Arc Tribune v4: Spooky Season
... something Spooky this way comes! Happy Halloween- Special Edition!
October Edition!
What's new~ 10/24!
Running late, that's me! Myth(X)Cross here- waving cheery "Hello" from beyond, Arc Sagas! This month, I'm focusing on the spooky and the spectacular! Spooktober's done! Did you get all your Prompts in? Welcome to the thrilling Halloween Edition of the Arc Tribune! Happy Halloween!
"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown".
A Retrospective: Arc "Horrors"
Wanted to share some background: initially, I didn't plan for Arc Sagas to go in the cosmic horror direction. I wanted to build a setting that could incorporate a large group of themes and genres; still do, honestly.
However, as I continue to expand the Cosmology, I'm noticing my efforts have been directed towards expanding the Eidolons- eldritch aberrations not unlike the monstrous Elder Gods of Lovecraftian Lore or Daedric Princes of the Elder Scrolls.
In the current Ice Age, Eidolon were focused on migrating into the Corpus, or physical realms, from their dimension, Over-World. Using Dungeons, they attempt to enter the physical world or possess the living- this is apparent in the discipline of ancient Binders.
However, as I continue to expand the Cosmology, I'm noticing my efforts have been directed towards expanding the Eidolons- eldritch aberrations not unlike the monstrous Elder Gods of Lovecraftian Lore or Daedric Princes of the Elder Scrolls.
In the current Ice Age, Eidolon were focused on migrating into the Corpus, or physical realms, from their dimension, Over-World. Using Dungeons, they attempt to enter the physical world or possess the living- this is apparent in the discipline of ancient Binders.
Though Eidolon have been rather prominent in this first age, I'm sure that the focus will shift at some point. Just because they exist in the setting, it doesn't mean that it has to be a major focus. These entities will serve similar roles that a "Warlock's Patron" does in DnD settings. Granting pacts for powers is one of the most epic fantasy tropes!
Establishing them in the ancient world seems the most natural! New and terrible Eidolon will appear as the setting progresses! Old Eidolon may disappear; this has already happened!
When I was an early DM, I quite enjoyed writing short stories and games that had themes of horror within them! One of my most successful campaigns was a Call of Cthulhu homebrew; this is also when I first scratched upon the basics of the Arx-Core System.
Establishing them in the ancient world seems the most natural! New and terrible Eidolon will appear as the setting progresses! Old Eidolon may disappear; this has already happened!
When I was an early DM, I quite enjoyed writing short stories and games that had themes of horror within them! One of my most successful campaigns was a Call of Cthulhu homebrew; this is also when I first scratched upon the basics of the Arx-Core System.
Besides this, I have a penchant for writing suspense. Honestly, I just love a good mystery that defies my every expectation, and you really get that in good horror! You can easily thrill me with a spine-tingling story or Myth! Truthfully, anything that can quicken the pace of my heart and make me feel *something* is appreciated!
Lately, I feel I've been hitting my stride with the narrative and exposition elements in my writing, so this has been an interesting challenge! For brevity, there won't be a mini-story in this Newsletter; you'll have to check out my Spooky Submissions for that!
Keep it Spooky, Anvilite!
Opinion Piece!
An Editorial Correspondence!
Inquiry! From my friend, Razhea of Indomitable Will!
Got a Question? Submit an Inquiry in the Comments!
Click below for my response!
She writes:
"Where did Arc Sagas come from?
When did it come to you; what inspires it?"
What about you- what inspires your setting? When did the idea come to you? And what challenges have you faced to present your ideas? What is the scope of your project? Has that changed? Consider responding with a Comment Below!
"Where did Arc Sagas come from?
When did it come to you; what inspires it?"
What about you- what inspires your setting? When did the idea come to you? And what challenges have you faced to present your ideas? What is the scope of your project? Has that changed? Consider responding with a Comment Below!
Editor's Response
Thank you, Razhea, for such a thoughtful question! So many things have inspired my setting; it's the continuity across different media that fascinates me- anime, books, comics, video games, all crossing into new forms. That sense of expansion and versimilitude drives me to construct Arc Sagas, hoping one day it grows beyond my initial expectations!
