Latest Posts by charm-writes - Page 2

Tag game *:･ﾟ☆

tysm to @thedeal-if and @spikingtheodds-if for thinking of me & tagging me !!

I'll tag @loveyoudespiteitall-if, @poll-ventures(@eggtwerp), @unshackled-if @unwilling-souls-if and @greatprotector-if 💗

here's some no context pics that explain the vibe of this IF/WIP:

Support Maui, Hawai'i Residents During the Lahaina Wildfire Crisis

Mālama Maui

Mālama Maui

resources for Maui residents & for folks to support them.

A series of wildfires exacerbated by hurricane winds and climate change has destroyed homes, historical sites, and natural flora in Lahaina, Maui. Thousands have been displaced, and lives have been lost.

WWC's mod Ren has put together a page outlining resources for residents displaced and affected by the wildfires, and for those who wish to support them during this crisis.

Please share this resource and consider donating, especially if you are not local to Hawai'i and have visited or are considering visiting the islands.

Find a list of orgs to donate to HERE

Our hearts are with Maui residents during this tremendous loss.

-Writing With Color

💥🙌👏

I AM SO FUCKING TIRED OF THIS AI SCRAPING BULLSHIT, STOP IT YOU MOTHERFUCKERS.

sanctuary: an interactive story made with twine.

Hello! Welcome to Sanctuary. It’s a short, entirely free to play Twine based story with sci-fi and fantasy elements. You play an injured traveller on the way to one of the few stable strongholds on earth some time after an environmental disaster. During your recovery, you befriend a bandit, romance a lonely farmer and ruminate on loss, starting over, and the beauty of the night sky. Also milk some cows, maybe! Win over a grumpy horse… if you can.

characters

The Traveller👤: You. Part of a group heading towards Eden, a stronghold for survivors, toward stability. That was then. Now? You’re injured, exhausted, not to mention very, very dusty.

The Farmer (Crane Lowry, RO)🌱: 5’11”. Tawny skin and soft dark brown eyes. Striking dark eyebrows and long black hair. Crane is Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations.

A botanist and farmer. He saves your life after your ill fated trip, and lets you recover in his quiet, almost idyllic home. He doesn’t seem to want you there, but he’s not asking you to leave. Check out Crane’s pinterest board here

The Bandit (Jack Arthur)🥷🏾: 5’7”, Umber brown skin with a cool undertone. Piercing dark brown eyes. She has tightly coiled hair, cut very close to her scalp. Jack is Black Ojibwe. Check out Jack’s pinterest board here.

Crane’s childhood friend and a friendlier bandit than you expected, given her line of work. She agrees to be your escort to Eden when you can make the journey.

The Horse (Mutton)🐴: An Ojibwe pony. He has black and white colouring similar to that of a cow. Mutton does not appreciate this connection very much.

Mutton is Jack’s disagreeable horse. Well, he only seems to despise you. Probably because you never have any snacks on hand.

‼️Sanctuary is rated 16+ for mature themes and depictions of grief, loss and trauma.‼️

prologue: tba

I will release chapters on a semi-regular basis of every two months or so, if nothing happens health wise (alas i am a sickly victorian child)

I’m not sure how many chapters this will be yet, but i’ll write until i’ve run out of plot lol.

ask box: open!

i do not accept nsfw asks.

Follow me on itch

Deepest apologies to the well-thought-out characters that I created but never wrote the stories for.

ANTI-CAPITALIST AFFIRMATIONS

i am allowed to spend my time creating things, even if they are not beautiful.

there is no such thing as a "real job." all forms of work are real and valid.

there is nothing that i need to accomplish to be worthy. i am already worthy.

doing nothing is good for my soul.

i am not defined by what i produce.

my worth cannot be measured by my paycheck, my job title, or a list of professional or academic achievements.

i do not need to monetize my hobbies, it is enough to spend time doing something i love.

i will not let society decide what success looks like. i can define what successful life looks like for me.

Sol-kha-ne-Lubri

Rational is to Irrational as Irrational is to Rational. Then again, in this land, Rational is to Rational as Irrational is to Irrational, and Positives are to Negative as Negative is to Compromise; This ways are that ways, one ways are other ways. This way, that, here, over there, which way is true and what way leads fair?

Your home land is odd– a rarity, that much is a given, but even in a land of all that is odd and irregular, that doesn’t stop unhidden exclusivity in the form of a certain acceptance letter for which you had been ridden.

Welcome to Sol Kha-ne Lubris, even the richest royal families couldn’t pay their way into these academy walls.

There are two sides to every coin, parallel lines that are never meant to meet. But since when have the dreamscapes every been one to abide by those rules?

