Kalen and Myrin find trouble in the lawless world of Luskan in this fantasy adventure "worth reading and rereading many times" (Ed Greenwood, creator of the Forgotten Realms) The city of Luskan has always been a den of pirates, thieves, and murderers. But lately, things have gotten much worse. A ship crashes offshore with nothing but corpses. Every day, people go crazy and brutalize those around them. And the only signs that even the most hardened criminals still walk the streets at night are bones. Luskan's sister city, Waterdeep, has sent a detachment to quarantine the unclean city—to let the filth within die, rather than infect the rest of the Realms. But wizard Myrin Darkdance has slipped inside, declaring that she will save Luskan. Kalen "Shadowbane" Dren follows, determined to save Myrin and therefore her pet city—even if he has to kill every rat in Luskan to do it. This expanded ebook also includes a brand-new short story, entitled “A New Purpose”, as well as links to an existing prequel and an original e-novella, featuring characters from Shadowbane. Also included are links to background information on the Abyssal Plague series and sample chapters from other books in the series.

When Kalen Dren and Myrin Darkdance investigate a friend's disappearance in Westgate, they find that all is not as it seems At long last Kalen “Shadowbane” Dren has given up a life of crime to join Myrin on a journey to the city of Westgate. But although Kalen is leaving his vigilante past behind, his high-stakes adventures are far from over—and there are enemies who still yearn to see him fall. Moreover, rumor has it that others have adopted his guise and now deal with violence on their own terms. The two adventurers leave Luskan for Westgate in search of Kalen's former apprentice, who they fear is dead. As the pair scours the city, seeking answers to Kalen's disappearance and to their own destinies, they find that the rumors about the vigilantes are true. But who are these wannabe "Shadowbanes" who wield the vaunted sword Vindicator? Myrin and Kalen have no idea that a game is being played in which they are only pawns.

Half-human, half-vampire Dorina Basarab is back--and facing her biggest challenge yet in the next urban fantasy in the New York Times bestselling series. Dorina Basarab is a dhampir--half-human, half-vampire. As one of the Vampire Senate's newest members, Dory already has a lot on her plate. But then a relative of one of Dory's fey friends goes missing. They fear he's been sold to a slaver who arranges fights--sometimes to the death--between different types of fey. As Dory investigates, she and her friends learn the slavers are into something much bigger than a fight club. With the Vampire Senate gearing up for war with Faerie, it'll take everything she has to defeat the slavers--and deal with the entirely too attractive master vampire Louis-Cesare....

“Galaxy Guardians: The Superhero Adventures of Rosa and Noah" is an enthralling children's book series that transports young readers to a universe filled with cosmic wonders, daring heroes, and formidable villains. Follow the extraordinary journey of Rosa and Noah, two ordinary kids who discover extraordinary powers after a mysterious comet passes by. Guided by their quirky mentor, Professor Quantum, Rosa and Noah embark on a thrilling mission to become the Galaxy Guardians and protect the universe from the mischievous space villain, The Shadowbane Emperor. The series unfolds through 12 captivating episodes, each packed with action, humour, and valuable life lessons. As Rosa and Noah train to harness their unique abilities, they encounter a variety of challenges, from battling armies of misfit robots and alien invasions to navigating parallel dimensions and cosmic labyrinths. Along the way, they form alliances with intriguing characters like Robo-Rex, Zara, and Zog, and even find unexpected redemption in their once-menacing foe, The Shadowbane Emperor. The book series seamlessly weaves together elements of teamwork, friendship, and courage, encouraging young readers to embrace their individual strengths and work together to overcome adversity. Each episode is a cosmic adventure, filled with imagination, excitement, and the boundless possibilities of the universe. Are you ready for an out-of-this-world adventure? "Galaxy Guardians is an exhilarating tale that will transport young readers to a galaxy filled with excitement, mystery, and heroism. Join Rosa and Noah as they embark on a thrilling quest to save the universe! In "Galaxy Guardians," Rosa and Noah discover that they have extraordinary powers and are destined to protect the galaxy from impending doom. As they navigate through alien planets, encounter bizarre creatures, and battle formidable foes, their courage and friendship are put to the ultimate test. This captivating story is packed with action, humour, and heart-warming moments that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Imagine being whisked away on an epic space adventure, where every page brings a new and exciting challenge. With "Galaxy Guardians," young readers will be inspired by Rosa and Noah's bravery and determination. They'll learn valuable lessons about teamwork, resilience, and believing in themselves. This book is not just an adventure—it's a journey of growth and self-discovery that will resonate with readers long after they've turned the last page. Don't miss out on this intergalactic adventure! Add "Galaxy Guardians: The Adventures of Rosa and Noah" to your cart now and join Rosa and Noah on their mission to save the galaxy. Perfect for young readers and families looking for an exciting and inspiring story, this book is sure to become a beloved favourite. Features: Thrilling space adventure for young readers Engaging characters with extraordinary powers Action-packed plot with humour and heart-warming moments Themes of friendship, courage, and self-belief Perfect for children and families Join Rosa and Noah as they dance through galactic parties, face sugary-sweet challenges in a candy-coated world, and discover the transformative power of music and unity. The series concludes with "A New Dawn," where the Guardians, forever changed by their cosmic journey, realise that even ordinary kids can make an extraordinary impact when they unite against the forces of darkness. "Galaxy Guardians" is a captivating and immersive book series that not only entertains but also instils important values in young readers, leaving them eagerly anticipating the next cosmic adventure in the boundless realms of imagination. Embark on an unforgettable journey with "Galaxy Guardians: The Adventures of Rosa and Noah." Get your copy today and let the adventure begin!

