#graveyard storyteller

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE THREE (3.6)

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(transcript below)

HEADSTONE READS: 'Christine Serena Kyle' 1973-2023 - Loving Mother, Partner & Friend.

(MAX): Happy Birthday Mum.

[ncagutierrezart]

Sketch dump featuring some OCs.

[fght-ff-yr-dmns]

[tygercaine]

build

In honor of Day of the Dead, here’s a repost of my comic about the San Francisco Columbarium and the man who spent 26 years restoring it.

This comic originally appeared on Medium at The Nib. Go check out my other work there.

[izar-tarazed]

Lesson learned—for whoever you think would suit the question best.

Story from the past meme: Send “Lesson learned.” for my muse to recall a story from their past that changed them

🕯 Ensha remembers the day that changed things.

Curiously enough, it was a day when things seemed to have gone back to normal. Ensha had finally returned to his post outside the study—still somewhat rattled by things that had happened over the course of the last days, but convinced that they would soon fade into meaninglessness. That they had not, in fact, changed anything. He had been sent out with that astrologer—initially, nothing but a target he had failed to kill earlier—to track down an Albinauric, and ended up fighting back to back with her in order to survive.

They had fought their way through the Academy of Raya Lucaria, looked out for each other, and shared a flask of Crimson Tears. And he had signed words against her palm and promised he wouldn’t harm her again. But all those things, Ensha was certain, had only occurred out of sheer necessity to survive, and their odds had been better together. Sometimes reluctant alliances like this one were formed and worked for as long as they needed to, and not a moment longer.

And now neither of them had any more need for it. The mission was complete, despite some complications, and they were both back in the safety of the Roundtable Hold—back to minding their own business.

He kept eyeing Izar every time she scurried past him down the hallway. She usually offered a nod, a smile, a muttered greeting, but just like him, she seemed to know that whatever they had shared out there had not followed them into the Hold. It had been a fleeting, pragmatic alliance and nothing more. What else could it have been? Ensha knew his duties, and where his loyalty lay.

He did not do friendships.

Which is fine, he kept telling himself. Why would I mind.

That inner voice died down when eventually, she walked right up to him, a tattered book in her hands. She looked at him with hesitation, and Ensha froze into his familiar pose more than usually, staring at her from dark eye sockets that normally were enough to intimidate people.

But she mustered a smile. ‟So,” she said, briefly glancing down at the sad remnants of a book, and then back at him. ‟You’re using a sign language, right? I’ve seen it when you reported to Sir Gideon.”

He was taken aback. He didn’t know why she would ask about this. Why it mattered. But he offered the slightest hint of a nod.

The astrologer cleared her throat. He had seen her fight revenants and soldiers and bloodthirsty glintstone mages alike, and face the Queen of the Full Moon herself, but now she seemed uncertain, and it puzzled him.

‟I’ve found a book that explains it, I think,” she continued. ‟But it’s hard to understand it in written form, so I’ve been meaning to ask… would you maybe like to teach me?”

Ensha stared at her, then made a dismissive gesture—not to negate her request, but to clarify that learning this particular sign language would get her nowhere.

He didn’t understand why she would even consider it. It made no sense whatsoever. It was not something common in the Lands Between; other than him—who used it—and the All-knowing—who understood it—, Ensha couldn’t think of anybody who even knew of that language. It would be a waste of time.

He reached out to sign into her palm—the way he had sometimes communicated with her during their mission. Why? No use for it.

Now it was her turn to look surprised. She tilted her head. ‟It would make communication a little easier, don’t you think?” she said softly. ‟I mean… this works,” she nodded towards her upturned palm, ‟but it’s a little slow and tedious, and I might not always be within arm’s length, so…” She paused, holding his gaze, and there was something about hers that made him think, not for the first time, that she was able to spot something in his eye sockets that shouldn’t even have been there. ‟I’d really like to learn it. If you’ll teach me.”

Suddenly, Ensha understood what she really was asking. It was not actually about the sign language—it was about him. He hadn’t considered that because usually nothing was ever about him. Which is fine. Why would I mind.

After all, he didn’t do friendships. But maybe… maybe this would be an exception. He looked at Izar with her hopeful eyes and the tattered book, and nodded.

