#post 16

@steph-manser! 

She loves writing fantasy, but she’s experimenting with sci-fi, and might expand into horror. Generally, she writes original works but used to dabble in fanfiction. 

Here’s two blurbs from her stories, Residual Hate and Finding Balance:

Residual Hate (linked):

Hitori has yet to find her place in the world. An archmage with an obscure specialty, she travels the continent of Cypressia in order to keep the peace between mages and non mages. When she finds Adeliva in a small village, she stumbles into a conspiracy that tests her mentorship skills, her abilities as an enforcer of magical law, and the friendships she has developed. Can she maintain trust as the lies she has used to protect herself are peeled away, one by one?

Finding Balance (TBD 2026):

Ten years before the start of Residual Hate, Hitori is sent to a school for magic. As a young mage who has difficulty socializing, she strikes up a friendship with a boy who has his own secrets. Kamatari does not socialize well either. His childhood taught him that emotional attachments can be used to cripple his chances of survival. Despite that, he is tempted to protect the strange mage who clings to him like a little sister. Claren is different. He has a partner, a stable job, and the perfect spot to stargaze. He would prefer to avoid complications. Yes there is always a consequence to a choice, the future is always in flux, and so his work as an oracle is never complete. Together, they have a chance to find balance in their lives.

Find her ao3 here!

Here’s a quote from this week’s author:

"I enjoy writing scenes of choice and character foils. So if I give two characters a choice, I like to explore how the outcomes differ, when that pivot point becomes crucial, and maybe how psychological effects will lead into other issues. I started writing nearly twenty years ago, took a decade-long break for post-secondary reasons, then recently resurfaced in media. I generally write adult fiction because I can't remember being a teenager anymore, and as an acespec I cannot enjoy contemporary romance projects. I enjoy LGBTQ2A+ characters, I enjoy bringing diversity into my projects, and I want to write for my younger self who did not belong."

The halfing and the wood-elf finally got to the wall and sure enough it was a compact dirt and stone wall with roots growing down along it that they could grab onto.

“Kireen Donar over here! Are you ok!” She turned around and saw them both swimming frantically in their direction.

“Giant eel! Sadie can you see it?!” Kireen panted, being half pulled along by Donar. Sadie climbed enough so she was completely out of the water and raised her light source. With great horror, she saw a shadowy form beneath her friends that was several wagons long. “There! Keep swimming!” she yelled and pointed her finger at the beast “not even our swords will enjoy touching you you scale-less rotting beast!” but her insult was not just words, the magic around her and the eel warped for a moment and then she saw the beast thrash in discomfort, pausing its pursuit. This bought the dragonborns a few more moments. They were so close to reaching the vines when the eel regained its wits and doubled its speed. Sadie was able to warn them and Donar turned, sword swishing through the water. Kireen continued to the wall and finally was safe from sinking for now. Donar slashed and was able to deal it a solid blow but then it’s teeth sank into his arm. Sadie again used her magic “you absolute useless noodle you have no purpose on this plane!” and that also seemed to affect its psyche.

K’lai’a’la had finally settled herself with one arm wrapped around the vines and was able to take out her bow. With a few well placed shots Donar managed to get to the wall with them. “Start to climb!” He called and he didn’t need to tell Sadie twice but it was slow going. The roots were partially rotted in places and the stones were not as compact as they would have liked. Her foot broke through and the roots tore. She fell down back into the water and the eel was waiting.