More changes a coming’
It’s a crypt angel from Magic the Gathering, but it works just fine for this.
A while back, I listed a few changes in the revamp of Black Mask & Pale Rider, particularly with the addition of Scales and Verit, and going a bit more in depth with how Shani and Pania arrived on Earth. As I’ve been plotting and making some additions to each of the stories, I’ve come to a certain realization that might change the dynamic in a way. When Shani and Pania arrive in a small Pennsylvania town between Reading and Harrisburg, they’ll encounter a vampire that’s terrorizing the community. The community is made up of Pennsylvania Dutch, and one of the first people they meet is Dieter Van Bueren, a young man who helps them out by giving them a few silver bullets to help fight the vampires.
In the revamp (pardon the pun) Dieter is going to play a larger role, but his role isn’t to be the hero to come save the day. He’s going to end up a part of the group going to fight off the lead vampire. Because Shani and Pania are already at the mouth of the vampire’s mansion, they reluctantly bring him along (partially, he’s there for comedic foil and because he ends up needing to be rescued a couple of times). But Shani and Pania are going to get some other assistance when they decide to send a message back to their home world and recruit the help of Shani’s sister, Wren Wennemein.
Rarilmawren Wennemein is her full name, and like Shani, she has raven black hair and tanned skin, almost brown. She’s a well cultured student of the many different cultures of the Green because of her vocation. She is what is called a Consoler. Consolers are clerical knights who tend to the needs of the dead and their families. So of like undertakers, but blessed with divine abilities to protect the living and make sure the dead remain in their endless slumber. The uniform of the Consoler is black armour or robes with gold trim, somewhat matching the dower nature of their vocation. Wren wears a rapier on her left hip and has a shield on her left on her left arm. Not a full shield, but one that is part of her bracer and allows her to block incoming attacks. Yes, Consolers are trained to fight, for defending the living is part of their vocation.
While Consolers are considered dower and rather bleak, Wren is rather opposite. She always has a smile and a kind word, and like many elves, she has a constant companion; a small fruit bat that hangs under her cloak that she raised from a baby when she found the bat on its own. Wren enjoys colour, even though her vocation only allows her armour and robes of black and gold. She paints her lips purple and and dark purple highlights. The main reason for this is her warm and friendly nature, and that she uses as part of her work as a Consoler.
Because she is a consoler, she has had to learn of every culture on her home world. At any time, a Consoler may be called upon to attend to the needs of a grieving family, and often that means they will have to go to other areas that are not of their home region. As described before, The Green has many cultures, all of which mirror Earth. Wren has in fact gone to many different areas and has performed burial rites similar to the ancient Norse traditions, the ancient Egyptian traditions and some similar to Native American, Mayan or Aztec rituals. Consolers will know the greetings that are to be used when arriving, they know the language and they will know what form of dress that the locals in the area wear and will often dress accordingly, adding something to their own uniform that is familiar to the culture they are attending to.
Conversely, the elven people see the arrival of a Consoler at a time of death as a figure of hope, because the Consolers take a great deal of care to ensure that every last wish of the deceased is carried out. Even still, there are those who associate Consolers with death and sometimes as a bad omen. This is similar to their rather dower and quiet nature.
Another duty of the Consoler is to enter the life history of a deceased into the Library of Names. Each elf that dies has their life recorded with the help of local bards, skaalds, scholars and story tellers. Once written, the book is then taken into the heart of the desert where the library resides, and carried into the main hall for cataloguing. Here at this library, the Consolers use their own language which is fittingly called the Consolers language. Some who have heard it call it a mix of every language in The Green.
As for Wren, she is especially good at this aspect, because she has a near photographic memory.
In the adventure with Shani and Pania, I’ve sort of begun the main plot where the two elven gunslingers call back to The Green, sending a message to Wren. My only thought now is if Wren stays throughout the remainder of the adventures or if she returns to The Green. I’m partially leaning toward having her stay, especially when the arrive in Shreveport and have to deal with zombies.
Anyway, that is one of the changes coming that I have in mind for the adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider.
Did you know?
Yeah, it’s been a while, so here’s a random round of shameless self promotion.
Books are a passion of mine. Both reading and writing. I’ve written a good number of words in my years (even counting duplicate words, somewhere over 500,000, which is more words than Shakespeare wrote), and I’ve read even more. I used to have a very large library at one time, and slowly I’ve been getting it back to that which I once had (vandals in Rosetown destroyed most of my books over ten years ago). To see what I’ve added, check out my goodreads profile.
From time to time I’ll post up information about the first book I’ve written, called the Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider. Here’s a little synopsis about the book, which is a western/fantasy.
Elven magic meets gunslinger grit. What happens when two elven travellers find themselves in the United States in the middle of the Civil War? The Adventures of Black Mask and Pale Rider tells the story of two elven women who’s curiosity gets the better of them.The wild ride takes them from the Union to the Confederacy and back again. Along the way they make enemies and friends and learn a little bit about this world, and about themselves. An adventure of six guns and sorcery.
The Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider isn’t the only book I’ve written, Canyons of Steel is also available. Here’s a quick synopsis.
What happens when an old gun hand makes a decision to turn his life around and set a new course? In Canyons of Steel, Johnathon Tiberius Walker makes the choice of turning his back on the underground military of the Red Hand and try to make right his own sins. All because he wants his daughter to live in a better world than he does.
Both my first book, Black Mask & Pale Rider, and my second book, Canyons of Steel, are available for purchase online through many different online book sellers.
Lulu.com (where both books were published)
- Tim Holtorf Author Spotlight the front page store for my books on lulu.com.
Amazon.com (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.co.uk (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.ca (price not listed and currently out of stock)
Barnes & Noble (for the Nook)
iTunes iBook store
Finally, last but not least, is a current work. I’m posting it as I write it, so it’s all in first draft (complete with spelling errors and a few grammatical errors). It’s called Rocket Fox: Flight of the Nighthawk, and can be read in it’s entirety at wattpad.
Sometimes dreams don’t turn out the way one hopes. For the citizens of Vulpinia Prime, many dream of the race to the stars. For Left-tenant Senia Felix, it’s to become a fighter pilot in the Royal Vulpine Air Corps. But as events happen, she soon discovers that her dream of space will take a completely different direction aboard a vessel called the Nighthawk.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: A new dawn rises
Picture found on obsidianportal.com, used as a suggested look for Scales. Used without permission, do not own any copywrite on material.
This is the new write up introduction for the adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider, and sets the scene as Pania and Shani get ready for their guests so they can continue their story which leads into the first part of the actual book. Scales and Verit are the primary focus of this bit, which means that Scales and Verit will be added to the scenes of the original book.
The Town of Brockton, Brytolonia
First day of the month of the bloom
Like most dwellings in the small town of Brockton, there was a certain bard’s home that was nestled in a small grove of trees. A two storey dwelling, with burnt brown painted walls and a white trim and large windows to let the light stream into the many rooms of the home. The front yard was kept neat and clean with a simple stone pathway that lead to the front door from the front gate. On the gate there was a sign, painted in rich browns and reds and blues that simply read “The Abode of Pania Alow”. In the back of the house was a neatly planted flower garden that surrounded a well organized sitting area. Beyond the small garden there was a small pathway that lead through the trees to a clearing. Along the pathway were a few flower boxes placed perfectly where they would get the most light, even in the shade of the trees. In the clearing there was a small barn and paddock where three horses grazed quietly. One of the horses was a white mare, a strong horse, a good horse for riding. She happened to be the faithful steed called Triumph, which the bard Pania Alow would saddle up when she needed to travel any great distance. One of the other horses was still very young, and much smaller than Triumph. The small one always kept close to the white mare; as that one was only a few weeks. This was one of Triumph’s offspring. Like the bard who would ride her, Triumph was very protective of the small colt that stayed by her side.
The other horse was a chestnut stallion. Stallion might be stretching it a bit. But he also stayed close to Triumph and the young colt, because he happened to be the father of the weeks old colt. His name was Gippsum, and he was very familiar with Triumph and Pania, because he was owned by another elf named Shani Wennemein.
The inside of the house was much like its exterior; simply when it needed to be, but rather ornate when one would look in a particular nook and cranny. The main floor had five rooms; a living room, dining room, kitchen, pantry, and a washing room. Upstairs there were also five rooms; the master bedroom, a small library, a guest bedroom, a sitting room, and a tailoring room. The owner of this house was known for her mending and creating of clothing just as she was known for her ability to write books.
Throughout the house there was a feeling of comfort and calm, as the interior was given a decoration of soft solours and rich wood. The walls were painted with a muted floral design, similar to the designs on the furniture cushions. It was a perfect home for someone who wanted to while away the hours writing, tailoring or even relaxing. This was the home of an elven songstress.
Pania Alow wasn’t the only one who lived here. Upstairs in library sat a small violin. But this wasn’t an ordinary violin, as it had small windows, balconies and a tiny front door, about three inches tall. The perfect size for a pixie to walk through. For indeed, a pixie did live in the transformed violin. Verit, a pixie who bonded with Pania when the Arcane Academy tried to recruit the bard. Fortunately, Verit wasn’t like other magical familiars, as she was more adventurous and often let her curiosity get the better of her. Which was just fine for a bard. Pania didn’t need a small helper to craft spells or read incantations. Her magic came naturally to her, not like that of a wizard who needed to read volumes of tomes in order to grasp the finer qualities of a spell. And Verit liked that just fine, just as she liked the small house that Pania had made for her. It was her home, after all, and she decorated it as she saw fit.
Verit herself was not an extraordinary pixie, for she had all of the qualities found in the most common of creatures. Her pale green skin, her bright green hair that looked like small branches that ended with small leaves, and even her gossamer wings. Her choice of clothing, however, was very different; she wore what appeared to be pixie versions of denims, riding chaps, a corset and a poet’s shirt. An odd combination but not so odd when one consider the elf she was bonded to, and Pania’s partner. A more rugged elf named Shani Wennemein.
Not far from the violin house, resting comfortably on a small pile of gems and coins and bobbles and trinkets, was another creature that was familiar with Verit. But this creature was not a pixie. This creature was a pseudo dragon. The small variety of dragon, measuring three feet from the tip of his snout to the tip of his tail. On this particular day, he was curled up, resting quietly, his wings tucked close to his body as he breathed evenly. This was Scales, a small version of the grand copper dragons that roamed the northern deserts in the lands near Dawn’s Rise.
At one time, Scales was a companion of a very powerful, but somewhat eccentric mage. Through a rather unfortunate series of events, the mage was killed by bandits while he was traveling from the great city of Stonebridge through the Messewan forest, to the equally great city of Long Bridge. Scales was taken as a prize of the bandits’ plunder. It seemed as though Scales would live out his life as a trained pet by some ignorant elven bandit who knew nothing of magic.
Through a series of rather fortunate events, the bandits’ trail was picked up by Shani Wennemein. To make a long story short, suffice it to say that Shani dispatched the bandits, helped avenge the mage, and freed Scales. Because Scales was what Scales was, he felt he would stay with Shani, and when she traveled he would be found perched on her shoulder, often resting comfortably. You see, Scales was particularly lazy, though, when he needed to be he could be rather formidable. And he quite liked the elven maid who freed him.
On this day, Scales knew that there would be company coming over to this humble abode of Pania Alow’s. The first clue was that Shani agreed to stay in the guest bedroom, after she and Pania had told their friends and relatives a few days before about where they both were for the past year. Shani often would sneak off to her little cottage in the woods, a humble home that looked out over a small lake on the northern shore from the town of Brockton. Scales liked the peaceful area, combined with the fact there weren’t many visitors. Not that he didn’t like it when Shani entertained, but it was their home, and unless someone came invited, it felt like an invasion. Today, however, would be different. He knew for a fact that Verit would have company. Other than himself that is. Another pixie, who was the familiar to an odd elf.
Scales thoughts on this elf and this pixie were suddenly interrupted as the owner of the home he was currently in came into the room. Pania Alow, a rather soft and curvy looking elf, dressed in the finest of clothing, from the bright white poet’s shirt to the leather corset and right down to the soft cotton slacks and thigh high boots she wore. Scales knew that Pania was an elven woman of fashion and taste. To many others, that might be all they saw; even with her curly blond hair, done in a stylish fashion that allowed her ears to show. People would see them decorated with earrings and chains, seven piercings per ear. They’d think that Pania was a women built for the stage, a pretty thing to rest on the arm of some noble gentleman.
But Scales knew better. First, Pania wasn’t just a bard. She knew how to use a rapier, and how to fire a pistol. The latter of which she owned two, and often wore one at her waist so her left hand could draw it, while the other sat neatly at her hip. She was also a practiced sorceress, able to cast powerful magic should the need arise. Second, Scales knew that Pania was far more attracted to ladies than to men, and while she may have been on the arm of men at one time or another, it was always the women she had her eyes on.
As Pania entered the room, she was carrying a small try. On the tray was a pixie sized breakfast arrangement, including chairs and a small table. There was tea, and small biscuits, as well as a normal sized dish with an arrangement of meats and fruit all cut up and laid out with care. Scales lifted his head, his long neck craning to inspect the plate much closer. He had an idea what that plate was made for. Pania saw his look and smiled brightly.
“Cannu fool one like you, Scales,” she said as she gingerly placed the plate in front of him. “It’s a wee bit early in the mornin’, but I thought I’d get things ready for our guests comin’ ’round today.” Scales bowed his head in thanks, fully understanding what Pania said. He picked up a piece of apple and sniffed it, then stopped as he watched Pania gently wrap a finger on the front door of the violin house. Both Scales and Pania waited a moment, then the elven bard wrapped gently on the door once again. Finally, the doors to a small balcony, on what would be the second floor of the violin opened up, and a tiny pixie stepped out stretching her arms above her head and letting out a large yawn. “Good mornin’, Verit,” Pania said quietly as she set out the pixie sized breakfast items. “It’s much earlier fer ye than normal, but I thought it best ta get yerself started. Ye’ve got company comin’, after all.”
Verit looked about, saw Scales and waved, then thought about Pania’s words a moment. She jumped up and squeaked with glee as she realized who was coming around. A small pixie named Aasia, the familiar to a wizard known as Waien Argith. She dashed into her house and quickly dressed, then bounded down the stairs and came out the front door. It was all very fast, which is rather normal for a pixie.
As Verit sat herself down to her morning breakfast, and as Scales munched away on a piece of apple, in the hallway there was a loud stumbling sound. Everyone, Pania, Verit and Scales, all stopped what they were doing and looked to the doorway. The disheveled elf that was Shani Wennemein appeared. Her raven black hair was all strings this way and that, she shirt was slightly crooked and she still wore her denims. Something she’d picked up over the last year. Pania sighed and thought at least she didn’t go to bed in her boots as well.
“Best ta get washed an’ dressed,” Pania said as she moved over to the doorway. Shani was leaning heavily against it, a sign that she still wasn’t used to the feather bed that Pania owned in the guest bedroom. “We’ve got ta get the horses tended to an’ prepare ‘em in the way they know that company’s comin’.”
“Right,” Shani said with a nod of her head and ran her slender fingers through her hair. “Right after a belt.”
“No!” Pania said quickly. “No whiskey. ‘Specially no’ this early in the mornin’. No’ with Waien comin’ over.”
Shani was about to whine a complaint, but thought for a moment. While she could handle her alcohol, Waien was often less able to. It was known quite well, from Brockton to Stonebridge, the carousing that Waien would do. It gave him a rather infamous reputation, which did nothing for his standing within the circle of the druidic elves who were the wilders. The elves who tended to the needs of the natural world, of which Waien’s father was the chief of Brytolonia. “Right, I’ll wager thet I can abstain fer t’day,” she finally drawled. “But I will need a good, strong cup o’ coffee.”
Pania rolled her eyes and chuckled slightly. “You an’ yer coffee.”
“Is Villith comin’, too?”
“Aye,” Pania said with a nod as she moved into the hallway, ushering Shani downstairs. “Waien said he’d bring her ’round.”
“Waien’s bringin’ her medicine, ain’t he.”
“If there’s one thing I know ’bout Waien, it’s how he has never done his wee sister wrong,” Pania replied as she gave Shani a small push toward the washing room. “Now go, get yerself washed up an’ I’ll make coffee. Ye can have a drink, an’ then we need ta tend ta the horses.”
Upstairs, Verit and Scales continued with their morning meal. Verit happily squeaking in pixie to Scales, excited that Aasia was coming and how he’d like her very much. Scales wasn’t sure, as most pixies he found annoying. Verit wasn’t, but he’d grown used to her ways and she’d actually become a friend. He gently pushed his plate a bit, so it sat beside Verit, then moved so he wrapped his body around Verit’s breakfast table and continued eating. There wouldn’t be mage fire or gun shots, but at least today would be exciting in another sort of way.
Readin’ stuff!
I’ve been working on a few posts on tumblr for Black History Month, which I might share here because it’s history and history is cool. But I also have a couple of new entries over on Wattpad as well.
The Rocket Fox Appendix which contains entries for terminology, ships, cities, countries, and various other things mentioned in the first book of Rocket Fox: Flight of the Nighthawk.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: The Tales of Terra Kal. I posted up an old story there, which most here are familiar with, How I Wish I Were In Sherbrooke Now.
