JCollins
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February Q&A answers
🕑 Added 2025-03-02 23:05:14 +0000 UTCHow was it like creating the ROs? Did you have a starting concept that evolved overtime into the characters we have now or did you nail down their concept/look from the start? Was there any ROs that underwent a lot of change from their initial idea/design?
When I start, I usually have a basic idea of the character already, but that idea mostly consists of the core of the character - so their basic personality, some basic background info, maybe their looks, and the purpose of the character in the story.
Everything else comes later, when I'm already in the middle of writing them, and they all evolve through the story.
So for example I had an idea of Narmer's character during the first chapter of the story. I knew I was gonna give him a much darker undertone because he lived through a bloody war which left its mark very heavily on him, but how I was gonna do that, only came into reality as I was working through chapter 2. I also got a lot of comments at that time from readers who described him as this angelic, soft man who would be the perfect partner for anyone, so I felt like I had to nail it down hard BEFORE the romance lock-in that he is not like that. He is a soldier, a war veteran, and a warrior king. He waged war, he led battles, he ordered thousands into their deaths, and he himself killed hundreds with his bare hands. Yes, he can be soft and gentle too when he chooses to be. With the MC, he will be. But he also has a bloody past that he will never get rid of and it's haunting him all the time. So I wanted people who choose his romance to be 100% aware of that.
It was similar with Qenna. I knew from the beginning that they were a liar and a pretender and a complete mess. But as I was developing their scenes, it only came into realization for myself as well of how deep their issues run.
Zaia's character is still forming in my head. I already have ideas of where I want to take their character, but these might also change and develop later as I give them more personally significant and defining scenes.
Tabiry, in her original shape, was a bit colder, a bit less caring, and more of a training sergeant. She was still feminine, but I made her much warmer, softer, and elegant because frankly I'm tired of this popular media idea that a woman can only look badass and tough if she acts like a man. Fuck that. She is pretty, has long hair, smiles a lot, wears makeup and jewelry, and can also beat you into a pulp without breaking a sweat. But at the same time, she also has problems and struggles and she is not always on top of things.
Ahmose's character was the hardest to nail down because I haven't started writing them until chapter 3. I had a vague idea of how I wanted them to be like, but when I started writing their scenes, Ahmose kinda just kicked in the door with their own personality and I rolled with it π
Besides the Noble, Priest, Captain, and Thief origins, did you have any others in mind at the start that didn't make the cut?
I'll be honest with you.......
I don't remember lmao. I think it was always these 4. Maybe? I don't know π I think yeah, it was always just these four... They also evolved a lot as I write them, although most of their differences came out in the first chapter.
Can we get more of Petmes pls he's funny
Okay, here are some fun facts about Petmes that probably will never be mentioned in the game:
He was one of the original builders of Atlantis. He is one of the survivors, but not the only one. There are more like him around the planet, in the same shitty mental condition as him.
He is ancient and he came from a different civilization altogether before that. He can reincarnate and remember his previous lives, but he's forgetting more and more every time. The more he forgets, the more his magical potential wanes as well. There will be a time when Petmes will barely remember anything of himself. He has a very strong sensing ability (like the priest MC but 1000x stronger) and he usually recognizes people by their souls, not their faces or names. He can still recognize someone even after the person has died and been reborn several times.
He used to have a soulmate and children who all died and disappeared from Earth when his crystals blew Atlantis up. Since then, he's kind of just scraping by, trying to prolong the time when he will lose his memory completely. That's why he spends most of his time in Abydos, next to his crystals, because they clear his head up and help with the memory loss.
Narmer has a bit of a crush on him. He likes Narmer too and the two of them sometimes date but they never were and never will be in a relationship because Petmes is emotionally unavailable and Narmer doesn't have the time or the willingness to always run to Abydos for him.
He will not be much in the story but I was thinking to do an illustration of him :) He will appear one more time in the end, but he's not going to interfere. First of all, he doesn't think it's his job to solve these problems, and second, he already did enough for the people by creating and maintaining these crystals. He is very... very tired already, and the worst is yet to come when he will lose his magic, so he will only interfere when humanity itself might be in danger.
