Ryan English | action | Complete
Elevator pitch: '300' meets 'Lone Wolf and Cub'. A retired veteran has to keepsome orphans from being eaten by horrible monsters. Androkles, son of Paramonos, spent twenty-five years in the world's greatest army trying to earn enough money to buy back his good name. He's battle-scarred, weary, and heartbroken after decades of watching dear friends die, but he survived. He's ready to retire and be welcomed as a hero, finally able to see the reward he sacrificed so much to achieve. There's only one problem: his wife just fled civilization with all his hard-won savings. Now he must pursue her north, through desperate bandits, ravening beasts, and worse. But after he rescues a pair of orphans from starvation, he is faced with his most difficult challenge yet: a question that goes to the very heart of honor. The consequences might be deeper than he realizes, and it's not just his life on the line& This fiction page contains the professionally-published novel Obstacles as well as the two complete sequels, Doubts and Burdens. Any time skips are deliberate. Book title is in the chapter heading. Chapter labelled "2.1, 2.2, etc" are chapters that were not posted all at once. Although the trilogy is complete, I'll return someday to write another book in this series, perhaps several. But for now, please take a look at my new fiction, The Land of Broken Roads. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/69480/the-land-of-broken-roads Also, my brother Miles has joined Royal Road for the first time and is posting his 4th novel here. It's very good. Please take a look: https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/69512/bog-standard-isekai
214.88 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-20 13:11
Space Pickle | action | Complete
WELCOME TO THE RETROFUTURE! The Future That Never Was is a book series project featuring an alternate space age where the Soviets colonized the belt before David Bowie sang Life on Mars; where rogue AIs took over the web; where pizza came in cans. Humankind couldn't dream of a more exciting future. Yet, as foolishness eventually turned Earth into a nuclear wasteland, shadows began to conspire from the heart of the Moon to beyond the mysterious Planet Nine& This extended universe in progress includes numerous R-rated titles. All of them will be uploaded on Royal Road for free. Check the Index or the list/links below for the main stories. = KITTY KITTY - Completed - Join sassy space cat Lee and his Desert Eagle-toting, soda-swigging human partner, Ali, in a future stuck in the late 80s/early 90s. Board the dynamic duo's ship, the mythical Kitty, as they bounty-hunt their way through a dystopian solar systemso lock and load, and shout Cowabunga! because it's crime-fightin' time! >� PACHINKO BLUES - Amid the chaos of the Rings Civil War, a disgraced pilot finds himself tangled in a vast vendetta involving a megacorporation, android mercenaries and data-cartels. From Saturn's Plastic Fields to the fringes of Kuiper, his violent redemption is an 80s-esthetic space western filled with tears, blood and... ducks? [Back in November 2023] Other stories related to the first arc ofThe Future That Never Was: " RADIO FREAK - Standalone biopunk short story featuring Ali Kovir鄋, the Data Maiden and Bill Murray " STELLAR PATRIOTS - Short special with Braun Kamirov, linking KITTY KITTY and the book series " DATA ONE & DATA ZERO - 2024 " CYBER MACHO - 2025 To support our work or simply read in better condition, visit ouramazon shopandpatreon!
359.92 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-20 17:59
The rise of a young Fire Nation commander Xing, a survivor of a village attack-turned prodigious firebending colonel of the Fire Nation's 11th Regiment. Taking place not long before canon, Xing seeks to keep his adoptive family in the Fire Nation military as safe, sound, and sharp as he can, even as the pieces of the puzzle that is the main story start to fall in place around him, the biggest of which is Princess Azula joining the 11th in their military duties around the Earth Kingdom.
232.91 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:31
isnt_it_pretty_to_think_so | action | Complete
In an archaic empire that rose from the ashes of past wars, 14-year-old Ko is committed to supporting his family by any means necessary. When Ko's sister falls ill, he travels to the realm's black market for affordable medicine. On his way there, Ko encounters General Killi醤, divine leader of Lady Death's formidable army. When Ko saves a child who turns out to be Killi醤's heir, he's offered an intriguing contract. To make good on the deal, Ko must survive until the end of the month. It's easier said than done. Bloodstained is a coming-of-age story with rich characters, extensive world-building, and plenty of humor. Cover art: Modified Andracor armor image used with permission.
