Posts by Aalidakh
Jan
2020
10 Memories \ Writing Exercise
I took an online writing workshop with One Story last year, and one of the exercises from it that I loved most was one intended to show people how to take real memories and turn them into fictional stories. Memories have all kinds of strong associations, and the detail that comes from them helps make fiction feel real as well. After coming up with the list of 10 memories, pick[...]
Aug
2019
Aug
2019
Jun
2019
The Bone King of Praath
It is said that King Hezzaghal of Praath was a great warrior who traveled all the lands of the old world in search of a worthy opponent. He crossed the Malhalholtra and left a trail of sorrow and death in his wake, traveling beyond the Rimefrost and Treppania, beyond the lands of Knet and Shur, until he came to the edge of the knot and turned back. All the mighty[...]
May
2019
The City of Helsgrad
Helsgrad is a mining city situated on the coast along the Helvaskayvol Mountains, which are rich in iron, coal, and rare stones. The city grew out of a small walled port which was built to ship resources up along the coast to the cities of Ostergrad, Vastengrad, and Streissberg. The fortress of Hel's Hearth was built to protect the docks and provide a bastion against piracy from reavers. The city[...]
May
2019
The City of Ostergrad
I'm still trying to rough out all of the major cities in the region my D&D group is currently campaigning in, but I think I'm getting better at making the cities look organic. Ostergrad is a rich, sprawling city that bridges the northern half of the western reaches and the southern half, and is ruled over by Lord Oster Hasturmark, whose family died under tragic circumstances. In the twisting alleys[...]
May
2019
May
2019
The City of Streissberg
The Iron City of Streissberg, whose foundries burn red at all hours of the night.
May
2019
The City of Vastengrad
The city of Vastengrad is stained red from her docks to the lord's keep by the salt of the Shrieking Sea, Malhalholtra, and the algae blooms it carries on its tides each spring. She is a proud and ancient city torn between the the Old Gods and the new. Vastengrad is known for her fleets, which provide security for trade up and down the coast, and for the gray-faced chroniclers who[...]
May
2019
The Wisdom & Folly of the Whip
I. There is Wisdom in the Whip The Wisdom of the Red Lie And the Obstinate Truth II. The Whip Serves All Masters For Service is the Pleasure of the Whip And the Fruit of its Kiss III. The Red Lie is the Promise of Wisdom But the Obstinate Truth is Unyielding And the Fruit of the Whip is Pleasure IV. The Wisdom of the Red Lie[...]