The Story of The Green Earth
In my retelling of the Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider, one thing I really wanted to do was sort of make the history of the world Shani and Pania come from a little more inclusive. I did that in part by doing some research, and looking into a few of the different myths and mythologies of elves and pixies and all manner of magical beings in other cultures. I had to set some ground rules for myself, however. First ground rule for this world would be that the entire populace was entirely elves. That would be the dominant species, to use more scientific terms. There would be other creatures as well, such as pixies, dragons, pseudo dragons, goblins, trolls and ogres, but elves would be the “hero” race of this Green Earth, as I called it.
Elves are often equated to the British Isles and into Scandinavia. From there, it has spread into other countries (as Britain went about colonizing). But what of folklore from different regions.
Many different cultures have their myths about dragons. There are Norse dragons, British and French dragons, Chinese dragons, and so on. What about other magical creatures? Often, elves have been equated to spirit folk, so I began there.
In the Middle East, many cultures believed in Djin, what was in Islamic belief, the third intelligent being created by God. There is some references to djin before Islamic influences, and much of it’s description was very similar to elves. Spirit folk, some were tricksters, many were helpful, and a lot of other facets that were very similar to elves in folklore. Native American beliefs also had their own spirit folk. Many of whom had the ability to change shape into an animal. Not every one of the Nations had this belief, but it is something that shows up in many different ones. There are spirit folk in Chinese and Japanese folklore as well.
So, if one takes elves as spirit folk, and knowing that not only were there similar stories from culture to culture, but there were also similar structural designs (pyramid, for example, there are pyramids in Egypt, Cambodia, and in South and Central America). It’s not that much of a stretch to see that many cultures would have some overlap in their different stories. Even the Romans and Greeks had names for what could be called elves, as the term fae folk or faeries comes from the Latin fata, which can be translated into The Fates.
With the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and Northern Africa being so close together, it’s not hard to think that stories like Beowulf and Gilgamesh would have traveled around a lot. And so to would have folklore like elves. After all, the people of those different regions had been involved in trade and commerce for over 1500 years before The United States and Canada became nations. Coupled with individuals who like in Baghdad wanted to build a cultural, educational and philosophical capital for the world, you’d get books coming in from all over. At one time, Baghdad had the world’s most impressive library, and it was said authors were paid the weight in gold for the books they would present. Many of those stories coming from Europe and Northern Africa. Those stories could have included the tales of elves. So it’s not hard to see that different cultures knew about elves centuries before J.R.R. Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings or even before Gary Gygax created Dungeons and Dragons.
Effectively, what I’ve tried to create is a world which pulls together stories which have similarities from different cultures. This is the world that Shani and Pania come from. Going a step further, the elves would have a hereditary memory, they would know the main elven language which would be spoken by everyone in their world, plus their own regional dialect. As an example, Pania might know the primary elven language, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, and English. Shani would know the primary elven language, Lakota (which is the area Shani’s people would have come from, being that region of the United States and Canada before colonization), Cree, Ojibway, and English. The character of Avalona Xanthe would know the primary elven, Finnish, Norwegian, German, Arabic, and English. Ava would know Arabic thanks to her adopted sister, Frigg Elva, who would also know the same languages as Ava, but would also be familiar with the primary language that would be used in Northern Africa.
So I’ve also rewritten Shani in a way. I used to describe her as pale, almost white. But I’ve changed that, as her description will be more akin to tanned or light reddish brown. While Pania will remain blonde and green eyed, there was a moment when I thought of changing her entire look as well. However, that can be left for other characters as I rework this narrative.
Black Mask & Pale Rider Poetry
I wrote these a while ago, and may have posted them before, but for the life of me I can’t find them. So, here they are once again! The Ballads of Black Mask & Pale Rider.
The Ballad of Black Mask
A swagger in her step, a hand hovering at her hip
She’ll flash a smile, a knowing wink
A calm reserve that can fool the most able
She’ll cut you down faster than you can think
“I am the fastest this world has seen”
She’ll boast with full bravado
“I am the fastest that’s ever been”
Before one can blink she’ll up and go
Quick with her witt and quick on the draw
Her goal is simple and beyond compare
Willing to fight and willing to rumble
Her eyes seem to glisten without a care
Just who is this adventurer, one might ask
A gunslinger by choice, an elf by birth
Roaming the worlds with partner by her side
She lets loose a laugh filled with joy and mirth
Born to aristocracy, she doesn’t seem to fit
In a world built in magic and towers
She became a thief seeking adventure
Planning each move in what would seem hours
Her name became legend throughout this world and hers
A claim she will lay down when opportunity arise
A boast and a brag, one would think she was a bard
Adept with a tale as though she’d change her guise
As the years would move on, she’d take on new challenges
At different times a thief, a sheriff, a marshal
With each one she’d grow, her fame ever changing
Her heart filled with cheer as a challenge would call
Many have tried to find this wild elf
Many have failed to claim her as their own
Hard to catch, even harder to tame
She’ll remain a mystery, in this world and even her home
This tale is legend, or that is true
An elven maid with her eye on a task
The legend known through the rugged west
As the outlaw known as Black Mask.
Song of the Skald
Now gather ’round an’ ‘ear me tale
It’s one o’ epic adventure
So take a seat an’ grab an ale
An’ I’ll tell it with true measure
I be a skald, a bard, a songstress
O’ that there is no doubt
I yarn ta spin wit’ fullness
Tha’ll make ye grin fer naught.
Ye’ll wish ta listen closely now
So bend close an’ keep sharp
I’ll let ye in on the why’s an how
An’ nev’r need the sound o’ a harp.
This tale be true, one ‘undred percent
Would I lie ’bout somethin’ like tha’?
So sit righ’ there, dear ladies an’ gent
An’ I’ll b’gin with a wee small chat!
I’ll brandish me pistol, draw forth me rapier
At one time I’d force wee pretties away
But t’day, the song is much more merry
A tale o’ how I came ta this place so long an’ grey!
Twas one dark night, as it always would begin
Paints a picture o’ darkness an’ forebodin’
An’ in this case be true, I swear on me pistols twin
Now let me continue b’fore this tale be erodin’!
In the valley o’ mists, through the dark trees
I found the gateway ta what I thought the great beyond
I felt the cold come through the gate, an’ thought I’d freeze
But I knew ta venture through an’ held meself strong!
‘Round here, there’s merry an’ mirth
But there in that diff’rent land
Far flung from me elven birth
Was a cruel place rule by a gun hand!
So sit yeself down an’ lend me yer ear
For I’ve a tale ta tell an’ ye’ll no’ wanna miss
It’s a harrowing yarn that could give ye fear
But I promise ’twill end with a Skald’s bold kiss.
Words by Tim Holtorf, artwork by Clarissa R. Hummel
Here it is now!
As promised, though a bit late, is the full download of The Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider in pdf format. Complete with pictures drawn by Clarissa R. Hummel (and a couple by myself, and a few maps).
The Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider
Also, here’s a copy of the other book I’ve written, Canyons of Steel in a handy pdf format.
Canyons of Steel – A Modern Day Western
I am actually working on a way to edit Black Mask & Pale Rider into an epub format so it can be read on a Kindle (or Nook, or a Kobo which can be bought through Chapters-Indigo in Canada).
Related articles
- It’s freakin’ Christmas time! (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
It’s freakin’ Christmas time!
Ya know what that means? You should get gifts for people! You know what kind? BOOKS!
I wrote some! Fancy that! From time to time I’ll post up information about the first book I’ve written, called the Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider. Here’s a little synopsis about the book, which is a western/fantasy.
Elven magic meets gunslinger grit. What happens when two elven travellers find themselves in the United States in the middle of the Civil War? The Adventures of Black Mask and Pale Rider tells the story of two elven women who’s curiosity gets the better of them.The wild ride takes them from the Union to the Confederacy and back again. Along the way they make enemies and friends and learn a little bit about this world, and about themselves. An adventure of six guns and sorcery.
The Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider isn’t the only book I’ve written, Canyons of Steel is also available. Here’s a quick synopsis.
What happens when an old gun hand makes a decision to turn his life around and set a new course? In Canyons of Steel, Johnathon Tiberius Walker makes the choice of turning his back on the underground military of the Red Hand and try to make right his own sins. All because he wants his daughter to live in a better world than he does.
Both my first book, Black Mask & Pale Rider, and my second book, Canyons of Steel, are available for purchase online through many different online book sellers.
Lulu.com (where both books were published)
- Tim Holtorf Author Spotlight the front page store for my books on lulu.com.
