Italian Anyone?
The Grand Game is now available in Italian!
Find it here: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0F2SJRC7F
2025-04-28 08:13:24 +0000 UTC View Post
grandgame posts
The German audiobook and eBook versions of Proving Grounds will release on 01 May 2025.
Both are available for preorder here:
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0F5KS97VX
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0DWT5RNWQ
2025-04-28 07:36:24 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 609: On Patrol
In the end, I decided to advance.
It was a risk, yes, but I had Tosh and his passcodes, and at best, they would only be valid for another eight hours. Once the Lightsworn changed them, there was no guarantee I would be able to blood-bind another Tosh or even have the time to do so.
No, now was likely my best—and perhaps only—opportunity to investigate the Dark encampment. There was no point wasting it.
“You’re right,” I replied in belated response to Tosh’s earlier question. “The time for hiding is done.” Sw...
2025-04-28 07:23:08 +0000 UTC View PostChapter 608: Cordon of Light
Note from Tom: I don't think the experiment with weekly postings (of 3 chapters at once) has worked too well, so from this point on, I'll be going back to more regularly spaced chapter postings.
This has also been a particularly disruptive month as well, and I'm aware I'm a bit behind schedule. Hopefully, I'll catch up over the next few days.
____________________________________________________________
I had to steal the chalice, that was certain.
But how I went about it… that bit was far from clear....
2025-04-26 06:38:07 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 607: Shifting Allegiances
Tosh had a lot to say.
Some of what he had to share was no more than I expected, the rest, though… the rest, I found fascinating.
It turned out that neither Maricella, Elias, nor Jobe were Sworn, despite all three being elites. They were followers only—their Marks were proof enough of that—which explained why I’d received no alerts from the Adjudicator informing me of Muriel’s ire when they had died.
What Tosh had to say about Muriel was interesting too. She appeared to be a significant player in the Game, and was...
2025-04-18 19:00:12 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 606: Enthralled, Charmed and Beguiled
You and Ghost have reached level 285!
I grimaced on reading the first message from the Adjudicator. I’d gained three levels from killing the Lightsworn, and while that might have sounded like a lot, it was not, not when you considered the odds I’d faced—one hundred foes, three of whom had been full elites.
I sighed.
It was the level discrepancy to blame, of course. I’d grown too powerful for ordinary players to overcome, even if I was not quite ready to face player-Powers yet. Soon I expected, I wou...
2025-04-18 13:00:20 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 605: The Death of Light
Your sentient shurikens have killed 6 players.
You have evaded 78 hostile attacks and sustained injuries from 16 other attacks.
Quick mend triggered! Your health has been restored to 87%.
I spent the next minute of the battle dodging players and projectiles, all while waiting for my mana to finish weaving the casting I prepared.
I was not entirely successful, of course, and I felt the bite of more than one blade and spell as I ran rings around the warriors in the impr...
2025-04-18 07:05:54 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 604: The Shadow Behind the Curtain
Eavesdropping successful!
“…might be Frey,” Marciella said.
“It can’t be,” Elias insisted. “I told you the Shadow is finished. Between the Dark and ourselves, we’ve ground their army into dust. And it was a paltry one to begin with. There can’t be more than a few score of them left in the sector.”
“Shadow isn’t finished,” Jobe disagreed. “And you should stop saying so. You will only make the men needlessly complacent.”
Grand Game 603: The Fanatics of Light
“Minion of Shadow!” Jobe yelled. “Up in the trees. Get him!”
Multiple hostile entities have detected you.
Even in the midst of my surprise, I found myself wondering as to the Light elite’s choice of words and why he had chosen to issue his warning aloud. Not all of the Light players must have farspeaker bracelets equipped, I decided.
As for how Jobe had sensed me... the answer to that mystery would have to wait.
I had multiple incomings. One hundred of them to be exact—and include...
2025-04-14 16:05:02 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 602: Back in the Wilds
The safe zone was exactly as it had been ten days ago: deserted.
Standing in the middle of the empty street and invisible to any would-be-observers, I turned around in a slow circle and took in the surroundings.
The village was unoccupied, there was no question of that. The nearby log cabins were in the same state of disrepair I’d observed days ago, and no whisper of sound broke the quiet. Even the forest bordering the village’s northern side looked empty—it’s nearest reaches anyway.
Lifting my gaze, I took in the h...
2025-04-14 16:01:19 +0000 UTC View PostThe audiobook for the Lost Reclaimed, Book 8 of the Grand Game is out today. 😁
It's release day!
https://tomlitrpg.com/blog/grandgame8-audio-released/
2025-04-09 12:11:03 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 601: Departure
You have slept for 8 hours.
You have lost knowledge of 3 stolen spells.
