#novel introduction

[divine-godling]

WIP TITLE: House of Dreamers

GENRE: Dark, high fantasy.

POV: 3rd Person Limited

TRIGGER WARNINGS: blood / death / war / death of family members, friends, soldiers / blood sacrifices / death mage talks to a dead family member to gain insight / blood mage is imprisoned to aid in a sacrifice. 

INTENDED AUDIENCE: new adult to adult

TROPES: "strangers" to reluctant friends to lovers / forced proximity / slow burn

SYNOPSIS: Hidden from the world at the tender age of ten, Ophelia Delsarte is thrust into a world of secrets and danger. Unaware of her true identity, she has spent years hiding as a commoner, struggling to survive amidst the unforgiving streets. But her anonymity is shattered when Perseus Abodras, a power-hungry madman, discovers her existence and sets out to claim the hidden magic flowing through her veins for himself.

Suddenly thrust back into the role of a long-lost princess, Ophelia finds herself grappling with a whirlwind of emotions and challenges. The once-familiar courtly life becomes an overwhelming labyrinth of political maneuverings, treacherous alliances, and deadly conspiracies. As Ophelia navigates the delicate dance of power, she realizes that her late-blooming magical abilities only add to her mounting responsibilities. Caught between her own vulnerabilities and the ruthless ambitions of those who seek to control her, Ophelia is plagued by self-doubt and the fear of making fatal mistakes. The weight of the crown rests heavily upon her shoulders as she tries to find her footing amidst a sea of deceit and betrayal. With time running out and enemies closing in, Ophelia must learn to rise above her doubts, harness her newfound magical prowess, and command the respect of those around her.

But the path to claiming her place as Princess once more proves harder than expected. With allies and enemies lurking in the shadows, she must decipher who can be trusted and who is plotting her downfall.

In a world teetering on the brink of chaos, Ophelia's journey becomes a race against time-a desperate struggle to find her true identity and save her kingdom from the clutches of darkness. With each step, she inches closer to her own liberation and the realization that sometimes, one must sink to the depths before finding the strength to rise.

THEME SONG: "You Were Never Gone" Hannah Ellis

GOALS:

Write 110k words.

Finish final draft

Start querying

MAIN CHARACTERS: Ophelia Delsarte / Caspian Valernius / Perseus Abodras / Eudoxia Grant

[unhingednovelist]

introducing my published novel: the art of betrayal

[ written by @unhingednovelist , self-published on amazon ]

There's a lot to talk about, and quite frankly, none of it is pretty.

genre // horror, mystery

setting // small-town new zealand and a second location that i cannot mention for spoiler reasons

[ a note about this: the idea of the story is that you are learning of new information as matthew, the protag, is learning of it too. you quite literally go into the novel headfirst knowing literally nothing. i can't even reveal any other names other than matthew's, because it's all spoilered. ]

features // alternative storytelling format, cosmic horror, a sprawling worldwide mystery, missing persons, many lgbtq+ characters, desperate attempts at finding the truth

main inspiration pieces //

house of leaves - mark z. danielewski (novel)

illuminae/gemina/obsidio - amie kaufman + jay kristoff (novel series)

dark (netflix series)

moodboard //

playlist // 'the art of betrayal - a playlist'

content warnings // gore/injury details, unsettling imagery, hate crime mentions, medical gaslighting (i may miss some things but this is what comes to mind at the moment, please PLEASE let me know if there is anything else i need to add!)

other important information // unfortunately the novel is quite inaccessible regarding its visual content as many chapters are of scanned handwritten journal entries and other scanned media. because i have worked on this novel exclusively on my own, i was unable to make an accessible version at time of publishing. HOWEVER i am hoping that i will be able to change this sometime in the future!

[ hi yes! i know a great majority of these kinds of posts on tumblr are for wips, but i really feel like i must give a little attention to my first big project. a little backstory from me is that i started writing this concept when i was 15, and i published it at the start of this year! ]

[ i am also very new to writing alt text descriptions so if you think i should add more to my descriptions please let me know! ]

[gracehosborn]

So what is this YA fantasy novel of mine anyway?

I’ve been meaning to make this post for months now but life so here it finally is.

Ink of Destruction, or IOD for short, is my first full-length novel project, which I’m currently trying to publish.

What’s IOD About?

Here is a brief pitch:

The fabric of history seemed stable--until it unraveled.

This is the reality facing the quiet yet book-loving Alexandra Hart after her accidental purchase of a magical pen which gives her the ability to alter history with just a single sentence. Yet all Alex wished for was to return to her journals and literary escapes from her father who wants nothing to do with her and her mother who tenderly loves her, but fails time and again to keep the family steady. When a school trip to New York City is arranged for all students, Alex's opportunity arrives.

When she witnesses the vanishing of the United States Constitution, however, and discovers that a deep-seeded rivalry within her lineage is the root of its vanishing, Alex must come to terms with her new reality-one of unpredicable historical alterations with drastic ramifications caused by the very pen she had bought. With all she, and everyone else, knows on the line, Alex must work together with friends, rivals, and even a dead relative to reverse the pen's effects and stop its maker from causing more destruction before everything falls to ash.

Why IOD?

A few years ago I was craving to read something like this book that I eventually wrote. Something that merged both my love of a fantastical adventure and history into a compelling narrative. Seeing nothing that really worked for me, I decided to give writing it myself a try—having wanted to write a book for many years previously. Ever since I’ve come to love this project and I can’t wait for you all to see it out in the wild!

