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| Which style of magic do you prefer, plus lots more in this week's Medieval Musings |
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Earlier this month, I asked what kind of army I should print on my 3D printer. I’ve now assembled an alliance of Orcs, Dwarves, and Humans to face off against the king’s army!
I was going to include Goblins, and still might, but they're very difficult to paint at such a small scale (15mm). Instead, I have opted to use Orcs, with some amazing figures I managed to find online. I do, however, have Goblin wolf riders, so there are still some of the little green folk to help out!
Now that both armies are complete, I will begin working on some suitable leaders. Then Carol and I can square off and see who makes the better tactician. Once we hash out the rules a bit, we’ll stream a few of the battles live so you can join in the action.
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What Genre should I tackle next?
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Authors (and readers) often classify magic into two categories: hard and soft. Hard magic has rules that the reader can understand. It’s likely also the most familiar, thanks to games like Dungeons & Dragons because a role-playing game requires easy-to-understand ways of using spells. On the other hand, soft magic is more ill-defined from the reader’s perspective. It tends to be less logical in its application but allows for a greater sense of mystique or wonder.
In my world of Eiddenwerthe, magic has clearly defined rules, mainly because it’s based on the role-playing game I created. Energy comes from within the caster and, though potentially deadly against individuals, it doesn’t work so well against large numbers. This is primarily to allow the characters to drive the story rather than their magic.
An example of soft magic would be Lord of the Rings, where Gandalf’s power is rarely displayed. What can he do as a wizard? Aside from calling giant eagles and facing down a balrog, we don’t really know. That’s not to say it’s less satisfying as a reader, though, for it demonstrates the true power at his command.
So, what type of magic do you prefer in your books?
PS - Please share your answer in the eBook giveaway below
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Wow. My TBR list grew exponentially last week after finding out all the books everybody else is reading! Congrats to Billye for winning last week's eBook Giveaway.
Answer the question below to be entered into the eBook giveaway.
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| Which type of magic do you prefer in your books? |
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| I like both, but use hard magic in my books |
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| Thank you |
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| You are now entered to win a free ebook of your choice |
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As many of you have probably guessed. the Temple Knights of Eiddenwerthe, featured so heavily in my books, were inspired by real religious fighting orders of the Middle Ages. In Flames (The Frozen Flame: Book 3), I introduced the city of Ebenstadt, ruled by the Temple Knights of Saint Cunar.
Although it may seem a little far-fetched for such an order to rule over a city, history says otherwise. The Knights of the Teutonic Order created the Crusader state (named the State of the Teutonic Order) in 1237.
They also carried out the Northern Crusades, a military campaign aimed at bringing Christianity to the Baltic, Finnic, and West Slavic people living in the area. (In this instance, the term crusade wasn’t applied until long after the fact.) Sound familiar?
Once more, history offers all kinds of inspiration for a fantasy author!
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Reviews of the Week
Inferno: The Frozen Flame Book Four
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"A suspenseful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat."
"Grabs your interest so fully you just hate to wait for the next book."
"Totally love the frozen flame series. Love the Mages, the orcs and the dwarfs. Great story and great characters."
"I am so looking forward to continuing these books, every one adds more to look forward to."
"Can't say enough about this novel without spoiling all the surprises, but will easily say that every chapter is worth reading!"
~~~~~
With echoes of unrest reverberating throughout the region, it would only take a tiny spark to ignite a war. Can the flame be extinguished before it erupts into an inferno?
Return to a land brimming with magic, strife, and secrets!
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After a false start, Enemy of the Crown now sits at just over 6,000 words. What do I mean by false start? I was two chapters into it and didn’t like how it was flowing, so I rewrote them both from scratch. They still cover the same plot points, but the story flows much better.
I’ve also got a working map of Halvaria, divided into regions with several cities marked on it, and it has a hex overlay to make calculating distances a little easier. There’s a lot more work to be done on it before the book is finished, but it’s much easier to visualize where the story occurs.
Now, I must get back to work!
~~~~~
You guessed it - more Torrent tidbits
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The sounds of footsteps running down the hall, accompanied by the familiar jingle of armour and weapons, wrenched Athgar from his slumber. Beside him, Natalia stretched.
“What was that?” she asked as yet more warriors raced down the corridor.
“Guards, from the sound of it. Remind me to mention to His Majesty that the Palace walls need to be thicker.”
“We should take a look. I’d hate to be caught sleeping in the middle of an attack.”
Athgar sighed. “Very well. Let me put some clothes on, and I’ll take a peek.”
“No. We’ll wake the others, then all go together.” She dressed quickly, glancing over as her husband pulled his tunic over his head. “Ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He buckled on his belt, then tucked his axe into it. “Should I take my bow?”
“We’re in a building. I doubt it will be of much use.”
“I was thinking more of using it if we had to flee.”
Their bedroom door burst open, revealing Belgast, his hair wild and his beard badly knotted, evidence of his sudden awakening. “I assume you heard it too?”
“We did,” said Athgar. “The others?”
“They’re getting dressed even as we speak.”
Natalia stifled a chuckle. “We can spare a few moments if you’d like.”