[gravegrime]

A question to the storytellers out there!

What do you think is the most fundementally important part of any story? The writing, style, or theme/message?

I'm going to give my answer below the cut but please let me know what you think and why as well. Lets have a discussion about this!

For myself I believe the most important aspect of any story is it's writing. A story necessarily has to be a series of events that happen sequentially so you inherently need to know what those events are.

If you would allow me to analogize for a moment: I like to think about stories like a house. The stories various components roughly mapping onto different parts of its construction. Writing serves as the foundations and frame of the home. What events happen and how they happen serve to hold up all the other aspects of your story. A strong foundation will give you a sturdy base to build off of as currently you have just the shell of a home. The where, what, and how exist here but nothing else.

Your thematic elements make up the why. To continue the analogy you could think of them as utilities and functions within the home. The meaning you put into the various "rooms" make them more than just rooms. They become kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Places to live but still barren.

Who this home was built buy shines through in style. The colour of paint and decor within the empty rooms. Little personal touches to make the place feel like somewhere you've lived and finally transform the house into a home!

I understand that was all a bit flowery and I did induldge a bit, as it my right, but I think it's the best way to illustrate my feelings on the matter. I do think that all aspects of storytelling are important but I also don't think they're all created equal. I think above all else the most important thing to get right with your story is the writting. Everything necessarily flows from it and if you have a rotten foundation the whole project is going to fall flat!

Themes are great but if there's nothing to support them, or even worse you contradict them in your writing, they're sort of worthless. There isn't much to gain from advice given without reason!

Style can be wonderful to look at or consume in some way but eye candy is just eye candy if there's nothing more fundemental underpinning it. If you want candy that's fine, but you can't really call it a well balanced meal if that's the case.

This does kind of lead down the rabbit hole of what is and isn't good writing if it's so important to your story but that is something that will have to wait till another time. I am going to give my perspective on stuff like that for sure, but I feel it's probably better done piece meal in different conversations.

Thanks for reading, and I hope to have some interesting discussions lads!

[the-mortuary-witch]

TYPES OF DEVOTIONAL ACTS

FOR LOVE/BEAUTY DEITIES: 

Skin care.

Do your makeup (or embrace your natural beauty).

Paint your nails.

Dress up a little.

Write love letters.

Masterbate.

Change your bed sheets/clean up your room/space.

Listen to love songs/songs about sex/loving yourself.

Having sex.

Read romance novels.

Play interactive romance novels/romance games (stardew valley, dream daddy, The Arcana, etc).

FOR WAR DEITIES: 

Listen to angry music.

Advocate for yourself.

Reinforce your boundaries.

Cut out the negative people in your life.

Feel your anger, recognize your anger, don't force it down, but don't lash out to others. "I am angry. This thing made me angry. It's okay that I am angry, it is not okay to cause harm to those who do not deserve it." Etc etc.

Read biographies or accounts of war, or dystopian novels (accounts of war like Night by Elie Weisel, dystopian like Divergent or Hunger Games).

Learn self defence.

Learn about how your area was used in past wars.

Play fighting games (call of duty, mortal combat, etc).

FOR MUSIC/ART DEITIES: 

Create! Learn an instrument, draw, etc.

Write a song.

Paint for them.

Listen to experimental or storytelling music. All music is art, so find a vibe for your deity.

Take pictures of nature, art is everywhere in nature, from the paintings on butterfly wings to the sunset.

Read/write poetry.

Read poetry books, or books about music or art (think biographies from musicians/artists, or books like Guitar Notes by Mary Amato or such) (guitar notes is a mid-grade book but it's the only one I could think of the name of).

Visit galleries or local shows, support local artists.

FOR WISDOM DEITIES: 

Read books, any type, but mostly classics like Sherlock Holmes or Jane Austen.

Watch documentaries.

Take free online courses on subjects that interest you.

Visit and support your local libraries and independently owned bookstores.

Find old unloved books at thrift stores.

Learn a new skill.

Listen to music from different time periods.

Visit museums.

Play strategy games (chess, supreme commander, etc).

Do puzzles.

FOR NATURE DEITIES: 

Raise a plant or a garden.

Listen to nature sounds, or music with nature sounds.

