Ruin Mist Chronicles Bundle

by Robert Stanek

  Myrial is another minor character that readers are particularly fond of. Her character originally had a very small part to play in the books, but, like Emel, she came to life on the page, so much so that the author expanded her role.

  So as you can see, Robert Stanek manages the characters as though they were real people. Every character in every book has a history, a past. Sometimes what he writes onto the page, the things they do in the story, changes what he originally saw as their future. Because of this, their roles in the story change.

  Why does Ruin Mist have differing histories?

  As the author has said before, there are two sides to every story. Our version of a story may be different from yours, even if we’re witnessing the same events. Now, if we’re talking about history, the stories from opposing societies and peoples are often very different. The contrast may be as different as night and day.

  In our own history, we’re starting to see how very different viewpoints can be.

  What is the dark place Vilmos visits?

  Ruin Mist has three distinct realms of existence: Under-Earth, Middle-Earth and Over-Earth. Under-Earth, with its blood-red skies and lack of sun, moon, or stars, is a dark place at first blush. But as you get a deeper, better understanding of this otherworldly realm, you may see it in a different light. Literally.

  Where do the dragons and titans live?

  Over-Earth is the home of dragons and titans. But don’t forget about the eagle lords. Those three are the great races of Ruin Mist’s past.

  At the dawn of the first age, it was the titan Ky’el who gave the lesser races (men, elves, and dwarves) their freedom—at a great cost to himself and his people. Before that, the lesser races were slaves to the greater races (dragons, titans and eagle lords).

  Over the millennia, knowledge of Over-Earth’s existence faded from the memory of the living, even that of the long-lived elves and dwarves. Most believe it is a place of myth and legend, and that it never truly existed. That’s all we can say without giving away too much of the story in later books.

  Why are men and elves enemies in Ruin Mist?

  Men and elves have a rich history together as friends and foes. In the time of Ky’el, men and elves labored side by side catering to the whims of their masters. But by the dawn of the Second Age, men and elves became the masters of their own lands and kingdoms. Thanks to Ky’el and his great sacrifice.

  A peaceful time followed, but that peace was broken by Dnyarr, Elf King of Greye. Dnyarr united the elves against men, and that betrayal was the greatest in the long history of Ruin Mist. That betrayal is the reason men and elves are divided. There is more of course, but the true secrets are revealed in the books over the course of the story.

  What is King’s Mate?

  King’s Mate is one of the oldest forms of entertainment in the kingdoms. The history of the game goes all the way back to the days of Antwar Alder, the first ruler of Great Kingdom.

  In those days, lords and royals played the game. Each of the pieces was represented by an actual person who moved around a life-size white- and black-marble playing field.

  As the years faded one into the other, the game was forgotten until King Antwar Alder IX rediscovered the game. His scholars and master class soldiers quickly followed, and they played the game heavily in the early years after the revival.

  Within a generation, common soldiers were playing the game as well, and then the passion for the game spread throughout the kingdoms. It is said that there is no corner of the kingdoms where the game is not now played.

  Chapter 2

  The Evolution of Ruin Mist

  Robert Stanek began work on the world of Ruin Mist in 1986. He spent more than a decade writing the stories as he worked to perfect the world setting, the characters and the magic that is Ruin Mist. While Ruin Mist was originally conceived as an epic fantasy series, Robert’s vision made the Ruin Mist stories unlike any other fantastic stories ever told. For you see, he gave his fantastic world two sets of history, which he called light and dark paths.

  While only Robert knows which history is true, or if the true history of Ruin Mist lies somewhere in the middle, we do know this:

  The light path through Ruin Mist’s history is ostensibly chronicled by Keeper Martin, Head of Lore Keepers. As a lore keeper, Martin Braddabaggon is shielded from the laws of any kingdom and free to perform his duties wherever and whenever necessary. His power and independence comes from the Law of the Lore, a mandate set down by the First Keeper ages ago.

  The ability to operate outside the laws of kingdoms doesn’t mean keepers don’t form alliances. A close association with Great Kingdom after the Blood Wars may have clouded Martin’s judgment and that of the Council of Keepers, making Martin’s chronicles of Ruin Mist’s history suspect, and this is where the dark path comes into the picture.

  In 15 BD, the Watcher, Xith, is recorded as saying that “History belongs to the teller and is only as reliable as the teller’s recollection of it.” This is the truth of the matter. While Keeper Martin would like you to think that his version of the history is the only truthful and correct account, there is no denying that an alternate history does exist and may indeed be true.

  Ruin Mist is a world rich in history, lore and myth. Over the past two decades, Robert has written thousands of pages detailing Ruin Mist’s beginnings and following its history through the ages. But the Ruin Mist Chronicles don’t begin at the dawn of the First Age, rather the story begins some thousands of years later when a great change is coming to the land. Robert describes the coming change here:

  An ancient evil has returned to the land, forcing the divided races of humans and elves to break their long silence, yet hundreds of years of separation have not tempered the hatred and prejudice—hatred and prejudice run deep. Few except Queen Elf and King Gnome can remember times without conflict between the races, yet it was their forbidden love that caused the Race Wars in the first place.

