What is Piggy Moto?
The Piggy Moto Blog by Nicholas McRae is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Welcome to the Piggy Moto blog – thingy.
I will be using these posts to describe the fantasy world in which I’m writing, to answer questions that may arise about my fiction and, you know, all that goofy behind-the-scenes stuff.
So, okay, let’s start at the most logical starting place.
What is Piggy Moto?
Piggy Moto is a band of anthropomorphic swine that travels around a fantasy world where human beings are not the only sapient species. Just how many walking, talking, quote – unquote anthropomorphic species are there in this world? Who knows? If you can think of a species, There’s probably a village or city of them somewhere.
Now, you may be thinking that with all these species wandering about, there MUST be some sort of tension. Predators Versus prey, dogs versus cats? Reptiles and birds versus mammals? Well, there is, and there isn’t. While most of the great species wars have ended, there is still a good deal of prejudice and bigotry going around.
I won’t go too deeply into this right now, though, because I talk about it a good deal in my stories. I will, however, tell you about the sorts of social ignorance that pigs face. When you think of a pig guy, you probably come to a lot of the same conclusions that society holds about the species. They are dirty, slovenly, gluttonous creatures with funky body odor and terrible table manners.
It’s because of these social misconceptions that pigs are but a step away from being second class citizens. The prettier species look down their muzzles at the porcine breeds, and deny them many of the social opportunities of which others are free to take advantage. They’re seen as stupid, dangerous, and uncouth.
Just a bunch of unfair stereotypes.
There’s something noteworthy about this little sounder, however. Oh, sure, there are tons and tons of musicians wandering around Elwelt, but there’s something different about Piggy Moto- something special. As for what that special thing is? Well, I’ll leave that for you to discover on your own.
So, Piggy Moto is a special band of special pigs. Well, this tells us what is Piggy Moto.. so, how about who?
The members of Piggy Moto are Corbin Zellig, Eberhard Berringer, Johan Tyson, Gustave Baldur and Byron Warner.
Let me tell you a little bit about each. Feel free to take a peek at the map, so you know what I’m talking about. Ooh, before I begin, In Elvelt, there are several different breeds of swine, just as there are several breeds of human in your own world. Most important to this story are the Wilders and the Noble Hogs.
Wilders are stout, lean, dark and furry (well, okay, bristly). Think of wild boars.. maybe Razorbacks. Instead of hair like humans, these folks have crests, like short mo-hawks that run down to the back of their necks.
Okay, Noble Hogs are pretty much what you might expect to see on farm. Softer bodies, pink shin, finer body hair and floppy ears. THEY have hair. Aah, yes, and they DO have tusks, they’re just a bit smaller than Wilders’.
Anyway. On to the cast!
CORBIN ZELLIG:
Corbin’s a Wilder who stands a whopping 6′8” tall. He leads this group of swine in a very fatherly, compassionate way and has a real knack for bending people to his will. He is kind and generous, wise and authoritative, and he leads Piggy Moto with unquestioned authority.
Born and orphaned in the wine country of Vaspania, Corbin was raised by the landowners who employed his parents and schooled at the finest institutions that money could afford. After completing his master’s thesis in musical performance and composition, this boar set out with the seemingly insurmountable goal of changing the world through music. He traveled around the Faunation Confederacy, seeking out the best porcine musicians there were, and this formed Piggy Moto.
JOHAN TYSON:
Johan is Corbin’s right hand hog and second in charge. He’s of the so-called Noble blood, and has lived something of a privileged life (as far as pigs go). Johan comes from the scenic, Faunatian oceanside, and has traveled from Vaspnia all the way around to Palonia. He’s sampled some of the finest cuisine that Elwelt has to offer, and is no stranger to luxury. He’s tubby and sweet, and has seen more of the world than all of his friends combined.
