[VIDEO GAME/AUDIOBOOK] Dryad's Wrath: The Riftkey Chronicles Book 1 2
![[VIDEO GAME/AUDIOBOOK] Dryad's Wrath: The Riftkey Chronicles Book 1 2](https://d1m9vqlvl3fy94.cloudfront.net/project/attachment/144789/60367FrontCoverFinal.png)
Project Overview
This is a HUGE project for a video game/audiobook I'm making of my original novel, Dryad's Wrath: The Riftkey Chronicles Book 1. This is Book 1 of the rewritten version of my previous project, "Riftkey: The Keybearer Saga Book 1." Many roles have changed, as this book was split into a trilogy. Some roles listed below will not be needed until Books 2 and 3 are ready for recording. I will be adding roles as I get to them for Book 2 very soon.
You can read it for free here:
https://www.wattpad.com/story/230767824-dryad%27s-wrath-the-riftkey-chronicles-book-1
This book was also published on Amazon in December of 2019. You can view it or purchase it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Miles-Tigard/e/B082VDBMC6
I am also a Twitch broadcaster (www.twitch.tv/VictorSevenTV), and most of these parts will be filled by other broadcasters and community members eventually. Feel free to audition for any role you like, though, as I may find a few hidden gems among you!
Voices that will not appear in Book 1: Eureon, Brin, Verys, Samarek, Sephastos, Maika
A bit about what I'm looking for:
Yes, this is starting out as an unpaid project, as I'm doing everything out of pocket right now. I completely understand not wanting to commit to such a huge project. There are 9 books coming, 3 of which are already written, and if I make a show or audio series out of this, I don't want to be changing voice actors mid-series. I want someone who will love and own their role, and be the only voice for that role, like Kevin Conroy's Batman or Mark Hamill's Joker. The types of voices will vary per character. Protagonists, witty side characters, conniving villains... there's something in here for everyone.
I obviously don't expect everyone to read the books just to get a single audition right. But, reading the source material may help you understand your character better, and you might even enjoy the story. My aim is to get this story out there in as many hands as possible so people can experience the world. I encourage you to share the WattPad link with your friends and any fellow fantasy nerds!
The game will be a Fire Emblem style PvP game that is completely playable from Twitch chat. Those chosen for character voices for the book series will also be responsible for voicing them in the game, and the character voice packs ARE PAID PROJECTS.
When you are logged in, you can comment, add submissions, create projects, upvote, search open roles, and way more. Login here.
One or more animators who can create and animate characters from reference art for a Fire Emblem style game that has combat sequences.
Models will be in the style of Granblue Fantasy Versus / Guilty Gear.
MUST BE PROFICIENT IN COMBAT ANIMATION. I know exactly how I want most of the moves to look.
I can pay up to $130 per character for design and full suite of combat animations.
Say something you think would fit
Malie is tough to describe succinctly, so here's an excerpt from the story.
The barrage of questions continued as the woman bustled over to her cooking area, warming a clay canister and pouring tea for the both of them. Malie Idrian could have been Telle’s older sister, they looked so much alike. Malie was a bit more plump than her daughter, and where Telle had freckles, her mother had smile lines. The chocolate brown eyes, the long, rebellious hair, and the mischievous smile were all exactly the same. Where they differed was in personality. Where Telle was cool, calm, and sarcastically affectionate, Malie was an explosion of energy with absolutely no subtlety. Her earth-brown dress flew in the air behind her as she shoved the blademage into a chair with a hot cup of tea.
I'm looking for a very exaggerated motherly voice. Any accent is fine. She's a no-nonsense character who will take care of people whether they like it or not.
Click here for a great reference voice.
Oh, don’t you ‘Ma’ me! You hardly ever come visit anymore!
Torran is dealing with it as best he can, though that’s not saying much. Outliving a child, and then a grandchild, isn’t easy. I can’t imagine what I’d do if it were me.
See? Tea is the bane of all evil! It seeks out those of wicked intent and PURIFIES THEM IN THE BURNING WRATH OF-
Torran is Kiriya's grandfather. He's an older man well into his 50's, but in good shape with a strong, deep voice.
[Just woken up from sleep] Kiriya? What are you doing?
