@[Dice](/user/show/75600) Well, the Spartoi sketch, especially with the men in uniform, is one of my inspiration.

@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) It seems to me that the far off continent is lucky in this sense. If they can ward off psychological manipulation, then the demons can't really do much. Sybaris was only able to get so far because of said manipulation. Without that, the demons can't advance much. As for the arboreal, you've mentioned it doesn't really have a will of its own. But if it embodies harmony...does that mean there are moderate factions sworn to it like the northern beastfolk. Harmony as a force is something I've seen most recently conceptualized as an entity in the form of the aeon xipe in honkai star rail, and nations which worship them like penacony while having issues aren't exactly mindless hive minds either (though there are some implications that does exist in certain areas, and other extremists see harmony as order to be forced- via the path of the slumbering aeon Ena of the order.). Though even there, some of those who follow ena do so because they think it will help others genuingly be safe from harm (the character sunday is a good example of this. Others are just hungry for control (gopher wood, who was likely dealing in religious abuse and probably child abuse for his own ends of gaining power). If Eddie is an exception, will transformed people of the plantfolk retain themselves? Or will they retain themselves but be directed to a higher calling for harmony and a hive mind? Is this being done to avoid further threats like the demons? Or are the arboreal faction the imperialists, or a reaction to imperialism and corruption? It seems to me this new continent technology wise is somewhere in the start of the 20th century or further along. Them being able to scout the east and recognize there's a threat (probably banning any long fly bys to avoid being attacked and being sent back a corrupted soldier), would likely be a real policy enacted- akin to the ban on sailing to valyria in the reign of jaeherys I after the horrors that befell aerera targaryen (which were essentially parasitic firewryms that infested her body and killed her). Overall harmony as a concept isn't evil in itself, unlike hedonism which very quickly turns into such. So there a greater chance things will get less bad there. But more realistic evils may emerge due to military actions and the like. As for forlorn, something tells me if he ever figures out Eddie is real that is going to be a very happy day for forlorn, and a really bad day for Eddie. I just need Eddie far away in the north and happy at this point- forlorn can go distract himself elsewhere (he probably won't once he realizes eddie is real but I can dream).

@Anon I suppose a little spoiler does not hurt. The Empire is a sprawling nation in the contient, a highly militaristic dictatorial state where every man has a place in the army, whther as soldiers, researchers, logistics support or other roles. The technological prowess is harvested from the Eldritch Arobreal which powers much of their technology. Other states live in fear of the empire. The Coastland is one such state, with meagre fighting force to spare. They know little can be done should the Empire choose to take notice of their pathetic nation and attscks. Howver, instead of invasion, the empire sends its 'diplomats' to the Coastland, and the Captain and his troop is assigned to safeguard the envoy throughout the visit... Forlorn knows Eddie is real, and this will be his first time meeting the romantic interest of his human self. Assume that you are about to meet your favourite fictional character in real life, wouldnt thate xcite you?

@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) It seems then that the empire is looking to politically coup the coastlands, with this "diplomat" force and the associated soldiers with them. The use of the plant drones seems to be less converting people and more of growing clones and doing so. Akin to the magitek troopers of final fantasy 15 (come to think of it Eddie shares some similarities to prompto argentum in that regard- both were originally just clones and then became their own persons). It doesn't seem that the empire is just made out of drones. As for the empire, it seems to share more in common with the denizens of abundance in honkai star rail, which tap into the powers of yaoshi often for dreadful means- devouring planets, enslavement, horrific experiments. The borisin empire is one example of this- though there are moderate sects like the claretwheel temple which are non violent and firmed from many of the abundance aligned races (the borisin, wingweavers etc). The borisin themselves are more akin to Wolfman in build, and those of abundance are opossed by the hunt. Ironically, the closest thing to a hunt in this universe is the primal beast, which have in other ways acted like those of abundance in going out of control a bit. The honkai faction of the hunt against the more malovelent abundance groups- the xianzhou- is more akin to space China. If forlorn knows Eddie is real and wants to meet him, I'm sure he's excited. Its an understandable emotion- forlorn can meet somebody of that other life in a way he cant do with anybody else with somebody who meant a lot to human collin. I can imagine hed be curious at the very least. On the other hand, Eddie is in real danger and I hope he escapes. No matter how much forlorn may love Eddie, the love of a demon is inherently dangerous, I fear.

@Anon Maybe. I don't want to get carried away with the new series when I'm not that with this one yet. But yes, Biomancers of the Empire are renowned for creation of plant soldiers. It's the most well known of their abilities. There are unfortunately a shortage of them. However, plant soldiers are notably stupid and mindless, and an abnormalty like Eddie is not knwon to them. They are used as canon fodders before the real army approach. The empire has a surprisingly low growth rate. I have a particular fetish for period european's soldier tunic and uniforms as well as their martial culture. It is something I have developed after playing a game called Sabres of Infinity.

@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) I think the other thing is that for forlorn...I think hes pining after somebody who isn't really....real anymore. The new reality version of Collin is likely significantly more impacted by the abuse of his father and the threat of the demons. Not to mention no Collin means no ability to have a healthy loving relashionship amidst all of coping with that. Forlorn is probably thinking Eddie is some happy strong valiant husband of his life fellow and is going to be thrown for a loop seeing an Eddie that is depressed, traumatized and probably hates his guts and is potentially suicidal on the battlefield. That and the memory alterations probably have some negative mental consequences for Eddie. Either that or eddie won't care about him and is just terrified of him, but I think that will trip him up a bit. Maybe he'll even leave Eddie alone because he isn't what he wanted (oh who am I kidding he will probably try to convert him because he feels bad for Eddie which would be a horror of its own). Forlorn will probably start chasing after him. What a nightmare. I hope Eddie escapes that. The empire seems to use its biomancers like the firemages who controlled the fourteen flames of valyria. Though those mages probably wound up dead thanks to the faceless men, the death worshipping assasins of braavos, and the fact that the empire has a fertility problem seems like a glaring weak spot that will wind up coming up. As for the clones, I wonder if it's possible an Eddie like figure can rise from them, or not? I'm going to stop here because I don't want this thread to grow too long, but I am intrigued foe what comes next. Between political, emotional, cultural and theological shifts there is so much up in the air that could change.

@[Drake Nightstorm](/user/show/650184) This one’s not in a book, just a one-off that I posted over on my Patreon.

@[TitusMoorhead](/user/show/14559) Ah! thanks so much! I do enjoy your work greatly.

@[Drake Nightstorm](/user/show/650184) Thank you!

@[Glennyboi](/user/show/917433) It's finally done :blush: I'll proof read and publish it tomorrow and it should be available soon :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

@[SleepyAsh](/user/show/10046846) Can't wait to read the newest--long--episode!! :smiley:

@Anonymous If it’s anything like the previous chapters I doubt I will “last” until the end 😳😳😳🥵

@[Glennyboi](/user/show/917433) Hahaha :grin: you better try, the end is going to be the naughtiest part!! :grin: although there's also a lot of story, with hot scenes sprinkled around :stuck_out_tongue:

@Anonymous Should be up in a day or two! :blush:

@[GoJia](/user/show/23538) Yeah. I got dog training feel when reading the method of positive vs negative reinforcement. Obviously the computer would map at each man's response; whether they're better off with positive buzz or negative zap. I mean let's face it, guys ... we're more likely to just succumb to our desires and fall into the trap of being buzzed sexually. I often wonder how quickly I would drop pretenses of being civilized and turn into a a primal sex beast. If somebody is willing to buzz me, I'm game to find out.