55.41 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 16:39
ThunderBolt1006 | action | Complete
Xane Quin to end a year-long mourning of his friend Sierra's disappearance. He takes his boat he designed himself, Sierra's Song, and takes the same path that she was supposed to go on a year before on the cruise Xane had set up for her and her family. What was suppose to be an average trip that, he hadn't told anyone he was going on, Xane runs into a massive whirlpool in the ocean with his best friend and teacher Von Sway. Xane wakes up on an island all alone and needs to find his way in this new world. Perhaps the mysterious dreams he had before first waking up will lead him on this path. Perhaps the colt revolver and a box of ammo that his father forced him to take with him might save him.
68.16 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 19:00
In an isolated valley, the last members of humanity scratch a living from what little nature remains. Life is hard, but peaceful, and Sky Memoriam's days are filled with preparations to assume the role of- Shades of Forever is an eldritch punk/horror comedy with some light progression elements, in that numbers will go up but they are not the main focus of the story. Our protagonist, Sky Memoriam, is one of the last surviving humans on an Earth ravaged by cataclysm thousands of years ago. At least, that's what Sky thinks. However, when a spaceship from the broader galactic community carrying a modified combat AI designed to serve as an interface between humans and Things That Are Better Off Not Thought Of crashes outside Sky's village, life starts getting weird. Also, violent. Release Schedule - Mon-Wed-Fri, with potential bonus chapters on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays Changelog SEVENTH UPDATE - Complete. So long, and thanks for all the fish! SIXTH UPDATE - New cover poll! FIFTH UPDATE - Working on adding music updates to chapters where it's been a defining influence. FOURTH UPDATE: Updated the update schedule. Updog. Backlog is a lie. Do not be tempted by its honeyed words. THIRD UPDATE: Changed the genre slightly and reformatted the boxes to not be as mind-melting on mobile thanks to advice from Macronomicon (go read Industrial Strength Magic!) SECOND UPDATE: Changed the blurb, still churning out words, restored the original MS Paint glory due to overwhelming poll demand from the one person who chose a valid vote option. Your actions have consequences, kids. UPDATE: Hit the 55k Writeathon goal, heck yeah! Also made a new cover to appease those of you permanently scarred by MS Paint. Will work on refining the blurb.
102.72 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-20 18:00
Elbowsnapper | action | Complete
Hisoka Higawara struggles to understand those around him, but he's learning quickly. One day, he makes friends with a girl named Nanami, and his life will never be the same. My Hero Academia. MHA. OC. Sand Manipulation Quirk. Complete. Revised, restructured and rebuilt from the ground up, Just Deserts gets a new coat of paint. Enjoy.
