#and the werewolf bard is going to encourage me the whole time

[arseniccattails]

It's funny how if you know the DM's style well enough you know the buttons to press to get what you want. Case in point befriending Greg and trying to see if he has latent sorcerer powers worked.

[sorcerous-caress]

Ugh, it finally happened! Khal'ian and Kira's saves are fully cooked! So close to finishing act3 with my boy! 😓

Well, it gives me an excuse to finally remake Kira or create Khal'ian's in-lore manic best-friend Issal.

Welp, time to test honor mode with new subclasses!🤗

I'll work on more Wyll/Kira drabbles later tonight, but I have a question.

Do any of your Tav/Durges co-exist? Would they be pre-game friends/foes/lovers? I find it fun to branch out and see the characters I create interact with each other.

-githzerai anon

You can try to downgrade the game version and script extender versions to finish the saves off if you were really close to the end!

Also in the new endgame epilogue, Voss sends a letter that mentions the githzerai canonly in game! I thought of you when i saw it. If you're okay with spoilers lmk and I'll post it.

Also dude, honour mode is fucking brutal. One save file, you can't reload and if you die in the tutorial ship the whole save is nuked. All the rolls are inflated with a higher check number, I couldn't recruit Us because i failed the mutiliate roll despite having advantage. So many other people mentioned failing the Wyll Karlach pers roll and the pulling Gale out of the portal roll too. It's full on sadistic and I'm loving it but I can't go far yet because I'm still waiting on my favourite mod to update.

As for the Tav/Durge question, they definitely share a common dragon theme, I based them on different dragon species for fun.

First Tav was based on a gold dragon, friendly, chatty, noble heritage, extroverted and flirty. Romanced Astarion. Backstory is them being a noble supposed to take over the head of their family soon but got kidnapped, comes back to finding out the previous head got murdered and everyone in their family is a suspect except them since they were far away. Their dream person was a half-elf women. Gets thrown off the ship with a small baby red dragon that serves their family, followed them here. Hoards eggs/gold/gems.

First Durge was based on a red dragon, prideful, rude, arrogant, easily jealous, competitive and loves flattery. Romanced Minthara. They're not native to Baldur's Gate and instead come from a far away land in the east, they don't remember much since losing their memory, they hold a lot of Gortash themed stuff in their inventory not knowing why or who it belonged to. Their dream person was a drow man. Hoards bones/skulls/corpses.

Latest Tav is based on a brass dragon, loves to talk/sing, overconfident, cute, bad at being humble, anime magical girl tropes. Romanced Wyll. Multiclassed into bard, backstory is that they are a famous popstar that recently went solo from their band, too used to only dealing with fans so they tend to be offputting to normal people, they were touring in Baldur's Gate when they got kidnapped. Their dream person was a dragonborn man (mod). Hoards books/art/statues.

How do they relate? I'm not sure, maybe they're the same person but a different dragon lineage each time that drastically alters their life? Maybe they're long lost siblings? Maybe they don't know each other.

Well except two of them. I made a durge high elf guy for Minthara to abuse on a playthrough once, he is friends with my first Tav and i made them his dream person but they got separated ontop of the ship.

I mostly think about how my characters would interact with other people's characters, I think most of my Tavs or Durges would be indifferent to each other.

Khal'ian for example, I can say my first Tav would consider him a friend, maybe get a bit protective.

First Durge would be condcending with him and compares his shortcomings to Laezel a lot.

Latest Durge would be very friendly and think he needs encouragement to get out of his shell, might even be pushy about it.

I try to switch up the companions too on each playthrough to make it like it's an alternative dimension where every shifted a bit. Aka the werewolf Shadowheart au or the younger Gale one, since the more playthroughs you do, the more dialogue and scenes you start skipping so their canon plot gets old quickly and writing your own sounds more interesting.

But i do make them all human, all of my characters except that one high elf guy made specifically for Minthara. I genuinely have the biggest hard on for humans. i really think they're neat.

And my first dnd character was a dragonborn paladin yet here i am in human sorcerer heaven/hell?

What about you anon? Do Kira and Khal'ian know each other? What about the best friend you mentioned? Do any of them co-exist?

First Tav - Gold Dragon

First Durge - Red Dragon

Latest Tav - Brass Dragon

[bigmeatymudcrabchitins]

A not-so-brief overview of my Skyrim Dova OCs bc i need to scream to the digital void about my ideas

Freyora Lind, more commonly known by her strange alias “Bjorne Icepick”

A Nord-eventually-turned-werewolf who orphaned during the Great War and taken in by a Dunmeri mercenary whose residence was in Windhelm’s Gray Quarter. Grew up in a cramped boarding house setting among desperate mercenaries of varying backgrounds. Many of them would all come and go, but there was always some sort of a familial bond between them all.

From a young age she got in a lot of fights against people who insulted her for living in the Gray Quarter among the dark elves. Eventually she took a fight too far and was jailed for murder around 14, but was broken out shortly after by a band of masked vampires. Turns out some of her mercenary comrades unwittingly caught vampirism during a contract to clear out a vampire den and had to skip town, but not before ensuring one of their own wasn’t left to rot.

Lived in Cyrodil for about 15 years, but returned to Skyrim pursuing rumors surrounding a cure to vampirism, as her adoptive father would be nearing the end of his elven lifespan and had wished to die a normal death.

Seeing as she was literally a fugitive, and her long-belated parents were somewhat renowned for their battlefield prowess, she took on a false identity. AND an act to match it.

She’ll eat raw meat, chase prey with swords instead of using a bow like a normal person, harp about irrational conspiracy theories, and more. Everyone’s foul reactions to her outlandish act are plainly hilarious to her and only encourage her to act even stranger.

The alias “Bjorne Icepick” was simply the most ridiculous name she could think of.

Not the most morally outstanding. Besides drunken brawling, she’ll steal from anyone who angers her, even if it’s things she literally won’t ever need such as all the goblets in a household. It’s the pettiness that counts. “Try drinking your damn high-end wine now, jackass.”

Calls Dwarven Automatons “Gundams.” Including she herself, no one knows what that means.

Joins the Companions out of homesickness and a desire to fill in a gap that leaving home left.

Hasn’t bothered curing herself of lycanthropy because her whole schtick is being incredibly resourceful, and that includes using any means of power necessary. Still doesn’t fancy Hircine’s Hunting Grounds as her desired afterlife, though.

As her journey goes on, however, her lightheartedly eccentric face starts to fall off as a number of events push her to begin to question the legitimacy of her actions up until that point.

Some of which include the eventual death of her adoptive father (and how she was indirectly responsible for it even if it was what he wanted), Delphine’s ultimatum, the civil war as a collective, learning the tragic history behind the Falmer and the original Companions’ role in it, and killing of Vyrthur (no matter how much he genuinely deserved it).

She grows disgusted by herself down to the core. She takes to skooma to cope, and starts to be plagued by serious skooma-induced side effects. She ends up shutting herself away from all her responsibilities and distancing herself from her friends.

Does she get better? Maybe. I haven’t thought up anything past this point lol

Moureneris Alta

A very, VERY ancient vampiric snow elf, (though it’s notable she was born a considerable amount of time after the razing of Sarthaal)

Survived many atrocities. Stayed in isolation with a band of vampires for countless years out of sheer disgust for the nature of the sapient races. (I’ll explain her full story some other time. It’s pretty complicated)

She was abducted from her isolated lifestyle by a certain person i’ll talk about later. She managed to free herself south of Skyrim, and uh, walks right into that Imperial ambush. The rest is history.

Super ignorant to modern society as a result of centuries of isolation. Exploited for comedic relief. (“What in the name of Oblivion is a Cyrodilic Empire? Are you messing with me? And please, how does levitation magic simply get outlawed by this hypothetical Empire? What are you to do when you fall down a crevice? Just... let yourself perish? How degrading.)

She reintegrated herself into society with vengeance in mind under the belief that all humans are savage bloodlusting murderers who had to answer for their treachery. (And she was royally angry there was no Dwemer left to spite, but partially satisfied at the same time). But she grows conflicted after being shown genuine kindness, even as early as being freed from her binds in Helgen.

Subsequently has a very muddled redemption arc. Queue Dragonborn hero stuff

She has impaired vision, but she cultivated detect life magic to aid her in daily life and combat (think Hyakkimaru from Dororo ‘19 and his soul detection or Toph Beifong from ATLA and her seismic sense). At her peak, she can detect life from about a kilometer away.

She can just barely read, but only if she holds the text incredibly close to her face, not to mention her Cyrodilic lessons were left unfinished after her abduction, making reading a very taxing process. Weary travelers are often spooked at the sight of a floating, ghastly looking elven woman with her nose pressed up against crossroad signs, and it has become somewhat of an urban legend.

Isn’t as nearly as skilled with detecting the dead and tenses up in burial crypts or around other vampires for that reason. Unfortunately, being the Dragonborn and all, she finds herself in a lot of crypts...

When questioned about her background due to her unique appearance: “Oh, yeah. My mother was one of those mer from the east. You know the ones. Dark elves, I think? And my father was one of those er, tall elv- no, sorry, HIGH elves. Yeah. They both died in a big fire or something though. It was horrible. I can’t get the noxious smell or the deafening screams out of my head. Good talk, but never ask me about that again.”

