H.B. Reneau's Blog

The POV Puzzle: 4 Questions to Ask of Every POV Character

When you’re writing an epic fantasy novel with more than one point of view, the temptation to hand the mic to every character you love is real. Trust me—I’ve been there.

But if you’re not careful, too many POVs can turn your story from a page-turner into a tangled mess. Readers start to lose track of who’s who, the pacing falters, and the stakes get muddy. In my upcoming Final Book in the Legion of Pneumos series—my biggest multi-POV novel yet—I had to be ruthless about who got a voice and why.

Over the years and books in this series, I’ve learned a few principles for deciding which characters truly deserve their own POV chapters.

1. Do they have unanswered questions central to the main conflict?

Sometimes, a character holds a mystery only they can answer. Their journey is so intertwined with the overarching plot that keeping their perspective locked away would rob the story of its tension.

In the Legion of Pneumos universe, Keira and Danny are perfect examples. Keira’s search for truth has driven this entire series, and Danny’s history is inextricably tied to the nature of the Legion itself. Without stepping into their heads, the reader wouldn’t have the full picture—or the emotional weight—of what’s at stake.

2. Do their personal stakes tie directly into the overarching stakes?

A character’s POV should never exist in isolation. Their fate must matter to the central conflict—otherwise, their chapters risk feeling like detours.

Take Raina. She’s not just dealing with her own ambitions and challenges; her choices reverberate through the main storyline. If she fails, the ripple effect could alter the outcome for everyone. That’s the kind of POV that earns its place.

3. Can their POV create tension or reveal key information at the right moment?

Sometimes, a character’s greatest value to the narrative isn’t about what they do—it’s about what they see. Their position in the story allows them to witness, uncover, or experience events that the other POVs can’t.

In my world, Basha is one of these characters. If you’ve read The Remnant, you know she believes Keira killed her sister. That belief makes her a perfect source of narrative friction—especially when she and Keira are working toward the same end from opposite sides of the cultural divide.

4. Without their POV, would the emotional payoff fall flat?

This is the “gut check” question: When the story reaches its climax, will the reader need to hear from this character directly for the emotional impact to land? If the answer is yes, then that POV isn’t optional—it’s essential.

That’s Neval’s slot. His redemption arc—and the reckoning it requires—needs to be told from inside his head to land with the weight it deserves.

Pitfalls of Multi-POV and How to Avoid Them

Writing five (or more) POVs is like spinning plates—drop one, and the whole rhythm wobbles. Here are the traps I watch out for:

Head-Hopping Chaos: Stick to one POV per scene or chapter. Readers need clear boundaries.The “Pet Character” Problem: Just because you love writing them doesn’t mean they deserve a POV. Ask: Does this chapter serve the main plot?Info-Dumping Disguised as POV: A perspective should be lived-in, not a lecture.Uneven Pacing: If one POV feels like a breather every time it appears, readers might start skipping it.

The POV Balancing Act

The trick with multiple perspectives is weaving them together so each chapter feels like a reaction to the last—pushing the story forward while deepening the reader’s investment in the characters. When done well, the hand-off from one POV to another feels less like a baton drop and more like a braid tightening with each twist.

It’s a challenge, but it’s one of the things I love most about writing epic fantasy. Because when all those voices come together—when every thread you’ve been spinning across hundreds of pages finally knots into something whole—the result is nothing short of magic.

Next time, I’ll be pulling back the curtain on how I shape individual character arcs using wounds, secrets, and limiting beliefs—the emotional core that transforms a POV from “interesting” to “unforgettable.”

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The Legion of Pneumos Ideal Reading Order: How to know where to dive in

If you’ve ever looked at The Legion of Pneumos universe and thought, “Wait . . . where do I even start?”— you are definitely not alone.

This series has grown into a web of novels, novellas, prequels, and side character stories that (I like to think) deepen the world and the mystery with every addition. But I totally get it—when timelines crisscross and characters appear in one book only to star in another, figuring out your next read can feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube in the dark.

So here it is: the definitive (but flexible!) guide to reading The Legion of Pneumos—whether you’re here for the plot, the characters, or to experience the story in the same tangled way I wrote it.

Let’s dive in!

Reading Order #1: Publication Order

This is how the series unfolded for my early readers, and it can be a fun way to experience the world as it evolved—warts, wonder, and all. It’s a journey that reflects not only the evolution of the characters and worldbuilding, but also my own growth as a writer.

If you’re curious to experience the series the way it was released into the world, this path is for you.

Publication Order:

Chaos Looming – Book one of the main series. The story explodes into action as Keira is thrust into the heart of a collapsing kingdom, forced to navigate chaos, power, and her own place in a world on the brink.The Cantor  – Keira’s backstory, a true portal fantasy full of mystery and magic, of budding friendship and hidden secrets of the Legion. This is where it all began—before Keira knows the stakes, before she chooses a side.The Centus – A novella that rewinds time to Gaius Flavius’s origin—offering vital context for the Southern Shield and the rise of the Bellatorio. It’s short, sharp, and filled with military tension.Haven Enduring – The stakes get higher. Secrets unravel. Loyalties shift. And Keira must decide how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. This is book two of the main series.The Rebel – Set before the main series, this novella follows Neval and Tegan through rebellion, betrayal, and a world cracking at the seams. It offers powerful insight into the uplands and the truth behind Neval’s rebel uprising in the main series.The Remnant – A full-length companion novel centered on Inaba Basha. While it stands alone, it overlaps with the timeline of Haven Enduring and deepens the series by expanding into the world of the Cross-Sea Lands. And Basha may very well play a vital role in the upcoming conclusion to the epic main trilogy . . .

Best for: Readers who like to experience growth—of characters, of worldbuilding, and maybe even of the writer behind the words (hi, that’s me ).

Reading Order #2: Chronological Order

If you like your timelines neat and tidy, this is the order for you. This list follows the internal chronology of the world of Loren—starting with the earliest events and ending with where things currently stand. 

Chronological Order:

The Centus – Gaius’s backstory and the origin of the Southern Shield.

The Rebel – Neval and Tegan’s tale, set in the Downlands before Keira’s arrival.

The Cantor – The beginning of Keira’s story and her introduction to the Legion.

Chaos Looming – Keira’s official start to the main series, where everything kicks into gear.

The Remnant – Basha’s standalone tale, which overlaps with Haven Enduring.

Haven Enduring – Continuation of Keira’s arc and the fallout from Chaos.

Best for: Lore lovers, completionists, and anyone who wants to uncover secrets in order.

Reading Order #3: Keira’s Journey (Plus Side Quests!)

If you’re here for Keira—the girl who fell from another world and into a tangle of power, prophecy, and politics—this is the order I recommend.

Keira’s Order:

The Cantor – Meet Keira on Day One.

Chaos Looming – Follow her as the stakes skyrocket.

