SOTE

SOTE, or Soul Of The Existence is a Croatia-based multimedia creator and singer-songwriter. They are fluent in both Croatian and English, as well as some neighboring Slavic languages. SOTE is the founder of Realm Of Harmony alongside Zena Airale. SOTE is also interested in other fandoms such as *DotA: Dragon's Blood*, *The Dragon Prince*, *Game of Thrones*, and *House of the Dragon*. They spend their time making fan art and music related to Ninjago, including vocal and instrumental covers of existing songs and original compositions. SOTE is a musician who specializes in orchestral, pianoish, sad, dramatic, metal, singing, and metal screaming. They are also a digital artist who creates mostly Ninjago fan art. SOTE identifies as asexual, aromantic, and non-oriented DemiPlatonic, and uses any pronouns.

## Founding Story

Let me share a little backstory with you, as it's quite an interesting journey. My love for Ninjago started way back, but it wasn't until 2018 that I decided to become an active part of the community. I initially joined some Facebook groups, and then expanded to Instagram where I started sharing my Morro cosplay and fanart. However, I soon realized that Twitter was the hub where most of the creators were, so I ventured there as well. As a fan, I've always been inspired by the creativity of others, and that led me to come up with an idea of making Ninjago songs. I started with parodies, drawing inspiration from talented creators like Sharm and others who had made parodies of existing songs about World of Warcraft. I wanted to bring that same fun and excitement to the Ninjago community through my music. I gradually expanded my repertoire to include original Ninjago songs, and I even had an ambitious plan of creating a community called Masters of Harmony. However, like any new project, it faced its fair share of challenges. At first, I struggled with motivation and finding enough people who shared my passion. It seemed like a daunting task, and I almost gave up.

But then, something magical happened. The first part of the Crystalized season landed, and it was a game changer. The feedback and support I received from the community were overwhelming. Encouraged by this positive response, I decided to take a bold step. I was a moderator in a server called Council of the Crystal King, and I realized I could use this platform to bring my ideas to life in a big way, I utilized the privileges of my role to create special channels and events dedicated to an anthem for the Council. To my surprise, people enthusiastically got involved and joined the project. I even managed to rope in Deven Mack, the voice of Vangelis, to lend his talent to the song. It was a dream come true!

This experience not only brought my vision to fruition, but it also helped me forge deeper connections with fellow Ninjago fans. The project grew exponentially, drawing in more and more people who shared the same passion for the show and its music. It was incredible to see how my little idea had blossomed into a collaborative effort that brought joy and excitement to the community. Looking back, I'm grateful for the ups and downs, the challenges and the triumphs, that I've encountered on this journey. It's been a thrilling ride, and I can't wait to see where it takes me next. The Ninjago community has become a cherished part of my life, and I'm proud to have contributed in my own small way to its vibrant and creative spirit.