World Building Challenge - Day 21 - Monsters

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1. 

In today's installment, some discussion of the fantastical creatures in the Firmament...

World Building Challenge - Day 20 - Feast

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1. 

In today's installment, the crew of the Rōnni provides a repast for the refugees...

World Building Challenge - Day 19 - The Poor

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1. 

In today's installment, a look at how life was in the mines for Izzur, where his wages were concerned...

World Building Challenge - Day 18 - Subculture

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1. 

In today's installment, a discussion of the significance of leaving one's World behind...

World Building Challenge - Day 17 - Funeral

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1. 

In today's installment, a spark passes from the Firmament...

World Building Challenge - Day 16 - Demons

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, remember: as in light, so in dark...

World Building Challenge - Day 15 - Legends

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, some talk of the Star-Born and the kinds of legends they have created...

World Building Challenge - Day 14 - Monument

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, witness the fall of Lord Balvene's statue after his defeat.

World Building Challenge - Day 13 - Bazaar

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, welcome to the Market at Reach Point Prime.

World Building Challenge - Day 12 - Pets

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, a brief glimpse at the pet of a merchant.

World Building Challenge - Day 11 - Fairytale

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

I got too into playing Cyberpunk 2077 on Day 10 to write this, so this is technically a day late, but I'm still committed to writing a prompt for every day. So.

In today's installment, a tale from Maldas-Of-Old, of Goldenbrow the King, who would become the wicked Morsban.

World Building Challenge - Day 10 - Ceremony

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, Captain Koroa oversees the swearing-in of new crewmates to his Ship.

World Building Challenge - Day 9 - Rulers

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, a discussion of why the Rōnni flies no banner, and some of the bad rulers they've encountered.

World Building Challenge - Day 8 - Secrets

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, a secret is revealed about the Star-Born.

World Building Challenge - Day 7 - Ritual

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, we have an account of the ritualistic introductions that take place between Maldasi tribes.

World Building Challenge - Day 6 - Gods

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, we have the story of Menid's Folly.

World Building Challenge - Day 5 - Emblem

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, Izzur beholds the station in Pacam's Reach and the various ships around it as they approach.

World Building Challenge - Day 4 - Heirloom

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, Jalen and his wife Nerra briefly meet with Keldie, and a discussion of protecting what's yours comes up.

World Building Challenge - Day 3 - Technology

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, the captain and chief engineer discuss a needed repair, while Izzur teaches a sheltered girl a little bit about a famous inventor.

World Building Challenge - Day 2 - Weekend

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.  

Preface: Most of my posts from this point on will likely focus on the crew of the Rōnni and the refugees with them, now I've done some of the cosmic establishment from Day 1.

In today's installment, the captain and refugee leader share a drink, while one of the other refugees joins a card game with some of the crew.

World Building Challenge - Day 1 - Origin

This is part of Faranesque's World Building Challenge from r/WorldBuilding. Check out my hub post for details.

Preface: I don't really have a "name" for whatever story this may end up becoming. For now, I suppose I'll call it The Firmament or Pansidera, for reasons you'll soon see.

Today's installment is a "creation story," the cosmic origin for the setting which will be the focus of my writings this month.

Dec 2020 - World Building Challenge - Hub Post

 

As some of my readers may have deduced, especially from those who have read my Gamr Drivl posts, I do like to world-build. I may not always be going into intense detail on it, but I love to craft a setting. Some of my friends can attest to this as well, as I can take ideas others have posited and extrapolate and expand on them. My fellow 'brother of the quill' Allan Ironside has been known to run ideas past me, and my friend Chris (one of my cohosts on the Bored To Death Bingecast) and I have dabbled in some of it with regards to Assassin's Creed. (Mostly taking some ideas that I put out in a Gamr Drivl about the series and expanding some on it.)

