The Fantasy Forum - Blogs http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php This is a Fantasy Genre Discussion Board. The Largest on the web en Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:54:49 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.thefantasyforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg The Fantasy Forum - Blogs http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php <![CDATA[The Life and Times of Me--update on a writer's whereabouts]]> http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=235 Sat, 17 Jul 2010 06:44:35 GMT Ok been reading a lot of books from one of my favorite fantasy writers--Tamora Pierce. After 4 years, 6 tops, I finally finished the 4th and final book to the Protector of the Small Quartet...17 books down, 9 more (published) to go. I took a break yesterday and started to read another book, from... Ok been reading a lot of books from one of my favorite fantasy writers--Tamora Pierce. After 4 years, 6 tops, I finally finished the 4th and final book to the Protector of the Small Quartet...17 books down, 9 more (published) to go. I took a break yesterday and started to read another book, from the Tortall series by Ms. Pierce. Went to her website yesterday and my heart fluttered, she is working on a book on Numair's early years andhow he became Tortall's most powerful mage. I have a slight infatuation with him and think his beloved wife, Daine, is lucky. And the 3rd book of the Beka Cooper Trilogy will be out 2011, if I remember right. Well, In other works there is a short story somewhere by Ms. pierce about Kit, Daine, and Numair. Need to find and read. I love the love story between those 2. Well the characters of The Circle of Magic all grown up are getting more stories coming inthe next few years. I like their stories but I like Tortall slightly more. Protector of the Small's story was interesting but book 4 was a little too much influenced by 9/11, prolly a reason why it took so long for me to finish. I am now reading the next generation of the Tortall series, Aly short for Aliane and daughter of Alanna the Lioness and George Cooper of Pirate Swoop.

Well I started getting back into Tamora Pierce to finish reading or rereading her books about a month ago after finishing Robin McKinley's beauty: A Retelling of the story of Beauty and the Beast. After that it was the last 2 books of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes' Den of Shadows Quartet, a series I first started reading about 8 or 9 years ago with In the Forst of the Night. Boook 4 of Den of Shadows only had little references of 1 person's name from the fisrt 2 books, 1 name of a city, and a type of witch, Triste (immortal witches that can be male and female who can pass as humans but blood is venom to vampires). It's not bad though. Between 3 &4, 4 was better. But of all the 4 books of den of Shadows, book 2, Demon In My View, is still my favorite.

Also been writing some, writing a dream I had into a story. Dunno if it's going to be a full novel or novella, something shorter than a novel but obviously longer than a regular short story. Also been having interesting dreams other than this dream I had posted in one of the threads on TFF about interesting dreams we've had.

Other projects I've had include sewing projects. Currently handsewing a Christmas stocking. It's small. I'll have pics up soon. Ex stole my 1st hand sewn project, a crappy, creepy but still cute teddy named Hugsley. Sadly, I have no pics of him. I don't like making an artwork twice. I feel it takes away originality of a work. Breaks my heart he stole Hugsley.

Other news Been catching up on reruns of Doctor Who, the last season of 10th doctor with David Tennant, made me cry when Donna departed. She may have been annoying especially in the beginning but she redeemed herself and her departure, her memory of the Doctor gone was just not good. Rose and her mother back in the parallel universe, Mickey stayed in this one which was sad. The duplicate Doctor who turned out to be human, stayed with Rose. Watched an episode or two of the new Doctor. He's growing on me. Crazy in his own way. I still love 10 best but I am happy I gave 11 a chance even with an iffy-ness i had because of how Tennant played the doctor awesomely.

Other than my beloved Doctor Been catching up on watching Metalocalypse on Adult Swim as to I don't have them on dvd which I should look to having...saw this tag on dA that said my fandom goes in and out of diabetic comas (something of that other). I laughed. It was funny. I am calling my good friend Pickles from now on b/c Pickles the Drummer was the only name she remembered though she is familiar with the show and of the Dethklok members. Dude, no. Can't betray my li'l kitty, my not-so-bumble-bee bumble bee. IDK why but yes, he is my favorite character followed y the band's manager and the band's frontman.

