The same to you, friend! Believe it or not, it was. We had some bumps along the way, but we made it to the weekend safe and sound. I hope the same for you and more!

___

What a cute question! I’ll answer this for three of my peeps, each with very different variations of “free days”.

Kasumi of the Shadow: Every time I write about Kasumi, all I think about is how badly I want to give her a break. I’ve recently written Kasumi to be a bit more of an artist. In secret, of course. She would never show her work to anyone, but she likes to collect different paints. She’d spend some of the day journaling before making her paints from natural materials, taking her horse out to the untamed plains of Genesai and painting whatever she saw there.

Carmila Ramos: Prying Carmila away from her business (and its books) is a futile effort, but on the off chance that you’ve managed to do so for a day? You would undoubtedly find her tanning on the beach, fancy drink in hand, soaking in the sun. Rico would inevitably drag her into the water, she’d chase him for getting her soaked, and they’d end up laying in the sand together. They don’t get enough time together without it being work-oriented, so she would want to cherish this intimate moment with him.

You know, I almost said I was done with STS responses for now...but I have to answer this! What a phenomenal question. Thank you so much for sending this in!

___

This is the first incarnation with Briggid, so I’ve decided to instead show her all the drafts where I decided she didn’t need to exist. She wasn’t amused.

Eleazar is disgusted by the fact that I have now given him what used to be his father’s name. But at least he’s a lot more likable and has a personality distinguished from the other protagonists! I’ve given him much more snark and attitude, and shifted his position to something his current iteration would vastly prefer.

Poor Solomon would just be so confused. He would wonder why I could not settle on a race or an age for him. I don’t think he’d even recognize his older counterparts! Heck, this now-military commander was once a pacifist. But at least he was always respectable.

Here’s the thing with Royan: he didn’t start off having any powers whatsoever, and you didn’t have much of a reason to root for him. You’d think he’d be grateful for that, but no - he doesn’t want powers, unlike literally everybody else. So I clearly cannot please him. But at least I gave him a more suitable hair color and also made him lovable instead of moderately tolerable.

Oeden would be surprised how little his past incarnations have changed in terms of personality and occupation, but how vastly they have changed in literally everything else. He went from white to mixed, from brunette to redhead to auburn-haired, from having eighteen hundred plotlines to a controllable amount. He’d probably thank me, because this poor boy had waaaaay too much going on for a while there.

Medea would be SO mad at me. This girl has had so little change from her original incarnation because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with her from the beginning. But her OG self had two powers - Life and Death - whereas she only has death now. Her current self would kill to have both! But that’s why I took it from her. OP, please nerf.

Farukh’s actually stayed pretty consistent, too. The only thing that’s changed ten thousand times over is who his lover actually ends up being. This man has slept with half of Al-Hasan at this point. I think it would be one of the few things to unnerve him, sadden him even, to realize all the people who could have loved him if things had gone differently.

Kasumi might disown me as an author because I somehow made her family issues even worse than in the older drafts. I didn’t know that was possible, but I did. She did keep her butterfly motif, though! And she’s gotten more powers than just “good at spying”, so that’s a plus.

Happy STS to you, too! This is such a fun question, especially for a gaming nerd like me. I admit to having envisioned a video game of my novel once or twice...or a thousand times over.

___

Royan von Godewine’s means of escape would be to defend until he has an opportunity to flee. Royan is not a man of murder. He has seen enough death and wants to cause no more. Thus, he would rather knock out his enemies or rush through them than run them through with a blade. He wields a sword and shield, but more for defense than for destruction.

Oeden’s means of escape would be to debilitate the enemy. While his stepfather - Knight-Commander Elyk - has trained him in basic combat, it’s not where he excels. But he knows how to read people, and how to counter them. Oeden prefers polearms, like spears or quarterstaves - especially so he doesn’t accidentally touch his opponents and spawn an unwanted prophecy.

Medea Brahim escapes by pushing through the enemy line. If she can’t coerce them to join her side (not by flattery, but by seeing how inevitable their defeat is), then she will carve a path herself. While Medea wields a golden gauntlet on arm she can use to slash at her enemies, she vastly prefers utilizing the Seal of Death on her opposite hand. One touch from that will drain the life force from her enemies.

