I think I should still properly mark this story as defunct. Seeing there are still new people subscribing on FFNet, I'd also better lay out a synopsis for the planned ending that has been in my head since I first started. A Harvest of Dust is completely cursed from concept to submission, my apologies. Though for everyone who had any amount of fun from reading it, please check out my original cyberpunk novel Encryption Straffe ( threads/encryption-straffe-cyberpunk-military-scifi.834348/).
1) What's the overall theme, arc, big picture?
To be blunt, this is STRONGLY inspired by John Scalzi's Redshirts, a novel about fictional characters fighting for survival in the world of their creators. Though, I wanted to explore "what if Scalzi's Redshirts are bad". Remnant is facing a crisis of its existence ending one day alongside the franchise.
Honestly, please read Scalzi's Redshirts. It has top class execution among many similar concepts such as RWBY Emergence, RE: Creators or Free Guy. A cut above the rest!
2) How would Amber develop as a person?
She was an observer, on the way to become a thinker and organizer. Not the Naruto-type "power of talk" kind, though. In the end stage she'd still be less competent at fighting, but by then there are people wholeheartedly willing to help. Her semblance is teleportation within visual range, formed from both the urge to run away and to enter the center of action.
3) Who are the OC antagonists and what are their relation to Salem and the Remnant cosmology?
They are a cult worshipping Light/Creation, who saw through the fabric of Remnant's existence and developed their theory on how to sustain it. They made an offer to Salem, to spread her power to other realities so destruction and creation could both infinitely grow. They summoned Amber's "Real" soul to bring in more power of Creation - as in media and thoughts that haven't been scheduled to arrive in Remnant. When they send her back they want her to carry Dust and Grimm into "Reality".
4) Are there any plans to reconnect gaps with Canon?
Cinder's and Roman's backstory are really the easiest to rewrite and bridge with Canon. Other things are more difficult, for instance Remnant isn't the big filter for fiction media from Reality. I can't find the motivation to work with Canon Remnant cosmology anymore.
Somehow Canon hates Atlas more than I hate Mistral. Don't ask me why but I don't want these sophisticated Mistralians to have it easy!
5) How will the story end?
- Before Jinn's exposition: Remnant manifests a Reality forcefield around itself, powered by the spirit of creativity of its own people instead of its parent world.
- After Jinn's exposition: The Gods pull Remnant into the universe of their Reality.
6) How long was it supposed to be?
Likely in 4 arcs with 4-6 chapters.
Arc current: Battle in Amity.
Arc 1: Amber, Roman and Neo escort a partially rebuilt Penny to Atlas.
Arc 2: Pyrrha stars in a movie, Cinder reevaluates everything while forced to be her bodyguard,
Arc 3: Antagonists reveal their plans for everything
Arc 4: An existential issue where OC antagonists become a bigger threat than Salem
7)
What's the endgame pairings like?
Amber/Roman
Amber/Cinder/Pyrrha
Pyrrha/Jaune
Ruby/Penny/Emerald
Neptune/Vernal; there's an arc dedicated to hooking these two people up when Neptune stars in a movie shooting in Haven
Shicheng (OC)/Tock; yes, Tock half a century ago is pulled from the past to showcase the cult's "creativity" power and this random guy fanboys her
All G-rated.
8) Any chance to see any unreleased content reused in my original projects?
Actually yes. Some scenes and general vibes created by myself instead of RT have been reintroduced to Encryption Straffe.
- For instance, text messaging with your mortal enemy while the important people are all occupied in important schemes; a certain Father of Deception in this novel is partially inspired by this idea.
- "Jesus Finger Licking Christ" as an insult
- Roman's backstory is split between two protagonists, Roberto Napoli and Pious One.
- Dianna Fahrman, Amber's soul from "Reality", is a character in the Encryption Straffe setting.
- A plot point in Chapter 10 is repeated in Encryption Straffe's sequel.
Thank you for caring about my highly experimental story. You've been completely energizing. Special thanks to:
RainStorm4
KuletXCore
bwburke94
sakurasaku _ xyli
merendinoemiliano
John Scalzi
And anyone who still followed/favorited after its last update.