Author Answers (March) (Patreon)

General

Did pre castigation blest ever open a portal the our world or any other pre existing world?

In the books, yes, and this was actually a huge plot point in a trilogy of novels that I later discarded as not part of the "canon timeline" of the books! In that trilogy, a portal to our modern world was torn open by demons, no one could close it, and it was not a good time for anybody, especially when a human expedition team came through the portal and was like, "Hm."

In the game world, I'm going to say probably not to keep things not muddled, but there is a chance a portal popped open into our world way in Blest's past, but it was during some medieval/feudal/age of antiquity and the Worldwalkers were like, "Meh, just like the others" and moved on without interacting much...

Ooh! I’ve been dying to ask this question: How would you rate the ROs’ skill (+Halek, Croelle, and Caine) when it comes to the claw machine? And what would be their reaction if they didn’t get what they want? (I assume some of them would pretty much break the machine 😂)

Great question! 😁

Blade: given his poor luck in gambling, I find it a very funny idea that he would suck somewhat at the crane game lol. He'd get very competitive and stubborn and keep trying at it, growing increasingly frustrated and eventually activating his arma so he could cheat and predict the crane's movements lol. He'd win the prize he wanted but would like give it to some random passing kid because "that game was pointless" lgjdgfdg

Trouble: I think he'd be quite decent at a claw machine game! He might get a consolation prize/secondary prize to what he was actually aiming for, but he'd be able to laugh it off and accept it unless someone was egging him on!

Tallys: she'd probably be the best out of any of the Shepherds at the crane game and could get any prize she wanted effortlessly... but would you really want a cheap toy like that one??? sigh, okay, she'll get it for you if that will make you happy...

Shery: she's not very good at the claw machine, but she had a fun time trying it! :D She'd rather watch someone like Trouble play honestly lol

Riel: disgusting. do you know how many people have touched that stick? of course he could calculate the exact angle and trajectory needed to get any toy he wanted.... but why should he when he can just buy anything in there that you want? oh it's about the fun and spirit of the game, not the prize? are you... are you speaking English right now?

Chase: he'd try his hand at it and be able to get a few prizes... but then when no one was looking, he'd probably pick the lock on the machine and take them all lol...

Halek: he tries a maximum of two times before giving up and silently wandering away...

Red: he's pretty decent at it! haha, who knew he'd be good at it the first time? here, have a teddy, he can get you another... why does he feel like Blade is staring daggers at him?...

Ayla: she gets so pissed off about the game that she spends literally hours, HOURS, trying to get the one toy, and she finally gets the claw halfway up before it drops the toy and she puts her foot through the glass, screeching "GO TO HELL YOU FUCKING ROBOT! I'LL END YOU!"

Briony: she gets so into it that she accidentally wrenches the joystick off of the machine or otherwise breaks the claw machine... then she cries out of embarrassment because now no one can play lol and someone has to console her with a sticker from the prize counter

Lavinet: she's not so interested in trying the machine, but her attempts are average! She'd much rather you win a prize for her rather than the other way around!

Croelle: he puts a fist through the glass and pulls out the toy you want. See? No need to waste time fishing when you can just get what you want through FORCE

Caine: he's fairly decent at the machine and gets what he wants through perseverance and lots of saved coins! He has a friend whom he strategized with for weeks beforehand so they could get the most use out of their money

what would be the ros' perfect date night?

Blade: taking MC to a nearby seaside town or picturesque city, having a nice dinner, and basically doing whatever MC wanted, whether that meant shopping along the avenues or climbing a romantic overlook outside of town to look at the stars before retreating to their quiet inn together!

Trouble: something fun and exciting, like a trip to a festival (or an amusement park in a modern AU) or an axe-throwing contest or just going somewhere full of life and noise, enjoying the sights and sensations together.

Tallys: going out into nature, like taking the ahfuri deep into a silent forest and making love under the moon and stars with the fireflies glowing all around, then sleeping together in the roots of an ancient tree

Shery: going to a cozy, delicious restaurant and then heading home for a dessert that she prepared especially for this night in front of a crackling fire, and then doing something intimate together, like reading a book to each other or just cuddling under a blanket and getting comfy

Riel: going to a night at the opera, and then to an expensive restaurant, with dessert down the street. Then sitting out on his private balcony with cups of coffee, talking (or kissing) in the dark of night!

