The long overdue update

I am procrastinating yet again to update this blog about this crazy project that I signed up for. And judging by the date today, man, I've been so lazy in updating this blog. I've been caught up with work and with the everyday task of coughing up 2,000 words for this novel. Let me just tell you about my roller coaster journey so far.

ONE. I will have to revise the novel title & synopsis because frankly speaking, the 13 chapters I've written so far doesn't even come close to the synopsis I came up with. Heck, the 3 main characters (MCs) haven't even immigrated to GE just yet! *headdesk*

TWO. Despite the above-mentioned reason to run around like a headless chicken, I am quite actually pleased on how the background story's turning out. Most of the scenes I've imagined and committed to each chapter were actually included in the game's backstory. YAY! My weird imagination is actually being useful for a change.

THREE. There might be a possibility that this 50k word fanfic novel will just tackle the story of the Old World, meaning just Orpesia (Vespanola, Oporuto, Brestia, Targa and Illier). Oh, and there's also smatterings on the beginnings of Granado Espada thrown in for good measure. The origins of my 3 MCs are also included here, but since I am not Jesus and I can't work miracles, I don't think I have enough firepower to flesh out the GE story we all know in-game.

FOUR. Concurrent to that thought, God willing if I still have that burning passion to write about the game, then probably NaNoWriMo 2010 will be the sequel to this year's novel. By that time, hopefully, I'd have done proper research on the quests, starting from the Pioneering storyline down to the Masquerade arc. This one takes major research, and I will have the time to do so if I shelve this part of the story for next year.

FIVE. I am at woe. It's the 2nd to the last week of November and my scenes are crawling like shat. However, I am planning an exciting scene which will hopefully end the novel at more than 50k words---and that's the time the 3 MCs will be shipped to the New World. Hopefully I have enough scenes to get to that part.

Just for the record, here's my word count breakdown for the past few weeks:

Day 1: 5016
Day 2: 7449
Day 3: 9812
Day 4: 11980
Day 5: 14109
Day 6: 16252
Day 7: 18438
Day 8: 20561
Day 9: 22264
Day 10: 23329
Day 11: 25016
Day 12: 27154
Day 13: 28824
Day 14: 30929
Day 15: 33098
Day 16: 35144
Day 17: 37186
Day 18: 39281
Day 19: 41471
Day 20: 43652

I did mention that I am running into a bit of scene stump, right? Well, I got past that when I introduced the cameo appearance of the Falkenhausen Family in the story. I am LOLing the whole time these guys talk...have you ever heard people speak of themselves like there's nothing between their ears but thin air? That's the stuff I'm talking about. LOL mode!

“Oh, do you really think so, Lehre? I had to memorize the spell you taught me for an entire week and it was very difficult at first, but then I said to myself that if ever I am going to be a good enough Elementalist, I have to be like my brother Lehre, and Lehre is really great and all, but I have to be great as well. But then, I lost the piece of parchment you gave me where you wrote the spell, and I did not want to ask you for another copy because I know you can be quite grouchy when I ask you to repeat what you have taught me, so I tried my very best to recall the chant you told me to memorize, and I did! I did remember! It was very nice, kind of like this furry Shapka hat that is so fluffy that I love hugging it when I am not wearing it over my head.” --- Alia Falkenhausen, Chapter 13

See what I mean? LOOOOOOL! I love these guys for rescuing me from a perpetual state of boredom!

The GE fanfic novel project

I'm back! Well, back to blogging, that is. I've missed this place after months of hiatus! It's great to be back!

I've joined yet again this year's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), which means it's going to be another busy November for me. But what's got me so excited about this project is the fact that I'll be writing a 50k word fanfic on...what else? Granado Espada!

I have to admit that this is going to be one hell of a busy month. Although I'm really psyched to write this fanfic, the very same fears plague me every time I join this thingamajig, i.e., beating the 50k word cut, writing something that doesn't look like a pathetic attempt at novel writing, and making the story believable.

Right now I'm doing a bit of research on feudal/medieval Europe just to give me an understanding on the historical basis of GE. I admit it's already late to be researching a broad topic, but I wasn't sure if I can pull it off, that was, until this month. I figured that I basically know the ins and outs of the game and writing a fanfic novel of GE is something that I should really get started on. I've been wanting to write the back stories of the various NPCs as well as my own speculations of the game's end story, and joining NaNoWriMo will hopefully get those creative juices flowing.

I shall try to blog about the novel's progress here, as I think it's but fitting to talk about my novel writing woes about GE in this blog. Hopefully when the story's fleshed out, I might post a few snippets. :)

This is something that I'd like to do not just for myself, but for the game that I grew to love for the past 2 years.

Let the agony begin! XD

Contest! ZOMG!

