My Cozy Fantasy Story Collection, Wonderstruck in Tokyo, is Now Available!

Imagine a modern Tokyo where ancient myth, folklore, urban legends, and magic are real. This is the world of Wonderstruck in Tokyo. Now available on Amazon in paperback or ebook.

Animated Trailer for Kumotawa Confluence, an Urban Fantasy

 I released my novel Kumotawa Confluence with moderate success last year. I didn't sell as many copies as I would like, but it did sell. I had a short trailer for it on release, but I felt I could do better. In the last year, the capabilities of various tools have improved quite a bit, and I've been able to vastly improve the art and provide actual animation now.

Kumotawa Confluence follows Yuriko, a former special‑forces operator turned convenience‑store manager, who becomes entangled in a rising supernatural crisis on Mount Kumotawa. When a mysterious cat leads her into the fog‑shrouded slopes, she uncovers a hidden realm of yokai, ancient legends, and a looming threat tied to a malevolent god. Joined by fellow veterans, a steadfast policeman, the Sword Princess, and a determined group of high‑school girls known as the Gun Girls Auxiliary, Yuriko must confront sinister forces as the veil between worlds weakens. The story blends Japanese mythology, modern action, and escalating danger as these unlikely heroes fight to prevent a world‑ending disaster.

The new trailer for the novel is shown below.

Ebook and paperback available on Amazon, all regions. Ebook can be previewed.

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.com

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.ca 

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.co.uk

Kumotawa Confluence Available on Amazon

This is my contemporary fantasy novel set in Japan. It contains a fusion of Japanese folklore, relentless action, and characters both ordinary and heroic. Kumotawa Confluence plunges you into a world where ancient myth collides with the modern world. Yuriko, a veteran ex–special forces operator turned small-town convenience store manager, investigates eerie disappearances on Mount Kumotawa. After meeting a mysterious cat, she uncovers a hidden realm of yokai and escalating danger.

What starts as faint rumors around Mount Kumotawa erupts into a storm of bullets, blades, and sorcery. A humble convenience store transforms into the front line of a war no one saw coming, dragging ordinary lives into extraordinary peril. At the heart of it all lies an ancient shrine standing as the final barrier against a darkness older than empires. As shadows gather and legends awaken, what will happen when the veil between worlds tears?

Ebook and paperback available on Amazon, all regions. Ebook can be previewed.

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.com

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.ca 

Kumotawa Confluence - Amazon.co.uk

Check it out to support an independent author!

Author's Note

I've used my experience from publishing a guidebook on Tokyo and my blogging to craft a story that is an action-oriented, urban fantasy, but it has slice of life elements, friendship, along with gripping adventure and battle. Readers who like the X-Files, light novels like Otherside Picnic and In/Spectre, anime like Katana Maidens and Lycoris Recoil, and gripping military action like Blackhawk Down and 13 Hours will enjoy this book. It is an unusual take on urban fantasy with an older heroine who manages a convenience store, Japanese mythology come to life, an awesome and mysterious grey cat, a sword princess who wields a mystical sword, and there's even fresh coffee in the store. Now available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.

My Urban Fantasy, Kumotawa Confluence, is Done and Serializing on Royal Road

 If you're looking for an urban fantasy story set in modern Japan, Kumotawa Confluence, might just be what you are looking for. In this world magic works near convergence points between different worlds. These weaknesses in space-time are called Confluences, and this novel centre's on a particular one at Mount Kumotawa. The setting includes shrines, foggy mountain slopes, a convenience store that is more than it seems, a mysterious cat, and a diverse cast of characters including a sword princess. A rich mix of of Japanese culture and mythology is used to craft a gripping story that starts small and ends big.

NOTE: The book is now stubbed on Royal Road for KDP publication and can be purchased on Amazon as either a paperback or ebook.

This is my second completed novel and third completed book (I have a published Tokyo guidebook, too). I started this novel years ago, before the Great Lockdown and worked on it in my spare time. I've talked about my planning and outlining methodologies before, and this is the culmination of my efforts. Still, it wasn't something I did on my own, and I thank my reviewers and the Edmonton Writers' Group for their help.

I will be serializing the novel first on Royal Road and then on other platforms. An ebook version and a paperback will be published sometime when the serialization is half or 2/3 done, but I expect to serialize the entire novel online to start.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108238/kumotawa-confluence
More about my writing. https://tokyoexcess.blogspot.com/p/my-sf-writing.html

My Main Blog is Tokyo Excess

Hello!

I started this writer's blog years ago and found that I didn't have time to maintain two separate blogs as time passed.  This blog is only updated a handful of times a year, so for my latest news, please visit my main blog tokyoexcess.blogspot.com about my writing projects, Japan, anime, sci fi, and whatever interests me enough to write about.

