#reposting cause i think tumbl shadow banned me the first time

[rayofsun936]

The Kids

Thinking about Faerun and how its magic directly and indirectly changed the five kids of Earth.

Thinking about Nick. A kid who only wanted to be with his dad. A dad who was frequently away to support them. So in turn, Nick would do things his dad liked over his own wants just to be with his one remaining parent for a moment longer. Only to be forcibly taken from that parent, reunited briefly, and have the cycle repeat once more before never seeing his dad ever again. Because Nick disappears. He gets his entire existence wiped form the memories of all but four.

Thinking about Nicolas, the kid who replaced Nick. A kid who has both of his parents who remained a steady presence in his life. One of the parents being the mother Nick was supposed to keep. And as soon as we get to know Nicolas, he too is replaced by another. Well, not replaced exactly. Not int eh same way he replaced Nick.

Thinking about Nicky, the kid who Nicolas transforms into. A boy who contains demonic demi-g-d powers, the life experience of Nicolas, and the faint memories of Nick. A boy who is also suddenly a prince of a realm he didn’t even know existed prior to his transformation. And now not only is he split between the lives he’s had, but the worlds as well. Because who is Nicky really?

Who is this boy who took the place of a boy who took the life of a boy who wanted to be with his dad.

Thinking about Lark and how the Deck of Many things fundamentally changed him.

How it caused him to arrive to a conclusion to an extreme that he normally would not have, have it not been for the Deck’s intervention.

And from this change, Lark is no longer able to look at the world in the way he once did. Fighting no longer gives him the pleasure as it did previously. Instead of relying on instinct and adrenaline rushes to win his fights, he enters them with cold calculated plans dripping with malice. The sense of pride he feels from a battle well fought is replaced by the need to do better next time, regardless of the outcome.

The words his father would speak to him to placate him used to annoy and irritate him to the point where he eventually would follow and listen to of his own accord. And now, every word his father speaks to him makes his skin crawl and hands itch to destroy. Riling him up and causing the opposite of the intended affect.

An even worse notion is that Lark is no longer able to love his father in the way he once did and is unable to forgive his father for who he is.

This change leaving Lark angry and resentful to the point of pushing away those who love him most.

Thinking about Grant and how he was forced to change to save his life.

How he had to pry for details on what his dad refused to tell him. Even though his dad has always been open with him and told him the importance of communication.

After the details are revealed, he then had to accept the fate foretold to him.

Grant had to quickly and unfairly come to terms in committing an act he never wanted to do. An act he was able to avoid for weeks in an environment that doesn’t give you many options not to.

He follows through with the plan his dad laid out, trusting his judgement, along with the promise of talking it out afterwards.

So he did it, and in the process lost himself. Becoming closed off, reserved and numb. Because the very nature of what he had to do had to change him to his core. Making him into a completely different person.

And now Grant doesn’t want to talk about what he made his dad promise him before he did it.

Thinking about Sparrow and how torn up he is on who he is, who he thinks he should be and who he wants to be.

He is a Love Wolf, after finally being able to connect with his father. They connect through love and acceptance and protection. Giving him new purpose on how to approach the vast world before him.

He is loyal to his brother. His other half and partner in crime, who changes overnight with no explanation. Causing them to lose the connection they once had, making it feel foreign and distant. And no matter his efforts, or how hard he tries, their connection never goes back to what it once was.

These changes pull Sparrow in opposing directions. Leaving him torn between the two most important people in his life. Having to decide between who his father expects him to be, who his brother needs to be, who he wants himself to be, and most importantly who he truly is.

Thinking about Terry Jr and how he’s the odd man out, due to his change resulting in a more ‘positive’ outcome.

Because he’s the kid who entered Faerun angry, hurt and lost. Reeling from multiple changes out of his control. Needing and wanting the stability he once had.

He then ‘finds’ what he ‘wants’, in a false projection. Which is okay with him because it’s better than the nothing he had before.

The illusion is shattered, and Terry Jr does his best to pick up the pieces by himself. Alone through his own conviction.

That’s when the parental figure he never wanted steps up and give shim what he truly needs. Allowing him to start healing and healthily move on from his loss.

Just some thought on how the Forgotten Realms irrevocably and fundamentally changed the five children of Earth