[Suddenly concerned/shocked, muttering a curse] Seed of a Baelish. [to Kiriya] Stay inside.
[Solemn and stoic. Grieving, but trying to be strong] You must communicate this to him. Kiriya was very precious to me. I lost my daughter and my son-in-law to the Deadlands, and now my granddaughter. I would give anything to see her again, to see any of them again. But… the Archmagus is right. I was hoping Calen would be here so I could tell him… I do not blame him. I do not consider this his fault.
I fully plan on narrating this entire thing myself because I know how all of the Dryad words are pronounced. However, I keep getting messages in my inbox asking me if I'm looking for a narrator, so I figure I'll let some of you try this out because it will save me a ton of time.
There will be 9 books' worth of content eventually, and they'll all need to be done to ACX standards. If you don't know what this means, I recommend avoiding this role.
Also bear in mind that I will be using voiceover artists for highlighted dialogue, so if you speak those lines, they will be replaced. If you feel more comfortable omitting them, go for it. Just leave about a 3 second break where there is any dialogue so I can see the break in the waveform when I'm composing the audio track. If the cadence feels better with you speaking the lines, feel free.
Heart thundering in his ears, Calen ducked hurriedly into an alcove in the violet obsidian landscape. Sweat trickled down his brow, his back pressed against the rock as he willed himself to be invisible. Thin tendrils of discolored fog crept down over the opening of the pocket in the rock he'd found—the raspy, whispering sound of its passing and the things that dwelt within it grating against his ears. Two... three... four... the tendrils hung down like a curtain of grasping fingers—blind, searching. Hungry. There was something special about a mage's blood that these things desired, and Calen felt his own blood warming as the tendrils crept ever closer. At a touch, it would boil, and he would be lost to them.
The entire rank of soldiers charged, and Calen's eyes found his first targets. The sword whirled, and dragari kamei was cast in an arc. The fire engulfed them and they fell, writhing on the ground aflame. He spun, cutting crossways, sending dragari khus streaking into the chest of another that rushed toward him. The lightning bolt punched through his chest, branching out to his nearby comrades. Blades dropped to the dirt as bodies sizzled and fell, lifeless. He noticed several more attempting to flank him, and he flourished the blade, jingari tamei's shield catapulting them into the air. Calen gripped the blade in both hands, bringing it downward, and dragari takanda flattened them all with a boulder. A sizzling sound permeated the air as the boulder began to disintegrate, shedding layers and chunks that vanished into ash.
“Evrian!” A baritone voice called through the cacophony. “Are you alright? Where are Calen and Blaize?”
Out of the dust stepped Archmagus Mora, who stopped in his tracks upon seeing Keuryth. The dragari shinnoden and dragari koreya that had struck the male Dryad must have belonged to the Archmagus.
Hope swelled within the Magus. “I am well, Archmagus! I can’t say the same for the other two; I’ve no idea where they are.” He glanced at Keuryth, seeing the Archmagus’ cautious gaze settling upon her.
“This one is on our side,” Evrian continued. “They’re after her for some reason.”
The Archmagus nodded, turning toward their aggressors.
“We’ve still two to deal with,” Mora grumbled. “Even with a Dryad ally, this may be more than you and I can handle.”
Evrian watched the male Dryad rise, jaw muscles clenching. “I’m aware. We’ve much to learn from a Dryad ally. If we survive.”
“Therein lies the difficulty,” Mora grimaced, hands appearing from within his robe as he settled into Caster’s Stance.
I want to make this an audio drama with stills/storyboard style graphics. The quality needed is low, probably Webtoon style.
I will need 3 things:
- Character assets, both visual novel style and otherwise, with multiple expressions
- Backgrounds
- Low to medium quality CG style stills every once in a while for important moments. Could also be storyboard panels that are colored in with minimal shading.
Eventually, I'd like this to be a fully animated cartoon, but I don't quite have the budget for that, yet. In the interim, for conversations, I could probably use a Visual Novel style presentation. Let me know what you can do. I may also convert this into a Fire Emblem style SRPG.
Say something you think would fit
Eventually, I want to turn this into an SRPG in the Fire Emblem style. I got my hands on SRPG studio, so I thought it might be fun to experiment with creating the story there.
