Part 3 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]Tell us one thing you love about your story.I adore covering the little aspects of worldbuilding that make Alfarell come to life. I love the opportunity to nestle puns into the narrative. I love putting in references to everything I love in there.
🎶 I love the whole work, and all its crazyness
...boom de yadda, boom de yadda, boom de yadda, boom de yadda...
Remote
InterNutter 
@internutter@blahaj.zone
sharkey 2025.4.7
The best writer you've never heard of. But that is going to change for the better.
Enby Author of strange and weird worlds. Friend to cats, environmentalist, equal rights fan, and self-confessed Chaos Gremlin. Streaming on Twitch as BitzerK.
Snugglebuddies with @supakaity@blahaj.zone and @ada@blahaj.zone, parental of two kids, guardian of two cats. Pronouns: ze/hir (singular they is also acceptable)
I know all sorts of otherwise useless trivia about many random things. I play TTRPGs, watch a lot of animated things, and am pathologically incapable of not sharing stuff that I think is cool.
I have been diagnosed with Anxiety and ASD, but I'm fairly certain that that's not all that is "wrong" with me.
162 Followers
117 Following
50 Posts
An announcement for my lovely readers:
Draft2Digital, in their infinite excuse for wisdom, have elected to charge "low earners" $12USD per annum for not earing over $100USD per annum.
As you might guess, I'm fucking broke. I also don't know how to sell my shit. Easy solution - move to a different Indie Publishing arena.
The best one of the batch, recommended to me by fellow Authors, is Ingram Spark. THEY need a real ISBN.
That I have to pay for.
I'm flat fucking broke, as stated earlier.
My options are:
* Put up with being hit for $12USD a year
* Find a way to raise roughly $600AUD for some ISBN's
* Beg for money on the internet
As it stands, I'm taking all my free stories off of Draft2Digital and adjusting some price tags so that I can earn a little more scratch.
My daily tales are just paying the bills, which is nice, but I would really love some moneys to pay for little extras.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cmweller
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/cmweller
Part 6 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]What writing-related challenges have you encountered recently?FINISHING A SEXTOLOGY!
Also:
- Stepping away from a toxic group before it got very bad
- Taking up a new weekly challenge
- Staying in charge of my regular submissions
Part 27 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
What one thing (no matter how expensive or impractical) would make it easier for you to write more books more easily?I usually make a joke about a "big burly bloke named Bruce" to take care of everything for me. But to answer honestly, I would say in brief: A staff.
People to do all of the things that I really aughta take care of but writing is shinier.
It definitely includes a masseuse and in-house chef.
Part 4 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]What’s your MC’s critical flaw?Oh, he has a few...
- Soft spot for children roughly the size of soviet-era Russia
- Operates according to different rules depending on the social situation and forgets that he should keep the other rules in mind
- Has forgotten how to trust
- A chip on his shoulder bigger than the combined potato fields of Earth
Part 2 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]How much longer do you think it’ll take you to finish your WIP?Well, I gotta have life stop happening at me for a week, and get over this most recent depressive episode, but I'm down to single numbers of chapters to finish.
Part 1 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]
How long have you been working on your WIP?Since January 2022. Six books in four years isn't bad, right?
Part 28 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
Do you use flowers at all in your story?I have a whole plotline about dandelions and why one of my characters is afraid of them. So very much yes.
Part 10 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]What are the beauty standards like in your world and do they impact any of your characters?Beauty standards: Tall, slimmer, generally fit or at least seeming to be fit.
Delia: Short, stout, and well-padded. So She has an inferiority complex about herself.
Fortunately, Kosh is into her particular body type.
Part 9 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]
Are there any unusual societal norms in your world?Leaders of a polity at war are expected to lead their armies into combat, often armed with little more than the polity's flag and a horse.
[AN: I did this on purpose to dissuade the chicken-hawks. And even used one as an example in fiction :D ]
Part 8 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]MC POV: Describe your neighborhood.Book One Kosh: It's a busy warren of streets with owner's apartments above the businesses they run. The crew and I run a decent enough tavern when we're not adventuring. Our immediate neighbors are chandlers, artificers, and a florist. With a tea shop across the larger thoroughfare. There's a herbalist down the street and a butcher's downhill that doesn't charge us extra when I go to pick up the orders. That sort of attitude always gets a tip from me.