158.97 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 10:25
InadvisablyCompelled | action | Complete
Now on Book Five! Check the Volumes selector to make sure you start at the right place! Book One: Paranoid Mage Buy on Amazon! Callum had seen things all his life. There are monsters and beasts living among people, but he learned very early not to admit such things, not if he didn’t want people to think him crazy. It turns out that the supernatural is real, but at thirty Callum has no desire to be part of that secret. Not that he has a choice when it turns out he is a mage, albeit one that hasn’t cast any spells in all his life. There are requirements, duties, and education that the powers that be insist he be subject to. To hell with that. Book Two: Renegade Mage Buy on Amazon! After escaping from the Guild of Arcane Regulation and the Bureau of Secret Enforcement, Callum has lost his greatest protection: his obscurity. Now the powers that be know who he is, and hiding is harder than ever. Nor is hiding a plan, just a reaction. Now Callum is forced to decide how he wants to approach the supernatural world, and how he’s going to keep himself secure when the apparatus of government is arrayed against him. Even if he wanted to live as a mage, that bridge has been thoroughly burned, and even if he wanted to live as a normal person, he is far too deep to close his eyes to what he’s seen. He has to make his own terms. Book Three: Heretic Mage Buy on Amazon Callum is at war with the Guild of Arcane Regulation, the organization that governs mages on Earth. He’s spent most of his time lying low and hiding out, trying to understand what he can do and how he can remain free from their meddling. What he’s learned is that he can’t. It’s time to move from reaction to action, and take on GAR and its evils directly. Book Four: Reclusive Mage The Guild of Arcane Regulation has fractured, and new forces move on the board. Callum cannot quite declare victory, for even a weakened GAR still forces him to hide from the world at large, yet he is no longer prepared to run. Instead he builds his own strengths to stand against those who wish to do him harm. Change, once started, is hard to stop. Callum’s actions have brought change to the world of the supernatural, but that can bring chaos and destruction even as he eliminates tyranny and corruption. He has to move beyond being one man against the world, and stand in the world he’s made. Book Five: Sovereign Mage The portal to the Night Lands is closed, and vampires are barred from Earth, but at a high cost. Not only does Callum have to deal with the fallout of the vampire race’s final spasms, but the political consequences of demonstrating his ability and willingness to attack portal worlds directly. The forces that were moving to control a weakened GAR have come out into the open, and Callum has to deal with stakes much higher than his personal freedom. It's time to join with his allies and move to open conflict. Even the secret of supernatural presence on Earth is at play, and Archmage’s Council and the Seven Lesser Courts threaten the very concept of human sovereignty. Everything comes down to removing the would-be tyrants, and so preserving the Earth as it should be. Paranoid Mage is an urban fantasy but it goes rather sideways from the normal stuff fairly quickly. Chapters are Fridays, 5PM EST, with approximately 5,000 words per chapter. Join our Discord!
312.42 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 11:28
alstonsleet | action | Complete
For Joshua Still, Skills were the lifeblood of his business. He wanted to understand them, collect many of them, and teach a few of them. Which was a problem because while his profession of a Skill Trainer was perfectly legal, it was frowned upon by most of the kingdom. After all, it wouldn't do for a non-tailor to teach Tailoring. Or, so says the Tailors Guild. The same could be said by the Blacksmiths, the Bakers, the Butchers, the Candlestick Makers, the Mages, and every other Guild with enough money and clout to complain. But still, Skill Trainers provide a valuable service, and so he has managed to start his business and keep it under the table. To a degree. With many a bribe. But his quiet anonymous life of research, practice, and training was about to change. When the Baron demands you pay him a visit, you have little choice.
101.35 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 18:30
michaelscottearle | action | Complete
After untold centuries of absence, the evil Ancients have returned. Their magic appears unstoppable and their hunger for conquest is insatiable. To protect the country of Nia, Duchess Nadea and Scholar Paug make a desperate journey to find a human legend: A man known to have destroyed these Ancient foes with a powerful army.But legends can lie.When Paug and Nadea revive their hero from sleep, his virtue is far from clear. Is he really their Savior or their Destroyer? Visit my website MichaelScottEarle.com to pick up Destroyer in eBook or Paperback (PST... The Destroyer Book 1 eBook is FREE)
72.19 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 13:55
I'm rewriting this story! I have taken down Arc 2 and Arc 3 already to avoid spoiling my new novel. The only reason I'm keeping the first 10 chapters is nostalgia; the writing is awkward and the story is not plotted out properly, but it's here if anyone wants to compare it to the new one. If you'd like to read a more professionally written version of this story, I highly suggest checking out my Synergy. Synopsis version too-many-to-count: "I see," Kiona said. "But . . . you're changing once again, aren't you?" The entity considered her question, lifting a clawed hand towards the night sky. They observed the back of their hand idly, watching the glowing orange veins pulse alongside their pitch-black exoskeleton. The wind picked up right then, and Kiona shiveredjust as much from the cold as from the savage grin on the creature's face. "That's right," the entity said, clenching their hand slowly into a fist. They let out a quiet laugh, staring defiantly at the Moon as it rose from behind the clouds. "We are shades, yet not exactly. Not like the others. Here, in this world, we've become something more. We are the Shades of the Moon." There was a heartbeat of silence, during which Kiona joined the entity in their skygazing. The light-green Moon loomed over the city, shining like the entity's eyes. It promised otherworldly knowledge and terrible secrets. It promised progress. It promised change. In that moment, Kiona couldn't have imagined anything more beautiful. "Shades of the Moon, huh?" she said, smiling a bit. It had a nice ring to it.
