Mortisia -- preview.

Welcome!

I'd like to share with you the first chapter of a story I'm currently working on, to get some feedback and initial thoughts, to find out what's interesting, what's less interesting, what's perhaps confusing, etcetera. I have selected my first chapter for your introduction to the vast world in which Mortisia is one of the most-powerful nations. In this world where airships roam the skies and grand national air fleets engage each other in aerial combat, I try to avoid the usual cliches of the steampunk genre.

It should be clear from the start that this is a work in progress! Some aspects are missing -- such as the calendar system -- so I ask you please to suspend your disbelief at these moments. Also, it is highly likely that this chapter (and others) will be tweaked in future, and that you won't get a clear indication of the story to come. This is quite deliberate, partly so as not to spoil it for those of you who decide to return to Mortisia. For now, I'd just like feedback on how people find it to read, how they find my writing style, what could be improved, should there be more suspense, are the names too complicated, etc. I'm relatively new to fiction writing, so anything you think of, please leave a comment and I'll take it on board!

I feel I should also mention that, while this chapter isn't hugely action-packed, later chapters will be more so. This is just to set the scene in the world, and I'd like to hear what people think of the world as they discover it in this chapter. It's highly possible that I'll upload further chapters in future in order to get more feedback. It's also worth mentioning that there is a second character from whose perspective we witness a different but linked story-line, but who is introduced several chapters in.

Until then, I look forward to seeing what feedback people have, and I hope you enjoy! I hope you brought a raincoat...