Tumble in the Tavern

 

 

 “Now we’ll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer’s gang. Everybody that wants to join has got to take an oath, and write his name in blood.” -- Mark Twain -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

We didn't write our names in blood--not our own, that is--but we did have a dangerous band, an unruly gang who lived and died by the roll of the dice.

Les Freres Corses made a visit. We began with getting some skills for their man cards. We began with learning to pop the hood. They had a difficult time finding the hood release, but located the dipstick (the one under the hood) and the oil-fill easily. They each got to check the oil on a vehicle and add a little of the lubricant. RC also got to add some water to the radiator. They should get bonus points for the quick lesson on making a funnel.

With the man card punched for the day, we convened around the kitchen table to resume the rip-roaring showdown between figures from Star Wars, Barsoom, Middle-earth, and common household items endowed with sentience and particular powers. When we started this level of the adventure, I introduced them to saving throws and chandelier swinging--the chandelier being an element of the tavern layout.

We played a short while with nothing beyond the usual movement and combat. Then RC moved the Darth Vader figure up the stairs in a retreat from the transparent. The latter is a fairly powerful creature they developed and which is represented on the board by the translucent plastic piece from inside the cover of Old Spice deodorant. Two other adventurers, Eldon Zyrax and Derek McCau (or is it McCow?) (both Middle-earth elf figures) soon joined the dark lord on the stairs. It was at this point that the game took a turn into the chaotic fun zone. 

RC didn't think the golden turtle (a turtle key chain) should attack his Darth Vader figure; he thought it should attack the goblins guarding the doors on the balcony. After some delay and some debate, we settled it with a die roll -- because letting the dice decide is always more exciting than simply getting what you want. K-man has bought into the die-roll-decision paradigm, but RC has been resistant to the concept. RC took the dice in hand and cast them into the hallowed hollow were all dice rolls must occur to be valid. It couldn't have gone worse for RC The result was that the golden turtle attacked DV. RC took it like a man.

When DV lost the combat so badly that the cold grip of death enclosed him--what with the golden turtle being the boss beast and most powerful on the board, with the possible exception of the blinders (who don't even have a figure or object to represent them), I reminded them of saving throws in this extraordinary situation. K-Man wanted to know what was extraordinary about it. The imminent death of a player character satisfied him. DV didn't quite make the saving throw, but his life was spared. He tumbled down the stairs with a wound or two and bounced off the transparent who was battling blinders or something there. Once we had the sith lord on his back, we realized he would have smashed into Eldon Zyrax and Derek McCau. They had to make saving throws and one of then also went head-over-heels down the stairs, taking an injury in the process. 

As soon as we had the rumble and tumble on the stairs resolved, the meteor hit. K-man had me set the time for 30 minutes when we started play. The timer went off and they made a saving throw to see if the meteor struck, or went on by. It struck. We rolled to see which quadrant of the board was absolutely devastated by the impact. The meteor crashed just outside the tavern, destroying a separate building there, blocking the other quadrants from access to the tavern, flinging a hunk of the edifice into the tavern and up to the balcony, and completely blocking the entrance to the tavern with debris and earth. But wait, there's more. 

 A tremendous shock wave burst from the meteor impact. Every figure, except those already prone at ground level had to make a saving throw or be flung to the ground with an injury. Most of them did pretty well. K-man rolled for most of them--with one of his figures being among those who failed the throw. Additionally, everyone on the balcony had to save against the huge hunk of building that had been flung there. Finally, the tavern itself was in peril but it made its saving throws so that no part of the establishment came crashing down to bury the occupants.

Following the explosive havoc of the meteor crash, some goblins leaped from the balcony to swing from the chandelier. One of them carried a long spear and failed his first, second, and third rolls, falling from the chandelier, tossing his spear up into the air in the process, and having the sharp pointy follow him down to nail him to the hardwood like a bug in a display case. It was fabulous.

All the player characters were down and wounded, but we were out of time and will have to hope to play out the conclusion another day.

 

Some Cyrano

 Some stories, tales, plays, and such are so filled to overflowing, packed down, and heaped high with lines that stimulate the mind and pluck the strings of the soul that they are beyond comprehension--or rather, they exceed the bounds of my ability to recall, my stage of recollection being riddled with portals to oblivion. Therefore, I'm posting some bits from Hooker's translation of Cyrano de Bergerac that I had enjoyed and forgotten.

 

De Guiche: Let him rewrite a few lines here and there, and he'll approve the rest of it.

Cyrano: Impossible. My blood curdles to think of altering one comma.

De Guiche: Ah, but when he likes a thing, he pays well.

Cyrano: Yes--but not so well as I--When I have made a line that sings itself so that I love the sound of it--I pay myself a hundred times.

De Guiche: You are proud, my friend.

Cyrano: You have observed that?

___

Cyrano: To sing, to laugh, to dream, To walk in my own way and be alone, Free, with an eye to see things as they are, A voice that means manhood—to cock my hat Where I choose—At a word, a Yes, a No, To fight—or write. To travel any road Under the sun, under the stars, nor doubt If fame or fortune lie beyond the bourne— Never to make a line I have not heard In my own heart; yet, with all modesty To say: “My soul, be satisfied with flowers, With fruit, with weeds even; but gather them In the one garden you may call your own.”

Cyrano: It is my pleasure to displease. I love Hatred. Imagine how it feels to face The volley of a thousand angry eyes— The bile of envy and the froth of fear Spattering little drops about me—You— Good nature all around you, soft and warm—

The Spanish ruff I wear around my throat Is like a ring of enemies; hard, proud, Each point another pride, another thorn— So that I hold myself erect perforce. Wearing the hatred of the common herd Haughtily, the harsh collar of Old Spain, At once a fetter and—a halo!

___

 Cyrano: And what is a kiss, when all is done? A promise given under seal—a vow Taken before the shrine of memory— A signature acknowledged—a rosy dot Over the i of Loving—a secret whispered To listening lips apart—a moment made Immortal, with a rush of wings unseen— A sacrament of blossoms, a new song Sung by two hearts to an old simple tune— The ring of one horizon around two souls Together, all alone!

______________________________

On the writing front, the gains have been minimal. I've completed another chapter. I'm thinking ahead to a short description to generate interest in Book 6 of the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series. Here's the first rough stab at it:

Alex and Lucette take the fight to the commander. They embark on a bold enterprise to strike a decisive blow liberty. Will their combined efforts be enough to save Washington's army from the massive force poised to crush the rebellion?

Akram and the dragon hunters implement Akram's plan to recover his son--and to exact his vengeance. Can he overcome his enemies before the power of the dragon stone overcomes him?

When the dragons begin a new campaign of destruction, their savage minions take Hugh and the women. How can they escape, or will torture and fiery death be their fate?

 

Katharine E. Wibell

Interview with

Katharine E. Wibell

Author of: The Incarn Saga, The Guardian's Speaker, and The Twelve Tasks

 

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

I am always working on several WIPs simultaneously. I am actively writing the fourth book in The Djed Chronicles series. These are young adult, adventure, epic fantasy books of which the first, The Twelve Tasks, earned second place in the 2021 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards in the Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi category.

I also have the fifth novella for my series, The Guardian’s Speaker, with my editor while the sixth one just came back from my beta readers. This series is an adult, dark, Viking fantasy. The first one in that series was a finalist for the International Book Awards in the Fiction Novella category.

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

My ideas come from very different places. The Djed Chronicles was heavily influenced by the imaginary play that my sister and I engaged in when we were children. Many of the core concepts, main characters, planets and backstories were born during that period. In fact, one reason I became an author was that I wanted to share these stories with others.

The Guardian’s Speaker novellas were inspired by my utter fascination with all things Nordic. I had read about the animal-shaped guardian spirits of the Vikings known as fylgjur and wanted to use that as a core the concept for a series. Readers will get to experience all nine worlds that comprise Yggdrasil, the world tree, and meet many famous and obscure entities from Nordic mythology.

 Do you write in more than one genre?

I focus on epic/high fantasy, but I do write for several age brackets: young adult, new adult, and adult.

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

I love discovering obscure mythological entities from around the world and introducing them to modern readers. I also enjoy portraying well-known entities or fantastical creatures/beings with surprising twists to shake things up and create something novel. However, I believe that the best fantasy must be relatable, so I do touch on real-world issues like racism, sexism, and religious persecution.

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

I am drawn to physically strong, female characters. I am committed to my personal fitness. I have also competed in archery and currently enjoy axe throwing. As a result, each of my three series has at least one warrior woman although she might not be the main character.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

My debut series, The Incarn Saga, is a shifter, war fantasy for new adults. It is set in and around the Kingdom of Elysia where the ruling humans and native shifters must find a way to put aside their mutual distrust and work together to fend off a greater foe. The books have received a number of recognitions since publication.

Readers might be surprised to discover that I am also a reverse-glass artist who specializes in pet portraiture. In addition, I enjoy collecting replicas of Viking artifacts; playing with my dog, Alli; kayaking, hiking, and meeting readers from all around the world. I can be found on most social media and my website: www.KatharineWibellBooks.com.

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

Honestly, I primarily read ancient epic poetry and prose—the source material for most mythologies. My focus at the moment is Nordic mythos, so I could recommend a number of Icelandic sagas, but you’ll need to ask someone else about contemporary books. However, I am always open to book suggestions.

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

This is like asking a parent to name their favorite child. My answer would depend on the age of the reader and the level of grit he/she/they are interested in. On one hand, I have The Twelve Tasks which is a fun, action-packed book. On the other, there is The Guardian’s Speaker; shaped by Norse mythology, these novellas can be grim at times.

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

Either hiring a publishing assistant to expand my social media presence or taking a course on advertising for authors has helped.

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

What is the number one thing I would recommend to people interested in writing a book of their own?

My answer would be:

It is NEVER to early to begin building your platform. This includes but not limited to your newsletter subscribers and social media followers. I, like many others, thought I had to have my first book published before I should start working on those resources. If I had done things differently, I know I would be better off today than I am.

 

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And a Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand

And Eternity in an hour

--William Blake

I have been a fan of William Blake for quite a while. This particular quote has a very mystical and magical quality about it which I love.

_______________________________

Thanks to Katharine for participating (again).

First, let me give you some good news: Smoke is 40% off for a few days - get it here.

Second, I had some witty observations to make--but I've forgotten them. Therefore, I'll leave you with a snippet from my WIP - Book 6 of the Tomhawks and Dragon Fire Series:

“You want them to take us to Black Moon?” Jan asked. “I thought you said it was a place of torture.”

“I do, and it is. I mean that I don’t want them to take us to Black Moon but I’m afraid anywhere else they take us might be closer and just as painful. I’m trying to buy us some time before the cutting, bleeding, spearing, and burning starts. The longer it takes, the more chances we have to escape.”

“It’s not quite the truly terrible idea it first seemed to be,” Jan said.

“And yet it remains a very bad one,” Bonnie added.

 

 

 

 

I may have to work this into a cover for book 6 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series. It captures some of the excitement in chapter 5. I'm still in chapter 6, but the cataclysm that is chapter 5 reminded me of some important turning points in the series.

The tower fight chapter of Threading the Rude Eye changed everything that followed. It led to Lucette's increased importance and set up the sequel to that fight in Clamorous Harbingers. Another critical point that profoundly influenced the rest of the story was a struggle in the snow involving Akira, Alex, and Roberts. The Awesome Train blew its whistle and pounded right through what I had planned, bringing terrible consequences for the central characters. I think Power to Hurt and Truth in Flames were free of violent, story-transforming events in that the events and characters adhered to the main plan--which was already at def=con level Phenomenal. Oh, I almost forgot. The whole Iago thread in Promise of Carnage and Flame was supposed to be a much smaller part of the whole story. The tone of that thread also dramatically changed from conception to words on the page. I had actually pictured the Wanadaga as much more malicious. The whole thread became a starring role for the little man with a deep dive into his backstory and setting him up for the crucial role he would play in Truth in Flames. 

Let me just say that I am utterly gobsmacked by the way the story has come together so far. Writing chapter six has been fabulously stimulating too--even though all the characters are conforming to the behavior I had planned for them.

There are a couple reasons that I'm still writing chapter six at a time when I should be on chapter 12. First, I had to write/edit a couple short stories for consideration in anthologies. Second, I've been inducted into the cast of a play at the local theater. Play practice slices right through my established writing time. 

_________

Today I got a call two hours before church started. A Sunday School teacher had fallen ill and couldn't teach her class. I snapped into action and called another teacher who had wanted a chance to teach again. She was prepared--but was already teaching the other class for a teacher who was out of town. I was reluctant to call someone else without more notice, so I tapped myself for the job. It was another great experience. I'm sure the throng of class members with pitchforks and torches at the end was purely done in jest.

The Corsican Brothers came by Saturday. They commandeered the tavern with the balcony, stairs, rail, and chandelier, which I had created for a musketeers scenario, and filled it with goblins, leeches, eagles, a white ape, a few other figures from Middle Earth, Star Wars, and Barsoom for use as the next level in their ever evolving game. One of the brothers has succeeded in co-opting the spells from HeroQuest for his character's use and abuse.I did introduce them to the idea of a saving throw. I expect that concept to come up again for abuse the next time they play. The important thing is that they're having a good time, using their imaginations, and applying themselves to a modicum of reading and writing to keep the adventure going and the numerous characters and monsters straight.