You'll be responsible for:
- Creating the base sprite art from existing art and sprite sheet references
- Can send several of these to you for recolor
- Creating sprite sheets/animations compatible with SRPG Studio
Say something you think would fit
Daughter of Elder Ronder Zen. This is a bit part with only one or two lines, so it'll be easy to land.
[Frantic, when asked what's going on] Soldiers, or something… I don’t know. The other end, near the Academy! We got everyone out of the houses, but they’re coming this way!
Inia and her husband Pannar run a textile shop in Valuar. The two of them make and sell clothing outside of their home. She's very passionate about her work.
[Surprised, and being asked about her wares] Oh! Who’s this? And what have you got currently?
[Panicking] Have you seen my husband? Have you seen Pannar? [Pause as Telle approaches her, asking what's wrong] He’s gone, Telle! I can’t find him anywhere.
[Frantic, trying to recount details. The person questioning her asks if he may have gone to the mines.] Oh, not Pannar. He had a hard enough time going down there with me when we were expanding our home for the children. His claustrophobia is debilitating. I can’t imagine him going in there on his own.
Pannar and his wife Inia run a clothing shop attached to their home. He's a quiet, kind fellow, and would do anything for his wife.
[Calen asks, "When are you gonna trim that thing?" indicating Pannar's beard] Inia likes it. Though it itches like hell. [Noticing Raiah, a new face in Valuar] Where’d the girl come from?
[Quiet, and cautious] From Presedion? What do they want with us?
[In response to Malie, who insists on paying for the clothes] No, Malie. Put your keys away. Can’t turn down a visitor who needs help.
Arthas is an old gemsetter who lives on the main road of Valuar. Never passes up a chance to push Calen's buttons for his own amusement.
I love doing old man voices, so I'll probably be voicing him myself. But just in case one of you can put me to shame, go for it!
[Calen asks how his wife is] Well, you know. Vegetables and fruits and vines and weeds. All she ever thinks about. [Noticing Raiah] Where’d you get this pretty girl?
[Sly and observant] So, since Evrian isn’t with you, I assume we’re going to get a show today?
[Pause as Calen responds, “Don’t remind me.”]
Ooh, when he strips the hide offa you, make sure he gives it to me!
[Pause as Calen gives him a look. “Arthas, I swear…”]
I want to make a bonnet out of it. I’ve always wanted a Calenskin bonnet.
[Jokingly, making himself sound even older] How do you do? Oh you like my bonnet? I made it! I think there’s still some Calen left if you want me to make you one! It even smells like blood, tears, fear, and violation!
I plan to have background music for this audio drama. I was going to compose all of the music myself, but I'm open to seeing what others have to offer.
If you submit for this role, I'd like to hear your flair for the melancholy/emotional, some suspense-style tension, and something that'd be good for a heart-pounding battle. I'll link some references below.
Melancholy/Title Music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzCtBu8MmwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzVA4tDyVXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhPHCbFyCCs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGPMijwlWYw
Suspense/Tension
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCXLKmvF_Ug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IjNFUxfc0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV6EWJkYA0
Battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWn20ZlZ8Z8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi_Dnd2D01A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duvmvvTbvPM
Obviously, I'm not expecting this level of quality from what basically amounts to an indie project. These are just examples of the flavor I'm going for. I don't really expect to cast anyone for this, but if one of you goes crazy and wants to do the music for this audio drama, I'll be pleasantly surprised. Thank you!
Say something you think would fit
Nandaave is an Arutheni, a Dryad born with a gift for destructive magic. Held on the outside of society and only called upon when needed, Arutheni roughly translates to "with dirty hands." Dryads are lovers of life and do not value destruction. The entire Dryad race is debating on how best to rid humans of their magic. While they debate, Nandaave is watching as his race dwindles and dies out. To him, the easiest way to rid humans of Dryad magic is to kill them. Attributes: Confident. Methodical. Intelligent. Determined. Demeaning.
Accent: I do not want a natively English accent for him (no American, British, Australian, Irish, Scottish, South African, etc). My best approximation of the male Dryad accent is a soft Russian or Slavic accent. Play around with it. Also, I will be uploading an example audition with my version of his accent and the pronunciation of the Dryad words for your reference.
