#smoketomirrors

[flamestoillusions]

I have to say I really do love the Hero’s comical cynicism. Particularly that when someone says ‘Nothing can go wrong’ and they give a side glance to you, the player, like, ‘yeah, suuuuureeeee.’

[flamestoillusions]

I have absolutely nothing that prompted it but apparently MQ-related stuff felt like biting me. One was an idea with a lapse, Lestari (Rune’s old life) kinda sorta tries to harm Warlic. Of course, to an outsider like say Tannim, this is just Rune acting unreasonably aggressive towards Warlic. But Warlic knows and he does feel bad even if he can reason it wasn’t his fault what happened with the Reset, an event that rewrote the formerly more sci-fiesuqe world that Lore used to be into the high fantasy land Lore is now.

And while sure, he’ll live no matter what is thrown at him (Rune’s like some years too young to be taking a powerful mage like Warlic) I can see him resign to it. I mean he’s already wallowing in this life’s mistakes, what’s a past sin to add to it? Anyway, the only reason Warlic isn’t damaged is because of Cysero. He was curious of what was going on and since it WAS technically in the one neutral area of his and Warlic’s shared tower, he could be there.

And he remembers the old life too. Although it occurred to me by my writings, Sys-Zero (Cysero’s old life) may not have known what happened after the ShadowScythe blew up the galaxy and Warlic’s failsafe, the Reset. But either way, he stops Lestari as Sys-Zero. 

It gives her pause but she tells him to stay out of her way. He won’t tries to reason although he knows that won’t work. He shoots down every time she mentions wanting to harm Warlic or that she really hates both of them. Because he knows that’s not true. She still loves them and respects them as much as she did before. Her anger is getting the better of her (there’s more than just anger but you gotta be short and sweet when you’re avoiding getting shanked). And he ends the fight with a low blow because Lestari is a brawler but she isn’t terribly underhanded.

Cysero will leave it Warlic to sort out explaining stuff to Rune’s very fucking concerned partner while he patches things up. He feels awful. Like ever since knowing of the Reset, he was hoping so badly to meet those he knew again. He wanted to see Lestari again as she was a good friend and comrade that he just wanted to know was doing fine. This is not fine. 

And it hurts more as he was a confidant to Lestari. They were close enough, he knew what she was like when there was no spotlight and no expectant eyes. He knew her hopes and dreams. And those dreams, while big in a sense was tiny compared to the massive plans against the ShadowScythe she ended up with. She just wanted to become and be remembered as a pilot. What she became was a hero of their galaxy. And what she said just before losing consciousness was the same before a major mission:

“I didn’t want this.” 

And the other thing was really simple compared to the above. I thought of Lestari being so busy/forgetful that she ends up with crap tons of messages and voicemails that she forgets to listen to or delete. And when alone on that ship, she just listened each and everyone one of them over and over because it was the only way to hear everyone’s voice with this path. 

[flamestoillusions]

If there was a retcon I wish took place in DragonFable, it would be what happened with Drakath. I have such a love/hate with him and it’s ridiculous the amount of opportunity with him. Like if there was a time to destabilize and overthrow Alteon’s reign, Book 3 would’ve been perfect. Sure, Seppy’s probably pulling the same thing but at least if Drakath was around, it’s also weighing if his cover is worth not tearing apart the bastard that put a gaping hole in his chest. I don’t know, maybe Drakath could’ve spent that time roaming and knowing what his land needs and gain a following for a counterrevolution. He’s put as arrogant but not stupid and using ONLY DF info, he’s not wholly incompetent. But that may also be bias as I am just blown by Alteon’s...decisions that I think ‘y’know, maybe Drakath as king wouldn’t be the worst thing.’

[flamestoillusions]

It is only slightly secret what Tannim is. And it is a lot less of legitimately wanting to withhold the information and more of he really does not want to explain it as it’s a long-winded and not easily understandable even to him. So most people that he’s friends with understand that he is a half-dragon and for the most part that’s an acceptable description. Tannim has no interest in his blood or its powers because he was raised as and feels like a human. But he, eventually, should try to understand his abilities and if Lore did ever come under severe trouble would be enough motivation for him to do so, but for now, these are the abilities he’s either been told about or discovered himself:

The ‘half-dragon’ part comes from his father’s ability to take on the powers and form of the strongest being within the world he is in. Tannim inherited ‘half’ the powers of the strongest being/race at the time of his birth. In this case, it was powerful and evil fire dragon, Akriloth, thus why Tannim has a fire affinity and fire manipulation/conjuration/immunity. He found during his fight with Akriloth that he can’t be harmed by anything Akriloth throws out at him but any draconic ability also wouldn’t harm the dragon. But he also inherited Akriloth’s weakness to ice, and thus why he isn’t meant to go against ice monsters and is most ‘human-like’ in cold climates (which actually explains his poor health as a child).

