TechgnosisWeb Prime

Well, after much soulsearching, pushing back, deciding not to do it, and then deciding to do it anyway, and just general asshattery, it’s finally here: the first couple of chapters of the story I’m working on. It’s not a steampunk tale, after all: it’s set in the slightly immediate future, inside a series of online games and virtual worlds. The plot is still being hammered out, ut I’ve got the first couple of chapters ready to go in my head, so now it’s a matter of just sitting down and typing it.. and eventually rewriting the hell out of it.

So, if you would like to read the first couple of chapters of the novel I’m working on, tentatively titled ‘Massively Multiplayer’, click on the ‘more’ link below.

30 seconds into the fight, Rathnar realized he had seriously underestimated his enemy. From afar, it had looked like easy enough prey: a large ground bird, like a particularly tall ostrich with a sharp, serrated beak. For an experienced warrior like him, used to slaying ogres, gnolls, and other assorted enemies of the realm while hardly working up a sweat, an overgrown chicken should pose no real threat. He had approached it as silently as his bulky plate armor allowed, slowly sliding Baneweaver, his massive two-handed sword, out of its scabbard. Its heavy, razor sharp blade glowed dully with the enchantments long ago cast upon it. Once he was within ten yards of the beast, however, it looked up, and straight at him. The damn thing had noticed him! Before Rathnar could take another step, the bird called out, a sharp, ear-piercing cry that echoed throughout the sweltering jungle.

Swearing under his breath, Rathnar stepped forward, lifting his blade up as he prepared to deal the big-mouthed bird a ringing blow. Movement from the corner of his eye stopped him, however. Another one of them. Then, on his other side, he could see yet another of the birds approaching. The rustling from behind him told him he was completely surrounded by the beasts. He immediately regretted deciding to do this quest on his own.