QUEST OF FIRE FRIDAY: NORTH BY NORTHWESTERN LOCALES

Hello there!

Welcome to today’s Quest of Fire Friday. This week I’m featuring three locations that will appear on the main map for the next book in the Quest of Fire series. Resurgence of Dawn has been out for a month today (definitely check it out if you haven’t already: https://www.amazon.com/Resurgence-Dawn-Quest-Fire-Book-ebook/dp/B0CLL2D66S)

I’m currently working on book six in Quest of Fire, which is due out later this year. I’m going to save details and thoughts about it for a later post, but one thing I can give some insights into are some cool locations that intersect the story. I’ll share one set from each of three nations at play in the release to come.

ECTHELOWALL

Langlan’s Bay – Langlan’s Lighthouse is built into its keep. All the buildings in Langlan’s Bay are also built with roofs slanted towards the Fogshroud Strait and covered with tiles that catch the light from passing ships to aid in their passage. It is the eighth largest city in Ecthelowall, mostly due to its importance in allowing trade to pass along the northern waters of Ecthelowall and offering the key

Càraid Isles – Two islands on the opposite side of the Strait likewise have small fishing villages with similar architecture. Manor Rock on Earan and Keplan on Iaran.

Fogshroud Strait – A passage along Ecthelowall’s northern coast between the March of Tirniwl—the capital of which is Langlan’s Bay—and the Càraid Isles. It is nearly perpetually swathed in a thick fog except in the height of summer and winter. Those in Langlan’s Bay and the Càraid Isles hold festivals during those periods called Clearing Days to celebrate being able to see across the Strait.

ALBARON

Dirkforge – One of the eight stewardships of Albaron, each with a castle city. Situated along the plain where the Wolfsglen River’s arm flows into the Four Fens and west of Loch Angus, Dirkforge is key to Albaron’s defenses as the site of its most skilled blacksmiths and historic forges. Located strategically between the Airgid and Iarann Mines which supply the nation with silver and iron respectively, it has ready access through the use of the river to import raw ores and export its finished wares, which also include metallic fixtures, housewares, etc. In a largely mountainous country, with almost no flat lands to be found, it is a rarity which has only enhanced its importance over the centuries to maintaining Albaron’s independence, which comes under threat in Quest of Fire Book Six.   

Four Fens – The Wolfsglen River’s watershed reaches its low point in a swampy area known as the Four Fens. Surrounded by low, weathered mountains on either side it is a unique biome within Albaron’s lands. It is also the subject of much lore and tales told round firesides to young children, kept rapt by stories of goblins, boggarts, and werebeasts that were said to have once terrorized those ill-advised enough to enter any of the four bogs. The very number of bogs is said to be tied to the number of settler groups lost to early attempts to explore and cultivate the land.

VOGTEREMARK

Daggerpointe – Once a thriving hub of trade when it was a vital link to the major Ord city of Glastonae, after the disastrous Battle of Fallen Bridges that destroyed Glastonae and left it abandoned for centuries, Daggerpointe’s commercial prospects continued to limp along, but never regained their former magnificence. Impressive buildings now dingy and showing signs of crumbling, entire districts of the city now empty. Daggerpointe became a monument to a past it could never forget and despaired ever reaching again. The city for virtue of its name, which was originally granted it for its geological shape coming to a sharp point at the opening of the treacherous Bay of Bris, and desperation of its people became a hub for pirates, mercenaries, and other blades for hire.  None of which the rulers of the Vogteremark, which controls the surrounding area officially acknowledge.

Those are some quick bits of color and character that are part of each locality and shape their respective roles in the next Quest of Fire entry. Much like Desperation did, this entry is going to zoom into the Northwestern Lowlands map and reveal features, locations, and a story that might have gone unnoticed when pulled back and looking at the overall picture. Things are going to be pretty dire as the decisive War of Restoration reaches an inflection point in the book which will, of course, set everything up for the enormous finale in the conclusion to Quest of Fire, which is due in 2025 (Lord willing).

I’m planning to share more in days to come so keep checking back for more and most importantly, may the Lord bless and be with you always.