Elves

The Human Kingdoms

Horses

Fantasy, Focus, and Following Your Passion: C.A. Bathgate and the Dragonshadowed Series

As a writer and author, I’ve been keenly interested in history from my early years. Not just the dates, wars and battles, but ‘why’ events happened and the ultimate results. As my knowledge base grows, I’ve developed a fascination with how one event affects other people or events, often in seemingly unlikely or unrelated ways. Aside from politics and action, I’ve deliberately chosen to place the fantasy world of Dragonshadowed firmly upon the basis of our own early medieval period in western Europe. The ‘Dark Ages’ of about 500 to 600 A.D. Unsuspecting readers will be introduced to real history in the course of following the adventures of my protagonists, even if in a realm replete with magic and fabulous creatures. As the culture is ‘western Europe’, there won’t be oriental or middle eastern elements in these stories. Likewise, none of the characters will run about in loincloths and chainmail bikinis. Movie romance aside, well toned skin provides no protection against lethal weaponry. And it’s too cold, even for barbarians. The countries of Valdain aren’t the familiar society of the 21 st century. Life is raw, and often violent and short. The environment is either relatively pristine or polluted. Law and justice are determined by whoever wields the strongest sword. Only the use of magic or divine intervention mitigates the harsh lives of all folk. What people wear is no different. Weapons, armor and tactics are decided by, and based upon, what was prevalent in the early medieval period. I add augmentation from magic and the talents of non-human folk to my descriptions and cultural foundation. The attire of small and great folk outside of the battlefield is similarly based upon what might be considered ‘jeans and a t-shirt’ or ‘ballroom style’ in our century. Garments are a clear signal of a person’s social status. This consideration isn’t arbitrary, as the way people dress affects their expectations, and what is considered ‘normal’ interactions. People act differently when addressing a laborer, merchant, knight or noble. In a medieval society, class distinctions are more marked, as a serf that disrespects a knight is likely to be punished or even killed. In Valdain, this is taken an extra step in that all persons of lesser social status must wait to be acknowledged, then addressed first, by their social superior before speaking. Clothing also affects day-to-day activities. As an example, no one had pockets in the middle ages. Money and valuables must be carried in external pouches suspended by strings, and are vulnerable to a thief’s knife blade. This small detail serves to launch major events in Dragon Hall, Book 6, of my series. Underwear and socks were unknown. Men had a piece of buttoned cloth over their privates that allowed them to relieve themselves without the necessity of lowering their breeches. Women might shift their stance to achieve the same relief beneath dresses, then move on with no one the wiser. Most garments were constructed of many pieces, unlike the shirts and trousers of our society. As an example, a shirt consisted of the main back and chest covering, with separate sleeves buttoned at the shoulder. Additional cuffs and collars might be added according to need and the wealth of the wearer. Aside from the practicality of discarding only whatever became worn-out, this allowed a person many opportunities to display a variety of ‘looks’. Accessories were important. Jewelry was often more than an expression of wealth. A brooch or pin might serve a practical function of fastening a cloak, a sash, or restraining the use of a weapon under a ‘peace bond’. It could be used to advertise nationality, marital status, interest, or even actively looking for a mate. Of course in Valdain, gems and jewels are often enchanted as they are durable and can hold spells or magical effects for extended periods of time. In Valdain, color choice is more than a reflection of available cloth. Colors are used to identify noble houses and territories, and are vital in a court setting. Knights display their colors and devices whenever possible, but will cover their colors and shields when unwilling or unable to accept challenges. Most knights accept this convention and won’t challenge another knight that covers their colors. For most persons, the idea of ‘fashion’ such as we know it today, doesn’t exist. As long as garments are functional, it’s much the same for everyone. At court, especially a royal court, it's different. Nobility in a court dresses according to the colors and choices of the most senior lord and lady, possibly swayed by an acknowledged dilettante. The colors chosen by others are a clear signal of open alliances, but must be considered in addition to body language, expressions, or gossip in a court. Medieval courts are rife with intrigue and deception. Readers of the Dragonshadowed series will be familiar with clothing choices made by the main characters throughout the initial novels. Future novels, starting with ‘Dragon Hall’ will pick up and expand upon this theme, to be further embellished in scenes within Books 8 and 9 – Dragon Court. I trust—with thanks—that you’ll be with me to follow the adventures of Tamsin, Gyrfalcon and their friends as I’m able to release future novels and novellas. I promise you’re in for quite a ride! Accompanying photo from pixabay.com: medieval-3061978_1280. Used without commercial intent.

