~Drakonia: Notes~

Here you can find notes on the who, what, where, when, and why (and sometimes how) of just what the hell I was thinking as I was writing. I am providing these notes to grant you a deeper insight into the meaning or history of certain aspects of my stories, as well as to answer some questions and comments posed by my wonderful readers. If they fail to clear something up for you, don't hesitate to contact me by clicking on the Contact Us tab above. Thank you.

~DragonKnight19

Chronicles of Drakonia
Overview
1. One theme that will appear quite often in COD include the classic use of light and darkness, for two different reasons: to set the mood with lighting effects, and also to mirror the battle between good evil, respectively. I think it would be interesting if someone would write a piece of fiction where light represents evil, and darkness represents good...hmm, maybe...
2. Another theme that will appear not quite as often is roses. Roses represent the sacred, the transcendent, the inherently good. Whenever roses appear in my works, it means that all is right with the world.
3. The character Zack Felix was born in my mind in 2000, when I was planning on writing a full-length novel that I would then try to get published. It was also set in the kingdom of Drakonia, and feature a similar plotline as COD overall, but it started about halfway through COD, when Zack has already been established as the best mercenary in the kingdom. But after about ten pages or so, I dropped the project, and now it will be incorporated into COD later on. The name Zack comes from the simple fact that I think the name Zack sounds pretty cool, and Felix from the latin word for "lucky." Throughout his adventures, Zack will show an amazingly large amount of luck as he escapes situations that would normally seem hopeless, but are trivial to someone with as much luck as he.
4. As the title implies, there will be dragons in the story, but not for a while. I have almost the entire storyline planned out in my mind, from start to finish, with more than thirty short stories planned so far. Dragons will appear about a third of the way through it, or possibly further on. But for now, they only appear in legend.

Chapter 1: Prologue
Yes, I know its technically not a prologue. It's supposed to be more like the exerpt on the back of a book, giving the reader an overview of the plot summary. Prologue just sounds so much better than Overview.

Chapter 2: The Mercenary
1. Some people have expressed concern over the fact that Zack trained as Ipsen's apprentice to become a mercenary. They asked me why he didn't just join a guild. As they almost certainly don't know, in actual human history, guilds really only existed in a few trades. The grand majority of occupations were either entreupeneurs and self starters, or apprentices and journeymen working under the tutelege of a master, much like Zack and Ipsen. The guild was pretty much invented for the fantasy fiction genre, and as such, does not exist in the kingdom of Drakonia.
2. Another problem arisen by readers is the fact that mercenaries are traditionally not very well liked. As one reader put it, "People don't like the idea of allies who could easily be their enemy if the price is right." And for the traditional idea of the mercenary, this is true. But in COD, mercenaries are more like free-lance knights; they have honor and dignity, and follow a job to completion, even if a better paying one comes along. And they never do anything that would knowingly hurt the innocent. The traditional concept of the mercenary is the local task forces that roam the countryside, self-appointed vigilantes who take the law into their own hands for the good of all, but usually to their own gain as well. They are corrupt and underhanded, and have no problem turning on former allies if the price is right.

Chapter 3: The Tournament
1. Many people have criticized me, saying that Ipsen's death was too soon, too rushed. To these people I respond, that was my plan. Ipsen was not meant to be a character who would remain around. His death was essential in order for Zack to ascend to the position of best mercenary in the kingdom.
2. This is only the first time the soldiers in black armor will appear in Zack's adventures. Although he doesn't realize it yet, these appearances are interconnected, but he won't discover the connection until around chapter twelve or so,
3. While wandering the city, Zack comes across some pretty interesting characters. It may be possible that he will run into these characters again in the future.
4. King Wilfed, Queen Mallory, and Princess Alexia are the kind and benevolent ruling family of Drakonia. While they are the closest thing to royalty the kingdom has, they are technically stewards, holding the throne for the rightful kings of Drakonia, the line of Arthur Pendragon, the first Dragon Knight. But since his line died out with him, King Wilfred is the rightful king of Drakonia. He does his best to protect the kingdom from its problems, but dark times have fallen on the kingdom, with monsters ramapging throughout the countryside, warring wizards destroying everything in their path, bandits and thieves waylaying travellers, and now rumors of a dark new threat looming on the horizon. He tries his best, but can't save his people from everything.