I awoke early the next morning and saw to my preparations. Primarily, this consisted of rearranging my face—my whole identity really—and addressing my loadout.
You have cast doppelganger, transforming your form into that of Linx, a level 230 elven blade dancer, and changing your Marks to that of: a Mark of Greater Shadow and a Mark of Kalin. Duration: infinite.
You have unequipped the:...
2025-04-05 06:01:20 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 600: Specter
62 Days Left for Brokering Peace in Sector 12,560.
29 Days until Sanctuary becomes a Young Sector.
“So, Sanctuary, huh?” I asked, turning to Safyre while we waited for Ghost to join us.
She smiled. “I thought it had a nice ring to it.”
“It does.” I looked out onto the horizon. “I truly hope that is what it becomes.”
“We won’t fail here,” Safyre reassured me. “We’ve come too far for that.”
I didn’t have her confidence. For all that we’d accomplished, Safyre and ...
2025-04-05 05:58:12 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 599: Sanctuary
Note from Tom:
Hi all, things haven't worked out quite the way I wanted over the last two weeks. I was sick and unable to write. It's caused you all to miss a fair few chapters, for which I apologize. Things should be back on track next week, though.
Happy reading,
Tom
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My conversation with the simulacrum did not end there. We spoke at length about his nature and his capabilities.
Decal was an astral simulacrum, which meant he didn...
2025-04-05 05:56:11 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 598: Split Personalities
Two hours later, after a quick jaunt around the new island—it was exactly as Anriq had described—and a more lengthy and intimate discussion with Safyre, we parted ways. She returned to the barges while I made my way to the hills bordering the eastern shore of the lake. Finding a comfortable crest on which to rest, I sank down into a cross-legged stance.
That’s where Elise found me.
“There you are,” the werefox said as she trotted up to me. “I heard you were back.”
“Elise,”&n...
2025-03-25 06:45:05 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 597: Objectives
“Only three?” Adriel asked, one eyebrow lifting disbelievingly.
“Only three,” I replied firmly, and began ticking off points on the fingers of my left hand. “One: securing our home, sector 18,240. Two: expanding into sector 30,199. And three: gaining new strength.”
Farren stroked his chin. “The first two I understand well enough, but what do you mean by the last?”
“Now that sector 18,240 is almost claimed, it’s time to grow our numbers,” I said. “And that means finding new recruits and acquiring more...
2025-03-25 06:40:04 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 596: The Road to Ascension
I shook my head. “We’ll get to my tale in a bit. But if you don’t mind, I have some questions first.”
Safyre smiled. “Of course you do,” she murmured. “Go ahead. Ask.”
I ducked my head in acknowledgment then dove right into it. “Who slew Gray and Black?”
Safyre’s brows furrowed.
“The other two harbingers,” I amended.
“Ah,” she replied, her expression clearing. “Is that what you’ve been calling them? Well, I did. The others let me land the final blow.” She shrugged helplessly. ...
2025-03-25 06:36:19 +0000 UTC View PostAscendancy Paths Updated
Hi all,
There were some tricky bits to work out for the next 3 chapters (which again led to some delays). Anyway, I've updated the ascendancy paths to show the alternative ascension paths for the Forsworn.
You can find them here: https://tomlitrpg.com/game-lore/
Some corrections made to previous chapters include:
Chapter 594: Game message changed to: "The nether toxicity at your current location is at tier 8 (changed fr...
2025-03-25 05:01:01 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 595: Claimants
You have teleported behind Safyre.
I stepped out of the aether and into Safyre’s shadow, and for a split-second went unnoticed.
“…must coordinate with Sedgwick,” she was saying. “It’s imperative that we—”
“He’s back,” Nyra blurted, the first to spot me. Unlike Safyre, she was facing me fully. The rest of the forerunners’ command group—Adriel, Farren, Ceruvax, Shael, Anriq, Lucius, the twins, Regus, and Duggar—were also on the barge, along with some fifty other forerunners.
...
2025-03-17 10:03:26 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 594: Barging About
You have entered the safe zone of sector 45,104 of the Forever Kingdom, an open sector forming part of the region known as the Coral Islands. It is currently neutral territory, unclaimed by any faction or Force.
Note, a shield generator is in place around the sector, preventing portals from opening anywhere except in the designated teleportation areas.
I stumbled theatrically out of the gateway and into the brotherhood port town of Sango. Kartara followed in my wake, and then Senzo. 2025-03-17 10:00:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Grand Game 593: Sealed Alliances
Note from Tom: Last week was a slow writing week, and I only managed to complete the week's chapters today. They're coming right up.
Some edits made:
Chapter 585: rift sense description modified as follows:
Rift sense is a factional trait that is similar to the explorer trait but is geared specifically towards rifts. It immediately makes a faction member aware of any rifts in the sector they are in. Both the rift’s location and its tier are revealed to the player. In addition, when in th...
