Armor of Sorrow

What is this?

The story you are about to embark on is real. It is real to me. I say that because I lived in it, all day every day, for two years straight. I daydreamed the characters, drew maps, crafted plots, villains, and dramatic twists before, during, and after work. I ran a game of Dungeons and Dragons for my friends, lasting 103 adventures and consuming over 1500 hours of my time. I did my best to act out each character with voices, personalities, expressions to make sure my players felt like they were talking to someone real. I wanted them to experience in real time what I had been dreaming in my head.

How long is this going to be?

What you will experience when you read these books is not exactly what happened in those 103 adventures, but is inspired by it, including dramatic moments, love stories, humor, tragedies, victories and defeats throughout. I think a good story takes the reader on a journey of many emotions, some tense, some painful, and some joyful and lighthearted. The mysteries and questions you encounter have their reveals and conclusions, which may not be fulfilled until near the end of the story. I hope to unfold this world to you gradually and comfortably, without needing to explain too many new things at once. You will get to discover its secrets alongside the heroes. My first book, Armor of Sorrow, is only the first 6 out of 103 adventures. I expect this will take six books to finish the plot, but who knows where this will go?

What should I expect?

The world exists in a very grounded fantasy setting that probably corresponds to the 1500s in terms of technology and sophistication, although there are plenty of surprises to be discovered. Supernatural and magical elements exist in the world, although the average person might never see them in their lifetime. The story begins in a small town called Austernell and explores the conflicts of that city, while introducing you to the main characters. Later, more of the world is unveiled and the journey takes the heroes far away to encounter wonders beyond their wildest dreams or nightmares. There are stories about falling in love, enemies becoming friends, betrayal and repentance, the power of motherhood and fatherhood, but above all, rising above life’s challenges.

How adult is the content?

The book is written for adults, but many teens may appreciate it. Profanity is very occasional and used intentionally for emphasis and characterization. The main characters of the book are adults and themes of love and lust are explored, meaning sexuality is certainly discussed. Explicit sexual acts are not described, though they may be referenced. While people around the world have very different tolerances for what they consider “clean content”, I am trying to craft a world that would broadly be considered appropriate for teenage boys or girls.

What do I hope to accomplish?

Just as I did with my D&D group, I would love to show you the world and the people I have been daydreaming about. I hope you cheer for the heroes but you may sympathize with the villains. I hope you find the story compelling enough that you can get lost in it, and the characters begin to feel real to you too. I hope to make you laugh, cry, and escape from the real world. Please, if you enjoy my first book, Armor of Sorrow, stick with us for the long haul. There’s plenty more to come.