Haly's Crowdpleaser Project

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made many people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

-- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 

AHEM anyway, with that little disclaimer out of the way... I did a survey recently for my friends' favorite tropes, archetypes, etc. and now I'm gonna write them into a work of literature! I have no idea how long it will be! 

This was supposed to be my 4000th post but instead it's 4001 but YOU KNOW WHAT we're gonna ignore that. 4000 posts! It's the thought that counts. 

4000 posts and y'all are still stuck with me

I'll be posting world building information as I finish the world building. Same with the magic system. I'll make sure to list what tropes each aspect fulfills for you guys. 

If anyone has any opinions on character names or anything, let me know! 

Winning tropes:

Spoiler

Characters 1— Winners

Spoiler

Reluctant Hero (8)

Unlikely Ally (8)

Antihero (6)

Mentor (6)

Antivillan (6)

And then either Underdog (5) or Rebel (5) (maybe both, depending on how plotting goes, but prolly not)--- if u have opinions, go ahead and lemme know. Otherwise I’ll just pick one when i get there

Characters 2— Winners

Spoiler

Character w/ survivor’s guilt (10) 

Character w/ trust issues, Villain trusted by people, justifies and sympathetic villain (7)

Powerful, invulnerable character brought down to a human level (6)

Character with demons from the past (either literal or metaphorical) and/or Character pushing away people who care about them “I’m too dangerous” (5) [again, dudes, yall can vote if u want :D]

Plot 1— Winners  

Spoiler

Villain and protag work against a greater threat, forgetting enmities in the process, redemption arc (7)

Protag mentored by villain, Bavarian Fire Drill (6)

Lovers to enemies, stockholm syndrome (5)

(why did I add stockholm syndrome that’s prolly gonna dictate like at least 2 story beats T~T)

Plot 2— Winners 

Spoiler

Quest story (7)

Personal hero’s journey (5)

Crusade to end magic by SpiritOfWrath (ikkk yall didn’t vote on it but I’ve already got two you did vote on and I really like this ideaaaaaaa and guys it FITSSSSS so *cough*)

Worldbuilding 1— Winners 

Spoiler

Thank you SO MUCH to EVERYONE who did NOT vote for High School. It got only two votes

 

Medieval/less advanced society built in the ruins of an advanced civilization (9) 

Decaying post-apocalypse (7)

Secret organization (6) 

Dragons and Mysterious Ancient City (5)

Set During War (4) 

Worldbuilding 2— Winners 

Spoiler

Thanks to the two people who picked Uhhhhhhh. It gave me hope for y’alls sense of humor

 

Sci-fi (5)

Fantasy and Fever Dream (4) 

Mix up genres as much as possible (Just A Silvereye, I’m including this cuz I like the advice)

Million Dollar Questions

 

Spoiler

I’m saving all the answers to this, but based on what y’all said, here are the answers so far!

1. Does it end well or badly? The answers to this were very close— 5 for well, 4 for badly/bittersweet. So I’ll lean toward well, but that’s definitely flexible. 

2. Romance or no? Overwhelmingly yes for romance, especially as a slow burn/sideplot. Don’t worry, dudes. I gochu. 

3. Does the villain or protagonist win? Y’all were PERFECTLY split on this, with a lot of you saying “whatever makes sense” or “both/neither”. So… cool! We’ll see what we can do with that

4. Earth or otherwise? Overwhelmingly, y’all said otherwise (or an alternate Earth that is no longer like Earth). 

1.  

Thank you so much to everyone who voted and left comments! I love y’all I’ll keep you updated and do what I can.

Thanks again to everyone who voted! I'm so excited to finish everything up, plot this out, and get started. Feel free to bother me about it... goodness knows I need more motivation much of the time 

And thus it begins. 

 

 

Edited January 25, 2025 by Halcyon The Only

[The Wandering Wizard he/him]

You will be bothered much don't worry :3 

[Mags she/they]

Yaaay!!! Some of the stuff I voted for made it in 

I look forward to seeing your progress and I am very good at poking!!

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

36 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

In the beginning the Universe was created. This had made many people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.

-- Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 

AHEM anyway, with that little disclaimer out of the way... I did a survey recently for my friends' favorite tropes, archetypes, etc. and now I'm gonna write them into a work of literature! I have no idea how long it will be! 

This was supposed to be my 4000th post but instead it's 4001 but YOU KNOW WHAT we're gonna ignore that. 4000 posts! It's the thought that counts. 

4000 posts and y'all are still stuck with me

I'll be posting world building information as I finish the world building. Same with the magic system. I'll make sure to list what tropes each aspect fulfills for you guys. 

If anyone has any opinions on character names or anything, let me know! 

Winning tropes:

  Hide contents

Characters 1— Winners

  Reveal hidden contents

Reluctant Hero (8)

Unlikely Ally (8)

Antihero (6)

Mentor (6)

Antivillan (6)

And then either Underdog (5) or Rebel (5) (maybe both, depending on how plotting goes, but prolly not)--- if u have opinions, go ahead and lemme know. Otherwise I’ll just pick one when i get there

Characters 2— Winners

  Reveal hidden contents

Character w/ survivor’s guilt (10) 

Character w/ trust issues, Villain trusted by people, justifies and sympathetic villain (7)

Powerful, invulnerable character brought down to a human level (6)

Character with demons from the past (either literal or metaphorical) and/or Character pushing away people who care about them “I’m too dangerous” (5) [again, dudes, yall can vote if u want :D]

Plot 1— Winners  

  Hide contents

Villain and protag work against a greater threat, forgetting enmities in the process, redemption arc (7)

Protag mentored by villain, Bavarian Fire Drill (6)

Lovers to enemies, stockholm syndrome (5)

(why did I add stockholm syndrome that’s prolly gonna dictate like at least 2 story beats T~T)

Plot 2— Winners 

  Hide contents

Quest story (7)

Personal hero’s journey (5)

Crusade to end magic by SpiritOfWrath (ikkk yall didn’t vote on it but I’ve already got two you did vote on and I really like this ideaaaaaaa and guys it FITSSSSS so *cough*)

Worldbuilding 1— Winners 

  Hide contents

Thank you SO MUCH to EVERYONE who did NOT vote for High School. It got only two votes

 

Medieval/less advanced society built in the ruins of an advanced civilization (9) 

Decaying post-apocalypse (7)

Secret organization (6) 

Dragons and Mysterious Ancient City (5)

Set During War (4) 

Worldbuilding 2— Winners 

  Hide contents

Thanks to the two people who picked Uhhhhhhh. It gave me hope for y’alls sense of humor

 

Sci-fi (5)

Fantasy and Fever Dream (4) 

Mix up genres as much as possible (Just A Silvereye, I’m including this cuz I like the advice)

Million Dollar Questions

 

  Hide contents

I’m saving all the answers to this, but based on what y’all said, here are the answers so far!

1. Does it end well or badly? The answers to this were very close— 5 for well, 4 for badly/bittersweet. So I’ll lean toward well, but that’s definitely flexible. 

2. Romance or no? Overwhelmingly yes for romance, especially as a slow burn/sideplot. Don’t worry, dudes. I gochu. 

3. Does the villain or protagonist win? Y’all were PERFECTLY split on this, with a lot of you saying “whatever makes sense” or “both/neither”. So… cool! We’ll see what we can do with that

4. Earth or otherwise? Overwhelmingly, y’all said otherwise (or an alternate Earth that is no longer like Earth). 

1.  

Thank you so much to everyone who voted and left comments! I love y’all I’ll keep you updated and do what I can.

Thanks again to everyone who voted! I'm so excited to finish everything up, plot this out, and get started. Feel free to bother me about it... goodness knows I need more motivation much of the time 

And thus it begins. 

 

 

I do really like a good crusade.

[The Wandering Wizard he/him]

I love you all, you're all incredible

Edited January 5, 2025 by The Wandering Wizard

[TwinStorm He/Him]

15 minutes ago, SpiritOfWrath said:

I do really like a good crusade.

indeed

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

6 minutes ago, Halcyon The Only said:

As long as it takes for everyone to decide it should be a roleplay --_--

*cough*
*pointedly does not look at the PFP cult*

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

21 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

*HEY*

*sigh*

*gets a new writing stick*

*leaves with the stick*

*follows* 

I WANT
 

Though ngl I wouldn’t be mad if y’all hid your posts once this becomes irrelevant  

[The Bookwyrm he/him]

Those results say a lot about the kind of people on the Shard these days

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

WHY DO YOU GUYS ALL WANT YOUR CHARACTERS TO SUFFER

Spoiler

EDIT: AND YET STILL WANT THERE TO BE ROMANCE

 

 

 

 

Edited January 5, 2025 by The Bookwyrm

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, The Bookwyrm said:

Those results say a lot about the kind of people on the Shard these days

  Reveal hidden contents

  Hide contents

  Hide contents

WHY DO YOU GUYS ALL WANT YOUR CHARACTERS TO SUFFER

  Hide contents

EDIT: AND YET STILL WANT THERE TO BE ROMANCE

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

BECAUSE LIFE IS HARD AND TRAUMA MAKES THEM MORE RELATABLE AND IT'S AN OUTLET OKAY???????

