I'm a professional astrologer, fantasy novelist, lecturer,
teacher, poet, and game designer. For my inspirational
astrological services and talents check out my sister site:
www.kellyleephipps.com
I designed
Astrofantasy.com to share my fantasy realms, stories,
characters, and games with the world. These creations
come through dreams, meditations, and visualization.
I initially became fascinated with fantasy writing in 3rd
grade when I was most fortunate to read The Sword of
Shanarra by Terry Brooks. My imagination was ignited!
That same year my baby sitter, Perry Duran, introduced me to
the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.
By 6th grade I was already guiding friends through
adventures set in Greyhawk. I was encouraged and
inspired by my art teacher Dan Frazier who went on to become
a top fantasy artist in the gaming industry. I loved
seeing his maps of his own world in art class. he
would teach us to play games before and after school.
I often got into trouble for DMing in class!
By 9th grade I had developed a weekly thriving campaign
set in Forgotten Realms, but I felt like I really wanted to
get in on the world creation process. So in 10th grade
I finally threw in the towel and started designing the first
version of Thandoria, my own fantasy world. I still
remember drawing out the first continent of Magishar.
I also remember the night I created a legendary wood elf
hero named Arian Brazenwood, and also deciding that would be
the name of my son if I ever had one! I began writing
Brazenwood, my first of a 12-book epic fantasy series back
then, and printed the final manuscript out years later on
the exact day of my son's birth. Check out his amazing
works at his site:
www.arianbrazenwood.com. You can check out some of
the chapters in my Poetry & Novels section.
Nearly two decades have passed since Thandoria came into
being. I've celebrate those twenty creative years by
putting Thandoria through its third overhaul. I just
completed the 20,000 year detailed history and I'm currently
working on the World of Thandoria Campaign Setting.
Inspired by the old Spelljammer game and more recently by
Dragonstar, I've also decided to put the futuristic vision
of Thandoria on the map with the introduction of
Amakawa: The D20 space fantasy campaign. Now I
can give full vent to all the celestial visions brewing
within! I heard a yogi at a rainbow gathering in West
Virginia say that science fiction writers are the modern day
prophets. I think it's true!
In designing worlds and running fantasy games I learned
many tips and tricks of the trade that I was inspired to
pass on to fellow gamers and novelists. Thus, the
World Design section of the site came into being. I
will also be publishing a Gamemaster's accessory called
Cultures & Civilizations: The D20 Guide to Fantasy World
Craft later this year.
In high school I wasn't just a gamer nerd. I was
also elected captain of the football team, a true spiritual
warrior athlete! I remember vividly attaining
enlightenment on the football field. Sports are gateways into the eternal realm of vision.
I wrote a screenplay about this experience that I will one
day make into a movie called Satori High.
The CrownQuest section of the site emerged from my desire to
blend fantasy with sports. Long before Blood Bowl came
out, I used to set up D&D miniatures and design rules
simulations for football plays with them. CrownQuest
was the eventual result of that creative endeavor that
provided my college buddies and I many hours of fantasy
football excitement! Recently I began giving the game
an overhaul by transforming it into a D20 system game
format. Again, I welcome you to this
ever-changing, always under construction, growing web venture to share the contents of
one overactive imagination with humanity. If it
inspires you even just a smidgen then I have succeeded in my
goal. Enjoy the cosmic journey into the rythmic
vibration of the archetypes that shape life!
Kelly Lee Phipps
Asheville 2005
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