Almost all fantasy novels will include one or more races in addition to humans. Some may be allied as elves, dwarves and hobbits in Lord of the Rings, or as members of society like gnomes in the Harry Potter series. Still other races will be adversarial as goblins or trolls. Occasionally, humans may not even exist in a fantasy story. I’ve chosen to base the Dragonshadowed series in the human dominated land of Valdain. The various kingdoms admit and recognize other humanoid races as part of their magic dominated culture. Some of these ‘races’ might be considered more monstrous than integral to society, such as ogres, trolls and giants. Even goblins are regarded as hired muscle, much as the ancient Romans considered the barbarian Celts they employed as servants and soldiers, or enslaved. Setting my stories in human lands allows a reader to easily understand this new world. As a writer, I’m able to assume some norms familiar to the majority of people who enjoy the fantasy genre. Differences are introduced slowly, layer by layer, as the characters become familiar along with the culture, customs, and plot of the series. The first novel, Dragon Watch: A Dawn Before the Storm, starts off calmly in contrast to subsequent novels. It’s my attempt to ease a reader into an alien world in which the laws of magic have trumped the scientific laws of our own world. So why the ‘blessed races’? Even in the world of Dragonshadowed, the term is rarely used except by educated sages, mages and priests when discussing events that span history and legend. According to the earliest, dim recounting, specific races were created and blessed by the creator and king of the gods, Elavodair, at the foundation of the world. All other races came later as a result of cosmic wars at the transition of each aeon. There are four races, designated as the ‘blessed races,’ in the world of Valdain. Elves, humans, dwarves, and gnomes. In general terms, these four races have always allied against threats to one of more of the others. Each race possesses specific advantages and limitations, and each has a number of ‘homelands.’ Readers familiar with Lord of the Rings will recognize that the races of elves and dwarves bear similarity to the foundational works of Tolkien. However, I also add surprises in the form of traits more common to legendary sources. Gnomes are based on Celtic, Scandinavian and Teutonic legends. Elves are regarded as the first blessed race, even though considered extinct and legendary by the folk of Valdain. Readers of the Dragonshadowed series will be aware this isn’t true, as the character of Areskel is an elf. As a race, elves are immortal unless killed by an accident, war, or a rare disease, but have an extremely low birth rate. The main elvish homeland is far to the west of Valdain, and lies on the western border of Glordonia, north of the fabled city of Domagaf. Called the ‘Elfwood’ or “Elwood’ by humans, the elvish inhabitants refer to their forest land as Telphyne. This land is surrounded by a barrier of impenetrable fog and mists, as the elvish people have suffered grievous losses from wars and become xenophobic. Other elvish kingdoms do exist. Areskel mentions the kingdom of the winged elves on the southern continent, and the elvish kingdom of the far west. Humans may meet elves away from their homeland, but these incidents are considered as rare as encountering a unicorn or other legendary creature. Humans are considered the second of the blessed races. Their civilizations dominate the northern continent and much of the north coast of the southern continent. Humans have the advantage of the highest birth rate and a near infinite variety of talents. You can read more about humans in a fantasy environment in all of the Dragonshadowed novels. Dwarves make up the third of the blessed races. There are a reclusive race that inhabitants nine underground kingdoms carved from mountain stone in search of metal and gems. They are longer lived than humans and resist great heat. Most are taciturn and reclusive, but not as xenophobic as elves. Many dwarves venture into the upper world to trade and obtain goods unavailable in their sunless halls. The dwarvish character of Dairug is an adventurous diplomat and metalsmith. I’ll be writing more about dwarves and their culture in a future novel when Dairug visits one of their mountain communities. The last of the blessed races are gnomes. Smaller than dwarves, these clever folk inhabit homes beneath the earth in hills and forests and are adept at hiding. However, many gnomes have integrated their communities with humans. Gnomish crafted goods and jewelry are highly prized. The gnomes profit from human foodstuffs in turn, for which they are either too small or vulnerable to farm for themselves.  I intend to provide additional information regarding each of the non-human races in future blogs. In the meantime, if you’re curious, please consider an inexpensive purchase of any of my books. Thank you!

