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

The Great Gifts Part 1

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

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In chapter 1, this story began with the arrival of a series of seemingly divine beings into the world. Each of them would encounter a new aspect of the world, and take up the role of embodying what they found. Last of all, the Late Comer would arrive and guide them through finalizing creation together, concluding the chapter.

This selection picks up at the start of chapter 2, as the world continues to grow and take shape in earnest.

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FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Great Gifts Part 3

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

In chapter 1, this story began with the arrival of a series of seemingly divine beings into the world. Each of them would encounter a new aspect of the world, and take up the role of embodying what they found. Last of all, the Late Comer would arrive and guide them through finalizing creation together, concluding the chapter.

This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, October 15th, following the excerpt released on that day. As the world continues to grow and take shape in earnest.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Great Gifts Part 5

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

At last, the appointed hour has arrived. At Old Allandune, a place of singular beauty, the beings responsible for shaping the world are gathered for an exchange of gifts. These Quinyanmar are received the Late Comer, who greets them as friends, and embraces each of them turn. Then he steps back, moving into the shallow water before turning to face them. And so, it begins.   

This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, October 29th, following the excerpt released on that day.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Great Gifts Part 7

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

In Old Allandune Dorvondeana is the second to step forward, joining Taquin where the shallows meet the shore. The Goddess of the sands presents her newest contribution to creation and Taquin this thing in hand. At his touch it shifts, and Dorvondeana marvels at the beauty that she had not recognized in her own creation, before the Late Comer returns it to its original form. Telling her that her creation is perfect, just the way it is.

This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, November 12th, following the excerpt released on that day.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Enemy Adapted

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 release is the third and final section which explores the larger conflict our characters are taking part in, while they set out upon their expedition. After a successful first year in Cooranna, the Legion’s campaign began to change. The enemy adapted, and soldiers were forced become hunters.

This section picks up immediately where we left off two weeks ago on Wednesday, September 10th, following “The First Legion”, 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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

The Great Gifts Part 2

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

In chapter 1, this story began with the arrival of a series of seemingly divine beings into the world. Each of them would encounter a new aspect of the world, and take up the role of embodying what they found. Last of all, the Late Comer would arrive and guide them through finalizing creation together, concluding the chapter.

This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, October 8th, following the excerpt released on that day. As the world continues to grow and take shape in earnest, the beings responsible for this growth are summoned to a gathering. They are told that a “great gift” awaits all of them at this gathering, and they are invited to create something of their own in kind.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Great Gifts Part 4

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

At last, the appointed hour has arrived. The beings responsible for shaping the world are summoned to a gathering and an exchange of gifts. They find that the place selected for this gathering is one of singular beauty.

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This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, October 22nd, following the excerpt released on that day. As the world continues to grow and take shape in earnest.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

The Great Gifts Part 6

This excerpt is pulled from chapter two of FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH.

In Old Allandune, a place of singular beauty, the beings responsible for shaping the world are gathered for an exchange of gifts. Airomnos is the first to step forward, joining Taquin where the shallows meet the shore, and presenting his newest contribution to creation.

This section picks up immediately where we left of in chapter 2 last week on Wednesday, November 4th, following the excerpt released on that day.

FROM FIRST BREATH TO FIRST DEATH is a mythology and history of Lar-Esstar’s earliest age, as told by its own peoples.

Into the Wild

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 pull back in towards our protagonist and his company, as they plunge into the frigid wilderness of Cooranna’s Frozen Forest. With a better understanding of the stakes established by the past few passages, we return to Endrith, Morvin, and all the rest, as they seek out their enemy, following the strange tracks that Endrith first discovered. Little do they know, what waits for them at the end of this hunt, will be unlike anything they have ever found before.

The First Legion

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 larger conflict that our characters are taking part in is explained in greater detail, while they set out upon their expedition. We learn more about the events that set our story in motion, including the terrible fates that befell many of Cooranna’s people as the conflict escalated. Our protagonist himself survived such a fate, however, though he survived, he did not do so unscathed.

This passage goes on to details the Legion’s arrival, the start of their campaign against the Deep Ones, and the point at which this war began to change.    

This section picks up immediately where we left off two weeks ago on Wednesday, August 27th, following the “Cooranna”, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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:

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.