R. T. Jenkins
@rtjenkinsauthor.bsky.social
He/him. Writer of (mostly grimdark) fantasy, horror, and science fiction. Clinical psych Ph.D. by day. I don't respond to most DMs (nothing personal). Cheerful nihilism (though less of that first part lately). There will also be pets.
#WritingCommunity
Week 3 was a bit rougher (as evidenced by lack of update), but Week 4 has been about getting back on track
Week 3 was a bit rougher (as evidenced by lack of update), but Week 4 has been about getting back on track
November 9, 2025 at 11:21 PM
#WritingCommunity
Week 3 was a bit rougher (as evidenced by lack of update), but Week 4 has been about getting back on track
Week 3 was a bit rougher (as evidenced by lack of update), but Week 4 has been about getting back on track
#NovemberWorldbuilders
1: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the color red (along with gold) is the color of the Vizrani Empire, associated with their nobility and the Imperial line and the predominant color of their flag. In the Kingdom of Valestra, red is a common dye...
1: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the color red (along with gold) is the color of the Vizrani Empire, associated with their nobility and the Imperial line and the predominant color of their flag. In the Kingdom of Valestra, red is a common dye...
November 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
#NovemberWorldbuilders
1: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the color red (along with gold) is the color of the Vizrani Empire, associated with their nobility and the Imperial line and the predominant color of their flag. In the Kingdom of Valestra, red is a common dye...
1: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the color red (along with gold) is the color of the Vizrani Empire, associated with their nobility and the Imperial line and the predominant color of their flag. In the Kingdom of Valestra, red is a common dye...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
30: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has a mindbogglingly large cast of characters spread across the continent, but the most unfortunate one I've created recently was Salum Androgo, an Avendral bureaucrat who works for the League of Karnassia. His...
30: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has a mindbogglingly large cast of characters spread across the continent, but the most unfortunate one I've created recently was Salum Androgo, an Avendral bureaucrat who works for the League of Karnassia. His...
October 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
30: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has a mindbogglingly large cast of characters spread across the continent, but the most unfortunate one I've created recently was Salum Androgo, an Avendral bureaucrat who works for the League of Karnassia. His...
30: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has a mindbogglingly large cast of characters spread across the continent, but the most unfortunate one I've created recently was Salum Androgo, an Avendral bureaucrat who works for the League of Karnassia. His...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
29: As far as Karnassia stories go (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), I am currently drafting the third (out of four) in the Rise of Villainy series and am just over 18k, so probably going to keep working on that, if I had to guess! As for the November prompts...
29: As far as Karnassia stories go (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), I am currently drafting the third (out of four) in the Rise of Villainy series and am just over 18k, so probably going to keep working on that, if I had to guess! As for the November prompts...
October 29, 2025 at 11:22 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
29: As far as Karnassia stories go (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), I am currently drafting the third (out of four) in the Rise of Villainy series and am just over 18k, so probably going to keep working on that, if I had to guess! As for the November prompts...
29: As far as Karnassia stories go (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), I am currently drafting the third (out of four) in the Rise of Villainy series and am just over 18k, so probably going to keep working on that, if I had to guess! As for the November prompts...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
28: One thing that I feel like makes Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fairly unique is that it is a fantasy world that does not appear to have any magic, despite the presence of people who are referred to as "elves" (the various ral people and cultures).
28: One thing that I feel like makes Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fairly unique is that it is a fantasy world that does not appear to have any magic, despite the presence of people who are referred to as "elves" (the various ral people and cultures).
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
28: One thing that I feel like makes Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fairly unique is that it is a fantasy world that does not appear to have any magic, despite the presence of people who are referred to as "elves" (the various ral people and cultures).
28: One thing that I feel like makes Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fairly unique is that it is a fantasy world that does not appear to have any magic, despite the presence of people who are referred to as "elves" (the various ral people and cultures).
#OctoberWolrdbuilers
27: A beta reader for the second stand alone, The Great Famine, said (to quote @dukeofnothingham.bsky.social fairly directly), "Wow, these societies suck!" And I think that would be the main takeaway of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social).
27: A beta reader for the second stand alone, The Great Famine, said (to quote @dukeofnothingham.bsky.social fairly directly), "Wow, these societies suck!" And I think that would be the main takeaway of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social).
October 27, 2025 at 11:28 AM
#OctoberWolrdbuilers
27: A beta reader for the second stand alone, The Great Famine, said (to quote @dukeofnothingham.bsky.social fairly directly), "Wow, these societies suck!" And I think that would be the main takeaway of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social).
27: A beta reader for the second stand alone, The Great Famine, said (to quote @dukeofnothingham.bsky.social fairly directly), "Wow, these societies suck!" And I think that would be the main takeaway of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social).
