The red sun shone brightly overhead in the clear sky, casting the Academy's grounds in a warm hue. The air was filled with the familiar and comforting sounds of student chatter, books shuffling, and the distant laughter of friends as Gwyn walked with her bestie outside along the lower school’s many stone brick paths.
Next to her, Roslyn was still a bit distant, but today was better than the day prior. Like she had...
AN: Officially on break for everyone except Artificers for two weeks! Tiers have been updated.
The long, dimly lit hallway outside the headmaster's office was hushed, with only the faintest of murmurs slipping through the heavy oaken doors.
With every passing minute, Gwyn could feel the weight of Roslyn's silent fury, almost a tangible force pressing down on her. Why can't she see I had ...
AN: Heading home this week. Don't forget, I'm going on break for the last two weeks of October to spend time with family I haven't seen in four months for everyone except Artificers to get them up to 15 ahead. Tiers will be updated at the end of this week.
In the dim predawn light of the twin moons, Gwyn was roused from her restless slumber by a persistent nudge. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, she recognized the...
2023-10-16 14:23:27 +0000 UTC View PostAs there are eight of us and the shop where our gear is located only has five equipmentmen, getting suited up will take a bit of time. We gear up by alignment and role, so our pure mages will go first as their gear takes the most time, followed by me as the team’s sole hybrid, then our physical classers will bring up the rear.
The ratings buzz around the operators, their movements swift and precise, reminiscent of technicians assisting astronauts before a launch. In pair...
2023-10-14 00:31:09 +0000 UTC View PostAN: Sometime next week I will be going home. So, I'll still be posting things but then I will be taking a two week break after that to spend time with family. As mentioned before, Artificers will still be getting chapters, but everyone else will be paused. Also, I will be updating the tiers on Thursday next week after I post the chapter.
The Apprentice Artificer tier will be going away, but those who have it will continue to be grandfathered in.
The grandeur of Countess Tath's manor was evident in every corner, from the intricate tapestries that adorned the walls, to the delicate porcelain they sipped their tea from. Sloane found herself seated at an elongated table whose polished wood reflected the soft glow of the chandeliers above. The Countess, a regal figure with an air of authority, sat at the head of the table, with Sloane to her immediate left. Beside Sloane was Mariel, followed by Ser Liora and Aila...
2023-10-09 15:05:46 +0000 UTC View PostWhile Mariel finally settled beside her, Sloane's heart raced with a tempest of emotions. The young girl's trembling form and the shimmer of unshed tears in her eyes both spoke volumes of the turmoil she was experiencing. Sloane had seen this coming, the inevitable confrontation of their feelings and fears. She had been avoiding this conversation. Mainly because it meant that she would have to woman up and face the implications of what it meant for the both of th...
2023-10-05 14:42:55 +0000 UTC View PostMariel took a deep breath as she centered herself. She felt… great. The last few weeks had been the best of her life, and they were getting better by the day.
It was so liberating. So amazing. People actually cared for her. Not for the priestess-in-training who had unusual magic. Who needed to go to a holy order in Calling that would determine whether she was affected by dark gods.
She felt herself quiver. Her doubts seeped into her like ...
2023-10-02 11:01:22 +0000 UTC View PostHey Everyone!
I have some news. This is gonna be a bit long, bear with me. In 2-3 weeks I will be heading home. I don't have a firm date yet, but once I do, there will be some changes around here.
First, I will be pausing RoyalRoad and what's now called the Apprentice Artificer's tier for two weeks after I get home to spend time with family. I've been gone for four months, and I don't want to worry too much about other things.
As a reminder, book 1 is being released on
“Sloane, wake up!”
The urgent voice pierced through Sloane's slumber, jolting her awake. Blinking against the morning light filtering through the curtains, she found Mariel standing at the foot of her bed, holding a tray with a look of anticipation. Sloane's eyes focused on the tray, taking in the perfectly poached eggs, golden-brown toast, and crispy bacon strips.
Rubbing her eyes, Sloane sat up, her sheets pooling around her waist. “What's the o...
2023-09-28 11:54:06 +0000 UTC View Post“Are you sure about this place, Nemura?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt. “I mean, it looks like the kind of place where I’m going to get mugged. Or worse…” she murmured, her voice trailing off as darker possibilities flitted through her mind.
