AQWorlds Lead Writer Blog

"I have the ability to take joy and give it to others, but with this new body you gave me, I would love to hear laughter I created myself. Don't underestimate the power of a little giggle, or rather, the lack of it."

"With a touch, I can rob you of the ability to feel joy. With a second touch, I can return it to you, or give you the joy of others. Taking one's happiness is the first step in stealing their sentience. It's a terrible fate, but you can also be too happy."

"If I overload someone with joy, they'll fall to the ground, foaming at the mouth, unable to think or see. They're trapped in a cage of bliss, until death by starvation claims them."

"Before my former Empire decided to use the virus to create its minions en masse, I was an assassin. My body was solid at the time. It would have been easier if I looked the way I do now, but it was… unfulfilling."

"I didn't know what that meant at the time, but I was mindlessly following orders, using my ability to take joy without knowing what that actually was. That emptiness led me to Starship Carcossa, and eventually... you."

"Culla's skills are to be kept secret. Imagine if weaker-willed Doom Spirits and mortal survivors heard about this. They'd asked to be freed from their thoughts and burdens, embracing mindless bliss until the world ends. Desertion in its most pathetic form." - You/The Stranger/Us

"I naively requested an audience with the Vampires in the hopes of understanding each other better. My father handled affairs with Darkovian Royalty poorly, and I hoped to do better.

Queen Safiria surprised me by having her knights swoop in and snatch me right out of my room."

"They took me to their castle, told me that they knew I was snooping and... apologies, the rest of that night was quite hectic.

What I clearly remember, however, is the Queen saying "I am going to rip your skin off, and if you do not find a way to heal yourself, you will die.""

"Oh my." - Maya

"I was terrified, but here I am! A flood of adrenaline helped me successfully cast a spell I was struggling with. It was created by Witch Queen Talia..." - Laidronette.

"Could Queen Safiria have known that you were practicing."

"Maybe. Maybe not."

"You could be right about her being nicer to girls. Queen Safiria ripped the heart out of one of my great great great grand Uncles mid-conversation. At least she gave me a warning first.

When she noticed I survived, barely by the way, we had a good conversation." -Laidronette

"Then, are you on good terms?" - Maya

"If we were... we aren't anymore. Do you know about the blessings of Priestess Himiko and Sir Arche? My friends and I have both. I have a feeling Queen Safiria would see this as cheating ." - Laidronette

"Oops, sorry! I was just browsing the library! But, that sounds crazy."

"Let me show you a journal from a Lorekeeper who traveled abroad. They witnessed a Vampire melting into a puddle as shame overcame them. That was how their own body reacted to being disobedient." - Muusa

"Constantin told me that Mother Moon and Father Forest had a child that split into two. If this is the same pair as the couple you taught me about in Birgitta Spire... I just had this thought."

"Please, do share. I love hearing theories." - Muusa

"Vampires and Werewolves of Darkovia supposedly share an ancestor. Darkovian Vampires aren't forced to obey their sires, so Queen Safiria has to earn their loyalty. Is that the same of Darkovian Werewolves? I mean, I don't know if I've met one that wasn't from Darkovia."

"Interesting and very logical conjecture!" -Muusa

"This crossed my mind because I figured I'd eventually run into non-Darkovian Vampires and Werewolves. It could be while I'm travelling but... you know, it's weird to me. Queen Safiria's been around for a long time."

"How come her court only ever encounters non-Darkovian Vampires by calling their dead spirits from Gehenna? You'd think they'd be interested in how Darkovia could hold the key to freeing them from their sires. Something's not adding up. And there are inconsistencies..."

"Between Talia and Constantin's stories?" - Muusa

"Yeah! In Talia's journal, the Moon is a corpse. Constantin's story made me assume that "Mother Moon" or well, the Night was still alive. Did something happen in between those two events? Is there more to the Eternal Night?"

"Muusa? You're dozing off. Did I bore you?"

"No, I just felt a small earthquake. The world is more sensitive than many believe. Let's come up with a theory for your first question. Wouldn't Vampires and Werewolves come to Darkovia to solve their problems? Obviously..." - Muusa

"...Yes. Of course they'd come to Darkovia. Darkovian Vampires travel outside of the forest all the time. Eventually, non-Darkovians are going to learn about their unique attributes. So, they come to Darkovia... and something stops them from encountering Darkovian Vampires."

"I could be wrong. She's careful and calculating... but my gut says Queen Safiria wasn't lying about this in particular. Constantin would have talked about something like this too." "Who do you think is stopping them?" "It could be Shadowslayers but..."

"If not..."

