#best flintlock fantasy

[nightbringer24]

So you want to watch a Warhammer Fantasy film...

Well, you've got no luck at all. Sadly, there is no Warhammer Fantasy film, live action or otherwise. I do think there's one fan-made film, but the name of it escapes me.

BUT LUCKILY, there are films that I feel fit the bill for what Warhammer Fantasy is about. The grittiness, the dark fantasy, the griminess, the campness of it all. They aren't exact, but they're close.

Some people might feel I'm off the mark on some of these, but these are films I feel to be as close as we can get to live action Warhammer Fantasy films:

Pirates of the Caribbean original trilogy

I'm focusing mainly on the first three films: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest and At World's End, here since they fit the bill better I think.

Set in a world in the 18th century where all pirate associated myths and legends are true, it does count as 'low fantasy' which can cover some aspects of Warhammer Fantasy where magic, daemons and other such fantastical elements aren't front and centre for the audience, it's a collection of swashbuckling action scenes, cannon broadsides and simple humans fighting against either the undead, creatures that were once human but became something more through a pact made with a malicious and powerful, some would say demonic, entity, or even just other humans.

Destiny, blood lineages and blood magic are as much at the forefront as gold and vengeance. Curses and oaths play a strong part in the drama and conflict to the stories, and also why magic is never a thing to command lightly. Voyages to places that only the lost know how to get it and are near impossible to get back from without breaking the laws of physics and nature, binding the immaterial for material gains, and dealing with the eldritch powers beyond normal human comprehension.

Solomon Kane (2009)

Based on the eponymous stories by the late and truly great pulp fiction author, Robert E. Howard, the Solomon Kane film brings to live the start (at least, I and others think so since it feels so plausible) of the titular character's journey. A former captain in Sir Francis Drakes' navy out of Tudor England, after a brush with the 'devil's reaper' (such a weird phrase; the 'devil's reaper'. Is there two reapers?), Kane tries to reform with the help of religion and renouncing violence before ending up having to fight as he used to to save his soul and an innocent life.

If the image of Solomon Kane immediately brings to mind the Witch Hunters of the Cult of Sigmar, then you'll know how far reaching Howard's storytelling has reached into fantasy at large.

As the image shows, Solomon Kane is a true swashbuckling adventure, with Kane using both flintlock pistols and rapier and sabre (or falchion) to cut down the followers of a dark and evil power. The atmosphere of the film is oppressive and sombre, showing the horrors of the evil stalking through 16th century England, with wretched souls trying to protect themselves against brutal marauders. The setting is grim and dark, with the only source of a light a man steeped in blood with the will and courage who's job is, in one of the best lines in literary history, "to ease various evil men of their lives."

Brotherhood Of The Wolf - 2001

In a similar vein to Solomon Kane, we have this French film from the early 00s. Now, while Solomon Kane is decidedly historical fantasy (or as I've seen Robert E. Howard's work described as 'psuedohistory', and that term is used positively), this film is... ahistorical for sure, based around the exploits of the Beast of Gévaudan in pre-revolutionary France... and a lot more beside. It's a monster movie, action movie, romance film, political thriller. And it's fun. I enjoyed it.

Now, obviously 18th century France isn't the Empire of Man nor Bretonnia, but the general vibe and tone of the film is definitely something you'll find in Warhammer Fantasy. Something stalking the woods, hunting the local populace who require specialist aid to help them. The actions of the nobility to hunt the beast, only for the viewer to then find out (or guess in some cases for those who were smarter or just took a wild guess) that it's the nobility that were controlling the beast for their own ends. Really sounds like the campaign for a Warhammer Fantasy RPG.

Heck, the 'Beast' even looks like it could be used in Mordheim too.

Excalibur - 1981

Now, if you've not watched this film, I'm saying that you should, since it's a truly epic film. And if you've watched this film, watch it again.

Directed by John Boorman, this is a very fantastical take on the Arthurian legends, playing heavily with the more fantasy elements of the story, though I would also say that at times this film plays more towards dark fantasy than regular fantasy in some places. If you know the story of King Arthur, you'll know the gist of the story, but you need to watch the film to understand it.

There's a lot of full plate armour, and I do mean A LOT of full plate armour going around in this film, many of which have interesting and truly fantastical designs in some places, and if you go looking them online you'll see what I mean. Magic users invoking powerful magic from a source beyond mortal knowledge that would slay a mortal being without a care while also being an intangible part of the world, not tamed but channeled. A land tainted by sickness and famine after the good king falls to a plot of hubris and malice, overrun by cruel and wicked men, before the king returns to his own and with his loyal retainers fights the foe, and though he perishes along with his foe, the kingdom is restored but to a shadow of what it once was. There's a certain brutal majesty to it all, especially when the knights are in their full plate fighting so bloodily with each other, but it definitively feels like a true blue fantasy film.

With the release of Old World, this is fairly close to what happened to Mandred Skavenslayer in the Empire's history, or even Bretonnia's civil war before the End Times.

With Fire and Sword (Ogniem i Mieczem) - 1999

Now we're stepping away from the fantastical and pseudohistory to the actual history (well, as close to actual history as we can get. Authenticity versus accuracy here).

Based on the 1884 novel, part of The Trilogy (With Fire and Sword, The Deluge and Fire in The Steppe/Pan Michael) by Polish novelist Henryk Sienkiewicz, set in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the mid-1600s, this film follows the story of a Polish nobleman called Jan Skretuski, who falls in love with the noblewoman, Helena Kurcewiczówna, who at the same time is also the target of affection for the Cossack noble, Jurko Bohun. This is all set around the backdrop of the Khmelnytsky Uprising.

This film is 100% a work of art in so many levels: the costuming, the music, the dialogue, the characters (Longinus!), the sets. It's a lovingly done portrayal of the 17th century in motion picture, and while some scenes are meant to be big battles that clearly suffer the same problem that the Sharpe series in the UK faced around the same time, i.e. desire for big scope - not enough budget for all the extra cast, it makes up for it style! I mean, it has Winged Hussars on the charge. What more could you want?