The Centus – Pause to understand Gaius and the world Keira’s up against.

The Rebel – Dive into Neval’s past (you’ll want to after Chaos Looming) and hints about what’s coming next for him.

Haven Enduring – Pick back up with Keira and everything that comes next in the main story.

The Remnant – Read as a standalone (or bonus!) to get Basha’s story—and hints about what’s still to come in the epic conclusion to the main series.

Best for: New readers who want a character-driven path with maximum emotional impact.

But I Started with The Remnant . . . Now What?

First of all—welcome! You are absolutely in the right place. The Remnant can totally be read as a standalone. But now that you’ve met Basha (and maybe developed a tiny obsession with her sarcasm and secret pain), you might be wondering what comes next.

Here’s my personal recommendation:

Read Chaos Looming next. It’s where you’ll uncover what really happened to Sara and get a front-row seat to the events that brought Junia Marian to the shores of the Cross-Sea Lands in the first place

From there, you have two paths:

Continue forward with Haven Enduring to catch up with the series timeline and see where Basha and the others are headed next.

Or go back and explore the backstories of your new favorite characters—Neval in The Rebel, Danny & Keira in The Cantor, and Gaius Flavius in The Centus.

Either way, you won’t miss a beat. Every book fills in new pieces of the puzzle, and every path leads deeper into the secrets of Loren.

Your Journey, Your Choice

At the end of the day, the best reading order is the one that keeps you turning pages. Whether you’re drawn to character arcs, epic conflicts, or the tangled lore of a magical world teetering on the edge of collapse—there’s a place for you in The Legion of Pneumos.

Which path are you taking through Loren? Let me know in the comments—I love hearing how different readers explore the series.

And if you’re still not sure where to start, shoot me a message. I’d be happy to help you find your perfect entry point.

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The Remnant Backstory: What Readers Should Know Before Diving In

The Cross-Sea Lands weren’t always an archipelago of towering cities and political tension. Long before Basha took up the mantle of Signet and uncovered the truth behind her sister’s death, this patchwork nation was forged by survivors—mariners, warriors, scholars, and refugees who refused to drown beneath the waves.

Whether you’re new to the world of the Legion of Pneumos or just need a refresher, here’s everything you should know before cracking open The Remnant.

A Nation Built on Water and Ruin

127 M.E. – The Founding of the Cross-Sea Lands

After the fall of the Ravaged Continent, a seafaring leader named Arathet led a coalition of survivors across the sea to the highest points of a scattered archipelago. They founded a new society among the waves. Over time, the capital city of Arathet rose where land met tide, and the surrounding islands formed the Cross-Sea Lands—a confederation of city states bound more by necessity than trust.

153 M.E. – The First Rising

Rising seas swallowed the original settlements, prompting each city to build upward—stacking roads atop ruins, crafting terraces over drowned streets, and creating a literal and social divide between the gilded heights and the crumbling City Beneath. These seismic shifts birthed the Cross-Sea warrior code, a culture of endurance and honor, and new materials like Cross-Sea Stone—a luminous mineral pulled from the ocean floor, prized for being light yet nearly indestructible. Weapons forged from it are ceremonial and deadly.

Clans, Councils, and the Conclave

The Cross-Sea Lands are not one nation but many. Each city-state—like Arathet, Mirzadi, Daskar, and others—operates under its own Council of Clans, with influence concentrated among a few noble houses.

But once a year, the Conclave convenes in Arathet. There, all Signets and Clan Heads gather to vote on matters of war, trade, diplomacy, and succession. It’s where alliances are made and broken—and where Basha must prove herself if she hopes to honor her sister’s legacy and avoid becoming her mother’s pawn.

Arathet

Once a modest coastal settlement, Arathet was transformed into the capital of Naidoa by the descendants of Arathet himself, the legendary leader who guided the first settlers across the seas. Its towering structures and elevated platforms reflect the city’s resilience against the encroaching ocean, marking the heart of the Cross-Sea Lands and its enduring struggle for survival.

Elarion

Nestled in a fertile valley at the southern tip of the largest island, Elarion is famed for its terraced vineyards and olive groves, which produce the finest wines and oils in Naidoa. Founded by settlers guided by divine signs, the city’s culture is steeped in agricultural tradition. The annual Festival of the Vines honors this legacy, drawing visitors to celebrate the harvest and partake in Elarion’s bounty.

Daskar

Strategically perched on rugged cliffs along the Cross-Sea Lands’ northwestern edge, Daskar began as a fortified naval outpost. Over time, it evolved into a powerful maritime city, known for its formidable fleet, the Sea Spears. Daskar’s tall watchtowers and weathered stone walls stand as guardians against the ever-threatening sea and foreign invaders

Al-Zahra

Legend has it that Al-Zahra, once a barren rock, was blessed by a sorcerer with fertile land, giving birth to its famed terraced gardens. Now, the ‘Isle of Blossoms’ is celebrated for its exquisite flora and artisanal crafts. The annual Flower Festival brings the elites of the Cross-Sea Lands to this upland paradise, where beauty and harmony with nature are cherished above all.

Mirzadi

Mirzadi, a bustling port city on the largest island of the Cross-Sea Lands, has long been a nexus of trade and cultural exchange. Founded by Eastern merchants, the city’s vibrant markets and diverse population make it a melting pot of ideas and goods. Mirzadi’s thriving commerce and open policies have cemented its status as the economic heart of the Cross-Sea Lands.

Vanyr

High in the isolated mountains in the southern reach of the Cross-Sea Lands, Vanyr clings to rugged cliffs, its stone buildings connected by narrow bridges and tunnels. The city’s hardy inhabitants revere the Tidemother, believing they are descendants of sea gods. Vanyr’s mist-shrouded fortifications and shrines speak to its ancient, enduring connection to both the mountains and the sea.

Kharazan

Perched on cliffs overlooking the Cross Sea, Kharazan was originally a military outpost that grew into a city of engineering marvels. The city’s windmills and watermills harness the forces of nature, reflecting the ingenuity of its people. Kharazan remains a symbol of innovation in Naidoa, where progress and tradition walk hand in hand.

Customs of the Isles

Headscarves and Veils: Nobility in the Cross-Sea Lands wear intricate headscarves and masks that hide all but their eyes. Veils are only lifted among family or trusted intimates. Unmasking, especially in public, is a gesture of vulnerability or rebellion.

Names and Honorifics: The clan name precedes the given name in formal introductions (e.g., Inaba Basha), and titles like Signet, Lady, or Nauarch carry political weight.

Gifted Traditions: A rare few, like Basha, possess “map-minding”—a cognitive gift allowing them to see the threads of terrain and possibility as if charted in glowing lines. In a city with shifting tunnels and collapsing roads, it’s both a blessing and a weapon.