  Since the Race Wars, humans have sought to cleanse the lands. In the Kingdoms, creatures born of magic are hunted and killed. Any who dare call magic to their hands are cast out of the known lands or hunted in the blood sport. The cleansing has raged for so long that no human can recall a time without it. It is the Dark Age of Man and there is no light to bring the people out of the darkness.

  In such a time, Queen Elf’s desire to unite the races and lead the united peoples against the ancient evil seems madness. The elves of East and West see no need for human interference in their affairs. Her people question her ability to lead and her followers must protect her from those who want her to abdicate her throne. To make matters worse, the king of a western tribe answered Queen Elf’s call to send representatives to the human kingdoms with a call to arms. Now for the first time in recorded history the armies of the West are marching toward the sacred city of the East. An unholy war where elf must fight elf seems inevitable.

  Queen Elf and her scholars are certain that such a war would mark the beginning of the end. They believe unity of all peoples is the key to saving the world and reversing the darkness. To turn back the tides of one war and prepare for another, Queen Elf’s emissaries set out for the human kingdoms. They must return with proof that humans can be trusted and that the slaughter of innocents has ended. Only these things can prove that Queen Elf hasn’t been beset with madness and that there is hope for her plan of unity.

  But we would ask that you accept this telling with a grain of salt. Robert says this is a bit of dark history that doesn’t necessarily reflect the chronicles as told by Keeper Martin. Of the truth, we do know this:

  Robert first tried to find a publisher for the Ruin Mist Chronicles in 1991. Early drafts of Keeper Martin’s Tale attracted the attention of several publishers but there were no true bites. Undaunted, Robert kept writing, promising himself that if he didn’t break in within 5 years he’d stop writing.

  In 1995, Robert’s writing caught the eye of several notable editors, one executive editor wro
te Robert back saying, “The writing style is strong… the ideas are interesting and the writing good!” Other notable editors and publishers had said similar things: “It’s a creative, provoking, and above all, thoughtful story!” “It’s a wonderful metaphor for the dark (and light) odyssey of the mind.” “The fantasy world you have created is truly wonderful and rich. Your characters seem real and full of life.” But no one bought the series.

  The reasons were always the same: It’s too hard to launch a new series by a new author. The book is very good but we want more. Some editors suggested Robert start out in nonfiction or write a short story collection. Robert had already done those things but he didn’t give up his dream. He kept writing.

  It was around this time that Robert started corresponding with author Raymond Feist on CompuServe. The correspondence was brief, only a few messages back and forth, but it was enough to keep Robert focused on his dream. Good thing, too, because the reward for all the hard work was just around the corner.

  Robert’s big break came shortly afterward. He’d just finished writing a master’s thesis that was so good the professor said, “You should publish this.” And that’s exactly what Robert set out to do. He sent the idea to three publishers, received a phone call several days later from one, and the following week he had his first contract.

  The book, written as Work for Hire, was a top-seller for the publisher, and immediately after publication, the publisher asked him to write his own book—the book that would eventually become a blockbuster bestseller and launch Robert’s writing career. Looking back, Robert says it’s unfortunate that he didn’t know enough about royalties and contracts to reap the financial rewards of that book, but big picture view, it was still a great place to start out.

  An indomitable spirit is surely one of Robert’s strong points. But we believe that spirit was molded, shaped and matured while Robert served his country in the Persian Gulf War. Robert served in the United States Air Force for eleven years, earning 29 career medals—a remarkable number, and by any account, making him a very highly decorated veteran. Many fans have asked about Robert’s military service, so here’s what we know in speaking with Robert:

  Robert joined the Air Force in February 1985. His military education began at the Defense Language Institute where he was trained in languages, intelligence operations and analysis. Surviving the more than 70 percent dropout/failure rate meant Robert would become one of the Air Force’s elite intelligence personnel working directly with the National Security Agency (NSA).

  Eighteen months of intensive training was followed by a tour of duty in the Far East. While stationed in Japan, Robert spent his spare time studying martial arts, learning Japanese, discovering Buddha—though he is not currently a practicing Buddhist—and traveling.

  After Japan, Robert volunteered for Combat Air School. This took him to Wilderness Survival Training, where he spent several weeks learning how to live in the most extreme conditions and hostile environments. He remembers eating bugs, being very cold (it was February in the mountainous Northwest), and wearing makeshift snowshoes. Afterward, he spent six months learning his new duties as a member of the Combat Aircrew; then he was stationed in Germany.

  Robert says he would have explored all of Europe if it wasn’t for the Persian Gulf War, but he doesn’t regret the time spent in the Gulf. He served two tours of duty, flew on combat operations both times, and says by the time it was over, he was certainly ready for his next tour to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Robert spent his final five years of military service “working under the mountain,” which is the name he gives affectionately to the underground facility he worked in.

  When Robert separated from the military in June 1996, he was one of the most decorated members of his unit, yet a bright military career ahead was no match for the heart of the writer within him. He wanted to write, and he wanted to be able to write fulltime, which is exactly what he did.

  Looking back, Robert says there’s nothing he would have changed: “The military is the best place for someone who has a dream or wants to find one. I can’t imagine not having served. It was truly a privilege.” When asked about the Distinguished Flying Cross, Robert says that being awarded the United States of America’s highest flying honor is a flyer’s dream; it means you’ve served your country and you’ve served her well.

  So how does all this relate to Ruin Mist? We tend to think that all these experiences helped to mold Robert as a writer and that these experiences helped in turn to shape the wonderful world of Ruin Mist.

  Chapter 3

  Meet William Robert Stanek

  William Robert Stanek was born in Burlington Wisconsin where he attended Public Schools including Janes School Elementary in Racine Wisconsin. He is the second youngest of five children. After a career in the military, he settled in Washington State, having been captivated by the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

  In 1985 he enlisted in the US Air Force and entered a 2-year training program in Intelligence and Linguistics at the Defense Language Institute. After graduation, he served in various field operations duties in Asia and Europe. In 1990, he won an appointment to Air Combat School and shortly after graduation served in the Persian Gulf War as a combat crewmember on an electronic warfare aircraft. During his two tours in the Persian Gulf War, William flew numerous combat and combat support missions, logging over two hundred combat flight hours. His distinguished accomplishments during the war earned him nine medals, including the United States of America’s highest flying honor, the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He earned 29 decorations in his 11-year military career.

  In 1994, William earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Hawaii Pacific University. In 1995, he earned his master’s degree with distinction from Hawaii Pacific University. In 1996, he separated from the military, having spent 11 years in the United States Air Force. His last station while in the Air Force was at the 324th Intelligence Squadron, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

  Born into a family of readers, William was always reading and creating stories. Even before he started school, he read classics like Treasure Island, The Swiss Family Robinson, Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe, and The Three Musketeers. Later in his childhood, he started reading Jules Verne, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Ray Bradbury, Herman Melville, Jack London, Charles Dickens, and Edgar Allan Poe. Of that he says, “Edgar Allan Poe can be pretty bleak and dark, especially when you’re ten years old. But I remember being fascinated with his stories. To this day, I can still remember parts of The Raven, The Tell Tale Heart, and The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”

  William completed his first novel in 1986 when he was stationed in Japan but it wasn’t until nearly a decade later that his first book was published. Since then, he has written and had published more than 65 books including: Microsoft Windows Vista Administrator’s Pocket Consultant, Windows Server 2003 Inside Out, Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant, and Microsoft IIS 7.0 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant (all from Microsoft Press). He also wrote MCSE Core Exams in a Nutshell and Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide for O’Reilly.

  Through the years, William has always been surrounded by women. Not only was he the second youngest in his family, but he was also the only boy. Currently, he resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children. Having spent his life surrounded by women has given Mr. Stanek a fairly good view of the workings of the female mind, which has helped him in his fiction writing. For him, it was a choice between figuring women out or always being frustrated. For fun he used to spend a lot of time mountain biking and hiking, but now his adventures in the great outdoors are mostly restricted to short treks around the Pacific Northwest.

  William has won many awards from his colleagues and the publishing industry. While in the military, he was stationed in Texas, Japan, Germany, and Hawaii. He served in support of Operation Desert St
orm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Provide Comfort.

  Chapter 4

  Meet William’s Alter Ego:

  Bestselling Author Robert Stanek

  In the spring of 2002, Robert Stanek’s first books, Keeper Martin’s Tale and Elf Queen’s Quest, appeared on bookshelves and become instant bestsellers, spending a combined 26 weeks on the Amazon.com Sci-Fi/Fantasy Top 50 list. These stories introduced readers to the fantasy world of Ruin Mist. The name “Ruin Mist” is the common language translation of an elvish word, which means “the lost ages”. The stories of Ruin Mist are set in a fictional past of our world.

  Ruin Mist has three distinct realms of existence: Over-Earth, Under-Earth, and Middle-Earth. Over-Earth is the home of dragons, titans, and eagle lords, the great peoples of the past. Under-Earth is an otherworldly realm that has blood-red skies, and no sun or moon. Middle-Earth is the home of elves of the reaches and the men of the kingdoms. The history of Ruin Mist is divided into four ages: The First Age - The Age of Titans; The Second Age - The Age of Men, Elves, and Dwarves; The Third Age - The Age of Men and Elves; and The Fourth Age - The Age of Men.

  The popularity of the Ruin Mist books built up through the release of the subsequent Ruin Mist books. Readers were taken with the magical realms, the grand adventures, and the combination of classic fantasy elements with a fresh, highly imaginative approach. In the spring of 2005, Robert Stanek’s books were first published in audio and became instant audio bestsellers, spending more than 52 weeks on Audible.com’s bestseller lists. In 2005, his book, The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, eventually became one of the Top 100 all-time fiction bestsellers on Audible.com.