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📚 Draft Completion & Delving into New Reads | Author Diary – November 22, 2024 🖋️📖

Finishing “Blade of Sorrows”:

I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve completed the draft of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series.

Current Reading:

As I take a brief pause from writing to recharge, I’ve started reading “Ezzrahdon” by Michael J. Sullivan. It’s proving to be an engaging read, filled with the compelling storytelling and rich character development.

Looking Ahead:

With “Blade of Sorrows” now in draft completion, my focus will soon shift towards the editing process, a critical step in preparing the book for its journey to the readers.

I’d love to hear about your experiences with completing big projects or the books that currently captivate you. How do you transition from intense writing phases to other creative or leisure activities?

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly insights and updates from my author’s life!

The post 📚 Draft Completion & Delving into New Reads | Author Diary – November 22, 2024 🖋️📖 first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

The Real Darkness in Dark Fantasy: The Human Heart

Blood, blades, and betrayal might draw readers to dark fantasy.

But it’s the quiet moments – the internal struggles, the fraying of conscience, the tested loyalties – that truly hook us.

When done right, character depth transforms dark fantasy from mere violence into a profound exploration of human nature.

Soren’s Transformation in Guild of Assassins

Consider how my novel Guild of Assassins handles Soren’s transformation.

Yes, there’s plenty of action – fights, assassinations, the brutal Threshing.

But the story’s real power lies in watching Soren grapple with what he’s becoming.

His hands, once devoted to creating beauty from stone, now deal death.

Each kill chips away at his humanity, like a chisel slowly revealing a darker form beneath.

The Cost of Vengeance

This internal conflict elevates the narrative beyond simple revenge.

We’re not just watching Soren learn to kill – we’re watching him struggle with the cost of vengeance.

When he finally confronts Kierak during the Threshing, the physical battle matters less than the psychological one.

Has Soren become the very thing he set out to destroy?

External Conflicts as Catalysts for Internal Struggles

The best dark fantasy recognises that external conflicts are merely catalysts for internal ones.

Mark Lawrence’s Prince of Thorns works not because Jorg is brutal, but because we understand the trauma driving his brutality.

Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself captivates because Logen’s struggle with his berserker nature reveals universal truths about violence and identity.

Evolving Friendships Under Pressure

Character depth also transforms relationships.

Soren and Alaric’s friendship resonates because we see how their bond evolves under pressure.

Their loyalty isn’t just plot convenience – it’s repeatedly tested, questioned, and ultimately strengthened by their shared trauma.

Like Fitz and the Fool in Robin Hobb’s works, their relationship becomes more meaningful precisely because we understand its cost.

The Guild as More Than a Backdrop

The guild itself becomes more than just a backdrop for training montages.

Through Soren’s eyes, we see how each master embodies different aspects of the assassin’s craft.

Varus’s brutality, Tamasin’s poisonous wisdom, Quillon’s clinical detachment – they’re not just teachers but mirrors reflecting what Soren might become.

Depth in Secondary Characters

Even secondary characters gain depth through their struggles.

Nia’s street-smart cynicism masks deeper wounds.

Isolde’s scholarly precision reveals a need for control in a chaotic world.

Ganrel’s smooth manipulation hints at past betrayals.

Their interactions create a web of competing motivations far more compelling than simple plot mechanics.

Violence as Character Development

This emotional complexity makes the violence matter.

When Soren kills during the Threshing, it’s not just action – it’s character development.

Each death forces him to confront what he’s becoming.

The physical consequences pale compared to the psychological ones.

Like the best dark fantasy, the external violence serves to illuminate internal battles.

Moral Complexity Over Shock Value

The genre works best when it recognises that darkness isn’t just about blood and death – it’s about moral complexity.

Through Soren’s eyes, we explore how good intentions lead to atrocity, how survival demands compromise, how vengeance corrupts the vengeful.

These themes resonate because they’re grounded in character, not plot.

Beyond Grimdark: Character Depth in Dark Fantasy

grDark fantasy often gets dismissed as grimdark violence porn.

