Thursday, November 19, 2009
Really Exciting News!
I know some of you may find it hard to believe that I could have time for anything but writing 50,000 words this month. It turns out I do. My Grandma asked me for a copy of Quests for Christmas, so in keeping with her wishes I've decided to make Quests: A Time of Training, the first title in the Quests series, available through a print-on-demand publishing company called Createspace.com. Starting in December, Quests 1 will be available for sale on the Createspace E-store and Amazon.com. Anyone who wants to may order the book from these sites. I will also post a link to my Createspace E-store page here on the blog. Readers can go to the E-store to find more information and order a copy. We're all excited about the book's publication here on Irowasa. We hope you will all join in our excitement and consider buying the book!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Jericho Effect Chapter 1 Preview and October News
Okay the preview for the Jericho Effect is now live! Unfortunately, due to the character limit on Createspace.com it is only a preview of the 1st chapter and does not include chapter 2 which introduces the werewolf pack and the other main character, Wikeon. Still, chapter 1 introduces the lead female, Crystal, so feel free to read it and leave some feedback by clicking this link: Jericho Effect preview.
Please read and leave comments.
I'm entering a number of short story contests at the end of the year. Most of the stories are single Quests' episodes. I will post the names of any contests I place in here on the blog.
Please note that I am participating in NaNoWriMo(National Novel Writing Month) this November with the goal of writing 50,000 words by the end of the month. For this reason I won't be blogging much if at all in November. If you're interested, I'm sure there are enough other interesting posts on this site to keep you busy until I get back to blogging so feel free to explore. ;) Have a fun, spooky Halloween and watch out for werewolves!
Please read and leave comments.
I'm entering a number of short story contests at the end of the year. Most of the stories are single Quests' episodes. I will post the names of any contests I place in here on the blog.
Please note that I am participating in NaNoWriMo(National Novel Writing Month) this November with the goal of writing 50,000 words by the end of the month. For this reason I won't be blogging much if at all in November. If you're interested, I'm sure there are enough other interesting posts on this site to keep you busy until I get back to blogging so feel free to explore. ;) Have a fun, spooky Halloween and watch out for werewolves!
Wikeon
I was really disappointed when I learned that because of the word count, the on-line preview of the Jericho Effect doesn't make it to the part where I introduce the character, Wikeon. For that reason I decided to post a couple scenes from an early draft of the book introducing you to Wikeon here on the blog. You may choose to read these scenes either before or after reading the preview. Wolfgang is the leader of the werewolf pack and Fang is his brother and second in command. When the scene opens Fang has gone into a human village to steal supplies for the pack.
-Rebekah
Fang was gone for a long time. As the sun sank lower in the west Wolfgang paced nervously. Finally a howl went up from one of the guards, signifying Fang’s return. Wolfgang heaved a sigh of relief as he walked to meet his brother.
Most of the pack ran to greet Fang. A murmur of surprise swept through the small crowd, and as they moved away, Wolfgang saw why. Fang was in his wolf form. On his back rode a small, dark skinned, ragged human boy who looked about seven years old. The boy raised a grubby hand and pushed dirty locks of shaggy black hair off his forehead revealing warm brown eyes. His other hand rested on a leather bag draped over Fang’s shoulder. The bag was filled with stolen items.
“What’s this?” Wolfgang demanded fiercely.
“The solution to one of our problems,” Fang replied. “The humans should be a little more willing to trust their own kind. The boy will be our thief.”
“Have you lost your mind?!” Wolfgang bellowed. “Do you seriously think the humans will forgive us for stealing one of their children?”
“He’s one of those orphans who live on the street,” said Fang, flexing his shoulders.
The boy slid off his back and stood, looking frightened and hugging the bag of Fang’s loot to his chest.
“I did him a favor,” Fang continued. “He would have starved living in the alley where I found him. Believe me, no one is going to miss him. Now we won’t have to put ourselves in danger by entering the villages. We’ll send him. As long as they don’t discover he’s a thief, he should be in no danger. Besides, since he’s one of them, he’ll be able to stay longer in the settlements and bring back more supplies than any of us ever could.”
“And what have you offered him in return?”
“A home with the pack and food.”
Wolfgang turned to the rest of the pack and asked, “What do all of you think of this?”