[Smug and vaguely threatening] But you… that was bluff, was it not? That was bluff, and nothing more. I see through bluff, I call bluff. You are not like me. You are afraid to hurt them. I am not. You know what they name me? ‘Nandaave.’ In your tongue, ‘Nobody.’ They do not care. Why should I?
[Condescending] This one… she had promise. Ishani, and yet not Ishani. Not full. Not complete. Treated like outcast. Treated like me. I offer this one a place to belong. I do many kindness for this one. But you could not do this one thing, could you?
[In quiet accusation] Nai al eleide? Nai madi ismet dema. Kaie tomi nai ia kochetande, Keuryth?
(Translation: Did you see it? It's very easy. Why couldn't you do it, Keuryth?)
Resh. Has possessed one of the characters in the “Main” section, and is using that character as leverage against Calen. Traits: Regal, arrogant, seductive, manipulative, silver tongued.
You have a purpose, my young friend. Come with me. I will let her speak to you. I will let her hold you, as she has always wished. I will let her kiss you. Might enjoy it a little myself, while she’s at it. Follow me, and I will tell Sephastos I killed the rest of your friends. But only if you come with me. I am giving you the chance to spare your friends from my orders. What do you say?
The Youngest Dryad. She is well over a hundred years old, but considered young and weak by Dryad standards. (Dryad Language, Common Language w/heavy Dryad accent). Traits: Life loving, gentle, concerned, shy, inferior.
The accent for her will probably be some sort of cross between Japanese and Spanish. Maybe a little Slavic.
Le sema al tomi al dragarmai, mele yurish.
Madi azumet na ishani khunnen dane.
Not know. Probably spirit mage they hunt.
Calen’s adopted sister. Learned the family trade of smithing weapons from Heavensteel. Wields a greatsword as tall as she is. Does not use magic. Traits: Flippant, sarcastic, confident, playful, powerful.
And you call yourself a swordsman, with balance like that? When you're done gathering your dignity and my kindling, drop it off on my porch will ya?
Why do you need Blaize? You’re a Magus; can’t you cast healing magic?
Oh, ho, ho, I am going to beat you with the flat of this blade when I get back.
Hamei is a Dryad from the main faction who is working with Nandaave to eradicate Valuar. I don't have any English lines for her in the first book, just Dryad lines. I've included an audition for proper pronunciation and flow of the Dryad lines. Have fun with this one!
Note: like Keuryth, she will have a bit of an accent to her.
[Disappointed, chiding] Ina hashan. Olei mei tomishi al kochede demade. Olei mei miga al khusade demade.
[Severe] Tomi al nizde.
Former mage, now slave to Lord Teral in Presedion. Reilu has had Calen’s Heartkey for years, summoning visions of him in attempt to keep herself sane in the terrible conditions she lives in. Traits: Possessive, insecure, passionate, fearful, nervous.
I've... had his key for years. In the hardest moments of my life, he kept me alive, kept me from breaking. And I can't even thank him. He doesn't even know I exist.
I... I believe so. I think the spell may have made him weak.
I'm sorry, I can't bring them back here. I could bring the boy back, but that spell takes over an hour to cast.
Protagonist. Journeyman mage. Former Academy instructor. Nicknamed “Blademage” for his ability to cast spells through his sword, where every other mage must have two free hands. Last name unknown, no memory before 15 years of age. Makes his living Spell Hunting, bringing his sketches of cast spells to Evrian, who builds them and sells them to the Valuar Academy for use in curriculum. Prefers a shortsword. Traits: Witty, reactive, determined, courageous, humor oriented.
Evil? We are NOT evil. Evil is forcing people to drink tea.
Can we ever go more than a couple days without almost dying?!
You froze. You were put in a situation where you had to apply your knowledge, and you forgot everything you ever learned. That's exactly my point. In the Deadlands, you don't get second chances.
A Magus of the Academy. Shares a hut with Calen. Part of a spell hunting team with Calen, and can build spells from the ground up using a sketch and the Manunomicon, the book of all known Hand Phases. Evrian is one of the most talented among his class in the land, his speed and power rivaled only by the most skilled practitioners. Uses no weapons. (Dryad Language, Common Language no accent). Traits: Intelligent, calm, smooth, superior, teacher.