Sloane eyed the establishment before her with a mix of skepticism and trepidation. The bar's dimly lit entrance, combined with its worn-out sign swinging precariously overhead, gave it the appearance ...
2023-09-25 12:46:26 +0000 UTC View Post
The art poll was close, and it came down to Mariel or Roslyn. Roz won out by a couple votes!
I commissioned this piece of Roslyn and Gwyn from the awesome Tikklil!
After the poll, I realized what better way to really showcase Roslyn than her practicing magic with her bestie?
I hope you guys like it!
I approach the ops desk, my eyes instantly finding Courtney Meyers, the intel lieutenant, and probably my best friend. She's overseeing operations and communications for the team today. Courtney's usual role involves analyzing intel and briefing us before missions, but with two teams going on a mission, she's given the opportunity to fill in as the operations supervisor or as we call it, top-three.
It’s a big deal for someone of our rank and will look ...
2023-09-23 05:56:39 +0000 UTC View PostNumerous events following the Flash have significantly shaped the evolution of our society and the world we inhabit today. While many of these events were pivotal, some stood out more than others.
The individuals behind these monumental feats have left an indelible mark on history. I am both privileged and humbled to count myself among them. Witnessing the achievements of my contemporaries over nearly two centuries has ... 2023-09-21 14:24:08 +0000 UTC View Post
AN: So, we've reached the end of book 1. I will be retiring the Adventurer tier after it ends on RR and everyone who currently has it will be grandfathered. Fear not adventurer, the Grandmaster will reopen it when book 2 begins in the future. Next book that tier will stay a bit further ahead than I was capable of this time because of how much writathon messed with me. I hope you all have enjoyed Iris and Co in Mayhem, and I can't wait until we get to next book. 2023-09-19 02:54:32 +0000 UTC View Post
Weeks passed by and everything had begun to return to a semblance of normality by the time winter arrived. Quests were submitted, Iris did paperwork, and Sera kept things running smoothing. She managed to keep her spirits up by knowing that Kaira and her sisters would be back soon.
Entering the guild hall one crisp morning, Iris was greeted by the repaired structure whose hearths were roaring and keeping the winter firmly outside.
“Good morning, Iris!” Neri...
2023-09-19 02:44:29 +0000 UTC View PostThe pangs of a slowly healing wound shot through Iris as she carefully pushed herself upright. The guild hall was alive with low murmurs and cautious relief. Her eyes flitted from face to face, a vast mosaic of relief, grief, and grim determination.
Audrielle and Divaro from Stilstead were on their knees beside Findal's motionless form. Audrielle's head was buried in Divaro's chest, her sobs silent but heart-wrenching.
Before she could process it a...
2023-09-19 02:41:29 +0000 UTC View Post“Why did you have me ride with you instead of Gwyn?” Amari's voice pierced the relative silence of the carriage's interior. She pressed further, “What happened in the forest, Taenya?”
Taenya looked around. They were in a carriage all to themselves, Ilyana and Lucian were in the other one with Gwyn and Calista. She was sure Ilyana was asking all sorts of questions from their princess. The last she'd seen, Gwyn had been tenderly cradling the contente...
2023-09-18 13:05:45 +0000 UTC View PostGwyn sensed a pulse of mana surge from her into Calista, who sat nestled beside her, both captivated by the duel unfolding before them. Next to Gwyn stood Neira, the young violet-scaled half-dragoness, her gaze riveted on the swordplay. She had wanted to challenge Taenya herself, but it seemed that her knight and Captain Wren had already struck a deal to spar.
So, the princess sat there, watching her knight duel as if she had a chip on her shoulder; as if she had ...
2023-09-14 12:11:59 +0000 UTC View PostPeals of laughter spilled from Iris as she and Kaira confidently strode side by side, their hands intertwined, towards the inn. The evening sun danced off their armor, causing sporadic glints that illuminated their path. The street was filled with people going about their day, but as the two armored women passed, heads turned, conversations paused, and eyes widened in mild astonishment.
Iris shot a playful smirk at Kaira, eyebrows raised, thoroughly amused by th...
