Tag Archives: fantasy

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.

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.

New promotional video

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Having spent a considerable amount of time late last year and earlier this year defining numerous aspects of the greater world of Quahnarren, I then decided to create a new video that collates some of this new content together with a sizeable selection of seen and unseen colour illustrations. The result of this project is The World of Quahnarren: a visual presentation that provides some insight about the nature of Quahnarren, promoting the type of experiences readers may encounter during my interactive adventures.

Beyond the Morning Mountains, Volume Two currently consists of 1443 sections / 239,000 words, with quite a few more still to be added. This second book already contains a wide variety of gameplay, with a lot of complex choices, ongoing consequences due to choices made, and several highly challenging encounters that will test even the bravest adventurer.

Creating a small settlement

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One of the most enjoyable aspects of creating a detailed fantasy setting for interactive fiction is devising intriguing urban locations where the player can interact with various individuals, becoming involved in encounters both mundane and meaningful, and unlike those experienced out in the wild. As the map of Quahnarren only features cities and towns, smaller settlements such as the village of Rafhalon (map section previewed below) wait to be discovered when adventuring in my world. These are places of possibility where storylines can be enhanced, usable items bought and sold, advantageous knowledge gained, and additional world-building details can easily be provided to expand the player’s understanding of how people live and work in organised communities.

Rafhalon is also the first settlement in BtMM to use a hub-style game structure for players to access exploration options. Each numbered location is linked to a text section – simply select that option and you’ll be transported there without the usual travel text, ready to meet characters, explore, provide assistance, or sell/buy items. Additionally, I’ve also incorporated a time allocation to limit the duration of your stay; this leads to player-determined choices as to which available options are most important or interesting, and adds extra replay value for future journeys, ensuring that even those following the same path will still experience much that is new. Several of the choices in Rafhalon are directly linked to knowledge unearthed during your adventure, associated with information previously given or TASKS currently incomplete, or are connected to specific items worn or carried, further increasing the range of gameplay opportunities I like to incorporate in my books.

Volume Two currently consists of 196,500 words, with plenty more still to be written. I’m expecting the finished book to contain roughly 50% more content than Volume One – a rather substantial increase that partly explains the ongoing delay in its completion.