NoNoWriMo - Day 4

Day 4 - 8th November 2025

Success! Yesterday I was able to add a further 2454 words to my story, for a new grand total of 3059 words. I'm still a little behind where I need to be, but a few more days like that and I will be all caught up in no time at all.

Today I wanted to talk about two different things. Firstly, I wanted to include a little synopsis I wrote for this novel, the kind of thing you would see printed on the back of the book. I'm hoping taking little steps like this will help keep me on track as I map out the rest of this story.

Ready? Here we go...

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The Empire has fallen. It's ruler is dead. All that remains of the royal lineage is a small child, and an apprentice mage that must protect him at costs.

Tristan Mordaruam never wanted for much. Born into a life of wealth and privilege, his studies into the magical sciences were never meant to lead him to any grand destiny. But when the masses rise up to overthrow what they consider an unjust monarchy, Tristan is tasked with protecting the last heir to the throne, even as civilisation crumbles around him.

Fleeing the ashes of the Capitol, the apprentice mage must contend with both loyalists and rebels as he nurtures a child he never thought he would ever be responsible for. Can he restore this young prince to the throne? Does he even want to try? 

And as it all falls apart, a hidden conspiracy comes together...

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Not bad, right? It could use a little refinement, but I think as a concept it shows potential. Hopefully I can reach those same heights as I write the actual story itself.

Secondly, I would like to include a small character breakdown of this novel's protagonist: Tristan Mordaruam. While writing the first chapter, I have stopped several times and had to ask myself "Wait, who is this guy? How does he talk? How does he act? What is it exactly that he wants?" I've been so focused on his role in the story that I haven't stopped to really consider who this man is. 

So in effort to rectify that, here are 10 things you should (probably) know about Tristan.

1. He has always found magic fascinating, and studied it out of love for the art, rather than any desire for power or career aspirations.
2. He spent much of his childhood under the instruction of private tutors, reading in libraries, or learning how to measure, cut, and cultivate herbs and minerals.
3. He nearly burnt down his estate when he was just 10 years old, having smuggled some spell-crafting supplies into his room in an attempt to create a new spell of his very own. This near death experience left some scarring on his left arm, and tempered his youthful impulsiveness.
4. Has a small circle of friends, that he stumbled into more by happenstance than any real effort. It was them that introduced him to the beauty of music and theatre.
5. Has a older brother and sister, and a mother that now struggles to walk. He writes to her every month. His father passed away from the pox approximately 5 years ago.
6. His family is from a noble house with holdings far from the Capitol. Though they are wealthy, the family's power and influence pails in comparison to most of the other gentry.
7. He was sent to the Capitol to take on an apprenticeship when he turned 21. This apprenticeship was not to the Archmage, that came much later. 
8. Never really had any girlfriends growing up, which resulted in much teasing from his siblings and lectures from his mother.
9. Grew up seeing only the good and mercy that the Empire offered its subjects. It would be fair to call him a patriot, if not a loud one.
10. Hates riding horses. He has never truly mastered the skill, and every mount he has ever ridden has seemingly realised this and done their best to lead him astray.

There we go. A small glimpse into the life of the hero (maybe?) of this tale. I reserve the right to change anything and everything I have written here if it better suits the story.