During the adventures of the party will it all be within ancient Egypt or will there be any introductions to the neighbouring nations? The bronze age is just fascinating and I really enjoy how the story has transported the reader to this historical fiction of that area
There will be some mentions of other lands through the characters, but the game will take place in Egypt.
Narmer spends a lot of time on the borders in general, so he has been to neighboring nations briefly. He also meets lots of foreign dignitaries in his job.
Qenna may be able to tell you more about the Hyksos. Qenna went to Avaris (the old Hyksos capital) in the past many times, and they also had close relationships with some of the Hyksos.
Zaia is from a different country. (Nobody so far guessed correctly which one, but it's getting close π) So Zaia can tell you about how it was like living there. They wouldn't want to go back though, but you will be able to talk to them about it.
Tabiry is also from a different country, Nubia. Actually, in the epilogue, you may be able to go with her to her old hometown if you choose her route.
Ahmose has never been abroad but they meet lots of foreign diplomats. Ahmose would be completely on board with a foreign trip, but it probably won't happen in the game itself.
Secondly just as a teaser for what is to come in the endings you've plotted out. Will our MC be able to absolutely fumble this massive quest, potentially a dead pharaoh and Egypt burning in civil strife?
Oh, yeah. Several of the main characters can die in the end, including the MC. Some character deaths will hit a lot harder than others.
QUESTIONS FOR CHARACTERS
In theme with the month of February and Valentine's day, to everyone - do you think you fall in love or develop a crush easily on other people? Is it easy for you to realise you're developing feelings for someone or do you prefer to deny them?
(each with a romanced MC)
Narmer: "I don't think much about love at all. I don't know if it's because I don't care or because it's... just not happening to me. My life is not my own anymore. I belong to my people. There was ever only one person so far who made me feel like my feelings mattered. And... Maybe... Maybe there will be a second. I'm not holding out much hope but... Maybe."
Qenna: "Oh, I hate it when that happens. Hits me in the face like a bull every time. Look, sunshine, here is the thing... When you are thirsty, you don't go to the desert looking for water, yeah? I have nothing left to give. I wish I had but... That's just what it is... wishful thinking."
Zaia: "I dunno what love feels like. I'm not sure I could even feel it but... No. I dunno. Why are you asking me these questions anyway? I'm a spirit, I don't... I don't know. Stop looking at me like that!"
Tabiry: "Oh, gods... It's a hard question because I think it's different for everyone. I mean... I have been in love before. There was also a time when I thought I was in love, but it... was not meant to be, and looking back, I don't think it was love after all. I think I will know it next time when the right person comes around." ~looking intently in MC's direction~
Ahmose: "Hah, well... I, uh... I don't think I've been in love before. I mean, I sometimes get crushes, I guess, but uhm... Yeah. No. I don't think I've been in love. I think I would recognize it. After, uh... After a while, I would, for sure." ~also looking intently in MC's direction~
For everyone (except Zaia) - are you afraid of dying?
Narmer: "No."
Qenna: "Great question. Are you?"
Tabiry: "A bit, but... It doesn't matter if I'm afraid of it or not. It will happen at one point. I wouldn't be a bodyguard if I wasn't at peace with that."
Ahmose: "Well, yeah, sure. Who isn't? I think even my dad is afraid of it a bit. It's only natural to be afraid of something we don't know much about. Not even the spirits can explain what happens in the Duat, after all. I will try to live my life so that when the time comes, I won't have to be afraid of Maat's justice."
Zaia - knowing what you know, would you like to be reborn with your memories intact or would you rather pass on into the afterlife and have eternal peace?
Zaia: "I'm here and I can't do either. So what's the point in wondering about something I'll never have? Do you think I haven't tried to move on? I have. It's not working. Eternal peace is just a fairytale."
Comments
J Collins
He's a fun guy for sure. When I finish this game and start a new one, he may be a recurring character :3
Emili Karm
Thank you for such insightful answers as always π Iβm eating up all these scrumptious extra Petmes lore crumbs π€
