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Expansion Pack: A litRPG Anthology
Monsters rise. Heroes fall. Worlds Collide. Welcome to the Dungeon…
Hearthworld Online is a futuristic fantasy RPG brimming with monsters and magic and valiant heroes, but now it has become so much more than just a game. When Roark von Graf—a magical freedom fighter from another world—suddenly finds himself in the body of a lowly Dungeon Troll, Hearthworld becomes the last bastion against an arcane tyrant from beyond the stars. The fates of three worlds hang in the balance as countless lives are caught up in the interdimensional war Roark has inadvertently sparked. Who knew one little online troll could cause so much trouble?
Eight amazing authors. Eight incredible new tales. All set in the best-selling Rogue Dungeon Universe. Rogue Dungeon: Expansion Pack is an anthology for fans, by the fans!
Included in the Expansion Pack:
“Bloody Knuckles” by eden Hudson
Roark was only going to rig one bareknuckle boxing match, then he and Danella would live like kings on the take, but the more you win, the more you want…
“Treatos and Snoozers” by J.D. Astra
The lowly stone salamander of the Cruel Citadel only wanted to eat treats and take naps, but fate had a different plan.
“The Vial” by Scott Cofield
When her ingredient-gathering time is violently interrupted, a normally peaceful alchemist gives a PKer more than they can handle.
“Candyland” by D.J. Bodden
Sometimes, a small talking pig needs to crush evil with a candy mace. This is that story.
“A Taste for Violence” by Justin Herzog
An old Ustari soldier who wants nothing more than a quiet patrol far from the action gets caught between a rebel and a tyrant king on a fateful night at the Von Graf Manor.
“The Stranger” by Toria Bodden
Mysteriously transported to Traisbin from a world beyond the stars, an injured stranger with an arcane pendant fights to survive and shape this strange land of paper magicks to his will.
“Profit Motive” by Joseph Ottinger
The party of heroes Virgil is conning presents him with a problem he’s never faced before—his conscience.
“Jan Wick Saves the Cat” by Allen Dante
When deadly MMO monsters flood the West Coast, a retired assassin is forced to fight magic with every tool in her IRL arsenal.
Want to keep up with the Rogue Dungeon Universe? Visit Shadow Alley Press and subscribe to our mailing list!
Hearthworld Online is a futuristic fantasy RPG brimming with monsters and magic and valiant heroes, but now it has become so much more than just a game. When Roark von Graf—a magical freedom fighter from another world—suddenly finds himself in the body of a lowly Dungeon Troll, Hearthworld becomes the last bastion against an arcane tyrant from beyond the stars. The fates of three worlds hang in the balance as countless lives are caught up in the interdimensional war Roark has inadvertently sparked. Who knew one little online troll could cause so much trouble?
Eight amazing authors. Eight incredible new tales. All set in the best-selling Rogue Dungeon Universe. Rogue Dungeon: Expansion Pack is an anthology for fans, by the fans!
Included in the Expansion Pack:
“Bloody Knuckles” by eden Hudson
Roark was only going to rig one bareknuckle boxing match, then he and Danella would live like kings on the take, but the more you win, the more you want…
“Treatos and Snoozers” by J.D. Astra
The lowly stone salamander of the Cruel Citadel only wanted to eat treats and take naps, but fate had a different plan.
“The Vial” by Scott Cofield
When her ingredient-gathering time is violently interrupted, a normally peaceful alchemist gives a PKer more than they can handle.
“Candyland” by D.J. Bodden
Sometimes, a small talking pig needs to crush evil with a candy mace. This is that story.
“A Taste for Violence” by Justin Herzog
An old Ustari soldier who wants nothing more than a quiet patrol far from the action gets caught between a rebel and a tyrant king on a fateful night at the Von Graf Manor.
“The Stranger” by Toria Bodden
Mysteriously transported to Traisbin from a world beyond the stars, an injured stranger with an arcane pendant fights to survive and shape this strange land of paper magicks to his will.
“Profit Motive” by Joseph Ottinger
The party of heroes Virgil is conning presents him with a problem he’s never faced before—his conscience.
“Jan Wick Saves the Cat” by Allen Dante
When deadly MMO monsters flood the West Coast, a retired assassin is forced to fight magic with every tool in her IRL arsenal.