He could try to take the powers of a new stronger being if he so desired but it requires Tannim’s dedication and focus on ‘reaching’ for it. He must learn its identity, understand its powers, and choose if he wants to retain his appearance or one closer to that being. Starting out this can take anywhere from months to years. He was told this and immediately X’d it as Lore doesn’t seem to stay out of peril long enough for him to do something like that. As for what the strongest is, dragons are considered the strongest race but the strongest being fluctuates far too often in Lore. It disorients his siblings who can take on this adaptation a lot faster than Tannim could (most of them have like a 5000+ jump on him, it can’t be helped). As of the duo’s present, Wargoth is the strongest being active. 

Tannim is time-sensitive as in he is aware when something has been changed in the timeline. If it were a severe change that altered a lot of Lore or his own path, Tannim has an idea of what the original Lore was like but it starts out fuzzy and a gut feeling to him. It will become sharper as he has more time to interact with the changes in a timeline. He also will not be affected by amnesia that comes with future variables interacting with him. This is normally in the situations where he meets future kids or something. For most interactions, other characters have a bit of amnesia of the interaction but Tannim will not.

Tannim isn’t as hindered with dimensional dealings. Dimensional travel doesn’t make him sick and he isn’t weakened by it. He has to learn about a dimension like anyone else. But, if an alternate version of himself has stepped foot in his dimension, Tannim knows of their memories from their home and interactions in his dimensions. Those memories can make him sick from overwhelming him and temporarily affect his personality and mannerisms.

He has an ability that his brother, Elian, calls ‘power of interference.’ Even if he was born in Lore, Tannim’s blood is that of a ‘foreigner’ and thus can have unprecedented effects towards the world he stays. The one that was most important for Tannim was throwing off a seer’s vision as this is what happened to get him mixed up in the hero business. Lady Celestia had thought Tannim was most likely the hero of Lore but when she encountered Rune, she could see either and because she could not discern which, she decided to have both work on the hero business. A more accusatory person could use this against Tannim as in little acts here and there, players of ‘good’ have ensured Tannim was safe until he grew up to be a hero. But because of this interference, he may have prevented Rune, who is rightfully the hero, from having that same protection.It’s not really fair as it’s not a power Tannim can control without a great deal of time and practice. But technically that was what happened.

There is an unconscious draw that Tannim has to ‘world shakers.’ It something all of his siblings have and they have pointed he is also affected by. World shakers are beings that will change the world in significant ways, good or bad is irrelevant. So it is no surprise, at least to his siblings, he would find Rune eventually. While Tannim could always be interested in anyone else, he does get a strong pull to remain where all the action is likely to be, which is around world shakers, which besides Rune there is Sepulchure and Drakath

While not exactly an ability, it is something vital to Tannim’s survival should he leave Lore. He can’t be the one that commits the ‘world changing events.’ He can help with it. He could do nothing. Hell, he could even beat up everything for the hero up until the final boss. Basically, Tannim never can land the killing blow to an important enemy or be the one to make a landmark any realm that isn’t his home one. This is because it’d land him in trouble with an organization that moderates activity in all dimensions...and many within it don’t look kindly in beings like Tannim or his siblings. 

[flamestoillusions]

I made this a while ago that was supposed to follow a list of some ships the duo have on this blog. It’s mainly over possible relationships with canon characters from the game they’re based in. A lot are AU based because for a decent amount of them, they don’t have enough time with these characters to develop a relationship or it’s under certain circumstances it stands a chance. 

Rune/Maya - Maya, at least by my writing, has a one-sided crush on Rune and he likes her well enough. She’s the main person at his side in the prologue and they can geek out over books and stuff. Only really happened in Librarian/Barista AU where Rune flirts with her via writings on her cups and leaving notes in books to be put away.

Tannim/Tomix - Tomix is one of the first people Tannim met on his venture on his own. And as the person that called Tannim out for ignoring his own well-being and the one that did a hard no on changing something so fundamental in his being...Tannim has so much respect for him. And he likes Tomix in his actual adventures, not just any shenanigans I do on the blog. The Tomix saga was so important, I wrecked my plans for book 3 because it was that important for Tannim to be present for that. There’s a reason why he put it as why he can’t sleep at night.

Rune/Zhoom - I am very wary to place them as a relationship. They have sassed each other and have grown to respect the other. Zhoom is Rune’s mentor as a ranger but good god, I’d be lying if they hadn’t blurred lines every so often. Both would easily say that the other’s attractive but neither are interested in anything serious. Friends with benefits on occasion but mainly a reliable hand for bounties and quests.

