Hik | They/Them | Aspiring IF writer, we're workshopping stuff rn | Expect project related art now and again
206 posts
Latest Posts by gildedgrimoires - Page 3
Wanting to make a story about dragons and another post apocalypse story. Why must my brain come up with ideas when I'm supposed to be doing important things, I must focus plss
*emerges from the other room covered in blood* you should see the word document
CORRUPTANT
Chained up, locked away. Tortured and forgotten. At least that is how it has been for as long as you remember. Suddenly you are freed. Your mind is shredded, all memories lost to the overwhelming agony that you endured. The very people that imprisoned you demand for you to assist in preventing a looming threat, one that has the entire world at stake. Just who are you? Why were you imprisoned? What about those you knew? Remember it all and cope with the tattered remains of your psyche. Maybe even save the world. Or not, what has the world ever given you?
Corruptant is a 172,000 (so far) word dark fantasy interactive fiction game (book?) that sees you play a cursed amnesiac coping with the situation they find themselves in.
-Play as Male, Female or Non-Binary. -Deal with the lingering effects of your imprisonment. -Give into 6 different extremes. -Romance one (or more!) of 5 (6?) characters that find themselves on your team. -Save the world and earn your freedom. -Or maybe burn it all down as revenge.
Romance Options:
The Binder: [M/F]
They are the first person you really interact with upon being freed. Gentle, timid and soft spoken, at least around you, they are going to be a constant in your life for now. Finding themselves bound to you, they try to do everything in their power to make sure you are comfortable. Can you forgive them for working for your captors? Can you get over the power imbalance that lies between you two? Male: 5’9 with short styled brown hair. He has warm brown eyes and is clean shaven. Female: 5’6 with medium length brown hair, often worn in a ponytail. She has gentle, inviting brown eyes.
The Second Born. [M/F] The second born child of the reigning monarch, they find themself placed on the team that you are on. They seem to take things easy, flaunting rules and wearing a lazy smile. They seem to treat you like a friend (or more), easily chatting and joking with you despite your curse. Can anything come from these interactions? Male: 5’11 with messy chin length blonde hair. His face is framed on the left side by strands of his hair being a dark blue. His bold violet eyes and stylish beard add to the look. Female: 5’7 with spiky short blonde hair and smoky violet eyes. Her bangs are highlighted by strands of dark blue.
The Best Friend. [M/F] Your best friend from childhood. You remember them as a person filled with wonder and optimism, genuinely caring about you and always lifting you up. Are they still the same person from your fragmented memories? You recall HE had short ginger hair and bright green eyes. You recall SHE had short ginger hair and bright green eyes.
The Scholar [F] An obsessive and eccentric scholar that specializes in your curse among other things. She has been assigned to your team and seems to be captivated by you. Can you get over the scholarly eye she has for you? And what about her not even being human? She has glimmering silver eyes and medium length hair matching her eyes. She is 5’5.
The Cultist [M] A captured member of a cult that is attempting to bring about the end of the world. He seems to fanatically revere you as some sort of savior. He is placed on the team to lead you to your targets. Will the fact you two are both outsiders draw you two together? He has short black hair and a beard, his blue eyes are etched with tiny black runes around the iris.
Note on Game Mechanics:
This IF is geared towards storytelling, and while the personality stats and skills will have impacts on the narration as well as the outcomes of certain scenes, they are not the focus. No personality stat checks will bar you from content should you choose a certain personality, so feel free to explore around. The personality stats are there for flavoring (mainly).
Note on Content:
This story is on the darker side of things. Featuring some pretty mature topics and depictions. Below is a list of some things encountered in the book. Please be advised. -Torture. -Coercion to perform jobs. (NOT ANYTHING SEXUAL) -Blood and gore. -Extreme Violence. -Death. -Abuse.
Here’s the link and hope you enjoy it!
https://dashingdon.com/go/15625
Remember how I said the Twine demo would be available very, very soon? Well soon is actually right now. On Itch.io. Surprise?
Feel free to check it out!
