Synopsis
Bringing rest to the unquiet dead is not an easy or simple task. It requires compassion, wisdom, patience, strength of arms, and suicidal courage. Paladin Cole, a warrior sworn to the god of death, has these qualities. Surviving in a land ruled by blood-thirsty monsters is also not without difficulties. To live beneath the shadow of undeath takes intelligence, caution, determination, and the occasional moment of extreme daring. Natalie Striga, a barmaid born and raised beneath the vampires’ boot, knows these truths. But saving a town and potentially the world from an ancient nightmare will take everything this unlikely pair has and more.
The vampire-controlled mountain town of Glockmire has barely recovered from a series of recent calamities when the holy knight Cole arrives. Tasked with putting the many varieties of undead to rest, Cole has grimly resigned himself to a lonely existence…until he meets a clever young woman named Natalie. Events push the pair together as Cole investigates the lurking horrors within and without the town’s walls, while Natalie hopes to get revenge on the undead monster responsible for her mother’s death.
A gruesome discovery in a ghoul’s lair adds new context to Cole’s hunt and Natalie’s tragedy as hidden schemes and squabbles among the vampire nobility threaten to bubble over into a disaster. As the pair unravels a series of mysteries, Natalie slowly realizes there is much more to the world than Glockmire, and much more to Cole than meets the eye: despite being a divine champion tasked with fighting undead monsters, Cole might be even less human than the vampires he hunts.
What to expect- High Fantasy with strong horror elements but never hopeless or pointlessly grim. Heroic male MC who firmly believes in his mission and purpose. Clever female MC who is trying to do her best in a bad situation. Lots of monsters, both classic and new. With worldbuilding taking a lot from real-world mythology and traditional fantasy.
What NOT to expect- Any Lit-RPG or Isekai elements.
Chapters- Every Friday, typically 4-6k words in length.
I'm in the process of cutting Book 2 up into smaller chapters so if you're getting weird pseudo-updates, that's why.
Table of Contents
- 1World Glossary/Encyclopedia2024-11-13
- 2Chapter 1: Stranger at the Gate2024-11-13
- 3Chapter 1.5: Collared by Scars2024-11-13
- 4Chapter 2: Preparations and Problems2024-11-13
- 5Chapter 2.5: Rot and Ruin2024-11-13
- 6Chapter 3- Possibilities once Impossible2024-11-13
- 7Chapter 3.5: Coincidence is Their Domain.2024-11-13
- 8Chapter 4- Stories on the Road2024-11-13
- 9Chapter 4.5: A Drained Corpse2024-11-13
- 10Chapter 5- Uncertain Times2024-11-13
- 11Chapter 5.5: The Temple of Glockmire.2024-11-13
- 12Chapter 6- The other side of the Coin2024-11-13
- 13Chapter 6.5: Guilt and Grief2024-11-13
- 14Chapter 7: Taxonomy and Tension2024-11-13
- 15Chapter 7.5: Tragedy and Teeth2024-11-13
- 16Chapter 8- Buried Bones2024-11-13
- 17Chapter 8.5: Death is the Strength of Mortals2024-11-13
- 18Chapter 9: Paths forward2024-11-13
- 19Chapter 9.5 Paths Backward2024-11-13
- 20Chapter 10: Arts and Crafts2024-11-13
- 21Chapter 10.5: Threats to Body, Mind, and Soul2024-11-13
- 22Chapter 11: Soaking the Soul2024-11-13
- 23Chapter 11.5- Drowning your Sorrows.2024-11-13
- 24Chapter 12: Shades of Treachery2024-11-13
- 25Chapter 12.5: Cruel Smiles2024-11-13
- 26Chapter 13- Doors and Windows2024-11-13
- 27Chapter 13.5: A Promise and a Problem2024-11-13
- 28Chapter 14: Depths of Treachery2024-11-13
- 29Chapter 14.5: The Tomb of the Alukah2024-11-13
- 30Chapter 15: Illusion of Normalcy2024-11-13
