So, was a little grumpy last week, and i apologize for that.  Three books and a huge chunk of the marketing, plus a job and a life is just a lot to be juggling, and i hope all of you understand where i’m coming from a little better. 

 

So, back to fun things!

 

The Red Adept urban fantasy novel Oracle of Philadelphia is out!!  I’ve been waiting for this one for a while, and have already grabbed up my copy!  It’s got a special sale price for one day only so head over and get it quick!

http://redadeptpublishing.com/new-release-oracle-of-philadelphia-by-elizabeth-corrigan/

 

Now, onto the Way Walkers front!  This week i’m going to be trying to sort the formal ‘skeleton’ of the WW:U sequel, esstually sorting the major paths and getting this thing formally planned out.  So far i’ve had a general idea of what i’ve been doing as well as a dozen different smaller ideas i want to throw in, and now im finally getting to the point where i need to set the branches in stone and just hammer on through.  The goal is to sort that this week; though i’ll be honest i expect it might take me two.  Either way, i am optimistic it shall be done before the Tazu novel content edit must be started on my end.  *crosses fingers*  The only bad news i have to relate in this is that i simply might not be able to get all i want to into the sequel without going insane, and for that, i am sorry.  I’m going to try, but likely something i had planned will get cut.

 

However, as a treat i thought i’d post something i know a lot of fans have asked me about: the map of Tar’citadel!  This is my rough map, i hope someday to have the time to formalize it, but over all this still gives you an idea of the vast scope of this magical city:

Okay, i’m going to try really hard not to let this turn into a rant, but i got to get a few things off my chest for some of the fans out there who are getting a little bit whacky.

 

I’ve been getting a LOT of messages recently asking about ‘when is the WW:U sequel coming out?’ and while i appreciate you guys love my work, and want to know whats up, i feel i need to set a few things straight with regard to reality, because some of those asking are getting a wee bit entitled and demanding.  Here’s the thing: the first half took me a year to write, and consists of nearly 120,000 words.  After completion, it then sat around for eight months waiting for the publisher to sort things on their end, then took 3 months to get edited, and then sat around for another two months before it was released. 

 

Now, four months into that eight month time when the publisher wasn’t telling me if they wanted it/ could publish it— i gave up on it.  Threw out the notes.  Assumed it wasn’t wanted.  Moved on to other Way Walkers projects.  I was shocked when i got the email saying they would pick it up, and honestly wasn’t certain anyone would care about the thing until the day it was released.  Within hours of it’s release i began to see the response flowing in, and i realized i had an audience to write the sequel for.

 

The problem was, i hadn’t worked on this story, or in the Choicescript format, in over a year at that point.  Now, i jumped in with both feet and began writing like a mad woman, and spewed out over 60,000 words of new choicescript glory within three months, but well, i’m only human guys.  I burned myself out on all the branching, and needed a break.  So, over the holiday social insanity of December, i didn’t write too much.  And on Dec 31rst, i found out my Tazu novel was getting published.

 

Well now, that changes things further.

 

Again, i plunged into my WW:U sequel, doing my best to push through it all and get as much done as i can before i have to do all the work on the actual novel.  problem is guys, i was still a bit burnt-out, and i’ve made the second half a good portion more complicated than the first part. 

 

Now, to give all of you unfamiliar with the format of a choicescript game, this an excerpt from WW:U’s dueling club tryout:

(journal to continue at end of excerpt)

 

“Right,” the Master nods, herding you both over to one of the combat circles.  “Let’s begin!”

*page_break

Adrenaline starting to flow, you take your place across from Umbrave.

 

*if (rapport_sem >= 65) or ((relationship_sem = “friend”) or (relationship_sem = “spy”))

            “Hey, that one’s a friend,” Semryu’s voice suddenly calls out from the bleachers.  “So be gentle with this one, hear me, Turtle-back?!”

            *goto not_a_problem

*else

            “We need some new blood around here,” Semryu’s voice suddenly calls out from the bleachers.  “Be gentle with this one, Turtle-back!”

            *goto not_a_problem

 

*label not_a_problem

 

“Not a problem for me,” Umbrave chuckles back, “I’m not a cold-hearted jerk like you, Sem!”

 

“Just cold-blooded, you weird-looking lizard.”

 

“I’m a mammal, you twit!  Or did you go and fail Biology like you did Continental History?  What is it now, six times?  Seven?” 

 

The Clansman just grins and winks at you while your opponent laughs.

