Summaries (By Story Arc Importance)

The following table describes stories in terms of their importance, in two separate variables: how much background is needed to understand the story, and how often is the story called back to in future stories.

You may hover over the orange or red "background" fields to learn what stories you're recommended to read first.

Much of this chart is personal speculation of one person. Feel free to discuss in the forums if you agree or disagree with these assessments.

Story Background Needed Future Callbacks
Requires no background knowledge; story explains everything.
Requires minimal background knowledge, assumes familiarity with premise.
Requires medium background knowledge, generally characters or a few story arcs.
Requires extensive background knowledge, generally of multiple story arcs.
No callbacks; story is not mentioned again in future.
Minimal callbacks; likely referenced by own author, unlikely by others.
Medium callbacks; overall plot referenced often by others.
Massive callbacks; plot and individual events referenced often by others.
Metamor Keep, by Copernicus
Alchemy, by Pascal Q. Porcupine
Speed of the Light Fantastic, by Zach Metamor Keep
For Knowledge's Sake, by Christopher Hughes
Writer's Guild, by Charles Matthias
Fur-Brained, by Magus
Alone in the Dark, by Dan D'Alimonte
Potion, by Pascal Q. Porcupine
Library, by Pascal Q. Porcupine Potion
Storm Watch, by Terry Spafford
Patrol, by Christopher Hughes Alone in the Dark
Artificer's Gambit, by Jon Sleeper
Lightbringer, by Raven Blackmane
Malvoisin, by Wanderer
Sunny Skies, by Terry Spafford Lightbringer
The Fight That Never Happened, by Charles Matthias Writer's Guild
Homecoming, by Christopher Hughes
Coyote Delivers, by Kee Coyote
Tail of a Young Wolf, by Wanderer
Playing with Fire, by Phil Guesz
Fool for a Day, by Devon Erthshade
Welcoming Committee, by Chris O'Kane
'Tis the Season, by Wanderer Alone in the Dark, Library, Malvoisin, Tail of a Young Wolf
Hoof and Claw, by Jon Sleeper Artificer's Gambit
Sea Breeze, by Terry Spafford
Support Group, by Charles Matthias
Facing Knight, by Charles Matthias Support Group
Confession, by Christopher Hughes Facing Knight
Evening Stroll, by Charles Matthias
Especially Disappointed, by Charles Matthias Evening Stroll
Escaping, by Charles Matthias
The Secrets in Truth, by Charles Matthias and Fox Cutter
Escalation, by Charles Matthias
Errands and Editors, by Charles Matthias
A New Season, by Dan D'Alimonte
Equinox Arriveth, by Charles Matthias
A Small Repair, by Chris O'Kane
The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Grasshoppers, by Dan D'Alimonte
Winds of Destiny, by Phil Guesz Playing with Fire
Entertaining Thoughts of Eucharist, by Charles Matthias
The Effects of Rising Too Early, by Charles Matthias Errands and Editors, Equinox Arriveth
Eating at the Duke's Table, by Charles Matthias Errands and Editors
Long Beneath the Keep, by Kee Coyote
Tournament, by Chris O'Kane
Easter Endeth, by Charles Matthias Entertaining Thoughts of Eucharist, Eating at the Duke's Table
Fetish, by Christopher Hughes Lightbringer, Facing Knight
Early to Sleep, by Charles Matthias A Small Repair, Errands and Editors, Eating at the Duke's Table
Writer's Conference, by Phil Guesz
Admissions and Applications, by Charles Matthias The Effects of Rising Too Early, Fetish
Arduous Tasks, by Charles Matthias Admissions and Applications
Colors, by Pascal Q. Porcupine Potion
Duke of Metamor?, by Chris O'Kane
Faith, Trust and Hope, by Chris O'Kane Tournament
Withering Days, by Magus
Attacking Cossack, by Charles Matthias Hoof and Claw, Eating at the Duke's Table, Early to Sleep, Fetish
Awake, by Charles Matthias Attacking Cossack
Cloud Seeding, by Terry Spafford Sea Breeze
Battling a Tree, by Charles Matthias Colors
Raining Cats and Dragons, by Terry Spafford Cloud Seeding
Best Friend's Burden, by Charles Matthias
Idle Afternoon, by Christopher Hughes and Magus
Bonds, by Charles Matthias
