sixthoctavarium

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It's Been A Good Run

This is a decision I've mulled for a long time, and after some thought, I've made a final decision.

As of this moment, I consider myself retired from fic writing. Unless something drastically changes, I am through writing fanfiction. This was something I was hesitant to post, particularly because I knew it would disappoint people, but I figure it's better than never saying anything and leaving everyone hanging.

Unfortunately, this means that the Sword Saint Chronicles is now dead. I did not intend for this, particularly because I'm always one who believes in finishing what I started, but at this point, barring any drastic change, the series will not be completed.

To explain my decision, let me give a little background on my adventures in fic writing and about me.

You see, prior to writing fanfiction, I had a lot of things going on in my life. I spent time with friends, I played the Final Fantasy Trading Card Game, I played a lot of video games and pinball, and I attended a lot of conventions. I had plenty going on. In early 2020, I discovered Hamefura by chance while browsing TVTropes, and seeing that, the premise interested me. I then read some manga scanlations and was even more hooked. Then I found out an anime was coming and got excited. Now when this originally happened, I didn't think I'd get too much into the fandom. But then COVID happened, and suddenly I was working from home, and most of my pastimes were now a no-go due to things being on lockdown. Because of that, and because of the stress of this sudden change, as well as (unfounded) concerns about my job, I began to immerse myself into Hamefura. It was a major reason I got through the pandemic sane, and seeing new episodes on Saturdays was a highlight of the week for me.

Then one day, I began thinking of potential fanfics to write. Now that I suddenly had time, I decided to jump in and write. I started off with That Night In A Safe Haven, which turned out well. Afterwards I then did Six Interesting But Ordinary Weeks, which people seemed to like but now I can't stand. I read that and cringe. But I kept it up because it's a reminder of how much I improved.

Then I came up with the idea for Fight Like A Lady, which I consider to be my first true "hit" fic. And then things went from there and I kept writing. I had the time, and I had ideas, and also a sounding board in the r/otomegame Discord, so I kept writing.

I've gone places I never imagined with my writing. I saw fics which got their own entry on TVTropes, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever think something I wrote would make it. Then I wrote Catarina Claes MUST DIE, and at the conclusion, someone found it worthy enough of warranting a TVTropes page. I was honored. And moved. I actually got emotional from it. I told my best friend that I think I now know what it feels like when a baseball player gets the call that they've been elected to the Hall of Fame.

And so I continued to write, and things went on. But then the pandemic lockdown began to let up, and I slowly began to do more of what I'd used to do. In July of last year, I went back into the office and began working from there instead of my home. And then this past winter and spring, I worked a ton of overtime. Suddenly, the time I had to write was shrinking, and unlike when I first began, I started to be somewhat annoyed at writing because it was taking time away from my preferred pastimes. But I still had ideas and wanted to write them.

Eventually, I began my most recent (and as of now my last) fic, My Next Life As A Planeswalker: All Routes Lead To The Multiverse. And I found while writing it that my interest in the Hamefura fandom was not what it once was. I went through and finished the story, but at the end of it, I knew I needed a break. Unfortunately, that break will be permanent now. Simply put, I've got a lot of other things I want to do, and with work, my interests, and the like, I just don't have the time to really dedicate myself to fic writing.

If you're disappointed, I understand. I totally get it. But I wanted to be upfront and let everyone know what I've decided. If things change, or I get the itch to write again, I might jump back into it. But as of now, I don't think I'll ever get back into it.

I want to thank everyone that's read my stories, left kudos on AO3, and commented on them. Your comments, praise, and criticism were what fueled me, and I can't thank you enough for them. Its your noticing my stories that made this such a rewarding experience.

Thanks for taking the time to read this as well. I'm glad to have gone through this and learned things about myself, but I feel it's time to move on, and again, I'd rather let you all know what's happening.

Until next time.

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And it’s done! My MNLaaP playmat, with artwork courtesy of @drawesomedump! Thanks again!

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Left to right: Catarina Claes, Jace Beleren, Ajani Goldmane, Chandra Nalaar, Kaya, Teferi, and Sienna Nelson. A group pose of the planeswalkers in my crossover fanfic My Next Life as a Planeswalker: All Routes Lead to The Multiverse!

Credit once again to the amazing @drawesomedump for her hard work for this commissioned piece! I plan on having a playmat made with this image. I'll post up as soon as it's done and in my hands.

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Special thanks to @daawnilyart for this piece for my 40th birthday. I'm touched. And scared. Personally, I'd wouldn't let Henrietta Garland near string, much less a knife.

Thanks again Dawn!

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It's the first day of class, and the first day of the next stage of everyone's lives.

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Sienna relays the news that she is joining The Gatewatch.

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Special thanks again to @daawnilyart for this piece. This is what Sienna Nelson wears for her planeswalking, which she's going to be wearing much more from now on. The explanation is in the most recent chapter of My Next Life As A Planeswalker: All Routes Lead to The Multiverse, which I just posted today. Check it out!

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The first school year under the new curriculum at the Academy of Magic has begun. The Gatewatch finds itself with a new member.

