Meanwhile, the Tolomane home was disturbed, as Adam's only son, Leo, tosses about in his bed. Within the stormy night, the young boy, only thirteen years of age, dreamt again. A nightmare he's had over the past couple of months. Across the room by the doorway, stood the boy's mother, Kyndrea. It would be the second time that evening that she would have to wake him from the nightmare.
Kyndrea watched over her son, stressed over how much more Leo will have to endure before fully realizing a gift passed down from her bloodline. On the outside of the motherly complexion, Kyndrea Marie Tolomane is an ordinary maid; serving Lord Dominick in his house six days of the week - one of Count Menneken's lap dogs living in comfort and wealth. She strives to make the men in her life happy, at times overworking herself, but even doing so, she knows that she must continue with her daily routine.
And now her only son had finally come of age. Over the weeks, she had begun to prepare him for the challenges he may (or may not) face. She knew that her son had been dreaming of terrible things. Things that neither she nor Leo could comprehend. Nevertheless, being the son of Kyndrea, it's in his blood; just like her father before him.
Placing a warm damp cloth over Leo's head, she grabs his hand, leaning over him, calling to him to wake. Leo continued to squirm under his blankets. The sudden sound of thunder overhead had brought him deeper into his nightmare.
All around him, creatures of horrifying visages have him surrounded. All Leo can see are gruesome faces with teeth, hungering for him, or for something that he possesses. Looking up, he sees the stormy sky, the rain pouring over him and his friends. The lightning dancing around him, and with every flash of the wicked light, sees creatures above, flying around him, cackling at the howling wind that had forced him to buckle to his knees. The sense of his mother calling to him, begging him to turn around, or to run away gives him a small amount of strength, to try once again and flee. But just then, the scenery changes, and walls of flame suddenly crowd him. The roar of the fire finally has him paralyzed, kneeling on the ground, hiding his face from what he knows not. Suddenly the sound of his mother, screaming at him, makes Leo involuntarily look up, and behind the walls of flame, a gigantic, almost snake-like silhouette, comes toward him. Leo screams and opens his eyes, and finds himself sitting up in his bed, with his mother holding on to him, as if there was no tomorrow.
Although he knew the nightmare was over, Leo felt an overwhelming sense of urgency - to do something before it's too late. Panting, he jerked his head to look at his mother and asked, "Father's not home yet?" The question itself was more of a statement to Kyndrea, for she too had the feeling that something was very wrong.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Mysterious Beast, take 2
The thunder continued to rumble across the skies, while the rain poured down on the workers returning to their homes from their field work. During the middle of the night, Adam Tolomane walked alongside his compatriots and discussed the going-ons of their village and the surrounding towns. After spending almost the entire day working around the village to safeguard it from the seasonal floods, the farmers fields still needed to be taken care of. The village had to rely mainly on their farmers ever since the High King's traders had mysteriously discontinued their trade routes to the southern province of Sequestered Valley.
Adam Tolomane; a strong, proud man, was respected by his fellow peers, neighbors, and workers. The villagers of the small community of Malenor differed to him with all issues that affected the low, working class. They gave him the attention one would expect for a governor, or a high-ranking nobleman; someone who had earned the title by the high king of Balashar himself. The same respect that should have been given to the ruling nobleman, Count Menneken Duball, provincial overseer of Sequestered Valley.
A man like him, with the gift of using his silver tongue to get just about anything he wanted, who had quietly and smoothly transitioned to the ruling count - replacing his own father, Regent Lord Bartholomew Duball - should be given the proper respect. Many of the villagers around the province had come to him for aid, but instead were turned away, paying more taxes, doubling the hours they had to work to make ends meet. People would whisper about the corruption that had befell their villages. Their concerns fell on deaf ears from the visiting nobleman from other parts of Balashar.
Things had gotten worse when Count Menneken had hired an outside military presence to help police the nearby towns. Police Chief Lord Victor Carlsburg urged Menneken to cancel the contract he had made with the mercenary guild known as the Ravenous Redeemers; a collection of vile, ruthless warriors, yearning for more gold in their pocket, and disposing anyone that would trouble them and their financial affairs in such a horrific way, that the villagers were all but afraid to step out of line.
No one would dare confront Count Menneken and his cronies. No one except Adam Tolomane. But Adam Tolomane is a family man, and that's what the townsfolk want. Someone who listens, and understands their issues.
As the workers continued their path toward their homes, the sound of hissing could be heard in the shadows across the fields. Something followed nearby, stalking the group of men in the thunderous night. The unsuspecting villagers were unaware of the threat lurking beyond the trees.
Adam Tolomane; a strong, proud man, was respected by his fellow peers, neighbors, and workers. The villagers of the small community of Malenor differed to him with all issues that affected the low, working class. They gave him the attention one would expect for a governor, or a high-ranking nobleman; someone who had earned the title by the high king of Balashar himself. The same respect that should have been given to the ruling nobleman, Count Menneken Duball, provincial overseer of Sequestered Valley.
A man like him, with the gift of using his silver tongue to get just about anything he wanted, who had quietly and smoothly transitioned to the ruling count - replacing his own father, Regent Lord Bartholomew Duball - should be given the proper respect. Many of the villagers around the province had come to him for aid, but instead were turned away, paying more taxes, doubling the hours they had to work to make ends meet. People would whisper about the corruption that had befell their villages. Their concerns fell on deaf ears from the visiting nobleman from other parts of Balashar.
Things had gotten worse when Count Menneken had hired an outside military presence to help police the nearby towns. Police Chief Lord Victor Carlsburg urged Menneken to cancel the contract he had made with the mercenary guild known as the Ravenous Redeemers; a collection of vile, ruthless warriors, yearning for more gold in their pocket, and disposing anyone that would trouble them and their financial affairs in such a horrific way, that the villagers were all but afraid to step out of line.
No one would dare confront Count Menneken and his cronies. No one except Adam Tolomane. But Adam Tolomane is a family man, and that's what the townsfolk want. Someone who listens, and understands their issues.
As the workers continued their path toward their homes, the sound of hissing could be heard in the shadows across the fields. Something followed nearby, stalking the group of men in the thunderous night. The unsuspecting villagers were unaware of the threat lurking beyond the trees.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Chapter 1 - The Mysterious Beast
The prologue that describes the vision leads to the beginning of this chapter.
The storm carries over to this new land. As the skies rumble on, you begin to read the descriptions of a farm town, out in the crop fields, where workers are finally heading home after a long days labor. Here we meet the father of the main character, Adam Tolomane. Strong, proud man, but at the same time a caring individual who is respected by his fellow peers, neighbors, and workers.
The villagers differ to him about the going-ons of the small community within the sequestered province, in their small town of Malenor. They give him the attention one would expect for a governor, or a high-ranking nobleman; someone who has earned the title by the high king of Balashar himself.
But Adam Tolomane is a family man, and that's what the townsfolk want. Someone who listens, and understands their issues.
As the farmers and laborers are walking from the fields, they hear a terrifying sound. Lightning dances in the sky and the villagers see a flash of an enormous creature. Adam yells to his peers to find cover.
The storm carries over to this new land. As the skies rumble on, you begin to read the descriptions of a farm town, out in the crop fields, where workers are finally heading home after a long days labor. Here we meet the father of the main character, Adam Tolomane. Strong, proud man, but at the same time a caring individual who is respected by his fellow peers, neighbors, and workers.
The villagers differ to him about the going-ons of the small community within the sequestered province, in their small town of Malenor. They give him the attention one would expect for a governor, or a high-ranking nobleman; someone who has earned the title by the high king of Balashar himself.
But Adam Tolomane is a family man, and that's what the townsfolk want. Someone who listens, and understands their issues.
As the farmers and laborers are walking from the fields, they hear a terrifying sound. Lightning dances in the sky and the villagers see a flash of an enormous creature. Adam yells to his peers to find cover.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Paragraph taken from The Tribes document
Also found in tribes are the holy men/women. The Tree Dwellers have Shamans, where the Mountain People have Spirit Healers, and the Plain Herders have Rainmen. The tribes who dwell in the jungles usually are against such “holy” things, and feel that in their own right deserve to take from the earth, water, and air as they please. They have Witchdoctors who are trained in such a way that can do amazing and terrifying magic. The holy men and women can do wonderful things as well. They are more in tuned with nature and all living things, and therefore are able to do what Healers could usually not do: cure droughts, plague, and even sometimes revive a person who had just lost their life.
The Jungle Dwellers defense
The Jungle Dwellers of the southern rainforests did not participate with the war, as they were the only tribes people that had a weapon that caused the new races to leave their lands willingly. Because of their more primal lifestyle, they had found a way to take from the earth, air, water, fire, and even the soul. With this magic, their witchdoctors were able to drive the men of the armies insane, and eventually caused them to leave, in a horrible victory that would always give both northern tribes and the new race chills down their spines.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Kendara's Tale, Book One: The Lion and the Scout
Prologue -The Vision
Beams of light broke out of the clouds in the stormy sky. From these beams, magnificent flying beasts, known as winged sphinxes, descended into the battle. Their speed was great and their attacks were fierce against the monstrous flying mutations that were harassing the lands below. Nearby, on top of a shadowy mountain, stood an all-powerful tyrant and a villain. He was the man responsible for all the spawned monstrosities across the lands, and the one who stood in the way of peace. The vile lizards spawned by this man were terrifying and deadly. The sphinxes swooped down upon them and continued their attack against the creatures. As wicked as the lizards were, they were no match for a sphinx in single combat. However, the fights weren't fair as it was usually four or five of the mutated lizards against one sphinx.
He overlooked the war going on below him, and laughed. With a flash of lightning he began changing his form from human to monster. Wings formed at his shoulder blades and stretched out far, his face contorted, sprouting fangs and horns. His tongue became that of a serpent, while his fingers grew to enormous claws. Then his body spawned another set of arms, and a spiky tail slithered down behind him. He yelled to the skies, claiming that there was nothing they could do to stop him and his forces, and that the world was his to dominate.
Suddenly, a beam of wondrous light shot down at the transformed human. A blinding light, that caused the great foe to wince and cover his eyes with his bat-like wings. He turned away for a second, and once he turned back, there stood a magnificent winged lion-sphinx. His name was Leo, and he glowed with raw power, as he walked toward the evil villain. The dark master threw everything he had, but all his attacks were deflected off the lion-sphinx, as if protected by a shield of power. Then the lion-sphinx spoke out, but it was directed toward another. "It is time," his gaze piercing at the one having the vision, awakening him abruptly.
Rising from his slumber, the sphinx ruler knew it was time to fulfill the prophecy, and to find the one known as Leo. He moved swiftly down the hall, and signaled his personal guards to summon the council. It was time to bring the vision to the Oracle, and perhaps bring peace to the world of Kendara.
Beams of light broke out of the clouds in the stormy sky. From these beams, magnificent flying beasts, known as winged sphinxes, descended into the battle. Their speed was great and their attacks were fierce against the monstrous flying mutations that were harassing the lands below. Nearby, on top of a shadowy mountain, stood an all-powerful tyrant and a villain. He was the man responsible for all the spawned monstrosities across the lands, and the one who stood in the way of peace. The vile lizards spawned by this man were terrifying and deadly. The sphinxes swooped down upon them and continued their attack against the creatures. As wicked as the lizards were, they were no match for a sphinx in single combat. However, the fights weren't fair as it was usually four or five of the mutated lizards against one sphinx.
He overlooked the war going on below him, and laughed. With a flash of lightning he began changing his form from human to monster. Wings formed at his shoulder blades and stretched out far, his face contorted, sprouting fangs and horns. His tongue became that of a serpent, while his fingers grew to enormous claws. Then his body spawned another set of arms, and a spiky tail slithered down behind him. He yelled to the skies, claiming that there was nothing they could do to stop him and his forces, and that the world was his to dominate.
Suddenly, a beam of wondrous light shot down at the transformed human. A blinding light, that caused the great foe to wince and cover his eyes with his bat-like wings. He turned away for a second, and once he turned back, there stood a magnificent winged lion-sphinx. His name was Leo, and he glowed with raw power, as he walked toward the evil villain. The dark master threw everything he had, but all his attacks were deflected off the lion-sphinx, as if protected by a shield of power. Then the lion-sphinx spoke out, but it was directed toward another. "It is time," his gaze piercing at the one having the vision, awakening him abruptly.
Rising from his slumber, the sphinx ruler knew it was time to fulfill the prophecy, and to find the one known as Leo. He moved swiftly down the hall, and signaled his personal guards to summon the council. It was time to bring the vision to the Oracle, and perhaps bring peace to the world of Kendara.
Revising
Revised the old prologue to explain a little bit about the villain and his part with the lizard monsters.
Leo's story, prologue
In the world known as Kendara, there lies a land, known as Balashar. In this land, the indigenous natives and the newcomers from the far east island continents reside. For nearly eight-hundred years, they have lived in peace, though at times it may have been uneasy.
The Balasharians, as the natives called them, had made a home in the center of the continent. Their nation had stretched to all parts of Balashar, while the tribes people stick to their coastal, forested, mountainous, plains, and frozen lands they have claimed as their own.
When the Balasharians first arrived at the continent known then as The Western Wilds, a terrible war broke out between both races. The tribes people fought diligently and their tactics were unheard of against their new foe. However, the armor and weapons these newcomers brought was something the natives had never produced or seen before.
The war had continued for only one year, until finally the spirits of the land intervened. With the help of both Chief Shar'paw of the Northern Wolves tribe, and the acting Regent Commander Baladain, they had achieved a peace treaty, and eventually allied themselves to help rebuild the communities lost from the war.
Years later, the natives left the newcomers to their doings, returning to the trails the spirits of the land had left for them to follow. With the success both Shar'paw and Baladain had achieved, both races agreed to forever call the land they lived as Balashar.
As mentioned, the natives stick to their environmental regions by choice. Five major tribes people exist in the land. The Forest Dwellers, The Mountain People, The Plain Herders, The Water Catchers, and finally Ice Keepers. There exist one more tribal faction - The Jungle Dwellers, but they have kept to themselves for centuries and do not see eye to eye with their cousin tribes.
The kingdom of Balashar has several provinces and smaller kingdoms who follow the order of the high king. One such province, known as Sequestered Valley resides far south of Balashar, and the influence of the high king is only spoken in whispers.
It is here, that we start the story of Leo, and his friends. What you will read from here on out is the adventure of a young boy that will bring about amazing changes to the ones he loves, and to those who know him.
The Balasharians, as the natives called them, had made a home in the center of the continent. Their nation had stretched to all parts of Balashar, while the tribes people stick to their coastal, forested, mountainous, plains, and frozen lands they have claimed as their own.
When the Balasharians first arrived at the continent known then as The Western Wilds, a terrible war broke out between both races. The tribes people fought diligently and their tactics were unheard of against their new foe. However, the armor and weapons these newcomers brought was something the natives had never produced or seen before.
The war had continued for only one year, until finally the spirits of the land intervened. With the help of both Chief Shar'paw of the Northern Wolves tribe, and the acting Regent Commander Baladain, they had achieved a peace treaty, and eventually allied themselves to help rebuild the communities lost from the war.
Years later, the natives left the newcomers to their doings, returning to the trails the spirits of the land had left for them to follow. With the success both Shar'paw and Baladain had achieved, both races agreed to forever call the land they lived as Balashar.
As mentioned, the natives stick to their environmental regions by choice. Five major tribes people exist in the land. The Forest Dwellers, The Mountain People, The Plain Herders, The Water Catchers, and finally Ice Keepers. There exist one more tribal faction - The Jungle Dwellers, but they have kept to themselves for centuries and do not see eye to eye with their cousin tribes.
The kingdom of Balashar has several provinces and smaller kingdoms who follow the order of the high king. One such province, known as Sequestered Valley resides far south of Balashar, and the influence of the high king is only spoken in whispers.
It is here, that we start the story of Leo, and his friends. What you will read from here on out is the adventure of a young boy that will bring about amazing changes to the ones he loves, and to those who know him.
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