Update 7 Months Later

 Hey guys,

It's been a while at almost 7 months. Been a lot of things going on in my life and none of it story related really. I've been in and out of jobs and looking for jobs. It's been a rough few months for me and it sucks. As of now; it's settled down a bit. So Hooray!

As for the story, it's going okay. I'm not able to focus on it as much as I'd like to but I've been writing some future sections while I can't focus on current things. I have a "What If" that needs to be finished up and I have a lot more ideas I need to get figured out.

The books have come off of Amazon for the most part but I'm trying to figure out something else. I have a stuff I want to share and I'm trying to figure out where to put it at. 

That's the update for now though; I have to finish getting ready for work this morning. 

Thanks for reading!

QUESTIONING THE CREATORS!

Another Wordpress Wednesday!

Sorry for the lack of updates; I've had a lot of personal things going on and nothing to add honestly. I might just make everyday wordpress day until it's done, if I have nothing to add. Personal blog maybe on Friday.

QUESTIONING THE CREATORS!

Hey readers!

This blog was based on an idea I had about interviewing my friends who were part of the original roleplay for Aren Chronicles called Last Arena. Five out of Six of these people were original members who allowed me to use their characters to bring Vortex of Souls, previously known as Sorcerer’s Tome, to life. The sixth person made a character to specifically help me with the novel version due to me running into a roadblock and needing a new character with different set of powers and skills.

I’m questioning the creators of: Tenkai. Silverwind/Teo. Toshiro, Yasu, and Balthazar. Kyra and Gavran. Ainariel. With the last one being created for the novel, Kava. I hope their answers shed some light on the character development and motives.

*Still waiting for answers from Tenkai and Kyra’s creators. Will update when and if they answer.*

Onto the questions! 

To the Original group for “Sorcerer’s Tome”, what made you interested in joining the story, other than just being asked?

Jared: Dude that was SO long ago I have no idea. I think it was to play a different character but still keep to my hobbies. and a Shaman seemed to be a good idea considering I’m a very spiritual person.

Sami: Honestly, my interest in joining Sorcerer’s Tome stems from the opportunity to try writing something that was very much outside my comfort zone (two-fold). Up to that point, the only verse I had written in was Star Wars. Additionally, Ainariel is a departure from the type of characters I had written.

Nick: One of the starting members. I wanted to be involved in a grand story with many characters.

To the Novel created characters, what made you want to create a new character for the story, other than being asked? (This is for the one person who created a character for the novel specifically.)

Katt: Honestly, I was interested in joining the story because it was a beautiful escape from reality that I didn’t want to come back from. In order to really bring the characters together with a new companion to help them, I felt I could offer a bit of myself into the story which filled in the need that was being asked for at the time.

Nick: Name changes were primarily made for the novel. They were made as for no legal actions can be made towards the author of the books.

Author Note: He didn’t have to answer this question but he was right.

Which character or characters did you create?

Jared: Silverwind and his grandson. Oh, I also did a different version of BakMei, who was a legendary kung fu master, mostly based on the kill bill version but if continued back then he would have been a combination of all versions I’ve seen in old films plus the historical person.

Katt: I created Kava Jasper.

Sami: As I recall, you already had the foundational/structural base for Ainariel Leralonde created.

Author note: I’m glad you remember because I did not lol.

Nick: Toshiro Shigekazu, Yasu, and Balthazar

What inspired the character(s) creation?

Jared: Mostly the idea of a shaman that had summoning power plus a few historical powers (like fire gazing, etc). summoning of course based in Yu-Gi-Oh for the signer dragons. Being that the Akakiryu is based on an ethereal fire version Quetzalcoatl, and the six signer dragons are a representation of parts of him.

Katt: She was inspired by the version of myself that I always wanted to be: the warrior woman who couldn’t submit to authority and always had a free spirit no matter who she was around. I created certain aspects of her character based on a tarot card reading, which is so fitting, because she is a Witch in the novel. I still aim my own standards on “What would Kava do?”

Sami: For character discovery/mindset, it was Poison Ivy (unoriginal – I know).

Nick: Many video games and anime characters. Personality and such were brought on by many media outlets.

What were some story lines you wanted to see happen for your character(s) that may or may not have happened?

