The Crimson Crusade Update

The next chapter will be out tomorrow, and it also will mark the end of what I've written mostly in advance. But this is where writing usually gets easier for me, since all the main development and plot stuff is mostly written. The next chapter is essentially the glue between the first and second part of the story, the second being actually in the Highlands and interacting with Lirins/Nirils.

SPOILER LINE

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I'm still working on how I want things to pan out, exactly. I feel like I've done a decent job of setting up a sort of "three in one" character arc for the CMC, so I need to make sure I follow through with those properly. If it isn't obvious, each of the CMC has a different problem relating to aging and maturity. Sweetie Belle is indecisive with what she wants out of life and paralyzed by opportunity, Scootaloo contrasts her by being over-achieving in all things but unable to settle on one (because the one true thing she wants is out of her control and ability), and Apple Bloom simultaneously fears and desires to be older and more mature. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack serve as a way for those conflicts to be verbalized. And Twilight is there because someone needs to know everything, I guess.

As far as the Lirin/Niril stuff goes, I'm toying with the idea of making Chapter 5 heavy on backstory and lore. Essentially, the Lirin are symbols of optimism and the Niril are symbols of of pessimism. Optimism is great, but without a dash of reality thrown in, it can be destructive. The same is true for pessimism. And because I think it's interesting (and this is probably mega-spoilers), I plan on making the Lirin the "bad guys", so to speak. Bad guys with good intentions, if you will, because they decide to banish those who transform into Niril, for the good of their colony.

As far as why they can perform age transformation spells, I'm still working that out. I made it clear that they transform when sad, but I don't really have a "good" reason why they should be able to do age stuff as well. Any ideas are welcome.

I've got a few more random ideas, but I'm already way ahead of myself at this point.

Comments

[Justanotherstory26]

https://sites.google.com/site/towardtheexaminedlife/litandcin/innocence-experience
Could this help?

if not then how about https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/diseases_and_conditions/depression-what-you-need-to-know-as-you-age

Women are about twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. You’re also more likely to develop depression if you are between ages 45 and 64.

[PonyThunder]

5001120
Thanks. That first link will certainly help!