Annals: Year 30
A Dustsong story fragment, a codex entry, and updates
From the Annals of the Vaporous Realms
In those days, desert-folk of sundry clans lingered on the northwest marches of the wastes, where the Fangs and the river valley below dwindled into the sands. These children of the sunset dunes filled their waterskins and gazed wistfully on the verdant western hills and meadows. But from time to time, fearful valley-folk drove them off.
Codex: Children of the Sunset Dunes
The Children of the Sunset Dunes were a seminomadic clan of desert-folk foragers that formed at the edge of the wandering wastes, near the valley of the Fangs, early in the first epoch. Though greater in number than Durbrhos’s Wanderers, they were likewise varied in origin.
Under the chieftain Hrogg, the clan was eighth of the thirteen to follow Len Ghremson out of the wastes and into the valley. They initially resided in the northern quarter of Danoh-town upon its founding, but their yearning to roam—and discord with their Bone Jackal neighbors—prompted many Children of the Sunset Dunes to settle the banks of the river below.
Author Note
As it happens, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth.
But the past couple months have been so busy—including updates to the website (Substack) content, organization, and a few posts behind the paywall—I missed the Annals and public updates for January. Thanks to everyone for staying subscribed, free or otherwise, during the past several, slow-posting months.
Happily, I’m rarin’ to go now. Things that have been in the works, off and on and mostly behind the scenes, are getting to the point I can share and publish a lot more Vaporous Realms stuff a lot more frequently (and with an emphasis on quality).
Here are my quickish recommendations, publishing updates, and public service announcements for February:
3 Recommendations (Among My Restacks in Notes)
Kailani B. has worthwhile things to say and says them well, including in her essay, “What Would the American Tolkien Look Like?”
A. K. Preston recently concluded his long-running series of short sci-fi/fantasy snippets, The Helm of Seven (latter link takes you to Part 38)!
maryh10000’s exploration of The Odyssey (the poem) has been fun, unlike the eponymous hero’s journey. The series has reached Book XXII with “Battle and Executions.”
3 Publishing Updates (Vaporous Realms)
In case you missed it, the website (Substack) posts and permissions were thoroughly updated at the end of 2025. As of today, the Vaporous Realms at War rules, scenario notes, and profiles are now updated, too.
Take a gander at the revised publishing schedule and Vaporous Realms at War overview. Because of twists and turns in life and business, I’m spreading out the estimated publishing schedule; this spring doesn’t look conducive to churning out new novellas. It’s better I’m honest about that. There will be more emphasis on tabletop content and miniatures the first half of the year, with the new Len novella and sequels getting renewed focus thereafter.
A corrected version of the Steelhearts anthology paperback is now working its way through the internet to the online retailers. By March, it’s likely safe to order and expect a corrected version. In the meantime, the ebook has been corrected for a while.
3 Publishing Updates (Other Folks)
Kathrine Elaine has published One Hundred Refusals, which I had fun reading last year, as a novel. Congrats!
The first volume of Mercedes de Santiago’s Legend of Sinardia will be published soon in English. Keep an eye out for updates on her Substack!
Steve Rzasa is about to launch a Kickstarter campaign for The Null Razor Heist: An Eon City Caper, a “cyberpunk crime thriller.” Follow the campaign page for updates!
Happy reading, y’all.
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