This is the May 2015 Open Thread for Merlinscribe.

[merlinscribe]

An open thread where people can ask questions and make comments. Now appearing quarterly for your record-keeping pleasure. It will run until I start a new one.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It means a lot when authors are willing to take the time to answer question.

Much appreciated,
Bridget

[merlinscribe]

You're quite welcome! I like talking about the World of Obsidian, and there are huge numbers of things that haven't made it into the books. Side stories may be required.

[(Anonymous)]

Side stories are always fun to read. I, personally, can not get enough of the World of Obsidian. Considering how many times I read the books.

Bridget

[merlinscribe]

Dear Bridget: Thank you so much! I really do hope to publish the one about Silver Star Free Company: their story was one of the things I had to cut from CROWN.

[(Anonymous)]

I hope you do. I would like to know how or why the Silver Star Free Company joined her.

[merlinscribe]

There is so much to tell about Silver Star and its captains: taken all together, the way their lives went and the choices they made (or were forced to make) is pretty much a snapshot of life among the Hundred Houses--from Landbond to Ladyholder--from the years just before Vieliessar. And so I really want to finish writing it. SCOURGE comes first, though.

[(Anonymous)]

I can understand Scourge coming first, since I can not wait for both Blade and Scourge to come out. Still hoping Blade comes out soon. But I think it would be nice to read more about some of the other people. Why they were willing to, in some cases, give up everything they had to join.

[merlinscribe]

A lot of that *used* to be in CROWN, of course. By Vieliessar's time, if you weren't a member of a War Prince's court (and sometimes even if you were, if you were a member of a Less House), life pretty much sucked. The Landbonds were treated worse than cattle, and the Craftworkers, Farmholders, and hereditary servant classes were severely exploited. Unless you were Lightborn, one of the Lords Komen, or the War Prince, life was uncertain, power was corrupt, and justice was non-existent.

In the specific case of the Silver Star Free Company, it was one of the few Free Companies to escape the Scouring of Farcarinon (one of Bolecthindial Caerthalien's less-stellar ideas), and had a certain bone to pick with the Hundred Houses. Vieliessar's policy of enfranchising outlaws and mercenaries under her banner tended to ensure that any surviving members of Free Companies (after the Scouring) would join her. How Silver Star came to fight under her banner, however, is quite another story...

[(Anonymous)]

Can't wait to read it. I can never get enough of this world. So thank you for putting this world on paper for us to enjoy.

[merlinscribe]

I am so glad you are enjoying the story!