Duality of a Protagonist: The Conflicts Therein ~guest post by fantasy author Anthony DeRouen

I'm pleased to have fantasy author Anthony DeRouen here to share his thoughts about the role of the protagonist in epic fantasy. Be sure to check out his new release, Precipice. 

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Duality of a Protagonist: The Conflicts Therein

by Anthony DeRouen

I wasn’t aware of Steven Erikson’s Tale of the Malazan Fallen until just recently. I applaud Steven for beginning a saga smack dab in the middle – a point in the story where numerous plotlines are already colliding. Coincidentally, I took the same approach in writing Precipice, with the mind of showing the readers a time in history where the main protagonist’s course in life was about to change irrevocably. Up until the time of Precipice, Danika Del Ray enjoyed the balance of using her gift as a mystical healer, and her station as General of the Medainshel forces of Ahnar. One side was given to her at birth, while the other was earned through years of training and merit.

Children born with the gift of expelling regenerative energies are selected by hand and groomed by a special academy built for the purpose of converting them into Healers. The title of “Healer” carries many prodigious aspects. A fully trained-healer can repair virtually any wound, remove traces of sickness and disease from a person’s blood, and even cleanse a moderately sized water supply of foulness. Healers who continue their studies can also learn the art of Shielding. It goes without saying, when a Healer pays visit to a local village or township, they become the focal point of attention and adoration. Not for who they are, but for what they can provide.

Danika enjoys the healing aspect of her life. She helps people live longer, healthier lives.  But she didn’t earn the right to become a healer. She was ushered in the academy at a very young age, against her will, in a country far and away from home. During the years of her schooling, Danika took an interest in the military and joined soon after graduation. Thus began her dual role as an Ahnarian citizen.

The character of Danika was loosely modeled after Dustin Hoffman’s character in the movie Outbreak. Dustin Hoffman played a colonel in the medical research arm of the United States military. The idea of a man or woman holding a military rank in a specialized medical field, and suddenly thrust into a situation where they must employ one or both sides of their craft raised many thought provoking questions for me. What if the person was forced to kill in order to save innocent lives, how would this affect the side that lends succor? One can view the question from the opposite side and say, “Can you heal a fallen enemy?”  Danika faces problems like this and more in Precipice.

She is not a god by any means; however, beyond the existence of sorcerers Danika commands a power very few can equal. Within that boundary of power comes a price. Danika must tread a path between life and death, never swaying to either side, or risk losing her humanity.

About the Book

Precipice is an epic fantasy adventure revolving around Danika and Kiruna Del Ray, two sisters born with unique mystical abilities who must retrieve a stolen book of magic before its power can be harnessed for evil. Together, they must battle to overcome an array of obstacles impeding their quarry, arising not just from the enemy, but also from allies who secretly work against them. Precipice is the first thrilling act in the A Show for the Gods series.

Links:

Purchase on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/dp/0615529054) and Smashwords (https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/340724)

Author website/blog: http://anthonyderouen.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Precipice-by-Anthony-Derouen/166796670025502

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Vixwrite

Twitter ID: vixwrite

About the Author

Anthony DeRouen was born and raised in Redwood City, California. Anthony began writing short stories and fan fiction in 2008. He has published one novel and written two others in the A Show for the Gods series: Precipice, Diviner, and End of Dreams.

A growing passion for online role-playing games introduced Anthony to the world of fan fiction where he compiled numerous stories and articles for his fellow guildmates to enjoy.

In 2009 while drafting a fantasy article for a friend’s gaming website he fell love with the concept of a battle healer who defends a country not her own against sinister forces bent on releasing a terrible power. A number of plot lines were developed along with how the world would appear at the height of its economical and political strength in the beginning, and then deteriorate as events unfolded.

When Anthony is not writing, he’s playing MMO’s such as Guild Wars 2 and Everquest 2,or training for obstacle course runs.

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, Book Three, LOST VOLUMES, and Book Four, STAUROLITE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Guest Post: Magic Systems in TC Southwell’s Sci-Fi Fantasy Books

Today, I'm happy to feature fantasy author TC Southwell as my guest. She's talking about the interesting and varied magical systems in her books. As a special offer for my readers, she's also offering a 15% discount on her book Demon Lord II, Dark God. The promotional price of $2.54 is good for today only. Use coupon code: JX99Z And be sure to note that Book 1 in each of her series is permanently free.

