Hugo Negron's Blog - Posts Tagged "qualtan"

IN THE BEGINNING…

The idea for this series started a LONG way back – grade school, as a matter of fact. A fascination with historical books on fantasy and mythology, and being influenced by works written by J.R.R. Tolkien, H.P. Lovecraft, the Hildebrandt Brothers (does anyone remember their foray into writing fantasy, Urshurak?), Robert E. Howard, and a host of others, gave way to an interest in writing about it. All of these writers created their own worlds, and populated them with unique cultures, creatures, heroes, and villains. My first tinkering was definitely not up to par. If anyone can recall the old Thundarr cartoon, my initial stories strongly paralleled it!

Over time the adventures of Qualtan grew into the occasional hobby – writing a new chapter here, removing an old chapter there. As reality kicked in (school, jobs, bills, worrying about money to PAY those bills, etc.) the stories become lost in piles of old memories and were only rediscovered when I moved out on my own. At one point, they ended up as trash, being thrown out as a childhood exercise in boredom. But for some reason, I went back to that trash can a few hours later and retrieved them, thinking they deserved a better review. The creative spark was rekindled, and the process of writing a new chapter here, removing an old chapter there, began again.

Fast forward years later, and my wife took an interest in my stories as I poured through what was now an enormous pile of paper, notebooks and random notes. Despite the years of on and off again writing, the stories had now grown with me and their basic premises were memorized. As I talked about them, and how neat it would have been to have seen them in novel form, she asked me why hadn’t I ever tried to do anything with them. I thought, camaan, to go through them all, make sense out of all the details, maturate the storylines, why bother?

Why not?! was the answer.

Why not, indeed? So I took the first story, and over a year, polished, updated, and clarified. I hired an editor to do clean-up, an illustrator to draw the cover, and found lulu.com in order to bind, prepare and set up for online epub and hard copy accessibility.

So now we are nearly at the “go live” stage – sure, there’s magic, monsters, and strange, wonderful places to visit within this first tale, but there are also lessons in friendship, trust, expectations, and that little naiveté all of us can have when starting off into something brand new, that almost always gets tempered with a slight dash of disappointment, a pinch of cynicism, and a spoonful of real vs. assumed expectations. This is something we can all relate to, whether you’re carrying around a mystic sword or not.

And this is only the start…both here and on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a.... I'll be adding snippets on the characters, updates on what is coming next and some great giveaway contests as well as we lead up to the release of the first book in the Forging of a Knight series...

Hello everyone - thanks again for your support on this endeavor. I am happy to share with you that Forging of a Knight is at last complete and available for purchase!

The title will be available now through lulu.com where I have added a 15% discount for the paperback version. You can go to their website and search for Forging of a Knight or use the link below:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?ty...

The epub version will be available shortly.

The title will be listed in major bibliographic databases and should become available on Amazon.com within 6-8 weeks. It will also become available on online retailers worldwide such as Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, and Barnes & Noble.

Should any wish for a signed copy, please reach out to me directly for payment/delivery instructions.

Any questions, please let me know - again, thanks to everyone - the Forging of a Knight series is just beginning!

- Hugo
Forging of a Knight

Forging of a Knight is now downloadable!

For $3.99 you can get the ePub version of Forging of a Knight for Adobe digital editions. Currently available at lulu:

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/HugoN

Availability for the Barnes & Noble Nook Book Store and iBookstore soon!

Forging of a Knight is now available on the Kindle!

For $2.99 you can download the first in the Forging of a Knight series!

Thanks to the great people at Fantasy Book Review for their wonderful review of Forging of a Knight! You can check it out here:

http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/bo...

Whew! Well, finally got a chance to continue my blog insights into some of the main characters of Forging of a Knight. It has been pretty hectic of late - in the real world, I was invited to present at a local church gathering on resume development/interviewing techniques, been super busy at work trying to fill a ton of roles, and then I wrenched my shoulder while working out (which made me wish for Qualtan's recuperative powers!). But a break in the action has come at last...the Wizard Con is coming to IL next week, and I’m all set for it – costume and all!

