#Heroes of Sedonia

[mortalmab]

Here we go

Terran cracked an eye open. Morning again. By far, the worst part of being an itinerant scholar was waking up stiff on the road. Late spring was a better time to be sleeping rough than some others, but this far north the ground still remembered winter. Terran pulled their bedroll more tightly around themselves for a moment, willing sleep to return. It did not. The persistent ache in their bladder, combined with the root they seem to have rolled onto in the night, made Terran climb out of last night’s bed and crack their back. Their breath made ghosts in the chill dawn air as they took care of their morning routine, packed up the bedroll, and continued down the road.

Hurstley, the eastern-most holding in the county of Valareth, was big enough that it took several days to cross on foot. It had been a long journey north and Terran’s purse was feeling the effects. Their feet were feeling it even harder.

The clop-clop of hooves and the creaking of a wagon brought relief. Terran turned and coming up the road was a hay wagon pulled by a braw farm horse. The old man on top looked like a peeled apple left in the sun for too long. Terran waited for the cart to catch up with them. They began to walk alongside.

“Good morning!” they called. The farmer nodded at them.

“Good morning young master.”

“Where are you headed, Grandfather?”

“On up to Hurstley Manor, young…ster.” Terran was used to the hesitation. They had been told several times that it was hard to determine exactly what they looked like and honestly Terran enjoyed it that way. Jaw just a little too strong to be comfortably feminine, chest just slightly too big to be comfortably masculine, Terran rested in a comfortable androgyny. The old man shook his head but continued, “are you looking for a lift?”

Terran offered him a brilliant smile. “If there’s room on your cart, Grandfather, I’d love nothing more.”

The old man was an amiable travel companion. He talked with pride about his farm and his home and his family.

“We’ve lived in Hurstley since the War of the Gods, it seems. Bora’s Body, but there isn’t a more beautiful place in all the world, seems to me. And Lirburn is a good master. My boys and I, we grow the hay that supplies the castle and the town below it.”

“You must have a big farm then?”

“Oh aye. And times must be good because Sir Lirburn has been ordering more of our hay than he used to, seems like! If this keeps up, we’ll need to till even the fallow field next year! I’d warn him though, you can’t keep using up the fallow field year in and out. Fields got to go fallow for a reason!”

He continued speaking but Terran stopped listening. Sometimes a Knight or Lord might have need of a few extra supplies if he was expecting a party or some such, but to make continued increases in supplies sounded to Terran less like times were good and more like times were about to get bad.

“So whereabouts are you from then?”

Terran jumped at the question. They took a second to bring themselves present.

“Uh, most recently from Tonbridge, but originally Tyr’s Reach.”

“Oh that right? You’re a long ways from the capitol, youngster.”

Terran shrugged. “Gotta go where there’s work.”

The old man laughed. “Too right, too right.” He seemed content to leave it at that. Terran was relieved. Truthfully, as a master in the Scribal Guild, Terran could have gotten work just about anywhere. The book in their pack burned in the back of their mind. Afar as Terran’s studies had taken them, their final destination was somewhere in the Duchy of Norfolk. Either County Valareth or County Cheshire, if Terran was right. Terran was unlikely to find a very lucrative contract out here but work was work and Terran would take whatever paved their way to their final destination. Wherever that ended up being.

The town of Hurstley had a relaxed atmosphere about it, being in the shadow of the manor house. The house was a stone manor surrounded by a wooden palisade at the top of a hill with a rocky bluff down one side. No way to bring a large force there without being noticed. The manor, the town, the holding of this size were all far more than most knights had. Sir Lirburn must have the good graces of someone.

Catch you in the next update!

[theriverreview]

TRR Not An Interview (excerpts from Proust Questionnaire) | Aliyah Cydonia

[artist's work above-- Mother, 2023]

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Knowledge of the coming events.

What is your greatest fear? Knowledge of the coming events.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? When I talk without thought.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? When people talk without thought.

Which living person do you most admire? Christian Flores

What is your greatest extravagance? A $41 lip gloss I just bought (I’m using afterpay)

What is your current state of mind? Current — go go go in a good way. current current — remembering old times.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue? That we have to respect authority no matter what.

On what occasion do you lie? When people I barely know ask “how I’m doing?” It’s none of their business to know the real answer, good or bad.

What do you most dislike about your appearance? I can, at times, look bummy and not detailed.

Which living person do you most despise? A person.

What is the quality you most like in a man? Decisiveness

What is the quality you most like in a woman? Control

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Interestante (I know it’s not a word it just sounds nice coming out of my mouth)

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Creating

When and where were you happiest? When a hard project starts to turn out good.

Which talent would you most like to have? To siiiiiingggg

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To be more thorough.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Depends. I’ve gotten through hardship and very proud of that but I’m also proud that I’ve built so many connections.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? I wanna be a worm.