You play as… You, or– well, more accurately, you play as the ever-fantastic you, a regular in a realm of oddity and circumstance, a wonderful, enigmatic you who has just been offered acceptance into the most prestigious magical academy in the dreamscape.

And as you… You guide yourself, both physically and mentally, though the halls of this new school, making allies and (possibly) starring in a very casual(?) school romance with the next generation’s elite.

۞ Play as a being of your choice, whether male, female, neither and all, no one would dare step on your shoes without being respectful of how you are called.

۞ Have your ancestry come from a land of riches, or a land of the cymbal waeves? the Victorian ages or the age of industrialism? Whether you live in a forest, a mountain, the skies or the oceans, the academy’s exclusivity is not limited to where your birth is.

۞ Care you for dolls? For stars? For royal romances? a group of 6 students are susceptible no matter how you play your advances. 

۞ Do you excel in history and language, or the art of alchemy, or physical prowess. The academy accommodates all sorts of knowledge, so no need to fret. Should you excel in none of them, then how strange that your acceptance had been granted without need for background process… 

۞ Dreamers are those who walk through your lands and think of it all as fantastical. However, one familiar dreamer in particular seems quite lost. Do you truly care for them as an equal despite your otherworldly hailing, or will you show that keeping them alive comes at a hefty cost?

ღ Dottie Hendrix, The Almighty: Entitled, egotistical, and ethereal, Dottie is the top dog at this school with the intelligence to back it up. For your sake, you best hope she finds you fun to keep her company. 

ღ Ambrose Hendrix, The Lapdog: Loyal to one and only one. He isn’t afraid to use whatever means possible to ensure the safety of his allegiance, even if it means using his siblings and cousins.

ღ Loriette Kei, The Cheshire Cat: A mercenary in their own right, they work from the shadows that share the same color as their primary source power, eyes always watching, smile never waning.

ღ Lorelei Kei, The Plague Doctor: Keeping her eyes downcast but ears sharp and senses keen, they seem to have the answer for any ail that may befall you, but do you dare keep your eyes open during her procedure?

ღ Nadia, Half a whole kingdom: Birds of a feather flock together, one half of a whole. The supposed “naughty” to the “nice”, be as kind to him as you want, she has their own standards on who keeps her graces.

ღ Noré, Half a whole government: Birds of a feather flock together, one half of a whole. The supposed “nice” to the “naughty”, but is he good enough to keep in your circle of trustees?

⚜⚜ ☾ ⚜⚜ ☾ ⚜⚜ ♔ ⚜⚜ ☽ ⚜⚜ ☽ ⚜⚜

DEMO (TBA)

Don't you sometimes get an absolutely extrodinary, mind blowing, such an awesome idea for a story, but you just don't have enough skill level to pull it off?

Hi!! i love how you write gods and the lore surrounding them!! i cant wait for more- salvatore my beloved

!!! 🥺🥺 thank you so much, charm-writes!! I see this is your writeblr, so I also wish the best for your own writing endeavors! I'd love to see what you write in the future. Before that time comes, I will have to keep refining the lore and the world to keep up!

Thanks so much for sending your love, and Salvatore sends theirs as well through the warmth of tomorrow's morning sun ☀️💖

Hi!! i love how you write gods and the lore surrounding them!! i cant wait for more- salvatore my beloved

!!! 🥺🥺 thank you so much, charm-writes!! I see this is your writeblr, so I also wish the best for your own writing endeavors! I'd love to see what you write in the future. Before that time comes, I will have to keep refining the lore and the world to keep up!

Thanks so much for sending your love, and Salvatore sends theirs as well through the warmth of tomorrow's morning sun ☀️💖

Sorry for my absence from answering asks lately and just reblogging fanworks 💕

I'm finally feeling much better mentally over these past few days, and would love to focus that energy on writing the IF! All I can manage as far as my blog at this moment is posting biweekly updates and sharing any cool things that pass my way 🥺✨

I will post all of these art I got from various artists when Chapter 2 comes out -- in the meantime, have a sneak peek at them!! 🫶💖

My wallet weeps at the loss, but my heart sings for joy! 💸 (I've got 3 more on the way, but once I've got enough, I'll be getting more art for the future!)

Hiii!! You know those memes with birds and quotes besides them? The ones like 'the risk i took was calculated but man i am bad at math' and such? Which ones do you think apply to the ROs (or the cast?) ? 🦉

Bahaha okay so:

The Sage:

Oisein:

The Healer:

The Magesmith:

The High Sheevra (just...all of them aksjdjssk):

Thank you for the ask! ❤️

And now my normal Rain World OCs are up :)

The screenwriters are my comrades and I fully understand how they feel🫡

Oooo i love the relationship between em!!

