#Tanza Characters

[calowlmitygoddess]

Everytime i am to think about my ocs, it comes back to Akila and Althia because alas, i love them. Just the absolute worst people togheter. Akila whos a self-righteous, narcisitic basicly cult leader, and Althia her violent, emotionally absent and also just absent, unkillable second in command. They are obsessed with eachother, they hate eachother, their relationship is a constant back and fourth about who is truly in control. Until it culminates in Akila's sacrifice to see her eons long vision realized wich leaves Althia not just aimless but emotionally destroyed.

[imsociallyanxiousgetoverit]

oh no

@zarvasace I may have tried to predict what your Half-Fours would be like and created my own entire headcanons about it? and the colors?

uh

enjoy I guess? maybe? I got hyperfixated on it so fast

The Colors’ Personalities:

Four (Iris):

-He/They, any

-nickname created and used by the minish/picori

-passionate about his opinions

-blacksmithing is a job and hobby for them

-capable of socializing but doesn’t require it

-loves to read

-levelheaded both in battle and in (relative) peace

-splitting either results in a negative or purely confused reaction from people so they tend to keep silent about it

Green (Jade/Sage/Forrest):

-They/Them, always

-genderfluid; changes names but not pronouns with gender

-the most balanced emotionally and logically

-focuses on the big picture rather than the details, but can acknowledge they exist

Vio (Topaz):

-He/Him, always

-nickname chosen lovingly by Shadow; only used by them

-intellectually focused; shows outwardly

-takes misinformation very seriously; easily sidetracked by this

Blue (Cypress/Lana):

-She/Him, swaps

-occasionally uses other names when feeling dysphoric but doesn’t have specifically labeled genders

-intense feelings; most often some form of anger

-honest to a fault sometimes

-fast to accusations and assumptions

Red (Ruby, Nova, Ivy, Rose):

-They/She/He, any

-has many loving nicknames from the other colors due to how much they love it; Dot uses these as well, though is the only one using rose

-outwardly emotional in general; appears more sensitive due to it

-can forget the big picture if there are lots of feelings involved

Colorwheel Personalities:

(Green-Blue) *Mars/Aqua:

-He/They, rolling

-second in command energy

-apologies after outbursts

-very protective over others

-becomes quickly defensive

-dyslexic and pissed about it

(Red-Vio) Berry/Cerise:

-They/Them, always

-manipulative, for better or worse

-tries to fix emotional and relationship issues- sometimes without asking first; they’re working on it

-very emotionally intelligent until they get overwhelmed or worried

-great at gifting

-passionate about books

(Blue-Red) Pela/Mauve:

-He/She, rolling

-lashes out when overwhelmed

-self esteem issues due to behavior not matching their expectations/desires for self

-shows affection but pretends it’s not actually that

-uses the most nicknames for the others

(Green-Vio) Ant/Maline:

-They/Them, always

-manipulative, for better or worse

-inflated ego they try to hide

-leader qualities but doesn’t want to be one if possible

-socializing is easy for them, but they aren’t extroverted

-dyslexic and pissed about it

(Red-Green) Nela/Maly:

-She/Her, always

-is red-green colorblind but it doesn’t affect her too much

-very focused on the larger picture when people’s happiness or rights are at stake; struggles to notice details alone

-almost leader material; would be a good backup leader assuming a second in command is not fit for the role

-very protective over others

-loves reading aloud a lot

-loves to socialize but needs time to recharge alone

(Blue-Vio) Tanza/Indigo:

-She/They/He, rolling

-superiority complex

-will apologize if perceived as mean or rude by someone they think deserves one

-thinks before speaking but just doesn’t care about the consequences sometimes

-most likely to cope with sword practice or sparring

-if has a breakdown there’s a chance many pots are broken before hand

-sometimes they disappear into a book until they feel like they won’t go berserk or be an asshole; this happens most just after waking up

[kerra-and-company]

🖊️🖊️🖊️ for any kiddos you feel like talking about (@uselessidiotsquad )

Gladly!! Thanks a bunch for these! :D <3 Going to use some of this space to talk about character dynamics rather than just individual characters, cause why not and I am having Thoughts about them.

