the planar pages Archives - D. Hale Rambo

Marcius Festinius Cervidus (a.k.a. Dodger)

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:06:00 +0000

Dodger waved his orange-and-black spotted paw and grinned. He was in full Travel Guild uniform: long black jacket and a dark-blue tunic that cinched with a tight belt. A bandolier of vials crossed his chest and a large pouch hung from his side.

Species: Smilodon

Page Turner: Yes

Aligned Organization: Travel Guild

Dodger’s a complicated one. I’ve known him since he was just a cub, picked him up off the streets when he had nowhere else to go. I could see something in him back then—a fire, a drive that the streets hadn’t yet snuffed out. He’s always been loyal to the Guild, and he’s proven himself time and again as one of the best jackets we’ve got. He’s quick, smart, and efficient, never one to leave a job half-done. But I worry about him sometimes. He’s hard on himself, always pushing to be better, always seeking approval. It’s as if he thinks that if he just works hard enough, he’ll finally be worth something. But to me, he’s always been worth it.

He’s loyal to the Guild, but I sometimes wonder if that loyalty is just another wall he’s built to keep himself from thinking about what else he could be. I see the potential in him, but it’s up to Dodger to decide whether he’ll reach for it or stay where he is, always trying to prove himself to a world that’s already moved on.

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Captain Henrietta

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 16:52:00 +0000

“Beautiful name for a beautiful lass. Come, let us discuss in the captain’s office, shall we? You can partake of some of Mac’s blasted cocoa.” She bellowed a laugh and led them down a step into a wooden office that fit them all well enough amid a massive desk and a couple of deep-seated chairs.

The walls held various maps of Mistral pinpointing pagemarks and blockades. There were also paintings of Henrietta with her crew and landscapes of scenic spots within Restless Rise and Mistral. Seemed as if she spent most of her time between the two. Captain Henrietta settled herself behind the desk and began to brew a pot of milk.

Currently Boarded Vehicle: Big Betty

Species: Human

Hair Color: Strawberry, wildly curly and grey touched

Often Found: In Mistral no matter the gale

Page Turner: No

Employment: Smuggler of coffee and cocoa

Captain Henrietta is a unique presence, to say the least. She’s every bit the classic sea captain (only her boat flies), with her penchant for fine clothing and a sharp eye for detail, even when out on the ship. It’s hard not to be drawn to her—there’s a charm in the way she carries herself, a mix of refinement and that old grit.

She’s got a sweet way about her, always ready with a compliment or a playful tease. She’s one of those rare individuals who can make you smile even when she’s reminding you she’s seen more of the world than you ever will. She’s savvy, and she knows how to play the part when it counts. So while I’m not losing sleep over what she’s up to, I keep a close eye on her all the same—just in case.

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Cocktails by Mac! Tipsy Maelstrom

D. Hale Rambo — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 18:50:30 +0000

Mac, fae and incredible mixologist, has amazing concoctions of the alcoholic variety.

Check out the Tipsy Maelstrom, one of Fiona’s favorites in Between the Lines below! Making this cocktail/mocktail for yourself or a batch for others? @me on Instagram @dhalerambo #theplanarpages #cocktailsbymac

Also, big thanks to my cocktail connoisseur friend Jeremy who helped with these recipes! You’re the best!

Tipsy Maelstrom Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 oz Grey Goose vodka (for a smooth, neutral spirit base)
1 oz White crème de cacao (for a milky, frothy texture)
1/2 oz Simple syrup
3-4 Coffee beans (for garnish and aroma)
Cocoa powder (for dusting the rim)

Instructions:

Rim a chilled martini glass by rubbing the rim with a coffee bean and dipping in cocoa powder.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the vodka, crème de cacao and simple syrup.
Shake or stir vigorously until well chilled. The crème de cacao will provide a frothy, creamy texture.
Strain into the prepared martini glass.
Garnish with 1-2 coffee beans dropped on top and a light dusting of additional cocoa powder over the foam.
Optionally, gently swirl or zig-zag a skewer through the foam to create a maelstrom pattern.

The swirling skewer and maelstrom name reference the turbulent, spinning motion of crashing ocean waves. The gray-white color comes from the crème de cacao foam over clear vodka. The martini glass and high alcohol content make this a strong, stylish cocktail.

