'Swords of Kos' Campaign Setting and Shared-World Fantasy Fiction Project
One of the most exciting projects Skirmisher Publishing LLC has ever launched and which d-infinity has subsequently supported is the Swords of Kos Shared-World Fantasy Fiction Project. This project had its genesis somewhat more than two years ago, when author Michael O. Varhola began writing the fantasy novella Swords of Kos: Necropolis during National Novel Writing Month 2011. After that first book came out a number of Skirmisher Publishing game developers, d-Infinity contributors, and others expressed interest in writing their own stories set in the same milieu, and it was thus that the "Swords of Kos Shared-World Fantasy Fiction Project" was born. Since then, a number of other things have been written and published and the point of this piece is to list them all in one place so that interested readers can easily find them.
One of the most exciting projects Skirmisher Publishing LLC has ever launched and which d-infinity has subsequently supported is the Swords of Kos Shared-World Fantasy Fiction Project. This project had its genesis somewhat more than two years ago, when author Michael O. Varhola began writing the fantasy novella Swords of Kos: Necropolis during National Novel Writing Month 2011. This story was set in the world Skirmisher Publishing had been developing since 2002 as the playtest campaign setting for its d20 game materials and was the first piece of fiction tying in with it to ultimately be published. It was released in PDF format in early 2012 and in print at the Comicpalooza fan convention in Houston in May of that year. After that first book came out a number of Skirmisher Publishing game developers, d-Infinity contributors, and others expressed interest in writing their own stories set in the same milieu, and it was thus that the "Swords of Kos Shared-World Fantasy Fiction Project" was born. Since then, a number of other things have been written and published and the point of this piece is to list them all in one place so that interested readers can easily find them.
Swords of Kos: Necropolis: This swords-and-sorcery tale follows the exploits of alchemical rogue Paros, Elven barbarian Parthenia, and the priestess Selene as they descend into a sprawling underground burial ground and gradually learn that the place itself it just as dangerous as the things they meet in it.
"On Life, Death, and All Manner of States in Between": This three-part story by world-renowned sculptor Clint Staples is available for people to read here at d-Infinity Online.
"The Dinner Party": This self-standing story about an adventuring party's night on the town is available exclusively in d-Infinity Vol. #5: Full Circle.
Lands Beyond Kos (Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting): This publication describes 26 nations in the region where Kos is located.
"Heroes and Monsters of the Necropolis" (Cardstock CharactersTM/Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting): This set of 14 downloadable miniatures is based on characters and creatures from the novel Swords of Kos: Necropolis.
Kos Island (Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting): This publication describes the island of Kos, its dozen towns and villages, and 10 specific sites on or immediately around it. It is scheduled for release as a PDF download in early January.
Lives of Kos (Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting): This publication includes biographies for 100 of the most interesting and important characters of the Kos milieu. It is scheduled for release as a PDF download in February.
World of Kos (Swords of Kos Fantasy Campaign Setting): This publication describes the world in which Kos is set. It is scheduled for release as a PDF download in March.
"On the Consideration of Fortune": In this story, Clint Staples continues the adventures of Persian mercenary Arabasz that he began in "On Life, Death, and All Manner of States in Between". It is scheduled to appear in d-Infinity Volume #6: The Mythos.
Swords of Kos: Dark Inheritance: Picking up where he left off in his story in Swords of Kos: Hekaton, author Chris Van Deelen continues to follow the adventures of martial artists Jaeger, Viya, and Jarem.
Swords of Kos: The Abbadonian Job: Drawing upon elements of classic swords-and-sorcery literature and detective stories, author Will Thrasher goes beyond the shores of Kos and onto the monster-haunted island of Patmos.
Swords of Kos: Kimi: Author David Fitzgerald ventures into the Black Sea and the wilds of Amazonia in this tale of a young girl and the villains she encounters.