Chase: first, he takes you an illegal gambling den to grift some suckers of their money. Then he uses the cash to take you out to a nice dinner! Then some thugs corner you in an alleyway, knock you out, and transport you to another city to be executed by a mob leader for stealing money from his goons. Engineer an escape, dash off into the night, laugh about the misadventure, joke about playing a game of strip poker to finish off the night of gambling, BOOM you're in a hotel with silk sheets making love

Red: he'd prepare a nice sunset picnic and take you out to a beautiful lake on horseback to dine and watch the sun sink below the treetops. Then he'd take you to the ruin of an old stargazing tower he found, and of course it would be chilly up there, so he'd bring an extra coat or let you just snuggle on his lap!

Ayla: something fun and rowdy, like drinking in a noisy tavern or playing street games with loud locals before stumbling drunkenly into some sort of barn dance and tumbling together into the hay up in the loft for a romp you'll never forget!

Briony: something interesting and exotic, like exploring a new town or city you've never been to before, trying new foods together and chatting with strangers, taking in the sights and maybe doing a little shopping or seeing a performance together. Dinner is a must, as is laughter and good conversation!

Lavinet: a quiet, intimate candlelit dinner on a rooftop surrounded by perfumed flowers, the murmur of the city far below. Afterwards, dancing, lots of dancing in at a ballroom party, before sneaking away to a lavish and discreet hotel late into the night...

how would the r/os deal with an extremely clingy mc, due to their past trauma on their 13th birthday? mc getting extreme separation anxiety, almost always trying to touch their r/o as a way to reassure themselves, for example.

They would be understanding and patient, but would eventually urge MC to seek counseling, as this would eventually wear on them

Tallys

Blade

Briony

Lavinet

They wouldn't really mind this and would do their best to support/comfort MC

Trouble

Shery

This would be an instant or eventual deal-breaker in the relationship

Riel

Red

Ayla

Chase

Hypothetical scenario: Hunter!Parents are alive and MC starts dating Halek, how would they react lmao

Also wanted to let you know how wonderful your writing is! I can’t wait to read all of shoh and WHABH!

Thank you so much, that is so very kind of you! 💖

I think MC's parents would have been mixed when it came to dating Halek; it's very possible Halek wouldn't tell them who he was, and they might not have recognized him right off the bat: although part-Hunters as far south as Maj are aware of the sol of the Reach, they might not immediately know his name. Kind of like someone in America not knowing the name of a UK royal?

Anyway, once they found out, I think there would be a mix of shock and dismay. MC's dad was probably more prone to believing the religious beliefs that those in the Reach held, though MC's mom was more skeptical of their culture (like, what did the Hunter culture ever do for them other than harm?). Whether or not they would have truly believed that Halek was the messiah and that MC was dating, essentially, the savior of their kind, they would have known the political ramifications of Halek being with MC (aka, not marrying and having pure-blooded children as he was expected to do), and this would have made them very anxious. They likely would have asked Halek or MC to leave the other one in order to spare MC the inevitable pain--they would have been convinced that Halek's people were going to force him back to the Reach at some point.

The only way their minds would be at ease would be if Halek had disavowed himself from the Hunters entirely and, like, faked his death or something. Even then, they still would be concerned... but their fears would have eased over time. They would have liked Halek beyond all of that, though!

What was Halek thinking after he got the cookbook as a birthday present? 

He was very happy when he got it! Depending on MC's personality, he might be wondering if it was a passive-aggressive comment on what happened with the soup on the way to Heth Macoll, but in general he's just happy MC knows him well enough to know it was a good gift!

Hello Lena! For Author Q&A: Are we going to meet Lavinet sisters at some point? If we romance her maybe? I know they're not her for chapter 6 but later maybe? And if not, can we know what they think of the MC romancing Lavinet? Are they happy for her? Worried because MC is a diminished?

