A Formal Introduction

I have talked alot about my story and my characters, but I don't think I have ever actually formally introduced you to each one, and since they are so dear to me, I don't see any reason to not let you begin to know them as well.

I will begin, of course, with Rowan Oakly, my main character...

Rowan is strong willed and fierce. When her father goes missing, she is not the kind to sit around and wait for the adults to find him. No, with the help of her closest friends (Arries, Atokad, Soryn and the Black Twins) she sets out on her own to track down the people who have kidnapped her father and the crown prince. Little does she know that she will uncover a plot far larger than any of them could have ever anticipated. Weapon of choice... definitely the sword and the sling for long range.

Arries Retawz has been Rowan's best friend for as long as they could remember...

Arries is a healer at heart, and has always been more at ease with the forest than with people, but for the sake of king and country she has set aside the quiet peace of the forest and became a fiercely loyal, and extremely useful piece in the fight to reclaim Azeroth from the evil hoards of Falcon. Weapon of choice... A bow and a dagger.

Soryn Llyr has been alone for most of his life...

His father was murdered when he was eight, and his step mother chased him out of the house not long afterwords. He grew up on the streets, and has learned to trust no one. When you first meet him he appears bitter and distrustful and often downright unfriendly at times, but once you get to know him you will find him loyal and full of mischief. Weapon of choice... a bow and the long knife his father gave him before he died. H is proficient with the sword as well.He is also extremely good at knife throwing.

Atokad Retawz has been trained by one of the best...

He is quiet and logical, and is always there to help when you need a cool and level head. He was born and raised in the coastal village of Radcliffe and the surrounding forest. He is the son of Darryl Retawz, one of the most wanted men in the opposing kingdom, and he was trained in the war arts, and particularly the Ranger arts by Galien, a ranger and "spy" known throughout the kingdom and is even legendary in Falcon's army. Atokad and Soryn have some extreme tolerance issues until around the middle of the book, then they get it sorted out.

Darryl Retawz grew up on the seas, but is now one of the most wanted men in the opposing kingdom...

Darryl is half dwarven. His father was a dwarvish pirate, so naturally and grew up on the sea. He was trained by the best in the arts of navigation, trading, seafaring, and the dwarf favorite... Warfare. When he ran away from his father and that lifestyle, he was hired by the merchant, Brogan. But not only has he been working for Brogan, he is also one of the leaders of the rebellion against Falcon.

Galien is the close childhood friend of Brogan Oakley, and also one of the most skilled ranger in Azeroth...

He was born in Galica, but when they ran out of food on the island because of an enormous army encamped on it's rocky lands, his family moves to the Highlands, where he meets Brogan Oakley. The two boys grow up together and train together as warriors. (There is alot more to this story, but alas, I cannot speak of it yet). Eventually Brogan settles down and has a family and becomes a merchant, (though he is very active in the rebellion as well). Galien takes to training young rangers and doing anything in his power to oppose Falcon.

Sir James was once the old kings most trusted knight, but since the kings death and the disappearance of the crown prince, he has been made to go into hiding...

Since the disappearance of the prince, James has been doing everything in his power to stop Falcon from taking over Azeroth. He has become the head of the rebellion, with Darryl, Galien and Arries as his most valuable weapons.

Flint is the king of the Elves but he has wandered alone for many years...

Flint is a wise and gentle leader, and also the greatest warrior the elves have known for many centuries. Nearly 150 years ago, there was a great battle that ended badly. Flint was separated from his people, and the people had no choice but to flee without him. They left a riddle for him to find, if he lived, that would lead him to their hiding place. Ever since then, he and his daughter Jossa have wandered Azeroth, searching for the answer to the riddle. He is the one person Falcon wants to find the most. They were once friends before Falcon turned dark.

Falcon has been fighting for many years for throne of Azeroth, and he is finally so close...

Raised with an abusive father, he ran away after he watched his mother die at his fathers hands. He was taken in by a order of assassins and trained by them. It didn't take long for him to become the best of them, and eventually their leader. He now longs for the throne of  Azeroth, but most of all, to find and kill his childhood friend, Flint, whom he is convinced betrayed him.

Niki was found in a boat wreck as a baby, and is now one of the most feared assassins and Falcon's "Significant Other"...

Niki is the most feared and skilled assassin in all of Azeroth. She has never failed a quest, and once she is on your tail, there is no escaping.

Jossa is Flint's only child and travels with him throughout Azeroth...

Jossa's mother disappeared when she was three, and ever since then, she has traveled with her father, Flint.

Well, I think that is all of the important characters at least, Let me know what you think of them! Soryn, Rowan, Falcon and Jossa are my favorites, but Soryn is definitely my most favorite.

Arries

Conversations with my characters!

Okay, I found this on Cosette's blog, and thought I would try. 

Now, just for your information, I have already had a talking to with all of these characters, and they have all agreed to get along while I interview them.

The character's I am interviewing:

Rowan:

 

Soryn:

Flint:

And Falcon (yes, I do trust him to keep his word and be peaceable. Now if it was Skree....)

Okay, here it goes. You ready guys?


Me: Do you want a hug?
Rowan:Eeew!
Soryn: *Glares in disgust*
Flint: *Looks slightly confused and cocks head to one side* Why?
Falcon: Of course, if it would make you more comfortable *Smiles charmingly*


Me: Do you have any kids?
Rowan: Really, I'm seventeen and your asking if I have kids?
Soryn: Kids? You have got to be kidding me. 
Flint: I have a daughter
Falcon: Of course not, what would I do with kids?
Soryn: *Sneers* Besides torture them or turn them into your slimy little minions you mean.
Falcon: No, I wouldn't do that to my own, I have everyone else's children to do that to *smiles again*


Me: Soryn, mind your manors. Have any of you ever killed anyone?
Rowan: Besides assisting in killing the five assassins you just set me up against, no, not yet.
Soryn: I've been in my share of fights, living on the streets and all, but I don't know if I ever actually killed someone.
Flint: More than I would like.
Falcon: *Grins wolfishly over at Flint* Thousands, and thousands yet to come!


Me: Love Anyone?
Rowan: I love my family, and my friend, Arries.
Soryn: *Sneers* What is love.
Flint: My people, and my daughter most of all.
Falcon: I loved someone, once... *Narrows eyes angrily at Flint*, but he killed her.
Flint: Falcon, she was an assassin. She was killing my people, I had no ch---
Falcon: Silence!
Me: Guys! GUYS! Cool it.


Me: What is your job
Rowan: Other than regular house chores? I don't know, I clean the barn sometimes, and I help my dad with the merchandise.
Soryn: I work with my uncle. He is a horse trainer.
Flint: Other than that I am the king of the elves---
Falcon: *Sneers* What elves?
Me: Falcon.
Flint: *Frowns at Falcon* Other than that I am king of the elves, my job is to protect Azeroth from ah... *glances at Falcon* ...Tyranny. 
Falcon: I am proud to say that I am an assassin, a slayer of elves, a war lord, a tyrant, and best of all, I am the future lord of Azeroth!


Me: Favorite season?
Rowan: Autumn! I love harvest time!
Soryn: I don't care, as long as it isn't raining.
Flint: Spring and summer
Falcon: Summer


Me: Who's your best friend
Rowan: Arries
Soryn: I don't have friends
Rowan: What about Atokad
Soryn: I don't like Atokad
Rowan: You could if you would only be nice to him and give him half a chance
Soryn: *Snorts* doubt it.
Flint: He was mine... once *nods head towards Falcon* but now my closest companion is my daughter.
Falcon: Didn't I tell you before that I didn't have any friends?
Me: Yes, yes. 


Me: Hobbies?
Rowan: Sword fighting, shooting my sling and escaping my sewing to run out in the woods.
Soryn: Eating!!!
Rowan: *Snorts in disgust* Boys.
Soryn: No, seriously. When you live on the streets you never know when your next meal will be.
Flint: Reading
Falcon: *Grins cheerfully*
Soryn: Uh-oh
Falcon: Torture!
Soryn: I knew it.


