HoC Bk2 Shuffled: Update 2

Hello to all our wonderful readers!

Here's my update:

1. We're working with our cover artist on the 2nd book cover. (I'm loving the armor! ;))

2. I'm still editing the first draft and filling in more gaps that will help the book go smooth.

3. I've still got a lot of posts that I've put on a large "To Do" list. (Due to life getting in the way, I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like.)


Hope your summer is going well!

-T. Erickson

HoC Bk1 Characters: Darrin Clowol

Name: Darrin “Dare” Clowol

Relationship Status: Single

Race: Magick

Spark: Magic Born

Suit: Spade ♠/Diamond ♦

Rank: 9

Occupation: Monster Caretaker. 

Known Talent: Works with several high Z classes.

Known Habits: Dresses like a cowboy. Has a bull whip he carries with him.

Awards/Recognition: Knight of the Tapestry Realm (KoTR).

Current Status: Alive.

Last known location: Unknown

Back to Character List

HoC Series: Card Rank and Rhyme

Card Rank & Rhyme

The higher the rank, the more power you hold. Each rank comes with a talent and general personality attached.

King - Strong and hard-working.

• They are joint rulers with their queens.
• Current Kings (HoC Bk1):
• Zelotes "Z", King of Hearts
• Daniel Musgrove Hyland, King of Diamonds
• Gunnar "Gun", King of Clubs
• Gideon "Gid", King of Spades

Queen - So pristine.

• They are joint rulers with their kings.
• Current Queens (HoC Bk1):
• Piedee, Queen of Hearts
• Charlotte "Letty" Ariminta Marble, Queen of Diamonds
• Eva, Queen of Clubs
• Pamela "Pam",Queen of Spades

Jack/Jaquelin - Gotta grin.

• Prince/Princess of their suit. Every size, style, and variety.
• There are several (and I mean 75+ in some of the monarchs royal immediate families). So forgive us if we don't list them!
• EX: Arianna, Sarah

Ten - Number 10, Realms they tend.

• Responsible to the max. The highest magick a citizen can be, but 98% of the time they become RKs. 
• Realm Keeper (RK) - They are appointed by their suits monarch(s) to watch over parts of the United States and the people within them. 
• EX: Taps
• There are 12 of 13 current realms functioning during HoC book 1.

Nine - Number 9, Likes to Shine.

• They've got the power and you're gonna hear about it in one way or another. 
• Knights of the Realm (KofR) - Defenders of the Realm that will only answer to the RK or monarchy they serve.
• EX: Kory & Lori 

Eight - Number 8, Close the gate! AKA "Crazy Eights"

• Known as major risk-takers/dare devils.
• If there's a 99% chance they could loose a battle and be trapped somewhere forever, they've still got a 1% chance, right?
• EX: Jacer, Rose

Seven - Lucky 7, Taste of heaven.

• Beautiful or handsome. 
• They have a great amount of charisma and can persuade people to do what they want. Unless someone has a very strong will.

Six - Number 6, Knows all the tricks.

• They know the "In's and Out's" & the "Do's and Don't's".
• Generally magicaniks - who combine magic and machine to make something wonderful. Ex: Lunchbox Wars, ladybug cars, monster trash bins, etc.
• EX: Griff

Five - Number 5, Really Jives.

• The best PR (Public Relations) workers you'll ever have. 
• They can get along with almost anyone and they're great dancers. Patience is their best virtue.
• EX: Zack

Four - Number 4, Disguises galore!

• First you see 'em - but do you really?
• They can transform into anyone their own gender and sound like them.

Three - Number 3, Holds the key.

• Puzzle solvers.
• If there's some fatal riddle or a puzzling contraption nearby, they won't be able to resist. An explosion/battle could be going on behind them and they wouldn't think twice about it. 9 times out of 10, they can solve any problem brought to their attention.
• EX: Ronnie

Two - Number 2, Good at what they do.

• Always do a satisfactory job.
• Trustworthy, reliable, and can blend in with the human crowd so well, humans wouldn't know if they were standing right next to them.

Ace - Any Ace, Can change their place.

• Can change their rank.
• Only once in their lifetime, can they become anything from: a Two to a Jack or Jaquelin (depending on their gender). The change is permanent. They have their own personality.

Joker - There are two at all times. They work as intelligence gatherers (spies). Chosen only by the King & Queen of Hearts.

Wild Card - Their are only four in existence at any time. Each royal couple gets to choose one person from their suit that they trust enough to bestow this gift. The powers and benefits are unknown to all but the wild card and their royal suit.


Q&A:

Can a card move up in rank?

• Yes.
• Your monarch(s) are the only ones who can do this.
• When you are raised in rank, it won't change your basic personality from your original card number.

Can a normal card become royalty?

• Yes. If they are an Ace, or if they marry into the royal family. 
• EX: Queen Piedee, who was a 7, married King Z. 