Queue sheltered old immortal antics: “Wow, you’re THAT old? Enlighten me on how it felt witnessing the fall of the Dwemer. Or perhaps the rise of Tiber Septim’s Empire. The Gates of Ob-“ “Oblivion if I know. I lived in someone’s basement for thousands of years. And I still don’t know what everyone means by Empire. You all are messing with me, aren’t you? That really annoys me.”

She ultimately returns to faith in Auri-El and makes it her life’s purpose to help the Betrayed find peace, as well as to seek out any remaining snow elf groups. Probably good friends with Gelebor or something.

Had a crush on Serana. We all know how THAT went. Damned temples.

Was originally gonna spiral into a much darker corruption arc (another ATLA comparison being Jet or Hama) but I just felt bad for her. Moureneris can have a little found peace. As a treat.

That’s her preliminary design made. I’ll need a mod to properly play her, because that right there was made by choosing Dunmer as her race. But I can’t do that. I’m on console, and while I got the Steam port a month ago, my PC’s stone age specs can’t handle Skyrim yet and I’ll need to wait until I can afford a better graphics card (thanks economic inflation)

Alexandre Armasi, jokingly nicknamed Alexandre the Curious

A complete and unapologetic export of my character from a dead and unfinished DND campaign. Except there are no Aasimar in Skyrim, so he’s half Altmer half Bosmer. And his initial last name was Armas but I thought Armasi suited his Skyrim counterpart more, as subtle a change it is.

He’s mainly Bosmer in appearance and constitution, save for his hair and eyes, which are more similar to that of his Altmeri father’s.

I can’t really export his original backstory though because the campaign wouldn’t translate well into TES lore at all.

He’s a writer who came wandering into Skyrim in search of inspiration. While he mainly writes dramatic fables, he wanted to divert his focus to crafting his own bestiary and herbal compendium surrounding Skyrim’s fauna and flora. The ones at home are simply too vague to him!

He’s very altruistic, wishing to spread cheer wherever he goes, through the art of song (even though he was a cleric in DND and not a bard. My bad.) However, many of his verses are just blatant self promotions of his published fables.

But he’s too naive for his own good. Dangerously so. In fact, he says what’s on his mind with little forethought, with little grasp on the consequences of his actions, which lands him in lots of trouble. “I don’t favor him myself, but you guys kill people over Talos worship? That’s not very cool. A bit scary, if you ask me.” or “A Stormcloak rebel? Didn’t your leader kill a bunch of Reachmen rebels years back, or so I’ve heard. By the divines that’s not a man I’d make a symbol of nonconformity.”

He’s also insatiably curious. The type to ACTUALLY shove alchemic ingredients in his mouth with no knowledge of their properties, experiment with dangerous rune spells, throw rocks at pressure plates, and more. Needless to say he’s very accident prone.

Doesn’t know common curse words. People exploit this for laughs. Think that episode of Spongebob.

Everyone is a little baffled that HE of all people is the prophesied Dragonborn of legend. This agonizingly imbecilic writer who has absentmindedly wandered into burial crypts, troll dens, bandit forts, and more, too busy juggling his manuscripts to pay attention to his surroundings.

His past doesn’t exactly reflect his outlook on life. His mother and father fought in the Great War aligned with the Imperials despite their elven background. Both managed to live to see the war’s conclusion, but his father vanished without a trace shortly after, and it seems his mother knows something she won’t tell him.

With plenty of exposure to bad influences, his innocence is slowly lost throughout the course of his journey, and his altruism begins to grow twisted. But nevertheless, he maintains his jovial, social persona, except this time with much darker undertones. Kinda like a creepy dentist or something.

Whoops. He winds up becoming a feared Dark Brotherhood assassin. (Haha get it “Innocence Lost”???) He somehow deluded himself into thinking that the life of an assassin was the right thing to do. But he’s a funky little guy so he gets a pass for his heinous crimes against society

[lamburrito]

Lost and Found

A/N: So this is for @marvelouslytrekking 's challenge! First of all, jey I managed in time! But also of course: HAPPY BIRTHDAY AIMS!

I hope you enjoy this little thing I managed to write!

Prompt: "I lost him"

Pairing: Geraskier/Reader (Established)

Words: 1,2k

Warning: swear words

No beta reader

You were relaxing on the bed, reading through the notes you made about the last adventure - or job, if you're asked Geralt - and comparing them to Jaskier's, when your favourite Witcher, and yes, you knew more than one, bursted into the room. 

Startled you looked up. If Geralt came in like this, something must have happened. 

Geralt definitely looked nervous, well, as nervous as a Witcher allowed himself to look. 

Quickly you put the notebook aside and stood up. "What happened?" you questioned alarmed, but still trying to keep calm. Maybe it actually wasn't something bad. Maybe Jaskier had just riled your boyfriend up with one of his antics. Speaking of Jaskier….

"I lost him."

You blinked and looked up at Geralt, who looked back at you like he couldn't believe it himself. 

"I beg your pardon?" you replied slowly. 

This had to be a stupid joke. Although Geralt would be the last person to do something like this. On the other hand, Jaskier would come up with such a stupid idea and he also could be very convincing. Honestly, since Geralt had let the bard braid an unbelievable amount of flowers into his hair, you were sure the mighty White Wolf would let Jaskier do anything that wouldn't put him into immediate danger. 

"I lost him." Geralt repeated, obviously not happy about this whole situation, "I lost Jaskier. Some old hag distracted me, telling me about the wannabe werewolf, namely her son and when I turned back to where Jaskier last stood, he was gone!"

"Couldn't you, you know, find him through scent?" you asked. 

The Witcher huffed "Do you really think I didn't try? I walked an hour or so over that damn market! But that place is so full of scents and noises I could barely concentrate on one."

At this you let out a sigh. It was no secret to you or Jaskier that Geralt could only tolerate such crowded places because of all his years of Witcher training and even with that he got a bad headache from it most of the time. 

You put a hand on his shoulder and gave the Witcher an encouraging smile. "Okay, let's go looking for him together then! Maybe he just got distracted , took a wrong turn and simply got lost."

"Yeah, or he got kidnapped because I was the one getting distracted." Geralt replied grumpy, but not the usual grumpy you grew so fond of, no, this was a distressed kind of grumpy. 

"Don't be so pessimistic." you replied, "Sure, there is a chance, that he had been kidnapped. But I highly doubt it, because it's hard to imagine someone really managed to get Jaskier without you noticing." 

"You have too much faith in me." 

"No, you have too little faith in yourself." you stated.

With that said you put on your boots and then took Geralt's hand, dragging him outside, to start searching for your boyfriend. 

Of course you started on the market, asking the people if they'd seen Jaskier, seen where he went. 

It was concerning that only a few seemed to remember the bard. Jaskier was normally a person, who easily caught people's eyes. Colourful outfits, a bright personality and a melodic voice.... 

Still, you didn't thought about that fact too much. If Geralt really searched the market for an hour without success, Jaskier probably was gone from the market about the same time. In this time many new people came here, who logically haven't seen him. 

Some remembered Jaskier though and even could show you a direction. 

However, as you followed the leads, you still didn't find Jaskier. 

It wasn't surprising that this didn't lift Geralt's mood in the slightest. Quite the contrary. The Witcher hadn't spoken a word since you left the inn. He only glared and, you guessed, blaming himself more every minute Jaskier stayed lost. Probably also imaging all the bad things that could have happened to the young man.

You definitely needed to find him quickly.

Looking around, you hoped to find a clue to where Jaskier could have gone to. As you eyes fell onto a certain sign you suddenly remembered a conversation Jaskier and Geralt had a few days ago. 

"Hey Geralt!" you called, to get said man's attention. "Let's look inside the blacksmith's store." 

Gerat frowned. "Why?" he questioned, "Jaskier has no reason to go there, he doesn't even wear armor." 

Even though Geralt basically told him to all the time. To be honest, you were surprised, the Witcher hadn't just brought him an armor like he had gifted him a dagger. 

"Yeah, that may be true," you said, "but remember how he told you not too long ago that you need a new one or at least should repair yours?"

Geralt still wasn't convinced. "So he goes to a blacksmith without me?" 

You shrugged. "You can never know with him."

Now Geralt couldn't argue with that. So he sighed and together you walked over to the little store and entered. 

And really, there he stood: Jaskier. He looked relaxed but turned around when he heard the door open. 

When he saw the two of you he looked surprised. Still he smiled. "Ah, if these aren't my two favourite people! Missed me already?" 

"Missed you? We were fucking worried! Running off without a word, what did you think?" Geralt snapped.

You grimaced. 

Jaskier looked confused. "Running off...well, I guess, you could call it that. But I'd sent a the blacksmith's son to tell you where I am." 

"Hmm. He either didn't find me then or never planned on telling me." Geralt replied, crossing his arms in front of his chest. However it was obvious that he was glad Jaskier was alive and well, even if he was still a little bit annoyed.

"I am sorry then. I never meant to trouble you this way." Jaskier replied honest. 

Geralt nodded and sighed. "Alright. But what are you even doing here?"

"Getting an armor of course." Now the bard was grinning. 

Again the Witcher frowned. "For whom?' 

"Me of course!" Jaskier exclaimed, "I mean, you always want me to wear some, right? So now I get one. From this day on you can't deny to get a new and better armor with the argument that I wear none at all." 