Chapter 4: Turf Wars
1. Zack's first mission takes him to the Southern Barony, a land of farms and ranches, where the farmers and ranchers battle over land ownership all the time. A set boundary between the regions of Agron, the farming community, and Bovis, the ranching community, was never formally established, so these turf wars continue.
2. Yet another problem readers had was with the appearance of cowboys in a medieval setting. When taken in their usual context, I agree that cowboys do not belong. John Wayne and Clint Eastwood never saved a princess from the clutches of a dragon being controlled by an evil wizard. But here I use cowboy in more of a literal sense; they are simple cowherders, and while they are dressed in a manner that is part traditional cowboy getup, and part medieval clothing, they aren't necessarily out of place. It was not uncommon for people in the Middle Ages to wear leather, boots, or wide-brimmed hats. But these cowboys also wear medieval tunics and carry knives for protection rather than pistols. And the lasso has been around for as long as man has been herding any kind of animal.
3. Zack was raised from a small child by his adopted father, Warnos the merchant. His adopted mother, Miranda, Warnos's wife, died when Zack was six, when a werewolf broke into their house and tried to eat Zack. Miranda sacrificed herself to save Zack. He never knew his birth mother and father, until one fateful day when he runs into his father, Alexander Felix, in the forest outside Delnor. But just as soon as he meets his Alexander, he must leave him once again, because the man is being pursued by men who want to kill him and take his sword, a family heirloom. He entrusts the sword to Zack, who swears to protect it with his life and never let his father's pursuers get their hands on it. Zack hides in the forest as his father's pursuers finally catch up to him and murder him. Alexander's body is never found, assumed to have been carried off by the murderers.
4. Maverick, the warlord who's stirring up trouble between Agron and Bovis, wears the same black carapace armor seen on the attempted royal kidnappers. Zack doesn't make this connection, but I hope that my readers did. When Maverick finally dies, with his last breath, he swears "My masters know who you are and will get my revenge." He then points to a flag depicting a bastardized version of the Drakonian national emblem, a fierce dragon reared back in a fighter's stance, superimposed by a grotesque eye. Could this symbol possibly mean something?

Chapter 5: Diplomacy
1. One of the many races of Drakonia are the Stoic Elves, who live in the many forests throughout the kingdom. The largest gathering of elves live in their capital, the Conclave, deep within Malendorg Forest.They are noted for making exquisite weapons, but their works are perhaps too good. They were once gifted to the race of men, but they were so superior that wars broke out over their ownership. As a result, the elves now no longer share their blades with anyone who is not an elf. Zack accompanies Manus, a representative of the merchants of Delnor, to attempt to bargain with the elves to get them to sell to Men once more.
2. As it will be shown throughout later chapters, Zack has an extreme hatred for wolves and werewolves, stemming from the fact that his adopted mother was killed by a werewolf.
3. The character Lily, the elven healer studying swordsmithing in order to forge a sword that will heal its wielder, was created by a good friend of mine, Milliebug.

Chapter 6: In the Halls of the Mountain King
1. The title of this chapter was taken from the classical music piece of the same name by Edvard Grieg.
2. Note that Zack and Turin must walk to Steinherz, because his horse had been stolen by the farmers in Agron.
3. "Steinherz" is German for "stone heart." For the Dwarven language, I wanted something gutteral, and German fit the bill. I think it fits quite nicely.
4. Princess Alexia is the heir to the throne of Drakonia. She had an older brother, Alfred, but he ran away to lead a life of crime, and nobody has heard from him since. She is very headstorng and charismatic, and her only wish is to help the people of her country. She is trying very hard to learn how to be a good leader, because when her father passes away, she will someday be Queen of Drakonia.

Chapter 7: A Father's Legacy
1. Zack survived his fall off the mountain, but his sword was stolen, and now he has to get it back. He promised his father, Alexander Felix, that he would protect it at all costs, and he intends to keep his promise.
2. When Zack attacks the assassins by throwing water jugs at them, I got the idea one night at Walmart at about 2am. I had run up to Wallyworld to pick up a gallon each of milk and Red Diamond Iced Tea (one of the best teas in the world, IMO). I was walking through the store with a gallon in each hand, and started daydreaming that I got attacked by ninjas. In my daydream, I did exactly what Zack did in the story. When I snapped back to reality, I thought it sounded pretty cool, so I incorportated it into the story.
3. For those of you who don't pick up on this fact, Benson is the huge ax-wielding bandit who tossed Zack over the bridge in In the Halls of the Mountain King.
4. This is the first time Zack comes up against a wizard, but it certainly won't be the last. Also, its the first time he meets a wizard in a long black cloak who oversees the actions of the soldiers in the black armor. This won't be his last confrontation with such characters.

Chapter 8: A Life Once Lived
1. The title doesn't really mean anything, I just thought it sounded cool.
2. The entire town of Dun is terrified of these vampires who regularly raid their village and kill people. Just mentioning the word "vampire" is enough to get yourself thrown out of town, or worse.
3. The character of John is my tribute to a very special character in modern culture. For legal reasons, I can't mention who it is, but I'll give some hints: (1) His name is John. (2) He was in the military, and he was a CHIEF MASTER of Arms, or the head weapons specialist. (3) He was also a part of an elite Special Forces brigade in the military. (4) He fought in a battle against a group of religious zealots who called themselves "THE COVENANT of the Holy Ring." If you still can't figure out who he's supposed to be, then there is no hope for you.
4. This won't be the last time you see Merris.
5. The character of Morgan Stohrie was created by my good friend Jimbo Jones (name made up to protect her identity; all you need to know is that her and her boyfriend are ANIMALS!) Give her credit for creating such a deliciously evil creature.
6. Yes, Vincent does in fact die at the end of the chapter. I know it doesn't explicitly state it, but he is dead. Or redead, if you will. Or undead. Whatever. He no longer exists.
7. Morgan is alive. Or undead. Whatever. She survived the fight with Zack, because although both knives came within less than an inch of her heart, neither of them actually pierced it, so she survived.

Well, that's it for now, more notes will come as I write future chapters. If you have any questions or comments that you would like me to address, feel free to contact me, just click on the "Contact Us" tab above for your many contact options.