But stories like Guild of Assassins show how character depth transforms darkness from shock value into meaningful exploration of human nature.

Real darkness isn’t found in gore or body counts – it’s in watching characters we care about make impossible choices.

Why Character Depth Matters

This is why character-driven dark fantasy lingers with us.

Plot may drive the story forward, but character depth makes it matter.

When we understand Soren’s internal struggle, his external battles gain meaning.

His choices have weight because we feel the cost of each compromise, each lost piece of humanity.

Finding Hope Amid Darkness

Perhaps most importantly, character depth allows dark fantasy to explore hope amid darkness.

Through Soren and Alaric’s enduring friendship, through small acts of loyalty in a brutal world, we see how light persists even in shadow.

These moments of grace matter precisely because they’re earned through character development, not plot convenience.

The Real Battlefield: The Human Heart

In the end, the best dark fantasy recognises that true darkness isn’t found in violence but in the human heart.

Through deep characterisation, it transforms genre tropes into vehicles for exploring fundamental truths about human nature.

The magic and monsters serve only to illuminate the real battlefield – the one within.

Your Thoughts

How do you think character development enhances dark fantasy?

What are your favourite examples of character-driven dark fantasy?

Share your thoughts below.

The post The Real Darkness in Dark Fantasy: The Human Heart first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

This week on Patreon

Here’s what’s new for subscribers this week on my Patreon:

New for Members:

Forged in Blood (Guild of Assassins, Book 2) Chapters five and six are now available! Dive deeper into Soren’s journey as he trains within the Guild of Assassins, grappling with loyalty, betrayal, and the shadows of his past.Niamh’s Journey (Punks Versus Zombies Side Story) The second chapter of this gripping tale is up. Follow Niamh and Sean as they navigate a zombie outbreak in Philadelphia, blending survival with heart-wrenching family drama.Hunters (Wacky Space Western Side Project) The next chapter of Hunters is live. Join Dex, Kara, and Torin as they balance chaos and camaraderie on their space-faring escapades.

Free Content:

Even if you’re not a paying member, you can still enjoy some fantastic stories:

Lord Sidebottom and the Pirate Pandemonium Steampunk absurdity at its finest! Lord Sidebottom faces a pirate uprising with his usual mix of wit and Victorian manners.The Speed of Boredom A bizarre flash fiction piece exploring the limits of ennui—or is it something more?

Membership Options:

Gain access to all these updates and more for just $4.99 per month. Plus, free members still enjoy regular updates!

Visit: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor

Note: Apple has introduced a 30% surcharge for subscriptions made through the Patreon iPhone app. To avoid this extra cost, sign up via a browser instead. Your support is invaluable and keeps these stories coming!

The post This week on Patreon first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

📖 Deep Dive into Writing & Engaging Reads | Author Diary – November 15, 2024🖋️📚

 Progress on “Blade of Sorrows”:

This week, I reached a new milestone in the writing of “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’ve now penned 40,000 words, diving deeper into the intricate plot and complex character dynamics that define this series.

Patreon Updates:

I’ve been actively engaging with my Patreon supporters by sharing early chapters of “Forged in Blood” as well as the enthralling narratives of “Hunters” and “Niamh’s Journey.”

Current Reading:

In terms of reading, I’m currently immersed in “Leviathan,” the third book in the Illuminatus series by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea. This series continues to impress with its complex narratives and thought-provoking themes.

Follow Jon on Patreon.

The post 📖 Deep Dive into Writing & Engaging Reads | Author Diary – November 15, 2024🖋️📚 first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Dark Fantasy Academies: The Cost of Survival and Power

There’s something darkly compelling about watching characters learn to kill.

Not the Hollywood version – quick montages set to upbeat music – but the brutal, grinding reality depicted in dark fantasy.

The bloody knuckles, the broken bones, the psychological toll of learning to end lives.

The Brutal Reality of Training

My novel Guild of Assassins shows us this unflinching reality through Soren’s training at the fortress.

Each lesson serves a dual purpose: teaching him to kill while simultaneously killing who he used to be.

