“It is time,” the Ravener’s resonated through the cavern, shaking every surface.
Dust rained from the ceiling.
Water churned below.
Ravener-spawn recoiled: hive-queens, behemoths, hives-as-one, blood-hydras, gibbering legions trembled, prostrating themselves on the banks of the lake. Only one being remained still: the corpse of Uldar, elevated on its stony throne, watching its creations with lifeless eyes.
“Our creator is dead,”&n...
2024-05-03 21:55:54 +0000 UTC
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Fires blazed across the Fields of Cormac.
Ravener-spawn corpses—heaped high—burned beneath the evening sky, filling the air with thick black smoke and a foul odour. Even now—hours after the battles of Cormac and Welling had been won—members of the Thameish army were still gathering fallen monsters, incinerating them on great pyres.
To the south, the remainder of the army—including most of the Heroes—rested in Welling. There they organised and made camp while the sun dr...
2024-05-02 20:58:06 +0000 UTC
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The sun rose over a forest to the east, its rays piercing the sea breaking on a beach to the west.
A beach choked with corpses.
The stench of putrefying flesh hung heavy in the air, while the sound of metal cleaving bodies, and beasts roaring echoed over the wind. Ravener-spawn writhed on the vast fields between the trees and sand. Chitterers struck improvised weapons against stolen shields. Bone-chargers scraped brutal claws against the earth. Venom-walkers dripped poison f...
2024-05-01 22:19:00 +0000 UTC
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Alex’s voice, deep and commanding, cut through the din of the tavern.
Grizzled mercenaries, ferocious warriors, and conquerors imposing in their jewelled armour, gave him their attention. Some faces were young, some old. Some bodies were hulking. Some lean. Their races and species were as diverse as their equipment.
And yet their eyes were the same.
Hard.
Piercing.
The eyes of veterans of many wars.
Their eyes told tales even their physical scars could no...
2024-04-30 21:57:09 +0000 UTC
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Alex stood in the doorway of the Whetstone Tavern.
Though many of the bar’s patrons were clad like any common mercenary or itinerant warrior, some carried one or more objects that radiated great power.
A sword encrusted with glyphs was belted at the waist of an elven woman. An enormous axe—of oddly familiar, yet mysterious metal—radiated power from where it was strapped to the back of its hulking, four-armed owner. Another axe blazed in the hand of a red-bearded dwarf, whose...
2024-04-27 19:58:30 +0000 UTC
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“Nothing? Not one trace?” Alex asked, floating high in the Thameish sky.
“No, archwizard,” spoke one of the twelve astral engeli hovering in front of their summoner. “We did not sense a single thread of divine energy in the swamp.”
He gestured to the expanse of Crymlyn below, with its steaming bogs and twisted trees. The other astral engeli shook their heads grimly.
“And you searched all of it?” Alex asked.
“We did, archwizard,” the leader assured h...
2024-04-26 21:28:01 +0000 UTC
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Thameland’s springtime was usually a season of endless rains, cloudy skies, and chilling mists that covered the realm, seeming to last for days on end. But lately, nature had been kinder, sharing the Generasi skies with these northern lands.
The sun had been unusually bright and warm, beaming down in all its glory. From coast to coast, the heavens were clear, the air warm and filled with the promise of an early and hot summer.
Throughout the kingdom, soldiers and knights marched...
2024-04-25 21:31:10 +0000 UTC
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“A Clan…Duncan…was it?” asked Lord von Anmut, his voice terribly strained. “I seem to be unfamiliar with such a family. Praytell, what is the, er, lineage of Clan Duncan?”
“Father,” Isolde hissed.
“I, erm, am simply curious about the large, baaaaarbari…” He paused as his daughter’s expression turned demonic. “Er, baarrr…barrel chested young man that my daughter seems to erm, have given a Stone of Four Elements to.”
...
2024-04-24 20:56:24 +0000 UTC
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Note: Again, this chapter is very long. Apologies! I try to stick to chapter lengths for Fool.
Isolde von Anmut turned beet red before turning pale. Her hands shook. Her body tensed.
She looked to the sky, eyes fixed on the clouds to steady herself before returning her attention to the stage.
The young noblewoman took a deep breath, rose to her full height and stepped forward, and without hesitating, took another step.
Isolde climbed...
2024-04-23 21:34:21 +0000 UTC
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The young archwizard’s name was etched on his chair.
Literally.
Golden, glowing letters—written on the surface of transparent force magic—spelled the name ‘Alexander Roth’ in all of its glory. The young man from Alric paused, taking it all in.
‘Alexander Roth’.
Just over three years ago, that was the name of a simple, orphaned baker’s assistant from a tiny town in a backwater realm. Now? Now that name belonged to an archwizard graduating from the most p...