2023-09-13 12:54:06 +0000 UTC View PostThe train glides to a halt at Arcan Corp’s Houghton Regional Security Base. I feel the vibrations of the tracks fading as the doors slide open, releasing a faint hiss. Most of the civilian passengers have already disembarked at previous stops, leaving only a few of us who work at the base itself.
I rise from my seat and stride to the entrance, stopping to retrieve my rifle from the weapons cage and sling it back over my shoulder. Smirking, I look at Jason who instantly ...
2023-09-11 21:21:49 +0000 UTC View PostAN: One thing you may notice is that I changed the color of the dragon's scales. I'll go back and update the previous chapters when I get a chance. They're now black vs white.
“So, Rhion. What did you mean when you said I’d learn about my heritage?” Taenya asked the man walking next to her.
They had been walking for some time, and she recognized the signs that they were taking the scenic route so tha...
2023-09-11 21:02:12 +0000 UTC View PostAN: So, I am taking the next week off. I hadn't wanted to, but I had to go to urgent care today for some issues, and I don't think I'll be able to write for a few days at the very least. Then I'll try to slowly get back into it after that.
Sorry guys.
Neira stirred, a throbbing pain punctuating her temple as though a sharp talon had dug into her skull. It wasn...
2023-08-31 13:44:57 +0000 UTC View PostOne side effect of mana arriving and worming its way into literally everything was that it stabilized the Earth’s ecosystem. The dangers of climate change that worried some people of my parent’s generation never materialized. Ironically, it only took the end of the world.
Perhaps that said a lot about mankind.
Mana didn't just preserve; it amplified. Nature, now invigorated, spreads its tendrils assertively, and everywhere I look as I walk toward th...
2023-08-31 12:50:33 +0000 UTC View PostIris and Sera stepped out of the Merchant's Guild, the door closing behind them with a heavy thud that seemed to resonate with how hard Iris’s heart was pounding. She paused and shared a look with her partner, the new Adventurer’s Guild Head Administrator. Iris noticed how Sera’s eyes sparkled with a barely contained excitement. She was sure hers did as well.
We did it. We're making history here.
As Iris turned her attention to the front step...
2023-08-31 12:19:34 +0000 UTC View PostSloane sat in her suite, the room transformed into a makeshift meeting space. The inn's staff had just delivered tea and an assortment of finger foods, setting them on a low table in the center of the room. She was dressed in her finest robes, rich and luxurious fabric, making her feel every inch the mage she aspired to be.
Even if she now knew she wasn't one fully yet. For now, after her meeting with Aila yesterday, she felt like a fraud. A con artist, someo...
2023-08-28 10:26:39 +0000 UTC View PostAN: First of two this week because we hit 1K followers on RR. Second one by Friday, or whenever I finish it. It's a big one.
From Iris's vantage point, the transformation of the quill into the paladin’s blade was nothing short of astonishing. Her initial shock was replaced by a rush of exasperation and mild amusement especially since it had finally happened to someone other than her. But, of all the mischievous and borderline da...
2023-08-28 10:21:22 +0000 UTC View PostLook, I'm sorry for the double post but Patreon sucks and doesn't let me edit a poll. Had to fix it. UPDATED.
In celebration of hitting 100 patrons, I wanted to put up a poll for the next commissioned art I'll get done! Gwyn's is still being worked on, and as soon as I get updates I'll share em. I'm excited for that one.
I've chosen the most likely candidates, if anyone has any good suggestions beyond these, toss em in the comments and I'll add them to the list....
As Aila led them into the shop itself, Sloane had to gingerly move around clutter and boxes. She gently pointed out things Mariel almost stepped on so the kid wouldn’t accidentally trip on anything. Vesper moved about with the assuredness of a cat, prowling around things or even hopping over boxes if she so desired.
When the woman had said clutter, Sloane had expected something more… Normal.
Is she a hoarder?
There were crates stacked...
2023-08-24 14:40:30 +0000 UTC View PostPresent
Thirty-five years ago everything about our world changed. Actually, no. That’s not grandiose enough for what happened. I need to give it the respect it’s due.
Let me start at the beginning.
My parents were born into a relatively safe world with billions of people. Where the most difficult thing they had to decide on a daily basis was ...
2023-08-23 12:46:05 +0000 UTC View Post