- 31Chapter 15.5: In the Blood2024-11-13
- 32Chapter 16: Alone Again2024-11-13
- 33Chapter 16.5 Restbringer.2024-11-13
- 34Chapter 17: Varcolac2024-11-13
- 35Chapter 17.5: Vampire2024-11-13
- 36Chapter 18: Blood Inheritance2024-11-13
- 37Chapter 18.5: Frozen Blood2024-11-13
- 38Chapter 19: Red Lilies2024-11-13
- 39Chapter 19.5 Memento Mori2024-11-13
- 40Chapter 20: Goodbyes2024-11-13
- 41Chapter 20.5: Grave Goods2024-11-13
- 42Book One Epilogue2024-11-13
- 43About the HK World2024-11-13
- 44Book II: Chapter 1: Red Dreams2024-11-13
- 45Book II: Chapter 2: Scarlet Snow2024-11-13
- 46Book II: Chapter 3: Crimson Flames2024-11-13
- 47Book II: Chapter 4: Miscommunication, Mercy, and Misery2024-11-13
- 48Book II: Chapter 5: Passion, Predators, and Prose2024-11-13
- 49Book II: Chapter 6: Knights, Nights, and Nightmares2024-11-13
- 50Book II: Chapter 7: On the Water and among the Towers2024-11-13
- 51Book II: Chapter 8: Love and Circles2024-11-13
- 52Book II: Chapter 9: Dreams and Mysteries2024-11-13
- 53Book II: Chapter 10: Hellspawn2024-11-13
- 54Book II: Chapter 11: Demon2024-11-13
- 55Book II: Chapter 12: Riot2024-11-13
- 56Book II: Chapter 13: Beast Blood2024-11-13
- 57Book II: Chapter 14: Blinding Light2024-11-13
- 58Book II: Chapter 15: Black Cat2024-11-13
- 59Book II: Chapter 16: The Anchorite2024-11-13
- 60Book II: Chapter 17: The Council2024-11-13
- 61Book II: Chapter 17.5 A Night Together2024-11-13
- 62Book II: Chapter 18: The Chase2024-11-13
- 63Book II: Chapter 19: Silver and Gold2024-11-13
- 64Book II: Chapter 20: Choices and Consequences2024-11-13
- 65Book II: Chapter 21: Tips and Tricks2024-11-13
- 66Book II: Chapter 22: About that...2024-11-13
- 67Book II: Chapter 23: A Date?2024-11-13
- 68Book II: Chapter 24: The Tongue!2024-11-13
- 69Book II: Chapter 25: Geas and Guests2024-11-13
- 70Book II: Chapter 26: Skin and Sigils2024-11-13
- 71Book II: Chapter 27: Cold and Cruel2024-11-13
- 72Book II: Chapter 28: Insights2024-11-13
- 73Book II: Chapter 29: Intrigue2024-11-13
- 74Book II: Chapter 30: Investigation2024-11-13
- 75Book II: Chapter 31: Before the Ball2024-11-13
- 76Book II: Chapter 32: The Ball (Part 1)2024-11-13
- 77Book II: Chapter 33: The Ball (Part 2)2024-11-13
- 78Book II: Chapter 34: Falsehood and Knighthood2024-11-13
- 79Book II: Chapter 35: Bone and Blood2024-11-13
- 80Book II: Chapter 36: Aftermath and Abomination2024-11-13
- 81Book II: Chapter 37: Secrets within Secrets2024-11-13
- 82Book II: Chapter 38: The Rotten Truth.2024-11-13
- 83Book II: Chapter 39: House of Lies2024-11-13
- 84Book II: Chapter 40: Besieged2024-11-13
- 85Book II: Chapter 41: Downfall2024-11-13
- 86Book II: Chapter 42: Aftermath2024-11-13
- 87Book II: Chapter 43: Dead Dreams2024-11-13
- 88Book II Epilogue2024-11-13
- 89The Bogatyr and the Bog (Part 1)2024-11-13
- 90The Bogatyr and the Bog (Pt 2)2024-11-13
- 91Ethical Necromancy2024-11-13
- 92The Velvet Rose (Part 1)2024-11-13
- 93The Velvet Rose (Part 2)2024-11-13
- 94About the HK world (Part 2)2024-11-13
- 95Book III: Prologue: Coming to a Boil2024-11-13
- 96Book III: Chapter 1: A Belated Birthday2024-11-13
- 97Book III: Chapter 2: A Variety of Presents2024-11-13
- 98Book III: Chapter 3: The Storm of Blood2024-11-13
- 99Book III: Chapter 4: Reversal of Fortune2024-11-13
- 100Book III: Chapter 5: Knowledge of Suffering.2024-11-13
- 101Book III: Chapter 6: Crossroads2024-11-13
- 102Book 3: Chapter 7: Desperate Measures2024-11-13
- 103Book III: Chapter 8: Under the Knife2024-11-13
- 104Book III: Chapter 9: Flies2024-11-13
- 105Book III: Chapter 10: A Costly Cure2024-11-13
