𖤓 Under a Waning Sun 𖤓
In the depths of the Outlands, in a small town called Sticks, people only know a life of subjugation. The Blue Suns - a notorious criminal organization - control everything, and their extortion of the people only offers protection from themselves. Growing up here is harsh and unforgiving, and finding a way out feels nigh impossible: most never do.
This story will follow the lives of six people who begin as childhood friends and eventually grow apart. Each takes a different charted path, paving their own way to success, destruction, or the painful in-between.
Parameters and Expectations:
Spoiler
I've been doing storybooks for a long time and have found a rhythm that works for me that I like as a DM. If it isn't your cup of tea, I won't be offended if it turns you away! Please account for the following if you want to consider joining, as this is how I intend to run the SB.
- - This will be a fast-paced SB. I plan to finish this in 1 year at most.
- It will be a smaller team, with a maximum of 6 writers. I'm capping it at 6 out of preference for what I find manageable!
- We will have a collaborative writing session planned once-a-week on Tuesday evenings in a riseup pad (but are not confined to it). You are expected to write, plan/outline, communicate, or collaborate once a week. Collaboration is highly encouraged and expected: this is not a solo project. You'll need to be comfortable with it!
- If you sign up for this SB I ask that you commit to finishing the story to completion.
- Writers must be comfortable with writing others' characters when necessary. On the flip side, be comfortable with someone else writing your character. Run any big character decisions by the writer first.
- But what if life happens? Of course there will be exceptions for life emergencies and pressures! I will not be unreasonable! There is no judgment for needing to leave or step away, but if you need to leave for any reason please be willing for us to write your character out of the story to our discretion as it makes sense for the plot. You, of course, can have input in this, but will not be required to if current circumstances demand you pull away quickly! Ideally, if you can help close your character's chapter, that would be lovely as a sendoff.
SB Organization:
Spoiler
- - Once the SB launches officially, you will be expected to complete a CP within the first week to ensure your spot. If you are invested but this deadline isn't doable for you, let me know.
- The story will be planned out in stages based on character ages and story development, themed after phases of the moon (in theme with the oxymoronic name Blue Suns). We will plan specific character beats, key events, and what will be necessary for growth/development in each stage.
- Each stage will consist of one POV post per character (if posts go much longer than 2k, they may be split).
The stages remaining:
> Waning Gibbous - Ages 20-23.
- The mess of conflicts will then play out.
Spoiler
Caelan:
Caelan knows the full extent of Ivy's plan and he makes sure he's nowhere near the base when everything falls apart. He prepares to incriminate Ivy.
Caelan casually mentions something to Ossie about Ivy's plans after Ossie brings in Adonis's dead body and warns him too late to save the base (just the morning before). During this exchange, Caelan feels something almost like sadness/grief when he sees Adonis is dead, but he hides his emotions behind a very neutral/weird mixed expression and pretends like nothing is wrong when he says his bait line to Ossie. "If I were you I wouldn't go to the party tonight... and I'd keep an eye on Ivy." He leaves it to Ossie to dispose of the body.
He makes sure that all the most important of his things are already gone from Sticks.
He also monitors the activity of the other main characters in case they are going to get in his way.
Ramona:
Ramona finds out from Hoss that their father died of an overdose. This is triggered by Hoss catching her toying with lumshade from a recent haul: visibly contemplating trying it. Hoss harshly chastises her and says if she does, she'll be just like her father. She didn't know that's what happened, and it shakes her a bit: she's become the big lumshade dealer on the streets. She confides in Ossie about this.
For the first time, she actually feels some regret, and feels nervous for Silas -- not just because Silas is a friend, but because Silas is Uriah's son, and she knows she can't be responsible for his death. Ramona trepidatiously tries to broach the subject: she can't sell to him anymore. At this rate, he's going to kill himself. This does not go over well with Silas the night before he's gonna help Saoirse kills his DAD. AKA: "NOT the best time for me to lose the one thing that's holding me together >:|" Silas ends up telling Ramona the reason why he needs lumshade, and Ramona begrudgingly continues dealing to him, just less.
Silas:
When Ramona tells Silas she needs to cut off his drug supply for his own good, Silas tells her why he needed lumshade to begin with. Ramona will not know what to do with this information. She will unhelpfully say: "Sometimes, it's better to go with the flow of the stream and not fight it. Sounds like you were destined to be a Sun after all
" and will continue to deal to him, just less.
Saoirse and Silas finalize the plan to kill Uriah, including a way to keep Delia safe.
Silas helps Saoirse sneak in.
