Infinity: Rise of the Spelldrinker

By Mr. Edward Mann

Once in a generation an anomaly occurs in the world of Ura. An elfkind is born with extraordinary powers. Powers that could easily rival the most powerful warriors and mystics. Now, with a wicked darkness threatening to cover the world in shadows, such a powerful being could be the only thing standing in the way of absolute chaos. Can this young hero rise to the occasion? Only time will tell. Now begins the tale of the............Spelldrinker.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796067774

Book preview

1

URA

Across the Infinite Universe there exists a wealth of different realities. Some more different than others. Both relative and unrelative. Among them all there is a world known to its inhabitants as Ura. Once a peaceful realm filled with beauty and wonder now stands tainted. All thanks to a rogue sect of mystics known as the Cron. Mages who sought to discover the ultimate form of magix by any mean necessary. Their quest would bring them to an uncharted island that was made up mainly of a large crater from long ago. Within this crater they discovered a mysterious energy source. It seemed to be emanating from the even stranger minerals found deeper within the crater. A deep black metal that somehow shined gold. This Daerk Matter, as it would come to be called, allowed the Cron to tap into the dark energy that resonated from within the texture less stone. Before long they were casting new spells and enchantments that allowed them to bend the very laws life and death to their will. Truly they had found what they had been searching for.

It wasn’t until later that they discovered the terrible truth, this dark magix came with a price. Unlike normal magix that used it’s caster’s inner mana to cast spells, this dark magix drained the casters very life force. Worse yet, those that couldn’t sustain themselves would eventually become undead liches, spreading death and disease in their wake. Because of this, the dark energy became known as Corruption. For most, this revelation would be the last word on corruption and practices of cron magix. But the power and strength it offered was often too much for many to resist. Constantly craving stronger and stronger magix. Their selfish desires nearly resulted in the complete destruction of their entire world.

Three monstrous forms rose forth from within the crater. Living incarnations of corruption itself, The Endless Corrupters. Ura had entered into an age of darkness the likes of which had never been seen before. Day after day the corrupters cover the world in their evil light. The end was surely at hand. That all changed when out of nowhere, like an answered prayer, there came one who possessed the power of the holy light, and drove back the light of corruption. The Divine Saint, Amiradell.

It was the Divine Saint who shared the secrets of Divinity with a group of knights who sought to fight alongside the hero. Armed with the divine power, the knights (referred to at the time as the Divine Crusaders) joined the saint in the crusade against the forces of corruption. Eventually the Endless Corrupters were forced back into the Abysmal Crater. However, the Divine Saint could not destroy the overwhelming presence within the crater itself. In the end, the saint was sacrificed to place an unbreakable divine seal over the crater in hopes that none would ever suffer corruption’s evil again. In an instance the nightmare was over. The crusaders would name themselves Paladins. Vowing to be ever vigilant, should the accursed corruption threaten the world again. At last, there was peace.

To protect the seal from those who might seek to release the corruption back into the world, the paladins founded the Divine Brotherhood. Training new paladins and clerics in the ways of divinity to safeguard the crater from those who sought to undo the Divine Saint’s seal. The crusaders were elevated to the rank of Marshall Paladins, and spent the next four years eliminating the various cron covens. After the fall of the Circle of Talons, the last of the cron were believed to be no more.

But there was one who not only sought to release the corrupters from their prison, but also claim their power for herself. Her name was Celes Coranell, an aspiring mage from the mystic city of Guchiara. Not satisfied with her accomplishments as a mage, she believed that with the power of corruption she could surpass even that of the greatest mystic Ura had ever known, Arcane Ralin. Unfortunately for her, it wasn’t long before wicked experiments were discovered by her master, Archmagus Gath Kasier leader of the Guchiara Spellbinders League and ruler of the mystic city.

She escaped the Archmagus’ wrath that night and disappeared into the shadows. Refusing to be deterred from her chosen path she continued her research in secret eventually discovering how to give life to rock and stone by infusing them with corruption. She called these lifeless creatures, Empties. Yet her greatest discovery was what she achieved using Daerk Matter to raise the dead. This spell allowed her to trap the souls of the dead and create new undead out of reanimated grave soil and life energy that were nearly indestructible, and fully aware. The Soulless Hollow. With an army of undead at her side the full power of corruption would be hers for the taking.

