Citizen Forsaken

A tourist is stranded after a mysterious incident destroys all the paths leading to the tourist's home, a seemingly identical city that once existed just beyond the surface of a mirror. Genre: Fantastical Mystery   Excerpt:"I'll be damned," I heard a voice say. My roommate's voice. And she…saw me. She saw me vanish. She saw me reappear. She saw me without stripes on. She saw my fluted ears peaking from under my indigo hair. She saw the copper shimmer and the green gleam of my skin. She saw my irises, round but spinning slowly, almost imperceptibly, like the minute hand of a clock.   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Citizen Forsaken This episode landed on PROMPTS. The prompt I used to inspire this story was to list five facts about my character that no one else knew. Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Prompts.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me by email)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Citizen Forsaken" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Abstract Vision #2" by ANDREW SITKOV (Intro)"Abstract Vision #3" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by TAO & SOUND"80s Synth Ambient 01 C" "Cry No More – Intro""Cry No More – (A) Melody Loop""U Never Had to Exist – Intro""U Never Had to Exist – (A) Melody Loop"   Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)"Abstract Vision #2""Abstract Vision #3""Abstract Vision #4""Abstract Vision #6"   Music by CHRIS LOGSDON"Level 1""Level 6""Level 7""Level 4"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Tao & Sound, Chris Logsdon, and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Tao & Sound, Chris Logsdon, and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. Center left, a humanoid figure seen from waist-up and in right profile reaches out with the right arm toward a ball of light surrounded by hazy glow at top right corner. The figure has six digits on their hand and an elongated ear that rises into their flowing hair and above their head. Bottom right, dark hazy shapes of skyscrapers and high-rises at night. The sky appears filled with iridescent clouds. Ghostly afterimages of the figure appear around the figure. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the figure's outstretched forearm.

An elven traveler grants a king a priceless power in return for an equally priceless treasure. Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt:The elven traveler leaned closer and whispered to the girl. "What kind of life can he give you? Closed off and cloistered? Stuffed into corsets? I can give you a life of mischief and adventure."   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: King Midian and His Glove of Gold This episode landed on PROMPTS. Finish the sentence, "I wish I could…" was the prompt I used to inspire this story. Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Prompts.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "King Midian and His Glove of Gold" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Elves" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro)"Compass" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"Scroll of the wind walker""Elves""Faeries""A story of gold""Illusions""Compass""Winter guild""White river""Seasons""Lonely day""Written in stones""Fight with king""The plan"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Fun fact: Nicholas Jeudy has a track called "Midian." But it didn't fit this episode. It's a scary one. Maybe for one of October's episodes? Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com  Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. At center, the standing figure of a young woman made of gold, facing left in three-quarters profile, with right arm outstretched in front of her, left arm bent to the side, and mouth parted. Another woman, in left profile facing left, has fallen to her knees and has her arms wrapped around the golden woman, head bent, eyes closed, and mouth hanging open. They are in a field or a garden of lavender and daisies. A few flowers at the margins appear golden. The daylight sky overhead is full of wispy clouds. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the golden woman's outstretched arm.

A cursed young woman seeks the aid of a queen who walks through dreams to reach a sister trapped in eternal sleep. Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt:"Turn back," the queen said. "I want no curses in my kingdom." Clara explained as quickly as she could. "I am not the only one who is cursed. My sister. My husband…" "And it was one who cursed you all?" "He taunted me. He told me that what I love would be come what he loves. And what he loves best is treasure."   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Diamond Dreamt of Rose This episode landed on REVISITATION. I revisit a couple of characters from familiar fairy tales. Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Revisitation.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Diamond Dreamt of Rose" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"To Falgalown" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro)"Elders wisdom" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"In the shadows""Don't move""Ancien stones""A band in the inn""Fallen leaves""To Falgalown""Elders wisdom""Into wild lands""Call of the wild""Flames on ice""Dark lord""A story of gold""Shadows and flames" All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarketVocal effects created with AudacityChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. A young woman facing and looking forward, from shoulders up. She wears a cloak fastened by a cloak pin attached to a brooch made of a gemstone shaped like a red rose with two leaves. Rose leaves extend down from the top of frame in background, and lie along the bottom of frame at foreground. At bottom of frame is the outlined silhouette of a woman in right profile, who is lying down with a hand lying on her stomach. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along the young woman's left shoulder.

