arctobicwrites - Tumblr blog

[arctobicwrites]

The Rose dragon is the borzoi to the sun dragon's wolf.

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It's times like this (house viewing in an hour) where I realise I probably have anxiety.

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Got the urge to write the depression story again. This is probably a sign that my metal health is not great again :/

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Hopefully I can finish this before getting distracted again :(

Save me crack ship that only exists in my head.

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Save me crack ship that only exists in my head.

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oh ho ho, hello completly different new project

Save me crack ship that only exists in my head.

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Save me crack ship that exists in both my head and five different pieces of paper.

Save me crack ship that only exists in my head.

[arctobicwrites]

Save me crack ship that only exists in my head.

[arctobicwrites]

THE END, DEMONS AND DEATH - A NECROMANCY HOW TO GUIDE.

Congratulations. You found our guide. Now, we're sure you've heard many things about necromancy from many different people. This guide aims to dispel common beliefs and stop common mistakes, or at least help you understand the risks that you are taking when attempting to reverse the inevitable.

Contents: THE BODY THE END AND SOULS INTERNAL MAGIC RITUAL DEMON - Location - Identification - Characteristics A NOTE

THE BODY So, they've died. You want to change that. We will not berate you for trying. The first and easiest mistake is trying to stuff the soul back into an already damaged body. In all likelihood they'll just die again from whatever killed them. Since people usually die of something, you want to fix that and get the body back into working order as quickly as possible. If you're quick enough, you might not even have to go to the next steps, as the soul tends to linger in the body for some time even after all vital functions have ceased. If you're not, then a fresher body tends to make the next steps smoother and reduce chance of failure in the ritual. If the corpse is severely decayed, it is advisable to skip the fixing step and just make it so soul can still inhabit it by making a Wright or Grave ghoul. Do not make an Animated skeleton as the more flesh results in greater future intergation with the body. If you're desperate, or short on time this step can be skipped. This incurs greater magical costs down the line, increases failure chances and will increase the strength of the DEMON.

THE END AND SOUL Once the body is in order (or not), you will need soul. Soul does not hold our memories, nor our identities, therefore it is interchangeable. We have tested this, with both animals and people. Presumably this holds true with plants, but we have not tested this due to their soul being almost negligible in comparison. You will not need to invoke the End, but to simply redirect the soul you collect to be placed into the body or in storage while you complete the next step. I advise to roughly match the volume of soul that the body had before it died. Soul amount varies from person to person, but it tends to be larger in magic users, with born magic users having higher soul and spirits having the greatest amount on average. This can vary. Generally, it is astronomically unlikely for two people to have the same amount of soul. Whatever you are getting soul from, it is recommended that you use the blood to cast the actual ritual in, as it seems to use less magical energy. This step can be skipped but will strengthen the DEMON. Using an amount of soul that differs excessively to the person you are raising will strengthen the DEMON.

INTERNAL MAGIC If you have decided to store the collected soul in the body before the actual raising, you will note that they will still feel dead and that over time the soul will being to lose strength. This is because their internal magic has stopped. You will want a flow of internal magic to sustain the soul, and that is why they still feel 'dead'. Please note that the soul will need very little magic flow to survive. If you are using a Wright or Grave ghoul, or simply not storing the soul in the body, the magic used to animate the undead or to contain the soul will be enough to keep them at the same level for as long as you need. Please note that I recommend re-starting the internal flow of magic anyway and placing the soul in the body. We note that this is not necessary, and can damage the magic used to sustain undead constructs. Skipping this step will strengthen the DEMON. Too much magic flow will strengthen the DEMON. Letting the soul decay will strengthen the DEMON.

RITUAL These three steps will not bring the person you miss back to life. The body may be fixed (or not), they will have soul (or not) and magic flows through them, but they are not who you want. The ritual will bring them back. Personality, memory, emotion, all good as new. We promise. Why would we lie? Invoke the End. Rip open the cracks. Channel that power though you, through them. Bring them back. This step cannot be skipped. This will strengthen the DEMON.

DEMON You brought them back. Well done. Find the DEMON. If you have followed these steps, the DEMON should be relatively easy to manage (at first). You will need to identify where the DEMON is and what type it is.

Location: Look back to the first three steps. Did you skip any? If yes, the DEMON is in you. Give a copy of the guide to someone you trust. Not whoever you brought back. Look closer at steps 2 and 3. Did you use more or less soul than what they had originally? Do they now have more or less internal magic? If you used less soul, the DEMON is in you. Proceed with above. If you used more, and they have less internal magic, the DEMON is in them. Read on before acting rashly. If they have more internal magic (or are a spirit), the DEMON is in you. Each raising will typically result in a single DEMON. You cannot have more than one DEMON in a person. A DEMON will not move from within a person.

Identification: Each DEMON picks a characteristic of life to embody and spread. These have some overlap. They will change whoever they are in, mentally and physically. If a DEMON appears not to embody anything, wait and they will choose. Identification is typically easier the longer the DEMON is inside someone. Do not identify a DEMON that is in you. It will try and stop you from doing so.

GROWTH Differs from spread in being centred on a single organism. Results in lengthening of limbs and digits, increased appetite, growing new limbs, increased healing, increased beguine cancer risk, excessive production of fluids, growth of new organs, development of new joints. Results in screaming serpents or false dragons. SPREAD The spread of a type of organism. Results in doubling of body parts, excessive growth of skin, branching of limbs, ability to perform photosynthesis (rare), separation of the organ's membranous barriers, melting, hair loss. Results in what is known as meat moss. MOVEMENT The ability of living things to move. Results in hypermobility, increased speed in running, growth of limbs and organs that allow movement (wings, gills etc.), increased stamina. Will affect motion tattoos. Results in chimeras. CONSUME The fact the living things have to eat. Results in an increased prey drive, a spread of prey drive to things not usually regarded as prey, ability to perform photosynthesis, increased skin growth, growth or lengthening of claws and teeth, improved senses, better pain tolerance. Results in vampires.

Characteristics: DEMONS are sentient. DEMONS will not let their host die. They will change their hosts, mentally and physically until you line up enough with whatever aspect they embody to spread it. DEMONS will grow in power as you spread their aspect by living. DEMON growth can be slowed by areas of high magic, but not stopped. Dreccan, or summoned spirits are typically hostile or fearful of DEMONS. DEMONS hate Dreccan and will attempt to destroy them. DEMONS will attempt summon other DEMONS, as a means of spreading their aspect. They will teach others inaccurate and false information or try and trick their host into spreading faulty advice. DEMONS will attempt to spread knowledge of the ritual and how to perform it. DEMONS lie.

A NOTE I am sorry. This guide is mostly accurate. There is some information we have that is left out due to irrelevancy, or simply omitted due to personal choice. We congratulate you on getting them back.

[arctobicwrites]

The trek through the forest was nerve wracking, with signs of the dragon’s presence everywhere the Ian looked. Roses clung to the thick canopy with thick claw marks occasionally marring the bark. Their guide remained undisturbed, navigating the thick forest with the ease of somebody who had done this many times before.

Ian had taken a moment to measure the gorges and double check his numbers, then hurried back to catch up with his guide.

“I thought dragons were meant to be, you know, bigger.”

Tarragon glanced at him, amused. “Oh, trust me this one will be, with time.” They shrugged. “Most dragons get more territorial with age. The rose dragon is just young enough that it’s safe to set up the camera traps if we stick to the edges of their territory.”

Ian nodded, still nervous. Tarragon patted him on the back sympathetically. “If it makes you feel any better, most of the local teens who make a game of getting close to the actual lair haven’t come to much harm.”

Ian paused, shaking his head. “It’s not that, it’s just that my boss might kick me out of the team if I can’t get impressive enough photos. If it’s so young…”

Tarragon shrugged. “I mean, they’re a dragon. Getting the photos will be impressive enough. Not many people even want to try.”

Ian thought back to his attempts at getting a local guide from the magical community before Tarragon approached him. “I guess that’s true.”

Tarragon paused. “Oh, here’s a good spot. The rose dragon sunbathes in this clearing quite frequently.”

Ian hurriedly knelt to set up the camera trap, missing how both amusement and scales flashed across Tarragon’s face.

Person A: “I thought dragons were meant to be…you know….bigger.”

Person B: “Trust me…. they will be.”

[arctobicwrites]

supernatural rescue corps rough draft

idk man I just got inspired

Colin: Has started have disturbing prophetic dreams ever since landing on PNF - 404, hence his sleeping problems. Is trying to avoid them by helping with night exploration and just not sleeping.

Dingo: Just can't die. Every time he does, Dingo awakens with no wounds a few minutes later. The first time he died was in the same incident where he developed his fear of rescue dogs.

Russ: Swarm of intelligent nanobots piloting a human body or part of a hivemind/collective intelligence.

Shepard: Werewolf? I'm not sure how they'd work in space, but I think it's funny.

Bernard: A space siren, which lure ships to crash into planets/asteroids?

Yonny : the token human. I'm not sure whether to have him be aware of some or all of his crewmates' conditions, or totally oblivious to all of it.

