The_Red_Lands

Wild Beast- Jaga

These are some pictures of the Jaga I spent some time creating.

I think seeing these in the deep forest warrants a little pore-raising.

Enjoy

A wild Jaga

A depiction of the wild beast the protagonists face in the Western Forest

The Nord Pass

A place ranked as one of the most dangerous places in the three kingdoms.

At the north border of the Empire, it opens into an unknown land.

Notes:

This arc of the story will mostly be centered around Frost City and its environs.

Because of the treacherous terrain and chilling climate, a one-way journey from Frost City to ...

Chapter 319- A Gambling Rumor

"Young master Will, you don't have to apologize. Please understand that we represent honorable houses. A little leeway in time or a small reduction in amount is enough. If word went out, people would say us old men bullied a child."

Patriarch Cleft said with a wry smile.

This young lad before him seemed to take his words to the extre...

Chapter 318- A face-to-face meeting

The large hall of the mansion opened into a floor plan akin to medieval churches in his previous world.

Thick stone walls supported the vaults and trusses of aged but solid wood. The light from the late evening sun flooded inside from the open wooden shutters. Devoid of the trademark stained glass, it still held the same majesty as the str...

Artworks

When I binged-read The Red Lands last week, I realized one of the problems I encountered back then in writing fiction lay in finding suitable artworks.

Fantasy writing opens up to each reader their version of the landscape. Imagination is unique to all.

I always felt a little ashamed though, in not being able to provide some sort of ...

A preview

And so we rejoin the story

From times past

Towards the future

And maybe beyond

2025-02-08 00:05:41 +0000 UTC View Post

It has been too long

Hello Readers,

It's been too long since I have truly sat down to write.

The pandemic disrupted many and claimed a few souls during its wake.

Even now, I am reeling from the loss of loved ones.

Life continues for the living, and changes are made.

Only now, have I recovered somewhat, trying to juggle through new work....

Chapter 317- Eyeing a few enemies

Eyeing a few enemies

Merchant Pebb slammed his tankard onto the cured table. Half of the ale sploshed onto the drunkard-beaten boards while he swayed on the chair. Scratching and slapping his uncomfortable beard that sprouted during his journey, he rolled his eyes at the group drinking around the table.

...

Chapter 316- The cousins meet

The cousins meet

The noble quarters of the city offered large stone mansions set on spacious grounds. Though not as lavish as the Ancient Houses located higher up on the hill, they offered a lifestyle that differed like heaven and earth in the eyes of the common folk. Under normal circumstances, no amount of w...

Chapter 315- Honorable Houses

Honorable Houses

Young Master Cleft knelt alone in the large hall. Even in this late summer night, the coldness from the hard stones penetrated and chilled his bones. The hanging torches did little to aid in comforting him since they spaced out too few and far.

With a weary groan, the timber doors finall...

Unfortunate circumstances

Dear patrons,

The last few weeks have been draining. I apologize for the delays and will make them up as soon as possible.

For over three weeks an important member of my family contracted and fell ill with the virus. It has been hectic with at some points becoming near touch and go. Luckily, they have managed to bear the most dangero...

Chapter 314- A silent boot

A silent boot

The burning torches cast a flickering yet steady glow as they crackled from the thick wooden pillars. Aided by the miniature bonfires intermittently popping from the braziers outside the ring, the lighting proved sufficient for both combatants and circling spectators. The whispers among the young...

Chapter 313- The enticing wager arrives

The enticing wager arrives

"I admit defeat..."

The words rippled out clearly from the epicenter in the ring. The first shout after the teen broke away from the range of the attacker quieted the boisterous commentators. In the instant where the spectators hushed to listen in on the ring banter, the boy ye...

Chapter 312- Another defeat

 Another Defeat

The discussions of the fight among the circle of young nobles slowly changed topic. Little by little, eyes began to flicker towards the puffed faced fatty. Since there would be more than one battle, most nobles usually reserved their pouches. Everyone would simply spend a few thousand silvers to show...

Chapter 311- A winning bet

A winning bet

"I challenge young master Willow while staking a thousand silver coins"

Chu examined the man in the leather vest who stood up behind the challenger. This heavy-built grizzly completely dwarfed the muscled young master Roogar. As far as he recalled, he never laid eyes on such a hulk inside t...