Anyway, I started following the sub-reddit r/WorldBuilding, so I could see what other people were creating. While most of the posts feature more of the artistic side of things-- people showing off maps, or creatures, or 'typical attire of a nation' fashion pics-- I still find it fascinating. Then I saw a post late last month from a redditor called faranesque which was one of those "daily challenge" things for world building.

While I don't know if I'll get something specifically for each day, I do have a general concept I want to build out and explore. Readers of this very blog will probably see familiar names and characters showing up, suitably tweaked to fit the new setting I'm constructing, as well as adaptations of some concepts I've posted reappearing. All this will be combined with the idea of "space mythology."

To this end, I'm working on building out notions and concepts for a setting I'm calling The Firmament, a science-fantasy universe where the Stars themselves are akin to gods, and have created powerful 'demigods' in the Star-Born, who invariably become legendary figures in the tales and stories that fill the Firmament.

Expect this post to be repeatedly updated over the course of the month, to include links to posts for specific days. Some entries will be "cosmic," and explain how the Firmament works in some way, and fill in the background of it. Some will be more "local," and focus on a crew of vagabonds on a ship called the Rōnni as they transport a group of refugees to a safe port.

When the month is over, I'll be doing more work to re-organize things, weave a more coherent narrative together, and some of these pieces may be re-written for use in a proper story.

Day 1: Origin

Day 2: Weekend

Day 3: Technology 

Day 4: Heirloom

Day 5: Emblem

Day 6: Gods

Day 7: Ritual

Day 8: Secrets

Day 9: Rulers

Day 10: Ceremony

Day 11: Fairytale

Day 12: Pets

Day 13: Bazaar

Day 14: Monument

Day 15: Legends 

Day 16: Demons

Day 17: Funeral

Day 18: Subculture 

Day 19: The Poor

Day 20: Feast

Day 21: Monsters

Destiny 2 - Riis-Lost: Lost to Whirlwind

The worlds were burning.

He growled as he saw the nodes on the comm panel winking out as world after world fell. He listened to the last, despairing transmissions, hearing the screams, and forced himself to harden his heart to them. He could take his fleet to these worlds, to try in vain to save them, or he could hurry back to see their homeworld, the creche of their people, protected and safe. These were not easy decisions to make, but desperate times like these necessitated them.

Let them hate him. He would accept being seen as heartless, of being unfeeling, if it meant his people would live. He would accept being viewed as a cold, emotionless automaton. Even now, he heard the whispers among his oathborn crew. That he had a heart of stone. If his people were safe due to his actions, then he would be a Kell of Stone.

Destiny 2 - Transcript of a Splintered Conversation

TYPE: Transcription

 

DESCRIPTION: Conversation between a person of interest and a high-value target

 

PARTIES: Three [3]: One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Wahei Ohr [WO] (POI #0247); One [1] Fallen-type, designate Loveks [LOV] (VIP #5353); One [1] Ghost-type, designate Vizier [VIZ]

 

ASSOCIATIONS: Black Fleet; Darkness; Eramis; Europa; Fallen; Light; Loveks; Ohr, Wahei; Salvation, House of [aka Darkness, House of; aka Dark Empire]; Splinter; Traitor's Die; Translation Needed; Traveler; Umbranomicon

// [Millie: Is there a reason we don't have a translation on the Fallen-speak? -FER-026]

 

[I tried my best, sir. It's not always easy to parse Riisan. Between the guttural way they speak it and the way their language compounds words, I've done the best I can. But as it is, I believe most of the untranslated stuff here is either shibboleth, jargon, or esoteric vocabulary that isn't in our regular dictionary. -MIL-921]

 

[I'll see about contacting Misraaks' fireteam to see if they can help. -FER-026]

 

[However you choose to get it done, update this transcript as soon as convenient. -AUN-326]

 

[If inconvenient, update all the same. -AUN-326] //

Destiny 2 - Fallen, Not Forgotten

The mood was grim in the ruined ketch. Koroa could smell it.

