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Month: May 2017
The Wilds of Aberrisc… — Derek Barton – 2017
As promised in my blog A New Land to Behold…, here is my first draft of the Map to the Wilds of Aberrisc.
I am not completely happy with it so it may not find its way into the book like this, but perhaps another version will. Yet, I do feel that a map was overdue. And I have to admit they are fun to build!
“You were rumored to have been imprisoned by the Eulocths a while ago. Was this true?” Taihven was confused until an image of the Green Ones flashed in her mind.
“Oh, yes! Vicious, little lizard-like creatures.” He blurted out, but immediately he felt anxious and did not like the possible outcomes of this topic.
“Well, you see our race has had constant conflicts with the Eulocths. Ever since we got knotted in Yamtolak.”
“Knotted? What do you mean?” he asked.
“Yes, knotted. How do I explain…” she gathered her words. “Where you come from, do your lands not knot? When the lands collide, but connect versus pushing away from one another?”
The look of confusion on his face answered for him. “Our lands do not move. They are locked into position.”
“Ah! You see, all the continents here float upon a massive ocean and they move along with the subterranean currents. Occasionally, the lands collide, but bounce off from each other. The knots are when the lands strike and lock into each other or part of the land tears free and remain with one land or another. Such is what happened with our Sacred Groves of Ara Turas. We have been knotted and trapped here on Yamtolak when it knotted with our homeland.”
In Consequences Within Chaos, the characters were in various locations, but a map was not as necessary to follow the story line. In the Bleeding Crown (the sequel to Consequences Within Chaos), I feel it will be very beneficial to see where the characters are and where the action is taking place in relation to one another.
Here is also a little write-up on each continent:
Wilds of Aberrisc
Ara Turas – Homeland of the Duradramyn; their lands exist of grassy plains and rolling tundra. Duradramyn are a simplistic, tribal people that rely heavily on ritual or spiritual magic. While renown for their agriculture, they are also dedicated to existing with nature, living among animals and preserving the environment.
Aviytoss – Homeland of the Flohki; sprawling wetlands and dwarf tree swamps. Flohki are half-bird humanoids that tend to be xenophobic and very territorial. Their technology, militant personalities and scientific knowledge has fostered them several large cities and coastal fishing industries.
Bre’Avat — Vast jungles and volcanic mountain ranges. The continent does not have a known race or humanoid culture, but is home to original species of Mammoth Bats, Khortha Lizards and Reaxes which are massive beetles that live within lava pits. Abandoned ruins of an intelligent race have been found there, but no survivors or descendants are known.
Cordavail – Homeland of a small human kingdom. They are very isolated in a ring of high mountains and rarely reach out to neighboring lands.
Dorminahz – Homeland to the Thettes and Brohmn Giant races. These two clans are very war-like and have often battled in bloody and costly civil wars. They live barbarian lifestyles, but the Thettes are nomadic and follow after migratory animal herds. The Brohmn claim permanent residences and dig out immense structures in mountain sides and subterranean caverns.
Ele Tessis – Territory to the shadow race of Bal’Avals. These mystical creatures tend to have sadistic desires and evil tendencies. Little contact has been made with them; they protect their lands violently and will not suffer any trespassing.
Fhey Rhas – Homeland of the Yuul; their home is a ring of seven islands. The Yuul are a feline/human race that dedicate their lives to the study of magic. Political sciences and government organization are also key concerns to their culture.
Huuscia – Endless miles of desert wasteland; suspected to be unpopulated, but few explorers have ever returned from their expeditions.
Mescarne – A heat-blasted, barren plain; at its center is the legendary Quartz Tower. The Tower is believed to be the key focal point for the magical energies and ley lines to the entire world of Aberrisc. Few have found it and been able to return to describe the structure. Some propose it is of ancient origin by a long-forgotten race. No one has ever been able to describe the interior.
Peht Glacier Flats – Ice wasteland; unpopulated by humanoid creatures due to its weather and unstable lands and climate.
Rya – Desert dune lands cover most of this continent. However, there are also long stretches of glass fields that mar this sand expanse. Ancient tales and folklore describe the region as a homeland to a once noble and powerful race, but they unleashed a doomsday cataclysm which formed the glass fields and ever growing dunes. No evidence of such a race has been discovered to date.
Utakraas – Homeland of the Balshazras; these lands are made up of sprawling swamp areas, deep lakes and enormous rivers. Balshazras are reptilian, but have a high intellect that matches their natural gifts with arcane and elemental magic. The unique creatures can continuously reincarnate and thus are seemingly immortal.
