Last Update: 11/7/08 - Chapter XXIX posted

"The One Obligation" is based upon Sony Online Entertainment's EverQuest II. All characters from the game are © Sony Online Entertainment. All other characters in the book are my own creation, and may not be used in other works without my permission. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely ridiculous, and any such claims will be met with laughter. With the exception of the song, "O'er the Sea, Beneath the Stars," all songs found within are © to their respective authors and production companies as listed below.

Disclaimer:

While this book references many real world concepts, it is a work of fiction and opinion, and therefore should be taken with a grain of salt. If you disagree with or are offended by the concepts and doctrines found within, then don't read it. Don't bother sending me hate mail or complaints, because frankly, I'm not interested. If I want to see my faith ripped apart, I'll turn on the news. Other questions and comments can be sent to my email address.

Credits:

Any author who says that their works are not inspired by or influenced by the works of another is a liar. I'd be a liar if I said that everything I write is original, and this can most clearly be seen by the real-world music that is included in this work. With the exception of "O'er the Sea, Beneath the Stars," none of the songs found within this book are original works. They are credited as follows:

Torn by Creed - The song was the inspiration for the chapter of the same name, and its chorus originally appeared as an intro tag.

This Street, That Man, This Life by The Cowboy Junkies - This is a powerful song, and the bridge is the part that Dynas most closely identifies with. Not a direct inspiration but its implications to the characters made it worthwhile to include.

In the Jailhouse Now by Johnny Cash - While the song does not actually appear in the book, it is the song being referenced to in Chapter XIX by the line, "While his partner’s last song, detailing the exploits of some idiot getting himself arrested repeatedly for stupid things, was amusing, it was hardly something the dark iksar would have imagined packing the house again and again."

Here Without You by Three Doors Down - An amazing song, probably the best they've done in my opinion. While its implications should be obvious by the point at which it appears in the story, it was not a direct inspiration to the storyline; it just fits it perfectly.

Man in Black by Johnny Cash - Again, the implications of the song should be obvious by the time the reader reaches that point in the book. Not a direct inspiration but it certainly fits the character and backstory well in my opinion.

Over the Hills and Far Away by Led Zeppelin - Although this song does not appear in the book, its intro is the "nameless, unsophisticated tune" that Dynas is playing in Chapter XXI. (This is not to say it's an unsophisticated tune, but played on an acoustic without accompanying vocals, that's how it is perceived. God spare me the wrath of Zeppelin fans.)

Lullaby by Billy Joel - Not much to say on this one...beautiful song, and its implications are obvious.

My Father's Eyes by Eric Clapton - As someone estranged from his father, I draw a lot of comfort from this song and the symbolism it brings. My favorite Clapton song by far.

Into the Fire by Bruce Springsteen - A testament of longing, (to me) an unusual song from The Boss, but one of my favorites regardless.

And of course, no list of credits for a fantasy book would be complete without including a few names, most notably: R.A. Salvatore, J.R.R. Tolkien, Elaine Cunningham, Raymond E. Feist, and Tad Williams, as well as Gary Gygax and the many authors of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks. Each of these writers has contributed in some way to my work...I just hope that gets taken as a compliment. If you enjoy reading this book and have not read any of the works of the previously listed authors, I highly recommend each of them.