Part 5 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]Is your MC aware of their flaw?He knows about the soft spot for kids and the trust issues.
He frequently trips himself on the social rules and feels the chip is justified.
THREE CHAPTERS REMAIN
(and now I'm on the hook for five more chapter reads yay)
#adevilstale #stateofthewip #countdown
Challenge #04895-M146: Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
It has been three summers since the new head of a scribal house in Arbordeep settled into the hereditary role, and all is not well. Many of the students have wandered off, no new recruits to the printing operation have arrived, and even worse, rumors are flitting about of a conspiracy amongst the remaining senior scribes. Something must be done… but what? -- Deathshead419The Empire was falling. Barbarian invaders, polities breaking off and causing trouble with the Empire that once sheltered them from the Barbarians. It was so bad that the regiments of Legionarii were calling for Adventurers to fill their ranks.
Tullia scribed down as much as she could into sheets of bronze. It was less likely to be traded for the metal, and less likely to corrode. There was a chance that someone would know how to read if she perished.
With that thought in mind, she made one sheet with pictographic instructions. Hoping for the best.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04895-m146-sic-transit-gloria-mundi
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04891-M142: Live to Serve
Vichelle had known little in life aside from washing the laundry of her noble master’s family. She kept her head down, her ears plugged, and tried to act like a shadow in the night. But when she finds blood on the linens one time too many, a vision at the river tells her that she must do more… -- Deathshead419Servants should never be seen or heard. They're meant to serve without thanks, without notice. Without merit. Silent as the walls, as unobserved as the furniture. Only noticed by their absence, and then when the work is not done.
Vichelle had grown up with a washboard and soap in her hands. Doing the work of keeping the lord and lady's clothing pristine and in good repair. She did such good work that none of those in charge noticed that she'd done it at all. She was proud of that. She never received a compliment, never gained praise, and never had a concern.
Until the issue with the blood.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04891-m142-live-to-serve
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04890-M141: Wanna Big Boom
Rather a long one, but what is the fascination of humans with explosives? -- Prompey[AN: Long one?]
Humans like spectacle. Huge amounts of people working together. Everyday miracles. Teamwork to help some otherwise helpless creature. And big things falling down. They also love watching things explode, from a safe distance, of course.
From a certain perspective - everyone else - this is yet another example of Humanity's collective insanity. Most leave it at that.
Companion Xryk was curious enough to ask his Humans about it. "Why do you like watching explosions?" he asked. He took notes for his records, to be collated and counted at a later day.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04890-m141-wanna-big-boom
#flashfiction #sciencefiction #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04875-M126: Wrath of the DarkDeep below the vale of ancients, in ruins so deep and layered as to become a cave-like labyrinth, is an effigy of a goddess. A small posse of dare seekers ignore the fell myths whispered of the buried divine, though they may come to wish they had heeded the warnings... -- Deathshead419The world was built by Dragons, then built upon by various civilisations. Some cities, like Arbordeep, have been built up on previous iterations of Arbordeep as various cataclysms, floods, and built-up silt have buried the old ones. It's just one among many such places with a thriving Undercity and links to the Everdark.
The tunnels and caverns may not have been linked originally, but various burrowing species have made them so. It is whispered that one may be able to walk around the world in the Everdark without once glimpsing sunlight. No-one is known to have done this, since the Everdark is thriving with assorted terrors. Living nightmares that have never needed eyes to see. Things that subsist solely on the filth that oozes from above. Abominations created by mad mages that have created their own ecological niche. And, of course, Dragons that like the dark.
If the theoretical traveler attempts to delve in the Everdark under Val'eon, they would find the labyrinths of built stone. Buried by the ages. Some legends say that the buried buildings were made by the first Elves who were born with little magic in their blood. This band of exiles created architecture to last beyond the end of the world.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04875-m126-wrath-of-the-dark
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04871-M122: Clutch Clowder
A basket of kittens is left at the doorstep at one of the rare times that Wraithvine's portable tower is visible to those around hir. The mother had died of illness, and the person caring for them finds they don't have the skill, patience, or fortitude, to bottle feed and tend all six. Which requires getting up every couple of hours to feed them, then tending to them to get them to go to the bathroom, then keeping them warm, and feeding them again, over and over for a long period of time, until they can take solid food. -- Anon GuestElves only need four hours' rest. Everyone knew that. They had used that time in centuries past to learn more and do more than other intelligent creatures. Those others basically had to cheat in order to slip the Elven yoke. Nevertheless, Elves knew things and Tari knew that much.
