Ron322

Evening, 322 Crew! I know it’s been a while since I’ve written a blog here. After these past few months and some thought, it was time. Three weeks ago, I had the pleasure of going to a rock concert. It was the first time since 2019 when I saw Evergrey and Seven Kingdoms. I ended up seeing Coheed & Cambria and Incubus live for the 1st time ever. I got sick days later due to exposure to heavy rain followed by the arena’s cold air conditioning. Despite that, it wasn’t without a sheer sense of enjoyment. Watching C&C online is one thing. Watching Incubus on a live DVD is one thing. Experiencing both bands in a genuinely live atmosphere is truly a whole other experience. It is one I recommend.

FireFrei is actually on its 7th chapter. I can joyfully report that I managed to find inspiration in the past week. I had months of writer’s block on how to move the story forward from the lengthy chapter 6 to 7. It allowed me to move ahead. I can even boast that the story has hit not only the climax but the turning point. Seeds sown early in the volume will come to life and bring the plot full circle. I can’t predict the ending as the story is virtually writing itself. What I will say, though, is that it won’t conclude without bloodshed and possible tragedy. I can’t promise a happy ending. How it will end might create a blank slate for the next story I’d like to write.

During my time of recovery from a cold post-concert, I watched Game of Thrones Seasons 1-5. Then I watched House of the Dragon Seasons 1 & 2. Finally, I watched Game of Thrones Seasons 6-8. Seasons 1-4 cover 3/5 of Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire books. Season 5 roughly covers books 4 & 5. House of the Dragon is slated for 4 seasons. Seasons 1 & 2 cover 25% of the 2nd half of the SoIaF prequel book, Fire & Blood. This book predates the events of Game of Thrones. What motivated me to take this plunge? To be very sincere, it was this ongoing argument in the Elden Ring community that George R.R. Martin was only involved in name only in terms of the game’s story, background, and lore. Only the incestuous shenanigans in the game’s lore were the things that Martin had any hand in. I decided to challenge that theory by watching Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.

Like earlier games by FromSoftware, there were clear references to the Berserk manga, but that wasn’t my main concern. My focus was on comparing Game of Thrones and Elden Ring as I watched the shows. After finishing them, I found the idea that Martin had little involvement to be completely untrue. Martin and the contributions from Benioff & Weiss to the show actually influenced the game. I experienced Game of Thrones in a new way. It was different compared to the average viewer during its original run.

Consider this blog entry as Part 1. The exploration of my Game of Thrones/Elden Ring elements can lead to deep insights. First, think about how. Before the Age of the Erdtree w/Marika, the realm was governed by the Crucible. It was represented by Ancient Dragons and Hornsent. This is similar to how, prior to the rule of the Baratheons/Lannisters, House Targaryen ruled the Seven Kingdoms. The Forest Children used Dragonglass to create the Night King & the Others. This is easily seen as something that helped inspire how the Black Knives assassinated Godwyn’s soul. This brought his soulless yet living body a whole new life as the Prince of Death. In turn, he spreads Deathroot. Wherever there is Deathroot, Those Who Live In Death are close by. Melisandre and her use of blood and fire as the Red Witch seemed to very much be. at least in part, inspiration for blood flame incantations that are present in the world of Elden Ring. We obviously have the reference of Balerion the Dread through Bale the Dread. We also know of the Grafted Greatsword attained from defeating Leonine Misbegotten. It resembles the Iron Throne. But these are all just small parts of the whole that I found myself discovering.