Many Moons

Many Moons is the twelfth and final installment for A Better Place, taking place long before the events of the previous story, Lost For Words. Canonically, it is also the second-earliest story in this series, its events taking place some time after Holidays In The Sun. Having only recently started journeying after breaking free from her reclusive and oppressive society, Txori Orzola finds herself in the unforgiving streets of the war-torn Sirota, her wallet stolen by a street urchin and herself having to hide from the night patrol. Initially willing to consider returning home in frustration, Txori instead finds herself in an ill-fated encounter with a halfling named Maribelle Helder, herself returning to the area to check on her family's orphanage, but unwilling to say much more. At Helder Orphanage, however, two make a discovery that changes not only their own lives, but also that of a young waif in the middle of the night.

Many Moons can be read here.

The above image was drawn by pepparmint310, whose online portfolio can be found here.

Lost For Words

 

Lost For Words is the eleventh and penultimate story for A Better Place, taking place quite some time prior to the events of In Love This Way. Lost For Words focuses on the far travels of Txori Orzola, a forest gnome from a distant, reclusive corner of the land, and while she has spent several years of traveling the land, her travels have yet to lead her to anywhere or anyplace interesting, instead finding herself frequently the subject of curious glances and questions from those she passes by. One night in the sleepy town of Luton, life seems to go on as usual for Txori; a chance encounter with a long-suffering merchant and her odd friendship with a noblewoman, however, cause her to enjoy a unique night on her travels for once.

Lost For Words can be read here.

The above image was found among some folders in one of my older flash drives, and I unfortunately do not know who drew it, nor have I been able to locate its creator. Hopefully that'll change someday soon.

In Love This Way

In Love This Way is the tenth installment of A Better Place, taking place quite some time after the previous story, The Great Curve, and canonically, it is also the last story to take place in the series. After being mentioned in passing for several stories now, Baroness Serra Celestia Anhera finally makes an appearance, returning to her high-end lifestyle in the upper echelons of high society in the grand Anhera Estate after a successful raid. With both of her parents out on other duties, Serra tries her best to enjoy her rare moment of solitude before being called to her city's grand botanical gardens; while there, she meets a close friend who holds a secret that can destroy not only Serra's life, but all of her family's reputation, only to find herself eventually fighting to keep both of their lives safe.

In Love This Way can be read here.

The above image was drawn by controlline3, whose online portfolio can be found here.

The Great Curve

The Great Curve is the ninth installment of A Better Place, a series of works inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, taking place years prior to the events of Watercourse Way. As to fulfill his duty as a Giishkaatig, Migizi starts his journeys through every corner of Talamh Dieu, to not only defend the land from any beasts and creatures that threaten others, but to also hopefully find some new techniques to assist his clan in its ultimate goal. Having to take cover from an upcoming sandstorm, however, Migizi encounters a half-elf named Zetian Muhtar also trying to find cover, herself on a quest of her own to learn and train with others. After some disagreements between the two, however, they quickly find themselves in an uneasy alliance against two different foes that threaten each of them in different ways.

The Great Curve can be read here.

The above image was drawn by Hinomaru, whose online portfolio can be found here.

Watercourse Way

 

Watercourse Way is the eighth installment for the series of works inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, taking place shortly after the events of No Regrets. Finally freed from the clutches of Fir's Gallows, Gilbey chooses to return north to what remains of his razed hometown of Bamont, as a pilgrimage where he can start his new life. Free to start on his first musical compositions, drawing from the land and his previous experiences, he finds himself quickly dragged into another small adventure by a roaming wood elf named Migizi, himself devoted to a grand mission of his own. Matched against otherworldly foes he has no experience with, Gilbey finds his journey to freedom will take more than he's ever expected, especially as he learns more about Migizi's respective past.

Watercourse Way can be read right here. 

The above image was drawn by Kingchenxi, whose online portfolio can be found here. 

No Regrets

No Regrets is the seventh installment for the series of works inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, taking place some time after the events of Among The Living. Focused on the talented, traveling musician Gilbey Jenevere, No Regrets follows Gilbey's dispiriting return to his dreary residence, the vivid memories of one of his biggest and greatest performances playing in his mind as he tries to keep pressing on with his otherwise dreary life. En route to his flat, however, he comes across another traveler who has taken an interest not in his latest performance, but instead, how they can use his knowledge for their own ulterior motives.

No Regrets can be read here. 

The above image was drawn by Kakihito, whose online portfolio can be found here. 

Among The Living

Among The Living is the sixth short story in the series of works inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, this time taking place some time before the events of Here's To Life. The focus of the story is on the well-traveled and well-educated Ravana, a half-orc who has devoted his life to studying any forms of magic that he can, searching a small, out-of-the-way city in the sprawling nation-state of Occiden Empire for a specific tome that will further boost his knowledge. While studying its contents, however, he comes across a familiar presence, one that he hasn't seen in many years; any goodwill from before, however, quickly turns to animosity as the two realise how different their lives have become since their last ill-fated meeting.

Among The Living can be read right here.

The above image is an image that has remained in my wallpapers folder for many years now; unfortunately, I have been unable to locate its original artist or their portfolio, but I certainly hope that I can find that information one day. I remember wanting to use it as a basis for a character in a tabletop RPG for many years, so it's interesting to finally make it happen.

Here's To Life

Here's To Life is the fifth short story in the series of works inspired by Dungeons & Dragons. Taking place weeks to months before Falling For You, the affable warlock Soryn Cyanos continues his quest to find his childhood friend, Katalia Rhoeas, through the land of Talamh Dieu, finding himself in the expansive woodlands of Ealdland. In the midst of his travels, however, his cursed blood begins to beckon for an offering, and while searching for such, he comes across a mysterious clearing in the woods. After a tangle with an otherworldly foe, Soryn becomes acquainted with an enigmatic woman only named Korari, and as they recover after the end of the skirmish, Soryn attempts to learn more about the hermit in front of him, and as he discovers, try to help her find out more about herself.

Here's To Life can be read right here.

The above image is a painting entitled The Magic Circle, an 1886 oil painting created by English artist John William Waterhouse.

Some author's notes can be found after the jump.