General Information About Martapa

 Seeing as I'm setting this information up for a roleplaying game, I thought some basics to feel more immersed in my world would be a good idea.  I will be adding a few bits here and there like this as my campaign starts, because my players always have random questions, I really should have an answer for. 

Happy Gaming!

Money System of Martapa

In Tiana the money comes in six types of coins: Gold Ducats, Silver Eagles, Copper Pennies, Platinum Dragons, Steel Knights, and Half Pennies.

2 Half pennies = 1 copper penny. 5 copper pennies = 1 Silver Eagle. 5 Silver Eagles = 1 Gold Ducat. 5 Gold Ducats = 1 Steel Knights. 10 Steel Knights = 1 Platinum Dragon.

Common currency is half pennies, copper pennies, and silver eagles. Gold ducats are not common, but are usually reserved for big purchases, such as a horse, wagon, wedding dresses. Platinum dragons and steel knights are usually used by nobility and the business they frequent.

Trade bars, used to transport raw metals to the mint, are usually worth 500 of whatever type of coin the metal is.

Other countries use the same price system, save in the Empire they are called: Half Pennies, Penny, Silver Griffins, Gold Lions, Steel Swords, and Platinum Legions. In the areas controlled by the Wizards the coins are called: Half Pennies, Copper Pennies, Silver Ghosts, Gold Harpies, Steel Talons, and Platinum Staves. The coins, for the most part are similar in size and shape (to keep with the same weight and thus the same worth), but Tridon and Ariella stamp whatever the name is on picture. The Platinum Legions bare the visage of the current emperor (or past ones). The Wizards have runes upon them, simply stating the value of the coin.

Most places use barter a lot more then coins. Two bags of flour for a shovel, a chicken for some onions, a bag of potatoes for a pie. Coins are usually only used in cities and any inns along the roads.

In game terms you may have to adjust worth of each coin, because I know there a lot of variation in worth depending on the game rules you are using.

 

Calender of Martapa

The Calendar is as follows

1)    There are 365 days in a year. This is known thanks to the residents of Tayke.

2)    There are 12 months of 30 days with 5 holy days.

3)    The 5 Holy Days are each of the equinoxes and solstices, as well as Year's Renewal.

4)    Weeks are 5 days long and termed a "a five day". Each month has six. Holy Days are not included in each month. They are separate.

5)    Days are 24 hours long.

6)    The day is broken up into: Sun Rising (6 AM ish), Sun High (noon), Shadow Fall (5 pm ish), Dark (8 PM ish) and Full Night (Midnight).

7)    Days of the Week are simply numbered.

8)    Months: Cold Dark (Jan), Deep Snow (Feb), Melting Snow (march), River Rain (April), River Swell (May), Green Planting (June), Warm Sun (July), Sun Scorch (Aug), Harvest (Sept), Leaves Turn (Oct), Leaf Fall (Nov), No Grass (Dec).

So, for example, if you wanted to do something on the 1st day of the 3rd week of July you would say: On the 1st day in the 3rd week of Warm Sun.

Thundercrag Expanded Timeline Part 2

Expanded Timeline for Thundercrag Campaign Part 2

3188 AC: A group of Akicitia travel to Calabay in search of knowledge.  They want to train some of their young in the way of the nobles before sending them to Dragon’s Fire for training in the arcane.

3189 AC: There is controversy in Stormvale as the High King disowns his first son, Phillip, to allow his daughter, Dawn, to become the High Queen.  Such has never been done before and the first son has always before been considered the successor of the High King.  There are some Houses that are outraged by the act, mostly Vandez, Cole and Brightwater.  This decision is hotly contested.

3190 AC: An old shipwreck is found north of Calabay, supposedly belonging to the fourth or fifth generation of Calabay lords.  Scholars have been sent to study it to find out the truth.

3191 AC: A large migration of owlbears storms though the southern Tsalagi Mountains between Stormvale and Brightwater.  Many farmers and peasants are killed.

3192 AC: The city of Salay, near Cole, is laid to waste by fire.  A good quarter of the fine warhorses they breed are lost.  All the major Houses band together to make sure the fine line of animals is not lost completely.

3193 AC: Rumors of Wizards trying to infiltrate the Houses begin to spread.  No proof of this is found, but it puts the Leaders on edge, making marriage arrangements or even just finding new advisors hard.

