Decided on animating The Art of Soul Stealing. Just finished the first page of story boarding. The intro is going to be in the style of Inuit paintings, hence the crazy colors and style. I'd totally love to make a whole animation just in that style, but it doesn't really fit for something that stops taking itself seriously very quickly.
For the intro part I wrote out this looong history of this made up belief(the first real thing I've written in a while), but it's far too long for something that has very little to do with the rest of the story. It was turning out to be way too overpowering. So it's going to be cut down plenty(the storyboard reflects this). But it was a good exercise and I like how it came out, so I'm posting here:
In the very beginning there was a city contained in a golden nautilus ruled by Nor, a benevolent and wise being. This city was called Telmak and was a miraculous place with streets inlaid with gems and with ornate towers that stretched forever into the sky. The city was never touched by biting winters or desert heats. Nor ruled over his many undying subjects with the same amount of warmth that radiated throughout the city. He was an open ruler who always listened to his people and allowed them to live however they pleased. He granted them all that he could imagine. Eternal life. Plentiful crops. Countless fish to catch. And for ages everyone was happy.
Then one day, it was not enough. The spirits began to request for more crops. The number of crops had never been a problem before, but Nor, the generous ruler, granted them their wish. Twice as many crops filled the lands of Telmak. The spirits, in turn, consumed it twice as fast.
They then asked for more fish. Again Nor listened to his subjects, and granted them their wish. The lakes overflowed with fish, and the subjects consumed far beyond their need. And even when their stomachs were near to burst, they continued to collect as much as they could, hoarding their catch from their neighbors and friends.
Then the spirits demanded more gold. Nor, overwhelmed by the increasing greed of his people, wondered why his subjects would need so much gold. But again, he granted them what they desired. The towers were turned into gold. As were the homes. The beds. The cutlery. Even the chairs. The spirits began to fight over these items and steal from one another.
The spirits drowned themselves in gluttony and greed, their waist lines and collections of gold forever expanding. They became violent and unfriendly towards one another. Envy poisoned each friendship that had once existed. They were not happy, so they did what they knew best.
Angry demands continued to shower down on Nor. Requests for less work. Servants to do the harvest for them. Multiple stomachs. Food that cooked itself. Food that was golden, yet still delicious.
Finally Nor had had enough. The once kind ruler was left with wrath and shame for the subjects that had taken advantage of his kindness. His quiet demeanor was replaced with a menacing figure as he cracked the walls of the nautilus encasing his city, allowing bitter cold, blistering heat, pain and fear to seep in. As Telmak crumpled, the spirits were vanquished to the mortal realm, where many grasped on to what solid body they could find.
Some became man.
Others became insects or animals.
Others trees and flowers.
Even the sea, rocks, ice, and wind acquired spirits.
Nor split himself in two. Part of him became the day, a warm body full of light, helping crops grow and creatures survive. And part of him became the night, a serious spirit that cast the world into a chilly darkness, never quite forgiving his people for their behavior.
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