HoC: LBWs: What do I do if my Lunchbox is damaged?

What if my lunchbox is damaged but I still want to use it?

Go to the shop of/send your lunchbox back to it's maker to see if it can be fixed. There are 3 in the USA.

1. There's Dev*, who's world-renown for his Lunchbox logo: Top Clash.

Top Clash is known for it's clear link between competitor and LB Avatar, allowing the lunchbox faster reflexes, which can quickly turn the tide in battle.

*Dev and his wife Yaz, have been known to come and judge SKS's 6th Circle from time to time. You could snag him after a match. If you've purchased your LB from him, he'll fix it the first time for half price. He can also add extra battle enchantments (offense or defense) if you've got the cash on hand.

2. Gensing owns the Grinder logo: 

Known for their stiff competition to Top Clash, Grinder's boxes are known to pack a punch! Very durable and hard to defeat, Grinder guarantees that you'll make it to the fourth ring in any school without breaking a sweat. 

3. Selkie's was created by Moirah McShore:

Selkie's brand brings cuteness to the ring, but the competition could well find their LB in several pieces by the time they're done laughing; leaving you the satisfied victor! Every LB that leaves McShore's shop comes with a hidden secret to cripple the competition.

Don't have the cash to do that?

-Take it to one of the top magicanik students in SKS (AKA Griff). They don't cost as much as the true brand makers. But remember they are students in training; think of Mid-level vs. Master.

-Fix it yourself. If you've got the skill, you can do it. (You should at least be a fourth grader before you even attempt it, otherwise you could be sucked into your lunchbox...a general hex that every maker puts on their product, so the competition can't mess with it.)

If all else fails and you just want to play cause  you can't get enough, you can always bring a paper bag from home or purchase one from Mrs. Haberlie, the SKS Lunch Lady.

Back to: Lunchbox Wars (LBWs)

HoC Bk2: Shuffled - Update

I'm sorry that I haven't posted as much.

I'm working on editing the first draft of Shuffled, the 2nd book in the HoC series. (We'll let you know if the title changes) I'm also thinking of all the chapter heading illustrations as I go through it. Plus, we're working with the cover artist for the 2nd novel. Busy, busy, busy!

But don't worry, I have several posts that are still being worked on. I have 2 more for LBWs, with one nearing completion and over 16 other posts on the "to do" list! I'm sure more posts will crop up in my mind as I go along.

This summer will be fun as I continue to visually bring more of the HoC universe into play; so when you read about it, you'll be able to picture the creatures, people, and anything else we come up with.

I hope you will be able to continue to emerge yourselves in this magical world of adventure and excitement!

-T. Erickson

HoC SKS: Lunchbox Wars (LBWs)

If you wish to eat lunch at SKS and don't have to hurry home, you might want to stay for Lunchbox Wars.

What is LBWs?

-A battle of minds and lunch containers.

When did it start?

-It was invented by a group of children in the early 1700's during lunch break at a magick school and has been a time honored tradition ever since.

LBWs Rules (Coming Soon)

Layout

-Astro-turf floor (fake grass) on which six white circles are enchanted. Bleachers on either side with a sound proof barrier in front. A diamond wall (to separate Circle 6 from young eyes).

To Participate

What's required?

-A paper bag, lunchbox, or lunch pail.
-Your brain.
-An opponent.

Steps:

1. Take your lunch container and stick it in the center of the white circle, next to your opponents.

2. Step out of the circle.

A 6 foot tall cylinder of red sparkles rises from the white circle and encompasses the containers to animate them.

When the sparkles turn yellow, the magical field is attaching your lunch container to your mind.

-You need to choose: Animal, plant, or something else straight from your imagination. Your lunch container will then become your avatar.

-What your avatar can't be: a lurker (of any type), anything nude/scandalous (according to the Founders Rules), any religious figure (let's keep it respectful).

-Keep in mind that your avatar will remain what it is made out of. Generally, that's plastic, paper, or metal.

When sparkles turn green, the attachment of mind to lunch container is finished.

The sparkles will become a see-through barrier that neither magick opponent can cross. The barrier will shimmer from time to time to remind you it's there.

3. Salute!

It's good to show honor to your opponent. Have your lunch container salute your opponent.

4. It's time to fight!

-Whatever you think, your lunch container will do! Keep in mind, if you don't have control of your emotions, your avatar will display them.

-To get a better angle on the fight, you can move around the circle.

-The name of the game is to win your opponent by damaging their lunch box enough so it can't move or your opponent calls "Stop".

5. Once your fight is over and a winner is announced, the lunch containers will morph back together, the barrier will disappear, and you can pick them up.

The winner's name will be put on the large overhead holo-roster with their rank number.

In the beginner's circles you have to win 3 times before you can move onto the next circle.

Generally, the judge is the acting Principal, until Circle 6. If the principal can't attend, another SKS teacher will take the Principal's place.