Mocktail Version

Ingredients:

2 shots espresso
1 oz Ghirardelli White Chocolate Sauce
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
(optional) Whipped Cream ice

Instructions:

Rim a chilled glass by rubbing the rim with a coffee bean and dipping in cocoa powder.
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the espresso, white chocolate sauce and simple syrup (if desired)
Shake or stir vigorously until well chilled. The white chocolate sauce will provide a frothy, creamy texture.
Pour over ice into the prepared glass.
Garnish with whipped cream, 1-2 coffee beans dropped on top and a light dusting of additional cocoa powder over the foam.
Optionally, gently swirl or zig-zag a skewer through the foam to create a maelstrom pattern.

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Behind the pages: Renaissance-era Venice and the Court of Copper

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:00:00 +0000

The joy of creating a historical fantasy series is that I get to research historical times, places, and cultures. That in itself is so much fun! But then I get to craft an entirely new, yet familiar, world by mixing historical elements and then adding a twist or three.

In HARD BOUND, book two of The Planar Pages series, our savvy investigator Fiona Thorne is at the Court of Copper, which, along with the fae, is based mainly on Renaissance Italy, especially Venice.

The ultimate research was my Spring 2022 Venice honeymoon. That trip really helped flesh out the main fictional city, especially walking over almost a hundred bridges!

Let’s take a spoiler-free stroll to discover three aspects of the real Renaissance-era Venice and how they appear in my historical fantasy series The Planar Pages. Actually, taking a boat might be better.

Twisting canals and gondola rides

Venice is built on over one hundred crafted islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. This miraculous Floating City was formed by connecting the various small islands by bridges.

During the Italian Renaissance, the elite class of Venice showed off their wealth by traveling the waters on ostentatiously decorated gondolas, flat-bottomed rowing boats. In the sixteenth century, the Italian government banned increasing extravagance, ordering that all private gondolas were to be painted black.

Although set in a facsimile of the sixteenth century, extravagance has not been banned so you can take a similar journey with Fiona:

“Deep copper water brushed its northern edge, making it easy to navigate to, and canals like wriggling fingers poked into the city, giving ample avenues for traveling throughout it on boat.” – HARD BOUND by D. Hale Rambo

Decorative center wells

Built on a salt-water lagoon, early Venice couldn’t hope to flourish as a city without drinking water. The solution? Rainwater collection and filtration using gutters and wells.

As the wells often took center stage in open spaces, a plain structure was never an option. The stone or marble wellheads built during the Italian Renaissance were decorated with heads, masks, and garlands.

The Court of Copper uses a similar solution to its water supply:

“In the center of the square was a sizeable pale-pink marble well decorated with laurel leaves…there were many faekin around it, filling pails and pots underneath the iron spigots that shot water directly from the cistern beneath.” – HARD BOUND by D. Hale Rambo

Venetian Glass

Most of Venice’s glassmaking industry was concentrated on the “island of Murano” which is actually a cluster of islands. This kept the fire-hazard furnaces away from the wooden structures of nearby cities and kept the skilled glassmakers in one place.

From the High Middle Ages to the Italian Renaissance, Murano was Europe’s major center for luxury glass. The sixteenth century became a golden age for glassmaking invention and glass trade.

As with Venice, the Court of Copper has had similar success with glassmaking:

“The Court of Copper produced most of the glass in the Book…The trade was booming, more so than it had been in the early days of the Inking.” – HARD BOUND by D. Hale Rambo

There are other references to the Italian Renaissance throughout the series, including Fiona’s signature outfit.

You can discover more historical references by visiting the Court of Copper in HARD BOUND.

New to the historical fantasy world of The Book? Step inside The Planar Pages for FREE. Sign up for the newsletter and receive a free copy of the series prequel HIDDEN WORDS.

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New Release! HARD BOUND, The Planar Pages book 2

D. Hale Rambo — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:47:30 +0000

HAPPY RELEASE DAY!! Hard Bound is available like- everywhere!
I hope y’all love Fiona & Gaili’s adventure as much as I loved writing it. The fashion! The sass! The secrets. I can’t WAIT till you get to the end. Let me know what you think!

Curious investigator Fiona Thorne is at it again, turning pages and solving mysteries in the epic realm known as the Book. Can she uncover the truth behind a theft at the fae’s Court of Copper before it tears the page apart?

Buy Today

Soon available at your local library!

Paperback ISBN 978-1-960123-03-9

Hardback ISBN 978-1-960123-04-6

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Protected: Mistral: Page of Air in the Elemental Chapter

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0000

Mistral is by far the most beautiful page in the Book. Brilliant blue skies, cool wind, and lots of cloud watching in the sweet crisp air. Mind the onery lightning elementals though.

~Fiona Thorne

Alternative Name(s)

The Bold Blue

The sky’s the limit.