Forging of a Knight has also been busy. Some local libraries are now carrying (and signing out) copies, one entry was sent to a Writer's Digest book contest, and another to the Frankfurt, Germany book fair, in the hopes of getting more exposure. Fingers crossed...!

So anyway, onto the Bad Guys!! Those That Stand in Shadow, also known as the Evil Ones, the Dark Ones, and probably a few more titles – offspring from demonic beings called down to sow their seed upon their human worshippers. Instigators of the Great War, which lasted over five decades, purveyors of evil, and near victors against the combined forces of good during the Final Battle. Only the surprise appearance of the Master of the Great Beasts, the one-eyed Dragon King, and his kin, an army of dragons, was able to break the Dark Ones’ power and begin their eventual defeat. One by one, they were tracked down and captured: Thorngagg, his twin brother Narthagg, Mulnornn the Red, and Yog the Hated. Only antler-headed Darksiege, and the leader of the Dark Ones, the spider-like Shaz, escaped to continue their plotting and planning. They wield deadly magic, Giant-strength, and their most infamous power - the vampire-like ability to drain the life force from living beings to feed upon. Although Darksiege disappeared, Shaz remained stationed in his citadel, like a true spider in its web, waiting with infinite patience to strike again. Although the Alliance claimed victory, Aurelus, one of the great Arch-Mages, and architect of the alliance that rose up against the Evil Ones, could not convince them to complete the act and attack Shaz' keep. Weary of war, they were content to focus on the reconstruction of their lands and countries, satisfied in keeping a wary eye on the lands of Shaz, but unwilling to commit more lives in yet another war.

So Aurelus, undefeated in war, was defeated in the council chambers by the very Alliance Kings he had brought together. All he could do was ensure the memory of the Dark Ones would never be forgotten, and to be prepared for their eventual return…

Forging of a Knight’s second book is already in the draft stage. In it, we have a far more complex storyline, and a far more complex group of characters to learn about. Jesepha, the strong willed female knight; her mentor, the elder knight Bartholomew, who carries a strange mystery of his own; the young and hot-headed knight Euric; the glum and impatient knight Richard; the dashing merchant lord Visandus; Qualtan, Glaive, and a host of others. All of them, working together against a new threat that unravels from a seemingly routine mission into one of greater horror that will involve other-dimensional creatures, rival sea-faring pirate nations, and a face-to-face confrontation between Qualtan and Darksiege at last! And THAT is still just a precursor to an even GREATER threat!

Up next – the Arch-Mages! Who are the wizards besides Aurelus that make up this special group?

Well, the Wizard Con has come and gone, and in my costume as Dr. Doom, it was a blast taking photos with kids, adults, and fellow cosplayers! I will have to significantly upgrade the costume with metal armor vs. the plastic pieces I used, so looking forward to next year...

In the meantime, pulling out my quill pen and wax paper, we focus this blog entry on the Arch-Mages, members of the Council of Mages, also known as the Council of the School!

The School, as it is known, was created by a group of scholarly wizards for their own means, many ages past. Content with their own private study and research, they did little outside of their hidden sanctuary; a place magically protected from the outside world, and reachable only by them and a chosen few. Their power is innate, and at a level far beyond any other purveyor of magic.

They were the wizards that taught Aurelus, Qualtan's uncle, and others, selected in the Test we discussed under Aurelus' character profile. Over time, the original wizards disappeared, either on personal quests, retiring to lands hidden, or disappearing by unknown means. This eventually left the current roster of Arch-Mages, former apprentices now turned Master Mages, to fend for themselves, and to develop a new philosophy towards the outside world. Aurelus became their unofficial leader, and made their first order of business to search out the great Amali, a wizard of untold power. The Arch-Mages nominated him as the School's steward, and he accepted, helping them to build their case against Those That Stand in Shadow, and guiding them towards service to their fellow Kind. Thus, the School became the Council of Mages (or the Council of the Arch-Mages as it was sometimes called), forging the Alliance, and becoming a permanent fixture in guiding the continent and its nations towards peace and prosperity. Mostly embraced, some nations have begun to feel the 'Mages influence has grown beyond their own, and feel threatened by the power they hold.