2024-04-20 21:49:49 +0000 UTC
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Cedric winced, scratching at the green tunic trimmed in golden filigree. It clung to his shoulders and chest, pulling at the seams, its sleeves were a half–finger width too short. “Haven’t worn this thing in five years. Feels like I'm ‘bout to sweat m’self t’death.”
“Then take it off!” Alex suggested. “You look weird wearing a shirt! Why are you wearing it anyway?” The young archwizard looked up with an expression of mock horror. “Is the sky about to fall? Is the...
2024-04-19 22:52:58 +0000 UTC
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A powerfully built figure appeared in the centre of the lecture hall, drawing the attention of those waiting there.
Alex Roth—just teleported in from the countryside—adjusted his crimson robes as his loved ones materialised seconds later. Around the room, a cluster of graduating students, their friends, and family were a sight to behold, dressed in their finest clothing to honour the day. There was a sea of fine fabrics everywhere, dazzling embroideries, shimmering silks, sparkling ...
2024-04-18 21:23:34 +0000 UTC
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Note: I'm very sorry, but this is one of the longest chapters in Fool. I tried to get it down to size but just couldn't
Morning sunlight streamed through shuttered windows.
Drawn curtains stopped neither bird-song, the chattering of children on their way to school, nor the tempting aroma of baking bread from drifting into the bedchamber.
Yet, the room’s occupant ignored it all.
Isolde von Anmut sat cross-legged on her bed, concentrating every fi...
2024-04-17 16:58:51 +0000 UTC
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“Good job, Cedric!” Alex clapped for the Chosen, giddy with excitement. “You're close!”
“Aye, I’d be a lot closer if’n you’d be so kind t’not break me bloody flow wit’ yer lip flappin’!” The Chosen snapped from between clenched teeth. Cedric’s eyes were shut tight, his breathing was laboured; he weaved his body through the Spear-and-Oar Dance in the middle of the forest clearing, muscles flexing with every movement. “Clap fer me when I ain’t tryin’ t...
2024-04-16 19:52:04 +0000 UTC
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Chancellor Baelin handed Alex several sheets of parchment. “Here you go; your exam results,” Baelin said solemnly. "You did well, to the surprise of absolutely no one."
The young archwizard took the papers from his mentor, quickly searching for his marks.
Magic Lore: 100%. Alex nodded, pleased with his mark. The exam was probably challenging for most, especially those who tended to underestimate the subject. It had mostly focused on memorisation, and defining ...
2024-04-13 21:00:55 +0000 UTC
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Hart Redfletcher pushed himself up off the ground, then helped Alex to his feet.
“That was something.” The Champion cracked his neck. “Felt like when I first got my Mark, but…not as painful.”
“Merzhin and Drestra said something similar,” Alex replied. “I'm glad it didn't hurt much…I mean that fall kinda hurt but—”
“You're breaking our deal, Alex,” Hart grimaced. “There was no fall. Nobody fell.”
“Right, right,” the General said, sheepi...
2024-04-12 21:58:32 +0000 UTC
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“You have done well,” Alex heard the whisper in his ear.
“You have earned my full approval,” the god of Thameland said. “A new technique to enhance the Sage. Something from another discipline growing what you already possess. That is my way. With my second-in-command, the General, granting you his approval, I empower you fully. Go. Destroy the Ravener. Bring my will unto the land.”
The Mark of the Sage blazed like the noonday sun,&n...
2024-04-11 21:01:55 +0000 UTC
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Red scales layered Drestra’s body from snout, to claw, to spear-tipped tail. She towered over Alex and most of the nearby trees as she stretched her long neck, taking her to full height.
Flame burned between her fangs.
Drestra, of Crymlyn Swamp.
Drestra, the Sage of Thameland.
Drestra the dragon.
As Alex took in the full majesty of her draconic form, he had to shake his head at his own denseness. He should have realised the problem sooner: her true form was far...
2024-04-10 22:19:03 +0000 UTC
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Prince Khalik had first heard the common tongue in infancy.
His very first memories of hearing any language were of his mother, brother, father, nanny and nursemaid speaking Tekish, and on some occasions, the common tongue.
When those close to him spoke to members of the household staff who’d hailed from abroad, he would hear the language. Well before he turned six, on days when he was bored, he would listen to his father’s meetings with dignitaries from foreign lands—lands ...
2024-04-09 20:56:53 +0000 UTC
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Brilliant white radiance blazed through the cavern, emanating from Merzhin’s hand as he applied pressure to Birger’s stump. A joyful noise arose, sounding like a hundred voices—filling the air with song from the celestial planes and the cavern with choral harmony. The melody built, deep and powerful like a tidal wave breaking against the shoreline.