[Gently, but solemnly serious] I’m sorry to have to speak about this with a guest here, but I need you to understand how serious this has gotten. Calen, I know you’ve been using spell hunting as a cover to search for Kiriya.
[Patiently teaching] A long time ago, one of our… esteemed… mages, who also happens to be our Elder, had a mishap with a counter spell and a time spell, and now… well, any magic cast cannot enter or leave this area. Rather useful, in my opinion.
(You're on your back in a field of grass. A beautiful Dryad girl stands over you holding back a lightning bolt that rests an inch from your face. Her hands are shaking. She's terrified, and you fear she could let the lightning bolt end you at any point. She doesn't speak common and you don't speak Dryad, but somehow, the words come to you.)
Migasa… sheida dema. Tomi, ah… kaie miga… dragarde?
Main Anatagonist. Caphira Averion is an Autumn Tau with a spirit affinity. That is to say, rather than bonding with elementals as most Tau do, she straight up consumes them. Tau with spirit affinity are normally put to death, but Caphira escaped the Court of Autumn and ended up in Lunaria.
This character is heavily inspired by Moira from Overwatch. If I could have Genevieve O'Reilly voice her, I would.
For this character, I need a low female voice with some authority. Of course, I imagine a light Irish accent, but feel free to experiment and come up with something unique. Scottish, Romanian, ya never know what might fit the voice. North American, though, I don't feel would fit. This is gonna be a tough role to land a voice for.
[Issuing an order to a subordinate] If you find the one who wields the black flames, bring them to me alive.
[Grudgingly appreciative] Considerably more spirit energy than last time. I see your methods have improved.
[Cutting a subordinate off as they say "If I may—"] You may not. Start by checking in with Samarek, at the Rath Manse in the Great Divide. Work your way south from there. I will locate Urdaan. Hopefully he’s over his silly little obsession with that Rexas.
Expert tracker and friend of Calen and Evrian. Exchanges knowledge of the surrounding land and its changes in exchange for first dibs on spells the spell hunting duo discover before they’re dumbed down by the Academy for use in curriculum. Blaize has been the victim of a Baelish Weed attack, and bears the scars of dozens of tiny pinpricks on the left side of his face. Uses a broadsword and kite shield, and has a proficiency for healing magic. Traits: Knowledgeable, talkative, intuitive, caring, investigative.
I swear, you keep calling me that, I'll cut your body in half with the edge of my shield.
I was lucky enough to get a finger between my windpipe and that membrane, and tore the membrane open as the needles were coming out. Still got me in the face, but I was just glad it didn't start feeding right away.
Don’t get too excited quite yet. You need to learn your limits, buddy.
A student of Calen’s. Kiriya idolized the young blademage, to the point of procuring a sword that looked similar to his and wearing it in the same style as he. Recently lost to the Deadlands. Traits: Adoring, stubborn, prideful, narrow-minded, energetic.
When I’m done with my training, you’ll take me to the Deadlands, right?
I could spar Dorin. I could beat him. Gimme another chance, and I’ll trash him.
You told me the Deadlands never give second chances. So I thought if I was never in the same place twice, I’d be okay. And it worked! But eventually, I got lost. And I ended up here. Do you know where this is?
Ikani Sangra. Received first blood gift from Calen after trying to eat him. Knows very little about the human world, and is now fascinated by these creatures she once considered nothing more than prey animals. Traits: Naive, bubbly, cute, fascinated, dangerous.
[Confused, grateful] I tried to kill you. To... eat you. And you helped me. I don't understand.
[Sardonic/gloating] Humans are weak. All fleshy and jiggly and splattery. You die so easily.
[Panicking] Please don’t kill me. He made me promise not to hurt anyone in the village, and I’m not hungry, and he said he was bringing me back because he had a friend who could fix my wings but I told him humans would want to kill me and-
Assassin. He and his brother Andralus hunt Sleepwalkers, in hopes they can return the soul of their sister, Eulalia, to her body. Eureon owns the mansion of his late parents and has a soft spot for mistreated servants, often bringing them home after finding them on missions and offering them jobs and shelter. Prefers twin short rapiers, does not use magic. Traits: Intelligent, smooth, logical, motivated, passionate.
Ah, ah, ah. Keep that voice down, or I’ll remove it. Now. The key.
