I always enjoy your stories. I think it's interesting that even though it clearly takes place in a fantasy realm, most of the stories I've read don't feature any magic—or else it's pretty understated. Is this a conscious choice to focus on the characters' humanity?
That’s a great question, and sometimes I feel momentarily self-conscious that I’m a fantasy writer whose fantastical elements get so understated. I’ve realized I have a personal philosophy that wonder and awe, for me, begin from the ground up. I like to try and start with the amazing things in the world around me, and the fantastical becomes a sort of emphasis or highlight of those small and vibrant pockets. For example, in Plague House, it seemed logical to have a plague maiden present because the plague itself is terrifying, indiscriminate, and merciless — the fantastical grew naturally from the mundane. In How a Magister Fights, I built a hard magic system, but magisters also use fire because it displays their passion, both physical and intellectual. The wolf-man is savage and violent only because fratricide was first. The Luten is a demonstration by contrasts: is a mundane, obscure, and tragic life worth living in comparison to immortality and hedonism? That story would have been impossible to tell without the fantastical elements.
In that regard, sometimes I get the whole story done and realize I never left the ground, having already said everything I wanted to say. It’s odd, but it keeps happening.
I can totally relate! A lot of my stories could be action adventure, for example! Magic is an integral part of this world, but wizards are not some supernatural, all-mighty beings. Their skills are just a bit enhanced.
I also find myself imagining worlds and characters that are fantasy, in the sense that they do not exist in any real place or time, but are often so low-magic as to be functionally nonmagical. I relate to this a lot.
Great piece to start off 2026! Who doesn't love a good prison break? I see all the comments mentioning Alcatraz, but do I also detect some Count of Monte Christo influence (island prison, daring jailbreak, hidden treasure)?
Okay, I have to ask: is there a mechanism by which Thio can continue to operate relatively normally every day after undergoing hours of torture? Infection alone should have killed him, right? The pain and trauma would have rendered him senseless even if he didn’t give up the gold.
I can suspend my disbelief if it’s called for but all I could think the whole time is “How is he still walking around??”
For this, I drew specifically on the experiences of Andy McNab the SAS soldier in his autobiographical Gulf War account Bravo Two-Zero. He was tortured as a POW for about six weeks, a portion of which was spent in a separate prison where he was not directly tortured but was also abused (forced to consume human feces, etc.). McNab was certainly trained at counter-interrogation, but in other ways his torture was more brutal than what Thio went through.
Also, given the mode of torture was second-degree burns, the wounds would be fairly sterile and the odds of infection low with no skin breakage. It was in the Warden's best interest to keep Thio alive, and he had the luxury of time.
Oh for sure! I totally had to consider it. Not everybody could do what he did, so that element is certainly a stretch but still plausible and testifies to his character. In the end, he did arrange the escape such that he didn't have to participate in any of the physical engagement, which is why he essentially offered his life as a barter at the end. He knew he might just be killed, and was mentally prepared for that possibility.
Haha thanks! This one was very much inspired by my trip to Alcatraz, and I would bet money that Alcatraz also inspired the Boiling Rock. Man, those were some good episodes!
Question: When Hovhan tries to throttle Thio, Panges defends him, and then Hovhan dislocates Panges' shoulder, was that staged by all three of them? Or was it genuine, but played into Thio's plans?
One does not simply walk into Alcatraz (without coming out with a story idea).
Ha, you got me! I was halfway done with that tour and I was certain I was gonna write something!
Excellent escape story! Very well written. I enjoyed every moment of it! Great job!
There was a typo I spotted when Thio was first talking with the little man: Thio says "Neigh" when he's supposed to say "Nigh".
Ah, good catch! Thank you! There was no neighing involved in the story haha
You’re welcome! Yes, given the lack of riding accommodations within the prison, I didn’t see a need for the neighing. XD
Fantastic — I envy your storytelling ability
Thank you so much, Keith! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
For a bit there I wondered where this was going and then woah…. It unrolled perfectly!
Yes! I am so happy I pulled it off!
…I mean, that Thio pulled it off, of course 😁
I always enjoy your stories. I think it's interesting that even though it clearly takes place in a fantasy realm, most of the stories I've read don't feature any magic—or else it's pretty understated. Is this a conscious choice to focus on the characters' humanity?
