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Spent 7 years as the lead singer in a Led Zeppelin tribute band. They said write about what you know...
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Happy Wednesday everyone!  Time for another update.

We’re only a few orders away from a new chapter release, and I’m hoping to get there soon, both because I really want to release another chapter and because we’ll really need to pick up the pace in order to get to funded status by the end of the campaign in about a month’s time.

Since I’ve finished talking about the different dwarven ethnic groups in my world, as well as the single elven ethnic group which is appears in Magus(but is certainly not the only one in its world), I decided today I want to talk a bit about my world’s wizards, the magi(magus is the singular form).

I’ve actually talked a bit about my magic system for a post on John Robin’s Epic Fantasy Writer blog back in June (click here if you wanna read it), so I’ll keep it brief in this update.  At the most fundamental level a magus uses the energy of their own soul to manipulate the natural occurring magical energies of the world to alter the laws of nature.  As such they must have at least a basic understanding of what those laws are to begin with.  This leads to most magi being rather studious and tending to focus on a single field or related group of fields.  They are also able to create greater effects or alter laws that they do not understand by drawing on more of their souls energy, a process referred to in Exile, Magus as wrenching free a pinning of the soul, and which risks the death of the magus doing it.

I’ll leave my explanation there so as not to take up more of your time.  If you want to read a bit more about it, then go read the blog entry above(and check out some of the other great posts by other authors there as well).  For any fellow D&D  5e players out there I’ll be posting a very early, very rough version of a Magus archetype for the Wizard class at the bottom.  For everyone else, as always thank you for your time and support.  Keep reading and enjoying!


Magus Archetype
Primary Focus:  At 2nd level you choose 1 school of magic.  Alternatively you can choose an alternate focus such as an Element type (fire, water, earth, air), spirit-based spells, healing, or similar grouping which the DM approves.  The gold and time you must spend to copy a spell of that focus is halved.

Sense Magic:  At 2nd level you gain the ability to cast Detect Magic 1/day without expending a spell slot.  You do not need to have the spell memorized or in your spellbook to cast it in this way.
At 6th level you can cast it 3/day.
At 10th level you can cast it at will.

Wrench Pinning:  As a bonus action you can spend HD to gain a spell slot of a level equal to the number of HD spent, up to your highest level spell slot.  This spell slot must be used by the end of your next turn, and is lost if not used.
At 6th level you can also choose to suffer 1 or 2 points of Constitution damage in order to increase the slot gained by an amount equal to the damage dealt.  A slot gained in this way can give you access to a spell slot higher than your highest level spell slot.
At 10th level, the slot gained is 1 higher than the amount of HD spent to gain it.  This has a maximum of your highest level spell slot unless you also suffer Constitution damage as described above.
At 14th level, you can use the spell slot gained from this to cast a spell which is not in your spellbook, but is on your class spell list.  If you use this ability to cast a spell of a level higher than your caster level would normally allow, then you must suffer 1 extra Constitution damage per level of the spell slot above what you can normally cast.

Analyze Magic:  At 6th level your understanding of the laws of magic and reality have increased to a point that allows you to cast Identify as a ritual spell without use of a material component 1/day.  You do not need to have the spell memorized or in your spellbook to cast it in this way.
At 10th level you can cast it in this way 3/day.
At 14th level you can cast it in this way at will.
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    The Majestas Regia

    ’Majestas: Glory; Regia: Direction’ - Google Translate

    The Majestas Regia is the name of a constellation. Unlike the Orion’s Belt, one fairly easy to spot when looking upon night’s arrival, the Majestas Regia is rumoured to only appear before the eyes of royalty. It is said, that when a royal gazes into a cloudless night sky, they will see amongst the twinkling of stars a formation of a crown. It has been described as glorious, magnificent, and oddly... comforting in troubling times. But it is all just a rumour. 

    However, the same can’t be said in ancient times. 

    Former kings across the land used the constellation to determine their heirs, and to remove the crown from princes and princesses who were blind to the Majestas Regia. And because the result of being born a royal but unable to draw out the constellation resulted in banishment, and sometimes death, the queens and the royal council schemed their way to the throne. Though, scheming and deceiving were never foreign in the Great Hall, men found a way to manipulate the stars for their own added advantage. 

    But stars... are just stars.

    If you look at tonight’s sky and fail to see the Majestas Regia, that doesn’t mean you’re without royal blood. How many times have you spotted Orion’s Belt? I’ve seen it once. And I’m sure some of you have not seen it at all, even as an ever present constellation. The problem doesn’t lie in being royal, the problem lies in never looking - looking at yourself, your abilities, your talents, your passion, and your purpose. We wonder, question, and doubt, because we don’t look. Instead we listen to what others have to say, we glimpse into their wonderful lives, and focus on everyone else but ourselves. If only we took a second to look... we would’ve claimed our birthright a long time ago. We would’ve seen the Majestas Regia. And we would’ve gone on our own great adventure as the heroes of our stories. Thankfully, it’s never too late.

    Should you search up The Majestas Regia, you might stumble upon an old tale about a young prince named Thom. His encounter speaks for itself. And I must say, it paints a rather interesting picture on the true meaning behind the constellation.


    Congratulations Calvin! Check your email inbox.

    A big thank you to all who’ve joined this giveaway! 

    If you missed The Journey Giveaway, don’t worry. The Salt x Paper Giveaway is still on till the 30th of September. I assure you, every person who orders The Slave Prince will take home at least one prize. And the sooner you order, the higher your chances are at winning two instead of one.
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      Oliver Tooley liked an update for Beyond The Code

      *Crawls out of editing cave, hissing at the light*

      I LIVVVVEEEEE!!!!!

      Yes, I’m still technically alive. Haven’t fallen in a deep, dark hole or anything like that. I’ve just been a slave to the editing process and, of course, my day job. 

      But I’ve decided to peek my head up from the abyss to send you all an update. 

      First and foremost, Beyond the Code news. Editing has been going slower then I’d like but very well. Results from my wonderful beta readers have given me some ideas for rewrites of the story. These changes will give some of the characters actions more of a dramatic punch that I really think you’ll all enjoy. 

      In other news, I will be taking my first try at pushing my book at a convention. I will be at the Edmonton Expo on Saturday. I will be handing out bookmarks to anyone who will take them to try and get the word of Beyond the Code out. I hope to see any of you there. 

      I also want to take this opportunity to talk about Evan Graham’s book Tantalus Depths. It’s a really well thought out world that deserves full funding and it is very close. Please, if you have not already, take the time to check it out and consider backing this great project. 

      https://www.inkshares.com/books/tantalus-depths

      Thank you all for continuing to support this my dream and I hope I can give you a fully realised product sooner, rather then later. 

      Kelsey Rae Barthel

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        Oliver Tooley liked an update for Dax Harrison

        DEAR DAX HARRISON READERS, FANS, PASSIVE FOLLOWERS, ETC...

        I did a thing. A book trailer thing. Please enjoy! And then spread it around the internet like butter on free restaurant bread. :)

        CLICK HERE TO WATCH

        Your pal,
        Tony V.
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          Oliver Tooley liked an update for Exile, Magus

          Wednesday update time!

          Our progress continues to be slow, but with a little over a month to go I’m still hoping we can reach goal. Thanks to everyone who has already ordered as well as those of you who have recommended Magus to others.

          Today I’ll move the journey forward a bit to Pentaz & Buscidia’s time on the peninsula known as The Blade where Pentaz spends a few months receiving a bit of formal education in his magicking at a small academy run by the head of a Wilder Elf community. You can read about that starting here in Chapter 31.

          The Wilder Elves (pronounced will-der as in wilderness) are seen as savages by most of the more "civilised" elves in the far eastern elven nation of Lanadalaria, and even their less judgemental cousins in Hanaen sometimes regard them as a bit backwards. They live as nomads in the untamed wilds, living entirely off the land and flowing with the seasons. When they do build settlements it is only temporary structures, huts of vine, wicker, and fallen tree limbs which have seen no blade.

          While they tend to avoid contact with those who do not live as they do, they are not hostile to outsiders and will often aid those they see in need, albeit secretly when possible. Like all elves they have innate magical talent, though all but their shamans and priestesses use this talent only for blending in and tracking game.

          That’s all I’ve got for today’s update. As always thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed this bit of insight. For my fellow D&D players my prototype Wilder Elf racial option follows(as with the Dwarven options I presented this presumes you only gain what is listed below, not the standard PHB qualities as well).