Master Quillon’s anatomy lessons aren’t just about understanding bodies – they’re about seeing people as collections of vulnerabilities to exploit.

Master Varus doesn’t just teach weapon skills – he breaks down resistance to violence through systematic brutality.

Why Dark Academy Stories Captivate Us

But why do these dark academy stories captivate us so deeply?

Perhaps because they mirror our own anxieties about adaptation and survival.

When Soren learns to craft poisons with Tamasin or master stealth with Rolan, we’re watching someone transform themselves to survive in a hostile world.

It’s an extreme version of our own daily compromises and adaptations.

Training as Transformation

Compare this to Jay Kristoff’s Nevernight, where Mia Corvere’s training at the Red Church similarly strips away her humanity piece by piece.

Or look at Pierce Brown’s Red Rising, where Darrow’s brutal education reveals how violence reshapes not just bodies, but minds.

These stories speak to our deepest fears about what we might become when survival demands transformation.

The Price of Power

The training sequences in dark fantasy academies serve another purpose – they show us the price of power.

Every skill Soren gains costs him something of himself.

Learning to move silently through Rolan’s maze means accepting a predator’s mindset.

Mastering Elysia’s lessons in manipulation means surrendering authenticity.

Each capability gained is a piece of humanity lost.

Dark Fantasy Academies vs. Lighter Counterparts

This is what separates dark fantasy academies from their lighter counterparts.

Hogwarts teaches magic as wonder; the guild fortress teaches it as weapon.

The Night Angel trilogy’s Durzo Blint doesn’t just teach Azoth to fight – he teaches him to stop seeing himself as human.

These stories recognise that learning to kill isn’t just about physical skills – it’s about psychological transformation.

The Addictive Nature of Transformation

Yet there’s something addictive about watching this transformation unfold.

When Soren progresses from fumbling apprentice to capable killer, we feel satisfaction despite our horror.

Perhaps because these stories tap into our own desires for competence and control.

In a world that often leaves us feeling powerless, there’s visceral appeal in watching someone learn to reshape reality through sheer will and skill.

The Academy as a Crucible

The academy setting itself plays a crucial role.

By isolating characters from the outside world, it creates a pressure cooker where change becomes inevitable.

The guild fortress, like the Red Church or the Sigma school of assassins, serves as a crucible where old identities are burned away and new ones forged.

The geographical isolation mirrors the psychological isolation necessary for transformation.

Evolving Relationships Under Pressure

But the best dark fantasy academies, like in Guild of Assassins, don’t just show individual transformation – they explore how relationships evolve under extreme pressure.

Soren and Alaric’s friendship deepens even as their training tries to pit them against each other.

The bonds between recruits like Nia, Isolde, and Ganrel form precisely because they’re all being broken down and rebuilt together.

Master-Apprentice Relationships

There’s also something compelling about the master-apprentice relationships in these stories.

Whether it’s Varus’s brutal instruction or Tamasin’s poisonous lessons, each teacher forces their students to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves.

They serve as mirrors reflecting what their students are becoming, making denial impossible.

Questioning Our Capacity for Transformation

Perhaps most importantly, dark fantasy academies force us to question our own capacity for transformation.

When we watch Soren learn to kill with the same hands that once created beauty, we’re forced to ask: what would we become if survival demanded it?

How much of our humanity would we sacrifice to gain power or ensure survival?

The Human Capacity for Survival

This is why training sequences in dark fantasy resonate so deeply.

They’re not just about learning to fight or kill – they’re about the human capacity for adaptation, for transformation, for survival at any cost.

They show us that the most dangerous changes aren’t physical, but psychological.

Embracing a Harsh Truth

In the end, maybe we’re drawn to these stories because they acknowledge a hard truth: that survival sometimes demands becoming something we never thought we could be.

Through characters like Soren, we explore our own capacity for transformation – both the empowering and the horrifying aspects.

Your Thoughts

What are your favourite dark fantasy academy stories?

How do you think they differ from traditional school settings in fantasy?

Share your thoughts below.

The post Dark Fantasy Academies: The Cost of Survival and Power first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

🍂 Navigating Seasonal Challenges & Diving into New Stories | Author Diary – November 10, 2024 📚🖋️

Managing Seasonal Affective Disorder:

As November rolls in, so does my annual encounter with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s a familiar challenge by now, and understanding what to expect helps me navigate it more effectively. While SAD does pose its difficulties, recognising the symptoms early allows me to adjust my schedule and self-care routines to maintain productivity and well-being.

Starting “Blade of Sorrows”:

In terms of writing, I’ve begun drafting “Blade of Sorrows,” the third book in the Guild of Assassins series. I’m currently 15,000 words in, about 25% through the manuscript. Diving back into this dark, intricate world is exhilarating, and the initial chapters are shaping up to bring more thrilling twists and deep character explorations.

Reading Insights:

My reading this week included “Opus” by Gareth Gore, a deep dive into the enigmatic world of Opus Dei. The book provides an intriguing glimpse into the inner workings and controversies surrounding this Catholic institution. Additionally, I’m about halfway through “The Damnation of Power” from the Horus Heresy series, which continues to expand on the epic saga with intense conflicts and rich, detailed lore.

Looking Ahead:

Despite the challenges posed by SAD, I remain committed to my writing goals and literary explorations. The support and understanding of the writing community also play a crucial role in managing these seasonal hurdles.

I’d love to hear from you about how you cope with seasonal changes or manage personal challenges while keeping up with creative or professional commitments.

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more weekly updates from my author’s life and the ongoing journey through worlds both real and imagined!

The post 🍂 Navigating Seasonal Challenges & Diving into New Stories | Author Diary – November 10, 2024 📚🖋️ first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Blood Magic, Necromancy & More: The Dark Side of Fantasy Magic

Magic in fantasy worlds is wonderful, thrilling, and sometimes even poetic.

But let’s not kid ourselves; not all magic is sparkles and unicorns.

There’s a whole lot of muck, blood, and sinister whispering in the shadows. Let’s take a stroll through the darker alleys of magic systems.

Just be careful where you step.

Blood Magic: The Price of Power

Blood magic sounds pretty cool until you realise it means, well, blood.

Lots of it.

Sacrifice, they say, brings power. But there’s something very troubling about gaining power by draining life forces.

Not to mention the logistics. You start off pricking a finger, but by the time you’re summoning lightning storms, you’re half an inch from a transfusion.

And just try getting those bloodstains out of robes. Blood magic is hardly compatible with personal hygiene.

But hey, if you’re willing to overlook the ethical—and sartorial—issues, blood magic might just be for you.

Necromancy: A Party of One (Plus Several Corpses)

Necromancy has all the perks of raising the dead.

Endless company, devoted followers, and an army that doesn’t complain about working conditions.

But consider the downsides.

For one, a rotting entourage doesn’t exactly help you blend in at the local inn.

And let’s not forget the unmistakable smell of decay that follows you everywhere. Good luck sneaking into any dungeon when your dead minions announce your presence half a mile away.

Also, reanimated corpses don’t make great conversationalists. Sure, they’ll listen to all your rants, but don’t expect stimulating dialogue.

Invocation: When Demons Don’t Return Your Calls

Invocation magic brings a certain thrill to the caster’s life. Nothing says “power” like summoning demons to do your bidding.

Except that demons, as it turns out, are notoriously unreliable employees.

One moment they’re helping you summon mystical flames; the next, they’re busy wreaking havoc in some other dimension.

And summoning always has its little ‘quirks.’ Forget one syllable, and your friendly helper turns into a world-ending monstrosity with a hunger for souls.

Those who dabble in invocation tend to get… eaten. Frequently.

Curses: When Magic Takes Things Personally

Ah, curses. The fine art of making life miserable for someone else.

You don’t get the dramatic flare of fireballs or the cool factor of invisibility, but there’s a certain satisfaction in ensuring someone’s hair falls out every full moon.

Yet curses have a nasty way of rebounding. Misfire a curse, and suddenly you’re the one with seven years of ill luck and a backache that no magical remedy can fix.

