Local real estate professional pens fantasy novel

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Local author and real estate professional Brian Buffington has released his debut fantasy novel, The Rules of Blackstone: The War for Ardenmark, a story that blends political intrigue, moral conflict, and high-stakes magical warfare in a richly imagined world.

Set in the capital city of Blackstone—a fortress built upon mysterious energy veins that grant power to a ruling order known as the Mystics—the novel follows a society bound by ancient rules designed to maintain balance. But when those rules are broken, the consequences threaten not only the leadership of the city, but the survival of the entire realm.

At the center of the story is Maxen, a powerful Mystic burdened by a past decision that could unravel everything he has sworn to protect. As whispers grow of the return of Davnal, an exiled adversary who nearly destroyed Blackstone centuries ago, alliances begin to fracture and long-standing truths are called into question.

While The Rules of Blackstone delivers action and fantasy elements, it also explores deeper themes of loyalty, responsibility, and the cost of leadership—making it appealing to both fantasy enthusiasts and readers who enjoy character-driven storytelling.

Brian grew up in rural North Georgia and moved to Athens to attend the University of Georgia in 1991. In 1995 he started a career selling cars and in 1996 married a local girl, Angie. They welcomed their first of four children in 2000 while he moved up to sales manager and finance manager. Angie got her real estate license in 2007 and in 2020 convinced Brian to join her in real estate.

He took his expertise in sales, negotiating and finance, and applied it to his new career at the beginning of the Covid era. Since then, they took over the training program for new agents. His first book, Buy the House, is a culmination of what they share with buyers in a buyer consultation and new agents when teaching them how to represent a buyer the right way.