Yes, it's an early game maintenance today and I have decided to host a small contest for my readers who continue to visit my blog despite my infrequent updates. Hehe.

Here's the thing. I will post 6 in-game screenshots and you will be tasked to write a story using all pictures. There's no limit to the number of words, so you can explore as much as you want. The most creatively written fanfic will win these goodies:

1st: GE premium poster, postcard, ballpen, pin, a pair of Divine Angel Wings
2nd: GE premium poster, postcard, ballpen, pin

This contest is open to all GE players of all servers in all countries. :D (Yes, I will shoot myself in the foot as I will personally mail your prizes if you are outside the Philippines or Metro Manila. Mwehehehe).

And here are the screenshots:


Deadline of entries is next week, November 14 at 11:59PM (GMT +8). I will announce the winner the following day here in my blog of course. ^.~ Email your entries in desanggria at gmail dot com with the following information:

Real Name:
GE Family Name:
Server:
Faction (if applicable):

Once the winner is declared, I will get in touch with him/her to know their mailing address (if in case the winner resides outside the Philippines or Metro Manila), or for a possible date and venue for a meet-up (in case the winner resides in Metro Manila).

Join now!!! Special thanks to my sponsor, pCM Veya, for the goodies. Mwehehehe.

Fanfic: Idge Imbrulia

I was supposed to finish this fanfic as an entry for NineMoons' RNPCs Are Love contest. But alas, I was neck-deep in work that time so I was only able to finish this during my idle time. Nevertheless, I do hope you'd enjoy reading this feeble attempt to come up with my favorite RNPC's back story on how she got to Granado Espada.

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Life was not always like this...

Everyone is so consumed with thoughts of war. Back home in Illier, things were a lot more quiet, life was a lot simpler. I remember my childhood years in my country where everyone took on life's challenges one day at a time. Illier is probably the best place to enjoy life in all it's simplicity. Thoughts about home has made me miss the rolling countryside, the smell of baked bread from the local bakery and of course, the sound of the incessant pounding in the smithy from which my father worked day in and out.

I grew up in Illier's capital city of Andora, which is by far the busiest, most robust part of the country. My father, Edgardo, was reputed to be the best swordsmith in all of Orpesia. Riza, my mother, was the daughter of a Vespanolan viscount who was quite the charmer. Their marriage was arranged, ironically, by my mother's parents. At that time, father was making quite a name for himself in his business. People told me that even the Vespanolan royal guards' weapons were made by my father. And back then, such favors from the Queen were equivalent to a noble title.

Maman* was a quiet and reserved person who took on to the marriage quite easily. I believe that even if their union was arranged, she loved Papa very much. As a little girl, I would always catch her looking at Papa quite intently, as if memorizing his face. Papa would often catch her looking at him and would smile warmly, making Maman blush furiously. As a child, I thought it was a game they were fond of playing, and I find it endearing to this day.

With my parents' diverse background, I was raised both in the smithy and under society's watchful eyes. Maman would often bring me to parties held by courtiers, noblemen and other titled families. I didn't relish this kind of environment, for I've always thought of these people as fluffed up and stuffy. But Maman told me it was necessary as the daughter of a noblewoman.

On the other hand, Papa would teach me the ropes of his business. At a young age, I would assist him in his work, and at times, let me wield his hammer. Papa insisted on perfection in everything he does, and he has taught me well. By the time I was old enough, I forged my own dagger, which I still keep with me.

To tell you frankly, I enjoyed being in the smithy more than I ever did in people's manor houses. I was immensely pleased doing blacksmith work, and Papa was rather proud of me for taking his work to heart. Although Maman never openly expressed her objections (if there were any), she understood my preference and began to include me less in her social tête-à-têtes.

Such was our life back then, but as people would say, peace is just a prelude to something monumental.

The three-year war brought about by the conflict between Brestia and Vespanola drove the entire continent of Orpesia into chaos. The once peaceful and prosperious Illier was transformed into a major military area. Papa became a sought-after person for top-class weapons, and this overwhelming demand got him working like a madman for months on end.

The work drove him insane, I guess. His mad desire to create perfect combat weapons led him to his death. The plague of the war and his esteemed reputation got to his head to a point that I barely recognized the kind, spirited man that he was before. On his deathbed, I vowed to take up his work as my own. I clutched his rough, callused hands and watched the life ebb from his eyes, and on that same day, I took on his profession as a blacksmith.

Maman, who kept mum on my work in the smithy before, now opposed my decision. As the only child as well as the only daughter, she did not approve of me taking up a man's job. I firmly put my foot down on this matter. It was a decision I made of my own will, and this is something I had to do for myself as well.

And so a month after Papa's death, I enlisted myself on the next ship bound for the New World called Granado Espada. Leaving home was painful for me in a way. My life was there. But in order for me to tread this new path I took, I knew I must start on my own.