Destiny 2 - The Huntmaster, Forsworn

Phobos still bore the scars of ages past. Golden Age explorers had come here, mapped it, studied it for any resources to feed the hungry infrastructure for the cities that were built on the red planet below. Then, in the Dark Age, when the Cabal came, they'd drilled into it to build their base, where they'd sat, watching everything. And then, an Age later, the hand of the Taken King had descended and dragged much of it out of phase with the material plane as he'd greedily snatched up everyone he could, to grow his army. Since then, it sat silent, forgotten.

On a rocky rise, not far from the remnants of Fleetbase Korus, a pale figure stood, cradling his Longbore as he cast his gaze out.

Destiny 2 - Account of an Umbral Message

The lot of a Ghost was a dangerous one, Vizier reflected. He had searched the system for an age and a half before coming across his Guardian in the Reef. It had been a long, lonely, treacherous search, avoiding the notice of Fallen and Hive and Vex alike, cunning and keen and relentless as they had all been. (The Cabal, by comparison, were easy to avoid.) The Reef had not been welcoming, had really never been welcoming, even after all that his Guardian had done for them. After finding his Guardian, Vizier had been drawn into forbidding places and thrust into deadly situations, but he would never abandon his Guardian.

But Vizier was now having doubts about whether his Guardian would abandon him.

Destiny 2 - Proud of War

The Primus looked over the tactical map before him. The orange wireframes of the fleet were arrayed before him, while other shapes denoted the locations of the enemy, ringed in red circles. The outcome of the battle was not in doubt. These lesser races were tenacious, potent in their own way, but against the might of the unstoppable Cabal Empire, they could not stand. These lessers knew it, but refused to kneel and accept a place under the Empire's flag. They have chosen to die. Why? The Primus wondered this to himself as he leaned over the holotank.

Destiny 2 - Transcript of an Emerald Conversation

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Conversation with a person of interest

PARTIES: Three [3]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Titan, designate Donovan Morgan [DM] (POI #0268); One [1] Ghost-type, designate Eyeball [EB]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Aunor Mahal [AM] (AUN-326)

ASSOCIATIONS: Black Fleet; Crota; Darkness; Drifter; Emerald Coast (EDZ); Europa; Gambit; Hive; Kashaf, Afa [AKA Bog, Dredgen]; Mahal, Aunor; Morgan, Donovan; Morn, Eris; Ohr, Wahei; Rega-7; Sadihj, Samita; Tango, Charlie; Traitor's Die; Umbranomicon; Yor, Shadows of

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS...//

Destiny 2 - Transcript of a Praxic Meeting

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Excerpts from a Praxic Order meeting

PARTIES: One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Rhodes-6 [R6]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Aunor Mahal [AM]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Titan, designate Ferris Char [FC]

ASSOCIATIONS: Afa; Azzir, Rezyl; Black Fleet; Cull, Dredgen; Darkness; Luna; Mahal, Aunor; Morgan, Donovan; Ohr, Wahei; Praxic Order; Sadijh; Tango, Charlie; Toland; Traitor's Die; Umbranomicon; Yor, Dredgen

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS...//

Destiny 2 - Demagogue

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

They had arrived in the ruins of a human city. Koroa let his gaze look over the other Eliksni who had gathered here, from other crews, most of them wearing the tattered colors of House Dusk. Some still wore strips of cloth from older banners, most of them were grizzled veterans of the Long Siege. He spared a glance toward Hanka, but the old Eliksni was fussing with his ether mask, grumbling at it.

The broadwave transmissions from Europa kept coming. While all of their crew had tacitly agreed to ignore them, one had come through from another one of the Shipstealer's followers, asking all Eliksni to come and hear his message. Koroa knew it was going to be angry and poisonous, but it still needed to be heard, if only so it could then be dismissed.

Destiny 2 - Never Bow Again

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

The message was sent out on a broadwave transmission frequency. The voice spoke in the common human tongue, assured that the message would be understood by all who needed to receive it.

"To my Eliksni brothers and sisters out amongst the stars and here at home on Europa--We are the future of our kind, and we will destroy all who threaten us! Remember: Light only burns bright so long, but Darkness is forever!"