Eros and Psyche IF
TAKE MY SOUL is an 18+ IF game being written in Twine. It's a retelling of the famous story of Eros and Psyche, just... with a few new added twists and turns!
Your sisters married off quick, you didn't. It was hard, harder than necessary for your parents to marry you off. Everyone seemed to kneel at the presence of your beauty but ended up never wanting to stay long enough for something to form.
You were practically a trophy for rich nobles to flaunt around. Cupid had failed you with this one.
Until one night, you felt a prick at your side, a rush of cold air, and suddenly your life flipped upside down when your parents came back to the castle with upsetting news about the rest of your life (or maybe the end of it?)
Customize YOUR own Psyche! Play as female, male, non-binary; straight, bisexual, pansexual, gay; asexual, and even, touch-averse! What hobbies should you have? What beliefs? What religion?
Follow the way the myth is supposed to unfold, or break away and create what you think should happen. Who said the minor god needed to get the person?
Find love in Cupid, or maybe even their mom?
Play as quite literally, one of the most beautiful people roaming Earth
Deal with your two obnoxious older sisters who only want to flaunt their husbands in your face
Enrich yourself in a story filled with new paths at every page and a whole ton of flavor text!
Have the occasional switch of POV, with the starring guest of Aphrodite, the Orcale?, and even your own love interest
CUPID
The god of love, albeit a minor one, but a god nonetheless. You've never seen them, as Eros likes to stay hidden whilst casting their arrows. But, from what your tutors teach you, they have these massive angel wings that preen out whenever they get into something mischievous. Cloth wraps around their naked body, Eros doesn't leave much to the imagination. However, in some readings, Eros is depicted as a female with hip-length black hair, while in others, the male version likes to keep it cropped and out of his way.
this is a draft! more romances may be introduced in the future, but currently, im sticking with Eros
DEMO COMING MAY 2ND!
god gives his best IFs to his busiest, most unreliable soldiers
"the 'power of love' trope is such an overused and cliche gimmick" i do not care i will love it always and forever. love prevails and explodes the enemy
Links...buttons...action!
Pellicule is a minimalist UI template for use with Twine's Sugarcube format, inspired by professional screenplay formatting and analog photography.
Use built-in widgets to format passage text like a script, classic snail mail letters, or take advantage of a crisp, clean layout to comfortably display dense prose. Showcase your writing with bold, sophisticated display themes or create your own with custom colors.
Features:
Crisp minimalist design
Light/dark display themes
Custom plug-and-play widgets to format screenplay and letter essentials
Pre-styled template options for choice links and buttons
Built-in keybinds to toggle menu & close dialogs
Responsive design for desktop, tablets, and mobile devices
Annotated passages, stylesheet, and JavaScript for plug-and-play convenience
This template is free to use! Comes with detailed instructions on how to use the built-in widgets and commented code, ready for your story!
Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse - WIP
DEMO TBA
After the deaths of your four oldest siblings, taken from you by war, your older sibling, Nour, once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, is now the heir.
This day never should have happened.
As recompense for the ravages your kingdom’s war has inflicted upon the Lunar kingdom of Celestyl, and as assurance it will not happen again, your sibling is to be sent to Celestyl to marry the Lunar King’s heir. An arranged marriage, meant to unite the kingdoms. Or, at least that’s how everyone prefers to phrase it. But you all recognize this for what it really is: a guise. Your sibling will be a political hostage.
And—Theia, grant you guidance—you have had a premonition this is not the worst to come. Should your sibling go to Celestyl, they will not survive.
So you will take their place.
Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse is a dark fantasy interactive fictional story where you play as the sixth child in the proud and grandiose Solar Imperial Dynasty and leave your homeland for a foreign country, where you will take your sibling’s place in an arranged marriage to the heir to the Lunar Kingdom. But something sinister simmers on the horizon—you have felt it in your premonitions; apprehension crawls beneath your skin, foreboding pricks at the back of your neck, dread sinks low and heavy in your stomach. Theia is warning you—of what, you know not, but you have seen the way the Lunar King looks at you. His stare, the dagger, and you, the sacrificial lamb on the altar. Beware the wolf, little lamb.
