To Everna and Beyond!

An exploration of Fantasy and Science Fiction Worlds in literature and multimedia entertainment
The official blog and novelblog for Evernade Saga and FireHeart Saga by Andry Chang

"Come forth, Paladins! Fulfill your destiny!"

Explore Worlds in Clicks

FireHeart Highlights!

Friday, February 26, 2010

New! from Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

No images? Click HERE.
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New for
February!

Dive into this month's selection of post-apocalyptic stories, tales of ghosts and mysterious adventures.

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Coming Soon!

The Dead-Tossed Waves
by Carrie Ryan

"The second book in Ryan's zombie series moves the story ahead in some surprising ways as it introduces compelling characters. Readers will be up late with this one, turning pages and biting their nails." —Romantic Times

Stay tuned for more details in next month's issue of Strange Lands

Pre-Order Now!
Read an excerpt


Lois Lowry's
The Giver inspires rock band




Jonas Sees In Color is a vibrant alternative rock band from Greensboro, North Carolina who just released their debut, self-titled album produced by Aaron Johnson (The Fray). Their music is filled with a boundless creative energy resulting from a passionate group of individuals that live and work together. Jonas Sees In Color takes their name from Lois Lowry?s novel The Giver, after the main character, Jonas, who lives in a dystopian black and white world and is given the gift of seeing in color.

Read an excerpt

Buy the album from iTunes

Listen to the soundtrack


 

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The Forest of Hands and Teeth cover

buy now

Now in Paperback!
The Forest of Hands and Teeth

by Carrie Ryan

Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence that protects her village from the Unconsecrated is breached, her world is thrown into chaos. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death? Read more...

Watch the trailer for The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

Visit CarrieRyan.com to learn more about the sequel, The Dead-Tossed Waves, in stores next month!

 

Token of Darkness cover

buy now

Token of Darkness
by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Cooper Blake has everything going for him—until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn't know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she's a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her. Read more...

Read an excerpt

Did you know? Amelia Atwater-Rhodes was only 15 when she was first published.

Visit AmeliaAtwaterRhodes.com to read an interview with the author and find all her titles.

 

The Chestnut King cover

buy now

The Chestnut King
by N. D. Wilson

"An entirely satisfying finish." —Kirkus Reviews

The final installment in the 100 Cupboards trilogy

N. D. Wilson concludes a remarkable, worlds-spanning journey that began with one boy and one hundred avenues to adventure. Read more

Read an excerpt from Chapter 1

Watch the trailer!

Visit 100Cupboards.com to learn more.

 

The Order of Odd-Fish cover

buy now

The Order of Odd-Fish
by James Kennedy

Now in Paperback!

"A work of mischievous imagination and outrageous invention." —Time Out Chicago

13 year-old Jo Larouche has lived in the California desert with her Aunt Lily, a faded Hollywood starlet, ever since she was found in Lily's laundry room with this note pinned to her blankets: This is Jo. Please take care of her. But beware. This is a DANGEROUS baby. Read more...

Read an excerpt from Chapter 1

 

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Monday, February 22, 2010

RPG Maker game: Christmas Tower Defense

source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXAK9_f4KV8

RPG Maker game: Christmas Tower Defense MiniGame



Download this game here:
http://rubydragon.extra.hu/rpgmaker/index.php?project_id=99

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

[MMORPG] The Legend of Three Kingdoms Online

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjDrJrydh60

Legend of Three Kingdoms Online - war campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEE-sUc0pmU

Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online - Opening Movie

This is the opening movie from Romance of the Three Kingdoms (or Sangokushi Online) version 1.000. It is also the trailer released months ago on Koei's site. 三國志

Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3az_MqZMZfA

FireHeart Paladins Game - In the Lava Pit



Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pT7OpVbK1Tk

a sample battle in the chapter 7 of the game.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

FireHeart Game Overview - Update Feb 2010

FireHeart – Legend of the Paladins
Book One: The Bounty Hunters – The Game

Created by: Andry Chang
Based on the novel
FireHeart – Legend of the Paladins Trilogy by Andry Chang

Novelblog site: www.fireheart.tk, http://fireheart-vadis.blogspot.com
Game optional site: http://fsaga.blogspot.com
Indonesian Language version site: http://fantasindo.blogspot.com

Genre: Role Playing Game – Fantasy
Platform: PC Game – Offline
Engine: RPG Maker VX by EnterBrain Studios
Game Language: English



Game Overview:

As for FireHeart the novel: the English Version excerpts are in www.fireheart.tk, my blog and the Indonesian Version Book One has been published in print.