*cough*

 

Alright

I have removed all my other posts

ye

[Mags she/they]

16 minutes ago, The Bookwyrm said:

Those results say a lot about the kind of people on the Shard these days

  Reveal hidden contents

  Hide contents

  Hide contents

WHY DO YOU GUYS ALL WANT YOUR CHARACTERS TO SUFFER

  Hide contents

EDIT: AND YET STILL WANT THERE TO BE ROMANCE

 

 

 

 

*hands you a vhs recording of my 'why people tend to write tragic characters rant' that I had on one of cellists (I think) SU's a while ago*

Okay I guess I'll hide all my silly posts if Glass did, because it's odd out of context 

Edited January 5, 2025 by Magi

[Throw TheLiving Silverware he/him/il/lui]

Happy to see my answers were liked!

I would probably have voted for the crusade to end magic, had it been in the poll

Anyway, really really really excited for all of that

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Okay so here's the dealio

It's been an absolutely insane month

I swear I haven't forgotten this and it's at the top of my personal projects priorities list but uh that list is second to the list titled "graduate high school on time" soooo yeah. 

But! I do have a little blurb playing around with our Underdog character, who I've titled Heron. I might have another blurb for you sometime... and I swear I'll get a solid plot out somehow, someday. 

Quote

Spoiler

Heron swallowed hard, looking up at the end of the tunnel and the glimmer of light, too golden to be real. The kind of color that would burn away a comforting blue glow in half a second. The kind of color that looked like it could tear through your skin like glass through a veil, shredding it with hardly a second thought.

Sunlight. The harsh destroyer that caused burns, dizziness, death… but that was immaterial now. And apparently false. 

“You done gawking at the sun yet?” Rakur’s voice made her jump. “We gotta get going. We’ll have to cover up those facial scales of yours first, but that’s easy enough.” He tossed her a small roll of sticky bandages, which she fumbled.  

“R- right,” she said, scrambling to retrieve them. He watched, looking irritated, while she hastily applied the bandages to her face. 

“It’ll look a little funny, but we’ll get less questions.” He turned and started up the slope. 

She barely bit back a call for him to wait. She wasn’t ready yet! How did one get ready to go greet the sun? Aw, dazzle, she was gonna get sun poisoning, wasn’t she? She was gonna get sun poisoning and die. 

But if she didn’t go, her mother…

“Kid!” 

She hurried after him.

 

Nothing in this blurb is in any way final, but I like most of the concepts. Heron's character and our protagonist's character should be fun, and the idea that the underground magic scale people think that the sun is bad appeals to me. 

Anyway there's that 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Okay so here's the dealio

It's been an absolutely insane month

I swear I haven't forgotten this and it's at the top of my personal projects priorities list but uh that list is second to the list titled "graduate high school on time" soooo yeah. 

But! I do have a little blurb playing around with our Underdog character, who I've titled Heron. I might have another blurb for you sometime... and I swear I'll get a solid plot out somehow, someday. 

Nothing in this blurb is in any way final, but I like most of the concepts. Heron's character and our protagonist's character should be fun, and the idea that the underground magic scale people think that the sun is bad appeals to me. 

Anyway there's that 

*squeals*

I'M OUT OF REP BUT I'M STILL EXCITED :D:D

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Mmk o wrote this in 23 minutes and it is late and it’s content so here u go Heres some heron stuff for u

Quote

Spoiler

Heron balanced thrree paper bags in her arms, staggering down the street on her way back home. The tinitienda hadn’t had everything her mother had sent her to get. 

“You’re bony,” a random dude on the street told her. “Why do you look like an elf?” 

“Dunno,” she mumbled, continuing past him toward the square. Why were people gathering there? 

She heard an ‘oof’, followed by… a strange quiet. The quiet of people who were about to put their heads down and continue on, like nothing had happened. She shouldered her way through the people, nearly dropping her groceries. 

A boy about her own age, maybe almost 19, held a sword. His grip was solid, she noted, and he had no scales. But those tattoos down his neck… 

A Deathbroker. Fear shuddered down her spine. 

The man he was threatening didn’t look honorable, though. He must have been at least five years older, with his hair slicked back in a greasy ponytail and tiny scales along the edges of his jaw, before stubble. He held his hands in front of him in a defensive way, and he didn’t wear a sword. A common thief, maybe, with a knife hidden away and waiting for later. Only then did she notice the gun at his feet. 

He’d tried to shoot the Deathbroker. She shuddered. Sometimes, people would imitate the Deathbroker tattoos in order to be more intimidating, but not this man.. 

This man… was the real thing. 

How had he gotten down here, then? His kind meant death to hers. 

The Deathbroker’s gaze roved to survey the crowd, and the thief took his chance. In one motion, he ducked to grab the pistol and jumped toward the crowd— toward Heron. She yelped, but he had her in a chokehold before she could blink, with the cold barrel of his pistol against her temple. 