#WritingCommunity
Week 2 is going smoothly, feel like I've hit a consistent "slow and steady wins the race" strategy for this current WIP rather than my usual "bolt as quickly as possible on off days" which is a nice way to go about it
Week 2 is going smoothly, feel like I've hit a consistent "slow and steady wins the race" strategy for this current WIP rather than my usual "bolt as quickly as possible on off days" which is a nice way to go about it
October 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
#WritingCommunity
Week 2 is going smoothly, feel like I've hit a consistent "slow and steady wins the race" strategy for this current WIP rather than my usual "bolt as quickly as possible on off days" which is a nice way to go about it
Week 2 is going smoothly, feel like I've hit a consistent "slow and steady wins the race" strategy for this current WIP rather than my usual "bolt as quickly as possible on off days" which is a nice way to go about it
#OctoberWorldbuilders
26: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), a more defining accessory is the scarves and headscarves worn by Avendrals, a cultural relic from when they lived mostly among the sandstorms of the desert that persists even now that they mostly live in cities...
26: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), a more defining accessory is the scarves and headscarves worn by Avendrals, a cultural relic from when they lived mostly among the sandstorms of the desert that persists even now that they mostly live in cities...
October 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
26: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), a more defining accessory is the scarves and headscarves worn by Avendrals, a cultural relic from when they lived mostly among the sandstorms of the desert that persists even now that they mostly live in cities...
26: In Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), a more defining accessory is the scarves and headscarves worn by Avendrals, a cultural relic from when they lived mostly among the sandstorms of the desert that persists even now that they mostly live in cities...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
25: In Karnassia (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), each society has its own way that their particular religion and culture have shaped their aesthetic and vibes (with each also having their own real-world influences that I'm pulling from). Given the continent...
25: In Karnassia (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), each society has its own way that their particular religion and culture have shaped their aesthetic and vibes (with each also having their own real-world influences that I'm pulling from). Given the continent...
October 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
25: In Karnassia (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), each society has its own way that their particular religion and culture have shaped their aesthetic and vibes (with each also having their own real-world influences that I'm pulling from). Given the continent...
25: In Karnassia (co-authored with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), each society has its own way that their particular religion and culture have shaped their aesthetic and vibes (with each also having their own real-world influences that I'm pulling from). Given the continent...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
24: So all Karnassia stories (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fall into the general category of "grimdark" based on their vibe. Life is hard in Karnassia, systems (especially economic and political systems) generally reward callous and amoral behavior, those...
24: So all Karnassia stories (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fall into the general category of "grimdark" based on their vibe. Life is hard in Karnassia, systems (especially economic and political systems) generally reward callous and amoral behavior, those...
October 24, 2025 at 11:07 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
24: So all Karnassia stories (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fall into the general category of "grimdark" based on their vibe. Life is hard in Karnassia, systems (especially economic and political systems) generally reward callous and amoral behavior, those...
24: So all Karnassia stories (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) fall into the general category of "grimdark" based on their vibe. Life is hard in Karnassia, systems (especially economic and political systems) generally reward callous and amoral behavior, those...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
23: For Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), since I spent most of #Septopolis talking about Vizrala, I'll discuss the vibes of Freeport instead, the other city where a large chunk of the stories take place. Freeport is the primary city and capital of the..
23: For Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), since I spent most of #Septopolis talking about Vizrala, I'll discuss the vibes of Freeport instead, the other city where a large chunk of the stories take place. Freeport is the primary city and capital of the..
October 23, 2025 at 11:45 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
23: For Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), since I spent most of #Septopolis talking about Vizrala, I'll discuss the vibes of Freeport instead, the other city where a large chunk of the stories take place. Freeport is the primary city and capital of the..
23: For Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), since I spent most of #Septopolis talking about Vizrala, I'll discuss the vibes of Freeport instead, the other city where a large chunk of the stories take place. Freeport is the primary city and capital of the..
#OctoberWorldbuilders
21: Housing in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) varies by nation. In Avenad, housing is mostly located in large underground caverns on the peripheries of the desert and is carved into stone beneath the mountains, and the Beadaoga in Rockdale and...
21: Housing in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) varies by nation. In Avenad, housing is mostly located in large underground caverns on the peripheries of the desert and is carved into stone beneath the mountains, and the Beadaoga in Rockdale and...
October 21, 2025 at 11:24 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
21: Housing in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) varies by nation. In Avenad, housing is mostly located in large underground caverns on the peripheries of the desert and is carved into stone beneath the mountains, and the Beadaoga in Rockdale and...
21: Housing in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) varies by nation. In Avenad, housing is mostly located in large underground caverns on the peripheries of the desert and is carved into stone beneath the mountains, and the Beadaoga in Rockdale and...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
20: Across the nations of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), most nations have their infrastructure as a result of some combination of civilian government, soldiers, and taxes. Private industry is really just beginning to emerge as a significant force...