Observe nature persevering, vines crawling up a building, dandelions in cracks in the pavement.

Read wilderness guides.

Learn about your area's native flora and fauna.

Visit local parks.

Open windows and let the fresh air in.

Scavenge/forage (in safe areas).

Play cozy games (animal crossing in a good example).

FOR DEATH DEITIES: 

Visit local graveyards/cemeteries (don't forget to be mindful and conscious of others and the spirits there).

Listen to music by artists who have passed on, or music about death.

Learn about different cultures' funeral practices.

Safely move roadkill out of the road, leave a small offering if possible (again, do so SAFELY).

Read books that have death themes (like Edgar Allen Poe, Wuthering Heights, or They Both Die In The End).

Think about how you want your body to be treated in death. Do you want to be buried, cremated, donated to science?

FOR HOME/HEARTH DEITIES: 

Read cozy books.

Play cozy games (sims, animal crossing).

Make your house seem warm and inviting to visitors.

Learn how to bake, either from scratch or a box, both are acceptable.

Learn how to sew or knit or crochet.

Watch cozy movies.

Light candles if you don't have a fireplace.

Listen to soft music.

Visit your friends or family and bring them baked goods.

FOR STRONG PARENTAL DEITIES:

Take care of your friends. 

Make sure your friends eat and are drinking water, do the same for yourself. 

Tell the people in your life you love them, you're proud of them, they're doing a good job. 

Read books about found family, self help books. 

Listen to music that makes you feel safe and loved. 

Carry a figure that represents them. 

Take care of yourself the way that they would take care of you.

Cook for yourself. Make yourself feel safe and loved.

FOR HEALTH DEITIES: 

Carry bandaids, Tylenol, and extra pads/tampons for people who may need them.

Learn about the human body and how it works.

Take your meds.

Make art out of old pill bottles for them.

Know and respect your limits.

Watch documentaries about doctors or health sciences.

Research holistic remedies and see if any might be of use to you (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE THEM FOR MODERN MEDICINE) be careful of misinformation, and any interactions that certain things might have with your meds.

FOR SEA/OCEAN/WATER DEITIES: 

Have a small fountain in your home (you can find them at some dollar stores, or if you're mechanically savvy, make your own).

Salts in your baths.

Visit local streams, creeks, rivers, or beaches.

Read about marine life/river life.

Read about your local water sources, learn about the water cycle.

Collect rain water.

Stand in the rain, feel it on you, let it ground you.

Listen to music about water/with water sounds/the ocean/the beach

Have pictures in your home/space of the ocean.

If you visit the ocean, collect some water and sand and seashells (make sure you follow your own personal gratitude system) to have in your home.

Don't fret if you're landlocked, your practice is valid, you don't need to be at the ocean all the time to feel it's presence. The rain clouds blow in from hundreds of miles away. The ocean is always with you.

Drink water.

Carry a small vial of water with you (could be ocean water, river water, or tap water with or without salt in it) you can keep it in your car, in your pocket, or wear it as a necklace, etc.

Carry a small vial of salt with you (could be hand harvested from the ocean, table salt, or any kind of off the shelf salt).

FOR SKY/WIND/AIR DEITIES: 

Let the air in, open windows when possible

Offerings of air, such as burning incense, smoking tobacco, or using essential oils.

Reading poetry, mythology, or other writings about the deity.

Let yourself be free.

Sit outside for a few minutes a day, or longer.

Playing wind instruments, like flutes or panpipes.

Making offerings of feathers, wings, or other things related to birds or mythical sky beings.

Participating in sky-related activities, such as skydiving, flying, or hot-air balloon rides, to feel closer to the sky deity.

Building or using a wind chime or wind sculpture to connect with the energies of the sky and the wind.

Engaging in outdoor activities like biking, sailing, or kite flying to appreciate the gift of air and sky.

Flying kites or sky lanterns. 

FOR TRAVELER DEITIES: 

Pick something up for them on your travels, could be a rock, could be a souvenir.

Put a symbol of them in your car.

Wear shoes that are good for walking.

Drive/walk around to explore new places (you don't even have to leave your town).

Take backroads.

Be a respectful tourist in every new place that you visit, don't be afraid of looking stupid.

