Jonathan B. Edvane
@edvane.bsky.social
Dark fantasy, folk horror and strange fiction. Tales from the Woldwood. Edvane Stories. The Shivering Vale — novel forthcoming. edvane.world #vss365
Pinned
#vss365 A #hurricane tore roofs from houses and uprooted ancient trees, yet the old chapel stood untouched. Survivors crowded inside to give thanks.
The priest locked the doors. Outside, the storm stopped instantly.
He smiled. “There. It’s brought me a fresh congregation.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
The priest locked the doors. Outside, the storm stopped instantly.
He smiled. “There. It’s brought me a fresh congregation.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
October 5, 2026 at 2:37 PM
#vss365 A #hurricane tore roofs from houses and uprooted ancient trees, yet the old chapel stood untouched. Survivors crowded inside to give thanks.
The priest locked the doors. Outside, the storm stopped instantly.
He smiled. “There. It’s brought me a fresh congregation.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
The priest locked the doors. Outside, the storm stopped instantly.
He smiled. “There. It’s brought me a fresh congregation.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 For three nights, the dead followed a ship through the fog, their drowned faces rising beside the hull whenever the crew slowed. When they finally reached the #harbour, the sodden corpses stopped and would come no further...
#Edvane #DarkFantasy
#Edvane #DarkFantasy
October 4, 2026 at 5:22 PM
#vss365 For three nights, the dead followed a ship through the fog, their drowned faces rising beside the hull whenever the crew slowed. When they finally reached the #harbour, the sodden corpses stopped and would come no further...
#Edvane #DarkFantasy
#Edvane #DarkFantasy
Brandon Sanderson famously argued that an author’s ability to solve problems with magic is proportional to how well the reader understands it.
But what if hard and soft magic aren’t really properties of magic at all?
This Dark Hearth essay explores the argument. LINK IN COMMENTS
#Fantasy #Writing
But what if hard and soft magic aren’t really properties of magic at all?
This Dark Hearth essay explores the argument. LINK IN COMMENTS
#Fantasy #Writing
October 3, 2026 at 2:50 PM
#vss365 The will-o’-the-wisp danced across the bog each night, bright enough to #lure travellers from the road. Villagers blamed the marsh for the vanished.
One night, a man tracked the light and saw it pause above a patch of black mud. Then the mud opened its mouth. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
One night, a man tracked the light and saw it pause above a patch of black mud. Then the mud opened its mouth. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
October 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
#vss365 The will-o’-the-wisp danced across the bog each night, bright enough to #lure travellers from the road. Villagers blamed the marsh for the vanished.
One night, a man tracked the light and saw it pause above a patch of black mud. Then the mud opened its mouth. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
One night, a man tracked the light and saw it pause above a patch of black mud. Then the mud opened its mouth. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 A librarian found an old map showing a way through the #mountain where no road existed. After closing, he followed the map until he found the path at the place it promised. Eventually, the path disappeared into a cave... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
October 2, 2026 at 9:20 AM
#vss365 A librarian found an old map showing a way through the #mountain where no road existed. After closing, he followed the map until he found the path at the place it promised. Eventually, the path disappeared into a cave... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 Each month, a black #cloud rolled down and settled over the houses. The next day, another house stood empty. The priest said the mist carried souls to God.
When it reached his door, he finally saw what moved inside it.
Thousands of tiny hands. Reaching for him. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
When it reached his door, he finally saw what moved inside it.
Thousands of tiny hands. Reaching for him. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
October 1, 2026 at 5:07 PM
#vss365 Each month, a black #cloud rolled down and settled over the houses. The next day, another house stood empty. The priest said the mist carried souls to God.
When it reached his door, he finally saw what moved inside it.
Thousands of tiny hands. Reaching for him. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
When it reached his door, he finally saw what moved inside it.
Thousands of tiny hands. Reaching for him. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
With The Smothing of Dunsop Bridge, I wanted to write a piece of folklore that never existed, but might have. Something rooted closely enough in a real place, and old rural warnings that, for a moment at least, you might wonder whether I had made any of it up. LINK IN COMMENTS #Edvane #Folklore
September 30, 2026 at 1:59 PM
#vss365 The wizard left his apprentice a single #bequest. Most pages of the book were blank, but each year a new spell appeared. He learned them all.
In the twentieth year, a final spell appeared. Beneath it, his master had written, “Now you are ready. You may bring me back.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
In the twentieth year, a final spell appeared. Beneath it, his master had written, “Now you are ready. You may bring me back.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 30, 2026 at 1:36 PM
#vss365 The wizard left his apprentice a single #bequest. Most pages of the book were blank, but each year a new spell appeared. He learned them all.
In the twentieth year, a final spell appeared. Beneath it, his master had written, “Now you are ready. You may bring me back.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
In the twentieth year, a final spell appeared. Beneath it, his master had written, “Now you are ready. You may bring me back.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 The headsman lowered his axe. “A royal #reprieve,” he announced. The prisoner sagged with relief as the crowd groaned. Then the castle gates opened. An impossibly tall, antlered creature stepped into the square.