43.81 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 14:55
wuzzman40k | action | Complete
Thousands of years ago, mankind would honor their dead and their journey to the afterlife through the process of mummification. The elaborate tombs and burial rituals marked our transition from hunter-gatherers to civilizations and empires. However, it's been over 500 years since we've sent tributes to the underworld, and now the underworld, or whatever lies beyond, has decided to send something back. Authors Note- This story is inspired by DnD, Dark Souls, Guild Wars 1, and my love of eldritch horror and dark creepy dungeons. Also completed doesn't mean end of the line. There is more Mike Sammons in the future, promise.
21.36 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 17:58
Canderon-Futurae | action | Complete
The One that was not created, but exists. Alone in the void. Until that being created more. During creation, that being felt things. Boredom. Anticipation. Until the Old One came to the world it helped to create. But, he doesn't remember anything. Fate wouldn't allow it.
22.43 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-25 18:00
arianedartagnan | action | Complete
Slinking through the seedy underbelly of haunted, crime-ridden Doskvol, young Isha Yara juggles allegiances to two rival gangs while trying desperately to escape her family. Meanwhile, the part-demon Ashlyn Slane longs to rise in the cult of That Which Hungers. And as for Faith Karstas, she is bored. So, so bored. When Ash discovers that a gang leader needs help removing an enemy, he immediately recruits Isha and Faith. Together, the three form a crew of nameless assassins.... (A Blades in the Dark RPG adventure)
189.59 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 12:58
MichaelJSullivan | action | Complete
Royce Melborn (a cynical ex-assassin) and Hadrian Blackwater (an idealistic ex-mercenary) couldn't be more different from one another, but desperate times makes for strange partnerships and sometimes the best friendships are bound by blood - both theirs and those who dare to oppose them. New to Royal Road is two full-length published Riyria novels and one rough draft of a novel to be released next summer. Volume 1: THE DEATH OF DULGATH Three times they tried to kill her. Then a professional was hired. So was Riyria. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary ex-mercenary and the cynical ex-assassin joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane. Volume 2: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF WINTER'S DAUGHTER A daughter vanishes. Two rogues are paid a fortune to find her. It isn't enough. When the last member of the oldest noble family in Avryn is targeted for assassination, Riyria is hired to foil the plot. Three years have passed since the war-weary mercenary Hadrian and the cynical ex-assassin Royce joined forces to start life as rogues-for-hire. Things have gone well enough until they're asked to help prevent a murder. Now they must venture into an ancient corner of the world to save a mysterious woman who knows more about Royce than is safe and cares less about herself than is sane. Volume 3: DRUMINDOR He planned to obliterate an entire city. He thought no one could stop him. But he hadn't heard of Riyria. When a master-craftsmen dwarf is fired, he threatens retaliation. The rogues-for-hire known as Riyria are hired to find and stop him. Traveling to the paradise resort of Tur Del Fur, the two are granted a lavish allowance that, along with the easy job, promises to turn the trip into a vacation. Everything would have been perfect except that the disgruntled employee's last name is Berling and target of his wrath is the legendary towers of Drumindor. NOTE: A rough first draft version of Volume 3 was posted one chapter a day starting Nov 1 and the full work was posted on Dec 10. As noted when we started posting, this was only a temporary and the book was removed in January of 2023. This book will launch with a Kickstarter on 2/14/24. Once the book is finalized, it will be reposted on Royal Road. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michael j. Sulivan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Washington Post Bestselling author. He has published 19 novels across 4 series in his fantasy world of Elan: The Riyria Revelations (6 novels - completed series) | The Riyria Chronicles (4 novels - ongoing series) | Legends of the First Empire (6 novels - completed series) | The Rise and Fall (4 novels - completed series). He has nine Goodreads Choice Award nominations, and six of his published novels are Amazon Editor's Picks.The three free novels posted on Royal Road consist of nearly 380,000 words