Farukh (Slave #400K)’s means of escape? Beating each of them to a pulp. You can’t expect to challenge this man and have him walk away from a fight! That’s not how he rolls. He might not kill everyone on sight - unless they’re part of the corrupted master caste - but he’ll teach them a lesson. Farukh wields a scimitar and a whip: weapons used by formers Convictors who were forced to punish their fellow slaves.

Carmila Ramos’ means of escape is bribery. Carmila has no weapon, no special powers. If she cannot hide between a hired hand or escape upon the open seas, she will sweet talk and sell her way out of there.

___

Knight: How does the character prefer to protect themselves - physically, with armor; verbally, with sharp words; spiritually, with prayers; magically, with wards; etc.?

Royan Godewine, from Kingdom Come, wears his humor as an armor against intimacy and conflict. When an issue arises, he makes a joke of it. When he feels himself wishing to say something sentimental, he will instead tease the target of his affections. Royan has a real issue allowing himself to be vulnerable, both because he’s scared of the potential rejection faced when baring his soul and also because he’s frightened to face the true problems within himself because he does not believe he has the ability to overcome them. Much easier to make a mockery of life than to let it - and the people that occupy it - make a joke of you, right?

Arthur Pendragon, from Nevermore, uses his portion of the Eternal Record as a protection against the unknown. His constant fear of what’s to come has him poring over every page he can find of the endless possibilities for the future. He believes that, if he knows what will happen, he can either stop it or make it come to pass. Thus, he has internal peace, and can navigate himself out of any problem he might face. But this is simply false hope, and he is just one player affecting the world’s story, and he cannot keep up with the ever-changing nature of the Record. Thus, he always feels the need to protect himself from everything and anything - because he’s seen how every path plays out.

___

Archer: Does the character prefer to keep their distance from others, or would they rather remain up close and personal with people and/or their problems?

Farukh, from Kingdom Come, is about the most direct male you can imagine. He says what’s on his mind, speaks from his heart, and isn’t afraid of what others may think. Thus why most of his comrades have rallied around him: because there is no hidden agenda or duplicitous falsehoods to fear in him. But unlike Oeden, whose words are laced with an inconsiderate harshness to those who have angered him, Farukh speaks to others as equals. Even to those he hates, he believes they are worth his honesty. This honesty isn’t just name-calling and character-bashing. Even an enemy can be spoken to with respect. But Farukh does not hold back from addressing problems either - oftentimes, as his culture would enforce, through violence. You may learn that Farukh admires your strength with a blade just as quickly as he might use his own to cut your throat.

Shadowhand, from Nevermore, is an interesting case with this because she knows she needs to deal with her problems, but she does so through underhanded or behind-the-scenes means. She would sooner send a shadow to assassinate her target or a messenger to deliver her demands than come face-to-face with someone she’s in conflict with. Even still, she could handle her own in combat. But interpersonal problems? Facing familial strife or a hurt between friends? It’s nigh impossible to come out of her shell long enough to do so. Her persona, Shadowhand, can face tribulations, overcome trials, conquer obstacles! But she, Mun Ha-neul, herself? Mun cannot hope to solve a single issue.

___

Mage: Does the character believe they have ever had a supernatural encounter? If so, describe it. If not, describe what their ideal encounter would be.

Carmila Ramos, from Kingdom Come, is a woman who does not believe in the very magic she has witnessed work before her eyes. You see, in the world of Edenfell, the primary God has been sealed away for centuries! The only magic one sees would be from legendary heroes or those of the occult - and there’s where Carmila’s connection comes in. For after her family’s fall from nobility, she sought out the truth of the rumors pertaining to the swamp witch. And in a hut in the marshes of the Evelian mainland, Carmila made a deal with the devil’s servant. One that has cost her dearly, one that has afforded her a small fortune, one that she still regrets, one that whose repercussions she has not yet seen in full. 