Other than my geekdom of the Who and cartoons, it's a bunch of Disney and of course Bones. I like watching Bones. It's interesting.

Well that's all I've really been up to. That's actually quite a bit for my first blog here. Maybe my only. We'll see... ]]> Duriel http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=235 Congratulations spain!!! http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=234 Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:27:47 GMT Congrats on a well-deserved victory!!! You guys played excellent!!! Image: http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/1388/spanishflagy.jpg
Congrats on a well-deserved victory!!!
You guys played excellent!!!


]]> Black Tattoo http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=234 Meet William http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=233 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:49:53 GMT Image: http://fc93.deviantart.com/fs40/f/2009/043/3/a/Vampire_sketch__Cesar_by_Isthar_art.jpg *Outsiders * William Shawood Stats: Elder Vampire Escapee of Ravenloft Abilities: See info on vamps of Ravenloft

Outsiders

William Shawood

Stats: Elder Vampire
Escapee of Ravenloft
Abilities: See info on vamps of Ravenloft

Description and Background

William has black short hair, deep olive skin, and warm brown eyes. He is lean but strong. He is quite handsome and very charming, he is quite good at charming the ladies.

William was born in the lands controlled by the god Ravenloft. He was always a black sheep in his family, so no one was surprised when he came home after having been missing ten years, unaged, and very thirsty. He enjoyed being a vampire, he enjoyed the control. But he didn't like following orders of the Lord of ravenloft. He knew there was no way he was strong enough to defeat him so he bid his time. Two hundred years later, a group of adventurers not from this land came. He befriended them. He played both sides, he pretended that he longed for release from his curse, and in turn telling his master that he was keeping tabs on them. He found out how they came there. He convinced the adventurers to take him to the man who could brew an antidote to the poisonous mists. He attacked the man, threatening to turn him if he didn't give him the antidote, the man preferring death to being like the one he despised, gave him the antidote.

William drank it, the adventurers tried to kill him but he merely ignored them and walked away, leaving Ravenloft to never return...or so he hoped.

When his vision cleared he found himself in the wilds of Greyhawk. He traveled around for several years, drinking his fill, and changing who he liked. He nearly came close to death when the paladins of Greyhawk City banded together to try to destroy him. They killed all of his vamps but he escaped his fate by hiding in the sewers of glantri. The paladins were weakened by the lycanthropes and couldn't pursue him. He liked glantri and intended to stay, but Morphail wouldn't have it. He attempted to destroy William but once again William escaped death.

He has hid out in ooze's kingdom for the last one hundred years. He occasionally helped the old man, letting him think hes in control, and the old man had let him create his own kind. Finally, when he had decent numbers, he left the old man's domain and took his army of undead with him. The old man wasn't happy, but he was distracted by another foe who almost destroyed him, and once again, William escaped a lesser fate.
Present Day

William wants the humans to fear them like they do in Ravenloft. He is going to start with glantri. What happens in glantri will set a tone for all of greyhawk. He and his vamps are staying just outside glantri and away from the elven woods. Recently, as he was stalking the streets of glantri he sensed something that smelled so wonderful. He stalked it only to find another vampiress, a female, only newly changed within the last few years. He immediately made his way to her, and when he got close to her he smelled Morphail. He gave her a message and watched her go, her scent was so alluring even though her heart no longer beats.

{I have not played this out in my Andra blog yet, so don't go trying to look for it}
Later, when he and his vamps came to play a little in glantri he decided to go play with her some more. He found her in the poor quarter in a run down attic. He could feel her hunger knowing she needed to feed. He tried to convince her to join his side, but Andra said nothing was worse then her master's wrath and anger and told him to go to hell and get lost. He asserted the power he had over as an elder. He laughed as she tried to resist it and he came on her, intending to attempt to gain control over her mind. As he was about to bite her she scratched him with her nails and he suddenly felt a huge block from her mind, like an expulsion. He shoved her down thinking Morphail was there, but as he looked around, he was not.

