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About Chasing Fate: A Snowdragon's Odyssey

The Story

When Lorgi hatches, a seer divines fate from his shell: one day he will bring doom to his own kind, the Álukois (snowdragons). Rejecting prophecy, his mother tells Lorgi he has the power to create good luck. Abducted by a wicked sorcerer, stung by a deadly beast, and swept across the Continent by warring hordes, he fights to save human friends made on the way. Barely surviving her own battle, his mother must put aside her disdain for hyúlems (lowlanders) in her quest to find Lorgi. Both dragons’ struggles change the world. Some evils are turned to good. Using dragon strength and human ingenuity, Lorgi defeats an enemy that had been invincible to both! 

What it is Not!

Not based on any other’s work, my novel is not like Rowling, Tolkien, or magic-driven. No elves, trolls, goblins, “shadows” or wizards rule here, but cultures and creatures of my own design. Characters believe sorcery or fate cause outcomes, yet it is their own actions. Knowledge, cooperation, skill, brute force, creativity and persistence brew surprising ends. Written mainly for adults, this story still avoids gratuitous violence or profanity.

Roots

Lorgi’s epic adventure fantasy takes place on “the Continent,” with its own geography, history, cultures and species. Collectively, the Yeti, Bigfoot and “Nessie” inspired the Álukois—not stereotype dragons. Even that word insults, meaning bandit or pirate in Álukop, their written language. Álukois love winter sports, star-gazing, socializing, snacking (i.e., feasting) and beer! They are vegetarians, but ferocious in defending friends, land and honor.

Themes

This tale explores human behavior, especially from an Álukoi perspective. Culture shock, moral dilemmas, prejudice, adaptation, revolution, kindness and faith play throughout. Can the stubborn Álukois adapt to survive? Can humans tolerate non-humans if they can’t stand each other? Personal determination trumps fate, adversity, magic, and tradition. Shared knowledge is power. Evil hastens its own demise. Good grows. People and words evolve across cultural divides. One word (gánsi = thank you) can move mountains—like love.

 

Gánsi méni, góbo nóshuls, yi góbo árgosangs!

“Many thanks, fine snacks & adventures!” ~ Lorgámon of Tiefenbo

Heraldry

Imperial Shohan

Kingdom of Kitria

Puchakta

Gran Vazuk

Klimgu

Kingdom of Laskomia

Imperial Shohan

Lendicheza

Capulchek
(Akromilot)

Laskomia

Old Nordhost

Ancient Tharidun

Kitrian Infantry

Dolanzia Islands

Lendish
Navy

Outlander
(free knight)

Berserker

Tuzanchim
Rebel

500 Lakes (coalition)

Webrish

South Akromilot
(free knight)

North Akromilot
(free knight)

Ancient Suldish Empire

Ancient Miters

Gruneborg

Music

Wenji’s Theme

Music by Gordon Lazarus, Orchestration by Patrice Williams

A smart, beautiful orphan, Wenji had lived most of her 22 years as a frequently traded and abused slave. Suddenly thrust into a completely new world after meeting the snowdragon child Lorgi, she teaches him what real human suffering is all about, while he shows her the power of true friendship, thinking “outside the box” and having faith in herself. Together they overcome terrible dangers, thereby helping to bring about the fall of powerful enemies.


Tuzanchim Good Luck Dance

Music by Gordon Lazarus, Orchestration by Patrice Williams

In this superstitious horse-warrior culture, friends, relatives, or entire armies do not part without first wishing each other good luck, in ceremonies complete with songs, dances, exchanging token gifts, food, and much consumption of alcoholic beverages! One should always allow at least a few hours for a “proper farewell” (if not a whole night of revelry), in order to bestow the most luck possible on all present.

Maps