Amelia, here! :)
A new chapter of Empyrean's Flight is ready. I am hoping to post quite a few more this week, and keen to hear your thoughts on where the story is going.
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I found myself in a dark little room, and three figures were standing in front of a half-broken wooden door. Above me was a single, dim light—and it was doing no favors for my throbbing temples. I slowly looked around the space, turning my head slowly to not worsen its ache, and saw th...
2023-09-26 12:47:23 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here :) please enjoy a new chapter of Empyrean's Flight. More to come tomorrow and over the weekend!
****
It didn’t take me long to reach the end of the sewers. And, thankfully, now treading the known path, I didn’t run into any more trouble. My mana lasted long enough to let light’s fury show me the way, but there were a few times where I had to stop and stand in the dark, waiting for others to pass. I could not let my status as a player be...
2023-09-21 07:47:15 +0000 UTC
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Note from Tom: this was a painful chapter (to write, but hopefully not to read :P). It took me a long while to settle in my mind how the ascendant Classes should work, and hopefully I've managed to communicate that clearly. I've introduced a significant number of 'new' mechanics in this chapter, and I worry that it might be too much or that I may have overloaded the reader with too much information (lol, or not enough). Anyway, give it a read, and let me know what you think. _____________...
2023-09-20 11:23:35 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here!
Hi everyone. So we have made some pretty big changes to the overall story of Empyrean. I have updated previous chapters - the biggest changes are in chapter 16 and 17, if you want to go back and have a look so this one will make more sense. There are some minor changes to chapters before that if you'd like to read them again :) but overall, the main changes are from chapter 17 and into the rest of the story.
Thanks, as always, for reading! Looking forward to heari...
2023-09-20 06:52:44 +0000 UTC
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“It could work,” Adriel muttered, her head bowed while she considered my plan.
“It should be well within the limits of the boon,” I agreed. After all, bringing Ceruvax here was not very different from teleporting me to him, and Draven had already confirmed he could send me to any dungeon.
The spirit looked up at me again. “But are you sure you want to do this? Except for what you learned during one brief conversation, you know nothing of the Wolf en...
2023-09-17 04:45:25 +0000 UTC
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“Draven’s suggestion is a good one,” Adriel said. “And perhaps the best course.”
Glancing up, I saw the spirit floating beside me. I’d left her and the guardian only a few minutes ago to ruminate over the choices he’d presented me with. I didn’t know what the two had spoken about, but I could guess.
“I know,” I replied, letting my gaze drift back to the landscape. Now that the nether cloud was gone, I could see the entirety of the rocky valley...
2023-09-15 06:41:05 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here! Please enjoy a new chapter of Empyrean's Flight :)
****
I felt a lump in my throat rise at Eoman’s response. “Why not?” I asked tentatively.
The leader breathed out a heavy sigh before setting his hands down on his lap. He looked at me for a moment, and I could see concern linger in his eyes. “It’s not anything personal,” he said. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea to travel alone right now. You are being hunted.”
...
2023-09-13 11:00:04 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here! A new chapter of Empyrean's Flight is here to read :)
****
After pocketing the half-orc’s items and the adrenaline had worn off, I realized my arm was still hanging limp. I turned to Soren. “Do you mind helping me here?” I asked.
My brother got up and stood behind me. “Is it dislocated?”
“I think so,” I said.
He put his hand on my back and pulled my shoulder toward him. With an excruciating pop, I felt the bone move b...
2023-09-12 11:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here! Please enjoy a new chapter of Empyrean's Flight :) new ones will be coming tomorrow and Wednesday, too! As usual, any and all feedback is welcome.
****
I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. “You want to go to the Raccoons? Are you crazy?”
“No, but it’s the best path forward,” Soren responded plainly.
I could feel my blood start to boil. I was starting to feel like a pawn. Soren and Alon were making plans without me, and w...
2023-09-11 10:51:29 +0000 UTC
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I scrambled to my feet. “What does that mean?” I was not about to become anyone’s pawn, not even a guardian’s, and while I had no compunctions about restoring any of the other guardians, doing so would not take precedence over my own plans.
