I've been using The Story Engine as a tool to write new fantasy stories. This week, I drew a set that had me thinking about a healer who wants to escape a shadowy church, but she will have to learn to trust again. As always, I set my fantasy stories in my world of Adaran, … Continue reading Ash Between the Bells
PROMPT: Once more, I used the Story Engine deck to write a new fantasy story about a killer who wants to betray someone with an illusory piece of evidence, but it means giving up her dream. Lysthelania Arlen spent her entire life chasing one impossible dream: to become the first provincial Mirrorwright in three generations. … Continue reading Reflections
The bells of Dunmere had once rung for weddings, harvests, and the crowning of kings. Now they rang whenever another wall gave way. Mara counted the chimes without looking up from the cracked bowl she was mending. One. Two. Three. By the fourth, the neighbors had already begun shouting. By the fifth, dust drifted from … Continue reading Measure of a Friend
Once upon a time, I wanted to get out of the usual writing rut and write about a protagonist who isn’t a young person being called to save the world. Instead, Lorielei Alterian presented herself. Lorielei is an elven Healer with centuries of knowledge, and she is called upon to help purge relics of the … Continue reading Lorielei: Preparations
Once upon a time, I wanted to get out of the usual writing rut and write about a protagonist who isn’t a young person being called to save the world. Instead, Lorielei Alterian presented herself. Lorielei is an elven Healer with centuries of knowledge, and she is called upon to help recover relics of the … Continue reading Lorielei: The Company Gathers
This is the continuing story of Lorielei, an elven Healer with centuries of knowledge, called upon to help purge relics of the old world. The first of the cloaked figures stepped into the clearing, boots silent on the damp earth. The hood shadowed its face, but its attention settled on Lorielei like an icy hand. … Continue reading Lorielei: Facing the Unknown
Once upon a time, I wanted to get out of the usual writing rut and write about a protagonist who isn’t a young person being called to save the world. Instead, Lorielei Alterian presented herself. Lorielei is an elven Healer with centuries of knowledge, and she is called upon to help purge relics of the … Continue reading Lorielei: Into the World
Here is the conclusion of Ashja’s quest to help find Ivy's sister, Malora. Turning to the left, the party crept down the corridor. Ivy checked every step, expecting traps. She found none until they reached the intersection, some thirty paces from where they’d entered. Two doors met, one leading left, the other ahead, with a … Continue reading Ashja: Not-So Abandoned
“I wanna know what’s in that shack,” said Ivy as they sat down to the last of the evening stew. “Something about it has me gut gnawing.” “Mine too,” said Ashja, “but it’s not a feeling I can identify.” The group had arrived back at the Ink Pot just as the eighth bell rang. “Caw’s … Continue reading Ashja: Clues
This offering continues the story of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign I ran many years ago. Enjoy. The group followed Ottorio to the Crow’s Nest, a dockside sailor’s tavern. “I’m supposed ta meet him at seven bells,” said Ottorio as the first of the seven bells rang. “Good on you,” said Zantu, pushing the man … Continue reading Ashja: Realizations
Dream ✨Imagine ✨ Believe
Books, games, music, and life — filtered through the mind of a writer, drummer, and philosopher who thinks too deeply about all of it. If it moves something in your chest, I'm interested.
Tavern Tales
Poetry BLOG By Edge of Humanity Magazine
J.J. Shaun 