(C) 2020, JJ Shaun “Heyla, Stevie,” says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug. “Hello, Bert.” Stevie brews Bert’s double macchiato. The group trickles in. “Did Dave forget?” asks Mac when everyone else has arrived. “Or is he going to bail on us?” “Again?” asks Sandra. “We should have expected it.” “I’ll play his character. … Continue reading The Legend of Ashta’Qi
“My character’s backstory isn’t nearly as detailed as that,” says Sandra, after hearing Julie’s story. “Tell us about her,” prompts Bert. “Well, Meegan is a loner. She’s a half-elf that lives with her mother in the Western Wood, away from her mother’s Elven community. A human diplomat seduced and impregnated her mother. Her father reacted … Continue reading The Protagonist
It’s Thursday night, and I expect my favorite group at the cafe. Bert arrives first, only tonight he’s early. “The usual?” asks my avatar, Stevie. “Yep,” replies Bert. “We’re starting a new campaign tonight, since Aislynn can’t make it,” he explains. “And we have a new player, so I’m going to get her caught up … Continue reading The New Campaign
“Hi, Stevie!” says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug coffee shop. “Hi Bert,” says Stevie, the barista, as he raises his head from cleaning the coffee machine. “The usual?” “You got it.” The rest of the group trickles in, ordering their respective drinks as they pass the counter. Stevie acknowledges each with a greeting … Continue reading The New Semester
“Hey, Stevie!” says Bert as he enters The Jaunty Mug coffee shop. Thursday night rolls around again, and I look forward to this group of youngsters as they trickle into the cafe. It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve seen them. Aislynn, the group’s healer, was not present the last time they were here … Continue reading The Shortest Day
As the Thursday role-play crowd settles into their characters at The Jaunty Mug, I work my magic. Bert spins his narrative. To their eyes, the coffee shop morphs into a seedy tavern. For the next several hours, they are in Ev’Ran, Bert’s fictional realm of the multiverse. They sip their morning ale as watch the … Continue reading Welcome to Ev’Ran
As the new year begins, you’ll see some changes in the Tavern Tales. Quotes will continue to fill the void on days I have nothing to say, or life has overwhelmed me to distraction. Sundays, you’ll see more of the stories I have written and polished. I posted some of those stories on this site … Continue reading Changes on the Horizon
As Skrie headed up the stairs, a woman appeared at the top. “I have to thank you for losing my lead for me,” the half-elf said, sarcasm dripping from every word. “I’ve been tracking her for over a week and you show. Now she’s gone. The way I see it, you owe me.” Skrie looked … Continue reading Preparations
Early the next morning, Skrie headed to the common room to the aroma of coffee, bacon, sausage, and fresh bread permeating the inn. Della was at the bar, getting ready for the morning breakfast. She looked up as Skrie entered. “Good morning, Miss Skrie,” she said. “Breakfast ain’t quite ready. Would ye like some cider, … Continue reading Kidnapped
Skrie sneaked down the stairs and skirted the wall behind some crates, looking for Filice. She didn’t see her, but caught Dayne’s eye as he tended to the bar. The two stepped back into a kitchen storage room. “A half-elf woman and young boy brought food to our room,” said Skrie. “Someone laced it with … Continue reading Chasing Shadows
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 