NEVER! BWAHAHAHAHA!
No jk
Don't worry, maybe someday after we finish high school...and graduate from college...and get a job...and get our pensions...and have lazy afternoons in our rocking chairs...ah, right about then ;)
Sorry Noria...WE NEVER SEE EACH OTHER!
21 November 2010
03 March 2010
INTERVEIW
Since the majority of voters approved, we are now having a press conference type of thing. Ask anything-- if we don't know, we'll make it up. And it will instantly become canon. So-- how this works: Ask us questions in the comments, and we will answer them in the next post. Be imaginative!
Note-- since we have, like no details posted, I've begun sections in the pages (see sidebar) where I'll post information on the culture, geography, wildlife, economy, etc. of the regions. So you might want to check there before you ask. (Probably not, though- I haven't written very much yet. ^^;;)
Note-- since we have, like no details posted, I've begun sections in the pages (see sidebar) where I'll post information on the culture, geography, wildlife, economy, etc. of the regions. So you might want to check there before you ask. (Probably not, though- I haven't written very much yet. ^^;;)
21 February 2010
20 February 2010
Creation Comic, Part One
After I finished writing the story (in class, remember?), I thought I needed practice drawing jiiaii, and then H.E.You asked what Other looked like, and then I drew it, and then I was wondering what the facial expression should be, and then I decided to show the first scene, and then the rest of the scenes happened. After that I Photoshopped it, becuase I didn't want to color it manually.
He.E.You doesn't really like how the coloring on Fire came out, and neither do I. I was going to make it/him properly red-orange-yellow, but I was too lazy. ;P But I love the light, especially on Earth. (You can see a bit on Water in the eighth panel too).
Time:...about 5 hours, I think? Medium:sketch with pecil, outline in ballpoint pen and Sharpie, final in Photoshop.
PS YOU CAN CLICK IT TO MAKE IT BIGGER.
He.E.You doesn't really like how the coloring on Fire came out, and neither do I. I was going to make it/him properly red-orange-yellow, but I was too lazy. ;P But I love the light, especially on Earth. (You can see a bit on Water in the eighth panel too).
Time:...about 5 hours, I think? Medium:sketch with pecil, outline in ballpoint pen and Sharpie, final in Photoshop.
PS YOU CAN CLICK IT TO MAKE IT BIGGER.
18 February 2010
The Creation of the World
I wrote a short story in class today. It is, as the title suggests, the creation of the world, Hourglass Kingdom style. It's mostly a dialogue fic, but I think you should be able to figure out who's talking.
In the beginning there was nothing. Well, not quite. There were laws of quantum and physics, come up with on the fly by the Five, the Originals who collectively decided that it was unfair to be able to have infinite size and sneak attack yesterday. Thus Time and Space were Created. Now four of the Five would have been content to quietly exist and embody abstract principles, but Other had, well, other ideas...
--All right... so what if I get in a war? I don't have much physical presence, and why only three years ago Earth and Air had that squabble... I know. I'll just take some of the leftover mass, they'll understand, I'm sure. Huh. Lookit. This bit of earth's turned into a sphere. GUYS! HEY, GUYS!
--What is it, oh Other?
--Look! It's a ball! Why is that? Air?
--Well... we did sort of make up the laws of physics as we went along... This must be an unexpected side effect.
--Hey! If I poke it starts turning back into a ball! Look! Isn't it cool?
--Wow!
--Stop doing that; it's not right. Fire, stop!
--No, this is cool. But it's so slow... Let's give it some more energy. Fire, a little more juice~...?
--BOOYAH!
--Careful! This could be dangerous! Have you considered the consequences at all?
--Nope.
--Look at them. They are beautiful.
--They're just bits of compressed energy. Nothing special, just messy.
--You have no sense of adventure, Air. And they are. Beautiful, I mean. And see what it's doing now... well, at least some of the energy made into the little… planet.
--Planet.
--Yep, planet.
--Don't name it; you'll get attached!
--I'm already attached. I'm going to put some water down. And now it won't freeze what with Fire's explosion.
--See? I'm awesome.
--Well, all right. This is an interesting experiment.
--Now the earth is all covered up.
--Look, I'll just poke it and now there's parts sticking up, okay?
--We should add a layer of air, just to be fair.
--Good idea.
--Sure!
--...
--...
--...
--...
--...
--Now what?
--I'm going down for a closer look. And it's spinning around the... sun. Sun-sun-sun. How fascinating. COME ON, EARTH!
--Aah!... Wait, I dropped my--*
--No time. This is beautiful.
And thus the world was Created.
*The moon. In case you can't figure that out.
I guess this is what they mean when they say 'humble origins.' The Originals do eventually get the laws of physics worked out, since before they were just sort of willed into existence to regulate the physical conflicts and level the playing field. By that time, however, they'll have created life and won't fix it so as not accidentally kill off everything in existence. They'll be arguing about pi for millenia. :)
I hope you get a good idea of each Original's personality. But Earth isn't always that grumpy he/it's just a bit stubborn and xenophobic ;). Please comment!
In the beginning there was nothing. Well, not quite. There were laws of quantum and physics, come up with on the fly by the Five, the Originals who collectively decided that it was unfair to be able to have infinite size and sneak attack yesterday. Thus Time and Space were Created. Now four of the Five would have been content to quietly exist and embody abstract principles, but Other had, well, other ideas...
--All right... so what if I get in a war? I don't have much physical presence, and why only three years ago Earth and Air had that squabble... I know. I'll just take some of the leftover mass, they'll understand, I'm sure. Huh. Lookit. This bit of earth's turned into a sphere. GUYS! HEY, GUYS!
--What is it, oh Other?
--Look! It's a ball! Why is that? Air?
--Well... we did sort of make up the laws of physics as we went along... This must be an unexpected side effect.
--Hey! If I poke it starts turning back into a ball! Look! Isn't it cool?
--Wow!
--Stop doing that; it's not right. Fire, stop!
--No, this is cool. But it's so slow... Let's give it some more energy. Fire, a little more juice~...?
--BOOYAH!
--Careful! This could be dangerous! Have you considered the consequences at all?
--Nope.
--Look at them. They are beautiful.
--They're just bits of compressed energy. Nothing special, just messy.
--You have no sense of adventure, Air. And they are. Beautiful, I mean. And see what it's doing now... well, at least some of the energy made into the little… planet.
--Planet.
--Yep, planet.
--Don't name it; you'll get attached!
--I'm already attached. I'm going to put some water down. And now it won't freeze what with Fire's explosion.
--See? I'm awesome.
--Well, all right. This is an interesting experiment.
--Now the earth is all covered up.
--Look, I'll just poke it and now there's parts sticking up, okay?
--We should add a layer of air, just to be fair.
--Good idea.
--Sure!
--...
--...
--...
--...
--...
--Now what?
--I'm going down for a closer look. And it's spinning around the... sun. Sun-sun-sun. How fascinating. COME ON, EARTH!
--Aah!... Wait, I dropped my--*
--No time. This is beautiful.
And thus the world was Created.
*The moon. In case you can't figure that out.
I guess this is what they mean when they say 'humble origins.' The Originals do eventually get the laws of physics worked out, since before they were just sort of willed into existence to regulate the physical conflicts and level the playing field. By that time, however, they'll have created life and won't fix it so as not accidentally kill off everything in existence. They'll be arguing about pi for millenia. :)
I hope you get a good idea of each Original's personality. But Earth isn't always that grumpy he/it's just a bit stubborn and xenophobic ;). Please comment!
17 February 2010
Poll
Okay-- I know this whole thing is kind of confusing, so I was thinking I might have a sort of interveiw thing. I posted a poll, but (at least on my computer) the question is too long so it goes on top of the answers. For clarification, it says 'Should we make a post where you ask questions in the comments and we answer?' and the answers are 'Yes,' 'No,' and 'I don't care; do whatever,' in that order. Please vote!
14 February 2010
Concept Art (Wow, more?)
I made a picture, as you can see, of the Marshes (see here for the map -->http://noriagray.blogspot.com/2009/10/map-of-hourgalss-kingdom.html). While I don't much like the picture itself, I really do love the effect.