“His Majesty has sent a different executioner.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
“His Majesty has sent a different executioner.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 29, 2026 at 3:50 PM
#vss365 The headsman lowered his axe. “A royal #reprieve,” he announced. The prisoner sagged with relief as the crowd groaned. Then the castle gates opened. An impossibly tall, antlered creature stepped into the square.
“His Majesty has sent a different executioner.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
“His Majesty has sent a different executioner.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 She carried the smoking bundle through every room, whispering the words as bitter herbs filled the house. “Smoke will #purify what lives here,” the old woman had promised
In the bedroom, the smoke curled around her sleeping husband and turned black. She stared at him... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
In the bedroom, the smoke curled around her sleeping husband and turned black. She stared at him... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 28, 2026 at 3:45 PM
#vss365 She carried the smoking bundle through every room, whispering the words as bitter herbs filled the house. “Smoke will #purify what lives here,” the old woman had promised
In the bedroom, the smoke curled around her sleeping husband and turned black. She stared at him... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
In the bedroom, the smoke curled around her sleeping husband and turned black. She stared at him... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 The witchfinder raised the torch. “#Renounce the Devil, and God may yet forgive you.” She smiled through broken teeth. “I did, a decade ago.”
Behind him, the church burst into flames, its bell crashing to the ground. His own men seized him.
“Now I work alone,” she said #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Behind him, the church burst into flames, its bell crashing to the ground. His own men seized him.
“Now I work alone,” she said #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 27, 2026 at 2:11 PM
#vss365 The witchfinder raised the torch. “#Renounce the Devil, and God may yet forgive you.” She smiled through broken teeth. “I did, a decade ago.”
Behind him, the church burst into flames, its bell crashing to the ground. His own men seized him.
“Now I work alone,” she said #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Behind him, the church burst into flames, its bell crashing to the ground. His own men seized him.
“Now I work alone,” she said #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 Mother Green took in every orphan girl the village abandoned. “Even the unwanted will flourish with enough #nurture,” she said.
Years later, they carried their wands and weapons to the castle gates.
Mother Green had never wanted daughters.
She wanted an army. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Years later, they carried their wands and weapons to the castle gates.
Mother Green had never wanted daughters.
She wanted an army. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 26, 2026 at 2:03 PM
#vss365 Mother Green took in every orphan girl the village abandoned. “Even the unwanted will flourish with enough #nurture,” she said.
Years later, they carried their wands and weapons to the castle gates.
Mother Green had never wanted daughters.
She wanted an army. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Years later, they carried their wands and weapons to the castle gates.
Mother Green had never wanted daughters.
She wanted an army. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
What if the folklore we think of as ancient was simply invented by somebody who made it stick?
King Arthur became a chough. Children’s rhymes acquired meanings. Writers filled the gaps.
In this post, I say Folklore is up for grabs. It always has been. LINK IN COMMENTS #Edvane #Folklore
King Arthur became a chough. Children’s rhymes acquired meanings. Writers filled the gaps.
In this post, I say Folklore is up for grabs. It always has been. LINK IN COMMENTS #Edvane #Folklore
September 25, 2026 at 6:25 PM
#vss365 “I #reckon it fled to the caves,” Fredor said. “A beast that size leaves tracks.” Tanner snorted. “No dice, it’s above us.” The mossy boulder beside them exhaled a hot, sulphuric breath, and two yellow eyes opened. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 25, 2026 at 6:09 PM
#vss365 “I #reckon it fled to the caves,” Fredor said. “A beast that size leaves tracks.” Tanner snorted. “No dice, it’s above us.” The mossy boulder beside them exhaled a hot, sulphuric breath, and two yellow eyes opened. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 When famine arrived, the Fear Gorta came begging at each cottage door. Some shared what little they had. Others cursed his #hunger and drove him back into the cold.
By spring, the generous houses had full larders.
In the others, they were eating the dead. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
By spring, the generous houses had full larders.
In the others, they were eating the dead. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 24, 2026 at 1:41 PM
#vss365 When famine arrived, the Fear Gorta came begging at each cottage door. Some shared what little they had. Others cursed his #hunger and drove him back into the cold.
By spring, the generous houses had full larders.
In the others, they were eating the dead. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
By spring, the generous houses had full larders.
In the others, they were eating the dead. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 A sculptor worked by candlelight, carving his dead wife from black marble. Such was his #passion that every vein, lash and wrinkle returned beneath his hands.
Eventually, the statue opened its eyes. He wept with joy.
Then she whispered, “You buried me alive.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Eventually, the statue opened its eyes. He wept with joy.
Then she whispered, “You buried me alive.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 23, 2026 at 1:46 PM
#vss365 A sculptor worked by candlelight, carving his dead wife from black marble. Such was his #passion that every vein, lash and wrinkle returned beneath his hands.
Eventually, the statue opened its eyes. He wept with joy.
Then she whispered, “You buried me alive.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Eventually, the statue opened its eyes. He wept with joy.
Then she whispered, “You buried me alive.” #Edvane #DarkFantasy
In Emmie and the Black Orchard, I wanted to use a dark fairy tale to explore the cost of love: sacrificing even the memory of having loved.
