#old tkn content

[thekingofthenameless]

I’M BACK

And I’m rebranding everything.

Profile picture change, username change (in a few days), etc.

talesofarcadiaforever -> thekingofthenameless

I took a long hiatus from writing and Tumblr in general because of bad burnout and putting expectations on myself that I shouldn’t have. Ha. But I’m back! And good news! I started writing again! Better news?

I decided to officially discontinue Emerald Embers and the Daylight’s Redemption series and write my own book.

I was already making everything so different from ToA that it was practically an alternate universe already: redesigning Merlin, making Merlin and Charlie familiars, adding magical species that weren’t explicitly in canon, completely changing other characters… I still love ToA, but I’m not hyperfixated on it anymore. And that’s okay. I was so scared of letting go for a long time, but I’m happy with my decision.

My wip is now called The King of the Nameless!

Currently, there are five main characters, and tidbits about each of them will be a little further down. (Except for one guy. He sucks.) Their attempted designs will also be down there.

In some aspects, it probably hasn’t changed too much. I’m still basing it off of Arthurian Legends, and Merlin is still the protagonist. But I redesigned him. Again.

The deuteragonist is Charlie; he and Merlin are still familiars. I tried several different names for him, but none of them would stick for him no matter how hard I tried; so Charlie the dragon he stays. But he now has the last name Ambrosius to reflect that he and Merlin are found family as well.

The other three characters in this stage of the story are Igraine, Gorlois, and Uther.

Igraine is Arthur and Morgana’s mother in the Arthurian Legends, (which I did not know at first and was wondering how Arthur and Morgana were half-siblings because they have different fathers…) and will stay the same here. I couldn’t find any official last name for her besides Pendragon from when she marries Uther? (Which is not going to happen here.) So I gave her and her husband the last name “le Fay” to match their daughter!

Gorlois is Igraine’s husband, and like I said, is Morgana’s father. However, unlike some media, he’s not going to be portrayed as a jealous and abusive husband. He’s the epitome of the “I love my wife” guy.

Uther is… a piece of work, to say the least. He’s the character who’s going to have a separate post because of triggering topics that I don’t want in this post.

I’m also going to make a separate post for upcoming characters, which include Nimue, Morgana, Arthur, etc.

Bear with me on lore and designs though please (I’m still working on the lore and I’m not sure if these will be their permanent designs except for Charlie). Some of it might be just random babble until I decide on something 😭 You’ll definitely be able to tell which characters I think about most ahaha.

Anyways, in more good news, I don’t use Artbreeder anymore. I attempt to use Picrews, but sometimes they don’t have everything I want, so I also use character creators from video games. If I could use Baldur’s Gate 3’s, I definitely would, but I’d have to spend like $600-ish to get something to play it on and get the game. 😑 I could also play it with my boyfriend, but our schedules are so busy with both of us working that’s it not really a convenient option.

But there is a game called Dragon’s Dogma, and I’ve been using that one! It’s an older game, so it doesn’t really have many fantasy character options, but it’s good enough for human characters lol. I made Igraine and Gorlois with it, and a few other characters yet to be posted.

Design and lore time!

Merlin:

This is him at the beginning of TKN! Expect more art of him eventually.

• 6' 8"

• “my son crump he has every disease”: schizophrenia, C-PTSD, misophonia

• is still a cambion like in the Arthurian Legends (specifically half-human, half-demon)

• was supposed to be the Anti-Christ (also like in the Legends)

• is also a romance and sex repulsed, non-partnering aroace <3.

• usually excudes a regal, dignified presence, and his preference for flowing outfits helps

• may seem slightly formal with strangers, but on a good day where he can clock their personality, he’ll either warm up to them quickly, or distance himself, depending on the person

• has a strong sense of justice, which also makes him anti-authoritarian for the most part. (unless they’ve actually proven that they’re not just in their position for the power of it, or because of nepotism; and really do want to help people.)