Chapter 310- The Caressing Inn stables

The Caressing Inn stables

Chu unceremoniously jostled his way to the forefront of the circling spectators. The angry tone emanated from the stiff lips of the teen who acted as the mouthpiece for their sitting leader. The young men standing beside the sofa also had lips curled up in disdain as if viewing unwant...

Please accept my apologies!

Please accept my apologies for the recent delays. I thank you for staying with me during this troubling time. All makeup chapters should be released by this week.

Thank you very much and have a great week!

Chapter 309- A noble arrives

A noble arrives

The owner who claimed the grounds of the Caressing Inn certainly placed some thought into its restructuring. Chu didn't know the history of the building but the design suited the present occupiers. The two smiling ladies walked a few steps ahead of him while leading him. Their shiny hair bounce...

Chapter 308- The Caressing Inn

The Caressing Inn

A striking blue carriage cut across the edge of the slum district as it headed to its destination of the broad and popular brothel boulevard. The horse turned and then trotted into the back lane connecting the stables of the nightly establishments. While this happened, word spread faster than...

Chapter 307- Publicly buying a house

Publicly buying a house

A day after occupying the forefront of the city gossip, the young master in question made his debut inside the city. A carriage dyed in blue cantered into the noble quarters. The trotting horse then slowed to a stop before the entrance of a stone mansion. A wizened man with a sweeping w...

Chapter 306- A plan for Frost City

A plan for Frost City

The Tooth and Nails Tavern had a sterling reputation among old and novice adventurers alike. Located on a side street near the Military District, the clunking of dripping mugs and tankards on the worn wooden tables never ceased. Ming wrinkled his nose while glancing at the alley next to t...

Chapter 305- For family

For family

Chu inspected the charcoal drawn map on the wall while clasping his hands behind his back. Doug pointed to the various symbols while explaining.

"The little squares represent places on the streets or lanes where the field agents can requisition a wagon or enlist help from tradesmen or merchant...

Chapter 304- An added favor

An added favor

"We'll head back now. Boss, whenever you finish resting, please visit the headquarters. Elder is familiar with the subordinates guarding the lane."

"Sure, Doug. You guys did great considering the situation. Not only did you handle yourselves well but you ensured Mr. Thomas and his family r...

Chapter 303- Frost City at last

Frost City at last

The total area of Frost City might swallow two Limerock Cities inside and yet ask for dessert. The ruined western half of crumbling stone archways and fallen circular towers might require over four days of travel to cover the perimeter. Even from the road heading to the southern gate, Chu al...

Chapter 302- Bullying a small boy

Bullying a small boy

Before Young Master Sun could deliver his slap, a small hand clutched his raised wrist. Not knowing when a dark-haired girl slightly smaller than him had appeared. Although younger, her grip held his hand like the tongs of a blacksmith. With a slight tug, she caused him to tumble a few ste...

Chapter 301- Traveling on the road

Traveling on the road

On the dusty main street which dissected a small village, the raised voices of hagglers engaged in battle. A youth with long black-hair and stubbly beard gestured with his hands while twisting and pouting his dry lips. He stood beside an open vegetable stand as he then pointed a finger to...

Chapter 300- Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing

Chu sucked on a bone while watching the cloud of dust traveling in the distance. Removing the rabbit leg, he tossed it away to enrich the present biodome. Next to him, a golden-haired child sat with her feet stretched out onto the soft grass. Her greasy mouth chewed and downed the roasted meat sh...

Chapter 299- Sightseeing Children

Sightseeing children

Even in the early morning, the entrance into Limerock City from the western gate remained crowded. Long lines of wagons loaded with items from towering bales of hay to crates of fruits stretched along the open road. Merchants stood bickering at the side of their caravans while in heated ne...

Chapter 298- Spreading effective rumors

Spreading effective rumors

Amanda raised an eyebrow while scanned the deciphered message contained in the recent letter. Satisfied with her result, she then rose from the table and walked over to the large stone wall in the open hall. The crowd of chattering orphans circling Sakura standing beside it parted on...