#dragons rambles

[thethiefandtheairbender]

like idk man i’m all for found family but as an adult with friends who have moved to different parts of the world, stories that ‘separate’ the found family at the end and say “it is the impact, not the proximity, that determines your importance to me” will always hit harder and be more emotional than “you get older and unrealistically see all your best friends every day always”

#dragons rambles #amphibia #six of crows #httyd3 #how to train your dragon #like both are good. and i appreciate both #but there's something about the Former that just hits #cause like. we all say goodbye Eventually. even if it's all the way at the end of our lives

[raayllum]

listen me and my "he would do anything for his loved ones" ass has been waiting for this since s2, lemme have it

#rayllum #snake boi callum #memes #mine #dragons rambles #arc 2 #tdp #the dragon prince

[alvoskia]

Welcome!

FAQ:

1) What is Alvoskia?

Pitched as TDP x ATLA x Six of Crows, Alvoskia is the over arching name for the planned series. In-universe, it’s a fictional country in the West of Vita’s Land, ruled by a democratic monarchy and boasting variety of kingdoms and independent states. It is very socialist in its structure and shares its borders with just about every other people, including elves, wolf-human shapeshifters, giants, and their primary rival / long time enemy, Kilvoskia, the two countries largely splitting the continent in two. It is, therefore, also the main setting, loosely, for most of the book(s).

2) What is an Infran?

One of eight reincarnated protectors, each bound to their own cycle and with their own unique power set consisting of 3-4 abilities. The Infrans are as follows: Life, Death, Water, the Moon, Fire, Knowledge, Time, and Blood. Their abilities include but are not limited to shapeshifting, elemental manipulation, death and shadow magic, dream sharing, telekinesis, and healing.

3) Who are the main characters?

All of the main core cast (seven in total) are important, but the main protagonist throughout is Ally, a resourceful if insecure Infran of Life who has lost access to her abilities and is trying to get them back (an ‘unchosen’ one if you will). The other two leads of the first book is her twin sister Jamie, the Infran of Death and an asshole with a heart of gold (think if Kaz and Inej from Six of Crows were one person) and their mutual friend, Flames, a prodigal Infran of Fire with an equally sunny personality and a dark past to run from. Things take a turn when Alvoskia is threatened with war/invasion, but with hope that the peace treaty can still be renewed.

4) What inspired the premise?

A lot of things, but growing up as a very ATLA obsessed kid, I always wondered how people in the Avatar-verse knew that the Avatar would, without a doubt, be a good person, as well was what it would be like if there was more than one Avatar running around, and they could disagree with each other. Thus, Infrans was born with a strong mythic foundation as well as a desire to subvert typical fantasy tropes over how certain tropes like elves, dragons, unicorns, and indeed chosen ones, are typically portrayed. 

5) Themes?

A focus on the complications of friendship (jealousy, resentment, trauma, found family), religion (religious trauma and reclamation, chosen one status), war (what is worth fighting for vs knowing when to yield), and trauma (acceptance, grief, healing). 

6) Representation?

Everyone in the main cast is a person of colour except for Bill, the resident healer. Everyone in the main cast is canonically queer (featuring bi-ace, bi, pan, genderfluid / nb, trans, aspec characters) except for Isuri, who I picture as cishet but can honestly easily be read as arospec. She is Islamic coded as well and wears a hijab equivalent. Ally’s journey with her abilities is allegorical for growing up ND in a lot of ways; she and Jamie belong to an in-universe minority religion somewhat reminiscent of Yazidism. Flames is canonically Autistic and uses both she/her and he/him. One of their main instructors is an amputee and more characters become disabled over the course of the series.

7) Triggers?

TW: death, some mild gore and blood, mentions of abuse and indoctrination, body horror, and very minimal mentions of animal abuse/death. If you read The Hunger Games or Six of Crows, you’re probably good here. There are is no SA, racism, homo/transphobia, or religious discrimination, although the series does touch on xenophobia sometimes (think TDP). 

8) Where am I publishing wise?

In late March 2023, I received an offer of publication from an indie press I had queried the previous year. I have accepted this offer as of September 2023 and signed paperwork as of October 2023, with an expected 2025 release date (likely in the fall). More details will follow and some of the journey will be blogged about here under “dragons’ publishing adventures”!