Andra had resisted him! She was but a newb and there was no way in hell she should have resisted him, but she did. He grinned, seeing potential in her when the years will have given her strength. He didn't want to risk a meeting with Morphail yet so he left. But now he is intrigued with Andra and what William wants he gets. He is very cool and calculating, sometimes waiting hundreds of years for what he desires. He is an elder vampire but he is a bit younger then Morphail. He intends to weaken Morphail or distract him by sending several younger vamps at him. He can be a sadist when he wants to, and he can be romantic and gentle when he wants to. He is selfish and self serving. When he does lose his temper he is every bit of the animal the hunger makes him.

The paladins know William is still around and are reorganizing to take him down.

But if William has his way, the streets of glantri will be stained red with blood, and humans will be the slaves. William is trying to come up with a way to get on the old man's good side again to seek his aid, and he has a vamp in the Great Kingdom working on relations with the lich.

He is the "party badass" boy. He enjoys the taste of blood, the power. He doesn't follow any rules or laws, doing as he pleases and he certainly does NOT take orders from anyone. He LOATHES ravenloft and everything related to it. Now that hes free from the "oppressive overlord", as he puts it, from Ravenloft, if he felt like he was going to end up back there, he'd do everything in his power to prevent from ever going back, including slaying a god. He is hungry to grow in strength, not wanting to wait 500 years. He can be impatient at times (perhaps will be his downfall).

I thought of this rp-adventure while waiting for twilight to start, I know, I'm pathetic, I know I have a couple vamps on my friends list, I came up with this purely by myself and apologize if it sounds similar to something you're playing, was not intended! If you wanna take part in it just contact me, but right now the rpg forums are only active for anime crap so its looking like something I'll do for fun on my own. I know this sounds a lot like the new twilight movie, but I swear it was before the movie! I'm not lieing! ]]> Fabled_Tales http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=233 Prayer for Religious Tolerance http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=232 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 14:59:21 GMT
"Lord and Lady, help me to set a good example as a Witch today.
Bless my body so that i may walk a path of wisdom.
Bless my heart, may it remain compassionate and loving.
Bless my mind so it can stay open and nonjudgmental.
For your magickal lessons are many, and kind and tolerant people
Do come from all backgrounds and religions."

~Ellen Dugan~
]]> Black Tattoo http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=232 My youngest daughter http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=231 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 23:43:39 GMT Um, let's see....

Well, I found out that my youngest daughter broke the 20 lb. mark the other day (20 lbs, 3 oz.) This is a big deal for me since she is a very rare special needs child. She has a rare chromosomal defect that is similar to Down's syndrome. Basically with Down's, that person has 47 chromosomes, my daughter has 48 instead. There is no actual medical name for it except Tetrasomy 21. She is 2 yrs and 2 months old. She should have been over 20 lbs already but with her disability, she doesn't grow as fast. Her disability is a very rare one, only 6 or 10 known cases either in the world or the US (can't remember which). She is a very sweet and happy kid. 98% of the time shes very happy.


Well, thats it for now, more to come later..... ]]> mysteriousuniqueen http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=231 Dahlia Goes Home http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=230 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:24:23 GMT Dahlia stared out across the horizon, her dark eyes searching, searching for something, or for nothing. Her hair was unbraided and down her shoulder, her hand resting where it was most comfortable, on the hilt of her sword. She breathed slowly, deeply. It had been a long time since she came home.... Dahlia stared out across the horizon, her dark eyes searching, searching for something, or for nothing. Her hair was unbraided and down her shoulder, her hand resting where it was most comfortable, on the hilt of her sword. She breathed slowly, deeply. It had been a long time since she came home. Her skin was as pale as the moonlight, her hair as dark as the blackest shadow. She was beautiful, and she was deadly. A cool wind blew from the coast, waking her from her dream. She closed her eyes and then opened them again. More and more she was getting lost in such thoughts. Her life had been changed recently, and soon the weight of the world was too much. She moved her shoulders, feeling a tingling sensation as she remembered the blow. Dahlia looked away from the vast horizon. There were no answers for her there, she already knew the answers. She was nothing more then a creature who killed her own kind. She hated shadarkai, for they were the reason for the council, and for her mother's banishment. But was that really the correct thinking? Dahlia didn't know anymore, all she knew was how to fight. She sighed and went back inside.
Her mind was here, but wasn't here. She was thinking when she was a little girl, the last time she knew happiness. She remembered the last day she had with her mother. They had just come back from the chocolate shop, and she, of course, was covered in chocolate. Her mother told her to go with the chamber maids to get cleaned up. Dahlia listened but not before she told her mother she loved her and gave her a kiss. She remembered those beautiful hazel eyes. The next morning the council took her away.
She noticed one of the council members passing by and locked eyes with him. It was no guess she hated him. She clenched her jaw, starring into his cold, careless eyes. Dahlia knew it was a matter of time before they condemned her too. She hated being here, being home. But her father wanted to see her, he was quite persistent, sending his most trusted adviser. She was the duke's step-daughter, the only illegitimate child left. Her brother had chosen the life of an assassin, and her step-father disowned him. Her step-father knew full well Dahlia was still in contact with her brother, they were close, closer then blood. He had lost his wife, then his daughter, and then his only blood child.
Her step-father came out of the throne room and she locked eyes with him. "Dah..Dahlia! You came home!" he rushed over to greet her but her stance did not move. He stopped in front of her. "Dahlia, its been so long, you've grown up. You look so much like your mother. Please, can we talk?" Dahlia's dark eyes burned with fire. "No, tell me why you have requested me?" He clenched his jaw, trying to control his emotion. "We will discuss of business later. Please, it has been over 15 years since you left with your birth-father." Dahlia looked at him hard one more time, then turned her back to him, an insult to a duke, and left, going to her old room. Her room was the same as it had been, only empty. She had taken what she cared most for, which seems trivial now as an adult. She took off her weapon belt and sat on the bed, it was too much for her. She had a moment of weakness and sobbed. She took off her traveling pack and reached inside. She pulled out a bottle of prized brandy and poured a glass, alcohol didn't make you forget, but it made it easier to handle the pain that would never go away.

:dragon: ]]> Fabled_Tales http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=230 Who are the Shadarkai? http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=229 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:23:17 GMT For those who don't play DnD I'll give you a intro into the Shadarkai, somethings, like the creation of Dahlia's people, is my own work, the rest is from the Manual, someday I hope Wizards gives me permission to publish my story, but I doubt it cause they've really changed the DnD world and publishing my book would be moving backwards. Anyways, some of this is my spin on it, cause my spin makes a hell lot more sense then some of the stuff Wizard tries to pull.

Also a history on Dahlia's people

Once upon a time, well, once not so long ago, there was a god, called Nerull. He was frighting by all standards, a corpse, a god of death, the one god who chose a dreadful prison as his home, a prison where the tortured souls of the dammed screamed, trapped in the walls, ceilings, and architectural fixtures forever.

Then, a woman emerged. Many legends tell of the Ravenqueen, many legends about who she was or why she was called the Ravenqueen, all that matters for this tale, is she appeared in the world, whether have been bore there or not, she corrupted the people. In the end, she killed Nerull, taking his place, and turning the world dark forever, another sunrise would never come.

The halflings, gnomes, and few humans fought. Blood was shed, children were killed and kidnapped, and women were taken as pets, breeding slaves, and for mere enjoyment. The druid's were the first to fail. The plants, never having sunlight, died away, and the druid's magic became weakened to the point that they were no more dangerous then a farmer. Then the Ravenqueen got inventive.

She began to kidnap the soldiers who fell in battle, and got into their heads, inducing nightmares, bloodlust, hatred. The shadarkai, the ones who followed her unquestioningly, they smiled in pleasure at seeing the weak rebels being tortured.

Most know haflings, know only the good side. The small folk were loosing numbers faster then they could have children. They were beginning to starve, relieing only on meat and the mages' ability to create food. Soon the animals died, leaving mere pickings. They were loosing the battle, they were loosing their home forever.

There are small folk called the Dark Ones, they were created by raping small folk women and using magic to increase the unborn babe's shadow magic and presence. See, on Shadowfall, it began, that they had harnessed the power of shadow. Shadow was not evil, it was merely the darkness created by light, but the Ravenqueen turned it evil.

In the end, the gnomes and haflings had no choice. The mages found a suitable home and they opened portals, allowing the small folk to escape, when they left, almost all of the portals were closed. But one young man, not like the shadarkai, he injured the mage enough to make him flee, and he kept the portal open.

They didn't follow right away, the humans believed the battle could still be won. The woman began to breed much, families being as large as 8-12 children. The children were bred from birth of the shadow and how to fight for their home back. It took a decade for a young woman to look at her lover and say, we are no longer human, we are as they are, we have become shadarkai.

The people on this day, the day known as the Awakening, stood in silence for a long time. The 50 years of fighting in darkness had changed them, no longer good, they were stained with the blood of their brethren. By this time they had become much leaner, their bodies were like those of elves, for food was scarce. The young woman looked at her lover, "Is there no escape?" One of the elders, one who remembered the sunlight came up and told them of the portal, but when they went there, they found it had long since been closed.

In despair, the people began to grow sick. No longer fighting blind, the blood staining their blades was taking their spirit with them. The young woman grew very sick, her lover stayed by her side. Then, one day, she wandered away from her bed and into the forest and found a weird glimmer. It was like a liquid mirror, she put her hand through it and felt a warm sensation on the others side. Curious, she stepped all the way through.

She was gone for a year and her lover moruned her. When she returned, she was in black leathers with a sword at her side, a bow on her back, and she was slender, not the skinny body of her kin. She rallied her people, told them of a new home, and the next day...they were gone.

For the first while, they lived well. Then, people found out who they were. They were driven to the sea, the only place that belonged to no one. For the first decade they embraced their new life in happiness. They saw sunrises, they had plenty of food, they had a chance. Then one day, a boy was accepted into a magic school. When he came back, he led his people. He said that in order to belong to this world, they must wash away the shadow completely, that the lost home must be forgotten.

And do, over his rein as chieftain, they began to process of having children with people who were from this world. The pure blood shadow-people began to wash it all away. Two hundred years after the boy died, they were received lands for aiding the kin in his battle. People had long since forgotten that gnomes and haflings appeared out of nowhere, that these people moved about in the shadows.

All was well for a while...till the Ravenqueen got bored. Shadarkai had always come through portals, but it was usually a scouting party, or a party come to ravage. But now, she was issuing full scale on war. The shadow-people joined the haflings and gnomes in the battles. They had always watched this people, to see if they would turn like the others.

And thus, Dahlia's world was created. The Ravenqueen had blades made which were cold as ice and burned like acid. When struck with one, shadow entered your body, and sometimes it infected you, and you became her slave (this is similar to a morgul blade). One hundred years before Dahlia was born the council was created. The council believed that the shadow made all of them crazy in the end. It was true that sometimes one of the people would turn dark, but they were wrong about why. They were outcasts from the world, forbidden to have children with their own kind, the realm was built on deep secrets, and deep inside them, Shadowfall called to them, for it was their home. Many innocent people have been sentenced to die or be banished by the council, but no one was the power to dissolve them.

This is the world Dahlia is from. A world of secrets, of shadows, of evil, of pain, suffering, loss, and hatred. She was born from a kind heart, and a kind heart she had, but there is no room for kind hearts in a war of shadows and light. So with each battle, each new death, Dahlia descends further into darkness. Will she be killed? Will she take her own life? Will she become one of the Shadarkai?

:jawa: ]]> Fabled_Tales http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=229 Dahlia http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=228 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:22:43 GMT ime: Right before she was summoned, memory-back track. Dahlia lay on the bed next to Raizule. She loved him dearly. She was the only lover she knew. She was older then him, being half elf, but they connected so well. This is how it always was. She could lay next to him, feel his breath, but they... ime: Right before she was summoned, memory-back track.

Dahlia lay on the bed next to Raizule. She loved him dearly. She was the only lover she knew. She was older then him, being half elf, but they connected so well. This is how it always was. She could lay next to him, feel his breath, but they could never share consecrate their love. It frustrated them both, but while Dahlia dealt with it in her own way, he found the comfort in another woman's arms. He was sleeping soundly, and she got up quietly, sneaking outside.

