As a further add-on to yesterday’s update, I’d like to outline some general info about both the Pictish-Tribes and the Imartii. As those who read the last update will know, I’m offering a limited-time promotion for *2* lucky individuals - chosen at random from the pool of Alethian/Wolf-Riders backers of my novel. These two winners will be able to create a character based on one culture or the other, and have their character brought into the books!

The Picts ~

The Picts are an elusive and mysterious culture whom dwell in the marshes and swamps far to the South of Dearean. Long ago, the Picts dominated much of the larger world, but a series of terrible catastrophes all-but annihilated their vast kingdoms, reducing them to  little more than a pale-shadow of their former glory. 

Few in number, the Picts rely upon ambushes and ranged-weaponry to defeat their enemies in battle. Due to their unrivaled eye-sight and reflexes, Pictish warriors can rain death down upon their enemies from across great distances before vanishing back into the woods, only to reemerge elsewhere to begin their assault anew. 

Until now, the Picts have remained content in their isolation, defending their borders when necessary, but otherwise abstaining from open interaction with the human kingdoms to the North. However change is on the wind. Deep within the heartlands of the Pictish-Wilds, something is stirring.  More and more of the First-Peoples are congregating together. It is whispered that they are drawn to the voice of an entity known only as; The Prophet. Who this person is, or what they want, is as of now unknown.

The Imartii ~

The Imartii dwell to the mountainous West, and are people built upon the worship of personal-exploit. The Imartii are divided into various city-states, each of which operates independently from one another. Though loosely unified by a Confederacy, the various city-states are not above clashing with one another, as they so often do. 

Imartii culture is defined by the search for personal glory. Heroes and adventures often set forth from the walled-cities to venture out into the greater world, intent on finding glory through conquest. This is achieved through the slaying of great monsters, the discovery of lost treasures, or other feats of valor, strength, or guile. The culmination of these many heroic achievements are the "Games" which play out at the end of every season. Each city-state dispatches its greatest champions to compete against those representing other members of the Confederacy, with glory and riches being rewarded to whichever state achieves the largest percentage of victories. 

Throughout much of Dearean, even occasionally within the hellish lands of Alethia, it is not uncommon to encounter hero-adventurers of the Imartii, intent on searching out their next challenge. 

So there you have it folks. Two (vastly different) cultures to pick from. So go pre-order a copy if you haven’t, and look forward to 2 new chapters coming later this week as we near the end of the campaign!

As a further add-on to yesterday’s update, I’d like to outline some general info about both the Pictish-Tribes and the Imartii. As those who read the last update will know, I’m offering a limited-time promotion for *2* lucky individuals - chosen at random from the pool of Alethian/Wolf-Riders backers of my novel. These two winners will be able to create a character based on one culture or the other, and have their character brought into the books!

The Picts ~

The Picts are an elusive and mysterious culture whom dwell in the marshes and swamps far to the South of Dearean. Long ago, the Picts dominated much of the larger world, but a series of terrible catastrophes all-but annihilated their vast kingdoms, reducing them to  little more than a pale-shadow of their former glory. 

Few in number, the Picts rely upon ambushes and ranged-weaponry to defeat their enemies in battle. Due to their unrivaled eye-sight and reflexes, Pictish warriors can rain death down upon their enemies from across great distances before vanishing back into the woods, only to reemerge elsewhere to begin their assault anew. 

Until now, the Picts have remained content in their isolation, defending their borders when necessary, but otherwise abstaining from open interaction with the human kingdoms to the North. However change is on the wind. Deep within the heartlands of the Pictish-Wilds, something is stirring.  More and more of the First-Peoples are congregating together. It is whispered that they are drawn to the voice of an entity known only as; The Prophet. Who this person is, or what they want, is as of now unknown.

The Imartii ~

The Imartii dwell to the mountainous West, and are people built upon the worship of personal-exploit. The Imartii are divided into various city-states, each of which operates independently from one another. Though loosely unified by a Confederacy, the various city-states are not above clashing with one another, as they so often do. 

Imartii culture is defined by the search for personal glory. Heroes and adventures often set forth from the walled-cities to venture out into the greater world, intent on finding glory through conquest. This is achieved through the slaying of great monsters, the discovery of lost treasures, or other feats of valor, strength, or guile. The culmination of these many heroic achievements are the "Games" which play out at the end of every season. Each city-state dispatches its greatest champions to compete against those representing other members of the Confederacy, with glory and riches being rewarded to whichever state achieves the largest percentage of victories. 

Throughout much of Dearean, even occasionally within the hellish lands of Alethia, it is not uncommon to encounter hero-adventurers of the Imartii, intent on searching out their next challenge. 

So there you have it folks. Two (vastly different) cultures to pick from. So go pre-order a copy if you haven’t, and look forward to 2 new chapters coming later this week as we near the end of the campaign!

We are now at 7 DAYS REMAINING and currently 208 sales towards our goal of 250 ~

As the final week looms over my head, I’ve decided to do something a little different. This week I will be uploading 2 new chapters, both of which develop the various nations that surround Yggdrassil. Alethia, the Bad-Lands, and Nin will all receive their fair share of exploration and more. 

Within the lands of Alethia, necromancy and other forms of fel-sorcery have become the norm as the kingdom’s population continues to dwindle while its needs to defend its threatened borders persist. 

But these locations and their respective cultures are not all there is within the lands of Dearean. To the East there are the Imartii - fierce and proud warriors, with each city its own nation - while to the South live the mysterious and nomadic Picts. A strange and little-understood culture, the Picts are elf-like in appearance, and attuned to the magical quantities of the world in a way few other races possess the capabilities to be. 

Artwork rights belong to Blood Rage - will hopefully have official work done soon of these groups. In the meantime this offers a work-concept of what I’m considering for these two cultures.

As funding continues for "The Children of the Forest" I’m looking to have *2* backers receive a special reward. In two random drawings, I will select two different customers of my novel to be featured as characters hailing from either the Imartii or Picts. The winners will have the ability to pick their character’s sex, have input on their origin, and even help choose their name and appearance! More still, once official artwork is scheduled, your character will feature prominently and you will receive a free and highly detailed print!

For this reward I will only be selecting from the pool of backers who have achieved either Alethian or Wolf-Rider status - but there’s still time to get your name in the drawing. All you need to do is upgrade your purchase to the 2nd or 3rd level, and that’s it - you’re in!

This is a really awesome and unique prize that will offer two lucky individuals the chance to personalize their experience with the opening novel in the series. Winners will be selected only on the basis that the book reaches its goal of 250 sales, so act quickly, and make sure you recommend and push the book to everyone you can.