In a galaxy where Endoskeletons reached out to the stars in their own ambitions, many have fought tooth and nail for their ideals, their riches, and their pride. The Empire and Kingdom, both factions in a long standing rivalry, stood tall within the darkness of space, forging out as a pillar of hope to those who seek shelter within these dark times. Until war ensues. The Pilot Series looks into the world of Starbase, looking through the events that lead to one specific point. Where one incident lead loose the throes of war. And how it affected everyone... --- Ok, don't kill me, but yes, this is an unofficial lore story based on Starbase, an upcoming (Or if you're reading in the future, current) MMORPG based on Robots, or Endoskeletons, in an open world. It'll be coming to Early Access on the 17th of June, 2021. This Lore series looks into a "What If" of the current war between both the Empire and the Kingdom as to "Was it truly one of their fault?" Anyways, here's The Pilot Series. Now on Royal Road! Note: Will be updated daily up till the current ending. Links to the original on forums.starbase.game: Season 1: https://forum.starbasegame.com/threads/the-pilot-series-season-1-unofficial-lore-of-the-war-between-kingdom-and-empire.284/ Season 2: https://forum.starbasegame.com/threads/the-pilot-series-season-2-unofficial-lore-of-the-war-between-empire-and-kingdom.997/ Starbase Wiki: https://wiki.starbasegame.com/index.php/Main_Page Starbase and the Starbase universe and its characters are the intellectual property and copyright � of Frozenbyte Oy, used without endorsement.
6.56 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 13:53
Kitsune's Inkwell | comedy | Complete
A series of shorts set in a mash-up of the Pokemon Universe and Baldur's Gate 3. A pop-up event just for fun!
4.00 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 14:21
unice5656 | romance | Complete
Arael is an otherworldly being from the upper plane, a place similar to Heaven, full of Light. He now dwells on Earth, touched by Darkness, unable to return. When he rescues Sariel, an innocent angel from the clutches of Dark mages, he is no longer alone for the first time in centuries, but knows that he must return her home before she is also stranded on Earth. The question is, does she wish to go? (Pure fantasy romance) - Cover art credit goes to Cassandra DenHartog (www.cassandradenhartog.com)
7.26 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-11 18:58
AweksLear | contemporary | Complete
Trapped in a world not my own. Facing a destiny never meant to pass. Dealing with a hero doomed to defeat. Which will end first, this world or my life? The Transmigator, a being deployed from beyond the boundaries of this reality, must undo the will of Fate itself, to save both himself and the world. There will be no fluffiness. No OP cheat abilities. No waifus. Just one man. And The Voice of a god.
196.90 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:51
Not everyone gets a soul. The rise of industry and mechanization has sent the world's population booming upward, striving relentlessly for the fixed handful of souls that level armies and steer the fate of nations. The remnants of a crumbled empire fight in a grinding, bloody war against their ancient enemy. Not everyone gets a soul, but Michael must - for he is the scion of a lord, and the soulless cannot hold such a title. For five years he has tried to tempt one of the souls freed by its vessel's death. Five years of pain and failure, earning only his father's contempt. At last, one more opportunity to earn his soul has come. But not everyone gets a soul quite like his. Updates weekly on Wednesdays. Cover art by Harry Rowland.
