Winkle chapter One

Our sleeping crew is waking up now and just getting organized to make their approach to the future colony.

updates and coupon

the second book in the Trolli series is still coming along. really swamped and not getting the time I wish for to work on the books. the Sleeper ship books (first one being named Winkle) is also progressing.
We have put up a coupon for the Christmas holidays. you can get a 20 percent discount on Trolli Rediscovered with the code NA79X. this will expire on December 25th of this  year.
look for our cookbook for beginners as well coming this fall.

The Sleeper Ships

The Sleeper Ships is a story of one of the first methods that Earth used to begin colonization of the galaxy. It will contain three more stories which will explain some of the roots of Trolls existence.

The Dragon Egg Wars

The next book in the Trolli Series will be called the Dragon Egg Wars and takes place before the Trolli Rediscovered Book.
This is the story of Allun Dunn and how he came to discover magic and the threads.
His meeting of Rashee and Forbes.
The relationship between dragons and magic.
and the ensuing race to power for the different race of Trolli.

Catch Up

I have been working on other facets of the writings and have fallen behind in posting. I apologize.
This is a whole world of new experiences for a new writer. I do want to continue on the story we've begun and have worked two more chapters through.
At the same time, the web site has need a lot of work and I have begun work on another branch of the series "The Sleeper Ships"
I will be posting updates as the stories continue.

The Power of Blogs

Next sign up to and participate in as many blogs as you can that are related to your writings.
the idea is to share, discuss, research, and play a little. These are our peeps. Meet them!

Press Release

You are still far from your first sale. The book will  not promote itself.
Compose a press release and get it out. There are many places to post it.
Still not done, follow it up with polite e-mails to the appropriate news release personnel.
Smashwords also has a great tutorial on this procedure.

The Review

After submitting your work, you will have to go through the excruciating wait while it is reviewed.
I get the feeling no one actually read it but it was checked for formatting. some suggestion were made, I corrected them and voilà I was published. My book had a sight and was available for sale.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/650124

The Cover

Artwork is also a big part of marketing. your work must appear appealing or no one will even give it a chance. I spent weeks working through several drafts before I decided on a cover for my book.
  

Publishing

Then you should work on some profile items, A good picture, some history, a mini biography. Here is where my profile is and mind you it will never be done either...
 https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/AL502

Continuing on Self Publishing

Next comes the task of formatting. unless you are used to the process it too ca be quite the challenge. My advice is; learn it. All the publisher's especially the e-book types won't even review it or will review it with robots, until it is formatted correctly.
Smashwords has a fabulous tutorial on this as well.

MORE on Self Publishing

Of course the first task is to complete your manuscript. This is both joyful and arduous. Don't be afraid to edit and re edit but at some point you must take a deep breath and publish. It will never be perfect.

The Publishing Path

There are many good writers out there that have a difficult time getting published because of the old, "we won't consider you for publishing until you are published" loop,
Self publishing is a more author friendly way to go however many that help will charge.
Depending on your confidence and financial situation, this may also present insurmountable barriers.
there is a sight that can get you started. there is still work to be done but its affordable and user friendly.
http://smashwords.com

Level One Shield Spell

SHIELD
COLOR	COST	STRAND	ELEMENT	MANIPULATION
Brown	1j per per	V + H	earth	cross
Cross any brown strands, each strand will use a “J” per minute. The more complex the pattern (from a simple crossing which will deflect to intricate weavings of thatches and braids which can form barriers as strong as wall. The more stands involved increase the strength of the barrier and the more intricate the pattern the harder it is to unravel. This spell can be tied off to the planets “J” when the user learns how.

This is an example of a level one spell. As you can see it requires the manipulation of Brown threads. the manipulation used to create a shield is a simple crossing of the threads. these a earth elemental threads (meaning they originate from the ground and are stronger there). Brown strands come in both vertical and horizontal varieties. casting this spell will use up one janiel unit per minute.
the description of how to cast the spell and some deeper understanding of how to make it stronger and last longer as well as a hint on future "anchoring" of the shield follow in the last frame.

OOFLOOF a physical look

mid 40s, looks tired and bored a lot.