Tannim/Galanoth - Okay this is only due to a lot of talk with Syn over it. Galanoth slays dragons in more ways than one. It is definitely mainly for AU things such as arranged marriage AU and Tannim being tortured by the Rose then cared for by Gal AU. Pretty much, Galanoth gets all of Tannim’s sweet affection poured on him and Galanoth is just one of those ones that is Tannim’s type, even if he doesn’t know what that is.

Rune/Demento - They were a decent duo when it came to planning and dealing on the battlefield. In some aspects Demento’s the one that got away and even then we don’t know how they’d work out. But it’s a minor thing Rune feels a bit guilty for not taking Demento up on an offer the night before his death.

Tannim/Xan - Can be a ship but I wouldn’t mind if it stayed broship. Xan broke protocol when he saw how genuinely freaked out Tannim was by fire. He calmed him down and started Tannim’s conquering of his fear. Tannim was sent back during the Alexander saga and befriended Alex then. And since they oddly are friends despite being on opposite sides. He actually never advocates anything bad to come down on Xan, even if his fellow adventurers do not share the same sentiment.

Tannim/Serenity - Only in two circumstances: where Tannim was turned to a vampire (long story) and in the AU where Rune’s soul was obliterated in order to destroy the Mysterious Stranger. For the most part, I think it’d be a broship otherwise. But in the cases where they’re together, they’d be like...everyone’s parents. Together. Oh god.

Rune/Lugosi - It was a crack ship that was logical. It was totally some anon’s fault too. I challenged to give me any character with mine and I could make a legitimate thing from it. And I didn’t dislike this one? Lugosi had a crush on Rune when he went by Noita and only fell back into the crush meeting Rune. Rune wasn’t interested because well, he’s not that into smithing and he can only tolerate cowardice. Because Rune tells him pretty much to work on himself first, Lugosi tried. Then he got turned and his acceptance and conquering of his turning (with Safiria’s encouragement) got Rune’s attention.

Rune/Sepulchure - Please let them remain in a blackrom so that they never conquer the world. They don’t inherently dislike each other. They dislike one getting a leg up over them but are rather impressed with the other’s prowess. Based on relations, they have met prior to Book 1. Rune’s grandfather was Valen’s mentor and cared for the kid. So while it was only as many visits as you can count on your hands, they were fin. It’s mainly AU stuff such as Rune having an affair with Sepulchure during the events of the Orb Saga or where Tannim was a traitor out to take all of Greengaurd for himself that they’ve happened.

Tannim/Sepulchure - There’s a certain OT3 with Serenity that came apart because of SOMEONE’S suggestion. It spiraled out of control quickly. There’s also the rare AUs where Tannim took more after his father’s side of the family and in a ‘rivalry’ with Sepulchure. Like more chill than yandere but definitely wants to maintain Seppy’s attention. And also...others...I blame Syn for the sin behind that one.

Amal/Drakath - Because I feel like Rune would NEVER be a decent pair with Drakath...but with ONE AU this came about. Pretty much in a scenario where Rune and his brother grew up and was friends with Drakath. Amal is somewhat aware of his feelings but Drakath is playing dumb and denying it to the end. And Amal’s just unapologetically a shit to Drakath but does ultimately care about him. He lies to his friends and allies and makes up various excuses just to get Drakath through. And then he just sometimes just hangs out at the bandit camp just because he can hang out with Drakath. 

Rune/Circe - Canonically, they kinda dislike each other. I mean, almost killing you with an avalanche tends to put a damper on any relationship. However at the same time, I think they would have been fine. Not exactly a relationship that’s ‘end game’ but they were on weird limbo between physical and something further. This only gets put into spotlight were the partners-in-crime AU and the AU where Rune is a rebel leader that Circe attempted to assassinate. I honestly prefer them in a poly with Vaal. 

Tannim/Wargoth - You know who the fuck you are and you all who encouraged this should be ashamed. I say as this such a guilty pleasure. I know it’s bad because this a homicidal warlord with a sweet summer child that does not deserve this. I know this. There’s nothing much to say about it other than it was from shenanigans on the blog for a plot point that may or may not still be in my timeline. I still have to acknowledge it because Amaterasu exists and she’s adorable.

Rune/Vaal - I debate about if this would be canon or not. As if it was, it’d fall in Book 3. They actually get into snark about both being disgraced by this time. Developments with them usually surmount to ‘I don’t like you but then I see this other side to you that I have to respect you now.’ Mainly a thing in the neighbors AU and the royal advisers AU and fall apart because Roirr’s a fucking cockblocker. I also prefer them with Circe as well.

Amal/Valencia - By the duo’s timeline, Amal and Valencia do date. He met her while exploring the Ruins of Sil. He calls her a thief rather than a treasure hunter and is corny as hell saying how she steals his heart. And it’s a lot of corniness and adventure with them. But I mainly deal in the sad because canonically, Amal is dead and Valencia never learned of his fate. Rune only figured out Valencia was who his brother was dating during the Earth Orb saga and breaking the news to her at that time was not the best idea.

