Low's Lore

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

Hi there! We're 4 Years of Hope, aiming to bring you a mission of creativity, community and a little light in the darkness throughout whatever the next 4 years brings you. We know things are looking to be hard for a lot of folks right now, and we want to help a little in our own small, creative ways.

What will we be doing?

Each year, we'll be publishing an eZine featuring writing and art from around the globe in this wonderful writing community we've forged, aiming to help folks out there appreciate the joy of creativity. Each project will have a different theme specifically relating to hope. There will also be voluntary donations towards a charity supporting causes close to our heart in these difficult times.

Who are we?

We're run by a small team of community artists, just hoping to make a little bit of a difference.

Via is an author, theatre maker and workshop leader who supports folks to be the most creative version of themselves. They aim to inspire, empower and enfranchise through their work, and love to explore challenging and educational themes. They love cats, and if they could be any kitchen implement they would be a spatula.

Alex is a Canadian artist, musician, and YA author. When they’re not at the keyboard, you can find them hosting tabletop game night, working on illustrations, or at their other keyboard composing music. Their life’s work is to connect with queer youth who feel as lost and hopeless as they once did and provide a little bit of hope for the future, be that through writing, music, or comedy.

Em is a poet, parent, and artist specializing in sculptures. She loves to see what beauty comes from creativity and community and has a non-trivial obsession with turtles.

What's next?

previous word count: 69,228

current word count: 73,777 (4549 added)

notes: big update today, and I should hopefully get to write tomorrow as well! the gang are out of prison, congratulations to them... which means we're drawing close to the end of part three (of four). and I finally confirmed some details of Robin's backstory!

snippet 1: (this is a bit I edited much earlier in the story, to make it line up with Robin's backstory. tw death mention)

“It’s part of you whether you like it or not,” said SB. “You’ll only have a worse time if you hate yourself for it. Especially if it makes you stop casting.” He gestured aimlessly with his stump. “Shit happens. You’re a mage. You can’t run from it, and why would you want to?” With the toe of his good foot, Robin nudged a log at the edge of the fire. It fell sideways, sending up a shower of sparks. “When I was a kid, I lived with my aunts for a few years. Until I was seven.” To Isi’s knowledge, Robin had been seven when he came to the citadel. So—oh. Realisation hit her like a stone dropping into her stomach. “They’re dead, and magic couldn’t save them. So what’s the point? Magic has never done what I needed it to do. It’s not a blessing or a gift. It’s a curse.”

snippet 2: Sierra brandished a few small lengths of wire. “I’m still working on them, but if you give me some time, then hopefully they will be lock picks.” “The semi-professional thief coming to our rescue once again,” said Isi with a smile. “So what do you suggest we do after that?” “Hey, all I said was I had an idea. I just pick locks and look pretty. You’re the one that comes up with plans. Didn’t they teach you this in knight school?” After all that had happened, Isi was too tired to come up with a better response than, “Did they teach us how to break out of prison in knight training?” SB snorted loudly. “Yeah, alright, that’s fair,” said Sierra. “But surely you learned something useful.” “In theory, they teach you not to end up in prison in the first place,” said Robin. “Apparently that lesson didn’t fully sink in.” Isi sighed. “Focus,” said Cole gently. “Making jokes won’t get us very far.”

TAGLIST

@isherwoodj @metanoiamorii @lilmissravingwriter @weekofwednesdays @the-unwrittenwriter

@talesofsorrowandofruin @little-boats-on-a-lake @teriwrites @magicalwriting @magic-is-something-we-create

@writingbyjillian @waysofink @perditism @thehellinsideyourhead @calicowrites

@vellichor-virgo @google-plexed @therecouldbecolorsandlove @the-orangeauthor @ellatholmes

@happyorogeny @ladywithalamp @ashen-crest @authortango @strangerays

@moononherwings @nikkywrites @ambersky0319 @ambsthom @talesfromgringolandia

@wickerring @wizardfromthesea @diphthongsfordays @e-lisard @enchanted-lightning-aes

@emscribblings @teardropsandtherain @lowslore @fablewritten @copper-dragon-in-disguise

WIP INTRO: Firesoul 

“It will be easier if you don’t struggle,” the woman insisted – pleaded.