Where would you most like to live? Right now Chicago or Morocco

What is your most treasured possession? My oil paints.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Lost in your mind.

What is your favorite occupation? Carpenters

What is your most marked characteristic? My ability to converse

What do you most value in your friends? Shared time with each other

Who are your favorite writers? Octavia Butler

Who are your heroes in real life? My mom

What are your favorite names? cera Kizzy (kezia) Nico Jeanne (Jeannie) Jeanette Magnolia (nollie, nolia) Heuy (hue) Art Sedonia Maybellene nolia Townes Avant Ripsi Zora Odessa

What is it that you most dislike? Feeling stupid

What is your greatest regret? Staying in anger for so long.

How would you like to die? In motion

What is your motto? As a man thinketh so shall it be.

[nowandevermore]

Oooooh, this looks so interesting! I love the premise of the story! The leak sounds so cool, and I love how it brings forth the need of the special division. Speaking of the special division - I love Franklin's character so much, the ball of sunshine. And poor thing not being great at either job lmao.

Everyone is such an interesting character, I love the little details of Connor and Jeremy being the only "normal" ones, and yet that makes them the outcasts.

I'd love to hear more! This sounds so fun, and I'd love to hear what else you had planned for it, or even what you may have planned new if you want to rewrite.

Thank you for sharing!! ❤

As for my plotbunnies... I don't feel like there's much I can talk about with my current wip without spoiling too much about the fic itself, but also the three fics that came before it. You can read more about my Ranger series if you're interested here.

Now, I will talk about the story that basically began the Ranger series. Same as your story, grab a snack, cause this gets a little long lol.

The working title for the story was Legends Zero. I grew up on Pokemon and Digimon (hence the Pokemon fanfic now lmao), and it definitely influenced the story I had created. I began writing it when I was twelve, but it just never wound up how I wanted. It's still a large part of my childhood and early adulthood, so I still hold it very dear to my heart.

It was a fantasy setting that started in a small, religious village called Illa. On the outskirts of town, there's a walled off area; it belongs to monks - people previously part of Illa before being cut off for unknown reasons. Within the stone walls of the village seminary, the History classes teach of a statue inside the Monk's Village, of the people they called heroes are praised.

But the heroes disappeared, and they no longer visit the Village - the only thing that remains as a reminder of a time from before is a statue standing tall in the center of the Village. The figure is covered in a cloak, face hidden deep inside the hood. It's haunting, and it sets off a train of events for Hailey Tockett - it brings answers to questions burning in the back of her nightmares, forever in the back of her mind.

Following someone sent to help her, Hailey is shown the world of dimensional travel, the millions of others in the universes, and the one remaining planet that homes the heroes Illa despises. Faced with the people in her dreams, Hailey is whisked away on an adventure that she doesn't know that she's ready for - that the world of Klaigon isn't yet ready for.

She'll learn that sometimes things aren't as they seem, and forever doesn't always mean forever.

Characters:

Hailey Tockett/Maiyu - 18-22 over course of story. For two years, she is stricken with nightmares - shown people that she has never seen before, her name is spoken; but it's broken and . When she sneaks into the Monk's Village with Jennifer from history, Hailey comes face to face with a face that looks eerily like her own. She enters Klaigon as a normal human, no powers, no connection to the hero world through Illa. Gifted a staff, Hailey channels the elements around her to protect other worlds. Becomes the appointed leader in her group of three heroes, and she continually questions her authority when paired with two of the hardest Klaigon heroes to work with. She's separated from her partners in a war torn world, Trong, and Hailey is suddenly thrust into the middle of the battle as the only hero in the land of rebels. Kind-hearted and naive, Hailey takes her task as hero very seriously; she just wants to do her best and live up to the shoes she has to walk in. Maiyu is her hero name - means "Chosen" in Klaigon.

Jonathan/Monotome: Age never stated. Looks to be around 30 in his human form. Klaigon native with the ability to shift into a large, black wolf form. Monotome is his hero and given name, while Jonathan acts as an alias - Mono for short. Prince of Klaigon, mother Sedonia is the Queen. He's held to high regard as the son of Sedonia, and is extremely formal. Has power over fire and earth, and is the group's member who can open portals to different dimensions. Quiet and reserved, Jonathan comes off as rude, but he's just kind of antisocial. Being the son of the Queen, he's mostly been a hero on his own and never in a team. Monotome means "Silence" in Klaigon.