Nope, just like with most of the characters, Lavinet's sisters are not going to show up beyond being mentioned here and there. Both are still at university/finishing school, so they're away for the majority of the game. As for how they'd reach to Lavinet being with MC: they'd be mostly happy for her and supportive of the relationship! They both love and respect their oldest sister enough to know she doesn't make stupid decisions and that her love is something worth honoring. They'd like MC and make him part of the family! Estora (I believe she's the middle one, I get them mixed up sometimes) is more cautious, so I think she'd be secretly worried about how this would impact Lavinet's reputation and future, but she'd outwardly support their relationship. Camilla (the youngest... I think) is more headstrong and stubborn, somewhat like Lavinet, so she'd be like, "Who cares what people think!!! So long as you are happy!!!" I think she'd start to resent MC a little bit if she felt that MC was making Lavinet compromise on a lot of stuff that she was quite adamant about when she was younger--for example (this doesn't apply to Lavinet, but something like this), if Lavinet had always talked about wanting kids, but MC didn't, and they never had kids, Camilla would be wondering a little bit if Lavinet was sacrificing too much for MC. She's still quite young and doesn't realize that things about her sister are actually flexible or subject to change: she might think she knows Lavinet better than MC does and might get protective of her happiness! But if none of those "compromises" took place, she'd be a good sister to MC and she and Estora both would be quite welcoming and genial!

Hi! I hope thats what the "Tumblr mailbox" is. In Chapter 6 we can ask Pendric about the fact that Lavinet is military-trained and we can learn that it's not normal for a "noble lady to train that way". Does he mean the fact that it's not normal for a noble /lady/ to train or the fact that she was trained by her father's master-at-arms and not at a specific place? And can we get details about the Order of the Rose and other Orders if there are any?

Many ladies (and men) Lavinet's age are finding military training to be outdated, since only 1% of the nobility ever put it to any use. However, Pendric's commenting on the abnormality of Lavinet's training is more that she forced her father's master-at-arms and the town guard to do it, rather than being sent away to a specific military academy (like Auberon was)! Lavinet did not take that route because, as the eldest, it was more important that she stay in Lockwood and learn the details of governing the estate and fiefdom--most nobles who receive formal military training are usually second-born or lower, or are wealthy and prestigious enough that their training and accomplishments could catch the eye of the Autarch!

The Order of the Rose is one of the many orders of chivalry that exist within the nobility. Most orders are descended from groups and alliances that existed either around the time the Autarchy was formed or older, when the Norm Kingdoms were still a thing. Chivalric orders were usually formed by knights, bodyguards, advisors, merchant-lords, and other factions that served the various Norm kings and their courts--those mutated into the orders that exist today, which are basically like elite social ranks for various heirs and aristocrats to be accepted into.

The Order of the Rose was, until recently, a chivalric league meant only for men. Initiates attempted to enter its ranks through a series of tests, and it has more of a military-trained slant: fencing and dueling comprised a good portion of its trials, and members carry a special gilded dagger to signify their membership. When the Autarch was a young woman, she ordered the Order of the Rose (and all chivalric orders) to be opened to all genders, which caused a bit of a fuss. Prior to that change, members of the Order of the Rose had access to special lodges and private social clubs meant only for their ranks in almost every major city in Blest.

The other Orders function much the same way: you either are born into their ranks by dint of your family's blood and prestige; you bought your way in; you were recommended in by an existing member (or several); you were granted knighthood by the Autarch or a Consortium member; or you proved your mettle by passing the order's various tests and trials as a rite of passage. It just depends on the Order--the Order of the Rose is exclusive and high-standing, and the first male heirs of families often have to apply to it as a way of proving their worth, while with other orders, it's kind of embarrassing if you have to take its trials (aka, you couldn't buy your way in). 

There are countless chivalric orders, including the Order of the Lily (more focused on the gentle arts, such as singing, embroidery, and general well-rounded etiquette and impeccable manners) and the Order of the Thistle, or, as Lavinet calls it, "the horse-obsessed." I guess you could think of the noble orders as, like, brotherhoods or sororities/fraternities? Anyway, there are much more, and they mean almost nothing to people outside of the nobility and a lot to those within. If you're curious, Lavinet is a member of the Order of the Iron Cross (another military-orientated knighthood that was fairer to its members) as well as the Order of the Violet, which honors lovers of beauty and fine things like perfumes, parties, and painting (but which has been suspected of being the source of aristocratic orgies... Lavinet adamantly denies this, though, so don't bring it up to her). 