20: Across the nations of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), most nations have their infrastructure as a result of some combination of civilian government, soldiers, and taxes. Private industry is really just beginning to emerge as a significant force...
October 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
20: Across the nations of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), most nations have their infrastructure as a result of some combination of civilian government, soldiers, and taxes. Private industry is really just beginning to emerge as a significant force...
20: Across the nations of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), most nations have their infrastructure as a result of some combination of civilian government, soldiers, and taxes. Private industry is really just beginning to emerge as a significant force...
#WritingCommunity
After about a month off, I am getting back to this. I have been working on slowly drafting the third book in the Rise of Villainy series (which I am also plotting out in #PlotTober) but there may be other WIPs I work on during this five week stretch
After about a month off, I am getting back to this. I have been working on slowly drafting the third book in the Rise of Villainy series (which I am also plotting out in #PlotTober) but there may be other WIPs I work on during this five week stretch
October 19, 2025 at 8:54 PM
#WritingCommunity
After about a month off, I am getting back to this. I have been working on slowly drafting the third book in the Rise of Villainy series (which I am also plotting out in #PlotTober) but there may be other WIPs I work on during this five week stretch
After about a month off, I am getting back to this. I have been working on slowly drafting the third book in the Rise of Villainy series (which I am also plotting out in #PlotTober) but there may be other WIPs I work on during this five week stretch
#OctoberWorldbuilders
19: So on the continent of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), indoor plumbing is just beginning to emerge in the more technologically advanced nations (Atmoriel and Freeport), but it is relatively new, and so the rippling impacts on overall sanitation...
19: So on the continent of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), indoor plumbing is just beginning to emerge in the more technologically advanced nations (Atmoriel and Freeport), but it is relatively new, and so the rippling impacts on overall sanitation...
October 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
19: So on the continent of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), indoor plumbing is just beginning to emerge in the more technologically advanced nations (Atmoriel and Freeport), but it is relatively new, and so the rippling impacts on overall sanitation...
19: So on the continent of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), indoor plumbing is just beginning to emerge in the more technologically advanced nations (Atmoriel and Freeport), but it is relatively new, and so the rippling impacts on overall sanitation...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
18: So in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), technology is unevenly distributed between the nations of the continent, with Hroth being the least technologically advanced, and Atmoriel being the most (with Freeport following close behind). For those two...
18: So in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), technology is unevenly distributed between the nations of the continent, with Hroth being the least technologically advanced, and Atmoriel being the most (with Freeport following close behind). For those two...
October 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
18: So in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), technology is unevenly distributed between the nations of the continent, with Hroth being the least technologically advanced, and Atmoriel being the most (with Freeport following close behind). For those two...
18: So in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), technology is unevenly distributed between the nations of the continent, with Hroth being the least technologically advanced, and Atmoriel being the most (with Freeport following close behind). For those two...
I have a scene from the second stand alone (The Great Famine) that talks about how the humans in Hroth respond to an aid shipment of this kind of food, actually (and gives the Avendral/"cave elf" response to this sentiment!
October 17, 2025 at 11:23 AM
I have a scene from the second stand alone (The Great Famine) that talks about how the humans in Hroth respond to an aid shipment of this kind of food, actually (and gives the Avendral/"cave elf" response to this sentiment!
#OctoberWorldbuilders
17: For most of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), their food comes from farms, animal agriculture, and wild animals, with the largest exception being the Kingdom of Valestra. Given their religious prohibition against eating plants, the Valestras eat a...
17: For most of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), their food comes from farms, animal agriculture, and wild animals, with the largest exception being the Kingdom of Valestra. Given their religious prohibition against eating plants, the Valestras eat a...
October 17, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
17: For most of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), their food comes from farms, animal agriculture, and wild animals, with the largest exception being the Kingdom of Valestra. Given their religious prohibition against eating plants, the Valestras eat a...
17: For most of Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), their food comes from farms, animal agriculture, and wild animals, with the largest exception being the Kingdom of Valestra. Given their religious prohibition against eating plants, the Valestras eat a...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
16: Given Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has six nations on or near the mainland, with two semi-autonomous towns, and a seventh nation far to the south, I'm going to focus on the Vizrani Emprie and Emprie of Atmoriel, particularly the police part...
16: Given Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has six nations on or near the mainland, with two semi-autonomous towns, and a seventh nation far to the south, I'm going to focus on the Vizrani Emprie and Emprie of Atmoriel, particularly the police part...
October 16, 2025 at 11:41 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
16: Given Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has six nations on or near the mainland, with two semi-autonomous towns, and a seventh nation far to the south, I'm going to focus on the Vizrani Emprie and Emprie of Atmoriel, particularly the police part...
