M-Anthony-Harris | historical | Complete
Vealand's jewel twin cities of Portin and Brinhold fell to terror fourty years ago. During their fall a man rose up and saved them. He took the survivors of the fall of the Veaish coast and brought them inland, setting up his new empire inland in the mountain stronghold of Fiell. The Emperor singlehandedly saved the people of Vealand. Everyone knows that and everybody in Vealand adores him as a hero and the savior of their nation. Dren though, says differently. As a Memory Mage and the leader of the Rebellion, he's desperate to prove that the Emperor is a false savior. He bets his life on it. He fails that bet and fails in his last attempt at transfering his memories into the mind of one of the Emperor's Inquisitors. Now it's up two the two most unlikely people, Aris Ravenscroft, the head of Fiell's city guards and Kestrel, a street rat, to save Vealand from a monster that it worships as a savior. Notice, this is a High Fantasy novel, there are no LitRPG or Cultivation elements in it.
92.03 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:35
B. A. Baker (Thedude3445) | drama | Complete
Aspiring priest Beatrice dreams of saving the world. Delinquent debutante Emi dreads her looming engagement to a distant noblewoman. A chance meeting in a library ignites a flame of love in their hearts. But, as the pair explore the wintery city of Balarand and each other, they must contend with their relationship's uncertain future. Only by walking together hand-in-hand can they face these obstacles for the sake of their futures. Hands Held in the Snow is an LGBT+ fantasy romance about a bookworm and a brat at the cusp of adulthood. Read all 70 chapters today. -- Featuring artwork by Mikayla Buan. https://twitter.com/mikayla_buan You can also read Hands Held in the Snowon its official website:http://handsheld.quinlancircle.com/ And follow Hands Held on Twitter:https://twitter.com/hands_held Please vote onTop Web Fiction!You can vote once a week on each device for this story (and any others you enjoy!).
67.01 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:24
DizzyDwarf20 | psychological | Complete
Waking up with no memory in an abandoned institute is not a great start to anyone's day. So, like any other person, you set off to find your way out, get your bearings, and find answers to why you were locked in a stasis pod in the first place. However, this place is not as abandoned as it may first seem. Like any high-level science project gone wrong, artificial latex-like creatures are on the loose and the lone survivor (you) will undoubtedly see many of them along the way. Changed - Awakening is a fanfic based on the game Changed. Although it's not necessary to know the game, I personally recommend familiarizing yourself with it before reading this story. Transformations will occur. Author - DizzyDwarf20 Mentor/Beta-reader - TranquilClaws Cover art - Delta-Soldier Editors - Lil_proto, Kranfoel, Delta-Soldier and McHanz
78.63 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 16:11
Moonweave | adventure | Complete
"I know who I was. I was Aevlin, raised by Callily, wife of Alaric, son of the mad king," she said the words as if they belonged to someone else. Not her name, not her story. "I was a woodcrafter's apprentice, a strict woman's daughter, a selfish girl's sister. But you know that already. And she's dead." the girl's eyes glistened with tears that would not fall. She would not let them. "Does it matter?"The descendants of the last king have lived in hiding since before his death, but through a series of premeditated coincidences, Aevlin Saliz finds herself in her cousin's palace. There she faces the trials of mental labor, the allure of magic, and the stirrings of rebellion, all while doing her best to hide her identity as both royal and mage. But the desire to belong puts her independence to the test when a plot to overthrow the king in her name is uncovered. Aevlin must choose between quiet submission and taking control of her own destiny.[cover photo by Alice Alinari on Unsplash]
52.38 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:53
One Way Justice | psychological | Complete
Prince Cedric of the Blackrose is betrayed by his allies and slain in what ought to have been a standard goblin extermination mission. To his horror, he is reborn as a lowly goblin hatchling with all memories of his previous life intact. Thoughts of vengeance keep him going as he seeks to unravels the many mysteries of the goblin world and their evolution chain. He vows to make it to the top, rising to the fabled status of Goblin Lord. Destiny awaits. -- This is a first, self-contained narrative (~93.4k words) set in a burgeoning extended universe. Plot-heavy, Isekai, High fantasy, Grimdark, Anti-hero lead, LitRPG lite (this means LitRPG elements are present but not omnipresent)
52.99 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 12:18
No雔 is known across the city of Portlandand not by choice. Under the care of the richest man in the city and just transferred to a new high school, she's already making close friends... and bitter enemies. A chance encounter on her first day plunges her headfirst into a secret underground tournament. Between suspicious classmates and utter strangers, No雔 soon gets a taste for the addictive rush of the duel, but questions of love and trust complicate every move she makes. Cutthroat games with grim consequences await her in a shadowy world of competitors all dueling for the greatest prize imaginable. A new story from Etzoli, that one butterfly who writes things. This is a side-adventure I've written during the pandemic, as I've been having a lot of trouble getting into the correct head-space for writing my main series (The Last Science). Expect some rougher bits. Schedule is sporadic, but this will be a shorter one (closer to Snipe or Epilogue in length). I hope you enjoy it! Full-size cover art [Discord] - come hang out and chat sometime with etzy and other readers!