Finally, in case you're wondering, only about 30-40% of young nobles are part of any order!

Okay this probably won't make the twenty, but #tellmeeverything could we maybe know some more about Red's sisters? What are they like, what do they do, how well would a Circle-trained MC have known them? Have they missed MC if, as Red's friend, they were close?

I'm not sure if you've read Red's first day off, but he goes into detail about his sisters and what they're doing and even how they felt about MC; he and MC can talk about his sisters if they're friends or exes, and they're also discussed in detail here! 

Red’s sisters will never appear in the main game; they’ll only be mentioned! His four sisters in order of birth are: Idalia, Isodel, Lydda, and Gwynyth. They are overall bossy, organized, boisterous chatterbugs who kind of sweep in, tidy up your place in a storm of goodwill (all while yelling at you for being such a mess/fretting about the state of your life), and then sweep out again. Red is closest to his second-oldest sister, Isodel, but really he gets along with all of them. (He’s also pretty laidback because his sisters tend to be so bossy.) 

His family comes from a long line of book-keepers, chroniclers, and historians, so all of Red’s sisters have followed suit. Idalia has devoted her life to saving and preserving the spellbooks that are being hunted and destroyed by the Autarchy; Isodel is a traveler who records local stories, myths, and legends of different enclaves of people (and studying how those stories vary by region and if there’s any truth to them); Lydda (who has the weakest magical power among the siblings) is a librarian in Ambryn; and Gwyn is a court scribe who alters people’s lineage documents on the side (she’s the rebel in the family).

Red definitely went a different route with his life, becoming Archmage of his Circle, but he’s still just as obsessed with history and the past as his sisters!

Regarding MC's relationship to them, I really leave that up to headcanon. I like to think MC might have gone home with Red during holiday breaks if they were really close friends or dating, and at least Idalia and Isodel would have probably been there, or Gwynn and Lydda, but it really depends on the MC's personality how they would have reacted to them. I don't imagine they gave MC all that much thought--I didn't think much about my younger sister's friends that she brought home when she was in high school, etc. But they would inquire about MC from time to time, and if MC was friendly and likeable, then Red's sisters would have loved them and welcomed them in as another sibling! It all sort of just depends, but there are some choices that imply that his sisters have asked after MC after graduation.

so some briony bc <3333. can we get for briony the mc bursting into tears bc they’re so in loveTM? and if you have time a secret she’d be embarrassed to have the mc find out? 

Briony would burst into tears out of love, too! And then they'd both be bawling, crying, wailing messes, like, "I LOVE YOU SO MUCHHHHH 😭"

A secret she'd be embarrassed for MC to find out: she gets really clumsy around MC once she starts developing a crush on them. She just gets distracted when they're around and so excited and flustered (although it may not seem like it) that she starts dropping things and tripping over stuff or forgetting stuff. But to cover her tracks she would start dropping more things on purpose so MC wouldn't think it was just because of them. And then she'd keep it up for a while after they started dating, too, until she thought it was safe to not be questioned about her sudden acquirement of grace and common sense...

Spoilers

Hey lena! Sorry about the covid shot but I hope your work is going well <3 SPOILERS FOR THE PAINTED DEVIL:1) what are the terms of Chandry's immortality? Like is he immortal immortal, or is it "doesn't age but can still die" situation, and 2) is chandry gonna be in the haunted house chapter (please say yes) Hope you're enjoying your glamping!

Hi Jazz, thanks for your kind words!!! Work hasn't been as productive as I wanted it to be, but at least I've gotten the chance to rest and recharge! 💪 The COVID shot definitely knocked me out, but it was so worth it for both health and peace of mind!!!

1) Chandry doesn't know this, but Author-as-God says that he is immortal in that he doesn't age (so more immortal than an Elf) but can still be harmed or killed. The Hamlet-like irony of this is that he could technically end his existence anytime, but the Faerie Queen perceived him as too cowardly to do so, intending for his punishment to torment him forever. Ironically, Chandry loves life so much that the thought never really occurred to him!

