Book III - Plot outline (MAJOR SPOILERS!)

Do not read this if you are sensitive to spoilers.  

This is my planned plot outline for the upcoming book III in the Quest of Words.  Obviously, anything and everything I've written here is subject to change and/or suggestion.  If you do decide to read it, feel free to comment, suggest additions, or make criticisms.  Now would be the time to do it!

Usually, I'm a big-time pants-er when it comes to these things, so I'm trying something a little different here.  Not at all sure how close to this the final product will be.  Time will tell.

Again, major spoilers ahead.  You were warned.

General Outline
for
The Quest of Words
Book III

working title:

Lynnria's Revenge

I.  Setup

Begin mid-combat in the arena.  Jax vs. ????

Semi-finals.  Single-elimination tournament.  Losers of semi-final compete for third.  Jax manages to pull out the win to advance but loses in the final match.  Is humiliated somehow.  Vows revenge.

Winner of match will have ties to Enbraden Clan.  Lynnria recognizes—will provide insider info during match.  Likely won’t reveal her ties, but can be inferred.

Need to design 2 characters here… refer to Patreon character ideas.

Side plots to be established before leaving town (in no particular order):

1.  Between matches, introduce the skill Mia has prepared for Donum which will permanently enhance his libido.  Grants him ‘magic vision.’  Will be able to see engravings and detect magical effects.  Will also gain the ability to see an engraving’s true form even if he does not know the Word.  Ties into his natural ability to use them without truly gaining them first.  (should be more difficult oc)

The girls will take full advantage of this vulnerability.

2.  Priestess of Ginna, the Law Maiden appears.

Informs him of a debt.  Jax was ‘redeemed’ via unorthodox means.  Owes 100 gold.  Jax is outraged.

Negotiations.  Debt reduced due to having killed a few bandits.

Possible talk of alternative solutions…?

Incites characters to seek out Dungeons.

3.  Lynnria’s grandfather reappears.  (must design)

Is initially livid about what has been done to Lynnria and has to be talked down.  Possible fight beforehand?

Revealed that he has failed his Boundary trial.  Likely to die within days.  Revealed that he needs to win a hair from the head of a true lilim.  Convince Xyn to provide one at a cost.  Ask to be made First Lilim.  Jax goes nuts (really bad day).  Not bound etc.  Alternatives:  boon from grandfather, grandfather put under Donum’s influence, others…?

Plot implications for part III?

4.  Arx happens to see her father wandering around town.  Only passing mention.  Not revealed who he is or why seeing him has upset her.

-Must think of way to develop her pendant side-plot…

5.  Scene involving Mia’s first body.  Develop a precedent regarding how the spell works, etc.

6.  Lynnria’s bewbs… probably before point 3.

II.  Time Skip/Dungeon runs (2-3)

Not sure how to go about this.  Possible training montage scenario?  Lots of skill ups, etc.  Goal is to hit second boundary.

When second boundary comes, Lynnria reveals a vow of vengeance she has made against her old Clan.  Refuses to allow herself to be fully bound out of a concern that it will make her forget or neglect her vow.

Rift forms.  Donum can’t think of any way vengeance might ever happen.  How do you avenge yourself against a whole clan?  Jax and Arx argue forcing the issue?  Lynnria leaves to seek her vengeance with her grandfather.  Promises to return once complete.

Side points I’d like to hit along the way.

1.  Deepen relationship with Xhinn.

2.  Ahnbe is upset at having been used to defend against her sister, only for Donum to ultimately go behind her back.  Demands compensation of some kind?  Brainstorm this point…

3.  Possible dream sequences that further develop Donum’s subconscious abilities.  Further mind melding subplot.

III.  Clan conflict

Donum either hears a rumor or dreams about Lynnria being taken captive.  Possibly tortured?

Must head to Bradfirth to rescue.  Explore town.  Fact finding mission.  Possibly find or recruit allies.  Actually, I like the recruitment angle…  May force moral ambiguity.

