From the Desert, I Return

2/7/2018

I'm back, more or less alive! And because I have a ton of emails and comments to catch up on, not to mention a bunch of writing to do, I'll keep this brief.

Here's what we'll do: I'm going to release a new short story this month, and you guys can tell me in the comments what you'd like it to be. If there's one clear winner, I'll do that, otherwise I'll pick. I might pick anyway, because this is a dictatorship.

Anyway, let me know in the comments what the short story should be about!

And it's great to be home.

-Will

108 Comments

Ben

2/7/2018 08:14:32 pm

Hey, Will! Glad to have you back!

Since you appear to be taking requests, I'll throw my two cents in. I'm sure you're going to get a lot of requests for Haven. But I need my Traveler's Gate fix. It makes me sad that it's been four years- that can't be right- since City of Light came out, and I want to see some stuff there.

That'd be enough for me, but if you want something more specific, maybe Simon clearing a room. I loved the Rain Garden in Crimson Vault. Probably one of my favorite scenes in the series. It'd be interesting to see what you could pull out now with more experience under your belt.

OLiv

2/7/2018 11:36:40 pm

Yes

Dragon

2/8/2018 06:49:25 am

Agreed!

Anon

2/9/2018 12:05:23 pm

This!

Nightwold

2/9/2018 03:56:25 pm

Yes please!

shantanu

2/9/2018 08:02:04 pm

I’ll second a Traveler’s Gate story especially stories of Simon after the novels ended.

As an aside, I know it hasn’t been long since Skysworn was published but it feels like years. I can’t wait for the next novel in the Cradle series. The series is like some sort of very addictive drug.

Daoist Recommendation

2/18/2018 09:37:22 pm

Well then, fellow Daoist Shantanu, may I recommend to you The following
Renegade Immortal
A Will Eternal
I Shall Seal the Heavens
Coiling Dragon
Desolate Era
I cannot wait to see you on wuxiaworld my fellow Daoist! Join me for a discussion on a Will Eternal on the wuxiaworld forums if you would like to!

Will link

2/28/2018 12:36:06 pm

My fellow Daoist is correct; these series are the wellspring from which Cradle flows.

Nikk B

2/12/2018 11:38:54 am

Yes! I need my Travelers Gate Fix!

Chris

2/7/2018 08:43:59 pm

I like Ben's idea of having Simon clear a room.

Or, for Cradle: Showcase a cool part of the world. For example, if I am remembering correctly, you mentioned that their could be underwater cities on Cradle (am I completely misremembering?). That sounds interesting. Anyway, seeing a completely different/weird environment, its paths, and different creatures would be cool.

I'm sure other people will probably suggest Sacred Valley, but I am somewhat ambivalent about that. I'm sure I'd enjoy it, but based on what was said in the book we can pretty much guess what is currently happening. I think I'd rather explore somewhere else.

Nota raccoon

2/7/2018 08:49:00 pm

A look at the life of a servant in the emperors castle in Asylum having to deal with all the changes. Sort of the Butler meets the elders.

Crow316

2/7/2018 08:50:23 pm

A short story about a new territory in travelers gate. I so want to see an oceanic territory. Where you can only leave by finding moving islands that correspond with moving stars. An you can only enter the territory by being submerged in water. (To detailed?)

Garrett

2/7/2018 09:01:38 pm

I’d like to see a short story showcasing one of the other important iterations mentioned by Suriel. The ones that will always be protected by the Abidan. I fully expect to see some full novels explore said world, but a teaser peace would be a nice touch.

Mick

2/7/2018 09:07:51 pm

I'm going for something a little left field in Travellers Gate. I would mind a story from Lycus' perspective. He has essentially been forced into this situation in Valinhall and is not a big fan of Simon. I would like to see them work out. Maybe bond over doing a room. By bond I mean develop a sense of wary respect. Or Lycus being tasked by the Nye to retrieve an artifact?

Alex

2/14/2018 02:57:48 pm

Yesssssss!!!!!

Ferone

2/16/2018 07:47:24 am

Work out or make out, I mean up. The word I had meant to use was up >.>

Chris N

2/7/2018 09:43:04 pm

Yeah, have to agree with something in Traveler's Gate world, especially since not only has it been a while, it's going to be a while longer before any new books with OKAK and Cradle taking primary focus. Maybe something with Simon and Elaina and a scene where they both use their <spoiler item not specifically mentioned> following the story of An Incarnation's Daughter? It would be interesting to see how they both grow after that story.