Want to keep up with the Rogue Dungeon Universe? Visit Shadow Alley Press and subscribe to our mailing list!
- GenresFantasy
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 3, 2021
32 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
James A. Hunter
86 books1,113 followersJames Hunter is a full-time ink slinger, a member of SFWA, and the bestselling author of Vigil Bound, Rogue Dungeon, Shadowcroft Academy, Bibliomancer (The Completionist Chronicles Expanded Universe), and the litRPG epic Viridian Gate Online! In addition to writing, James also runs Shadow Alley Press, an industry leader that specializes in publishing LitRPG, Fantasy, and selection Science Fiction.
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
James is a former Marine Corps Sergeant, combat veteran, and pirate hunter (seriously). He’s also a member of The Royal Order of the Shellback—’cause that’s totally a real thing. And a spaceship captain, can’t forget that. Okay … the last one probably isn’t true. When not writing or spending time with family, James occasionally finds time to eat and sleep.
Find out more about James Hunter at www.ShadowAlleyPress.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 29, 2021
I really enjoyed reading these new short stories by many of our favourite authors from the Viridian Gate series and many new ones too who gave us their own take on the Rogue Dungeon series. The stories mainly mention the Von Grafs especially Roark our dungeon troll who had sparked of an interdimensional war, and put the lives of so many in jeopardy on three different worlds. I loved reading a whole story about our favourite salamander and getting to know how he had earned his name of Macaroni. Also loved the Candyland dungeon, I think there is a lesson to be learnt in this story. Also enjoyed reading about the arrival of Ustar on Hearthworld and loved the twist at the end of the story called the Profit Motive which I had thought was my least favourite in the anthology till this happened. All the stories gave such an original take and are an added bonus to the series, I really think all readers who have enjoyed Rogue Dungeon will love this anthology.
November 29, 2023
Bloody Knuckles is the first story in this anthology. Roark is a Prince, though no one but Danella knows. Since the Tyrant King came and destroyed his life. Now he and the thief Danella live as street urchins, picking pockets and fights just to eat and have a roof over their heads every night. This was a great story. I was sad to see it end before an end was actually there. But perhaps the rest is in the series I've yet to read.
Treatos and Snoozers is the second story. Mander is pretty much a trash mob in a dungeon. The stone salamander only knows he has to stop the adventurers from hurting the boss of his floor. Plus they taste good. This was an absolutely adorable story. As a gamer with a very active imagination, I've often wondered about the mobs my characters have had to annihilate over world and in dungeons. Are they really the enemy? Or is my character the actual enemy invading their land? My mind is that twisted lol It was nice to see a story told from such an unusual prospective.
The Vial is the third story. DrNurse doesn't like to fight. She's support. Her main job is to keep everyone else alive and buffed. She does prove quite effectively that support doesn't mean an easy kill for assassins. I can't play support. I'd rather be in the heart of a battle. But I do like the idea of support being able to hold their own.
Candyland is the fourth story. Nibblet is a little talking pigglet in a dungeon that was created for little kids, before the game's rating was changed and little kids weren't allowed in the game anymore. Now he finds himself having to defend his peaceful home from adventurers who are killing his friends for the XP. This is my favorite story so far. Nibblet is a lot smarter than he gives himself credit for and even when he leveled up, he still remembered his true purpose and what he was created for. I wish there were more stories with this little pig.
A Taste For Violence is the fifth story. Eli has been a soldier since his youth. He grew tired of the blood, gore, violence, and loss of life years ago. A chance encounter gives him a shot at a do over. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It was written very well, but Eli isn't very relatable. He's actually pretty much a coward in my opinion.
The Stranger is the sixth story. This is a piece of Ustar's back story. It makes me curious to learn more. Through this entire anthology he's been the villain and this story sheds a bit of light on how that happened in this particular world.
Profit Motive is the seventh story. This one starts off with a player that cons other players into grouping with him then robs them blind for an IRL profit when they die. Bad gaming in my opinion. I was set on hating Virgil, then he met his match in one little girl who had only wish in life. This was a definite heartwarming story. I wish more gamers were actually like this.
