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The first book in a planned Fantasy trilogy. Exists only as a rough outline at this point.

Year 873 of the Eternal Reign; Inquisitor Aisun Veyr is dispatched to the Free City of Kalmos to track down a rogue mage, while a band of mercenaries led by former Imperial commander Kadri are enlisted to back a coup in the city. As blood flows in the streets, both sides realize there is a shadowy presence pulling the strings.

This work provides examples of:

  • After the End
  • Authority in Name Only: The office of Emperor is largely ceremonial by the the time the story picks up. Although Alexius III is nominal head of both Church and State, real power is divided between the Supreme Council and the eight Imperial Houses.
  • Ban on Magic: Magecraft is punishable by death in the Empire. Justified In-Universe by the Mages' War, which killed millions and rendered large parts of the continent uninhabitable.
  • City of Canals: Kalmos.
  • Church Militant: The Inquisition, the military arm of the Church of Tavash. They wield Anti-Magic weapons known as Obliges.
  • Corrupt Bureaucrat: The Kalmosian Senate.
    Kadri: As far as I can tell, the only difference is that one side is paying us.
  • Fantasy Counterpart Culture:
    • The Aegarean Empire: Based on the Ottoman Empire. Its official religion, the Path of Light, is reminiscent of Zoroastrianism with a Catholic clergy.
    • Novoskan: Medieval Russia, although they speak a language reminiscent of Finnish.
    • The Grey Isles: A much colder Australia. The nation was originally an Imperial prison colony and its inhabitants speak Westlandic with a distinctive accent.
    • Kalkhesh: India
    • The Itarkai Horde: The Mongols
    • The Hysani Isles: Tokugawa Japan.
    • The League of Free Cities: Renaissance Italy. Kalmos is specifically modeled on the Republic of Venice.
    • Mercovia: The Byzantine Empire. A Vestigial Empire to the Old Kingdom, recently conquered by the Aegarean Empire.
  • Fantasy Gun Control: Averted. Musketeers are used by the armies of the Westlands, though very much as a specialized infantry force.
  • Flesh Golem: Blood Beasts. Made from human blood tainted by The Corruption, they were used by the Withered One's forces during the Mages' War.
  • From Camouflage to Criminal: Kadri, who became a mercenary after leaving the Imperial army.
  • Functional Magic: Achieved by opening a Gate, which allows one to mentally access a dimension of pure energy known as the Haven. This process takes a heavy toll on body and mind, and most mages can only use their powers for a few minutes at a time.
  • Genius Bruiser: Juhani, Kadri's trusted Novoskan lieutenant.
  • Humanoid Abomination: Shades resemble normal, if rather pale, humans. Until they open their mouths.
  • Mage Killer: Aisun
  • Mordor: The Scarred Lands, formerly known as the Old Kingdom. It is a wasteland of blasted rock and twisted trees, stalked by the Withered One's creations.
  • Old Master: Crake, Kestrel's master. He has been on the Hidden Council for more than 70 years, and is said to be most gifted alchemist the Academy has ever seen.
  • Only Known by Their Nickname: All mages, due to the danger in allowing another mage to get ahold of one's true name.
  • Plot Coupon: The Bartamian Journal, a scroll locked in a secret vault in the Grand Library of Kalmos. Crake and Kestrel are sent by the Hidden Council to recover it.
  • Shell-Shocked Veteran: Kadri and Jurena Beyrik. The latter blames Aisun for using his men as cannon fodder at the Battle of Dral Lornen.
  • Squishy Wizard: Averted. Physical training is required by the Academy, as maintaining a Gate requires a great deal of physical and mental stamina. Kestrel is also handy with a knife.
  • The Corruption: The effects of opening a Dark Gate.
  • The Magocracy: The Grey Isles and The Old Kingdom.
  • The Spymaster: Vittorio's butler, Bastian.
  • Token Evil Teammate: Kadri's mercenaries are morally grey at best, but Izhabeth signed on purely to torture and kill people.
  • Unperson: The Withered One, the man responsible for the Mages' War. His true identity was erased from history by the Hidden Council.
  • Variable-Length Chain: Aisun's Oblige, Entschieden.
  • Wizarding School: Spindrift Academy, located on a rocky outcrop in the Grey Isles. It is home to the Hidden Council, and is the last institution of its kind in the Westlands.
  • 0% Approval Rating: Magistrate Galaccia. He has only managed to stay in power with the support of the Kalmosian City Guard, and is despised by the Senate for nearly bankrupting the city.

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