Since a version of you has ascended to the Throne of Heroes twice. Once as a true Heroic Spirit, another as a pseudo-Counter Guardian that was contracted to Angra Mainyu.
Noblesse Oblige [Znt/SI]
Mizu
Software Developer
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
not tolerate
Someone's on a roll today. Also nice to see Shade is both aware of potential butterfly and that one conversation does not convert a person unless they're a CHA-build D&D character.
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
tolerate tollerate
strangely, they both appear correct to my in-browser dictionary.
must be a mistake in it.
The Dark Esper
Watching With Interest
- Location
- Britain
Ok, what the fuck is this shit? Are you blessed by the Gods of Time/Writing Speed/BULLSHIT or something?
DO YOU EVEN SLEEP?
DO YOU EVEN SLEEP?
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Hi, my name is Shade.
And I like to write.
I have been thought of as an Eldricht monster from outer space, an AI, and much more.
Truth is, I'm a coffee-addicted Italian with a penchant for never stopping writing, since I seek continuous self-improvement
- Location
- Leeds
Inwhich Shade asks people to calm down about his approaching Joseph.
- Location
- Vestiges of Yesterday
Sounds like a severe mental condition.
"Don't worry, I will deal with my Joseph with the right medication. I absolutely won't end up killing everyone around me for no reason whatsoever!"
Dragonskyt
Ashen one, hearest thou my voice, still?
- Location
- Kiln of the First Flame
It's always nice to wake up and see Shade has written yet another update.
- Location
- Singapore
Oh Shade, you are truly a perpetual writing machine...
Dat One Dude
The Returned One
- Location
- In your heart
Wow, you never cease to amaze me with your update speed.
The Dark Esper
Watching With Interest
- Location
- Britain
...OBJECTION!
Shadenight123, you are known by many as the master of ANGST, what is this Heracy against your own unholy visage you have thrust upon us?!
Is this Heracy, Neigh or both? I DON'T EVEN KNOW ANYMORE!
Mizu
Software Developer
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
I wonder if professional author* have similar habits of churning out writing? You've mentioned your own speed is a result of practice coupled with enjoyment of the task, after all, and that it goes into high-gear when you're inspired.
*By which I mean 'published by a publisher and checked by editor', versus your own actual-story over on Amazon which you self-published.
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I've seen faster, but Shade has said writers beat for quality of content hands down.
In terms of fanfic, quantity cannot make up for lack of quality, no matter how much some people try.
- Location
- U.S.A.
When was that?
esotericist
A Weary Hand
- Location
- Lacey, WA
For published professional authors, the most voluminous I know of offhand would be Seanan McGuire, who actively publishes under two names (the other being Mira Grant), and has an alarming release schedule for someone who ALSO does other stuff with their life besides write.
She has four books published so far this year (although admittedly one is a short story collection that isn't all new material) in addition to several singlet short stories, and that is not abnormal output for her.
So he's going to blackmail the Duke Charles with knowledge of his other daughter? I wonder would Josette even have access to her void powers right now or would they be dormant because Joseph is still alive? I also wonder if she did have her void abilities would she only have access to a few spells(explosion, dispel, haste) and no familiar summoning?
Also Josette's entire existence is going to cause issues for the Royal family.
Her parents are going to feel some guilt at giving away their child no matter how valid the reasons.
Charlotte is probably going to go "I have a baby sister yay" she is seven right now.
Isabella might be happy too ,but if josette's void powers are active I see her being jealous of her father spending time with her.
Joseph is probably going to find the whole thing hilarious as hell. His "perfect" brother is getting scandalised, and if Josette has her powers he might take her under his wing.
King Robespierre III is too much of a blank slate for me to guess his reaction.
Also Josette's entire existence is going to cause issues for the Royal family.
Her parents are going to feel some guilt at giving away their child no matter how valid the reasons.
Charlotte is probably going to go "I have a baby sister yay" she is seven right now.
Isabella might be happy too ,but if josette's void powers are active I see her being jealous of her father spending time with her.
Joseph is probably going to find the whole thing hilarious as hell. His "perfect" brother is getting scandalised, and if Josette has her powers he might take her under his wing.
King Robespierre III is too much of a blank slate for me to guess his reaction.
Your impending Training From Hell is making me think of lines like "The Springtime of YOUTH!" and Green spandex.
At the worst, with you having the princess' ear, Tabitha would be sent to "very difficult missions with support" instead of "Solo Suicide Missions".