Jared: I DID want to do a final synchro summon to combine all the 6 dragons plus Q’ spectral form to restore the character into its full power.

Katt: I want to see her continue her life unrestrained and refuse to settle down into a relationship. As someone who struggled all my life with codependency, I wanted to see her be whole, without any need for someone else to make her feel “Whole and Complete” as a person.

Sami: Less story lines and more backstory development, I think. To explore Ainariel before and during her “fall” in greater detail.

Author note: Hit me up if you want to talk about this. Exploring past Ainariel would be an interesting read.

Nick: Toshiro’s first discovery of his abilities. Yasu’s training with the monks. Balthazar’s redemption arc.

What are some things you would have changed about your characters?

Jared: As of now I don’t know. It’s been too long, honestly. i usually have my characters a bit too stoic so probably would have lightened Silverwind up a bit. Kind of have him have two mindsets. In combat or on task, very focused; but outside of the group’s mission, be a bit less reserved.

Katt: I would have wanted to see her explore her inner demons more, as she continued her journey into wholeness. It is a little vague on some of the details she had to overcome with her identity crisis after she released the stored up negativity from the Jet Crystal.

Sami: Off the top of my head, nothing.

Nick: Nothing. I spoke with the author during the process on how the characters were done.

What are some things you would have changed about the roleplay itself?

Jared: I guess to have actually continued it but at the time I wasn’t in the right headspace. Maybe explore more and be a bit less linear. like having some of the characters have to go separately and do their own kind of a D&D type story with Bud running the direction or overarching aspect and the individual playing their character.

Katt: I would have loved to see more participation from others as well as myself. This is a growing passion of mine, and it is hard to manage my time properly as a mother and a Writer.

Author note: This information from listening to me complain about the past and the issues that went along with it lol.

Sami: For my part of it, nothing.

Nick: Maybe being more involved. I was mainly an idea person and not an actual person who came up with writing.

If the roleplay was to ever return, would anyone be interested in rejoining it? (There are no plans to bring it back right now. I’m just curious.)

Jared: Sure. I need to restart the majority of one we started but I haven’t been able to focus on things outside of work once I get home.

Katt: I’d be totally interested in joining, I just need to work on my time management and actually follow through on finishing projects that are started.

Sami: If I had the time, absolutely. As is, I have owed my current writing group since August and have struggled to accomplish much.

Nick: Yes. I really found Toshiro to be more like me and the kind of struggles he went through remind me of myself as well. Also, being able to write with my friends again would be nice.

If you’ve gotten to read your characters’ new interpretations; what are your thoughts on how they’re being portrayed?

Jared: I’ve read a few things and I’m happy with how Silverwind/Teoctlamazqui is being portrayed as of now.

Katt: Thankfully I was present in a roundabout way the entire time, and there were no “New Interpretations” needed, as she was and is a newish character.

Sami:

Author note: (Ainariel has yet to be seen outside of a subtle wave in Prelude to Vortex of Souls.)

Nick: They have been portrayed perfectly, considering Bud and I were so closely in discussion about the book.

How would you feel about romantic relationships with your characters if it helps progress their personal story and what type of relationship would it be? (Some characters already are.)

Jared: If it is earned and makes sense story-wise while not ruining the characters involved, no qualms.

Katt: I hope that Kava has many intimate interactions with others, but I really am not wanting her to settle down into a romantic relationship where she becomes overly reliant on said partner to feel whole.

Sami: Indifferent.

Nick: Toshiro has already been in a relationship in the book itself. As for the other two, I’d prefer they not have some kind of romantic flings or marriages.

What are some things I can do, as the author, to help your characters grow in a meaningful way?

Jared: Just if you get yourself stuck, ask me how my character would handle the situation. but I would need context, a list of skills, he’s acquired, etc. to make a good judgment.

Katt: I feel like I work well with the author, with creating most things (if not everything) I envision Kava to become in the future. She is essentially me after all, and I trust that my Bestie will always run thoughts by me when regarding this very meaningful character in his Novel.

Sami: Given that Ainariel is dead, she could grow into just about anything really.

Author note: The original is definitely dead but we still have the new version who has to be kept alive for future stories. Her character had a big impact on me.

Nick: Just continue to talk it over with us, just to get into our heads on how we would act as said characters.