Once Again, We Meet

Featuring: Kaski, Xinyi

Spoiler Warning: Vaguely addresses the relationship between the town and the spirits of the mountain. ((I’m still not super pleased about how this turned out, but then again, it’s not supposed to be a big or dramatic scene so…))

Keep reading

Hi I’m curious I’ve tried writing 30 minutes a day but I feel burnt out doing that would writing 5 minutes a day and building writing as a muscle over time be a better option?

Hi! Firstly, I'm sorry this took so long to get to. I didn't forget about you!

Also, the whole 'write a certain amount per day' is more of a guideline than an actual rule. It works for some writers really well. It does not work for everyone.

If you are interested in trying to write every day, I would absolutely encourage you to start where you believe you will be successful. If you can only seem to commit to writing five minutes, write for five minutes! Five minutes is more than no minutes, and who knows--you might hit a stride and end up writing for ten or twenty. Maybe over time you will be able to write for longer, or maybe this little 5 minute stretch is perfect for you.

I tend to only get burnt out of writing when I'm forcing myself to write when I just can't commit the energy, time, or brain capacity. It's meant to be fun! Figure out when and for how long you have the most fun writing, and make that your schedule.

Singing a gufeng song in hanfu

song: 探窗 - 风新语、浮生梦、汐音社

English added by me :)

Can we stop with the whole “AI is plagiarism” narrative? AI is not doing anything different from any human that gets inspired by other art. If sampling is inherently theft then so is the vast majority of modern music. If copying other works’ style and techniques is plagiarism then every renaissance artist was stealing from Michelangelo. Art is, as a medium, taking inspiration from other sources, be that the world, other people, or other art, and combining those inspirations into something unique. And AI works are unique by literally any standard you decide to use.

There are plenty of actually good reasons to hate AI. Can we please stop parroting the stupidest and most easily dismissible one, all we’re doing is making it easier for them to defend themselves.

You may do whatever you want but I will not stop calling logicials that scraps works of people on the Internet for parts only to blindly regurgitate stuff of subpar quality "plagiarism programs" or any variant.

Sorry for not being able to abide by your request.

I would also suggest you to look up the difference between inspiration and plagiarism. There is a reason why we're not using the same word for both.

With all due respect,

Me

Can we stop with the whole “AI is plagiarism” narrative? AI is not doing anything different from any human that gets inspired by other art. If sampling is inherently theft then so is the vast majority of modern music. If copying other works’ style and techniques is plagiarism then every renaissance artist was stealing from Michelangelo. Art is, as a medium, taking inspiration from other sources, be that the world, other people, or other art, and combining those inspirations into something unique. And AI works are unique by literally any standard you decide to use.

There are plenty of actually good reasons to hate AI. Can we please stop parroting the stupidest and most easily dismissible one, all we’re doing is making it easier for them to defend themselves.

You may do whatever you want but I will not stop calling logicials that scraps works of people on the Internet for parts only to blindly regurgitate stuff of subpar quality "plagiarism programs" or any variant.

Sorry for not being able to abide by your request.

I would also suggest you to look up the difference between inspiration and plagiarism. There is a reason why we're not using the same word for both.

With all due respect,

Me

Misplaced

Misplaced is a fantasy romance interactive fiction WIP, wherein your choices not only determine your own fate, but that of an entire kingdom. Let me take you an adventure filled with both whimsy and tragedy alike.

The current demo goes up to the end of Chapter 3, available here: https://calliopefiction.itch.io/misplaced

The Story:

For decades, the human kingdom of Gaiapeia has been fighting against the fae living in the surrounding lands. How this conflict started depends entirely on who you ask.

You are the child of Lady and Sir Grahm, a noble familiy who has been serving the crown for generations. Eager to follow in your father's footsteps, you have been training for years to become a knight worthy of being Prince Az'Lean's Champion - his right hand, his closest confidant, the one who protects his life from the growing danger of the fae.

When the time finally comes and you are chosen for the position, it's a dream come true. You couldn't be happier. But just one day later, on your 21st birthday, a terrible truth is revealed to you.

You are a changeling - a fae child that was smuggled into a human family with only one purpose: to gain the prince's trust and use it against him.

A war between humans and fae is surely brewing and the outcome depends entirely on you.

Features:

Customize the appearance of your MC, play as non-binary, female, or male and romance whoever you like however you like, including the choice for asexual or queer-platonic relationships.

Enjoy the story without having to worry about stats - you will be a competent knight no matter what. There is no failure or success, only different choices and their outcomes.

Shape your personality, and your trustworthiness, with your actions. Other characters' disposition to you will change depending on how they perceive you.

Pick a side early on, play the long con, or refuse to make a choice at all. There are multiple split paths that will feature the same romancable characters - but their relationship to you might vary greatly (including villain romances).