What’s Happening Now?

Currently I’m stuck on the fence of traditional or self publishing. I would like IOD, and eventually TAI or whatever else I write to be treated with care, however I don’t have the money to publish these myself, and my list of agents are all closed to submissions. So eventually I’ll get my stuff out there, just don’t know when.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

[gwen-tolios]

The Adventure List Mood Board

The Adventure List features Bryce grieving over his best friend and figuring out what to do about the YouTube show, The Adventure List, that they co-hosted.

You've got adventures (yes, they skydive) but this book has a lot of emotion. I wanted to write a story where it's the guy who is the emotional one who breaks down and messily grieves his friend. Where he refinds joy and purpose in the thing his friend loved so much.

This book is about Bryce, and it's about his girlfriend, and it's about his dead pseudo-brother. But it's also about making life a series of adventures, and not letting sadness hold you back, even if you have to force yourself out the door.

Looking for beta readers if you're curious!

[miss-briar-novels]

What happens when people find out that you have a rare magical ability? Will you get scared and begin to shed tears or will you stay firmly planted on your feet and fight anyone who dares to harm the ones dear to you?

→ Play as a woman, man, or non-binary

→ Choose your orientation

→ Customize your MC

→ Multiple choices

→ This is a fantasy based game.

→ Explore the nation of Achyes, meet interesting individuals, and give love a chance!

→ And save the world.

→ Arche/Aurora Lunos - The Leader: Romantic at heart, stoic-faced, and is a lovely person once you manage to peer behind that somewhat... firm and leader-like personality. They will make sure you are always safe, no matter what.

→ Azure/Averil Arnoult - The Advisor: They have a heart of gold, somewhat shy, and skilled at whatever they try to do. They will protect you from awful things - even your nightmares.

→ Zephyr/Zerena Aeolian - The Protector: Very nonchalant and sarcastic, but they have the most soothing voice (enough to lull you to sleep). They will always make you feel cherished.

→ Uri/Usna Haco - The Knight: They have the most charming grin in the entire nation and quite the trickster. They will never stop making you swoon.

WARNINGS:

18+

There will be cursing, and the game will discuss things such as death, blood, violence, sensitive topics, slightly sexual themes, etc. (nothing too graphic) So, if you get uncomfortable with such things, then it's advised not to play!

The game link is in the description.

ROs Moodboards

Chapters 4 + 5 released on: 31/10/24

[jinxlovemail]

[TKaTB]

Emilie 'Emi' Celinde

decided to give her introduction a go- not my best but ya bdjhsbd

click for more!

relationship chart - made by @ kazueisaloser ! <3

understand my ship in 5 mins (sol, crowe, geo) - by @ fantasiakitt , the game developer herself!

full character

doodle

some stuffs abt her

she was part of some bands but only for a short while when events are held, she got paid for being the guitarist, vocalist, and drummer.

learned how to play a guitar when she was young, her mother taught her before she passed from an illness- which she believed.

she's very self-conscious about her works and actions, pretty much insecure but had to force herself anyway just to get things done lol.

she had a little intermission to sol, alone. she taught him how to hold a guitar and strumming chords.

she draws very often, like A LOT until she gets drained and tired- and then she starts to hate them.

not tkatb related but she'll be my m/c for some vn's as well (might make a reference soon)

i have more but i rather save them for future posts lol

that is all for now, thank u for letting me yap (kinda).. :D

[sassypantsjaxon]

So just to recap: Aizawa

1. Buys ugly clothes for his daughter

2. Is subsequently forbidden (presumably by his husband) from buying her anymore gifts

3. So his workaround for that is to send his son to get things for her instead

[tosahobi-if]

GAME OUT NOW

Misfortune begets misfortune; evil will prey upon itself. Just as how the fox cannot live without the rabbit, the predator must understand what rises will fall.

Long before you were born, the Great Calamity, a calculated effort by Magyo cultists nearly wiped out the entirety of the Jungpa sects. If not for the noble sacrifice of the peerless Sword Saint of the Mount Hua Sect: the Divine Blade, Yeo Jinhu, demonic forces would have rent the heavens and the earth asunder.

Despite his triumph, nothing would ever be the same – the losses were staggering, the task of rebuilding the sects to their former glory seemed to prove an insurmountable challenge. Yet nearly two decades after his death, peace returned to the land once more.

After the death of your parents, you lead an ordinary, if not monotonous, life as the playmate of the spoiled young master of the Mount Hua Sect. However, all is not what it seems. Following the mysterious arrival of an amnesiac with strange abilities, whispers of a plot brewing in the shadows start to surface, and the world as you know it begins to fall apart around your feet.

Suddenly confronted with the uncertainty of the future, you must unravel the tragedy of what truly conspired all those years ago before you risk losing all you hold dear.

tosahobi (18+) is a muhyeop choose-your-own adventure game centered around elements of korean folklore and taoism in a tale of family, grief, and heritage.

play as a customizable main character: choose their physical appearance, gender, pronouns, sexuality, and more.

explore different relationships: from platonic to romantic to familial, build a variety of relationships with the cast (and hopefully make more friends than you do enemies.)

choose from different skill sets: pick between medicine, weaponry, tactics, and hand-to-hand combat. each field comes with its own advantages and disadvantages that affect multiple scenarios as the story progresses.

choice-driven story: with several routes and (many) choices, fail or succeed and find your way to an ending (whether it be happy or not.)

something is incredibly wrong: can you feel it too?

