Oh. Yes. Have Barnabas save Ravenna! It’s wonderful.
It Began in a Tavern (OOC Thread) (Part 2)
- Thread starter Luxuria
- Start date
it will be interesting to chart his conversion to the side of light!
I'm also working on the new one, but meanwhile, I guess we can put that one in.
Here is how you can help me with this. I'm going to be gradually making the map, posting along for feedback to make sure that we're all happy with it.
I'm still early into it but this is what I have so far for the fire region, which is where Cliffcross is. Notice how it's now a city instead of just a name.
I'm trying to make it as rich place as I can. One of the problems with the previous map was scaling. Scaling should be much clearer on this map, but we all need to agree on what the scaling factor actually is.
The black dashed lines represent roads. Characters can go off-road of course but the important part is how these roads can give you a scale for distance. For example, if we agree that each dash in the line represents a kilometer, then we can say that there are twelve kilometers between Old Mills and Cliffcross.
So, let's agree on what distance each dash represents. I think a kilometer is reasonable but you might want more or less than that.
I'm also going to make it much more place-rich and add more places along the way. You could really help me out by suggesting some places to add, like cities or cathedrals or whatever fantasy-appropriate places you want!
For an idea, here is what I have so far for the whole map:
As you can see, the area where Cliffcross exists is very tiny from a large point of view. In the final map (not the sample one above) you will be able to zoom in just like a real digital map. I'm posting this to give an idea on scaling.
The richer the world, the better. World building is a big part of fantasy. Remember that the main purpose of the map is so we're all in the same page about what the world "looks" like.
Some kind of battle of magic? Between the queen and Olive?
How about haunted ruins?
This will definitely happen at some point. But it's still a long ways to go. So much has to get set up, including everything we've been discussing, before that point.
So, as I see it, we could do this if their journey to Cliffcross lasts long enough. Do we plan on a long journey?
If not, we can do some kind of other major event there, one that occurs at the midpoint.
Great idea! Do you want it placed anywhere specifically?
I think at least a few more days
Not really. I would say somewhere on/near the road to Cliffcross, maybe a couple of days travel before it.
I see. How much do you think that we can realistically achieve during that period from a writing point of view? I know we all have different senses of pacing.
Well, I'd like to see the relationships between the three women solidified before they get to Cliffcross.
I'd also like to see Barnabas's conversion to the side of light.
And, if the final battle is between Olive and the Queen, we need to get the Queen to Cliffcross.
Another thing we need to think of is the role of Wren, Pria and Olten in the final battle.
That's a good idea. That's long overdue, even.
Barnabas is your character, so you do what you must! But I would like to see that too. It would be interesting.
That's a good point and it's quite easy. Araspeth, a reader of scriptures, sees Olive's magic and goes to the Queen—also a reader of scriptures—to tell her of it. The Queen recognises the light magic as Yuuna and freaks out. She seeks to end Olive with her own hands before she masters Yuuna's power and its too late.
I guess this is something that @IgnitedxSoul will have to answer.
So, to make a little list for ourselves, these are our milestones:
- Olive must develop her powers further, which takes time
- Ravenna, Katara and Olive must bond
- Ravenna and Katara need some development as characters
- Katara needs to learn of her father (shouldn't they meet with Dusca at one point)
- Barnabas needs to convert sides
- Melina and Olive will have a battle
I'm thinking of this using the three-act structure and that particular model allows you to add as many obstacles as you want in the second act. We could therefore add obstacles that aid these milestones. For example, if the girls encounter a village that has drought problems along the way, they can work together to fix it—developing their bonds in the process.
We can do stuff like that along the way to Cliffcross. What does everyone think about that?
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I was wondering that, too. I was thinking more would revealed by the quest. Like in Lord of the Rings Movie where they go to the prancing pony and the journey really starts from there.
Uh... I'm American. Kilometers mean nothing to me. I will try and figure this out.
I think it's too early for that. I was thinking there would be more adventure before a confrontation. Unless this is confrontation #1. Olive manages to barely make it out alive. Katara is saved by Barnabas who realizes the Queen wants to kill his daughter.
That's possible.
I honestly thinking Cliffcross was just 1 of many stops. We have such a huge world, it feels weird to have them go to 1 location and then have the end of the story. Also, if we go through with Ravenna's story arc, she's on a timer, technically. So, I was thinking Cliffcross would be a good place for Barnabas' turn to the light and possibly saving Ravenna? There is no guarantee she makes it through surgery alive, especially in this story setting.
I was thinking a reveal of the large issues and a determination to over-throw the Queen. Also, we could have a confrontation with the Queen that doesn't go so well.
I am not sure. And yes, I have noticed this, too. We have such different senses of pacing. I know you two favor writing short stories and the pacing in those are different than a novel. Which is my usual medium. So, it's kind of different between posts, which is fine. But I know I tend to have much slower pacing overall.
Yes, I agree. I have been trying to do that, but I don't know anything else that might bring them closer? I was thinking Cliffcross was stop 1 of many and so was not concerned with speeding up the process.
Agreed. It will be interesting.
Again, I was thinking the final battle would be at the palace or something. Like a big party crashing battle.
Yeah, I have been wondering how they fit into this story. I was thinking maybe they join in with the trio and venture on from Cliffcross together.
Oops. I was not pacing the story to end at Cliffcross.
That makes sense. I like it. But I feel like this is one of a few confrontations. Maybe the Queen goes the fight Olive, sees the light power, retreats and regroups.
Also, to add to the list, Ravenna's illness being revealed. Because I realize I started setting it up a long time ago and we discussed yesterday it was the way to go with her story arc. Also, Nalki and Dusca meeting up with the Trio.
I am personally not for ending the story at Cliffcross. We have HUGE world out there to explore. I also figured the prophesy had a special location where all would be determined.
That's possible. But again, Ravenna's on a timer somewhat.
Hello! I finally got to re-making the Encylopedia. Please take a look and let me know what you all think. I am sorry it has taken me so long to get it done. I tried to copy the map, but the site said the size is too big. @ps102, you have permission to copy the map to the encylopedia. Anyway, take a look and let me know if this is better or needs fixing:
I've never read/seen Lord of The Rings. Magic was banned in my house because I was raised in a religious household. Harry potter was strictly forbidden too.
Oh, I forgot about stuff like that. Do you use miles in America? If so, 1 kilometer is 0.6 miles.
That's an interesting idea. What does @Louanne Learning think about that? Barnabas' could slowly start turning away from the queen after that first confrontation. It starts there and he fully converts at a later point. He could even help the girls defeat her at confrontation #2. I mean, he does know a lot about her. Info is always useful.
I don't think Barnabas would consider switching sides just because of his daughter. But she could certainly be the start of it!
Not yet. The current map is pretty small, which is why I'm adding to it! Please let me know if there is any place you want to have added.
But I do agree. For starters, the queen hasn't even collected the gear fragments yet. She will become truly dangerous when she does.
That's better. Thanks! I'll PM you to add more if I recall anything.
Neither was I. It's too early. What I was saying though is—if we want it to end at Cliffcross, we can. We just need to lengthen the journey.
Good to know. The issue is, if the story ends there, we can’t lengthen the journey much. Because Ravenna is slowly dying and I want some urgency.
I'm in favor of a confrontation between Melina and Olive at Cliffcross. It ends badly for Olive and a lot happens from there. Ravenna, Barnabas saving Ravenna, and all of which we discussed. There is then a second confrontation elsewhere in the country, which happens at the climax.
It could affect @IgnitedxSoul's trio too. I understand that these characters are highly motivated by the thought of helping those stuck in time, which I really love. They're good people working for the wrong people.