There was a mixed response. Some cried, “We don’t want a human in our camp, take him back where you found him!”
The boy moved closer to Fang.
Others said, “It’s a great idea. We won’t have to put ourselves in danger anymore, we’ll send a human! He can make up for the wrongs of his race by working for us.”
Wolfgang faced the boy.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Wikeon,” the boy replied.
“And Wikeon, are you prepared to earn your keep?”
“Yes sir, I am,” said Wikeon.
He met Wolfgang’s eyes with a look of determination. Wolfgang had to give him some credit for this, since he was not sure he would be so brave in Wikeon’s place.
Finally Wolfgang said, “Welcome to the pack.”
The other werewolves howled their welcome, Wikeon smiled timidly, and Fang whispered to Wolfgang, “You won’t be sorry.”
“I better not be!” Wolfgang snapped.
A few days later when the pack was again camped near a human village Fang brought Wikeon to a wooded valley from which they could see the settlement.
“All right, Wikeon,” said Fang. “It’s time for you to prove your worth. We need clothes for two men, three women, and a child. We could also use some more blankets and coats since winter’s coming. Don’t even bother returning without these things. I’ll wait for you here. When you get back I’ll check to make sure you got what we need. Now get going.”
“Right,” said Wikeon trying to match Fang’s serious look. “Should I get any food?”
Fang thought for a minute then answered, “Get some bread, fruit and vegetables if you can manage it. Don’t bother with meat. We hunt for that.”
“Okay,” said Wikeon.
He turned and ran toward the village while Fang melted into the shadows of the trees. Wikeon returned a few hours later wearing a large brown coat which was several sizes too big for him and munching on a plum. Fang stepped out from behind a pine tree and demanded, “Well, did you get everything?”
Holding the plum with his teeth, Wikeon unbuttoned the coat, pulled out a canvas sack and dumped it at Fang’s feet. He also emptied the pockets of the coat, shoving a few more plums, some apples, a zucchini and a cucumber into Fang’s arms. He then flopped down on the pine needle covered ground, finished his plum and tossed the pit at the trunk of a tree. While Fang set down the fruits and vegetables and sorted through the bag, Wikeon laced his fingers behind his head and lay back staring at the clouds skidding past behind the branches overhead.
After a minute Wikeon said, “It’s all there. I got everything you asked for and a little extra. Plus I got these to help me next time.”
He sat up, reached into an inner pocket of the coat and withdrew a few trade coins which could be used as currency in any of the four human kingdoms of Irowasa. Fang raised an eyebrow.
“How did you get those?” the werewolf asked.
Wikeon shrugged and said, “Some people don’t watch their pockets carefully enough.”
Fang smiled and replied, “I think we’ll keep you.”
-Rebekah
Fang was gone for a long time. As the sun sank lower in the west Wolfgang paced nervously. Finally a howl went up from one of the guards, signifying Fang’s return. Wolfgang heaved a sigh of relief as he walked to meet his brother.
Most of the pack ran to greet Fang. A murmur of surprise swept through the small crowd, and as they moved away, Wolfgang saw why. Fang was in his wolf form. On his back rode a small, dark skinned, ragged human boy who looked about seven years old. The boy raised a grubby hand and pushed dirty locks of shaggy black hair off his forehead revealing warm brown eyes. His other hand rested on a leather bag draped over Fang’s shoulder. The bag was filled with stolen items.
“What’s this?” Wolfgang demanded fiercely.
“The solution to one of our problems,” Fang replied. “The humans should be a little more willing to trust their own kind. The boy will be our thief.”
“Have you lost your mind?!” Wolfgang bellowed. “Do you seriously think the humans will forgive us for stealing one of their children?”
“He’s one of those orphans who live on the street,” said Fang, flexing his shoulders.
The boy slid off his back and stood, looking frightened and hugging the bag of Fang’s loot to his chest.
“I did him a favor,” Fang continued. “He would have starved living in the alley where I found him. Believe me, no one is going to miss him. Now we won’t have to put ourselves in danger by entering the villages. We’ll send him. As long as they don’t discover he’s a thief, he should be in no danger. Besides, since he’s one of them, he’ll be able to stay longer in the settlements and bring back more supplies than any of us ever could.”
“And what have you offered him in return?”
“A home with the pack and food.”