 

*temp comeback

*set comeback “okay”

*if ((charm >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or ((dexterity >=30) and ((charm >=40) or (creativity >=40)))

            *set comeback “witty”

*if (charm <=25)

            *set comeback “bad”

 

*if club_position = “Warrior”

            Tightening your grip upon your new weapon, you consider your first move.

            *choice

                        #A good offence is often the best defense.  I rush him.

                                    *label warrior_rush

                                    *set strength +1

                                    *set death +1

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you slyly banter as you swing your weapon around toward his midsection.  “How many hits does it take to crack a turtle?”

                                                *if (strength >=40) or (montage>=40)

                                                            *if (club_specialty = “staff”) or (club_specialty = “mace”)

                                                                        Your ${club_specialty} slams hard into his stomach, the blunt wood of it knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *goto only_one

                                                            *else

                                                                        You hit him hard with the flat side of the ${club_specialty} blade.  It slams into his stomach, knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *label only_one

                                                                        “Only one,” you answer for him as he falls forward upon his knees, gasping.

                                                                        *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            The Avenea dodges your attack easily and you fall quickly past him, stumbling somewhat.  Taking advantage of your unbalance, Umbrave merely trips you with his own weapon and you hit the ground.

 

                                                            “I’d say ‘you tell me’,” he grins down at you, “but I’m afraid you may never know.”

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

 

                                                            “More than the likes of you can give,” he quips back, blocking the attack with his own ${club_specialty}.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                You scream-out rather awkwardly as you whirl your weapon around toward his midsection, “Prepare to be conquered!”

                                                *if (strength >=40) or (montage>=40)

                                                            *if (club_specialty = “staff”) or (club_specialty = “mace”)

                                                                        Your ${club_specialty} slams hard into his stomach, the blunt wood of it knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *goto conquered2

                                                            *else

                                                                        You hit him hard with the flat side of the ${club_specialty} blade.  It slams into his stomach, knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *label conquered2

                                                                        “And there, you’re conquered,” you say as he falls forward upon his knees, gasping.

                                                                        *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            The Avenea dodges your attack easily and you fall quickly past him, stumbling somewhat.  Taking advantage of your unbalance, Umbrave merely trips you with his own weapon and you hit the ground.

 

                                                            “${sem_nickname}!”  You hear the sound Sem’s voice over the sight of Umbrave grinning down at you.  “Never declare your moves before making them!  Not only is it bad tactics, it’s just bad banter!”

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

 

                                                            “You might as well shout ‘prepare to block’,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own ${club_specialty}.  “You really need to work on your banter, there!”  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                “There’s no such thing as failure,” you return to Umbrave as you whirl your weapon around toward his midsection.

                                                *if (strength >=40) or (montage >= 45)

                                                            *if (club_specialty = “staff”) or (club_specialty = “mace”)

                                                                        Your ${club_specialty} slams hard into his stomach, the blunt wood of it knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *goto there_it_is

                                                            *else

                                                                        You hit him hard with the flat side of the ${club_specialty} blade.  It slams into his stomach, knocking his hips back along with all the air out of his lungs.

                                                                        *label there_it_is

                                                                        “Oh wait, there it is,” you say as he falls forward upon his knees, gasping.

                                                                        *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            The Avenea dodges your attack easily and you fall quickly past him, stumbling somewhat.  Taking advantage of your unbalance, Umbrave merely trips you with his own weapon and you hit the ground.

                                                           

                                                            “You were saying?” Umbrave laughs pleasantly in response.

 

                                                            “It’s only a failure if ${name} doesn’t learn how to dodge,” Semryu calls out in your defense, then starts chucking on his own.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

 

                                                            “I’m not sure many duelists would agree with you,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own ${club_specialty}.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                        #A new opponent needs to be studied before one can determine how best to fight them.  I wait to see what Umbrave does.

                                    *set karma +1

                                    “You going to fight,” he goads you, “Or are you frozen to ground?”

 

                                    [i]”Well,”[/i] ${angel} inquires, [i]”Are you going to attack?”[/i]

                                    *choice

                                                #Attack!

                                                            *goto warrior_rush

                                                #No, I want him to make the first move.

                                                            *goto warrior_defense

                        # Sometimes the best defense is a strong defense.  I plant my feet and prepare to take any hits head-on.

                                    *label warrior_defense

                                    *set strength +1

                                    *set dexterity +1

 

                                    “Defensive fighter, huh?”  Umbrave grins with a certain feral charm.  “Alright, let’s see if you live up to your designation, Exemplary.”  He then charges you head-on, weapon whirling.