Now, in terms of relation to Warhammer Fantasy, while there is only a tangential and very loose connection to the game that could be made (there is a scene where Bohun meets a pagan mystic woman, and Chaos is based highly around old school and bloody paganism, and that's about it really, and you could also play it off as a civil war in Kislev, with the Cossacks being Ungols and the Polish being Gospodars), I feel that this film gives a more...it gives off the right feel for Warhammer Fantasy, especially if you're a fan of the roleplaying games from Final Flight Games. You've got the knightly nobleman, joining forces with a nobleman of petty rank who's friends with a towering knight of a warrior, along with a professional soldier who's also a skilled duelist bar none, all seeking to aid their country while also dealing with the machinations of a rival nobleman. It has the castles, the swords, the lances, the capes and the hats, the politics and the duels.

----

So, sadly, I only have 5 films to use, but these for me highly rank as must watch films for any fan of Warhammer Fantasy. If you have other suggestions, let me know.

[legendofzoodles]

What guns do you think the Chain would have? This has been bouncing in my head endlessly for the past day and I can't pick a solid answer for any of the chain. At most I've gotten that Wind has 10 flintlocks strapped to him at all times.

Why was I asked this? Why did I research for this? This is probably the closest I'll ever get to the other side of the Atlantic without physically going transatlantic. Anyway I've played a few horror games, lemme take a crack at this:

The Chain's choice of Firearm

Time, making sure most of the targets are taken out before any of his boys needs to pull the trigger, suites a grenade launcher.

Imagine some kind of archaic medieval fantasy assault rifle for Warriors. I was thinking maybe a simple more elegant gun but then I remembered this guy wields a broadsword not a rapier for a reason. He duels yes, but more so clears huge waves of enemies in fights. This gun has a high firing rate for just that, allowing him to lead the charge.

Twilight gets the shot gun. Simple as. It's been used by farmers anywhere and everywhere to protect their crops and animals. As a excellent marksman he has the skill to use its large spread with precision.

The simple pistol for Sky. He'd carry it on him but would only draw it as a last resort. He doesn't strike me as the type to shoot...in any context really.

Legend wouldn't have a gun. I mean, he'd have maybe a PDW for emergencies, but I see him as the ammo guy who also have all the extra parts needed for repair or customisation.

Sniper Wild gets a sniper rifle. Stays out of the way, backing up the rest up with his perfect shots, in both timing and placement. He's also able to quickly change his location when he may have been found out or when he needs a better lineup.

Four best suits the revolver. He's very good with this weapon; keeping track of how many bullets he's working with and the slow reload requires him to think ahead and not shoot blindly.

Not sure if such a thing exists but Hyrule would have a kind of gun that's able to be customised on the dime. A scavenger used to variety wouldn't have the patience for just one type of weapon.

