Realm Explorers Part CVI: Visit Herridon with Blake Bisciotti

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. 

Author’s name: Blake Bisciotti

Title of book and/or series: Kingdom Come – (Price of Power, Book 1)

Brief summary of the story: When an unlikely mix of races joins together to create a thriving civilization, the nations of southern Herridon find that the peace they had known for over a hundred years is suddenly in jeopardy. For some, the thralls of war might create opportunity, but for others it could lead to a precipitous fall from power. The winds of change are passing through the lands giving way to heroic acts of valor and honor, but also to plots of deceit and destruction.

The three cities by the South Sea are in the middle of the fray, which leads a bold Captain, Victus Antonel, to take matters into his own hands. He raises an army with the intentions of eradicating the threat posed by the upstart nation. With the help of an unscrupulous ally, the Captain and the cities are immersed into the chaos of war and the enemy may not be quite what, or who, it had seemed to be.

Life for all who reside in southern Herridon will be forever changed; however whether it will be for better or for worse hangs in the balance.

Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: Herridon lies on a large continent surrounded by small islands in some places.  The terrain varies depending on location.  There are mountain ranges, forests, plains, hills, swamps, and small deserts.  There are long plains that stretch across the southern central region of Herridon like a belt on the land.  Kingdom Come takes place below the plains.

If we were to visit Herridon as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? North of the vast plains you would find the expansive Sadic empire which is a civilization of developed cities and societies; however the story of Kingdom Come takes place south of the plains.  Here you would want to visit the three cities by the South Sea.  Each has an illustrious harbor and commercial zone, which include pubs and markets.  North of the cities, you could always visit the home of the industrious dwarves burrowed in the large mountain range called the Singrin Peaks.   If you were really adventurous, you could explore Lirrowick forest, home to the uncanny elves of whom little is known.

What dangers should we avoid in Herridon? The primary danger you would encounter would be wandering tribes of orcs or goblins, although human highwaymen can be equally as dangerous.  There used to be more small tribes wandering the lands in southern Herridon however, as you find out early in Kingdom Come, they seem to have come together to try and foster a more prosperous life while gaining the benefits and strengths of numbers. 

Whatever you do, avoid the mountains in the west by the Salty Sea, its not a safe place, the inhabitants are volatile and dangerous.

Another danger would be getting involved with the Crimson Fox.  The Crimson Fox is a shady underground guild that is present in all three cities by the South Sea.  They deal in many of the sinful pleasures of southern Herridon including prostitution, dangerous substances and…magic.  Getting too involved with this dubious group often ends in peril.

Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Herridon? The cuisine is quite diverse.  The cities by the South Sea are all coastal so there is quite a bit of seafood; however they do well cultivating the land as well.  Hunting is probably best in the planes, but the barbarians that inhabit the area have control there.

What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Herridon? In the cities by the South Sea you would mostly see swords, knives and bow and arrow; however there certainly are other weapons such as maces, axes, war hammers, spears etc.  Certain religious orders are forbidden to use bladed or sharpened weapons due to ancient edicts.  For the dwarves axes and war hammers reign supreme.  They also use crossbows.  The weapons of orcs and goblins vary as well, however they are often poorly made and crude.

The rare ogres and rarer giants prefer clubs and axes…massive clubs and axes of course.

What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to Herridon? Typically travel is done on foot or horseback.  Horses can draw carriages as well.

What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter in Herridon that we don’t see on Earth?  As mentioned, there are various races other than humans such as: dwarves, elves, orcs, goblins, ogres, and giants.  The animals and plants are rather similar to Earth.  There could be, however, more interesting and unique life forms deeper into the mountains or within the expanses of Lirrowick forest.

What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Herridon?  If there is magic, please give some examples of what it involves or how it’s used.  There is indeed magic in Herridon, however far less prevalent and powerful than it was in eras past.  There are two types of magic: divine and arcane.  Divine magic is granted by various gods by way of their followers.  Arcane magic is a mysterious force that has almost gone extinct due to its abuses by men.  There does remain a group, an unscrupulous guild called the Crimson Fox, that can still harness its powers.

Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Herridon?  If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples. No, but the dwarves are known to use their subterranean furnaces to create very sought after goods.  They are also great engineers.

Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Herridon.  There are board games and dice games.  Also, there are team activity games played with balls.

Are the days of the week and months of the year the same in Herridon as on Earth? What holidays or special events are celebrated regularly there? The weeks are about the same (7 days) as well as months.  It is all driven off of seasons.  There are various holidays that come from the various gods.  Zentiog, The Day of Life, is one that is specifically mentioned in Kingdom Come.  It is a holiday of the sun god although it is observed by the followers of many gods in a week long celebration.

Is there a particular religion practiced in Herridon?  Please describe what it involves. As mentioned, there are various religions that follow a diverse group of gods.  This includes, for example, Phelios god of the sun, Tuemis god of hearth and home, Aya goddess of air, Ramdeen dwarven god of the mountains, Zatelboz orcish god of the moon.

What is the political or government structure in Herridon?  Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? The three cities by the South Sea are run by governing councils as has been the way since the cities were founded.  It is rather well known that the councils are corrupt and act in their own interest, much to the dismay of the common people, however they have always been often too afraid or complacent to push for change, but perhaps that will change…

The dwarves are run by their clans, who come together in a council.

Faletonia, the collective civilization of orcs, goblins, ogres, giants and some humans, is run by a council with representatives of each race

Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit Herridon? Each of the three cities has slightly different culture, but are typically the same.  The culture of the dwarves is significantly different though.  One can only guess that the elves have a strange culture themselves.  The cultures of the mixed races in Faletonia will have to figure out how they will mix together.

Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book? No, just my love of fantasy.

What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? Although not directly intentional, there could be some underlying geopolitical tones derived in this series.

Author Autobiography: I grew up in New Jersey and live in Brooklyn with my wife and kids.

Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book?  My book is available in soft cover and kindle, both on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1974587886/

I hope you all enjoyed the trip to Herridon.  Questions about the world or the book?  Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!  

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Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week's edition of Realm Explorers!

-Annie Douglass Lima