Not to mention curses are slow. Nothing happens in an instant; curses are like a bad meal that keeps coming back.

For those who want instant results, curses are about as satisfying as shouting at a wall.

Soulbinding: More Than You Bargained For

Soulbinding is the ultimate commitment. After all, what’s closer than sharing a soul?

But consider this: do you really want a centuries-old entity whispering in your mind?

One moment, it’s useful knowledge about ancient spells; the next, it’s opinions on your romantic choices.

And breaking a soulbind isn’t as easy as tearing up a contract. Once bound, that spirit is with you through thick, thin, and those awkward social gatherings.

Imagine trying to explain to your date why you’re laughing at voices in your head.

Alchemy: Science Meets Explosive Consequences

Alchemy is a respectable art until you realise that for every success, there’s a lab explosion.

Turn lead into gold? Sure, but not without a few missing eyebrows and some strange mutations along the way.

And let’s talk about Philosopher’s Stones. Rare, immensely powerful… and extremely good at corrupting their owners.

The only people who seem to survive alchemical ambitions are those with an iron stomach and absolutely no desire for immortality.

But if you’re comfortable playing with toxic chemicals and explosive elements, alchemy might be the dark art for you.

Shadow Magic: When the Darkness Stares Back

Shadow magic sounds harmless enough. It’s just shadows, right?

But cast too many spells, and the shadows start paying attention.

Try explaining to friends why your own shadow looks a bit too… animated.

You can’t shake it, you can’t escape it, and it’s terribly clingy.

Of course, there’s also the little problem of a shadow deciding it doesn’t need you anymore. The last thing any wizard wants is their own shadow slipping away to form alliances with dark forces.

Shadows may be low maintenance, but they’re not to be trusted.

Time Magic: Time Waits for No One, Especially Not You

Time magic is the ultimate temptation. Want to go back and fix mistakes? Sure, until you get stuck in a paradox that eats you alive.

Messing with time leads to wrinkles in reality. And those wrinkles tend to snap back in the most inconvenient ways.

Plus, ageing in reverse sounds fun until you realise you’ll have to endure your teenage years again.

Those who practise time magic are usually desperate, overly ambitious, or both. And they’re also usually missing.

Dreamwalking: Enter at Your Own Risk

Dreamwalking sounds poetic, doesn’t it? Strolling through the dreams of others, exploring the hidden corridors of the mind.

Until you find yourself stuck in someone else’s nightmare.

The mind is a tricky place, and not every dreamer appreciates an intruder. Some dreamers fight back, and their subconscious minds wield power that would make even the most seasoned mage flinch.

And let’s not forget the mental exhaustion. After hopping from mind to mind, you’re left with the cognitive equivalent of a hangover.

Plus, the moment you run into a dream that you can’t escape, you’re left wandering the dreamscape like an uninvited guest at an eternal house party. Not ideal.

Illusion Magic: When Reality Starts Getting… Confusing

Illusion magic is all fun and games until you start forgetting what’s real.

The trouble is, you can’t fool everyone. There’s always that one sceptic who pokes a hole in your grand illusion, leaving you looking like a fool waving your hands at thin air.

And illusions have a habit of turning on their creator. The longer you play with false realities, the harder it becomes to find your way back.

Magicians who take illusions too far often end up in padded rooms, muttering about rabbits and invisible doors.

Sure, illusionists get to see things that others can’t, but they also tend to see things others can’t. Reality’s fragile, and illusion magic does a fine job of shattering it.

Elemental Summoning: All Fun Until You Get Burned

Calling down lightning, summoning fire, bending water to your will—it’s exhilarating. Until you realise nature isn’t all that thrilled about being bossed around.

Elemental spirits have short tempers and little respect for those who would use them as tools.

Try commanding fire to attack your enemy, and watch it go rogue, torching everything in sight, including your own shoes.

And lightning? It’s not known for following orders. Summon a bolt, and you might just get electrocuted for your troubles.

