A message from Michael’s family

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It is with much sadness we share that Michael Reilly, creator and author of Tales of Quahnarren, has died.

Michael dedicated years of imagination and hard work building the world of Quahnarren – meticulously crafting its geography, history, characters, and the gameplay mechanics that make Beyond the Morning Mountains so engaging. 

What started as a personal exercise to develop his writing skills and shape a realistic fantasy world, grew into an ambitious passion project enjoyed by people all over the world. 

Before he died, Michael completed the text for Volume Two of Beyond the Morning Mountains, a massive work with over 3,000 sections and 476,000 words. At this early stage, we do not know if we will be able to finalise or publish it in the way he intended.

For now, his writing, his world, and his legacy will remain here for readers, players, and fellow creators.

Thank you for being part of this journey with him.

— Michael’s family

September Update

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Observant followers of this website may have noticed that the ToQ Newsletter is no longer available: I’ve decided to cease producing it, and will now incorporate all that’s happening in Quahnarren within these blog posts. The newsletter never attracted a large audience of subscribers, so it makes sense to publish any news or features to all readers at the same time, while saving me the effort of preparing additional content.

A featured part of the Newsletter was the series of profiles introducing Quahnarren’s seven Wardens, which is based on content that will be added to Volume Two of Beyond the Morning Mountains. Here’s the next in that series:

A humble man with an incredibly strong work ethic, Warden Durvanne comes from a hard-working family living remotely to the west of the Uhnst Ridge, below the Berefkah River. One of five curious children surrounded by many untamed miles of wilderness that was used as their personal playground, he learned at an early age that death was a part of life, and that his path forward was to respect all living things, finding balance in his chosen words and actions. An accomplished agriculturalist with detailed knowledge about ecosystems, meteorology and invertebrate animals, the Warden is a seasoned and rational individual possessing quiet authority; a tireless labourer able to reap favourable results from his toil.

I continue to slowly work on illustrations and design elements for Volume Two, and have recently completed the writing/editing and page layout of the expanded Creature Compendium. My next update at the end of this year will likely include previews of some new artwork, and hopefully contain news of progress with formatting the text.

Art for Volume Two

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I’m continuing the lengthy, and at times frustrating, process of creating new artwork for Volume Two, which as shown (below, top left to bottom right), includes: new RARE items; full-page colour and inserted b&w illustrations for the adventure; full-page images for the additional content at the back of the book; new Objects and Artefacts for the initial pages; plus the revised and expanded Character Record.

All of this required visual content is digitally created in Photoshop, although I do intend to also produce a few illustrations on paper using traditional tools: pencils, ink pens, and either charcoal or oil pastels. I’ve not completed anything other than sketches by hand in recent years, and no longer own my large, height-adjustable drafting board, so I’ll just see how I go working without the many production advantages of digital software or the use of an ideal set-up away from the computer.

Editing of the text is complete, yet there’s still plenty to do before I can begin the layout. I’m no longer able to work at a fast pace or sit and concentrate for extended periods without becoming very tired and distracted, so I’ll simply be working on more illustrations for the next few months at least.

Finally, an achievement reached!

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The full adventure of Beyond the Morning Mountains, Volume Two is now finally written: 3000 sections / 476,000 words (plus several bonus articles & stories, new RARE items, and an expanded Creature Compendium). Having finally achieved this noteworthy goal, I’m now editing the recently completed sections while checking their gameplay to ensure that the text is free of any major faults. I’ll then work on the remaining illustrations before starting on the page layout and other production tasks.

Unfortunately, I honestly cannot provide a reliable release date for the publication of Volume Two (later during 2025 is my only target) or guarantee that I’ll actually be able to finish all of the outstanding work at the standard of presentation I desire. Beyond the Morning Mountains is certainly taking a long time to complete, but when read together, the two volumes create a 4000-section adventure that will hopefully bring enjoyment to all who love exploring detailed fantasy worlds.

Writing, editing and illustrating

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I’ve recently finished the lengthy proofing and game testing process of all that has been written so far (377,000 words), editing as required and inserting new sections where improvements or enhancement was needed. Numerous small issues were immediately fixed, and I identified several oversights where I’d forgotten to incorporate specific items or add options that were essential to gameplay. I now have to write (and then edit and test) the concluding text set in and around Liust before all of this content is ready for the final layout.

Wardens Mahrrek Vylern and Kasiya Ekkhali.

Additionally, I’ve continued to work on the remaining settlement maps, and have completed several full-page and spot illustrations, so am making decent progress on the visual aspect, too. I don’t yet know exactly how many full-page images will ultimately appear in the book, as I’m constantly reviewing my selection of scenes I’d like to illustrate while reminding myself that this volume is already quite massive.

Can YOU make advantageous choices in this complex set of circumstances?