City Above, City Beneath

The rising sea didn’t just flood streets—it reshaped society. As waters claimed the old roads and lower districts, the Cross-Sea city-states began to build upward, layer by layer. This gave birth to the City Beneath—a shadowy, crumbling underworld of drowned alleys, abandoned shrines, and forgotten homes—and the City Above, where the nobility, artisans, and ruling clans now dwell in sunlit spires and polished towers.

City Above

Above, life is ordered and ceremonial—governed by protocol, politics, and polished masks. Nobles veil their faces and speak in clipped courtesies, while the world below drowns in secrets.

City Beneath

Inhabitants of the City Beneath are often dockworkers, smugglers, or the disenfranchised poor. Their world is marked by collapsed corridors, unstable caverns, and makeshift communities clinging to survival. Places like the Whispering Grotto, a tavern hidden in the ruins, serve as gathering points for the desperate and the daring.

This physical stratification mirrors the story’s deeper theme: what do we bury to survive? Basha was born of the heights but finds her truest strength in the depths—both literal and metaphorical. Her journey between the two worlds is as much about confronting legacy and loss as it is about power and position.

Meet the Power Players Inaba Basha

A reluctant leader haunted by grief and guilt. After the death of her older sister, Sara, Basha becomes the Signet of Clan Inaba and stumbles into a conspiracy that could change the fate of the Isles.

Inaba Kaori

Basha’s formidable mother and current clan matriarch. She’s brilliant, ruthless, and harbors dangerous secrets . . .

Junia Marian

The exiled heir of Loren, a nation across the sea. Charismatic and cunning, Junia seeks asylum in the Cross-Sea Lands—but her true goal is to reclaim her throne and avenge the betrayal that stole it from her.

Akimona Chiko

A childhood friend turned reluctant ally. Fiercely loyal and deeply rooted in the City Beneath, Chiko represents the working class Basha once called home—and the life she left behind.

Nanuyo Dai

Basha’s betrothed in a political marriage arranged by their parents. He’s charming, ambitious, and possibly more dangerous than he appears.

Empire, Exile, and a Brewing War

To understand Junia’s arrival—and the threat she brings—you need a glimpse into Loren’s fractured history.

136 M.E. – Fall of Aurora: The Marian Empire’s capital falls to Eastern invaders, and the empire begins its long decline.

241 M.E. – The Regio’s Death: Junia’s father, the Regio of Loren, dies suddenly, sparking a civil war.

242–243 M.E. – Present Day: Junia has been cast aside in favor of her younger brother, Landry Marian, and now seeks to forge an alliance with the Cross-Sea Lands to reclaim what she believes is rightfully hers.

Basha’s sister, Sara, was sent to Loren as a diplomatic envoy. But she never returned. Officially, she died in a “training accident.”

Unofficially? She was murdered.

Secrets Beneath the Surface

At the story’s heart lies a weapon hidden deep within the sunken reaches of the Cross-Sea Lands—one tied to the mysterious sinkholes devastating the City Beneath. As Basha uncovers the truth behind her sister’s death, she’ll have to decide not just who to trust, but who she wants to become.

Because some legacies drown.
Others rise.

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Doing the Hard Thing Anyway: What Medicine and Fantasy Taught Me About Courage

There’s a moment in every resuscitation where the room quiets—just for a second. Everyone turns to you. The nurse looks up from the crash cart. The tech has the monitor ready. You’re the one they’re waiting on.

And every time, that familiar voice whispers:

“You’re not ready for this.”

Even now, after years of training in emergency medicine, that voice still shows up. Loud. Uninvited. Doubt wrapped in scrubs and adrenaline.

I call it panic-in-charge mode.

You’re giving orders. Keeping your voice steady. But inside? Your hands are shaking. Your heart’s racing. And some small, stubborn part of you is still asking:

“Who put me in charge?”

The Truth About Leadership No One Talks About

We love the idea of leadership when it looks like confidence and control. Commanding a room. Giving a speech. Leading the charge.

But more often? Leadership looks like showing up even when you don’t feel ready.
It looks like stepping forward when someone else was supposed to go first.
It looks like being willing to make a decision when no one else can.

That truth—the hard, gritty, vulnerable side of leadership—is what shaped the heart of my novel The Remnant.

Because Basha, the heroine of this story, wasn’t born for the crown. She was never meant to lead. That was always her sister’s role—beloved, prepared, chosen. But when tragedy strikes and Basha is left behind, she has two options:

Break under the weight of it . . . or rise.

“Maybe courage is doing the hard thing anyway.”

The Voice in the Back of Your Mind

I remember the very first time I learned the name for this feeling . . . imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is more than just insecurity. It’s the deeply embedded belief that you are a fraud—that at any moment, someone will realize you don’t belong in the room, the job, the opportunity you’ve been given.

It paralyzes. It convinces talented, passionate people not to try. Not to lead. Not to speak up. Not to write the story that’s been burning in their bones.

Because what if they fail? Worse: what if they succeed and still don’t feel worthy?

For me, that voice has shown up in every part of my life: medicine, writing, even relationships. But what I’ve learned—and what Basha learns too—is that courage isn’t about silencing that voice. It’s about moving forward even with it whispering in your ear.

“Even reluctant leaders can change the tide.”

Residency, Writing, and the Battle to Keep Going

I wrote The Remnant during one of the hardest seasons of my life.

At the time, I was working long, exhausting hours in the Burn ICU—a rotation that exposed me to sights, sounds, and smells I will never forget. The pain, the resilience, the raw humanity of it all—it left a mark. (And spoiler alert: it may have informed one particularly harrowing scene in The Remnant. If you know, you know. )

It was also the midpoint of residency. The novelty had worn off. The burnout had settled in. I was emotionally drained, constantly questioning if I had what it took to make it through, and deeply, achingly tired.

And so I wrote.

Not because I had time. Not because I felt particularly inspired. But because writing gave me a way to process everything I was carrying.

The Remnant became my outlet—a way to explore what grief does to us, and what it takes to move through it. To ask what it means to carry someone else’s legacy. To lead when you’re still broken. To choose courage over certainty.

Writing through that season didn’t just save the story. It helped save a part of me.

What Makes a Reluctant Hero Worth Following

Readers often ask me why I love reluctant heroes and heroines. My answer is always the same:

Because they don’t lead for glory. They lead because someone has to.

That’s Basha in a nutshell. She’s flawed. Afraid. Angry. Grieving. But she steps up anyway. Not perfectly. Not without mistakes. But with everything she has.

And in that way, she reflects so many of the women I know in real life—doctors, nurses, teachers, moms, caretakers, creatives. Women who are carrying so much, and still showing up.

Basha didn’t feel ready. Neither did I. Maybe you don’t either.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t still rise.

What Readers See in Basha

Since The Remnant first went out to Beta and ARC readers, I’ve been floored by the messages I’ve received. It turns out, Basha’s story hits home for a lot of people:

I hope The Remnant gives you that same sense of catharsis and strength.

