u/Aeshir3301_

Hello everyone I am currently working on an epic dark fantasy novel trilogy set during the industrial age. I have several central themes I wish to explore. I have all the character arcs and major story events planned out including the ending of the final book. Using the hero's journey as a rough guideline I know the overall trajectory of how my story will pan out. I have written act one of the first draft but have hit a creative brick wall when reaching act two.

The beginning of my story is pretty set in stone and I have the destination of my roadmap I aim to reach. However I am having a hard time writing the smaller character scenes which will explain their motivations and flesh out my world. This is the bulk of the story where the protagonist embarks on her journey and travels the continent for her goal in the beginning of act two. The tests, allies, and enemies section is where I am stuck. The midpoint and beyond is already developed. I have two distinct side plots which are not directly related to the protagonist and take place in their own separate locations.

I have a specific story I am trying to tell and as such I know where my characters will end up. However, I am struggling with coming up with the smaller scenes and situations that test my characters and flesh out relevant parts of my world. What are some brainstorming scenarios or writing prompts I can use to flesh out my established themes? How can I best bridge the gap between the significant plot points together?

Summary: Aria Wilkins, a naive but magically gifted heir to a noble knight, is sent on a mission by her father to help overthrow the evil, decadent monarchy but in the process she discovers a dark secret about her family that threatens to end the world.

Within a grand estate secluded in the highland mountains and frost-tipped pine forests of northern Rynnsland lies a community bustling with an excited commotion as hundreds of travelers finished a prepared banquet and made their way towards a sprawling concert hall. There is a collective vibrant energy and yet people whisper in hushed tones so as to not disturb the spirits of the heroes laid to rest in the crypts below. The honor was reserved for those brave knights who served and died alongside the seigneur during the occult wars who owned the estate. Soft golden lights lined the hallways as crowds eagerly crammed into the tightly packed auditorium. There were many new attendees, some minds curious to hear the words of this mystical orator, others were poor desperate souls who spent their last bit of strength to make the perilous journey to this place of healing and transformation. They came with nothing to offer but their aching bones, empty stomachs, and open hearts. These people were ushered as close as they could to the front by those already enlightened so they could take in the gravity of what they were about to witness in its full magnificence.

There are many reasons why people choose to make a pilgrimage to this place. The Idyliac as it was known, shielded those who had lost everything during the latest occult war, escaped persecution from the Queen’s guard, or sought a community, free from the shackles of the endless drudgery in the factories. However, all came here for the same hope, a chance to see the great one. It was rumored that of the arcane arts wielded only by a select few in the world, it was Andrean whose prowess rivaled Queen Ophelia herself, descended from the heavenly lady Arabella who formed the Kingdom of Rynnsland.

With the final preparations of the communion in order, Aria gently excused her way past the mass of onlookers who spilled out into the surrounding rooms as the auditorium could not physically allow any more bodies within it. Wishing to not draw any attention to herself, her efforts to remain inconspicuous were short-lived as stunned gasps of those near her took notice of her movement and stepped back at once to allow her ease of access through the crowd. Everyone in her immediate vicinity bowed their heads, spoke a blessing and crossed their open arms up to their chest, in a manner of endearment meaning, “In our hearts.” One attempted to reach out to feel her presence, perhaps thinking she shared her father’s gifts of restoration, but ultimately decided against it and made the same gesture. With a sheepish smile, she quietly thanked as many bystanders as she could and nervously made her way to the front in an effort to be as close to her papa as possible.

This was a momentous occasion for Aria and the commune as a whole. She decided on a collared white blouse laced tightly behind her torso whose ruffled sleeves flowed down her side. She grasped her sapphire necklace which nested gently on her jabot and served as the last connection to her mother. Simple yet elegant, she wished to not appear too imposing for the newcomers. This was a presentation for weary citizens to hear the words of a leader, not a ceremonious gala between aristocratic elites and plutocratic industrialists. She hated having to attend those events filled with needlessly indulgent and self-righteous snobs. Here in the Idyliac was where some actual good could be done. Here was where she belonged.

Not only would she be blessed with the rare presence of her father, but he promised an incredible announcement to be revealed soon. She was instructed by her mentor to meet with him following the event in their private garden. It was not common for Aria to see her father, let alone be granted an audience with him. She knew he was always busy pursuing his grand project, especially with the passing of her maman all those years ago. He had certainly taken to his own way of grieving as Aria noticed the change in his demeanor, night and day. Though she kept these thoughts to herself, as to give voice to them was to draw the ire of his inner circle companions. While Andrean was occupied with traveling the land, fighting the monsters away on campaign, or discussing matters with his advisors, it was members of his inner circle who had raised and trained Aria.

