Five Rivers: Snowrush
The Five Rivers region of the southern Eastrealm is named for the vast river system that spans the western half of the subcontinent. Connected by these waterways, a feudal society has sprung up in the period of relative peace that followed the Last Hunt of the Twisted Wars.
The Snowrush River is the second-longest of the Five, and runs farthest to the south. It is fed by the annual snowmelt and the yearly inundation is celebrated by the people who live and farm along its banks.
The current Lord and Lady Snowrush have seven children - six sons and one daughter. The youngest, Princess Merrie, is a gifted watershaper and has been studying at the School of Fools in Sefia, where she has been raised to the rank of Journeyman Fool.
This family portrait was drawn in celebration on Prince Rush’s knighthood.
Michael Somerville is the author of several short stories, as well as an in-progress high-fantasy series called the Tales of the Broken Realm. He loves telling stories of hope about ordinary characters doing their small part to help heal a broken world. By day, he pays the bills as a hands-on storyteller and project manager, leading and envisioning professional teams in the "real-world", even as he is busily building and illustrating imaginary worlds in his evenings and on the weekends.
Outside of work and writing, he enjoys a wide range of hobbies, including playing music with his family and friends on keyboard or guitar, drawing, sculpting, painting, sewing, and blacksmithing, or walking the length of the Appalachian Trail in his home neighborhood in the Shenandoah Valley, where he serves as a Board member on his local civic association.
Most important to Michael are his family and his church. Michael and Jessica celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2026 and are happily raising three wonderful daughters. He serves actively in his local church, playing music on Sunday, teaching the older elementary kids, and leading a small group of wonderful saints. He hopes to hear "Well done" one day, and plans to keep serving his true King until then.
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