Every week, the Castalia House Blog spotlights some of the many new releases in independent, pulp, and web novel-influenced science fiction and fantasy.

---

By This Axe – presented by Autarch

By This Axe: The Cyclopedia of Dwarven Civilization reveals the secrets of the great and proud race of dwarves, compiled, codified, and curated for use in your favorite old-school fantasy role-playing game. With the Cyclopedia, you get:

•  270 pages of lore and rules bounded in a stitch-bound hardcover and PDF edition
• A full-color painted cover by Michael Syrigos
• A full-color interior layout with full- and half-page art
• Compatibility with Old School Renaissance RPGs such as ACKS, OSE, LL, and LOTFP

---

Constant Sorrow (Backyard Starship #15) – J. N. Chaney and Terry Maggert

Humans have been in the stars far longer than Van originally thought, and they’ve been busy.

But not every visitor to or from Earth has good intentions, and the Peacemakers are faced with an uncomfortable reality. The Earth is about to meet aliens. Some of the aliens are bringing goods to trade. And among those items—are weapons.

When a secret cabal of humans who want to exploit the Earth is revealed, Van has to decide how and where to fight this threat. Along the way, he reveals a secret history that began in the Great War—and ends with mass chaos on his home planet.

Van won’t let that happen—at least not without a fight, and to hold back the gears of war, he’s going to need a lot of help. With Torina at his side, the crew faces a decision that will change the future of the stars themselves, and challenge the Guild, the Earth, and the Equal Grasp as the universe gets smaller with each contact between humans and aliens.

How can Van manage the clash, save earth, and deliver peace?

If he can, what will it cost him?

---

Privateers & Pandemonium (Salvage Treasure #3) – Nick Steverson and Melissa Olthoff

Have you ever wanted to hunt down the galaxy’s worst pirates? To stand up for what’s right and honorable?

Reggie and his small clan didn’t set out to be privateers. They set out to find the lost pirate ship of Captain Pordobel. When they hit a dead-end in their hunt, though, they contacted their old pirate buddies for help. After all, Pordobel was not only the galaxy’s most fearsome pirate, he was also the galaxy’s richest pirate. If the group can find his lost flagship, there will be more than enough treasure to go around.

But not everything goes according to plan.

If any pirate ever matched Pordobel’s bloodthirsty atrocities, it would be Captain Parson and his Predators. And they’re expanding their reach.

Armed with a writ from Emperor Dahkal, the clan sets out to put a stop Parson once and for all. But Parson is no ordinary pirate. He’s the head of the pirate council and commands an entire armada.

Will they stop Parson and end his rampage? Will they ever find the lost pirate ship of Captain Pordobel? Will Maddy ever get her umbrellas?

One thing is certain—there will be pandemonium.

---

The World According to Dragons #3 – Harmon Cooper

Armed with Arcane Cards and a fresh comprehension of dragon essence, Twillo is better equipped than ever to challenge Jecha, the formidable God of Carnage. However, the challenge doesn’t end there: a race against time and foe alike to unlock the last of the ziggurats, which hold the key to resurrecting dragons in the Four Kingdoms of the Sagaland.

Venturing towards the sun-drenched southern desert, Twillo is joined by an old friend thought lost to time. This newly forged alliance, however, will face challenges at every turn. From monstrous adversaries to former mentors twisted by spite, danger abounds on their path to Twillo’s ultimate goal.

Will Twillo free the imprisoned dragons before Jecha can seize control? Can he reclaim his name and fulfill his legacy? An epic adventure full of peril, camaraderie, and earth-shattering revelations awaits.

---

ANVIL: Iron Age Magazine Issue #2 – a crowdfunding campaign from IronAge Media

In this age of derivative and propagandistic mainstream media, creators across mediums and genres have begun pushing back. ANVIL celebrates and highlights those artists and authors drawing inspiration from the roots of comics and pulp. Heralding the rediscovery and refocus on quality over ideology which is already underway, and gaining momentum.

Published and organized by IronAge.Media, a site focused on connecting Iron Age creators with new fans, edited by Daniel P. Riley, of Whimsyland and supported by Jacob Calta of 365 Infantry as Designer. Issue #2 is upping the ante with more fiction and more comics than before, over one hundred pages of short fiction and comics will give you a taste of the best the indie sphere has to offer.

This crowdfunding campaign will remain open until 1 September, 2023.

---

Kamen America #8 – a Kickstarter campaign from Timothy Lim and Mark Pellegrini

“Charlotte ‘Carly’ Vanders was a fashion designer whose fateful encounter with a cosmic collision transformed her into a supercharged henshin heroine! Shedding her corporate overlords and driven by good ol’ American grit and determination, she is the patriotic paladin known as KAMEN AMERICA!”

Kamen America, Volume 8 finds a fractured Kamen Corps having to reconvene in Nevada to stop a destructive plan from the Zenerengers and a mob of Dark Suit hooligans! That’s easier said that done, however, as they’ll have to coordinate their efforts while facing an onslaught from a team of Otomotons who have their own set of tricks!

It’s an all-out battle royale as the two henshin-hero groups fight for this piece of ground! Who will emerge victorious and what repercussions will this have on our heroine and her world?

This Kickstarter will remain open until 2 August, 2023.

---

The Mighty Sons of Hercules – a Kickstarter campaign from Cirsova

Long ago, in ages past… there were men who travelled the world, seeking adventure. Fighting injustice, defending the weak and the helpless, looking to right wrongs wherever they are found: these were the Mighty Sons of Hercules!

Cirsova Publishing invites you to join eight of the Mighty Sons of Hercules on their daring adventures! You’ll be amazed by their impressive feats of superhuman strength. You’ll be dazzled by the exotic and dangerous beauties who would seek their downfall. You’ll cheer as they save the innocent from peril and mete out justice to dastardly villains.

Wherever righteousness must have a champion, there you will find the Mighty Sons of Hercules! Whenever there is need and no mortal man can suffice, a Mighty Son of Hercules shall appear!

This Kickstarter will remain open until 31 July, 2023.

---

Saga of the Swordbreaker: Invincible Under Heaven – a crowdfunding campaign by Kit Sun Cheah

Previously on SAGA OF THE SWORDBREAKER, Li Ming entered the martial forest, filled with dreams of fighting evil and attaining immortality. He battled beasts and bandits, became ensnared in the schemes of the Five States and Ten Corporations, and discovered the dark undercurrents of the rivers and lakes. In the space of a year, all his delusions were stripped away, leaving him wondering what he should do with his life.

Now in the second half of the series, INVINCIBLE UNDER HEAVEN, Li Ming’s journey reaches its climax.

Follow Li Ming as he journeys to attain the apex of martial skill. Witness his rise through the ranks of martial cultivators. Fight beside him as he battles secret societies, powerful monsters, and devil cultivators.

And together, discover the true meaning of the ancient phrase ‘invincible under heaven’.

This crowdfunding campaign will remain open until 21 August, 2023.