Oatchi: Oatchi.

The rookie: Don't worry about it

[arctobicwrites]

from here

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from here

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Weft's Lament

Weft watches Inbyasat beat the Doctor, fire roaring around all of them and thinks, maybe this is what it is to hate. 

Oh, they’re no stranger to hate. They’ve had it directed at them countless times. It’s no secret she feels emotion differently. A quirk of her childhood, she calls it, and doesn’t say anything else on the matter. 

She finds it difficult to understand people’s emotions too. Tone, movement, posture. It might as well be a book for all she can read it, blind as she is. 

But as she watches, and oh how she hates watching, but this is Inbyasat’s moment, not hers- she thinks. She wonders. And she doesn’t turn to Inbyasat, speak over the roar of blue fire, and say “Wow, our childhoods were sure fucked up, huh?” 

Because that’s what’s really been disturbing her. It’s like watching a twisted mirror. Some things distorted. Some unrecognizable. But recognizable. Two hurt children, all grown up. A grandmother. A father. 

She sees it in the others too, despite their brief interactions. How the cold of T’voo detached apathy leaks out from under his skin. How Gait is anxious and twitching, seemingly missing something. 

And Howagg. Oh Howagg. Who could have been an Avian or one of the dead if not for her, dragging them out of the ditch that she found him in. Who has lost and been betrayed and betrayed again. 

And she sees it all, and can’t stop seeing. It’s a faint ache, even as the five plan their next move.  

It’s grief. For what happened to her. To them. 

And maybe, it is what hate feels like. 

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How to die

They call her the child of Sentan. It isn't exactly true. She was born elsewhere, in a little village near the mountains that ignored the pinch of the powerful Mages' rule until it was far too late. But Sentan is where she travels to start learning, and the first place her name is recorded. Howagg. It means 'Strength' in Torola, her native language. She misses it. 

She learns much in Sentan. Much of the world and much of its magic. She finds out she has a spark of magic potential, small but bright. Too small to work out which field. Much smaller than the ruling Mage's oceans of vast power, of potential in seemingly every field. Much more than ordinary people. Howagg wonders. And watches. 

A new Mage-ruler is chosen while she studies. And other students, her friends... start to disappear. Oh, there were explanations, yes. They wandered into the wilds; they attempted magic beyond them. But still, Howagg wondered. 

And somebody disappears that Howagg knows would not. 

When they come for her, Howagg is ready. That small scrap of potential, that tiny bright spark bargained away, for runes that smoulder on her skin and burn like acid. When they drag her to that blood-soaked altar in the dark rune- covered room and tie her down Howagg laughs and laughs and laughs. 

She dies. The Mage-rulers die with her. 

And she wakes up. Groggy, but alive. Thick blood oozing from the knife slipped between her ribs. Flesh cold and heart still. 

The runes pulse for the last time. 

Her skin still burns.

[arctobicwrites]

Part two of chapter one

The chimera added another log to the fire as Gait nudged her clothes closer, trying to make them dry. Her mask, a bag-like hat of waterproof fabric colored beige and cream, sat on her head.  

Gait shivered. Even with the fire, she still felt chilled from her sudden dip. She needed to take her mind off it. 

“Hey.” She coughed. 

The chimera sat up straight, still looking at the fire. “Hm?” He was holding a whole fish, still raw. 

“What are you doing out here?” Gait shifted again, trying to stay out of his line of sight, but get closer to the fire. 

“What are you doing out here?” The chimera countered. 

Gait stiffened, and hesitated. “I’ve been trying to get back in contact with a childhood friend.” She missed Pavo, but her plan was to comply with the Observers and let the almost gods deal with the heavy lifting of that search. 

The chimera leaned back and took a bite of fish. “I’m heading towards the Yellow city.” He said around his mouthful of fish. “The Astral library is one of the biggest and most up to date in the continent, and I was hoping to research some family history.” 

Gait sat up slightly. “The Astral library is nearby?” 

Pavo had talked about the Astral library at great length, extoling the sheer number of books and papers, on his frequent visits before he’d been... anyway. If Pavo was still alive, he’d turn up there, sooner, or later. If she could find Pavo, Gait might not even need to face down the Exile. 

The fish chimera tilted his head. “You didn’t know?” 

Gait shrugged. “I’m not familiar with this area.” Then, just loud enough for him to hear, she muttered. “Fast travel my ass.” 

