The DragonShadowed Series

As a writer and author, I’ve been keenly interested in history from my early years. Not just the dates, wars and battles, but ‘why’ events happened and the ultimate results. As my knowledge base grows, I’ve developed a fascination with how one event affects other people or events, often in seemingly unlikely or unrelated ways. Aside from politics and action, I’ve deliberately chosen to place the fantasy world of Dragonshadowed firmly upon the basis of our own early medieval period in western Europe. The ‘Dark Ages’ of about 500 to 600 A.D. Unsuspecting readers will be introduced to real history in the course of following the adventures of my protagonists, even if in a realm replete with magic and fabulous creatures. As the culture is ‘western Europe’, there won’t be oriental or middle eastern elements in these stories. Likewise, none of the characters will run about in loincloths and chainmail bikinis. Movie romance aside, well toned skin provides no protection against lethal weaponry. And it’s too cold, even for barbarians. The countries of Valdain aren’t the familiar society of the 21 st century. Life is raw, and often violent and short. The environment is either relatively pristine or polluted. Law and justice are determined by whoever wields the strongest sword. Only the use of magic or divine intervention mitigates the harsh lives of all folk. What people wear is no different. Weapons, armor and tactics are decided by, and based upon, what was prevalent in the early medieval period. I add augmentation from magic and the talents of non-human folk to my descriptions and cultural foundation. The attire of small and great folk outside of the battlefield is similarly based upon what might be considered ‘jeans and a t-shirt’ or ‘ballroom style’ in our century. Garments are a clear signal of a person’s social status. This consideration isn’t arbitrary, as the way people dress affects their expectations, and what is considered ‘normal’ interactions. People act differently when addressing a laborer, merchant, knight or noble. In a medieval society, class distinctions are more marked, as a serf that disrespects a knight is likely to be punished or even killed. In Valdain, this is taken an extra step in that all persons of lesser social status must wait to be acknowledged, then addressed first, by their social superior before speaking. Clothing also affects day-to-day activities. As an example, no one had pockets in the middle ages. Money and valuables must be carried in external pouches suspended by strings, and are vulnerable to a thief’s knife blade. This small detail serves to launch major events in Dragon Hall, Book 6, of my series. Underwear and socks were unknown. Men had a piece of buttoned cloth over their privates that allowed them to relieve themselves without the necessity of lowering their breeches. Women might shift their stance to achieve the same relief beneath dresses, then move on with no one the wiser. Most garments were constructed of many pieces, unlike the shirts and trousers of our society. As an example, a shirt consisted of the main back and chest covering, with separate sleeves buttoned at the shoulder. Additional cuffs and collars might be added according to need and the wealth of the wearer. Aside from the practicality of discarding only whatever became worn-out, this allowed a person many opportunities to display a variety of ‘looks’. Accessories were important. Jewelry was often more than an expression of wealth. A brooch or pin might serve a practical function of fastening a cloak, a sash, or restraining the use of a weapon under a ‘peace bond’. It could be used to advertise nationality, marital status, interest, or even actively looking for a mate. Of course in Valdain, gems and jewels are often enchanted as they are durable and can hold spells or magical effects for extended periods of time. In Valdain, color choice is more than a reflection of available cloth. Colors are used to identify noble houses and territories, and are vital in a court setting. Knights display their colors and devices whenever possible, but will cover their colors and shields when unwilling or unable to accept challenges. Most knights accept this convention and won’t challenge another knight that covers their colors. For most persons, the idea of ‘fashion’ such as we know it today, doesn’t exist. As long as garments are functional, it’s much the same for everyone. At court, especially a royal court, it's different. Nobility in a court dresses according to the colors and choices of the most senior lord and lady, possibly swayed by an acknowledged dilettante. The colors chosen by others are a clear signal of open alliances, but must be considered in addition to body language, expressions, or gossip in a court. Medieval courts are rife with intrigue and deception. Readers of the Dragonshadowed series will be familiar with clothing choices made by the main characters throughout the initial novels. Future novels, starting with ‘Dragon Hall’ will pick up and expand upon this theme, to be further embellished in scenes within Books 8 and 9 – Dragon Court. I trust—with thanks—that you’ll be with me to follow the adventures of Tamsin, Gyrfalcon and their friends as I’m able to release future novels and novellas. I promise you’re in for quite a ride! Accompanying photo from pixabay.com: medieval-3061978_1280. Used without commercial intent.

