The Thorned Crown

 

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The Thorned Crown: A Dark High Fantasy Epic

Set in the decaying world of Thirvannor, The Thorned Crown weaves a tale of power, betrayal, and the encroaching shadow of a sentient wilderness that has long lain dormant. The continent is ruled by ancient dynasties whose borders are under siege by the Feralwild—a vast and ancient forest that is alive and hungry, a primal force of nature that defies human comprehension. The kingdom of Aeskarryn, once prosperous, is now beset by drought, war, and the slow but inevitable creep of the Feralwild, threatening to consume the last vestiges of civilization.

The heart of the story is the crumbling reign of King Ardyn Velcairn, a monarch desperate to save his kingdom from the relentless advance of the forest. Ardyn, in a moment of desperation, offers his crown, lineage, and even his future heirs to Vaelithorne, the forest deity whose power is beyond the reach of mortal understanding. This dark bargain sets the stage for a catastrophic transformation, with Ardyn becoming the living avatar of the forest god, tethered to its will in an attempt to stave off the kingdom's destruction.

At the center of the narrative is Seren Morvak, a young and defiant court mage who is tasked with suppressing the encroachment of the Feralwild. Seren’s journey is one of personal and moral conflict. She is caught between loyalty to the kingdom she serves and the deep, growing understanding that nature's indifference to human suffering is far greater than any force of civilization. As the forest creeps further into the land, she becomes entangled in the dark rituals and secrets of the ancient druidic orders, unraveling truths that challenge her understanding of magic, power, and the cost of survival.

Tarren Voss, the ruthless spymaster of Aeskarryn, is another key character in the tale. Holding ancient bloodline secrets, he is a man of many faces, a master of manipulation who is both an ally and a potential threat. His loyalty is as shifting as the shadows, and his involvement in a counter-ritual against Ardyn’s pact with Vaelithorne becomes central to the unfolding events. Tarren’s true intentions remain hidden, as he works from the shadows to manipulate the situation for his own advantage.

Miraen Corthal, a traitorous noblewoman secretly allied with the Feralwild, introduces an element of human betrayal into the narrative. She is one of the many who view the encroaching wilderness not as a threat, but as a liberating force—a purging of the artificial constructs of human society. Her rebellion against Ardyn, which begins as a whisper of dissent, eventually blossoms into full-blown insurrection. The Verdant Choir, a mysterious group of beings made of moss, bone, and root, works alongside Miraen, infiltrating the royal court and driving the common folk to madness with their song.

In the background, the Feralwild itself is a character—both sentient and ancient, its twisted and chaotic nature an embodiment of nature’s indifference to human strife. The forest is a living thing, ancient beyond measure, and its influence stretches deep into the history of Thirvannor. Its reach extends far beyond the physical realm, touching the minds and souls of those it ensnares, leading them to madness, transformation, and in some cases, madness and death.

As the kingdom of Aeskarryn teeters on the brink of collapse, Seren discovers ancient glyphs pointing to Vaelithorne’s Cradle, a sacred site where the forest god’s power resides. King Ardyn plans a secret parley with the ancient god, offering everything he holds dear in exchange for the survival of his people. But as the Feralwild awakens, so too does the danger it poses. The forest, it seems, has plans of its own.