Now at the forefront of the presentation soon to commence Aria took in her surroundings. The stage was a sturdy dark oak in a herringbone pattern under a fresh wax polish that glistened in the light of the chandelier in the center of the room. She looked around at all the newcomers in the crowd, many were unwashed with grime throughout their body and the looks in their eyes spoke of a lifetime in anguish. She noticed some men from Aurum, their bodies exposed more metal than muscle. Though the monarchy had outlawed the barbaric practice of slavery several decades ago, a new arrangement had been devised by the capital owners, indentured assets. In order to meet the ever growing demands of the various factories and ever impatient foremen, laborers in Aurum would sign away their bodily autonomy in order to be granted the privilege of wearing surgically implanted augmentations to boost their performance, at a price. You either kept up or were out of work. Over the years these modifications became more normalized until they made up the entirety of the labor population. Aria noticed one elderly man among the group whose clothes were covered in soot as his frail shoulders hunched over his chest. He cowered in shame as his hands trembled unremittingly. His legs were supported by a rusted and crude metallic frame. A younger man with the left half of his face encased in a chromium plate consoled him, fighting back the urge to weep.

Aria glanced up into the loges, the private viewing rooms standing over the crowd by their place in the walls. These seats were reserved only for the inner circle companions and core devotees. Despite being the heir to her father, Aria was not yet a member of the coveted inner circle. She was however still venerated by everyone in the community, in opposition to her repeated pleas to not think of her any different than any other member. Her place was down here with the initiates and outsiders, she did not mind however, as this way she was closer to her papa and could feel how most people experienced witnessing her papa make his appearance. She aspired to earn the rank of an inner circle companion, it would finally signify how proud he was of her. Those who were among his chosen few were privy to the full magnitude of his plans. Her oldest friend Cassian was up there, looking down on her, smiling and waving. He held the utmost loyalty to her papa and she admired his unwavering diligence to him.

The constant whispering and anticipation ceased immediately as a warming presence filled the room. All the lights turned down except for a single beam focused solely on the stage. A few candles flickered in the corners of the auditorium. The whole room collectively held their breaths as their long awaited moment would become reality. Following a moment which seemed to stretch for an eternity, slow, methodical footsteps echoed from the wooden boards one by one from the edge of the stage. A towering sculpted figure paced towards the center of the stage, each stride measured in meticulous timing as one echo ended and another began. His fair skin was contrasted by his slick-backed, raven black hair. His bold, chiseled features had a tendency to make others who saw him avert their gaze as his unnaturally debonair presence allowed him to assert himself as the center of any gathering. Met just below the gaze of her father, Aria’s face began to blush as she felt the joyous resonance of every soul in the room. Everyone was there to bear witness to this great man, who would be cemented in history. Aria felt immense pride in the fact her papa was so wildly beloved. Her resolve strengthened as she reaffirmed her lasting oath to live up to the expectations of her noble family name. The Wilkins, her father Andrean, the former Lord Commander of her majesty's grand armies against the horrors of the night, and her late mother Margaret, a renowned artist and steward of The Idyliac, the community she founded. A single candle burning vibrant against the ocean of darkness enveloping the world.

“Welcome to our estate, I am grateful to be given the opportunity to meet with you all.” A multitude of cries overtook the crowd as every person yearned to meet Andrean’s eyes. Those near the stage stretched out their arms in an attempt to take his graceful hand. For many, he was their last hope for providing a sense of respite from their past. He gave a smile, and waited for the people to return to a state of calm.

“Now, now, I have heard stories of your travels here and I offer my hand as we share a sanctuary against a government that has forsaken us. For years I have held the defence of this land’s fine people while those distant nobles and industrialists engorge themselves off our hardship. We push back against the enlarging threats to our safety, we toil endlessly to ensure those carcinogenic factories exceed the demands of the Venturers, and yet despite our efforts to bring an end to this latest occult war, there is no gratitude, no acknowledgement of our deeds. We are instead met with the continuation of robbing our autonomy.” Members of the crowd exchange curious glances and whispers among themselves.

“You sir,” paused Andrean as he held out his palm facing upward to an aged man near the front corner of the stage, “what is your name?” The entire focus of the room shifted towards him as his stunned expression told that he was not prepared to be the center of attention.

“S-Silas, my lord.”

“I presume you hail from Aurum, yes?”

“Aye.”

“May you kindly accompany me on this stand? I wish to hear your story.”

Space was made for the old man by his compatriots, the younger man alongside him gripped his forearm tighter instinctively. Silas laid his open hand gently on the younger man’s shoulder to offer reassurance and shuffled his way up the stairs where he was met by two of the guards. They helped Silas as his failing exo-skeleton struggled to keep him upright. Creaks and sputters from his contaminated hydraulic supports finally gave their last breath and Silas was aided by the guards and he stood at the side of Andrean.

“What brings you here?” asked Andrean.

“Mine legs aren’t good, nor are my hands, am not fit for work they says, everything just hurts. But you best believe them whippers still come knocking, asking payment for these junk bolts and scrap, says those are property, inn though it was their workplace accident that put me in this blasted cage! I didn’t want em, I’ve seen what it does to the others, your body ain’t yours anymore. But I’ve got my boy, didn’t want him in the same place as me, I’ve no choice, you hear. Don’t know if it was pride or what but I kept working till mine body broke more than the machine’s can fix. My boy is alls’ I think of, he went an grabbed me and we walked out here. I still ain’t paid all the loan to those damn whippers, I'd be in debt all me life. Only thing they’ve not taken is your mind. I’ve heard folks talk, they’re planning on taking that too. Me boy and I am gone before things got too bloody.”

“I see, I admire your unending devotion to your son. Everything I do is in service of giving my two girls hope for a better future and honoring the memory of my wife.”

Aria’s heart skipped as she not only heard the soothing words of her father before her, but the harsh reminder of her maman perishing not too far from here. Aria felt a sudden wave of sadness wash over the community members. Her mother had a dream to bring people together, safe from violence and disease, unified in purpose. It was here that a brave new world would be forged. All these willing people in attendance, this poor man about to be saved and given a new lease on life, her maman would have liked to see it.

Andrean continued, “Your story, while tragic, is sadly not unique. All over the world I witness the same pains each and every day. Today is the first step in changing that. Silas, everything you have endured throughout your life has led you to this moment, to us. Open your heart, if you may.”

Andrean’s hand glowed with the intensity of the sun and touched Silas at his brow. After several moments both men opened their eyes to an astonished crowd. Silas sensed a new vigor rushing through his veins and breathed fully for what felt like the first time in his life. His posture straightened as he looked at his wrists for which there were no more tremors.

“You have no use for these chains which bind you.” shouted Andrean as he lifted his arm facing the crowd and a glass-like blade materialized and swung down in an arc, shattering the broken exo-skeleton whose only purpose now was to serve as a reminder of the past Silas had run from. Its fractals reflected from each source of light as its radiance shone with a brilliant prismatic beauty that captured the hearts of everyone in awe.

“With this baptism you are born again, free from an identity which confined you.”

Silas cautiously made his first step, not used to the balance provided by his own muscles. It wasn’t until his foot was planted down again that he smiled and gained the confidence to walk quicker until he began sprinting around the stage. At the end of his lap he ran straight into an embrace with his son who was already in tears. Everyone began cheering and singing praises to Andrean. His smile faded into a stern, determined look.

“What benefit does a system offer if its leaders are too blind to notice the plights of its citizens? Security? Villages and dwellings are left in salted ash after raids by the night creatures, its inhabitants forgotten. Prosperity? The queen has claimed this era as an age of progress, but tell me, what progress has been made save for the graves we dig ourselves deeper each day? The harsh reality is that this is not an age of progress, it is an age of cruelty. Is there no end to their greed?”

Angry shouts sprinkled throughout the room as his speech crescendoed to its apex.

“This world has become irreparably tainted. We have all witnessed the sins committed by our fellow man which feed the horrors. Sleepless nights, ravaged landscapes, our very humanity stripped from us, no more. I declare an end to this insanity! Down with the queen! Down with the age of cruelty!”

People erupted with furious passion, the energy like a hurricane that would soon overtake the continent. Among the loudest were Silas and his son, chanting, “Down with the queen! Down with the age of cruelty!” Andrean knew now was the pivotal moment to proceed.