Content Warnings: "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" contains many upsetting themes, such as arranged marriage, child abuse, child neglect, death, murder, sexually suggestive scenes, suicidal ideations, and more. "Stygian Sun: Total Eclipse" is intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
Customize your MC's name, gender, pronouns, appearance, personality, and sexuality. Play as straight, gay, lesbian, bi, poly, or asexual.
Shape your personality through your choices and see how it affects dialogue with other characters.
Navigate through the difficulties of court life in a foreign country.
Develop your magic—powers bestowed upon you through your divine bloodline.
Romance one or more of five romantic options, including your betrothed, the Lunar heir; your charming and overly flirtatious retainer; your acolyte, a priestess in training; a kind yet darkly mysterious Celestylian noble; or a peculiar and chaotic mage.
Develop deep and lasting friendships or make enemies.
Kill some parents.
Uncover a sinister plot that threatens everything you hold dear—and decide what you will risk to protect it.
Nour al’Teia, your older sibling. (Gender dependent on MC’s. She/her. He/him. They/them.) Non-RO Once fifth in line for the Solar Imperial throne, Nour was perfectly content to play a supportive role to Parim, first in line, and the rest of their siblings. Now first in line for the throne, Nour is doing their best to step into a role they were never prepared to fill. Despite their best attempts to reassure you, you can tell this weighs more heavily on them than they let on. (Character portrait coming soon.)
Kieran Zeleskas, the Lunar Heir. (Gender Selectable. She/her. He/him.) RO The Crown Prince/ss of Celestyl. Though not of noble birth, events put into motion by their father have elevated them to this position, one they seem to have adapted to rather well by all appearances. Stoic and aloof, they seem less than pleased about this arrangement between the two of you. You’re inclined to agree.
Alektis de Celestys, the lone princess. (She/her.) Non-RO The adoptive sister to Kieran. The slaughter of her family during the coup that brought Kieran’s father to power has rendered her irascible and hostile to most everyone. Though she mostly keeps to herself, with only her retainer, Nihm, for company, you often find her tumultuous glare trained on you, a complex look on her face you can’t quite decipher. (Character portrait coming soon.)
Nihm de Circené, the guardian. (They/them.) RO Devoted retainer to Alektis and last surviving member of House Circené. Kind and sociable, Nihm is well-regarded in both noble and commoner social circles alike. However, their warm and affable disposition cannot completely hide the apprehension in their gait, nor the trembling in their hands. Still, they do their best to welcome you in a place where everyone seems dead-set on hating you. (Character portrait coming soon.)
Aurynn Anouar, the retainer (He/him.) RO Seeming to have appeared from out of nowhere, Aurynn rescued you from a dire situation during your first battle experience, and afterwards was appointed your retainer and has served you as such ever since. Charismatic, laidback, and flirtatious to a fault, Aurynn tends to either charm or annoy everyone he meets. Despite his insistence that he is an open book, sometimes you can’t help but feel the opposite; indeed, everything about him seems shrouded in secrecy.
Samira Nahdiri, the priestess (She/her.) RO Certain events left her family deeply shamed and nearly destitute until her exceptional accomplishments as a healer elevated her to the renowned position as your acolyte, drawing upon the power of your blood to learn healing magic in her pursuit to become a priestess. Strong, loyal, and compassionate, she is devoted to caring for her family above all else, and she counts you among them.
Lilith/Lucien de Arcanis, the mage. (Gender Selectable. She/they. He/they.) RO The adopted heir to House Arcanis, a line of powerful and highly skilled mages. Wild-eyed with a wolfish grin, their peculiar and eccentric mannerisms tend to unsettle their peers, leaving them rather isolated in social circles—a circumstance which doesn’t seem to bother them one way or the other. For better or worse, it appears they’ve taken a rather intense interest in you. (Character portrait coming soon.)
Poly Routes (subject to change): Kieran/Aurynn, Samira/Aurynn, Lilith/Lucien/Aurynn.
FLESH OF THE LAMB.