An early cover concept.

I am currently revising Kumotawa Confluence an urban fantasy novel set in an alternate modern Japan where magic works and an ancient evil stirs.  So stay tuned to keep updated on my progress.

Thank you for dropping by, and my main blog is at tokyoexcess.blogspot.com

Peter Lok

Quenzar's Caverns Registration and Tip Sheet - Official

 Hello,

I'm Peter Lok.  Decades ago (1993) I wrote Quenzar's Caverns as shareware for Windows 3.1.  Over the years a few people have reached out about it and I see it is in the Internet Archive now.  While this software is not abandonware, it is no longer sold or supported and only runs on older versions of Windows.  

DISCLAIMER: I take no responsibility for anything that happens when anyone tries out this ancient software, so use at your own risk.  However, there are nag screens as it was shareware.  I enclose the registration and tip sheet for it below which has the code to disable the nag!

Registration Instructions For Quenzars Caverns V1.5 or Pulse Pack 1

Thank you for registering your copy of Quenzar's Caverns with Pulse Ventures Ltd., and supporting the concept of shareware.  We hope you get many hours of playing enjoyment from the game.

To remove the registration reminders for Pulse Pack 1 (Windows 95 only)

1.       Locate the Registration Program Icon amongst your other Pulse Pack Program Icons in the Pulse Pack menu folder.

2.       Run the program and enter the password diamondgem

To remove the registration reminders, follow the steps listed below for Windows 3.1 or 3.11.

1.     Start up windows.

2.     Open up the group containing your Quenzar's Caverns icon.  In the installation example, Figure 1, the icon is in the Games group.

Figure 1

3.      Select the Quenzar icon by clicking the mouse once on it.  In Figure 1, Quenzar is selected and shown in highlighted print.

4.      Click on the File menu of Program Manager.  This will bring up the File menu, see Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

5.      Now select the Properties option by clicking the mouse on it.  This will bring up the dialog box shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3

6.      Click on the Command Line: edit box to place the cursor after the path and the name of the executable.  In Figure 3, the path and the name of the executable is c:\sw\quenzar\quenzar.exe.  Now type in the password diamondgem after the program executable name, leaving a space between the name and the password.  The text will scroll if you reach the right hand side of the edit box.  In the example, the contents of the edit box will now read c:\sw\quenzar\quenzar.exe diamondgem, see Figure 3 again for for an example.   The password will disable the shareware messages and enable random dungeon generation.

7.      Press the OK button to accept the change you have made.

8.      Double click on the Quenzar icon to play Quenzar with random dungeon generation.

9.      Please note that this password will have to be reentered if you ever delete the icon from Program Manager and create a new one.  Keep this sheet for future reference.

To remove the registration reminders, follow the steps listed below for Windows95.

The process is similar to the process for Windows 3.1.

Figure 4

1.     Right mouse click on the desktop so you see a popup menu with the item New, the pick Shortcut on the next level down.  This will bring up the following dialog.

2.     Browse or type in the path to the Quenzar.exe file and type in the password diamondgem after the program name in the edit box.

3.     Click the Next button and continue on to create the shortcut on your desktop.

4.     Double click on the desktop icon to play the game without the registration screens.

NOTE FOR QUENZAR 1.0 USERS:

Replace the password diamondgem with the password authentication delta to run 1.0 without the registration notice screen.  Keep the password lower case with a space between the words.

QUENZAR'S CAVERNS TIP SHEET for V1.5+

Quenzar's Caverns can be a tricky little game.  It is a challenge as you must face shock traps when navigating the dungeon and husband your resources to fight monsters.  This sheet will explain some of the details of the game, giving you a better understanding of how it works.  Use the Randomize Items function, or play an advanced level to get even more challenge out of the game!

 

A FEW SAFETY TIPS FIRST:

1.      Do not rush around in the dungeon when moving.  It is too easy to blunder into a shock trap.

2.      Always use your best weapons and armour, particularly armour.  For example, it may pay to use a two-handed sword with leather armour to do more damage against a large opponent such as a goblin, but you should usually use a one handed weapon with your armour and use a shield if you can for the extra protection.  Using a weapon, shield, and armour is definitely better against bats, rats, spiders,  hounds, and other creatures that do not do as much damage and are not that tough.  MORE ARMOUR IS GOOD, even though it reduces your chances of hitting in combat!

3.      Now that I have said more armour is good, if you are having a problem hitting monsters, check your modified dexterity.  Hitting is based upon a random number generated between 1 and 20 vs. your modified dexterity.  If your modified dexterity is only 8, then you only have a 40% chance to hit.  You may wish to adjust your armour / shield mix.  I like small shields (unless the Dragon Shield is available), and chainmail as a non-magical mix.  A modified dexterity from 8 - 10 is satisfactory.