Wolfgang turned to the rest of the pack and asked, “What do all of you think of this?”
There was a mixed response. Some cried, “We don’t want a human in our camp, take him back where you found him!”
The boy moved closer to Fang.
Others said, “It’s a great idea. We won’t have to put ourselves in danger anymore, we’ll send a human! He can make up for the wrongs of his race by working for us.”
Wolfgang faced the boy.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Wikeon,” the boy replied.
“And Wikeon, are you prepared to earn your keep?”
“Yes sir, I am,” said Wikeon.
He met Wolfgang’s eyes with a look of determination. Wolfgang had to give him some credit for this, since he was not sure he would be so brave in Wikeon’s place.
Finally Wolfgang said, “Welcome to the pack.”
The other werewolves howled their welcome, Wikeon smiled timidly, and Fang whispered to Wolfgang, “You won’t be sorry.”
“I better not be!” Wolfgang snapped.
A few days later when the pack was again camped near a human village Fang brought Wikeon to a wooded valley from which they could see the settlement.
“All right, Wikeon,” said Fang. “It’s time for you to prove your worth. We need clothes for two men, three women, and a child. We could also use some more blankets and coats since winter’s coming. Don’t even bother returning without these things. I’ll wait for you here. When you get back I’ll check to make sure you got what we need. Now get going.”
“Right,” said Wikeon trying to match Fang’s serious look. “Should I get any food?”
Fang thought for a minute then answered, “Get some bread, fruit and vegetables if you can manage it. Don’t bother with meat. We hunt for that.”
“Okay,” said Wikeon.
He turned and ran toward the village while Fang melted into the shadows of the trees. Wikeon returned a few hours later wearing a large brown coat which was several sizes too big for him and munching on a plum. Fang stepped out from behind a pine tree and demanded, “Well, did you get everything?”
Holding the plum with his teeth, Wikeon unbuttoned the coat, pulled out a canvas sack and dumped it at Fang’s feet. He also emptied the pockets of the coat, shoving a few more plums, some apples, a zucchini and a cucumber into Fang’s arms. He then flopped down on the pine needle covered ground, finished his plum and tossed the pit at the trunk of a tree. While Fang set down the fruits and vegetables and sorted through the bag, Wikeon laced his fingers behind his head and lay back staring at the clouds skidding past behind the branches overhead.
After a minute Wikeon said, “It’s all there. I got everything you asked for and a little extra. Plus I got these to help me next time.”
He sat up, reached into an inner pocket of the coat and withdrew a few trade coins which could be used as currency in any of the four human kingdoms of Irowasa. Fang raised an eyebrow.
“How did you get those?” the werewolf asked.
Wikeon shrugged and said, “Some people don’t watch their pockets carefully enough.”
Fang smiled and replied, “I think we’ll keep you.”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Crystal Finds Sinister Dealings in Fairy Wood (Jericho Effect scene)
Below is a scene from the middle of my YA fantasy novel, The Jericho Effect. Before you read it let me give you a little background so you understand what's happening a bit better. Crystal is an enchantress in her twenties who became involved in the activities of a werewolf pack when she fell in love with the warlock, (male witch) Wikeon who was raised by the werewolves. The pack is led by a werewolf named Wolfgang and his brother Fang. At this point in the story Crystal is in hiding with a werewolf girl named Hunet, who was thrown out of the pack when she refused to kill a human. Crystal has sworn to protect Hunet from Wolfgang's anger. Before the scene opens Crystal heard the pack howling near their hiding place and used a seeing stone to discover that the werewolves were meeting someone in an abandoned barn on the edge of the woods. Leaving Hunet behind, Crystal made her way into the forest to investigate...
The moon hung just above the highest hills when Crystal reached the werewolves’ meeting spot. The old wooden barn was just visible through the first rows of trees forming the very edge of Fairy Wood. The barn’s roof sagged dangerously low. The pack filed through the gaping hole left by the broken door. Crystal was about to follow them when a sudden gust of wind hit her back and set the leaves rustling. She turned in time to see Wikeon glide over her head and navigate his way between the trees to land a few feet in front of where she stood.