It was still gray outside, making her skin look almost silvery. This time, it had been worse. He was going to have a child. If he had a child with another woman, did that make her the other woman? Dahlia knew this was the way of her people. She sat on the damp ground and moved her hair off her neck. Closing her eyes she wiped away a tear. They fought because they were frustrated. They were so in love, so passionate, but passion was their downfall, their danger. She didn't understand it though. Her mother and father were so happy even though they could never lay with one another, why couldn't they be happy like that?

If only she had her mother to talk to. She closed her eyes, she had been with him for ten years and they would be married soon. She thought of when they first met. She had never let anyone into her heart since her mother's banishment, but he did not give up, worming his way in, until one day, she could not resist him. When he kissed her she felt as if her whole body heated up in one second and she was at peace, which for Dahlia, was almost never.

At first, he had been her escape from all the blood and war. Then, it began to get to the point where he wanted so much to be with Dahlia, but couldn't. It was forbidden, if they had a child, Dahlia would have to destroy it. That was when he began to dissapear from time to time, to be with other woman. Dahlia knew she had no right to be angry, but she couldn't help it. More then anything in her heart, she wanted to have him just to herself, to be happy like her parents once were, her mother and father (she called her step-father father unless shes angry, so when you read father, its an affectionate tone).

Sometimes, when she was in a town, she would pretend that she was a normal human, just like everyone else. Free of the shadow wars, free of all the rules and secrets, free just to exist. Dahlia had been a stone wall for 15 years, but now she could bear it no more, and she was beginning to crack. She took out her parrying dagger and looked at it for a long while. It would be so easy, once through the heart. She put it back in its sheath and for the first time, in over 15 years, Dahlia cried.

The pain of 15 years surged through her like a boulder. It crushed her heart. Seeing the look on her mother's face as they dragged her away from Dahlia, her birth-father taking her home and teaching her to channel her anger and hatred, the night the drow attacked, taking her birth-father's life, the day her brother was disowned, all the fights and breakups her and Raizule had been though, all the battles, the wounds, the wound that changed her life.

Dahlia reached to her left shoulder, reaching under her clothes she touched the purple scar. That month changed her life forever. It was custom when someone was infected with shadow, that you stabbed them through the heart, for death was a kinder fate then what was to come. But when the blade cut her shoulder deeply, Raizule wouldn't let them take her life. They carried her to the nearest clerical house, which happened to be a gnomish cleric house. They took her in immediately and locked her away from them.

After a month, she was better. All she remembers for the months was fading in and out of consciousness, severe pain, feeling the rush of anger and hatred, and always, asleep or awake, she felt as if she was falling into an abyss. A kind, green eyed face was the first thing her eyes saw when it was over. "Welcome back friend, you are healed from the shadow".

All those years, all those lives. She killed men that could have been saved! She was truly a murderer of her own kind. For 15 years she fought in hatred and anger, and the next battle after she healed, she stood there looking at her blade covered in blood, partly in shock, partly in confusion, but mostly sadness. Dahlia wiped away her tears, her cheeks stained a hot pink, which, with her pale skin, made her look like a china doll.

Everything was different now. She was a woman, no longer a child, and the art of death took on a new meaning. Her brother was the only who understood, and he had no answers, for he was going though the same trials. Dahlia had no one to turn to. Raizule tried to tell her to be proud of her trials and deeds, but why? Why is it so honorable to kill the people you came from?

