Becoming a Writer

This is the most exciting hobby news of my life: I’ve been invited to write an adventure module for Mythras Classic Fantasy.

While precise details are still being worked out, astute readers will have noticed Classic Fantasy author Rodney Leary’s comment back on my post about Goriel’s first burglary.

In short, I was approached to pitch an idea. I pitched it. The idea was accepted.

I’m ecstatically honoured!

The Terror of Ettinmarsh

This is the working title for the adventure I’ve begun writing. Here’s the first paragraph of the pitch I sent:

The heroes arrive, heeding the call for mercenary adventurers, at the hillfort settlement of Anminster. The nearby Ettinmarsh, lying across the lake from the settlement, has long been a place shunned by the locals; lately, the Ettin who lives within the ancient ruin of Moonspike Tower has recruited a band of Goblins led by a Bugbear to help keep him safe. The now bored Goblins, desiring booty and fresh meat, have begun to raid wagons crossing the marsh causeway near which Anminster was originally constructed as a watchtower.

I’m reluctant to reveal the rest because I don’t want to spoil the story for likely players, such as the Friday Night Roleplayers who’ll be invited to go forth and investigate in the coming weeks (by way of a playtest).

Suffice it to say, there is much more to the adventure than first meets the eye.

Welcome to Anminster

My crude initial sketch of Anminster.

This particular weekend has been momentous because I’ve finished an initial draft of the village of Anminster, outlining the main locations in the hillfort settlement. It’s ready to be visited by eager adventurers and I’ve even sketched out a few maps of the area.

Anminster is initially very much part of my Mystamyr setting but will be easily portable to any setting.

Here’s a little taster of the background:

The hillfort settlement of Anminster was founded by Lord Eadmund Anminster four generations ago. Given permission by the King to built a watchtower to guard the causeway across Ettinmarsh, Lord Anminster quickly saw the potential for a sizeable estate. Finding the ruins of a round tower at the peak of a hill overlooking the nearby lake, Lord Anminster chose to rebuild the tower and use it as the beginning of his own Keep.

The village grew up naturally around the Keep as traders along the Old North Road began to stop to rest before the long trek across the causeway. Folk from the lands west of Sharna and the southern city of Zorastor saw opportunities to sell supplies to those travelling by. As Lord Anminster increased his household guard, the village also became a recognised fort safe haven for adventurous folk. Even the barbarian tribes inhabiting the grass plains north of Anminster saw the value of the stronghold and began trading hides with the locals instead of threatening to raid.

Right… that’s enough for now. I don’t want to spoil anything further, or risk my excitement getting me deselected. 🙂

Game on!