77.75 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:24
Janelle Walden | historical | Complete
Claire's life led her to love. Love led her to death. Death began her eternal struggle to retain both her love and her humanity through five centuries of endless nights. Book 1 covers 1583-1690. "Ravyn's Nights" is a six book series, with each book covering a different century. Book 6 was actually started first, and it takes place in the near future, bringing the story to a final conclusion. I then started writing the rest of the series when I decided that I wanted to share the details of the life that made her into who she is in Book 6. At the time of posting the first chapter of the series, books 1-2-3 are completed and books four, five and six are in various states of completion. There is currently a novella following a side character that does include a few crossover chapters featuring the main character. The novella will be included in the completed versions of books 4 and 5.
95.45 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:33
SidusProject | historical | Complete
"55(5+ 5 55"5! 5(5 5.5, 5"5, 55(5.5'5" 552 5-5!5 5,5-5+5"5'5 5, 5(5 5 55-5 ." Those words, traverse through space and time only to bring us what's called "inevitable" - a designated end that awaits right from the start of every new journey. How unfair... to have no control over the course of our own, no option left but to docilely obey its order. Still, there are those who have dared to challenge the supreme, with every last drop of their will, with each piece of their flesh and bones. In this story lies the tale of the two "rebels," yearning to escape the endless cycle of lost and found. Indeed, it is the tale of a doctor who lost himself in revenge and the knight who soon forgot the warmth of love. Together, will they collide to break through the illusion of pawns on the chessboard of power? From the puddle of sin, will their hands find each other? To once and for all, sharing the crimson Camellia, proof of their sincerity. 'Amor Vincit Omnia'May their love tear the veil of greed. Copyright � SidusProject, 2023
76.78 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:39
Doctor Zero | mystery | Complete
What's the best way to enjoy the end of the world? If you are reading this you have lost your memory. Again. You dumb jerk. I have no interest in writing our life story - it'll come back to you. For now, this is what's up: 1. We are looking for a god named Tiger. 2. He can stop the apocalypse, but apparently does not know that. 3. If the apocalypse is ongoing, we haven't told him yet. Also, we believe that life is absurd, loving relationships make it worth living, and it's best tobe our true self. Love Copycat (that's our name dummy) Cover by proxybaba - he's here on Royal Road and he's the best!
57.88 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:18
fsarbolaez | satire | Complete
[Full Title: The Colonial History of Tir-Torzor and Brief Accounts of Its Diasporas' Denizens] An alien scholar is sent by their institution to study, evaluate, and report on the colonial history of another galactic civilization known as the Apiary. There are only two planets under the Apiary's dominion: The empire's home world, Eas-Enerang, and Tir-Torzor, its sole colonized claim. This is the compiled historical records on the effects conquest has had over its native inhabitants. {Content Warning: This story is a work of satire involving some instances of foul language, xenophobia, violence, recalling assault, and allusions to historical atrocities and tragedies. Discretion is advised.} Visit https://ko-fi.com/choftt to support the story! Art for collage cover by Paul David London. Collage and artistic additions by F.S. Arbolaez.
58.20 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:24
Janelle Walden | historical | Complete
Claire's life led her to love. Love led her to death. Death began her eternal struggle to retain both her love and her humanity through 5 centuries of endless nights. Book 2 covers the 18th century. "Ravyn's Nights" is a six book series, with each book covering a different century. Book 6 was actually started first, and it takes place in the near future, bringing the story to a final conclusion. I then started writing the rest of the series when I decided that I wanted to share the details of the life that made her into who she is in Book 6. At the time of posting the first chapter of the series, books 1-2-3 are completed and books four, five and six are in various states of completion. There is currently a novella following a side character that does include a few crossover chapters featuring the main character. The novella will be included in the completed versions of books 4 and 5.
