2014 — MRJAKEPARKER.COM

I decided to use the 2014 Inktober challenge to write another story. This time it was about a flamboyant and ridiculous character named Lord Balderben. Though I never finished the story I do think about this character and his world a lot, and think about returning to it every year, though I have yet to do so.

day 1

Inktober Day 1!

It's finally HERE! This year I'm going to devote the whole month to telling a single story: Lord Balderben and the Infinicorn of Destiny!

This is a story I've been wanting to dig deeper into ever since I started drawing Balderben at the beginning of summer.
At the end of the month I'll collect all the drawings and make a book which will be available in my shop both as a digital download and a print version.
I'm super excited to see so many people taking on the Inktober challenge! You can do it! See you tomorrow!

day 2

"I was staying in the capital city of Vesra at the court of Princess Penelope when I was called to attend to a matter in the outer basins."

Journal entry 3256 - Lord Balderben

Day 3

"The outer basins, infertile, dry, and unforgiving...just like my ex. But it's home to one of the greatest scientists in the four quadrants. I only visited Professor Samedi on leap years, so for him to request my immediate attention has me a pinch uneasy. If it's a surprise birthday party I'll be miffed, my dress uniform is at the cleaners. "

Journal entry 3259 - Lord Balderben

day 4

"I was informed by Professor Samedi that he intercepted a message from an ancient inter-dimensional spirits of evil trying to use the Star-Lock to access our galaxy. If they were to make it through the portal they would ravage our planets, enslave our children, and use our blood to grease the engines of their war machines, laying waste to any cybercorn pilot who stands in their way.
Samedi also had gifted me a fantastic handmade leather satchel that matches my belt pouches. So I've got that going for me, which is nice."

Journal entry 3263 - Lord Balderben

day 5

"With Professor Samedi's data in hand I set off for the city of Viyons to warn our Queen. Any excuse to visit her again. ;)"

Journal entry 3264 - Lord Balderben

day 6

"While navigating the Blue Canyons I ran into Thrath, one of the local giants. Customs dictate that none can pass through their territory without offering a suitable gift. Luckily I had some Vesran cherries I "procured" from the palace still in my pack. They're a valuable and powerful narcotic for these big guys. This should be good for relations. Besides, they were starting to go bad anyway."

Journal entry 3265 - Lord Balderben

day 7

"I'm not going to lie, being a cybercorn pilot has it's privileges. But it's a life of polar extremes. One day you're guest of honor, dining with a princess, the next day you're cooking rice on a rock."

Journal entry 3266 - Lord Balderben

day 8 (1 of 3)

"I had a bit of an interruption during my dinner tonight."

Journal entry 3267A - Lord Balderben

Day 8 (2 of 3)

"She's an elegant beast, graceful and swift. But don't be fooled by her beauty, you do not want to be on the business end of this Cybercorn."

Journal entry 3267B - Lord Balderben

day 8 (3 of 3)

"This guy puts up quite a fight. Looks like I'm earning my paycheck tonight."

Journal entry 3267C - Lord Balderben

day 9

"He attacked with a swift viciousness unrivaled in this dimension, then vanished without finishing me off. Perhaps he underestimated the firepower of a fully grown Cybercorn. Professor Samedi's warning didn't come soon enough, the evil is here. My fellow cybercorn Pilots are all in grave danger.
”My trusted cybercorn sacrificed her life for me and in return I was able to preserve her sacred crystal power-horn. I must make it to the Queen, post haste! The fate of the Seven Living Planets depends on it...and I'm hungry."

Journal entry 3268 - Lord Balderben

day 10

"His assassination attempt thwarted by Balderben, the dragontron rider limped back to the command ship. Located in high orbit and utilizing ancient and dark cloaking technology, the massive ship evaded all modern surveillance equipment. A twisted and evil vessel, it's purpose was singular: to bring a civilization to its knees."

Balderben: His Life and Universe. pg. 589 - A biography written by his great-grandson Ralph Balderben

day 11

"Rather than face the dishonor and shame of being killed by the hand of a pilot or the horn of a cybercorn, the rider reported his ineptitude to his master. As penance, his death would be slow and horrible, but in the end, honorable."