Saoirse:
Uriah personally confronts Saoirse about her "relationship" with Silas. It's clear that by now he does not view her as family: only a threat to the control he wants over his son. "Don't you think your family has suffered enough to 'protect him' from me? He doesn't need your 'protection' anymore. He's mine. You should be worried about who else will need protection." He insinuates a threat against her siblings and father, and leaves Saoirse with the ominous warning.
Per Silas' urging, Saoirse's family invites Delia to a solstice celebration in the Sticks the night of the summer solstice party. They phrase it as a way to mend ties and reconnect as a family, but really it's a way to protect her during Uriah's murder.
She and Silas sneak into the base.
Ossie:
Uriah plants the idea in his head that his parents were never really his family, and they left him alone to raise his two sisters. Uriah suggests that Ossie's sisters would both be safer in the hands of the blue suns, not in the hands of two people who left a ten year old to look after three younger children. <-- Thoughts on Ossie actively killing his parents or sending a really threatening message that they had better let him have his sisters, or all hell would break loose? prolly the latter, uriah won't want to push for murder (yet) b/c Ossie is still a lil soft still Makes sense. So Ossie sends a threatening message somehow. Maybe in the next section, he has his sisters in his care again?
Ossie is the one who finds Adonis's body the morning after Adonis is killed -- and even suspects Ivy is the one who did it (war flashbacks to seeing Hoss carrying Juni) but in his last show of love for her he decides not to pursue that line of thought and instead reports it as normal. He reports to Caelan, since he's the 5-- and Caelan gives an ominous warning of Ivy's plans (but it's too late to stop them). "If I were you I wouldn't go to the party tonight..." He leaves it to Ossie to dispose of the body.
Ivy:
Ivy, who now has a sufficient level of clearance to make her way around the base, plants the bombs to blow up the Blue Suns's base.
Adonis catches her in the act of rigging the last room. He's not shocked-- he had a feeling something like this was happening-- but he's dismayed to find his instincts were right. Trapped between duty to the Blue Suns and to his daughter, he promises not to turn her in, but begs her not to do this. Ivy is too far gone to listen: all she sees is an obstacle in her way, someone who should but doesn't understand the burning need for revenge. She kills him here.
Ivy goes about covering things up quietly: she's learned a thing or two about forgery from Adonis, and she fakes a note from him saying he's gone somewhere for a few days. If anyone goes looking, they'll find his body on a road leaving town.
A final Ramona scene-- Ivy has to lie to her again, but she feels different about it this time. She wishes the two of them could be the friends they used to be, but she doesn't fool herself into believing it could happen anymore. Although Ramona won't know to look for it until later, this conversation holds a "goodbye".
Caelan knows the full extent of Ivy's plan and he makes sure he's nowhere near the base when everything falls apart. He prepares to incriminate Ivy.
Caelan casually mentions something to Ossie about Ivy's plans after Ossie brings in Adonis's dead body and warns him too late to save the base (just the morning before). During this exchange, Caelan feels something almost like sadness/grief when he sees Adonis is dead, but he hides his emotions behind a very neutral/weird mixed expression and pretends like nothing is wrong when he says his bait line to Ossie. "If I were you I wouldn't go to the party tonight... and I'd keep an eye on Ivy." He leaves it to Ossie to dispose of the body.
He makes sure that all the most important of his things are already gone from Sticks.
He also monitors the activity of the other main characters in case they are going to get in his way.
Ramona:
Ramona finds out from Hoss that their father died of an overdose. This is triggered by Hoss catching her toying with lumshade from a recent haul: visibly contemplating trying it. Hoss harshly chastises her and says if she does, she'll be just like her father. She didn't know that's what happened, and it shakes her a bit: she's become the big lumshade dealer on the streets. She confides in Ossie about this.
For the first time, she actually feels some regret, and feels nervous for Silas -- not just because Silas is a friend, but because Silas is Uriah's son, and she knows she can't be responsible for his death. Ramona trepidatiously tries to broach the subject: she can't sell to him anymore. At this rate, he's going to kill himself. This does not go over well with Silas the night before he's gonna help Saoirse kills his DAD. AKA: "NOT the best time for me to lose the one thing that's holding me together >:|" Silas ends up telling Ramona the reason why he needs lumshade, and Ramona begrudgingly continues dealing to him, just less.
Silas:
When Ramona tells Silas she needs to cut off his drug supply for his own good, Silas tells her why he needed lumshade to begin with. Ramona will not know what to do with this information. She will unhelpfully say: "Sometimes, it's better to go with the flow of the stream and not fight it. Sounds like you were destined to be a Sun after all
" and will continue to deal to him, just less.Saoirse and Silas finalize the plan to kill Uriah, including a way to keep Delia safe.