Which was why she approached what appeared to be a humble little cottage that had sprung up overnight on the side of the road.
That sort of cottage had to contain the kind of magic he needed. Tari almost collapsed with relief when he saw the patchwork Wizarding hat atop the elegant Elven head. He held up his burden. Box, blanket, kittens and the pathetic tools he had attempted to use to save their tiny lives. "Please," he begged. "Their mam died just after the last one come out. I need t' save 'em but I'm awful at it."
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04871-m122-clutch-clowder
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04870-M121: The Right Fulcrum
"You can have money or you can have Justice." - Which do you choose? -- Prompey[AN: Very sorely tempted to do so many Leverage riffs]
The right to reign is often accepted to mean: anyone who reigns has all the rights. And when anyone is both rich and powerful, they can take what they want and make consequences happen to others. Naturally, the people on the wrong end of that exchange tend to get irritated by that attitude.
So rebellions rise in odd corners.
Five rogues gathered in an undisclosed location, each with their particular area of expertise. They didn't dress like rogues, which was the point. If anyone in authority found them, that authority would mistake them for Adventurers up to some nonsense.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04870-m121-the-right-fulcrum
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04869-M120: Medically Necessary Dangerous Friend
I have the rare type - O negative blood, a universal donor. I'm also scared of needles. My kind, at least to me, pax humanis friend helps me with this anxiety so I can donate and save lives. --Anon GuestMedical practice always needs blood. At least, it does in this particular neighbourhood of the Edge Territories. I heard from some traders that the Alliance can just make whatever blood they want. There's like special cloned bone marrow units that do it. That technology can't or won't make it to the Edge. So people like me are stuck getting stuck with medical sharp sticks so Mediks have a blood supply.
I have two main problems with all of that. One: I have a special blood type, O Negative. The universal donor. So they need a lot out of me. Two: I hate being stuck with sharp things.
It makes trouble for the Medik trying to get my blood out of me. Anxiety leads to higher blood pressure, which - you might be shocked to learn - causes a bit of a jet when the needle goes in. Then I see my own blood and faint, which means they have to start over.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04869-m120-medically-necessary-dangerous-friend
#flashfiction #sciencefiction #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04865-M116: End an Angry God
An ancient inscription upon a Stele has brought Wraithvine to another monument upon the shores of a primordial lake. Here ze finds an aged icon of a long forgotten god and the pronouncement upon his pedestal which has waited all this time… -- Deathshead419Wraithvine should have become used to finding quests in museums. People left messages for hir to unriddle long-term problems, or seers put things in hir way. Ze could never tell. Either way, they were very good at leading hir into troubles that needed fixing.
The particular stele from a forgotten empire detailed landmarks that would last. A seer had been at work for this message. They knew that Wraithvine would be some time in seeing it.
Over rocky mountain pass, through narrow valley, and in the midst of a misty swamp; Wraithvine found a half-sunken, shattered visage. The weather had taken its toll on the sneering face, but that was not the issue.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04865-m116-end-an-angry-god
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04873-M124: Fishing For ConvertsA new faith in a single God has captured a polity, raising or replacing the old temples and extinguishing the old gods. All except one, a "Tree Mother" whose grove Deep in the wilderness has been out of reach, for all who have tried to burn her put have returned shaken, wounded, or not at all.Yet one priest is insistent, and takes the task of eradicating this last bastion of paganism to heart. -- Deathshead419The story is told of a wise teacher who worked miracles like a divinity. He explained the laws of the faith he followed and gave simpler rules for the people to follow. Chief among those were: don't hoard wealth, and be kind to each other.
Naturally, those who were cruel and had a lot of wealth objected to this, and killed him about it. Too late, of course. His followers were both underground and widespread.