🖊 - Tanza and Aysel met when they were both eleven and spent a lot of their childhood together, alongside Tanza's other childhood best friend, Crackling Frost (a kodan--it's worth noting that the three of them grew up in Song of Final Exile in Snowden Drifts). Crackling Frost (who goes by Crackle to their friends) and Aysel took a bit of time to trust each other, but they eventually bonded over the people they'd lost--they'd both lost an older sibling. Tanza trusted Aysel almost instantly and Aysel trusted her relatively fast as well--she helped Aysel pick her name. Tanza did have a crush on Aysel for a couple years but got over it on her own without ever actually saying anything; the whole duration of that was very frustrating for Crackle, who didn't understand why actually talking that out would be hard to do.

Aysel was the first of the three to leave; she joined the Vigil about a month or two after she earned the title of Slayer of Issormir. Tanza was actively frustrated with her for leaving and was a bit snippy with her about it but didn't try to stop her. They eventually leave home to join the Pact after seeing Braham rallying a group to go after Jormag--they don't particularly think they have a chance of being picked to go, but they'd like to start taking action to fight some of the problems in the world. Crackle stays in Song of Final Exile, and hopes to maybe someday become the Voice of the sanctuary. They hold down the fort, so to speak. They also absolutely had a conversation with Tanza when they were very small, before Aysel got there, about the two of them being Voice and Claw together someday, though it was far more a childhood fantasy than something either of them thought would ever happen.

🖊 - Pol, after he dies, is incredibly lost on what to do. He ends up in the Domain of the Lost for a bit, actually, because of the specific manner in which he died--being killed thanks to your 'bandmate's betrayal, even if not by his hand, is certainly traumatic. He manages to reclaim his name and his purpose, but he doesn't want to move on. He's not at peace, but he doesn't know what in Tyria he could possibly do about it. He can't come back to life, and he's afraid to move on and leave his family for good (even though he, in many ways, pretty much has at that point). He pretty much just hangs out in the Domain of the Lost and stays away from the Judge, trying to figure out what exactly he should do.

He eventually decides to see if there's any sort of way out of the place he's in, and though he doesn't manage to find a way back to life on his own, he does manage to slip out of the specific part of the Mists that holds the Domain of the Lost. He spends years just...wandering, pretty much, alongside his devourer Flint. He'd never fancied himself an explorer, but he certainly does a lot of it and even learns to somewhat enjoy it--until he manages to explore himself right near the entrance to the Realm of the Dead, the place where human spirits go and somewhere he doesn't particularly want to be. He's also tired, though, and the idea that he won't ever return to his 'bandmates regardless is pressing at the back of his mind, so he lingers at the entrance a bit before finally turning to leave.

It turns out he has either excellent or terrible timing, because he spins around and almost runs straight into a young human woman with a greatsword. And this woman is alive.

🖊 - Minei doesn't really know what to make of the strange charr she meets in the Mists, but he doesn't seem threatening, and when she explains that she's come to figure out whatever is happening in the Underworld that's letting creatures out to attack people in Tyria, he even offers to help. The timing is suspicious, but their team is small and they could use more help. She agrees.

They go through the Underworld, meet Desmina, fight Dhuum. Minei is, afterwards, suddenly part of a really weird power struggle--she doesn't want to be in charge of the Underworld (and Desmina wouldn't let her even if she did), but she also doesn't particularly want Desmina to have full reign, either. It's the beginning of a very tempestuous relationship the two of them will maintain over the years following. But she's grateful to Pol for his assistance in dealing with Dhuum and makes sure to escort him back into the Mists proper and out of the Underworld.

They don't run into each other again until Dragonfall, at which point Minei finds Pol amongst the spirits in Glint's army. They get the chance to properly talk, and they become decent friends in the spaces between setting up for the final battle against Kralkatorrik. And after a new Elder Dragon ascends, Minei, who at this point has a better idea of how her power set has improved since Dhuum's defeat, and who has lost so many people in her life, goes to Pol and basically tells him "I think I can do this--I think I can bring you back to life. Do you want me to do this for you?"

And he accepts.

[kerra-and-company]

You asked for ace folks, you get ace folks :D

Kerra, Cyp, Tanza, Pliarr, and Daisy are all demi;

Cio is grey-ace;

and Finch, Minei, Brook, Nabi, and Enna are all ace! :)

Actually you know what, it's ace day! Show me your ace characters! Give them to me!

Here's a couple of mine to start: my terrible feral gremlin asura Qirri and my sweet, absent minded twig Oaklinna!

[the-stopzone]

Arcs 5-8 are just Arcs 1-3 on steroids. Suspecting 9 will compare to 4.