“You wanna make it harder to sleep at night?” The man sneered. 

The Deathbroker didn’t flinch, but as he stepped forward, a puddle of gray formed from his footsteps, ebbing and stretching. Heron whimpered, but the man didn’t seem to notice, shoving the pistol against her temple again. “Stop where you are,” he demanded, “Or I’ll kill her.” 

“I couldn’t care less,” the Deathbroker told him. “The town officials might, but I don’t.” He narrowed his eyes at him. The formless shadow behind him began to take on a shape, stretching again and breaking off the ground. The man noticed, eyes widening. 

“Well?” The Deathbroker prompted, leveling the sword against the man’s throat. “You can kill her and die, or release her and… still maybe die. Depends on how I’m feeling.” 

The shadow hissed like a hot pan, settling into a shape. A girl, playing with blocks. A phantom giggle reached Heron’s ears. The man holding her gaped, but the Deathbroker hardly spared it a glance. “Daughter, huh? Let me guess. She’s dead.” 

The pistol began to tremble against her skin. 

“Last chance,” the Deathbroker said, paying no heed to the second shape melting from the cobblestones between him and Heron. She squeezed her eyes shut so she wouldn’t have to see… 

She was falling. She opened her eyes and yelped as the Deathbroker caught her, dropping his sword but also his balance. They both fell. 

The Deathbroker sat up, grabbing onto her arm before she could get away. “You all right?” 

She swallowed hard, nodding. 

“Perfect.” He stood, keeping hold of her. “I’ll help you with your groceries. I need a place to stay tonight.” 

She nodded, wordless. The second shape was more abstract than the first. A bird. It flew upward, spiraling around her and vanishing into the sky. The girl with blocks had faded as well. 

“I don’t have all day,” the Deathbroker informed her. Jumping, she nodded, took one of the bags from him (how had he gathered them so fast?), and led him toward her house. 

 

Mmhmm mostly playing around with the concept at this point

 ughhh ok imma try to sleep again now 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

6 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Mmk o wrote this in 23 minutes and it is late and it’s content so here u go Heres some heron stuff for u

Mmhmm mostly playing around with the concept at this point

 ughhh ok imma try to sleep again now 

oooooo

I like it

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

10 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

oooooo

I like it

I might use something similar 

it needs to be rewritten obviously

ignote the guy who called her bony and the fact that there was no gunshot and uh and everything but basically yeah 

[Through the Living Shadow he/him]

11 hours ago, Halcyon The Only said:

Mmk o wrote this in 23 minutes and it is late and it’s content so here u go Heres some heron stuff for u

Mmhmm mostly playing around with the concept at this point

 ughhh ok imma try to sleep again now 

gooooooood

now someone must die

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Just now, SpiritOfWrath said:

gooooooood

now someone must die

Mmmmm perhaps  

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

Quick update! Yes, it's a double post. It's fine... 

Yes, I am still working on this. Technically. I work very slowly, and I've kinda slid out of writing recently, but I'm trying to get back into it and write for an hour a day. That's yielded some slight results the past two days, and our (previously known as) MC now has a name--- Brenan! I wrote a chunk exploring a certain aspect of his character. All you need to know is he's a big sweetie. I always thought of him as edgy before--- maybe he's still that underneath, or maybe Heron's dea-- uh, a certain event does some character stuff to him. Or maybe Leodore will be our edgy character!

I do have some slight bad news. I'm not gonna be able to worry as much about what tropes I'm playing into from this point on. If I try to make everything fit with every trope, I have the feeling I'll not only get overwhelmed and frustrated, but it'll never even get off the ground. I'll still glance at the winning tropes from time to time and try to stick with the spirit of them, but there might be some big-ticket items I have to skip over. I'll do my best. 

The conjoining good news to that is that with more freedom, I'll be able to do more cool stuff with it! Well, maybe technically less cool stuff, but I'll be able to do everything well. I absolutely cannot wait to introduce you all to Kaira. She's... well, yes, incomplete, but she's a solid villain with a solid arc and a solid backstory (that is also incomplete but I PROMISE IT'LL BE GOOD) and she's one of my favorite characters of all time to write. With more freedom from the tropes, I'll also be able to make the world a little solider and maybe incorporate some cool worldbuilding. If I ever come up with any ideas. 

At any rate, this message is mostly a "yes, this is still going; I haven't forgotten" plus a quick update on where I stand with the project. Once I write a couple more scenes exploring Brenan's bare-bones character, and maybe a couple with Heron's new version, Leodore, and Kaira, I'll start work on a concrete outline that I'll probably not share with y'all in its entirety. 

If you made it this far, thanks for stopping by