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                *if (strength >= 40) or (montage >= 45)

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!”  You laugh heartily as you block the easy swing then slip away to the side.  Returning the attempt with your own skillful flourish, you disarm him with barely a thought.  “See?”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when your two weapons meet.  Falling hard on your rear, you manage to hold onto your ${club_specialty}, but it’s a futile gain.  The tip of Umbrave’s ${club_specialty} gently prodding your neck, you can only yield. 

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack.  Arms still vibrating from when your two weapons met, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                *if (strength >= 40) or (montage >= 45)

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly as you block the easy swing then slip away to the side.  Returning the attempt with your own skillful flourish, you disarm him with barely a thought.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when your two weapons meet.  Falling hard on your rear, you manage to hold onto your ${club_specialty}, but it’s a futile gain.  The tip of Umbrave’s ${club_specialty} gently prodding your neck, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout in reply, blocking his attack. 

 

                                                            “What?”  Your opponent can only laugh, “That was awful!” Arms still vibrating from when your two weapons met, you do your best to hold your ground while trying not to turn red with embarrassment.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all!”

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                *if (strength >= 40) or (montage >= 45)

                                                            “You tell me!”  You laugh heartily as you block the easy swing then slip away to the side.  Returning the attempt with your own skillful flourish, you disarm him with barely a thought.  “I think I’m pretty Exemplary, hum?”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if strength <=25

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when your two weapons meet.  Falling hard on your rear, you manage to hold onto your ${club_specialty}, but it’s a futile gain.  The tip of Umbrave’s ${club_specialty} gently prodding your neck, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Well, you certainly weren’t living up to it today,” he good-naturedly grins.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack.  Arms still vibrating from when your two weapons met, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Not bad,” your opponent grins good naturedly.  “Not bad at all.”

                                                            *goto well_fought

 

*if club_position =”Sorcerer”

            Taking a deep, cleansing breath, you consider your first move.

            *choice

                        #A good offence is often the best defense.  I call upon all the Energy Manipulative Ability I have and hit him with enough force to knock him back.

                                    *label sorcerer_rush

                                    *set death +1

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “Let’s see if Avenea have trouble getting-up off their backs!”

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            Releasing the spell, the blast is a flood of power knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.  “Guess so,” you chuckle, as he takes a few moments to right himself.

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            *goto magic_fail

                                                *else

 

                                                            “I’d say ‘you tell me’,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  “But I’m not sure you’ll ever find out!”  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you down with a minor energy ball.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him, finding your feet.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “What happens when you throw a turtle into a wall?”

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            Releasing the buildup directly at him, the blast is a flood of power, knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.  “The same thing that happens to everything else,” you chuckle. 

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            *label magic_fail

 

                                                            Nothing happens.  Trying to concentrate, you curse, sputtering while your opponent laughs.

                                                           

                                                            “You were saying?” Umbrave jibes pleasantly, and then tosses a small energy ball of his own at you.  Scrambling from your failure, you try to scamper out of the way, but mange only to land face-first onto the floor.

 

                                                            “It’s only a failure if ${name} doesn’t learn how to dodge,” Semryu calls out in your defense, then starts chucking on his own.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “You might as well shout ‘prepare to block’,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  “You really need to work on your banter, there!”  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you down with a minor energy ball.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him, finding your feet.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “Catch!”

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            Releasing the buildup directly at him, the blast is a flood of power, knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.  “I guess he’s not going to toss it back,” you chuckle.

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            *goto magic_fail

                                                *else

 

                                                            “No thanks,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you down with a minor energy ball.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him, finding your feet.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                        #A new opponent needs to be studied before one can determine how best to fight them.  I wait to see what Umbrave does.

                                    *set karma +1

                                    “You going to fight,” he goads you, “Or are you frozen to ground?”

 

                                    [i]”Well,”[/i] ${angel} inquires, [i]”Are you going to attack?”[/i]

                                    *choice

                                                #Attack!

                                                            *goto sorcerer_rush

                                                #No, I want him to make the first move.

                                                            *goto sorcerer_defense

                        #Sometimes the best defense is a strong defense.  I start gathering energy around myself for a shielding spell.

                                    *label sorcerer_defense

                                    *set dexterity +1

 

                                    “Defensive fighter, huh?”  Umbrave grins with a certain feral charm.  “Alright, let’s see if you live up to your designation, Exemplary.”  He then flings an energy ball at you head-on.