It created a nasty paradox. Everyone remembers who they love because Emmie agrees to be the one person who cannot.
LINK IN COMMENTS
#Edvane #FairyTale
It created a nasty paradox. Everyone remembers who they love because Emmie agrees to be the one person who cannot.
LINK IN COMMENTS
#Edvane #FairyTale
September 22, 2026 at 12:52 PM
In Emmie and the Black Orchard, I wanted to use a dark fairy tale to explore the cost of love: sacrificing even the memory of having loved.
It created a nasty paradox. Everyone remembers who they love because Emmie agrees to be the one person who cannot.
LINK IN COMMENTS
#Edvane #FairyTale
It created a nasty paradox. Everyone remembers who they love because Emmie agrees to be the one person who cannot.
LINK IN COMMENTS
#Edvane #FairyTale
#vss365 The SS Chimbayo was due to #embark for Alaska with machinery, lamp oil and winter provisions. She departed on time, but never arrived.
Decades later, she steamed into harbour through January fog. Every man aboard was dead. All of them were frozen upright at their posts. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Decades later, she steamed into harbour through January fog. Every man aboard was dead. All of them were frozen upright at their posts. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 22, 2026 at 11:58 AM
#vss365 The SS Chimbayo was due to #embark for Alaska with machinery, lamp oil and winter provisions. She departed on time, but never arrived.
Decades later, she steamed into harbour through January fog. Every man aboard was dead. All of them were frozen upright at their posts. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Decades later, she steamed into harbour through January fog. Every man aboard was dead. All of them were frozen upright at their posts. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 On a #stormy crossing, the crew of a steamer sighted another vessel pacing them through the rain. Its decks were crowded with dancing skeletons and drowned men in rotting evening clothes, glasses raised beneath strings of yellow lamps... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 21, 2026 at 2:59 PM
#vss365 On a #stormy crossing, the crew of a steamer sighted another vessel pacing them through the rain. Its decks were crowded with dancing skeletons and drowned men in rotting evening clothes, glasses raised beneath strings of yellow lamps... #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 Baron Ludlow ended the thirty-year #conflict by marrying his daughter to his enemy’s son. The wedding lasted three days, and both houses swore the old hatred was buried.
The next morning, the bride was found hanging from the gate. Pinned to her dress was the treaty #Edvane #DarkFantasy
The next morning, the bride was found hanging from the gate. Pinned to her dress was the treaty #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 20, 2026 at 6:02 PM
#vss365 Baron Ludlow ended the thirty-year #conflict by marrying his daughter to his enemy’s son. The wedding lasted three days, and both houses swore the old hatred was buried.
The next morning, the bride was found hanging from the gate. Pinned to her dress was the treaty #Edvane #DarkFantasy
The next morning, the bride was found hanging from the gate. Pinned to her dress was the treaty #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 On Thursday, the miners broke through into a cavern no map recorded. Inside stood a forest of crystal trees. For hours they wandered in #marvel, touching leaves as cold as winter glass.
Then one man found his own name carved into a trunk, followed by ‘Friday’. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Then one man found his own name carved into a trunk, followed by ‘Friday’. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 19, 2026 at 5:14 PM
#vss365 On Thursday, the miners broke through into a cavern no map recorded. Inside stood a forest of crystal trees. For hours they wandered in #marvel, touching leaves as cold as winter glass.
Then one man found his own name carved into a trunk, followed by ‘Friday’. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
Then one man found his own name carved into a trunk, followed by ‘Friday’. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 At harvest, the villagers left one acre standing for the corn demons. Animals, and sometimes children, strayed into it and vanished. The elders said such losses were the price required to sustain the demons and spare the village.
When famine came, they cut every stalk...
When famine came, they cut every stalk...
September 17, 2026 at 6:05 PM
#vss365 At harvest, the villagers left one acre standing for the corn demons. Animals, and sometimes children, strayed into it and vanished. The elders said such losses were the price required to sustain the demons and spare the village.
When famine came, they cut every stalk...
When famine came, they cut every stalk...
#vss365 For a hundred years, a Potioneer kept one brew simmering beneath his tower. On the final night, he took up a silver spoon.
“One stir,” his master’s notes promised, “and the work may #commence.” He stirred. Something beneath grasped the spoon and stirred back. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
“One stir,” his master’s notes promised, “and the work may #commence.” He stirred. Something beneath grasped the spoon and stirred back. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
September 16, 2026 at 6:07 PM
#vss365 For a hundred years, a Potioneer kept one brew simmering beneath his tower. On the final night, he took up a silver spoon.
“One stir,” his master’s notes promised, “and the work may #commence.” He stirred. Something beneath grasped the spoon and stirred back. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
“One stir,” his master’s notes promised, “and the work may #commence.” He stirred. Something beneath grasped the spoon and stirred back. #Edvane #DarkFantasy
#vss365 The woods turned #autumnal as he crossed them, green leaves reddening above him while blackthorn burst from the earth and hooked his coat, his skin, and his hair. When the Cailleach stepped from between the trees, he begged to know why the change had come so soon...
September 15, 2026 at 8:14 AM