Apparently flamethrowers are classed as a firearm? Wind gets one of these; sorry anon kid isn't getting a gun...but, hey if he's able to steal a flintlock from Legend's stash um sure.

~~~

Thanks for reading. I hope I don't get put on a watchlist...

Masterlist

[finsandflintlocks]

Name: Fins & Flintlocks (FiLo)

Started: November 23rd, 2024

Type: Speculative Fiction, Adventure

Pages: N/A

Summary: Two fish, a dog, and a boy—sounds like the setup to a bad joke, right? Welcome aboard the WestBound Nautical Trading Company, where the lower ranks of the crew are just trying their best not to sink the ship. With wildly different motivations and personal baggage, they scramble to keep the ship afloat while their reserved, often troubled Captain grapples with his own mental and physical battles. Together, they navigate the dangerous waters of trade, rivalry, and adventure, all while circling the globe, one chaotic mission at a time. Can they survive the madness, or will they sink trying?

---

Overview:

In this world, all races are collectively considered to be under the classification of “human,” even if they do not appear traditionally human on an individual level. Their distinct forms and ways of life do not make them monsters but simply variations of humanity. They share the same intelligence, emotional depth, and societal complexity. The central conflict revolves around differing racial ideologies, technological advancements, and the occasional manipulation of these societies by powerful individuals.

The world and universe of Fins & Flintlocks began as a Minecraft-inspired setting known as "Brass & Dust" but evolved into its own unique creation, offering greater creative freedom. While it still holds subtle influences from Minecraft, it has transformed into an entirely original setting.

---

Racial Classification and Lifespans

Tall-Men (80): Tall-Men are the standard human race, widespread along with the others across various regions with diverse cultures and societies.

Harpies (80): Harpies are winged humans with feathers all over and talons for feet, often perceived as delicate for their hollow bones, which they have to achieve flight.

Lupinites (80): Lupinites are wolf-like humans with fur, claws, and tails, They are unique in where men and women are indistinguishable from one another, both having facial hair similar to beards or moustaches.

Gillborns (80): Gillborns are humans with fish-like features, such as gills and long tails, living near land where water stretches for about 50 miles.

Serpentfolk (600): Serpentfolk are humans with snake-like lower bodies, long lifespans of up to 600 years, and a deep connection to ancient wisdom. They are distinct by their long, slender necks, and lighter colours in the inner sections of their hair.

Sirens (600): Sirens are humans with fish-like lower bodies, known for their mesmerizing voices and enchanting beauty. living up to 600 years.

---

Lifespan Dynamics and UAM

The lifespan of each race influences its societal development, priorities, and role in the world of Fins & Flintlocks. Cultures with average lifespans (80–100 years) are characterized by steady progress, innovation, and generational overlap. In contrast, long-lived races (200–600 years) are deeply entrenched in their traditions, often slow to innovate but acting as custodians of ancient knowledge. Along with being the races with the smallest population, these long-lived races are deeply rooted in history, and their societies change extremely slowly, usually only in response to external pressures.

The Universal Age Measurement (UAM) system standardizes the measurement of age across different races, accounting for their varying lifespans. This system ensures that societal expectations and maturity are accurately portrayed.

Formula

Assuming the human lifespan is of 80 years as a basis:

Human Age = (Characters Actual Age/ Race Lifespan) × 80

Nonhuman age = (Human Age / Conventional Lifespan) x Race's Lifespan

---

Magic & Alchemy:

In Fins & Flintlocks, magic as it is typically known in fantasy settings doesn’t exist. Instead, magic is tied to rare phenomena, artifacts, or forbidden knowledge that produces effects mimicking magic. There are no widespread magic users, and individuals who claim to wield magic are either frauds or rely on extremely rare or dangerous means to produce what might appear as magical effects.

The closest "equivalent" to magic-users would be potion makers or alchemists, who can brew potions using ingredients from the world around them. Potions are limited in power, with effects that are typically mild unless rare ingredients are used. Their usage is on the decline due to the scarcity of necessary materials, and modern medicine has taken over much of their role.

---

[thexgrayxlady]

What I Read in January 2025

The Obelisk Gate by NK Jemisin - 4.75/5.00

These books remain brutally beautiful and compulsively readable. This review will be short because I didn't put the book down to make notes very often. The worldbuilding is so good! I was fascinated seeing the adaptations the plants and animals made to survive the season. The scenes with Nassun and her father are so tense. The scenes with her and Schaffa aren't any less so, especially because the reader knows what Schaffa was like before he had his memory/personality reset. The scene with Nassun's hand was really tense because of how it builds on what happens with Essun's hand in the previous book. I'm really interested in what this series has to say about cycles of abuse.

In the Shadow of Lightning by Brian McClellan - 3.75/5.00

This was a very fun ride. It's not that deep, but the magic system is very fun and interesting. I thought glass magic was really cool and I love love love flintlock fantasy. The story has a strong prologue, however I wish the story proper took more time to get going. I wanted to have a stronger status quo established for Demir and if his life sucked more prior to the story starting, it would have made the later parts have more of an impact. As it is, the reader doesn't have much of a feel of his fall from grace if his life is pretty comfortable and it's so easy for him to come back and get everything back in place. Also, Demir was a little bit of a mary sue and if he was a bit messier it would have made the moments where he has doubts hit a little harder. Despite some clunky character work, I liked most of the minor characters. Mika is bonkerballs and I love her. If anything happens to Brailer, I will kill everyone in this glassworks and then myself. Capric should have been in the story more often for what happens later to have an impact. Montego was the only one I found insufferably annoying. The plot was pretty fast paced and while I wish things were harder for the characters than it was, it was pretty fun. I really enjoyed the turn for the lovecraftian at the end. I look forwards to seeing what happens if there's more books in this series.

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik - 3.75/5.00