I arrived in the Vespanolan stronghold in Cite de Reboldouex wherein the Pioneering Office gave me enough capital to start my own smithy. The city was probably the hub for all families starting out with their quest in this new land. And since I am the only blacksmith in the area, people naturally flocked to my workshop for weapon enhancements. Life had been busy from here on, and I rarely noticed the passage of time as I grew more and more attuned to the sight, sound, and smell of working with metal and fire.

As I got into this new place, I was able to meet new people and learn their stories. The exchange of life stories and the forging of friendship became as persistent as the hammer pounds steadily on heated steel. Life is tough in the New World, but as the gods would have it, such challenges have their own redemption at the end.

I am Idge Imbrulia and this is my story. Wherever life will take me, I will face it the way I was taught how—with much courage and strength.



*Maman is the French word for "mother". I think I read somewhere that the reference for Illier is France because of its affinity to arts and culture.

The Return of Vergo the Cursed (part 2): Off to war!

It was almost daybreak when Cyradis stirred from her fitful slumber. Pulling back the covers, she yawned and stretched, then proceeded to go about her morning duties of scouting the area for any news and updates. She was already late for she could hear the stirrings beneath the Prancing Pony Inn where they spent the night in Cite de Reboldoeux.

She was already assembling her equipment of potions and healing pots when she noticed the faint rustle of the curtains from the corner of her eye. She quickly spun, drawing her dagger and assuming a defensive position.

“Oh, it’s just you, Alaena. You scared me! What are you doing there by the window?”

Her sister, Alaena, sat by the huge windowsill, observing the activities below. “Something’s up and about today,” she motioned Cyradis to come over and pointed at the cluster of people gathered at the city’s notice board. “Someone just put up an announcement just now. Wake Verdandi. We must know what this is all about.”

Cyradis knew the urgency to her elder sister’s tone, so she moved to Verdandi’s bedside and shook her quite thoroughly. It took her a good minute before her sister finally stirred and opened her eyes. “Wut?” Verdandi groggily mumbled.

“We have to go. Now.” It was Alaena.

Even Verdandi, who was notorious for her catty disposition, did not try to argue with her sister. Grumbling under her breath, she tossed the covers and marched to the bathroom, stomping her feet while at it.

“I need 10 minutes to fix my hair,” she hollered from the bathroom.

Alaena was already strapping the polearm to her back with Cyradis’ assistance. “Now,” she stressed.

They heard a strangled moan from the small room and the ruckus of Verdandi’s movements.

A few minutes after, the girls were down the square, easing their way from the already crowded area where everyone was busy with talks of the recently-posted announcement.

“The Dark Lord? I thought we finished him a few months ago!” A Fighter with burnished steel armor exclaimed.

“No matter. I shall personally see to it that this wretched creature is sent back to the bowels of hell with which he came from,” said a Musketeer.

“We’re going to rain photon splashes on that ‘tard, you’ll see,” a group of Wizards said smugly.

Ignoring the discussions around, the girls found their way in front of the notice board with other pioneering families. The wooden board was quite cluttered with advertisements from merchants and other traders within the city, but they did not find any difficulty looking for the notice in question for it was prominently placed…and written in bold, red letters:

Heroes, it’s time to put your training to good use! Let’s unite and fight against the evil forces of Dark Lord. The time is now! Join me in the good fight in Ferruccio Junction Channel 2 on the 8th of September in 1700 hours.

Pioneers, if you are up to the task, sign your family names on the attached sheet. Fame and recognition awaits those who will stand by the city’s defense.

For Queen and country!

Signed,

Lady Doriane
Commander
1st Infantry Battalion

Cyradis saw the glint in Alaena’s eyes when she read the word “fame” in the notice. Seeing such a public issue of challenge would stir the warrior instinct in her sister. Without a word, she glanced at Verdandi and nodded. It seemed that they were thinking about the same thing.

Grabbing a quill from a flustered Elementalist wearing a Rosa Matrimonio dress, Verdandi quickly scribbled their names on the parchment paper.

We humbly pledge our allegiance to this noble quest. We shall aid the city’s defenses to the best of our abilities in order to rid the world of the foul stench of this accursed Dark Lord.

We are Alaena, Verdandi and Cyradis of the noble house of DeSanggrias and we give our oath of fidelity to Her Majesty, the Queen of Vespanola!

“That’s a trifle overdone, Verdandi,” notes Cyradis.

Verdandi tossed her blonde, curly locks over her shoulder. “Well, everyone else is going suicidal on this mission, so why not join the bandwagon?”

And for the first time since they arrived in Granado Espada, Alaena smiled. “Come on, we have some training to do…”


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It's Vergo and he's back! See the reason to this hurriedly-written fanfic in this upcoming event!