January 2026 Q&A (Patreon)

Here is our very first Q&A! I feel like we got a good handful of questions. Just because this Q&A is over, though, if you'd like to send in other questions, please feel free. Once I get to maybe 10 or so, I'll post them again. We probably don't have enough interest in the Q&A to do them monthly, but maybe each quarter or so depending on how curious everyone is feeling. Once Chapter 7 drops, I'll probably collect questions for you specifically from that chapter and do another Q&A just for it.

Enjoy! ^_^

Are Aster (Emre's birth name) and Aster supposed to be named after each other or pure coincidence to make you feel connected to him early on? We already know Kip’s entire family is named with an A name, so I’ve been paying a lot of attention to characters that share that letter…

It was intentional on my part so your MC has that spark of "oh cool" to kindle a small connection to him. And it's sort of up to your MC to determine if it means something more than a coincidence as well. Maybe they feel like it's fate or a sign?

I can go ahead and tell you that there isn't an association with A-names specifically for Kip's family, so you're not going to see any sort of familial relationship with Aster to them. Kip's birth name was meant to echo his father's.

Did Kip know he wanted to be named after a fish on his name day at 14 but didnt bc of family, or did he not think about it until after Dov and Ravinder helped him?

It was after he got together with Dov and Ravinder that he settled on the name. He always knew he didn't want to keep the name Alaric, though, and had a seething hatred for it.

Now, I picked Kip for him because the name refers to salmon, and Dov refers to bear. Not that Dov will be cannibalizing him anytime soon, lol, but he did sort of snatch him up like how bears do when salmon jump over waterfalls. But, Kip's in-story reasoning is actually because he loved to eat kipper. The reason he loved it was that it was the first thing he ate once he was free of his father. It was just dried/smoked fish that Ravinder gave him, and he became emotional over it because for the first time, he felt free.

How does Oswin usually interact with Yan? We know he's good with kids and he's of course the best uncle ever, but what kind of uncle is he? Does he let her get away with some mischief just to mess with emre?

This is a cute one for sure! In Chapter 7, you'll get a small peek at their dynamic, but he's a total pushover. Yan is adept at manipulating him, especially because she wants to be like him. He's soft for it. Oswin might go into something with boundaries and rules in mind, but as soon as she turns those pretty eyes at him – he's a goner. He'll never let her do anything that would get her hurt, but pranking his brother is on the table for sure, lol.

This one is for Rune because I don't see enough appreciation for them: do you have any specific music that inspired their songs? Any artist that we can listen to get a gist on how it's supposed to sound like as well?

So, I'm not great at music stuff, I'll preface with that, lol. But, when I was designing Rune, I knew they'd be a bard and closely tied with music. I wasn't sure on the instrument at first, because I initially wondered about a lap harp. Obviously, it needed to be portable. After some thinking and listening to some instrumentals for harps and lutes, the lute sounded more Rune to me. I don't know if I can explain why, but there's a certain sort of melancholy that a lute can bring that resonated where the harp didn't. Lute's can be fun and jaunty as well, of course, but the tone from the strings fit Rune more.

I don't have a specific artist in mine specifically for this. I scoured YouTube mostly and found videos of people playing lutes. I'll also note that I have played…a lot of Skyrim over the years, and that music was definitely in my head as well. I'll link a couple videos of lute music that are good examples for Rune's playing. The last link is an hour long and is very much a "wistful Rune" sort of tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkR3Kc2Rrfw&list=RDkkR3Kc2Rrfw&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx6PWnpSyOk&list=RDbx6PWnpSyOk&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Ld3DfmMbY&list=RDE_Ld3DfmMbY&start_radio=1

Did the story come easily to you or was it something that you thought about for a long period of time and eventually chose to sit down and write?