It's a collection of short stories. Some of them are very good, some of them probably didn't need to be published again. I wrote down a sentence or two about each though. Araminta, or, The Wreck of the Amphidrake - 2.75/5.00 I liked it, but it didn't really stand out. It feels more like an outline for a bigger novel that was cut down to short story length. After Hours - 4.50/5.00 I love the Scholomance and will always appreciate more. I like that the murder school is still somewhat dangerous, even after the events of the series. Vici - 4.75/5.00 I also love the Temeraire series and will always welcome another story set in that universe. I like that both the dragon and Marc Antony are both kind of assholes. My biggest complaint is that there isn't more substance/there isn't more of it. Buried Deep - 5.00/5.00 This is probably the best short story in the book. It is a fantastic retelling of Ariadne that does exactly what it sets out to do and doesn't overstay it's welcome. Spinning Silver - 4.00/5.00 I love the novel Spinning Silver so much and it was interesting to see its first draft. Commonplaces - 3.25/5.00 It's pretty good, but it won't stay with you and I have no strong feelings about it. Seven - 4.25/5.00 This has a really cool setting. I love a story about the importance of PPE and safe work practices. However, it's kind of let down by a weak ending. Blessings - 3.75/5.00 This was cute and quirky and it doesn't overstay its welcome. I like the fairies and it was pretty fun, but it also doesn't do anything extraordinary. Lord Dunsany's Teapot - 2.00/5.00 It's kind of a dud. The relationship between the characters is interesting, but the story isn't and it's just not really to my taste. Seven Years From Home - 2.00/5.00 Cool bioengineering, but for whatever reason I couldn't get into it. I think it might also be a little to long for its own good. Dragons and Decorum - 4.75/5.00 It's Pride and Prejudice with dragons. I had a good time. Castle Coeurlieu - 4.50/5.00 The creepy tower setting is pretty cool. I wish I understood the card game better. The Long Way Round - 4.00/5.00 This feels like what it is, Novik trying to sort out her new world and story. I like it though and I'm excited for what comes of it.

Starless by Jacqueline Carey - 3.25/5.00

This is two thirds of a very good political fantasy with a rushed, globe trotting adventure for an ending. I think it should have been split into two books in order to give the ending time enough to develop and have the impact that the author wants. Because this book has a lot of potential and I've really liked other things the author has written, the disappointment stings even more. It has a strong beginning with interesting characters. I especially love Brother Yarit. I would die for him. Khai and Zariya are great to follow with an interesting dynamic. I do not remember a single character introduced in the last third. Characters make sacrifices that should have meaning, but because we don't take the time to get to know them, they don't matter. The settings, the monastery, the city, and the world beyond, are lush and vivid. The worldbuilding is interesting. There's an octopus oracle! The pacing is just so wonky that nothing feels like it matters.

The Liar's Knot by M.A. Carrick - 3.75/5.00

While I overall enjoyed this book, it trades some of its predecessor's faults for some new ones. It had significantly fewer extraneous POVs and I feel like the bloat was more under control than in the previous installment. I also appreciated the recap at the beginning and I think more books should include that. The plot is a more focused than the previous book. It builds slowly, dealing with secret societies and ancient magic. It's a little rushed at the end, but for how consistent it is prior to that, I'd say I'm pretty okay with that. The authors build on the previous book to create a world that is lush and lived in. I love how they change a character's sentence structure based on what language they're speaking. However, I wish they took a little time to create complex characters to live in this world. I like Ren a lot as a protagonist. I like that she's clever and resourceful. I appreciate the work she puts into moving amongst different societies in this world. However, I said in my last review that I wish Ren did more morally gray things and I still stand by that. I think that she should have more conflict with other characters and I wish her actions had stronger consequences for her. Things just feel like they happen just a little too easily for her. For example, I wish that the jailbreak in the middle of the book had more complications and setbacks. Setting a political prisoner free should have created more problems for the characters than it did. The book also makes a big deal about her telling the truth about how another noble family died and how it will have consequences for the family she's been adopted into. However, when she tells people, nothing of real importance happens. You can tell whether or not a character is an antagonist or not based on how much they like Ren and I wish it wasn't so easy to tell. I liked Gray much better when he was just bland and boring. Now, he's bland, boring, and self-righteous. A lot of the notes I took were just about how I found him kind of annoying. Even Vargo feels a little toothless in this book. However, he is still my favorite sopping wet cat of a man. All that being said, this was a much more focused book than the previous entry and I look forwards to getting my hands on the last one.

[cibeebutinhell]

Trigger Warning 🔞

: gun sex (ao3)

Blitzø thought he heard it wrong. Stolas’ fancy talk and/or horny talk was unintelligible at the best of times, but those were all simple words Blitzø understood but couldn’t comprehend. 

“Shit, you got some suicidal tendencies you haven’t told me?” Blitzø forced himself to stay put and not be backed into a literal corner. “Because then you need a therapist and not a fuck buddy. Shit. Fuck.” Blitzø was still reeling. 

Stolas’ slender talons played with Blitzø’s flintlock pistol, stroking and caressing in the way Blitzø was so familiar with, though usually it was directed at something benign: a pen, the rim of a wine glass, Blitzø’s back. The closest thing to a weapon those hands stroked was Blitzø’ dick and no matter how good he thought he was, his dick wasn’t powerful enough to blow a hole in Stolas’ stomach. 

“How is this different from the bear trap?” Stolas asked, not at all ashamed or embarrassed. Not at all like the times Blitzø sussed out some sort of buried kink Stolas had, usually by doing something unexpected during sex and felt Stolas’ wet hole or mouth clenched tight around him. Like when Blitzø slapped Stolas in the face with his tail for being a brat and Stolas’ whole inside convulsed around his dick and soaked it until Blitzø thought his dick was going to be puffy and wrinkled like he was in the shower for too long (later Stolas told him what was not how dick skin worked so whatever.)

“Because a bear trap is just a glorified bite, you asshole.” A bite that broke his fucking arm, but Stolas, the freak that he was, hadn’t allowed Blitzø to stop and pleaded to keep being fucked while his blood soaked through the mattress. 

“You know it won’t kill me, right, Blitzy?” 

So what? Blitzø wanted to scream at him. With where Stolas was planning on shoving the pistol, if it did go off Stolas wouldn’t be able to walk it off like he did after most of their session. 

Stolas brought the pistol up to his face, pressed his mouth to it, kissed up the length and swirled his tongue around the opening, gunpowder residue sticking to the pink flesh. “I know you like this weapon, darling, and anything you like I cannot help find interesting.”

“You’re gonna shove a horse up your hole next?” 

Stolas smiled, cheek pressed against the wet metal of the gun. “Well, you do have lots of horses to put inside of me.”

“Your pussy will probably break them.”

“Awww…” Stolas cooed like Blitzø just paid him a compliment (which, okay, it kind of was.) “One idea at a time, darling. Are you amenable to mine?”

“Why now?” Blitzø snatched the pistol back, and Stolas let him easily enough. “You could have found someone to shove all sorts of stuff  into you, including firearms.”

Stolas looked genuinely surprised at Blitzø’s inquiry. “Why would I ask anyone else?” he replied. “I trust you.” 

Blitzø put the pistol down. 

“What?”

“Of course I would not force you to participate if you do not wish to.” Stolas sunk back into the numerous plush pillows on his bed, waist so small it drove Blitzø fucking crazy when its all stretched out like this. “But I would not go look for someone else for this particular fantasy.”

“Because,” because Blitzø just had to confirm. “You trust me?” 

