riverfate

High Artificer, Ch 36: New Horizon

When Sam finished with the core region of the human domain, he turned his attention to the other worlds that his avatars were bringing.

The borders of the domain were about two hundred light years in diameter, starting from the Great Divide on the west and then stretching inward. 

He’d originally only planned to move in a handful of worlds, but once he’d settled on this location, he’d thought of many ways to use the space. He would probably end up moving some more stars...

High Artificer, Ch 35: Forging the Human Domain

Four shining worlds hung in the Void. 

They were spinning gems in the Deep Wild, far beyond the reach of the settled galaxy. 

Each of them was a shimmering blue mixed with the light and dark greens of forests that covered  the lands, interrupted here and there by towering mountain ranges, and they were filled with vigorous elemental energy that was so dense it formed liquid droplets in the atmosphere.

Each of the worlds was pristine, full of life and mana.&nbs...

High Artificer, Ch 34: Keros

When Sam found him, Keros was standing at the center of a courtyard, looking up at the stars.

Sam stood in the Void, his figure immaterial, as he took in the changes in the crystal flame elemental.

Keros looked almost the same, a humanoid figure of cut sapphire and blazing heat, but there was more depth to his aura, which made him seem more present. 

It was due to his Truth resonating with reality.

His aura was already stronger than some of the High Councilors, ev...

High Artificer, Ch 33: Dominion

Sam had been considering plans to create a region for humanity, but now that he had more power on his hands, the question was what else he could do to make it stronger.

The differences between his old domain and this new Dominion were significant, especially the profound depth of possibility it held. He could feel the mutability of the Void and knew he could change it with a touch. 

Elements curled around him as he sat on his throne, their intensity rising and falling in wave...

Aster Fall Kingdom Map

Here's the map for the Stormwrought Kingdom of Aethra, Sam's homeland on Aster Fall!

This is going to be printed inside the front cover (two page spread) of the Kickstarter special editions.

This was done by the amazing Rachael Ward (CartographyBird): www.cartographybird.com.

This copy is part of the Digital Art Pack that is on the Kickstarter, along with some character art, but the art also comes to Pat...

High Artificer, Ch 32: Sovereign (Double)

Sam watched with folded arms as Asperio struggled within the river of Lightning.

It was a massive current that cut through the Void, its path twisting and jagged. It existed as a natural condensation of mana that ran between the stars, one of the many wonders the Void produced.

The man was slowly adapting as he learned to merge his domain with the natural power of the river. He’d been too cautious at first and had been thrown around with every wild current, but now he was beginn...

High Artificer, Ch 31: The First Pillar

Sam’s Perspective.

Sam moved to his throne and sat down. He looked out at the stars as he considered what he’d learned from Winter about the Ice Sylphs.

He was glad he’d had the chance to meet her.

Her explanation about Siwaha explained why he’d always found the elder to be wise and insightful. 

“The last time Winter visited was about 62,000 years ago on Aster Fall,” he said as he looked into the distance for a moment. “After one of the wors...

High Artificer, Ch 30: Lady Winter

Winter’s Perspective

Winter was startled by the sudden change of location, but she took the goblet with a nod of thanks, holding onto it as she looked at him. 

“Lady Winter,” the Titan said easily. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. Your people and I have met before.”

He didn’t rush her. Instead, he sat down in a stone chair nearby and waved her to another across from him, which she took slowly. 

The power radiating from him...

High Artificer, Ch 29: Titan Decree

Winter’s Perspective

Winter’s laugh was bright as she felt the Titan’s aura in the Silver Hall. It was endless, stretching out to the stars with the resonance of the Void. 

She hadn’t felt anything like it since the day the Titans left. 

It was a presence that had always brought her happiness, reminding her of her youth in the First Age, and it gave rise to a joy that only another immortal could understand that came from being in the presence of an...

High Artificer, Ch 28: High Council

In the Silver Hall, Chamber of the High Council

Images of the massive golden Astral Titan filled the air above the High Council table. 

