Wanted Hero

Foundation
Scene

Inspiration

Created by

Jaime Buckley

Editorial Team

Archaedeus

Finley Greenhopper

Höbin Luckyfeller

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Scope

The motivation behind building Wanted Hero

I build Wanted:Hero because I don't want to be forgotten when I die. I'm sure there should be something grand to write down, but I'm not a remarkable or accomplished person. My greatest goals in life have been to have a family that I can love and care for, who (hopefully) love and care for me, and to learn how to become a decent human being. Two out of three isn't bad. But this world? It's what keeps me going, because of all the things I do badly, sharing stories isn't one of them.

It hurts to say this out loud, but I deeply love people, even when they don't love me back. People matter to me, and these stories are a way for me to show others that I 'see' them, that I notice their pain, their struggles, their hopes and dreams, and what they suffer from day to day. Then I strive to show them another path. A way to take another step -- or to get up one more time -- even when it hurts. There are many ideas in my mind that have formed over decades, and this world is my way of discovering what I think about all that information. Bringing ideas to the surface, and then arranging them in a sequence that makes sense for others to partake of is my own particular form of magic. Especially for my children. Even if no one else enjoys this world, I'm working hard to craft something my own children (of which I have 13) and grandchildren (which I'm coming up on 30 of those little people). Some day, when I'm not walking this earth, my hope is that I'll have built something great enough to endure, so my offspring can get to know 'Papa Bear' better...

The goal of the project

Wanted:Hero is a 'live' collection of ideas and stories -- meaning that it's always in motion and always growing. The stories and information created here can be used as catalysts for books, games, podcasts, animations, and anything else that might be enjoyable to
experience. By gathering the stories and connecting the personalities of this world in one place, we can entertain readers who visit, as well as provide new projects to touch every genre and every demographic around the globe. The key here is entertainment and motivation. If it doesn't entertain, it's not worth it to me. Real life already has enough garbage to wade through, readers don't need me adding to the stress, strain and guilt. This world has already grabbed the attention of my wife and two of my sons, who have started writing with me and taking on parts of this project. That's worth every effort I've made to this point...

Wanted Hero's Unique Selling point

There is a story at the center of this world. Something that connects and defines why all of this is happening, and I want to find out what that is. If there is any hook to this creation, this world, it would be a small, almost inaudible call tugging at my heart. A whisper, if you will, telling me that there is more to be seen, heard, known, in this world, waiting to be discovered, and that excites me. That whisper, as I've shared with my kids and grandkids, tells me the "true" adventure behind this world isn't what I write, but what you will find. Each reader, in their own time and in their own way, will discover something uniqe and special...something completely unexpected. They will discover themselves.

Theme

Genre

This world is a Dark Fantasy-Mystery with hardy injections of Sci-Fi, Humor, and Horror.

The challenge of making this statement is limiting the creative spirit, knowing well that hundreds of new characters have yet to introduce themselves. How will their stories be told, and how will those stories connect to or compare to the genres already revealed? I don't know. It's safer to say that this world is well rounded enough to make a reader wet their bed on a good night.

Reader Experience

The darkness surrounds you when you enter. As the reader calms their breathing, that same darkness is followed by an incessant feeling you're being watched. Some may catch themselves looking over their shoulder. Readers should find themselves hungry to solve the mysteries among the wonder -- curious about each creation, creature, and person they meet. The storyline is woven to swallow a reader the further one ventures -- while providing shreds of light and hope through undertones, encouraging the reader to explore further. To ask, question, and to ponder. The stories are crafted to pull readers in and capture their attention through situations, settings, suspense--while keeping their attention through the worlds complexity, depth of worldbuilding, and variety of characters. Readers should want to come back to this world to learn more and more...because it feels far too real than it should be.

Reader Tone

The tone of the world is similar to the world of Harry Potter. Its strongest undertone is of an unseen force working its way into the hearts and minds of mortals. Entrapping, enslaving, and dominating the world, inch by inch, step by step. The light strains to fight back. Good people, unwilling to stand by and allow the darkness to take their world (and lives) unchallenged, are pushing back -- many doing things they never thought possible. This allows a thread of hope offered in each story.

Recurring Themes

1.) Life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will. 2.) Those who prevail in the end aren't always those who have the greatest strengths, but rather the fewest weaknesses. 3.) The most important thing isn't to fight the fights you can win, but rather to fight the fights that need fighting.