DEMO - TBA
you don't really remember anything at all, but this much you know: you are a fallen guardian angel, and you need to find who you were meant to protect.
a few problems: you can't recall who you were protecting, and how you failed them. and, of course, you're trapped in a strange isolated town that worships a goddess you don't recognize.
don't fret now, you'll be fine. may you recover your memory, guardian, and untangle the web of secrets you find yourself in.
trigger warnings in detail below the cut.
full character customization: build your appearance, your personality, your divine powers, and choose whether to subscribe to human concepts of gender and sexuality or not.
befriend, antagonize, or romance four main characters: the sacrificial lamb, the weak dog, the bloody devotee, or the fool.
investigate the town you can't seem to leave, and the goddess that hangs over it.
try to recover your memories and make sense of them after that.
take care of some cute sheep.
the sacrificial lamb - the eldest daughter of the town's ruling family. always calm and calculated, upholding order at all costs.
the weak dog - the youngest son of the town's ruling family, not that he would ever associate himself with them. full of charm and wit, he follows his heart and does what he thinks is right.
the bloody devotee - the high priestess to the goddess. confident, cold, and powerful. she doesn't hesitate to go for what she wants, even if she has to step on backs to get there.
the fool - the spoiled heir to most of the farms in town. he's childish and carefree, spending most of his days in the town square singing.
!! trigger warnings !!
prominent themes of violence, animal death, substance use, abuse, manipulation, and suicide.
a character struggles with self-harm and disordered eating.
mild suggestive content.
non-graphic depiction of sexual assault.
this is overall a dark game, and I would not recommend it to those who are easily disturbed.
obsessed with characters being saved against their will. being knocked unconscious and carried away from a danger they won't stop trying to fight. being shoved through a portal somewhere far away and safe right before it closes. trying to self-sacrifice only to have the exact person they're trying to save swap their places at the last second. getting the only cure to the disease or curse bc the person administering it loves them too much to give it to anyone else, including themselves. being thrown to safety right as they had accepted dying. someone else they thought had gotten to safety running back to drag them out of danger. it's so fucking tasty
Source: It is known among the wise
Man, the flesh sucks. I'm gonna abandon it for the machine.
I think Variables are beginning to make sense, just a lil bit. Which is good, happy about that.
Intro
DEMO (soon)
In the underworld kingdom, where demons fight for survival against the abyssal monsters, you are just an Oracle. In the distant past the Oracles were at the top of the demonic hierarchy, but those golden days are long gone. You did what you were most afraid to do and now sit under arrest in the royal palace.
When the Abyss sends you a vision of a terrible disaster that will happen in the future, you make an inevitable “deal” with the Sovereign to try to change the future and improve your abilities, not only to become stronger and learn more about the coming disaster, but also in an attempt to achieve mind stability.
However, what has been happening to you since you received the vision makes you think that you are already slowly but surely losing your mind.
Will you be able to maintain your sanity and help others protect the kingdom, or will you become just another name in the long list of Oracles gone mad?
This is an interactive fantasy story with a heavy focus on friendship and romance (with strangers to lovers or enemies dynamic). The story is rated 18+. Content warnings: violence, death, loss of sanity, trauma, possible sexually suggestive/sexual content, and more (the full list will be in the demo).
Customize your Oracle: pronouns, traits, and appearance. Choose your full ✨ demonic form. ✨
Decide what you do for fun. Do you sing, dance, play a musical instrument, or write?
Deal with the old friends who let you down.
What you did cannot be undone. Your reputation forever ruined, how will you handle the public’s new attitude toward you?
Learn more about the Oracles’ past and what truly drove their royal clan into ruin.
Maintain your sanity. Depending on your choices, you’ll either move closer to loss of control and madness or further away from it.
Decide what fate awaits you. You’ll have to make an important decision that will open two very different paths for you, influence the plot’s progression, and your relationships.
Will the victory be sweet?
✨ Vezriel, The Sovereign (m / f)
Vezriel seems a perfect ruler: they’re smart, calm, patient, know moderation, and always put demons’ well-being first. But you’re not so naive as to think this is their real face—many secrets lurk under the golden shell of the nobility. You never thought of meeting them in the past, but now spending some time with them is inevitable. Perhaps you will find out what lies beneath their mask?
