Ripred - Blog Posts
Why is it that the first thing I thought at the sight of this was "Is that an Underland Chronicles reference?"
how many angry female cows could you fight bare handed do you think
Cows? Those big ones? Realistically probably about 400 before I'd start breaking a sweat.
What?
My genuine reaction after learning that Ares and Ripred MIGHT have fucked at some point. That Ripred is denying it happened, but Vikus is saying Nerissa saw it in a vision??? Was it truly innocent like Ripred is claiming? I have so many questions that I am afraid to ask.
Also @ripred-tuc-offical please, I must know these rat curses that you taught Ares
Ok, so I saw @yesthefandomfreakblr's post about Gregor not returning to the Underland, and it got me thinking about a potential fic idea.
I know this is going to sound very weird, and I've probably only been thinking about it because I've been watching the show recently, but hear me out here:
Gregor's Bizarre Adventure.
Like JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, but the protagonist is Gregor. He gets his own stand, goes on a crazy adventure across America battling other stand users and making friends, with the whole story it's more or less removed from the Underland, focusing more on how that trauma affected him, and possibly maybe Vampire Solovet as an antagonist.
I might have seen this said before, on a different post, but I couldn't find it, so I'm just gonna say a few words on this, partially because of that and partially because it's been ages since I've last read the series, despite it being ingrained into my head.
Almost all of the characters in TUC have moments where they are genuine assholes. Gregor has a few points where he says some genuinely disrespectful shit. Luxa, as well as most of the other humans (including Gregor, although arguably to a lesser extent), are deeply prejudiced against the gnawers. Ripred, is, well, Ripred (look, I love him, we all do, but he's a dick).
Even Vikus, arguably one of the nicest characters in the series, admires Sandwich (I think, been a while), a man who literally used poison to commit genocide in the name of stealing land that didn't belong to him.
The only characters I can think of in TUC that don't have flaws are the ones who also have the least lines: Aurora, Dulcet, Miravet. Oh, and all of those characters? Probably also prejudiced against gnawers, just never explicitly stated (to my knowledge), probably due to their obscene lack of lines. Of course there are characters like Lizzie and Hazard, who are literal fucking children so as nice as they are, I think it's safe to say they can't really be counted up here. (Should probably also mention that Gregor and Luxa are also children, just ones that were forced to grow up faster, sadly).
Then again, all of these characters have redeeming qualities. Gregor can be disrespectful at times, but that's mainly because of the stress placed upon him by the various bullshit situations he has to go through, and he usually apologizes after. Luxa and all the humans are deeply prejudiced (actually, I should probably add the fliers might be in that category too), but they are basically raised from birth to hate and kill gnawers, and vice versa. plus, it's shown that despite what is practically being brainwashed from birth, they can grow and change to overcome their own bigotry and accept gnawers as genuine people, as well as friends.
And yes, Ripred, the glorious bastard himself, is a dick. But he's also a war veteran who's lost his family, and most of the respect from his people, meaning he mainly works with humans, who tend to treat him with suspicion, if not outright hostility (until they get to know him). And he makes up for it by letting his guard down at times to be a father to the traumatized pups that dragged him into their pack.
Point is, flawed characters are one of the things that make TUC so great. They're not few and hid away either, they're everywhere, with visible flaws. If you want to make a good character, TUC is a great series to use as an example. Everything casts a shadow, just like every character has a flaw. If they don't, you probably just can't see them from your angle. And if they don't? Like, at all? Give them some, just make sure the shadow they cast matches up with the object itself.
Announcing the COMPLETION of AHS 1 & 2 [3rd Edition]
It's a new year ... and new AHS!
I would like to formally announce the COMPLETION of the "A Henry Story 2" edit!! Book 1 has been done for a while, nonetheless ... this is a grand moment.
Please download the professionally formatted PDFs here if you like. Otherwise, I have updated Book 1 on all platforms, Book 2 on every platform except FF.net (that one will follow soon, but the UI is a pain so it's a bit of a hassle.)