Time: about 1 hour Medium: all in Photoshop CS4
11 February 2010
Headpriestess Vala Art
Make a wild guess as to who this is. Vala will be appearing (briefly) in the main storyline. She is the Headpriestess (no, really?) of the Marsh Chursh, Eastern Temple. She is wise and accepting, but a lot more stable than most other Headpriestesses. Notice that her ceremonial robes (all are custom-made) are composed mostly of straight lines and icy colors-- her water jiiaii's default form is a little ice sprite. She could also develop an earth jiiaii, but she's never really seen it as a priority so she wouldn't be able to just call it up in one try, and if she did, it would likely be very weak.
Admire her while you can, guys and gals, because I will not be drawing her in full regalia for a long time. My hand will fall off now. Until next time!
Time: way way way too long (about 8 hours altogether) Medium: sketch with Sharpie on paper, final in Photoshop.
01 February 2010
PainPic Final (Maybe)
I just cannot get over how Noria can do all these awesome pictures in, like, one and a half hours. Geez.
Okay, so this is probably my final picture of Pain...hope you like it.
Katerina Concept Art 2 (Lotsa pictures today, huh?)
Here is a better picture of Katerina for you to enjoy. It's basically a remake. Marvel at my amazing Photoshop skillz! Ah well, I'll get better with time.
In case you were wondering (which I doubt), that black bit at the bottom is her always-present obsidian necklace. Actually it's probably whatchamacallit-- those black magnetic stones you get at most of the 'Pay $5 for a baggie of stones' kiosks at tourist places? Those. Obsidian = verr verr sharp.
Time: about 1.5 hours, Medium: All in Photoshop (CS3)
Fail at Pain
Hi...this is the second-to-last Pain picture and WOW, I failed. Faaaiiilll, Hanzy. Just so you know, my nickname is Hanzy. My penname is H.E.You. But it's a mouthful to say.
Third Pain Picture
To Our Followers
Wow, our amount of followers jumped from four to nine in one night. I'm impressed. Thanks everybody, I just noticed the "Followers" bar on my blog last night (whoops). Anyway, in case you don't know, on this blog you should probably start reading from way back in...what, April? Of last year, because this is (supposed to be) a story, not a series of random events.
The concept art, of course, we just started adding in, and Noria is an awesome artist. In case you're wondering about the names, yes, they are pennames. H.E.You (that's moi, which is overrated in the English language) is derived from my initials, which - yes, for those of you who have trouble making deductions - are H, E, and Y, but no, my last name is not You. "Hey You" just seems like an awesome penname, especially since, again, they do come from my initials. Although I'd prefer the vast majority of you who didn't know who I was not to call me a stalker. :) Noria, on the other hand, is what we've been calling my collaborator/bff for ages, and we spent...what, an hour or so?...in badminton practice making our awesome slams and trying to come up with the best last name for "Noria". "Noria Rose" and "Noria Dove" were obviously cancelled out from the beginning..."Noria Hearth" we considered, as we did "Noria Johannsen" and other last names. But we didn't want something average; we were aiming for something that represented her, like a word from a favorite book, or one made up from something she likes to do, etc. But "Noria Art" is kind of stupid for obvious reasons, and "Noria Crivens" (Noria enjoys the Terry Pratchett books)...well, what can I say? In the end/locker room, we decided on Noria Gray, and there it remains.
The word "Jiaii" came from one of our earliest mutual favorite activities, making random letters on whiteboards by erasing bits of previous words. I don't recall what "Jiaii" actually came from - it was something for football, and I vaguely remember something about "butt"something, but it's a very unfocused memory. Anyhow, we classified "Jia" as "world" and "ai" as spirit, and the rest of the words came from there.
Our actual graphic novel series (only the text, concept art, outlines, and ideas will be posted on this blog), which is about the Hourglass Kingdom and its elemental spirits (you know what, just read the introduction, the very first post, can't miss it) originally came from the fact that Noria is an AMAZING artist, and she was doodling all these intriguing, practically perfect pictures and saying "Well I don't know" whenever I asked her what was happening here or how this bit came to be or who that thing was, which drove me nuts. So she gave me permission to make up explanations, and, well...go look at the second post.
Anyway, this blog is usually not as boring as this long explanation post, and the next step of the pain picture, along with hopefully another Man with the Shard chapter, is coming up when I finish my homework...so, see you all soon!
