At the Kingdoms' Fold
Logline
An enraged king seeks revenge on the Lord who stole his bride by slaughtering her people to find her. Meanwhile, a ghost-like people lurks in the Kingdoms' Fold, taking the law into their own hands, trying to stop the king's evil plans. Who will fall first?
Genre
Epic,Fantasy,Romance
Short Summary
The most well-kept secret lay hidden in-between the kingdoms’ fold. A man hangs from the Blood Birch - a message from the Fold People that a crime has been avenged. Lord Andulf Gauff and his son Duke Liam Gauff thanks the spirits for this justice but prays these deeds won't get out of control.
The evil king declares war against the Gauff Manors to retrieve his promised bride who Lord Andulf Gauff stole from him. Magic from an old prophecy of the seventh daughter's seventh daughter is unleashed, winning the war and reveals the truth about the Queen of the Vrasur People.
Setting
Fantasy - in the Orvka Kingdom
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence, Language/Profanity,Nudity
Main Character Details
Name: Duchess Kate Gauff
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Flexible,Gracious,Heroic,Honorable,Sophisticated,Secretive,Romantic,Skillful,Selfless
Additional Character Details
Name: Duke Liam Gauff
Age: 35
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Aspiring,Charming,Confident,Heroic,Educated,Honorable,Leader,Masculine,Skillful,Sophisticated
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Braveheart, Outlander, the Gladiator; films punching hard at our bleeding hearts for these romantic heroes who want nothing else than be left in peace with the woman they love. They are uprooted, thrown into misery and haunted by evil power-hungry kings. Injustice inflicted on good people makes us want to grab our pitchforks and fight by their side, laying down our lives believing in their leadership. I would die for Liam and Kate, I would join the war, fighting for them to live, and I would watch the film where I saw the evil King Esko have his own General stab him to death for all his crimes. I would live in the Cave of Mercy with the People of the Fold to avenge the innocent, heal the injured and see how the one power I received from the God Virun could be used to defeat the evil. At the Kingdoms' Fold is a relatable story, as history keeps repeating itself even in modern terms. Pride, honour, love - what are you willing to stand for - die for - live for? The sword and sorcery genre is a loved concept and this tale adds a layer of magic, feisty and quirky characters and an iron will to help the people of Orvka. Have your breath catch in throbbing lungs at the grief of the lost ones, lash out your anger as the evil king's soldiers catch sweet Eppie, and stand up from your seats, punching your fists in victory when the Queen of the Vrasur People send bolts of magical lightning to destroy their opponents! You will remember this war as if YOU fought it!
Genre
DRAMA, FANTASY, ROMANCE, ACTION
Brief
King Belvintor has been on the war path for years looking for his stolen bride. Lord Liam has a sequestered village in the caves filled with people who experienced hardship. He is called back to Gauff Manors to fight with his father against the king. Liam's wife Kate finds out she is one of the last descents of her magical people and must uncover the secrets to unleash it and win the war.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: GOOD
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: GOOD
Structure: GOOD
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile does accurately reflect the book except when it mentions a ghost like people. There are no ghost like people, they are normal people who have faced hardship and have created there own utopian society.
Draw of Story
The story begins with the brutality of war, solidiers destroying villages and killing people. It opens up for world building in a medieval setting which can be expanded in interesting ways.
Possible Drawbacks
The book includes a few rape scenes, some very graphically. The girls who are raped are very young also. This is completely unnecessary for this type of story and adds nothing to the gravitas of the plot or the tone of the book. This could be hinted at to describe the cruelty of the king's army and by extension, himself. The story is not very gritty so these scenes make zero sense. There do not need to be rape scenes in this story.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that a king is enacting a reign of terror, taking over all of the lands, in search of his missing bride. His bride, her family and there people, come together to defeat them with the help of magic.
Fanbase Potential
This story would not have a large fanbase because it is not very well developed. The tone categorizes it in the young adult category. Especially considering how shows like it did so well, this is not a contender.
Awards Potential
This does not have award potential. There is very little character development or world building. There is nothing setting it apart from other medieval dramas.
Envisioned Budget
LARGE BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, GAME OF THRONES, VIKINGS, CURSED
What’s New About the Story
There is nothing original about this story. It's a medieval drama with an evil king, a long lost princess, magic and noble knights. They win the day and everything ends on a happy note. Good and evil are very clear cut. This needs more grit, blood and magic. Especially after Game of Thrones, you would have to bring something very unique to be set apart.
Lead Characters
There is not one lead character. Each of them has a very specific, predictable role that they adhere to. The king is evil, Liam is noble, his mother and father are wise and honorable and Kate is powerful but doesn't know it yet. Character development is very present because they all serve there purpose to the plot.
Uniqueness of Story
This is an average story that does not deter from the medieval drama format. A unique element would need to be introduced, more gray areas within the story and character development.
Possible Formats
Film - Studio, Film - Streaming, TV Series - Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
This could be a consider if the characters were developed better. They're either evil or good but that's not realistic, especially considering the time period. The story begins with very graphic and harsh realities for women, it sets a serious tone that didn't carry throughout the story. I do not agree with the use of rape as a tool to give women a character arc, but use that tone and build on it. The evil king's dealings would bring that gravity as well as what is at stake for the remaining people.