Crystal moved behind a tree trunk before he saw her but couldn’t help glancing around it to get a better look at him. Wikeon looked tired; there were deep shadowy circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. Some trouble Crystal could only guess at made his shoulders sag. Crystal pressed herself closer to the peeling bark as Wikeon turned in her direction. He bent and hid his broomstick beneath the low hanging branches of a bush then turned to face the barn. He tensed visibly as he stared at it. Careful not to make a sound, Crystal moved around the side of the tree until she could once again make out Wikeon’s face in the moonlight. Strands of limp hair clung to his sweaty forehead but they were not enough to hide the fear in his eyes. Whatever was happening in the barn, Wikeon was afraid to face it. Part of Crystal wanted to run to him, fling her arms around him and comfort him. She suppressed this feeling for she would never learn anything that way.
Wikeon sighed and squared his shoulders, steeling himself for what was to come. Then he walked into the menacing structure. With a quick glance at the woods around her to be no one was watching, Crystal dashed forward into the shadows of the ruined door. She knelt to the left of the opening and leaned forward until her ear nearly brushed the doorframe. From there she could see and hear the entire scene playing out inside the abandoned building.
The werewolf pack stood on the hard dirt floor illuminated by a single lantern hanging from a sagging rafter. Wikeon moved to stand between Wolfgang and Fang at the front of the group. The werewolf leaders were both in their human forms. At the front of the barn the man Crystal had seen in her stone sat on a stool facing the pack. His face was hidden beneath the wide hood of his black cloak. A pipe poked out from under the hood, smoke masking the already mysterious figure. The man crossed one leg over the other so that the right toe of his worn, knee high leather boots pointed at Wolfgang. Crystal noted two other men standing on either side of the stool. Both guards were armed, one with a short sword the other with a bow and quiver of arrows slung across his back.
“Well?” asked the man on the stool.
A puff of smoke billowed from his lips as he spoke.
“We’ve done as you asked,” Wikeon replied in a hollow voice.
More smoke curled out from under the hood.
“Do you have proof?”
Wolfgang gestured at Fang who dropped the remains of a silk tunic at the man’s feet. Even from her place in the doorway Crystal could tell it was covered in blood.
“And this,” added Wolfgang tossing something small to the smoker.
Holding the pipe with his teeth the man reached out and caught the object with both hands. It glistened as he raised it to the light. Crystal leaned forward a little more until she realized it was a ring.
“I will show these to my employer,” said the man. “I’m sure he will be pleased.”
The moon hung just above the highest hills when Crystal reached the werewolves’ meeting spot. The old wooden barn was just visible through the first rows of trees forming the very edge of Fairy Wood. The barn’s roof sagged dangerously low. The pack filed through the gaping hole left by the broken door. Crystal was about to follow them when a sudden gust of wind hit her back and set the leaves rustling. She turned in time to see Wikeon glide over her head and navigate his way between the trees to land a few feet in front of where she stood.
Crystal moved behind a tree trunk before he saw her but couldn’t help glancing around it to get a better look at him. Wikeon looked tired; there were deep shadowy circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. Some trouble Crystal could only guess at made his shoulders sag. Crystal pressed herself closer to the peeling bark as Wikeon turned in her direction. He bent and hid his broomstick beneath the low hanging branches of a bush then turned to face the barn. He tensed visibly as he stared at it. Careful not to make a sound, Crystal moved around the side of the tree until she could once again make out Wikeon’s face in the moonlight. Strands of limp hair clung to his sweaty forehead but they were not enough to hide the fear in his eyes. Whatever was happening in the barn, Wikeon was afraid to face it. Part of Crystal wanted to run to him, fling her arms around him and comfort him. She suppressed this feeling for she would never learn anything that way.
Wikeon sighed and squared his shoulders, steeling himself for what was to come. Then he walked into the menacing structure. With a quick glance at the woods around her to be no one was watching, Crystal dashed forward into the shadows of the ruined door. She knelt to the left of the opening and leaned forward until her ear nearly brushed the doorframe. From there she could see and hear the entire scene playing out inside the abandoned building.
The werewolf pack stood on the hard dirt floor illuminated by a single lantern hanging from a sagging rafter. Wikeon moved to stand between Wolfgang and Fang at the front of the group. The werewolf leaders were both in their human forms. At the front of the barn the man Crystal had seen in her stone sat on a stool facing the pack. His face was hidden beneath the wide hood of his black cloak. A pipe poked out from under the hood, smoke masking the already mysterious figure. The man crossed one leg over the other so that the right toe of his worn, knee high leather boots pointed at Wolfgang. Crystal noted two other men standing on either side of the stool. Both guards were armed, one with a short sword the other with a bow and quiver of arrows slung across his back.