• extremely loyal

• highly empathetic; cries easily

• has a lot of trauma, but is still kind because he’s not going to make people suffer just because he did

• adrenaline junkie in regards to flying with Charlie

• Doesn’t kill if not necessary.

• Is very punctual. If you tell him to come at 5 he’ll be there at 4:30. At most.

Charlie:

• 6' 6" (top of muzzle)

• 7' 3" (top of head)

• the marking on his leg is his familiar mark!

• still nice, seems a little rougher around the edges than Merlin

• says the things that his wizard thinks but won’t say, and doesn’t hide that he stares people down while gauging their character. he sometimes won’t care that he sounds mean or very direct either

• very protective of his familiar and is intensely loyal to him. isn’t really willing to leave the latter alone with people they don’t really know because of people attempting to take advantage of his schizophrenia in the past, gaslighting him into thinking that their actions weren’t real and were things he hallucinated/imagined

• Do no harm but take no shit

• Far more willing to kill than Merlin

• “Hey do you want me to kill that guy for you? Because it sounds like he sucks and I will totally kill that guy for you.”

• (I guess he technically counts as an emotional support animal but like. he’s sentient so idk 😭)

• is an omnivore (most dragons are, but he eats more human food than them from growing up and staying around them.)

Igriane:

• 6' 5"

• a wizard!

• was originally a red head before I realized that oh yeah. Morgana has brown hair, and a ginger and blonde would definitely not for the most part have a brunette kid

• purple eyes (haven’t decided if I’m gonna stay with this concept, but I like the idea of all wizards having some type of heterochromia, or technicolor eyes to show that they have magic)

Gorlois:

• 6' 0"

• he doesn’t have any type of unique eye color yet because I didn’t have the concept of that for wizards yet, and still not sure if I’m gonna keep it so. blue eyes for now

• again I say he’s the “I love my wife” guy!!

• also a wizard (which is where Morgana gets her magic when she’s born. You have two parents with magic you’re like. guaranteed to have magic.)

• maybe not really much of a fighter? Would probably use some type of sword if he was.

Wow that was so much lore. 👍 If anyone wants to talk to me about my ocs or suggest ideas, my ask box is always open! (And I love love love getting asks)

Artist credits!

Merlin:

Charlie’s original artist:

Charlie’s second artist:

Charlie’s saddle:

[thekingofthenameless]

Thanks for the tag! :D

This is for my current wip The King of the Nameless!

Me, suddenly getting the idea for Uther to be a tragic, complex villain instead of an evil bastard man? It’s more likely than you think!

Uther misses him. He barely resists sending his fa- mentor a wistful glance (if he were across the room, it would be easier; however, he’s right beside him). At least he actually seems calm for the moment, but it might only be because Charlie is resting his head on his lap. He raises his wine to his lips, glancing around the room. No one is focused on them, instead talking to the people around them, or eating their food. He should be eating as well, but he barely has any appetite. It’s only been a week since Aurelius... He hasn’t cried much. He hasn’t had time to, between his brother's burial, the week of mourning, (that was really filled with his coronation preparations) and it finally happening today. Now he has a whole kingdom on his shoulders, and the simple circlet feels so heavy on his head. His father and brother both wore it, and they both died far before they should have. Would he? “You aren’t eating,” Merlin suddenly says softly. He turns his head to look at his mentor, who gently pats Charlie’s head. Once the dragon opens his eyes and raises his head, Merlin moves closer, putting his left hand on his shoulder. “We haven’t really had the opportunity to talk about this.” His voice is still soft, but his words carry weight. A lump forms in his throat against his will, and he looks away. It feels like Merlin is speaking the fact that his brother is dead into existence, body among the other kings in the vault. Among his father’s. Why is the grief for his father coming again? He’s been dead for five years. It finally hits him that he hasn’t responded, but he can’t think of anything to say. Even if he could, he’d most likely break down. He forces himself to pick up some mutton, chewing slowly. His mentor keeps his hand on his shoulder, stroking it with his thumb. The silence between them is heavier, now. Everyone else keeps enjoying the feast. How do they not care that his brother is dead? Murdered, at that?