Destiny 2 - Dark Hunts

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

TYPE: Statement

DESCRIPTION: Debrief AAR-ENC-SS-2020

PARTY: One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter, designate [REDACTED]

ASSOCIATIONS: Darkness; Darkness, House of; Enceladus; Cabal; Cyrell; Fallen; Hive; Loveks; Red Legion; Savathûn; Savathûn, Blood of; Shikar; Vadison; Vex; Zela Tatu 

 

//STATEMENT BEGINS\\

Look, I'm only making this statement once, all right? I don't wanna get pulled into some windowless room to have questions demanded of me by a bunch of Praxics or whatever. They can have the cam-feed from my helmet and my Ghost's data, but that's it. I'm done after this.

Destiny 2 - A House of Dregs

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

Sterling helped set the crate down off the back of the truck, then turned to his employer. "You sure about this, C.T.?"

"Relax," came the reply. "I've worked with this crew before. Their pay is good." A smaller crate was set on top of the one Sterling had unloaded. "You worry too much."

Sterling shook his head, reflexively checking his pistol. "I'm just sayin', man, they're Fallen. Never met a Fallen that hasn't tried to kill me."

"You spend too much time dirtside. Head out to the Reef sometime. Long as you keep your piece holstered, they'll leave you be." A roguish smile and a spread of the hands. "Trust me."

Destiny 2 - Anax Was Here

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

The Hunter regarded the fall below them. It wasn't that the tower was tall, per say, so much as that it was treacherous. Nearly sheer surfaces, the frequent threat of an enemy spotter taking a shot, other hazards that one might collide with if one slipped, a seemingly bottomless void below... It was dangerous. Which was, of course, exactly why the Hunter was doing it. Anything worth doing was challenging.

"I know I say this every time," Cyrano grumbled, "but this is really stupid."

"And yet," the Hunter replied, "you keep saying it as if this time I'll come to my senses. What's that saying about insanity and doing the same thing over and over?"

Cyrano rolled his optic. "You come back to the Dreaming City once every three weeks to do this, knowing that it's just going to get erased by the curse, and I'm the one who's insane?"

The Hunter shrugged again. "It's not as if I'm not trying to help keep the Taken and whatever else is loose from taking over the Dreaming City. I am working while I'm here."

Destiny 2 - Transcript of a Twilight Conversation

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Conversation between persons of interest

PARTIES: Two [2]. One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter [u.1]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Wahei Ohr [WO] (POI #0247)

ASSOCIATIONS: Darkness; Hive; Mahal, Aunor; Malphur, Shin; Ohr, Wahei; Praxic Archives; Praxic Order; Thorn; Traitor's Die; Umbranomicon; WoS; Yor, Dredgen; Yor, Shadows of

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS...//

Destiny 2 - Transcript of a Disavowed Conversation

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Communication with person of interest

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Rhodes-6 [R6]; One [1] Ghost-type, designate Apollo [AP]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Wahei Ohr [WO] (POI#0247)

ASSOCIATIONS: Darkness; Luna; Mahal, Aunor; Ohr, Wahei; Praxic Archives; Praxic Order; Sword Logic; Tango, Charlie; Toland; Traitor's Die; Umbranomicon

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS//

Destiny 2 - Transcript of an Illicit Conversation

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Conversation between persons of interest

PARTIES: Two [2]. One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Wahei Ohr [WO] (POI#0247); One [1] Guardian-type, Class N/A [u.1] (VIP#1315)

ASSOCIATIONS: Drifter; Magpie District; Mahal, Aunor; Ohr, Wahei; Praxic Archives; Praxic Order; Tango, Charlie; Traitor's Die; Umbranomicon

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS//

Destiny 2 - Transcripts of a Poker Game and a Back Alley Conversation

Foreword: I've been especially active in the r/DestinyJournals subreddit as of late, and began writing a number of different shorts. I'm going to start re-posting them here.

