Theme 10: Richard - Week 2

Been feeling a bit under the weather these past few days. Even now, writing feels like... omg, fingers moving but what's happening! XD so yeah. Not all here. But that's okay! Because today is easy-blog-day ^_______^

Week 2 of Richard! And I thought it might be nice to give a glimpse of his Human life, to compare it to his current-ish life in two weeks. His lifestory is mostly unedited, so forgive any linguistic weirdnesses o.o

(also omg for once it's non-sad stuff. Like, holy crap. Amaze-balls. XD (my brain is so sick, I swear. XD;))

Theme 10: Richard - Week 1

Thought I'd forgotten something yesterday XD too busy watching debates and then writing. I'm almost done working out how the Human Empire got corrupted. I gotta say it's been one hell of an unexpected ride, during which I created seven or so new characters (complete with background info because of course). The worst was that moment when I got four new ones at once. I had to quit the story to go and write their individual stories XD

No background story however got as long as that of this guy...

Richard

Need to finish his hair sometime. Man was I so glad with this pic. << still kinda am :)

Who is Richard?

The short of it is: Richard is a Vampire who rose from being the leader of a tiny guild of mercenaries, to influencing the entire history of the Human Empire. He was of course not alone in doing so. The reality is that he had never intended to become involved in anything beyond assuring for himself and his subordinates a comfortable life. One encounter changed his life forgood.

Richard is the sort of man who cares about very little beyond the scope of his own little life. He does not connect with people, not really, and even when he reluctantly accepts to spend time with some, it will always be with an ulterior motive in mind. He is not a man of his word, nor does he care: in his eyes, no one is to be trusted, so what difference does it make if he chooses to break any half-hearted promise he may make.

Beneath deceit and lies, there are but few consistencies, but they have affected him for the many centuries of his life. Richard does not like women; for good reason, as the Vampire woman who turned him treated him like her own personal lapdog until the day he managed to take her by surprise and kill her, breaking free at last. Killing her, however, did not satisfy a deep part of himself - the part that still conjures recurrent dreams of inhuman screams, the only sound capable of reminding Richard that even he has a heart.

Richard and the Novel

Whether he will appear in it is still up in the air... If he does, it won't be in the first one (because ambitions << XD). So why am I talking about him? Because, as mentioned, he has influenced the history of the Empire, and that this history has ramifications that, in a way, set the entire story in motion.

I won't delve yet in the reasons for his creation, so let's just say: I don't yet know how important Richard truly has become. I'm still writing the story involving him (42 pages and counting), and am just about to reach the one point in time that completely changes the Empire's fate. Yes, he has a role to play in it. In fact, it's his own idea I'm about to write out. Like seemingly always, it's gonna involve killing << XD I just don't know yet how the scene will play out. ... I'm actually really curious to discover it, so here we go. XD

Theme 09: Aeva - Week 4

Finally caught up on ProjectComment's comments, still have a journal and a note to reply to... Been pretty depressed this weekend due to a job interview not succeeding for no apparent reason. When a fellow candidate tells you the winner may have already been picked even before you do the interview, and after a basically perfect interview you're 'not selected' to go to the next round, you've got reasons to wonder whether the person was right. I've heard more than once that certain exams are just there for legal reasons and not to find candidates. Added to the fact I got the distinct feeling one of the jury really didn't like me (and I don't even know them!), it makes me wonder. I can call tomorrow for more information, and even though I just want to close that chapter today, I think asking for a reason is pretty valid on my part.

The upside of this is that my mind is more and more focusing on what I should really be doing with my outside life. Ideally I'd like to find a job that allows me to work with depressed teens. Why? Because I was a depressed teen; I'm 35 now, constantly blooming further; and it literally hurts/drives me mad whenever there's news of a teen committing suicide because of bullying/reasons. But especially bullying. I have no idea how to even find such a job - what I do have though is lots and lots of experience getting back up the hole. I think that even seeing a person like me, to make them understand there's life beyond the darkness that can be school and that a beautiful life can be waiting for you, is something necessary when you realize bullying is a rampant disease. I don't want to be stuck at a desk; I need to make a difference. That's what that experience is all about.

