carrarn posts
Irwin's Journey 527: Easier or harder?
“What are those things even doing?”
Irwin frowned as he sensed another speck of whatever was within the Guidar Chains sink to the bottom of his soulscape. It was the last one, and he had all of the others accounted for. He watched it as it moved around, keeping a massive barrier around it just in case.
“The only way to find out is by letting it stay there,” Ambraz said, letting out a grunted laugh. “And I seriously suggest you don’t. There were only a few that tried to...
2026-02-07 18:44:44 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 526: More unchaining
Author note: A quick update on how the re-release is going. Pretty good, but it could be better. If any of you has Kindle Unlimited, it would be amazing if you had a look at the three books on there! For those who enjoy audio books and have Audible, don't forget book 1 is up there to!
Now, enjoy the chapter!
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Irwin looked out across the seemingly endless mountains of Graboul’s Teeth. More mountains kept appearing in the distance as the Nocturna flew close to its top s...
2026-02-06 18:13:22 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 525: Tight fit
“A quarter is heading this way! Everyone, get ready,” Irwin shouted, knowing his voice might be audible even to the Chained and not caring.
Hundreds of Shadow Oculithar, including one of the larger ones, were rushing towards them. Some kept flowing in and out of the shadows as they moved, crossing hundreds of feet in moments.
A little closer, he thought.
He stretched his aura and soulforce senses outward, easily wrapping them around the fleet that was currently ...
2026-02-01 19:11:03 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 524: Cone Nullifier?
Daubutim stood on the deck of the Concerto, staring at Irwin. His friend’s eyes were glazed over, which was the telltale sign that he was focused mostly on one of his other bodies. Although he had two full selves, Daubutim had found that as he got older, his friend seemed to gravitate more and more toward giving the full focus of both to a single situation. His guess was that it was because of his time on Scour, where he’d only ever really done one important thing.
It’s not un...
2026-01-31 19:48:42 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 523: Silence disturbed
Mozarath didn’t react as Jieldinis stared at him, holding his gaze. It took him barely any effort to project the mindlessness he’d had for such a long time.
“Head to the second experimental facility and bring what remains of the Chaos Whale heart,” she said, “The cooks at the lower floor are expecting you.”
Oh, trying to see if you can prod me again? Mozarath thought, instantly bowing.
“Yes, Jieldinis,” he said, showing nothing but joy at being allow...
2026-01-30 18:26:03 +0000 UTC View PostRe-release of books one to three!
So, as most of you know, I've been officially taken aboard by Mango Media Publishing.
This means a few things, and although I've mentioned them before, its about time I give a full list.
Not in the least, there's finally going to be an - It's narrated by Dustin Naylor and Jacqueline McQueen, and although I'm not really an audio-book guy myself, I think they did a great job.
Also, it means there is g...
Irwin's Journey 522: Rude awakening
Irwin clicked his tongue and shot across the soundwaves toward the back of another adult Chaos Whale. Seglassinder, Basil had said she was called, though after having talked about names with Luath, he sincerely doubted that was correct. It was probably overly simplified.
Reappearing on the back, he was already facing the Shaidin.
He looks a lot like Umbral, he thought, noticing the same pale skin, completely black eyes, and oddly wrong proportions of his body. Up...
2026-01-25 19:16:56 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 521: Two attempts
Irwin yawned as he walked toward the smithy, while the bustling city of New Malorin woke up around him.
I wonder what he found out, he thought.
He hadn’t spoken to Endil for a few weeks. Mostly because he’d been busy with preparations for his next heartcard, and the large reforging to help people fill their soullake. Thinking about it made him wonder how Greldo, Dahlia, and Daubutim were. The first two had said goodbye immediately after receiving their new soulcards, ...
2026-01-24 18:43:34 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 520: The start of a full-hand
Irwin hummed quietly to himself as he lay on his back, staring at the forge’s ceiling. Thick beams of wood hid dozens of nooks and crannies for Ambraz and the other Ganvils to hide in. Some were entrances to small cubby-like holes, others led deeper into the building.
He didn’t see them.
Focus on music and soulforce, or more fire, he thought.
Two of the Chaos Whale cards he’d templated and reforged where both interesting, but not for the same reasons.
<...
2026-01-23 19:40:54 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 519: Can't wait!
Irwin sighed as he stepped away from Ambraz, watching the card slowly settle. It was a diamond-rank, shadow-typed teleport card, and it wasn’t a hundred percent.
‘Not bad, kid! Ninety-four percent,’ Ambraz said, sounding happier than Irwin felt.
‘There’s no way I can make this diamond rank and a hundred percent,’ he said, crossing his arms.
‘So? You knew that before we started. With this, Greldo will have three teleport cards for his left ...
2026-01-18 17:19:44 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 518: Ancestral Memories
Irwin finished the last of the Ignitzian prepared meal, humming happily.
“It’s not like you haven’t had any in a while,” Scintilla muttered, elbowing him. “I just lack some of the spices! There were none on Scour, and most of those we brought to Eluathar are used up.”
Irwin leaned sideways, wrapping Scintilla in a one-armed embrace.
“I know, and this is a good reason to bring some from here if we can buy them,” he said, giving her a quick kiss.
“I am ...
2026-01-17 19:45:25 +0000 UTC View PostSome of the Card's in Irwin's Drawer
You guys really came up with a lot of cool cards, and this will remind me to limit everyone to a single idea next time ;) That said, I took an hour just now to go over them and put those that either stood out or matched with many things in the story in the list below.