The idea came to me during the Call of Cthulhu Homebrew. I had to construct every element of that game to make it work, which proved to me that it was not only fun but challenging! When it came to DMing, I found that I was often creating custom assets and elements. I discovered that I love systems, in general, and sharing ideas; the social collaborative aspect of working with a group towards a common goal. And sharing awesome stories you can play with, of course!
My inevitable goal is for others to expand on the Arx-Core System. While I write for self-improvement, it's the shared joy and social connection with others that truly inspires me. That social aspect is important to me. I want people to be able to connect to my work. Fortunately, writing towards a Goal gives me purpose beyond immediate gratification. I have to remind myself often that my purpose extends beyond the "now" of the project.
People often say, “write for yourself,” but I believe stories need to be shared to truly matter. This is why sharing is significant to a writer's successes. Arc Sagas incorporates so many personal touches from fellow friends and creators- they certainly inspire me with their achievements! I can firmly say, I wouldn't be here, writing this nor would the project have made it this far, without the influences of others, their hard work as great examples of what I could do if I applied myself. Originality, to me, lies in the blend of influences; not in isolation.
Inspiration can come from anywhere! Expose yourself to media that makes you feel something; keep an open mind, pay attention and listen actively, show up and be bold with your ideas (even if others disagree), and don't you ever stop! Be ready to find inspiration- everywhere! From songs to advertisements to people's stories, find inspiration in the magical as much as the mundane! Give yourself purpose; you'll never have want for something to do! I hope this answers your questions, and best of good luck, friend!
P.S. Choose Your Own Adventures, stories of mythology and fantasy, poetry, philosophy, Anime, Video Games, and music all get credit as excellent sources of inspiration, as well!
The idea came to me during the Call of Cthulhu Homebrew. I had to construct every element of that game to make it work, which proved to me that it was not only fun but challenging! When it came to DMing, I found that I was often creating custom assets and elements. I discovered that I love systems, in general, and sharing ideas; the social collaborative aspect of working with a group towards a common goal. And sharing awesome stories you can play with, of course!
My inevitable goal is for others to expand on the Arx-Core System. While I write for self-improvement, it's the shared joy and social connection with others that truly inspires me. That social aspect is important to me. I want people to be able to connect to my work. Fortunately, writing towards a Goal gives me purpose beyond immediate gratification. I have to remind myself often that my purpose extends beyond the "now" of the project.
People often say, “write for yourself,” but I believe stories need to be shared to truly matter. This is why sharing is significant to a writer's successes. Arc Sagas incorporates so many personal touches from fellow friends and creators- they certainly inspire me with their achievements! I can firmly say, I wouldn't be here, writing this nor would the project have made it this far, without the influences of others, their hard work as great examples of what I could do if I applied myself. Originality, to me, lies in the blend of influences; not in isolation.
Inspiration can come from anywhere! Expose yourself to media that makes you feel something; keep an open mind, pay attention and listen actively, show up and be bold with your ideas (even if others disagree), and don't you ever stop! Be ready to find inspiration- everywhere! From songs to advertisements to people's stories, find inspiration in the magical as much as the mundane! Give yourself purpose; you'll never have want for something to do! I hope this answers your questions, and best of good luck, friend!
M-X-C-T-S-T
P.S. Choose Your Own Adventures, stories of mythology and fantasy, poetry, philosophy, Anime, Video Games, and music all get credit as excellent sources of inspiration, as well!
"Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality."
Question! Question!
Here's an invitation to join the conversation! I have an Inquiry for you! Click below!
Question! Question!
How do you build tension & suspense in your setting?
- Anticipation, expectation, implication- these are prime tools in the kit for building on themes of terror or suspense. Even if your project or setting isn't inclined towards horror, I'm sure there's moments like these in every well-rounded story!
- What kinds of story-writing devices, tools, or techniques do you use to produce these feelings in your work?
- Lately, I've been working on mounting horror- compiling the disassociated elements through an Article until they build to a climax! It's been challenging but fun!
- I know that most Anvilites agree that you shouldn't attempt to blend narrative and exposition elements, but I'll be honest, I feel I have found my flow with it! The narratives are like spice to what could be an otherwise bland Wiki-dish! It provides context, emphasis, and has been excellent for building momentum towards the Conclusions!
What's your favorite Horror Story or Scary Movie?
- Mine is "Silence of the Lambs" but I like to make the argument that it's actually a Romance; usually just to mess with people.
- Bonus: Favorite Scary Myth or Folk Tale? Playing any Scary Games?