With Henry's gentle approach to Isabella, I'm thinking she's gonna be in a much better headspace in her teens. Even if Joseph does go off on the deep end, Henry will still be there as a counter balancing influence for her.
At the worst, with you having the princess' ear, Tabitha would be sent to "very difficult missions with support" instead of "Solo Suicide Missions".
- Location
- Canada
Or an Exalt using unnatural mental influence.
Chapter Thirty-Six
- Location
- https://discord.gg/z9tBvbh
Chapter Thirty-Six
My mother kept her word. I had no doubts that she would, just like I had no doubts that she wouldn't be needlessly cruel. On the other hand, there is a fine line between child abuse and training, and while I might be considered an adult by the standards of the time, please let me not die by exhaustion alone.
My only moment of solace was apparently whenever a royal messenger from Gallia arrived with a letter from Isabella, because it meant I had to answer as soon as possible, and in turn this meant I was excused from memorizing lines, or gruesome training for the duration of writing the letter. The letters on her side were mostly whimsical. Things about how much she enjoyed the latest play at the theater, or how she took a vacation to Albion to admire the beautifully crafted jewels of the flying continent. Sometimes, she'd remark on how she and little Helene got into trouble with the Duke D'Orleans and his lady wife with random, everyday childish things.
And I wrote back common stuff, like how the weather was nice, how I would one day take her on my manticore for a flight, and inane stuff that passed through the heavy censorship of both of my parents before reaching the royal messenger who would have to make his way back to Gallia with due haste.
There was nothing else I could do, but cherish the fact that my break would soon be over.
"Today, you will come on patrol with me," as soon as she said that, I stood to full attention and stiffened my back considerably straight. "Foolish behaviors will not be tolerated," she added next, saddling up her manticore as I did the same with Freedom. "Stay behind me, and do not stray."
"Yes mother," I said. I had no intentions of doing that. Trespassing a border was akin to declaring war, especially because high ranked mages could easily cause earthquakes or ruin entire fiefs' worth of crops, wrecking up the lives of thousands with a simple chant. Nobles were practically weapons, the stronger the mage, the more powerful of a weapon, and thus the greater of an insult it would be if they crossed the border without authorization.
As we began to patrol our borders by air, I soon realized that there was a flock of red scaled dragons on the opposite side of the border doing pretty much the same. Whereas my mother sufficed alone, the Germanians somehow needed at the very least a good dozen or more of said dragon knights.
"Pay attention to the lay of the land," Karin said suddenly as she flew by my side, "How many Germanians do you see?"
I furrowed my brows at the question, and then glanced downwards. "Uhm...two dozens dragon knights, and I think there are ground troops hidden beneath the trees?"
"Not ground troops, simply border patrols and guards," Karin said. "Differently from Albion or Germania, Tristain does not have a native dragon population. We need to import them, or hope for a noble to summon one as their familiar. That is why, when possible, work that should normally be reserved for the dragon corps is handed over to one of the royal guards. Usually, it is the Manticore corps who handle those, but Griffin and Hippogriff corps are possible choices depending on what needs to be done, and the knight's skills."
I nodded, looking ahead even as Karin took a sudden turn with her manticore to the left, which I followed. "You'll be able to finish your schooling in Tristain," Karin said, "But afterwards, you'll head to Gallia to marry."
"That's-that's in two years!" I exclaimed, "Isabella's what, nine?"
"She'll turn ten this year, and be twelve when you marry," Karin said flatly, "The sooner you marry, the sooner the alliance will become solid."
I clenched the pommel of the manticore's saddle. "So I won't get to enter the manticore corps like you wanted."
"It's unfortunate," Karin said, "But necessary. You have always been peculiarly soft and kind hearted, Henry," Karin said. "Which is troublesome for a noble to have. Also, to avoid problems down the line, you should return the fief and the lands you own to your father before the marriage."
"I understand," I mumbled. "Then, I'll do my best not to worry you, mother."
"W-Worried? I am not worried, Henry," she retorted hotly. "Not about you in particular anyway," she huffed. "You might have some problems with controlling your emotions, but you always had a sound head on your shoulders. I know you will not bring too much shame to our family," she looked at the sky. "But we are losing time talking that could be better spent patrolling. Come, let us leave those Germanians on the other side of the border to eat our dust." And with that, she proceeded to increase the pace of her manticore, myself doing the same with Freedom.
Somehow, I had the feeling she was enjoying this.
Well, as restrained with rules as nobility was, one had to take his enjoyment wherever he could find some.
