Edward Larel's Blog - Posts Tagged "zen-chronicles"
Character Profile - Katrina of Ganalodel
*Warning, some spoilers involved*
Want to know how Katrina started her adventures? Check out her short story over on DeviantArt.
The elves in Pnumadesi have kind of a bad rap. They're often discriminated against or, most often in the case of the women, exploited. Because of the treatment they receive when interacting with humans and, to a lesser extent, the other races, the elves usually stick to their forests.
Enter Katrina, the leading lady of Arawn's Quest. Trained as a hunter, she doesn't want to be tied to any one place. Wanderlust hit her early in life when she watched a ship dock on the river in Ganalodel and fell in love with the idea of sailing and adventuring in general.
After she finished her training to be a hunter, the elven woman requested, and was granted, freedom from her ties to the forest and her queen. Despite this, there were still some rules by which she has to abide. There are many such rules, but those which have so far been relevant include:
* She is an ambassador of her race. She must act in accordance with the laws of the lands in which she travels, unless those laws contradict elven paradigm.
* Whenever she enters a new region, she must report in with the elven council of that area so they are aware of her presence and purpose.
* On pain of death, she cannot trade elven secrets or goods without permission from the current ruler.
* She may cover her appearance, but she cannot mask her features unless her life would be put at risk.
Katrina evolved in a very interesting way from her concept. When we first thought her up, she was just the faceless leader of a mercenary group who would help Arawn get to Desmond. As I began writing her, I gave more definition to her character, which branched into elves in general and how they are viewed by society. By the time I had Katrina fully developed, she had shaped the elven race's presence on Pnumadesi.
With the higher importance I put on her, she naturally fell into a leadership role, which proved a major attraction to Arawn, who until his adventure started hadn't actually met another race besides his own.
The contrast between Katrina's appearance and Arawn's really sparked something in each of them, and their feelings for each other grew quickly from the brief interactions they had.
Making Katrina Diaden's granddaughter was a spur of the moment decision as I wrote that part of the story. I had yet to really put a finger on why exactly the man, who until now had a reason for everything he did, would pick somebody with such a stigma against her to aid in a covert mission. Sure, she was good at what she did, but this is the fate of the known world we're talking about. When I finally realized where I wanted to take their relationship to each other, everything else fell into place.
Spurring off that notion was the fact that Katrina, like Arawn and Zen, is a Child of Destiny. Any time Diaden would have tried to see what she was up to through the Book of the Forgotten Bard, he would have trouble because the book is never clear on them. He may never admit it, but it's obvious Diaden appreciates the people he calls family, especially those to whom he's actually related.
That's all I've got for now. If you have anything else you'd like to know about Kat, feel free to ask here or send me a message. Thank you -
Want to know how Katrina started her adventures? Check out her short story over on DeviantArt.
The elves in Pnumadesi have kind of a bad rap. They're often discriminated against or, most often in the case of the women, exploited. Because of the treatment they receive when interacting with humans and, to a lesser extent, the other races, the elves usually stick to their forests.
Enter Katrina, the leading lady of Arawn's Quest. Trained as a hunter, she doesn't want to be tied to any one place. Wanderlust hit her early in life when she watched a ship dock on the river in Ganalodel and fell in love with the idea of sailing and adventuring in general.
After she finished her training to be a hunter, the elven woman requested, and was granted, freedom from her ties to the forest and her queen. Despite this, there were still some rules by which she has to abide. There are many such rules, but those which have so far been relevant include:
* She is an ambassador of her race. She must act in accordance with the laws of the lands in which she travels, unless those laws contradict elven paradigm.
* Whenever she enters a new region, she must report in with the elven council of that area so they are aware of her presence and purpose.
* On pain of death, she cannot trade elven secrets or goods without permission from the current ruler.
* She may cover her appearance, but she cannot mask her features unless her life would be put at risk.
Katrina evolved in a very interesting way from her concept. When we first thought her up, she was just the faceless leader of a mercenary group who would help Arawn get to Desmond. As I began writing her, I gave more definition to her character, which branched into elves in general and how they are viewed by society. By the time I had Katrina fully developed, she had shaped the elven race's presence on Pnumadesi.
With the higher importance I put on her, she naturally fell into a leadership role, which proved a major attraction to Arawn, who until his adventure started hadn't actually met another race besides his own.
The contrast between Katrina's appearance and Arawn's really sparked something in each of them, and their feelings for each other grew quickly from the brief interactions they had.
Making Katrina Diaden's granddaughter was a spur of the moment decision as I wrote that part of the story. I had yet to really put a finger on why exactly the man, who until now had a reason for everything he did, would pick somebody with such a stigma against her to aid in a covert mission. Sure, she was good at what she did, but this is the fate of the known world we're talking about. When I finally realized where I wanted to take their relationship to each other, everything else fell into place.
Spurring off that notion was the fact that Katrina, like Arawn and Zen, is a Child of Destiny. Any time Diaden would have tried to see what she was up to through the Book of the Forgotten Bard, he would have trouble because the book is never clear on them. He may never admit it, but it's obvious Diaden appreciates the people he calls family, especially those to whom he's actually related.
That's all I've got for now. If you have anything else you'd like to know about Kat, feel free to ask here or send me a message. Thank you -
INCOMING!
Northwinter Press is celebrating the end of the world on 12/21/2012 with the release of both Children of Destiny books. Look for Born of the Elements and The Highborn King at the end of this week on Amazon Kindle and later this month (due to timing of printing, etc) in print.
I am so very happy and thankful to those who helped get what turned out to be such a large project completed when we did. Thank you all so much, and though I'm taking a short break to rest now (while working on other projects, of course), I will come back next year for the conclusion to the Zen Chronicles and a few sneak peaks at the future of Pnumadesi. Until then!
I am so very happy and thankful to those who helped get what turned out to be such a large project completed when we did. Thank you all so much, and though I'm taking a short break to rest now (while working on other projects, of course), I will come back next year for the conclusion to the Zen Chronicles and a few sneak peaks at the future of Pnumadesi. Until then!
Children of Destiny; now available on Amazon
Zen Chronicles book 3 is now available in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. Enjoy!
The Third War of Elements: Writing begins 5/1/2013
Hey everybody,
If you're reading this, it's because you've expressed interest in my novels and/or worked with me to promote them in the past. First, thank you for your continued support; it really means a lot. Second, I wanted to announce that I plan to begin work on the final book in the Zen Chronicles this coming May.
The last book will be "The Third War of the Elements" and focuses on resolving the primary storyline we began with Arawn's Quest. That is, the return of the xendauni and how their presence back on Pnumadesi will affect the elementals' hold on the continent. Arawn and the other Children of Destiny have already done quite a bit to weaken that hold, and the events in this novel will illustrate that as well as push them ahead as both individuals and what has become a family.
I look forward to bringing this arc in the history of Pnumadesi to a brilliant end while still laying the groundwork for future novels set in the same world. Rest assured, if any of your favorite characters live through this, you'll see them again down the road. So, enjoy the next few months of piece as I plan out the novel and share my writing with you up to the point of release. When that day comes, we go to war! Until then, enjoy.
If you're reading this, it's because you've expressed interest in my novels and/or worked with me to promote them in the past. First, thank you for your continued support; it really means a lot. Second, I wanted to announce that I plan to begin work on the final book in the Zen Chronicles this coming May.
The last book will be "The Third War of the Elements" and focuses on resolving the primary storyline we began with Arawn's Quest. That is, the return of the xendauni and how their presence back on Pnumadesi will affect the elementals' hold on the continent. Arawn and the other Children of Destiny have already done quite a bit to weaken that hold, and the events in this novel will illustrate that as well as push them ahead as both individuals and what has become a family.
I look forward to bringing this arc in the history of Pnumadesi to a brilliant end while still laying the groundwork for future novels set in the same world. Rest assured, if any of your favorite characters live through this, you'll see them again down the road. So, enjoy the next few months of piece as I plan out the novel and share my writing with you up to the point of release. When that day comes, we go to war! Until then, enjoy.
Zen's Heritage - Giveaway Weekend!
Pick up Zen's Heritage on Amazon for free between 5/4 and 5/6! That's right, for this weekend only, I'm celebrating getting started on the final book of the Zen Chronicles by giving away the second novel for free. It's the chance you've been waiting for to get caught up.
http://www.amazon.com/Zens-Heritage-Z...
http://www.amazon.com/Zens-Heritage-Z...