Every good fantasy novel requires one or more monsters. Good, bad or indifferent. It wouldn’t be a fantasy novel without one or more monsters. Fortunately, the fantasy genre has plenty of monsters. More than enough for any author given the profusion of movies, books, and various role-playing fantasy games. Unfortunately, that wealth of possibilities contains a trap for the budding author. Many of these same creatures are copyrighted creations. It’s true that ‘The Wizards of the West Coast’ have granted an open license for use of their products. It’s also true they revoked that license although reinstated the same (as of this writing). But what they’ve done once they could do again. And this possibility presents a real dilemma to any author, especially should their works of imagination – intellectual property if you will – attain any meaningful commercial success. My solution is to use only monsters firmly established in legend and mythology. Public domain creatures. Even these I attempt to add personal, inventive twists to distinguish each from anything found in D&D, Pathfinder, or similar copyrighted products. Some monsters are creations of my imagination. As an example, dragons are a must in a series titled ‘Dragonshadowed’. When writing, I avoid naming dragon clans by color. Instead, the clans are identified by their main offensive weapon or primary habitat. Hence flame dragons or timber dragons. Their scale color is arbitrary, and some of the dragons I write about alter their breath weapons, as can mighty Delgarathon. For more on how I view dragons, check out the novella ‘Dragonflight’. Any lover of dragons will find a wealth of new information, and dungeon masters will be well rewarded. Monsters abound in the world of Dragonshadowed, even in the human lands of civilized Valdain. Some appear to be human, and others are human though of a monstrous disposition. A reader will encounter shapechangers, lycanthropes, and various undead as they partake in the adventures of the protagonists. Some of these creatures will be obvious, others surprising, and a few won’t be revealed. All as one might expect in a ‘real world’. After all, a shapechanged creature isn’t likely to advertise the fact. They’re shapechanged as a disguise for a reason. As an author, I require a logical and consistent foundation for the fantasy world in which the laws of magic are more powerful and prevalent then the scientific laws of our own world. Aside from how magic might be integrated into a society or culture, this must also apply to non-human species of all sorts. Goblinoids are plentiful and disposable muscle. Useful for anyone with the ability to pay and power to keep these unreliable servants from creating a bigger nuisance. As individuals they’re thugs, and when numerous form warbands of employable mercenaries. Or brigands. Ogres are similar, but bigger and stronger, and often possess one or more additional tricks to keep events interesting for the characters and readers. As ogres are easily recognizable and generally distrusted, they keep away from human communities unless employed by nobility as part of their military forces. Bigger and more powerful trolls are much the same as ogres, but need to be controlled by magic coercion, or will spread havoc due to their malicious nature. Trolls have affinity to other enchanted realms, and will always have one or more innate magical abilities. They may not heal or regenerate as in most role-playing games, but may possess enhanced senses, offensive or defensive powers, or something completely unexpected. I also recognize the Scandinavian curse ‘trolls take you.’ If invoked, the target of this curse can expect a troll encounter in their near future. Aside from humanoid monsters, the world of Dragonshadowed is inhabited by griffons, hippogriffs, harpies, hydras, basilisks and manticores. This list isn’t exhaustive, but if a monster exists in folklore, it exists in this fantasy world. Like goblinoid migrants, the folk of Valdain ‘tame’ these creatures in much the same way we’ve tamed livestock or utilize machines as part of their day to day culture. Whenever possible. Many monsters can’t be tamed, only controlled through magic. Others remain wild, and will penetrate civilized lands much like rabbits, coyotes and bears do in our world. Curtailing their intrusion is a task for knights and wizards. All to say, this is your invitation to enter an alternate world for a few hours, and experience for yourself how it all works. Book 1, the Dragon Watch novel, awaits.