The Dwarf looked back with a raised eyebrow. “For what?”
“A comb, perhaps?”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. “Yes, of course. I’ll be ready in short order.” He closed the door behind him.
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Torrent Releases Next Week!
Give one of these authors a try until then!
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An ancient cover up, a dangerous legacy and the search for the most powerful object.
A three-thousand-year old magical coin, the disappearance of an old man, fanatical neo-Nazis, and the hunt by Interpol, merge in this gripping story of an ancient cover up, and the transition of an ordinary man into the guardian of the most powerful coin on earth.
High school teacher Nik Zosimos, leads an uncomplicated life until he receives a cryptic phone message from his grandfather, Iasos. He hurries to his grandfather’s finding him relaxed and pleased to see him. A few beers later, Nik leaves his grandfather’s place, stupefied and astounded. Iasos has a secret, one that dates back to the time of Herakles.
But that was just a myth, wasn’t it?
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All Dungeon Masters are the absolute rulers of the world they create.
They embody everyone, from the exploited peasants collecting filth to the gods themselves. Dungeon Masters, or DMs, as all of us in-the-know gamers would say, are not just born.
Just as their players grow in savvy and role-playing skills, the DMs grow from newbies into competent weavers of the stories we love.
Now, at last, we get the chance to peek behind the DM screen to learn the true story of how one DM became not just a rock star among DMs, not just a crowned jewel shining among the DM crowd, but a being beyond them all: a DM God.
Our story chronicles his journey in life and the game, offering insight into how each affected the other.
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NO JUDGEMENT. NO FEAR.
Our Heroine is a hot mess of emerging abilities and inappropriate behaviour. The Daughters of Seth Prophecy is underway, and every dark entity out there is trying to stop it!
It’s a gong show of sexy pulse-racing, bust a gut laughing mishaps embracing their afterlife duties while gaining powers. Attachments cause drama as Ankh awaits a birth to begin training the next group of Correction survivors for Immortal Testing. You’ll be on the edge of your seat with jaw-dropping plot twists that will blow your mind and make you question everything.
Warning: The information contained within this book is not intended for mere mortals. Reading this may inadvertently trigger your Correction. If you show great bravery during your demise, you may be given a second chance at life by the Guardians of the in-between.
For your soul’s protection, you must join one of three Clans of immortals on earth. You are still reading this, aren’t you? You’ve got this. Welcome to the Children Of Ankh Series Universe.
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There are those born who are ordained to fight evil.
Seven hundred years ago, the Knights of the Ordained banished the demon, Asmeodai. Buried deep beneath Wahi Tapu Temple, the evil becomes a distant memory. For those seven hundred years, Asmeodai seethed in hatred for those that condemned him to this hell. He has survived only for his chance to enact his revenge.
Now, though, the time of the Secundus has come again. With the rising of the second moon comes the fear of Asmeodai’s reemergence. The aftermath of the last Secundus saw the once-great Jornada Empire splintered into three realms. Moreover, the Knights of the Ordained are not what they once were. But all is not lost. There is hope. There are those born who are ordained to fight this evil like no other.
Their destiny will not be denied.
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A knight, an actor, and an immortal walk into a palace. The immortal doesn’t walk out.
But that isn't Kennet Zur's intention.
What he wants is revenge. One thousand years ago, the imperial city of Masque made him bleed, and now he wants to break the blade that cut him forever. But he can't do it alone.
So, as the hourglass sands slide into the Night of the Red Lady, he sets his pawns loose. Two men. One stolen book to find. Ten centuries worth of waiting.
But just because an immortal is more certain of seeing the next dawn than anyone else, doesn't mean he knows what it will bring. And the knight and the actor have their own plans. One is driven by a war he will do anything to escape, and the other by an ambition that is drowning him wave by wave.
And watching over them all is what spilled the immortal's blood a thousand years ago. It now sits upon a throne reaching long, shadowy fingers down into the city, fingers that can still slice. And just like Kennet, it too has been waiting.
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Sometimes Superpowers downright suck...
In a world full of princesses and heroes, epic quests and happy endings, Mara doesn't quite fit in. Maybe it’s her jet black hair. Or her complexion, that’s darker than most fair-skinned princesses. Or maybe it’s that she can kill people by simply touching them.
The perfect power for an assassin, she uses her "gift.” Along with her pet hawk, Artemis, she makes a life for herself in the shadows, contract killing for witches, warlocks and other undesirables.
When a handsome stranger named Dave follows her on an assignment, she does everything she can to shake him. But even after she calls him out, he's intrigued and sticks around.
Then the unthinkable happens. Mara begins to develop feelings for Dave. Feelings are the last thing she needs as a contract killer of heroes. If she’s caught, she will most certainly be hanged for her crimes.
Can she finish the job she started, or will her burgeoning conscience interfere? And can she be with Dave, or will her touch kill him like the others?
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Here are some great stories just for you!
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Extra Book Deals & Giveaways
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| "Every review I receive inspires me to write more!" |
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Paul J Bennett,
Author of Epic Fantasy.
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