"You forget, Witch. 'Father Forest' isn't just a name."

"That's right. That was from Talia's story."

"Hmm? Did I say something?" - Muusa

Witch Queen Talia's name was inspired by an Italian fairy tale called "Sun, Moon, and Talia." It's about a girl doomed by the stars, who would go on to have twins named Sun and Moon.

This follows the naming pattern started by Laidronette, who is named after the protagonist of "The Green Serpent," a French fairy tale.

The ancestral home of House Cavendish, originally the magic workshop of Talia, was named after Lasses Birgitta. In the 1500s, she was the first woman in Sweden executed for witchcraft after she was found in a cemetery trying to raise the dead.

My dad's a big Volbeat fan, and I learned about Lasses Birgitta from one of their songs (literally named Lasses Birgitta).

Witch Queen Talia

Long long ago, just when humans learned how to walk, they sentenced one of their own to a lonely death, lost in darkness. She wandered through a forest made of claws and teeth, wolves and death… until she fell to her knees and crawled.

Crawled and crawled through thorns and mud until…

Wept and begged the stars until…

"Do you stop being human when you die?" One of the creatures of the forest found her, but it was too late. Its sisters began to gather.

"Then she is one of us." They all agreed. "Poor thing."

"Shall we bury her in the stars?"

"Wait." Their Queen raised a hand, sensing movement. The corpse began to move. 

Reaching towards death as her sisters cowered, she pulled life from cold, bony arms.

It was a baby girl, born under the serene gaze of the full moon. 

"Darling, you're allowed to cry. Did your mother not have the time to teach you?" The Queen cradled the newborn, and caressed the child's cheeks. She lifted the baby to her neck, offering [][][] [][][] [][][][][]. "My name is Talia, little one" Tears finally began to flow, and the Witch held the girl for seventy nights. 

"As much as I'd like to call you my own, this forest and its children feast on humankind." 

Wrapping the baby in a crimson blanket, Queen Talia carried her back to the world of men.

She raised her hand to the sky, lit the clouds with fire until they blazed with daylight, and sent the lost child to a village on the back of the western wind. The baby would appear like a blessing, and be cherished until…

Loved and doted on until…

Ate berries and rabbits until…

The baby, now a girl, returned to the forest wearing a red hood.

"Queen Talia, I've missed you so much," The girl brought her savior gifts from afar. Her basket was laden with flowers, silks, and gold soaked in [][][][][]. "You and your sisters can live both inside and outside the forest now. You'll be happy. I'll make sure of it."

The Queen gazed upon the girl the same way the night adored the moon. Her sisters were dancing with glee, but Talia fretted.

"You rotten, wicked little girl! Go home! The forest is no place for you! It eats humans alive!"

Dismayed, the girl left the basket behind and obediently followed Queen Talia back to the mortal world. The forest watched quietly. It howled as the girl's crimson hood slowly drifted away until…

It decided to follow her.

They spoke and laughed until…

Hunted and cried until…

The girl, now a young lady, a little prettier, and a little more tired, returned to the forest. She wouldn't stop coming back.

"Talia. Who [][][][][][] [][] [][][][][][]?" The young lady kept asking, but only received silence.

"Talia," The young lady tried again the next night. "The forest told me that my [][][][][][] [][][][] because she was completely [][][][][][][] of [][][][][]."

Queen Talia pretended that she was sleeping. The forest rumbled, barely able to contain its wrath.

"Talia… Did you send me away on purpose? Did you already know that- 

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Father Forest begged Queen Talia to send Mother Moon to the stars. Even if it meant that they'd be separated forever, their children needed the night. They'd die without her.

With a heavy heart, Queen Talia lifted Mother Moon and placed her in the night sky. The creatures of the night would thrive in her loving light until…

They became hungry…

They became arrogant…

Talia Cavendish and her sisters left the forest. Their compassion led to the supremacy of Vampires and Werewolves. 

The blessing of Darkovia's Eternal night must one day end. Such is the duty of the bloodline that started it in the first place. For this reason, Birgitta Spire was built.

Lore Keeper Muusa's Intervention

Talia Cavendish's magic can twist words and ink generations after her death. I may not succeed, but let me use my spells to drag the truth out of the dark.

During Talia's time, magic was a terrifying mystery to mortals. Those who were born with an affinity for it were scorned and exiled. These Witches were no longer considered human.

Talia's "sisters" considered her to be the most skilled and wisest of their coven. That's why they called her Witch Queen Talia.

When the coven found that baby, Talia knew exactly what it was.

The baby, now a girl, returned to the forest wearing a red hood.