✨ Osara / Osaron, The Heir (f / m)
Vezriel’s only child and heir, O is their Chief Counselor, and they have a consistently good reputation. Their character reminds of their parent, though O is much more cold and reticent. Nothing seems to touch or shake their emotions, despite the known long list of ex-lovers. You don’t need their attention, but the circumstances have put you right under it. What will you make of this opportunity?
✨ Lazarus / Lazaris, the General (m / f)
L rose from the bottom of the ladder and made a name for themselves, though judging by old rumors, their clean background wasn’t always so clean. They’re charismatic and popular but keep others at a distance—everyone except their friends… and you. L treats you especially well, but you’re not foolish enough to blindly play their game. What do they want from you?
✨ Ashmedai, the Royal Healer (f / m)
Ashmedai was sent to observe your condition after the incident and to help you with mind stability if needed. They performed their duties without showing any displeasure or impatience no matter how you behaved. Ash is secretive and reserved, and you guess their restrained temper is connected to the dark rumors surrounding them. Will they open up to you?
✨ Azarias / Azaria, the Royal Musician? (m / f)
Ash’s younger sibling, Az somewhat resembles them in appearance, but their characters couldn’t be more different. Az is bold, humorous, and fickle. They know everyone—and everything about everyone—and enjoy a special favor from the Sovereign, which has allowed them to retain their place in the royal palace for many years. You’re concerned about their peculiar attention to you because there’s no reason for it—you two have never met before. Or… is there a reason after all?
Progress
Two chapters are written; editing the second. After I'm done with it, I'll start coding them. Soon ✨
becoming more and more cognizant of my tendency to swing between past and present tense depending on what the feels more fitting. I should probably stop doing that, but y'know whatever really. I'll shimmy with that once I punch out this draft.
Do you have tips on writing a character who hasn't eaten in a while?
Hunger is more than a mere rumble in the belly; it is a powerful human experience that intertwines emotion with the physical, influencing a character’s actions and shaping their decisions. Whether it is the gnawing emptiness of a missed meal or the desperate ache of long-term deprivation, hunger can be a compelling force in storytelling.
Behaviour
Persistent thoughts of food
Increased irritability or lack of focus
Hoarding behaviours
Overprotective around food
Frequently visit places where food can be obtained
Partake in activities that distract from hunger
Eager to accept food-related invitations or tasks
Unusually willing to consume foods they normally wouldn’t
A gradual decline in energy or enthusiasm
Show obsessive behaviours
Interactions
Easily agitated in social situations
Conversations frequently divert back to topics of food
Bartering or trading items of value for food
Impatient when waiting for food in group settings
Feel shame or embarrassment when their hunger is noticed
Increased generosity when they have food, knowing what it’s like to be without
Reluctance to share food or an obsession with equal portions
Withdraw from social interactions to avoid exposing their hunger
Probe others for information about potential food sources
Relationships could be strained or strengthened through the sharing or withholding of food
Body language
Slumped or listless posture due to low energy
Stomach clutching or other physical manifestations of hunger
Fidgety, restless movements or a loss of coordination
Fixation with watching others eat or staring at food
Slow, lethargic response to stimuli unrelated to food
Exhibit rapid eating behaviours when food is available
Frequently licking lips in anticipation of eating
Increased response to food-related stimuli, like smelling food from afar
Distracted gaze, as if looking for food opportunities
Display physical signs of malnutrition, such as physical weakness, hair loss or sallow skin
Attitude
Pessimistic or short-tempered
Single-mindedness focus that prioritises food
Impolite or a lack of social graces
Increased risk-taking behaviour through desperation
Manipulative
Fluctuating moods
Sense of hopelessness
Heightened sense of gratitude for any food received
A less discerning perspective on what is considered ‘edible’
Reevaluating personal values and priorities
Positive story outcomes
Lead to resourcefulness and problem-solving skills
Strengthening of relationships through shared experiences of scarcity
Hunger may catalyse a character’s personal growth or shift in perspective
Lead to communities coming together to support each other
Characters might discover new talents or skills in their quest to find food
Act as a motivator for a character to overcome obstacles
May lead to intense moments of satisfaction or relief when resolved
Build an appreciation for the simple things in life, including basic sustenance
Show how hunger can become a catalyst for social or political change.