ACCESS: RESTRICTED

DECRYPTION KEY: 83VT2P4AN0$AUN-326

> REMOTE DATABASE TEXT-ONLY ACCESS INITIALIZED.

> WELCOME, USER "PRAXICTEMPLAR".

> PLEASE ENTER COMMAND.

> open private directory "ohr case"

> DIRECTORY LOCKED.

>PLEASE ENTER PASSWORD.

> ****************

> DIRECTORY UNLOCKED.

> PLEASE ENTER COMMAND.

> open transc "parlour-backroom03-0247

----------------

TYPE: Transcription

DESCRIPTION: Conversation between various parties in a back room of The Parlour (Magpie District, Last City)

PARTIES: Six [6]. One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter, designate Sleight-3 [S3]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter, designate "Lady" Olu Alderdice [OA] (POI#0195); One [1] Guardian-type, Class Hunter, designate Rega-7 [R7]; One [1] Guardian-type, Class Warlock, designate Wahei Ohr [WO] (POI#0247); One [1] human, designate Charlie Tango [CT] (POI#0320); One [1] human, designate Paul Kent [PK]

ASSOCIATIONS: Alderdice, "Lady" Olu; Dusk Tarot; Kent, Paul; Ohr, Wahei; Parlour; Rega-7; Sleight-3; Tango, Charlie

//AUDIO UNAVAILABLE//

//TRANSCRIPT FOLLOWS...//

Destiny 2: SHADEBINDER

Wielding an elemental force of creation and destruction is different for me.

Titans and Hunters see the paracausal forces we wield as mere tools, unfazed by the sheer fury of the storm or the raw power of the sun or the sapping nothingness of the void. They can pick them up and put them down, shape them into tools and weapons to be used.

They don't know what it means to embody the element itself, to draw it into oneself and become it. To straddle that line between light and dark, and step outside the bounds of time and space. To hear the song of the solar fire and shape it into a sword. To step into the eye of the gale with serenity and let the storm dance within.

I see them now, bearing these new powers born of the primordial ur-predator, and none of them understand what it is they're using. They think it is merely another tool in their kit, another weapon in their arsenal. Look at them now, plodding and proud with their newfound power, sneering and smug with their sharpened sickles. They don't know what it is they're wielding.

Not like I do.

I have steeped myself in it. As I did with the void, I moved outside boundaries-- those imposed by the dogmas of the Light. As I did with solar fire, I have heard the song-- the rhythm and rime of a song of silence. As I did with the gale, I stepped into the storm and looked into its eye as it looked into me.

What good are your tools and weapons when I can reach out and make them heed my will? What good is your glacial force when I can halt you in your tracks? What good is your withering squall when I can silence it with a whisper?

The Dark is merely your tool. But I have truly harnessed it. Encompassed it.

Binded it.

Destiny 2: REVENANT

Do you know, I am often asked how I could possibly survive out in the wilds?

Soft, safe "good people of the City," some of whom never set foot outside the wall, until the Red Legion forced them to. Who found the world outside was dangerous and that all the comforts they took for granted were gone. Whose eyes were opened after a few weeks of famine and fear.

They weren't there when I delved into the ruins of the old world left by the Collapse. They weren't there as I braved places so far from safety, facing horrors their simple little brains couldn't imagine. They've never seen the fetid maw of a monster born out of the Darkness as it hungered for me and my Light, never had to face off against a Fallen Captain snarling hate and spite, never had to dash for cover from the barrage of a Cabal fortress, never had to look a Vex Minotaur in its eye and see nothing but cold calculated dispassionate murder looking back.

They can only imagine such things, colored by their paltry experience with hardship. But I don't hate them for their narrow concerns.

I reserve it for the Titans, who glare as I walk by, who envy me for my cape, who call me coward for being quick to dodge. They throw up their little bubble shields when I snap out my Golden Gun, while their buddy comes around the corner to shoulder charge me into the wall, bellowing about how they bring the thunder, bragging about the victory they had fixed for them in the Guardian Games.

