Chapter 1
This supplemental document is intended to be a resource for readers who want to delve deeper into the intricacies of the story "Grumkins and Snarks".
This will be the location for posting all the details about the (Modified) Celestial Forge system being used in the story, including CP earned and spent, and Perks purchased with exact wording and sources.
Additional supplementary materials will be intended to enhance the reader's understanding and enjoyment of the narrative, including Author's Notes, Deleted Scenes, Character Profiles, Worldbuilding, Timelines, and Links for references that the author found particularly entertaining or helpful.
Ideally, most readers will be able to completely understand the main story without needing this supplemental. However, I hope that this view 'behind-the-scenes' might add something for certain readers.
Author Background
Early in 2023 I became ill. Months later, I’ve worked with multiple specialists, enjoyed dozens of tests and one exploratory surgery, and can confidently state that I am doing my part to support the pharmaceutical industry. While I am slowly recovering and going through rehab, I have decided to use some of my available time (and limited energy) to write.
Story Framework
I stumbled upon LordRoustabout’s Brockton's Celestial Forge fanfic when it was still young. It was my first real exposure to the concept of Jumpchain CYOAs.
To clarify for those new to the concept of Jumpchain writing, it's single-player CYOA gaming/writing through popular science fiction and fantasy worlds. Upon entrance to each new world, the writer is allotted a certain number of points (often referred to as CP). These points are then used to purchase perks from that setting- superpowers, technology, abilities, skills, and helpers from one of many pre-made documents available online (henceforth called "Perk Lists"). Those powers are then granted to your protagonist (usually a Self-Insert of the author, but not always). Writers typically select Jump destinations with perks which compliment each other. Example) Jump One teachs the protagonist to build giant robots and create swarms of nanobot assistants. Jump Two empowers the protagonist to make incredibly durable materials. Jump Three allows the protagonist to battle giant kiaju and to attempt to seduce that anime character you had a crush on as a teenager.
This fic will employ a similar writing framework to BCF in that I have a spreadsheet of potential perks which my protagonist will gain randomly via The Weight of the Quill - Variant Mechanic, with gradual point progression (100CP = 2000 Words). Every time 100 points are earned, the author makes a roll to see what power might be obtained. The power is purchased immediately if there are enough free points, otherwise the points simply accumulate for the next attempt.
The Celestial Forge Version 1.0 was used as the initial inspiration for my own collection of perks but has been heavily modified and reorganized. All physical perks, such as the workshop additions, tools, items, and companions, have all been discarded, with the protagonist only benefiting from knowledge and abilities. As I intended for my fic to occur in a medieval fantasy setting with a focus on magic rather than science and engineering, a lot of the Celestial Forge’s remaining Perks were also discarded or heavily modified. Because I was importing characters from Harry Potter for this fic, I focused on perks somewhat consistent with what Rowling has called her “bastardized mythology” including Celtic, Norse, and Greek mythology, Arthurian legends, folktales, and popular fantasy tropes.
The selected perks were also intended to justify the magic and mythology of G.R.R. Martin’s ASOIAF/GoT. A randomized time-travel perk will act as a significant plot device to explain how my little group of intrepid adventures could have planted the first Weirwoods in Westeros, helped Bran the Builder construct his giant ice wall, experienced the Doom of Valyria, and still been present at the execution of Ned Stark.
I’ve included or created several Perks which allow for my protagonist to share and/or distribute Perks. The protagonist of Brockton’s Celestial Forge was introduced in a very dangerous world with the power creep of the Forge allowing the protagonist to eventually overcome those threats. Conversely, my own protagonist will be introduced to a low fantasy setting and she will unwittingly be creating and empowering her future enemies.
A huge focus of Brockton’s Celestial Forge is analyzing the Perks themselves- purposes, effects, interactions between Perks, how the Perks affect Joe’s psyche, etc. One of the biggest running gags in BCF is the ‘battle trance’ which Joe goes into as he receives each new perk, with everyone (friends and foes) freezing and watching warily to see what Apeiron will do next while he is merely musing on how his newly gained Perk will allow him to build a better mousetrap which is 0.03% more efficient than his current one.
While I will still acknowledge new perks, I will generally be minimizing their direct immediate impact on the story. Additionally, the origins and exact wording of the perks will be hidden. For example, a tinkerer Perk from One Piece would be recognized as a perk for building and repairs but not directly acknowledge Vegapunk or even reference pirates.
Epilogue? What Epilogue?
(Spoilers Ahead!)
My primary protagonist, Branwen Potter, is a bit AU compared to canon Harry Potter. I chose to use a fem!Harry Potter in part to emphasize that difference.
For example, Dorea Black is Branwen Potter's paternal grandmother. There were so many fantastic and dramatic possibilities involving the Potters and Blacks which Rowling destroyed when she revealed on Pottermore that James was the son of Fleamont and Euphemia. In this fic Charlus Potter and Dorea Black were James' parents and all of those fun possibilities are available once again.
There is a great deal of fanon about the world of Harry Potter which I will freely use. Wards, for example, are so common in fanfics that I was honestly surprised to realize that the books only mentioned "protective enchantments". Another would be presenting the wizarding world as historically feudal and aristocratic, with noble titles and peerages still remaining in use (ex. Lady Flatyence of the Ancient and Noble House of Ayegottalottagas).
An additional change between canon!Harry and AU!Branwen will be that Sirius and Remus didn't effectively vanish from her life at the end of 3rd year. They spent time with her, embraced her as family, and trained her to be the leader of the next generation of Marauders.
Perhaps the greatest difference between Branwen Potter and Harry Potter occurred partway through their seventh year. [Spoiler] During the infamous horcrux hunt the Golden Trio suffered a tragic event which dramatically shifted their story and exposed them to the darker side of the Second Blood War.
Finally, in this AU there was no immediate ceasefire, graceful reconciliation, and mutual offers of pardon and forgiveness by all parties as soon as Voldemort was killed at the Battle of Hogwarts. The war has officially ended but Wizarding Britain remains a very violent and dangerous place, with continued terrorist attacks by surviving Death Eaters and well as retaliatory attacks from Muggleborns and other survivors of the depredations of the Death Eaters over the last twenty years.
As a result of these changes, the Golden Trio and their allies are experienced war veterans who are dealing with their personal traumas to the best of their abilities. On the plus side, they’ll be a bit more pragmatic upon finding themselves in a violent medieval society.
Perks Prior to Story
Branwen starts out this fic with a few apparent advantages compared to canon!Harry at about the same time. She is a magical powerhouse, generally accepted as one of the most powerful witches in the world, but with limited control and her repertoire of spells is relatively small. She also demonstrates a sixth sense, magical sensitivity, which requires either direct physical contact with the object or an intervening medium infused with Branwen’s magic (such as the Black Cloud seen in chapter two).
Perks from Chapter One: Glimpse of the Future
Chapter One was 2219 words long, earning 110 CP. Rolled for potential Perk but unclaimed due to insufficient funds.