FOR QUEER DEITIES:

Educate yourself on queer history.

Express yourself truthfully.

Listen to queer music.

Read queer books.

Embrace your identity.

Read queer poetry, like that of Sappho.

Keep yourself safe in spaces that are less open to identities.

Support local queer owned businesses or artists.

Queer art.

Love yourself and take care of yourself.

Go to drag shows.

Relish in the fact that queerness has been around since the very first civilizations.

[fossilized-honey]

Neil Gaiman once said something beautiful about how once you put a story you created in the world it no longer “yours” so much as it belongs to the community it’s created.

If I find it I’ll be sure to RB again

[al-ma-48]

Story in caption. Week 47 - Campfire Stories I loved the final assignment of the correspondence course, ‘Summoning 101’! As reported previously, I yearned to apologize to my graveyard date for my past conduct. Luckily, this week we were to meet again and jointly summon critters to inhabit our pumpkin houses. It thrilled me to meet the nice zombie gentleman again! We lit a comfy campfire, sat our pumpkins, and course objectives aside and chatted happily for hours! He told me incredible stories, but I have no time to share them now. These are not my stories, they will have to be told another time. Me, I shared with my fellow student what I had learned the day before from my secret contact at Dungeon Corp. They had disclosed the real purpose behind this curious course. Dungeon Corp is a leading supplier of all grim and deadly creatures a dungeon keeper could ask for. But transporting the critters to the customers cost a fortune. So marketing invented the course in order to recruit a mob of traveling sales-summoners, going from dungeon to dungeon, on-site summoning the monsters. A creative concept, yet based on the sample subscription I tested, I doubt this will work! I will definitely not pursue the course any further! For more images and stories see @al_ma_48 Don't want to miss my art? Subscribe to my newsletter! Link in my bio. #cosycoven22 #gnome #handdrawn #campfire #artistbook #storytime #originalillustration #illustratedstory #imaginaryworld #graveyard #fantasybook #traditionalartists #storytelling #mixedmediaartwork #funtime #story #zombie #illustrationofinstagram #fantasyworld #illustrationchallenge #artbooks #storybook #campfirestories https://www.instagram.com/p/Clbin89obyh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[gloryofdawn]

Feldon of the Third Path is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of storytelling in Magic: The Gathering.

Every part of this card comes together to tell you Feldon's story without ever overtly saying anything.

The art depicts him as a sturdy man, used to labor, and the workshop around him supports that. His hair is dark, but his beard is gray. He's getting older, but there's life in him yet. He gazes intensely at at the machined face of an automaton's head.

His ability doesn't do anything so gauche as bringing a card back from the graveyard. No, he targets a card in the graveyard -- someone, something that has died -- and and creates a copy, a facsimile, that's an artifact in addition to whatever it was before. But his creation is imperfect. It doesn't last. At the end of the turn, you sacrifice the copy. Greater magics than what Feldon posseses are required to make it stay more than a moment.

And then the flavor text. "She will come back to me." Powerful. Defiant. Sorrowful. Broken? Who can say, we haven't heard Feldon himself speak the words. But he lost someone, and he is determined, driven to bring her back the only way he knows how.

We're never told what the first two paths are, even if we can assume, but Feldon very clearly indicates what the Third Path is.

[gayfordavidtennant]

This is the most wholesome thing I've ever experienced in my whole life. @neil-gaiman , Mr. Gaiman, you need to see this!

Today I saw this shop that had 3 wagons of books for sale outside it!! I looked through them and found The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and a super cool Pirate book!!

When I checked out, I told the older man l was so excited to see Neil Gaiman because I love his storytelling style and told him that Neil wrote my favorite book. He asked me if I've read Good Omens and I told him that was the one I was talking about! This man gave me his copy and told me it was his husband's favorite- I told him I already had a copy and that he should keep it because that's so special, he told me to take it.

We talked for another 45 minutes. I told him how my ex partner asked me to be his boyfriend with a copy of Good Omens, he told me about his husband, how they came to live in the Florida Keys, some of the places they went, and the conversation somehow moved to so many different topics about everything and nothing. It was amazing and I know I will never forget it.

Thank you for trusting me with your husband's copy of Good Omens, Robbie! I will take care of it forever.

