Cover Art - Daarken

The above image is NOT the cover art for Trials of Blood. Should the project reach the goal of $5000, the cover art will be illustrated by Daarken. Daarken is one of the most renowned artists in the fantasy/game industry. Using his superb skills and vast creativity, he has worked with some of the largest names on this side of the universe including:

Wizards of the Coast
Blizzard Entertainment
Fantasy Flight Games
Mythic Entertainment
Big Huge Games
Trion Worlds, Inc.

You can view Daarken's portfolio at http://www.daarken.com (includes art showcase, list of projects he's worked on, his blog, tutorials by Daarken, and his store)

Trials of Blood

When Valious El’hart, a deserter and former Captain of the Sakin Army, tries to leave behind the horrors of his past in search of a new life, he finds himself being pulled back into the military ranks to face an impending evil; Odin, a rebel god who is plotting his return to the world of Val'era, after being imprisoned for centuries, and seeks to use anyone as his puppet.

Set in a deep fantasy realm, Trials of Blood is a full length novel (100,000 words) and the first book in the Sword’s Honor Trilogy. Follow Valious as he tries to fight the man he once was, a murderer for the Sakin Army and Captain of Knights, now a deserter, trying to live a life of peace in hopes of redemption. Turmoil begins when rumors of Odin appear, stating he moves to reclaim the four Odin Talismans. Each Talisman holds one fourth the power of a god, and if all four come together for his purpose, he will have the power to return to Val'era and control the four Dracos, larger than life Dragons each possessing a force of nature – air, fire, ice, and earth.

Valious finds that he is one of the few remaining Knights who’s proficient with the use of a blade and his chakra, one’s life force, that can be used to execute unnatural abilities and skills. It’s Sakin’s desire to bring Valious back, by any means necessary, and use his abilities to seek out the prevention of Odin’s return. On the way, Valious encounters new enemies and friends while finding out that the rumors of Odin are true. Now it’s a race to find the Odin Talisman’s before they do, Val'era depends on it.

The Battle Strategy

With your help, I aim to bring you an unforgettable and immersive experience within this fantasy realm. Here are some of the things that your funding will go towards:

Cover Art by Daarken
Website Creation
Editing and Formatting
Cartography work for maps and city layouts
Printing and Shipping costs
Marketing and Advertising

Rewards

Tier 1 - $5: Trials of Blood eBook edition in the reader format of your choice.
Tier 2 - $25: Tier 1 plus paperback edition (Please add $10 for international shipping).
Tier 3 - $50: Tier 1 plus author-signed paperback edition and your name in the credits (Please add $10 for international shipping).
Tier 4 - $75: Tier 3 plus 11x17 print of the book's cover art by Daarken (Please add $15 for international shipping).
Tier 5 - $100: Tier 4 plus your name listed as "Sergeant" in the credits.
Tier 6 - $200: Tier 5 plus 18x24 canvas print of the book's cover art by Daarken (Please add $30 for international shipping).
Tier 7 - $250: Tier 6 plus your name listed as "Lieutenant" in the credits and you get to name a city that's mentioned in the 2nd or 3rd book (within the appropriate naming format).
Tier 8 - $500 (0/10): Tier 7 plus your name listed as "Captain" in the credits and you get to name a character that appears in the 2nd book (within the appropriate naming format).
Tier 9 - $1000 (0/5): Tier 8 plus your name listed as "General" in the credits and you get to create a main character that appears in the 2nd book (within the appropriate naming format).

Tier 2 - 3: (Please add $10 for international shipping)
Tier 4 - 5: (Please add $15 for international shipping)
Tier 6 - 9: (Please add $30 for international shipping)

Funding Goals/Rewards Passed $5000

I have added a list of rewards to give out should we go past our funding goal of $5000.

$6000 - Tier 2 backers and above will receive a Trials of Blood Bookmark, displaying the book's cover art, with their paperback copy.
$7000 - Tier 2 backers and above will receive a Short Story (eBook version) based on Valious El'hart, taking place prior to Trials of Blood.
$9000 - Tier 2 backers and above will receive a Short Story (eBook version) based on Admiral Kassidy Altren, taking place prior to Trials of Blood.
$11,000- Tier 2 backers and above will receive a Short Story (eBook version) based on General Ados Dugard, taking place prior to Trials of Blood.

About the Author

I have been a lover of fantasy, writing, and Role-playing games ever since I could remember. In 2001 I had decided to merge them and create a Play-by-Post Role-playing game set in the same universe as this book, and it thrived, living through a few editions throughout its 10 year existence. During that time, I had also dedicated myself to increasing my talents by studying Game Art and Design at Westwood College, co-founding an indie game development team, and serving my country as a Marine for almost 8 years. As we continue to create games, I have decided to utilize my love for writing and create these novels that will run concurrently with an RPG in development taking place in the same universe.

Conclusion

I want to give out a special thanks to everyone interested in seeing this series come to life. It’s because of you that anything is possible. Thank you.

Once again, you can check out more about us at:

Daarken – http://www.daarken.com
Sam Dib – http://www.samdib.blogspot.com