THE YOUNG MASTER

Yeo Jinwol of the Mount Hua Sect, is the youngest son of the sect leader. Contrary to his charming public demeanor, he has a childish side and can be extraordinarily stubborn. Having grown up in the shadow of his elder brothers he is fiercely protective of those he considers precious to him and struggles to measure up to the expectations placed on his shoulders. Assigned his playmate at a young age, whether you consider it fortuitous or not the two of you have been stuck together for years.

THE ENIGMA

Yul is your sajae, a disciple under the same master as you. Despite their amnesia, they're preternaturally talented at whatever they set their mind to. With strange yet unexplainable abilities that seem to stretch far beyond the scope of their powers, their missing memories may be the key to unlocking the answers you seek. Reclusive yet dedicated you'd almost think they were far, far older than their age if not for their intense sweet tooth and their tendency to follow you around like a very clingy second shadow.

THE PRODIGY

Baek Iseul, the Frozen Blade, is the rising star Emei Sect and has long been hailed as the next Sword Saint. Contrary to her cheerful personality you've never met anyone with a sharper gaze before. Hailing from obscurity, her power rivals even those who have trained for years and years, and has amassed an ever-growing collection of heroic feats under her belt. Popular and well-liked with a mischievous streak, you're really not sure why someone with such a promising future has taken a liking to you.

???

if to transcend means to leave the world behind, bind me to the soil so even long after my death, long after my body has turned to dust, i can find you once more.

[glasswinggames]

Visual Novel In Progress

Discord || Ko-fi || X

Dear Reader,

Congratulations! You have been selected for a chance at a new life in another world!

Archelia is a place of magic, mystery and more! This city may have many Twisted Secrets, but it's a place where dreams can be made reality... though of course, all things come with a price.

So, complete your missions, trigger the Catalysts to change the world, and maybe, in the midst of it all, find your Ever After...

You, our beloved Reader, have been brought over from Earth by a mysterious being who only seems to communicate with you through a blue screen that only you can see. You've been chosen as the representative of the God's who wish for change to the story of a world that has long since gone stagnant.

If you succeed in unlocking your power and creating change with the help of the Catalysts, beings at the centre of change identified by the God's, you can have anything you wish for...

But only if you give a satisfying ending.

As the screen disappears, you're left to your own choices, to shape your new life in this fantasy world, where magic and mystery exists around every corner, and to become whoever you want to be. Will you stay as a reader, letting the story pass you by? Will you be a supporting character, helping the hero or villain as you choose? Will you become a protagonist, bringing change by your own hands?

... Or will you become something more?

Features

Ever After: Twisted Secrers is an 18+ Visual Novel set in a historical fantasy inspired world following eight different stories exploring a variety of themes.

🦋 Customisable MC 🦋

The MC of Ever After: Twisted Secrets is completely customisable. There is a customisation screen to choose name, pronouns, gender, sexuality, and physical appearance, including disabilities and much more. You can set preferences for physical touch, and personality is defined through optional flavour choices.

🦋 Different Relationship Dynamics 🦋

When you meet each interest, you will get to choose how you feel about them, whether it's dislike, disinterest, friendliness, or attraction, and there will be options to deepen these feelings throughout the stories. This gives more opportunities to give depth to your MCs personality: dislike a character but want to be nice to their face or even manipulating them to love you? There are options for that.

At the start of each route you will be asked whether you want to play the platonic or romantic route, this will determine your potential relationship statuses in the endings. For platonic you can become best friends or even be in a queerplatonic relationship.

In Jedreks route, there is the option to be in a poly relationship with Jedrek and the side character Oliver. You can choose the dynamic, whether it's a V or a triangular relationship. It is not possible to be in a relationship solely with Oliver.

🦋 Choice Driven Stories 🦋

There are three types of choices:

Flavour Choices: Don't impact the endings but dictate your characters personality and influence how people react to you. These choices are optional, if you turn these off then it will follow [redacted]'s selections throughout.

Relationship Choices: Impacts the endings for whether the interest likes/loves or dislikes you.

Catalyst Choices: Impacts the endings for whether you were successful in triggering enough change within the world.

There are four different endings per interest, not including bad ends throughout the prologue and routes and additional epilogues, which are unlocked once you meet the requirements.

🦋 Extras 🦋

CGs - There are 16 CGs in the prologue alone! Each route will have several CGs which you can collect and view in the gallery.

Compendium - Throughout the routes as you discover more key terms and information will be stored in a Compendium which you can access at any time to learn more about the world and its history!

Original Music - For the prologue, there will be an original song written for idol group Boo-K, with plans for the full game to have even more music for you to listen to!

Achievements - There are several achievements you can get throughout each route! Maybe something will happen if you unlock them all...

As you can choose to play platonically and define your own relationships, I refer to the different route options as Story Interests!

Meet the Catalysts of change below!

'I'll have my own following with blackjack and hookers--'

Pronouns: They/them

Sexuality: Demisexual

Age: 30

Height: 6'2"

Cairen is known as being the irresponsible, frivolous rake of the Palace, the fallen second star of Archelia, the charming elven heartbreaker of the city. When they aren't gallivanting around the city and avoiding their royal duties, they can be found tending to their butterflies in their private greenhouse... also avoiding their royal duties.

Perhaps it's a good thing that their uncle still holds into the throne? That the position of heir has gone to their war hungry cousin?

However, as you will see with Cairen, things aren't always as they seem in the floating Palace, and the one who has long since been underestimated has poisonous plans of their own to take back what has been stolen from them, with interest.

Despite Cai's playful, frivolous demeanour, they are smart, cunning, and very ambitious. They know their worth and believe the crown may not be enough to showcase it anymore: they need to ascend even higher and create a new world where they stand above all else.

Will you join them at the peak? Or will they push you off along the way?

'What's a historical fantasy without a cold Northern Duke?'

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 28

Height: 6'

As the ArchDuke, Helios is the leader of the most powerful family outside of royalty, though even they have little control over him since he became the Shayan, the head of the magic tower and the most powerful mage in the Kingdom.

Helios has used his magic and intellect to contribute to the Kingdom, advancing technology through magic stones that are widespread in transport and improving medical care to reduce dependency on the church.

However, his sharp tongue, impossibly high standards and stubbornness haven't earned him many friends, even if his criticisms come from a place of care. Though this doesn't seem to bother him, as he still has what is truly important: his family, his reputation and his magic.

But, when Helios stands to lose everything, and the world he helped turns against him, will he be able to stay true to himself, or will he be driven to revenge?

'Do you want to get magically stuck together? Cause that's how you get magically stuck together!!'

Pronouns: She/her

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 35

Height: 5'6"

The Witch of the Forest of Yulis is a mysterious woman. Though she visits the city often with her beautiful seeing eye dog Orion leading the way, she maintains enough of a distance that not too many know much about her.

Nature, animals, and the souls of the dead wander by her side now, but there was once a time when the forest was a haven for others in the city. But as technology has taken over, and more of nature has been destroyed to expand the city walls, the forest and its resident witch have been affected by some strange unknown force and nobody has been able to get close.

Farren is a kind woman, with a tendency to do her best to help others, especially those who can't help themselves. She is gentle, but firm in her boundaries, and a woman with a strength underneath her softness.

However, in the face of death, how long will her gentleness last, and will she take matters into her own hands to save the nature she loves the most?

'[J.Jonah Jameson voice] GET ME PICTURES OF THE BOOGEYMAN!'

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: [Redacted]

Height: 6'3"

At some point or another, everyone has either heard or told stories of the Boogeyman. Parents who tell their children to behave lest they be whisked away, friends who hunt for him as a test of courage, and rumours that spiral whenever somebody goes missing. But everyone knows this is just a myth, a legend of a monster that doesn't exist.

Or does he?

Despite his notoriety, nobody knows the face of the Boogeyman, or the fact that he is back.

He feeds on fear, finding joy in their panic, and with his laughter filling the streets as he claims another, it may just be that the title of monster fits him better than you realise.

You've taken a job as a reporter, alongside your new friend Oliver, to hunt him down for the latest scoop, and when you get close enough to snap a photo you find that the playful monster of a killer enjoys the limelight.

Will you be able to keep him entertained long enough to find out what he's doing with the bodies? Or will you end up just another victim on his path?

'Spencer Reid if he was the unsub... and an idol'

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 24

Height: 5'10"

A previous otherworldly traveller like yourself brought the concept of idols to Archelia, giving it a classical twist to fit in with the worlds tastes.

Illium is part of the five member group, Boo-K, an incredibly popular boy group inspired by flowers, with Illium the red flower member alongside his brother, the yellow flower, Zephyr.

He's known as the Prince of the group, the untouchable idol who keeps everyone at arms length with his universal kindness and gentle smile. Fans have pictured him rescuing animals, especially fallen birds, with a soft smile that matches his gentle voice.

But behind his pretty words and soft demeanour, he is still searching for a reason why he exists and something to be truly passionate about. As you spend more time together, he believes you may have the answer to his prayers.

However, you start to notice a trend to a string of attacks and murders... they are all people who have wronged you no matter how small the altercation. Surely the sweet, with his princely charm, Illium could have nothing to do with it... right?

'Your flirting mind tricks don't work on me, only money!'

Pronouns: Dependent on presentation, he/they when masc and she/they when femme.

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 48

Height: 6'2" (Masc)/5'9" (Femme)

A large building towers in the city's shopping district: the Bedisa Lounge, home to a large casino, and the Bedisa Family led by the one and only Eos.

On the surface they are a legitimate business and entrepreneur, who supports all the businesses in the city, providing protection, preventing crime and making profits for all. Underneath though, the Bedisa Family is a large criminal organisation who manage the black market, the flow of information from the Underworld, and work under the eyes of the law to steal and con nobility to line their own pockets.

It's so easy when the short tempered, cocky leader can shapeshift and become anyone, even those you think you know well.

Unfortunately for yourself, you make an enemy of Eos when you walk on their turf, and if you want to win this war between the two of you, and even change your status from enemies to lovers, you're going to have to bring all you have.

Though, when they start dabbling in darker businesses, will you stand by them on top of your shared riches... or will you be swept up in their shadows.

'You like heroes? You like himbos? Excellent /breaks him'

First Locked Route

Pronouns: He/him

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: 25

Height: 7'

The first person you see in this chaotic world and the one who will support you above all else, Noah is the true hero, and not only to yourself. He is known for being a walking ray of sunshine, helping others and protecting all from danger, not even realising when he gets hurt himself.

It's the 'everyday heroics' he likes to say, believing that no matter how small the action is, you can do something to save someone.

A member of the church, he is your rock in the midst of political arguments and infighting between factions. Noah wants to make your dreams come true above anything else.

