Once a prosperous and numerous race, humans now find themselves in hiding, their empire shattered. The Red Empire, once the dominant force in the world, has crumbled, leaving behind only remnants of its former glory.
Tall and broad with grey skin and silver hair, the kosar were created in an age long past. Once seen as mere tools, they are a mysterious and misunderstood part of the world, unaware of the greater forces shaping their existence.
The Elders are revered figures who embody ancient wisdom and divine authority. Known as The Living Gods, they maintain the balance of power and law. Each Elder holds a unique role within their order, shaping the course of destiny.
Wraith – The god of law and authority, who seems to be the primary spokesperson and leader of the elders.
Garrulous – The smallest of the elders, the messenger of the living gods, and the master of speech.
Abyssal – The tallest and one of the most powerful of the elders, recently returned from overseas. Known for their naval prowess and stoic demeanor.
The royal family of the Dawnless line governs with the support of a senate of around 300 members. The senate, which includes some of the most influential figures in the kingdom, elects a Dominus or Domina to lead their ranks. While the monarchy holds the ultimate authority, the senate plays a crucial role in shaping the kingdom’s laws and policies. Together, they maintain a fragile balance of power, guiding the fate of the kingdom from the heart of Winternople.
King Aren Luna Dawnless
King of Luminous, forced with the burden of the crown from a young age after his mother’s death.
Gaius Iron Cassius, Dominus of the Senate
The head of the Senate, serving his third term, Cassius rose from humble beginnings in Dartown after saving a young prince.
Faustina Pathinger
Daughter of Lord Byron Pathinger of Summerfall, with clear ambitions for power in the court.
Argus Salvius
A long-serving and strategic member of the senate, navigating the shifting political tides.
Layton Galba
From a powerful, ancient family tied to the king’s bloodline, Layton is an outspoken and influential voice in the senate.
Kesta Nero
A wise and respected senator, former wife of the king’s uncle, now a voice of reason.
Cato Maximus Drakenson
Wealthy landowner who owns almost half of the farms under the sun, with significant political influence in the senate.
Lady Octavia
A powerful figure in the city, she controls the vital trade of imported goods, including grain and spices, wielding significant influence over the economy.
Note: The senate is composed of three hundred members, but the individuals listed here are those most frequently mentioned throughout the story.
The Inner City is the heart of Winternople, home to the royal family and the Senate. At its centre stands Dragon’s Hold, the seat of power, surrounded by fertile farmlands nourished by sunbeams that stream through cracks above, the Wielders Barracks, and green gardens.
Tactus
A seasoned warrior, Tactus rose through the ranks to guard The Desert Wall against enemies.
Hanon Licinus Calpurnius
Loyal servant to Tactus, often found assisting in the defense of Deserts Wall.
Mira Claudilla Julia
A skilled scout from a poor noble family, Mira has spent most of her life in the wilderness, honing her abilities.
Nero Augustus
He is one of the highest-ranking wielders in Winternople. Few wielders are born these days, and those that are tend to be less powerful than their predecessors.
Darktown is the underbelly of Winternople, a place where the sun never reaches. It is a filthy, crime-ridden district, home to the destitute and forgotten. The people here, unable to afford proper food, are forced to survive on insects and mushrooms. Vaapers, eerie creatures that cling to the cave ceiling, pose a constant threat, often swooping down to kill those who wander too far from the safety of the crowded streets.
Lady Menodora/The Painter
A mysterious and influential figure in Darktown. Known for her counsel to both the king and members of the senat.
Decimus Iron
Cassius’s brother, who joined the Black Suns and now serves as a ruthless force in Darktown.
Caelina Agrippa
Leader of the Black Sons, one of Darktown’s four gangs, Caelina wields influence in the criminal underworld.
Summerfall is the capital of the northern territories, ruled by the loyal Byron family. Situated in a harsh, arid landscape, the city is constantly under threat from native forces. Though miles from the sea, Summerfall remains a crucial stronghold, its strategic location vital to the kingdom’s defense and survival.
Byron Pathinger
Considered cold by some of his most loyal followers, Byron is a strong-minded and brilliant tactician who puts the kingdom before his own needs. He is extremely fond of his two children.
Amira, the seat of the Elders, is an ancient city located on an island within the Shattered Islands to the south of Luminous. Though once a thriving hub of power, the city now lies in ruins, its crumbling structures serving as a testament to its long history. The island is a place of great significance, where the Living Gods dwell and maintain their control over the balance of power.
Kara Laayne
A loyal ally of Grechen, their bond has withstood many challenges over the years.
Baartez Verus
Known as the Elders’ mad dog, Baartez is a fierce warrior who takes on their most dangerous tasks.
A barren island in the Shattered Isles, Sunpeak is home to the Addamious family. Its harsh environment demands resilience from its people, known for their toughness as warriors, while relying on imports for survival.
Grechen Addamious
The former lord of Sunpeak, now embroiled in hidden schemes, Grechen’s past influence still looms over Sunpeak.