3194 AC: Tayke opens its home city to all who would like to learn about the past.  This is new, because they have been so secretive to outsiders, but the leading council and House Leader decide it is a good idea.  A group of professors and students from the Dragon’s Fire College of Magic are the first to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

3195 AC: A large festival is held in Stormvale for all to attend.  The High King invites all to see the city of Peter, learn more about their history, and he uses the event to cement Dawn as his heir.  Philip leaves the city in a huff, taking a small army of friends and supporters with him.  Many worry this will lead to civil war.

3196 AC: The Dragon’s Fire College of Magic sets up a satellite school near Calabay, one near Weatherworn and one near Tayke.  Though not as extensive in teachings as the original school, students can begin their studies in these three places, then continue on at the main college before going out into the world as a learned mage.

3197 AC: Sunvale is hit with a curse of insects, killing many of their crops.  Many blame a church of Somniare in the area because they were fined for rigging dicing games.  The church is burned to the ground and there are then sightings of the God himself, causing many to worry the whole area will be cursed for some time.

3198 AC: Brightwater comes under a trade embargo from the Dwarven Islands because one of the House princes insulted one of their princes who happened to be on a trading vessel that was in the Brightwater port.  Dwarven goods skyrocket in price because of this.

3199 AC: Brightwater sends an appeasement gift along with the offending scion to the Dwarven Isles.  He will be there for three years to learn how to be a “proper dwarf” and trade resumes.

3199 AC: An ancient city that was swallowed by some magic is found north of Sunrise in the mountains between Merryweather and south of Varanath.

3200 AC: Our campaign time begins.

*This information is for use in your personal campaign.  If you want to use any of my information for a published work or a blog, please ask for permission.

Thundercrag Campaign Timeline Part 1

 Last week we had an all-arching view of my world's timeline.  Below, because you as a DM need to have some kind of world events to work with, are the twenty years prior to 3200 AC (After Chaos), the start of my campaign time.  This is part 1. Part 2 will be next week and in the future, I may add more for before and after the 3200 AC (After Chaos).

Please feel free to add events as you might need them to have occurred to fit your campaign.  In future posts I will be adding a list of prominent Lords/Ladies of both Houses and noble Houses, so as a DM you have a structure for your governments.  Also, I plan on listing all the noble Houses for each house, and trade goods produced by all the Houses along with some of the smaller cities.  I want this world to feel like all you have to do is walk in and play a game.

Happy Gaming!

Expanded Timeline for Thundercrag Campaign

3180 AC: Slave Revolt in Ariella.  Cities burn to the ground, thousands of non-slaves and slaves perish.  After some time, the revolt is put down and all who were key in starting it that still lived were put to death.  For punishment, the Empire of Ariella took more small villages and towns as recompence for the damages done to the Empire.

3181 AC: Merryweather’s Leader passes without an heir.  Infighting begins and a mini civil war takes place.

3182 AC: Merryweather final gets a Leader settled upon.  The late Lord Branton’s uncle had a daughter, Leiali, who had three boys and a girl.  The oldest boy, Leon (Stalwart) Merryweather, was named heir and married a lady from Varanath, (a second cousin to the ruler of Varanath, Lord Carlton), named Lady Fanara.  There is an uneasy truce amongst the nobles, but things seem to be settling down.

3182 AC: The Dwarven Islands are hit by a huge storm damaging the fleet and some of the landscape.  Many are missing and the King, King Gunther, has asked for aid from High King Jeret.

3183 AC: Trade wars start between House Karoon and the Empire of Ariella.  It was said to have started because pirates from Ariella attacked House Karoon’s trading vessels.

3183 AC: A small village near Last Stand is ravaged by undead, killing everyone and all the livestock.  No one is sure who was responsible or if it was a random magical cause.

3184 AC: A huge flood covers the land between Greenthorne and Merryweather, flooding even bits of Greenthorne, because of the spring runoff.  Many small villages, farms and even manors are flooded and lost, while ruins spring up where they were buried.

3185 AC: A slave ship headed for eastern Ariella from western Ariella is blown into Weatherworn’s port.  The Empire accuses Weatherworn of affecting the weather to make it so, but Weatherworn says it will simply free the slaves because slavery is not allowed in the Kingdom.

3185 AC: A flight of dragons lands in Landshire, wanting to learn about the humans and other mortals there.  They live in the cliffs nearby and keep mostly to themselves, at least that is what the populace thinks.  In reality the dragons take the forms of mortals to mingle and learn the culture.

