Arokhs Twin wrote:A while ago I posted on the news page this post
http://www.arokhslair.net/wp/general/we-are-still-here/ which talks about the Drakan novel and what I think of it.
Basically it all boils down to the story being written by at least 6 people each with their own ideas. Consequently there is a noticable change in the writing style where somebody else took over. I edited the text submitted by others for spelling and grammar only not it's contents, some of which I would not totally agree with.
Greetings. Yes, I think I remember noticing, back in 2012, the change in the writing style from some chapters to others, but I thought that it was part of the charm of the story, since it could show without problems it was a collaboration effort.
I intend to re-read the whole story again, which I already started last night, on my tablet. I will put my thoughts on "paper" as to whether I have questions or doubts about any specific part, and then I will communicate it to you.
Arokhs Twin wrote:There is one main thing that has been bugging me; the story has always intended to be a adult orientated book but I felt the Rynn & Arokh relationship went too far especially when it turned into love between the two. For anyone who has read it they will know what I mean. The bits that worry me are when the succubi queen tries to seduce Arokh, the bit at the beginning of the TAG part where Rynn returns to her village and finally the part where Rynn is bathing Arokh. I can't remember who wrote those parts but they were way more graphic especially one part when submitted and I had to edit them to make it less of a bestiality story and more, well less fantasy.
This is an interesting topic, and perhaps the one that most caught my attention, yes. And it's not difficult to see why... so let's think about it a little:
I can't remember if any of the collaborators ever detailed about Rynn's life in Her Village, (the one raided by Orcs and Wartoks in the very beginning of the story) and about Her private life, as in love interests, and whatnot. But it seemed to me, that Rynn was somewhat of a loner except for the presence of Her Brother, since they both lost their parents when She was 12. Atimmar was possibly the only other person She might have identified with, and She became something like a Guardian to Her younger Brother, and that's it. At least, I can't remember any reference of Her past life that can contradict this, but I will read the whole thing again, and I will notice if there is.
So then, all of a sudden, we have Rynn partnering with Arokh. A Dragon, but also a former Hero of the old Wars. For someone that lost everyone important in Her life, like Rynn, that had to count for something; and if we take into account that Arokh is not a speechless creature like a Cat or a Dog and, more than that, that He can Think and Feel, then there's some room for Rynn to at least identify with Him and His protective behavior. More than that, the growing concern that the Dragon started to show, each time Rynn went on some cave errand and got hurt or severely injured, was shared by Arokh through their bond; and that is not something to take lightly.
I think all the stress and pressure put on the shoulders of someone so "unprepared" as Rynn had to have it's consequences, namely Her untimely attraction for the Dragon. Which places us with an interesting question: Can the whole situation be considered Bestiality in the common sense? After all, this is not like someone caught a goat to have it's way with it without the consent of the poor animal. We are talking about free choice here. We are talking about two souls that met, bonded, had their share of grief and successes, and now take things a little further...
Which calls for a parentesis here: Consider Transgender people, for instance. Those are people that are born in the "wrong" body. They may be Straight, Gay, or even Bisexual, but their main issue is what they see and feel when it comes the time of looking at the mirror. And they see themselves living in a Shell that doesn't match their inner feelings and sense of belonging. Their sexuality actually takes a backseat on their dilemmas. Their concerns actually center on Gender. And Gender is a Social Construct, while Sex (our genital organs) are a Nature construct. So that means that the "Shell" doesn't always match the "interior".
Which brings us again, to Rynn and Arokh's situation. They are both somewhat twin souls, having lost the ones they cared for, and are now hell-bent on a mission that takes a great tool on both of them. And they are both conscious beings. None of them are "soulless" animals. They start to identify with each other, and their attraction is not an unlikely thing at all.
Now, of course, that doesn't mean everybody in such a Fantastic situation would actually have the wits, or will, to cross the species boundaries and reach the level of sexual arousing. But in Rynn and Arokh's case, the situation was particular enough for it to happen...
I guess there never was really any sexual intercourse in the common sense between them both, as in their anatomical parts would be unsuitable for each other, but that doesn't mean they can't have their own ways of sexually satisfying each other. Although it seems Rynn is more concerned on pleasing Arokh than the other way around, which is not unlikely either, since Arokh is (centuries?) old, while Rynn is much younger and might not had the time to develop Her own Sexual drive yet... specially when we take into account She might always have been "alone" in Her village.