Thanks,
Chris

CHRIS N

2/7/2018 11:12:39 pm

<Masks>

Chris N

2/7/2018 11:25:56 pm

hey dude... don't impersonate me... and I specifically left the spoiler item unmentioned in case anyone didn't read An Incarnation's Daughter...

(shaking fist)

An alternate personality of Chris N

2/9/2018 11:49:03 am

MWAHAHAHA!! ALL WILL SUFFER UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE SPOILERS!

Adam

2/10/2018 01:43:59 am

where can I find this story? I came into the blog super late :/

Sword Immortal Darknorth

2/10/2018 07:13:38 am

Subscribe to the mailing list. This is the mailing list archive.

https://us11.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=ba4bf39fb09712a9c982f3bc8&id=9a4055d765

Zach

2/7/2018 09:55:31 pm

I would also cast my vote with the House of Blades! I like the previous suggestions of clearing a room or perhaps doing something with Elaina, or even getting cornered by his wonderful new advisor and sent to retrieve a sweet, sweet artifact!

But tbh I'll gladly read whatever you write 😂

Joseph D.

2/21/2018 09:09:37 am

Something from the House of Blades setting would be great. I loved the stories at the end of the series detailing each virtue of the Elysians; seeing each territory and their inhabitants was unique and eye opening. I would love a story that takes place in a territory that we have little knowledge of, like Asphodel.

2/7/2018 10:08:42 pm

I want to hear about Fisher Gesha ... Maybe the day she found the arm

Sean K

2/8/2018 11:28:19 am

This****

If not when she found the arm, how about her having a drink while waiting on Lindon to do the trials and her complaining about him to some guy who is buying her drinks at a bar.

"Sounds like a handful, that grandson of your," he said.
"HE IS NOT MY GRANDSON, hrm."

Mahfuz

2/7/2018 10:54:15 pm

Anything Traveler’s Gate! Please! T^T

Greg

2/7/2018 11:04:15 pm

It was said in the Travelers gate series that all of Simon’s dolls were once scattered across the Territory so perhaps the story of Kai discovering his beloved dolls?

A person who likes this idea

2/9/2018 02:48:22 am

*GASP!!!* I would absolutely love this!

Ferone

2/16/2018 07:50:56 am

Of him discovering otoku. That would be amazing. I can just imagine the sass and sarcasm.

Adarsh

2/7/2018 11:11:18 pm

Definitely want something from the Travelers gate world, preferably about Simon. Maybe continuing off of steel diplomacy.

John

2/7/2018 11:58:57 pm

Maybe one of the worlds that they Don't protect in cradle could turn out to be the world of traveler's gate, one where they tap into the remnant shards of corrupted and destroyed worlds via traveling?

Jayceblk

2/8/2018 12:33:25 am

I'd have to go with Travelers Gate as well.

Joe

2/8/2018 05:10:48 am

I'm throwing my vote toward Traveler's Gate as well!

Maahn

2/8/2018 05:48:25 am

maybe one set in Cradle, but from somewhere new we've not seen in the world, and maybe won't ever as part of Lindon's story?

..Or some more Travellers Gate, I don't know I'm not fussed really. I just want more of anything!

Coulamac

2/17/2018 11:24:17 am

Maybe somewhere in the Iceflower continent?

Blake

2/8/2018 07:43:12 am

I'd like to see a short story about the first blackflames or Simon clearing another room in the house. :)

Kaden

2/8/2018 07:56:12 am

Blackflames yes

The real Kaden

2/8/2018 08:01:12 am

AN IMPOSTER!

Kaden

2/8/2018 07:59:44 am

You have spent so much time on your other three stories, how about something new. Maybe even a story that doesn't involve your current expanded universe. Such as a story of a hero who is really the bad guy unawares to him he strides around using his magic(which is evil unknown to him) and it contains an ending which you design.

Ruff

2/8/2018 08:10:42 am

I would love to see a TG story. I would love to have a little scene where he is discussing with someone what he has earned from the house and then a flashback to clearing one of the more rare/ further in rooms of the house.

If not a TG i would say can we get a short story from the perspective of Northstrider/Luminous Queen Sha Miara/ or the 8 man empire?