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!”  You laugh heartily as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought.  “See?”                                             

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear, you can only yield. 

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you back with a well-paced force attack.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought. 

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground. 

 

                                                            “What kind of quip was that?”  Your opponent can only laugh, “It was awful!” The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you down with a well-paced force attack.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all!”

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                *if ((talent >= 45) or (montage>=40)) or (major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”)

                                                            “You tell me!”  You laugh heartily as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought.  “I think I’m pretty Exemplary, hum?”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Well, you certainly weren’t living up to it today,” he good-naturedly grins.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you back with a well-paced force attack.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Not bad,” your opponent grins good naturedly.  “Not bad at all.”

                                                            *goto well_fought

*if club_position =”Battle Mage”

            Tightening your grip upon your new weapon, you consider your first move.

            *choice

                        #A good offence is often the best defense.  I call upon all the Energy Manipulative Ability I have and start channeling it through my weapon.  Let’s see just how tough these Avenea really are!

                                    *label battle_mage_rush

                                    *set strength +1

                                    *set death +1

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “Let’s see if Avenea have trouble getting-up off their backs!”

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40))

                                                            Releasing the spell, the blast is a flood of power that crackles down along your ${club_specialty} knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.  “Guess so,” you chuckle, as he takes a few moments to right himself.

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if (talent <=30) or ((strength <=25) and (talent <=25))

                                                            *label magic_fail2

 

                                                            Nothing happens.  Trying to concentrate, you curse, sputtering while your opponent laughs.

                                                           

                                                            “You were saying?” Umbrave jibes pleasantly, and then tosses a small blast of magic down his ${club_specialty} of his own at you.  Scrambling from your failure, you try to scamper out of the way, but mange only to land face-first onto the floor.  Your own ${club_specialty} clatters away, useless.

 

                                                            “It’s only a failure if ${name} doesn’t learn how to dodge,” Semryu calls out in your defense, then starts chucking on his own.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

 

                                                            “I’d say ‘you tell me’,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  “But I’m not sure you’ll ever find out!”  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away with a minor blast-spell.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “What happens when you cook a turtle?”

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40)) 

                                                            Releasing the spell, the blast is a flood of power that crackles down along your ${club_specialty} knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.  “Same thing that happens to everything else,” you chuckle, as he takes a few moments to right himself.

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if (talent <=30) or ((strength <=25) and (talent <=25))

                                                            *goto magic_fail2

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “You might as well shout ‘prepare to block’,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  “You really need to work on your banter, there!” The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away with a minor blast-spell.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                “Hey, Umbrave,” you shout just before you unleash a torrent of energy at him.  “Catch!”

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40))

                                                            Releasing the spell, the blast is a flood of power that crackles down along your ${club_specialty} knocking the Avenea backward a good ten feet onto his back.    “I guess he’s not going to toss it back,” you chuckle.

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if (talent <=30) or ((strength <=25) and (talent <=25))

                                                            *goto magic_fail2

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “No thanks,” he laughs back, blocking the attack with his own surge of energy.  The pair of you trade a few more hits and blows with energy and force, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away with a minor blast-spell.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                        #A new opponent needs to be studied before one can determine how best to fight them.  I wait to see what Umbrave does.

                                    *set karma +1

                                    “You going to fight,” he goads you, “Or are you frozen to ground?”

 

                                    [i]”Well,”[/i] ${angel} inquires, [i]”Are you going to attack?”[/i]

                                    *choice

                                                #Attack!

                                                            *goto battle_mage_rush

                                                #No, I want him to make the first move.

                                                            *goto battle_mage_defense

                        #Sometimes the best defense is a strong defense.  I plant my feet and start gathering energy around myself for a shielding spell.  Also, I angle my weapon to take a hit.  One can never be too careful.

                                    *label battle_mage_defense

                                    *set dexterity +1

                                    *set talent +1

 

                                    “Defensive fighter, huh?”  Umbrave grins with a certain feral charm.  “Alright, let’s see if you live up to your designation, Exemplary.”  He then unleashes a crackle of energy through his own ${club_specialty}.  The sparking charges at you head-on, sizzling along the floor.

 

                                    [i]”Don’t forget your witty retort,”[/i] ${angel} abruptly reminds as you move.

 

                                    *if comeback = “witty”

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40))

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!”  You laugh heartily as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought.  “See?”                                             

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear with your ${club_specialty}, you can only yield. 

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Live up to it?  I surpass it!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock your weapon away.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *if comeback = “bad”

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40))

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought. 