Thank you for checking out this blog, reading this post, and potentially following this blog. I’ll probably post here a few times a week with word counts for revisions I’m making in my own time, playlists, some edits/moodboards, and small snippets of writing. I’m still working on the characters page but the ‘about’ and ‘writing’ is done for now. Feel free to send in any questions or DMs, I would love to hear your thoughts!

#ya lit #dragons rambles #alvoskia #representation #indie author #tumblr #writeblr

[fantasyforbeginners]

Just wondering, you don't have to answer if you don't want to <333

What are your favorite character dynamics in books and movies? Or character tropes, either limited to one character or affecting character interactions?

Oh I have been waiting my whole life for this question, thank you so much! As always tropes depend equally upon execution (we've all seen them poorly done or read/watched something we Should like, by all means, that just didn't click with us) but here are some of my favourite dynamics / character archetypes w/ recommendations

Dynamics

Platonic Power of Love / Platonic soulmates. Please see: How to Train Your Dragon, Crazy Ex Girlfriend, Loveless by Alice Oseman

Ties into found family, that is my #1. Bio siblings who also choose each other, unconventional extended family dynamics, workplace families, misfit families, just all the found families. Give it to me, every time. Please see: every recommendation on this list, Ducktales (2017), Six of Crows duology, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Grump X Sunshine but like in the specific "Grump has abandonment issues, Sunshine is like a golden retriever or paragon that helps them believe in life again, and the Grump's eventual opening up helps reaffirm / reward Sunshine's belief in people" way. Please see: The Dragon Prince, Inside Job

Mid-20s something who is too young to be a parental figure to the scrappy pre-teen kid they just found but someone's gotta parent the child, they Guess. Please see: vaguely Crazy Ex Girlfriend

Opposite but related trope of Adult trying to protect and raise their Chosen One child, trying to cope with the reality that they can't protect their child and that the kid ultimately belongs to the world. See: Aang and Monk Gyatso from Avatar: The Last Airbender, Christianity (hi Jesus and Mary)

Friends to Lovers. Even if they're enemies, there's gotta be a strong friendship stage / component, or I'm rarely gonna be entirely convinced. (But I'm also on the aromantic spectrum, so that defs influences me). Please see: Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Dragon Prince, Heartstopper

Villains / antagonists who are competing against one another or are reluctantly working together. I love the instability, the way it can make one villain work with the heroes, the snideness and differing goals. It's so good. Please see: Trollhunters (Tales of Arcadia on Netflix), Spider Riders (2006)

Platonic or Romantic "I was just going through the motions of my life until you woke me up and changed Everything," I love that transformative shit. Please see: The Dragon Prince, Infinity Train (s2)

Basically just "There are people you haven't met yet who will love you" every time. Please see: The Good Place

Foil sibling relationships, and if it's also intergenerational? Chef's kiss. Please see: Gravity Falls, Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Dragon

Slightly more serious older girl and more carefree younger boy. He helps her to lighten up and let loose, she helps him mature. Also angry girl and soft boy. See: every ship I have almost loved, Infinity Train, The Dragon Prince, Peter Pan 2: Return to Neverland (aka where my ideals for love came from when I was five, feminist girlboss movie of my childhood)

Love of any kind transcending death and time, Please see: How To Train Your Dragon franchise, Titanic (1997), Julie and the Phantoms

Loyal dutiful Knight / Lady or royal dynamic. Please see: The Legend of Zelda games

On that note, co-leader character dynamics. They have the same goal and uniquely mirror each other's devotion and drive, they're willing to put duty and share that maturity with each other? Eat that shit up every time. Please see: Shiro and Allura from Voltron if the show hadn't ended up being terrible, The Dragon Prince, Julie and the Phantoms, Roy and Riza from FMA (which I still need to watch)

If there is a big possibly scary creature and they have a tiny human and they love each other, I will fall for that friendship every time. Please see: How To Train Your Dragon, Transformers: Prime

Basically please watch The Dragon Prince if you haven't already, it's everything I've ever wanted or needed in a show.