And soon, it was time once more for me to depart for the second year of the Tristain Magic Academy. The carriage was already filled with my stuff, the servants were ready to bid me goodbye, the mayor of my fief had been warned where to send the letters if the need arose, and the whole family was gathered there to see me leave.
"Mother," I said as I looked at her, "Once more, are breaches of etiquette allowed on the day of my departure?"
"No," Karin said flatly. "Such things will be punished most harshly, Henry."
"But, considering my current uniform, your punishment would need to be delayed at the very least until my return, is that not correct?" I asked, only to receive a stiff nod from Karin herself. "And said punishment will not lead to my death, nor to a permanent injury," I continued, "Thus, mother, I am willing to accept my punishment at my return."
With that said, I proceeded to hug in rapid succession Louise, Cattleya, Eleonore -who actually proved to offer the least amount of resistance- and then Karin herself, who lost most of her composure as she tried a sidestepping motion only for me to do pretty much the same.
"I'll miss you too, mother," I said with a giggle as I gave a twinkling-eyed nod to my father, who returned it with a smile himself.
Huffing, but still keeping up with her decorum, Karin's glare was legendary to behold. "When you come back, Henry, do not expect me to show you any mercy." And then she moved her fingers to settle up my uniform's mantle, "look at you-you crooked it," she huffed again. "Now go, before I decide to use my Heavy Wind to throw you there directly."
And with that said, I was off.
Freedom wasn't allowed on the grounds of the Academy since it allowed for the usage of horses -and also, to prevent students from going further than the capital depending on the size of their magical beast. This didn't prohibit magical familiars from being used though, so if someone ended up with a flying dragon, then he could use it to go as far as he wanted.
The sad thing was that while I had begun writing about the Lion Princess, I now had no choice but to burn it down and start writing another book, with far less troublesome undertones.
Perhaps an even greater set of classics?
Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and other assorted fairy tales.
My mother kept her word. I had no doubts that she would, just like I had no doubts that she wouldn't be needlessly cruel. On the other hand, there is a fine line between child abuse and training, and while I might be considered an adult by the standards of the time, please let me not die by exhaustion alone.
My only moment of solace was apparently whenever a royal messenger from Gallia arrived with a letter from Isabella, because it meant I had to answer as soon as possible, and in turn this meant I was excused from memorizing lines, or gruesome training for the duration of writing the letter. The letters on her side were mostly whimsical. Things about how much she enjoyed the latest play at the theater, or how she took a vacation to Albion to admire the beautifully crafted jewels of the flying continent. Sometimes, she'd remark on how she and little Helene got into trouble with the Duke D'Orleans and his lady wife with random, everyday childish things.
And I wrote back common stuff, like how the weather was nice, how I would one day take her on my manticore for a flight, and inane stuff that passed through the heavy censorship of both of my parents before reaching the royal messenger who would have to make his way back to Gallia with due haste.
There was nothing else I could do, but cherish the fact that my break would soon be over.
"Today, you will come on patrol with me," as soon as she said that, I stood to full attention and stiffened my back considerably straight. "Foolish behaviors will not be tolerated," she added next, saddling up her manticore as I did the same with Freedom. "Stay behind me, and do not stray."
"Yes mother," I said. I had no intentions of doing that. Trespassing a border was akin to declaring war, especially because high ranked mages could easily cause earthquakes or ruin entire fiefs' worth of crops, wrecking up the lives of thousands with a simple chant. Nobles were practically weapons, the stronger the mage, the more powerful of a weapon, and thus the greater of an insult it would be if they crossed the border without authorization.
As we began to patrol our borders by air, I soon realized that there was a flock of red scaled dragons on the opposite side of the border doing pretty much the same. Whereas my mother sufficed alone, the Germanians somehow needed at the very least a good dozen or more of said dragon knights.
"Pay attention to the lay of the land," Karin said suddenly as she flew by my side, "How many Germanians do you see?"
I furrowed my brows at the question, and then glanced downwards. "Uhm...two dozens dragon knights, and I think there are ground troops hidden beneath the trees?"
"Not ground troops, simply border patrols and guards," Karin said. "Differently from Albion or Germania, Tristain does not have a native dragon population. We need to import them, or hope for a noble to summon one as their familiar. That is why, when possible, work that should normally be reserved for the dragon corps is handed over to one of the royal guards. Usually, it is the Manticore corps who handle those, but Griffin and Hippogriff corps are possible choices depending on what needs to be done, and the knight's skills."