Now, I’m sure you’ve lost plenty of blood, but I really need to know EXACTLY where this key is. He has more bolts. There are plenty of places to shoot you without killing you. Very painful places.
How would you like to work for me, instead? My servants do not want for praise, and the living and working conditions are considerably better.
Nicknamed “Raiah” by Calen. Raiah is originally from Presedion, the kingdom across the Deadlands from Valuar. Former Head Squire of Presedion’s Knight Academy. Currently possesses no weapons, and hides her magical talent. Traits: Reclusive, observant, antisocial, introverted, caring.
[Cautious and suspicious, to a stranger who just found her in the Deadlands] I assume since you’re helping me, you weren’t sent here after me... Do you recognize the name Theras? Or House Narimur?
[Muttering sadly, recounting how much her home city has changed] It’s so different from how it was described. So much crime now. So much deceit and treachery. With so many people in the same place, it’s rough to live in. The historical sites are forgotten, with weeds and the like growing everywhere. All the higher-ups care about is power, power, and more power. But what are they going to do with it? Do what Emeric did and destroy a good portion of the world?
[Jokingly] What, did you think it got destroyed in some epic battle? Oh, yes, there was a dragon, and I was dressed in shining armor. Saved the fair maiden, too, and she gave her body to me.
Spirit mage of Nanilo. Recognizes Calen. Proclaims that spirit magic is the True Faith, regarding elemental magic used by humans as blasphemy. Traits: Keen, strategic, observant, patient, powerful.
I did nothing. The True Faith’s power attracts those energies that are improperly used. I let it work its course, and let it go when the time was right.
Take care, young man. I doubt this will occur again from the same source. All the same, be on your guard.
Such a shame. I’m sorry your story has to end this way.
Ikani Vulshin. An enigmatic little fellow, fluent in the Dryad language. Has a lot of hidden knowledge, and creates more questions than answers. Has a mysterious power over dark energy. Traits: Boyish, cute, knowledgeable, daydreamer, shy. NOTE: This character is male, but his voice will be better suited to a female VA artist who can make her voice sound boyish.
[Nervously] They… well, they’re all over the forest. And that’s not too far from here.
[Adoring] This is a very old text from earlier times. All of the characters in their alphabet are drawn starting at the bottom, and progressing upward, as if growing from the ground. If you look closely, you can see plants growing, flowers blooming, trees bearing fruit, seeds floating through the air, even the sun and the rain giving life. Each word is a different picture of nature.
[Uncharacteristically Confident] Nice try. But I don't have a soul.
Ikani Medira. Received first blood gift from Blaize. Cautious, brusque, and cynical. She has been guarding Blaize from threats in the wild unbeknownst to him for a matter of months prior to finally making contact with him. Traits: Domineering, controlling, confident, arrogant, sassy.
[Confronted by a band of Ikani Jestis whose tribe she left] Leave me alone, Sigil. I’m not part of your tribe anymore.
[Arrogant/Snide] So you say, Jarek. And yet they only sent the three of you? Sigil, did you get demoted? Even I know that Sarr here is a useless coward. Did you piss Alpha off?
[Taunting] Ooh. Naughty Sigil. You were always a horny little bugger, weren’t you? Shame you can’t have cubs.
Resh. Has possessed one of the characters in the “Extras” section, and is using their knowledge and proximity to Eureon to his advantage. Traits: Intelligent, polite, empathetic, purposeful, smug.
Mark Hamill's Joker is a great reference voice for what I have in mind.
Monsters? Monsters. We are not monsters. It is in our nature to be predators. It is only because we hunt you humans, you... self-styled kings of all that live that you term us "monsters." We are merely doing what comes natural to us.
[Responding to this line: "You murdered my parents, took my sister, left my brother voiceless, killed so many of the servants I’ve rescued… all for no reason."]
Is it more righteous to ‘murder’ when your only reason is because someone paid you, Sir Assassin? How many widows have you left, I wonder? How many orphans, hm? How many lives ruined, snatched away in agony, while those they leave behind anguish over their memory? You’re a fine one to speak of reasons, my young friend, and to assume I had none verges on comedy.