BOOK 1: Memories of the Fallen Prince
BOOK 2: Trials of the Fallen Prince
I am incredibly proud of this third edition; the story is truly coming together now. I HIGHLY recommend all of you who have read it in the past to reread it :) This is now the fully realized vision I had for this book. I assure you, it's worth another read. Also in preparation for the continuation of book 3! And of course, if you have been waiting to start AHS as a whole, GO FOR IT NOW! Believe me, you don't need to like Henry to read this series. Come for more Underland and get attached to him somewhere along the way (it will happen, believe me.)
PLEASE LEAVE ME SOME THOUGHTS AND/OR COMMENTS IF YOU DO CHECK IT OUT :) I cannot be held responsible for any soul-crushing or tears, btw. You read at your own risk :)
... MEANWHILE, I'LL BE OVER IN AHS 3 ... The plan now is to edit everything that exists of that book so far, and then finish the bit of the ending I have left. WISH ME LUCK AND ENJOY!
A theory I thought of
The names of the gnawers are not their actual names. Ripred isn't actually called Ripred. Lapblood isn't actually called Lapblood. Those are just the closest human translations of their actual names in the gnawer language, names that could have related, but still entirely different meanings.
Relistening to Gregor the Overlander (cuz Libby doesn't have what I want)
Why is Henry so good?!
Why do I like him?!
This series is canon, as far as I'm concerned
Something I decided to cook up to celebrate the completion of the AHS 1 edit (YES THE FIRST BOOK HAS BEEN OVERHAULED AND IT'S SO MUCH BETTER NOW GO REREAD IF YOU LIKED IT PLEASE!! I PROMISE IT'S WORTH IT!)
Ripred & Henry are one of my favorite dynamics to write in AHS 3 and I adore how far they've come and where they started.
That and Henry in general. This is your AHS 1 vs AHS 3 Henry comparison as well (yes, ALL the text here are actual quotes from the books.)
Honestly, Ripred should start to consider paying rent with how much he and his words of harsh but wise truth live in Henry's head 🤣
Could you just imagine Top Gear, but with Gregor, Ares and Ripred?
Ripred: How, in the name of all that is holy, did you manage to do that
Gregor, holding a baby Bane: ...well it's quite interesting, isn't it?
Ares, looking on with a look of mild apprehension/fear: Yes, it is
I HC that Ripred is only hard on Gregor because he see's himself in that kid. Like, Ripred is a dick to everyone, I know that, but I think he keeps on putting cold, hard facts in front of Gregor, like how he's stuck with his rager abilities, because he just wants the kid to be ready and you know, not dead. I only realized this when reading this post about Ripred and Gregor's relationship, but it makes a lot of sense. Why else would Ripred tell Gregor about his disbelief in the prophecies and no-one else? Because he doesn't want his younger, human, more innocent counterpart getting caught up in that madman's bs. Ripred even promises to protect Gregor's family in the last book, because he doesn't want him to lose them the same way he lost his.
TLDR: Ripred has a tough-love thing with Gregor, but he only does it because he want's Gregor to be strong enough to handle his Warrior responsibilities (that he never asked for.) Not because he views Gregor as a political pawn, but because he sees himself in him and wants him to be happy.
gregor and ripred GREGOR AND RIPRED!!!!!!!
obviously ripred protects gregor. not in the same way he does lizzie or even luxa, but i'd say from the moment ripred saw gregor's horrified expression when henry was about to run a sword through him, he knew gregor was special. he told twitchtip to not judge gregor like she would other humans. he speaks softly when gregor is mourning. he teaches him life-or-death echolocation. he can't even tell gregor that the kid's gonna die in the prophecy of time. the "oh, tell me you didn't" to solovet after she locks gregor away. he promises to keep gregor's family safe, from one rager to another. he sees so much of himself in that kid and it's awful. the scene in cotw where ripred talks to gregor about being a rager (right after the frogs) will forever stick out to me. just. his peptalk to gregor before the final battle. ripred cares.
and so does gregor! gregor has so much respect for ripred, the rat, what has been the enemy for nearly his entire first journey in the underland, because he notices the pain in his eyes. he tells him "fly you high" when they first part ways, which is echoed by ripred when they last see each other. just the immediate relief that gregor feels any time ripred steps in. the way gregor messes with ripred, popping bubble gum after ripred insults him, joking about the prophecy at the end of book 5 ("time is turning back!" ripred - "shut up!"). in book 4, gregor sends the questers to busy themselves so ripred doesn't have to be vulnerable in front of so many. when gregor's in trouble, it's ripred's advice ("what's your plan?") that he thinks of. the section in book 5 where they all think ripred is dead and gregor is as upset by it as he is ares, that he "maybe even loved him." gregor looks up to him. just. the mentor/protege duo ever
He may go overboard, but something about seeing him go fucking ballistic on people when he gets sick of their shit will always be the funniest thing in the series, and the fact it only happens like once every book makes it funnier.