Silas helps Saoirse sneak in.
Saoirse:
Uriah personally confronts Saoirse about her "relationship" with Silas. It's clear that by now he does not view her as family: only a threat to the control he wants over his son. "Don't you think your family has suffered enough to 'protect him' from me? He doesn't need your 'protection' anymore. He's mine. You should be worried about who else will need protection." He insinuates a threat against her siblings and father, and leaves Saoirse with the ominous warning.
Per Silas' urging, Saoirse's family invites Delia to a solstice celebration in the Sticks the night of the summer solstice party. They phrase it as a way to mend ties and reconnect as a family, but really it's a way to protect her during Uriah's murder.
She and Silas sneak into the base.
Ossie:
Uriah plants the idea in his head that his parents were never really his family, and they left him alone to raise his two sisters. Uriah suggests that Ossie's sisters would both be safer in the hands of the blue suns, not in the hands of two people who left a ten year old to look after three younger children. <-- Thoughts on Ossie actively killing his parents or sending a really threatening message that they had better let him have his sisters, or all hell would break loose? prolly the latter, uriah won't want to push for murder (yet) b/c Ossie is still a lil soft still Makes sense. So Ossie sends a threatening message somehow. Maybe in the next section, he has his sisters in his care again?
Ossie is the one who finds Adonis's body the morning after Adonis is killed -- and even suspects Ivy is the one who did it (war flashbacks to seeing Hoss carrying Juni) but in his last show of love for her he decides not to pursue that line of thought and instead reports it as normal. He reports to Caelan, since he's the 5-- and Caelan gives an ominous warning of Ivy's plans (but it's too late to stop them). "If I were you I wouldn't go to the party tonight..." He leaves it to Ossie to dispose of the body.
Ivy:
Ivy, who now has a sufficient level of clearance to make her way around the base, plants the bombs to blow up the Blue Suns's base.
Adonis catches her in the act of rigging the last room. He's not shocked-- he had a feeling something like this was happening-- but he's dismayed to find his instincts were right. Trapped between duty to the Blue Suns and to his daughter, he promises not to turn her in, but begs her not to do this. Ivy is too far gone to listen: all she sees is an obstacle in her way, someone who should but doesn't understand the burning need for revenge. She kills him here.
Ivy goes about covering things up quietly: she's learned a thing or two about forgery from Adonis, and she fakes a note from him saying he's gone somewhere for a few days. If anyone goes looking, they'll find his body on a road leaving town.
A final Ramona scene-- Ivy has to lie to her again, but she feels different about it this time. She wishes the two of them could be the friends they used to be, but she doesn't fool herself into believing it could happen anymore. Although Ramona won't know to look for it until later, this conversation holds a "goodbye".
> Third Quarter - Ages 20-23.
- The final chapter for some (whose deaths are imminent) and victory for others.
Spoiler
Saoirse:
Saoirse successfully kills Uriah after a tense and likely bloody fight. There is a moment of existential bliss even though she's deeply wounded, but then something feels wrong.
Maybe Caelean was supposed to be here, but she hasn't seen a sign of him? She goes: why does that seem suspicious?
Peer outside.
Explosion (death).
Ivy:
Ivy kills Hoss herself (one on one), then blows up the entire base with bombs she's rigged. She's planning to get away with it all, and has a brief moment of victory, but Caelan gets her caught.
Ramona finds Ivy (who she's already been stalking, she's very good at sneaking now) in her hideaway where she plans to watch the base blow up. Ramona's intent will be to apologize for Hoss (who Ivy has just killed: his body is with her). Ossie is the one that Caelan tips off about Ivy (but not in time to stop the explosion), and he's the one who comes to pull Ramona away and catch Ivy (max emotional damage). He might be hoping he can catch Ivy in time to last-minute plead with her and stop her, but can't. This is the motivation for why Ossie sends people after Caelan at the end to send a message that wherever Caelan goes, the suns will always be watching.
The Blue Suns are in shambles: the current leadership (aside from Caelan, who knew to get himself to safety) is dead, leaving the gang in hysteria and chaos. Ossie ascends to power, Oroitz is called in, and the remaining suns are demanding that Ivy be punished by a brutal death-- something Ossie must oversee. Ossie goes and meets with her in her cell and she's wondering if maybe he'll understand, but he's just absolute calm rage. Possibly the end of their convo, he walks away and says "you should've blown yourself up too."
She takes that to heart. Ivy's not going to give them the satisfaction of killing her-- she figures out how to make one/start a fire while she's in captivity.
Boom. She blows herself up, and by the time Ossie and the suns show up for her execution, she's dead and she's left them even more destruction to remember her by. Ossie probably frames this as a death put upon her by the suns so that remaining members still feel a sense of vindication -- but knows it isn't enough.