The FireHeart - Legend of the Paladins Project comprises of three books of a trilogy:
- The Bounty Hunters
- Masks of the Soul
- The Lion, the Eagle and the Serpent



Story Background:

Terra Eternia, a world like Earth in an altered dimension, is indeed a beautiful world of love, hope and peace. But when evil – the extreme form of negativity – disrupts the balance, there are always conflicts between good and the Trinity of Evil: hatred, destruction and terror. Evil once ruled supreme in this world, the Evil named Vordac, the Dark Overlord.

His domination was ended by Sage the Fireheart, who assembled the Seven Heroes and waged the First Crusade. Vordac has once rebelled against Adair the Sodomos. The Dark God.Adair defeated Vordac, banished him from the underworld and cursed Vordac to roam in Eternia for eternity. As a result of that, Vordac’s spirit can possess mediums or hosts.

After his defeat to Sage, he possessed a medium, the Great Sword Deathblade. Vordac re-emerged with the help of his host, Mildred Urganon, but he again met a fatal defeat from Fireheart’s son, Antoine the Avenger. And again, Vordac’s spirit found refuge in Deathblade.

Then, sealed by the three Archmages of Light, Vordac awaited for his heir to come and free him from this prison to return in his reign of terror. As prophesied, when the heir came, the heroes known as "Paladins" would rise again to stop the heir, vanquishing Vordac once and for all.


Game Storyline:

Starting out as a carefree fool, Cristophe Deveraux never expected his career as a monster hunter to turn into more than just a livelihood. With his smart-aleck cousin Carolyn as partner, they battled various monsters, solving supernatural quests that were way beyond their academical know-how.

Along the course of adventure, Cristophe and Carolyn made friends with some extraordinary people: Robert Chandler, a ranger trying to make peace with his past; Paolo Marvellini, a dwarf priest struggling to protect his family from the conspiracy around him; and many more heroes in the land, all with their unique personalities, abilites (and problems).

As finale, all those heroes were pitted together in an ultimate quest to prevent the return of Vordac the Dark OverLord – an ancient evil whose soul was sealed inside the godly sword, Deathblade Kraal’shazar.

Will the heroes stop Vordac for good? Will they become the prophesied Paladins of Legend who hinder the ultimate evil from plaguing the good, magical world of Terra Eternia? In this game episode, FireHeart Saga – the Third Cycle begins.

Come forth, Paladins! Fulfill your destiny!




Characters Description:
Cristophe Deveraux:
Nickname: Chris
Race: Human
Gender: Man
Age: 18
Zodiac: Gemini (Jun 6), The Fool (Tarot)
Nation: Arcadia
Class: Knight / Defender
Job/Status: Monster Hunter / Bounty Hunter
favorite Gears: Long Sword Wyrthal, Raven Shield, Full Mail Armor
Element: Holy Light

Judging from interactions during the story, Chris is known for being an opposite to his cousin, Carolyn. He’s reckless, impulsive, greedy and cowardly.
He dedicates his life for fun, adventure and excitement, so Chris always avoid responsibilities. He is easily swayed by prospects of luxury, and seduced by beautiful women, often endangering his life.
In spite of that, Robert and a few others see a hidden potential in Chris, like a diamond in its rough. Like Spider-man, Chris is going to get a great power – and a great responsibility that follows.


Carolyn Deveraux:
Other Name: Carol
Nickname: Handygirl / Pink-haired sorceress
Race: Half-elf
Gender: Woman
Age: 16
Zodiac: Libra (Sept 28), The Magician (Tarot)
Nation: Thyrine / Arcadia
Class: Sorceress
Job/Status: Monster Hunter / Bounty Hunter
Best Gears: Magic Trident Esthagar (Eye of the Storm), Necklace of Luck
Element: Fire + Lightning

Cristophe's cousin, a half-elf druid mastering fire and lightning magicks.
She’s always precise and detail in anything – perhaps too much critical and logical – so that she’s like a fussy smart-aleck.
Truthfully, being resourceful and witty, Carol frequently gives out solutions for any problem, no matter how complicated it is.