[earthmoonz]

WIFEY. | EPISODE THREE (3.7)

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(transcript below)

(MAX): Wow, 45. We were gonna throw you a party you know. Could’ve used the bar. Put a bbq in the back and that...I’m sorry you’re not here. I promise I won’t let it be in vain mum. You deser-

(SIMONE): Maxie! I’m so glad we caught you.

(MAX): I was just leaving.

(SIMONE): You don’t have to- I’m sorry darling.  I didn’t mean to interrupt…Why don’t you come and get some food with us? We’ve got some flowers to lay but then we can celebrate together.

(MAX): I can’t. I’ve got to get back to work. Sorry.

(SIMONE): *Sighing* Okay love. Another time then.

[ganondoodle]

(totk rewritten)

finally, all the arm and spirit abilities- for the first half of the game (rauru) and for the second half with the shiekah arm replacing links arms instead and the spirit abilities gained through ganondorf

(please excuse my handwriting and sometimes repeated info on the first two, i lost motivation/patience at the end and couldnt get myself to basically redo it all from scratch just to make it a bit more cleaner)

note, the camera rune is unconnected to the arm, its the shiekah stone copy link has (zelda carries the one from botw, a copy was attempted to be made for link but it lacks all runes except the camera, the map and its teleportation, and journal/archive)

note for the heal effects of some spirit abilities- im also reworking the healing system, making it more like the older games, so healing isnt as easy and much more restricted, thus making those effects of spirit abilities more valuable ( lil potion icon on the d pad will act a little bit like in skyward sword, opens your limited selection of healing items and if chosen link switches to holding it and letting you consume it with -a- while walking around in real time- to avoid more pausing and mass healing on regular items while in menu)

additional note, the automatic recharging of the magic meter depending on the environment gives you a reliable but less abusable way of using abilities and allows for even more creative dungeon/challenge design by using it effectively- it works by absorbing magic from its surroundings, so if its an area with little magic it recharges slower, if its a very spiritual or healthy place it will recharge faster, it can be used to make things more challenging and also as subtle storytelling (example, theres a graveyard with the magic energy around being off the charts, even if there are no spirits to see, it could hint at the people buried not having died peacefully, no matter what their gravestone says...)

the usage of magic and how much the different abilities cost also allows for a much more dynamic fighting style for players to choose and try out, balancing them all out with their cost instead of a fixed timer, and the recharging beign affected by the environment perhaps forcing players that favor high cost magic abilities to use the lower cost ones for example, or not being able to charge one up bc the enemy is too fast and doesnt give you enough time to charge it

about half of the small overworld dungeons (not shrines) are also locked/inaccessible for the first half and new quests appear as the second half commences- together with the additional changes raurus return brings with it (sonau buildings, enemies being mostly cosntructs that he summoned etc) and whole set of new abilities giving you a fresh new way to play while (hopefully) not making you feel too restricted for the first half

... making these detailed concepts took me longer than id like to admit q-q

[lenaboskow]

*sighs very loudly*

OKAY time for a lesson in television storytelling and media literacy!

everything in television is done for a reason. if it’s there, it’s because it means something. see something and immediately question it? yeah, you were supposed to. so let’s break this down one by one:

— when tommy was at the hospital with the rest of the 118, it was to show that he was on the outside. everyone but him got a text in a group chat. and no, it wasn’t just the 118. it was their partners, too. after five months, you would think tommy would be added, but no. he was still an outsider

— when tommy was at the graveyard with buck, it was to directly compare with eddie. photos for evidence, eddie was right by buck’s side while tommy stood from a distance. he’s not buck’s person, and he knows it.

— he’s good friends with eddie for several reasons.

1) it’s how the whole bi!buck arc started. the arc where buck misplaced his feelings and projected onto eddie.

2) he gets along with eddie because they’re very similar. something they’ve constantly brought up.

3) getting along with eddie allowed the show to have him on screen with buck and tommy, which in turn allowed them to show the differences between how eddie (his person) and tommy (his boyfriend) reacted to him. and it was a very interesting comparison indeed.

— him going to maddie and chimney’s wedding served the sole purpose of giving buck an avenue to come out to everyone without taking up too much screentime

— bobby’s approval was more about buck coming out than it was about tommy. the man was also an active suicide watch so take him lightly

hope this helps!