I would say it's a combination of both, which is maybe a little odd, lol. The basic concept of GC was the quick part. For some months, I had been wanting to dip my toes in IF creation and had been trying to think of what I'd like to do. I had a few other ideas but nothing was like "BAM" this is it. I don't remember exactly how or when, but the concept came to mind suddenly - the MC's plight specifically - and I typed it up in my phone notes. And then that note kept growing as I thought of more and more layers to it. The note in my phone grew and then I started into a notebook, and then in a document on my laptop. So the idea popped in quickly, and then I spent a lot of time designing layers to it, to the world, and to the people around it. I did this for quite a few months before I actually even began to learn Twine. I learned it using a test-story I made up on the fly until I was comfortable enough to try the real thing.

Most characters I had to do very intentional planning for. I needed to balance them as much as possible, especially where the ROs are concerned. I don't super like characters that are there just to be there. Even if their perceived importance or roles are bigger or smaller, they need to play a part in the plot and/or setting, and I wanted their personal stories to matter. So, starting out from that main concept for the MC and their plight/journey, helped me organize how people would naturally fall into their path and stick around.

There's a lot of elements of GC though that have been simmering in my head for years. A LONG time ago, I wrote some other fantasy stories, most of which are lost to time. One in particular about an assassin took place in a world a lot like Iroda. So, I've had at least frameworks for things that go into the story, which has helped with building and layering things.

What also inspired you to specifically write an IF? 

Well, this is another one with some layers to it. My dearest and oldest friend of at least 25 years, has always shared a love of story with me. We used to co-write short stories and even fanfiction. Reading and writing were my life through my childhood and teen years. I've shared a little before that I hit a pretty major depressive slump that spanned many years. There's a lot there that I won't unpack here, but I stopped writing and for the most part I stopped reading. Several years ago, I was trying to work my way through all of that (soooo much), and my bestie was like "hey, you should try interactive fiction." She gave me some VNs to try and then some IFs – Ebon Light, Our Life Beginnings and Always, Changeling, and Wayhaven Chronicles (there's more IFs but I don't remember the rest of that first list right now, lol). So, I was blown away. I enjoyed reading like this more than anything else. Genuinely, I loved it more than traditional books. So as I was working through my personal stuff, I rekindled my love of story. Over the years, I've read hundreds of IFs and VNs. I missed writing too, but part of me felt like I'd never be able to do it again. I hit a stage in my life where I was like, no - fuck that - I do what I want, lol. So, I wrote. I did some short stories and some fanfiction, and it just spiraled from there. Eventually, I wrote a whole ass novel. It needs editing badly, but I plan to polish it and publish it. After that was done, and the more IFs I read that inspired me, the more I wanted to be a part of it. And, there were some things that I wasn't seeing enough or getting enough of when I read IFs, and I wanted to add those things to the mix. So, here we are. After a cocktail of sadness, doubt, and cool recommendations - you get God-Cursed.

I'll add on a very personal level, that Our Life legit really helped me through some things I was working through at that time. When I started it, I kept thinking I'm probably too old to be the target audience for this. But I was so wrong. Later, when I looked back and had a think on why it impacted me so much, I realized that it helped put me back through those same younger stages in my actual life but in a safe way - in a way I could actually process. The hardships I was processing took place over those years. It wasn't the only thing, it was a combination of things I was doing to actively recover and heal that inner child. So, in the background of my mind while reading it and working through, essentially, the damage that had been done during my formative years - it gave me a safe place to be a kid, a teen, and a young adult all over again. Closes basement door Okay, enough of that, lol.

This is actually about one of my favorite things, nomenclature. Do families tend to use naming conventions for their children based on the family name as the Twinflower children are all named after flowers, and the Arbor children are named after trees? Also many family names we have are descriptive of an occupation or location… i.e. Cooper, Brewer, Dresden, Von Ingersleben and such. Is this also a practice in the world of GC? If so, the name “Northbreaker” is certainly interesting in what it could say about Dov’s father and how he met Ravinder Axemaiden.

This is a fun one, and I do also love nomenclature. In this world, you see a lot of names chosen in much the same way we've seen them come up in our own history. There are whole lines of people from families that still don't have surnames as well, and may just be referred to by where they come from or what they're known for. Grandmother Ravinder earned her surname/nickname this way. She often did not give out her first name (was very quiet), and so people would say something like, "You can hire the red-haired maiden with the axe to bring you lumber." Eventually, it was shortened to Axemaiden. In some cases, titles can actually replace a surname. You'll see this more often with the monarchs and emperors. Why use a surname anymore if you are the King of Tallulah? So, there's a mix of things and no one way that last names come into being, but most often it's from what people do or what people just happen to have called them over the years.