Robert Chandler:
Other Name: Rob
Nickname: Orcbane
Race: Human
Gender: Man
Age: 20
Zodiac: Scorpio (Nov 11), The Chariot (Tarot)
Nation: Lore
Class: Swordsman/Fighter
Job/Status: Monster Hunter / Bounty Hunter
Gears: Crossbow, Emmerich’s Kiliji, Leather Armor
Element: Fire

Rob is a middle-grade monster hunter who specializes in orcs and dangerous monsters. He is always calm, cautious, cool and rather apathetic. But it doesn’t mean that he’s cold and silent. He always tries to settle a conflict through diplomacy, negotiation or long explanation.
He’s basically anti-violence, but he frequently goes berserk whenever he fights an orc or anybody who threatens the lives of his loved / respected ones.
During his adventures, Rob will be forged into a more caring man, holding on to the truth, also a tough and respected leader.


Other potential actors (The Twelve Paladins)

4. Alexis Deveraux

Alexis is a living enigma. He can be a great leader sometimes, but he seems to make wrong decisions and choices all the time. He once killed his opponent in a battle duel with a desperate move, cheating in order not to get killed instead. He often kills by mistake. Nevertheless, he is the apple of his father, Emperor Sage IV Marcus Deveraux’s eye, and viewed by all as a perfect man, excelling in every endeavor.

How far will he go to retain his honor and get the glory he deserves – even surpassing his forefathers’?


5. Adler von Bachmann

As explained in the story, Viscount Adler von Bachmann is the man who likes to dominate, influence and control others. He’s not necessarily evil, but he’s obviously ambitious.

The facts that even the King of Borgia is within his influence and being the Grand Marshal of the Borgian Army form his hyper-arrogant and hyper-egoistic character. He knows no true friend – until he meets Don Hernan y Parvaez.

His positive traits are his resourcefulness and his ability to notice opportunities even in the most obscure manner. He is also a good negotiator (although many are proved better than him in this kind of field).


6. Hernan y Parvaez

Don Hernan y Parvaez Besso Trinidad, a noble loyal to King Jaime of Escudia, Hernan repeatedly saved the country by doing secret missions as a secret agent in his noble, flamboyant disguise (just like James Bond in 007 movies). As a token of appreciation of his heroic feats, King Jaime awarded Hernan a sum of land worthy of a Marquis in addition of Hernan’s hereditary lands, and the body-part armor set of Eil’thanath.

Hernan’s only weakness is his reverence of beauty – especially in beautiful women. Although he already has a wife, a daughter and two sons, he still likes to seek adventures in distant lands just to meet and woo beautiful ladies (and deflower them, leaving his ‘mark’ on them if possible) with his charms. Unfortunately, his age and marital status, if known, makes him somewhat ‘repulsive’ for ladies with uncommon beauty and qualities.


7. Kyflynn Windwalker

Unpredictable, irritating. Being an outcast dark elf (night elf), Kyflynn frequently finds himself in difficult situations. And sometimes his decisions to solve certain situations might be very controversial. His principles of 'Not killing good people' made him banished from his kindred, but it's not his privilege to judge who's good and who's bad, right?

He may laugh in critical situations and gets angry in happy times. He is the elf for himself: doing things the way he likes, as his heart pleases. He has no regard for decency, law and rules.


8. Lavennia Iris

A typical show-off and a bit flirty (but is steady with one boyfriend at a time). Being an 80-year old elf on her first appearance in this story, Lavennia Iris acts bossy and show-off her talents to influence people and gain respect, because she doesn’t get it in Thyrine. She looks like a teenage elf, a bit under 16 in human age reckoning, but she already gets the thirst and hunger for adventure. She gets bored easily over monotonous works.

What she really seeks in life is love, which is rather seldom happening among fair Thyrinian elves.


9. Paolo Marvellini

Fatherly and good natured, this elderly dwarf always says, ‘It’s hard being a nice guy, but I like being nice and I like hard work, so there’s no problem.’

His love for family and his determination to help people with the craft he does best: healing collides with his brethrens’ principles and belief, so he learnt Vadisian and came back to his homeland with a new faith. His mission to bring cure and salvation to his people will cause him to do so many sacrifices: separated with his family, scorned by his brethrens, prosecuted by the leaders, and who knows what else next.

In spite of his sufferings, he stays calm and cheerful as usual. He is the ‘father’ of his hunting party. He cools things down when his much younger partners begin to heat up and quarrel with each other, with witty advices and sometimes mild jokes.

