375 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Archmage,
You are authorized to begin espionage operations. Before the shield falls, I want all our chosen targets softened and any organized resistance crushed.
—Supreme Mystic Lionel Biaxal.
We left before dawn and traveled for hours, not stopping until noon. Our quarry proved simple to follow all morning. The orcs left deep imprints, and even I had no trouble identifying their spoor on the forest f...
2021-12-13 03:00:01 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Log report: Administrator override activated. Initiating Awakening Sequence One… initiation successful.
Initiating Ashara Awakening… error. Subroutine unknown, deep scan commencing.
—Trials Log Entry #232,129, 490,251.
An interminable time later, I was done. The last of the shorn threads shifted back into place, restoring the elemental spirit and causing a surprising Trials message to open before me...
2021-12-13 02:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Hi all,
The ebook version of Book 2 of the Dragon Mage Saga is scheduled for release on 31 December 2021 on amazon.com (note, its not up for preorder yet). I might release the paperback version sometime before that (assuming I can complete my edits in time).
There are 38 more chapters to be released before the end of Book 2 (final chapter is 117), which me...
2021-12-12 03:59:56 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield falls
It did not take long for Marcus and Petrov to appear. They rushed into the tent, panting. The pair had obviously raced over. My expression must have scared Peter enough to give the captains a fright too.
“What is it?” Petrov demanded tersely. “Are we being attacked?”
I shook my head. “No, nothing like that.” Petrov’s stance relaxed minutely.
“What’s wrong then?” Marcus asked, unconsciously echoing Peter’s earl...
2021-12-12 03:42:17 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield falls
After the orcs’ demise, matters moved quickly.
The civilians were brought into the glade. The gatherers set to enlarging the clearing while the builders, under Soren’s direction, began constructing the fort.
Other than the excavations needed for the structure’s foundations, the rest of the building work mainly involved assembly rather than actual construction. Many of the struts and supports required for the fort’s skeleton had a...
2021-12-09 13:52:14 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield fall
I had not taken more than a dozen steps out of the scorched circle left by the fireball when two shapes emerged from the foliage to bar my path. It was Petrov and Marcus.
Marcus’ hand clamped onto me. “Jamie, what’s happened?”
I shook my head mutely, unable to get the words out.
“Where are the others?” he asked, shaking me urgently.
I met his gaze, my eyes empty. “Dead,” I whispered. “The orcs killed them.”...
2021-12-08 16:59:24 +0000 UTC
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2021-12-07 16:35:01 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Excellent news, Jhaven. Always a pleasure doing business with you. Now, if I could trouble you for more gear for my men, there is this… —Goron.
“What are you doing here?” I blurted, staring at the old lady in surprise.
Jolin’s gaze flitted between Marcus and me. “The orcs’ presence at the dungeon makes this mission even more critical.” Her lips tightened. “We cannot fail. I am here to ensure we do not.”
2021-12-07 08:44:54 +0000 UTC
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376 days until the Arkon Shield falls
In stark contrast to last night, the day passed without incident. The scouts were on high alert, but no hostiles approached near enough to trouble the expedition. Given the seeming innocuity of the forest, it was almost as if we were back on Earth. But no one was deceived, and everyone remained vigilant for orcs and predators, both.
The relative quiet did give me the opportunity to reflect on yesterday’s battle, though. I’d gained no level...
2021-12-06 02:30:59 +0000 UTC
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377 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Nexus, stop dithering. Activate the programs. Both of them. —Mother.
No one else died that night, but the toll of our dead was already gut-wrenching. The boars had killed nearly four dozen spearmen. However, neither I nor the rest of the expedition had any attention to spare the dead that night.
The living needed us more.
The female boar was not long in dying, and the male boar was already dead by the time I’d healed P...
2021-12-05 02:21:00 +0000 UTC
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Hi guys,
I'm revising book 1's cover. The book 1 new cover revision is still a work in progress (WIP), but I'm keen to hear which one you guys think is better - the original or book 1 new draft?