A voice brought her back from her pain, and she wiped away tears. Her step-father's most trusted adviser was there.
:balrog: ]]> Fabled_Tales http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=228 Rika http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=227 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:03:40 GMT Rika entered under the gate. She was lucky, said the caravan driver, she didn't need papers where he was going, it was a large trading city, too hard to manage. She through off her leathers of the forest and the caravan driver gave her a white tunic and white pants that showed off her dark pale skin quite nicely. Around her head she wrapped a deep indigo silk scarf which gave her light brown hair a unique hue. Over the month it took to cross the desert she had many sun highlights in her hair. Her first step into the trading city was her first step into her new life.
The city was large but still jam-packed and people were yelling in many languages. She thanked the caravan driver who stopped her, "You sure you're fine, on your own?" Rika smiled. "Someday I will have to function on my own, I can't depend on other people forever, I wouldn't be much of a woman". He smiled, "You and I come from very different cultures my friend!" She smiled and took her pack, dissapearing into the crowd. She looked all around her, there were many wonders her father would never allow into the kingdom. She passed by the seductresses and she smiled, there were many things her father would never allow into the kingdom, she smiled, she liked this place.
She kept her pack close to her, knowing full well that things could disspear by the hands of the hungry. She found what looked to be an inn and made her way in. She paid the man in unmarked gold coins and went up to her small room that really only had a small straw cot and a few well used linens. She shrugged, it was the start to her new life.
"I don't know why you defy me so! You are the daughter of a Duke! Most women would do a lot of shameful things to get where you are! She stood quietly next to the window, long tired of arguing with her father. He walked close to her and raised his hand, but she didn't flinch, and he did not hit her. His daughter had changed. He didn't know about the archery lessons, or the sword lessons, or that she snuck food to the poor, all he knew was she had changed. Her grumbled and locked her into her room. She smiled and slipped off her dress revealing her skin-tight bear leathers. She slipped out the window and with the grace of a cat she climbed on the wall of the castle, down to the ground. She took one long look at the only home she had ever known. Born of a noble she was, but of noble blood she wasn't. She had the blood of a peasant, a fighter, a believer. She avoided the guards through the shadows and made it outside the home with the help of the servants. Once outside she met one of the other nobles. He handed her a sword, a bow, a pack, and all the gold she worked hard to unmark. "You know, I've wanted to replace your father and I might not have done good things to you, but yet you take my help and trust". She smiled, "I'm leaving, never to return unless I have to. You are my friend now, but we will see in the future". The noble nodded, such was the life of nobles, complications and waltzes. ]]> Fabled_Tales http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=227 I dunno if i can write anything here.. but i will.. http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=226 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:04:57 GMT Being at the Crematorium made me think a lot... I went with my grandparents, to pay our respects to their Father (My Great-Grandad) on fathers day. whilst they were there with several other family members that I didn't know, I was just sitting off to the side, thinking. For some strange reason, it made me think about my OWN funeral... Where i'd like to be buried, if I even wanna be buried.. I mean, I'm 17.. i shouldn't be thinking about stuff like this, but i was... Then it occured to me, that all of this could be happening anytime next year... So i guess it was relevant..

I Also think that being thrown out by my family makes it easier for all of us... I wont be worrying about many people... Obviously i'll think about several.. But not as many... Ah well... I'd be better off away from here anyways, I can live my own life, No one pulling me down, nothing keeping me here, no need to come back, ever. ]]> Reece56364 http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=226 um.. ok.. first time ever doing a blog.... http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=225 Sat, 19 Jun 2010 05:34:51 GMT since this is my first time ever doing something like this i figured to say something about myself... my name is annie, uni or myst... i am a stay at home mom of 2 kids.. been married for a bit over 5 years (wow that long).. i love most mythical beings- especially unicorns.. i love to... since this is my first time ever doing something like this i figured to say something about myself...


my name is annie, uni or myst...
i am a stay at home mom of 2 kids..
been married for a bit over 5 years (wow that long)..
i love most mythical beings- especially unicorns..
i love to read, chat, crochet, listen to music, cross stitch, watch movies,

and other things i cannot think of since i am very tired...
(been a very lonnng and trying day)

well thats it for now.... ]]> mysteriousuniqueen http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=225 World Cup...thus far. http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=224 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:37:19 GMT Wow is all I can say. In the opening game, South Africa ROCKED! I loved watching them play! Really great to see them score on their home soil. It made me very happy for them. I hope to see them advance. That would be something to see! I have always been a strong and ardent supporter of... Wow is all I can say.

In the opening game, South Africa ROCKED! I loved watching them play! Really great to see them score on their home soil. It made me very happy for them. I hope to see them advance. That would be something to see!

I have always been a strong and ardent supporter of DBU (Denmark). Surely my favorite team ever. So I must ask of their opening game....what the heck happened??? I've never seen them play so "safe". I'm hoping things will change in the next two games of the Group Stage. I'd love to see them advance.

