At the End Commentary: Chapter 34 · 6:16pm Sep 30th, 2014
This entry contains spoilers for At the End. Be warned...
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You remember way, way back when when I said chapter 33 was the hardest to write?
Yeah, move over.
This took about ten months to write in full, even though I had the vast majority scripted out since... gosh, july, 2013? Somewhere there.
Yeah, this one took a ridiculously long time to complete. 2013 was quite... difficult to live through. In addition to all the problems inherent to the story in general, the crap I had to deal with IRL really hampered my ability to pick up the quill. Despite having several lengths of the chapter, especially Brimstone’s and Rarity’s stories, you wouldn’t believe the mental blocks I had to tear down kicking and screaming in order to push this one out.
That’s not to say that was all the problems. This is the last major piece of the original story draft, and the last fragment of my original storytelling style. As we all know, an individual’s writing style shifts as they push out more work. I had the bright idea to script out pieces of a novel-length three arc storyline when I was in no way prepared to make it look good. My original story kinda sucked. I’ve been trying to fix it ever since I realized this fact, changing little facts as I go and script new chapters. My original style also had a tendency to rely more heavily on exposition, something that was in plentiful supply in this chapter. My new style uprooted that, but I couldn’t change the script in this instance. This was something important and set in stone. Why Brimstone would go to such lengths needed to be told.
Yes, as you may have guessed, Brimstone is the king from the Fallen Kingdom video. I’ve built this up for some time now. His regal demeanor, his formal language, even his gravitas; everything about him was ascribed to a king. With exception to chapter nine, but that’s a different story. I wrote this story arc before the Take Back the Night video was published, so not everything Brimstone claimed isn’t quite canon. Wow I just dated how slow of a writer I am right there. Anyway, the video, without saying a single word outside of the lyrics, says so much. The Edenic lifestyle of a kingdom, a king at his highest, and the creeping fear lurking in his mind. Perfection came crumbling around him in a single night.
What happens after the video’s end? That was a question I wanted to answer, and thus Brimstone was rewritten from a prince to the King. The pain of so much loss, and the sweet siren call of vengeance. Now there are a few things Brimstone did not explain, such as how he survived, where Herobrine got his chains, and what the Crafter has anything to do with current events. Still, there is much more story to tell.
Ah, the desperation of a man with nothing to lose. The one thing I wanted to impress was that Brimstone had nothing left to lose, and that desperation makes people do very dangerous things. That, coupled with Rarity who places emphasis on life to such a degree, made for some very interesting character dynamics. What would happen if an unstoppable force met an immovable object?
I suppose I should talk about Rarity a little. I could always go either way. Rarity could be hardlined against Brimstone, or she could see the logic in his revenge and wish to aid him. When presented with two options, I decided to strike at a third. Accept that Brimstone was a hero turned villain, but embrace the fact that Herobrine needed to be stopped. To give her motivations and reasoning a little more credence, I needed a history for her as well.
Yeah, part of it was I’m crushing a little on Rarity. Part of it was I wanted to give her character a little emotional dignity. I’ve noticed that despite her being a proper posh lady, Rarity is quite the skilled fighter. She dodged an attack on a manticore and countered within a second—all against a creature far larger than her. She lifted Tom all on her own. She didn’t use magic or weapons while fighting the Changelings, but her own bare hooves. She can hold her own and kick some ass, and I wanted an explanation for that, so that’s what I did. She seemed at odds with her parents, so I added that to the list.
Writing her as brute and beast, something she distains so much, only seemed natural. She didn’t like them because she knew exactly what it felt like. Becoming a lady was her compensation for what she deemed reprehensible acts, and as a means to protect her unborn sister.
This was a long-time coming. Seriously, months. I’m glad I shitcanned my original ending. You know, I have the final act mostly scripted already. Five chapters would have been my finale. I even had an epilogue. I may post it eventually, or leave it in the Journal when things are all said and done with. It even contains the very first scene I scripted. Eventually, I will post it.
Will the Crafter ever be able to speak?
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He can already, he just doesn't.
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I suppose a better question would be: Will he ever talk again?
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Now that would be telling a little too early.
Well, having thought about it, I guess since Era'doth is so powerful, the only way for the Main Six to defeat him will be to put him to sleep, and then have the Miner provide the final blow.
At least, that's what's going to goes down in my head, anyway, and then Brimstone will fade away into nothingness. Or be revived by the Elements, but that's up to you.
Can't wait for the next chapter.