Amazon.com (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.co.uk (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.ca (price not listed and currently out of stock)
Barnes & Noble (for the Nook)
iTunes iBook store
Ya wanna know what else is cool! Tomorrow I’m going to give all of my followers (or just anybody who likes to read this blog) a present. Their own digital copies of Black Mask & Pale Rider and Canyons of Steel! FREE! Buy a book for a friend, and I’ll have a digital copy available for download. What’s even better? These digital copies will have new stuff in them! They’ll be pdfs so you can read them on whatever device you like (even your freakin’ laptop or desktop computer). They’ll have artwork from both Clarissa R. Hummel and myself, plus maps!
So buy a book for a friend! And for all my followers, tomorrow I’ll have digital copies available for download.
Writing: how to deal with cold iron
As myths of elves go, they are vulnerable to cold iron. They can be trapped by it, their magic nullified by it. Which itself became a problem for having two elves wield pistols. Technically, pistols are made with cold iron. So it would be difficult to have Shani and Pania use pistols. There had to be a way around this.
Enter elven steel and mithril.
On Shani and Pania’s home world, I determined that elven steel and mithril could be as common as copper on Earth. And it would make sense that those who had weapons or armour that required such metals, would carry a brick or two of each on their person in order to make repairs. Considering that the elves live a long time, a brick might last them close to one hundred years. That’s even taking into account how durable elven steel and mithril is.
So, Shani will have a pair of custom made Colt 45 long barrels crafted using elven steel and mithril. In this original world of Terra-Kal, elven steel and mithril are two different metals. So, in order for Shani and Pania to get such pistols, they have to go to a gunsmith to order them. Such a part of the story has been written.
Artemis Thackery Gunsmith, Repair and Ammunition. The shop was in the middle of town and was the tallest building in town, next to the clock tower in the town square. The proprietor, one Artemis Thackery, was an older gentleman who had an affinity for fine pistols. He made a decent living with his trade, as many around the area took up his services. But what he was about to encounter would be a first even for him. Never during his forty years of crafting pistols had anyone ever made such a request. So when the small woman with the shoulder lizard walked into his shop along with Clayton Johnson, he was rather taken aback by her request.
“Miss,” he said slowly. “You understand the only other metals that I use in crafting a pistol are silver. And that only for the handle, to give it a rather dignified look. That is only about aesthetics not the actual functionality of the pistol itself.” Artemis spoke in a soft tone, which betrayed his origins. He was most likely born in New York and moved to Arkansas in the last ten years or so.
“I am way ‘head o’ ya, sir,” Shani said as she lifted her ruck sack and took out a brick of mithril and a brick of elven steel. “This here is mithril, an’ this one is… light steel.” She pause and gave the metal a more commonly associated name, because the fewer questions the better.
“Metals ‘re light,” Clayton explained. “Which’d give Shan here a better grip.”
“Light metals aren’t good for crafting a pistol,” Artemis argued. “The pistol could destroy itself the first time it was fired.”
Shani held up a hand to draw Artemis attention to her. She reached into her coat and took out one of her short swords, twirled it as she was often known to do, and held it out for Artemis to examine. “The blade is made with light steel. Strong an’ sturdy,” she said tapping on the blade. “An’ real light. This could cut through steel, if need be. An’ the handle is made from mithril, with a leather bindin’ for a good grip.” She held the blade out for Artemis to examine closer. He held the blade carefully in his hands, marvelling at the craftmanship.
“It’s so light,” he said as he tilted his glasses down on his nose. “And I can tell it’s very strong. Something like this would make a fine pistol.” He looked up to Shani with a hint of dejection as he went on. “But one must have the proper foreknowledge of such metals. I just can’t use this and expect it to act the same as steel. What about melting temperatures? The malleability of the steel itself…”
Again, Shani held up a hand and reached into her ruck sack. She produced a small book, her own writings that she had transcribed the previous night at Clayton’s cabin. The pair had obviously prepared for everything. Shani knew the proper temperatures and how much flame to use in crafting the weapon she needed. “This here will explain alla thet,” she said as she handed him the book.
Artemis flipped through the pages and skimmed each passage, nodding as he began to understand the science that was being described. “It will take me a couple of days to have them ready,” he said as he put the book down and looked to Shani. “It won’t be cheap, however.”
“How much we talkin’?” Shani asked as she leaned over the counter.
“Well, something this complex will take care and time,” he said. “Most usually want their pistols the next day, but something like this will need attention. I can craft something which will be akin to a Colt 45 long barrel for you. Which usually run about one hundred and fifty dollars. Using this odd metal… have to add in fifty dollars. And some of your rather… intriquate designes you’ve drawn for the pistol grips,” he said as he motioned to Shani’s hand drawn designs. “That will cost an additional fifty. Double that price for two pistols.”
Shani was busily counting her cash behind the counter, then looked up to Artemis. “What if I were ta add two more bricks o’ light steel fer yer own purposes?”
Artemis looked to Shani for a brief moment, then turned his attention to the brick of elven steel that lay on his counter. It felt like steel, and looked like the brick would have heft to it, but when he picked it up, it felt as light as a feather. “You have two more bricks of this?” he asked. Shani replied with a firm nod. “Payment in advance?”
“Deal,” Shani said with another firm nod.
“You come by the day after tomorrow, Miss,” Artemis said as Shani handed him the cash and two extra bricks of elven steel. “And you shall have two of the finest Colt 45 long barrels ever crafted.”
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Writing: Pania Alow’s influences
Yesterday, it was Shani I posted the influences of. Today it’s Pania Alow.
Pania Alow also has a lot of influences, but not in the same aspect as Shani does.
Pania is adventurous, a tad odd and will often spout long soliloquies without warning (much to the chagrin of Shani). And Jack Sparrow (sorry, “Captain” Jack Sparrow) fits the bill. Johnny Depp’s portrayal of Sparrow pretty much fit the bill for what Pania’s attitude is like.
Granted, she’s got a bit better hygiene.
This isn’t so much an influence of Pania’s attitude, but a sample of her fighting style. To pick one would be an injustice to the other. Because Pania is a sword singer, and she has studied the bladed arts for years. Much like Westley and Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride.
Black Mask & Pale Rider is a western at it’s core, but there’s room for a duelist the likes of Pania Alow in the story.
The last influence for Pania Alow.
And no, it’s not Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing. This is where I suddenly began seeing Kate Beckinsale as Pania Alow.
Beckingsale plays Anna, the last of a noble house who is plagued by Dracula’s curse. She is fighting to end that curse. Which is a quality Pania holds. She doesn’t back down unless everything is lost.
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Writing: Day four total
I could write more, but I’m happy with my total thus far. I’m currently on track to hit 50,000 words on November 17. I know I won’t because there will be some days that I’ll only write a small amount, and then there will be days like today where I wrote close to 8,000 words. But today’s total happens to be 11,455.
And so, as a small congratulations, I offer one piece of what I’ve written. The story of Scales and how he came to stay with Shani.
As soon as Clayton managed to get out of Shani what some of her favourite foods were, and avoiding anything that he didn’t have on hand, he set about to cooking up something simple. Hash browns, some sausage, butter toast and a few fresh vegetables from his garden in back of his cabin. He noticed Scales watching him closely, making note to himself how much like a cat the tiny dragon was. Everyonce and a while, he’d cut up a fresh piece of food, sometimes a potatoe, sometimes a sausage, and offer it to the small dragon. Scales approved of the sausage, but wasn’t too pleased with the slice of potatoe. Clayton figured it out once Shani told him what he really liked.
“He’s partial ta apples,” Shani said as she reached for her ruck sack, rummaged around a bit and pulled out an apple. Scales perked up as he saw the red fruit and settled in beside Shani as she cut it up.
“Ya know somethin’,” Clayton said as he served up the meal on two separate plates. ”He reminds me o’ a cat. A lady in town that I did some work for, built a huge bookcase for her, she had a cat. Acted lot like he did.” He set both plates down, one in front of Shani, the other at his own seat. Scales was happily munching on a piece of apple, holding it in his foreclaws tightly. ”So where did ya find him?”
“I found him ’bout ten years ‘go,” Shani said, finding it much easier and more comfortable to speak with Clayton. Her stutter had all but vanished, but Clayton noticed she was trying very hard to sound like him. ”I was on the Merchant Road, what goes from Stonebridge ta Overbrooke. An’ ’bout half way there, I found a caravan been attacked by brigands.” She mentioned places like Clayton would know them, and to be polite he nodded and listened to her story. They had to exist, after all. Because she existed, she was an elf. Who had a tiny dragon as a companion. ”So I took it ‘pon myself ta track down the brigands. They did a nasty job, stole everythin’, killed everyone. It was an ol’ wizard who was well known. I reported it ta the Patrollers… thet’d be like yer sherrif… an’ said I’m gonna track ‘em down.” She paused to take a bite of food before continuing. ”Most time, brigands ’round thet area get away ’cause nobody can find ‘em. But I have experience in trackin’, an I hunted ‘em down an’ found their hideout. They had a ton o’ stuff there; gold, jewels, parchment, some items o’ rare antiquity. I made a few marks an’ got a small group o’ Patrollers ta follow me, an’ we got the jump on ‘em.”
“Was there a fight?” Clayton asked, actually quite enthralled with Shani’s story.
“Hell no,” she said with a smirk and shook her head. ”Them ones never even put up a fight once they seen ten heavily armed Patrollers with long blades, flintlocks an’ blunderbus at the ready. I stuck ’round ta sort out through all o’ the items an’ I found him,” she said as she motioned to Scales. The tiny dragon had his head propped up on Shani’s right arm, and she reached over and tickled his neck lightly. He nipped playfully at her, then rolled over as Shani scratched as his belly. ”They had ‘im locked up in a cage, so I opened it an’ set ‘im free. He crawled right up my arm an’ sat right on my shoulder. After a while, ’cause the wizard for whom he was a familiar was dead, it were decided I’d take care o’ him.” She chuckled as Scales began playing grabby with her fingers as she scratched his belly. ”We been together ever since.”
“Well, I ain’t never had anything like him b’fore,” Clayton said as he shook his head and smiled at the attention Shani gave the tiny dragon.
“You got yer horse.”
“Not really the same,” Clayton replied. ”I doubt he’d react the same to a belly rub as he would.”
“I’d like ta get me a horse,” Shani said with a firm nod. ”An’ maybe some clothes ta fit in a bit better ’round here. I kinda stick out like a sore thumb.”
“Well, yer gonna need money,” Claytons said as he finished up his plate. ”I don’t know what y’all use back where you come from, but here it’s dollars.”
Shani reached down to her ruck sask and pulled up a large coin purse. It rattled and clinked as she lifted it up. There was something valuable in there, and whatever it was, Shani had a lot of it. She opened up the purse and let Clayton look inside. There was several coins, all gold, pure gold, sitting strewn about in her purse. He looked up to Shani and nodded slowly. ”T’morrow, we’ll get you some new clothes an’ a new horse. I think you got more ‘n ‘nough.”
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Writing: Shani Wennemein’s influences
A look into the inspiration for the characters of Shani Wennemein and Pania Alow.
Shani Wennemein is the gunfighter of the duo, but she has a particular attitude. Part of that will come with her dealings with Slowhand Johnson, as she will borrow a lot of how he speaks into her own speech patterns.
But she has outside influences and inspiration for how I wrote her. One of those happened to be Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone. She has witty, almost philosophical sayings that will just spring forth, which is part of how she plays her hand in a gunfight.
Val Kilmer’s role as Doc Holliday wasn’t the only inspiration for Shani Wennemein. Emilio Estevez, who played Billy the Kid in Young Guns and Young Guns 2, also had a hand in that inspiration.
Shani, at times can be a tad cocky. So far, it’s never been her down fall. She proclaims, and it’s often seen as a legitimate proclamation, that she is the “fastest gunhand in these here United States. If not this entire world”. This isn’t brashness or overconfidence. This is what helps her move forward in dealing with any problem. She sees it, she figures out a solution, and without hesitation, she moves forward.
To that, the quote “he who hesitates is lost” works quite well for Shani.
The last movie influence for Shani Wennemein was Ellen, played by Sharon Stone in The Quick and the Dead.
Like Ellen, Shani doesn’t stand for certain things. And she acts accordingly, and sometimes violently, to the situation. It’s not because she likes violence, but it’s because she’s disgusted by the way humans treat each other.
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Writing: A sample and a difficult word
I had mentioned that there was something very difficult that I would write in this version of Black Mask & Pale Rider. It has something to do with a word, a very commonly known word which has a history of oppression. I have been debating over it’s use for some time, mostly because I don’t like it’s tone. So, I went and asked someone about whether it was good to use or not. She, who used to be on tumblr as squee-to-the-gee, said as long as it’s conveyed how Shani hears the word, and her reaction, then it’s fine. It’s true, literature shouldn’t just entertain, but it should also teach. And it was, is my hope that the word is found to be as vile now as I am hoping to make it. For critique I present the scene here for everyone. Comments are most welcome, especially considering how the word in used.
To those that are unclear, it’s the N-word.
Shani strode down the street in her usual way; slow and steady steps, her eyes watching everyone. It felt different, wearing these denim slacks and the leather boots complete with the long coat that might have seemed a bit too warm for the weather during summer. She took note of the passersby who stared in her direction, knowing they weren’t just looking at her, but to the tiny dragon that perched upon her shoulder. Scales seemed happy and content, his tiny claws gripping to the leather of her long coat. He was her second eyes, as he would watch what she couldn’t see, often nuzzling his head against Shani’s cheek in a manner that would draw her attention to what Scales would see, but also in a way that showed affection. Scales liked her, to him she was like his mother. And as Shani protected him, he would protect her.
Such as he was doing now.
For the most part, Shani found the people of this world odd, different, but not necessarily threatening. Oh, to be certain, they were no more threatening, but Shani had revealed she was able to pay for certain things, and she could do work, so her reputation within this town called Carrollton was not one of a negative nature. However, she had shown she held gold, and to many, that was like a fly to honey. It would always draw the worst.
As Shani looked for supplies, going from shop to shop, buying what she needed from a list that Clayton had given her, she was aware that she was being followed. Four young men, all of whom looked surly and rough, she assumed they had been on the trail for a while, that they had lived a life of violence. But she also felt they would not do anything while she was engaged in matters of commerce. For the most part, she was right. They left her alone, looking idly over items that the different merchants and vendors had for sale.
In a way, it was no different than the markets back in Stonebridge where Shani grew up. Granted, there were a lot less elves who carried pistols. To be honest, none carried pistols. There were flintlocks, but not the weapons that Shani carried now. As she made her purchases, she thought of the differences between this world and her own, wondering if the other lands were as diverse as on her own home world.
She finished her purchases, gatheirng everything that had been on Clayton’s list, filling everything into a ruck sack, and slinging it onto her shoulder. It was time to head out of town, which meant she had to find her horse at the stable where she left him, pay the owner for his care, and ride back to Clayton’s cabin just out of town.
As she approached the stables, she realized that the men who had been following her, had doubled back. They were already at the stables, and they had Gippsum, her faithful mount, out of his stall. She stopped and watched the four men careful, gently letting her ruck sack down onto the ground at her feet. Scales dug in his claws into Shani’s long coat, his wings spreading a bit as he hissed toward the four men. He did not like them, and Shani felt the same.
“Howdy, boys,” Shani said in a congenial fashion as she tipped her hat. Best to be friendly, maybe they’d leave her be. ”Mighty nice o’ ya ta get my horse fer me.”
“Well, we just wanna be neighbourly,” one of the men said with a grin, his teeth grey and blackened from years of neglect. A surprise, seeing how he appeared to be no more than twenty years old. ”We are sorta like the welcomin’ committee in this here town.”
“Really,” Shani replied with a nod. ”I thought thet was the sherrif, as Clayton done tol’ me.”
“I wouldn’t trust nothin’ that nigger says,” one of the other men said in response. Shani looked to him, slightly younger than the first man who spoke. But there was malice in his eyes. Even Scales could see it, and he crawled along Shani’s shoulders to hiss at the man in question. Scales felt an uneasiness about him, as did Shani. But it was a word that the man said that truly set Shani on edge. ”Yer lizard is actin’ mighy queer,” the man noted as he seemed to back up a bit.
“Scales ain’t real trustin’ o’ strangers,” Shani informed him. ”An’ he ain’t a lizard. He’s a pseudo dragon.”
The four men laughed hearing the word. ”Dragon,” one of the others said aloud. ”I thought they were bigger ‘n thet little thing.”
“I said pseudo dragon,” Shani corrected him. ”But the nature o’ my friend here an’ the words ta describe him ain’t so much as what I’m really concerned with. Y’all used somethin’ which I believe ya use ta describe ‘nother friend o’ mine.” The four men just watched Shani for a moment, not really understanding what she meant. She sighed, but held a firm look in the direction of the man who first spoke. He seemed to be the leader of this small gang. ”I b’lieve the word ya used was ‘nigger’. An’ ta be honest, I don’t really like the tone in yer voice when ya use thet word. I know who ya meant when ya said it, an’ I have come ta know Clayton. He is a decent man, an’ I would vouch fer his character any day. An’ I do not like the way y’all address him.”
“He’s just a darkie who…” the first man was about to say, but stopped as he was suddenly staring at the business end of one of Shani’s Colts. They had heard about these guns, who they were constructed of a steel no one had ever seen before. And how this woman was able to wield them with such grace and ferocity. ”Hey now,” the man said as he held up his hands, worry starting to crease his brow. ”No need ta get twitchy.”