Myriah/Riyu: Claims to be 400 years old. Is known to be full of shit. Platinum blond hair and icy blue eyes, don't let her looks fool you. She's a Klaigon native with the ability to shift into a large, white wolf, and she is the last Klaigon native trained to be a Ventiquil - a person with the ability to track a specific power once detected. Plus, she has power over electricity and the shadows. Lived off of Klaigon in an unknown world/dimension with the previous Ventiquil master to be trained; Riyu has her gift down to a science, and she is able to sense powers around her and zone in on a specific one to follow. An outcast on Klaigon, Riyu works on her own until Hailey. She's sarcastic, biting, and cold; but begins to warm up to Hailey after being separated from her in the war torn Trong. Riyu means "Darkness" in Klaigon.

Sedonia: Queen of Klaigon. Doesn't speak of Klaigon's past, closes off the large library in the center. She's trying to right the wrongs of Klaigon's past, trying to bring a new future to the kingdom. On the verge of retiring, but stays in power to keep Klaigon safe while Monotome travels.

Harper Tockett/Holt: 27. Considered the most powerful hero in the universe. Has control over all elements, but unlike Hailey, doesn't need a staff to control them. Traveled to Illa under the guise of "Elizabeth Rabbin", history teacher of Hailey Tockett. Began having her own visions when Hailey's own abilities began to manifest, and went searching for the person behind them. Once Hailey is brought to Klaigon, Sedonia bestows the title of Holtabun over both Holt and Hailey. The title means "Holt's Twin" in Klaigon, and comes from the same powers, surnames, and looks that Hailey and Holt share. Holt means "Traveler" in an unknown language.

David Lake: 24. Rebel leader in Trong, on the outside of a large barricaded wall - known by the rebels as the City of Bleu. He's seeking to avenge his father, a previous general for the Trong army before current leader Lt. Pine killed those who opposed him. David and his friends (rebellion) live in an old, dilapidated building outside of the walls and away from Pine's own army. Isn't trusting of Hailey at the beginning, sure that she is a decoy sent by Pine. After a near death experience, the two are brought closer together to a romance blooming.

Jennifer/Mariner: 18. Illa transfer student. In reality, sent from Klaigon with the intention to find the person behind Holt's visions. Meets and befriends Hailey before knowing of her visions. Works with Holt/Elizabeth Rabbin to guide Hailey to Klaigon. Once Hailey is on Klaigon, is kind of thrown to the side for the new hero. Allows her to be coerced by the main antagonist of the series into giving up Klaigon secrets.

Aidrys: Age never stated. Not a Klaigon native, and never stated where he hails from. Only one of few non Klaigons who can learn to be a Ventiquil. Betrays the kingdom of Klaigon when he overthrows a world he was sent to save. Turns other worlds against Klaigon since he was from there, and destroys a planet that once belonged to the Klaigon people - causing the move to the world they now inhabit. Part of the past that Sedonia tries to hide. In Trong to help Pine overthrow the world before he destroys it and everyone on it. Riyu's main enemy as he caused her need to escape Klaigon to train as a Ventiquil.

Wooooow, that got long. Same goes for you, if you'd like to know more, feel free to ask!

Your post about rewriting an old story? Yep. Feel that, and same.

I've been able to reuse most of the characters, but it's just never quite the same, is it?

The plot bunnies are so real, though, so if you're up for talking about it, I'd love to hear about this old story!

Phew! Glad I'm not the only one! ;)

I actually didn't keep most of the characters. Two of them are somewhat part of the lore but haven't appeared in person. The last time one of them was semi-present was in some fantasy stuff I wrote 2020

And yes, actually, I really wanna talk about my old story. Thank you so much for asking. So, get a nice drink, get comfy and buckel up because here I go:

The story itself is urban fantasy. It talks about the special devision of a police force that is tasked to investigate paranormal and unusual activity that happens in the city they're located at. This is because the city had an interdimensional leak somewhere that had stuff from another dimension sometimes dripping through it. This meant the city is infused with everything - gnomes, interdimensional beings, mutated hamsters, everything. Even the not-so-grim reaper was part of this world.

The main cast consisted of:

Sally - Everyone's favorite ginger, a cop in the special devision and the master of fart jokes. Also, one of my oldest OCs ever! Her concet changed from Mary Sue to edgy half-demon to what she is now: A laid-back, fun-loving gal who doesn't wanna worry about the future. She does has magic abilities but those have changed so often, I have no idea what they are right now.

Franklin - Also everyone's favorite ginger and one of Sallys roommates. Franklin is a pilot who, halfway towards flight school, was hired for the special devision and because of that isn't good at either job. Still, he is a ray of sunshine. Literaly. Because fire-powers. Other then that, he isn't too deep - but my childhood friend really iked him for his sweet and innocent nature

Connor - Connor is the groups everyman. A man with perfectly average height and a perfectly sane nature. But in a city of wierd things and misfits, he is the outcast. His nature of being the only sane man has given him a spot in the special unit as well - though his role is the one of keeping his roomates Sally and Franklin in touch and making sure all the documents are sorted well. For magic, I have no idea. That's the problem with him being such a blank slate, haha.

