The Story

When Lorgi hatches, a seer divines fate from his shell: one day he will bring doom to his own kind, the Álukois (snowdragons). Rejecting prophecy, his mother tells Lorgi he has the power to create good luck. Abducted by a wicked sorcerer, stung by a deadly beast, and swept across the Continent by warring hordes, he fights to save human friends made on the way. Barely surviving her own battle, his mother must put aside her disdain for hyúlems (lowlanders) in her quest to find Lorgi. Both dragons’ struggles change the world. Some evils are turned to good. Using dragon strength and human ingenuity, Lorgi defeats an enemy that had been invincible to both!

 

What it is Not!

Not based on any other’s work, my novel is not like Rowling, Tolkien, or magic-driven. No elves, trolls, goblins, “shadows” or wizards rule here, but cultures and creatures of my own design. Characters believe sorcery or fate cause outcomes, yet it is their own actions. Knowledge, cooperation, skill, brute force, creativity and persistence brew surprising ends. Written mainly for adults, this story still avoids gratuitous violence or profanity.

 

Roots

Lorgi’s epic adventure fantasy takes place on “the Continent,” with its own geography, history, cultures and species. Collectively, the Yeti, Bigfoot and “Nessie” inspired the Álukois—not stereotype dragons. Even that word insults, meaning bandit or pirate in Álukop, their written language. Álukois love winter sports, star-gazing, socializing, snacking (i.e., feasting) and beer! They are vegetarians, but ferocious in defending friends, land and honor.

 

Themes

This tale explores human behavior, especially from an Álukoi perspective. Culture shock, moral dilemmas, prejudice, adaptation, revolution, kindness and faith play throughout. Can the stubborn Álukois adapt to survive? Can humans tolerate non-humans if they can’t stand each other? Personal determination trumps fate, adversity, magic, and tradition. Shared knowledge is power. Evil hastens its own demise. Good grows. People and words evolve across cultural divides. One word (gánsi = thank you) can move mountains—like love.

 

Gánsi méni, góbo nóshuls, yi góbo árgosangs!

(Many thanks, fine snacks & adventures!) ~ Lorgámon of Tiefenbo