But underneath that happy go lucky demeanour are anxieties he cannot squash on his own, and a darkness that threatens to swallow his and your light.

What lengths will Noah go to be a hero? Will you be able to save him before he ends up losing himself?

(´｡• ᵕ •｡`)

Second Locked Route

Pronouns: She/they

Sexuality: Bisexual

Age: [Redacted]

Height: 5'7"

Ranked to determine strength, S class mercenaries are few and far between. Fortunately for Archelia however, one resides within their lands. Though unlike others who seek fame and coin, the Mercenary Queen only accepts payment in the form of books and stories.

The quiet Athanasia can always be found with her head in a book, losing herself in the pages regardless of it's contents.

But a life lost in the world's of others is often a lonely one, and they have become no more than an observer, a reader of reality, rather than a main character.

However, as you join this mercenary as she experiences her very own horror, fantasy, romance and more, revealing secrets of the world that have long since been forgotten, what role will she play in this story?

And who is she to you?

[motdo-vn]

Introduction - Midnights of The Drowsy Owl

Visual Novel - Midnights of the Drowsy Owl

DEMO—TBA

Midnights of The Drowsy Owl is a novella magical realism, romance interactive fiction of five chapters. Romance is the foundation of the story, so there are no platonic relationships. It is influenced by mythologies with a lot of twists and turns, and a bit of Romanian influence.

When city life takes everything from you, you leave for a house you inherited from your late grandparents, in a town far away from the troubles of life: Caersolvita.

While strolling through the little town of Caersolvita after job hunting during the odd hours of the night, the old clock in the quaint settlement strikes twelve midnight, and a building down the dirt road illuminates the twilight.

Beads of light fall like stardust through the coffee-scented building. No one knows about it, and even if they did, they cannot find it. When midnight strikes, it all changes. Down the bricked pathway of the town, life clicks into light, and the twinkles of windchimes carry a bitter fragrance.

A “Looking to Hire!” board stands neatly by the doormat of the slightly tarnished place. With little hope of finding a job anytime soon, you enter the cafe. When offered a trainee position as a barista, you leave for home, unknowing of the wonders that await you when the dead hours of the night come about.

Features

Choose your gender: female, male, non-binary

Work at a quaint café in a rural town, shrouded in mystery and solitude.

Unravel the secrets of the midnight café.

Romance one of the four ROs and explore a fresh adventure with one of the three personalities chosen.

Deal with some snappy customers or different oddities.

Find out the history of Caersolvita through each route.

Enjoy a life of quietude and comfort, away from the worries of life.

Personalities: Loveable airhead, Taciturn fool, Sarcastic charmer

Character profile

(Gender-selectable)

Beautiful and dignified, Thana is the peculiar owner of the The Drowsy Owl. Behind the mysterious red eyes and snowy pale skin, the discipline of the body and grace follows each tilt of the wrist, where the whiffs of coffee beans stream along the cafe.

Admired by everyone in Caersolivita for sublime service, coupled with sweet words, Thana is the go-to barista if someone requires comfort or dark humor. Although the sorry state of the cafe, it is the first choice for everyone.

With every smile given to Thana, two more are returned, and with each heart that is offered, the more Thana guards the heart. Somehow, though, the trainee barista has a way with their words.

Unhinged. There is no other word that fits the young wolf-like Ylfa. A shepherdess along the hillside of Caersolvita, she meets each situation with the flash of her canines and a huff. With a beige bonnet laced around the edges, she fancies the lolita fashion, enjoying lavish dresses, contrary to her rambunctious voice. Or she may opt for a pink tank top with a red bow to match.

In the dead of night, a voice like a siren vying for love sings from the northern cliff at the very edge of the town. From the ruffled chestnut brown hair and perky ears gilded by the moonlight, her song willows past till dawnbreak.

Despite the tough and rowdy personality, Ylfa holds her hands close to her chest, sometimes shooting glances towards the trainee barista from the day they met eyes.

Idris (m)

Personal trainer by day, guardsman by night. Idris is often described as "too blunt for his own good." Towering over everyone in town, he is regarded as a dark warrior, a signature black hood hanging over his defined face. Polite and well-spoken, his sharp tongue still manages to overshadow such traits.

By the bridge that connects the mainland to the hook-shaped cliffside town, Idris guards the safety of the people. Always seen next to the old watchtower, most hear grunts from the place, running away in fear.

When he bumped his head against the door of Drowsy Owl, he meets gaze with the trainee barista, and color rose-pink erupts from the steely brown eyes.

Shaylah (nb)

Always smelling like honey and floral concoctions, Shaylah is a local apothecary who resides near the very edge of the cliff. Catching eyes everywhere they go, their sterling red hair shines like the sun under light. Always seen walking around town with a sunhat the size of an umbrella, Shaylah's ethereal voice wrecks the minds of people when their brash and uncouth words begin to lash out.

Spending the afternoon and night cooped up in their house, they take the blue flowers on the cliff, grinding them and creating concoctions. No one outside of the town knows what it truly is, and only Shaylah's family knows of it.

After spending a full day in their shop, taking a rest at midnight by The Drowsy Owl is usually what happens, accompanied by a cup of hibiscus tea. But now, where the bright eyes of the trainee barista caught them off-guard, they never forgot.