Me: What are you going to do when this tag is over?
Rowan: I have to go practice with Sir James
Soryn: Clean stalls, get in another brawl with Atokad, I don't know!
Flint: I promised my daughter I would go with her to Lord Brogan's library.
Falcon: I have to go straighten something out with... uh... my men.


Me: What is your eye color?
Rowan: Green, flecked with gold
Soryn: Black
Flint: Flint Grey
Falcon: Black


Me: Are you good or bad
Rowan: What kind of question is that? The only bad one here is him *waves hand at Falcon*
Falcon: *Smiles and bows slightly* and proud of it my lady!
Soryn: If He is bad, than I am good.
Flint: No one is good, but if your question is if I seek to do right, then yes.


Me: What is your greatest fear? 
Rowan: Loosing my family
Soryn: I don't fear anything
Flint: Failing those I love
Falcon: Dying before I have killed every elf in the world in the most painful ways I can imagine.


Me: What do you think about your parents?
Rowan: I love them.
Soryn: I never met my mom, and my dad was a good man... I think. He died when I was eight.
Flint: They were the best of parents.
Falcon: *Scowls at me* My mom was a good, gentle, fragile woman. I loved her. My father was a Dwarven brute and beat both of us all the time, until he finally beat my mother to death. I hated him.


Me: Any siblings?
Rowan: I have a sister, Gwen
Soryn: *shudders* I have a half brother.
Flint: I had four; three brothers and a sister.
Falcon: Yes, and I enjoyed killing every one of them. I have no siblings.


Me: Do you have any weaknesses?
Rowan: I have a temper problem
Soryn: Of course not!
Flint: I'd rather not say with Falcon present.
Falcon: Why, are you afraid of me? Wouldn't that be a weakness?

Me: What  is your favorite element?
Rowan: Steel
Soryn: Water
Flint: Light
Falcon: Blood, fire and gold


Me: Do you care what people think of you?
Rowan: Kind of, I suppose.
Soryn: No
Flint: I am not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if it makes others think ill of you.
Falcon: Even when it means betraying your friend.
Flint: Falcon, I had to tell them, I told---
Falcon: I only care what people think of me if it gets me my way.


Me: Okay, okay, last one. What race are you?
Rowan: Human
Soryn: Human
Flint: Elvin
Falcon: Elvin and Dwarven


Okay every one, sorry to keep you all up so late, you may go now! Good night my loves!


I guess I should bid you good night as well.
Fare thee well. 
Arries

For lack of anything else at the moment

Several of my characters have been rebelling lately and my plot has been tying it's self in knots, and so, as a result, my story has been doing a lot of changing around. So now, for lack of something better to post, I am going to re-do a tag I did in March, just for the fun of seeing how much has changed. I will leave my old answers there in Italics for comparison.

1. What’s your word count?
Currently 'tis exactly 1,541, but I plan on changing that today.
It is 218 now. I told you my story changed alot!2. How long until you finish?
I have not the faintest idea!
Still.

3. If you have finished, how long did it take you?
unfortunately I haven't finished.
Still.

4. Do you have an outline?
Yes, but it changes all the time

Yes I do. My dad/editor made me write it all out on paper. 

5. Do you have a plot? 
I'm coming to realize, to my alarm, that I don't have one, or at lest not much of one.

Yes I do, and it is very rebellious.

6. How many words do you typically write a day?It depends on what type of scene I am typing. If it is a fight, alot (never counted them) and if it is a slow boring scene, sometimes I'm lucky if I make it to ten.
I wrote two yesterday!

7. What was your greatest word count in one day?Not a clue!?!?! the last one I COUNTED, was 543, but I am sure I've done more that that.
1,003, and it turned out AWESOME!!!!!!

8. What was your least impressive word count in one day?
Three words.
Two now.

9. What inspired you to write?"If I don't write to empty my mind, I go mad."- Lord Byron.
I first found out that I loved writing when I was around 10, when my grandma asked my brother Dakota and I to write a short story for a homeschool project. I have been writing ever since.