Geralt was taken aback by this and you couldn't help but chuckle. 

"What a great idea." You commented. 

Jaskier beamed. "Aren't my ideas always great?" 

"No." Geralt replied before you could. 

That caused Jaskier to pout, making you chuckle again. 

"So, you are really getting an armor and will actually wear it?" the Witcher asked.

The bard hummed. "Well, it's chainmail and I will wear it under my clothes but that's better than nothing, is it not?" 

"Yes it is." Geralt said and you could tell he meant it. 

However, now that the reason for Jaskier going to the blacksmith was explained, you had to ask:"But do you really have to wait till your armor is done? You could have gone back to the inn, right?" 

Jaskier grimaced. "Theoretically yes." 

Geralt raised an eyebrow. "And practically?"

"I didn't pay attention when I was led here and then I realized I didn't know the way back. I didn't want to get lost even more." Jaskier explained, "So I decided to stay here until I could ask the blacksmith or his son." 

Hearing this you just couldn't help but laugh, while Geralt sighed yet again.

In the end it was a rather normal day in the adventurous life of you and you two beloved partners.  

[bnha-ra]

Like I promised, here is some more about the Supernatural au! This time, it’s teachers! Or in this case, the Guardians of Yuuei!

Also, I wanna change the name from simply “Supernatural au” so guys, send me some suggestions!

(These guys were way harder for some reason, I might change them later, if you guys have any suggestions, please send some in!)

It was fun writing for these characters, but some of these guys will have smaller descriptions because there is less to work with (I wanted to include Lunch Rush but there’s barely enough to make a profile :( )

Undercut for you guys!

Chiyo Shuzenji (Recovery Girl)

Species: Human (Wiccan - Witch)

Shuzenji’s an old witch who’s lived in the forest for- God knows how long. She’s got a ton of healing potions within her little cottage and she’s your go-to girl if anyone if hurt. She’s a really sweet lady, very compassionate about the inhabitants of the forest, but she’s not afraid to tell them off if they’re reckless or hit them with her broomstick if they come to her with injuries from stupid actions. She acts like a grandmother towards (Name) but she’s really worried about her.

Ectoplasm 

Species:  Human (Wiccan - Mage)

Ecto is a mage who leans towards necromancy magic, creating soldiers from past monsters to help protect the forest from any harm, mostly human harm, especially after human hunters had taken his legs in the past. He’s pretty mysterious, as shown with his constant mask, but he’s actually pretty social too. He’s a good warrior and guardian. He taught (Name) close combat.

Higari Maijima (Power Loader)

Species: Human (Wiccan - Artificer)

Maijima’s got his own little forge/workshop within the forest, he creates tools to help assist the other guardians and himself to protect the forest and its inhabitants. His weapons are able to channel magic energy so that it’s easier for the others to use them. (Name) has asked him multiple times for a weapon; his answer is always no.

Hisashi Yamada (Present Mic)

Species: Siren-Banshee/Half-Human (Wiccan - Bard)

The guys super hyper and really nice, likes to narrate everyone's lives for some reason though? (They just label that as a little “quirk” of his) he likes to play music during his routes while patrolling and most people underestimate him because of his silly personality. Some advice? Don’t. The guy is incredibly smart and knows his way around his magic, his mother was Half-Siren/Half-Banshee so he has one of the most deafening screams in the forest and he can stand his ground alone against a whole group of hunters. He also grew up with Aizawa, so he was there when the man had gone through his ‘turning’ phase and has been there for him ever since. (Name) likes to dance to his music and gets a lot of her obnoxious personality from him; he’s so proud of her.

Ken Ishiyama (Cementoss)

Species: Golem

Ishiyama’s a golem who had originally been created by the village (before magic had been completely shunned by them) to “protect” the town and takedown any monster that dared come near them. However, as they didn’t have a proper handle on magic, they ended up giving him sentience and after experiencing their hatred first hand, he escaped to the forest and eventually met the other teachers and he shaped his own life from there. He’s very compassionate, but he’s strict about the forest boundaries and his post. Ishiyama’s usually the one catching (Name) trying to leave her assigned territory.

Nemuri Kayama (Midnight)

Species: Half-Human/Half-Succubus (Wiccan - Sorceress)

Kayama was originally born in the Lower Realm to her incubus father and sorceress mother. She spent most of her younger life in the Lower Realm, learning how to control her magic before she left for the Middle Realm to inflict the “chaos” she was born to make. Until she actually made it to the surface and realised how much better it was. Like Ishiyama, she decided to abandon her duties and began to live her life on the surface before meeting the other teachers and deciding to help protect the forest. She’s got urges because of her bloodline, so she acts flirty and playful with everyone but can be temperamental at times. She’s (Name)’s wine aunt.

Nezu

Species: Chimera

Another person who had fallen victim by human hands, he was the village’s first experiment to “protect” them from monsters. They decided to try to create a chimera as a way to hunt down and kill monsters that came close to their lives. However, Nezu had come out “defected” and was used as the “village pet”, being abused by the villagers and taunted by them. (Name)’s mother had been the one help Nezu escape to the forest and helped him begin his life as a free monster. He’s incredibly smart, leaving him to be appointed as the leader of the others. Nezu’s also still got a bit of a grudge against humans, so when they’re involved with anything damaging he’s not afraid to make them feel as hurt as they made him feel. (Name) is greatly intimidated by him (for good reason).

Ryo Inu (Hound Dog)

Species: Werewolf

Inu is a werewolf born from werewolf parents, so he’s got more control of his transformations unlike some. He prefers to be in half transformation, walks and talks like a human but he looks much more wolf-like. Inu tends to talk with a growl to his voice, loses himself in barks when he’s angry/raged, very intimidating to some, but he’s actually a really nice guy, it’s just kind of hard to control his emotions sometimes. Kan tends to be his translater when he gets too angry to speak, they’ve known one another since they were younger. He taught (Name) how to hunt.

Sekijiro Kan (Vlad King)

Species: Dhampir (Half-Human (Wiccan - Mage)/Half-Vampire)

Kan is a dhampir born from a vampire father and human mother, he grew up alongside Inu deeper within the forest and have been friends for years. As he has a mage background, Kan has the power to control his own blood anyway he sees fit, so he uses that to help him protect others. Kan and Inu eventually decided to leave, wanting to explore the rest of their home and eventually found themselves with the (eventual) guardians and stayed to protect their home. He’s a pretty friendly guy and a very encouraging individual, he’s was actually one of the first people to accept (Name)’s want to leave her assigned territory. 

Kan is only mildly affected by the sun, but he still wears a cloak during the day and drinks special potions to keep himself safe. 

Shota Aizawa (Eraser Head)

Species: Vampire (Wiccan - Wizard)

Aizawa was once a human, studying to become a warden wizard within “The Capital” (It’s the leading city in the supernatural world that holds millions of monsters - I’ll explain more if anyone asks) but was attacked by a rogue vampire and turned. Aizawa wen through the ‘turning’ phase with Yamada, helping through his powerful urges for blood and his want to attack others for it, but he eventually got through it and decided to leave the capital, Yamada following him along the way. They eventually met (Name)’s, mother, who promised the two sanctuaries and helped Aizawa with adapting to becoming a vampire. He tends to nap a lot during the day, (even though he doesn’t need it, old habits die hard!) as he takes the nights shifts but he also likes to keep an eye on (Name), seeing himself as a caretaker after her mother’s death. (Name) just sees him as a nuisance that doesn’t let her explore, but she loves him dearly.

Snipe

Species: Human (Wiccan - Sorcerer)

Snipe had actually come from human society, not the village, but somewhere much farther away, apparently somewhere described as much worse than what the village’s inhabitants were like. He abandoned that place to rediscover himself and understand his powers, that eventually lead him to Yuuei forest where he decided to learn how to use his abilities. He ended up becoming a guardian when (Name)’s mother offered him the position and has been there since. He teaches (Name) how to sharpen her aim.

Sorahiko Torino (Gran Torino)

Species: Fairy

The guy’s an old fairy who’s done with everyone’s bullshit. He's lived for a long time and has seen more than anyone can ever know. He pretends to act like a senile, old fairy to trick others when he feels the situation calls for it and then surprise attacks his victim. He was there present for the previous deity, Nana Shimura, All Might’s mentor and helped trained All Might to become the best deity the man could be. He’s a “retired” guardian and he’s not afraid to kick anyone’s arse. (Name)’s call him grandad and he hates it

Thirteen

Species: Human (Wiccan - Mage)

Thirteen’s a mage that tends to lean more towards astrology and what they “divine or celestial magic”. The mage likes to use their abilities to help protect others through methods like rescue than violence, they’re pretty passionate about it. They are the one who tends to the barrier (That (Name)’s mother had placed) between the human forest, monster forest and the “pocket” (The territory holding (Name)’s home) making sure that the barrier is intact and strong. They usually take (Name) star gazing and like to explain their magic.