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Magic Systems in TC Southwell’s Sci-Fi Fantasy Books

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to talk about my books, Marsha. I had fun writing this post, and hope readers will have just as much fun reading it.

Demon Lord Magic System

In Demon Lord, there are six types of magic: the darkness, the light, the golden or healing power, the blue or neutral power, and spirit and mind magic. The darkness is evil, able to destroy everything except itself, and corrupt spirits, condemning corrupted people to the Underworld when they die. While this can be through no fault of theirs, apart from being weak and allowing the shadows to invade them, it can also be deliberate, as in the case of black priests, black mages and dark gods. Black priests have no true power, except to corrupt others with their influence, and the promise of rewards in return for worship. Dark gods don’t need worshippers. They use them for their entertainment, but dark worshippers inevitably descend to the Underworld to provide further entertainment there. A black priest may also be a black mage.

Black mages wield considerable power, due to the shadows’ destructiveness. They, too, are corrupted. The reason they live for many hundreds of years is that the shadows preserve their flesh through a process similar to mummification, thereby slowing down the ageing process. The black power’s wish to gain power causes it to preserve its users, so they may continue to serve it. While black mages are in charge of their thought processes, up to a point, the dark power inflicts its own thoughts and feelings upon them. It is, therefore, impossible for a black mage to do good deeds. Black mages are invariably sickly, prone to headaches and suffer nausea whenever they wield the shadows. If injured, they heal slowly, but use the power to shield themselves.

The light is the purest power, and worshipping it protects against invasion by the darkness, to a certain extent. It also uplifts its worshippers, who strengthen light gods. Although stronger than the darkness, the light is a gentle, healing power that protects and nurtures, and is, therefore, not suitable for use as a weapon, at least, not by those who have it, since they’re too gentle to use it in a destructive manner. It can, however, be used destructively when wielded correctly.

The golden or healing power is an offshoot of the light, and is gained from direct sunlight. Only a few have a talent for using it to heal, although some illness can be cured if the afflicted spend a lot of time in the sun. On rare occasions, the eternal flame, the embodiment of the white power in the mid realm, can be used to generate the golden power. The eternal flame also forms hallowed ground, upon which no demon, demon beast or black mage can step without being destroyed.

The blue power is the weakest, and is a combination of light and dark, owning a little of their qualities. Blue power can be used for healing, but it takes a long time and requires immense amounts. The healing aspect is the reason blue mages live for hundreds of years, as it rejuvenates, as well. Used destructively, it can cause a great deal of harm, and certainly kill. It stands no chance against the black or white power, however.

Mind magic is the commonest form of magic, and does not require any form of outside power. Lay witches use mind magic when they scry, and some can manipulate certain elements with it, like water and fire dancers, also known as fire or water mages. Much rarer are air, earth and music mages. Mortal gods and demigods have the ultimate mind magic, being able to manipulate any element by changing, moving or reforming it. Light gods also possess mind magic, but not dark gods, since mind magic requires a living mind. The power to summon spirit beasts and elementals such as demons is spirit magic, and belongs only to those with souls.

The Broken World Magic System

This magic system is quite complex, but revolves around one type: elemental. All the denizens of this world are able to manipulate the elements, using them for whichever purpose they best serve. Water heals, earth builds, fire destroys and air conveys. When made into ice, water can also build. The user, due to his or her affinity with the world and the knowledge that they are a part of it, is, therefore, able to manipulate every aspect of it as if it was a part of them. There is no penalty for elemental magic. It is merely a natural part of Shamarese, and, for the denizens of this world, using water to heal is as simple as it is for us to use it to wash.

Form changing is a gift only Mujar possess, however, and was given to them solely to become man-like and communicate with humans. The power extends to all human world forms, so terrestrial animals are as easy to change into as a man shape. Form changing also utilises the elements, of which all living things are made up, to different degrees. The element required depends on the natural habitat of the beast, air for birds, water for water animals and earth for land animals.

Every element also possesses a spirit, and these can be called upon to provide a semblance of elemental magic, but it is performed by the element’s spirit, not the one who calls upon them. The ability to communicate with spirits is rare, and requires a Mujar mark as a mental gateway. Inanimate objects can be blessed with certain powers, and this magic depends on the object’s element.

