Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don't forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Title of book and/or
series: Heralds of the Crown: Poison
Brief summary of the
story:
As part of a sect called the Strages, Marcella is ordered to execute
fierce assaults on the Logia—gifted believers in the triune deity known as the
Crown. After receiving a vision, she begins to question her allegiance and
finds herself seeking counsel from a leader in the Logia faith, whom she was
sent to annihilate.
When her mentor, Thaed, uncovers her betrayal, he orders her
to do the unthinkable—kill the Logia leader who has become her friend. Her
choice will result in either the destruction of the Logia or her own death.
The series of Strages attacks call the Logia to prepare for
a major battle. In doing so, Gaultier Lassiter is enlisted. When he discovers
an unconscious young woman buried in a snowdrift, his world is turned upside
down. She has no memory and no ability to speak—only a strange symbol carved
into her chest.
The question of her identity leads to a journey of legendary
proportions. Between his own personal struggles with his estranged brother, his
unmet potential, and the murder of a close friend, Gaultier fights to cling to
his faith. And once the mystery is solved, will Gaultier be prepared to face
the truth?
Brief description of
the world or location you created for this story:
The Circeae System is
home to many beings, just like us. There’s nothing spectacular or outlandish
about them, but they do have space flight technology that allows them to travel
the system with relative ease.
Three stars—Vetus, Aevum, and Novus—and seven inhabitable
moons surround the heart of the system, the bustling planet Crenet. Each star
has its own rotation of planets.
The religious beliefs of the system are widespread, but the
focus of the saga is the Logia. They are believers in truth, justice, honor,
and good. Their counterparts are the Strages, but little is known of them aside
from the fact that they are pure evil. They are apathetic toward humans, and
act cruelly and thoughtlessly.
The Logia lead the system in peace and prosperity,
culminating in the reign of the Ruler Prince, Ternion. Unrest, however, leads
to his deposition, allowing the Progressive Legacy—a powerful and cruel
government—to take over the system. This cosmic war also results in a religious
holocaust.
If we were to visit the
Circeae System as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
On Ossia, you would see the Sunlight Gardens. They are indeed a sight to see.
Tersus, the neighboring moon, is where much of the Progressive Legacy’s Elite
live. Reveille has an exceptional Zephyr academy, where many Legacy officers
have studied. Archet is the primary weapons maker for system. And finally, the
shipyards on either side of the system—Atrum or Tzigane—are impressive as well.
What dangers should
we avoid in the Circeae System?
The star Vetus is dying. For reasons unknown, its energy is dwindling, leaving
most of the surrounding planets uninhabitable. Dark things seem to come from that
rotation, given that it is home to the leaders of the Progressive Legacy, the
Tribunal.
Is there a distinct
or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in the Circeae System?
Under the rule of the Progressive Legacy, you’d be hard-pressed to find
anything but rationed protein paste. But if you know the right people, you can
get your hands on a sunberry or a pulpmelon.
What types of
weaponry or fighting styles are common in the Circeae System?
Those who
have their minds on the past tend to use swords and daggers. However, as the
Legacy grows in strength and number, many more have learned to use a pincer
(Plasma Induced by Negatively Charged Elemental Reaction)—a plasma gun. There’s
also something that resembles a cattle prod called a stinger, as well as an APL
(Activated Projectile Launch ) rifle, which can shoot several different
devices, including tracers, immobilizers, and detonators.
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What types of
vehicles, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Circeae
System?
The primary modes of travel between planets and moons are space
crafts and shuttles of varying sizes and speeds. Ground transport includes
utility vehicles and cruisers.
What types of plants,
animals, or sentient races might we encounter in the Circeae System that we
don’t see on earth?
On Oresed, legend speaks of a gentle animal called a
braeshore that could be ridden. One of the more exciting plants is the subluce
tree. When looked at with the right state of mind and heart, the leaves shimmer
and glow.
What role, if any,
does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in the Circeae
System? If there is magic, please give
some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.
There are some who believe
in magic, to be sure. However, followers of the Crown know the true source of
power comes from the Creator King. Through Him, human beings have the power to
physically heal (restoration), mentally or emotionally heal (reconciliation),
and use other gifts such as wisdom, strength, leadership, and communication. Of
course, there are those who abuse such gifts and learn much darker ways to do
“magic.”
