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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 9, 2005 17:28:59 GMT -5
Ok folks the best way I can announce this is upon the Nethers since it's not really EQ related. Some people here have always expressed an interest in my writing and so on, well this year it looks like I shall finally get one of my greatest wishes coming true. After sending a submission of my re-written dark fantasy novel to a publisher, I now have the go-ahead to turn the whole thing into a full blown series of novels. There will be three in the series and they are in the genre of dark fantasy, but gone are the old stereotypes of the crafty old wizard and the brave but noble heroic warrior. These books plan to break the mould of classic fantasy by spinning a dark tale of a world in the grip of terrible wars and demonic influence. Libby will recognise the world of Hestonia only by name, the rest of the design/story and character elements have been totally refined, revamped and altered. I'll keep everyone posted as to how the whole thing pans out but expect to see the first book in 2005/6! In other news and EQ related. I will be continuing to write Ashes part 4 :> So I won't leave you all stranded
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Post by JenGe on Feb 9, 2005 19:32:09 GMT -5
Wow!! Wolf I'm speechless!! Congratulations!! You'll have to let us know as soon as it hits the shelves. You really are one of the most talented writers that I know.
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Post by MisterAnderson on Feb 9, 2005 20:17:12 GMT -5
OFMG!!!!~~~!!!!! Congrats Wolfy! That is absolutely fantastic news! And you are certainly deserving of having your work published. And yes, please keep us posted with all the breaking news of all your impending publishing as it comes to hand.
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Post by skippythegator on Feb 9, 2005 21:49:28 GMT -5
Great going, man congratulations!
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Post by Walldude on Feb 9, 2005 22:12:59 GMT -5
Dude.. I'm speechless.. that is so freakin cool. Congratulations. Can't wait for the first book!
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Orwell
Resistance Member
"There's no flesh or blood in this cloak to kill. There's only an idea. Ideas are bulletproof."
Posts: 30
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Post by Orwell on Feb 9, 2005 22:28:55 GMT -5
Great job, man. I hope you go all the way. You deserve it. Always remember to have fun with it. That's the most important thing. I know you'll do it. Really great, man, really great.
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Post by Sontin-JudasFm on Feb 10, 2005 3:12:36 GMT -5
Wow, that's fantastic! ;D I'm so pleased for you; I really hope it works out
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Post by mawa on Feb 10, 2005 3:32:09 GMT -5
Wow! That's great news, Wolf! Congratulations and good luck! Keep us informed
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 10, 2005 5:40:26 GMT -5
Thanks for the well wishes and comments all. I will certainly keep you posted that's for sure. A current update regarding other projects: Shards of the Heart for D20 has been released on pdf and that contains a short story by me (happy enough with it) called the Wolf of the Woods. It also contains two sample character write-ups from the story itself, complete with backgrounds and D20 3.5 rule stats. www.tabletopadventures.com/You might also note that Hellion's art is on the cover of their Bits of Darkness etc, series. She also did the front cover of Freda Warrington's Blackbird in Amber: And I made the front cover (with a bit of photoshop and an old pic o'me) of The Translation of Bastian Test. So that's my update for now *G* Today I plan to nail around 100 pages of the first Wyrden book *crosses paws*
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Post by Libby on Feb 10, 2005 8:59:04 GMT -5
Absolutely brilliant...I am totally thrilled for you. You thoroughly deserve it.
Hellion's art is wonderful as usual...and I like the 'Translation...' cover. ;D
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 10, 2005 9:29:17 GMT -5
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Post by aka Jack Torrence on Feb 10, 2005 10:21:01 GMT -5
That's an great achievement, Wolf! Look forward to reading the end product. What's the name of the publisher?
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 10, 2005 10:38:39 GMT -5
Immanion Press
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Post by Beefie on Feb 10, 2005 10:58:40 GMT -5
Hey, way to go Wolf. ;D Fantastic Stuff!! ;D Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said.....?? *still thinking* ??.... no can't think of anything original, so I will just have to add my many, MANY congratulations along with the rest of the guys here. Well done though, if there was any one that really deserved this, it would definately be you. ;D Well done to Hellion too, I've always loved her stuff. ;D
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 10, 2005 17:10:53 GMT -5
Thanks Beefie.
I decided that I would give you all a bit of a treat/sample. This is the prologue to Book One
Akas the Bloodless One
This excerpt is protected by all applicable copyright laws and so on, we know the drill ;D
“It is only by embracing the monster within you that you can truly let that creature out.” ~ Adam Wolfe
Prologue: The awakening of darkness
One hundred years ago when the world of Hestonia flourished under a different ruler and things were far simpler, there were very few hardships and people had a much easier time of things. It was a golden age of prosperity and commerce, where the far flung kingdoms of this spit of rock spinning out there in the void, traded knowledge and goods back and forth.
But all such ages come with a price attached and with a group that desires to work against the flow of the river, to paddle upstream and upset things for their own ends. A powerful cabal of dark magicians wove spells in the shadows and controlled the destiny of others. They hid themselves under the cities of men and the forests of beasts.
The power they sought proved to be elusive at best and when they came close to realising their goals they came undone, unravelling like so much snagged wool on an iron nail. This dark cabal sought to bargain with demons and old gods for their eternal souls, they offered up sacrifice of child and animal to appease wicked creatures that had slept for aeons.
They woke something terrible at the World’s End Mountains, something that had been sealed in a chamber and locked away behind wards that were laid by the wisest of the wise. There were seven that had breached Akas: The Bloodless One’s chambers in the lowest vault of the mountain range.
Six men and one woman drew upon the darkest powers known to the world, with an act of the flesh that would forever bind their souls to the servitude of that twisted master. But still the dark demon wanted more; he required a sacrifice of significant prestige and power. And so it came to pass that in the throne room of Akas, the leader of the cabal met his end at the hand of a woman who professed to love him.
His blood was the spark that ignited the inferno from which Akas’ new body was born, the monster shredded the sanity of all before him save the woman who was wise, and she ran from the chamber and fled into the cavernous tunnels beneath the mountain. It is said that what she encountered beneath the ground was enough to turn her dark hair as white as snow, her eyes as black as pitch.
With his new found sense of freedom the creature was able to ride forth from the prison and look upon the fertile land, happy people and mighty rulers. What Akas saw invoked a fury in him so great he smote the mountain in two and split the ground with his roar. The skies became as grey as an ash-storm and the heavens quaked under the demon’s wrath, he summoned to him others that shared a common goal.
They spread amongst the land and her people and slowly they blackened hearts and started wars, wars that claimed thousands of lives and ruined cities, towns, villages all across Hestonia. They were the beat of a jealous heart, the knife in a loyal companion’s back. The great age of the demon-kind had begun and with it sorrow strode alongside them with downcast eyes.
The rise of the demons came as a shock to the powers that be, the Old Gods who in their near infinite wisdom had failed to take into account the true avaricious nature of the people. They were left with a choice, sit back and let the world burn or take action. They chose to sit back and watch for the time being as corruption and decay swept over the planet, bringing strife and suffering hand in hand.
The once prosperous kingdoms fought against each other for the smallest strip of land, the brightest gemstone, the prettiest woman. Brother spilt the blood of sister and father turned against mother, the demon-kind revelled in this destruction and unrest, drawing power from it and taking comfort (what little comfort creatures like that can take) in the never-ending competition.
At the head of all battles rode the mighty Lord Rhage, the demon that warriors called during bloody confrontations in the old days, before the dark monsters were sealed from the light of the world. He cut a swathe of ruin through the kingdoms and toppled mighty empires to revel in their bloody crumbling stones.
The Lady Varsil whispered and crooned into the ears of men and women alike, bending them to her will. Making once faithful husbands stray to others and calling all harlots to spread her word, like a plague from city to city. Where Rhage devoured and destroyed all he came into contact with, Varsil corrupted and seduced even the greatest of heroes.
Akas was able to sow the seeds of doubt into the minds of his enemies; he would weaken the resolve of ancient kingdoms and bring with him a cloud of despair. He forged the twin blades of insanity and madness, weaving his dark magic over the strongest of his opposition.
Even the Great King Rhodenheim fell under the Lord of Madness’ wicked power and took his own life, on the eve of his greatest battle. This staggering blow to his men’s morale meant that his defenders were smashed and Melanchan, the capital city of Hestonia was taken from its people and thrown into the hands of a usurper king, Olden Rogart.
But even when men and women were safe in their beds, curled like wolves in the night they had little to comfort them. For the Dreamstalker, the Lady Nightshade curled through their fitful sleep like a cobra and poisoned even the happiest of slumbers. Her tapestry of nightmares wove terrible images in the minds of all, children cried out in their dreams and some never woke.
These were the dark days that lasted for one hundred years and the Old Gods did nothing to stop them, like frightened animals they cowered before the might of the demon hordes and their armies. With a whisper in the right ear Rhage could ignite a kingdom to war and lead them in battle, a master puppeteer of the anger of men.
The people of Hestonia were their pawns and played host to endless chess games as the bored creatures pitted army against army, to simply slake their lust for battle or alleviate a tiresome existence and provide some limited entertainment.
In the furrowed shadows of such darkness the seed of light was almost crushed, but some resisted the dark hordes and fought back to the best of their ability. There was no great alliance of kingdoms to battle this fierce fury, but a few ragtag souls that had the courage to stand against the greatest odds they had ever known.
They were neither the heroes of the old age nor the favourite of bard and minstrel; some were the people that we would call villains in their own right.
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Post by DeadCleric on Feb 10, 2005 17:43:46 GMT -5
Sheesh! well done dude!