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It's time for Sienna to leave with The Gatewatch for her yearlong journey.

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Catarina receives an apology and also meets a new member of the Academy's faculty.

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Catarina, her friends, and The Gatewatch meet to discuss some important things.

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My Homemade Hamefura Lore: The Star of Sorcier

Today I posted the most recent chapter of My Next Life as a Planeswalker. During it, I had Catarina, her friends, and others awarded a medal called the Star of Sorcier. I'm posting this up here so that you can make use of this as you see fit if you wish.

First is the medal itself. Credit to @daawnilyart for the design:

The Star of Sorcier is the highest military honor that can be earned in Sorcier. It is earned when one takes actions that are considered valorous and above and beyond what is expected. Estella Morel for example earned hers with her quick thinking allowing Sorcier to establish control of the skies, which prevented heavy losses among the Ornithopter squadron, while Catarina and her friends earned theirs due to all the work they put in teaching magic to the volunteers among the Academy of Magic's students and the Ministry of Magic's staff, as well as taking leadership and fighting fiercely during the battle itself.

When one is awarded the Star of Sorcier, they gain the following privileges:

-A monthly stipend paid by the Parliament of Sorcier -Use of the post-nominal abbreviation "St.S". So for example, Anne, who was awarded one, would be referred to formally in print as "Miss Anne Shelley, St.S". -If awarded to someone not in the Sorcier College of War, they are granted automatic admission, provided they meet the criteria. Their children are also afforded automatic admission if they meet the criteria. -An increased military pension should the recipient serve in the military and qualify for a pension. -Automatic invitation to royal celebrations and events as a guest of honor, including coronations and the Sovereign's Birthday. -Though not mandatory, if the recipient is wearing the Star on their person, active soldiers and military officers are highly encouraged to salute the recipient, regardless of rank. A couple chapters from now, that'll come into play.

So that's that little bit of lore I came up with for Hamefura. Feel free to use it as you see fit.

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Sorcier celebrates the triumph over New Phyrexia.

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Elesh Norn finds that she'll need her forces for a more pressing matter.

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If I had to try to answer the previous anon’s question… I think it’s more of that side of the fandom exploring the OG game’s story, lots of what-if ideas being thrown around and speculation. They’re looking into the potential of the game, and how things could’ve been different in that AU. Looking more into her character, beyond a one-dimensional bully meant to torment the heroine.

Also, I think people making OG Katarina more sympathetic than she appears can also be due to:.

1. OG Katarina is a teenager + a bully, and I’ve seen other fandoms often try to push the idea that such characters are sympathetic in fan works because they’re “kids that just need time and patience to mature” to become good, or explain their behavior using the character’s backstory and actions to show them in a sympathetic light. (This point isn’t limited to OG Kat specifically, more like her being part of a trend I’ve been noticing)

2. Hamefura Katarina’s biased perception of her due to reincarnating into her. We see our Kat feel bad for OG Kat at times because of the way the original game creators wrote her to suffer for the sake of the game’s plot, so it’s like we feel inclined to see her way of thinking and thus… sympathize with OG Kat as a result.

Personally, I don’t mind how people decide to interpret OG Katarina or how they write her in AUs, because the nature of the series allows for endless creativity in that particular subject. But I can’t say that it’s a topic I’ve ever been invested in beyond reading a few interesting fics, as I’m not one of those that ever saw OG Kat as more sympathetic than she appeared either.

Thanks for stepping in and answering.

As I said, OG Catarina just doesn't interest me because I've never seen Fortune Lover as anything more than something to frame the plot for Hamefura. It's just not for me, but that's my opinion. If it interests people, I'm not going to tell them they shouldn't.

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I'm not sure if this a larger thing, but can I just say, I feel that the fandom makes OG Fortune Lover Kat out to be more sympathetic than I feel she really was? Like, yeah, your fiance (who you guilted for an injury you were responsible for into becoming so) has cheated on you, which considering your family and the Keith issue, probably hurt hard. You then tried to freaking murder her. And even outside of Geordo's route, we see her just be an awful person to Keith and Maria? I dunno, it may just be a backlash to fandom perceptions from me.

I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask this question to, simply because I don't take much interest in OG Catarina or the Fortune Lover story.

I've always seen Fortune Lover in Hamefura as something that frames the overall plot of the story. Nothing more, nothing less. Because of that, I take absolutely no interest whatsoever in trying to interpret that story, or interpret the characters and their actions. It just doesn't hold my interest. Only one fic which had OG Catarina as a significant presence ever drew my attention, and that was Through The Looking Glass by @luki-fanfic, because, well, it's the best story ever written in this fandom.

So whether people are making her more sympathetic than she really is or not, well, I can't really comment, simply because I view Fortune Lover as merely a part of what frames the plot for Hamefura. Luki did a good job making you feel sorry for OG Catarina, but still made it clear OG Catarina has issues.

Sorry if this wasn't the answer you were looking for, but I unfortunately don't have an answer for you.

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Sorcier takes control of the battle to save the world.