3186 AC: An elven party from the mountains north of Devonshire but south of Goldleaf approaches Varanath for a marriage of one of their younger sons to one Varanath’s younger daughters.  The hope is to cement the relations between the elves and the House.

3187 AC: Rumors of ghostly ruins south of Tayke but north of Elvenhome are circulating.  No one who searches for it finds it, though many who do search for it do not return.

*This information is for use in your personal campaign.  If you want to use any of my information for a published work or a blog, please ask for permission.

Basic Timeline for the World of Martapa

 Below is the simplified Timeline for my world.  I am going to expand the timeline around the time of "Our Campaign Begins" in the next few weeks.

Happy Gaming!

Sarjon, Catiana, and Targon create Martapa

Light birth: Catiana and Sarjon create the Major Good Gods

Dark Birth: Catiana and Sarjon create the Major Dark Gods

Last Birth: Minor Gods are Born

Year 1: Creatures and plants are created

Year 3: Elves, dwarves, humans, and magical creatures created

Year 5: Ogres and other humanoids created

Year 5 to 10,000 DC (During Chaos): Chaos reigned, no social structures of significance.  The humans spread from northern continent to the southern continent.  The elves are driven to the northern regions and mountain regions of the northern continent, while still roaming free in the south.  Ogres infest any dark place and try to capture the human and elven lands.  The humans retaliate by sending armies against the ogres.  This war lasts for two centuries. During this time human, elven and other mortals build brilliant empires, kingdoms and magical advances.  Many are lost to the annuals of time.

 

1 AC: Ogre/Human war ends

903 AC: Mahatalo and his Akicitia arrive in the north.

933 AC: Veo Sunstar is born.

1000 AC: Wolf Clan created, Veo Sunstar is first Leader

1500 AC: Other Warrior Clans created

2000 AC: Time of Peter, First High King-presented with the Gift of the Gods this year

2051 AC: Peter dies

2100 AC: Noble Houses are first created.  Most are accomplished Knights of the family who have earned their title of Lord through battle or deed and were not in line for the Leadership of the House.

2737 AC: Teleport Network is established.  It is protected by the High King’s Knights and his Mage Knights, along with ghostly mage protectors.

3200 AC: Our Campaign begins.

3382 AC: Wizard Wars begin3407 AC: Wizard Wars End

5653 AC: Rumors of an unsanctioned birth of a Wolf Warrior/common cross whose power is great

5657 AC: Ukiah’s birth5800 AC: the decline of elves and they begin to go into seclusion

5900 AC: Shaniko takes the dwarven islands, Ancient elves are killed by Shaniko on Dwarven Islands.

5907 AC: The school of Dragon’s Fire falls to Shaniko’s minions

5986 AC: Goldenstein House falls

6002 AC: Calabay House falls

6002 AC: Dyani Black Wolf dies.

6003 AC: The Chosen are brought together

6004 AC: The Clash of the Avatars, later known as the Avatar Wars, is concluded at Stormvale.

 

0 PA (Post Avatar): The world begins anew after the Avatar Wars. Scholars now mark the years as Post Avatar.  This distinction does not spread quickly and many places have years that count past

32 PA: The dragon Elemental Storm, Fire Flash’s mate, is lost in the Tsalagi Mountains.  Fire Flash abandons his post at Varanath Keep and begins his search for her, vowing to kill all Wizards that fall into his path.

2500PA: The remaining Gate Dragons go into seclusion, their young and young’s offspring soon following.  Dragons are not seen again by mortal beings except on rare occasions, mostly to aid House Calabay, Varanath, and Eton.

2992 PA: The High King loses his youngest son, oldest daughter and wife to a disaster with the Traveling circles.  He closes all of them down.

3000 PA: The Twelve Houses begin squabble amongst themselves for power.  The High King becomes a puppet.  The ideals of Peter are forgotten.

3075 PA: The Mercenary Wars begin

3186 PA: The Last High King is murdered on the battlefield near Landshire by Sebastion Blackthorne.

3197 PA: The Mercenary Wars End

3200 PA: Noshi Blue Crystal, Sebastion Blackthorne, and Miyaca Snowbird retake Varanath from the Wizard Mathanos.  Houses are still in disarray, and few remain true to Peter’s ideals.