Gallivant, from Nevermore, is a man who has witnessed a miracle. Or, rather, Miracle - the Godmother of Newfable. Although the Author of Newfable supposedly disappeared, Gallivant believes Miracle to be divination incarnate. And with her powers to supply others with supernatural abilities, it’s difficult for most to refute him! His alleged devotion for her has caused him to place her on a pedestal no mortal can uphold. However, none can convince him that Miracle is anything less than a literal, living goddess.

___

Thank you to @dirtypuzzle for the tag! This was a genuinely amusing one to think about. Also, I JUST tried to find you last night, only to realize you changed your username. Perfect timing!

“Then Perish”: Medea. She’s the Goddess of Death, did you expect anything else? She understands the need for sacrifice, as do her soldiers. Half the kingdom says this to her every day. But death is not as grievous a thing in Al-Hasan as it is in other cultures. To die a glorious death serving your goddess? That’s the best way to go, and Medea’s all too happy to help you get you there.

“You Will”: Oeden. He’s literally a prophet, you guys - he could actually foresee you dying for him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s not happy about it. But defying fate hasn’t exactly gone well for him thus far.

“Please Don’t”: Solomon, ever the paternal figure, just wants all of his children to stop fighting and get along. In truth, he’s fought in wars before, seen plenty of men lay down their lives for him. He understands the cost, but he no longer sees the point in the price tag. 

“Cool”: Farukh and Carmila. Farukh would probably give you a high five and welcome you to the club of misfits that also swore their probably-overager promises of fealty to him. Carmila’s much more cold about it. She sees it as an asset - someone to trade, to barter, to expend if need be. You’re a resource now. But this would change dramatically if her brother, Cesar, or her lover, Emerico, said this to her. She would never let them die for her.

“I’d Die for Your First”: Kasumi and Royan. Kasumi’s occupation entails that she lay down her life for her mother, the Exalt, if need be. Think like the Secret Service, but in a fantasy world...with ninjas. If her mother would ever say this to her (unlikely), she would automatically respond with this. Royan? Oh no, he’s spurred almost entirely by the innately competitive nature of the statement. While not exactly the same as the prompt requires, he would almost immediately scream back “NOT IF I DIE FOR YOU FIRST!” and then realize the implications of his statement about three minutes too late.

“Kingdom Come” Character Moodboard: The Seven Protagonists

A peasant pretending at nobility. A goddess dispensing salvation. A slave shattering his own chains. A shadow hiding behind her mask. A soldier wielding a shepherd’s staff. A priest praying against imprisonment. A refugee finding faith in a sinful savior. A beggar pleading the world to repent - before it’s too late.

May their kingdom come, their will be done, on earth: their heaven made hell

Read more about Kingdom Come here!

My newfound friend @merigreenleaf recently tagged me to participate in the “OC Song Tag”! For anyone unaware, if you are tagged in this game, you are asked to choose a song that correlates to each of your OC’s. You can explain why, include relevant lyrics, whatever your heart so chooses.

I will be tagging some newfound followers of mine, so that I can learn more about your babes: @duggarsetal, @tamaravonb, and @fallaciousopuscule! Feel free to participate or ignore - this is simply an invitation!

Word of warning: most of these will come directly from their character playlists! You can listen to each of these playlists by clicking the characters’ names!

Royan Godewine: Broken Crown (Mumford and Sons) The image alone should explain why this song is so fitting for Royan. Think of a crown broken in two halves: Royan and Sigrid, two royals vying for the Frozen Throne, or Royan and Medea, two Shepherds seeking to save the world.

This song really emphasizes the feel has towards his roles as prince and Shepherd. By that, I mean, he doesn’t want them. At all. He doesn’t want the crown. He cannot bear the weight of it, or so he thinks. He cannot believe that someone like him could ever be a “chosen one”. While Royan generally only shows his happy-go-luck side, this song portrays his inner turmoil throughout the series.

Oeden Halflife: Bird Set Free (Sia) If you don’t understand the connection, read literally anything I’ve posted about Oeden. The first book features his desire to escape from assumed imprisonment within Aeonor - and he will risk anything to get out once and for all through the so-called “right” means. In Aeonor, Oeden has lost himself, lost his life (thus the surname). He believes that, once released, he will begin to come alive again and find himself, find his song. He does not care what the world thinks of him, or what he will one day sing. He does not care what the world makes of his prophecies - his “songs” to the world and to the Sealed God. He just wants to be free. Also, yes, his pet, Eon, played a part in choosing this.

Medea Brahim: I Am the Fire (Halestorm) What could encapsulate Medea’s personality more than Halestorm? For those painfully unaware of the insane talent that is Lzzy Hale, Halestorm manages to capture all of the angst of punk/rock/metal and channel it through pure rage-fueled scream-singing. “I Am the Fire” is a song describing how Lzzy feels as though she is the very answer she has sought her entire life. Medea feels the same. She has sought a savior, as her people had. And then, all of a sudden, she discovers that she is a “Shepherd”, destined to lead the world. She does not need a god that abandoned them. She only needs herself. I had other songs that instilled this same sense of self-made justice, but the power of Lzzy’s voice - and the religion-inspired lyrics - really fit Medea and the themes of Kingdom Come.

Farukh (Slave #413): The Resistance (Skillet) Really, any song about rebellion works for Farukh: Knights of Cydonia, Uprising, Reapers, Prayer of the Refugee, you name it, it probably works. Especially Muse. Similar to Halestorm, Skillet has this raw sense of fury in their voices. However, whereas Halestorm is just an untamed wildfire, Skillet is contained, focused. Thus, the difference between Farukh and Medea, at first. Farukh has a clear goal, a clear enemy, a clear plan...even if the methods are more chaotic. Having John Cooper as the voice only helped enforce the point.

As opposed to the other potential options, I really liked the militant focus of this song. It’s not just about Farukh as a soldier and slave, although that’s important. But Farukh is not solely about himself. Revolutions are about bodies of people, not just their leaders. The first line - “I am a nation, I am a million faces” - emphasizes this notion perfectly. Farukh is simply representative of the entire nation of slaves in revolt. It’s not only personal to his problems or opinions.

Kasumi of the Shadows: In the Shadows (The Rasmus) While the “feel” of this song does not perfectly suit Kasumi, the lyrics most certainly do. Kasumi’s storyline focuses heavily on the tension between tradition and change. You have her royal parents and the civilized folk of her kingdom telling her to serve in the shadows. They want her to do the dirty work so that their kingdom can seem pristine. Meanwhile, Kasumi feels pulled towards the barbarian lifestyle that the royals reject so fervently. You can see this difference portrayed in the verses “they say I need to kill before I can feel safe”, referring to her role as an assassin, vs. “sometimes I feel like I should go and play with the thunder”. Kasumi feels like she has been “waiting in the shadows” her whole life for an answer. Which Shepherd is the true one? Which path in life is the right one? Which side should she take? And now, the time has come to decide.

There’s an additional aspect I want to touch on. The song has a surprisingly emotional interlude when the singer says “watching, waiting for someone; feel me, touch me, heal me”, etc. As Kasumi is not one for physical touch, this might seem strange at first. But Kasumi desperately desires to find a savior, both for herself and for the world. It’s why she accepts her mission to find the true Shepherd. Personally, she wants someone to see her behind her mask and to rescue her from this life. She wants someone to see more than just a shadow

Carmila Ramos: Brick by Boring Brick (Paramore) Believe it or not, this is the song that formed the basis of Carmila’s concept. Carmila’s theme is “a fairytale life in a tragic reality”. Carmila’s storyline starts in the fantasy of regaining her nobility with her husband as her “(Merchant) Prince Charming” and getting to spend the rest of her life in luxury...only for everything to fall apart. That fairytale she worked so hard for? Destroyed. The reader can only hope that Carmila knows how to cope with it all. Spoiler alert: not always! This is the journey we see the character in Brick by Boring Brick take - a girl with an unrealistic dream whose castle comes crashing down and decides to destroy the fairytale in the end. There is no more perfect song for her story.

Today is the first of two continuous days celebrating the fifth of our seven protagonists in the Kingdom Come series, Farukh! Otherwise known as “Slave #413″.