"You rotten, wicked little girl! Go home! The forest is no place for you! It eats humans alive!" Talia scolded, but her arms trembled around the girl's shoulders, reluctant to let the child go.

The girl, now a young lady, now a little prettier, and a little more tired, returned to the forest. She wouldn't stop coming back.

"Talia. Who killed my mother?" The young lady kept asking, but only received a silent embrace in response.

"Talia," The young lady tried again the next night. "The forest told me that my mother died because she was completely drained of blood."

Queen Talia covered her ears. Father Foreset snarled from afar, barely able to contain his anger.

"Talia… Did you send me away on purpose? Did you already know that I'd kill the humans that exiled you and your coven?"

"You used her!" Father Forest accused. Darkovia became filled with a cacophony of howls and roars. 

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I could only muster this much, but we aren't at the most important part yet. Let me push it just a little further…

"This is how nature keeps her kind in check. She won't survive… but your child will." Talia promised Father Forest.

It wasn't enough.

"You forget, Witch. 'Father Forest' isn't just a name." 

Darkovia's trees and shadows peeled back, and the sun began to scorch the exiled taking shelter in its darkness.

"If you don't save her, then I will die with her." 

Talia cradled the baby, the girl, the young lady in her arms. She was as cold as the day she was born.

Holding back tears, Queen Talia lifted Mother Moon and placed her in the night sky, and changed the laws of nature. The creatures of the night, the Moon and Forest's children would thrive in her loving light until…

They became hungry…

They became arrogant…

They found other ways to propagate…

Talia Cavendish and her sisters left the forest. Their compassion led to the supremacy of Vampires and Werewolves. 

The blessing of Darkovia's Eternal night must… There must be an answer. That moon is just a corpse, its light fueled by those who come to love its children. We can't let Darkovia's cycle continue until…

Afterthoughts

Ah. That's it. I wish I could have made the details clearer but you must understand, this knowledge can't be shared with the Vampires or Werewolves. Not yet.

Mother Moon and Father Forest are such mysterious figures. Even if Talia encountered them directly, and possibly facilitated Darkovia's eternal night... darkness obscures too much of the past. They could have been gods with physical bodies, or perhaps they're personifications this story substitutes for forces of nature. Regardless of what's true, the Vampires and Werewolves would join forces to tear House Cavendish apart if they knew. Then, they'd eradicate each other. It'd be an extinction event.

Unless, some of them are aware, and keep their kin ignorent. Imagine, looking up at the moon, knowing it's a corpse.

If the moon is dead, then what is making it shine? 

House Cavendish won the Crest Beast Poll which means we'll be taking a trip to Birgitta Spire, located just outside of Darkovia on the border of day and night!

Laidronette, the heir of House Cavendish, needs help overcoming a trial created by her ancestor - The Witch Queen Talia

On August 14th, we'll be celebrating Indonesian Independence Day!

Look forward to a mountain of new items!

On August 21st, set off on a new treasure hunt with Aria and Valencia in /AriaGreenhouse.

This time, you'll be learning more about Dekanor, the Great Dragon of Darkness!

We'll be mixing things up with some "I Spy" type of challenges.

Finally, on August 28th, the True Doomknight (you) will lead their army on the hunt for The Law.

The Last Sunset Part 1 is coming soon!

"What do you two do?"

"I'm one of the Empire's top Necromancers. That means raising the dead to make an army that'll one day conquer the world! *cackles*" - Person A

"I wear red stuff, kick losers in the stomach, and yell about who I serve." - Person B

"How did you come to join your organization? Through a friend? Family? An ad?"

"I was playing in the woods when I was seven or whatever, and it just sort of happened." - Person A

"Saw a bunch of guys wearing red during a war, and I followed them back to Shadowfall." - Person B

"On a scale of 1 to 10, are you satisfied with your work environment?"

"8, but I get to work in the Fortress, a University lab, or in my own home. [B] wanders." - Person A

"Do you feel that you and your colleagues make a good team?"

"Feels more like a competition, really. 4." - Person B

"Either kill your teammates for a promotion, or you try to kill 'the boss.' Didn't your dad try to kill the boss twice?" - Person B

"He's not my dad, but yeah." - Person A

"Is the amount of work reasonable?"

"My work is my passion! 10!" - Person A

"Idk what I'm supposed to be doing sometimes. 4?" - Person B

"How would you rate your organization's approach to diversity and inclusion?"

"I'd say 80% of us are Undead and the rest are alive-" -Person A

"Not that kind of diversity."