“What will be easier?” Teconia asked, all pretense of bravery dropped. “What’s going on?”

She only shook her head, closing her eyes, and opened the bottle of ink, dipping her fingers in. As she pulled them back out, the ink rose through the air with her, slithering and twisting like a snake. Teconia watched, transfixed, as the woman drew a strange symbol in the air, the ink following the woman’s fingers like a flag.

As the last drop of ink joined the symbol floating in the air, the woman stopped drawing. Her fingers, once covered in ink were completely clean, and the symbol floated in the air all on it own. She stretched her hand out, palm down, and the symbol followed, lowering until it was just above the belly of Teconia’s forearm.

The symbol started to glow white hot. It singed the tiny, near-invisible hairs off her skin. She flinched away, tried to yank her arm back, but the chains held her fast.

She realized: the woman had her eyes closed the whole time.

It was her last thought as the ink touched her skin, and she screamed.

Genre: High Fantasy

Medium: Prose

Summary:

Title: The Paper Round the Worlds

Word count: 71k

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, New Adult, Comedy, Adventure

Tropes: Expectation subversion, breaking the fourth wall, going for literally the Wildest thing at All times, Heist, episodic storylines

Pitch: Jennifer Angelica Mary Kate Adams does a paper round...which coincidentally saves the world. But when important magical artifacts start going missing and arguments break out, she suddenly finds herself on a path to save the multiverse.

Ramble: So essentially, this is a highly episodic novel covering the story of Jennifer Angelica Mary Kate Adams as she attempts to perform a Paper Round which goes across multiple dimensions, featuring a variety of weird, wonderful and fantastical residents. Also basically all of them are genderqueer (ft. neopronoun users plural). Also ft. neurodiverse rep and other forms of queerness (including a platonic relationship)

The Beginning: Jennifer takes the first day of her paper round, and is shown around by Michael. He guides her through the rough rules and guidelines for each house and introduces her to the more fantastical residents -- faeries, dinosaur centaurs, twin dwarfs, air spirits, vampires and hellbeasts (who knit with the essence of dying worlds)

The Tea, Sis: After drama at the art therapy group run by the Dinotaurs, twins Felicia and Lucinda start causing trouble, and Jennifer must attempt to keep the peace or run the risk of both their worlds and her own being caught up in the tension. .

The Bluster: A storm hits, increasing the powers of Ron and Bonnie, and Jennifer has to help deal with the minor fallout

The Heist: Jennifer undertakes a dangerous mission to aid the Vamps in retrieving an old medieval textbook from the British Museum.

The Apocalypse: Beryl and Ethel the Hellbeasts accidentally start knitting with the essence of our world after something important goes missing.

The Collection: Everything comes together in the final challenge to save the multiverse

Triggers: body horror (immediately revealed to be non-scary and not sure I'd call it horror? But body fuckery regardless); vampirism and mentions of blood; theft; road accidents (nothing happens beyond a scraped knee and minor shock, victim is on a pushbike and protected); threatened apocalypse; alcohol (not overconsumption or misuse); minor references to bullying

Playlist | Beta Reader Applications (apply by June 12th, Read by August 31st)

Those of you who sponsor our ventures through the Filament in search of glory and glamor have been granted access to the early screening of our latest installment from the Great Coliseum. We have sent missives to your donation platform of choice, as well as to The Collective.

If you are not yet a sponsor, you may join our backers for a mere three-credit subscription if you so desire. Otherwise, you will receive the screening in full in the near future, once our Sponsors have had their fill.

We hope you enjoy the introductions to the cast of this new adventure, and thank you as always for your support, monetary or otherwise.

- The Watchers

Real life translation: The first scenes for each narrator are now available for all Patreon supporters at or above the $3 USD tier! Links to the website have been posted to the feed and shared in the #the-collective channel on the supporter Discord.

From here on out, supporters will be getting access to each scene as it's completed until the first full chapter is done, and those of you reading for free will be getting the chapter a week after the last scene is posted! I expect to complete about a page a week, so once or twice a month, supporters will be getting new content for the foreseeable future.

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