16: Given Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has six nations on or near the mainland, with two semi-autonomous towns, and a seventh nation far to the south, I'm going to focus on the Vizrani Emprie and Emprie of Atmoriel, particularly the police part...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
15: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has numerous trade routes from port cities that keep goods flowing between each of the nations. Routes run from Vizrala (in the Vizrani Empire) to Freeport and the cities of Hrothia and Rand's Landing (in the...
15: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has numerous trade routes from port cities that keep goods flowing between each of the nations. Routes run from Vizrala (in the Vizrani Empire) to Freeport and the cities of Hrothia and Rand's Landing (in the...
October 15, 2025 at 11:41 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
15: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has numerous trade routes from port cities that keep goods flowing between each of the nations. Routes run from Vizrala (in the Vizrani Empire) to Freeport and the cities of Hrothia and Rand's Landing (in the...
15: Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) has numerous trade routes from port cities that keep goods flowing between each of the nations. Routes run from Vizrala (in the Vizrani Empire) to Freeport and the cities of Hrothia and Rand's Landing (in the...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
12: As far as games in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the ones we have most detailed are games of chance, and so the card deck used in the Vizrani Empire especially is most well known, with the face cards being: Emperor/Empress (worth 11)...
12: As far as games in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the ones we have most detailed are games of chance, and so the card deck used in the Vizrani Empire especially is most well known, with the face cards being: Emperor/Empress (worth 11)...
October 12, 2025 at 11:36 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
12: As far as games in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the ones we have most detailed are games of chance, and so the card deck used in the Vizrani Empire especially is most well known, with the face cards being: Emperor/Empress (worth 11)...
12: As far as games in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the ones we have most detailed are games of chance, and so the card deck used in the Vizrani Empire especially is most well known, with the face cards being: Emperor/Empress (worth 11)...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
10: In Hrothia in the Kingdom of Hroth in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), there's a great arena that's used for competitive combat sports and dueling and horse racing, while along the docks, competitive sailing races are a common form of entertainment.
10: In Hrothia in the Kingdom of Hroth in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), there's a great arena that's used for competitive combat sports and dueling and horse racing, while along the docks, competitive sailing races are a common form of entertainment.
October 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
10: In Hrothia in the Kingdom of Hroth in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), there's a great arena that's used for competitive combat sports and dueling and horse racing, while along the docks, competitive sailing races are a common form of entertainment.
10: In Hrothia in the Kingdom of Hroth in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), there's a great arena that's used for competitive combat sports and dueling and horse racing, while along the docks, competitive sailing races are a common form of entertainment.
#OctoberWorldbuilders
8: None of the character in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) play sports (which I am thinking may be something to explore with yet another character or story idea), though many of the various rogues (Zri'Denn and Kasira, especially) are fans of...
8: None of the character in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) play sports (which I am thinking may be something to explore with yet another character or story idea), though many of the various rogues (Zri'Denn and Kasira, especially) are fans of...
October 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
8: None of the character in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) play sports (which I am thinking may be something to explore with yet another character or story idea), though many of the various rogues (Zri'Denn and Kasira, especially) are fans of...
8: None of the character in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social) play sports (which I am thinking may be something to explore with yet another character or story idea), though many of the various rogues (Zri'Denn and Kasira, especially) are fans of...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
7: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), again talking about the Avendrals. Dance and music are critical to the Carnival of the Wastes that I talked about a little bit before (post below), but as far as clothing goes, the fashion of the...
7: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), again talking about the Avendrals. Dance and music are critical to the Carnival of the Wastes that I talked about a little bit before (post below), but as far as clothing goes, the fashion of the...
October 7, 2025 at 11:24 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
7: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), again talking about the Avendrals. Dance and music are critical to the Carnival of the Wastes that I talked about a little bit before (post below), but as far as clothing goes, the fashion of the...
7: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), again talking about the Avendrals. Dance and music are critical to the Carnival of the Wastes that I talked about a little bit before (post below), but as far as clothing goes, the fashion of the...
#OctoberWorldbuilders
6: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the Avendrals mostly survive by predominantly not living in the desert itself but in cities in tunnels and caves on the mountains that border the desert. Outside of the Carnival of the Wastes and...
6: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the Avendrals mostly survive by predominantly not living in the desert itself but in cities in tunnels and caves on the mountains that border the desert. Outside of the Carnival of the Wastes and...
October 6, 2025 at 11:06 AM
#OctoberWorldbuilders
6: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the Avendrals mostly survive by predominantly not living in the desert itself but in cities in tunnels and caves on the mountains that border the desert. Outside of the Carnival of the Wastes and...
6: Still in Avenad in Karnassia (co-created with @jmaxwell-author.bsky.social), the Avendrals mostly survive by predominantly not living in the desert itself but in cities in tunnels and caves on the mountains that border the desert. Outside of the Carnival of the Wastes and...