Read Part 1In the previous installment, I explored my notions about characters using magic consistently and coherently within the wider story. Basically, that characters should not be given magical abilities or superpowers unless you are prepared to have them use them at every given opportunity. This time, I will investigate what the use of magic … Continue reading On Magic in Fantasy – 2
Category: Fantasy
The Children of Stron – part 11
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 10 Standing at the third-floor entrance to one of the Mage Tower’s many elevator lifts, Choke was yet again disturbed by something that his guide, Petar, did not even seem to notice. As with the elevator entrance on the first floor, there was no door or … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 11
The Children of Stron – part 10
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 9 Mannis paid their tab at The Scorched Apprentice, which was not light, and tipped their waitress handsomely. Their lunch had cost him as much as the last two nights at the inns combined. Mannis waved off their thanks dismissively. “Just thank Mr Maythorn for his … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 10
On Magic in Fantasy – 1
What is the genre of fantasy without magic? That is hard to say, actually. I suppose it all comes down to one’s personal preferences.Certainly, it is quite possible to tell a fantasy story with next to no magic, such as Tolkien did. For being the author that basically created the genre as we know it, … Continue reading On Magic in Fantasy – 1
The Children of Stron – part 9
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 8 The city of Strana was situated overtop the confluence of two rivers, the Olga and Merrywater, which continued on as the Olga to join the Great Mother River about a hundred kilometers downstream to the west. The Mage Tower rose right out of the water … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 9
The Children of Stron – part 8
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 7 Mannis and Dungar, bastards of Count Vallent, and the three other Pekot lads reached the roadhouse with their two damsels just before dusk. The roadhouse, called the Raven’s Roost, was deep in the hills at the intersection of two roads and multiple smaller trails. It … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 8
On Fantasy – 4
read part 1 read part 2 read part 3I played Dungeons and Dragons religiously from the age of ten until about thirty. The only reason I stopped was that I moved to Japan to teach English and did not have anyone to play with. And it was not until that time that I finally began … Continue reading On Fantasy – 4
The Children of Stron – part 7
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 6 Down in the next valley, the five young men rode for the whole morning before stopping for lunch at a little tavern. Following this, they left the track they had been on and rode across the valley on a decent road through a little town. … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 7
The Children of Stron – part 6
Table of Contents (spoilers) read part 1 read part 5 The next morning, the school awoke as usual before dawn. The four graduates packed up their belongings and got properly armored before going to morning mass and then breakfast. Mannis did not put in an appearance. After Brother Brian had healed his nose the day … Continue reading The Children of Stron – part 6
On Fantasy – 3
Read part 1 Read part 2In the previous piece I introduced how fantasy roleplaying games began to shape my creativity and imagination in childhood. There is much more to say on this.It is a common marketing trope of roleplaying games that their only limit is your imagination. This, of course, is not true. Roleplaying games … Continue reading On Fantasy – 3
Muse Vassal 