- 106Book III: Chapter 11: Triumvirate.2024-11-13
- 107Book III: Chapter 12: Strange Medicine2024-11-13
- 108Book III: Chapter 13: Divine Intervention2024-11-13
- 109Book III: Chapter 14: Blood Soaked Answers2024-11-13
- 110Book III: Chapter 15: Ritual Work2024-11-13
- 111Book III: Chapter 16: The Sage's Stone2024-11-13
- 112Book III: Chapter 17: Plan of Action2024-11-13
- 113Book III: chapter 18: Harm and Help2024-11-13
- 114Book III: Chapter 19: New Friends2024-11-13
- 115Book III: Chapter 20: Learning Experiences2024-11-13
- 116Book III: Chapter 21: Sorrows2024-11-13
- 117HKB3: Chapter 22: Illumination2024-11-13
- 118Book III: Chapter 23: Chains2024-11-13
- 119Book III: Chapter 24: Justification2024-11-13
- 120Book: III: Chapter 25: Late to the Tragedy2024-11-13
- 121Book: III: Chapter 26: Early to the Battle2024-11-13
- 122Book III: Chapter 27: On Time to the Victory2024-11-13
- 123Book III: Chapter 28: Simmering Down2024-11-13
- 124Book III: Chapter 29: Killers2024-11-13
- 125Book III: Chapter 30: Cold Truths2024-11-13
- 126Book III: Chapter 31: A Bevy of Schemes2024-11-13
- 127Book III: Chapter 32: Nasty Revelations2024-11-13
- 128Book III: Chapter 33: Cruel Hungers2024-11-13
- 129Book III: Chapter 34: New Plans2024-11-13
- 130Book III: Chapter 35: Fear, Respect and Love2024-11-13
- 131Book III: Chapter 36: Links, Laughter and Lies2024-11-13
- 132Book III: chapter 36.5 A Little Privacy2024-11-13
- 133Book III: chapter 37: Arrival2024-11-13
- 134Book III Chapter 38: Coincidence and Negotiations2024-11-13
- 135Book III: Chapter 39: Descent2024-11-13
- 136HKB3 Chapter 40: The Deeps2024-11-13
- 137Book III: Chapter 41: Help2024-11-13
- 138Book III: Chapter 42: Predator or Prey2024-11-13
- 139HKB3 Chapter 43: Eye for an Eye2024-11-13
- 140Book III: Chapter 44: The Ties that Blind2024-11-13
- 141Book III: Chapter 45: Cold Dead Hands2024-11-13
- 142Book III: Chapter 46: Red Right Hand2024-11-13
- 143Book III: Chapter 47: A Helping Hand2024-11-13
- 144Book III: Chapter 48: Bargaining2024-11-13
- 145About the HK World (Part 3)2024-11-13
- 146Book III: Chapter 49: Denial2024-11-13
- 147Book III: Chapter 50: Knives2024-11-13
- 148Book III: Chapter 51: Souls and Shadows2024-11-13
- 149Book III: Chapter 52: Battlefield Surgery2024-11-13
- 150Book III: Chapter 53: Webs and Chains2024-11-13
- 151Book III: Chapter 54: Answers among the Wreckage2024-11-13
- 152Book III: Chapter 55: Picking up the Pieces2024-11-13
- 153Book III: Epilogue2024-11-13
- 154Side Story: Better Left Buried (Part One)2024-11-13
- 155Side Story: Better Left Buried (Part Two)2024-11-13
- 156Side Story: Better Left Buried (Part Three)2024-11-13
- 157Side Story: Better Left Buried (Part Four)2024-11-13
- 158Side Story: Better Left Buried (Part Five)2024-11-13
- 159Side Story: The Captain, the Merchant and the Warg (Part 1)2024-11-13
- 160Side Story: The Captain, the Merchant and the Warg (Part 2)2024-11-13
- 161Side Story: The Captain, the Merchant and the Warg (Part 3)2024-11-13
- 162Side Story: The Captain, the Merchant and the Warg (Part 4)2024-11-13
- 163Side Story: The Captain, the Merchant, and the Warg (Part 5)2024-11-13
- 45Book II: Chapter 1.5: Bloody Lessons2024-11-20
- 47Book II: Chapter 2.5 Scarlet Snow2024-11-20
- 49Book II Chapter 3.5 Gorey Shadows2024-11-20
- 51Book II: Chapter 4.5: Mercy and Misery2024-11-20
- 53Book II: Chapter 5.5 Predators and Prose2024-11-20
- 55Book II: Chapter 6.5 Bloody Nights and River Days2024-11-20
- 57Book II: Chapter 7.5: Hints of Death2024-11-20
- 59Book II: Chapter 8.5 Falling into a Mess2024-11-20
- 172Side Story: A Matriarch's Rage (Part 1)2024-11-22