2) I am definitely planning on him being in that chapter, yes! Sometimes things change so I can't absolutely promise it, but that's the plan! Chase (who technically won the poll) will make an appearance in a spoopy way, but the main characters should be Shery, Riel, Chandry, and Caine if he's alive!

Will the number of Words of Power we have left affect the ending? (Other than what effects using or not using them had on the story throughout the game that is) You've mentioned it's probably going to be an achievement.

The cop-out answer is that it really depends on what ending you get/pursue, but yes, the number of Words of Power will definitely matter in what I imagine will be one of the more sought-after/popular end-states! However, I don't know yet how many WOPs will make that difference--could just be one, could be more than one, I'm still seeing how things go...

hey lena! i know you’ve just started implementing the new features, but can you tell us a bit about your ideas for the quest system? Enjoy your glamping trip!

Hi emerald, thanks for your question! So this is all tentative for now, but basically quests are intended to replace side jobs in profitability and supplement gambling and its risk: you know how in the day off hub, you can take side jobs? And then whatever side job you pick, you might randomly get a small stat boost as well as a randomly-determined pittance of money?

Side jobs were intended to be a way to earn extra money for players who want to hoard gold and buy everything in the shop as soon as possible. However, the amount of money you can earn can be really small (that's part of the risk) or a reasonable, realistic amount; this works as intended at the beginning of the game to ensure you don't somehow get a legendary weapon or something really OP your first day on the job. 

However, as you become wealthier as the game goes on, side jobs become rather worthless. Gambling can open up if you're friends with Chandry, but in the final build of the game where you won't be able to save-scum, that will still be a pretty risky way of making money. You could win it all or bet it all...

So... Enter quests!

In actuality, there are going to be two types of quests: story quests, and something I'm referring to in my head as tasks or jobs. 

Story quests are just things you can accomplish throughout the story, sort of like achievements. You check the quest board for these quests and then sort of just keep your eyes peeled throughout the game: one quest might be to buy a special doll in Capra, which is easy enough, but because you only get to visit Capra once in the game, you miss your chance to fulfill this quest if you're not paying attention.

"Completing" story quests (aka, you have the doll in your inventory and now you need to turn it in once back in Haven) usually does not take any time from your day off unless otherwise indicated.

Jobs or tasks are various errands or tasks you can take on on your days off. You check the same task board as the story quests, and then you choose from the available list which job or task you want to accept. 

Jobs or tasks do take time to attempt, so each job or task you try to fulfill takes 1 slot of your available time off. 

Jobs or tasks sometimes require certain stats to unlock or accept, though many don't. Their rewards can vary, but the majority of the time you get a nice amount of cash and some stat boosts in completing them successfully!

Sometimes you may have the stats required to start a job, but you might fail the same job in your first attempt. (One job that exists already is just answering an ad to challenge a Riddle-Master (there are 4 throughout Haven), and if you fail that task, you'll have to try again on your next day off.)

Some jobs or quests unlock as your story progresses or as your character builds a certain stat, so it's important to keep checking the quest board if you're interested in it on your days off! Reading the quest board doesn't take any time (like reading the newspaper), and neither does turning in most quests--but accepting a job does! 

Hopefully that makes sense!

Finally, there are some kids throughout Haven (including Caine if alive) who have posted their own jobs or wanted ads on the quest board. If you take these jobs, you don't get money for completing them, but Shepherd trading cards... that's a whole thing I'll get into with the update! Thanks for your question!

If I could ask one more quick private question at the risk of making myself sad, what's Croelle's expected lifespan? 😢 

He is basically immortal in that he does not age past his prime and can't die of old age, though he can be killed!

Can you get the best ending without a character without changing them and hardening them or do they all need to change to get the best ending? 

There are some characters who you don't need to harden/change at all, and there are some whose hardening determines what kind of ending they get, but it doesn't prevent the MC from achieving the best relationship with them, if that makes any sense! Basically, it just depends!

So I’ve always been curious, about the scene in chapter 3(?) where mc had the crazy nightmare and the lights went out and stuff. Does everyone else find out about it? What do they think of it?

Yes, everyone finds out about it, either in passing through one of the four who were there (if MC agreed to let everyone research the matter) or from random recruits, who definitely witnessed at least some of the commotion!