The concept art, of course, we just started adding in, and Noria is an awesome artist. In case you're wondering about the names, yes, they are pennames. H.E.You (that's moi, which is overrated in the English language) is derived from my initials, which - yes, for those of you who have trouble making deductions - are H, E, and Y, but no, my last name is not You. "Hey You" just seems like an awesome penname, especially since, again, they do come from my initials. Although I'd prefer the vast majority of you who didn't know who I was not to call me a stalker. :) Noria, on the other hand, is what we've been calling my collaborator/bff for ages, and we spent...what, an hour or so?...in badminton practice making our awesome slams and trying to come up with the best last name for "Noria". "Noria Rose" and "Noria Dove" were obviously cancelled out from the beginning..."Noria Hearth" we considered, as we did "Noria Johannsen" and other last names. But we didn't want something average; we were aiming for something that represented her, like a word from a favorite book, or one made up from something she likes to do, etc. But "Noria Art" is kind of stupid for obvious reasons, and "Noria Crivens" (Noria enjoys the Terry Pratchett books)...well, what can I say? In the end/locker room, we decided on Noria Gray, and there it remains.
The word "Jiaii" came from one of our earliest mutual favorite activities, making random letters on whiteboards by erasing bits of previous words. I don't recall what "Jiaii" actually came from - it was something for football, and I vaguely remember something about "butt"something, but it's a very unfocused memory. Anyhow, we classified "Jia" as "world" and "ai" as spirit, and the rest of the words came from there.
Our actual graphic novel series (only the text, concept art, outlines, and ideas will be posted on this blog), which is about the Hourglass Kingdom and its elemental spirits (you know what, just read the introduction, the very first post, can't miss it) originally came from the fact that Noria is an AMAZING artist, and she was doodling all these intriguing, practically perfect pictures and saying "Well I don't know" whenever I asked her what was happening here or how this bit came to be or who that thing was, which drove me nuts. So she gave me permission to make up explanations, and, well...go look at the second post.
Anyway, this blog is usually not as boring as this long explanation post, and the next step of the pain picture, along with hopefully another Man with the Shard chapter, is coming up when I finish my homework...so, see you all soon!
Calendar
The Hourglass Kingdom’s calendar has exactly 400 days, for obvious reasons. (If I had to create a world, I would at least give them a calendar that makes sense, wouldn’t you?) Each month has 20 days, and the starsigns affect life more than the zodiac affects our life.
For the next few sections, assume anything before a semicolon (;) are positive attributes and anything afterwards are negative ones.
SPRING — change, growth; excess, greed
SUMMER— freedom, dreams, confidence; pride, fancy
AUTUMN— settling, warmth, comfort; burnout, overwork
WINTER— preparation, inner peace; stagnancy, rot
The starsigns both affect (minorly) a person’s personality and the two months that are spent under that sign. So people born under the [starsign] will be [qualities] and the [starsign] months are times of [qualities] and being [qualities]. Simple, right?
The Starsigns
Wolf: social, intelligent; obsessive, close-knit
Giraffe: foresight, intuitive, planning; lethargic, overly cautious
Bee: Hardworking, creative; overwork, mania
Snake: change, growth, individuality; overconfidence, lack of caution
Crocodile: sense of self, skill; bad luck, close-mindedness
Elephant: travel, strength, memory; clinging to the past, holding grudges
Eagle: joy, fierceness, aggression, confidence; destructiveness, elitism
Pig: inner growth, passive resistance, perseverance; anger, passiveness, reactive
Monkey: adaptive, clever, tricky; lack of sense of self, reliance on others
Deer: caution, speed, peaceful; panic, hiding from problems
For the next few sections, assume anything before a semicolon (;) are positive attributes and anything afterwards are negative ones.
SPRING — change, growth; excess, greed
SUMMER— freedom, dreams, confidence; pride, fancy
AUTUMN— settling, warmth, comfort; burnout, overwork
WINTER— preparation, inner peace; stagnancy, rot
The starsigns both affect (minorly) a person’s personality and the two months that are spent under that sign. So people born under the [starsign] will be [qualities] and the [starsign] months are times of [qualities] and being [qualities]. Simple, right?