Unless I can change my past, that answer will always be the same.

10. Does your novel/story have a theme song?
Hmmm, I've never really thought about that before, it would be kind of fun!
It has a few, but the only one that comes to mind right now is "The Blood of Cu Chulainn" by Jeff & Mychael Danna


11. Assign each of your major characters a theme song.
Maybe I will, if I ever manage to find the time to do it.
Well, I have one for Flint now as you saw in the last post.


12. Which character is most like you?
Well. the character that is me, Arries, is most like me.
That and my main character Evelyn is changing, and becoming a bit more like me.


13. Which character would you most likely be friends with?
Evelyn, my main character. Her fiery personality would do well with my quiet, watchful one.
Yes, and now a new character that has just barged her way into my imagination.


14. Do you have a Gary-Stu or Mary Sue character?
Huh????
Still, Huh????


15. Who is your favorite character in your novel?
I couldn't pick a favorite to save my life! I LOVE them all! (yes, even my bad guys).
At the moment (note of caution to reader: at the moment means it could change at any time without warning) my favor in bouncing between Falcon (who just grew more evil than even I had hoped for), Flint (who is altogether wonderful) and Soryn (a little imp who has wormed his way into my heart).


16. Have your characters ever done something completely unexpected?
No, I don't believe they have. This must be remedied!
*weary sigh* Why did I ever write the above quote?!?!? I used to have tame characters! Here are just a few of the unexpected twists; Falcon is now the head of a secret brotherhood as well as warlord, Flint just let me know that he got married a century ago and had a daughter, I now have an upstart trying to usurp Falcons place as head of the brotherhood, Falcon's apprentice has become the most dangerous and feared assassin alive and Falcon's greatest tool, Evelyn has switched mentors on me, Arries is now a master spy, Ev has an uncle who was supposed to be dead, And of all things, Evelyn has switched her name on me!!! It is now Rowen.


17. Have you based any of your novel directly on personal experiences?
Most certainly.
Yes again!


18. Do you believe in plot bunnies?
YES! They forever torment me!
*Screams in torment and pulls on hair* I love them, really, I do.


19. Is there magic in your novel/story?
Not a bit, unless elves and dragons are magical.
Still holding to that one.


20. Are any holidays celebrated in your novel/story?
No holidays, but there is a coronation and two weddings in the end.
Just the usual village dances, two coronations, a joyous reunion of a certain king and his long lost people, and one wedding.

21. Does anyone die?
Does anyone die? What kind of question is that? I would be a disgrace to all writers and have to hide in shame for the rest of my life if no one died. It is a story of treason, treachery and good eventually overcoming, OF COURSE PEOPLE DIE!!!
With the addition of the secret brotherhood even more people die than before.


22. How many cups of coffee/tea have you consumed during your writing experience?
Far too many to count! You must have a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate if you are writing on a cold day!

Tea and ink is the blood of an author, and coffee is life giving.

23. What is the latest you have stayed up writing?
I am not supposed to to stay up past 10:30, but I stay up until exactly then quite often!

I stayed awake until 11:30 on accident a couple of weeks ago

24. What is the best line?Let's go with the opening line, because I love mine, and it sets the mood for the entire story. "The day had been dark and threatening, and now, a few hours past noon, the storm broke with a tremendous crash of thunder. In just a few moments torrents of water began flowing through the now deserted streets of the small coastal town of Radcliff. The usually busy market in the town center was now strangely still. Not a sound could be heard, save the rain splattering on the rooftops and in the barren streets. Suddenly, above the mournful howl of the wind, a sound could be heard. Hoofbeats." 

I'll leave it at that for now.

25. What is the worst line?

Far too many to count
Still so.

26. Have you dreamed about your novel/story or its characters?
Oh yes. Many times! I have come up with some of my best scenes that way.
Yes, they torment me even in my sleep.