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Post by ClericWilkinson on Feb 10, 2005 18:11:07 GMT -5
Wow!! *is speechless* That is so totally awesome, ClericWolf!! Congratulations!! ;D
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Post by Sasha on Feb 10, 2005 18:46:10 GMT -5
Congratulations Cleric! I will be one of the millions to purchase your book when it comes out! And thank God you are still working on Ashes part 4.....I can't wait to see what twists and turns you have in store!
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Post by mara on Feb 10, 2005 18:48:22 GMT -5
This is AWESOME, ClericWolf!!! My heartiest of congratulations!
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 11, 2005 10:55:38 GMT -5
Well...today I broke my 100 page barrier on my novel
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Post by TheMacroprosopus on Feb 11, 2005 11:48:24 GMT -5
... Fucking eh, man! That is amazing! As I said, I've never seen something like this before. It really is an excellent concept, and I can't wait to be able to buy the whole book. Congrats on the publishing deal!
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Post by aka Jack Torrence on Feb 11, 2005 13:08:05 GMT -5
You have an effective writing style, Wolf. The extract you have provided has definitely piqued my interest. Good stuff. And you're already 100 pages into the novel, within a day or two?! Wow. It's incredible you can write so quickly without compromising the content!
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Post by MisterAnderson on Feb 12, 2005 16:50:16 GMT -5
Congrats on breaking through the 100 page barrier, Wolfenstein! The "creative tap" must be turned on full bore. Loved the excerpt too, could we be seeing 'anti-heros' as being the focus of the novel?
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 13, 2005 5:51:28 GMT -5
There are no old noble wise wizards, scrappy children...little hobbits or happy elves in Wyrden. So, yes, one of the main foci for the book are the anti hero types.
;D
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Post by aka Jack Torrence on Feb 13, 2005 10:20:14 GMT -5
About time we had some imperfect protagonists in that genre of writing. One of the reasons I've never been able to get into fantasy is that it's overflowing with irritating goody-goody, boringly noble heroes, etc.
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 13, 2005 10:47:19 GMT -5
I was never one for the old stereotype-noble heroes from the fantasy genre. I used to eat up the books as a kid but as I grew older they really did start to get on my nerves. It's very rare for the hero to show any kind of real emotion or make a dangerous if not drastic error of judgement. Hardly anyone dies and usually it all revolves around a quest or journey of enlightenment. When was the last time the villain of the piece just ravaged a village because it was there? Heh. The other area of Hestonia that I have concentrated quite heavily on, is the use of magic. Since there are no actual wizards in the world and magic comes from a very dangerous source it's a risk to cast any kind of spell. A very physical and tangible risk. I think I would liken Wyrden to a Stokeresque gothic horror, but it's still fantasy only it tries to avoid the old cliches and from some of the feedback I have so far - it seems to be doing that well
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Post by Sontin-JudasFm on Feb 13, 2005 13:05:00 GMT -5
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Post by mawa on Feb 13, 2005 13:14:15 GMT -5
I was never one for the old stereotype-noble heroes from the fantasy genre. I used to eat up the books as a kid but as I grew older they really did start to get on my nerves. It's very rare for the hero to show any kind of real emotion or make a dangerous if not drastic error of judgement. Hardly anyone dies and usually it all revolves around a quest or journey of enlightenment. When was the last time the villain of the piece just ravaged a village because it was there? Heh. The other area of Hestonia that I have concentrated quite heavily on, is the use of magic. Since there are no actual wizards in the world and magic comes from a very dangerous source it's a risk to cast any kind of spell. A very physical and tangible risk. I think I would liken Wyrden to a Stokeresque gothic horror, but it's still fantasy only it tries to avoid the old cliches and from some of the feedback I have so far - it seems to be doing that well Sounds interesting ;D As for your excerpt - it's well written, as usual. My only problem is that I've read loads of fantasy books where there was great evil, which could only be stopped by the Almighty/Powerful/Noble/Virtous Wizard, Warrior or a Little Kid with Unbelievable Powers and so on. Judging from what you have written though, I should probably expect quite a few suprises. Well, Wolf, I trust in your Writing Powers ;D It is especially your concept of magic that aroused my interest. As for a villain who saves the world - I don't recall any. There is only one ambivalent character I ever encountered in the fantasy genre: Thomas Covenant.
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Post by Witcher Wolf on Feb 13, 2005 13:24:04 GMT -5
You may find the hero you have to rely on is the psychotic shape-shifter that could quite easily rend you and your allies into shreds of twitching flesh...should they lose control for a moment.
The concept of good and evil in Hestonia is a particularly grey area, the world itself isn't cut in black and white. The problem with fantasy is that everyone wants to write like J.R.R Tolkien and that doesn't actually advance the genre at all.
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Post by mawa on Feb 13, 2005 13:30:03 GMT -5
Wow! Now that really increased my interest, Wolf! *joins the line of those waiting for further news* ;D ;D The problem with fantasy is that everyone wants to write like J.R.R Tolkien and that doesn't actually advance the genre at all. Guess what: I was about to say this. LOTR is amazing, but if you read 100.000 rather unsuccessful clones of it, then it ceases to be funny
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