Character Agency

Wendell is an accidental hero. Those around him, and those he bonds with over time, are all misfits in their own right. Though together they may collectovely wield considerable power and influence, they cannot force the world to be what it does not want to be. That's where agency gets tricky. These are not stories of compulsion, but rather events where individuals choose, willing to suffer the consequences of those choices. Such willingness doesn't always impress or affect others. Not everyone chooses the light, and so I've left the agency levels of my world's characters to reveal themselves according to the circumstances they are in, and the influence they can attain. Here's the kicker:
You won't know the level of agency a character has until you see what degree of potential they achieve. You won't see that potential until the character is faced with opposition. You won't know the opposition until the conflict is discovered. ...and you won't know the level of conflict, until you take away one's agency. That, my friend, is called a bugger of a circle.

Focus

Characters:
I'd like, firstly to focus on the people, and their relations to one another. Every good story is based on some form of conflict -- and most conflicts of interest are ones which include characters of some kind. Poeple, animals, deities, even the elements themselves. Doing this allows for constant expansion and development of every other aspect of life in this world. Characters give the world life, and a true purpose for readers to follow.

Connected Lore & History:
There are stories to be told as to why and how all things happen the way they do. Backgrounds to current circumstances, positions, and perspectives. This is the salt and pepper to the meat of the world. Connected Lore & History allows for deeper worldbuilding to make sure the lore has roots, influence, and a lasting affect upon the inhabitance of the world.

Click to find out where I spend my blood when I'm out of sweat and tears...

Voice:
This may sound strange, but paying particular attention to how a person speaks -- and more specifically how information is expressed to the readers / visitors to this world and site -- is key to the draw and success of everything done for this world. Speaking through the voice of Höbin, of Chuck, Wendell, or even Finley Greenhopper directly to a reader will evoke quite the response in the positive and help a visitor feel more included in the world.

Rules of Magic:
Of all the influences of this world, the deepest would be magic. It affects every culture, climate, and society -- even those who refuse to use magic themselves. Yet what are the bounds of magic? What are the rules or limitations to what can (or should) be used? This is a question that must be discovered and answered.

Drama

Darkness Rises

The first Demoni Vankil seal has been broken, and Mahan once more has a hand in the world, expanding his reach and awakening his generational strategies, putting them into play. Only two seals remain, keeping the Darl Lord from returning to this world. Every dark race and creature searches for the means to free their Master. Unholy aliances fuel the hatred -- while the lust for blood and power become the value of exchange. Yet beyond sight, sound, and the percetions of mankind is a presence beyond the conflicts, waiting to claim the ultimate reward.

A Hero is Chosen

Wendell P. Dipmier must learn to be a Hero. What's worse, is he soon realizes he must also find a way to unite the races, if he hopes to succeed in meeting the coming darkness. It might be possible with someone from Elämä, who knows the customs, the ways of magic, or if he was a hero with established connections, but Wendell is from Earth. Left to his own devices, Wendell must trust in the only mortal with any knowledge of how to use the Ithari: a senile old mägo named Chuck. Wendell's willing to give up his own life to take up the mantle of the Hero...but can he learn how to use the gem in time?

There are no sides

Treaties, trade agreements, even alliances are no match for those seeking self-gratification and accession to power. As the world grows unstable, so do the connections throughout society. Integrity gives way to greed. Honor falls to power. Those with a true heart and valiant in their station are exceedingly rare. All men play the game of life, testing their bounds and using manipulation more than truth to achieve their nefarious designs. Amidst the chaos and forces of the world, plans are devised behind closed doors, between shadows and mankind, while justice watches. Blood is shed for personal gain, and Elämä mourns. It is a time, when the agency of beings will be tested, weighed and measured -- for in the end, no mortal can escape judgement.

A Division in Nature

The changes in the world go beyond those who sew and reap the fields. All of nature screams diliverence from those who rape the elements for their own gain, wielding power never meant for mankind. Ancient beings are waking from their millenial slumber, each casting the own hand into the war against life. Few who watch the signs notice the awakening. Fewer still believe them. The forests are alive, the sea heaving beyond its bounds, and those who have been bound, are now free to cause mahem and discord among mortals once more.

Blood must be found

Softly and silently, those who control the University of Magic send their emisaries into the world to replace what has been lost through the ages. Wise and powerful beings seek the wavering lines of magic, eager to restore the ranks of mägo, and the initiate age is no longer a concern. Games have been crafted, things of addiction, calling to the weak and poor, pulling attention from every corner of the world. Coin is offered to each winner, never realizing the true prize is what may exist in their blood. Those with potential for magic find themselves the center of attention, untold opportunities at their fingertips...but are they willing to make the sacrifice needed?

All artwork and content is ©2005 - 2024 Jaime Buckley. All Rights Reserved.
This site is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product
of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. We do not take submissions of ANY kind.