The Starsigns
Wolf: social, intelligent; obsessive, close-knit
Giraffe: foresight, intuitive, planning; lethargic, overly cautious
Bee: Hardworking, creative; overwork, mania
Snake: change, growth, individuality; overconfidence, lack of caution
Crocodile: sense of self, skill; bad luck, close-mindedness
Elephant: travel, strength, memory; clinging to the past, holding grudges
Eagle: joy, fierceness, aggression, confidence; destructiveness, elitism
Pig: inner growth, passive resistance, perseverance; anger, passiveness, reactive
Monkey: adaptive, clever, tricky; lack of sense of self, reliance on others
Deer: caution, speed, peaceful; panic, hiding from problems
I think I might be putting too much effort into this...
Also: some of the month names actually have a meaning, which I would be happy to explain to anybody who asks... *stares pointedly at comment button* Judging by pennames, there might actually people who I actually don't know from school! ^__^
31 January 2010
Second Pain Picture
And here's the first colored version of Pain...wow, it does look less wobbly colored...took me a while to find the blur tool...XD thanks for the instructions Noria!
Okay, this picture is completely irrelevant to the story as of now, but it's another one of those little things that Noria and I do together and her picture of Katerina was so absolutely AMAZING that I thought I ought to try sketching something on Photoshop too. This person, Pain, was actually my idea but Noria's picture but my horribly wobbly re-draw, and after I color her in I'm going to repost her and see if it's improved at all. Sorry for using up this blog for this, Noria. Just wanted to show myself my very first Photoshop step-by-step sketch. :D
Concept Art
All right: As I believe H. E. You has mentioned, I have been making concept art for the main series. This is a character that won't come in till books two or three, assuming we get that far.
Her name is Katerina, though only her sister calls her that. To everybody else she is Kate, to her annoyance. She has a fire jiiai. Enjoy!
The Rules/Testaments
Rules/Testaments/Whatever Fancy and Overly Long Name we Come up With of Magic
1. Magic is described as using the energy of one's soul (jiia) by directly accessing the power of the Originals - Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Other - to physically impact the surroundings of oneself without direct physical contact.
2. All creatures that are able to move under their own power, no matter how trivially, have a jiia.
3. To use magic, one must have a natural affinity for the magical arts and scieces as well as the body of an ai, a spirit.
4. The only known creatures capable of using magic are the unaii and the humans, who are able to create a demi-spirit out of their own soul energy, called jiaii.
5. The jiia of all creatures is divided among the elemental strengths of the Originals, with the exception of the Originals themselves. In other words, all creatures link to a single element both as a species and as an individual.
6. Humanity gained both sentinence and the ability to use magic when the "first" human, known as the Man with the Shard, was pierced with a fragment of the Sphere of Consciousness, where the Original Other once resided, and elevated from the intelligent but animal superpredators. It is thought that sentience and magical ability are linked, and hypothesized that any animal under the same circumstances would have suffered the same effects.
7. All creatures are able to subconsciously manipulate their surroundings through their elemental strength, mainly by sympathetically influencing the corresponding unaii to their advantage, regardless of magical ability.
1. Magic is described as using the energy of one's soul (jiia) by directly accessing the power of the Originals - Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and Other - to physically impact the surroundings of oneself without direct physical contact.
2. All creatures that are able to move under their own power, no matter how trivially, have a jiia.
3. To use magic, one must have a natural affinity for the magical arts and scieces as well as the body of an ai, a spirit.
4. The only known creatures capable of using magic are the unaii and the humans, who are able to create a demi-spirit out of their own soul energy, called jiaii.
5. The jiia of all creatures is divided among the elemental strengths of the Originals, with the exception of the Originals themselves. In other words, all creatures link to a single element both as a species and as an individual.
6. Humanity gained both sentinence and the ability to use magic when the "first" human, known as the Man with the Shard, was pierced with a fragment of the Sphere of Consciousness, where the Original Other once resided, and elevated from the intelligent but animal superpredators. It is thought that sentience and magical ability are linked, and hypothesized that any animal under the same circumstances would have suffered the same effects.
