Falmung: and the Gem of Darkness: CHRONICLES OF ISGRAMORT, #1

By jose Luis Martinez

In a forgotten tavern of the Isgramort peninsula, a troubadour sets out to tell, for the first time, the true story of Falmung. The real story that very few people know and that more than a thousand years ago, was diluted after the rumors, myths, stories and fables that little by little turned the tenacity of the dwarf into legend. Falmung, the almsmen, warrior, adventurer, hero, and murderer. At last the truth about his life and adventures will be revealed. And for this, we must start from the beginning, when he met his great friend Kroyed and the years that spent as living adventurers. Fleeting years, where a special work, led them along the path that made them the legendary characters we know today. Falmung's true story never told, begins here…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ediciones Falgor
• Release date: Jul 5, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386714965

jose Luis Martinez

Nacido en Palma de Mallorca de 1985. Es el pequeño de cinco hermanos. Después de cursar bachillerato, realizó diversos cursos de administración y gestión de empresas e informática. Su interés por la formación se vio interrumpida ante la responsabilidad de su temprana paternidad. Su personalidad, tranquila, amable, de risa fácil, tiene alma de niño atrapada en las responsabilidades y el cuerpo de un adulto.  Su interés por el mundo fantástico y de aventuras, hacen posible la realización de esta obra.

Book preview

A small note, found between this book pages.

––––––––

There have been so many adventures together that I cannot longer remember when it was the first one. They say that every author carries one of its characters deep beneath its heart, and that is because it carries much of the author’s DNA.

That character, my dear friend, it’s you.

We traveled to different worlds at different times, fought dragons, chimeras, undead, and unmentionable monstrosities. Together we overcome our biggest fears and terrors, learned that nobody can tell us or make us believe that we are not able to achieve our goals and illusions, as we also understood that the true strength of  a person resides on its will and determination. There were difficult times, but we never give up. You are and have always been all that I’m not in reality.

Your adventures begin here, and so the narration of your chronicles, how you became the character that you are in my fantasy.

I’m only hoping for one thing my friend, to live up to your legend...

FALMUNG

and the Gem of Darkness

José Luis Martínez Martínez.

CHRONICLES OF ISGRAMORT COLLECTION

First Edition: June 2017

Cover Design: Arturo Mata

Cover artwork: Arturo Mata

Author: José Luis Martínez Martínez

Translation: Ergio Guitian A.

©Falmung

© José Luis Martínez Martínez

© Of this edition: José Luis Martínez Martínez

www.facebook.com/falmungdesigthfried

www.youtube.com/user/falmungdesigthfried

ISBN: 9781521791172

Acknowledgments of the author

Once again I want to thank my loved ones for the support they have always given me. Especially my love, Paula, who always with a smile, has encouraged me to go ahead with my crazy projects and ideas.

To my great friends, Josh and Raúl, who have helped me with their reading and criticism of the story.

To my good friend Ramon, who without losing hope, tries every time he revises my writings, to improve my spelling and style (blessed scripts! He, he).

To my friend José Manuel, because thanks to him I came up with this story and I was able to start the great adventures of my most beloved character.

Also, special thanks to my recent friend Arturo, who has decided to embark on this adventure with me, when making the impressive illustrations of the cover of the book, waiting for little or nothing in return.

FALMUNG

and the Gem of Darkness

José Luis Martínez Martínez.

Author's Note: The facts narrated in this book are events occurred thousands of years before the story of The Goblin: The Origin. Even before The Great War against the dark ones.

Chapter 1

Road to Arakesh

That morning the ship was staggering from one side to another gently. The sun bathed the deck, revealing the warm rays of light through the windows of the command room. On one side of the deck, slumped and looking unhealthy, was a midget with the rough features typical of dwarfs. He had a crowded red beard and long messy hair. His body looked a little less stout than usual in a dwarf, he wore a leather coat, pants, and boots.

Suddenly the dwarf stood up and pulled his head out of the boat over the railing, giving the viewers a plentiful vomit.

Are you dizzy again? Oh, my God Eros! You're the weakest dwarf I've known in years," a human reproached.

I told you, that's why I'm here! replied the dwarf, I was exiled for my weakness and I came to this earth seeking to redeem my shame, and to regain my honor, as every dwarf deserves."

Foolishness, Falmung! What we’ll do in Arakesh, will be to seek the work of adventurers to make us rich.

That's what an apprentice magician tells me about, who has also been expelled from the academy, and who knows the powerful spells: and . What? Are we going to kill our enemies by heating them until they die?

I told you I'm an apprentice! shouted the human, I only need in our adventures to find grimoires to study and learn more spells. Besides, what were you going to do without me in Arakesh? If you don’t know how to read! Said the human, while he removed his hood and discovered his face.

I don’t need to read to kill monsters and beasts, or if a Grytash attacks us, will you read him something from that book that you always carry with you? I tell you that reading will not take you anywhere, Kroyed, you will see that it will finally become a hobby.

That book you are talking about is my book of spells ...

In which appear your two powerful spells, interrupted the dwarf laughing.

Kroyed's face began to transform. His anger was more than evident, at that moment he turned his back on Falmung and left, leaving him there.

Wow! He's angry. These humans don’t have humor, he said to himself.

The rest of the journey along the river passed smoothly and without mishaps, perhaps because that singular couple stayed away.

Almost without noticing the time elapsed they were already docking in the port city of Arakesh. A town located in the center of the Isgramort peninsula, connected to the sea across the Great Forlat River. A privileged place for adventurers and fortune-seekers, since its excellent geographical location on the peninsula, made it the perfect city for the hire of mercenaries for different jobs.

Practically the whole city lived on that. Blacksmiths forging weapons for the adventurers who visited her, the innkeepers for the great influx of people passing by. It was the true cradle of every warrior who wanted to make a living with his sword skill.

Kroyed soon emerged from his cabin after hearing the voices of the crew shouting during the docking maneuvers. He wore a simple blue tunic that reached to his waist, along with slacks and leather boots. Tied to his belt he carried a small sword and his precious book of spells next to his bag with some gold. His features clearly denoted his practice with magic, long white hair collected by a braid (The magicians, due to their spiritual wear by the use of magic, ended up having all their hair of that color) and shaved by the sides, his hazel eyes and features with square jaws and a pronounced dimple in the chin, typical of southern men.

Falmung, seeing his companion, stood up.

Man, you finally come back, he said.

You're a stupid dwarf, he reproached.

Humans don’t have humor, Falmung laughed.

Let's not talk about it anymore, here's your ax, Kroyed said while giving him a very slight double-edged ax, for the size it had.

Meanwhile, the ship had already docked in port, and the crew had begun to unload the equipment and boxes with the goods they transported to sell in the city.

We should ask where we could find an inn, how many coins do you have to pay the innkeeper? Ask