It is the 729th age, nearly twenty years since the end of the crusade. Celes’ lust for power has brought her to the city of Dawn Kideel. The City of the Higher Elves. The higher elves, or famari, are dwellers of the desert continent of Mand’rilam. Of all the elven races of Ura, the famari are considered to be among the most mystically gifted. The gem-like bone that adorns their foreheads is said to give them the power to sense mana energy, even in its natural form. Unlike their elven kin, their pointed ears also curve back.

Among the people of Dawn Kideel this night were two Marshall Paladins. Holy knights who had served years before in the crusade alongside the Divine Saint. Sir Nadros Hayes and Sir Jagg Centerwind. Of course, it had been nearly four years since Jagg had raised his blade in battle, choosing instead to live a peaceful life with his wife Aimle and infant son Rojair. Nadros still served, not only as a Marshall Paladin of the Divine Brotherhood, but also as the Captain of the Guard for the city of Vigil’s Keep on the continent of Chellbras. Of all the former Divine Crusaders, Nadros was the only one still an active paladin. With all seeming to be at peace Nadros was taking the chance to visit his long-time friend. It had been a few years since the two friends had the chance to see one another, not since Jagg was wed to Aimle. Nadros couldn’t be happier for his former brother at arms. Sadly, tonight marks the end of Ura’s peaceful times.

The Empties invaded the city like a tidal wave making landfall, rising up out of the desert floor and catching the citizens completely by surprise. Those that tried to fight back quickly found themselves overwhelmed. The empties were without emotion, without sympathy, and without mercy. Celes wanted the city under the silver moon to be the first to witness her powers. My gift unto Ura, she said beneath the bandages that covered her face. A sacrifice.

2

NIGHTFALL

The first of the attacks could be heard far throughout the city. Screams of dread and terror filled the night sky, rousing not only the city guard, but the two paladins within the Centerwind home. Nadros and Jagg took up swords and hurried outside. They found themselves standing among dozens of others who had raced outside to the sounds of horror. Everyone was looking in the direction of the screams, all wondering, others dreading, what was coming. None were prepared for what came next. Out of seemingly nowhere hundreds of stone humanoid creatures began to erupt from beneath the stone street. Many were killed on the spot. Crushed to death by massive, stone arms before they even had time to react. Jagg and Nadros had reacted quickly enough to avoid such a gruesome fate. No doubt their time as crusaders had honed their reflexes to near perfection.

They immediately countered their attackers, slashing through their foes. But these empties were stone, not living flesh and bone. All the two warriors could do was go on the defensive. Back inside! they shouted to Aimle, as well as any other famari who had managed to escape death. Aimle quickly ducked back inside with the paladins following shortly behind. Jagg immediately started barricading the door while Nadros took to the windows. Aimle grabbed Rojair from his room in the back and rushed back to the main room of the house to rejoin the men. Once to her husband’s side she placed their son between them, as if to shield him from the impending doom. What are they? she asked, trying to hold back her fear. But Jagg was without an answer. Never in all his Seventy-seven years of life had he ever encountered such creatures.

All around them the empties could be heard pounding their stone appendages on the frail clay-stone walls of the home. The paladins placed Aimle and Rojair between them and readied their weapons. Slowly but surely stone arms began bursting through the walls. Aimle let out a loud shriek, clutching her crying child tightly to her chest as Jagg immediately charged in, cleaving the arms in two. Jagg’s blade, the Desert Viper, may have been a short sword but thanks to the mystical power sphere that was fixed to the handle the sword’s cut was like the touch of acid.

Nadros did not have such an enchantment, he instead called upon the divine power within his holy star symbol (A paladin’s holy star is the source of their divine powers. Made from a mysterious material called Radiant, each star has been blessed to give only those worthy the Maker’s blessings, the power of divinity.) I call upon the light of lights, grant me and my steel your strength. The holy symbol began to shine brightly. Nadros thrust the blade of his sword through one of the stone arms, not only shattering it completely but also destroying the rest of the Emptie in the process. They went back and forth raising a blade where needed until the empties began to slam through the window barricade. Nadros motioned his two friends to hurry into the kitchen as he covered their exit with another divine. Calling upon the holy light once more he was able to generate a powerful beam of divine energy that blew away every Emptie as they broke through. But despite the damage done, for every emptie he destroyed two more would take their place.