4.      Also use the Defend option when facing dangerous opponents when their dexterity is much higher than yours if you are wearing armour.  Quenzar, the vampire, minor demons, etc., fall in this category.

5.      Use your ability to use healing potions, change weapons, and other objects in the middle of a combat to your advantage.

6.      See what types of items are contained in certain types of furniture and only search the ones you need.  For example, do not search weapons racks if you already have the Dragon Sword or another magical weapon to avoid setting off any traps.

7.      When trying on rings, save them up until you have a few scrolls, of which one is a remove cursed items hopefully, before you use the rings.  Wearing a cursed item around is discouraging and items should only be tried when you know what they are!  Finding the lens of identity early in the game is always a big bonus as it reveals the identity of everything you find.

8.      Use healing potions before restoration potions.  Use restoration potions when your strength is low (low is at your discretion, but 1/3 or less is good).

9.      Once you have a magic weapon, you can dump your other weapons as you won't be needing them.

10.    Watch your point value vs. the monster's point value.  This is a good indicator of how tough they are.

11.    When you are weak at the beginning, running into a goblin can be a treasure trove.  Using a grenade to obtain good armour, a shield, and a good weapon can give your character a good start.

12.    Save a grenade for Quenzar's bodyguard at the end of the game. Grenades also have 1 chance in 8 of doing a point of damage to Quenzar.

13.    Run away from the horror as it doesn't hit too well, or use grenades if you have them to spare.  Killing it is most satisfying for some reason though.

14.    Use potions carefully, except for pink ones.  Potions other than red or pink can permanently raise or lower your attributes.  Red potions can cure you of all wounds or poison you in some cases.

15.    Pink potions and scrolls are always good.

16.    The talk option is also underused by most people, and it is extremely handy to buy off tough monsters like vampires, or goblin chiefs.  The money you use to pay them off stays on their person, so if you come back later, you can get some back by slaying them.  Don't be too cheap when bribing.

17.    Heal often with the Healing Spirit as long as your money holds out.

 

NOTE! You do not need the Dragon Shield and Dragon Sword to kill Quenzar - they just help.

ARMOUR/SHIELDS IN ASCENDING VALUE :                  WEAPONS IN ASCENDING VALUE:

Armour/Shields	Protection	Dex. Mod		Weapons	Damage	Hands Used
none	0	0		hands	0	0
padded armour	1	-1		dagger	1	1
leather armour	2	-2		club	2	1
chainmail armour	3	-3		shortsword	3	1
partial-plate armour	4	-4		sword, mace	4	1
plate armour	5	-5		long sword, morningstar	5	1
magic chainmail	4	-3		battle axe	6	1
magic plate	5	-4		spear	6	2
				greate axe	7	2
none	0	0		magic sword	7	1
small shield	1	0		halberd, greatsword	8	2
shield	2	-1		magic glaive	9	2
large shield	3	-2		Dragon Sword	9	1
dragon shield	4	-2		Dark Sword	8	1

MONSTER STATS (read at your own risk of losing surprises):

NAME	Avg. Str.	Avg. Dex.	Avg. Int.	Armour	Attack	Special
blob of slime	20	3	1	1
giant rat	2	10	1		2	-1 to hit
giant spider	1	11	2	1		poison, -2 to hit
killer rabbit	5	15	3		2	-1 to hit
skeletal guard	9	8	3	armour	weapon
goblin guard	11	10	7	armour	weapon
goblin chief	13	10	10	armour	weapon
black hound	9	11	2	1	2	flame
trapper plant	13	6	0	3	1
giant lizard	14	12	1	1	2
cave bat	2	12	1		2	-2 to hit
cave troll	15	8	5	armour	weapon
minotaur	16	11	3	1	2
cave kraken	15	12	2
tunnel frog	5	13	1		1	poison
ghoul	10	10	3		1
imicon	10	11	2			-1 to hit
minor demon	15	13	13	1	2
imp	6	15	11
vampire	14	14	11	1	1	vampire drain
giant	16	7	6	armour	weapon
medusa	10	10	14		1	stone gaze, 1/2 to hit
blood wisp	6	12	1		1	strength drain,  -2 to hit
giant snake	6	10	1		1	poison, -1 to hit
Healing Spirit	1		15			heals you
Quenzar the Wizard	14	13	16	m-chain	d-sword	spells
large golem	20	10	2	2	3
gargoyle	16	13	2	2	3
automaton	14	10	2	m-plate	halberd
dragon	18	12	2	4	3	flame
Slithering Horror	30	6	3	4	2	regeneration

 

Press ALT-F1 to activate the secret blast spell when there is a monster in the room. This costs you strength.