Hugo Negron's Blog, page 18
September 1, 2012
Thanks to all!
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!
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!
August 18, 2012
The Arch-Mages
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...
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...
August 5, 2012
Those That Stand in Shadow - and other updates
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?
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?
July 4, 2012
Book Review in for Forging of a Knight!
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...
http://www.fantasybookreview.co.uk/bo...
June 29, 2012
Forging of a Knight is now on Kindle!
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!
For $2.99 you can download the first in the Forging of a Knight series!
June 21, 2012
ePub version is available!
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!
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!
June 2, 2012
Forging of a Knight is here!
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
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
April 14, 2012
Character Profile - Aurelus
Who is Aurelus?
“And you are a nephew of the great Aurelus, eh? It was thought he was above having such kin, leastways of the mortal ilk, if you get my pitch.”
Few knew anything about this secretive wizard. He was brother to Eucradus, hero and First Knight of the Alliance. He was a powerful Arch-Mage, who almost single-handedly masterminded the Alliance – the allegiance of the three nations Turinthia, Bagda, and Medlissia to combine against Those That Stand in Shadow, and he was the wizard that convinced the Dragon King, that legendary King of Dragons, to lead his serpentine brethren against the Evil Ones at the time of the Final Battle, saving the united armies and allies of the Alliance.
But who is the long-bearded, balding wizard known as Aurelus?
To answer that question, we go a bit deeper into his past.
His parents had been lesser officials of a city-state that eventually was absorbed into the Turinthian Empire. While his younger brother Eucradus showed promise to become a page and study the ways of a knight, Aurelus had shown the opposite – scholarly, studious, with an inherent connection to things unseen. His budding powers had been observed, and duly noted, by the Arch-Mages, mysterious wizards that studied and lived in isolation, their School’s location unknown. Every ten years, invitations were sent out to those deemed worthy enough of their additional attention. Turinthia, the mightiest of the First Kingdoms, had become their choice to sponsor the Test. A great affair, surrounded by pomp and revelry, hopeful students would travel there to be assessed and evaluated. Those that failed became petty magicians of court and nobility. But for those that passed, they would be granted membership into the School’s secret society and developed into true wizards.
Just a boy, Aurelus was awarded that privilege. For twenty years he studied at the School, under the tutelage of legendary mages, until he had been made ready. Though comfortable in keeping to his ways alone, he is also adept at navigating through the political waters of the nobility he has frequently dealt with. Though revered for his knowledge, counsel, and abilities, some within the Alliance have worried he has too much influence, and ponder if he is truly satisfied, along with the other Arch-Mages, with merely aiding them, or eventually controlling them. As Aurelus himself put it:
“There is more freedom to do what is right and not be hampered by petty posturing and courtly intrigue. We wizards of the School must ever look to the future for the benefit of us all. That view does not take national borders or royal sovereignty into account.”
A patient, compassionate, yet powerful man, Aurelus has learned the lessons of life. During a conversation with his nephew Qualtan, he stated it quite succinctly:
“A wise man trusts to his own council, as should you,” Aurelus replied. “A just King today can become the cruel tyrant of tomorrow. Personal evolutions are ever fraught with peril for those that grow used to holding power.”
But such power demands a price. The cost of his knowledge was separation from his family, and those he had cared about.
“Twenty years passed before I saw you again. But you never truly returned, did you? All of your sorcerous training had left us a changeling instead,” his brother Eucradus had once said.
And the wars against Those That Stand in Shadow had left him vengeful against those that had stood against the Alliance, to the point of sometimes blinding his usual rational manner. He especially held the orcne in high disregard, for they were the main race that had served as the armies for the Evil Ones. Thus any of orcish blood were suspect, in his mind, and that, as you can imagine, would only lead to trouble when his nephew Qualtan had the audacity to befriend one of half-orcish blood, and a thief, no less! How would Aurelus handle that?
Next up - who are the Evil Ones, Those That Stand in Shadow?
“And you are a nephew of the great Aurelus, eh? It was thought he was above having such kin, leastways of the mortal ilk, if you get my pitch.”