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “That was awful!”

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “Your mother,” you shout awkwardly in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground. 

 

                                                            “What kind of quip was that?”  Your opponent can only laugh, “It was awful!” The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you down with a well-paced force attack.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Work on the banter!”  Semryu’s chuckling voice rings out from the bleachers.  “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say anything at all!”

                                                            *goto well_fought

                                    *else

                                                *if ((talent >= 40) or ((strength >=35) and (talent >=35))) or ((major_ability = “Energy Manipulator”) or (montage>=40))

                                                            “You tell me!”  You laugh heartily as you easily dodge the stream of energy, slipping away to the side.  Returning the same channeled energy-attack with your own skillful flourish, you knock him on his back with barely a thought.  “I think I’m pretty Exemplary, hum?”

                                                            *goto very_well_fought

                                                *if talent <=25

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, only to be knocked backward hard when you fail to counter the attack with one of your own.  You’d tried to gather the necessary energy, but you just weren’t focused enough.  Falling hard on your rear, you can only yield.

 

                                                            “Well, you certainly weren’t living up to it today,” he good-naturedly grins.

                                                            *goto poorly_fought

                                                *else

                                                            “You tell me!” you shout in reply, blocking his attack with your own little burst of force energy.  Still sweating from the effort, you do your best to hold your ground.  The pair of you trade a few more attacks and dodges, until Umbrave seems to get bored and finally decides to knock you back with a well-paced force attack.  “Yield?”

 

                                                            “Yield,” you nod at him.

 

                                                            “Not bad,” your opponent grins good naturedly.  “Not bad at all.”

                       

                                     *goto well_fought

^ This is for ONE choice!!!

Just one choice out of hundreds.  What is essentially a single click for you is hours upon hours of work for me.  The truth is, i have absolutely no idea as to a release date on the second half of WW:U, though i would estimate more than a year at this point.  It’s this complicated in the first half, guys, and it’s WORSE in the second!  Which means, if you want it to be good, it’s going to take some time. Truth be told, my brain just cant work on it for long periods–it literally hurts my head, as in it’s given me migraines.

 

I’ve also got the up-coming release of the Tazu Way Walkers novel, the editing and pre-marketing (creating blurbs, deciding a title, sorting the cover) of which has been taking up the majority of my free time.  I also work a day-job, and have several other writing and art projects i do to earn money.  While WW:U is dear to my heart and i do intend on finishing it, it is just not currently top priority.

 

I will promise you this though: when it comes out, it will be good.  I don’t know if it will live up to all the expectations that have been thrown at me, but i’m going to try.  I also promise you that there will be TONS of Way Walkers novels put-out and they, too shall be epic reads.  I just ask that you guys please be patient and please be reasonable–i work very hard at this and seeing people claim that im somehow lazy b/c the sequel hasn’t come out yet or that im just writing cliffhangers to get more money is simply ridiculous, and honestly, hurtful. 

 

So watch what you say, be patient and have some faith.

 

~j. leigh

First, looks like Amazon approved the first part of Way Walkers: University, though we have no clue as to a release date, and will most likely never be able to publish part 2 on kindle.  Yay? i guess?

Anyways, to the more fun stuff!!
Good News! I got a call from my publisher and it looks like the editing process on Way Walkers: Tazu will begin in mid March rather than Mid-May! Yay!
So we’ll be polishing the storyline, fixing plot holes and the like, as well as throwing around ideas for a proper title, as Way Walkers: Tazu is kinda blah. Now i’m terrible with titles, and i figured, why not ask you guys? So, go to the link, read the summery and see if you can come-up with a Way Walkers: ???? title for me. ^_^ If you guys come up with anything good, i’ll pass it on to the publishers and if we actually use it, i’ll make mention of whoever came up with it in the author’s thank yous in the book.
https://waywalkersguide.com/the-books/way-walkers-tazu/

 

 

Okay, so Red Adept is doing a MASSIVE giveaway, including Amazon gift cards and free copies of Red Adept books of your choice (i assume this will include Way Walkers when it comes out!) Best thing is, most of the entries are simply likeing things on facebook! so, follow the link, spread the word and WIN FREE STUFF!!!!! 😀  http://redadeptpublishing.com/red-adept-publishing-anniversary-celebration/

 

 

Also, one of my author friends at Red Adept just put this new epic fantasy novel out! It look pretty awesome, so go check it out!
http://www.amazon.com/Rebel-Elements-Seals-Duelists-ebook/dp/B00BM74TIE