Height: 5’11” kind of a dumpy tired bored look. Fair shoulders, longish legs and arms not freakish just lanky, average torso, medium shoe size,

Weight: 210ish, not very fit, not horribly fat and soft just no upkeep, cheeks beginning to fill out, chin soft not yet double, just a soft look all over, has muscles under the flab but beginning to deteriorate

Hair/Eye: dark brown almost black, unkempt soft curls, slightly balding, not trimmed but brushed at, usually a two to three day old beard (heavy shadow) bristly, hair beginning to grow in ears and nose, brown eyes with a blue halo around the iris, tired looking reddish a lot of the time, distinct intelligence hidden deep in his eyes but weary

General: wrinkles around eyes and mouth, mostly upward happy wrinkles but some sad tired ones too. Pale complexion, eyebrows have a sprinkling of long hairs in them but are generally unspectacular thin lips a bit dry, skinny nose, larger ears, decent biceps covered in soft flesh, broad shoulders just starting to droop, clothes are generally wrinkled like he slept in them, shirt unbuttoned at the top, always untucked, pants a little baggy (comfortable) not a fashion slave, shoes unbrushed, good teeth, likes a toothpick,

Voice: deep and firm, also has that tired edge to it but is used to command and being listened to. Can be very crisp and firm without being loud

LEAH

early 20s and matureish,

Height: 6’1” Short for a giant but solid for the infantry, heavy in the shoulders and chest, sturdy legs but no fat,

Weight: 180 muscled, even rippled, powerful shoulders and legs, stomach flat, generous bodice but not flashy, thick neck and long fingers.

Hair/Eye: muddy brown hair hazel eyes, hair short and straight military neat. Thin eyebrows and piercing hungry eyes, very evenly proportioned, light hair on her arms and legs, skin healthy and glistening.

General: looks every bit the trained fighter, too thick for a dancer, very powerful arms and legs, tight core, smooth healthy skin, radiant glow of health, stern expression most of the time with hints of longing and softness hidden underneath. Hands are calloused and rough, feet are large and flat, wears a uniform (green dragon army) green with yellow insignia, a sergeant, not super sharp but serviceably neat. Clothes fit snug across the chest and hips.

Voice: deep, a bit grainy, a controlled loud bark, has a gravely sound to it. Would be hard to tell if it were male or female without looking.

LEAH

Leah is the sergeant (later a lieutenant) that meets and falls for Farby on the early days of their quest. She is a Taus and every bit the soldier. Leah takes a liking to Farby in an overt way early on and with the habit of a soldier she makes no excuses for the attraction.
Within a short period of time Leah and Farby become very close and she is surprised by her "betrayed" feelings when she discovers his abduction in White Beach.
Their feelings continue to solidify through out the story.

FARBY a physical look

Young late teens, early 20s in book two,

Height: 5’4” A bit tall for a Dwarf, shows mostly in his face

Weight: 165 Gaunt in the face and slender shoulders and arms, small pot belly and stout legs

Hair/Eye: Dark Brown for both, hair is bush and usually unkempt, straight, shoulder length, eyebrows are bushy and thick, very little body hair (arms, legs, chest…) eyes have an eternal mischievous light even when he’s angry or sad, there is a very light peach fuzz for beard growth

General: has some fine wrinkles showing on his face and they are happy upturned wrinkles from smiling and enjoying life in general, his arms reach to mid-thigh and his legs are even shorter, most of his height is in the body, his hands are slightly pudgy, his feet large. He wears jerkins and a tunic most of the time, dirty, and wrinkled, his shoes are little more than moccasins, he has a big belt that ride high on his belly. Teeth are sturdy and blunt, wide, even

Voice: a bit whiney and nasal slightly higher than base but not tenor, he speaks slowly and deliberately usually with his eyes cast downward.

THREAD MANIPULATIONS

There are …. Manipulations: (Ways to blend and combine the strands from a simple crossing to tying

          of various knots, aligning, fusing, layering, wadding, weaving, braiding.)

Align: this is simply laying strands down in a pattern beside each other or a target. The patterns may be simple (lines) or complex (figure eights) to achieve various permutations of a spell.

Layer: this is a form of stacking strands. Again, it could be simple (one on top of another) or crisscrossed, teepeed, stair stepped…..

Cross: this is a form of layering including X patterns, T, right angled, obtuse, acute, and oblique, L, teepee,…..

Twist: self-explanatory the strands are twined together, in single, double or multiple variations…

Braid: a complex form of twisting, much stronger and harder to unravel, many strands and colors of strands can be braided.

Weave: the most complex of twisting this manipulation requires a pattern, very strong and nearly impossible to unravel unless you know the pattern and order of weaving.

Shake or Wiggle: taking hold of a strand and moving it either next to a target or while attached.

Pull or Push: just what it says, either the strand itself or while its attached to something.

Thread: this requires a user to poke a strand between items or through them.

Granny: the simplest form of tie off knot, easy to undo and not very strong.

Square: a stronger tie off knot but easily recognized and undone.

Carpenter: the strongest of tie offs, unless they are combined, looks tangled and is hard to find the starting point.

Hitch: a very complex tie off knot but is very quick to release if you know where the “slip” is.

There are many terms used to describe the direction the strands appear naturally in nature. Verticle, Horizontal, Wispy, Attached…

COLORS OF THE THREAD

There are …. 10 Colors:

Brown (structural - there are vertical and horizontal) these are not too hard to bend or manipulate, they are easy to grasp, dry and textured, they have and are used in physical presence spells. Examples: the rope trick, shield, wall, supports

Blue (air - there are vertical and horizontal) these are wispy and thin a little difficult to grasp more of a finger hold, they are dry and cool, they are used to affect the physical world. Examples: breathing, clouds, weather, flight, wind

Purple (water - there are vertical and horizontal) these are thicker but not easy to grasp, fingers and cupping holds are the best, they are wet, cold, and very soft, they must be involved in all spells involving water and effect the physical world. Examples: walking or parting water, swimming rain

Yellow (mind or spirit - there are only horizontal) these are wispy aura like strands that surround live entities but are not attached, they are dry, fluffy very thin and are not easily held onto, control is usually projected from the used rather than grasped they influence living things. Examples: telepathy, mental blocks, visions

Red (projectiles -there are vertical and horizontal) these are wiry, strong and hot strands, they can be seen and grasped easily and moved however they are very stubborn and it takes strength, they are tied to or wrapped around objects to be affected. By themselves they exert a force which affects the physical world. Examples: shaping, missiles, projectiles

 

Orange (fire and transformation - there are only vertical[LB1] ) these are sharp, hot thin strands that can cut the user if they are not careful they must be handled with exacting precision, usually by finger nail, or they snap back. These strands are so brittle they can be broken or cracked, sometimes with unexpected results. Difficult to see as well dry but tinsel-like. Examples: creation, ignition, manipulation

 

Green (time - there are only vertical) these are the second most difficult to see only next to the clear strands, they are fluid and slippery and are handled with nudges, sometime puffs and waves, more herded than moved. Totally involved in the earthreal planes and not the physical. They are difficult to affect and have a strong urge to return to their own position or flow. Examples: slow time, speed time, stop or freeze time

 

Black (indicators of evil or dark presence - these are always wispy and attached) these are thin, very hard to see, very strong wispy and always attached to some living thing, every living thing. Resembling cool spider webs they are strong enough to withstand any manipulation. Depending on the manipulation these strands affect a life-force’s emotions, attitude, beliefs, viewpoints…. The faster a user stroke or pulls on a black strand the more anger grows to hate. The slower or more soothing a user strokes the strand the more the anger dissipates. Attaching one entities strand to another’s will share the evil, diseases, attitudes, philosophies etc…  Examples: jealousy, anger, hate, disease

 

White (indicators of good or positive life force - these are always wispy and attached) these strands are also very difficult to see again like warm spider webs, they are more fragile than black strands and can break causing long term trances, hibernation and comas. These can be attached to other life forces to share in good qualities, health, energy, love…. Examples: joy, sleep, love, pain relief, healing

 

Clear (spirit and force of will - these strands are everywhere and in every imaginable direction) almost impossible to see they are best described as shadow edges, very delicate, slippery, wet, electric. They have no pattern, and are very powerful tools. A user can make an inanimate object move, project understanding to animals, cross over time and space barrier even look into or visit other planes.  Examples: project ghosts, animate, talk to the dead or animals, bring inanimate to life

 

SPELLS

Spells are cast by manipulating the strands of Janiel (“J”) that make up the Threadweave. Each spells is brought into existence by choosing colors and bending them in specific manners. The colors each use up the castors personal, stored Janiel (absorbed power stored in a magic user’s essence) as do the various manipulations and the duration; and when a user runs out of “J” the spells dissipates.

Oofloof

Captain Oofloof is the captain of a group of spacefaring scavengers. They travel the edges of the know space looking for minerals, oddities, pretty much anything they may be able to turn a profit with.
They stumble across Trolli, unaware of its inhabitants or origins and become involved not only in some adventures of their own but become entangled in the race war brewing inside.

Cyndi

Cyndi also comes from Great Dragoon City but being an illegitimate spawn of one of the town's lady's of the evening and trying to avoid a similar life for herself she basically runs away.

She is alone and is taken advantage a lot through her travels until she is dumped into a dungeon as a test for safety and accidently stumbles onto the spacefarers after briefly being a prisoner of Manny the child witch.
She falls for the captain of the crew and winds up a traveling companion.

Farby

Farby comes from Great Dragoon City located on the south east side of the Kidney Sea. He is, at the beginning of the book, a student of Marleyene the town's instructor of the magic arts. Farby is just learning of the world's force called Janiel and how to store the power in oneself for use in bending the treadweave.
When there is a disturbance felt by the great magic wielders of the world, he and his friend Solly embark on their adventure.

The beginning of Farby's Story

Farby is a young Tunt studying to become a magic user in Dragoon City. At the time of rediscovery by spacefaring explorers (Oofloof and crew) when there is a disturbance in the Janiel (the source power of the magic user's ability to manipulate the "weave of threads".

He and his pal join up with a party going to a counsel to discover the reason for the interruption in the Janiel and get caught up in a war.

During their travels, Farby meets Allun and begins a new chapter in his life. One of a true Wizard.

PUBLISHED

The book is finally available. you can find it at smashwords.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/650124

More of Allun's Story

Rashee ran away with Allun, her friend Thrombie was later kidnapped by the Pid gang that had found their way through the pipeways of the Merfolk so they could question her about the other races. She was kept as a slave and cook, later to meet Farby when he and his gang were freed from the jails in White bluff. Another in the tribe Skully was expelled and banished for misbehaving and becomes a dungeon raider that meets up with OOfloof in the second book when they enter the planet’

Allun’s attack resulted in his blood mixing with the dragon’s that were engineered to contain all the medicine any of the races might need. This caused him to be able to see the strands of power in the air…. Magic.

The beginning of Allun's Story

When the Pid family sets out on a quest to discover the reason for the Tropids wilting. Allun Dunn is still a boy, traveling with his caravan through the mountains in the center of the A regions towards the Melk tribe. They were set upon by the recently escaped flying lizards (dragons) and Allun Dunn was torn up pretty badly. He was left with the Melk tribe Rashee in particular who eventually became his wife.

The Tunt in the World of Trolli

The Tunts are a quiet race that plods along on schedule. Very structured and precise. They want no more than to be left alone to their work. They will make bad trades just to be left alone and are often taken advantage of by the others.

The Taus in the World of Trolli

The Taus were designed for large moving and dominance over wild fauna of strange new worlds. This dominance transferred to a need to dominate the other races. They are natural herdsmen and have very winning ways, the type “A” personality that convinces others to follow their ways.

The Taf in the World of Trolli

 The Tafs were the assistants to the builders and their job was to catalog and file all the race’s growth, development, and psych profile. They traveled from region to region between all the races. This routine grew into the trade pattern they had with the races. And the way they knew the habits, needs and vocabulary of all the races made them the perfect nomadic caravan owners and trading patriarchs.

The Flit in the World of Trolli

Pixies' section of the world was cordoned off because the pixies (Flits) and the merfolk (Merks) didn’t get along with the other races. It was used as the hot house area to grow the food and supply the air mix for the station. When the builders abandoned the place,  the trees and other plants went wild clogging the machine works and interrupting the flow of air and water. The main oxygen producing flowers, Tropids (named after Dr. Trolli), began to droop and die.  The water flow began to clog and flood the area.  The caretakers, Flits and Merk, grew angry and went about cleaning out the water ways, eventually clearing a way to the other areas station. The Pid family vowed to exact revenge on the rest of the planet.

About the Author

A. L. Bentley began to develop this world while attending college in Colorado as part of a role playing game he and friends were playing.
The world grew and cities were developed as well as races, politics, religions, maps, roadways, etcetera.
Eventually the lives of some of the characters became so well know that storylines and relationships were evident.
A. L. Bentley connected the dots and filled in some blanks to arrive at a multi generational story that became the Trolli Series.
A. L. Bentley has been a truck driver, framer, painter, electrician, plumber, vendor, inventor, educator, manager, and director of training and continuing education.
Currently a resident of Tennessee, he has lived all over this great country of ours, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan,  Nevada, California, and Colorado.

More on the World of Trolli

The genetic engineers led by Doctor Trolli that had been tasked with the development of genetically engineered races that could survive on the various environments until they could terraform it into a viable colony for the general populace.

This was deemed as a necessity no matter which other program succeeded.

Dr. Trolli gathered a group of talented scientists to help build his work space station and created the races and the “shops” that the races developed and grew in. they developed the elves (genetically engine from the human stock with emphasis on hearing, speed, eye sight, and low cost maintenance and Dr. Taff's department) to help them run and keep track of things. The first race to be developed after that were the dwarves (developed by Dr. Tunt). They were designed for the mining needs in the asteroids. The potential nearby planets to be terraformed were:  a lightly gravetied planet, large and filled with wild animals;  a nearly entirely water planet;  a planet with heavy gravity and little meat;  and a dark hostile environment planet. Thus the design of the giants (Dr. Taus) , the Merfolk (Dr. Merk), the pixies (also from Dr. Merk's department and referred to as Flits), and Orcs.

Trolli was originally an enormous space lab designed and operated by Dr Trolli. When the project was cancelled, it was jettisoned into space not to be heard of until Captain Oofloof and his crew rediscovered it.

Welcome

Welcome to the world of Trolli.
This world lives in the mind of A. L. Bentley, author and teacher.
In the following post we will explore the world's history, characters, races, and more.
Hold on fast and be sure to follow all your favorite characters in the books about Trolli.