Circle Details (Coming Soon)

What if my lunchbox is damaged but I still want to use it?

What if my avatar won't change?

That means 1 of 2 things:

1. It's a malfunction, due to all the hard knocks it's received in the ring. (You might want to get a new one so you remain unpredictable)

2. You own a lunch pail. If you own a lunch pail, it's likely from an earlier era. When LBWs first began, the students only used one avatar. (You'll need to get it updated. Dev Cubay specializes in updating old lunch pails.)

What if I want to watch instead of participate?

That's what the stands are for. Just walk through the sound proof barriers and take a seat. In order to listen into a match, you'll have to link into the magic viewing system.

-Get one of the SKS students/staff to teach you how to listen in.


Back to Starlight Key School

The Last Alley: House of Cards Book 1 - NEW COVER!!!

It's finally out!

Go here to buy it on Amazon: The Last Alley  $3.99 USD (Digital)

The new cover.

Our cover artist is Mates Laurentiu.

I've drawn the inside illustrations under my artist name. The digital format (Amazon.com) has color and the book format (Lulu.com) has greyscale pictures. We hope to have colored pictures in there one day, but it would be more expensive.

Buy the paperback version: The Last Alley: House of Cards Book 1 $19.99 USD (Book Format) 396 pgs, 6 x 9 inches.


I'm SO excited! It's finally ready for all of you to get!

Be sure if you read and love it, to leave us a good review on Amazon. It always helps a book gain popularity and people need more good books to read. Especially if it expands their imaginations to limitless possibilities!


-T. Erickson

HoC Bk1 Characters: Kory & Lori Williams

Name: Kory Williams

Relationship Status: Married. (See Lori below)

Race: Magick

Spark: Magic Born

Suit: Club ♣ ♣ (Double)

Card Rank: 9

Occupation: Co-owner of Guns & Roses. Weapons Smith.

Known Talent: Making magical weapons.

Known Habits: Likes overalls.

Awards/Recognition: SKS Alumni.1^st Knight of the Tapestry Realm.

Current Status: Alive.

Last known location: SKS

SKS Badge:

Name: Lori Goodchild Williams

Relationship Status: Married. (See Kory above)

Race: Magick

Spark: Magic Born

Suit: Spade ♠/ Heart ♥

Card Rank: 9

Occupation: Co-owner of Guns & Roses.

Known Talent: Plants

Awards/Recognition: Knight of the Tapestry Realm (KoTR).

Current Status: Alive

Last known location: Unknown

Back to Character List

HoC Bk1 SKS: Teacher/Staff Badges

SKS Teacher/Staff Badges

Each staff member has a colored chimera holo-badge which appear above their left breast when they walk into the doors of the school. It will disappear when they leave.

The symbol of their suit will appear in the upper curve of the "S".

For those who wish to show both suits they belong to, or if they are a double suit, they may display the second suit with pride in the lower "S" curve. Each suit has a selection of four:

Hearts

Diamonds

Clubs

Spades

Staff benefits:
-Watching your students succeed. (What could be more rewarding?)
-High pay. (You're required to be the best and be on guard; who knows what your students will bring into class?)
-Contact with upper authorities, thinkers, magicaniks, warriors, etc. (Expand your social circle and your curriculum)
-End of the School Year party. (White elephant gifts that include but are not limited to: all expenses-paid vacation to a destination of your choice for 2 weeks, a ancient magical object, or a meeting with a magical celebrity. Everyone gets something!)


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HoC Places. List and Links

List of Places (By first name, alphabetically)

*Author's Note: The information on each place is based off the idea that you've already read the series.

The 4 Pillars Library

The B. L.'s Castle

The Hearts Palace

The Grotto

The Oblamay

Sentinel House

Starlight Key School

The Tapestry and its grounds

HoC Bk1 SKS: Student Badges

SKS Student Badges

Each student is given a colorless chimera holo-badge when they come to school. With a suit symbol that appears above it.

The suit (Heart, Diamond, Club, or Spade) is based off of the student's inherited dominant suit.

Each head of the Chimera stands for 4 years of school:

Double-horned Ram:
K-3rd
Sabertoothed Lion:
4th-8th
King Cobra:
9-12th + Honor Project

As the student completes their years, the heads will gain color.

Once a student completes all 12 years, the badges' white wings will turn rainbow, symbolizing the students are full of promise:

Honors Project:
Students are required to work for a year on their Honors Project. This project has to be the students best work and of their own design. The student will be graded on their presentation, the projects performance, and how well their project can help benefit magical life.
Visiting monarchs, the current principal, and people in high positions will be there (consider it a job fair). If the student passes their Honors Project, their suit symbol will gain a gold stamp and they will be hired on the spot. If not, they will have to go job hunting.

Alumni (Graduates):
Are required to return and teach one class that they specialize in.


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