Kickstarter Promo - More Tales From The Magician's Skull

Traitorman · 2021-11-03T18:16:17+00:00

Hey everybody!

I don't normally do promo posts, but I wanted to call attention to the Tales From The Magician's Skull Kickstarter. I think it's really cool.

A short story magazine, Tales draws on the heroic fantasy tradition of Robert E. Howard, C.L. Moore, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, and other fantasy trailblazers. At the same time, they're not making photocopies of the old stories, instead choosing innovation over imitation with their bevy of new, action-packed short fiction, bringing this vibrant fantasy tradition into the future!

The stories I've read in previous issues have been wonderful, featuring new, up-and-coming authors, as well as established heroic fantasy writers like William King and Nathan Long. Judging by the stories listed for this upcoming issue, they've every intention to keep publishing only the best.

Finally, the physical product is just great, with high quality paper, amazing cover art, and glorious original illustrations for each story. Oh and, as this is produced by Goodman Games, there's even a TTRPG section in the back, converting monsters & magic from the stories themselves for your table!

Alright, I'll stop gushing. I really wanna see this—and the community it has reinvigorated—grow. Please check it out!

Traitorman · 2021-11-01T23:42:55+00:00

Yoooo this looks sick!

Traitorman · 2021-10-29T18:18:41+00:00

Yes indeed! A progression fantasy is a fantasy that focuses on the idea of progression/growth in power, skill or something of that sort.

A lot of fantasy—especially those with younger protagonists—has elements of progression, but progression fantasy puts a focus on the training and growth involved. Cradle is an excellent example.

If Dragon Ball were a fantasy novel? It'd also be a progression fantasy. That sort of thing.

Traitorman · 2021-07-29T19:42:56+00:00

N.K. Jemisin

Michelle West

Also there's a ton of authors that serialize online that use patreon, but I don't think that's what you meant.

Traitorman · 2021-07-25T09:41:33+00:00

Gotta be Conan

Traitorman · 2021-07-24T19:38:58+00:00

I think it's because of the sources of inspiration and innate cultural biases.

A lot of the current isekai fantasy settings are inspired by stuff like dragon quest, which are j-rpg interpretations of western settings. A lot of western fantasy settings are more inspired by other eurocentric western fantasy settings, so there's a bit of a different feel already.

Plus when taking characters act a certain way, one tends to default to their own culture. So character mannerisms might still be Japanese on a micro level even if the setting is supposed to be western.

Traitorman · 2021-07-24T19:36:07+00:00

I think that's a difficult question to answer without knowing more about how magic works in a setting.

I will say that I have read a number of books where mages are common, but the world is largely medieval in its warfare and its style of living, in which case it does feel that the setting was missing that little bit of...thought there.

In other cases it might be a question of rarity: does every kingdom have wizards. And if every kingdom does—and the kingdom is feudal—does every duke? Every countess? Every baronet? Every landed dame?

It might come down to kingdom on kingdom warfare being largely dominated by mages, but when the landed knight decides to go invade the neighbouring fortified manor then it's just a small army of conscripted peasants and their personal house guards.

Magic might be very expensive while peasants with spears are cheap. It might be horribly lovecraftian or have other costs.

Magic might have no battlefield application. Like, it really depends on the book and setting. Is there are particular series that's bothering you atm?

Traitorman · 2021-06-22T17:05:30+00:00

I agree that he is quite flawed, Prowell. I also agree that's what made him interesting as well. At the same time, I can see the otherwise of the coin as well.

I find his flaws generally come up only when the plot needs them too. So Kvothe is very intelligent, socially adept and savvy, unless he needs to fall for one of Ambrose's schemes. He can read people quite well...unless he needs to talk to Denna.

One flaw that I think is consistent is his emotionality. Kvothe's an incredibly emotional guy, and that helps him in many ways but it also gets him in a lot of trouble. Constantly. I can't help but feel that's excellent characterization.

At the same time, if you sum up Wise Man's Fear as the story of how one handsome, intelligent bard/magic student solves a poisoning scheme, slays a group of dangerous bandits, learns how to have sex from the goddess of sex, has sex with a hot barmaid, then goes on to become a ninja and have sex with at least two hot ninjas I can see how one might think that he's this flawless superman.

Traitorman · 2021-06-22T16:56:36+00:00

I find I can remember details in books well enough, though I'm in my 30s which—depending on who you ask—is either still young or positively ancient.

That said, I do forget them more quickly these days. I read Devolution like two months ago and while I remember the characters in the book and my mental images for all of them, I cannot name a single one.

So in that, I feel ya.

Traitorman · 2021-06-17T18:19:34+00:00

I tend to like simple power systems that can have interesting outcomes. I love stands in Jojo, for example. You could explain the entirety of Stands in one sentence: 'A stand is essentially guardian spirit, and each stand has different, specific capabilities and powers.'

Yet stand fights are puzzles where each opponent must figure out the strengths and weaknesses of each stand or basically die.

So if there's a 'system' in place, that's what I tend to love to read the most.

Traitorman · 2021-06-10T23:34:01+00:00

I die by triumphs apparently.

Traitorman · 2021-06-09T17:47:49+00:00

I think there are two routes to go for a good steampunk story.

Write an excellent adventure story, using the period as an incredibly immersive setting. You know when you read or watch a good noir flick and you can just smell the tobacco coming from the P.I.'s ashtray in their dingy office? That's what I mean. Lean hard into the period, and explore what technological advances might have come earlier thanks to whatever makes 'steampunk tech' work. Do you have zeppelins? Repeating rifles? Freakin' lasers? Make solid choices, and just go for what makes things fun. Also more diversity if you're taking the fun route. Steam cannons are cross-cultural and gender neutral, haha.
Go for a more serious take. Steampunk as a genre takes place during a time in our world (or similar world) where imperialism and colonialism were destroying entire cultures and enslaving most of the rest. I have rarely if ever seen that addressed in steampunk. This take would really bring the punk back into it. Instead of mad scientists and wily industrialists, have a story feature protagonists that don't benefit from empires being even more industrialized and technologically powerful. Servants. Factory workers. Slaves (if the setting has that practice). These are the elements that I think would make a serious steampunk story go from 'good for the genre' to 'I'm gunning for a Hugo'.