Unfortunately that’s all I have written for it at the moment lol

Tagging: @the-arson-author-gamer, @gaylightisminetocommand, and uh anyone else who wants to? I’m blanking on anyone else sorry guys 😭

WIP Wednesday, squeaking in pretty late in the day due to family and IRL obligations.

From a WIP AOS fic:

Jim is still not sure if his appointment to the Enterprise was nepotism in action, or just the fact that 90% of his graduating class and almost half the starships that size were decimated in the Battle of Vulcan, so the ‘Fleet was horrifically short-staffed, and needed a pretty face for recruitment propaganda.

Either way, he was far too immature for that chair.

He’d give anything to have learned that lesson some other way, but he owes it to everyone, and himself, to make sure that it is learned better late than never. Dying kind of gives you perspective, a little bit.

Being brought back to life, when so many were not that lucky, then ruthlessly wrecks that perspective.

No-pressure tagging @strangenewwords, @tigereyes45, @calliethetrekkie, @muirmarie, @ncc1701ohno, @affixjoy and anyone else who wants to participate! Whatcha workin' on?

[thekingofthenameless]

Seven Sentence Sunday!

His acquaintance’s tone is the complete opposite of the emotions still warring within him. How do they want to punish him? What if they want to kill him? Spill his blood on the stone floor? “Charlie, where are you?” He tries to gather his thoughts as much as he can, tries to think of a way to tell his dragon that they both might die again, but it feels… harder, nearing an insurmountable task. Oblivious to the battle he’s fighting, Kennard turns back to him.

[thekingofthenameless]

Okay so: new idea! Have a good Pendragon and bad Pendragon but I can’t decide which one to choose

@danhengsbestie thinks Uther being a jerk would waste his design since she loves it lol, but also he was awful in the myths and I did have him be evil for a bit. Aurelius is never characterized at all so I can go anywhere with him lol

Uther’s art is here; no design for Aurelius yet lol

[thekingofthenameless]

I abruptly realized I haven’t posted the villains of Unforgivable lmao

From left to right: Mordecai Clifton, Ella Clifton (they’re married), Kennard Asheworthe, and Bartholomew Summers

(Picrew link!)

[thekingofthenameless]

NEW CHARACTERS ARE HERE!

First off: Ganieda, Merlin’s sister!

In the original Legends, they’re two years apart, but like I’ve said before, in TKN they’re twins! (Thirty minutes apart. Merlin holds this over her head constantly.)

I was having trouble on whether she was going to be alive present day or not for a bit, because in Emerald Embers she was dead in the present day. But then sibling dynamics entered my head and would not leave, so here we are!

Despite being the same chronological age as Merlin, she’s physically in her 20-30’s. She wanted to stay at that age, so she cast the spell that makes wizards immortal then.

Merlin became immortal at 65 primarily because he wanted white hair, (and he thought it would hopefully make him look more distinguished) but it came at a cost (back pain). Yes, he aged very well otherwise. But he can still complain about how being half demon didn’t spare him from this cruel fate.

She and Merlin have been away from each other for a while, but it wasn’t a traumatic separation or anything like that. She just wanted to settle down and live a domestic life with her wife for a while. (Yup, she’s a lesbian here. You’re welcome.)

They still did keep tabs on each other while Merlin traveled the world with Charlie, advising kings and fighting monsters, and she’s going to contact Merlin in his POV, and officially show up in Chapter Two!

I found some possible Afro hairstyles for her, and her body type is going to be based off of Rhea Ripley!

Second character: Vivian, Ganieda’s wife!