[tired-fandom-ndn]

"If you told a person that someone they know irl was into incest then they would stop talking to that person obv." Sorry bud, but you know people who are deeply invested in targcest drama and you know people who watch incest roleplay porn and you know people who read incest smut novels and you know people who read incest doujinshi. It's almost like incest is actually a really common theme in fiction and erotica and always has been!

[ominous-feychild]

CHARACTER INTRO:

RISING FROM THE ASHES

CARMIN LÉVÊQUE

(smugly) “Didn't you know? That's what I'm best at. Fucking up everyone else's plans.” - Carmin Lévêque

Daughter of Kestrel Lévêque, squire of Kieran Caron, and descendant of a dark god, Carmin Lévêque's name holds a lot of weight—very little of which she's earned.

But she hasn't let it get to her head—far from that, Carmin avoids mentioning it and tries her best to keep people from finding out.

The only problem?

Her reputation precedes her.

Or... not her reputation.

But the Lévêques'.

All of Kihroin are familiar with the name and its meaning—the god they supposedly serve—and, while they pay them their due respects, the citizens of Kihroin give the Lévêques a wide berth when and wherever possible.

Including Carmin.

Although... there are whispers on the streets.

Whispers behind closed doors.

Despite her reputation, despite her aura, and despite her name... Carmin looks very little like her brother or father. Carmin didn't engage with political matters like them. And Carmin didn't have the Lévêque magic like her brother, father, or his father before him.

And that was all of them—all of the Lévêques of time.

And yet Carmin alone, with so few similarities to the rest of her family, didn't have that magic?

It's just a silly little conspiracy theory, of course.

But why else would Kestrel—her lone parent after her mother's death years ago—keep her isolated from family events? Like he was ashamed of her? Like he hated her?

Who can say?

But everybody knows misfortune befalls those who whisper just a bit too loudly.

I mean, what else would you expect of a family who practices—no, specializes in—abstract, dark magic?

No.

Best to leave that be.

Besides, her brother—Roman—loved getting personally involved with those who gave problems to his sister.

There was no good getting involved with that cursed family.

The Woman Herself

That was a lot about her family's reputation, right? What about her?

What about Carmin Lévêque?

Great question. The answer?

People don't really care.

Within Lotus, Carmin is—quite simply—considered to be a bitch.

She's cold, she's curt, she ignores and pushes everyone else away, she doesn't fake niceties, and she refuses to engage with any political elbow-rubbing.

During missions, she's detached and doesn't socialize with her teammates. During classes, she has the audacity to coldly offer her own advice to other students while the professor is busy—and, worst of all, it's always right!

And, if you just happen to come across her when she's not in classes or working? “Leave her the fuck alone.”

Magic & Combat

Carmin has the ability to manipulate the gravity on objects, which she uses in a myriad of ways.

Most frequently, Carmin uses her magic to lessen the weight of her armor and weapons, allowing her greater dexterity and speed in combat. Similarly, she can and will drag down her opponents or their weapons, making them struggle to move or fight.

Carmin can also use her magic to forcibly levitate people and objects, removing them from the field (both offensively and defensively) and possibly disabling them.

... or levitating many objects, which she can then use to barrage her opponents with.

In conjunction with her levitation, Carmin most often uses throwing knives—which she can throw faster through the removal of gravity—or a bow.

Additionally, Carmin has barrier magic she's able to use to defend herself and others... as well as near-invisible stepping stones and walls to push opponents.

Appearance

Carmin is a Kihroihian (Fantasy!Mixed Country), 5'2 (157cm) woman of eighteen years.

She has tanned skin; straight, shoulder-length bobbed hair that's dyed black; a long face with soft features; and the signature Lévêque royal blue eyes... although it's speculated they were magically altered to be so or that she's wearing colored contacts.

Carmin has a wiry frame, a lot of muscle due to keeping in shape for her work as a squire, bags under her eyes from a frequent lack of sleep, and a resting bitch face. She most often has an empty or angry expression and holds herself in a way that implies arrogance or that she considers others beneath her.

Very shortly after the beginning of RFtA, thanks to being caught in the fires of Vemor, Carmin gains burn scars that warp the right side of her face, her right ear, and much of her right side—shoulder, arm, and bits of her leg, chest, and back—entirely.

Much of the right side of her hair was likewise burned off, but it's slowly growing back in its natural ginger color.

Personality & Motives

Carmin Lévêque is an angry, bitter woman who does little but work, train, and push other people away. She has little connection with her family—although Roman's protectiveness over her suggests a positive relationship between them... or him looking out for their family name—and spends a vast majority of her time focusing on her studies to become a knight.

Before first joining the academy, Carmin was a hermit who spent most of her time in the Lévêques' estate. Her existence was only known of thanks to her supposed identity as a Lévêque, and she only finally emerged (at age eleven) to join the academy alongside Roman.

Although she seems cold and uncaring on the surface, Carmin has a strong sense of justice and wants to make the world a better place. She claims her mother's death—which she witnessed to a burglar when she was five—is her motivation to stamp out evil, cruelty, selfishness, and corruption in the world. Despite her position, Carmin also attributes social issues and wealth disparities to the world's strife.

Carmin is extremely motivated, doing little but constantly building on her training to become a knight. She doesn't make friends, she doesn't party, and she doesn't network with others at the academy.

Except... she doesn't have a family she's sworn to outside her own. Roman is the knight to the crown prince, Elazi Adlani, and her father is the knight to the king, Riaan. Neither of them need knights, and none of them want Carmin engaged to Elazi or the second-born prince, Zain.

So what is she working towards?

