Every setting needs The Big Bad. Not a big bad, THE! Star Wars, Darth Vader was a big bad. He was awesome, but the Emperor was The Big Bad (though he went out like a chump). Harry Potter? Voldemort. Breakfast Club? Richard Vernon. See, you need a TBB. So my world has been in constant … Continue reading The Big Bad – Draen Do’Gra (part 1)
Tag: evil
Chord’s World Tour – Martyr Compact (2 of 3): Ash Dwarves
During the Triad War, when the dwarf and elf kingdoms fought the dragon imperial forces and each other for supremacy of Duir’Aion, the dragon overlords realized they had a problem. The dwarves and elves were too many in number. Worse the sun god Aeruus had bestowed them both the power of the paladin as well … Continue reading Chord’s World Tour – Martyr Compact (2 of 3): Ash Dwarves
Chord’s World Tour – Martyr Compact (1 of 3): Rune Elves
During the Triad War, when the dwarf and elf kingdoms fought the dragon imperial forces and each other for supremacy of Duir'Aion, the dragon overlords realized they had a problem. The dwarves and elves were too many in number. Worse the sun god Aeruus had bestowed them both the power of the paladin as well … Continue reading Chord’s World Tour – Martyr Compact (1 of 3): Rune Elves
Chord’s World Tour – The Forest of Souls (part 1)
I recently received an invitation from a being known as the Elder, regarding the Forest of Souls. As a collector of stories this one was a prize I had long wanted. Besides, you don't turn down anyone who has the audacity to name himself the Elder. Doing that will shorten your lifespan considerably. The Elder … Continue reading Chord’s World Tour – The Forest of Souls (part 1)
Chord’s World Tour – The Forest of Souls
Without a doubt, the most dangerous location in all of the Kingdom of Cheshire (aside from the Royal Magistrate's Office) is the Forest of Souls. The stuff of nightmares, only the foolish dare to enter its borders. The ones that return are forever marked, haunted by what they see. The ones that return alive at … Continue reading Chord’s World Tour – The Forest of Souls
Tale of a Minor Chord (Preview)
The short story featuring the fierce and proud skald Chord is currently at the editors. It should be available for sale in July. I am very proud of it, even though the style is more experimental than I normally do. But the challenge of writing of writing the story in first person was fun. Here's … Continue reading Tale of a Minor Chord (Preview)
A question of character…
Duir'Aion is populated by a myriad of characters. Heroes and villains dot the landscape, and the innocent and not so innocent are usually unfortunate collateral damage in the battles they fight. I believe strongly in character, and before I ever start writing I'm nearly always figuring out the villain first, and the heroes second. Why? … Continue reading A question of character…
Writing Evil
Writing evil is not supposed to be pretty. There's a difference between Thanos in the Avengers movies, and say the Red Skull, Crossbones, or even Ultron. The latter three were bad guys. Doing bad guy things. While Thanos could be argued to be included in that mess, what sets him apart is his willingness to … Continue reading Writing Evil
The Darkness stirs…
One of my favorite things about my Darkness Rising setting is the actual Darkness. Something stirs beneath the world Duir'Aion, and if it should rise, it could very well be the end of the world. As a writer, creator of worlds, I like having this over arcing theme over all of my novels and short … Continue reading The Darkness stirs…
Designing Divinity (part 2)
I had a great deal of fun coming up with a cosmology for Duir'Aion. I had basic ideas of gods, but as I started coming up with quick backstories for them, they evolved. I started by modeling the gods of the Forgotten Realms, but man do they have a ton of gods. I didn't want … Continue reading Designing Divinity (part 2)
A Darkness Rising 