Okay, sure, he’s lived a relatively sheltered life of wine, food, books and sight-seeing, but Johan has also learned quite a bit of magic in his time. Which- as you’ll find out- comes in very handy.
EBERHARD BERRINGER:
While there is no official “third in charge,” Eberhard is about as close as Piggy Moto has to a number three piggy. He is a Wilder dwarf, born in the rustic parts of the Confederacy. His parents are simple, hard working townsfolk who saved up all their money to send their little Eber off to music school to learn from the mice at Ville de’ Mausberg.
Taunted endlessly for being a pig and a dwarf, Eberhard grew up tough and feisty. He is fiercely loyal to his friends, but takes no guff off of any of them. Or anyone else. Traveling with the other boars has taught Eberhard to take advantage of the stares that his diminished stature naturally attracts, and he’s become quite good at stirring or calming crowds.
GUSTAVE BALDUR:
This piggy was born into a very wealthy family of dyers, but as Johan enjoyed all the pampering and creature comforts that his doting parents could bestow, Gustave was largely ignored by his elders and left to fend for himself. He left home on his ninth birthday and carved out a living for himself as a wandering musician and trinket trader.
Gustave’s a beautiful hog who’s developed a very keen eye for quality and an encyclopedic knowledge of art and antiquities. His years traveling from court to court has also made him something of a very quick study in the ways of etiquette and propriety.
BYRON WARNER:
Though his parents were not both wealthy hogs, Byron’s family did very well for itself. Byron’s childhood tended toward privilege, but his parents always insisted on keeping their son’s feet solidly planted on terra firmer. They educated him as best they could and tried to steer him down an honorable path. But, sometimes life doesn’t work out the way people expect.
Byron ended up on the wrong end of a Marquis’ wrath and spent several years afloat on prison barge. He’d always been a keen judge of character, and after making his escape, he turned that gift to more altruistic purposes. Of course, he’s learned quite a few dark and dirty tricks in his day, but his first priority in life now is helping and protecting his friends.
* * *
These are the boars of Piggy Moto, and in their first story, we find them ship board on their way to the frigid peninsula nation of Lancemyth. There, they hope to win a contest put on by a company called the Almoners’ Outfitters. (think of them as something of a Goodwill for fantasy creatures) The prize for this talent search is a year’s endorsement contract and all expenses paid touring around the country. What better way to change this whole “pigs are worthless and stupid” stereotype, eh?
Of course, this wouldn’t be much of a story, were it so easy as enter, play, win, now would it? No. The competition is stiff, and there is someone most unsporting in their midst. Do the boars have the talent to beat out their rivals? Do they have the nerve to stay the course when pranks turn bloody?
Well, I guess this is where I say, “You’ll have to listen to find out.”
So, please tune in. Listen and find out. (I mean, seriously, you gotta know SOMETHING happens! The sequel is already written!)
Anyway, that’s really it this time. I would like to thank you again for listening, and invite you to check out my stuff at www.piggymoto.com. I’ll be running episodes of the novel soon, interspersed with another serial fiction I’m working on called Fate’s Cold Hand. It’s set in the same world, so everything ties together.
If you like the sound of what I’m doing, please, please, please tell a friend or three. I write because I love to. I love telling stories, but don’t really have the bandwidth right now to seek main stream publication. So, I’m trying to hit this whole new-media thing, and need all the word of mouth I can earn. If you have any questions or comments, suggests or whatnot, please drop me a line.
I’m trying to use all amateur music here- starting with some of my friends’ work. I hope to grow this a bit and widen my base of talent, so if you know any musicians lookin’ to give a song or two out for podcasting and whatnot, drop me a line.
Same goes for artists! I doodle some myself, but I have nowhere NEAR the time it would take to illustrate things and all that. I’d really like to get some pictures up.. set up a gallery or something, so if I say anything in my stories that tickles your creativity bone, PLEASE PLEASE share. I’ll look into posting your art and .. hope you’ll spread word about the podcast.