The staffs are ordering magic that rule the elements, and a staff wielder can, therefore, command the elements via the staff if he or she possesses the knowledge. Staff magic, however, is dangerous, as ignorance can cause a breakdown of the laws. The Staff of Law holds the ultimate power over all the elements and the staffs of Life and Death. The Staff of Life commands water and air; the Staff of Death commands fire and earth. Therefore, the Staff of Life can be used to heal and convey, and the Staff of Death can be used to destroy and rebuild; that is, change life into death, or flesh into an inanimate substance. The Staff of Law is both inside and outside this world, containing it, and being contained by it. While it orders life, it is surrounded by death. The Staff of Law, however, cannot be wielded in a destructive manner, since it is sentient, and, therefore, able to refuse. There is no way to force the Staff of Law to destroy, save by destroying it.

The Starsword is an object of elemental magic, originally imbued with the powers of the elements that comprise it: fire and earth. Later, Chanter added healing, via water, and did this by allowing the sword to convey its user’s Wish to the water. The sword cannot heal without water. Due to its imprinting upon a single person, the sword also has the ability to interpret its user’s commands, or Wishes. When not in the hands of its user, the sword cleaves to its prime element: earth.

The Cyber Chronicles Magic System

Yes, there’s magic in The Cyber Chronicles! It’s one of my cross-genre series, and the magic system in it is an energy-based one. It uses life force, or biological energy, to achieve magic. This is drawn from the surroundings when the mage incants a spell. Mages also use potions, powders and energised objects to increase the potency of their magic, which stems from the mage’s ability to envision the required result, along with the words that invoke the spell. It’s more similar to traditional magic than my other magic systems.

Mages have different fortes, some being able to locate and retrieve lost objects and tap into modern communication frequencies, while others have more talent for illusions, transportation, and enhancing the innate abilities of others and themselves. The amount of damage a mage does to the environment depends on his ability and willingness to cause harm. Most try to cause minimal damage, but less moralistic ones will draw so much energy from the life around them that they will kill small animals and plants. Energy can also be drawn from the soil, leaving it barren for decades to come. Even for the most powerful mages in this discipline, however, it’s impossible to draw so much energy from a person or large animal that it would kill them, but some weakness may result.

Energy magic also takes a toll on the mages, which they counter with strengthening spells to replace the lost vitality. These mages have normal lifespans, since the give and take of energy cancels each other out, unless a mage did nothing but draw energy to bolster his strength and rejuvenate himself, in which case he would live quite a bit longer than normal. The temptation to use their power to gain riches and respect inevitably leads to these mages using their magic for such rewards, and curtails their power’s life-lengthening properties.

Technology has a blind spot when it comes to magic, being unable to perceive illusions, so, in a battle between the two, technology wins. This type of magic could be considered energy-enhanced mental abilities such as telepathy, teleportation and telekinesis, when looked at from a modern standpoint, although there’s no logical explanation for the mages’ ability to draw energy from their surrounds. To the uneducated, modern technology would also appear to be magic, so the definition of it can sometimes depend on the observer’s mindset.

 

For daily tour updates and a tour overview on Thursday, 15 August, visit TC Southwell’s blog.

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, Book Three, LOST VOLUMES, and Book Four, STAUROLITE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

"Why I write fantasy...to paint with words" ~guest post by Robin Lythgoe

Today, I'm especially pleased to welcome Robin Lythgoe as my guest on her Magic Appreciation Tour showcasing her new release, As the Crow Flies. She's sharing what inspired her to write fantasy. Be sure to check out her new fantasy release and her great contest at the bottom of this post. 

Thanks so much, Marsha, for having me on your blog to talk about AS THE CROW FLIES. The entire process of writing—and producing!—a novel has been such an incredible experience from the first kernel of an idea, to holding the print version in my hands, to working with all the wonderful authors, bloggers and teachers I’ve met on this journey.

One of the questions I often get is “What made you choose to write fantasy?” Saying “Because I like it” seems a little too easy, a little too glib. When I was growing up my family read a lot—all of us—so I was introduced to a wide variety of genres. Books like The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the ubiquitous Lord of the Rings were staples when I was young. My mom introduced me to the historical novels Mary Stewart and Nora Lofts, the mysteries of Phyllis Whitney, Anne McCaffrey’s Pern, and Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. My oldest sister actually read The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings out loud to me and my little sister; she also gave me the wonderfully romantic and fantastic book Scarlet Sails as well as Howard Pyle’s Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Another sister acquainted me with an eclectic assortment of things to read in the form of a huge stack of boxes my mom conveniently stored for her—right outside my bedroom door. Through my brother I met Louis L’Amour’s Sacketts and the Chantrys and a host of thrilling adventure/spy books. My father sometimes read westerns, but more often I remember him reading non-fiction, which I’m afraid I didn’t gravitate to until I was much older (and which has subsequently crept into my storytelling). My aunt gifted me with The Chronicles of Narnia and The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. What a wonderfully rich tapestry they all wove for me!

Today I will happily read almost any fiction, but as I started reaping the library stacks on my own, it was to fantasy I was most drawn. Oh, the magic! Not just the spells and talismans and wizards and elves, which I adore, but the intricate worlds, the strange creatures, the very construction of those amazing foreign settings! The attraction is, in part, pure escapism. How exhilarating to jump into a setting that doesn’t really exist! To shake off the dullness of our ordinary lives! And that’s where the next quality comes into play: imagination. There are (or were!) rarely pictures to illustrate those strange races, beasts, and plants, so the seeds of description sprouted in my mind and my imagination filled in the blanks. I long admired the creative minds that fashioned those fantastic lands. How utterly amazing that people could imagine—and write—orcs, Borrowers, Lilliputians, the dragon Faranth, the Companions, Willow (who sometimes had to be a tree), ents, world gates, the Whomping Willow, snake vine…

Hand in hand with the imaginative settings go the tales of lives lifted from the mundane to the extraordinary. Where would FitzChivalry be without the Wit and the Skill? What purpose might Ben have found if he hadn’t gone to Landover? What would have happened to Simon without Binabik and Jiriki? All of those exciting, imaginary details play major parts in stories of challenge and change, of love, of heroism. They add a facet not found in the world in which we live. “What if” becomes real to us for the duration of the book—and beyond. Isn’t that amazing? Embracing the impossible and activating our imaginations stimulates us, as a people, to create new things. Not just fiction, but in the things we invent and the solutions we devise. It allows us see more, reach for more.

So, why do I choose to write fantasy? For the creativity, the artistry, the challenge, the more… I can’t paint, but I can write, and in writing, I can paint with words. It’s magic.

BOOK BLURB:

“One more job” means that Crow, a notorious thief, can retire with Tarsha, the woman of his dreams, but “one more job” may just mean his life.

When Crow sets out to steal that last brilliant treasure and seek a life of ease and pleasure with the jewel of his heart, he seriously underestimates his mark, the Baron Duzayan. For a thief, getting caught is never a good thing. Getting caught by a wizard is even worse. Under threat of death by poison, Crow is coerced into stealing an improbable, mythical prize. To satisfy the wizard's greed and save the life of his lady love, he must join forces with Tanris, the one man Crow has spent his entire career avoiding.

But what's a man to do when stealing that fabled prize could level an empire and seal his fate?

From a dungeon black as night, to the top of a mountain peak shrouded in legend, a man’s got to do what he must. Unless, of course, he can think of a better plan…

AUTHOR BIO:

After many years spent tending to a prince, three princesses and a king, Scribe Robin is now free to take to her tower to write tales about wizards and magic, fantastical places and extraordinary journeys. From time to time, when she is not writing, she invokes the magic of Photoshop to create maps, scenery, insignias, book covers, and various bits and pieces of artwork suitable for use in the mysterious ether plane. She has regularly been victorious at the NaNoWriMo tourneys, and has several books in various stages of progress in addition to a published work of fiction about a thief and his trusty sidekick. Now if only she could find that spell for manipulating time so that she could turn all of her ideas into stories...

LINKS:
Website: http://www.robinlythgoe.com
Blog: http://robinlythgoe.blogspot.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/RobinLythgoeAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobinLythgoe
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5114039.Robin_Lythgoe

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY: 

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Praise From Reviews:
I was pleased to discover an interesting story line and an engaging and complex protagonist whose voice and personality evolve throughout the novel. — V. Burnett

From the moment I opened this book to when I closed it I was caught up in the adventures of a charming, sarcastic, and clever thief who stole a very large chunk of time from me, but it was well worth the theft. A delightful time was spent in another world filled with adventure, mystery (I love mystery!), wizards, and magic... — M.C.