His name was Ieshu, and his symbol - for reasons unknown to the authorities at the time - was a fish. The authorities, the kingdom, the soldiers, and even the city in which it happened were all gone by the time Baernadina, minor priestess of a fringe Ieshite cult took up devotion to the faith. She had read the Holy Words and Speeches. Read the stories and scriptures of all Ieshu's apostles. And like many before her, decided that the heretics must be expunged from the known world.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04873-m124-fishing-for-converts
Challenge #04899-M150: Illusory Brilliance
There is a time of apogee, when things work and fame and fortune is yours. But it doesn't last, your body can't maintain the strain of peak performance. it comes sooner for some than others. Some teach, train or coach, keeping their love of their passion. Some trade on their fame, for good or ill. And some find another life no longer connected to that which drove them. -- PrompeyNothing is permanent. Flowers wilt. Mountains erode. Oceans rise, as the wise say, and empires fall. Nevertheless, there are always those who refuse to believe that what goes up must also come down. Those who will not acknowledge that a meteoric rise to fame always ends in a disastrous fall to infamy.
Witness Frances Montcroix, risen to fame and fortune on the best reputation that money could buy. Sailing along on a homespun reputation no more solid than gossamer. Further observe the pattern of their behaviour.
Step one - venture capital. Find a business in the process of starting up that could contain great potential. Step two - give them a lot of money in return for an impressive title. Step three - give the business every possible advantage so that the actual brains behind it all have the easiest time making it succeed. Step four - take all the credit, take over, and tell the brains behind it all to take off. All whilst arranging steps one and two on at least two other ventures. Step four - stamp their personality all over the established product, making it their brand.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04899-m150-illusory-brilliance
#flashfiction #mundanematters #shortstory #writingprompt
Part 25 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
Is there any political or moral value that your MC and antagonist agree on?By technicality, I guess.
Druempf and Kosh agree that criminality must be stopped. They disagree on the method.
Bai and Kosh agree that education is important. It's just that Bai spent a long time believing that Kosh was cheating with his leaps.
Valiant and Kosh will never agree on anything ever.
Baby steps, Prince Odilio. Baby steps.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04894-m145-making-the-effort
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04877-M128: Can We Keep Each Other?Not long ago, this planet of havenworlders saved a human who had, had a cheese-grater landing. If not for these beings, the human, fortunately the only occupant of that freighter, would not have survived. Then raiders came to harm these people. And the humans showed what gratitude for kindness earns. -- Anon Guest[AN: May be in relation to: https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04839-m090-waif-and-stray ]
Hal was learning a lot of things. Starting with the fact that aliens were real and that a lot of them were more harmless than the average Human. The surprising part was that there were other Human worlds, stations, and settlements all over the known universe. Lots of them had banded together to form some kind of fellowship, but they were also friends with a whole bunch of aliens.
He also figured out that he couldn't go back to his world and tell the people there that. Hal's home was isolated and would panic if actual real live aliens showed up. He might even be considered 'polluted' or 'infected' by the alien forces.
They might even think he had been copied or... taken over by the aliens.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04877-m128-can-we-keep-each-other
#flashfiction #sciencefiction #shortstory #writingprompt
Fellow #Australians there's a petition out to kill the hell out of this transphobia bill:
https://equalityaustralia.org.au/hands-off-our-protections/
Part 7 of May and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @AlinaLeonova@wandering.shop ]
Does your antagonist have any redeeming qualities?Druempf - loves his wife and kids
Bai - Actually recognises what an asshole he's been
Valiant - (technically) tries to stop what he believes to be a disastrous prophecy from coming true.
Challenge #04876-M127: Invasive Plant Control
It took Vholno some time to understand that his father was once regarded as a blushing maid who found his true self through the care of the dryads. Though wind pollination makes humoresque paternity all but impossible to determine, still, Vholno is desperate to learn the one who’s pollen took root in Gyethamp the Bard all those years before.
Sequel to https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04709-l325-difficult-history -- Deathshead419There was a lot to take in. A lot to understand. A lot, after those two facts, to learn about Dryad biology. Which was associated with Dryad sociology and Gyethamp's big faux pas. Listening to it from the Dryad side of things was an education.
"He drank of all our nectar," said one of the grove. They were all interchangeable and had no individual names. "He ate of our fruit. He tangled limbs with all of us."
A second spoke up, "Yet he named one and said that one was unique and above the others."
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04876-m127-invasive-plant-control
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04874-M125: Educating a Royal PainThe Swan Prince Odilio Magustine Jestarion Francas has learned from Trudy that there is no easy way out of his curse. His only hope would be to earn the love of a lady. But what can a swan offer a damsel or maiden fair? Perhaps something to do with flight could open the door he’s looking for…https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04851-m102-with-adequate-reason -- Deathshead419The kiss of a virgin wasn't hard to obtain if you didn't mind the slobbery attempts of toddlers. Which the Prince Odilio Magustine Jestarion Francas did object to.