"Oh!" -Both

"It's mostly equal gender-wise? Me, Zio, the Empress of course-" - Person A

"Primarily human though. You'd think you'd see more Werewolves, Horcs, Drow, but I can't tell one skeleton from another. "- Person B

"LGBTQ+?"

"No." - Both

"Stop! Stop that! I was listening in! This is a ridiculous and stupid waste of time survey, but the Shadowscythe is Evil. Just not that kind of evil! We are Equal! Opportunity! Evil!" - Noxus

"Do you know anyone?" - Person A

"Wait. I'll find one." -Noxus

"Don't go anywhere [sound of furniture being knocked over]. I'm going to find one!" -Noxus

"So, final answer is 4. Somewhat diverse." - Person B

"8! We just... don't talk about it... Couldn't tell you why. [the driest laugh possible] " - Person A

"Do you get paid fairly for your work?"

"I get to live in the Fortress, and I use our monthly budget to pay for clothes, dolls, and candy." -Person A

"[Laughs]." - Person B

"Would you recommend your workplace to a friend?"

"All of my friends are already here!" -Person A

"No." - Person B

"How is workplace safety?"

"10." -Both

"That's a surprise."

"The facilities and rules are thorough. It's your own fault if you put yourself in real danger. [shrugs]" - Person A

"If you're out there razing villages, slaying Paladins, there's only so much the boss can do." -B

"Thank you for your time! Mr. B, I'll see you at the Nation interview."

"Hey [Person A]. Did your dad find one yet?" - Person B

"Maybe he should be looking in here." - Person A

"Huh!? What are you trying to say!?" - Person B

[Sounds of glass shattering, wood breaking]

"I'll excuse myself then."

"Tara saw him two days ago, practicing his sword swing outside. That same evening, Indradeep ran into him there. The next morning, Lady Celestia found him in the same spot." -Song

"I'm sure took breaks between training sessions. Otherwise, the exhaustion and pain would-" Ariel

"Exactly. Several dislocated fingers, blisters, torn skin and muscles... the pain must have been excruciating, but there are signs that he ignored it until now." -Song

"You're right. And these aren't the kind of injuries you'd get from a sudden fall." - Ariel

"They came from repeatedly swinging his sword several thousand times in a row for days." - Song

"Hey ladies. What's the problem? Shouldn't you be saying 'Wow, you gotta respect the grind!' or something like that?" -Hans(?)

"AAAAAAAAAAAH-"

"Seriously, I'm fine." *wink *wink*

"They refrain from directly causing trouble, but their art tends to inspire others to pursue The Great Vision - a perfect ending. A final swan song. The climactic finale that will end the world.

The lower ranking members are Artists, Aficionados, and Virtuosos."

"As they rise in rank, members are allowed to wear colors corresponding to their chosen school of thought.

For example, members who study under Maestro Nazarene wear robin's egg blue. Their followers believe that the end will be serene and gentle, delivered by the divine wings."

"Most of Nazarene's students 'interpret' that to mean that it'll be the Avatars who will one day end the world. Others reject this idea, and create paintings or musical scores with empty spaces. They are of the mind that the 'divine wings' in question have yet to be found."

"Maestro Nazarene keeps their opinion on this matter to themselves. Making a definitive statement would 'stifle the creativity' of their students. Only the Decandenza, the uncontested leader of the Extinction Artists, knows Nazarene's true thoughts."

ViTS is different in that the first scene I imagined was the "Sleep Paralysis" cutscene in /AbyssalZone. Specifically Kathool messing with Dage. Everything else was built around it until there was a solid outline that connected it to the rest of AoR.

RoCT's was more standard, starting from the ending and working backwards to the beginning. The first scene on paper was Victoria shooting the arrow. Developing Iona with Darkon came after that. (That's another reason for Iona to spite/be jealous of Victoria in a meta way lol)

FoTB is special in that there were two moments that were separated into two different cutscenes. The first one being the "It would only take one moment" spiel that eventually became a bonding scene between Warlic and Tara that turned out even sweeter cause Tyronius' added the hug.

The other one was Aleister learning what he truly was and running away from Warlic and the Hero when there was no way of denying it anymore. Plus, a line was cut about how the Hero and Tara were more than gods to Aleister, because they "destroyed and remade" him.

For Doom Triad in general, building up to this specific point was something we were all waiting a long time for, ever since Verus Doom Knight was released, back when Immortal Joe and I discussed how we could make classes feel more important and cool. I wonder if he remembers that

ViTS, RoCT, and FoTB's initially daydreamed scenes were on paper way back when SoW II was about to conclude. Doom Triad's came to mind a little after, and Last Sunset's initially daydreamed scene went in a direction even I'm amazed by!