novelraw Chapter 117 Character Q&A
Chapter 117 Character Q&A
Question from ASGDragon:
How was the writing experience?
It was interesting, to say the least. I definitely gained a lot of perspective on how or why authors write the way they do.
How much improvement do you think you made?
I think I definitely improved in the technical sense, but I'm not a very creative type – interesting metaphors or creative prose aren't really for me, so I'm not really sure what future growth for me would entail.
Are you happy with the current direction of the story?
I'm fairly happy with the current direction so far, and if there's any significant improvements to be made then I'm not aware of them. I have a high-level idea of what the rest of the story is going to be like, though many of the details have yet to be determined.
And can you walk us through your storyboard?
My storyboarding process is generally just writing a high level plot summary like what you might find on Wikipedia, and then I flesh out the details with tools like excel tables when necessary.
This isn't directly related to the storyboarding process, but many of the slice-of-life scenes features random bits of biology that I've learned over the years. I also often do some research to get some insight on how dragons might realistically function, and that's pretty fun too.
Question from Segelnhoch3 to Rantha (the brewer clan dragonet): How do you think humans will react once they learn about your existence?
Rantha: [cocks her head] «Do you mean the existence of my kind? Or do you mean the existence of me in particular? Either way, I am glad that these crafters are nice, and that they're willing to be allies even after mother decided to attack them. I hope the others are just as nice, though Hakra seems doubtful of this.»
Rantha: «I do not know enough about the crafters to say how the rest of them might react, but the ones on this ship are nicer to me than they are to the adults. I think it's because I'm a child, which annoys me a little, but Hakra tells me that 'such an advantage is not to be thrown away'.»
Question from binarysoap to any dragon going to the human continent:
What's the plan for maintaining your current hide colors? Did you bring enough (for example blue lizards for blue dragons)? Do those even need to be alive to maintain hide color? Are you just going to assume that some substitute can be found on the human continent? Let the colors fade? Forgot about the issue?
Helsha: [Tilts his head thoughtfully] «You know, we've been so preoccupied about the existential threat of humanity that this might not have crossed anyone's minds yet. My colors won't fade for months, so I don't need to worry about that, but as for the others…»
Helsha: [Rumbles deeply in amusement] «I can't wait to see their reactions when they realize that they're going to lose their colors – especially those vainglorious shades of blue.»
And on a somewhat related note, if there was some food on the human continent that changed your hide color to something new, would you eat it?
Helsha: [Pauses as he considers the last question] «Then again, the Mainland is much larger than Loahm, so I'm sure that it will have at least some pigments for us to try. I have not the slightest idea what these colors might be, but I'd certainly be willing to give it a try.»
Question from Bloov Strope to Sol/Ighen: Did Ighen have any talents at all or was he mediocre in everything? Was just so focused on fighting Fathom that he never bothered to find and develop any talents he might have had?
Ighen spent his whole life trying to be a better fighter, but he was only ever somewhat above-average.
It is possible that he had some other talents he could have cultivated, but his persistent nature prevented him from ever pursuing them.
Question from Bloov Strope to Fathom: Do you think you would be able to forgive Ighen if he genuinely repent about his actions in the past and asked for forgiveness? Do you think you could have been able to communicate normally with him afterwards if he had survived?
Fathom: [Snorts in derision] "If he were capable of asking for forgiveness then he would've been a completely different person, and Pryce would not have been forced to kill him."
Fathom: [With visible reluctance] "I can't imagine him repenting at all, but…if he were somehow truly genuine, and willing to show it through his actions, then I suppose I could stand to tolerate his presence. Just don't go thinking we'd be allies."
Question from Bloov Strope to Hakra: Does your clan have a secret agenda? 🤔 Or are you just coming to Mainland to represent your mother and to make sure the future of dragons is secured (and of course to look after young Rantha)?
Hakra: «What agenda could we possibly have? I'm sure we could put up a fight, but the humans are vastly more powerful than we could have ever imagined. There are a hundred thousand thousand of them, and they have those horrible guns; this is not a fight we have any chance of winning. Diplomacy is quite literally our only option left.»
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Questions from ArandomTroll51501 to Kharno or Aurum (whoever is brave enough to touch this one):
How do you feel about these 'romantasy'/ 'monsterf***er' novels that seem to be all the rage with female readers on the audience's version of Earth? Do you think that's weird or exploitative?
Aurum: "I don't know what that is."
(If explained)
Aurum: "...But I don't understand, why would anyone bother to write these books? Why would anyone bother to read these books?"
On a related note: Would?
Aurum: "Would what?"
(If explained)
Aurum (deeply confused): "But…I don't want a hatchling, and humans don't even lay eggs, so what would be the point of that?"
To the author:
What convinced you to make the changes you did during the rewrite? Going from Hail Mary light to Robinson Crusoe with dragons? Cutting the nerdy science but then reintroducing the penicillin synthesis which felt like an unfired Checkov's gun in the original. (I'm not complaining, I already wrote a lengthy comment about that a while ago) Am I correct in assuming that some of that is simply getting pushed back to the second book (carbon bones and all)?
