Nov
18th
2018
Low numbers for Path of Dragon and Tyrant · 1:53am Nov 18th, 2018
So, the reason I'm posting this is because I've noticed that there are low numbers for overall readers for Path of The Dragon and Path of the Tyrant, the next stories for the AssassinationVerse. Now, I'm only asking out of curiosity as the numbers are far lowers then Aftermath of a Fallen Star was, which leads me to question as to why and if the fault is mine. Do you not like the direction I've taken the series? Is it badly written? Are you not getting updates or having time to read it? Or has interest just faded due to how long I've spent planning it?
I plan to continue no matter what, but I need to ask because I'm too curious and if I need to improve something I will.
I can never find time to read it.. I really should try harder.
I mean, the chapters seem a good length..
To me it’s a tone shift and the increased action is kind of off putting, it’s not bad by any stretch not at all but it’s not what I came for
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That I can understand. There was always plans to bring in action for this regardless, but yeah I have changed the shift of tone of the series from emotional stories to action and dark origins. There is going to still be emotional moments, but they aren't going to be every chapter each.
I'm just busy. I'd read it, but I've got so much to do and a whole other list of stories I haven't read yet.
You were always going to lose readers, any story does, but I think I might have an answer. To be honest, it's entirely possible the story series has finally gotten too dark for it's own good. I mean, there's this little phrase I like to keep in mind when writing darkfics.
Yeah, to be honest, I think a lot of people think that there's no light at the end of this tunnel and wonder why they should really give a fuck honestly. May be wrong, may be right. Just putting in my thoughts on the matter.
So one reason I'm thinking is that it could be 2 stories going side by side. For example; I, personally, am not reading Path of Tyrant because I much prefer the hero's side of stories. Obviously a good story gives character and depth to the villains as well but since I'm, essentially, being given a choice I'm going to be reading Path of Dragon and I'll eventually get to Tyrant. But that's just my reasons and reasoning. No guarantee a lot of people are responding the same way.
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Okay, that's cool.
just haven't gotten around to reading it yet is all.
I'm working through it. I love the AssassinationVerse, but part of the reason I loved it was the way it was put together: one viewpoint at a time. Reading through Dragon and Tyrant has been different, incredibly so. It doesn't have the impact the others did for me, because both of them seem to be completely different characters than the ones I know. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it's one reason I could see for numbers dropping.
Ow no I just haven’t had time to read them yet.
I think it’s because fimiction in general is losing relevancy, I was once a very active member of this site and even I am barley coming back here
Personally I think the reason isn't that path of the dragon/tyrant are bad, it's just that TAOTS and aftermath were made very well, especially aftermath with an anthology style that is very attractive to readers who don't like sticking with one viewpoint for a whole story.
Well, ever since I started reading twotonedearly's Assassinverse story and where it was heading towards after "The Aftermath of the Fallen Star," I pretty much enjoyed that story than either both of your recently published ones. No offense though.
A lot of authors I know have mentioned that they don't think that everyone is getting notified of new chapters/stories. I'm #9 on the entire site in terms of followers and I still have stories that come out lately that only have a few hundred views instead of the thousands of days past.
Even then, though, a big problem is that the site isn't as big as it used to be.
Could be any number of reasons, from the change in narrative to the fact FiMFiction is bossing it's relevancy, but one might be what The Autumnlayer said up above. If it means anything, I have both Tyrant and Dragon in my tracking list.
As someone who is reading both stories I find Path of the Dragon more intriguing them Path of a Tyrant. I want to see Spike grow into the badass he needs to be by the start of the next story. The other story's protagonist just turns me off as we know no matter what she will fall and go down a very dark path. It just takes away any sympathy we have for her.
Still as other have stated it feels like this site is just experiencing less traffic as of late and many people are either not as active or have stop coming.
I’m still reading through all the series and I’ll only stop when the whole thing is finished.
So keep up the good work.
Like Autumnlayer said it's possible that the way you did the events of the storyline, it's too dark now that at this point it's pointless for the heroes even if they win, that by the end of it, it's so bittersweet that that their world is ruined forever because of the war. Like Final Fantasy VI in a way where it doesn't matter if Kefka is beaten, he already won way before he's killed, the world is a ruined wasteland and one of the heroes was ready to kill herself by jumping off a cliff after believing everyone was killed by what Kefka did way before you fight him for the last time.
My suggestion to somehow fix this situation so that there's even a possibility of a happy ending by the end of it all, would be to set up something believable that allows for Twilight Sparkle to somehow be revived so that she can help save Equestria and stop Majesty Blueblood and in the process save her from truly becoming the irredeemable monster that everyone will fear she becomes because of all the lies and bias she has suffered through. Like summoning an ancient hero or creature that can bring back the dead fully or grant wishes if you are worthy and have a selfless wish to grant or something maybe. Basically allows for things to come full circle.
A true light at the end of the tunnel so that everyone's fight in this war truly matters in the long run and not something meaningless like how Gummy described in the Slice of Life EP with his philosophical outlook on life in regards to the Bugbear.
