The State of the Chronicles and my vision for The Video Game

This month, we got a little worldbuilding done, started yet another draft of The Video Game, and started a series on combating writer's block.

When we do get a playable version of The Video Game out to you, I'm planning on it to be a good, long adventure with tons of things to do (eg. huge dungeons to explore, secrets and side quests, mini games, etc.) That said, it won't be too easy, but it won't be tear your hair out hard, either. (about Zelda caliber puzzles)

Thoughts: Lord of the Gemsinger

So I watched the Lord of the Rings movies for the first time in a long time, and one piece in the special features stood out to me.

It is said that Tolkien wanted his world of Middle-earth to feel like a real place. Likewise, I hope Shokiyu (in both its written and digital forms) is shaping up to be the same way.

If there's any topic you want to see discussed for either form of Shokiyu, please drop a line in the comments.

The Video Game lives!

Take a look at the first (short and sweet) look at the new version of The Video Game: Here

Writer's Block Resource #1: Chaotic Shiny

One of my favorite things to do when I'm stuck on a story is to use a generator (and there are plenty of them out there)

Seventh Sanctum is the definitive site when it comes to generators, but another favorite I like is Chaotic Shiny--you can generate an entire fantastic town, to the world its set in and even generate songs for your minstrels to sing.

If you want to check it out, head here

How to Deal With Writer's Block--An Intro

We all go through it at some point as writers--you're before the page (or screen) and the words don't come. Or many ideas are coming at once and you don't know where to begin. Whatever it is, we know it by one name--writer's block.

But you don't have to let writer's block get the best of you--over the next few days I will share some things I do to combat writer's block in hopes they too will inspire some other budding writers

Shokiyan Language, Day 4

◦What are the variations in speech patterns, syntax, and slang from one social class to another?

--The use of contractions lessens the further up the ladder you go
--Different classes have different slang for the same expression (so a miner might refer to a streak of luck as a "crown jewel", while a merchant would refer to that as a "great deal")
--plus some I don't want to give away yet

Shokiyan Language, Day 3

Are there “secret” languages or codes known only by priests, soldiers, wizards, guild members, etc.? Why were they developed?

There are secret codes on Shokiyu--they are mainly used to protect the rulers (akin to the US Secret Service)

Shokiyan Language, Day 2

◦Are some or all people bilingual?

Most Shokiyans know at least 2 (the Alweld and the holy tongue), but those that know three or more is not unheard of

The Language of Shokiyu, Day 1

I don't know if we've discussed this topic or not, but just in case...

◦Is there a “trade language” that facilitates commerce between countries that don’t speak the same tongue? Is there a “universal language” spoken by educated or noble persons, as Latin was in the Middle Ages?

English (or as my beings call it, the All-wielder's Tongue, or the Alweld for short) is considered the common tongue. Like English in our world, it has borrowed words from the other languages present. (and they have borrowed words from the Alweld in turn)

Shokiyan History, Day 6

◦How many languages are there?

There are many languages in Shokiyu, but the most common ones are the Alweld (their name for English), Ruhar (the elven tongue, which is a mixture of Spanish, Japanese, and Gaelic) and the holy tongue (which very few have heard besides priests and Seers)

Shokiyan History, Day 5

◦Where did civilization begin? What directions did it spread?

The first pairs of all the races appeared at different points in the regions they now call home. For the humans (as an example), the first man and woman appeared at a point exactly in the center of the world--where an obelisk named "The Point of Awakening" stands.

No matter where they first appeared, the five races immediately spread out across Shokiyu in every direction.

Shokiyan History, Day 4

◦Which peoples/countries/races have traditionally fought, allied, traded, or been rivals?

The humans and the elves have had alternating periods of good and bad relations until non-human prejudices died out about 1000 years ago. Nowadays, the elves and the avris are the humans' top trade partners. While the elves and the dwarves are not sworn enemies, they do maintain a friendly rivalry in weapon and artifact making

Shokiyan History, Day 3

◦How long have there been people on this world? Did they evolve, were they created by the gods, or did they migrate from somewhere else?

People (non-humans included) have exisited on Shokiyu for about 5000 years (give or take a millenium). While they were all created by Meikon and the Twelve Stones, over time, they all migrated to where you find them today

The History of Shokiyu, Day 2

Do average people believe old tales, or do they dismiss some that have a basis in fact?

Shokiyans are very respectful in the old tales, since one of them (the Gemsinger legend) will save their world in its darkest hour

The History of Shokiyu, Day 1

◦How far back are there records or tales of historical events? How widely known are these stories?

Accounts and records go back to 5000 years before the First Appearing, but the earliest people talk about is 3000 years BFA (Before the First Appearing), because not much is known about the earliest accounts of Shokiyu

Welcome Back

Now that we're all rested from the long weekend, what topic should we discuss next?

Break time

With the holiday weekend coming up, I'm taking a break for the Fourth of July