2025-03-17 09:59:50 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 592: A Change of Strategy
My pronouncement elicited only a single terse word in response from the huntmistress.
“Explain,” she ordered.
“Gladly,” I said. Sitting back, I took the time to gather my thoughts. “From everything you’ve told me, and from everything I’ve learned of the void from… other sources, I think it’s fair to say that the initiative is squarely with the enemy at the moment. The void fathers are the ones making all the moves. They are the ones determining which sectors to attack and which new fronts to open. They...
2025-03-07 12:02:16 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 591: A Declaration of Intent
Kartara gasped.
The others, already on edge, half-rose, hands on weapons.
The huntmistress raised a hand, only slightly shaky. “It’s alright. I’m fine.”
“What is?” Duskar demanded. “What did he do?”
“He gave me a trait,” Kartara murmured absently while she craned her head left and right. She was trying to get a fix on the other rifts, I imagined.
Senzo frowned. “What sort of trait?”
The huntmistress’ attention snapped back to her subordinates. “Rift sense. It has revealed the pr...
2025-03-07 12:00:27 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 590: An Outstretched Hand
Note from Tom:
Hi all.
I know everyone has been eagerly awaiting the next chapter. Apologies for the delay. Going forward, I've decided to shift to weekly posting, i.e. instead of posting on three/two different days per week, I'll be posting all the chapters for the week in question on the same day. I find that is easier for me to manage and disrupts my writing flow less.
So, after this, you can expect two more chapters today :).
Happy reading,
Tom
Grand Game 589: Sharing Truths
I took my time rejoining the brotherhood, my thoughts largely preoccupied with how to approach the forthcoming conversation. It was not going to be easy, especially when it came to making sure I didn’t reveal too much.
I found Kartara and her officers waiting exactly where I’d left them.
“Welcome back, Havick,” Duskar said with only the faintest trace of sarcasm.
Nodding absently, I scanned the battlefield. There were no longer any stygians in sight, or at least none that were free. All those that remained had...
2025-02-28 21:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 588: A New Awakening
I inclined my head. “I didn’t think it would be.”
Kantara sighed, a sound replete with exasperation. “What do you want from us, Havick?” she asked tiredly.
I looked up. “Truthfully? I want your help fighting the stygians.”
“That’s it?” she asked with barely concealed incredulity.
“That’s it,” I repeated. “I am willing to seal a Pact to confirm the veracity of my words.”
The suggestion did not catch the huntmistress unawares. “And is that all you are willing to attest to via ...
2025-02-28 10:00:11 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 587: Questioning
Breaking off from my musings, I raised my head to scan the sands ahead. Kartara and her subordinates were approaching. My deliberations about the new House would have to wait until later. Now, it was time to deal with the brotherhood.
Sitting down on my haunches, I observed the six advancing brotherhood members. Kartara was in the middle. The other five players—Cait, Senzo, Duskar, Fiona, and a dwarf named Heglin—formed a tight circle around her, almost as if they were seeking to protect the huntmistress from the big bad harb...
2025-02-27 21:00:12 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 586: The Three Pillars of a House
Congratulations, Michael! You’ve slain your 4th tier 7 creature, deepening your Power Mark. Slay further Powers to evolve your Mark further.
You have accomplished the feat: Fell a Tree! Requirement: Vanquish a full-grown tree.
A young void tree has fallen—the first to do so in centuries. That you managed to orchestrate his defeat is a feat unto of itself. Yet, you did it while a mere Initiate and without the aid of any Powers. As a result, you have been offered a choice in ...
2025-02-27 10:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 585: Rifts and More
Unsurprisingly, the first Game alert was the one describing my level gains.
You and Ghost have reached level 282!
For achieving rank 28, you have been awarded 1 additional attribute point and 1 Class point.
I whistled softly. Ghost and I had advanced appreciably. We’d gained a whole nine levels. And while I expected that some of the gains were a result of the nagas I had killed and the lesser stygians Ghost had slaughtered, slaying the void tree itself likely accounted for ...
2025-02-26 21:00:06 +0000 UTC View PostGrand Game 584: A Father’s Love
Despite my confidence, I remained wary.
The void tree had more than a few powerful spells in his arsenal that could turn the tide—psychic scream, psi drain, and nether sacrifice not the least amongst them.
Yet, he used none of those spells.
A young void tree’s health is at 13%.
Despite teetering on death, my foe attempted no desperate gamble, tried no last-minute surprise, and executed no last-gasp maneuver.
Which led me to conclude he couldn’t.
Going airborne, it seemed, had d...
2025-02-26 10:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post