Germany is another of my favorites and I was SO psyched at their win over Australia. It figures I wouldn't be able to watch the game and they'd win. Then when I'm able to see a game (Germany v. Serbia) and they get the ref. from hell. Don't get me wrong. I was happy to see them get a goal. They played really well. Both teams did...but I think a lot of the ref.'s calls were wrong and the result was both teams being afraid to really mix it up. In all honesty I was disgusted with that game.

To my surprise, I've developed a love for Argentina. Excellent game playing, sportsmanship and versitality. They've been able to play aggresively, tactically and all around well. As a team they're incredible, like they have an unspoken language and can predict their opponent's moves. The way they fake-out their opponents is a lot of fun to watch. I thought they were in trouble going against South Korea (considering how fantastic South Korea was against Greece) but they came out on top, waaaaay on top. Lionel Messi (#10 of Argentina) is swiftly becoming one of my favorite players. He's just amazing. Incredible footwork, nearly impossible to follow fake-outs and let's face it, the guy's like a torpedo out there. A rocket with legs. I've never seen anyone so fast who can change direction at that speed without losing his balance and get the ball in and around his opponents like their standing still. To watch him is amazing. Just amazing.

An honorable mention, as I never really followed Chile, WOW...again. They were absolutely awesome against Hondouras. Great gameplay and an inspirating hope that they too might advance. Chile v. Argentina would really be something!

And here I am, watching Slovenia v. USA and LOVING IT! Slovenia, a sentimental favorite of mine, is blowing me away. Fantastic playing and amazing saves! I can't believe some of the tight spots they've managed to get out of right at their goal! Incredible!

]]> Black Tattoo http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=224 I love warrior movies and books http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=204 Fri, 28 May 2010 18:14:55 GMT Ever since I first remeber seeing Masters of the universe cartoon when I was very young as dorky as it may sound I ve been hooked to warrior movies and books. I ecspecially love Robert E Howard in my opinion Conan the Cimmerian is one of the best fantasy warriors ive ever read played in games or... Ever since I first remeber seeing Masters of the universe cartoon when I was very young as dorky as it may sound I ve been hooked to warrior movies and books. I ecspecially love Robert E Howard in my opinion Conan the Cimmerian is one of the best fantasy warriors ive ever read played in games or watched. I also love red sonja I know allot of people didnt like the movie but the character was wonderful. so if their is anybody out their who likes this stuff to please corespond with me I have no one else around me who likes fantasy ]]> bloodywarrior http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=204 <![CDATA[Mother's Day]]> http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=180 Sat, 15 May 2010 14:22:46 GMT Had a nice mother's day. Hubby and I surprised my mom with a visit and gave her the movie "Avatar" which she loved. Then we went home and watched "Sherlock Holmes" together which we loved. So all in all a good day.

]]> Black Tattoo http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=180 Fantasy in this Day and Age http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=179 Fri, 14 May 2010 13:37:17 GMT You know, writing fantasy in this day and age is not easy. And finding something good to read is even harder. I mean, there is so much out there. there is so much that it is hard to find something special. Like looking for the diamonds among the rocks. When something does extremely well,... You know, writing fantasy in this day and age is not easy. And finding something good to read is even harder. I mean, there is so much out there. there is so much that it is hard to find something special. Like looking for the diamonds among the rocks.

When something does extremely well, suddenly other stuff of the same sort starts appearing everywhere.
I mean, seriously, this is fantasy! Anything can happen! That is one of the main features of fantasy that make it so amazing - so different from everything else. So why ruin it? There is so much room for originality.

Haven't you ever been reading a book you know you've never borrowed or bought before, and felt like "Haven't I already read this?"

Don't get me wrong. I know that there can be many books that are quite similar, but people with different tastes will like different ones. So there is something for everyone, right? But finding your "someting" is just becoming harder and harder every day.

I just want something new - breathtaking.
Something I will never put down. The sort of book you stay up all night to finish, wondering where in the world the hours went so fast, and then unfortunately you're tired and irritable the whole day due to lack of sleep! :-D

Yeah, so who else out there is on this quest? To find something good - something different. Let me know of your favorite books. Give me some good recomendations and I'll give you some of my own. ;-) ]]> Aria http://www.thefantasyforum.com/blog.php?b=179