writing First Draft; Subject to a lot of change in the future probably

CW: Blood, murder, violence, religious trauma, manipulative relationships (not between the main cast), mental health issues. Others that may be added in the future. Themes: Forging your own identity, gods and goddesses, the idea of being special versus not being special, love as devotion, breaking or following expectations, finding yourself Vibes: Stained catholic glass, blood on snow, cracked statues, light so bright it's blinding, silver necklaces, the glint of a knife, bruises and bite marks, abandoned churches, graveyards at night, a single light in the dark, torn and dirty white dresses, rumpled shirts

Comic Sans WIP intro

Synopsis

All his life, Theodore Agnelli has been waiting to turn eighteen. As the High Prophet of the Messengers of Zakel, he’s been waiting for the chance to prove himself as the chosen savior of the people.  Instead, on their eighteenth birthday, they make a shocking discovery that shakes what they’ve known as truth down to his core. Now on the run from the organization he once called home, Theodore, desperate to prove himself, finds himself banding together with three others who also are determined to meet the God of Death, Zakel. As they travel across a barren, war-torn wasteland, he quickly finds himself drawn to Silas Payne--an abrasive yet passionate soul, whom he finds a kinship with. But Silas’ own obsessions are just as grand as Theodore’s, and Theodore finds himself increasingly desperate to prove himself as worthy to ascend. Will the truth be what he wants, or will Theodore--and Silas?--crash and burn? 

Characters - Protagonists

Theodore Agnelli - The False Prophet - Nonbinary (He/They) - 18 - Gay

Charming and loyal, Theodore has been waiting for the chance to become the Chosen Savior of the God of Death, Zakel, for almost a decade. However, in light of a shocking truth, he finds himself on the world's most insane cross-country road trip to find Zakel.

His new companions are keeping him busy for now, especially Silas, but it won't be long before Theodore's desperation starts to get the better of him. The question is what will happen after that.

Silas Payne - The Devoted Saint - Cisgender Man (He/Him) - 19 - Bisexual

A well-traveled but macabre man, Silas believes himself to be the chosen right hand man of the God of Death. In an attempt to gain recognition, Silas has traveled across the wastes as a serial killer, sacrificing his victims to Zakel in hopes to prove his worth while looking for the God of Death.

Although he originally teams up with Theodore for simplicity's sake, soon Silas finds himself drawn to Theodore's charm and passion, taking an intense interest in the other man. But will this interest give him everything he's asked for, or will it bring him to ruin?

Paya - The Surviving Pariah - Genderfluid (Any) - 20 - Lesbian

The nameless survivor of a brutal attack against her home town, Paya seeks revenge on the God of Death and his followers for what happened. But their demeanor starkly contrasts the brutality of their goal, able to see the good in any given situation.

Originally, Paya doesn't care for Theodore, seeing them as having a hand in the attacks against her home and her people, and only begrudgingly tolerates their presence for the knowledge they have. But as time goes on, Paya starts to find out there may be more beneath the surface as Theodore starts to decline.

Camilla Navaroo - The Lost Ghost - Trans Woman (She/Her) - 22 - Lesbian

More than anyone else in the group, Camilla knows what rejection feels like. The illegitimate and secret daughter of the God of Death, she has spent her entire life in the shadows, waiting for recognition that hasn't come. Now, she's done waiting, and is ready to march up and demand that she not be forgotten.

The oldest one in the group, Camilla finds herself at odds with Theodore, both of them fighting for the role of leader. However, she respects Theodore's tenacity and determination, and can emphasize with the feeling of being rejected.

Characters - Antagonists

Elizabeth - The Grand Bishop - Cisgender Woman (She/Her) - 45 - Bisexual

The leader of the Messengers of Zakel, The Grand Bishop is seen as the matriarch to the town of Kathados. She is the one who declared Theodore to be the High Prophet, and has spent her entire life working in the service of Lord Zakel.

But underneath her gentle facade lies something truly wicked, and it is her actions that send Theodore spiraling down a path of doubt and desperation.

Hunter Rask - The Forgotten Heir - Trans Man (He/Him) - 19 - Straight

Due to his mastery over magic, Hunter has earned a high-ranking position as the Head Defender of the town of Kathados, protecting the town from outside threats and responsible for training the soldiers even at his young age.

However, despite bearing the Mark of the Etheri, Hunter has been passed over for ascension in favor of Theodore. But with Theodore no longer in the Grand Bishop's good graces, he hopes to finally prove his worth to her and become the Chosen One of the God of Death.