When the wormy hands of Those That Stand in Shadow began to extend outward, reaching over the continent, Aurelus led the way in forming a coalition against them. The Alliance was made, bonding the three nations of Turinthia, Bagda, and Medlissia as one. The Arch-Mages created the Tourney (also known as the Trial), a contest in which great warriors whom the wizards had magically enhanced battled over the right to wield the Goldenflame, a special blade they had created.

So who were they?

Aurelus, uncle to Qualtan, and brother to Eucradus. It was his brother who won the Trial.

Amali the Ancient, the School's steward, and part-time member, who eventually retreated back to his own continent to deal with the trials and tribulations found therein. His chosen hero failed against Eucradus in the Trial, and also returned home to champion his own people.

Al-Hlassim, known for his bright attire and glowering eyes, still active within the School, his own hero also having failed against Eucradus in the Trial.

The elf wizard known as the Wizard of Greyfog Gorge, where his secondary home sits. He was the mentor to the current ruler of Hermstingle, last citadel of the High Elves, and sponsor in the Trial of Termenon, Prince of Hermstingle, also known as the Sword of Eagles. He also failed against Eucradus, and held a mighty grudge against the fact that a Human-Kind could beat an Elf-Kind. This resentment would soon show itself when Prince Termenon eventually encountered Qualtan, son of the hero that bested him, and gifted with powers equal to his own.

Fargus, sponsor of a hero that lost against Eucradus and died in the battles against the Evil Ones. Fargus himself perished in an early campaign against Those That Stand in Shadow.

Mordecai, sponsor to yet another hero who lost in the Trial, and also dead. Mordecai joined his compatriot Fargus in the same battle, also losing his life.

Though this leaves only four remaining Arch-Mages (three, if you take into account that Amali has left the School for now), some of the new apprentices who passed the current roster's Test still reside at the School, developing to one day take their masters' place. They are:

Mulvanen, brother to fellow Arch-Mage apprentice Throudamere, and ever contesting against him to prove his superiority. In fact, he looks to prove himself above all the wizards, whether they be apprentice or Arch-Mage. His festering for ever greater power has become a slight worry in the eyes of Aurelus, and he has begun to wonder about him...

Throudamere, brother to Mulvanen.

Broetal, a female mage of great power.

Cassandra, mentored by Aurelus, and the mightiest of the apprentices. Aurelus and the other Arch-Mages agree that she will be the first of the new apprentices to eventually take their place.

Little is known about the apprentices, for beyond their supporting roles in the wars against the Dark Ones, their works were unknown and unseen. There had been three additional apprentices, who sadly lost their lives in the many battles against Shaz and his forces. They were named Torsen, Mantrel, and Ochtomean.

Thus reads the legend of the Arch-Mages. What their final fate will be, and whether they outlast the Dark Ones, Those That Stand in Shadow, or the growing enmity of the very nations they saved, is a tale yet to be told...

I just wanted to give a quick "shout out" and say thanks to the 466 people who entered my giveaway for free copies of Forging of a Knight!

To those five entrants that won, books will be shipped out shortly! I hope you enjoy the story, the characters, and the first of the Forging of a Knight series! Feel free to let me know what you thought!

Also wanted to say thanks to local libraries in Bartlett, Schaumburg, and Elgin, IL for carrying a copy!

Well, it’s becoming a cool September in Illinois as we veer into October, which considering the heat of the summer this year, is a relief!

A big bonus for me was receiving medieval leg armor in the mail to upgrade my cosplay costume for next year. Real armor which included the cuisses (thigh pieces), knee cops, and greaves (lower leg pieces) from a wonderful company known as ArmStreet.com - check em out if you are looking for "armor wear"! I may have to wear these when making my rounds promoting the book! The arm pieces will be following soon...