The ORIGNAL:
THE NEW (DRAFT):
...
2021-12-04 11:40:42 +0000 UTC
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378 days until the Arkon Shield falls
As I hurried closer, the lead boar lowered his head then tossed it upwards, skewering a pair of hapless spearmen on his vicious tusks. The two screamed in agony as they were thrown into the air.
The boar grunted in satisfaction and searched the glade for more victims. Before he could find one, I lowered my staff, pointing its tip directly at the beast. Channeling dragonfire, I sent a fire ray scorching through the air and str...
2021-12-04 02:10:59 +0000 UTC
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378 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Supreme, we’ve identified a settlement in the mountains to serve as a base for our future operations. The orcs, however, are already sniffing about and will have to be dealt with first. Do we have your permission to begin counter operations? —Archmage Cxal.
The expedition took longer to navigate through the short stretch of grassy plains separating Sierra from the forest edge than I expected.
There were four truck-sized sled...
2021-12-03 02:01:00 +0000 UTC
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Hi guys,
I haven't been posting Jamie's Profile sheet, but I've been maintaining them in the background (just posted one now). Just a question for you: How often would you like seeing them?
Let me know your thoughts!
Thanks,
Rohan
2021-11-30 04:07:57 +0000 UTC
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Jamie’s Player Profile after visiting the Dragon Temple
Player: Jameson (Jamie) Sinclair.
Race: Human. Age: 24. Level: 55. Rank: Trainee.
Tokens: 67. Marks: 0.
Home settlement: None.
Potentials
Might (mediocre), Craft (gifted), Resilience (exceptional), Magic (extraordinary).
Attributes
2021-11-30 04:03:29 +0000 UTC
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378 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Mother,
I still can’t believe it. The Trials has logged two separate incident reports in the span of only a few days. Then there is Aurora’s report, the one I told you about. Astoundingly, they all concern the same player. It’s almost as if the hand of destiny—or dare I say, Ashara?—is reaching out to manipulate events.
If I didn’t know better, I would believe the cycle has begun anew. But I do ...
2021-11-29 14:44:04 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
This isn’t working.
I cut off the flow of mana, and instantly the spreading cold disappeared. So, too, did the strands of spirit. Most withered away from the absence of cold while the rest retracted back into the fragment.
Hibernation activated. Fragment dormant.
I grimaced. The effect I’d obtained was not what I’d been aiming for. The fragment had not used the energy I provided to grow into...
2021-11-29 14:42:21 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Gorkin, the mountain hamlet whose whereabouts you reported will trouble you no more. We have taken care of it. —Shaman Jhaven.
“This is you,” Jeremy said.
The two of us were standing outside the closed entrance of a log cabin. The one I’d be allocated was on the eastern end of the village, in the middle of a long row of similar cabins.
I studied the wooden buildings on either side of my own. They all looked indisti...
2021-11-29 14:40:49 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Excellent news, archmage. Identify a few key points in the west and concentrate our efforts there. Before the Shield falls, I want our forces poised and ready to invade. You can expect that both the orcs and elves will vigorously oppose our expansion. Plan for it, and don’t let them succeed. —Supreme Mystic Lionel Biaxal.
The moment I stepped out of the portal, a wave of dizziness passed over me. I staggered and nearly fell. Catch...
2021-11-29 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
High Shaman, I am pleased to report we have discovered another dungeon in the quadrant. It is only a rank one dungeon, but as you know, every virgin dungeon is priceless. What with the other matters going on in the quadrant, I don’t have enough men to fortify it just yet, but I assure you, it will be secured soon. —Chief Zel Foghorn.
In the end, Jolin recalled the head crafters into the meeting. We would need their help to erect t...