If you’ve ever wrestled with imposter syndrome, stepped into a role you didn’t think you could handle, or done the hard thing anyway—I would love to hear your story. Hit reply or leave a comment. We grow stronger when we share our journeys.

The Remnant goes wide on June 17! If you preorder from any platform and send proof of purchase, you’ll receive a free copy of The Grounder on release day—an exclusive short story told from Danny’s POV that offers key insight leading into the final book in the series.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

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Damsels No More: The Rise of Complex Female Characters in Fantasy

From damsels to dragonslayers, fantasy fiction has long toyed with the ideas of gender, power, and identity. But where women once filled supporting roles, today’s heroines are complex, flawed, and front-and-center. In this post, I explore the evolution of female roles in fantasy—from old archetypes to subversive new voices—highlighting how the women of the Legion of Pneumos series reflect and reimagine those traditions. Whether with sword, pen, or quiet cunning, they are changing the rules of the game.

Once upon a time . . .

There were only a few kinds of women in fantasy.

There was the Damsel in Distress, like Princess Buttercup in The Princess Bride, waiting high in her tower (or swamp) for a man to rescue her. There was the Warrior Woman, like Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings, who had to mask herself in armor and male identity just to be taken seriously. There was the Crone, like Melisandre in George R.R. Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire series, wielding immense magical power—always alone, always older (though sometimes using magic to appear young). And of course, there was the Token Girl in the fellowship, like Hermione in the Harry Potter series, whose role often revolves around keeping her male friends out of trouble.

We loved these stories. But we were also hungry for more.

The New Era: When Power Started to Look Like Us

Enter Tamora Pierce.

Reading Alanna: The First Adventure as a kid was the first time I saw a fantasy heroine who felt real. She was strong, yes—but she also had cramps, got rejected, made mistakes, and didn’t always win. She loved deeply. She learned painfully. And she did it all without giving up who she was. I remember reading about Alanna and thinking, Oh, this is allowed? That a girl could be a knight and still be herself?

Tamora Pierce’s books gave me permission to imagine fantasy where female characters weren’t just breaking the mold—they were forging their own. And that vision is what eventually led me to write The Legion of Pneumos.

Because I wanted to write girls like that. Women who are complicated. Who cry and curse and fight and lead. Who sometimes fall short—but keep going anyway.

Meet the Heroines: Archetype and Evolution

Let’s take a look at the leading women of Legion of Pneumos and how they both reflect and subvert classic gender roles in fantasy fiction.

Tegan – The Revolutionary with a Pen

In The Rebel, Tegan doesn’t ride into battle swinging a sword—her weapons are words. While others turn a blind eye, she sees the injustice of the Bellatorio and the Marian Empire for what it is—and refuses to stay silent.

Under the pseudonym The Crimson Quill, Tegan pens essays and essays that spark a quiet rebellion in the minds of Loren’s people. She’s the heart of a resistance built on conviction, intellect, and courage, and the first among her friends—Neval and Rowan—to not only see injustice, but act.

She echoes the classic “rebellious youth” archetype but shatters expectations by leading not with force, but with fierce clarity of thought. She’s also proof that revolution doesn’t always start with fire—it often begins with ink.

Keira – The Warrior Healer

Keira’s journey in The Cantor and Chaos Looming is the one closest to my heart.

Thrust into a world of magic, war, and moral ambiguity, she’s forced to define her own limits. Is she a warrior? A healer? A rebel? A cog in the machine?

The answer is: all of the above.

Keira navigates loyalty and suspicion, love and loss, chaos and control. She’s not the shining chosen one of ancient prophecy—she’s a young woman figuring out who she wants to be in a world that keeps shifting beneath her feet. And that? That feels real.

Keira’s arc subverts the “singular savior” trope. She doesn’t have all the answers, but she does have grit, and heart, and a fierce drive to protect those she loves—even when it costs her.

Junia – The Queen Denied

Junia may wear the title of antagonist in Chaos Looming, but let’s be honest—her story could just as easily be its own epic.

Raised with every expectation of inheriting the throne, Junia is passed over by her father and the Council of Benadur in favor of her younger brother. A brother she deems weak. A brother she was raised to outrank. The resulting civil war isn’t just political—it’s deeply personal.

Inspired in part by Cleopatra, Junia’s story unpacks the gendered injustice of hereditary power. She plays the part of the noblewoman, but underneath the silk and strategy is a burning sense of betrayal. And while the world may call her a villain, readers see a woman who was never given a fair shot—and decides to take it anyway.

Junia reflects the “usurped queen” archetype but complicates it with nuance, history, and heartbreak.

Basha – The Reluctant Leader

In many ways, Basha begins her story in The Remnant where most fantasy heroines end: with a mantle of responsibility.

After her older sister dies under suspicious circumstances, Basha—once the rebellious younger sibling—is thrust into the role of Signet, the leader of her clan in the Cross-Sea Lands. The role is steeped in duty, tradition, and a legacy she never asked for.

But Basha rises.

When she uncovers the truth behind her sister’s death, she doesn’t shy away. She steps into her sister’s shoes not just to honor her memory, but to reshape their world. Basha represents the “reluctant leader” archetype—but where others might run, she roots herself deeper. She learns that rebellion and responsibility aren’t opposites—they’re two sides of the same legacy.

Why These Stories Matter

The women of Legion of Pneumos are each navigating different paths—but they’re all reimagining what it means to be a heroine.

They reflect archetypes we’ve known for years—but they don’t stop there. They question, subvert, and expand them. And in doing so, they make space for us—readers and writers alike—to imagine ourselves at the center of the story.

Because the truth is, fantasy has always been about power: who has it, who wields it, and who is allowed to change the world. And when we put complex, resilient, vulnerable, powerful women in those roles, we’re not just telling better stories—we’re shaping better futures.

Let's Keep Talking

I’d love to know—who are your favorite fantasy heroines? What tropes are you tired of? Which characters made you feel seen?

Drop a comment below, tag me in your stories, or shoot me a DM. And if you haven’t yet met the women of Pneumos, you can start with The Cantor—your first peek into a world where women aren’t just part of the story. They are the story.

Bonus: Don’t forget to check out the Spotify playlists for each book! They’re full of the emotions, moods, and epic vibes I felt while writing these journeys.

Until next time—stay fierce, stay curious, and never stop rewriting the rules.

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Kickstarter 101 for Book Lovers: How Crowdfunding Fuels the Fantasy

Confession time: I’ve officially fallen in love with Kickstarter. And no, I don’t mean the kind of fleeting crush that disappears after a few late-night scrolls through cool enamel pins and tabletop board games (though yes, I do back a lot of those too). I mean a deep, career-changing kind of love.

As both an author and an avid reader, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to build deeper connections—with the stories I write and with the people who read them. And that’s exactly why Kickstarter is such a game-changer.

