WIP: Space-Saving Books for Adventurers’ Convenience

Or Ellie’s Fantasy Version of an E-Reader Is Just the Soul Because She Supports Unconventional Repurposing

I said I’d start sharing my works in progress, so here we go. But first, some background behind the featured image above, because I’m sure you’re wondering why I made that.

This is the inspiration:

A photograph of a photograph, featuring the ruined interior of the Eldridge Street Synagogue. The dome is particularly interesting, with gold-like scratches across the dome.

Last Wednesday, in the Friends of the Library workroom, I was boxing the travel category when I came across Inside New York: Discovering New York’s Classic Interiors by Joe Friedman and Richard Berenholtz (in case you’re interested). During a break, I took a moment to flip through the pages. New York has always seemed intimidating to a suburban mouse like me, so this was a nice way to experience the city.

When I reached the photo of the Eldridge Street Synagogue’s interior, I had to pause. The scratched dome looked so much like a sigil. Something about the beauty in its ruination made me want to recreate it. It was as if the damage had been intentional, like someone had scratched a cosmic code onto the surface. The synagogue has since been restored, and I’m sure it’s breathtaking—if I ever visit New York, I’d love to visit—but the image of that ruined dome wouldn’t leave my mind until I’d made my own version of it.

So, using an earlier concept of an emblem in my fantasy realm, I crafted a sigil, which will eventually have a role in the story. For now, though, it’ll work as the featured image for these posts.

 

 

Now, let me show you what I’ve been working on for the past few days. I do like a good fantasy story, but I’m dead tired of the basic bitch “scrappy underdogs band together to beat the unbeatable Scary Big Bad through the power of friendship and relentless hope” plot. I have something different in mind.

Bear with me as I attempt to capture the essence of this evolving puzzle with mismatched pieces of a story in a few paragraphs:

A group of historians, actors, curators, and other interested parties have been hired for a momentous project. Their task: to gather interviews, memories, and other information to craft the official retelling—authorized by the crown—of the Epic Adventure.

Spanning over 20 years, the Adventure involved a wide cast of people who were called upon to protect the Painted Pathways, a series of enchanted paintings connected to the higher spirits. Through these, callers could receive wisdom, gifts, and abilities. The battle to protect or destroy these Pathways stretched over centuries, culminating in the long-awaited ascension of the Fleygens after two decades of conflict.

The Fleygens themselves were the most intriguing aspect of the Adventure. Ethereal messengers carrying out a sacred mission, these entities guided the major players, and learned about human nature, becoming more like the mortals they mentored. What purpose this served, no one knew—not even the spirits themselves.

Though the Fleygens have since ascended back into the Void, a new adventure is quietly beginning. One that nobody has noticed yet.

As the project members travel through Eximirene and the Plainrealm to interview surviving adventurers (and seek ways to contact those who have departed), one mystery rises above all: What happened to Father Peregrine Merli?

Father Merli, known as Grin to those closest to him, was a central figure in the Epic Adventure, and he has been missing for the last three years. As the project team digs deeper into the story, they uncover clues suggesting Grin’s disappearance may not have been by choice—and that the greatest danger he faces could come from within himself. What begins as a historical endeavor could soon become a race to save a man whose purpose in Eximirene is far from fulfilled.

 

 

Man, I sure like to use long em dashes, don’t I?

Taking inspiration from the British audio dramas I’ve enjoyed, I’m thinking a lot about the format. Narrator or no narrator? Do the characters do all the heavy lifting? How do I incorporate sound effects and music in a rough draft, if I should at all? How do I show in a medium that’s supposed to be completely audio?

One thing I do know is that, currently, I’d like to aim for 15-20 minutes per episode. That’s about a page per minute, which makes for long reads, an almost impossible task in our attention-divided world. (In fact, if you made it this far, I admire your strength or stubbornness.) Instead of overwhelming you with full scripts, I’ll share small portions along the way. Enjoy these nibbles as I prepare a banquet behind the scenes and try not to burn the water.

 

 

Note: This is a work in progress and the final version may differ.

FX: A slow crescendo of ghostly chimes, blending into the sound of a distant, muted explosion that dissipates into a soft breath of smoke.

Music: As the sounds fade, a calming melody plays, layered with a velvety, shimmering effect.

Elinore: (V.O.) Hello Clem! If you’re hearing this, congratulations! You’ve successfully performed your first ritual. This was an invocation, which means you’ve brought something into your soul—an entire handbook. Don’t worry, it’s not taking up any space. Normally, folks invocate spirits, but for your maiden voyage into Eximirene, an easily accessible handbook will be much more useful. There’ll be time for calling up spirits later.

Now, you’re probably wondering how this magickal audiobook is inside you. Well, I can’t get into the details about how that’s done. The workings of such magick are beyond the scope of this handbook, and I barely even know how it’s done, anyway. So do most experienced mages, for that matter. Just trust that it’s safe. Having this book ready will save you hours of flipping through pages in emergencies, of which you’ll have many as a newcomer.

So, yes, you’re hearing a handbook I made just for you. I curated it from the many journals I’ve kept during my own journeys through Eximirene. Specifically Winterfern, where you’ll be working, and my favorite place in the entire Realm.

As you carve out a new life here, you’ll notice spirits everywhere. For reasons known only to them, they like to congregate in Winterfern more than anywhere else. Maybe it’s the mist. You don’t need to worry about most of them; they generally aren’t interested in us mortals unless we have something they’re curious about. (But please don’t rush into that until you’ve heard the chapter on offerings and deals.)

All the same, trust your instincts. Some spirits might help if you ask, but others… Well, I’ve included a few protection and banishing sigils just in case. For now, just get to Briardrek Manor. If you need advice, think of this handbook, and your current situation will bring up the relevant passage.

On a personal note, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Let me offer a bit of comfort, something we outsiders hold dear: Eximirene has a way of finding those who need it. The spirits have led you to the Realm for a purpose, no matter how small it may seem. Though I never fully moved to the Realm, it has held me close and guided me through my darkest times. Now, it will do the same for you, never letting go, regardless of how unworthy you may feel of its gifts.

Good luck, Clem. May the spirits guide you to what you find sacred.