I loved it from start to finish and it leaves you wanting more. Robin is amazing at describing the picture so it is real in your head. Crow, the main character, was a lovable thief with a wonderful sense of humor. — Marla Oveson

I love a good cloak and purse-cutting dagger, and Crow delivers. He's armed with a silver tongue, sleeping dust, feet that'd make a cat feel ungainly, a razor mind, and a diploma for best-in-class at the school of fine thieving and infiltration (awarded by me). I've read about approximately a billion thieves and even played the vintage first-person-looter games Thief, but Crow still impressed me as a sterling example of skulduggery. — A. E.

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, Book Three, LOST VOLUMES, and Book Four, STAUROLITE. For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Magic Appreciation Tour's Spectacular Spring Equinox Fantasy Sale

Add a Little Magic to Your Reading Experience Welcome to the Magic Appreciation Tour's Spectacular Spring Equinox Fantasy Sale!

March 20-22, 2013 - All Books under $5 - Free Prizes!

Get great deals on over 30 magical fantasy books during the Spectacular Spring Equinox Fantasy Sale. All books are priced under $5, and many are as low as 99 cents. Enter our giveaways to win one of over 35 free prizes!

• All books are magical fantasy and priced under $5
• Enter our giveaways to win free prizes
• Enter even more giveaways from our authors

 ~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, and Book Three, LOST VOLUMES. She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE.  For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.

Author Spotlight ~ fantasy author Elizabeth Baxter and her new release, The Last Priestess

I'm very pleased to share information today with my readers about a wonderful fantasy author--Elizabeth Baxter. She's here to share information about her exciting new release, The Last Priestess.

We’re celebrating the release of The Last Priestess today. The Last Priestess is a fantasy novel by author Elizabeth Baxter. Purchase the book today on Amazon!

There is a name that is uttered only in whispers. The Songmaker. A ruthless rebel mage, he is bringing civil war to the once-peaceful kingdom of Amaury, enveloping all in a tide of violence. For Maegwin, a tormented priestess, the path forward lies in forgiving her temple's enemies—but she dreams only of revenge. For Rovann, a loyal mage haunted by his failures, salvation might be found in the unthinkable: defying the very king he swore to protect. If they are to succeed they must form an unlikely alliance. For someone must stand against the Songmaker. Someone must save Amaury from his dark designs. But first, they’ll have to learn to trust each other.

And so a magical fantasy of darkness and redemption begins.

Read an excerpt:

Maegwin turned her gaze skyward. The heavens were a clear, perfect blue. Yes, it was a good day to die.

“…to be hanged from the neck until she be dead. Fates have mercy on her soul.”

With a crunch of splintering wood, the executioner kicked the stool out from under her. Maegwin fell. The noose snapped tight, pain exploding through her. Maegwin choked, desperately trying to suck in a breath. Blood pounded in her ears. Her eyes bulged in their sockets and she squeezed them shut. Her body bucked and jerked. As her muscles convulsed she felt her legs kicking. As her breath left her, the movement became slower, slower, slower.

Then stilled.

How did The Last Priestess come about?

I think it’s safe to say that most readers have their favorite genre. Some like romance, some like crime, others like thrillers. For me, it was always fantasy. I’ve always read it so it makes sense to write it too. There’s just something about the boundaries you can push in fantasy fiction that appeals to my imagination. I like to write about worlds and people that much more crazy and impossible than our own.

The Last Priestess started with a character. My books always do. Maegwin, the main character turned up in my head one day, fully-formed and ready to go. She dropped her bags, announced, “I’m here!” and demanded I write her story. How could I resist? For me, it’s always about character. So I asked myself, what is it about Maegwin’s story that people will want to know? What is it that makes her life interesting? What struggles/hopes/dreams does she have? From there, her story told itself. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Places to connect with Elizabeth Baxter:

Author blog: www.elizabethbaxter.blogspot.com

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Baxter/e/B007YTE5YW/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/elizabethbaxterauthor?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallblondhippy

~ ~ ~ Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Read her ENCHANTED BOOKSTORE LEGENDS for adventurous epic fantasy romance: Book One, SEEKING A SCRIBE, Book Two, HERITAGE AVENGED, and Book Three, LOST VOLUMES. She has also authored the Ciel's Legacy series, with fast action mermaid/pirate storylines: TEARS ON A TRANQUIL LAKE and TORTUGA TREASURE.  For a FREE ebook download, read her historic fantasy, LE CIRQUE DE MAGIE, available at Amazon and Smashwords.