His dwarf name (real name) is Rollo Bigstumble. He has a wife, Uli Nockimble and two children, Ivor Bigstumble and Eni Bigstumble.


10. Eidos Crydias

He is known as a typical opportunist. He supports people only if he can reap some benefit out of them. He is also a coward, often using his old age as an excuse to be exempt in difficult missions – a trait very unlikely for a true paladin, for sure.

Actually, people tend to “use” him instead because of his two talents: One, his superb Chronomancy (the magic that manipulates the flow of time and space), and two, his scientific expertise and Airship Aurora as his greatest masterpiece.


11. Desmond Edmundsen

A blacksmith by trade, he is willing to leave everything just to travel around the continent with Vera Vyrkova, the attractive sorceress he once rescued. Their adventures get into an exciting turn with Kyflynn entering the picture.

Crushing the myth that “big guys have small brains”, Desmond is quite intelligent and wise despite of his extremely brawny figure. He even holds the principles of love and sacrifice, meaning that he’s willing to die to protect the woman he loves.

Wielding a great maul, then the great hammer Terra Nakroβ, he is a very formidable ally and an extremely feared adversity in every battle. As a berserker, he is unstoppable, earning him the name “The Thousand Gates Breaker”.


12. Vera Vyrkova

If you think Robert is “cool”, then Vera is “ice cold”. She rarely shows any emotion, and people often mistake her as a mannequin or a golem. Actually, her eyes and ears work triple as her mouth, making her an excellent observer. She acts and speaks if necessary, and she seldom gets angry.

However, you really don’t want to make her angry, because if she does… things will get extremely catastrophic.


13. Janna Pavlovic (first appearance in Book Two: Masks of the Soul)

Now here’s another outcast. This halfling (hobbit) likes to travel to distances because she is considered both a hero and an abomination in her village of Ekinmor, Edel Kingdom, Regia Confederation. She is gifted (and cursed) with an ability to change into three kinds of animals at will: wolf, eagle or dolphin – an animorpher.

Possessing exceptional reconnaisance skill and also a martial artist using either an iron claw or her bare hands, Janna is a very versatile warrior, despite her little figure and little physical strength.

She is quite cheerful, helpful with a good sense of humor, always ready to assist her comrades. However, in terms of making decisions, she tends to ask people’s opinions first and goes by the most reasonable suggestion.

Supporting Casts & Actors:
- Rael’charon Luvazel : An elf who serves as Chief Advisor of Lore Kingdom, very clever.
- Ney’varith Ushmiel: An attractive she-elf secret agent / spy well-versed in water magicks.
- Nikanomikos Paliades: A descendant of Theripides who aspires to lead more than to follow.
- Bragl Dar’gum: An orc champion (kull) who is (unexpectedly) virtuous & honorable.
- Sheena Mekh’ta: A woman corsair from Meshallah. Tough and courageous.
- Baxter & Ellephar: The thin and fat bandits that are more of troublemakers than help.
- Azrael, Theripides, Carolyn Senior: The three great wizards who sealed the Deathblade.


Game Manual:

Player Movement Control : Keypad Up, Down, Left, Right
Dash / Run: Hold SHIFT key while pressing the directional buttons
Action Button: ENTER or SPACEBAR key
Enter / Exit Main Menu: ESC key

F12: Back to Title Menu
F1: Pause / Setup Display

FireHeart Complete Game in Forums: New Links and Threads

FireHeart Game in Forums - New Threads

Lautan Indonesia
Hobi - Games Gemes - Game PC
http://www.lautanindonesia.com/forum/game-pc/(rpg)-fireheart-legend-of-the-paladins/

KasKus.Us
LOEKELOE / GAMES / PC Games
http://www.kaskus.us/showthread.php?t=3398702


Moved Threads:

RPG RPG Revolution
Games Listing
http://www.rpgrevolution.com/game/fireheart---legend-of-the-paladins_1295.html

Review in Forum - Full Games
http://www.rpgrevolution.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=36517

RPG Maker Indonesia Forum - Complete Games
http://rpgmakerid.forumotion.net/complete-games-f5/rmvx-fireheart-t351.htm

Monday, February 15, 2010

FireHeart Paladins Game - Final Version!


That's it! This is the final version of the game.
I won't make changes anymore unless there are some feedbacks about fatal bugs etc.
In the mean time, just download it for FREE and thank you for all your support!