348.78 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 15:49
rubycona | historical | Complete
The timid daughter of some of the greatest spellcasters ever to have lived has found herself in another world, courtesy of magic gone awry. In Boston, Massachusetts, in the year 1935, she finds some kind souls in a hard era. In the heart of the Great Depression, as war looms around the corner, she seeks to find her place, and must come to terms with both who she is and what she truly desires. Author's Notes: This story is only sort of complete. There are issues with it and I'm intending to do massive edits to the whole story. I think I'll fix them privately, and then update the RR version all at once. Once the rework is completed, I can start on the second book, though that might be a while. Audience: This story is not for young children - it contains some profanity, sexual content, violence, gore, and significant adult themes. Most of these are handled delicately enough not to upset teens or adults (hopefully), hence the lack of relevant tags, but it is nonetheless unsuitable for youth. It's fairly slow paced, and focused on the development of very human, very flawed individuals. Length / Completion Estimates: The outline currently involves two books. I expect to move on to the far-more-lighthearted Of Gods and Dungeons (currently in progress / on hiatus). Afterwards, I may decide to write Book 2, or actually start sharing the story most dear to me, that I've been working on for several years now. Draft 1:Please be aware that this is first draft material. I do intend to come back to do a second draft after the story is complete. If anyone notices any issues whatsoever with the story, please let me know (pm, etc) so that I can improve the second draft. Writer's Pledge:I've taken theWriter's Pledge, meaning I'm commiting to completing this story. I'm a proud member of WriTE, a group dedicated to finishing stories. I fulfilled the oath :) Behind the Scenes notes: This picture was commissioned from an inked artist by the name of DanP. Up until the time of the protagonist's arrival, history has proceeded as before. Some places andcharacters have been borrowed from wikipedia entries of interesting figures from the time. I will make note in the chapter comments when such things come up. Naturally, I'vetaken a great deal of liberty with them. In interest of respecting individuals, I've either attempted to portray them as accurately as possible, or modified them sufficiently enough that they're simply an inspiration, instead of a real portrayal. I've attempted to be as accurate to the era as possible, but I'm not a historian. If you're aware of inaccuracies, please, bring them to my attention so that I can correct them.
138.32 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:09
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
GrimDux | historical | Complete
A young provincial thief of no particular renown has his life of crime changed in a day. He stumbles' upon a huge pile of gold for starters and soon after a dead man carrying a letter of 'royal' interest. Literally. While at it he earns' a title of sorts, along the promise of a life out of the gutter. Before he can properly appreciate the dramatic turn of his fortunes, he's drawn into a dangerous conspiracy that threatens to embroil two continents in a devastating war. The whole affair seems to cry out for a gallant hero of old, or failing that a cunning diplomat, but he's neither. Perhaps a lying scoundrel, which our lad definitely is, would have to suffice. He does acquire' a dagger that knows a dead language after all and that must count for something. Touch O' Luck is the prologue (or opening act) to the Old Realms series of novels The Old Realms series: Touch O' Luck (Finished) Hint O' Magic (Finished) Lure O' War (Finished) Wings O' Fate (Ongoing) First chapters will be uploaded immediately. After that there will be updates every 3-5 days. Cover artwork by @IntheBlackveil Maps of the Old Realms are available here Greater Map of the Realms this is a very large image (thrice reduced in size from original, but still it might not load immediately) The Old Realms - Chapter specific maps The Old Realms All tags are relevant but most chapters are not too extreme. Fair warning dear reader, this is an 'unfiltered' story, sometimes sweet, others bitter, touching some heavy subjects or problems, like crime, war, betrayal, pride, politics, revenge etc set in a Epic Fantasy backdrop with shades of Grimdark. In its heart of hearts though, it is an adventure. The Old Realms saga is only published on RR for free. It is in the author's plans to publish it on Amazon and other platforms at some point. If you see it offered anywhere else, or someone tries to charge you for it, please report him. It is illegal to sell, or take advantage of intellectual work without the author's permission.
49.95 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:19
The whole room is fully ablaze when the fire turns blue and even hotter. And I still keep my hands on the rune, ignoring the sizzling of my flesh. After a while I notice the blue, roaring flames on the other side of the window. At the edge of unconsciousness, I listen to the screams of people as they are taken by the Inferno. Reading Order of the Multiverse-Books Author's Comment: If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes. Author's Comment: 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. Books: Until Death? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/629 Transcendence? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/1587 Beyond? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/2850 Coeus? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/4745 Court of Souls? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/6545 Agent of the Realm? http://royalroadl.com/fiction/7707 Law of Shadows http://royalroadl.com/fiction/9766
153.30 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:05
Xavier had a happy, humdrum life: normal friendships, a normal girlfriend, a somewhat oddball family. Until, that is, he literally stumbled through the fourth wall and discovered he was the protagonist of a manga. Now he's scrambling to maintain any semblance of control over his own life in the face of something he never imagined he would need to contend with: the power of the Genre. Hello, E.O. Tenkey here; thank you for your interest in "Not A Manga"! This was my first serial novel, and I hope you enjoy Xavier's predicament! Familiarity with manga not required (though it can't hurt)! I look forward to exploring the bounds of the Genre with you. (First volume is rated PG-13 for comic mayhem and light profanitythese are high school students, after all. Second volume is rated PG-13 to R for some violence and similar levels of profanity. Tags may or may not contain spoilers.)
82.77 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-13 16:10
TG Parsons | tragedy | Complete
Caledon was in ruins. The dukedom had fallen, pillaged by its enemies and the incompetence of the former Duke. Kal, inheriting a world left in shambles, struggles to regain what was lost. To return to the halcyon days of his past. Artwork by Tan Ho Sim www.Patreon.com/TGParsons for additionalcontent.
164.14 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 17:55
Incarnated Whisp | action | Complete
Alex wakes up in the world of Pok閙on. Obviously, the next step is to become a Pok閙on Trainer, but not just any Pok閙on Trainer. Why should I be mediocre with every type when I can be an expert in one? The Type Specialist was my first attempt to write a fiction. It is about traveling the world and building a strong team. The focus is on Alex taking on the Gym Challenge and dealing with problems that pop up here and there. Since this was my first fiction, the protagonist is a little rough at the start but improves alongside the writing quality as the fiction develops. Complete.
710.52 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:38
cathfach | adventure | Complete
Oh great hero! The evil Demon Lord has once again arisen to terrorise our lands, and we have summoned you to save our people! No, we don't want you to fight the demon lord! Of course not; we're the good guys! What sort of good guys kidnap people from other worlds and force them to take part in wars that have nothing to do with them? That would just be plain evil! We'd be no better than the demons! Katie, after her summoning by an excessively loud mage suddenly takes an unexpected twist, is sent off on a simple fetch quest, with a promise that she'll be back home in five minutes at most. She doesn't even need to leave the building. Alas, when a goddess' blessing causes her wish for an actual adventure to be taken rather more literally than she expected, she finds herself lost in a dark cave, far away from the sword she was supposed to acquire and far too close to a population of giant bugs. Still, at least she wished her life wasn't in any danger. Among other things. Be careful what you wish for. You might just get it. This is a dark litRPG adventure, both in terms of Katie accidentally wishing all the lights out, and also in that she loses as often as she wins, often with horrific and disturbing consequences. Luckily, Katie isn't the sort of person to let a mere grizzly death or two get her down, and is prepared to try, try and try again to get her hands on the holy sword and finally complete her simple' fetch quest. Or perhapswith a few resistance skills under her nightieshe might even come to enjoy losing. Not that she'd ever consider forgoing revenge, even if she did. I've ticked all the content warning checkboxes for this one. Dark things happen to the MC, and she does dark things right back to everything else. There's no explicit sexual content, but there are more than enough references to justify the warning, including to rape. Profanity happens rarely, but Katie isn't averse to swearing when she gets particularly angry. As for gore/trauma, it doesn't get much worse than the first few chapters, but there will be occasional chapters that have extra content warnings. There will be mind control. Published here, Scribble Hub, patreon and Amazon.
163.65 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:34
Exterminatus | adventure | Complete
It is an undeniable fact that good things come in small packages. More often than not, it is necessary to trim the fat in order to bring what really matters to the forefront. Having extra bulk may seem like a good idea, but in reality it is merely a crutch that will one day become a hindrance, as it is no substitute for personality nor ability. Indeed, often times it is the small things in life that brighten up our daily lives and constantly remind us exactly why we do the things we do. However, it is important to keep an open mind, for while bigger is not always better, there are also times when it is. This holds especially true when it comes to hopes and dreams, which have been known to requirea suitably large container from time to time. And while dreaming big could potentially lead to massive dissapointment, one will never truly reach fulfilment if they think too small. A truth that one small woman with meageraspirations is about to find out. DISCLAIMER: This is a spin-off/side story of my main series,Everybody Loves Large Chests, which is also mandatory reading to understand this one. It runs parallel to the main plot, branching off from the chapter titled Upheaval 2, so there will be spoilers for anyone who hasn't reached that point.