When I first started planning the release of The Remnant, I knew I wanted it to be more than just a book on a shelf. I wanted it to be an experience—a chance for readers to get involved, vote on designs, unlock cool extras, and get early access to the story we’ve been building together since the days of Chaos Looming. Kickstarter lets me do all of that and more.

And the best part? I’m not stopping here. Moving forward, I plan to use Kickstarter for all my major book launches. It’s the perfect way to offer early access and exclusive editions to loyal readers like you—and bring you deeper into the creative process from day one.

So . . . What IS Kickstarter?

At its core, Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform. But that makes it sound way more impersonal than it really is.

To me, Kickstarter is a beautifully chaotic blend of pre-order meets fan club meets creative studio. It allows authors, artists, and makers to launch projects directly to their community, offering limited edition goodies and early access to those who want in.

Here’s how it works:

I launch a project (like The Remnant), set a funding goal, and design reward tiers.

You (the reader!) choose a tier that speaks to you—whether that’s just the ebook or the full deluxe collector’s bundle.

If the funding goal is met, the project “funds,” and production begins!

And no, it’s not charity. You’re not just “supporting” a dream—you’re pre-ordering something awesome and helping shape what it becomes.

Brandon Sanderson Broke the Internet (and Set the Standard)

If you’ve heard of Kickstarter before, it might be because of Brandon Sanderson’s Secret Projects campaign. In 2022, he raised over $40 million—yep, million—with four secret novels, exclusive covers, and special edition boxes for backers.

But here’s what really struck me: readers weren’t just paying for books. They were showing up for a shared experience. They wanted the thrill of discovery, the early access, the chance to own something beautiful that wouldn’t be available in stores. 

And honestly? That’s the kind of experience I want to build with The Remnant and every future release.

Why Indie Authors (and Readers!) Love Kickstarter

Here’s why so many authors are turning to Kickstarter—and why readers are loving the ride.

Creative Freedom

With Kickstarter, authors aren’t limited by publisher budgets or printing constraints. Want a foil-stamped hardcover with hand-painted edges and a bonus novella tucked inside? It’s all possible when the community gets behind it.

Enhanced Pre-Orders

You’re not just ordering a book. You’re getting something custom-built—often with your feedback and input baked into the final design.

Early Access & Exclusive Editions

Kickstarter backers are the first to read the book and the only ones to get access to certain tiers (like collector’s boxes or stretch goal extras).

Proof of Demand

Kickstarter gives authors real-time data on what readers want. It lets us plan smart print runs, avoid overstock, and give fans exactly what they’re excited about.

A Quick Guide: How Pledges, Tiers, and Stretch Goals Work

Let’s break it down using The Remnant as an example!

 Pledges

You decide how much you want to contribute by choosing a reward tier. Each tier comes with its own set of goodies.

 Tiers

Here are a few examples from The Remnant Campaign:

Docklands Digital Tier - $5

Just the ebook, but you get it early!

Waveworn Print Tier - $20

Paperback edition + Early Access to the Ebook

Cross-Sea Collector's Tier - $45

Signed hardcover with stunning foiled jacket and exclusive foiled case cover complete with sprayed edges and a ribbon bookmark! Also comes with a digital full-color map of the Cross-Sea Lands and an exclusive print bookmark (Design to be voted on by supporters!)

Tidespeaker Ultimate Fan Tier - $100

Everything in the Collector’s Tier, PLUS the entire Legion of Pneumos Series in both Ebook AND Paperback formats. PLUS an invitation to the exclusive Q&A Author’s livestream and YOUR NAME included in the acknowledgements section of all copies of The Remnant.

 

Stretch Goals

Once the project hits its main goal, we get to unlock bonuses! Check out these examples from The Remnant Campaign with more price tiers to be revealed as we unlock each one!

The more people back the project, the more everyone gets. It’s a win-win and encourages readers to spread the word in order to unlock these cool bonuses!

The Best Part? The Community

This is what makes Kickstarter truly different from your average bookstore preorder.

You Have a Voice

Want to vote on a cover design? Help name a stretch goal? Choose your favorite map version? Kickstarter backers often get to be part of the decision-making process. In the case of The Remnant, supporters will get the chance to vote on the final design of the Kickstarter exclusive bookmark which comes included in all tier’s at the Collector’s level and above!

Behind-the-Scenes Access

I’ll be sharing updates every step of the way—from production sneak peeks to playlist reveals and polls for merch design like the exclusive supporter’s bookmark!

Deeper Emotional Investment

You’re not just a reader. You’re a co-creator. And that kind of bond? It sticks.

Final Thoughts (And YOUR Invitation!)

So what is Kickstarter really?

It’s an enhanced pre-order. It’s a front-row seat to the creative process. It’s a way for readers and writers to build something unforgettable—together.

And as someone who’s always dreamed of creating experiences as much as stories, I couldn’t be more excited to take this journey with you.

Any questions? Drop your comments below! Or head over to the Kickstarter page for The Remnant now and don’t miss your chance to be part of this epic adventure!

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What’s in a Name: The Remnant Edition

One of my favorite parts of writing is the process of naming characters. Names carry weight, history, and meaning—both in our world and in the world of The Remnant. They tell us something about the people who bear them, about their journeys, their struggles, and the roles they play in the grander narrative. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of four key characters from The Remnant—Bashira (Basha), Sara, Chiko, and Dai—and explore how the meaning of their names shape not only their individual stories but the larger world they inhabit.

But personal names are only part of the story. In the Cross-Sea Lands, family and clan names matter just as much—perhaps even more. A name isn’t just about who you are; it’s about where you come from, what legacy you carry, and what expectations weigh on your shoulders. In The Remnant, the names Inaba, Nanuyo, and Akimona define entire lives.

Let’s dive in.

Inaba Bashira (Basha)

Origin: Arabic

Bashira: “bringer of good news” or “joyful, optimistic”

And yet, for much of The Remnant, Basha carries anything but joy. She is a survivor, a girl shaped by loss, duty, and the weight of a legacy she never asked for. Her journey is one of self-discovery, of piecing together an identity that isn’t solely defined by the burdens placed upon her. 

She is also the last of something—the remnant of a family, of a culture, of a way of life. But in many ways, she is also the first: the first to challenge tradition, the first to carve a new path, the first to truly define what it means to be Inaba Bashira outside of the expectations of her lineage.

Her name, then, becomes a contradiction. Where is the joy in carrying so much grief? Where is the optimism when the world seems bent on breaking her? And yet, Basha endures. She finds a way forward, not despite the losses she’s faced, but because of them. She is, in the end, a bringer of hope—even if that hope must be fought for with tooth and blade.