The eight High Councilors watched with mixed emotions, but they were too stunned to speak.

They had all been summoned here from their home worlds by the few of them who liked to stay on Council. The emergency message had dragged them out of bed, from personal pursuits, from rest, and from other work, but they had no intention o...

High Artificer, Ch 27: Wildfire

Teron’s Perspective

Teron stared at the sky where the neighboring world of Desert had always been. 

He had grown up with that yellow world marking the rise of the moon at night, and hanging on the edge of the sky at dawn. 

It was a feature of the night sky, always present and always visible.

He had even flown across the system and explored the world once, something that wasn’t difficult for a Fifth Evolution warrior. 

There was nothing...

High Artificer, Ch 26: Revelation

“You…who are you?” Teron’s attention was sharp as he looked at the portal and then at Sam. 

“Your power, this portal…. You mean to tell me that you have the ability to instantly travel to Aster Fall? That should not be possible.”

He looked again at the portal beside Sam, his wings rustling as he considered  it for a long moment. 

“I thought you were one of the High Nine in disguise,” he said slowly, “an ally who had come here to aid me and ...

Last Day for the Kickstarter!

The Kickstarter for special hardcover editions of Books 1-2 ends tomorrow, on Dec 5th!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asterfall1/guardian-of-aster-fall-1-2-special-edition-hardcovers

There will be a late backer store, but it's best to get the pledge in now if you are interested.

I'll make sure the map and endsheet art get i...

High Artificer, Ch 25: Wind Wraiths

Sam shook his head as he looked at the trapped Wind Wraith and what he represented. 

It seemed that he’d walked into the start of a civil war. 

Now he needed to decide how to end it. 

He wouldn’t have cared that the Wind Wraiths were trying to leave the High Nine, except that the method they’d chosen was as destructive as possible. 

Abandoning their history with the other races and their mutual ties was one thing. Causing a civil war that migh...

High Artificer, Ch 24: Teron Whitewing

Teron Whitewing walked into the room first, followed immediately by the Wind Wraith commander.

“Patriarch!” The steward jumped to his feet instantly as he bowed to Teron. 

The bow was deeper than what he’d offered to Sam, but not by much, which showed how much emphasis he’d put on Sam coming to their aid.

He offered no greeting to the Wind Wraith who was following Teron, apparently happy to pretend he didn’t exist, but the commander seemed indifferent to it. 2024-11-28 07:08:30 +0000 UTC View Post

High Artificer, Ch 23: Whitewing Clan

Sam headed toward the gates of the Whitewing palace with Alora’s hand clasped lightly in his. 

The way up to this peak was clear of merchants and travelers, which was different from the other five palaces that surrounded the city. Those had plenty of visitors flying up and down in a constant stream. 

Only this one was quiet.

The whispers across the city told him that Tenal’s family had been accused of conspiring against the interests of Bright Sky and that they...

High Artificer, Ch 22: Bright Sky

Some days later, Sam and Alora appeared on a moon near the Winged Fury’s home world. The astral light of the Titan Gate hummed as it faded around them.

“Welcome to Bright Sky,” Sam said as he waved his hand toward the world.

The planet hung in the Void in front of them, shining with a white and blue light. The nearby sun was a similar shade. Brilliant white clouds covered most of the world. Oceans were present, but small. 

Most of the surface was craggy, rising in...

Cover Release, High Artificer

Here’s the cover for Book 9!

High Artificer, Ch 21: Alora

Sam’s Perspective

A flare of silver light spun through the sky of Verdant, just on the border between the air and the Void.

When it faded, Sam was standing there, having swapped places with the avatar he had left here to keep an eye on Alora and the Wild Tree.  

It had been over a decade here since he expanded the tree’s defenses into more active ones and gave her the keys. Thanks to that, unlike the past couple of times he’d come here, there was not...

100%! Fully funded! Thank you all!

Thank you all for the support on this!

These editions are going to be awesome. I’m super excited about them!