A Long Patrol, by Chris O'Kane
Keeping the Lamp Lit, by Charles Matthias and Phil Guesz Support Group, Facing Knight, Winds of Destiny, Fetish, Attacking Cossack
Bark, by Pascal Q. Porcupine Colors
Ward, by Christopher Hughes Fetish
Increasing Winds, by Terry Spafford Raining Cats and Dragons
Christening, by Chris O'Kane A Long Patrol
The Forgotten Realm, by Jacob Fox
Oren, by Oren the Otter
Busy Schedule, by Charles Matthias Keeping the Lamp Lit
Casting, by Charles Matthias Oren, Keeping the Lamp Lit
A Little Diddy, by Oren the Otter Oren
Annual Checkup, by Dan D'Alimonte
Clothing, by Charles Matthias Battling a Tree
Heart-is-True, by Oren the Otter Oren, A Little Diddy
Gornul, by Oren the Otter
Conquering a Dead Man, by Charles Matthias Keeping the Lamp Lit
Dancing with Shadows, by Charles Matthias Busy Schedule, Casting
Forever, by English
Full Circle, by Bob Stein
The Hunt, by Chris O'Kane
A Place Where There is No Darkness, by Chris Hoekstra
A Shoving Match, by Chris O'Kane A Long Patrol
Perceptions of Evil, by Dan D'Alimonte The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Grasshoppers
Cat and Mouse, by Dan D'Alimonte
In the Tower, by Oren the Otter Heart-Is-True
Decisions, by Charles Matthias The Secrets in Truth, Dancing with Shadows
Somehow Here Again, by Chris Hoekstra A Place Where There Is No Darkness
Declarations of Allegiance, by Charles Matthias A Long Patrol, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Dancing with Shadows
Picnic, by Chris O'Kane Declarations of Allegiance
Snips and Snails, by Chris O'Kane A Small Repair, A Place Where There Is No Darkness
Exam, by Chris O'Kane Snips and Snails
Aging Gracefully, by Chris O'Kane Exam
Live and Let Die, by Chris Hoekstra
Delights and Diversions, by Charles Matthias Bonds, Declarations of Allegiance
Zin-Gll'Hanaan, by Chris Hoekstra
Message from Beyond, by Chris Hoekstra
I'll be Watching You, by Chris Hoekstra A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Live and Let Die
Rites of Ascendancy, by Raven Blackmane
Eye of the Storm, by Terry Spafford Sea Breeze, Cloud Seeding, Raining Cats and Dragons, Increasing Winds
Encounter in the Market, by Dan D'Alimonte
Hunters and Hunted, by Terry Spafford The Hunt, Eye of the Storm
Lutin Memoirs, by Jason Lehrer
New Beginnings, by Chris O'Kane Keeping the Lamp Lit, Snips and Snails
Political Intrigue, by Dan D'Alimonte
All Along the Watchtowers, by Dan D'Alimonte
Dialogues, by Charles Matthias A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Picnic, Delights and Diversions
Diplomacy, by Charles Matthias A New Season, Admissions and Applications, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Busy Schedule, Dancing with Shadows, Dialogues
Recon, by Oren the Otter Heart-Is-True
Friendship and Other Things, by Oren the Otter In The Tower, Winds of Destiny, Recon
False Winds, by Charles Matthias Diplomacy
Visits from Home, by Oren the Otter Oren
The Privilege of Serving, by Oren the Otter Keeping the Lamp Lit, Diplomacy, Visits from Home
A Lie Conceived, by Oren the Otter
Within the Temple, by Oren the Otter
One of Each, by Oren the Otter Recon, The Privilege of Serving, Within the Temple
Stepping Up to Destiny, by Charles Matthias and Chris O'Kane A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Snips and Snails, Declarations of Allegiance, Delights and Diversions, Diplomacy
House of Secrets, by Chris Hoekstra A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Diplomacy
Fun and Games, by Chris Hoekstra
That Which Should Be, by Oren the Otter The Privilege of Serving, A Lie Conceived
Fingers in the Weave, by Charles Matthias Keeping the Lamp Lit, Snips and Snails, Diplomacy
Left Out, by Oren the Otter Support Group
Convergence, by Oren the Otter Stepping Up To Destiny, That Which Should Be
Warding the Watchwoods, by Ryx
Entertaining Guests, by Ryx
Speaking With Stones, by Ryx
Mystic Journeys, by Coal Train
Flying Lessons, by Coal Train
Four on the Floor, by Chris O'Kane A Shoving Match