I reserve it for the Warlocks, with their arrogant smirks, who think they have all the answers, who preen about their robes, who act smug about their ability to blink about the battlefield, and boast about how they can command the fury of the tempest. They look down at me and scoff that I cannot withstand the storm.

Shhh.

None of them understand. I am faster than the Titan, especially when I slow time around them. I silence their thunder and their fury with a cold snap. I am more cunning than the Warlock, especially when I know the battlefield better than them and shape it to my needs. I silence their empty words and their sneering pride with a frigid blade.

I cannot withstand the storm? No.

I AM the storm.

Destiny 2: BEHEMOTH

 

You think I don't know what people say about Titans like me? I get it.

Hunters are swift and nimble, they can outrun a lightning strike, jump over an Ogre in the blink of an eye. They can shoot a Vex in the juice box with a twitch of their hand, or pin a Shank to the wall with an arrow through its turbines without killing it, or dance around with a staff and send all your bullets right back at you.

Warlocks are cunning and studious, they can tie the laws of reality into knots, figure out everything that makes you tick. They can fly around on wings of sunfire, walk into the fury of a thunderstorm and bend it to their will, or traverse the very boundaries of time and space between Light and Dark.

I may be slow and plodding compared to the Hunter. I may be thick and stupid compared to the Warlock. But while the Hunter prances around me, going for those precision shots, I am weathering the hail of gunfire, advancing inexorably toward them, the very ground quaking where I walk. The Warlock may be faster on the uptake, I may be a slow learner, but I do get there.

Let me show you what I have learned.

For I bring with me the crushing force of a glacier. Where can you run, Hunter, when I shape the very landscape around you to block you in? How much will your cunning save you, Warlock, when you cannot move from my inevitable fist?

Go ahead and speak now. But remember that you cannot plead with an avalanche.

Concept: A Rashomon-Style TV Series

This idea came to me a while ago while chatting with a coworker. I got to talking about Rashomon-style narrative structure, and then as I was talking, I came up with this idea. More below the break.

Gamr Drivl: Phantom - A Reverse-Horror Concept

Last month, Devolver Digital released the game Carrion, described as a "reverse-horror" game. Drawing inspiration from movies like The Thing, it deals with an amorphous tentacled horror that hunts down humans in a sprawling underground complex as it tries to escape to the surface. What makes it reverse-horror is that instead of playing a human trying to escape/evade the monster, you play the monster.

The concept of "reverse-horror," as Carrion presents it, is an interesting one, and I think it deserves more development. I'll discuss it more below the break.

Setting Notes: The Grand Republic of Whardon

One of the things I initially created this blog for was as a place where I could put my notes and ideas and concepts out there, in part to "get them down on paper" (in a manner of speaking) and thus out of my head, so that other ideas might start growing.

So, a few years ago, I got to thinking about a setting with your typical "tyrannical overlord" type, but specifically about the "faceless minions" that defend said overlord. Like, the minions were brainwashed or whatever to serve him loyally, but then the overlord is defeated, and the minions now find themselves cleared of the brainwashing. Issue becomes the defeated state of the now-executed overlord finds itself conflicted with the fact they were used, lied to, etc. I was thinking of exploring the concept in a story, and while I've not managed to get that idea to congeal into a proper story, I do still have my notes from when I was sketching things out.

While the initial concept was for a fantasy setting, as I sat and thought it over, I instead took it into a near-future modern-type setting. I spent a good week or so reading up on subjects like Hitler's rise to power, so I could try to properly construct the background of the setting. I retooled the "brainwashed minions" idea into a "super soldier" type instead, and that factored into the development of everything. Because I knew that the overlord would look askance at super soldiers that might not obey him or try to overthrow him ("superior ability breeds superior ambition"), he would need to come up with a way to ensure their loyalty.

What follows below the break are my notes on the "Grand Republic of Whardon."