Dela Addamious
Barring a strange handprint on her chest, Dela has a strong connection to the old world.
Skyra Addamious
The only child of Grechen, Skyra now rules Sunpeak, burdened by political pressures and her father’s legacy.
A narrow strip of land stretching into the sea, Diamond’s Edge is ruled by the once-powerful Drusus family. Though their influence has waned since the war, they still hold control over this strategic territory.
Alisteen Drusus
A war veteran once aligned with Grechen, Alisteen serves as a reminder of Diamond’s Edge’s past power.
Strouse Druses
Alisteen’s son and the last surviving heir to Alisteen. He carries the burden of his family’s legacy and the future of Diamond’s Edge.
Servius Druses
Alisteen’s brother. Once hailed as the “hero of the realm,” Servius now enforces the elders’ authority with little regard for dissent.
Fierce and relentless, the natives claim right over Luminous and are known for their brutal tactics. They use any means necessary to attack and defend their land, making them a constant threat to those who occupy it.
Hanno “Link” Hadrianus
A tough and ruthless leader of the Natives, Link is known for his brutal resistance to Winternople. His forceful methods and unyielding nature command the loyalty of his people.
Note: The rest of the Native leadership and members remain largely unknown due to a lack of communication with the outside world and their focus on survival and warfare.
Crystal Peak
Once the capital of Luminous before the empire’s fall, Crystal Peak has been in ruins for three centuries. Its decaying structures stand as a haunting reminder of the empire’s former glory.
Myriad
Unknown
The Dawnless family spans over three centuries, its lineage deeply intertwined with the fate of Luminous. With their stern faces and imposing stature, they are a striking presence, tracing their heritage back to the Fallen King who once saved the people of the empire.
Aren Luna Dawnless’s ancestors rose from the chaos and ruin of the Red Empire, their strength forged in the ashes of the past. The family banner, depicting a fallen tower, symbolises both their connection to the fallen world and the resilience that allowed them to rise anew.
0–28 AF
KING SERITUES AUGUSTUS DAWNLESS, The Fallen King [Reign marked by the collapse of the Red Empire and the beginning of the After Fall calendar.]
28–31 AF
QUEEN LUCILLA SERITUES DAWNLESS, The Foolish [Poisoned by her brother, Cassius, after trying to expand the kingdom.]
31–36 AF
KING CASSIUS SERITUES DAWNLESS, The Childless [Seized the throne after poisoning his sister, Lucilla. Slain in a rebellion led by the royal guard.]
36–89 AF
KING NERO SERITUES DAWNLESS, The Ambitious [Led expansion, founded Summerfall, and was likely smothered by his wife.]
89–102 AF
QUEEN CLARA NERO DAWNLESS, The Betrayed [Reigned poorly, focused on tournaments and monster hunts, eventually took her own life after betrayal.]
102–135 AF
KING SERITUES II CLARA DAWNLESS, The Kin Slayer [Used as a puppet by the royal guard to have his mother killed. Killed in a giant attack.]
135–168 AF
QUEEN LUNA SERITUES DAWNLESS, The Weak [Marked by instability and internal strife, assassinated by a conspiracy involving her brother’s widow.]
168 AF
QUEEN AMILIA LUNA DAWNLESS, The Scavenger [Reigned briefly and committed suicide after losing the Battle of Razor’s Edge to Annia.]
168 AF
QUEEN ANNIA SERVERUS DAWNLESS, The Widow [Crowned after defeating Amilia in battle, murdered by Luna’s true heir, Claudius.]
168–226 AF
KING CASSIUS II LUNA DAWNLESS, The Great [Restored stability, expanded northern settlements, and defeated a large Kosar army. Died from the plague at 66.]
226–228 AF
KING SERITUES III CASSIUS DAWNLESS, The Unlucky [Reigned briefly before dying of the plague, just two years after his father.]
228–243 AF
KING TIBERIUS SERITUES DAWNLESS, The Absent [Neglected the throne and was murdered by his brother before he could launch a military campaign.]
243–244 AF
QUEEN FLAVIA TIBERIUS DAWNLESS, The Beautiful [Reigned briefly, executing her uncle, and died from a stroke during a senate meeting.]
244–263 AF
QUEEN CLARA II FLAVIA DAWNLESS, The Coward [Chose not to pursue the fight against the Kosar and was killed in a native revolt while visiting Summerfall.]
263–285 AF
QUEEN LUNA II CLARA DAWNLESS, The Strong [Ascended after her niece’s death, marked by strength in the face of many challenges.]
285–Present (314 AF)
KING AREN LUNA DAWNLESS, The Cold [Aren, ruling in a time of peace, governs with careful calculation. At 22, he named his old friend Dominus, despite his lowborn status.]
Grab your free copy of Empire’s End and stay up to date with book releases and news.
Subscribe for updates, sneak previews and more, alongside your free copy.