Mystic Quest

Thrice upon a time, three worlds were in peril... New York Times bestselling author Tracy Hickman and Dragonlance cocreator Laura Hickman present the continuing story of their monumental, enthralling epic fantasy Thrice upon a time, three champions will find one destiny... In the course of more than two decades, Galen Arvad's tiny band of outlaw Mystics has grown into a nation of secret clans, despite fierce persecution by the Pir theocracy and the dragons that have enslaved humanity. On another world, the faery Dwynwyn saved her people by raising an army of the dead, but now none of the corpses can rest...and the sheer number of their tormented legions threatens the faery kingdoms. While on the third world, the tyrannical King Mimic's domination is threatened by a warrior maiden whose thirst for conquest exceeds his own. Yet through the magic of the dreams that link their worlds, a new wind blows, beckoning each of them into unknown lands with the promise of salvation, sanctuary, and power. For Galen's war-weary son, Caelith, the slender hope takes the form of a stranger's vow to lead him and his people to the sanctuary of a lost empire-the legendary ancestral home of the Mystics. Dwynwyn seeks salvation of her people through a small fellowship of Fae who must journey to a distant land of unquenchable horror-where their truth can bring peace to the living and the dead. As for the wizard-goblin Thux, newly and unwillingly appointed Technomancer to King Mimic, his journey to the Ogre citadel may bring him to the height of power and danger-if his own allies do not kill him first. Now three bands of heroes embark on odysseys beset by outer tragedy and inner betrayal. For each to survive, all must succeed-for all three worlds face the same cunning evil...

The Mystic Quest explains the major ideas and concepts of Jewish mystical thought in a way that the general reader can clearly understand. Drawing upon his own extensive research as well as on the growing body of scholarly material on the subject, Dr. David Ariel, president of the Cleveland College of Jewish Studies, presents the extremely difficult and complex elements of Jewish mysticism in language that makes it accessible to the layperson. Jewish mysticism is as old as the Bible itself. It is a rich and subtle web of secret teachings and practices that has been part of Judaism since antiquity and has sought to keep the original spark of religious experience alive through the centuries. It is the relatively unknown, esoteric dimension of Judaism that has nourished a deep spiritual power within a tradition of law, ritual, and observance. A central element in Judaism, the "mystic quest" has shaped both Judaism and Jews throughout history, generating the kabbalistic tradition and Hasidism, which continue to thrive today, As Ariel says, "This book is concerned primarily with the development and meaning of the Kabbalah, the principal tradition of mystical Jewish thought." The Mystic Quest begins with an examination of the variety of phenomena known in different cultures as "mysticism." Ariel then located the Jewish mystical tradition within the context of Jewish history and traces its evolution throughout the ages. Jewish mystical theories about the hidden and revealed God, the feminine aspects of divinity, the mystical Torah, and the concepts of the soul and human destiny are then explored in detail. Finally, the author considers Hasidism and modern Jewish mystical thought, discussing the role of mysticism in contemporary Judaism. In language accessible to the beginner, yet sophisticated enough to captivate the advanced student, The Mystic Quest fills an important gap in our knowledge of mysticism by bringing a comprehensive and fresh understanding of the subject to a new generation of

Today, many people from all faiths are exploring the Kabbalah. What was once contoversial and esoteric teachings from midieval Jewish mystics now is becoming one of the latest spiritual trends sweeping across America. The book has a completely revised introduction and several substantially revised chapters, making key ideas less abstract and more comprehensible to readers, and now includes a section called the 10 Main Conceptual Principles.

Take a journey through the history of Japanese role-playing games—from the creators who built it, the games that defined it, and the stories that transformed pop culture and continue to capture the imaginations of millions of fans to this day. The Japanese roleplaying game (JRPG) genre is one that is known for bold, unforgettable characters; rich stories, and some of the most iconic and beloved games in the industry. Inspired by early western RPGs and introducing technology and artistic styles that pushed the boundaries of what video games could be, this genre is responsible for creating some of the most complex, bold, and beloved games in history—and it has the fanbase to prove it. In Fight, Magic, Items, Aidan Moher guides readers through the fascinating history of JRPGs, exploring the technical challenges, distinct narrative and artistic visions, and creative rivalries that fueled the creation of countless iconic games and their quest to become the best, not only in Japan, but in North America, too. Moher starts with the origin stories of two classic Nintendo titles, Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, and immerses readers in the world of JRPGs, following the interconnected history from through the lens of their creators and their stories full of hope, risk, and pixels, from the tiny teams and almost impossible schedules that built the foundations of the Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest franchises; Reiko Kodama pushing the narrative and genre boundaries with Phantasy Star; the unexpected team up between Horii and Sakaguchi to create Chrono Trigger; or the unique mashup of classic Disney with Final Fantasy coolness in Kingdom Hearts. Filled with firsthand interviews and behind-the-scenes looks into the development, reception, and influence of JRPGs, Fight, Magic, Items captures the evolution of the genre and why it continues to grab us, decades after those first iconic pixelated games released.

Revisits the classic 1992 RPG based on original interviews with the game's creator. When Final Fantasy V was released for the Japanese Super Famicom in 1992, the game was an instant hit, selling two million copies in the first two months. But the game was dubbed 'too hardcore' for a Western audience and was swapped with the more simplistic Final Fantasy Mystic Quest. That didn't stop teenager Chris Kohler from tracking down a Japanese copy, using it to teach himself Japanese, and, with the help of some internet companions, created the first-ever comprehensive English-language FAQ of the game.