“Well?” asked the man on the stool.
A puff of smoke billowed from his lips as he spoke.
“We’ve done as you asked,” Wikeon replied in a hollow voice.
More smoke curled out from under the hood.
“Do you have proof?”
Wolfgang gestured at Fang who dropped the remains of a silk tunic at the man’s feet. Even from her place in the doorway Crystal could tell it was covered in blood.
“And this,” added Wolfgang tossing something small to the smoker.
Holding the pipe with his teeth the man reached out and caught the object with both hands. It glistened as he raised it to the light. Crystal leaned forward a little more until she realized it was a ring.
“I will show these to my employer,” said the man. “I’m sure he will be pleased.”
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
September News and October Announcements
For those of you who have Facebook accounts I've set up a group there called the Quests Fan Club. If you're interested in the series please consider joining the group.
I'd like everyone to give a big round of applause to my friend and artist, Karolyn for the wonderful work she did with the new Quests logo. It turned out great!
I will be creating on-line previews of the prologue and 1st episode of Quests and the first 2 chapters of my new Young Adult novel, The Jericho Effect in the following month. The Quests preview will be released next week on September 30. A scene from Jericho Effect will appear on the blog the following week. The preview for Jericho Effect will be released on October 28 in conjunction with Halloween since it centers on a pack of werewolves. Once created, these previews will remain available for anyone who may be interested in reading the books. I will probably set up a Facebook group for the Jericho Effect following the release of the preview so look for that in November.
I'd like everyone to give a big round of applause to my friend and artist, Karolyn for the wonderful work she did with the new Quests logo. It turned out great!
I will be creating on-line previews of the prologue and 1st episode of Quests and the first 2 chapters of my new Young Adult novel, The Jericho Effect in the following month. The Quests preview will be released next week on September 30. A scene from Jericho Effect will appear on the blog the following week. The preview for Jericho Effect will be released on October 28 in conjunction with Halloween since it centers on a pack of werewolves. Once created, these previews will remain available for anyone who may be interested in reading the books. I will probably set up a Facebook group for the Jericho Effect following the release of the preview so look for that in November.
Fedrick & Felnar answer your questions
This post is a response to Fedrick & Felnar's Interview from a couple months ago.
All right, everyone. Today I've brought back the goblin boy, Fedrick and the troll girl Felnar, to answer a few questions from our readers.
Colette asked: Why do you guys hate fairies so much? I think your friend Bardmaid has a different idea about them! Also, do trolls and goblins live together?
Fedrick: I'll take the first question. We hate fairies because they're stupid little trouble makers! They always find a way to ruin everything we do! Also they have these spells to keep us out of their forest, which happens to be one of the best hunting grounds on Irowasa. As if that's not enough, you can't even eat them or you get major food poisoning. They're just useless little...
Rebekah: Okay Fedrick, we get the idea! You're right though, Colette, I do have a different idea about them.
Fedrick: You probably think they're cute! That shows how much you really know about them!
Felnar: The little ones are cute!
Fedrick: Until they turn you to stone, kill you, or destroy your cave.
Rebekah: Let's move on to Colette's second question. I'll take this one. Not all goblins and trolls live together but some do. The underground city which is one of the major settings in Quests is home to both goblins and trolls. That's where Fedrick and Felnar live.
A friend on facebook asked: Question for Rebekah: how can you bear to have those two IN YOUR ROOM??
Rebekah: Well, whether I like it or not my characters are in the habit of slipping into my room at unusual times like 3 AM to tell me something important they think should go in the story. As annoying as it sometimes gets, if I kept them out my stories wouldn't be very interesting.
Fedrick: You're just another one of those clueless people who think fairies are cute little innocent things! What if she got a pet fairy who decided to blast a hole in her roof and let some sunlight in? Maybe you don't know that sunlight turns trolls to stone.
Question for Felnar: don't you think catching a fairy would be a very hard thing to do, especially since they live aboveground?
Felnar: I never thought about that. Maybe if I got the right fairy catching gear and snuck up to their house in the night when they were sleeping I could get one.