In any novel, a common writer’s technique is to include one or more characters who ask questions or provide information. These characters serve to force the protagonist to contemplate their actions or answer motivations on behalf of the reader. Alternatively, these characters provide information to propel the plot. A well known example of this is Hermoine in the Harry Potter series. Within the Dragonshadowed series, I employ Boulder to fulfil this important function. He asks questions and the answers he obtains informs the reader. Boulder is an ‘outsider’, even though accepted by the rest of the main characters. He’s the newest and least powerful member of the fellowship. Much of Valdain’s culture and civilization are mysteries to him. Keenly intelligent, Boulder watches and attempts to learn as much as possible while remaining quiet. He speaks only when spoken to, or when he encounters a situation that defies a logical conclusion. While he learns, he does as much as possible to earn his place by aiding his friends. Boulder doesn’t know much of his origin beyond what his human mother mentioned. She never spoke of his non-human father other than to acknowledge that his blue skin color, height, and affinity to the earth are inherited from his sire. He grew up cloistered in a temple dedicated to Namphyl, the lord of absolute Order, where his mother was dedicated as a priestess. He was a loaner and learned to respect others as a servant. His unnatural appearance and abilities chaffed against the priesthood’s expectations of an established norm. Boulder accepted their passive hostility as normal, knowing nothing else. His future changed one afternoon while attending a boring lesson. He drifted to sleep and slipped into the ground. This shocking feat was viewed as an unacceptable demonstration of rebellion, and young Boulder was summoned before the temple elders. The senior priests suggested that it was time that he explore the outer world and find his father. Boulder accepted the mission. As the temple was located in a remote town in Nova Valdain, he determined to travel to the heart of Valdainian civilization and obtain information. Still a loaner at heart, he drifted north, performing odd jobs. He possessed unusual mental abilities. Unable to see clearly, he compensated by sensing the presence of others through vibration in the earth. When he knew where to look, he could concentrate, but his behavior was often interpreted as a hostile stare. He booked passage on a ship, intent on making a short voyage across to Rashaic Sea to a kingdom in Valdain. Once on the water, he became violently sick. His shipmates assumed that he experienced a bad case of sea sickness, but to Boulder the malady felt fatal. He had to be carried from the ship to land at the first port. In Valdain, he survived by performing more odd jobs and living frugally. His needs were few, and he learned to sleep beneath the earth. Interacting with others remained difficult because of his odd appearance. Unfortunately, no one could provide any information regarding his father, aside from suggesting consultations with sages or mages. Both would require copious expenditures of money. He heard stories of the city of Domagaf, and was assured that the benevolent western wizards might help. Travelling west, his resources steadily dwindled, ultimately leaving him in a desperate situation well beyond the borders of Valdain. And no closer to his goal. He stopped at an inn by chance, hoping to find employment, information, or both. By chance, he observed a warrior with an upright sword etched into his shield and breastplate. That device reminded him of similar designs at his home temple, so he decided to speak to the man. That ‘man’ was Areskel. The two developed a rapport, and Boulder was introduced to the other people who would become his friends. Boulder’s life and subsequent adventures unfold in the various novels of the Dragonshadowed series. Here’s my shameless plug for you to plunge into my world of magical, epic high fantasy with your first purchase. Happy reading!

