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L. Cyrus Whelchel

@lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social

4.5K followers 1.9K following 1.9K posts

🖋️ Librarian & Fantasy Author || Worldbuilder || Chaotic Library Wizard || Level 37 Gamer - Current WIP: Ballad's End (Faumen War Chronicles 3) I write books, play tons of RPGs, & gush about cats. 🔗: https://linktr.ee/lcyruswhelchel

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 16d

Welcome to #CreativesConcourse, a new weekly thread for creatives of all types to share their work!

Today's theme: Names! Who's the most recent OC you've named, & is there any deep significance? Artists, you may share an OC you recently did a comm of!

My answer is below🔽

#CreativesConcourse
Theme: OC Names
Question: Who is the most recent OC you've given a name to? Does this name hold any significant meaning?

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 4h

Gotta love those Grilled shenanigans 😁

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 5h

Zeppleball is a competitive 1-on-1 sport created in the eastern continent, Uzura, where two competitors must use their hips and feet to kick/strike a ball through one of a set of elevated goal posts.

The 1st player to 15 points is the winner.

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Reposted by L. Cyrus Whelchel

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

Kai and his ladies Maple & Orelia form an interesting dynamic but they play off each other well in making one of the most influential triads in Nixtralian history.

Kai is the self-deprecating realist of the 3, while Maple is the cheerful optimist and Orelia is the sassy voice-of-reason.

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 6h

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 10

Free Friday #writingq: Is there a legendary lost place considered by many to be a fairy tale?

The Garden of Levot is such a place, a cavern hidden in the mountains filled w/ magically enhanced medicinal plants exponentially stronger than normal.

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 22h

It will always be The Cat Returns!

My friends are probably seeing this and going, “Yeah, that tracks.”

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

As for how they found their happiness together, you’ll have to read the Faumen War Chronicles to learn the saucy details.

The trilogy’s finale, Ballad’s End, will be given an official release date in the *very* near future!

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

Share your couples art! 💐💕

I love these adorable cinnamon rolls! One of these days I need to save up to get some art of Kai w/ Orelia though.

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

#PlotTober Day 9

Zelora is very bubbly & cheerful, traits that serve her well both in her day job as a bartender and when coping with being hunted by Amaro.

She can be rather emotional, however, and can break down if things become overwhelming or if someone really close to her is in danger.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 1d

#PlotTober Day 9: MC personality & behaviors

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

9. What are some personality traits and behaviors, both positive and negative, that you think would suit your main character(s)? How do these traits affect your main character's goals and motivations?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

#OctoberWorldbuilders Day 9

Puckle is a common board game on Nixtral. Essentially my world’s version of checkers played with pieces made of brass and nickel, several of my MCs are avid players.

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 9

Some of my favorite paranormal creatures are pretty standard:

- Harpy
- Mermaid
- Phoenix

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

Took me a second to get the joke…but I get it! 🤣

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

Very much so! I love how it came out, if I'm being honest. I'm super stoked to share the full cover!

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

💥SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT💥

It's coming! The epic conclusion to The Faumen War Chronicles, Ballad's End, is nearing completion.

Here's a little teaser in light of the impending cover reveal, to be debuted next Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Hope to see you all there!
#WritingCommunity #BookSky

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 1d

#PlotTober Day 8

Zelora's primary goals don't come into play until the book's start. Once she wins Amaro's rigged game, his dogged pursuit of her to retrieve the rare coin drives her goals for the story.

The trick is figuring out why he wants it back so much, besides the obvious financial reasons.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 2d

#PlotTober Day 8: Conflicts for the MC

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

8. What are some potential reasons the main character(s) haven't, couldn't, and/or can't pursue these goals yet? Consider other characters, backstory events, circumstances, environmental factors, etc.

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

#OctoberWorldbuilders Day 8

Zelora used to play paddlepod in university, though she wasn't a star player or anything. Still, she enjoyed it and her boundless energy made her a solid center who could've gone professional if she desired.

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

#FantasyIndiesSpooktober Day 8

Admittedly, I'm not one to read much of the spooky stuff, but I did enjoy the original Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton.

Yes, I know it's more sci-fi than horror, but it's at least horror adjacent. There's some downright creepy scenes in there!

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

The story takes place in Pittshelm, capital city of the Kingdom of Freina, in a more modern society compared to my other work.

The city will hopefully invoke the feel of 1920s New Orleans w/ a steampunk flair & more modern tech (airplanes, early computers, & cordless phones are now common). (3/3)

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

At first, Zelora finds the detective overly stuffy & easily agitated, while Cedari finds the gambler way too optimistic for someone with essentially a bounty on their head.

They have to learn to trust & depend on each other while navigating the other’s lives to survive Amaro’s dogged pursuit. (2/3)

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

Well, in Fateweaver the story revolves around Zelora and Cedari, a pair of Aerivolk who, at first, can barely tolerate each other. Thrown together by turmoil, Cedari meets Zelora after helping her fend off an attack by Amaro’s thugs, one of whom he seems to recognize. (1/3)

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

I love this! It’s so adorable! Is there lore on what the very first animal Aloïs whittled for Jette is?

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

In Fateweaver, Zelora's a bit of a tomboy and is shy about appearing overly feminine to her mother's annoyance.

Thus, she doesn't often tell others about her talent as a jeweler. She makes the few pieces of jewelry she wears herself, selling the others as a lucrative side job.

L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

Today's #CreativesConcourse dives into our characters' skills/hobbies/talents!

What is a skill your OC has that, for whatever reason, they're shy about showing off to others. Is there a particular reason for this reticence?

My answer below!⬇️

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 2d

#PlotTober Day 7

Survival is a pretty big motivator, as Zelora is quite the lively young lady & has no desire to die. However, she also finds herself intrigued by Amaro's desperate attempts to retrieve the coin she won & decides to dig into its provenance to learn why he wants it back so much.

Ange @gunsmile.bsky.social · 3d

#PlotTober Day 7: Main character motivations

Answer the prompt on the card by quoting this post. Remember, answering a prompt is always optional. Even if you don't share it publicly, I hope the prompt encourages you to think about it privately.

#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky

#PlotTober - a WIP plotting game by @gunsmile.bsky.social

7. Now that you've come up with some goals for your main character, ask yourself: why do they care? What are some potential motivations for pursuing these goals, even against their better judgment or self-interest?

Remember: Use the #PlotTober hashtag, engage with others, and have fun!

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L. Cyrus Whelchel @lcyruswhelchel.bsky.social · 3d

#OctoberWorldbuilders Day 7

In the Kingdom of Freina, many traditional dances use sweeping, flowing motions and twirls.

In practice, the motions look similar to the movements of water benders in ATLA.

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