“Ya wanna see me git twitchy, then ya jist say ‘nother disparagin’ word ‘gainst my friend,” Shani replied through gritted teeth. Even Scales grew more bold, gripping his claws into Shani’s jacket, wings pressed against his back as his tail swished back and forth as though he were ready to pounce on his prey. ”I would take it as a kindness thet ya never use thet word ’round me ‘gain. Do I make myself clear?”
“You wouldn’t be able ta stop all o’ us,” one of the men said as he pointed to Shani’s pistol.
Shani said not a word as she stared the man down, watching him carefully. He didn’t move a muscle. He didn’t have to, because Scales was watching someone else, and he gave a low growl in the back of his throat to warn Shani. She moved fast, drawing her second Colt and aiming without even looking. She fired and hit the mark perfectly, sending the would be assassin’s pistol flying from his hand. The action caused a stir, and the other gunmen reached for their pistols. The next few seconds were a blur of bullets and fire, but no shot came from the four gunmen at all. Shani, and to a point Scales, had disarmed them without breaking a sweat. The elven gunslinger had turned with each sound of a drawn pistol or the click of a hammer, and with lightning reflexes she fired at the sound. Scales puffed himself up and shot a breath of flame toward the would be gunmen, distracting them to give Shani the chance to act before they could fire. In a matter of seconds it was all over. The most important thing, no one was dead.
Shani walked up to the first man who spoke to her that afternoon. He lay on the ground, clutching his gunhand as blood ran down his wrist. Shani had fired straight through his palm. She stood over him and said in a voice that was filled with anger. ”Let this be a lesson ta you boys. Never think thet ya got a drop on someone smaller ‘n you. ’Cause I ain’t stupid, yer actions were ta rob me. I’ve taken down varmints ten times yer ability without breakin’ a sweat, so y’all ain’t nuthin’ in my eyes.” She adjusted her hat and walked to her horse as she continued to speak, this time to all four men. A crowd had gathered in the area, and was watching and listening. ”An’ I will take it as a kindness thet all o’ you boys don’t ever use thet word again. Ta anyone. I may be new ta this here world, but I ain’t stupid when it comes ta knowin’ the spite thet sits in a slur. I know words can cut jist as deep as any blade. So this here is yer warnin’ boys. I don’t take kindly ta slurs. An’ I don’t take kindly ta them bein’ used on my friends.”
Shani nudged Gippsum forward after she rose into the saddle, but she found she could only move a few feet as there were three more men impeding her path. These men, however, wore tin stars.
“Ma’am,” one of the men called out, one of the sherrif’s deputies. He wore his guns up to his waist, crossed so his opposite hand could grab from the opposite waist line, much like a swordsman would carry his blade on his left hip so his right hand could draw it. ”I am gonna have ta ask that you come with us.”
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Writing: A long plan ahead
The first book of Black Mask & Pale Rider was all the adventures of the two elven gunslingers in one long form story.
This time, however, it’s going to get longer. This is how I’ve planned it.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: A Tale of Six Gun & Sorcery
The tale of how Shani and Pania encountered this world in 1863 and how they became the feared gunslingers Black Mask & Pale Rider.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Road to Perdition
After joining forces, the two gunslingers encounter an old Pennsylvania Dutch community plagued by a vampire nest. But this nest has a connection to the two elves. Assisted by Deter Van Buren, the three go on the hunt for the vampire mistress.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: The Ghost Rider
In Franklin, West Virginia, Shani and Pania find the town has encountered an elf before, one who lived his last days in the town. That elf, and the sudden appearance of Shani and Pania in Franklin, draws a formidable opponent. They receive help from Marshal Martin Derringer, who has a dark secret of his own.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Don’t Let the Hag Ride Ya
Shani and Pania end up staying over in a small town near Charlotte, South Carolina. The town’s residents are plagued by something akin to a vampire, but much worse.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: High Noon
No magic or great evil, save for a rich cattleman who delights in his own brand of justice. Shani and Pania meet up with Johnathon Caleb Walker and the mysterious Chinese immigrant Ming and help them take down Dorval.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: The Dead Will Walk
Arriving in Shreveport, Louisiana, Shani makes the snap decision to buy a slave in order to give him his freedom. It turns out Ezekiel Morgan is a helping hand when Shani and Pania have to deal with plantation owner Jeremiah Kingston the Third.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Rise of the Lich King
While Shani and Pania have been making their way across the States, they’ve been watched from afar. A bounty is put on their heads, and the first to try and claim it is an old gunhand who found a way to cheat death. In Bloomington, Indiana, Shani and Pania meet up again with Aurela Dorchester and Slowhand Johnson.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Long Train A Comin’
Taking place entirely on a train as it travels from Gary, Indiana to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, Shani and Pania meet up with the Reverend Carter Stewart. The three soon find out that the vampire they met earlier in Pennsylvania doesn’t die easily.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Aces & Eights
Shani and Pania take a back seat in this tale, with their only showing coming in a vicious gun fight with Captain Samuel Williams who has been chasing after them. It’s feared Shani and Pania are dead, and Carter Stewart joins forces with Slowhand, Aurela, Derringer, Walker, Cassidy del Ray, Ming, van Buren and Morgan in order to find out what happened to them. It’s much more than they bargained for.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: Eternity
Pania, injured from the gun battle by a demon spawn, is dragged to safety by Shani. But the lanky gunslinger can’t do much until they are found by hunters from Whitecap’s Dakota tribe not far away.
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Writing: The man comes around
“And I heard, as it were, a noise of thunder. One of the four beasts saying ‘Come and see’ and I saw. And behold, a white horse.”
“And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked and behold, a pale horse, and it’s name that sat on him was Death. And Hell followed with him.”
Revelations 6: 7-8
This was a verse I used in the original writing of Black Mask & Pale Rider, and I want to use it again as a way that the public begins to see Shani and Pania. They’re elves, they use magic, they have magical companions in a pixie and a pseudo dragon. So the general populace may indeed foresee them as the coming of the four riders. Pania is identified as Death, and Shani becomes identified as War.
But those who meet and come to know the pair find something completely different. They are merely adventurers and explorers.
It’s going to be a continuous theme to try and bring about until Shani and Pania finally meet up and take down a vampire. Then, their legend changes in another way.
While the musical influences that began the first writing of Black Mask & Pale Rider leaned more towards Big & Rich and Nightwish, Johnny Cash’s storytelling style has really sparked new life and new ideas for the rewrite.
At one time I wanted the story to have a lot of spaghetti western tropes and play off of cliches, however that’s changed a great deal as I want to focus more on a story about two women (yes, elves, but still women) who meet a variety of people.
So this story will have people of colour, and I hope that I treat them well, and not as a stereotype. One of the first to be met will be Slowhand Johnson, a former slave who earned his freedom and became a gunslinger. Interesting fact, most gunslingers in the United States at that time (mid 1800’s) were black. Either freed slaves who needed a way to survive, were protecting their new found freedom, or escaped slaves trying to make their way in a nation that saw them as no better than cattle.
Clayton Johnson will help Shani a great deal, but by the same token Shani will also help Clayton.
From Pania’s side, we’ll meet Cassidy del Ray, a former slave who was freed by Aurela Dorchester, and decided she could do with helping to free more. While Aurela fronts her operation as a brothel, neither Aurela nor Cassidy are common whores. Cassidy is Aurela’s right hand, so to speak, and she and Pania will form a friendship as the elven songstress stays in the boarding house in Chicago.
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31 Days of Ghosts: Weird West
Jonah Hex, Vol.1 #1, 1977. Jose Luis Garcia Lopez, artist. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Last week, I talked about the genre of Weird Tales (which includes horror, the occult, fantasy and science fiction). That genre includes Weird West. Take the elements of westerns like any spaghetti western, and drop elements of horror and macabre into it, or even fantasy and sci fi. The result is a familiar setting with slight differences in it that make it different. Gun fighters who are magic users, or even fly space craft. There’s already a few recognizable books, movies and television programs out there that include both elements of westerns and another genre. They include Firefly/Serenity, Jonah Hex, MeiLin Miranda’s Scryer’s Gulch, and even my own Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider. Even the Daniel Craig movie, Cowboys and Aliens is considered a part of this sub genre of weird west. It could even be argued that Star Wars and Star Trek have their own western elements in the greater aspect of the story (Han didn’t shoot first).
Not all Weird West contains horror elements. But a lot of western tales do include that aspect. Even in song. Ghost Riders in the Sky, made famous by Johnny Cash (and subsequently covered over 90 times) has a story of a cowboy who comes across a posse of ghostly cowboys chasing the Devil’s herd across the sky. The ghosts give the warning to the cowboy to change his ways or he’ll soon join them.