This said, Today I should be going to get my official driver's license << I seriously can't wait to have that itty bit of plastic. TOTAL ACHIEVEMENT.

And now, for week 4 of Aeva.

And I have no idea what to share. Seriously. I've got nothing more. I really need to get more written about Aeva, but I've been working on another part of the world <<

So I thought I'd say a little more about the Wyr.

As mentioned, there are three great types of Wyr: the wairs (large felines), the bears, and the wolves. Few and far between are anomalies such as Eglen, which I think is related to the fact that Elven blood, especially Elshir, reacts differently to the presence of what I shall call the 'Wyr gene'. Most, if not all Wyr are Humans. Within this race there are still distinctions: some are more beast than man, and vice versa. The beast-like Wyr have lived in the Malmernian country for ages, long before it was ever colonized by Elves fleeing the growing Empire's laws on magic and otherness; the Human-like Wyr spent their days amid Humans, some (but few) of which remaining still in the Empire. They are the ones who would hide and protect Elves and other non-Humans and know how to conceal them (and themselves) from the wairs used by certain patrols to snif out non-Humans.

Before getting to this point though, the Empire was often overruled by Vampires.

During a few centuries, there was a literal plague of Vampirism breaking out. Each city, even each village, harboured at least one Vampire. Unlike what many thought, not all Vampires were mindless killers; in fact, many were decent citizens. Though they do require fresh blood in order to ensure their longevity, Vampires can easily subsist on any type of meal they find enjoyable. They'll be easy to spot should they broadly smile (incisors and lateral incisors sharpen during the transition), but are otherwise far more Human-like than the collected Wyr, who stand out due to their lack of (strong) emotions.

Not all Vampires were nice people though. Some, curious of the Wyr power, decided it would be interesting to try and drain the Wyr to obtain their shapeshifting abilities. This resulted in monstrousities, and in a war between Wyr and Vampires waged on Humans grounds.

The Wyr were not keen on battling Vampires, but they would protect themselves to the death. During this long-lasting war that terrorized the Empire, certain Vampires rose about their brethren to protect both the Wyr and the Humans, and try and return a semblance of normalcy to their homes. Despite these noble goals, Vampires were still seen as monsters, as murderers, and killed no matter what side they were on. In time the Vampire population dwindled. The Wyr did not forget those who had aided them, and still provided shelter for those Vampires whom they sensed were no threat to anyone beyond their natural survival requirements.

The beast Wyr of Malmern had it far easier. They lived as animals, in a barren place rife with life for those, like themselves, who knew how to find it. During the civil war opposing two of the Empire's races, the Humans and outnumbered Elves, said Elves fled to Malmernian and colonized the barren lands to create a country where they could live free, and in harmony with all other races. In time the beast Wyr of Malmernian started walking the capital, Malmern's streets... and involve themselves in the workings of this city that they would see become corrupted by greed - a greed they would make use of. Though not in charge of politics in any way, the Malmernian Wyr have found ways to influence the politics of the city without making themselves known. Few know of their presence - and most who know of them, such as other Wyr like Aeva, see no reason as to why to divulge their presence. Though Aeva doesn't agree with all of their practices, some which she deems 'too Human'. As some Vampires are more man than monsters, so are some Wyr more cruel than survivalists.

And that is all for the Wyr aspect of things... Next week I'll dive into the other racial half of this explanation ;)

Theme 09: Aeva - Week 3

I feel like the week's been long... Had a job interview Thursday, yesterday did some ironing while bf read (24 pages in one go cuz he's awesome), today had lunch at the parents', tomorrow I'm expected at the unemployment office and then it's off to try and get my driver's license and I'll be called back for a job and we may go to his parents'... Just, o.O. I guess not as long as it's been stressful. Looking forward to it being Tuesday XD

Oh and I wrote a lot. 14 or so pages on Friday, and about two each other day. I'm this close to figuring out how my Empire got corrupted and what that meant for its inhabitants. .. and I created five more characters, four of which important, all of them requiring background info I had to figure out immediately because they were created all at once. My brain fried that day. XD

