The World of Atherra
From the burning halls of Dravengarde to the storm-swept seas of Ormyrion, the Archive preserves the lore of kingdoms, noble houses, and battles long past
I’m E.J. Cordoue or Esteban, a writer, father, and creator of the Tales of Varestal. For me, storytelling isn’t just words on a page — it’s a way to breathe life into entire worlds, where rebellions rise, crowns fall, and legends linger in the shadows. I’ve been writing for years, but Varestal is my greatest passion — a realm I hope will grow alongside those who discover it.
Beyond the pages, I’m also a father to my daughter Elisia, who inspires me every day to keep building and dreaming. Between long shifts, late nights, and early mornings, this archive has become my sanctuary — a place to share not only my stories, but also the journey of an author still learning, still striving, and still believing in the magic of fiction.
Welcome to the Archive of Dravengarde. Here, you’ll find the worlds I’ve written, the thoughts I wrestle with, and the pieces of myself I’ve left behind in every tale
Community Friday (Discontinued)
There’s something most people in Varestal would never notice. If you walked through the great halls of Dravengarde, you’d see banners lining the walls, dozens of them. Different colors, different sigils, all hanging high like they’ve always been there. And to most people… that’s all they are. Decorations. History. Pride. But they’re not. Those banners…
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One of the strange things about creating a world is realizing that it eventually grows beyond the story you started with. When I first began writing Tales of Varestal, it was just an idea in my head, a kingdom, a few characters, and a story I wanted to tell. I wasn’t thinking about weekly posts,…
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Writing is strange. You sit alone with an idea that only exists in your head… and somehow you’re supposed to turn it into something other people can feel. When I first started writing The Shattered Crown, I thought the important part was scale. Big wars. Big betrayals. Big dramatic moments. But I’ve learned something over…
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As Tales of Varestal continues to grow, I’ve been looking at the kinds of posts I enjoy writing most — and the kinds of posts that best represent me as a creator. Because of that, I’ve decided to make a small change to the weekly schedule. Community Friday will be stepping aside to make room…
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For Elisia.For the nights when the world feels big, but your heart stays brave. Princess Elisia liked the daytime best. The sun made everything warm and bright. The flowers looked happier. The birds sang louder. And the road beyond the hills felt friendly and safe. But sometimes… Night came early. One evening, the sky turned…
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