[Genuine and serious] I do nothing without reason, which is why I’m asking you now. The Riftkey and the vial. I could have killed you as soon as I saw you. I could have killed you the entire time I’ve been here. But I chose not to, and I am giving you a chance to keep yours and your brother’s lives. Procure those two items, and I will leave.
Resh. Tharstys and Samarek’s superior. Imprisoned within a crystal vial. Traits: Harsh, overbearing, commanding, gruff, impatient.
I will take the vial containing our brethren back to the Mistress. You will do what Samarek could not, and retrieve the Riftkey. And you will say nothing of my whereabouts. Am I understood?
Archmagus Naril Mora is the head of the Academy branch in Valuar. He shares responsibility for the town with Elder Ronder Zen.
Looking for a nice baritone for this character. He is one of the darker-skinned characters in the series, so feel free to experiment with some accents. The voice should be strong, but tempered. I'd love to hear some African/Middle Eastern accents.
Doomfist from Overwatch might be a good reference character.
[Solemnly, but gently] Kiriya’s name has been added to the List of the Lost. You know as well as I do that a girl of sixteen summers, and well below Journeyman level, could not survive the Deadlands that long.
[Solemn and serious] Not only that, but this mandate comes from above my head. This comes from the Circle, the five highest ranking Archmagi in the world. We in Valuar are in a very unique situation. We alone have the highest mortality rate of any Academy branch, because of the Deadlands.
[To an ally during a battle] We have to move, Evrian. As long as we stay at range, they have the advantage.
The Elder of Valuar. Respected for his position, but he was also the last socially-graduated mage of the Valuar Academy. He is so bad at magic that people have been known to rush in and take over if he tries to cast anything, so bad were the results.
Elder Zen is very abrupt, snappy, and bird-like. He won't sound old and infirm, but he'll definitely sound unique. I imagine him with a mid to high voice, kind of pinched. I may throw a sample audition down below to show my idea for him.
Mordin Solus from Mass Effect is a good reference for how quickly Elder Zen talks. That being said, do not sacrifice enunciation for speed. I don't want the words all slurred together.
[Abruptly, decisively] Hm. Shame. I suppose you’ll do. With me, now. To the Archmagus.
[Slowing down, but only slightly] Warnings may not be enough in this case. You are a skilled Magus, and Calen is arguably one of the best spell hunters in Valuar. A large part of our profitable curriculum comes from a handful of Magi and their spell hunters, and the two of you are high on that very short list.
[Authoritatively] There are harsh consequences for an Academy branch who does not heed the Circle’s mandates, up to and including excommunication from the main Academy. Were that to happen, we would no longer be able to trade the knowledge you Magi and spell hunters gather, and the economy of the town would fail.
This is a random Ikani Jestis that is featured in a couple of scenes. Ikani are Human-animal hybrids, and the Jestis are the hyena variant. So give me your best sentient hyena impression.
[Snarling in rage] Where are you hiding?!
[Sinister] I want a piece of that body of yours. Several, in fact. [Hooting and laughing at its own joke]
Narai is a young Tau of the Winter tribe. She has seen her thirteenth summer, which means she is set to attend the Bonding Ceremony, which she is dreading. The Tau bond their first elementals at age thirteen, and she'll be no exception.
(Muttering wistfully) I’ve seen thirteen summers now. They’re going to make me go to the Bonding Ceremony. Give me a Heartkey, make me bond an elemental. Can I skip it somehow? Just run away?
(Murmuring to herself in the darkness of a prison cell) Maybe I deserve it. Maybe I deserve to die.
(Shocked) Princess Caedria? Why... why did you help me? Why did you throw away what you had?
Adopted into nobility but sickened at how the Autumn Tau are handling their power, Caedria takes up the alias "Winter" and escapes the Court of Autumn, determined to free enslaved Ikani and Elementals, and to figure out why the Wheel of Seasons won't move off of Autumn and pass ownership of the Court to the Winter Tribe.
(Gently) You don’t have to move yet if you don’t want to. But I fear you could be discovered by another slaver if you stay in this area, and I can’t stay here and protect you.
(Jovially) I told you not to worry. I’m a lot harder to kill than that.
(Snappy, in response to: "Are you having trouble with the spirit mages, too?") They took Narai from me. So yes. I have a problem with them.