In a realm where the learned are held at the highest esteem, a fool is called upon to challenge a trickster.  Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt:"I visit you because I am curious." "I think it's because you want to be the first trickster who understands a fool." The trickster laughed. "My dear Sovereign, no one amuses me as you do. But I must tell you. To a trickster, everyone is a fool."   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Only Fools Prevail This episode landed on CHALLENGE. The character faces a challenge that they are too foolish to face. Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Challenge.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE CREDITSStory: "Only Fools Prevail" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Midnight Creeping" by JONATHAN SHAW (Intro & Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by JONATHAN SHAW"Spinning Tavern""Midnight Creeping""Sinning Tavern""A Bitter Hope""Encounter of Misdeeds""Lingering Evil""A Tale of Peace"   Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)"Adventure Track #1""Knight Rising""Journey into Fog""Medieval Track #2""Medieval Theme 4""Medieval Theme 5" All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Jonathan Shaw and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Jonathan Shaw and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more music by Jonathan Shaw at jshaw.co.ukFind more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. A composite image of two faces with a soft diagonal border between them, cutting from bottom left to top right. At top seen in left profile is a face looking down and having a pleasant almost smiling expression, short curly hair, and a high loose collar with edges curling down. At bottom is a face in three-quarters profile facing right, looking forward with a distant dreamy expression, short wavy hair, and a straight collar, wearing a hoop earring. Watermark of "Storyfeather" at bottom left, following the diagonal border.

A visitor from another realm encounters an overwhelming and mysterious phenomenon that bears further investigation, rain. Genre: Fairy Tale   Excerpt:"When I was young, my mother told me a story about the rain. I was afraid of it, you see. And what she told me didn't help much with that." He winked an eye at me. "My mother was quick to embrace and kiss her children, but she wasn't one to coddle or lie to us." I found myself leaning forward. "What did she say?" "There are great beings who live in the sky. When enough of these beings weep, their tears fall to the earth as rain."   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: A Realm Without Rain This episode landed on ELEMENTS. The story is about rain, regular rain made of…water! Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Elements.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create)Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "A Realm Without Rain" Copyright © 2021 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Ice Cavern" by BENJAMIN CARR (Intro & Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by BENJAMIN CARR (Scythuz)"Labyrinth""Miscellaneous Battle Theme 3""Underwater Temple""Ice Cavern""Mausoleum"   Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)"Medieval Theme 5""Medieval Theme 1""Secrets of Kingdom""Magic Within"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle and GameDevMarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Benjamin Carr and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. Silhouette of a hooded figure seen from the back and from waist up, standing in front of a large window with twelve panes. Two glowing translucent wings, delicate like a fly's, emerge from the figure's back, directed downward. The window is framed with dark fuzzy curtains. Outside, gray clouds loom overhead. A few spots of light and hazy shapes are visible past a haze of rain, falling at an angle. A few drops and trickles of water appear on the window glass. Watermark of "Storyfeather" near bottom between the figure's wings.

Even before the mountain began to rumble, one mortal had begun to doubt his decadent gods. Genre: Mythology   Excerpt:We are descended from a powerful people. So it is said. The most powerful our world has ever known. Their might unmatched. Their domain unending. Their eyes all-seeing. I am nothing next to them. I am a blade of grass underfoot. A mayfly blinking in and out of existence. A mortal. But today I will discover if there are forces in the world mightier than the gods. For today is the day I bring them down.   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Forge of the Forsaker This episode landed on REVISITATION. I'm revisiting a theme from earlier stories, mortal defying the gods. Find more stories and episodes that revisit previous stories here: Year of Revisitation.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create)Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Forge of the Forsaker" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Rage" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro & Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"Ancient gods""On the way""The forest""To Falgalown""Shadow forest""A story of gold""Compass""Burn the sky""Flames on ice""Rage""Infinite land"   Music by ANDREW SITKOV (MuzStation Game Music)"Lyric Voices #2""Lyrics Voices #1""Epic Battle #1 (Looped)""Lyric Voices #5" All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.   Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.   Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. Bottom half of frame, a human figure with dark red skin is seen from waist up stands before a rock face. A network of glowing vessels cover the skin. The figure is covered in black smoke so that only one eye is partly visible, and portions of the arms and waist. The right arm is raised, hand in a fist. Glowing yellow spikes of light emanate from the fist. The left arm is bent in front, gripping a chain that is connected to the waist. Through the smoke, more chains are just visible attached to the waist. Glowing streams of lava and gray-white smoke run down the rock face around the figure. Watermark of "Storyfeather" on rock face along the raised arm.