Fedrick: I just know she's somehow going to end up with a pet fairy. Just remember Felnar, any consequences are your own fault and don't say I didn't warn you.
Felnar: You're such a spoil-sport Fedrick. You probably still think I should just get a pet bat! Everyone in the city has pet bats!
Fedrick: Yeah, and no one has fairies. Don't you think there might be a good reason for that?
Rebekah: No fighting or I'll let in some sunlight and turn on all the lights! Well fans, I hope that answers your questions. Our next guest will be a... er... well, another friend of mine.
All right, everyone. Today I've brought back the goblin boy, Fedrick and the troll girl Felnar, to answer a few questions from our readers.
Colette asked: Why do you guys hate fairies so much? I think your friend Bardmaid has a different idea about them! Also, do trolls and goblins live together?
Fedrick: I'll take the first question. We hate fairies because they're stupid little trouble makers! They always find a way to ruin everything we do! Also they have these spells to keep us out of their forest, which happens to be one of the best hunting grounds on Irowasa. As if that's not enough, you can't even eat them or you get major food poisoning. They're just useless little...
Rebekah: Okay Fedrick, we get the idea! You're right though, Colette, I do have a different idea about them.
Fedrick: You probably think they're cute! That shows how much you really know about them!
Felnar: The little ones are cute!
Fedrick: Until they turn you to stone, kill you, or destroy your cave.
Rebekah: Let's move on to Colette's second question. I'll take this one. Not all goblins and trolls live together but some do. The underground city which is one of the major settings in Quests is home to both goblins and trolls. That's where Fedrick and Felnar live.
A friend on facebook asked: Question for Rebekah: how can you bear to have those two IN YOUR ROOM??
Rebekah: Well, whether I like it or not my characters are in the habit of slipping into my room at unusual times like 3 AM to tell me something important they think should go in the story. As annoying as it sometimes gets, if I kept them out my stories wouldn't be very interesting.
Question for Fedrick: how would a pet fairy be troublesome? Just let Felnar get one!
Fedrick: You're just another one of those clueless people who think fairies are cute little innocent things! What if she got a pet fairy who decided to blast a hole in her roof and let some sunlight in? Maybe you don't know that sunlight turns trolls to stone.
Question for Felnar: don't you think catching a fairy would be a very hard thing to do, especially since they live aboveground?
Felnar: I never thought about that. Maybe if I got the right fairy catching gear and snuck up to their house in the night when they were sleeping I could get one.
Fedrick: I just know she's somehow going to end up with a pet fairy. Just remember Felnar, any consequences are your own fault and don't say I didn't warn you.
Felnar: You're such a spoil-sport Fedrick. You probably still think I should just get a pet bat! Everyone in the city has pet bats!
Fedrick: Yeah, and no one has fairies. Don't you think there might be a good reason for that?
Rebekah: No fighting or I'll let in some sunlight and turn on all the lights! Well fans, I hope that answers your questions. Our next guest will be a... er... well, another friend of mine.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Contest Winners and Creature Answers
I’m pleased to announce the winners of the Name that Creature Contest! In 1st place we have Mike, who not only got all the answers right but also named the countries the creatures originated from, alternate names used for the same creature in other countries, and even a few of my sources. Show off! ;)
In 2nd place we have Adam who answered the questions correctly including the bonus ones!
In 3rd place is Wren who answered most the questions correctly and made a good effort to guess at the rest.
Congratulations winners and thanks for playing!
By the way I highly recommend Judy Allen’s Fantasy Encyclopedia to anyone interested in the genre. It’s one of my best sources for looking up fantasy creatures quickly. Also, I know I’ve read about most of these creatures in a few books and stories but I couldn’t remember all of them so I just put down the ones I could think of.
Now for the answers:
1. I live in mines. When danger is near I'll tap on the wall to warn you. What am I?
Answer: Tommy-knocker (a.k.a. Knocker, or Thumper)
From: Miners’ tales throughout the world
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerizzi
2. I'm a small elvin creature that likes to tinker with technology. I was first discovered by the British Royal Air Force in the 1920s. What am I?