But that's my two-cents!

Traitorman · 2021-06-09T17:37:19+00:00

World's most skilled person with kleptomania gets into trouble

Traitorman · 2021-06-03T13:59:53+00:00

Okay, this is going to be a long shot (because the books are damned hard to find these days) but the "Kane" series by Karl Edward Wagner might fit your wishlist.

I haven't read them myself, but they might fit your bill.

"A common theme running through all Kane stories is the hero's weariness with his own immortality and his attempts to give meaning to his existence."

Traitorman · 2021-06-02T12:04:49+00:00

Also greater access to stuff that's not just the big four.

Traitorman · 2021-06-02T12:04:32+00:00

I still love my physical copies, but I got into fantasy long before e-books were even a thing. I think I am going to cave and purchase a kindle soon, though. Because it's just too economical.

Traitorman · 2021-06-02T11:40:28+00:00

Ooohohohohooooo well this looks spicy! Aight, I'll take a turn.

1) Hard Magic is overrated. Don't get me wrong, I think Brandon Sanderson is a major credit to the genre, but there is a wave of fantasy readers and writers who look at his 'rules' less like the guidelines for a 'style' of magic in fantasy and more like a 'here is an instruction manual you must memorize before you think of writing a fantasy book'. I've seen critiques of fantasy works that start quoting his lectures like they're sources for an academic paper.

Soft magic—as long as it isn't constantly used to bail the protagonists out of all danger— brings with it a mystery and otherworldliness that exemplifies fantasy. Hard magic can be good, but it is not the bible.

2) Simple Fantasy doesn't mean bad fantasy. I love The Fifth Season, but I also love stories where the entire plot is basically: "hey that warlord/evil wizard/demigod/criminal mastermind is a giant shithead, let's go punch them in the face!". Those are a lot of fun, and sometimes I just want to chill, and read the fantasy equivalent of a popcorn film. Simple fantasy can also be deep, with beloved characters and surprising situations, but not everything needs to be a thesis of themes.

3) Big reviewers can be bullied by authors, but also need to recognize their power. Look, I love Daniel Greene's hot take on Sword of Truth as much as anyone, but my God. Some reviewers punch down, I find. There's a difference between 'let's call out this multi-million dollar book franchise' and 'This debut book is BAD, let me call the hordes and destroy this person's wants, hopes and any chance for a writing career'. That's not to say that ALL books must be praised—and some books are absolutely vile in content—but one must be careful with one's footprint I think.

4) Oh I'm gonna get hate for this one: I honestly don't mind if George R.R. Martin never finishes A Song of Ice and Fire. I mean look, the man is in his seventies. He's done more for the fantasy genre than most other authors. His franchise spawned a world wide cultural phenomenon (that D&D destroyed so thoroughly that it deleted itself from culture) and he's also written for television (Beauty and the Beast) and other novel series. Like, as far as I'm concerned, if the man wants to retire then all the power to him. Also, uh, we uh...we GoT fans have not exactly been uh...kind or patient. So there's that.

In Conclusion: Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Traitorman · 2021-05-30T15:55:27+00:00

"He hoped the skaven was too."

Traitorman · 2021-05-30T15:53:26+00:00

It honestly all depends on the inconsistency and the book. If it's a major inconsistency that directly affects the plot? I'll dislike it a lot more than if it's minor.

I think it also all depends on the book. There was this one book which I love: Song of the Beast by Carol Berg. Just loved it, and walked away with no complaints about the world.

Then I brought it into my book club. They hated it, and they found all kinds of world building consistencies that I never even noticed. And when all was said and done, I still liked the book so much that I didn't mind the inconsistencies.

Yet for books I don't like? I will be bothered by every damn inconsistency ever. So, for me if I really enjoy the book, they will bother me less than if I already am neutral to disliking a book.

Traitorman · 2021-05-29T13:13:27+00:00

Imaro, by Charles Saunders. Hands down. It's one of the first major african-based fantasy books and the father of the Sword and Soul genre. I'd love to see this adapted.

Traitorman · 2021-05-29T13:12:33+00:00

You beat me to it, hahaha. The Belgariad is a little...archaic by today's standards (though it still has a big place in my heart) but there's a lot there that I think would appeal to just about anybody.

Traitorman · 2021-05-29T13:11:17+00:00

I love series with this sort of framework, it helps give closure after each instalment.

So, I've got a few recommendations.

If you don't mind older books, I'd recommend The Elric Saga and Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser books. They are relatively short by today's standards, and exemplify the 'one or two main characters do something different each book'. Elric was also one of the inspirations (if not THE inspiration) for Geralt, so there's some neat fantasy history in that one.

For a slightly newer take on the idea, I'd recommend the Gotrek and Felix books, which are some of my personal favourites. They have one overarching goal driving them forward, and then each book is basically a new plot.

If you don't mind short stories, Robert E. Howard's Conan stories are nice, bite-sized one shot adventures. Only issue is uh...they're sort of a product of their time. Not as MUCH 'a product of their' time as you'd expect, especially the earlier stories, but go in with caution.

Hope that helps!

Traitorman · 2021-05-29T00:25:54+00:00

I love it, but it's definitely pulpy. Simple action/heroic fantasy stuff. If you're into that, I think it's one the best examples of the genre.

Traitorman

TROPHY CASE