#wiz rambles

[wiz-writes]

So I thought I'd manage to post the demos on itch today, turns out I suck at customising pages. Seriously, I'm about to chuck the computer out of the window.

Why does it look fine on mobile and the browser version looks like ****?

What's worse, I put one of my playlists on shuffle and the thing keeps playing only the instrumental versions of the songs... I swear it's doing it on purpose just to irk me. 😂😂😂

yes, i'm okay

[two-wizards-in-a-trench-coat]

i wonder why everyone usually depicts martin as being super tall. was he ever described that way and i missed it? always pictured him small and easily not spotted for obvious reasons lmao

[sleeepy-sun]

Bestie I watched Howl's moving castle for the first time and now I'm filled with hope and love

[extravalgant]

i think i see where the problem with karamelle lies in regard to how arc 4 starts...

its so interesting to see because polaris and karamelle start us off with a starting world to an arc and yet i feel like karamelle is somewhat... lacking

i think it had to do with the fact that there was more things involved with polaris... we had the wizard graduating from ravenwood + bartleby getting sick + introduction of the arcanum/new spells + our first glimpse of grandfather spider & raven threatening us in those caves + new npcs with charming dialogue and interesting interactions

karamelle was like... ok here's nothing (literally) and also some squid guy. and holes. and also destroy capitalism and maybe you are the bad guy? we just dont know

and also the gobblers have some relevance bc we decided these joke characters needed some lore. have fun with that gobbler boss battle though <3

i feel as if... their basis at the start of writing karamelle was that "the wizard travels karamelle in search of what is causing the holes" and they had to fill it out from there

[mysticsheepplant]

Guess who has to Queue more Screenshots then I ever have before for two new Saves.

[wiz-writes]

AAAAAAH, CH2 IS DONE!!!!

Mostly.

Just need to add stat/relationship changes and then reread it at least a thousand times.

If you don't see the update posted within the next two hours, then I've gone to sleep (as I really should) and the update will be playable tomorrow!

am really nervous to hear what y'all think

[wiz-writes]

I just discovered a two year old document with various scene snippets featuring Lucenis, yet somehow I have no recollection of writing the latter half of them?

It's like I've never seen them before lol

Goodness gracious, they're so badly written but the ANGST!

Bwahaha, let me share with you some (slightly fixed) lines. I don't think any of this will make it into the story, Lucenis feels a bit OOC there.

Spoilers, I guess?

Exhibit numero uno:

The moment of realisation must have been reflected on your face, because Lucenis' lip curls in a bitter smile. "Do you understand now? Why I told you this was a bad idea?" No, you don't. "Why didn't you just tell me?" He caresses your cheek. "I did not want you to think less of me."

Exhibit numero dos:

"Lucenis?" He staggers, catching himself on a nearby wall. You immediately surge forward, arms out to support him. "Lucenis, what's wrong?" He's bent over, a hand clutching at his chest. "I am fine," he forces out. *snip 🤭* You grasp his fingers with your trembling ones. "Lucenis." Your voice is hoarse. "...I am here." Squeezing his hand, you let out a breath. He is here. For now.

🙄 typical Lucenis if you ask me...

These are really taken out of context so they might not feel that angsty, but believe me, they are 😂

[wiz-writes]

Not sure if anyone is interested in reading some Chinese poetry, but since chapter 3 of Yinshan features quite a few lines, I felt it appropriate to share with you the pieces I used in the final version.

It took me so many days to find lines that matched what I wanted to convey, I almost tore out all my hair haha. It was quite difficult to find something that wouldn't be too easy or too hard to guess, but I think that the final selection is alright.

(cut for length)

This first piece is mentioned in passing when the MC turns to inspect one of the scrolls.

Li Bai - The Roc (To Li Yong) If once together with the wind the roc could rise, He would fly ninety thousand li up to the skies. E'en if he must descend when the wind has abated. Still billows will be raised and the sea agitated. Seeing me, those in power think I'm rather queer; Hearing me freely talk, they can't refrain from sneer. Confucius was in dread of talents that would be; A sage will ne'er look down upon a youth like me. translation here

The next one is for the first pedestal, dao.

from Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu A tree too big to embrace Is born from a slender shoot. A nine-storey tower Rises from a pile of earth. A thousand-mile journey Begins with a single step. translation here

Next is the last pedestal, xin.

Li Bai - Hard Is The Way Of The World Pure wine in golden cup costs ten thousand coins - good! Choice dish in a plate of jade is worth as much - nice food! Pushing aside my cup and chopsticks, I can't eat; Drawing my sword and looking round, I stamp my feet. I can't cross Yellow River: ice has stopped its flow; I can't climb Mount Taihang: the sky is blind with snow. I can but poise a fishing pole beside a stream Or set sail for the sun like a sage in a dream. Hard is the way, Hard is the way. Don't go astray! Whither today? A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves; I'll set my cloud-white sail and cross the sea, which raves. translation here

Now the three choices for the tian pedestal.

Du Mu - Mountain Travel Far away on the cold mountain, a stone path slants upwards, In the white clouds is a village, where people have their homes. I stop the carriage, loving the maple wood in the evening, The frosted leaves are redder than the second month's flowers. translation here

Li Bai - Zazen on Ching-t'ing Mountain The birds have vanished down the sky. Now the last cloud drains away. We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains. translation here

Li Bai - Moon Over Mountain Pass A bright moon rising above Tian Shan Mountain, Lost in a vast ocean of clouds. The long wind, across thousands upon thousands of miles, Blows past the Jade-gate Pass. The army of Han has gone down the Baiteng Road, As the barbarian hordes probe at Qinghai Bay. It is known that from the battlefield Few ever live to return. Men at Garrison look on the border scene, Home thoughts deepen sorrow on their faces. In the towered chambers tonight, Ceaseless are the women's sighs. translation here

Now onto the jue pedestal.

Du Mu - On Parting Fond are my feelings, yet unfeeling I feign, Before our wine-cups, we merry-make in vain. So heartful, the candle, our parting it grieves, And in tears it melts, till the sky lights again. translation here

Li Yu - I Climb The Western Tower In Silence Wordless, alone, to the West Tower I climb the stair; The Moon, like a curved sword, hangs there. Held captive in the deep courtyard and its lonesome phoenix tree, Is the cool, pure Autumn breeze. Cut it, it doesn’t sever; Sort it, as entangled as ever — It is a great sorrow to part, Creating an entirely different feeling in my heart translation here

Li Bai - Farewell To A Friend Green hills above the northern wall, White water winding east of the city. On this spot our single act of parting, The lonely tumbleweed journeys ten thousand li. Drifting clouds echo the traveller's thoughts, The setting sun reflects my old friend's feelings. You wave your hand and set off from this place, Your horse whinnies as it leaves. translation here

And I believe that's it!

Sometimes you'll notice the translations don't match with what's in the chapter. That's because I usually took a look at several versions, as well as my own interpretation, and then somehow put it together.

I'm sure you'll also notice I might have a favourite 😂