On Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Related Topics
My mission is to post Chaos.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Addendum
You could also have two villages attack each other in a jousting-like arrangement, but that might be too exciting. You might become famous, and then how will you get your shopping done?
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Starting Your Story Off Right
You're tired of having the main character's village be attacked and you know having the main character attack a village is old hat by now. How sad. But have you thought about having a prologue in which a village is attacked and then have the rest of the story never touch on that in any way? The critics will praise you. The readers, well.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Addendum
It can make the place smell a certain way too, but I figure all magic does that, or else how could you tell?
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Pumpkin Magic
What would it do? Scare people and keep you regular, two priceless functions for daily life.
Monday, October 12, 2026
Characteristics of a Champion
As a young man inclined toward droopiness and acquainted with the slouch entered the clearing, a voice belonging to no body spoke.
"Turn back, for those who enter the mysterious forest become lost in its wandering ways without its secret, one not learnable through woodcraft. Wait. Did I not warn you of this already?"
"You did, but I didn't get lost at all," the youth complained before tromping ahead into the depths.
Hours later, an interval shorter than usual, the voice spoke again to address a fellow coming into the clearing as to his peril. "Turn back, for, hold, you again? How can this be?"
"I keep getting magically whisked outside every time I reach the heart of the forest or whatever it's called," he said while scratching his neck. "I thought I was supposed to be trapped here forever, unable to return home. Might you instruct me a little in the forest's purpose?"
"Astonishing. Could you be the one capable of reaching the truth of this world by unerring routes? Should you become my instrument, wielding my powers beyond the wooded confines, how much might be accomplished!"
"If that's an excuse to go far away, I'll do it."
And so a new legend began.
Finis
"Turn back, for those who enter the mysterious forest become lost in its wandering ways without its secret, one not learnable through woodcraft. Wait. Did I not warn you of this already?"
"You did, but I didn't get lost at all," the youth complained before tromping ahead into the depths.
Hours later, an interval shorter than usual, the voice spoke again to address a fellow coming into the clearing as to his peril. "Turn back, for, hold, you again? How can this be?"
"I keep getting magically whisked outside every time I reach the heart of the forest or whatever it's called," he said while scratching his neck. "I thought I was supposed to be trapped here forever, unable to return home. Might you instruct me a little in the forest's purpose?"
"Astonishing. Could you be the one capable of reaching the truth of this world by unerring routes? Should you become my instrument, wielding my powers beyond the wooded confines, how much might be accomplished!"
"If that's an excuse to go far away, I'll do it."
And so a new legend began.
Finis
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Reason #249 for 2XKO's Failure
I don't know anything about this game, but watching Evo Japan, I don't see any cool guys, charming rogues, or edgelords in the roster. They forgot the most fundamental archetypes. It seems to be the only one of these games the French play though, so that must mean something. Publishers! Check if French people like your upcoming game! If they do, worry!
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Maturity's Dawn
It's when you look back on the fantasy and science fiction games you enjoyed as a youth and wonder, "Wait a minute. How many of those settings and stories were some guy's Dungeons & Dragons/GURPS/Traveller/Vampire: The Masquerade homebrew campaign?" The answer is 86.7%, by the way.
Friday, October 9, 2026
Addendum
The premium version will be made of metal and make satisfying clinking noises as you spin it, plus it will have multiple settings so that it can be used for all three books. That might be a trilogy, but it can also be a collection along some other lines.
The temptation will be great to have sentences that only someone with the premium code wheel can read, but it's a mistake. As it is, people will refrain from just looking up the text on the internet because they'll enjoy the process itself, but once they look up the secret message, that's it for restraint. Video game hint books work the same way.
The temptation will be great to have sentences that only someone with the premium code wheel can read, but it's a mistake. As it is, people will refrain from just looking up the text on the internet because they'll enjoy the process itself, but once they look up the secret message, that's it for restraint. Video game hint books work the same way.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Bringing Books Back Up
People don't want to read because it's far too simple, rote, and quite frankly, if you'll excuse such strong language, lacking in interactivity. What they really want is to buy books that are entirely in cipher and have a big code wheel with neat art on it so they can dive into the process, not just the substance. The code wheel can be signed by the author, the editor, the encoder, or all three for the deluxe edition.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Addendum
Naturally they'll still have radio. Nobody will know anyone who listens to it, but somehow they'll still have it.
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