In novels of epic high fantasy, writers often use human characters to provide the reader with a familiar touchstone. Someone with whom that reader may readily identify as they experience that characters victories and defeats. Someone with whom they can share growth as they reach the story’s resolution or complete an arc through growth to maturity. The Dragonshadowed series provides Tamsin and Gyrfalcon as the central human characters, but this wouldn’t be epic high fantasy without a host of non-human companions as allies, foils, and to provide occasional friction. Dairug the dwarf in one of these characters. The foundation of Dairug’s personality will be familiar to readers of any of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Gruff, argumentative, and as solid as the earth in which he makes his home. Aside from ‘Lord of the Rings’, I base Dairug and dwarvish society on the same foundation of Norse and Teutonic legend as Tolkien. Dwarvish society at the time of my novels is a product of tragedy and suspicion. In the far past, the dwarves were gathered in one mighty kingdom that carved it’s way under a string of multiple mountains and delved deep into rocky depths. War and other setbacks forced the dwarves from their home to wander beneath the scorching day star of the surface world. The argumentative dwarves became divided, as much by their own nature as interference from those civilizations they encountered. Fractured bands traveled in different directions, ultimately finding new sources of wealth on which to build a kingdom. Each new kingdom lost communication with the others, becoming more reclusive and unaccepting of all outsiders. Some kingdoms believe they are the only surviving dwarves. Dairug was born into the kingdom of Mafrolmonom, sure that his community was the last dwarven stronghold. As a young dwarf of about forty winters, and before he was considered to be a fully responsible adult, he joined a group of senior dwarves in the mines. He found the long shifts monotonously enjoyable, until a great problem was discovered. Much of the ore beds were disappearing, and the surrounding rock became unstable without warning. The unexpected and unprecedented nature of the danger threatened to force a stop to all mining activity. Disaster threatened every dwarf. Burrowing creatures, even monstrous worms were well known to dwarven miners. When encountered, these were lured away by sonic vibrations into other areas, often opening up new wealth. None of the damage was anything like a worm burrow, but Dairug decided to experiment. His efforts were rewarded when he noticed a pile of rubble move of its own accord. His discovery resulted in capturing the creature he named a ‘crumbler’. The dwarves were saved, and Dairug received honors. He was promoted to work the forges, where he learned smithing and the properties of mundane and enchanted metal. That might have been an end to the story, but war came to the kingdom. The king decreed an alliance with the human kingdom of Chiardim, and together they defeated a great enemy. The near destruction of Mafrolmonom convinced the dwarves that their home couldn’t remain isolated. An ambassador must be sent to the humans. As this would be a lengthy assignment, no dwarf expressed interest. At most, they would consider a brief trading visit. Young Dairug was chosen for the important post. While serving as ambassador, Dairug reached the age of sixty and was recognized as an adult dwarf with two celebrations—one in his home kingdom—and a second among his human friends. He’d learned to reduce his natural bellicose attitude and appreciate different viewpoints. Dairug made a habit of lounging in the king’s solar quaffing ales and trading stories each evening. It was a good place to gather gossip and occasionally provided important information for his folk. This is where the archmage found him chatting with two servants of the healing god, Melqart. The archmage explained he had a mission and needed travelling companions. Dairug thought a brief diversion would be beneficial, and that the opportunity couldn’t be ignored. He joined a diverse group of strangers and was whisked through a transition gate and into a brawl. As he often remarked later, “Nothing brings folks together like a good fight.” And so it was. The fellowship of the Dragonshadowed series was born.

The Dragonshadowed book series presents a number of contrasts. In Valdain, few things are what they seem, and everyone lies. The stalwart characters are meant to provide a contrast to the deceptive culture. This contrast is vividly demonstrated by the difference between Rarnok and the elf, Areskel. It’s a friendship that shouldn’t be possible. Rarnok is bluff and uncomplicated. Areskel is fraught with contradictions and layers of complexities. Both are outsiders. Rarnok is shunned by others, while Areskel chooses anonymity. Early in the first book, Dragon Watch: A Dawn Before the Storm, the fellowship is unwillingly thrust into the thick of duchy politics. They must adapt to the reality of treachery, magic and poison in a very hostile land. Tamsin and Gyrfalcon are able to adapt quickly as native Valdainians. Areskel has the advantage of many years of experience and the wisdom of the dragon, Delgarathon. Rarnok must rely upon his friends to compensate for his misunderstanding of human society, near immunity to all poisons, and luck. As a warrior of mixed goblin and humanoid parentage, Rarnok is