2021-11-22 05:00:03 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
I spent the next few minutes going over in exhaustive detail everything I’d seen and surmised since leaving the dungeon. I told the pair about my conversation with Bultak, Orgtul hunting me, and what I’d witnessed in the dead hamlet.
“Orcs,” Marcus muttered when I was done. “As if we didn’t have enough to deal with already.”
A frown marred the commander’s face. “So, it has begun,” she murmured.
I glanced at her ...
2021-11-22 04:01:00 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Missive to all clan traders,
Guild members are hereby informed that the human player, Jamie Sinclair, has been recognized as a friend of the guild. By order of the guildmaster, you are directed to provide him with all reasonable aid he may require and apply preferential rates to any trades engaged in with him. —Regna Redmayne.
“All right,” Jolin said, a small smile on her face, “now that everyone is reacquainted...
2021-11-22 03:01:00 +0000 UTC
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379 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Incident report: Unauthorized entry in transformation center detected. Item marked for administrator attendance. —Trials Log Entry #232,129, 490,013.
My sleep that night was restless, full of angry dragons, burning cities, and grieving families.
I woke with the dawn the following day, my eyes puffy and bleary. I was eager to resume my journey south, but before doing so, I walked a slow circuit around the hamlet, searching for ...
2021-11-22 02:01:00 +0000 UTC
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380 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Jan Lin,
Excellent work. And while the loss of our assets is regrettable, the information they’ve uncovered balances the scales. I must admit I grow ever more curious about this human. Find him before the orcs do. If nothing else, he will prove to be a valuable bargaining chip. —Queen Ionia Amyla.
After a few minutes of tossing and turning, I gave up my attempts at sleep as futile. I had rested enough before e...
2021-11-18 15:06:36 +0000 UTC
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380 days until the Arkon Shield falls
Given the Trials system of exacting measurement and levels, one would think that two players of equal Potentials would stand an equal chance of attaining the same heights. One would be wrong. A player’s gear is nearly as big a differentiator as Potentials and, of course, only the rich can afford good equipment. Even in Overworld, the lines between rich and poor remain deeply entrenched. —Anonymous player.
Transfer complete...
2021-11-18 15:03:58 +0000 UTC
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381 days until the Arkon Shield falls
0 days, 19 hours until Dungeon Purge
Supreme, initial examination of our new southern border has revealed multiple targets ripe for conquest. The mountains to the west are riddled with seams of ore, lairs, and dungeons.
To the east, the highlands are full of rich and fertile valleys, but as expected, the orcs are already deeply entrenched there. By contrast, the west is sparsely populated with only a few independent human se...
2021-11-16 02:15:21 +0000 UTC
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381 days until the Arkon Shield falls
0 days, 21 hours until Dungeon Purge
Thovil,
My son will be found, even if we must shake the very foundations of the clan to do it. Round up every one of those Hammerfist idiots. It is about time someone dealt with that wretched family. If it has to be us, so be it. Buy out their contracts, threaten their clients, do whatever you must, but find my son! — Duggen Redmayne.
It didn’t take the broodworm long to em...
2021-11-15 02:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Final draft of cover for Dungeons. What do you think?
2021-11-14 15:38:28 +0000 UTC
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Hi guys,
If you're enjoying the Dragon Mage Saga story, you might also enjoy my other series, the Gods' Game. I've started releasing chapters of Book 1, Crota on Royal Road. You can find it here. The Gods' Game is much further along than the Dragon Mage Sag...
2021-11-12 08:20:12 +0000 UTC
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381 days until the Arkon Shield falls
0 days, 23 hours until Dungeon Purge
Log report: Analysis of anomalous communication completed. Results inconclusive. Flagged for further attention by administrators. —Trials Log Entry #232,129, 489,901.
Regna and I slept in shifts. Despite the wards on the door, neither of us was willing to risk a second ambush. The night passed without incident, though, and we both woke up hale and rested in the morning.
“How do you ...
2021-11-12 02:00:02 +0000 UTC
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