Rune/Theano - I tell myself that Rune will stop fucking the bad guy eventually. And then it happens again. Good god, man, where are you priorities? Anyway, there’s nothing but fighting with this one. Although I guess it could end up being a battle of wits/ideals as Theano is something of a scientist of magic and Rune is a magic wielder that understands principles behind the magic. But I feel any moment of ‘sweet’ is immediately ruined when either open their mouth. I...I have also a weird sort of poly including Rune’s ex, Emile, because apparently my characters don’t suffer enough.

Tannim/Falwynn - They’re just so adorable. Like I guess they’d fall under cliches of the lovey dovey type of couple to which, what’s wrong with that? They’re both excitable and well-intentioned adventurers and I find that their sweet energy would just end up mixing so well. I found an unintentional drama that comes with Falwynn supposed to be learning from the Hero in game (which Tannim serves as) and just how much danger that Tannim would willing put Falwynn through if he’s dating her. While they could be in actual events, I also think of them in modern verses taking a lot of selfies together and stuff.

Rune/Nythera: Only for the Young Fables AU. Rune is supposed to be Aqualad and Nythera Speedy. They actually work out as like the most mature of the bunch and have a hold on each other’s secrets. And it’s like, ‘hey, you had a shitty day, wanna help me on case?’

[flamestoillusions]

I am still curious about Vaal. Like I’m still confused on what he actually accomplished in his life. Like I got that Ravenloss/Pellow Village is kinda all his fault. Along with how chaosweaving is detrimental to those that aren’t ‘strong enough’....but there’s stuff missing? Was he a phenomenal chaosweaver so he got a cult following? How fucking old is he? There’s a goddamn museum with him in it! I doubt it one that was recent and yet he’s younger than Tomix’s mom? Was the picture of him in the museum just some random interpretation? And if so, did he go after who the heckie did that? If it is accurate, why does he look so much different? What was his relationship with Olisabeth? I know that’s his wife but what were their dynamics like? He really did love her, right? What happened? Did she leave because he’s a dick or did she die?

And I can see the comments now, Kirei why do you care about him? Look, man, I end of caring about all kinds of side characters. Don’t judge me because it’s the trash man this time. And it has absolutely nothing to do with how my characters have ended up accidentally ended up wrapped up with this man’s shenanigans.

[flamestoillusions]

AUs that I’ll either never write or will take forever to do:

Dance with Devils where the Hero is slowly getting hit on, threatened, etc by various characters of the game. I didn’t choose all of the characters but I knew Galanoth and Aegis were in there? I don’t even know why I chose them. Plot is that they’re all looking for some orb although none of the can agree on what it does. The orb works as the power boost that they need/want so the perception of it changes from person to person, which is why it is difficult to track.

Mystic Messenger where the Hero has the options with all of the Six Heroes. Which would take forever because we only know 2 of the 6 heroes. I have a draft of Falwynn’s but didn’t like it. And we only can guess with Faust so far.

So what it sounds like is I want to do a dating sim with DF characters because I also considered one of just anti-heroes/villains. What even.

[flamestoillusions]

DF Hero Randomizer

I have finished the randomizer and it can be found here. You just use a d100 for each category.

If you find things you like, things you don’t, and even things you would like to see, let me know. Although I will put a small disclaimer here that I made this all for fun and don’t expect it to match some standard.

But as for the actual randomizer, just some random notes:

I refused to do appearance because some races...don’t work the same...

For elementals: you can just role the element table if you don’t want to choose

Candemons are the true forms of those from Apsaydaaun.

Kaer Sierra and Volkenraand count as Outside of Known Lore.

Family is rather vague because I have no idea how any your characters’ family would identify.

I excluded most DC armors with the exception of those that have been playable for testing

I included some classes that are in the works as well as those that have been mentioned/someone that is that profession as I’ve seen some DF OCs not necessarily being the hero (so I guess the title is a little misleading)

You by no means have to choose the class background rolled (hell if you like any of the other ideas go for it). It’s to give nudges for your character’s motivations or drawbacks.

Things that say could be, possibly, or some blatant here is a plot for a background is just suggestion

Future Developments (...maybe)

Influential NPC - One of the NPCs in the game have a significant influence in your hero’s life. This can be anything from childhood friends to mortal enemies to that weird uncle.

Book 3 Alignment - Rose, Adventurer, unaffiliated, etc

Further backgrounds

Top Stats 

But if you’re curious, please give it a try. Post about the hero that gets created from it. I’m always so stoked to hear about the characters that appear in tumblrfable. And give me some feedback on the randomizer.