The 2026 Novel Writing Challenge: My Task #169

Morning all. It is time to look at our main character for this story. Fun. After I write mine I will be printing this week’s tasks out and taking them with me to go over and possibly add to as I get a few minutes when I return from the big birthday celebration (My mom is turning 80). For now…

Task #169 (Nano #3): Our Main Character

Amerite Stosa (Ames to his friends) is a professor of Archaeology focusing on the early cultures of Scovan (Pre-empire) He teaches at Thestan University, the premier university in the city of Broga located in the Thestan Provence of Hearca-Act.

Hearca-Act is the Original Settlement name meaning Broken Lands in the original population’s language (Act is added to a settlement name much in the Tel might be added to a city/settlement name) Broken refers to the fact that this settlement broke with the old gods, refusing to sacrifice to them. Most believe that it was some sort of ancient religious divide but the myths tell that once they sacrificed people to the Couran who were worshiped as gods and that they decided not to worship them any more, stopped the sacrifices and killed any of the Couran they found and instantly killed anyone with the Couran’s mark so they couldn’t feed. The myths tell that the Couran retreated when they learned that only death awaited them there.

Ames is descended from mostly earthers but he had one grandmother who was tied to the original inhabitants. She used to tell him stories as a child. The stories both terrified and fascinated him. He studied them hoping to control the fear (Like learning that silver bullet’s kill werewolves and garlic and holy water protect against the vampires). His grandmother gave him a protective charm to keep him safe and help calm he fears.

As an adult he knows these are just myths and stories but it was what got him excited about archaeology. And he still wears the charm even though he tells himself it is for sentimental reasons. He never takes it off.

Despite having only a small section of his blood come from the original inhabitants, he inherited the high cheekbones, bright, pale blue eyes and blue/black hair from them which physically marks him as a descendant.