Enjoy playing the game, and
Come forth, Paladins! Fulfill your destiny!

Andry Chang
Final Version Completion Date: February 24, 2010


FireHeart - Legend of the Paladins

Book One: The Bounty Hunters

PC Game FULL FINAL Version (With RTP Player)
Download from here

About 22+ hours of gameplay, RPG Fantasy Genre
File Size: 65 MB

Monday, February 08, 2010

Medieval Armour - Wikipedia Directory

Hauberk

Hauberk

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Hauberk, Museum of Bayeux.

A hauberk is a shirt of mail armour. The term is usually used to describe a shirt reaching at least to mid-thigh and including sleeves. Haubergeon ("little hauberk") generally refers to a shorter variant with partial sleeves, but the terms are often used interchangeably.[1] Slits to accommodate horseback-riding are often incorporated below the waist. Most are put on over the head. Hauberk can also refer to a similar garment of scale armour.

[edit] History

Transylvanian parade hauberk of King John II Casimir, 17th century

The word hauberk is derived from an old German word Halsberge, which originally described a small piece of mail that protects the throat and the neck (the 'Hals'). The Roman author Varro attributes the invention of mail to the Celts. The earliest extant example was found in Ciumeşti in modern Romania and is dated to the 4th-5th centuries BC. Roman armies adopted similar technology after encountering it. Mail armour spread throughout the Mediterranean Basin with the expansion of the Romans and was quickly adopted by virtually every iron-using culture in the world, with the exception of the Chinese, who used it rarely despite being heavily exposed to it from other cultures.

The short-hemmed, short-sleeved hauberk may have originated from the medieval Islamic world.[1] The Bayeux Tapestry illustrates Norman soldiers wearing a knee-length version of the hauberk, with three-quarter length sleeves and a split from hem to crotch. Such armor was quite expensive — both in materials (iron wire) and time/skill required to manufacture it — so common foot soldiers rarely were so equipped.

The hauberk stored in the Prague Cathedral, dating from the 12th century, is one of the earliest surviving examples from Central Europe and was supposedly owned by Saint Wenceslaus. In Europe, use of mail hauberks continued up through the 14th century, when plate armor began to supplant it. In parts of Central Asia, it continued to be used longer.

[edit] Construction

The hauberk is typically a type of mail armour which is constructed of loops of metal woven into a tunic or shirt. The sleeves sometimes only went to the elbow, but often were full arm length, with some covering the hands with a supple glove leather face on the palm of the hand, or even full mail gloves. It was usually thigh or knee length, with a split in the front and back to the crotch so the wearer could ride a horse. It sometimes incorporated a hood, or coif.

[edit] References

^ David Nicolle (1994), Saracen faris 1050-1250 A.D., Osprey Publishing, p. 58, ISBN 1855324539

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hauberk

Friday, February 05, 2010

How to Make a Castle Siege Diorama

Nakula and Sadewa


Nakula and Sadewa by ~vadis on deviantART

Nakula & Sadewa
The Wonder Twins of the Pandava faction
in the Epic Mahabharata.
Also a fan art for Garudayana Comics by Is Yuniarto.

Bima


Bima by ~vadis on deviantART

Bima, the strongest warrior of the Pandava Brothers
in the Epic Mahabharata.

This is also a fan art of Project Mahabharata by vadis and Garudayana Comic by Is Yuniarto

Duryodhana


Duryodhana by ~vadis on deviantART

Duryodhana, the King of Astina
and the archvillain, chief of the Kurava Faction
in the Epic Mahabharata.

This image also serves as a fan art for Garudayana by Is Yuniarto and Mahabharata by vadis.

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Neo Vordac - Dark OverLord Incarnate


Neo Vordac by ~vadis on deviantART

SPOILER WARNING!
Neo Vordac, the new form of the Dark Overlord after being blended with a human and a sword. As the picture was posted, the Paladins are trying to figure out how to beat this dude. - Andry Chang

Robert Chandler - Masks of the Soul


Robert Chandler Cover Idea by ~vadis on deviantART

Who is he? A devil incarnate, or an agent of heaven?
This is the controversy that sparks up bloody conflicts, all in FireHeart - Legend of the Paladins Book Two: Masks of the Soul.

vadisworld - my way, my world

FireHeart Blog List

Vadis' Technorati Favourites

Pyr Publishing

Pat's Fantasy Hotlist

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