More news to come soon about stretch goals.

The first two will be a ribbon bookmark that goes in the binding and then the map inside the front cover.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asterfall1/guardian-of-aster-fall-1...

93% Funded on Kickstarter!

Almost there!

Thanks so much everyone!

75% on Kickstarter! It needs one good push!

We’re 75% of the way on Kickstarter!

Update: 93%!

We just need a push to get it over the funding goal and then it will start to get natural attention on Kickstarter under the recommended projects. Right now it’s in that limbo state.

Thanks for all the help, everyone!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asterfall1/guardian-of-as...

High Artificer, Ch 20: Academy Board

In the Academy Board’s Chamber

A wave of silver light washed through the room. When it disappeared, the nine members of the board were left standing around their table.

Their expressions were grim.

Isaltra, the head of the board and a Lifeweaver, clenched her hands as she sat down in her chair and looked at the rest of the board.

For a moment, she couldn’t find the words to speak, but anger was boiling through her mana tattoos, tinted them a purple-red tha...

Kickstarter Art will come to Patreon

Just to clarify, the Kickstarter art will come to Patreon as well once it’s done.

That includes the digital version of the map and all the new character art. How many of those we get depends on the stretch goals.

The map should be done fairly soon, but the new character art will probably take a couple of months.

66% of the way funded after the first day!

Thanks for all the support!!

2024-11-15 17:01:19 +0000 UTC View Post

Kickstarter is launched!

You can check it out here!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asterfall1/guardian-of-aster-fall-1-2-special-edition-hardcovers

There's an intro video, a bunch of cool stuff, and more!

Check out the map of the Stormwrought Kingdom of Aethra, Sam's home on Aster Fall!

Update: We got the #projectwelove tag!

Update 2: Yes, Pa...

High Artificer, Ch 19: Faculty Responsibilities

“Faculty responsibilities?” Sam asked with a chuckle. “Is that so?”

He was amused that the board dared to try something like that. It seemed he hadn’t left enough of an impression. A silver light flared in his eyes.

He had no intention of cooperating.

As far as the rules of the academy went, only the headmaster had any direct authority over the faculty, and Asperio already did what Sam told him to, not the other way around. 

He was pleased the headmaster...

High Artificer, Ch 18: Professions

The class went on for half the day with an intense study of the artifacts punctuated by the shattering of overloaded runes and fragmented elemental energy.

The students repeatedly exhausted their mana and stamina attempting to destroy the artifacts one after another, but Sam didn’t allow them to use any external recovery methods.

“Exhaustion while crafting is one of the most important factors of success,” he told them. “Repeatedly stressing your recovery is one of the best...

High Artificer, Ch 17: Basic Artificing

Back inside his hall, Sam looked around as he took a moment to adjust to the simpler task of teaching new students. 

He wanted to settle the matter of Altey and Rolen’s crafting professions and then an avatar could teach the rest of these classes. If someone came to bother him, it wouldn’t be much different in terms of power than if his real body were here.

Not to mention he had other forces. 

He looked over to the mountains at the distant edge of his realm. Th...

Kickstarter for Deluxe Signed Hardcovers (Books 1-2) Launches Nov 14th!

I'm excited to announce a Kickstarter for Deluxe Hardcover Editions of Guardian of Aster Fall 1 and 2!

This launches on Nov 14th!

Only 10 days until it goes live.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/asterfall1/guardian-of-aster-fall-1-2-special-edition-hardcovers

You can follow along at the pre-launch page to get all the updates...

High Artificer, Ch 16: Night Wings

Jasperi’s Perspective

Jasperi looked around at the Night Wings who had gathered together. 

It had taken a couple of days to teleport them here, but now there were a full dozen. Each was around Level 450, just under her own Level 465. 

That was the mark of a full Night Wing, one of the elite hunters of her people. Other races whispered of them in hushed words if they knew, but officially they didn’t exist. Only an exile would dare to betray their moveme...