Few knew anything about this secretive wizard. He was brother to Eucradus, hero and First Knight of the Alliance. He was a powerful Arch-Mage, who almost single-handedly masterminded the Alliance – the allegiance of the three nations Turinthia, Bagda, and Medlissia to combine against Those That Stand in Shadow, and he was the wizard that convinced the Dragon King, that legendary King of Dragons, to lead his serpentine brethren against the Evil Ones at the time of the Final Battle, saving the united armies and allies of the Alliance.
But who is the long-bearded, balding wizard known as Aurelus?
To answer that question, we go a bit deeper into his past.
His parents had been lesser officials of a city-state that eventually was absorbed into the Turinthian Empire. While his younger brother Eucradus showed promise to become a page and study the ways of a knight, Aurelus had shown the opposite – scholarly, studious, with an inherent connection to things unseen. His budding powers had been observed, and duly noted, by the Arch-Mages, mysterious wizards that studied and lived in isolation, their School’s location unknown. Every ten years, invitations were sent out to those deemed worthy enough of their additional attention. Turinthia, the mightiest of the First Kingdoms, had become their choice to sponsor the Test. A great affair, surrounded by pomp and revelry, hopeful students would travel there to be assessed and evaluated. Those that failed became petty magicians of court and nobility. But for those that passed, they would be granted membership into the School’s secret society and developed into true wizards.
Just a boy, Aurelus was awarded that privilege. For twenty years he studied at the School, under the tutelage of legendary mages, until he had been made ready. Though comfortable in keeping to his ways alone, he is also adept at navigating through the political waters of the nobility he has frequently dealt with. Though revered for his knowledge, counsel, and abilities, some within the Alliance have worried he has too much influence, and ponder if he is truly satisfied, along with the other Arch-Mages, with merely aiding them, or eventually controlling them. As Aurelus himself put it:
“There is more freedom to do what is right and not be hampered by petty posturing and courtly intrigue. We wizards of the School must ever look to the future for the benefit of us all. That view does not take national borders or royal sovereignty into account.”
A patient, compassionate, yet powerful man, Aurelus has learned the lessons of life. During a conversation with his nephew Qualtan, he stated it quite succinctly:
“A wise man trusts to his own council, as should you,” Aurelus replied. “A just King today can become the cruel tyrant of tomorrow. Personal evolutions are ever fraught with peril for those that grow used to holding power.”
But such power demands a price. The cost of his knowledge was separation from his family, and those he had cared about.
“Twenty years passed before I saw you again. But you never truly returned, did you? All of your sorcerous training had left us a changeling instead,” his brother Eucradus had once said.
And the wars against Those That Stand in Shadow had left him vengeful against those that had stood against the Alliance, to the point of sometimes blinding his usual rational manner. He especially held the orcne in high disregard, for they were the main race that had served as the armies for the Evil Ones. Thus any of orcish blood were suspect, in his mind, and that, as you can imagine, would only lead to trouble when his nephew Qualtan had the audacity to befriend one of half-orcish blood, and a thief, no less! How would Aurelus handle that?
Next up - who are the Evil Ones, Those That Stand in Shadow?
April 5, 2012
Character Profile - Glaive
This time around, we'll be focusing our profile on Qualtan's newfound friend ... or foe ... Glaive.
"You are named after a weapon?" Qualtan asked.
"That name was given to me, by me. Do you wish to hear my story or not?" Glaive replied.
