Last Arc RPG collab: Black Widow’s Dance

Last Arc is an indie TTRPG developed by Old World Studios, inspired by both D&D and classic JRPG elements.

I’ll be drawing several illustrations for this project, so please give us a lot of support!

Follow the development of Last Arc: https://www.oldworldstudiosinc.com/

Story speeding up now?

Ah, an easy one.

Nope.

Because I don't think it ever had much to do with the 15th anniversary. It's not even much to do with Yana-san's other obligations, like Twisted Wonderland. Because this issue started before then.

Other obligations have an effect on how much time she can physically devote to the series, true, but they shouldn't affect the pace too much. She could do slightly shorter chapters than before (pre-Blue Sect) and maybe skip some side story content and, therefore, cover more ground on the main story per chapter. She could even write these very short chapters and skip a lot of extra stuff to rush to the end. That's what someone might do, if they were "over" the series (and wanted to focus on other projects) but were still determined to finish it. Another way to accomplish that but not lose too much story would be to work even harder to push out long chapters and cover everything that "needs" to be said in as few chapters as possible, ending the series as soon as possible to devote all time and effort to other things. But that's not what's happening. None of that.

No, this is mostly about GFantasy telling her to write shorter chapters, which she tweeted about when the Blue Sect arc started -- she tweeted that they implemented a lower page limit on the series -- and possibly "suggesting" that she slow down the pace of the storytelling, too... though I'm sure she wants to cover as much story as she can, anyway. I see it as a hint from her that the story's timeline is approaching its end... that this Blue Sect "super-arc" is the last true arc of the series.

Manga publications like GFantasy usually announce either the last arc (if it's short) or the last twelve chapters (if it's part of a long arc) of a series. This series is a HUGE readership draw for GFantasy. They want to keep those sweet, sweet sales numbers, and they have no idea how a new, replacement series will fare. Likely, they will experience a massive drop in the readership, and it will take a while for the other series (even with a new one to fill the slot) in the monthly publication to make up for the loss.

first arc

last arc

“We don’t want to go through that again”

From a Knight to a Laird Chapter 1 The Standing Stones

Claire Jamie Merlin

Claire

I woke to a fine mist of rain on my face. "Scotland then." I drowsily think. I open my eyes and see the Standing Stones of Craig Nu Dun. I try to wake up and check on the others. I hear Merlin doing the same.

Merlin

I see Claire stirring so head to Jamie. He sits up with a groan and I head over to Tianna and Paul. I know, that they will be the hardest to wake being the newest travelers. But, we must get off this hill and down where our friend is meeting us. I get them to their feet and lead them over to where a wobbly Jamie and Claire stand.

"We need to get down their. To the Standing Stones Resturant and Pub. It is where our friend is meeting us." I point down to the old fashioned wooden building. I hear a gasp from Jamie and Claire.

Jamie

"Do you?"

"Aye, tis the place I first laid eyes on ye. Wearing a lot less then ye are now."

The shed. The men. The fear and excitement of running from the English. The pain, the incredible pain. And then I see her. A Sassanech who wears naught but her dirty shift. Her hair a tangle of curles. Her manner, brisk and commanding. The way she pushes through my clansmen to get to me. The way she takes charge. No ordinary lass. And then she meets my eyes and laid her hands on me. She made the pain stop and not just from my shoulder.

"I ken'd from that moment. There would ne' be anyone else for me. Ye were the one."

"All sweet and romantic. Truly. And I want to hear the story. But now, we must be on our way down." Merlin says. I wrap my arm around Claire and guide her down. Paul does the same with Tianna. We are soon entering the Standing Stones. Merlin leads us to a back table and bids us to sit.

"I will go grap a bite and order drinks."

Claire

A dirty shed no longer. It is now a thriving resturant. I look around, awed by the differences from the same in my time. A telephone sits on the counter. The people around us are dressed like I have never seen. The music playing, with no visible radio or band, is very different. Merlin returns with a waitress. Her skirt ends at her knees and her legs are bare. She smiles at us and sits a tray with tea service for five on it. Merlin tosses us small bags of crisps. I have never seen them packaged so nor saw the flavor of salt and vinager. I frown up at Merlin.

"Just try them. I have real food ordered. It is on the way." I pull the bag open and the others follow my lead. I recall I am the leader here. It isn't my time but a lot closer then it is to Jamie's and worlds away from Tianna's and Paul's. I gingerly try one. It has a sharp but, not unpleasant taste. The others follow my lead. Poor Tianna pulls a face like she is sucking a lemon and I see Paul has fallen back to sleep.

"I have to make a phone call. I will be right back." Merlin says.

Jamie

I eat the strange food, following my wife's lead as I try to wake Paul. He grumbles a few times and then resumes snoring. I ken how he feels. I feel I could sleep a week or so myself.

"Does it get easier?" I ask Merlin when he returns.

"A bit. But, I also don't feel completely right until I have had a good sleep. Our guest will be arriving in an hour or so and here comes dinner."

Real food! Haggis and weel as some other things.. My mouth immediately starts to water.

"Haggis, neep and tatties. A good filling meal to help you recover."

"Thank ye Merlin." We all start to eat. I ask Merlin how long he will be with us, in this time. Paul wakes at the smell of the food. He looks at it and frowns.

"It is good. Eat it." His wife instructs. He does.and is soon digging in too. We finish the tea.

"A few weeks. I will make sure you are settled." He raises to get more tee.

"Whiskey?" I request.

"Sorry, not yet. You are still recovering." I make a face at that and they all laugh. In the midst of the laughter, Tianna looks up and gasps.