(Arc 1 / Arc 5) - A new start in a city with introductions for a number of the overall story's major characters. We are shown subaru's new capabilities to survive in this world (RBD/IP). Very few deaths overall, Subaru's turning point is calling out to the world for help (Rein/speech). resolves with an ominous tone focusing on the future.

(Arc 2 / Arc 6) - Murder mystery where Subaru is the victim. With a cast of friendly individuals mostly isolated to a single building, Subaru must balance finding his new home and learn to trust those around him in a situation that inherently sows suspicion. Murderer turns out to be someone amongst he trusts, but the true villain turns out to be a secret third party. Subaru suicides for one of his murderers. Ends with a Mabeast battle.

(Arc 3 / Arc 7+8) - Subaru and Rem are seperated from the main cast in a dangerous situation. Subaru early on does something wrong but does not erase that mistake and continues to deal with the repercussions throughout the arc (Royal election / Todd's camp). Tons of world building and characters with a goal of Subaru needing to travel to a specific destination. The entire way Subaru's world view is challenged by everyone. Subaru acquires an army at some point.

Its kinda hard to complete the 3 to 7/8 comparison because 8 isn't done yet, but I suspect more parallels to come, particularly a from 0 speech assuming Tanza on the island wasn't it. This is also assuming arc 8 isn't comparing to 4 due to it not being originally planned. Whether its arc 8 or 9 to compare to 4, this could complete the "batch of arcs", leading into a logical place for my "long loops" theory to come into play in the next batch, similar to how short loops started in arc 5.

[ceragolor]

oh my god.... finally.... another taranzalor shipper.... (the two have been my comfort characters for so long)

this is so wild its so hard to find content of the sillies together

i just found your blog and i can already safely say your art is absolutely fucking GORGEOUS you are doing such an amazing job <3 /gen

AOWGH......... ;;_;;

This ask really hit me in the soul thank you so much. I FEEL YA there's so little content for such a wonderful pair. I suspect it's because of how popular marxolor is and the uh, situation with Tanza and Sectonia but MAN. Let the wizards be gay.

And WAHHH thank you for the compliment on my art. I just love drawing the sillies so much and I'm glad it brings happy chemicals to someone else too. I wanted to draw something meaningful for this but my hand isn't cooperating so heres Mags giving the biggest heart eyes.

[bookshelf-in-progress]

For the ask game, 1, 4, and 9!

that makes me smile

I'm ridiculously fond of the style in "A Wise Pair of Fools", especially the bits where the narrators talk directly to the reader.

Like Faith's astonishment at her listener's ignorance.

But I won’t bore you with that story again— You don’t know that one either? Where have you been hiding yourself?

And Alistair's surly yet genial old-married-man routine.

That woman! It’s just like her! She thinks I have nothing better to do than sit around all day and gossip about our courtship! Where are you going? I never said I wouldn’t tell the story! Honestly, does no one have brains these days? Sit down!

4. with dialogue i’m proud of

A horrifying revelation is dawning on me--I'm not sure I write much good dialogue. I had always considered it one of my strengths, but most of my favorite dialogue scenes are my favorite because of the circumstances, not just the words spoken, and they often involve one character dominating the conversation rather than a good back-and-forth between two strong characters.

One of the few exceptions is "Fable". David and Elowen have some conversations where they both hold their own.

He felt like he’d been hit in the face with a plank. “Have you…given up?” She answered with the hint of a smile. “Merely acknowledging that if stubbornness were a weapon, you could defeat both armies single-handedly.” He relaxed into a laugh. “I have a strange resistance to foolhardy plans.” “So says the greatest fool in two worlds.” That stung a bit. His reply was sharp. “Forgive me if I don’t believe we should save Fable by dragging her into two wars.” She looked into her tea. “Forgive me, majesty. I misspoke.” She lifted her head, and met his eyes with a fire in her that he hadn’t seen since she was a seventeen-year-old sitting in his bushes. “You are a fool and a coward.” “Have we switched to the ‘insult the king until he complies’ strategy? I’ll admit that’s new.” Her eyes flashed. “I come to you on my knees, day after day, begging you to save your people, and you refuse to stir from your comfortable home.  You prefer to live as another man’s slave than as king of a free people.”

9. with characters i love

My Arateph stories are the other main source of good dialogue scenes, because I have several decently-developed characters.

Because I can, and because I've never mentioned this story before, I'll share one of my favorite Tanza and Auren conversations from my first attempt at writing a sequel to "Out of the Tomb", where Tanza is accompanying Auren to a (human) government event held at a historic tephan palace.