considered a ‘hurk’. All hurks are outcasts in both human and goblin cultures unless they can prove their worth. This usually requires conflict, and it’s fortunate that most hurks are natural fighters. Hurks are relatively rare, as few humans will mate with a goblin. Most offspring are killed at birth. Those allowed to live are usually from communities that need people, or for whom there is reasonable doubt of a goblin parent. Young hurks may resemble humans but their true heritage is always revealed by puberty. A hurk has some advantages over humans. Unlike goblins that are partially blind under sunlight, they possess normal sight and see reasonably well in light and dark. They see heat as a type of infravision. However, they have bad tempers and are easily provoked into fighting. Those surviving past puberty often die quickly. Rarnok is described as a hulking warrior of about 300 pounds wearing black armor beneath a blacker hellhound cloak. He fights left-handed and can match the strength of a fully-grown troll. The years and Areskel’s friendship have aided him to hold his temper that still explodes in a fight. Those familiar with role playing games would recognize him as a ‘tank’ when he wades into every opponent. He causes as much damage as possible while relying on luck, armor and Tamsin’s healing power to keep him alive. He has a fatalistic attitude and expects to die on a hill of slain enemies. No one is more surprised than Rarnok that he has lived so long. Rarnok began life as a typical ‘human’ child, to a single mother in a human tribe dwelling on the north slope of the Dragonspine mountains. He never knew his father but was told he was killed in a goblin raid. The northern tribes live in walled compounds, subsisting on rudimentary crops, animal herding, and by trading ironwood, silversword and other exotic plants with merchants. He learned to work hard, was taught to fight, forage and hunt, and become a productive member of his community. The Dragonspine mountains are goblin territory, so human settlements on the border are always alert for trouble. Good fighters have a high status as scouts and protectors of the village. Rarnok wasn’t adept at sneaking, but he was recognized as a warrior at a young age. He fought at every opportunity, challenging bigger and bigger opponents. He didn’t care if he won or lost, as long as he could fight. He killed three goblins in his first real battle. The village elders decided the best place for Rarnok was to serve as a lookout while watching flocks. There, he might practice useful foraging skills while unable to pick fights with the other boys or men. The fight found him. One night, two goblin scouts approached the village, unaware that they were observed. Rarnok attacked, killed one and wounded the other. The rest of the goblin band arrived and overwhelmed the youngster. Under other circumstances, a captive would have been killed and eaten immediately. But the goblins had full bellies. The goblin leader decided to bind the boy for a later feast. He would be devoured slowly while alive. They wanted to enjoy their prisoner’s screams that would otherwise alert the village before their raid. A goblin runt was left to guard Rarnok while the rest prepared to attack. The runt tormented the boy. Rarnok broke his bonds and killed the runt. Gathering a few weapons, he ran to the village. Rarnok came upon the attack as the goblins were about to breach the village wall. He did what he always did. Charged the rear of the goblins and howled, determined to kill as many as possible before death claimed him. Wolves answered from the surrounding hills. The goblins routed and the survivors were hunted by the wolves. Rarnok was celebrated as a great hero and provided with a wolf talisman. The boy knew he had failed to provide warning, and that truth was suspected by some of the elders. That summer, his eyes darkened to dead black and pronounced lower fangs protruded from his jaw. These were the unmistakable traits of a ‘hurk’. Rarnok couldn’t be allowed to stay in the village, but his feats made the tribe reluctant to exile or kill him. The arrival of trading merchants offered a solution. He was enticed to join their caravan as a guard. A chance to fight easily convinced Rarnok to leave village boredom. Unfortunately for the hurk, almost all of the members of the caravan were human. He fought among the men and made enemies. The only non-human was an odd ‘elf’, Areskel. Areskel was able to fight the hurk without danger of harm. They became friends despite their evident differences. The new friends wandered the trade routes of the western human lands, drifting from group to group, occasionally gaining another stalwart companion. In the course of traveling, Rarnok was bitten by an ice dragon. The venom should have killed him, but his constitution, luck, and the aid of a mage and cleric enabled his survival. As a result, the ice dragon’s venom still runs in his veins, making him immune to most poisons. The band set off to visit the kingdoms of the east, passing through Dragonhold, Valdain, and eventually fighting their way to become lords in the kingdom of Chiardim. The veteran hurk became champion of the High King’s bodyguard. One evening, Rarnok found himself summoned with Areskel and others to join the greet archmage, Edossaril, for an urgent mission. He accepted, and a new fellowship was formed to become the friends of the Dragonshadowed series . Order Your Copy Now!