NPCs
What happens when the haggling is done and the shops are closed? When the quest has been given, the steeds saddled, and the adventurers are off to their next encounter? They keep the world running, the food cooked, and the horses shoed, yet what adventurer has ever spared a thought or concern for the Non-Player Characters?
In the town of Maplebark, four such NPCs settle in for a night of actively ignoring the adventurers drinking in the tavern when things go quickly and fatally awry. Once the dust settles, these four find themselves faced with an impossible choice: pretend to be adventurers undertaking a task of near-certain death or see their town and loved ones destroyed. Armed only with salvaged equipment, second-hand knowledge, and a secret that could get them killed, it will take all manner of miracles if they hope to pull off their charade.
And even if they succeed, the deadliest part of their journey may well be what awaits them at its end.
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Drew Hayes
In the wild, often absurd corners of genre fiction, few voices strike the balance between sharp wit and sincere heart quite like Drew Hayes. Whether he’s sending up the tropes of superhero sagas in Super Powereds, crafting morally flexible adventuring parties in NPCs, or guiding reluctant vampire accountants through supernatural bureaucracy in Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Hayes brings a uniquely comedic lens to the fantastic and the far-fetched.
His stories rarely unfold in the expected way—and that’s the point. Hayes thrives in the gray areas: where power doesn’t always make you a hero, and side characters are anything but secondary. His humor isn’t just clever; it’s often quietly subversive, inviting readers to question the scaffolding of genre norms while still enjoying every beat of the ride. One minute you’re laughing at a deadpan joke about dungeon politics, the next you’re unexpectedly moved by a character’s growth or ethical dilemma. It’s satire, sure, but never without soul.
Spells, Swords, & Stealth
In a world where magic isn’t just a tool but a way of life, and where adventurers are often more concerned with personal goals than the greater good, Spells, Swords, & Stealth delivers a refreshing take on the classic fantasy narrative. Here, the line between hero and anti-hero is often blurred, and even the most unlikely companions must navigate complex challenges, shifting alliances, and the constant pull of personal ambition.
Spells, Swords, & Stealth consists of five books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