Inaba Sara

Origin: Hebrew

Sara: “princess” or “noblewoman”

Sara is more than a name in The Remnant. She is a specter, a wound that never quite heals. Her name is one steeped in history, often symbolizing leadership, strength, and sacrifice. Sara’s presence in the story is paradoxical—she is both deeply influential and entirely absent.

Her choices, her sacrifices, and her death shape Basha’s path in profound ways. Even in death, she serves as a guiding force, a voice whispering in the shadows, a tether to a past that cannot be reclaimed. But here’s where it gets interesting: Sara was never meant to stay. Her role was always one of loss, of echoing through the lives of those she left behind. And yet, in many ways, she is more alive than the living—haunting Basha’s decisions, fueling her rage, and serving as the unspoken reason behind so many of her choices.

Her name, with all its nobility and weight, fits her perfectly. She was a princess of sorts—not in title, but in the way she carried herself, in the way her choices rippled outward, shaping destinies beyond her own.

Akimona Chiko

Origin: Japanese (although has various cultural origins)

Sara: “pledge” or “promise”

Chiko’s name isn’t just a name—it’s a lifeline. The meaning behind Chiko can vary depending on cultural origin, but one common interpretation is “pledge” or “promise.” And if that doesn’t sum up Chiko’s character in a single word, I don’t know what does.

Chiko is loyalty incarnate. He is the one who stays, the one who follows Basha through fire and flood, the one who holds a piece of her past even when she’s trying to outrun it. There’s a raw, unbreakable bond between them, one forged in childhood mischief and sharpened by shared hardship. But loyalty, as The Remnant reminds us, is a double-edged sword. What happens when devotion demands sacrifice? What happens when a promise binds too tightly, cutting off the possibility of a different future?

Chiko’s name is his fate, his burden, and his strength. He is a pledge made flesh, a promise that cannot be broken—even when it should be.

Nanuyo Dai

Origin: Japanese

Sara: “great” or “big”

Of all the names in The Remnant, Dai’s is perhaps the most layered. In Japanese, Dai (大) can mean “great” or “big,” often signifying importance, strength, or ambition. And isn’t that exactly what Dai represents?

Dai carries the weight of legacy on his shoulders. He moves through the world with the confidence of someone who has been told from birth that he is meant for greatness, and yet, that expectation is its own kind of cage. To be great is to be watched, to be manipulated, to be burdened with choices that aren’t entirely your own.

His relationship with Basha is tangled in politics, in duty, in the constant push and pull between power and personal freedom. He is a foil to Chiko in many ways—where Chiko’s loyalty is simple and steadfast, Dai’s is calculated and strategic. Where Chiko follows, Dai challenges. Where Chiko is a promise, Dai is an obligation.

And yet, Dai is not a villain. His name’s meaning reflects more than just status—it hints at the potential for true greatness, the kind that isn’t measured by political power or family prestige, but by the courage to choose a different path. Whether or not he takes it remains the question.

The Clans Inaba: The Ruling Lineage

The name Inaba (因幡) has Japanese origins and translates to “leaves of the rice plant.”

For both Sara and Basha, the name Clan Inaba is more than just a name—it is a legacy. As the ruling clan of Arathet, the Inaba family is the foundation upon which the city-state stands. Their name is synonymous with stability, power, and expectation. To be Inaba is to bear the weight of an entire civilization on your back.

For Sara, this was a duty she embraced. For Basha, it is a chain she longs to break.

But what happens when the foundation starts to crack? When the Remnant—the one left behind—isn’t content to rule as expected? That is the question Basha must answer.

Nanuyo: The Merchant Kings

The name Nanuyo is a constructed name that draws from Japanese and Polynesian influences, evoking the ideas of wealth, movement, and control over the tides. It suggests a lineage tied to commerce, adaptability, and influence beyond mere political power.

Clan Nanuyo is one of the wealthiest merchant families in Arathet, controlling much of the trade routes that flow in and out of the city. Unlike the Inaba, their power is not inherited through blood alone—it is built through cunning, negotiation, and calculated risk.

For Dai, this means growing up in a world where every move is strategic, every word a negotiation. His name is both a privilege and a burden, shaping his future in ways even he may not fully understand. To be Nanuyo is to be a master of the game, to see opportunity where others see risk, to build empires out of silk and salt.

Dai’s family name grants him power, but it also demands something in return—loyalty, cunning, and an unwavering commitment to the clan’s ambitions.

Akimona: The Dockland Survivors

The name Akimona combines Japanese and Southeast Asian linguistic roots, evoking the image of resilience, salt, and survival. It represents those who toil in the shadows of great empires but without whom those empires would crumble.

The Akimona family does not come from a noble house, nor a merchant dynasty. They are dockworkers, sailors, smugglers—people who live and die by the tides. They are the lifeblood of Arathet’s economy, yet they receive none of the prestige. 

But what the Akimona family lacks in prestige, they make up for in resilience. They are descended from survivors, fighters, people who build their own kind of power in the shadows of the great houses.

For Chiko, being Akimona means knowing how to survive in a world that will never see him as important. It means understanding that power doesn’t always come from titles or gold—but sometimes, from the people who know the streets, the tides, and the secrets that run beneath them in the City Beneath. It means knowing when to bow and when to bite. And it means carrying a name that, while not noble, is no less important.

In The Remnant, names are more than identifiers—they are stories in themselves. Basha, Sara, Chiko, and Dai each carry names that define them, shape them, and, at times, confine them. Their names tell us who they were meant to be, and The Remnant is, at its heart, the story of who they choose to become.

So tell me, dear reader, what’s in a name? What does your name say about you? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your stories!

And if you haven’t yet ventured into the world of The Remnant, now is the perfect time. Who knows? You might just find yourself in the echoes of their names.

Until next time, happy reading!

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The Remnant: Sneak Peek

The wait is almost over! The Remnant, the next installment in the Legion of Pneumos universe, is on its way, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally share a glimpse of what’s to come. If you’ve been craving more adventure, intrigue, and high-stakes rebellion, you’re in for a treat!

And guess what? You don’t have to wait until release day to start reading.

As a special thank-you to my readers, I’m offering this sneak peek of the first three chapters of The Remnant—totally free!

What is The Remnant about?

Basha was never born to lead. That was always her sister’s path, the Signet of their clan and beloved by all. But when a fateful battle in a faraway land claims her sister’s life, Basha’s world is torn apart. Thrust into a role she never wanted and haunted by a loss she cannot endure, Basha must navigate a treacherous web of political intrigue, forbidden romance, and ancient magic to uncover the truth behind her sister’s death and claim her destiny as the new Signet of the Cross-Sea lands.

But as a deadly weapon emerges from the depths of the City Beneath and rising seas inch closer to consuming all she holds dear, Basha is forced to forge unlikely alliances—the roguish heir to a rival clan and the childhood friend she believed lost forever. Together, they embark on a perilous journey through crumbling cities and submerged tunnels, facing assassins, betrayal, and the undeniable pull of their own hearts. But as secrets from her sister’s past come to light, Basha realizes that the key to saving her people may lie in the very mysteries that tore her family apart—and the dark bargains that could reshape their world forever.