Character Archetypes

So much of this just comes down to "Selfless leader burdened by duty and responsiblity" just with variations so keep that in mind

Older character haunted by memory / knowledge, knowing they are an unfitting protector to the new younger generation who needs them, re: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Team leader who feels like it's their responsibility to take care of everyone else whether or not that's actually plausible / the case, re: Rayla in The Dragon Prince

Paragons in general, re: Optimus Prime, Aang, Ezran

Strategist leader who is smart as all helll, if a little (or a lot) ruthless, re: Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows

Moses archetype who returns to liberate people from physical or emotional servitude / abuse, re: The Prince of Egypt, what Finn from Star Wars could've been

Character who's a little egotistical and a tad dim, but they really care about / will protect their family and comes through when it matters, re: Alvin from Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman, it was foundational for me; also Louie and/or Dewey from Ducktales (2017)

Driven angry girl with goals who will do anything to achieve them so long as it doesn't mean diminishing herself, re: Jane from Peter Pan 2 was my blueprint, Reagan from Inside Job, MT from Infinity Train

Just any woman with goals (and a man who supports those goals), re: Grace and Simon from Infinity Train until it got fucked up in the best way

Female tough girls and bullies with a softer side, a la Clarisse La Rue from Percy Jackson (not Amity from Owl House)

Exiled / outcast character with a massive guilt complex, re: Aang from ATLA, Rayla from The Dragon Prince

Nurturing characters with fierce tempers, re: Callum from the Dragon Prince

Chosen ones. I know it's cliche and I do not care, that shit can be compelling as hell. Honourable mention to: main character is trying to protect the chosen one (a sibling or friend), or there are multiple chosen ones running around

If they're a really good older sibling I'm probably sold, re: The Dragon Prince, Over the Garden Wall

Soft spot for gentle giants and lancers who can call the protag out on their shit while also knowing when to support them, re: Cyborg from Teen Titans

Grandmothers who have no time for anyone's shit

Women getting to have more 'masculine' roles unquestionably, men being satisfied in more 'feminine' child caring roles, re: The Dragon Prince

Revolutionaries, misfits, anyone rebelling against a system or two with a splash of solidarity as a bonus, again, most of the things on this list. (Milton's Paradise Lost is so fun)

Heroes and Villains who have actual similar personalities and flaws and it's not a superficial "we're not so different," re: Luke and Percy from Percy Jackson

Also that thing fantasy does where like, all the different groups and peoples will pitch in and come together for a common cause, it's so good and I will go for that shit every time. Truly one of my favourite tropes for all time

This might be more general than like, specifics (i.e. characters tending to each other's wounds) and I could honestly do a list like this all about like, Themes I love the shit out of, since I write from Theme first in a lot of ways and character second, but I hope you enjoyed my very specific list!

#thanks for asking #dragons rambles #tropes #archetypes #dynamics #annarts05 #recommendations

[switchthedragon]

Fuck it

If this post gets 30k notes I'll ask to go see a therapist.

#switch the dragon #switchthedragon #switch rambles #the number is high for a reason #I don't wanna ask lol #but whatever you guys can convince me if you want #I've never been to therapy #i take pride in that fact

[singing-not-sleeping-beauty]

I don't want a direct sequel to the DnD movie

I want more DnD movies with the same cast, but they play totally different characters every time, except for Xenk, who is the only recurring character in the entire franchise

#dnd #dungeons & dragons #honor among thieves #dnd honor among thieves #via rambles

[neytui]

BeholLD MY TINKER HICCUP FAIRY DESIGN!!

Been having this on my head for a whilee and really wanted to give the desing a go. Why? I don't know, but a Neverland au sure it's fucking cool

#httyd #how to train your dragon #hiccup haddock #httyd hiccup #hiccup #art #my art #tinkerbell #psd thinking the design of the prosthetic was hard cuz I wanted to make it good #something that he would actually do #I'll give you guys a kiss if you know what the missing object is #ANYWAY CAN YALL RAMBLE ABOUT THIS SO I CAN TOO

[egophiliac]

I have SO many thoughts about everything and they are in no kind of order yet, so here's just some quick little bits in the meantime!

I am not normal about any of these characters!