Major Characters in Location

Captain Henrietta

From brilliant azure skies to cold wailing winds, all that is air, gas, and in between belong in the page easiest (and prettiest if you’re not a blotter) to visit.

Many a cloud natives of this page call home while playful winds swirl and dance in all directions. Enterprising artists, young and old, station themselves here in delight, hoping to capture even a hint of the magnificent ever blue canopy that is the forever blue sky.

Major Cities

Airmire

Airmire is a beautiful city of clouds built upon clouds. The city is a sprawling masterpiece of thick cloud structures shaped into buildings many land dwellers can understand. And quite a few high up above we cannot.

There is a sweetness in the air here, like lumps of sugar plummeting into warm milk. I am not sure what produces it in Airmire but I can guarantee you it is only there.

Doors aren’t a thing here. They are unnecessary barriers for most of the air folks. And the amount of material that would need to be imported to make enough doors for all the shops, abodes, and more would be enough to feed everyone in this page for a solid decade.

Though the city wasn’t made originally for visitors, I am glad it is one of the premier pagemarks in the whole of Mistral.

Empearal

The Empearal realm is a vast and foreboding domain filled with constant howling winds and immense storm clouds that block out the sun. It is here that the strongest air elementals reside, surviving the ever-present hurricane-force winds that rage throughout the realm. These violent gusts create an impenetrable border for the Empearal realm, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to venture within.

Flurris Colony

Nestled in the misty realm of Mistral lies an oft rumored place known as the Flurris Colony. Made up of a nimble, winged Onae tribe and ruled by Duchess Swiftfeather, Flurris is a hidden village in the clouds that promises intrigue and excitement.

Though the colony’s true location remains veiled in secrecy, tales describe an extensive network of vine-woven nests and platforms concealed in the hazy skies. The Onae glide through the mist on shimmering wings, never straying too far from their foggy home. At the center sits the largest nest, an open-aired structure that houses the colony’s elders and served as its gathering place.

But Flurris is more than meets the eye. Though small in number compared to some tribes, the Onae boast a sprawling hunting territory that covers miles in every direction across Mistral’s boundless skies. The shifty inhabitants guard the entrance to their domain, permitting only those they deem worthy to pass through the veil of clouds.

Air Folks, Beasts & Monsters

Onae

Onae are seldom seen outside of Mistral, page of air. Only a handful are even page turners. Enough to stand out in any crowd on Spine. Though they were as diverse as humans in cultures and looks, they still have some of the habits of birds to the human page.

They are somewhat seclusionist (see Flurris Colony below) and many avoid contact with other species, and many individuals rarely, if ever, leave their home territory. But what I do know is that in their society they always choose a female as leader. They are deemed far more controlled emotionally and voted to rule over a hundred extended family. There is debate among scholars that this is fairly recent as to the inking, when Larrakane appeared to them as a giant female black bird but good luck getting an onae to answer you about it, or much of anything.

Cerulle

The Cerulle are have dwelled in Mistral longer than anyone can remember. Many say they were born from the first mists that cascaded from the dark edge and across the bounteous sky. As the mists coalesced and thickened, they took on humanoid forms with skin as deep blue as the sky itself. The crisp white lines that mark their bodies represent the currents of air that flow through them.

Cerulles are deeply connected to the winds and clouds that surround their floating cities. Their myths speak of great cloud shifters who could gather clouds with a gesture. They use their innate powers to swirl and compress the mists into useful shapes and forms. They are maestros of manipulating cloud and air.

Cerulles value tranquility, harmony, and oneness with the elements. They nurture the clouds as best they can and pass down their processes and ways as best they can. The swirling patterns on their skin serve to remind them of the ephemeral nature of all things, even for a race as long-lived as they.

Slyphs

What is there to say about the Slyphs that they do not promote themselves? Their very being is hot air. Well, whirls of stark white air in tight curls but they are often saying something meaner than expected.

Get the Series

Start The Planar Pages series today with Book 1, Between the Lines.

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Cocktails by Mac! The Fallen Bubble

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:00:00 +0000

Mac, fae and incredible mixologist, has amazing concoctions of the alcoholic variety. Check out the Fallen Bubble, one of Fiona’s “I’m feeling blue” favorites in Between the Lines below! Making this cocktail/mocktail for yourself or a batch for others? @me on Instagram @therambogeeks #theplanarpages #cocktailsbymac

Also, big thanks to my cocktail connoisseur friend Jeremy who helped with these recipes! You’re the best!