3211 PA: Noshi creates the Crystal Brigade.  These Knights are true to Peter’s word and soon several of the nobler of the Major Houses begin sending her recruits to learn the values of being a Knight.

3240 PA: House Calabay, Goldleaf, Varanath, and Pathfinder sign a treaty of non-aggression.  They vow to aid any of these Houses if the need arises, not overtax the other Houses’ merchants, and to send Knights to fill the ranks of the Crystal Brigade that patrol the Tsalagi mountains to keep the Black Wizards out.

3,251 PA: The High King’s Sword, (Tarkil, Krom, Kenna, Duncan, Guthlaf, and Elly), regains the Staff of Veo and helps crown the first High King in 65 years and the first true High King to believe in Peter’s ideals in nearly 300 years.

Brief History of Martapa

 

This is a very brief history of my world, running through my books, which is well past where I plan on putting my adventures I post.  It's not as filled out as I plan on doing, but here is a beginning.  Maybe I'll make a guidebook someday.

There were many of us across the universe when this all began, dividing up the star scape as if it were a sandbox for us to build in.  In truth, it was.  So many planets to choose from, so many different ideas that we could create.  Sarjon, Catiana and I were in agreement to what we wanted to build and so we took the small planet of Martapa as our own.  We soon realized the task we set ourselves to do would be too great for only the three of us and thus we brought the other six major gods into our fold.  They were Gods without a home and they appreciated our offer.  Soon, even the nine of us were not enough so we created the lesser Gods, many springing from my own spiritual loins.  We filled every aspect of the heavens even as we filled the world with plants, animals and intelligent creatures.  We took some as our own, treating them as our own children and shaping them to our will.  It took centuries of triumphs and mistakes to get to what would be known as the Balance.  But even then, some did not like the constraints.

 

Our world is not perfect, not by any stretch, but neither are its Gods.  We all have weak spots, downfalls, and hungers for power in our own way.  But one thing is for certain, most of us would give our unending lives for this child of ours.  I’ve nearly done so more times than I wish to count.

                                                                        Targon, God of Magic

 

The priests of the Gods are always arguing amongst not only the different faiths, but even in their own temples, how the world was created and populated.  The exact order of things is unknown and really depends on whom you are talking to at the moment.  They roughly agree on the following history.

 

First the Gods were created, of course, then they created the plant and animal life to prepare the world for the more intelligent beings.  The length of time for all of this is unmeasurable in mortal terms, but it doesn’t stop people from speculating.  After this, most agree elves, dwarves and humans and dragons were created, followed by the rest of the most intelligent creatures. 

 

We will cover the history of Martapa more in depth later, but some major events began with the Ogre Wars.  During the time of Chaos, ogres tried to conquer the world and enslave all the races.  This lasted for thousands of years, though no one is certain exactly how long, and finally ended with the other races uniting and driving the ogres into the ground.

 

The next major event would be the founding of Janesh.  Though only vaguely mentioned in the High King’s Sword, this advanced race of mages and engineers created great wonders as the rest of the world was pretty much in the “dark ages.”

 

Another major event is the Time of the Chosen or the Avatar Wars.  The Gods were summoned by the Chosen to the mortal plane to stop the destruction of all Martapa.

 

Then, most recently, is the trials of the High King’s Sword.  This is the second time the Gods are summoned to the mortal plane and causes some major upheavals in both the heavens and Martapa.

For this campaign I hope to post we are between the Ogre Wars and the Time of the Chosen. I wanted a time I've never dealt with except in a timeline, plus it gives us some wiggle room to fit in fun new tidbits. Next week I somewhat flushed out basic timeline.  I also hope to get more specific for around the time of this campaign.

Happy Gaming!

Welcome (Again) to the World of Martapa

 

As I have journeyed on the road of life these last few years, I’ve decided I need to get some projects done before I roll that eternal one all mortals do at some point or another.  One of those was to make a small(ish) premade adventuring area to help other GMs start a campaign. 

 

I love to read other’s adventures, and stories, and I figured, what the heck.  I can make a small campaign area in my story for those who like to play a good game of roleplaying adventure.  And what better way than to make an adventure in my world of Martapa.  I mean, after all, it is how my High King’s Sword series was born.

 

My plan in the next weeks, months, and perhaps years is to give a good background of a small town/city near one of the major House cities in Taina, the northern continent of my world.  Along the way I hope to describe areas, people of interest, the town itself, and give a few example adventures that can be started in this area of my world.  It won’t be perfect, and feel free to use whatever parts you wish for your own consumption, but my hope is it will help, if not inspire, you to have a good time roleplaying with a good group of friends.  Or, perhaps, take the time to make your own adventuring world.

