D&D Chronicles: Triumph over the troll lord

ZILLAH We camp a few hours upstream from the goblin village. I have the goblin chief's dirt map memorised -- the all important directions to the troll lord we seek, and the Dark Tree as well. We will likely face at least one of them tomorrow. I try to mentally prepare myself for the task … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Triumph over the troll lord

Review of Captive Prince and Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat

Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat leapt to the top of my to-be-read pile the instant I heard about it last weekend, because it ticks three of my current preferred boxes: It’s a secondary world fantasy, written by an Australian woman (meaning I can review it for the Australian Women Writers challenge), and it’s centred on … Continue reading Review of Captive Prince and Prince’s Gambit by C.S. Pacat

D&D Chronicles: The fireball and the goblin chief

ZILLAH Trees. The stream wending silent on my left. My companions spread out in front of me, talking in low voices, stepping on twigs. This is all I see. All I hear. They are making tough going of it, but I don’t care. I don’t care that none of them are likely to see the … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: The fireball and the goblin chief

D&D Chronicles: Death of an animal companion

ZILLAH -- The Broken Forest I'm on watch with Squirrel in the dead of night when the tree moves. It's a massive tree in a loop of the stream. We've camped here because it seemed safer to have the water on three sides. We've been attacked so many times at night. But now it sounds … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Death of an animal companion

Review of Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier

Earlier this year, I pledged to participate in the Australian Women Writers Challenge — essentially a commitment to read, review and generally plug published works by Australian women. It’s taken me a while to get my act together, but here — finally — is my first official review towards this challenge. I selected Dreamer’s Pool … Continue reading Review of Dreamer’s Pool by Juliet Marillier

D&D Chronicles: Fighting through the Broken Forest

ZILLAH - The Broken Forest Tomorrow at first light we head deeper into the forest in search of a troll lord. I've never encountered a troll before, and hoped I never would. This one, name of Quagmire, is by all accounts immensely powerful. (And I thought things couldn't get much worse.) We have pledged to … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Fighting through the Broken Forest

D&D Chronicles: Chased out of town. Again.

ZILLAH -- Royal Rose inn, Lhangessa Outside, the distinct trample of the city watch. Squirrel twitches to his feet. Alix throws an apprehensive glance. I’m on my feet too, not quite knowing why, but I’ve drawn my swords. The door opens and six armed guards storm in, brandishing weapons. We’ve had a fair few ales, … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: Chased out of town. Again.

D&D Chronicles: At the crossroads

Having just completed a fairly hefty mission, some of the party members muse on recent events and what's going to happen next... and size up their new companions. SQUIRREL Standing on the outskirts of town, I’m at a border between the known and the unknown, on a couple of levels. We are returned from ranging … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: At the crossroads

Book launch: Grave Touched ~ Erin Zarro

Today I'm joined by indie author Erin Zarro to celebrate the launch of her second urban fantasy/science fiction novel, Grave Touched, which is the sequel to Fey Touched; both are published by Turtleduck Press. Grave Touched is officially launched Friday 1 May 2015. BLURB Grave Touched ~ Erin Zarro Fey Touched – humans, genetically engineered … Continue reading Book launch: Grave Touched ~ Erin Zarro

D&D Chronicles: We pull off the retrieval mission but are betrayed

ZILLAH This crater expedition has been long and bloody and we have lost dear companions -- but finally we have discovered the treasures we were seeking. They will never be worth three lives (what could ever be worth that?) but I'm so relieved we have something to show for the high price we have paid. … Continue reading D&D Chronicles: We pull off the retrieval mission but are betrayed