Brian Schaab
Fantasy Author • TTRPG Designer
Current Writing Project
The Forsaken Realm
An epic fantasy novel about a farmer-soldier who ventures beyond the safety of his city's stone walls to grow food and defend against monster attacks.
Current TTRPG Project
The Kirin and the Stormsoul Bow
A legendary level 3 solo monster for Draw Steel and a leveled treasure. For the Jams of the Timescape #3.
Writing
Browse short writing samples - short stories, novel excerpts, etc.
View writingRecent Posts
- The Kirin and the Stormsoul BowAn entry for Jams of the Timescape Volume 3.
- Draw Steel Class PerksRatcatchers 3 has started crowdfunding, and it features my Class Perks!
Excerpt of the Day
War and Peace • Leo Tolstoy
Location: page 979
When a man sees an animal dying, a horror comes over him. What he is himself - his essence, visibly before his eyes, perishes - ceases to exist. But when the dying creature is a man dearly loved, then, besides the horror at the extinction of life, what is felt is a rending of the soul, a spiritual wound, which, like a physical wound, is sometimes mortal, sometimes healed, but always aches and shrinks from contact with the outer world, that sets it smarting.
Recent Reads
1. Jade City — Fonda Lee • Aug 25, 2026
2. Renegade's Magic — Robin Hobb • Aug 24, 2026
3. Katabasis — R. F. Kuang • Aug 19, 2026
Recent Excerpts
- Shaman's Crossing• Robin HobbLocation: page 458I said blindly, not stupidly, Rory. I don't think it's stupid for us and our fathers to give loyalty to a man who benefited us greatly. But we should not be blind to what he gains by it, nor what it does to others. Did none of your fathers ever discuss politics with you? When we take our history lessons, do any of you listen? We are to be officers and gentlemen when our schooling is done. Loyalty is fine, but it is even better when it is backed up by intellect. My dog is loyal to me, and if I sicced him on a bear, he would go with no question of whether I knew what was best for him. But we are not dogs, and though I believe a soldier must go where he is ordered and do what he is told, I do not think he should march forth in ignorance of what propels his commander's decisions.intelligenceloyaltyservice
- Shaman's Crossing• Robin HobbLocation: page 414All men long to be in control of their own lives. Even a loyal servant, given authority over his master's business, will soon wish for more authority, and the right to profit when he runs it well. It is human nature, Nevare. Once a man has had authority over his own affairs, he does not surrender it easily.controlauthorityself-determination
- Shaman's Crossing• Robin HobbLocation: page 354I'm a man grown, Spink. I'm fat, and perhaps that is a fault or perhaps it is just the way the good god made me. But it does not make me a child nor does it make me any less in command of my own life. You think that I should fight those who are cruel. The doctor back there thinks I should change myself so they would have less an excuse to be cruel to me. But what I think is that I should not have to do either.identitycruelty
About
Brian creates immersive fantasy stories built around characters who feel real and a product of those worlds. His stories are filled with plots of revenge, exploration of the costs of magic, and finding hope amdist the bleak darkness. He also develops TTRPG supplements, mainly for Draw Steel.