That’s a great question, and sometimes I feel momentarily self-conscious that I’m a fantasy writer whose fantastical elements get so understated. I’ve realized I have a personal philosophy that wonder and awe, for me, begin from the ground up. I like to try and start with the amazing things in the world around me, and the fantastical becomes a sort of emphasis or highlight of those small and vibrant pockets. For example, in Plague House, it seemed logical to have a plague maiden present because the plague itself is terrifying, indiscriminate, and merciless — the fantastical grew naturally from the mundane. In How a Magister Fights, I built a hard magic system, but magisters also use fire because it displays their passion, both physical and intellectual. The wolf-man is savage and violent only because fratricide was first. The Luten is a demonstration by contrasts: is a mundane, obscure, and tragic life worth living in comparison to immortality and hedonism? That story would have been impossible to tell without the fantastical elements.
In that regard, sometimes I get the whole story done and realize I never left the ground, having already said everything I wanted to say. It’s odd, but it keeps happening.
That makes sense! Just curious. Your worlds are well-realized with or without magic.
Thanks! And yeah, it’s something I thought for myself about a lot, so I was glad to unpack here. And thank you again for reading!
I can totally relate! A lot of my stories could be action adventure, for example! Magic is an integral part of this world, but wizards are not some supernatural, all-mighty beings. Their skills are just a bit enhanced.
For sure! It’s strange to make a fantasy world that’s not overly fantastical, but I find the nuance makes the magical speak all the louder.
I also find myself imagining worlds and characters that are fantasy, in the sense that they do not exist in any real place or time, but are often so low-magic as to be functionally nonmagical. I relate to this a lot.
It’s very common for me, so I’m glad to hear others have the experience!
Great piece to start off 2026! Who doesn't love a good prison break? I see all the comments mentioning Alcatraz, but do I also detect some Count of Monte Christo influence (island prison, daring jailbreak, hidden treasure)?
That was definitely there too, and I definitely thought of that in terms of using the death of another to make one’s escape. Glad you liked it!
Okay, I have to ask: is there a mechanism by which Thio can continue to operate relatively normally every day after undergoing hours of torture? Infection alone should have killed him, right? The pain and trauma would have rendered him senseless even if he didn’t give up the gold.
I can suspend my disbelief if it’s called for but all I could think the whole time is “How is he still walking around??”
That's a good question, and I did think about it.
For this, I drew specifically on the experiences of Andy McNab the SAS soldier in his autobiographical Gulf War account Bravo Two-Zero. He was tortured as a POW for about six weeks, a portion of which was spent in a separate prison where he was not directly tortured but was also abused (forced to consume human feces, etc.). McNab was certainly trained at counter-interrogation, but in other ways his torture was more brutal than what Thio went through.
Also, given the mode of torture was second-degree burns, the wounds would be fairly sterile and the odds of infection low with no skin breakage. It was in the Warden's best interest to keep Thio alive, and he had the luxury of time.
I only asked because I knew for a fact you had thought about it! 😄 This makes sense.
Oh for sure! I totally had to consider it. Not everybody could do what he did, so that element is certainly a stretch but still plausible and testifies to his character. In the end, he did arrange the escape such that he didn't have to participate in any of the physical engagement, which is why he essentially offered his life as a barter at the end. He knew he might just be killed, and was mentally prepared for that possibility.
I love how the Warden was beat before he even learned the game had started.
Thanks, Eric! I wanted the heist to be the type where they have backup plans and the plan wouldn’t hinge on a Rube Goldberg device.
It's like the Burning Rock from Avatar, but if EVERYONE escaped!
And a bit more gruesome . . .
Haha thanks! This one was very much inspired by my trip to Alcatraz, and I would bet money that Alcatraz also inspired the Boiling Rock. Man, those were some good episodes!
Question: When Hovhan tries to throttle Thio, Panges defends him, and then Hovhan dislocates Panges' shoulder, was that staged by all three of them? Or was it genuine, but played into Thio's plans?
Great question! That was meant to be part of the plan, as in part of what Thio whispered to him during the game.
Like the warden, you and Thio had me fooled!