“...yes?” Stolas was looking more confused by the second. “Are…you alright, Blitzø? We really don’t have to ��”

The golden pistol, already half-cocked, pressed against Stolas’ chin, forcing a surprised exhale out of him. 

“You’ll only let me do this, huh, Stolas?” Blitzø whispered, low enough that it would have been inaudible to anyone else, but Stolas’ hearing picked it up perfectly. 

“Yes,” Stolas said, holding Blitzø’s gaze. He was hyper aware of the muzzle, first firmly at his jaw, then slowly moving down to his neck, his chest, paused there, right over his heart. 

Sex between them was usually loud enough to drive away most of Stolas’ staff in the entire wing. Stolas loved to scream and Blitzø loved making him scream. Even when they were not actively fucking, they were loud —  laughing or swearing or talking. Quiet was not part of their conscious routine.

Everything was quiet now. Even their breathing. Even — “Your heartbeat,” Blitzø said. 

“Hm?” Stolas spread his legs and caged Blitzø between them.

“It’s slow.” Blitzø clarified.

“Nothing to be nervous about.”

The pistol moved further down, teasing Stolas’ opening, playing with the folds there. Stolas widened his legs and sighed. 

“Fuck,” Blitzø said. 

“Preferably,” Stolas replied. 

Blitzø dipped the tip of the pistol inside of Stolas, glancing up to check on him. But Stolas had his eyes closed, mouth opened slightly, finally breathing a little harder. Blitzø’s free hand pressed against Stolas’ chest, feeling the rhythm there. Still frighteningly calm. 

“Is the gun fully cocked?” Stolas asked.

“Fuck,” Blitzø repeated, and did as he was told. He moved slowly, all the way until it could no longer fit, with the frizzen blocking the way. 

He fucked Stolas slowly. The pistol glistened with slick and cum and Blitzø was pretty sure the gunpowder was now all wet and useless anyway. Stolas hummed happily, like this was a half-asleep lovemaking where being close was more important than pleasure. Blitzø trembled from how hard he was controlling the weapon he normally paid no mind to where the bullet would end up. He carefully moved his finger. Stolas must have felt it.

“Is your finger on the trigger?” 

“Yeah,” Blitzø said roughly.

“Yesssss…” Stolas hissed, yet all of him unfurled, melting into a puddle. His orgasm was as quiet as everything else, leaking onto Blitzø’s gun, his hand, his thighs. 

Still laying flat on the bed, Stolas curled around Blitzø so they were a snug little ball in the middle of the mattress. “Sorry for ruining your gun,” Stolas said. 

“Yeah.” Blitzø was so speechless. He didn’t even cum, but there was fire licking every part of him, so different from arousal, and nothing like the surge of power from taking a life. Blitzø was boneless from it, and couldn’t tell Stolas that this had just become his favorite gun. 

[kckramer]

Writeblr Introduction

Hello! It's time to properly introduce myself to the writeblr community. You can call me KC if you want. I am a full time specialist as my local library system and I have a Master of Letters in Fantasy Literature from the University of Glasgow. For now, this is my writing website, until an agent/editor tells me to build a WordPress or something. (I honestly hate traditional blogs. Weird quirk, don't know why. Also, links are underlined). If I get tagged in things, I will do my best to respond to them and share it forward.

Published Works- This includes my self-published 5e adventure and the two anthologies that include my stories. It will be updated and kept current as this develops.

Works in Progress- The main projects that I've been bouncing back and forth between. Most are world-oriented, meaning they have numerous interconnected stories within a single world.

Where to Find Me: Some of my other internet homes, including World Anvil, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

More Details Below...

Here are some more details on the different things I linked above:

Published Works

"Sofia Serrento's Flying Circus and the Sky Pirates of Shanghai" is published in the anthology Hell Hath No Fury: New Pulp Heroines. It's a New Pulp story set in 1930s Shanghai, featuring Sofia Serrento and her all-women aero-circus/spy ring.

"The God-Kings' Tomb" is published in the anthology Futures That Never Were, an anthology of original sword & planet short stories. This one is in the same universe as Sofia Serrento, so the two stories are... technically connected. This one involves an SOE advisor specializing in the occult and arcane who finds herself transported to a different planet in the solar system.

Siege at Oasis Butte is a standalone 5e adventure published through the DM's Guild featuring a desert town under siege by mercenaries with mysterious motivations.

Works In Progress

Iron Horizons/The Pilgrim's War: This was a NaNoWriMo novel from a few years ago that has since... grown. I've been calling it a Dieselpunk space opera, but alternate history/retrofuturism is also apt. Basically, humanity rapidly developed space flight in the 1920s based on some MacGuffin physics nonsense leading to the second world war happening on a solar system level using extensions of 30s aesthetics. Pilgrim's War is set roughly 400 years after that war ended, with the extensive resources from space maintaining the colonialist expansion into the stars and focuses primarily on a sort of... War of 1812 situation between a well-established independent government and their recently independent colonies.

The Centurion Club: My published short stories are set in this universe. Ironically, this is also an alternate history. It's the primary setting for my "New Pulp" fiction. It's mostly short fiction, with some longer projects in the brainstorming phase, and it focuses on the fictionalized city of Weymouth in New England and the members of the illustrious Centurion Club, a scientific society for explorers, scientists, freedom fighters, reformers, and others who push the boundaries of human society. Beyond that, a sword and sorcery setting in Mesolithic Doggerland, some privateers/mercenaries in the 17th/18th centuries, and a contemporary CGIS special agent in a Clive Cussler vein, plus a great many vigilantes and adventurers in the 1930s.

Sigil of the Sea King: A heroic fantasy which, also a NaNoWriMo project, is self-indulgence, where I throw together everything I've really enjoyed but could never fit in elsewhere. So there's an island kingdom ruled by merchant sea princes, flying air whales, nomads whose wagons are pulled by sails, cozy Forest Folk, a lone surviving heir to a crumbled kingdom, and lots of influence from Georgian/Armenian/Caucasian culture, mythology, and history.

Flintlock Fantasy: This is just the earliest stages of development, mostly just simmering, but somewhat Napoleonic secondary fantasy world. The main character is an elf named Lark, and I think she's sort of a janissary-type sent to work covertly in a border region between two empires. Random, Personal Information

You may have once known me as NovelistSpaceRanger, but that was like 8 years ago.

I'm a certified open-water diver and I'm working on my advanced open-water diver later this summer.

Also a whitewater rafter, backpacker, mediocre yogi, and rock climber.

I've been to 14 countries and spent a year and a half living in Europe.

[cbairdash]

Author’s note: Hoist the Colors may eventually inspire fiction. Most likely will and I’ll gladly write it. But right now, it’s a role-playing game setting with what I hope is an interesting take and look at an “Alternate History” of Earth. It isn’t really “steampunk”, though I can see how someone would get that impression. For me, it’s more a “flintlock fantasy” set on Earth of 1722 in all it’s historical mess… that I’ve stirred up even more!

So, with that said, lets get into another Creature Feature! A type of wraith called a Soot Wraith!

Soot Wraith

They’re forgefire, rage, and brimstone with a sword…