Arokhs Twin wrote:I still don't know if the Rynn / Arokh thing is still too excessive or not and if it should be changed. At the time I didn't want to offend the people helping out but now I think they will have forgotten about it. I came across some reviews of the story online and this was a debate where it seemed 50/50 if it was acceptable or not.
Yes, I can see how the whole situation can be polemic. But let's face it: It happened and someone thought about it, and made the story so much interesting because of it. After all, when something gets people to talk and divide opinions, it means some new, fresh ground is being walked upon. And besides, who says we can't take advantage of the situation to actually have someone in Surdana, or some place else to actually question Rynn about it? After all, if I well remember, both General Dehrimon and Lady Mishalla testified on Arokh and Rynn's "bath scene", and there's the chance that some talk about it might have ensued. Questions about decency or whatnot could arise, and then, someone would come to put some water on the issue, either the Sorceress or that weird guy in the Tower, stating that "Dragons have the souls of Men", or something like that, and it would actually be a breakthrough in the series.
More than that, let's not forget that Vykruta, (I guess that was His name) the Bard on Surdana's Tavern seemed to have a little crush on Rynn. And that's also something that can be explored further, as well as that other guy in the Outpost, that wanted to ask Rynn out for some traditional party on the Nordlands.. . something about the "Yack tongue Festival", or something... those are all situations that can be brought, in order to either make Rynn loose Her virginity, (or not) and come to terms with Arokh on Her specific needs and on how they both settle and agree on their relationship's terms.
It can work as a way to establish a more pragmatic relationship between them, and let's not forget about those girls on Stratos, that seemed so behave so sweetly towards Rynn, and that might find Her in a weakened state after so many combats between those floating Isles...
You also mentioned that:
Arokhs Twin wrote:The trouble is that the book was written by several people and it shows. I can’t help feeling that the love between Rynn and Arokh went too far (as the original did until I removed it – the author who that put that in there went too far I think…)
You mean, there was an "original version" even before those 3 "close" situations you mentioned it? Have you kept it? Were they just details, or have they took Rynn and Arokh's relation to a completely new level? I would love to read it.
Arokhs Twin wrote: The other thing is the story was never really finished. The other contributors stopped contributing leaving me to do it alone. I could not be bothered writing the events of Stratos on my own so I scrapped some of what was written and ended the story at the point where Rynn and Arokh journey up to Stratos. I wrote a brief epilogue explaining what happened after The Ancient's Gates ended and what happened in the few years afterwards.
Do you still have the remains of whatever parts you scrapped? They could work as a starting point to finish the story properly. And I would love to help. I've been thinking about writing some books on my own for quite some years now, and I even started writing a whole Sci-Fi story on myself, but I always dreamed about being one to help finishing the Drakan Novel. My available time is not much, but I'm up to it! If you're up to the task, then let's finish this. At least so we can say the story went 'till the end of the "TAG" game.
Arokhs Twin wrote:Most Drakan fans will have already read this so is there any point in a major edit / re-write? Should I finish the story properly?
That's a step further. Re-writing the story might also help fleshing it out, and could work as a way for us to better catch the "environment" and feeling of the whole story.
There's many things that can contribute for interesting, dramatic parts, like the Flesh Mage's atonement, for instance. The constant feel of insecurity flying between those Floating Isles, dreading a fall from Rynn to the depths of the Sky. The fact that there's no more Blacksmiths up there to fix their Armor and Weapons, or Mage vendors to replenish their Health/Magic/Invisibility/invulnerability potions, etc...
But for now, I will re-read the whole story, as I said, and I will take notes on whatever parts I feel might need to be changed or better detailed as well as some terms I felt should have been mentioned in Caps.
It's been a long time since you created this topic, and I risk never seeing a response. But I wanted to at least give it a try, and to thank you, and all the other contributors that made me dream in that Summer of 2012 as I listened to Drakan's Soundtracks on my Mp3 player, while on the Beach or at Home at night, as I kept reading the novel with growing interest.
\w/