27. Does your novel rely heavily on allegory?
Nope.

28. Summarize your novel/story in under fifteen words.Oh dear. *sighs*. Ok, here it goes, "A girls father is captured. Girl sets out to find him and saves the kingdom."
That will have to do.

29. Do you love all your characters?
Yes, even my bad guys, though Jon does get anoying sometimes, and Skree can be very crabby.



Most of the time.

30. Have you done something sadistic or cruel to your characters specifically to increase your word count?
Absolutely! In fact, I just recently decided to add a scene where Atokad and Soryn (who hate each other) get captured and put in a gladiator fight!
Did I ever mention that Evelyn, excuse me, *looks nervously over shoulder* Rowan gets chased through the fog by five of the secret brotherhood?

31. What was the last thing your main character ate?
uh... a bowl of clam chowder, a piece of freshly baked bread and a mug of hot apple cider at a local tavern.
Same

32. Describe your main character in three words.
fiery, strong, intelligent.
Stubborn, level-headed, intellegent

33. What would your antagonist dress up as for Halloween?
He would simply be himself for halloween. His sly, charming self and he would charm all of the children trick or treating at his door into coming in,

 with his easy smile and soft voice. It would be the last the parents would see of their children until several years later when they see them in his army.
I asked him and he said he likes my description above.

34. Does anyone in your story go to a place of worship?
I'm not certain, I have considered it, but have not made up my mind.
Sir James lives in a monastery with some monks.

35. How many romantic relationships take place in your novel/story?
There are three, but they are NOT in ANY WAY the sentimental, gushy talks under the moon, ect. The first one doesn't even go through, it was all a scam.
That one remains the same.

36. Are there any explosions in your novel/story?
Oh YES!!! Soryn and Atokad (now friends) blow up an assassin stronghold as part of the diversion for their escape!
Yes, Soryn and Atokad love explosions. Or should I say Soryn loves explosions and Atokad has to go along for the ride.

37. Is there an apocalypse in your novel/story?
Nope.

38. Does your novel take place in a post-apocalyptic world?
No.

39. Are there zombies, vampires or werewolves in your novel/story?
Absolutely NOT! the worst I have is Dragons. The last two creatures remind me of a certain disgrace to storydom that I would rather be chased by a dragon through a tar pit than to have my story resemble in any way.
And yes, that "certain disgrace to storydom that I would rather be chased by a dragon through a tar pit than have my story resemble in any way" is the Twilight saga. *shudders*

40. Are there witches, wizards or mythological creatures/figures in your novel/story?
As I said before, the most mythological creatures I have are Dragons, Dwarves, and Elves.
That remains the same.

41. Is anyone reincarnated?
No.

42. Is anyone physically ailed?
Uh, no... not yet anyways.
Yes actually, I have a princess who is mute, and I have an elf who was blinded.

43. Is anyone mentally ill?
No.
If I said yes I'd be chased through the house by several of my characters with sticks. *whispers* yes a few of them are a little uh... crazy.

44. Does anyone have swine flu?
No. Silly question. 
It is still a silly question.

45. Who has pets in your novel and what are they?

Everyone of course has their horses, and then Falcon, (my antagonist) has a black cat.
I am cosidering giving either Ev- er... Rowan or Arries a wolf they raised from a pup.

46. Are there angels, demons, or any religious references/figures in your novel/story?
No.
If men could be demons, the secret brotherhood would certainly be them.

47. How about political figures? 
Not really.
Well, I have a usurper king who marries the mute princess for her right to the throne, a betrayed prince, a king who is supposed to be dead, ect... ect...

48. Is there incessant drinking?
No.
Well, that depends on what you mean by incessant. Rowan lives in a coastal town, they go aboard a ship, Falcon favors wine, and they visit a few taverns on their journey. There is drinking in all of those instances.