As Auren led Tanza into the palace, her ridiculously high-heeled shoes shot pain through her legs and brought her back to reality. The noise, the heat—the false, conniving people. All things that had never entered her childhood daydreams of fairy tale grandeur, but remained inescapable parts of Coalition political functions. Tanza gritted her teeth and growled through a false smile, “Remind me why I come to these things?” Auren smiled and patted her hand. “Because you care about my emotional well-being.” He smiled and nodded at a human Coalition representative, the automatic gesture of a born-and-raised prince. Tanza tried to imitate it, but the expression hung on her like a crude paper mask, so she returned to her usual strategy of avoiding eye contact. As they crossed the palace threshold and escaped the worst of the crowd, Tanza said, “I have a thousand other things I could be doing. Instead, I let you convince me to stuff myself into a dress I can barely breathe in and wear shoes designed to break my neck so I can smile to cameras and chat nicely with people who I’d rather shove into a deathtail nest.” “You always enjoy yourself in the end.” “I like the food,” Tanza grumbled. “If it weren’t for the food, you wouldn’t get me within shouting distance of this place.”

[fictionadventurer]

Happy STS!

Are there any specific lyrics you associate with your characters?

I'm late in getting to this, but thank you for sending this ask! Most of my lyrics apply to Arateph characters from older stories, because I don't much listen to music while plotting stories these days.

Tanza: I always associate Casting Crowns' "One Step Away" with her storyline, especially the bridge, because it essentially is her story of leaving behind a life of thievery by taking up a new name: Lay down, lay down your old chains/Come now and take up your new name/Your best life up ahead now. I also associate a lot of lines from Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman" with her.

Auren: The Band Perry's "Pioneer" is Auren's song, especially the bridge, which applies both to his early life as a controversial prince living under a "curse" of an assassination threat, and to his life a hundred years later as a resurrected figure trying to help bring virtue back to the political landscape of his planet.

I won't run when bullets chase me I won't rest where arms embrace me I will love when people hate me I won't hush, no you can't make me Send the dark but it won't break me You can try, but you can't change me Take my life, they will replace me I won't hush, no you can't make me

Marastel and Jemrauth: Auren's parents, the last king and queen of their planet before getting killed in a revolution, who were deeply in love with each other for decades and overcame ridiculous obstacles to get together and stay together. Even though I haven't finished a story with them, I've got a bunch of songs that apply to them because there are a lot of love songs. I associate "Keeper of the Stars" by Tracey Byrd to them, because Jemrauth's pet name for her means "beauty of the stars", and the song's about how grateful they are to be together. Even though the song is about God, I can't keep myself from viewing the Rend Collective song "My Lighthouse" through a romantic lens, because they're light to each other and can both say to each other "You are the peace in my troubled sea". Sugarland's "Stuck Like Glue" is another song about how a couple stays together despite trouble that I associate with them.

But the number one song lyrics I apply to them are from "The Dance" by Garth Brooks. These lines apply directly to Jemrauth looking back at his life after his kingdom fell to revolution.

Holding you I held everything For a moment wasn't I the king? If I'd only known how the king would fall Hey, who's to say You know I might have changed it all And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end The way it all would go Our lives are better left to chance I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance

[tanzasadventuresinwearingclothes]

"And she'll be asking me and all the other characters about all our amazing moments on the epic journey that was 'Tanza's Adventures in F'd Up Land'! Take it away!"

"Uh, sure. Let's see... questions... hmm..."

[ferrerkate]

FORCE OF CIRCUMSTANCE (santong paspasan) by Jose F. Lacaba

Literary theory:Reader-Response

"Force of Circumstance" by Jose F. Lacaba is a just like exploration of the human experience of societal challenges. Through a Reader-Response, this poem invites readers to engage with the emotional and intellectual and it presents.

As readers, our interpretation of the poem is deeply influenced by our personal experiences and perspectives. The title itself, "Force of Circumstance," suggests a powerful external influence shaping individuals' lives. Readers may resonate with the idea that life's circumstances, beyond personal control, can dictate the course of one's journey.

The author use of language, including symbolism and figurative expression that has a meaning. The title itself, "Santong Paspasan," in Filipino. Readers may find themselves drawn into the urgency of the characters' situations, fostering a sense of empathy and connection.when i read this poem i feel sad about the meaning on every stanza every tanza has a connection on its context.