If the opportunity arises in the future; who would be interested in an Aren Chronicles t-shirt? (This is a serious question. I’ve been thinking about it for a while. These would be paid for by me.)

Jared: What would it look like? And will all the shirts be different (as in each character gets their own shirt?) Or just one kind of shirt?

Katt: Of course! I would love to do whatever is possible to support this novel and help boost it Into higher popularity and interest.

Sami: Absolutely (I’d like to pay for mine).

Nick: Would always love me some merch.

Any additional thoughts?

Jared: I have to do math now? Crap….um……42 lol

Katt: I appreciate the author giving a voice to those who were involved in the story, even if they are no longer involved.

Sami: I’m on Facebook maybe an hour a week and rarely if ever post anything but I do read a bit. I know I haven’t commented/messaged/posted anything about this, but I do want to say that I’m proud of you Bud. I know the last little bit here has been challenging and trying, that your drive and desire may be sluggish, but you will get through this. Give yourself time, take what steps you can to do the things you want to do. No more. No less.

Nick: Keep doing what you are doing, Bud. It’s fantastic that you are making these roleplays a reality so that others can read and comment on it.

This is only four of the people that are listed above but when the others have responded, if they respond, I’ll update this blog. I just want them all to know that I appreciate the words they’ve shared and they help they gave whether it was in the novel version or the roleplay version. Everyone who has answered questions for me is appreciated.

Thank you for the answers, the time needed to answer them, and the time you gave to the roleplay or work in the novel. It’s greatly appreciated and will always be.

Bud Gaines
Author of Aren Chronicles

What is: The Quadrants

WordPress Transfer Wednesday!

THE QUADRANTS

The Quadrants themselves are just a collection of different biomes and areas pieced together into an island. These locales were originally designed in the RP Version of the story to change the area as we went along through the story. Quadrant 1 was a harsh desert. Quadrant 2 was a lush forest. Quadrant 3 was a cool mountain area. Quadrant 4 was a humid a jungle. Quadrant 5 was an unbearable volcano with a lava river. In the center of these sections of land sat another piece known as; The Palace Area. There is another island close by to the Quadrants but I haven’t really decided what to do with it just yet and the only person who explored it before was Amane in a story that isn’t canon.

Quadrant One

The desert of Quadrant One was the first area on the list for the story to begin. It has razor sharp winds at times as well as intense storms and flooding. Quadrant One is home to many Arenians, basically humans, they mainly congregate in two parts of it though: Areno and the Coastal Inn. In the novel version of the story I’ve added extra areas to the desert to make it feel more alive. From Riverpass to Areno are three more stops known as: Caravan Crossroads, Wayfarer’s Oasis, and Journeyer’s Junction. Da-Ku Castle is the home to the Quadrant Leader, Kigyu Asubi. Notable characters from Quadrant One: Tenkai and Yasu Nari, more that are secret. Teoctlamazqui aka Teo, is placed here when arriving on Aren.

There are some secrets that lie beneath the sand.

This is where we are in the novel. Quadrant One is all of that.

Quadrant Two

The vibrant greenery of Quadrant Two, the forest. Home to the Aren Elves, who are actually pretty typical to most with bows and a love of nature. In Quadrant Two we have the Elven Royalty and their princess, Kyra. Masters of botanokinesis and archery. The main location is the Sacred Grove towards the center of the quadrant which has healing properties to it. This specific location is a reference to one of my favorite game series, The Legend of Zelda. I really just wanted to honor it in someway in this story because I’ve enjoyed it so much over the years. Notable characters besides Kyra: Aylan and the Elder, many more are secret just like Quadrant One.

There are more areas to be explored but we’ll do that when we get to Quadrant Two’s book.

Quadrant Three

A back drop of gray and white snow covered mountains. A steep drop of temperature from the trees of Quadrant Two. Welcome to Quadrant Three. Quadrant Three is where most of our swordsmen live. Three clans of warriors are in this area. The biggest town of Yama Zengo is home to the clans of: Fuseishutsu, Shigekazu, and Matsushita. This is home to three of our major characters…well two currently: Amane who is exiled during the Clan War, Toshiro, and Kitanni. Empty fields and deadly creatures that come out at night near the town. Cryomancy was created here.

Other cities are here but this is the main one.