[hauntedsprings]

Dark and mysterious souls, gather 'round! If the ethereal beauty of twilight graveyards, spectral shadows, and the rich texture of gothic art inspire you, we have curated an unparalleled collection that will perfectly resonate with your gothic heart. Introducing our exclusive "Graveyard Specter" collection—a series of products that capture the haunting allure of a mist-covered graveyard at dusk.

Our Graveyard Zip Pouch is more than just a storage accessory; it's a statement piece that embodies the enigmatic allure of twilight. Perfect for holding your makeup, stationery, or those little trinkets that carry secret meanings known only to you, this pouch features a high-definition print of a haunting graveyard scene draped in golden mist. The mysterious silhouette at its center captivates the imagination, making this zip pouch not just functional but thoroughly enchanting. It’s crafted to be durable, ensuring that you carry a piece of gothic artistry with you through the day’s adventures.

Next in our gothic lineup is the Graveyard Sticker. This small, yet meticulously detailed piece transforms any mundane object into a canvas of gothic beauty. Adorn your laptop, notebook, or even your locker with this sticker, which portrays a graveyard bathed in soft, golden light and shadowy silhouettes. The sticker’s design captures the essence of gothic storytelling and allows you to carry a piece of that tale wherever you go. Every glance at it transports you back to the misty graveyard, breathing life into the mundane.

In the digital age, our Misty Graveyard Mouse Pad is a must-have for every gothic soul. With this mouse pad, every study or work session becomes an experience steeped in mystery and intrigue. The high-quality print ensures that the haunting scene of the graveyard, complete with shadowed figures and glowing mist, stays vivid through countless hours of use. The smooth surface is perfect for precision tracking, and the non-slip base keeps your workspace stable. It’s a subtle yet powerful way to infuse your digital world with gothic allure.

For those tiny spaces that beg for a touch of the ethereal, our Mystic Cemetery Magnet is the perfect choice. Adorn your locker, fridge, or any metal surface with this magnet, which packs the same haunting beauty into a compact size. The graveyard scene retains its detailed mystique, even in the smaller format, making it an excellent accent piece that screams gothic elegance and mystery.

Finally, our Twilight Tombstone Notebook is your personal canvas for capturing thoughts, stories, and sketches drawn from the depths of your imagination. The cover, featuring the evocative graveyard scene, sets a perfect mood for writing down ghostly tales, recording your dreams, or just jotting down daily notes. The high-quality paper and durable spiral binding make it a notebook that you’ll want to keep close at hand, every day.

Each product in the "Graveyard Specter" collection is designed to resonate with your gothic sensibilities, bringing a touch of the dark and mysterious into your everyday life. They make perfect gifts for friends who share your love for the gothic aesthetic, or as special treats for yourself.

So, why wait? Dive into the mystique and charm of our "Graveyard Specter" collection. Embrace these pieces and let their haunting beauty inspire your gothic journey every day. Explore the full collection now and find the perfect items to complement your unique style.

Follow us for more gothic-inspired products and join our community of dark souls who celebrate the beauty found in the shadows

[greenplumbboblover]

Not-a-tutorial - Lighting (Basics)

I really loved @nocturnalazure Storytelling tips, and figured I'd add one more chapter that I, personally, feel can be helpful to add the mood or maybe a bit more 🌶 to your pictures! (with or without reshade ;))

But first, go check out these tips by Nocturnalazure!

Camera Shots

Dialogues Part I

Dialogues Part II

Things to note before beginning:

This technique can be used with and without reshade/gshade/sweetfx or even editing images. (but I would recommend it!)

Make sure you're playing with at least "Lighting and Shadows" to highest settings. Otherwise this won't work.

All of the images in this post have been taken without being edited/haven't used reshade/gshade for them. (So, just the good ol' C button 😉)

A lighting mod can already go a long way! So, if you haven't yet, go find one before reading!

All Base Game compatible! No EPs/SPs needed

I'm in no way a colourist! But it may be cool to check the science behind it if you want to go more advanced on this :)

And with that said... let's get to it!

What do we need?