Jan Wick Saves The Cat is the eighth Paws and final story. What happens when an mmorpg dungeon master enters the real world and claims your home as his new dungeon? Jan is about to find out. This one was a little confusing; especially trying to figure out how mobs and a boss from hearthworld found their way into the real world. It was a good read though; and definitely amusing.
All in all this anthology is a great introduction to LitRPG. I loved it and look forward to reading the series this anthology is based on.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws
Treatos and Snoozers is the second story. Mander is pretty much a trash mob in a dungeon. The stone salamander only knows he has to stop the adventurers from hurting the boss of his floor. Plus they taste good. This was an absolutely adorable story. As a gamer with a very active imagination, I've often wondered about the mobs my characters have had to annihilate over world and in dungeons. Are they really the enemy? Or is my character the actual enemy invading their land? My mind is that twisted lol It was nice to see a story told from such an unusual prospective.
The Vial is the third story. DrNurse doesn't like to fight. She's support. Her main job is to keep everyone else alive and buffed. She does prove quite effectively that support doesn't mean an easy kill for assassins. I can't play support. I'd rather be in the heart of a battle. But I do like the idea of support being able to hold their own.
Candyland is the fourth story. Nibblet is a little talking pigglet in a dungeon that was created for little kids, before the game's rating was changed and little kids weren't allowed in the game anymore. Now he finds himself having to defend his peaceful home from adventurers who are killing his friends for the XP. This is my favorite story so far. Nibblet is a lot smarter than he gives himself credit for and even when he leveled up, he still remembered his true purpose and what he was created for. I wish there were more stories with this little pig.
A Taste For Violence is the fifth story. Eli has been a soldier since his youth. He grew tired of the blood, gore, violence, and loss of life years ago. A chance encounter gives him a shot at a do over. I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It was written very well, but Eli isn't very relatable. He's actually pretty much a coward in my opinion.
The Stranger is the sixth story. This is a piece of Ustar's back story. It makes me curious to learn more. Through this entire anthology he's been the villain and this story sheds a bit of light on how that happened in this particular world.
Profit Motive is the seventh story. This one starts off with a player that cons other players into grouping with him then robs them blind for an IRL profit when they die. Bad gaming in my opinion. I was set on hating Virgil, then he met his match in one little girl who had only wish in life. This was a definite heartwarming story. I wish more gamers were actually like this.
Jan Wick Saves The Cat is the eighth Paws and final story. What happens when an mmorpg dungeon master enters the real world and claims your home as his new dungeon? Jan is about to find out. This one was a little confusing; especially trying to figure out how mobs and a boss from hearthworld found their way into the real world. It was a good read though; and definitely amusing.
All in all this anthology is a great introduction to LitRPG. I loved it and look forward to reading the series this anthology is based on.
I give this book 5 of 5 Paws
January 2, 2022
Typical Mix
A few very very good stories and some that Im surprised at as not the usual fit I would think. Some nice extra stories that help fill out the main series but the best is actually an unknown author and is a great touch I feel to the series as everyone has a different reason to go to the Cruel Citadel.
Like the previous VGO collection about our friendly spider I want the story to branch out into the main series. It alone raised this from a 4 star to a 5 star rating and makes this a worthy purchase.
A few very very good stories and some that Im surprised at as not the usual fit I would think. Some nice extra stories that help fill out the main series but the best is actually an unknown author and is a great touch I feel to the series as everyone has a different reason to go to the Cruel Citadel.
Like the previous VGO collection about our friendly spider I want the story to branch out into the main series. It alone raised this from a 4 star to a 5 star rating and makes this a worthy purchase.
September 24, 2021
Decent mix of short stories.
Pretty good mix of stories, a few I wouldn't mind seeing follow ups to. Only negative is very few expanded the universe in any meaningful way.
Pretty good mix of stories, a few I wouldn't mind seeing follow ups to. Only negative is very few expanded the universe in any meaningful way.
March 30, 2022
Fun read
I enjoyed reading more about the others events and characters in the rogue dungeon series. I thought it was great fun and I'm happy to have found this book and series
I enjoyed reading more about the others events and characters in the rogue dungeon series. I thought it was great fun and I'm happy to have found this book and series
September 19, 2021
Not quite as good as the Dungeon series. Maybe, other authors?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews