it’s big, it’s weird, and it’s here
I mentioned the new urban fantasy I’ve been working on in my last post, the ideas that inspired me and the result I was hoping for. There were a few startling twists along the way, but I’ve arrived at the finish line of a rough draft and I LOVE IT. As intended, it’s a standalone work – which makes me rather sad, if I’m honest – and combines high-fantasy stakes with the mundane. A group of roommates has to save the day, but they also have jobs to work and dishes needing doing.
What’s it called, you ask? Right. About that. <cough> Naming books is something I’m really bad at, but perhaps inspiration will strike and I’ll come up with a real doozy before publishing. The working title is the name of the city where the story takes place: Zimanges.
a city in the sky
Any city is a haven for people looking to reinvent themselves, but Zimanges is a special case: it’s new. No one knows how long there’s been a settlement here, but it only became a thriving urban center under its current ruler. This pragmatic bandit decided he could earn a better living guaranteeing the safety of merchant caravans passing out of the fabulously wealthy elven territories to the west, into the eastern half of the continent and beyond. A layover where people can reequip and shelter from the elements at the height of a mountain pass.
The point was to make money off trade, but suddenly HERE WAS THIS PLACE. Dead center in the continent. What it most had to recommend it: not being where anyone came from. A haven people could go where whatever it was about home that felt untenable couldn’t reach them. And they came pouring in.
This is how my assortment of characters find themselves here, looking for work and a place to live; the lives they left behind were no longer an option or they just needed a change. They hail from all corners – there are 3 1/2 different sentient peoples on this continent – but they’ve already got a lot in common. They’re set to form fast friendships; one day, they may even find the means to furnish the large, completely empty house they share.
Then that pile of leaves shows up and hands them a mission.
a heist!
I knew from the moment I conceived of this story that I wanted my characters to be, not boring or ordinary, but let’s say TAME. None of them have ever handled a weapon. The idea of getting in trouble alarms them. Several of them practice magic, but it’s not something they would ever direct at other people. This is how I wanted it.
What I didn’t foresee until I was two-thirds done with drafting was that this places limitations on how I would be able to have my heroes cope with their quest. I needed to get them into a fortified building to fight a demon, and forget the exorcism: how do I get them in?! Once I took fighting their way in off the table, I was left with one obvious answer, both beautiful and profoundly daunting: a heist.
This was totally new terrain for me. I’ve snuck people into places, sure, but only the most brazen, competent, warlike individuals. Never a gaggle of justifiably nervous people who don’t want to be killed or hurt anyone else. I was anxious and adrift going in, but I honestly couldn’t be happier with the results. Forget Danny Ocean, allow me to introduce you to Jendaiar Phos!
the crew
That’s enough for today. I’ll drop some excerpts over the next few weeks. And (several) maps, once I get them finished. For now, I’ll leave you one last teaser: my cast of characters.
DRAMATIS PERSONI (in order of appearance)
- Jendaiar Phos, chaotic wizard
- Yanteth, Mystery Lady of the Exploding Lake
- Hecanthes Phos, Jen’s younger brother, also a wizard, also good at it if anyone cared to pay attention!
- Venmer Segos, Duke of Overnica, jilted and not over it
- Riad Zapreya, just trying to find a new place ffs
- Neyathi Tenuil en Ailia, terrifying
- a pile of leaves
- Robastro Zaga, once a bandit, now a king, a bastard forever
- Chekbey Chenisulinam, wishes I hadn’t mentioned his last name
- Parenathi Baret, reluctant visionary
- Eson Yit, skeptical of this
- Jandon Muir, a most persistent suitor
- Prajat Nenami, father, socialite, revolutionary
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