A weird (and probably foolish) idea for a fanfiction...

[GrahamRocks!]

For some reason I have a fanfiction brewing in my head, specifically an adaptation of King's Quest 5... with a humanized and less annoying Cedric!

He would be a young lad around Alexander and Rosellas age (close to 20), brown haired, wears round glasses, and wears a blue vest and brown pants with a navy blue robe in his bag just in case. As one of the youngest members of the Society of Wizards,  he always carries a magic wand with him, knowing quite a few spells from his mentor/father figure Crispin. As Grahams guide, he knows the kingdom of Serenia like the back of his own hand. Rather bookish, he's never left home without Crispin nearby, and feels kind of nervous about going on his "first real mission" as a wizard in training... especially seeing as he has the responsibility of protecting someone important as a king as well as himself. Also, he sleeps with a stuffed owl at night.

He starts out as the Cedric we all know and hate- giving useless advice, being scared of everything and generally getting on Grahams nerves (until he finally snaps and orders him to show some backbone and be useful, or else he'll leave him behind to die and defeat Mordack on his own)- but as time goes on he gets more brave (especially once they reach Harpie Island, where he actually tries to fight back against the harpies. He fails when it barely does anything and they gang upon him, but props for trying anyway!) and helps out Graham whenever he needs it. By the time they reach Mordacks castle, he's just as brave as Graham, and surprisingly doesn't die from Mordacks magic blast (badly wounded, but not killed), instead it being the poison of the Flying Sting (the blue creature that Mordack first turns into) that kills him. By then, he and Graham had become good friends, and Graham actually feels a bit sorry for him. If this were earlier in the story, Graham would have probably either been overjoyed or not care that Cedric was gone.

[KatieHal]

That would've been SUCH a better plan for Cedric. I can see why they didn't go with it--animations-wise, it's easier to have an owl who only needs to land, sit, and take off, rather than a human. Not that the animations for standing around were as detailed then as they are now. But, no walking, no picking things up, fighting, etc, is needed. And I'm sure the idea of a fun animal companion was appealing, particularly in the storybook style that KQ was famous for.

Of course, almost anything would've been better than the Cedric we got... But regardless, I do like this idea! Go remake KQ5 with the new Cedric

[GrahamRocks!]

I DO love character development! *chuckles*   

Hmmm... I wonder when/where exactly Graham "snaps"? I picture Graham grabbing Cedric, and pinning him against a wall trying to choke him. Probably a "You have about 5 seconds to explain as to why I should keep you around before I strangle you!" situation. I wonder what they say to eachother in that scene?

I picture Graham not wanting any whining from Cedric about how dangerous the Desert and Dark Forest are (okay, he gave him one time to go alone, which was the town. Highly doubt Cedric would have been much help there, probably would have been too distracted by talking to everyone), so he drags him by the back of his collar into both places. And Cedric might show a tiny bit of courage there: in the Desert, he zaps the bandit that is about to slice Grahams throat open, and in the Dark Forest, he manages to put up a magic shield that saves him from the witch. Although, he claims he just "panicked" and he's not really all that brave in both situations.

You know... I've always wondered what exactly that "emergency" Crispin had to take care of was. The best I can think of is, something to do with The Black Cloak Society (or something about the Silver Cloaks?). And part of the reason Crispin sent Cedric out specifically, was so as he wouldn't be worried about it, and that he would get some worldly experience.

[Datadog]

Following that type of character development would almost make a human Cedric into a potential successor for Daventry's throne given the right story arc.

I still like him as an owl just because KQ5 probably would've been ten times more annoying if half your puzzles were spent making sure this brat Cedric could get around cliffs and mountains safely. Being able to fly allows Cedric to be a lot more convenient on your part.

It could just be his voice too. If Cedric sounded like an aged stuffy gentleman, the context of his dialogue would sound less whiny and more possibly more endearing in a bumbling kind of way. Somehow, I can also imagine Cedric the Owl as an archetype of a retired British general, where he gloats about his glory days and then makes up various excuses to chicken out of things.

[GrahamRocks!]

Awww! Now, I'm imagining Cedric as a father/grandfather talking about his big adventure with Graham and exaggerating everything. As for that whole "it would make KQ5 more annoying in terms of puzzles" thing, I think Cedric would be smart enough to just watch Graham a few times and just follow his lead. Then again, Cedric is supposed to be guiding Graham, not the other way around.

I wonder how I would write this story without Graham being a total jerk to Cedric?

Then again, he IS supposed to start out as the Cedric we all know and hate, so I guess you can't blame him. I doubt anyone would really want to read this story anyway, because, after all, everyone hates Cedric!

[Delling]

an idea on this (though I see from the other thread that you've started the fanfiction anyways ): Cedric can still act as guide and Graham can still solve all of the puzzles or most of them... the point of the story would be to see Cedric grow and learn from Graham and then (I imagine) use those lessons that he learned to save Graham in the final confrontation with Mordack (so he uses his wits and the problem-solving skills he's learned from watching Graham to make his own way into the castle after initially not coming along, rather than simply having found the courage to follow along).

He starts out as the Cedric we all know and hate- giving useless advice, being scared of everything and generally getting on Grahams nerves (until he finally snaps and orders him to show some backbone and be useful, or else he'll leave him behind to die and defeat Mordack on his own)- but as time goes on he gets more brave (especially once they reach Harpie Island, where he actually tries to fight back against the harpies. He fails when it barely does anything and they gang upon him, but props for trying anyway!) and helps out Graham whenever he needs it. By the time they reach Mordacks castle, he's just as brave as Graham, and surprisingly doesn't die from Mordacks magic blast (badly wounded, but not killed), instead it being the poison of the Flying Sting (the blue creature that Mordack first turns into) that kills him. By then, he and Graham had become good friends, and Graham actually feels a bit sorry for him. If this were earlier in the story, Graham would have probably either been overjoyed or not care that Cedric was gone.

But that's kind of an inconsistent characterization of Graham: Graham lives in a fairy tale world--he is certainly NOT a no-nonsense kind of person and all of the games show him as at least a caring and concerned father on some level (caring concerned father-figures don't then turn around and be complete jerks to other kids similar to their own).

Anyway, I was just going to comment that this spine-growing event does have to happen prior to the Harpie Island as it would otherwise be relatively unbelievable, but it seems that's already occurred to you.

[GrahamRocks!]

Something cool I thought up recently was, seeing as Cedric is a wizard in training, he must know some spells to help them on their journey. And, I think it would be fun if, in order for Cedric to cast the spell, he would say the magic words in rhyme while waving his wand around the target, ala King's Quest 3 and the Sorcery of Old book that Manannan and Alexander used.

I've thought of two spells so far:

1. A "Night Owl" Spell, allowing you to stay awake for an entire night (you can't even fall asleep if you tried), and wears off when morning comes. Most likely, the caster will be very tired for the next few hours for obvious reasons. Also, it makes for some good night vision because your eyes glow like a cats allowing you to see better in darkness. I suppose you could compare it to the All-Night Mask from The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask.

2. A "Freeze" Spell, that... well, it's obvious, right? It freezes your enemies in their tracks. Whether it actually freezes them in time, or if it freezes them in ice, I'm not sure. Either way, your enemies won't be able to move for about a minute or two. They can still breathe, blink, and talk to you (and they'll probably do nothing but hurl obscenities at you), but not much else.

The rhymes only need to be one or two sentences, certainly not as elaborate as KQ3. btw, sorry for not updating on the KQ5:AMTHGY! much beyond the first two chapters. It's just that, I've been busy with schoolwork, this chapter is taking awhile to write, and nobody is replying about the story anyway except for Delling! Pleaser, someone answer! I don't want to get in trouble for double-posting. 

[Delling]

Do.

That is to say: do make the magic ala KQ3.

A reason is supplied why the magic duel with Mordack is so different (Mordack has a spell book particular to that peculiar brand of magic). Genesta, Malicia, Lolotte, the Etheria nobility, et al. are fairies, so fairy magic is clearly more like a natural form of will-working or imposing one's internal will on the world.

Also, you might PM a moderator about the double posting rule when it comes to posting fanfiction.

[GrahamRocks!]

I just sent a PM to wilco. In the meantime, please Delling, tell me what you think of the first two chapters I've posted.

[snabbott]

I don't think you have to worry about double-posting - the forum won't let you. It just merges your posts.

[GrahamRocks!]

an idea on this (though I see from the other thread that you've started the fanfiction anyways ): Cedric can still act as guide and Graham can still solve all of the puzzles or most of them... the point of the story would be to see Cedric grow and learn from Graham and then (I imagine) use those lessons that he learned to save Graham in the final confrontation with Mordack (so he uses his wits and the problem-solving skills he's learned from watching Graham to make his own way into the castle after initially not coming along, rather than simply having found the courage to follow along).

i'm wondering about that scene when they get to Mordacks island actually. Should I make it so as they argue and it ends with Graham saying "FINE! I don't need you, I'm going in alone! Goodbye!" and he leaves Cedric outside. Or should it just be a situation of, "Hey, Graham! Lets split up, so we cover more ground. I think I have a plan..."?

Which sounds better? Also, I still need ideas for spells- rhyming wise and general spell ideas wise.

[Delling]

Cedric should be responsible for casting all of the copy protect spells. I think that mostly means casting some sort of invigorating or strengthening spell.

(Posted on: May 05, 2012, 10:41:13 AM)

i'm wondering about that scene when they get to Mordacks island actually. Should I make it so as they argue and it ends with Graham saying "FINE! I don't need you, I'm going in alone! Goodbye!" and he leaves Cedric outside. Or should it just be a situation of, "Hey, Graham! Lets split up, so we cover more ground. I think I have a plan..."?

Which sounds better?

Simplest solution: they become separated in the labyrinth and can't find each other. Each decides to proceed on his own hoping to find the other later.

[GrahamRocks!]

That works too! But... isn't there only one door?

And, is it just me or have I been lying to you? I said that Cedric would start out as "the Cedric we all know and hate" by making him annoy Graham. But... to me, he doesn't seem all that annoying at all! Not confident and probably overtly cautious, but not necessarily annoying per se.

[KatieHal]

One door, but maaaany passageways! It'd be easy to get lost in there for both of them, I think. Maybe Cedric runs off, or Graham snaps at him and then he runs off.
 
Hehe. That happens to me when I'm writing in a first draft often. I intend a character to be rash or annoying or something else, and they end up not being those things. I think it's because by nature no one WANTS to come off as those things, so it isn't entirely natural to write a character who's unlike you or what you want to be. But, that's what the editing round is for, fixing up stuff like that.

[Delling]

And, is it just me or have I been lying to you? I said that Cedric would start out as "the Cedric we all know and hate" by making him annoy Graham. But... to me, he doesn't seem all that annoying at all! Not confident and probably overtly cautious, but not necessarily annoying per se.

This is true, but somehow, I don't see human-Cedric going: "LOOK OUT!! A POIsonous snake!!" 

(Oh, incidentally, the blockage to access to the mountains will have to be something else in your story!!--Cedric theoretically has spells that he will use later which would beg the question: "but why didn't they just use that on the snake?")

One door, but maaaany passageways! It'd be easy to get lost in there for both of them, I think. Maybe Cedric runs off, or Graham snaps at him and then he runs off.

Also, remember how the KQ5 labyrinth is really confusing because they play with the camera/viewing direction? You could use that in the story... something about how the labyrinth alters or plays with one's perception.

Also, this lets you split up some of the action in the castle differently, things like interacting with/meeting Cassima, breaking out/being broken out of the dungeon, meeting Dink, tripping the blue monster, etc.

[GrahamRocks!]

This is true, but somehow, I don't see human-Cedric going: "LOOK OUT!! A POIsonous snake!!" 

(Oh, incidentally, the blockage to access to the mountains will have to be something else in your story!!--Cedric theoretically has spells that he will use later which would beg the question: "but why didn't they just use that on the snake?")

...  Who says it's only the POS staff that uses the Suffer to their advantage!?

btw, several references to Sierra in this chapter! And also a three part reference at the very beginning. See if you can tie it together when I post it. If I ever get it done, that is! Gosh, this is taking forever to write...

...Still writing... do you think it's too early for Graham to define 'courage' for Cedric? Then again, Cedric might hear Graham talking, but might not truly listen until a bit later.

Aslo, listening to Erana's Peace while writing this scene: best decision I've made today! Especially seeing as I've made Cedric a "Quest For Glory" fan. But how, you ask, since Daventry and Gloriana don't even exist in the universe? simple. Turn it into an Adventure book series. Right now, only two books are out in their world, "Quest For Glory, Book 1: So You Want To Be A Hero?" and "Quest For Glory, Book 2: Trial By Fire" both written by Paula Spiese and Lori Cole (the authors of the official guide in 'our world')