Characters - Secondary

Dante Verden - The Third Priest - Cisgender Man (He/Him) - 42 - (Repressed) Gay

Theodore's guardian and caretaker, all he's ever wanted was for them to live in a safe and peaceful environment. Although he knows the truth behind the Messengers of Zakel, even Dante couldn't have predicted the plans that the Grand Bishop had in store. All he can do is do whatever it takes to keep Theodore safe.

Interested? Ask to be added to the tag list!

@feathers-little-nest @aalinaaaaaa @onirique-writes

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for the 'what will ur character do' ask for silas & theo: #9 & #17 ✨

Sorry this is only 17 but i don’t really have any ideas off the top of my head for how they would betray each other 😅 hope you enjoy this nonetheless!

17: if their partner-to-be? enemy? pulls them into a secluded and shushes them? (their bodies pressing and all that!!)

Silas didn’t know if Theodore was even daring to breathe.

He was, if only because Silas could feel the movement of his chest under his hand, the small, but it sure didn’t seem like it.

The Paladins were still shouting at each other to find them, voices carrying over the empty, ruined town. Could see the shadows moving from the gaps in the wood flooring. Silas still had his knife in a vice grip, ready to be thrust towards the first plated chest he saw.

If anyone stepped on their hiding place, they’d be doomed.

Idly, he wondered if the Paladins took his spear. They probably did. It’d be a bitch to get back, but most convenient hiding places don’t support a five-foot tall weapon made of metal and wood. He had to ditch it to ensure their safety.

More voices. Theodore, somehow, gets even more tense under his hands.

“Relax,” Silas dares to whisper, eyes glancing towards the floorboards above them. “They won’t find us.”

Theodore’s heart was hammering in their chest, under his palm. It was a sensation Silas was used to, the feeling of the beating organ before it slowly came to a stop, and it was almost comforting in the familiarity thereof.

The other man doesn’t say anything, but he shifts, just barely, scooting back a little. Through the gaps of light coming in from the floorboard, he can see Theodore’s lips turning into a scowl. A muscle cramps in Silas right hand, the one taking his upper body weight and keeping him from collapsing entirely onto Theodore.

Silence, still. Theodore seems uninclined to talk and given the situation, Silas refrains as well. Only their—well, mostly Silas’—breaths can be heard in the tiny little cubbyhole probably designed as some sort of drug stash centuries ago. If there was anything in there, it was looted a while back.

Shadows pass over the light. Theodore, who had started to relax as the minutes ticked on, goes rigid again. Silas is close enough to feel the tension in his legs, the halting of his breathing, the way Theodore seems to coil into themselves.

Silas can hear his own heart, pounding in his ears. He’s been in situations similar to this before—hiding from mobs of people who knew of his faith, hiding from the lawlayers and militias after another sacrifice or several, hiding from the Paladins that cut his time short in any place he stayed in—but this was different. He had never done this with someone else before and Theodore’s naiveté regarding what to do when pinned made it dangerous.

Once again, Silas finds himself wondering what it was like for Theodore, growing up the way the did. In a community where he was accepted, even revered, instead of shunned, for his faith. Where the community would protect him, where he didn’t have to worry about meeting his end at the business end of a blade.

The shadows pass, and the light filters through the crack’s again. Theodore is biting his lip, lower one wedged under his upper teeth, chewing nervously. His chest still barely moves. Silas’ neck cramps.

Slowly, the voices fade. Theodore relaxes more and more and sinks further down between Silas’ legs.

Finally, after what must be an hour, Theodore asks, “Is it safe to go?”

Truthfully, Silas thinks, it was safe a good bit ago, once the voices cleared. He tells himself he waited longer, just in case there were any lingerers waiting to see if they got tired and exposed themselves.

“I think so,” he says instead. Letting go of the knife, Silas reaches up as far back as he can go, fingers pressed against the fake floor panel. With a grunt, he heaves upwards, using the extra height Theodore’s chest offers to push it open.

Beneath him, Theodore wheezes.

The false floor clatters away, and Silas stands up, back popping. He gives a quick glance around the room, and when he deems it safe, he steps out.

“Come on, let’s get going,” he sayd, turning around to offer a hand to Theodore.

Cold, thin fingers wrap around his own, and for a moment, Silas allows himself to revel in this simple fact of life. Then he tightens his grip and steps back, helping pull Theodore out of the floorboards.

“Thanks,” the prophet says, once they steady themself on the floor. His face is bright red, and he starts rubbing his arm. “For the save, I mean. I— do not think I would have fared well in that situation.”