1SavageCabbage

2/8/2018 08:19:16 am

I would like to see a Cradle horror story, like the story of the lonely wolf pup in your first questionnaire.

I Need an Idiot’s Guide to the Willverse

2/8/2018 08:23:20 am

How about a story on Simon clearing really hard room — one he had been working on for a while — only to find out it doesn’t give him anything. I mean, the fun in that story is the twist of, “This room has nothing to give,” so its already spoiled, but anyway...

Ben

2/8/2018 08:42:22 am

I think a story about Adriel would be great. Like one of the myths the Abidan have associated with him. Maybe you could tie in all of your worlds to it so that there is something for everyone.

GodKing of the Outer Lithosphere

2/8/2018 08:58:32 am

I would like to cast my vote for something totally new! Surely you have so new idea for what will become a side-series once The Elder Empire wraps up. I want you to sound it out! Dive right in and write chapter one of whatever this new series is, or maybe just a scene you feel would be really cool. Nothing so formal as a rough draft, just a one-shot theme piece that captures the core idea of what this hypothetical new story would be about.

Ji Ning

2/18/2018 09:41:53 pm

GODKING? WHERE!!??!??!?

Sage of the Wimpy Papercut

2/8/2018 08:59:34 am

I want a short story about Yerin and the Sage of the Endless Sword!

Sean K

2/8/2018 11:29:46 am

YES!

kaden

2/8/2018 03:39:36 pm

Joe Bob

2/9/2018 02:52:24 am

This would be great!

Deadnettle

2/9/2018 11:24:25 am

I'm going to throw my vote behind this one, though to be completely honest I would love just about any story you care to put out. Glad to have you back safe and sound.

manty05

2/8/2018 09:00:19 am

How about a story of a monarch preparing for a serious confrontation (not necessarily against a dreadgod).
By the way does anyone know has Will already set a name for the stage between lord and herald, and if so what it is.

kaden

2/8/2018 03:42:05 pm

In order the advancement chain goes. Unsouled, copper, iron, gold, lord,(sage breakoff point), ?, ?, ?, herald, ?, ?, Monarch

ChimmyChonga

2/8/2018 04:26:31 pm

If Cradle is anything like the Wuxia I've read, Monarchs will turn out to be basically ants by the time the protagonist reaches that rank. In Desolate Era for the first 20 books we thought Celestial Immortal was the height of power, but nope, there's actually fifteen more ranks beyond that.

patrick

2/9/2018 01:37:01 am

so true, no spoilers but the daolord arc was so long and then it just hits you with more.

manty05

2/9/2018 10:34:33 am

I think the Abidan are supposed to be the ones that make monarchs look weak in willverse.
As for why I believe there is just one major stage left unnamed and it being between lord and herald, is because of two things. First of which is the box which Lindon finds in the Soulsmith, seemingly containing a badge for every major advancement stage after copper. Second is a comment from Will where he stated that herald would be the last stage before monarch. Though I admit Will could easily add more stages of advancement by stating that the box did not contain badges for every major stage of advancement, but I think that would diminish the significance of the events of the transcendent ruins.

TheJason

2/9/2018 02:07:03 pm

In a short story will did Northstrider( a monarch) was actively being recruited by the abidan, but he kept turning them down.So it would appear monarchs are strong enough to be on the abidans radar at least and there will of course be power differences in the abidan, but we can at least see most of the complete power chain...unless theres something higher than the judges

We are all Andrew Rowe

2/8/2018 09:01:33 am

Greetings.

I would like you to write a story featuring Simon, that provides an explanation of what he was doing during his cameo in Andrew Rowe's Sufficiently Advanced Magic.

Sword Immortal Darknorth

2/8/2018 09:02:52 am

^ This idea is full of so much WIN.

TBoy

2/8/2018 09:24:57 am

I like this idea. Might be fun to consider if you end up writing something Travelers Gate.

Might be hard to explain how Simon got to another world (Maybe there's a portal room in the House of Blades? Or some other fragment realm that can serve as a bridge.) but eh, the short stories are non-cannon anyway. You can just glaze over that if need be.

I think Simon would do a rather good job at climbing the towers, since they're much like the House of Blades.

Daniel young

2/8/2018 11:29:20 am

This idea sounds really interesting actually. I’d love to read that.

TheJason

2/9/2018 12:01:23 pm

Wait wait wait i read sufficiently advanced magic. Where was Simon??? Did i completely miss that?