Everyone near, but Alex and Baelin, moved aside, giving the Saint and giants space.
“Gah!” Drestra shrunk b...
2024-04-06 18:11:01 +0000 UTC
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“Who’s there?” Birger shouted through the cottage door. “I warn you, I’m armed. If you’re here for my son—”
“Birger! It’s me! It’s Alex!” the General of Thameland cried. “We come in peace!”
“Alex?” the old firbolg asked. “Why are you back so soon?”
There were sounds of fumbling about inside the cottage, then the clack of a crutch quickly moving across the floor.
Alex and Merzhin looked at each other.
The door was flung op...
2024-04-05 20:41:37 +0000 UTC
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The Mark of the Saint flared as brightly as the noonday sun, sending Alex stumbling back, shielding his eyes.
“What's happening?” he cried. “Merzhin, what’s happening?”
All around the startled archwizard, came cries of alarm.
Watchers of Roal and their fellow guards scrambled to the top of the Castle wall. From the courtyard below, people were calling to each other.
Yet, Merzhin—the Saint of Thameland—was silent.
“Merzhin!” Alex screamed. “Mer...
2024-04-04 21:42:21 +0000 UTC
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Warning: This chapter has darker than usual subtext.
Even in Thameland, the First Apostle’s interdiction had only reached Uldar’s Rise, only reaching that distance because Uldar’s Rise had a uniquely potent connection to the god.
How in all the hells then, was someone supposed to cover all of Thameland with an interdiction?
“It would be difficult to include the entire kingdom,” Merzhin said. “But not impossible. The hidden church was ab...
2024-04-03 21:52:44 +0000 UTC
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“Incorrectly?” Alex asked. “What do you mean by that? I remember you saying that divinity works by channelling a god's power through a gate in the soul. That means it could be channelled out in the same way, couldn’t it?”
“It is possible,” Merzhin said. “But I do not think that the way you are going about this is going to work. You are treating divinity too much like mana. They are different. Divinity comes from faith. Faith is not bound by circuitry o/machines; it is fa...
2024-04-02 21:00:13 +0000 UTC
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Alex and his guest materialised inside the courtyard of the Research Castle. They made an odd duo, one broad shouldered, tall and powerfully built, the other short, slight, and looked at least five years younger than his actual twenty years.
Saint Merzhin looked around the courtyard with a melancholy expression. “So this is where you and the others would train. This was where Carey lived and worked, wasn’t it? It feels strange, and even a little lonely, finally coming here after so ...
2024-03-30 20:32:05 +0000 UTC
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Alex blushed at the ancient archwizard’s praise. “Thanks, Baelin. And you don't have to apologise, you have your own—many lives—to live. The reason why you owed your cabal a favour in the first place was because you helped me, and I'll be forever grateful for that; I think it’d be pretty damn unreasonable of me to blame you for having to repay a favour they did for you because of me. Professor Mangal taught us enough about reciprocal relationships that I understand what they mean, a...
2024-03-29 21:43:16 +0000 UTC
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“Does everything have to be a puzzle, Baelin?” Alex sighed. He remembered Professor Jules’ words about old beings turning everything into a riddle. At this moment, he found himself agreeing with her complaints.
Strongly.
“To make a point, it often does, though for my own amusement can also be a side benefit, but more to the point…” the chancellor smiled. “Let us say I outright give you the answer, just tell you how I chose what to do with my life. Since I am we...
2024-03-28 20:07:00 +0000 UTC
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Hello everybody! Just as promised, I'm here to give ya the link to Mark of the Fool 5, narrated by the always amazing Travis Baldree. I know some of y'all have been waiting for this, so here it is, for your listening pleasure:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Mark-of-the-Fool-5-Audiobook/B0CXFHQGRL
If you wanna give me some help, then upvoting these reddit posts ...
2024-03-27 15:48:32 +0000 UTC
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I cannot say how deeply the connection runs, Alex.” Baelin turned, leaning against the window ledge and facing the young wizard. “Though I imagine it must be fairly deep if the Ravener’s mana is present throughout the entire island. Why? What are you thinking?”
Alex gripped the armrests of his chair. “Professor Jules explained how certain creatures, like liches, are able to regenerate themselves. She said one way was by having part of their essence in another vessel. What if t...
2024-03-27 15:48:17 +0000 UTC
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Recently, Alex had been feeling like he was walking through a mist of nostalgia. Since he'd come home to Generasi, he’d been experiencing things that he had missed terribly when he was in the Empire.
Conversations with his professors, time at home, time with his family, being on campus and in the city, in Greymoor, and being back in the lab doing research on the Ravener.
And now he was feeling more nostalgia.
He was in Baelin’s office, looking forward to enjoying a...
2024-03-26 20:25:35 +0000 UTC
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