125.17 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 16:00
Flamebeard | action | Complete
Warning: If you are not reading this story on Royal Road, it has been stolen, and this constitutes copyright infringement. Stella wakes as a Dungeon Core in a fantasy world with all the exuberance of an avid LitRPG consumer. Before she can properly acclimate, she is mortified to learn that something fundamental seems to have broken in her System. Without being able to choose her skills, Stella must resort to abusing her earth knowledge to figure out the inner workings of the system and expand her domain. Come along and choose the path Stella will take to build the dungeon of her dreams and thwart the avaricious adventurers looming on the horizon. This is a reader interactive fiction. At the end of each chapter, there will be an ability choice that will determine how the build will progress. This is a litrpg. There will be numbers. There is going to be plenty of monster experimentation, merging, and enhancing. Oh and one last thing. Beware the penguins. Chapters are around 4k words long
81.22 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-21 15:24
ruffwriter | action | Complete
A modern man finds himself reincarnated in the body of a young slave with no skills and quickly fading memories. Follow his journey to find normalcy while living in a savage world, filled with myth and legends, monsters and Demons. In a land where the strong rule, the weak serve, and bloodshed is a way of life, peace is a luxury few can afford. Author's note: Expect a chapter every tues/thurs/sun, unless I start writing faster. The story is eastern themed, but not Xianxia, no chasing immortality, MC is not OP. Less action, more character and world driven is my aim. Mature language and themes, but no raunchy sex. It's my first story, constructive criticism would be appreciated. Cast List Military Rankings Fanart Map Album Post Chapter pictures Discord Channel
2,267.79 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-22 11:22
Ever since she was a child, Ye Jiao was treated as a trash in Chen Kingdom. Suffered from countless beating and humiliation, Ye Jiao endured the harsh life without able to do anything. Only a rare few of them cared for her and gave her warmth in the harsh world. But the Heaven didn’t give her any chance to live peacefully. It took the little things she had and pushed her into the bottom abyss. Filled with despair and sadness, she had to hide and bid her time for a lot of people wished for her death. “I have lost everything; you can’t take anything else from me. But I too will gain much more in my path as Eon Energy Master, I’ll not give up and someday, I’ll reach the peak.” Her small arm picked up the white lily flower and gripped it tighter with determination flashed in her eyes. Trash? Her small lips smiled in a tinged of mockery. Even if everyone around her wished to kill her, she would never give up. She will show them who the real trash is and become the greatest genius in the world! Even if the entire world is against her, she would not cower. She will reach the peak.
44.52 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-27 12:03
JennaLynnBadger | action | Complete
A young scullery maid bound to a slumbering castle must embrace her innate powers to wake the castle and save the townsfolk from a fiery dragon. When Sleeping Beauty’s spell sweeps through the castle, putting everyone to else to sleep, Hailey is the last girl standing. While she watches everyone she cares about fall to the ground asleep, mages outside the castle battle to keep the spell from growing to cover the entire kingdom, giving their lives and their magic to keep everyone else safe. The legacy of the mages must be passed on and Hailey finds herself stepping in to shoes that she doesn’t think she can fill. Note this is a Work in Progress and hasn't been through any editing.
33.92 Ten thousand words | Updated at 2024-03-26 11:11
