I just finished playing Fantasian Neo Dimension

I just finished playing Fantasian Neo Dimension.

Made by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the Father of FINAL FANTASY, Fantasian Neo Dimension is one the longest and most addictive RPG games I have ever played; to the point that I actually delayed fighting the Final Boss because I did not want the story to end. And what a story it was! Turn-based-combat RPGs with multiverses are not new concepts for me in literature or gaming, yet Hironobu Sakaguchi pushed the limits with this one – creating something utterly unique. Traversing every corner of not one but several worlds in a grand quest that began with Leo's total case of amnesia and ended with them safe from Vam's emotion-and-life-draining Mechteria and Jas' goal of ending Chaos to reach the state of Zero. The lesson of course being that even Gods – or those who call themselves such – cannot stand against the overwhelming power of human emotion. Or just emotion period, given Jas' and Vam's motives.

The game really has everything one would want both from overall plotline to individual character stories perspective; the old guard of RPGs with a new coat of paint, as it were. I will not say more for fear of spoilers, for why would I rob others of such an epic interdimensional voyage?

That said, I WILL say this. The Void Realms quests say lvl 65 is needed for the Lower Void Realm and 85 for the Middle, and the guide confirms it. THIS IS FALSE. I bested the Lower with my team in the lvl 58-60 range and the Middle in 63-65. It can absolutely be done if you are tactical (and are willing to do the Lower a couple times after the first round). (I heard the Upper can be beat at 68 instead of 99, but have not confirmed it.) This is, by the way, very useful as the extra levels plus being able to upgrade one's equipment makes the Final Boss worlds easier. Seriously, I beat it on the second try.

Now I merely wish it was not over. New life is born aboard the sandship Uzra as Leo and co. are of on a new adventure to realms unexplored. I can only hope for a sequel, as I like tantalizing loose ends tied up.

Farewell and happy journeys to Leo & Kina, Princess Cheryl of the Queendom of Vibra, Ez, Zinikr & Valrika, Prickle and Clicker, and Tan, with a special thanks to Queen Cynthana.

Quote of the month

"One of the biggest ways people get caught up with listening is when they hear something they don't agree with. Our gut response is to think, "Well that's wrong" and stop listening. The key to listening is not agreeing with what the other person is saying, but rather understanding why they feel the way they do. Part of listening is going deeper into the understanding of what they're feeling." - Mark Rosewater

New Covers for The Dragonkin Legacy

Getting that Perfect Book Cover is no easy task in general, mush less for an indie author such as myself and I have posted various iterations on this mostly humble blog. Now, however, I believe I am quite satisfied with the results.

Click the image the view the series on Amazon. Tis also available at Barnes & Noble.

The Dragonkin Legacy Omnibus FREE for FIVE DAYS

My book The Dragonkin Legacy Omnibus is FREE on Kindle for FIVE DAYS on Amazon, starting today and ending on August 5th.

“An enthralling epic teeming with valor, camaraderie, and searing battles.” – Kirkus Reviews
“À la Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea saga.” – BlueInk Reviews

The Dragonkin were slain long ago. Yet they are humanity’s only hope.

The Dragonkin are gone – slaughtered to extinction in an ancient genocidal war, leaving humanity to rule the shattered Archipelago of Cynnahu. Now, millennia later, a prophecy unfolds, declaring that five – Traveler, Orphan, Survivor, Student, and Lord – shall save, or fail to save, the Archipelago in humanity’s Last War against the mireborn of Nag Isle.

Sakura’s life is shattered when her family is slaughtered and her home isle destroyed; now orphaned and homeless, she seeks vengeance. Myrriden is a weary mage and devoted single father drawn into a war he never wanted. Emrys, his nervous son, fears he will never live up to his father’s name. Volcan is the enigmatic Fire Mage whose past and powers remain a mystery. And Archmage Hoth, their unflappable leader, carries the weight of countless lives upon his shoulders.

Guided by a riddle unearthed from a mage’s tomb, the five race through a world of swords, spells, and forgotten scrolls to rediscover the Elder Song – the lost magic of the Dragonkin and humanity’s only hope. But time is their greatest foe. As war spreads across land and sea, they must uncover secrets deliberately erased from humanity’s past and reunite the scattered Song before the forces that predate human rule in Cynnahu rise again. Only three things are certain: the past is not dead, where swords fail scrolls may prevail, and humanity stands on the edge of extinction.

My father and I just finished reading The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Sir Philip Pullman

My father and I just finished reading The Firework-Maker's Daughter by Sir Philip Pullman.

A charming, whimsical, and terribly short tale of courage, talent, and luck whose real lesson is that the best artists put love into each piece. I cannot help but feel that Pullman used this book to channel the wisdom of a quote of his, "children are not less intelligent than adults; what they are is less informed," for it shows the danger of not telling children what they need to know, of societal expectations thwarting their very real passions and desires. But Lila, daughter of Lalchand, would not be thwarted by anyone, the fire in her heart and those of her friends enough to overcome all challenges for ludicrous to lethal. From the Grotto of the Fire-Fiend Razvani to a most explosive and beautiful competition.

Farewell and be well Lila, Lalchand, Chulak, and Hamlet the white elephant.

Avatar: Seven Havens - Official Teaser

"If anyone is to blame for the state of the world, it is me. I should have seen this war coming and prevented it. You inherited my problems and my mistakes. But I believe you are destined to redeem me and save the world." - Avatar Roku to Aang
I get the feeling Korra may end up saying something similar to Pavi. Bottom line, looks like Korra is Seven Havens' Roku: an Avatar who failed to prevent the disaster that shaped the current world. Roku failed to prevent the 100 Years War, and Korra failed to stop...whatever this is. That said, Korra only saved the world a few times previously - and I am a LOK fan to my dying day. On a side note, please notice that Korra has grey hair; meaning that this apocalypse occurred likely fifty years or so after the end of Legend of Korra. Pretty impressive considering the sheer number constantly trying to kill her.

“Humanity is not ready for the Avatar’s return. And yet, it’s the one thing this world needs the most.”

Personally I feel very ready and eagerly await October 9th. I am also desperately hoping that Korra's name is redeemed. Speaking of, I heard a very convincing argument on twitter/X: Korra fans and haters sincerely believing the obvious misdirection set up of all time is so baffling. "Korra isn't the reason the world ended, she's the reason there's anything left of it at all" is so obviously going to be the big twist that it almost doesn't even qualify as one

I have started The Shadow of What Was Lost, Book One of The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington

I have started The Shadow of What Was Lost, Book One of The Licanius Trilogy by James Islington.

We all need to go back to our roots and passions, which for me amount to the same thing: Epic Fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien. So what better way than a series hailed as the next Wheel of Time? Powerful praise, and interesting given that The Licanius Trilogy is eleven books shorter than the justly named American Tolkien's heavyweight, but if the Rhapsody Trilogy of Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of Ages could accomplish the same thing (at least in my mind) then I am ready to jump in. So begins the journey of Davain, whose forbidden powers of the fallen formerly ruling Augurs will... well, if The Wheel of Time is the point of reference... cause nothing short of apocalyptic war as a ancient foe rises while political intrigue hinders most everything. A perfectly relaxing summer read (though doubtless this series will outlast the summer).