"'Nightmares exist outside of logic, and there's little fun to be had in explanations; they're antithetical to the poetry of fear."
Spooky Submissions
At first, I wasn’t going to participate in Spooktober. I’ve been going hard on competitions and challenges lately, and my focus was shifting towards the Mechanics aspect of Arcs, which needed some attention. But thanks to my good friend, Tyrdal, he changed my mind, and I decided to participate anyways.Now, for Spooky Submissions!
While I didn’t finish the full challenge, I did break new ground in design and style. Each Article came with its own challenges, and the process has given me fresh insights that I can carry forward. I may not have a Badge, but I don't do it for the accolades.
So, here’s a peek at the work that did burst through- exploring new templates, weaving in the eerie influence of Kaiju, and laying down the groundwork for future expansions. Look out for the Ten Titans of Calamities!
Eerie Entries
Prompt: Otherworldly
Prompt: Breath
Prompt: Teeth
Prompt: Depths
Prompt: Eye
* Bonus: "Fur"
* I didn't get to finish this one before the end of the Challenge."... the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unjustified terror, paralyzing needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Under the Hood
World Ember is coming! Last year, I wrote a staggering 125K! In 2024, will I be able to do it again? What are my plans for this WE? You can find out by clicking below!
I intend to create more Templates before World Ember. I developed a routine method last year that I hope to embellish upon this year. Often, one Article flowed well into the other, as I examined possibilities surrounding what I had established. For example, if I created a Spell, I'd consider a magical Item that could be used by enchanting it with the associated Spell. This led a few times towards Technologies that have now built a huge platform for the Modern Age- once we get back there!
Don't forget- we're trapped in the Past! Until we find the means forward, let's continue to plunge into the icy depths of the Ice Age!
Lastly, will I be able to write 125K+ Words again? No, I highly doubt it this year. As mentioned, I gave myself the Time last year, thus I'm only being reasonable. I'm much busier now with Life. It's important to set realistic Goals and expectations. But I do believe establishing Templates will make my work much easier in the long run, thus giving me an opportunity in the Future to claim the Award for Total Word Count. Until then, might as well try for 125K+ anyways! Good Luck, Anvilite! See you in December- World Ember!
Under the Hood
Good Luck- Preparation meets Opportunity!
I was incredibly lucky last year- I was able to take a week off from work and focus on the initial rollout of World Ember. This year, I won't be so fortunate- however, this doesn't mean that I can't create my own good luck.
A part of joining Grandmaster was to gain access to these lovely Containers, of course! But, also access to Templates.
A part of joining Grandmaster was to gain access to these lovely Containers, of course! But, also access to Templates.
This incredible feature allows you to craft Article Layouts accessible from the Dashboard! I appreciate consistency in designs and uniformity with my Articles.
It's one of my favorite features! This year, I made a Goal to craft as many Templates as I could before World Ember. I have a total of 9/28 Templates; approximately, a 1/3 value, but that is acceptable!
It's one of my favorite features! This year, I made a Goal to craft as many Templates as I could before World Ember. I have a total of 9/28 Templates; approximately, a 1/3 value, but that is acceptable!
I intend to create more Templates before World Ember. I developed a routine method last year that I hope to embellish upon this year. Often, one Article flowed well into the other, as I examined possibilities surrounding what I had established. For example, if I created a Spell, I'd consider a magical Item that could be used by enchanting it with the associated Spell. This led a few times towards Technologies that have now built a huge platform for the Modern Age- once we get back there!
Don't forget- we're trapped in the Past! Until we find the means forward, let's continue to plunge into the icy depths of the Ice Age!
Lastly, will I be able to write 125K+ Words again? No, I highly doubt it this year. As mentioned, I gave myself the Time last year, thus I'm only being reasonable. I'm much busier now with Life. It's important to set realistic Goals and expectations. But I do believe establishing Templates will make my work much easier in the long run, thus giving me an opportunity in the Future to claim the Award for Total Word Count. Until then, might as well try for 125K+ anyways! Good Luck, Anvilite! See you in December- World Ember!
Poke the Slime!
What Mysteries Await
Beyond the Threshold?
Beyond the Threshold?
Volume #04!
New "Spook"! Same "Scary" Content!- Opinion Piece! Letters to the Editor!
- Spooky Submissions! Recent Entries!
- Prompt Proposals! Invigorating!
- Under the Hood! Upcoming!
- ... and plenty More!
Arc Tribune is a Newsletter, bringing you updates from Arc Sagas, and my friends, the Story-Teller's Circle!
Gallery
Top 5 Assets- Spooktober
*All AI Assets Edited in Photoshop/ Myth X.
"Ghostflame" Spell
Alt: "Ghostflame"
Thalasyx Wood-Cut
Pot of Lies
Mammoth Titan
Prompt Proposals
Prompts are submitted later to World Anvil! Access sneak peak initial submissions! Share Prompt Responses in the Comments!
Prompt 1
- 1) Somewhere in your setting, there is a place that is best left avoided. Why is this? Is it a Legend or rumor? A natural condition? Or, is it the site of a major event? What is this place?
- Prompt designed to create a new Location- expanded through Myths, Conditions, or Conflicts.
Prompt 2
- 2) A mysterious illness spreads, affecting people not only physically but mentally as well! What is this new disease? Where did it originate? Is there a cure or treatment? Focus on a disease with attributive mental conditions.
- Prompt creates a new Condition, but can be expanded through Species that carry the condition or Ethnicities who deal with it.
Prompt 3
- 3) Someone refuses to stay buried. Whether literally or figuratively, a new mystery surrounds one who doesn't seem to die. Why is this? Are they really undead? Or is there an elaborate hoax at play? Either way, people fear or respect this individual.
- Prompt for a new Character! Could be expanded with a Myth, Military Conflict, or Tradition!
If you Like what you see, consider following along!
Find out what Arc Sagas has in stock for you!
— Myth X
I love what you did here! This is so engaging :D So, to answer your questions, my favorite horror movie is "The Shining", closely followed by "6th sense". As for a horror story story I have one for you: it is about Lamia, a mythological figure, who was a night creature that snatched children from their homes. It is such a popular tale that it is still told to this day from parents to their kids as "behave or the lamia will come and get you". As for games, I play vampire the masquerade (a lot!) but I like it so much it's not exactly frightening any more :D
Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned circus? If so, check out my project for Spooktober 2024, here:Spooktober 2024
And if you find that intriguing, you can always visit my world of Kena'an for more tales of fantasy and magic!
Thanks for sharing! That is so cool! I also used to love playing VTM- my favorite Clan was the Malkavians! I also love stories like those- the warning stories and myths? That was one of the inspirations for the Article, "Bogey Men"- myths such as these! And Shining is a classic! I hope you have/ already received an opportunity to watch it before Spooky Season is over! And thanks for joining the conversation! : D
Malkavians are the best, but I was always too intimidated to play one. My all time favorite clan must be the Assamites :D And you are welcome! I enjoy articles like these a lot! It brings the community closer together :) (Note to self: see the Shining again!)
Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned circus? If so, check out my project for Spooktober 2024, here:Spooktober 2024
And if you find that intriguing, you can always visit my world of Kena'an for more tales of fantasy and magic!
Malkavians are a whole lot of fun! I quite enjoy the play style! Assamites are cool af too! I always liked the idea of this hidden sect, even amongst the Vampires! Very cool ^^ I try to post these during the middle of each month, when I'm not busy with something like a competition or challenge! Lol! Hope to see you in future volumes as well! It makes me rly happy to include others, so if you consider a question you might want to ask, regarding either Arc Sagas, or writing and World-Building, in general, feel free to leave me a line! I appreciate the challenge, as it gives me an opportunity to examine what I'm doing and present it to WA! Best of good luck! I'm looking forward to getting some time to check out your other Spooktober entries! I absolutely thought you cooked- such a good, creative idea! I wanted to add it to the Newsletter as a "Feature Presentation", actually, but I lost time on it this month. Maybe I can add it in to my next month's Newsletter? Would that be acceptable?
I enjoy what you do here so I will definitely be back :D And thank you so much for your kind words about my Spooktober entries! It was hard work but enjoyed it very much! As for what you've asked, of course it would be acceptable! I love your collaborative spirit, so I'll sure try to leave a question or two in the future! Have a great day!
Do you enjoy a good old-fashioned circus? If so, check out my project for Spooktober 2024, here:Spooktober 2024
And if you find that intriguing, you can always visit my world of Kena'an for more tales of fantasy and magic!