Cover Art by Jason Pedersen
This book tends to get lost in the shuffle at times. Curse of the Dark Wind didn’t introduce any new, long-standing characters. Part of this might have been because this was when the game started crumbling. So, I was struggling to move from the ‘real’ events to things I was making up. Of course, it was when Luke Callindor was going to be the central focus . . . Kind of.
This story involves a demonic curse infecting the wind of an area and poisoning all air-based creatures. Due to part of Luke’s powers, he starts succumbing to the Dark Wind and the other champions struggle to keep him alive. The is made more difficult by him having to continue traveling and being the one who has to purify the temple. I did enjoy having his friends having to find newer and stronger ways to bolster his energy. For some reason, I really had a habit of debilitating Luke and making his friends save him from whatever has him at death’s door. 3 of the 15 books revolve around rescuing Luke and he needs some major saving in several of the others. Can a main hero also be a damsel in distress?
Fizzle got to rise in importance in Curse of the Dark Wind as well. Prior to this, he was mostly a mascot and I had him hibernate through one story. Part of this was because he was just there in the game and the DM would have him do stuff to show off his knowledge of game system. In the book, Fizzle needed a bigger purpose and he became a protector of the champions. Since I had left him out of so many outlines, I had to revamp everything to give him bigger roles. This would include the occasional scene with very little dialog where Fizzle is doing something on his own. I think this book really solidified the bond between Luke and Fizzle too. At this point, Fizzle was the only remaining member of Luke’s original group of friends.
Character development was really the big thing here. So, all of the locations were fun and spontaneous. My focus was really on getting the champions and their allies to grow. I pushed the Luke/Sari relationship further, which some people didn’t like. It was odd that some complained about the sex in the book when I didn’t write any sex scenes. I mean, you know what happened since they were either making out at the end of a scene or they were resting in bed in a way that you knew what happened. Not much I can do on that front since I had to make it clear that this relationship was moving forward and working off lust a bit. Honestly, that wasn’t even a big thing beyond her having to fight to protect a dying Luke at one point.
Would I change anything about Curse of the Dark Wind? No. I really like that I gave everyone a moment to shine. While the story was about Luke, all of the other characters got some spotlight. It wasn’t always action stuff, but I got to show how much it hurt for one of their own to be in pain. As much as this book ends up getting lost in the shuffle for not being as huge in plot impact as the others, I think this is probably the best one I wrote in terms of character development.
Let’s see the questions:
- How far would you go to help save a friend?
- Do you think relationship’s based more on lust than love can be healthy?
- What would you name a cave that created the area’s wind patterns?
Legends of Windemere 
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I like that first name. Definitely better than ‘Cave of Winds’.
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Hmm, three questions to make you think. 1. As far as possible with any means at hand. 2. Lust is not the basis of a good relationship except in the short term. All of my meaningful relationships have been based on friendship first. 3. Cave of the Mistral?
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Lust is an interesting thing. Guess it really only works if it evolves into more.
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Too bad it often doesn’t!
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I would you go as far as physically possible to help save a friend. I think relationship’s based more on lust than love can be healthy if the two understand the exact nature of the relationship. I would name a cave that created the area’s wind patterns Mariah’s Boca.
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Have to ask. Where did the cave name come from?
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I made it up. Mariah (they call the wind) Boca (mouth) = Mouth of Wind = cave name.
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1) How far would you go to help save a friend?
If they were present, I would ask them what help they wanted. Otherwise I would go as far as I could within legal limits.
2) Do you think relationship’s based more on lust than love can be healthy?
Yes, if both parties agree to keep it on that level. However, the longer it goes on, the more likely they will either break up or transition to a deeper attachment.
3) What would you name a cave that created the area’s wind patterns?
The Bellows, after that tool blacksmiths use to control the heat of their forge.
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Interesting name choice. Sounds loud. I agree with #2.
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I suppose I’d go as far as legally possible for a friend. Honestly, lust might offer more opportunities for controversy and tension. As far as a cave… how about Belching Borehole.
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Lots of people mentioned the legal thing. Kind of funny.
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I might change my answer in a zombie apocalypse.
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Like your other commentators, I would do whatever is in my power to help a friend. If you refuse to do that, then you aren’t a friend.
Yes, you can have a relationship based on lust, but the danger lies in one person beginning to feel more than lust, while the other doesn’t.
I would name a cave Venti Domus. Latin for ‘windy house’ ot ‘house of the winds’.
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Can’t go wrong with Latin names.
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