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[fondnightmares]

Hi. I’m Fox. I’m a ‘95 baby. She/Her.

This blog is for the promotion and development of my own original novel, which I hope to turn into a series with a widespread community that loves my world and characters as much as I do.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW:

The genre is dark romantasy, and I mean DARK. There will be plenty of trigger warnings.

Our main characters are Aedryn (BBEG) and Liora (sunshine incarnate).

Ox must be protected.

I want to make you love and hate me simultaneously.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND HERE:

Character sheets/meets.

Snippets.

Character art (huge maybe, doubtful).

Polls and feedback requests.

Random rant sessions.

In-character writing exercises.

RULES:

Don’t be a dick. I welcome constructive criticism, but if you don’t like what goes on here…leave?

Please do not steal from me. I know it’s impossible to fully protect my creation online, but come on. Some basic decency is a MUST.

No bullying. This is something I’m trying to achieve while also working and living a very full life. I get that we get excited or impatient, but I will absolutely not tolerate it towards myself or others!

Enjoy yourself, enjoy my world and characters, but please remember I am creating a work of fiction. It’s FICTION. Not real. Please respect that boundary and don’t be weird towards me.

PLEASE tag me in art or fan-writing you make. Let me see how much you love what I’m building, gods above I might actually CRY if you do.

In any case. Thank you for joining me here, and I hope to become one of your favorite authors of all time.

All my love,

Fox

[fondnightmares]

Welcome to Eternatum!

So…what exactly is the story here? Well, I’m glad you asked.

Here is the general synopsis, because I can’t give away too many details without spoiling it all:

Liora is the Heir, the next to inherit the throne and bear the burden of the Crown. On the surface, everything appears to be just as intended—prosperous, peaceful, thriving—but there is something dark and sinister lurking just out of view. When it’s finally time for her to be chosen by an egg, she is given a prophecy by the Brood Mother, and it tilts her perspective on its head. She then sets out on a journey to fulfill this prophecy, because that’s what her mother tells her she must do, as no one has ever spoken to the wild dragons before. Along the way, she collects a rag tag group of companions, and also uncovers some horrific truths about the real nature of Eternatum. But the real question is…can she succeed, or will she succumb to the encroaching shadows?

Voila!

It sounds breezy in that synopsis, but this is a dark fantasy book, and so I feel it’s necessary to give some of the trigger warnings that will be prevalent— descriptions of extreme violence and gore, torture and mutilation, brainwashing and manipulation, cannibalism, religious fanaticism, enslavement and sexual assault.

Yeah. It’s heavy. HOWEVER, there will be plenty of breaks between because, as I said before, I want you to love and hate me at the same exact time.

[fondnightmares]

TIME TO MEET:

Ox!

True Name: Currently Unknown

Alias: Ox

Age: Approximately 312 years

Gender: Male

Species: Drekor

Height: 8’ 8” (264 cm)

Weight: 420 lbs (192 kg)

Body Type: Bulky and muscular

Appearance: Deep, emerald green scales with a black feather crest that starts at the top of his forehead and reaches the base of his skull. Vibrant orange eyes that gleam in the dark. Missing the right half of his upper lip, leaving bone and fang exposed.

Personality: Ox is…odd. He is extremely affectionate and doting, which is not normal for those of his species. His loyalty is unbreakable once it’s earned, and he will gladly die for those he considers part of his tribe. He has developed some serious anxiety when it comes to nightfall, because of his past (see below), and can only sleep when there’s plenty of light.

Skills: Hunting and tracking, weapon handling (prefers a heavy two-handed axe), rock climbing, heavy lifting

Brief History: Ox was once the chief of a large and thriving tribe in the High Fells mountain range. With two wives, he sired dozens of young and was a proud, doting father. He ruled his people with wisdom and courage but, as life often proves, good things don’t always last. On a fateful winter night, a raiding party from the Deadlands swept through the village, slaughtering as they went. He fought until he could no longer hold up his axe, and by his hand alone, more than two-thirds of the party were felled. The survivors fled back to the safety of their border, but Ox? Ox was left in the aftermath. Mutilated, victorious, but utterly alone and devastated. Others of his kind shunned him, because he had failed to protect his people, and viewed his survival as proof of cowardice. This was a century ago, and the hulking Drekor still carries the weight of grief and failure.