Romance:

Vynn (nb):

Vynn is one of your fellow knights and a long-time friend. Unlike you they aren't a knight by choice and don't care much for fighting. You get the feeling they'd much rather be a bard if they could, seeing as they love playing the lute, spinning epic tales and generally being a source of levity. They are fiercely loyal and good-natured, though there is that bit of resentment that will never quite leave their heart.

Prince Az'Lean (m):

Az'Lean is your prince, the one you are sworn to protect. On first glance, he is the very picture of a fairytale prince: charming, chivalrous, and powerful. He is an excellent fighter, loves animals, and prefers to be treated like an equal. Anyone who cares to look will soon notice the darkness lurking beneath that shining exterior, festering ever since the death of his mother.

Lady Meave (f):

Maeve is a powerful dryad who was sent to educate you on the ways of the fae. She is usually playful and soft, though her patience tends to run short. As much as she cares about decorum and courtly things, she finds joy in the simplest things and easily turns into a giggly mess. For all her humour, you can never quite tell if she is being serious. Sometimes it feels like she's just playing with you.

Thianne (f):

Thianne is a sorceress and one of Az'Lean's most trusted advisors. She is intelligent and hard-working, though sometimes at the expense of her own well-being. Although she comes across as abrasive and rude, she is always willing to help those who need it. Her dry sense of humour and brutal honesty have endeared her to just as many people as they have made her enemies.

Lester (m):

Lester is a half-fae servant, working in the castle. As with most half-fae, his presence isn't entirely welcome and his reasons for being here seem complexer than he lets on. Lester is known for his mischief and his crude humour, often pulling pranks that border on malicious. Despite the way he presents himself as laid-back and uncaring, it's clear that there's a lot he isn't opeing up about.

Warnings:

This story contains potentially triggering content. There will be graphic depictions of violence, death, discrimination, body-image issues and mental illness (including panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and paranoia). Discretion is advised.

Support:

Thank you so much for showing any interest in this project at all! If you would like to receive biweekly update posts, participate in polls, and get access to bonus short stories, consider supporting me on patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CalliopeFiction

The Elementalist Chronicles: Isle of Rune is an interactive game inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. *insert theme song*

Genre: Low Fantasy, Elementalists, Time Travel, Slice of Life (kind of)

Setting: California (very briefly), The Secret Isles (Pacific Ocean)

There is currently no age rating for this game.

No nsfw asks please <3

PLOT

Your time on the Secret Isles have become a distant memory. It’s been about 10 years since your parents divorced and your mother moved you to California. The Good: California has great weather. The Bad: You can’t practice your bending as freely.

Mikayla loves Cali, so it comes as a complete surprise when she presents the idea of moving to the Isles once again. Your mother has no powers. Not to mention, her job and friends are in Cali. This move isn’t for her, it’s for you. It becomes clearer when she suggests that you train in the adult program of the elemental school. The master plan: getting you to reconnect with your father. Who just so happens to be the Headmaster of the Rune Elemental School.

Going back to the Isles means you will see the people you have not seen since childhood. Including your old best friend, Cameron, whom you have not been in communication with for quite some time. In your absence, Cameron has found a new friend. Jess isn’t really warm towards strangers. And you are a stranger, even if these Isles were your stomping grounds first.

Like it or not, a ton has changed. Tread carefully, explore with caution. Some roads may lead to different places and different times. It won’t do anyone any good if you go back hundreds of years… Your mother’s plan might go down the drain. You might find yourself stuck. You might find the masters you had only read about in books standing right in front of you.

Come along young elementalist, the Isles await you.

FEATURES

Customize your character: name, surname, gender, pronouns, description.

Choose a pet (kitten, puppy, snake, turtle)

Choose a hobby (hanging out with your pet, surfing, painting, reading, biking, chess) [hobbies may change]

Choose your element (water, air, fire, earth) & your birthplace (one of the Isles).

Explore the Secret Isles: The Isle of Rune, The Isle of Wind, The Isle of Ember, The Isle of Tides, The Isle of Sand (is sometimes called The Isle of Gems). And choose which one you want to live on.

Travel back in time.

Stay in the past with the four masters or find a way back to the present.

Get to know the people and grow a bond with them… or don’t.

Train and become a better elementalist.

Possibly witness how the four grand masters became who they are and how they founded the elemental school.

Or just chill and be a couch potato.

Main Characters

Cameron | Non-Elementalist | History Student

Cameron was born to an elementalist family but he himself has no powers. He used to be your childhood friend. As a child he was kind and rather shy. His shyness never stopped him from going after whatever piqued his curiousity. An intelligent and compasionate young man. You have not seen Cameron since you were 14. How will he react when you show up on the isles once again? Will you be greeted by the same gentle soul or will you meet a new Cameron?

