Journey Over Destination
’Destination: journey’s end,’ - This isn’t a definition, but a synonym. One I found too coinciding not to quote.
Hey gang. Long time no see...chat...whatever.
If you didn’t know, I enjoy doing this writing thing...like a lot...
(Did you know Ageless was the first in a trilogy? If you read it, you probably picked up on the fact that there could be more. SPOILER - there is more! Follow Timeless here!)
But, I need your HELP to continue doing this writing thing. (Hint - REVIEW AGELESS on AMAZON and GOODREADS)
I put together the following (very) tentative & (very) ambitious production schedule covering the next few years. See anything you like? I hope so! Let me know what you think.
@PaulInmanSC on Twitter & Instagram
Rise is in the wild! Many of you have already received your copy and have sent images of the book to me. Thanks for that. I was in the throes of Post Con Depression following Dragoncon when these images began rolling in. Instant boost to the happiness scale.
First off, when I talked about the Sartval earlier this week I meant to link the chapters of Magus they appear in as well. They first appear in Chapter 10 and Pentaz’ full experience with them ranges from there to Chapter 17(a span that also covers his introduction to Buscidia). So if you want to read a bit more about that savage race of dwarves in action click the link above.
After a bit of a wall my campaign has started to pick up a little steam again, though we’ll need a great deal more if we’re going to make it so I’m hoping I can convince more of you who have followed but not ordered yet to do so. As stated at the beginning of the campaign, for every 25 readers I’ll post a new chapter. We’re only 8 more people away from the next chapter, and if we can hit 100 readers by 9/18 I’ll post 3 bonus chapters beyond those for each set of 25 people.
Moving on from the sales pitch though, I’m continuing my discussion of the different types of dwarves in my world. Next on the list are the Ansvari, their representative in Exile, Magus being Talari. She’s a bit of an intellectual, explorer, and a more knowledgeable magus than Pentaz, and she’s pictured below in the wonderful new art from Lho Brochoff. She doesn’t come in until the last act (quarter really) of the story, but if I get to post the bonus chapters mentioned above I will release 3 of those featuring her. She is one of the main characters in the sequel - Exile, Hunted, and most every Exile book to follow. I’ve linked this previously but I feel it deserves linking again in case you want to read an interaction from her childhood between Talari and her grandmother.
The Ansvari as a people are perhaps the least traditional Dwarves. They tend to live on wide open plains or sylvan glades, organized into loose tribal societies unofficial led by an elder and/or shaman(sometimes this is the same person).
They are a hunter/gatherer people who hold the spirits of nature, both elemental and otherwise, in deep regard. They don’t necessarily worship these spirits, but they always respect them. In truth they have much in common with the Wilder Elves, though they do put more importance on physical prowess than the Elves. Many Ansvari practice at least minor household magic, though not to the extent of the Elves. They also tend to be a curious people, though they usually limit their fields of study to those of the natural or magical world.
The bulk of the Ansvari tribes originally lived in a region of the Melexi empire now occupied by southern Zaltruscas and western Hanaen. As the Zaltruscan empire spread it demanded that the Ansvari cede their land and pledge their allegiance to the Empire. Most refused leading to a ruthless invasion by the Zaltruscans. In the conflict over half the resisting tribes were eradicated, prisoners executed in town squares or made to fight hopeless battles in the arenas to serve as examples.
Those tribes which survived only did so by fleeing east across the World’s Cleft River and taking refuge in the free Counties of Hanaen. Some of these tribes have found welcoming homes there, though a few such at Talari’s tribe, the Niajiry, are forced to live as little more than squatters in a county whose lord detests them.
I’ll leave my description of them at that, and as with the previous Dwarven subgroups I’ll post up a prototype of a 5th edition D&D racial option of them for anyone interested. As for the rest of you, I want to once again thank you for your time and support, and my sincere wish that you keep reading and enjoying.
Also, to those of you who have been reading these D&D options each time, I would like some input. A good friend of mine who has been playing in my D&D games for over a decade recently suggested I start taking advantage of the OGL to release a portion of Exile, Magus’ world for purchase online as a campaign setting. Would this be something you’d be interested in? Message me either here or through my Facebook page to let me know(or through Twitter - @thoasoold, but I’m bad about forgetting to check Twitter messages).
Greetings Journey Fans!
We are supporting our friend @JeynaGrace in the ongoing Geek & Sundry Fantasy contest. Her entry, The Slave Prince is doing exceedingly well and is currently tied for second place!
Mykl and I have donated 3 signed, low numbered. 1st edition, collectors copies of Journey, A Short Story in a promotion that Jeyna is running.
Here is a link to that announcement. Please consider supporting Jeyna with a pre-order of TSP!
https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-slave-prince
Kind regards,
Richard Saunders