"I want a lady I can marry, and bring to my palace," he whined, then muttered, "All my other fiancees rejected me."
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04874-m125-educating-a-royal-pain
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04892-M143: False Fate
Some hold that the fates of all men are carved into stone. What happens when a miner breaks into a cave and discovers tablets seeming to record all events of the miner’s life up until that point and then details what is to come thereafter? -- Deathshead419Some legends say that the Great Silver Dragon curled up and became the moon. Some say that she became the very world upon which all other life depends. Some legends say that all the destinies of all the lives are written upon the Great Silver Dragon's scales, and woe betide any who find so much as one...
Some legends will say anything.
But most legends have a mote of truth inside them, as the unfortunate Sapper Jaymes found out to his peril. He had been minding his own business, mining his claim and following a seam of interesting rock. At least until that very rock split open and he found a small chamber containing a stone like no other. It was covered with writing.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04892-m143-false-fate
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04879-M130: Sad Beige LifeMy parents were cold narcissists. As an adult, once they signed everything to me, I signed our entire solar system to the alliance. I have plenty to live on, my mansions, my gardens, and so much more. But now the halls are full of life and youthful laughter. It actually feels like a home, not a museum. My parents? They live in their wing, their own little world. I'm letting them live the remainder of their golden years in peace. Under watch, and proper medical care, of course. -- Anon GuestYou might think it's cold. It kind of is. It's kind of petty, too. You would be right, but I can explain.
My earliest memory was crying because I wanted a Raggy May doll, and they told me I had to have a teddy bear or nothing. Teddy bears fit the aesthetic of the nursery. Which was fifty shades of beige. There once was a heritage green cushion, but it was quickly disposed of for being "too disturbing" for the peace of the childcare wing.
They decided every aspect of my life. The clothes I wore, the subjects I learned, the toys I was permitted to play with, the musical instruments I learned. Everything. Right down to when I could relieve myself and what kinds of food I was permitted to eat and when.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04879-m130-sad-beige-life
#flashfiction #sciencefiction #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04864-M115: Always Welcome
Dex was taking a vacation from the palace with his family. Unfortunately, it becomes quite stormy. But, fortunately, his parents' place wasn't far, and it'd been quite a while since they'd visited the farm. -- Anon GuestThey had been on their way to Waelrin's capital and castle when the threatening storm started to beat their carriage around. The good news, for King Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, tenth of his name (Dex to his friends), was that they were close to Dromlynne. He had his firstborn and heir on his knee and the twin girls, Glee and Hope, playing at his feet. Taking care not to accidentally kick his children, he leaned out the window and called up, "Head for Dunrulin farm, please. It's closer."
"Opa," cheered his son, who had inherited the same name. "We're goin'a Opa!"
The girls squealed, "Opa! Opa! Opa!"
His poor Tulip, who had been trying to doze during the trip, glared at him. Her eyes said, You set them off, you have to settle them.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04864-m115-always-welcome
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04897-M148: Epic Rap Battle For History
A trio of warrior lords quibble over who is to inherit a large swath of land, for the will was lost in the fire which killed the former ruler. To avoid a war, the three visit seeress, who leads them to a shine of Wothynn, with the foretelling that the one who is the best Poet shall be judged the rightful heir to the land -- Deathshead419Things were done differently in the Northlands. Politics was often settled with the sword, when it couldn't be resolved via the marital bed. Might often made right. Attacking an enemy the day after they'd just had drinking games in their mead halls was a legitimate war tactic. The Northmen were tough, hardy, and fond of their booze. The North women were even more fearsome.
Thork Thorvigsson had been a mighty warrior with thralls all across the fjords. Until, after one night of drunken revelry, someone set his longhouse ablaze.
Nobody knew who did it, and there was a passing chance that one of the feasters had knocked a candle or lantern into the threshes anyway. What was certain was that Thork Thorvigsson left a lot of land ungoverned and an enormous power vacuum.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04897-m148-epic-rap-battle-for-history
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04889-M140: Culture Shock
What are the bad things about the Alliance? What are the good things about the Greater Deregulation? And what are things both sides agree on? -- Anon Guest[AN: That's a very good question]
Every utopia is someone's dystopia. The opposite holds true. Someone's paradise is someone else's hell. The Alliance has laws that are meant for the equity of all its citizens, including guarantees for health, welfare, and happiness. This also means that every citizen of the Alliance is under a modicum of surveillance.