(Sure technically it’s an alternate name for Nimue but it’s right there so. And Nimue doesn’t use aliases in TKN lol)

She’s an older oc, but I had forgotten about her for a while 😭

I didn’t have any attachment to her for the most part because she didn’t have a name, but when thinking about Ganieda, I decided she deserves a monster wife, and starting looking through ocs! I was divided between a couple of others before I settled on her.

Here’s her design, and a couple of face and hair references!

Their ship name is going to be Ganievian I think? Thanks @falki-of-the-vanir for that!!

I need to start thinking of possible dynamics for them, but I literally just had this idea a couple of hours ago so it’s fine lol.

Anyways, enjoy the lesbian wives :D

[thekingofthenameless]

uh 12 for the ask game

Thanks for yet another ask 😁

12 - Candles

Merlin notices the clouds as they walk out of the castle. His body tenses, but he takes a deep breath, putting on a brave face. “It seems like it might rain.” He nuzzles his forehead in response, purring slightly. You don’t have to be brave around me, he telepathically reminds. He murmurs an apology, and he chuffs onto his wizard’s hair. “Stop it.” Later, after most of the storm has died down, and Merlin’s eyes have finally closed in sleep, he slowly extricates himself to blow out the candles. When that task is done, he returns to his familiar’s side.

[thekingofthenameless]

7 for the ask game

Thanks for the ask!

7 - Silent Fury

Tws: ableism and false beliefs towards schizophrenia and psychosis; fantasies of murder, blood mentions

Uther hates him.

Merlin is an insane man, and he’s in his castle, and no one else cares. Why should it matter that he was his father’s advisor?

He sees things that aren’t there; he replies to nonexistent voices; sometimes, he’s even convinced that his food has somehow been poisoned, and he makes his dragon eat it first. To him, at least one being is always watching him, is always behind him.

And he knows why he’s like this; because he’s used his magic for far too long, and that makes him a threat.

He wishes that he could enter Merlin’s room when he finally sleeps, when he finally isn’t going mad over the voices, and slit his throat. He wouldn’t be sloppy like whoever already attempted to, judging by the long scar there. Maybe beheading would be better, if he already survived that once; but, either way, he wants the cursed wizard’s blood to run down his sword.

But that stupid dragon is always with him, so silent fury is all he can regard him with.

[thekingofthenameless]

Me: I’m happy with Merlin’s design, but I want to give him a few revamps (longer hair, halfway down to his back, the left side of his head shaved too, and a longer/thicker beard) at some point! Since it’ll be halfway to his back eventually, I should do some research to see how long it’ll take for Merlin to grow it that long. (It’s approximately two years and eight months)

Also me: Revamps now. Make his hair that long at the first chapter! Nearly three years?? You don’t want to wait that long!

Me: But I already said that his design was at the beginning of the story-

Me: Now.

Me: :/

[thekingofthenameless]

Help earlier I did this

“Realization as he realizes”

Omg brain

[thekingofthenameless]

Wip Wednesday!

Seven sentences again lmao, but if anyone’s interested I could post more?

“You’re not making this easy, Merlin.” Kennard’s voice is composed, but he hears the threatening tone under his barely hidden fury. The man releases his hair and steps away, and he watches quietly, bracing himself- Then he abruptly gets down on one knee in front of him, calloused hands gripping his shirt as gray eyes stare into his. “But I forgive you. I know that he’s why you refused me.” What the fuck?

[thekingofthenameless]

do 39 idk my brain isn’t working

39 - Fatal

A continuation of this, but from another ask game!