Present: Ox currently lives in the Warren. He earns a paltry bit of coin to keep himself fed by laboring on farms and for merchants. He wears an ox skull to hide his face, both because he is self conscious of the damage to his mouth, and because people are less cruel that way. Oh…he also forgets he has a tail sometimes and it spooks him. (He’s learned to keep it tucked away and tied so people don’t hurt him)

Story Relevance: High

Role: Inner Circle

[fondnightmares]

Welcome to Eternatum!

Eternatum is a melting pot of many different species living in harmony (mostly), it’s part of what makes it such a rewarding place to live. Let’s meet some of them, shall we?

From Common to Rare:

Humans, the predominant species across the world. You probably are one yourself and if you aren’t, you at least know some. Nothing more to tell.

Faefolken, a dainty and ethereal species that prefer living in the deeps forests. They are known for their pointed ears, pointed teeth, and extremely long life. They have an extreme love for the arts and tend to be bards and acrobats at court. They have some natural magic, but nothing extreme, mostly influence over plants.

Dwarves, short, stocky, gruff. They like rocks, and gems, and gold, and prefer to live in underground cities. Come to the city often, to sell their expertly crafted wares.

Giants, they’re big, grumpy. A small giant is somewhere in the neighborhood of ten feet tall (305 cm), but the bigger ones are upwards of 20-30 feet (600-900 cm). Mostly reclusive but they have a fondness for animals and humans, which leads to a lot of run-ins…and kidnappings.

Nightspawn, basically the evil counterpart of the Faefolken. Pointed ears, sharp teeth and claws, but eerily beautiful and dangerous as hell. Natives of the Deadlands. Slow to reproduce due to how widespread they are so the population is minuscule at best.

Drekor, reptilian, thought to be the product of ancient dragons taking human wives. Very standoffish and prefer to keep to themselves in the mountains and jungles they inhabit, never seen outside of their territories. Tribal lifestyle, very long lived and hardy.

[fondnightmares]

Welcome to Eternatum!

A thriving kingdom led into prosperity by the High Queen, Elevandra, and her soul-bound dragon companion, Daenigon.

The capital is Celethen, a sprawling marvel of ivory and marble, with high towers and lush gardens carved into the very cliffs. Sitting as the heart of the Sapphire Bay, Celethen’s wealth lies in the port, with an intricate trade network of fabrics and furs, exotic spices, and precious gems hewn from the mountains to the north.

Notable Features:

The Citadel, an impressive fortress at the peak of Celethen, where the Queen and Heir live.

The Crown, an ancient fountain in a hidden chamber far below the Citadel.

Nest of the Gods, a large cave at the top of the cliffs overlooking the city. Where the last remaining wild dragons safely dwell, and where the Heir goes to be chosen by an egg.

The Star District, where the wealthiest nobles live.

The Gem District, the market and shopping square.

The Stone District, where “commoners” who don’t own land outside of the city live.

The Warren, a scraped together shanty camp tucked against the outside of the southern city wall. Mostly occupied by denizens and non-humans that lack the connections or wealth to live comfortably within the city.

Beyond the Capital:

The Deadlands, a dark and shadowy wasteland, where the most horrifying and evil creatures are born. Ruled by The Beast.

The High Fells, a vast mountain range with peaks so high you can’t see them below the clouds. Serves as a natural barrier between Eternatum and the Deadlands.

Mol Tarran, the capital of the neighboring kingdom, sits on the far side of the Bay. The primary trade partner for Celethen, a bustling and thriving port city.

The Black Maw, a strange boneyard far to the east, filled with all manner of skeletons and tombs. Jealously defended by a necromancer, Morgead Noth.