To have a western tale include the elements of horror isn’t new. It’s been done many times before, as we’ve seen zombies, vampires, werewolves, witches and more going toe to toe with gunslingers. The movie, BloodRayne 2, which is based on the video game (great game, horrible movie franchise), depicted Billy the Kid as a vampire, and Pat Garret as one of the vampire killers that helps the half vampire Rayne in stopping the gunslinger. The role playing game Deadlands is a western horror with alternate history (and some steampunk elements) where supernatural beings called The Reckoners are unleashed on the American Mid West in an effort to drive out European settlers. As with all ideas with good intentions, it goes horribly, horribly wrong. The comic published by IDW called Desperadoes (written by Jeff Mariotte) also explores this combination of horror and the wild west. Even my own Black Mask & Pale Rider fits the bill, as the main characters of Shani and Pania (both elves) rider throughout the Union and Confederacy meeting all manner of horrifying creatures. Including a lich in Bloomington, Indiana, zombies in Shreveport, Louisiana, vampires outside of Reading, Pennsylvania and even the Ghost Rider himself in Franklin, West Virginia.
Pania looks back as Shani dumps dynamite onto a bridge as they escape a posse, unknowingly right into the dangers of a vampire clan. artwork by Clarrisa R. Hummel
The two elements are actually the best intertwined story aspects in any subgenre. As writer G. W. Thomas of the two element “[u]nlike many other cross-genre tales, the weird Western uses both elements but with very little loss of distinction. The Western setting is decidedly ‘Western’ and the horror elements are obviously ‘horror.’” One of the first examples of this subgenre was a story in Weird Tales called the Horror on the Mound, written by Robert E. Howard and published in 1932. The first appearance of a book with the title Weird West was in 1970, when DC Comics released the monthly series Weird Western Tales.
Movies have used this device many times over, including the afforementioned Serenity, but those that included the horror genre have been prevalent as well. The Quick and the Undead (2006), Left for Dead, Ghost Rider (2007), and the afforementioned BloodRayne II: Deliverance (2007).
This Halloween, add some Weird West to your haunted reading lists. There’s a lot out there.
Change to the About Page and a round of Shameless Self Promotion
I made some major changes to the About Page. Here’s the changes, which includes book listings and where to buy them.
I also write. Fancy that! From time to time I’ll post up information about the first book I’ve written, called the Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider. Here’s a little synopsis about the book, which is a western/fantasy.
Elven magic meets gunslinger grit. What happens when two elven travellers find themselves in the United States in the middle of the Civil War? The Adventures of Black Mask and Pale Rider tells the story of two elven women who’s curiosity gets the better of them.
The wild ride takes them from the Union to the Confederacy and back again. Along the way they make enemies and friends and learn a little bit about this world, and about themselves. An adventure of six guns and sorcery.
The Adventures of Black Mask & Pale Rider isn’t the only book I’ve written, Canyons of Steel is also available. Here’s a quick synopsis.
What happens when an old gun hand makes a decision to turn his life around and set a new course? In Canyons of Steel, Johnathon Tiberius Walker makes the choice of turning his back on the underground military of the Red Hand and try to make right his own sins. All because he wants his daughter to live in a better world than he does.
Both my first book, Black Mask & Pale Rider, and my second book, Canyons of Steel, are available for purchase online through many different online book sellers.
Lulu.com (where both books were published)
- Tim Holtorf Author Spotlight the front page store for my books on lulu.com.
Amazon.com (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.co.uk (both in paperback and in kindle versions)
Amazon.ca (price not listed and currently out of stock)
Barnes & Noble (for the Nook)
iTunes iBook store
At present, I am working on a science fiction adventure called Rocket Fox. If things go as planned, it should cover nine books in total.
Related articles
- The Faces of Black Mask & Pale Rider (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
- Black Mask & Pale Rider Chapter Outlines (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
- Goodreads (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
- Shameless self promotion (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
- Rocket Fox: War of the Worlds (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
A pirate tale
Yarrrrr! Just in time fer International Talk Like A Pirate Day, here’s a story dug up from the years (last year, actually) starrin’ Black Mask ‘n Pale Rider.
Now in handy pdf format for easy downloading and reading.
Black Mask & Pale Rider: How I Wish I Were In Sherbrooke Now
I’ll eventually collect all of the short stories written for the two elven gunslingers and collect them together in a Tales of Terra-Kal.
Rocket Fox: War of the Worlds the idea
[[You can blame this song and H. G. Wells War of the Worlds in the first place, along with my active imagination for this.]]
Opening, like War of the Worlds, except changed slightly to reflect the area of space occupied by Terra-Kal. The voice is Pania’s as though she’s telling a story.
“No one would have believed, in the first decades of the final millenial century that elven affairs were being watched from the timeless worlds of space. No one could have dreamed that we were being scrutinized, as someone with a scry studies ebb and flow of magic. Few elves even considered the possibility of life on other planets and yet, across the gulf of space, minds immeasurably superior to ours regarded this planet with envious eyes, and slowly and surely, they drew their plans against us.”
Scene opens with Pania, Shani and Shani’s mother, Unia along with two elven children, Vindy and Pylia (Pania’s younger sister, mute), looking up at the stars as the sun sets. Small discussion of the wonders of the universe, and if somewhere among those stars was Earth. Scene ends with Vindy reciting “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”.
Second scene begins as though the camera pans through the atmosphere of Terra-Kal and into the area of space around it, revealing an orbital space station. On the reads in an alien script, but translated for this purpose, “Royal Vulpine Authority Science Guild”. The station is huge, and a large escort cruiser is seen docked at the station’s docking area. The camera would switch to the interior, as Vulpine and Felanus scientists take readings of the planet. Some are preparing a transmission back to Vulpinia. In a lounging area, a group of fighter pilots, among them is Left-tenant Commander Aria Sharpspear, now in command of her own squadron. Among the scientists is Marine Biologist Claudia Whitefur.
Suddenly, there is a call out to the station commander.
“I’m detecting a large, radiation emission coming from the docking section of the station, commander.”
“Spacial anomaly?”
“No sir. It seems to be moving with some purpose as though… as though it’s a cloaked ship.”
“Scan the region. I want to make sure there’s no surprises.”
Also docked at the station is the Dorgatha, the salvage and cargo cruiser captained by the Jackai known as Red Streak. She and her crew are busy off loading supplies and making any repairs to their own vessel. It is helms officer Jada Hawkspur who manages to identify the anomaly and warns her captain.
“Streaker, I’m detecting the anomaly that the station’s sensors are looking over. Nattie and I have been studying it, and quite frankly it’s worrisome.”
“What is it, Hawkspur?”
“We recognized the signature. At least, we did when we looked through the Critainian database. It has a similar radiation signature to the cloaked ships of the Raptory Imperial Forces.”
Just then, a call goes across the station, ship sighted off the docking ring of the station. Identified as Raptory. A large battle ensues, but the station was no match. All fighter pilots are ordered to their craft, Red streak is asked to shuttle the scientists. They have only one place to go; the planet’s surface. They are forced to make first contact with the elves of Terra-Kal.
On the surface of Terra-Kal, Shani and Pania took note of the activity in the sky, as they saw distant explosions, thinking they were stars dancing in the night sky, which brought about more wonder to the nature of the cosmos.
Lt. Commander Sharpspear oversees the loading of scientists aboard the Dorgatha along with Red Streak. Then, she calls out to the other pilots that they would be escorting the Dorgatha to the surface. Twenty fighters in total. The question is raised about going into battle, but that is soon answered by the commanding officer of the escort cruiser docked at the station.
This escort cruiser is called the RVA-Thunderchild. The Thunderchild will attack the advancing Raptory vessels, giving the Dorgatha and her Vulpine escort time to escape toward the planet. The battle is quick, but the Thunderchild and her Felanus commanding officer manage to do significant damage to a few of the Raptory vessels, surprising them with a full volley of photon torpedoes, full spread, as we hear from the bridge of the ship.
“Target the lead ship. Fire all neutronium cannons, photo torpedoes, full spread.”
“Lead ship is taking heavy damage, Commander Islington.”
“Report, Ensign.”
“Damage to decks 3, 4, 5 and six. Force fields are in place. Several injured on deck 7, four fatalities on deck six.”
“Shields at 25%, Commander!”
“Target the second ship. Photon torpedoes!”
“Phaser banks are out, commander.”
“Release plasma discharge from the engines, sneak in tight to their starboard side. We’ll strike the third ship with a full spread as we pass.”
“The first ship is dead in space, Commander. The second ship is drained of shields and weapons are down.”
“Shields are down, Commander.”