Tws: mild descriptions of injury and near limb loss

As the night wears on, he thinks about various things, but the memory of how they first met comes to the forefront of his mind. He’d gotten lost, and fallen prey to a hunter’s trap that nearly took his leg; his wound should’ve been fatal in the end, blood loss or infection killing him before death from thirst or hunger. He cried for help, sure that someone would hear him and come soon, until night fell and his voice grew hoarse. The cool air made his body shiver, (now, of course, he wouldn’t be cold at all, but his fur wasn’t nearly as thick back then) and he laid down as best as he could to conserve some warmth, trying not to hurt himself more. His hopes were beginning to dim at any thought of rescue, but then the bushes moving startled him, making him let out a slight yelp that most wouldn’t have heard. But Merlin did, and he curiously came to investigate, gasping in horror as he took in the situation. He didn’t know Merlin was going to help at first, so he shied away, trying to get free, but it only injured his leg more. Merlin slowly came closer and knelt in front of him; he took his face in his hands, beginning to gently stroke his head. Once he’d calmed down, he freed his leg as painlessly as he could, snow colored magic coming out of his hands in his best attempt to heal him (one of the first types of magic he’d wanted to learn, but he was still a novice at it). He needed constant healing for a complete recovery, so he took him into his arms, uncaring of the blood staining his clothes because taking him home was more important.

[thekingofthenameless]

37 for the ask game

Thanks for the ask!

37 - Defy

Tws: rape mentions

[Gorlois and Igraine] are in shock for a while. Uther, their king, is the one who raped her. Has he raped more women, or is his wife his only victim? The question plagues him as he pulls out some parchment. We found him, is all that he writes, before he sends it to Merlin. Merlin and Charlie don’t speak about it, (don’t speak about any of their past really, but it clearly haunts the former) but it’s not a secret that they have gone against kings before. Charlie being a dragon probably helps. Either way, they know how to defy royalty, and perhaps, they’ll have ideas of how to bring justice to Igraine (and Uther’s possible other victims) without bloodshed. He hopes they will.

[thekingofthenameless]

I HAVE 1,000 FOLLOWERS!!! Thank you guys so much 🥺

First banner is made by @honeyxmonkey :D

Second one is made by ✨yours truly✨

To celebrate, I’m going to do a Q&A about TKN! (TKN is an abbreviation for my original work, The King of the Nameless.) It isn’t fanfiction, lol. Please don’t call it a fic.

I’ve been writing for four years, give or take? Before TKN, I was writing a fanfiction based on Tales of Arcadia, and it kept straying further away from canon, especially in regards to Merlin and Charlie. I had trouble actually completing a chapter, making drafts again and again until I took an unintentional hiatus after getting a ton of burnout.

I finally came back in January of this year, and while I’d actually had the idea of making the formerly titled Emerald Embers an original story for a while, this time it wouldn’t let go. It took about three days before I said “screw it” and started revamping everything.

And then I had trouble completing anything for this too 😭. I finally just decided to do some of this year’s writing events and not worry about continuity for now: Flufftober and Angstober! I also have a draft for Whumptober eventually lol.

My Ao3!

Sorry if this seems like meaningless blather to some of y’all, but I’m sick of somehow still being known for ToA, and by extent, Emerald Embers. ToA, I don’t mind as much, because I do still like the series and reblog content occasionally. But with Emerald Embers, I do. I was fifteen years old when I started that, and it’s been discontinued for about nine months. I had two ToA related likes yesterday, and one of them was for Emerald Embers, and I don’t know how y’all keep finding it but I do not want to be known for that. I meant to keep it up as an archive, but I’m getting annoyed with the people who somehow find EE content, and then only like that and nothing else… at least most people know TKN isn’t a ToA fanfiction now?

Anyways, the two main characters:

Merlin Caledonensis Ambrosius. Black trans aroace icon. Would probably look good in anything and has endless drip in his regular outfit. A highly empathetic, dignified, mellow, and smart person who struggles with schizophrenia, psychosis (as a result of his schizophrenia), anxiety, C-PTSD, and misophonia, but is still kind because he doesn’t want others to suffer what he’s been through. Secretly the God of Magic walking among mortals. Raised a literal dragon.