(Guys, okay, so, I’m going to refer to Thirteen as genderfluid, using both “they/them” and “she/her” pronouns, because the wiki said that they’re a girl but an actor refers to them as androgynous, so I just decided to use both! Because I like the idea of a genderfluid hero! So if you see in posts I keep changing between those pronouns, don’t be alarmed and you don’t need to point it out! I’m just working with those 2 pronouns)

Toshinori Yagi (All Might)

Species: Deity

Now, this is the big man himself. All Might, or his old human name, Toshinori Yagi, is the (appointed) King of all deities and the deity of monsters. He’s the perfect of what a deity should be; kind, devoted, strong, all-powerful- described as the “best of them all”. He’s an old friend of (Name)’s mother who was deeply impacted by her disappearance and decided to use the rest of his days on Earth, watching over her daughter, protecting his people from their perspective. Eventually, he realised his love for his old home and decided to look for a successor for his power, which ended up being (Name)’s best friend, Izuku Midoriya.

[bard-llama]

That Wild Blue Yonder Epilogue: In which modern!Jaskier meets canon!Geralt

Read on AO3

First Chapter | Previous Chapter

Madeline’s idea to pose as a bard was genius. People just dismissed when he didn’t know something important as a bard leaning into his role. It was amazing!

Of course, they also expected him to be a bard. Which wasn’t a problem – or shouldn’t have been. Jaskier was quite accomplished with both the lute and the hurdy gurdy, and that was just to start! He finally had a chance to really use his medieval instruments hobby for more than youtube hits!

Well, youtube paid his bills, so he wasn’t complaining. Also, his family was loaded, but still. Youtube loved him enough to pay him!

So why wouldn’t these peasants? And they were so mean about it, throwing food at him!

He took the food though. You shouldn’t be picky about such things. Food was food, after all.

Madeline had responded to his music so well, he’d been quite encouraged! Also, it was Britney! Who didn’t like Britney!?

The villagers in Hagge, apparently. Jaskier was offended on her behalf. And his own! He was a damn treat to witness, thank you very much!

Madeline had dragged him back home after that. “Maybe you should just play your instrument? You could join a traveling troupe? Except for the whole going home thing. And the very obviously not from around here thing.”

“I will make them love me!” Jaskier declared to the skies.

The villagers in Barcin didn’t like Britney either. He was starting to wonder if it might be him, rather than Britney. Toxic had never fallen so flat for him!

After the third fight, Madeline dragged him back to her castle, for good this time. Jaskier was forced to agree that yes, maybe he was getting a little over invested in things, and maybe he needed a while to cool off. He crawled back through the passageway to his world, still in his bardic outfit.

And immediately decided that he was not, in fact, done. He had no idea how he would sneak past Madeline to get to another town, but by gods, he would make at least one town the the magical fucking continent appreciate him.

The wardrobe had no reaction to his proclamation, which Jaskier thought was rather rude of it. “Could at least give me a review. Some feedback notes. Hell, even a cheer would be good.” Muttering to himself, Jaskier shoved the hangers aside and found himself – definitely not in Madeline’s castle.

Actually, he appeared to be alarmingly close to a sharp drop down a very, very high cliff. Jaskier gulped and pulled himself to his feet with delicacy. He edged around the wardrobe he’d emerged from and looked around. He appeared to be outside a large building built into the side of a far too small mountain, with long suspended bridges leading to more mountainous cliffs with too many buildings stuffed onto them.

Jaskier was beginning to think he might be afraid of heights, actually. He’d always thought he wasn’t, but it was a long way down.

Keeping a close eye on the drop ended with him running straight into a pillar, so Jaskier tried to keep one eye on the edge and one in front of him as he walked into what turned out to be a tavern. Good. He could use a drink.

“Does that lute mean you play?” The tavern owner asked.

“Indeed, good sir! I am the bard Jaskier, at your service,” he bowed deeply, extending an arm behind him with a flourish.

The tavern owner stared at him for a long time. “You any good?”

The nerve of such a question! Jaskier took a deep breath to properly tell him whose company he was lucky enough to find himself in – and deflated when he remembered the jeers his audiences thus far had met him with. “I’m new,” he settled on.

“Hnn,” the tavern owner nodded. “If your playing bring in a night crowd, I take 10% of your coin.”

Jaskier blinked. “Oh. Uh.” Madeline had given him a pouch of coin. That’s what a patron is for, she’d said, but she hadn’t actually taught him her currency yet. They had focused on history and peoples, and he was quickly realizing he had no idea what he was doing. But hey, he got to keep 90%! That was good, right? “Give me an ale and we’ve got a deal.”

The tavern own snorted, but did pour him a drink, so Jaskier considered it a fair trade. Gulping down his ale, Jaskier set down his lute case and got ready to play. Toxic was obviously just too good for folks on this continent to appreciate. Fine then. He’d been planning his next video – may as well go ahead and preview that song.

He cleared his throat and began strum his lute slowly.

Where have all the good men gone, And where are all the gods? Where's the streetwise Hercules to fight the rising odds? Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed? Late at night I toss and I turn And I dream of what I need

He spun in place and began tapping his foot in time with the beat as he sped up the tempo.

I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night He's gotta be strong And he's gotta be fast And he's gotta be fresh from the fight

The crowd was staring at him and Jaskier remembered what he loved about performing, whether it was before the camera or a live audience.

I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light He's gotta be sure And it's gotta be soon And he's gotta be larger than life! Larger than life

Jaskier winked at a pretty young woman and continued.

Somewhere after midnight In my wildest fantasy Somewhere just beyond my reach There's someone reaching back for me Racing on the thunder and rising with the heat It's gonna take a superman to sweep me off my feet

Jaskier spun again, and sang, “Ooooh, I need a hero–” and was cut off by someone yelling.

“Find yourself a hero somewhere else, ponce!”

The crowd laughed and jeered in response, and followed the hecklers lead, pelting Jaskier with their bread.

“Oi! Stop, fuck off!” Jaskier edged back towards his lute case, hands raised defensively in front of him. “I’m so glad I could just bring you all together like this.” He set his lute down and grabbed some of the bread, sticking it into his pants when he realized he had no pockets. Waste not, want not, right?

Bread was a minor consolation for another flop though. He glanced around the tavern for something to amuse himself with and spotted a man sitting alone in the corner who hadn’t chucked his bread at Jaskier and also hadn’t jeered him.

He also had very, very broad shoulders and pretty long white hair. Jaskier definitely had to talk to him. He grabbed an ale off a server’s tray and made his way over.

“I love the way you just... sit in the corner and brood,” Jaskier said, leaning against a pillar and trying to look mysterious and seductive.

The man was not impressed. “I’m here to drink alone.”

“Good. Yeah, good.” Jaskier said. “No one else hesitated to comment on the quality of my performance, except,” he plopped himself down into the seat across from the man. “For you. Come on. You don’t want to keep a man with…” Crap, he hadn’t thought this line through. “Bread in his pants waiting. You must have some review for me. Three words or less.”

The man stared at him blankly. “They don’t exist.”

“What don’t exist?”

“The heroes in your song.” He took a sip of his ale. “Closest would probably be a werewolf – strong, fast, fresh from a fight at the end of the night.”

Jaskier was taken aback. What the fuck was this guy talking about. “And how would you know?” He asked.

The man just stared at him as if the answer was obvious.

“Oh fun.” Jaskier tried to recall if there was anything from Madeline’s lessons that made sense. Wait, there was something about a white haired monster hunter, wasn’t there? “White hair, big old loner, two very, very scary looking swords. I know who you are.”

Jaskier was proud of himself for putting it together and followed when the man rose from his seat, leaving a coin behind – a tip for Jaskier? He took the it, just in case.

“You’re the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.” Geralt kept walking away from him, but didn’t deny it. “Called it!”

Jaskier overheard one of the villagers hiring Geralt for a job and realized this was the perfect opportunity to finally see a monster. He ran after the Witcher, hoping the villager’s Devil was well away from the scary mountain cliff buildings.

He followed after the Witcher hurrying to catch up. The man clearly wasn’t delighted with his presence, but he didn’t actually protest. Even the gut punch was clearly over the name, rather than trying to drive Jaskier away.

Well, it might have been meant to do that too, but it was not going to succeed. Geralt of Rivia was a downright snack and also Jaskier’s best chance at getting to see a monster. Jaskier wasn’t going anywhere.

He’d actually just covered elves with Madeline earlier, so Jaskier was perhaps a little too eager to deliver exposition.

Only, it turned out Madeline’s schooling about elves had been missing a few key details. He wasn’t looking forward to breaking it to her. Even just thinking of Filavandrel talking about digging a mass grave for his loved ones and elven babies being fertilizer for human grain made nausea rise up in his stomach.

And he wasn’t the only one. Geralt tried not to show it, but it was clear as day that he sympathized with the elves. He even gave them all the coin that villager had given him. Even after the elves had beaten him and nearly killed him. Even then, Geralt had only argued for them to leave Jaskier alone.

Geralt didn’t even like him, he was pretty sure. He wanted Geralt to, wanted it very badly, and not just because he wanted to climb the man like a tree. No, he wanted Geralt to like him, to be his friend, because there was something about Geralt that was so very noble. So very special.

Maybe people around here didn’t see it, but Jaskier did. That’s why he wanted to know Geralt. That gruff exterior truly did hide a heart of gold and Jaskier wanted to get to know him.

Maybe Geralt didn’t want a friend, but Jaskier had to try. Besides, so far, the wardrobe had brought him to Madeline, some place he couldn’t see, and here, to Geralt. Maybe it meant nothing, but maybe it meant the wardrobe knew he’d find something interesting here. And he certainly had.

Geralt of Rivia was by far the most interesting person Jaskier had ever met.

Besides, as unexpectedly as this adventure had gone, he’d gotten to see a real monster, experience an abduction, witness a hero in action, and he’d even written an original song! It was pretty good, too, if Jaskier did say so himself.

Maybe Madeline could even help him record a video of him singing it. Jaskier was thinking that maybe performing as a medieval bard should be his new thing, in both worlds.

For now, he parted ways with Geralt and headed back to the wardrobe in Posada. After everything that had happened today, he was exhausted. But tomorrow, he was definitely going to tell Madeline everything, and then try to find Geralt again.

Jaskier crawled through the passageway back to his own castle – well, his cousin’s. But the wardrobe was so amazing, maybe Jaskier should see if he could buy it? Or at least get visitation rights. He had every intention of spending as much of his time as possible in the magical world of the continent, and he wasn’t going to let a little thing like trespass stop him. But it was probably still best if he pursued legal options first.

And if his cousin said no, then there was always breaking and entering! Jaskier had always wanted the chance to commit a felony.

[theonyxpath]

Our next Kickstarter is for the Legendlore RPG, and starts on this Thursday, March the 12th, at 2pm Eastern US time!

From the Kickstarter:

Legendlore was originally a comic, first published by Arrow Comics in 1986 and since procured by Caliber Comics, about four people who fall through a Crossing into the Realm. The Realm is home to fantasy creatures from elves to dragons, and the characters discover they too have ‘fantasy powers’ – the jock becomes a Fighter, while the bookish one becomes a Wizard, and so on. They go on adventures and some of them eventually find their way back to Earth.

This is the basic premise of the Legendlore RPG. You Cross into the Realm, where you become a hairfoot Bard, or maybe an elven Sorcerer. You can change any characteristics you like. For example if you have hay fever and glasses, you choose if your Legendlore self keeps or drops those. Your identity might not always match your outward physique, but your Legendlore character does. We’ve also updated the 1980s setting so Realmborn characters represent all ethnicities, genders, and sexualities. No one in the Realm will bat an eyelash at your agender panromantic self.

This comes hard on the heels of our fantastic Kickstarter campaign for Hunter: The Vigil 2e, which ended up at over 500% of the funding goal and just a couple of folks away from 2000 backers! Truly, the Vigil was a rewarding one, and we’re thrilled so many folks came along with us on the hunt.

Even though we’re jumping right into the new KS for Legendlore, Hunter 2e‘s campaign left us with a number of Stretch Goal projects to continue with, and, for us, Legendlore is such a different kind of project that creatively it is a nice break in our recent string of Kickstarters in the Chronicles of Darkness and V5 game worlds.

Legendlore will also be our newest game line to use the d20 system for 5e fantasy gaming, along with Scarred Lands and (much-simplified) the Realms of Pugmire, so that also gives us a chance to stretch some system creative muscles we like to keep toned up.

If you’re a fan of D&D, etc. then I think you’ll find a lot of fresh spins you’ll enjoy in how Legendlore treats genre expectations and tropes while still providing a sweeping setting ripe for adventuring in. And if you aren’t so much, I still think you may find value in supporting developer Steffie de Vaan and her creative team’s 2020 take on this multi-decade saga and setting.

Like almost every one of our Kickstarters these days, Legendlore is pretty much finished in the writing stages, and backers will get sections of the finished text during the course of the KS campaign. Steffie is working with at least one Twitch streaming group to create actual play episodes showing how Legendlore plays at an actual gaming table, and we’re really looking forward to airing those (and they’ll be linked on the KS page).

So, anyone interested is going to have multiple chances to check this project out in a way that works for them, as we’ve been working to set up with each of our KSs. And, James Bell, our Kickstarter Concierge will be back for this KS to once again provide information and guidance, as well as his patented affable banter!

V5 Chicago Folio art by Felipe Gaona

Items From Our Monday Meeting:

In no particular order, which is a lot like our meeting style!

DriveThruRPG‘s massive GM’s Day Sale has another week to go, and hoo-boy are there a lot of our PDFs for sale over there! All of our game lines are represented, as well as offerings from the Community Content sites!

This was a Twitter note sent out during our meeting by Eddy Webb:

“Thanks to Justin Achilli, I got to be in a work meeting where we talk about the aesthetics of urine and throwing bears at the moon.”

Which is pretty much true.

Mighty Matt McElroy was scheduled to attend Emerald City convention this coming weekend, but the whole con was postponed due to concerns about the Coronavirus (COVID-19). He’d already had a bunch of meetings cancelled out from under him and was figuring on cancelling, when boop! the convention cancelled instead!

You folks all take care of yourselves out there! We’re a virtual office, so aren’t going to infect each other, and we don’t have anything currently being manufactured in China, so I’m just encouraging all our folks to stay in and work 20 hour days at their computers. (I’m kidding.) (But not really.)

Mirthful Mike Chaney wonders how that’s any different than his usual day, anyway?

They Came From Beneath the Sea! Heroic Land Dwellers art by Brian LeBlanc

We’re still getting folks asking about whether projects that come out as Advance PDFs will be released in PoD versions or if Backer PDFs will be sold to the public, along with PoDs, on DTRPG. First, we’re always glad to answer folks’ questions, and second, yes, our sales strategy has always been to deliver PDFs and PoDs of projects on DTRPG and so we have been releasing them that way for the whole time we’ve been in business.

The only caveats to that are projects we might do like printed Screens offered on Kickstarters, which DTRPG can’t create in PoD form, and recently with the V5 Cults of the Blood Gods Stretch Goal rewards which will only be available in PDF as the V5 managers at Modiphius do not want PoD versions made available.

We’ve scheduled a nice surprise for the backers of Exalted 3rd‘s Dragon-Blooded KS that should put some folks’s concerns to rest about getting their rewards. So keep your eyes open for that, DB backers!

I’m out next Monday, so Dixie Cochran will be in as our guest MMN blogger! Please be nice to her as she wrangles the rusty and arcane controls for this blog, and I’ll talk to you in two weeks about our:

Many Worlds, One Path!

BLURBS!

Kickstarter!

On Thursday, March 12th at 2pm Eastern US Time we start the Kickstarter for Legendlore!

Onyx Path Media!

This Friday the Onyx Pathcast Terrific Trio take a deep dive into Vampire: The Requiem 2e‘s Spilled Blood! Messy, but fun!

As always this Friday’s Onyx Pathcast will be on Podbean or your favorite podcast venue! https://onyxpathcast.podbean.com/

We’ve got a stupendous number of shows on Twitch this week! Tune in for V5, Chronicles of Darkness, Scion, Pugmire, Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition, Scarred Lands, MORE Vampire: The Masquerade, Changeling: The Lost, Mage: The Awakening, even more Scarred Lands, Werewolf: The Forsaken and a third Vampire: The Masquerade game! We’ve even got Eddy Webb’s Workshop, which takes you through the development process of our books! Hail Ming!

A big shout-out to our three Vampire: The Masquerade games running this week, which have been running week-in, week-out! You can subscribe to our channel over on twitch.tv/theonyxpath to catch up with any episodes you missed! This Ming’s a psycho.

Come take a look at our YouTube channel, youtube.com/user/theonyxpath, where you can find the following videos uploaded last week alone:

The Onyx Path News: https://youtu.be/zKo1h7bLPE0

Scion: Behind the Screen: https://youtu.be/v9Wo38rl5-Y

Changeling: The Lost – Littlebrook Reunion: https://youtu.be/hxSbemynBLs

Changeling: The Dreaming – The Last Faerie Tale: https://youtu.be/gKAm-zGxTW4

Even more Scion: Behind the Screen: https://youtu.be/QDSIS_ClFbE

A special shout-out to the Scion: Behind the Screen series, which has provided a wonderful entry point for people new to the game! Flying blind on a rocket cycle!

Do subscribe to our channel and click the bell icon if you want to be notified whenever new news videos and uploads come online! Spare me the madness.

In case you missed it last week, the Story Told RPG Podcast continue with their excellent Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition chronicle right here: http://thestorytold.libsyn.com/the-78-laments-episode-3-riders-in-the-sky

And back once again, the Story Told‘s review of Trinity Continuum: Aeon http://thestorytold.libsyn.com/episode-40-trinity-continuum-on-overview

Red Moon Roleplaying‘s V5 Cults of the Blood Gods “The Family” chronicle continues on their YouTube channel, Spotify, their website redmoonroleplaying.com and everywhere else good podcasts and New York City girls might be found! https://youtu.be/J1qCIhMPn7Q

Now, the tributes from Ardentia.

Even more shows from Occultists Anonymous for all you Mage: The Awakening fans out there!

Episode 86: Risky Business Wyrd the Seer prepares to found a legacy and shape her soul. Songbird makes contact with the Carthian Movement. Atratus meets with the Phantasm Society who have a daring plan.https://youtu.be/9XWLaxl_B-Y

Episode 87: New Lives Wyrd the Seer pays the price for tying herself to the Rookery. Songbird makes himself useful at the Arrow Armory. Atratus kills Emily Miller.https://youtu.be/ZZklb6-fC7o

Please check any of these out and let us know if you find or produce any actual plays of our games!

Electronic Gaming!

As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is live! Our dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is awesome! (Seriously, you need to roll 100 dice for Exalted? This app has you covered.)