Unrelatedly, I had a weird nightmare last night: the sun was overheating and was going to destroy the planet; the only way to conjure some clouds was to sing Within Temptation songs. I kid you not. I remember singing Stand my Ground and Where is the edge, and a third one I forgot. There was more to the nightmare, with some kind of living (and walking) plant being the culprit and when you sang next to it, a vine-like extension protruded that had to be destroyed to stop the overheating. The creepiest part was being in the street (to my parents' apartment because OF COURSE THE WORLD MUST END THERE e.e) and seeing this flaming wave of heat approaching the planet and destroying everything in its path. Interestingly enough, running away was possible, but all the buildings caught fire (including my parent's apartment, which was horrible). I swear, my brain is insane. INSANE. It really enjoys making me feel like crap. XD;

Anyway, here we are for Week 3 of my dear Aeva, where I delve a little bit into the reasons for her creation...

Aeva's Origin Story

As has been mentioned in previous entries, my world kind of took a life of its own when I started writing the defunct Journal of Erjin and things got away from me - as in, what started as a random blog to share ideas through a character's PoV became the journal of a 'real' person, who one day ran into some bad people... Everything started from there. Many ideas intertwined, old characters suddenly got a chance to express themselves again, and I ended up with quite the gathering of old (and important) characters ending up in Malmern - with good reason to be there. I had already gotten some idea of Malmern when realizing Kristofa would've ended up there, but it all hit higher gear when I wrote Erjin's encounter after asking and answering myself the question: who do I have who could be anywhere in the world, and would have a good reason to help someone else out of the goodness of their heart? (PS: I love that guy, even when he's an ass << XD)

So several events later, the Lady Nadieja decides not only to release an admittedly monstrous man whom she deems innocent, but to give him certain rights as well - a choice that will make her popular among the commoners, and will have dire repercussions on the mid-long to short term (but that is a story for another time). Logic aiding, we figured she would not release only one 'criminal', if only because she sensed that Devon may be somewhat of a loose cannon with laudable but lawless principles... So Nadieja released a few more, each one a criminal by life but an innocent by Malmernian law (and in her own eyes)... Aeva was one of them. The second one, in fact. And Nadieja asked of her to keep an eye on the aforementioned Vampire, just in case. It was a request, not an order - and when Aeva first met Devon, she decided for herself that Nadieja's request was valid. She sensed a dangerous quality to a man otherwise affable, even likable (and liked indeed by every person he had ever, and would ever, help). It may just be this request that saved Devon's life the day he got stabbed with a Moonsshine dagger, which has a brittle type of blade that possesses the effect of slowing down bloodflow - and thus the healing ability of Vampires. Aeva is the one who got him to the Healer's Guild, where he was treated, and survived. And this is an event that will have more repercussions as well, but that is also a story for another time ;)

All in all, it can be said I created Aeva due to Nadieja's logic. She helped me think about the type of creature she'd logically give a free pass... A Wyr condemned to death for murdering a guard out of self-preservation was one of them. Aeva's personality quickly built from there. I'll also admit I'd thought she could be a love interest for Devon (because his solitude makes me so sad at times), but I quickly came to realize that was so not gonna happen, on either side - and that even friendship may not occurr because they have very divergent opinions on basically everything (which makes their work relationship all the more interesting I think XD). I doubt they can even agree to disagree, as Devon does often think he is right, yet he is smart enough to realize Aeva's methodical approach to issues can be beneficial to the parties involved (but, I do feel there'd be an irrational reason for his defiant stances, so I'll forgive him). This said, Aeva does not care about being hated or liked: her opinion is hers alone, she forces no one to share it or defy it. She will do what she thinks is right - not because she thinks she is always right, but because she follows her natural instincts. Should she happen to be wrong, then she will accept potential repercussions, whatever they may be. And, yes, she had accepted that she was to die for the murder of the guard: even though she had acted out of self-preservation, she understands Malmernian law may think her a criminal.

As said, Aeva's personality has quickly grown, and it's become quite strong. I also diverged from the 'origin story' XD but it relates to it. This personality is her origin story, it's the reason she ever got created. That she would become as important a character, however, I never saw coming. Though, when terror and madness will fill Malmern's streets, they will be glad to have a loyal friend on their side who knows no fear and will be capable of rational thought.

And that is all for Aeva for this week. ... I love that woman. But then, what character of mine do I not love XD even the bad ones. Oi. XD