REALMS OF SOLARIDE: Lucien's Wrath

Foreword:

Realms of Solaride: Lucien's Wrath, will be a Fantasy Horror Story by Independent Author, Joseph Roy Wright. It will be my first attempt at writing a Medieval Fantasy adventure, with a lot of Horror elements. I do not intend for this to be a whimsical adventure with elves and fairies, but more a dark underworld full of foul creatures from horror fiction; such as Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies, etc. Magic will still exist in this world, with Wizards and Witches, but it is intended for a more adult/Gothic audience. With this said; I hope you enjoy this prologue!

Prologue:

In the darkest age, when man lived amongst rats, within swamps and dark forests. Where men fought with might and honour, using swords and maces. Our tale takes place long ago (1024), in a Realm very much unlike our own. Here, monsters roam the night, and fierce beasts torment their prey. As Vampires, Werewolves, Witches and Demons live amongst men, seeking fresh meat. At night, it would be most unwise for men and women to travel, unless they are well equipped, brave and mighty enough to defeat such monstrosities.

Upon the East of Solaride, a Realm named Riverfall suffers, as it is ruled by a cruel king named Raymond R. Ericsson the 2nd. Riverfall mostly consists of swamps, marshlands and dark forests, where horrifying creatures lurk. In the center of Riverfall stands Riverfall Village. The village streets here stink of stale urine, as it always rains in Riverfall, because a horrid cloud of black, looms over the whole village like a plague. Villagers stay within small bungalows or huts. Small market tents stand on either side of the cobble stone road, leading up to Castle Ericsson. The living conditions for the poor villagers of Riverfall are foul, as the interiors to most of these buildings lay mostly bare, with little furniture, nor decoration. Most building have holes in their roofs and open holes where windows should be, the homes here look more like prison cells made of grey stone, (spare for a few homes that have been worked on by their residents) most are in need of repair, as they have been stood, since the early 800's. With this said: it's quite clear that the villagers here are depressed and poor, only the king's son and two daughters (25 year old Scott T. Ericsson, and his twin sisters, Jasmin and Carol, aged 19) live a life of luxury here. Servants and poorer working class folk, serve the great king Raymond. The most fortunate live within Castle Ericsson, while the poorest fend for themselves out on the rotting streets of Riverfall, eating rats and crows that roam the alleyways with them, they sleep on the streets and are treated with disdain, by the rest of the village folk. These beggars walk through daily, wearing rags for clothes, with starved bodies, unkempt hair and rotten teeth.

Several Taverns stand on each side of this village, all run and built by King Raymond, with no independent businesses around. Everyone serves King Raymond, one way or the other, with 80% of profits going directly to the obese king, who sits upon his golden throne, within his black stoned castle that stands threateningly tall at the end of the village. Castle Ericsson is a landmark of Solaride, as it stands to be one of the Realm's tallest castles, standing exactly 232 M in height, and 117 M in width.

Of course, with Scott T. Ericsson's royal upbringing, he has become naturally snobbish. However, he has friends, all of which suck up to him, while one young man of 21, named Ramsey Weston, serves him, by orders from the king. Ramsey was appointed to be Scott's personal servant, after offering the king his services, in order to feed his mother and child (his wife passed away with infection, due to the Wolven epidemic of 1021) Ramsey must wash Scott's clothes, boots, swords and armour daily. As well as carry his equipment on travels and protect him at all costs. For 21; Ramsey is a rather stocky and hench bloke, he is still young and quite naive, but takes his role seriously; he always manages to keep a cool head, despite Scott's often humiliating tasks. Ramsey lives within the castle with his small family, his work is horrid, but living inside, instead of out, is worth the price. Scott, nor Raymond or Jasmin & Carol care much for the Weston family, but he shows his gratitude daily, bowing to the king, his son & two daughters, without question. As Ramsey is Scott's personal Servant, it is important, that he must always look presentable when working alongside the royal families across the Realms of Solaride. He bathes within the finest bathhouses, and dines alongside his superior, eating the finest of dishes with the most exquisite of wines.

The Guards of Riverfall are equipped with armour made of a black metal, with golden crests, patterned into the chest and shoulder blades of this armour. They wear guarded knight helmets, with adjustable visors, to hide and protect their faces while in combat. All Guards carry a small shield and sword made of aluminium, so they can quickly stance into battle with relative ease. However, their equipment is weak and meager, they cannot stand long within a real battle, but they are intimidating enough for most villagers to look the other way, when confronted.

Penalties for Villagers here are severe, Raymond has many different torture devices within his dungeons below Castle Ericsson. With punishments ranging from non-disfiguring (yet painful) Torture, to dismemberment and public executions. With a sadistic Dungeon Torturer, who smiles and laughs with devilish glee at his victims mercy, the villagers of Riverfall would not dare disobey King Raymond's rulings.

It is within this Village of Riverfall, that a Satanic cult stalks the night streets in secret, gathering in their circles, under canal bridges and dark alleys. They have been hatching a plan for some time now, awaiting for their time to strike! Led by an ancient Witch who served alongside the Darkest Lord Lucien, back in 112, over 900 years ago. Sahara was once a young and beautiful enchantress, but she was seduced by Lucien's dark wit and devilish charms. He and she ruled over Solaride for nearly 200 years, before the men from Greater Haven returned to his domain and sent the devil and his followers back to the deepest depths of hell, where they have remained for nearly 700 years, awaiting for their return, back to the land of the living.

Sahara and her followers, now await outside the northern tavern of Riverfall Village. It is almost dawn, it rains heavily and the virgin Sophia, drinks blissfully unaware of the horrors that await her once she stumbles, drunkenly outside and onto the rotten old streets of Riverfall Village, as Sahara has only one last sacrifice to make, before her darling Lucien can arise once again, to wreck havoc upon the innocents of Eastern Solaride!

Thank you for reading this early prologue. Realms of Solaride is still in development, so some minor plot details may be subject to change.