Four fantasy rediscoveries, five monstrous visions, and a little autumn magic.
Well, Adventurers...
The days are growing shorter across the northern realms, the leaves are turning golden, and there’s a familiar chill creeping into the evening air.
Autumn has a way of stirring old memories, doesn’t it? Of reminding us of stories we’ve loved, adventures we’ve taken, and faraway realms we’ve visited — if only in our imaginations.
I’ve been a bit under the weather these past couple of weeks, so rather than setting off on an entirely new expedition, I thought we’d do something a little different.
This week, we’re opening the Rediscovered Realms archives to revisit four favorites from years past — along with a handful of wonderfully strange illustrations from the legendary Virgil Finlay!
So pull up a comfortable chair, pour yourself something warm, and settle in. We’ve got a few tales to share.
And perhaps a few unexpected visitors lurking in the shadows...
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I - THE CHANGING SEASONS
There’s something magical about the changing seasons — those crossroads between what was, what is, and what might yet be.
Back in 2023, I shared a rather personal story about how a series of beautifully illustrated Time-Life fantasy books, a high school library, and an unexpected turn of events helped transform a difficult summer into a lifelong treasure.
Oh, and remember those wonderful Enchanted World television commercials narrated by Vincent Price?
Few fantasy authors captured the bittersweet passage of time quite like J.R.R. Tolkien.
In this 2024 edition, we explored Bilbo’s Last Song, a beautiful little illustrated book featuring the artwork of Pauline Baynes and a final farewell to Middle-earth.
It’s a poignant reminder that even the greatest adventures eventually come to an end — but the stories and friendships we discover along the way stay with us.
Lost cities. Mysterious artifacts. Legendary creatures. Forgotten myths.
Terry Breverton’s Phantasmagoria is a marvelous compendium of more than 250 strange and wonderful subjects, accompanied by hundreds of vintage-style illustrations.
Part encyclopedia, part bestiary, and part explorer’s journal, it’s exactly the sort of book that can send an imaginative mind wandering down a dozen unexpected paths.
And what would an autumn evening be without a good story told beside the fire?
Last year, we traveled back to 1888 to rediscover Far Darrig in Donegal, an old Irish folktale of a wandering tinker, mischievous fairies, and a night he would rather forget.
I painstakingly restored the original text from W.B. Yeats’s Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, correcting transcription errors that have crept into many modern reproductions.
If you enjoy old folklore with a generous helping of mischief and a slightly unsettling twist, this one’s for you.
And because I can’t seem to rummage through the Rediscovered Realms vault without finding something unexpected...
Here are 5 monstrously strange illustrations by legendary fantasy and science fiction artist Virgil Finlay (1914–1971).
Just a little extra eye candy for those who enjoy the stranger side of fantasy and for those who perhaps have already traveled these roads before.
Who knows? Maybe they’ll inspire a few delightfully disturbing encounters for your next D&D or tabletop RPG adventure...
Or just provide some good old-fashioned nightmare fuel. 😈
Enjoy!
And there we have it, Adventurers.
Four little journeys into the past, a handful of strange new discoveries, and perhaps a few creatures best left lurking in the shadows!
Whether it’s an old book rediscovered, a story remembered, or an imaginary road we’ve traveled a hundred times before, there’s always a little more magic waiting for those willing to look.
🍂 Before you go, I’m curious: What old fantasy book, story, or adventure do you find yourself returning to again and again? Is there one that feels like visiting an old friend? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Until next time, my Autumn Adventurers...
Keep the Adventure Going Strong!
(...and save me a seat by the fire. Preferably one with a clear view of the exits.)
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🎶 THE MONSTERS ARE STILL LURKING IN THE MIST...
Enjoyed those monstrous visions? Perhaps you’re in the mood for a few more creatures lurking in the shadows...
My new 13-track dark fantasy folk album, Tales of Adventure: Monsters in the Mist, is filled with eerie legends, haunted places, and things that go bump along the old roads.
From banshees and barrow beasts to phantom pipers and other strange encounters, it’s a musical journey into the darker corners of fantasy.
🌫️ Enter the Mist — listen to free samples and discover the album!
Your next piece of fantasy fun is calling.
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