I have never been very interested in destinations. That might sound strange coming from someone who writes fantasy, because fantasy is full of destinations. Towers. Cities. Mountains. Lost kingdoms. Temples buried under old stone. A throne that must be reached. A gate that must be opened. A relic that must be found. A monster thatContinue reading “The Road Is the Story”
Tag Archives: worldbuilding
City as a Character: Grafton Notch in Jezelle: Thief of Forks
All cities are hungry. That was one of the first truths I came to understand while writing Grafton Notch. A city is not merely streets, walls, markets, alleys, and gates. It is appetite made physical. It is what people want, what they are willing to do to get it, and what happens to those whoContinue reading “City as a Character: Grafton Notch in Jezelle: Thief of Forks”
The Creeping Cankers
In my world of Lucardia, not every horror announces itself with claws, teeth, or a sword drawn in the dark. Some horrors arrive slowly. They creep beneath the skin. They fester. They deform. They turn a human face into something others cannot bear to look upon. They take years to kill, and before death comes,Continue reading “The Creeping Cankers”
The Ruins Beneath Belief
Governments, whether modern-day or fantastical, are all very good at pretending the past is dead. They build roads over old paths. They raise new temples on the bones of older shrines. They rename holy days, outlaw certain prayers, scrape symbols from door lintels, and teach children that whatever came before was foolishness at best andContinue reading “The Ruins Beneath Belief”
NOTICE OF VANDALISM UPON THE STAG AND TALLOW DOOR
HEAR YE. HEAR YE.BY ORDER OF SHERIFF KELSTER OF THE CITY WATCHAND BY PETITION OF MORDECAI, KEEPER OF THE STAG AND TALLOW,LET THIS BE MADE KNOWN, POSTED, AND REMEMBERED. On the pre-dawn hour, when honest folk sleep and only rats keep counsel, there was committed upon HITCHER’S ROW an act of VANDALISM AND THREAT, boldContinue reading “NOTICE OF VANDALISM UPON THE STAG AND TALLOW DOOR”
NOTICE OF VAGRANT WHELPS AND MARKET MISCHIEF AT AMICUS SQUARE
HEAR YE. HEAR YE.BY ORDER OF SHERIFF KELSTER OF THE CITY WATCHAND FOR THE PEACE OF GOODFOLK OF THIS QUARTER,LET THIS BE MADE KNOWN, POSTED, AND REMEMBERED. Be it known to all honest souls who trade, toil, worship, or pass through our beautiful AMICUS SQUARE, that the Watch has received MANY COMPLAINTS, sworn oaths, andContinue reading “NOTICE OF VAGRANT WHELPS AND MARKET MISCHIEF AT AMICUS SQUARE”
Searching for need
I constantly struggle between being a writer and a bookseller. Really, I just want to write, but why write if no one reads it? So, one necessitates the other. I’m a decent writer. I can at least give myself that credit. It is hard-earned after struggling with self-doubt for years. But I’m not such aContinue reading “Searching for need”
Bombardment of Restol
Below is the fourth in a series of reports to Emperor Vesper Zuilkaarme on the strange happenings that occurred throughout Lucardia around the time of Prince Koen the Gray’s disappearance. You can read more about that disappearance here. To His Imperial Majesty, Lord of Lucardia, Keeper of the Twelve Thrones, and Steward of the SwordContinue reading “Bombardment of Restol”
The mystery of Dagon Light
Below is the third in a series of reports to Emperor Vesper Zuilkaarme on the strange happenings that occurred throughout Lucardia around the time of Prince Koen the Gray’s disappearance. You can read more about that disappearance here. To His Most Illustrious Emperor, I place before you an accounting of Dagon Light and the lateContinue reading “The mystery of Dagon Light”
The Phantom and the Citadel
Below is the second in a series of reports to Emperor Vesper Zuilkaarme on the strange happenings that occurred throughout Lucardia around the time of Prince Koen the Gray’s disappearance. You can read more about that disappearance here. This is an account from Grand Master Terrick of the Knights of Norn. To His Most IllustriousContinue reading “The Phantom and the Citadel”
