What if the forces of light
did not prevail?
That question is the basis for my high fantasy novella series, Minstrels of Skaythe. The evil mage Dar-Gothull has reshaped everything in his own terrible image. Skaythe is an upside-down world, where merciless strength is "good" and caring about others is "bad."
In creating this setting, I wanted to challenge some of the standard assumptions in fantasy. Our great legends tell us that freedom from tyranny can only be won in battle. Or that some sort of "chosen one" will lead an army to rescue the people. Every problem should be solved at the point of a sword or gun.
Personally, I question that warfare makes anything better. So I set out to explore ways that people of good conscience might resist a despot without resorting to violence. My heroes travel as minstrels. Music and dance, juggling and puppetry are their weapons. Rather than fighting to overthrow Dar-Gothull's regime, they try to comfort the suffering of the people. For this crime they are branded as renegades and hunted throughout the land.
These novellas are my answer.