“Hey, it’s no problem,” Silas says, shooting a smile at Theodore, before he steps back down into the cubbyhole to grab his knife. “Us Zakelians have to stick together.”

Sunlight streaming through the fire-burnt buildings lights Theodore’s face up in a golden glow. For a moment, he wonders how their people could ever doubt that Theodore was a chosen one.

“Right.”

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WIP Folder Game

@sometimeswritingsometimesdying tagged me for this tag game, danke! ^^

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your wip folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. tag as many people as you have wips. people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, then post a little snippet or tell them something about it!

Uhh i don't actively have wip folder for... anything really so I made one for this, these are the wip and wip-related documents in there as follows

AFHG Character Sheets Revamped

AFHG Draft 1.01

afhg future revisions

away from hallowed ground

Character Sheets for The Vibes

FUCK i gotta do worldbuilding

New Fic Deleted Scenes Dump

The Vibes are Killing me Bro

That's eight things, so i'm gonna tag the following 8 people!: @seastarblue @daisywords @winterandwords @ryns-ramblings @aurumni-writes @tracle0 @karolinarodrigueswrites and @magic-is-something-we-create, as well as an open tag for anyone who's interested!

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Writing Share Tag

Thanks @winterandwords for the tag ^^!

Rules: Share a bit of writing!

It's been a while since I've actually worked on the story aspect of AFHG instead of focusing on revamping plot and character goals, so this is a bit of an earlier chapter, but I present to ye this!

They run a finger over the thin, silver scar crossing their collarbone, the only visible blemish on his otherwise unmarked body, and is unable to help but notice how pale and washed-out the black silk makes them look.  Behind them, the door suddenly creaks open, and Theodore can see one of the priestesses standing in the doorway in the reflection of the mirror. “Sir Theodore, it is time for you to enter the main hall.” Theodore nods, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. “Right,” he says, straightening up and adjusting the circlet. “Yes, I shall be right there.”

Tagging: @seastarblue @ryns-ramblings @magic-is-something-we-create and an open tag to anyone who wants to join! Meanwhile I shall delve back into the mess of plots, subplots and character goals for this wip...

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for the wip folder ask game ✨

i need to know what the 'New Fic Deleted Scenes Dump' has 👀 I'm super curious

also tangent, your 'FUCK i gotta do world building' and 'The Vibes are Killing me Bro' ARE SUCH BIG FUCKING MOODS 😭

It’s not much, just a document where I’m putting half-finished and scrapped scenes in for AFHG that i kinda like but may not fit/am unsure of how to fit in there as i go through revisions and editing

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Proud Of Tag

Hey, I got tagged by @tabswrites to participate in the Proud Of tag game! Thanks! Rules: Share a piece of your writing that you're proud of! So here's a snippet from the earlier chapters of Away From Hallowed Ground that I enjoyed writing

Piece is under the cut, warning for blood Tagging: @daisywords @karolinarodrigueswrites @ryns-ramblings @tracle0 @i-can-even-burn-salad and anyone else who wants to join!

The Grand Bishop’s hand is cold as she wraps it around his left wrist, and Theodore closes their eyes despite themselves. 

“In the name of Lord Zakel and the Immortal Hand of Salvation, I, Grand Bishop Elizabeth of the House of Kathados, raise to you an offering for peace and prosperity in the coming week. May he who hears me…”

The Grand Bishop’s words turn to white noise as she slowly draws the blade of the butterfly knife across their skin in a single, long line, another mark to add to the myriad of matching thin, pale scars. Stinging pain shoots down their arm, but Theodore bites back the instinctive whimper, even as her fingers clench around the wound. Blood runs hot and wet as The Grand Bishop turns their arm to let the blood drip down into the basin, their skin crawling with the feeling of it and the tightness of her grip.

She repeats the action on his other arm, still praying, before finally letting go. Theodore allows a small hiss to escape their lips, biting their lip and slowly cracking their eyes open.

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Snippet Sunday

Head hurts to much to try and get some writing done, but here’s a snippet from the first draft of away from hallowed ground

With the majority of Alrenia situated in waste-worn plains, naturally grown trees were few and far between. The city of Kathados had carefully kept some for decoration, including the large sycamore tree planted over three hundred years ago in front of the manor. Every year, at the fall equinox, Theodore and the other diviners participated in a ceremony to honor the dead by gathering up the fallen leaves in a pile and setting them ablaze. The ashes were supposed to guide any soul that hadn’t yet found their way down to the realm of the dead, and Lord Zakel’s embrace.

