The second phase of the manifestation ritual has begun! Everyone must now work together if they’re going to stop the shaman from summoning their master, Alastor. But not everything is what it seems, and some tough moral choices are about to be made…READ ON!
#53: The Inner Circle March 11th, 2010
#52: Disruption March 4th, 2010
While Faye leads a motley collection towards one elemental node, Phantasia and her witchy companions head for another. Both face the same problem: the crystals focusing the magic circle are guarded, but whereas Phantasia’s team are ‘invisible’, Faye’s are not. Who will act the hero and who will act the fool? READ ON…
A Comedy of Tragics March 2nd, 2010
Started working on #58 today. It’s a complete contrast to the chapters before it, and for good reason too! From #52 through to #57, things tend to get rather dark and disturbing. Some of it might come as a surprise, but that’s very much the idea – as a reader you’ll go through the same journey the students go through, from not understanding to wishing you didn’t. As the masquerade most have been under since the beginning now begins to fall – as they wished it to – the grim reality of their world is exposed.
Well, maybe.
No, I’m not about to kill anyone off. I am going to force some into confronting their morals and principalities, though.
I recall a review suggesting Phantasia was aimed at younger readers. At the time it made me chortle. You’ll soon be able to understand why. Not that I would stop ‘younger readers’ from reading it (though anyone under 12 would probably have gotten bored by now!). I read enough when I were that age. When was the last time you picked up a book and it said “Warning: this story contains content rated NC-17 and is not suitable for minors”? Exactly. Don’t expect such nanny-state pandering from me 
ANYHOW! Back to #58. Yes, it’s lighter, more humourous and completely out of whack with what preceeds it. That’s what’s so great about writing a serial. You couldn’t get away with that in a novel!
The chapter is (currently) called “Messages from Malkuth” and focuses entirely on silky-haired, egocentric Chris. Just plotting out the scenes helped revitalise my enthusiasm – diving into the darkness for too long can weigh you down. Meanwhile #59 is a Katrina-centric chapter, following on from the mystery set up in #58. Said mystery gets ’solved’ in #60, leading into a bunch of chapters that will change everything. Not sure if they’ll be #61-65 or #61-70, as I might adapt a shorter-chapters-twice-a-week schedule by then…
To make this post look pretty, here’s some artwork!
#51: Mission Objectives February 25th, 2010
While Faye confronts the students about their intentions, Phantasia crosses paths with some unexpected – or perhaps most expected – acquaintances. Who? READ ON…
Cast Away! February 23rd, 2010
I’ve finally gotten rid of another relic of the old site design: the overcrowded cast page! It’s now relegated to an index in the main cast database. Wondering what it’s like now? Have a look!
There’s still work to be done, mind. I’m going to rewrite some of the profiles, update others, and alter those that are repeated to better suit the category they’re under. And the main cast page will feature different characters. I still haven’t decided who to relegate or promote at the moment – currently it features those characters who have had a decent amount of point-of-view time, or who are generally important (If this were a TV show, Payne would clearly get the “AND” section at the back of the opening credits XD)
Of course, by the time you read this, I may have already finished these changes!
And if you’re interested, here are the preliminary volume titles for the next couple of months, which cover the rest of the current arc (both the Underground section and the stuff that follows on from that).
Volume 11 (#51-55): Amalgam
Volume 12 (#56-60): Turning Point
Volume 13 (#61-65): Awakening
There’s always the chance certain threads might get spun out a little, mind (like they have been for a while now!) so it could go on a few chapters more. The Underground section definitely ends with #56 though (I’ve written most of it already). Those of you (and I know there’s a few) who are fans of Dante should look forward to #57 onwards. Shelley fans too. Personally I’m looking forward to writing the Chris/Lance stuff…
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer… February 20th, 2010
I’m going to try out a couple of new things with #51. Firstly, the minor change, will be the story navigation. Nothing drastic, we’ll see how it goes etc.
Second is something I thought of that might help in such a long-running series with lots-and-lots-of-characters: a page at the start of the chapter with a brief recap, followed by a chapter cast list. Like the sort of thing you’d get in a TV serial. I’m not sure how to work it yet, but it’ll be much better than the random recap-me-do I’ve currently got going that only updates sporadically!
I’ll see how it develops. You might find it never happens!
#50: Death of the Cynics February 19th, 2010
With the bulk of their ‘trials’ down, the group of student investigators now approach perhaps their greatest: a golem sentinel. Can science defeat magic? READ ON…
Lighting up the Night February 18th, 2010
Was planning on doing more daily posts with little bits of background info, but the Real World conspired against me. Alas and woe! Here’s a preview for tomorrow’s chapter, which will most likely be arriving in the evening sometime.
#49: The Gauntlet February 15th, 2010
As scheduled, it’s a two-chapter week!
Phoenie’s latest invetigation team make their way into the underground, prepared to deal with whatever tricks and traps await them. But are they really ready to cross the line into the harsh realities of the world? READ ON…
Two Young Faeries and a Queen February 13th, 2010
| And for the final day of this OCDer’s dream, it’s time to have a look at our young faeries and see how they rate against their human counterparts. They’re quite different, as I’m sure you can see. For one thing, faeries have no physical body, so their physical strength is permanently ZERO!
Also, I remember saying I would explain some crazy symbolism? The number 12. |
| Faye | |
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Faye is a atypical Water faerie: high knowledge stats, low creativity – it’s hard to be creative when you’re only capable of convergent thinking. Here sensing grade relates to her Reading ability, while her low adaptation demonstrates her inability to directly manipulate the thoughts of others. Her social skills are very much minimal too – something she has demonstrated rather well in her few few days in the human world. |
| Phantasia | |
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Faeries can be just as varied as humans, as Phantasia here proves. Her perceptive and sensing abilities are her greatest asset, followed by her creativity and divergent thinking. Her skills very much compliment Faye’s and they cover each other’s weak areas. The only place they falter is in offensive ability, something they both lack. How well Phantasia’s magical abilities grow depend greatly on how well she comes to understand them – and just what they actually are! The predicted grades here are ambiguous at best. |
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So now on to the Special Guest Star. You see, the students get their own special little chart that only goes up to 10. In the REAL world, the SEELIE gradings go UP TO ELEVEN…actially, that’s a lie, they go up to TWENTY-FIVE. Although very few entities break the 20 barrier on anything, and those who break it multiple times… Well, here’s Queen Thetis, judge for yourself. And just to show the gap between our protagonists and their elders, I’ve added a comparison… |
| Queen Thetis |
Queen Thetis / Faye |
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