Joining up with the Centerwinds, Nadros started to realize their only chance was to flee. We cannot win this, he stated. Before Jagg could answer Aimle opened the cellar door and usher the two men to follow. They made their way downstairs as the sound of dozens of empties filled the room above. They would not be safe for long. At the bottom of the stairs she handed Rojair to Nadros as she started to scan the nearby wall. A smashing sounds could be heard from back up the stairs. They’ve found the cellar door. Jagg figured. Finally Aimle exclaimed, I’ve found it! Nadros and Jagg turned back to see what she had discovered, and were pleasantly surprise to see a Rune of Transportation etched into the wall.

The other rune is in Quarrytown. (which was halfway across the continent) she explained. Apparently she had placed one there years ago just in case of an emergency. Aimle was always quite resourceful, that was what Jagg loved about her most. She placed her hands on the rune, and was able to open a gateway behind a small shack in Quarrytown. Nadros take Rojair through, I’m right behind you, Jagg said to his friend as he watched the cellar stairs. The red haired paladin walked through the gateway then turned waiting for his friends to join him. Suddenly the ground on the Dawn Kideel side started to shake violently. Nadros tried to aid his dear friends, but in the chaos Aimle lost her concentration and the gateway closed. Leaving Nadros standing alone with Rojair crying in his arms. HE held the famari babe close trying with all his might to hold back his own tears.

3

IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Nadros remained in Quarrytown for the next three days. He had contacted the town militia and informed them of the horrors he had witnessed in Dawn Kideel. There was a tunnel road that passed through Quarrytown on the way to Dawn Kideel, and there was the possibility that the same stone monstrosities would attack the town next. Nadros stood posted at the tunnel alongside the militia men ready to face whatever may come. Rojair was being looked after by some of the miner’s wives who had taken cover with the children and elderly while the men defended the town. In the back of his mind Nadros remembered how useless both he and Jagg’s efforts had been against the empties. How would the even less battle experienced militia men fair any better? Deep down inside though, Nadros mainly hoped beyond hope that Jagg and Aimle were well. Nadros had taken each moment he could spare to return to the place where he had last seen his two friends, hoping that the mystical gateway would once again open with Jagg and Aimle stepping through. But alas, they never came.

On the third day a mustering could be heard echoing through the tunnel. Something was coming. The militia men readied what weapons they had available to them, which mostly ranged from digging tools to sling bows (slingshot with a crossbow stock). Nadros stood with his hand on his sword, yet he hesitated. One inherited trait that every paladin’s holy star has is the power to detect the presence of malice. A warning to it’s paladin when a perceived threat was about. But for now the star stood silent. Nadros raised his hand halting any advancement from the militia. He then stepped out into the open and stared into the dark tunnel. This is Sir Nadros Hayes! he proclaimed. If there is anyone present identify yourselves at once, lest you be met with hostility!

An eerie silence crept over the town, not a single person wanting to so much as exhale from fear of missing any kind of response. You can only imagine the relief that was shared when a weak voice called out, Please do not attacks us! We need help! A single famari limped out of the darkness. His clothes were tattered and he had a small bloody wound under his right eye. Nadros hurried over, managing to catch him before his other leg gave out from sheer exhaustion. Soon after more famari began to emerge from the tunnel. Most in even worse shape. Only thirty-four survivors made it to Quarrytown from Dawn Kideel.

Nadros worked with the healers and doctors that the small town had day and night; Using his divine blessings to heal what he could. Two more days passed and of the thirty-four famari who had reached Quarrytown only nine had recovered. According to one of the survivors they had left the city in droves, meaning that most had succumb to their injuries during the mass exodus. Sadly none of the survivors had mentioned seeing hide nor hair of either Jagg or Aimle Centerwind. Nadros wanted nothing more than to take a mount and ride back to the famari city to search for his lost friends. But Jagg and Aimle had entrusted him with their child, he could not forsake that responsibility. Not to mention there was no telling if the empties were still roaming the city. It would be foolish of him to travel back there alone.

He reasoned that the best thing to do was return to Vigil’s Keep and request aide from Regent Garrion McCain. Sir McCain had once been hailed as a Grand Marshall Paladin before assuming the regency of the southern territory, and had fought alongside Nadros and Jagg during the crusade. Once he had done all he could to help treat the injured survivors, Nadros, along with Rojair, made his way back to the continent of Chellbras. Across the sea the paladin and the young famari sailed to the port of Three Rivers Run in the Southern Territory of Chellbras. From there it was an another four days ride on mareback to the walled city of Vigil’s Keep.(Mares in Ura are similar to horses, only they have no tails and have feet not hooves.) Upon reaching the Keep, Nadros wasted little time seeking an audience with Regent McCain.

Garrion sat attentively upon his throne, listening carefully as Nadros gave his recount of the horrid events that had transpired in Dawn Kideel. Once he had finished Garrion slid back in his seat and took a moment to process it all. It is assumed then that Jagg is no longer with us? he asked. Nadros did not reply, but his expression said enough. He knew that it was likely his friend did not survive, but he could not bring himself to say it aloud. His heart just couldn’t bare it. Garrion stood and walked over to an open window overlooking the town below. We need to know more about these creatures. Where they come from and more importantly, why they attacked Dawn Kideel. We owe Jagg that much. Nadros completely agreed. I am more than prepared to lead the investigation myself.

I assumed you would, Garrion commented. The Regent turned to regard his Captain saying, You and a group of twenty White Knights will travel back to Dawn Kideel and gather what information you can. Nadros nodded. You will disembark in two days time. Have your men ready by then.

If I may my lord, there is something I must see to before I return to Mand’rilam. Garrion was naturally curious about the paladins request. Jagg’s son Rojair, Nadros continued. I am in no position to care for him, not if I am to find those responsible for his parent’s fate. Garrion agreed with his decision but inquired as to where he might take the boy. Nadros decided that Rojair needed a place where he would be well looked after, by those he knew he could trust. Somewhere he knew the lad would be safe. Perhaps I will pay Jaylen a visit, someone HAS to tell him about Jagg. Nadros suggested. Garrion nodded his approval. Nadros showed himself out as Garrion headed over to a small table and poured himself a glass of cider, though he was no longer serving as paladin there were some tenets that he still stuck to out of habit, such as not consuming alcohol. He raise his glass in a toast. Here’s to you Jagg, may you and Aimle find peace in the hereafter. Blessed be.

Nadros traveled north from Vigil’s Keep, to the northern territory of Chellbras. Rojair had slept for most of the journey. During their trip from Mand’rilam he had been inconsolable, but now it seemed he had grown accustom to traveling. It will be better for him this way, he thought. After a two days journey the pair arrived at a brick home in the outskirt forests of Cornelia, capitol of the Northern Territory. This was the home of Sir Jaylen Port, another former Marshall Paladin that had once served with Nadros during the crusade. After losing his right leg during his service, Jaylen was forced into retirement. He now lived in Cornelia with his wife Clare and their daughter Meri. Nadros walked up to the front door and gave it a gentle knock, he didn’t want to wake the baby. Within about a minute the door opened wide and a middle aged man on a clutch stood in the archway. He gave the paladin a gleefully surprised look before exclaiming, Nadros you old dog! This startled Rojair, who awoke crying like a banshee. Needless to say Jaylen was a bit put off by the sight of Nadros carrying a famari infant of all things.

Inside, Jaylen’s wife Clare attended to the famari babe, her daughter in tow the entire time, while Nadros spoke to Jaylen about the situation. Sir Port was naturally devastated after hearing about Jagg. He gripped his leg stump and silently cursed his disability. Nadros could clearly see the regret written on his friends face. It was the same twisted visage of sadness and rage that Nadros had seen in himself as of late. I’ll be returning to Dawn Kideel in the next few days with a band of knights, Nadros mentioned, trying to distract from their grief. I’m going to find out who is responsible for this travesty, and punish them for it. Jaylen took some solace in his words. Still, what he wouldn’t give to be out there by his side.

In the meantime, I was hoping that you and Clare would look after Rojair in my absence. Jaylen knew Nadros had a reason for traveling all the way to Cornelia, but he wasn’t expecting such a hefty request. A favor, not just to me, but Jagg as well. Clare leaned into the room eager to hear Jaylen’s answer. The two shot each other a reassuring look, and Jaylen agreed to Nadros’ request. Clare walked into the room cradling Rojair in her arms. He’s been feed but he’s still a bit fussy. Nadros offered to take him. Clare passed the cranky babe to him and to their surprise he almost immediately became calm. Seems he’s taken with you Sir Hayes, little Meri said from behind her mother.

Nadros held Rojair’s small hand and smiled. You had best make sure you come to see him Nadros, Clare jokingly ordered. Lest I seek you out myself. They all shared a chuckle. Of course he would visit. Rojair gripped the paladin’s finger, and strangely the divine light from his holy star flickered.

4

VISITING

All across Ura, accounts poured in of attacks by creatures similar to those that were involved in the devastation of Dawn Kideel. Eight years had passed since the incident on Mand’rilam, and during that time there had been several isolated of attacks, all ending in horrific tragedy. Nadros had kept himself quite busy these last few years. Vigil’s Keep had begun working in conjunction with the mages of Guchiara and the Divine Brotherhood to learn more about the mysterious empties. They were quickly able to determine the presence of corruption in the areas that were attacked, though no where near the amount that now tainted Dawn Kideel. This led to Vigil’s Keep and the Divine Brotherhood believing it the work of a cron. Perhaps one that had survived The Cleansing and was seeking revenge against the brotherhood. (The Cleansing was a mission carried out by the Divine Brotherhood after the events of the Crusade. Those involved were tasked with finding and destroying all cron covens.) The Spellbinders League wasn’t so sure. The Empties just didn’t seem like normal Cron magix, and were more a kin to golems than undead. When the Spellbinders League was given control of the ruined city of Dawn Kideel, they immediately labeled it a Class B Necropolis and had it sealed off.

(A Necropolis is a place so tainted with corruption that it cannot be saved. Class C: An area overly contaminated with corruption. Class B: Contaminated with possibility of undead. Class A: Highly contaminated and overrun with undead.)

Yet despite all the chaos, Nadros always made time to visit Rojair and the Ports. Sir Hayes had been away for several months, meeting first with the Spellbinders League then traveling across the Vast Ocean to meet with the current Grand Marshall of the Divine Brotherhood at their temple on Sentinel Hill. Now that he had finally made it back to Chellbras, Nadros was finally getting the chance to visit Rojair. He had promised in his last letter that he would not push back his visit this day. He had already been forced to twice now. The most recent being in the wake of an attack against a forest elf tribe. Survivors all confirmed the attackers as the same creature Nadros had seen eight years ago. The Elven Nation requested assistance from the Divine Brotherhood, but they were denied. Now the various tribes of Chellbras were in a complete uproar. Nadros shook such thoughts from his head. He would concern himself with politics later.

It was an average day. Ura had just began it’s second yearly cycle. Out of it’s three cycles the second was always the warmest time of the year around Cornelia. Outside the home of the Ports, Meri sat under a tree reading while Rojair practiced swordsmanship with Jaylen. There was something she found oddly amusing about watching a nine year old higher elf trying to sword fight a man with a peg leg. Rojair may have been only nine years old, but because of his genetics he was much taller than most his age. He could probably pass for twelve.

Their was a time when Meri would join them in their training. But after a while it seemed that Jaylen was more interested in training Rojair than her. So she chose to let Jaylen focus on Rojair while she continued her training elsewhere. After a few years of training under former members of Cornelia ’s Scarlet Legion, Meri had become quite the accomplished swordsman. Even more so than her father. Granted, even with one leg Jaylen was still as competent a swordsman as any. On numerous occasions she had offered to assist with Rojair’s training, but he would always refuse. She felt that he was somewhat sore about her seeking other training other than himself. Meri loved her father, but he was a stubborn man of pride.

Jaylen would easily telegraph each of his