Andrew Moore's Blog

The Big Problem With Spaceships

Once we get to mining all them asteroids and such, we'll just fill space with a big complex we can traverse using scooters instead of resorting to big clumsy ships.

For Latecomers

The latest four-book series has finished over on Royal Road for you alpha-omegaists who like to know there's an end before you embrace the beginning.

Fantasy Travel Question

Q. Can riding a dragon or pegasus cause jet lag?
A. No. Dragons and pegasoi never submit to being ridden by someone who might succumb to jet lag.
Q. Suppose however that a passenger is suffered to come along. A rescued princess, perchance.
A. In that case, yes, but the problem can be resolved by curative magic of Rank D or better.

Addendum

That is, if the inheriting family members don't kill one another in the resulting dispute over the priceless legacy, which they most likely will. Whoops!

Future Implementations of Estate Taxes

When spaceships become hereditary, it won't be feasible to break them up and sell the parts. That means a new captain will owe service, possibly a galaxy-ranging quest, a year patroling the space marches, or public transport.

Customizable Audiobook Settings

Everybody already knows this is the future. The standard options at first will be:
- Normal
- "Funny voices"
- ASMR
- Narrator shouting to be heard over a vacuum cleaner
- Drunk friend trying to explain the plot (he does not remember it correctly)
- Hatsune Miku
Developments will continue of course.

Irreplaceable Dignity

The guard stationed at the crossroads pondered his duty. "Not to denigrate so eminent a person as I hope to be considered, but could not a statue do as much as I? Ah, a chance to test. Hail, Terad!"
The final salutation was no silent thought. Terad answered, and soon the two agreed to terms over a rough likeness of the guard, altered from another comission which depicted an official who had already secured a better post.
Upon delivery, the guard fixed his replacement and left to pursue a separate occupation. The statue watched over the crossroads ably. No crime occurred which would not had the proper guard been present. The sole notable incident involved a traveler from afar. Taking the statue for a local god, he left an offering and prayed to it before continuing his journey.
Incensed, the true crossroads god smashed the statue to splinters. The guard marveled upon seeing it. "I never realized how strenuous this routine could be for a guard of lesser resilience. I am aggrieved, lamented substitute, that you bore the weight of my miscalculation in thinking myself inessential." He proceeded to consign the statue to the care of the proper gods in his prayer. Both duty and piety thus returned to the world.
Finis

Characterization Aid

When creating a character, ask yourself the following questions.
What living family does he have?
What deceased family does he have?
What colors does he prefer?
How well would he perform in the hit new tactical social deduction game Fire Emblem Shadows, the true test of wits?

Likely Astronomical Phenomenon

The entire universe so far as we can observe it is probably contained within a big ol' spaceship, right? We wouldn't know if it weren't. I call this the "Big Haul" theory. As for who's driving, I bet he wears a cap to keep the super-sun out of his eyes, each of which is larger than a galaxy. What concerns us is where he's driving and what the recipient intends to do with us.

Addendum

Now, with the help of AI, you can enrich your story with portraits of people who don't appear. Consider your avant garded.