Behind the Pages: An Interview with Roderick L. Fowler III on The Baron’s Gambit

1. What was the very first spark of inspiration that made you want to mash together a Western with fantasy elements like orcs and elves?

I was raised in a household where the most common films were westerns and war movies. Westerns were always written off as mindless action and I felt everyone missed the point that they tackled very difficult social issues. Fantasy however made it easier for authors to take on those social issues. By replacing actual races with fantasy races it made the message more digestible to audiences. I wanted to be able to take on ideas of justice, nationalism, and racial inequity in a western while portraying it in a form that my audience would attach to and learn from.

2. Who was more fun to write: the weary sheep-farming captain Luksi, or his loyal orc partner Grak?

Oh, by far Grak. Grak had a lot more of me in him. He’s seen darkness in his world, but chooses to react with comedy and wit. He is all the best parts of innocence without actually being innocent. Luksi, however is the opposite. I think readers forget that Grak and Luksi fought in the same wars. They saw the same evils. Luksi let it break him down while Grak not only held himself up but helped to hold Luksi up as well.

3. What is your absolute favorite line of dialogue or action scene in the book?

I love the scene where Saran and Grak come to the rescue in the woods. When I wrote Saran’s line of “It’s silver sugar.” I fully defined her character. She wasn’t a victim of her terrible situation. She was a warrior born from the ashes.

4. Was it harder to build the rules of the Ragnarian Territory or to map out the intense conflict with Cattle Baron Isaac Crampbull?

That’s hard to answer. The conflict with Crampbull is indicative of the greater conflict of the Vinlandic Empire. The Ragnarian territory is the frontier in their world. The rules are pretty simple, there aren’t many. The laws are more relaxed than in the empire proper.

Now the rules of magic in this world are pretty simple. It costs energy and saps the user. The more powerful the spell, the more energy it costs. This isn’t the typical magic of fantasy worlds. This is strong, natural, indigenous magic. The kind of magic the Vinlanders cannot understand or really ever trust.

5. If you could sum up Luksi’s journey in just three words, what would they be?

Relearning to Love.

6. Since you live in the Ozarks, did your real-life surroundings inspire any of the landscapes on the edge of the territory?

The Ragnarian Territory would be in what is modern day Midwestern United States. The story is an alternate history with fantasy elements. So the biomes are more great plains than the mountainous Ozarks. I have yet to write a book that takes place near where I live. I do have a series coming soon based on a local legend but that will be under my horror brand The Other Side series under my pen name Joshua Sharpe.

7. What is the number one thing you hope readers take away from this story about freedom and chosen family?

I’ve always loved the saying, “The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” The family you find, or more important the family that finds you, is more fulfilling in some situations than the one you’re born with. If you feel lonely, or just want that kind of connection, pick up The Baron’s Gambit. You’ll be surprised at how close you feel to the characters.