Those who live by the elements often end up with singed hair, frostbitten fingers, and a lingering smell of charred pride.

Mind Control: The Power Trip That Trips You Up

Mind control is the ultimate expression of power, bending someone’s will to match your own. But there’s something about enslaving another’s thoughts that leaves a bitter taste.

For one, mind control requires an extraordinary level of concentration. Lose focus for a moment, and your victim might regain control at the worst possible time.

And it turns out that people get awfully testy when they realise they’re being manipulated. Enemies gained through mind control have a particular knack for seeking revenge.

Then there’s the ethical dilemma.

Even the most cold-hearted mages find themselves feeling a twinge of guilt after wiping someone’s mind clean. It’s hard to shake off that sense of, well, being a villain.

But if you’re willing to risk the resentment of every thinking creature, then mind control might be for you. Just don’t expect a warm welcome anywhere you go.

Forbidden Knowledge: Some Things You Just Don’t Want to Know

Every wizard dreams of uncovering the secrets of the universe. Until they do.

Forbidden knowledge has a habit of being forbidden for a reason.

Ancient truths come with a price—madness, visions, the occasional loss of your grip on reality. And once you’ve seen something forbidden, it’s nearly impossible to unsee it.

The mind, it turns out, has limits. Cross those, and you’re in for a lifetime of disturbing visions and waking nightmares.

Many a mage has ended up in a remote tower, rambling about cosmic horrors that no one else can see.

So yes, seek forbidden knowledge if you must. Just don’t expect your sanity to stick around.

The Perils of Power: Is It Really Worth It?

Dark magic offers endless allure, but the drawbacks are substantial. From cursed reputations to accidental self-immolation, there’s no end to the hazards.

For every ounce of power, there’s a mountain of risk. Most dark wizards spend their days looking over their shoulders, dodging curses and haunted by their own choices.

Because when you court the shadows, you never know what might start following you back.

In the end, the world of dark magic is as unforgiving as it is powerful.

And for those who choose to walk that path, they may find themselves wondering if they could have achieved just as much… with a decent sword and a bit of common sense.

The post Blood Magic, Necromancy & More: The Dark Side of Fantasy Magic first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

Why Dark Fantasy Friendships Are More Complex

In the sanitised worlds of lighter fantasy, friendship is simple.

Companions never truly doubt each other, and bonds weather every storm unscathed.

But dark fantasy shows us something truer: loyalty becomes most meaningful when tested against our darkest impulses.

The Innocence of Friendship in Guild of Assassins

Consider Soren and Alaric in my novel Guild of Assassins.

Their friendship begins in innocence – a sculptor’s apprentice and a fisherman’s son, bound by childhood memories.

But it’s only when thrust into the guild’s brutal crucible that their loyalty reveals its true depth.

When Kierak torments them, when the Threshing forces them to kill or die, they choose each other over survival itself.

Dark Fantasy and Friendship Stripped to Its Core

This speaks to how dark fantasy uses extreme circumstances to strip away social pretence and reveal friendship’s bare bones.

We see this in Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law trilogy, where Logen and the Dogman’s bond is forged in blood and battle.

Or in Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings, where Fitz and the Fool’s friendship endures betrayal and sacrifice.

These stories show us that true loyalty isn’t tested by minor grievances, but by moral compromise.

When Friendship Becomes Corruption

Yet dark fantasy also explores how friendship can become its own form of corruption.

When Soren and Alaric support each other through increasingly brutal acts at the guild, are they preserving each other’s humanity or enabling its loss?

Their loyalty helps them survive, but it also binds them to a path of violence.

It’s reminiscent of how Locke and Jean’s friendship in The Lies of Locke Lamora both saves and damns them.

Their absolute trust makes them formidable thieves, but also locks them into a life of crime.

The Price of Loyalty in Dark Fantasy

The genre forces us to ask: what price are we willing to pay for loyalty?

In Guild of Assassins, we watch Soren and Alaric face this question repeatedly.

When they discover the truth about the Threshing, they could flee.

But staying together means participating in a death match.