I nodded, looking ahead even as Karin took a sudden turn with her manticore to the left, which I followed. "You'll be able to finish your schooling in Tristain," Karin said, "But afterwards, you'll head to Gallia to marry."
"That's-that's in two years!" I exclaimed, "Isabella's what, nine?"
"She'll turn ten this year, and be twelve when you marry," Karin said flatly, "The sooner you marry, the sooner the alliance will become solid."
I clenched the pommel of the manticore's saddle. "So I won't get to enter the manticore corps like you wanted."
"It's unfortunate," Karin said, "But necessary. You have always been peculiarly soft and kind hearted, Henry," Karin said. "Which is troublesome for a noble to have. Also, to avoid problems down the line, you should return the fief and the lands you own to your father before the marriage."
"I understand," I mumbled. "Then, I'll do my best not to worry you, mother."
"W-Worried? I am not worried, Henry," she retorted hotly. "Not about you in particular anyway," she huffed. "You might have some problems with controlling your emotions, but you always had a sound head on your shoulders. I know you will not bring too much shame to our family," she looked at the sky. "But we are losing time talking that could be better spent patrolling. Come, let us leave those Germanians on the other side of the border to eat our dust." And with that, she proceeded to increase the pace of her manticore, myself doing the same with Freedom.
Somehow, I had the feeling she was enjoying this.
Well, as restrained with rules as nobility was, one had to take his enjoyment wherever he could find some.
And soon, it was time once more for me to depart for the second year of the Tristain Magic Academy. The carriage was already filled with my stuff, the servants were ready to bid me goodbye, the mayor of my fief had been warned where to send the letters if the need arose, and the whole family was gathered there to see me leave.
"Mother," I said as I looked at her, "Once more, are breaches of etiquette allowed on the day of my departure?"
"No," Karin said flatly. "Such things will be punished most harshly, Henry."
"But, considering my current uniform, your punishment would need to be delayed at the very least until my return, is that not correct?" I asked, only to receive a stiff nod from Karin herself. "And said punishment will not lead to my death, nor to a permanent injury," I continued, "Thus, mother, I am willing to accept my punishment at my return."
With that said, I proceeded to hug in rapid succession Louise, Cattleya, Eleonore -who actually proved to offer the least amount of resistance- and then Karin herself, who lost most of her composure as she tried a sidestepping motion only for me to do pretty much the same.
"I'll miss you too, mother," I said with a giggle as I gave a twinkling-eyed nod to my father, who returned it with a smile himself.
Huffing, but still keeping up with her decorum, Karin's glare was legendary to behold. "When you come back, Henry, do not expect me to show you any mercy." And then she moved her fingers to settle up my uniform's mantle, "look at you-you crooked it," she huffed again. "Now go, before I decide to use my Heavy Wind to throw you there directly."
And with that said, I was off.
Freedom wasn't allowed on the grounds of the Academy since it allowed for the usage of horses -and also, to prevent students from going further than the capital depending on the size of their magical beast. This didn't prohibit magical familiars from being used though, so if someone ended up with a flying dragon, then he could use it to go as far as he wanted.
The sad thing was that while I had begun writing about the Lion Princess, I now had no choice but to burn it down and start writing another book, with far less troublesome undertones.
Perhaps an even greater set of classics?
Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and other assorted fairy tales.
Dragonskyt
Ashen one, hearest thou my voice, still?
- Location
- Kiln of the First Flame
I'm actually kind of worried if Karin's role will be lessened once Henry's adventure in Gallia starts.
- Location
- United States of America
"Not ground troops, simply border patrols and guards," Karin said. "Differently (Definitely) from Albion or Germania, Tristain does not have a native dragon population. We need to import them, or hope for a noble to summon one as their familiar. That is why, when possible, work that should normally be reserved for the dragon corps is handed over to one of the royal guards. Usually, it is the Manticore corps who handle those, but Griffin and Hippogriff corps are possible choices depending on what needs to be done, and the knight's skills."
I think you meant to say definitely from, not differently from.
Your update speed is bordering on magic at this point. Either magic or ludicrous amounts of caffeine.
I think you meant to say definitely from, not differently from.
Your update speed is bordering on magic at this point. Either magic or ludicrous amounts of caffeine.
Dakkan Sall
Random Encounter
- Location
- On the world map
Hmm... so will he go with the nicer, more modern versions, or the darker 'Grimm' originals?
- Location
- Dreary ol' London Town
Pretty sure he means "differently" as in "unlike Albion or Germania, Tristan does not have a native dragon population"
Although we are already being spoilt by Shade's update speed, I can't help but want more!