Caelan:
Caelan watches the base blow up from afar (good riddance).
Caelan has gathered all of the evidence to pin the blame on Ivy and he manages to get her caught. While the Suns are focused on punishing Ivy and picking up in the aftermath, Caelan gathers up the last of his things and prepares to escape Sticks.
As Caelan is leaving Sticks with his last suitcase in hand0, somehow the only one who catches him is Cassia, who cries and begs him to stay. His tiny bit of conscience makes him pity her, but he just says something like, "Sorry darling, but I have to go" and leaves. Stone cold fr.
Ossie:
For summer solstice, Uriah has gifted Ossie a lute, knowing his constant want to have an instrument. He gives it before the party starts, then sees himself off. Uriah calls him son, love-bombs him, and leaves him showered with affection. Cheesy stuff like that. Uriah has also arranged for Ossie's sisters to be in the same living place he is in somehow. They are afraid of him, even though he tries to be gentle with them. He tries to explain to them family. FAMILY. Family first, above all else, that's how he's always been, that's who he's always been, he's always put them first, them above himself every time. They're still afraid of him (one crying?). One of the first times we see Ossie ANGRY-- HUGE fit of rage, breaks things. Once he gathers his composure, he says "I won't do that again. You're my family. Nothing you can do or say is going to change that." Leaves the room, locks it behind him, now upset but feeling like he has to make an appearance at the party.
Silas intercepts him. "PLEASE don't go, please come with me". Refuses to say why. Ossie is insistent he has to make an appearance. Eventually, Silas wears him down-- he can tell Silas is really bothered, and he's a little worried for him, so he agrees to leave with him.
Ramona:
The morning before the solstice party, Ramona has the gut feeling that Ivy won't be at the solstice party because of her last "goodbye." She mentions to Hoss that she wishes Ivy would come, and Hoss casually says: "Ivy? You're still trying with her? She's just like her sister. They both made bad suns. I should've offed Juni sooner, maybe it would've kept Ivy from joining in the first place." MAN WOW
The woman was too stunned to speak. Ramona disengages in silence and spends the rest of the day tracking Ivy down.
Ramona finds Ivy in the evening. She wants to apologize for Hoss after hearing about what he did, but she doesn't realize she's many, many, years too late. Ramona had never thought to ask: she just assumed Juni died to the blue suns. She never thought it would be her own brother, she should've cared to ask years ago.
Instead of getting to apologize, however, she finds Ivy with her brother Hoss's now-dead body.
Then? Boom. Ramona doesn't know what to do with herself.
And soon an Ossie and Silas come rushing in.
Silas: (more timing of events here)
Silas helps Saoirse sneak in
Uriah presents the lute to Ossie
Silas is walking by, minding his own business, and Uriah spots him and calls him over
Uriah has a cheesy moment with his "two sons" and how he's proud of them both
Uriah leaves them and tells them to enjoy the party
Silas: yeaahhh no let's get out of here (Silas bc introvert lol and proximity to murder) and forcefully pulls Ossie away
It's tense because they both know something big is about to go down (but different things), and Silas senses Ossie is "off" which makes him extra suspicious of him, but they have a good brother-brother talk nonetheless
Eventually they do get some distance off and watch the boom
Silas is of course STUNNED and panics, doesn't know whether or not Saoirse is ok
Ossie is the perfect person to comfort him/calm him down in that moment - his big brother and leadership skills shining through!
Soon after calming Silas, Ossie knows he has to find Ivy: he KNOWS she caused the explosion, and Silas helps sniff her out, leading them to her and Ramona
Saoirse successfully kills Uriah after a tense and likely bloody fight. There is a moment of existential bliss even though she's deeply wounded, but then something feels wrong.
Maybe Caelean was supposed to be here, but she hasn't seen a sign of him? She goes: why does that seem suspicious?
Peer outside.
Explosion (death).
Ivy:
Ivy kills Hoss herself (one on one), then blows up the entire base with bombs she's rigged. She's planning to get away with it all, and has a brief moment of victory, but Caelan gets her caught.
Ramona finds Ivy (who she's already been stalking, she's very good at sneaking now) in her hideaway where she plans to watch the base blow up. Ramona's intent will be to apologize for Hoss (who Ivy has just killed: his body is with her). Ossie is the one that Caelan tips off about Ivy (but not in time to stop the explosion), and he's the one who comes to pull Ramona away and catch Ivy (max emotional damage). He might be hoping he can catch Ivy in time to last-minute plead with her and stop her, but can't. This is the motivation for why Ossie sends people after Caelan at the end to send a message that wherever Caelan goes, the suns will always be watching.