Is there any advanced
or unusual technology in the Circeae System?
If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples.
The
technology, much like in Star Wars, is assumed rather than explained. The people
of the Circeae System are able to travel through space comfortably and
relatively quickly, but I don’t go into details as to the “how”.
Tell us about any
sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in the
Circeae System.
A favorite pastime is tossball. Sadly, in the Legacy years,
books are forbidden, however a small contingent of folks enjoy reading and
re-telling the legends of Kincade the Space Sailor.
Are the days of the
week and months of the year the same in the Circeae System as on earth? What
holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there?
Yes, the Circeae
System uses the same time measurements we are familiar with on Earth, however,
longer time periods are measured in a different way. The major epochs that span
the saga are identified as Coronam Tempus (Crown’s Time—prior to the arrival of
the Ruler Prince), Prince’s Reign (the reign of Prince Ternion, the Ruler
Prince), and PLR (Progressive Legacy Rule).
Is there a particular
religion practiced in the Circeae System?
Please describe what it involves.
Two distinct religions stand out
and are in a constant struggle. On one side are the Logia. These are
benevolent, kind followers of the Crown, the triune god of the Circeae System.
They also have supernatural gifts, unlike their counterparts, the Lumen. They,
too, follow the Crown and support the Logia. Enemies of the Crown are known as
the Strages and the Crepusculum. Like the Logia, the Strages have supernatural
abilities, but theirs come from much darker sources. They seek to end the Logia
and the glory of the Crown.
What is the political
or government structure in the Circeae System?
Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
At the start of the series, the Logia have a good hold on the system. They
anticipate the coming of the Ruler Prince, who will lead the system in peace
and prosperity. Great unrest shakes the throne, however, allowing a more
sinister force to take control and depose the Ruler Prince. A trio of
beings—who can only be described as inhuman—lead the rise of the Progressive
Legacy, a military-based government with an iron fist.
Are there any other
unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit the Circeae
System?
Several lesser-known breakout religions embrace a few crazy
rituals. The Ghosts, a band of freedom fighters, have been known to use such
actions to prevent arrest.
Has anything in your actual
life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
Definitely the
culture. I am a Christ follower, and I wanted to explore that in a
science-fiction setting. I also tend to use names of people or places around
me, but slightly distorted. For instance, the first characters I created in
this series were Selah and Gray (Valor).
Selah is an anagram of my name minus the y,
while Gray is an anagram of my husband’s name.
What, if any, “hot-button”
or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
I touch on a lot of
Christian themes, but I avoid getting preachy. You will not find a sermon on
forgiveness, but you’ll find a character struggling with that. You won’t get
hammered with a message of redemption, but you’ll see the idea woven into the
epic storyline.
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Ashley Hodges Bazer is the author of Heralds of the
Crown: Poison and its following books, Fusion and Reconciliation. She’s often
decked out in bellbottoms and grooving out on the lighted dance floor. Okay,
not really, but she does have a thing for the BeeGees. She lives in Colorado
with her husband and three children. After earning her bachelor’s degree in
theatrical stage management from Arizona State University, she went on to work
for Disneyland in that capacity. A love affair with books led her to work for
several different bookstores. Currently a producer for an international daily
radio program, she’s learning to balance working, writing, and momming duties.
Her debut novel, Asylum, was traditionally published by WestBow Press in 2012.
When she’s not writing, she’s crocheting or belting out Broadway show tunes.
And she's a real duchess!
Where, and in what
formats, can we purchase your book(s)?
Where can readers
connect with you online?
Website: www.AshleyBazer.com,
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AshleyHodgesBazer
Twitter: www.twitter.com/duchesswriter
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/duchesswriter
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Circeae System. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Tanul in Realm Explorers Part XV!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to the fantasy world of Tanul in Realm Explorers Part XV!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Are you an author who would like your world to appear on Realm Explorers? Click here to download the instructions and interview form, or email me at AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com for more information.
1 comment:
This series looks really interesting, and I love the map! Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday! Always a pleasure to have you!
Tina
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