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Tales of Camelot - 3.60: Reckoning - Updated 25-05-2023
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@AdamsEve1231 Nooo, you need to get proper sleep! The chapters will still be there later, don't worry. For real though - I'm so happy that you like it so much
@lone_cat I love reading speculation, so speculate away! The great thing about Arthur's legend is that there's so many versions of it throughout history, so there's a bunch of directions that this can go in
Also, new chapter here!
Too Good at Goodbyes forum thread
Too Good at Goodbyes blog
The intrigue is interesting, but feels a bit...off. As if it comes out of nowhere. Surely that means that will be better explanation for it.
I also have to say that the whole child segment of the story is beginning to outstay it's welcome a bit.
In addition, I like how Morgana looks now,. Her new eyes fit her very well.
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@ArcherDK
@lone_cat
Story Blog | Forum Discussion
In respect to the three latest chapters:
As to Morgana's new chapter... yikes. It's dark (I love that!) and mysterious. Her sending Helios out to Nemeth really shows that she's very clever, though I'm not loving Uther hoping that she's going to develop into a cunning person that he can assign certain tasks to... like, I'm sure that the things Uther has in mind are not the most savory of tasks. I think Morgana is more inquisitive than is safe for her, especially with matters that involve the King's shady actions. Like, of course I want to find out what happened to Ada on May Day ten years ago, the story is fascinating, but at the same time I'm like... Morgana, no! You don't want to go down this dark path! Watch out, girl! It's great writing, excellent job!
Kev & Get It • Forum Thread
OOf Have you tried T2's Gorgeous Geisha tea? No, it's not from/made in Japan. Just a fancy gimmick-y name for fruity green tea that works on people like me. Anyway, it's the tea prepared for Morgana in the screenshot below.
Btw I don't really know where to post this lol. Feels inappropriate here or the reading circle, but I do want to ask Morgana these questions! Ah well at least everything is hidden in a spoiler.
Letter to Morgana - 1
The melodies of the night carried with it the blossoms of spring.
Along with it the possibility of a friend from distant shores.
Message begins:
Last night I had a dream of a pretty girl in a grand castle. She stood before a king and commanded a servant. She’s confident, determined, intelligent, compassionate but most of all, she seemed to want a friend.
In the dream, I sensed her powers, she wields magic. Niang (mother) says I am blessed with the Spirit of Wind and Water. Perhaps the touch of these elements enabled me to find her.
If you are willing, I would love to befriend you. I have many questions to ask you. How does it feel to be the only female high ranked noble in a beautiful palace? How do your duties differ among other nobles of your rank or gender? What do you do for fun? How often do you get to talk to commoners? What restrictions do you have?
For this purpose I have penned this letter to you. My name is Yanzi Shui from Shang Simla. I hope this message finds you well.
Haha. Cute. I have kitties too! P.s. read your chapter 3.
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My dreams are visited by a girl sometimes. A child like me, yet slightly different, with raven-black hair and a laugh as pure as water. I reach out, yet I can never see her face. When I reach her, the dreams fade, and I wake up alone.
Is it you?
Forgive me. It took me a week before I found the courage to respond. And I still dare not give you my name, as I live in a kingdom where all forms of magic are banned.
Yet I will take a leap of faith, and answer your questions as best I can. As princess of a kingdom, my duties are simple and very complicated at the same time.
I was raised to understand…
Entertain...
And listen.
When my father passes, my brother will take over the throne. My purpose as a noblewoman is to give a son to my husband… eventually. But until then, I want to watch over my brother, and protect him.
He doesn’t need another soldier. He needs someone to stand beside him, and watch his back among enemies. My father says that a lady can open doors that a gentleman cannot. As long as they can entertain their opponents, understand their games, and know what to listen for.
The older I get, the more I start to understand that game, and the more I begin to like it.
You speak of your mother. I do not know mine. Is she the one who taught you magic? I have to admit I’m woefully ignorant of the subject. What does “spirit of wind and water” mean?
If you are out there, I hope that this letter reaches you. I have never transported something to another continent before.
It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Yanzi Shui.
Yours sincerely,
A friend
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This was supposed to be simple, but your question had me making a lore.
Each Celestial beast guards a cardinal direction on the compass. Their protection of the four quadrants of the skies grant harmony between elements and energies of Shang Simla.
Dear Princess,
Your lovely gift and letter has reached me safely. General Bear is now my most favourite toy and constant reminder of my special friend from a distant land.
Though we are continents apart, your purpose and mine are the same -- to produce a son for our future husband.
I am not of imperial blood, but the emperor has awarded my father a great prestige for his service to the Court…
... a betrothal between the fifth prince and his loyal subject’s only daughter.
Even so, mother insists that I master music and literature before my fourteenth Winter.
Father tries to impart his knowledge too, though I must confess my struggle in this regard. Their practice greatly contradicts societal norms, who declare the ideal virtuous woman to be ignorant and unlearned.
I suspect my education to be Father’s silent defiance against His Majesty’s ‘award’.
Your kingdom is strange to forbid magic. Some regard it as witchcraft, but many consider it a blessing bestowed by the Celestial Guardians. Niang claims that when I was growing inside her, the Northern Spirit of Wind and Water visited her.
