What happens when a classic fantasy adventuring party discovers that someone is narrating their lives? More importantly, what happens when they can argue with him?
I am excited to introduce my newest writing project, 4th Wall Chronicles, a comedic fantasy web serial that will be published here one chapter at a time. The story begins in Pendry, a quiet mining village in the kingdom of Doria. Rumors are spreading that a new Goblin King has united the surrounding clans, raids are becoming more frequent, and the Crown is searching for adventurers willing to investigate. Unfortunately for the kingdom, the available heroes are not exactly legendary material.
Ferdinand the Fighter is a dependable warrior who makes the questionable decision to trust the mysterious voice narrating his life. Wanda the Wizard is a fire mage and potion maker who strongly objects to being called a witch, despite owning a cauldron, brewing potions, and doing nearly everything commonly associated with witches. Reva the Rogue is an enthusiastic thief and talented sneak with the unfortunate habit of triggering her own traps. Chester the Cleric is patient, forgiving, and perhaps a little too willing to accept that the invisible voice following the party may be divine.
Then there is Brent the Bard, an outrageously talented musician with limitless confidence, very limited common sense, and the survival instincts of a fart in a windstorm. Brent can transform himself, his instruments, and sometimes the entire mood of a battle through sheer musical conviction, provided nobody breaks his lute.
Together, they form a perfectly ordinary fantasy adventuring party—except they can hear me.
A Traditional Adventure That Refuses to Behave
At its heart, 4th Wall Chronicles follows the framework of a classic tabletop fantasy adventure. The party will fight goblins, investigate raids, travel through dangerous territory, recover stolen treasure, encounter suspiciously common roadside bandits, and eventually confront the Goblin King threatening the kingdom.
The difference is that the characters are completely aware that someone is describing, influencing, and occasionally complicating their adventure. They can ask me for help, question my decisions, and blame me when Wanda’s fireball explodes in the wrong direction. They will also discover that having a godlike narrator nearby is far less useful than it sounds.
My powers are not unlimited. They cost mana. I cannot simply wipe out every monster standing in the party’s way, and I may know where a trap is hidden without being obligated to warn them. If they ask Reva whether the room is safe and she says yes, that is hardly my fault. As the story progresses, the characters learn that I am not merely a disembodied voice. I am Destiny, a force that nudges people toward what they might become. Unfortunately, Destiny is not the only cosmic force taking an interest in their adventure.
Fate has plans of its own.
Destiny encourages possibility, choice, and change. Fate prefers events to arrive at a particular point in time and space exactly as intended. Both can interfere with the world, neither is entirely trustworthy, and the party must somehow survive while caught between them. For once, asking what Fate has in store for the party next is not rhetorical.
Fantasy and RPG Logic Under Examination
Part of the fun of 4th Wall Chronicles will come from examining the things fantasy stories and role-playing games usually ask us to accept without question.
Why are ancient tombs still filled with burning torches? Why do adventurers carry enough equipment to crush a horse? Why are bandits waiting beside every major road? Why does the lightly developed guard who just joined the party suddenly start talking about the family waiting for him at home? Why would a fire wizard wear long, loose, highly flammable robes?
Some of these questions will receive answers. Most of those answers will not help.
The story will include humor for fantasy readers, tabletop players, gamers, and anyone who has ever watched a character make an obviously terrible decision because the plot required them to enter the dark basement.
Beneath the jokes, however, is a larger question about free will. If someone knows where your story is headed, are your choices still your own? If Destiny offers you a path, are you free to reject it? If Fate promises that something must happen, can an ordinary person prove it wrong?
The party may begin as familiar fantasy archetypes, but they will not remain pieces waiting for someone else to move them. At least, that is the plan. They have already demonstrated a troubling capacity to ignore me.
How the Serial Will Be Published
4th Wall Chronicles will be published directly on this site, one chapter at a time. The initial plan is to release approximately one chapter each month. That schedule will give me time to continue developing the larger story while giving each chapter the attention it deserves.
Depending on reader response and available writing time, the release schedule may increase. If enough readers are following along and asking for more, I may move toward a faster schedule.
The main story will remain available for readers to enjoy here. Supporters may eventually receive benefits such as early chapter access, author notes, deleted jokes, alternate scenes, character profiles, development updates, and opportunities to influence smaller details within the world.
The party’s major decisions will remain their own.
Probably.
Join the Adventure
The first chapter, “Ferdinand the Fighter,” begins in the Copper Inn, where Ferdinand has a reliable job, a quiet life, and absolutely no reason to abandon either. Then I place him at the beginning of an adventure, and he immediately begins questioning my judgment.
I hope you will join Ferdinand, Wanda, Reva, Chester, and Brent as they travel across Doria, confront the Goblin King, argue with cosmic entities, and slowly discover just how dangerous it can be to hear the person writing your story.
Welcome to 4th Wall Chronicles.
Destiny has plans, Fate has other ideas, and the party would prefer that both of us leave them alone.