“Awakening my brethren is only one half of what needs to be done,” Draven continued, ignoring my less-than-happy reaction. “If we are to defeat the new Powers, bringing about the return of the Primes is also crucial. And you, wily Wolf,...
2023-09-10 07:32:56 +0000 UTC
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“So, even after all these years, justice has not been served,” Draven lamented once we were done.
“It has not,” I agreed. Draven had listened patiently to our tales. Although Adriel’s story had troubled him, it was my own description of Nexus and the political climate amongst the new Powers that had seemed to disconcert him the most.
“What will you do now?” Adriel asked.
“Do?” Draven repeated, shifting restlessly on his hooves. “I’m not… sure...
2023-09-09 06:25:59 +0000 UTC
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“Damn,” I muttered, eyes widening in shock. I’d not expected a class evolution, and certainly not so quickly after obtaining the power Mark.
“What’s wrong?” Adriel asked, sensing something amiss.
“It’s my Class,” I whispered. “It’s ready to evolve.”
The spirit’s eyes narrowed. “Ready to evolve? Or already evolved?” she asked intently.
“It hasn’t changed yet, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Then you h...
2023-09-05 07:48:47 +0000 UTC
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Amelia, here! Please enjoy a new chapter of Empyrean's Flight. As usual, all feedback is welcome :)
****
Soren’s mouth hung open for a few seconds. I knew this was a lot to take in, so I gave him the time he needed to process what I had just said.
“Celestial… companion? Like a ghost?” he finally asked.
“Kind of, I suppose. We are not sure what she is, but we are bound together. We protect each other and she’s been helping me under...
2023-09-04 11:38:55 +0000 UTC
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“Adriel?” I repeated when the lich did not respond.
Tearing her gaze away from something only she could see, the spirit turned about to face me. “What?” she asked, sounding annoyed.
“Do we chase after him?” I asked equably.
Adriel’s mouth opened then snapped closed, and for one moment she struggled silently with herself.
I didn’t blame her for being out of sorts. Anyone would be after having their expectations so rudely upset. It had taken cent...
2023-09-01 08:00:38 +0000 UTC
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Day Twenty-Seven in Draven’s Reach
Awakening guardian…
Rising to my feet, I backed away from the statue. The Emblem had been inserted, the tithe made, and now all that was left was to witness the outcome.
“It is done,” Adriel whispered. “After all these long years, it is finally done.”
I glanced to my right where the spirit hovered. The exile—former exile, I corrected—was watching the centaur guardian avidly. Unlike ...
2023-08-30 05:05:33 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
A lot has been happening in the lull between between GG5 completion and GG6 start. Mostly, its book admin stuff. But some important news too! :)
First off, the Grand Game 5 paperback is live on amazon. If you feel like leaving a review on the story, you can now do it through this link: 2023-08-29 14:51:32 +0000 UTC
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Amelia here! Please enjoy the second chapter of Empyrean's Flight. As usual, any and all feedback is welcome :)
****
It took us nearly the entire day to reach our destination. The whole way to Soren’s hidey-hole was bereft of conversation. I would have much preferred at least some pleasant talk, but after the events of this morning, I was only offered silent tension.
On the other hand, I could barely pay attention to my environment by the time we reached ...
2023-08-29 07:29:35 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
I've updated Michael's evolution from book 1 to end of book 5. See the attached images. What do you think?
2023-08-27 07:00:02 +0000 UTC
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A Scion's Duty, Grand Game Book 6 is available for pre-order.
Hi all,
The pre-order of book 6 is up and running on amazon. You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGG9K8L9
Happy reading,
Tom.
2023-08-26 07:00:03 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
I've taken the time to document some of the system mechanics using drawings. What do you think of them? Do they make sense to you? Do they accurately depict the Game?
And ultimately are they helpful?
Looking forward to your feedback! :)
Note, I'm using #lore to identify any posts regarding lore/system data if you ever want to search old posts.