- Lysander Riverwind, Navigator and cartographer for the Royal Institute of Otherworld Studies

Where a salt wraith comes from rage and waves, the soot wraith is born screaming out of an inferno. A hot alloy of vengeful spirit melted into a primal elemental of fire that burst to unlife like a murderous, undead phoenix. 

These wraiths are the most devious and daring of all. Similar to the sand wraith, they are most likely to have a hidden lair in a city or town. Soot wraiths often take on the disguise of a duelist, minor noble from another country, or well-off trade merchant. Often, the fashion they adopt is inspired by the culture of their past life. 

A soot wraith’s love of finer things only equals their drive for murder and mayhem. A balance complicated by their hot temper. But older soot wraiths learn to stoke that fire of revenge, lashing out only when the time and place are right. Especially when there are no witnesses.

Soot wraiths will form some alliances with the living, but not as extensive as happens with a sand wraith. This acts like an extra layer to their disguise when their tempers get the better of them. Often these associates are a gang of thieves, pirates, or a small mercenary company known for their fighting skills.

But no matter their style, or what false life they wrap around themselves, they are bound to their nature. Their predatory ways and wraith’s chill hover around them and in their wake, like their trail of victims. Which is often their ultimate undoing.

Of Fire and Fury

A soot wraith’s natural form is a burning nightmare. Their eyes hold a blue-white flame that burns searing hot, while their body is a bronze-gray soot that conceals a semi-soft, molten core. When cut, they bleed, but it’s a molten liquid that will try to burn through anything but metal or stone. 

Soot wraiths will heal from any wound given time. But the best bandage for them is touching warm soot, absorbing hot steam, or being caught in an open flame, even enchanted ones. That is one of, if not the most important, reasons many soot wraiths have a hidden lair near a blacksmith’s shop.

Appearance aside, soot wraiths have all the same abilities as other wraiths. Including, to the surprise of many, a wraith’s undead cold aura despite a soot wraith’s boiling blood. But there is one searing ability soot wraiths have that other wraith’s lack. For a few quick minutes, a soot wraith can make themselves temporarily insubstantial, magically turning themselves and anything they touch into boiling hot steam.

They pass around and over their attackers or any obstacle, scalding anything in their wake. It’s a fast way to avoid being attacked or even escape, while leaving their attacker blistered and battered behind them. This boiling ability is what many believe contributes to the legend that all wraiths are nothing more than violent ghosts. 

For the rest about wraiths in Hoist the Colors, see the link above!

Taglist: @thelaughingstag

[smokeys-house]

🎹

🎹 - Do they have any hobbies?

Puukko's biggest hobby is telling stories! She'll talk your ear off for hours. Aside from that, she likes to keep her sword skills sharp. She used to do target shooting with her old flintlock, but after the events in the episodes "things that go bang in the night" & "the secret fireworks" She decided it best to take up archery instead. Less noise echoing off the lonely mountains. She's a huge fantasy nerd, and it's about all she reads. She also does a bit of embroidery now and again. She's sort of a "try anything" kind of person since she's got a lot of free alone time, gets up to a lot of weird hobbies and all kinds of things!

[flaetsbnortoriginals]

Since some time ago I've talked about a random idea for a dungeon that I'd had for a while but don't think I'll be able to do right now, I'll do it again today.

But first, I need to talk about Eternal Darkness.

I first discovered TTRPG when a random guy in my school came up to me and asked me if I wanted to play. We weren't even friends. I don't even know what system it was - looking back, it feels more like one of those Lone Wolf style CYOA books, especially because it was one-on-one. I took that idea to my friends and we created new systems based on that one game, vague ideas from digital RPGs like Final Fantasy and Pokémon, and out of our buttholes.

Since we had no idea for what could be a setting for a RPG, we made them up, usually inspired on videogames. That was how I started playing a one-on-one game with a friend that was basically a TTRPG remake of Eternal Darkness.

Eternal Darkness is a 2002 survival horror videogame for the GameCube. It's mostly known for its sanity mechanic that often messed with the game in a meta way, like pretending to lower the volume or erase the saved files. But my favourite thing about it is that it took place over a very long time. It had four locations that were visited centuries apart by people in different moments of history. A buried temple in the Middle East is visited by an invading Roman soldier, then two millenia later by a Canadian firefighter putting out post-Gulf War fires. This meant that as you progressed the game you'd switch from swords to crossbows to flintlock pistols to assault rifles.

My idea from this is what I call a Time Funnel. A group of adventurers go down a terrible dungeon to destroy an undying evil. They fail. The next group takes a few centuries to show up, but at least they have better technology now.

I'll now proceed to vomit up some of the things I've thought up about this cenario...

I have some ideas about the setting. It would obviously need to be a forgotten island... close enough to shore that even ancient folks might feasibly end up there, but in a remote enough location that it would never become something well-known.

The concept for the evil that needs to be defeated could be:

the last holdout of an an Assassin's Creed-style precursor race

the seed for a very long term alien invasion force

why stray from the source? a temple to an ancient chtulhulesque may be perfectly fine

The rooms that are closer to the surface might become time-damaged once adventurers break into them, so the more you explore the dungeon, the easier time later adventurers will have. But this inverts as the heroes approach the core, as its evil actually becomes stronger when it's released and possibly starts infecting rooms that were previously safe and making defeated challenges come back more dangerous.

I've thought of the time periods as something like this:

Literal cavemen (sticks, stones)

Almost prehistoric (crappy swords, spears)

Ancient era (less crappy swords, bows)

Medieval (good swords, longbows, crossbows)

Age of piracy (fancy swords, flintlock pistols, muskets)

Victorian age (revolvers, shotguns)

Modern age (automatic guns, grenades)

Cyberpunk age (laserguns, drones)

Space opera age (nuke it from orbit)

Oh yeah, an idea I've had is that if the party dies enough times the last party is from a distant future in which the threatening entity has almost awaken, and you are humanity's last hope. So you've got the best technology a perfect future civilization can muster, but the enemies have also become equally powerful. I'm not sure if that kind of shift would work; might be a cool capstone if a campaign lasted that long.

Problems I foresee, however:

This definitively requires a OSR/NSR like system, and I'm not sure how to mechanically differenciate a crappy Bronze Age sword from a less crappy Iron age sword, for instance. Simply adding damage would create a power creep that makes modern weapons too powerful, while tactical advantadges might make the whole thing too complex too quickly.

In a regular funnel, when a character dies, a new one immediately replaces it. But this setting absolutely requires that a character is not replaced until a new expedition centuries down the line. What do the players of downed characters do?