All of these will be either in Irwin's Drawer, or will be in the list I'll use to determine some future or past side-characters cards from.
As hard as it is, I think my personal favorites are the Boots of Far Step...
Irwin's Journey 517: Mudball take two
Author note: So, my jaw is still not well healed. A bit of jawbone was broken of during surgery, and although it was cleaned, the part where it broke free from has a sharp ridge. It's unsure if it will heal by itself, but due to inflamation they can't fix it yet. So, that means I'm still sleep horribly and on pain meds, for at least another weak. Luckily the meds work, so I found time to write, and should have time tomorrow.
Now, better news. A lot of you gave a great listing of cards...
Irwin's Journey 516: Surprise?
Author note: It seems sleep deprivation has removed my ability to do complete copy pastes. Sorry about that, and if you go the bottom you will find the little bit that was missing. Also, if you find typos or spelling mistakes, let me know. I'll fix them tommorow. Now back to bed.
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"Hold back those on the left!" Nybrilde roared as she focused on her soulcard to project a hovering shield forty feet in diameter to block one of the horrendous monsters attacking their s...
2026-01-12 18:06:27 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 515: Party?
Authors note: So, a little game! Come up with a card you think would be in Irwin's drawer! If its really cool, and others like it (and its not to overpowered) I'll add it to the drawer!
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"I'm sure it will work," Ambraz muttered to himself as he flew around the smithy. Two cards lay on the table, and after a moment, he returned to them, checking them again.
Card: Hearthfire
Type: Fire, Quartz
Owner: -
The wielder of this card has the ability to light f...
2026-01-10 18:14:31 +0000 UTC View PostQuick heads-up (about chapters this weekend)
EDIT3: So, Sunday, and the lack of sleep and stress made my body to decide to double dip and get a migraine. Today's chapter will be here tomorrow, and lets hope that's the end of all this hassle. For now, I need more sleep.
One thing - I've been having fun reading all the cards! You have till Friday's chapter to put in your additions. Also, put a heart by those you think are cool - that will help me see what resonates with others. If you don't like putting them in the comments...
Irwin's Journey 514: One beat
Greldo hovered in the shadows of the towering mountain peak, staring at the clash between six Chained ships and a host of Shadow Oculithar. It had started evenly enough, with the Chained managing to dispatch a dozen of the monsters and only a few appearing from the shadows to replace them.
Not any longer. As the ships tried to fly back out of the Graboul's Teeth mountain range and the sprawling shadows, more and more Shadow Oculithar appeared.
There goes one, Greldo...
2026-01-04 17:45:31 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 513: New targets
Almost there, Irwin thought as he shot through the sound waves. Ten minutes of traveling later, he appeared back in the Portal Gallery, in a narrow corridor. One look told him that neither the Caldera nor any other similarly-sized ship would have been able to move through. Adding to the size and the lack of any ground below, he felt like he was shooting through a crystal tube instead of a part of the Portal Gallery.
The last of the three Simlari Outposts was up ahead, and he ho...
2026-01-03 19:44:17 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 512: Hurricane lock down
Author note: (again? yes, sorry, hopefully the last :P)
I've been told by my publisher that books 1,2, and 3 will re-release on 2 Feb. It should come together with the first books audio book! Also, I'm rounding off book 4's ending. I had to do a ton of fixing of that one, as so much changed over the last few years that its miracle it made any sense to all of you!
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"I don't think it's going to go over well," Skylar said, staring at the three ships hovering in the distance. "I unders...
Irwin's Journey 511: Locked down
Authors note: Bit late, but had a lot of things to finish family wise yesterday so here is yesterdays chapter :)
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"This is amazing!" Hilbarin roared, standing at the prow of the Caldera, looking at the Portal Gallery.
Irwin grinned at the ancient man. "You make it sound like you didn't enjoy being in my soulscape!"
Hilbarin looked back at him, grinning madly. "Oh, that was great, but this is what I came for!" he said, waving at the seemingly endless c...
2025-12-29 18:31:34 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 510: Drained
Author note: Merry Christmas everyone! No chapter tomorrow because I'm not home, but hopefully another on Sunday!
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"So, that's what he meant," Irwin's giantself said thoughtfully as he looked up from the paper and glanced at the card in front of him. "It's cursed."
"That's an understatement," Ambraz grumbled.
Irwin nodded as he turned his attention back to the card.
Card: Hazy Healing
Type: Heat, Healing, Topaz, Cursed
Owner: -
The owner of this ...
2025-12-26 18:46:03 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 509: [Sidestory 7] Invite accepted?
“I see,” Flowrishin said.
Klei’am grinned as he sensed the annoyance mixed with pride from his bonded smith.
“Come on,” he said, flitting around their room and landing on the table in front of her, causing her to stop tapping on the paper in front of her. “I’m a hundred percent sure those two will bond with one.”
Flowrishin’s bark-skinned face, still so much younger than the first time he’d met her, hardened.
“You do know that it will ...
2025-12-21 18:36:16 +0000 UTC View PostIrwin's Journey 509: [Sidestory 6] Explosive jab
Uvra looked at the young apprentice, not sure if she'd heard him right.
"Wait, wait, wait," she said, waving her hand around. "Tell me this again?"
Yagrav's hopeful look turned slightly worried. He seemed to collect himself, taking a deep breath, before explaining again.
"We are trying to find a cardsmith for Ter'dorn, because if he returns now, he probably won't ever get past rank zero, Teacher Uvra," Yagrav said. "So, we have got all of the people in town that play Survive...
2025-12-20 18:57:26 +0000 UTC View Post