Not every family will name their children after their professions though, but it will be more common in smaller settlements. In cities, you'll see parents get a bit more creative. There may be trends, especially through rich families. Like in Kip's case, he was named Alaric after his father. The name was shifted just a bit but is a clear echo of Almalric. Though, his older brother, Riagan, was more loosely named after his mother, Rhiannon, in a similar way (this was part of the deal her family made when they married, since they wanted the next monarch to reflect her name instead of the king's).

And there is a bit less pressure on parents to pick the name for their kids since they can change it themselves eventually.

The Northbreaker name does have an interesting story behind it too. :3

This one regards cultural norms as to romantic and sexual orientations or gender identity. In what we’ve seen so far the culture does not appear to be hetero and/or Cis-normitive. Of course we’ve not had much exposure to how the culture of the north and south differ from the middle. Also it should be mentioned that nobles tend to be somewhat of an exception to this, because aren’t they always. Mainly for the production of legitimate heirs. Though I would think any kind of enforced hetero-normitivity among nobles, would be limited to marriage for the most part. And that said marriages would be more like business transactions than actual romantic bonds. As such I would guess that as long as contractually agreed upon number of legitimate heirs are produced then these marriages are not expected to be monogamous as long as a modicum of discretion is practiced. Though I have digressed quite a bit. More of what I wanted to ask is are there any culturally frowned upon orientations and/or identities and such? As well as geographical variations on such views. Thus in the local culture of Stonebrook and the surrounding area there doesn’t seem to be any taboos against non-hetero and/or non-cis orientations and identities. Yet what about orientations we have yet to engage with such as polyamory? Also is there geographical variation among cultural views on such things. 

There really aren't any orientations or identities that are culturally unacceptable at large in any province. As shown in Kip's personal story, there are some pockets or families that are seeing this sort of prejudice because of a hyperfocus on heirs. As is the case in our own history and many other stories, those in power contrive this idea that they can keep such things in their own blood and henceforth through bearing children. This way of thinking is less common, but growing quietly. Historically, people have just been who they are with no qualms, loving who they love because there was no reason not to. Issues like what Kip experienced, have been a more recent occurrence in their social culture and one that is more prevalent in the middle province than in the North and South. Not all maintain that, and obviously, there are nobility of non-hetero origins with adopted children.

There are actually polyamorous groups that live together, one you will meet in Chapter 7 even.

I'll do you one more and tease a bit of Chapter 7 here as well. You'll get a look into the rather unhealthy and even cruel way some noble families are taking their obsession with heirs. Aster has a few things to tell MC about the world.

You have a lot of detail about the main characters' hobbies and chosen profession. How much did you have to research for each?

Short answer:  a lot! There were some things I knew a little about or could draw conclusions on based on other things that I knew, but I'm one to not want to take too many liberties with details. If 100% of things don't check out, it's okay, but I don't like to make sweeping assumptions if I can find out how something works instead. The healer trade is probably the one I had to do the most research on to make things setting-friendly, but I also researched a lot for the carpentry skill to understand methods and tools that would be appropriate. I even had the opportunity to visit an apothecary in Colorado while on vacation! I learned some from that experience as well. I mostly used online resources, and I tried to find experts in medieval/renaissance ways of life. There are people out there who still keep these old artforms alive. I actually remember where I was when I wrote most of those sections – I was stuck in a hotel room for a whole week and that's about all I did!

How hard can each RO party? 😋 would they bother the MC about their choices?

Oswin:  What is this par-tay you speak of? He'll be social, but he's not drinking or dancing or anything like that.

Zahn:  Is there food? They could go pretty hard, but it would need to be one of those things that they have friends with them to party with. If MC is keen to let loose, Zahn will be more inclined to. Would absolutely dance and be silly.