Out here, though, trees are harder to find. But, perhaps due to the river, there are a few bare-faced trees and shrubs scattered about on the edge, just enough to provide some shade from the sun.

Theodore kneels down next to one, a hand on the bark. Nearby, the others are packing up, but having so little stuff and no knowledge of what to do left him free. A rock digs into his knee through his pants, and they shift their weight to pick it up and toss it away.

It hits the river’s surface with a small splash.

Setting his knee down again, Theodore unwinds the necklace from around their neck, clutching it in their left hand. The cold metal bites into his palm. With his other hand, he draws the knife, then pulls back their sleeves. Slowly, carefully, they unwind the bandages around their arms.

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Away From Hallowed Ground: Comic Sans WIP Intro

Do people still do these things? Oh well, here's my contribution to the comic sans wip intro trend i vaguely remember seeing several years ago

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why does it always seem like I get more writing done at school than at home, lol

In other news, we've reached 100 pages in Away From Hallowed Ground! (At only 11 chapters though... there will definitely be some pacing issues I need to fix later. But again, that's a problem for later me, lol).

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Character Intro

Hunter Rask - The Forgotten Heir

Trans Male (He/Him) | 19 | Straight

The returning smile is as sharp as a knife. “Zakel picked both of us,” Hunter remarks, stepping forward. “Alrenia knows why you were picked--a fluke, surely. But tomorrow, Lord Zakel will see that I’m the better choice to be the world’s savior.”

Out of all the seven deadly sins, envy is the one Hunter is most familiar with. An Etheri like Theodore, Hunter's grasp of magical knowledge and theory has placed him as the Head Defender of Kathados. Though skilled in casting hexes and jinxes, Hunter understands magical theory like no one else in town. But despite this, Hunter has been passed over to be the High Prophet in favor of Theodore, leading to lifelong resentment. After Theodore's failed ascendance, Hunter leaps at this chance to prove his worth to the Grand Bishop, and become the High Prophet as he's always dreamed of.

Facts about Hunter

Diversity win! The man who wants to capture Theodore is transgender!

Bribing the Narrative

Specializes in jinxes, hexes, and making Theodore's life miserable

Petty AF

Picrew found Here

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Character Intro

Elizabeth - The Grand Bishop

Cisgender Woman (She/Her) | 45 | Bisexual

“You’ll be a Chosen One, Theodore. One of the people destined to bring word of Lord Zakel to the lands beyond and help them find salvation after the other gods have left this land to ruin, to be the one to start rebuilding and reuniting this land under one banner again." -away from hallowed ground, chapter two

The Grand Bishop knows what's best. As the de-facto leader of the Messengers of Zakel, the Grand Bishop presides over the city of Kathados and the followers of God of Death. Her word is law. But underneath that merciful, alluring facade lies something wicked and selfish. The city of Kathados eats out of the palm of her hand, and when Theodore leaves the city, well... it's up to her to make sure no one stops her plans.

Facts about The Grand Bishop

Diversity win! The lady who's going to kill the main character is bisexual!

Kissing the narrative with tongue

Just as desperate as Theodore to be recognized

She wears a crown stained with blood

Picrew found here

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Character Intro

Camilla Navaroo - The Lost Ghost

Trans Woman (She/Her) | 22 | Lesbian

“He’s right,” Camilla jumps in. “Everyone prays differently. Do not generalize the choices that others of their faith make to them.” -away from hallowed ground, chapter six

Camilla knows what it’s like to be alone. When an overheard conversation brought a hidden truth to light, Camilla decided she was tired of waiting around for someone who was never going to come No. She wants answers, and she wants them from the source; the God of Death himself. If that means teaming up with some of the most morally reprehensible people in existence, it’s a small price to pay. Used to being the one to have to take charge, Camilla fights with Theodore over the position of leadership. And the closer they get to the realm of the gods, the more Theodore seems to unravel. Can she really trust someone as desperate as him?

Facts About Camilla

Diversity win! The archer with daddy issues is a lesbian, trans, and has anxiety!