We Are ALL Andrew Rowe

2/9/2018 04:12:10 pm

It was the scene where the protagonist walks into the shop to buy items to enchant. He sees somebody that is described exactly like Simon, down to mask, sword, cloak, and doll.

Andrew Rowe confirmed that it was a cameo as a thank you because Will Wight was a beta reader for that book.

Clint

2/8/2018 09:25:24 am

Hey Will. Welcome back. I would personally like to see Valin pulling Valinhall together. I'm really interested in how he did that. Or just a story of Valin traveling to one of one other worlds.

Polish pottery

2/9/2018 03:42:25 pm

Anything with Valin is amazing. I have said my piece.

Azqa

2/8/2018 10:07:44 am

Welcome back! All hail the undead Gnome king!

I'll add my voice to two options: those supporting a Traveler's Gate short story, and those suggesting an entirely new world.

You Benevolent Dictator

2/8/2018 10:15:47 am

Guess who also runs a dictatorship

Ruff

2/8/2018 06:36:12 pm

Get back to your discord server and stay out of Will's kingdom

Your Benevolent Dictator

2/9/2018 03:45:25 am

YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME, IRON

Nate

2/8/2018 11:04:27 am

I too, would like to see a Traveler's Gate story!

Sean K

2/8/2018 11:32:36 am

How about a story about the Abidan when they find/encounter Travelers gates world?

"It is stably accepting chaos shards and integrating it to its integration. How is this possible?!"

garbagiel the surprised

2/8/2018 01:55:41 pm

Nobody told me that that world integrated into its integration! Holy crap!

Sean K

2/8/2018 08:17:11 pm

It is how there are "Travelers" in the series. Simon becomes a traveler of the House of Blades. The HoB was created when Valin explored the void and brought enough shards together to create the house.

I think most of them were created naturally. Still an oddity of the place, as most "outside" shards are Chaos fragments that infect the iteration and cause it's demised instead of naturally integrating into the system..

Also funny is the "Asylum" mentioned by Suriel in the books. I believe it to be the place "Of Sea and Shadow" is from. They bound these Elder gods in this "Asylum" and it is now considered a Core world. Mostly because I think they'd have some trouble on their hands if the great Elders got out of it.

garbagiel the raccoonwho laughs at his own jokes

2/12/2018 07:57:22 am

No I know how the traveler's gates works, I was just making a bad joke about how silly integrating into its integration sounded.

Daoist Recommendation

2/18/2018 09:45:51 pm

Um, Sean, Asylum is the place where of sea and shadows takes place...

garbagiel the raccoon

2/8/2018 01:53:23 pm

Glad that to have you back Will.

How about a short story taking place in the steel labyrinth? It could be from the pov of travellers of the territory, or some Valinhall magpies looking to nab whatever isnt nailed down.

Shane

2/8/2018 01:53:30 pm

Like many others have said, it'd be awesome to see Simon clear a new room. Maybe showing how far he's progressed since he first started and now that he's actually getting some proper training.

Thanks for the fix, i'm Jonesing for some Wight words! 😁

OKAK release date

2/8/2018 03:27:58 pm

The progress bar has increased by to 34% for OKAK!

I did more math to estimate Will's current progress using this new data.

(34%-7%=%change in one day=27%)
27%/1 day = (100%-34%)/x until book completion days

X days = 2.3333333333333 days until OKAK release!

Get hyped for a Saturday mid-afternoon release!

Math is power!

You can do it Will! I belive!

kaden

2/8/2018 03:44:30 pm

That's hilarious, but in all seriousness though the estimate at the moment with no hicks or otherwise massive events is a early summer release.

Penelope27

2/8/2018 07:18:11 pm

I vote for Travelers Gate. Thank you.

TheJason

2/9/2018 11:58:38 am

I know everyone has had a lot of ideas for short stories( mostly cradle and travelers gate), but i think a short story about elder empire would be great!! Bliss i think we can all agree is a badass. Maybe a story about how she got her weapon? or about when she first joined? or even how she became the leader? IDK...all i know is a bliss short story would be cool!

DesprateFan

2/9/2018 01:38:15 pm

I would throw my vote in for the Elder Empire but Will is already working on OKAK so he probably wants a bit of a break from that.