In a battle against time and tides, what will Basha sacrifice to claim a power that was never meant to be hers? Witness the rise of an unlikely heroine, stepping out of her sister’s shadow to reshape the fate of an entire realm. 

Why You Need to Read This Now

If you loved Chaos Looming and The Cantor, then you already know the world of Pneumos is full of twists, betrayals, and battles waged with both steel and wit. But The Remnant raises the stakes even higher.

A heroine caught between duty and defiance
A city built on layers of history, now crumbling into the sea
Secrets that threaten to reshape everything she thought she knew
Magic, rebellion, and a world on the edge of war

Still not convinced? Go ahead—check out the first three chapters and see for yourself. I dare you to stop reading once you start.

Want to Read The Remnant Before Anyone Else?

Here’s the best part: You can get an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and read the entire book before its official release! But there’s a catch—there are only a few spots left.

If you love getting early access to exclusive reads and helping shape the final version of the book (by leaving reviews and sharing your thoughts), this is your chance.

Sign up for an ARC now before it’s too late!
Sign up HERE!

I can’t wait to hear what you think! Drop a comment below—what are you most excited to see in The Remnant? Let’s chat theories, favorite characters, and all the juicy speculation.

See you in the pages!

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Found Families and Fractured Bonds: Exploring Family Dynamics Through Fantasy

There’s something about family that sticks with us, isn’t there? Whether we love them, fight with them, or find ourselves tangled in a web of shared history and unspoken expectations, family relationships shape us in ways that are impossible to ignore. And nowhere is that truer than in the world of fantasy.

Epic quests? Magical battles? Kingdoms teetering on the brink of ruin? Sure, those things make for thrilling reading, but when you strip away the swords and sorcery, what really lingers in our minds are the relationships—the love, the loss, the betrayal, the sacrifices. At its core, fantasy has always been about more than just grand adventures; it’s about the bonds that tie us together and the ones we break along the way.

Let’s dig in!

Why Fantasy is the Perfect Lens for Exploring Relationships

There’s a reason fantasy stories so often center on the bonds between family—whether those ties are by blood or forged in fire. Fantasy magnifies the struggles we all face, stretching them out across worlds where emotions take physical shape, and legacies can be written in the stars. The stakes are always high, the conflicts larger than life, but at their core, these stories are deeply personal.

Art by Stephen Youll Art by Frostbite Studios

Think about some of the most iconic fantasy tales. A Song of Ice and Fire gives us power-hungry parents, siblings locked in bitter rivalries, and entire family lines crumbling under the weight of expectation. Harry Potter may be a battle between good and evil, but at its heart, it’s about a boy searching for the love and belonging he never had at home. Even The Cruel Prince is a masterclass in family dynamics, exploring how shared blood doesn’t always mean shared loyalty.

Fantasy takes what is already powerful about these relationships and dials it up to eleven. A father’s disappointment doesn’t just sting—it determines the fate of a kingdom. A sibling rivalry isn’t just about outshining each other—it’s a fight for survival in a world where allegiances mean life or death. A mother’s love isn’t just a comforting presence—it’s a force that can shake the very foundations of magic itself.

And maybe that’s why we, as readers, keep coming back to these stories. We see echoes of ourselves in them. We recognize the tension, the longing, the need to be seen and understood. Because whether it’s a noble house fighting for dominance, a chosen one struggling against their destiny, or a ragtag band of misfits finding a family of their own, the truth remains the same:

Fantasy isn’t just about escaping our world. It’s about understanding it.

And when it comes to family, sometimes a little magic is the only way to make sense of it all.

Family Dynamics in The Legion of Pneumos

Fantasy may be about magic, but the real heart of the story always lies in the relationships that shape us. In The Legion of Pneumos series, family—whether by blood or by choice—defines each character’s journey in ways they can’t always see until it’s too late.

Some, like Keira, struggle with the ghosts of an imperfect childhood. Others, like Neval, chase after love they never received, while Basha carries the burden of a sister’s legacy that was never meant to be hers. These relationships don’t just add depth to the story; they drive everything—motivations, conflicts, and, ultimately, the choices that define who they become.

Keira and Her Mother – A Daughter Seeking Approval

In The Cantor, Keira Altman learned early that love could be unreliable. Raised by her mother, Tammy, a woman with a heart too big and boundaries too weak, Keira spent most of her childhood playing the role of the responsible one. Tammy drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, believing in second chances even when they weren’t deserved, and the worst part? She dragged Keira along for the ride.

There’s love there—deep, undeniable love. But love doesn’t always mean safety, and as much as Keira adored her mother, she resented the instability that shaped her childhood.

Then she dies.

Ripped from her world and thrown into Loren, Keira finds herself in a place where she’s suddenly the one who’s lost. The mother she once wished she could escape is now a painful absence, leaving behind a raw wound of guilt and longing. But what haunts Keira most isn’t just the loss—it’s the fear that she’ll make the same mistakes.

If there’s one thing her mother taught her, it’s that trusting others, letting yourself be vulnerable, is dangerous. Love can be a trap. Dependence is a weakness. And yet, the deep irony of Keira’s arc is that she cannot fully wield her pneumonic power until she embraces that very vulnerability.

Neval and His Father – The Weight of Legacy

In The Rebel, Neval has spent his whole life fighting a battle that started long before he was born. His father was a disgrace. A drunk. The town embarrassment. And when you grow up as the son of a man like that, people don’t let you forget it.

So if they were going to hate him anyway, why not give them a real reason?

That’s how it started—the rebellion, the reckless defiance, the determination to be known for what he did, rather than what his father failed to do. 

But the real battle Neval has to fight isn’t against the Empire. It’s against himself.

Because his father has his own story, his own pain, his own burdens that Neval never understood. And when the moment comes—the moment where he can choose anger or forgiveness—Neval is forced to face the truth: that hating his father has shaped him just as much as loving him would have.

And he has to decide which version of himself he wants to be.

Basha and Her Sister – Sibling Bonds and Sacrifices

In The Remnant, Basha never wanted to be the responsible one. That was always Sara’s job.

Sara, the eldest. The perfect one. The Signet.

And Basha? She was the bold one, the wild one, the one who dreamed of adventure and escape. She never wanted to rule, never wanted the weight of leadership on her shoulders. But then Sara was gone.

And everything changed.

With her sister dead, the duty falls to Basha, whether she wants it or not. She is now the heir, the leader of a people struggling against rising sea levels and dangerous sinkholes. She alone must unravel the mystery of her sister’s death. But how can she lead when part of her still feels like the reckless child she’s always been? How can she step into her sister’s place when part of her has always resented living in her shadow?

