#Fairytale and Folktale Inspired

[kaynanarie]

Eyes of Gold (Part 13)

(A WukongxReader story inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Lutung Kasarung.) (First) (Prev)

            Quiet. Warm. Serene. Another peaceful day on the Mountain of Fruit and Flowers. You sat under a peach tree, enjoying the sweet scent of florals and the kiss of sunshine on your skin. It was the perfect place to relax and sort yourself out.

           Thoughts, feelings, wants, and doubts had been whirling through your head for days now. And at the center of it all was Shihou. Wonderful, kind Shihou. With soft fur that smelled of peaches and mountain stone. Strong arms that held you close and kept you safe. A cheeky smile and chittery laugh that brightened your day and cheered any mood. And warm, golden eyes that captured your heart with their unspoken devotion.

           It was unexpected, you didn’t even know when it truly started, but there was no denying the most obvious fact now. You had fallen in love with Shihou.

           Maybe it was impossible not to. You lived for the moments his tail would curl around your wrist as he led you somewhere. In the comfort and protection he offered in each and every hug. Watching his handsome face as he spoke of his home and people, brilliant eyes shining with his infectious enthusiasm. More than once, you dreamed of brushing your hands through his fur, feeling his solid form press against you, and touching your lips to his to find out how he tasted.

            You shook your head, cheeks burning at the scandalous thoughts. Being close to Shihou only fanned your desires higher, fueled by every lingering touch and fond glance. It was getting harder to hide your reactions, face constantly flushed and heart fluttering every time you were together. If Shihou’s questioning stares and smug grins were anything to go by, you weren’t doing a very good job.

           It was embarrassing to be so shy over something so easily remedied but other worries plagued you with doubt and halted any confessions.

           As affectionate as Shihou was, you could only guess the depth of his true feelings. He was your protector, your peach friend, but beyond that? What if you mistook normal demon behavior for romantic interest? Maybe he could never see himself with a human? Perhaps another already held his heart far from your clumsy reach? Understandable but heartbreaking, all the same.

           Then there was the question of the King. While Sun Wukong had been nothing but kind and welcoming to you, his tolerance of humans was still vague. He’d upheld his promise, even declaring himself protector of your village, and your gratitude was immeasurable. But if he objected, or found insult in your pursuit of his guard, any goodwill between you and the Monkey King would be shattered. And worse, Shihou might also face punishment for your mistake; something you couldn’t bear to put him through.

           Your thoughts twisted and tangled themselves together until your head ached but no true answer relieved you of your woes. The mountain had slowly become your home and a small, hopeful part of you wanted to share it with Shihou. But fears of his refusal or banishment from the King himself kept your secrets buried and left your heart wanting.

           As you sat, sighing and contemplating, something soft brushed your cheek. Then something else touched your shoulder. Tiny flowers in pure whites and blushing pinks were floating down, covering you in delicate petals and flowery fragrance. A quiet chuckle gave away the culprit before you even glanced up.

           Shihou had suddenly appeared, perching nimbly in the tree as he dropped flowers down like a mischievous cloud. “Hey, Peaches!” he greeted with a cheeky grin. “What you doing out here?”

           “Just thinking,” you said simply, biting back the wave of emotions threatening to spill out. Just seeing him, hearing his voice, was a balm and a thorn all in one.

           “About what?” When you didn’t answer, Shihou let himself fall backwards, hanging upside down from the branch so his frowning face hovered just in front of yours. “Everything okay?”

            “Everything’s fine.” You booped his nose, giggling when he followed your finger with crossed eyes. “How was your day?”

           Shihou scowled. “Boring. Long meetings, patrol schedules, a lot of guard complaints. I’m glad it’s over.” His face softened, eyes shining fondly when they met yours. “I missed you.”

           “I missed you, too.” It was painfully honest and you were determined to enjoy whatever time or affection he was willing to share. “So, what do you have planned now that you’re free of responsibilities?” you teased, picking away the loose flowers still clinging to his fur.

            “Well…” Shihou mused, casually swinging back and forth by his tail. “I was thinking of taking you up to the waterfall. We can enjoy the view, have some dinner, maybe go for a swim. Or,” He paused, throwing a challenging smirk your way. “You can test how brave you are.”

           You raised a skeptical brow. “How so?”

            “The waterfall is pretty famous,” he explained with a shrug. “It’s the same one Sun Wukong jumped through to become King. Lots of monkeys try it to prove their courage; most just end up going for a swim but it’s all in good fun.”

            “You think I can jump through a waterfall?” A surprised giggle bubbled out of you at the suggestion. The impromptu swim sounded like the more likely outcome. “I’ll pass on that challenge, thank you.”

           Shihou’s adorable pout nearly swayed you. “Aw, come on! What if I jump with you?”

           “Won’t that be cheating?”

           “You can’t cheat if there aren’t any rules,” he countered.

            “And if I make it, will I impress Sun Wukong enough to earn my own crown?” you asked, tapping your chin in playful thought.

            Smiling softly, Shihou reached forward to caress a gentle hand against your cheek. “I think you’re impressive enough just the way you are.”

           His sweet words and tender touch caught you off guard, fluttering your heart and nearly melting you on the spot. Turning away, you consider his challenge while hiding your blush from his hopeful stare. “Why don’t we go enjoy the view and I’ll think about doing your little waterfall jump?”

           Shihou’s excitement was like sunshine itself. “Perfect! Then it’s a d–”

           “Hello! Is someone there!?”

            A sudden shout startled you both, echoing from just beyond the trees. In the span of a second, Shihou had dropped down and shoved you behind him. He stood tall and tense, fur bristling and tail lashing as he scanned the forest with narrowed eyes.

           “Who’s there? Show yourself!” he ordered, voice carrying a startling weight of authority. As if on cue, two humans stumbled from out of the bushes and collapsed to the ground.

           “Please! We need help!”

           You peeked around Shihou’s protective shield and recognized the groveling men. “Wait, you’re the farmers from the village!”

            “We are,” one of them nodded. “Elder Gran sent us.”

           “What’s happened?” Shihou asked sternly. “Did the demons return?”

           The other farmer shook his head. “No, a deep freeze fell on our village two nights ago.”

           A chilling dread washed over you at the news. “Is everyone alright?”

           “We’ve kept warm so far but the lake is frozen solid. Food is already running low and now we can’t catch any fish. We came to beg the Monkey King for assistance.”

            Both men bowed on their knees, nearly shaking from their tears. “Please help us.”

           “We have to do something,” you said, pondering the dire situation. “If we pick more fruit, it can help the village for a bit but I’m not sure what to do about the lake.” You turned to Shihou with pleading eyes. “Is there anything Sun Wukong can do?”

           Shihou frowned in thought. “Maybe. You take some fruit back to your village for the time being. I’ll bring word to the mountain see what can be done.”

           “Thank you, Shihou!” You threw your arms around him, nearly giggling at his surprised chirrup, before pulling back with a smile. As much as he tried to stay composed, the red of his face and the bashful flick of his tail gave him away.

           “I’ll see you soon,” Shihou said with a parting wave. “Stay safe.” One moment he was there; the next, vanished like the wind into the endless green of the forest.

           The instant he was gone, you turned to the two men still on the ground. “Alright, get up, you two. We have some fruit to pick and I’m not carrying it down the mountain by myself.”

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~🍑 Peach Friends 🍑~

@joyfulllittlething @iluxurycruisedthatship @drspecialhell @moondrop39-dovewing70 @happycarp @chibifox88 @rutabaga-menace @resident-cryptid

(If you would like to join the tag list, let me know!)

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Hello Peach Friends! Happy Lunar New Year and Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day! The last week has been crazy busy but I come bearing gifts of Shihou emotions and plot points to come. Thank you so much to everyone enjoying the story so far. Every comment, like, and reblog means the world to me and I am beyond grateful for your support!

You can also find this story on AO3:

https://archiveofourown.org/works/60643669

[beneathsilverstars]

what does the party think of loop being a different siffrin. like why theyre here. likee do they think loop is a siffrin who.. succeeded? a siffrin who died?

[context: Dagger Ending AU]

Ooh yes. Here's everyone's theories from the first week or two, and what Loop had to say about them!

They've all discussed their theories together (though with some details omitted when Bonnie's there), and they have varying opinions on each other's, but they mostly stick to arguing their own if just because they have a clandestine bet going on. Maybe a little gauche, but sometimes you need to lighten the mood by acting the same way you do for sillier topics.

Bonnie's theory: Siffrin asked the stars for a friend.

Bonnie's story is inspired by some fairytales they were told when they were younger. Those fairytales were inspired by stories from the forgotten island, so Bonnie's version here actually brings it closer to the originals again! Though of course, with a Vaugardian twist.

Bonnie says: Siffrin was worried about being left alone, so since he really likes the stars for some reason, he asked the stars to be his friend forever. So one of the stars came down to be with him! But obviously a dot of light wouldn't make a very good friend, so they had to Change to be a person — and a dot of light that isn't a person yet wouldn't know how to Change right yet, so they just cheated and copied Siffrin. But it's impossible to Change to be exactly like another person, you can only ever be a new version of yourself, so that's why Loop isn't the exact same as Siffrin.

Bonnie: I know you don't want to explain to us why there's two of you, and why you're not a— you're... more different than people can normally be, but if I tell you my thee-ry, will you at least just say if I'm right? Loop: Hm... Probably not. Loop: But you should tell me anyway! [Bonnie explains their theory.] Loop: Aw! That's a very cute story~ [Loop's smile becomes more forced.] Loop: That is all I am, aren't I? A star friend for pooor little Siffrin, so he doesn't have to be all alone? Bonnie: I knew it!!! Bonnie: Do you miss being a normal star, up in the sky? [Loop takes a deep breath.] Loop: I miss a lot of things. But I asked to be here. Bonnie: Oh! Did you ask for a friend, too? It would make sense for the stars to pick you to send, if you were lonely too. Loop: ... I did! You're very good at this. Bonnie: Of course I am!!! Loop: You know, you should tell your story to stardust. I think they'll like it better than I do. [Bonnie runs off to tell Siffrin about it, and then to tell the other adults that Loop said they were totally right.]

Isabeau's theory: Loop is a sadness made out of Siffrin's self-hatred and loneliness.

There's stories about people finding "their" sadness that mirrors them exactly, including both fiction that uses it as a metaphor for inner battles, and folktales that claim to be true. Isabeau used to not believe the folktales at all, because they vary so wildly, and surely one single person's emotions couldn't be strong enough to make a sadness as sapient as some of the stories claim — no sadnesses are that clever, not even the big powerful ones that are made out of so many people's emotions that they aren't even vaguely human-shaped.

But, now, well... If it is possible, it's hard to find any negative emotions stronger than the reasons someone tried to kill themself. And it's undeniable that Loop seems to be closer to a sadness in physiology than they are to any living creature.

Plus, there could very well be some other factor that pushed Loop into full personhood! Some of the stories include the sadness feeding on its originator until the person wastes away and the sadness takes their place, which is far-fetched, but so is this whole situation. Or, animating a statue kind of involves putting a bit of yourself into it — your craft energy, your intentions — so perhaps Siffrin had put a lot of themself into Loop, in a way that isn't possible with something nonliving. It would explain the craft exhaustion, too, if Siffrin had fueled Loop's becoming in some way or another.

Isabeau: Bonnie said you said they were right. That you're a star sent to be Sif's friend. Loop: I'm sure they did. Isabeau: ... But it's not true, right? [Loop looks away.] Loop: ... I didn't actually tell them it was. I didn't lie to them. Just... parts of it. Isabeau: Parts of it were true? Isabeau: Which parts? Loop: ... What do you think? Isabeau: Well, it would depend on exactly how they worded it, wouldn't it? They keep changing their mind on the details. Loop: What do you think, then? Isabeau: About… Loop: Me. Isabeau: Right. [Isabeau makes a face.] Isabeau: I... don't know that it would do any good to tell you. Loop: Wow, that bad, huh? Now I have to hear it. Isabeau: Just, promise you won't take it the wrong way? [Loop squints at him.] Loop: I'll take it whatever way I want. Isabeau: Alright, fair enough. Alright. But, whether or not my theory is true, that doesn't change how I think about you, okay? You're a person, and you're our friend, and I'm glad you're here with us. Loop: Just get on with it, Fighter. Isabeau: Yeah, yeah, alright. Isabeau: It’s... I think you might be a sadness? [Loop gasps dramatically.] Loop: Ooooh, how could you~? Isabeau: There would definitely have to be more to it. You are a person, and you're stable, Sif's moods don't affect you any more than they do the rest of us. But... you're not human. You don't need to sleep, you can't eat, you're just... not made out of living stuff? But you're not artificial either, you're not an inanimate thing that's been crafted to move. You're alive! And there's only one sort of... being... that I know of, that's alive but not living. And, well... Sif...... Loop: ... They were so very, very sad. Isabeau: Yeah. Loop: Well! It does make sense! Loop: Of course you'd go for the depressing, realistic answer! Loop: You're entirely wrong, of course, but... Loop: I... [Loop looks down at their hands.] [They move their hands up, to grip their arms.] Isabeau: Sorry. I knew you wouldn't like it. I swear it really, really doesn't matter, okay? However you... got here... you're here now, and you're you, and we're glad of it. Loop: ... Isabeau: I'll go see if Bonbon needs any help with dinner.

Mirabelle's theory: Siffrin killed himself, and he both got brought back to life and lived on as a ghost.

To be exact, he successfully(-ish?) committed suicide when he said he was going to go take a nap in the meadow. She thinks it's an earlier attempt rather than the one Odile saw because: Siffrin had originally told Isabeau he wanted to talk again with someone he'd spoken to the day before — which could only have happened earlier in the day, because Siffrin was never left alone later — and while that could be a lie it also explains how Siffrin knew that Loop was at the favor tree at all; Odile mentioned how confident and unflinching he was about it, which could be explained by having done it before; and everyone agrees that the recent changes in Siffrin started, though more subtly, after the nap in particular.

Siffrin not dying from his late afternoon attempt isn't necessarily as much of a factor — Vaugardian ghost lore includes stories of people being haunted by earlier versions of themselves that they’d Changed away from, so there’s precedence for living people having ghosts. Of course this means there are other major Changes besides death (or deciding to die) that can create a ghost, but the other ways Siffrin has changed don't seem quite dramatic enough in the right way to have been the catalyst. In fact, it’s strange than Loop seems to be the more Changed of the two! But perhaps pre-Dormont Siffrin actually was more like Loop and just hid it better, or perhaps Siffrin used to be more like Loop at an earlier point in their life, and had somewhat Changed but not enough to be happy with themself. Either way, any of Loop's traits that post-Dormont Siffrin doesn't seem to share much at all would be parts of themself that pre-Dormont Siffrin "killed".

Mirabelle: Loop... You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but... Are you a ghost? Loop: You know, stardust guessed the same thing! And I told them... Well, I don't remember anymore. Something about the Favor Tree being my grave? Loop: Anyway, you could sort of say that! Except, how could I be his ghost when he didn't actually die? You made sure of that. Mirabelle: Well... I thought maybe... Mirabelle: Maybe Siffrin did kill themself? Before that? And you're the parts of Siffrin that they killed, but you stayed because... because you still had things to get done, or Siffrin still needed you, or… or something like that...? Loop: HA! Loop: Yeah, something like that!!! [Loop laughs hysterically for a bit, then suddenly stops.] Loop: ... Go away, Housemaiden. [Mirabelle leaves to fetch Siffrin.] [While she's gone, Loop leaves the camp.] [Siffrin finds them and brings them back several hours later.]

Odile's theory: Siffrin wished for a companion.

The final loop through the house didn't include either of the forgotten language books on wish craft, but it did include discussion of the impossibility of time craft, and the diary where a lonely person wished for a copy of themself. Odile initially dismissed the diary as creative fiction, but it was still fresh on her mind when she met Loop later that day!

During the next couple days in Dormont, she asked Euphrasie about how she crafted Mirabelle's blessing, because she loves cutting-edge craft. The conversation turned to the King's impossible time craft, and Euphrasie said she thinks he probably used wish craft. She explained that she doesn't know much because it's hard to find anything more than brief mentions of it, but she's confident it's real. She's pretty sure you need to do very particular things in order to use it, though — not any old wish will do — and she doesn't know what those things are. But it's probably the only way the King could have gotten the power to stop time, and there's a chance that the people of Vaugarde’s wishes for salvation contributed to his defeat (but she's not sure because who knows if anyone actually wished the right away).

Now, knowing that wish craft could be real… it’s strange to think that Siffrin might know about something basically unheard of. But they did know about the orrery in the house, and caring about stars is basically unheard of, too! And… Loop says they’re a star… and the King has stars on his armor….. And it’s risky to use one guess as evidence for another, but that could be three instances where the shape or knowledge of stars appeared alongside the use or knowledge of wish craft. And Siffrin spoke to Loop at the Favor Tree, and supposedly that’s where they spoke the day before too, and a Favor Tree is a place where you ask for something you want.

Siffrin’s craft exhaustion could be a point for or against; on one hand, making a copy of yourself must be powerful craft, but on the other hand, wish craft was what allowed the King to perform craft so strenuous that it should’ve instantly killed him. Plus, Siffrin’s exhaustion didn’t hit till at least a full day after they went to the Favor Tree alone the first time. So Odile doesn’t know enough to call that factor either way.

And why would Siffrin try to kill themself shortly after their wish came true? Was it just not everything they hoped it would be? Siffrin and Loop fight a lot, but they obviously care for each other a lot, too… But maybe even getting something they really wanted could make a depressed person feel worse, if it doesn't help as much as they hoped it would, and they decide that means they’re hopeless.

Odile decided on this theory by day three. There are other mysteries that aren’t as neatly explained by it, like the ease with which Siffrin navigated the house, but perhaps they’d made a second wish? Or perhaps that was the influence of the Vaugardian wishes that Euphrasie talked about? And over the following weeks, Siffrin’s behavior has only gotten stranger, in worrying, unexplainable ways. Odile is finding many different pieces to an unknown number of puzzles… but she’s fairly certain she’s got a good start on the Loop corner.

Loop: Well, Researcher? Everyone else has told me their theories on what and how and why I am. What's yours? Odile: I was wondering when you’d ask. My best theory is that Siffrin made a wish — for a friend who wouldn’t leave him, or someone who understood what he felt, or something along those lines — and your existence was the answer. Loop: … Loop: Same story as the Kid, huh? Odile: You did say that they got parts of it right. Loop: It just seems a bit unrealistic for you, Researcher~ Stardust wished for a friend and one just fell out of the sky? Odile: Your entire existence is unrealistic, Loop. But if a craft has the power to freeze an entire country in time, surely it also has the power to create life. Or split it, perhaps. Loop: … But the king used time craft. What does that have to do with wish craft? Odile: The Head Housemaiden of Dormont believes wish craft is what gave him the power to stop time. Loop. W- How does she know about wish craft?? Odile: How do you, Loop? Loop: The— It’s— [Odile waits patiently.] Loop: The book! The, the diary, in that room, with the— the thing for the stars. It talked about wish craft. Odile: Ah, of course. The diary of a person who felt lonely and misunderstood, so they used wish craft to make a copy of themself. The diary you’ve never seen, because you… branched off, let’s say, the day before we fought through the House. Loop: Stardust told me about it! Odile: Of course. You know, they remember a surprising amount about the House? It's been several weeks, and you'd think between the traumatic injury the day before and the fevers afterwards, even the average person would consider it all a bit of a blur. But they still remember details that the others have forgotten, about conversations it seemed they were barely paying attention to. Even one or two things that I don't remember at all. [Loop breathes shallowly.] Loop: W— What are you implying? Odile: Nothing in particular. However shaky the wish craft theory seems, I'm even less sure about everything else. Loop: Well, you should be! Because there is nothing else! [Odile sighs.] Odile: I'm sorry, I know you don't want us knowing about these things. You and Siffrin both. But he's... not doing well. [Loop looks away.] Odile: And frankly, I don't think you are, either. But we can't help if we don't know what the problem is! It's your choice not to tell us, but I'm not going to stop trying to figure it out. Loop: It doesn't matter! The other things. He has you now, all four of you. You're helping. They'll be okay. Odile: What about you, Loop? Loop: ... I'm helping too. I'm trying. I'm here to help them. Odile: Loop... [Odile is about to say something, but stops. She takes a deep breath before continuing.] Odile: It would help a great deal if you and he could be more open with us. Loop: ... Odile: Can I take this as confirmation of my theory, at least? Loop: ... Not quite. Odile: But I'm close. [Loop doesn't claim otherwise.]

[thewickwheat]

I am fingers crossing that by increasing the opacity on the top I can avoid flagging but lets find out

together

BUT ANYWAY

there was another FFXIV Gala event on twitter that I participated in and since the theme was Fairytales and I am someone who looks for any excuse to bring up my favorite folktale, I had to pay homage to Prince Lindworm by depicting Zenos as the titular Lindworm and Earley as the shepherd’s daughter. 

You can read the folktale here!

There’s also a process video available for Patrons! (which I try to do with all my illustration pieces)

Design notes below the cut for interested folks

The goal with Zenos' outfit was to communicate shedding skin, with each layer getting more raw. So its a matte wool suit layered with shiny red satin and the underlayer being soft velvet (originally the suit had iridescent sequins sewn near the cuffs to imply scales but I couldn’t find a way to depict it nicely, though I think it would look stellar IRL) 

Earley's was heavily inspired by Queera Wang's gender neutral wedding designs, which also worked well with the layered "fine shifts" in the story. Other elements minorly borrowed from folk designs (it was a stronger influence earlier in the design but a lot of it got discarded) and I’m very sad her boots could not be shown off in the final composition 

there's also...another theme in the designs but I think you can figure that out~

[shiny-jr]

Loved all your info about Empyrean with my last ask and left comments/reblog to it, and so sorry to spam your asks especially when you’re still working on this idea, but I’m just curious and want to hear whatever ramblings you’d like to share!

You mentioned Heartslabyul being inspired by Europe with a dash of volcanos via borders and I’m sure there’s going to be lots of references to the regions of origin for the fairytales/Disney movies for each. But are there other places of the world you’re drawing inspiration from, whether in real life or from Genshin too?

You’ve given teasers about Leona and Idia, along with the original premise post for a few of the other archons, are there any other backstories you’ve been developing for the archons or even the other characters?

Again, sorry to spam your asks but the more I look into Genshin, the more I’m excited by Empyrean and wishing you all the best in writing~!

So if y'all recall, my biggest qualm with Genshin Impact was the amalgamation of cultures and cultures as costume. I am NOT trying to do that here. However, here's the problem when it comes to implementing the twst x genshin au: a majority of the stories are based in Europe or have European origins. So that means that most of the world, if we go by that logic, would be European, which doesn't sit right with me.

So for story's sake, I think I'll imply in the story that the seven nations are the ones of the known world, and the most recognized due to their archon's power. I've considered maybe changing the setting of a nation, but that doesn't exactly sit right with me either. So that's why I stated here and like I said, it will be implied in the story, that there is another part of the world not even really known. That being said, I probably won't lean too heavily into the cultural aspect of the story. However, there will be mentions here and there. Keep in mind though, I belong to none of these cultures, so I'll try to research to the best of my ability but it's also why, like I just said, I don't want to heavily into the cultural aspect of the story, because by no means do I want to get something wrong and offend anyone.

Here's my thought process for the inspiration of each. Keep in mind, this is still very much a work in progress.

Heartslabyul: British Isles

If you thought this was gonna be any other place, then what the hell are you thinking? Riddle definitely has a British accent. The tea, the tarts, all that stuff? Very British, if you ask me. Of course there's the fact that the original author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland is from Britain.

Savanaclaw: East Africa

After bit of research, I found several things. Such as the fact that many of the names from The Lion King movie are based off the Swahili language. Zulu is apparently also spoken in the opening song, The Circle of Life. Additionally, the Pride Lands are said to be set in either Tanzania or Kenya.

Octavinelle: Scandinavia(?)

I know a lot of people like to debate where The Little Mermaid takes place, but I'm basing this on the origins of the author, as he is Danish. Also, if you recall, I believe there's in game dialogue where one of the Octavinelle characters mentions how ice often makes it difficult for them to return home, thus suggesting that their homeland is very cold. Originally I did want to add a tropical location, but this complicates things.

Scarabia: Arabian Peninsula(?)

Yes, yes, there's the fact that the movie of Aladdin takes inspiration from Indian and other Southeast Asian cultures, but from what I've seen, the story seems to mainly derive from Arabic cultures. Aside for the fact that the story of Aladdin is said to come from the Islamic Golden Age and is from a collection of Middle Eastern folktales. If you research names like Kalim or Jamil, they do have Arabic origins.

Pomefiore: Central/Eastern Europe(?)

We all know the Brothers Grimm, yes? Authors of many fairytales, one of which being Snow White. Well, they're German. And, I mean, the archon is going to be Vil SCHOENHEIT, if that's not German sounding last name, then I dunno what is. Why did I include Eastern Europe? Because I personally HC a lot of the characters with accents and the accent I imagine Epel with is some type of Slavic. God, I love creative freedom.

Ignihyde: Greece

This one isn't even a debate. I don't gotta say why.

Diasomnia: Western Europe(?)

It is said that one of the earliest records of Sleeping Beauty was in a French book. If we look at some of the inspiration from the movie, it's said to take place in a French medieval kingdom. So yeah, it just made sense in my mind.

[valy-gc]

Game Idea - now a novel

Well... an idea that will stay an idea because I don't have any programmation skills nor the money to pay some developpers, but I like it and got lots of ideas for it so let's just share it.

If you want to make a OC and/or your MC from it, then have fun, I would love it ^-^

It's a dating sim, mix between "Twisted Wonderland" and "Obey me!"

This is mostly ideas thrown like this in a messy way. But you can now read my test for the novel version here:

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 -All other chapters will only be on the other plateforms, always free to read

Or on my Tapas, Toyhouse, Ao3 or wattpad

I also introduce all the characters on Toyhouse or Deviantart and regularly post here on tumblr about it

everything under the cut

As a new student at Fablewood Academy, you are mysteriously invited after stumbling upon an ancient storybook. Among peers who resonate with legendary characters from fables and folklore, you stand apart—unable to resonate with any historical figure. Instead, you uncover a profound connection to the mysterious Writers.

Navigating the competitive dorm dynamics and building relationships with students and teachers, you begin to unravel the secrets of Scriptoria, the world of stories. With your unique bond to the Writers, you hold the key to saving it from an ancient force threatening to rewrite history itself.

~~~~

World

"Scriptoria" A magical world shaped by the memories and writings of the legendary Writers, who recorded the lives and deeds of its inhabitants.

~~~~

The Writers :

The authors of fairytales we  knows, they are called the "Writers" (always with a cap W) not because they have wrote the  tales (since it's supposed to be all real stories in this world) but because they were keeper of memories, noting everything that was  happening in the world, which permitted the actual characters to knows  all about the stories.

~~~~

Locations

Austreim: Inspired by European fairytales (Germany, France, Scandinavia). A realm of picturesque forests, cobblestone towns, and grand castles. Home to tales like "Cinderella" and "Little Red Riding Hood."

Beasthaven: A country inspired by La Fontaine’s animal fables. Predominantly inhabited by beastmen. Features different biomes in different part of the land, from lush forests and rolling meadows to savannah or thundra. The country is known for their lively markets in every biome.

Seafoam Dominion: An underwater kingdom of mermen and aquatic fae. Draws inspiration from Andersen's stories. Has shimmering underwater cities and shores dotted with mythical artifacts.

Ebony Sands: Inspired by African folktales such as "The Man Who Never Lied." A sun-drenched land of deserts, savannahs, river deltas and ancient temples.

Celestial Plains: Based on East Asian folktales, blending Chinese, korean, Japanese stories among others. Features rolling hills of bamboo, cherry blossoms, and mystical shrines guarded by spirits.

Myrcadawn: A borderland filled with ancient ruins, magical storms, and creatures from forgotten tales. Mostly inhabited by faes.

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"Fablewood Academy" An all-boy institution dedicated to preserving the legacy of the writers and their stories. Located at the heart of Scriptoria, blending all cultural styles. Where the Writers’ legacies are studied and the world's future is shaped.

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The Resonance Ceremony

When a student enters the school, they undergo a Resonance Ceremony, a deeply symbolic ritual that determines their connection to an Historical Character (a character from fairytales and myths).

Ceremony Description:

The Setting: The ceremony takes place in a grand, mystical chamber called the Hall of Echoes, a circular room lined with glowing murals of countless legendary figures. In the center, on the ground like a pond, is the Ethereal Mirror, which shimmers like water and reflects not the student’s image, but fragments of their potential resonance.

The Ritual:

The student steps up to the mirror, guided by a faculty member.

The mirror reacts to their essence, glowing brighter as it identifies the Historical Character whose moral compass and essence most closely align with the student’s.

The chosen figure materializes as a spectral image above the mirror, accompanied by a brief vision of their story, morals, and defining characteristics.

The student receives an Artefact Sigil, a magical mark on their hand, symbolizing their connection. The sigil also acts as a key to their dormitory.

Outcomes:

The character determines the student’s dorm assignment. Dorms represent shared principles or traits rather than region or story type, which creates unique diversity within each house.

The student begins to develop their Legacy Arte, influenced by their resonance.

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Dorm Names & Founders

Astraquartz (Inspired by Cinderella, Charles Perrault): Represents perseverance, humility, and transformation.

Scarletfang (Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Grimm Brothers): Represents courage and cunning.

Everswell (Inspired by The Little Mermaid, Hans Christian Andersen): Represents sacrifice and curiosity.

Mousetrail (Inspired by The Lion and the Mouse, La Fontaine): Represents cleverness and loyalty.

Obsidianspire (Inspired by Mamad in "The Man Who Never Lied", unknown Writer (African tale)): Represents honesty and wisdom.

Verdance (Inspired by "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", Minamoto no Shitagō): Represents grace and adaptability.

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Resonance Dynamics

Living By Their Resonance: Students are expected to uphold the values and morals of their Resonance Character. Deviating too far from these principles leads to a Resonance Crisis, where the bond becomes unstable.

Resonance Crises: In a crisis, a student’s personality and abilities are warped by the unresolved conflict. They might embody the antithesisof their Historical Character, becoming a distorted, corrupted version of their story’s ideals.

Example: A student resonating with The Happy Prince may hoard wealth selfishly, spiraling into greed, causing their Legacy Arte to malfunction.

Resolution: To restore balance, the student must confront their choices and find a way to realign with their character’s core principles, often with the help of peers or the protagonist.

The Nature of Resonance

Resonance is not a rigid set of rules that dictate a person’s every thought or action. Instead, it represents a core essence—a reflection of the Resonance Character’s archetype, personality, and values. When a student resonates with a character, it means they share a similar foundation, but they are free to interpret and act on that foundation in their own unique way.

Core Principles of Resonance

Guiding Influence, Not Control: The Resonance doesn't force someone to behave exactly like their historical counterpart. Instead, it provides a general blueprint of traits, preferences, and tendencies that align with the character’s essence.

Example: Coach Garrick’s Resonance with the Big Bad Wolf doesn’t mean he must terrorize pigs—it means he shares the wolf’s gruff, bold, and predatory nature. How he channels those traits is entirely up to him. For Garrick, they manifest as a tough love coaching style.

Freedom to Choose Actions: While Resonance shapes a student's instincts and inclinations, their choices define their character. They can act in harmony with their Resonance without being confined to it.

Example: Elric, resonating with Cinderella's Stepmother, naturally enjoys luxury and attention. However, he can choose to respect others while enjoying these things, rather than mistreating them like the original stepmother did. If he strays too far—say, by shunning luxury entirely—it might destabilize his Resonance, but small acts of kindness wouldn’t harm it.

Resonance Crisis Is About Extremes: A Resonance Crisis occurs when a student goes against their core nature to an extreme degree, causing an inner conflict. This doesn’t happen because of minor deviations but because of a deep misalignment.

Example: If Elric started wearing rags and actively rejecting his love of luxury, his Resonance would destabilize. But respecting servants or treating them kindly, while still enjoying the finer things, would maintain balance.

Explaining Resonance Through Examples

Here are clear, narrative-driven examples to help clarify how Resonance works without feeling restrictive:

Garrick “Grizz” Wolfin (Big Bad Wolf): Garrick’s Resonance gives him traits like gruffness, strength, and an intimidating aura. He embodies the archetype of the wolf, but how he uses those traits is his choice. He could easily become a bully, but instead, he channels his gruff demeanor into being a demanding yet caring PE teacher. His choices define him, not the wolf.

Elric Briarthorne (Cinderella’s Stepmother): Elric shares the stepmother’s love for luxury, beauty, and a touch of laziness. However, he is not bound to repeat her cruelty. Elric can enjoy being pampered and commanding attention without mistreating others. If he rejects his natural affinity for elegance entirely, he risks a Resonance Crisis, but respecting a servant while maintaining his love for luxury keeps him in balance.

More Examples :

Maestro Lino Minuet (Thumbelina)

Resonance Traits: Thumbelina’s story revolves around grace, adaptability, and finding beauty in unexpected places. Similarly, Lino is elegant, deeply connected to music, and focused on making small yet meaningful impacts.

Free Will: Lino can express his elegance and passion for beauty in various ways without being forced into the hardships of Thumbelina’s journey. For example, he might love creating miniature music boxes but won’t feel compelled to live a nomadic life.

Deviations: If Lino rejects his natural inclination for grace and refuses to use his talents to create beauty, he could face a Resonance Crisis. However, his actions—whether to teach music to others or focus on personal performance—are entirely his choice.

Healer Eamon Wellspring (The Golden Goose)

Resonance Traits: The Golden Goose embodies abundance and generosity. Eamon shares these values by dedicating himself to healing and holistic care. His Legacy Arte, generating golden feathers to heal, reflects this generosity.

Free Will: Eamon can express his nurturing nature in different ways—through medicine, kind words, or even tough love. He’s not bound to share indiscriminately like the goose in the tale.

Deviations: If Eamon became selfish or withheld his healing abilities out of greed, he could experience a Resonance Crisis. However, setting boundaries to protect his own health wouldn’t destabilize him—it’s a choice aligned with self-care.

Cygnus Downwood (The Ugly Duckling)

Resonance Traits: Cygnus mirrors the Ugly Duckling’s journey of self-doubt and eventual self-discovery. His shy and uncertain personality naturally aligns with this story. His Legacy Arte, Swan’s Rebirth, symbolizes personal growth through adversity.

Free Will: Cygnus isn’t destined to remain shy forever—his Resonance encourages him to grow and embrace his potential. He could achieve this through art, friendships, or even by becoming a leader in his own way.

Deviations: Avoiding challenges or rejecting his own strengths might cause a Resonance Crisis. However, he doesn’t need to overcome his doubts overnight—his journey is a gradual one.

Chester Marroway (The Cheshire Cat)

Resonance Traits: Chester reflects the Cheshire Cat’s playful, enigmatic nature. His tendency to tease and love of puzzles align naturally with his Resonance. His Legacy Arte allows him to vanish and reappear, reinforcing his cryptic persona.

Free Will: Chester doesn’t need to be chaotic or untrustworthy like the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland." He can use his cleverness to help others solve problems or to entertain his friends with riddles.

Deviations: If Chester abandoned his love of puzzles or became overly serious, his Resonance might falter. However, he’s free to decide how mischievous or helpful he wants to be.

Tressari Manarah (Rapunzel)

Resonance Traits: Like Rapunzel, Tressari is kind-hearted but often isolated. His longing to grow and connect with the world around him drives his personality. His Legacy Arte, Golden Touch, embodies his potential to transform and heal.

Free Will: Tressari can seek connection and growth in his own way—through gardening, alchemy, or meaningful relationships. He doesn’t need to literally escape from a tower.

Deviations: Turning away from opportunities to learn or grow might destabilize his Resonance. However, he doesn’t need to pursue every opportunity; he can choose his path as long as it aligns with his core longing for transformation.

Kadar Serpenscale (The Snake)

Resonance Traits: The snake in the story symbolizes wisdom and calculated action, qualities that align with Kadar’s observant and strategic nature. His Legacy Arte, Whispered Venom, emphasizes his subtlety and precision.

Free Will: Kadar doesn’t need to be cold-blooded or treacherous like a stereotypical snake. He can use his intellect and cunning to solve problems or protect others. His Resonance emphasizes sharp thinking, not malice.

Deviations: Acting impulsively or ignoring his strategic instincts might create inner conflict. However, choosing to use his wisdom for good or selfish purposes is up to him.

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Resonance Crisis: The Fractured Legacy

What Happens?

When a mage’s bond with their Resonance Character destabilizes, their Artefact Sigil fractures, and their inner conflict manifests as a dangerous, externalized force called a Fractured Legacy. The Fractured Legacy represents the mage's core identity spiraling out of control, with tangible consequences for the individual and their surroundings.

Mechanics of a Resonance Crisis

Stages of the Crisis:

Warning Phase: The Artefact Sigil dims or cracks subtly, signaling instability. The mage exhibits heightened emotional extremes or behaviors contrary to their Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance becoming tyrannical and dismissive, echoing the stepmother’s cruelty.

Threshold Event: A traumatic or critical moment causes the bond to fully destabilize. The mage’s Artefact Sigil shatters, triggering the Crisis.

Transformation:

The mage transforms into an Echoed Antithesis of their Resonance Character—a distorted, exaggerated version of their worst traits.

Example: A Little Red Riding Hood Resonance becomes a wolf-like beast, embodying predation and fear instead of courage.

The environment around them twists to reflect their turmoil—spreading corruption, illusions, or chaotic phenomena tied to the Resonance.

Manifestation:

The Fractured Legacy takes a physical or semi-physical form—either merging with the student or manifesting as external entities they must face.

Example: The transformed mage might summon spectral versions of antagonists, or their minions, from their Resonance Character’s tale, or their surroundings could morph into a warped, nightmarish version of their story.

Consequences

Prolonged Crisis states can cause lasting damage to the mage—mental, physical, or magical.

If unresolved, the bond with their Resonance Character could sever entirely, leaving them vulnerable to permanent loss of their Arte and magical abilities.

Resolving a Resonance Crisis

Core Resolution:

The mage must confront the internal conflict driving their instability.

Example: A Happy Prince Resonance consumed by greed might need to realize that hoarding wealth doesn’t bring joy or fulfill their true essence.

This confrontation often requires the help of others, especially the protagonist, who serves as a mediator or guide.

Reformation:

The Artefact Sigil repairs itself, often evolving into a stronger form, symbolizing the student’s personal growth.

The Legacy Arte might gain new abilities tied to the lessons learned during the Crisis.

Designing the Fractured Legacy

Visuals:

The Crisis should have a haunting yet poetic visual style that reflects the student’s Resonance Character.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance would look more like a deformed version of the stepmother or the stepsisters, surrounded by jagged shards of broken glass and spectral pumpkin monsters.

Themes:

Each Crisis explores the darker side of the Resonance Character’s traits.

Example: A Little Mermaid Resonance, consumed by jealousy, might suffocate others in waves of magical water, symbolizing their suppressed longing for acceptance.

Combat Dynamics in Resonance Crises

Fractured Legacy Boss Fights:

The mage undergoing the Crisis transforms into a formidable, story-inspired boss.

Example: A Big Bad Wolf Resonance could manifest as a towering wolf-like monster with powerful wind attacks, symbolic of their huffing and puffing.

Emotional Mechanics:

Incorporate dialogue or cutscenes mid-fight to remind players this isn’t just a battle—it’s an attempt to reach someone in pain.

Example: As the protagonist deals damage, the Fractured Legacy might shout distorted lines from their tale or reveal their inner turmoil through flashes of memory.

Combat Objective:

The goal isn’t necessarily to defeat the character in a traditional sense but to weaken their Fractured Legacy enough to restore clarity.

Player Options in Combat

Artefact Sigil Powers:

The characters used can use their own Legacy Arte abilities, which align with their Resonance Characters, to counteract the Fractured Legacy’s powers.

Example: A character resonating with the Little Mermaid might summon tidal waves to neutralize a fire-based Fractured Legacy attack.

Special Techniques:

Introduce a Breakthrough Strike mechanic where players can charge a special attack tied to the Resonance Character of the opponent.

Example: Against a Red Riding Hood Resonance, a teammate resonating with the Woodsman could unleash an axe-cleaving move that counters the wolf-like powers.

Group Synergy:

Peers with similar values or with a character from the same story to the Resonance Character in Crisis might deal bonus damage or have abilities to calm the Crisis state.

Emotional Impact of Combat

Hitting Hard With Purpose:

The protagonist struggles with the morality of fighting a friend or peer. Dialogue options or animations could reflect hesitation and determination.

Example: “I don’t want to hurt you, but I can’t let you destroy yourself!”

Each successful attack might shatter parts of the Fractured Legacy’s appearance, revealing glimpses of the real student underneath.

Dynamic Reactions:

As the player weakens the Fractured Legacy, they could start to show signs of clarity—stammering, pleading, or showing flashes of regret mid-battle.

Example: A Cinderella Resonance Crisis might sob, “Why am I acting like this? This isn’t me!” as their Fractured Legacy starts to crumble.

Gameplay Rewards

Stronger Bonds:

The mage recovering from the Crisis could form a deeper relationship with the protagonist and any involved peers, acknowledging their shared struggle. This get the intimacy level way higher, either in friendship or romance.

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Legacy Arte

Each Legacy Arte is tied to the unique essence of the resonated Historical Character. These are not static powers—they grow and evolve as the student’s connection deepens. It can be an offensive or defensive ability, a practical one for everyday or even a constant unseen ability (enhancing strenght, magic powers or anything else)

For example:

A student resonating with Princess Kaguya might have an Arte called Moonlit Grace, allowing them to summon moonlight to shield themselves and others. As they grow, the Arte might evolve into Celestial Radiance, granting healing and offense.

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Artefact Sigil

The Artefact Sigil serves as both a resonance stabilizer and a channel for magic, directly tied to the student's connection with their Resonance Character. It appears on the student's hand during the Resonance Ceremony.

Key Features of the Artefact Sigil

Appearance:

A glowing, dynamic symbol or glyph that reflects the essence of the Resonance Character. Its design evolves as the bond deepens, becoming more intricate and vibrant.

Example:

Astraquartz: A delicate glass slipper.

Scarletfang: A bold wolf’s paw print, with thorny vines wrapping around it.

Everswell: A flowing wave, centered with a small pearl-like dot.

Mousetrail: A small mouse.

Obsidianspire: A tall spire with rays of light radiating from its top.

Verdance: A crescent moon embraced by bamboo leaves.

Functionality:

Magic Channeling: The Sigil channels the student’s magic, focusing and amplifying their spells. It glows or pulses during use, with colors and intensity varying based on the magic type.

Legacy Arte Activation: The Artefact Sigil is the key to unlocking and evolving Legacy Arte abilities. As the student grows, the Sigil adapts to better support these powers.

Resonance Stabilization: The Sigil detects and moderates Resonance Crises. If a student strays too far from their Resonance Character’s core ideals, the Sigil dims or cracks slightly, serving as a warning. It also emits calming energy to help realign the connection.

Personal Connection: The Sigil is an inseparable part of the student, growing and changing with them. This deep connection makes magic feel more instinctive and intimate, as it’s literally a part of their body.

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Lore Tie-In

Origins: The Artefact Sigil was created by the Writers, using fragments of their own memories as the foundation. This ensures that every Sigil is a direct link to the archives of Scriptoria.

The Resonance Bond: The Sigil embodies the merging of the student’s essence with their Resonance Character. Its visible state reflects the health of this bond, making it both a tool and a representation of their inner journey.

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Scriptos Currency System

Coins (for smaller transactions):

1 Scripto:Copper coin

5 Scriptos: Bronze coin

10 Scriptos:Silver coin

50 Scriptos:Gold coin

Bills (for larger transactions):

100 Scriptos

200 Scriptos

500 Scriptos

1,000 Scriptos

10,000 Scriptos

Design Details

Coins:

Each coin feature an emblem of a quill or an open book to symbolize creativity and storytelling.

The coins shimmer faintly or show shifting patterns when exposed to light.

Bills:

The bills have holographic text or illustrations that animate briefly (e.g., a bird flying off a quill or ink drops forming a picture).

They feature famous Scriptoria figures, mostly the Writers, with each having different possible figures. -the 100 could feature Pu Songling or D. O. Fagunwa, -200 feature Don Juan Manuel, Alexander Pushkin or Giovanni Francesco Straparola -500 feature Charles Perrault, the brother Grimm or La Fontaine, -1000 feature Al-Jahiz, Hans Christian Andersen or Valmiki, -10 000 feature Joseph Jacobs or Alexander Afanasyev …)

The bills and coins are waterproof. Coin will not get rusty if used by merpeoples.

Practical Conversion

1 Scripto = 0.01 USD

100 Scriptos = 1 USD

The School Farm:

Purpose:

Self-Sufficiency: Provides fresh produce and farm-to-table ingredients for the cafeteria.

Community Spirit: Encourages students to bond and learn teamwork through shared responsibilities.

Practical Skills: Offers hands-on experience in agriculture, animal care, and commerce.

Earning Opportunities: Students can earn pocket money by working on the farm, in the cafeteria, or at the shop.

Animals on the Farm:

Poultry: Chickens/hens/roosdters, ducks, geese, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, pheasants, maybe pigeons and even a few peacocks

Dairy Animals: A couple of cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels for milk production (and maybe cheese or yogurt). Other less common milk animals are yaks, horses, reindeers and donkeys. (the farm would include the stables for horse riding club... and horse riding club could be about riding other type of animals)

Companion Animals: Perhaps a farm dog or cat that the students adore.

Fields and Crops:

Vegetables and Herbs: A variety of seasonal vegetables and herbs used in the cafeteria.

Orchard: A small orchard with fruit trees like apples, pears, or peaches.

Flowers: Some fields could grow flowers for decorative purposes or events.

Farm Activities:

Animal Care: Feeding, cleaning stalls, gathering eggs, milking cows, etc.

Crop Maintenance: Planting, weeding, harvesting, and learning about sustainable farming practices.

Event Preparation: Preparing products like jams, baked goods, or decorations for events.

Market Days: Selling fresh produce and handmade goods at school fairs or town markets.

How It Benefits Students:

Pocket Money Opportunities:

Students can earn wages working on the farm, at the cafeteria, or in the school store. They can also work in exchange of products instead of money.

Wages could be small, but enough for personal expenses or extracurricular activities.

Skill Development:

Responsibility: Managing shifts and caring for animals.

Practical Knowledge: Learning about agriculture, cooking, and business.

Teamwork: Collaborating with peers to keep things running smoothly.

Cultural Exchange:

Students from different homelands can share farming techniques or recipes.

Characters with unique Resonances could find ways to incorporate their powers into the farm (e.g., enhancing crop growth, making food preparation more efficient, etc.).

Integration with the School’s Themes:

Character Development:

Working on the farm could help shy or isolated characters open up and feel a sense of purpose (e.g., someone like Cygnus could bond with animals).

Ambitious or overconfident students could learn humility through manual labor.

Narrative Opportunities:

Events like harvest festivals, cooking competitions, or fundraisers could revolve around farm activities.

Farm responsibilities could create moments for character interaction, conflict, or bonding.

The farm could become a place of solace or reflection for students facing challenges.

Magic and Resonance Use:

Some students might creatively use their Resonances on the farm

Potential Challenges (For Story Conflict):

Mishaps:

Animals escaping, crop failures, or pranks leading to chaos on the farm.

Competition:

Students might compete for the highest sales during events, leading to friendly rivalries.

Misuse of Magic:

A student using magic irresponsibly on the farm could result in humorous or serious consequences.

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Maps and infos about the world:

Seafoam Dominion's infos are not especially true, because the site don't let me place a kingdom on water, so it's on a super small island with some burgs in the other states.

Also I didn't changed the number of people by burg, so this don#t count either.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The magical sport of Scriptoria:

Color Clash

Teams and Gameplay

Number of Teams: While six teams (one for each dorm) could add unique dynamics, it might be chaotic if everyone plays simultaneously. A good compromise might be:

Rotating matches with two teams battling at a time during recurring events.

A six-team free-for-all for larger, more chaotic rare events or tournaments.

Team Members: Teams could consist of 5(six teams) to 7(two teams) players. This allows for strategic play while keeping the matches manageable.

Playing Area: The sport could take place in a dedicated arena designed to resemble various terrains and obstacles, such as forests, caves, open fields, and ruins. Alternatively, for special events, the entire campus could be used for a massive "battle royale" version.

Rules and Objectives

Objective: "Paint" members of opposing teams with arrows (colored magical powder). Each successful hit earns points for the team.

Scoring System: Players are assigned point values based on their skill level. Before each match or tournament, players are ranked based on their performance in trainings and skill tests. This ensures fairness and adds an extra layer of strategy as teams must protect high-value players.

1 Point - Squire: Absolute beginners, bad or first-time players. Could be a player that is really good at shooting his arrow but bad at dodging the opponent’s.

2-10 Points - Adept : Average players, ranked incrementally based on skill and experience, with tiers such as Adept II, Adept V, Adept VIII ...

50 Points - Elite: Highly skilled players with notable achievements during training. Usually the captain if there is no Champion.

100 Points - Champion: The best player, often the team’s captain or standout star. Each team can only have one Champion.

It is mandatory for each team to have at least one Elite or Champion, but both at the same time are not always necessary, as not all team always have a Champion.

Points are calculated at the end of the game, and the team with the highest total wins.

Rank Titles :

Instead of saying, “That’s a 100-point player,” you’d say, “They’re the team’s Champion.”

The ranking titles could also play into the strategy:

Teams could call out, “Focus on their Elite!” or “The Champion is exposed!”

Elimination (Optional): Players could be "eliminated" when hit a certain number of times (10). This adds an extra layer of strategy, as players would have to decide whether to go on the offensive or protect high-value teammates.

Strategic Importance

Protecting High-Value Players: Teams will need to strategize to keep their Elite and Champions safe while using lower-point players to distract or disrupt the opposing team.

Not focusing too much : The lower rank players could think they are less important, but if they are eliminated, or permit the opponent to mark lots of points by touching them multiple time, they could makes the team loose even if the high-rank are safe.

Risk vs. Reward: Opposing teams may focus on targeting high-value players, leaving them vulnerable to counters.

Dynamic Rankings

Rankings could shift between matches or seasons based on performance. For example:

A player in the Adept X tier who performs exceptionally well could move up to Elite in the next game. The number of points earned in a match can play a huge part in the promotion.

Conversely, underperforming high-tier players might drop to a lower point value. (not after a one-time fail, of course, only after repeated defeats)

A player reaching the Champion rank will automatically take the captain place. But a Elite don’t necessarely become captain, except if there is no other Elite (and no Champion either)

A player reaching the Champion rank while there is already a Champion in the team will have to either decide to leave the team, change team, or the other player will have to make this choice, as no team should have more than one Champion.

A Champion or Elite disguised as a lower rank will lead to the immediate disqualification of the team. (in the situation of the others players are perfectly award of his real skill. If a Champion or Elite pretend to be lower to his own team, his teamate not knowing, then only the guilty player will be disqualified and forbbiden to join another team.)

Scoring System (Extra Points)

Player Elimination Bonus:

Every time a player is eliminated (hit 10 times), the opponent who lands the 10th shot earns 50 extra points.

If multiple players contribute to the 10 hits, only the final player earns the elimination bonus.

Chain Elimination Bonus:

For every consecutive opponent eliminated by the same player, the elimination bonus increases:

1st elimination: +50 points.

2nd elimination: +75 points.

3rd elimination: +100 points.

4th elimination and beyond: +150 points per elimination.

Entire Team Elimination Bonus:

If one player manages to eliminate an entire team (all members), they earn an extraordinary bonus of 500 points, in addition to the chain bonuses.

Last Player Standing Bonus:

If a team has only one player left, and this player wins the match (survives or eliminates all opponents), they earn an extra 300 points for their victory.

If the last-standing player of a team is eliminated, the player who lands the final hit earns 200 extra points, regardless of who dealt the previous hits.

Why extra points ?

Encourages Team Play: Collaboration is still critical for securing eliminations.

Rewards Exceptional Skill: Outstanding feats like eliminating entire teams or clutching a win alone are significantly rewarded.

High-Stakes Showdowns: The final moments of a game become more tense, as eliminating or saving the last player has huge scoring implications.

Magic and Special Elements

Magic Use: Magic could be allowed with restrictions, such as:

Spells must be harmless and non-lethal (e.g., creating distractions, shields, or minor obstacles).

Magic usage is tied to a temporary power-up system.

Power-Up Spheres : These floating objects can grant random temporary bonuses, such as:

Allowing harmless magic use for a limited time (depend of the power-up).

Shielding the player from one arrow.

Granting a "stealth" mode (invisibility for 10 seconds).

Doubling points for a short period.

Speed boost for a short period.

Freezes all opponents or arrows in place for 5 seconds

Emits a shockwave that knocks back opponents or clears arrows in the immediate vicinity.

Restores one "life". (Allow to be touched once more before getting eliminated)

Grants the ability to jump to high platforms or hover for 10 seconds

Allows instant teleportation to another part of the map, chosen randomly or directed by the player. (depend on the power-up)

Creates an illusory double of the player that moves randomly

Allows the player to place a one-time trap on the map that immobilizes or slows opponents who step into it.

Nullifies the effect of traps or hazards for a limited time

Temporarily causes all incoming arrows to change direction and return to the sender.

Randomizes everyone's positions on the map by teleportation, creating confusion and disrupting strategies.

Permit a one-shoot elimination (very rare)

Equipment and Mechanics

Bow and Arrow:

The bow transforms into a bracelet when not in use, making it easy to carry.

The arrows are tipped with harmless "pompoms" filled with colored magical powder.

Type of game :

Standard Matches: Two teams face off in a timed match.

Battle Royale: Six teams compete simultaneously until one team remains or the time runs out.

Infection Mode : One team starts as "infected," trying to tag players on the opposing team. This mode don’t use bows and arrow but gloves soaked in the magical powder. Tagged players become infected and switch sides. The game ends when all players are infected or time runs out.

Mystic Duel : Head-to-head duel with only two players of two different team or even the same team. The arena transforms into a smaller battlefield where they must outshoot each other. Often used when two players on the same team fight for the captain place or the Champion rank.

This sport is a traditional practice for students to sharpen their focus, strategy, and teamwork.

The power-up spheres are said to channel ancient magic from the Writers, rewarding clever players with bonuses.

Each dorm's strategy reflects their core values (e.g., Scarletfang play aggressively, while Verdance focus on defense and teamwork).

Additions or Clarifications

Audience Engagement

Magical displays show player stats, power-up activations, or instant replays during matches to entertain onlookers.

Spectator areas with enchantments allowing a "first-person view" of any player could immerse viewers.

Tiebreakers

In case of a tied score, there is a "sudden-death" shootout where each team selects one player of the same level of a Mystic Duel.

Seasonal Variants

Seasonal power-ups or obstacles (e.g., icy surfaces in winter, blooming vines in spring) to keep the sport fresh and tie it to the fantasy world’s calendar.

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Clubs :

Litterature Club : Cygnus Downwood, Mahdi Alclaris

Horse Riding Club : Minwoo Kinsei

Swordmanship Club : Lupin Vardred, Jin Haruto

Gardening Club : Tsuki Laito, Porcus Huffsbrick

Music & Dance Club : Lyricis Farahdein,

Drama Club : Imperius Wovengale, Éponine D’Orveil, Elric Briarthorne

Exploration Club : Marinus Tideshade, Gael Lumespring

Art Club : Faylen Charmwright, Rune Spindlewick

Cooking Club : Ambrosine Forrant

Chess Club : Archer Verdain, Khamari Duneshade

Science Club : Noel D'Orveil, Hatterick Marchhare

Photography Club : Ren Chisora

Cheering : Chester Marroway, Tressari Manarah

Color Clash Club : Thatcher Squeakefield, Lazlo Quickstride

Basket Club : /

Baseball Club : Imran Frosham

Racing Club : Caspian Willorun

Gymnastic Club : Kadar Serpenscale

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Classes and Seats :

First Years

1-A 05 – Tsuki Laito 1-A 09 – Rune Spindlewick 1-A ?? – MC 1-B 02 – Hatterick Marchhare 1-B 04 – Lyricis Farahdein 1-B 07 – Imperius Wovengale 1-B 08 – Elric Briarthorne 1-C 10 – Archer Verdain 1-D 02 – Kadar Serpenscale 2-D 07 – Ren Chisora 1-E 01 – Imran Frosham

Second Years

2-A 06 – Marinus Tideshade 2-A 08 – Minwoo Kinsei 2-B 06 – Tressari Manarah 2-B 08 – Cygnus Downwood 2-B 11 – Noel D'Orveil 2-C 03 – Porcus Huffsbrick 2-C 05 – Thatcher Squeakefield 2-D 03 – Mahdi Alclaris 2-D 17 – Éponine D’Orveil 2-E 04 – Caspian Willorun

Third Years

3-A 02 – Faylen Charmwright 3-A 16 – Khamari Duneshade 3-B 03 – Lupin Vardred 3-B 04 – Ambrosine Forrant 3-D 07 – Chester Marroway 3-D 15 – Jin Haruto 3-E 05 – Lazlo Quickstride

Fourth Years

4-A / 4-B / 4-C 02 – Gael Lumespring 4-D 08 – Kael Thornweald 4-E /

Fifth Years

Intership

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[welcometowriteblr]

WTW PRESENTS OUR 43RD EVENT!

We live...again! WelcomeToWriteblr invites you to attend our fabulous Feast of Fright. Counting down the days until Halloween night, we have chosen themes and prompts designed to help you flesh out your WIP, from the characters and relationships to the setting and magic system. The calendar can be completed in any order and you’re free to do as much or as little as you want. This event will run for the LAST TWO WEEKS OF OCTOBER.  Unlike our previous two preptober events, this one will be a slightly shorter variant where we encourage posts to be as long or as in-depth as you'd like!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Tag your posts as #WTWEVENT and #WTWCOMMUNITY

Format your posts with the heading: WTW FEAST OF FRIGHT - DAY #: THEME

Wait for your post to be added to the queue. 

NSFW content will not be posted to the blog. 

OPTIONAL: Join our discord server if you would like to ensure your post makes it onto the blog! Tumblr’s tagging system can be unreliable and we want to make sure everyone’s creations are shared! Please note, you must be 15 OR OLDER to enter our server! 

PROMPT LIST

Jack o' Lantern - Write a 250-500 word character study for your protagonist

Scarecrow - Introduce the main relationship(s) in your WIP

Ghoul - Talk about recurring themes & tropes in your WIP

Full Moon - Discuss your biggest sources of inspiration

Poison Apple - Write about a fairytale, folktale, or urban legend in your WIP

Tombstone - Your protagonist has to give something up: What do they choose?

Haunted Hayride - Describe the main setting

Cauldron - Write about an important historical event in your WIP

Poltergeist - Discuss the main conflict of your WIP

Cursed Relic - Plan the climax

Grim Reaper - Brainstorm the Point of no return

Cobwebs - Write a bad synopsis of your WIP

Pumpkin Pie - How did you choose which POV(s) to write?

Headless Horseman - Write an in-universe letter from your protagonist

Banshee - Plan out your magic system: Tell us how it works!

Feast of Fright - Discuss your top five favorite scenes

CREEP IT REAL, JOIN OUR SERVER HERE! (discord.gg/earlgrey)

[bekkathyst]

The new jewelry collection is finally dropping this weekend! From today until Saturday, I will be posting an English retelling of one of the Austrian folktales that inspired this collection (over on my Patreon).

I’ve decided to name this collection Märchenwald, which means Fairytale Forest. Many pieces in this collection have real plants that came from my garden or local forests, which I think makes the name even more fitting!

I can’t wait to show you even more previews. I’m really happy with how this collection is turning out.

[adarkrainbow]

There is a lot of "Christmas fairytales", be them Christmas folktales (the animals talking at midnight, the moving menhirs) or literary pieces (Andersen's Little Match-Girl, Dickens' Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker...). However there are not many other fairytales associated with holidays... But there is one fairytale linked to the Epiphany. An Epiphany fairytale, written for the Night of the Kings by Jean Lorrain (one of the most famous authors of the decadent turn-of-the-century in France): "Neigefleur" (Snowflower), a literary fairy tale inspired by Snow-White and mixing the worlds of the Grimm and d'Aulnoy fairytales as an evil queen tries to ritualistically murder her lovely step-daughter during one night of wonders and horrors.

Here are some of the illustrations made for when the story was released in an edition of the "Gil Blas" magazine:

[elrielffs]

This is just a loose theorizing by me about Gwyn's role in the future books and how this ties to Azriel and an Elriel story.

It's not meant to be anti-Gwyn. I actually really like Gwyn as a character but it does incorporate Lightsinger Gwyn and for some, this is anti-rhetoric.

This is just me kicking things around in my noggin' and nothing concrete but just loose attachments.

Under the cut cause it's kinda long.

I was thinking about some of the details we've been given in story and some meta things from SJM's pinterest. I don't really subscribe to the pinterest as end all be all but I do think some things are very interesting on it.

I do think SJM is pulling from various fairytales and myths, particularly Blodeuwedd, Koschei the Deathless and other Russian folktales, and The Little Mermaid. We know SJM takes inspiration from fairy tales.

First we have Blodeuwedd which SJM saved titling Elain. The story of Blodeuwedd is that she was made to be the perfect wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes but rejects him and falls in love with another, Gronw Pebr.

In the Koschei and the Deathless, we have Ivan Tsarevich who has 3 sisters that marry 3 winged wizards. Ivan saves Marya Morevna, a warrior princess, from Koschei and marries her.

I think the first two speaks for themselves on how they relate to ACOTAR so I won't delve to much into it but you can see how it relates to the story that is playing out.

Last is The Little Mermaid. We all know this story because of Disney and also it's probably one of the more well known fairy tales' but the broad strokes of the ORIGINAL telling is: The Little Mermaid falls in love with the human prince, makes a deal with the Sea Witch for her fins to be turned into legs to be with him on land, the prince falls in love with someone else, and the Mermaid is tasked by the Sea Witch with killing the prince to get her fins back but she can't do it because she loves the prince too much and instead turns into bubbles/foam/becomes an air spirit.

How does this relate to Gwyn?

Gwyn has been described many a time with ocean/water like imagery and has been stated to have nymph heritage. Her eyes are constantly described as the sunlit sea and she even says the quote," I am the rock on which the surf crashes."

We are also told about Lightsingers in the same book that Gwyn is introduced: They are ethereal beings who will lure their prey to them, appearing as friendly faces. Only when their prey were in their arms would their true faces emerge.

This shares many similarities to Sirens: creatures that live in or by the ocean, that lure victims to them with an alluring voice. Sirens have also become synonymous with mermaids, merging into one creature with siren and mermaid being used interchangeably to describe the one being.

Gwyn has show these same characteristics in story. Gwyn is shown to be a singer and have a beautiful voice and to also glow when she sings.

When Nesta hears Gwyn sing she describes it thus:

Drawing any listener in.

Nesta also says this about Gwyn upon first meeting her:

Gwyn also tells Nesta at one point that Nesta wouldn't like the "real" her.

I won't go too in depth to the Lightsinger theory because there are plenty of other posts floating around breaking it down better than me but suffice to say that there is a correlation between Gwyn's voice/singing=some type of power. This easily translates into Lightsinger/mermaid/siren imagery and theory.

Now this next part is just me spit balling and is more fast and loose and how this could tie into an Elriel story:

We don't know too much about Koschei in story except that he's a Death God and older brother to Stryga and the Bone Carver, beings who traveled from another world to Prythian (Daglan/Asteri?) and a powerful wizard that cursed Vassa.

At one point he tells Azriel he has "been preparing for you". What could this mean? Why has he been preparing for Azriel?

Why would Koschei, who is a powerful wizard, bargain with the Acheron's father, a human nobody? Is it because he is Elain's father?

Rhysand speculates that there's a possibility that the priestess have been infiltrated. We saw with Ianthe that not all priestess's harbor good intentions and in ACOWAR that the library can be broken into.

It has been highly speculated that Merrill, a priestess in the Library, is up to something. Is she in line with Koschei?

Who works under Merrill? Gwyn.

We know from HOFAS that the cauldron is corrupted by the Asteri/Daglan, a fact speculated by Azriel himself in the bonus chapter.

Is possible that Koschei as a Daglan/Asteri had a hand in corrupting the cauldron to mix up Elain's mates? Is that how Koschei "prepared" for Azriel?

And what about Gwyn working under Merrill? Gwyn could be manipulated and unknowingly assisting Koschei/Merrill or she could be working for them for some kind of favor--returning her sister Catrin to life?

Also, the fact that Gwyn and Catrin are twins can be used for shenanigan's. What if Gwyn is actually Catrin? (This is purely speculative on my part by the fact that they were made twins rather than just sisters.)

It's also mentioned that Catrin had webbed fingers. I love this little detail and wish Gwyn had them too but is there a reason she doesn't? Could this be to distinguish Catrin and Gwyn at a later date besides hair color?

Could Merrill/Koschei know about Gwyn's Lightsinger heritage and be using her as way to lure Azriel away from Elain?

What is one of the gifts Elain gets Azriel? Ear plugs.

We know it as a gag gift but we also know that Elain has visions--we don't know how fragmented or how fully she receives them but is is possible that she saw something that inspired her to give Azriel the ear plugs?

Is this to upset the balance of the 6 pointed star mentioned in HOFAS?

Could Gwyn, unknowingly or knowingly be working for Koschei to infiltrate the IC via Nesta and the training, lure Azriel away from Elain? Could Gwyn fall in love (this part is not needed, it can be just business on Gwyn's end) with Azriel but realize thru her connections with the Valkyries and training and Azriel that she can't go thru with it?

Let me reiterate, I don't think Gwyn is evil. I think she could be manipulated, coerced, or promised something she can't refuse to help or go along with Koschei/Merrill. She might not even know it's Koschei she is helping or that she is even in fact assisting. She could be manipulated into using her unknown Lightersinger powers.

Gwyn (the Mermaid) is promised/manipulated into using her Lightsinger powers by Koschei/Merrill (Sea Witch) to lure Azriel (the prince) away from Elain (the woman the prince loves) but the end she can't go thru with it either because she realizes it's wrong, realizes she's being manipulated or because she can't do that to Azriel.

I know there is more that can be conjected but this is already quite long and I didn't even delve into the Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty parallels.

I realize this could have been posted before and nothing new but I just wanted to put my thoughts out there and hear some more of my fellow Elriels!

[kaynanarie]

Eyes of Gold (Part 4)

(A WukongxReader story inspired by Beauty and the Beast and Lutung Kasarung.) (First) (Prev) (Next)

            Two days later, the rash was finally gone. The baths and medicine had cleansed it away, leaving healthy, itchless skin in its wake. You couldn’t be more relieved. Shihou endured your smothering hugs and endless thanks with grace and a smidge of pride.

            With you now poison ivy free, the monkey was ready to show you the way up the mountain. You didn’t realize how literally he meant it until you were three hours into a grueling hike.

            “How much further?” you whined, climbing up yet another set of stone steps. Shihou snickered where he sat waiting for you to catch up.

            “Just a few more. Would you had preferred scaling the side of the mountain?”

            You huffed, pausing to catch your breath. “No, but I wasn’t expecting a maze of staircases and secret tunnels. Did Monkey King find all these?”

            “Actually, he made most of them,” Shihou said, leading the way down a side passage. “Fruit and Flower Mountain has seen plenty of battles and having a backdoor comes in handy.”

            Glowing moss along the walls offered some light but you still kept close to Shihou. With so many twists and turns, getting lost would be all too easy. After another flight of stairs and a few more tight tunnels, Shihou finally stopped by an unassuming patch of stone.

            “Here we are!”

            You glanced at the rocky surface then back at him. “Where exactly is here?”

            With a smirk, Shihou pushed the wall aside. Instead of stone like you first assumed, a cloth was brushed away, revealing a brightly lit hallway on the other side. You stepped out into the light, letting your eyes adjust while also enjoying the fresh air. Behind you, a woven tapestry fell back into place, covering the secret doorway without a trace.

            Once you could properly see, you found yourself in a corridor, one side dotted with large windows streaming in sunlight. Lining the opposite wall were statues, murals, and hanging weapons interspaced between ornate doors. Despite being carved from the mountain itself, the stone palace was just as regal and intricate as any human-made castle.

            “Your room is over here, peach friend! Come take a look!” Shihou called from down the hall. He was nearly hopping from excitement by the time you joined him in front of the open door. “What do you think?”

            The room was huge, a carefully carved cavern with artistic details etched into the very walls. Rosewood furniture adorned the space, expertly crafted and polished to a mirror shine. The wardrobe tucked in the corner revealed silk robes similar to your first gifted set. A bowl of fruit and bouquet of colorful flowers decorated a small side table. You were most excited to see a real bed, plush with a downy mattress and covered in embroidered blankets and furs. The whole space glowed by the light of the bay window leading out to an overlooking balcony.

            Of all the things you expected from a mountain palace full of demons, such royal accommodations were beyond your wildest dreams. “It’s beautiful! Look at this view!”

            Being so high up was breathtaking and dizzying all at once. The whole of Fruit and Flower Mountain stretched before you all the way down to the edge of the forest. Cascading green hills plummeted alongside the thunderous waterfall. Above the canopy of trees, white clouds drifted through the endless blue sky. You were so enthralled by the sight, Shihou had to tug you back by your robes before you could tumble over the balcony railing.

            “Careful! Wouldn’t want an accident before the King announces your arrival.”

            “He’s announcing my arrival?” you repeated in disbelief.

            “Of course!” Shihou chirped, leading you back into the room. With your weary body weighted down by the sudden news, the bed looked more inviting than ever. You all but flopped down on the mattress, sighing into the cloud-like comfort. The weight on the blankets shifted as Shihou hopped up to sit next to you. “The King wants to formally welcome you while also making the others aware of your presence. Best way to avoid any mishaps.”

            “If you say so,” you hummed, glancing over to him. “Any other surprises I should know?”

            “Well actually, there was something I’ve been meaning to tell you…” Shihou suddenly looked quite contrite, avoiding your gaze as he scratched at the back of his head. “But you have to promise not to panic or get angry. Okay?”

            You raised a brow. “Is it that bad?”

            “Probably not,” he said though his frown wasn’t very convincing. “Just…try not to hate me?”

            Before you could respond, Shihou jumped off the bed and scurried to the center of the room. You sat up to watch him, suddenly worried by whatever was about to happen. He took a slow breath, so focused even his tail was still. In a quick nod, a cloud of smoke enveloped him with a startling pop. You jumped to your feet, coughing and waving the haze from your face. As fast as it appeared, the cloud settled, leaving you blinking as a shrouded figure came into view.

            “Ta-dah!”

            Where Shihou had once been was now stood a demon. He was slightly taller than you, wearing simple pants and robes tied with a belt. The overall appearance was nearly human but his fur, tail, and bare feet were monkey-like. A nervous smile played across his simian face while he waited for your reaction. Only the familiar golden gaze kept full blown panic at bay.

            “Shihou?” you asked after a tense moment.

            “Yep! It’s me! Just a little taller now. And with clothes,” he smirked but there was still a cautious edge to it. “You’re not going to freak out, right?”

            Your arms flailed in bewilderment, grasping for understanding. “First you can talk, and now this? I thought you were just a regular monkey!” Your hands covered your face, mind whirling with every awkward conversation you had with him. “How? Why?”

            Shihou looked a bit sheepish at your confusion. “I didn’t mean to lie. When I found you, I disguised myself so I wouldn’t scare you and I wasn’t sure how to bring it up afterwards. Now that you’re here, you’ll be seeing a lot more demons around so I might as well be the first.”

            A deafening silence filled the room as you processed the monkey’s confession. The longer you stared, the more nervous he became, tail twitching as he fidgeted in place.

