The Oerth Journal 34

The Oerth Journal #34 has arrived!

Oerth Journal 34

Oerth Journal has hit the newsstands once again, and once again I find an example of my humble work, A Fistful of Baubles, within its covers.

Is there a theme to this issue? Not that I am aware. Past issues had a theme, but this one is a free-for-all, and it shows. There are bios, ecologies, stories, and histories. It's a mixed bag. As much as themes are thrilling, so too is the unexpected. 

What's my submission about? In a word: Skrellingshald. What's that, you ask? It's one of the mysterious places, or adventure hooks in James M. Ward's "Geography of Oerth" portion of Greyhawk Adventures.

More specifically, my submission is a story about Hradji Beartooth's search of that mythical city in the Griff Mountains, and the treasures that may be secreted there. By the way, for those who are not in the know, Skrellingshald is the Rhizian's name for Tostenhca. You don't know what Tostenhca is? It's an ancient Flan city. Indeed, it was one of the greatest cities built by the Flan, or humans, for that matter. Pick up a copy of the module Return to White Plume Mountain to learn more.

So why Beartooth's search for Skrellingshald? Because it's a quest, a dangerous one; maybe even a harrowing one. Were it not so, I'm sure someone would have discovered it long ago. Because it's a footnote in Greyhawk's history. Because it's a tale of doom brought on by Keraptis and the Ur-Flan. And because it's a tale told in the far north, a woefully underappreciated corner of the map, in my humble opinion.

My last two submissions were "historical" fictions, as well. I love history. I love lore. Even fictional history and lore. Anyone who has read my blog entries knows this. But nothing reels me in more than a good story. And Greyhawk has been lacking its fair share of those for far too long. That said, that is being addressed, even as I write this.

What type of stories do I like? The "small" stories. Personal stories. I'll leave the big picture to others. They intrigue me less than The Hero's Journey. Not specifically Sword and Sorcery and Conan heroism and the like; nor HP Lovecraft, either. Nor Moorcock, although those are much closer to my taste. Don't get me wrong, those noted can be and sometimes are excellent examples of the hero's journey. I've read my fair share for fantasy and science-fiction, and still do, on occasion, so I know this to be true; but as I grow older, I look for deeper meaning, internal monologue, internal conflict, the hero rising above his own faults and failings to succeed against those forces that strive to defeat him, even if, especially if those forces are himself. Most genera fiction is lacking in that. Dickens is chalk full of  hero's journeys like those. So too Alexandre Dumas, and Jane Austin. Sometimes Stephen King's works are. And Robert E Howard, as well, for that matter. Garcia Marquez more so. Hemingway. Fitzgerald. Mailer. Tolstoy. Dostoyevsky.

I digress.

Suffice it to say that I hope A Fistful of Baubles is a hero's journey. If you've already read my story and are a little confused by the title, there being no baubles to be found at all within its scope of narrative, fret not, this story is but a chapter of a larger tale, one I hope that will grace further editions of the Journal.

If you have not, I pray you enjoy my effort.

My shameless plug complete, might I speak on what else might be perused within the covers? Surely I shall.

Fancy talk aside, there is much of interest in the 34^th issue of the Journal:

Mine is not the only work of narrative fiction. In fact, I would hazard the guess that this issue contains more stories than any other, to date. John Burchfield makes his debut with “Exploring the Dry Steppes,” a piece about an exceedingly nail-biting encounter with the unknown on the vastness of prairie, west of the Crystalmists. It’s a wonderful piece, and I hope to see more from John in the future. Pursuant to John’s story, Kristoph Nolan treats us with an exploration of the ecology of the Thri-kreen. They’re not just a Dark Sun creature anymore; they’re known to inhabit the Dry Steppes, too.

Wait, there’s more fiction! Richard DiIoia (aka Longetalos) submitted a thoughtful tale of redemption of spirit; and Robert M. Guy II instructs us on what it takes to make the grade within the Scarlet Brotherhood, to the would-be apprentice’s potential peril. It’s not easy being dedicated to Evil’s cause.

Which brings me to Thomas Kelly’s continued exploration of our beloved Tasha. His is a timely story, what with WotC’s recent edition to their ever more innumerable sourcebooks. This story is one of Tommy's best. Yes, this is most certainly a must read! It’s not his first dip of toe into what makes Tasha tick; he has an abundance epic of tales—a la Scheherazade’s Arabian Nights—concerning Baba Yaga’s daughter to be enjoyed at his website, GreyhawkStories, among others.

What else is there? Amy Crittenden returns with a biographical piece on one of Gary Gygax’s characters, Yrag. Had I heard the name? I had. Did I know much about Yrag? Not a lot. Amy fills us in on Yrag’s history, his character, his motivations, and his stats.

Paul Herridge pens a bio of Captain of the Greenjerkins, of the Gnarley Forest. He I did not know.

Les Reno dives into little known Flan secrets, legacies of the Ur-Flan. Lance Hawvermale teaches us what magics might be devised from the Phostwood, tucked away in an unpublished work from the sage, Canaldrun the Spry.

Lastly, two sages grace the edition:

Maldin returns with a bit of Greyspace. He raises the sails of the Spelljamming carrack, the Pentagram, her crew, and a hook of two. Learn more from Denis Tetreault’s website, Maldin's Greyhawk.

I’ve saved the best for last. Gary Holian’s article on St. Benedor, Bane of the Death Knights, is a must read. History, horror, Demogorgon and potential doom, Gary regales us with enough backstory about the demigod and his endless quest to defeat St. Kargoth and his Death Knights to fuel a decade long campaign. Gary is definitely the preeminent sage of all things Death Knight.

As we all know Gary Holian is a co-author of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer, numerous Dragon Magazines, and manager of Canonfire!

Mike Bridges as a couple strips tucked within, as well. Do enjoy! There's more from Mike is his blog space, Greyhawkery.

There you have it.

We all owe Krisoph Nolan of Greyhawk Online for his tireless work to produce and publish such wonderful fan content!

I’m sure you already have a copy, and likely have already read it, and are waiting for yet another issue; but if you haven’t yet, what are you waiting for? It’s free to download here on the Greyhawk Online website.

Please note that those supporting the Oerth Journal will receive a print copy of the OJ. Not this one, sadly, the deadline for receiving this particular journal has passed. But so long as you keep your patreon support current, you'll recieve a physical copy by mail. Here's a link to the Patronage page.