Moe Lane's Blog, page 74

Lunch is not agreeing with me.

Not to the point where I was visually reminded of what I had for it, thankfully. I think I should probably go to bed anyway.

03/07/2025 Snippet, [Unnamed Revolutionary Elf story]

I’m starting to dislike this guy. I mean, he’s a villain and I don’t actually want my villains to win. The problem is, he was a sneaky bastard in real life and totally got away with it all.

…

The expeditionary force arrived at Alençon early the next morning. They had made good time, despite the broken wagon. But then, Joseph had made it known that if the workers were not done reasonably soon, they would be welcome to catch up later. If they could. That promise seemed to have a very good effect on their zeal and speed.

The Revolutionary camp at Alençon had grown since Joseph had taken out his force to commandeer the harvest a month before. Even more than he had expected, or feared. The Convention was still struggling with recruitment and supply, but luckily: so was the enemy.

Citizen Captain LeGume was practically ecstatic. “There must be two, three battalions here! Easily enough for a demi-brigade.” Then his face fell, slightly. “Which likely means a General. So much for my independent command.”

Joseph chose not to point out that Legume had never actually had one. “Cheer up, Citizen Captain! There are still a few more villages that need to be reminded of their duties to the Revolution. Surely they will give you another battalion column to command before the snow falls!” And may I be back in Paris by then. This is useful work, but I can find better in the capital. 

Patreon!

I’m giving out free Patreon memberships for my birthday month!

One month only, and they won’t work for people who are already paid members (I will have to come up with something suitable for them*). But it’s something I can do now, and I’ve heard from other creators that it’s not a bad way to get people interested in your stuff. So knock yourself out! …Not literally, obviously.

Moe Lane

PS: It’s only a dollar a month, anyway. I’ve debated upping the tiers, but I’ve been reluctant to do so because it’s been a dollar a month for a long time and I don’t want to lose anybody. Besides, it helps build a customer base.

*Look, if giving out presents for one’s birthday is good enough for Bilbo Baggins then it’s certainly good enough for me.

#commissionearned

Maps! (No actual maps in post)

Not maps I can show yet, alas: they’re still being checked and approved. But my Backerkit partner Lead & Chrome and I are collaborating on a cross-project extra for the folks who backed both of our Backerkit, and I think it’s going to come out pretty well. Anyway, that’s what I’ve been looking at for the last forty minutes. Maps!

Moe Lane

PS: Probably next week for the preorder store. It’s starting to take shape, but I need details on the actual project’s final page size and layout, and I’m getting more info on that next week. We’re not dawdling on this, but neither are we rushing. There are inelastic time considerations.

‘Dirty Old Town.’

Dirty Old Town, The Pogues

#commissionearned

[The Internet is a horrible place.]

[I’ve written three versions of this post, and each one was more hilariously awful than the last. Even trying to explain what happened today requires epic levels of crudity. You either know, or else you are blessed.]

Tweet of the Day, You Could See That Joke Coming A Mile Away… edition.

…but it was still funny. Now let me horrify you: I would try that pizza. Shamelessly.

Jane ain’t lyin’. pic.twitter.com/KnPU9DM8m5

— Daddy Warpig (@DaddyWarpig) March 6, 2025

03/06/2025 Snippet, PICKMAN’S MODELS.

Dear God, I’m almost to the end of this thing.

…

Tobias ignored him and leaned forward. “Tell me about the people here, Mr. Pickman. Are there any who haven’t gone through your, ah, procedure?”

“I’m sorry, Commander, but no. From what I’ve learned, the cult made sure of that.” By now Tobias was used to working out facial gestures for people with Buckley and Pickman’s condition: the man was looking pained. “Corporal Buckley suggested a way that I could rapidly gain information; he also assured me that you would not thank me for explaining how we acquired it. Suffice it to say that we were able to, ah, ‘pick the brains’ of the inhabitants.”

“I see. Are they going to be a problem, Corporal?”

“Not for a while, boss. We didn’t torture them, just so you know.”

“I believe you, Corporal.”

“It was a fair fight, and everything. We weren’t trying to kill them, but it just happened-”

“I said I believe you, Corporal.” Tobias breathed, relishing the luxury of a full-enough air tank.

Patreon!

03/06/2025 Snippet, [Elf French Revolution Story]

Still working on a title!

…

The next morning
It was an almost irresistible temptation to hang every peasant in Fresnay by their own hempen ropes, then burn down the town before retreating, but Joseph managed to control his impulses. It wouldn’t aid his forces, and it wouldn’t harm La Bête‘s. He couldn’t even hope that a provocation or two might make La Bête do something rash. If this damnable Vendee revolt had taught anybody anything, it was that the rebel leader fought and planned even better when he was angry. Better to keep the enemy’s famous temper restrained.

Joseph did have the river-bridge burned, though. That was understood to be a legitimate tactic in war. He also hoped it would appeal to Kraemer’s sense of pride, or at least his desire to see things burn.

The German did not appreciate the gesture, and made it clear at the earliest opportunity. “You will regret leaving the Devil behind to do his work in peace, Citizen Fouché!” he told Joseph, during a brief halt while the wheelwrights replaced a broken wagon wheel. “He will use your foolish mercy to do great evil!”

If I believed in the Devil, Joseph thought, I would be unsurprised to hear him say you were one of his most useful servants.

Patreon!

Annnnnd the Fermi Resolution Worldbook Backerkit is in the can.

A highly respectable showing, for me. Second-largest crowdfunding result since I started this; and, the since my biggest one (the one for FROZEN DREAMS) is also my first one, possibly the comparison is unfair. Thank you for everyone who backed, and don’t forget that our cross-collaborator Lead & Chrome still has a few hours left!

#commissionearned