Update: the devs are working on the updates for the roller in both Android and iOS – here is the rundown from them:

1) Redo the UI for system for android.  It will look the same as the current design.  My goal is to have something ready by Saturday to send out to the Facebook users, asking them if this fixes the issues.  This will be a beta type thing.  This will break several of the fancy dice.

2) If the above worked out and the android users give all the clear, we’ll redo the graphics system to fix the fancy dice that got broken.  We’ll do another android beta through Facebook.  This might take up to two weeks, as my schedule allows.

3) If everything worked well, we’ll release to android for real at that point.

4) Port all of the existing stuff to iOS and release on that.

On Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).

If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue from which you bought it. Reviews really, really help us get folks interested in our amazing fiction!

Our selection includes these latest fiction books:

Our Sales Partners!

We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there! https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire

We’ve added Prince’s Gambit to our Studio2 catalog: https://studio2publishing.com/products/prince-s-gambit-card-game

Now, we’ve added Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition products to Studio2‘s store! See them here: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products/changeling-the-lost

Scarred Lands (Pathfinder) books are also on sale at Studio2, and they have the 5e version, supplements, and dice as well!: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/scarred-lands

Scion 2e books and other products are available now at Studio2: https://studio2publishing.com/blogs/new-releases/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin-now-available-at-your-local-retailer-or-online

Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/

And you can order Pugmire, Monarchies of Mau, Cavaliers of Mars, and Changeling: The Lost 2e at the same link! And NOW Scion Origin and Scion Hero AND Trinity Continuum Core and Trinity Continuum: Aeon are available to order!

The massive GM Day’s Sale continues for another week with huge savings on PDFs from all of our game lines!

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/rpg_gmsday.php

As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles at DriveThruRPG.com!

On Sale This Week!

This Wednesday, we will be releasing the Advance PDF of Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed for Mage: The Awakening 2e AND the electronic, PDF, and physical book PoD releases of Haunting Shadows: the Wraith20th fiction anthology on DTRPG!

Conventions!

Assuming these conventions are not postponed due to plague, here is our current list:

UKGames Expo: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/

GenCon: https://www.gencon.com/

Tabletop Scotland: https://tabletopscotland.co.uk/

Gamehole Con: https://www.gameholecon.com/

PAX Unplugged: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/

And now, the new project status updates!

DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY WEBB (projects in bold have changed status since last week):

First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)

Exalted Essay Collection (Exalted)

RUST (Working Title) (Scarred Lands)

Under Alien Suns (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Mission Statements (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Adversaries of the Righteous (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Novas Worldwide (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Exalted Essence Edition (Exalted 3rd Edition)

The Clades Companion (Deviant: The Renegades)

The Devoted Companion (Deviant: The Renegades)

Saints and Monsters (Scion 2nd Edition)

M20 Rich Bastard’s Guide To Magick (Mage: The Ascension 20th Anniversary)

Wild Hunt (Scion 2nd Edition)

Redlines

Dragon-Blooded Novella #2 (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Hundred Devil’s Night Parade (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Trinity Continuum: Adventure! core (Trinity Continuum: Adventure!)

Assassins (Trinity Continuum Core)

The Book of Endless Death (Mummy: The Curse 2e)

N!ternational Wrestling Entertainment (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Contagion Chronicle Ready-Made Characters (Chronicles of Darkness)

Second Draft

Exigents (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Crucible of Legends (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Many-Faced Strangers – Lunars Companion (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Kith and Kin (Changeling: The Lost 2e)

They Came From Beyond the Grave! (They Came From!)

Development

Heirs to the Shogunate (Exalted 3rd Edition)

TC: Aberrant Reference Screen (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Across the Eight Directions (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks (Chronicles of Darkness)

M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)

Manuscript Approval

Scion: Dragon (Scion 2nd Edition)

Masks of the Mythos (Scion 2nd Edition)

Trinity Continuum Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum Core)

Scion: Demigod (Scion 2nd Edition)

Post-Approval Development

Scion LARP Rules (Scion)

One Foot in the Grave Jumpstart (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2e)

Editing

Legendlore core book (Legendlore)

Pirates of Pugmire KS-Added Adventure (Realms of Pugmire)

Terra Firma (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)

Lunars Novella (Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)

Buried Bones: Creating in the Realms of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)

Tales of Aquatic Terror (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition core rulebook (Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition)

Titanomachy (Scion 2nd Edition)

Player’s Guide to the Contagion Chronicle (Chronicles of Darkness)

Contagion Chronicle Jumpstart (Chronicles of Darkness)

TC: Aberrant Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Post-Editing Development

City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)

W20 Shattered Dreams Gift Cards (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)

Cults of the Blood Gods (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)

Hunter: The Vigil 2e core (Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition)

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant core (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)

Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)

Monsters of the Deep (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)

Indexing

They Came From Beneath the Sea! (They Came From…!)

ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!

In Art Direction

Trinity Continuum: Aberrant – Awaiting replies to pings.

Hunter: The Vigil 2e (KS)

Cults of the Blood God (KS)

Mummy 2 – Starting to contract the rest of it.

City of the Towered Tombs

Let the Streets Run Red – Some finals in.

Deviant

Legendlore (KS) – KS prep of bits.

Technocracy Reloaded (KS)

TC: Aeon Terra Firma – Contracted.

WoD: Ghost Hunters (KS) – Cover in, getting rest of KS art set.

Tales of Aquatic Terror

Pirates Extra Adventure – Loboyko lined up for this one.

Scion Titanomachy – Contacting artists.

In Layout

Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad – Ongoing.

Contagion Chronicle – With Josh, interior proof coming.

Vigil Watch – Ongoing.

TCfBtS!: Heroic Land Dwellers

TCFBtS! Screen and Booklet

Ex3 Lunars – Yep, pretty much my March right here.

Scion Companion

Proofing

Dark Eras 2 – Sending back to Aileen for errata input.

Trinity Continuum Aeon Jumpstart

Chicago Folio – Creating PoD files.

Pirates of Pugmire – Fixes in, working on cover.

CtL Oak Ash and Thorn – At WW for approvals .

Geist 2e fiction anthology – Backer PDF out to backers for errata.

Dragon-Blooded Novella #1 – The Silence of Our Ancestors (Exalted 3rd Edition) – Backer errata being gathered.

Distant Worlds – Errata being gathered.

VtR2 Spilled Blood – Errata being input.

At Press

Geist 2e (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition) – Prepping to go live with PDF/PoD versions on DTRPG a week Wednesday (the 18th).

DR:E – Shipping to backers, PoD files uploaded.

DRE Screen – Shipping to backers.

DR:E Threat Guide – Helnau’s Guide to Wasteland Beasties

Memento Mori – PoD proof ordered.

Scion Mythical Denizens – PoD files uploaded.

Wraith20 Anthology – ePub, PDF, physical book versions all live Weds on DTRPG.

MtAw2 Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed – Advance PDF on sale this Weds on DTRPG.

Today’s Reason to Celebrate!

Yesterday was International Women’s Day, and that’s certainly worth celebrating today as well! (Especially since here in the US we lost an hour from yesterday due to the return of our Daylight Savings Time. Typical).

Today, we heard of the death of actor Max von Sydow at 90. The man who played chess with death, acted in just so many roles in mainstream and genre films that I’m not listing them here, and, just for Matthew Dawkins, starred as Ming the Merciless.

[whispersandwhiskerburn]

Much Ado About SPN Results:

SPN Fanfic Writers Team Up With Shakespeare!

It’s April 23, 2017--453 years to the day since (historians believe) that William Shakespeare, one of the greatest English writers ever, was born...and 401 years to the day since the day the Bard died! :’(

However, his words live on in his plays that are performed each year, the movie adaptations, the sayings in everyday conversation...and now in Supernatural fanfiction!

When I hit 1.5k followers, I put out a rather daunting challenge to my followers: Write a Supernatural fic using a line from one of Shakespeare’s plays, and incorporate 2-3 SPN-themed words that begin with the same letter (I, like WS appreciate alliteration).

24 brave souls took on the challenge.

The results are below the read more link, along with a brief review/rec from me for each. I hope you enjoy these and take the time to share some love with the writers--this challenge was truly out of the box and they wrote some incredible things as a result.

Let the fun begin....

Thank you all for taking on this ridiculous challenge of mine. I was blown away by the submissions, and I truly hope you had as much, or at least half as much, fun writing them as I did reading them. Thank you so much!!

Fics are in alphabetical order by prompts, not by any preferences list.

“A Life I Would Have Known” by @buffylovesfoxmulder

Prompts: Anna, Angel Blade, AU (French Mistake/EndVerse) and “This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man” (Hamlet I.3).

My Fangirling:  An episode rewrite of the French Mistake where Anna subs in for a much more earnest Balthazar and the reader has a surprise up her sleeve for the Winchesters. I loved it. Lengthy, but worth the read. :) 

“Wanted” by @arlaina28

Prompts: Benny Lafitte, Bunker, Brothers,  “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother” (Henry V IV.3).

My Fangirling: An absolutely lovely smut fic between Benny and the Reader that builds up in canon-style characterizations from first meeting to the “I love you” stage. An excellent read, and a brilliant use of her prompts.