So that got me thinking about what exactly does it take to become a knight. In Forging of a Knight, the Arch-Mage Aurelus had discussed with Qualtan the concepts of what being a knight exactly meant:

“This is a very prestigious honor, not to be taken lightly...Knighthood is to be taken seriously, Qualtan. It is for the deepest devotion, the noblest of character, and the humblest of heart. You will represent not only your honor, but that of Turinthia’s, of the Alliance itself. Leaders in war, observers of the most dangerous of missions, a knight is a living trust of the powers of Good. Those selfsame powers strive to guide us in our journeys, just as the powers of Evil attempt to mislead. We wizards are blessed in our ability to sculpt and mold from the energies that surround us all, but we did not create that power. We craft with it, build from it, and harness it. Like an artist taking a vision from his mind and giving it breath upon an empty canvas, we create our own reality. The power behind all life is of course beyond our faculties; it stems only from the High Lord, He Who Has No Name, and the font of all that we are. A true wizard must respect that. As a knight, so must you.”

“You make knighthood sound more burden than honor,” Qualtan reflected, waiting impatiently for his uncle’s speech to end.

“It can be. Oh, there are many orders of knights. The Order of the Black Tower from Medlissia, the Order of the Star and Sword, from Bagda, the Elven Order of the High Forest, there are many others. Some have little value or little honor, being knights in name only. Others, like the Orders I have mentioned, are true to their ideals and are looked upon as the highest of service. But remember, a true knight, a true man of honor, listens to his own counsel with that of those given to him. Never follow blindly.”

Aurelus was being slightly chauvinistic in that there are both male and female knights in Forging of a Knight. Usually only those sponsored from parents of the nobility could become knights, as Qualtan's father had been. Or, those of less austere rank could qualify if proof of great deeds was given. Usually if prepped at an early age, youths that were given the honor of being a squire would train and service true knights for years for their chance to prove worthy enough to do a noble deed and become a knight. Upon laying such proofs before one's King or Queen and his/her council, the applicant, if awarded the rank of Knight, would then fast, offering prayers of fealty to the High Lord, after which the gift of armor and lance was bestowed, unless the knight-to-be had a sponsor to originally present his/her petition. In that case, it fell upon the sponsor to confer the gifts that were due. A high priest or cleric then blessed the knight-to-be, with King/Queen present, and armor was re-presented to him/her, before a throng of observers. Now a true knight, he/she would be escorted through a row of knights, their swords aloft over their heads. Celebrations would follow, and the confirmation of the title Knight was complete.

I created the above based upon the true process of becoming a knight in Europe during the Middle Ages. Pages, or knights-in-training, were sent to live with noblemen to train. Once they were in their mid-teens, they became squires. They were taught to observe and follow the code of chivalry - being a true knight, brave, respectful, showing honor to women, and serving the defenseless.

When a squire performed an act that was deemed worthy of being a knight, the squire was usually given that honor immediately by his sponsor (say, as if, in the middle of a battle). Usually, though, it was done in a religious ceremony, including fasting and prayer, which completed with a church service where gifts of armor were received.

In Forging of a Knight, I limit the authority of bestowing knighthood to usually the King/Queen, the Commander of military forces ("head knight") or any they gave the authority to do so. However, as Aurelus pointed out above, some Orders were not as worthy of their title as others, and gave out knighthood on the cheap and quick...!

Another cool day in Illinois – looks like Father Winter is finally making his annual visit until he gets kicked out in May of next year. That’s the bad thing about weather around here – you don’t really get any seasons in-between – its straight from cold to humid, sticky summer and back again!

I wanted to make some quick shouts outs – thanks to The Inner Bailey for their support of Forging of a Knight. They make wonderful handcrafted medieval leather items and are really friendly to boot (unintentional pun there): http://theinnerbailey.com

Also wanted to say thanks to the Stoney Creek Inn in Galena, IL for their support of the book as well. Cozy rooms, great atmosphere and amazing people: http://www.stoneycreekinn.com/hotel/t...