Can be the driving force behind a character’s ultimate success story.
Negative story outcomes
Chronic hunger can lead to physical and mental health decline
May push characters to commit acts they would normally consider immoral
Show the breakdown of social order or relationships
Result in a character’s loss of dignity or self-respect
Can have a debilitating effect on a character’s ability to achieve their goals
Character development might take a dark turn, showing a descent into obsession or madness
Tragic endings, such as starvation or conflict over resources
Expose societal inequities and drive wedges between groups
Illustrate the loss of innocence, as characters are forced to confront harsh realities
An insurmountable barrier, leading to unfulfilled potential or unfinished journeys
Helpful adjectives
Ravenous
Starving
Famished
Hollow-stomached
Craving
Unfulfilled
Pining
Empty
Desperate
Gut-wrenching
Aching
Parched
Gaunt
Gnawing
Consuming emptiness
Insatiable
Malnourished
How to __ and Other Writing Tips
↳ a masterpost for informational writing prompts and other tips for writers
If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider buying me a coffee! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi! Become a member to receive exclusive content, early access, and prioritized writing prompt requests.
How to Write __:
How to Write Nightmares and Sleep Paralysis
How to Write a Monster
How to Write a Good Villain
How to Write a Panic Attack
How to Write Dialogue for a Stuttering Character
How to Write a Character with an Eating Disorder
How to Write a Character with a Prosthetic
How to Write a Character that has been Poisoned
How to Write an Unreliable Narrator
How to Describe __:
Different Ways to Describe Fear
How to Describe Facial Expressions
How to Describe a Character's Speech
How to Describe Emotionally Distant Parents
Other:
What to Do With Too Much Dialogue
Ways for Characters to Get to Know Each Other
tragedy enjoyers when even good intentions lead to ruin
Absolutely no progress on any of my projects during my month long break. Recovering from semester exhaustion and got super sick for a good portion of it. I'm like 80% sure it was covid. And now classes have begun again, so let's hope I can get back that drive I lost.
The "God" we made from unethically sourced flesh and metal won't talk to us anymore so I'm gonna abandon you guys and the project and hope it doesn't remember my name or face
Hunter's Requiem
demo [tba]
dark fantasy, horror (?), romance
You are a minor deity of the Hunt, known by your followers as The Hunter, used by the other Higher Beings as The Hound. The All-Seeing Sun had given you countless tasks over your existence.
Yet one day, while on a mission sent out by him, you were summoned and judged for treason. The punishment left you mangled, your magic ripped off.
Cast away, you went into a deep sleep to recover.
After centuries you awoke to find your name spoken in whispers in the darkest nights. The Traitor. The world has changed, yet you still have true believers who await your awakening.
Will you be successful in your revenge? Will you be able to topple the gods or will you try to live in peace?
Features:
Play as male, female, nonbinary.
Your choices will affect the fate of your followers.
Befriend, romance or even antagonize a wide cast of characters.
Have a loyal shadowy companion by your side.
Astaroth [M]
"And to think I hated you. Now I can’t imagine living a single day without you.”
Your “other half”, attached to your psyche. He is content to stay in the backseat and offer comments. Tall and lean with gray skin. His face is sharp and angular, eyes with black sclera and white iris. Long black straight hair parted only by his antlers. His hands are black, tipped with long claws. The gradient loses color the closer it gets to his elbow. When he grins at you, you see beast-like teeth glinting in the light.
The Beloved Moon [F]
"That was the worst mistake I ever made. Please, I will do anything you want for you to forgive me.”
Moon has a curious interest in you. Since the moment she saw you, she had sought any chance to talk with you.