Their introduction wasn't an easy one. Glaive is a half-orcne, which in their world spells trouble. Orcne are a bestial race of creatures. Originally stemming from a savage, demonic race know as the Orcneas, spawn of supposed evil gods, they eventually became known as the Orcne, considered "the lowest on the totem pole" of the Kind when compared to the Human-Kind and Elf-Kind. As Glaive himself puts it, "Orcnes really are a hateful, spiteful bunch." They are bullies - abusive, greedy, with angry black teeth and white tusks. Bow-legged, with splotchy coloration and yellow eyes, they are known for raiding and attacking peaceful settlements, robbing and maiming, making war upon any creature they come across, as much with themselves as others. Ask any orcne, and they will say they were forced into such conditions by the hate of humans and elves that felt themselves superior to them and decided to push the creatures out of their rightful lands. They would also say they are merely trying to stand up to these sort of bullies and be acknowledged as rightful Kind like anybody else. With such a colorful heritage, it wasn't a surprise that Glaive's lot in life was hardly an easy one. Born of an evil witch and an orcne clan leader, his dual blood made him an outsider to both races. Losing his parents at an early age, he was forced to become a thief in order to survive. Attempting to steal from professional thieves brought him into the Company of the Dartful Hand, and soon he found acceptance and respect, of a sort, under the scheming merchant lord the Hand was secretly financed by. But even here he was betrayed, and when he was setup as a scapegoat, Glaive found himself back on the run, living by his wits once again. That is, until he came across an unlikely hero named Qualtan, who rescued him from an angry gang of humans that did not appreciate one of orcne blood daring to enter their tavern, taking a seat and drinking an ale like any other Man. Qualtan's sincere, somewhat naive acceptance of Glaive, ignoring the prejudices of their time, leads to the half-orcne's curiosity, and soon an unlikely alliance forms.
"That's the second time you've called me a man," the half-orcne said, his features softening.
"Aren't you?"
"Hah. Not to many. Your words are taken with more value than you would know."
A friendship in the making? Perhaps. But when the chance to steal a veritable fortune makes itself known, temptation takes precedence, and a choice between friendship and betrayal is made. Will Glaive prove to himself he is not what he has been labeled to be, or will he indulge in the biased expectations he has resented from others?
"You are named after a weapon?" Qualtan asked.
"That name was given to me, by me. Do you wish to hear my story or not?" Glaive replied.
Their introduction wasn't an easy one. Glaive is a half-orcne, which in their world spells trouble. Orcne are a bestial race of creatures. Originally stemming from a savage, demonic race know as the Orcneas, spawn of supposed evil gods, they eventually became known as the Orcne, considered "the lowest on the totem pole" of the Kind when compared to the Human-Kind and Elf-Kind. As Glaive himself puts it, "Orcnes really are a hateful, spiteful bunch." They are bullies - abusive, greedy, with angry black teeth and white tusks. Bow-legged, with splotchy coloration and yellow eyes, they are known for raiding and attacking peaceful settlements, robbing and maiming, making war upon any creature they come across, as much with themselves as others. Ask any orcne, and they will say they were forced into such conditions by the hate of humans and elves that felt themselves superior to them and decided to push the creatures out of their rightful lands. They would also say they are merely trying to stand up to these sort of bullies and be acknowledged as rightful Kind like anybody else. With such a colorful heritage, it wasn't a surprise that Glaive's lot in life was hardly an easy one. Born of an evil witch and an orcne clan leader, his dual blood made him an outsider to both races. Losing his parents at an early age, he was forced to become a thief in order to survive. Attempting to steal from professional thieves brought him into the Company of the Dartful Hand, and soon he found acceptance and respect, of a sort, under the scheming merchant lord the Hand was secretly financed by. But even here he was betrayed, and when he was setup as a scapegoat, Glaive found himself back on the run, living by his wits once again. That is, until he came across an unlikely hero named Qualtan, who rescued him from an angry gang of humans that did not appreciate one of orcne blood daring to enter their tavern, taking a seat and drinking an ale like any other Man. Qualtan's sincere, somewhat naive acceptance of Glaive, ignoring the prejudices of their time, leads to the half-orcne's curiosity, and soon an unlikely alliance forms.
"That's the second time you've called me a man," the half-orcne said, his features softening.
"Aren't you?"
"Hah. Not to many. Your words are taken with more value than you would know."
A friendship in the making? Perhaps. But when the chance to steal a veritable fortune makes itself known, temptation takes precedence, and a choice between friendship and betrayal is made. Will Glaive prove to himself he is not what he has been labeled to be, or will he indulge in the biased expectations he has resented from others?
