Round 7 done
I finished this the same night I got the word list, but I put off proofing it until the next day. I really had a good time writing this, largely because the concept of Kia and Aidan had been floating around in my head for awhile now. The story, in itself, draws inspiration from a mod I created for a game called Morrowind, called "The Pack Ogres". In it are two very good-natured (if really scary and strong) ogres that offer to join the player and carry your stuff for you. Kia was the female.
I tend to take the side of traditional bad guys, because I'm of the belief that "evil" usually doesn't exist for its own sake. Ogres are big and scary, yes. But wouldn't something so big be a product of its environment? That is, they inspire fear, so they'd live up to their reputations to get what they want? Wouldn't anyone, if they knew they could confidently throw their weight around? Wouldn't they then teach their kids to do the same?
I like little social questions like these. It makes for good storytelling, especially when I can translate one of the happy-puppy pack-ogres into an actual tale. Kia in Morrowind had just enough conversation threads to her to show you that she didn't always agree with your decisions, and that she would scowl sullenly if you left her alone or told her to stay put. I'm hoping this comes across equally well in the story I'm writing.
I tend to take the side of traditional bad guys, because I'm of the belief that "evil" usually doesn't exist for its own sake. Ogres are big and scary, yes. But wouldn't something so big be a product of its environment? That is, they inspire fear, so they'd live up to their reputations to get what they want? Wouldn't anyone, if they knew they could confidently throw their weight around? Wouldn't they then teach their kids to do the same?
I like little social questions like these. It makes for good storytelling, especially when I can translate one of the happy-puppy pack-ogres into an actual tale. Kia in Morrowind had just enough conversation threads to her to show you that she didn't always agree with your decisions, and that she would scowl sullenly if you left her alone or told her to stay put. I'm hoping this comes across equally well in the story I'm writing.