1. "Wall Area Light 1x1", (since it's simpler for sims)

You can find it under BuyDebug on (But first make sure you have Testingcheatsenabled true on!).

Pssst! I would recommend adding it to a catalogue! I made a "story" catalogue and added it so it's much easier to find it!

How to use lighting, the very basics:

Here we have Lolita Goth, outside with no lighting except for the world's.

Not to bad, eh? Well. there are a few reasons why we want to add lights to this scene.

Lolita's face is quite dark.

The reader will be very focused on the background AND the sim. (I personally keep looking at the bench, and less at Lolita right now.)

It's interesting, partially because of the lighting mod installed, but we can make it even more appealing.

NOTE: These techniques will work no matter if your sim is facing the sun or facing away from the sun! The results will always be the same with the lights.

Setup:

The basic setup is simple! You'll need 3 lights. One behind your sim(s), one sideways and one in front.

Back light = used for darker colours (blue, red, green, purple, orange)

Sub light = Used as helper colour for Back light. Can remove if not necessary. (helper in the sense of: Backlight is blue, adding purple can help being more interesting).

Front light = always white, flame, orange.

An example with the 3 lights used.

Setup:

Backlight = Red

Sub-light = Orange

Front Light = White

Why can't I just use the front light?

While it's not a bad approach in certain scenes, often the result is a bit too... tense:

(Left is with backlighting, right is with only front-light).

Personally I find the left image much more appealing, and more interesting to look at. But if trhe right picture is more your cup of tea, the feel free to use it!

Here's an example with the same principle but at night:

(Left is with backlighting, right is with only front-light).

Here, I think it shows it even more, how nice backlights can make something more captivating!

Now that we know about the basics of setting up our scenes... Let's get into the details a bit more!

How to use lighting for nighttime (Outdoors):

Here we got a scene with Lolita and Gunther Goth in a dark spooky graveyard, having a gothic-y picnick. In-game, this is the lighting setup as of right now:

It's lit up enough, right? While in regular gameplay this is definetly true, in a story setup we can actually make this much more interesting! But before that, here's our scene image:

The thing though is... while there is light, currently the eyes aren't drawn to Lolita's face at all:

So... how do we fix this?

There are a few ways. But all require our Wall Area Light!

Setup 1:

One light can go a long way! In this instance, I added only one light, and used "Dimmed" so it still shows as if they're in the dark. (To select different light settings, use Shift + Click to see them ;))

There are scenes where this would be enough (though, having 2 facing from different directions would work better), it dosn't really in this instance.

The problem, however, is that it almost feels like there's a spotlight that is facing them. The scene may have got a bit more interesting (as we are more focused on Lolita's face), but just isn't there yet.

Setup 2:

By adding in a blue colour, facing the back and a little bit the front of our subject(s) we get a much more "fake" nightlight representation.

Though, a few thoughts here:

While in this scene I personally liked making the back colours blue, we can always experiment a little and change one of the blue into purple!

Now, the part of Lolita's face that isn't blue, we do want a non-blue colour. For this, I like to cycle through the following colours:

White

Flame

Orange

(Rarely! But sometimes red).

See result here:

This all depends on your preference, and if you want a deeper colour. Or maybe, to even set a certain dramatic effect! (this is where red may be nicer).

Make sure to also play around with the intensity settings of each light! This can really change things up!

Currently, I've set up the intensities like so:

Blue 1 = Bright

Blue 2 = Bright

Orange/white/flame/red = Dim

Though, if Blue 2 is purple for you, I'd recommend setting this one to normal or even dim.

How to use lighting for Daylight (Outdoors):

This one is much easier, and more straightforward! While backlighting is important here as well, it's less of a necessity in this setting.

Okay! So you've posed all the characters, set up objects, etc... and now we're ready for the lighting! Here's what I currently have:

Not bad, not bad at all without any lights... but what if we add them!

Here I added a White-dimmed light.

Better! In fact, if this is the kind of lighting you want in your scene, then feel free to leave it here!

What about a little more complicated lighting... sort of what we did with our night scene?

Here the left light is a white-dimmed light, and on the right we got a orange dimmed light.

it's not much, but it definitely added a nice shade to the scene! :)

Let's get to how we do this same thing, but indoors!