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The Vanguards of Scion Part 1: The Servant's Blade
A mysterious being enters the East Realm continent from another dimension and injects unworldly magic into unlikely souls across the world. Chaos follows and the lives of these souls are forever changed.
The Vanguards of Scion is a violent tale of five eccentric characters from different parts of The East Realm, an ex-knight, a rogue assassin, a witch, an alchemist & a huntress. All 5 begin on separate paths across the world but their fates collide as some are visited by a being from another world & each given unthinkable powers as in exchange for servitude as vanguards to the King of Scion.
Ivanos Jorganaut- once a great champion knight in his now fallen and forgotten Kingdom of Ironwood. He traveled the roads of the East Realm for many years on the back of his only beloved friend Velvet, a warhorse. Over the years he has shifted between many freelance mercenary jobs and temporary farm jobs to feed himself and Velvet, all the while seeking redemption for his failure as a knight. A visit from the King of Scion changes his destiny in ways he could have never dreamed of.
Emmanora Cerahal- the feisty, foul-mouthed, rogue assassin who trained from childhood with her family in the Spiders on the Wind, an elite assassin group. She is a loner now, having abandoned the Spiders, living a life as a loner assassin. Her secluded home is discovered and attacked by pirates. She goes after them only to have her fate take a turn with a visit from the King of Scion.
Vendronia- a strange young woman with scarlet red skin who has been raised by the trog, a giant race of humans from the Caribou Valley. Having been raised by Ona, the Crone Mother, Vendronia has tried to find her role serving the Witchgods. She struggles to find her place in their ranks and gain acceptance among their people. The King of Scion intervenes in her life and changes her situation forever.
Kazimir ‘the touched’ Drajor- a dark skinned Belazonian alchemist who struggles to obtain respect from his colleagues in the Hall of Alchemy. Unfortunately, his illusions blunder often, and he has trouble trying to teach a class of alchemist initiate students without inciting their laughter. He is determined to prove his value by making the next great discovery and adding his name to the archives of the Hall of Alchemy Alumni Elite.
Aeile Melicah- a huntress on a desperate mission to find a rare flower that is said to be the only thing that will save her young sister of her necrotic disease. She finds her journey averted when she is attacked and then infected by a stranger with an unworldly disease that changes the moral barriers of her soul forever.
The Vanguards of Scion is a violent tale of five eccentric characters from different parts of The East Realm, an ex-knight, a rogue assassin, a witch, an alchemist & a huntress. All 5 begin on separate paths across the world but their fates collide as some are visited by a being from another world & each given unthinkable powers as in exchange for servitude as vanguards to the King of Scion.
Ivanos Jorganaut- once a great champion knight in his now fallen and forgotten Kingdom of Ironwood. He traveled the roads of the East Realm for many years on the back of his only beloved friend Velvet, a warhorse. Over the years he has shifted between many freelance mercenary jobs and temporary farm jobs to feed himself and Velvet, all the while seeking redemption for his failure as a knight. A visit from the King of Scion changes his destiny in ways he could have never dreamed of.
Emmanora Cerahal- the feisty, foul-mouthed, rogue assassin who trained from childhood with her family in the Spiders on the Wind, an elite assassin group. She is a loner now, having abandoned the Spiders, living a life as a loner assassin. Her secluded home is discovered and attacked by pirates. She goes after them only to have her fate take a turn with a visit from the King of Scion.
Vendronia- a strange young woman with scarlet red skin who has been raised by the trog, a giant race of humans from the Caribou Valley. Having been raised by Ona, the Crone Mother, Vendronia has tried to find her role serving the Witchgods. She struggles to find her place in their ranks and gain acceptance among their people. The King of Scion intervenes in her life and changes her situation forever.
Kazimir ‘the touched’ Drajor- a dark skinned Belazonian alchemist who struggles to obtain respect from his colleagues in the Hall of Alchemy. Unfortunately, his illusions blunder often, and he has trouble trying to teach a class of alchemist initiate students without inciting their laughter. He is determined to prove his value by making the next great discovery and adding his name to the archives of the Hall of Alchemy Alumni Elite.
Aeile Melicah- a huntress on a desperate mission to find a rare flower that is said to be the only thing that will save her young sister of her necrotic disease. She finds her journey averted when she is attacked and then infected by a stranger with an unworldly disease that changes the moral barriers of her soul forever.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2020
23 people want to read
About the author
Michael E Thom
8 books19 followersMichael E. Thom was born May the 4th 1972 and grew up and still resides in Fort Smith, Arkansas. His father Larry Thom is from Sacramento, California and his mother Loretta Thom is from Scranton, Arkansas. This made for Michael to be raised with a unique outlook an perspective on extreme differences of culture.
He started writing fantasy and horror in his late teens after having been a rabid fan of Stephen King and Dungeons & Dragons. The first novel he ever read was Time of the Twins of the Dragonlance series. He started playing D&D when he was 11 years old and found most often he enjoyed being the Dungeonmaster because he loved creating worlds and stories for people to enjoy within them. After many of his D&D players suggesting he write fantasy novels based on some of the worlds he created, he decided to start writing and immerse himself in creative writing classes and groups at Westark College (now UAFS). There he came in contact with a creative writing teacher who helped him join a writer's group.
He wrote many short horror stories and began a fantasy novel series and a horror novel, both of which he never submitted, but he did get a few of the short stories published in small periodicals in the '90s.
During this time he also endeavored a career as a fantasy illustrator where he took on many art jobs for several gaming clients even to this day. He also worked professionally as a graphic designer for a few years and now has a day job as a tattoo artist. All of these combined skills allowed him to be able to illustrate his own books.
In his free time, when he has it, he works on art for Shadowrun Rpg, private oil painting commissions, and teaches painting classes locally. He also has sung and played guitar in various heavy metal and rock bands over the years. He lives with his wife Rachael in the city of Fort Smith with their two dogs Brutus and Rogue. He enjoys reading, cooking, and philosophical discussions on the regular. He's a total Beatles fanatic and never tires of watching Beatle documentaries or listening to their albums on the original vinyl releases both US and British catalog.
He started writing fantasy and horror in his late teens after having been a rabid fan of Stephen King and Dungeons & Dragons. The first novel he ever read was Time of the Twins of the Dragonlance series. He started playing D&D when he was 11 years old and found most often he enjoyed being the Dungeonmaster because he loved creating worlds and stories for people to enjoy within them. After many of his D&D players suggesting he write fantasy novels based on some of the worlds he created, he decided to start writing and immerse himself in creative writing classes and groups at Westark College (now UAFS). There he came in contact with a creative writing teacher who helped him join a writer's group.
He wrote many short horror stories and began a fantasy novel series and a horror novel, both of which he never submitted, but he did get a few of the short stories published in small periodicals in the '90s.
During this time he also endeavored a career as a fantasy illustrator where he took on many art jobs for several gaming clients even to this day. He also worked professionally as a graphic designer for a few years and now has a day job as a tattoo artist. All of these combined skills allowed him to be able to illustrate his own books.
In his free time, when he has it, he works on art for Shadowrun Rpg, private oil painting commissions, and teaches painting classes locally. He also has sung and played guitar in various heavy metal and rock bands over the years. He lives with his wife Rachael in the city of Fort Smith with their two dogs Brutus and Rogue. He enjoys reading, cooking, and philosophical discussions on the regular. He's a total Beatles fanatic and never tires of watching Beatle documentaries or listening to their albums on the original vinyl releases both US and British catalog.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 4, 2021
The Vanguards of Scion is an epic Grimdark fantasy that is charged with captivating cultures and magics. The East Realm is cruel but it is countered by the most compelling individuals. Characters that I never want to part with. Their distinctive histories, personal struggles, and depth leaped from the pages and felt real.
The series, Dragonlance, established my love of reading by having emotionally impactful characters with an equally powerful plot. Since then, I have been searching for a darker and more mature equivalent. I found that in The Vanguards of Scion.
The series, Dragonlance, established my love of reading by having emotionally impactful characters with an equally powerful plot. Since then, I have been searching for a darker and more mature equivalent. I found that in The Vanguards of Scion.
June 20, 2020
In the afterword to this book, author Michael Thom mentions The Dragonlance Chronicles as having been something of an inspiration for his writing career. Indeed. Vanguards of Scion reads like Dragonlance on steroids. Or meth. Both?
The action is almost non-stop, there is lots of violence and -- be warned -- language that would make a sailor blush. There's also some good comedic dialogue that offers a change of pace. Of course, there's plenty of magic and many strange creatures and characters -- and some who are both. All of this is simply the vehicle for what will eventually be an adventuring party of sorts (think hardcore D & D), once they all come together. In Vanguards, we meet the five (main) characters who will, one assumes, carry us through the rest of the series. In this way, this particular book is really prologue to the rest of the series. We're left with a tremendous sense of anticipation as to what will happen when these five disparate personalities come together. As it turns out, this is really the first half of what was initially conceived as a much longer novel, but was split into two parts for publishing's sake. That second half is now available for those who get hooked!
The action is almost non-stop, there is lots of violence and -- be warned -- language that would make a sailor blush. There's also some good comedic dialogue that offers a change of pace. Of course, there's plenty of magic and many strange creatures and characters -- and some who are both. All of this is simply the vehicle for what will eventually be an adventuring party of sorts (think hardcore D & D), once they all come together. In Vanguards, we meet the five (main) characters who will, one assumes, carry us through the rest of the series. In this way, this particular book is really prologue to the rest of the series. We're left with a tremendous sense of anticipation as to what will happen when these five disparate personalities come together. As it turns out, this is really the first half of what was initially conceived as a much longer novel, but was split into two parts for publishing's sake. That second half is now available for those who get hooked!
June 1, 2020
Great characters. Story moves along well. No dull moments. Has a Game of Thrones feel to the writing style. Ready for more!
July 19, 2020
I wrote it, so of course, I like it:) I think it will be a lot of fun for many people, but it's violent and follows the story of five different characters whose adventures converge more progressively as the story unfolds. This is part 1 of a 2 part book in a series of 7 total projected. Part 2 will be out 2-3 months after this release at that time I will release a printed version including both parts 1&2.
August 19, 2020
The Servant's Blade introduces us to the East Realm. The story is told from multiple viewpoints of our main characters who have different backgrounds but all seem to be set on the same path after meeting with the King of Scion. The characters are all granted powers by this king, but in exchange for what price?
Overall and exciting adventure that leaves the reader wanting more.
Overall and exciting adventure that leaves the reader wanting more.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews