Questions & Answers

1 . What about the political balance in the Shadow World? There seems to be many more "evil" organizations than "good ones." How can there be even a mitigated balance? Why don't the evil ones simply take control?

Hmm. There are powerful forces for good, though perhaps they don't get as much attention as thy should. And I would call most realms pretty much 'Neutral' if you want to apply old D&D terminology. It's really a continuum to me. (For instance, I would consider the current US administration Neutral... at best). Even the Raven Queen isn't so much evil as imperial.

2. How many active K'ta'virii are there still on Kulthea?

Well, six or so in the East, and you have Ondoval, Jenkyna and Andraax in the West. There are several half-breeds (Lorgalis among them) and others of more diminished blood. There may even be a handful still in suspension.

3. The Eastern Hemisphere Map: in MA4 we were told that the map could not be inserted in the Atlas but would shortly be available on ICE's website. When can we expect it?

Okay, I am horribly late on that. It's time I at least did a rough sketch, isn't it? It's officially on my holiday to-do list. It will be on my web site.

4. How do you envision the long-term future of Kulthea? Do you have any idea what the world will be like in a century or a millennium? Is a Fourth Era envisioned? Will the Barrier ever fall? When and how?

I'm sure it's obvious to anyone who follows the timeline -- and especially Shadowstone -- that I have a plot in mind. However, for gaming purposes I encourage GM's to adapt the timeline as suits them. More on that in a minute. As for the future... I don't want to spoil things for readers...

5. What will be the proportion of new material in the upcoming Artifacts & Lost Technology? Will it be comparable to what Power was compared to older material?

I would say comparable, more detail about known things, and some new things. Some material is returning from the very very old Atlas Addendum, but I plan on a map of the subshuttle system and the Coral Roads, some Portal networks, and lots of new artifacts, including the Orhan Tarot and several very dangerous magical books.

6. What are your plans after Artifacts? Emer III and IV, or anythig else? Do you have a provisional road-map?

I'd like very much to return to Emer. I also and working on some adventures.

7. Some would prefer to "stop" the time-line and develop the world as it is. What are your views on that subject?

I think that part of the 'charm' if you will of Shadow World is that there is an ongoing timeline, and I am eager to get Shadowstone caught up so I can advance it. I'd like to resurrect the Sel-kai news page of my web site. That all said, I'm a believer in encouragng the GM's to take what they want in the ongoing timeline and adapt the Shadow World as they please and make it their own.

8. The Raven Queen had to stop her offensive to counter an aggression from the north-east. What was that?

A temporary weakening of the Barrier allowed some forces from the East to get through, bt the Queen defeated them -- and gained valuable knowledge.

9. Why can't you get Folenn back into your descriptions?

It is! It's back in Atlas 3 and 4. In the Eidolon Studio days I was asked not to devote any attention to Folenn because it was going to be the seed for another fantasy world deigned by John Curtis. He is no longer a factor.

10. Some are wondering whether you are getting tired of the Shadow World and working on something else. Any comments?

I'm not tired of the Shadow World, but I do find it hard to be as productive as I once was when I worked at ICE full-time (even though when i was there I was mainly doing production and art direction by day).

11. The Dreaded Question: Where do your ideas come from? Books, movies? Which ones?

Hah hah! I'll never tell. I'm sure people will see various influences from all over. I have been lucky to travel a lot, and it's no coincidence that Sel-kai came to life soon after a trip to Italy where I visited Florence and Venice. As far a books, as a youth i love Andre norton. And now of course Tolkien, C.J. Cherryh, Elizabeth Lynn; and Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner has a wonderful style.

12. How do you work when developing the world? From large-scale to small-scale, or the reverse? How much time do you spend creating a NPC or a city?

Sel-kai took a ton of time, but I developed the city as I hand-drew and inked the city map itself. I really enjoyed that process. I like to develop NPC's with as much personality as possible, and towards that end many are at least partially based on real people.

13. Do you intend to work on the links between the SW and the (old) Space Master setting? Since that is now a property of Mythic Entertainments, would you be allowed to "get out" of the planet or are you now limited? Would you have to start the larger setting from scratch?

Huh!? What? Nobody tells me anything. I guess I better ask about that. Maybe they need content help? I intend in any case to continue some SM content in Shadowstone until someone tells me to stop.

14. When could we expact a map of the Coral Roads?

In Artifacts!

15. What's the schedule for a movie adaptation of the Shadowstone Chronicles? What would your ideal casting be?

Hah hah! What a fun question! Though of course a movie couldn't come until the book(s) are done. ;-) Can I get Peter Jackson to direct? It reminds me of back in the 80's when we would pick our dream cast for Lord of the Rings -- though I could hardly have asked for a better one than Jackson assembled. Ian McKellan is Gandalf, Elijah is Frodo, Liv Tyler is Arwen, Cate Blanchett is Galadriel, and Orlando is wonderful as Legolas.

Anyway, casting... hmm. Anyone who has read 'Haalkitaine' has seen the picture of who I would have cast as the Viscount Ridgeston, though he is not that well known. For the rest.. let's see. This is going to reveal what kind of trashy TV I watch.

Kalen: Tom Welling (Clark Kent on Smallville) or Matt Long (Jack on Jack & Bobby)
Jad: A tough one. He's based somewhat on an old friend of mine. For looks: Corey Sevier (of North Shore) or back when he was younger, Chad Allen.
Randae: Jude Law
Andraax: Dean Cain -- with spiked hair. He's 1/4 japanese so has that slightly exotic look.
Tethior: Chad Michael Murry (he has that permanent 'pained' look)
Kyan Kim: Garrett Wang (Star Trek: Voyager)
Drey: Mark Wahlberg
T'vaar Dekdarion: At one point Dolph Lundgren. Now I don't know.
T'revor: Drew Fuller (of Charmed and Voodoo Academy) with his hair spiked.
Bryon: Ryan Phillipe
Veriak: Hayden Christensen with spiky blond hair and blue contacts (and decent direction, unlike in Star Wars).

Return to the Haalkitane Library Foyer

Copyright © 1997-2004 Terry K. Amthor
Shadow World© is a trademark of Iron Crown Enterprises.
All rights reserved


	1 . What about the political balance in the Shadow World? There seems to be many more "evil" organizations than "good ones." How can there be even a mitigated balance? Why don't the evil ones simply take control? Hmm. There are powerful forces for good, though perhaps they don't get as much attention as thy should. And I would call most realms pretty much 'Neutral' if you want to apply old D&D terminology. It's really a continuum to me. (For instance, I would consider the current US administration Neutral... at best). Even the Raven Queen isn't so much evil as imperial. 2. How many active K'ta'virii are there still on Kulthea? Well, six or so in the East, and you have Ondoval, Jenkyna and Andraax in the West. There are several half-breeds (Lorgalis among them) and others of more diminished blood. There may even be a handful still in suspension. 3. The Eastern Hemisphere Map: in MA4 we were told that the map could not be inserted in the Atlas but would shortly be available on ICE's website. When can we expect it? Okay, I am horribly late on that. It's time I at least did a rough sketch, isn't it? It's officially on my holiday to-do list. It will be on my web site. 4. How do you envision the long-term future of Kulthea? Do you have any idea what the world will be like in a century or a millennium? Is a Fourth Era envisioned? Will the Barrier ever fall? When and how? I'm sure it's obvious to anyone who follows the timeline -- and especially Shadowstone -- that I have a plot in mind. However, for gaming purposes I encourage GM's to adapt the timeline as suits them. More on that in a minute. As for the future... I don't want to spoil things for readers... 5. What will be the proportion of new material in the upcoming Artifacts & Lost Technology? Will it be comparable to what Power was compared to older material? I would say comparable, more detail about known things, and some new things. Some material is returning from the very very old Atlas Addendum, but I plan on a map of the subshuttle system and the Coral Roads, some Portal networks, and lots of new artifacts, including the Orhan Tarot and several very dangerous magical books. 6. What are your plans after Artifacts? Emer III and IV, or anythig else? Do you have a provisional road-map? I'd like very much to return to Emer. I also and working on some adventures. 7. Some would prefer to "stop" the time-line and develop the world as it is. What are your views on that subject? I think that part of the 'charm' if you will of Shadow World is that there is an ongoing timeline, and I am eager to get Shadowstone caught up so I can advance it. I'd like to resurrect the Sel-kai news page of my web site. That all said, I'm a believer in encouragng the GM's to take what they want in the ongoing timeline and adapt the Shadow World as they please and make it their own. 8. The Raven Queen had to stop her offensive to counter an aggression from the north-east. What was that? A temporary weakening of the Barrier allowed some forces from the East to get through, bt the Queen defeated them -- and gained valuable knowledge. 9. Why can't you get Folenn back into your descriptions? It is! It's back in Atlas 3 and 4. In the Eidolon Studio days I was asked not to devote any attention to Folenn because it was going to be the seed for another fantasy world deigned by John Curtis. He is no longer a factor. 10. Some are wondering whether you are getting tired of the Shadow World and working on something else. Any comments? I'm not tired of the Shadow World, but I do find it hard to be as productive as I once was when I worked at ICE full-time (even though when i was there I was mainly doing production and art direction by day). 11. The Dreaded Question: Where do your ideas come from? Books, movies? Which ones? Hah hah! I'll never tell. I'm sure people will see various influences from all over. I have been lucky to travel a lot, and it's no coincidence that Sel-kai came to life soon after a trip to Italy where I visited Florence and Venice. As far a books, as a youth i love Andre norton. And now of course Tolkien, C.J. Cherryh, Elizabeth Lynn; and Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner has a wonderful style. 12. How do you work when developing the world? From large-scale to small-scale, or the reverse? How much time do you spend creating a NPC or a city? Sel-kai took a ton of time, but I developed the city as I hand-drew and inked the city map itself. I really enjoyed that process. I like to develop NPC's with as much personality as possible, and towards that end many are at least partially based on real people. 13. Do you intend to work on the links between the SW and the (old) Space Master setting? Since that is now a property of Mythic Entertainments, would you be allowed to "get out" of the planet or are you now limited? Would you have to start the larger setting from scratch? Huh!? What? Nobody tells me anything. I guess I better ask about that. Maybe they need content help? I intend in any case to continue some SM content in Shadowstone until someone tells me to stop. 14. When could we expact a map of the Coral Roads? In Artifacts! 15. What's the schedule for a movie adaptation of the Shadowstone Chronicles? What would your ideal casting be? Hah hah! What a fun question! Though of course a movie couldn't come until the book(s) are done. ;-) Can I get Peter Jackson to direct? It reminds me of back in the 80's when we would pick our dream cast for Lord of the Rings -- though I could hardly have asked for a better one than Jackson assembled. Ian McKellan is Gandalf, Elijah is Frodo, Liv Tyler is Arwen, Cate Blanchett is Galadriel, and Orlando is wonderful as Legolas. Anyway, casting... hmm. Anyone who has read 'Haalkitaine' has seen the picture of who I would have cast as the Viscount Ridgeston, though he is not that well known. For the rest.. let's see. This is going to reveal what kind of trashy TV I watch. Kalen: Tom Welling (Clark Kent on Smallville) or Matt Long (Jack on Jack & Bobby) Jad: A tough one. He's based somewhat on an old friend of mine. For looks: Corey Sevier (of North Shore) or back when he was younger, Chad Allen. Randae: Jude Law Andraax: Dean Cain -- with spiked hair. He's 1/4 japanese so has that slightly exotic look. Tethior: Chad Michael Murry (he has that permanent 'pained' look) Kyan Kim: Garrett Wang (Star Trek: Voyager) Drey: Mark Wahlberg T'vaar Dekdarion: At one point Dolph Lundgren. Now I don't know. T'revor: Drew Fuller (of Charmed and Voodoo Academy) with his hair spiked. Bryon: Ryan Phillipe Veriak: Hayden Christensen with spiky blond hair and blue contacts (and decent direction, unlike in Star Wars).
		Return to the Haalkitane Library Foyer Copyright © 1997-2004 Terry K. Amthor Shadow World© is a trademark of Iron Crown Enterprises. All rights reserved