#art #twisted wonderland #twisted wonderland spoilers #twisted wonderland episode 7 spoilers #twisted wonderland episode 7 part 6 spoilers #twisted wonderland book 7 spoilers #twisted wonderland book 7 part 6 spoilers #me just staring at the ceiling thinking about anime characters #if i start talking about the big stuff now it's going to turn into a huge rambling mess so in the meantime #i did not get sebek (yet) (i need to contemplate my gems...) but i did see his groovy #he is just full-on cinderella-sparkles bibbidi-bobbidi-booing into that armor! magnificent. #and i really don't have enough words for how much i love tiny malleus. he is perfect. he is precious. he is everything to me. #he knows who his dad is no matter what some crusty dead talking ectoplasm blobs say #(man no wonder lilia's got hangups if THAT was the general attitude he was getting) #('eww you got your dirty bat cooties on the prince' go sit in the corner with mrs. rosehearts you absolute garbage) #(...i did kind of love that lilia started to wake up because the senate said one nice thing to him) #(and he immediately was like 'this is not reality') #(sounds about right) #on a lighter note i was just. SO charmed by the little throwaway about ✨dragon lord consort esteemed diplomat revaan✨ #who picks the vegetables out of his food and hides them under the tablecloth #everything i learn about this man makes me like him more. he was SO dumb. #now we know where malleus gets it from i guess #also unrelated but once again the fact that i named my mc tamago has had unintentional consequences #tamago take the tamago and tamago tamagao tamago #frikkin love that when yuu gives the egg back you can just be like 'i love him. this is my baby now.' 100% accurate. #also yuu continually referring to malleus as tsunotarou even to the senate = amazing. yuu really has NO self-preservation or awareness. #they fit right in with everyone else #<- see what did i tell you. huge rambling mess. #and i haven't even BEGUN to talk about MELEANOR -- (is dragged offstage by a hook)

[shitpostingkats]

I wanna live in the yugioh world solely so I can watch the defucntland episode about Maximillion Pegasus.

#Imagine he gets derailed halfway through just trying to site all the real world dragons that inspired famous monsters cards #in a similar vein: Hbomberguys video essay about Seto Kaiba #yugioh #rambles #maximillion pegasus

[dnds]

THINKING ABOUT DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS‼️

#greer rambles #getting emo ab graduating and leaving my dnd group ✊🏻😔 #dungeons and dragons #dnd

[stileslittlebanshee]

HOTD fandom: Hotd is not really about picking sides, it's about how power corrupts and all the characters are morally gr-

HBO promo: pICK A SIDE NOW

#aasasddff #house of the dragon #hotd #team green #team black #my ramblings

[thethiefandtheairbender]

the pjo tv show is also immensely eye opening to the way people will just have like. criticism that i'm sure is valid to them but is just like such a non issue to me / other people? and how subjective shit is. "the pacing was bad" it was fast but it didn't bother me. "the dialogue is weird" i have literally no idea what you're talking about and i've never seen anyone present a specific example of what they mean. "the kids knowing about the monsters made it more boring" idk i liked it and thought it worked exposition wise. your experiences are not universal bass boosted

#pjo tv show #dragons rambles #dragons liveblogs #like i had fun. i felt emotions. i liked the acting #i liked being able to go 'oh that's from the books' #i had a good time and that's all that really matters #it's tdp s4 all over again

[raayllum]

would just like to say 5x08 was everything i ever wanted, thank you

#rayllum #predictions achieved #cube hostage exchange theory #variant #tdp spoilers #s5 spoilers #dragons rambles #im on the last ep shh #s5 #5x08 #tdp #the dragon prince

[fishtrouts]

Avoryx the Wicked, resting on her hoard of charred bones 🦴✨

I love love LOVE very traditional dragon designs!! Yknow the super evil treasure-hoarding beasts who just radiate malice :D Just being evil for the sake of it. It’s cliche but I enjoy it so much

It also feels great to switch it up and make something other than my comics. I really ought to do it more often to reignite that passion for drawing evil wyrms. It’s gotten a bit stale and I’d like to make and share some art that I like doing for ME, even if it might not speak to many as my comics do.

Specifically I really want to doodle my BG3 Dragonborn.. as soon as I get back my computer I can take some reference screenshots…

#ohh this turned into a ramble #avoryx the wicked #dragon

[fantasyforbeginners]

Also thought I’d share that I must be doing something right, as I got an indie pub offer on my MS! May also share parts of the querying process, indie vs traditional publishing, and other little details here & there filed under “star child wip”

#my books #star child wip #dragons rambles

[foldingfittedsheets]

My betrothed is DMing and they said we see a “house on a fluffy hill.”

I started vibrating with excitement. The rest of the players were not suspicious.

Our warlocks imp started approaching and tried to enter the cabin and I started whisper chanting, “Baba yaga, baba yaga!”

A giant chicken reared it’s head and promptly ate the imp.

My betrothed then rolled out a photo they made of this baba yaga hut, which was just a chicken with an MS paint cabin on its back.

I’m so stoked to be marrying this person.

#ramblies #funny #dnd #dungeons and dragons