The Blue Suns are in shambles: the current leadership (aside from Caelan, who knew to get himself to safety) is dead, leaving the gang in hysteria and chaos. Ossie ascends to power, Oroitz is called in, and the remaining suns are demanding that Ivy be punished by a brutal death-- something Ossie must oversee. Ossie goes and meets with her in her cell and she's wondering if maybe he'll understand, but he's just absolute calm rage. Possibly the end of their convo, he walks away and says "you should've blown yourself up too."
She takes that to heart. Ivy's not going to give them the satisfaction of killing her-- she figures out how to make one/start a fire while she's in captivity.
Boom. She blows herself up, and by the time Ossie and the suns show up for her execution, she's dead and she's left them even more destruction to remember her by. Ossie probably frames this as a death put upon her by the suns so that remaining members still feel a sense of vindication -- but knows it isn't enough.
Caelan:
Caelan watches the base blow up from afar (good riddance).
Caelan has gathered all of the evidence to pin the blame on Ivy and he manages to get her caught. While the Suns are focused on punishing Ivy and picking up in the aftermath, Caelan gathers up the last of his things and prepares to escape Sticks.
As Caelan is leaving Sticks with his last suitcase in hand0, somehow the only one who catches him is Cassia, who cries and begs him to stay. His tiny bit of conscience makes him pity her, but he just says something like, "Sorry darling, but I have to go" and leaves. Stone cold fr.
Ossie:
For summer solstice, Uriah has gifted Ossie a lute, knowing his constant want to have an instrument. He gives it before the party starts, then sees himself off. Uriah calls him son, love-bombs him, and leaves him showered with affection. Cheesy stuff like that. Uriah has also arranged for Ossie's sisters to be in the same living place he is in somehow. They are afraid of him, even though he tries to be gentle with them. He tries to explain to them family. FAMILY. Family first, above all else, that's how he's always been, that's who he's always been, he's always put them first, them above himself every time. They're still afraid of him (one crying?). One of the first times we see Ossie ANGRY-- HUGE fit of rage, breaks things. Once he gathers his composure, he says "I won't do that again. You're my family. Nothing you can do or say is going to change that." Leaves the room, locks it behind him, now upset but feeling like he has to make an appearance at the party.
Silas intercepts him. "PLEASE don't go, please come with me". Refuses to say why. Ossie is insistent he has to make an appearance. Eventually, Silas wears him down-- he can tell Silas is really bothered, and he's a little worried for him, so he agrees to leave with him.
Ramona:
The morning before the solstice party, Ramona has the gut feeling that Ivy won't be at the solstice party because of her last "goodbye." She mentions to Hoss that she wishes Ivy would come, and Hoss casually says: "Ivy? You're still trying with her? She's just like her sister. They both made bad suns. I should've offed Juni sooner, maybe it would've kept Ivy from joining in the first place." MAN WOW
The woman was too stunned to speak. Ramona disengages in silence and spends the rest of the day tracking Ivy down.
Ramona finds Ivy in the evening. She wants to apologize for Hoss after hearing about what he did, but she doesn't realize she's many, many, years too late. Ramona had never thought to ask: she just assumed Juni died to the blue suns. She never thought it would be her own brother, she should've cared to ask years ago.
Instead of getting to apologize, however, she finds Ivy with her brother Hoss's now-dead body.
Then? Boom. Ramona doesn't know what to do with herself.
And soon an Ossie and Silas come rushing in.
Silas: (more timing of events here)
Silas helps Saoirse sneak in
Uriah presents the lute to Ossie
Silas is walking by, minding his own business, and Uriah spots him and calls him over
Uriah has a cheesy moment with his "two sons" and how he's proud of them both
Uriah leaves them and tells them to enjoy the party
Silas: yeaahhh no let's get out of here (Silas bc introvert lol and proximity to murder) and forcefully pulls Ossie away
It's tense because they both know something big is about to go down (but different things), and Silas senses Ossie is "off" which makes him extra suspicious of him, but they have a good brother-brother talk nonetheless
Eventually they do get some distance off and watch the boom
Silas is of course STUNNED and panics, doesn't know whether or not Saoirse is ok
Ossie is the perfect person to comfort him/calm him down in that moment - his big brother and leadership skills shining through!
Soon after calming Silas, Ossie knows he has to find Ivy: he KNOWS she caused the explosion, and Silas helps sniff her out, leading them to her and Ramona
> Waning Crescent - Ages 24-26.
- Dust settles. New paths have been made. The closing posts are for those who remain alive. Reflection and growth, moving in new directions - for better or worse.
Spoiler
Ramona:
By the end of the story Ramona realizes if she is constantly underestimated, then she will weaponize that to her advantage. She decides she wants to be a spy for the suns, and will pretend to be ignorant and incompetent so that people let their guard down around her. She has a young, pretty face. She'll play dumb all she has to from now on, but she's learned from all of this. This will be the last time someone decieves her at this level of betrayal.
Ossie, who is trying to pick up the pieces of everything and understand his newfound power, processes with Ramona afterward and agrees to make her a spy. At this point, they've fully entered sibling relationship for Ossie. Basically, 'you are under my wing, anyone who messes with you messes with me.'
Her youngest brother, Ron (21), is initiated into the Suns with a Tattoo. He is going to be the new forger, to replace Adonis. She has a moment, filled with pride as she's surrounded by her two brothers: the ones who actually care about her, not like everyone who used her.
She has a moment, at the very end of the scene, where she quietly grieves Ivy's death and settles in her heart that the Ivy she loved died long ago. With Juni.
Caelan:
Caelan has left Sticks behind him. He managed to acquire a lot of wealth and influence in a new place where nobody knows him or his past in the Blue Suns, but at what cost? He is all alone, with nobody to share his life with, and he can't trust anyone either (he always has to look over his shoulder). He wonders if the choices he made were worth it.
For setting: I suggest the new place is on one of the far islands of the Western Isles, the city of Pavv. He now has a penthouse overlooking the ocean, and lives next to a vineyard with constant access to the best wines of Nye. It's very lavish. His post could end with a knock on his door, and a young woman offering him a letter that just says: "I hope you're comfortable. We're always watching." And it's signed only with a signet of a six-pointed sun, and an "O." The woman will simply walk away without another word. Ooh... Alternative note to be more cryptic: "May you never leave the light of the sun." or "Once in the light, always in the light." as a way of saying "we're watching" "You can leave the sun, but the light never fades" ? Idk how well this works, but I like the idea of the word "fade" being used, or maybe "Dim"? maybe instead of tan, "the light doesn't dim/fade?" yeah that works
Silas:
Lacking the ambition/bravery needed to strike off and start a new life somewhere else, Silas remains with the Suns, finding security and safety with Ramona and Ossie. He knows it's much safer to remain allies with them.
He lost his closest relationship in Saoirse. That paired with the complicated emotions of losing his father causes him to dip deeper into Lumshade to cope.
He does, however, have one family member remaining! Delia survived, and he finds some purpose in trying to help her find safety and contentedness in her new life.
Ramona might invite him to join her as a spy because of his heightened senses that would be a great aid. "Trust me, I'll never spill a secret again." And he can tell because of his senses by the resoluteness of her statement, breathing, etc that she is 100% serious.
Ossie:
In the wake of the blue suns' tragedy, Ossie proves his familial loyalty by being the person at the front lines picking up the pieces: he is promoted to being the 6 in the region by Oroitz himself (who is called in because of the tragedy/mass hysteria)
Ossie has fully made the transition from kind man to family first, no matter what cruelty happens. He sends people after Caelan, but has no hopes of catching him. It's only to send a message. His sisters died in the bombing. Ossie swears it'll be the last time anyone kills any of his family ever again.
Possibility: Oroitz suggests that they take a trafficked person and kill them and say they were related in some way to Ivy, as a way to appease the growing anger in the suns. Ossie agrees (complete deadness of his kindness). It's possible that Ramona, during the execution, points out that Ivy didn't have another sister/brother/cousin/whatever, and Ossie, without hesitation, is like "I know." *does not flinch*
By the end of the story Ramona realizes if she is constantly underestimated, then she will weaponize that to her advantage. She decides she wants to be a spy for the suns, and will pretend to be ignorant and incompetent so that people let their guard down around her. She has a young, pretty face. She'll play dumb all she has to from now on, but she's learned from all of this. This will be the last time someone decieves her at this level of betrayal.
Ossie, who is trying to pick up the pieces of everything and understand his newfound power, processes with Ramona afterward and agrees to make her a spy. At this point, they've fully entered sibling relationship for Ossie. Basically, 'you are under my wing, anyone who messes with you messes with me.'
Her youngest brother, Ron (21), is initiated into the Suns with a Tattoo. He is going to be the new forger, to replace Adonis. She has a moment, filled with pride as she's surrounded by her two brothers: the ones who actually care about her, not like everyone who used her.
She has a moment, at the very end of the scene, where she quietly grieves Ivy's death and settles in her heart that the Ivy she loved died long ago. With Juni.
Caelan:
Caelan has left Sticks behind him. He managed to acquire a lot of wealth and influence in a new place where nobody knows him or his past in the Blue Suns, but at what cost? He is all alone, with nobody to share his life with, and he can't trust anyone either (he always has to look over his shoulder). He wonders if the choices he made were worth it.
For setting: I suggest the new place is on one of the far islands of the Western Isles, the city of Pavv. He now has a penthouse overlooking the ocean, and lives next to a vineyard with constant access to the best wines of Nye. It's very lavish. His post could end with a knock on his door, and a young woman offering him a letter that just says: "I hope you're comfortable. We're always watching." And it's signed only with a signet of a six-pointed sun, and an "O." The woman will simply walk away without another word. Ooh... Alternative note to be more cryptic: "May you never leave the light of the sun." or "Once in the light, always in the light." as a way of saying "we're watching" "You can leave the sun, but the light never fades" ? Idk how well this works, but I like the idea of the word "fade" being used, or maybe "Dim"? maybe instead of tan, "the light doesn't dim/fade?" yeah that works
Silas:
Lacking the ambition/bravery needed to strike off and start a new life somewhere else, Silas remains with the Suns, finding security and safety with Ramona and Ossie. He knows it's much safer to remain allies with them.
He lost his closest relationship in Saoirse. That paired with the complicated emotions of losing his father causes him to dip deeper into Lumshade to cope.
He does, however, have one family member remaining! Delia survived, and he finds some purpose in trying to help her find safety and contentedness in her new life.
Ramona might invite him to join her as a spy because of his heightened senses that would be a great aid. "Trust me, I'll never spill a secret again." And he can tell because of his senses by the resoluteness of her statement, breathing, etc that she is 100% serious.
Ossie:
In the wake of the blue suns' tragedy, Ossie proves his familial loyalty by being the person at the front lines picking up the pieces: he is promoted to being the 6 in the region by Oroitz himself (who is called in because of the tragedy/mass hysteria)
Ossie has fully made the transition from kind man to family first, no matter what cruelty happens. He sends people after Caelan, but has no hopes of catching him. It's only to send a message. His sisters died in the bombing. Ossie swears it'll be the last time anyone kills any of his family ever again.
Possibility: Oroitz suggests that they take a trafficked person and kill them and say they were related in some way to Ivy, as a way to appease the growing anger in the suns. Ossie agrees (complete deadness of his kindness). It's possible that Ramona, during the execution, points out that Ivy didn't have another sister/brother/cousin/whatever, and Ossie, without hesitation, is like "I know." *does not flinch*
This story occurs in The Nye, an original fictional fantasy world of mine represented in storybooks like The Outlands and In the Wake of a Calamity. Some changes have happened within the worldbuilding since the completion of these stories (it's been some years) - namely the removal of extra fantasy races outside of werewolves and dragons, and some changes to the world's history. The time period will be between the War Against Magic, The Calamity, and the Resurgence: three world-altering events - the first two of which were concurrent. The Resurgence won't have happened, so it is irrelevant to you. You also do not have to have read any of my storybooks or original works to join!
The Blue Suns are the key organization you need to know for this storybook. They are a criminal organization with a mix of mafia standards and gang culture, possessing an intense sense of loyalty and incentivization for promotion. Locally, they are known for extortion, background political influence, and the procuring/provision of illegal goods and services.
Environment Notes on Sticks:
Spoiler
Environment Notes:
- - Houses are small and shack-like, but some are two-story. Most have hay and metal roofing, low insultation, mud walls, stucco. There are many narrow, dirty alleyways
and dirt paths (nothing is paved). Lots of grass and weeds grow in-between homes from neglect. Vines grow up walls.
- The area is a dry forest, close to the desert, but green enough that there's trees and water is no issue.
- There are lake-towns nearby called: "Shortskull", and "Banden". The lakes are Lake Lily and Lake Harmony (which is fed into by Brother's Brook).
The Tavern
- -"Lilly's Spoon" - b/c lake lily nearby ish
- Think grime. Dive bar. Creaky wood floors. Cleanliness definitely not up to code but it's passable, for Sticks. Primary patrons are Suns, either local or those passing through. Often there are tables playing cards/gambling. Unspoken rule to not bring any trouble inside: always take it outside. Owner is an old, gruff woman named Marnie who sounds like she's smoked a pack of cigarettes every day and looks like she's full of soup. Interpret that as you will. Prostitutes frequent the location. They just look like more dolled up patrons.
Basic Descriptions of Uriah's Office: (Anything not listed is open to embellishment)
- - Couches circling a coffee table at the center of the room. The table has a chess board on it, set up.
- There is a coffee/tea station on the wall for preparing coffee. A kettle is there usually with hot water already in it (covered) and coffee is usually already made for the day but there are things like sugar, honey, and milk to add
- A desk in the far corner of the room (the office is larger, more like a study) surrounded by some bookshelves.
- Big windows overlooking the Sticks from the top of the hill where the base is. Velvet curtains.
-Hardwood walls. Subdued colors/lack of vibrancy.
The Blue Suns' Base Outside the Sticks:
- - Think of it more like a compound. It's a collection of three two-story buildings that all interconnect underground. The basement has two levels, so altogether, there are four. The ones above ground just look like separate buildings.
- Appearance: Stucco walls, ceramic tile roofing, downspouts on the roof to lead rainwater away from the building. Large windows that let in lots of light, but there are bars over them on the Storehouse.
- The buildings are all similar sizes and positioned facing each other, but the building where Uriah's office/living space is, is the "corner" building of the triangle, facing Sticks/looking over it, and furthest from Sticks.
- The buildings have 3 different functions: recreation, living/dorms, and storage. The Buildings by Name:
- - The Storehouse: Used to house all of their stores: weapons, drugs, valuables, money. This building also has a highly secure lab for processing drugs (lumshade included) and making weapons.
- The Dorms: Has dorms and "classrooms" where suns recieve training in combat or other skills.
- The Hub: Where Uriah lives. He has the whole upper floor. The lower floor has the mess hall and open areas for drinking, dancing, gambling, and partying.
Other World References:
- Werewolves 101
- Lumshade
Spoiler
Lumshade: All That It Offers
The flower has a bittersweet but floral scent, and so does the drug.
Different Uses for the Lumshade Flower
• The Petals
◦ When crushed and processed into a liquid it can be made into a sedative
◦ Sedative potency depends on how pure/refined the resulting drug is, because of this it has to be created in a very exact process
• The Pollen
◦ Can be used as an anti-magic liquid serum
◦ The serum suppresses magic by blocking the processes in the brain that allow a mage to use their magic
◦ Anti-magic serum’s effect is near-instant when injected directly into the bloodstream
▪ Via dart: it takes up to 30 seconds.
▪ Via drink: it takes up to 60 seconds.
◦ Dosage varies from person to person based on their size and magical power. If a mage has more powerful magic, more Lumshade will be required to subdue it
◦ The serum can be highly addictive (despite its negative effects in regards to magic). It causes similar effects to common recreational drugs:
▪ Muscle relaxation
▪ Contentedness/happiness
▪ Dulled senses
▪ Slowed reflexes
▪ (Rarely, in high doses) hallucinations
◦ In the event of an overdose, the drug can cause the following side effects:
▪ Confusion
▪ Vertigo
▪ Nausea/Vomiting
▪ Fever/Sweating
▪ Slowed pulse
▪ (In extreme cases) death
▪ Usually caused by the heart slowing down too much by the drug
• The Petals and Pollen Combined
◦ The anti-magic serum is compatibly mixed with the sedative
◦ When mixed with the sedative the drug effectively knocks someone out and cancels out their ability to use their magic for an extended period after they come back to consciousness
The flower has a bittersweet but floral scent, and so does the drug.
Different Uses for the Lumshade Flower
• The Petals
◦ When crushed and processed into a liquid it can be made into a sedative
◦ Sedative potency depends on how pure/refined the resulting drug is, because of this it has to be created in a very exact process
• The Pollen
◦ Can be used as an anti-magic liquid serum
◦ The serum suppresses magic by blocking the processes in the brain that allow a mage to use their magic
◦ Anti-magic serum’s effect is near-instant when injected directly into the bloodstream
▪ Via dart: it takes up to 30 seconds.
▪ Via drink: it takes up to 60 seconds.
◦ Dosage varies from person to person based on their size and magical power. If a mage has more powerful magic, more Lumshade will be required to subdue it
◦ The serum can be highly addictive (despite its negative effects in regards to magic). It causes similar effects to common recreational drugs:
▪ Muscle relaxation
▪ Contentedness/happiness
▪ Dulled senses
▪ Slowed reflexes
▪ (Rarely, in high doses) hallucinations
◦ In the event of an overdose, the drug can cause the following side effects:
▪ Confusion
▪ Vertigo
▪ Nausea/Vomiting
▪ Fever/Sweating
▪ Slowed pulse
▪ (In extreme cases) death
▪ Usually caused by the heart slowing down too much by the drug
• The Petals and Pollen Combined
◦ The anti-magic serum is compatibly mixed with the sedative
◦ When mixed with the sedative the drug effectively knocks someone out and cancels out their ability to use their magic for an extended period after they come back to consciousness
Art!