49. Are there board games? If so, which ones?
NO!
They are too busy saving the world to play a board game.

50. Are there any dream sequences?
No.
No.

51. Is there humor?
I hope.
Yes.

52. Is there tragedy?
YES! What would a story be without tragedy?!?!?!
Oh yes. Authors thrive on creating tragedy.

53. Does anyone have a temper tantrum?
Perhaps Falcon when he finds out that Brogan has escaped with prince Ragnar. (it is very unlike him to loose his temper, but he does this once.)
Soryn has quite the temper, and he and Atokad get in a couple of brawls over it. When Falcon loses his temper it is the type of temper tantrum where he throws his wine glass at the wall and then begins scheming on how to make the offender miserable.

54. How many characters end up single at the end of your novel/story?
Too many to count.
There is a war in my story, and unfortunately, good men die and their families are left alone.

55. Is anyone in your novel/story adopted?
No, not so far.
Soryn does kind of become like a brother to Atokad and a son to Atokad's father, and since he has no family of his own...

56. Does anyone in your novel/story wear glasses?
No, they didn't have glasses in the medieval days.
No.

57. Has your novel/story provided insight about your life?
No. Not as of yet.
No

58. Your personality?
A bit.
Yes.

59. Has your novel/story inspired anyone?
LOL, probably not.

No one has read it.

60. How many people have asked to read your novel/story?
Only my Brother Dakota, my Dad, and my best friend. No one else hardly even knows it exists because I don't talk about it to anyone.
Still the same

61. Have you drawn any of your characters?
Tried; failed. Miserably.

I got a decent picture of Atokad's father, but it is from a distance, so I didn't have to do the face.

62. Has anyone drawn your characters for you?
No.
No, *snif*

63. Does anyone vomit in your novel/story?
I'm seriously considering it. Sea sickness and all that!
Yes!

64. Does anyone bleed in your novel/story?
Really, if people die, of course they bleed. I also have bleeding characters that don't die.
Of course!

65. Do any of your characters watch TV?
NO, NO, NO!!!
Now that would be weird, wouldn't it?

66. What size shoe does your main character wear?
I don't care and neither should you. ;-)
I don't pay attention to that sort of thing.

67. Do any of the characters in your novel/story use a computer?
In the medieval days?!?!? You've got to be kidding me.
Oh, I can just see it; Flint, the Elvin king, sitting in the courtyard typing away on a laptop while his men practice their archery.

68. How would you react if your novel/story was erased entirely?
Run through the house screaming and crying hystericaly. I probably wouldn't re-write it for another few years. Or if I did, it would be completely different.

You are cruel. Very cruel.

69. Did you cry at killing off any of your characters?
No, though I was very sad.
No, of course not. What would make you think *sniff* that I would *sniff* cry killing one of my *sniff* characters *bursts into tears* I'm so sorry *******. I love you, really I do, it's just... I had to! You understand, don't you? *more sobbing*


70. Did you cheer when killing off one of your characters?
Uh... no. I've never hated any of them that badly.
Maybe when Jon dies. I can't stand that guy. He's a perfectly cowardly, snobbish, cruel villain.

71. What advice would you give to a fellow writer?
I tell my sister all the time If you would be able to write a successful story you must read, read, read.
That and that your story won't write it's self.

72. Describe your ending in three words.
Peace is restored.
Happily ever after

73. Are there any love triangles, squares, hexagons, etc.?
No. *shudders*
Absolutely not! (what are they anyway?)

74. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least stressful, 10 being the most) how does your stress rank?
About my story, at this moment? Around 3.
A 7, no, an 8.
75. Was it worth it?

The tag? Maybe. It's helped me reevaluate my story. The story? I sure hope so!
The tag is fun the story is great!

Wow, alot has changed!!! I need to go make breakfast now. Fare thee well my friends.

Arries


P.S. I know things turned out uneven and large spaces where they are not supposed to be. I really hate writing in blogger for that reason. there is no way to get it right.

Flint's Theme Song

I don't have much time but I had to post this. I have found the theme song for Flint, the lost king of the elves, (the once friend of Falcon that was mentioned in the last post).




At least that helps you get a feel of him.

P.S. Don't forget to turn the music at the bottom of the blog off.