Their choice to face it as a unit speaks to how friendship can become a moral compass when all other guidelines fail.

Friendship as a Last Tether to Humanity

Dark fantasy also shows us how friendship can serve as a last tether to humanity in inhuman circumstances.

During the Threshing, Soren and Alaric’s bond keeps them from descending completely into savagery.

Like Frodo and Sam in the increasingly dark latter portions of The Lord of the Rings, their connection reminds them of who they were before violence reshapes them.

Loyalty Through Moral Transformation

But perhaps most powerfully, dark fantasy explores how loyalty survives moral transformation.

When Soren becomes capable of killing, when his hands learn to deal death instead of creating beauty, Alaric doesn’t abandon him.

Their friendship adapts to accommodate their darker selves, much like how Mark Lawrence’s Broken Empire series shows Jorg’s brothers accepting both his monstrosity and his humanity.

Friendship as a Force That Shapes Morality

This is what elevates friendship in dark fantasy beyond simple companionship.

It becomes a force that shapes morality itself.

When Soren and Alaric face Kierak in their final confrontation, their loyalty to each other proves stronger than individual survival instincts.

They fight together not because it’s tactically sound, but because their bond has become fundamental to who they are.

The Dual Nature of Loyalty in Dark Fantasy

Yet these stories don’t present friendship as an unalloyed good.

We see how loyalty can blind us to moral compromise, how it can lock us into destructive paths.

When Alaric follows Soren into the guild, is he being a true friend or enabling a descent into darkness?

The genre forces us to grapple with how friendship can both save and damn us.

Loyalty in Dark Fantasy: Standing by Through Darkness

Dark fantasy reminds us that real loyalty isn’t about standing by someone’s side when things are easy.

It’s about choosing to remain when paths darken, when moral choices become murky, when the cost of friendship demands everything we have to give.

Through characters like Soren and Alaric, we explore what it means to be loyal not despite someone’s darkness, but through it.

Finding Light Within Darkness

In the end, perhaps this is why friendship in dark fantasy resonates so deeply.

It acknowledges that true loyalty isn’t about preserving innocence, but about weathering corruption together.

About choosing to stand by someone even as they change, even as the world forces impossible choices.

About finding light not in spite of darkness, but within it.

Your Thoughts

How do you think dark fantasy explores friendship differently than other genres? What are some of your favourite examples of tested loyalties in fantasy literature? Share your thoughts below.

The post Why Dark Fantasy Friendships Are More Complex first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

FORGED IN BLOOD is now available for early access on Patreon!

Soren once sought justice for his father’s murder…

…now he’s becoming everything he once despised.

How far would you go for power?

For Soren, the answer becomes darker with every lesson from his new mentor—the very assassin who killed his father.

As he delves deeper into the Guild’s deadly arts, the line between justice and vengeance blurs, and his closest friendship hangs by a thread…

FORGED IN BLOOD is now available for early access on Patreon! Get it months before the retail release:

First two chapters available instantly.

Two new chapters weekly.

Chat with me about Soren’s descent into darkness as the story unfolds.

Perfect for readers who love morally grey characters and the seductive pull of darkness.

Come witness the price of power…

Start reading today!

The post FORGED IN BLOOD is now available for early access on Patreon! first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.

New Sci-Fi Story Fight! Free on Patreon

Check out Fight!, now available for free members on my Patreon: patreon.com/joncronshawauthor.

On a generation ship hurtling toward Alpha Centauri, humanity’s last hope for survival faces a desperate crisis.

With food supplies dwindling, each sector must send a champion to a fighting tournament where the prize is nothing less than survival.

In Sector 7, the augmented fighter Seth volunteers—but his motives are far from noble, and his obsession with perfection could spell disaster for everyone relying on him.

This dark sci-fi story dives into themes of ego, betrayal, and the twisted path between strength and salvation.

If you’re ready for an intense tale of humanity’s struggle for survival, join the free tier on my Patreon and immerse yourself in Fight!

Read now.

The post New Sci-Fi Story Fight! Free on Patreon first appeared on Jon Cronshaw.