79.91 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 17:38
Razzmatazz | comedy | Complete
[I was reborn as a sin-eater and now I want to eat the demon-king ] [litRPG] [R16+] In the depths of a decayed, ancient dungeon, Canta is given a second chance at life. With a new body and the powerful, ancient class of a Sin-EAter, highly revered by the holy-people of the surface-world, he sets out to leave his past behind and forge a new path for himself. But his journey is not without obstacles, as he discovers that he is not alone in the darkness. Trapped with him is a mysterious and powerful being who shares Canta's desire for change but is presumably consumed by evil if his gut feeling is to be trusted. As they embark on a journey together, Canta must navigate the dangers and secrets of the dungeon as well as confront the darkness within himself and his new partner beside him. With each step, he is forced to question what it truly means to be a good man and whether redemption is truly possible for someone like him. As the two unlikely companions battle their way through the world under the dreadful shadow of the Demon-King, they will encounter terrifying monsters, treacherous traps, and ancient magic. But the greatest challenge they face may be their own inner corruption and old mannerisms. Can Canta even rise above his past and become the hero he was meant to be, or will he succumb back to the darkness that fully surrounds the two of them? Find out in this thrilling fantasy adventure by renowned and trending fantasy author D.M. Rhodes! [Also available on Amazon!]
76.81 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 19:00
The dread visage of the lord necromancer, sending forth a sea of rotting flesh to mould the world in his image. This wonderful picture flickers and dies as Lucien's undead construct stumbles and promptly melts into an unmentionable slurry. As Lucien struggles to become the dread necromancer he knows he should be, he gets dragged into a nationwide conflict by a hapless priest and a girl from another world. An evil cult, an equally evil empire and a general lack of relevant skills are the only things standing between them and bodily cohesion. Can they survive the chaos around them? Will they accidently save the world? Will Lucien ever get over himself? Find out here in Darke Mag'yx!
84.48 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-04-19 15:29
Mercs are causing trouble in my city. They are hunting someone, whatever the cost. It's not like I care that some lowly humans died, but if I don't act now it would set a bad example. So what would the hero do? Probably he would save the victims and protect them while the enemies keep coming& Yeah, as if I would ever do something so troublesome! They aren't calling me the demon lord for no reason. I suppose I'll just shoot the victim and be done with it. Reading Order of the Multiverse-Books Author's Comment: If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes.[/window] Author's Comment: I was asked about reading my work on other sites. The answer is simple: Currently, I am not active in any other networks than royalroadl.com. Only here, I correct mistakes and errors. If you read it anywhere else and have to pay for it or have to deal with an annoying amount of advertisement, You Are Being Betrayed. You would do good if you make other people in that network aware of it. This is a free project of mine for the purpose of having fun. And if people try to make money with it you shouldn't bother visiting their website. I have no problem with translation and reposting of the story, as long as the person in question isn't doing it for money or stealing my identity. The only one whom I actually allowed to have my work on his website is Armaell who invested the time to compile them into pdf. (http://armaell-library.net/author/andur)
79.01 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:57
Etzoli | contemporary | Complete
Revised version now available! Amazon paperback, ebook, audiobook, Kobo, B&N, Google In the war-torn land of Cyraveil, four heroes strove to overthrow an empire. By cold steel and elemental sorcery, they brought peace to a warring land on the brink of destruction. As the flames died, the realm needed strong leadership, and who better than the champions who had saved the kingdom? But when the people sought out their saviors... they vanished. Matt, Blake, Jen, and Carl: the four mysterious companions, who together had deposed an insane ruler and saved countless lives, were gonespirited back in a whirlwind of magic to a sleepy suburb in Mellbridge, Oregon, never to return. The friends found themselves home inthe real world, exactly as they'd been the night they were taken, as if no time had passed... except only threecame back. Hi there! This was my entry for National Novel Writing Month, because why only write one series at a time? The more the merrier! (meanwhile, my keyboard bursts into flames...) I'm also the writer of The Last Science, an ongoing low-fantasy/speculative sci-fi series. If you're familiar with that, you know what to expect here: lots of character-focused drama and dialogue, not a whole lot of traditional action. However, I'm writing a bit differently than usual here, and in a very different structure, so there should be some surprises for returning readers. I hope you enjoy it! [Discord] for those of you who want to hang out and chat. Cover art (fullsize): Path of Revelation, by taenaron (Tobias Roetsch), modified by Etzoli. Normally I like to do my own cover art from scratch, but I was in a rush for the contest. Might be replaced down the line if I get time. [winner of the NaNoWriMo Royal Road 2018 challengeMost Favorites]
53.94 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:38
AMBLE | contemporary | Complete
The arch-wizard Orton hasn't been an ordinary human for many years, but traveling back into his own past for a fifth chance at defeating the evil magus Gentry puts him back in the year 1997, in his teenaged body as punk-rock dishwasher Dennis Wilkerson. Now he must retrace his steps through his adventure yet again -- recruiting his allies, defeating his enemies, and accruing his spells and powers all over again. But this time, one thing is different -- he's not alone.This novel takes place in the setting of Entangled Shadows, an urban fantasy quantum-physics magic system in development for use in Tabletop RPG play!
