This page contains readings of excerpts and accompanying visuals pulled directly from the ever-expanding texts within the World of Tales of Old  

The Under Glow

The following passage is a poem, learned and memorized in world, to caution against the dangers of the Deep Ones, and warn against the threat of Under Glows.

 This section is pulled directly from the second book in THE FRIGID NORTH Arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

The First Breath 

This passage is pulled from THE SAGA OF AGES, a Saga composed of stories that chronicle the long history of Lar-Esstar, and the worlds that came before her. The following section comes from the first Arc of that Saga, a trilogy called the Dunallaran Unwhit Fia, which means “Deepest Sorrows, Numbering Endless” in the language of the Undelladreem. The first book in that Arc is named FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH, and it begins as follows:

Something Useful

This passage is pulled from THE BLACK BLADE SAGA, the central narrative of its age, and a story that chronicle the life of one who will be remembered by the title of Black Blade. The following section comes from the first Arc of that Saga, called THE FRIGID NORTH. The first book in that Arc is prefaced as follows:

Riddle 1

​This week’s release is a riddle, pulled from an exchange of riddles, played as a game during a royal banquet, set within AS DARKNESS RISES, the second arc of the BLACK BLADE SAGA.

There are many, MANY, more riddles in this body of work, both included in the exchange referenced above, and in other passages. Feel free to make your guesses in the comments of Wednesday’s posts on the different linked platforms, and the answer will be revealed in time.

Two Familiar Faces

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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This passage will pick up immediately where we left off last Wednesday on July 16th, following the “A Tall Hooded Figure” excerpt released on that day. This will be the format for the next handful of releases, with a sentence or two of overlap between one excerpt and the next.

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In this release, our recently introduced protagonist interacts with two of his peers, providing insight into their shared past together, while also expanding our core group of characters. I hope you enjoy.

A Volunteer and an Enlisted Soldier

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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In this release, we explore the source of the animosity between Endrith and Faylor, as the conflict that has been brewing between the pair of them for several months finally comes to a head.

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This passage will pick up immediately where we left off last week on July 30th, following the “How Strange Can Snow Be?” excerpt released on that day.

Proof Enough

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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In this release the conflict between Endrith and Faylor comes to its conclusion, at least for the time being. With the conversation ended, Morvin sees that his gamble paid off. The captain had trusted that leveler heads would prevail; allowing for this argument now, rather than letting their animosity fester and reemerged at a worse time.

With the disagreement settled, Morvin calls the rest of his company to order and together they set out upon their mission, following in Endrith’s wake.

This passage picks up immediately where we left off last week on Wednesday, August 13th, following the “A Colder Cold Amid the Cold”, excerpt released on that day.

You're wondering why

This passage is pulled from THE BLACK BLADE SAGA, the central narrative of its age, and a story that chronicle the life of one who will be remembered by the title of Black Blade. The following section comes from the first Arc of that Saga: THE FRIGID NORTH. In the first book in that Arc our protagonist has the following exchange with an unexpected ally, born amongst his enemies

Dawn

This is it, the point from which I first saw it, the place where our story begins...

This week’s release, includes the opening excerpt from the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA. It is from this passage that I myself found the world of Lar-Esstar and took my first steps within. I am excited for all of you to join me there.

Though, a word of caution, after finding my own way into Lar-Esstar nearly two decades ago, I have yet to discover either a way back out, or a desire to leave. You have been warned...

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special thanks to my father, whose painting provides the backdrop for this excerpt

To keep warm, keep moving

In this recording we are jumping ahead to CHAPTER 4 of the first book in THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

In this passage, we follow Treaneia, a recently introduced supporting character in the series, as she runs headlong through a blizzard. Her race against the elements is a desperate attempt to deliver a message that will save her friends, including our protagonist, from a fight against impossible odds.

This passage is the first of many that will be delivered from the perspectives of characters like her, throughout THE FRIGID NORTH books, and though it jumps ahead of her actual introduction, the unfaltering resolve she shows in this section embodies a great deal about her character.

A Tall Hooded Figure

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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Rather than moving back and forth across different sections within this book and setting, as the excerpts have done for the past few weeks, this passage will pick up immediately where we left off on June 11th, following the “Dawn” excerpt released on that day. This will be the format for the next handful of releases, with a sentence or two of overlap between one excerpt and the next.

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In this release, our protagonist himself will be introduced by name. I hope you enjoy.

How Strange Can Snow Be?

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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In this release, our recently introduced protagonist will interact with a new addition to his group of companions and report his findings, as well as his speculations about them. This conversation is overheard by unkindly ears, drawing yet another character into the limelight. A character who our protagonist knows all too well.

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This passage will pick up immediately where we left off last week on July 23rd, following the “Two Familiar Faces” excerpt released on that day.

A Colder Cold, Amid the Cold

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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In this release Endrith takes command of the conversation with Faylor, answering the questions leveled at him, and providing proof of the strange nature behind the tracks that he discovered.

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This passage picks up immediately where we left off last week on Wednesday, August 6th following the “A Volunteer and an Enlisted Soldier” excerpt released on that day.

Cooranna

In this week’s release we will be continuing with the opening chapter of the first book within THE FRIGID NORTH arc of THE BLACK BLADE SAGA.

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In this release Endrith and company set out upon their mission. We have our first opportunity since the opening passage to zoom out from our small intrepid band, and better examine the place in which they find themselves.

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We learn that there is truth to Faylor’s words, they aren’t from the north, Morvin’s company isn’t from Cooranna. They are part of a larger force that was called in after the conflict consuming the continent had already begun, with the goal of reestablishing order and bringing an end to the bloodshed.

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This passage goes on to explore that conflict’s origin, detailing some of the larger events that took place to set the events of our story in motion.

This passage picks up immediately where we left off last week on Wednesday, August 20th, following the “Proof Enough”, excerpt released on that day.