Has the world’s most intense daddy issues and makes it everyone else’s problem

Is the oldest and as a result is somehow the the one responsible for keeping everyone from making poor decisions

The Narrative is a cliff and she’s trying to keep people from running off of it

Is somehow the most normal of these people and only spends 50% of her time obsessing over the God of Death

Has dark academia vibes but is trapped in the wrong genre

Picrew found here

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CHARACTER INTRO

Theodore Agnelli - The False Prophet

Nonbinary (He/Him & They/Them) | 18 | Gay

Yes. That was it. It was another test, a trial, even. It was so clear, now, the answer staring them in the face. Lord Zakel wanted to see how far their determination, their loyalty towards him, held. - away from hallowed ground, chapter five

Theodore knows devotion like the back of his hand. For the past ten years, all they've ever wanted was to turn eighteen, and finally prove their worth to the God of Death. To be recognized as his Chosen One. To ascend. Instead, Theodore finds himself on the run from the people he once called family, betrayed by his own followers. Desperate for answers, he joins up with Silas, Paya and Camilla to find Zakel, believing it to be a test by his god. Charming and determined, Theodore quickly adapts to the reality of their situation. But adaption doesn't mean adjusting, and desperation is a powerful motivator. With godhood at the tips of his fingers, he must decide what's more important; his worth, or himself.

Facts About Theodore

Diversity win! The false prophet who’s going to kill god is gay and nonbinary!

False prophet turned manic pixie dream girl

God complex

The Narrative’s favorite chew toy

Hails from the city of Kathados, where the Messengers of Zakel worship the God of Death

Slowly descending into madness and dragging everyone else down with him

Forgot to add this earlier but Picrew found here

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Your writeblr coffee shop order is ready!

Coffee: Does your character hold a lot of grudges? What is something they are bitter about?

Thank you!

Theodore would not, unless it was something that deeply affected him. He grew up under the idea that karma would affect people, and that all grudges would be paid in due time, even after death. But if it was something that cut deep enough (read; the events that started the plot of the book) he absolutely would. That said, he wouldn’t be the kind of person to go out and seek repayment

Silas would, but similar to Theodore, only if there is a convincing enough reason behind it. Holding a grudge over not being paid back ten bucks? It’s fine. Holding a grudge over something that almost got him arrested? Absolutely. As for what he’s bitter about, well, you’ll just have to wait and see

Paya certainly does. It’s pretty much her entire reason for teaming up with the others and why he tolerates their presence

Camilla only carries one big grudge, of which is also central to her character arc, but strangely, she lets big transgressions against her go, but gets really bitter about small, petty stuff, like someone forgetting a birthday gift. It speaks a little as to how she was raised…

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Got another 1k words done on Away From Hallowed Ground, officially bringing us up to 40k words! Not sure how much writing for ill be able to get done in the next month, what with exams and then break where I’ll probably be playing video games instead of writing, but it’s something!

So here’s a small excerpt from chapter 12! Hope you enjoy!

A hum. Theodore’s eyes flicker downwards to their lap, and they curl their fingers, wincing at the strain it puts on their left hand. “We might have to fix that.” “What do you mean?” “Any traveler worth his salt should know how to fight,” Silas tells him, as he finishes wrapping up the bandages. “Especially if there are people chasing after you.” “I don’t think we’re going to stay long enough for me to learn how to fight from someone here,” Theodore mutters, tugging at his left forefinger, pale and smooth. His hands know how to play the violin, not swing a sword or throw a punch. “Doesn’t it take years to learn that stuff?”

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Character Intro

Silas Payne - The Devoted Saint

Cisgender Man (He/Him) | 19 | Bisexual

Silas grins. It’s a sharp, bright thing, all teeth as he rests his head on his hand. “Not just any follower; you could consider me his chosen right hand.” - away from hallowed ground, chapter six

Silas has always wanted more than he has. For several years now, he’s considered himself to be the prophesied right-hand man to the God of Death. Anyone who believes otherwise, well… they’re not a problem anymore. In the past, he has sacrificed others in hopes of recognition, but has finally decided that’s not enough. Having teamed up with Paya and Camilla in an agreement to search for the God of Death together, Silas finds himself relieved at the presence of another follower in their group when Theodore joins. But relief quickly turns into interest as they travel together, and Silas finds himself fascinated by the so-called prophet. And that interest quickly develops into something else, something more consuming, entirely. Only time will tell whether the end of his journey—and Theodore—will become his salvation, or his damnation.

Facts about Silas

Diversity win! The serial killer who sacrifices his victims to god is bisexual!

Desperate for attention, good or bad, and will latch onto anyone who pays him any sort of meaningful attention

Martyr complex

Doomed by the Narrative

This man is not remotely sane, but neither is anyone else in the story, so it’s fine

Therapy cannot cure this man, but maybe a codependent relationship with a false prophet will

Picrew found here