And worse—what if some part of her blames herself?

Grief and guilt are heavy things, and for Basha, they are chains. Chains that bind her to a past she cannot change and a future she cannot escape. But in order to lead, in order to survive, she has to do the one thing she has never been able to do. 

She has to stop running.

She has to face who she is.

And maybe, just maybe, she has to forgive the sister she lost—and herself.

Conclusion: The Power of Found Families in Fantasy

In the end, the true magic of fantasy isn’t just in the battles, the spells, or the ancient prophecies. It’s in the relationships that define us, the wounds that shape us, and the love that refuses to let us go.

Whether it’s Keira learning that strength comes from vulnerability, Neval realizing that forgiveness is harder than rebellion, or Basha stepping out of her sister’s shadow to become her own kind of leader, the core of The Legion of Pneumos is the same: family—whether by blood or by choice—determines who we are.

So tell me—what are some of your favorite family dynamics in fantasy? Do you love the messy sibling rivalries, the overbearing but well-meaning parents, the found families that become stronger than blood?

Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it. Because in the end, stories—like family—are meant to be shared.

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The Cross-Sea Lands: A Rich Fantasy World of Layered Cities & Clashing Cultures

“The sea was eating their city again, one street at a time. Basha could taste it in the air as she raced through the docklands—salt and rust and rebellion.”

The Remnant Tweet

The Cross-Sea Lands are a place where history is never still, where the past is swallowed by the tides and rebuilt on higher ground. Rising seas forced the first settlers to adapt, crafting layered cities on stilts, cliffs, and floating platforms. What began as scattered refugee outposts became a thriving archipelago of fiercely independent city-states, each one shaped by the cultures of the people who found refuge there. Some cling to their ancestral ways, while others embrace the constant churn of trade, war, and reinvention. The result is a world brimming with overlapping traditions—clan banners fluttering side by side, dialects blending in the markets, festivals where old rivalries are set aside for one night of uneasy revelry.

In this article, I won’t reveal any major plot twists, but I will pull back the curtain just enough to show how these tangled customs, thriving marketplaces, and hidden enclaves bring the Cross-Sea Lands to life. This world isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, shifting force that shapes the characters who call it home.

Origins in Crisis

The Cross-Sea Lands did not rise out of ambition but out of necessity.

Generations ago, rising tides swallowed the coastal settlements of a dozen different nations. The survivors fled inland where they could, but for those whose lives were built on the water, retreat was not an option. They sought higher ground—not on land, but by raising their cities above the encroaching sea, building platforms, bridges, and towering settlements that defied the tides.

The city-states that grew from these desperate beginnings became mosaics of old cultures. No single nation could claim them, and no one ruling power could tame them. Over time, the remnants of sunken civilizations blended, their languages and beliefs fusing or clashing in turn.

Even now, the Cross-Sea Lands remain a tangle of competing traditions. In one alleyway, a fortune teller murmurs an old Mirzadi blessing, while a priest from Kharazan burns incense in honor of the Tidemother. In another, a merchant peddles amulets carved with symbols so old, no one remembers their origin.

The City Beneath: Where Shadows and Secrets Meet

Not all of the Cross-Sea Lands’ inhabitants walk in the light. Below the bustling piers and winding stairways, a different world thrives in the drowned lower levels of the oldest cities—a place known as the City Beneath.

Here, smugglers and outcast nobles rub shoulders with merchants too daring—or too desperate—to trade in the open air. Creaking wooden walkways snake through the flooded ruins, leading to hidden taverns like The Whispering Grotto, where deals are whispered over cups of fermented kelp wine.

To enter these subterranean enclaves is to shed one’s mask—literally. Locals believe that removing face coverings underground is an act of trust, a custom that can be seen as either defiance or camaraderie, depending on the company kept. Want to learn more? Check out the my full post on this dangerous underworld HERE. 

Festivals and Dockland Traditions

Aboveground, the chaos of trade is punctuated by vibrant celebrations. Markets roar with the voices of fishmongers and cloth merchants, their wares reflecting the ever-changing tides of cultural influence. A spice vendor might lace their Mirzadi saffron with Al-Zahra floral infusions, while a Daskaran blacksmith etches Kharazan windmill motifs into their steelwork.

And then, there are the festivals.

Perhaps the most famous is the Truce of Tides, an uneasy peace held once a year when even warring clans put down their blades to drink, dance, and gamble in the open. Each city-state brings its own traditions to the revelry: Arathet’s masked dancers swirl beside Vanyr’s mountain singers, while Mirzadi fire-spinners carve light into the night sky.

The City-States of the Cross-Sea Lands

Each city-state bears the mark of its history, its people shaped by the struggle to survive in a world where the land is never truly stable beneath their feet. Want to learn more? Check out the interactive map HERE. 

Arathet: The Capital City

Once a modest coastal outpost, Arathet now towers above the sea, its platforms stretching ever higher as the waters rise. A capital in all but name, it is where politics, trade, and old grudges collide.

Elarion: The Valley of Vines

Nestled in fertile hills, Elarion is a land of slow-growing wisdom, where faith and farming intertwine. Its wine flows freely in times of peace and strife alike.

Daskar: The Northern Fortress

Its fleet is unmatched, its warriors feared. Daskar’s harbor laws are as iron-clad as its defenses, but within the city’s salt-crusted walls, even sworn enemies can find common ground over a tankard of seaweed ale.

Mirzadi: City of Silk and Salt

A place of innovation, where foreign ideas and goods arrive with every tide. Its streets are a labyrinth of trade, where silk-cloaked merchants sell clockwork wonders and philosophers debate over strong cups of spiced tea.

Kharazan: City of Wind and Water

Perched on cliffs, its windmills and watermills harness the forces of nature. Its people are scholars, engineers, and dreamers who blend mechanics with ancient knowledge.

Al-Zahra: The Isle of Blossoms

Known for its terraced gardens and perfumes, Al-Zahra thrives on the trade of rare botanicals. Each spring, its Flower Festival draws traders and nobles alike, their attire a reflection of the blended cultures they come from.

Vanyr: Where the City Meets the Sky

High in the mountains, Vanyr’s people live by the rhythm of the wind and tide. Their prayers carry through the mist on flutes, a haunting melody that speaks of legends older than the cities themselves.

A World in Motion

The Cross-Sea Lands are not static. They are as restless as the tides, shaped by every storm, every new arrival. This is a world where history is never buried for long, and where every marketplace, every festival, every whispered deal beneath the docks leaves its mark on the generations to come.

For those who dare to walk its shifting streets, the question is never if they will be changed—but how.

Want More?

The Remnant delves deep into the tangled histories and rivalries of the Cross-Sea Lands. If you’re intrigued by the layers of culture, the clash of old and new, and the characters who must navigate this world of shifting allegiances, stay tuned. The tides are rising, and the story is just beginning.