Above is a visual look at an unavoidable encounter in Volume Two, which incorporates PERCEPTION tests and carried items. This event offers a bonus to those who reach a favourable outcome, but also includes considerable HEALTH implications, so may be problematic for anyone low on food or coins when travelling through this location.

An important milestone

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Apologies for the recent lack of updates – problematic health issues and computer failures have slowed or completely prevented any major progress during the second half of the year. However, I have recently written a sizeable amount of sections and finished some new art – and have finally arrived at Liust’s outskirts, where all pathways join before entering the coastal town. I’ll now begin a review of the draft text, editing and/or rewriting sections and testing the overall gameplay to ensure that there are no major mistakes. After that process is complete, I’ll then write the book’s conclusion, which is likely to consist of 200-300 sections, if I follow my plan.

Can you locate the WILD HEART PENDANT or the BLACKDAWN SHIELD?
Both of these unique items will provide assistance to an adventurer in need.

BtMM Volume Two update

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I’ve made a satisfying amount of progress in recent months, writing new sections and editing / overhauling existing text in need of minor improvement or fundamental changes, and I’ve also created several new location maps and other illustrations of varied complexity. Additionally, some new rules have now been clarified (Vol.2 contains many situational special rules, especially for combat), and the overall gameplay balance and consistency across the different pathways has been improved. The book currently features 311,000 words / 1920 sections, and there is still a sizeable quantity of unwritten encounters and events to add before it’ll be finished.

Stop for a rest, a drink, or to engage with locals at The Blood & Rum in Karraq.

Above is a preview section of a new illustrated map for the quiet village of Karraq, which is located 13 miles to the north-east of Caelen. Although only a small settlement, there are a few interesting events to become involved in here, including a battle that could result in serious personal loss.

In Karraq you can: explore the steep-faced chasm and its cavern containing a well; purchase quality merchandise from Khaffersan’s Store; enter the forested area known as Grimmens’ Playground, where it is said that these diminutive spirits are often seen; visit The Lady in Memani’s attractive garden; or stop at The Blood & Rum tavern to meet a few of its patrons – some of these individuals may even choose to be friendly to a passing stranger.

New year, new content

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Despite surgery and ongoing health issues, and moving again to another town, I’ve continued to work on Volume Two when able, writing and illustrating various smaller pieces to complement the main adventure. Recently completed is ‘A Strange Tale from Lukerm’s Tavern’ – a short illustrated story added as a bonus to the back of the book. In it a lean man named Aeyric tells the tale of the luckless Ehmul Vaunarr to a traveller resting at Lukerm’s Tavern in the coastal town of Thern; thought-provoking in nature, this piece expands Quahnarren’s lore and history regarding unusual spirits and otherworldly happenings often unseen.

A deadly dual threat to assist against multiple opponents

I’ve also completed the illustration for one of the new RARE items available in Volume Two (see above). The slim Twin Knives of the Silver Moon offer the player enhanced opportunities during battle, increasing inflicted damage and therefore your chances of success, while restricting the abilities of some opponents. Manufactured by unknown skilled craftsmen in the employ of the Silver Moon – a mysterious order of elite and deadly fighters – these thirteen-inch curved steel knives feature cutting edges that flatten at the tip, a silver-capped handle carved from the bone of a Bathouk, and the tang features an engraving of the order’s waxing crescent moon symbol.

Czech version of Volume One released

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Much delayed, Mytago’s softcover edition of BtMM Volume One was finally released in June, and can be purchased from their website with an additional printed colour map, bookmark and sticker. It was quite a long journey to reach this point, so it’s nice to see it completed, and to now have BtMM available in another language.

A full-colour softcover that incorporates all elements of the English version

I was also featured in a lengthy interview on the publisher’s website to promote the book’s release. I’ve added an English version of this conversation to the gamebook section of this site, as it contains some information about my creative processes and influences, and explains elements of Quahnarren that have not previously been shared elsewhere.

The long road to Liust

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Slow but steady progress continues on BtMM Vol.2 as I finish writing the latter sections of the adventure. The book currently consists of 1800 sections / 290,000 words, however, I will be deleting and/or rewriting numerous sections where I’ve added too much content while devising events featuring complex choices. I’ll also be completing a thorough review of the incomplete text before beginning to write the conclusion in Liust, as this is the first point since the morning after departing Balquis where all pathways will converge, so it’s a logical place to pause and check for critical mistakes, and make needed improvements or adjustments while they’re still easily fixed.

At the moment I’m working on an illustrated map for a small settlement named Karraq, and have recently created a map for the quiet village of Vantohr (small preview shown above) – both are located south of the Morning Mountains, surrounded by plentiful fields and forest.

Although only a small settlement of farmers and other tradespeople, Vantohr provides many desirable goods and services for passing travellers, and offers a secure place to rest or stay overnight. The village also contains offices for Warden Vharssen, and barracks for her mounted guards. Stern and efficient, the Warden is widely respected due to her low tolerance for selfishness, deception and any unlawful activities.