If a citizen neglects their own welfare, the law is in place to make the welfare happen. This can reach the point where the local security officers are involved.
At least the offense "Criminal Self Neglect" is not a black mark on the citizen in question. Only those guilty of the most severe crimes in the Alliance go to more than remedial therapy. The Alliance prefers to prevent crimes before anyone can come to harm.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04889-m140-culture-shock
#flashfiction #sciencefiction #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04886-M137: Go Back to the FireA devotee of Khasis and Gibil, the fire and the forge, arrives to give libations to the Divines. Only, the devotee becomes confused, as one God is singular non-binary and the other is a hypostasis of multiple divine aspects…https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypostasis_(philosophy_and_religion)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYOUFGfK4bU -- Deathshead419Offerings to gods can vary in substance, but agree on theme. Various deities all over Alfarell are offered various liquids to drink. Few take blood any more, and many prefer wine. Two like volatile oil.
Technically three, if you count Aurorus. But His temples' eternal flame is carefully fed by donations from the devout.
For Khasis of the Forge and Gibil of the Flame, the preferred libation is lamp oil or, if the devotee is in need of lamp oil, sufficiently strong alcohol.
They often share the same temple space, since their work is related. Which definitely confuses devotees making their offerings. Some clerics follow both, some only follow one, and some only follow one aspect of one. Which only confuses the devotees more.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04886-m137-go-back-to-the-fire
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Part 26 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
How “high maintenance “ is your MC?He's literally lived in a "no frills" apartment and eaten nothing but rations. About all he does for self maintenance is bathe and dress his hair with rosewater.
So I have to say "not".
Challenge #04868-M119: Tested Not in VeinLegend holds of a harsh God, who’s marked have the blood drained from their bodies until expiring, this life force fueling the God’s power. The God has no use for the souls of those who are not devotees. So what happens when Elizabeth is dragged into the body of a ghoulish divine and accidentally invokes the right rite to bind her soul to her blood and become a simple blood cell inside the sepulcher halls of Godly flesh? -- Deathshead419[AN: I just went scrambling to see if I did anything with an Elizabeth anywhere 'cause it seemed a bit familiar... for a hot minute, I was wondering if this was Vykoria related]
The cultists of Lamok were running amok, as it seemed. Determined to convert, lure, or otherwise create new devotees to Hir throng. And they swore up and down that they had nothing to do with the spate of disappearances, honest. They had all these cool secret rites and ancient knowledge. Don't you want to know the ancient knowledge? We have some really alluring secrets...
Of course Elizabeth joined to find them out. Curiosity had its hooks and she had always fallen for the bait. The rest of the cult didn't even seem to mind that she spent most of her time in the temple library, just reading the ancient scrolls.
She came for the secrets, and found them by the yard. Prayers. Rites. Rituals. Elizabeth studied them all. Admittedly, she might confess to being more devoted to learning things than Lamok Hirself, but they were part of the cult, and she was devoted to that bit.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04868-m119-tested-not-in-vein
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Part 30 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
What unhealthy beliefs are held by your MC?Harmful to himself: Nobody's going to help him so he has to tough it out or deal with whatever himself.
Harmful to others (potentially): The entire world is out to get him, so everyone he meets is a potential enemy. Therefore, he has to be prepared to fight for his life.
part 29 of April and #WordWeavers meme regarding Blorbo From My WIP [Image from @BranwenOShea@writing.exchange ]
Can you describe your current WIP in three words?Devilborn finds love.
Challenge #04893-M144: Something's in the Water
The laundresses of three neighboring noble estates have long come the same bend in the river to clean the fabrics of their masters and chat about the day’s trivialities. All seemed right and normal for years, until one day the laundry emerged from the waters covered in strange, flowing symbols too neat to be stains, too precise to be meaningless. -- Deathshead419Three Baronets held neighbouring lands, and it was a lucky thing that they were friends. The shared hunting grounds were a forest where a majority of the three realms' politics happened whilst riding out and locating their shared quarry. Most of the rest happened over ales at the feast for the victor.
It was therefore no shock that the servants were also fast allies. The neighbouring holiday castles shared the same stream where the laundresses clustered to chatter and scrub. Most of the news that didn't reach the town criers exchanged itself at that junction.
"M'lord's young lady's come to bloom," cheered the laundress for Ronchenac, Nellie. "She'll be meeting her fiancee very soon."
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04893-m144-somethings-in-the-water
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04896-M147: Proposal of a Portrait
Guild painter Petreau has pined for the hand of his master’s daughter for the last six years. After all this time, a masterpiece centered on her is finished. The girl even likes it. But how will he finagle his cantankerous mentor into letting him wed the girl he loves? -- Deathshead419It was a portrait of adoration. The face on the canvas almost glowed with joy. Her hair was resplendant, and her clothes were lovingly rendered to look their best. Most importantly, it was not lustful in the slightest. Because it was meant to be viewed by her father.
Who was the most cantankerous, crotchety, argumentative, and bitter old sot who had ever held a paintbrush.
"Another attempt, eh?" said Leogratha, putting on his glasses so he could squint at the canvas. He was years overdue for a new prescription, but he was too stubborn to get a new set made. "Good likeness. I note you spent time on her hands to show off. Knitting. Extravagant."
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04896-m147-proposal-of-a-portrait
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Fun things are happening on Twitch, tomorrow.
Even more fun things are happening to me next week :D
Challenge #04867-M118: The Seeds of Ghosts
Deep in the boggy fen country, a village where cremation is customary is haunted by specters of the burned dead. These ghosts encroach closer and closer to the realm of the living with each passing night. The Elders send a letter, pleading with Wraithvine for aid against their supernatural tormentors.
Wraithvine sets out sure that this is caused by some readily explainable phenomenon, either by man-made hoax or mundane magic or perhaps a scorned local God. The Truth is far stranger than even this venerable hero could have imagined… -- Deathshead419It was odd to find a swamp village where most of the structures were fortification, where sturdy -if wooden- walls were patrolled day and night by clerics working in shifts Where every possible surface of every possible structure was carved and hung about with every possible protection charm.
Well. Ze had needed a haircut for the last millennium. Might as well put it all to good use instead of bunging it in a dimensionally transcendent hairnet.
Ze listened to the mayor's story as the goodwives and children capable of braiding turned Wraithvine's hair into length after length of thin cord. Because of the great need of the village, Wraithvine insisted that they crop hir hair close. Enough to guard each creature, each house, and each foot of the walls around them all.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04867-m118-the-seeds-of-ghosts
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt #fantasyfiction
Challenge #04888-M139: And Having Writ, Moves OnAfter a bout of writer’s block, an author of some renown has the spark return. Only, the events that the author begins penning begin to happen in real life. Horrified, the author tries to abandon the work. And yet, the tickle of imagination, the curiosity of what’s happening, and even the thrill of power keep calling the author back to the paper and ink… -- Deathshead419Writers may not live and die by the words they write, but they certainly eat and pay the rent by the sales they get. Some have died because of the words they wrote, but the blame lies on an unhinged member of the audience more than the work of the author. It's when inspiration stops cold and the ideas no longer flow, that a creative soul might pay anything to have one more idea.
Ellias Tauryn had been doing very well in speculative fiction. Their fifteen-book series had made their name, their fortune, and their fame.
It also made the most-asked question: "What's your next book about?"
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04888-m139-and-having-writ-moves-on
#flashfiction #magicalmayhem #shortstory #writingprompt
Challenge #04878-M129: Unexpected Rescue
They ran as fast as the wind toward Wraithvine and Bibrid, tackling both to the ground just as a magic arrow flies past the three. The arrow's power seared the being's back, the percussion caused bones to be broken. But, despite the immense pain, they said in a soft whisper to the two. "I'd tackle you again like this in a heartbeat, you're worth it." -- Anon GuestOf all the strange powers to have from birth, Scramble's ability to freeze time around hirself for ten seconds seemed the most useless. Especially since ze could only do it once a day without hurting hirself. Ten seconds wasn't much time, so Scramble used it when relevant backs were turned.
It was enough to steal a stale roll or armload of unguarded apples. Enough to get food to keep hir alive for one more day.
Ze almost didn't believe that Wraithvine and hir Gnomish companion passed hir by on the street. A small handful of silver appeared in Scramble's begging cup, and ze looked up to see the famous patchwork Wizarding hat.
https://peakd.com/fiction/@internutter/challenge-04878-m129-unexpected-rescue
#flashfiction #fantasy #shortstory #writingprompt