*******A Fic is on the way here!!******

“Nothing Either Good or Bad” by @deansdirtylittlesecretsblog

Prompts: Donna Hanscum, Devil's Gate, Deals, and “ “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” (Hamlet II.2).

My Fangirling:  Mimi delivered again! An angsty-suspense with flashes of fluff Donna x Dean fic around the danger of a Devil’s Gate—the one in Wyoming. I loved this fic, and it’s not even my ship, so definitely check it out….and hold onto your seat!

“The Valiant” by @littlegreenplasticsoldier

Prompts: Ellen Harvelle, EMF Reader, and “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once” (Julius Caesar II.2). 

My Fangirling:  I--I don’t know what to say here…it was beautiful and sad and it must have taken you so much time to create this, and I love it. It’s an angsty peek into Dean’s head during his time with Lisa, how he’s struggling to maintain, how he’s trying to cope with Sam’s loss—and it’s done in VERSE. You almost want to read it out loud. I just love this…and I think Shakespeare would be proud.

“Papa Don’t Preach” by @whatareyousearchingfordean

Prompts: First Blade, Fathers, “What’s gone and what’s past help should be past grief” (Winter’s Tale III.2)

My Fangirling: A Reader x Dean angst fic where she learns of a pregnancy that she hadn’t planned on and tries to explain to a Dean who worries about fatherhood. I loved the canon characterization.

*******A Fic is on the way here!!******

“All Dogs Go To Heaven” by @rachelladytietjens

Prompts: Hell Hound, Hex Bags, Heaven, and  “We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” (Hamlet IV.5)

My Fangirling:  With what was probably the coolest title in this challenge, she did an amazing job on this fic that had some really conflicting and challenging prompts! It’s short and sweet, with no pairing, but extremely intriguing and it raised so many questions for me. Brava!

“Not So Innocent After All” by @im-most-definitely-fangirling

Prompts: Impala (Baby), Innocence, and “If music be the food of love, play on” (Twelfth Night I.1).

My Fangirling:  A body-swap fic between the Reader and Dean that reveals a lot of what they’ve been hiding from each other. I loved this—besides, where can you go wrong when you end up riding Dean on the Impala? AmIright ladies? 

“Wine, Meddling, and Temptation” by @avasmommy224

Prompts: Jody Mills, John's Journal, Job (Hunting),  “Tempt not a desperate man” (Romeo and Juliet IV.3). 

My Fangirling:  I love it! The fluff with a hint of angst and reader being besties with Jody? Brilliant! She did a great job working in ALL of the prompts and this fic is fantastic. I absolutely love Jody as a matchmaker--I can just see her worrying about finding the boys the perfect lady. :) Dean x Reader with future fun times—nothing wrong with that!

*******A Fic is on the way here!!******

*******A Fic is on the way here!!******

“Just a Little Magic...” by @wi-deangirl77

Prompts: Meg Masters, Mark of Cain, Magic (Witchcraft), “I am one who loved not wisely but too well” (Othello V.2). 

My Fangirling: I was prepared for weird when I put Mark of Cain with Meg Masters and Magic, but Jess managed a canon style fic of angsty goodness that everyone should read. It’s MOC!Dean x Reader and...oh, it’s just lovely. Go read! She says it’s the start of a new series—and I, personally, can’t wait to read it!

“Chase the Nightmares Away” by @destiel-addict-forever

Prompts: Nephilim, Naomi's Room, Nightmares, “You pay a great deal too dear for something that’s given freely” (Winter’s Tale I.1).

My Fangirling:  This cute little fluffy drabble is a Daddy!Lucifer fic (not kink, reader is Luci’s kid), something I imagine we’ll see more and more of as this current series continues. I swear, when I made the prompt list and put Nephilim on it, I had no idea it would become such a big thing this year on the show! Great job.

*******A Fic is on the way here!!******

“Purple Moose, Orange Squirrel, and A Pink Dress” by @mrsbatesmotel53

Prompts: Pagan God (Not Loki/Gabriel), Pie, Pranks, “We have seen better days” (As You Like It II.7) and (Timon of Athens IV.2). 

My Fangirling: I absolutely loved this! It was beautifully characterized: witty reader, western-loving Dean, sassy Rowena, protective/knowledgeable Sam….and the way you combined your prompts…I just loved it. Comedy, alternate timeline, canon style…what is not to love here?

“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” by @roxy-davenport

Promtps: Queen of Hell (Abaddon), Quincunx (Hoodoo symbol), Quips, and  “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall. Some run from breaks of ice, and answer none, and some condemned for one fault alone” (Measure for Measure II.1). 

My Fangirling:  A rewrite of an awesome episode to include a reader insert and pairing with Crowley, this fic, like many of @roxy-davenport’s, shows a sentimental and charming side of the King of Hell in a way that even makes this Dean!Girl think fondly of the red-eyed demon. I loved the sassy way she broke down the Shakespeare quote in the fic.

“Together We Thrive” by @deansarms

Prompts: Ruby's Knife, Revenge  “I burn, I pine, I perish” (Taming of the Shrew I.1).

My Fangirling: I can NOT compliment this work enough. Absolute brilliance. It’s a poem that switches from Dean’s perspective (in italics) to Sam’s perspective. It centers around the Shakespeare quote, but it provides canon accurate characterization and plot in verse form, and it….ugh, just go read it. I think I’ve reread it like five times now. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

“Friendships is Constant” by @atc74

Prompts: Samuel Campbell, Sigils, Souls, “Friendship is constant in all other things” (Much Ado About Nothing, II.1). 

My Fangirling:  Canon-style fluff and character analysis set in season 12, Angelina used all of her prompts, and created a catch-up moment between the boys and their mother that I think we all want to see happen on the show. Short, sweet, and adorable. 

“Goodnight” by @besslincoln-bruh

Prompts: Uriel, Uniforms (Outfits), Underdog, and “Strong reasons make strong actions” (King John III.4). 

My Fangirling:  An interesting AU with a future Dean x Reader pairing. Reader is a lawyer trying her first defense case—to prove Dean Winchester innocent when the world (and the evidence) is against him. It was hard to tear myself away from this fic, and a creative use of all the prompts. Well worth a read!

“Sweet Revenge” by @plaidstiel-wormstache

This is a completed series. The link above is to the masterlist. She wrote it at as one long one-shot with the quote at the end, but I encouraged her to make it a series--and the whole thing is fabulous.

Prompts: Vengeful Spirits, the Veil, Vessel, and “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (Merchant of Venice III.1).

My Fangirling: This friend went way above and beyond the call of duty and wrote a truly spectacular SERIES based off this prompt, with some inspiration in the form of a rather intriguing OFC. No pairing, but a beautiful use of all prompts in a canon-style fic set during John’s first solo hunt. Angst, sprinkles of fluff, some dark emotional stuff, and so much canon beauty…I love it. I don’t want to play favorites on this challenge, but this one is my favorite.

“Wrath” by @waywardjoy

Prompts: Werewolf, Wooden Stake, Wrath, and  “Is this a dagger which I see before me…or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation” (Macbeth II.1).

My Fangirling: Short but strong, an angsty Dean x Reader piece where you see the unbridled danger that is a wrathful Winchester. My wonderful bestie worked in all of her alphabet prompts and her Shakespeare quote brilliantly. She also helped me put this whole challenge together, so extra kudos to her. :D

“Forgotten Rituals” by @thegreatficmaster

This is a completed two-part fic. The link above is to the masterlist. Both parts are for this challenge--@thegreatficmaster took on two prompts.

Prompts: Yellow-Eyed Demon, Yarrow, Youth, Zachariah, Zoroastrian Symbol, Zenith (the most powerful time), “Hell is empty and all the devils are here” (Tempest I.2), and “Pray you now, forget and forgive.” (King Lear IV.7).

My Fangirling: Nini created a very original reader here for a story the likes of which I’ve never seen before, and doubt I will see again. Azazel x Reader, sexy times, strange magics, manipulation of time and angels, old world religions, unexpected fluff…just wow….  I won’t be forgetting this series any time soon. Great job!

This link will take you to the masterpost I made of all of my celebration challenges!

Fics still to come for this challenge: 

C @bringmesomepie56, 15.  “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them” (Twelfth Night II.5).

G @therealdeanwinchester13, 10.  “Lord, what fools these mortals be!” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream III.2)

K @kalliravenne, 11.  “I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?” (Much Ado About Nothing IV.2).

L  @hellssarcasticqueen, 19.  “The miserable have no other medicine, but only hope” (Measure for Measure III.1).

O @little-red-83, 18.  “Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt” (Measure for Measure I.4). 

Tagging my Forever Crowd, because you guys need to see these so very much!