What is she planning?

And where will she go after she graduates?

She has less than two years to figure it out.

Rising From The Ashes Taglist:

@honeybewrites @the-golden-comet @illarian-rambling @ashirisu @urnumber1star

@the-letterbox-archives @48lexr @aalinaaaaaa @thecomfywriter @an-indecisive-nerd

@leahnardo-da-veggie @world-of-iridensia

Introductory Taglist:

@paeliae-occasionally @pluppsauthor @thelovelymachinery

(request to be added to the permanent taglist if you'd like to be! You will be dropped after a few introductory posts!)

Dividers made by @saradika!

[sugar-phoenix]

Intro + Masterlist 📖🌱✒️

take two on my big intro post

Introduction

Hello! I'm sugarphoenix (you can call me sugar or phoenix) and I'm a writer and aspiring author from the US. Here's the basic rundown:

19 years old

she/her pronouns

aside from writing, I am an aspiring UX/UI designer. I hope to one day be a pioneer in the industry.

feel free to tag me in anything! I enjoy being tagged in tag games, even if I might not have the time to get around to all of them.

Genres I often write in:

fantasy/romantasy

animal elements i.e. at least one character is an animal shifter/has animalistic traits/characters are compared to animals metaphorically

finding oneself in the mess

dark fantasy/ethereal vibes

You can also find me on ao3 with the same name + here's my kofi if you ever want to tip me <3 taglist: @ashirisu

Current WIP(s)

The Blood That Bonds Us: A fantasy novel that can be succinctly summed up as Rapunzel with Red Riding Hood elements; where Rapunzel is also the Wolf, and the Prince is also Red Riding Hood.

Summary:

There is a prophecy in the kingdom of Venatoria that a Black Wolf will rise from the forest and bring destruction and a new reign to the kingdom. Because of this, generations of royals have hunted down and killed most of the Wolves that reside in the surrounding forest.

Prince Rhydian's father was no different, and he died in a hunt when Rhydian was only a child. But now Rhydian is no longer a child, and he's old enough to prove his worthiness to the crown and possibly take the kingdom back from the greedy crown regent, Alaric. Alaric, however, sets a heavy task for the prince: he must go and rescue a maiden that has been locked in a tower by a witch near a neighboring village. Many young men have tried and failed to rescue her, and the witch is ruthless. But Rhydian will do anything if it means he can reclaim his father's crown and throne.

Daciana has spent all her life in a tall tower. She is protected and held captive by the witch Dame Gothel, who found her in the forest and recognized her for what she is: the Black Wolf. Dame Gothel doesn't hold back on telling her this, and Daciana knows of her fate. She is a monster, a bringer of destruction, and one of the most hated enemies of Venatoria, who are blissfully unaware of her existence. Daciana doesn't feel like a monster, and perhaps life outside the tower isn't that bad, despite what she's been told. But although Dame Gothel has done all she can to keep Daciana within the tower, it's often ill-advised to try and fight destiny. And it will only be so long before the beast is freed from her prison.

CHARACTER TAGS: #♚ . rhydian / #✧ . daciana / #◦ . vincent

This is my main WIP, and the one I'm working the most on.

POSTED WRITING

Blood That Bonds Us Snippets -- screenshots taken directly from my scrivener that give you a little peek into the first draft

Chapter 1 snippet -- snippet of chapter 1 of the first draft

rhydian. -- short character exploration for Rhydian

mourning your captor, your only mother -- short snippet of Daciana's POV (spoilers)

Fanfictions

As of 6/22/2024, any further fanfiction will be posted on my fanfiction blog @sugarphoenixlovesfanfic !!

Fandoms that I'm in:

Honkai Star Rail

Wuthering Waves

My Hero Academia

Deponia

Honkai Star Rail Fics

the new barista -- a super short drabble about a college au in which Dan Heng is the cute barista at your college's cafe.

Death of a Cowboy -- in which I rewrite and expand upon Boothill's past.

𖥔 . overheating . 𖥔 -- Boothill overheats in your getaway vehicle.

cowboy, you have a hard time wrapping things up neatly. ✦ -- Boothill is loud and messy but he grows on you. One day he does something unexpected.

I think I'll take my noodles spicy -- You stop by Jiaoqiu's stall to try his noodles. They are very. Spicy.

My Hero Academia Fics

unfinished hawks x oc fanfic (ao3 link)

"there's this thing I want to say to you" -- short fluffy drabble about Hawks confessing his love to unnamed fem character

Deponia Fics

maudlin -- a short fluffy fic that expands a scene in Deponia Doomsday (spoilers)

All fanfiction can be found under the tag #✤.fanfics .

Short Stories / Miscellaneous

All my writing can be found under the tag #✎ . writings

drabbles in red

complete short stories in pink

Masterlist:

she was a monster (monster) -- short drabble that uses experimental writing

Flash Fiction Friday Prompt "On The Edge" -- short drabble that follows the prompt. it may or may not be somewhat connected to "she was a monster (monster)."

I wrote that one tumblr post -- i wrote a couple of one shots of that one tumblr post with a crow and a cat being familiars and trying to find their witches.

dagger queen -- exercise where I write a drabble using two prompts. dark fantasy/romantasy vibes.

un-satyr -- COMPLETE short story about a satyr who is different from the rest.

vampire x poisoned werewolf -- COMPLETE (?) short story about a vampire and a werewolf putting aside their differences (and perhaps getting a bit too close) in order to save one of them.

cherry red -- flash fiction about a girl and what she leaves behind.

my roommate is a vampire -- currently unfinished short story about a college roommate who is, well, a vampire.