Shaman, paragon, God-mode: modern video games are heavily coded with religious undertones. From the Shinto-inspired Japanese video game Okami to the internationally popular The Legend of Zelda and Halo, many video games rely on religious themes and symbols to drive the narrative and frame the storyline. Playing with Religion in Digital Games explores the increasingly complex relationship between gaming and global religious practices. For example, how does religion help organize the communities in MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft? What role has censorship played in localizing games like Actraiser in the western world? How do evangelical Christians react to violence, gore, and sexuality in some of the most popular games such as Mass Effect or Grand Theft Auto? With contributions by scholars and gamers from all over the world, this collection offers a unique perspective to the intersections of religion and the virtual world.

Intrigued by MMGs? Here's the place to start Compare games, create a character, choose a guild to join, and have some fun! So your friend keeps talking about playing this cool game with millions of people on the Internet, and you really want to join in? Great idea! This book will let you in on the lingo, provide a little background on MMGs, help you choose a character, and prepare you for a trip into the fantasy world. Discover how to * Choose a game you'll enjoy * Start developing a character * Survive player vs. player combat * Find useful gameplay guides * Slay more monsters * Team up with other players

Welcome to the Shadow Realm, a realm of eternal night. Now under the new and graceful order of Malice Khan, the dawn of a new era now emerges. Daughter of former king Darkerage, a powerful and tyrannical king, all of Shadow Realm knows the dangers that come to those who act against her. However, while there are those who swear allegiance to her every will, there are others willing to defy and overthrow her from birthright. Sensing the coming change as Malice Khan brings her people solace throughout a once chaotic and darker than dark world, enemies of old and new rise from the deepest of shadows in hopes to end her reign, and bring back the darkness that Malice has fought hard to renew. This may be a much more easier task for her unyielding foes, for a devious entity awaits in a world which ties have once entwined with the world of Shadow Realm itself.

A soup-to-nuts overview of just what it takes to successfully design, develop and manage an online game. Learn from the top two online game developers through the real-world successes and mistakes not known to others. There are Case studies from 10+ industry leaders, including Raph Koster, J. Baron, R. Bartle, D. Schubert, A. Macris, and more! Covers all types of online games: Retail Hybrids, Persistent Worlds, and console games. Developing Online Games provides insight into designing, developing and managing online games that is available nowhere else. Online game programming guru Jessica Mulligan and seasoned exec Bridgette Patrovsky provide insights into the industry that will allow others entering this market to avoid the mistakes of the past. In addition to their own experiences, the authors provide interviews, insight and anecdotes from over twenty of the most well-known and experienced online game insiders. The book includes case studies of the successes and failures of today's most well-known online games. There is also a special section for senior executives on how to budget an online game and how to assemble the right development and management teams. The book ends with a look at the future of online gaming: not only online console gaming (Xbox Online, Playstation 2), but the emerging mobile device game market (cell phones, wireless, PDA).

The rise of four clans and their lust for power is what drives this legacy of the pirate lord. He travels with an Elvin representative to distant lands to hide a deadly secret but treachery condemns them to the depths of the blue forever.After two decades, the Son of Truth (Fletcher) sets off on a quest to fulfil his father's lost legacy, which is somehow related to the ill fated demonic secret long lost in the depths. He is aided by gallant and affluent battle lords, better known as the council of warriors. During his journey, providence introduces him to his lady love (Zinnia) but among the valiant hides a 'traitor', whose evil doings leave Fletcher weak and confused.

With his homeland under the control of demons, Keo heads northwest to the Old Kingdom in search of their one possible hope for defeating the demons: The long-lost son of the last king of Lamaira, who is prophesied to return and reunite the Kingdom in its darkest hour. Upon arriving in the Old Kingdom, Keo discovers that the long-lost Rightful Heir has already returned and is about to be crowned the new King of Lamaira. But things become more complicated when Keo is unexpectedly revealed to also be the Rightful Heir, a revelation that surprises even himself. To determine the true heir to the Throne, Keo must duel his counterpart in accordance with tradition. If Keo fails, not only will he lose his right to the Throne, but the entire Kingdom of Lamaira will fall to the demons as well.