The Cloister of Silence: an orphanage, formerly operating on the 4th Level of Hel, long abandoned with rumors of other occupants now roaming the halls, crying for the lost children.

Visual Representation of the setting, The City of August (done by AI because I have little to no artistic skill, nor the means to hire an artist to do it for me, which I will be doing later).

The structure stands just over 6.5 miles high, with a rough population of 30 million souls contained.

As displayed, Grimoire in the upper left, Seranai in the bottom left, Lirian front and center, Alzira in the upper right, and Rhalis in the bottom right.

These are the primary protagonistic characters of The Quiet Pain of a Shattered God.
#fantasywriting #characterdesign #grimdarkstorytelling

I haven't gotten to play Doom: The Dark Ages yet, but just as a general rule regarding the soundtrack:

If you see the artist card on Spotify and it's a collection of four men who look like accountants, your ears are going to melt. Most brutal soundtrack for a video game every committed to tape.

Lirian's outfit for the "Interludes" chapters (working title: The Triptych) in The Quiet Pain of a Shattered God

One of my favorite things about writing is being able to describe clothing or outfits. I think it gives the world a much more tactile feel.

#fantasywriting #worldbuilding #TQPOASG

The Fray: A massive market that dominates the 10th Level of Hel, stretching for miles of ever-shifting stalls, informal courtyards, and teeming masses of people. Massive stone pillars support the weight of the levels above. A place where anything can be found, and anything can be lost. #TQPOASG

#FantasyIndiesApril Day 24: MC Nicknames

Lirian is called "Liri" by Hwan, and "Princess" by Grimoire.
Hwan has no nicknames as of yet.
Grimoire is called "Grim" by Lirian (in closer settings), and has yet to earn the restpect from Hwan to have a nickname from her.

#FantasyIndiesApril Day 23
Since the story takes place in August - and in the basement of the pyramid as well - there are no major flora or fauna to discuss.

However, the Temples of the 2nd House are known to house ever-growing vines, prompted to growth by the worship of those devoted who reside.

#FantasyIndiesApril Day 22

Lirian would describe herself as the "Daughter of Hel", and she carries herself like it.
Hwan would simply stare at you, arms crossed and eyes guarded.
Grimoire would laugh and move on - though he didn't answer.

#fantasywriting #worldbuilding #TQPOASG

#FantasyIndiesApril Day 21

Missed a few days, but we’re back.
Lirian lives in Hel, the bottom 20 levels.
Down here, weather seeps in from above.

The "rains", tainted with concrete and rot, are her favorite.
A silence. A kind of stillness the city rarely allows.

#fantasywriting #worldbuilding

#fantasyindiesapril #writingcommunity Day 7

Wildlife in the City of August? Hel, like the city above, is generally barren—no animals survive there except birds who fly in through The Maw.

In wealthier districts, pets are status symbols: rare, exotic, and carefully guarded.

#fantasyindiesapril #writingcommunity Day 6

Hel is the base 20 levels of August—a maze of crumbling stone, flickering lights, and the echo of whispered deals. The deeper you go, the harsher the air and the tighter the grip of debts. It’s home to Lirian, Hwan, and Grimoire.

#fantasyindiesapril #writingcommunity Day 1

My name is Nathaniel, and I'm writing a novel set inside August - a massive golden pyramid, containing a nation - which focuses on Lirian (MC), Hwan, and Grimoire navigating the perils of chained gods, debts, and unresting spirits.

#aprilworldbuilders #fantasywritingprompts

In August, there are no "heroes" or "villains"—just survivors. Lirian knows this well. Her survival often depends on the Blades of Moon and Sun—a gift from her mother, Nocturne. These twin blades have saved her life more times than she can count.

Project August—a slow-unfolding archive of a city where history has teeth. Not a novel, not yet, but a collection of fragments, debts, and whispered stories.

Contained Inside
🏛 Gods & rulers
📖 Lost records
⚖️ Debts unpaid

The ledgers are open. Step inside.

#ProjectAugust #DarkFantasy #GodsAndDebts