77.91 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:33
tenqui | contemporary | Complete
Normal over 30 science teacher is "abducted" and tested by the GREAT GAME as a beta trial inductee. The GREAT GAME will eventually be implemented and remake the world. Our protagonist however is the only one that actually passes the beta test, which was not designed to be survivable, through sheer dumb luck and thus has an extreme head start on all other citizens of Earth. Follow the journey of our hero as he tries to walk a thin line between preparing to save as much of his family and friends as possible while also trying to make sure that he will have enough power to make other people do most of the work while remaining safe and sound. Poor guy is just a proto-hermit who wants to be left alone but also realizes the importance of others and family. The new reality just complicates things.
96.47 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:38
Dosei | historical | Complete
ARC 1 'THE FORLORN KINGDOM' done.ARC 2 'THE FIELDS OF RED' done.ARC 3 'THE WANDERING FOREST' undergoing extensive editing. Trapped in a foreign realm, where reality and the supernatural are blended into a game-like trial all for the amusement of some absurd Deity, Aomori Aiko has to battle with her missing memories and the many previous lives she has lived within this strange realm. She struggles greatly to come to terms with being well-known and renowned under the moniker "Raven-Black", despite having zero memories of what actions led to this. Aiko quickly finds herself facing a sadistically-designed trial that punishes its 'players' in countless ways, such as robbing memories and abilities if they are gravely injured, but she has to continue to rise and rise again, because only by progressing can she regain her past and figure out how to escape the Exiled Realm. As she advances through the Stages of the first World, The Forlorn Kingdom, and uncovers its story, she encounters people who idolise the person she was in the past, but also people who wish to harm her for simply trying to progress. Despite her lone-wolf nature, she makes some friends along the way, who teach her about her past self and her famous exploits. I have been writing on this story for about 4� years, and thus have roughly 1400 pages' worth of material (though most of it needs proofing).This story is my baby that I have been raising for many years and is what originally brought me to RoyalRoad in the first place. It took the release and success of my other story Father of Monstrosity to make me finally decide to put this story out on here. I have tried for all of 2021 and 2022 to find a publisher for this story, and, though I got far with a few publishers, it was deemed "too dark" to be released by them, so, I thought, "Oh well, I'll do it myself". Given that FoM is waaaay darker than Exiled Realm, my hope is that the audience here will enjoy it and prove the publishers mistaken about the following such a story can garner. I use Footnotes extensively in this story to convey a fourth-wall-breaking commentary by Aiko, as well as explanations of many elements in the story that require explanations (such as the extensive segments about language, culture, and weapons). I wish I could add more genre tags, as the story has elements of Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Psychological, a sprinkling of Romance, and, lastly, Tragedy. For now, I believe "Adventure, Fantasy, Historical, and Psychological" play the biggest roles, but I may change it later if I come to a different conclusion. The cover was made by the amazing @panjoool (please look him up on DeviantArt and other art-sites: he's very talented and his style and method of 3d-render mixed with traditional painting is really fascinating). I commissioned the cover from him back in 2021, as a treat to myself for sticking to the story despite some setbacks with publishers (treats are important!) and it depicts the The Forlorn Kingdom, which is the first World in Exiled Realm. I have plans to get covers for the other Worlds, as they are all visually distinct, but this is what I have for now. I have a Discord group where you can connect with other readers of my stories.
89.66 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:16
rkgoff | historical | Complete
In May, 1899, a hundred and fifty unassuming envelopes are delivered to households across the city. Most of them will be picked up by butlers and carried on silver trays to their recipients. All of them contain invitations to the wedding of Lady Eleanor Serrs to Mr. Ryce Penn. When the newspapers hear about it, they start buzzing. Who can blame them? This would be the wedding of the century! She's the daughter of Duke Erravold Aubrey-Serrs, and the Marvelous Mr. Penn is one of the most famous men in the country. But Penn is famous for being the city's most notorious thief. He's an unrepentant attention-seeker with a taste for gems and danger. And Eleanor swears that she's never met him. Chief Inspector Lucas Haley, Penn's long-time nemesis, is called in to protect the Aubrey-Serrs family and try to figure out what the master thief is planning. He'll need all his experience and tenacity for this case, as it quickly becomes obvious more is at stake than the reputation of an innocent woman.
55.02 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:15
Lise Eclaire | sci_fi | Complete
Decades ago, Elcy was a battleship. Her recklessness on the front led her to forced retirement in a human body. Having officially joined the officer ranks thanks to the success of her last mission, Elcy is approached by the arbiters to assist in making contact with the illusive "fractal" race. Many things are at stake. Will such an attempt help humanity gain the upper hand against its current enemies, or will it mark the start of a third-contact war? Elcy's work is cut out for her, yet the only thing more difficult than finding fractals' home world is trusting the intentions of her new superiors. The story is a continuation ofQuod Olim Erat,The Scuu Paradox, and The Cassandrian Theory.
96.74 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:20
