The Legacy of the Phoenix

The world of Avern has been Abandoned by the gods. At least, that’s what the people believe. There is a truth they cannot see, and it has not gone unnoticed. Descending to the world, the Dark Phoenix, the Mother of the Gods, is determined to find out what has happened to her children at the Maker’s behest. A piece of the Eternal Phoenix, that which brought life to Avern, the Dark Phoenix is born within the body of the crown princess of Lineria, Keiara. When her sister attempts to usurp the throne after committing regicide, she tries to kill her only sister, and her only opponent. The strike is true, but instead of killing the young princess, the old sword pierces the barrier between Keiara and the sleeping Dark Phoenix, uniting them in one body in the flames of rebirth.

Once released, the Dark Phoenix must locate those that will dedicate themselves to her, those that will give everything to save the world of Avern. These individuals, though, have more to them than they realize, as there is a reason they find themselves drawn to Keiara and the power she possesses. They know not what power they themselves possess.

Gaining allies of humans, elves, dwarves, vampires, demi-gods, shifters, and demons, Keiara quickly surrounds herself with a powerful party. Time is limited, though, as they have a mere year to find the gods and release them, and to do that, first the Keepers must be released. Two parties are formed, and as they part ways, they each set off on different missions. Along the way, new allies are found, and new enemies are discovered. There is little to do but continue on their path, even when the steps grow difficult.

In the darkness, a force moves the pieces of the world of Avern like a game. This force will see the world destroyed and recreated in their own image, and if Keiara and her allies do not succeed, the world of Avern will be forever changed.

Dark and the Sword

The world of Avern has moved on. It’s been nearly a millennium since the day when the whole pantheon vanished, a day no one will ever forget. Since the Abandonment, the mortals have learned to live without gods and goddesses. The world became mundane, with little magic and even less hope. Tyrants have emerged, while those possessing magic hold immense power. Forces surge in the darkness, threatening to topple the already fragile world. However, Avern’s world plight is not unknown, and distant watchers will intervene. The mortals are sleeping, however, unknowing that two great powers will soon vie for control.

Then something happens that changes things. A young princess makes a bid for power by murdering her father. She then attempts to murder her sister, the crown princess of Lineria, Keiara. Despite a true strike aided by dark powers, Keiara doesn’t die. Instead, the strike pierces the barrier between her human soul and the soul sleeping within her, the soul of the Dark Phoenix. More than a goddess, the Dark Phoenix is the legendary mother of the gods. She is a part of the Eternal Phoenix that brought life to their world eons ago, one of the primal forces of the cosmos.

Book One

Air and the Crown

Even though the world of Avern has moved on, changes have been set in motion. It has been almost a thousand years since the Abandonment and disappearance of the gods and goddesses of the world, but the Eternal Phoenix has begun awakening. The first, Keiara, the Dark Phoenix, has gathered two groups of adventurers to release the first of the divine powers: the Keepers. Dark forces have imprisoned the Keepers of Life, Death, Magic, and Nature in the darkest corners of Avern. The secret to their release is unknown, yet they hope that finding them will lead them to those answers. The Mother of Gods has gathered and split her followers into two groups, each setting in a different direction to search for the imprisoned Keepers.

Sanna leads her group north, taking Jovan, Miira, Syera, and Elmlock. Together, they are on a mission to find the Crown of Life, the artifact they believe will free the Keeper of Life from captivity. To do so, though, they must first cross the frozen lands of Phomean and find someone to take them across the Pass of Solace to the home of the water-kin elves, Zeri T’ves. The water-kin elves may not welcome them, and they must take their chances with who they can trust among the Pirates of Pass. Of course, along the way, they will make new friends and perhaps new foes.

Book Two