Hart posts
Posts: 100
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113. [Carina] Everywhere Ashes
Thus, with the rise of the blue moon, the First Granting reached its end.King Mudt and the rest of the Orvesian champions were dead, their wish thwarted. Infinzel would stand.Only one of the pyramidal city’s champions had fallen, but not by the blade of any Orvesian. Instead, Infinzel’s champion was struck down by Sulk, the former Orvesian who now existed under a symbol all of his own. In their effort to defeat Infinzel and stop the annihilation to come, all of Sulk’s fellow Shield Bearers had been slain.So, too, had been Sulk. But he ros...
Author's Note
Hey gang, Thank you for your patience these last few weeks as I enter my annual unplanned summer disappearance. For what it's worth (very little), I always intend to post. This is my favorite project! However, summer is always busy, and extra busy this year because we're expecting a baby next month (yay but also uh oh). I've been taking on extra work because of that--and my work is writing/editing--which doesn't always leave much time for Red Tide and the others. So, until I get back into a steady rhythm and can guarantee regula...
112. [Red Tide] Plaything
Red Tide, Enchantress of the 5th Renown, the Reef, a fish out of waterThrone Gazer, Trident Master of the 5th Renown, the Reef, working on his diplomacy***10 Clocksend, 61 AWAboard the Last Line, a merchant gellezza20 days until the next GrantingInside the cavernous trolkin castle in the far north, Red Tide had stumbled into a room filled with nothing but mirrors. She had seen her own reflection there in a warped and smudged pane of glass; seen herself twisted and gnarled, old and spent. Maybe it had been the lingering effects of the frosswiss,...
111. [Red Tide] Alliances Accounted
Red Tide, Enchantress of the 5th Renown, the Reef, having a laughThrone Gazer, Trident Master of the 5th Renown, the Reef, deeply uncomfortableDeep Dweller, sea witch, overbearing mother***10 Clocksend, 61 AWThe Ledges, on the east coast of the North Continent20 days until the next GrantingRed Tide couldn’t stop laughing.She buckled forward, holding her ribs and gasping for breath. After a few seconds like that, she giddily kicked her feet and managed to lean back, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. Her laughter echoed throughout t...
110. [Red Tide] Deep Dweller
Red Tide, Enchantress of the 5th Renown, the Reef, and her growing podThrone Gazer, Cuda Bite, and Salt Wall, champions of the Reef, finally returned to their peopleDeep Dweller, sister of the Queen of the Coralline Throne, sea witch, Throne Gazer’s mother***10 Clocksend, 61 AWThe Ledges, on the east coast of the North Continent20 days until the next GrantingThe northerners had strung the bodies of dead Coralline Elite with ropes of seaweed—a stinking, decomposing buoy that marked the entrance to the Ledges. Red Tide understood their reason...
109. [Red Tide] Song of Small Cuts
Red Tide, Enchantress of the 5th Renown, the Reef, writing her next verseThrone Gazer, Trident Master of the 5th Renown, the Reef, leader of rebellions pastTurtle Jaw, Quill of the Reef, former servant of the queenSalt Wall, Berserker of the 3rd Renown, the Reef, searching for her peopleCuda Bite, Skulker of the 4th Renown, the Reef, a lure for the Coralline Elite***8 Clocksend, 61 AWA beach on the northeast coast22 days until the next GrantingMonths ago, on another beach, Red Tide had watched a pod of Coralline Elite emerge from the ocean and ...
108. [Red Tide] War Chasers
Lymon Sulk was born an Orvesian.Before the gods ended the siege of Infinzel, Sulk had been a constant at the front, the rhythm of his life assault and retreat. He threw himself against the walls with ferocity and dragged his wounded men to safety with grim determination. He was one of King Mudt's favorites. Thus, his contemporaries were surprised when he was marked not with the blackbird of his people, but with the shield that would come to be the symbol of his ministry.Only later would the hundreds who Sulk had helped flee the war reveal t...
107. [Uicha] Viperfruit
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, in for a taste testPeplucaria, Alchemist of the 4th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, overbearingly richLavicta, Elementalist of the 10th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, extremely sourSosupacia, Quill of the Gen’bi Nomads, a lingering aftertaste***22 Blossum, 61 AWThe Gen’bi desert38 days until the next Granting“It’ll be my first Granting, too,” Peplucaria said. “I was hard for it, boy. You know I was. Who don’t want that power, huh? They made it out like a big honor, prac...
106. [Uicha] Fortress of Ink
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, seeing a mirageLavicta, Elementalist of the 10th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, finding her peopleThe Firstson, Monster of the 1st Renown, representing the Forgotten One, can be discreet***22 Blossum, 61 AWThe Gen’bi desert38 days until the next GrantingThat morning, there was dust on the horizon. A fuzziness blurred the sharp line between endless sand and endless sky. Uicha squinted and shielded his eyes, trying not to let on how excited the change in scenery made him.“Wh...
105. [Uicha] The Otter, the Witch and the Firstson
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, an observer to a meeting of old enemiesKayenna Vezz, sorcerer of the old Kingdom of Orvesis, on memory’s roadThe Firstson, Monster of the 1st Renown, representing the Forgotten One, right where he belongsLavicta, Elementalist of the 10th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, suffering a headache***20 Blossum, 61 AWThe Gen’bi desert40 days until the next GrantingAt night, the temperature in the desert dropped. Uicha had learned to savor those first few hours of cold, letting goose...
104. [Uicha] Baby Boy
(Author's Note: I've changed the character Lavenna's name to Lavicta, because Lavenna was too similar to another character's name. The problems of a big cast!)***Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, the reluctant travelerLavicta, Elementalist of the 10th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, preparing for her last fightBric de Orak, a man of no particular renown, the Flamingo Islands, probably thinking about boatsSamus Bind, Inquisitor of the 9th Renown, Candlefast, off-duty consultantThe Firstson, a sen...
103. [Uicha] Regretfully Yours
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, healed but not fixedBric de Orak, a man of no particular renown, the Flamingo Islands, proud grandfatherLavenna, Elementalist of the 10th Renown, Gen’bi Nomads, troubled by things forgotten***17 Rainest, 61 AWBask, one of the Flamingo IslandsThree days after Uicha’s fight with Battar CroddWhenever his mind wandered, Uicha pictured Battar Crodd straddling his gutted midsection. The Orvesian's cold blue eyes were wide and unblinking. Blood curved along one of the b...
102. [Uicha] Dunes
With all his champions dead, King Mudt trudged doggedly southward, toward the encampment of Infinzel. The coward Cizco Salvado had chosen a valley amidst the southern mountains to hide, knowing that Mudt’s many enemies would bleed him along the journey. Despite this adversity, King Mudt had survived. Perhaps he had underestimated just how much hatred the world’s champions held for Orvesis. Cowards, all, who would never have dared defy Mudt were it not for the damned whims of these gods. He would have his revenge upon them. Gods and man both...
101. [Carina] Honeymoon
Carina Goldstone, Logician of the 4th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, working remotelyTraveon Twiceblack, Skulker of the 3rd Renown, Soldier’s Rest, having a lovely vacation***9 Blossum, 61 AWTraveling south on the Troldep River51 days until the next GrantingCarina snarled, flipped the pencil around in her fist, and rubbed the eraser over the newest lines she'd drawn in her sketchbook. It wouldn’t work. She had drawn an artery from the repository of arcane energy—this creation, itself, still more theoretical than practical—that she wou...
100. [Cortland] A Bigger Hammer
Cortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, surrounded by shadesRivian Stonespirit, Sword Master of the 5th Renown, Soldier’s Rest, watching the master at workVitt Secondson-Salvado, Hunter of the 9th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, in positions he’d rather not beWatts Stonework, Survivor of the 1st Renown, Soldier’s Rest, on death’s door***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingCortland had used [Forge] to attach bouncing blessings to each side of his hamm...
99. [Cortland] The Better Part of Valor
Cortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, demolition manRivian Stonespirit, Sword Master of the 5th Renown, Soldier’s Rest, familiar with shadowsVitt Secondson-Salvado, Hunter of the 9th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, just making conversationWatts Stonework, Survivor of the 1st Renown, Soldier’s Rest, listening***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingThe sky.The Firstson had never expected there to be so much of it. So much space for his brothers to stretch...
98. [Cortland] Standing Guard
Vitt Secondson-Salvado, Hunter of the 9th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, ring shoppingWatts Stonework, Survivor of the 1st Renown, Soldier’s Rest, dead man walkingCortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, on his way***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingThe jeweler died while trying to lock the gate across the front door of his shop. A gargoyle had rammed into his back, bent the middle-aged man in half, and then taken a chunk off his skull for good measure....
97. [Cortland] Cold Bodies
Cortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, leading his people to safetyOrryn es-Salvado, Beast Master of the 4th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, securing the borderKing Cizco Salvado, Quill of Infinzel, Kingdom of Infinzel, once again under siegeAnd then, a flashback***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingAs Cortland had expected, or perhaps hoped, the vast eastern staircase was still open. Garrison soldiers had massed there, hastily manning ballistae dusted-off...
96. [Cortland] The Bells of Infinzel
Cortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, always a step behindBel Guydemion, Quill of Soldier’s Rest, babysitter***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingIn the armory, Carina had left behind two crates of the magnetized discs and a third crate of the hollow orbs that produced artificial sunlight. The items were fastidiously packed, each one wrapped in waxed paper so as not to disrupt the stenciled rune-work. She had also included parchment with detailed pro...
95. [Vitt/Watts] Warm Bodies
Vitt Secondson-Salvado, Hunter of the 9th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, considering the price of the human bodyWatts Stonework, Survivor of the 1st Renown, Soldier’s Rest, punching outRivian Stonespirit, Sword Master of the 5th Renown, Soldier’s Rest, from parts unknown***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next GrantingAll Vitt's favorite brothels were in Soldier's Rest, but none of them would let him in.Vitt knew this was the fault of Traveon Twiceblack. During the outer district strike,...
94. [Cortland] Playing in the Dirt
Cortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, atop the chain of commandWalton Tendersword, a young man of no particular renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, something of a pariahHenry Blacksalve, Healer of the 8th Renown, Soldier’s Rest, learning to gardenHellie Opensky, a woman of no particular renown, Soldier’s Rest, wife to Watts StoneworkUnknown, Spy of the 10th Renown, Penchenne, not a trace left behind***9 Blossum, 61 AWThe pyramidal city of Infinzel, North Continent51 days until the next Granting“So, there aren&#...
93. [Cortland] Breaking Ground
***Unknown, Spy of the 10th Renown, Penchenne, at the end of a long engagementCortland Finiron, Hammer Master of the 12th Renown, Kingdom of Infinzel, earth moverWatts Stonework, Survivor of the 1st Renown, Soldier’s Rest, in charge of a new project***8 Blossum, 61 AWThe Tomb, a tavern in the Soldier’s Rest district of Infinzel, North Continent52 days until the next GrantingIt had to be their idea.A year of careful planning and paperwork, of securing the equipment, and then carefully scouting out the right location. Then, weeks of subtle in...
92. [Cortland] Homecoming
On the island shaped like the world, King Mudt and his champions immediately set out for the south. They had only one destination in mind: the mountain valley where the champions of Infinzel had sequestered themselves. The king of Infinzel had wished for an annihilation of all King Mudt’s people—a destruction with a scope that even Mudt could not fathom.“There is no honor in this,” King Mudt told his champions. “They need not even best us. The cowards of Infinzel could spend these six days hiding and still have their way.”King Mudt...
91. [Uicha] An Education
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, studentBattar Crodd, Death Knight of the 13th Renown and Quill of the Orvesian Witnesses, teacherAthur Buss, Bone Mage of the 10th Renown, the Orvesian Witnesses, teacher’s assistant***14 Rainest, 61 AWSugarfoot, one of the Flamingo Islands76 days until the next GrantingThe [Fear]hit Uicha like the tide. For a moment, the Orvesian standing before him seemed to loom almost like a tsunami, a great wave from the ocean and Uicha stranded, quivering in his shadow. Objective...
90. [Uicha] Fear and Loathing
Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, has changed since AmbergranBric de Orak, a man of no particular renown, the Flamingo Islands, his grandfatherBattar Crodd, Death Knight of the 13th Renown and Quill of the Orvesian Witnesses, doesn’t do well in the sunAthur Buss, Bone Mage of the 10th Renown, the Orvesian Witnesses, creepy little guy***14 Rainest, 61 AWSugarfoot, one of the Flamingo Islands76 days until the next GrantingUicha woke up with a start when his grandfather dropped a mug. The ceramic shattere...
89. [Uicha] High Hand
***Bric de Orak, a man of no particular renown, the Flamingo Islands, a grandfatherUicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, his grandson***13 Rainest, 61 AWSugarfoot, one of the Flamingo Islands77 days until the next GrantingYears ago, Bric de Orak had stopped trying to fight becoming an old man. There were worse things to be, he figured. As a pirate, he’d refused plenty of opportunities to end up young and dead. He’d made it this far. No shame in raising the white flag now.The seas were crueler in Bric’s...
88. [Uicha] Inquisition
***Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 6th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, under suspicionSamus Bind, Inquisitor of the 9th Renown, Candlefast, closing a case***13 Rainest, 61 AWFlamboyance, largest of the Flamingo Islands77 days until the next Granting“I don’t know any archmages,” Uicha mumbled. He forced an incredulous laugh. “Ahmed Row, you said? Like a rowboat?”“Roh,” the inquisitor said, puffing a smoke ring as he did.“No.” Uicha shook his head. “Doesn’t mean anything to me.”Uicha looked over the side of the ferr...
87. [Uicha] What's Old is New
***Uicha de Orak, Wildcard of the 5th Renown, representing the Forgotten One, getting into shapeHis patron, the Forgotten One, not unreasonable all things consideredAnd, an interested party***13 Rainest, 61 AWFlamboyance, largest of the Flamingo Islands77 days until the next GrantingUicha's second trip down to the Forgotten One was somewhat less agonizing than the first.It got off to an easier start. He did not descend at the end of a panicked escape attempt, after weeks of torture, with glass vials of chanicsmashed across his chest and fac...
86. [Uicha] Cut Bait
The fat King Hectore of Infinzel plodded across the map of the island, pausing every few steps to glance up at his brother. Cizco Firstson-Salvado sat with the rest of the pyramidal city’s champions. He nodded subtly when the king reached a spot on the island’s southern half, a valley where the mountains would be at their backs and no hostile camps would be positioned too close.“Here,” King Hectore said. “I choose here.”King Mudt hooted. “He chooses!” The Orvesian turned around to search for Cizco amongst the champions. “The i...
85. [The Symbologist] As The Worm Turns
***The Symbologist, attendant of the gods, keeper of the symbols***What is time?What is space?The symbologist existed only when one of the champions had need of it. There was no place that it went to rest when it was not in use. The symbologist served its purpose—again and again—and there was nothing else.But the gods had given the symbologist some awareness. In moments when a champion mulled which Ink to take, the symbologist could let its mind wander. The symbologist had long ago come to terms with itself. Although many of its visitors fo...