Fallen Bubble Cocktail

Ingredients:

2 oz Blue curaçao liqueur
1 oz Gin
1 oz Simple syrup
2-3 drops Orange bitters
3 oz Club soda
Edible glitter or luster dust (for an iridescent, whimsical effect)

Instructions:

Fill a punchbowl (or giant glass) with ice cubes.
Add the blue curaçao, gin, simple syrup and orange bitters. Stir well.
Slowly pour in the club soda. The bubbles from the soda will create “puffy clouds” floating in the drink.
Garnish with the edible glitter or luster dust sprinkled over the top and swirl with a spoon to see the bubbles swirl and fall.
Optionally, you can rim the drinking glasses with sugar by rubbing a lemon wedge on the rim and then dipping in sugar. This will enhance the sweet and tart flavors.

The bright blue color comes from the curaçao, which also provides a sweet orange flavor. The gin and orange bitters add a tart, citrusy kick while the simple syrup balances the sweetness. The club soda gives it a light, effervescent quality with the whimsical clouds. The edible glitter provides an magical, iridescent finish!

Mocktail Version

Ingredients:

4 oz Blue fruit juice (like blueberry or blue raspberry)
2 oz Ginger ale
1 oz Grenadine syrup (for color and sweetness)
2-3 drops Orange flower water (for a citrus aroma)
3 oz Club soda
Edible glitter (as garnish)

Instructions:

Fill a large punchbowl glass with ice cubes.
Add the blue fruit juice, ginger ale, grenadine syrup and orange flower water. Stir well.
Slowly pour in the club soda. The bubbles will create puffy cloud-like effects in the drink.
Garnish with the edible glitter or luster dust sprinkled over the top and swirl with a spoon to see the bubbles swirl and fall.
Optionally, you can rim the drinking glasses with sugar by rubbing a lemon wedge on the rim and then dipping in sugar. This will enhance the sweet and tart flavors.

The blue fruit juice provides color and a sweet berry flavor without the alcohol. The ginger ale adds a sparkling, refreshing tartness. The grenadine enhances the color and sweetness while the orange flower water contributes a subtle citrus aroma. The club soda gives it a light, effervescent quality and creates the puffy cloud effect. The edible glitter garnish provides festive flair!

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Gaili, Amazing Alchemist, Inventor, and Friend

D. Hale Rambo — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 09:14:55 +0000

Gaili shot over to the brew spewing over onto the small fire. The faun bent over the boiling pot and fanned the smoke. Grabbing mittens and tongs, she eased the pot off the fire and onto an iron rack. “Oh, cracks and crucibles. It’s definitely gone off now. There’s no way I’m going to be able to save this but for the grace of Larrakane.” She cast off the mittens and palmed her face in her hands, her golden skin deeply contrasted by her small black horns.

Stamping her hooves, she started to mumble to herself: “But if I can cool it and mix it with a little powder, it may at least be a half-time potion. Yes, I—” She cut off and started to whizz around the room pulling bottles and plants from shelves and chucking them into the pot.

Nickname: Gails

Age: 58

Height: 6′ 5″

Hair Color: Bright Pink

Family: Parents

Page Turner: Yes

Belief: Larrakane

Motive: Tinker with the unknown

Favorite Pastime: Experimenting with new potion ingredients and keeping detailed notes in her journal

Preferred Reading: Obscure alchemical texts, ingredient encyclopedias, the latest scientific journals from The Courts of Copper

Dream Vacation: Traversing the realms to catalog ingredients, collect rare finds, and record their alchemical properties

What Brings Her Joy: Using her skills to help others proves her worth in small but meaningful ways. Someday, perhaps she’ll find the confidence to stand alongside legends like her former mentor.

Born to baker parents in The Court of Copper page, Gaili had an imaginative spirit and curious mind from a young age, it seems. Her overprotective parents shielded her from the world, but she found wonder any way she could.

Becoming an apprentice to Clara, a renowned alchemist and scholar, was the fulfillment of Gaili’s longing for creativity and adventure. Under Clara’s wing, Gaili soaked up alchemical knowledge and aimed to make her mentor proud through tireless effort and perfectionism.

She currently runs her shop, “The Pestle and Mortar” in the artisan district. Gaili uses her alchemy skills to make elixirs, tonics, and ingredients for clients. She is imaginative and passionate about helping others.

Gaili is shy and insecure, scarred by past rejection, but eager to aid Fiona however she’s able. Her curiosity leads her to find creative solutions to problems, while her discretion makes her a trusted confidante. Though soft-spoken, she demonstrates her strength through steadfast loyalty and skill few can match. Never mistake her gentleness for weakness.

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