A Short Description of Cameron: He has a tawny skin tone, topaz eyes, and ear-length light brown wavy hair. His height is 5'10 (180cm). He has a slender figure.

Jess | Non-Elementalist | Architect-Artist

Jess moved to the isles shortly after you left. He's been Cameron's closest friend ever since. Part of the reason why they became close is that they are both non-elementalists who were born to elemental families. Unlike Cameron, Jess struggled more with this fact because his family valued him less for his lack of powers. He is a loyal friend and a brave man. Perhaps a little reckless. He is clever and confident in his abilities.

A Short Description of Jess: He has a light skin tone, gray eyes, and dark brown hair that is slightly wavy and is slightly longer than shoulder-length. His height is 6'2 (187cm). He has a lean figure.

Jace | Master of Earth

Jace is one of the four founders of the Rune Elemental School.

A Short Description of Jace: He has sun-kissed skin, hazel eyes, and wavy-curly brown hair that is slightly longer than ear-length. His height is 6 feet (183cm). He has a slightly muscular build.

Lahela | Master of Water

Lahela is one of the four founders of the Rune Elemental School.

A Short Description of Lahela: She has golden bronze skin, dark brown eyes, and straight chest-length soft black hair. Her height is 5'5 (164cm). She is slightly curvy.

Sierra | Master of Fire

Sierra is one of the four founders of the Rune Elemental School.

A Short Description of Sierra: She has brown skin, light brown eyes, and curly-wavy dark brown hair that ends mid-back. Her height is 5'8 (175cm). She is slender and toned.

Ariel | Master of Air

Ariel is one of the four founders of the Rune Elemental School.

A Short Description of Ariel: She has beige skin, sky blue eyes, and long wavy blonde hair with wispy bangs. Her height is 5'6 (166cm).

Side Characters

Atticus | Current Headmaster of R.E.S. | Elementalist | MC's father

Mikayla | Non-Elementalist | MC's mother

Mary and Brutus | An old couple from the past

Arista | A young elementalist girl from the past

-

Detailed descriptions will be in-game. You will also find out more about the four masters in-game. I didn't want to spoil much about them <3

-

DEMO TBD

Wayfarer

Links 

✦ Play the Game ✦ FAQ ✦ Patreon ✦ Ko-fi ✦ Discord ✦ Bug Report ✦ Dev Logs ✦ Character Art ✦ Character Roster ✦ Character References ✦ Romances ✦ Ask Guidelines   

The Game

Wayfarer is a dark fantasy interactive fiction game. You play as a Wayfarer, a member of an order of warriors born with magical immunity in a world dominated by magic. It is currently in development and releases episodically. The full game will include three acts and a total of 15 episodes.

The Story

When your mercenary work backs you into a corner, you take the only option available and accept a contract: to travel to the city of Velantis and steal an ancient artifact said to be blessed by the gods. Simple, right?

But Velantis holds more than you bargained for. Gathering a ragtag party of malcontents and renegades from across the city, you must navigate enemy factions, meddling guilds, and escalating political tensions. Your choices will ultimately determine the city’s fate – and the fate of every person who lives there.  

Key Features

✦ Create a customizable player character, selecting:

Gender [male, female, and nonbinary options]

Pronouns [choose a preset or set your own]

Name [including nicknames and aliases]

Ancestry [choose from 5 fantasy species that unlock unique attributes]

Origin [choose from 6 different backgrounds that unlock unique story moments]

Appearance [including regular choices such as hair and complexion, as well as tattoos and scars that unlock unique story content] 

✦ Upgrade 4 skills which will determine your successes and failures. Skill level is mixed with a dice roll on skill checks, adding an element of risk vs reward to your choices ✦ Unlock traits that reflect your character’s choices, providing bonuses and hindrances ✦ Recruit companions, build your relationships, and perhaps find romance

Relationships include friendships and rivalries

Romances are optional and include straight, gay, bisexual and asexual characters, alongside monogamous and polyamorous options

✦ Build rapport with 6 factions and choose whether to support or betray them ✦ Encounter timed choices on key decisions, with alternative results if time runs out or you choose to abstain ✦ Build a codex as you explore the world and encounter people, places, history, lore, magic and monsters ✦ Navigate thousands of branching choices for a unique, re-playable experience and story

The Main Cast

A childhood friend and a fellow Wayfarer. What does he know about the Order’s past and what lengths will he go to keep it hidden?

A Guild mage on the run who keeps her secrets closely guarded. What plot is she involved in and how deep does it run?

A disinherited scion to a mercantile empire. She’s hunting for her sister’s murderer, but what conspiracies will she uncover instead?

A former assassin who abruptly quit the league and turned himself over to the authorities. How far will he go to kill his past?

The extravagant leader of a theatre company and a brilliant con artist scamming the social elite. Behind the flashy exterior, what dark history is he hiding?

An ambassador from a secretive city in the mountains that recently opened its borders. Why is she here and what higher purpose does she serve? 

A gifted alchemist searching for the truth behind the source of magic. What devastating answers will he uncover?

The Public Build [Version 1.1.2.]

Playable Content: Prologue, Episode 1, Episode 2

Average Playtime: approx. 8.5 hours of gameplay

Average Word Count Per Playthrough: approx. 156,000 words

Total Word Count: approx. 927,000 words

First Published: September 9, 2021

Last Updated: July 1, 2022

Last Patch: June 10, 2023

[Play Here] 

The Alpha Build [Version 1.1.3.]

Playable Content: Prologue, Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3 Part 1

Average Playtime: approx. 9.4. hours of gameplay

Average Word Count Per Playthrough: approx. 177,000 words

Total Word Count: approx. 1,300,999 words

First Published: September 9, 2021

Last Updated: May 26, 2023

Last Patch: June 5, 2023

Only available to Patrons and Playtesters

[Play Here]

Content Warning

The story is rated MA-17 for fantasy and medieval violence, depictions of blood and gore, death, explicit language, sexually suggestive themes, and drug and alcohol use. Player discretion is advised. 

Discord Community

Wayfarer has an official Discord server! You can join it here. Please note that the server is 17+ only.

Support

Wayfarer is a passion project and creating it is a full-time job. If you enjoyed the game, please consider supporting its development on Patreon. Patrons receive access to the alpha build, bonus content, and tutorials in writing and game design, among other perks.

I also have a Ko-fi.   

If you aren’t in a position to support financially, reblogs, shares, and spreading the word about the game are much appreciated and do a lot to help me out. 💕

Credits

Cover art and companion portraits by Rory Yaya (@sunshinemage​). Wayfarer sigil and logo design by Jessica Roy. All other image assets as credited in-game.

POST UPDATED: 06.10.2023

Today is the Dragon Boat Festival! A major Chinese holiday where we supposedly commemorate this great poet Qu Yuan who threw himself into a river exactly 2300 years ago but none of us really think too much about him because he was honestly a flop

He appears in Zachary Ying wielding magic based on his overdramatic poetry!

(PS. My earrings are from Studio Thebe, an indie store with Chinese-style earrings I highly recommend 👀)

This is an oversimplified description of the meaning of Duanwu Festival. 

In Ming dynasty the members of the inner court worn Duanwu buzi from the first till the thirteen of the fifth month. 

There are other festive assosories, such as wristband made from five colour threads, tiger hats and other hair ornaments.

Hi there! Do you have post where you discussed tips/advice on developing platonic relationships between those of the opposite gender? I see all too often the friends-to-lovers trope and while that is entertaining, I would like to expand my writing to develop an intimate friendship between two characters without resorting to the previous trope.

Guide: Developing a Close Platonic Friendship

Close platonic friendships go through many of the same stages and steps as a romantic relationship, but obviously without the romantic and/or sexual interest. Much like a romance, it can begin with an instant “attraction,” or it can develop slowly over time, but it ultimately builds through a series of shared experiences, common interests, and a building of trust.The Different Types of Friendship

acquaintances - known but not known well

associate - sharing a common activity such as work or a class

networking contact - friendly acquaintance who is beneficial to know

mentor - acquaintance who imparts knowledge or experience

social friends - friends you socialize with but don’t rely on in any way

good friends - friends you socialize with but can also count on if you need a favor or some light emotional support

close friends - friends you know well, can be yourself around, and can count on for favors and heavy emotional support

confidant - a close friend who you can tell your secrets to

best friend - your closest friend who you can count on for anything

Depending on where and how a friendship begins, it can advance through the different types of friendship almost as stages of friendship. For example, you might meet someone at work and bond as you begin to work together. Then you might begin to socialize with them a little bit, eventually graduating to hanging out together outside the larger group of friends. As your bond grows, you’ll be more comfortable around each other and trust each other more with your thoughts, feelings, and problems. This kind of friendship can turn into a very close friendship or even a best friendship.

How Friendships Form & How to Write About It

1) Meeting

For a friendship to form, two people have to meet for the first time. The nature of their meeting and the strength of their initial interest in one another usually determines how quickly the friendship forms. Also, the personality of each individual can obviously play a role. When two people meet in a larger group setting such as school, the workplace, or church, their friendship is likely to form a little slower since their time together is likely structured and not always conducive to socializing or bonding. In this case, the friendship has to develop enough for it to graduate to arranging meetings outside the initial group setting.