Balderben: His Life and Universe. pg. 589 - A biography written by his great-grandson Ralph Balderben

day 12

"An obscure deity from an unknown dimension, Carnicious Thrax came to prominence when his sinister demons carried out an attack on the Seven Great Cybercon Pilots killing all but Lord Balderben.
Harnessing the power of Dark Matter to carry out his destruction, his ultimate goal was to rule the Seven Living Planets, where he was known simply as The Idiot Jerk Face."

Balderben: His Life and Universe. pg. 482 - A biography written by his great-grandson Ralph Balderben

day 13

"Carnicious Thrax walked into the inner core of his command ship to admire the sacred power horns his demons had won in battle. He would need the seventh to finally control the Star-Lock and sow his seeds of destruction across the Seven Living Planets. Knowing at least one of his riders would fail him he had put in place a back up. 'The Seventh will soon be mine!' he said in a overly dramatic evil voice."

Balderben: His Life and Universe. pg. 487 - A biography written by his great-grandson Ralph Balderben

day 14

“Seven. Out of billions, only seven. Seven planets in this vast universe claim the right to be designated “Living.” And connecting them, a single triumph of engineering, spiritual refinement, and naked luck is the Star-Lock, a portal system designed long ago by forgotten beings."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 327

day 15

"The Star-Lock is a living masterpiece pushing humanity's understanding of physics and space-time, and yet is essential to commerce, industry, and travel between the Seven Living Planets in the Known Galaxy. It not only unlocked our access to the stars, but also our access to the best donuts in the galaxy. They're from Cignus, and they are to DIE for, seriously you need grab a dozen next time you're there."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 327

day 16

"With the Star-Lock open an unprecedented amount of trade and industry erupted on the Seven planets, but it also exposed new threats and vulnerabilities from planet to planet.
”However, it was discovered that each portal is governed by a power crystal. Not only a source of unimaginable cosmic power, the seven crystals themselves are ancient hard drives that don't just hold the code for unlocking the Star-Lock, but the mysteries of the universe itself."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 327

day 17

"Each planet selected a single representative to be a crystal bearer. Part embassador, part guardian, and part gate keeper, these were men and women with steadfast moral character, unparallelled mental strength, advanced physical prowess, and of course, stunning good looks."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 392

day 18

"The power of the crystals corrupted the Seven causing a terrible war. In the end man proved to be too weak to control such awesomeness.
”It was decided a creature much more benevolent and tempered would have to bear the power of the crystals."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 392

day 19

"Work began on what would be humanity's greatest engineering achievement: Project Cybercorn. Built by the Remus Family, an engineering clan who were instrumental in figuring out how the Star-Lock worked, the Cybercorns beauty and elegance rival any technology built in the Four Galactic Quadrants. Even the iPhone 617S can't compete."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 395

day 20

"With the crystals securely locked into the Cybercorns, each Cybercorn chose for itself a pilot, creating a perfect combination of power, heart, and mind....and good looks...and razor sharp wit...oh, and humility, too."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 395

day 21

"With the seven pilots united with the seven cybercorns the seven living planets enjoyed a peace and prosperity not seen for seven centuries.
”And it's been written that I, Lord Balderben, was the greatest of them all. I wouldn't go that far, but I was a pretty good pilot."

Star-Locked: A brief History of the Galaxy written by Lord Balderben, pg. 400

day 22

"Day two on foot. So far the journey has been surprisingly uneventful. I should reach Viyons City and the Queen tomorrow night, barring any unforeseen setbacks."

Journal entry 3270 - Lord Balderben

day 23

"I ran into something in the woods that was less than friendly. Luckily, I dispatched him while incurring only a minor wound. Ate well tonight."

Journal entry 3271 - Lord Balderben

day 24

"Finally entered through the gate of Viyons only to find the city empty. Or...could this be the greatest surprise party of my life?! Honestly, I'm not up for it today...this ache in my left arm won't go away. I should have it checked out."

Journal entry 3273 - Lord Balderben