Chronicle Panels Debut - Maleki Issue No. 3

 

I've been working on this one over the past few weeks; Chronicle Panels is Realms of Manetera's version of a comic. The main goal is to capture the 12 scenes from each book within the anthology. I like this one as Maleki's father is defends him well, and as Father's Day is fast approaching refreshing to see part of what it truly means to be a father. 

A councilman orders the capture of a teenage Maleki, leading to a tense confrontation. Then the father disarms a guard and issues a warning—marking the start of a larger struggle between honoring authority, survival, and loyalty to family.

State of the Realm: Editing, Experiments, and the "Villain’s Journey"

 Welcome back to the blog! I recently did a segment on Ricky Rambles where I decided to multitask by live-dictating a status update on my primary creative project: The Realms of Manetera.

If you’ve been following along, you know this fantasy universe is a collaborative creation between Andrew and me. But what you might not know is that the whole thing actually started as a joke.

The Accidental Novelist

Years ago, Andrew told me he wanted to write a book together. At the time, I didn't really take him seriously. To poke a little fun at the idea, I sat down and wrote the most ridiculous premise I could imagine: a story about a half-orc (actually a half-ogre—even worse!) and an imp who become unlikely friends and head off on a grand quest.

It was essentially a "Villain’s Journey" disguised as a Hero’s Journey, centered on themes of redemption and absurdity. But a funny thing happened while writing that "ridiculous" story—I actually started to like it.

I finished that book, titled Maleki, and then I wrote another. And another. Fast forward to today, and I have four mostly completed novellas set in this universe.

The Brutal Reality of Editing

Writing the books is the fun part. Editing them? Not so much. I am a "pantser"—meaning I don't plot anything out; I just fly by the seat of my pants. While that makes for a fun first draft, it makes editing a monumental task. I’m currently deep in the trenches of the editing process, and let me tell you, it’s brutal.

I’ve decided to hold back on releasing Maleki (the one with the ridiculous premise) and instead focus on finishing Brotherhood of Light first. I want Brotherhood to be the "straightforward" entry point for readers into the series. I’ve already had a friend and Chief Editor at Leafbound Review take a pass at it, and now I’m working through those comments to get it ready for a final proofreader.

Lessons from the Amazon Jungle

Lately, I’ve been running some "crazy experiments" on Amazon to see how the market works. I tried two strategies:

1. Low-content books: I released some journals to see if they’d gain traction. (Spoiler: They didn't).

2. Public Domain: I reformatted and published the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Neither of these experiments resulted in many sales, but I don't view them as a waste of time. Every hour spent formatting and navigating the backend of Amazon is a skill learned. I’m getting better at the technical side of publishing so that when the Manetera books are ready, I won't be stumbling in the dark.

The "No-Audience" Problem

The biggest takeaway from my experiments—and from my children’s book (which people in person find hysterical, despite a few being offended by the "pigs possess great wealth" line!)—is that infrastructure matters.

It’s easier than ever to release a book, but harder than ever to get noticed. In 2016, you could drop a book on Bitcoin and get organic sales just because the topic was new. Today, if you launch a book to zero audience, it will likely stay at zero.

That’s why I’m focusing on building the Leafbound Review newsletter. We’re working to build a community of people who love literature, so that when we finally open the gates to the Realms of Manetera, there will actually be someone there to walk through them.

What’s Next?

The drafts for the third and fourth books are currently in a "continuous draft" state. Thanks to modern tech, I don't have to re-type pages like the old typewriter days, but the mental work remains the same.

I’m still rambling, still writing, and still figuring out the best way to bring these stories to you. If you’re reading this, I truly appreciate you being here.

The Order of Might: The Fading Bulwark

 In the shadow of the current religious and military fervor of the Brotherhood of Light, few remember the ancient foundations upon which the human orders were built. While today's soldiers march under the banners of the Wing of Bravery or the Logisticians, there remains a whispered legacy of a far older, nearly forgotten power: The Order of Might.

A Legend of Dual Conflict

Centuries ago, the Order of Might was regarded as the "true bulwark of justice" for the human realms. Unlike the specialized military wings seen today, members of this order were defined by a singular, legendary strength. Folklore suggests that a true knight of Might was a force of nature—capable of engaging both Orcs and Drow simultaneously on the battlefield. They didn't just hold the line; they dictated it.

The Founder’s True Nature

At the heart of this legacy is Uryan, the founder often cited by the fraternal organizations in Bronzehelm. However, there is a sharp divide in how his teachings are interpreted. While the current Brotherhood emphasizes abstinence and rigid discipline, those seeking to restore the Order of Might look to a different source.

To these revivalists, Uryan’s true nature was not defined by religious restriction, but by power. They believe that the modern structures in Bronzehelm have become shadows of their former glory, trading the raw strength of the founders for political bureaucracy and "pleasures of the flesh" disguised as duty.

A Bulwark Near Extinction

Today, the Order of Might is effectively extinct. Its banners have been put away, and its halls are empty. The few who still claim its title are often viewed as outliers or eccentrics operating on the fringes of society. Yet, there are signs of a resurgence.

In the quiet corners of the realm, individuals like Roderick are actively seeking to reclaim Uryan’s original intent. These figures aren't interested in the current hierarchy of the Brotherhood; they are looking to build a "next great order" that strips away the modern rot and returns to the pure, overwhelming strength that once kept the darkness of the Drow and the Orcs at bay.

Whether this is a restoration of justice or a dangerous pursuit of unchecked power remains to be seen, but the name of the Order of Might is beginning to stir once more in the sands of Manetera.