Maybe even something that can undo all the death and destruction that has happened and will happen so that there will be peace and harmony once more in the end. I mean time magic is a thing, maybe someone can modify the spell and use it to warn to the past of the future so that it can be prevented like what PR: SPD did with the Omega Ranger, preventing Emperor Grumm from Winning however he actually did.
Knowing just how much you've stacked in the villains' favor, especially giving them access to Tireks magic stealing, the overall story is starting look like many other stories like this where everything gets bleaker and bleaker for the heroes until close to the very end. I have faith in your writing, but it is better for me to read stories like these when everything is finished or at least close to it.
Also, I have to agree with others about Tyrant. Unless you plan to blow are minds and subvert all expectations by having her choose to join Equestria's side(Which would be amazing if done right), I see no reason why I should read it. Being understanding or sympathetic of the villain in this case is irrelevant. Considering she has no connection to any of our heroes, by the end her defeat won't be seen as tragic but will be celebrated.
Minor thing at the end here, and this won't keep me from reading one way or the other. Is there any plan to follow through on the hint of a potential SpikeBelle in Appleblooms' chapter? Just wondering since it's the only MLP ship I'm into.
I am planning to read, but just until you get further in the story.
There’s a lack of tension in a tragedy if you already know it’s conclusion, Tyrant just doesn’t offer the opportunity to grow sympathy for its protagonist if her destiny is already written. Also as big as this series is it inevitably was going to lose views, especially if their are two separate sequels dividing people’s attention as they lay the ground work for the proper final act of the trilogy.
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There won’t be SpikeBelle
It was just too emotionally taxing for me. I powered through the first two but that turned out to be more than I could handle. They're well written, but I can't read too many tragedies without it messing with my head.
For me, its the Darkness induced audience apathy. I simply cant find in me enough fucks to give. The story went too grimdark for my tastes, so I dropped it.
Personally, I think it is just because sequels in general don’t get as much attention as their predecessors, which I think is just stupid. Though it may also be because the storyline is getting complicated and people are just waiting for the next main installment when Ragnarok is released. They don’t know what they’re missing.
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Personally, I am hoping for Spember, because Ember is my favorite one to pair with Spike.
Honestly, I was more into the stories when it was focused entirely on just Twilight’s death and how it affected those around her, with only allusions to the cause behind it, and without the expanded universe that sprung up that imo exists for the sake of existing.
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I'm more disappointed by that than I thought I'd be.
Some of it might be people are waiting until there is more than 2 or 3 chapters to read it..... That's what I do to make sure the story don't get abandoned or something
I’ve only been using this site to read porn.
Definitely not, the fault is nowhere near yours. Me personally, I'm not reading them yet. I've had Path of the Tyrant and Path of The Dragon on my tracking shelf since you published them, and I periodically check to see if any more chapters have been published even though I am not yet reading them. I'm personally preferring to wait until they're complete to read them. I found your first two stories complete when I first stumbled across them, and I really would just prefer to binge yours. So the count on my end is low for the fact of waiting until it's done.
Personally, for stories that have chapters that are 4,000 words or less, I like to read those once they're fully completed. Sometimes I'll just breakdown and go for it before it's done, but that's my general rule.
I haven't had time to read more stories from here as I used to. Im trying to make a point to read more of your stories, I just have been busy for the past few months.
I know i'm a bit late here but here are the reason's in order of relevancy
1. MLP in general is getting less popular, we've had 2 weak seasons in a row and fans are leaving for newer, better shows
2. As a result of number 1, Fimfiction is getting less popular
3. Time, Aftermath started in late 2013 and conluded in late 2017, that's a long time and a lot has changed. Namely numbers 1 and 2, there aren't as many people around to check out something new or remember to follow it. it takes consious effort to unfollow Aftermath, so many got reminded it exists
4. Darkness induced audiance apathy, this is a very bleak story, and especially in this day and age, people just may not want that.
5. Path of a Tyrant is not a very interesting premise, Dragon is good, but Tyrant lacks a good hook.
"The Assassination of Twilight Sparkle" worked because the darkness and cynicism had a point, addressing the Twilight becoming an alicorn controversy, and the ending meant all the tragedy wasn't for nothing.
As it when on, it doubled down on on the darkness and cynicism hinted at to the point is was so far removed from the show that those who like the show, likely a majority of readers, had no reason to care for it.
Darkness induced audience apathy, and the fact that in the end, the Villain gets what he wanted, and we got a tyrant who is going to wreck everyone's shite.
Honestly, it's the simple fact that I don't see Amadeus Blueblood get minced Alive, and basically get away with it, that put me off.
And frankly, Tyrant Is just adding More Angst, Bleakness and Tragedy to a series that already has too much of it. At this point, it's basically like how the original Script for Zootopia was like, "By the time you get to the end, you'd rather just want the Protagonists to just leave Zootopia to its Fate, to rot in its own cesspool." There's too much pain. No reason to stick around.
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What they said, aside from the SpikeBelle quip. I personally was more a fan of SpEmber or Sparity. Unfortunately, the latter isn't possible with how Spike yeeted himself out of Equestria.