Fireside, by Charles Matthias Stepping Up to Destiny
Hunt, by Charles Matthias New Beginnings, Fireside
Keeping Time, by Phil Guesz
Intercessor, by Charles Matthias Diplomacy, Fingers in the Weave
First and Last, by Chris O'Kane and W.O.L.F 0013 Aging Gracefully, Stepping Up to Destiny
Intersecting Correspondence, by Charles Matthias Admissions and Applications, Keeping the Lamp Lit, Dialogues
Nut Buster, by Ryx
En Lieu, by Wanderer
Triplets, by Stephen Tigner
The Perfect Life, by BlueNight
Guided Tour, by Chris O'Kane
Ancestral Aid, by Ryx
Leavetaking, by Ryx Entertaining Guests, Speaking with Stones, Ancestral Aid
A Rainy Day, by Ryx
A Night With No Stars, by Ryx
Punching the Line, by Ryx Ancestral Aid, Leavetaking, A Rainy Day
Going Past Purification, by Jacob Fox The Forgotten Realm, A Shoving Match
Jormugand, by Charles Matthias Hunt
Lessoned, by Wanderer Ward
Hard Lessons, by Christopher Hughes Ward
Shadows of the Past, by Chris O'Kane
Lessons of Solitude, by Raven Blackmane Lessoned, Hard Lessons
Last Rights, by Oren the Otter That Which Should Be
Lethe, by Wanderer Lessoned
Fleeing the Hound, by Ryx Punching the Line
Strange Horizons, by Galen Bayne-Allison
Of Fire and Water, by Coal Train Mystic Journeys
Sensate-ional, by Coal Train
Heavy Traffic, by Ryx Fleeing the Hound
Casting the Circle, by Ryx
The Pebble and the King, by Ryx
Banishing a Friend, by Ryx Entertaining Guests, Heavy Traffic, Casting the Circle
Must Be Summer, by Oren the Otter
The Three Sides of Truth, by Charles Matthias and Chris Hoekstra A Place Where There Is No Darkness, Declarations of Allegiance, Diplomacy, Stepping up to Destiny
Stacking the Odds and Unstacking the Stones, by Ryx Banishing a Friend
General Problems, by Ryx Stacking the Odds and Unstacking the Stones
Coming Home, by Ryx General Problems
Growth and Forgiveness, by Oren the Otter Heart-Is-True, Within the Temple, Convergence
Lawbreakers, by Charles Matthias Hunt, Convergence
Roses and Thorns, by Chris Hoekstra
The Glen, by Ryx
Mending a Crack, by Ryx The Glen
A New Wardrobe, by Ryx Mending a Crack
Casualties of War, by Chris Hoekstra
Remembrances, by Chris O'Kane Casualties of War
Cry Havoc, by Chris O'Kane Remembrances
Cage, by Dan Fahl Remembrances
Killing Time, by Charles Matthias A Place Where There Is No Darkness, New Beginnings, Remembrances
Arrival at Metamor Keep, by Ryx A New Wardrobe, Cry Havoc
Clearing the Courtyard, by Ryx Arrival at Metamor Keep
Offers of Allegiance, by Dan D'Alimonte
For I am Lost, by Wanderer Lethe
Meeting Metamor Keep, by Ryx Clearing the Courtyard
Seeking Absolution, by Ryx Casualties of War, Clearing the Courtyard
Triumphant Return the Dogs of War, by Ryx Meeting Metamor Keep, Seeking Absolution
Oren's Trial, by Oren the Otter and Chris O'Kane and Chris Hoekstra Oren the Otter, A Lie Conceived, That Which Should Be, Convergence, Lawbreakers
Natalie, by Oren the Otter
Legacies, by Charles Matthias Keeping the Lamp Lit, Fingers in the Weave, Intercessor
Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love, by Ryx Casualties of War, The Glen
Libraries, by Charles Matthias The Three Sides of Truth, Legacies
Four-by-Four, by Chris O'Kane
Liturgy of Blood, by Charles Matthias Rites of Ascendancy, Arrival at Metamor Keep, Libraries
Penance and Retribution, by Oren the Otter A Little Diddy, One of Each, Oren's Trial
Coming of Age, by CarpenterAnt
Learning the Hard Way, by CarpenterAnt
An Inner Child, by CarpenterAnt
Rain Running, by David Ihnen For I Am Lost
Arla, by David Ihnen
Amongst Green Boughs, by Galen Bayne-Allison Strange Horizons
Longing, by Charles Matthias Bonds, Liturgy of Blood
Casual Evening, by Chris Hoekstra Roses and Thorns, Apologies
Nuptials, by Charles Matthias Liturgy of Blood, Jormugand
Dream's Aria: Dark Interlude, by Ryx Dream's Aria: In the Shadows of Knight
Dream's Aria: Repudiation, by Ryx Dream's Aria: Dark Interlude
Conversations, by Chris O'Kane Nuptials, Stepping Up to Destiny, Liturgy of Blood
Relic, by Charles Matthias Killing Time, Libraries
Balance in All Things, by Chris Hoekstra Casualties, Killing Time, Dream's Aria: Light Meets Caroline
Daylight Fading, by Chris Hoekstra Casual Evening, Balance in All Things
Testing 1, 2, 3, 4, by Chris O'Kane Casualties of War, Four on the Floor
Wandering the Keep, by Charles Matthias Liturgy of Blood, Relic
Pawns, by Firemane
Actions and Reactions, by Ryx
A Journey into Shadows, by CarpenterAnt
First Command, by Chris O'Kane Cry Havoc, A Journey into Shadows
A Return from the Shadows, by CarpenterAnt First Command
A Hunt in the Dark, by CarpenterAnt A Return from the Shadows
Dissuasion, by Chris Hoekstra Actions and Reactions
Coming to Metamor Keep, by Joanne Hunter
Dangerous Games, by Ryx Dissuasion, Seeking Absolution
Seeking Mithril, by Ryx Actions and Reactions, Dangerous Games
Apologies, by Ryx Clearing the Courtyard, Actions and Reactions, Dissuasion, Seeking Mithril
Llyn's Tribulations, by Ryx Dangerous Games, Apologies, Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love
Close Study, by Pheonix
Dream's Aria: In the Shadows of Knight, by Ryx Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love, Liturgy of Blood
Coming to Grips, by Chris O'Kane Casualties of War
Immersion, by Oren the Otter Oren's Trial, Penance and Retribution
Rurouni Ryuo, by Tatsushu
Easing Tensions, by Oren the Otter Immersion
His Master's Voice, by Oren the Otter Oren's Trial, Penance and Retribution
New Neighbours, by CarpenterAnt A Hunt in the Dark, House of Secrets
Lord Fool, by Chris O'Kane
Dream's Aria: Light Meets Caroline, by Ryx and Chris O'Kane Dream's Aria: In the Shadow of a Nightmare Walks the Brightness of Love
Rider, by Bill Kieffer
The Good Sport, by Bill Kieffer
Monday, by Bill Kieffer Rider
Tuesday, by Bill Kieffer Rider, Monday
Wednesday, by Bill Kieffer The Good Sport, Tuesday
'Taursday, by Bill Kieffer Monday
Friday, by Bill Kieffer Tuesday, 'Taursday
Saturday, by Bill Kieffer Wednesday
Confrontations, by Ryx Clearing the Courtyard, Actions and Reactions, Declarations of Allegiance
Getting Settled, by Tatsushu Rurouni Ryuo
Fighting Your Fate, by Alexandra Herakai
Punchline, by Willi
Passing Notes, by Wanderer Liturgy of Blood, Hard Lessons
A 'taur's Tail, by Stephen Tigner
Getting Away From the Party, by Ryx Llyn's Tribulations, Mending a Crack
Grave Digger, by Ryx Getting Away From the Party
Confronting the Shrew, by Ryx Grave Digger
Shandranax, by Tatsushu
A Fresh Start, by Landon
Winter Blossoms, by Tatsushu Getting Settled
A Brief Introduction, by Stephen Tigner Winter Blossoms, Triplets, A 'taur's Tail
Sunrise, by David Ihnen Arla
Making Aquaintances, by Tatsushu Triplets, A Brief Introduction
Threads of Magic, by Stephen Tigner A 'taur's Tail
A Manticore's Tale, by Volk-Oberoten
The Birdcage, by Tatsushu
Vantage Point, by Joanne Hunter
Sightings, Chase, and Meetings, by Griffinwolf
Duty and Sacrifice, by Griffinwolf Sightings, Chase, and Meetings
Undersiege, by Griffinwolf Duty and Sacrifice
Out of the Wilderness, by Griffinwolf Undersiege
Into the Wild, by Griffinwolf Out of the Wilderness
Play Time, by Griffinwolf
A Day Off, by Griffinwolf Into the Wild
The Bonds of Family, by Michael Olson
In Search of Home, by Michael Olson The Bonds of Family, Fool for a Day
Clearing Away, by Wanderer and Christopher Hughes and Raven Blackmane Lessoned, Lessons of Solitude
Winter Horizons, by Chris Hoekstra and Chris O'Kane
Prepared for Sacrifice, by Radioactive Toast
Winter's First Chill, by Charles Matthias Dialogues, Libraries, Liturgy of Blood, Relic
Parting, by i Bethron
The Winter Assault, by the Winter Assault Writers Perceptions of Evil, Declarations of Allegiance, Rites of Ascendancy, First and Last, For I Am Lost, Penance and Retribution, Coming to Metamor Keep, Llyn's Tribulations, New Neighbours, Making Aquaintances, Vantage Point, Wandering the Keep, Clearing Away, Winter's First Chill
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