“All non-essential personnel to the escape pods. Lt. Ramming speed.”
As the escape pods head toward the surface of Terra-Kal, the Thunderchild and her valiant officers slam into the hull of the third ship, exploding in a shower of spark and flame, destroying the third vessel.
On the surface of Terra-Kal, Shani and Pania are beginning to realize that the bright colours in the sky are not random chance. Unia is the first to recognize the swarm of fighter craft and escape pods as vessels. Then they see the bulk of the cargo ship the Dorgatha. She’s venting plasma as she decends. Right in line with the main square of the city of Arcanum Bridge.
On the Dorgatha, Red Streak and her crew are attempting to keep the vessel from crash landing.
“Thrusters are down, Streaker.”
“Sharpspear, we need assistance!”
“Keep calm. I’ll bring in five fighters and we’ll attempt to use the tractor beams to level you off.”
“If you can do that, we can work to get thrusters back online.”
“Streaker, I’m detecting bio signs dead ahead. Over 250 thousand.”
“Understood, Uncle Red Claw. I think it’s more than obvious that the populace of this mud ball knows we’re here.”
“We’re heading straight for the city central square!”
“I have thrusters!”
“Slow our decent. Sharpspear, can you use your tractor beams to ensure we don’t crash?”
“Of course we can. Just make sure you’re worried about the city as much as you are about the Dorgatha.”
“Ha ha, Sharpspear. No offense to these people, but I’ve got a boatload of my crew and your scientists. My first priority is to them. Fortunately, our safety is in direct relation to the safety of that city.”
The Dorgatha is pulled and begins slowing, in full view of the entire city of Arcanum Bridge. Fighter jets begin to land as pilots exit their ships, watching the Dorgatha and holding their breath, until she finally lands. It’s a hard landing, but safe. The fighter pilots then notice they are surrounded by Arcanum Bridge patrollers, among them Shani and Pania.
One of the pilots raises her hands above her head and calls out to Sharpspear.
“Commander, we have a problem. We’re surrounded.”
“Turn on your translators, convince them we mean them no harm.”
“And the Raptory?”
“That will take some explaining. I’ll make my way to you. Until then stall them.”
The pilot turns on her translator and calls out to the surrounding elves. Pania listens carefully, noting that some of the words are just slightly off, but seems to understand these strange, fur covered beings are not here to harm them.
“Me name is Pania Alow, knightess o’ the Order o’ The Scarlet Rose.”
“Corporal Heather Martins. My commanding officer, Left-tenant Commander Aria Sharpspear is making her way here to speak with you.”
Sharpspear arrives and explains the situation. At first there is some distrust as Sharpspear explains the Vulpine Science Guild was studying the elves from afar. Sharpspear also goes on to say that the Vulpine and Felanus feel responsible, as they believe they should have protected the planet far better. The elves begin to understand that had these beings not been here, the Raptory would have had an easier target.
[[and I'll definitely have more later]]
Related articles
- Rocket Fox: War of the Worlds (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
Goodreads
It’s taken me a bit, but I’ve finally signed up and am starting to participate at goodreads. I have my account, I have an author page (which is pretty awesome), and I’ve got a list of 60 books so far that I’ve read and 11 that I want to read. The bonus is that both books I’ve written happen to now be listed as well. Click on the images below to view the pages for each book.
Black Mask & Pale Rider
Canyons of Steel
And, if you ever wanna just drop by and check out my list of books, or suggest a few you’ve read, then by all means come on down.
Black Mask & Pale Rider Outline Complete
The outline is finished. 21 Chapters in all for the outline and things are starting off nicely. Using the original writing from Between Raising Hell And Amazing Grace (the title of the first series as posted online) was 25 pages, 11,500 words in total.
This new write up will have to include descriptions of Carrollton, Arkansas, Chicago, Illinois, Brockton and the Brockton Festival, Shani, Pania, Verit and Scales, along with a description of Captain Williams.
Writing will begin this weekend (or tonight, if I get home at a decent time). Barring how addicted I get to Guild Wars 2, which also begins this weekend for anyone who pre-ordered the game. Hopefully, writing will take a greater amount of priority.
I also still have to get used to the keyboard configuration on my laptop, it’s really cutting down my typing speed.
Related articles
- Black Mask & Pale Rider – Ten Chapter Outline (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
- Black Mask & Pale Rider Chapter Outlines (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
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Black Mask & Pale Rider – Five More Chapters of Outline
More outlines for the rewrite of Black Mask & Pale Rider today. That’s been my day, setting up outlines and doing some housework. Five more offerings this afternoon to go with what I posted this morning (which can be found here). For now, here is chapters 11 to 15.
Chapter 11 – The Hunt Begins
The Tale Continues
Desc: Shani and Pania begin the next chapter of the tale, as they attempt to introduce Captain Samuel Williams.
* * *
The Captain
Desc: Captain Williams receives new orders from the President, and heads off to select his men before heading out to bring down any suspected outlaws. There was heavy emphasis on bringing in Black Mask and Pale Rider, due to their popularity and the troubling things being heard from the Mid West.
Chapter 12 – New Friends
To The Victor, The Spoils
Desc: Scene opens with Shani robbing a bank. Several patrons, all with hands in the air, men with pants around their ankles displaying their undies. There are several nervous looks at Scales as Shani scoops up the cash and heads out of town.
* * *
Something New
Desc: Pania discovers wanted posters. To be exact, she discovers her wanted poster along with another for Black Mask, whom she recognizes. After asking around, she learns that Shani is not far from her location. But Pania has the law in Akron to deal with first.
* * *
Odd Discovery
Desc: As Pania is learning about the wanted posters, Shani is also discovering them, and taking note of the woman named Pale Rider. Unknown to either of them, they are both in Akron at the same time, just in very different parts of the city. Shani begins searching for word on Pania, and is directed eastward toward Pennsylvania. But first, she feels the need to engage in a small poker game at a tavern just on the eastern outskirts of Akron.
* * *
The Chase Is On
Desc: Captain Williams and his men are resting for the night in Canton, and in the morning they receive a wire that both Black Mask and Pale Rider were seen in Akron. Together with Private Johnstone, they plan to overtake the pair in Youngstown, not far from the Pennsylvania border.
Chapter 13 – Blockade
Hot heads
Desc: Shani takes a break from riding at a small tavern where a surly man tries to challenge her for a duel, accusing her of reneging on payment for sexual favours. Shani not only dispatches the man, but makes sure to embarass him as well.
* * *
They’re All Human
Desc: Pania discovers a farmer chasing down a trio of Algonquin, shooting erratically at them. She stops the farmer and attends to the three, finding one of them injured. They are hesitant at first, but Pania convinces them and helps the wounded man heal his wounds. As the man rests the other two recognize Pania from the wanted posters and warn her (after she argues that much of what is on those posters is not true) that the cavalry is planning to capture her just outside of Youngstown.
* * *
The Trap Is Laid
Desc: Captain Williams and his men block off the main escape routes through Youngstown, and have the local law watch the surrounding area for any sign of Shani or Pania.
Chapter 14 – Great Escape
You Take The South Road
Desc: Shani rides into Youngstown, hearing word of the blockade on the eastern side of town from a few whispers. She decides to take a few unused roads south of town to elude detection.
* * *
And I’ll Take The North Road
Desc: Pania, having been warned already, makes for a few roads north of Youngstown in order to escape detection.
* * *
Fleeting Encounter
Desc: Shani has a confrontation with a lone deputy, and much to his surprise, she leaves him alive and unharmed as she escapes toward the Pennsylvania border.
* * *
The Hunt Resumes
Desc: Captain Williams is informed of the unfortunate altercation, but seems very glad to hear the deputy is alright. This brings about a question, however, as to the truth of many of the wanted posters. As they often spoke of Shani’s penchant for slaying lawmen without hesitation.
Chapter 15 – Pennsylvania
Running Fast
Desc: Shani and Pania, oblivious to each other’s escape attempt as they seem to pass by, but never bump into each other, continue toward Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. All this time, Captain Samuel Williams and his posse is hot on their heels.
* * *
Welcome to Harrisburg
Desc: Shani enters the town limits of Harrisburg and begins to search around, learning all she can. She hears word of how the banks operate and how the entire town shuts down on Sundays, and she begins to hatch a plan. Her luck is right there as she arrived in town on a Saturday, which gives her time to look around before the big heist.
* * *
Down on the Farm
Desc: Pania gets some help from a farmer outside of Harrisburg, as she is able to have her horse bedded down and watered and she can get sleep in a real bed.
* * *
Easy Capture
Desc: Captain Williams is informed of Pania’s whereabouts and his posse lay in wait just outside the farm.
Related articles
- Black Mask & Pale Rider – Ten Chapter Outline (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