Character Profile - Qualtan
Hi everyone – With Forging of a Knight moving along at a nice pace, I felt this would be a great forum to spotlight some of the characters and places that you will soon find within the pages of the book itself. I’ll touch briefly on the heroes, the villains, the supporting cast, the cultures, and the histories you will find within this magical realm as a preview of what’s to come. So let’s light some tallowed candles, and sit comfortably before a sparking fire. As a swollen moon rises, and darksome shadows lengthen outside creaking windows, let’s take out some aged parchments, pull free their waxen seals, and begin our quest…
Character Profile: Qualtan
This is our main protagonist throughout the first Forging of a Knight book. Son to a great hero, and nephew to a powerful wizard, he has been selected to take up the mantle his father had left behind, and wield a magical sword known as the Goldenflame. Gifted with great abilities, he sets off to petition the King of the great nation of Turinthia to become a knight in the Order of the Bearded Lion. He has been trained since an early age in the use of the sword and lance. He has been given enhanced strength above his peers, and resistance to some injury and spellcraft. All in all, the perfect tools to become a noble knight…
However, growing up with stodgy old wizards makes for a more sober outlook in life than most of his friends can relate to, and he starts to notice how different he truly is. As what happens to most of us when we start something new, there tends to be a perception of where we are going, and a reality of the same, with the true path we end up taking somewhere in-between. A little naïve when it comes to what is right and what is wrong, our hero learns defining good and evil isn’t as easy as he first thought. He wants to prove himself as good a knight as his father had been, and puts quite a bit of pressure on himself to meet those expectations. On top of that, our hero’s esteemed lineage isn’t the guarantee to fame he assumed it would be, especially when he meets quite a few people who don’t know anything about his family’s supposed famous name, or could really care less!
Add to this an encounter with a rather unusual “friend” that will test the biases and prejudices of his time, and Qualtan will find himself questioning more things than he thought he ever would about himself, the viewpoints of his uncle (who he had kept in the highest of regard), and the worldview he thought he had understood.
Those problems kind of sound familiar, don’t they? Whether Qualtan’s answers to those questions can help him reach his goal, or prevent him from doing so, we’ll soon see…
The next profile will be on the unusual “friend” Qualtan meets…and wishes he hadn’t!
Character Profile: Qualtan
This is our main protagonist throughout the first Forging of a Knight book. Son to a great hero, and nephew to a powerful wizard, he has been selected to take up the mantle his father had left behind, and wield a magical sword known as the Goldenflame. Gifted with great abilities, he sets off to petition the King of the great nation of Turinthia to become a knight in the Order of the Bearded Lion. He has been trained since an early age in the use of the sword and lance. He has been given enhanced strength above his peers, and resistance to some injury and spellcraft. All in all, the perfect tools to become a noble knight…
However, growing up with stodgy old wizards makes for a more sober outlook in life than most of his friends can relate to, and he starts to notice how different he truly is. As what happens to most of us when we start something new, there tends to be a perception of where we are going, and a reality of the same, with the true path we end up taking somewhere in-between. A little naïve when it comes to what is right and what is wrong, our hero learns defining good and evil isn’t as easy as he first thought. He wants to prove himself as good a knight as his father had been, and puts quite a bit of pressure on himself to meet those expectations. On top of that, our hero’s esteemed lineage isn’t the guarantee to fame he assumed it would be, especially when he meets quite a few people who don’t know anything about his family’s supposed famous name, or could really care less!
Add to this an encounter with a rather unusual “friend” that will test the biases and prejudices of his time, and Qualtan will find himself questioning more things than he thought he ever would about himself, the viewpoints of his uncle (who he had kept in the highest of regard), and the worldview he thought he had understood.
Those problems kind of sound familiar, don’t they? Whether Qualtan’s answers to those questions can help him reach his goal, or prevent him from doing so, we’ll soon see…
The next profile will be on the unusual “friend” Qualtan meets…and wishes he hadn’t!
