| Andrew Siañez-De La O's Posts | |
|---|---|
| Medium/Format | Online Forum |
| Interviewee(s) | Andrew Siañez-De La O |
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These are a few notable comments from Andrew Siañez-De La O on The Elder Scrolls setting. They are known as @mexicancryptid on Bluesky.
2023Edit
Witches Festival Ghost Netch (2023-11-07)Edit
Naming the Ghost Netch "Lil' Geist" may be my greatest achievement. #ESOFam
Anchorborn Pony (2023-12-22)Edit
Took me this long to realize that this month's pet reward is one that I wrote ages ago! Love this little guy (and still getting a kick out of the things they let me get away with). #ESO #ESOFam
2024Edit
New Collectible Furnishings & Assistants (2024-05-10)Edit
It's been a rough week, but still trying to find time to celebrate some recent wins. I had the pleasure of writing the recently released (and free!) Alchemy houseguest and the new merchant assistant, Xyn! #ESOFam
- Alchemy's houseguest dialogue is just delightful
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- Thank you! Alchemy is easily one of my favorite characters so I was so excited to get to write for her.
- I just gifted my wife Xyn. We also love Alchemy. Great job with them!
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- Thanks! Xyn has big Tim Curry vibes, love how they came out.
On Tanlorin and their markings (2024-12-06)Edit
But wait! There's more!
I don't think this made it into the quest so file this under headcannon, but Tan's tattoos were made from their shattered calian/aetherquartz (a talisman Altmer receive when they come of age). So, headcannon, this was their mom's coming of age gift to them!
Did the tattoos turn Tanlorin's eyes and hair violet? (2024-12-06)Edit
Ooh! Hmm, okay, I would definitely say violet eyes since birth, and may have even been an early sign of their abilities. And for their hair, I def think they started dying it after the tattoos as a way to make the tattoos more a part of themselves. Like a way of coping with them.
On Tanlorin (2024-12-24)Edit
For the Tan fans!
Long thread where I answer some questions about Tanlorin’s life pre-ousting (and starting with an important disclaimer)!
Could you talk about Tanlorin's parents' personalities? I love their complex feelings toward their mom. I'm curious about Tan's other parent too
0/ I’ll preface this by saying companions are a group effort and I’d file anything I share not directly in their quests as writer headcanon and could change in the future if we ever revisit companions!
1/ Alright, their parents! I’m gonna start with an example I really like for them: Cait’s parents from the Arcane series! Tan’s family is largely matriarchal with Tan’s mom being the current head of the family. She’s domineering and controlling, very aware of her family legacy.
2/ Not only is she from a line of talented mages but a well respected line of architects, many of which had a hand in building Alinor, and all the more reason why she is very cautious about her family’s image as it reflects on Summerset itself.
3/ Tan’s father comes from a smaller family of artisans. He’s certainly softer, quicker to kindness, but very much still involved in Altmer politicking. As the 4th son of his own family, he likely had to play a little dirty to secure such a high status marriage.
4/ Early on, he was likely more accepting of Tan’s eccentricities, but very quickly bent to their mother’s wishes and became more of a bystander in Tan’s life. /END!
So interesting! Was Tanlorin’s ousting an impulsive choice or did their family formally gather and mull over ousting them?
1/ Definitely not impulsive. Tan spent years trying to get a handle on their magic, and their family likely even got them tutors and special training. At first they thought it was a lack of magical aptitude, embarrassing for the family but not the end of the world.
2/ But, as Tan got older, their magic got much stronger before they had any ability to control it. I imagine it as the force of a firehouse being held back by a plastic water gun.
3/ In Snapdragon’s research, she hints at a disaster occurring that was the result of Tan’s magic. People got hurt and it wasn’t the kind of thing Tan’s family could hide anymore. So when Tan came of age, their mom had the tattoos placed on them and ousted from the family. /END.
Sheesh! When ousted, did Tanlorin’s family let them take anything along with them (belongings, provisions, etc)?
1/ I'd say next to nothing! A pouch of gold to get them started, enough for a modest room at an inn for a couple months, and safe passage to Auridon, but not much else in terms of provisions, gear, etc. Tan was expected to live as a commoner.
2/ The only personal effect I think Tan would even care enough to bring would be a charcoal portrait of their family, something they would've done themselves while they were still learning the ins and outs of high society, but Tan likely lost it ages ago.
3/ Their thief years between their ousting and joining the Garland Ring are blurrier than I think Tan would like to admit. /END.
Aw, that hurts. How do you imagine Tan's hairstyle pre-exile? Shorter than it is now? Longer?
I would say longer, but I don't think they ever really knew what to do with it. They either let their chambermaid decide (based on their mom's wishes) or just bundled it in a messy bun or ponytail.
Relatable! Do you think the Sapiarchs inked Tanlorin one tattoo at time or were they somehow applied simultaneously?
I've imagined it as multiple Sapiarchs in unison applying the tattoos. It was an arduous process and extremely painful at times, but they had others on hand to heal and tend to Tanlorin. Would've taken placed over a couple days with some time in a ward to heal afterwards.
Tan mentions their grand-mere, did they live in a multigenerational house or did their aunts, uncles, cousins and what not just visit? Did Tan ever want a sibling?
1/ Tan’s grand-mere was the previous matriarch and frequently hung around the manor so she could “offer her thoughts” on the family’s affairs. She is not one for the idle life of retirement.
2/ And I actually think Tan has two younger siblings! But their age gap is huge. Tan was early and unexpected in their marriage, not a mistake, and it was years before Tan’s parents had more kids.
3/ If Tan was ousted around the equivalent of 18yrs, their siblings were around 8 and 6. Tan was never close to them if only because it was clear to them they were a problem child and didn’t want that to rub off on their younger siblings. /END
Wow, Tanlorin having siblings is an awesome idea! Anything to share about their history with Chirrabi? It's endearing how Tan mentions her when mining platinum seams (or is it pewter seams?)
Chirrabi was one of Tan’s first friends in Auridon! They were best friends then lovers then enemies then best friends then a bit of everything. The kind of friendship that, whenever Tan visits, feels like no time has passed. (And might even be multiple seam types!)
Adorable omg! Last question, I'm curious about the process that went into Tan's creation as a Companion. How long did it take for them to go from concept to their launch in the game?
I’m afraid this might bump up against things I don’t think I can talk about haha! sorry to end the thread on that note but production stuff and timelines have to remain behind the curtain
Oh, that's ok! Thanks so, so much for replying to me and for the work you've done! Tan has such a rich story, I just wanna dig into it
Anytime! So happy to hear you’re enjoying them!