Fine-tuning the difficutly would be paramount, and I'm not good at all at it. Although I imagine erring in the side of too difficult would still result in an interesting name, albeit maybe not a satisfying one.

The setting essentially required that everything happens in the dungeon, with no encounters with friendly NPCs whatsoever to break the tension. I fear that this might quickly become tiresome. Would exploring rooms without breaks still be fun just because now you have a rifle instead of a crossbow? (I do have a related idea in which there is an entire island with factions and stuff, but that's so much more complicated that it's basically a different idea.)

So... a cool idea, not one that I'm confident I could pull of now, or even in the foreseeable future. So instead I post it on Tumblr to throw it out across the winds.

[bamdadcontrol]

Best Souls-Like Games to Play in 2024

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree: FromSoftware returns to the Lands Between with a hefty expansion to their 2022 masterpiece. Expect new areas, bosses, weapons, and lore secrets to unravel. Prepare for a fresh challenge worthy of even the most grizzled Tarnished.

Black Myth: Wukong: This Chinese epic reimagines the classic Journey to the West tale as a Souls-like. Monkey King Sun Wukong wields his legendary Ruyi Jingu Bang staff against mythical demons and celestials in a visually stunning open world. Prepare for acrobatic combat and mind-blowing boss battles.

Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn: This gunslinging Souls-like blends gritty fantasy with steampunk aesthetics. Wield powerful firearms and alchemical concoctions to survive a post-apocalyptic world overrun by monstrous machines and corrupted magic. Prepare for a unique blend of ranged and melee combat.

https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/thenarratives2014/the-bonfire-beckons/

For the Curious Newbie:

Nazralath: The Fallen World: This Lovecraftian-inspired adventure throws you into a world consumed by cosmic horror. Utilize sanity-draining magic and eldritch weaponry to battle grotesque abominations and navigate a labyrinthine city consumed by madness. Prepare for a truly unsettling Souls-like experience.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden: This co-op Souls-like tasks you with cleansing a haunted island of vengeful spirits. Team up with friends to explore atmospheric ruins, solve environmental puzzles, and lay troubled souls to rest. Prepare for a spooky Souls-like adventure with a strong emphasis on teamwork.

Lies of P: Pinocchio takes a dark turn in this grotesque Souls-like set in a twisted Belle Époque world. Craft puppet limbs and grotesque weapons to survive against monstrous automata and unravel the mysteries of a decaying city. Prepare for a hauntingly beautiful and disturbing Souls-like experience.

www.controlmgt.ir

[aavega]

Sneak-Peek For The Best Upcoming PC Games Of 2023

Gear up for the boundless fun! 

For those who love playing games online, its time to cheer, as this year is fully loaded with so many fun and exciting games that you can play on your PC. So, without elevating your zest let's have a quick look at some of the best upcoming PC games of 2023 that are mentioned below. 

Have a sight on the popular upcoming PC games 

It's well known that online gaming has now become a part of life for almost every 2nd person globally due to the advancement in the gaming industry that comes up with something innovative creations every time, hiking up the mania of game lovers. And this time, as well, many exhilarating PC games are on the way to make you delighted and give you the enjoyment of top-notch. A few of the best upcoming PC games are as follows; 

Ark 2: Ark 2 is developed by Studio Wildcard after the success of Ark: Survival Evolved. The game will reflect a larger play space immersive world event along with dinosaur AI. Experience this adventurous-filled game made up of Unreal Engine.  

Flintlock: Siege of Dawn: The game is developed by A44 Games will steal our attention with its combat actions and adventures of magical weapons along with a fantasy world. It is an adventure RPG game-based genre. 

Revenant Hill: In the Revenant Hill game, there are many hard times with challenges on the way. It is a story-rich and adventurous game developed by The Glory Society and published by Finji.  

Ultros: Here comes another game filled with excitement and amusement and that is Ultros. The game is a "psychedelic sci-fi sidescroller" and developed by Hadoque. The genre of the game is action-adventure based and full of storyline.  

These games seem pretty exciting and innovative that will quickly grasp gamers attention and compel them to play for a long time.  

Image credit: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2050420/ARK_2/;https://store.steampowered.com/app/1832040/Flintlock_The_Siege_of_Dawn/;https://store.steampowered.com/app/2434740/Revenant_Hill/;https://store.steampowered.com/app/2386310/Ultros/ 

Conclusion 

Wrapping up with the final thoughts that online gaming has now become so prominent that the maximum crowd has been inclined towards it across the world due to the integration of new technologies in the gaming industry that give great amusement and enjoyment to gamers.  

Moreover, people find it feasible playing games that can be played on PC where they do not have to invest on expensive consoles, and they get fun of same kind. This blog will help you with some selective games available on Steam and are going to be released in the upcoming months. So, grab the chance to attain the next level fun! 

Aavega Interactive is a leading gaming studio with peculiar gaming services such as game development, gameart, and game QA.  

Stay tuned with our experts for more gaming info! 

[bookwraiths]

FUNDAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (FEBRUARY 27, 2017)

FUNDAY MONDAY, OR THE BOOKS THAT WILL HELP ME SURVIVE THE WEEK AHEAD (FEBRUARY 27, 2017)

It might be 2016 instead of 2017, but the same old routine continues.  And so I quickly slip into my business suit and head back into the office to save a few innocent people. But while I try to fool myself into being excited about the promise of a new year and the continuation of the regular grind, deep down, I’m not, so I’m going to escape dreary reality by reading some great books.

Continuing…

[eternalgirlscout]

shadow and bone from the crows’ perspective is a grimy low-fantasy heist movie where they’re a canny sort of dangerous due to being cunning and competent with knives and flintlock pistols and simply beating the shit out of people with a dense metal object. then they leave ketterdam and suddenly people are shooting goddamn energy beams out of their hands. the evil shadow king is giving a monologue about eating the world with darkness and they’re just like 🙄 ok tumblr sadboy. and that’s why they’re the best characters.

[shutupeiffel]

Ranking RPG Podcast By Their Theme Tunes

As written by someone who knows almost nothing about music but has listened to an ungodly amount of podcasts. This is by no means a comprehensive list, and if anyone has any recommendations based off these, hit me up!

6. Rusty Quill Gaming

Steampunk! Jaunty! Toe-tapping! Definitely feels weirdly out of place after the intense emotional cliffhangers of late-game RQG! That being said, this song fits into the semi-Victorian ‘industrial but with magic’ feeling of the RQG setting, setting the mood perfectly - if luring you into a false sense of security.

5. Oxventure (The Podcast)

This has such a great Fantasy Vibe, it’s exactly the kind of song you’d expect to hear playing in a tavern or played over a swooping shot of forests in a fantasy film. Honourable mentions to the pieces of music also used in the podcast for ad breaks/the end of the adventure before the outro chat, which are also excellent. 

4. Join The Party