185.66 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:31
ZM-11833 was confused, normally they stood in the display window dressed in the latest fashion for the masses to admire but lately there hadn’t been any cuties arriving at their store. Only these strange new customers with their sickly wet skin and bulging eyes turning up. They really should go to a dermatologist-bot instead. Maybe the perfectly made and fantastically fetching fashion-bot would have to go out for the first time and start to look for some of their adorable prior customers to dress-up in the latest cyber-dress. And if these strange new invaders got in their way they might have to politely break some elongated skulls, after all they weren’t even paying customers. Standard store policy. Upon finding their perfectly 100% willing companion, (don’t believe a word they say otherwise), they realize the parent corporation of their arcology isn’t going to just let an invasion stand, and the pair must make it to the top. After all, what's a little Nuclear fire between friends anyway? Warning may contain cyberpunk robot humor, romance and copious amounts of futuristic clothing. Chapter length 1500 - 2000 words. Also posted on Scribblehub.
26.85 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:41
Mad Sadie | historical | Complete
Most people grew up hearing fairy tales and fables. They're such a part of our cultures that Cinderella has a two-part definition in the Oxford Dictionary, and if someone name-drops Robin Hood everyone instantly knows what they mean. These stories have been told and re-told for literally centuries. In some cases millenniums. So I'm gonna tell them again. Not to "update" them, or because I think I can improve them, but just because I can. Why not. And fair warning: the style of these retellings will be "ditzy catgirl with attention-span problems". I'm not taking these tales seriously, I'm just having fun. Most of these stories will be from HC Andersen, Grimm Bros, or Arabian Nights, because those are the ones I'm most familiar with. If anyone has a specific story they think needs more love, let me know and I'll try to include it! Back when these tales were first penned, "word count" was a foreign concept. So chapter length will probably vary wildly. Sorry. Participant in the Royal Road Writathon.
30.14 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 11:45
Epsilon Twilight | psychological | Complete
When a lost soul awakens in the underworld without any memories of its previous life, it is offered a choice between eternal suffering and a second chance by a mysterious goddess. The soul decides to take a second chance and is reincarnated as a violet-colored elf in a magical metropolis. As the newly born elf navigates this fantastical world and its curious elven culture, he discovers the secrets of arcane and soul magic, from weaving mana to unlocking the mysteries of life and death. Join the elf on a journey of self-discovery as he learns to harness his newfound powers and unravel the secrets of the world and its inhabitants. Book 1 micro-synopsis: Slice of life, children, school, introduction to Ferilyn and magic, arcane magic. Book 2 micro-synopsis: Academic pursuit, adolescents, academy, advanced magic, soul magic, some action. Book 3 micro-synopsis: Political drama, adults, military, highest magic, a lot of action. Updates every week. Author's notes: -Expect a slow burn and heavy descriptions in the early stages of life. -The story will evolve in setting and genre as the soul progresses in life. -This fiction is greatly inspired by Mushoku Tensei, Mother of Learning, and Warcraft. -Cover art by @AruOwlsArts
190.51 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:25
D.M.A. | psychological | Complete
The only constant in life is change. Braxon was a brilliant engineer, recently appointed the head-of-station for a forward research post, things were looking up for him. But when his whole team was slaughtered in an ambush attack and he finds himself pursued and out of options he does the only reasonable thing he could. Now he's trapped in the body of a child and stranded in a strange and foreign land. Weak and surrounded by powerful martial artists, he must learn their ways, keep his secrets, and rise to the top to have any hope of returning home. The world of Soulforger is home to mystical beasts, spiritual treasures, sealed realms, forbidden cultivation methods, and ancient feuds. Can anyone tread here and not be changed forever? New Chapters: Tuesdays and Thursdays
97.36 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 12:19
Kaylie Night | satire | Complete
Diane has been a prankster for as long as Megan has known her. So when Diane announces that she's an alien, Megan is waiting for the punchline . . .
0.60 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:17
A side story for The Heart Grows, in which romance and intimacy within the dungeon is explored. The main story is to be considered required reading to follow this. When Ludmiller gets outplayed by a dungeon and becomes one of its minions, she thinks the man she loved is lost to her forever. Now living as a kobold within the dungeon, she tries to reconcile her feelingsand she's not alone. Others living within the dark chambers underground find emotional holes in their lives. This is a short side story for The Heart Grows starting around chapter 25 and ending around chapter 60. All my works come with a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This means you are free to download, publish, and even make derivative works of my writing so long as you include this license, attribution, and don't sell the works. Keep it free!
5.59 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-29 15:25