A short woman with deep blue skin and freckles that shine like stars. Her skin is shifting between deep blue and purple. She has a round face with full lips and a button nose. Round eyes with black sclera and bright blue iris stare at you with curiosity. Her long curly hair is white with pale blue streaks. Massive white feathered wings cover her back, sometimes used to cover her body like a cloak. Her smile might be gentle but the sharp fangs showed less so.
The Eternal Night [NB]
“I have turned a blind eye to the world far too long. I will no longer allow anything to happen to you.”
The Eternal Night is a distant person. Even more towards the other gods, yet for you they show a kinder side. They are tall and slender. Their sharp face is softened by full lips and expressive eyes. They have dark grey skin paired with stark white hair, that reaches their chin. The wavy strands frame their face nicely. Their eyes-- black sclera with crimson iris—are often covered by their mask. Massive black wings sprout from their back, and then the light catches the feathers right they look more blue than dark.
Santana [F/M]
"Why is it that every time I look at you I feel that I knew you for lifetimes? Why does my soul yearn for you?"
A priest you met in your past, a rather interesting person with a stubborn brand of kindness.
Tawny skin sprinkled with freckles. Golden hair is kept in a braid, far away from their face, yet a few strands escape and frame their heart-shaped face. Expressive eyes look at you, their blue gaze shining brightly.
They stand at an average height, donning the white and golden robes of the priests of Sun. Over that, they wear a chainmail.
You thought you lost them to the sands of time.
??? [F/M]
“Do you have any idea how long I prayed to see you, to hear your voice?”
Every day, they're slipping farther, their grip on the edge of the chasm growing fragile. Can you drag them back or will you shove them off?
others have done it better than me, with more skill and a more polished end product. but i still have to do it
Fantasy Guide to Building A Culture
Culture is defined by a collection of morals, ethics, traditions, customs and behaviours shared by a group of people.
Hierarchy and Social Structures
Within every culture, there is a hierarchy. Hierarchies are an important part of any culture, usually do ingrained that one within the culture wouldn't even question it. Hierarchy can be established either by age, gender or wealth and could even determine roles within their society. Sometimes hierarchy can may be oppressive and rigid whilst other times, ranks can intermingle without trouble. You should consider how these different ranks interact with one another and whether there are any special gestures or acts of deference one must pay to those higher than them. For example, the Khasi people of Meghalaya (Northern India), are strictly matriarchal. Women run the households, inheritance runs through the female line, and the men of the culture typically defer to their mothers and wives. Here are a few questions to consider:
How is a leader determined within the culture as a whole and the family unit?
Is the culture matriarchal? Patriarchal? Or does gender even matter?
How would one recognise the different ranks?
How would one act around somebody higher ranking? How would somebody he expected to act around somebody lower ranking?
Can one move socially? If not, why? If so, how?
Traditions and Customs
Traditions are a staple in any culture. These can be gestures or living life a certain way or to the way a certain person should look. Traditions are a personal detail to culture, they are what make it important. Tradition can dictate how one should keep their home, run their family, take care of their appearance, act in public and even determine relationship. Tradition can also be a double edged sword. Traditions can also be restrictive and allow a culture to push away a former member if they do not adhere to them, eg Traditional expectations of chastity led to thousands of Irish women being imprisoned at the Magdelene Laundries. Customs could be anything from how one treats another, to how they greet someone.
How important is tradition?
What are some rituals your culture undertakes?
What are some traditional values in your world? Does it effect daily life?
Are there any traditions that determine one's status?
Values and Opinions
Values and Opinions are the bread and butter of any culture. This is the way your culture sees the world and how they approach different life hurdles. These may differ with other cultures and be considered odd to outsiders, what one culture may value another may not and what opinion another holds, one may not. There will be historical and traditional reasons to why these values and opinions are held. Cultures usually have a paragon to which they hold their members to, a list of characteristics that they expect one to if not adhere to then aspire to. The Yoruba people value honesty, hard work, courage and integrity. Here are some questions to consider?
How important are these ethics and core values? Could somebody be ostracised for not living up to them?
What are some morals that clash with other cultures?
What does your culture precieved to be right? Or wrong?
What are some opinions that are considered to be taboo in your culture? Why?
Dress Code
For many cultures, the way somebody dresses can be important. History and ethics can effect how one is meant to be dressed such as an expectation of chastity, can impose strict modesty. While other cultures, put more importance on details, the different sorts of clothes worn and when or what colour one might wear. The Palestinian people (من النهر إلى البحر ، قد يكونون أحرارا) denoted different family ties, marriage status and wealth by the embroidery and detailing on their thoub.
Are there traditional clothes for your world? Are they something somebody wears on a daily basis or just on occasion?
Are there any rules around what people can wear?
What would be considered formal dress? Casual dress?
What would happen if somebody wore the wrong clothes to an event?
Language
Language can also be ingrained as part of a Culture. It can be a specific way one speaks or a an entirely different language. For example, in the Southern States of America, one can engage in a sort of double talk, saying something that sounds sweet whilst delivering something pointed. Bless their heart. I have a post on creating your own language here.
Arts, Music and Craft
Many cultures are known for different styles of dance, their artwork and crafts. Art is a great part of culture, a way for people to express themselves and their culture in art form. Dance can be an integral part of culture, such as céilí dance in Ireland or the Polka in the Czech Republic. Handicrafts could also be important in culture, such as knitting in Scottish culture and Hebron glass in Palestine. Music is also close to culture, from traditional kinds of singing such as the White Voice in Ukraine and the playing of certain instruments such as the mvet.
Food and Diet
The way a culture prepares or intakes or treats certain foods are important to a culture. In some cultures, there is a diet yo adhere to, certain foods are completely banned. With Jewish culture, pork is prohibited along with fish such as sturgeon, along with shellfish and certain fowl. Meat must also be prepared in a certain way and animal byproducts such as dairy, must never be created or even eaten around this meat. This is known as kosher. The way one consumes food is also important to culture. In some cultures, only certain people may eat together. Some cultures place important on how food is eaten. In Nigerian culture, the oldest guests are served first usually the men before the women. In Japanese culture, one must say 'itadakimasu' (I recieve) before eating. Culture may also include fasting, periods of time one doesn't intake food for a specific reason.
What are some traditional dishes in your world?
What would be a basic diet for the common man?
What's considered a delicacy?
Is there a societal difference in diet? What are the factors that effect diet between classes?
Is there any influence from other cuisines? If not, why not? If so, to what extent?
What would a typical breakfast contain?
What meals are served during the day?
What's considered a comfort food or drink?
Are there any restrictions on who can eat what or when?
Are there any banned foods?
What stance does your world take on alcohol? Is it legal? Can anybody consume it?
Are there any dining customs? Are traditions?
Is there a difference in formal meals or casual meals? If so, what's involved?
Are there any gestures or actions unacceptable at the dinner table?
How are guests treated at meals? If they are given deference, how so?
reblogging the demo link after adding ~3k words, several months after disappearing is very funny to me, okay? okay.
Unwilling Souls (dashingdon.com)
(im wearing clown makeup rn)
Free Palestine.
More money than any of us here will ever see in our lives, taken directly from our taxes, is funding death and destruction unfathomable across the ocean. Not universal healthcare, not schools, nothing good. Just death.
Keep protesting, keep up using your voice, and don't lose hope, we owe Palestine that much
Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's Secretary General, is expected to give a big speech on Friday, very likely to declare war on Israel.
Today Israel allowed 102 aid trucks into Gaza without bombing the Egyptian border. In the past couple days, Israel has invaded Gaza to disastrous results. Yemen has declared war on the country. Several countries have recalled their ambassadors while Bolivia ended diplomatic relations. Belgian and Italian unions have refused to ship weapons to Israel. American cities lit up with protests while successive polls show that even Republicans largely support a ceasefire in Gaza. The entire internet seems to be pro Palestine even as social media CEOs comply with requests from the Israeli government to shut down critics.
So if a ceasefire happens, don't ever let the -Zionist government and its supporters act like they did it out of the goodness of their hearts