Troubled by the tragic tale of a queen, who suffered because of a quarrel between two gods, three children question and alter the story. Genre: Mythology   Excerpt:For the thing that lurched from shadow to shadow had been summoned by godly powers and imbued with godly powers. As it passed, it left behind a trail of slime that smelled of sulfur and rot. So the guards had no trouble in finding it. What they could not do was stop it.   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Queen Niyami This episode landed on ELEMENTS. Water is the element featured in this story. Find more stories and episodes centered on the elements (and senses) here: Year of Elements.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Queen Niyami" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Captain's tribute" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro & Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"Northern dusk""Dark fields""Fallen leaves""Dungeon of shadows""For the king""Shadow forest""Deep""Sacrifice""The ocean takes it all""In the shadows""Emblem""A last prayer""Captain's tribute""Leviathan"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)Vocal effects created with Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. A creature with the front half of a woman and the bottom half of a shark. She's underwater. Foreground, a disembodied eye trailing a nerve stalk lies on the floor of the body of water in which the creature is floating. She faces forward with both hands planted on the floor as if doing a push-up. Her right eye is missing. The socket bleeds. Her open mouth is filled with shark's teeth, and part of a second mouth appears to be growing out of her first and under her right cheek. She wears gold jewelry, metal cuffs, and a scarf wrapped upon her head that flutters slightly in the water. Her tail is visible bending towards the right. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along edge of tail fin.

A philosopher, a mage, and a swordsman are sent on an impossible quest from which they know they will not return alive. Genre: Mythology   Excerpt:The philosopher felt her heart go still. She felt the cold steel of the swordsman's sword quivering by her right side. She felt the warm spark of the mage's magic prickling by her left side.  In that moment, and none other since, she had wished her friends would unleash their might and fury…   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: The Last Night of Grief This episode landed on CREATURES. Find more stories and episodes about creatures here: Year of Creatures.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create)Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me) Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITS Story: "The Last Night of Grief" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Flames on ice" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro)"Haven" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"Whispers""Scroll of the wind walker""Wide place""Fallen leaves (seamless)""To Falgalown""Signs of desolation""The last stand""Adventure""Haven""Runes""Compass""In the shadows""Flames on ice"   Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarket, and Soundly (through Hindenburg)Vocal effects created with Audacity Changes made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.  Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. Facing forward stands a creature with three dog-like heads with different fur colors. The heads emerge from serpent-like necks attached to a central body from which the top heads of three legs are visible. All eyes are glowing. All the snouts are contracted as if growling, mouths parted, revealing fangs. All ears are perked up. A forked tongue emerges from the head at right. Snake-like fangs drip a drop of venom from the head at left. Behind and above the heads, an armored segmented body is visible extending up out of frame. Extending down from top left of frame is a segmented spiked tail curling upward. Behind the creature is the opening of a cave. Rectangular image is made square with top and bottom borders that reflect blurred versions of the faces in the main image. Watermark of "Storyfeather" on cave wall, along right side of torso.