Electra - Aka. Elishima James Taylor - self-proclaimed and self-employed bard and supposed god of the night, who never uses any of his magical skills because they would drain his life energy... or at least, that's what he claims. Electra isn't part of the special force, but he serves as a mentor for the trio - mostly because he is Sally's biological uncle who raised her. And while he's in all ways a conman that makes money of solving peoples problems with his 'Taylor's anything agentcy', at least he's got charisma, rad guitar skills, an angelic voice and the best goatee ever.

Otto - Another member of the speical devision, Otto is a former spy, known for both his love for tea and lack of height. He's short. Really short. And his abilites include just appering/teleporting from shadow to shadow. While he is known for always having a bright smile, this smile will just grow wider the more annoyed he is.

Jeremy - A sidecharacter who is in the story because I wanted him to be there. He is the host of a talkshow that treats paranormal stuff and very much close to completely breaking down because, a lot like Connor, he is one of the cities few sane people but has to deal with horrible, new guests each week. But somtimes, he meet people form the special devision and chats with them, with usually makes his day a little better. Also, he is the son of the chief of the speical devision, but he doesn't have the best relationship with his dad.

Sassy - Jeremy's supervisor and the programm director of the chanel he works at. The paranormal talkshow is a personal favorite of hers, probably because she is a time traveller. And because she is THE diva that hogs all the spotlight. Sassy used to host shows herself, but being promoted to do more work behind the camera has turned her into a greedy woman that takes every opportunity in the spotlight she can get. Though, when talking to her, it becomes clear that she isn't trying to be rude - she just got absorbed by shiny object syndrome.

---

There is a LOT more lore, but I feel that this might be enough for today. If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

And, sicne I just completely infodumped on you: Mind telling me about your current plotbunnies? I would love to know more! :)

Anyway, thanks for the ask and for letting me rant once more, haha :D

[mortalmab]

A little bit of Background

A prologue of sorts. The War of the Gods ended about 500 years ago. According to the bards, this was a war between the Gods of Sedonia and all of demon kind. The Gods had the mortal help of six Great Heroes that modern bards love telling stories about: Avir, the Thief of Time. Ember Stone-Speaker. Rikia the Way Finder/aka Rikia the Hearth Seeker. Sabar, the Keeper of Secrets. Carfax the Clear-Sighted. In all of these stories they owe deference to some great unnamed king. Imagine the Arthurian legends telling stories about all the knights of the round table but never once mention Arthur, just kind of reference a king that these knights owe fealty to.

Now imagine you found a book - something that belonged in a museum, it's so old - that gives that king a name. Tells stories about him! Even alludes to how he finally died and what happened to the most sacred artifact in your country's history. This is where Terran, a master of the Scribal Guild and our current protagonist, finds themself. Cracking open that mystery of History would make them the most famous scholar of all fucking time!

However, that path they must take to get there leads to adventuring and adventuring sometimes leads to...heroism.

In Sedonia we have a culture of Heroes and Bards. Yes there are the Great Heroes of legend, but most of the time when you hear a bard sing or tell a story, it's about a more recent hero. "Hero" is almost like its own social class and just about anybody can become one. They have a semi-symbiotic relationship with the bards of Sedonia: A hero does a thing and the bards turn it into a tavern tale which increases the hero's renown as well as the bard's reputation. Therefore it is in the bard's best interest to make the hero look as good as possible, which can lead to some glossing over of facts, changing of facts or even downright hyperbole! For the Heroes it is in their best interest to treat the bards well and never get on their bad side, because when a bard gets pissed at you they might write a 27 verse song about how you romanced a donkey and after the act was completed the donkey flung itself off a cliff because you were so bad at it. In Sedonia, a bard's word carries the weight of a herald so whatever they say happened will be taken as truth by the populace. This causes a lot of consternation amongst scholars like Terran who would REALLY like a little more critical thinking to be done thank you very much. Truth, people! Plus, it gives space for unsavory characters to become very well respected and beloved by the populace, no matter what they are ACTUALLY like. So some members of the party have feelings about THAT as well.

Sedonia is surrounded on all sides by tall mountain ranges. We are completely land locked. Normally we have a robust trade with our nearest neighbors, Ravinia and Neban, but recently that trade seems to have dried up quite a bit and at the moment nobody knows why...

Any place names or character names that you recognize from other fiction or from real life will end up getting changed; it's just easier to keep up with the game if the names are the same between the game notes and the novel rough draft. I think that's about it, that's all the information we the players had going into the game and we seem to be figuring it out okay. but feel free to ask questions as the story progresses. It might get answered in the text or it might be something I don't realize needs clarification.

The game is a home brew based on the Harnmaster system rather than actual DND, so monsters, races, abilities, etc. will not be a one-for-one translation

Catch you at the next update!