No words were exchanged, but she believes my magic is his doing. She said he resumed his true form as he returned to the skies. What about you? Perhaps your magic is a gift from the Legends too!
Please accept this snow rabbit as my thanks for general bear and as a token of our friendship. I’d love to know more about you and your magic. May we continue to exchange stories of our livelihood for years to come.
Yours truly,
Yanzi
There's a new chapter out. Before you click on it - there's a disclaimer at the top of the post, but I want to point out here as well that, although there's nothing graphic (and there will never be in this story), this is a dark chapter. I hesitated on whether or not to post it for a while.
I like the amount of pictures in this chapter with less text underneath. There's a lot to look at. I'm so impressed by your way of telling a story with just pictures. Incredibly powerful chapter with Morgana's shattered view of Uther. Possibly my favourite one yet.
Too Good at Goodbyes forum thread
Too Good at Goodbyes blog
The thing is technically Morgana could easily order Agravaine to comply with her demands as a royal authority and walk away with it. Young or no, she IS a princess. He has no right to speak to her in commanding tone.
Raising hand against a princess after a crown prince got poisoned and nearly died. After Morgana has almost been abducted. Sounds like a perfect idea. He got lucky she didn't tell. I seriously doubt that Uther would bother listening to Agravaine's excuses.
I like how Arthur extorting Morgana is not presented as funny anymore. It is exactly that - extortion. Shrewd usage of situation.
That...doesn't look like a sleeping spell to me. Not in the hand of untrained sorceress. Asleep or "Asleep"?
Great idea with the trap. Speaks for itself, really.
I love the pictures after the revelation. Morgana's world literally shattered. Makes you really wonder who is the bad guy here, does it not?
Morgana's eyes losing their glint. There is no praise good enough for this moment.
Now, for love of the night - do a time skip. Like, for real.
Best chapter so far. Excellent job by all accounts. The only thing missing would be actually executions visible, but I understand why you wouldn't do that. Didn't cross the line for me, but I do know what Morgana becomes later, so I didn't expect sunshine and rainbows. Regardless, excellent work.*Applause*.
@Duvelina
The ghost toddler creeps me out, too. My game doesn’t like it when I turn toddlers into ghosts, and they’re constantly glitching and having their limbs stretch in weird ways when they climb stairs 0.o
@ArcherDK Thank you for your feedback!
Technically, she could, yeah. If she were older, she definitely would have. Her young age and lack of experience is the only thing that saved Agravaine from consequences here.
Extortion! That’s the word! Gods, I was breaking my head over what the correct term was for that all night XD English. I definitely speakest it. *cough* I has the edumecation.
Almost. There’s one last thing that needs to be addressed in the epilogue. I’m happy you’re so eager to see them all as teenagers, though ^^
All the ghost toddlers in this chapter... scary. It's truly despicable to learn what really happened on May Day. Like, we knew it was going to be dark and difficult, but this really went beyond what I expected since, as you know, I don't quite know about the lore. I wonder where this is going to go in the future. What is Morrie going to do with this knowledge? I'm truly waiting with bated breath for the next chapter to see the fallout from this earth-shattering revelation.
On the technical side of things. This chapter is really, truly excellently written. The whole story is, of course, but I found this chapter to be fantastic. The suspense, the rising dread when Morgana is going to finally uncover some answers, the overall tone. It's all wonderful and immersive. The images, once again, are fantastic. You have a wonderful ability to tell the story. I can't compliment it enough.
Kev & Get It • Forum Thread
Tangent-aside, I really enjoyed the pacing in this chapter, and how it told a self-contained story - even if we weren't necessarily familiar with the key players and the established backstory in this chapter, it would have still made sense as a standalone piece, and even offered its own conclusion - which I realise is intended for character building down the line, but it would totally work as a short story of its own.
I've shared most of my thoughts on your blog already, the only thing I forgot to say was that I've noticed Morgana's magic is growing stronger day by day. Should be exciting to catch up with her once the time jump happens, since if she's made this much progress just between us first meeting her and now, imagine what a few years will do when it comes to her magic powers!
Also, I'm loving Arthur. That smug little brat is just too precious. While Morgana's storyline makes me eager to see what comes in the next stage of their lives, Arthur's is the opposite - I want to stop time and have him stay like this forever. Sigh.
Story Blog | Forum Discussion
How did you make Morgana's glowing green aura around her? I'm loving the intricate artistic details you add on your own in this chapter. It conveys the mood so well
Your compliments are making me blush. I can’t take all the credit, though. The legend already exists, after all. I’m merely trying to make it mine by using the sims. Because of course a cartoon-ey game where sims regularly pee themselves and can woohoo in dumpsters is the best possible choice for that. What was I thinking? XD
@ThePlumbob
Well noticed! I’m trying to subtly show it in her eyes turning greener too, but I never actually showed a close-up before, so that fell a bit flat, haha. Future chance it is!
Child Arthur is best Arthur. I’m sure I will say the same about Teenage Arthur and Adult Arthur. But there’s just something so precious about them as kids.
@mercuryfoam
Wordpress separated them properly on this end, so no worries!
My secret is… wait for it…
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@ThePlumbob