The story is told of how nine little gods came to be honored at a feast where they dared not show their faces. Genre: Mythology   Excerpt:The new mortal-made masks were so fantastical and magical that they could not easily be distinguished from the masks of the gods. A few called it blasphemy. (For we humans can be fools this way, don't you agree? Seeking and seeking for wonder, and fearing it when we find it.)   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Nine Gods in Masquerade This episode landed on a mystery spoke that was revealed to be MUSIC. I rambled through my music and found a track that inspired this story.   MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)   Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Nine Gods in Masquerade" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Medieval fiesta" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro)"Donjon keeper (bonus track)" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Haven" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"Oinions""Oinions (second part)""Sand of time (bonus track)""City of magic""Joy""Dragon style""Donjon monster""Donjon keeper (bonus track)""The harbor""Snake charmer""Jesters dance""In the shadows""Shadows and flames""Haven""Medieval fiesta"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market. Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration. Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital drawing. An empty masquerade mask facing forward with several asymmetrical elements. At center bridge of nose, a seashell motif. At left of image the top corner of the mask appears to be burning in a sparkling flame, and part of the mask appears to be vaporizing. At bottom is a small chainmail section from which there hangs a row of teardrop pieces dangling from thin strings. Within each eye hole is a star-filled sky motif. The right eye hole is framed with a tiled or scaled border. The left eye is surrounded by a vine motif. At right of image a feather and wing motif drops from the bottom of the mask. Along the side and extending up in a branching tree. A few leaves sprout from a few branches. Two flowers are set beside the tree and above the left eye. A dragonfly-like insect is perched at the base of the tree with two insect wings extending out and two feathers emerging from the bottom. Watermark of "Storyfeather" along bottom edge below right eyehole.

In a realm cursed to lie under a gray veil, one man accepts a job patrolling a neighborhood to watch for unauthorized breaches. Genre: Fantasy   Excerpt:He had given up on his childhood fantasy when he realized that people had already found ways to break the curse, and had tried those ways and failed. He had given up when he learned that some of the ways had never been tried and never would be, because the cost was too high. And over the generations, more and more people believed that the gray veil was a blessing, not a curse. A protection, not an oppression.   The Wheel of Fiction Turns. What did it land on this time?Each Season 9 story follows a theme chosen by the Wheel of Fiction. Thirteen spokes. Eight are the themes from previous seasons. One is "Turn Again." One is a wild card. And three are covered in question marks and will be revealed when the wheel lands on them. See a story trailer and a (satisfying) video of the wheel turning here: Through a Sky Gray This episode landed on PROMPTS. I wrote the story based on a writing prompt. Find more stories and episodes where a prompt inspired the story here: Year of Prompts.     MERCH!Interested in merch, like mugs and notebooks, featuring my artwork?Please visit my Store page for info on where you can buy: STORYFEATHER STORE   The Store page also has sign-up forms for my two email newsletters: Storyfeather Gazette (if you'd like to keep up with the fiction I create) Fictioneer's Field Guide (if you'd like writing tips and guidance from me)  Choose what you want. (Either way, you're choosing high jinks.)   MY FIRST BOOK (yay)Ever wonder how I've gotten all these hundreds of stories written? I have a method. You can learn it in my book called Fictioneer's Field Guide: A Game Plan for Writing Short Stories. It's now available from Amazon as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover. You can also get there from my Store page: STORYFEATHER STORE   CREDITSStory: "Through a Sky Gray" Copyright © 2022 by Nila L. PatelNarration, Episode Art, Editing, and Production: Nila L. Patel   Music:"Infinite land" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Intro)"Don't move" by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Outro)"Abstract Vision #5" by ANDREW SITKOV (Outro)   Music by NICHOLAS JEUDY (Dark Fantasy Studio)"A story of gold""A band in the inn""Written in stones""The village near the lake""On the way""White river""Don't move""Back in the village""Fallen leaves""Signs of desolation""Elders wisdom""Compass""Infinite land"   All tracks are part of a music and sound effects bundles I purchased from Humble Bundle and sourced from GameDev Market.  Music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov is licensed from GameDev MarketSound effects from AudioJungle, GameDevMarketChanges made to the musical tracks? Just cropping of some to align with my narration.   Find more music by Nicholas Jeudy and Andrew Sitkov at gamedevmarket.net Find more stories by Nila at storyfeather.com   Episode Art Description:Digital painting. Bottom half, a variety of wildflowers and grass. Top half, a solid gray expanse is split at the middle by a bright glowing light at top that streams down and expands to the sides to encompass the wildflowers below. Watermark of "Storyfeather" blends with the grass at left.