Eventually, a rescue is attempted?  Should fail.

Thought… girls convince Donum to stay behind, is captured by Clan guards who have been alerted to their presence.  Revealed that Enbraden Clan has learned of Donum’s abilities—not sure how.  Grandfather or Lynnria reveal?  Torture?  Must brainstorm…

Plan to make use of him for their own benefit.  Possible enslavement angle.

Further plot points:

1.  Donum begins using his abilities to create cursory bonds with several Clan members in an effort to make opportunities for himself.

2.  Mind melding subplot deepens.  Begins to learn to how to watch through his mates’ eyes while they are awake.

3.  Learns that his girls are not handling the lack of his presence very well and start going a little wild from worry and eventually hunger.  Xyn proves bad influence.

4.  Lynnria has outlived her usefulness.  Major decision here:  Execute?  Could hold her life over his head in exchange for cooperation?  Other ideas?

5.  May develop dream influence angle introduced in previous book… possibly as a way to initiate contact with victims.  Incite curiosity etc.  Should be unintentional at this point.

IV.  Escape and Pursuit

Donum eventually manages to gain enough influence over certain of the Clan members to facilitate his escape.  Also starts communicating with his girls on the outside through mind meld.  Should be appropriately elaborate and satisfying!

Major brainstorming needed here!

If Lynnria is still alive at this point, she will be in tow.

Matriarch of the Enbraden - lvl 51 - Jezrinnai (must design) -  enraged.  Begins immediate pursuit with a large strike force in tow.  Include person who previously defeated Jax in tournament.  Possibly one or two ‘sleeper’ agents who Donum has already gained small amounts of influence on.

Eventually (by a hair) finds or is lead to a nearby mouth where he escapes.  Jezrinnai and co pursue.

V.  Dungeon Cat & Mouse

Xhinn and Donum meet up once more.  Though angered that her toy is being harassed, she cannot simply smite his enemies for him.  Against the rules.  But will make things as difficult for his pursuers as she can.  Gains the assistance of Ahnbe for this task.  They make up during the event.

Donum and his enemies must be placed in the same Dungeon area, as per the rules.  However, with a little magic, that restriction can be stretched almost to the breaking point.  Maybe extra-dimensional shenanigans?  Rat holes?  Either way, Donum and co cannot simply be allowed to harass their enemies.  Must face their own challenges and puzzles.

Eventually enemy team starts getting picked off and/or separated.  Most die.  Some may be converted by Donum directly or influenced enough to betray.  Matriarch eventually singled out and alone.  Big fight at the end.  She is subdued and killed by Lynnria or other appropriate party member.

Sub plots and other developments:

1.  The guy who defeated Jax in the beginning is fully converted by Donum.  Big transformation scene.  Should allow Jax to defeat him first as redemption.

2.  Jax gains full devotion.  Gains the ability to remain conscious while ‘dead.’  Within Donum’s mind like Mia.  Can steal other people’s bodies if Donum casts his spell.

3.  Dream sequence attacks.  This time on purpose.  Likely guided by Mia or whomever is without a body at that point.

4.  There should be a seduction scene.  Maybe one of the female guards gets separated?  Finds Donum.  He already has some influence on her.  Yada yada yada…

VI.  Lynnria bound & Debt paid

After escape, Lynnria consents to be bound fully.  Should be a big to do.  Afterward, she will be horrified at her previous hesitation and beyond grateful of his assistance.  Will express a desire to bring her grandfather into the fold… fully aware of what that would mean for him and excited by the prospect.  The rest of the girls are as well.  He is powerful, after all.  Donum disturbed… but tempted.

Returns to pay off his debt to the church of the Lawmaiden… possibly a sect?  Not sure how I want to handle that.  Either way, during the visit, Jax finds a way to desecrate a shrine or something of vital importance in revenge.  Potentially a priestess or two?  Begins establishment of influence on Ginna.

End.