Book two of Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers, is done! Just a matter of getting the editing/publishing process set. Be sure to look for it sometime next year.

As I mentioned prior, book two has a greatly expanded cast of supporting characters. One of them is Jesepha the knight. She’s strong, witty, courageous, and isn’t the type to sit back and just follow the crowd. More importantly, she’s certainly not the stereotypical love interest of the main character, or the damsel in distress! Below is an excerpt from book two:


Fights broke out amongst the attendees, while others laughed and took bets on the winners. One knight rudely grabbed a harp from one of the music players, attempting to play it, and then angrily smashing it against the wall with drunken frustration.

“Does General Mountebank know of this?”

“General Mountebank knows full well how his knights behave. This is a release for the fighting men and women during times of peace, is what he would say. I was in your shoes once, and that was the response I received for my own inquiry.” Bartholomew said.

Qualtan was shocked. He looked over to Jesepha who boringly raised her eyebrows with a frown.

“Bartholomew speaks the truth.”

“This is your Order. Welcome to it.” Bartholomew said, with a hint of sad mirth.

Qualtan’s face grew grim. This was not the way knights behaved. This is not how they should behave. Perhaps he was a fool, but he knew his father would never have engaged in this. If there was anything he was sure of since coming to Turinthia, and there was much that he was not, it was this. He would not accept it. It was as simple as that.

“No. This is not any brotherhood I hold value with. This is not the way.” Qualtan rose, a look of disappointment on his face. As he did so, a knight came rushing by, chasing another knight, nearly toppling over him. Sidestepping quickly, Qualtan avoided the collision as the other knight tripped over himself and fell to the floor in a gurgling stupor.

“I’m leaving.” Qualtan said.

Bartholomew clapped his hands.

“Good! Then I shall join you!”

“As shall I! Rutting pigs!” Jesepha said with disgust as a knight began to wretch in a corner, surrounded by applauding friends.

The dance in the center had become more of a melee, as knights pushed and shoved at their brethren, knocking themselves about. Euric had been one of the last to join the group. He had been motioning to Jesepha to join him with little success. Amidst the wrestling the dance had become, he took notice of Jesepha and the others rising from their chairs and paused to follow their actions.

As the trio maneuvered towards an exit, one large knight, nearly as wide as he was tall, grabbed Jesepha’s arm as she walked by.

“Surely you aren’t leaving?!” He inquired, his heavily bearded face bright red from drink.

Jesepha looked down at the knight with a disapproving gaze. “I am. The stink here has risen considerably. Remove your arm, Lull.” She said tiredly.

“I shall not!” The knight rose. Qualtan moved towards him but Bartholomew signaled him to stay clear. Confused, Qualtan held back.

“Have faith in her. Just watch.” Bartholomew said.

The bearded knight smiled, his face beaded with sweat. “Little Jesepha. One of the few sister knights of the Order. Always thinking you are too good for the rest of us. You are not too good for me.”

“Lull, I have turned down your advances before. Step away.” She said evenly.

“Hah! Step away!” He said, releasing her arm. “Your problem is, you need to relax! You impress no one here. Have a good time like the rest of us. You’ve spent too much time with these two dullards at your back. You just need a good grabbin’!” Lull pulled her close, making exaggerated kissing noises with his stained lips.

In a flash of motion, Jesepha’s armored knee struck Lull between his legs. He bowled over with a surprised yelp. Jesepha then cocked back her arm and struck Lull squarely on the nose with her mailed fist. He crumpled over a nearby table in a pile of dislodged dishes and food. The music stopped. The dancers stared down at Lull and then at Jesepha. At once they began to cheer, dragging Lull to his feet.

With a snarl she turned away, Bartholomew patting her on the back happily. Qualtan looked back at the bloodied Lull who shoved away at other knights that laughingly pretended to kiss him. Euric squeezed through the throng at last, attempting to catch up with them.