2023-08-25 05:05:00 +0000 UTC
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What do you think? This is the character sheet filled in as at the end of book 4 and will be inserted in the start of book 5.
2023-08-24 07:01:24 +0000 UTC
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Amelia Winter here :)
I am the new author Tom is working with to write the second instalment of Elana's story, Empyrean's Flight. I just wanted to introduce myself, and also share the first chapter (WIP) of the book!
I'm a first-time author, and Empyrean's Flight will be my first full-length novel, so please, any and all feedback will be welcome!
Specifically, I would love to hear wha...
2023-08-23 08:10:49 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
See the draft cover art for book 6. Let me know your thoughts. Something things to note - this is artwork for paperback, so ebook cover will only be what's on right.
Cheers
2023-08-22 12:59:01 +0000 UTC
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Player Profile: Michael
Level: 199. Rank: 19. Current Health: 100%.
Stamina: 100%. Mana: 100%. Psi: 100%.
Species: Human. Lives Remaining: 2.
True Marks: Worthy Adversary, Powerful Initiate.
True Marks (hidden): Pack Alpha.
False Marks (fabricated): Lesser Shadow, Lesser Light, Lesser Dark.
Active Buffs
2023-08-21 03:03:26 +0000 UTC
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The void tree did not return.
At first, neither Adriel nor I wanted to believe it. The sapling couldn’t just up and leave, could it? Eventually though, once the nest started to disperse, we accepted the truth. Our foe had fled back into the open void where it was beyond our ability to pursue.
It was possible, of course, that the void tree had chosen to relocate elsewhere in the sector, but neither Adriel nor I thought it likely. The sapling could not survive Draven’s Reach alo...
2023-08-18 08:08:59 +0000 UTC
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The good news was that the thorns appeared to have been fired blindly. There was bad news too, though. As widely dispersed as the thorn barrage was, it would be impossible to avoid entirely.
So, instead of ducking, I huddled small, tucking my neck into my chest and shielding my head with my arms while I waited for the hammer to fall.
A stygian thorn has failed to injure you. Your mind shield has blocked the attack, absorbing the psi damage.
A stygian...
2023-08-18 08:03:00 +0000 UTC
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“Damn,” I muttered, staring at spirit-Adriel in shock. She looked identical to her younger human form, and like Ghost, was fully formed. “What about the harbinger?” I asked, recovering.
“Close to death, but still alive,” Adriel said, advancing closer to study the void tree. “So, this is our foe.”
I glanced from her to the sapling. “You’re not afraid of it?”
The spirit shrugged. “It cannot hurt me in thi...
2023-08-18 08:02:00 +0000 UTC
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You are hidden.
I emerged from the aether with a smile on my face. Our gambit had worked. The spores were destroyed, and I had my stealth back.
Everything was going smoothly.
The crawler I’d teleported to had still not spotted me, and I backed away before that could change. Orienting myself using the beacon in my mind, I crept westward in the direction of the void tree. My target could not be far.
The range of Farren’s oblivion spell was two hundre...
2023-08-17 16:05:00 +0000 UTC
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As we entered the central fog bank, the lichs and I began our final preparations.
You have cast heightened reflexes, load controller, fade, and trigger-cast quick mend.
Farren has cast reaper’s sanctuary, granting you the buff: death immune (+100% death magic resistance). Duration: 5 minutes.
Farren has cast reaper’s shield on you, granting you the buff: death’s favored
2023-08-17 10:06:01 +0000 UTC
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Immediately meant five minutes.
It did not take us long to reach consensus on who exactly would pursue the harbinger. Only three of us—Adriel, Farren, and myself—would. While the lichs saw to their last-minute preparations, Regus led me back to the vault. There was something waiting for me there.
It was a loot chest, of course. A gold one.
“Go ahead,” Regus said, gesturing towards it. “We’ve been keeping it under guard, and no one has looked in yet.”
Igno...
2023-08-17 06:23:44 +0000 UTC
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