L. Cyrus Whelchel

I see no problem. I’m in the same age category, so that’d be perfect for me. Plus, you’re still absolutely adorable! 💐

#AwesomeCharacters

This would depend on what era I end up in, but if it’s around FWC/TWT, I’d be gushing over a chance to visit the Livorian capital of Whistlevale!

Specifically, I’d love to see the Royal Palace & its world-famous gardens, as well as the bustling market at Tebalect Square.

#MarchWorldbuilders 14

Galstein’s fesitval celebrating the New Year uses prominent symbolism of the osbell rabbit, a common critter often seen as a symbol of fertility and renewal.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

Snippet of text from Mark of a Hero by L. Cyrus Whelchel

#FantasyIndiesMarch 14

Today’s snippet comes courtesy of my prequel novelette for FWC: Mark of a Hero. Here, we see Fusette showcase her family’s infamous temper after a racial slur is uttered on the Parliament floor.

Kai is a member of the Hunter Corps, which requires stealth when tracking quarry. This is a trait he taught to each of his 4 children.

If Kai is loud, it’s likely because he’s been pushed to the point of losing his famously long temper. At that point, you’d best pray to whatever god you kneel to…

#MarchWorldbuilders 13

The nobletusk bison is a commonly hunted animal, prized for their durable hide and tender meat. They are also the most widespread animal of their size outside of common farm animals like cattle or pigs, found on every continent & in every type of climate.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 13

The most WIPs I've been actively engaged in at once is 3 that I was drafting in a rotation. Currently, I'm only working on drafting 2: *Bards and Brooches* & *Fateweaver*.

#MarchWorldbuilders 12

Among the longest symbolic uses of an animal is the Kingdom of Hilderic's royal crest. Despite several dynastic changes throughout its history, one part of the crest remains the same: The use of a glacial lynx as the centerpiece, representing the legendary Gedis.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 12

Almost all of my works have some humor, even the darker ones. However, one WIP ramps it up since it's essentially a satire: The Lowborn King.

This novel will essentially see a lot of attempted assassinations against Gino that backfire in hilarious ways.

I can’t wait to actually write scenes with the dugos! I was inspired by the sand seals from LoZ: BotW. And since the vast majority of the Ruquall continent is covered in sand or loose, sandy soil, dugos are able to swim through it with ease.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 11

"The idea of fate is cruel. It suggests we are but puppets dancing for some greater universal purpose. Make no mistake, though. I serve no purpose other than protecting what I choose to. I am the master of my own fate. My own design!"
- Vildrik Arvaldi

#MarchWorldbuilders 11

Every continent on Nixtral has their own unique beasts of burden. Here's a list of each one, including the animal they're originally based on:

Alezon: Wiroch (chocobo/toucan)
Uzura: Dunbaca (elk)
Feswili: Quinoon (capaybara)
Ruquall: Dugo (seal)

#MarchWorldbuilders 10

Most animals on Nixtral are differentiated from humanoids by a lack of societal structuring & logical reasoning.

The Six Great Beasts of Alezon hold a unique status among animals due to their reason & ability to understand basic societal concepts.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 10

One of the most long-standing superstitions among Livoria's famous Hunter Corps is that it's considered bad luck to boast before embarking on a hunt.

To do so is to invite the ire of Cacovis, the Saint of Death.

A cartoon man holds up his fists while looking like he has been in a fight.

Tynan after dying:

When lives are on the line, he won’t hesitate to step in for what’s right. Besides following his own code of honor, he also hopes to show others the Norzen aren’t as bad as people believe.

Thankfully, he eventually has 2 wives & 4 children who can help rein in his more reckless tendencies…
(2/2)

#AwesomeCharacters

Kai is very determined when it comes to protecting people or rendering aid as an apothecary.

In battle, he sometimes seems to have no self-preservation. This is partly because he grew up being told by many he was worth less than dirt, but it’s also his biggest strength.
(1/2)

Sounds like Rider and Kai would be two peas in a pod. Kai even admits to his enemies he can be more stubborn than a mule if it suits his purposes.

#MarchWorldbuilders 9

I've created scores of animals to inhabit Nixtral alongside my stories' colorful casts!

Wirochs, quinoons, dugos, rumble tortoises, bulwark deer, & nettleboars are just a few of the many creatures roaming my world. Want to know more? Grab a book & read!

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 9

Vildrik would definitely be hesitant to embrace his fate at first, especially considering his obsession w/ his inventions.

However, he does have a strict sense of honor hidden under the eccentricities, which leads him to accept the role of hero later on.

Nah, most of mine likely wouldn’t want to murder me. Give me a few smacks upside the head, maybe, but not murder.

They are pretty content with their well-earned HEAs 😏

And like their inspiration, quinoons are hella chill. Of course, that doesn’t stop Balan in BoH from annoying one enough that it decides to flatten him with its tail.

I’m *so* looking forward to writing that scene! 🤣

#AwesomeCharacters

I feel like Kai, if he knew of me, would be pragmatic about it.

His knee-jerk response would be along the lines of, “I absolutely hate some of the things you put me & my friends through.”

However, he’d also go, “But thank you for giving me such a wonderful family in the end.”

#MarchWorldbuilders 8

I don't have art of one yet (though maybe someday), but the quinoon is a domesticated pack animal & Feswili's equivalent to the wiroch.

Imagine a grey capybara the size of a Clydesdale horse with a beaver tail & 6-inch pointed ears, & you've got a quinoon!

She, being 9 at the time, had no idea it wasn't venomous & freaked out. Veldi hauled her brother back home afraid that she had put Rowan in danger. Thankfully, her parents were able to calm her down & laugh the whole situation off.

They still won't let her live it down...
(2/2)

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

#FantasyIndiesMarch 8

Veldi is terrified of snakes thanks to a childhood incident. She & her siblings were playing in the woods one day & came across a rat snake sunning itself.

Veldi foolishly decided to poke it, waking it up & prompting it to bite her brother Rowan.
(1/2)

Thanks! Ione is surprisingly menacing when she brandishes that pan like a club. It’s one of the minor clues that hints at how she’s a lot braver than she believes.

Even Kai learns a healthy level of fear for it after seeing Ione wallop Morgan a few times when he mouths off 🤣

Maple, a major character of The Faumen War Chronicles

Orelia Basner, a major character of The Faumen War Chronicles

Teos, a major character of The Faumen War Chronicles

I’ll use this as an excuse to show off the heroes of my Faumen War Chronicles series, shown in order of appearance.

- Kai
- Ione
- Lucretia
- Morgan
- Maple
- Orelia
- Teos

Feel free to ask me anything about any of these amazing heroes!

All art by Housi of Imagi.

Fantasy Indies March prompt listing

Snippet of text from Conquering Shadows

#FantasyIndiesMarch 7

Today’s snippet is from Conquering Shadows, where Kai admits to Orelia his fears and doubts about pursuing a possible courtship with Maple: