Book 1

Devil's Crown

by Zach Guard

Published 7 June 2023

Sensing vulnerability in the aftermath of the War of Light and Dark, the devil looks to divide the nations of Adamah. Killed in his home, in front of his wife and daughter, the Penumbran leader’s death opened the world to a great evil. The devil uses a person’s worst thoughts to create hatred, depression, and narcissism.

To combat this evil, messengers with a cross upon their chest journey across Adamah with a warning of the devil’s day. Kings, princes, soldiers, scholars, and farmers are all called to come together to defeat this evil. Witnessing her husband’s death, the Priestess of Penumbra claims, “Not all will be strong enough to resist.” Who does she speak of? Who will fall weak to the devil’s temptations?

Each nation has its unique geography, culture, and beliefs. Snowfall is blistering cold with an ambitious King. Penumbra’s caves are a dark labyrinth where a daughter seeks to avenge her father. Socho, a city ahead of its time, focuses on invention and ingenuity. Quite the opposite, the grasslands of Champaign are full of rival tribes competing for land and food.

Across the River Sentience, Ophir’s jungles are full of exotic animals and treasures. From Mt. Bental, the leader of Cape Guard inspires fear with his fleet. Similarly, the King in Morass is a tyrant with a god complex responsible for destroying the deserts of Betharaba. Will they overcome their differences to defeat a common enemy, or will they do the devil’s bidding by tearing each other apart?