Yamtolak – Homeland of the Eulocths. These vile lizard humanoids have very base, selfish desires and often make raids upon other lands for food, treasures or to take slaves. They exist in linked clan villages that all answer to their tyrant king. Their biggest strength and weapon is in their sheer numbers. With a mob-mentality, the Eulocths do not fear anything or anyone.
I hope to create another world map of Wyvernshield soon for the next blog. Please let me know what you thought and if you have any suggestions.
The New Cover! — Derek Barton – 2017
Here is the official new look for Consequences Within Chaos!! Super thrilled with its turnout.
Front & Back —
Copies available on Amazon & Kindle!!
Steps Taken Upon A New “Path”… — Derek Barton – 2017
In the mid 90s, my father, Ted Barton wrote an original new take on the classic werewolf story. It was called The Path. He ran through the typical gauntlet of publisher inquiries and got the typical rejections. Just like today, literary agents and publishers are looking primarily for already established writers — this cuts down on their marketing costs and the gambling risks of taking on new talent.
Unfortunately, the age of self-publication had not taken shape yet. So The Path has remained locked away in a box ever since, gathering dust.
But now…
My father and I are teaming up, revamping the work and will be publishing it by the end of the year! (Insert trumpet blaring and confetti parades here!)
We will be amending the title, but for now here is the first sampling of our book. Hope you enjoy it!
CHAPTER ONE – DZHANKAH:
The Prey was running!
Dzhankah liked it when they ran because it was… entertaining. He had no sense of humor, but it did appeal to his sense of cruelty. It was as close to playing a game as a creature devoid of normal human disposition could approach. Watching his prey stumble clumsily before him, squeaking and mewling in terror gave him immense pleasure.
Sometimes upon first sight of him the timid animals would lock up. Their eyes would roll up white in their sockets and their bladders would let go, leaving dark puddles in the powdery earth at their feet. He would make a big show of his attack, snarling viciously and frothing at the mouth as he reared up and advanced upon them. If he were in a benevolent mood, he would end it quickly by severing their head or ripping out a vital organ. This was not as enjoyable as playing it out, nip by slash, until life ebbed from the quivering remains.
Best of all was when his victims ran.
And this one ran well – almost fast enough to get away.
But not quite…
When Dzhankah first revealed himself, the Meat froze and stared with little apparent fear. This one was either too stupid or too drunk to believe his eyes. Or perhaps he’d seen things before – events or atrocities that had hardened him to the world. After all, the few kills of these two-legged Meats that Dzhankah had experienced had all been of the local, domestic variety.
This, however, was a wild one.
Dzhankah guessed this as evidenced by the Prey’s appearance and from the fact that he had camped in the clearing next to the field rather than in one of their smelly, wooden caves.
If only I had been on the Hunt last night, I would have slept with a full belly.
This Prey still would be easy to kill, but deserved a little more respect. Dzhankah would chase him down and dispatch him immediately.
When the Meat bolted at last, he fled quickly and with purpose. He didn’t look back, kept his head down and concentrated every effort into making his legs carry him as fast as possible toward the clearing where he had camped.
Dzhankah was curious. What did the Meat expect to profit by gaining the clearing? Could he want more room to defend himself? Perhaps he has hidden some sort of weapon back at his campsite?
Never before had one tried to defend himself! Dzhankah found the prospect enticing and brought a surge of excitement to his heart.
The Beast then decided to leap over a few rows and sprint ahead to check out the clearing. There he would either wait for the Meat to come blundering into him or he would come back to the chase within the corn.
Bursting into the clearing, he cast his eyes over the campsite, searching for anything that might be used against him. He thrust his muzzle to the ground, sniffing everything in sight – the bed of embers in the campfire, the bundle of rags the Meat carried with him, the nest of cornstalks piled near the base of the tree…
The tree!
The wild one wasn’t running for a weapon, but fleeing towards the only possible avenue of escape.
Clever, clever! He thought to himself, slightly disappointed over the missed opportunity for a fight.
Oh yes, the Meat has been around all right. Had seen things… and somehow knows I can’t climb trees!
On cue, his quarry exploded from the cornfield and without breaking stride, leaped over Dzhankah’s head and grasped a low-hanging branch. With a grunt, the Prey began pulling himself up into the tree, his legs pinwheeling in the air.
Before he swung his upper torso into the crotch of a branch, Dzhankah lunged and clamped his teeth down hard upon his left foot. A shriek of agony sliced through the air as the ankle bones crunched into a bloody pulp within his powerful jaws.
The Meat kicked and stomped frantically at his tormentor’s face, but Dzhankah, ignored the blows, closed his eyes… and slowly pulled.
More of the novel will be forthcoming. Please let us know what you think so far. Reviews, suggestions or comments are always welcome!
The Official Website of Author Derek Barton 