As for how they feel, most just feel bad or sympathetic to MC and don't bring it up to them out of respect. 

Feels bad for MC and wants to do something to help

Shery

Briony

Trouble

Tallys

Lavinet

Sympathizes with MC and knows what it feels like to have bad nightmares

Ayla

Chase

Feels bad for MC and is also very curious about what's going on

Red

Riel

Just wants to know what's going on and if MC is safe

Blade

NSFW

Bit of a NSFW question! I havent seen answers for this on the blog so sorry if youve answered this before but which would the ROs typically prefer: top/bottom/verse etc.?

This actually has been answered a few times before, but I'm going to put my revised opinions since I've gotten to understand those definitions more as well as the characters' sexual preferences, moreso than before!

Blade: Dom, but he is open to being a power sub once in a blue moon

Trouble: Verse with a leaning towards bottom or power bottom

Tallys: Top

Shery: Bottom

Riel: Bottom

Chase: Verse with a strong leaning towards either top or power/dominant bottom

Red: Top, though he's open to bottoming if that's what his partner wants--it would have to be 50/50 though!

Ayla: Desire-wise, she is a verse with no preference, though I think she is a top more than not out of circumstance (according to her partner's desires)

Briony: Verse with a slight leaning towards top with women partners, heavy leaning towards bottom with men 

Lavinet: I think she acts a bit more dominant in foreplay, but more submissive when it comes to actual intercourse and sex

Can we get a couple nsfw facts for Halek and maybe Naolin as well?

Halek: I think he'd be a little bit of an exhibitionist (as in, doing it in semi-private environments would get him off) as well as quite dominant (but also a power bottom if with someone penetrating him). He'd enjoy an MC who was quite feisty in bed and surprised him, and I think he would like rimjobs more than he would expect!

Naolin: I feel like he would be a "fast finisher" for at least the first five times he had sex... 

Isn’t it kinda of awkward for Naolin since Halek went to town with half the village?

Yup, very! He was more upset about it when he was younger, for several reasons: he felt it was improper for a future sol of the Reach to behave in such a way, and there was some envy and resentment in there because he felt he couldn't have "relations" due to not being able to marry before the sol. (Halek still told him that didn't matter and that he should pursue whoever he wanted, and also that sex didn't equate marriage, but Naolin has always been a rule-follower.)

There was some beef when they were kids--Naolin had a crush on a girl, who was only getting close to him to get close to Halek, and it was a thing that made Halek feel really bad, even though he didn't do anything wrong. Ever since then, Halek has tried to get Naolin to court people romantically, and Naolin has sympathized more with his brother after realizing what a burden the whole thing is for him, and how sleeping around is really Halek's only outlet for stress as well as feeling--even briefly--connected to those around him. So he doesn't care about it as much anymore as an adult and looks the other way!

So I wanted to know how the ros (that are switches) act differently when they top/bottom or sub/dom. For example I recall Chase teases a lot more when he doms.

Also regarding Chase, I also remember that his dominate/teasing side comes out more once he and mc are deeper in a relationship. Does that mean that Chase wouldn't want to be sub/bottom anymore?

I don't think so, or sort of? Chase is happy to be a bottom, but I still think he would be a somewhat dominant/power bottom deeper into the relationship; he is still open to being more submissive, but it's not what comes naturally to him in that state. He is flexible, and bottoming is by no means a hard no, but acting submissive, the more I get to know him, doesn't seem like it's his absolute favorite "that's just how he is naturally" mode. That doesn't mean he isn't willing if that's what his partner wants, though!

Regarding how the other switch/verse ROs act, I suppose it's not all that interesting of an answer--they're more in control when they dom, more receptive and passive when they sub/bottom, lol!

NSFW question: I'm a new patron so I spent the last week devouring all the content! I noticed Chase does a lot of the same stuff in bed that my F!MC does. Any chance he'd be up for some role reversal (aka he's the one getting tied up)? Otherwise I think it'll be a very long night ;)

Chase is definitely up for getting tied up or role reversal, but only if MC is his equal in experience and knows what they're doing! And he is definitely likely to retaliate afterwards and not let them rest until he gets his too!