In the city of Ka-Rone, capital of the Diamond Isle, sit more than twenty accredited institutions devoted to the instruction of young giants (and to a lesser extent, the other and lesser races) in the art of magic. These colleges … Continue reading →
THE SUNSET LANDS Ghosts and pain rule the dark, arthritic Mother Countries: corrupt giantis mercilessly exploit the peasantry, aided and abetted by their sibeccai slaves and a handful of undead aristocrats. The heavy tread of civilization crushes the last pockets … Continue reading →
Omega (Wo)man and Hippie Chick Caitlin Nakayama Perkins grew up in Rand Station, on Io, raised by polite middle-class parents who died of workplace mercury poisoning when she was seventeen. Caitlin wrote a scathing essay on the subject, Why Capitalism … Continue reading →
From the spring of 2004: Back in 1994, John William "Old Man" Murphy was a duke living in Union Square. He was a mechanomancer, aged 34 then, and he had a regular cabal of followers — the Clockwork Army — … Continue reading →
Originally posted on 24 May 2004, in response to a prompt involving Planet of the Apes : Thing that struck me, watching Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes — and it’s been too long since I saw the original movie, … Continue reading →
USAGE "It has wheels and you turn the crank and the wheels spin around!" "But what good is it?" I asked reasonably. Caius reacted as if I had kicked sand in his face. "What do you mean, what good is … Continue reading →
EXPLANATION "You’ll understand when you’re older," Mother told me. She seemed to think it was appropriate to hoard her knowledge in this cruel and hateful way. Julia laughed, undoubtedly because she found my plight and humiliation entertaining. "I remember when … Continue reading →
MEMBERSHIP It was at around that point that they all began to sing Gilbert and Sullivan. Tiberius and I looked on in mute horror as Uncle Crassius, Aunt Rose, Mother, Father, Julia, and even Caius all proclaimed themselves to be … Continue reading →
CAPABILITIES “No Pranddishaw has ever gone hungry, no Pranddishaw has ever lacked for clean clothes, and no Pranddishaw has ever spent the night out of doors!” Father bellowed. “What about while camping, Dad?” Julia asked. “Especially while camping!” (Who Loves … Continue reading →
HISTORY “I don’t know,” said Tiber’s friend. “I think they’re great. They have a pool! In their yard!” “Yes, I remember being your age,” I said sadly, hoping to impart some tiny wisp of my accumulated wisdom to the child. … Continue reading →