7. All creatures are able to subconsciously manipulate their surroundings through their elemental strength, mainly by sympathetically influencing the corresponding unaii to their advantage, regardless of magical ability.
29 January 2010
The Boy
He won't know. How could he? Exactly. The very idea is preposterous. He could guess, certainly - although it is terribly unlikely that he would guess correctly - but for him to know is ridiculous. No, the boy will have no clue what is going to happen to him on this one fateful future afternoon. He will step into the elevator unscathed. He will have not even a hint of foreboding.
Of course, he will know things, that sunny day, that he neither remembered nor cared about anymore. His name, for one. Where he was going, for another. To visit his mother? To see a healer? All he was sure of was that he would be an ignorant, silly child before he encounters the shard. You see, in the boy's past - the boy's past, and the world's future - three important things will happen to have made him what he was.
The first? The elevator will be occupied by the four Unaii. This is no coincidence. The man orchestrated it himself, to make sure his life wouldn't go awry. Because of this, there will be no more Unaii. And the Jiaii will be in the power of the humans.
The second? The fire Unaii will be carrying the Jar of Subconscious. It will contain the fragments of all the lost consciousnesses existent - dreams, and the dreams of dreams, and so on. When the compression of the four elemental Unaii causes the jar to explode, the third thing will happen.
The third thing is that the Jar will split into a thousand fragments, which caused, causes, and will cause time to go haywire in the elevator. Its shards will scatter through time, all over the Hourglass Kingdom, with such force that the Jiaii will feel the tug on their spirits. Except for one shard - one shard will pierce the flesh of the boy's wrist and enter his bloodstream.
And then he was no longer the boy - he was several hundred years behind his life, and he was the Man with the Shard.
And the fate of the Hourglass Kingdom was literally at his fingertips.
Of course, he will know things, that sunny day, that he neither remembered nor cared about anymore. His name, for one. Where he was going, for another. To visit his mother? To see a healer? All he was sure of was that he would be an ignorant, silly child before he encounters the shard. You see, in the boy's past - the boy's past, and the world's future - three important things will happen to have made him what he was.
The first? The elevator will be occupied by the four Unaii. This is no coincidence. The man orchestrated it himself, to make sure his life wouldn't go awry. Because of this, there will be no more Unaii. And the Jiaii will be in the power of the humans.
The second? The fire Unaii will be carrying the Jar of Subconscious. It will contain the fragments of all the lost consciousnesses existent - dreams, and the dreams of dreams, and so on. When the compression of the four elemental Unaii causes the jar to explode, the third thing will happen.
The third thing is that the Jar will split into a thousand fragments, which caused, causes, and will cause time to go haywire in the elevator. Its shards will scatter through time, all over the Hourglass Kingdom, with such force that the Jiaii will feel the tug on their spirits. Except for one shard - one shard will pierce the flesh of the boy's wrist and enter his bloodstream.
And then he was no longer the boy - he was several hundred years behind his life, and he was the Man with the Shard.
And the fate of the Hourglass Kingdom was literally at his fingertips.
28 January 2010
A While
It's been a while since our last post, but I can now happily announce that we (*cough* Noria) have been working on a plethora of concept art sketches, which may be downloaded here someday. Also, the actual story of Oua and the Hourglass Kingdom will be continuing as soon as more inspiration appears. Sadly, inspiration doesn't appear; mostly it just stays in one place and waits for one of us to appear. So you see, this might not be all that easy.
Anyhow, here's a little bit of a giveaway; the next few story-posts will detail a history of the Man with the Shard! I know, exciting, huh? This will include the four original Elemental Jiaii, as well as the Jar of Subconscious and a very low-pressure elevator. The belt buckle...well, we're debating about including that. There are better ways to crack a magical jar, aren't there?
So, well, this is just a little alert to let you know...the next post is probably coming soon!
Anyhow, here's a little bit of a giveaway; the next few story-posts will detail a history of the Man with the Shard! I know, exciting, huh? This will include the four original Elemental Jiaii, as well as the Jar of Subconscious and a very low-pressure elevator. The belt buckle...well, we're debating about including that. There are better ways to crack a magical jar, aren't there?
So, well, this is just a little alert to let you know...the next post is probably coming soon!
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