Duri:  Likes a good time, crowded parties are not it. They get overwhelmed and uncomfortable pretty fast if there's a group. If they were having a party with just MC and the immediate company, they'll let loose.

Rune:  Though mostly an introvert, they do like a good party. They enjoy social drinking as well, and if someone is inclined to go a little deep in the drink, they'll join to an extent. Very likely to whip out the lute and play something jaunty.

Aster:  He has a hard time letting loose in a setting like this, but a lot of that has to do with the sorts of parties he's been to with his family. If he relaxed and let himself have some fun, I think he'd have some fun.

If you should continue on Lost to Time or something like it, have you considered putting in such cultural misunderstandings or the like, and if not would you? Also, how do you feel about such things?

Absolutely! I think that is a fabulous idea and adds a beautiful element of authenticity where we have non-human ROs. It will take some solid planning to find things that are, what I would call, reasonable and natural – but I would love to do this. I already wanted some notable issues with the MC adapting to how life has changed (or even not changed) compared to their life on Earth. So there may be some misunderstandings on both sides of the aisle.

Language is a great avenue for this as well. As one who uses a lot of idioms when they write and speak, this would be a fun way to tie that in. Even with the translator, there's so many things that wouldn't make sense when taken literally.

So, if I had to equate this question to a single sample it would be Lab Rat. That being said, it could definitely apply to other samples or things in the future you've yet to come up with. I personally like the idea of ACE being an RO. I kind of get the feeling I'm not alone in that. However the idea of an AGI leads to some interesting opportunities. One of which is that they have a very malleable appearance. So the question is, if you wrote an AGI RO would you consider allowing for something like a mini-character creator for them?

I totally would! I had thought that if I did this, it would be a fun avenue to have the MC work with ACE on developing their own sense of self since it was such an important thing for the MC to achieve. 

I tried to look for the answer on tumblr of what the ROs smell like but I couldn’t find it… and I humbly ask for Nathanael and our dads to be added as well if possible it hasn’t been answered already.

I don't remember getting this question before, so I don't think it's been answered. Now, there isn't much in the way of personal fragrance in this world, but some people use scented oils and such.

Oswin:  With him, it may depend a bit on what he's been up to, but he's generally got an earthy smell. He's outside a ton for both work and free time. He may be a bit grassy or herbaceous. If he has the option of a scented soap or oil, he likes things that are herby as well – something that's lightly rosemary with some flower petals.

Zahn:  Assuming the poor dear can keep clean, which they've been able to do since joining up with MC, they'd have a bit of a laundry smell. I don't mean "clean linen" but like how clothes smell when they've been line dried in the wind and sun. There's a light freshness that you can't quite put your finger on. If they can get their hands on some oils, they like sweet or citrus smells.

Duri:  Also earthy, you'll pick up more of a soil like quality. Depending on where they're at and what they've been doing, they may smell a bit like "dog" but not like gross wet dog or anything, lol. When at home in the shrine, they spend a lot of time around their mother's flowers and pick up a lovely floral scent, more so the roses. They don't like scented soaps and oils that much for themselves, but something floral they don't mind using.

Rune:  Often has a lightly sweet scent, a little vanilla and a little lavender. If they've been playing at a tavern a lot, they'll take on a bit of the woodsmoke, the scent of fresh bread and herbaceous food as well.

Aster:  When in his element, he smells like paper and ink. But he has a weakness for the scent of fresh apples. At home, he pays someone a handsome sum to make apple oil for him. The oil is made from almonds, which adds a nuttiness to it. Since he's been away from home though, he's using a soap and oil that is cedarwood, sage, and lemongrass which is a second favorite.

Nathanael:  You'll get a tobacco smell sometimes from our dear merchant (and something a bit weed-adjacent, of course). When he's not been smoking though, he has a sort of liquorice root quality to his smell, and sometimes it's a bit like the lingering smell of incense. It's quite nice.

Papa:  He has a pine/evergreen type smell, obviously woodsy and maybe even like tree sap, with a hint of sweat if he's been working. He smells particularly good in fall.

Da:  He has a leather scent since he often wears something leather, but he cooks and bakes a good deal when not working, so he'll often smell like baked goods too.