The Caravansary
Jevlir is a small town on an important caravan route just before you enter a very dangerous section of road going through a mountain range, or just after if you’re going the other way! At the caravansary you can easily hire guards, many of whom regularly hire on with caravans just through the mountains, and then return with another. It’s a place where stories are exchanged, either the last place for relaxed socialization before a rough stretch, or the first opportunity to rest and relax afterward.
I invented Jevlir for my Energion role-playing game world, and I think it makes a good namesake for a blog where I’ll post various pieces of writing. I’m going to start back with material I have in files from the days of the typewriter, and go on with more recent writing. I’m not even trying to play professional here; I’m just having fun.
I’m better known for my religious writing, which you can find at my Threads from Henry’s Web and Participatory Bible Study blogs. I’m writing this because it’s fun and also to say in a tangible way that it’s OK to be Christian and enjoy role-playing, science fiction, fantasy, and many other forms of written entertainment.
You can find out more about me at Henry Neufeld.
The Header Images
The variety of header images relates to the variety of content on the blog. I write a small amount of poetry, Bible related short stories, fantasy, science fiction, a bit of contemporary fiction, and occasional thought pieces about literature. No single header image would reflect everything.
The images are not coordinated with content. You can find the header that is a stained glass window depicting New Testament scenes above a fantasy story that makes no Christian reference at all.
Purpose of my Stories
Though I’ve never been asked it in a comment on this blog, I am frequently asked face-to-face whether I have a moral purpose in my stories. This may come up as an assumption, in which someone assumes that if I am writing, I must have theological under- or overtones, or it may come from someone who wonders if my fantasy and science fiction work is allgorical.
Other than that I generally write in a universe in which actions have consequences, my stories don’t generally have a moral point. I do try to raise and examine moral issues in the stories, but this is part of the characters’ view of the universe.
As I emphasize in notes on a number of stories, no character speaks for me, and it is quite possible that I will write a complete story in which nobody expresses what I would actually think about any particular situation.
I do believe fiction can have a serious purpose beyond entertainment. Imaginary worlds provide us an opportunity to explore alternatives in a safe environment–safe because it is not real.
I hope you enjoy the Caravansary. Feel free to share comments on anything!