The chimera shifted slightly. “Well, you’re in Frosthelm, on the south-west coast. It’s pretty typical, with an average amount of city-states, villages and wilds.” T’voo waved the fish he was holding vaguely. “Lots of cold weather. Lots of icebergs in the sea makes it difficult for large ships. And I heard the winter court of the Fae settled near here, but that’s just rumor.” 

“Oh. Are you a native?” 

He hesitated. “Kinda. Hadn't travelled much before, but I know where I’m going.” 

Gait bit her lip. “Actually. Do you mind if I travel with you until you reach the Yellow city?” 

“Oh?” 

Gait shifted. “It’s likely that my friend is there. Or has been there.” Gait weakly chuckled. “And I’m lost and have no idea where I’m going.” 

And if Pavo wasn’t there, a city would be a good place to start to find the Exile as any. 

He shrugs. “Eh. Why the abyss not?” He leans back slightly. “My name’s T’voo.” 

“Gait.” She responded. 

“Well, Gait tomorrow we travel east, to the village of Ruinsea.” T’voo flicked his tail. “May we journey well.” 

“May we journey well.” Gait responded, glancing around the cave. “Actually, do you even have a travelling bag?” 

“Uh.” Responded T’voo. 

“Because I heard it was a bad omen to start a journey without one.” 

T’voo recovered quickly. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.” He waved a hand in the air. “Besides, what’s the worst that can happen?” 

Back to book one

[arctobicwrites]

Part one of chapter one

Creature. 

You understand what you must do. Do not fail us. 

Find the traitor. We will give you back your friend. 

The first thing that Gait registers is falling, the rift closing behind her with a blast of cold air. The second is the ocean, directly beneath her. 

“No, no, no, no-” 

Gait bellyflops and sinks like a rock. Her clothes, leather and heavy linen soak immediately with the ice-cold water.  Bubbles escape her mouth as she wheezes in pain. Her extremities numb almost immediately. 

Squinting through burning eyes, she can make out a distant green glow. Gait breathes a mouthful of water and choaks. She flails, still underwater, and kicks weakly. Gait chokes on more ice-cold saltwater. 

She might be screaming. She can’t breathe. The green glow is getting closer. Gait struggles uselessly. 

She blacks out. 

She wakes and vomits seawater. It’s the worst experience of Gait’s life. She gasps and twitches, feeling smooth stone pressed against damp fabric. Somebody is patting her on the back, holding her mask up so her mouth is free. She flinches away when she realises that, still coughing. 

A cold hand guides one or her own to her mask. Gait shivers. The pressure lingers. She glances upwards. 

Kneeling above them is a fish chimera, wide dark eyes expressing concern. Blue scales dotted their face, and small fins branched off where you’d expect ears to be. Scraggly hair, bleached in places covered their head, and gill slits, a dark red, could be seen on their neck. 

Gait pulls their mask back down. They’re still coughing, but they’ve stopped vomiting.  

She's shivering. Gait feels like there’s not a bit of warmth left in her. She glances up again. 

The chimera has backed up a bit, and briefly glances over their shoulder at a fire, orange light casting odd shadows behind them. 

Gait clears their throat a few times. 

“Thanks.” She rasped. Her throat felt raw. 

The chimera flicked their tail. “You’re welcome.” He tilted his head. “But if you don’t want to freeze even more, you should probably take off all your soaked clothing. “ 

Gait froze. On one hand, the fish chimera had a point. She could feel the cold water soaking her clothes, sapping away any warmth she may have gained. On the other, years of repeated advice, the same phrases again and again. Hide your scars. 

The fish chimera shuffled towards the fire. “I won’t look, but you really should, unless you want to freeze to death.” 

He turned and faced the fire. 

Gait shuddered. She didn’t trust him yet. People didn’t do things without reason. But, unfortunately for her, she had no idea what those reasons were. Unless... 

They had told her to never use that magic. But the Observers weren't looking. And Gait didn’t want to freeze. 

Gait took a deep breath and focused. She thought of how the chimera’s voice sounded. She thought of how his hand had felt, cool, but not freezing. And she reached out. 

They had called it mindsight, but Gait had never really used sight to do that particular bit of magic. When used correctly, the user could see the surface of their target's mind. Each current thought, each current plan.  

T’voo’s mind was like an ice filled ocean. Like cold water and the soft boom of waves hitting icebergs. Gait almost got lost in the sensation of it, before focusing again. She mentally ran her fingers over what she could sense. No deceit, but an intense curiosity about how she’d fallen from the sky. 

Gait cut the connection, and stripped, hesitating before she removed the mask, and shuffled closer to the fire. 

T’voo remained facing towards the fire, but there was a relived smile on his face. 

Back to book 1