I love that Gregor is the sweetest kid but he realistically has his moments, wears down, and gets sick of people and situations.
With literally everyone he’s such a kind and open minded little gentleman but Ripred can fuck himself because he’s a meanie.
Ok, but like
Rasputin edit of Ripred when/if a tv show or movie series comes out about TUC.
I mean it is canon bats love to sleep in big piles. With the bonding between humans and gnawers in the last book, a big sleepy pile with Ares, Aurora, Ripred, and Nike isn't impossible.
They need to be friends and take naps together right now.
Ripred establishing diplomatic relations between the Underland and the people of New York:
If you think about, an adaptation would boost the series popularity massively (if done well.). So the amount and quality of the stuff the fandom makes would probably increase as well. Even if it wasn't in the show, someone, somewhere, would probably draw Ripred in a bugs bunny style drag disguise.
I'm so conflicted with the TUC adaptation. like.
option A: The obvious answer and morally I have to take it. A somber tone overall but true to the wide range of emotions and scenes in the series. Does the books justice and everything aligns with the tone and world building of the original content.
Option B: Ripred gets a bugs bunny style drag disguise every so often
"I can teach you how to commit tax fraud in French."
"Please leave me alone."
So there's this rat, and his name is Ripred
Y'all ever think about how fucked up it was that Nevee was executed, but Solovet was put under house arrest?
It's fucked up, but it fits in with the repeated theme of scapegoats in TUC. Gregor, Nevee, and even the Bane are all arguably scapegoats and political pawns for the people pulling the strings (Sandwich, Solovet, Twirltounge), who are used and thrown under the bus when no longer of any use or when they need a scapegoat. None of them really seemed to understand what they were doing or who they were fighting for. Gregor didn't know about the whole "killer" thing until book 4, Nevee was just following orders, and the Bane was basically an insane 1 year old. Sure, some people might care about these guys, but at the end of the day, they're just tools to the people in charge. Even Luxa and Ripred aren't above just assuming Gregor will side with them because "they're right and the other guys are wrong". And I've probably missed half of the pawns in this series.
TUC but Gregor has a gun. And he gives his friends some guns. Including Ripred.
RIPRED WITH A GUN
Please someone write a sequel to tuc, but it’s an ya style novel set 10+ years on.
The adventure involves Gregor being forced back down to help the Underland, but he’s an adult this time 21-25ish. And he has Boots with him. Somehow. And she’s a teenager.
She doesn’t remember the underland at all (at least to begin with) and is So Done with it all. Like, who are all these people and why does Gregor suddenly have anime level fighting skills?
And Gregor has to cart her around, again, while saving the world, again, and dealing with whatever mess Luxa is in.
Please feel free to add
Twirltounge manipulating the Bane into commiting mass genocide:
I'm sorry but if i do make pilot episodes/shorts for my TUC animated series, Gregor's going to know and use the language of kids today. why? it's funny.
and as the questers get closer throughout the series, others start picking it up. Luxa gets to look someone in the eyes as they lose a brutal fight, bleeding out on the floor, and say "Skill issue."
I just had the incredible/unholy fanfic idea of Haymitch and Ripred running a podcast together, discussing Underland politics and Hunger Games survival strategies.
So I checked my phone right before going to bed and saw that @returntoregalia started following me!
So I whipped up some quick paint 3D fan-art to commemorate the occasion. Keep up the good work, I look forward to the podcast every week!
He's pan
good evening! ripred the gnawer is trans
Compilation of the ripred fanart I completed for the rat bracket!!! Glad I was able to do my part in support of the RAT VICTOR... This really took me out of my comfort zone and forced me to practice drawing animal characters, which was much needed!
I love Mr. Rat Man so much