Answer: Gremlin
From: Legend formed from stories of the British Air Force
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia
3. I’m a shape-shifter who loves to cause terror and trouble. I change into things you fear. What am I?
Answer: Boggart
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Boggart by Susan Cooper
4. I appear in the shape of a horse, but my hooves are backwards from those of an ordinary horse. If you get on my back I will carry you to the nearest source of water and attempt to drown you. What am I?
Answer: Kelpie (or Water Horse)
From: Scottish Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Water by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickenson, a children’s version of the Water Horse story whose name I’ve sadly forgotten
In 2nd place we have Adam who answered the questions correctly including the bonus ones!
In 3rd place is Wren who answered most the questions correctly and made a good effort to guess at the rest.
Congratulations winners and thanks for playing!
By the way I highly recommend Judy Allen’s Fantasy Encyclopedia to anyone interested in the genre. It’s one of my best sources for looking up fantasy creatures quickly. Also, I know I’ve read about most of these creatures in a few books and stories but I couldn’t remember all of them so I just put down the ones I could think of.
Now for the answers:
1. I live in mines. When danger is near I'll tap on the wall to warn you. What am I?
Answer: Tommy-knocker (a.k.a. Knocker, or Thumper)
From: Miners’ tales throughout the world
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerizzi
2. I'm a small elvin creature that likes to tinker with technology. I was first discovered by the British Royal Air Force in the 1920s. What am I?
Answer: Gremlin
From: Legend formed from stories of the British Air Force
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia
3. I’m a shape-shifter who loves to cause terror and trouble. I change into things you fear. What am I?
Answer: Boggart
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Boggart by Susan Cooper
4. I appear in the shape of a horse, but my hooves are backwards from those of an ordinary horse. If you get on my back I will carry you to the nearest source of water and attempt to drown you. What am I?
Answer: Kelpie (or Water Horse)
From: Scottish Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Water by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickenson, a children’s version of the Water Horse story whose name I’ve sadly forgotten
5. I live in marshes. You can only see me as a mysterious floating light. If you follow me I will lead you far into the marsh and leave you stranded there. What am I?
Answer: Jack O’ Lantern or Will O’ The Wisp
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Jack O’Lantern by Patricia A. McKillip (contained in the anthology, Firebirds Rising)
6. I can breathe fire I have the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent. I brought death and destruction for years before battling a Greek hero. What am I?
Answer: Chimera
From: Greek Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, various books on Greek myths and legends
7. I'm a man-like creature made out of mud or clay. I can only be brought to life by spells. I work as a servant, always doing as I am told and never moving unless I am given instructions. I usually work for sorcerers. What am I?
Answer: A golem
From: Hebrew Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Bonus questions:
1. I live in the Alps. Icicles hang from my hair and beard. I prefer cold weather and hibernate in the summer. My favorite form of entertainment is surfing on avalanches, though I will whistle to warn you of their danger. What am I?
Answer: Barbegazi
From: Legends in the Alps
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
2. I have wild green hair and blue skin. I hibernate in the winter and am at my most mischievous in the spring. I let out whistles to confuse humans. To escape me you must put your clothes on backwards. What am I?
Answer: Leshie
From: Russian Folklore
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
Answer: Jack O’ Lantern or Will O’ The Wisp
From: British legend
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Jack O’Lantern by Patricia A. McKillip (contained in the anthology, Firebirds Rising)
6. I can breathe fire I have the head of a lion, the body of a goat and the tail of a serpent. I brought death and destruction for years before battling a Greek hero. What am I?
Answer: Chimera
From: Greek Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, various books on Greek myths and legends
7. I'm a man-like creature made out of mud or clay. I can only be brought to life by spells. I work as a servant, always doing as I am told and never moving unless I am given instructions. I usually work for sorcerers. What am I?
Answer: A golem
From: Hebrew Mythology
Sources: Fantasy Encyclopedia, Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Bonus questions:
1. I live in the Alps. Icicles hang from my hair and beard. I prefer cold weather and hibernate in the summer. My favorite form of entertainment is surfing on avalanches, though I will whistle to warn you of their danger. What am I?
Answer: Barbegazi
From: Legends in the Alps
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
2. I have wild green hair and blue skin. I hibernate in the winter and am at my most mischievous in the spring. I let out whistles to confuse humans. To escape me you must put your clothes on backwards. What am I?
Answer: Leshie
From: Russian Folklore
Source: Fantasy Encyclopedia
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