Almost all fantasy novels will include one or more races in addition to humans. Some may be allied as elves, dwarves and hobbits in Lord of the Rings, or as members of society like gnomes in the Harry Potter series. Still other races will be adversarial as goblins or trolls. Occasionally, humans may not even exist in a fantasy story. I’ve chosen to base the Dragonshadowed series in the human dominated land of Valdain. The various kingdoms admit and recognize other humanoid races as part of their magic dominated culture. Some of these ‘races’ might be considered more monstrous than integral to society, such as ogres, trolls and giants. Even goblins are regarded as hired muscle, much as the ancient Romans considered the barbarian Celts they employed as servants and soldiers, or enslaved. Setting my stories in human lands allows a reader to easily understand this new world. As a writer, I’m able to assume some norms familiar to the majority of people who enjoy the fantasy genre. Differences are introduced slowly, layer by layer, as the characters become familiar along with the culture, customs, and plot of the series. The first novel, Dragon Watch: A Dawn Before the Storm, starts off calmly in contrast to subsequent novels. It’s my attempt to ease a reader into an alien world in which the laws of magic have trumped the scientific laws of our own world. So why the ‘blessed races’? Even in the world of Dragonshadowed, the term is rarely used except by educated sages, mages and priests when discussing events that span history and legend. According to the earliest, dim recounting, specific races were created and blessed by the creator and king of the gods, Elavodair, at the foundation of the world. All other races came later as a result of cosmic wars at the transition of each aeon. There are four races, designated as the ‘blessed races,’ in the world of Valdain. Elves, humans, dwarves, and gnomes. In general terms, these four races have always allied against threats to one of more of the others. Each race possesses specific advantages and limitations, and each has a number of ‘homelands.’ Readers familiar with Lord of the Rings will recognize that the races of elves and dwarves bear similarity to the foundational works of Tolkien. However, I also add surprises in the form of traits more common to legendary sources. Gnomes are based on Celtic, Scandinavian and Teutonic legends. Elves are regarded as the first blessed race, even though considered extinct and legendary by the folk of Valdain. Readers of the Dragonshadowed series will be aware this isn’t true, as the character of Areskel is an elf. As a race, elves are immortal unless killed by an accident, war, or a rare disease, but have an extremely low birth rate. The main elvish homeland is far to the west of Valdain, and lies on the western border of Glordonia, north of the fabled city of Domagaf. Called the ‘Elfwood’ or “Elwood’ by humans, the elvish inhabitants refer to their forest land as Telphyne. This land is surrounded by a barrier of impenetrable fog and mists, as the elvish people have suffered grievous losses from wars and become xenophobic. Other elvish kingdoms do exist. Areskel mentions the kingdom of the winged elves on the southern continent, and the elvish kingdom of the far west. Humans may meet elves away from their homeland, but these incidents are considered as rare as encountering a unicorn or other legendary creature. Humans are considered the second of the blessed races. Their civilizations dominate the northern continent and much of the north coast of the southern continent. Humans have the advantage of the highest birth rate and a near infinite variety of talents. You can read more about humans in a fantasy environment in all of the Dragonshadowed novels. Dwarves make up the third of the blessed races. There are a reclusive race that inhabitants nine underground kingdoms carved from mountain stone in search of metal and gems. They are longer lived than humans and resist great heat. Most are taciturn and reclusive, but not as xenophobic as elves. Many dwarves venture into the upper world to trade and obtain goods unavailable in their sunless halls. The dwarvish character of Dairug is an adventurous diplomat and metalsmith. I’ll be writing more about dwarves and their culture in a future novel when Dairug visits one of their mountain communities. The last of the blessed races are gnomes. Smaller than dwarves, these clever folk inhabit homes beneath the earth in hills and forests and are adept at hiding. However, many gnomes have integrated their communities with humans. Gnomish crafted goods and jewelry are highly prized. The gnomes profit from human foodstuffs in turn, for which they are either too small or vulnerable to farm for themselves.  I intend to provide additional information regarding each of the non-human races in future blogs. In the meantime, if you’re curious, please consider an inexpensive purchase of any of my books. Thank you!