TheJason

2/9/2018 02:04:18 pm

yeah, but what are the odds that Bliss is going to get some love in that xD

Will link

2/28/2018 01:38:40 pm

The odds are very good.

TheJason

2/9/2018 02:09:06 pm

or maybe a story about gold level cooks in the cradle and how they use their powers to cook?

Angus

2/9/2018 06:03:14 pm

Or maybe a crossover where Bliss, Kai, and maybe Eithan all meet up! Who can be the craziest crazy of them all!

I Need an Idiot’s Guide to the Willverse

2/10/2018 10:04:35 am

That would be awesome! We must see this, o magnanimous dictatorness!

Marrk

2/10/2018 03:42:42 pm

I’d be interested in what actions Bliss took to make it on the “good” list in the previous short story. From most what we saw she was chaotic neutral at best.

A book worm on the path of suggestion

2/10/2018 04:32:48 am

Somebody allready Said this, but something relater to the early days of the blackflame Empire? Either when the dragons started it, or when humane tolk over

Paden

2/10/2018 10:58:09 am

1) Close out OKAK
2) Cradleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
3) 10 years from now start a new HoB trilogy.

Zach

2/12/2018 07:10:10 pm

Oh dude tie all these books into a multiverse! That would be cool

Bill Nye

2/12/2018 10:46:05 pm

They already are.

Zach

2/12/2018 07:07:56 pm

Please God finish
OKAK
I’ve been a fan since day one have all your books and this digestion from OKAK is killing me. I love SS but God I’d love it more I’d OKAK was finished
Your humble fan

Aaron Burr

2/18/2018 09:48:47 pm

No no no Zach, it’s Your obedient servant, not “humble fan”. You are more than an air conditioning unit!

Asterion

2/13/2018 12:46:40 am

It makes me very happy to see Traveler's Gate mentioned so much. I definitely want another short story for Traveler's Gate. Clearing a room sounds great, but maybe instead of Simon it can be Lycus. I would love to see that he continued even after the Incident.

manty05

2/13/2018 06:07:27 am

Hey Will
While we are in subject of short stories have you thought of doing a Shera vs Kelsa death match next time you decide to do some.

Sam I Am

2/13/2018 03:33:14 pm

What is this "Haven" people keep talking about? Did Will sneak an entire series of books by me without me noticing? I only know about Cradle, Traveler's Gate, and the Elder Empire.

Clint

2/13/2018 11:25:55 pm

I believe Haven is the name of the iteration for Darkness and Dawn. Just like Cradle is the name of that iteration, and Traveler's Gate takes place in Amalgam.

kaden

2/14/2018 11:44:24 pm

Actually elder empire iteration name is asylum as confirmed by Will

Sam I Am

2/18/2018 10:42:43 am

Yeah I always thought Will's worlds were Amalgam, Asylum, and Cradle.

Daoist Recommendation

2/19/2018 07:18:47 am

I’m pretty sure Haven is one of the “core” worlds for the Abidan.

manty05

2/14/2018 05:39:09 am

Hey
Has does anybody of a story were we see the Valinhall sofa in action.

Are you okay Will?

2/14/2018 05:38:09 pm

I heard there was a shooting in Florida today and I know you live in Florida. You didn't get shot, did you Will?

Will link

2/28/2018 12:39:50 pm

If I had gotten shot, as long as I survived, at least the injury scenes in my books would get way more realistic.

Lumpy

2/15/2018 07:07:23 pm

I've been wondering how the rest of the travelers gate world interacts with the 11 known territories. Do other continents open gates onto other floors of Helgard? Is there an ocean of lava in Naraka that corresponds to the oceans in the real world? Or do other continents have different territories altogether?

mason

2/28/2018 12:48:46 pm

Has any short stories been released? keep checking but haven't heard anyting.

Nosna

5/3/2018 03:40:58 pm

It would be cool to see some more from the Crimson Vault, as you haven't really explained anything about that. A story from the perspective of a room guardian would be really cool, or a Nye.

It would be cool to see a story of a person on a planet infected by chaos and how they survive. Or how they get killed off. Whatever.

It would be super cool to see some more culture in cradle, or a off the wall path. Those are some of the best parts of those stories.

Or something about one of the other guilds on EE that we haven't heard a lot about.

Nosna

5/3/2018 03:43:22 pm

Also anything about the other territories (other than the 11 we already know about) in TG.

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.