The twin gate guards, Billiam and Bobbert, are a comedic duo that breaks the tension of a few dire chapters. They are constantly bickering with each other, Monty Python style, and have the classic low-British, almost Cockney accent. Rather than paste individual lines, I included a passage from the story so you get the context of how you'll be arguing with yourself. The first line you'll read is "Town? Right. Town. Yes. About that."
Billiam is the first gate guard, and Bobbert is the second. I imagine Bobbert's voice a little bit higher than Billiam's, and a little further away, so as to differentiate them.
Pronunciations will be British English. So the word "Lever" would be pronounced "LEAVE-er."
You're free to pick which of these exchanges you want to do. Or you can do them both.
It should go without saying, but only read the parts in quotes.
SKIP: Blaize quickly interjected. “We’d like to get into the town, please.”
SKIP: Eri shot Calen a confused look, and the blademage shrugged.
BILLIAM: “Town?” The first guard stared at them, then the gates, lowering his weapon. “Right. Town. Yes. About that.”
BOBBERT: “The lever’s stuck,” the second one called down.
BILLIAM: “Oi, now it isn’t either,” the first one called over. “You just don’t ‘ave the man juice to get it open.”
BOBBERT: “Man juice?” The second was incredulous. “Man juice! Coming from the lout what couldn’t even ask Glori to dance at the fest?”
SKIP: The first swung his crossbow up—
SKIP: “Please,” Blaize called up, interrupting them again. “We just need to get into town. Valuar is a long way from here, and we’d like to get some rest.”
BILLIAM: The first one blinked, lowering his weapon again. “Rest. Right. Well, ‘ow many we got ‘ere? One, two… ‘EL-lo missy! Who’s that pretty thing you got there? She from—”
BOBBERT: “Aw, now you can’t ‘ave a go at her. She’s obviously with ‘im.” The second gestured toward Calen, who frowned.
BILLIAM: “’ow d’you know that just by lookin’?” The first argued. “Could be a friend, or a sister, or somm’ing else.”
BOBBERT: “Brain of a pig,” the second spat. “And not even that. Look, she’s ‘oldin’ onto ‘is arm.”
BILLIAM: “Sissy used to ‘old onto our arms when we was all li’l.”
BOBBERT: “But she ain’t li’l now, is she? And she looks nuffin’ like ‘im.”
BILLIAM: “Well she is kinda li’l,” the first observed.
BOBBERT: “Not as li’l as what’s in your trousers, far as Glori tells me.”
SKIP: The first leveled his crossbow at the second.
BILLIAM: Calen burst out laughing. The first swung his crossbow down at him. “Oi, now whatcha laughin’ at?”
BOBBERT: The second guard got hold of his crossbow, pointing it at Calen. “We was gonna let you in, but not with that thing.”
BILLIAM: “Naw,” the first echoed. “Magistrates say that thing’ll eat us in our sleep. Strip off our arses for oven mitts.”
BOBBERT: The second guard blinked, looking up from his weapon and over at his brother. “Oven mitts? Really? What would a bloody Sangra want with oven mitts?”
SKIP: “So yeah, they’re pretty welcoming, huh?” Calen muttered sarcastically.
SKIP: “Shut it before I grab one of their crossbows and shoot you with it,” the warrior grunted.
BILLIAM: The first guard frowned, trying to sight down his crossbow at Eri. “It’s just a bloody phrase.”
BOBBERT: “Well it’s not an accurate one,” the second one criticized. “Makes no sense. Sangra don’t ‘ave ovens. Do they?”
BILLIAM: “Well it’s not like you’d bloody know,” the first one hollered, dropping his aim. “You ever lived around ‘em?”
BOBBERT: “As if you ‘ave?”
BILLIAM: “Well what if I ‘ave?”
BOBBERT: “But you ‘aven’t, you lout.”
BILLIAM: The first was incredulous. “Says the whumpstick who couldn’t leave the house without Mummy till ‘e was eight years old.”
BOBBERT: “Not unlike the pansy what couldn’t stop wetting the bed till ‘e was ten.”
BILLIAM: “That was the nightmares, and you know it!”
BOBBERT: “Miracle anything came out, what with that li’l tiny thing you got hidin’ in there. Poor Glori.”
SKIP: The first one leveled his crossbow at the second.
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