Although there have been three different variations, the fact that Brandon Grugle has kept the same melody throughout is Very cool, and each different campaign (and CAMP-aign) has a theme song that fits perfectly - shout out to Campaign 2′s song which, when I first heard it, made me feel like a protagonist in a cool teen movie while walking round the city. 

3. Flintlocks & Fireballs

What’s better than an instrumental theme tune? Writing your own shanty! Shores of Calcinea does an amazing job of a)introducing the Napoleonic-Wars-inspired setting, b) setting the tone and context for the story, c) getting stuck in your head forever - much to the annoyance of anyone who lived with me while I was binging the show to catch up. If anything will make you want to “Gather your muskets and gather your spears”, it’s this song. (Also the time we all got to sing along to it at a live show was the best)

2. Dungeons & Daddies (Not a BDSM Podcast)

Listen. ‘Alright’ from the Odyssey campaign? Great song, works well playing under the intro/outro as a good theme should. ‘On My Way’? Nigh on PERFECT. The lyrics are such teen angst “the world sucks and the only person I can rely on to fix it is me”, the chorus absolutely SLAPS, and I for one cannot wait for the bittersweet acoustic cover in the final episode.

1. No Small Rolls

This is what I want from an RPG show’s theme! Opening with intense drums, Lyrics about playing D&D, the whole cast singing, “Prepare your party of players and polyhedral dice”, “Your haggard character swaggers with daggers in each hand”! There’s even a hurdy-gurdy version!!! You cannot listen to this without immediately wanting to go out with a group of rag-tag adventurers on an epic fantasy quest. 10/10, everyone else step your game up

[karatam]

Read this month (early 2022)

The Thousand Names by Django Wexler. It's "flintlock fantasy" aka set in a fantasy world with magic with technology/politics similar to the early 1700's, particularly French society. Mainly follows two characters in a colonial army, who think they're just following orders to help a (corrupt) prince retake his throne, but really the colonel in charge has a very different goal (which involves lost magic). One of the main characters is a lesbian who cross-dressed as a man to join the army and escape her former life, which was a fun surprise. Definitely a setup novel for the rest of the series (it's #1 of 5) bc there's a LOT of unanswered questions right now.

The Shadow Throne by Django Wexler (sequel to above). It got gay! Also added in my new fave character in Raesinia, whom I adore. Moved the centre of action away from the "frontier" to basically fantasy Paris, where we get a lot more politics and rebellions. Definitely looking forward to the rest of the series.

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (reread). Still the best way to get into Sanderson's work, which I do sincerely think is some of the best fantasy written in the last 20 years. This is a stand-alone set in a world where the magical city at the pinnacle of the world collapsed about 20 years ago. And instead of people suddenly being imbued with magic and heading to that city, they're struck by a plague and thrown in against their will. Full or political manoeuvring, incredibly inventive magic, an invading nation, and enemies-to-lovers. Love this book.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson (reread). First of the Mistborn trilogy and one of my fave books ever. Set in a world ruled by an immortal, magical, powerful God King, we meet Vin, a street urchin who has the ability to 'burn' metal to access magic. She gets swept up in a rebellion and attempts to both understand her magic and stay alive. Super inventive magic, heist hijinks, found family, and yet another super inventive magic system.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. What if Pacific Rim jaegers required a boy-girl pair, and the boy pilot killed every girl he piloted with, absorbing her soul's energy to pilot his giant robot? And then what if one day, one of those girls killed the boy instead? Set in an alternate world where an bug-like alien species has nearly taken over the world, these giant robots are the last defense, and Zetian has no patience for the bureaucracy that wants to put her back in her place. (tw for sexual assault, ptsd) As advertised, it includes an f/m/m thruple :)

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. Holy shit this book is amazing. This is a book meant to be slowly and deliberately read, focused on and analyzed as you go. An new ambassador from a small space station arrives at the planetary capital of the Teixcalaanli Empire, only to discover that her predecessor has died and there are multiple factions all gunning for the throne. This is a world that venerates poets and language, and that comes through in the prose of the book. It's beautiful. I'm eagerly waiting for my copy of the sequel to arrive from the library.

[cbairdash]

Author’s note: Hoist the Colors may eventually inspire fiction. Most likely will and I’ll gladly write it. But right now, it’s a role-playing game setting with what I hope is an interesting take and look at an “Alternate History” of Earth. It isn’t really “steampunk”, though I can see how someone would get that impression. For me, it’s more a “flintlock fantasy” set on Earth of 1722 in all it’s historical mess… that I’ve stirred up even more!

So, with that said, lets get into another Creature Feature! A type of wraith called a Sand Wraith!

Sand Wraith

Never bargain with a sand wraith. If you play their game, you’re betting with your life…

Lysander Riverwind, Navigator and cartographer for the Royal Institute of Otherworld Studies

The sinister sand wraith is another type of wraith that plagues the world. Sand wraiths are an uncommon undead, encountered far less than their soot or salt kin. Of all the wraiths, these are far more insidious, intelligent, and diabolical than their brutal cousins. A quality that has attracted more than one Engineer or Wavebinder to track down a sand wraith just to strike a deadly deal.

Sand wraiths are born from tortured souls that died in arid places like desolate islands or the deep deserts of the world. On the brink of death, the merciless sand claims those poor, unfortunate souls. Swallowed whole, the victims are mummified and molded with corrupted earth. After a full day and night, they rise a scheming creature of rage and unliving sand. No one knows why this happens, only that it does and the shifting sands refuse to say anything on the matter.

Death Dealers

They’re motivated by revenge and even pain, but aren’t controlled by either. Instead, sand wraiths follow a different path. Methodical, consummate planners, sand wraiths avoid the violent, often unpredictable, outbursts of their deadly cousins. Not that sand wraiths aren’t bound to their vengeance like any other wraith. In fact, they are.

This type of wraith follows close to the saying that revenge is a dish best served cold, or in their case, it would be ‘cold and dry’. Sand wraiths are patient predators, willing to make any bargain that helps them reach their goals. Bargains that are often more deadly for anyone other than the wraith.

Even though they are solitary spirits of revenge, their lairs are often in or near towns. They use their natural instincts for planning and scheming to their advantage, posing as local merchants or advisers. They go to great lengths to conceal themselves, using their aura and disguise, they wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that is shades of earth tones. Nothing that would stand out too quickly in a person’s memory. In addition, sand wraiths often build alliances through bargains, building up a protective ‘disguise’ of living associates that helps hide the wraith’s true nature.

For the rest about wraiths in Hoist the Colors, see the link above!

Taglist: @thelaughingstag