Quadrant Four

Welcome to the Jungle also known as Quadrant Four. Quadrant Four is home to poisonous creatures and plants. Notable people here are a secret for the time being as they haven’t been introduced yet. In this area to avoid the Sorcerer’s forces and the poisonous creatures, people built canopy towns like Dion to protect themselves.

What lurks beneath the trees and leaves? Find out when its time. Stay tuned.

Quadrant Five

Ever wanted to take a bath in a volcano or lava river? No? I didn’t think so. That’s all that’s here…unless you believe the legends. Two legends more importantly. A large fire demon could be lurking in the volcano itself waiting for someone to come and take the treasure it protects. The second legend more inviting, the Pyrenians, dragon humanoid creatures, living beneath the ashy ground waiting for the demon to be taken care of. Pyromancy was born here.

Are the legends true? Find out in Book Five!

The Palace Area

This is it, the final area, THE PALACE AREA. The Palace Area is home to the Sorcerers of current and past. The Sorcerer Majz Ical is the current but his predecessor lived here before he did and with his daughter, Gavran. This area is surrounded by blood thirsty spirits waiting to attack those who step into the border. Only a few people have gotten through this area.

The war between Amane and the Sorcerer will conclude here. This is the last stop on the journey.

And that’s about it for the Quadrants. I originally started the Quadrants as joke name because you know Quad is Four. But we technically have six. I just thought it was funny and stuck with it in the end. That’s pretty much all you need to know about the Quadrants. Though, it is possible, that they were pieced together by a higher being for the sole purpose of finding their champions. You’ll have to stay tuned for that one as well. *wink wink*

If you made it this far I really appreciate you reading this blog. I’m hoping to drum up some interest in this series because I’ve had a blast writing it to the point I’ve been drained of ideas for weeks and made myself hurt and cry at one point lol. I get really attached to certain characters myself. (I’m a mess.)

Thank you all for reading this and I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do so.

Bud Gaines/notBUDGing, Author of Aren Chronicles

Update #2: Not Much Progress Yet

 Hey everyone!

I don't have much to say today which is why I didn't post a blog on Friday. There are no major updates to talk about and I'm still getting somethings ready to go. I've been unfocused from working on this because it was becoming an every day thing and I was losing some motivation for it. This tends to happens when I put so many days into working something for so long. I just have to take a break some times. This was one of those times.

Still working on setting up some forums with friends and continuing to work on several stories. Some of those stories included are:

What If #1: Secrets Revealed

A retelling of the events from Prelude to Vortex of Souls. The premise is if Toshin and Fujimoto don't die and Toshiro doesn't leave the friendship with Amane. Kitanni comes forward with information that changes the whole Prelude.

Quadrant Two: The Elven Cities

This is book two of the main series continuity. After defeating the Quadrant Leader in Quadrant One and dropping off Yasu and Kitanni with the monks; the rest of the group take Kyra home to Quadrant Two. The main issue here is that Kyra's mother is still missing and more trouble is looming on the horizon for them.

The First Dungeon

Havu and Metzli leave Wayfarer's Oasis to head to Areno, leaving a bad teacher to her teaching style. They head towards Areno to resupply before heading to Coastal Inn but while in Areno they get the advice from a small witch. They are taking their first steps into becoming who they want to be and unlocking their true potential.

There are many more but these are the main things I've been working on lately. 

Next blog is Wednesday's WordPress Transfer, See ya then.

-Bud Gaines
Author of Aren Chronicles

What Is: Aren Chronicles

It's Wednesday so you know that means: IT'S WORDPRESS TRANSFER DAY! The first transfer is a post describing what Aren Chronicles is and how it came into existence. 

Enjoy everyone!

If you’re wondering the same thing as that title, I’m here to inform of you what it is.

Aren Chronicles, is the name given to the series of roleplayed stories on the old site Last Arena. It was a way for myself and a friend to create a new world with new characters. We invited other friends to it and we ended up having a short stint of collaborative writing. Eventually, he ended up being to busy with deployment to be able to actively do it which left me with the whole thing.

That was when it was called “Last Arena RolePlay” or as we jokingly called it LARP. It was a play on our Final Dungeon RolePlay or FDRP which had gotten completely consumed by everyone wanting to be a Saiyan. It wasn’t a negative experience but it wasn’t what we were after and it kept getting more and more overfilled with varying Saiyans and power ups.