Happy Gaming!

(I only ask if you do use any of my campaign ideas that they not be published, at least not without express permission from myself.  I appreciate that.)

A Brief Synopsis on My Never to Be Seen Original Books Part 3

 The third book in my original series in Martapa is the finishing of my adventures with Richard, Amber, Eric and Mouse and all of their friends they have found on their travels.

  The book starts with the aftermath of the party returning to Battlefield to find the High King has been kidnapped and many of the House Leaders blame the Chosen.  The Chosen decide to rescue the High King which takes them on a grand adventure to the southern continent to first find part of the Gift of the Gods.

  In traveling south with Eric's last House ship of his fleet, they discover another clan of Warriors, the Lynx Warriors, who have been captured by Shaniko's minions.  There are many hijinks which lead to some revelations by some of the friends and eventually they return to Taina to rescue the High King.

   The book ends with the Chosen fighting against Kahalla's forces with some twists and turns.

It's not a huge book, definitely not well done, since I started it early in my writing projects, but it is the basis for which my High King's Sword series came from.  Someday I may post them on my blog, piece by piece, but for the time being they will stay closeted.

Keep on writing!

A Brief Synopsis on My Never to Be Seen Original Books Part 2

 I probably will never release my original idea books to the public, (won't say never for sure, because you never know), but here is a brief overview of the second book.

The second book, Qalataqa, is about finding the lost elven clan Amber belongs to and Raven, Shaniko's apprentice, trying to seek revenge upon the Chosen.  Along the way the four, who have split up with Richard and Amber going one way and Eric and Mouse going another, find many new and exciting answers and allies, along with enemies.

Amber is called by the Clan Leader by a mystical bond to come back to the clan and discovers her mother's clan and birth city.  There she learns her mother was the Clan Leader, that Amber's mentor is still alive, and that she has a brother.  It's much more complicated than what I lay out here, but it's the gist of what I write.  Richard and her also discover more about their magical artifacts and the two of them fall in love. (I mean, you have to have a love story at some point, right?).  It was fun to make up a civilization everyone thought of as dead and helped me later on with my published and still publishing books for the High King's Sword series.

Eric and Mouse go in search of Princess Kia's people, but while doing so attract the attention of Raven, Shaniko's apprentice.  They also pick up a waif named Beth. She and Mouse start a friendship which eventually saves everyone.

In the end, Raven is vanquished, Mouse and Eric find Kia's people and Amber and Richard head home after someone comes to aid in training Amber and her brother becomes the new Clan Leader.

Happy writing!

The Sunstar Line

 The Sunstar Line is something which is very, very important to the story of Martapa.  Veo Sunstar was one of the sons of Sunstar during the time of ogres.  He was lazy, liked to drink and chase after women, and his father figured he would never amount to nothing.  And through many miss adventures he becomes the first Leader of the Wolf Clan Warriors.  He also becomes the father of all the first Leaders of all the other Clans, or at least it's rumored to be true.  But he was the Great, Great, Great... (You get the picture), Grandfather of Amber Blackwolf, and by default her brother, Chay, and all their decedents.

Why is this important, other than I have some background for my hero characters?  Because there is one key point about the Sunstar line.  They are the only elven line who bare red hair.  If an elf has red hair they are of the Sunstar line.  There would be no doubt.  No one knows for sure why, but it is the truth.

In my never to be published stories, Mahtalo, a leader of an Akicitia clan in the north, tells Amber she is a child of Sunstar and tells her why. Amber is shocked by the revelation.  She had never learned, being raised away from elves, that she was of a special line.

My point in bringing this is up is to suggest you have a small intrigue in your stories.  They don't have to be huge, they can be a small thing like hair color.  But they give an interesting spark to your characters and perhaps your story line.

Happy writing.

It's the Little Things...

 As you write, you want your readers to know and feel where a character is, how they look, what they feel like.  When I was taking writing classes, my "teacher" was always saying I had too much descriptions, took too long on expressions, or put in too much background.  I suppose that works for some genres, but I found that fantasy loves immersive descriptions.  I might be wrong, but that is how I write.  If you find long descriptions are necessary for a good story, here are a few ideas I'd like to share.

1) Make a description complete, but don't let it overwhelm the scene's import. What I mean is, yes, describe that grand dungeon the adventurers are entering, make the reader feel like they are there, but you don't have to describe the candelabras to the small carvings on the bases.  Are the walls stone or wood? Are the rooms small or large?  Are there decorations or scorch marks?  Describing in such a manner might allow you not only to give the feeling of the room but enable you to sneak in a foreshadowing for the story line.

2) The reactions of a character are important.  Spell them out with descriptive words. Do not say, "They look sad."  This sort of style will bring your reader to understand your characters better in the long run.

3) Do not add in a long narrative about the history of the world.  A little history is great, but some stories I've read not only have pages of backstory history, which sometimes are boring and dull, but some have even started off their stories this way.  If I had allowed that to shape whether I would keep reading or not, I would never have continued with some books I picked up.  I prefer to try and insert my history into the moment, with characters.  Say they are talking about something and they come upon a statue and then they can talk about the history of that person, who is important to the story.  Wrap in some commentary and back and forth between characters and it will not seem so monotonous.

Happy Writing!

The Idea of Culture and Writing

 To many, we don't think about how our culture affects how we write.  How you are raised, where you are raised, even your cultural background, is going to affect how you explore your writing universe.

I know it is a sensitive issue, but sometimes you note that you like another culture's approach to something and want to borrow the idea.  Personally, I think this is a wonderful idea as long as you are respectful of what you are borrowing.  Look at America, we are a melting pot of ideas and peoples, so why not bring in the whole country's lifestyles, backgrounds, and ideas when you write.  Here are a few things I try to stick to when I borrow ideas or cultures not my own, (or even my own).

1) The first thing I worry about is if I am using the cultural/ethnic/history item in a respectful way.  For me, for example, I use words from various native cultures as well as some European cultures.  Sometimes they are just more awesome than plain old English.  My most glaring example of this is the mountains in Taina, my northern continent.  I named the mountains the Tsalagi Mountains.  To those who are in the know this means Cherokee in Cherokee.  It is pronounced Jah-La-Gee.  And before I get hate mail, my father's side of the family is Cherokee, so I'm using my culture in this case.  My point being, though, I chose that name to honor my family and my history.  And the mountain range is a very important part of my geography.

2)If you are going to use the culture of another people then your own in a bad light, do so carefully.  I mean, how many times have you seen German World War II type bad guys?  And how about slavers here in America?  Just because it may not be your culture, bad things happened in history and such can be used to help shape your bad guys.  My example is the Roman Empire and their history of slavery, (and government).  I used it for the basis of my southern Empire my main characters interact with, but I made sure to make them feel "human" where you could hate them, but you still understood that not everyone from this Empire was bad.

I guess my biggest point would be, be respectful, but don't be afraid to use real life history to help you in your writing structure.

Happy Writing!

When Your Notes Don't Mesh With Your Story

 As I endeavor to go through my old stories, I'm finding quite a few things which do not mesh with my current books.  I read whatever it is in my old books and go, "oops, can't fix that now".  So here are my ideas on what should happen.

1) If you are doing prequels after your main story arc, go with whatever the change is in the published books.  This can take the form of just switching to your new idea and having to work it in to the older stories.  There were a few things with Amber and her having Richard as a Charge that do not happen in my published works with Miyaca and Shadizar. 

2) Which this leads into making a reason that it's different in the prequels.  In my case, my book timelines are thousands of years between stories, so there is definitely time for change.  In the case of Amber/Richard she isn't supposed to let Richard know she is his protector on pain of death, (which, of course, does not happen) I just make it that after Amber's ordeal, the Clan Leader(s) decide it's easier if the Charge knows who their protector is. Thus, this explains why the difference between Amber/Richard and Miyaca/Shadizar situations.

3) The third item might be you need to get rid of the idea all together.  I have a few, and it will definitely take some reworking to make it mesh with the published books.  Their plot points so I don't want to give anything away...

Don't give up, just think of it as a writing exercise!

Happy Writing!

Qalataqa, City of the Elves

 My second book of the Chosen series was Qalataqa, City of the Elves.  I believe that the name is Lakotah, but I can't remember what it means.  Apologies, my notes are a mess in this regard.

The premise is the Chosen find out there are still Shaniko supporters and there might be a chance he is alive.  (Imagine that, apologies for cliches). The group splits to head out on different tasks with plans to return to Battlefield to finish all that needs to be done.

They all find some new people to lead them on their ways, either good or bad. to help them on their way.  Eric and Mouse are sent on one task, Amber and Richard on another.

It's this book I introduce Akicitia (I know this is police in Lakotah!) and the legendary Mahatalo, Krom's great, great, etc.... grandfather and bring in the mythical city of Qalataqa.

I'm working on editing it right now, so more specifics are on the way, since, sadly I remember few of the details of my first baby.  Sadly.

So not only should you keep writing, go back and look at your old writings, just to remember all the good  you've written in the past.  My suggestion for the week.

Happy Writing!

A Brief Synopsis on My Never to Be Seen Original Books

 Okay, so definitely not doing well with keeping up on my blog, but here I go in trying to keep up with the world I created and love!

So originally, I had 3 or 4 books/stories with my main characters the Chosen.  These four characters are often referenced in my published books, sometimes by name, sometimes by actions, sometimes in passing.  They shaped the world of Martapa, or at least got me on the path to writing.  So, I figured, since they are so important to the history of my High King's Sword series I would touch on these short novels I probably will never publish.  (Never say never, because you never know about anything in life!)

The first book I named The Chosen. It is essentially the bringing together of all the main characters, the main villain and the back story of the world.

We start with Eric Calabay and Richard of Varanath.  These two are human squires and House Leaders.  They are young, twenty at the oldest. Their families were taken from them by Shaniko and so they are technically Leaders of their Houses, though at the beginning of the story they have regents appointed by the High King that deal with the day-to-day activities until they are Knights themselves.  Eric is the happy-go-lucky one and Richard is the thoughtful and brooding one. 

Then we meet Mouse, or Jared Swiftarrow.  He is a human gypsy thief who only wants to be loved by his father and do what is right, which is hard in his life situation.

And lastly, we meet Amber Blackwolf.  She is a half elf and the last Wolf Warrior of the elven kind.  She takes her duties very seriously and doesn't know how to handle other people well, since she was raised pretty much in isolation.

Amongst the chapters you also meet Shaniko, a Wizard who follows the God of Undeath, Kahalla.  You discover some of his plans, but only a tidbit, since I was hoping to throw in a few twists here and there later on.  You also meet Ukiah, Amber's human father who has had an extraordinary long life, due to some godly intervention.  He has been working centuries to keep Shaniko in check until the time was right and the Balance could be maintained.

The book eventually ends with the four thinking they have defeated Shaniko and they go back to Battlefield/Devonshire.

I have been slowly going through each story, just so I can remember everything I wrote, (with a few, "oops" moments that don't mesh with the current books), and see if I can make them a decent book or just keep popping in lore in other, newer books.

Happy writing!

New Year, New Promises

 I keep telling myself I will get this stuff done.  That I will sit and write and finish all these wonderful ideas floating around in my head.  This coming year I'm hoping to do this. 

I'm done editing book 3 and am waiting on my very busy cover artist.  She's a senior in college, working on a biology major and hoping to become a vet, so her time is limited.  But she is also cheap. (Round of laughs here).  So, my hopes for the coming year are this:

1) Finish editing book 4, the final book in this series.

2) Publish book 3 and 4 this coming year.

3)Edit and print (not publish) at least 2 other stories I have hanging out so my kids aren't like me and cursing me for not finishing my stories.  (Yeah, looking at you dad somewhere in the afterlife.)

I hope to accomplish all this in the coming year, but life happens, so we shall see.  My suggestions for you are to make a list of goals, try to stick to them and if you don't completely finish, don't berate yourself.  Just try to get more butt in seat time and keep working at your goals.

A late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Happy Writing!

Book Two Has Hit The Shelves!

 Finally, after some family issues and health issues I have book 2 of my High King's Sword series, Memories of Stone, up on Amazon.

If you search for Memories of Stone by Heather Woodhurst on Amazon it should come up, but if not, the link is below:

Memories of Stone: Book 2 Of the High King's Sword: Woodhurst, Heather: 9798325112829: Amazon.com: Books

I'm excited to finally have the second book done and published and I am moving on to the third.  It's my bucket list to get all four books published before I go.  I may not be a big hit or anything, but the idea of having my name on a book and people actually looking at it is awesome!

Remember, keep writing and follow your dreams!

Happy Writing!

Those Old Stories...

 As I clean up and go through everything from my mother's house, I realized there are a few things I want to finish before I go.   A lot of them are personal projects or simply trying to organize things so my kiddos won't have to do it when it's my time.  But one thing is for sure, I wish to hell my father had finished some of his stories he started as he sat up in his lonely fire lookout stations.  Which got me thinking, how many stories have I started and not finished?

I decided I can't finish all of them right off the bat, but I'd like my kids, (or grandkids) to know how things should have gone, so here are a few things I'm doing:

1) Picking one story I started and actually finishing it.  Even if I never mean to publish it, I want to feel like I completed it, and it's a nice distraction from editing! At the moment I'm finishing the story I wrote in college about Lady Noshi.  She's just a supporting character in my main story line, but at one point she was my main character. (Yippee for Warhammer roleplaying, right?)  I had a trilogy planned in my head, but I never got it down on paper.  So, now is my chance.

2) Outline the stories you aren't working on at the moment and put it with your scribbles.  I've got way too many started but never finished stories, but I figured at the very least I could outline it so my kids can one day say, hey, mom had a great idea, at least we know what she wanted to do with it.  Plus, once I get the one story I'm trying to fully flesh out done, I can go back and start a new one!

3) And outlining and looking over old stories may give you a good idea to rewrite or even start a new story to turn into a novel.  And that is, of course, the reason we want to write!

Happy Writing.

Get Your Book Out There!

 I talk about writing goals and then forget to do what I preach.

I have been writing and almost have book 2 set up for Amazon.  Stay tuned on that!

As I work on getting my second book out to the public, I think on how I can sell my story to the wide world.  Here are a few things you could do once you have your book ready to go.

1) Take advantage of what your self-publisher offers.  I'm bad about this one.  I know there is an author page I should work on and other features Amazon has that I should use.  But I suggest, unlike me, look into what you can do on these sites to get the word out.

2) Craft fairs and swap meets.  It sounds weird, but it works for some authors.  Piggyback at a table with someone you know.  Our grange has lots of members who work the craft fairs and I'm going to ask a few if I could help pay for the table fee and put a stack a book at their table.

3) Use your friend groups, or groups you are associated with, to spread the word.  Most of my sales have been because they have found out about my hobby and then told other people.  Free advertisements are great!  

4) A Youtube channel!  My son streams and has convinced me people do talk about just about everything on Youtube.  You just have to find the right mix that catches those search engines.

Happy Writing!

The Unfinished Ideas

 

As we go through life we make plans, goals to reach as we continue on.  Like you, I have goals, such as writing a book or getting published.  Meeting those goals seems like a good thing to reach, but it isn’t always at the forefront of my mind.  But sometimes those things become very clear.

 

When someone passes that is close to you, it brings to mind what you want, no, need to finish.  This Christmas was one of those times.  My mother had a wonderful day with us, talking, eating, and opening presents.  And then she went home and we never were graced with her presence again.  She died of a heart attack that night, and all we are doing now is picking up the pieces.

 

It makes you think of wanting to finish your goals.  Apparently, my daughter thought the same thing because she suddenly had my second book cover done.  When I finish with my mom’s stuff, I will get that second book on Amazon.  Because time is short, and you need to do what you want to get done.

 

So, don’t give up and give your hobby a good try.  Don’t let time pass you by.

 

Happy Writing.

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

 

Sometimes you need to expand your horizons because sometimes we all fall into a rut.  I mean, I like High Fantasy, it’s my favorite and I like the idea I can add anything I want without having to deal with science and physics.  I mean, I still have to take into account a dagger is not going to do enough damage to hurt a dragon, but I don’t have to know the diameter in kilometers of how big the nuclear blast zone will need to be.

So, I encourage you to try something new.  If you are into fantasy, write a short sci-fi story.  If you like mystery, maybe a romance. It doesn’t have to be the genre you write in forever, but it will help you strengthen your writing skills by getting out of your comfort zone.  It doesn’t have to be in-depth or even long, just something to get your creative juices flowing.

My own example is I’m working on an end of the world story.  There is a lot of tech, science and rules of modern day living that I have to stay within.  Luckily, I have a science degree, so that helps, but it pushes me to think differently then when I’m writing fantasy.

 

So, my writing prompt for this week is to write two pages about a character being chased by the bad guy of your choice.  Write the short chase scene but use the surroundings, terminology and character descriptions that would fit with this different genre.