Writing Challenges

2024 November 50k Words Challenge

dividers by cafekitsune!

[fullscoreshenanigans]

(Chapter 32 | TPN Light Novel 1: A Letter from Norman - "The Ghost Incidents at Grace Field House" | Shirai's Highlights for Volume 4 | Chapter 140 Post)

The most common route I see is he regains his love for it after he's out of the oppressive environment of Grace Field (myself included), but I've also seen some people opt for him to focus more on cooking, photography, machines, or archery.

(Chapter 4 | Questionnaire Translation Source | Mystic Code Book Chapter 7 Q&A)

[miss-briar-novels]

I will be adding a new mc "type" in the game, along with their options. The new mc is the 'chaotic' mc. 😆 Basically, they don't care much for rules and regulations and are somewhat blunt, and they will randomly flirt with ROs from time to time.

So far we have:

Shy mc

Flirty mc

Serious mc

Chaotic mc

(Note: There will also be additional choices + changings in some other areas of the current demo in a while)

[rhyaxxyn]

𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒

"𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈; 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏. 𝑵𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐, 𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒔𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒕; 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅. 𝑰𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒅."

— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐡𝐢

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

GENRE: New Adult (16-25) / Contemporary Fantasy SUB-GENRE: Romance / SciFi / Dystopian / Action POV: Third Person (Multi) / Past Tense THEMES/TROPES: War, Found Family, Heroism, Sacrifice, Power, Corruption, Enemies to Lovers, Bigotry, Forgotten Past, Faith, Dark VS. Light STATUS: Seeking Publication

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:

In the wake of a god being mysteriously killed, the Nameless War has waged between the gods and humanity for fifty-eight years, killing that which is mortal and immortal, and creating constant battles for territory between the divine Creator military and the human Revolutionists. As hope for future peace between the species wanes, the fate of the war lands in unlikely hands. Pandora, a goddess, the lost creator, nameless and chained to the Earth because of duty, yet still running from her true power. Quinn, a god, the skijic and Creator High General, desperate for the memories of a life lost and the familiarity of a purple-eyed goddess. Natia, a girl, heiress to one of the Republic of Valentulus’s most powerful cities, and slave to the Revolutionist Snake General. Loyalties whither, fear awakens, and stories collide as the Nameless War reaches its tipping point. It is up to Pandora, Quinn, and Natia, each of them sworn against one another, to challenge the boundaries of their duties—and their pasts. The only thing that might change their opposing fates is the truth, but letting the past fly free could very well set the darkness loose. The fight between deities and humanity is made equal, and the fate of the universe unsure.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 - 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬

PANDORA: Goddess of Nothing, Governor of Domum Deorum, Creator of the Universe. Extremely skilled in both alchemic and physical combat; well versed in a number of chordophone instruments (piano, kaleiscian zarisk, violin); selfless and self sacrificing; compassionate, analytical, cultured, stubborn, witty. QUINN: God of Stars, High General of the Creator Military. Omne’s personal “lap dog” before his capture; good with any blade, has "shit aim"; short with those he doesn’t know/care about; protective, sarcastic, composed, knowledgeable, caring, prideful. NATIA GENESIS: Heiress of Genesis Point. Little Sparrow. Remarkably intelligent in regards to literature, strategy, and divine biology due to intense schooling; the Republic of Valentulus' most renowned deitologist; near non-existent family ties outside of the media; intelligent, kind, self-destructive, abrasive.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 - 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬

OPHELIA SERPENTINE – General of the Revolutionist Military Government. Although not a master of strategy like Natia, she is manipulative; willing to do any and everything to maintain her power; manipulative, emotionally intelligent, controlling, dedicated, knowledgeable, passionate. OMNE - Goddess of the Universe (Mind), Queen of the Gods. Like Ophelia, she is extremely manipulative in order to achieve her means, though she keeps them hard to distinguish; analytical, facetious, secretive, manipulative, humorous, rude.

𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆

REPUBLIC OF VALENTULUS – Otherwise known as the R.O.V.; had once been the newly created nation in place of the United States in order to maintain control over the worsening relations between gods and humans. Unfortunately, much of it was destroyed after the beginning of the war, spare for the wealthiest districts and cities. DOMUM DEORUM - Heather’s city she built through the means of alchemy. Gods and humans live in unity here, under the leadership of Heather’s councils: Low Council (general citizens), High Council (divine and human district leaders), Master Alchemists (gods who have mastered the alchemic arts). For fifty-eight years Domum Deorum has existed in secret, though their efforts in the war remain influential.  GENESIS POINT - A city with close ties to the Revolutionist military government. Mainly profits from scientific innovations, particularly thanks to Natia's efforts as a deitologist, and diplomatic advisors. As such, they are a major producer of both technology and weaponry. The city has been led by the Genesis family since its creation, Lukyn Genesis the most recent, with Natia Genesis as the next in line to inherit one of the R.O.V.'s most powerful governments.

(order of protags in the images above: Natia Genesis, Quinn, Pandora.)

Note: this is definitely one of several times i've introduced this particular book, but i'm so, so, so happy to do so. infinite tangents is the first book of many in the natural orders series, and i'm so excited to share with you all how far this story has come since i came up with it in 2014 (which is insane to me). hopefully, this story will be published soon... if i can work up the courage to email literary agents.