Recent content by scribbler

I think the problem you will run into is why didn't this technologically superior country overrun the rest of the countries. There is no way you can defend yourself against laser lances with victorian era weapons. I'm not sure if the anachronism breaks the suspension of disbelief. It would be...

Maybe the humans raise the gryphons they ride into war themselves to create that bond. Almost like how rulers of rival kingdoms in medieval times would raise each others children as a safeguard against future aggression.

In a situation like that you should push his limits. Put him in a totally irrational situation and see how he fares. Maybe part of his character growth is to let go of some of that boring normality. There is a character named Michael in the Dresden Files. It was really compelling to read...

Forgiven is one of my favorite movies. The slow build up of the stories about Bill's past, and then when he finally opens a can of whoop ass is amazing.

For me, wizards would be much higher on the power scale than mages. Mages would have focused on a particular area of study, like a battle-mage would focus on offensive spells. A mage might also focus on healing. Wizards would have a wider focus and a greater knowledge of magic and be more...

I think the wolves would be more successful if you played with the opacity to convey the sense that they can "ghost" parts of their bodies. If you put a slight feather on the selection tool, like a 5, the images of the people would blend a little better with the background. You can also play...

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye...

I think the treatment for the bee stings has a lot to do with the elements of the story. Are the characters rich or poor, could they afford a doctor? Would they have access to a hospital depending on where they are located geographically? Are the characters city dwellers that would rely on a...

I'm a complete sucker for a bad ass coming out of retirement for one last adventure. For example, David Gemmell's Druss or William Munny from the movie, Unforgiven. As for least favorite trope, any one of them can be tedious if done poorly.

I think the sketch is great and you've obviously given this race a lot of thought. Be careful though because the living in trees and sleeping in pods sounds very similar to what James Cameron did in Avatar.

I wouldn't worry about it all that much. If you look into R.A. Salvatore's novels he has a character named Wulfgar who is a 7 ft. tall, blonde-haired barbarian who wields a magical warhammer that returns to his hand when called. ?long as you make the idea your own and borrow elements from...

I don't think you have to spell it out for the reader. Most readers will be able to discern what your definition of a paladin is by how he acts and the powers he wields.

Maybe whoever the king is conspiring with to keep it a secret, asks about who knows the truth. If that's a little too on the nose, have the characters who know make off handed comments about the prince and his health at court, or note his absence from certain activities. G R R Martin is good...

To diversify your indigenous race you could look at a variety of different people, such as Aborigines, Inuit, Aztec, etc... By blending beliefs and cultural attitudes you would create something new that people wouldn't identify with one group or another.

The three Moirai from Greek mythology fit in well with your spider cult. They spun, measured and cut the threads of fate. Maybe the shamans feel that the spider goddess dictates how a life begins and when it ends, but not how it gets from one point to the other. On the other hand maybe she...