I'm not sure what you mean about 'Robinson Crusoe', since the main plot points were left relatively unaltered.
The penicillin synthesis in the original was used to treat the dragons after the big fight…but there's no reason to let them get sick in the first place, so it was a very undramatic way of probably saving lives.
I just wanted to reduce the wordcount to make the book easier to publish in the future, so things like the carbon bones were cut. I wasn't able to meet this goal though, as I'm still a few tens of thousands of words over the limit for Amazon's hardcover books.
They may or may not show up in book 2, depending on the wordcount, or if I can make them relevant.
To Fathom: Given what you have learned about the way crafters have big fights, what do you imagine the military is like? What do they do in peacetime?
Fathom: "Pryce says that it's impossible for him to accurately describe the destruction caused by war, so I don't think I could imagine the military without seeing it for myself.
Do you think the dragons of Loham will eventually establish a similar organization?
Fathom: "That depends on what happens, but I hope it won't be necessary."
(Meta: does the Nürnberg 'just following orders' defense work on dragon psychology)
Fathom: "No, that's stupid. An individual is always responsible for their own actions. Blaming others for your own poor decisions is both weakness and cowardice."
To any dragon planning on staying on the mainland in the long run: Dragons aren't cheap to feed. How do you imagine dragons earning a living in human society? What jobs could you imagine doing to earn your keep? Or are you going 'off grid'?
Kharno: «I don't think any of us are planning on staying on the Mainland, and I don't know what the Mainland is going to be like, but why would I need to earn anything from anyone?»
(If the concept of employment is explained to her)
Kharno: «That sounds…interesting. I would need to learn more about humans and their science, but maybe I can have a job teaching humans about us? Though I'm not certain if they would be willing to pay for this service…»
To Dr. Jane Callan: Given the time you spent in Aurum's care, do dragon wings make for good cuddle blankets? If they're really warm blooded and use their wings for heat dissipation, doesn't it get uncomfortably warm?
Callan: "I'm not sure if I would use the term 'cuddle blankets', but they're warm enough. A partial coverage usually provides more than enough warmth in Loahm's tropical environment.
From Bloov Strope to Fathom/Qnaro's parents: How surprised were you to learn about your offspring's involvement with the crafters? What are your thoughts on this? What are your expectations/hopes for their visit and return to the land of humans?
Haltun (Fathom's father): «I was surprised, of course. I'm quite worried about how things will turn out for us, but on a personal level I'm glad that Hironh finally found something to do. He's always been a bit directionless despite his talents, and it's nice to see him dedicate himself to something big.»
Haltun: «As for my hopes, I think I would be happy if the crafters don't overrun our land.»
Wakori (Qnaro's mother): (snorts) «I wish I could say the same. Qnaro's always been obsessed with seeing more of the world, just like his idiot father. Personally I think the crafters will be more trouble than they're worth, but it's not as if I have much choice, given that they're not going to leave us alone.»
From ABirbThatReads to Pryce: What would you have done if somehow you managed to establish communications with the Mainland? (abandoned radio tower, new power source, subterranean lobsters, I don't care.) Anything that you would have requested?
Pryce: "I definitely would've asked for the Daybreak to depart as soon as possible. Everything else would hinge on the exact date of arrival, though I would probably request for important photographs to distribute among the dragons."
Pryce: "To be honest, not having communication may have played out for the best. I'm not sure what sort of orders the higher-ups would've tried to have given me if I had a working radio, but things probably would've ended up worse if the Daybreak came 'prepared' for the dragons."
From ABirbThatReads to Fathom: Did Pryce never tell you about dogs? The bestest boys of all time that humans managed to force to evolve to become more friendly to humans? What do you think about them?
Fathom: "Pryce did show me a picture of a dog, yes… It's rather unsettling to hear that humans changed a species to better suit their needs. Apparently the owners can hold great affection for their dogs, but I still can't help but be a little disturbed."
And to the rest of the dragons, would you keep a dog? Or a cat?
Celeste: «I'm…not sure. I suppose it depends on their behavior.»
Qnaro: «I'm not sure how I'd be able to bring one flying with me.»
Iakahn: «Me neither.»
Helsha: «Those animals would likely be eaten by local predators.»
Hakra: «I'm still not sure what purpose these animals are supposed to serve.»
Rantha: «...They does look awfully soft.»
Kharno: «Absolutely!»
From Spelljamming for Ighen: What would have been left of your life if you had succeeded in slaying Fathom?
Ighen: «You have it wrong. It was only by defeating Hironh that my life would have any value at all. Only then would I be strong enough to fight and win against other worthy foes.»
What would you have done if you had failed but survived?
Ighen: «I don't know. How am I supposed to know the future with those crafters running around?»
Ighen: «On second thought…I'm sure they wouldn't want anything to do with me, so I'd be even more doomed than before.»
Is there any meaning or hobbies to your life that gives your life meaning beyond just hating fathom and seeking his doom?
Ighen: «No, but…I enjoyed competing with others, a long time ago. Back before I became a curse. I nearly considered them friends, I think, but it's worthless to think about it now.»