          • Ability Score Increase:  +1 Dexterity, +2 Wisdom.
          • Age:  Typically reach adulthood at around 100-120, aging at around 1/8th human rate until then. Their aging slows down significantly at this point, to around 1/40th human rate, causing them to maintain a youthful prime until around 850-900 years. They can live up to 1,000 years, with their aging speeding up dramatically this last century or so to around 1/2 the typical human rate.
          • Alignment:  Chaotic Good.
          • Size:  Medium, stand between 4’7" - 6’2"
          • Speed:  30’.
          • Skill Training:  You gain proficiency Perception and Survival.
          • Weapn Training:  Proficient with Pikes, Shortswords, Longbows, and Shortbows.
          • Reverie: They must sleep just as humans do, but while sleeping they are able to perfectly recall anything from their past through dreams. These memories fade somewhat upon waking, but if a particular aspect is focused upon when starting a Long Rest then immediately upon finishing the rest you can make an appropriate skill check(typically Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion) with Advantage to recall some bit of information/lore.
          • Art of the Chameleon: By concentrating for 1 round you can wrap yourself in magic which causes you to blend in with your surroundings. This provides Advantage on Stealth checks provided that you move no more than 1/2 your Speed. This magic is extremely sensitive to strong emotions and thus cannot be maintained in combat.
          • Life Sense: By actively concentrating as a Bonus Action you can sense the presence and vibrancy of life within a 30’ radius of you. The sensation is most commonly described along the lines of temperature as follows: alive and in good health (Warm); healthy plant life, or animal life in poor health (Lukewarm); plants in poor health, or animals in abysmal health/dying (Cold); and plants/creatures that will die or have died within 1 minute (freezing). Non-living creatures such as undead or constructs, as well as corpses, stones/minerals, and incorporeal creatures are merely voids in your perception with no temperature whatsoever.Since this does not rely on your normal sense you can use this ability while Blinded, Deafened, or otherwise unable to use your normal 5 senses. This does require the use of a Bonus Action every round it is used/maintained. This can be used to detect the presence of invisible creatures so long as that creature would normally be able to be sensed through this ability as described above, as well as to compensate for Blindness. At the start of any turn in which you are using your Life Sense in this way, you choose whether to negate your Disadvantage on Attack Rolls against a single creature or the creature’s Advantage on their Attack rolls against you.
          • Languages:  Sylvan, Elven and 1 of the following – Common, Primordial, Gnomish, Orcish.


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            Jen Elizabeth Rose followed Oliver Tooley
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            Oliver Tooley liked an update for The Slave Prince

            Journey Over Destination

            ’Destination: journey’s end,’ - This isn’t a definition, but a synonym. One I found too coinciding not to quote.

            For the past weeks, I’ve received tremendous support from family, friends, authors, and strangers. And honestly, I didn’t expect so many people to get behind my book. Such response... I just... well... I just want to say how honoured I am to have you, who genuinely want to see me succeed. You, who have offered you time, money, and resources, to support my dream. You, who could’ve done anything else, chosen anyone else, but decided to invest in me. Who am I to deserve this? 

            The journey of dream chasing has often routed along a lonely road. Many days, I rely on my own strength to keep going and to keep pursuing. Many days, I swim in the vast ocean of dreams, hoping to catch a glimpse of hope at the horizon. But those days become a memory when I see the hands reaching out and hear the voices cheering me on. Suddenly, I’m not alone anymore. 

            I realised that when I’m focused on the destination, the world quiets down and the streets empty out. But when I start to actively experience the journey, I begin to see those around me. Similarly, as much as Thom thinks he can save his people by himself, he would’ve never accomplished it without the support of those around him.  So thank you for being here. Your presence means a lot to me.

            Now to the last hardcopy of Richard Saunder’s novel, Journey.



            Congratulations Nikki Moore! Please check your email inbox.

            The poster above is pretty self-explanatory. One winner, randomly chosen from ALL readers, will be announced on Sept 24th. So if you’re still on the fence, hop onto the yard! This is your last chance to take home two books for the price of one.
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              Oliver Tooley liked an update for Bad Medicine: Slay it queen!

              Quick update just to announce this week’s winner.

              The newest queen joining the cast of Bad Medicine is Miss Slayer Stone (AKA fantasy author extraordinaire Jamison Stone)

              Slayer Stone is the alter ego of Mr. Mayhem, a wrestling superstar who has done drag on the down-low for almost a decade.

              Let’s congratulate our winner and remember that you can have a storyline in the book too. Pre-order now and send me your drag name via e-mail or Twitter.

              Have a great weekend!

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