@2wonderinsighlents, @adaliamalfoy, @alcpegasus22, @andrastesflamingtitties, @angelofwinchester17, @alexastacio, @anokhi07, @ariethegreat98, @arryn-nyxx, @autopistaaningunaparte, @avasmommy224, @bennyyh, @benjerry707, @bringmesomepie56, @bucky-thorin-winchester, @bulletscrossbowpie, @but-deans-back-tho, @captainemwinchester, @carry-on-ms-believer, @casownsmyass, @cfordwrites, @chaos-and-the-calm67, @dancingalone21, @d-s-winchester, @deafgirlsarecooler, @deandoesthingstome, @deanfuckingwinchesterrr, @deanscherrypie, @deansdirtylittlesecretsblog, @deanwinchesterforpromqueen, @deliciouslyshadowymilkshake, @demonangelimpala, @demondeansdomme, @end-lessnights, @faith-in-dean, @fandommaniacx, @feelmyroarrrr, @fiveleaf, @graceforme86, @i-is-for-inspiring, @ilostmyshoe-79, @impala-dreamer, @jalove-wecallhimdean, @jarpadandjensenaremyheroes, @jencharlan, @jensen-gal, @jotink78, @just-a-touch-of-sass-and-fandoms, @katnharper, @kittenofdoomage, @kristaparadowski, @lipstickandwhiskey, @littlegreenplasticsoldier, @leatherwhiskeycoffeeplaid, @love-kittykat21, @loreleilara, @lunarsaturn88, @luv4jensen, @marilynnlew, @millaraysuyai, @mogaruke, @moonstonemystyk, @mrsbatesmotel53, @mrsjohnsmith, @mrswhozeewhatsis, @mzpearlz, @nicolesyneah25, @nightmaredean, @notnatural-supernatural, @paintrider13-blog, @pinknerdpanda, @plaidstiel-wormstache, @rizlowwritessortof, @roxy-davenport, @rushernparadise, @salvachester,  @septicxsoulxdarkxmind, @scorpiongirl1, @skathan-omaha, @spnrvt, @supernatural-jackles, @supernaturalyobsessed, @theafinnerup, @thegreatficmaster, @vote-for-pedro, @waywardjoy, @wevegotworktodo, @wi-deangirl77, @wonderange, @withoutaplease, @writingbeautifulmen, @xtina2191, @yoursmilemakesmeloveyou, and @yume-deaimashou

[ilsa-makes-things]

"What Are You Supposed to Be?” Character Design in Dagorhir

A kender knight errant giggles in the woods battle.

We often neglect character design in Dagorhir (or Belegarth, Amtgard, Darkon, and other LARP-y games where the focus is on fighting and we play one character for years on end). Rather than consciously asking “how can I convey who my character is through my physical appearance?” players often slide into wearing the same old tunics, pants, and accessories as everyone else. Much to my shame, I’ve been the fantasy character who dresses like a generi-Viking and then gets miffed when people ask “what are you supposed to be?” That changed when I took a theatre costume design class. The revelation that I could start with the ideas I wanted to convey (ie, “this character is colorful and eccentric-- how do we translate that into their clothes?”) vs individual items (”well, I already have this tunic-- I guess I’ll have to make it work for my kit, somehow”) changed how I think about character design. 

Thinking about character design let me deliberately and effectively overhall my entire aesthetic. I like my kit a lot more, now, and I think more Dagorhir players would feel the same way if they front-loaded their design process. 

If you’re having trouble figuring out your garb, then, consider designing your kit like you’re costuming a character for a stage or film production. 

Front-Load Your Character Design

I built my “Dragonlance kender” kit piece by random piece for years, and it never added up to a cohesive whole. Every fantasy character hates hearing “what are you?” or “what are you supposed to be?”, and I used to get that a lot.

 Now that I’m front-loading the design process people successfully “read” my kit a lot better. Strangers at the ren faire call me “Tasslehoff,” and new Dagorhir acquaintances burst out laughing and call “watch your pouches!” when they see me pass holding my hoopak, one of the clearest identifying “props” my character carries. Front-loading character design means thinking before you build or acquire pieces of kit, rather than trying to add items that don’t work with the “look” you’re trying to build.

Let’s think about this like we’re designing a stage production. One of the first things we should do is ask what you want to convey to the audience about the character. If this were a play, our audience would be the people putting their butts into our auditorium. Since Dag is live-action and immersive, your audience is your peers. Either way, the first time someone sees your kit, they should be able to make some inferences about you. How wealthy is this character? How much of a conformist are they? What time period or profession do you want to portray? If your design conveys nothing much (or worse, you have to break character to explain your kit or justify the absence of something that’s not there— ie,"I am an elf-- I was just cursed to lose my ears!”), then your design probably needs more thought. *

Case Study: Spud the Ranger

Dude looks like a ranger-- but WHY? HOW??

All of that is a little overwhelming, so let’s boil it down to one important question. Say an average player sees your kit for the first time. Without ever speaking to you (and, because they don’t care, without minutely examining every detail of your kit— the family crest etched onto your belt buckle is for your own satisfaction), a stranger should still be able to say, “aha, that guy is ______,” and be decently close. What do you want that blank to be? What do you need to include in your kit to make them say that?

Your "blank” could be something super obvious like “that character is a dwarf!” or “that character is an Uruk-Hai!” Successfully portrayed, not half-assed dwarves and successfully portrayed, not half-assed Uruk-Hai have really clear physical markers— they’re easy to “read,” provided you know that the beard/axe or fangs/White Hand are the identifying traits. My kender-kit falls into this category: as long as you’ve read Weiss and Hickman’s books, the topknot, hoopak, pouches, and furry vest say “kender” to you.

If your character is something that doesn’t come with easy “markers,” you might have to back off a little and go for something more general. You could pick a fantasy archetype and pick “that character is a bard,” or “that character is a raggedy peasant” or “that character is a knight,” or you could pick something even less concrete, like “that character is evil,” or “that character is more interested in having fun than conforming.” Any choice is valid-- the key is to define it to yourself and build your kit around it, rather than have your hodgepodge kit accidentally define it for you.

Let’s say we’re designing a character for Joe Newplayer. We’ll call Joe’s character Spud.

Joe Newplayer knows that it is gauche to corner his fellow players and tell them, in the third person, that Spud is a ranger who has some werewolf traits and has lived by hunting ever since he was exiled from his hometown, so Spud is going to try to convey this, instead, through costume (and later, through in-character roleplay). Good egg, Joe!

The very least Joe wants our audience to be able to say, of Spud, probably, is “aha, this dude spends a lot of time in the woods.” Going for “this dude is a hunter with a dark past” or “this dude has some weird canine traits” is a little harder, so that could be something to build up to (or, again, express through in-character roleplay).

What would help convey “dude who spends a lot of time in the woods”? Joe, having considered this a bit, might be tempted to start listing individual clothing items he wants to buy-- cloak! Hood! Some dope-ass boots!-- but I would encourage him to hold back. Rather than listing individual clothing items, start with some elements of design, like line, mass, color, texture and movement. Start by thinking about your design as a whole, not by over-focusing on individual pieces, and your costume will be more coherent, unique, and effective.

The Elements of Design

Do we want Spud to appear bulky or slender? A confident character might take up a lot of space, while one who hopes to fade into the background might be drawn more tightly in. Should Spud’s silhouette be shaggy, many-corner’d, or streamlined? What sort of textures are right for a dude who spends a lot of time in the woods? What sorts of colors? Should the materials Spud wears be light and floaty, heavy and stiff, or something in-between? WHY?

Hold off on the internal character reasons for any of the “whys” (ie, “I have this cloak because my mother made it, and she died, so I wear it to remember her”) and keep your focus tight to the audience. Joe might choose a silhouette that’s top-heavy with fur or leather shoulder armor and tapers down to through the lower legs, which very quietly suggests the lean lone wolf. Joe might chose muted, natural colors (which might say that the character wants to fade into the woods), or weirdly clashing or worn-out ones, which might say (though this is getting rather too subtle, but that’s his choice) that he doesn’t care about clothes or society’s expectations (or perhaps that he’s colorblind— canine attributes! ;) ) Joe might distress his fabrics suggest a character who’s down on his luck, or add lots of layers to imply that he carries everything he owns on his back because he doesn’t have a fixed address.

Remember that each choice you make will inform the physical experience of wearing the costume, too. A costume that the actor can’t move in is bad design! What does this character need to do in their clothes, and how do the elements of design you established above intersect with that? Do they need to physically carry all their worldly goods? Will they sleep or fight in this outfit? Will they need help donning their fancy clothes? No matter how independent and stand-offish your traveling female thief is, she’ll probably need help lacing up a back-fastening corset, so ponder the physical realities of the garments you might include, and ask if they fit with your big picture.

If this is overwhelming, pick one adjective and build your design around that, instead. Do you want people to see your character as, primarily, tough? Independent? Scatterbrained? Confident? Timid? Otherworldly? Brainstorm how your adjective could bleed out onto their clothing— not just by giving them individual props (this character is tough because he wears lots of knives!), but by thinking in terms, again, of audience impression (this character is tough because he wears hard textures and has no extra frills!). Grab a print-out croquis (try here) and do some drawings, like you’re making paper dolls. (It’s okay if they’re shitty. Mine are hilariously bad.) How can you make a character look confident, tough, timid, or otherworldly using shapes, colors, and textures, rather than building up from individual items?

For more insight on how to do this, consider reading more about costume design for film and stage. This is a good, quick crash-course in how to start thinking about character design. Give it a shot!

In Conclusion

Start from the ground up and ask what you want to convey to your “audience”— ie, your fellow fighters. The result will be more coherent than if you build stuff up, piece by piece.

Next time, I put my own neck on the chopping block as we look at how I built up my Ilsa character using some of these elements of design. ‘til then, tell me what YOU do to design your character! :)

—

*There’s an argument in favor of subtlety— you probably don’t want to look like a cookie-cutter ranger— but the failure state of “subtle” often “incoherent” or “muddled.” Pick your poison. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