Gamr Drivl: Destiny 2 Battle Royale

A couple of years ago, almost every shooter game out there was scrambling to join the "battle royale" craze, after Playerunknown's Battlegrounds and then Fortnite popularized it. There were plenty of PUBG clones out there, with their own various gimmicks to differentiate themselves. While some, like Apex Legends and Call of Duty Warzone, are popular in their own right, Fortnite remains the most popular with its evolving world and seasonal content.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big Destiny fan. If you've been following my blog, you know this as well, as I've written various Destiny-related pieces over time. I enjoy the gameplay (PvP modes aside) and especially the lore. And, like many Destiny players, I contemplated how it might create a battle royale game mode, but never put too much thought in it.

I've never really been into the battle royale craze. It sparked some curiosity, but my dislike of most PvP game modes kept me away from it. I'll admit that a lot of this dislike comes from my lack of skill in PvP games-- and I don't have the patience to "git gud." The grind just isn't fun to me. But more recently, I got to thinking about a "Destiny Battle Royale" mode again. More below the break.

Authority's Mast

Preface: I wrote this piece a while back and just realized it never got posted here to my blog. I wrote this as I imagined various Destiny "exotic weapon lore" entries for Fallen-inspired weapons. I posted it to r/DestinyJournals, but never here for whatever reason. More details after the piece.    

Gamr Drivl: Arkham Beyond

If you're a fan of Batman video games, chances are, you've played or at least heard of the Batman: Arkham series. Created by Rocksteady Studios and distributed by Eidos Interactive beginning in 2009, they were one of the first Batman games to come close to fully encapsulate what it was like to be Batman. Besides just beating up thugs and rogues, there was emphasis on his detective skills as well. 

The games feature tons of references to the Batman comics and TV series-- more than just DLC costumes to wear-- and even some lesser-known characters were highlighted or shown off. The combat system was praised and has been seen emulated in other games (Mad Max and Shadow of Mordor come to mind) and the use of the various gadgets helped with that feel of being Batman. And it helped that he was being voiced by the man that my generation heavily associates with the character-- Kevin Conroy.

I feel that Arkham Knight was a good conclusion to the story being told, but there's still a way they can continue making Arkham games without compromising it too much. And that's to take the series to the future.

Submitted for the approval of the Gamr Drivl readers, I call this idea: Arkham Beyond.

(Spoilers for the Arkham series below the break.)

A Dawning Gift - a Destiny 2 piece

Preface: I wrote this piece back during the holiday season. In Destiny 2, there is an in-game holiday called 'The Dawning' which fills the role of Christmas, New Year's, and other assorted winter holidays. There is also a friendly Fallen who has been featured in recent lore, who has a Guardian fireteam working with him. So, inspired, I wrote a thing.

Gamr Drivl: Star Wars Bounty Hunter

There's never been a shortage of Star Wars video games. From starfighter simulators like X-Wing and TIE Fighter, to shooter games like Dark Forces, Shadows of the Empire, and Battlefront, to adventure titles like Jedi Fallen Order. The quality may vary (looking in your direction, Masters of Teräs-Käsi) or be surrounded with controversy (Battlefront II), but there's never been a lack of them.

There was a game that had been in development prior to the Disney buyout of Lucasfilm that had been tentatively titled Star Wars 1313, which would have been the first game to not feature The Force in some way. 1313 would have explored the seedy underbelly of Coruscant, the capital world of the Republic/Empire, and centered around famed bounty hunter Boba Fett and an unnamed partner. Alas, Disney cancelled the project when they took over the Star Wars franchise.

But with the success of The Mandalorian, I think we could re-explore the concept a bit.

Night Predator

You're a monster under the bed. Everyone in the house is asleep. You just heard someone break in.

Author Preface: I subscribe to the r/WritingPrompts subreddit, largely just to read some of the interesting prompts and the equally interesting responses people compose from it. I saw this one the other day, and something just came to me. Not quite keeping with the prompt, but that's how the writing process works sometimes. Story below the break.