“We will usher in a new paradise of our own making, free to shape our own destiny as we see fit. The miracle you witnessed today is but a sliver of what I assure you is possible if you join me. This mortal world is ever fleeting, it is in the spiritual plane we will find everlasting peace. To accomplish as such, I simply ask for you to place your trust in me. Queen Ophelia stands in opposition to what this community stands for, and she must be deposed. She is supported by the Venturer industrialists in Aurum. We shall first rid the land of their oppression and her power too will wane. Speak with a member of my inner circle for an assignment.”

Andrean turned his head and retreated from the public eye. Aria had never imagined what papa’s speech could consist of. Her thoughts raced with the same pace as the commotion surrounding her as her mind filled with questions. She decided to meet with Cassian who was making his way down from the loges.

“Hi I’m meeting with papa in the garden, walk with me to its entrance.” Unsure of where she should start.

“That was quite a show wasn't it?”

“I've never seen anything like it before, did you know he could do that?”

“Of course, now being able to do it across the whole planet is a different story but we think it can be done.”

“That is if…”

“Yes.”

“You really think the people will rise up against her majesty and make papa the new king?”

“In my travels with your father I've seen a familiar sentiment shared across people, disparate and isolated, sure, but people want change, there has to be a deeper meaning to our lives than a false God who is disconnected from us. Also I wouldn't call her our majesty anymore for your own sake. A ruler who sits back in their pleasure cult hiding behind their family name is no true leader. Your father will expose her dereliction of duty. Word of his denouncement will spread from the companion’s lips. His deeds are immortalized and known to even the most rural farmhands. The foundries of Aurum are already in open revolt against the corporations, we just need to steer them in the right direction. Once that last bastion of resistance has fallen, taking the capital itself will be easy.”

Aria let out a troubled sigh, “I just wish he told me more, I want to help.”

“I know,” replied Cassian, “he will, it's just not my place to say.”

The two arrive at the gates of the private garden in the Idyliac, only members of the family could enter, though Aria rarely did, its memories of her mother still too painful. The twin guards ornate black titanium armor with golden trims clinked as their bodies stiffened upon seeing Cassian and held their halberds at the ready in unison.

“My lady, your father awaits you inside.” Said one of the guards.

“You, however, are not.” Said the other in an accusatory tone.

“Right, well, I guess this is my stop.”

“I know what the rules are but must they be so harsh?”

“It's alright, I would have done the same. See you soon.”

The inner circle was a curious fraternity, a secret society within the Idyliac. Those few members were each hand picked by her father to meet the needs of this growing organization. One man's attention could only stretch so far and they held his direct ear. Despite Cassian and the guards all holding the same seniority, Aria felt a notable tension between them. Their orders were clear, to deny passage to anyone not in the family, with no exception. Each inner circle companion was fiercely loyal to Andrean above all else in life.

Aria looked past the guards as she walked through the gate, careful not to meet their eyes. Though every member of the community adored Aria and respected her as a noble heir to her family name, those of the inner circle viewed things differently, save for Cassian. To them she was a poor sap who constantly missed the expectations set forth by her father. She has even overheard some say she was unfit to be given the mantle and that her younger sister, Nikkal should take her place.

The thought sickened her, the two had always been in tight competition but the idea that Nikkal could surpass her caused a pit in her stomach. Nikkal was more closely attuned with the spirit world, she could do things Aria could not. She could step into each world at will, appearing at different points in space quicker than even a hunter's eyes could perceive. She also had an uncanny habit of hiding in dark corners for information or as a way to interact with others on her own terms. Aria's strength was instead in connecting with people in a manner no one else could. Through feeling a person's resonance in their soul, Aria could seek out intentions and emotions, useful for gaining insight to further her father's goals. There was no explanation as to how or why the girls acquired their abilities save only for being the kin of house Wilkins, once servants to a false monarchy, now masters of their own kingdom. The two girls were dedicated since their birth to pursue these goals.

She knew each instance in meeting with her father was purposeful, he had little time to waste on insignificant matters. In the past he would summon her to examine her growth. She prepared relentlessly for these days, most of the time she failed in her given task. In the times she did succeed he would give a nod and be on his way, unchanging in his expression. Each test left her drained and injured but in those few times he did nod, it was worth all the pain she endured. It was the only time she felt truly seen and appreciated by him. Following each of her frequent failures, she would face corporal punishment and loss of ration privileges by her mentors. Though any hardship was nothing compared to the feeling of disapproval felt from her father. She began to make her way through the garden, ready for whatever her father needed of her.