Charlemagne William Ambrosius. Giant dragon. Serious, brave, protective (of Merlin), compassionate (towards Merlin), as well as fierce but loving and loyal, who sometimes takes a little bit longer to care about people due to personality differences. Will readily state his opinions and start arguments without caring. Has no qualms about staring people down while gauging their personality and threat level. Was at first completely normal but is now Fucked Up too.

And here’s the (current) blurb describing TKN! Idk if it’ll fit eventually lol

The King of the Nameless is an adaptation of Arthurian Legend, except… it takes place in an entirely fantasy world. Wizards, demons, dragons, mermaids, and spirits are just five of the magical creatures that inhabit Galdorcræft. Alongside magic being everywhere, corruption runs just as deep in the country of Avalon. Seaside towns that imported benign items like silk are now infamous for attracting contract killers and magic hunters. The idea of murdering magical creatures for their body parts, as well being a falsely presumed threat to humanity, is slowly becoming more widespread through rumors of what their magic can do to heal and harm, no matter how much Merlin Ambrosius tries to stop it. He’s a wizard himself, of course. Everybody knows that. What they don’t know is that he’s hiding a lot of secrets: being the God of Magic and Justice, being born a girl, and trying to cope with madness that makes it difficult to tell falsehoods from reality, for one thing. However, he has his dragon familiar and found family, Charlemagne Ambrosius, to keep him grounded and understand him when no one else will. Unbeknownst to them, the very heart of corruption is in Camelot itself. Uther Pendragon has just become king after his father’s death, and he’s been waiting for this. Maybe now that he’s ruling, he can finally kill Merlin and rid himself of the rebellious, soft, mad advisor. With the most powerful wizard in the land dead, then no one will be able to stop him from killing the monsters that plague it.

Art dump of Merlin and Charlie! You can see how much they’ve both changed from their original designs (first images for both) lol.

Rules for the Q&A:

In order to participate, you don’t have to be following me! Just send an ask about TKN with whatever question you have! Anon is turned on :) If y’all want to ask about how their designs changed so much and stuff… 👀

I might do this for.. a month? Idk it depends on how long people have questions lol, but again, I still feel like a lot of people still know me for ToA 😭

Artist credits: Soberana Art (on Artstation), @cat-gh0ul, NaldThal (on Ko-Fi), @heropaws, @gaylightisminetocommand, @biposi, @honeyxmonkey, @azurewildflight, @theeio

Links to their individual posts, if applicable: Current Merlin, Original Charlie, Birthday gift, Forest, Cuddles, Sploot, Meadow, Embrace

Taglist: @gaylightisminetocommand, @the-arson-author-gamer, @honeyxmonkey, @danhengsbestie

Also before I answer any other questions I’ll answer @thecomfywriter’s first, since she sent me a dm asking about TKN ages ago and then I forgot to complete a post 😭 It's still sitting around somewhere and I'm so sorry

If you'd like to be on the TKN taglist, just let me know! You can dm me, reply to this, or shoot me an ask. I'm also on Discord as the same username if you want to chat about TKN, get my rambling before you see me make a post, brainstorm with me, etc :)

And I have a TKN server, actually! I should really just. Revamp it idk I have forgotten to keep it updated with my Tumblr and Ao3 content

[thekingofthenameless]

TKN Masterlist!

Once I finally post Chapter One, I’ll link it here!

The links are to their tags for hopefully easier browsing, and I’ll update with more links when they get posted/I think of them. I’m also going to put this in my bio!

The TKN server

The whole tag

Old TKN content

TKN writing

TKN art

TKN reference sheets

TKN worldbuilding

My ocs

TKN Merlin

Queer Merlin

Charlie Ambrosius

Otp: I am not leaving you. I am never leaving you.

Uther Pendragon

Aurelius Pendragon

Gorlois le Fay

Igraine le Fay

TKN Nimue

TKN Arthur

TKN Guinevere

TKN Morgana

Mordred Pendragon