[calowlmitygoddess]

Tanza part 2 is all about chaotic morally dubious lesbians

[rippingoffkingarthur]

Did various drawings for Tanza's tumblr of her dressed as various characters... might as well post them here too.

So, here's Tanza Late as Supergirl...

[kerra-and-company]

🖊🖊

Two pens, two folks :D Tyty!!

🖊 - Because I apparently have HoT on the brain in the last few asks, have another thing related to it: Minei is with the fleet when it goes down. She doesn't end up alone, and she actually ends up pulling together the remnants of the Pact that she can find into the beginnings of the central base camp in Verdant Brink. Also worth noting that she turns 18 in the middle of the Maguuma jungle during all of this.

🖊 - Tanza, who follows Owl, does eventually get the ability to become the owl in the same way other norn would be able to become the wolf or raven or bear or snow leopard. The first time that this happens is in defense of Owl herself when Ryland's trying to pull off his harnessing shit during Icebrood.

[hellengellen]

Noooooo 🅱abe don't cut my leg off and leave me in the field to be taken by the moon people u so cezy pls don't murder me 😚 I swear I won't tell anyone u murdered the white diamond 🅱abe the sunspot's getting closer, 🅱abe-

[tanza-the-trickster]

Bio for IRL Tanza, for any of you who are curious.

[bookshelf-in-progress]

Writer asks: 1, 6, 7, 20, 25

Tell us about your current project(s)  – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it?

Finding a current project is kind of a problem. After focusing on short fiction, it's hard for me to commit to one story. I'll get excited during brainstorming, and by the time I go to write, I'll either find major holes in the concept/things that need further development, or I'll lose interest and get invested in a different project. So maybe I'll just talk about the top contenders for my attention and the appeal of/issues with each.

Goose Girl retelling: I've got two different options here. One that focuses on the Goose Girl going to the court of a king who's known for his political ruthlessness, getting betrayed by her best friend, and having to decide if she's got what it takes to survive in politics. The other is a more worldbuilding focused one, about a cultured princess having to overcome her prejudices against the "barbaric" people she was supposed to rule. The different pieces of each story keep mashing together so I can't decide which direction to take. I love the king in the first option, and I love the princess' character arc in the second. But I can't quite decide if either is worth telling on its own, or if I'm just drawn to the puzzle aspect of filling in the fairy tale.

Shadowstruck: I love the set-up I have here. I love the themes and world. But after the set-up, I'm not sure how complicated I want the plot to get. And I feel like I should flesh out these characters more--I especially need to figure out her father's character.

Paper Wings: An epistolary Cinderella retelling set in an Edwardian world of airships and planes and floating islands. There's a lot of fun potential in the different voices and the character arc/romance, but again, not sure if it's worth telling.

Arateph: I wanted to work on my Princess and the Pea retelling but lost my mojo. (I love the FMC's arc and themes here). The Cinderella is intriguing, especially now that I'm considering keeping it mostly from Cinderella's POV instead of stressing how to fit it into Tanza's timeline as a sequel.

6. What character do you have the most fun writing?

I've kind of forgotten how to write for characters, honestly. I want to learn how to do that again. I had fun writing William and Margaret in "For Love of the Princess", and I had a ton of fun writing Alistair and Faith in "A Wise Pair of Fools". I also was surprised at how fun it was to write Snow White in "Reflections"--she's so impossibly innocent and sweet.

7. What do you think are the characteristics of your personal writing style? Would others agree?

Aside from what I've already mentioned, I love writing in second-person--I love to have my narrator talking to someone. I also like to use that POV to write a surreal fairy tale every once in a while.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?)

"Loving Memory" was a mashup of "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" and "Alleleirauh", and I kept being shocked at how perfectly those fairy tales filled in each other's plot holes and deepened the symbolism. Like, it never made much sense to me that the troll princess was willing to sort-of prostitute out her fiance for random gold objects, but one-of-a-kind dresses made of the sun, moon and stars are something worth almost any price, and one dance isn't too much to trade for. The wife having Alleleirauh's coat of all furs as her only possession after betraying her husband deepened the Eden imagery of the story--it calls back to Adam and Eve being clad in furs as they were cast out of the garden. I was shocked by how well they meshed.

25. What part of writing is the most fun?

Right now, it's just writing things on the fly and seeing what I can come up with--playing with images and voice and letting myself be surprised by the results.