VAPORMAGE
A fantasy from Zoe Landon
Trouble does what it wants.
The gods are indolent, the rulers are corrupt, and the world's most powerful mage just wants to watch detective shows.Vapormage is the adventure of Kell Rusalka, a quiet and private mage who's been discarded by their superiors. Left for dead with nowhere to call home, they'll have to accept what their newfound friends can see at a glance: that they aren't some worthless nobody. They can be heroic. They can be trouble. They can be frightening.For updates on the novel's journey to release, and other faffing about from the author, sign up to the mailing list below:
The Cast
Every mage needs a good party, and every adventure needs a good threat.
The World
Hostile terrain, vicious beasts, and plenty of actually quite lovely little towns.
Thank You
Emails will happen now.
The Cast
Vapormage follows Kell Rusalka and the band of misfits they find themself journeying with. These are just some of those friends--and foes.
Kell Rusalka
they of Candhall, age 29
Bold. Brave. Powerful. Such is the marketing when it comes to vapormages, but marketing is so often false. Kell may have a spotty past, but a decade after their conscription, they're just about the most meek mage out there. Quiet. Cautious. Yet more powerful than even they realize.
Sheila Takeda
she of Windglade, age 33
The Winters' War scarred cities and people in both Cymona and Bessetrae. Sheila knows the fact all too well. Not only has she suffered the scars of combat, her hometown was razed and her family lost. All at the wands of the vapormages. And Sheila has never been the type to forgive and forget.
Alejandro Quintana
he of Gauvencia, age 30
Her Majesty's Speakers are the astute and subtle diplomats representing the interests of Farolé, and Alejandro wouldn't still be alive if he wasn't good at the job. He's learned to take on each mission with calm coolness. But, there's still a heart somewhere beneath that well-trimmed suit of his.
Dr. Tobias Fulton
he of Port Mab, age 62
Summons are everywhere in Linnute, and many of their modern innovations can be traced back to the University at Port Mab research team. Dr. Fulton wasn't the leader of that group, but as the last surviving member, its legacy--and its responsibilities--fall on his feathered shoulders.
Rocko Larson
he of Dayton Point, age 31
The Cymonian Knights are proud defenders of their land. So proud, in fact, that the arrival of vapormages chafed at many of them. Rocko, though, has always been more relaxed and more willing to question conventional wisdom. Of any knight, of course he would befriend a weird kid like Kell.
Crystal Greene
she of Granberg, age 25
All of Linnute knows the name! Even people who aren't big fans of pop music have heard some of Crystal's songs. Being the biggest pop star around means a lot of power and opportunity, and Crystal isn't afraid to take advantage to mold the world a little more in her image.
Mitchell Lyon, MP
he of Candhall, age 68
An ambitious nation demands a steady hand, and Prime Minister Lyon is eager to provide. Cymona has grown strong under his leadership, confronting its enemies from both outside and within.
The Guardians
The dragon Owain. The steed Gauven. The sheep Hakuta. The great bird Vakonivak. From national avatars to heralded gods, the Guardians hold a unique power across Linnute. They can be comforting just as easily as they can be terrifying. Their origins, relationships, and intentions are known only to a select few, yet debated and pondered by many. After all, what kind of human can truly understand a god?
The World
The world of Vapormage is uncanny: at times modern and relatable, at times epic and historical. Swordfighters with smart phones, spellcasters in minivans.
Linnute
Centuries ago, the whole continent of Linnute was consumed by a single empire. Those days are all but forgotten now, with the massive island and its surrounds split into five major nations:
Bessetrae, in the northwest, a nation of firm independence and individual responsibility;
Cymona, in the southeast, an industrious and ambitious land;
Zeimatia, in the southwest, driven by proud and devout tradition;
The Four Kingdoms of Farolé, in the northeast, a diverse and divided community;
Rinculo, a large northern island known for its brilliant and cold academics.
VAPOR
The fuel for magic. Every human in Linnute learns some basic vapor-driven spells over the course of their lives, while inscribed sigils power nearly every device under the sun.
For the bigger jobs, there are summons: creatures born of vapor that can tackle complex tasks. Just, not too complex. Summons don't exactly think on their own.
Vapor is handy, but its power isn't free. Balance is necessary. A person can injure themself by using too much of it, but a creature that consumes too much vapor will find itself poisoned. The mutations brought on by vapor poisoning are painful, horrifying, and fatal. Treat it with care.
People
The variety of life in Linnute extends to the people. Among all the diversity, humans come in four general categories:
Hunns, with largely bare skin dotted by patches of fine hair;
Vians, superficially bird-like humans bearing feathers and beaks;
Gnolls, thick with fur and a vaguely canine tilt to their faces;
Sahagins, sleek and scaly with an amphibian flatness.
Despite their looks, there's hardly any difference from one kind of human to another. Though you'll always find people willing to disagree about that.