I was one of the few to refuse the use Super Saiyan for anyone until we had a reason to actually need it. We used to edit pictures and such for it and I didn’t care if people had the hair style but I wasn’t giving them the power. FDRP was coming off an RP series of everyone being overpowered with it just being handed to them like candy. Nothing felt earned and nothing felt fair, hence the creation of FDRP.

When FDRP got overrun with over compensation power levels, the two of us set off to make something different with our own ideas. This is where I picked up after he left. He played Tenkai and I waited on his word to see what would happen. Eventually I ran it by him to have his character get taken away by a Sand Snake until he could return to it. We agreed and I took over the series for the most part.

Amane was created for this roleplay series and as time went on it became the story of Amane because I kept having to push the story forward feeling as if I had no help. During the beginning I had a bit of help getting through sections with Silverwind’s RPer, Silverwind is now known as Teo in the novel. We made it through a good portion of Quadrant One on our own to keep the story alive. Eventually we added another person who had originally declined but decided to come on for something different. He would eventually RP both Yasu and Toshiro. Toshiro was in a joint ownership from where he left for a bit but it was just with myself so I could progress him when necessary. The three of us finished up Quadrant One together, Amane, Teo/Silverwind, Yasu, and Toshiro.

Amane, Toshiro, and Silverwind moved onto Quadrant Two where we added my real life girlfriend at the time to the mix. She would go on to play the Elven Princess Kyra. Amane and Kyra had a magnetic tie to each other because of us and it is still prevalent in the novel.

We added more characters to the mix as time went on to keep it interesting. Eventually we lost Silverwind’s RPer due to a busy schedule as well. We left the character in a spot he could easily return to the group when the time was right.

With help from the three of them we finished off Sorcerer’s Tome. There was a casualty though, Amane died for me. Amane’s main reason to die was to give me a break because I had to push things along so much I didn’t feel like being a character as well. This led to Demon’s Reign.

Demon’s Reign, was my break for the most part. This story focused on Kyra’s mental state and desire to get Amane back against the wishes of others. Kyra had Toshiro on her side for it and we introduced his wife, Kitanni. (No Spoilers on this story, just moving on lol.)

More stories followed: Meltdown/Perilous Giants, Hilt of the Gods, Children of the Zodiac and Trials: Heroes and Villains. Come the Zodiac story, Tenkai was back for this tournament style battle and homage to the Dark Tournament of Yu Yu Hakusho, (Love that anime!). Eventually, we finished that one up and I tried finding other things to do with the characters but I didn’t have much left in me alone…depression set in during this period.

I started working on Ascension: End of a Legacy. It was going to be the final story in the series that followed Amane as he tried one last time to save the world from the power of the Underworld. Except he was older, much older, and powerless. He was alone without Kyra and felt that way. From there everything takes a dip downward with lots of death for his loved ones and his own. Depression is a terrible thing.

That probably didn’t answer your question about the new one though. I got you. The back story was necessary to understand what it was about though.

What is the new AREN CHRONICLES?

The new Aren Chronicles is a retelling of the story. This new story follows some of the main beats of the original but brings characters together quick that could have been there from beginning except the RPer wasn’t available. This new version is adding more detail to the original worlds by expanding upon interactions and events.

A couple characters are from the RP universe specifically. With them as witnesses to the last series I have characters who know previous events and I can use that to my knowledge. It makes for an interesting dynamic, to me at least, that I have a character who can judge the events on a scale of what she’s seen before.

Anyway, back to my actual point lol, the series originally had a big things with characters using abilities from other shows or things we liked. Shaman King, Rurouni Kenshin, Yu-Gi-Oh, and probably others. This novel is being used to greatly expand upon the story that was there and remove most of the references to make its own things. It’s one thing to make written references, in my opinion, but not I’m not a big fan of writing actual pieces of other stories into one story. I did my best to keep the characters similar enough to their counterparts in the RP Universe while giving them a new life in the novel.

Nothing about this Aren Chronicles is meant to be quick or simple, outside of my simplistic style. It’s supposed to be expanded and more detail added to have us like characters. To give these characters more emotion and more connection to each other.

To quote one of my friends who has read it: “I really like the way you wrote, Teo. He’s relatable and like a big brother to them.” Which is how I personally always viewed him but its hard to get that across in RP sometimes when people aren’t around to play their characters. The characters now are a bit more consistent in their personality types and skills.

In this series, you’ll really be able to tell how close Amane and Teo really are through out it. One change I can point out is this: in the RP after the Dragon Fight, Amane was resting in Lei’s shop and Silverwind (Teo) left him there lol. This was done to keep the story progressing so we could add our next character to it. The thing is that looking back at it, he wouldn’t have left him there. In a strange world that wasn’t his own, I don’t see him walking away from the one person he knows to find another person. He would have waited and that’s what I’ve written in the novel.

To reiterate, this first book is only the FIRST QUADRANT. It is a greatly expanded and enhanced version of Quadrant One with a lot of new things added to it because I wanted it to be more than it was. This is not a one off book but the first book in a series.

I really hope I can get the continued support as I finish up this first part and move to planning book 2. I’m also hoping that this long novel of a blog post was enough to get across the love and emotion I have for this series as an RP first and novel second.

Bud Gaines/notBUDGing
Author of Aren Chronicles.

Update #1: Site, Forums, and Blogs! Oh my!

Welcome back to the blog! 

This is going to be update one on the new blog and I have a few things to talk about. Here's a quick little synopsis of what we're talking about; arenchronicles.com, the forums at forum.arenchronicles.com, and this blog. Now that the synopsis is done, let's get this circus underway!

These aren't going to be done in any particular order.

THE BLOG!

My thoughts for the blog are fairly simple. I want to set up a schedule on when I post and I would like to do at least three times a week; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday hopefully, for now. One of these days will probably be used to move stuff from WordPress to over here, I'm thinking Wednesday cause of the W. This will be until I get everything I want moved over from it then I might drop down to two days if I can't think of another idea to replace.

Schedule will hopefully look like this:

Monday: A new update post either about the sites or progress on stories. (Except this coming Monday Feb. 12th.)

Wednesday: WordPress transfers.

Friday: Featured post of some kind or just an extra update.

THE SITES!

Right now, I've gotten everything fixed for "ArenChronicles.com" as a domain. Blogger is connected to that domain name and now so are the forums. Everything is set up to be a "______.arenchronicles.com" which to me is very exciting and I finally feel like my pages are coming together better. I had to do some contacting between Google Domain and ProBoards Support. Google had nothing it could do on it's side but ProBoards took care of it quickly and got it up and running. I've updated the front page of arenchronicles.com with an accurate welcome section since then. 

THE FORUM!

I'm extremely excited to announce that I now have: "forum.arenchronicles.com" under my domain. I've been working on setting up pretty much all day today. Between working on colors and trying to add plugins; it's been a long day. I think I finally got it how I want it to look for now.

I'm setting up the forum to have an online roleplaying section because it's something I did for a long time and where I grew my passion for writing. I'll be inviting my friends back if they are interested in joining. The Last Arena Continuation section is wholly for them to play their characters from the old days. These sections are still a work in progress and I'll be working on them for a while probably.

The What Ifs section is going to be a place for some of my trusted writers to share their own stories using characters from the stories. Just to come up with situations they may or may not have gotten to do or continue. Also, allowing them to use their characters in their old capacity without any push back from me since it won't interfere with my stories at all. 

More news in the future but that is it for now!

-Bud Gaines

Author of Aren Chronicles

Welcome to the Blog!

Hey everyone!

I'm Bud Gaines, the author of the fantasy series; Aren Chronicles. I'm switching over to Blogger from WordPress for a fresh start and trying to push my life forward. I wanted this blog to have my domain of "arenchronicles.com" and on Blogger it was free to link it to my Google Site.

So...

Welcome to "blog.arenchronicles.com"!

I have a few blogs I want to transfer over from the WordPress that just have some information on the series and some answers from my friends. I'll go into depth a little more below. I have a series called "What is" and "Who is", that talks about what Aren Chronicles is and who some of the characters are. This series will be transferred over to Blogger because it's just information that I don't have to retype again. 

I really hope this blog will get more use as I need to focus on building stronger habits and building a community for my series. Having been re-reading it again lately, I need to do some more editing it seems. I hope to build a community around this series to share my love for it.

More blogs to come and thank you so much for reading this!

-Bud Gaines
Author of Aren Chronicles