The Story World

All of the stories written here will take place on a continent called Arnsmul.  This is a “sword & sorcery” world modeled after innumerable other such worlds, with mythologies, creatures and cultures drawn from various medieval occidental and oriental lore.  There are European-style castles and governments and militaries, though these references will generally be very broad and indirect.

Magic plays an important role in society, as significant as technology and religion.  The Merle Chronicles will not have all that much magic in them, but other stories will deal with magic in some detail.  Magic is a strange and mysterious creature in Arnsmul, and its practitioners are figures of myth and legend: wandering mystics and wisemen who are at once reviled and worshipped.  These men commune with devils and spirits, and have the ability to shape the elements with fleeting gestures and strange incantations.  Most magic is quite subtle, and a great many people know at least a few minor feits and spells.  True wizards, however, with the power to immolate their enemies in magical fire and conjure up great demons from the Hells, are rare indeed.

The Merle Chronicles take place in the kingdom of Weiral, the westernmost nation on the continent.   Weiral is a large nation with diverse terrain and is largely populated by humans living in fortified cities and large rural communities. 

To the south is Arwei, a nation ruled by a man who claims to be a living god.  Arwei is most famous for its southern port towns, which are havens for pirates and smugglers. 

Norric is the northernmost nation, ruled by a hereditary king and his council of advisors.  Norrician people are known for being rather severe and uncompromising. 

To the east lies the nation of Edann, ruled by the elves.  The Edannese are reclusive and mysterious to the denizens of other lands.

In the heart of Arnsmul is a region known as the Black Hills.  This is a large area of rolling hills, rough mountains and vast plains, and consists of numerous tribal lands and independent communities of hob farmers who refuse to take part in the human-style politics of the other nations.  There are few towns in the Black Hills.

 To Be Continued…

Author’s Notes

I will be posting original short works of fiction here.  They will be in the form of serial short stories based in a “swords & sorcery” type fantasy world and feature recurring charcters.  These characters were born out of online roleplaying games, but my goal is to remove them from that proprietary setting and give them a home of their own.  Read on and enjoy.