            “Are you mad at me, peach friend?” he asked, gold eyes wide and pleading. Despite the larger demon form, he managed to look quite pitiful in his remorse.

            You sighed and shook your head. “You’re lucky you’re still cute.”

            “Aww,” he cooed, his smile sharpening to a cheeky grin. “You think I’m cute?”

            His teasing turned to full blown laughter at your unamused glare. “Don’t push it. I’m already embarrassed I carried you around for three days.”

            “How about I carry you next time to make it up to you?” Shihou chuckled at your mortified blush. “Anyways, now that you know, it’ll be easier to show you around. For now, you should rest while I let the King know you’ve arrived. Will you be okay while I’m gone?”

            The idea of being left by yourself in an unfamiliar demon palace was unnerving but you nodded anyways. Shihou sensed your hesitation and placed his now much larger hand on your shoulder. “I won’t be long. Once everyone’s gathered, I’ll come get you for the announcement.”

            With a final wave and a quick wink, Shihou whisked out of the room. Alone with your reeling thoughts, you laid back on the bed to study the carved ceiling. Soon enough, you felt the fatigue of the day pull you into dreams filled with underground labyrinths, demons in disguise, and the looming presence of the infamous mountain king.

[oolhan]

Everlark: The Classics #6

When the Moon Fell in Love with the Sun by Mejhiren

Published: 2012 Chapters: 15 | Discontinued/Abandoned/Perpetually waiting for an update

Hey, hey! Another entry for my small fic rec series after such a long time. It's been a while so please indulge with fairytale!everlark. Covering my eyes as I write this because I did not do the fic any justice with my amateur mood boarding skills. But bear with me as I gush about my all time favorite everlark fic of all. Okay, so when the moon follows the whimsical tale of victor Peeta Mellark bringing Katniss to his fairytale-like mansion after winning the 74th games. It is heavily inspired by the Norwegian folktale East of the Sun & West of the Moon, a myth on personifying animals and nature. Hear me out! Look at me [proceeds to cup both cheeks in my hands] It sounds incredibly foreign for those not used to reading fanfics but I assure you, this is beyond want. This fic is a need. The world-building of this story brings out the playfulness of Peeta and Katniss, something they were deprived of from canon, especially K. Peeta personified the warmth, hope, innocence, and all things that Katniss needed, especially the cooking. The metaphors of sun!peeta and moon!katniss, of geese and does, the red ribbons, foxes and little prince, the braids, the Appalachian themes, genealogies, even Katniss' obliviousness to Peeta's feelings is hauntingly entertaining--just read it. Although I must say it is quite a long book since it's nearing 400k words in just 14 chapters, I promise you when you're hooked you'll yearn for more.

The vibrancy of its themes is colorful and alive even if the setting is on a cold winter season. Also the writing structure??? God. It's immaculate. It's illegally sublime. The immense joy when I experienced reading this for the first time transformed my insanity. Would 100% sell my soul in exchange for the complete version of this. It's basically a 400k word love poem. That's it.

[pr0serpinaa]

Favorite dreamy Fairytale/Folktale inspired films

Panna a netvor (Beauty and the Beast) (1979)

The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Rusalochka (The Little Mermaid) (1976)

A Song of the Forest: Mavka (1983)

The Red Shoes (1948)

Ever After (1998)

Morozko (Jack Frost) (1964)

Labyrinth (1986)

Ashik Kerib (The Lovelorn Minstrel) (1988)

[duckprintspress]

Back Our Patreon to Help Us Pick Our Next Anthology Theme!

Did you know that every single Duck Prints Press supporter on Patreon gets a vote in helping pick our anthology themes?

Well, now you know!

The crowdfunding campaign for our third Queer Fanworks Inspired By… anthology has ended successfully, which means there’s no time like today for us to begin planning our fourth Queer Fanworks Inspired By… collection – but we can’t do it without your help. For the next week, all Patreon supporters will have a chance to vote for our short list of potential themes. Already a Patron? Make sure you make your voice heard by casting your vote! Not a Patron yet? What an awesome time to become one! What are the choices on the short list?

Queer Fanworks Inspired by Fairytales/Folktales

Queer Fanworks Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe

Queer Fanworks Inspired by the works of Oscar Wilde

Queer Fanworks Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

See one you’ve gotta have? You can help make it happen!

Come one, come all, and help us pick our next work to draw inspiration of and make queer!

[muitamaita]

Here is my submission to DBTR-server's zine, this time we had folklore and fairytales as our inspiration, see the other amazing artists behind the link!

My little comic was inspired by my favorite folklore ghost story, which in Finland is usually called "The Dead Travel Light" or "The Dead Travel", it is a "dead bridegroom carries off their bride"-type folktale, the most famous version is the German Lenore-ballad. In these tales two young people are lovers, and the bridegroom is send away to work or to war, where he suddenly dies. One night he arrives to fetch his bride, but she has no idea he is a walking dead as news of him dying have not reached her. He tries to carry her to his grave, but the bride is saved the last moment.

In the Finnish version we have some special features I wanted to incorporate, such as it is always a cold winter night and the bridegroom arrives on a horse drawn sleigh instead of riding.

I have brought the story to BG3 here, as I found Astarion's story is a perfect fit to it. Bride's part is played by my Tav Eris.

[czargasm]

Chelsey czargasm's Fics of 2024

Stealing this from my beloved @scoops404 because it seems fun and because I easily spent 50+ hours betaing for her this year, so I earned it. Go check out her fic roundup if you're looking for some great DNF to read.

The premise: every fic I wrote in 2024 from my personal least favorite to my personal favorite. I included all pairings, which this year were DNF, ANF, and dip&pip. The fic I co-wrote with @alittledizzy, in sickness and in health, isn't included, but you should go check it out if you want some beautiful Dan and Phil medical hurt/comfort in a tour setting.

Overall stats: 13 fics (including the cowritten one); 186,737 words.

The Glow Squid Hunter - T - 19,260 - This was written for the Fairytales from the SMP collab and is a retelling of the Scottish folktale "The Seal Catcher" with Dream as the titular hunter and George as a glow squid shapeshifter (my first and only "minecraft setting" to date). I really struggled writing this one, which is what puts it at the bottom of my list. This fic taught me that less is more with outlining and that I operate best as a discovery writer, which is incredibly important to know.

Swipe Right - E - 9,848 - A one shot inspired by a tweet. DNF meet on a dating app and get together, but with a few twists along the way. It does what it says on the tin. A fun fic, but ultimately not my favorite.

I Like The Way You Look In My Things - E - 3,926 - Written in one day over two sittings, with a break for an existential crisis in between. Inspired by the bracelet George was wearing on his birthday stream. Basically pwp, but nothing wrong with that.

without consequence - E - 5,563 - A summer bingo fic—this one centered around DNF giving each other a hall pass but ultimately deciding they belong to just each other. There's not much to say about this one except that it was fun to write and gave me the opportunity to revisit the ANF dynamic, which is something I love.

The Waiting Game - E - 10,783 - My own take on the "how DNF finally got together" trope, following the development of their romantic relationship from discord chats through twitch con, Antarctica, Christmas, and finally getting together during a very special week in Jan 2023. The highlight for this really is the bathtub scene, which is so romantic it actually makes my chest hurt.

staring at the sun - E - 2,956 - The summer bingo fics really pushed me outside my normal type of writing, as best shown here. PWP but with a whole mess of stuff added in. My shortest fic of the year, but it accomplishes a lot in just a few words. DNF from the perspective of awesamdude in the cuck chair, complete with edging, mild bondage, and soft-dom Dream.

A Voice in the Dark - E - 18,297 - This is a fic that was more fun in concept than it was in writing. It's ultimately really good fic with a lot of fun tropes snuck in there -- secret identity, falling in love with someone based on their voice, they were roommates.

here kitty, kitty - T - 8,265 words - George makes the wrong witch angry and gets transformed into a cat; cat lover Dream saves the day. This was another summer bingo fic and when I came up with the idea, I thought it would be a crackfic. Instead, it ended up being silly but incredibly sweet and heartfelt and inspired some of my favorite fan art ever.

This Would Never Happen on the Hallmark Channel - E - 18,909 - Probably recency bias, but this one was SO MUCH FUN to write. My last fic of the year too, so if you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? Dream writes Hallmark Channel movies and George is starring in his most recent one. Strangers become friends with benefits become lovers, all while trying to keep things on the downlow so Mr Hallmark doesn't find out. Guys, it's so fun and so good, I promise!!

Holding On For Just Tonight - E (4,207 words) - my first ever phanfic. I almost trashed this so many times because I wasn't confident in writing Dan and Phil's voices, but it ultimately turned out really good and I'm pretty proud of it. Definitely looking forward to exploring this dynamic more in 2025.

Our Own Terrible Way - E - 34,290 - This is probably the most popular fic I ever published and most of my regular readers (not all, but many!) found me through this one. George and Austin start a FWB situation that ultimately ends with George and Dream finally getting together. I loved writing it, I love rereading it, I love talking about it. It made me fall in love with Austin as a character and ANF as a pairing, and I always want to do more with them.

Every Mountain Tells A Story - E - 43,072 - Literally no one should be surprised. This isn't just my favorite fic of the year--it's my favorite thing I've ever written. I got to combine two of my very best hyperfixations into one fic: DNF and high altitude mountaineering disasters. It's not my most popular fic sadly (I think it should be), but the people who read it LOVED IT and they've been very devoted to it since. I still regularly get asks and comments about it, and I never get tired of talking about it.

[adarkrainbow]

Fairytales - the dark season (4)

Today's title: Jim Henson's The Storyteller

Jim Henson's The Storyteller, also known as "The StoryTeller", is a 1987 British television series of nine episodes (I am not counting the spin-off about Greek myths and legends, even though it is an insanely cool series don't hesitate to go look at it). This show was created and produced by Jim Henson, and displays much of his talent and inventivity when it comes to puppetry. You know, Jim Henson, the man behind Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal (he also worked on Roald Dahl's The Witches movie).

Personal categorization: "Fairytales by autumn light"

This anthology show is a collecting of retelling/adaptations of traditional European fairytales. Most of the fairytales of this collection are inspired by German folktales (The True Bride, The Heartless Giant, Sapsorrow, The Three Ravens, Hans My Hedgehog, The Luck Child, Fearnot) - with a few additions from other culture, such as "The Soldier and Death" of Russian origins. The framing device is linked to the title of the show: each episode begins and ends with the titular StoryTeller sitting by his fireplace in a dark, empty castle, chatting with his talking dog, and their conversation always leading them to the telling of a story...

This is not a horror show, or an inherently dark show, as it makes an effort to retell the traditional fairytales in a pleasant and entertaining way, even the most bittersweet of them. But all will agree that this is a show more fit for the dark season than the bright one, as this anthology benefits from all that is wonderfully sinister and beautifully uncanny in Jim Henson's fantasy works.

The narration does not shy away from the shadows and gloom that lurks in fairytales, though it purposefully avoids the most gory or gruesome details to preserve the poetry of it all. The monsters and spirits presented in this world all play into an Arthur Rackham-style of fairytale visuals where the supernatural is tied to a form of grotesque and the fairy-world seems to be one of endless fog and autumn lights. And the very primary setting, the one of the framing device, has a sort of "warm Gothic" feel to it, as we find a pleasant storyteller and his loveable dog to tell us wonderful stories... but they stay slightly uncanny beings all alone in a large, empty and dark castle.