In other cases, when there’s more room for socializing upon each meeting, a friendship can form much faster. This is especially true when the meetings already occur outside of a structured format, such as when you meet someone in your neighborhood, online, or at the dog park.

It can be helpful to think of your characters’ meeting as the “inciting incident” of their friendship. Consider what was missing from their life prior to meeting this person, and what is gained once they become friends.

2) Moment of Discovery

After two people have met, there’s usually a “moment of discovery” that leads to a feeling of kinship between them. Typically, this discovery has two do with realizing something you have in common, like an affinity for the same subject at school, being huge fans of the same TV show, having the same type of dog, or having two kids who are friends. Often, this leads to the realization that you have other things in common, and with each thing learned and shared, the bond grows stronger.

For your characters, you’ll want to consider what works with the story. Look to your characters’ back stories to see if they have any common experiences, or if it would make sense that they both like something similar. For example, if both of your characters come from remote mountain villages, they might share a like or dislike of a certain type of food common in those villages, or of a certain cultural element.

3) From “Crossing Paths” to Intentional Meetings

Most friendships start without any sort of commitment. Sort of a “see you around” mentality, if you will. But as the two people keep crossing paths and getting to know each other, the friendship will probably graduate to intentional meetings, much like when two romantic interests decide to go on dates. For a friendship that forms in a structured environment, like school or work, the decision will likely be made to “hang out” outside of school or work.Sometimes, two people with an early friendship bond might get thrown into unexpected circumstances that strengthens their bond even more. For example, a group of school friends might get trapped in a cave together for a few days, which not only takes their friendship out of the usual structured environment, but throws them into a situation where they’re forced to get to know each other better, to bond, and to trust each other.

For your characters, consider what works best for your story. Don’t force a friendship. Let it grow organically through the events of the story.

4) Strengthening the Bond

One of the most important things that needs to happen once a friendship is established is things need to happen to strengthen the bond. These two friends need to feel comfortable sharing secrets with each other and knowing they can do so judgment free. They need to discover that the person will be there for them, even in difficult circumstances. As the friendship goes through and survives obstacles and challenges, the bond will grow even stronger.

For your characters, consider the natural opportunities for the friendship to grow in the story. What happens that force these two friends to get to know each other better? What happens that forces them to trust one another and rely on one another?

5) Sex is Sex

Generally speaking, human culture and society has very specific ideas about what constitutes sex and romance. These ideas can obviously differ slightly from culture to culture, and society to society, but we all basically know what these are within our own culture and society, and we’re all capable of guessing what situations might present confusion. But despite these notions, in real life there aren’t always crisp lines that define what is sexual or romantic and what isn’t. For example, a kiss on the cheek can be very affectionate and romantic, or it can be only mildly affectionate and totally platonic. In real life, you can cuddle with your best friend, curled up together in a tangle of limbs while you talk or laugh or comfort–and this can be completely platonic without even an ounce of sex or romance. But in fiction, we don’t have the billion points of data we have in real life to clarify that something is strictly platonic. And as much as we all may crave strictly platonic relationships in the stories we read, we’re programmed to see romance everywhere. This is why two characters on a TV show can’t smile at each other once without launching a thousand Character A x Character B tumblrs and inciting lengthy shipper wars. That said, as much as we may want to experiment with having our platonic characters being very intimate with each other, and doing things like showering together, kissing on the mouth, soft whispers and laughter while cuddling together on a bed–we need to really consider whether that kind of intimacy is really adding anything to the friendship or the story, and whether that thing is important enough to risk the fact that people will want to ship your characters even if you make it clear the relationship is platonic.

What You can Do to Clarify a Friendship is Platonic

If you’re worried that your characters’ friendship is coming off as romantic rather than platonic, there are a few things you can do to help clarify things:

- have your characters occasionally refer to each other as “my best friend” both to each other and to other characters.- give your characters significant others or love interests, or have them talk about people they’re interested in

- establish what your characters are attracted to sexually and romantically, and illustrate the fact that these elements are not present in the best friend

- find ways for your characters to be open about why their relationship isn’t romantic or sexual. For example, having one say, “Too bad you and I can’t hook up. It’d be so much easier than the nightmare of dating.” And then having the other say something like, “Yeah, but we’d drive each other crazy and you know I’m into brunettes.” 

- avoid portraying their interactions in ways that will be perceived as sexual or romantic in nature. 

Using a Timeline to Pace the Friendship and Tie it Into the Story

To help plot out your characters’ friendship arc and to make sure it ties into the story well, use a timeline like this:

Most important of all, follow your gut! Consider your own friendships, how they developed, what worked and what didn’t, and how something would have gone down if it had happened in one of your friendships.

✨FFF 205 Masterlist

Thank you for all your wonderful entries, we loved reading every single one ^^ (If we missed your entry, please let us know)

Consider checking out your fellow writers’ pieces, give out those likes and reblogs and gather some inspiration for the new prompt at 12pm!

We’ll see you then!

Where the flowers grow by @somealienquill

The Magic Mirror by @charlies-storybook

Imaginary flowers by @rins-love-wins

Where the Flowers Grow by @renee-writer

Hanahaki by @lix88888

She will wait by @whogavemeapen

Everyone Deserves a Flower by @shipping-through-eternity

Where the Flowers Grow by @aquadestinyswriting

Soar, young one by @writing-with-olive

Curses by @drowning-in-cacophony

Clarification by @lisbeth-kk

Where the Flowers Grow by @clarislam

of ancient roots by @ginneke

Where the Flowers Grow by @stories-by-rie

Growing to be who we really are by @mimisempai

Missing home by @sam-glade

Stolen Moment in the Fields by @pen-of-roses

Something About Poppies by @scottdarlingstorytime

A lovely day by @ngkiscool

Where the Flowers Grow by @lassiesandiego

Desolation by @odysseywritings

Two Suns by @theoriginalsapphic

What She Left Behind by @starlightswitch

Make It True by @jlilycorbie

The Beauty You Are by @edosianorchids901

Snowdrops in the Summer by @betweenthetimeandsound

Disappearance by @e-lisard

so hold my hand, i'll walk with you my dear by @ineedaplacetostay

soil under his nails by @asher-orion-writes

✨ intermission ✨because you wrote so much that tumblr can't post them all in one block ✨ apparently ✨

Where the Flowers Grow by @landofspaceandrainbows

Wherre the Flowers Grow by @nooowestayandgetcaught

Life on a new Sphere by @goblin-writer

Hello! I hope this is alright to ask but I remember one post saying Harley has body dysmorphia, I was wondering if it was any particular part of her body she felt uncomfortable with and, this is somewhat of a lore question, can magic be used to subtly alter a persons body, like shapeshifting magic and what not, either casted by the individual or a trained professional mage?

Very excited for this If and hope your day has been going well!

first of all hii & that's totally fine to ask :) and i've been doing great + hope you are too <3

Here's the short answers and under them a longer, lore-ish answer that's about things that will probably never be brought up in this interactive fiction but that are relevant in the broader 'Magici Universe'.

Harley usually just feels insecure about her body in general, some days it's more intense, some days it's barely there; but the parts of her body she continuously feels the worst about are her shoulders and traps.

Harley used to be diagnosed with body dysmorphia (BDD) but she's at a point now where she doesn't meet the criteria anymore; she still experiences insecurity and body image issues, though not at a 'clinically concerning' level, according to her psychiatrist.

You could alter your physical appearance with illusionary (Dark) magic, however it's only that: an illusion, and not actual shapeshifting. Say you have short hair and cast an illusion spell for your hair to be longer; if someone touched your hair they'd realise it's only an illusion and that your hair is short. Other mages with a strong Dark affinity wouldn't even need to touch your hair to know it's an illusion. That's the furthest a human on Earth can go, shapeshifting wise.

Harley has her best friend cast an illusion on her on especially bad days, which helps a lot but isn't a long-term solution. :(

People that can't cast illusions or can't have a mage cast one on them could buy an illusionary tincture brewed by a proper mage. They'd need to take it every week or even every morning, depending on how potent it is.

However illusionary potions are expensive and heavily regulated by specialised organisations because of how dangerous they can be (think wanted criminals changing their appearance, organisations spreading terror via large scale illusions, etc). They could be prescribed though, but it's very rare unfortunately.

(longer answer here)

So it's not possible for humans on Earth to literally shapeshift. However, there are several realms, and Earth is the weakest out of the known ones, magic-wise. That means that if magical creatures that don't belong to Earth tried to get here, their magic would be nerfed by a lot.

On other realms with higher magic 'density' there live creatures with three, four, and more affinities. So take Air, Dark, and Void and you got yourself a shapeshifter. Humans are much more flexible in that way 'cause they're not restricted to specific affinity combos, while for example shapeshifters or phoenixes are. So humans native to these other realms are by default much stronger than the ones on Earth.

There's ways to reach these realms and people from Earth have done it before; but only those with specific affinity combinations can even attempt to. A mage that reaches a realm with higher magic density can have another Awakening where they unlock one or two more affinities, though they're limited to that realm. So humans native to these other realms are by default much stronger than the ones on Earth.

It's said that some people have been able to capture shapeshifters and make shapeshifting mixtures out of them, and believe me when I say that governments have been going crazy trying to stop the elite from acquiring them (and to steal them for themselves) if it's true.

tysm for giving me the opportunity to talk abt this lmao